ORANA-Annual-Report-2015-16-v7

ORANA ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
PRESIDENT’S
REP RT
BILL FILMER AM FAICD FRAeS FIEAust
I’m happy to report that our results for the 2016 financial
year have been very positive both in a financial sense and
from the main perspective of building a better organisation
to support our clients.
During the year we conducted a families and carer’s survey
which highlighted that we have caring staff and that the
needs of clients are well catered. This is a gratifying result as
Orana has set in place a focussed and continuous emphasis
on being a person centred organisation which four out of
five respondents believed to be true. However, we recognise
we can always do better. Hence we have developed a plan to
address issues that require improvement to ensure we provide
excellence to every one of our clients in residential support.
Our employees also responded very positively to the survey
with regard to working in our eight employment centres.
Security of work and opportunities to try different jobs were
the predominant concerns. Our direction to set up centres
of expertise in each centre to improve open employment
opportunities and viability and offer services to a wider
customer base so that we aren’t at the mercy of one customer
is necessary to provide stability, but it does limit the range
of jobs. The Board is very mindful of the need to balance
revenue streams, productivity and skill development to fulfil
the mission of Orana to be viable and to offer choices to
people with disability. Orana needs customers and employees
in order to succeed; hence decisions are made in light of the
current hard times in manufacturing, job opportunities in
open employment and anticipated funding changes to be
introduced with the NDIS.
Our next planned change involves moving Orana from a South
Australian Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by
Guarantee. This will not change our status as a charity, but it
will allow us to consider operations and partnerships at the
national level, particularly in a time where there are significant
national reforms being implemented across Australia requiring
a national approach. Preparedness as a Company Limited by
Guarantee will readily allow us to establish new opportunities
with other like-minded entities. As we operate services
along the river Murray and in Mount Gambier we have been
provided opportunities to take on organisations in NSW
and VIC. Moving to a new legal structure will enable future
opportunities not be missed where they provide a sound
business decision. A future general meeting of the members
will be held to discuss and vote on such a change.
Orana has set in
place a focussed and
continuous emphasis on
being a person centred
organisation
On behalf of the Board I thank the chief executive and
management team in leading the changes to the organisation
during the year. We operate in a dynamic environment
and require our managers and staff to embrace change.
Continuous improvement is how Orana will be acclaimed for
excellence in services to people with a disability.
During the year we farewelled Michelle Nardelli from the
Board and welcomed Arnie Narayan and Andrew Berg.
Michelle was the former chair of the marketing subcommittee
and I thank her for her four years of service to Orana.
4