08.03.2022 Views

NADO Annual Report 2020 - 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

N A D O 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1<br />

ANNUAL REPORT


Front Cover Image - Tomasi Taulahi


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 1<br />

TABLE OF<br />

contents<br />

reports<br />

President’s <strong>Report</strong>.........................................................................................4 - 5<br />

Chief Executive Officer’s <strong>Report</strong>.................................................................6 - 7<br />

Treasurer’s <strong>Report</strong>.........................................................................................8 - 9<br />

Governance Board....................................................................................10 - 11<br />

Service Delivery <strong>Report</strong>........................................................................... 12 - 13<br />

Human Resources <strong>Report</strong>...................................................................... 14 - 15<br />

Accommodation <strong>Report</strong>......................................................................... 16 - 17<br />

Marketing <strong>Report</strong>...................................................................................... 18 - 19<br />

Community Engagement and Sponsorship <strong>Report</strong>.......................... 20 - 21<br />

Quality Assurance and Compliance <strong>Report</strong>................................................22<br />

Clinical <strong>Report</strong>...................................................................................................23<br />

programs and stories<br />

Painting Awareness across the Blue Mountains....................................... 26<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> Sensory Store - Giving Back to the Community............................. 27<br />

Broadcasting Inclusion on the Air Waves....................................................28<br />

Sensory Store....................................................................................................29<br />

Opening of Short Term Accommodation at Winmalee.................... 30 - 31<br />

financial<br />

Extract Financial <strong>Report</strong>......................................................................... 35 - 37<br />

community<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf Day........................................................40 - 43<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong>....................................................................................... 44 - 45<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> VIP Partners................................................................................ 46 - 47


2


eports<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 3


4<br />

president's<br />

REPORT<br />

Percy Madon<br />

President<br />

“If you are facing a new<br />

challenge or being asked to<br />

do something that you have<br />

never done before don’t be<br />

afraid to step out. You have<br />

more capability than you<br />

think you do but you will<br />

never see it unless you place a<br />

demand on yourself for more.”<br />

Joyce Meyer


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 5<br />

Societies in Australia and the world<br />

have begun to look forward to life<br />

and hope beyond the last 18 months<br />

of the pandemic. The previous 12<br />

months have been challenging for<br />

most, but our participants have<br />

been some of the most vulnerable<br />

people and seeing them respond<br />

positively has provided our people<br />

in <strong>NADO</strong> with the inspiration to<br />

continue providing services of the<br />

highest quality and integrity.<br />

As I reflect on the past year, the<br />

most heartening things have been to<br />

see the growth of our organisation,<br />

our ability to adapt through<br />

innovation and the relentless intent<br />

to ensure the safety and comfort<br />

of our participants under changing<br />

circumstances and protocols. Our<br />

people are our greatest asset and<br />

creating an environment for them<br />

to thrive in is immensely humbling.<br />

As we go into print it is with great<br />

pride that we announce that <strong>NADO</strong><br />

has been recognised as a Winner<br />

for “Employer of Choice” in the<br />

Australian Business Awards <strong>2021</strong>.<br />

Our CEO Denise Heath and her<br />

extended Executive team are largely<br />

instrumental in achieving this and<br />

have demonstrated great leadership<br />

in ensuring the organisation has<br />

emerged from the core of the<br />

Pandemic more strengthened and<br />

resourceful.<br />

We have prided ourselves as being<br />

an organisation that always looks<br />

forward and we are very excited<br />

with the contribution we will make<br />

to our communities through the<br />

introduction of “Share My Ability”<br />

which is a purpose built facility for<br />

everyone with all abilities to enjoy.<br />

We continue to look at strategic<br />

opportunities in the accommodation<br />

space, recognising that the<br />

government continues to encourage<br />

organisations to invest in creating<br />

more special needs accomodation.<br />

Regeneration and evolution of the<br />

Board remains a constant and I am<br />

delighted to welcome Sue Fryer<br />

to the board. Sue brings with her<br />

many years of experience with<br />

community organisations and will<br />

be an asset to the <strong>NADO</strong> family. I<br />

would also like to acknowledge and<br />

thank my fellow board members in<br />

Ray Dyer, Anil Puri, Vanessa Griffin<br />

and Sam Arnold for their continued<br />

investment in <strong>NADO</strong>.<br />

In conclusion I am reminded of what<br />

Helen Keller said “Optimism is the<br />

faith that leads to achievement.<br />

Nothing can be done without hope<br />

and confidence.”


6<br />

chief<br />

executive<br />

officer's<br />

REPORT<br />

Denise Heath<br />

Chief Executive Officer<br />

Resilience is often discovered<br />

when we find ourselves able to<br />

handle the unexpected and more<br />

often the unwanted situations that<br />

come our way.<br />

When organisations show their<br />

capacity to rebound from adversity<br />

as a strengthened and more<br />

resourceful body, as <strong>NADO</strong> does,<br />

we can feel confident in our ability<br />

to support people with a disability<br />

and their families safely in the<br />

context of a COVID world.<br />

The team effort has been<br />

extraordinary, as has the leadership,<br />

completing major projects and<br />

commencing new projects, at the<br />

same time as delivering the<br />

high-quality customer service<br />

we pride ourselves on in a very<br />

challenging landscape. Our end of<br />

year position, with a total income<br />

increase of 9.5% is a clear indication<br />

of our continued steady and<br />

managed growth as we strive to<br />

meet the needs of our community.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 7<br />

My team has grown with the<br />

introduction of an executive Quality<br />

Assurance and Compliance role<br />

filled by Ellen McFarlane who brings<br />

a wealth of skills and experience<br />

to ensure a solid framework<br />

of reporting data and systems<br />

required of our regulatory bodies as<br />

well as satisfying our continuous<br />

improvement programs.<br />

We introduced a Project Manager<br />

to the team, Andrew Cleary,<br />

to project manage our new<br />

Sensory Activity Centre initiative,<br />

undertaking a body of work to<br />

ensure our facility provides a safe,<br />

fun and supportive environment<br />

for the enjoyment of children and<br />

adults of all abilities which is due to<br />

open late <strong>2021</strong>.<br />

The third change to the team<br />

was due to the retirement of our<br />

CFO, Narendra Charan. Narendra<br />

brought commercial accounting<br />

skills and experience to <strong>NADO</strong><br />

when our business model was<br />

changed due to the introduction<br />

of the NDIS. He implemented<br />

important systems that will place<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> in a sound position for many<br />

years to come. His successor,<br />

Mark Heinz, commenced in March<br />

<strong>2021</strong>. Mark is an accountant with<br />

both commercial and not for profit<br />

experience, well versed in the<br />

processes of NDIS and familiar<br />

with most aspects of NDIS service<br />

delivery. He is an experienced<br />

executive and rounds out our team<br />

going forward, together with Brooke<br />

Wilkie, Julia Tierney, Deborah<br />

Ferreira, Linda Wilson, Ellen<br />

McFarlane, and Andrew Cleary all of<br />

whom I thank for their considerable<br />

efforts that have contributed to<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>’s successful achievement of<br />

all set goals.<br />

Some major milestones achieved<br />

this year included two major<br />

accommodation projects. Firstly,<br />

the commencement of our shortterm<br />

accommodation facility<br />

in Winmalee, where guests are<br />

supported in the comfort of a<br />

beautifully appointed property. We<br />

are extremely proud of the outcome<br />

and know it will help many people<br />

in our community now and for<br />

many years ahead (see page 30-31).<br />

We also purchased a group home<br />

in Penrith, which also has many<br />

features that offer residents a<br />

comfortable and modern amenity,<br />

perfect for the young women who<br />

reside there.<br />

Last year, <strong>NADO</strong> became eligible for<br />

Jobkeeper with the downturn in our<br />

services due to COVID-19, with the<br />

income supporting staff wages and<br />

business costs during the initial<br />

outbreak. The Jobkeeper program<br />

of support finished in September<br />

<strong>2020</strong>, with remaining funds<br />

quarantined to provide a buffer<br />

against new outbreaks, such as the<br />

one experienced at the end of this<br />

financial year. We thank the Federal<br />

Government for the resources that<br />

are helping to maintain our staffing<br />

and services into the future.<br />

On a national scale, The Royal<br />

Commission into Violence, Abuse,<br />

Neglect and Exploitation of People<br />

with Disability exposed some<br />

heartbreaking stories that will give<br />

cause for important changes to the<br />

sector’s governance, leadership,<br />

and supervision of disability<br />

services. The Commission still<br />

has more work to complete,<br />

and we look forward to their<br />

recommendations and findings.<br />

The <strong>NADO</strong> Board have been a great<br />

support through testing times, and<br />

I’d like to thank Percy Madon, Ray<br />

Dyer, Anil Puri, Vanessa Griffin,<br />

Sam Arnold, Rhonda Burke and<br />

Sue Fryer for their commitment,<br />

experience, insights, and expertise -<br />

altogether a fantastic contribution<br />

to a valuable community<br />

organisation.


8<br />

treasurer's<br />

REPORT<br />

Anil Puri<br />

Treasurer<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> experienced another good<br />

year with continued growth in<br />

income, being 9.5% higher than<br />

FY<strong>2020</strong>, to achieve Total Income<br />

of $18,254,557 for FY<strong>2021</strong>, plus<br />

a healthy surplus of $1,287,199<br />

(down from $2,193,551 in FY<strong>2020</strong>).<br />

Despite the lingering effects of<br />

COVID on our operations, it is<br />

extremely pleasing to see another<br />

year of solid growth. The results<br />

include a modest amount of the<br />

Federal Government’s JobKeeper<br />

support payments which helped<br />

to offset the continuing impact<br />

of COVID on the various services<br />

provided by <strong>NADO</strong>. This support<br />

helped <strong>NADO</strong> to maintain a healthy<br />

financial position which meant we<br />

were better able to support our staff,<br />

our participants, and their families<br />

during this challenging time.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 9<br />

COVID restrictions and participant<br />

safety concerns continued to<br />

impact our Day Program service<br />

for most of the year. This area<br />

performed significantly worse than<br />

prior to COVID and did not show<br />

significant improvement until the<br />

last quarter of the financial year.<br />

The Connect service, while not<br />

impacted as much in terms of<br />

revenue, had a significantly lower<br />

overall result because of higher<br />

costs relating to higher staff-toparticipant<br />

ratios and associated<br />

costs. However, the decision in<br />

recent years to diversify <strong>NADO</strong>’s<br />

range of services and income<br />

streams has allowed <strong>NADO</strong> to be<br />

less impacted from the COVID<br />

challenge than otherwise would<br />

have been the case.<br />

Our operating revenue growth was<br />

mainly a result of growth in our<br />

accommodation service which was<br />

largely unaffected by COVID. In<br />

fact, the accommodation service<br />

benefited as participants were more<br />

home bound and required additional<br />

in-home support. During the year,<br />

we also launched our respite centre<br />

in Winmalee and purchased a group<br />

home in Penrith, both of which have<br />

contributed to our accommodation<br />

service income during the year. Our<br />

allied health services also showed<br />

some growth but was hampered<br />

by difficulties retaining and finding<br />

appropriately qualified staff in a<br />

very competitive labour market.<br />

Our expenses during the year<br />

climbed relative to our income<br />

because of COVID-related expenses<br />

(such as PPE) but also because<br />

of investments into training our<br />

team and improving our IT systems<br />

and related processes. These<br />

investments will continue to equip<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> with the ability to offer a high<br />

level of service to our participants.<br />

Otherwise, our expenses remain<br />

well controlled and continue to be<br />

reviewed regularly and managed<br />

closely.<br />

The surplus of $1.3m that we have<br />

delivered this year, while down from<br />

$2.2m in FY<strong>2020</strong>, is still very healthy<br />

with an operating margin of 7.0%.<br />

The ongoing impact of COVID on our<br />

Day Program and Connect services<br />

have been substantial but this<br />

has been offset by the JobKeeper<br />

payments received during the year.<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> has also quarantined some<br />

of those payments to help protect<br />

us from further impacts, such as the<br />

lockdown experienced at the end of<br />

the financial year, and to aid in the<br />

recovery of the services affected by<br />

COVID.<br />

Our cash holdings have remained<br />

stable throughout the year as<br />

a result of the surplus and the<br />

JobKeeper support. This has<br />

allowed us to invest in additional<br />

infrastructure and resources<br />

to expand our services to the<br />

community and to continue<br />

providing the level of service and<br />

support that we are proud of.<br />

We continue to have an active<br />

strategy in place to review further<br />

opportunities to invest funds to<br />

provide quality, innovative services<br />

to our community of participants<br />

and their carers.<br />

It has certainly been another<br />

challenging year, but the entire<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> team has persevered and<br />

remained positive and focused<br />

on helping our clients and their<br />

families through these challenging<br />

times. They have ensured that<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> remains very well-regarded<br />

in the region and we continue to<br />

be strongly placed to invest further<br />

in expanding our range of services<br />

and provide quality, genuine care<br />

to participants and the community<br />

that we serve.<br />

Mark Heinz<br />

Chief Financial Officer<br />

As the new CFO, commencing<br />

in March <strong>2021</strong>, I’ve enjoyed the<br />

opportunities and challenges<br />

of joining such a well-regarded<br />

organisation.<br />

Narendra Charan, previous CFO<br />

has since retired, after providing<br />

me with an extensive hand over<br />

and leaving the organisation with<br />

processes and systems in very<br />

good shape. I would like to express<br />

my thanks and gratitude for the<br />

support that I have since received<br />

from my team of Brigitte Sirocic,<br />

Lisa Devery, Bhaumika Patel and<br />

Stephen Rose. It is evident to me<br />

that my team work extremely hard<br />

and are very focused and dedicated.<br />

I would also like to thank Denise<br />

Heath for her guidance and support<br />

along with the Management Team<br />

and Board who have all made me<br />

feel very welcome.<br />

In my opinion, <strong>NADO</strong> has<br />

performed well over the financial<br />

year especially considering the<br />

ever-changing landscape in which<br />

we operate. I look forward to the<br />

year ahead.


10<br />

Percy Madon<br />

President<br />

governance<br />

BOARD<br />

Percy Madon commenced on<br />

the Board of <strong>NADO</strong> in 2013 and<br />

specialises in business leadership<br />

and management. Percy has<br />

worked with multinationals<br />

including SAP, IBM, PWC and E&Y<br />

and holds a Masters in Business<br />

Administration (MBA). He brings<br />

commercial experience and a<br />

passion for supporting people with<br />

disabilities. Percy’s commercial<br />

experience assists <strong>NADO</strong>’s<br />

transformation into a market-driven<br />

model under the NDIS.<br />

Anil Puri<br />

Treasurer<br />

Anil Puri commenced on the Board<br />

of <strong>NADO</strong> in 2014 and specialises<br />

in business development, financial<br />

management, organisational<br />

systems and team development.<br />

He is a trained accountant with<br />

a Masters of Management and<br />

has many years of experience<br />

working in corporate businesses.<br />

Anil is passionate about helping<br />

individuals and is committed to<br />

assisting <strong>NADO</strong> adapt and grow in<br />

a changing environment.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 11<br />

Vanessa Griffin<br />

Vice President<br />

Vanessa Griffin commenced on the<br />

Board of <strong>NADO</strong> in 2019. Vanessa<br />

practised as a Registered Building<br />

Surveyor for over 20 years prior to<br />

specialising in the field of access,<br />

which was her passion and interest<br />

and is now a registered Access<br />

Consultant with AACA. She brings<br />

a skill set and knowledge to ensure<br />

the built environment is accessible<br />

for all and inclusive. Vanessa is<br />

a parent to a child with a genetic<br />

disability.<br />

Ray Dyer<br />

Secretary<br />

Ray Dyer commenced on the Board<br />

of <strong>NADO</strong> in 2010 and became<br />

President in 2014. Ray has been a<br />

long-time <strong>NADO</strong> supporter, bringing<br />

a well-rounded background of<br />

relevant professional experience in<br />

human resources, management,<br />

worker's compensation and training<br />

together with a personal interest in<br />

supporting people with disabilities<br />

to be included as valued members<br />

of our community.<br />

Samuel Arnold<br />

Director<br />

Dr Samuel Arnold commenced<br />

on the Board of <strong>NADO</strong> in 2017.<br />

He is a registered psychologist<br />

and works as a lecturer in the<br />

Department of Developmental<br />

Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN)<br />

UNSW Sydney. He is currently<br />

the convenor of the Australian<br />

Psychological Society Psychology<br />

of Intellectual Disability and Autism<br />

Interest Group. Sam is passionate<br />

about the empowerment of people<br />

with disability to pursue a chosen<br />

valued life.<br />

Sue Fryer<br />

Director<br />

Sue Fryer commenced as a<br />

Director on the <strong>NADO</strong> Board in<br />

<strong>2020</strong>. Sue has more than 30 years’<br />

experience in office administration<br />

and management roles primarily in<br />

the not-for-profit sector promoting<br />

community programs. Sue brings<br />

this experience to <strong>NADO</strong> where<br />

she hopes she can further offer her<br />

knowledge and expertise and fulfill<br />

her desire of helping others.


12<br />

service<br />

delivery<br />

REPORT<br />

Brooke Wilkie<br />

General Manager<br />

This year passed very quickly as<br />

we kept pivoting our programs and<br />

services to ensure our participants<br />

were supported in the best way<br />

possible during all the COVID-19<br />

changes. Our wonderful staff were<br />

extremely supportive of changes<br />

that enabled us to continue to<br />

resume full operations, as soon as<br />

we were permitted.<br />

We had a busy time expanding<br />

our teams and services to meet<br />

emerging demands. We created a<br />

new position of Practice Manager<br />

and welcomed Tracy Smith to<br />

oversee the growing Behaviour<br />

Support Specialist Team, Support<br />

Coordination Team, and commence<br />

recruitment for a speech therapist.<br />

Sharon Morrison was promoted into<br />

the Team Leader role for Support<br />

Coordination and in addition to this,<br />

we welcomed Alex Stevens to the<br />

Support Coordination team and<br />

Hai Truong – Psychologist.<br />

1:1 services now known as “Team<br />

You” has also expanded and<br />

Anabelle Wells joined Jacki Long<br />

and Megan Hayes to assist the<br />

participants in kicking goals and<br />

changing lives.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 13<br />

Lead by Vanessa Vella-Adams as<br />

Accommodation Manager, both<br />

our accommodation and shortterm<br />

accommodation continue<br />

to grow strong with 11 group<br />

homes and 2 drop in support<br />

homes now being supported by<br />

our support staff, while our shortterm<br />

accommodation services are<br />

also expanding with an additional<br />

fully accessible house in Winmalee,<br />

Blue Mountains. The extensive<br />

renovations have provided a high<br />

level of safety, style, and comfort –<br />

some say it’s like a 5-star hotel!<br />

Day Programs had a slow start to<br />

the year with participants returning<br />

gradually after COVID. Suzanne<br />

Giordano and Tina Khalifeh<br />

supporting additional centres<br />

during this year, with Gity Shariati<br />

on extended leave. We welcomed<br />

Carey Tidyman to the team who<br />

as Acting Coordinator has been<br />

overseeing both Penrith Central and<br />

St Marys Centres.<br />

Like our other programs, our<br />

Kidszone and School Holiday<br />

programs have also had<br />

interruptions due to COVID-19.<br />

With Amy Hudson moving on to<br />

pursue other opportunities, Jessica<br />

Spiteri was successful in her<br />

application of the Coordination role<br />

looking after both programs and is<br />

bringing new and innovative ideas<br />

for our participants to enjoy, which<br />

is evident due to the increased<br />

number of kids and young people<br />

joining our programs.<br />

Vanessa Santucci, Customer<br />

Engagement Coordinator as<br />

always, played a pivotal role,<br />

coordinating our Plan Management<br />

services, supporting administration,<br />

as well as being the point of<br />

contact for <strong>NADO</strong> Sensory Store. I<br />

would also like to congratulate her<br />

on achieving Employee of the Year<br />

quarterly award.<br />

We continue our commitment to<br />

extending the depth and breadth<br />

of support worker professional<br />

training, leading to the enrolment<br />

of all members of the Leadership<br />

Team into the TAFE Leadership<br />

and Management Certificate<br />

IV. In response to the increasing<br />

numbers of participants with<br />

mental health needs, key support<br />

staff and leaders were enrolled into<br />

the TAFE training, Mental Health<br />

Certificate IV, to improve our staff<br />

skills and assist our participants<br />

more effectively.<br />

Our annual participant survey<br />

is always eagerly reviewed for<br />

opportunities to improve our<br />

services and acknowledge<br />

any contributions that make<br />

a difference. This year our<br />

satisfaction rating was high with<br />

some amazing feedback, including:<br />

“Thank you so much. I feel so<br />

blessed that Charlie has access to<br />

such an amazing facility. Please<br />

pass on our thanks to Tracey and<br />

Bella who greeted us on arrival<br />

and Bella for looking after him for<br />

the day.”<br />

“I just wanted to reach out and say<br />

how incredible the team at <strong>NADO</strong><br />

has been.”<br />

“The support coordination team<br />

and psychologists go above and<br />

beyond with such a passion for<br />

helping people. The level of work<br />

ethic and communication has<br />

been exemplary, and I wouldn't<br />

want this to go unnoticed.”<br />

“I just want to convey my sincere<br />

appreciation and thanks to the<br />

team at <strong>NADO</strong>. The people are<br />

outstanding.”<br />

The Touch Footy Team were proud<br />

to participate again in the All-<br />

Abilities Nationals at Coffs Harbour<br />

earlier this year. We fielded two<br />

teams of 10 players and although<br />

we came away with a few injuries<br />

and didn’t bring home the win, it<br />

was an inclusive event and another<br />

amazing experience for the vault.<br />

I would also like to thank the<br />

dedicated staff who attended this<br />

trip and ensured the experience<br />

was positive and safe for everyone<br />

involved.<br />

It has been a turbulent year, but<br />

there have been many highlights<br />

due to our amazing participants<br />

and generous staff on our teams.<br />

To them all, I say ‘thank you’.<br />

Finally, thank you to my colleagues<br />

in the Management team in<br />

particular Denise Heath for her<br />

guidance and support throughout<br />

the year.


14<br />

human<br />

resources<br />

REPORT<br />

Julia Tierney<br />

Human Resources Manager<br />

What a great year we have had.<br />

We continued to implement<br />

initiatives to support <strong>NADO</strong>’s<br />

strategic plan through our<br />

continued commitment to training<br />

and development, investing and<br />

implementing tools and initiatives<br />

to create a mentally healthy<br />

workplace whilst maintaining a<br />

safe workplace, namely around<br />

COVID-19.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 15<br />

Mental Health training was a key<br />

project for the year, due to the<br />

ongoing complexity of dealing<br />

with COVID-19. We listened to<br />

our employees and measured<br />

satisfaction as well as pressure<br />

points through our Employee<br />

Engagement and Mentally Healthy<br />

Workplace Surveys.<br />

Pleasingly, <strong>NADO</strong> has been<br />

recognised by Assured Programs<br />

for the work invested to create a<br />

mentally healthy workplace. How<br />

did we do this?<br />

• The introduction of the Altius<br />

Life, Health and Wellbeing app<br />

giving access to all employees<br />

• Enrolling Supervisors and key<br />

employees into the Cert IV<br />

Mental Health<br />

• The roll out of the Mental Health<br />

Awareness course for people<br />

leaders and employees through<br />

the Black Dog Institute<br />

• The implementation of the<br />

#actionforhappiness monthly<br />

calendar<br />

• The introduction of psychological<br />

job demands within position<br />

descriptions as full disclosure<br />

and transparency upfront<br />

• The introduction of mental<br />

health education awareness<br />

uploaded onto our on-line<br />

training platform, Sentrient,<br />

in particular:<br />

• Anxiety and Its Disorders<br />

• Depressive Disorders; and<br />

• Schizophrenia<br />

Whilst working on implementing<br />

initiatives to support a mentally<br />

healthy workplace, we continued<br />

to upskill <strong>NADO</strong>’s workforce<br />

by implementing new training<br />

modules to:<br />

• Better understand intellectual<br />

disability<br />

• Support a person with<br />

Dysphasia<br />

• Improve knowledge of behaviour<br />

support strategies and<br />

delivered;<br />

• Trauma Informed Training<br />

Additionally, as part of our<br />

continued commitment we<br />

were successful in obtaining the<br />

wage boost subsidy allowing<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> to place our team through<br />

many of these training courses<br />

and achieving key areas of our<br />

employee feedback around training<br />

and development.<br />

Recruitment, retention and<br />

selection strategy has been an<br />

ongoing focus of our workforce<br />

planning with key roles successfully<br />

recruited including the Chief<br />

Financial Officer, Quality Assurance<br />

and Compliance Manager and<br />

Practice Manager along with the<br />

ongoing recruitment of quality<br />

Disability Support Workers. We<br />

further focussed on a recruitment<br />

strategy in preparation for new and<br />

ongoing services.<br />

Before I close off, I wanted to<br />

take the opportunity to thank the<br />

Leadership team for their ongoing<br />

support and a special mention to<br />

Brooke Forde, HR/Payroll Officer<br />

and Ann Schmitz, Customer<br />

Service/HR Administration Support<br />

who continue to deliver a positive<br />

contribution to the HR function and<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>’s customer experience.


16<br />

accommodation<br />

REPORT<br />

Vanessa Vella-Adams<br />

Accommodation Manager<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> offers a wide range of<br />

flexible accommodation support<br />

services that allow people with a<br />

disability to build independence,<br />

participate in the community and<br />

maintain good communication<br />

with families, friends and their<br />

circle of supports.<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> currently provides Supported<br />

Independent Living (SIL) housing<br />

accommodation to ten sites across<br />

the Penrith region and we are excited<br />

to announce that we will be opening<br />

our eleventh SIL house in Glenmore<br />

Park early September <strong>2021</strong>.<br />

September <strong>2020</strong> we opened a<br />

SIL home in St Clair – two of the<br />

residents of the new home had<br />

been residing in <strong>NADO</strong>’s shortterm<br />

accommodation waiting for<br />

a suitable long term option. The<br />

residents had the opportunity to<br />

get to know each other and decided<br />

they were compatible for living<br />

together long-term with another<br />

two men who were already living in<br />

a shared house together.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 17<br />

To ensure compatibility <strong>NADO</strong> staff<br />

supported all four participants<br />

through a comprehensive<br />

transitioning process, facilitating<br />

get-togethers to have the<br />

opportunity of spending time<br />

together prior to moving<br />

in. The transition to the new<br />

accommodation went smoothly,<br />

with tailored support to meet each<br />

person’s needs.<br />

It has been great to see how Peter,<br />

Allan (Stuart), Ronald and Robert<br />

adapted to their new home and<br />

each other, the banter and rapport<br />

the gentleman have with each other<br />

is wonderful to see. Friendships<br />

have been forged and they each<br />

enjoy support and good company<br />

from each other.<br />

Supported Independent Living<br />

ensures that residents learn skills<br />

of independence, for instance, how<br />

to cook, general household tasks,<br />

purchasing groceries, budgeting<br />

and finances, and making decisions<br />

involving the daily running of their<br />

home. <strong>NADO</strong> staff support each<br />

resident to live a fulfilled life through<br />

community involvement, sustaining<br />

work placements, and learning<br />

programs and welcomes family<br />

support and involvement, ensuring<br />

family identity remains paramount.<br />

Over the past 12 months, our<br />

Short-term Accommodation (STA)<br />

located at St Mary’s (the Cottage)<br />

has supported a number of guests<br />

with a steady stream of enquiries<br />

and bookings, as well as returned<br />

guests seeking short-term support,<br />

emergency care and medium term<br />

support as they seek their forever<br />

home.<br />

In June <strong>2021</strong>, we expanded our<br />

STA in St Mary’s by an additional<br />

3 bedrooms with an additional<br />

kitchen, bathroom and living areas.<br />

We’re pleased to be able to offer<br />

more support options to our guests<br />

and a place that families can rely<br />

on for their respite needs.<br />

Finally! We were excited to<br />

announce the opening of our STA<br />

home located in Winmalee earlier<br />

this year - a project that was two<br />

years in the making. The wait was<br />

worth it with the final fit out stylish<br />

and functional.<br />

The community support has been<br />

overwhelming, with bookings taken<br />

well in advance of our opening<br />

date. Like our St Marys STA, the<br />

live-in support is there to suit a<br />

number of needs and it’s great to<br />

see the friendships forming and the<br />

independence growing.<br />

Throughout COVID-19, STA has<br />

continued to support guests and<br />

give respite to families that is much<br />

needed to see them through these<br />

difficult times.<br />

All of this is not without the support<br />

of the Accommodation Leadership<br />

team that I am so grateful to<br />

be a part of. Their passion and<br />

dedication to each resident<br />

especially through these difficult<br />

times has been something that I<br />

am personally appreciative of.<br />

Thank you to our Accommodation<br />

Coordinators; Kylie Loadsman,<br />

Aga Rogoz, Limcy Sunil, Jeremy<br />

Voorn, Yusdi Maksum and Lesley<br />

Johnson. Working together as a<br />

team we have been able to help<br />

more people, provide quality<br />

supports and celebrate the<br />

achievements.<br />

To the Accommodation Team<br />

Leaders; Victor Santos, Christie<br />

McGrath, Narelle Henderson, Carey<br />

Tidyman, Lynelle Rafter, Wendy<br />

Scott, Karen Daly, Donna Newton,<br />

Taliah Fuimaono, Michelle Felstead,<br />

Danielle Privett, Kate Agius and<br />

Annette Hofmeier - thank you for<br />

ensuring residents are supported<br />

to work towards their goals<br />

and to continue to develop their<br />

independence. To see some of the<br />

success stories and achievements<br />

is a reflection of your hard work and<br />

dedication.<br />

I would also like to thank all our<br />

support staff who work across<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>’s accommodation sites.<br />

You are the front line supports<br />

that ensures our residents<br />

experience new opportunities, are<br />

provided with the right support<br />

and encouragement to achieve<br />

their goals, but you’re also there<br />

reassuring them when things are<br />

not going so well.<br />

Your dedication and hard work are<br />

truly appreciated. Thank you for all<br />

that you do.


18<br />

marketing<br />

REPORT<br />

Deborah Ferreira<br />

Marketing Manager<br />

In a vast and ever-changing world,<br />

the challenges within a marketing<br />

landscape continue to evolve at<br />

a rapid pace. With the current<br />

pandemic impacting the lives<br />

of everyone, digital and virtual<br />

options for the way we live, work,<br />

learn and communicate have never<br />

been so important.<br />

Online video was a relatively new<br />

channel that <strong>NADO</strong> explored in the<br />

past year, with the view to promote<br />

specific services in a new and<br />

engaging manner. Four promotional<br />

videos were filmed and developed,<br />

which included our Community Day<br />

Program, Allied Health Services,<br />

Short-term Accommodation, and<br />

the Sensory Store.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 19<br />

These promotional videos were<br />

featured on the relevant advertising<br />

channels with the purpose to<br />

showcase our services and<br />

portray the professionalism of<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> in alignment with our<br />

Mission and Vision.<br />

Unfortunately, due to COVID and<br />

the inability to host our <strong>Annual</strong> Staff<br />

Conference, Marketing developed<br />

the “Year in Reflection” Video that<br />

showcased and highlighted all the<br />

amazing achievements from our<br />

participants and their support staff,<br />

which was well received among the<br />

workforce and wider community.<br />

But it didn’t stop there, an awareness<br />

video in support of International Day<br />

of People with Disability (IDPwD)<br />

was also created in additional to<br />

the Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf<br />

Day event. All of these videos are<br />

available to view on our <strong>NADO</strong><br />

Disability Services YouTube channel.<br />

From a design and print perspective,<br />

several publications were updated<br />

and refreshed including our<br />

KidsZone, NSC and a range of<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> service flyers to ensure brand<br />

professionalism and consistency.<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> also featured in the Disability<br />

Outlook magazine <strong>2021</strong>.<br />

Software efficiency programs<br />

were also achieved by Marketing,<br />

with a new online booking system<br />

being built and implemented<br />

onto the <strong>NADO</strong> website. This new<br />

system focused on streamlining<br />

the booking process, enabling<br />

a smooth, simple and easy<br />

functionality when booking<br />

children’s activities and adult social<br />

events by our participants and/or<br />

their families and carers.<br />

Social media continues to be at<br />

the forefront of the organisation,<br />

allowing visual insights into the<br />

interactions with our participants<br />

and the support they receive to<br />

achieve their goals. Our numbers<br />

are growing across the major social<br />

channels, particularly Facebook<br />

and Instagram.<br />

These social channels have never<br />

proved so valuable, especially in<br />

current times as they provide us<br />

with the ability to connect with<br />

our wider community to stay<br />

positive, share our achievements<br />

and showcase the abilities of our<br />

participants on a regular basis.<br />

Our connection to the community<br />

and media were portrayed this year<br />

in the Western Weekender, Nepean<br />

News and the Blue Mountains<br />

Gazette which covered stories<br />

including an inspiring participant<br />

achievement, our Friends of <strong>NADO</strong><br />

Charity Golf Day, our first ever Art<br />

Exhibition and the opening of our<br />

new short-term accommodation<br />

in which both local and federal<br />

representatives in the office of<br />

Susan Templeman MP, Trish<br />

Doyle MP and Blue Mountains City<br />

Council Clr Mick Fell attended the<br />

official opening.<br />

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)<br />

was another successful marketing<br />

attribute to the organisation this<br />

year, with web traffic increasing 11%<br />

in comparison to the previous year.<br />

There are several contributors to this<br />

increase, including strategic content<br />

writing, backlinks, keys words and<br />

website architecture that support an<br />

overall success. Further monitoring<br />

of the website will continue as<br />

additional inclusion and accessibility<br />

features become available.<br />

E-marketing continues to be a<br />

main communication point for<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>, with community newsletters<br />

developed bi-monthly. The purpose<br />

of these newsletters is to regularly<br />

update the local community with<br />

both participant achievements and<br />

organisational news in a fresh and<br />

engaging manner.<br />

Moving forward into the next<br />

financial year, the focus will be on<br />

developing strategic marketing<br />

plans and obtaining substantial<br />

brand awareness in regards to<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>’s upcoming new business –<br />

Share My Ability, a sensory activity<br />

centre that caters for all ages and<br />

abilities which will be located in<br />

the Penrith region. This is a new<br />

and exciting project that has<br />

received positive support from the<br />

local community, and one which<br />

Marketing is thrilled to contribute to.<br />

Marketing is slowly expanding its<br />

resources in alignment to the growth<br />

of the organisation and will continue<br />

to support all three subsets of the<br />

business (<strong>NADO</strong>, Sensory Store and<br />

Share My Ability) to ensure positive<br />

growth and brand awareness is<br />

consistently maintained.


20<br />

community<br />

engagement<br />

and<br />

sponsorship<br />

REPORT<br />

Linda Wilson<br />

Community Engagement and<br />

Sponsorship Manager<br />

Despite the ongoing restrictions<br />

and how we are able to operate<br />

and host fundraising events to<br />

raise funds, I am thrilled to report<br />

with the overwhelming support<br />

particularly through our Friends of<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf Day, <strong>2020</strong>/21<br />

has been one of our best years to<br />

date raising funds.<br />

<strong>2020</strong>/21 has been a mixed bag for<br />

us all. Major events including the St<br />

Marys Spring Festival and Penrith<br />

Festival did not go ahead again<br />

due to continued restrictions with<br />

COVID-19. Networking events slowly<br />

started to come back towards the<br />

end of <strong>2020</strong>, however, not all were<br />

back to full face to face capacity.<br />

Numbers were limited at events, and<br />

everyone had to think outside of the<br />

box in how we move forward.<br />

The Sydney and Nepean Disability<br />

Expo’s both went on-line and joined<br />

Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane<br />

and Gold Coast as one big Virtual<br />

Disability Expo which still gave<br />

people living with a disability<br />

and their family and/or carers<br />

the opportunity to reach out to<br />

hundreds of NDIS service providers<br />

across the Australian East Coast.<br />

Our staff were able to speak with<br />

attendees via our online chat<br />

system, as well as via phone calls


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 21<br />

and emails and help them navigate<br />

their services.<br />

May saw us attend the <strong>Annual</strong> Great<br />

Western Sydney Careers Market<br />

held at Nepean Valley Regional<br />

Sports Centre attracting over<br />

2000 Year 10 and 12 High School<br />

students and over 100 exhibitors<br />

over a 2-day period in a COVID safe<br />

environment. This event offers<br />

students the chance to explore and<br />

speak with a variety of educational<br />

professionals and employers about<br />

further education and/or careers<br />

options available to them. Julia and<br />

her team were thrilled to have met<br />

some young inspiring students who<br />

expressed genuine interest in what<br />

we do and how they could also help<br />

people living with disability achieve<br />

their goals.<br />

Reozone continues to be our<br />

sponsor for our Employee Quarterly<br />

Awards, as well as our Employee<br />

of the Year Award. Reozone have<br />

sponsored these Award for the<br />

last few years now and we truly<br />

appreciate the support of Aaron<br />

Hadfield and his team.<br />

The <strong>Annual</strong> FishFest was held in<br />

February and again this year, <strong>NADO</strong><br />

was the proud recipient of the<br />

money raised through their ongoing<br />

charity initiative through their<br />

registration. FishFest is an annual<br />

event run by Penrith Panthers<br />

Fishing Club (PPFC). We thank the<br />

PPFC Committee for their ongoing<br />

support and value our continued<br />

partnership over the past years.<br />

We held our much-anticipated<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf Day<br />

in April and had an overwhelming<br />

sponsorships take-up, as well as<br />

additional teams which resulted<br />

in over 120 players. Thank you to<br />

everyone who attended and helping<br />

to make it such a successful day<br />

and raising much needed funds<br />

toward our new Sensory Activity<br />

Centre due to open late <strong>2021</strong>.<br />

I would like to thank our Supporting<br />

Partner Jason Roberts and his<br />

team, in particular Zach Roberts<br />

and Tom Parker at Elite Sand & Soil<br />

for their ongoing support towards<br />

this event. Each year this event<br />

keeps getting bigger, and this is<br />

largely due to Jason's support and<br />

introductions to organisations and<br />

individuals we would normally not<br />

have the opportunity to meet. I’m<br />

so proud of this event and that it is<br />

fast becoming an annual event for<br />

many to attend each year.<br />

On top of our Sponsors on the day,<br />

we also welcomed several local<br />

businesses who kindly donated<br />

towards our raffle which enabled<br />

us to raise even more money on the<br />

day.<br />

A special thank you to Vanessa<br />

Santucci (Customer Engagement<br />

Coordinator), your support on<br />

the day is greatly appreciated.<br />

Thank you also to the staff and<br />

participants; Michelle Felstead,<br />

Cameron Cook and Nicole Wort, as<br />

well as Victor Santos and Romeo<br />

Chua who also helped raise funds<br />

on the day and had fun interacting<br />

with our supporters.<br />

For more information about the<br />

day, our sponsors and donors –<br />

go to pages 40-43.<br />

Our Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> and <strong>NADO</strong><br />

VIP Business Partners continue to<br />

remain steady, and we understand<br />

the past 18 months have not been<br />

easy for a lot of businesses, but<br />

we are grateful for their continued<br />

support (go to pages 44-45 for<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> and pages 46-47<br />

for <strong>NADO</strong> VIP Business Partners).<br />

I would like to thank staff who<br />

volunteered their time at the Virtual<br />

Disability Expo in September last<br />

year and the staff who helped Julia<br />

at the Greater Western Sydney<br />

Careers Market in May this year.<br />

Lastly, although it has been a trying<br />

time over the past 12 months due<br />

to COVID, it is an honour to work<br />

with such a dedicated Executive<br />

Team, Leadership Team and Board.<br />

The guidance from our CEO Denise<br />

Heath, as well as our HR Manager<br />

Julia Tierney through these difficult<br />

times has been second to none, as<br />

they keep all staff up to date with<br />

the most relevant information as it<br />

becomes available, while keeping<br />

our participants and staff welfare<br />

and safety at front of mind.


22<br />

quality<br />

assurance<br />

and<br />

compliance<br />

REPORT<br />

Ellen McFarlane<br />

Quality Assurance<br />

and Compliance Manager<br />

The working life of a quality<br />

manager is often seen as<br />

uneventful, but not at <strong>NADO</strong>!<br />

From the moment I commenced<br />

in November as the first official<br />

Quality Manager, it was clear<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> holds a firm commitment to<br />

quality, compliance and continuous<br />

improvement. We launched straight<br />

into the new format NDIS quality<br />

and safeguards mid-term audit and<br />

demonstrated capable systems with<br />

no non-compliances but had room<br />

for some improvements. Measuring<br />

the safety and effectiveness of our<br />

services is demonstrated at these<br />

audits and a successful result is<br />

required for NDIS registration.<br />

Demonstrating a focus on<br />

participant safety, we developed<br />

new processes for documenting<br />

participant risk information,<br />

investigating critical incidents, and<br />

reviewing incidents at the new<br />

Clinical Incident Review Panel.<br />

Introduction of these new processes<br />

included broad consultation, new<br />

forms, team trainings, audit of<br />

progress and ongoing support<br />

to ensure key staff gain a full<br />

understanding of the processes.<br />

A number of exciting new projects<br />

are under development: updating<br />

policy formats, moving policies<br />

to a web-based platform for all<br />

staff to access, implementing an<br />

audit framework, investigating<br />

use of electronic signatures on<br />

documentation, and providing<br />

secure off-site access to key<br />

participant risk documentation for<br />

programs conducted in community<br />

settings.<br />

We continue to provide monthly<br />

reviews of key governance<br />

information such as complaints/<br />

compliments, conflicts of interest,<br />

risk register and incidents analysis<br />

for the Board and Management.<br />

During the year, a total of eleven<br />

policies were reviewed, and future<br />

reviews will be conducted in line<br />

with the Policy Register schedule or<br />

as required.<br />

Compliance with NDIS, NSW<br />

Health, ASIC, ACNC and other<br />

reporting requirements is ongoing.<br />

We receive regular updates from<br />

industry bodies, associations and<br />

disability services that enable<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> to keep up to date with risk<br />

management, requirements and<br />

emerging issues.<br />

It has been my privilege to<br />

join and work with a cohesive,<br />

communicative and caring team<br />

who respect the people we serve –<br />

participants – at every step of every<br />

process, as well as their colleagues,<br />

community and other stakeholders.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 23<br />

clinical<br />

REPORT<br />

Tracy Smith<br />

Practice Manager<br />

<strong>2021</strong> has been a year for change<br />

and expansion within the allied<br />

health space.<br />

The demand for mental health<br />

services within the Blue Mountains -<br />

Nepean area has increased,<br />

identifying the need to expand our<br />

services in behavioural support<br />

and psychology.<br />

By the end of June <strong>2021</strong>, our team<br />

comprised of Hai Truong, a full time<br />

Registered Psychologist, Alyssa<br />

Willis-Fink and Komal Ahmed our<br />

qualified Behavioural Support<br />

Specialists, with more recruitment<br />

in the pipeline.<br />

Commencing in early <strong>2021</strong> as<br />

Practice Manager, I joined the<br />

allied health team to manage<br />

and support our clinicians and<br />

the support coordination team,<br />

along with Trudy Smith who<br />

facilitates our administrative and<br />

reception services at our site based<br />

in Lemongrove.<br />

Sharon Morrison became the<br />

Team Leader for the Support<br />

Coordination services in July <strong>2020</strong>,<br />

and has led a growing team of<br />

five, with Alex Stevens joining the<br />

team in February <strong>2021</strong>. The team<br />

has exceeded all their goals and<br />

continues to grow and build a solid,<br />

positive reputation in the area with<br />

over 175 participants.<br />

COVID-19 restrictions have seen<br />

many changes with how we<br />

delivered our services throughout<br />

the last year, with all allied health<br />

and support coordination team<br />

members now adapted to working<br />

remotely, and by providing telehealth<br />

successfully to continue to provide<br />

these services to our participants.<br />

I continually receive feedback from<br />

participants and reports from my<br />

team about the positive impact in<br />

people’s lives as a result of the care<br />

and dedication of my team.<br />

I look forward to another year of<br />

helping people with a disability and<br />

their families through the services<br />

of the allied health team.


24


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 25<br />

program<br />

and stories


26<br />

Painting Awareness<br />

across the<br />

Blue Mountains<br />

It’s no secret that having the<br />

opportunity to be creative, whether<br />

it be painting, sculpting or using<br />

a range of different mediums<br />

can be a fulfilling activity –<br />

one which can also provide a<br />

range of positive outcomes.<br />

However, for people with disability<br />

the opportunity to participate in art<br />

therapy programs can give a visual<br />

voice to both expression and feeling.<br />

On Thursday 13 May, our multitalented<br />

participants from the<br />

Katoomba and Lawson day<br />

programs attended their very<br />

own Art Exhibition at the historic<br />

Braemar Art Gallery in Springwood.<br />

Titled “Shifting Perspectives” the<br />

collection of artworks, all of which<br />

were created by the talented group<br />

of participants, tell a story of<br />

extreme contrasts and images of<br />

living in the Blue Mountains.<br />

Suzanne Giordano, <strong>NADO</strong> Day<br />

Program Coordinator quoted<br />

“People with disability are often<br />

invisible in our community and they,<br />

like the rest of us have a story to<br />

tell and experiences to share. To<br />

have the opportunity to showcase<br />

these artworks is a goal that all<br />

our participants and their family<br />

members are extremely proud of<br />

and will be a cherished memory.<br />

This exhibition provides a great<br />

platform for our creative artists<br />

to showcase their work, as well<br />

as breaking down barriers and<br />

creating a more inclusive society<br />

for people with disability."<br />

The “Shifting Perspectives” art<br />

exhibition has received bountiful<br />

support from the local Blue<br />

Mountains community. It was a<br />

must see for lovers of local art and<br />

a fantastic opportunity to view a<br />

collection of creative pieces.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 27<br />

<strong>NADO</strong><br />

Sensory Store –<br />

Giving Back<br />

to the Community<br />

The Sensory Store is a<br />

predominately online retail centre<br />

that provides quality sensory toys,<br />

educational tools, and therapy<br />

items to assist people of all ages<br />

and abilities.<br />

It is owned and operated by<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> (Nepean Area Disabilities<br />

Organisation), a registered NDIS<br />

Provider that has over 40 years’<br />

experience within the disability<br />

sector.<br />

Being a not-for-profit organisation,<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> have recently established<br />

a “Helping Hand Program” where<br />

funds raised through their Sensory<br />

Store retail outlet can help the<br />

local community. The Helping<br />

Hand Program provides <strong>NADO</strong><br />

participants an opportunity to<br />

purchase a service or product that<br />

is not available under Medicare or<br />

their current NDIS plan.<br />

These items can range from things<br />

that help to support and improve<br />

the participant’s skills and learning,<br />

accessing the community, day to<br />

day living or health and well-being.<br />

Examples are assistive technology<br />

and support products that help to<br />

assist in general living.<br />

Earlier this year, our two successful<br />

applications who received items<br />

from the <strong>NADO</strong> Sensory Store<br />

“Helping Hand Program” were<br />

Vanessa and Vishnu.<br />

Vanessa, (pictured) requested a<br />

hands-free standing mixer that<br />

helps her day-to-day actions in the<br />

kitchen regarding food preparation<br />

and supports her love of baking.<br />

Vishnu, a young man who has a<br />

moderate to severe Intellectual<br />

disability received a Lifespan<br />

Fitness Spin Exercise Bike. This<br />

exercise bike will help Vishnu keep<br />

fit and healthy, whilst supporting his<br />

gross motor, cognitive, compression<br />

and communication skills.<br />

In addition to these items, <strong>NADO</strong><br />

also works with its relevant<br />

community partners to help support<br />

and assist all applications to its<br />

Helping Hand Program where viable.<br />

Support products that are available<br />

for purchase can also be found at<br />

the <strong>NADO</strong> Sensory Store, check out<br />

our website today for the full range<br />

of products. Sensory items are<br />

particularly beneficial to people who<br />

have a disability, are on the Autism<br />

Spectrum, have developmental<br />

delays, intellectual disabilities,<br />

sensory processing disorder,<br />

ASD, Asperger’s or whom have<br />

sensitivities to light and sound.


28<br />

Broadcasting<br />

Inclusion<br />

on the Air Waves<br />

Located in the well-known<br />

Katoomba region of NSW, Radio<br />

Blue Mountains 89.1 FM is a not<br />

for profit organisation that is<br />

based on a volunteer community.<br />

The popular local radio station<br />

has been in action since 1993 and<br />

broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days<br />

a week to an audience of around<br />

75,000 people. It is funded through<br />

listener support, grants and<br />

sponsorship.<br />

The key focus for this radio<br />

station is community inclusion,<br />

and features a live feature show<br />

called “The Ability Show with the<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> Team” which is aired each<br />

Wednesday from 10am to 12pm.<br />

‘The Ability Show’ is hosted by<br />

participants from <strong>NADO</strong> with the<br />

help of their support staff. The<br />

show is designed to provide a voice<br />

for people with disability through<br />

a creative, inclusive and fulfilling<br />

outlet, whilst delivering a high<br />

quality engaging radio program.<br />

In 2016, Joshua Abbott started out<br />

as a guest presenter on “The Ability<br />

Hour” program. Showing much<br />

interest and enthusiasm in the new<br />

opportunity, Josh continued onto<br />

train as a panel operator presenter.<br />

Josh was also working as part of<br />

the Tech Team and assisted in<br />

maintaining tech equipment as<br />

well as taking shows to an outdoor<br />

broadcast. He also worked on fund<br />

raising for the radio station which<br />

involved taking and receiving phone<br />

calls and learning about computer<br />

communications.<br />

After training with Jenny O’Brien<br />

(support worker and radio<br />

presenter), Josh felt confident and<br />

excited about presenting his own<br />

show and named it “Blast from<br />

the Past and Back to the Future”.<br />

The new program was music<br />

based, with chats and comments<br />

from various speakers and studio<br />

guests. Its key points were to<br />

emphasise topics such as social<br />

justice, community supports,<br />

inclusion, empowerment and<br />

relevant information that may be of<br />

interest to service providers, people<br />

with disability, their families, friends<br />

and carers.<br />

Josh is now on the management<br />

committee, in which he attends<br />

meetings and is involved in the<br />

decision making processes. He<br />

quoted “This opportunity and<br />

experience has changed my life.<br />

Before I wasn’t doing anything and<br />

just at home, I was a little bored.”<br />

Josh says he has learnt so much<br />

and has built his technical abilities,<br />

his confidence in presenting and<br />

public speaking. He has also learnt<br />

how to organise a team and to<br />

motivate others in fund raising.<br />

Josh is supported by <strong>NADO</strong><br />

staff member Jennifer O’Brien.<br />

In late 2019, Josh was nominated<br />

and accepted to be on the<br />

committee for the Blue Mountains<br />

Community Radio.<br />

“Blast from the Past” airs each<br />

Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm.<br />

You can help to support Josh by<br />

following his Facebook page.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 29<br />

Sensory Store<br />

The Sensory Store is owned and<br />

operated by <strong>NADO</strong>. It provides<br />

sensory toys, support tools and<br />

therapy products for all ages and<br />

abilities both online and in-store.<br />

It was another successful and<br />

exciting year for the Sensory Store<br />

with the expansion of the product<br />

range and an overall sales figure<br />

200% higher than the previous year.<br />

This allowed <strong>NADO</strong> to provide a<br />

“Giving back to the Community”<br />

program which saw the funds<br />

raised returned to those in need<br />

by providing items that helped to<br />

support learning, improve skills<br />

or assist in general living.<br />

(go to page 27 for more details)<br />

Content marketing continued<br />

throughout the year, with the focus<br />

on blog writing to improve SEO and<br />

increase web traffic. The strategy<br />

proved successful with a 280%<br />

increase in users of the website.<br />

In-store sales also increased,<br />

however due the pandemic, instore<br />

sales were impacted by lock downs<br />

throughout the year.<br />

Social media continues to<br />

show growth in followers and<br />

engagement, from organic and<br />

paid adverts across both Facebook<br />

and Instagram. Video content was<br />

also a new tool used to promote<br />

the Sensory Store with a short<br />

promotional video being developed<br />

to showcase the range of therapy,<br />

educational and sensory support<br />

products.<br />

Print media this year included the<br />

feature within the Penrith Western<br />

Weekender in support of Autism<br />

Awareness week, in addition to the<br />

Outlook Disability magazine.<br />

Due to the substantial growth, a<br />

new POS (point of sale) system<br />

was implemented for the Sensory<br />

Store which allowed a much<br />

smoother and streamlined process<br />

in relation to the selling of products<br />

and the control of stock. Another<br />

tool which was implemented to<br />

the website was the introduction<br />

of After Pay, which provides<br />

customers with a “buy now, pay<br />

later’ option.<br />

An additional highlight of the year<br />

was becoming a registered NSW<br />

Creative Kids provider, with the<br />

Sensory Exploration Kit becoming<br />

a popular product that provides<br />

sensory output via a range of<br />

textured paints, paper, chalk and<br />

crafting items that is suitable from<br />

the age of 2 and up.<br />

Moving into next year, some<br />

primary strategies will be to<br />

implement an AI chat bot onto<br />

the website to improve customer<br />

service, as well as expand the<br />

instore buying experience both<br />

at St Marys and within <strong>NADO</strong>’s<br />

new sensory activity centre ‘Share<br />

My Ability’, due to open in late<br />

<strong>2021</strong>. However, the focus on the<br />

e-commerce platform will continue<br />

to evolve and grow on a national<br />

level via direct e-marketing and<br />

online channels.


30<br />

Opening of<br />

Short Term<br />

Accommodation<br />

in Winmalee<br />

“This home provides a<br />

modern, accessible, relaxing<br />

and welcoming space for<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>’s clients and their<br />

carers. It also provides an<br />

avenue for a transition to<br />

greater independence for<br />

those living with a disability.<br />

I know this can be an<br />

incredibly significant step<br />

for many local families and I<br />

imagine the opportunities this<br />

new accommodation provides<br />

will be very welcomed.<br />

This accommodation<br />

symbolises so much more<br />

than a roof over the heads<br />

of those who stay there –<br />

independent living is a<br />

particularly empowering<br />

prospect for people with<br />

disability and this new home<br />

is an integral part of that<br />

process.”<br />

State MP Trish Doyle<br />

April saw the official “Cutting of<br />

the Ribbon Opening” where we<br />

welcomed Trish Doyle MP,<br />

Cr Mick Fell and representing<br />

Susan Templeman’s office Kim<br />

Cowper at our much-anticipated<br />

short-term accommodation located<br />

in Winmalee.<br />

This modern, spacious property<br />

located in a popular scenic suburb<br />

within the Blue Mountains, and<br />

it’s with much excitement we<br />

announce that our short-term<br />

accommodation for people with<br />

disability is now available.<br />

Upgrades and renovations were<br />

invested into this single level home<br />

that is located within a quiet culde-sac<br />

to ensure that Guests are<br />

comfortable, relaxed, safe and that<br />

they enjoy their time at this property<br />

whilst having 24/7 support.<br />

There’s lots of things to appreciate<br />

with this property; featuring 5<br />

bedrooms, air conditioning, pay TV<br />

and wifi, multiple living areas, fully<br />

accessible bathrooms, open plan<br />

living, outdoor relaxing spaces, a<br />

television in each bedroom – all<br />

whilst being close to transport and<br />

amenities, it’s definitely a home<br />

away from home.<br />

Short-term accommodation, also<br />

known as respite care, can be a<br />

much-needed support for people<br />

with disability and their support<br />

network. It can be a fantastic<br />

opportunity to meet new friends<br />

and develop new skills, whilst giving<br />

full time carers an opportunity<br />

to recharge their batteries. It can<br />

be used for when a usual carer<br />

becomes unwell, is temporarily<br />

away, or has other commitments.<br />

Both short term accommodation<br />

located at St Marys and now<br />

Winmalee allows people with<br />

disability to experience time away<br />

from home in a safe, engaging, and<br />

supported environment that takes<br />

into account the usual routines of<br />

work, training and programs. whilst<br />

offering social and recreational<br />

opportunities, continuity for usual<br />

work or day programs, support to<br />

attend appointments, accessible<br />

vehicles, life development skills,<br />

meal assistance, personal care and<br />

24/7 experienced support staff.<br />

Supporting specific needs including<br />

behavioural support, epilepsy,<br />

diabetes, or other health / lifestyle<br />

needs within our capacity can be<br />

discussed at the time of booking.<br />

You can stay for the day, overnight,<br />

a weekend, a holiday, or longer<br />

depending on your needs and<br />

funding available in your NDIS plan.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 31


32


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 33<br />

financials


34<br />

financial<br />

REPORT


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 35<br />

Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation Limited<br />

ABN: 83 188 045 596<br />

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME<br />

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE <strong>2021</strong><br />

Notes <strong>2021</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

INCOME<br />

Sales Revenue 18,254,557 16,674,357<br />

Profit/(Loss) from Sale of Asset 7,600 7,273<br />

Miscellaneous Income 8,674 2,567<br />

TOTAL INCOME 18,270,831 16,684,197<br />

LESS: EXPENSES<br />

Employee Expenses 14,193,939 12,408,023<br />

Client-Activities 261,158 321,085<br />

Occupancy 490,234 602,492<br />

Communication and IT Expenses 241,734 230,947<br />

Depreciation Expenses 620,764 162,317<br />

Other Administrative Expenses 1,175,803 765,782<br />

TOTAL EXPENSES 16,983,632 14,490,646<br />

OPERATING SURPLUS 1,287,199 2,193,551<br />

Other Comprehensive Income:<br />

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 1,287,199 2,193,551<br />

-


36<br />

Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation Limited<br />

ABN: 83 188 045 596<br />

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION<br />

AS AT 30 JUNE <strong>2021</strong><br />

Notes <strong>2021</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

ASSETS<br />

CURRENT<br />

Cash and Cash Equivalents 5,958,944 5,724,745<br />

Accounts and Other receivables 985,298 1,092,827<br />

Prepayments 77,216 83,077<br />

Other Assets 11,764 3,933<br />

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 7,033,222 6,904,582<br />

NON-CURRENT<br />

Property, Plant and Equipment 4,563,704 1,460,433<br />

Other Financial Asset 33,324 29,295<br />

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 4,597,028 1,489,728<br />

TOTAL ASSETS 11,630,250 8,394,310<br />

LIABILITIES<br />

CURRENT<br />

Trade Creditors and Other Payables 2,094,156 1,706,843<br />

Other Bank Loan - 33,999<br />

Employee Benefits 958,674 705,338<br />

Other Provisions 30,579 49,504<br />

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,083,409 2,495,684<br />

NON CURRENT<br />

Other Provisions 1,779,793 103,200<br />

Other Bank Loan - 340,124<br />

Employee Benefits 179,676 155,129<br />

TOTAL NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,959,469 598,453<br />

TOTAL LIABILITIES 5,042,878 3,094,137<br />

NET ASSETS 6,587,372 5,300,173<br />

EQUITY<br />

Accumulated Funds Prior Year 5,300,173 3,106,622<br />

Surplus for the Year 1,287,199 2,193,551<br />

TOTAL EQUITY 6,587,372 5,300,173


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 37<br />

Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation Limited<br />

ABN: 83 188 045 596<br />

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS<br />

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE <strong>2021</strong><br />

Notes <strong>2021</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES<br />

Funding from Commonwealth and State 18,943,058 16,672,333<br />

Funding from others 2,042,019 3,406,428<br />

Payments for supplies and employees (18,603,482) (16,616,753)<br />

Donations and Fundraising 57,334 22,201<br />

Interest received 13,589 35,014<br />

Net cash provided by operating activities 2,452,518 3,519,223<br />

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES<br />

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 5,129 7,273<br />

Right of use asset amortisation (239,454)<br />

Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1,609,871) (321,215)<br />

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (1,844,196) (313,942)<br />

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES<br />

Proceeds from Loan<br />

Payment of Loan (374,123) (37,002)<br />

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (374,123) (37,002)<br />

Net increase in cash held 234,199 3,168,279<br />

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year 5,724,745 2,556,466<br />

Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 5,958,944 5,724,745


38


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 39<br />

community


40<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong><br />

Charity Golf Day<br />

On Friday 16 April <strong>2021</strong>,<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> held its third annual<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf Day<br />

at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club<br />

with supporting partner<br />

Elite Sand & Soil.<br />

The day commenced with a<br />

glorious sunny 7am breakfast and<br />

all 31 teams heading out to the<br />

rolling greens to start the fun-filled<br />

competition.<br />

With 37 game, auction and raffle<br />

sponsors, the support from<br />

this years’ event exceeded all<br />

expectations on the day. Since our<br />

first event in 2018, several local<br />

businesses have been amazing<br />

long-time supporters of this<br />

event including; Elite Sand & Soil,<br />

Reozone, ABCOE and Mitronics,<br />

along with other businesses<br />

including Merrick Property Group,<br />

Complete Recruitment Solutions,<br />

Terry White Chemmart Penrith,<br />

Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys and<br />

Platinum Roofing Specialist who<br />

have partnered with <strong>NADO</strong> since<br />

2019 as well a number of various<br />

other businesses outside of the<br />

Penrith LGA.<br />

The funds raised from previous<br />

events have made a huge impact<br />

on <strong>NADO</strong>’s ability to develop<br />

new services for people with a<br />

disability, including an extensive<br />

refurbishment of a much-needed<br />

respite property located in<br />

Winmalee (see pages 30-31).<br />

This year <strong>NADO</strong>’s goal of raising<br />

$40,000 at the Friends of <strong>NADO</strong><br />

Golf Charity Day, to support the<br />

purchase of all ability sensory<br />

equipment was quickly exceeded,<br />

with sponsorships and donations<br />

reaching over $58,000.<br />

“After a difficult year dealing with<br />

COVID, and the cancellation of all<br />

events, our goal this year was to<br />

reunite our supporters, have a fun<br />

day and raise funds for our new<br />

initiative, Share My Ability – an<br />

all-abilities sensory activity centre”<br />

said Denise Heath, CEO of <strong>NADO</strong>.<br />

“To our delight, money raised on<br />

the day from the generosity of local<br />

businesses and players exceeded<br />

our expectations raising nearly<br />

$20,000 more than we hoped for.”


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 41<br />

Thank you to everyone who<br />

sponsored, attended and donated<br />

items to make our day the success<br />

that it was. See page 42 for our<br />

Sponsors and page 43 for our<br />

Raffle Donors.<br />

We look forward to seeing you next<br />

year for a bigger and better event.<br />

“Well done on such a successful day<br />

and thanks for the opportunity to be<br />

involved.”<br />

- Paul Merrick,<br />

Merrick Property Group.<br />

“We were so grateful to once again be<br />

part of the <strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf Day<br />

last Friday. We have been a proud<br />

sponsor of this event for several<br />

years and are thrilled to see the<br />

funds raised for the Sensory Activity<br />

Centre”.<br />

- Liz Smith,<br />

Complete Recruitment Solutions<br />

“Well done, you have once<br />

again done a tremendous job on<br />

organising and running a very<br />

successful day.”<br />

- Aaron Hadfield,<br />

Reozone


42


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 43


44<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong><br />

It was pleasing to have our Friends<br />

of <strong>NADO</strong> donation program<br />

remaining consistent over the<br />

past 12 months, but it has been<br />

difficult to attract new supporters.<br />

As COVID continues to be a big part<br />

of our lives and our businesses,<br />

building partnerships face to face<br />

has been put on hold.<br />

Some of our partners were<br />

unable to commit to supporting<br />

us last financial year due to the<br />

impacts of COVID, which is totally<br />

understandable. We are, as ever,<br />

grateful to the past and present<br />

Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> for helping us<br />

achieve more for our participants<br />

and we say thank you.<br />

Along with the funds raised through<br />

our Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> Charity Golf<br />

Day in April, funds raised through<br />

our Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> donation<br />

initiative for <strong>2020</strong>/21 will also<br />

go towards an exciting new<br />

project Share My Ability which we<br />

endeavour to open later this year.<br />

Share My Ability is an interactive<br />

activity centre for all abilities and<br />

will be opening in Penrith later<br />

this year, and we look forward to<br />

sharing this with you in next year’s<br />

<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>.<br />

We would like to thank our<br />

<strong>2020</strong>/21FY Friends of <strong>NADO</strong> for<br />

your continued support.


Friends of <strong>NADO</strong><br />

<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 45


46<br />

<strong>NADO</strong><br />

VIP Business Partners<br />

With the launch of our <strong>NADO</strong><br />

VIP App last year, we have been<br />

encouraging our 1000+ <strong>NADO</strong> VIP<br />

members which consists of our<br />

participants, their families/carers,<br />

staff and volunteers to download<br />

the App through both Apple and<br />

Android.<br />

When businesses become a <strong>NADO</strong><br />

VIP Business Partner, they provide<br />

people with disability their families/<br />

carers, <strong>NADO</strong> staff and volunteers<br />

the opportunity to access local<br />

promotions and discounts and<br />

offer “a little extra” to our growing<br />

community.<br />

We continue to attract businesses<br />

that want to support <strong>NADO</strong>’s<br />

community, by providing<br />

discounted services and products<br />

to our VIP Members<br />

<strong>2020</strong>/21 saw us welcome the<br />

following businesses: Iconic Signs,<br />

RocknBob Media, Stepz Fitness<br />

Penrith, Willows’ Wag ‘n’ Wash<br />

Mobile Dog Wash and Big Boss<br />

Cleaning – Glenmore Park.<br />

With over 20 businesses now<br />

partnering with us, we have array of<br />

services and products for our VIP<br />

Members to choose from some of<br />

the categories, which includes: Arts,<br />

Sports and Attractions, Beauty and<br />

Lifestyle, Dining, Retail and Trade<br />

and Services.<br />

We are always looking for<br />

reputable companies to come on<br />

board and partner with us. Thank<br />

you to the following businesses<br />

who continue to partner with<br />

<strong>NADO</strong>.


<strong>NADO</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2020</strong>-21 47<br />

<strong>NADO</strong> VIP Business Partners<br />

Our <strong>NADO</strong> VIP Business Partners include:


Helping people with disability to achieve their goals and live a more independent life<br />

1300 738 229 | info@nado.org.au | www.nado.org.au

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!