Doxa Annual Report 05-06 - Doxa Youth Foundation

doxayouthfoundation 

ANNUALREPORT2005/2006 

creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people

Stonnington Primary’s Literacy 

Support for 3rd Wave Students

tableofcontents 

Chairman’s Report 2 

Chief Executive Officer’s Report 4 

Doxa Camps 6 

Summer 6 

Malmsbury 8 

Urban 10 

Doxa Schools 12 

West Melbourne 12 

Bendigo 14 

Doxa Cadetship Program 16 

Doxa Community Small Grants 18 

Other Programs 20 

Goal Assist 20 

Back to School 21 

Rumbalara Football and Netball Club 22 

Operation Newstart Victoria 24 

Centacare 26 

Wellington Community Centre 28 

Roy Higgins Lunch 29 

Staffing 30 

Financial Statements 31 


01

02 

chairman’sreport 

Work has begun on the refurbishment of the 

Malmsbury camp which will result in stateof-the-art 

camping facilities. Successful 

summer camps were held at Malmsbury 

which provided many children with a holiday 

they would not have otherwise experienced. 

We have refurbished the second floor of the 

Doxa Social Club’s The Meeting Place which 

now provides superb accommodation for our 

urban campers. Doxa School West Melbourne 

(previously the Marist Transition School) is 

now complemented by Doxa School Bendigo, 

with both schools providing an innovative 

educational experience for young people 

having difficulty in mainstream education. The 

Doxa Cadetship Program has continued to 

expand with 55 cadets currently involved with 

the program. 

Apart from these flagship programs, Doxa has 

partnered with a number of other organizations 

to support a range of exciting initiatives over 

the past year. These organizations include 

the Victorian Country Football League; Sidney 

Myer Foundation and the Foundation for 

Rural and Regional Renewal; Department of 

Education and Training and Victoria Police; 

Rumbalara Football and Netball Club; 

Wellington Community Centre; and Centacare 

Catholic Family Services. We also established 

a Community Small Grants program through 

which we provided a further 11 organizations 

with practical assistance for young people. 

The Board welcomed two new members 

during the year. Eugene Arocca, Chief 

Operating Officer and Corporate Counsel, 

Collingwood Football Club, brings a wealth 

dOxAyOUThfOUNdATiON 

It has been an exciting year for Doxa with a 

considerable expansion of programs being 

developed and supported in working towards 

our mission of providing opportunities to 

disadvantaged young people. 

of experience. Previously a partner with 

Maurice Blackburn Cashman, he was 

recognized as one of Victoria’s leading lawyers 

and a forthright advocate of people’s rights. Dr 

Stephen Silk has a broad range of business 

skills from his experience as a senior executive 

in business development, marketing and 

operations in the pharmaceutical industry and 

event management in throughbred racing. 

He is currently General Manager, Strategic 

Marketing at the Victoria Racing Club. Both 

members have already made significant 

contributions to Doxa. 

The Board was sorry to see the retirement 

of Peter Maher as a director in May 2006. 

Peter brought passion, enthusiasm and vision 

to Doxa and will be missed. However, he 

will remain involved with Doxa, having been 

appointed Chairman of the Management 

Committee of Doxa Social Club. I would like 

to thank Peter for his contribution as a board 

member of Doxa. 

During 2005/06, Doxa received a donation 

of $1.85 million from the Doxa Social Club’s 

business activities. I would like to acknowledge 

the work of Ken Swanson, previous Chief 

Executive Officer of the Social Club who left 

that position in April, and also welcome Johan 

Reeder, the new Chief Executive Officer. The 

wonderful work of all the staff at the Social 

Club means that Doxa can continue to fund 

and expand its programs. 

Support was also received from a range 

of other trusts and individuals and Doxa 

particularly acknowledges the contributions

of Tattersalls Holdings, Lord Mayors Fund, 

Chefs on the Run, the William Angliss (Victoria) 

Charitable Fund, and the Estate of Tan Hock 

Chong. Arnold Bloch Leibler again provided 

excellent legal advice on a pro-bono basis, 

and we are grateful for their contribution. 

Thanks are also extended to Roy Higgins who 

continued to host a number of fundraising 

events on Doxa’s behalf. We were pleased to 

hold a very successful lunch at the Flemington 

Racecourse in conjunction with the Victoria 

Racing Club which celebrated Roy’s career 

and was attended by 650 guests. We thank 

Bryan Martin, Bruce McAvaney, the Hon. 

Andrew Peacock AC and Wylie Dalziel for the 

work they did in making this lunch a success. 

The consolidated net result of operations of 

Doxa Youth Foundation and Doxa Social Club 

Doxa Youth Foundation Board 

From L to R: Eugene Arocca, Ken Barry, 

Dr Stephen Silk, Helen Morris, 

Judy Ward, Fr Joe Giacobbe, 

Anna Kennedy. 

after providing for income tax was a surplus of 

$46,604. With the continued support of Doxa 

Social Club, the Youth Foundation remains in a 

strong financial position to continue to support 

a range of programs. 

Finally I would like to thank the Chief Executive, 

Julie Rolfe, who has continued to successfully 

drive the organization towards new frontiers, 

the Doxa staff who assisted her, and all my 

fellow Board members, who have again been 

outstanding in their contribution to the Doxa 

over the last 12 months. 

Ken Barry 

Chairman 


03

04 

chiefexecutiveofficer’s 

report 

The beginnings of significant changes for 

the Doxa camp program commenced during 

the year. While the campsite at Malmsbury 

operated for the year preliminary work 

was undertaken to prepare for a major 

refurbishment. The Summer camps were 

again held with two camps occurring during 

the January school holidays. Children staying 

at the urban camp will now enjoy new 

accommodation in the heart of the city, 

with the second floor of Doxa Social Club’s 

The Meeting Place having been renovated. 

Thanks are extended to Geoff Barkla, who 

made an invaluable contribution to the work 

undertaken at The Meeting Place and the 

Malmsbury Camp. 

The Doxa School West Melbourne (previously 

known as the Marist Transition School) has 

continued to operate successfully, and is 

now joined by Doxa School Bendigo, which 

opened its doors in July 2006. Appreciation 

is expressed to the Governors, principals and 

staff of both schools for the wonderful job 

they all do. This innovative model of providing 


The original mission of Doxa to help create 

opportunities for disadvantaged young people 

continues to be the inspiration for the work 

undertaken by the organization and has provided 

the impetus for its continued development over 

the past year. 

alternative schooling to students having 

difficulty in mainstream education continues 

to achieve important outcomes. To help us 

assess the impact of this model, the Youth 

Research Centre, University of Melbourne has 

been engaged to undertake a study looking 

at Doxa School West Melbourne. The findings 

from this study will be vital in trying to replicate 

the school in other communities. 

There are currently 55 cadets in the Doxa 

Cadetship Program (previously called the 

Hollingworth Cadetship Program) as we 

continue to expand this important initiative. 

Twenty of these students will graduate at the 

end of 2006 which is a great testament to the 

program. The Student Achievement Centre 

continued to manage the program excellently, 

and the wonderful support from sponsors is 

gratefully acknowledged. I would also like to 

thank Graeme Johnson, the Corporate Liaison 

Consultant, who has been tireless in his quest 

to gain sponsor support for the program and 

has done a superb job.

While much has been done, 

there remains much to do. 

A Doxa Community Small Grants Program 

was established during the year to provide 

organizations and individuals with the 

opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000 

for practical assistance to support community 

initiatives at a local level. This has brought 

Doxa into contact with a diverse range of 

groups who have all been most grateful for our 

support. There is no doubting that even small 

amounts of funding can make a significant 

difference to people’s lives at critical times. 

We were very excited this year to embark 

on a range of new ventures with a variety 

of partners. This work included the Back to 

School Program conducted by the Foundation 

for Rural and Regional Renewal with the 

support of the Sidney Myer Foundation to 

provide gift vouchers to disadvantaged young 

people across Victoria to help with going 

back to school; Operation Newstart – a 

Victoria Police and Department of Education 

and Training initiative providing an innovative 

outdoor/adventure-based intervention program 

working with students who are at risk of 

leaving mainstream education; Goal Assist 

which is a mentoring program conducted 

by AFL footballers for disadvantaged young 

people across rural Victoria, undertaken 

in partnership with the WorkSafe Victorian 

Country Football League; Rumbalara 

Football and Netball Club to facilitate greater 

involvement by indigenous Australians in sport 

and other activities promoting education, 

health and greater well-being in the Goulburn 

Valley; Centacare Catholic Family Services to 

provide transport for recently arrived refugee 

groups in the Western Suburbs to attend 

English language classes; and the Wellington 

Community Centre to assist in the provision 

of services and programs to disadvantaged 

residents in the Collingwood. 

I would like to pay tribute to Ken Barry as 

Chair, and other board members for their 

wonderful contribution during the year. 

Appreciation is also expressed to the staff who 

have been outstanding in their commitment, 

enthusiasm and hard work. None of the 

enormous amount achieved over the past 

12 months would have been possible 

without them. 

While much has been done, there remains 

much to do. Many young people are subject to 

various forms of disadvantage that make them 

vulnerable to social problems, constrain their 

life choices, limit their potential and restrict their 

full participation in community life. The work of 

Doxa remains critical in trying to address these 

imbalances. 

Julie L Rolfe 

Chief Executive Officer 


05

06 

doxacamps 

Summer Camp 

The Summer Camp Program continued to flourish in January 2006 as 

Doxa hosted two action packed camps at the Malmsbury complex for 

children who did not have the opportunity to have any other holiday 

during the Christmas break. 

The groups were slightly smaller this year, 

with the number of participants being reduced 

from 50 to 40 per camp. This allowed closer 

staff supervision and stronger bonds between 

campers. Once again, teams were divided 

into groups at the start of the week and 

completed all activities as part of that team. 

In doing this, new friendships are formed 

quickly and strengthened with each activity. 

Team members learn to trust each other and 

confidence soars as each member contributes 

their own strengths to each task. 

For the first time, campers boarded a private 

coach at the Doxa office in Spencer Street on 

the Monday morning. Previously, the children 

had met at Southern Cross Station (previously 

Spencer Street Station) for a train to Kyneton, 

and then swapped to a bus for the remainder 

of the journey. This seemingly small change 

made for much less chaos on departure and a 

more relaxed farewell. Most importantly, it gave 

the group leaders time to talk with the parents 

and children together. The trip was also much 

quicker which allowed more time at the camp. 


The camp program also underwent several 

exciting changes. In December 2005 a low 

ropes course and two group initiatives were 

built at the camp. Children on the Summer 

Camp Program were the first to utilise the 

new equipment, and gained extra support 

from 2 leaders with specialist ropes 

qualifications. 

Another highlight for the camps were the 

Talent Quest and Karaoke nights. Following 

the installation of a “state of the art” home 

theatre system, young people took to the 

stage to show their varying skills in singing, 

acting, rapping and even beat-boxing. 

Leaders were once again amazed with the 

talent on the night. However, the most pleasing 

aspect of all was watching as every single 

child took part in a performance. The night’s 

entertainment was concluded with a disco 

where our young people chose the music 

and the staff did their best 

to keep up!

The participants relished new opportunities 

such as cross country mountain biking 

and a trip to Sovereign Hill. Other activities 

included night hikes, trips to the Kyneton 

outdoor pool and ball games. 

The participants relished new opportunities 

such as cross country mountain biking and a 

trip to Sovereign Hill. Other activities included 

night hikes, trips to the Kyneton outdoor pool 

and ball games. 

The Yellow team learn about mining in the 

Ballarat Goldrush at Sovereign Hill. 

Feedback from the camps was excellent. 

Parents and schools have expressed strong 

enthusiasm for the program and all look 

forward to growing and maintaining their 

relationship with Doxa. 


07

08 

doxacamps 

Malmsbury Camp 

The Doxa Camp at Malmsbury was again in high demand by schools 

and community groups until the end of term two, when the camp was 

closed to accommodate the planned refurbishment and avoid the winter 

months without heating. In total over 3500 campers from 79 schools and 

community groups attended a camp and all participants continued to 

enjoy the rural setting. 

This year Doxa continued to assist many 

disadvantaged groups by providing free 

camps to those in need of time away from their 

everyday life. Once again, Doxa was pleased 

to host The Big Issue Homeless Soccer Team 

Training Camp, two REClink camps, two 

Edmund Rice Easter camps and a group 

from The Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. 

A number of changes have occurred at the 

campsite over the past 12 months. The 

dining room received a much needed facelift 

in late 2005. The fresher and more vibrant 

space makes mealtimes more pleasant and 

changed the way in which meals were served. 

A healthier new menu was introduced and the 

servery was physically altered to encourage 

children to make their own choices and serve 

themselves. Like the summer campers, others 

at the camp during the year enjoyed the new 

low ropes course and home theatre in the 

recreation room. The front of the property now 

has a more rustic charm with the installation 

of a wooden post and rail fence with 2 large 

gates. The appearance of the property is 

greatly enhanced and security of the site is 

also improved. 


Preparations are now underway for a major 

and much needed refurbishment of the 

Malmsbury Complex. Plans have been 

designed and finalised by local architects, 

Terrence and Damian Summers from 

Kyneton, and building is due to be 

completed by May 2007. 

The works on the camp are going to 

include new accommodation wings with 

heating and ensuite style bathrooms. 

The existing main building will remain in 

place but will benefit from some minor 

interior work, including the provision of 

a sick bay and a teachers retreat. Other 

features of the new camp will be an 

amphitheatre; the establishment of a 

community garden and a host of activities 

for children to play. 

Existing buildings will be re-painted in the 

same colour scheme as the new buildings. 

The themes reflected will be the gum greys 

and greens of the Australian bush. This 

will enhance the overall appearance and 

attractiveness of the complex.

The camp at Malmsbury has been the 

cornerstone of Doxa’s work for over 30 years. 

The finished works will result in quality facilities 

and the provision of a range of program 

activities which will allow participants to enjoy 

an enriching camp experience which they will 

always remember. 

Young people work as a team to complete 

the new ‘Spiders web’ initiative. 

..an enriching camp experience 

which they will always remember. 


09

10 

doxacamps 

Urban Camp 

This year Doxa Youth Foundation concentrated a major effort on the 

Urban Camp Program. Urban Camps provide a unique and important 

opportunity for disadvantaged young people in regional Victoria to visit 

Melbourne for a whole week with out incurring any cost. A targeted 

marketing campaign in late 2005 ensured that camp usage doubled 

from 6 camps in 2004/05 to 12 in 2005/06. 

Participants have travelled from the far 

outreaching areas of Bendigo, Ballarat, Moe, 

Shepparton, Marlo and Swan Hill. The groups 

arrive in Melbourne on Monday morning and 

begin an amazing fun filled week, experiencing 

all of the major tourist attractions that this 

beautiful city has to offer. 

Itineraries continue to change according to 

current exhibitions and are often adjusted to 

fit the educational requirements of a particular 

school. New inclusions this year have been 

Soundhouse at The Arts Centre and The 

Australian Racing Museum. 

Another exciting development in the Urban 

Camp Program is the refurbishment at 

Level 2, 315 Elizabeth Street. The Doxa 

Social Club generously offered the top floor 

of the ‘The Meeting Place’ (TMP) to be used 

as accommodation for young people on 

Urban Camp. 


The benefits of utilising this space are 

numerous. Groups will appreciate the central 

location and the convenience of eating and 

sleeping under the same roof. Until now, 

school groups have stayed at a hotel in King 

Street. This presented problems for adequate 

supervision, given that the students were 

sometimes spread over 3 or 4 floors in a public 

hotel. There were also the risks involved with 

public corridors and bathrooms. 

Our new accommodation boasts a solution 

to all of these problems. There is no access 

to the second floor by the public at any stage, 

and the group are given a key to enter the 

building through their own entrance which 

solves all supervision and security issues. 

The new accommodation is equipped with 

17 sets of bunk beds, 2 single beds and

...Doxa is thrilled to be able to offer 

such fantastic opportunities to the 

young people of country Victoria. 

4 doubles. The configuration was specifically 

designed to accommodate students in rooms 

of 4, and staff will each have a double room 

with their own ensuite. New bathrooms were 

added, and the existing bathrooms have been 

given a facelift. 

The entire floor has undergone major ceiling 

and wall works and has been painted in a 

vibrant and uplifting new colour scheme. There 

is also a recreation room with a television, DVD 

player, and big comfy couches and bean bags 

for the groups to relax in after a hectic day. 

Young people from Tambo Upper, 

Swan Reach and Buchan Primary Schools 

celebrate their time in Melbourne at 

The Shrine of Remembrance. 

Staff and young people can move outside in 

the warmer months and relax in the outdoor 

courtyard. A purpose built bench seat has 

been fitted and other chairs and tables 

purchased. This space allows for beautiful 

sunset views over the city. 

Interest in the program continues to grow 

rapidly and Doxa is thrilled to be able to offer 

such fantastic opportunities to the young 

people of country Victoria. 


11

12 

doxaschools 

West Melbourne 

It has been another busy and rewarding year at Doxa School West 

Melbourne (previously known as Marist Transition School). The School 

which provides two terms of education and 12 months follow up by the 

school’s youth workers, is a vital source of support for students having 

difficulties in mainstream education. 

Two graduations were held in December 2005 

and June 2006 with a total of 32 students 

completing six months at the school, and 

15 students graduating from the 18 month 

program. The graduations were a time to 

celebrate the efforts of the students, and were 

made more special by the kind donation of 

the Tan family, which allowed each student 

graduating from the 18 month program to 

receive a book to mark the occasion. The 

ceremonies were well attended by parents, 

volunteers and mentors who work tirelessly to 

support the students during their involvement 

with Doxa School West Melbourne. 

All the staff have done a wonderful job during 

the year and have been inspirational in their 

commitment to the students. There have 

been some changes, with Sherryn McKenzie 

leaving after four wonderful years of service. 

Tim Davis joined the staff in a full-time capacity 

at the commencement of term three, and 

has become a valuable member of the team. 

The Song Room continued to sponsor the 

drumming teacher and we are grateful for 

their ongoing support. 

The mentors and the volunteers play an 

important role with the students. The mentors 


are vital in maintaining a link with the student’s 

school of origin, and are the conduit for a 

successful transition back to school or another 

more appropriate educational setting when 

the six months are completed at Doxa School 

West Melbourne. The volunteers are a great 

support for the staff and provide much needed 

one-on-one assistance to the students, 

particularly related to literacy and numeracy. 

To help understand the impact of Doxa School 

West Melbourne, we have engaged the Youth 

Research Centre, University of Melbourne, to 

undertake a study looking at student outcomes 

for all those who have been through the 

school. The findings from this research will be 

very useful in further developing the program 

and looking at how the model might be 

replicated in other parts 

of Victoria. 

While the work is challenging, the school 

strives to ensure that all its students are better 

equipped to tackle their schooling in a positive 

manner by the end of the program. At the 

conclusion of each term, the students are 

asked to review their progress during that time. 

One of the current students made the following 

observations:-

“I have enjoyed myself this term because 

I have met new people and made new 

friends. I enjoy the programs we do every 

day. I love coming here. I think it is a great 

place to be and I think the teachers are more 

understanding and they are willing to help 

when I am in need. The teachers are positive 

and like to spend time with the students, they 

are a great bunch of people”. 

A young Socceroo hopeful hones his skills 

during some recreation time. 

We hope that this student, like the other 

students, carries this change of attitude with 

him when he returns to mainstream education, 

and that his time at Doxa School West 

Melbourne has been pivotal in changing things 

in a constructive and affirming way. 


13

14 

doxaschools 

Bendigo 

One of Doxa’s proudest moments this year has been the opening of Doxa 

School Bendigo. Based on Doxa School West Melbourne, the school 

also offers two terms of schooling, to be followed up with 12 months of 

support. Individual learning plans designed to meet the student’s specific 

academic needs and a life skills program underpin the school’s activities 

as they endeavour to engage the students in the process of making 

educational and personal change. 

We welcome John Russell as the inaugural 

principal. John is an experienced teacher, 

working most recently at Bendigo Catholic 

College, and is very excited with both the 

privilege and the challenge of establishing the 

new school. The other staffing includes two 

teachers, two youth workers to support the 

afternoon program and follow-up the students 

once they leave Doxa School Bendigo, and 

an administrative officer. 

Doxa School Bendigo has been working with 

13 students since it opened in July this year 

and has recently gained registration with the 

Registered Schools Board. The students 

attending come mostly from the Bendigo 

region but some travel from as far away as 

Echuca to the north and Kyneton to the south. 

All of the students are currently connected to 

mainstream schools but many have struggled 

to maintain this connection. 

The school recently moved into a newly 

refurbished facility at 118 Hargreaves Street, 

with funding for the building works coming 


from a $500,000 federal Government capital 

grant and the Sandhurst Diocese. The fantastic 

building was once part of Marist Brothers 

College Bendigo and is certainly a very different 

place than when that school closed in the early 

1980’s. 

Doxa is appreciative of the on-going 

involvement of the Marist Brothers in the Doxa 

Schools, and is also pleased that the Catholic 

Education Office, Sandhurst Diocese, has 

joined as a partner in Doxa School Bendigo. 

All parties are deeply committed to trying to 

re-engage young people in mainstream 

education to enhance their life chances. 

The official opening will occur in October, and 

will be a great recognition of the vision, hard 

work, and dedication in getting this school 

off the ground. While Doxa School Bendigo 

is still in its infancy, it has already become an 

important link in the network of people working 

to help and support young people in the local 

Bendigo community.

… very excited with the privilege 

and the challenge of establishing 

the new school 

The new Doxa School Bendigo. 


15

16 

doxacadetshipprogram 

The difficulties of making a successful transition to tertiary education have 

been well documented, and the Doxa Cadetship Program (previously 

known as the Hollingworth Cadet Program) aims to assist all its cadets 

to effectively navigate their courses and complete their degrees. 

Operating for 15 years, the Doxa Cadetship 

Program links students from disadvantaged 

backgrounds with a corporate sponsor 

who provides eight weeks work experience, 

$6000 living allowance per annum, and a 

mentor who oversees and facilitates the 

cadet’s development within the company. 

Other support is provided to the cadets 

from Doxa including an allowance for books, 

tutoring and travel. Doxa also funds the 

Student Achievement Centre to support the 

program, with their role involving the liaison 

with the schools nominating potential cadets, 

the provision of educational assistance and 

training to cadets, and working with the 

sponsor companies to ensure a successful 

cadet/mentor relationship. Currently there are 

55 cadets attached to 33 companies in the 

Cadetship Program. 

… to obtain a tertiary qualification together 

with invaluable work experience over the 

life of their course, affords the cadets the 

chance to change their lives forever. 


Major highlights during the year included 

the Induction Camp held at the Malmsbury 

campsite for the 17 new cadets joining the 

program for 2006; the Graduation in May 

where 160 guests saw 15 cadets successfully 

graduate; and the sponsor evening hosted 

by Allens Arthur Robinson with Collingwood 

Football Club senior coach, Mick Malthouse, 

as guest speaker. 

The program remains as essential now as it 

was 15 years ago. The opportunity for a young 

person to obtain a tertiary qualification together 

with invaluable work experience over the life of 

their course, affords the cadets the chance to 

change their lives forever. The importance of 

this work and the achievements of the cadets 

cannot and should not be underestimated.

Cadet Sponsors 

Doxa is appreciative of the wonderful support of all the sponsors in ensuring this 

program is successful: 

Allens Arthur Robinson* 

ARB Corporation 

Arnold Bloch Leibler* 

Arup Australasia 

BAE Systems 

Baker & McKenzie 

Carlton & United Beverages Ltd* 

CityWide Service Solutions Pty Ltd 

City of Greater Dandenong* 

Country Road Clothing Pty Ltd 

Dennis Family Corporation* 

Deutsche Bank* 

E.L. & C. Baillieu Stockbroking Ltd* 

Ferrier Hodgson* 

Grogan Richards Pty Ltd 

Hume City Council* 

IBM Global Services 

KPMG* 

Corporate Liaison Consultant Graeme Johnson (L) 

and Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse 

speaking at the sponsor evening. 

Melbourne Underwater World Pty Ltd* 

National Foods Ltd 

OAMPS Insurance Broking Ltd 

PaperLinX Australia* 

Patrick Corporation 

P & O Ports 

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Shell Company of Australia Ltd 

Spotless Group Ltd 

Sussan Corporation 

Tattersall’s Ltd 

Urbis JHD Pty Ltd 

Veolia Environmental Services 

VicRoads* 

Willis Australia Ltd 

(* denotes more than one cadet) 


17

18 

doxacommunitysmall 

grantsprogram 

Doxa Youth Foundation established a Community Small Grants Program 

in July 2005. In addition to providing support to larger programs, Doxa 

now also provides small grants to non-profit organisations, community 

groups and, in special circumstances, to individuals, to further its work of 

creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people. 

Grants up to the value of $5000 were awarded 

to applicants across Victoria for a variety of 

projects. A total of $50,000 was allocated for 

the year, which directly benefited 11 different 

projects and hundreds of disadvantaged young 

people. 

The Sunshine College Oasis Program 

answers a very real need to promote physical, 

psychological and emotional well being in 

students who are all deemed as being ‘at risk’. 

Young people embark on an 8 day adventure 

camp, comprising a physical education 

program designed to build self esteem and a 

sense of belonging through challenges such as 

high ropes, canoeing and raft building. Doxa 

provided the required funding for 20 young 

people to participate in this program. 

The Friday Night School was founded 10 years 

ago with a vision of providing educational 

assistance to young people, mainly migrants 

and refugees living in the Richmond high-rise 

public housing estates. The program received 

a grant of $5000 to provide funding for text 

books and stationery for secondary school 

students. The assistance offered varies from 

a $150 contribution to providing all items on 

the student’s book list. The amount given per 

student is based on application to studies, 

attendance at Friday Night School and the 

family’s financial position. 

Stonnington Primary School developed a 

program called literacy Support for 3rd Wave 

Students. A high proportion of the students 

involved come from Non-English backgrounds, 

including refugees. The aim is to improve the 


literacy of students in grades 3-6 who are 

reading and writing 2 or more levels below their 

appropriate age level. At present, 16 students 

are receiving 30-40 minutes of intervention 3-5 

times weekly. 

“In all instances students made significant 

improvements in their reading and writing 

ability, with most students gaining at least one 

year in reading in the this period.” 

The Youth Access Program at Bendigo TAFE 

received funding to send 15 young people 

on a ‘Zoo and Surf Adventure’. Over 2 days, 

young people at risk of not completing their 

formal schooling took part in the program 

which involved an overnight camp out at 

the Melbourne Zoo and surfing lessons in 

Anglesea. 

‘Journaling through Song’ is an ongoing 

project that provides music therapy for young 

people with a chronic illness. The Monash 

Medical Centre’s Music Therapy program 

requested funds for a portable recording space 

which will directly benefit young people with 

Cystic Fibrosis and eating disorders. 

The Lighthouse Foundation was successful 

in its application for a contribution towards 

course fees for a previously homeless young 

woman who has turned her life around and 

is pursuing studies in Holistic Counselling. 

She currently works with young women who 

are self harmers, and hopes to continue this 

work more intensively at the conclusion of her 

course.

Gowrie Street Primary School in North 

Shepparton sought support to send 70 Year 

5 and 6 students on a camp to Melbourne 

this year. There is an Aboriginal population of 

28% at the school and for the past 20 years 

there has been a Federal Government grant to 

assist the Indigenous students. Those grants 

were halted in 2004, and Doxa was pleased to 

provide funding that would allow all students 

to take part in the camp. 

Youth Projects Inc. work with young people 

who are at risk of or experiencing drug and 

alcohol issues, homelessness, crime and 

violence, blood borne virus infection and 

other related issues. Funding was granted 

for the purchase of a resuscitation couch 

for the organisation’s Living Room, Primary 

Health Care Service operating in the City of 

Melbourne. 

Sacred Heart Primary School in Preston 

has developed a new mentor program to 

assist their students academically, socially, 

emotionally and physically. Doxa’s contribution 

will pay for Ardoch Youth Training packages 

and Police Checks for 15 volunteer mentors. 

This project aims to engage at risk students 

at school so that they can enjoy a more 

successful pathway through their education. 

Volunteers at Stonnington Primary assist 

young people participating in Literacy 

Support for 3rd Wave Students. 

Doxa was pleased to assist SHARC (Self 

Help Addictive Resource Centre) with 

funding to purchase a video camera and 

editing system. The equipment is being 

used in the development of a public art 

installation, featuring photos, videos, text 

and soundscapes. 

“We all take turns filming each other doing 

both extraordinary and ordinary everyday 

things. We find great value in being able to film 

the SHARC experience and provide hope to 

others that will enter the program in the future.” 

Merrijig Place opened in early 2006 as a 

drop-in centre for young people who wish to 

participate in collaborative activities such as 

art and craft workshops and creative gardens. 

A Joseph’s Corner initiative, Merrijig Place 

received funding for gardening materials and 

art and craft supplies. 

Awareness of this new funding initiative 

has grown quickly and a large number of 

applications were submitted prior to the 

quarterly committee meetings. This has proven 

to be an exciting endeavour for Doxa and has 

allowed us to extend our reach as a result of 

being able to fund flexible and varied grants. 


19

20 

otherdoxaprograms 

Goal Assist 

Using AFL stars to provide training to mentors who will then work with 

young people in their local community is the cornerstone of an exciting 

new initiative funded by Doxa. 

Together with the WorkSafe Victorian Country 

Football League, Goal Assist is an innovative 

program developed to provide extra assistance 

to help disadvantaged young people 

take advantage of community, education, 

employment and sporting opportunities to fulfil 

their potential. Goal Assist was launched in 

November 2005 by Rodney Eade, coach of 

the Western Bulldogs. 

The AFL payers working on Goal Assist 

are Brett Montgomery (Western Bulldogs); 

Matthew Stokes (Geelong); Jason Winderlich 

(Essendon); Justin Perkins (Kangaroos); and 

Ben Schwarze (Kangaroos). 

Running through the 2006 football season 

the following communities have been involved 

– Corio/Geelong North (South West Victoria 

– Geelong); Broadford (Central Victoria); 

Golden Point (Western Victoria – Ballarat); 

Korong Vale (Central Victoria – Bendigo); 

and Ramajyuk (Eastern Victoria – Sale). 


Apart from the training, each area also took on 

a project decided on by the group of mentors 

and young people as a way of contributing 

productively to their local community. Some of 

the projects included re-building a coach’s box; 

installing new goal posts; and keeping facilities 

clean and getting other players involved in this. 

Those involved with the program also attended 

an AFL match and had the opportunity to visit 

the rooms to meet the AFL player working with 

them. Training was also provided to parents 

and schools. 

It is expected that Goal Assist will set a new 

benchmark for sporting clubs to go beyond 

sporting feats, but also look at how their 

young players can set goals, be involved and 

lead active and fulfilling lives. The program 

is being formally evaluated, with the findings 

providing the basis for the future development 

and expansion of the program to other 

communities across the state and other 

sporting codes. 

It is expected that Goal Assist will set 

a new benchmark for sporting clubs…


Back to School 

Doxa has always been committed to providing practical support, and the 

Back to School Program is a wonderful example of this. The program 

provides $50 Target vouchers to help struggling families meet the costs 

of sending children back to school. 

Together with the Sidney Myer Foundation 

and the Foundation for Rural and Regional 

Renewal, Doxa has helped the Back to School 

Program grow from its initial $150,000 to 

$312,000, enabling the program to extend 

its reach. The grant from Doxa supported 

Community Foundations in Ballarat, Bendigo, 

Bass Coast, and Eastern Victoria. 

Some of the stories provided by workers 

administering the program highlight just how 

important the vouchers can be to families: 

“A large single parent family were unable 

to send their children to school for the first 

few days of term because they did not have 

appropriate footwear. Two vouchers were 

enough to purchase the shoes, which enabled 

the children to go to school the next day. This 

was a great outcome”. 

“The Back to School vouchers again provided 

much welcomed and needed assistance for 

many families…many struggling to get all the 

necessary goods required to be able to send 

their children into the new school year. It is a 

very difficult time for low-income families, as 

most are trying to get over the extra expenses 

that come along with long school holidays over 

the Christmas period”. 

“A Horn of Africa family – Mum, Dad and five 

children – had presented to the area in a state 

of homelessness. The Dad desperately wanted 

to work and picked up fruit picking here and 

there, but could not access stable employment 

that could take care of the needs of the family. 

The local Migration Settlement Officer along 

with …transitional housing workers, met with 

the family and although the family are very 

proud and originally refused assistance, were 

finally comfortable with being placed in a 

transitional housing property. It is difficult to 

imagine how a family copes with being unable 

to live in their own country, is separated from 

their extended family unit, their Church, their 

community and everything familiar to them. 

After settling into the property and enrolling 

their children into the school the next hurdle 

was accessing everything that was needed 

for school – taking into account that they had 

absolutely nothing to start with! That’s where 

the vouchers became invaluable because this 

form of assistance could not be sourced from 

any other funding in the area”. 

“A large sole parent family had a child who was 

very talented in the field of photography and up 

until his mother was aware of the vouchers she 

had to tell her son that they could not afford to 

pay the extra fees for the photography class… 

With two vouchers and a bit of encouragement 

the family was able to free up enough funds to 

allow the student to enroll in the photography 

class. This was a great result as this child does 

have real talent and I am sure this assistance, 

although not huge, will help change the quality 

of his life in the long term by enabling him to 

pursue a career that he has a real passion and 

talent for”. 

Doxa is pleased to have pledged a further two 

years funding to the Back to School Program. 


21

22 


Rumbalara football and Netball Club 

With the investment from Doxa, the Rumbalara Football Netball Club 

(RFNC) continues to be more than a sporting club. This is exemplified by 

the wide range of activities the club supports, including its unique joint 

initiative with the University of Melbourne: the Academy of Sport Health 

and Education (ASHE); its Healthy Lifestyles Program; its Leadership and 

Employment Programs; its Youth Suicide Prevention Program; and its 

work as a key participant in the Council of Australian Government (COAG) 

Indigenous reform process.. Along with Doxa, Indigenous Enterprise 

Partnerships (IEP) continues to support the club’s administration. 

RFNC’s activities are complex in their nature 

and result in a heavier administration load 

than a typical sporting club. Doxa’s ongoing 

support enables the club to continue in all of 

these activities and to investigate other ways 

to build the club’s sustainability. For example, 

the club along with the St Kilda Football Club 

has engaged the services of Ken Sheldon 

to assist in the resourcing and building of 

club infrastructure and to source corporate 

sponsorship for unfunded player support areas 

including player scholarship development. 

Doxa has contributed to the RFNC having 

a great introduction into the Murray Football 

League, a premier A Grade division of Victorian 

Country Football. At the end of the 2006 

season the club went into the finals with 3 

of 6 netball teams, B, C grade and U13’s, 

qualifying. The B grade team made it all the 

way to the grand final – which was a great 

effort for the girls in such a high standard of 

netball. 

Six of RFNC’s footballers and five of the 

netballers were invited to the Murray Football 

League Best & Fairest Presentation, which 

was a terrific achievement for them to be 

recognised within the League. 

The football group consists of 170 players and 

netball group of 60 players with 81 supporting 


volunteers for game days. The netball groups 

continue to grow and as a result, the RFNC 

will be looking to enter new teams into other 

competitions to ensure all players participate 

in their chosen sport. The club also manages 

netball summer competitions and will 

participate in the football NAICDOC Carnival. 

The club is currently supporting player 

pathways to the next level of football and 

netball, and planning the pre-season training 

schedule for season 2007. 

Doxa is committed to assisting the RFNC work 

towards its vision of building on the indigenous 

community’s passion for sport to encourage 

involvement in a broad range of activities that 

promote education, health and emotional 

and spiritual well-being. Such an approach is 

pivotal in trying to address some of the issues 

facing the Koori community in Shepparton 

– the unemployment rate is estimated to be 

80% with few Koori people employed in the 

region’s major industries. Low school retention 

rates are also a significant issue, with many 

young people leaving school before Year 9. 

These circumstances, combined with the high 

level of alienation of young Indigenous people 

from the mainstream community and the high 

proportion of young people who are at risk and 

who fail to reach their potential, make Doxa’s 

support and the work of the Club vital.

Doxa is committed to assisting the RFNC 

work towards its vision of building on the 

indigenous community’s passion for sport 

to encourage involvement in a broad range 

of activities that promote education, health 

and emotional and spiritual well-being. 

Paul Briggs and Ken Barry 

endorse a new partnership. 


23

24 


Operation Newstart 

Complementing the Doxa schools, Operation Newstart Victoria provides 

a one-term alternative school program for young people aged 14-18 

years, who are at significant educational risk. What has been discovered 

is that the majority of these students also have significant behavioural, 

mental health, familial and juvenile offending problems which also have to 

be dealt with during their involvement with the program. 

A joint initiative between the Department of 

Education and Training and Victoria Police, 

Operation Newstart Victoria is located in 

four areas across metropolitan Melbourne. 

The program focuses on outdoor and 

adventure activities; vocational learning and 

the development of life skills. In 2005/06 

Operation Newstart Victoria had 102 students 

participating in the program with 90 completing 

it (89%). 

Doxa has been an integral partner with 

Operation Newstart Victoria this year. With 

Doxa’s financial support, staff were able to 

attend the International Adventure Therapy 

Conference in New Zealand in January 

2006, where it was acknowledged by other 

participants that the full time police involvement 

in the program is unique worldwide, and 

something they would like to be able to 

replicate. It was also acknowledged that 


Newstart’s holistic approach was comparable 

with some of the best programs of its type 

around the world. 

Funds were also put towards general operating 

costs, the purchase of a general use trailer to 

carry surfing and climbing equipment, and the 

publication of the Western program’s Progress 

Report, with comprehensive statistics of their 

last seven years of operation. 

Involvement with Operation Newstart can be 

life changing for some young people, and the 

importance of reconnecting with educational, 

vocational and employment avenues is critical. 

The attached case-study is testament to the 

wonderful work done by the dedicated team at 

Operation Newstart and is reflective of some 

of the outcomes that can be achieved.

Case Study – John 

In term 3, 2005 a student came to our program in need of assistance. 

John was a 16 year old year 9 student who was repeating a year at 

school and things were not going well for him….he struggled to do his 

work and lacked family support and a stable environment to help him 

when he needed some direction. 

John’s mother had died when he was quite 

young and he has no idea who his father is. 

John has a number of siblings, but they too 

struggle to support themselves and he found 

himself sleeping at mates places with no 

firm home. 

During his time on Operation Newstart 

Western, John showed that he was prepared 

to give all activities a go, and although he had 

an unsettled background managed to turn up 

to the program everyday, on time, and with 

whatever equipment he needed for the day. 

His performance was so exceptional that he 

received the term encouragement award at 

the group’s graduation. 

Meetings were held at John’s school in 

relation to him returning, and everyone was 

positive believing he would be able to get on 

with his work and have a successful future. 

Unfortunately this was not the case. 

We were contacted by John’s school informing 

us that things had gone back to the way they 

were prior to Newstart and that John had 

quit school. Staff from his school requested a 

meeting with us and John was brought to our 

office to talk about “where to from here?”. We 

told him about some employment agencies, 

and offered to make some enquiries elsewhere. 

We accessed Centrelink for John to try and 

sort out the lack of income. He was classed 

as an orphan so there were benefits he could 

have been claiming for some time but did not 

have anyone to assist him with the process. 

We received a supermarket gift voucher from 

Centrelink where we were able to purchase 

some toiletries and other necessary items for 

John. We also made some phone calls to 

local businesses we had worked with in the 

past to see if anyone was looking for a junior. 

We were fortunate enough to come across 

an amazing woman who, although she had 

no jobs going, offered to meet John. The 

meeting was conducted later that day (the 

same day we met John to discuss his future) 

and it all went well. John was to start work the 

following Monday. In order to work he required 

steel capped boots which we were able to 

get generously donated by Rays Outdoors, 

Hoppers Crossing. He needed some transport 

to get to work and we located a mountainbike 

and had Ted’s Cycles, Werribee, service it so 

it could be ridden on a daily basis, again done 

through their generosity. We purchased some 

work clothes for John and were reimbursed by 

John’s new employer. 

John started work on the 22 November 

2005, and is still employed by the company. 

He has been given driving lessons, paid for 

by his employer, forklift instruction, and has 

been taken under the wing of one of the older 

storeman who is like a father figure to him. 

Staff have commented on how much John has 

come out of his shell since he started work. 

We sometimes sit back and wonder if John 

fully appreciates what happened in that 24 

hour period and how lucky he was to have 

someone in the community prepared to give 

a young person a break. John’s employer has 

offered to assist John with his education in the 

future, allowing him time to study and paying 

for courses. John is now a confident young 

man with a steady income and a promising 

future. 


25

26 


Centacare 

Centacare Catholic Family Services, Footscray, awaited the delivery of 

their new ‘baby’ with great excitement. Then, in early September, they 

greeted the new member of the family: a brand new 12-seater bus funded 

by Doxa! The days of begging local councils and organisations for the use 

of their vehicles were over! They had a bus and so could plan events with 

certainty for the children and families they work with. There are no more 

disappointments due to transport unavailability and staff have become 

more creative about the activities they conduct. It enables them to take 

the groups they normally conduct indoors out to parks and other public 

places; being out in the open helps the children to interact with each 

other much more easily. 

The bus is also utilised for the Southern 

Sudanese Education Support Group. This 

is a homework assistance program that is 

conducted on Saturdays, and believe it or 

not, there are young people out there who 

look forward to a sixth day at school. It is 

conducted in partnership with Western English 

Language School and a team of volunteers. 

Together they provide homework help to 

Southern Sudanese students in primary and 

secondary schools in the local government 

areas of Maribyrnong and Brimbank. These 

young people arrive in Australia with little or no 

formal education and English language skills. 

They spend about six months at the Western 

English Language School and are then placed 

in local schools, in year levels according to 


their age. It is a huge step. Their parents have 

similarly low levels of schooling and English 

and so cannot help them with their studies. 

Without this Education Support Group the 

students have no chance to catch up with 

their new classmates. Secondary students in 

particular were dropping out of school. 

A Support Group had commenced earlier in 

the year but had trouble operating weekly 

because of transport issues – the school is 

not located near a transport or shopping hub 

and the students are scattered across a wide 

area. Also, the parents want to accompany 

their children to the centre, partly out of safety 

concerns and partly because it enables them 

to meet other Southern Sudanese parents

(thus reducing their social isolation). The Doxa 

bus means that parents and children can be 

assured that they will be picked up. During the 

year attendance has varied between 30-60 

children. 

The bus is also used to transport parents to a 

number of groups the Centre runs which helps 

reduce social isolation and assists parents 

to build on their parenting skills. The bus has 

The new Centacare bus. 

also meant that excursions can be planned for 

client families to places like parks, beaches, 

and museums. This is something that is done 

particularly with refugee families, to show them 

where they can go to access free or affordable 

family recreational/community facilities. Doxa is 

thrilled that the bus is being put to such great 

use in helping young people and their families 

out in the West. 


27

28 


Wellington Community Centre 

The Wellington Community Centre is located in the heart of Collingwood 

and was established to provide a community space and support 

services. This was in response to a clear need for a place for the local 

community to meet, especially refugees and socially isolated people living 

in the Collingwood Housing Estate and local area. 

The Centre has been the springboard for 

the development of a range of programs 

for residents of Collingwood, many from 

the Collingwood Estate. Through providing 

recreational and social support opportunities 

to one group (e.g. Somali children) other needs 

have been identified and met (e.g. knitting 

group for Somali mothers who are mainly 

single parents). While the Centre provides a 

physical space for programs, the Wellington 

Community Centre is also offering much more 

than this through outreach, activities and direct 

support. 

Doxa has been supportive of the Wellington 

Community Centre over the past 12 months 

and our funding, together with other partners, 

has contributed to a range of groups being 

initiated and services offered. These include: 

• St Joseph’s Primary School 

breakfast program 

• HearLink – hearing assessments 

for children in local schools 

• Collingwood foodbank 

• Home Instruction for Parents of 

Pre-school youngsters 

• Rosie’s Outreach service 


Volunteers help support these activities. They 

are the oftentimes unrecognized backbone of 

community development and are invaluable 

in assisting in bridging gaps and bringing the 

community together. 

Also significant was the use of funding to 

engage a consultant to develop a Business 

Plan for the centre. With this important piece of 

work completed, Wellington Community Centre 

is now well placed to approach philanthropic 

organizations and government departments 

for funding to further enhance their work with 

disadvantaged families and children in the 

Collingwood area. 

…been the springboard for the 

development of a range of programs 

for residents of Collingwood…

oyhigginslunch 

Doxa and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) partnered to host an 

extraordinary and memorable lunch honouring our tireless ambassador, 

Roy Higgins. More than 650 people joined together on Friday 10 March 

this year, to honour and celebrate the contribution of Roy to both Doxa 

and to Australian racing 

Held at The Atrium at Flemington Racecourse 

and hosted by Bryan Martin, the Roy Higgins 

Club lunch was an exciting afternoon, 

attended by many of the greatest names 

in the Australian racing industry. 

Guest speakers, Bruce McAvaney and the 

Hon. Andrew Peacock AC spoke of their own 

enduring relationships with one of Australia’s 

most famous jockeys, and Fr Joe Giacobbe 

detailed the important role that his good friend 

Roy had played in the establishment of Doxa. 

Guests were treated to an inspiring DVD 

illustrating Roy’s amazing career, narrated 

by another Australian icon, Charles (Bud) 

Tingwell. The tribute depicted an illustrious 

career spanning more than 5 decades that 

included many unsurpassable records. A hush 

enveloped the entire room, and guests sat 

humbled and in awe, witnessing the journey 

of a true Australian legend. 

Roy was honoured with induction as an 

honorary member of the VRC and was thrilled 

by a Jockey Parade of luminaries that had 

come from far and wide to honour their 

friend and colleague. Scobie Breasley, Midge 

Didham, Pat Hyland and Damian Oliver proudly 

took part alongside many other Australian 

jockeys. Geoff Lane also flew in from Hong 

Kong for the occasion. 

In conjunction with the VRC, and following the 

success of this event, Doxa is pleased that this 

lunch will now be an annual event, occurring on 

the Friday in March before Super Saturday as 

part of the VRC Festival of Racing. 

Roy Higgins is honoured by 

racing enthusiast the Hon. Andrew Peacock 

AC and sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney. 

(Photo supplied courtesy of The Herald & 

Weekly Times Photographic Collection). 


29

30 

doxastaffing 

doxa youth foundation staff 

Julie L. Rolfe Chief Executive Officer 

Marlise Harris Program Coordinator 

Meghan Horwood Senior Book Keeper 

Grace Anamourlis Office Manager 

Maree Tehan Program Director (resigned August 2006) 

L to R: Marlise Harris, Julie Rolfe, 

Meghan Horwood and 

Grace Anamourlis. 

dOxAyOUThfOUNdATiON

financialstatements 

Concise financial Report 30 June 2006 

Directors’ report 32 

Auditor’s independence declaration 34 

Financial report 

Income statements 35 

Discussion and analysis of income statements 35 

Balance sheets 36 

Discussion and analysis of balance sheets 37 

Statements of changes in equity 37 

Cash flow statements 38 

Discussion and analysis of cash flow statements 39 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 39 

Directors’ declaration 42 

Independent audit report to the members 43 

Relationship of the concise financial report to the full financial report 

The concise financial report is an extract from the full financial report for the year ended 30 June 

2006. The financial statements and specific disclosures included in the concise financial report 

have been derived from the full financial report. 

The concise financial report cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial 

performance, financial position and financing and investing activities of Doxa Youth Foundation and 

its controlled entity as the full financial report. Further financial information can be obtained from 

the full financial report. 

The full financial report and auditor’s report will be sent to members on request, free of charge. 

A copy may be requested by contacting the Chief Executive of Doxa Youth Foundation at: 

Doxa Youth Foundation 

Suite 2, Ground Floor 

355 Spencer Street 

West Melbourne VIC 3003. 


31

32 

doxayouthfoundation (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

directors’report 

Your directors present their report on Doxa Youth 

Foundation (A Company Limited by Guarantee) for 

the year ended 30 June 2006. The report includes 

consolidated results consisting of the Company and 

Doxa Social Club Incorporated (Doxa Social Club) 

(referred to hereafter as the Group). Doxa Social Club’s 

activities are conducted to provide funding to Doxa Youth 

Foundation and are overseen by a separate Management 

Committee. Under accounting standards, due to the 

funding linkage, the results of Doxa Youth Foundation 

are required to be consolidated with Doxa Social Club. 

Directors 

The following persons were directors of Doxa Youth 

Foundation during the financial year and up to the date 

of this report: 

Ken Barry 

Fr Joe Giacobbe 

Anna Kennedy 

Helen Morris 

Judy Ward 

Stephen Silk 

Eugene Arocca 

Peter Maher 

Stephen Silk was appointed a director on 15 February 

2006 and continues in office at the date of this report. 

Eugene Arocca was appointed a director on 15 February 

2006 and continues in office at the date of this report. 

Peter Maher was a director from the beginning of the 

financial year until his resignation on 31 May 2006. 

Principal activities 

During the year the principal continuing activities of the 

Company were the conduct and operation of programs 

to provide opportunities to disadvantaged young people. 

The principal continuing activities of Doxa Social Club 

(the controlled entity) were the conduct and operation of 

three hospitality, leisure and entertainment venues, and 

the publication of a thoroughbred racing newspaper for 

the purpose of providing funding to the Company for its 

programs. 


Review of operations 

The net result of the operations of the Company was a 

surplus of $158,759. 

The consolidated net result of operations of the 

Group after providing for income tax was a surplus of 

$46,604 (2005: $1,188,035 surplus). 

On 28 November 2005, Doxa Social Club acquired 

the business and assets of a hospitality, leisure and 

entertainment venue. 

Significant changes 

in the state of affairs 

There were no significant changes in the state of affairs 

of the Group during the financial year. 

Matters subsequent 

to the end of the financial year 

On 30 September 2006, Doxa Social Club, sold assets 

and liabilities in its newspaper, The Winning Post. The 

financial effect of this sale, and related profit, will be 

recognised in the 2007 financial report. 

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 

30 June 2006 that has significantly affected, or may 

significantly affect: 

(a) the Group’s operations in future financial years, or 

(b) the results of those operations in future financial 

years, or 

(c) the Group’s state of affairs in future financial years. 

Likely developments and 

expected results of operations 

The directors are not aware of any substantive changes 

likely to have a significant effect on the operations of the 

consolidated entity and the expected results of those 

operations in future financial years. 

Environmental regulation 

The Group is not subject to significant environmental 

regulation in respect of its activities.

Information on Directors 

Director Experience Special 

responsibilities 

Ken Barry Lawyer Non executive 

Chairman 

Fr Joe 

Giacobbe 

Catholic 

Priest 

Anna Kennedy Company 

Secretary 

Founder and 

Executive Director 

Non executive 

Director 

Helen Morris Consultant Non executive 

Director 

Judy Ward Chartered 

Accountant 

Stephen Silk Marketing 

Executive 

Eugene 

Arocca 

Peter Maher 

(resigned) 

Non executive 

Director 

Non executive 

Director 

Lawyer Non executive 

Director 

Managing 

Director 

Meetings of Directors 

Non executive 

Director 

The numbers of meetings of the Company’s board 

of directors and of each board committee held during 

the year ended 30 June 2006, and the numbers of 

meetings attended by each director were: 

Meeting of 

Directors 

Number of 

meetings 

attended 

Number held 

while director 

in office 

Ken Barry 9 10 

Fr Joe Giacobbe 10 10 

Anna Kennedy 8 10 

Helen Morris 5 10 

Judy Ward 10 10 

Stephen Silk 3 3 

Eugene Arocca 2 2 


Peter Maher 7 10 

Audit 

Committee 

meetings 

Number of 

meetings 

attended 

Number of 

meetings 

held 

Judy Ward 1 1 

Ken Barry 0 1 

Eugene Arocca 1 1 

Insurance of officers 

During the financial year, Doxa Youth Foundation paid 

a premium of $14,520 (2005: $14,520) to insure the 

directors and officers; and all other employees of the 

Company and its controlled entity. 

Proceedings on behalf of the company 

No person has applied to the Court under section 

237 of the Corporations Act 2001 for leave to bring 

proceedings on behalf of the Company, or to intervene 

in any proceedings to which the Company is a party, 

for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the 

Company for all or part of those proceedings. 

No proceedings have been brought or intervened in on 

behalf of the Company with leave of the Court under 

section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Auditor’s independence declaration 

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as 

required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 

2001 is set out on page 34. 

Auditor 

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office in accordance 

with section 327 of the Corporations Act 2001. 

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of 

directors. 

Ken Barry 

Chairman 

Melbourne 

Date: 


33

34 


Auditor’s independence declaration 

�� 

Independent audit report to the members of 


Auditor's Independence Declaration 


Doxa Youth Foundation (A Company Limited by Guarantee) 

Directors' report 

30 June 2006 


(continued) 

Audit report 



ABN ABN 52 780 52 433 780 757 433 757 

Freshwater Freshwater Place Place 

2 Southbank 2 Southbank Boulevard Boulevard 

SOUTHBANK SOUTHBANK VIC 3006 VIC 3006 

GPO GPO Box 1331L Box 1331L 

MELBOURNE 

MELBOURNE 

VIC 3001 

VIC 3001 

DX 77 

DX 77 

website: www.pwc.com/au 


Telephone +61 3 8603 1000 

Telephone +61 3 8603 1000 

Facsimile +61 3 8603 1999 

Facsimile +61 3 8603 1999 

Audit opinion 

As lead auditor for the audit of Doxa Youth Foundation for the year ended 30 June 2006, I declare that, to the best of my 

knowledge In our opinion, and the belief, concise there financial have been: report of Doxa Youth Foundation for the year ended 30 June 2006 complies with 

Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports. 

(a) This opinion no contraventions must be read of in the conjunction auditor independence with the rest of requirements our audit report. of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; 

and 

(b) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

Scope 

This declaration is in respect of Doxa Youth Foundation and the entity it controlled during the period. 

The concise financial report and directors’ responsibility 

The concise financial report comprises the balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, cash flow 

statement, notes to the financial statements, and the directors’ declaration for Doxa Youth Foundation as the company, and 

Doxa Youth Foundation as the consolidated entity, for the year ended 30 June 2006. 

The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the financial report in accordance with 

S L Jeraj Melbourne 

Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1039: Concise Financial Reports. 

Partner Date: 


Audit approach 

We conducted an independent audit of the concise financial report in order to express an opinion on it to the members of the 

company. Our audit was conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, in order to provide reasonable 

assurance as to whether the concise financial report is free of material misstatement. The nature of an audit is influenced by 

factors such as the use of professional judgement, selective testing, the inherent limitations of internal control, and the 

availability of persuasive rather than conclusive evidence. Therefore, an audit cannot guarantee that all material 

misstatements have been detected. For further explanation of an audit, visit our website 

http://www.pwc.com/au/financialstatementaudit. 

We also performed an independent audit of the full financial report of the company for the financial year ended 30 June 

2006. Our audit report on the full financial report was signed on xx xx 2006, and was not subject to any qualification. 

In conducting our audit of the concise financial report, we performed procedures to assess whether in all material respects 

the concise financial report is presented fairly in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1039: Concise 

Financial Reports. 

We formed our audit opinion on the basis of these procedures, which included: 

� testing that the information included in the concise financial report is consistent with the information in the full 

financial report, and 

� examining, on a test basis, information to provide evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the 

concise financial report which were not directly derived from the full financial report. 

Our procedures include reading the other information in the Annual Report to determine whether it contains any material 

inconsistencies with the concise financial report. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation 


-15-


income statements 

for the year ended 30 June 2006 

Consolidated Doxa Youth Foundation 

Notes 2006 2005 2006 2005 

$ $ $ $ 

Revenue from continuing operations 4 11,405,439 10,263,372 3,082,328 3,540,069 

Other income - 1,014 - 1,014 

Changes in inventories 26,076 (2,314) - - 

Consumables used (1,443,365) (1,071,375) - - 

Employee benefits expense (2,415,248) (1,568,231) - - 

Depreciation and amortisation expense (270,685) (205,088) (115,992) (107,755) 

Printing expense (1,646,042) (1,494,697) - - 

Venue operation expense (1,066,734) (821,911) - - 

Distribution expense (367,895) (364,008) - - 

Rental expense (846,770) (607,216) - - 

Administration expenses (763,844) (857,320) (763,844) (857,320) 

Doxa program activity expenses (2,043,733) (1,697,679) (2,043,733) (1,697,679) 

Other expenses (503,223) (222,514) - - 

Finance costs (17,372) - - - 

Surplus before income tax 46,604 1,352,033 158,759 878,329 

Income tax expense - (163,998) - - 

Surplus for the year 46,604 1,188,035 158,759 878,329 

Surplus attributable to members 46,604 1,188,035 158,759 878,329 

The above income statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

discussion and analysis of income statements 


Revenue 

The major source of revenue for Doxa Youth Foundation 

for the year was donations and fundraising activities, 

with a major donation being received from the Doxa 

Social Club. 

Overall revenue was down. This was a result of drawing 

down on funds to manage the cash flow; no longer 

receiving a management fee from Doxa Social Club; 

and the temporary wind-down of the Doxa Cadetship 

program during the first six months of the financial year. 

Expenses 

While administration expenses were reduced for Doxa 

Youth Foundation, there was a significant increase 

in expenses relating to program activities which is 

reflective of the growth of the organisation. Apart 

from our traditional flagship programs – Doxa camps, 

the Doxa Cadetship Program and Doxa School West 

Melbourne – a number of new initiatives were funded. 


35

36 


Balance sheets 

as at 30 June 2006 

ASSETS 

Current assets 



Notes 2006 2005 2006 2005 

$ $ $ $ 

Cash and cash equivalents 3,387,751 3,898,573 3,044,309 2,898,127 

Trade and other receivables 1,056,013 659,256 234,750 245,295 

Inventories 46,387 27,709 - 7,398 

Total current assets 4,490,151 4,585,538 3,279,059 3,150,820 

Non-current assets 

Other financial assets 3,641,505 3,908,545 3,641,505 3,908,545 

Plant and equipment 1,423,968 937,032 850,290 615,281 

Intangible assets 61,146 - - - 

Total non-current assets 5,126,619 4,845,577 4,491,795 4,523,826 

Total assets 9,616,770 9,431,115 7,770,854 7,674,646 

LIABILITIES 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 807,097 629,246 144,892 161,297 

Interest bearing liabilities 25,333 18,142 3,642 11,525 

Provisions 149,284 116,447 11,846 14,927 

Current tax liabilities - 151,583 - - 

Total current liabilities 981,714 915,418 160,380 187,749 

Non-current liabilities 

Interest bearing liabilities 68,059 64,296 4,939 40,121 

Provisions 140,675 71,683 - - 

Total non-current liabilities 208,734 135,979 4,939 40,121 

Total liabilities 1,190,448 1,051,397 165,319 227,870 

Net assets 8,426,322 8,379,718 7,605,535 7,446,776 

EQUITY 

Retained surplus 8,426,322 8,379,718 7,605,535 7,446,776 

Total equity 8,426,322 8,379,718 7,605,535 7,446,776 

The above balance sheets should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.


discussion and analysis of balance sheets 


Assets 

Total assets increased slightly during the year. 

Cash assets for Doxa Youth Foundation increased mostly 

as a result of liquidating some of the share portfolio into 

cash to assist in the management of the cash flow during 

the year, together with the funding of new programs and 

the refurbishment of the urban camp accommodation. 

There were leasehold improvements during the year with 

the refurbishment of the accommodation at The Meeting 

Place, although overall non-current assets for Doxa Youth 

Foundation decreased slightly due to drawing down on the 

share portfolio and fixed interest investments. 

Balance sheets 

as at 30 June 2006 (continued) 

Liabilities 

Total liabilities for Doxa Youth Foundation were lower 

due to a reduction in trade payables, accruals and hire 

purchase liabilities. 

Equity 

Statements of changes in equity 


Total equity for Doxa Youth Foundation increased by 

$158,759 over the past 12 months. 


2006 2005 2006 2005 

$ $ $ $ 

Total equity at the beginning of the financial year 8,379,718 7,191,683 7,446,776 6,568,447 

Surplus for the year 46,604 1,188,035 158,759 878,329 

Total recognised income and expense for the year 46,604 1,188,035 158,759 878,329 

Total equity at the end of the financial year 8,426,322 8,379,718 7,605,535 7,446,776 

The above statements of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 


37

38 


Cash flow statements 


Cash flows from operating activities 

Receipts from customers 

(inclusive of goods and services tax) 

Payments to suppliers and employees 

(inclusive of goods and services tax) 




$ $ $ $ 

11,301,812 9,381,469 355,516 750,191 

(11,994,711) (9,052,970) (2,852,185) (2,796,846) 

(692,899) 328,499 (2,496,669) (2,046,655) 

Dividends received 108,074 69,102 108,074 69,102 

Donations received 89,571 231,146 1,939,571 1,931,146 

Interest received 259,702 284,427 205,336 276,374 

Income taxes paid (165,040) (176,932) - - 

Net cash (outflow) inflow 

from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

(400,592) 736,242 (243,688) 229,967 

Payments for property, plant and equipment (539,654) (468,075) (351,001) (343,883) 

Payments for investments (85,454) (91,081) (85,454) (91,081) 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - 17,000 - 17,000 

Net cash (outflow) inflow 

from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

(625,108) (542,156) (436,455) (417,964) 

Proceeds from loans repaid - 480,000 - 480,000 

Payments for intangibles (28,218) - - - 

Purchase of hospitality venues (283,229) - - - 

Cash withdrawn from investments 826,325 - 826,325 - 

Net cash inflow (outflow) from 

financing activities 

Net increase (decrease) in cash 

and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the 

beginning of the financial year 

514,878 480,000 826,325 480,000 

(510,822) 674,086 146,182 292,003 

3,898,573 3,224,487 2,898,127 2,606,124 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 3,387,751 3,898,573 3,044,309 2,898,127 

The above cash flow statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.


Cash flow statements 

for the year ended 30 June 2006 (continued) 

discussion and analysis of cash flow statements 


There was a net increase in cash held at the end of the 

financial year by Doxa Youth Foundation of $146,182. 

Net cash outflows from the operating activities of 

Doxa Youth Foundation increased as a result of higher 

program expenditure and a reduction in receipts from 

other organisations, including no longer receiving a 

management fee from Doxa Social Club and receiving 

less sponsorship support from the Doxa Cadetship 

program during the first six months of the financial year. 

Net cash outflows from investing activities of Doxa Youth 

Foundation were comparable to the previous year, while 

net cash inflows from financial activities increased due 

to drawing down on investments during the year. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 


This concise report relates to the Doxa Youth Foundation (A Company 

Limited by Guarantee) for the year ended 30 June 2006. The report includes 

consolidated results consisting of the Company and Doxa Social Club 

Incorporated (Doxa Social Club). Doxa Social Club’s activities are conducted 

to provide funding to Doxa Youth Foundation and are overseen by a 

separate Management Committee. Under accounting standards, due to 

the funding linkage, the results of Doxa Youth Foundation are required to be 

consolidated with Doxa Social Club. The accounting policies adopted have 

been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated in 

note 1 below. 

1 Adoption of Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards 

The full financial report on which this concise financial report is based is the first annual Doxa Youth Foundation financial 

report to be prepared in accordance with Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (AIFRSs). 

AASB 1 First-time Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards has been applied in 

preparing the full financial report. 

Financial statements of Doxa Youth Foundation until 30 June 2005 had been prepared in accordance with previous 

Australian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (AGAAP). AGAAP differs in certain respects from AIFRS. When 

preparing Doxa Youth Foundation 2006 financial statements, management has amended certain accounting, valuation and 

consolidation methods applied in the AGAAP financial statements to comply with AIFRS. With the exception of financial 

instruments, the comparative figures in respect of 2005 were restated to reflect these adjustments. The Group has taken 

the exemption available under AASB 1 to only apply AASB 132 Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation and 

AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement from 1 July 2005. 

There were no material impacts due to the transition from previous AGAAP to AIFRS on the reported financial performance 

and cash flows for the year ended 30 June 2005 or the reported financial position as at 30 June 2005 and 1 July 2005. 


39

40 



30 June 2006 (continued) 

2 Presentation currency 

The presentation currency used in this concise financial report is Australian dollars. 

3 Segment information 

(a) Description of segments 

Business segments 

Doxa Youth Foundation operates predominantly in one industry. The principal activity of the Foundation is the conduct 

and operation of programs to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people. 

The principal activity of Doxa Social Club Incorporated is the conduct and operation of three hospitality, leisure and 

entertainment venues and the publication of a thoroughbred racing newspaper for the purpose of funding Doxa Youth 

Foundation programs. 

Geographical segments 

Doxa Youth Foundation and Doxa Social Club Incorporated operate predominantly in one geographical area being 

Victoria, Australia. 

4 Revenue 

From continuing operations 

Sales revenue 




$ $ $ $ 

Sales, Advertising and Marketing 3,697,392 3,554,579 - - 

Hospitality, Leisure and Entertainment 6,358,882 4,916,604 - - 

Cadet and educational sponsorships 288,160 465,636 288,160 465,636 

Donations and fundraising revenue 89,571 231,146 1,939,571 1,931,146 

Other revenue 

10,434,005 9,167,965 2,227,731 2,396,782 

Fair value adjustment to investment 473,831 497,270 473,831 497,270 

Rental income 55,241 94,125 - - 

Interest 259,702 284,427 205,336 276,374 

Dividends 108,074 69,102 108,074 69,102 

Other 74,586 150,483 67,356 300,541 

971,434 1,095,407 854,597 1,143,287 

11,405,439 10,263,372 3,082,328 3,540,069




5 Dividends 

(a) Ordinary shares 

No dividend was paid or declared payable in respect of the year ended 30 June 2006 (2005: Nil). 

(b) Franked dividends 

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years 

based on a tax rate of 30% (2005 - 30%) 

6 Events occurring after the balance sheet date 

Disposal of The Winning Post 

Consolidated Parent 


$ $ $ $ 

151,577 151,577 - - 

On 30 September 2006, Doxa Social Club sold the business and the assets of The Winning Post, a thoroughbred 

newspaper publication. 

The financial effects of the above transaction have not been brought to account at 30 June 2006. The operating result 

and assets of The Winning Post will cease to form part of the Doxa Social Club from 30 September 2006. 


41

42 


directors’ declaration 




Directors' declaration 


The directors declare that in their opinion, the concise financial report of the consolidated entity for the year ended 30 June 

2006 as set out on pages 5 to 14 complies with Accounting Standard AASB 1039: Concise Financial Reports. 

The concise financial report is an extract from the full financial report for the year ended 30 June 2006. The financial 

statements and specific disclosures included in the concise financial report have been derived from the full financial report. 

The concise financial report cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial performance, financial 

position and financing and investing activities of the consolidated entity as the full financial report, which is available on 

request. 

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors. 

Ken Barry 

Chairman 

Melbourne 

Date: 

-15-


�� 

�� 



Audit opinion 

Audit report 



Audit report report 



ABN 52 52 780 780 433 433 757 757 

Freshwater Place 

2 Southbank Boulevard 

SOUTHBANK VIC VIC 3006 3006 

GPO Box 1331L 

MELBOURNE VIC VIC 3001 3001 

DX 77 


Telephone +61 +61 3 8603 3 8603 1000 1000 

Facsimile +61 +61 3 3 8603 8603 1999 1999 

In our opinion, the concise financial report of Doxa Youth Foundation for the year ended 30 June 2006 complies with 

Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports. 

This opinion must be read in conjunction with the rest of our audit report. 

Scope 

The concise financial report and directors’ responsibility 

The concise financial report comprises the balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, cash flow 

statement, notes to the financial statements, and the directors’ declaration for Doxa Youth Foundation as the company, Company, and 

Doxa Youth Foundation as the consolidated entity, for the year ended 30 June 2006. 

The directors of the company Company are responsible for for the preparation and presentation of of the the financial report in in accordance with 

Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1039: Concise Financial Reports. 

Audit approach 

We conducted an independent audit of the concise financial report report in order to express express an opinion opinion on it to the members members of the 

company. Company. Our audit was conducted conducted in accordance accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, in in order to provide reasonable 

assurance as to whether the concise financial report is free of material material misstatement. The nature of an audit audit is influenced influenced by 

factors such as the use of professional judgement, selective testing, the inherent limitations of internal control, control, and the 

availability of persuasive rather than conclusive evidence. evidence. Therefore, Therefore, an audit cannot guarantee that all material material 

misstatements have been detected. For further explanation of an audit, visit our website 

http://www.pwc.com/au/financialstatementaudit. 

We also performed an independent audit of the full financial report of the company Company for the financial year ended 30 June 

2006. Our audit report on the full financial report was signed on xx 18 xx October 2006, 2006, and was and not was subject not subject to any to qualification. any qualification. 

In conducting our audit of the concise financial report, we performed procedures to assess whether in all material respects 

the concise financial report is presented fairly in accordance with Australian Australian Accounting Accounting Standard Standard AASB 1039: Concise 

Financial Reports. 

We formed our audit opinion on the basis of these procedures, which included: 

�• testing testing that that the the information information included in the concise financial report is consistent with the information in the full 

financial financial report, report, and 

�• examining, on a test basis, information to provide evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the 

concise financial report which were not directly derived from the full financial report. 

Our procedures procedures include include reading the other information information in the Annual Report to determine whether it contains any material 

inconsistencies inconsistencies with the concise financial report. 



-16- 

-15- 


43


Audit report 



Doxa Youth Foundation (continued) 


Audit report 


(continued) 

Independence 

In conducting our audit, we followed applicable independence requirements of Australian professional ethical 

pronouncements and the Corporations Act 2001. 


S L Jeraj Melbourne 

Partner Date: 


44 dOxAyOUThfOUNdATiON 

-17

Post: 

PO Box 14549 

Melbourne Vic 8001 

Office: 

Suite 2 

355 Spencer Street 

West Melbourne Vic 3003 

contactus 

Telephone: 03 9328 8100 

Facsimile: 03 9328 8045 

E-mail: info@doxa.org.au 

Web: www.doxa.org.au

Doxa Annual Report 05-06 - Doxa Youth Foundation

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