SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT (continued)
by the ALP prior to the November election, we are
grateful for these new funds, which will be allocated to a
number of projects including the black spot and ‘smarter’
lifesaving projects referred to above. We also conducted
a Year of the Surf Lifesaver briefi ng for parliamentarians
at Parliament House in September 2007 as part of
our strategy to improve our communication with key
government stakeholders. This was a successful event
and we look forward to being able to host similar initiatives
in the future. Improved relationships do bring benefi ts for
the entire movement.
As the graph on page 24 demonstrates, total funding
from the Australian Government has increased from
$1.2m in 2002–03 to $3.1m in 2007–08. This will further
increase in 2008–09 with the National Rainwater and
Greywater Initiative (see page 95). It is important to
note however that although overall government funding
has increased, much of this is tied funding for a fi xed
period in ‘new’ initiatives, such as cultural diversity and
the environment (see stakeholder map on page 33 for
overview). Prior to the increase in water safety funding
noted above, government funding for lifesaving as a
percentage of our overall income has steadily decreased
while our expenditure on these services has signifi cantly
increased (see graph 1). In other words, we have not been
dependent on government to increase our core community
service. Our strategy to diversify sources of income so
we are less dependent on political and economic cycles
remains a high priority.
BUILDING FOR FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
I am pleased to report that SLSA has continued to pursue
a position of greater sustainability and the diversifi cation of
income streams. The 2007–08 consolidated surplus from
ordinary activities was $2,176,136 (2006-07: $2,809,286).
For a more detailed overview (see page 35). I must also
acknowledge the efforts of the Surf Life Saving Foundation
in its national fundraising activities which are helping
establish an ongoing legacy for the entire movement.
SLSA is developing a fi nancial management strategy
for the period 2008–18 together with a three year
fi nancial plan which links the annual budgetary process
and strategic planning priorities for SLSA. This is
important as our increased operational demands will
require increased and diversifi ed income streams.
26 SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA—ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08
ENABLING OUR CORE BUSINESS
As President Ron notes in his report on page 10, SLSA
Ltd does not own a single piece of rescue equipment, nor
do we conduct a single rescue. For this reason my report
has focussed on the various operational achievements
of SLSA, which may seem a long way from the activities
of Australia’s surf lifesavers. I am very pleased that
during 2007–08 we distributed more than $7,300,000,
representing almost 50% of our lifesaving expenditures,
directly to states to fund those frontline services. We
also produced educational resources and developed the
policies and procedures to assist our members save lives.
An ongoing challenge is to reduce, rather than increase,
the many burdens on the many unsung heroes who spent
thousands of hours in administering our services.
ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR AHEAD
All the initiatives and outcomes referred to above are
about building a strong and sustainable organisation
through enhanced strategic planning and good
governance. We are continuing the long journey of
organisational change. SLSA’s performance is truly
indicative of the hard work and commitment our people
—at every level, in every role of the entire organisation,
both paid and unpaid professionals. I want to thank
President Ron, the AC, BOM and my talented and
dedicated staff colleagues for their ongoing support
and contribution to national outputs. Special thanks to
Toni Murphy who has moved on to new challenges
following nearly eight years of looking after former
CEO Greg Nance and me. I also want to acknowledge
and thank our consultants, Ian Fullagar and Simone
Cholewick of Lander and Rogers Lawyers and
John Provan of Jardine Lloyd Thompson. Special thanks
also go to Paul Cornwall and his team at our advertising
agency BCM, who created our brilliant new branding
campaign ‘Whatever It Takes’ which is showing around
Australia at the moment.
I am proud to be part of a team which has the passion,
commitment and intent to propel SLSA into our next
century of saving lives in the water, and to enrich Australia
and Australian lives. I am very confi dent to say that the best
is yet to come.
Brett Williamson OAM
Chief Executive Offi cer, 26 September 2008