Significant changes to the economic environment over the last 12 months have been widely analysed and the effects on individuals and organisations alike have been well documented. Centacare is not immune from these forces and has experienced limitations in its ability to access funds for new programs and supplementary monies for ongoing services. Governments at both the state and national level have directed funds to infrastructure and other community building projects to protect jobs and develop new employment opportunities. This has occurred at a time when government incomes have fallen dramatically and ultimately this equation has placed great pressure upon us.
Regardless of the prevailing conditions it is pleasing to report that Centacare has continued to provide quality outcomes for thousands of clients and their families across an extremely diverse range of services. Reductions in some service areas have been minor and from an organisation wide perspective, our expenditure has grown when compared to the previous financial year albeit at the lowest rate for a decade.
The 2008-09 year saw the opening of three new child care centres at Hervey Bay, Capalaba and Cleveland along with a Family Relationship Centre at Chermside. Also, we successfully tendered for increased levels of business as part of the Australian Government’s job services contracts and this began 1 July 2009.
Difficult times obviously call upon governing bodies to act prudently and cautiously but our mission demands that we continue our work on behalf of those in need. The Centacare Council has been very effective in finding the right balance and allowing the organisation to make the most of the limited opportunities that have arisen. Our thanks go to the Council members for their work and we also acknowledge the significant support of Archbishop Bathersby and the Moderator, Fr Peter Meneely. Our work is all about partnerships and therefore we also extend our gratitude to the Priests and agencies of the Archdiocese.
Both the Queensland and Australian governments have experienced many pressures over the past year as highlighted earlier but it is clear that some genuine attempts have been made to support our efforts. We gratefully acknowledge this support but will continue to advocate for the best possible funding levels for our clients.
It is not possible to overstate the energy and commitment of our management and staff. Over the last 12 months many would have been justified in losing focus on the task but to a person they have stayed with the cause and remain living examples of our mission. Our final vote of thanks goes to the people of Centacare for their unwavering belief in our goals.
