BUSHkids Annual Report 2015-16

COUNCIL

The BUSHkids Council is an equal partner in and contributor to the growth and change in our organisation. Over the past year Council members have not only had strategic input but have also provided hands-on involvement across many aspects of the organisation. Here is a brief profile of each Council member, and a summary in the table below of their attendance at Council meetings. The bullets adjacent to each name below indicate the number of projects worked on or events attended in addition to the regular Council meetings during calendar year 2016 (one large bullet = 10 commitments).

Dr Neil Bartels (Chair)

Mrs Karolyn Harcourt (Member – resigned July 2016)

A medical practitioner with a keen interest in children’s health issues, Neil holds a Master’s degree in Law with a great interest in the equity of access

Karolyn grew up and attended school in Toowoomba. Her background in speech pathology prompted her to use her clinical knowledge to assist

to health services for more remote or disadvantaged children, particularly those with behavioural, learning or social disadvantage. Dr Bartels provides valuable medical and legal experience and intense support in the direction of the organisation.

in the management of BUSHkids. She has worked primarily with children, both in Education Queensland and Queensland Health and her own private speech pathology practice, with a strong belief in good quality health service for country children.

Mrs Gail Huggins (Member)

Ms Gloria Ryan (Deputy Chair)

Gail is a Speech Pathologist who has extensive clinical and administrative experience gained from working in government and non-government organisations

Gloria is legally trained and is a very enthusiastic contributer to all aspects of our contracting matters, supporting BUSHkids with legal advice as

throughout Australia. Her commitment, based on the knowledge and service planning experience that early intervention for children at developmental risk is vital insurance against long-term disadvantage, has always been to provide equity of access to well- resourced, evidence-based service such as ours.

well as comprehensively advising on our Policies and Procedures. Through the changes to the organisation’s branding she assisted greatly with the registration of the BUSHkids trademark. She was elected as Deputy Chair in December 2014 and in 2016 has been bringing her skills to bear in a number of key review areas.

Mr Julian Martin (Member)

Ms Allison McLean (Hon.Treasurer)

After growing up in the Bush, Julian has a high regard for what BUSHkids is contributing to the children of rural and regional Queensland. He has more than

Allison brings her vast accounting knowledge with many years in the areas of business advice, accounting and taxation to support the role of our Accountant.

20 years’ experience in the information systems industry and a background of providing business-enabling solutions to organisations. Julian supports us greatly in all areas of our ICT needs and has been a valued adviser for the transformation of our ICT systems across the organisation.

Growing up on a farm which was worked by generations of her family she feels an affinity for families in rural and remote areas. Allison was originally involved with the Redcliffe Centre through community groups, organising games nights and activities, and outings for children who had been brought in for treatment.

Mr David Ham OAM (Member)

Ms Carolyn Searle (Member)

David worked for Education Queensland all his adult life, first as a teacher, then principal and inspector, and finally as the Director of Human Resources.

Having grown up in Mackay, Carolyn understands how the needs of children and families in regional areas are often overlooked and how in many areas

As a young teacher and principal in outback Queensland he was very impressed by the care given to children by our organisation. David has given us a great deal of invaluable voluntary assistance with the creation of our Policies & Procedures in the areas of Governance, Human Resources and Finance, Admin and Health & Safety and continues to volunteer his time on further projects.

BUSHkids provides the only health service of its type. Carolyn has worked in the accounting and legal professions before founding Career Path, a recruitment agency, and has provided appreciated valuable recruitment advice for our organisation. Carolyn has helped increase the profile of BUSHkids amongst the community, ensuring our valuable services offered reach the children most in need.

2016 Council

4 Feb

17 Mar

28 Apr

9 Jun

21 Jul

1 Sep

13 Oct

24 Nov*

6 Dec*

Dr N Bartels

Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended

Apology

Attending

Ms G Ryan

Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended

Attending Attending

Ms A McLean

Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended

Attending Attending

Mr D Ham

Apology

Apology

Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended

Attending Attending

Mrs K Harcourt

Apology

Apology

Attended Attended

Resigned

Mrs G Huggins

Attended Attended

Apology

Attended

Apology

Attended Attended

Attending Attending

Mr J Martin

Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended

Attending Attending

Ms C Searle

Attended Attended Attended

Apology

Attended Attended Attended

Apology

Attending

*Note: these meetings scheduled after the print deadline for this report; attendance notes are declared intentions based on advice received from members.

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