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Making a positive difference
134 years ago our Founder, George Ardill, established this
organisation after observing the needs of children and
their families. He recognised the importance of playing
an active role in providing supportive services. Child and
family care has undergone many changes over the
intervening years but the underpinning philosophy and
Christian principles of Integricare remain unchanged.
We have had a challenging year. Nevertheless we
remain indebted to God for His grace, provision and
ongoing faithfulness.
I pay tribute to the members of our Board who continue
to govern Integricare with much expertise and wisdom. I
extend my personal thanks to each one of them for their
wonderful support and commitment in ensuring that our
strategic plan is achieved. This year we were sad to bid
farewell to Ms Elizabeth George who needed to
undertake further studies.
The Board decided to close Family Day Care Services in
December 2015 after providing these services for the past
four decades. This decision was not taken lightly.
However there have been a number of factors that have
made it impossible to maintain the viability of Family Day
Care. This decision also has implications for the use of
some properties previously occupied by these services.
On the other hand, it has been pleasing to be invited by
more churches to manage their Preschools. In addition,
this year the Board had the opportunity to purchase
another property at Burwood to provide a Central Office
if Integricare is not granted an extension on its current
lease at Olympic Park and has to vacate our existing
facilities. In the interim the lease of this property will
provide a much needed cash flow to assist our
ongoing operations.
For a considerable period we have been keen to
commence a new project that recaptured some of the
welfare aspects of earlier years. Following careful
consideration a brief was prepared for Churches Housing
Inc. A comprehensive report was prepared for the Board
presenting ideas for innovation. The Board has now taken
initial steps to pursue a new project in the area of
Domestic Violence and has set aside funds for
this purpose.
Due to the need for updating and modernising our
current constitution the Board commissioned the
preparation of an upgraded constitution that complies
with current legal requirements for a Public Company
Limited by Guarantee. It satisfies the requirements of both
the Australian Securities and Investment Commission
(ASIC) and the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits
Commission (ACNC). A General Meeting of Integricare
will be called to consider a Special Resolution to change
the existing Integricare Constitution at the earliest
opportunity.
Our Central Office Staff have been strengthened this year
by the appointment of Mr Paul Betts as Human Resources
Manager and Mr Angelo Grasso as Finance Manager and
we welcome both of them to Integricare. We are
delighted that Rev. Charles Brammall has accepted
appointment as our Integricare Chaplain. I also would
like to express the appreciation of the Board to all
members of staff for their sterling service and for
upholding the values of our organisation. In particular
I want to extend my gratitude to our CEO, Mr Charles
Wilson, who has continued to lead Integricare with
passion and purpose notwithstanding the challenges we
have faced.
We acknowledge with thanks also the funding we
receive from Federal and State Governments as well as
the co-operation of Local Governments. As you read this
year’s report, you will no doubt like me be impressed by
the quality services provided by Integricare. I warmly
thank you for your interest and support.
Philip Dart
President’s Foreword
Alan Wright
Philip Dart
Marta Ganko
Elizabeth George Paul Holding
Andrew Markwell
Allen Sibley
Leanne Ward