Annual Report QLD 2023
WELCOME
Over the past twelve months, there has been increasing pressure on our most vulnerable people in Queensland, from ever-increasing costs of living, the continuing housing crisis and reducing housing affordability. The need for Mission Australia’s services has never been greater.
Our staff have worked tirelessly towards supporting and empowering individuals, standing with them until they can regain their own independence. Together with volunteers, donors, funders and partnering organisations, we have responded to the needs in the communities in which we have services, tailoring our approaches for long-term positive change. I thank all our staff, volunteers, funders and partners for your incredible and compassionate support in enabling us to assist 14,947 vulnerable Queenslanders this year.
There are so many wonderful achievements to celebrate over the year, and a few highlights include:
- Renewed government funding for our Housing and Homelessness Services in South-East Queensland and North Queensland. There have been new initiatives increasing the reach and impact of our homelessness support services.
- Opening of Djindigal alcohol and other drugs (AOD) ten-bed residential rehabilitation service in Mareeba.
- Strengthening communities through the long-term funding commitment to our Community of Focus program in Cairns South and the official launch of the Cairns South Together Community Plan.
- Construction started on the Townsville Youth Foyer. Funded by the Queensland Government, Mission Australia will manage the on-site support services, tenancy and property management for up to 40 young people when it becomes operational in 2024.
- Commenced delivering the Transition to Work program for youth in the Gold Coast region.
I am confident that you will be inspired as you read the stories in our Annual Report and have the assurance that your support counts and is having a positive impact on the lives of so many Queenslanders in need.
Warm regards,
Together, we supported 14,947 Australians in QLD on their journey towards independence last year.
Homelessness
1,155 people assisted
through 10 services
Alcohol & other drugs
12 people assisted
through 1 service
Children & families
3,376 people assisted
through 9 services
Community development
3,400 people assisted
through 4 services
Employment, education & training
2,113 people assisted
through 19 services
Family & domestic violence
116 people assisted
through 2 services
Justice & corrections
65 people assisted
through 2 services
NDIS
4,710 people assisted
through 2 services
An Australia where all of us can have a safe home and thrive
In 2020, we launched Mission Australia’s 20-25 Strategy with a vision for an Australia where all of us have a safe home and can thrive. In the past year, we are proud of our progress in our four strategic focus areas. From the opening of two new Alcohol and Other Drugs facilities to our continued commitment to create strong, resilient and thriving communities, read more about our progress in FY23.
Our work in action
Ending homelessness
Retiring after working years at a corporate job, and raising an adult son, Sarah never imagined she would be one of the growing numbers of women over 55 who are homeless. Her descent into homelessness started with the rising cost of living. When the apartment she had lived in for 10 years was no longer affordable, Sarah began the frantic search for alternative options within budget. It was a challenging experience but with support from one of our services, Sarah now has a safe place to call home.
Supporting people in need to thrive
We're passionate about helping people in need to thrive by providing and advocating for early intervention services that increase their wellbeing. As part of our commitment, we celebrated the opening of Djindigal, a residential Alcohol and Other Drugs facility in Far North Queensland which provides treatment for adults over a 12-week program.
Partnering to strengthen communities
Connected on Wheels is a collaboration between various stakeholders in the Cairns South Region that provides young people with a space to express what they need in the community and how programs can support their wellbeing. Connected on Wheels supports connection and innovation for youth living in the area by facilitating creativity through graffiti artwork, fixing new and old bicycles and promoting musical interactions. Through our collaboration, young people have felt valued and connected with their communities, developing a stronger sense of kindness and responsibility to develop their understanding of social equality.
Thank you for making our work possible this year
Driving excellence
Our award-winning Impact Measurement Program helps us understand how our services improve the lives of our clients and the communities we serve. We measure our impact by asking the people we help questions about their wellbeing when they start a service and when they exit.
Our homelessness services Douglas House, Going Places Street to Home, Roman House, Reconnect, Townsville Sustaining Young Tenancies and Woree Support Housing Accommodation, support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to ensure they have safe, affordable and long-term housing. Our impact measurement data shows that when people left the service, they were more satisfied with their personal wellbeing.
*Matched data collected from July 2022 to June 2023 (n=83) compared to Australian population normative range
1Deakin University and Australian Unity Limited. (2021). Australian Unity Wellbeing Index - Appendices 38. Subjective wellbeing in Australia during the second year of the pandemic. Geelong: Australian Centre on Quality of Life, School of Psychology, Deakin University
Policy & Advocacy
Mission Australia continued our research, policy and advocacy work to support people in need to thrive. We boldy advocated to the Federal and State/Territory Governments on issues of importance to Mission Australia and the people we serve.
We made policy submissions on a range of topics including homelessness, social and affordable housing, and youth. Across the state and nationally, we met with Ministers and senior government representatives on policy priorities for people in need and furthered our community collaborations to advocate together on key issues.
We continue to advocate strongly for further investment in social and affordable housing, actions to end homelessness, adequate income support and other policy priorities to support people in need to thrive.
Mission Australia stands together with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves.
Financial summary
Our people
Our staff
Our volunteers
We thank our 1,092 selfless volunteers, who over the last financial year generously contributed over 27,000 hours in support of our staff and the people we serve.
Our leaders
Sharon Callister
GAICD, MBA, BHA, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Sally Ascroft
BEc, LLB, GAICD
General Counsel & Company Secretary
Andrew Sharkey
FCCA, CA
Executive, Finance and Technology
Ben Carblis
BA, MA, GAICD
Executive, Community Services
Chris Bratchford
MBA, LLB, GAICD
Executive, Housing and Property
Marion Bennett
BA (Hons), GAICD
Executive, Practice, Evidence and Impact
Phil Chapman
BSc, Grad Dipl Bus Ops Mgmt
Executive, Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care
Ben Williams
BTch, BSSc (Hons)
Executive, Corporate Services
Anne-Marie Baker
BA
Executive, Strategy and Engagement
Our Board
Ian Hammond
BA (Hons), FCPA, FCA, FAICD
President And Chair
Dr Robert Mitchell AM
LLB, MPhil, GradDipTax, GradDipTheol, MThSt, GradCertMin, PhD, FAICD
Independent Director
Debra Stirling
BA, GAICD
Independent Director
Michael Codling
BSc (Hons), FCA
Independent Director
Nancy Fox AM
BA, JD Law, FAICD
Independent Director
Elle Davidson
BTRP GradCert Indigenous Engagement GAICD MPIA
Independent Director
Joanna White
BCom MBA GAICD
Independent Director
Jacqueline Kelly
BA MBA (Advanced) MAICD AIST
Independent Director
More inspirational stories
Read about what we’ve been working on, our stance on important social issues and how you make a difference to vulnerable Australians' lives.