A Bright Future for the Asthma Foundation WA
In last year’s Annual Report, a great deal of emphasis was dedicated to a new strategic direction for the Asthma Foundation WA (AFWA). I reported with great pride that AFWA had developed a new Strategic Plan and undertook a far more holistic and statewide approach in the delivery of our programmes. I am delighted to advise that at the end of the first year of the Plan, we made terrific strides in achieving some of our goals.
One of the more significant achievements in the past twelve months has been the securing of our financial future. Like many charitable organisations in Australia, the last five years have been extremely challenging from a financial sense. People in our community have had to carefully consider which charitable organisations they choose to support. However, it is a testament to the dedication of the team at AFWA, that they were able to continue to provide the wide range of services at a high level during such times.
At the completion of the 2010-11 financial year, I am delighted to advise that AFWA has recorded a modest surplus. This has far exceeded our expectations and is such a positive improvement on our deficits of the past. By no means does this mean that the financial challenges are beyond us. Indeed, with the current economic climate, it appears that we have a long way to go.
However, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of the AFWA Board, our CEO, his staff and the many volunteers that assisted in achieving this remarkable result.
Whilst our financial commitment to annual Asthma Research was in our opinion modest this year, AFWA was still able to fund two important projects, and we intend doubling this commitment based on this year’s operating success.
A further highlight was the decision by Wesfarmers to come aboard as a financial partner of Foundation. I thank them for their support and their belief in our new strategic direction.
Major donors are the lifeblood of charitable organisations and we have been very fortunate to have some of Perth’s most influential individuals, families and businesses continue to support us behind the scenes. One such individual is Mr. Paul Nash. Paul has been a long-time friend of AFWA and for his personal contribution this year to our cause we are extremely grateful. Paul and his company, Corporate Sports Australia will play an even bigger role in the years ahead, as they team up with us to present our annual Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma. We look forward to a long and valuable partnership with Corporate Sports Australia.
During the year our Patron, the Hon. Dr Ken Michael AM retired from his role as Governor of Western Australia and as Patron of the Asthma Foundation WA. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Ken's contribution to asthma in Western Australia over many years, but in particular his role as our Patron over the last four years. We trust the Office of WA Governor will again honour our Foundation in the coming year.
This year also saw the resignation of long time AFWA Board Member, Andy Milne who received a promotion and moved to Sydney with his employment. Andy has served on the AFWA Board for the last five years. I would like to thank Andy for his contribution and wish him and his family well in his new role.
The AFWA Board has worked tirelessly to provide the support to CEO David Johnson and his team over the year and I acknowledge this group of dedicated volunteers.
David Johnson has professionally managed a major change process and is to be complimented on his achievements, not only in securing the financial future of the Foundation, but also developing a new team and new brand for asthma to lead us into the future.
Finally, this will be my last AGM as President of the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia. After four years of service and three years as President, I believe that now is the right time for a new leader of the Foundation. My personal circumstances mean that over the next six months or so, I must make a total commitment to delivering the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships and as a result, will not be able to make the necessary commitment either as President or a Board member.
This has been an extremely difficult decision to make, particularly after the extremely positive achievements that this past year has brought. However, I believe that it was the right course of action. With AFWA now on a sound financial footing, I can “pass the baton” to the next President, confident in the knowledge that he or she has the best possible chance of success in the future.
It has been my great privilege to serve as President of the Asthma Foundation WA and I thank you for providing me the honour of serving as President. I know that the future for AFWA is bright and I encourage all stakeholders of AFWA to continue to work hard to ensure that asthma one day becomes a thing of the past.
Darren Beazley
President