from the chair I would like to begin by thanking my fellow Committee members for their contribution during the past twelve months. We have made some important decisions to support the organisation in delivering quality services to as many individuals and families as possible. The primary for the Committee has been the finalisation of the Strategic Plan. Sometimes this has been a challenging process. Hard decisions have had to be made about how the service survives the introduction of the NDIS. Now that the Strategic Plan has been adopted, the real challenge for the Committee and for Management begins in its delivery. The Plan provides timelines for the completion of key projects and mechanisms to ensure management reports the progress of the Plan’s implementation to the Committee on a regular basis. In this way the Committee can drive the delivery of the Plan and ensure that Jenny and her team have the resources they require to deliver the plan. I am sure the Committee will perform this role adeptly. While it has been another frantic year for the Committee and for MASS staff, there are a few things that I would like to highlight: Gratitude to the Friday Foundation for their donation of a new bus for the MASS Mansfield Campus; The departure of Liz, Paul and Nigel from our Mansfield campus and Crossroads. All have given years of loyal service and who have made tangible differences to people’s lives; The election of Matthew Currie to the Committee; The development of services in the Barwon Region, currently an NDIS ‘test site’, led by Jenny and Simone. We are also now a registered provider under the NDIS; The efforts of MASS staff that have enabled the organisation to successfully complete independent audits; and The completion of much needed capital works at the MASS Campus Residence. The efforts of staff at Dookie, Crossroads, Acorn and our MaPs also requires special mention as often their work is less visible due to their ‘remoteness’ from the MASS school campus. report of the director January 1, 2014 saw our official implementation of our transition to a “Fee for Service” model. This was a response to diminishing resources, increases in costs and to prepare MASS for the new world of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We are currently providing an equal number of MAP Packages both in and out of Hume, with no apparent
OUR COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT Dawn Bray, Chair Dawn Bray has served on the MASS Committee of Management since 2009 and is a mother of one of the students at the Mansfield Campus. She brings with her an intimate knowledge of autism and the impacts that having a family member on the Spectrum has on the broader family unit. With a Bachelor of Applied Science in Planning, Dawn brings with her many years experience in strategic planning, business planning and governance gained through a number of senior management roles in local government. Doug Galbraith, Deputy Chair I, Douglas Galbraith have been on the Board of Directors for twenty years. I have a strong connection and familiarity with the school through both family and friends. I have worked as the Maintenance Manager for a boarding school in North East Victoria for thirty years, so I have a very sound knowledge of building and infrastructure that is necessary for the support of a school. I am active bush walker, cross country skier and tennis player. Kerryn Grey, CPA, Treasurer Certified Practising Accountant and Tax Qualifications include: Diploma of Education and Training from Melbourne University and a Master of Professional Accounting from Deakin University Hobby: Horse riding Matthew Currie Matthew Currie joined the MASS Committee of Management in October 2014. Along with his wife and 2 young children, he moved to Mansfield in January 2014. Matthew is the Branch Manager at the Mansfield & District Community Bank. He holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and is currently completing the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program. He brings with him his experience in business planning, banking and finance and people management. Dr Joan Curtis I was born in England. I trained at Kings College, Westminster, London, 1953 MB, B.S. 1960 MRCOG. I married Humphrey Esser 1960, migrated to Victoria, Australia 1961. I worked in a group practice in Mansfield, specialising in O.G. and surgery .I was elected FRCOG. I retired from medical practice in 2004.