BUSHkids Annual Report 2011-2012

From the General Manager

It is my privilege to present to you my first annual report as GM of BUSHkids. The last 12 months has been packed with action and achievements, and throughout this year every Council member, as well as our staff, volunteers, mentors and contractors have all contributed to the growth of our organisation.

Here is an overview of what we have achieved during 2012 and our plans and priorities for the coming year. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT Current funding comes principally from Queensland Health and Education Queensland and, against a difficult financial backdrop, we have managed to retain most of our state government funding. This goes towards the cost of our much-needed frontline services and, in particular, to our therapists’ salaries in regional and rural areas. At current levels this funding does not cover the full cost of these services. We have worked hard to match our government funding dollar-for-dollar through direct donations, fundraising events, bequests, corporate support and self-funding, but we continue to rely heavily on the financial support of the Queensland Government. Further cuts in our government funding would see us unable to fully meet the needs of the children and families we support on a daily basis in the communities we serve. We have long enjoyed the strong support of the Queensland Government and for that we are very appreciative. In context of the recent government cuts we have urged the state government to consider thoughtfully the benefits we provide to rural and remote Queensland children, and the strong and beneficial relationships we have built in rural communities. Government funding enables us to continue to deliver a highly-valued and highly- utilised FREE service and we offer an important supplement to the other health and education We have been involved with and supported by local communities in a number of very successful fund- raising events. These events have been held at a number of Centres and their success has not only demonstrated local community spirit but also the affection in which our Centres’ teams are held in their providers in regional communities. EVENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS

communities. These events have been coordinated by our Corporate Relations and Events Coordinator, Tiffany Bannier-King, and our local Centre teams. Key events and partnerships include: North QueenslandToyota Cowboys The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys raised money by auctioning the full team’s home jerseys in an online auction supported by the NRL. The team continues to donate Cowboys merchandise for us to auction at our events, and also finds time in their players’ busy schedules to make them available for BUSHkids functions, in particular our Mount Isa Ball. Mount Isa Rodeo Queen –Tash Jessen Tash Jessen raised an amazing $23,047.54 through her fundraising events in the lead up to being crowned the Mount Isa Rodeo Queen for 2012, all proceeds going to BUSHkids Mount Isa. Tash raised the funds through events over the year including a Mother’s Day Lunch, Easter Bunny Egg Delivery, Paintball Tournament, ‘Boots & Bling Ball’, a raffle and much more. Tash achieved a life-long dream when she was crowned Rodeo Queen at the Bell and Moir Toyota Rodeo Ball on 4 August 2012. “Rodeo Queen has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to participate,” beamed the primary school teacher. “Rodeo queens are my type of princesses, hard-working and hands-on. It’s not all about hair and make-up. It’s about a commitment and passion for rodeo and Mount Isa.” Thank you very much to Tash for selecting BUSHkids as her chosen charity!

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