December 9, 2014
South Burnett CTC members have been warned they could be in for “a wild ride” in the year ahead.
Members who gathered at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre recently for the not-for-profit group’s AGM heard an update of the organisation’s achievements in 2014 and predictions of the outlook for 2015 and beyond.
“CTC has maintained another year of quality, targeted services under often very difficult services,” CTC Chairman Howard Leisemann said.
“Overall the organisation has again improved its financial position, thanks to the discipline and dedication of our CEO Nina Temperton and her management team of Janet Champney, Barb O’Hanlon, Kirsten Firman, Esther Ross and Susan Jerome.”
Mr Leisemann paid tribute to all the local, State and Federal organisations that support CTC’s programs, as well as the Tarong Community Partnership Fund, Heritage Nanango Community Funding, and the many businesses that help the group achieve its aims including Stanwell, Downer EDI and Teys Leather.
However, some major challenges may lie ahead.
CEO Nina Temperton warned that 2014-15 may prove even more challenging than the previous year, with more funding cuts to social services programs in the offing.
“We need to prepare for an even more uncertain and difficult future,” she said.
“We are here entirely for the benefit of our clients and communities, and the only certainty we have is that our services will be required more than ever before.”
Mrs Temperton said one particular challenge the group could face was suggested changes to employment services, with the Federal Government potentially seeking to reduce the number of organisations providing assistance to jobseekers by favouring larger national providers over smaller, regional ones.
She warned this change might generate some efficiencies for Federal Government departments administering these programs, but they may not be in the best interests of either employers or jobseekers.
However, she and her staff were closely monitoring the situation and it was possible things might change.
Mrs Temperton also paid tribute to CTC’s staff and supporters, from the frontline staff through to the headquarters staff, maintenance workers and the Board.
“Thank you and brace yourselves for the wild ride of 2014-15. It’s already started and promises to get much wilder!” she said.
CTC’s Board of Governance for 2014-15 was appointed at the meeting: Howard Leisemann (Chairperson), Nina Temperton (CEO and Board Secretary), Max Lehmann (Treasurer), and Board members Bernadette Upton, Kaylene Schilf, John Box, Marc Reinbott, Eric Cross and Michael Carroll.
Highlights from 2013-14 included the construction of a heat treatment plant at The Gumnut Place in Murgon and progress on the group’s “Heritage Lodge” project in Nanango.
CTC operates employment services, youth and community services, foster and residential care services, disability services, children’s services and community housing services across the South Burnett.
It celebrated its 31st birthday this year.
Barb O’Hanlon and Board Chairman Howard Leisemann
