Message from the Chair and the Executive Officer

It has been an honour to lead and manage Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for FY2017/18. During the year, we held true to our mission of making a significant difference to the lives of disadvantaged, marginalised, and isolated people in NSW regional communities by supporting 31 community initiatives with grants of more than $1.5 million.

This year the Charitable Foundation reached some notable milestones on our 15th anniversary. Total grants now exceed $18.3 million and we have supported 435 important community projects, initiatives, or endeavours.

Since 2003, we’ve grown with our regional communities to now include six major NSW regions, supporting a footprint that reaches from the Hawkesbury to the Northern Rivers, the New England, and the Central West.

We are proud to say that our reach into these communities has grown. We have steadfastly pursued our key focus areas that directly address disadvantage, marginalisation, and isolation across areas of health, young people, and social wellbeing in regional NSW. During the past 15 years we have evolved our grant giving model to align with the changing needs of the community and directly respond to new opportunities to help those most in need.

This year, we reviewed and refined our core values to ensure we create community partnerships that make the greatest impact. These include supporting projects that use innovative technology to advance health treatment and care, providing opportunities for youth to develop their talents, and recognising the invaluable contribution made to our community by the almost six million volunteers in Australia.

The Charitable Foundation initiated a new volunteer recognition award, the Chairman’s Medal, to honour our past Chairman Michael Slater, who passed away suddenly more than 12 months ago. This Medal recognises the achievements and contribution of an outstanding individual volunteer. The inaugural winner, Damian Charleson is a volunteer for Camp Quality and, through countless hours of service over the past eight years, has helped raise a significant amount of funds and bring joy to thousands of children whose lives are affected by cancer.

The Charitable Foundation Board and our Executive Officer take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant resources provided by Newcastle Permanent Building Society to support the Charitable Foundation’s day-to-day operational functions. This allows us to focus on our mission and invest more than $1.5 million each year in projects and initiatives in our local communities.

We also acknowledge the Newcastle Permanent staff who promote and participate at our many functions and events throughout the community.

Personally, thank you to the Charitable Foundation Board of Directors for their continued dedication to what is a voluntary role, and their commitment to delivering our promise to our community. They freely give their valuable time, expertise, and provide strategic counsel to benefit our local communities.

Finally, we applaud our community funding partners, their staff, and volunteers who continue to work, innovate, and cooperate to help those most in need and make our communities supportive and resilient. It is because of these people that the many projects and initiatives are brought to life.

Looking ahead to FY2018/19, the Board and management are focussed on continuing to develop and grow Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation to achieve our mission of making a significant difference to the lives of disadvantaged, marginalised, and isolated people in our communities.

Phil Neat   
Chair 

Graham Batten
Executive Officer