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Annual report 2020

The theme of this report is resilience — in tribute to the remarkable resilience women, nonbinary and gender diverse people have shown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Download the WIRE 2020 annual report here.

Message from the WIRE Board

At the start of FY20, the Board never imagined the twists and turns ahead. As a dynamic, resilient organisation with passionate and capable staff, WIRE was well positioned to step up to the challenge presented by a global pandemic. We have delivered the same services, but adapted them to meet the needs of our service users.

We are very proud of all our staff and volunteers — led by the impressive CEO, Julie Kun — for their adaptability, resilience and skill in providing much needed support to the Victorian community.

We are grateful for the significant contributions our volunteers made to service delivery prior to COVID-19 restrictions preventing them from doing so. We look forward to welcoming all of them back.

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, many of our partners came forward and offered much needed support. We are greatly appreciative.

The pandemic has brought particular challenges on women, nonbinary and gender diverse people. We acknowledge the resilience demonstrated by our service users during this period. The theme of this annual report is a tribute to them.

In this first year of WIRE’s progressive strategic plan we have established a new internal structure to help us best deliver critical services and projects for women, nonbinary and gender diverse people.

We recognise our staff and volunteers’ many achievements this year. In particular, how they have engaged and supported diverse communities through the pandemic, using our unique approach that is guided by WIRE’s intersectional feminist framework. With progress comes change, and we have said goodbye to some very committed and talented directors, staff members and volunteers this year. Each person leaves behind a legacy of creating the organisation that WIRE is today and putting strong foundations in place for future growth. The Board sends our sincere thanks and best wishes to you all.

We are also very excited to welcome new staff members, volunteers and recently appointed directors. Collectively, we have a team of immense wisdom, skill, passion and motivation. Together, we are confident that we are well prepared to continue the incredible impact that WIRE makes on the community, and continue to progress towards justice and equity for women, nonbinary and gender diverse people.

– The WIRE Board

Message from the WIRE CEO

Resilience is a fitting theme for WIRE, now and always. It is part of our feminist framework, which recognises service users’ resilience and resourcefulness as a starting point.

I see resilience and strength in people every day — in our staff, volunteers, board members, service users, and even in myself. It gives me hope that people can not only overcome great barriers, but work together to dismantle the systemic obstacles that cause harm, disadvantage and violence, and work towards a society where all people can thrive.

WIRE continues to evolve and build on our best practice WIRE service delivery model. We are building our intersectional practice — a process involving continual learning, reflection and change. This process also takes strength, resilience, emotional labour, intellect and courage. For that, I thank everyone at WIRE, and in particular, the WIRE Intersectionality Working Group, who lead the way as we continue to improve our practice and understanding of the intersection of gender, race, disability, sexuality, and other locations of oppression.

This pandemic exposes the vulnerability and weaknesses in our society, and it has found many. Many of those seeking support at WIRE have been made more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its impact because they are a victim-survivor of family violence, are in insecure work, or because of their financial situation or visa status. The pandemic has further exposed Australia’s underbelly of racism, ageism, ableism and sexism — places of discrimination and oppression that increase vulnerability.

I have also witnessed multiple acts of resilience, strength and resistance at an individual and collective level — to fight back and overcome.

WIRE adapted to the pandemic restrictions quickly. Within three working days, our service delivery team was providing support to service users from home via phone, email and web chat. It was an extremely proud moment for me as CEO. We have continued to provide training for professionals and organisations throughout the lockdown. The way our trainers pivoted delivery from face-to-face to online was magnificent and in many ways has enabled us to reach new audiences.

Thank you to WIRE staff, pro bono professional volunteers, and phone room and Walk-In Centre volunteers who are the lifeblood of our organisation. I can’t wait until we are back in the office with all our volunteers. Thank you to the WIRE Board that provides so much support to me. And a big thank you to our members, partners and funders that enable us to do the work we do.

Lastly, I want to thank our service users, who honour us with their stories of resistance, wisdom and strength. Your stories guide our service more than you will ever know.

– Julie Kun, WIRE CEO

Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

For the year ended 30 June 2020

2020 ($) 2019 ($)
Revenue 2,336,031 2,007,400
Interest revenue calculated using the effective interest method 18,459 25,726
Expenses
Employee benefits expense (1,356,950) (1,266,605)
Occupancy expense (134,728)
Depreciation and amortisation expense (152,435) (23,728)
Other expenses (645,438) (510,464)
Finance costs (8,291)
Surplus before income tax expense 191,376 167,601
Income tax expense
Surplus after income tax expense for the year attributable to the members of Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc 191,376 167,601
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to the members of Women’s Information and Referral Exchange Inc 191, 376 167,601

Statement of financial position

As at 30 June 2020

2020 ($) 2019 ($)

Assets

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1,786,054 1,736,427
Trade and other receivables 151,912 4,467
Other financial assets 321,878
Other current assets 36,060 16,106
Total current assets 2,295,904 1,784,000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 95,138 97,377
Right-of-use assets 154,527
Other non-current assets 20,884 20,884
Total non-current assets 270,509 118,221
Total assets 2,566,413 1,902,221

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 230,266 252,595
Lease liabilities 127,447
Employee benefit obligations 107,828 57,386
Other contract liabilities 1,181,605 879,578
Total current liabilities 1,647,146 1,189,559
Non-current liabilities 
Lease liabilities 32,955
Employee benefit obligations 8,436 26,162
Total non-current liabilities 41,391 26,162
Total liabilities  1,688,537 1,215,721
Net assets  887,876 686,500

Equity 

   
Accumulated funds 887,876 686,500
Total equity  877,876 686,500

Statement of changes in equity

For the year ended 30 June 2020

Accumulated funds ($) Total equity ($)
Balance at 1 July 2018 518,889 518,889
Surplus after income tax expense for the year 167,601 167,601
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year 167,601 167,601
Balance at 30 June 2019 686,500 686,500
Accumulated funds ($) Total equity ($)
Balance at 1 July 2019 686,500 686,500
Surplus after income tax expense for the year 191,376 191,376
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the year 191,376 191,376
Balance at 30 June 2020 877,876 877,876

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 30 June 2020

2020 ($) 2019 ($)
Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts from grants 2,054,059 1,943,713
Interest received 19,391 25,652
Receipts from other sources 436,622 491,989
Interest and other finance costs paid (8,291)
Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST) (2,011,955) (2,035,002)
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for property, plant and equipment (26,574) (25,912)
Payments in term deposits (321,878)
Net cash used in investing activities (348,452) (25,912)
Cash flows from financing activities 
Repayment of lease liabilities (117,747)
Net cash used in financing activities (117,747)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 22,627 400,440
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 1,763,427 1,362,987

 

Notes and auditor’s comments available in full Annual Report (download the PDF above).

 

 

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