Annual Report July 2016 June 2017

Transcription

1 President s Foreword has seen another strong year of awareness building efforts designed to advocate for the benefit of the Coeliac Queensland community. The following pages outline the highlights of our work on behalf of our members as we continue our efforts to improve the lives of those affected by coeliac disease. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing team of staff and volunteers who tirelessly support the Coeliac Queensland community with their enthusiasm and generosity. Coeliac Queensland has 17 wonderful volunteers who provide regular office-based assistance, as well as our Local Area Coordinators, who assist in providing regional support to members. Thank you also to the numerous event based volunteers, such as those who assist at the Gluten Free Food Expo and Children s Christmas Party. Thank you all for your time and energy! We always welcome new volunteers so if you would like to get involved please contact the office for further information. A special mention to Hugh Sheardown, former Queensland and National President, who was recognised with a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen s Birthday Honours List for significant service to the community, particularly those with Coeliac Disease. Hugh s dedication and service has been formative for Coeliac Queensland and we thank him for his continued support. Thank you again for being a member of Coeliac Queensland. Your support makes our work possible and we are proud to continue advocating on your behalf. Annual Report July 2016 June 2017 Makala Ffrench-Castelli President Coeliac Queensland

2 Our Members At June , Coeliac Queensland membership numbers were 3,497, with 501 new members joining our community during the year, and we welcome you all. New members continue to receive additional support in their first 12 months, with follow ups approximately three to six months after joining to ensure they are settling in and overcoming any challenges presented by their new gluten-free diet. 3,497 members as at 30/6/ new members 97 new members joined at the GFFE in May 45 average new members /month Staff Coeliac Queensland s staff numbers were steady throughout 2016/17 with Glen Harriss as Executive Officer, Taryn Stephenson as Member Services Officer and Christine Stanford as Administration Officer. Member Communications The Australian Coeliac, the magazine of Coeliac Australia, continues to be mailed to members quarterly. Coeliac Queensland s Against the Grain e-newsletter continues to be sent to all members bi-monthly (every 2 months). Those members without s (approximately 300) receive a hardcopy of the e-newsletter in the mail.

3 Gluten Free Food Expo! 2017 saw Coeliac Queensland hold its annual Expo at the Royal International Convention Centre, Bowen Hills. 47 exhibitors joined the event (an increase on 42 for the previous year). Gold Sponsor Exhibitors Coeliac Queensland Coles Supermarkets Momentum Foods Next Media - Healthy Food Guide Yum. Gluten Free Walter & Eliza Hall Institute Gourmet Meals SalDoce Fine Foods Melinda's Gluten Free Goodies SCS Food Co Pty Ltd Coeliac Australia Live Free Gluten Free Turbo Snacks The Gluten Free Food Co Pty Ltd Tixana P/L Roma Food Products Beefys Brookfarm Julians Gluten Free Tenth Dot Brands The Kuisine Company P/L San Remo Macaroni Company C & D Distributors (Turmeric For You) Gluten Free Bakehouse Pty Ltd The Whole Foodies Wilde Beer Health for Life Kitchen O'Brien Beer Herbert Valley Farms Red Bay Brewery The Happy Snack Company Artisan Foods Queensland (Darryl s Fresh Roasted Peanut Butter) Mrs Macs Bistrotea Diego's Authentic Foods Leda Nutrition SRS Qld Pty Ltd Ding the Recipe Eskal Jase's Kitchen Function Well Foods Montserrat Day Hospital Genius Gluten Free Glutenfree Bakery Thermomix Wesley Medical Research The Fishmonger's Wife

4 Gluten Free Food Expo

5 Media and Awareness Coeliac Queensland s media exposure included: various newspaper articles during Coeliac Awareness Week several newspaper articles promoting the Gluten Free Food Expo highest level of social media activity across the country during Coeliac Awareness Week huge amount of social media activity around the Gluten Free Food Expo Children s Christmas Party The 2016 Children's Christmas Party held in Brisbane was a wonderful celebration and well attended as always. Over 100 children enjoyed the many activities and delicious gluten free food on offer. Thanks to all our helpers for the day. To acknowledge the festive season for our regional members, Coeliac Queensland also distributed parcels to 200 regional and rural children. Coeliac Queensland s Facebook page numbers continue to grow with over 8,000 followers as at 30 June Coeliac Queensland continues to benefit from ongoing support from Google, providing up to $10,000 USD per month value for Google Adwords. This has provided a great advertising platform to promote Coeliac Queensland and membership via Google.

6 2016/17 Key Highlights During the financial year, Coeliac Queensland engaged in numerous activities to promote awareness of Coeliac Disease, including: Assisted James Cook University recruit participants for Hookworm trials by inviting Dr John Croese and Dr Rohit Gupta to speak about the trials at the Gluten Free Food Expo. Presented to a number of UQ medical students about coeliac disease and the part Coeliac Queensland plays in supporting medically diagnosed families. Continued to partner with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to cross promote Coeliac Queensland to their supporters with type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease. Continued to work closely with other NFP organisations such as Irritable Bowel Information & Support Association of Australia Inc. (IBIS), Crohn s & Colitis Australia (Queensland), Arthritis Queensland and Downs Syndrome Association of Queensland (DSAQ). E.g. Coeliac Disease brochure into every DSAQ new member kit. Montserrat Day Hospitals are promoting CQ to their specialists and their patients, offering CQ members bulk billed consultations with selected Gastroenterologists. Montserrat Day Hospitals also exhibited at the GFFE. GastroIntestinal Endoscopy are promoting Coeliac Queensland through the newsletters to both patients and Health Professionals. Dietitian Connection (DC) is promoting Coeliac Queensland membership to their Dietitian members. Coeliac Queensland has offered a discounted membership rate to DC members. We are working with several Medicare Local branches to increase GP awareness and understanding of coeliac disease, including adding coeliac disease to their medical databases.

7 Our Volunteers We could not operate without our amazing volunteers. Thank you for all your time and support! Office Volunteers Bernadette Anese Maryanne Nottingham Anna Edwards Elizabeth Stetcher Ingrid Hope Judith Byrne Mark Heywood Pat Nuss Gwen Bell Kay Stephens Vicki Flynn Helen Bryer Jo Bright Julie Moore Robyn Bell Sue Pope Lauren Shaw Peer Support Glenys Love Wendy Absolom Judith Byrne Janet Conway-Guy Olivia Wheeler Robyn Mowat Sharon Bristow Jennifer Brook Tracey Torrisi Heather Matson Sally Lauder Julie Moore Molly Warner Clare Armstrong Ann Sherwood Aleisa Price David Briese

8 Membership of Management Committee The members of the Management Committee in 2016/2017 were: President: Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary: Members: Makala Ffrench Castelli Michael Fitzgerald Daniele Bird Ken Barlow Julie Allan Gavin Axman-Friend Helen Bryer Simon Cook Sharon Kemp Maryanne Nottingham Hugh Sheardown Barry White Geoff Wilson Mark Woodward Helpline PO Box 3455 Newmarket QLD B Wilston Rd Newmarket QLD 4051 Ph: Open Monday Friday 9-3pm Web: qld.coeliac.org.au