TASMANIA Annual Report

Transcription

1 TASMANIA Annual Report

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3 CONTENTS Convenor s Report P. 2 Campaign Manager s Report P. 5 Forest Campaign Report P. 8 World Heritage Report P. 10 Tarkine & North East Report P. 12 Launceston Report P. 15 Treasurer s Report P. 18 Audited Financial Statments P. 20 1

4 CONVENOR S REPORT 2 The TWS Tas. Management Committee held nine formal meetings over the past twelve months. These meetings were devoted to carrying out the Committee s core tasks of monitoring organisational health, budget management, the overseeing of campaign strategy and implementation, human resource issues, relationships with other TWS entities (especially TWSA and TWS Inc.), policy development and ensuring legal compliance. In addition to the nine formal meetings, a number of special meetings were also conducted. During the past twelve months the special meetings usually related to discussion and decision making around campaign strategy and a number of national changes that are and have been proposed by the TWSA Interim Board. Some of the key issues managed by the TWS Tas. Management Committee include: Support for the establishment of a single national Board for TWS Support for operational restructuring and the development and introduction of a TWS Community Organising Strategy at the national and local level Ensuring a local representative on the TWSA Interim National Board The redesign of our forest campaign strategy following Government abandonment of implementation of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement The successful defence of the additions to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, before UNESCO s World Heritage Committee Construction of and management of the TWS Tas. annual budget Fund raising The management of bequeathed funds Completion of the transition of the Wilderness Society Shop to the Wild Island Gallery and nurturing our close association with Wild Island In addition to the above big ticket items the Committee is pleased that some more domestic functions are being progressed, including: The revamp of the campaign centre kitchen is at long last underway The identification of suppliers for improved heating in the centre is well advanced The transfer of the day-to-day management of the campaign centre s financial management to TWS Inc. is also well advanced. This is a national cost saving and standardising initiative which we support

5 3 The Committee would like to acknowledge the support of TWSA and TWS Inc. staff over the past twelve months. They have been particularly helpful in the areas of campaign planning, restructuring and the on-going creation of One TWS. There have sometimes been difficult discussions between us and our national colleagues but they have always been held in good faith. We appreciate the professionalism and positive relationships that our colleagues offer. The TWS Tas. Management Committee would like to offer a special thanks to all of the volunteers, in the north and south of the State, who give their time and energy in support of Tasmania s wilderness. Without you, life would be very different. Thank you. To our tireless staff we say thank you and well done. Your dedication, enthusiasm, creativity and work, in support of our wild places, is very much appreciated. The Committee extends its appreciation to Vica for the professional and skilled way in which he links the Committee to the work of the staff and volunteers. Also, we appreciate his work in managing the campaign activities and so many of our links to the media, government, industry and other conservation bodies. Liz and Ruth continue to operate at the grass roots level, taking our work into the community, working volunteers, organizing events and generating support. Keeping the office, accounts and operations running smoothly we say thank you to Leigh Craven, Emma Wasson, Paul Winter and Dennis Rowberry. Leigh has taken a year s leave without pay to revisit an old career and passion, so we welcomed Emma at the start of 2015 to fill in. Meanwhile, the ever reliable Dennis has continued to manage our finance functions as plans to hand them over to TWS Inc. are finalised. Thanks to Paul, not only for representing TWS Tas in major campaign efforts in Victoria and Queensland over the past year, but also for stepping in to manage the finances while Dennis was on leave.... a special thanks to all of the volunteers, in the north and south of the State, who give their time and energy in support of Tasmania s wilderness. Without you, life would be very different. Thank you.

6 We would also like to offer our thanks to Geoff Law and Luke Chamberlain for the valuable work that they did, with Vica, in presenting our case to the World Heritage Committee in Bonn. In addition to advocacy work they have played an important part in building strong networks amongst Committee members. To our tireless staff we say thank you and well done. Your dedication, enthusiasm, creativity and work, in support of our wild places, is very much appreciated. I would like to thank all Management Committee members for their work during the past twelve months. This group of talented individuals has worked in a supportive way to diligently manage the affairs of TWS Tas. We are proud of the fact that each Committee member takes up the role as a volunteer and undertakes other volunteer roles in addition to those required by their role as Committee members. All meetings have been fully attended and all members have contributed to sensible dialogue and debate. Resisting the persistent encroachment of unacceptable tourism developments in national parks and especially the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Overseeing the implementation of the Tarkine and Forest Campaign plans Continuing with upgrades to the Campaign Centre Special thanks to all of our members and supporters. Without you, we would struggle to make any gains in preserving our wild places for future generations and the planet as a whole. Val Noga Convenor of the Managment Commitee Some of the big challenges for the Management Committee over the next twelve months are: Bedding down the new Organising structure and functions The on-going transfer of our day-to-day financial management function to TWS Inc. Supporting volunteers and building our volunteer network Supporting the establishment of a national board Working to influence the World Heritage Committee around the re-writing of the Management Plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area 4

7 5 CAMPAIGN MANAGER S REPORT The 2014/15 year been characterised by a deepening anti-conservation agenda driven by conservative elements in both state and federal governments. From funding cuts, to repealing legislation, seeking to log reserves and open destructive access to sensitive places, government has created a number of fronts of concern and angles of attack. However, concerted community opposition and coordinated push-back means that many of the on-ground outcomes delivered over previous years remain untouched and Government s divisive and ideologically driven agenda is repeatedly exposed. Our challenge in protecting nature, as usual, is identifying or creating the political opportunity that finally sees areas protected, industries reformed and regulations and laws strengthened. As you will read from the detailed specific campaign reports, we ve been active across three key campaign fronts; forests, Tarkine and World Heritage. All have had their challenges, but, given the political situation, all have seen significant progress in one area or another. Organisationally, we have worked hard with colleagues across the country to streamline our campaign planning and analysis, invest heavily in specific community organising strategies and collaborate across campaign fields. TWS is now solidly campaigning in issues directly relating to climate change, informed by the obvious analysis that if we don t deal with a warming climate, nature is stuffed and most of those places we have seen protected over the last decades will experience threats greater than the logging, clearing or flooding that originally caught our attention. With an eye to protecting nature too, the strategy when it comes to climate is simple keep fossil fuels in the ground. On the back

8 6 of the highly successful James Price Point campaign in the Kimberly, TWS has identified key fossil fuel development areas and are working to stop them being opened up. Specific focus is placed on the Great Australian Bight of South Australia (under development by BP) and the Pilliga in NSW (fracking).... campaigning in issues directly relating to climate change, informed by the obvious analysis that if we don t deal with a warming climate, nature is stuffed... Campaign colleagues across the country deserve thanks for their support and contribution to Tasmanian Campaigns. Whether the direct involvement of National campaigners like Lyndon and Warrick, or backend support with the planning and strategising, acknowledgement must go to all who pull out all stops to assist our work. Similarly, TWS Inc. employs the people who work in the engine room of the organisation, driving the machinery that keeps the organisation going and able to campaign. Front of house, IT, HR, member services, fundraising and communications are all critical for the healthy function of a national organisation and dozens of people beaver away in various locations across the country to ensure TWS delivers for members and nature. Special note must go to our TWS Inc. colleagues in Hobart, occupying the office next door to the campaign centre and a critical part of

9 our campaign community. Not only are they delivering on their piece of the TWS puzzle, but they are also volunteers, friends, consultants and gardeners, helping the campaign centre or campaigns exist. In Tasmania, the campaign centre team of Liz, Ruth, Leigh, Emma, Dennis and Paul have kept the Hobart and Launceston centres functioning and campaigns progressing despite the hostility of Government. Their passion and commitment to our work, organisation and members must be acknowledged and they often go well above the call of duty to deliver on what is required. As a member-based organisation, we value the input of members and could not do without their support. Over November and December, we engaged in a comprehensive tour of regional Tasmania, hosting member-specific meetings to update on the state of play with our various campaigns, and seek thoughts and input into the next steps required. Visiting Dodges Ferry, Penguin, St Marys, St Helens, Deloraine and more, connecting with members and supporters in their local area proved an invaluable exercise. Members are represented in the direction of our work and decisions that are made by the TWS Tas Management Committee. Led once again by Convenor Val Noga, the committee was unchanged from the previous financial year and, as you can read from Val s report, met regularly to deliver on an extensive work program. Thanks Val and all the committee for your ongoing contribution and volunteering to represent members in the governance and directionsetting of the organisation. Lastly, thanks as always to all of our volunteers. We again held together a weekly stall at the Salamanca market thanks to an incredibly committed team of stalwarts. Wednesday lunches in the Hobart Campaign Centre were again well attended and a fabulous forum to be updated on the campaigns and find out how to help. In Launceston, the centre is opened and shop staffed by volunteers. All this, on top of the myriad of activities volunteers perform to keep our offices open and running and our campaigns moving forward. Without volunteers our work would be less effective, more expensive, less inclusive and more mundane. We thank you. The Wilderness Society will turn 40 in 2016 and, putting aside the conservation gains that have been achieved since inception, surviving four decades in itself a significant achievement. We now have offices in all State capital cities, plus Launceston and Newcastle working on a cross section of nature and climate issues that need positive resolution. Vica Bayley Campaign Manager 7

10 FOREST CAMPAIGN REPORT The 2014/15 year has been dominated by the conservative Liberal Government s repeal of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement (TFA) and passage of its unfortunately named Rebuilding the forest industry legislation. This has rendered the Agreement redundant and functionally unimplementable. While the World Heritage reserves stand, the balance of the TFA reserves were reversed and placed in a kind of limbo, no longer on a pathway to protection, but off-limits to logging for a number of years. The net effect of Government tearing up the TFA has been a lose-lose for industry. It loses the support and solutions we as conservationists were bringing to the table, but maintains the TFA levels of lower wood supply and smaller production forest estate. Government has reinjected uncertainty and shaken confidence as it is repeatedly exposed as having absolutely no plan to rebuild industry, instead letting it flounder as the plantation sector begins to recover. We have both written and sat down with stakeholders in the forest industry to inform of our analysis the TFA is redundant. We considered it important to formally go through this process, to have the conversation and explain the state of play. Similarly, we ve formally engaged with a range of industry processes and reviews that are currently running. This has included Forestry Tasmania s Forest Stewardship Certification (FSC)audit, the review of the Forest Practices Code, review of Tasmania s Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy, renegotiation of the Regional Forest Agreement and more. 8 Our focus has been steady and methodical. After doing all we could to convince the new Parliament of the value of the TFA, in the wake of its abandonment by Government we have systematically worked through a process of informing stakeholders and identifying areas of campaign focus.

11 The net effect of Government tearing up the TFA has been a lose-lose for industry. It loses the support and solutions we as conservationists were bringing to the table, but maintains the TFA levels of lower wood supply and smaller production forest estate. Forestry Tasmania appears set to fail its initial FSC audit, having a range of issues likely identified that require remedy. While the audit report has not been finalised or released, public commentary confirms it will fail and it seems certain threatened species such as the swift parrot and issues such as old growth are its key problems. Despite repeated statements from Government claiming credit for green shoots emerging in the industry, any objective analysis show this is largely limited to the plantation sector, with native forestry still mired in conflict, market uncertainty and profound unprofitability. Government continues to subsidise Forestry Tasmania to the tune of tens of millions dollars each year, breaking an election promise and dragging out a collapse that appears inevitable. Meanwhile Forestry Tasmania is instructed to sell plantations and shed services, in an attempt to stay afloat, seemingly on a year by year basis. We ll keep working on forest and forestry related issues for the foreseeable future. The reserves agreed for protection in the TFA remain in a moratorium until 2020, giving us some space to keep working on finding the political window of opportunity to have them finally passed through the Parliament as new conservation reserves. Vica Bayley Campaign Manager 9

12 WORLD HERITAGE REPORT The financial year began on the back of the successful campaign to prevent the Abbott Government from de-listing parts of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) to allow logging. Following a 5000 strong rally on Parliament House lawns, we sent a delegation to Doha to the meeting of the World Heritage Committee and eventually saw the attempt comprehensively rejected. One country described the attempt as feeble and it certainly represented an embarrassing low-point in Australia s World Heritage history. While the Committee s message should have been heard loud and clear that Australia accept its responsibility to protect World Heritage, 2015 demonstrates this is clearly not the case. Early in the calendar year, we leaked a draft of the Government s planned new management arrangements for the TWWHA. Amongst other things the proposed new Management Plan would abandon wilderness as a concept and management tool, allow logging inside the World Heritage Area and increase access for tourism development and invasive helicopter access. Again, a concerted campaign was conducted, together with colleagues from other organisations, to expose these plans, and argue for proper protection for the TWWHA. Over 7000 submissions on the proposed new management plan were received by Government. Detailed information was prepared for the expert advisers to the World Heritage Committee and ultimately, in July 2015 a clear decision was adopted by the Committee that rejects many of 10

13 the Government s proposals. We again sent a delegation to the Committee meeting, this time in Bonn in Germany, and continue to build networks and relationships proving valuable in the international skirmish over how our Government treats World heritage. The decision seeks action by Australia to prohibit logging and recognise wilderness as fundamental to the management of the area. It also resolved to send an expert field trip to Tasmania, to investigate the issues and advise Government on how to rewrite the Management Plan and ensure that all World Heritage values are protected. While the Committee s message should have been heard loud and clear that Australia accept its responsibility to protect World Heritage, 2015 demonstrates this is clearly not the case. We will formally meet with the field trip, making the case for strong protections for World Heritage and a prohibition on destructive activities like logging and inappropriate tourism development. We re hopeful the issues regarding World Heritage can be resolved in the coming year and we can focus more attention on protecting new places like the Tarkine, as opposed to defending the integrity of places that should already enjoy proper protection. Thanks must go to Geoff Law, Luke Chamberlain and Aboriginal Elder Rocky Sainty for their partnership and professionalism in reprsenting Tasmania s heritage to the world. Vica Bayley Campaign Manager 11

14 TARKINE & NORTH WEST REPORT was another big year for the Love the Tarkine wilderness campaign and for community organising in north west Tasmania. In June 2014, the Shree open cut iron ore mine at Nelson Bay River suspended operations after only six months. The mine site is now in care and maintenance. TWS were present at the commencement of the mine, standing with the community to bear witness. TWS also provided support to Save the Tarkine in their legal battles in the Federal court seeking a judicial review of Tony Burke s decision to grant approvals to the Shree mine, particularly in relation to the known impacts of the Tasmanian Devil under the EPBC act. This case set a legal precedent and was used to prevent the approvals of the Adani coal mine in Queensland this year, the largest ever proposed in Australia. Save the Tarkine also took the EPA to the supreme court, to challenge the amendments made to the Shree Minerals Nelson Bay River environmental permit, allowing them to produce 20 times the amount of acid producing waste as disclosed in their assessment document. Also for allowing this excess waste to be stored above ground on the banks of the Nelson Bay River. The original assessment had deemed above ground storage to be neither safe nor secure. TWS is now working on a brief to be circulated to Places You Love, a national alliance of ENGOs, highlighting the inadequacies of current environmental laws. The fall in the iron ore and tin prices has seen a reprieve from Venture Minerals proposals at Riley Creek, Mount Livingstone and Mt Lindsay. Although the Mt Lindsay proposal was for an open cut tin and tungsten mine, Venture minerals planned to fund Mt Lindsay from profits of Riley Ck and Mt Livingstone - both iron ore mines. TWS continues to keep a close eye on market price fluctuations as Venture Minerals still retains the mining lease for all three sites. In December 2014 representatives from eight Tasmanian Aboriginal and environment groups led by The Wilderness Society Tas. united to stand against the reopening of a range of 4WD tracks on the Tarkine coast. These tracks were closed in 2012 to protect Aboriginal Heritage that had been listed under National Heritage for its cultural values including midden sites, hut depressions and seal hides dating back thousands of years. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) filed an

15 ongoing case against the state government and to date the tracks remain closed. On February 14th we celebrated the 3rd Valentarkines Day with support from South Australia. This event has raised awareness and love for the Tarkine Wilderness. Tasmania s Tarkine continues to be the main talking point at our festival stalls around the state, the most asked about area, and topic of interest. Tarkine self-drive guides are extremely popular and consistently requested at stalls and in campaign centres. We are now promoting the official state government Tarkine drive leaflet, produced by the Cradle Coast Authority and other North West groups which has led to a TWS trip to the Northern part of the Tarkine to acquaint ourselves with and assist in the promotion of the area to our members and supporters and the wider community. In February we brought together the leadership of TWS from around Australia to discuss strategies for the protection of the Tarkine and the expertise and knowledge of our national team to this campaign. The campaign aims for World Heritage listing of the Tarkine wilderness by In line with the Tarkine World Heritage strategy, for the first time this year the Tarkine was brought to the attention of UNESCO. The Tasmanian World Heritage Area - Proposed Extensions book was created to facilitate the initial presentation of the outstanding universal values of this still unprotected area. On June the 24th this year the new Tarkine Drive was officially opened by the Tasmanian Government and reiterated the importance of tourism as an economic and employment driver of the region. The increased accessibility this sealed road offers is an excellent opportunity to help showcase the tourism potential of this breathtaking wilderness. TWS will promote this scenic drive, full of rainforest walks, lookouts, waterfalls and stunning lakes and rivers as well as the unique and rugged coastal areas. TWS is currently working on a self drive guide for our supporters to promote the flora, fauna and other natural and cultural values of the Tarkine and encouraging supporters from Tasmania and interstate to experience the incomparable Tarkine wilderness for themselves. TWS will promote and support local tourism and hospitality operators and facilities in the North West in line with our policy of supporting entrepreneurism and appropriate development in regional communities bordering our World Heritage areas and National Parks. There is growing evidence that the local community is beginning to see the potential of the Tarkine as an asset to the growth and cohesion of the community. Vandalism to Tarkine signage has reduced and many people in the area are using the Tarkine brand to promote their businesses. Tourism Tasmania is also running a well-funded ad campaign for the Tarkine experience. Adding further value to the Tarkine tourism strategy, a Tarkine experience is being developed with Inspired Adventures - and Tarkine Trails to entice travellers to experience the Tarkine and to fundraise for the campaign. A National TWS staff retreat is also being organised for early 2016, giving campaigners, organisers and staff from around Australia the chance to acquaint themselves with Tasmania s Tarkine and to support and develop our ongoing relationship with Tarkine Trails, a rustic and beautiful Tarkine walking and camping experience at Tiger Ridge. 13

16 TWS continues to organise in the North West with our members, supporters and other sectors of the community including Landcare groups etc. in line with the National new growth organising strategy and in support of the Tarkine campaign. ORGANISING On the edge of the Tarkine, just outside the Rocky Cape National Park, lies the small rural community of Lapoinya. At the request of the Lapoinya community, to further their comprehensive analysis authored by John Lawrence, we travelled to the North-West on two separate weekends, to conduct community carbon accounting. With more than 30 Wilderness Society volunteers and about 30 local community members we measured the carbon storage of the Lapoinya coupe, scheduled for logging. We were treated to the incredible warmth and hospitality of this close knit community. Despite the torrential rain, we were kept warm by abundant, delicious food and were welcomed wholeheartedly by the local residents, who have an incredibly strong connection to each other and their small patch of forest. The carbon accounting audit was a key contribution to their economic report produced for the Forests of Lapoinya Action Group. TWS produced a film of the carbon accounting work called Saving Lapoinya. The working relationship with this community has included assisting with their public meeting with the production and distribution of over 5000 flyers in Wynyard and surrounds, a concerted phone effort by TWS volunteers to call members and supporters in the area, the screening of Saving Lapoinya at this meeting and forging excellent bonds with local environmental groups such as Landcare. A strong, deep and valuable connection and mutually respectful working relationship with the people of Lapoinya has been built and continues to grow. TWS continues to organise in the North West with our members, supporters and other sectors of the community including Landcare groups etc. in line with the National new growth organising strategy and in support of the Tarkine campaign. Liz Johnstone Senior Forest Campaigner 14

17 LAUNCESTON REPORT The last half of 2014 was an exciting time in the North with a number of roadshows in the area. The first kicked off at Fresh cafe in Launceston and was well attended by our members. Vica gave an update of the Tasmanian Forest campaign and members enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions and understand our position and direction. More meetings followed on the 30th of October in Deloraine and on the 20th of November at RESEED Penguin, in the North West. It was a great chance to reconnect with our members across the state and enjoy robust conversations with our supporter base. Thank you Vica and Liz for all the time and effort it took to make the roadshow so successful and informative. hard to put together excellent stall kits containing appropriate and affordable stock, and useful and up to date information. These were replenished in Launceston, then quickly travelled to Myalla in the North-West for our first visit to Peacefest. Myalla is a small, rural community on the edge of the Tarkine wilderness and TWS made strong connections on the day and added a lot of colour and interest to their event with our stall, and an appearance by Taz the Devil. Locals were pleased to see TWS in their area, and we collected many contacts in this key location. Ewen Campbell did a wonderful job as his first gig as a TWS volunteer, In September, TWS was again at Fresh cafe, this time for the national One Planet event. This event was exciting to be a part of, and, although on Father s Day, was well attended in Launceston. Our attendees were particularly excited to see their tweeted questions running across the bottom of the screen for the whole nation to see. The entire room cheered when the wonderful Jane Goodall mentioned Tasmania s Tarkine, and we all felt proud to be a part of the event started with an incredibly busy festival season for the Launceston Campaign Centre. Although our southern volunteers did a magnificent job at the Falls Festival and the Cygnet folk festival, our volunteers worked very 15

18 especially helping an elderly supporter who spent the day with us and enjoyed our company so much he didn t bother with the rest of the festival! Just a few weeks later, we were off again, this time to Buckland and the beautiful Fractangular festival, again with the help of Ewen Campbell TWS had a terrific stall. February 14th brought the annual Valentarkines Day celebrations, shortened by the stormy weather. Nic Haygarth helped out in a short volunteer stint before leaving Launceston. Less than a week later TWS headed to Burns Creek, about 20 minutes east of Launceston for the Party in the Paddock. Not long after our arrival we were approached by the organisers for our help with coordinating a loo crew for the event. TWS had recruited almost 30 volunteers for the event, and basically saved the festival with their incredible amount of hard work. TWS has been given free stall space in perpetuity for outstanding support to this locally run and funded event. Our Launceston volunteers included Kate Nixon, Lucy Landon-Lane, Richard Kerr, Anj Major-White, Ebony and Maeve Campbell and were supported by volunteers from around the state. On February 24th, in response to the release of the TWWHA Draft Management Plan, TWS and other organisations collaborated for public meetings in Hobart and Launceston. TWS supporters flooded into the venue, plus a few detractors whose animal suits managed to add a spot of local colour, however did not detract from the important message of the speakers. Again our volunteers worked hard, meeting, greeting and offering refreshments. Thank you Mareka Batchelor, Jackie Rowe, Steve Pike and Anj Mejor-White. March saw the start of some effective and well attended submission writing workshops in the Launceston campaign centre. The first addressed the TWWHA Draft management plan and later in the year, the federal attack on NGO DGR status. Liz Johnstone visited to assist and provide direction on the first night. Attendees of the workshop were treated to 10 year old Bree-Anna McIntee of Norwood Primary School, reading her heartfelt submission. A large number of submissions were completed both on the night and right up until the submission period closed. The Launceston campaign centre has offered a great deal of support this year to the community of Lapoinya, who are campaigning to save their local regrowth forest from Forestry Tasmania s plans to clear-fell the coupe. A beautiful Lapoinya board was created by volunteer Rosalie Clarke, with pictures of rare and threatened species found at Lapoinya. This board remains a great conversation starter in the campaign centre, and has travelled to Wynyard twice for events. Kirra Batchelor worked hard at the second carbon counting weekend and then returned for two days along with Richard Kerr to help distribute around 5000 fliers in Wynyard and surrounding areas to promote their public meeting on the 9th of August. The hard work was rewarded with around 200 people filling the Wynyard Theatre and listening intently to the stories of the Lapoinya community. Kirra is now considered an honorary Lapoinyan and will be helping again with their community open day/weekend in November. 16

19 17 The end of June saw our annual stock take, which was quite a bit of work due to the extra stock received from the Hobart shop s closure. Much appreciated was the visit by Emma Wasson and Paul Winter, who assisted our committed shop volunteers; Jackie Rowe, Steve Pike, Drew Hampton and Mareka Batchelor. The Launceston team were treated to a wonderful volunteer celebration day on the 18th of July. Garry Stannus hosted us at his amazing Liffey property which adjoins the most recent Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area extensions in the Great Western Tiers. We enjoyed a hosted walk and stories of the area such as the first Tassie Landcare group - of which Garry was president - and the adjoining property that was purchased by Bob Brown and became the first Bush Heritage property. Volunteers enjoyed spending time with Liz and Vica, and hearing about his trip to Bonn. We were also grateful for the efforts and culinary expertise of Paul Winter who helped to create a vegetarian feast. We look forward to a great year ahead for the Launceston campaign centre and thank you to all our volunteers: Jackie Rowe - life member; Steve Pike; Bree- Anna McIntee; Mareka; Kirra and Kane Batchelor; Drew Hampton; Rosalie Clarke; Jamie Fleming; Anj Mejor White; Richard Kerr; Ewen Campbell; Nikki Klar; Steffi Kelly; Jane Lucas; Robert Jordan; Marie Brolev; Sue and Dylan Bunker; Scott Osborn; Fairlie Ferguson; Rocelyn Ives; Nic Haygarth; Kate Nixon; Lucy Landon-Lane and Marcus Chick. Ruth Groom Launceston Campaign Centre Coordinator

20 TREASURER S REPORT 18 The 2014/15 Financial Year resulted in a profit (after deduction of extraordinary items) of $1,356. This was quite pleasing as a significant deficit had been anticipated. Operating Statements Income Ordinary income was down $62,439, or 11.6 %. A number of income items varied markedly from the previous year. The most notable were ordinary Donations (down $38,553 or 79.6%) and Campaign Grant (down $29,316 or 7%). On the other hand we received a contribution from the Shop funds of $25,000 together with rent of $33,336 from the lease of the Shop building to The Wild Island Gallery. Whilst on the subject of donations we should mention the Abell Bequest which gave $206,570 towards Tasmanian Forests. This amount is shown as other income and has been transferred to reserves from where it will be accessed for special purposes. We received less income for Expenses Reimbursed from TWS Inc, as such expenses returned to more normal levels. Total Income included Sales from the Salamanca Stall ($12,892) and the Launceston Shop ($8,764). Both these operations provide valuable community exposure while at the same time contributing to our available financial resources. Overall total Sales were down $11,269 due to the extra income earned the previous year with the Love the Tarkine exhibition. Gross Profit was $475,641 compared to $549,372 in 2013/14. Expenditure Total expenses reduced by $125,100 or 20.8%. Most expenditure items were below previous figures and below budget. In some areas it was due to a lower level of activity, e.g. Office Supplies down $868, Photocopying down $1,424, Postage and Shipping down $4,796. In other items it was due to changed arrangements or contracts e.g Telephones down $7,861, Fuel and Auto Expenses down $3,516. Extra costs ($5,483) were incurred for Building Maintenance associated with the Bike Kitchen and Council drainage requirements. It should be noted that $3,195 of those expenses were recovered from the Bike Kitchen and are included in Reimbursed Expenses above. Membership Fees decreased by $34,671 due to changed contractual arrangements with TWS Australia. Media decreased by $33,063 as there was no paid media activity in the year. On the other hand Research and Resources increased by $8,101or 59.6% mainly for World Heritage work by Geoff Law.

21 Printing increased by $1,753 or 39.8% for expenses associated with the World Heritage listing. Legal and Accounting decreased by $1,885 as in the previous year there was expenditure for contract bookkeeping. Travel and Accommodation returned to more normal levels at $19,414 a reduction of $10,813. Donations Made increased from $3,691 to $6,860 mainly due to a special donation of $2,300 made by the Devonport supporters group. Staff Training increased from $2,202 to $8,236 because of a Conservation workshop and a number of OH&S courses. $1,085 has been reimbursed from TWS Inc. Total Employment Expenses have decreased by $34,811 but much of that change is associated with Shop Staff. For instance the Parental Leave Expense of $11,197 last year was for a Shop staff member and the reduction in provisions for Annual and Long Service Leave also arise from the Shop staff having been paid out their entitlements. You might notice that the final termination pays for the Shop passed through the accounts during the year, but the payments were made from monies held by the Shop at the time of closure and accordingly had no effect on the Campaign Centre Profit and Loss. Net Surplus As mentioned earlier the Campaign Centre made an ordinary items profit of $1,356 in 2014/15 compared to a loss of $50,012 the previous year. Financial Position Assets Total Assets for the Campaign Centre have increased from $337,562 to $943,732. There are two major reasons for this: i. A total asset value of $516,868 was transferred from the Shop when those accounts were amalgamated with the Campaign Centre. $43,439 from $36,478. Stock on Hand increased from $7,913 to $11,487. Some of that increase was due to a portion of the Shop stock being transferred to the Launceston Office and the Salamanca Stall. Included in Total Assets for the first time this year is the Shop building (at $375,461) and also $7,749 for improvements made since it was renovated by the Wild Island Gallery. Liabilities Current Liabilities have reduced from $184,476 to $141,632 (down 23.3%) The reduction is mostly due to amounts owing to Shop staff at 30 June For example Holiday Pay Liability has reduced from $44,853 to $35,362 and Other Liabilities from $28,999 to $10,214. Also $25,000 was previously shown as owing to the Shop for a fixed deposit and that amount has now been transferred to the Campaign Centre. Net Assets Net Assets for the Campaign Centre are now $802,101 compared to $153,086 the previous year. At 30 June last year total Net Assets for the Campaign Centre and the Shop last year were $669,953. Acknowledgements A number of individuals have contributed directly to financial operations during the year. In particular, Leigh Craven, until proceeding on LWOP in March, and Paul Winter who has filled in on a number of occasions. Many thanks to Leigh and Paul together with other staff and members of the Management Committee for their work during the year. ii. As mentioned earlier $206,570 was received from the Abell Bequest. As a result total Cash on Hand has increased from $191,468 to $432,859. Money owed to suppliers at 30 June this year increased so that Accounts Payable increased to Dennis Rowberry Treasurer 19

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25 Complete financial statements and accompanying notes available upon request. 23

26 With Special Thanks: Image Credits: Andrew Fallen Geoff Law Kip Nunn Liz Johnstone Matt Brain Rob Blakers Ted Mead Vica Bayley Design: Miles Leggett 24