President's Report

As we approach the end of our Centenary Year celebrations, it is appropriate that I, on behalf of the Board of Management of fka Children’s Services, place on the record our gratitude for the contribution that many tireless members, benefactors, staff, volunteers and friends have made to our organisation, over the past 100 years.

As a result of their vision, leadership and stewardship, they fashioned - and we have inherited - an organisation that has always been:

• open, accountable and financially prudent
• focussed on high quality service provision
• supportive of its hard working and professional staff 
• responsive to the challenges of a dynamic multicultural/multi faith community

This proud history of services to young children and their families in metropolitan and regional Victoria is entrusted to succeeding generations of fka Children’s Services advocates and staff, all of whom have honoured the work entrusted to them.

As we enter our second century of service to the Victorian community, we will remain true to the vision of our founders and continue our fearless advocacy for affordable and accessible health, welfare and educational children services delivered by qualified and appropriately remunerated staff.

The Board, together with the fka Children’s Services staff, including the wider fka Children’s Services advocate community, will continue to work collaboratively with:

• The Victorian and Australian Governments
• Peak Community Child Care organisations 
• Multicultural and Ethnic Children’s Services

The Board recognises that the provision of high quality children’s services requires   professionally trained, valued and supported staff. Consequently, a key priority for the Board will continue to be the implementation of its decision, taken in 2008, to become a Registered Training Organisation.

As is evident from the this Annual Report, the activities of fka Children’s Services have been significant both in their depth and breath.

This year has also marked the end of an era for the staff of fka Children’s Services with the retirement of Dr Priscilla Clarke OAM in December 2008 – and the commencement of a new era with the appointment of Sandra Prouse as CEO. 

On behalf of the Board, I thank Priscilla and Sandie for the ‘seamless and professional transfer’.

I extend to Sandie the warmest of welcome from us all.

It is therefore with a depth of gratitude that the Board of Management and I acknowledge and thank:

• Dr Anne Kennedy for her leadership and significant contribution as Acting President in 2008
• Past and present staff, including Sandie, Priscilla and Melinda
• Past and present members of the Board of Management, particularly the Vice President, Ted Rush for his unfailing support to me and Margaret Courtney, our hard working Executive Secretary.
• The Centenary Committee for the moving commemorative activities, including:
  - the fka Children’s Services history titled, A Centenary History,
  1908-2008, written by Dr Elizabeth Mellor
  - the Photographic Exhibition
  -  the Commemorative Plaques at 24 locations of significance
  -  the Playground at Lulla’s Children and Family Centre in Shepparton
  - the Futures for Children Forum to be held on 26 October 2009, to mark the close of our centenary celebrations
•  Our funding bodies for their continued financial support 
•  Victorian early childhood peak partner agencies, especially Community Child Care Victoria.

I know we are well placed to meet the challenges ahead.

Ms Bruna Pasqua
President, Board of Management