Page 5 - Palms Annual Report 2019

Page 5 - Palms Annual Report 2019_20

P. 5

MESSAGE

FROM THE

CHAIR

Professor Marea Nicholson AM

Ch a i
AMr

For the first half of the current reporting This context however provides an opportunity

period a key focus remained on delivering a to revisit the strategies adopted and

five-year Sustainability Plan which proposed promoted by Palms Australia to deliver on

that by 2023-24, Palms Australia is an the vision and goals of the organisation. Staff

economically sustainable provider of are to be commended for having reached

preparation for cross-cultural engagement, out to our partners to discuss the pilot of a

particularly for those who volunteer to assist program that can be delivered in the

community organisations seeking to build on existing environment.

the strengths of their people and processes

to achieve sustainable poverty reduction. Board Directors and staff are ever mindful of
their responsibility for the stewardship of the

limited Palms financial resources and have
From the beginning of the year, however,
been grateful for the Jobkeeper assistance to
increased global, national and regional
support salaries. I acknowledge the
uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19
outstanding contribution of Roger O’Halloran,
pandemic challenged Palms Australia to
Executive Director, Christine O’Halloran, Louise
immediately address the safety of our

Kwok, Kevin Wilson, Cassandra Falson, Robert
volunteers and our staff, while remaining
Reynolds and Teranun Charoensri to the
concerned for our partnering communities.
development, promotion and delivery of the
A key focus was the timely and safe return of

various components of our programs,
volunteers within the evolving closure of
particularly in this very challenging context.
borders and increased restrictions. Volunteers

and staff are to be commended for their
My appreciation is also extended to our
discernment during this process and their
dedicated directors, Bishop Vincent Long,
prompt action.

Jane Woolford, Brendan Joyce, Kristina

Gunawan, Alex Varley, Antony Faa and Peter
Recognising that the work of their placement
Smyth. Their commitment to the Palms
had not been completed, some volunteers

Australia vision, their discernment of the
were able to maintain virtual contact with
current challenging contextual issues and
their placement communities, exploring ways
their support for Palms staff, is critical to
to continue the support and engagement
ensuring Palms Australia’s responsiveness. I
remotely. This altered delivery of Palms
acknowledge that a number of Directors will
Australia resources has become an

leave Palms Board at this year’s AGM, having
imperative in the immediate and medium
reached the maximum permitted period for
term, necessitating a significant revision of
directorship. My thanks for their significant
strategies and the current Sustainability

contribution to Palms Australia over the past
Plan.
years, and best wishes for their various

ongoing voluntary commitments to the
Arguably the coming twelve months
community.
will be even more challenging, with

uncertainty continuing and successful

mitigation of the virus yet to be achieved,

and international solutions even