Australian Marist Solidarity 2015 Annual Report

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

working in partnership for change

PAKISTAN

INDIA BANGLADESH THAILAND

VIETNAM

CAMBODIA SRI LANKA

ASIA

2015 AT A GLANCE...

A total of $1,137,964 was disbursed to 59 projects across Asia and the Pacific. $2,000 Bangladesh $50,000 Papua New Guinea Cambodia

South Africa

$40,475 $10,000

Fiji

$30,461

Thailand

India

$36,886

Timor-Leste

Pakistan 2

$387,163

The Philippines

$526,899

$5,900

Vietnam

$6,847

$39,533

OTHERS

$1,800

| AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

THE PHILIPPINES

INSIDE ABOUT US

4

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

6

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

7

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

6-7

OUR PROGRESS IN 2014

8-13

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

14

OUR FINANCES

15-25

ACFID MEMBERSHIP

27

PACIFIC KIRIBATI PAPUA NEW GUINEA TIMOR-LESTE

BOUGAINVILLE (AR)

SOLOMON ISLANDS SAMOA

VANUATU FIJI

AUSTRALIA

www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

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ABOUT US

Elvin, local volunteer at Ponta Leste Children and Youth Centre, teaching an English class, Baucau, Timor-Leste.

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WHO WE ARE

Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) is the international aid and development agency of the Marist Brothers Province of Australia. AMS facilitates partnerships with communities focussed on overseas aid, education, and community development activities of the Marist Brothers in Asia and the Pacific Islands. AMS is an Australian not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. In 2008, it became a signatory organisation to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct.

OUR HISTORY

AMS has evolved from a long heritage of aid and development activities conducted by the Marist Brothers Province of Australia. The Brothers have financially supported and managed overseas aid and development programs in the Solomon Islands since 1938, Bougainville since 1941 and in other parts of Papua New Guinea since 1950. Today, the Marist Brothers have a presence in Bangladesh, Bougainville, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Fiji, India, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Pakistan, The Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Vanuatu. AMS currently supports projects in sixteen of these countries. In the tradition of St Marcellin Champagnat...

OUR VISION... is of a world that reflects Marists’ desire that vulnerable young

people are brought towards the centre from the margins through access to education.

OUR MISSION... is to empower young people by enhancing their human dignity and developing their capacity to transform their lives and communities.

OUR WORK

AMS believes in investing in people – empowering them to take their own path to development and as such supports programs that are conducted in partnership with local communities. We focus on sustainable growth through the enhancement of community development, building a community’s capacity to deliver a better quality education, to develop skills and to promote leadership. Our in-country local partners develop projects around three key areas.

FORMAL EDUCATION

Our support of primary, secondary and tertiary education programs seek to support and expand education systems that exist in communities across Asia and the Pacific. This work includes support for school programs, school facilities and classroom resources.

NON-FORMAL EDUCATION

In communities where there is a lack of educational opportunities and minimal access to formal education, AMS supports learning centres that offer young people tutoring and classes to provide key skills for further education, employment and self sufficiency.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

For young people in Asia and the Pacific, access and effective participation in educational opportunities relies on maintaining good health and wellbeing. AMS supports a range of supplementary projects based around the development of the health and nutrition of young people, with a focus on those with disabilities. www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN “Our development focus is premised on the power of quality education as a lever for community development and social transformation.”

Mr Peter Sheehan

It’s pleasing to report that Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) continues its rapid growth as a animator of locally initiated projects across sixteen countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Enhancing the accessibility to education of disadvantaged groups of young people, and raising the quality of education received, are the niche targets of this non-government organisation. Our development focus is premised on the power of quality education as a lever for community development and social transformation.

I am indebted to my fellow AMS board members for their engagement with the work of the board and the team.

Province Leader, from the board at the end of the year and we will miss Jeff’s insights into development from his broad experience. We welcome to the board the new Province Leader, Br. Peter Carroll who will bring wide administrative experience to the table.

To our donors, MSA school communities, funding partners and supporters with their offer of pro bono services, I am very grateful.

Your partnership has enhanced our movement forward as a new Marist non-profit development organisation in our region.

We farewell Brother Jeff Crowe, former

Mr Peter Sheehan Chairman, AMS Board

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE We invest in partnerships with local people who show strong initiative and leadership in the development of new educational opportunities in their own communities.

Our structures support these local partners in the project management roles within their projects. These managers are respected locals who receive ongoing formation through AMS in order to assist us in maintaining communication, monitoring progress and in reporting on our projects. In locations where direct communication is sometimes difficult, particularly in the Pacific and in remote areas of Timor-Leste, regional managers have been established.

AMS BOARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

6

| AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

AMS TEAM

REGIONAL MA

>> Currently positioned in: Papua New Guinea, Timor-L (servicing parts of the Pacific)

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “The spirit of Marist solidarity stems from our culture as a faith based NGO for education and development.”

Br Allen Sherry

The AMS team based in Brisbane continues to develop our tagline of ‘working in partnership for change’ into achievable projects that arrive from local communities. The transformative work for children’s education in these communities is able to be delivered because of the generosity of board members, the four board committees, pro bono advisors and the donors and funding partners both in Australia and abroad.

This report showcases four of the fifty-nine AMS development projects undertaken in 2015. Our local partners are one of our most valuable AMS resources. Across the region they vary from young adults with initiatives for

their own cohort, teachers and school administrators and Marist Brothers who are local or on international mission.

The spirit of Marist solidarity stems from our culture as a faith based NGO for education and development. This culture is being gradually implanted in many Australian local communities; may it continue to flourish for transforming the lives of your people at risk.

Br Allen Sherry fms Executive Director

Brother Tony Clark, regional project manager walking with local East Timorese in Baucau, Timor-Leste.

PROJECT MANAGERS >> Contact through Regional Desks

BENEFICIARIES >> Young people and families who live on the margins of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

ANAGERS

Leste & Cambodia

PROJECT MANAGERS >> Direct contact with AMS

www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

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OUR PROGRESS IN 2015

Students listen to there teacher at a Marist high school in India.

16

countries supported by AMS projects in Asia & the Pacific

59

education and education related projects supported

24

new educational projects initiated by local partners

BANGLADESH | BOUGAINVILLE | CAMBODIA | FIJI | INDIA | KIRIBATI | PAKISTAN | PAPUA NEW GUINEA | THE PHILIPPINES SAMOA | SOLOMON ISLANDS | SRI LANKA | THAILAND | TIMOR-LESTE | VIETNAM | VANUATU 8

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BANGLADESH 2 PROJECTS

BACKGROUND TO THE NEED

>>>

The workers in the Moulovibazar Tea Gardens are one of the most deprived groups in Bangladesh, working in slave-like conditions and earning approximately 65 US cents a day. They struggle to feed their children, let alone send them to school. Without a proper education, these children have little hope of finding alternative employment or breaking out of the poverty cycle.

68%

over

AMAG MARIST SCHOOL & HOSTEL RESPONSE

55,000

families live and work in slave-like conditions picking tea leaves in Bangladesh

200

of women aged 15 to 24 working in the tea gardens are illiterate

children will have access to free and safe boarding

>>>

In collaboration with the Diocese of Sylhet, Australian Marist Solidarity is supporting the Marist Brothers in the planning and construction of the St Marcellin Secondary School and Hostel.

This collaborative effort aims to prevent children from discontinuing their education after grade five due to the lack of secondary schools available and the cost of continuing schooling.

The new school will offer education for grade six to ten. This will include 200 fully subsidised boarding positions for children who live in the tea gardens of Moulovibazar. The boarding cohort will be evenly split between boys and girls.

In order to support the students comprehensively in their education a free hostel will provide a safe and supportive environment. This is a major part of the project as they will not need to travel long distances to school and will have all necessary after school support for their study.

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2 3

The school and hostel, once complete, will be subsidised by some fee paying students and the Bangladeshi Government for salary support.

While construction is taking place, academic and pedagogical support is being provided for the primary school teachers in the tea garden communities. This support will continue once the school officially opens.

4 1: A local student completes an exercise for the class at a local primary school.

2: These children will have the option to attend the new high school once they complete primary school. 3: Project coordinators at the blessing of the foundation stone. 4: The new boarding facilities under construction to be completed in 2016.

www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

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CAMBODIA 11 PROJECTS

PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM RESPONSE

BACKGROUND TO THE NEED

>>>

Young people in Cambodia - a country recovering from a period of intense and protracted conflict - suffer many disadvantages, directly related to their limited opportunities for education, basic health care and gainful employment. Those with the added vulnerability of physical disability, often find themselves marginalised and forced to live in extreme poverty.

43%

45%

102

of Cambodians with a disability are illiterate

of young Cambodians with a disability do not attend school

Students with a disability are cared for at the LaValla School

>>>

The LaValla School in Takhmao directly addresses this need by catering for students who have been excluded from mainstream schooling because of their disability.

One highly innovative component of life at LaValla is the physiotherapy program. Three physiotherapists have been employed to develop rehabilitation plans for each student specific to his or her disability. By providing structured physiotherapy, exercise therapy and hydrotherapy, the program has given the students a wider range of movement and increased their self reliance.

Regular health checks and treatment, combined with corrective surgery and the provision of assistive devices (wheelchairs, crutches, splints, braces and orthotics) have given students greater control of their learning environment, and in so doing, have led to improved educational outcomes. It is therefore not surprising that there is a correlation between resolving issues related to mobility, balance and muscle strength and higher academic achievement.

For instance personalized rehabilitation programs and the provision of walking frames have enabled students with a range of disabilities to function independently and move around the campus unaided. Ankle surgery, physiotherapy and exercise have helped others to walk without falling, grip a pencil and hold their books. As a result, academic results at LaValla have improved remarkably in recent years.

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2 3

4 1: Ary is a student at the Lavalla School who is learning to walk because of the physiotherapy program at the school. 2,3: Ary assisted with standing and walking exercises. 4: The whole school participates in morning physiotherapy exercises.

FIJI

8 PROJECTS

MARIST CHAMPAGNAT INSTITUTE RESPONSE

BACKGROUND TO THE NEED

>>>

Young people in Fiji, who have a learning difficulty and special needs often miss out on fundamental post primary education. This severely reduces their options for employment and independence. Marist Champagnat Institute (MCI) is the only post-primary school in Fiji for those with learning difficulties and special needs.

39%

118

of young people aged 14 to 18 in Fiji don’t attend high school

students were attended MCI in 2015 of which, 35 were young adults

83

students were equipped with income generation skills in 2015

>>>

MCI offers young people with a learning difficulty an education and a chance to equip themselves with skills for employment, reintegration into mainstream schools, or entrance into tertiary/vocational institutions. MCI takes a holistic approach to education and includes the development of each student’s social and emotional needs in the curriculum.

Marist Champagnat Institute is located in the suburb of Vatuwaqa, in the city of Suva. In 2015 there were 118 students enrolled ranging in age from 13 to 20. MCI specifically serves those young people from special schools, those with learning disabilities and those who have never been to school or who have left without completing their certificate.

There is no set learning path as students enter MCI at varying levels. MCI offers two years of basic numeracy and literacy development which is then followed by a two year vocational course whilst still developing the core skills. MCI offers a recognized Certificate IV in Childcare, with practicals taking place at the Marcellin’s Little Angels kindergarten located on the same piece of land. Other vocational courses include office (computing); catering and tailoring; agriculture; engineering; and woodwork.

Graduates from these streams receive a certificate of completion which can lead to direct employment or further training and upskilling at other institutions.

This program is providing life changing opportunities for young Fijians through the support of Australian Marist Solidarity and our partner Catholic Mission.

1

2 3

4 1: Students gather to hear from their teacher. 2: MCI Students participating in outdoor activities. 3: Students waiting for classes to start. 4: Agricultural training taking place on the MCI campus.

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TIMOR-LESTE 30 PROJECTS

BACKGROUND TO THE NEED

During the post referendum violence of 1999 when Timor-Leste sought and won independence, as much as 70% of Timor-Leste’s infrastructure was destroyed. 95% of schools were damaged, with four out of every five completely destroyed, and almost 55% of all school teachers left the country. Education is therefore a large priority for the Timor-Leste Government.

EDUCATION INITIATIVES

RESPONSE

>>>

70%

of Timor-Leste’s infrastructure was destroyed after 1999

95%

of schools were damaged and 4 out of every 5 schools were destroyed

55%

of primary and secondary school teachers left Timor-Leste

>>>

Timor-Leste continues to be a principal focus of Australian Marist Solidarity as the country continues to develop its education system and social services. Through our partners, Australian Marist Solidarity has taken a holistic approach in supporting this developing nation through four key partnerships in 2015.

KATILOSA CENTRE FOR CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY AMS supports a small local initiative called KATILOSA. KATILOSA supports children with disabilities and their families through a number of programs. They provide day respite, physiotherapy, skills training and community based rehabilitation where the child lives with their family in their home, attends local schools and is supported through weekly visits from physiotherapists and social workers.

108

children have been enrolled into mainstream schools

52

teachers trained to support children with a disability in class

25

children and adults assisted with assistive devices

2 1 1: Augustino assisting his son, Jose, with a mobility exercise. After a year of attending KATILOSA Jose’s mobility has improved dramatically. 2: Two students participating in a therapy class at the Darasula Rehabilitation Centre run by KATILOSA.

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UAI-LILI YOUTH CENTRE

2

training facilities where young people can gather to learn crucial skills

The Uai-Lili Youth Centre continues to offer computer and carpentry training to youth in the small village of Uai-Lili, Baucau Region.

By providing unemployed youth with reallife skills they are able to improve their job prospects, contribute much needed services to the local community and break the cycle of poverty they were born into.

ABAFALA PRIMARY SCHOOL

TEACHERS’ TRAINING COLLEGE

attend Abafala Primary School

233

students in Abafala now have a safe school environment

3

new classrooms and working toilets for students and staff

2 1 1: Baucau Catholic Education Office Director, Madre Herminia Sarmento, hands the key to the school to Principal, Mistre Jaime. 2: Mister Jaime speaking at the opening ceremony.

46

students graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) in 2015

Instituto Catolico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) or the Baucau Teachers Training College, continues to operate with the support of Australian Marist Solidarity.

46 students from the class of 2015 graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and will form part of the new generation of teachers in Timor-Leste.

40

local children accessing computer training classes at the centre

2 1 1: Students are learning to use carpentry tools safely in order to make furniture, frame windows and hang doors. 2: Maway, founder of the program and current project manager, stands with the new sign outside the carpentry training centre.

128 girls & 105 boys

Abafala Primary School recently had a new building constructed as part of Australian Marist Solidarity’s commitment to rebuilding and renovating schools across Timor-Leste. This collaborative community initiative now ensures that the students at Abafala can now attend school year-round in a safe and dignified environment.

16

young men participating in the carpentry training program

3

students graduated with a Masters of Education awarded by ACU

470

teachers have graduated from ICFP since 2006

2 1 1: The graduating class of 2015 at their graduation ceremony. 2: Students study in class at ICFP in Baucau, Timor-Leste.

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Young men at St Joseph’s College Mabiri, Bougainville, PNG, shake hands before a game of volleyball.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MR PETER SHEEHAN | CHAIRPERSON

Director of Accounting Firm (Appointed April 2013)

MR MICHAEL SINCLAIR | COMPANY SECRETARY Senior Manager (Appointed August 2013) BROTHER PETER CARROLL | Provincial Superior, Marist Province of Australia (Appointed November 2015) BROTHER JULIAN CASEY | Marist Brother (Appointed July 2008) MRS ANNE-MARIE HUNTER | Administrator (Appointed February 2014) MR DAVID L’ESTRANGE | Lawyer (Appointed June 2013) MR MARCUS RILEY | Chief Executive Officer (Appointed July 2013) BROTHER ANTHONY ROBINSON | Marist Brother (Appointed July 2008)

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OUR FINANCES

Students listen to a problem the teacher is explaining during class at Lavalla school, Takhmao, Cambodia. www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 (ALL FIGURES IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS)

$ 2 2 0,4 6 1 $ 410,515 $ 13,474 $ 5,280

OTHER INCOME TOTAL INCOME

$

SOURCE OF INCOME

Income received from financial investments

53,937

$

703,667

OPERATING EXPENSES FUNDRAISING EXPENSES TOTAL ADMINISTRATION

$ 50,000 $ 387,163 $ 526,899 $ 3 0,4 6 1 $ 36,886 $ 5,900 $ 39,533 $ 2,000 $ 4 0,475 $ 10,000 $ 6,847 $ 1,800

Cambodia - 34% ($387,163) Bangladesh - 4.4% ($50,000) Other - 2.3% ($26,547) South Africa - 3.6% ($40,475) The Philippines - 3.5% ($39,533) India - 3.2% ($36,886)

$ 1,137,965 $ $

87,582 4,786

Interest Received - 0.8% ($5,280) Donations - 63.7% ($448,580)

HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT...

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS BANGLADESH CAMBODIA TIMOR-LESTE FIJI INDIA PAKISTAN THE PHILIPPINES PAPUA NEW GUINEA SOUTH AFRICA THAILAND VIETNAM OTHER TOTAL INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

Administration Fee - 1.9% ($13,474)

Grants Received - 31.3% ($220,461)

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM...

GRANTS RECEIVED DONATIONS ADMINISTRATION FEE* INTEREST RECEIVED

Other Income - 2.3% ($15,872)

PROJECTS EXPENDITURE

Fiji - 2.7% ($30,461) Timor-Leste - 46.3% ($526,889)

$

92,368

TOTAL EXPENSES

$ 1,230,333

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/ EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR

($ 526,666)

(Refer to our website for the full audited report.)

Fundraising Expenses - 0.4% ($4,786) Operating Expenses - 7.1% ($87,582) International Projects - 92.5% ($1,137,965)

*The AMS Board approved an increased administration fee from 2% to 5% on 14 October 2015.

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RATIO OF EXPENSES

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 (ALL FIGURES IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS)

2015 $ REVENUE

2014 $

Grants received Donations Designated donations MAPS Administration fee income Interest received Interest income on reserve principal Other income

220,461 448,580 13,474 5,280 15,872 -

68,165 932,702 10,602 1,963 12,959 10,245

TOTAL REVENENUE

703,667

1,036,636

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS: Funds to international projects Grant to Lavalla School in Cambodia Other grants Accountability and administration

1,137,965 92,368

311,742 55,448 68,115

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

1,230,333

435,305

NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE

( 526,666 )

601,331

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(EXPENSE) FOR THE PERIOD

( 526,666 )

601,331

EXPENDITURE

During the financial year 2015, AMS had no transactions for international political or religious proselytisation programs.

Refer to our website for the full audited report.

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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 (ALL FIGURES IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS)

2015 $ CURRENT ASSETS

2014 $

Cash and cash equivalents Trade and other receivables

1,412,985 2,166

2,372,703 47,938

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

1,415,151

2,420,641

TOTAL ASSETS

1,415,151

2,420,641

Trade and Other Payables

9,873

2,401

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

9,873

2,401

TOTAL LIABILITIES

9,873

2,401

1,405,278

2,418,239

Reserves Retained Earnings

1,267,282 137,996

2,294,070 124,170

TOTAL EQUITY

1,405,278

2,418,239

CURRENT LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS EQUITY

At the end of the financial years 2015 and 2014 AMS had nil balances for Current Assets Inventories, Assets held for sale and Other financial assets and for Non-Current Assets Investment property, Intangibles and Other non-current assets, for Current Liabilities Net current tax liabilities, Other financial liabilities and Other, for Non-Current Liabilities Other financial liabilities and Other.

Refer to our website for the full audited report.

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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 (ALL FIGURES IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS)

ACCUMULATED FUNDS $ BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY 2015 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR Profit (Loss) for the year

2,418,239

(526,666)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (EXPENSE)/INCOME Donations Funds to international projects Grants Received

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(EXPENSE) BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

448,580 (1,137,965) 220,461

( 486,296 ) 1,405,278

Refer to our website for the full audited report.

TABLE OF CASH MOVEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 (ALL FIGURES IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS) A table of cash movements is not required as no single appeal or other form of fundraising for a designated purpose generated 10% or more of total international aid and development revenue for the financial year.

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AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY LIMITED (A Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 46 373 535 209

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

DIRECTORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

Your directors submit their report together with the annual financial report of Australian Marist Solidarity Limited (“the company”) for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Directors The names of the directors in office at the date of this report are: Name

Qualification

Br Julian Casey – Appointed 2 July 2008 Mr David L’Estrange – Appointed 24 June 2013 Mr Marcus Riley – Appointed 20 August 2013 Br Anthony Robinson – Appointed 2 July 2008 Mr Peter Sheehan – Appointed 18 April 2013 Mr Michael Sinclair – Appointed 20 August 2013 Mrs Anne-Marie Hunter – Appointed 5 February 2014 Br Peter Carroll – Appointed 2 November 2015

Marist Brother Lawyer Chief Executive Officer Marist Brother Director of Accounting Firm Senior Manager Administrator Marist Brother

Company Secretary The Company Secretary during the year and at the date of this report is Mr Michael Sinclair.

Objectives Short Term The short term organisational objective is to facilitate Community Development Projects for necessitous persons in developing countries.

Long Term The long term organisational objective is to carry out the principal purpose as stated in the company’s Constitution.

The Board of Management will continue to review our progress and amend where necessary.

Strategy for achieving the objectives The primary strategies for achieving these objectives is sound financial management through the use of relevant budgets and cash flows that are continually monitored and measured with key performance indicators (KPIs) and ratio analysis.

Principal activities The principal activities of the company is to facilitate Community Development Projects for necessitous persons in developing countries. No significant change in this nature occurred during the year.

1

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How these activities assist in achieving the objectives The activities assist in generating revenue to support the mission of the company.

Results and dividends The net loss after providing for income tax amounted to $526,666 (2014: $601,331). No dividend is payable in accordance with the Constitution.

Insurance of officers The company has not, during or since the end of the financial year, in respect of any person who is or has been an officer or auditor of the company or of a related body corporate: - indemnified or made any relevant agreement for indemnifying against a liability, including costs and expenses in successfully defending legal proceedings; or - paid or agreed to pay a premium in respect of a contract insuring against a liability for the costs or expenses to defend legal proceedings.

Meeting of directors

No. of Meetings eligible No. of Meetings to attend attended 5 5 5 4 5 3 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 2 2

Director Br Julian Casey (Appointed 2 July 2008) Mr David L’Estrange (Appointed 24 June 2013) Mr Marcus Riley (Appointed 20 August 2013) Br Anthony Robinson (Appointed 2 July 2008) Mr Peter Sheehan (Appointed 18 April 2013) Mr Michael Sinclair (Appointed 20 August 2013) Mrs Anne-Marie Hunter (Appointed 5 February 2014) Br Peter Carroll (Appointed 2 November 2015)

Changes in state of affairs Apart from any disclosures referred to in the financial statements or notes thereto there was no significant change in the state of affairs of the company.

Future developments In the opinion of the Directors, there are no likely developments which would have a significant effect on the Company’s operation or results.

Auditor’s Independence declaration A copy of the Auditor’s Independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is set out on the following page.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors:

________________________ Director Peter Robert Sheehan

________________________ Director Michael Gerard Sinclair

Dated: 19 May 2016

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AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY LIMITED (A Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 46 373 535 209

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

DIRECTORS' DECLARATION

In the opinion of the directors of Australian Marist Solidarity Limited (“the company”): a) The company is not a reporting entity. b) The accompanying financial statements and notes: i) give a true and fair view of the company’s financial position as at 31 December 2015 and of its performance, as represented by the results of its operations and its cash flows, for the year ended on that date in accordance with the basis of accounting described in Note 1: ii) comply with Australian Accounting Standards, the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission Act 2012, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory reporting requirements to the extent described in Note 1; and c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company can meet its debts as and when they become due and payable.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors:

________________________ Director Peter Robert Sheehan

________________________ Director Michael Gerard Sinclair

Dated: 19 May 2016

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AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY LIMITED (A Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 46 373 535 209 AUDITOR'S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE CORPORATION ACT 2001 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

To: The Directors of Australian Marist Solidarity Limited.

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit for the year ended 31 December 2015 there have been: - no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporation Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and - no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

________________________ Michael T Harper Registered Company Auditor (6286) Dated: 23 May 2016

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AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY LIMITED (A Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 46 373 535 209

AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

SCOPE We have audited the attached financial report, being a special purpose financial report, of the Australian Marist Solidarity Limited for the year ended 31 December 2015. The company’s directors are responsible for the financial report and fair presentation of the report in accordance with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct and have determined that the accounting policies used and described in Note 1 to the financial statements are appropriate to meet the requirements of the Corporation Law and are appropriate to meet the needs of the members. We have conducted an independent audit of this financial report in order to express an opinion on it to the members of the company. No opinion is expressed as to whether the accounting policies used, and described in Note 1, are appropriate to the needs of the members.

The financial report has been prepared for distribution to members for the purpose of fulfilling the directors’ financial reporting requirements under the Corporation Law. We disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this audit report or on the financial report to which it relates to any person other than the members, or for any purpose other than that for which it was prepared.

As is usual in organisations of this type, it is not practical to maintain an effective system of internal control over cash receipts, donations and other fund raising activities until their entry in the accounting records. Accordingly, our audit was limited to amounts recorded in this respect.

Our audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our procedures included examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial report and the evaluation of significant accounting estimates. These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion whether, in all material respects, the financial report is presented fairly in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1 so as to present a view which is consistent with our understanding of the company’s financial position, and performance as represented by the results of its operations and its cash flow. These policies do not require the application of all Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements in Australia.

The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis.

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AUDIT OPINION In our opinion, the financial report of Australian Marist Solidarity Limited is in accordance with: a) the Corporation Law, including: i) Giving a true and fair view of the company’s financial position as at 31 December 2015 and of its performance for the year ended on that date in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1; and ii) Complying with Accounting Standards, comprising AASB 1025: Application of the Reporting Entity Concept and Other Amendments and other Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 1 and the Corporation Regulations; and b) Other mandatory professional reporting requirements to the extent described in Note 1.

________________________ Michael T Harper Registered Company Auditor (6286) Dated: 23 May 2016

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ON THE COVER...

CAMBODIA, 2014 Students sit and complete work in the library at LaValla School, Takhmao, Cambodia. See page 10 for more details on LaValla School.

Photos by Conor Ashleigh, Newcastle, NSW w w w. c o n o r a s h l e i g h . c o m

ACFID MEMBERSHIP In 2008, Australian Marist Solidarity became a full member and signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. ACFID is the peak council of Australian non-government organisations (NGOs), which aim to promote conditions of sustainable human development in which people are able to enjoy a full range of human rights and fulfil their needs, free from poverty, and live in dignity.

Australian Marist Solidarity seeks and appreciates your feedback. If you wish to provide feedback or lodge a complaint against the organisation, please contact Br Allen Sherry, Executive Director on (07) 3354 0600 or email: al.sherry@marists.org.au. All feedback is confidential.

THE ACFID CODE OF CONDUCT The ACFID Code of Conduct defines standards of best practice for international development organisations and represents the active commitment of its signatories to conduct their activities with integrity and accountability. The Code is a voluntary, self-regulatory sector code of good practice that aims to improve international development outcomes and increase stakeholder trust by enhancing the transparency and accountability of signatory organisations. It was developed in 1997 and comprehensively revised in 2010. Australian Marist Solidarity is committed to full adherence of its requirements.

For more information regarding ACFID and the Code of Conduct and how to make a complaint relating to a breach of the code visit www.acfid.asn.au. www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

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AUSTRALIAN

arist

SOLIDARITY

Thank you to all our of our supporters for your generous contributions toward the young people across Asia and the Pacific!

To support the projects contained in this report and more visit us online: www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au

POSTAL ADDRESS Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) PO Box 273 Ashgrove West QLD 4060 AUSTRALIA

OFFICE PHONE

(+617) 3354 0600

EMAIL

ams@marists.org.au

BANGLADESH | BOUGAINVILLE | CAMBODIA | FIJI | INDIA | KIRIBATI | PAKISTAN | PAPUA NEW GUINEA | THE PHILIPPINES SAMOA | SOLOMON ISLANDS | SRI LANKA | THAILAND | TIMOR-LESTE | VIETNAM | VANUATU 23MARCH2016

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