BGH Annual Report 2022

ANNUAL REPORT

reduce, reuse, recycle reduce, reuse, recycle

BIG GROUP HUG

Community Help for Families in

Need

Big Group Hug’s mission is to mobilise community support to respond to the immediate needs of young people, particularly vulnerable children and their families.

We do this by providing free material aid essentials for children aged newborn to 16 years – items of absolute necessity including toiletries, clothing, books, formula, nappies, car seats, prams, and bedding – through our extensive network of welfare agencies and community organisations.

The families we support are living in financial crisis due to family conflict, underemployment or unemployment, homelessness, or seeking refuge. They are often forced to choose between providing their children warm clothing and safe bedding, or a hot meal. Our aid packs have an average value of $1,030/family, equivalent to 3 weeks rent, five weeks of groceries, or one year of gas or electricity, alleviating substantial financial stress.

We are honoured to be supported by individuals and businesses who are committed to donating financially and with new or pre-loved material items; supporting our families through the upcycling, recycling, and rehoming of preloved items, reducing landfill and the environmental damage caused by waste.

REFLECTIONS

A letter from our founder

ANGELA WOOD Founder Big Group Hug

As I reflect on the growth of Big Group Hug this past year, I can’t help but think about where it all began almost 10 years ago. It is heart-warming to see how far we have come.

From humble beginnings in my garage in 2014, to the Rosanna Church Hall and now our Bundoora warehouse complimented by our new Airport West hub, Big Group Hug continues to grow from strength to strength.

This year I have taken a step back from the day-to-day operations so I can focus on the future strategic direction and organisation governance alongside our board members. The appointment of a new Chair, Laura Racky, and CEO, Bernadene Voss, solidifies for me that my dream has grown to be an integral part of our community.

I am so pleased to see Big Group Hug continue to divert waste from landfill and provide for families in need. My original vision, born after seeing a fellow mother in need, was to support my local community; now we assist families throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. This vision has come to fruition on a scale I never could have imagined but often dreamed of, and it continues to thrive.

Our growth and our future could not be possible without the commitment of donors and welfare agencies in the community and steadfast support and personal sacrifice of the countless volunteers, as well as my fellow Directors and most importantly my family, I thank you all sincerely.

Angela Wood Founder and Director

All children deserve the best start in life!

LAURA RACKY Chair Big Group Hug

BERNADENE VOSS CEO Big Group Hug

MILESTONES

A letter from our chair

This last year was a record year for Big Group Hug. We opened a satellite hub in Airport West, reached a milestone providing aid for 4,271 children and in February our next evolution commenced with the appointment of Bernadene Voss as CEO. Under her leadership, our team is flourishing with renewed purpose and excitement for the future.

Our numbers speak for themselves – with 200 requests filled on average per month. But it is not enough. There are many communities that our aid does not reach. But we are working on it. We are expanding our profile, advocacy and reach with numbers of requests increasing at a heartening rate.

I take this opportunity to thank all the individuals and organisations that make Big Group Hug so impactful in our community: our ever-enthusiastic and committed staff and volunteers, our generous donors of goods and financial donations, and our Board.

In particular on behalf of our community, I thank Angela Wood and Geraldine Camilleri for every drop of love, sweat and tears they dedicated to Big Group Hug since its inception and I hope that with the appointment of Bernadene, and a renewed board, they have enjoyed taking a slight step back to watch Big Group Hug hum along beautifully.

And so, we have looked back to the year that was and now we must look forward to achieving our vision of people working together to protect every young person in Australia from the adverse effects of disadvantage. We know we can achieve the vision with the strength of our supporters. Join us for the next phase of this magnificent journey as we continue to mobilise a generous and passionate community for the benefit of those that needs us most.

Laura Racky Chair

TO THE FUTURE

A letter from our CEO

I have long admired the work of Big Group Hug; the commitment to support vulnerable children and reduce landfill waste aligns closely with my own passions. It was an honour to be given the opportunity to join the organisation in February and as CEO I see an opportunity to affect real change in our community at a time when families and the environment need it most.

In the last quarter of 2021/2022, Big Group Hug experienced a 31% increase in demand for our services, and we foresee this need continuing to increase as economic conditions worsen. With the right focus and the community’s support, we are rising to this challenge.

This year, we celebrated the opening of our new satellite hub at Airport West with support from Sustainability Victoria. This has been instrumental in opening new channels to reach more families and have a greater impact while improving what we are keeping out of landfill. The ambitious goal to divert 60 tonnes of children’s items from landfill at this site alone is inspiring.

Alongside our Directors, we have developed a new strategic plan, setting the path for the future of the organisation. With a focus on creating a sustainable business model, internal cohesion and external credibility, Big Group Hug will be a catalyst for social impact.

Our mission is to mobilise community support to respond to the immediate needs of young people. What I experience here is an organisation with true purpose and energythe culture and capacity of Big Group Hug is remarkable. Vulnerable children and their families will always continue to be the at the forefront of everything we do.

Thank you to my team and our wonderful volunteers and partners without which none of this would be possible.

Bernadene Voss CEO

BOARD MEMBERS

LAURA RACKY Board Chair

Elected June 2022

ANGELA WOOD

Founding Board Member September 2014 Chair until May 2022

GERALDINE CAMILLERI

General Board Member

Elected October 2014

GRAHAM HAYDAR

Board Treasurer

Elected July 2020

PAUL ARMSTRONG

Founding Board Member

Elected September 2014

MELINDA WHITEHOUSE

General Board Member

Elected August 2021

CHRISTOPHER BOOTON

Company Secretary

Appointed June 2022

EXITING BOARD MEMBERS:

We would like to thank Kat and Leeanne for their service, passion, and support on the Big Group Hug board.

KAT OBORNE

General Board Member

Exited July 2021

Leeanne Bremner

Board Company Secretary

Elected September 2021, Exited April 2022

For more information on the board, please refer to the our website

THE STORIES THAT MATTER - KAVITHA

Kavitha and Andy Sutharsanan are regular hardworking parents who were living the Australian dream while raising their now 2.5-year-old daughter, Reyna. In August 2021, Kavitha and Andy were ecstatic to find out they were expecting… their little family was growing. But that excitement turned into shock when mum-to-be was told she was having not one or two but THREE little babies.

“Andy and I knew we were so blessed to have these children, but we both kept asking ourselves, ‘how are we going to afford taking care of four kids?’ It just seemed impossible,” says Kavitha.

Neither parent had a history of multiple births in their families, nor had they tried IVF, so the idea of carrying more than one bub never even crossed Kavitha and Andy’s mind. As the two parents tried to make sense of their wonderful news, the reality of looking after and providing financially for three babies overwhelmed them.

Kavitha recalls, “Since I was a high-risk pregnancy, I was assigned a caseworker, Jane, fairly early on in my pregnancy. I voiced my concerns and fears to Jane, and she mentioned Big Group Hug to us.”

Jane reached out to the Big Group Hug Request Team and explained the situation – this family needed assistance and support desperately but in multiples of three (or more). The team immediately started sourcing everything one would need for a newborn including items like baby carriers, bassinets, clothing packs, nappies, a breast pump, steriliser,

wipes, nappy bag, baby monitor, baby bath, change mat, playmat, playpen, and two double prams so that the triplets and big sister Reyna could all have a seated space when out and about.

When beautiful triplets, Amira, Amelia, and Ariana arrived earlier this year, the family were overjoyed. Andy and Kavitha’s anxiety over the financial strain put on the family was also eased when Jane told them of all the amazing items awaiting the triplets, courtesy of Big Group Hug.

“Big Group Hug have been incredible!  Not only did they lessen our burden, but they also gave us the confidence to move forward. We would have really struggled without their support,” says Kavitha appreciatively.

The Sutharsanan family’s story has come full circle with Kavitha now donating all the items that her girls have outgrown back to Big Group Hug, so that another family in need can use them. “It’s so beautiful to have an organisation like Big Group Hug where parents can give their items that are still in excellent condition. It’s a good feeling knowing that through Big Group Hug we are helping someone else… so thank you Big Group Hug!”

Kavitha and family, Recipients of Big Group Hug’s support

Kavitha and her famly,

photography by Little Dreamers Photography

Figure 1. Recipient suburbs in greater Melbourne

OUR REACH

Big Group Hug’s reach has grown this year to support 2,404 families throughout Metropolitan Melbourne and beyond, an increase of 11%. In regional Victoria, recipients are widespread, from Wimmera in the west to Echuca and Shepparton in the north and east to Sale.

In the Greater Melbourne area, our aid is concentrated in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne (Hurstbridge across to Wyndham), where there is an identified need but a lack of material aid services for children’s items. Many of these neighbourhoods have high rates of financial hardship, domestic violence, homelessness, underemployment and unemployment, leaving children and young people particularly vulnerable.

Figure 1. depicts the local spread of recipients with each heart representing a suburb where one or more recipients live. If you are viewing this report online, click on the map to access an interactive map and explore your neighbourhood.

Figure 2. Heatmap of number of requests lodged, created by Data4Good

OUR AGENCY NETWORK

Our network of 96 welfare agencies is essential to distributing aid to families in need. From Maternal Child Health Centres, to welfare organisations, childcare centres and schools, to women’s refuges, we can reach more parents through this extended network. Across the 96 agencies, there are 1,019 individual support workers requesting aid on behalf of their clients. This model delivers scale, while ensuring that the recipeints have access to wrap-around services from their support worker. Our aid is not restricted by entry criteria. We believe all families that are doing it tough deserve support. It’s old-fashioned community support at its best.

“I would like to thank everyone at BGH - the items and clothing always look absolutely amazing and are of high quality. They always bring a smile to our clients and their children. Easy and friendly to deal with. I love BGH!”

- Bea, Support Worker

City of Merri-Bek (Moreland)

THE STORIES THAT MATTER - JACINTA

When we first heard Jacinta’s story, it felt like it was something out of a movie. Yet so many of the families we support echo similar horrors. This incredible and brave mum of two shares her story of how she survived a domestic violence nightmare.

“When my relationship turned ugly, I knew I had to take my children and run. It was no longer safe for us, and I didn’t want them to be exposed to this, thinking it’s normal.

We left with nothing but the clothes on our backs… I had no idea what to do or even how to feed my kids. I remember walking into Uniting Kildonan scared, alone, and not knowing what to expect,” says Jacinta.

A caseworker assessed their situation and knew with winter fast approaching, this family needed support urgently. She immediately contacted Big Group Hug and requested warm clothing (including hats, gloves, and scarves) and shoes for both the children, nappies and wipes, toiletries for both Jacinta and the kids, and single bedding and sheets to get this young and terrified family slowly back on their feet.

“A few days later, my children and I were so grateful when we received the parcels from Big Group Hug. We left with nothing, so receiving these basic essentials really lifted our spirits and gave me some hope to keep moving forward,” says Jacinta.

She goes on to say that it was only with the support of organisations like Big Group Hug and Uniting Kildonan that they were able to rebuild their lives.

Once they had some stability in their lives, Jacinta felt passionate about giving back and helping those who need the basics that we all take for granted. These days she not only donates regularly to Big Group Hug but is also a proud advocate of the organisation and the work we do. Jacinta courageously shares her story with others on a public platform in the hope to inspire and motive women who are in a similar situation.

“There’s no shame in asking for help. I remember those dark days when I was in survival mode and didn’t think we would come out the other side. But I was reminded that there are good people around, people who want to help irrespective of your background or situation. All you need to do is ask,” smiles Jacinta.

Follow Jacinta on Instagram @mumdentity where she aims to inspire women to find themselves and focus on self-care.

Jacinta is now living a safe and happy life with her children

Jacinta with CEO Bernadene Voss during a recent visit to BGH

REQUESTING AID FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

Virgil, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Support Workers are the essential link between Big Group Hug and recipients of our material aid. Over 1,200 support workers in different roles (from midwives to social workers and teachers) request aid from Big Group Hug on behalf of their clients. We sat down with Virgil from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to hear about her experience working with Big Group Hug.

How and when did you first hear about Big Group Hug (BGH)?

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) has worked with BGH for some time, and when I started my role, I continued utilising their service for our clients. During COVID, with reduced in-person contact, it was a difficult time adjusting as a team and for our clients. BGH was invaluable in supporting our families by delivering the items to ASRC, making vital items more accessible.

What’s the best part about working/partnering up with BGH?

The best part about partnering up with BGH is that they have helped so many of our families, and the ability of BGH to respond to our requests (often delivering within days!) really demonstrates the generosity of all the BGH donors and volunteers. It’s also an easy relationship due to the open communication between the two organisations, it’s great working with like-minded people to create such a positive partnership.

What do you wish other people knew about BGH?

Something I do wish people knew about BGH is that they are so incredibly generous and responsive in helping so many children and families, those who do not have access to the everyday items needed for their children. These items are so important in supporting vulnerable children (especially newborns). BGH is so great at working with community organisations to ensure they can continue providing support to families in need.

As a firsthand partner in helping families in need, what sorts of aid/requests are being asked of more, recently? And how has BGH stepped up to assist these families? We often have families requesting both single and double prams (which are often quite expensive to purchase), clothing, car seats, baby bottles and nappies. Any parent of multiple kids will know how much easier a double pram can make things when you’re dealing with a toddler and a baby, and BGH has supplied so many of these to us!

Can you tell us your favourite story that you have heard or experienced from a family who has received BGH support? When we were in lockdown during COVID19, we had a single mother with four children who was unable to work, and their newborn had outgrown the items they had. They had no community support but BGH was able to provide all the single mother’s needs for all children and more. They were so grateful when they picked up their items as they didn’t know they were able to access support like this.

If you could say one thing to your community about Big Group Hug, what would it be?

BGH always goes above and beyond to help children and families that don’t have access to the basic necessities. Their packages are always so generous, with ample supplies for young families, and we just couldn’t support our clients in the same way without them.

Gumabon, Basic Needs Coordinator, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Virgil

As a country, we have a strong tradition of community service and volunteering… to look out for each other and strengthen the community. We know that volunteering is a beautiful and satisfying way to give back and help individuals, share knowledge and develop friendships –we see it every day.

Big Group Hug is fortunate to have over 330 volunteers ingrained in our operations on a committed basis completing 20,000 hours of volunteer hours over the course of the year. In addition to this, several schools and workplaces also held volunteer sessions to help lift the load in our Bundoora warehouse, ran goods drives from the schools and workplaces and raised funds to support our efforts.

Volunteer work is completed by our team working from home, from our new Airport West location and our main Bundoora warehouse. From collecting items in their neighbourhood, sorting and washing donations, to driving and even writing our grant applications. Volunteers are what keeps the organisation running.

“Big Group Hug volunteers not only help a great cause, but also become part of a tight-knit and supporting community – in fact, our volunteers often refer to us as their 'BGH family’! Our volunteers are involved in all aspects of our operations. We couldn’t exist without their support and we truly appreciate their commitment. Every minute of their time is precious and impactful” says

Francesca Ligabo, Big Group Hug’s, Volunteer Manager.

Jo Hall visiting Big Group Hug

Having Jo Hall (Channel Nine News) at the warehouse was hugely exciting for the volulnteers and as you can see, they were all very eager to get into the photo

MEET NICOLE

Volunteer Grants Writer

Nicole Jenkins is one of our Volunteer Grant Writers. Which involves developing and submitting applications on behalf of BGH to various government, corporate and private funders who offer financial support to charities based on select criteria and priorities.

This time-consuming task involves hours of research, writing and fine tuning, but the satisfaction of hearing an application has been successful is incredibly rewarding. Nicole volunteers 10 hours a week and has done so since February 2022.

“Big Group Hug appealed to me for two reasons” says Nicole, mother of two. “The possibility of making parenthood a little easier for financially stressed families, and the re-homing of donations which is at the core of the BGH operational model. Every family in receipt of BGH help is referred to us through a health care professional or welfare case worker and is therefore qualified as urgently in need. There’s no wastage.”

“Raising a family is such an expensive life stage, so alleviating this burden simply through passing on donations from families who no longer have a need for certain items, like clothing or a pram, to another family who desperately needs these, is amazing. We all store toys, books, clothes and equipment over the years, so it’s fabulous to be able to pass these on. Add to this the reduced landfill, and it’s a win-win!”

“I am constantly amazed to see how effectively the small handful of paid BGH staff manage the enormous volunteer base. Hundreds of people volunteer with BGH, all of whom have different skills, interests and committed hours. Managing this workforce is not an easy task, but it runs like clockwork.”

“The incredible start of the BGH story is something everybody should know. Two women, who both had full time jobs and families of their own, recognised an urgent community need, developed a model to help, and dedicated themselves to establishing such a special organisation with an incredibly positive and substantial community impact.”

Nicole’s commitment to Big Group Hug doesn’t end at the keyboard. In May this year she ran a coat drive as part of our Winter Warmers campaign, collecting 80 coats from friends and family. She also encouraged a team from ANZ to hold a workplace volunteering session with her at our Bundoora warehouse.

For anyone considering volunteering, there is one thing that Nicole wants you to know:

“In my experience, the reward of volunteering with BGH is enormous. It’s amazing to know that every win in this organisation is a win for someone who is really struggling and needing a hand. You get such a buzz out of doing something good for your community.”

Nicole and her family

Nicole (4th from the left) inspired an ANZ team to volunteer at Big Group Hug

4,271

children received essential aid this year because of the generosity of our community.

Thank you for helping children throughout Victoria thrive.

OUR PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS

It is with humility and gratitude that we acknowledge the contributions of so many who support us in a financial capacity, with inkind goods and services, or both. We often struggle to name every individual, group and business that help us, but we simply could not do what we do without your faith in our organisation.

Trusts, Foundations and Grant Funders

• Banyule City Council

• City of Whittlesea

• DGP Foundation

• Eltham Rural Group

• Freeman’s Foundation

• Inner North Community Foundation

• Inner North Young Changemakers

• Lady Mayoress Committee Fund

• Multicultural Vic Gov Grant

• Nelson Alexander Charitable Fund

• Nillumbik Shire

• Point of Rental Philanthropy Committee

• Stockland

• StreetSmart

• Sustainability Victoria

• The Marian & E. H. Flack Trust

• The SH Williams Foundation

• Victorian Government Covid Relief Grant

• Westfield Local Heroes

Education Partners

• Banyule Primary School

• Catholic Ladies College

• Concord School

• Eltham College

• Epping Secondary College

• Greenvale Secondary College

• Guardian Childcare Centres

• Ivanhoe Girls Grammar

• Ivanhoe Grammar School

• Lalor Secondary College

• Loyola College

• Methodist Ladies College

• Our Lady Help of Christians

• Parade College

• Penguin Childcare Centres

• St Martin of Tours

• Star of the Sea

• Watsonia North Primary School

Businesses

• Anywise

• Blue Bike Solutions

• Firefighters Charity Fund

• Goodwill Collective

• Money 3

• Point of Rental

• Pressroom Philanthropy

• Studio Via School of Dance

• Tasman Dental Pty Ltd

• Wardle Design

• Yarra Valley Water

In-kind support

• API

• Ayres Packaging

• BedHeads Hats

• Bloom and Grow

• Bonds

• Bunnings

• Cherub Baby

• Coolkidz

• Designworks

• Encompass Care

• Food Share

• FootScape

• GIVIT

• Good360

• Infasecure

• Kids of Eltham

• KOGO

• LJM Carpentry

• May Born

• Meant2Be

• New Age Dental

• Officeworks - Epping/Bundoora/Campbellfield

• Pinchapoo

• Priceline

• Rotary Melbourne

• Share the Dignity

• Sleep Safe Sheridan / Hanes

• Soxy Beast

• The Nappy Collective

• Thread Together

• Tommee Tippee

• Unicharm / Baby Love

ProBono Assistance

• Aintree Group

• Data4Good

• Goff Electrical & Security Pty Ltd

• Llgold

• Pinnacle Group

• ValueLab.co

• Vital Talent

• Write Type Copy

People

• Julie and Tony Braden

• Dr Neil Dooney

• Adam Evans

• Rod and Cheree Hamilton

• Ellen and Matthew Hooper

• Bernadene Voss

SPOTLIGHT ON

Our New Strategy, 2022-2025

In April 2022 the Big Group Hug board gathered to reenergise the strategic plan for the next three years, to 2025, with pro bono consultancy support from Pinnacle Group and ValueLab.co

Pinnacle Group were instrumental in pulling all the survey materials, feedback and workshop materials together. Then, coupled with volunteer and staff input, the strategy was formed with the guidance of Valuelab.co.

Reflection on the current state of the organisation showed clearly that all stakeholders felt the organisation was doing critical work but the associated profile and brand needed to be commensurate – it is time to work on raising our profile and simultaneously increasing our impact to help more children and families across Melbourne. This involves the development of a leadership team, strengthening our governance structure and processes, and looking at options for expansion to increase our reach to our community’s most vulnerable families.

The steps to go from a 100% volunteer organisation to include some paid staff who will be accountable for the organisation operations, an increased warehouse size, insurance, transport and IT requirements meant that finding ways to ensure ongoing sustainability was critical.

Good governance is the basis for all of this. The result is a new strategy that creates a stronger base for the organisation to continue to achieve its mission into the future.

Thank you to Pinnacle Group and ValueLab.co for their guidance throughout this process.

To

For

VISION

MISSION

ASPIRATIONS

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FOCUS AREAS

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

We create a sustainable business model, incorporating new and diversified revenue streams.

PROFILE & ADVOCACY

We build our brand to create organisational cohesion (internally) and credibility and authority (externally) for Big Group Hug, and as a catalyst for social impact.

ADVANCING THE ORGANISATION

We continually review and assess our organisational capacity –governance, systems, processes, and people.

REQUESTING AID FOR FAMILIES IN NEED

Hayley, Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service, City of Whittlesea

Maternal and Child Health teams throughout metropolitan Melbourne and beyond make up the largest portion of agencies requesting our support. These teams are dedicated to guiding parents in the health and developmental milestones for their children from birth to school age and helping them access any additonal supports they may need as a family. Hayley from the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health (Whittlesea) shares with us her experience of working with Big Group Hug.

How and when did you first hear about BGH?

I remember collecting items for families from the site at Rosanna Baptist Church (I think) 5+ years ago when I was working in a previous job. More recently, when I started at City of Whittlesea, Big Group Hug came across my radar again as a huge support for the families we work with in Enhanced MCH, and I heard about the expansion and new site in Bundoora.

What’s the best part about working/partnering up with BGH?

Seeing families receive their goods – especially children opening up their toy packages, rummaging through the bag, and just seeing the delight on their faces is very heart warming.

What do you wish other people knew about BGH?

The team are so helpful and lovely! I’ve emailed Tina with some weird and wonderful questions and requests and she is always so accommodating. The whole team at the warehouse are lovely and so helpful as well. Especially at packing the car, like Tetris - you would be amazed to know how much we can fit in a small car!

As a firsthand partner in helping families in need, what sorts of aid/requests are being asked of more, recently? And how has BGH stepped up to assist these families?

Essential items like formula and nappies. We are seeing lots of families experiencing significant financial stress, especially as the cost of these essentials and other groceries are rising. Big Group Hug regularly assists our families with essential items like formula, nappies and wipes. Sometimes families are running so low they rely on material aid to get them through the week until their next payment. Prams are also very expensive and an often-requested item. For families in need a donation of a pram can allow freedom to get out of the house, to be able to attend appointments or playgroups, even to just get out in fresh air for a walk.

Can you tell us your favourite story that you have heard or experienced from a family who has received BGH support? We placed an order for an expectant mother who was experiencing severe financial hardship, and in particularly challenging circumstances had her income support payments cut off. She was couch surfing and did not have any of the material needs prepared for her baby’s birth. She had been very worried about how she would afford the items she needed in time for baby’s arrival. The material aid support from Big Group Hug was a huge relief for this mum. Baby was born one day before due date and mum knew that she had all of the items she needed. Mum told us that since receiving support she is feeling hope again.

If you could say one thing to your community about Big Group Hug, what would it be? I want to say that Big Group Hug is good for our whole community! Recycling baby and children’s items is good for our environment and reducing unnecessary landfill. And material aid support being available for babies, children and families in need is so important for all members of our community to feel included, like they matter, and that they are cared about.

Hayley Blair, Family Social Worker, Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service, City of Whittlesea

CELEBRATING

Thanks to an incredible grant from the Freemasons Foundation Victoria we were able to purchase a second van to help with the delivery of items to youth in need and the collection of pre-loved goods from our wonderful donors.

Big Group Hug was a proud recipient of the 2021 Keep Victoria Beautiful Award in the Waste category, in recognition of our commitment to reduce waste while supporting families in need.

Volunteers Jill and Calvin Pope retired from Big Group Hug with a bang this year, with Jill being awarded the Westfield Plenty Valley Local Hero award, recognising her tireless efforts in support of our families. The award included a $10,000 donation to Big Group Hug.

THE SUSTAINABLE

: AIRPORT WEST

At Big Group Hug, our primary goal is to provide material aid to vulnerable and disadvantaged children, but we are also committed to doing what we can to protect the planet for those same children to enjoy when they grow up. Our volunteers work tirelessly to launder, repair, and breathe life back into used items, ensuring they are in good, safe, working condition for their recipients.

Diverting good condition items from landfill is so important to Big Group Hug and our volunteers, that we were elated to open a pilot satellite hub in Airport West with a target of diverting 65 tons from landfill.

‘The Sustainable Collective by Big Group Hug’ will expand upon our work in Melbourne’s north, enabling us to provide material aid to children in Western Melbourne with greater ease.

The new hub will serve communities across the West, introducing Big Group Hug to a new cohort of supporters and welfare agency partners, enabling residents in surrounding LGAs to donate items for rehoming without needing to travel 20km to Bundoora.

The program is supported by the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria Communities Fund via Sustainability Victoria, which provided Big Group Hug a grant of $235,472 for “collecting and upcycling pre-loved items for children” and “distributing the items to families experiencing hardship, in Western Melbourne and surrounding areas” in Round 1 of funding. The grant application was supported by our sister charity, the Caroline Chisholm Society.

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 June 2022there have been:

a. no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and b.no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit or review.

UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 TO DIRECTORS OF BIG GROUP HUG LTD

Zeina Therese Moran B.Ec CA th October 2022

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report

We have audited the financial report of Big GroupHugLtd, which comprises the statement of assets and Liabilitiesas at 30 June 2022, the statement of income and expenditure, and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial

In our opinion the financial report of BigGroupHugLtdhas been prepared in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 (ACNC Act), including: (a) 22and of its financial performance for the year ended on that date; and (b)complying with Australian Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 1, and Division 60 the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further f the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Emphasis of Matter Basis of Accounting

We draw attention to Note 1to the financial report, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial report has been a result, the financialreport may not be suitable for another purpose. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Responsibility of the Responsible Entities for the Financial Report

The responsible entities of the registered entity are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and have determined that the basis of preparation described in Note 1to the financial report is appropriate to meet the includes such internal control as the responsible entities determine is necessary to enable the preparation of a financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the fina a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the responsible entities either intend to liquidate the registered entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Audit

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole are free from material t that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements canarise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resultingfrom error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the responsible entities.

the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant

uch disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with the responsible entities regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Level 1, 650 Nicholson Street North Carlton VIC 3054

ZeinaTherese Moran B.EcFCA th October 2022

MORAN Chartered Accountants

Comment on increased employment costs: These changes are in line with new strategic decision to employ a small paid staff to lift the organisation so it can operate at a professional level, with individual accountability, for the advancement of our charitable purpose and the communities we support.

The opportunities to work with us are endless and our volunteers come from all walks of life. From repairing goods, washing and sorting donations, to offering professional skills like marketing and IT support, we regard every gesture as a valuable gem that helps uplift our organisation. If you would like to join our incredible volunteer task force, please visit our website.

If you can make a financial donation or fundraise to help cover some of our essential items (e.g. formula, nappies, toiletries, underwear, cots, prams, car seats etc) or operating costs like insurance, rent, utilities, etc. – all of which are vital for us to do what we do – the Big Group Hug team will be incredibly grateful!