Proximity Impact Report 2024

Impact Report 2024

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders past and present.

We recognise their deep and enduring connection to land, sea and community, and the ongoing cultural and spiritual significance it holds.

Bringing The Outside In Acrylic on canvas, 2021

By Kamilaroi artist Leah Brideson.

A metaphorical representation of Proximity’s core values; genuine, bold and helpful. Interconnected with the local environment and panoramic views, this artwork sings of the collaboration, relationships and reciprocity in both the workspace and on Country.

The original triptych can be viewed at Proximity’s Canberra office.

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Impact Report

Proximity, a multidisciplinary consultancy to Government, is dedicated to giving back to the communities within which it operates.

This is driven by our founders’ belief in the value of pro bono work contributing to both the communities we serve and our team of 100 plus staffs’ sense of purpose.

This inaugural Impact Report sets a benchmark for progress in environmental and social initiatives.

Our efforts, grouped into Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, and Client Impact, highlight key achievements that include reaching net zero emissions and expanding our pro bono work. We remain committed to embedding ESG into every aspect of our business.

We know our clients and employees want to partner with ethical, purpose-driven organisations, and we are focused on meeting those expectations. Proximity’s leadership is united in creating a positive legacy, taking meaningful steps to address the climate crisis, improve lives, and contribute to societal wellbeing.

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Environmental stewardship Proximity is actively working to minimise its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Waste Minimisation accreditation In FY24 we were recognised as an accredited Waste Minimisation Sustainable Business in the ACT Government’s Sustainable Business Program. We’re committed to reducing waste through a comprehensive waste management system and the use of sustainable products.

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Impact Report

As of June 2024, we’ve achieved net zero emissions We’ve reduced our emissions inventory by:

An office fit out that prioritised sustainability.

Implementing activities to reduce both gas and electricity consumption.

Decarbonising our supply chain and where possible, transitioning to sustainable suppliers.

Reducing nonessential staff travel.

Implementing waste management practices to reduce waste generation and increase waste diversion rates.

Diverting compostables out of landfill and into community gardens.

Embedding sustainability principles across the business.

Conducted training and awareness programs to educate key staff about emissionsrelated aspects of the business.

We aim to reduce our emissions to zero, but we know it will take time to do this sustainably.

In the meantime, we’re eager to act!

So, we currently invest in programs that build global sustainability while offsetting our emissions as we decarbonise.

By doing this, we support projects and communities around the world on their own paths to reducing emissions.

We’ve committed to continuosly achieving a net carbon

footprint of zero each year.

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Carbon Offset Project Spotlights

Wind Power Electricity Generation Project Standard: Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Location: 15 locations across India Details: The project annually exports approximately 348,000 MWh of renewable energy to the Indian grid which has an emissions intensity of 0.9368 tCO2/ MWh. Impact: The project helps meet Gujarat’s electricity demand, reduces emissions, improves grid reliability, and alleviates poverty.

Safe Water Project in Rwanda Standard: Gold Standard Location: Southern Province, Rwanda Details: The project maintains and repairs boreholes in Rwanda, providing clean water and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Impacts: Safe drinking water reduces biomass use, improves hygiene, reduces indoor air pollution, and alleviates social and health issues.

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Impact Report

Supply Chain Sustainability We’ve made significant strides in embedding sustainability into our procurement processes.

We’ve done this by:

Reviewing our supply chain, covering 52 categories across 7 business functions and identifying 80 sustainable alternatives.

Choosing new sustainable suppliers such as First Nations-owned catering and eco-friendly gifts.

We’ve integrated modern slavery, reconciliation actions, and environmental sustainability into our broader business management.

We launched our sustainable procurement initiative to advocate for change within the community, encouraging suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices.

Plus, we’ve committed to transitioning 20% of our goods and services to sustainable suppliers in FY25.

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Social Responsibility We are dedicated to supporting our communities.

We understand that sustainable, positive community impact requires a conscious and collective effort. Our team shares common values and want to be part of something greater.

Our Community Themes • Improving mental health • Progressing reconciliation and Indigenous empowerment • Preventing domestic and family violence

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Impact Report

Volunteering our services and expertise for the greater good We were the first incorporated legal practice to become a signatory to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s Aspirational Pro Bono Target of 35 hours per annum per lawyer, and Proximity has exceeded that target each year.

Pro bono is an important way we have made a positive impact on the communities we live in. Importantly, our pro bono isn’t limited to legal advice - we provide our full suite of consulting, legal, and commercial services to community organisations as required.

Snapshot of our 2024 social contribution

2024 was largest total pro bono hours ever!

63%

6th

consecutive year

meeting the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s aspirational targets.

38

of all staff engaged in ESG related activities

162

hrs of probono per lawyer

~$368k

Value of pro bono

work days went to pro bono work

worth of pro-bono support, donations and community partner event attendance.

Total legal pro bono for Proximity 1800 1600

$700k

1400

$600k

1200

$500k

1000

$400k

800

$300k

600

$200k

400

$100k

200

$-

0 FY21

FY22

FY23

FY24

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

FY24

Total legal hrs

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Our Community Partners and the support they receive from us We focus on long-term, sustainable support for a limited number of organisations that contribute to one or more of our Community Themes.

Women’s Legal Centre Women’s Legal Centre is a small specialist legal service that provides help and representation to disadvantaged women in the ACT. The Centre has limited staff and financial resources.

In 2024 Proximity provided: • A full time lawyer seconded for approximately 6 months to the Women’s Legal Centre.

• Office space for 10 to 15 staff over a 6-week period. This saved the organisation $50,000 in short-term tenancy fees, and provided opportunities for our teams to mingle, including as part of our run club, Friday afternoon team drinks, cups of tea throughout the day and lunchtime conversations.

• Christmas cash monetary donation of $1000.

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Impact Report

Menslink Menslink works with young men in the Canberra region, delivering free counselling, volunteer mentoring and education programs. Proximity is Menslink’s longest standing pro bono partner, we’ve been providing pro bono support to Menslink for over eight years.

Fearless Women Fearless Women is an outreach and support service dedicated to girls and young women in the Canberra region. Fearless Women aims to create a community that encourages and equips girls and young women to be what they want to be through connection, empowerment, individuality, care, integrity, and ultimately, fearlessness.

In 2024 we supported Menslink through: • Free consulting, legal and commercial support.

• Attendance at the annual Menslink Big Night Out—Proximity funded a table of 10 staff to attend the event. Staff were selected as recognition for their work efforts.

• $2000 to bid on silent auction items at the Menslink Big Night Out, as recognition awards for our staff throughout the year.

• Christmas cash monetary donation of $1000.

In 2024 Proximity supported Fearless Women via: • Free consulting, legal and commercial support.

• Attendance at the Fearless Women’s fundraising BIG Lunch at the National Press Club.

• Christmas cash monetary donation of $1000.

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Farm in Galong Farm in Galong is a not-for-profit charitable organisation located in country NSW. It was established to support women who have completed rehabilitation from alcohol and other drug misuse and wish to consolidate their recovery.

Proximity has provided support for the Farm since its inception as a not-for-profit in 2018.

Inclusive Australia Inclusive Australia is an alliance of passionate organisations and individuals working together to drive social inclusion and influence change. Inclusive Australia seeks to bring people together from different walks of life to break down barriers and prejudices and ultimately achieve long-term behavioural change that will decrease the social and economic cost of exclusion.

ACT Law Society Pro Bono Program Proximity has supported various pro bono initiatives run by the ACT Law Society and is a longstanding contributor to the Pro Bono Clearing House, providing support each year to assess applications and recommend referral for pro bono support.

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Impact Report

In 2024 we supported The Farm via: • Free legal and consulting support.

• Christmas cash monetary donation of $1000.

• Contribution of $2500 to fund the upgrade of The Farm’s fire system.

• Staff volunteering day to help with the garden.

In 2024 Proximity provided Inclusive Australia with: • Free legal, consulting and commercial services throughout the year as needed.

“There are not many commercial firms that have a genuine and strong connection to pro bono in the way that Proximity does.

Staff at Proximity are encouraged to regularly engage in pro bono work and are provided opportunities to do so in ways that suit their expertise, working style, and current client commitments.

The wonderful and close relationship that Proximity has with its community partners reflects the firm’s attitude and unwavering commitment to its community.

I take great pride in knowing that our pro bono work goes beyond simple advice and rather, focuses on offering a complete suite of services to ensure that our community partners not only get the answer to their question, but also the tools and strategies required for implementation”.

Subi Ramesh –Advisor, Proximity

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Reconciliation Action Plan

In 2021, Proximity commenced its formal reconciliation journey, adopting a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This RAP outlines the initial steps Proximity is taking to make systemic and sustainable contributions across our organisation to support reconciliation.

We have made tangible improvements to our collective understanding of, and engagement with, First Nations Australians in our communities.

Our Reconciliation Working Group is currently: • • • • •

Incorporating indigenous suppliers into our supply chain.

Embedding cultural sensitivity into our service delivery.

Having a more positive and culturally appropriate impact on the communities we work in.

Supporting the firm to engage with Indigenous-owned business Anaiwan Advisory on a client project.

Facilitating Aboriginal Cultural Capability training via BlackCard, a wholly Aboriginal-owned organisation.

Our Reconciliation Working Group is focussed on incorporate more indigenous perspectives through our Reconciliation Action Plan, our business and relationships with indigenous suppliers and corporate partners.

We’re currently self-evaluating the implementation of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, with the intention of engaging with Reconciliation Australia in FY24-25 to draft and implement an Innovate RAP.

Supplier spotlight Ribanas Catering Founded in 2017, Ribanas Catering is the creation of two indigenous brothers brought together in Canberra, ACT. Ribanas showcase traditional indigenous food into their menus and is 100% Indigenous owned and operated.

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Impact Report

Community events to celebrate First Nations culture

Throughout each year, we host a range of community events, across our Canberra and Melbourne teams that acknowledge and pay respect to First Nations people. Over FY23-24 more than half of our employees attended at least one of our in house or community events.

These included: • •

Reconciliation Week 2024 – National Gallery luncheon and Vincent Namatjira tour NAIDOC Week – ‘Connection’ exhibition tour at The LUME Melbourne for Melbourne team and families, guided tour of First Australians exhibition at the National Museum of Australia

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Diversity and inclusion At Proximity we believe that work should be a positive part of your life. We strive to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their individual and combined potential.

We embrace the growth mindset and support our team to go further.

We do this by providing a: • • • • • • • •

85%

of staff claimed the annual Health and Wellbeing Allowance.

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Impact Report

Health and wellbeing allowance for all staff Dedicated career and wellbeing manager Formal mentoring program Active staff recognition program Wellbeing & birthday surprises Professional development allowance Paid parental and paternity leave program Active buddy program

98%

of people would recommend Proximity as a great place to work.

96%

of employees increased capability and skills in FY 24.

Proximity is an employer that genuinely promotes and supports gender equality and is made up of a diverse team of talented individuals. We offer flexible working arrangements enabling staff to choose meaningful part-time work or non-traditional working hours. In 2024, 100% of staff accessed flexible working arrangements at some point in the year.

Improving team physical and mental health through social Run/Walk Club initiative Proximity’s Run/Walk Club goes every Friday afternoon rain, hail or shine.

Catering for all fitness levels, it provides a great finish the week with a stress releasing run or walk together.

It’s a safe and positive space outside of work for colleagues to connect, while also improving their physical and mental health. Qualified mental health firstaiders take part each week huffing and puffing around the course to be there as a helpful ear for anyone in need of someone to talk to.

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Client impact At Proximity, our purpose is to empower people to do extraordinary work in public service.

We are proud to deliver highquality, specialist support to government agencies across the public sector that has real impact.

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Impact Report

We deliver impactful projects across all five of the Treasury’s Measuring What Matters Framework.

Some notable projects of impact in FY 2024 This is just a snapshot of some of the projects that our team has worked on that are delivering lasting positive impacts to the Australian Community.

National Centre for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

Murray-Darling Basin: Water Purchasing Program

The National Centre for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse was created to improve outcomes for victims and survivors while working to prevent future abuse. The Centre leads advocacy, services, and governance practices in collaboration with state and territory governments. Proximity supported the Department by developing the Centre’s business case, organisational design, and delivery strategy, including facilitating the procurement process for selecting the service delivery provider.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority works to ensure the sustainable management of water resources across the Basin. A critical water purchasing program was implemented to support environmental outcomes. Proximity developed a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and improvement (MERI) plan, enhancing transparency and building community confidence in this highly politicised sector.

Parks Australia: Probity and Procurement Parks Australia’s Major Projects Branch manages significant environmental and infrastructure projects across Australia’s protected areas. To ensure compliance and transparency, Proximity developed a comprehensive probity framework, risk assessment tools, and training programs. We provided ongoing probity advice on various procurement processes, focusing on issues like working in remote areas and interacting with Indigenous communities.

Environment Protection Reviews: Nature Positive Reforms The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) leads efforts to protect Australia’s biodiversity.

Proximity supported independent reviews of the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 and the international wildlife trade regulatory framework under the EPBC Act. These reviews provided action-oriented recommendations to enhance performance in line with the Government’s Nature Positive Plan.

Closing the Gap: Outcomes and Evidence Fund

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: Procurement Review

The Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund addresses over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system and family violence rates. Administered by the Department of Social Services, it funds initiatives to improve outcomes for Indigenous people. Proximity partnered with Anaiwan Advisory to ensure culturally appropriate and effective service design, delivery, and monitoring.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission oversees compliance and quality within the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Proximity conducted a review of the Commission’s procurement documentation, focusing on risk management and process documentation. This helped strengthen procurement capability and align practices with compliance objectives.

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Building capability across our APS clients

We understand that building sustainable capability is a priority for many APS agencies right now; its critical to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.

At Proximity, knowledge transfer is part of our DNA. Knowledge transfer comes in all shapes and sizes, from informal on-the-job learning through to structured training and is tailored for each client.

In 2024 we delivered knowledge transfer through:

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Impact Report

Our annual Proximity Day Out with over 150 attendees from 20 Government Departments. The full day program presented 12 sessions covering topics like managing cyber security risks, effective project management, maintaining integrity and ethical decision making, navigating change and transformation and best practice procurement and legal practices.

14 Legal CPD Webinars published to provide a resource

for Government Lawyers to gain their annual CPD points.

The publication of 20+ Thought

Leadership articles

delivered to clients through The Pulse, direct and via our website.

Formal one-on-one

coaching and training for clients.

Development of knowledge

products for specific projects.

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This inaugural Impact Report marks an important milestone for Proximity. As we continue to grow, so too does our ability to create meaningful, lasting change.

The achievements highlighted in this report—whether through our environmental initiatives, expanded pro bono efforts, or the positive impact on our clients—are just the beginning. They serve as a benchmark against which we will measure our progress in the years ahead.

Our commitment to embedding sustainability, responsibility, and social impact into all aspects of our business remains steadfast.

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Impact Report

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Level 2, 55 Blackall Street Barton, ACT 1800 959 885 proximity.com.au /Proximity @proximityaust Canberra | Melbourne | Sydney | Adelaide