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Annual Report 2008-09

This financial year has been exciting and we have played an advocacy role more than has been usual in the recent past.   Our media exposure has been quite high and positively received.    We have been given very significant exposure on 5AA through Amanda Blair and this has been extremely helpful.

Our services have operated really well this year but in the latter months it became clear that in several program areas the next financial year was going to be one of transition. In particular the new Federal Government changed the way in which employment services were to be delivered in the future.  Some of the changes were very exciting and required us to think about our responses very carefully.   The changes were designed during the prosperous times but as the global financial crisis emerged some of these changes will require review.    The global financial crisis has had some impact on OARS SA but we have not been harmed in any major way.   Our investment income is down slightly, but we are not exposed to the share market and as such exposure to reduced interest rates has been our only risk.

As a result of our concerns about the rapidly escalating prisoner numbers in South Australia we developed a 10 point plan to reduce prison overcrowding.   This has been perceived by some to be a criticism of the Department for Correctional Services but it is simply not the case.  It is a criticism of Government public policy that seems based on populist thinking and not evidence.   We have called for a review of the legislative and policy changes that have elevated prison numbers significantly, and have highlighted some of the issues which are self evident about the consequences of housing nearly 2000 people in facilities designed for a much smaller population.

We will continue to provide high quality services for people who have offended, and their families, and advocate for evidence based policy change at all levels.   We have been unable to attract funding to assist the children of offenders in any significant way but are still exploring funding options. 

I would also like to add my sincere thanks to the Board, staff and volunteers who do so much fabulous work for our organisation and directly for our clients.  Staff in particular have shown the type of  flexibility and resilience that is well known in small to medium sized Non-Government Organisations. The future looks very bright indeed.

Leigh Garrett

Chief Executive Officer