REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE NINETENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2007 has been a landmark year for the Elderly Australian Chinese Homes. EACH celebrated its 20th Anniversary. It was fitting that it was during this Anniversary year that we were able to finalise financing and start construction on our most ambitious project - the Castle Hill Aged Care Facility.

OPERATION

The principal activities of the organization during the reporting period remained unchanged focusing on provision of a wide range of aged care services with quality and continuity to the elderly care recipients.

1. Croydon Hostel

Sixteen rooms at the Croydon Hostel were taken up as of October 2007. We now have 14 female and 2 male residents between the ages of 77 and 94 years old. There are also over 100 financially disadvantaged persons on the waiting list.

The hostel care service was provided in compliance with the accreditation standards and various legislative requirements, adopting the philosophy of continuous improvement. Two unannounced site audit and spot check were completed successfully by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency on 25 January 2007 and 22 August 2007 respectively. The Aged Care Act now requires that the Agency carry out at least one spot check annually at all aged care facilities. Our facility was found compliant with all aged care standards and outcomes. Details of Croydon Hostel can now be browsed from the website of the Department of Health and Ageing.

To keep us abreast of the latest development in aged care, training for all levels of staff were arranged to update their skills, policies and procedures manuals and Resident Handbook were reviewed and revised to make our services competitive in the industry. Meetings were held regularly throughout the year with residents, their families and relatives, and staff to seek their views and feedback on a wide range of issues concerning residential care.

2. Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)

The Community Aged Care Packages (CACP), also known as home care or community care, is a planned and co-ordinated package of care services to meet the specific needs of individual elderly in their homes. The purpose is to enable the elderly to continue to stay in the comfort of their homes and be with the community while still having the services they need. Our 35 packages were granted by the Department of Health and Ageing. The services include personal care, meal on wheels, laundry, housework, mowing, assistance in shopping, visiting doctors and dentists, bill paying, outings and activities, and counselling. Two satisfaction surveys were conducted with the clients and carers in the past 12 months on quality of our home care services. Results were analysed to form a basis to improve our home care service.

3. Day Care Centre

The Day Care Centre at 35A Murray Street, Croydon opens from Monday to Friday. Daily attendance varies depending on individual needs of the clients. Its objective is to provide a haven for the frail aged who cannot cope with their daily chores while their family is at work or in school. Services include personal care, showering, counselling, light exercise, Chinese pay TV, meals and mahjong games. Mahjong games have now been arranged for every Wednesday. The centre achieves much in helping many people to set their mind at ease by putting their elderly parents under our care when they are at work during the daytime. Renovation work in the front yard and driveway was conducted and completed in January 2007 to enhance accessibility safety for the elderly clients.

4. Chester Court

The five purpose built villas at 61 Priam Street, Chester Hill are providing secure accommodation for nine elderly occupants. In addition to the role of an estate management agent, our organisation also offered aged care services for the tenants. They comprised personal hygiene, counselling, meals on wheels, house cleaning, gardening, mowing, parties and outings. Meetings were held regularly to listen to the various needs of the elderly tenants. Services were reviewed and improvements were made from time to time for the benefit of the elderly occupants.

5. Thursday Elderly Activities (TEA)

The Thursday Elderly Activity was held every Thursday at the First Scout Hall in 17 Waimea Street within walking distance from Burwood Station. The number of participants is around 60. The activities were specially designed to meet the needs of the elderly participants with the objective to break their social isolation as a result of their cultural background, and language and accessibility problems. The most popular activities were light exercise, singing, bingo, mahjong games, festival celebration parties, health talks and police talks. The TEA was successfully run with contributions from a number of regular volunteers. On 19 October 2006 TEA held a “Know Your Medicine” workshop funded by Burwood Council. On 15 March 2007 TEA held a Seniors Week Yum Cha Party. A Dragon Boat Festival Party was held in June 2007. These activities are only a small example of the many activities held under TEA’s supervision every year.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

1. Construction of the Castle Hill Aged Care Home

EACH has achieved a great deal in planning and now finally building its 48-ensuite room aged care facility project at Castle Hill. A rigorous tender process was applied to identify a finance provider and construction manager. After much deliberation and consideration by the Board, the financing mandate was awarded to ANZ Bank and the construction contract was awarded to Taylor Projects Group. A Tripartite Agreement between EACH, ANZ Bank and Taylor Projects Group has been executed. Construction is well under way, on time, on budget and is due for completion in late 2008.

2. Fundraising Dinner

Listed below are some of the EACH fundraising events that have been successfully conducted or are currently being finalised for 2007.

Family Fun Day

Honda Jazz Fundraising

Donate a Brick Campaign with 2CR and 2ac

HKTVB Artistes Promotion by TVBJ

Hwa Sheng Chorus Concert

Raffle Draw

3. 20th Anniversary Dinner and Anniversary Publication

The 20th Anniversary Dinner was held on 1 September 2007 at the Marigold Restaurant. The dinner was a great success due to the tireless effort of EACH staff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. It was attended by some 400 guests and netted proceeds of over $41,000.

An EACH 20th Anniversary Commemorative Publication was produced by a task committee specially formed for the purpose. The publication was a great success with many positive responses from the readers. Its content included information and history about EACH, precious photographs of its activities in the last two decades, many financial sponsors and congratulatory messages from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition are among high profile public figures.

4. Seniors Week Party

EACH successfully held a seniors week celebration party for the elderly Chinese at Concord Senior Citizen’s Centre on Saturday, 17 March 2007. It was attended by many local politicians and over 200 participants. The theme was “Love Life and It Will Love You Back” to encourage elderly people to lead a positive and healthy life. The program of the day included lion dance, Cantonese opera singing, games, raffle draw and a hot and sumptuous lunch.

5. Festival Celebrations and Outings

Apart from the traditional Chinese Moon Festival, many other parties are organised by EACH throughout the year to celebrate with its elderly clients the various festivals such as the Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival and Christmas. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are also celebrated to pay tribute to the elderly parents. Outings and yum cha sessions were arranged regularly to provide a day of joy and food to those elderly who are very much house bound.

6. Adviser Appointment

The Board confirmed in January 2007 the following people as EACH advisers for the period up to 2009.

Hon Helen Sham-Ho JP	Hon Dr Peter Wong AM
Mr Robert Ho OAM JP	Mr Frank Chou OAM JP
Mr Ken So JP	Mr Amen Lee JP
Mr Peter Ching JP	Mr Eric Tam
Mr William Yee	Mr John Lee JP

7. EACH Annual Gathering

The Board held a gathering at Croydon Hostel on 24 February 2007 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It was attended by residents, Directors, staff, volunteers and their families. It provided a very good opportunity for people to get to know each other and to chat and exchange views.

CONCLUSION

EACH, the staff, the directors, advisers, our residents, family, friends and volunteers are deservingly proud of the achievements of the organisation over the past twenty years. The organisation has much to be proud of given our continuing commitment to the provision of quality aged care service to the Chinese community. Much work has been done for the betterment of our community but there is still more work to achieve. While honouring our commitments, we pledge to continue our efforts to implement the vision of our organisation as to benefit the elderly within our community.

As a charitable and public benevolent organisation, we fully understand that we are accountable to our clients, the community, our supporters, sponsors and volunteers. The opportunity is taken to express our sincere thanks to their support and generous donations over the years. We look forward to your continued support in the years to come. Our dream of the Castle Hill Aged Care Home is becoming a reality as we speak. Please help us to live the dream and continue the journey with us.

Andrew Su                              Dr Cecilia Fong
Secretary                                Chairperson

Dated at Sydney this 19 October 2007