B . EXTERNAL CONTEXT
As an organisation , but also as individuals , we are all affected by local , national and global influences .
Although Australia appears to have avoided the worst of the Global Financial Crisis , it was a dominant influence on governments , business and confidence , particularly in the first 6 months of 2009 . With equity markets and government revenues down , we expected a significant tightening in government funding . However , the Victorian Bushfires and economic stimulus package meant that both our Federal and State Government funding increased .
Our charitable income increased slightly , although many philanthropic foundations either reduced or didn ‟ t make distributions and Workplace Giving was down slightly . Our investments in acquiring new donors continues to prove worthwhile .
Although unemployment rose , this wasn ‟ t as bad as expected . From our clients ‟ perspective , affordable housing remains the most pressing issue and it is hoped that the impact of the big boost in Social Housing and the Homelessness Strategy will be felt in 2010 .
The National Apology to the Forgotten Australians in Canberra on 16 November was a significant milestone for the 500,000 children and young people who grew up in institutions and the 8,000 child migrants from the UK .
Within Victoria , the devastation of Black Saturday continues to reverberate on the thousands of people who either lost family , friends , property or businesses , and many others in the wider community .
Because of our reputation and presence in Murrindindi , we became the largest of the Victorian Bushfire Case Management Services .
Child Abuse and Neglect received considerable community attention with the : -
1 . Launch of the first National Framework for Protecting Australia ‟ s Children , a 10 year Action Plan agreed by the Federal , State / Territory Governments and non-government organisations to achieve a sustained reduction in child abuse and neglect .
2 . The Out of Home Care campaign , which resulted in an additional $ 134 million over 4 years to improve the capacity and quality of Victoria ‟ s Out of Home Care system . 3 . The Ombudsman ‟ s Annual Report and specific Report on Child Protection , which provoked considerable media attention and additional $ 77 million over 4 years .
The Department of Human Services ( DHS ) was split into Health / Aged Care and DHS , with a new DHS Secretary , Gill Callister .
There were a number of reviews which may impact in the future – the Henry Tax Review , the Productivity Commission ‟ s Review of the Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector , a review of Private Prescribed Funds ( now Private Ancillary Funds ) and ongoing COAG reform agenda .
The Office of the Community Sector ( a response to the Strengthening Community Organisations Project and State Services Australia Review on Reducing the Regulatory Burden on Not for Profits ) struggled to find its place .
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