President’s report

I am pleased to be able to report that 2018/19 has been a strong and successful time for Diabetes SA as we have continued to deliver continuous improvements and programs.

However, the Board and management team were deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our respected board member, Paul Kerin. A lifelong supporter of charities he also led and advised boards of the Down Syndrome Society of SA and Orana. Living with type 1 diabetes, Paul died suddenly in December last year and his contribution to DSA’s future direction has been significant and he is sorely missed. Vale Paul.

The Board is working very hard and thriving on the current challenges. You will be able to see some new faces and read about them within this report. I welcome new Board members Liz Burtnik, Gary Neave and John Jovicevic. As I have said before, the skills and attributes of our board members has underwritten the best advice and direction on all major issues we deal with as we go through each passing year. I personally thank them all. The Board maintains an excellent working relationship with our CEO Angelique and her management team.

Our current Treasurer Colin Butterick is retiring from the Board at this AGM and is being replaced by John Jovicevic. Colin has been a member of the Board of Management since 28 June 2016, and our Treasurer since 28 February 2017. Colin came to us with over 24 years experience at an executive level in the financial services industry. His experience and his sage advice have been invaluable in steering our Association through some extremely important fiscal matters of investment and expenditure. This has put us in a sound financial position, not only for now but for the future and I, and fellow board members, will miss his guiding hand.

You may have noticed the difference in the presentation of this Annual Report. After completing a comprehensive process in the 2017/2018 financial year to develop a new brand strategy and brand identity, the team at Diabetes SA launched a new brand in November last year. The launch of the new brand included the redevelopment of the Diabetes SA website as well as the development of new printed collateral featuring the new image and messaging, with a focus on people and the diabetes community.

The two priority research areas, ‘diabetes prevention and detection’ have been identified and represent the gaps and needs across the key facets of the Association. Our research agenda will continue to focus on diabetes prevention and detection with an extension to specific target groups, including the high risk population; workplace; culturally and linguistically diverse population; and older people.

In November 2018 Diabetes SA was awarded full accreditation against the QIC Health & Community Standards. To continue with its process of continuous improvement, a quality improvement plan was also developed to ensure that DSA continues to maintain the high standards that we are especially proud of.

To quote our mission “To educate, advocate, support and fund research that provides better outcomes for people at risk or living with diabetes.” I believe that Diabetes SA is indeed well into the journey to succeed just that.

I am extremely proud of the Diabetes SA family and again, I warmly acknowledge and thank the CEO and each staff member and volunteer for their contributions to Diabetes SA as they continue to achieve for our members and the community of South Australia.

Peter Crouch
President