21st
ANNUAL REPORT
17th OCTOBER 2013
KIRA
an Aboriginal term meaning ‘flame’ to represent the eternal flame that is always alight
in all of us
OUR MISSION
To provide quality support for people with disability to achieve their potential through
individualised programs and community engagement within a person centred, self
directed and flexible framework
OUR VISION
Empowering people with disability to live full and enriched lives
OUR VALUES
Welcome
Respect
Hope
Empowerment
Enablement
OUR PURPOSE
Kira believes that every person has value and a contribution to make
We are committed to supporting people to gain choice and control over their lives
We pride ourselves on our ability to effectively empower the lives of people with
disability
We acknowledge that everyone has a unique worth
Kira’s aim is to be responsive to individual need
Kira openly promotes employment opportunities for people with disability
I am the sum total of my choices
which make me who I am.
We are all of us unique.
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
2012/2013
CHAIRPERSON
Chris King
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Position Vacant
TREASURER
Julie Purves
SECTRETARY
Ngaire Young
Margaret Stagles
BOARD MEMBERS
Stuart Johnson
Judy Willock
AUDITOR
Gilles Chan
KIRA BOARD 2013
L-R standing, Judy Willock, Ngaire Young, Julie Purves, Stuart Johnson
L-R seated, Chris King, Sharon James
KIRA COUNCIL 2013
L-R , Matt, Dean, Tony, Michael
CHAIR’S REPORT
2013 has been a landmark year not just in Kira’s 21 year history but in the disability sector as a whole. It’s the
year when the NDIS received bipartisan political support and DisabilityCare trial sites are being rolled out
around the country. At the same time the introduction of the ACNC (Australian Charities and Not for Profit
Commission) introduced a whole new regulatory compliance regime.
Prior to this activity at the national level, our state disability sector was engaging in a development program to
enable DSC to match people and community need to supports and services. The My Way project was trialled
and this became the model for the WA launch site. In effect, from 2014-16, DSC will administer three
models: DisabilityCare, My Way and the existing system for those outside the launch areas.
2013 was also the year when Kira’s contract with DSC was up for renewal. Thanks to the efforts of our CEO
and after a lengthy, time consuming tender process, Kira successfully negotiated a contract for an expansion
of our current services. In effect, the new contract represents the end of our role as just an Alternatives to
Employment provider. From this month, in addition to our existing services we will be funded to provide
weekday overnight respite in home and at Elena House, Transition to Independent Living Support, Emergency
Respite, an Ageing with Disability Program, Vocational Pursuits and Transition to Employment options.
The challenge for the board has been to position Kira to ride these waves of change and not get dumped by
them! The need to strengthen the board has become apparent and we have cast a wider net in the search for
board members who have the skills and capacities required to take Kira to the next level. Having advertised
on the Australan Institute of Company Directors website we have two new prospects in our sights.
Kira’s Board:
We are fortunate to have a good mix of people on our Board already: some are parents with a long time
involvement, while others are interested members of the community with specific skills or expertise who
want to contribute. The past twelve months has been challenging: continuing ill health prevented our former
Treasurer, Brian Lund, from returning; and pressing family commitments have led to the recent resignation of
our Secretary, Margaret Stagles. I would like to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Fortunately, two
new members have stepped up to fill their places and we welcome Ngaire Young as Secretary and Julie Purves
as Treasurer.
Current Board Members are:
Secretary – Ngaire Young
Treasurer –Julie Purves
Committee member – Stuart Johnson
Committee member – Judy Willock
I’m pleased to say that all current board members are re-nominating for positions on the 2013/14 board.
Kira Council:
The Council has been revived under the mentorship of Carla Ford. The Board is fully committed to supporting
it to realise its potential. Matt’s report will outline its many achievements this year.
Staff
Our CEO, Sharon James has been with us for just over a year and under her strong leadership Kira has made
great strides in its transition from a parent run ‘cottage industry’ to a provider of wide ranging individualised
services. Her commitment to progress while maintaining the heart of Kira and remaining true to the original
vision for Kira is to be applauded.
Staff are also to be commended for their flexibility and willingness to embrace change. It has been a
challenging year for them and Kira is blessed with committed support workers, who show initiative, are
creative and have genuine enthusiasm and affection for Kira members. The nature and quality of their work
enables members to feel valued as participating, contributing members of society.
We are also grateful to our volunteers whose assistance is invaluable to support workers and members.
Sector Affiliations:
The Board continues to pursue opportunities to maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and
affiliates supportive of Kira and its objectives. We are committed to keeping ahead of developments in the
sector. To this end the Chair attended:

four DSC Board Chair Forums throughout the year, which have focused on changes to the Disabiity
Sector as they have unfolded, Sector Development Planning, the My Way project and Innovations and
Progression in Assistive Technology;

several seminars by the Partnership Forum (Dept of Premier and Cabinet) to learn about the roll-out
of the NDIS (DisabilityCare);

forums relating to the introduction of the ACNC (Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission)
and its implications for Kira.

WACOSS courses on: Websites, Social Media and Marketing; Risk Management; Innovation and
Adaptive Capacity: Reviewing Your Board’s Effectiveness.
Strategic Direction:
With so many changes occurring in the disability sector and at Kira
the board has made the decision to adopt one-year Strategic and Operational Plans. Our aim is for Kira to
be the provider of choice for individualised options and supports, offering person centred, flexible and self
directed opportunities which meet the goals and aspirations of our members.
There are many challenges in the future but I’d like to think that Kira has positioned itself to keep abreast
of the changing disability landscape - by being informed, proactive and open to the possibilities that
DisabilityCare will bring.
Acknowledgements:

Auditor – the Board would like to acknowledge and thank our auditors, UHY Haines Norton, for the
preparation of our audit for this AGM.

We are also grateful to Fleetwest for its donation to support one of our members to pursue his
ambitions in ballroom dancing and to Kinglsey Day Lodge that enabled us to purchase musical
instruments and an ipad for our members.
Chris KING
CHAIR
Kira Incorporated
17th October 2013
CEO’S REPORT
Happy 21st Birthday to Kira
As I sat contemplating the start of this report, reflecting on the year that has been the phone rang
and I had the opportunity of having a conversation with a parent who due to work commitments
moved South of Perth and consequently withdraw her son from Kira some months ago.
The parent stated that Kira was a good place, the best and provided an environment for her son
where he formed relationships and friendships with like minded individuals, an important aspect in
the lives of all individuals and more so for people with disability as it is something that does not
always come natural or easy.
To hear those words and at this particular time was really important- it is all too easy to get caught
up in the big ticket items and not really see or celebrate the achievements and good things that face
us on a daily basis.
Kira is about connectedness, it’s about real life experience and the formation of lifelong friends and
learning and more importantly, flexibility in its approach to supporting individuals in meeting their
outcomes.
Our achievements over the 2012 financial year reflect our commitment to assisting people with
disability to live a good life.
The past 12 months has been a challenging and yet exciting time at Kira and it is hard to believe that
we are preparing yet another annual report. Over the past 12 months the sector at both a National
and State level has been extremely busy resulting in positive change and improvements to serving
people with disability. This has included the establishment of the Australian Charities and Not for
Profits (ACNC), the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) including the recent
inclusion of WA and more recent a change in Government. Kira is proud to have been a part of these
changes and in positioning itself as a quality provider of individualised options for people with
disability.
Closer to home The Disability Services Commission sought, through a tender process to establish a
Panel of Disability Sector Organisations (Service Providers) to deliver a range of diverse, innovative
and flexible services to individuals with disability, living in Western Australia, in accordance with
individual plans and funding packages. Kira was successful in its submission and has entered into a
new 3 year contract. For Kira this means that we are able to expand upon and diversify our suite of
supports and options for people with disability and the meeting of unmet need within the WA
community. Kira is now able to provide a range of respite options from in-home and short and long
term stays at Kira to transitional and emergency respite. We were also successful in expanding upon
our geographical boundaries.
A more committed focus on member outcomes and person centeredness has resulted in a change of
process and operations within Kira and the way in which we conduct our business. Programs and
activities are self directed, individualised, responsive and flexible and provide for choice and control
about how and where supports are provided.
The Kira Council has remained as committed and passionate as ever advocating for all members of
Kira. They have worked tirelessly looking at new opportunities and projects and are currently
working through the Disability Service Standards so they can monitor the performance of Kira
against the meeting of the standards.
Kira is currently undergoing a quality evaluation, an independent evaluation contracted by the DSC
which is designed to measure the quality of our service. We look forward to the feedback and results
and the opportunity of continually improving upon all that we do.
We are designing a new web page to make it more reflective of who we are and what we do
ensuring for easy navigation.
I am particularly proud of Kira and all who contribute to its ongoing success at both a service
provision and financial level and thank you all for what has been a fantastic year.
To all our members thank you for choosing Kira and to your family and friends for all their support,
to our wonderful volunteers who contribute tirelessly and provide a wonderful service, to all our
students who have chosen Kira as their practical placement your contribution is valued and to our
wonderful and valued team of staff who remain totally committed and focused on our members
amidst all the improvements and changes! And to our wonderful Board who support and guide Kira
through the governance process and requirements as a not for profit provider.
Sharon James
Chief Executive Officer
Kira incorporated
17th October 2013
KIRA THANKS OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR 2012/2013
Julie Hawthorn
John Evans
Keri Larson
Meredith and Lynn Ford
TREASURER’S REPORT
It is important for any business to make a profit to be self-sustaining, and this is no different within
the Not for Profit Sector and for organisations such as Kira. It is incumbent on the Board of such
operations, along with the Management Team, to ensure the longevity of the programmes that drive
the mission statement and the organisation’s reason for being. From a financial perspective this
means that a surplus should be recorded each year, which will enable provision to be made for
future developments, allow for organic growth of the organisation and protect its future.
In 2013 Kira’s surplus of $81,159.67, or 4.47% of its income, is testament to the hard work put in by
Management and staff through what has been a financially challenging year.
A summary of the income and expenses streams demonstrates that 81.91% of our income is derived
from grants, the majority from DSC. Fees from Members for activities, membership and Elena House
retreats account for 16.28 % of the remainder of our income stream. In line with Sector standards,
Employee Expenses equate to 67.32% of monies expensed, while Vehicle Costs at 8.15% are a
significant cost for Kira. Direct expenses relating to Members activities, including Elena House,
account for 9.05% of our Expenses.
Kira has had a good year financially and it is important that the processes and policies relating to the
fiscal responsibility of operating Kira are understood by Management, Staff and the Board, especially
in the current climate of continuous change. Our financial position must keep improving so that we
continue to offer the range of services that make such a difference in the lives of our Members.
Julie Purves
Treasurer
Kira Incorporated
17th October 2013
Kira is about providing opportunity, opportunity
for secure space to experience new things and to
follow dreams and opportunities for development
and self-preservance that enable members to be
all they aspire to be.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Kira wishes to acknowledge and thank the following for
their continued contribution to Kira.
The Disability Services Commission
Silverfern IT
Anson Recruitment
Tune In Digital
UHY Haines Norton
Kingsley Day Lodge
Fleetwest
John Croft-Earth Rhythm
Kim Rodriguez Air conditioning
Commercial Cleaning Equipment
Ward Packaging
The Outdoor Centre, Osborne Park
Peter Meredith – DEAFinite
John Harris-Reticulation
Bowls WA
John Hughes
Wembley Golf Club
The Arena
Carramar Golf Club
ILC
City of Stirling
City of Joondalup
Thank You
I believe in myself,
I can do anything.
One direction. Yours.
Address:
2 Kilcairn Place
Greenwood WA 6024
Telephone:
(08) 9243 0366
Facsimile:
(08) 9243 1408
Postal:
PO Box 90
Greenwood WA 6924
Website:
www.kira.org.au