Anne Goldsbrough, AM
Chair of the Board
As we reflect on the past year, I am proud to present Better Place Australia’s FY24 Annual Report. The theme for this year, Finding Your Better Place. One Place. Better Place, underscores our ongoing mission to provide people with a space where they can find hope, support, and better determine their future.
At the heart of everything we do is our vision: An Australia where all people experience positive relationships, truly value each other, and live safer, more fulfilling lives. This vision drives us forward every day. Our purpose, to empower people to become more resilient and experience improved well-being to better determine their futures, informs how we design and deliver our services.
FY24 has been a year of significant progress for Better Place Australia. We have maintained a 95% client satisfaction rate, a testament to the quality and care that define our services. After three years of intentional effort, we were proud to receive the Rainbow Tick, recognising our work in building an inclusive organisation that welcomes all.
This year also marked a leadership transition with the appointment of a new Chair and the development of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan. This plan, created through a thoughtful review process with Board involvement, sets the stage for our future growth and direction. Our voice has been heard in key governmental forums, with invitations to participate in roundtables on Family Law, Family Violence, and Mental Health, further amplifying the experiences and the needs of our clients.
Financially, we have maintained a strong position, ending the year with a surplus due to careful cost management and the benefits of favourable interest rates. This has enabled us to reinvest in our staff development, leadership and service improvements to better meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve and the strength of our organisation.
We are also mindful of the challenges that lie ahead. FY25 will be a financially constrained year, as in some circumstances our program funding has not kept pace with increased operational costs driven in part by Fair Work Commission pay adjustments. Additionally, the impact of the rising cost of living is creating additional stress for many families, manifesting in complex issues that our services across the organisation are increasingly called on to address.
Despite these hurdles, our programs continue to expand. Our aged care navigating service and group therapy programs in aged care facilities are thriving, and our suicide postvention program, HOPE, is producing strong, evidence-based outcomes. Yet, the critical increase in understanding of the breadth and depth of family violence in the community, and its relevance and impact on our clients must at each turn be acknowledged and responded to. This is reflected in the growing demand for our elder abuse prevention services, yet changes in funding in this discrete area remain a critical concern to us, leading to an impact on specialised workers in this area.
As we turn toward FY25 and beyond, our new 5-year Strategic Plan will guide us. This plan focuses on cultural transformation, strengthening services through insights from lived experience, and pursuing innovative growth to address unmet community needs. Our research through the Centre for Better Relationships is shining a light on key areas, such as the challenges faced by those transitioning into aged care, while our Children’s Contact Service continues to grow.
Our ongoing work remains guided by our vision and purpose, and I am confident that we are well-positioned to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteer Board, dedicated staff, and generous funders—both Federal and State Governments, as well as our partners in Primary Health Networks. Your commitment and support are essential in helping Better Place Australia achieve its purpose of empowering people to overcome challenges and improve their well-being.
As you read through this report, I hope you feel assured that we are using our resources responsibly, making meaningful progress, and continuing to support our clients with care, innovation, and integrity.
Warm regards,
Anne Goldsbrough, AM
Chair, Better Place Australia