Novita Annual Report 2012 (Large file - PDF - 4Mb )

Novita AuxiliariesOver the past year, I haveappreciated the opportunity toattend the meetings of many ofNovita’s Auxiliaries across thestate. I continue to be impressedby the energy and generosity ofthese volunteers who help in somany ways to support our cause.Our Auxiliaries have a long andproud history over many decades,raising considerable funds to helpchildren and young people withdisability, as well as positivelypromoting our organisation.The Port Neill/Cleve andDistricts Auxiliary, for example,is one of more than 20 auxiliarygroups across metropolitanAdelaide and throughout regionalSouth Australia. They help supportNovita’s work by raising funds forequipment and allied healthservices, and promoting ourwork within the community. Theyalso advocate for people withdisabilities, and volunteer to helpwith events and administration.Founded in 1976 they have raisedmore than $600,000 for Novita.Novita also honoured itshundreds of volunteers duringNational Volunteer Week, heldin May 2012. It provided anopportunity for Novita to expressappreciation and highlight theimportant contribution volunteersmake to our organisation and thechildren and young people andtheir families we support.Building our reputationBuilding our reputation and standingin the community is important toour success. During the year, wemaintained our focus on raisingour profile and increased ourfundraising efforts.Novita’s volunteers andsupporters again providedoutstanding support by participatingin many events and activities,which helped promote our cause.Through their generosity and hardwork they continued to raisesignificant funds for our clients.For the second year, Novitasupported Ability First Australia’sannual Walk with Me event byholding an activity in BonythonPark early in spring 2011. Morethan 300 clients, families andsupporters participated in a funday filled with activities. They wereled by Novita clients, NathanArkley and Jesse Aungles, whowere accompanied by our Patron,His Excellency Rear Admiral KevinScarce AC CSC RANR, Governorof South Australia, and Mrs Scarce,the Hon Carmel Zollo MLC, VickieChapman MP, Novita AmbassadorsJohn Hughes and Michele Colmer,and Novita clients, Morgan Cooperand Riley Stubing. More than 20groups laced up their runners inSeptember and participated in theCity-Bay Fun Run. They raisedmore than $20,000 for Novita.In late spring, the RainbowCommittee, led by long-timesupporter Pamela Wall OAM,again held a luncheon in thebeautiful rose garden at CarrickHill. On a perfect afternoon, 160guests enjoyed wonderful foodand wine, and raised muchneeded funds for Novita.Central District Football Club(CDFC) continued its support in2011 and, in a historic event, worea Novita-inspired guernsey in theirminor premiership match againstNorwood, late in the SANFLseason. CDFC had not altered itsred, white and blue colours in theclub’s history, but did so in supportof Novita. Following their historicwin, players signed their guernseysand donated them to Novita toauction. This proved verysuccessful, raising thousands ofdollars from the auction and otheractivities on the day. CDFC playersalso attended Novita eventsthroughout the year, helping outwherever possible. Novitaappreciates the relationship it hasdeveloped with CDFC.Following several months offundraising and preparations, 32crews embarked on the fifth annualWest End Mighty River Run. Theevent, again helmed by NovitaAmbassadors Jason ‘Snowy’Carter (Mix102.3) and John Riddell(Channel 7), cruised from Waikerieto Goolwa and the Murray Mouth.Crews, many of them in ski boats,were granted permission to crossLake Alexandrina, which was ahighlight for all participants.Friendships were formed andrenewed, and the event raised$158,000 for Novita which is ourhighest amount to date, taking thetotal raised across five years of thisfundraiser’s operation to $563,000.12 novita children’s serivces annual report