In May 2012 the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Council, Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland and Gold Coast Drug Council merged to form Live Life Well .
The merger provided an opportunity for the Board and Management to review how and what the focus of our corporate services should be to ensure that the best possible support would be provided.
This saw the realignment of our corporate services.
The Corporate Service area supports the Live Life Well Group, including the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Council (QDAC), providing professional services to support the delivery of broad range of QDAC’s services and programs in Queensland.
The Finance Team provides services in financial and management accounting, audit and risk management, financial analysis, reporting and compliance. They manage and coordinate QDAC’s budget monitor and report on our financial position, including preparation of the financial statements. They also manage our payroll and leave management and oversee the organisation’s salary sacrificing program.
2011-12 was a busy year for the Finance Team. This was primarily driven by the merger process which began in late 2011.
In 2011-12 there were a number of significant achievements including:
• merging all finances functions across the Live Life Well Group starting with the due diligence process in October 2011
• review of the Finance System
• creation of the CFO position
• restructure and expansion of the team to meet the new demands of the merged group of
• integration of payroll across the group.
Human Resources (HR) provides a suite of HR management and advisory services to ADFQ’s managers and staff. This
includes HR policy development, performance management, professional development, recruitment and selection, reward and recognition and industrial and employee relations.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is responsible for managing our central IT capability and delivering IT services to staff across sites.
ICT provides the support, maintenance and management
of information systems and computing infrastructure. QDAC’s day-to-day IT support is provided by Centra Networks.
The major focus during the year was the setup of the computer network and the VOIP telephone system to ensure staff has the resources needed to do their work. The remote location provided challenges to the capabilities and functionality of the systems as internet access is limited to one ADSL 2 line to the site. This is not expected to be addressed until the National Broadband Network is rolled out in the area.
The ICT projects undertaken in 2011-12 will support integration of systems in the merged environment in the future.
Quality Assurance works with managers and staff to develop policies and procedures that underpin the achievements of quality improvement and quality assurance objectives. They lead and coordinate the development and implementation of processes that ensure the continued accreditation status.
The development of a quality manual including policies and procedures was completed during the year. This manual will be regularly reviewed as the service evolves, particularly in
relation to culturally appropriate practice guided by the
Culturally Secure Standards.
James Cook University were engaged to undertake an initial evaluation of the service with a report presented to the advisory group. A response and action plan from the recommendations in the evaluation report
was under consideration at the end of June 2012.
The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) conducted a Risk Assessment in relation to management and governance systems.
While minimum standards were met, Risk Mediation Strategy was implemented to improve processes.
Work Place Health and Safety aims to ensure all of QDAC’s staff, volunteers, students and contractors are working in, or utilising a safe environment that is free from harm. QDAC is committed to ensuring that all our people understand their rights and responsibilities in regard to Workplace Health and Safety. The Workplace Health and Safety Officer works with staff to implement, monitor and evaluate a range programs and systems.
During the 2011-12 year, the concentration was on setting up safe systems of work and ensuring the Mareeba site was upgraded to meeting fire and workplace health and safety (WHS) compliance requirements.
There was a strong focus on the implementation of systems to meet compliance with the new Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 which commenced in January 2012.
A complete WHS assessment of the site was completed, a WHS plan and management system was developed, the WHS committee initiated and monthly meetings review progress on the plan. WHS training for staff and residents commenced and is ongoing.
As this site incorporates a future working farm, particular attention has been given to the guidelines for working safely in a rural environment. An expert WHS advisor was engaged to assist in the development of WHS policies and procedures appropriate to this environment.
Induction and ongoing training is provided to farm crews (staff and residents) in safe work procedures.
The Marketing and
Communications team works to enhance QDAC’s reputation and brand by managing key communication channels. Broad responsibilities include brand development and management;
public relations, media enquiries and corporate communications;
corporate print and digital media;
promotions and sponsorships;
corporate events and workshops;
online marketing, web content and design; and social media.
Established in January 2012 with the appointment of Sharon Broadley as manager, the marketing and communication area have had a busy six months up to June 2012 with a strong focus on internal communications to ensure that staff from the three founding entities of Live Life Well were kept informed and involved in the merger process. Another focus was engagement with our key stakeholders, including our local partners and funding bodies.
The most significant
achievements in 2011-12 included:
• a publication audit of QDAC communication materials
• development of new brand for Live Life Well, which includes co-branding with QDAC.