Annual Report 2020
The year at A Start in Life, 2019/20
COVID-19 turned 2019/20 upside down for the families we support. A Start in Life drew on its reserves to cover a fall in revenue and kept assistance to students close to the year before.
As classrooms moved online, we helped with devices and internet so siblings no longer had to share, and held on to funds for camps and excursions until they could run again.
From the reports of Allan Elliott, President, Neil Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, and Joe Hansell, Treasurer
Everything below comes from the 16-page report, written out here so it works with screen readers and search.
Alumni story
Mikaela went from School Captain to social worker
Mikaela was already a state basketball representative when she joined A Start in Life at 14, while her mother struggled with the costs of living remotely. Support covered uniforms, study materials and sport. She finished school as School Captain with an ATAR of 91.45, studied a Bachelor of Social Work with help for accommodation, food and transport, and now works in domestic violence and child protection.
The year at a glance
- given directly to students as assistance
- $793,802
- students received support for internet access
- 129
- students received new computers
- 41
- students were helped with extra-curricular costs
- 108
Source: A Start in Life Annual Report 2020, pages 2, 6 and 14.
Support provided in 2019/20
- 129 students received support for internet access
- 118 students received textbooks and stationery
- 113 students received new school uniforms
- 108 students were helped with extra-curricular costs
- 64 students attended school camps and excursions
- 45 students benefited from remedial tuition
- 41 students received new computers
- 7 tertiary students received work placement grants
- 7 students were treated for a medical condition affecting their studies
Who we supported
- Early childhood 5%, primary 28%, high school 41%, tertiary 26%
- 72% lived in single mother families, 13% single father, 10% two parent, 5% grandparent or kinship care
- To receive support, students show at least 85% attendance and good effort, or a weighted average mark of 55% at university
Financials
A Start in Life receives no government funding. Support for students is sustained by donors, partners and income from investments built up over a century.
| Item | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,512,389 | 1,608,420 |
| Student assistance | (793,802) | (884,789) |
| Fundraising | (112,918) | (136,758) |
| Marketing | (79,888) | (86,715) |
| Banking, investment and accounting | (124,784) | (128,312) |
| Depreciation and amortisation | (6,285) | (6,286) |
| Office and administration | (88,843) | (88,447) |
| Profit for the year | 305,870 | 277,113 |
| Net change in fair value of financial assets | (674,663) | 158,849 |
| Other comprehensive income | 84,965 | – |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) before allocations | (283,828) | 435,962 |
| Allocations from capital funds | 212,659 | 61,386 |
| Allocations to capital funds | – | (480,000) |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) after allocations | (71,169) | 17,348 |
| Item | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | 10,484,800 | 10,875,610 |
| Total liabilities | 302,106 | 408,586 |
| Net assets | 10,182,694 | 10,467,023 |
- Student assistance66%
- Banking, investment and accounting10%
- Fundraising9%
- Office and administration7%
- Marketing7%
- Depreciation and amortisation1%
Share of total expenses of $1,206,520, from the statement of profit or loss.
Help the next student start strong
Every figure on this page began with a donor. A gift today helps a student from a family doing it tough stay at school and reach their goals.
30 December 2020
