President's Report

President's Report November 2009

Its official! We made it to 10 years! Again another consistent year with around 441 computers given out and probably a similar amount recycled. With two months left to go before the end of the year, we might make 500! Other major achievements include a new database, an upgraded distro, painting of the toilets and front area wall, 119 other/ebay sales, improvements to quality control, documentation, and processes in general.

Thanks to all our volunteers, committee members and staff - Jan, Darce, David, Peter, Rob, Greg, Julien, Tony, Aaron, Allan, Barry, Mohan, Jeremy, Ed, Bob, Patrick, Michael, Lex, Richard, Matthew, Nick, Mark S, Sam, Jeff, Lasitha, Laura, Jovan, Ian, Frank, Bill, Mahyer, Con, plus 10 work for the dole participants. Without your* help our work would not be possible.

Groups we've helped this year - Darebin commission flats, Victorian Community Service Network, Linuxchix Computer Build Classes with VIC IT for Women, St Albans Community Support and Assistance Program Inc, Second Bite, Newstead Rural Transaction Centre, as well as the Footscray and North Melbourne commission flats.

Our work for the dole program ended in August after running for around 8 years! Our first project started at Rosslyn St in February 2001. More than 300 participants have been through our program with lots of good outcomes. The end of work for the dole means a major drop in grant funding income. We will see the impact of this in next years balance sheet. Not all bad, running work for the dole projects has given us the stimulus to become self funded and sustainable over the longer term.

Overall our income has increased from $122,626 in 2008 to $129,333 in 2009. Shop pcs and ebay sales have increased significantly. Our expenditure is up from $108,079 in 2008 to $119,058 in 2009. Some factors are increased wage costs, higher rent/utilities and refunds were up from $712 to $1,811. This is an interesting area in itself and something we need to work on.

Thanks to major donors NMIT, Port of Melbourne Corporation, Cengage Education, Grocon, Interact Employment, Mason Sier Turnbull, mecu, as well as many other companies and individuals. Some of these are repeat donors. This year has seen loads of LCD screens donated. There are now more LCD screens in the warehouse then CRTS.

Thanks to all for another super year recycling computers for the community with Linux and open source software. Look forward to a fantastic 2010!

* Sorry if I missed any names, checking this tomorrow.