Annual Report 2021
The year at A Start in Life, 2020/21
In our 98th year, with most NSW students learning from home by the end of it, A Start in Life kept assistance close to previous years and adapted it to what each student needed next.
New challenges in reading, art and movement kept students engaged, Prize Givings travelled to Ballina, Taree and Tamworth, and tertiary students gained quarterly check-ins, laptops in first year and bonus payments for strong results.
From the report of Allan Elliott, President, and Neil Robinson, Chief Executive Officer
Everything below comes from the 16-page report, written out here so it works with screen readers and search.
Alumni story
Sammy is now a fully qualified vet
We first met Sammy in 2016, living ten hours from her family in Tamworth with no time for paid work during a demanding degree. In 2021 she finished her final semester and moved to a small rural community on the mid north coast, working as a mixed practice vet with cows, goats, dogs, cats, reptiles and birds.
It helped to lift a massive weight off my shoulders.
The year at a glance
- given directly to students as assistance
- $769,256
- students received uniforms
- 101
- students joined extra-curricular activities
- 100
- students received technology support
- 84
Source: A Start in Life Annual Report 2021, pages 2, 3, 10 and 13.
Key support for primary and secondary students
- 101 students received uniforms
- 100 students joined extra-curricular activities
- 91 students received stationery and books
- 84 students received technology, including internet, computers and software
- 61 students received tuition
- 61 students attended camps and excursions
New in 2021
- A Student Engagement Program with a Read-a-thon, an Art Challenge and a Movement for My Health Challenge
- Prize Givings held in Ballina, Taree, Tamworth and Sydney
- Quarterly check-ins and direct payments for tertiary students
- Bonus payments for high or improved marks, more help with placements, and laptops for all first year students
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 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,383,659 | 1,512,389 |
| Student assistance | (769,256) | (793,802) |
| Fundraising | (86,369) | (112,918) |
| Marketing | (57,812) | (79,888) |
| Banking, investment and accounting | (99,352) | (124,784) |
| Depreciation and amortisation | (6,131) | (6,285) |
| Office and administration | (75,044) | (88,843) |
| Profit for the year | 289,695 | 305,870 |
| Net change in fair value of financial assets | 1,058,757 | (674,663) |
| Net change in fair value of properties | 91,992 | – |
| Other comprehensive income | 116,100 | 84,965 |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) before allocations | 1,556,544 | (283,828) |
| Allocations from capital funds | 2,887 | 212,659 |
| Allocations to capital funds | (1,400,000) | – |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) after allocations | 159,432 | (71,169) |
| Item | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | 12,035,788 | 10,484,800 |
| Total liabilities | 296,051 | 302,106 |
| Net assets | 11,739,737 | 10,182,694 |
- Student assistance70%
- Banking, investment and accounting9%
- Fundraising8%
- Office and administration7%
- Marketing5%
- Depreciation and amortisation1%
Share of total expenses of $1,093,964, 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 2021
