This financial year, a key focus of mine has been to connect more closely with our people through regular and meaningful conversations. Visiting teams across the state and engaging with colleagues through both in-person and digital conversations, has been a highlight of my year. It is our people who drive the growth and impact of the Y WA. Their dedication, passion, and care ensure that every child and young person in our programs and services can flourish.  

This year, we have continued to make significant strides in advancing our Education Strategy. The literacy and language domain of our School ReadY Program has been making a positive impact across all 14 of our Early Learning Centres (ELCs), equipping children aged three to five with the skills they need to start school successfully. So much so that the Y Whittlesea have adopted it in one of their centres, and the Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education have introduced School ReadY in their nine ELCs. 

At the Y School, we have seen continued growth in student engagement and achievement, reflecting our commitment to supporting young people to flourish through education. Our youth and community services have also continued to provide safe, supportive, and enriching spaces where young people can build skills, confidence, and meaningful connections. We saw this firsthand when our Education Engagement and Attainment Initiative opened their very own hub in East Newman. 

Alongside this work, we have continued to strengthen the Y’s brand and presence, celebrating our 181 year legacy while highlighting the contemporary and dynamic organisation we are today. By sharing our stories more widely, engaging with our communities, and fostering stronger connections within our teams, we are ensuring that the Y WA remains a trusted and recognised leader in education and youth development. 

Overall, the year has been one of connection, collaboration, and progress. As we look ahead, I am excited by the opportunities before us to continue supporting our people, empowering children and young people, and making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. On behalf of our board and leadership team, I thank all our staff for their unwavering dedication and look forward to another year of shared achievement and impact. 

The 2024/25 financial year has been another exciting year for the Board as we continue to deliver on our Growth for Impact Strategy. At the centre of this work is our vision to see every child and young person given the opportunity to flourish.  

This year, a key focus has been advancing our Education Strategy to give more children and young people the opportunity to flourish. Through our early years programs, school-based initiatives, and youth and community services, we are creating pathways that support learning and growth. Expanding the Y School and continuing the School ReadY program ensures children and young people gain the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong learning. 

Across all areas of our work, Positive Youth Development continues to guide our approach. Grounded in the 5Cs model – confidence, competence, character, connection, and caring – it helps us create environments where young people are connected and supported to grow. Importantly, it also underpins the way we support our staff, recognising that when our people are at their best, the impact for those we serve is even greater. 

Significant investment has also been made in building the foundations of a modern, future-focused organisation. Our commitment to digital transformation and to creating a workplace where our people can flourish ensures the Y WA remains adaptive, resilient, and well placed to meet the evolving needs of our communities. 

On behalf of the Board, I extend our sincere thanks to Tim, his leadership team, and the dedicated staff of the Y WA for their energy and passion in bringing our strategy to life. I also acknowledge the valued support of our partners, sponsors, and community stakeholders, without whom this work would not be possible.  

Finally, I thank my fellow board members for their governance, insight, and commitment. Together, we are positioning the Y WA to grow our impact and create a future where young people feel empowered, supported, and ready to contribute to their communities.  I would like to acknowledge Jon Bilson and Trish Tebbutt, who left the board this year after six years and three years of service respectively. Both have been valuable contributors around the board table. To the other board members, thank you for your dedication and contribution to the governance of the Y WA.  

At the Y WA, we believe in the power of inspired young people. For young people to be inspired we recognise that they must feel safe and be safe. We are committed to keeping all children and young people safe and we do this through a deep and genuine commitment to a safeguarding culture locally, which aligns to a national framework. 

Our safeguarding practices are independently reviewed by the Australian Childhood Foundation who have assessed us as having the highest overall assessment of ‘Excellent’, which demonstrates our commitment to protecting and upholding children and young people. This is the highest possible rating by an independent body that governs safety for children and marks the second annual audit review to achieve such a high standard. I am very proud of this achievement as it affirms our commitment to the highest standards of safeguarding culture, practice, compliance and continuous improvement – and the continued focus by our teams all around Western Australia. 

This year, we’ve had a particular focus on responding to and embedding the new child safety reforms. The Y WA supports these changes and has contributed to advocating for a nationally consistent Working with Children Check system and strengthened reportable conduct and mandatory reporting schemes as part of our submission to the National Child Safety Review. We’ve also continued to implement Protective Behaviours — a personal safety program designed to teach children the skills and strategies needed to recognise and respond to unsafe situations. 

At the Y WA, we recognise that continuous learning is part of our safeguarding culture, and this means that we have a shared commitment to listening, adapting, and improving — for the children, young people, and communities we serve.