Dear Friends and Sponsors of EchoStars,
Last year EchoStars extended its programs to support the work of the now
recently deceased, Fred Hyde who founded CO-ID 30 years ago. We extend our
sympathies to all connected with Fred Hyde and CO-ID. (see link to Fred’s
obituary below)
The ‘CO-ID/EchoStars School Development Program’ has provided funding
for the re-building of 3 schools and the establishment of 3 new pre-schools on
Bhola Island, as well as the construction of a tube well and the initial funding
of a teacher training program.
Construction concluded at BrighStars School Dhaka under the Bangladesh
NGO – Society for Lowest Urban Mass (SLUM) which EchoStars worked through in
Bangladesh to build BrightStars. A Dhaka based major business sponsor took 100%
control of BrightStars management, operations and programs. Following the transfer of responsibility
of BrightStars ES was able to establish the ‘BrightStars graduates/ES Secondary
School Scholarship Program’ (SSSP).
It is with great thanks that I submit this report to you with program
reports that would never have come to fruition without your support and contributions
to ES.
With heartfelt thanks
Rose Figtree
Founder and chair: EchoStars.
With special thanks to our 2015-16 Committee members:
Nick Illek – Treasurer
Gina Ryman – Secretary
Janice Gestro – vice-chair
Robyn Kremer, Celeste Rossetto, Michael Williams, Maryke Hession, Sandra
Adams, David Turnbull, Veronika Brinkman -
General committee members
This year’s Fundraising activities: (audited
financial report available on request)
·
City2surf August 2015: $6853.75 - photo of our loveable
Gerald and Geraldine Giraffes – EchoStars long serving city2surf mascots.
 |
| EchoStars loveable mascot Giraffes; Gerald and Geraldine Kangaroo March: $881.30 |
·
My walk for EchoStars was also a walk of remembrance
for my husband’s 2 great uncles. Photo 3 Joseph Robert Ranson – who was killed in action on the Western Front in
France aged 35.
Photo 4 Captain Richard Frederick Ranson who fought at Gallipoli.
For more photos of the Kangaroo March visit EchoStars blogspot.
Photo 4 Captain Richard Frederick Ranson who fought at Gallipoli.
For more photos of the Kangaroo March visit EchoStars blogspot.
·
Christmas Appeal – ‘Earn a Halo’: $1355
·
Anzac
Friendship Appeal (in honour of Fred Hyde’s legacy) - $3085
BrightStars School Dhaka – Rotary and SLUM relationship.
·
Last year saw the relationship with ‘Rotary world
community project’ concluded with the completion of BrightStars construction. With
excess funds raised through this program EchoStars established the ‘BrightStars graduates/ES secondary school
scholarship program’. (outlined in next section) and ‘CO-ID/ES school development program’.
·
SLUM completed work to BrightStars school construction
and the last EchoStars programs at BrightStars school were also concluded.
·
SLUM received $24,000 in Australian government aid to
complete the last infrastructure work i.e. tiling, painting etc.
·
BrightStars School administrative and operation
funding was taken over in late 2014 by a Dutch Textile company based in Dhaka.
With this major business sponsorship in
place, BrightStars now has full financial sustainability into the future.
·
With BrightStars fully constructed and funded
EchoStars had achieved its mission there. A wonderful conclusion to 6 years of
work.
All the following EchoStars programs for BrightStars were concluded as a requirement for the takeover of responsibility by the business sponsor;
All the following EchoStars programs for BrightStars were concluded as a requirement for the takeover of responsibility by the business sponsor;
‘The Sponsorship
Program’, ‘The literacy program’, ‘The
sewing for sustainability program’. ‘The health and nutrition program.’
In conclusion – A successful ‘Mission Accomplished’ at
BrightStars for EchoStars.
BrightStars
graduates/ES Secondary School Scholarship Program:
The ‘Secondary School Scholarship Program’ has been operating now for 2
years. It provides funding for students to continue studies after graduating
grade 5 at BrightStars. This program currently
has;
·
18 students in Secondary School at Solmaid High School
Dhaka. All student reports for the year showing excellent results.
·
Funds currently available in program: BDT 827607 (at
current exchange rate 55) $15,050.00.
·
2016 financials show a total of BDT 385600 which is
slightly lower than the budget projected figure of 386600. Note AUD not given
as money is in Bangladesh but at the current exchange rate = $7010
·
Budget for 2017: ES has requested SLUM to submit an
updated projected budget for 2017 but SLUM are waiting on final figures for
school costs 2017.
·
Projected conclusion of program with existing funds: Based
on ES projection of figures we believe there are enough funds in the program to
cover existing students up to Dec 2018 but this will be confirmed by SLUM.
CO-ID /ES Education
Support Program:
This year funds were donated to CO-ID to build a new pre school on Bhola
Island and to fund the re building of one of their Primary Schools at Char
Fassion. 300 children are part of this first phase in the ‘CO-ID /ES schools
development program’ which will benefit 900 students at its completion.
Total funds donated by EchoStars
to CO-ID for 2015-16 financial year:
Funds raised in Australia;$
12,295 for 2015-16 (making the running total of donations to CO-ID to date
$33,660. )
·
These funds together with the $38,500 government aid
will facilitate the completion of the CO-ID School Development Program (details
below).
Australian Govt
funding to CO-ID Bangladesh.
Funds donated from the Australian High Commission Dhaka for this program
(together with funds from ES) are to be used to:
·
re build 3 primary schools and construct 3 new pre
schools,
·
construct a tube well
(see photo) at the administrative centre for CO-ID,
·
and begin the establishment of a teacher training
program.
EchoStars extends its thanks to the Dhaka
High Commission for making this program possible. EchoStars also
congratulations and thanks the work of CO-ID Australia and Bangladesh in
handling all operations and compliance of this program.
EchoStars also wishes
to give special mention and thanks to our major sponsors this year: Ron and
Susan Cousins. (see photo below)
Ron and Sue have been supporting EchoStars since we
started in 2009. Together with them and all our sponsors and friends who
support our appeals and events EchoStars has could continue its support for
children in need through education.
On behalf of the EchoStars long serving committee I wish to extend our
gratitude to you all. This thanks is given always on behalf of the children
whose lives you have changed forever.
The gift of education to these children has only been possible through
your generosity in supporting EchoStars appeals. We continue to ensure our
programs are run without any overheads, administration costs or travel costs; ES
continues to be totally volunteer run charity.
Our projected work for 2017 will be low key as I need to take time off
from EchoStars for personal reasons. We expect to continue to keep EchoStars
compliant and keep the following programs operational:
·
The Secondary School Scholarship program with
BrightStars administered by SLUM reporting quarterly to ES and
·
ES will monitor CO-ID’s progress in the completion of the
CO-ID /EchoStars School development program. It is noted that CO-ID will
control all operations and administration of the ‘CO-ID/EchoStars Education
support program’ within Bangladesh and be responsible for all compliance
reporting to the Australian Embassy in Dhaka.
Wishing you all a joyous and Blessed Christmas season to come.
As I conclude this annual report I would like to add that following a
successful 2016 City2Surf event in August (note these funds fall into the
current financial year - not part of this report) I attended the CO-ID AGM in
Warwick. A full report on this was presented to EchoStars committee. I met with
the CO-ID committee and had detailed discussions with the new chairman Olav
Muurlink. I also visited the Warwick hospital to meet Fred Hyde for the first
time.
Sadly Fred died in hospital on 9/11/16. Our committee member Robyn
Kremer penned the following:
‘Fred followed and achieved a dream to make a difference for the
better in so many lives.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if all those young Bangladeshis he cared
about could lead peaceful, productive lives? It will be interesting to see
how his organization evolves. I am looking forward to reading his obituary.’
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/fred-hyde-obituary-bangladesh-charity-founder-worked-until-he-was-95-20161124-gsx3gz.html
Fred received the honour of Queensland Senior of the year twice for
his 30 years of dedicated work to his project for the children on Bhola Island.
It was through this work that EchoStars was inspired to support CO-ID following
the conclusion of our work at BrightStars. We extend our sympathies to all who
knew and worked with Fred as he will be sadly missed and his energy and
enthusiasm added much to making the world a brighter place for many children.
Rose Figtree
Founder and chair of EchoStars
Table of supporting reports and documents
1. ES –
Financial Report
2. ES –
President and Treasurer’s report
3. ES -
audited annual report
4. ES
Balance sheet – note the $38,500 Australian aid grant mentioned in this report
is not listed as this money was given directly to CO-ID Bangladesh.
5. SLUM; ES
Balance Sheet for scholarship program
6. SLUM; 3 fund requestions; Jan-March, April - August
and Sept – December
7. SLUM;
BrightStars graduates Scholarship program; Student results
8. SLUM; SSS
estimated ’16 budget
9. Chitto’s
background email for annual report
1. ES
minutes for 2015 AGM.
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