QSA Extract from Annual Report 2025
Aletia Dundas,
QSA Board Chair
The past year has been one of consolidation and looking forward after much
change for Quaker Service Australia. As a new Chair I’ve enjoyed learning more
about the wonderful work of our staff and partners. With new members joining
our Board this past year, we’ve focussed on getting to know one another on a
personal level, expanding our knowledge of governance and the international
development sector, and trialling new ways of working.
An early highlight this financial year was a visit of several Board members to the
Quaker Shop in Adelaide during Yearly Meeting 2024. We were able to meet
some of the committed staff and volunteers who work incredibly hard to raise
funds for QSA’s projects.
Change of Board Members
At the November AGM the board farewelled Therese Douglas, who served
as Chair for three years. Therese had an extraordinary knack for building
connections between people and finding solutions to the many challenges that
arise for a small organisation. We also farewelled David Carter from the Board.
In the past year we welcomed Margaret Bywater and Mark Deasey who both
bring significant experience in the development sector and amongst Quakers.
The Board has spent time reflecting on our performance, and developed a
Board improvement plan so that we can track our progress. We have refined the
induction process for new Board members, created efficiencies in our decision
making processes, and have sought ways to ensure that we have the right mix of
skills and experience amongst us to govern effectively.
In March 2025 staff, partners, the Board and the wider Quaker community
were saddened by the sudden death of Jackie Perkins, who had served as QSA’s
Executive Administrator for more than 20 years. Staff and those connected to
QSA over 20 years came together to share memories of Jackie. In the sharing of
stories about Jackie’s time with QSA the significant influence and connections
she’d developed across the sector were apparent. We hope to find a special way to
keep her memory alive.
Financial year
The past year was the first full 12-month financial year since we shifted to
a July to June year. We’ve consolidated our financial processes and invited a
Management Accountant with experience in similar organisations to join our
finance sub-committee.
Staff
Our Executive Manager, Cressida Hall, has now been with us for 18 months
and has become well known amongst Quakers at Yearly Meeting gatherings. It’s
been a pleasure to work closely with her, and to observe the strengthening of our
organisational policies and approach in this short period of time.
Just in time for Yearly Meeting in July 2025 Jasmine Payget, a Quaker from
NSW, was hired as Community Outreach Lead and has already found ways
to deepen the connection between Quakers and QSA. We look forward to the
coming year and finding ways to live out our intention to work towards positive
peace in the world.
A message from our Executive Manager Cressida Hall
This has been a busy and productive year for QSA as we continue to strengthen
our programs and systems and plan for the future.
During this year I attended my first Yearly Meeting in Adelaide. What a
wonderful experience! To meet so many people who have been the backbone of
QSA – those who have supported us in countless ways; served on committees,
visited projects, worked for QSA, fundraised, and even written a book about our
work – was deeply moving. Seeing the beautiful tapestries, especially the QSA
panel, was a true highlight. It was uplifting to meet and feel supported by such a
warm, inclusive, and insightful community.
In FY25 we were delighted to welcome two new staff members; Mimu
Raghubanshi, Project Manager, International Projects, and Jasmine Payget, in a
new position of Community Outreach Lead.
I would like to acknowledge all of QSA’s amazing staff, whose creativity,
commitment, and care have kept the organisation running smoothly through
this period of change. Whether managing projects, supporting partners, or
strengthening internal systems, their persistence and sense of purpose have
ensured QSA continues to deliver work with integrity and impact.
Diversity Survey – Board and Staff
This year we undertook our first diversity survey across Board and staff, guided
by advice from the Diversity Council of Australia. The survey offered valuable
insight into who we are as an organisation and highlighted areas for reflection
and growth. Overall, the survey offers a valuable snapshot of QSA’s diversity and
invites reflection on how we can better reflect the communities we serve. We are
committed to continuing this work and reporting on diversity in future years.`
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Khmer Community
Development (KCD)
Kandal Province, Cambodia
Study visit to learn about tree grafing and growing natural vegetables in Modulkiri provice. Photo credit KCD
This three-year project emphasises community-driven development
in nutrition, agriculture, gender equity, income generation, and
environmental sustainability. Project communities identify their priorities
and needs with KCD who then supports participants to implement
activities that enhance livelihoods through the establishment of home
gardens and livestock raising.
Highlights across 2024-2025:
- 674 were trained on natural agricultural methods, income generation,
business, and financial management. It focused on encouraging farmers
to track their agricultural input costs and income. As a result, they
reduced their input costs by around 50% while simultaneously achieving
an increase in output.
- 40 villagers implemented new planting plans, selecting seasonal varieties,
researching market demand, and using social media to promote their
agricultural produce. They increase sales and generate more income
via Facebook and other platforms, achieving sales in new markets and
increasing earnings by up to $US75 per month.
This three-year project emphasises community-driven development
in nutrition, agriculture, gender equity, income generation, and
environmental sustainability. By empowering target communities to
identify their priority needs, KCD enables participants to implement
successful projects that enhance livelihoods by supporting the
establishment of home gardens and livestock raising.
A key feature of this project is the training of female leaders
to enable them to conduct training and support community
development. KCD recognised that having the support of men is
key to the success of women in implementation. One of the most
interesting activities implemented by KCD this year was capacitybuilding
sessions for men (villagers and local authorities) related to
gender.
This year KCD began working on a new project designed
specifically for vulnerable older women. In conjunction with
local authorities, they identified a group of women, then they
used forum theatre to surface information about their situations
and issues, as well as to identify practical solutions to meet their
specific needs. In future, they will be actively involved in the
design, implementation and management of practical support and
activities to address their particular needs. This new co-design
methodology will be applied to all KCD’s future community
development work
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the
Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
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