This letter is an unashamed request for your financial support and advocacy for Stewart House, the NSW Public Schools’ Number One Charity. I understand the continual pressure exerted by not-for-profit organisations on individuals and schools. My request is different to that of any other worthy cause – it relies on precedents that have been set down since 1931 within the NSW public education system and its personnel.
Stewart House was built in 1931 at South Curl Curl, through the unqualified support of the NSW Teachers Federation and the NSW Department of Education. We have survived financially over the years because of the compassionate support from NSW public schools and their staff.
Sometimes welfare concerns for our students cannot all be satisfactorily addressed in the school environment. Stewart House exists to provide certain of our students with an opportunity for a break from their current circumstances. Over the years, more than 150,000 children have benefited from a stay at Stewart House.
Every two weeks of the school year, 90 public school children from designated areas of the state are cared for by Stewart House. In 2007, 1,801 children from 820 NSW government schools attended Stewart House. Students are nominated through more than 40 statewide committees, with infants through to lower secondary students attending across NSW. The staff at Stewart House acknowledges the physical and financial efforts placed on home school staff to get these children to Stewart House by plane, train, bus or combinations of the three.
Once here, the children attend school for nine of the twelve days. We appreciate the financial and staffing support provided by the NSW Department of Education and Training, NSW Health and the University of NSW for the operation of a special school and our health screening and treatment facilities.
Children are supported by Stewart House staff between 3.30pm and 9.00am, weekdays and across the weekend of their stay These staff are not government employees and their salaries are met from charitable contributions. This includes the employment of cooks, cleaners, laundry and maintenance staff as well as qualified out-of-school hours supervisors to look after the 90 children on a rostered basis for over 18 hours each week day and 48 hours on the weekend. In addition to these paid staff, Stewart House is supported by numerous volunteers and a Board of Directors, all of whom give significant time and effort to Stewart House, in fundraising and other activities.
The childrens’ meals, accommodation, supervision, personal care and recreational activities are all sourced from donations to Stewart House. Donations, including salary contributions, are managed by Stewart House in its capacity as a not-for-profit organization.
We need $2.5million annually to fund all aspects of the childrens’ stay. An analysis of our annual report available on our website will reveal that we have operated in deficit for the past four years.
We rely on fortnightly salary contributions from school staff, a great many of whom have supported Stewart House for more than 20 years. We rely on public school teachers championing fund raising activities with their students and local communities. We also welcome financial and in-kind donations from private individuals, retirees and the corporate sector.
With all this effort, we still cannot achieve financial targets. The rising costs of food, petrol for our buses and maintenance on our buildings are not being matched by increased income. This means that, in order to fully fund the maximum number of children receiving our services each year, vital building maintenance, site improvements and enhancements to the programs the children undertake during their stay cannot be effectively addressed.
In 2007, we received salary contributions from staff in 1,810 NSW government schools totaling some $895,000, while fundraising in 1,562 schools amounted to $480,757. Currently, around 7,600 NSW Department of Education and Training staff contribute to our scheme.
Would you miss $4 from your pay? It would go directly to care for children in need that could have been identified in your own school. Any fortnightly contribution you could afford would be greatly appreciated and give a much needed boost to our finances.
As a recognised NSW charity, all donations over $2 are tax deductible and the ATO will accept the deduction outlined on your payslip as evidence of donation.
Should you require further information please visit our website www.stewarthouse.org.au or phone us on 02 9938 3100 or talk to a colleague who may well already be a salary contributor. The work of Stewart House and this campaign to attract new supporters has the full support of the:
• NSW Department of Education and Training • NSW Public Service Association
• NSW Teachers Federation • Federation of Parents & Citizens Associations of NSW
Watch out for information regarding the work of Stewart House appearing on their websites and in printed publications.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this request. Stewart House has grown since 1931 with one charter – to care for public school children from all parts of NSW that are in need. Help us to secure finances to ensure Stewart House maintains its good work for another 78 years and continues to give our school children a brighter future. Rest assured that 100% of your contribution will go to support public school children in need and in the care of Stewart House.
Marilyn Bourne
Principal / Executive Officer
Stewart House
