Annual Report 2021

9th November, 2021

From the Chairman

Good afternoon everyone,

Today I submit my 24th Annual Report as Chairman of the Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society of New South Wales. In November of this year we will have been providing financial and emotional support for 90 continuous years to past and present members of our industry who have experienced very difficult times.

In last year’s report I expressed that the coming twelve months would, due the anticipated continuation of the pandemic, have a significant impact on our ability to generate a level of donations sufficient enough to prevent accessing some of our limited reserves. This indeed has proven to be the case, with a reduction of 50% of donations received in comparison to prior years. In spite of this we have been able to provide a full level of support to our beneficiaries due to the generosity of people from various parts of the industry.

We were most fortunate to receive a very welcome and much appreciated donation from one of our Patrons, Alan Rydge, a pledge of 10,000 shares in Carlton Investments Limited, dividends from which will provide a steady stream of income in the years to come and hopefully pave the way for other benefactors to follow suit. Notable also, in spite of the downturn in attendance at cinemas throughout the year, the Hoyts Corporation ‘Rounding Up Programme’ for the period April to June provided a very welcome contribution.

Throughout the financial year 2020/2021 we provided ongoing support to 23 beneficiaries dispensing a total of $142,564 in direct financial aid, each receiving the level of assistance relevant to their individual needs, as determined by the members of the Council of the MPIBS. This is given by way of regular monthly relief and payments to assist with gas, electricity, phone, Winter Comfort, Christmas Cheer, birthday gifts. Additional assistance was provided for special hospital treatments, pharmaceutical expenses, computer upgrades, house and car repairs, Cabcharge contributions and Vital Call accounts.

As of 30th June 2021, the funds available to the Society totalled $250,000 on term deposit, $360,869 in the ANZ Business Premium Saver Account and $31,661in the ANZ Business Operating Account. The value of the pledged CIN Shares was $300,100 on the ASX.

Ross Barnard in his capacity as Secretary/Treasurer continues to do an outstanding job in handling the day to day running of the Society in a thoroughly efficient and

dedicated manner.

Tom Jeffrey our Chairman of Investigation and Relief in spite of not being able to move freely amongst all of our Beneficiaries due to the pandemic, nonetheless continues

to maintain close contact with them in his special caring way ensuring their needs are met.

John Rochester our Chairman of Finance has again continued to provide the Society with important sound financial advice throughout this trying and difficult time.

To each of the three aforementioned I extend my personal thanks for their support. To the Society’s Joint Patrons - Anthony Buckley, Paul Johnson, Damian Keogh, John Kirby, John Rochester and Alan Rydge, my thanks for their valued support during the year.

To the Councillors of the MPIBS I extend my appreciation for their continued involvement and input to the wellbeing of the Society.

Looking ahead…

One of our long-standing Councillors, Wendy Paterson, has chosen to resign from the Council. Her dedication and commitment will be greatly missed. In addition, four Councillors - Maxim Larri (our longest serving Councillor), Vera Dolejsi, Noel Collier and Russell Anderson have decided not to seek re-election. To each of them we extend our appreciation for their many years of involvement and convey best wishes and good health in the future.

One of our Patrons of many years, Paul Johnson, has also decided to stand down from the role of Patron. I extend to Paul my thanks for his support throughout the years.

We will be considering suitable replacements for these important positions in the near future.

An exciting initiative introduced in late September was the launch of the MPIBS website - https://www.MPIBS.org.au

This gives us the opportunity to undoubtedly greatly enhance our aspiration of getting our message to the widest reach of the Industry and wider community.

We will continue as we have done for 90 years to live our purpose of creating a better life through empathy and care for our disadvantaged colleagues in the Industry.

Throughout the year we have conducted our monthly meetings on Zoom. Our upcoming AGM on Tuesday 9th November is scheduled to be held at 12.30pm and will also be conducted on Zoom. Anyone wishing to participate will be very welcome. The Meeting ID and Passcode are on the title page of this report. Please call our Secretary/Treasurer Ross Barnard if you have any questions.