A LOCAL charity has hit back at a petition circling in the community calling on its board to explain in more detail where its money is spent.
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One of a Kind chief executive officer Wayne Richards said nobody had come directly to him or the committee to raise any questions or complaints with the organisation, but he became aware of the petition before Christmas.
According to its latest report to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, One of a Kind turned over more than $1.9 million in revenue in the last financial year.
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More than $1.1 million went to the organisation’s 29 employees and it reported it had close to $800,000 in other expenses, which included rental costs ($293,336) and “upcycle” expenses ($156,346).
More than $306,000 were tied-up in expenses associated with maintenance, motor vehicle costs, utilities and $34,482 in phone bills.
Mr Richards said the organisation had been heavily focused on giving back through its Work for the Dole program which gives local job-seekers basic tool and woodwork skills, as well as soft-skills like punctuality, communication, appearance and health and safety.
He said there had been more than 500 participants through its program in the last two-and-a-half years.
The petition, which the Leader has seen, has been purportedly instigated by a “fast growing group of former staff and past and current volunteers” from One of a Kind. It also raised concerns that the organisation might sell-off its community centre property on Denne Street.
Mr Richards said the charity wasn’t planning on selling the property yet, but it did appear to be “under-utilised”.
He said the its future would be discussed with its local members.
“The committee wishes to discuss with its members whether or not the property could be put to better use to assist OAK to meet it charitable purposes,” he said.
“This may include investigating the sale of the property with a view to putting the funds to better use, for example the purchase of another property which could better suit the needs of OAK.”