28 November , 2007

Endeavour Foundation Announces Incoming Board of Directors

Following Endeavour Foundation’s recent Annual General Meeting, the incoming Board of Directors was announced.

Retiring from his position as Chairman was Peter Short, who along with Deputy Chair, Tony Hanmer and Treasurer, Graeme Stratford also tendered their resignations.

Their combined leadership and hard work has contributed to the successful management of Endeavour and sees the organisation approach the new year in a positive financial position.

Endeavour’s new Chairman is Shane Charles, a lawyer who has served on the Endeavour Board for the past three years. Longtime Board member Gerry Crotty takes up his new position of Deputy Chair, while Grant Murdoch will act as the new Treasurer.

Mr Charles’ enthusiasm and passion for Endeavour is highlighted by his belief that the organisation is vital in assisting people who don’t always have a voice for themselves.

“One of Endeavour Foundation’s most important functions is to provide support for people with a disability who may be disadvantaged in the advocacy process. Endeavour works hard to assist these people by offering a range of support and services,” he said.

Mr Charles has been at the helm of his private law practice, Condon Charles in Toowoomba since 2001 and is married with three small children under the age of 5 years.

He is also a member of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Board, a past president of the Downs South-West Law Association, and has previously served on committees for the Queensland Law Society.

He has had a long-standing association with Endeavour and has a deep admiration for Endeavour staff, who he says have tremendous empathy for their clients.

“It is very rewarding to be involved with an organisation such as Endeavour which makes a real difference to the lives of people with a disability,” he said.

“Enriching the lives of our clients is what it’s all about.”

Mr Charles has also been an active fundraiser for Endeavour Foundation, participating twice in the Great Endeavour Rally. He was fourth highest fundraiser in his first year, and highest this year, raising in excess of $40,000 through the support of the community and businesses in Toowoomba.

“The Rally is Endeavour’s most popular and successful fundraiser as it brings together people from all walks of life to participate in an event where the major focus is not on motor sport, but on raising funds that directly enhance the lives of Endeavour’s clients.”

Mr Charles says that the incoming Board is conscious of maintaining Endeavour’s current business practices with a view to creating more services so that Endeavour can meet some of the unmet need in the community, and increasing revenue.

“With a fresh approach and new people appointed to the Board, it is an opportune time to look at ourselves as an organisation and make solid plans for the future.

“The disability sector always has its challenges, but we are excited about the next few years for Endeavour and are keen to see the Endeavour brand become even more recognisable as the leader in providing services to members of our community with a disability,” he said.

“We aim to live up to our motto of ‘providing opportunities for people with a disability’,” he said.

Endeavour Foundation is one of the largest non-government organisations of its type in Australia, supporting and providing opportunities for people with a disability.

Endeavour operates solely in Queensland and supports over 3,000 people with a disability through a mix of services and businesses at over 220 locations from Cairns and Mareeba in the north, to the southern end of the Gold Coast, and west to Roma, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe and Warwick.

Endeavour’s aim is to provide people with a disability with the same opportunities that many of us enjoy on a day-to-day basis – an opportunity to lead active lives, have valued roles in the community, to enjoy increased independence, and to make individual decisions and life choices.

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