The Real Media Collective has released its annual figures for the 2021 financial year reporting an increase in membership, decrease in operational costs and $50,336 in the bank, a 49 per cent increase on what was expected given COVID impacts.
The industry association has also made some new board officer appointments with Simon Carmody from Queensland’s Spot Productions, Rodney Frost from The Lamson Group joining the TRMC Board, along with APIA representatives Craig Brown from Sappi and Tony Bertrand of Ball & Doggett.
In the annual figures, TRMC realised an income of $724,000 for the year from a budgeted $1,254,000 which it put down to not being able to run the Real Media Awards, industry events and customer workshops due to COVID restrictions.
But despite this reduced income due to COVID impacts, it remained operationally nimble and delivered a 23% decrease in operational costs from March 2020 budgeted expenditure, which overall saw end of year results with $50,336 in the bank, a 49% increase on budgeted expectations.
New membership income, despite a very difficult year, was from small to medium sized print groups, achieving a 46% increase above 2020 new membership revenue.
The implementation of Charles Watson, GM – IR, Policy & Governance to provide workplace relations services for members throughout the year, was provided without extra cost to commercial members however did deplete prior year Retained Earnings. The FY20 Retained Earnings were scheduled to use across FY21 to fund the incoming resource and expansion of Association services.
TRMC CEO Kellie Northwood said, “We have always maintained a commitment to reserve member funds for times when our members need them most. The implementation of an industrial and workplace relations service for our members last year was a fitting reason during a global pandemic.
“Most pleasing is that from the current member subscription period we have seen several existing members increase their membership to include IR and also many new members come on board wanting to work with Charles and the team across workplace matters for their businesses.”
TRMC also reported that throughout the year it increased communications and services to industry and members by providing Business Support reporting, a Vaccination Initiative Program, Commercial Tenancy Negotiation Advisory, Employee Communication templates, Australia Post regulation relaxations, Lockdown Notices and Interpretations, Mental Wellness communications and more to support members across the challenges of COVID.
TRMC chairman Matt Aitken said, “Given the extremely difficult 18 months, TRMC has increased our delivery to members, and maintained a positive financial position. The flexibility to adjust the operational costs of running the association, whilst bringing the addition of a senior executive in Charles Watson, is a testament to the team and on behalf of the Board I thank them for their tireless work.”
Northwood says the focus now is on the future with the Real Media Awards about to be launched as well as planning for government engagement across the National Manufacturing and Recycling Roadmap, South Australian apprentice training review and new board officer appointments.
“I welcome the additional Board Officers, already having held one Board meeting together, their
input has opened opportunities for our broader membership and I look forward to working with
them more closely in the coming months. We are still reviewing candidates from other States, so
if there are any members interested in becoming more involved, please contact the team,”
concluded Aitken.
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