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About Us

Cosmos the Organisation
Our Business
Cosmos Mission
Vision
Strategic Plan
Governance Structure
Board of Management
The Joint Consultative Committee
The Cosmos Client Committee
Annual Reports

COSMOS the Organisation

COSMOS is a non government community organisation which provides opportunities for people with an intellectual disability to participate in recreation, leisure and learning activities in community based settings, with the long term objectives developed to assist with personal goals and outcomes across a wide range of programs.

COSMOS is committed to providing programs which promote inclusion in the wider community and focus on enhancing the relationship between people with a disability and the wider community.

Our Business

COSMOS is in the business of enriching peoples' lives in a stable environment, and in a creative, inclusive and flexible atmosphere through the provision of recreation, leisure and learning opportunities for people with disabilities, which through creating opportunities for meaningful participation and working in ways that promote positive images of people with disabilities.

Cosmos Mission

COSMOS recognises that significant power imbalances exist in our society, and it is through all our interactions and practice, we seek to minimise this imbalance for the people we support.

We do this by enriching lives in a stable environment, and a creative, inclusive and flexible atmosphere through the provision of recreation, leisure and learning opportunities for people with disabilities.

Vision

By 2013 COSMOS clients will access a unique, world class service that is innovative and flexible and promotes individual achievement made possible by our creative, diverse and talented team who are supported by quality systems.

Strategic Plan

2010 - 2013 Plan

Governance Structure

COSMOS is governed by a Board of Management which is advised by the CEO, a Joint Consultative Committee and a client committee.

The structure is as below:

We challenge expectations.

Board of Management

Kate Cuthbertson
Kate joined the board in February 2009. She is a barrister working in private practice. She previously worked as a lawyer for the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania, primarily in the area of Criminal Law.
There she frequently represented clients with a wide range of disabilities within the criminal justice system. This has continued to be an area of interest for Kate in her practice as a barrister. She is also currently a member of the Project Team for the Mental Health Diversion List currently operating out of the Hobart Magistrates Court.

Anne Nalder
Anne joined the COSMOS Board in June 2009. Anne is a Rehabilitation Consultant and works primarily for a large Commonwealth Business unit. Anne has also provided services in change management, strategic planning and MBTI accreditation and assisted employees with job applications and interview techniques. Anne has previously worked for CRS Australia and TADPAC Print and has worked in Indonesia delivering training on behalf of the Australian Government.

Malcolm Rice
Malcolm has been a Board member since 1999. Malcolm managed organisations in the community recreation area for 12 years before joining the Commonwealth Government to manage disability employment programs. Malcolm is now self-employed as a vocational rehabilitation consultant. Originally from South Australia, Malcolm worked on a number of recreation programs for people with a disability, before moving to Tasmania with his wife and two children.

Mark Patmore
Mark Patmore joined COSMOS in 2002 and is a key member of the COSMOS Board. Mark has 27 years experience in the finance and accounting industries and brings to the Board experience in both the public and private sectors. An MBA and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmanian mean Mark is well placed in his position as Treasurer because of his expert understanding of the organisation and its financial position. Mark is the Corporate Accountant with the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services.

Scott Harvey
Scott joined the COSMOS Board in June 2010. Prior to retiring, Scott held a range of senior positions within the Department of Health and Human Services, including five years as State Manager, Disability Services. Since his retirement Scott has served on the boards of a number of NGO's.

Catherine Viney
Catherine is the CEO and Public Officer of COSMOS joined the organization in 2009. Catherine has worked as a senior manager in the public service and in the not for profit sector for 19 years. She has a background in providing programs and services for people with disabilities and has a strong commitment to high quality outcomes.

Iris Goetski
Iris is the most recent addition to the COSMOS Board and brings with her a combined professional experience in management, marketing and communications together with voluntary experience with peak body and community sector boards. Iris has worked in managerial roles for peak industry associations, in local government, trade publishing and public relations and more recently, in the financial services sector. With a diverse and varied career that has seen her working closely with business as well as community-based groups, Iris shares in COSMOS’ commitment to quality in service delivery.

Ken Webster
Ken has been involved with COSMOS as a carer since 2001. He joined the board in 2011. He was employed in the financial services sector as a Corporate Services Manager responsible for Human Resources, IT and Facilities Management. Previously he was employed for 20 years as an IT specialist and consultant in a variety of positions both here and overseas. Ken graduated with an MBA from the University of Tasmania in 2005 and is currently pursuing further post-graduate studies there. Ken is also a member of the Board at Carers Tasmania.

The Joint Consultative Committee

Cosmos strongly supports the role staff play in shaping the organisation. The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) plays a key role in this. The JCC meet regularly to discuss issues of strategic significance affecting staff and report to the Cosmos Board through the CEO each month.

The COSMOS Client Committee

COSMOS places great importance on clients having a say in the organisation and the development of individuals learning to advocate for themselves. The client committee with the support of Speak Out Advocacy meets on a regular basis. The committee is always looking for new ways of finding out what people want from COSMOS and report annually to the Board of COSMOS on client satisfaction and other issues.

Annual Reports

Annual Report 2011

Financial Statements 2011

For previous years annual reports, please visit our archive.