Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 17 is not a monolith. It is made up of thousands of separate agencies of varying sizes, charisms and pursuits. This can be a great strength and a great weakness. When a circumstance requires scale to deliver the best outcome, such as with the procurement of insurance, the structure of the Church is a weakness. CRIS is setting about reaggregating the Church in a post Catholic Church Insurance Ltd landscape. CRIS is not an insurer; instead, it is a group purchasing body that seeks to achieve better pricing and terms of cover so we can better manage risk. Sandhurst, Ballarat and Sale Dioceses have been early adopters and tested the CRIS model, which has delivered savings approaching $3m in the 2024 renewal year, reduced deductibles and improved policy terms. Just as our governments struggle to support initiatives for the Common Good across borders – think of environmental and energy policies as examples – so does the Church. Let’s hope we can build on the early leadership that these regional dioceses are demonstrating to the Australian Church and that, in working together for the Common Good, everyone becomes a beneficiary. Safeguarding: The Diocese continues to foster a culture of safeguarding in Sandhurst and is diligent to ensure that the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS) and Victorian Child Safe Standards are met and exceeded. I am grateful for the tireless work of Parish Safeguarding Teams and Diocesan staff whose often thankless work ensures that parishes across the Diocese are safe and welcoming environments for all. The Diocese of Sandhurst acknowledges that preventing abuse requires proactive approaches across policies, procedures and practices within parishes, agencies, and entities, consistent with the requirements of the following: • National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (Australian Human Rights Commission) • National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (edition two) (Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd) • Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme (Commission of Children and Young People Victoria) Finally, in my view, there is nothing that compares to working in a for-purpose Diocese when compared to a for-profit company. Together, with the team of committed people I lead, I am proud of our achievements over the past year and the service we have provided. In delivering on our plans across the Diocese and beyond its borders, we are playing a part in the grand plan to give hope and a future. 2024 Reports Cameron Fraser Diocesan Business Manager Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Cathedral Square
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