INFORMATION RELEASE

March 19 2008

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Anne Palmer to the position of Human Resources Manager with ACE.

Anne has over 12 years HR experience both at strategic and operational levels and coupled with a Bachelor of Education & Arts and a Graduate Diploma in HRM & IR from the University of Melbourne, she brings an ideal mix of skills to assist ACE in HR planning for the future.

We are very fortunate that Anne is able to commence in the role a few weeks earlier than scheduled and she will be joining us on Wednesday 19 March.

I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Anne to this new role within ACE.

Sandy Gilliland
CEO

MEDIA RELEASE

February 1 2008

Melbourne Call Centre to Close

The Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) today announced a comprehensive support package including ex-gratia benefits for its Melbourne call centre employees affected by its decision to close its Melbourne operations.

Chief Executive Officer, Sandy Gilliland, said the community-based non-profit company will do all it can to support the workers and their families.

“This has not been an easy decision, we value our staff highly, but the Melbourne call centre was burdened by high rent costs, being geographically remote from the other parts of the company such as administration and was duplicating a lot of the work already done in Brisbane,” he said.

Mr Gilliland said ACE will now centralise its operations out of Brisbane to ensure the efficient delivery of leading edge products and services to Australians who are deaf or who have a hearing, speech or communication impairment.

“ACE is a non-profit organisation which exists for the benefit of the Deaf, hearing and communication impaired community. To provide the best available service to the community, ACE must make the best possible use of its limited resources,” he said.

“It was prudent of us to find cost effective ways to ensure the thousands of Australians who use this service get value for money. Closing the Melbourne call centre was the best way to do this.

“We will be able to service the community far more efficiently with the entire non-profit operation based out of one central location.”

Mr Gilliland said ACE has put in place comprehensive plans to ensure service levels and avoid any problems or disruptions to the Relay Service during the centralising of operations in Brisbane.

“We value and recognise the work the Melbourne staff has done in helping the community and that is why we are offering ex-gratia payments to all casual workers,” he said.

“Besides the generous ex-gratia payment, a support package has been developed that will include financial advice, skills profiling, resume writing and career transition information to all staff.”

The Melbourne office will not close until de-commissioning, this is likely to occur in March/April 2008.

INFORMATION RELEASE

July 6 2007

Dear Valued ACE Members,

The Board of Directors of Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Alexander (Sandy) Gilliland to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Gilliland has held several senior state, national and international positions in the Not for Profit sector for over 15 years, in particular serving as CEO of Diabetes Australia Queensland (DAQ) for 10 years, CEO of the Royal Blind Foundation (RBF) for 4 years and most recently as National General Manager of Strategy with Vision Australia. Each of these organisations is a complex mix of commercial and service oriented activities in the disability sector.

In his ten years with DAQ, he grew the business from one central administration and service centre in Brisbane to a sustainable, multi-dimensional, decentralized service to all of Queensland with 30 retail and service outlets and sub-agencies as far north as Thursday Island.

At RBF he created 4 regional offices and related services in response to evidenced need.

In 2005 he was elected as the Chairman of the Australian Blindness Forum, the national peak body representing the blindness sector to Government, an office he retained until resigning to take up the position as CEO with ACE.

He has successfully facilitated the restructure of Government departments, state and national NGOs through the development and implementation of appropriate change management processes. He has also controlled multi million dollar mergers and acquisitions (including due diligence) in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Mr Gilliland will commence in the role on August 13 2007.

For further information, please contact:

Nicole Sprintall

Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Australian Communication Exchange Limited

E:        Nicole.sprintall@aceinfo.net.au
P:        +61 7 3815 7651
F:         +61 7 3815 7601

INFORMATION RELEASE

May 23 2007

The Board of Directors of the Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) Limited regretfully announces the resignation of Mr Wayne Gilbert as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) Limited, taking effect from August 20, 2007.

Although the choice to resign did not come easily for Mr Gilbert, he has made the personal decision to take some time out from the corporate sector and enjoy some quality time travelling overseas with his family.

Mr Gilbert, who has been the CEO of ACE Limited for over 12 months, has provided the organisation with a focussed strategic direction and exceptional management team, ensuring ACE is well-equipped for the exciting growth period in the coming months and years.

His personal commitment to the vision and ethos of ACE have seen industry relationships strengthened and processes streamlined during his time as CEO;  all the while providing a continuous focus on servicing the community.    

As a result of his dedication, ACE Limited is well placed to embrace future challenges and delivery of leading edge products and services for deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired community members.

The Board of ACE would like to sincerely thank Mr Gilbert for the remarkable work he has done in leading the organisation to achieving and exceeding its desired outcomes over the last twelve months and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.

The position of CEO for ACE Limited will be advertised this weekend on Executive SEEK, The Australian, Courier Mail, and Melbourne AGE Newspapers.

For further information on Mr Gilbert's resignation, please contact:

Nicole Sprintall

Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Australian Communication Exchange Limited

E:        Nicole.sprintall@aceinfo.net.au
P:        0434 603 451
F:         07 3815 7601

INFORMATION RELEASE

May 9 2007

DEAFNESS RESOURCES AUSTRALIA TEMPORARY SUSPENSION

OF RETAIL OUTLET

Further to the changes required recently to move Deafness Resources Australia (DRA) into a stronger financial situation, coupled with two resignations and two redundancies, DRA will now be temporarily suspended until a new location is secured and service delivery models are reviewed.

Chief Executive Officer of ACE, Mr Wayne Gilbert, says although the downsize and subsequent suspension of the service is regrettable, it is necessary in order for ACE and Deafness Resources Australia to evolve as an important service to the community.

"ACE will now re-assess the DRA and implement changes to the service. Our focus is to improve key services to the community, and in doing so, will seek advice from DRA clients, and client representative organisations, as to how we can maximise this service for their benefit", Mr Gilbert said.

Therefore, all new mail orders will cease as of 8/5/07.  Orders processed and lodged before this date will be processed and finalised. The last day for the technical advisory service provided by Charles Jones will be Wednesday June 6, 2007.

It is also likely that the DRA service will re-open in Brisbane at new premises yet to be determined, with a greater focus on community services while we review our retail product range.

"I apologise for the disruption to the service, and will ensure our loyal customers will be kept informed of any developments", he said.  

Mr Wayne Gilbert

Chief Executive Officer

Australian Communication Exchange

Phone: (07) 3815 7611

INFORMATION RELEASE

April 26, 2007

DEAFNESS RESOURCES AUSTRALIA DOWNSIZE

Changes to Deafness Resources Australia (DRA) are required to move the service into a much stronger financial position; as a result of this, DRA will be downsized and moved to new premises.

Chief Executive Officer of ACE, Mr Wayne Gilbert says although the downsize is regrettable, it is necessary in order for ACE and Deafness Resources Australia to evolve as an important service to the community.

"ACE will endeavour to provide a consistent service during this period however when taking in to account the change to a new location, (yet to be found) and the loss of knowledge of long standing employees are likely to result in some disruption to the service" , Mr Gilbert said.

Mail order services are expected to remain in operation throughout the transition period, and orders will still be accepted via fax, phone, mail or email.

"We sincerely apologise to our loyal customers for the inconvenience resulting from these changes", he said.

Manager of the Parramatta retail outlet Ms Margaret Haenke has also given notice to resign from her position in July this year.

For further information please contact:

Mr Wayne Gilbert

Chief Executive Officer

Australian Communication Exchange

Phone: (07) 3815 7611