NOVA PROFILE

This is a rare BREED of business

WHEN PM Scott Morrison first mentioned the word 'pandemic' in February this year, many of us were overcome with feelings of dread and some with panic, but the Consultant General Manager of BREED Business Centre (BBC) revealed his reaction was a rare one of excitement.

“I was excited when I heard the term pandemic,” said Emmanuel Martin who manages the Centre located in Nirimba Education Precinct in Quakers Hill.

Emmanuel Martin was quick to recognize how BREED, which provides offi ce accommodation and services for start-ups and small businesses, could help with the challenges business owners were faced with when the government 'shutdown order' was given.

“We sensed a great opportunity to utilise our mission to provide tangible solutions to address the challenges that were posed by the crisis,” said Emmanuel, referring to their aim at stimulating economic and employment growth within the Blacktown Local Government Area.

“We wanted to help in rebuilding Australia by creating employment and fostering entrepreneurship so that the small-medium enterprise sector can get back on its feet,” said Emmanuel.

BREED's tenants, many of which were adversely aff ected by trading restrictions, were off ered free rent during the initial outbreak.

“Th is helped several of our tenants stay above water,” said Emmanuel, who also conducted a free 11-week Business Transformation Webinar Series to help build resilience and improve business strategies.

It didn't stop there. Shortly before the pandemic broke, BREED partnered with the disability recruitment service NOVA Employment and hired an Administrative Assistant, which they were determined to retain.

“NOVA Employment, through Katya, has provided us with an opportunity to off er

“We wanted to help in rebuilding Australia by creating employment and fostering entrepreneurship so that the small-medium enterprise sector can get back on its feet.”

– Emmanuel Martin. additional administrative support to our team which, has increased our productivity and customer service,” explained Emmanuel.

Adding, 'many employers are scared about the unknown and the perceived additional support that they might think they need to provide to employ people with disability.'

But in fact, Emmanuel has discovered the contrary.

“Katya is proof that disability does not constrain ability and with some empathy, care, and support, you are doing good by empowering young people like Katya who have so much ability that can be realised, with patience and understanding,” said Emmanuel.

If your business is looking for keen reliable staff, contact NOVA Employment on 1 300 ABILITY (224 5489) for a FREE consultation. For more information on BREED Australia visit www. breedaustralia.com.au or call 02-9853 3200.

Nova worker, Katya, centre.

Telehealth is fast gaining traction

 ELIZABETH FRIAS

IF you thought of using Telehealth to consult with a GP or specialist via phone or video call in the fight against COVID-19, now is the best time to do so.

As COVID-19 remains a threat Telehealth has become an option for those in hotspots, at greater risk of infection, too frail to att end hospital or unable to travel to see a doctor.

Telehealth is a medical service via phone or video call accessible to patients in regional NSW prior to the onset of the pandemic, and it was experimented at the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) to save the lives of people with acute diabetes.

It is also the digital platform used by the WSLHD Public Health Unit to check in daily with COVID-19 patients recovering at home.

The ideal pandemic response

Th e phone or video consultations have been found eff ective in managing the health of some 72,000 people diagnosed with diabetes in Western Sydney, with up to 18% of them currently using Telehealth from the security of their own homes during the pandemic.

Western Sydney Diabetes director, Professor Glen Maberly said Telehealth was being increasingly taken up by diabetes patients, including those with other types of life-threatening illnesses.

“We are still not running outpatients because we must keep social distancing, therefore we fi nd telehealth works in response to the pandemic,” said Prof Maberly.

Professor Glen Maberly watching a Telehealthconsultationon video call.

Professor Glen Maberly(left) and researcherGideon Meyerowitz-Katz, and below photo,watching a Telehealth check-up video call atBlacktown HospitalDiabetesEducation Centre.

“When COVID-19 came along, people with diabetes or at-risk of developing diabetes were coming to the emergency units in reduced numbers, staying away because their chances of having a bad outcome or dying is at least twice as much as the normal population.

“Diabetes is a disease that needs early detection and proper management [because] if left unmanaged it can lead to serious complications including heart att ack, vision problems and kidney damage.”

Western Sydney is considered a hotspot for diabetes with many at-risk people being diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 at doctor’s clinics and hospitals, according to Professor Maberly.

Even when the COVID-19 lockdown rules were relaxed, up to 14% drop in GP consultations on people with diabetes has been documented as face-to-face contacts at clinics and hospitals are shunned that something had to be done, said WSLHD research and surveillance coordinator Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz.

A forum with 50 GPs and 150 health workers in Western Sydney was held last month to discuss swift changes on patient consultations and plan the pivot for Telehealth expert services through three-way video consultations that may involve the services of an interpreter for linguistically diverse patients.

Along with their health education work in Western Sydney, Professor Maberly and Mr Meyerowitz-Katz were part of NSW Health pilot program looking into Telehealth specialist services

WSLHD health care interpreter YulitaLuck. (Photo courtesy ofWSLHD Media).

for Goulburn and other rural NSW towns where fl y-in-fl y-out health specialists are not available regularly.

An additional $2B Federal Government funding for Telehealth under Medicare has been extended till March next year to assist vulnerable sick people in isolation receive medical care.

Between March 13 and September 9 this year, the Federal Department of Health said about 10.4 million patients have utilised Telehealth resulting in $1.52B paid in Medicare benefi ts.

Th e Western Sydney Local Health District covers the local government areas of Blacktown, Th e Hills Shire, Cumberland and Parramatt a providing health services to nearly a million residents in 120 suburbs.

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News Story of Ross, Royce and Coffee

 GENELL DUNN

ROSS Dobson, a local chef who grew up in South Penrith is best known for iconic dining spots; Vincent in Glenbrook; Café at Lewers and The Union Restaurant, in addition to creating fantastic cookbooks.

Now, Dobson has started a new venture at the contemporary and luxurious retirement living development – Th e Royce.

I caught up with the chef to fi nd out more about his decision to change direction and open Café Royce, and to get his thoughts on the connection between food and happiness.

Ross, aft er Vincent, Café at Lewers, Th e Union Restaurant and writing several award-winning cookbooks, why Café Royce?

“I took a break and some time out to focus on what was next. I was very fortunate and was given the opportunity to work on a large cooking book project, which I am just putt ing the fi nal touches to now. I can’t tell you any more than that but it’s all very exciting. Th e plan is to launch this special project at Café Royce early next year.

When I was approached to operate Café Royce, I felt an immediate connection and positive energy coming from the Tulich family. Th ey are very motivated to improve the whole retirement living and aged care experience and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.

What inspired you to become a chef?

“It was a litt le unusual back then, but my Dad was the cook in our house. He was passionate about his veggie patch and grew a lot of the food we ate; all the fresh vegetables. Also, we were lucky to be surrounded by neighbours from all over the world. However, it was our neighbours from Hong Kong, who had the most infl uence on my decision to become a chef. Th e exciting food they ate blew me away.”

Th ere is so much in the media now about eating nutritious health food. Has that had an impact on your cooking?

“Trends haven’t really aff ected what to cook and eat. But I can defi nitely see the infl uence. Th ere are so many healthy cuisines without fi nding a new trend. Japanese, Th ai, and Vietnamese all come to mind. I look to these traditional cuisines for inspiration.”

I’ve been very fortunate to sample quite a few of your culinary delights myself, but what’s your personal favourite?

“I really am all for the homemade classics, a roast dinner, fi sh and chips and a good salad sandwich. I am also fond of the exciting and fresh fl avours of Th ai food, the comfort of Italian cooking or hearty Middle Eastern dishes. And I love baking and eating cake. Very simple cakes, nothing too adorned. I think it’s all about simplicity.”

What are your most crowd- pleasing dishes?

“I fi nd that people love a good pie; chicken and leek is a winner. Soup, too. People seem to really like fresh vegetable soups; maybe with some small pasta, scatt ered with parmesan and crusty bread on the side.”

What kind of dishes are on the menu at Café Royce?

“I’m inspired by Middle Eastern fl avours combined with good local and seasonal produce. I like poached salmon or thai beef noodle salad and lots of fresh herbs and crisp greens. We have crispy corn fritt ers with rice fl our on a bed of fresh salad and ripe avocado and a homemade chicken and leek pie which are very popular items. I like the idea of sharing so on request also off er a grazing plate for a couple and families to share.”

Ross Dobson.

Café Royce at Th e Royce Retirement Living and Aged Care Community is open from 7am-3pm for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday. It is a beautiful, light-fi lled space, with a new kitchen and elegant private dining space. Café Royce features a fresh and delicious menu by Ross Dobson, a tempting selection of pastries and coff ee by Th e Litt le Marionett e.

Genell Dunn is marketing manager at The Royce. For more information visit www.theroyce.com.au

Government calls for industry partners

MINSITER for Skills and Ter- ogy-focused campus – and university for students in modern, purpose-built

tiary Education Geoff Lee has and industry partnerships will play a facilities and simulated workplace launched an Expression of key role in aligning the Centre of Excel- environments. Interest process for industry lence to current and future skills needs. Th e Digital Technology Centre and universities to partner with TAFE Centres of Excellence will establish of Excellence will design and deliver NSW in the design and delivery of its an innovative training environment training in future technologies and Digital Technology Centre of Excel- that can support collaborative learn- digitalisation including artifi cial intellilence at Meadowbank. ing models, including the co-design gence, big data, gaming, cloud comput-

Th e NSW Government is investing and co-delivery of skills training with ing, cyber security, and programming. $154M to transform TAFE NSW Mead- TAFE, industry and universities, and Th e Expression of Interest process will owbank into the fi rst digital technol- provide practical, relevant training continue until October 26.

CAFÉ ROYCE

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

We invite you to meet the team at Café Royce and enjoy the delicious homemade food, welcoming hospitality and relaxed stylish surrounds.

OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY FROM 7AM – 3PM

123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith (opposite the Mercure Hotel)