BDmag Issue 07

Industry 4.0

The Fourth Industrial Revolution

It’s Cool to be Kind Face To Face With Nick Bowditch

The Asia Algorithm Carey Ramm 01

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2018 ADITS Chapter Event

Mark Bouris The Mentor

The Blueprint for Business Success 12 OCTOBER 2018 2.30PM THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW townsvilletickets.com.au /event/7754

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS WEEK 2018 PROUDLY SPONSORED

BY HAYS Townsville, 16th - 27th October 2018 BPW2018 provides a platform for all business and industry bodies to network, share knowledge on market trends, and obtain key career development skills. The events offer a low cost solution to both managers and staff to dedicate time to their professional development with most events offering industry CPD points.

BPW will have an event for all progressive business people, Directors through to Graduates, across professional services, construction and mining, commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors.

Visit hays.com.au/bpw for details and a regularly updated timetable of events.

For more information, contact Hays Townsville at nqevents@hays.com.au or 07 4771 5100.

Proud sponsors of 2018 Townsville Business Professionals Week include:

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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2018 / Issue 07

10 19 30

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CONTENTS

08 BDAMBASSADORS

25 QLD: THE ANALOG STATE

Chris Briggs & Patrick Brady

10 THE ASIA ALGORITHM

Economist, Founder & Entrepreneur Carey Ramm

14 A NATURAL INVESTMENT

Paragen Bio hooks in to $6million investment

17 A TOUCH OF TECHNOLOGY & A PINCH OF PEPPER

Robotics in play at Townsville Hospital

19 THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

Kylie Bartlett’s Women of Achievement

21 AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARS

Rebuilding Anna’s Beauty

Alicorn Ventures Co-Founder Dominic Holland

DesignNQ

26 THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

43 THUMBS UP TO A DENTAL REVOLUTION

Local entrepreneurs share their story

Entrepreneur and storyteller Nick Bowditch

30 IT’S COOL TO BE KIND

33 PACIFIC LENS

Pacific Island International’s Ashley Finn

34 INDUSTRY 4.0 JCU eResearch Professor

Ian Atkinson

37 NOT SO SECRET CODE

CoderDojo comes to Townsville

22 FOXLEE’S STANDARDS

39 SWEET SUCCESS

Setting the standard with Herb Foxlee

41 MORE GRAPHIC THAN EVER

The sugar industry game changer

Thumb Sucking Clinic’s Carla Lejarraga

45 NOT GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN

Thuringowa RSL $4m redevelopment

47 YOU’RE THE VOICE TOWNSVILLE, MAKE A NOISE

Evocities Chairman Cr Kevin Mack

49 DIVERSIFICATION & INNOVATION KEYS TO BUSINESS ENDURANCE Moduline

51 MASTER OF HER OWN FATE

Invictus Games representative Trudi Lines

PUBLISHERS Maddy Voinea, Sarah Jones ADVERTISING Sarah Jones DESIGN Brooke Fowler, TBD Design JOURNALISTS Jade Kennedy, Julie Johnston, Lori Napier, Tracey Gordon PHOTOGRAPHY BlueKino, Matthew Gianoulis Photography COVER Carey Ramm BD MAGAZINE 19 Albury Street, Pimlico QLD 4812, ABN 15 620 607 258, P. 0409 272 461, W. bdmag.com.au EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES sarah@bdmag.com.au All contents of BDmag are subject to copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. The views and opinions of authors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of print, the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or subsequence including loss or damages from reliance on information in this publication.

A moment of clarity.

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*$48,900 is the drive away price for the A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI with Technik Package, Assistance Package & Metallic Paint. Available for new stock vehicles purchased and delivered between 1/8/18 and 31/10/18. While stock lasts. Not available to fleet, gov’t or rental buyers, or with other offers. Audi Australia reserves the right to change or extend this offer.

BD AMBASSADORS THESE LEADERS ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THEIR FIELD. STRIVING TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY THEIR OWN BUSINESS, BUT OUR CITY’S PROSPERITY AS A WHOLE. OUR BDAMBASSADORS WILL BRING YOU REGULAR UPDATES ON THE LATEST NEWS, ADVANCES AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THEIR INDUSTRIES. THIS ISSUE WE SPEAK WITH TOURISM AMBASSADOR CHRIS BRIGGS AND DEVELOPMENT AMBASSADOR PATRICK BRADY.

TOURISM

CHRIS BRIGGS

General Manager North Qld Sealink Travel Group

While Townsville isn’t yet globally renowned as a tourism ‘mecca’, our city and islands almost never fail to surprise and delight our first-time visitors. As a destination, we have so much to offer and be proud of.

satisfaction I take visitors for a breakfast along the Strand, or by night to enjoy a meal in the lights and atmosphere of the city, and each time I hear them remark on what a stunning part of the world we live in.

including a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Pelorus Island, a connected network of walking trails for Magnetic Island, the Museum of Underwater Art and continued growth in events and festivals.

Castle Hill offers Instagram worthy, panoramic views of our CBD, Strand and Magnetic Island nestled in the arms of Cape Cleveland and Cape Pallarenda. This stunning vista provides many visitors the grounding and bearings to explore our region and a longheld image that reminds them of their time in our beautiful city by the sea.

From Orpheus and Magnetic Island, to the city center and into our surrounding regional neighbours, there is every type of accommodation a visitor could wish to choose from; resorts, 5-star hotels, bungalows, hidden cabins, self-contained apartments, a caravan park on the beachfront, camping and backpacker dorms, we have it all on offer.

We have also become spoilt for choice when dining out with an abundance of restaurants, it can be difficult to choose where to dine. It is always with great

Confidence is being demonstrated through already completed projects, commenced projects and new projects on the horizon

Our future as a growing tourism destination is bright as word spreads on our piece of paradise. Visitor numbers continue to grow and more collaborative efforts are undertaken to market our region. Those tourism businesses who are investing the time and effort needed to understand the expectations of visitors, adapting and reinvesting capital to meet those expectations, and then ramping up their marketing and social media presence are already seeing the rewards.

At a recent presentation in Canberra, it was pointed out that Townsville could double in size without the need for a tunnel, subway rail line, or even a light rail.

we are currently reliant on (and grateful for) investment in public infrastructure (eg. stadium, water pipeline), we need to establish an attractive commercial environment for the private sector.

We are resolving our water security issues, and we have ample developable land.

DEVELOPMENT

PATRICK BRADY Executive Director Premise

It is a fact that Townsville would be one of the least costly places in Australia to cater for our growing population. It is also a fact that Townsville is a desirable place to live, with our ample sunshine, non-existent traffic peak, outdoor lifestyle, and an increasingly crowded social calendar.

All we are missing at the moment are jobs to attract the population up this way. While

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Unfortunately, investment choices in Townsville by the private sector are affected by uncertainty and higher costs, when compared to elsewhere in Australia, or indeed overseas.

This requires some activation of levers by government, if they are serious about development of Northern Australia, and its capital, Townsville. Any costs incurred to even up the playing field, let alone give Townsville the advantage, can be recouped by the savings in deferred infrastructure in the metro areas. Private sector investment

08

decisions are also made over a significant period of time, given the payoff times on these investments.

It is vital that our planning, infrastructure and vision is long-term to match this timing, to cement Townsville as a place to invest with confidence.

We need solid 50-year solutions to our land supply, ports, airports, transport links, water and energy. That doesn’t mean necessarily building all infrastructure now, but it has to be more than waiting until the situation is critical, or beyond, before resolving. Nothing will scare the private sector away quicker.

Something to consider.

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Leading Australian Economist, Carey Ramm, isn’t the first business leader to highlight lost opportunity in Townsville’s reluctance to embrace ASIAPac market opportunities.

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The Asia Algorithm

Written by Tracey Gordon

“What Townsville has to recognise is that it’s future lies outside the national boundaries. We’re closer to Asia than we are to Melbourne and therefore, we should be looking North for growth, not south.”

— Carey Ramm Creating Pathways

As the Founder and Managing Director of the only Australian company operating successfully in every Asian country, Carey is

Carey says that Asia wasn’t a logical step for AEC in their initial

highly qualified to give advice on how and why the Asia algorithm should be maximised as a key economic driver for this region.

growth years and he appreciates trepidation when considering

When Mathematical Economist, Founder and Director of AEC

companies in Australia but navigating international tax, business

Group, Carey Ramm, exited his role as Ministerial Advisor to the

and corporate laws, along with language and cultural differences is a

Prime Minister in 1993, he left Canberra with a strong reputation, a

complex picture.” he explains.

this market. “It’s one thing managing geographically dispersed

pocket full of learnings and a stealthy contact list.

However, after the GFC it was apparent that world growth

His numbers and market foresight were always going to be on point,

opportunity lay in Asia and the Middle East, so that’s where Carey

but it was still a tentative start to the AEC Group from the spare

focused his attention, explaining that Australian business growth

room of the two-bedroom unit he rented. Carey faced the same

will always be constrained by the fact that the market size is only

challenges all new business owners face, but he was armed with

25million persons.

surplus trading insight.

Having traversed the trials inherent in offshore opportunity, Carey

“My career in politics taught me a lot,” says Carey. “Federal politics

says that outside of the obvious demographically led challenges, for

is played at a very brutal level and I learnt that I didn’t want to be a

the Townsville business sector to maximise opportunity across Asia

politician. But more relevant to my business venture, I learnt how

several bottlenecks need to be overcome, with number one being

the corporate sector interacts with government, so I was able to

our entrenched, parochial attitude.

bridge the political and government spectrum with business.”

“What Townsville has to recognise is that it’s future lies outside the

With a cross section of industry contacts from his political career

national boundaries. We’re closer to Asia than we are to Melbourne

and an unwavering commitment to nurturing client relationships;

and therefore, we should be looking north for growth, not south.

the fledging economic and financial consultancy was advising the

That means that people need to spend their time, money and

country’s major mining companies and government departments

efforts going up there and forging relationships.”

before they hit the five-year mark. By the end of the 1990’s, AEC

He points out that while much noise is made about Asian corporates

Group was not just advising other businesses, they commenced building their own as well.

coming down here, buying cattle stations and forging business

“We started making money as the AEC Group and decided to look

Asia is offering us. “I’m an Australian and I’m up there as one of the

at creating our own projects - essentially taking our own advice.”

largest health care sellers in China.”

relationships, there isn’t much uptake of the reciprocal opportunity

Carey says. Fast-track to 2018 and Carey’s biggest clients are his own

Carey suggests that as a community we need to invest in local and

businesses. AEC Group is now a holding company to a diverse and

overseas incubator facilities, to assist market entry by other local

lucrative portfolio of brands; an employer of over 2,000 people

businesses. Austrade currently offers Australian business access to

across ASIAPac and the US – and the global AEC Group financial footprint is managed from a modest office, right here in Townsville.

trade office facilities, but to get to that trading level in the first place,

“AEC Group has put its money where its mouth is – literally. For

access to the expertise of people currently doing business in Asia.

what’s necessary are Incubators that provide support, hot desks and

example, we spotted the trend in health and fitness and we’ve grown

“The Sister Cities Program is a great program; the annual James

that and our pharmaceuticals into one of the bigger enterprises

Cook University Asian Market Forum is excellent but we need

in Asia and the Middle East. We’ve got our own manufacturing

to take it to the next level and provide a support mechanism

facilities in the USA and in Asia, so we are both vertically and

that reduces risk and perceived obstacles.” Carey says. “It’s

horizontally integrated. We control our own destiny”

no different to starting a business in Australia except for the increased scale of opportunity.”

11

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Initiatives such as incubators, need to be developed and supported

but they now need to recognise that they have to step up and

by mentors who know the ropes. “I know I would be happy to act in

assume that regional advocacy role.

a mentorship capacity if such facilities were available and I’m sure

Carey believes that a next level mentoring program, past the

my local peers who operate in the overseas markets would be too.”

Townsville Enterprise Emerging Leaders Program, is needed to

says Carey.

build strong leaders that advocate for the region. "The same people

Mastering the Digital Economy

seem to get stuck with it all the time, but we aren’t going to be here

Another significant opportunity and challenge for the North is

agenda of the business community.” he says.

forever. Regional succession planning needs to be high on the

how the region integrates into the digital economy and engages in

Initiatives such as applying for funding and setting up export

digital e-commerce. In terms of logistics, the world is shrinking, and

incubators, rallying for change to International Air Agreements,

sending parcels from Townsville to Brisbane is the same as sending them to China for example and only takes 2 or 3 days.

hosting the Asian business community and taking NQ products

“It’s about how we get our local businesses to change up their

Alibaba and TMall Global are projects the new generation business

overseas through regional ecommerce portals on platforms like

approach to online marketing and not just appear as a local

community could and should come together on and action.

business selling purely into North Queensland or Australia.” says

Their own business future is intrinsically linked to the health

Carey. “Platforms such as Ali Baba, TMall, JD and Amazon provide

of North Queensland.

opportunity to move products, but we must ensure our online

“If there is one thing I know about politics,” says Carey. “It is that

presence is both tailored to and interactive with consumers in

it’s becoming more capital city centric as each decade goes on. You

China, India and the Middle East. If you are just talking to a local,

need to be louder and you need to fight harder for the region. That’s

online audience of 200,000, you’re limiting your growth potential

critical to our future and ensuring we have the infrastructure in

substantially.”

place to do business with Asia and the World.”

The New Generation Leadership Community Along with other key members of the Townsville community, Carey Ramm has been a strong advocate for the region in the past, but says that the Stadium project was his last swansong for Townsville.

“For the last 20 years it’s been the same people that have been lobbying for Townsville; putting in the hard yards and putting in their own dollars to get major projects off the ground.” he says. “These people have marched down to Brisbane and marched down to Canberra and they pushed very hard to get the necessary political outcomes.”

Carey explains that the new generation of business owners are making a very good living out of Townsville and North Queensland,

Lessons Learned from 25 years of Business 5Always employ people smarter than you - In business you are only as good as the people in your team.

5Knowing when to cut your losses - Not all business ventures are a success, the trick is knowing when to say enough is enough before you have dug yourself in too deep.

5Emotionally involved - At the end of the day it is good to have pride in what you do but you must always remember that this is an investment.

5Don’t sweat the small stuff - Problems happen every day, you have to be able to rise above them or you will be incapable of making rational decisions.

5Balance your defensive / aggressive mindset - If you are not an optimist you won’t go into business for yourself.

5Focus on the key reason why a project should go ahead – not the reasons why it shouldn’t – There are always plenty of people that will create doubt in your mind so you need to shut this out.

5Finally, when a problem arises – Stop, step back and say “Ok, how do I turn this into an opportunity / or to my advantage?”

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12

salon français C ’EST UNE AFFAIRE DE STAND UP AU SALON FR ANÇAIS

(it’s a stand up affair at the French Lounge) Tuesday 6th November 11.30 – 3.00 • $180pp The room will be flowing with champagne, cocktails, canapés & chocolate.

Relax on a chaise lounge and soak up the atmosphere or enjoy the freedom to wander the room and experience everything on offer.

Champagne bar, cocktail bar, live entertainment, live screen racing, sweeps, best dressed, fashion, food & fun.

BOOK THROUGH TOWNSVILLE TICKETS. TOWNSVILLETICKETS.COM.AU CALL THE RESTAURANT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. 07 4724 1460 MICHELSRESTAURANT.COM.AU

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his Paragen Bio team in their innovative work developing therapeutic approaches to help in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, making them JCU’s first ever biotech startup and one of just a handful in North Queensland.

A Natural Investment Our unparalleled biodiversity and abundance of creepy crawlies makes North Queensland the perfect backdrop for the first regional biotech startup out of James Cook University to hook into their groundbreaking research program targeting autoimmune diseases.

So far, the hypothesis is good for the hundreds of thousands of Australians with a debilitating gut disease.

“We’ve been working with Dr. John Croese, who’s essentially the ‘Godfather’ of this area, conducting

clinical

trials

on

people

with

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and coeliac disease, which has formed a real potential for the development of drugs to treat sufferers of these diseases,” Alex revealed.

“John knew that hookworms could suppress inflammation in the gut, so he asked the question in his clinic – what happens if I give people with IBD or coeliac disease a handful of hookworms? At the end of his clinical trials, most of his patients responded favourably. We had enough evidence that the hookworm had therapeutic benefits, but trying to turn a worm infection into a drug to treat millions of people around the world isn’t feasible. After a lot of studies in the laboratory we were able to prove that you don't actually need the worm itself to

Written by Lori Napier

get the therapeutic benefits. Instead, we can Introducing a bloodsucking organism into our body to combat an attack on our immune system. Sounds like the plot of a sci-fi film, right?

Well, meet the protagonist of this spine-tingling storyline; the humble hookworm. Yes, the parasite that is well-known for causing infections in unassuming human beings who tend to live in poorly-sanitised regions of the tropics. THAT hookworm! But, thanks to a multimillion-dollar injection by a group of forward-thinking investors, new technologies being developed by a newly-formed North Queensland biotech company could potentially save millions of people around the world from a lifetime of suffering from autoimmune diseases.

“Paragen Bio is all about trying to exploit that millennia of host and parasite co-evolution to develop next generation therapeutics inspired by nature,” Paragen Head of Research, Professor Alex Loukas explained.

“Rather than designing drugs from scratch or modelling interactions on a computer, we’ve gone to what we believe is one of the most exquisitely-adapted examples in nature of a host-parasite relationship - the interaction between hookworms and their human hosts.

Hookworms secrete proteins into their host tissues to suppress inflammation and facilitate their long-term survival, and we plan to exploit this fascinating biology to develop drugs inspired by nature.”

For the past eight years, Alex and his small research team at James Cook University’s ( JCU) Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) in Cairns have been studying parasitic hookworms. Their research was enough to pique the interest of a number of investors, including venture capital firms OneVentures and Brandon Capital, and international biopharmaceutical company AbbVie. Together, they formed a funding syndicate to invest $6 million to aid Alex and

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inject people with the worm saliva.”

Alex said their investors, along with a large chunk of federal funding, has provided Paragen Bio with the necessary support to make the critical step from research towards eventually trialing a potential treatment at the end of their two-year program.

As a startup company, we now have a really good chance of actually

“People have never tried to treat an autoimmune disease with a worm

reaching our goal and potentially

protein before,” he stated.

bringing a whole new generation of

“There are a lot of drugs out there, but they cost a fortune and they

drugs to the market

don’t work for many people. There’s a lot of hurdles to overcome and regulation bodies aren’t used to seeing these sorts of drugs being put in front of them. There’s a lot of work to do over the next couple of years to really show that we can develop something here that will be potentially safe and effective enough to go into humans. Worms have been secreting these proteins into humans for millennia, and there’s no signs that they are toxic.”

Excited to be working with their new investors, the first Australian venture for American pharma company AbbVie, Alex firmly believes their future is bright.

“As a startup company, we now have a really good chance of actually reaching our goal and potentially bringing a whole new generation of drugs to the market,” he said.

“I think a lot of people were surprised that a biotech company spun out of a North Queensland university, and even more so that the very first investor is one of the largest multi-national pharma companies. It’s helping to put North Queensland on the map in this space and we hope it’s the beginning of a vibrant biotech culture up here.”

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YOUR NEXT EVENT VENUE

ͅ ͅ ͅ

Riverway Parklands Riverway Stadium Townsville Stadium

ͅ ͅ ͅ

Community Centres Townsville Gardens Reid Park

ͅ ͅ

Strand Park Jezzine Barracks

Special events | Sporting events | Concerts | Community events | Exhibitions For more information townsville.qld.gov.au

venues@townsville.qld.gov.au

13 48 10

A TOUCH OF TECHNOLOGY AND A PINCH OF PEPPER Townsville Hospital is offering an innovative approach to patient care with the addition of ‘Pepper’ the robot to their staff roster over the course of the next few months.

Written by Lori Napier

enjoy interacting with her, which is what

while this hospital humanoid answers their

the research is really all about.

questions. Pepper’s capabilities allow her to offer advice on what a patient can do if

Pepper’s arrival at the hospital is part of

they’re feeling unwell, where they can park

a joint research project with the State

and guide them to the closest café.

Government and Queensland University of Technology’s ARC Centre of Excellence

“It’s about how we interact,” she stated. “We

in Robotic Vision. Townsville Hospital’s

all use iPads, but it’s interesting that when

resident cybernetics enthusiast, enrolled

you add a robotic element to that, how

Nurse Annie Elvin, is leading the trial and

people can have different perspectives of

programming of Pepper.

what that then is.”

It’s a pioneering project for our region’s

Judy

said

it’s

all

thanks

to

Annie’s

major health hub, as the first hospital in

enthusiasm that they have been able to

Judy believes that while Pepper’s capabilities

Australia to trial the machine with social

take part in this cutting-edge approach to

are impressive, it is just scratching at

abilities, whose number one quality is its

patient care.

the surface of what the technological capabilities are at her forward-thinking

ability to perceive emotions.

“Annie has been working for quite a while

workplace.

robot

to get this project and research over the line

manufactured by SoftBank Robotics with

and it really came down to her perseverance,

“We are now a digital hospital, and one of

the capacity to recognise your face, speak,

which we were fully supportive of,” Judy

the main hospitals in Queensland that is

hear you and move around autonomously.

said.

in the process of putting all of our records

Pepper

is

a

semi-humanoid

onto a digital format,” Judy revealed.

The technology and capabilities Pepper offers have been well received around the

“We came to look at what the future may

world with the first batch of 1000 ‘Peppers’

hold, looking at where we are now from 10

“The

launched in 2015 selling out in just 60

or 20 years ago, and I suspect as the world

with our records will, in the future, all be

seconds.

moves on, there will most certainly be a

digitally based. We’re at the forefront of

change in how people access information.”

that from a Queensland perspective. It's

Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s

While it is a coup for the hospital to be at

not a big leap to think that we might use

Executive

&

the forefront of such evolving technologies,

some form of interaction with our patients

Midwifery Services, Judy Morton, said

Judy makes it very clear that nothing will

in a digital format in the future, but we can’t

Pepper’s presence has so far been received

be replacing our regions talented and

predict yet what that will look like. It’s an

extremely well.

dedicated clinicians saying “Pepper is not

enormous process!”

Director

of

Nursing

interactions

our

clinicians

have

in any way a replacement clinician” “Essentially,

Pepper

is

an

After a month’s work in the short stay unit,

interactive

humanoid robot; a concierge service of

A team of researchers will be following

Pepper will get some work experience in

sorts which can talk to hospital visitors and

Pepper’s movements while in the short

the main foyer of Townsville Hospital,

patients and give them information,” Judy

stay unit to evaluate their newest recruit’s

where patients and visitors will be able to

explained. “If nothing else, people seem to

effectiveness and assess patient reactions

interact and receive information.

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e r u t u F e h T e l a m is Fe

Written by Jade Kennedy

How many times do we see or hear that

“I don’t think we appreciate the full economic, social,

sentiment? How many of us actually believe it?

political and cultural power of our women. For me, it

One local woman who believes it and celebrates this

to the remarkable achievements of the amazing women

sentiment daily is Kylie Bartlett, founder of Women of Achievement – a collaborative community for women to

wasn’t until I was sitting in a conference in Sydney listening there that I personally realised the quiet pinhole and lack of representation that was gapping on a local level,” Kylie

inspire, connect, share, empower and elevate.

recalls.

Women

my husband, leaned in and said “we’re not celebrating the

of

Achievement

(WOA)

is

a

collaborative

community for women to share inspirational stories and words of wisdom, to give back and inspire other women.

Kylie explains that WOA is hinged on one phenomenal

“I will never forget that moment mid-conference, I nudged diverse achievements of our local women, there is a huge gap.” And from that, Women of Achievement was born.

word - elevate.

“From the beginning, the big message I wanted to share

“I have always believed in the power of elevating our

let the word ‘achievement’ scare you!” says Kylie. “Every

women and girls. When women from diverse backgrounds and experiences share their voice authentically and courageously, they become trailblazers for those who follow. Anything is possible when we learn how to take strategic action to elevate ourselves and other women.

was, regardless of how it unfolds or who facilitates it, don’t woman, every man, has achieved something, regardless of how big or small, despite society’s classification system or our own unconscious bias. Sometimes we are so busy in life that we don’t take time to recognise it ourselves.”

This October will see the sixth annual WOA event take place as Kylie continues to passionately advocate for the

I don't think we appreciate the full economic, social, political and cultural power of our women.

achievements of our women alongside this year's special guest speaker, entrepreneur and author Lisa Messenger.

“There is something deeply rewarding about the collective power and wisdom of a group of women who show up and dare to be vulnerable, who explore strategies and practices to influence personal and professional growth. Seeing that

“I don’t believe we were born simply to be cogs in a machine,” Kylie says.

“We came here to learn how to be ourselves, to live to our fullest potential, to share, celebrate and elevate each other

change impact the community is how we challenge the status quo and start a revolution.”

Townsville’s professional women's networking landscape

along the way.”

has continued to evolve with the Townsville Business

Globally, women now own more than 30% of micro,

Business in Heels and Women Rising just a few of the many

small and medium-sized enterprises and the economic potential as these numbers continue to grow is boundless.

A McKinsey Global Institute report indicates that if the global gender gap were to be closed, in which women play an identical role in labor markets to men’s, as much as $28

Women’s Circle, The Sky Foundation, Blaq Diamonds, platforms now forging together to power the opportunities for our local women.

Kylie believes that the future requires cracking open more conversations, unearthing more truth tellers, game

trillion could be added to global annual GDP in 2025.

changers and those willing to share their failures, even if

Whilst global statistics like these are impressive, Kylie

something, scale something or keep cash flow; it’s about

agrees they can at times seem miles away from a local context.

their voice shakes. “It’s not just dialogue on how to start learning how to sustain our passion and endurance along the way. It is the making of space for self as we cross personal and professional arenas.”

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smoke

After the

clears When an arsonist burned Anna Ravizza’s beauty salon to the ground in January, she realised there were a lot of things she needed to learn to move forward in her business and personal life.

Written by Julie Johnston

Housed in a quaint Queenslander on Boundary Street, Anna’s Skin and

morning and I told them I was going to open in four weeks - I don’t know where

new salon with positivity and resilience.

Beauty had a loyal clientele and Anna was working six (and a half) days a week to grow the business. She had taken out business interruption insurance and stock and equipment insurance when the salon opened, and paid her annual premiums with little thought since.

that came from!”

“It took a while to settle in because I really loved that first place,” she says, fondly. “The space that I am in now is very different to the last one, a bit more professional. My mum says to me, ‘that was your baby, this is your grown-up salon’”.

“I’m glad we had that, however we hadn’t updated the policy since I had opened, and that was an oversight,” she explains.

“I’d invested in new equipment and stock as the business had grown.”

Like most North Queensland business owners, she assumed the biggest threat to her business would be a cyclone.

“I never in a million years expected a fire,” she says. “The worst thing about a fire is that it’s so final. There was nothing left. If it was a cyclone or flood, you can still pick through whatever is left and get what you can, but with a fire, there is nothing.”

The insurance company was supportive and easy to deal with, however the financial impact of the fire is ongoing.

“The insurance company was great, it wasn’t a struggle,” she says. “But because of how my business was destroyed, it was extremely hard to get insured again.

We eventually found someone, but the insurance has more than doubled because of the nature of the claim.”

Under her policy, Anna was entitled to have her income covered for up to 52 weeks, but within hours of the devastating fire, she chose to focus on the rebuild.

“The police came at 3am and said ‘your salon has burned down,’” she recalls.

“The news crew came around early that

“I wasn’t prepared to let my business go. I would have been starting again if I waited so long,” she says. “The best place for me emotionally was to be in my salon with my clients,” she says. “I kept saying ‘I just need to get back to my people and then I will be okay.’”

Anna credits the community with making it possible for her to re-open Anna’s Skin and Beauty in its new location in Morris Street, West End. “I had pulled this date out of thin air for what I was determined to do, but without the support of the people who helped with the rebuild, we couldn’t have made that happen.”

“It wasn’t just words, people followed through with their

offers of help . I’d never experienced

something like that, it was absolute

magic

and so humbling.”

“It was really overwhelming, I didn’t realise that so many people cared,” she says. “It wasn’t just words, people followed through with their offers of help. I’d never experienced something like that, it was absolute magic and so humbling.”

Anna has embraced the change in her

21

While it’s not a marketing strategy any business would wish for, the media coverage from the fire has significantly raised Anna’s profile and her salon has attracted new clients.

“That’s definitely a positive that came out of it,” she says, and good naturedly adds, “People recognise me as the lady whose salon burnt down.”

Anna admits that one of the biggest lessons has been the importance of having a work/life balance.

“I didn’t have that before. I was so committed to the business, I would work late every night, Saturdays and even come in on Sundays. I spent a lot of time working in the business because I loved it so much.”

“Had I have known that everything I had worked so hard for could be taken away in three minutes, I may have done things differently. In this salon, I make time for my family and things that I enjoy outside of work.”

“From the community support I received, I definitely want to give back to people who might need it. If I can help people emotionally, give them my time to make them feel good, I want to do that. You need to earn a living, but it’s not all about making money all the time, it’s about the people.”

www.bdmag.com.au

FOXLEE’S STANDARDS Written by Tracey Lee Gordon

Herb Foxlee, is a modest achiever. So very modest in fact that his many accomplishments have flown well beneath the contemporary media radar that proudly showcases North Queensland’s corporate maturity.

Convince Herb Foxlee to spin the

– they wanted all of his suggestions

By 1992 the Innisfail based operation

spotlight his way and you’ll find that

implemented and sought funding for

was responsible for the manufacture

pre-cloud, Mr. Foxlee was not only

Herb to develop new and revised design

and distribution of pipes, fittings, valves

achieving many business firsts for

patented, componentry.

and ancillary products to 40% of the

this region – he was setting Australian Standards as well.

Australian market; with many of their Herb guided the business and its

products being specified by consulting

employees to improved production,

engineers for major government and

Herb Foxlee was setting standards

safety and quality practices. “We

corporate projects across Australia.

in the days before many of today’s

educated and focused on the

“ P U B L I C LY L I S T I N G A C O M PA N Y I S L I K E GETTING ON A TIGER’S BACK. IF YOU GET OFF, YOU’LL GET EATEN” North Queensland businesses could be

workforce, we bought in structure

In 1993, bringing the businesses

rationalised. Born in 1942 and raised

and quality standards at each stage of

under the umbrella of Crevet - and as

in Charters Towers, Herb’s family

the manufacturing process to almost

one of the first companies in North

hails from England and the Foxlee

eliminate rejects, which in turn reduced

Queensland to list on the ASX; Crevet

name associated with landmarks

the per item cost. Returns improved.

Limited went public. Crevet was an

and accomplishments in the north’s

We eventually went from employing 40

employer of over 700 people, across

defence, mining, business, cattle and

locals to 240.”

17 Australian sites and with annual

horse racing industries dating back to the late 1800’s.

turnovers in excess of $100million.

In 1985 NIBF aligned with Associated Water Equipment (AWE) and the move

With many water infrastructure

From the Dam Buster Squadron of

saw a strong partnership form between

projects underway and in the pipeline

WWII and Foxlee’s Trail at Mt Spec;

Herb and AWE Managing Director Bob

across Australia throughout the 80’s,

to Foxlee House in Proserpine, AYOT

McAlistair. With investor support, they

water reticulation and its componentry

House in Charters Towers and the great

went on to directly acquire NIBF and

was big business. In joint venture ( JV)

cattle theft from Bowen Downs in 1870,

AWE in 1988. It was a purchase which

with Netherlands based Wavin, Crane

take a glance at Herb Foxlee’s family

heralded further business acquisitions

Group acquired Crevet competitor

tree and you’ll immediately assume that

which would later form the Crevet

James Hardie (now Iplex Australia) in

setting impressive standards, is just a

Group.

1997. Continuing its industry take-up,

Foxlee family trait.

CORPORATE FOX

in 2000, the JV embarked on a strategic Herb continued to refine and develop

and successful takeover of a prospering

the product range, setting Australian

Crevet Limited as well.

In 1984 a young Herb Foxlee returned

Water Standards with revolutionary

to Australia from Papua New Guinea

pressure valves and fittings. Bob

“It was a fast rise.” says Herb. He adds

(PNG), after leading a design project

continued to focus on growing the

that if he could do it over again, he

for the Australian Governments

market, as front and centre of sales and

and Mr. McAlistair probably wouldn’t

Department of Works and Supplies

commercial growth. They challenged

float the company. “We really lost our

across the PNG Highlands Highway,

standards with innovation, including

control after we listed. If the market

which was later described as “A

a superior range of powder coated fire

caught a cold, Crevet would catch it.

magnificent piece of engineering,

hydrants that delivered a flow rate of

Publicly listing a company is like getting

worthy of world acknowledgement.”

38 litres per second. The product was

on a tiger’s back – if you get off, you’ll

adopted as Australian Standard and

get eaten.”

With a growing reputation as a highly

both government and commercial

talented engineering professional, Herb

uptake was significant.

was snapped up quickly on his return;

Herb stayed on with IPlex to guide the transition and at fifty-five, decided he

engaged to review manufacturing

With the market pushing for

wasn’t ready to retire. He consequently

operations and products of Innisfail’s

benchmarking of industry practices

bought Townsville based OZRam

Northern Iron and Brass Foundry

by the end of the 80’s, Herb joined key

Hydraulics and has remained at its

(NIBF), suppliers to the public and

peers as a founding member of the

helm for over twenty years.

private water reticulation industry in

Manufacturing Society of Australia.

Australia.

Essentially, he was not only designing

While even at a glance, Herb Foxlee’s

products that set the Australian

career is more impressive than most, at

NIBF owners Gunther and Hazel

Standard, but he was called on to set the

75, he says it’s not over yet. “I’m blessed

Schmidt were so impressed with Herbs

Australian Manufacturing Standards for

with good health and I don’t think I’m

recommendations, that they not only

them as well.

as old as my years would indicate.”

gave him a management position

SUNDAY 21ST OCTOBER ON THE WATER - 86 OGDEN ST FROM 3PM

SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER ON THE WATER - 86 OGDEN ST FROM 3PM

A TOUCH OF SALT & MOVIMIENTO PRESENTS

Flavours

It’s back! The Flavours of Latin America Festival will return for an even bigger celebration of family, friends, food, wine, music and dance!

Blue skies, sunny days, spent by the water, with a vibrant Spring menu to savour.

That’s the ideal Sunday in October.

The event, now in it’s fifth year, celebrates Latin American Festival “El Dia de Los Muertos” translated as the day of the dead.

Join us for seasonal dishes, wines, ciders, cocktails & live music; all set against the blissful backdrop of the city in spring.

RESTAURANT | CATERING

Purchase entry tickets from townsvilletickets.com.au | 86 Ogden St Townsville | 4724 4441 | atouchofsalt.com.au

QUEENSLAND THE ANALOG STATE Written by Dominic Holland Co-Founder & Executive Director Alicorn Ventures Tech & Startup Commentator

Queensland has long been wildly successful at producing and exporting primary resources to the world. But when it comes to technology, consumption far outweighs production.

The technology sector has become the

and presence of local technology start-ups.

backbone of every other business segment

Queensland cannot afford to continue having jobs flow South, or have more

and is absorbing revenue and jobs from

It is a morbid concern that in Queensland,

traditional jobs replaced with automated

traditional industries at an exponential

in a time of mass automation and digital

technology in Sydney and Melbourne

rate.

disruption, with a radically changing

based companies. Queensland cannot

workforce, when Australia is in an arms

afford to miss out on billions in taxes

Queensland farms and mines are more

race for the production of technology, that

which could go to infrastructure, schools,

efficient now due to technology and

an embarrassing zero of these top 25 have

hospitals, aged care, and building its

automation, so there are fewer jobs

a national office in Queensland, despite

innovation sector.

needed for the same output, with the

Sydney hosting 17, and Melbourne 3.

jobs having now shifted to technology

Every week, billions are invested into

companies whose products are powering

Large technology companies result in

technology companies around the

this efficiency. But these technology

huge amounts of tax revenue for the

world, most without a formal presence

companies are not Queensland

state they are based in. The $8Bn of sales

in Australia, these are the opportunity.

companies, generally, they are typically

from every iPhone, Mac, or App Store

Queensland needs to lead the country in

not even Australian companies.

purchase through Apple in Australia

targeting these companies, attract them

is transacted through its company

to Queensland before they even look to

incorporated in NSW, which represents

Australia.

The technology sector, is the

over $800M in GST collected federally,

largest business sector in the

and approximately $680M distributed to

Queensland needs a government with the

world, by market cap. The top

the NSW State Government. That is more

guts and sense to act, now.

25 public global technology companies represent a combined

than the entire $650M Queensland state budget for innovation in 2018/2019.

The Queensland Treasurer should attract big-tech to Queensland by offering a

value of USD$5.7 trillion. That

Google Australia, also incorporated in

rebate on GST they pay, through state

is more than 4 times Australia’s

NSW just surpassed $3Bn in local sales this

incentives. Queensland is distributed $1.09

GDP, and 5 times as much as the

year, giving a $255M GST windfall for the

from the Federal Government for every

NSW Government.

$1 of GST paid by a QLD incorporated

2,200 publicly listed companies on the ASX combined, which

company, so a 9% GST rebate could be Twitter, the primary social network used

an enticing lure for these companies, and

by the Queensland’s Premier and virtually

Queensland would still be distributed all

mining companies, technology

every state MP, is another California

of the GST they actually pay, based on

companies, the lot.

technology giant that calls Sydney home.

current distribution share rates.

includes the big banks, retailers,

Even local Townsville success story,

The Premier needs to stop falling prey

Large technology companies attract talent,

SafetyCulture, one of Australia’s largest

to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood,

retain talent, and develop talent. These

funded and high-growth startups, outgrew

catch a plane to San Francisco, not Los

companies spur innovation and growth in

Townsville, leapfrogged Brisbane, and

Angeles, and bring the technology CEO’s

the startup and technology sectors, they

moved to Sydney.

to Queensland, not the A-listers.

attract capital, and they attract the growth

25

www.bdmag.com.au

ENTREPRENEURS

T h e P ur s uit o f H a ppi ne s s T H E 9 - 5 CO R P OR ATE FACTO RY I SN ’ T EVERYO N E’ S I D E A OF F U L F I L L ME N T. The allure of being the alpha and omega of your own destiny is certainly enticing and it’s easy to see why more people are chasing the f reedom and fulf ilment of the entrepreneurial dream.

At the heart of every successful startup is optimism. Forging together passion and aspirations, making your mark on the world. But the journey isn’t all rainbows and skittles and the entrepreneurial hustle can also be a gruelling journey of never-ending hours, commitment and persistence.

We speak with three of our region’s entrepreneurs taking on the challenges and reaping the rewards.

LIFESTYLE ENTREPRENEUR:

Many ‘side-hustles’ begin as lifestyle ventures, developed

JAME S FA LKE NBE R G OF JIM’ S FIS H I N G

with the purpose of altering an entrepreneur’s personal lifestyle and not for the sole purpose of making prof it.

Written by Jade Kennedy

One local focusing on the rewards given

and pictures on my personal Facebook

(AFTA) awards convention held on the

to people that have a passion for what

page, restricting my exposure to purely

Gold Coast,” he said.

they do is James Falkenberg, of Jim’s

friends and family.

“There I got to meet the who’s who of

Fishing. What began as a love of fishing

“Using both Facebook and Instagram

the fishing industry as well as checking

has spawned a lifestyle venture creating

as a platform for sharing my content,

out and reviewing the latest products. I

content and working with sponsors across

they can now be seen by anyone with

was honestly like a kid in a candy store,

a variety of social media platforms, with

internet access. The popularity of Jim’s

surrounded entirely by fishing gear! I

plenty of perks along the way.

Fishing is growing with new followers and

was very lucky not to be hit with excess

subscribers across Facebook, Instagram

baggage charges on the way home.”

“I started the Jim’s Fishing page on

and YouTube daily.”

James advises aspiring lifestyle

Facebook in November 2017,” James said.

“The idea came on the back of family

Having written for Fish & Boat magazine

entrepreneurs not to let the pressure of

and friends suggesting I do so as a way of

for a few years, James now has a regular

making money or getting free gear turn a

furthering my fishing persona.

column in each issue called ‘Fishin’ with

hobby or passion into a job.

the Captain’ where readers can submit “I have always enjoyed creating videos,

their questions – not always fishing related

“There seems to be a stigma that only

so after setting up my YouTube channel

– and James answers to the best of his

the best anglers are sponsored, so a lot of

I needed an avenue to share my vids.

knowledge.

people out there are producing content that they don’t actually believe in, or false

Before, I would simply share my videos “I tend to go by the saying, ‘work to live,

content, in the hope that a company may

don’t live to work,’ and throughout most of

pick them up and sponsor them,” he said.

my adult/working life I have never really

“It’s important to remember that this is

been money driven as much as I probably

what you like doing outside of work, so

should have been,” James laughs.

enjoy it. The moment you feel like you

“If you enjoy what you are doing then it’s

‘have to’ do this and you ‘have to’ do that,

not really classed as ‘work’ in my opinion.

then maybe it’s time to ease back a little

This makes it really easy to continue to

and go back to enjoying your hobby. Don’t

improve and produce better content,

lose that childlike enthusiasm you had

especially when you’re having fun. If you

growing up whatever you do!”

aren’t enjoying what you are doing, why do it?”

As for the future of Jim’s Fishing?

As fun as it may be, James is still kicking

“Just to share with the world the

goals: Mako eyewear are now on board

enjoyment that can be had outside on

with Jim’s Fishing, and he has also

the water, experiencing life and all its

provided content for the team at Shimano

pleasures,” James said.

Australia to use on their social media

“We are lucky enough to live in a

platforms.

spectacular part of the world, and in a world where it seems people are more

“Just recently I was invited to the

addicted to Xboxes than tackle boxes, we

Australian Fishing Trade Association

need to get out there and enjoy it!”

27

www.bdmag.com.au

SME ENTREPRENEUR:

Townsville hand therapy business, Helping Hands, has

CAS S A NDRA C HEIS A O F H E LPING H A N D S

flourished f rom a one-woman show to a multi-clinic practice with an impressive seven f igure turnover.

Written by Jade Kennedy

A happily married mum of 2 children

receptionist and outsourcing as much

Cassandra also cites her husband as her

under five, Cassandra Cheisa is single-

as possible to allow her focus to remain

biggest supporter.

handedly proving that driven female

patient-based, but soon found it was

entrepreneurs can have and do it all -

impossible to sustain.

successfully.

“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without my husband to vent to about the issues

“I was working long hours, easily six days a

that are unsettling me,” she said.

“After 10 years studying and working,

week whilst still undergoing post graduate

“He is very good at putting things into

I moved back to Townsville in 2006,”

university study and accreditation to

perspective and separating fact from

Cassandra said.

become a hand therapist,” she explains.

fiction so I don’t make mountains out of

“At the time there were no hand

“It got to the point where I simply

molehills,” she laughs. “As an accountant

therapy private practices operating, and

couldn’t continue with the workload, at

and business advisor, he’s great to bounce

no positions at the hospital. I had no

which stage I employed my first therapist.

ideas off and inspires me to get my

aspirations to have my own business, and

Since then, things have grown steadily and

head around the numbers, which is so

at that stage I really did not want to open

organically, with an additional therapist on

important as those numbers grow.”

my own clinic, but I loved hand therapy,

staff each year.

and couldn’t imagine doing anything else,

“We now have 15 staff members across five

Despite her success, Cassandra said she

so I opened my doors so that I was able to

clinics, with revenue in the seven figures.”

is “generally living out of my comfort

continue this professional pursuit and fill my days helping people.”

Cassandra rented a room in a physiotherapy clinic, sharing their

zone at all times, which does mean living Cassandra has since found being a

in a constant state of mild (to moderate)

business owner hugely rewarding on many

anxiety.”

levels.

“I like knowing that my business helps so

“As the business grows, so does the

many people each and every day recover

pressure, continuing to meet the high

from upper limb injuries or conditions,”

expectations I put on myself back in the

she said.

early days when I was the only one seeing

“But I also get a lot of fulfilment from

patients,” she added.

knowing that I am generating a livelihood

It’s probably no surprise, then,

for 14 other people and the benefit

Cassandra’s top tip for budding

that then has on their families and the

entrepreneurs is: “don’t do it alone.”

community as a whole.”

“There are so many avenues for getting quality advice, coaching and peer support

The flexibility and autonomy the role

nowadays – whether it be face to face or

provides Cassandra as a working mum is

online,” she said.

also an advantage.

“You don’t need to reinvent wheels – seek mentoring from people who have

“For the most part I am able to choose

been there before, enrol in education,

when and where I work,” she said.

read books, listen to podcasts. Be open to

“Currently that means I work three days a

opportunities and think positively. Look

week which allows me to have quality time

outside your industry for ways to innovate

at home with the kids (Tommy, 18 months,

and celebrate the wins along the way.”

and Lucy, nearly 4).”

BD mag BDmag

28

SCAL ABLE ENTREPRENEUR:

M I CK DEVIN E & AL EX LEWIS O F CALXA Written by Jade Kennedy

Calxa began in 2008 – the brainchild of CEO Mick Devine and Head of Marketing Alex Lewis. From a home office in Townsville, the team used a graduate developer from James Cook University until the scope of the project grew and they needed to recruit additional skills from overseas.

“Back in 2008 there was no local incubator labs or tech community,” Mick said.

“Our friends used to ask us for computer help not really understanding tech and the

When it comes to money, you don’t want to make

idea of developing software.”

Designed with not-for-profits (NFPs),

mistakes – especially in business. One app created

small businesses and accountants in mind, Calxa allows NFPs accurate board

in Townsville is helping businesses around the globe

reporting, complex grant acquittals, department and project budgeting and

take the guesswork out of budgets, cash flow and KPI

managing SCOA, and enables businesses quick and easy cash flow forecasting,

reporting to better manage their money.

financials for loan applications, ‘what if’ scenarios for planning and reporting for growth.

From building the business across

“While we have skilled designers and

It was the second time Mick’s team had

Australia and New Zealand, Calxa

developers in New Zealand, Argentina

won the award, winning in 2012 for the

currently has built a base of over 2,000

and Ukraine, head office continues to be

Calxa app.

users and 150 consulting partners that

housed in Townsville.

They also won the 2016 Australian Not-

sell and train their customers. Since the release of a cloud-based app, Mick and the

“We run research and development,

For-Profit Technology Award, with almost

team are shifting their focus globally.

customer support, sales and marketing

1,000 not-for-profits using free Calxa

teams locally.

software to help run their organisation.

Intuit’s QuickBooks Online – the largest

“We are in the process of setting up

“Not-for-profits have the most complex

software provider in the world – and from

Calxa Europe – that’s part of our global

financial reporting requirements across all

this we are seeing a growing number of

expansion and will enable us to extend

business,” Mick said.

customers filtering through in overseas

our support coverage across multiple time

“They have to acquit funding, they are

locations,” Mick said.

zones.”

governed by boards that require regular

“We recently started integrating with

reporting and they are accountable to

“We are now actively planning our global strategy through digital marketing and

The team also plans to work with

their donors. Our donation program helps

partnership channels.

accounting software vendors like Xero and

the smaller not-for-profits who have the

“We’ve been trying to extend our in-

QuickBooks Online to help them move

same complex requirements as their larger

house marketing team but haven’t quite

into the UK and USA markets, and have

counterparts.

found the right people. We’ve been

released complementary new software.

“We make their work easier, cutting down their time spent on reporting usually from

looking to add SEO specialists, digital marketers and content writers but finding

“With our plan to expand our offering to

skilled marketing talent locally has been

the small business market, we’ve released

frustrating. We haven’t given up yet and

The Invisible Accountant last year,” Mick

“When we measured our customers’ time-

are working with local universities and

said.

savings, our social impact amounted to

engaging in less traditional recruitment

“It links to MYOB, Xero and QuickBooks

over $12m annually (based on reporting

methods.”

Online to extract the latest figures

stats published by the sector regulator,

and automatically delivers a set of

the Australian Charities and NFP

Mick said they had multiple attempts to

management reports to the owner’s inbox

Commission).”

get the current team together.

and won the 2018 iAward for innovation.”

29

four days per month to just a few hours.

www.bdmag.com.au

IT’ S C OOL T O B E KIND Written by Sarah Jones

STORYTELLER, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AND THE ONLY MAN IN THE WORLD TO HAVE WORKED IN THE MARKETING DEPARTMENTS OF BOTH FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. THE ONLY THING THAT OUTSHINES NICK BOWDITCH’S IMPRESSIVE RESUME, IS THE

gig right now.

Nick’s upcoming Face to Face tour promises to deliver his signature realness as he presents an intimate series that focuses not only on business, but on personal development and mental health.

“For a long time, I’ve only done mentoring and coaching around the business side of things, but a lot of people want to talk about their personal

HAVING TRAVELLED THE ENTREPRENEURIAL

their personal stuff which it’s hard to do that in that big group scenario,

STARTUPS OF HIS OWN, NICK BOWDITCH UNDERSTANDS FIRSTHAND THE BENEFITS, AND BULLSHIT, OF BUSINESS. WE SPOKE TO THIS SOUGHT-AFTER INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER AND SPRUIKER OF ALL THING'S AUTHENTIC, AS HE PREPARES TO HEAD BACK TO TOWNSVILLE FOR HIS FACE TO FACE NATIONAL TOUR IN OCTOBER.

BDmag

presentation in the past, no doubt you’re googling his next Townsville

MAN HIMSELF.

ROAD TO BUILD AND SELL THREE TECH

BD mag

If you’ve been fortunate enough to have witnessed a Nick Bowditch

development too.” Nick says. “They want to discuss their business and but it does interlink.”

So, this time Nick’s visit will focus on one-on-one time with locals. “I’ve recently completed my Diploma in Counselling, so now I can fill that gap, listen and offer supportive advice in that capacity too.” he says.

Those on the entrepreneurial road all too often push their own wellbeing further down the list, to allow more time, more investment and more energy for their professional lives. Nick asks “If you don’t invest in yourself, who will? Nobody else is coming, no one else is going to look after you.”

30

“We have to put ourselves first, absolutely first.” Nick says. “As businesspeople, but also as parents and partners and spouses, you have to put yourself first because eventually, if you don’t, it will impact your wellbeing and your mental sustenance.”

Mental Health in Business As every entrepreneur, startup and small business owner will know, building a successful business and building yourself at the same time are hard tasks to master. The pressures of business ownership are very real and can bring even the strongest character undone both professionally and personally.

COOL TO BE KIND The thing that polarizes Nick Bowditch as a mentor and speaker is his genuine nature. You get it all, the good, the bad, the ugly truth. And it’s catching.

Having talked very openly about his own mental health, this is a topic close to Nick’s heart.

“Live and work as your authentic self.

Make the most of authenticity! I don’t want to be judged by having to dress, act,

“I’m working a lot now with people around entrepreneurial mental health. It’s something that I’ve talked about for long time and I’ve talked pretty openly about my own mental health.” he says.

“That entrepreneurial flair often comes with a touch of madness and I think you have to have that in some ways.” he laughs. “But I’m talking to people now about how they can build a business and still build themselves - but most importantly, how they can safeguard their own mental health against the pressures of small business startup.”

speak and work like everyone else. And I don’t want my businesses to be judged that way either.” Nick says.

“I do want my businesses to be built on kindness and human empathy and to exist for a good human reason. I think sometimes we get into the mode of building things just because there’s a hole in the market and we can exploit it and make money.” And Nick says that’s fine,

“I read a lot in the media that says startups and entrepreneurs ‘have to’ keep going. You ‘have to’ do 20-hour days, you ‘have to’ keep hustling and grinding and all that and really, that’s all bullshit,” Nick maintains. “You don’t have to do that, you don’t have to glorify ‘busy’, but I feel like we get sucked into that pretty easily and it’s hard to get out of.”

but for any business to have a long-term life, it needs to be backed by authenticity.

“You’re never going to lose business by being kind.

“I want to walk away from my business days having been assured that what I

Nick says that there’s busy and there’s effective, and he doesn’t think the two are mutually exclusive. “I want to be the voice that points out the benefits of being the boss and say ‘Hey, it’s ok to only work 4 hours today and go and play golf, or have a pedicure, or play with your kids’, or whatever it is. I just don’t think you have to forsake

did today was kind. I don’t think we put enough stock in that. I just don’t think we should get up, go to work, and do something that isn’t at the very least kind to ourselves.”

everything that’s fun and meaningful in your life just to grow a business.”

According to Nick, the big question we need to ask ourselves is, what is our definition of failure? And what will we do to avoid it? He explains that our own reaction to a perceived failure, will determine whether it’s a failure or not.

“We all compare ourselves to the Elon Musk’s of the world, or whoever our yardstick is and it perpetuates a bad cycle of thinking of ‘I have to be super busy, I have to make heaps of money and work really hard and if I don’t, I’m a failure’. That’s bullshit too”, says Nick.

“I’m excited about the Face to Face Tour. It’s really going to open up really honest discussions and decipher false perceptions, addressing self- perpetuating thought cycles that impact our mindset – and our ultimate success.”

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PACIFIC LENS Established in 1998 by Mick and Carol Finn, Pacific Islands International (PII) is a locally owned business operating on a global-scale, employing over 26 people across four countries within the Finn Pacific Group, with staff offices based in Townsville and China.

Written by Jade Kennedy PII is a wholesale materials supply

The company’s most recent growth has

Townsville businesses, are there for the

company servicing the Pacific Islands,

followed a similar suit, with the business

taking.

moving large volumes of materials

working smarter with its existing customer

including steel, building materials and

base to leverage new opportunities.

food exports from Australia and Asia into

“One thing that I’m passionate about is developing more connections both in

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Pacific

“The business growth has really been

and out of Townsville. I currently Chair

Islands.

organic and has developed using the

the Townsville Enterprise (TEL) PNG

networks we have established over the past

Economic Working Group and we are

“We’re a business based in North

20 years of travelling the islands,” Ashley

working behind the scenes to encourage

Queensland with an international lens,”

said. “It’s about knowing our markets,

Air Niugini to continue to have its direct

says Ashley. “Advancements in technology

understanding the countries, cultures and

service to Port Moresby and beyond.

mean that we are now connected to our

people.

Recent news of the Townsville Port

suppliers, freight partners and customers with instant communication, so working and living in Townsville we can still connect easily with the world from this beautiful place we call home.”

expanding is also great news for our region

“By us consolidating and concentrating on our core business values and maintaining the relationships

With family values at its core, secondgeneration Managing Director, Ashley Finn, said the company has never looked to grow beyond its means.

that my father had established, we've been able to scale up successfully."

“Under Mick’s leadership and guidance,

and will enable better freight connections with Asia.”

And the benefits go far beyond that of their own local business with Ashley adding, “The role which we play in PNG and the Pacific Islands only enhances the lives of the communities we deal in by delivering quality building and construction materials to assist them to

the first 10 years the business grew quite

“By partnering with manufacturing

quickly, expanding beyond its initial

companies with similar ideas and values to

agencies of the CSR Building materials

that of PII, we have been able to connect

Pacific Island International are another

group to become a one-stop shop for our

these materials to the markets where they

example of how Townsville business can

customer base in PNG and the Pacific

didn’t have distribution previously,” Ashley

enjoy growth and prosperity on both the

Islands,” he said.

explains. “In more recent times PII has

local and international stage, all while

worked closely with Austrade to expand

enjoying the many lifestyle benefits our

food and agri-business, as well as electrical

into new regions such as Timor Leste and

beautiful part of the world offers. “Being

and consultancy which has kept the

new markets including Agriculture.”

born and bred in Townsville, it’s a special

“The second decade saw PII expand into

business at the forefront of the industries

develop and grow.”

place to my family, we love living here,”

which it operates in throughout the Asia

Ashley agrees that the opportunities that

Ashley said. “It’s the perfect place to run a

Pacific regions.”

the Asia Pacific region offers PII, and many

business and bring up a family.”

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I N D U S T RY

4.0

MOST OF US WOULD AGREE, WITH THE PROPOSITION THAT TECHNOLOGY HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT ON SOCIETY. WHILE MANY OF THE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY TODAY ARE OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE AND HAVE IMPROVED OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC STABILITY, THERE IS GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE DISRUPTIVE IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES. Written by Ian Atkinson, Professor of eResearch, James Cook University Developments such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and computer vision allied with developments in robotics are making ideas that a short time ago seemed fantasies, deployable realities today.

Autonomous mining and transport, robotic manufacturing and automated office processes and the Internet of Things (IoT) are now starting to have a real and measurable impacts on employment, and North Queensland will not be immune.

In fact, many studies have indicated that relatively remote and industrially oriented economies, such as we have in the north, may well be particularly vulnerable to the disruptive impact of technology.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) have recently reported that by 2022 over 75 million jobs will be lost to automation, but that over 100 million will be created. The important caveat is that the 100+ million new jobs will require very different skills and abilities. At every point in the work chain – training, workers, companies and government - we are going to have to step up and change.

How we make this change is one of the great, but silent, challenges in the north.

Klaus Schwab, CEO of the WEF, argues that we have now entered the fourth industrial revolution. This new industrial era is characterised by the convergence of multiple technologies which will “blur the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres.” The scale and intensity of these changes will be responsible for transformation of systems of employment, production, management and governance.

This fourth industrial revolution is the result of two intersecting forces: 1. the democratisation of mobile, digital platforms which now see billions of people connected by mobile devices with unprecedented processing power and, 2. by the speed and diversity of emerging technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, 3-D printing and even new biotechnologies.

One of the most important of Schwab’s insights is the observation that “in the future, talent, more than capital, will represent the critical factor of production.” This is a really critical concept for North Queensland to get its collective heads around.

The industrial world of the near future will be less and less concerned with the location or place and more concerned with talent and the high-end skills of people. In many ways this message is not dissimilar to what we have been hearing for several years now – our future will be more about ideas and the capability of our people rather than primary resources. From

where we are sitting right now this might seem far-fetched, but the reality is that very soon we will need fewer people to produce the goods and services we produce today. So, we need to do more.

Townsville and the north in general is fortunate to actually have one of the key resources required to meet these new challenges – an established and world class post-secondary education sector.

While traditional engineering and IT skills are critical to any region, at James Cook University ( JCU) we have been responding to the new global forces and introducing new programs to equip students with the new skills required to succeed in the fourth industrial revolution.

In Cairns, JCU has introduced Australia’s first accredited engineering degree in the Internet-of-Things (IoT) which gives students the skills needed to design smart cities, develop precision agricultural systems, monitor natural environments, create new generation health monitoring and more. All of this along with a focus on business and innovation skills are needed to develop the real products and services needed to transform local economies.

JCU’s fully on-line postgrad Data Science Program is one of the fastest growing programs in Australia and is designed to upskill graduates with the practical knowledge needed to become an expert in this critical 21st century discipline. Data is now at the core of nearly every business and data scientists are the people that can mine and transform this data to create new value and competitive insights.

“in the future, talent, more than capital, will represent the critical factor of production.” | Klaus Schwab, CEO of the WEF

Leadership in technology development and translation for the purposes of business and economic development across Northern Australia is essential for us to thrive in the 21st century.

JCU will be adding to our portfolio of new generation programs and knowledge-based entrepreneurism to attend to the human capital needs in our region and equip our graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to take up the opportunities of a digital economy.

Few fields will go untouched by the fourth industrial revolution: law, education, health, business, mining, infrastructure, agriculture and government are all now re-examining approaches to business and using insights and processes enabled by new technologies. Quite simply, if you don’t have access to these skills it’s going to be easy to be left behind.

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NOT SO SECRET CODE The Regional Australia Institute has predicted that one in two jobs in Australia is expected to require high-level programming and IT skills within 15 years.

Yes, half of all future jobs.

Written by Jade Kennedy Australian kids seem to be fitting this

skills to operate in a technology-driven

required, and participants don’t even

trend, now spending more time online

world and inspire them to build and

need their own equipment, as Matt

than they are in front of the television.

create. Hopefully this will open up

Smith from Menninger Capital, the

opportunities for them in the future.”

program’s major sponsor, has donated

So, it makes sense, then, that careers

20 Raspberry Pi 3 computer kits for the

in programming and technology are

The CoderDojo program works by kids

already on the rise.

selecting projects based on their own

kids to utilise.

“Our objective is to partner with

To give local kids a jump on their future career prospects and create

leading organisations, such as

opportunities for those interested in

“We want to give our regions

coding, iNQ has brought CoderDojo to

kids the skills to operate in a

Townsville.

technology-driven world and

“CoderDojo is a global movement

inspire them to build and create."

of free, volunteer-led coding clubs

InnovateNQ, to create opportunities for young people in our local community,” Matt said of the donation.

“By donating computer equipment Townsville youth will be able to gain experience and exposure to new coding skills.”

for kids aged 7-17 years,” iNQ’s Co-

Coding teaches kids valuable skills

Ordinator Nicole Lucas said.

including patience, problem solving, skill level and interests. They may want

creativity and experimentation and is

“We have a fantastic group of

to create a game, an image or a web site,

now being taught in children from as

volunteers, including programmers

for example, they then work through

young as primary school age and will

from Safety Culture, JESI, Fierce, some

the project at their own pace.

soon be a mandatory class across all

local teachers, students from JCU and

“Mentors only get involved if the

Queensland schools.

some of our parents – although we are

children encounter an issue,” Nicole

always on the hunt for new mentors.”

said.

With an increasing rise in demand for roles such as app and web developers,

Nicole said iNQ initiated the

“The idea is to get the children to solve

AI interface programmers and data

Townsville program because they

any problems that arise themselves.”

analysts, this industry is predicted to

wanted to make coding accessible to all

see fast and phenomenal growth. And

Townsville kids.

At the end of the session the kids

with software and smart technology

“Technology is the way of the future,”

present their achievements to the

being built into everything from

she said. “The most successful start-ups

group.

fridges to televisions and coffee

today have a tech-based component.

“We want to give our regions kids the

machines, coders have the potential The beauty of the program is that

to be the future engine room for the

no previous coding experience is

digital economy.

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Get the Ray White property management_Know How on your side, and make it happen today.

Errol Munro Principal 0417 798 522 errol.munro@raywhite.com raywhitetownsville.com.au

SWEET SUCCESS The Australian sugarcane industry is one of the nation’s biggest rural industries.

Written by Sarah Jones Queensland's largest agricultural crop saw over

Burdekin Productivity Services Manager, Mr

125,000 hectares harvested in the Herbert and

Rob Milla, said from the data that has been seen

Burdekin region in 2017, with more than 13 million

to date, this new variety had good commercial

tonnes of cane crushed, playing a significant

prospects due to its yield performance and leaf

role in the almost $2 billion generated in export

scald resistance.

earnings for Queensland.

Mr Milla also stated that the local industry would In a potential game changer for the industry,

continue to monitor WSRA17’s response to smut

Wilmar Sugar and Sugar Research Australia

in the Burdekin, which had so far been reasonable.

(SRA) have successfully developed a new variety

This

of sugarcane that could see our region’s farmers

Regional Variety Committee approve the release

achieve yield improvements of up to two tonnes

of the variety, while noting the importance of

more sugar per hectare, meaning more money in

continuing to monitor the variety’s response to

our grower's back pockets.

smut.

The new variety, named ‘WSRA17’ after its joint

Wilmar

developers, is the first to carry the ‘WSRA’ prefix

Davies, said Wilmar was committed to improving

since the naming convention for new sugarcane

productivity across its milling regions and the

varieties changed in 2015.

wider sugar industry.

Wilmar’s contribution to the variety through its

“We make a considerable investment in developing

early-stage breeding program synchronises with

new cane varieties for the Australian sugar industry

SRA’s breeding program as potential new varieties

through our plant breeding program,” he said.

local

response

General

has

seen

Manager

the

Burdekin

Agriculture,

Ian

continue to make their way toward the Final Assessment Trial (FAT) stage.

“The varieties that have come through our breeding program contribute about 20 per cent of

According to Wilmar Sugar Technical Field Officer

the cane produced in Australia each year.”

Mr Terry Morgan, the WSRA17 variety had shown promise in both field trials and throughout its

WSRA17 could be available to local growers by

development, and was unique because both

2020 and will go a long way to ensuring our region

parents were commercial varieties that had been

continues to play its part in keeping Australian

created in the Burdekin.

sugar competitive on the global market.

WSRA17’s parents are ‘Q208’ and ‘Tellus’, Q208 being the most popular Australian variety in 2017, representing an impressive 30 per cent of the entire Australian sugarcane crop.

“WSRA17 is unusual because it came from a cross that occurred under field conditions in a block of commercial cane,” Mr Morgan explained. “We grew in excess of 3000 seedlings from the cross, and that is where this new variety came from.”

SRA Variety Officer for the Burdekin, Ms Catherine Kettle, said WSRA17 has so far produced good tonnage per hectare in trials when compared to standard commercial varieties (Q183, Q208 and KQ228).

39

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lost weight? cosmetic surgery after

weight loss information night

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Loose skin and stubborn pockets of fat are often frustrating side effects that keep you out of your goal outfit.

Luckily, there are cosmetic surgery options that can help you fix this. Learn more and ask your questions directly to experienced plastic surgeon Dr Mark Vucak at our Information Night on Thursday 18 October.

to register Send us a facebook message or email reception@qldplasitcsurgery.com.au

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Staying local for your procedure means that you can recover in the comfort of your own home with access to our

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NQ

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K E N N E DY

DESIGNERS AND CREATIVES ARE A GROWING BREED IN NORTH QUEENSLAND, WITH MULTIPLE TERTIARY COURSES NOW AVAILABLE AND SMALL TO MEDIUM BUSINESSES POPPING UP ACROSS THE CITY.

To finish the year off DesignNQ will partner with DevNQ for a combined Christmas social event. “Local designers and developers can come together, meet, form connections and maybe join forces to create the next big start up.” explained Joanne.

Jarrad said DesignNQ had thus far been able to connect the industry

Inspired by the success of fellow local networking group DevNQ,

with students, which was one of the largest hurdles to face when first

Jarrad Wild, Co-owner and Digital Director at TBD Design, teamed

graduating from university. There had also been some people who

up with Joanne Walter from Safety Culture and Sean Bunton from

had managed to find employment opportunities through the group,

Fierce Ventures to form DesignNQ.

as well as gaining valuable knowledge in making their first steps into

Established from a need to bring together and share knowledge

the industry.

amongst Townsville’s design community, Joanne explains, “We

A Townsville local who moved south for study and work

started this group so that the designers of Townsville would have a

opportunities, Jarrad has studied Graphic Design in Brisbane, worked

place to meet, talk and discuss their ideas,” she said.

as a Senior Digital Designer at Jeanswest in Melbourne, a Product

“The group was created for locals who are either working, studying

Developer at Afends in Byron Bay and a Graphic Design Lecturer at Shillington Design College in Brisbane. With his experience in design

or simply interested in design – whether that be graphic design,

from across the country under his belt, Jarrad returned to Townsville

product design, design thinking, interaction design, user experience

to run TBD Design with his now business partner Travis Farley.

design or print design.”

Jarrad rates the scope of design in Townsville highly. “The design

Jarrad said “We wanted to build and nurture a community of

landscape in Townsville is on the rise with a solid variety of design

designers who can help progress the level of design in our city. This

studios around town as well as some great tech companies that are

has been received better than expected, with everyone from industry

starting to make a lot of noise,” he said.

professionals, students and just keen individuals through to web and software developers attending.”

“These companies are helping to raise the level of design throughout

Beginning in March this year, the group has already expanded to

Townsville. As a city we still have a bit of leg work to do when it comes to the community/small businesses understanding the

over 100 members, with 25-30 of those regularly attending the meet

importance of good design and the role it plays, as well as battling

ups every two months.

with bigger businesses looking down south for design services that

“The doors are open to anyone who’d like to attend,” he said.

are available in their own backyard. However, we’re starting to see

“We are also always looking for people to share their experience and

more and more companies adopt this way of thinking and utilising

knowledge, so if you are passionate about a specific topic in design

some of the amazing talent we have throughout our city.”

we would love to hear from you.”

If you’d like to get involved or find out about upcoming events, look for DesignNQ on MeetUp.com.

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T

THUMBS UP They say necessity is the mother of invention, and when maternal instinct told local dental hygienist Carla Lejarraga to keep pushing for the answers behind her daughter’s thumb sucking, she found herself at the forefront of change in the dental industry and is now training other practitioners in the Secrets of the Thumbsucking Clinic.

Written by Julie Johnston “I felt really short changed,” Carla recalls. “There’s training

replied that she would do any course Carla was running and

we don’t have in our profession that I believe we needed to

asked, “Can we do a payment plan?”

have, I didn’t know that until I had a problem with one of my own kids and couldn’t find the help we needed, not to

With enrolments locked in, Carla built the course week by

the level that I wanted as a parent.”

week using her research, input from industry professionals and an engaging a videographer to film video modules.

Carla trained to become an Orofacial Myologist, and

It required a tremendous amount of work to collate the

her ongoing intensive research revealed that extreme

research and present it in the weekly modules while

dental work as a result of thumb sucking could often be

delivering the course, and the stress took its toll on her

prevented if specialised training was available to oral health

personal life.

professionals.

“Those eight weeks were terrible,” she shrieks. “My husband It was this research that saw Carla form the Australian

and mum still talk about it. I would be up until 3am to make

Academy of Orafacial Myology with a colleague. They would

the deadline of each week’s module. Now all the work is

deliver seminars for dental and speech professionals, the

done, and it’s just being present and the occasional update.”

first of its kind in Australia, with the boutique courses now reaching capacity numbers. The course included a two-hour

Enquiries have been coming in from around the world and

lecture on thumb sucking, and Carla soon realised that the

Carla admits that people are often surprised to hear that

topic required its own dedicated course to cover the depth

she is based in Townsville. Ignoring the expectation that

of research and training she wanted to share.

Townsvillians should be the ones to travel to capital cities, Carla invites course participants to come to her clinic for a

“I booked a hotel in Brisbane for $1200,” she recalls. “Book

one-week training placement.

and they will come! Not one person signed up.”

There was interest there, but she needed to evaluate the best

Carla is set to continue to lead the field in research, as an

way to deliver it. “As a person with kids, I know how hard it

exciting flow on effect of training and connecting with other

is to go away, to take time off work for the course, and then

industry professionals is that she has a larger pool of clinical

come back and implement it,” she says. “It’s also such a head

data to draw from.

spin of information to squeeze into four days.”

“I had it included in the contracts that I can use everything Her business coach suggested that Carla offer an eight-week

we talk about, and clinics can keep their data records to send

online course, with videos, print outs, weekly Q&A sessions

it through to me to collate,” she says. “Our collaboration

and access to Carla in real time. Setting the price for the

means I can keep learning, putting more pieces of the

course was terrifying, with Carla initially balking at what her

puzzle together.”

business coach valued it at.

When asked what she hopes to be remembered for in her Her coach had suggested that she contact past course

profession, Carla beams, “That I am part of the health care

participants that might be interested and Carla hilariously

team,” she says. “That we cared enough to listen, about

relays the story of that first nervous phone call, her voice

their whole health, not just their mouths. As someone who

squeaking out the price. Without hesitating, the client

helped, and helped others to help.”

43

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44

NOT GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN A multi-million-dollar revamp of the a local RSL club is breathing life into a flailing business and its proximate community as a whole.

Written by Lori Napier With mounting debts in excess of

But late last year, the green light was

$130,000, the future wasn’t too bright

given for design plans to be updated for

for the Thuringowa RSL Sub Branch.

the year that was 2017, and months later,

“The builder, Jackson + Semler, has

But thanks to a timely takeover from the

construction began on redeveloping the

had a long association with the RSL in

Townsville RSL, the Thuringowa Sub

existing club which, Karla said, is now

Townsville and has enlisted the services

Branch has been thrown a lifeline and is

well underway.

of Townsville Sub-Contractors for all

now well in the midst of an impressive $4 million upgrade.

business,” she stated.

trades. Not only that, we foresee a team “The redevelopment is an enhancement

of 35 employees on the full completion

of the existing club, which is well known

of the new look facility and it’s our full

“In mid 2017 the Thuringowa Branch

to the local community, servicing

intention to source the majority of our

were considering whether to close the

the local catchment. It will provide a

new employees from the local catchment

facility permanently, however they

superior offer, including gaming, that

area.”

contacted Townsville RSL for assistance

meets contemporary standards and

and in October 2017 a unanimous vote

better serves member needs. The current

While the community’s response to

at a special general meeting confirmed

antiquated bar will be demolished and

the revival has been mostly positive,

that the Townsville RSL would take over

replaced along with the kitchen and toilet

committee members want to reinforce

the running of the Thuringowa RSL Club

facilities. Entertainment areas will be

the message that their survival tactics

and assist in reducing their debt,” said

refurbished and extended to include a

were implemented to ensure that the

Townsville RSL General Manager, Karla

large, roofed deck area.”

important welfare work carried out by

Malouf. “They now have a 99-year lease

local RSL branches is able to continue,

agreement with the Thuringowa Sub-

A plethora of locally-owned and operated

with the club’s transformation to cement

Branch and pays a monthly rental for the

building and construction companies,

the RSL tradition into the area, without

use of the land.”

surveyors, town planners, engineers

its purpose getting lost in a shiny, new

and trades have been engaged as part

façade.

Initial plans for a potential

of the works, including Ken Tippett

redevelopment were originally set

Architects, Brazier Motti, Steve McKenzie

“We’ll have a partial re-opening towards

in motion in 2014 when Townsville

Consulting Engineers, STP Consultants

the end of October and a completed

RSL was approached by Thuringowa’s

and Parker Hydraulics Consulting Group.

works opening prior to Christmas,” she

committee with a partnering proposal.

revealed.

After conducting a feasibility study into

Karla said Townsville RSL takes every

With membership numbers already

the consortium, which would inject some

opportunity to support local businesses

skyrocketing, Karla is confident the

much-needed funds into the Upper Ross

and this project is no different.

development will be a boom for the

facility, plans for the partnership were stalled on both sides.

Upper Ross, attracting new businesses “The redevelopment of the Thuringowa

and breathing life into the area.

RSL provides 100% support for local

45

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YOU’RE THE VOICE TOWNSVILLE, MAKE A NOISE! LET THE PROUD PEOPLE OF TOWNSVILLE BE THE PROMOTIONAL PROPRIETORS OF THE NORTH TO DRAW PEOPLE TO OUR REGION; THAT’S THE WORD FROM EVOCITIES CHAIRMAN AND ALBURY MAYOR KEVIN MACK, WHO IS KEEN TO HELP DISPEL DELUSIONS THAT LIFE UP HERE IS ANYTHING BUT LIVEABLE.

Written by Lori Napier As chairman of Evocities, a joint force of seven regional councils working together to change perceptions about life in regional centres, this regional city mayor is passionate about building growth and investment not just in the regions of his home state, but all around the country.

Recently in North Queensland to deliver his first official Evocities visit, Cr Mack met with our local leaders and organisations including Townsville Enterprise, to share his experiences and draw some parallels between the Evocities group of councils and our own regional centre.

“North Queensland is a beautiful lifestyle opportunity for relocators from all over Australia, but the challenge is for towns and cities to embrace that opportunity and market it to other areas of the country,” said Cr Mack.

for the city by way of some simple community engagement and presenting a single voice to all levels of government.

has tracked almost 4,000 households who have made the move to an ‘Evocity’ in the past eight years.

“During our visit it was apparent that there is inherent negativity amongst some residents, who when given a platform, focus on the distinct negatives of regional living rather than highlighting all the greater benefits and sharing their overall immeasurably positive experiences,” Cr Mack explained.

Cr Mack said it’s a great example of how change can take place from the bottom up by being proactive and harnessing the positives of a particular region.

“Sometimes we take regional living for granted, it’s important to remind our people of how good we have it.”

While the grass may not literally be greener on our side of the invisible Queensland border separating us from our southern counterparts, we certainly do enjoy a lifestyle unadulterated by congestion, high costs of living, long

“Changing that mindset is critical to success, particularly with the way we connect to outsiders and the perception gleaned over the world wide web.

The Townsville region has a high concentration of defence personnel who travel extensively and they are potentially

commutes and public transport woes.

great ambassadors for regional branding.”

Evocities urges regional residents and decision makers to be proactive in convincing potential big-city relocators to move to smaller towns and cities and enjoy the many perks of residing regionally. Cr Mack added that the people of Townsville could be great ambassadors

Since launching in 2010 with Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga regional councils combining their resources to educate capital city residents about the benefits of living, working and investing in a regional city, the Evocities program

“I can’t stress how instrumental this is in changing perceptions and attracting relocators, business and investment,” he stated.

“All levels of government are looking for solutions regarding their bulging capital cities and here we are waiting to become relevant. The time is nigh to stop waiting and become active, offering our lifestyle opportunities as an alternative to the ‘drudgery’ of city living and the lack of affordable housing there compared to regions.”

Cr Mack believes the future looks bright for Townsville’s growth saying “Townsville’s natural assets and healthy lifestyle alternatives augers well for future investment and relocation. The vibrant culture in your city and surrounds is also prevalent and needs to be harnessed and promoted. You have a myriad of lifestyle alternatives, regional city living, hamlets and beautiful townships nestled in the hills and surrounding rainforests. Invest in ecotourism and eco-lifestyle opportunities as it is positive branding and messaging.

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DIVERSIFICATION AND INNOVATION KEYS TO BUSINESS ENDURANCE Written by Julie Johnston

The downturn in Townsville’s building industry could have been

“What we got right is that people can design the whole kitchen, purchase online and

catastrophic for local kitchen and cabinet manufacturer Moduline, however the company’s culture of trust and proactive approach to identifying new markets has enabled them to maintain their workforce ensuring they are poised for growth when the market returns.

have it delivered to their door...”

decision and trust each other to get on

design the whole kitchen, purchase

and do it.”

online and have it delivered to their door in a short time frame, complete,

Moduline has been designing,

the whole lot. That’s the success of it.”

manufacturing and installing custom kitchens and cabinets across the North

While it was a conscious decision to

Queensland region since 1955. Three

target new markets, David admits that

years ago, they started targeting the

there was a bit of luck involved with

commercial market, which is now a

diversifying the business at the right

significant part of their business, with

time, and believes the housing market is

jobs ranging from office fit outs to large

set to prosper again soon.

projects in education, health and aged care sectors.

“It wasn’t done because we are geniuses and saw such a big downturn coming,”

“There were a variety of reasons for

he says. “We did it to grow our business

starting the commercial division,”

but ultimately it means that we haven’t

David says. “My nephew Ryan saw

shrunk. As soon as the Townsville

an opportunity and wanted to try his

market turns around, which is going to

hand in that area, and it has grown

happen, we’ll see some solid growth.”

into quite a substantial business,” he says. “Thankfully so, because the The fourth-generation family business

housing downturn in Townsville has

is part of Ingham Manufacturers,

been catastrophic. If we didn’t have the

which includes a hardware store, retail

commercial division, we’d be a much

furniture store, and factory where the

smaller business.”

cabinetry is manufactured.

It’s not the first time they had taken Moduline’s David Gusmeroli says

the chance to explore new markets.

innovative ideas to grow the business

Leveraging off their years of experience

are a cross pollination of every division

designing and building cabinetry, the

within the family business, and credits

company saw an opportunity in the DIY

the high level of trust to keeping

space and launched Semble in 2012, an

processes simple and cost effective,

online kitchen flat pack business. They

making it easy to implement new ideas.

created a website to offer an easy design process, and are the only national

“There’s four brothers who are

provider that delivers to the door.

directors,” he explains. “We make a

“What we got right is that people can

49

www.bdmag.com.au

AUSTRALIA DAY

AWARDS 2019

WHO’S YOUR

LOCAL HERO

?

NOMINATIONS CLOSE

2 DECEMBER 2018 AWARD CATEGORIES CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD SENIOR SPORTS AWARD

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD JUNIOR SPORTS AWARD

ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Nominate your local hero at townsville.qld.gov.au

PROFILE: Trudi Lines

Master of her own fate The fourth Invictus Games will be held in Sydney later this month, and amongst the veterans competing will be Townsville representative Trudi Lines, returning to her home turf with the resilience and strength the event was named for.

Written by Jade Kennedy

Trudi, who moved to Townsville from Sydney 12 months ago, joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2003.

“I joined as a clerk supply (supplier) and was posted to JLU-N in 2004,” she said.

“I ran the warehouse and was in that role until 2006. I then moved in to Air Movements where I was deployed multiple times including Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Timor, twice to Afghanistan, and other locations on various humanitarian operations.

“In 2011 I transferred as an Electrician, which was Tri service training, so I was posted to an Army unit. I was then posted to 65sqn, the construction unit in the Air Force, in 2015.

“Due to various situations, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2015 and I finally medically discharged in March 2017.”

Trudi was engaging with veteran’s charity Mates 4 Mates when expressions for interest for the Invictus Games came out. At first she didn’t think she was eligible: “I said, ‘I’m not missing any limbs?’”

“They explained that prerequisites were any injury, illness or mental health issue created during service time. During my time in the military I received multiple injuries, including neck, back, ankles, and various others including PTSD. “I saw the list of sports and thought, I haven’t done any of these except running, and I couldn’t do that anymore due to my ankle injury.

“I used to play Women’s AFL so I like to get amongst it, and wheelchair rugby seemed hectic; so, I decided I’ll try that. A little later I also decided I’d give wheelchair tennis a go as I like tennis.

It’s very different in a chair, that’s for sure!”

Trudi said training for the games had been beneficial for her rehab, but receiving the call that she had made the team was the greatest boost of all.

“I was so excited. I was feeling very grateful and proud that I was getting the chance to represent my country again, but in a different way,” she said.

“When I was told in the military I couldn’t play contact sport again, I was shattered. Then when I started having issues running, which I also loved, I felt very lost.

“I had lost my motivation to exercise for various reasons – pain, medication, etc. – but thanks to the Invictus Games, I get to be a part of sport again, and better still, I get to represent my country again.”

“I’m very privileged to be able to do that. To put that Aussie shirt on and go out and do my very best in front of a home crowd is going to be absolutely electric.”

Trudi said that was the best thing about the Invictus Games - an international adaptive multi-sport event created by Prince Harry in 2014 – it’s all about doing your best.

“No one is perfect, but it’s important to not give up, just keep trying your best.”

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