Western Sydney Business Access - July 2022 by Community Broadcast Network (CBN)

BUSINESS | LIFESTYLE JULY 2022 | EDITION 134 www.accessnews.com.au

INFORMATION

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Texts, Tweets, emails....when it all becomes too much

INSIDE Nominate your favourite Hills Local Business: 15

more. But actually, the cognitive flood can be even simpler than that, say experts. In 1976, there were 9,000 products in the average grocery store, and now it’s ballooned to 40,000 products. And yet most of us can get almost all our shopping done in just 150 items. More page 11.

West wins big on road investment: 2

Free flu vaccine continued until July 17: 2

NEWS JULY 2022 | EDITION 134 READ THE DIGITAL EDITION

Cor Cordis launches in the West

Government’s digital initiatives

Liverpool Council turns 150

Timezone returns to Parramatta

Future of supermarket shopping

Improving diabetes management

The cruise ships are back

Dealing with anxiety now

Connect with us HOW to get ACCESS facebook.com/AccessNewsAustralia WSBA is available free at 280 youtube.com/AccessNewsAustralia strategic distribution points linkedin.com/company/3278807 and online at www.wsba.com.au twitter.com/AccessNewsAus See website for distribution locations. Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA) ACCESS NEWS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ABN 39 600 436 799 Publisher/editor: Michael Walls WESTERN SYDNEY M: 0407 783 413. E: michael@wsba.com.au MEDIA ALLIANCE Associate Editor: Dallas Sherringham Journalists: Di Bartok. Account Managers: Julie Jackson: 0447 291 780 Contributors: Adam Simpson, Jacob Richardson, John Mellor. Printer: New Age Printing Design: Design2Pro, Words and Pixels. General enquiries: info@wsba.com.au Phone: 02 4572 2336 We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of our region and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture. DISCLAIMER: The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in respect of the copyright of their work. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form without the written consent of the publisher. No person or organisation should in any way act on the information and content of Western Sydney Business Access or www.wsba.com.au without first seeking professional advice. The publisher, contributors and agents accept no responsibility for any actions that may arise from the contents of this newspaper or website www.wsba.com.au. The opinions and views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Advertisements are published in accordance with WSBA terms and conditions published in the media kit downloadable at www.wsba.com.au. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher and his agents for any actions that may arise as a result of published advertisements or contributions. Advertisers agree to abide by the terms of trade outlined by the publisher.

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West wins big in roads investment THE NSW Government is committing $700M for construction and improvement to Western Sydney’s road network, including major projects such as the Western Harbour Tunnel. Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the 2022-23 NSW Budget investment would build upon the Government’s commitment to deliver transformative developments while upgrading existing infrastructure. “The funding delivered is all about investing in local communities, creating thousands of local jobs and delivering projects that will improve the daily lives of motorists,” Mrs Ward said. “Western Sydney is the heart of the NSW economy. We are investing to provide safer more reliable trips and cutting journey times to enable people to spend less time in the daily commute and more time with loved ones. “One of the first actions of this government was to improve how Western Sydney is connected through WestConnex. This budget is about connecting motorists to our major roads with $614M over next four years in State and Commonwealth funding for the Mulgoa Road upgrade.” The Government’s commitment to Western Sydney includes: • $866M in capital expenditure ($1.2 billion over four years) to continue construction of the WestConnex Motorway, including delivery of the final stages of the project, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels and Rozelle Interchange by 2023. • $206M in capital expenditure ($1.2B over four years) for NSW and Commonwealth Government-funded road upgrades to support the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, including The Northern Road between Narellan and Penrith, and the M12 Motorwa.y

Minister Natalie Ward.

• $31M ($614M over four years) of State and Commonwealth government funding for the Mulgoa Rd Upgrade Stages 1, 2, 5A and 5B. • $2.6M ($223M over four years) of State and Commonwealth Government funding for M5 Motorway - Moorebank Avenue - Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade. • $10M ($50M over three years) of State and Commonwealth Government funding for Richmond Road Stage 1 - Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road, Marsden Park. Mrs Ward said this year’s Budget included key investments in roads right across Greater Sydney. “The ultimate goal of our roads infrastructure program is to make it easier for people to move around the network safely and in as little time as possible,” Mrs Ward said. “This budget is about looking at the other projects that are required across Sydney, making it easier for motorists to get to and from work and ensuring parents have more time to get their kids to sport on the weekend.”

Free flu shots continued

FREE flu shots for NSW residents will be extended until July 17, amid concerns vaccination rates are still not where they should be. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the latest data shows only one in four children aged under five has had a flu shot, while the figures are even lower for kids aged five to 15. “It’s really worrying that just over 18 per cent of children and teenagers have had a flu jab and for kids aged six months to five years, the figure is 25 per cent,” Mr Hazzard said. “These numbers are particularly concerning given in the last month, four times as many kids have been admitted to Sydney’s two children’s hospitals with flu than with COVID.” Mr Hazzard urged families to use the school holidays to book in for a free flu shot. “It only takes a few minutes to get a flu jab but that time could mean the difference between you or one of your loved ones ending up in ICU so please, book in today,” Mr Hazzard said. The uptake of the influenza vaccine in

adults is equally worrying, with less than 40 per cent of 50- to 65-year-olds and only 64 per cent of those aged over 65 having a flu jab. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged more people to come forward for their influenza vaccination to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations. “More than 1,000 people presented to our EDs with flu-like illness last week and almost 165 were so unwell they were admitted, including very young children,” Dr Chant said. “Please take advantage of the offer of the free vaccination to protect yourself against the flu this winter. There is plenty of supply and appointments available at GPs and pharmacies.” The low uptake in Sydney’s west and south-west continues to be of concern, so too in parts of far northern NSW and the State’s central west. For flu vaccine uptake figures by age group and local government area, click Influenza vaccination rates in NSW - Immunisation programs

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WINNER restaurant

Biviano’s Dural

L BUSINE CA

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2021

AWA D S R

WINNER FINALIST SYDNEY HILLS

Celebrating 22 Years

The Ultimate Dining Experience ITALIAN & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

It’s that time of year again, lets dig deep! Save the Date for The Hills Annual Gala Ball. This year we will be doing something a just little different with a really big impact. For the first time in 22 years we will have 3 charities profiled on the night.You can choose to support any one or all of these charities. Each having their own amazing goals providing support to those in need. The last 2 years has been very hard on these amazing operations and we at Biviano’s feel that we can help support them like they have been supporting others for so long. Don’t miss out on this amazing night. Let’s have some fantastic fun while raising some much needed money.

SAVE THE DATE

The Hills Annual Charity Gala Ball PROUDLY SUPPORTING

FOSTER CARE ANGELS • THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WESTMEAD, ICU RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOC. NSW “TALL TIMBERS” CENTRE

THURSDAY 25 AUGUST 2022

6:30pm Heartwood Bar for 7:30pm Start LOTS OF FUN: CANAPES, DRINKS, 3 COURSE Live Entertainment, Dancing, D/J, chance to win major prize Dress Code: Formal For more details soon go to www.bivianosdural.com 02 9651 ● 2022 www.bivianosdural.com ● ● ●628 Old Northern RdRd Dural NSW 2158 Book Now2022 02 9651 ● www.bivianosdural.com 628 Old Northern Dural NSW 2158 WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

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Cor Cordis launches in West

OR Cordis, a leading national advisory, restructuring and insolvency firm, is proud to announce that it is increasing its footprint by opening another office location in Greater Western Sydney, signifying continued growth and development of the firm. With Greater Western Sydney emerging as a major driver of economic growth, with a growing population, an emerging infrastructure boom and thriving key industries, Cor Cordis felt this presented opportunities for its employees and its growth potential. Neil Cussen, Partner-in-charge for Cor Cordis, NSW, said: “We feel it is important that Greater Western Sydney businesses have access to the best advisors locally. With businesses continuing to feel the impact of Covid-19, we feel the time is right to establish a presence in this area. “Given our expertise in dealing with businesses of all sizes, we believe we are

to also work in the area. Because our team live locally, they better understand the issues facing businesses in Greater Western Sydney, therefore providing the restructuring advice that businesses need.” The new office, situated at Level 5, 3 Horwood Place, Parramatta, will be operational as of 1 June 2022. About Cor Cordis–www.corcordis. com.au Cor Cordis is one of Australia’s leading business advisory firms, with expertise in solving complex financial problems. Their purpose is to ensure that every client achieves the best possible business outcome. Experts work across various industries and organisations to help solve the many issues that companies face as they navigate uncertain times. With offices across Australia, Cor Cordis employs over 20 partners and 120 staff nationally. Their expertise lies in four core areas – advisory, restructuring and turnaround, insolvency, and forensics.

Neil Cussen, Partner in Charge, NSW; Michael Billingsley, Partner; Ahmed Sowaid, Partner.

well placed to provide Greater Western Sydney businesses with support and advice as they continue to navigate the current climate.

“We’re also leveraging the capability and know-how of our staff who live in Greater Western Sydney. “Now we offer them the opportunity

Anti-corruption inspectors confirmed

SW Attorney General Mark Speakman has announced the appointment of Gail Furness SC as the Inspector of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Bruce McClintock SC as the Inspector

of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). Mr Speakman said the merit-based appointments will bring significant legal experience and knowledge to the roles. Both Ms Furness and Mr McClintock will commence five-year terms

on July 1, 2022. The Inspector of the ICAC is an independent statutory role responsible for oversight of the ICAC, an independent body established to combat corruption and improve the integrity of the NSW public sector. The LECC

detects, investigates and exposes serious misconduct within the NSW Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission, and independently monitors and reviews those agencies’ investigation of complaints about the conduct of their officers.

Busco for Brekky and

Drive with Linden Every Weekday www.swr999.com.au 4

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Welcome to automation

Mega factories dominate west DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

ELCOME to the era of the automated ‘mega factory’ as Western Sydney becomes the distribution centre of Australia. Industrial property is booming with massive new projects announced right across the region. And industrial property has smashed every record across Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic as the nation switched from traditional shopping to e-commerce. The e-commerce phenomenon relies on major automated factories such as ths Amazon centre at Kemps Creek and the new Australia Post project near Blacktown. Amazon built Australia’s largest warehouse, spanning 200,000sqm over four levels in the west, at a reported cost of $500M. It is a masterpiece of robotic technology with 37,000 yellow storage pods housing 20 million of the smaller items sold on Amazon.com.au, Director of Australian Property Futures Tony Crabb said in a media statement the growth of e-commerce was certainly accelerated dramatically by COVID. “But, as everything opens up, how much of that will remain?” “I think we may see a bit of a deceler-

Amazon’s Western Sydney facility

ation, but the vacancy rate in industrial is down to about two per cent at the moment and we’re still struggling to cope with demand and, in some places, we’re running out of land.” Most experts believe the unprecedented rates of growth in the industrial market still has at least two or three more years to run, with some believing it will carry on

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

for as many as five. “We’re still seeing outrageous demand from our clients, but the ones we’re talking to now are going to be transacting in three to four years,” Director of property at the supply chain, property and project services consultancy firm TMX Jack Moroney told media. Colliers reported that the Australian

industrial and logistics sector completed its best year on record, providing a total return of 23.2% to June 2021, with all the indications that this surge still has a long way to go. Colliers said the growth was driven by the continued shift to online retail – spurred on by the pandemic and lockdowns – and the requirements for big distribution centres and hubs closer to consumers, as well as the logistics boom. Online sales now represent 13.9% of total retail, with Colliers forecasting this will rise to 18% by 2025. E-retailers have been spearheading the demand for warehouse space, with NAB’s Online Retail Sales report finding that $50B was spent on online retail in Australia in the 12 months to June 2021, an increase of 56% on the previous year. In Western Sydney, land values have doubled during the last three years.

Western Parkland office relocated

UNDREDS of jobs are headed to the Western Parkland City with a milestone reached in the construction of new and premium office accommodation located in the heart of Penrith. A topping out ceremony was held at the $90M 50 Belmore Street development marking the completion of the main building structure. The ceremony was accompanied by an announcement

that NSW Government agency the Western Parkland City Authority (WPCA) will be relocating to the new building from its current head office in Parramatta which fulfils a 2019 election commitment. Due for completion later this year, the eight-storey development will provide 10,700 square metres of commercial space while boasting a fivestar NABERS and Green Star rating.

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New ways of managing our wellbeing

Government’s digital initiatives

ROM helping new parents keep track of their newborn’s milestones to creating a single State-wide medical record and supporting better patient outcomes and virtual care, the NSW Government is embracing digital solutions. Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said digital innovations were key to helping customers stay on top of their wellbeing with new solutions like the NSW Health App, the Digital Baby Book and the Single Digital Patient Record set to further assist the way people manage their health. “The NSW Government is a world leader in delivering customer-centric digital outcomes and nowhere is this more important than supporting the health and wellbeing of the State’s residents,” Mr Dominello said. “Digital innovations like the NSW Health App will allow customers to access critical health information as well as relevant NSW Health services from the convenience of their phone. It will also help customers consider other healthcare services available in the community. “The Digital Restart Fund (DRF) has already committed $166.7M to the new Single Digital Patient Record, which will mean clinicians can better support patients and their health no matter where they are in NSW.

Cheer on your favourites in a world class stadium experience 6

“Having a truly State-wide clinical information system will improve patient safety and continuity of care, while also reducing the burden on patients having to provide their information repeatedly when accessing NSW Health services. “The Digital Baby Book initiative has been supported with $4.97M from the

DRF and $53.7M to develop its clinical interface. This will enable busy families with the digital tools needed to stay on track with childhood vaccinations, development information and checks. “An improved Mental Health Access Line is in the works, along with a new virtual care strategy aimed at accessing health and wellbeing support with the tap of a button. “Digital solutions are solving today’s problems by ensuring customers remain well informed and engaged with their healthcare providers. “Future initiatives include the eReferral Hub, which will act as an electronic dashboard for referrals allowing consumers to view and be notified of their outpatient appointments, has also received $3M in DRF funding. Mr Dominello said NSW’s nation-leading work to introduce a digital

COVID-safe check-in system made it easier for people to visit venues safely and access essential services during the COVID-19 restrictions, while also supporting NSW Health contract tracers. “Since 2020, almost 200,000 customers opted-in to receive their COVID-19 test result via the Service NSW app, with about 1.9 million results provided,” Mr Dominello said. The Digital Restart Fund is providing seed funding for many eHealth initiatives to support residents across the State. The NSW Government has allocated $2.1B across four years to invest into digital transformation projects through the DRF. The fund is administered by the Department of Customer Service and targets smart, simple technology solutions which create efficiencies for customers across the State.

Motorists urged to download fuel app

OTORISTS are being reminded to download the NSW Government’s popular FuelCheck app and find the cheapest fuel at the bowser, with new figures revealing there have been

two million downloads. Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said using the technology regularly could save motorists in excess of $800 a year. The app is free, easy to use and

gives users real-time petrol price information where ever you are across the State. For more information on FuelCheck and to download the app visit: https://www.fuelcheck.nsw. gov.au/app.

Your partners in the community

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The Best Advisors, Locally. Open for Business. Our new Parramatta office brings Western Sydney businesses the best advisors locally. For advisory, restructuring and turnaround, forensics or insolvency services, partner with Cor Cordis to maximise your returns and optimise your business value.

Preserving and Enhancing Value

Level 5, 3 Horwood Place, Parramatta +61 2 8221 8400 parramatta@corcordis.com.au www.corcordis.com.au

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Timezone returns to Parramatta

New dual level venue at Westfield TIMEZONE has opened its 53rd outlet - at Westfield Parramtta. The opening continues the brand’s impressive list of venues in Australia, and is the latest offering in TEEG’s (The Entertainment and Education Company) journey to bring high-quality, family friendly fun to communities worldwide. The launch of this new split-level Timezone marks the return of an entertainment icon to the community of Parramatta, 20 years after the original closed its doors. “Western Sydney is a thriving, multicultural growth hub that’s home to generations of families that prioritise connection and community,” says Kane Fong, General Manager of Timezone and Zone Bowling Australia. “Ongoing investment in infrastructure and the cultural arts economy in the area bodes well for the future of this vibrant LGA. We’re excited to be back, and proud to introduce Timezone’s unique brand of

energy and magic to a brand-new generation of fun seekers.” Sonaal Chopra, Group CEO of TEEG is thrilled to be bringing Timezone back to Parramatta. “Wherever we open a Timezone venue, it quickly becomes the entertainment destination, where the community gets

together to share fun memories and build social connections. I am certain that this new venue will be a welcomed addition to the area.” Boasting a modern, colourful, and family friendly fit-out spread over 1,700 square metres of floor space, Timezone Parramatta will provide the ultimate space and

mix of attractions a Timezone can offer, creating ample opportunities for friends, families, colleagues, and loved ones to play, bond – and never get bored. Options for play include four shortlane bowling lanes, over 100 arcade games, eight Spin Zone bumper cars and a Laser Tag arena fit for up to 24 players. Guests can dive into a world of treats and rewards in Timezone’s legendary Winners Vault, always jam packed with high-quality, bespoke and branded prizes. Timezone Parramatta also boasts three customisable Party Rooms, perfect for low-stress, high-reward celebrations of all kinds, be they birthdays, team wins, farewells, or a day spent bonding with work colleagues. Timezone Parramatta will open its doors on July 2, 2022, just in time for the NSW school holidays. About Timezone Group Timezone Group was founded in 1978 and is the leading chain of Family Entertainment Centres in the Asia Pacific region, delivering entertainment concepts that provide a social experience filled with state-of-the-art interactive games, rides and attractions. All guests are assured of a safe, friendly, and fun environment. Timezone internationally operates over 300 locations across 7 countries with 50 venues in Australia. Find out more at www. timezonegames.com

Home ownership help for key workers TEACHERS, nurses, police, single parents and older singles will be helped to realise their dream of home ownership under a $780M investment in a shared equity scheme to be trialled by the NSW Government. Premier Dominic Perrottet said under the scheme, the NSW Government would contribute an equity share up to 40 per cent for a new property or up to 30 per cent for an existing property purchased by eligible buyers. “One of the Government’s priorities is to make home ownership a reality for more people across our State and allow people to live closer to where they want to work, live and raise a family,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This Budget continues our focus on significant and important reform to create a brighter future for NSW families. “We are continuing to invest in our people to transform our State as we embark on delivering what matters to make daily life better for people across our State.” Treasurer Matt Kean said many older singles struggled to find secure housing, with the number of women aged over 55 among the fastest growing cohort of homeless people in the nation. Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said this scheme would not only help participants overcome the deposit barrier to home ownership, but reduce the size of their mortgage and its repayments.

“It marks another step in the Government’s plan to ensure that every person in NSW has a place to call home.” Under the NSW Government’s shared equity trial: • Up to 3,000 spots will be available each year for two financial years; • Key worker first home buyers who are nurses, teachers or police – as well as older singles over 50 and single parents with a child or children under 18 years old can apply; • Participants must have a maximum gross income of $90,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples; • Participants must have a minimum deposit of 2 per cent of the pur-

chase price; • The Government will take a maximum equity contribution of 40 per cent for a new home and 30 per cent for an established home, and • The maximum value of the property that can be purchased under the scheme is $950,000 in Sydney and regional centres including the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the North Coast of NSW, and $600,000 in other parts of NSW. The scheme is planned to begin in January 2023. For more information visit https://nsw. gov.au/shared-equity-scheme

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Celebrations in the south-west

Liverpool City Council turns 150

June Liverpool City Council marked an important historical milestone –150 years of local government for Liverpool. On June 27, 1872, following a petition by residents, the Liverpool area was styled the “Municipal District of Liverpool” by NSW Governor Sir Hercules Robinson and Liverpool Council was formed. In September 1872 Liverpool Council also elected its first Mayor, Captain Richard Sadleir, and Aldermen, now referred to as Councillors. The Liverpool suburb of Sadleir, part of the Green Valley Housing Estate, was named after the first Mayor. The 150th anniversary of Liverpool Council is one of several important milestones in Liverpool’s history, including

40,000+ years of First Nations heritage, the founding of the town of Liverpool in 1810 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, and the granting of city status to Liverpool in 1960. Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the Liverpool region has a fascinating history. “Our area has rich First Nations, colonial and migrant heritage, and Liverpool is considered one of the oldest towns founded in Australia.” “Marking 150 years since the formation of Liverpool Council is important in acknowledging the progress and achievements of our area and its people.” Since being granted municipality status in 1872 the population of the Liverpool area has grown from around 1,700 to almost 250,000 people in 2022. Liverpool

Liverpool City Council float participating in the Liverpool Festival of Progress of 1972 as it moves along Macquarie Street, Liverpool. A banner on the side of the float reads “1872 Liverpool City Council 100 years of progress 1972. Liverpool City Library Heritage Collection.

Hand coloured postcard of the Liverpool Town Hall dated from the early 1900s. Liverpool’s first town hall was built in 1881 and was replaced by a new building in 1939. Liverpool City Library Heritage Collection.

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills The NSW Government is offering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy affordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

has also grown from a small town to an established city, and centre of Sydney’s rapidly growing South West region. To mark this significant occasion, several events are planned across the rest of year, including unearthing a time capsule buried in 1972, a special film screening at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre of Peter Weir’s famous documentary Whatever Happened to Green Valley? on Saturday 9 July, and a historic timeline display at Liverpool City Library.

A special commemorative publication –The City of Liverpool Gazette – will be published to coincide with the anniversary and will feature contributions from several historical societies about the significant events and achievements of the Liverpool area. To find out more about the 150th anniversary celebrations and Liverpool’s history, please visit: https://www.liverpool. nsw.gov.au/council/liverpool-municipality-150th-anniversary

Are you eligible for free solar?

The offer is only available to households that live in the specified regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region. To be eligible you must: Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years Own your own home Not already have a solar PV system Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.” SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.

Save up to $600 in electricity bills! SAE Group is the approved provider, designing & installing solar systems for the NSW Government Solar for Low Income Households Offer.

Get in touch with SAE Group today to find out more

1300 18 20 50 www.saegroup.com.au

Want to find out more? Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Offer is supported by the NSW Government. Electricial Licences: QLD 72258, NSW 227562C

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10 steps to conquer information overload

When it all becomes too much LAURA SHIN

E’VE all heard the phrase “information overload.” It reminds us of tweets, texts, emails, the endless stream of interesting articles on Facebook, those viral videos we can’t help but click on, the numerous phone photos and videos we take, Secret posts, fleeting Snapchat photos and more. But actually the cognitive flood can be even simpler than that, says Daniel Levitin, McGill University psychology professor and author of “The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload.” “In 1976, there were 9,000 products in the average grocery store, and now it’s ballooned to 40,000 products. And yet most of us can get almost all our shopping done in just 150 items, so you’re having to ignore tens of thousands of times every time you go shopping,” he says. By one calculation, he says, we’ve created more information in the last 10 years than in all of human history before that. “I’ve read estimates there were 30 exabytes of information 10 years ago and today, there’s 300 exabytes of information,” he says. All of this is more information than the brain is configured to handle. The conscious mind can pay attention to three, maybe four, things at once. “If you get much beyond that, you begin to exercise poorer judgment, you lose track of things and you lose your focus,” he says. Considering that Americans took in five times as much information every day in 2011 as they did in 1986, we have to make a conscious effort to beat back the flood. Here are Levitin’s top 10 tips for thinking straight, overcoming procrastination and putting in less time but getting more done. 1. Do a brain dump. Get things out of your head. Getting Things Done productivity guru David Allen recommends what he calls “clearing the mind.” This means creating a big list of everything floating around your head. Also, immediately write down any thought that interrupts your work flow. “Writing [these thoughts] down gets them out of your head, clearing your brain that is interfering with being able to focus on what you want to focus on,” he says in the book. It also gives permission to your mind to “relax its neural circuits so that we can focus on something else.” Once on paper, prioritize the items into these buckets: things to do today, things to delegate, things to do this week, and things to drop. Allen calls these categories: do it, delegate it, defer it, drop it. If you find an item that just keeps lingering on your list, it may be ill-defined — not actionable. For instance, you may write “decide whether or not to get a new car this year.” That would be better broken down into subtasks such as, find out what your car is worth on Kelley Blue Book, ask the car mechanic how much it would cost to keep your current car on the road, etc.

2. Follow the two-minute rule. If you have a lot of little tasks, designate 45 minutes or an hour every day to plow through any items that will take you two minutes or less, like emails, phone calls, tidying up, checking your financial accounts, etc. 3. Clump together similar tasks. If you have several bills, pay them all at once. If you’re going to clean the house, don’t get distracted by reorganizing your closet. Completing each task once you begin it is another way of being efficient

with your mental resources — it forces you to keep attention on one item for a span of time. “This allows us to get more done and finish up with more energy,” writes Levitin. 4. Don’t multitask. Multitasking “costs” you by forcing you to decide whether to answer or ignore a text, how you should respond, how you should file this email, whether you should stick with what you’re working on or attend to the interruption. All those little decisions “spend” oxygenated glucose, the very fuel you need to focus on a task. Switching between tasks will actually make you feel exhausted, disoriented and anxious, writes Levitin. In contrast, “once we engage the central executive mode, staying in that state uses less energy than multitasking and actually reduces the brain’s need for glucose.” Multitasking trips us up in other ways. Stanford neuroscientist Russ Poldrack found that, for students who study and watch TV simultaneously, information that should go into the part of the brain for facts and storage may end up in the area for learning new procedures and new skills. If you find it especially hard to disengage, try adopting this one habit. 5. Limit the distractions of email. “Just having the opportunity to multitask is detrimental to cognitive performance,” writes Levitin. Glenn Wilson of Gresham College in London found that having an unread email in your inbox while you’re trying to complete a task can chop 10 points off your effective IQ. Wilson even showed that multitasking is even more of a detriment to memory and our ability to concentrate than smoking pot is.

Since having emails come in every few minutes is so bad for your decision-making skills and impairs judgment, Levitin recommends tricking your brain into staying on track. For instance, set aside two or three times of day for email. Turn off notifications so you’re not constantly being interrupted. “Many people have their e-mail programs set to put through arriving e-mails automatically or to check every five minutes. Think about that: If you’re checking e-mail every five minutes, you’re checking it 200 times during the workday,” writes Levitin.

6. “Eat the frog” first thing in the morning. We start each day with our energy for that day. As the day goes on, every decision, whether trivial or momentous, consumes a bit of our glucose. Questions like “Should I use a blue or green pen?” draws from the same energy store as “I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer. Should I opt for radiation or surgery?” “Important decisions should be made at the beginning of the day, when gumption and glucose is highest,” says Levitin, adding that Oscar-winning producer Jake Eberts used to have a dictum: “Eat the frog.” “If you eat a frog first thing in the morning, the rest of the day goes better,” says Levitin. “So, whatever is the most unpleasant thing to do, do it first in the morning.” Set aside that time with all distractions turned off, and adopt the mindset that that task is the most important thing you could be doing at that time. 7. Spend only as much time on decisions, tasks and activities as they are worth. If you want to organize bills and receipts, there’s no need to go to the stationery store, color code files and spend the next six weekends organizing papers — unless you need to access these files all the time. “If you’re talking about organizing five-year-old bills and receipts, just throw them in a box and when you need something, look for it,” says Levitin. 8. Take breaks. “People who take a 15-minute break every couple of hours are much more efficient in the long run,” says Levitin, adding that it gives the brain a chance

to hit the reset button in a part of the brain called the insula. “So taking a break, taking a nap, taking a walk around the block, listening to music — these activities, although most bosses would think that they’re a waste of time, in fact, they’re a big adjunct to productivity and creativity.” On average, a 15-minute nap can increase your effective IQ by 10 points, he says, though there are individual differences. For most people, however, an hour or two is too long. 9. Let yourself daydream. The brain operates in two oppositional modes: “one is when you’re directing the thoughts, and the other is when the thoughts take over and run themselves,” says Levitin. Directing mode is the one that allows us to get our work done, whether we’re an office worker, chef or tile layer, but our minds can’t stay in one gear all day long. In daydreaming mode, says Levitin, “one thought melds into another and they’re not particularly related.” This daydreaming mode acts as a neural reset button and replenishes some of the glucose you use up in staying on a task. It also has the great benefit of fostering creativity. “The thoughts meander from one to another, creating links between things we might not have seen as linked before, and from that may come the solutions to problems,” says Levitin. Down time is one of seven types of experiences your brain needs during the day. 10. Push down authority. “Managers tends to think the workers below them as just doing the work for the paycheck,” says Levitin. “But most workers report they love their jobs, even in jobs where you wouldn’t think that’s possible, like working in city sewer systems, having to shovel manure out of the stable, or people doing heavy labor with jackhammers — things that might sound unpleasant.” For that reason, most workers like at least some autonomy — and that’s great for managers who may be suffering from information overload, because they can then push down authority and empower people under them to exercise their good judgment. For instance, General Stanley McChrystal told Levitin about how soldiers used to call him from Iraq in the middle of the night and say, “‘We’ve been watching this building and we think it might have some munitions in it. We’d like your permission to bomb it.’ He’d say, ‘There’s nothing you can tell me on the phone at 2am in five minutes that’s going to make me more expert than you already are. You’ve been watching this building for six weeks. If you think we should bomb it, you should bomb it.’” Laura Shin is the author of the Forbes eBook, The Millennial Game Plan: Career And Money Secrets For Today’s World.

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Indigenous Athlete Talent I.D. Program In what can be described as an exciting initiative for the Western Sydney Academy of Sport, we are pleased to announce an exciting and beneficial partnership with Underwriting Agencies Australia (UAA) – a locally born and bred company dating back to the 80’s. Following on from UAA’s existing support of multiple Regional Academies across New South Wales (Northern Inland, North Coast, Hunter, Central Coast, Southern and Western Regions), UAA will now extend this support to Western Sydney’s talented young athletes through a multi-year agreement that will enable the Academy to undertake a groundbreaking Indigenous Talent Identification Program (ITID). The partnership will also provide for support of the Academy’s benchmark Netball Program. UAA have also aligned this incredible support to neighboring Academy the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, meaning UAA will be aligned with eight of the nine independent regional academies throughout NSW.

Around the Grounds The 2022 Year has certainly been an extraordinary one, with COVID-19 and weather episodes combining to cause havoc within our regional sporting communities. Despite the significant disruption, Western Sydney Academy has been fortunate to have the capacity to deliver our pre-elite development programs across a wide range of sports. Just over 200 talented young athletes have been provided scholarships within the Academy's range of 11 development programs which includes BMX, Cycling (Track and Road), Golf, Netball Umpiring, Netball, Rugby Union, Triathlon, Rowing, Softball, Volleyball and Lone Star. The Academy Softball Squad partnered with Canberra Pride (Softball ACT) for a weekend full of skills, drills and gameplay. WSAS Head Coach Richard Gatt and Assistant Coaches Wayne Frost and Matthew Beach ran a skills session with squads from both WSAS and Canberra Pride

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

The Academy’s Indigenous Talent Identification Program will involve a talent ID day for invited indigenous students from Schools across the region, with accredited coaches and professional staff casting a watchful eye over a range of testing procedures. The ITID process will focus on “unearthing” local Indigenous talent from the Western Sydney region with a purpose of offering them fully funded scholarships into the Academy’s sport programs. UAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Murphy commented “By supporting pathways for Indigenous youth in Australia, we are enhancing the educational, employment, training and career development opportunities for people of Indigenous descent. UAA is committed to diversity and inclusion and we strive to promote this within our organisation.” Western Sydney Academy CEO Martin Bullock stated “The support of UAA is extremely important to our Academy’s ability to engage with a diverse range of young athletes within our expansive region, and we are enormously grateful for their wonderful support. UAA’s focus and support for this Indigenous Talent ID Program will enable us to offer multiple opportunities for talented young students and athletes across a range of sport programs.”

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Council commits to road reconstruction plan

Breaking new recycling ground PENRITH City Council is breaking ground with a commitment to use recycled glass in all future road works. Following a successful trial in Stafford Street, Penrith, where end-of-life glass collected from a local supplier was crushed down and used in the road’s asphalt mix, Council will continue to use recycled glass for future road resurfacing works. Council’s review of the trial revealed incorporating glass in the bitumen delivered a win for the circular economy and a more durable road surface. Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said Council is proud to be leading the way in a move that will not only streamline road works in the Penrith Local Government Area but also lay the foundations for a more sustainable circular economy for our City. “Council is always looking for opportunities to improve our services and following the recent flood events which wreaked havoc on Penrith’s roads, we have been eager to implement preventative measures and long-term solutions,” Cr Hitchen said. “Through our commitment to the circular economy by using recycled glass in future road works, we are providing more robust roads for the safety of our residents and visitors, while contributing to the circular economy at a local level,” she said.

This month alone, Council is using recycled glass in projects at three sites – Copeland Street in Kingswood, Jamison Road in South Penrith, and Ninth Avenue, Llandilo. Council will source and repurpose just over 257 tonnes of recycled glass for these projects which form part of our scheduled road reconstruction works. Penrith is encouraging other councils to consider this innovative plan that will futureproof our roads and is a win for the environment.” During 2020/2021, Council collected 14,965 tonnes of recyclable material from the yellow-lidded recycling bin which was diverted from landfill. Of this, glass currently makes up 30%. Find out more about Council’s Waste Strategy and services at www.penrith. city/waste

Roadworks at Penrith.

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WSABE AWARDS www.accessnews.com.au

ENTER NOW

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WSABE Closing:AWARDS Friday, June 17th 2022 wsabe.com.au Closing: Friday, June 17th 2022 wsabe.com.au

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2022

ARDS

2022 Sydney Hills Local Business Awards

Nominations open Monday 11th July Nominations close Wednesday 10th August www.thebusinessawards.com.au 14

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HILLS LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

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It’s that time of year again

Support your local small business BUSINESSES in the local community do so much more than sell us goods and services. They’re an integral part of every community and our everyday lives, according to Precedent Productions Managing Director Steve Loe. “Small business people and their staff are part of the social fabric of our communities,” the Local Business Awards founder said. “They’re the people we stop to chat with on the way to and from work, or in the course of doing our own jobs. “Very often they become friends as well as sounding boards outside our families and colleagues, who we can turn to for advice or just some sympathy.” Mr Loe said nominating a favourite local business for the annual Sydney Hills Local Business Awards was an excellent way to thank them for their efforts, which so often go unrecognised. Nominations for the 2022 Sydney Hills Local Business Awards open on Monday 11th July and that will be the time for the community to show that businesses in the Sydney Hills have many loyal and happy customers who appreciate what they do. “I would particularly like to thank the Awards’ Major Partners, The Hills Shire Council and NOVA Employment” Mr Loe said.

“Their support of the Local Business Awards is essential to the success of the program and it reflects their recognition of the importance of local businesses in the Sydney Hills area. “Now is your chance to thank your favourite businesses by voting for them online at www.thebusinessawards.com. au.” Nominations close on Wednesday, August 10. For further information on the Sydney Hills Local Business Awards, visit www.thebusinessawards.com.au or call Precedent Productions on 8363 3333.

Scenes form 2021 awards

Vote for your favourite business

WSBA is again proud to support the Hills Local Business Awards as media partner. Voting for the 2022 awards is now open. To vote for your favourite business simply scan the QR code on the advertisement to be linked to the businesses' voting page.

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BUILDING WEALTH THROUGH PROPERTY

Tel: 1300

823 796

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F127, 24-32 Lexington Drive Bella Vista NSW 2153

2022

info@impressivepropertydevelopments.com.au

ARDS

Sydney Hills

Scan the QR Code to vote for Impressive Property Developments to be a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ANDREW ON WINNING THE HILLS DISTRICT YOUTH AWARD 2021! Last year we took out the youth award and we were so proud of the achievement. This year we have continued to share our passion for food and our love of our heritage with our beautiful community. We would love if you could show your support by voting for us this year in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards. Unit 2/286-288 New Line Rd, Dural NSW 2158 Menu: enzoscucina.com.au Phone: (02) 9651 3696 Reservation: enzoscucina.com.au Order: orderup.com.au, doordash.com

33 Shepherds Drive Cherrybrook 02 9980 7822 carlileswimming.com.au

Scan the QR Code to vote for Hills Pet Nanny in the Hills Business Awards

Hills Pet Nanny The Hills District 0419 426 483

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Scan the QR Code to vote for Carlile Swimming Cherrybrook in the Hills Business Awards

Scan the QR Code to vote for Enzo's to become a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards

AVOSHA

Hair & Beauty Centre

2022

ARDS

Blacktown City

48B Windsor Road Kellyville 2155 NSW, Kellyville, NSW, Australia, New South Wales Avoshahairandbeauty@hmail.com instagram.com/avoshahairandbeauty

(02) 8883 2716

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BUSIN E

ARDS

Scan the QR Code to vote for Learn Music with Shaun in the Hills Business Awards

8 Sunningdale Place Rouse Hill 0416 949 377 www.learnmusicwithshaun.com

2022

Blacktown City

Scan the QR Code to vote for AVOSHA Hair & beauty centre to be a Finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards

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Choice Paper is the preferred supplier to the Gaming, Hospitality and Retail Industry.

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2022

1300 278 000 www.choicepaper.com.au

ARDS

Sydney Hills

Scan the QR Code to vote for Choice Paper to become a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards.

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0428 654 646

Scan the QR Code to vote for I am Hair Dural to be a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Local Business Awards

Unit 11/286-288 New Line Road Dural, NSW 2158 info@iamhair.com.au

Tel: 1300 823 796 info@impressivepropertysales.com.au

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Please scan the QR code to vote for Ideal Health to be a Finalist in the Sydney Hills Business Awards

F127, 24-32 Lexington Drive Bella Vista NSW 2153

BUILDING WEALTH THROUGH PROPERTY

2022

ARDS

Sydney Hills

Please scan the QR Code to Vote for Impressive Property to be a Finalist in the Sydney/Hills Local Business Awards

02 96521753

OPEN for Lunch Tuesday – Friday OPEN for Dinner Tuesday – Sunday

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BUSINESS LUNCH DELIVERY

Scan the QR code to vote for Mindworx to become a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards

2022

ARDS

Sydney Hills

Scan the Barcode to vote for Glenorie Pizzeria to be a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards

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Phone 02 9054 7830 Email info@sydneypsychhub.com.au Address Suite 6, 6-8 Old Castle Hill Road, Castle Hill, 2154

Scan the QR Code to vote for Sydney Psych Hub. to become a finalist in the Sydney/Hills Business Awards

Guest Speakers

Melissa Wu OLYMPIAN

BLACKTOWN

Besa Deda

CHIEF ECONOMIST WESTPAC

Monday, October 24

Blacktown Workers Club | 8am - 8pm Entry is free upon registration at Eventbrite or onsite

Premium stalls: $1,150 INC GST

Premium stalls include a quarter page advertisement in the official program.

12 premium stalls in the promenade extending in the walkway outside of the Diamond Showroom and Eucalyptus dining area (level 1).

Diamond Room stalls: $380 INC GST

Diamond Room stalls include an 8th page advertisement in the official program.

Approximately 100 tables of six in the Diamond Showroom. Each table can be rented by an organisation.

Contacts www.wexpo.com.au

Julie Jackson julie@accessnews.com.au

Linda Miller linda@accessnews.com.au

WEXPO is Greater Western Sydney’s own popular EXPO experience held at the centre of Greater Western Sydney – Blacktown. Proudly brought to you by

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Shopping trollies that think, freshly growing herbs

Welcome to the future supermarket TONY EADES

N the last two years retailers have had to operate at start up speed, rolling out new services to engage customers more effectively in what quickly became a digital-first world. Now the way we shop at the supermarket is about to be dragged out of the dark ages with new technology. Our weekly grocery shop will soon see trolleys that can read what’s placed inside it, supermarkets without cashiers and check-outs, in-store greenhouses, and our weekly grocery shop … trolleys that can read what’s placed inside it, supermarkets without cashiers and check-outs, in-store greenhouses, and even voice ordering The humble shopping trolley was invented back in 1937 when the wire hand-basket became too heavy for shoppers. Then in 1974, the world of retail was changed forever when a pack of Wrigley chewing gum became the first item in the world to have its barcode scanned in a supermarket. The 1990’s saw the invention of the self-service checkout with retailers praising their convenience and speed. However, a 2014 poll found that 93% of shoppers disliked them, with some saying it even drove them to theft. So, whilst most shoppers like browsing the aisles and filling their trolley–noone likes queueing at the checkout! Moreover, 61% of customers on a recent survey said that they intend to spend more time online after the pandemic than they did before. With the blurring of the lines between digital and physical channels, shoppers have more channels and options that ever before. It’s time for a shakeup and first to go will be cashiers and checkouts. Amazon was the first to introduce cashier-less grocery stores when they rolled out AmazonGo in the US in early 2020. Using a combination of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and data pulled from multiple sensors, customers are tracked and charged as they take items from the shelves. Now in New Zealand supermarket group Foodstuffs is trialling AI that can help read what you place inside your shopping trolley. The new tech called the “SMARTCART” automatically scans the item and charges it to your account via an app that you link to the trolley. How to cater for the customer of today No more checkout frustration or abandoned trolleys creating a “nuisance

“

With most shoppers (80%) saying that they would abandon a retailer after just three bad experiences, could we see a return to the nostalgia of the local butcher or grocer where a more personalised experience and better produce beckons – even if at a greater price.” to local communities”, and as many Australians embrace contactless payments and turn away from using cash post-pandemic, its technology that will be welcomed. Even your fruit and veg section is getting a modern makeover. Hydroponics will be coming to a store near you and it will transform the way you shop for veggies. The Metro supermarket in Berlin is one of the first to embrace this kind of technology. Their greens and herbs are actually growing inside their store, in glowing modular boxes ready for you to pick.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

Woolworths has also tapped into the concept with flagship store in Sydney boasting a ‘living lettuce’ fresh food section, where ‘jets of mist’ spray the vegetables until a customer picks them out of the water. Groceries are the most commonly shopped category via voice with the number of people using voice-ordering technology to order grocery items up already at 20%. Now Coles supermarket is experimenting with voice-ordering technology with a WIFI device called ‘Hiku’ that’s attached to your fridge.

Notice the milk is getting low, the cheese is finished or you are down to your last egg … simply say what you want and have it delivered to you door. The challenge for Australian retailers is that they are already managing an average of 44 disparate front-end technology systems. They also have to cater for two types of customer today – the ‘technophiles’, those who are enthusiastic about new tech and the ‘technophobes’ who fear, dislike, or avoid new technology. There is a danger that the supermarkets of the future will become too efficient and automated that they feel cold and lifeless. Technology should replace mundane, repeatable tasks and allow the human employees to interact and deliver true customer service in the store, helping you find what you’re looking for in the aisles. With most shoppers (80%) saying that they would abandon a retailer after just three bad experiences, could we see a return to the nostalgia of the local butcher or grocer where a more personalised experience and better produce beckons – even if at a greater price. Tony Eades is CEO of Salted Stone APAC and a trends expert: tony@saltedstone.com

Improving Management of

D ABETES Western Sydney is a diabetes ‘hotspot’ with rates far higher than the NSW average. As the number of people with diabetes grows, it is damaging the health and wellbeing of our communities. Diabetes is a serious and progressive condition that can lead to many other complications, including heart attacks, strokes, amputations, kidney and eye damage, dementia and mental health problems. In adults, type 2 diabetes accounts for 9095% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. With more than half the Western Sydney population overweight and at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Diabetes NSW & ACT, established the Western Sydney Diabetes initiative. Western Sydney Diabetes’ programs focus on prevention for those with diabetes risk factors and support for those who already have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Case Conferencing Diabetes Case Conferencing (DCC) brings together a patient, their GP, a diabetes educator and a hospital endocrinologist. Consultations last for 30 minutes and the team discuss medication and lifestyle options as well as develop a personalised care plan for the patient. The program was initially designed as a faceto-face program but transitioned to a telephone

in Western Sydney

and video service during the COVID-19 pandemic and now offers patients contact with the diabetes management team either from their GP’s practice or from the comfort of their own home. DCC is completely free for patients, as GPs will bulk bill these appointments. As well as receiving personalised care from diabetes specialists, DCC makes sure that most patients will be seen within a month and more urgent cases within a week. DCC provides a great opportunity for patients to work together with health care professionals to develop a detailed care plan tailored to their needs. Patients who have attended the program have given very positive feedback, with a recent survey showing that 85% of patients were highly satisfied with the virtual care they received. This service is now available in Seven Hills, Blacktown and Toongabbie. Find out more about DCC on our website at wentwest.com.au/wsd

Community member Geoff Owen said the Diabetes Case Conferencing program “changed his life completely”. “I lost over 10kgs, and my blood sugars are now at proper levels,” Mr Owen said, “I am very grateful for the wonderful support from the team at the Mt Druitt Clinic”.

Healthy Western Sydney is delivered by WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network.

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Matthew’s Story Matthew* is 54 years old and has been living with type 2 diabetes for over ten years. Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) is a measure of how well controlled your blood sugar has been over three months and provides a good understanding of how high, low, or normal your blood glucose levels are. The ideal HbA1c level for someone with diabetes is below 6.5%, yet before taking part in the Diabetes Case Conferencing program, Matthew’s HbA1c levels were at 13%. He was also not checking his blood sugar levels.

He was struggling to keep on top of his diabetes medications and was very discouraged about managing his diabetes as he felt as if his efforts had not achieved positive results. Since joining the program, Matthew has started checking his blood sugar levels and has registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. He regularly takes his diabetes medications, and his diet has improved significantly. He also had a free continuous glucose monitoring trial, which shows that his estimated HbA1c is now at a healthy 6.3%. *Name has been changed to protect the client’s identity.

Are You at High Risk of Diabetes? Check to see if you are in the high risk category for type 2 diabetes. Do any of the following points apply to you? Have a family history of diabetes Don’t regularly exercise Are overweight or obese Had diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) Are 45 years old or older and have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background If you ticked one or more of the above conditions, Western Sydney Diabetes advises you to make an appointment with your GP to do a quick HbA1c blood test to check for diabetes.

Minimise Your Risk of Developing Diabetes Statistics have shown that only 7% of Western Sydney residents are eating the recommended daily intake of vegetables and that rates of physical activity in Western Sydney are the lowest in NSW. The good news is that trials show that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in up to 58% of cases by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and following a healthy eating plan. Western Sydney Diabetes has produced a free publication called Healthy Living Options, Affordable Food edition which contains lots of practical information for people who want a healthy lifestyle and to reduce their risk of developing diabetes. This is a great resource for recipes, free online cooking classes, and local information about community gardens, where to buy healthy produce and food agencies supplying reduced price or free fresh food to families. You can access the guide and other resources on our Western Sydney Diabetes webpage at wentwest.com.au/wsd

Quick Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes:

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS July 2022

Make healthy food choices - eat fresh food and limit takeaways and treats

Exercise frequently - try walking rather than taking the car

Maintain a healthy weight

CROSSWORDS/GAMES

Solutions page 22

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Little jerks 5. Head downtown? 10. Help in a holdup 14. Balming target 15. Beyond partner 16. Screenplay direction 17. T-bone region 18. Medical research goals 19. Every family has one 20. Illuminated 23. Holiday follower? 24. Skiier’s challenge 25. Unlike a litterbug 27. Palindromic windmill part 30. End of two state names 33. Scratch, say 36. Better copy? 38. Bahrain bread 39. Passed with ease 41. Genetic info carrier 42. Arboreal abode 43. Things to rattle 45. Fishtail, e.g. 47. Daydreamer’s limit? 48. Fit to be fare 50. Killed, as a dragon 53. Tux accessory 54. Prepare for hanging 57. Wrestling area 59. Serving as a diplomat 64. Beer selections 66. Hindu grouping 67. Tat-tat intro 68. Folk facts 69. Pagoda roofing 70. Black cat, some think 71. It may come before “we forget” 72. Failed as a sentry 73. Bird’s perch, perhaps

DOWN 1. Chaucer bit 2. They may be clicked on 3. Flu symptom 4. Grad-to-be 5. Bushwhacker’s tool 6. Go to the edge of 7. The good olde days 8. Cooking place 9. Transmit anew 10. Back on a battleship 11. Crooners, often 12. Creation location 13. “High School Musical” extra 21. Main mail drop (abbr.) 22. Disconnected, as a phone line 26. Like siblings 28. Chances in Vegas 29. Roller Derby milieus 31. Checklist item 32. Pretentiously stylish 33. Attack deterrent 34. Military sch. 35. Enrolls 37. Barbary ape’s lack 40. The red 44. Inner city concern 46. Most absurd 49. Official orders 51. Emotion of the miffed 52. Long and thin 55. Sight from Biscayne Bay 56. Gourmand 57. Shoppers’ site 58. Ubiquitous lily relative 60. Place for some polish 61. “Cast Away” setting 62. Manual component 63. A driver may change one 65. Firm or fixed

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TRAVEL

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Planning and taking your first cruise

The cruise ships are back

CRUISE EXPERT DALLAS SHERRINGHAM HAS SOME TIMELY ADVICE

HE cruise ships are back and in Australia with P&O Cruises Pacific Explorer flying the flag for voyages out of Sydney to be closely followed by the arrival of Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess. These first itineraries are based mainly in Australians waters and with uncertainty still hanging over international travel, many readers will be toying with the idea of enjoying their very first cruise. Choosing a cruise destination and a cruise ship for your first cruise means doing some research and preparing properly. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date and you will need to prove you are Covid free prior to boarding. You will need travel insurance even if your are cruising in Australian waters. Also, try to talk to as many friends as possible about their cruising experience, before choosing a cruise.. If you are unsure how you will handle a long sea voyage, it might be a good idea to try a three day Cruise to Nowhere or a short cruise like Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane to Sydney. Okay, you’ve saved up, bought your ticket and you are ready to head off for 10 days at sea.

If you are departing from an Australian port, you can take as many suitcases as you like. A big suitcase is ideal because the more clothes you take, the less laundry trips you have to make on board. You will also buy souvenirs along the way, so you need to have room to pack it. Label the bag clearly inside and out and make sure the cruise ship details are firmly attached. It will be taken from you prior to boarding and hopefully turn up outside your cabin before dinner. Take a sturdy waterproof carry-on bag with your medications, glasses and other special needs inside. You can use this for towels, sunscreen, camera, snorkel and flippers when going ashore. Once again it should be clearly labelled. You arrive at the cruise terminal and will be guided to the departure area. ] Then you will check-in, having your cruise tickets and passport checked, your credit card swiped and you will be photographed and issued with a cruise card. The cruise card is the most important item you will have on the cruise. It is used for all charges on board the ship, such as drinks. It also allows you to get off and on the ship and enter your cabin. Buy a lanyard as soon as get on board. Attach the cruise card, put it around your neck and look after it.

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

Most ships have internet these days Once you are free to go on board you will be guided along the wharf and up the gangway. Photographers will insist you get a happy snap before you board. Rather than a long hassle explaining why you don’t need it, just let them take it and move on. On some ships, staff meet you at the top of the gangway and take you to the cabin. On other ships it is D.I.Y. However staff are normally positioned every few metres to guide you on your way. Once you get to your cabin, your steward will greet you and show you how everything works. He or she is a vital part of your cruise, so remember their name and introduce yourself. At the end of the cruise tip your steward $100 plus as he or she has worked hard to make your trip enjoyable. Your luggage may or may not be at your cabin when you go on board. Don’t panic, it will show up. Unpack everything ASAP. Hang all your clothes; allocate drawers for undies, socks, makeup. Make sure you put all the gear you use on a daily basis such as sunscreen or hat in the top drawer for easy access. Put all your important items like cash, passport and ship’s tickets in the safe. Use

a favorite combination to lock the safe and write it down. Otherwise, when you go to get it out at the end of the cruise you may have forgotten and it is quite a hassle to get it opened. If you take your computer, you can set it up in your cabin and connect it to the ship’s wif fi. It is quite expensive, but it is great to be able to check your emails every day or download your photos and video for safe keeping. You can even write a blog of your cruise or post daily on Facebook. Alternatively most ships have an internet café these days. Once you have settled in, go up to the buffet for a late lunch. Take a tour of the ship and get your bearings. Before the ship disembarks you will go to lifeboat drill. Do not avoid this, because if there is an emergency, you will know exactly what to do. It is also a good way to meet other passengers and have a chat on the first day. A daily newsletter will be in your cabin which will list all the day’s activities. Put it in your back pocket every day so you know what’s going on. It should also have the phone number for the doctor in case there is an emergency. And that’s it! The rest is up to you. Bon Voyage.

GAMES SOLUTIONS

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TRENDS What the virus is really like

My message is: Don’t get Covid DALLAS SHIERRINGHAM AFTER many months spent avoiding crowds, hiding indoors, wearing masks and speaking only on the phone, I managed to finally contract Covid-19. It all came as something of a shock to test positive after week of excruciating pain which stopped me from typing stories for this publication on the Tuesday. By Thursday I had aches and pains all over, stomach cramps, a headache, sore eyes and a fever. And I could hardly walk. My wife Sharon threatened to phone the ambulance all through Friday night, but I had proofs to do for the newspaper and the ambulance was finally summoned at 8am on Saturday morning. Off to Wyong hospital I went, covered in wires and electronic machines that tweeted and flickered with each heartbeat. The paramedics thought I had flu, a liver complaint or a tummy bug and no one suspected Covid at any stage. I was taken straight into Emergency and prepared for a lengthy stay. Blood and urine samples taken, I was given a white gown to wear in case of theatre and tested twice for Covid-19. The test took longer than normal and staff went looking for it at the lab. The news came back that I had tested positive to Covid-19. I was lucky that I had three vaccinations prior to contracting the virus and this meant it did not invade my lungs. After a day and a night in Wyong I was allowed to go home in the care of Central Coast’s excellent Covid Response team based at Gosford Hospital. It was deemed safer for me to recover at home than to risk contracting a flu strain at the hospital. The Covid team are experts in their field with an endless supply of friendly goodwill and advice which put myself and my family at ease. I couldn’t eat or walk for the first 48 hours and was quite ill with Sharon ready to ring the ambulance on several occasions. My pulse jumped from 60 to over

110 on walking a short distance and my blood pressure was low. Hydrolyte drinks and lots of water and apple juice kept me hydrated as I battled through severe headaches, stomach aches and hot and cold spells. Pumpkin and vegetable soup became my meals with two Weet-bix for brekky and lots of fluids. Finally I began to turn the corner on Sunday and by Monday I was back at the desk- still dizzy, uncoordinated and carrying a savage headache. It took me about 10 days to get through the worst of it and I need to avoid getting it again. Dallas Sherringham is Associate Editor of Western Sydney Business, Blacktown News, Parramatta Times and Central Coast Business Access. WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

FITNESS

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with Adam Simpson

4 super EFFECTIVE things you can do to get results ADAM SIMPSON 1. Make sure you have a good plan to follow! If you have a plan you are much more likely to stick to it and sticking to it is when the results will come. The best way to go would be to have a training program written up for you, by someone who knows what they are doing. Take the pressure off of yourself and get a professional to do all of the thinking for you. A good program, will plan out your exercises, how many reps / sets to do on each exercise and what days you will be doing them. That way you can just get in and get the work done. Alternatively, you can create a simple plan for yourself, decide what days you can dedicate to exercise and get into the gym and join some group sessions. 2. Have someone hold you accountable! It is much easier to skip a workout if there is no one holding you accountable to your plan. You could hire yourself a Personal Trainer whose sole job is to make sure you are exercising regularly and working towards your goals. Or you could join a Group Training Program, where the team of trainers check in on you when you skip your sessions. Lastly, you can find yourself a workout buddy who will train with you. That way when one of you

starts coming up with excuses you can hold each other accountable. 3. Educate yourself about nutrition and adopt good habits! If you don’t have your nutrition in check, you are going to make it that much harder to get results. The best way to get long lasting results is to get educated about nutrition. Too often I see people jumping from diet to diet with no understanding of the basic

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

principles of nutrition and eating for weight loss. Book yourself in and go see a Nutritionist, speak to a professional who can help you get to where you want to go. Another great tool, is to download an app that helps you track your daily caloric intake. Getting an idea on how many calories are in certain food types will help you make better food choices. Lastly, read quality sources of information around nu-

trition. A great place to start is to Google the Australian Dietary Guidelines. There is plenty of practical useful information in there that will educate you on the topic. 4. Make use of technology! There are so many great pieces of technology now that you can use to keep you accountable with your exercise or just make your training more enjoyable. There are apps where you can connect with friends to monitor your runs or cycles. You could buy one of the endless types watches that give you daily exercise goals or track your movement for the day keeping you accountable. As well as many heart rate monitors which track your intensity during your workouts and motivate you to push that little bit harder. If you aren’t making use of these technologies you are missing out. Whatever your goals are the key is consistency, exercise and eat well more days than you don’t and I guarantee you the results will come. If you have an “off” day don’t sweat it, just get straight back on track the next day and you will be fine. Reach out if you need any help with nutrition or training adam@repetitionspt. com.au Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training. Visit: www.repetitionspt.com.au

PROPERTY SHOWCASE

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Green light for Mirvac estate

IRVAC has been given the green light for its circa $700M Kemps Creek industrial estate in Western Sydney’s Mamre Road precinct. The 56-hectare Aspect Industrial Estate is set to become Mirvac’s first embodied carbon neutral industrial development, as well as the first approved site under the new planning regime for the Mamre Road precinct. Mirvac announced the approval of its State Significant Development Application (SSDA) with minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, MP. The estate will comprise around 247,000sqm of warehousing and office space, built with an emphasis on flexibility, functionality and sustainability, targeting a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating. “Aspect will be Mirvac’s first carbon neutral (embodied carbon) industrial development, and will feature leading sustainability features such as rooftop solar systems, translucent roof sheeting, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting and smart metering,” said Campbell Hanan, head of integrated investment portfolio at Mirvac.

The development is expected to become a leading employment hub for Western Sydney, delivering more than 500 jobs throughout the construction phase and 1,200 operational jobs over the course of development. The facility is currently 63% preleased with future tenants currently including CEVA Logistics, Lineage and Winning Group. “We continue to leverage our asset creation capability to deliver highly

functional facilities with superior sustainability features and low operating costs that resonate with the current and future needs of our customers,” said Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, CEO and Managing director at Mirvac. The new estate sits within proximity of the new Western Sydney International Airport, placed within 10 minutes of the M7 Motorway, 20km from Penrith and within an hour’s drive of both the Parramatta and Sydney CBD.

“We are actively advancing our $2.3B industrial development pipeline which is 100% weighted to prime Sydney locations, set to benefit from committed infrastructure projects like the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport at Badgerys Creek,” said Lloyd-Hurwitz. “From this strategic location, Aspect will provide access to approximately 4.3 million people within a 60-minute drive, enabling us to cater to growing e-commerce demand together with wide scale supply chain investment as our customers seek to establish more efficient logistics solutions for their businesses, such as automation, supported by world-leading technology.” Construction at Aspect Industrial Estate in Kemps Creek is set to commence in the coming weeks. Mirvac recently reaffirmed its guidance for growth in FY22, with an operating EPS guidance of at least 15.0cpss, or an increase of at least 7.1% in earnings and a distribution guidance of 10.2cpss, for a DPS growth of 3%.

Former Bonds factory to fetch $13M

ROUND $130M is expected for the western Sydney former headquarters of the famous Bonds Industries, which could make way for a mixeduse development with 1,500 apartments. Spanning nearly eight hectares nearly 30 kilometres from of the CBD, 190-220 Dunmore Street in Pendle Hill, is has part R4 high-density residential zoning, part B2 local centre and part RE1 public recreation zoning, with height limits ranging from 12.5 metres up to 39 metres across the property. Current plans would allow for adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for up to 6,000 sqm of retail, local services, medical, supermarket, community and indoor recreational uses. About 25,000 sqm of space can be used on a public plaza and parks, and 8,000 sqm on common space. George Bond established Bonds Industries on the site in 1923, which was the first cotton spinning and weaving operation in Australia and possible the southern hemisphere. Colliers’ Frank Oliveri and Guillaume

but as owner-occupiers have become the predominant buyer, that gap has narrowed to parity in the last year.

Volz have exclusive listing, nine years after Olivieri sold the property, and five years since the owner, developer Dyldam, secured rezoning. “Very rarely do you come across an eight-hectare, R4-high density residential development site in a fully built-up area within walking distance to two railway stations,” Oliveri said, who touted the site as potentially the “largest unit development site to come up in the western Sydney market for many years”. Volz said that traditionally there has existed a 10 to 15% gap between new build multi-units and established units,

Record low commencement “We believe that record low commencements will be felt in the market and as new generation off-the-plan properties become available and buyers value the benefits they offer, particularly in master-planned communities, developers will be able to achieve higher pricing from new developments.” A large shortage of supply in build-tosell (BTS) apartments is set to hit Sydney over the next few years, according to Charter Keck Cramer, while first home buyer support schemes and affordability issues are pushing unit buyers and renters further out. “As housing affordability is paramount, this development is expected to have strong demand from first-home buyers and those who want an affordable unit close to rail, shopping and within proximity of the Parramatta CBD,” Olivieri said.

The site is 850 metres from Pendle Hill station and 1.5 kilometres from Wentworthville station and on a high point in the local topography. Volz said cyclical and structural changes will support the next cycle of BTS apartment projects as well as the emergence of the build-to-rent sector, including the acceptance of family living in apartments, increased detached dwelling affordability constraints, rapidly rising rents and the return of overseas migration. He said The availability of limited development sites in inner Sydney has also seen BTR developers appreciate the value offered by western Sydney, particularly in land values. “Coupled with 15% growth in Sydney wide rents in the last 12 months, and further increases to come over the next 12 to 18 months as migration levels improve and low levels of new supply impact rental options, the metrics are now favourable to support the BTR sector in Sydney.” Expressions of interest closed June 22.

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AUTO

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New models–Subaru Forester

Prices up on MY23 Subaru Forester - with cars ordered now for Christmas BY THE GOAUTO TEAM

UBARU Australia has secured stock of the 2023 Forester, which can now be ordered for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2022. With MY22 Foresters selling out after being subject to delays of up to five months, buyers of the mid-size SUV can now order the MY23 mode that comes with a barely noticeable update including the addition of an auto-dimming rearview mirror to 2.5i Sport AWD, 2.5i-S AWD and Hybrid S AWD variants Sapphire Blue Pearl replaces the Dark Blue Pearl option for 2.5i Sport AWD. The MY23 Forester is otherwise identical to the current facelifted model that first went on sale in October 2021 – but like almost everything else at the moment, prices are up, Subaru blaming costs associated with production and logistics. Entry-level pricing has risen by $1900, with the 2.5i variant now priced at $37,890 before on-road costs. The mid-spec 2.5i-L and Hybrid L are also up by $1900, while customers will pay $1950 more for the 2.5i Premium, while the addition of the electrochromatic mirrors to the 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and Hybrid S is offset by the price jumping $2150, meaning the petrol-electric range-topper now priced at $49,350 before on road costs. It is worth noting the Forester was unaffected by price rises in May 2022, which saw the rest of Subaru’s SUV range rise by $800, because it was no longer available. At the time, the Subaru Australia website told potential customers the MY22 Forester was currently unavailable for purchase, with a company spokesperson admitting it was sold out. Interested customers were encouraged to speak to their local Subaru retailer about registering their interest for the upcoming MY23 Forester. The Australian Subaru website has since been updated to reflect the model-year changeover, with interested customers told to visit or contact their local Subaru retailer to purchase the MY23 model. The car they will be buying includes features that were new to the MY22 For-

ester, such as a more comprehensive EyeSight safety and driver-assist technology suite as standard on the facelifted Forester and bigger touchscreens in lower-spec variants. Middle and higher-spec Forester variants come with adaptive headlights, and gesture-controlled air-conditioning, with a redesigned instrument cluster fitted to mid- and high-spec petrol variants. Available powertrains include a 136kW/239Nm 2.5-litre flat-four petrol engine, and 110kW/196Nm 2.0L petrol e-Boxer hybrid featuring a 12.3kW/66Nm electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. Respective Combined fuel consumption ratings are 7.4 litres per 100km and 6.7L/100km. 2023 Subaru Forester pricing*: Forester 2.5i (a) $37,890 Forester 2.5i-L (a) $49,290 Forester 2.5i Premium (a) $43,090 Forester Hybrid L (a) $43,290 Forester 2.5i Sport (a) $44,840 Forester 2.5i-S (a) $44,840 Forester Hybrid S (a) $49,340 *Excludes on-road costs

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

FILMS

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Elvis–4 Stars

The mile-a-minute, never let up pace of the film (along with the myriad OTT Baz Luhrmann stylistic choices) may not be for everyone, but Austin Butler delivers an utterly convincing, enthralling take on the King that screams “a cinematic experience that can’t be missed”.

HE film charts Colonel Tom Parker’s (Tom Hanks) shepherding of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) through his life and career; from making him a star, to his eventual run on the Vegas Strip. It also focuses on the toxic relationship between the two characters, which ultimately led to Elvis’ demise. Elvis, much like some of Baz Luhrmann’s other recent work, is incredibly stylised, with the first one and a half hours of the film feeling like a never-ending trailer. It’s a chaotic, messy, at times sloppy, introduction to the film. It’s also absolutely enthralling. The absurdity of the edit also has the fantastic benefit of making this seem like no other biopic you’ve ever seen. It’s story first, performance second, and despite the fact that we get the full gamut of classic Elvis tunes, it never feels like the film is slowing down to accommodate them. Austin Butler is utterly convincing as the King. It’s tough to overemphasize how incredibly good his performance is. It’s a star-making turn for the young actor, and his work holds the movie together through its stumbles.

Elvis is not going to be a film for everybody. But it’s sort of like being driven around a racetrack by a rally car driver; while you’re in it, you can’t do

anything but grit your teeth and hold on for dear life. Once you’re out of it, it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

Lightyear–3 Stars

Lightyear tells the story of Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans), the film that inspired the toy in the world of Toy Story.

he ‘real life’ Buzz is a space ranger, whose galactic travails hit a sticking point when he crashes the colony’s ship trying to escape a hostile planet. Now he, and his whole crew, are stuck on the planet, and the only way off requires him to work out interstellar travel. The only issue is every time he tries, he slows down relative to time. His first four minute mission has him off-world for four years by his crewmates timelines. By the time he solves the conundrum, with the help of his cute therapy cat, he is less than a year older than when he landed, but his captain has married, had grandkids and died. When he does solve the problem, Buzz returns to find the planet besieged by robots, led by a fiendish gigantic robot known as Zurg (James Brolin). To stop them, he has to team up with an eclectic crew, including clumsy Mo Morrison (Taika Waititi), ex-con Darby Steel (Dale Soules), and the granddaughter of his old captain, Izzy Hawthorne (Keke Palmer). Lightyear is an intriguing proposition, effectively taking the toy character from a three movie iconic series and translating it into a movie about the same character, but also not about the same character. It’s a movie that tries really hard to justify the existence of the reboot, and takes a curious way of doing so.

At its base level, Lightyear succeeds at that. The film is an interesting story, the action hits, and there is a general sense of not knowing where the film could be going. That’s a great success for a reboot, and it truly crafts a piece that feels fresh, new and fun. The issue is the whole concept of

using Buzz Lightyear in this way. There is literally no reason why this movie has to use Buzz as a character in any way. The story is new, and interesting, without the forced callbacks to the toy version of the character, or his famous catchphrase. The endless nostalgia vibes, just feel flat, cynical and ultimately diminish what oth-

erwise is quite a fun, enjoyable animated film. Oh, and Chris Evans is no Tim Allen. Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS JULY 2022

MENTAL HEALTH

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Dealing with anxiety right now

5 simple ways that help MINDSET | MARCUS WHEAN

NXIETY is such a prevalent issue in our busy and fast-paced lives. Not to mention with adverse events like floods, bush fires and viruses. The pressure to keep up with and adjust to what seems like ever-changing conditions on top of managing our busy lives, family commitments, job pressures etc, it is so common to experience stress and anxiety. It has become the ‘new normal’ for many. Ideally it shouldn’t be this way. The way we live is, in many ways, unnatural but it is the norm. So how do we adapt and respond instead of reacting and needlessly suffering? Being realistic, the world we live in is here to stay and we can resist it and wish it all away if we want to, but this isn’t helpful and such thinking only serves to exacerbate stress and anxiety. So, what can we do? First of all, anxiety, what is it? Unlike what you may think, it is not an emotion alone, like fear. Fear is often a part of it, yes. However, anxiety is not an emotion, it is a responsive state. Technically it’s called an affective state. This state is otherwise known as the stress response or more commonly – the flight/fight response. To illustrate simply, when we perceive a threat (either in reality, or imagine it), certain nervous system processes are triggered. These processes are essentially about mobilising us to take refuge (avoid) or confront a threat. The problem can be, and this is what many of us struggle with, is that there isn’t an actual life-endangering threat, and so we end up feeling almost paralyzingly stuck in limbo between avoiding and confronting our threat (real or imagined). Moreover, many people with anxiety often ‘create’ anxiety just by thinking about stress. This is the great tragedy of many anxiety disorders and why it can be so pervasive is that people are anxious because of the way they are thinking about things. The plot thickens too because in a physical affective state, people just keep on thinking about what makes them

“

The world we live in is here to stay and we can resist it and wish it all away if we want to, but this isn’t helpful and such thinking only serves to exacerbate stress and anxiety.”

anxious which in turn keeps making them feel anxious. It’s one awfully vicious cycle. What can you do if and when you’re anxious? Here’s some simple tips and things to try right away. These are evidence-based and what I teach my clients: 1. Calming the body is always the first step – calm the body and the mind shall follow. Notice your breath right now. Focus on breathing into your belly. Feel the belly rise not the chest. Imagine a balloon is in your belly and inflate it. This visual helps. Consciously keep breathing like this whenever you’re anxious. This reverses the flight/fight nervous response 2. Tapping just under the left collar bone. There’s a sensitive spot you’ll notice. Just gently tap this spot. This is based in Chinese acupressure. You’ll notice this is a similar action to soothing a crying baby. We are soothing and reassuring ourselves.

3. Look around – identify and name 5 things you can see; then 4 different things; 3 other different things and so on. Rinse and repeat. This activates the executive centre of the brain. Works a bit like distraction but is also a form of grounding and reality-checking. This one is good for social anxiety. 4. Mindset–try once you’ve tried the others and the body anxiety feelings have reduced a bit. Journal and make note/s of what you’re anxious about. Try to reframe the thoughts; reassure yourself; gently challenge the way you may be thinking; remind yourself pf past wins or overcoming challenges. Reassure yourself and mind that these are just thoughts and feelings. 5. Finally, take action! Action always helps. Avoidance maintains anxiety. Identify the thing you’re anxious about. Deal with it and act if possible. Working on prob-

lems and getting them off your chest means you’re not worried about them anymore. Have goals and work on them daily. Positive actions are always a great preventor for anxiety and stress. And of course talking about what you’re feeling to a friend can often be helpful. These singularly or in combination help most people but require practise and prevention is better than intervention, so try them now or anytime so they become familiar and easier to apply and more likely to help if and when you feel really stressed or anxious. If anxiety and stress persist and/or is causing ongoing difficulties in your life please see your GP for advice or engage the help of a mental health professional. Marcus Whelan is a Registered Psychologist and Mental Fitness Coachwith 10+ years’ experience in private practice. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in psychology and education. Visit: www.marcuswhelanpsychology.com.au

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LE S | LIFESTY BUSINES 133 | EDITION JUNE 2022 ws.com.au ssne www.acce

G IS AS N I L C Y C RE Y BUSINES

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LEGAL

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Focus areas for your digital business!

Working in the cyber world Cloud storage and backups assist cybersecurity in two ways. First, cloud storage and backups provide a way to access your digital business assets even after a cyberattack has shut down your network, keeping your business running. Second, cloud storage applications have their own forms of cybersecurity that go a long way in protecting your digital assets at a smaller cost.

NICHOLAS FISHER

N March of 2020, Australia saw thousands of businesses and millions of employees go online due to the COVID lockdown. At that moment, it became evident that many were not adequately prepared to move into the digital space. In particular, many businesses had no cybersecurity policies in place to protect their digital assets. At the same time, cybercriminals had more content than ever to illegally access, use and sell. It is now essential to understand that you are in a post-COVID digital world and to keep up, you need to secure your digital business assets properly in these five key areas in the modern, postCOVID era.

Lack of Awareness The COVID related move to working online has made it brutally clear that many business employees have no clear idea about cybersecurity – they are your weakest link. It is vital that your staff be trained and educated to understand the meaning of cybersecurity, the type of cybersecurity threats, and what to do if a cyberattack occurs on your business network.

Without proper education and training, you have lost the fight against cybercrime before it has even started. Hence, staff education and awareness about cybersecurity is a key focus area for your digital business. Lack of Budget Many businesses do not adequately budget for cybersecurity. Just like all other essential areas of your business, cybercrime requires a sufficient budget to cover not only pre-emptive action but also for remedying any issues that may arise out of a cyberattack. By adding cybersecurity costs into your annual budget, you ensure that your business networks are able to defend themselves appropriately.

Lack of protection Digital businesses that lack awareness and a budget also tend to lack competent protection for their digital assets. Cybersecurity can come in many forms, such as two-factor authentication, anti-virus software and network protection software. These forms of protection work side by side with the cybersecurity education and training your employees receive to create a strong barrier between your business and any cybercrime.

Lack of innovation Cybersecurity should not just be the employee’s problem; it needs to start in the boardroom. Many long-running and successful businesses are also the ones that have the most significant gaps in cybersecurity. This is because the heads of those businesses either do not know about cybersecurity or do not believe it to be an issue. It is vital that cybersecurity be treated as if it were as important as advertising or financial goals. Thus, as the business owner, you need to lead by example and seek to innovate your network protection and cyber insurance. Nicholas Fisher is a graduate solicitor under the supervision of Katherine Hawes, the Principal Solicitor of Digital Age Lawyers. Visit: www. digitalagelawyers.com

Lack of backups One area of cybersecurity that many businesses miss is the use of backups and cloud storage services.

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NEWS

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