Queensland

Members and guests enjoying our annual bowls night in February before lockdown!

President’s Report Greetings from the comfy confines of my home! I never expected I would get the full work from home experience this year. I think after a few weeks, I am getting the hang of it! The last few months have seen things change quite rapidly and after reading the last report to this one, a lot has changed. First, I hope you are all ok, during these challenging times I encourage everyone to lean on their networks and colleagues in the AICM for any help and assistance. Personally, managing a team remotely has been challenging, but through sharing with others, the task seems a lot more manageable. As councilors we are here for this very task, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Between the last magazine and today, we did manage to have a barefoot bowls event which was a great success, we played bowls and got the opportunity to meet new members and catch up with a few we hadn’t seen in months. A big thank you to our event sponsors SLF lawyers and to the council who did all the running around to make this a very enjoyable event.

Due to our current circumstances, events for the foreseeable future will be virtual in nature and the AICM will be rolling out a series of webinars to help keep us informed in these ever-changing times. We have already had a few with great attendance and if you haven’t joined in on one, please do. Also be aware that the Young Credit Professional Awards will still be going ahead, and I encourage members who are eligible to step forward and get involved. If you are not eligible and know someone who is, you can always nominate and encourage them to apply.

I also wanted to take the time to announce that Natalia Mizerski has stepped down from council as she has taken on a new role. I would like to congratulate her and thank her for her contribution. Other than that, all other councilors are still working hard to provide value where possible and if you are interested in joining council, we do have spots available for people with varying interests and availability. Please don’t hesitate to speak to anyone on council for more information.

Lastly, I wanted to thank all of our members who contribute to this amazing community of professionals and to our supporters, state and national sponsors. Without your support, we would not be able to drive the goals of the AICM. We look forward to working together into the foreseeable future. – Roger Masamvu MICM CCE Queensland Division President

YNN – Bowls Night/YCP Barefoot Bowls @ The Boo

Friday 21st February 2020

Our first social event of the year, held at ‘The Boo’ in Newstead, did not disappoint. With over 55 members and guests kicking of their shoes and winding down before the weekend. The event was a huge success!

We said hello to some new faces and welcomed back

Winners “Holly Rollers”: Rebecca Ryan (Results Legal), John McEniery (Rose Litigation Lawyers), Steven Staatz (Vincents Chartered Accountants) and Krystal Gleeson (Results Legal).

Virginia Lao (Rodgers Reidy), Cameron Clough and Hannah George (both Results Legal) and Alia Hamid (Rodgers Reidy).

familiar ones. We crowned Holly Rollers (Steven Staatz, John McEniery, Rebecca Ryan, and Krystal Gleeson) as the winners of the evening. A big thank you to the event sponsor SLF Lawyers.

Although we aren’t able to meet right now to rally together and support potential YCP applicants, the 2020 applications are open. It is vital that we, as Credit Managers, are providing that support and encouragement to the young credit professionals in our industry. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of motivation from a mentor or peer to give that last bit of courage to give it a go. Get involved and start having these conversations with young talent around career achievements and ambitions.

We are eagerly awaiting the return of our YNN Events. Along with the ever popular Trivia Night I believe there may also be a wine tasting evening on the horizon too. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Sponsor/Councillor Spotlight We caught up with Steven Staatz from Vincents Chartered Accountants. Not only is Vincents a Qld Division Partner, we are also very lucky to have Steven on Qld Council, looking after the Professional Development Portfolio. It was a great opportunity to get some insight into Steve’s thoughts and plans for his role on our council. Steven Staatz, Vincents Chartered Accountants.

How long have you been part of the Vincents Team and what is your role there? I have been at Vincents since 2011, so coming up on 9 years. I am a director of Vincents and a registered liquidator. I head up the Insolvency and Reconstruction division of Vincents.

Vincents are well known to credit professionals as an expert accounting firm. Tell us a little more about yourselves? 30 years young, Vincents was founded in 1989 by its namesake director, Paul Vincent, from a desire to provide specialist accounting support where the numbers were important. Today, the 44 directors and 240+ staff of Vincents operate nationally from 7 office locations and service our clients Australia-wide – in fact wherever their business interests take them.

We are intentionally and proudly a fully integrated professional services firm, boasting access to expertise that caters for every business need where numbers are involved. Our Insolvency & Reconstruction experts in particular work to consistently deliver the best possible results for stakeholders in cases of personal and business financial distress. Our team’s motivation and dedication to efficiently and effectively administering all forms of insolvency and reconstruction appointments, no matter the size or the issues at hand, is our guarantee of quality and market-leading service and value.

How did the firm get involved and why did you choose to partner with the AICM? Vincents have had a long and valued relationship with AICM and have been Qld divisional sponsors since 2016. As a registered liquidator I communicate with

JHK Legal team – Claudia Smith, Matthew Paul, Jemerrie Golaw and Amanda Gildea.

other credit professionals on a daily basis. Vincents’ relationship with AICM is a valued one where we as experienced insolvency accounting experts continually aim to help value add and educate members in respect of the ever-changing insolvency landscape, and to increase our own knowledge of the credit industry. Vincents look forward to continuing to work with AICM into the future.

What can you share about your journey so far as an AICM Qld Council Member? I was honoured to be invited to be a part of the AICM Qld Council just over a year ago now. I have really enjoyed working with and getting to know my fellow council members better and to assist with organising different professional development events.

You recently obtained CCE status, congrats! – can you share any feedback on the process and any advice to anyone thinking of giving it a go? I would recommend doing the doing the classroom exam over the online exam (I did both the online exam and the classroom exam for the fun of it). Doing the classroom exam will save you doing the 3,000 word assignment (which is the real reason why I switched to doing the classroom exam in the end).

Something none of your Council Members know about you? Before joining Vincents I used to live and work in the Cayman Islands (Caribbean) and enjoyed going scuba diving every weekend. This also allowed me the opportunity to travel extensively through Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Stacey Woodward (Division Vice-President), Tim Pope (Jirsch Sutherland), Jess Blakemore Randstad and Melissa Jarvin (both Turks Legal).

Remote working and mental health An article by Michelle Kirkby A dedicated mental health first aid officer and advocate for mental health in her work place, Michelle supports the team at work as a first responder, acting as a much appreciate front line. Michelle encourages appropriate professional help and assists with any crisis, she listens and communicates without judgement, giving support and helpful information and encourage professional help.

It goes without saying, things have hit a high in terms of all things crazy. The constant barrage of news about the pandemic can feel relentless. Which can take its toll on people’s mental health, particularly those living with anxiety and OCD.

The effects of the horrific bush fires Australia experienced are still prevalent, affecting our people, agriculture, retail and regional tourism. And now, a global pandemic and for many, isolation. Globally the financial effects are hitting hard. Add into that the fear which is resulting in panic buying and people behaving in ways they probably didn’t think they ever would.

It’s hard to feel connected when we can’t travel, are practicing social distancing and can’t physically see our family and friends. This isolation is happening whether we like it or not and we have to make sure we stay connected to people and our communities. This is especially challenging coming from a social work culture and suddenly we find ourselves in uncharted territory. Michelle Kirkby ERM Power, 2019 Qld AICM Credit Manager of the Year

Mikaela Brown (SM Solvency Accountants) and Bridgette Barberis (Craddock Murray Neumann Lawyers).

Josephine Decuyper and Lachlan McKinnon (both Vincents Chartered Accountants), Jackson Haswell (Results Legal) and Joshua Wright (Rodgers Reidy).

At times like these it is so important to prioritise our mental health and find ways to stay connected. I have shared some useful tips. I hope you find them as useful as I have. z Limit the news and be careful what you read. z Limit the time you spend reading and watching things that don’t make you feel better (block out time in your diary/calendar). z Have breaks from social media and mute key words which might be triggering on twitter or Facebook. z Stay connected with people, either agreed check in times or some routine so you have something to look forward to. z Have a to-do list and also a “done list” and give yourself a pat on the back. z Avoid burnout The Apple Technique is good (Acknowledge: Pause: Pull back: Let Go: Explore) z Take one day at a time. z Use your usual commute time to move and have walk or do something that makes you happy.

From a credit managers perspective I am aware of the additional pressure that is put on teams and we have adopted a few things to keep us connected. z Keeping to the daily pop up meetings z Friday virtual quiz z Wednesday walks (on video) z Easter Bonnet competition z Virtual Friday drinks. z Connect with a visual and not just a call where we can. z Invite people from other teams to ask for updates or just invite them for a drink or to your quiz. z 1 minute vlogs. z A brief day in the life story to share.

Remember to reach out to the sources available to you, either your workplace EAP, Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute to name but a few. The below link to the GOV Head to Health site has some great resources available to you. https://headtohealth.gov.au/service-providers.

The Australian Institute of Credit Management welcomes our Partners for 2020.

National Partners

Trusted Insights. Responsible Decisions.

Divisional Partners

Official Division Supporting Sponsors

Our National and Divisional Partners support and work with the AICM to promote the Institute’s activities, represent the Credit Industry and develop the careers of all Credit Professionals. As these organisations support your Institute and your Industry please consider them when you require assistance.