OUTthere Rex May 2015 by Edge In-flight Magazines

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

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Issue 131 • May 2015

TOP PERFORMING 2009-14 REGIONAL AIRLINE

+RegionalBusinessReview

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Gourmet Getaway

The splendid delights of Noosa

Humble Beginnings Troy Cassar-Daley tells us how it was back in the day

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Bamaga

welcome

Mornington Island (Gununa)

Dear friends of

Cairns

Normanton Burketown Doomadgee

Townsville Mount Isa

Welcome to the May issue of OUTthere. Earlier in the year, the Rex Group, and its Executive Chairman Mr Lim Kim Hai, was honoured by Wagga Wagga City Council at a mayoral reception. Wagga Wagga City Council hosted the reception to recognise the important contribution the Rex Group of companies has made to the city of Wagga Wagga, and also recognised the contribution the company has generously made to wider regional Australia. Rex was formed in 2002 following the Ansett collapse. Ansett had recently bought regional airlines, Hazelton and Kendell, when the collapse occurred. A few brave men and women fought against all odds to keep the regional air service going. It is this determination and perseverance of our staff, management and board, and the strong partnerships the Group maintains with the communities we fly to, that sets a firm foundation and has allowed us to maintain the vital air services we provide to your communities. Rex is focused on building a sustainable operation and looks to the future. We may operate short sectors, but we are here for the long haul. So until next time, from all 1,000 of us at Rex, Air Link, Pel-Air and AAPA, we invite you to sit back, relax and let us do the flying.

Julia Creek

Hughenden

Richmond

Winton

Boulia

Longreach Bedourie

Windorah Charleville

Birdsville

Brisbane West Wellcamp (Toowoomba)

Quilpie Cunnamulla Coober Pedy

Brisbane

St George

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Armidale

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Adelaide

Kingscote (Kangaroo Island)

Taree

Griffith

Newcastle

Bathurst

Sydney

Narrandera-Leeton Wagga Wagga Albury

Moruya Merimbula

Mount Gambier

Melbourne King Island

Burnie

Destination of the month: Broken Hill.

Ballina (Byron Bay)

Paradise is never far away

www.poppys.com.vu Poppy’s on the Lagoon . Port Vila, Vanuatu . email: info@poppys.com.vu • tel: +678 23425

contents

Issue 131 • May 2015 VI rexnews

06 closeup

24 weekender

Wagga Wagga hosts a mayoral reception to celebrate Rex’s contribution to regional Australia; Rex launches a new service linking Cairns with the town of Bamaga.

Country music star Troy Cassar-Daley chats to Riley Palmer about the lessons he’s learned so far on his journey.

Faye James heads to one of the Great Barrier Reef’s best-kept secrets, Lady Elliot Island, to discover her inner environmentalist.

10 kitchenconfidential

33 charity

Chef Michael Moore strikes a healthy balance between flavour and wellness.

We meet the very busy and ever humble Dr Sam Prince – medical doctor, entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist.

X community Rex is proudly supporting the ‘Heart of Australia’ health initiative.

XV artspace

13 cultureclub A selection of the latest happenings around the country, from festivals, music and theatre to art galleries and exhibitions.

37 healthnews

Ken Duncan takes us on a tour of Australia, one stunning photograph at a time.

XVIII regionalstopover

18 food&wine

39 travelnews

Simone Henderson-Smart visits the historic town of Armidale in the heart of the New South Wales High Country.

Deborah Dickson-Smith wanders down Noosa’s food and wine trail to discover it deserves its reputation as foodie heaven.

Hot tips, new openings, special offers and great new products to help travellers dream and scheme about their next destination.

New ! section

The latest tips, tricks and products to help you look and feel fit and healthy.

RegionalBusinessReview Specialist section with the latest news & views from around Australia, featuring: • Inside Mining • Investment

• Agribusiness • News & Reviews III

NOW TAKES YOU TO MORE DESTINATIONS IN QUEENSLAND Routes in maroon are operated in conjunction with the Queensland Government.

Mornington Island

Normanton

Cairns

Burketown Doomadgee

Townsville

Richmond Mount Isa Julia Creek

Hughenden Winton

Boulia Longreach Bedourie

Windorah Charleville Birdsville

Quilpie Brisbane West Wellcamp Cunnamulla

Thargomindah

A U S T R A L I A N

2014 2013 AWARDS BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE 2011 PEOPLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHOICE

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS INDUSTRY SKILLS COUNCIL

2014

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

TOP PERFORMING 2009-14 REGIONAL AIRLINE

Brisbane St George

editor’sletter

From the editor... Greetings, fellow eco-warriors!

GROUP EDITOR Faye James faye.james@edgecustom.com.au ASSISTANT EDITOR Riley Palmer INTERN Mel Peterkin SUB-EDITORS Jane McKie, Jael Livingston, Danielle Chenery PRINTER SOS Print & Media SENIOR DESIGNER Guy Pendlebury PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Ventour CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Dickson-Smith, Darren Bagley, Baldeep S Gill, Simone Henderson-Smart ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Scott Hunt scott.hunt@edgecustom.com.au NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER Peter Anderson peter.anderson@edgecustom.com.au NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Robert Desgouttes robert.desgouttes@edgecustom.com.au WA, SA and NT SALES REP Helen Glasson, Hogan Media Phone: 08 9381 3991 helen@hoganmedia.com.au PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Geoff Campbell MANAGING PARTNERS Fergus Stoddart, Richard Parker

This month we’re inspired by the ecotourism movement. But what exactly is it? Ecotourism Australia defines ecotourism as ‘ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation’. On a recent trip to Lady Elliot Island I experienced just that and it was unbelievably eye-opening. In fact, suffice it to say, I experienced a different form of luxe travel. There wasn’t any gourmet food or five-star accommodation but the luxury of being in the surrounds of nature and marine life and inhabiting on an island that dedicates its entire offering to doing so, was a sobering truth indeed. Yes, we can all head out to the nearest campsite and spot a neighbouring wallaby or goanna, but to find yourself on a holiday that fosters understanding and appreciation of these beings is the key. What do you think of ecotourism? Drop us a line at: inflight@edgecustom.com.au Remember you can also follow daily updates on Facebook and Twitter, and if you want to view our issues online just go to: issuu.com/edgeinflight

Faye James and the OUTthere team facebook.com/OUTthereMagazineAustralia @OUTthereMagAus OUTthere is published by Edge 51 Whistler Street, Manly NSW 2095 Phone: 02 8962 2600, edgecustom.com.au OUTthere is published by Business Essentials (Australasia) Pty Limited (ABN 22 062 493 869), trading as Edge, under license to MGI Publishing Pty Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Publisher. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. OUTthere cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. Some images used in OUTthere are from Thinkstock and Getty Images.

rexnews Cr Rod Kendall, Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga and Lim Kim Hai, Executive Chairman of the Rex Group of Companies.

Mayoral reception for Rex ON 23 FEBRUARY, the Rex Group, and its Executive Chairman Mr Lim Kim Hai, was honoured by Wagga Wagga City Council at a mayoral reception held at Rex’s Australian Airline Pilot Academy. The reception was held to recognise the important contribution the Rex Group of companies has made to the city of Wagga Wagga. Mayor Rod Kendall, directors, councillors and senior management from council were in attendance, as was the state member for Wagga Wagga, Daryl Maguire MP. Rex ambassadors and Wagga locals Eilish Kendell and Kay Hull were also there, along with senior members of the Defence Force and members of the Wagga business community. The entire Rex Board and Management Committee attended, and afterwards held their quarterly board meeting at AAPA. Mr Maguire recognised the imperative nature of Rex’s business. “[Rex] filled the gap when no one else would. [They] rose to the challenge and have created an industry here that is in the business of teaching our future generations of pilots; that is creating job opportunities here in the city and beyond; and that is taking passengers to those places that are challenged by the tyranny of distance. “This is due recognition of a great corporation with its heart in the country,” he said. Mayor Rod Kendall also noted the important economic contribution Rex has made to Wagga Wagga and the wider regional areas of Australia. “Contributions of Rex to our country are significant... without regional airlines, regional Australia does not function.” Mr Lim said he felt very honoured to be recognised by the City of Wagga Wagga and noted the reciprocal relationship between Rex and the council. VI

Australia’s biggest independent regional airline was honoured for its contribution to Wagga Wagga and regional Australia.

“We found a way to be partners and ever since we have never looked back. We have built on the partnership – council has been very supportive of the Rex Group and the Rex Group has invested in the council. We like to work with people who want to be partners with us; people who see beyond the very short term, and want to build something great for the future.” During the ceremony, both parties exchanged tokens of appreciation to recognise the strong partnership. Mayor Kendall also paid tribute to the hard work of Don and Eilish Kendell, founders of Kendell Airlines and one half of the predecessor operations that now make up Rex. The day of the reception also marked the 30th anniversary of the first Kendell Saab 340 delivery to Wagga. On 23 February 1985, Kendell took acquisition of VH-KDK and became the first regional airline in the southern hemisphere to take acquisition of a Saab 340 aircraft. Following the reception, guests enjoyed a delicious spread of food provided by the AAPA kitchen. Thank you to all of the cadets and AAPA staff who assisted in preparing the campus for the event.

Mr Lim said he felt very honoured to be recognised by the City of Wagga Wagga and noted the reciprocal relationship between Rex and the council.

rexnews

Bright lights, big city QUEENSLAND’S CAPITAL city Brisbane is always ready to party and Rex now flies there from all major regional centres across the state. There are three main precincts to explore: the city, South Bank and Fortitude Valley. As you would expect, the heart of the city is all about shopping, with more than 1000 stores to tempt you. You’ll find all of the major retailers and big name fashion labels as well as a huge selection of independent boutiques. Like Melbourne and Sydney, the CBD is home to a vibrant laneway scene, with cool little bars and eateries particularly around Wolf Lane. South Bank is the place to head for some riverside action. There are 17 hectares of parklands to wander as well as several free swimming pools and waterparks. It’s also home to the city’s cultural precinct if you fancy exercising your grey matter instead. When the sun goes down, Fortitude Valley is the place to be. The place is wallto-wall with clubs, pubs, restaurants and bars and, moreover, is home to a thriving live music scene.

River of life SITUATED ON the banks of the Balonne River, the dusty town of St George is the fishing capital of inland Queensland. Packed with Murray cod, perch and yellowbelly, the waterways also offer the chance to paddle, ski and cruise. More than that, the river is the lifeblood of the region, feeding a huge agricultural industry that encompasses sheep and cattle grazing as well as cropping and cotton farms. The shire has three gins and is considered one of Australia’s major cotton producers. As well as the river, visitors will find much to enjoy wandering around the town. A visit to the Nindigully pub will be rewarded with icy cold beers, monster steaks and great local characters sharing tall tales and even a spot of bush poetry. A visit between August and October is a must for wildflower enthusiasts, when the entire region is ablaze with colour.

VII

rexnews

Cairns services

expansion

REX WAS WARMLY welcomed by both the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) community and Cairns airport when the inaugural Rex service took off between Cairns and NPA airport (Bamaga) on 30 March, ending three months of uncertainty for the NPA community. The service was the culmination of a beneficial working arrangement developed between Rex and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC). Mayor Bernard Charlie of NPARC was delighted to welcome the collaboration, “We are really pleased to see a new regional service provider entering the market here in Far North Queensland. NPARC is focused on developing a longterm future for our people and building tourism and other investment in our region. Having a nationally recognised provider flying into NPA is an important step in our journey to further develop our economy and improve economic outcomes for the region. Working with Rex is something we are excited about, as they offer world class training in the airline industry and have an excellent service record.” Rex General Manager Network Strategy and Sales, Warrick Lodge said Rex was committed to servicing Far North Queensland; “The NPA service launched today is the start of a commitment by the Rex Group to bring safe, reliable and affordable air services to remote and regional communities who depend upon sustainable regional air services. This is our way of recognising the significant trust placed in the company by the Queensland State Government through the recently awarded regulated routes.” Mr Lodge also announced Rex’s plans to start the critical air service link between Cairns and Mount Isa which had also been lost for over three months. The service begins on 25 May.

Rex received a warm welcome at NPA airport

Having a nationally recognised provider flying into NPA is an important step in our journey to further develop our economy and improve economic outcomes for the region.

Above left: Rex GM Network Strategy & Sales Warrick Lodge presents Cairns Airport GM Operations Kate McCreery Carr with a Rex model aircraft. Above right: All aboard! Local schoolchildren at NPA airport checking out the Rex Saab 340 aircraft Mr Lodge said, “Since Rex’s commencement of the regulated Gulf route on 1 January this year, we have been approached by businesses and individual travellers from Cairns wanting direct flights to Mount Isa. Rex’s schedule will allow business travellers from Cairns to spend a full day in Mount Isa before returning home late evening.” Cairns Airport General Manager Operations, Kate McCreery Carr welcomed the announcement of Rex’s further expansion, “Since they commenced operations out of Cairns a short time ago Rex has already proved to be a valuable airline partner for Cairns airport.” “The direct Mount Isa service will provide another key link for Cairns with this busy mining centre. It will also see Rex base three of their fleet of 52 Saab 340 aircraft here in Cairns along with a crew base, providing a great boost to the regional economy.”

Warrick Lodge with NPARC Mayor Bernard Charlie and Traditional Owner and Elder Uncle George Williams

VIII

Reservations for the Bamaga NPA to Cairns services and new direct services between Cairns to Mount Isa are available for sale via www.rex.com.au, 13 17 13 or your local travel agent.

rexFAQ

Frequently Asked Questions As you sit back in comfort en route to your destination, enjoy this compilation of light reading that the Rex crew hopes you will find interesting and informative.

Q. Why do the flight attendants insist that all window blinds be up for take-off? A. The most critical phases of a flight are the take-off and the landing. In the most unlikely event of a situation that requires an emergency evacuation, it is important that crew and passengers are able to have a clear view of the outside conditions in case of obstructions. For example, before exits are opened, staff must check for fire or other obstacles that may present potential hazards during the evacuation. Q. Why do you have to stow your hand luggage in the overhead lockers, under the seats or in the seat pockets for take-off and landing? A. Flight crews are required by Civil Aviation Regulations to secure the cabin as well as possible for take-off and landing. As mentioned, these are the most critical phases of the flight, and securing as much hand luggage as possible ensures that in the unlikely event of an emergency, the exits and aisles stay as clear as possible, in case evacuation is necessary. It is also important to keep hand luggage secure whenever possible to ensure that heavier items do not become airborne within the cabin. This is especially important when the aircraft is experiencing turbulence.

must be actively opened by holding the nose and blowing to inflate the cavities. Facial and ear pain can occur during descent if re-inflation does not occur, and this is much more likely if the passenger has nasal congestion. If you must fly with a cold or hay fever, use a decongestant nasal spray before descent and buy some ‘ear planes’ to plug your ears. (Information contributed by Dr Daniel Hains, ENT Surgeon.) Q. When can electronic equipment such as laptops, iPods and mobile phones be used? A. With more new technology being used by passengers every day, it is difficult for flight crew to differentiate various items of electronic equipment. Most electronic items are permitted for use while in cruise – however, only after the FASTEN SEATBELT sign has been switched off. Mobile phone use is also permitted provided that the phone’s ‘flight’ mode has been activated prior to boarding the aircraft. Q. What is the average speed of the aircraft in cruise? A. Approximately 500 kilometres per hour.

Q. Why do you feel so tired from flying? A. As the aircraft altitude increases, air pressure decreases. As the pressure of the air decreases, the body absorbs less oxygen than it would at sea level – therefore, it must work harder to supply oxygen to the body’s cells. As the body is working harder, it becomes more tired.

Q. Why do you have to get permission from the Captain to move to a vacant seat? A. The aircraft’s take-off speed is calculated by the weight and balance of the aircraft, and many factors need to be considered for a successful take-off. They include the weight of passengers and where they are seated, the weight of cargo, freight and fuel, the distance available on the runway et cetera. For example, if there are 100 or more kilograms of freight in the cargo, the balance of the aircraft will be better maintained if passengers are seated in the forward rows.

Q. Why do you sometimes feel pain in your ears or sinuses during ascent or descent? A. The sinuses and middle ear are air-containing cavities that connect with the nose via narrow channels. As aircraft ascend and cabin pressure drops, air passes out of these cavities (without any effort from the passenger) to balance the cabin pressure. It is a different matter during descent, as the cabin pressure increases. The channels close down and

AIR TURBULENCE Q. Aircraft often experience air turbulence, but what causes it? A. Imagine the air around the aircraft is water in a stream. We can see how water is disturbed around rocks or when two streams converge. Turbulence in the air is similar: as the aircraft passes through cold air or in the vicinity of terrain that has disturbed the airflow – often incorrectly referred to as ‘air pockets’

– the aircraft climbs and descends in the same way that a boat moves on water. Though turbulence can be uncomfortable, it poses no threat to the aircraft and is akin to driving on a rough or unsealed road. More severe turbulence can be associated with developing thunderstorms. The SAAB 340 has a sophisticated weather radar that pilots use to avoid these areas. Occasionally, a flight attendant will discontinue serving passengers in turbulent conditions; this is a precaution to ensure everyone’s safety. Q. Why should you keep your seatbelt fastened even when the FASTEN SEATBELT sign is switched off? A. On occasions, the flight crew cannot foresee turbulence or it is not picked up on the flight-deck radar. Because of this, we could unexpectedly experience turbulence at any time. The company recommends that you always keep your seatbelt fastened while you are seated – for your safety, just in case unexpected turbulence is encountered. ENGINE NOISES Q. Why do the aircraft’s engine noises change during flight? A. Aircraft need more power to climb than to descend, in the same way that a car needs more power to go up a hill than down one. The SAAB 340 turboprop has more than enough power to climb, so shortly after take-off you will notice a change in noises as the power is reduced. The pilots also control the pitch angle of the propellers for various stages of the flight and, as they ‘change gears’, this can also be heard in the cabin. Q. What should you do if you see or hear something that does not look or sound right or normal? A. Please advise your flight attendant. The flight attendant may be able to answer your query and allay any fears. If not, the flight attendant will contact the flight deck and advise the pilots of anything unusual. Rex encourages open communication and will always treat a passenger’s concerns with the utmost seriousness.

rexcommunity

The Heart of Australia Flying to remote areas on the ‘highway to health’. REX IS DELIGHTED to have become a corporate partner in a pioneering new venture to improve health services for people in farflung rural and remote areas in Queensland – the Heart of Australia program. The airline’s role is to assist Heart of Australia in getting rostered cardiac and respiratory specialist doctors to remote towns where they link up with the program’s clinic-on-wheels – a semi-trailer equipped with a full suite of testing, diagnostic and treatment equipment. Heart of Australia, led by Brisbane-based cardiologist Dr. Rolf Gomes, hit the road just seven months ago conducting fortnightly clinics across the Queensland Southwest – and answering calls from remote-area GPs, local councils and communities. In March it started an additional five-town circuit reaching into the Central and North West areas of the state. Dr Gomes has welcomed the Rex involvement as a “key element of a program that is already saving lives in the bush – the whole point of it.” Rex is proud to support Dr Gomes and his team in providing this vital service to regional Queensland. HeartofAustralia.com

The airline’s role is to assist Heart of Australia in getting rostered cardiac and respiratory specialist doctors to remote towns. Heart of Australia founder and cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes.

The Heart of Australia truck travels a 7,000km fortnightly circuit to visit country Queensland patients.

Jack Estate is located amongst the finest vineyards in Coonawarra, South Australia. The secret to our award winning wines is the harmony of rich red terra rossa soil, limestone, pure underground water and a long cool fruit ripening season. Combine this with the exceptional skills of our winemakers who use traditional winemaking techniques and Jack Estate is crafting world class wines of distinction.

www.jackestate.com

EXCEED YOUR LIMITS! Ribose is a powerful source of instant energy which multiplies the ability of your muscles to work harder and longer. JUMPSTART is an energy cream that contains Ribose supplemented with Creatine, Carnitine and Caffeine. Using Transdermal Technology, the active ingredients penetrate directly to the targeted muscles, giving a sustained boost to your speed, strength and endurance during intense physical activities. It also helps in muscle recovery after the activity. Exceed your personal best timings for marathons and competitions with JUMPSTART!* For more information and trial results, visit www.lynkbiotech.com/webshop. *Individual results may vary.

Exercise and stretch regularly while seated. SEATED EXERCISES

rexsafety

In-flight comfort Flying can be demanding, as altitude may make your body more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and caffeine. Sitting in one place for a long time can be uncomfortable and slow down your blood circulation. To help your body adjust to flying and to maintain your personal comfort and well-being, we recommend you take the following steps:

ANKLE CIRCLES Lift feet off floor, draw a circle with the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise and the other foot counterclockwise. Reverse circles. Do each direction for I5 seconds. Repeat if desired.

FOOT PUMPS Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in 30-second intervals.

Keep Hydrated Drink plenty of fluids – water, juice, non-caffeinated soft drinks – to prevent dehydration, fatigue and headaches. Minimise intake of alcohol and coffee. Moisten the face to help reduce the drying effects of cabin air. Eat Lightly Eat lightly on longer flights to avoid indigestion – our in-flight menu is designed to provide lighter option meals.

KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee bent while contracting your thigh muscle. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 to 30 times for each leg.

SHOULDER ROLL Hunch shoulders forward, then upward, then backward, then downward, using a gentle, circular motion.

ARM CURL Arms held at 90° angles, elbows down, hands in front. Raise hands up to chest and back down. Alternate hands. Repeat in 30-second intervals.

SEATED STRETCHES

Exercise We encourage you to do the gentle onboard exercise diagrammed on this page to enhance your well-being during the flight. We recommend you do these exercises for about five minutes every one to two hours. You should also occasionally walk down the aisles, as space permits. In addition, we recommend that you avoid crossing your legs. Please note: You should not do any of these exercises if they cause you pain or cannot be done with ease. Moving About The Aircraft You may move about the aircraft as space permits and when the seat belt sign is off. However, when the seat belt sign is on you are required to remain seated with the seat belt fastened.

KNEE TO CHEST Bend forward slightly. Clasp hands around left knee and hug it to your chest. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it down. Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times.

FORWARD FLEX With both feet on the floor and stomach held in, slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the front of your legs toward your ankles. Hold the stretch for I5 seconds and slowly sit back up.

OVERHEAD STRETCH Raise both hands straight up over your head. With one hand, grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and gently pull to one side. Hold the stretch for I 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

If you feel unwell, tell the cabin crew. They can assist with the more common inflight complaints and, if necessary, can seek further advice and assistance for you. On Descent Ears and sinuses can cause discomfort, due to the change in air pressure on descent. To minimise discomfort: • Yawn or swallow frequently. • Pinch your nostrils together and blow firmly into your cheeks with your mouth closed. If you have ongoing discomfort, seek the advice of the cabin crew.

SHOULDER STRETCH Reach right hand over left shoulder. Place left hand behind right elbow and gently press elbowtoward shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

NECK ROLL With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and gently roll neck forward and to the other side, holding each position about five seconds. Repeat five times. XIII

Travel in Rex-tra Style! Book Rex-tra Legroom on-line now* Emergency exit row seats have a couple of inches of extra legroom and can now be reserved for less than $10.00 each sector*. Plus, enjoy the Rex-tra Legroom in row 1 to be one of the first to disembark on arrival. You can purchase Rex-tra Legroom any time on-line by selecting the Amend Booking icon on our website. You will need your Rex Booking Reference for this. If you have purchased your ticket through a travel agency or travel manager, ask them for the relevant Rex Booking Reference. And the next time they book your Rex flight, remember to ask them to add in the Rex-tra Legroom directly. *Terms and conditions apply.

artspace

WAR NING phot These : give ograph sw yo bug. u the tra ill peru Contin vel ue sing own at your risk.

Picturesque

panoramas

Nature photographer Ken Duncan takes Riley Palmer on a tour around his beloved land down under – from its red-ochre rock forms to its croc-infested waterholes.

There’s something indeterminate yet undeniably moving located at the very heart of Australia’s vast natural vistas. Though determining what makes these locales enchanting is impossible, capturing these undefined splendours in photography – while challenging – is not. Having heeded his calling, nature photographer Ken Duncan has spent a lifetime immersed in these mystical haunts. Not content simply doing what he loves, Ken has an inherent need to share the wonder of it. “I feel it’s my responsibility to bring this beauty back to people,” he says definitively. “Hopefully by making them aware of such beauty, it’ll inspire them to go and see it.” The following photos are Ken’s gifts; glimmering portals into places we may otherwise remain unaware of. Traversing the extraordinary terrain between Western Australia’s King Cascade and Norfolk Island off Australia’s east coast, these images will awaken your curiosity and, true to Ken’s ethos, make you keen to see them in the flesh.

artspace Tree of Life King Sound, WA “I’d flown over that area, up near Derby, on an expedition I was doing once many years ago. And at the time I thought, ‘Wow, that looks so cool! One day I’ve got to come back and shoot that.’ Sure enough, one day I was up in the Kimberley and I thought, ‘You know what, I need to go looking for that river.’ I went and hired a helicopter in Derby, and told the pilot, ‘I’m looking for a tidal river.’ He says, ‘Well, there are a few of ’em around.’ Anyway, we were running low on fuel when we found it, and I only got those two shots [Tree of Life and Stream of Life] on the smell of an oily rag. The pilot was a little concerned we might have to fall short of the airport and call for some help, ha ha! To get the shots, I was actually on a harness hanging outside the open door of the chopper.”

Organ Pipes Glen Helen Gorge, NT “This is actually a sacred women’s site – the aboriginal name for it is Kwarre Tnemaye and it means ‘girl standing’, but they call it the Organ Pipes. It’s only about two to three k’s from Glen Helen pub, but to get there – it’s so cool – you’ve got to swim up through the gorge, and then keep walking for a couple of k’s. And we had to do it in the dark because we wanted to be there for sunrise. It was just a magical day.”

King Cascade Wyndham, WA “This was a funny one. We’re doing a crowdfunded doco that’s coming out soon called Chasing the Light where I show Ray Martin the intrepid side of shooting in the Kimberleys. Now, King Cascade is serious crocodile territory, if you jumped in there, you’d be gone. This picture was taken when the first light of the morning hit the waterfall, but we had to get dropped in there at high tide – which happened to be during the night. So we were there for hours in the dark until we could get the shots at sunrise. And then we had to wait for the tides to change, before we could get back out again! It was a great experience. I was there with Ray Martin and a film crew, stuck on these rocks, surrounded by these crocs that would just raise their little heads from time to time, as if saying, ‘Hellooo – come swimming...’ XVI

ast bre ay’s a y Sta and R go. en ego of K at indi cts/ o je doc m/pro e-light co ng-th si cha

artspace Lake Mulwala Between Hume, VIC and the Riverina, NSW “For me, these trees are like a sculpture molded by nature. The lake was flooded, but those trees were still hanging in there. I remember thinking, ‘They’re gone, but even in their death they leave this beautiful monument.’ But nature’s art is temporary – I’ve been back there a few times since, and the trees, they’re getting less and less.”

Norfolk Island Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia “This one was really hard to photograph, because the green on all of those boulders in the foreground is algae, so they are really slippery. I just thought it looked so fantastic with all the beautiful colours. But man, trying to keep my footing while waiting for the right balance of light was pretty funny!”

After visiting the remote Ikuntji community in central Australia in 2000, Ken launched Walk A While, an initiative that empowers Indigenous people to tell their stories through creative arts. Check it out: walkawhile.org.au

Lake Elysia Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS “We were just camping around in the Labyrinth area in Tasmania, and as I woke up and crawled out from my tent, that’s the view I had. It was so funny too, because my friend who I was with had been there 22 times, and he said, ‘You won’t get a clear morning,’ and I said, ‘You never know.’ And in the morning he stayed in his tent because he thought it wouldn’t happen.”

Can’t find the time (or the cash) to go traipsing across Australia? Go on a pictorial journey with Ken’s coffee table book, Chasing the Light, RRP: $45 kenduncan. com/books/coffee-table-books/chasing-thelight-2014-10-30-detail

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Touring the New South Wales High Country offers plenty of jaw-dropping moments, writes Simone Henderson-Smart.

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XIX

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he New England town of Armidale has always been imbued with a sense of the majestic. The university is the oldest regional university in Australia and is built around the grand old National Trust-listed Booloominbah country house. With its enormous gothic fireplaces and plethora of stained glass windows, the building is at once awe-inspiring and humbling – entirely appropriate for the region as you will discover when you travel a little out of town and explore the wonders of the local landscape. Firstly, it’s highly recommended to grab a four-wheel drive to really make the most of your trip. While not compulsory, there are a lot of dirt roads leading out to some incredible lookouts that can get a bit dicey in a sedan or hatchback after heavy rains. Next, load up with mountain bikes, kayaks, fishing gear and hiking boots – and don’t forget your camera, because this area is home to an extensive pristine gorge system with over 500 kilometres

of challenging rivers, waterfalls and tracks to explore and uncover. There are a couple of clearly marked tourist drives to follow and if you have a full day to spare, Tourist Drive 17 takes in the very best that the region has to offer in a 245-kilometre loop heading east from Armidale. There are plenty of picnic stops on the way, but very few shops, so make sure you pack a basket full of goodies to get you through the day. When you’ve finished embracing the wild, the historic town of Armidale offers the perfect sanctuary. An instant refresh is on offer at two great establishments who have embraced the craft beer movement wholeheartedly. In town, The Welder’s Dog is a nononsense bar that focuses solely on great craft beers. Unlike a typical pub there are no distractions, just great conversation. The bar is a pokie- and TV-free zone that provides a great spot for a cosy chat, with plans for a central fireplace to help handle the high country’s winter months. The locals

Armidale

are flocking here and local businesses are happily joining in offering a ‘home delivery’ service should punters require some food to go with the brews. Whisky lovers are in luck here too as the shelves are packed with a remarkable selection of only the very best (aside from that glaringly obvious bottle of Ron Burgundy whisky – an impressive nod to the fact that these boys really don’t take themselves too seriously). Indeed they are a very laid-back approachable bunch, content to share their love and knowledge of craft beers, especially those from local brewers. The boys are happy to take

regionalstopover

Australia’s first fully-fibred mainland city

One song commute

Voted #3 ‘Hot Destinations for 2014’ by Australian Traveller magazine

about the time it takes to get to work!

DERES’ R EA O IC CH R S A W A 013D 2 n Australia crop in you. m of the of all – the crea iest travellers ons, have it, destinati now Here we rding to the savv your favourite ways, and ed travel acco of you shar dream geta 2013 Readers’ ultimate of 1183 AT’s A total y… ntures and word with this, pen read ed adve most-lov ing on the good your planning Get we’re pass ice Awards. Cho

es l indicat This symbo sponso red catego ries nute.c om.au by lastmi

CE ERS’ CHOI ORTE D BY THE READ SUPP 2013 IS AWAR DS

om straliantraveller.c | www.au Traveller Australian

Armidale Dumaresq Gross Regional Product

0.06

Persons per hectare Population Density (ACT 1.39 persons per hectare)

20 000

students enrolled at UNE

armidaleregion.com.au @armidaleregion youtube.com/armidaleregion

$321 000

Armidale Region population

median house price

FLIGHTS PER WEEK ARMIDALE / SYDNEY

50 000

Australia’s highest city has a lot to offer; a renowned education base that inspires innovation, a vibrant digital economy with a fully-fibred NBN and the airport enterprise precinct currently being developed. Situated adjacent to the New England Highway, this development will offer exciting opportunities for its tenants. For further information email: council@armidale.nsw.gov.au

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just a keg or two and have it on tap as long as it lasts, meaning hobbyists get their beers out in bars and punters will always find something new and interesting to try every time they visit. Which brings us to local heroes The New England Brewing Company. Situated on the very pretty main street of nearby Uralla, the Old Woolstore is now home to a lovely little microbrewery and bar. It’s another perfect pit stop for a cleansing ale and far from being hobbyists these guys pump out around 1,000 litres a week. Their Pale Ale is by far the bestseller, but if you’re feeling adventurous, the Brown Ale is a very approachable entrylevel dark beer and just perfect with one of their locally baked pork pies. If you’re into gin, even the beer boys are raving about local distillers Dobson’s Distillery out in Kentucky. I’m lucky enough to sample some at Harvest, the restaurant attached to the must-visit New England Regional Art Museum. Owners Rowan and Anna love to travel – not just for fun, mostly for menu inspiration. It was on a trip to Spain – interestingly the largest consumers of gin worldwide – that they fell in love with this aromatic and complex spirit. The gin and tonic they serve is garnished with fresh lemon zest, cloves and sprigs of lavender that

I spy Anna picking straight from the garden outside. It’s a drink that makes you think and forget at the same time. Interesting, yet calming and the perfect introduction to the fascinating culinary world that this pair have created. There’s no menu here – just a theme based on the latest trip. That may sound daunting if you don’t know their food, but the dishes are extremely well constructed and they only just missed out on a hat this year – something that will surely be remedied the next time The Sydney Morning Herald troupe come to town. When I visit Armidale, the newly married couple have just got back from Paris and each dish comes with a tale from their travels. Similar to high-end restaurants where chefs come to the table for a chat after the meal, at Harvest Rowan and Anna are always circling and sharing their stories of inspiration, giving diners a very intimate experience in the suitably homely and candle-lit room. The dishes are a mix of local produce – often from the veggie patch just 100 metres away – and French flavours that combine for a really fabulous dining experience. It’s the perfect high note to end on for a trip to the incredible High Country of New South Wales, where it’s not just the scenery that leaves you in awe.

Round-up GET THERE

Rex flies daily to Armidale from Sydney. Book at rex.com.au If you’re on a road trip, Armidale is a great stopover roughly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.

STAY

There are some gorgeous old homesteads that have been converted into accommodation. Our picks are: Petersons Guesthouse Dangarsleigh Road, Armidale 02 6772 0422 Moore Park Inn Uralla Road, Armidale 02 6772 2358

EAT

Neram Harvest 106–114 Kentucky Street, Armidale 02 5795 1212

EXPLORE

Get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery with a helicopter flight through the gorges. Fleet Helicopters 10541 New England Hwy, Armidale (next door to the airport) 02 6772 2348

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Phone: (02) 6772 1666 Kirkwood St, Armidale www.oconnor.nsw.edu.au

Paradise Taveuni, situated on the southern tip of Taveuni, is a secluded and remote boutique oceanfront Resort. Nestled amongst lush tropical gardens with Rainforest Mountain as a back drop the resort caters to discerning travellers looking for their own piece of paradise. Its unique deep water frontage allows Guests to dive, snorkel and swim from the lava flowedge into pristine warm tropical waters at any time. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re searching for true Fijian hospitality and long to experience the culture of this mystical land, spend some time in Paradise. Mention this ad when booking, to receive a Pure Fiji Gift on Arrival

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planner

Planner

MAY

Our top pick of events coming up around the country...

Cable Beach Polo International, Broome

OF NT NTH E EVE MO TH

MAY 30-31 Sit back, relax and watch as the top professional polo players compete for the much coveted Paspaley International Beach Polo Cup III. With the option to watch from the sand and eat gourmet hot dogs or indulge in the luxuries available in the VIP Marquee or Kimberley Beach Polo Lounge, there is something for everyone at Australia’s original beach polo tournament. cablebeachpolo.com.au

MAY

MAY 1-8

MAY 16-17

Kangaroo Island FEASTival, Kangaroo Island

Great Ocean Road Marathon, Victoria

Off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island offers visitors the chance to explore its amazing wilderness while still enjoying the comforts of civilisation. At the FEASTival, you can indulge in a variety of local Aussie culinary favourites, and participate in great interactive cooking demonstrations.

Australia’s most stunning marathon returns for its 11th consecutive year! Participants of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Race distances range from 1.5 kilometres all the way to 44 kilometres, but it’s the picturesque surroundings that are sure to attract Australian and international participants alike.

look

ahead

MAY 29-JUNE 8 Cooly Rocks On, Gold Coast Check out over 1,000 vintage cars, family events and markets in Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. coolyrockson.com

JULY 1-31 Good Food Month, Brisbane Explore the local food scene of Brisbane all month long! brisbane.goodfoodmonth.com

MAY

MAY 16-24

MAY 29-30

Good Beer Week, Melbourne/ Victoria

Uluru Camel Cup/Outback Fest, Uluru

Known to international brewers as ‘the best beer week in the world,’ the annual Good Beer Week will consist of nearly 250 events across Melbourne and Victoria. Explore all the food and beverage industry has to offer, as local brewers and venues showcase themselves to the eager public.

Looking for an authentic Aussie experience? Head to the annual Uluru Camel Cup (formerly Outback Fest), where you can enjoy a wide variety of activities that only Australia has to offer. From camel races to local market shopping to dancing under the stars, the Uluru Camel Cup has it all.

else

where

MAY 2 Kentucky Derby, Kentucky, U.S. The famous thoroughbred horse race is truly “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” kentuckyderby.com

MAY 19-23 Chelsea Flower Show, London Explore the world’s greatest flower show at London’s famed Royal Hospital Chelsea. rhs.org.uk

what to pack Sporty faves for the month

Sportsbeatz, RRP: $99.95, rawaudiobrand.com Love Crystal Sunglasses, RRP: $34.95, clearly.com.au

what to pack

Wilson Blade 98S, RRP: $299.95, 1800 651 872

Sherrin AFL balls, RRP: $29.99, sherrin.com.au

staff pick

Platinum Crossover top, RRP: $49.99, russellathletic.com.au

Osprey Stratos, RRP: $169.95, paddypallin.com.au

Salomon XA Pro 3D Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trail running shoe, RRP: $179.99, 1800 651 872 3

ÂŠDisney

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entertainment

Entertainment The latest and greatest things to hear, see and read.

listen

download

ALT-J

Pepperplate App Store, free / Google Play, free This helpful app allows you to save recipes you’ve found online and create your own recipes. Once the ingredients have been saved, they are exported to your own personal shopping list. Pepperplate also has a calendar for super easy meal planning.

During their triumphant return to Australia, UK group alt-J will play a series of headline shows across the country with special guest, Icelandic breakout star Ásgeir. The band’s debut album, An Awesome Wave, won the 2012 British Mercury Prize, while their second album, This is All Yours, went immediately to No. 1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart upon its release in September 2014. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.au May 8 / Riverstage Brisbane, Brisbane. May 9 / Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney. May 10 / Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. May 13 / Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide. May 15 / HBF Stadium, Perth.

Awesome Note

Watch: PITCH PERFECT 2 112 min,

Comedy

staff pick

In the highly anticipated sequel to 2012’s laugh-out-loud hit, all-female acapella group the Barden Bellas participate in an international acapella competition that no American group has ever won. Directed by Elizabeth Banks and featuring Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) and Australian actress Rebel Wilson, this sequel is sure to be just as hilarious as the first. In cinemas 7 May 2015. universalpictures.com

(+ToDo) App Store, $3.99 A fresh interface and personalisation features make Awesome Note (+ToDo) the standard for note-taking and to-do list apps. With different colour, font, background image and icon options, productivity has never been more fun! Get yourself super organised and make your friends jealous in no time with this fabulous note-taking app.

Mint App Store,

read FROM INDIA WITH LOVE:

CAPTIVE PRINCE C.S.

Latika Bourke / Allen & Unwin, $29.99 Latika Bourke shares her personal journey of finding out who she is by learning where she comes from. An intriguing and compelling tale not to miss.

Pacat / Penguin, $19.99 The first instalment of C.S. Pacat’s fantasy trilogy is a gripping tale of romance, political exploits and intrigue that will leave you desperate to discover what happens next.

SHEILA: THE AUSTRALIAN BEAUTY WHO BEWITCHED BRITISH SOCIETY Robert Wainwright / Allen & Unwin, $22.99 A captivating story of the life and royal pursuits of a remarkable woman unknown to most Australians today.

free / Google Play, free This app’s all-in-one feature allows you to keep better track of your earning and spending by connecting all of your financial accounts. With a comprehensive list of your financial activity and the option to create a budget, keeping track of your finances has never been easier!

closeup

Aussie country musician Troy Cassar-Daley speaks with Riley Palmer about some of the lessons he’s learnt throughout his life as a musician, a father, an entertainer and a humble dreamer.

WE’VE ALL HAD those nightmares. The ones where you’re giving an important speech, by all accounts proficiently, except that you’re stark naked. Or you go to address a sea of eager supporters – of what, it’s unclear – only to find that your larynx has been removed. For most of us, performance anxiety manifests itself in sweaty, heartpalpitating moments, so chilling they prevent us from ever putting ourselves in those terrifying situations. For Troy Cassar-Daley these anxieties are par for the course. Having spent the better part of the past three decades performing his unique brand of country music to fans the world over, Troy is no stranger to the stage. Yet, the nerves have never left him. He says: “I think it’s like a football player who gets nerves in the belly before he runs on. You respect the job, you hold it in high regard, and that’s what makes you feel on edge and nervous.” Wise to a tee, he adds, “If I stopped getting nervous I think I’d almost want to give it away.” With the haunting timbre of his voice reverberating around my head, I for one, cross my fingers that never happens. Too humble to be blatantly didactic, Troy nonetheless has a reservoir of insights into life and happiness tucked up his sleeve. While his songs tell stories unto themselves, Troy’s life has, and continues to be, a series of stories that impart some of life’s greatest lessons – perhaps none so important as humility.

Troy’s life continues to be a series of stories that impart some of life’s greatest lessons. 1. Learn to be humble. Having spent the first 10 years of his life living with his mum and his nan in Grafton, Troy acknowledges just how formative his nan was to the person he continues to evolve in to. Aside from introducing Troy to music – some of his earliest memories revolve around his nan and pop’s old record player that intoned the coarse vocals of Merle Haggard and Slim Dusty – his nan taught him the 7

closeup

importance of being unpretentious. “She was always really humble,” recalls Troy. “If you got a little bit cocky she’d bring you down to size pretty quick. And that’s probably the best lesson I could’ve got, because in my position I reckon you can’t afford to have some big ego. And I hope I can teach my kids the same lesson too. Because that’s part of my job as a dad.”

2. Always read the fine print. After winning a talent quest at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Troy was given the opportunity to go on tour with ‘the voice from the outback’ – the legendary Brian Young. “I’d never been away from Grafton for more than three weeks at a time,” Troy laughs reminiscently. “And when I signed up, I thought it was a nine-week tour.

“I reckon you can’t afford to have a big ego. I hope I can teach my kids the same.”

My mum said, ‘Did you read how long the tour is?’ At the bottom of the page it said ‘nine’. I only seen the nine and got excited, but it was actually nine months.” He laughs again – this time I join in. In what was a baptism by fire, nine months on the road with Brian Young taught Troy a thing or two about himself, Australia’s indigenous communities, the gifts that the vast stretches of our land down under have to offer us, and of course, to always read his contracts.

3. Know when to ask for help. Despite a Golden Guitar award-winning career, Troy’s passion has always been for the music and the stories it tells. The accolades are secondary, and flattering though they are to Troy they are only significant in that they mean his songs have spoken to people. To that end, if he believes his stories instil greater meaning when created in collaboration with someone else, he is the first to put up his hand and ask for help. Over the years he has collaborated with composers, songwriters and performers from the likes of Steve Dorff, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson to Don Walker and Adam Harvey. His latest album, Freedom Ride, is no different. “The first collaboration that came along was song-writing with Paul Kelly,” says Troy, referring to the song entitled ‘Freedom Ride’. “As I was writing the song with Paul, I recorded a demo on which Paul sang a harmony for me. Then when I got to Nashville and started to record, all I could hear was Paul’s harmony. It felt like it was almost built into the track. So I emailed Paul, and he said, ‘Look I’m going into a studio tomorrow and can record this harmony for you if you like.’ So he recorded the track in Melbourne, sent it to me in Nashville, and we popped it on there.” This album also saw Troy collaborate with Jimmy Barnes on a song called ‘Two Weeks On, Two Weeks Off’ – an homage to a young miner Troy met on a flight from Karratha to Brisbane. “Jimmy’s just the quintessential blue-collar bloke,” says Troy, the awe in his voice giving way to his absolute adoration of the guy. “I waited till I’d recorded the track, brought it home, gave it to Jim, he sang on it, and it made it on the record.” After reflecting for a brief moment, Troy says; “Getting Jimmy on that track was so important because it gave it blue-collar credibility – and I’m so grateful that he was able to sing on the track and make it happen for me.”

4. You’re never too old for a good fart joke. Prefacing what he’s about to say by stating that raising children is the best, and most challenging job in the world, Troy erupts into a fit of laughter and continues, “I love sharing fart jokes with my kids.” More laughter. “Just making that noise when you’re in a shopping centre and embarrassing ’em...” he sighs. As anyone who has ever had to pull their dad’s finger will know, this sense of humour is more like a pandemic localised to the ‘daggy dad demographic’. But as anyone who has ever had to pull their dad’s finger will also know, “there’s nothing better than when you’re out and about and making your kids laugh.” Troy smiles. 8

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INVESTMENT

RETURN*

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Value-priced stocks

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Growth stocks

11.96%

Stocks (S&P 500)

8.97%

136

Corporate bills

8.00%

150

Commodities (CRB index)

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Treasury bills

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kitchenconfidential

O Michael! “Balance is the key to finding joy in food.”

When Michael was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes almost a decade ago, he made it his mission to get his health back on track for good. Fast forward to today and he is an inspiration to thousands of Aussie health fanatics and aspiring foodies. Not only has he published his own cookbook, Blood Sugar, he has also opened O Bar and Dining in the heart of Sydney, offering up delicious yet super-healthy cuisine. Michael’s cooking philosophy in a nutshell? “Balance is the key to finding joy in food, while making a healthy choice. It’s essentially a philosophy of making good food as healthy as possible by making simple tweaks and adjustments to how you cook and which ingredients you use. Whether you’re a diabetic or not, it’s important to eat well for your long-term health. The Blood Sugar philosophy focuses on foods that are low GI, high in fibre, low in sugar and low in carbs,” says Michael. His menu at O Bar and Dining features innovative dishes such as roasted lamb rump with ricotta, piquillo peppers, walnut romesco and red beans or frozen banana cake with blueberry chia seed jam, barley miso ice cream and sorrel. Who

Faye James speaks to prolific chef Michael Moore about eating and living a delicious yet healthier existence.

said healthy food was boring? So what’s Michael’s creative process when coming up with a new dish? “It starts with one small idea and a dish can grow from that. Just thinking of crisp, young heart leaves of fresh endive or soft-cooked grains or even the smell of fresh-cut fennel. It just pops into your head. But being creative on a deadline is the hardest thing to try and do.” Not that Michael isn’t organised. is day-to-day tips for living and eating the Blood Sugar way is all about organisational planning. “Think and plan your next meal, shop well and think of fibre as your friend,” says Michael. “The process has to start in the supermarket, you have to be actively considering what you’re buying and whether there is a better alternative. It’s important to read labels to see what’s really in your groceries. Lots of fresh food and lean proteins are a good start, but the key is to plan your meals ahead and stick to your list. If unhealthy foods aren’t in your fridge and pantry then you won’t be tempted to indulge!” For more info visit obardining.com.au

TUNA, GREEN BEAN, PEANUT AND MINT SALAD This is a great salad as a main course or even as part of a brunch.

Ingredients 360g fresh tuna fillet seasoned with olive oil sea salt and pepper  120g snake beans or green beans finely sliced  2 cups fresh bean shoots  2 small green zucchini/courgette, Finely sliced 1 lemon zest and juice  250g cooked red quinoa 1 bunch fresh mint, picked leaves Dressing  1 ⁄2 cup salted, roasted peanuts 30 ml olive oil  Pinch of chilli flakes  2 tablespoons hot water

The Lowdown What’s the last meal you cooked at home? Brunch this weekend which included: • Pear apple and quinoa porridge with natural yoghurt • Scrambled eggs with ancient grains, vine tomatoes, zucchini and green onions • Peppered pineapple with gold kiwi and toasted coconut • Muscat grapes with orange • Green juice of kale, apple, pear, banana, maca powder and tofu

What ingredient couldn’t you live without? Fresh herbs of all types What’s currently your favourite thing on the menu at O Bar? The salmon shoulder sashimi or kingfish cerviche to start, then for mains, seared cod fillet with heirloom carrots and cauliflower with almond tahini

Method 1. Rub the fresh tuna fillet with a little olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Reheat a non-stick frying pan and sear the tuna on each side over a high heat for 1 minute. Allow to cool at room temperature. 2. In a small pot of boiling salted water, blanch the sliced green beans for 1 minute, then refresh under cold water or in ice. Drain until required. 3. Make the dressing by crushing the peanuts with a mortar and pestle. Stir in the olive oil and chilli flakes. Adjust the thickness with some hot water. 4. In a large mixing bowl, place the beans, bean shoots and the sliced zucchini. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. 5. Add the cooked red quinoa then flake the tuna into the salad. Add the picked mint leaves and dress with the peanut dressing. Mix the salad together carefully, using a spoon.

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cultureclub

CULTURE CLUB GOT A THING FOR THEATRE? LOVE LIVE MUSIC? ENJOY GREAT GALLERIES? READ ON FOR WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH...

st picaff k GENERATIONS IN JAZZ MOUNT GAMBIER, SA

MAY 1–3

High school and tertiary students with a thing for swing descend on Mount Gambier every year from all parts of Australia to battle it out for awards and scholarships, and to be inspired by performances from some of the world’s biggest names in jazz. Tickets can be bought on the day or preordered through generationsinjazz.com.au

GROOVIN THE MOO May 2 – Bendigo, VIC May 3 – Canberra, ACT

May 9 – Maitland, NSW May 10 – Townsville, QLD

LIOR SUCHARD, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

MAY 5–10

When famous spoon-bender Uri Geller proclaimed him as his successor, Lior knew that the pressure was on. But Geller can spot talent, and this mind-reading, soothsaying, telekinetic whiz kid completely delivers, leaving audiences speechless. Not that that matters to Lior. Get tickets for his spellbinding supernatural show at sydneyoperahouse.com

Bringing the musical love to regional Australia, Groovin The Moo just gets better every year. This time around, the paddocks full of partygoers will mosh to the sounds of The Hilltop Hoods, Wolfmother and festival faves Sticky Fingers. Full line-up and tickets from gtm.net.au

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Andrew Hill - 2009 Graduate Director, National Land Lease

Marcus graduates are professionally prepared and ready for business.

It is our dual-faced approach and comprehensive consultation with industry partners, program alumni and ‘real world’ experiences that enables our graduates to launch new ventures and business practices.

Whatever the field of endeavour, Marcus Oldham offers a number of pathways. There’s an exciting choice of 1 year diplomas, degrees, or postgraduate courses in Agriculture, Agribusiness and Equine Management. The Postgraduate program includes an opportunity to complete a Master of Agribusiness.

SCHOLARSHIPS THAT REWARD POTENTIAL AND AMBITION

All deliver practical action-orientated programs that ensure students graduate with the knowledge, business skills and confidence to excel as the next generation of industry leaders.

THE MARCUS EXPERIENCE Unlike other independent tertiary institutions that deliver theory en masse, Marcus delivers relevant, innovative and market-leading entrepreneurship from theoretical and applied perspectives.

THE COURSES BACHELOR OF BUSINESS (AGRICULTURE) BACHELOR OF BUSINESS (AGRIBUSINESS) DIPLOMA OF EQUINE MANAGEMENT

Agriculture | Agribusiness | Equine Management Free call: 1800 623 500 Email: courses@marcusoldham.vic.edu.au www.marcusoldham.vic.edu.au

For students that are passionate about a career in the agricultural or equine industries, Marcus Oldham offers a number of rewarding Scholarships that bring dreams to reality.

THE OPPORTUNITIES The agribusiness industry forms a large part of the Australian business landscape, with bright employment prospects in a number of areas, including farm and agribusiness management, export and trade, rural and global business development, banking, marketing, commodity trading, property management and agri-politics.

cultureclub

May 22–30 COME OUT CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, ADELAIDE

LENNON: THROUGH A GLASS ONION PLAYHOUSE, ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE

Celebrating its 40th year, this festival is without a doubt one of the world’s best with over 550 events, performances, exhibitions and workshops – all designed to spark the creativity of our youngest minds. Highlights this year will include the performance of Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s beloved tale The 26-Storey Treehouse, and the Little Big Shots kids film festival. Check out the entire program and book tickets at adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/come-out-childrensfestival

May 13–16 After a sell-out season in New York, John Waters is bringing his thoughtprovoking John Lennon tribute back to Australia. Originally conceived by Waters and singer/pianist Stewart D’Arrietta back in 1992, the show is part concert and part biography, painting the extraordinary world of one of music’s most beloved legends. Bookings can be made via artscentremelbourne.com.au or ticketmaster.com.au

THE WHONIVERSE

Touring nationally throughout May Doctor Who fans will be over the moon this May when spunky eleventh doctor Matt Smith is joined by his lovely sidekick Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and time-crossed lover River Song (Alex Kingston) on stage for a series of shows where they’ll share stories, answer questions, pose for photos, sign autographs and even offer a select few exclusive ‘meet and greet’ opportunities. For venues and ticketing information, visit thehubproductions.com/events/whoniverse

culturespace

Exhibitionists  Wildlife Photographer of the Year is showing once again at the Australian Museum in Sydney until October 5. This celebration of nature gives praise to arguably the most patient and dedicated artists on the planet. Often stalking their targets for months just to capture a perfect moment, wildlife photographers harness the beauty of life on planet earth in all its diversity. This year there are two Australians among the 100 shortlisted photographers, including Matthew Smith’s magical snap of a bluebottle. “I wanted to pick out the beautiful colouration and details in the tentacles against the eerie darkness of a stormy morning,” Smith explains. “The wild atmosphere adds testament to the lifestyle of this sailor of the open seas.” The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is co-owned by London’s Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide.

ON TOUR

BACKSTREET BOYS MAY 8–15

Above: Glimpse of the underworld by Christian Vizl, Mexico; below left: Intimacy by Michael Nick Nichols, USA

Tickets and full tour dates available now online.

SHAGGY MAY 16–23

ELLIE GOULDING MAY 28–JUNE 5

 Dream Machines: Drawings of the Great American Automobile will be on show at the Shepparton Art Museum until May 17. Featuring a very cool selection of drawings of American cars from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, this exhibition is perfect for retro revheads and vintage lovers. To complement the display of original design sketches, the Shepparton Motor Museum will be showing Dream Machines: The Cars, a collection of the actual concept cars represented in the art exhibition. The exhibitions will be co-ticketed and can be purchased from sheppartonartmuseum.com.au

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food&wine

EXPLORING THE

NOOSA

FOOD & WINE TRAIL Home to over 500 food and beverage producers, several cooking schools and two major food festivals, the Sunshine Coast has a well-deserved reputation as a foodie wonderland, writes Deborah Dickson Smith.

he Noosa International Food & Wine Festival is now world-renowned and attracts some of the best chefs from around the world. It has become a virtual who’s who of the global culinary world. On the eve of the Noosa International Food & Wine Festival, I was presented with an opportunity to see what the Sunshine Coast has to offer on its own home turf. I quickly discovered that you can experience gourmet delights and great fresh produce in Noosa, and the surrounding Sunshine Coast, all year round. So, where is the best place to start a Noosa food and wine trail?

From Mooloolaba to Maleny My food-partner in crime and I decide we should start at the source (or as close as we can get to it) by exploring the hinterland producers, then working our way through the farmers’ markets and on to the

menus of the many cafés and restaurants. We throw our bags into the back of the hire car, grab a map and head to the nearest café to work out our driving route. This happens to be the Good Bean Espresso Bar on Mooloolaba’s beachfront where, I have to say, the coffee is bloody good. To the guys at Good Bean, coffee appreciation is almost a religion. Their beans are sourced only from organic fair-trade producers, and this flagship Mooloolaba store uses milk from Maleny Dairies, a family-owned farm in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. From Mooloolaba we wind our way along a beautiful country drive through Mapleton, Montville and Maleny. We break our trip with a stop at Mapleton, mainly to enjoy the sweeping views over this very pretty green valley, before heading to the Flame Hill winery in Montville. Flame Hill Vineyard has a lovely selection of reds and dry whites, using grapes grown locally in the rich red volcanic soil of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

To the guys at Good Bean, coffee appreciation is almost a religion. Their beans are sourced only from organic fair-trade producers.

food&wine

For a meagre six dollars you can embark on an individual tasting tour with their Self Guided Tasting Plate – while still seated in the café. You are encouraged to take your time to savour the flavours of their cheeses and yoghurts and learn more about them from a rather informative souvenir placemat.

From Eumundi to Noosa

The Flame Hill Montville Cellar Door is surrounded by 15-year-old Shiraz and Verdelho vines, with other cool climate varietals being sourced from the Flame Hill Kurrajong Vineyard at Lyra (one of the most southern vineyards in the Granite Belt region). Of course, wine needs a partner in crime, so we head to Maleny Cheese to choose a selection of cheeses to accompany our Shiraz. Maleny has been a dairying region for 115 years, and Maleny Cheese takes full advantage of the high-quality local produce to create its award-winning cow and buffalo milk cheese, as well as Swiss and Greek-style yoghurt.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays Eumundi Market has a huge range of stalls, selling everything from local handicrafts to nuclear-strength chilli sauces. There is also a great selection of hot food stalls with cuisine to sample from all over the world. We decide to stop here for lunch and a wander – the smells emanating from the hot food stalls are just too irresistible. The only problem we have now is choosing between French crêpes, Sri Lankan and Balinese curry or Osakan-style Japanese food. Noosa Farmers’ Market is held on Sunday mornings and it really is a gourmet delight, with gorgeous organic fresh produce, cured meats, pickles and freshly baked sourdough bread. It’s a great spot for breakfast so we skip the hotel buffet and head here instead to sample freshly-baked sourdough,

Noosa Farmers’ Market is held on Sunday mornings and it really is a gourmet delight.

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food&wine

home-made jams, and – while we’re at it – pick out a rather glorious looking (and smelling) picnic lunch. If you’re visiting, be sure to try the fresh bread, chocolate croissants and cured meats at French Sin, the goats cheese at Gympie Cheese (divine) and the Cedar Street Cheeserie is home to the best haloumi I’ve ever tasted. We take our picnic lunch, along with a bottle of Flame Hill 2012 Kurrajong Shiraz and go for a walk to the headland through Noosa National Park. Here we spot a few large monitor lizards and koalas before finding the ideal spot with a view of the ocean and plonk ourselves down for lunch. Our last supper in Noosa is something special, in fact it’s almost as if the entire weekend has been in preparation for this final event. Noosa (and nearby Noosaville) has a tempting array of restaurants to choose from, but we finally settle on Embassy XO on Sunshine Beach. The menu offers a gorgeous selection of modern Asian cuisine which I kick-start with a lychee martini (their signature cocktail). Our feast includes fried pork dumplings with chiu chow and black vinegar (yum), crispy chicken ribs with chilli buttermilk, followed by beef cheeks braised in rock sugar, soy and black bean sauce. And for that extra wickedness, a dessert of steamed chocolate buns with a chilli raspberry dressing, washed down with a Hennessy VSOP.

Round-up STAY Noosa: The Outrigger on Little Hastings Street is rather conveniently located at the eastern point of Noosa, backing on to the National Park. Mooloolaba: Mantra Mooloolaba is smack bang in the centre of Mooloolaba, surrounded by restaurants, with sweeping views of the coastline.

EAT & DRINK Thomas Corner Eatery Cnr Gympie Terrace & Thomas St, Noosaville 07 5470 2224, thomascorner.com.au Good Bean Coffee 4/1 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba 1300 789 806, goodbean.com.au Flame Hill Vineyard 249 Western Ave, Montville 07 5478 5920, flamehill.com.au Maleny Cheese 1 Clifford Street, Maleny 07 5494 2207, malenycheese.com.au Eumundi Market 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi 07 5442 7106, eumundimarkets.com.au Noosa Farmers’ Market 155 Weyba Rd, Noosaville 0418 769 374, noosafarmersmarket.com.au Embassy XO Cnr Duke & Bryan Street, Sunshine Beach 07 5455 4460, embassyxo.com.au

EXPLORE The Noosa International Food and Wine Show runs from May 14–17. This year’s incredible line-up of visiting chefs and winemakers includes chefs Peter Kuruvita, Matt Moran and Adriano Zumbo, winemakers Richard and Victoria Angove, Chris Tyrell and Darren De Bortoli, among many, many more.

A world of engineering

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weekender

Lady Elliot

Island

One of the Great Barrier Reef’s bestkept secrets, Lady Elliot Island offers an eco tourist’s treat perfect for the environmentalist in you. Words: Faye James

t’s only when we’re huddled around possibly the tiniest plane I’ve ever seen, swiftly receiving a safety briefing, that I suddenly begin to feel the panic sweats trickle down my back. Right before my eyes sits a minute 10-seater plane with a single engine propeller, charged to go no higher than 1,000 feet into the sky. I eyeball my fellow passengers, all equally pallid. Today, this is my flight to Lady Elliot Island where I’ve booked myself in for the weekend. I wonder if it’s too late to turn back, but the lure of the Great Barrier Reef is calling. As we climb aboard, the minute stature of the plane closes in on us and I fear I’m in for two hours of knuckle-clenching action. But as soon as we ascend into the hazy, azure skies and I look down at the Lego-like town below, I actually start to have the best time of my life.

The fascinating thing about taking a scenic plane ride is that it is almost akin to actually flying yourself. With the landscape riding so closely below, and each twist and turn feeling like a movement of your own, the experience is truly magical. We noisily chug along the coast passing the glorious shores of Brisbane, The Sunshine Coast,

Hervey Bay and Bundaberg before we make a dramatic descent onto Lady Elliot Island, The Great Barrier Reef’s southernmost coral cay. As we land on possibly the smallest runway ever, a sense of tranquility hazes over me. In one fell swoop, mobile reception disappears, and I am forced away from the distractions of technology to gaze upon a small island of unparalleled beauty. At the moment it’s breeding season for the hundreds of birds who have flocked to the island. You can hear their gentle screeching in the background and witness them swooping through the trees. I’m picked up by a bubbly, freckle-faced environmental scientist named Elana who takes me through where I can snorkel on the island and what other activities are on offer. There’s everything from Guided Reef Walking, Island Discovery Tours and Turtle Updates, to Fish Feeding and Night Stalking – where an environmental scientist is on hand to share their expert knowledge

First, a shark darts around below me. It’s a large reef shark and I feel a slight panic rise within me. 25

weekender

of the island’s inhabitants. Elana recommends a snorkel safari first, which she’ll be hosting. “It’s manta ray season at the moment too, so maybe you’ll see a couple of those along with some reef sharks and turtles,” she says through a giant smile. I raise my eyebrows. Surely I’d only get that diving, right? Apparently not. The snorkel safari takes you into waters deep enough to swim with the sharks. After a quick freshen-up in my perfectly modest yet comfortable room, I board the snorkel safari. There are about

10 other passengers ranging from gap-year-abroad youngsters to ticking-off-the-bucket-list seniors. It’s refreshing to see that the island attracts such a varied mix of tourists but all with seemingly one interest in common: protecting the environment and preserving the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. As we head out into deeper waters, the water current gets noticeably choppier. Once in the ocean, the need to stay close to Elana and not drift off along the way becomes increasingly apparent. First-time snorkellers be warned –

this is more of an intermediate to advanced deep-water swim and you’ll feel your heartbeat rise from the power of the swell. First, a shark darts around below me. It’s a large reef shark and I feel a slight panic rise within me before another two or three dart past me. Next a bunch of turtles and a flurry of fish, including clown, angel and parrot varieties. I feel like I’m on the set of Finding Nemo. I am almost too excited to breathe. About 45 minutes into the snorkel we round off our amazing safari with a shark literally coming up for a cosy snuggle with our group, before Elana sights a giant Manta Ray and plunges down into the deep water to show us the magnificent creature. If there was one snorkelling experience to remember and treasure in my memory forever, it has to be this one. Simply outstanding. Those who are less confident can do the Glass Bottom Boat snorkel, which takes you only into shallow water for 30 minutes. There are certainly less sharks to worry about and when I went on this snorkel the next day, I got to swim really close to a few turtles – one of which I was certain waved at me and flicked me a cheeky smile. In fact, nature and environmental discoveries are at the forefront of this weekend.

weekender

I got to swim really close to a few turtles, one of which I was certain waved and flicked me a smile.

Round-up GET THERE

Lady Elliot is a two-hour scenic flight from Gold Coast airport.

STAY

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort ladyelliot.com.au

FAS T

FAC appe Guano T m a r In 19 ed on iners fi rst the 69, and Mr Don Island in bega Adam 18 prog na s a 63. beau ram turn revegeta rrived tio tiful w in ildlife g it into t n s is tod anctua he ry it ay.

Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island isn’t about gourmet food or luxurious accommodation, but for an experience that brings you closer to nature and to really appreciate and understand what this amazing earth actually offers, this island is the place to reset your perspective on life. At dusk on the Night Stalk, creatures such as strawberry hermit crabs and green tree frogs come out to play and Elana is once again there, passionately talking about the creatures and their

unique oddities. She even takes us to visit the island’s residents’ graves and gives us a brief history on the lighthouse keepers and how one of the old residents still creepily haunts the island. After an awe-inspiring weekend, I leave Lady Elliot Island with a certain ache in my heart, a yearning to come back year upon year and befriend all those amazing creatures once again and, most importantly, to remind myself of the true wonders of this beautiful world. 29

insidertips

INSIDER TIPS

THIS MONTH WE SPEAK TO GARTH TANDER, V8 SUPERCARS CHAMPION AND THREE-TIME BATHURST 1000 WINNER, ABOUT PERTH’S GREATEST DRIVING TRIPS. TOP 3 PERTH DRIVES Darling Ranges “The first suburb that I grew up in was a place called Gosnells. The Darling Ranges essentially run along the edge of Perth suburbia, but where we lived in Gosnells was pretty much at the base of it. I grew up looking at it, so when I was old enough to get my driver’s license, it was one of the first places we went. Lots of great roads to explore up there...”

Fremantle to Rockingham “The second place we lived in was the suburb of Leeming, which is about 20 minutes from Fremantle. At that time, quite a few members of our family lived in Rockingham, but are now living in Mandurah, so the family has travelled the route from Fremantle to Rockingham many times. It’s a lovely drive along the coast that I highly recommend.”

Cottesloe Beach

Sunset Coast “When I first got my driver’s license, I was still doing a lot of surfing so I spent a lot of time driving up and down the coast between Cottesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach all the way up to Yanchep, looking for somewhere to go surfing. It’s one of the best places for beaches anywhere in Australia. I’ve certainly got some great memories of my time spent surfing Perth’s Sunset Coast.”

Best time of the day

“The best time of the day is first thing, early morning. The worst thing about it is I don’t like being a morning person – but once I’m up I actually quite enjoy it.” 30

Don’t leave home without...

“Your wallet and your phone. They really are must-have items whenever I leave the house, wherever I’m going.”

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My ideal travelling companions are my wife Leanne, and kids Scarlett (4) and Sebastian (2). 31

Agribusiness

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charity

THE PEOPLE’S

PRINCE When I was eight years old,

I believed the park across the road from where I lived was the centre of the universe. I believed adults were superhuman, and none more so than my parents, who had the solution to any problem – big or small. I believed good was defined by its opposition to bad and the authorities, scary though they looked in their uniforms, could always discern the difference. Imagine yourself at age eight years old. Then imagine how dirty and aberrant your eight-year-old self would feel after being told they can’t go to school, because their recurrent scabies – already a point of unwarranted shame – might infect their teacher and colleagues. Far from illusory, this is the actual introduction to a story Dr Sam Prince recollects, with a combination of despondency and joy.

“At one point, the authorities believed that perhaps there was neglect, and ordered that this small girl actually be removed from her family.” He sighs in apparent exasperation. “So even after the era of the stolen generation, we almost made the decision to again remove a child from its mother.” In what was almost a fairy-tale outcome, Dr Prince’s charity organisation One Disease At A Time realised that it was the girl’s grandmother who in fact had crusted scabies – the worst variant of the disease. “It’s where you have millions of mites engulfing the body, creating modern-day lepers with skin that smells like rotten flesh,” he explains, “and it spreads 80 times as fast as normal scabies.” Because of this, whenever the girl went home from hospital, she would relapse. “Our society pointed the finger at a little girl

For Dr. Sam Prince, affecting lives is a daily reality. Riley Palmer speaks with this doctor cum entrepreneur, and gleans insights into his many humanitarian and commercial undertakings.

and her mother, when really it was a misunderstanding and mistreatment of the disease.” Dr. Prince’s distress is more than comprehensible – and this is one of the success stories. After a brief pause he adds: “It was really beautiful to see the child go back to school finally.” Dr Sam Prince is a bit like a modern-day Gandhi. A medical doctor, entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist, he is a shining example of what it means to live a value-driven life. He is the founder of Life Letters – an Australian company specialising in genetic testing, Zambrero – a Mexican restaurant franchise that provides food to people in need via their ‘Plate 4 Plate’ initiative, the founding director and chair of One Disease At A Time – a non-profit organisation dedicated to

charity

“It’s like I’ve got a nine year old kid, a two year old kid and I’m currently pregnant with twins.” eliminating disease from Australia’s still so much work to do Indigenous communities, an avid aid here first.” worker and a passionate advocate Interestingly, it is Dr. Prince’s for democratising education and personal interactions with the world healthcare. He says: “I have a whole around him, in conjunction with range of passions and visions that I his parents’ life-stories, that has try to breathe life into, and they’re all stimulated the sum total of who he important to me. They’re is today, and what’s important almost like children.” to him. He explains: “The He laughs: “It’s like work that I do in the I’ve got a ninehumanitarian space FAST FACT year-old kid, a is really an extension To date, more than 3 million two-year-old kid, of my story and the meals have been provided to and I’m currently story before mine. people in need thanks pregnant with And that, as an to Zambrero’s ‘Plate 4 twins.” Despite overview, is that Plate’ initiative. being born in the my parents came UK to Sri Lankan from the developing parents, Dr. Prince world.” Brought up in the very much identifies as developed world, Dr. Prince an Australian. Seeing all of the had a tendency, at least early on in social justice and humanitarian work life, to lean towards the middle right. that needs to be done in our own “I thought: ‘My parents didn’t have backyard prompted him to launch an excuse, I don’t have an excuse, One Disease. He says: “It seems so people should really just get off hollow to do humanitarian work their butts and get on with it.’ The outside of our country when there is fault in that thinking, I realised later,

was that my mum had been given a free education in Sri Lanka – that someone had fought for her human rights to get a free education, despite her socioeconomic background.” Reconciling this fact with his own reality, Dr. Prince’s humanitarian values were born out of the acknowledgment and gratitude for the opportunities other people had afforded his family. “To that end, I don’t believe that we should enable people to necessarily end up in the same place, I don’t think that’s fair, but where we can, we should defend the basic human right for people to start from the same place. And that’s really just an extension of my life story to be honest.” For more info visit zambrero.com

Dr. Prince by numbers awards and accolades 2008 2008 2008 2009 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012

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L NU

This month, nutritionist Dr Joanna gives the low-down on how your diet can lessen your chances of getting Type 2 diabetes. Control your weight first and foremost and lose weight if you need to, paying particular attention if you have too much fat around the middle. Then choose a moderate carbohydrate, low GI diet, with plenty of good fats, and make your diet plant-based eating lots of veggies in particular. A handful of nuts a day can help improve insulin sensitivity. Reducing your intake of meat – particularly processed meats – and choosing more fish and poultry lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes. And rather than low fat, choose healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil.

Day on a plate 8am: Small serve of natural muesli with berries, milk and low-fat natural

BODY BEAUTIFUL Bodyism (from celebrity trainer James Duigan who trains Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lara Stone and Victoria’s Secret models) has a new SS2015 collection just released in stores. Not only does the collection look fab, but the fabric uses bio-active crystals in the microfibres to absorb body heat, and returns this heat in the form of infra-red rays which promote collagen synthesis, improving endurance and strengthening sports performance. Work-out gear that works out while you work out. What more could you want? Net-a-porter.com

yoghurt OR poached eggs with wholegrain toast, avocado, spinach, mushrooms and grilled tomato.

10am: Handful of raw nuts and a skim milk coffee. Noon: Big salad with loads of different veg, salmon (canned or fresh), a can

of mixed beans topped with an extra virgin olive oil & vinegar dressing.

3pm: Wholegrain crackers with avocado and sliced tomato. Green tea. 6pm: Chicken stir-fry with heaps of different veg, garlic, ginger and chilli. Served with wholegrain rice, or soba noodles (buckwheat). For more info: drjoanna.com.au 36

WORK IT

healthnews

MEDICAL

Antibiotic resistance – the facts Antibiotics are used to treat a wide variety of infections or diseases caused by bacteria including respiratory tract infections as well as skin and urinary tract infections. When antibiotics are misused, you are contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest global health threats today! Be part of the solution: if you are prescribed antibiotics, it is very important that you follow your health professional’s advice on when, how, and for how long to take them. Using antibiotics when you don’t need them like when you have a cold or flu, can contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance.

FATIGUE

Feeling fatigued? Time to ask yourself… What are you drinking? Fatigue is not a medical condition, it is a symptom. A few simple lifestyle changes could make all the difference.

Drink more water Stay hydrated by making sure that most of the liquid you consume in a day is water.

Drink less alcohol Even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy, the sleep you have will not be deep or refreshing, so the next day you’ll be tired even if you slept a full eight hours. Try not to drink alcohol before going to bed.

Avoid caffeine Many people who are feeling tired or fatigued will turn to caffeine as a pick-meup during the day. However, too much caffeine can affect your sleep patterns and cause fatigue to worsen. Some people may find that stopping caffeine gives them headaches. If this happens, gradually cut down the amount of caffeine that you drink over a few weeks.

BLOOD PRESSURE High blood pressure increases your risk of stroke, heart attacks and kidney disease. Simple steps can be taken by adjusting your lifestyle to reduce the risk of high blood pressure:

• Reduce the amount of salt in your diet

by choosing ‘no added salt’, ‘low salt’ or ‘reduced salt’ foods, and not adding salt to meals.

• Achieve a healthy body weight. • Eat a diet containing plenty of

vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and legumes; include low-fat dairy products and small amounts of unprocessed lean meat and fish.

• Be active, with at least 30 minutes of

moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

• Reduce alcohol intake (no more than

two standard drinks each day) by drinking fewer alcoholic drinks or switching to lower-alcohol alternatives.

Health news is brought to you by www.nps.org.au 37

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travelnews

TRAVEL NEWS OUR HOT PICKS FOR THE MONTH

TH E L

ONTH L

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Star stays Heading to Albury? Try out the ultra-chic, urban paradise Atura Albury. From just $159 per night, you can stay in an Altura Deluxe room, with super-lush interiors, free car parking and unlimited WiFi. You’ll love the ultra-modern design and freshness of the whole look and feel. Who said luxury came with a price tag? rydges.com/accommodation/regional-nsw/ atura-albury

BEAUTY FIX BALM Love, love, lurve this Beauty Fix Balm from Beauty Chef – a key traveller’s essential to keep your puckers from getting dry and flaky. It’s also great for dry skin patches such as knees and elbows and even puffy eyes. Flying regularly can dehydrate the skin, so this balm is the perfect antidote. Primed with key organic ingredients such as coconut, rosehip and camellia seed, your skin will love you forever. RRP $24.95 thebeautychef.com

CHISWICK at the Gallery Looking for somewhere to dine and get your culture fix? Check out The Art Gallery of NSW where you can peruse some of the city’s finest artworks then head over to Matt Moran’s latest culinary venture CHISWICK. With an abundance of sumptuous share platters such as Matt’s family slow-roast lamb, crispy skinned roasted chicken or grilled whole snapper, you can sit with friends and dig into fine food and wine while taking in the stunning views of the city. chiswickrestaurant.com.au/gallery

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AGRIBUSINESS

MINING

INVESTMENT

PLUS...

The latest news, information and innovations from the agricultural industry

Helpful insights and fascinating facts about the Australian mining and resource sector

Top tips from the experts on how to make the most of your hard-earned cash

Conference destinations Motoring review Must-have boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; toys Seasonal flavours

RegionalBusinessReview Issue 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2015

Farming

investments Sweetening the world we live in, the natural way

businessdestinations

ATTENDING A CONFERENCE OR EXPO IS A GREAT WAY TO DEVELOP YOUR NETWORK, LEARN ABOUT THE LATEST INNOVATIONS AND SLIP IN SOME WELL-EARNED DOWNTIME. HERE’S WHAT’S COMING UP THIS MONTH

RegionalBusinessReview

businessdestinations

MINING AUSTRALIA EXPO MAY 6–8 PERTH CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WA

celebrity chef Pete Evans. If you’re on a budget, the grand old Royal Perth Hotel on nearby Wellington Street has a range of well-appointed rooms with heritage flourishes and quirky architecture.

This is Western Australia’s premier trade event, bringing together the best of the mining and resource sector to showcase the latest products and innovations, discuss current industry issues and provide the opportunity to network with peers and deal directly with suppliers.

WHERE TO EAT: More than a

WHERE TO STAY: Being smack bang in the middle of the CBD, there are 15 hotels within a 5-minute walk from the convention centre. The nearby Fraser Suites offer a 5-star luxury home away from home, with well-equipped kitchens and room to relax. Although the kitchen may not get too much of a workout, as the on-site restaurant, Heirloom, has a healthy and yet flavoursome menu devised by Paleo champion and

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venue, Print Hall on St Georges Terrace is a four-storey bar and dining precinct. Comprising restaurant of the year Print Hall Bar and Dining Room as well as specialty baker and roaster Small Print, South East Asian street food joint The Apple Daily Bar and Eating House and to top it all off, Bob’s Bar – named after our beloved beer-swilling ex-Prime Minister Bob Hawke – sits on the rooftop with views out over the city lights.

WHERE TO PLAY: Just a quick hop over the river lie the supreme greens of the Royal Perth Golf Club. An old school institution, the club has been around since the 1800s and the all-important 19th hole has a lovely wide verandah where you

can bunker down for the afternoon. If golf’s not your thing, then another great way to unwind in sandgroper city is to take a cruise down the Swan River to the famous Swan Valley wine region for a bit of cellar door hopping. There are many tour operators happy to drive you around and let you enjoy a few vinos without risking a brush with a breathalyser. There’s a comprehensive list at swanvalley.com.au

Clockwise from top right: The Swan Valley is full of cellar doors; Fraser Suites luxury; swing a club at Perth’s famous Royal Perth Golf Club; Print Hall Bar and Dining is just one of the offerings in this party precinct.

businessdestinations

BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW MAY 14–17 BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, QLD The largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the Brisbane Truck Show attracts around 290 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees and is the premier event in Australia for the transport industry showcasing the latest in heavy vehicles, technology, engineering and innovation.

WHERE TO STAY: Offering a range of well-priced apartments and hotel rooms, the Mantra at South Bank is an easy walk from the Convention Centre. If you’re after a bit more luxury, head to the other side of the river for a wide choice of five-star options. The pick of the bunch is the Treasury Casino and Hotel, offering stylish heritage surrounds with all the modern facilities you would expect.

WHERE TO EAT: You’ll be right by the South Bank precinct, so head straight for what is possibly the only surf club in the CBD of an Australian capital city – South Bank Surf Club bar and restaurant. Sure the beach at South Bank is manmade, and there aren’t any waves, but the views are gorgeous and the atmosphere is suitably laid-back. Their oysters are plump, creamy and shucked to order. Grab yourself a dozen, or a half kilo of fresh king prawns, add a bottle of chilled vino and a spot on the deck, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect afternoon. WHERE TO PLAY: Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is a bar hopper’s paradise. Take a stroll down Ann Street and be rewarded every few metres with another new and interesting place to drop in for a couple. The Woolly Mammoth Alehouse is, as you’d expect, all about beer and is a good place to kick off proceedings. There are 23 taps pumping out the good stuff and for

the indecisive there are themed tasting paddles to narrow things down a bit. Next, take it up a notch at the steampunk-inspired Press Club with its dim lighting, cosy booths and burlesque every Sunday. Continue your wanderings and in the next block alone there are five more bars to tempt you into their dark depths, so pace yourself.

Clockwise from top left: The Woolly Mammoth is just one of many bars in Fortitude Valley; the Treasury is all about premium service and heritage flourishes.

RegionalBusinessReview

businessdestinations

The Palace Hotel on Argent Street: home to great steaks, comfortable rooms and a few queens of the desert.

RESOURCES INVESTMENT SYMPOSIUM MAY 24–27 BROKEN HILL, NSW Held annually, this symposium attracts many top level players from the mining and resource sector, as well as brokers and both private and institutional investors all keen to get some inside information. Speakers reveal breaking company news, critical industry issues and new developments to help guide investors in their decisions. There are plenty of opportunities for networking too, with a BBQ dinner, Australian Rock dinner and the hotly contested Outback Golf Challenge.

WHERE TO STAY: The Imperial Fine Accommodation is a gorgeous old heritage building with large suites, as well as a huge guest lounge and billiard room for unwinding at the end of the day. 6

RegionalBusinessReview

If you’re after a bit more space, the Red Earth Motel offers modern, spacious apartments with fully equipped kitchens. Fans of Priscilla Queen of the Desert should book a room at the Palace Hotel where the frocks-in-the-dust film was shot.

WHERE TO EAT: If you’re after something flash, then the aforementioned Palace Hotel is your best bet. Sure it’s just a pub, but there’s not much else going on in Broken Hill and they do it really well. Vegetarians should probably give it a miss, but everyone else should grab a steak knife and try their roasted rib eye on the bone that comes on a bed of crushed pan-fried garlic and rosemary new potatoes with honey-glazed baby carrots, caramelised garlic, shallot and parsley butter and shiraz jus. In a stroke of menu genius, they also offer the usual selection of steak sauces (pepper, mushroom, Diane etc) to accompany their hot chips for dipping deliciousness.

Cool off in the pool at The Imperial.

WHERE TO PLAY: The fishing fraternity head straight for the Menindee Lakes, a chain of freshwater lakes and rivers which, when full, hold three times the water of Sydney Harbour. There’s cod, carp and crayfish on offer for anyone keen to wet a line. Fans of Mad Max should head for the nearby town of Silverton where slightly obsessed Adrian Bennett has put together a huge collection of memorabilia and opened a museum. Loads of locals were involved in Mad Max 2 when it was filmed here, and they were more than happy to donate the cars, costumes, photos and associated props that were left behind and help create what must surely be one of the biggest collections of its kind in the world.

DON’T DON’T DON’TWASTE WASTE WASTE DON’T WASTE ANTIBIOTICS ANTIBIOTICS ANTIBIOTICSON ON ON ANTIBIOTICS ON COLDS OR FLU COLDS COLDS OR OR FLU FLU COLDS OR FLU

Join Join the the Join the fififi

� /NPSmedicinewise � /NPSmedicinewise � /NPSmedicinewise

businessdestinations

SMART SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS CONFERENCE AND EXPO MAY 26–27 MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, VIC Previously held in Sydney, this year the conference and expo move to Melbourne where organisers hope to attract around 4,500 new visitors by running concurrently with National Manufacturing Week.

WHERE TO STAY: For fivestar convenience, the Convention Centre is located right next door to Melbourne’s Hilton hotel at South Wharf right on the river’s edge. Also nearby is the Crown Towers complex that Luxury Travel Magazine named ‘Australia’s Best Hotel’ last year. It’s not hard to see why. From the vast indoor swimming pool and spa to the Crystal Club business centre with complimentary buffet breakfast to start the day right and drinks and canapés for a perfect finish, this place is all class. 8

RegionalBusinessReview

WHERE TO EAT: Not a pick-up joint, as its name suggests, The Meat Market is in fact all about serving perfect steaks straight from the grill that sits in an open kitchen right in the middle of this rustic, warehouse-style space. Fittingly the wine list has a red to white wine ratio of 2:1, with many available by the glass so you can start with a delicate Pinot before working your way up to a steakworthy Shiraz. Beer lovers should head straight for Matilda Bay Brewery’s The General Assembly, where every one of the brewer’s craft concoctions is available, along with seasonal special brews. The menu is the perfect match for the beers, with charcuterie boards, an assortment of bruschetta and a Spanish woodfired oven/grill hybrid churning out succulent and smoky steaks, fish and chicken.

WHERE TO PLAY: Just across Port Philip Bay from the Melbourne CBD is the Mornington Peninsula. Home to a staggering 18 golf courses, 50 cellar doors, as well as fishing charters, day spas and

10 different wine and food farm gate trails, there’s plenty in this Mediterranean-style string of seaside villages to keep everyone happy. In fact, it’s well worth considering taking a week off after the conference to really make the most of this special place. Plan your stay at visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Top left and right: Crown Towers’ riverside luxe. Above: Beer lovers should head straight for The General Assembly.

S U M M A R Y MINING AUSTRALIA EXPO MAY 6–8 PERTH CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WA BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW MAY 14–17 BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, QLD RESOURCES INVESTMENT SYMPOSIUM MAY 24–27 BROKEN HILL, NSW SMART SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS CONFERENCE AND EXPO MAY 26–27 MELBOURNE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, VIC

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TRAY CHIC WORDS: JAMES STANFORD

FORD HAS ANNOUNCED it will stop producing all Falcons in Australia at the end of next year and that will include the iconic Ute. Thankfully, it has introduced one last model, the FG X. On the upside, the Ute is being given a wide range of upgrades, but the bad news is that although Ford has reintroduced the rampaging XR8 sedan, there will be no XR8 Ute. Circle workers will still be able to buy the super slidey XR6 Turbo, so all is not lost on that front. The Ute is a big deal for Ford in Australia, partly because it came up with the first ever car-based ute back in 1933, while the first Falcon Ute appeared a year 10

RegionalBusinessReview

GET OUT YOUR GIANT MAN HANKIE, THIS IS THE LAST EVER FALCON UTE.

utereview

It is an absolute rocket. The engine has plenty of torque to start off with, but goes bananas when the big turbo gets going.

after the sedan was introduced in 1960. The new FG X model is largely the same as the existing model, but receives a new-look front end that mimics the new Mustang and Mondeo. Ford designers have come up with some cool W-shaped LED daytime running lights for the XR6 that lend it a more aggressive look. While the sedan has a new rear-end design, the back of the Ute has been left alone. In the cabin, new features include an eight-inch high-res touch screen, redesigned seats and trim and a fresh instrument cluster. There is also a new radio with dual antennas, capable of receiving digital radio stations.

The engines have been left untouched although base six-cylinder cars will receive a new gearbox. Choose between a base six-cylinder petrol, which creates 198kW, or the same engine running on LPG which offers a bit less power, but a little more torque. They are both good fun and have more than enough grunt to move the Ute along at a cracking pace, but it is the 270kW XR6 Turbo Ute that will have you thinking naughty thoughts. It is an absolute rocket. The engine has plenty of torque to start off with, but goes absolutely bananas when the big turbo gets going.

The Ute still has leaf springs at the back, which means it can become a bit unsteady out of corners when you step on the gas. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to push hard to get the Turbo Ute sideways in an instant. Of course, the stability control will stop things getting too crazy, but the sideways shenanigans are what performance utes are all about (in a controlled environment on a private road, of course). The Falcon Ute range runs from $29,390 for the base six-cylinder through to $39,810 for the red-hot XR6 Turbo. At that price, the Turbo Ute is an absolute bargain two-seat performance car with a very big boot. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss you, big fella.

RegionalBusinessReview

advertorial

A very wise choice Choosing Wisely Australia® is enabling clinicians, consumers and healthcare stakeholders to start important conversations about tests, treatments and procedures where evidence shows they provide no benefit and, in some cases, lead to harm.

The issue Choosing Wisely Australia is empowering consumers and health professionals to initiate frank discussions about what care is truly needed. Not all tests, treatments and procedures are in the consumer’s best interest. Unnecessary practices are a diversion from high quality care. They can lead to more frequent and invasive investigations that can expose consumers to undue risk of harm, emotional stress and financial cost. Many have become ingrained in the system. The right choice should be based on the best available evidence and discussion between the consumer and clinician. Choosing Wisely Australia is changing the culture, that ‘more is not always better’ when it comes to medical tests, treatments and procedures.

Health professionals Australia’s medical colleges and societies are leading the way. They are identifying those practices that warrant scrutiny, discussing best practice and drawing on the expert opinion of their members to make the sometimes difficult decisions about which practices should be avoided. Each organisation is developing a list of recommendations: ‘Tests, treatments and

Choosing Wisely is changing the culture, that ‘more is not always better’ when it comes to medical tests

procedures to question’. These recommendations and the evidence that supports them are being shared among the wider health community and more broadly, the general public.

Consumers Choosing Wisely Australia can only be effective if consumers are part of the conversation and are provided with the evidence they need to confidently ask questions about how best to limit their exposure to unnecessary and potentially harmful tests, treatments and procedures. It places consumers at the forefront of their health and increases their capacity to make informed decisions in partnership with their healthcare professionals in ways that cater for their own preferences and personal circumstances.

Community benefits While the focus of Choosing Wisely Australia is firmly on best practice and high quality care, there are clear benefits for the health system. Unnecessary practices represent a significant burden on the healthcare budget. Choosing Wisely Australia gives the medical community the platform it needs to take a leadership role in

the responsible management and fair distribution of finite healthcare resources. Wise stewardship of resources is a core tenet of medical professionalism. The initiative gives practitioners the opportunity to have greater control over how funding is allocated in keeping the healthcare system sustainable.

Partnerships Choosing Wisely Australia is a growing movement. To date, the following medical colleges and societies have committed to the campaign: • Australasian College of Emergency Medicine • Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy • The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners • The Royal Australasian College of Physicians • The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists • The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia To find out more or become involved:  choosingwisely.org.au  twitter.com/ChooseWiselyAu  choosingwisely@nps.org.au

agribusiness

We bring you the latest news, innovations and opinions as Aussie agribusiness transitions from the mining boom to the dining boom.

agribusiness

Agriculture

– time to invest?

THE NEXT FEW YEARS SEES A TRANSFORMATION OF THIS SECTOR. REGIONAL BUSINESS EXAMINES THE LANDSCAPE. WORDS: BALDEEP S. GILL

RegionalBusinessReview

agribusiness

AUSTRALIAN agribusiness has not yet received the level of attention it deserves from investors, but the next few years will see a transformation of this sector with individuals, corporates and fund managers seeking to build positions for the long-term. To understand why, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s examine the landscape.

Consumer demand is growing Between now and 2050 the World Bank has indicated that the global

population will grow to 9 billion, 70 per cent of which will be in the Asia Pacific region, Middle East and Africa. There will also be an increase in affluence as GDP per person grows creating a greater demand for higher protein foods, such as meat, grain and dairy. Australia is the largest net exporter of agricultural produce in geographic proximity to Asia, and as such is already recognised as a source of high quality and diseasefree product. The consumer demand is there.

Australia is the largest net exporter of agricultural produce in geographic proximity to Asia

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act: Sav v y i n looki vesto areas ng for ne rs are wg now boom that th rowth em h agric as ended ining ultur , and the s e is unde potli ght. r

RegionalBusinessReview

*AITA Statistics Ytd December 2014. #Source: Logistik Magazine 2014. *AITA Statistics Ytd December 2014. #Source: Logistik Magazine 2014.

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agribusiness

Business conditions are turning The receding dollar, favourable environmental conditions and falling interest rates have made Australian produce and producers considerably more attractive. Food security is becoming more important and investors are factoring this into their decision about where to place capital. Australian agriculture is also benefiting from the end of the mining boom as investors look to new growth areas with longer-term demand in mind.

Our industry is heavily skewed The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences indicates that there are around 120,000 farming enterprises in Australia, generating approximately $50 billion of turnover per annum. Analysis by business intelligence specialists Neil Clark suggests that 8 per cent of enterprises generate 50 per cent of turnover and 75 per cent of industry profits. The future of Australian agriculture relies on industry leaders. At the farm gate level there are leaders in each industry: • Beef industry leaders include the Australian Agricultural Company, Consolidated Pastoral, S. Kidman & Co and Stanbroke Pastoral. • Grains industry leaders include the Nicoletti Group and the Greentree family. • The dairy industry is led by the Van Diemens Land Company • Mixed farming is dominated by the Hassad corporation with assets across Australia.

• The horticulture industry includes leaders such as Select Harvest and Costa Group. • Aquaculture includes leaders such as Tassal and Huon Aquaculture. Beyond the farm gate there are also leading industry participants: • Rural services providers include Ruralco, Elders and Landmark. • Logistics providers include GrainCorp, CBH and Qube Holdings. • Dairy processors include Fonterra, Murray Goulburn and Norco. • Chemical companies include Nufarm, Incitec Pivot, Hi-Fert and IMPACT! • Animal health providers include Bayer, Novartis and Pfizer.

Investing in these assets Many agriculture assets are privately held and unlikely to be available for public investment. However, there are a large number of existing – or soon to be listed – agribusiness companies either at the farm gate, or beyond the farm gate, which are open for investment. While each investor should consult a qualified financial adviser for personalised advice, the following observations may be worth considering: Broadacre enterprises in grain and beef are aiming to meet the needs of the emerging middle class in developing markets by developing closer links with purchasers – rather than relying on intermediaries that take a slice of the margin.

RegionalBusinessReview

specialreport

Fast f

act: Just 8 % of A farm s ge ustralia of th nerate 5 n e 0 turno industry % ’s ver, a nd 7 of its profi 5% t.

Dairy farms and processors are emerging as a significant growth play in Australia as they look to capture as much of the value chain as possible. concentrating on the upper end of the market for demand in powdered, UHT and fresh milk. Horticulture offers significant prospects with current and newly listed players seeking to build vertically integrated businesses across production, processing, storage and distribution. As with the mining boom, services companies in logistics, chemicals, rural services and processing businesses offer an alternative investment strategy, which may align with the risk appetite of investors who prefer not to invest directly in farm gate assets.

Investment requirements At present, agriculture does not receive sufficient attention from the investment community. The Australian Stock Exchange has indices for the health, telecommunications and utilities

RegionalBusinessReview

Dairy farms and processors are emerging as a significant growth play in Australia as they look to capture as much of the value chain as possible.

service with which to gain prospective new business. Fund managers and corporate investors may have the benefit of inhouse analysts to guide their decision, but private investors may struggle to benchmark the opportunities in a meaningful way. There are a number of specialist agri-investment advisors across Australia. However, given the complexity of this sector, it is essential to find an advisor that understands your risk profile – not just agri, but where in agri and why.

Conclusion sectors, but nothing for agriculture. It is essential that an Agri Index be developed as a means of tracking and benchmarking participants, as well as supporting index-based investments. Most brokers do not dedicate sufficient analytical resources to analysing, understanding and making recommendations in this sector. Brokers may find this capability a

Australia is not yet ‘in a dining boom’, but we are certainly preparing the ingredients and laying the table. Be sure to reserve your seat. Baldeep S. Gill is an independent strategic consultant with over 25 years of experience working with agribusiness companies in domestic and international markets.

Your home. Our backyard. We understand that selling any home is always a big step. At Raine & Horne we build our business on understanding who you are and the passion and enthusiasm you have for where you live. We believe in working together in an integrated, consistent and smart way to get the best results. From start… to sold. You can be sure that Raine & Horne has the energy to move your place. Fast. We’ve been helping Australians for over 130-years. Now we’d like to help you. So visit rh.com.au to find your nearest agent, search properties and find useful and up-to-date information that will help you make the right decision.

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THE POWDER KEG Potts Point, Sydney

FLAVOURS FROM NEW HAPPENINGS TO FAB PRODUCE, WE UNEARTH THE LATEST TABLETOP TREATS. GOTTA-GET-IT GADGET BYO lunchers rejoice! When it comes to leftovers, this little beauty from Lifefactory has it all covered. Throw out your plastic containers, ditch the microwave-safe bowls and oven-proof dishes and lose your lunchbox. From the freezer to the oven or the microwave, the tempered glass container can take it all. And it even looks good enough to eat from, provided you can find a fork anywhere in the office kitchen. Stockists: until.com.au/stockists, (02) 9119 8700. rrp $33.95.

If your idea of a good night out is sipping on G&Ts the size of your head while surrounded by the pomp of old England, then head straight to Sydney ’s newest gin palace, The Powder Keg, in Pot ts Point. Mix ologist of the moment Grant Collins has put a modern twis t on the traditional tipple by pairing gin (the bar has over 90 from all par ts of the globe) and tonic (your choice of five ) with lavish concoctions like a caramelised passion fruit whe el, fresh lime and bee pollen. The gin-averse have plenty to keep them happy too, with a lengthy wine and cocktail list to plough through. The food also pairs the modern and trad itional, taking old English fare like Cumberland sausages, Scotch eggs and smoked mackerel and giving them a 21st century makeover. Head chef Elijah Holland makes goo d use of the Keg’s smoker with chicken and mussels to die for, but for us the winning dish (which we have obsesse d about ever since) is the Duc k Schnitzel Lollipop. If you are a quartet, there’s really only one thing to order; the bar’s signatu re cocktail The Powder Keg. Smokin’! thepowderkeg.com.a u

Masterclass Perched high on a hill looking out over the Central New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga, the high tech, purpose-built cooking school Food I Am attracts high calibre chefs from all over Australia to teach and inspire. The lucky few who book in for the May 8 session will get to rub shoulders with the Spanish maestro from Melbourne’s Movida, Frank Comorra. Check out the full schedule at foodiam.com.au

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f lavours

Crafty Brews Single Origin Beer Australia’s love affair with cider shows no signs of abating. Try Rekorderlig’s new Dry Apple. rekorderlig.com.au

Home made

Cookbook collaborator and former journalist David Dale previously brought us his tales of how Italian cooking charmed the world. Now he has his sights and his tastebuds firmly set on Turkey. “Turkish is going to be the next international phenomenon,” he enthuses, “and Somer the next Ottolenghi.” Together with Istanbul-born, but now Sydney-based chef Somer Sivrioglu, Dale has produced a comprehensive guide to Turkish cuisine that focusses on fresh, simple dishes that evoke regional authenticity. Anatolia is out now through Murdoch books, RRP $79.99.

Destination: Flavour

Grampians Grape Escape, May 2–3 Noosa Int’l Food and Wine Festival, May 14–17

FRESH PICKINGS

This month we’re loving: figs Figs are just gorgeous fresh, and make a great addition to salads and cheese platters, but where they really shine is in their ability to make simple but impressive desserts. Stir lemon zest through mascarpone and dollop onto fresh fig halves, drizzle with honey and you’re done!

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As he gazed out across golden barley fields from a country pub in Germany, beer purist and pilgrim Stuart Whytcross was reminded of his home in Barellan, New South Wales. Suddenly it all became clear – he would return home and devise a way to produce exceptional beer from his Dad’s prize barley fields and find another local to malt the barley, thus giving the town its own single origin beer. “Beer doesn’t tend to have the origin base story like wine does, but with Barellan being a strong maltproducing region, it’s the perfect fit for the town to have its own beer,” Stuart says. In true community spirit, crowdfunding and donations by locals got the project off the ground and all profits from the Barellan Beer Co. Golden Grain Ale will go directly back into the community. Stuart has allowed supporters to be involved every step of the way – from choosing the brew, the label and even the name. To taste it on tap, you’ll have to venture out to The Commercial Hotel in Barellan, but thankfully there’s also a bottled version for the city slickers. facebook.com/barellanbeer

FARMERS’ MARKET

Adelaide Farmers’ Market Wayville, SA From humble beginnings in 2006, to becoming South Australia’s biggest farmers’ market that now regularly attracts over 5,000 locals and tourists every Sunday, the Adelaide Farmers’ Market is a showcase of the state’s best produce. Every region is represented here, and shoppers can choose from the best seafood from the Eyre Peninsula, free-range meats from the Barossa and artisan cheeses from the Hills. Lucky locals! WHERE: Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville WHEN: Sundays, 9am–1pm

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news+views QUEENSLAND REINSTATES URANIUM MINING BAN A recent decision by the Palaszczuk government to ban uranium mining in Queensland has taken the industry by surprise and threatened to negatively impact investors. After just a few years of open uranium mining – following a thirty-year period of prohibition – minister for natural resources and mines Anthony Lynham announced that although mining would no longer be allowed, exploration would be permissible. According to Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche, the ban on uranium mining would result in the loss of nearly $6 billion worth of recoverable uranium. The QRC continues to urge government officials to reconsider the decision, with Roche stating that it is “very hard to have an on-again off-again situation for our would-be uranium miners in Queensland.” The state’s ban goes against both Southern and Western Australia’s support for uranium mining and the Queensland government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities has now come into question following its decision to reinstate the ban.

SOUTH32: IS THE PROFIT WORTH THE COST? The creation of BHP Billiton’s new company South32 is set to cost the industry power player US$738 billion, but BHP has assured shareholders that the demerger will be advantageous. South32 will be comprised of BHP’s Illawarra and South African coal mines, along with several of its aluminum, nickel, silver, manganese, lead and zinc operations. This allows BHP to focus on its ‘five pillars’: iron ore, copper, coal, potash and oil. Shareholders are set to receive one South32 share for every BHP share and ideally will experience a return of 40 per cent of underlying earnings in the form of dividends. BHP Billiton chairman Jacques Nasser claims that South32 “will have the opportunity to pursue growth and investment opportunities that may not otherwise be pursued if its assets remain within BHP Billiton.” Despite the high cost of the demerger, BHP predicts that this deal will save it approximately US$100 million per year.

BHP BILLITON: NUMBER ONE AUSTRALIAN COMPANY IBISWorld has again named BHP Billiton the largest company in Australia in its latest Top 1000 Companies report

which ranks the country’s largest firms by revenue. BHP ranked number one, recording approximately $73 billion of revenue. Other major mining companies included in the report were Rio Tinto (4th), Glencore (13th), and Fortescue (27th).

MINING ETFS Purchasing a mining ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) like iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers allows you to reap the benefits of success of the country’s “global titans of the mining sector,” namely those of BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Glencore which account for one third of the ETF’s weightings. The success of such an ETF depends on metal supply and demand: a global demand for infrastructure or automobiles works in favour of the mining industry, while an oversupply or lack of demand results in lowered stocks. The continued global demand for metal – particularly from China – is expected to positively affect the industry rather than hinder its success. Based on current trends it is anticipated that “the up-cycle will return.”

KICK IT INTO GEAR Rio Tinto’s daring automated initiative to cut production costs will be put into action in 2015.

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It’s a day like any other at Rio Tinto’s Pilbara region mining sites as vehicles loaded with iron ore travel the 300km distance to Dampier Port. However, that scene is likely to change with the introduction of new industrial remote control technology. If all goes according to plan, Rio will soon be introducing unmanned trains to its sites that will transport mined ore to port. The driver will be up to 1,500km away running the operation remotely from Perth. Currently the leader in automated mining production, this move towards an unmanned train is only part of Rio’s ‘Mine of the Future’ project which has been in the works since 2008. This innovative change in transportation will have the desired effect of cutting costs, but more importantly for the mining giant, it will also change the roles of its workers –

it hopes – for the better. Dr. Brian Fisher, managing director of BAEconomics and co-author of a 2012 mining automation study for Rio Tinto has conducted thorough research on the issue. “The goal is to take costs out of the system. But it is not about cutting labour costs — that is a minor part,” Dr. Fisher told The Australian. “It is more about making better use of a company’s capital equipment.” In other words, the unmanned trains would allow workers to focus on more comprehensive work instead of the monotony of transportation. Other companies that are working to achieve similar automated success include BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group, but Rio already boasts the largest use of unmanned vehicles in the world already operating 53 trucks with a 320 tonne capacity. Even so, the company has plans

to nearly triple that number by the end of this year. While the move towards increased automation does have the attractive benefits of cutting costs and putting miners to work on other tasks, the biggest issue Pilbara train and truck drivers have been facing, and will continue to face, is the potential loss of work that comes alongside this hightech upgrade. Even amidst Rio’s increased automation, Dr. Fisher still emphasises a need for drivers on mining sites. “Some things are harder to automate,” he told The Australian. “For example, driving the big front-end loaders that load a haul truck in a pit is still best done by a person.” Thus, while some areas of Rio’s operations have potential for automation, in doing so it can allow for our human workforce to be utilised efficiently elsewhere.

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NASA SMARTS GOES UNDERGROUND

Gut-wrenching slow-motion – an underground mine worker walks towards a blind-corner; an LHD bears down, head-on, flesh and machinery collide. A terrifying picture for every mine man or woman, management or operator, but one too common in Australian mines. Though our safety standards are the world’s toughest, we saw a spike in fatalities to 17 workers Australia-wide in 2013/14 largely due to unnecessary accident, a poignant reminder our mine workers face hazards every day of their working lives. A new electronics system, operating in hard rock and now under trial in Australian coal mines, is already saving lives. It detects converging man and equipment; plus equipment and equipment; even equipmentapproaching infrastructure, using a low frequency magnetic field. Used in all mining operations, the magnetic field provides for safe, nonvisual detection in the high-risk zone

RegionalBusinessReview

“the magnetic field provides for safe, non-visual detection in the high-risk zone from zero metres to 35 metres from the equipment.” from zero metres to 35 metres from the equipment. It instantly sets off warning alarms for both worker and machine operator and even shuts down machine operation. Worker alarms are as close as belts and hard hats. The Hazard Avert system was developed in the USA by STRATA Worldwide – using NASA low frequency

electronic field technology used as part of the space program. The system is deployed in over 100 mines in the USA, South Africa, and now Australia. Now modified and fully-approved for the rigorous safety standards of Australian mines, the system is suited to underground and surface coal and hard rock mining.

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BUILDING THE NEXT BOOM…

ince early 2010, South East Queensland has seen significant growth in the construction of liquefied natural gas export infrastructure. The Queensland Curtis LNG Project comprises 540km of buried underground pipeline, linking Queensland’s gas fields to the liquefied natural gas plant located on Curtis Island, near Gladstone. The project has involved investments of over $21 Billion and is underpinned by massive export sales agreements which will contribute up to $32 Billion to Queensland’s Gross State Product in the decade to 2021. This Greenfield project has allowed Australian companies in resource and infrastructure construction to establish themselves as world players in their areas of expertise by applying their own unique methodologies to large scale, world-first projects. One such company is EPS Group Australia, a highly specialised, industry leading electrical contracting company.

Precision under pressure From the outset of construction, EPS Group Australia have worked on some of the most complex and vital elements in readying the QCLNG project for export operations. A prime example is the company’s provision of High Voltage Testing, Commissioning, Completions and Hazardous Area Inspections on key FCS’s,

“EPS GROUP AUSTRALIA has maintained its principals of being highly responsive and adaptable, aligned with the philosophy that it treats each project as its only project” CPP’s, well heads and substations. The nature of these works requires precision under pressure, at a stage of the project where key milestones are crucial to wider project success. Throughout the project Director Paul Buckley explains “EPS group Australia has maintained its core principles of being a highly responsive and adaptable company aligned with the philosophy that it treats each project as its only project“.

Methodology There are a number of key differentiators to EPS Group Australia’s approach in the High Voltage Testing and Hazardous Area Inspections offering. The first is to deploy self-sufficient teams which can work independently, rather than individual testing specialists. The specialised teams which were involved with the QCLNG upstream projects, included Project Managers and Superintendents to oversee operations, as well as specialist engineers, technicians and inspectors. The second is that EPS endeavours to keep our specialist teams together from project to project allowing them to gel and cultivate a productive and prosperous working environment, just as a

premiership winning sporting team would. This is particularly advantageous in the FIFO “back-to-back” environment. EPS Group Australia also sees the benefits when the client packages the handover of the commissioning and completions component of the project to a specialist and independent team, from a Quality Assurance, single point accountability and project familiarity point of view. The results of this approach speak for themselves…

Breeding Success On a project valued at over $30 Million, EPS delivered in excess of 170,000 man hours LTI Free (Loss Time Injury), completed on time and on budget. EPS’ client on the QCLNG Project has commented that EPS continually delivered top grade work and provided a positive and lasting contribution to the project as a whole. To speak to EPS Group Australia about your project call 1300 EPS GROUP today or visit www.epsgroupaustralia.com.au.

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RegionalBusinessReview

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Mine of the future more like a factory COMMODITY PRICES SEEM TO EDGE LOWER EVERY DAY WITH MINING COMPANIES PUTTING NEW PROJECTS ON HOLD AND INSTEAD LOOKING AT THE PROFITABILITY OF EXISTING OPERATIONS. WORDS: DARREN BAGULEY

RegionalBusinessReview

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“The reason for the industry’s current problems is historical.”

RegionalBusinessReview

WHILE SOME companies are following the traditional path of responding to a downturn by cutting staff and shuttering mines, others are looking to technology to make their operations leaner and meaner. Innovative companies are also looking to do the same with new projects, whether they’ve been in the pipeline for years or are only just starting the process. Much of the reason for the industry’s current problems is historical, noted BHP Billiton ceo, Andrew Mackenzie, in a June 2013 speech to the Melbourne Mining Club. “Mining was such a low growth business for much of the 20th century, so we were caught off guard by the pace of China’s early 21st century urbanisation and industrialisation. Demand was met in part by higher cost – much higher cost – operations. And many invested poorly to the detriment of their

owners. Finding five dollars of savings per metric tonne did not seem as pressing when prices were skyrocketing. But it really matters now.” This view was echoed in a report by global management consulting firm, Deloittes. In ‘Tracking the Trends 2013’, Deloitte noted that as the easy-to-mine deposits are gone or nearing the end of their lives, mining companies are being forced to go further afield into more remote areas. This is resulting in operating costs becoming unsustainably high, with an urgent need for companies to invest in costreducing technologies, improve operational efficiencies and pro-actively control maintenance costs. Doing this effectively would require a level of analytical capability that most mining companies don’t actually possess, the Deloitte report stated.

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The cost reduction and operational efficiency the Deloitte report refers to involves the deployment of a range of technologies, some of which are already in certain Australian mines. Inside Mining readers will be familiar with some of the cutting-edge technologies being deployed such as Rio Tinto’s driverless trains, driverless ore trucks and, in this issue, there’s a story on driverless drill rigs. Other measures include aiming for close to real-time production management, which in an underground mining environment involves using cutting-edge technology – such as off-the-shelf Wi-Fi networks and wireless RFID tagging – for vehicle and personnel tracking. In an open cut environment it may include the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones for tasks such as monitoring stockpiles (see Inside Mining, Issue 16). Underground and open cut mines

RegionalBusinessReview

are both utilising software systems for design, mapping, modelling, estimation, scheduling and mine production management reporting tools. Three dimensional simulations are also vital for identifying weak points and bottlenecks which may not be apparent on a two dimensional map. While business management tools make for greatly improved decision-making, Dassault Systèmes GEOVIA vice president Australia, Ben Farquharson, makes the point that it is easier to get it right in the first place rather than trying to fix things up later in the piece. “For example, not understanding the geology accurately enough and building a whole plan and schedule and making decisions based on [poor information] ends up with a troubled environment and companies end up spending a lot more trying to fix the problems downstream.

“Three dimensional simulations are vital for identifying weak points.” Fast fact: On average the cost of production for Australian iron ore is $72 a tonne.

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Fast fact: Through technology and operational improvements, Canadian mining company Dundee Precious Metals, was able to quadruple production from 500,000 tonnes per year to nearly two million – while achieving a 44 per cent improvement in unit cost at its Chelopech mine in Bulgaria.

“The key is strategic planning early on, reviewing plans constantly and also measuring and monitoring the plan. GEOVIA has technology that allows mining companies to really measure their production environment and whether they’re on or off plan and where it all meets up you can evaluate on an ongoing basis and kind of closes the loop of mine planning value chain. “Nevertheless, it’s still really important to get the basics such as the geology right. If an operator overestimates the grade of ore by 20 per cent, then they get out there and start blasting our benches, loading trucks and building stockpile before realising they’re not getting the grade they expected, it can lead to a 20 per cent drop in net return on the investment.” Nevertheless, modern product

management systems – which owe more to the manufacturing industry than the traditional mining industry – can lead to savings of up to 10to 15 per cent. “These sorts of systems help companies manage the entire ore body from when it’s dug out and if they can save 1 to 5 per cent still worth it, but 10 to 15 per cent is quite achievable,” says Farquharson. “The focus is now, and has to be, on cost control... software technology such as our GEOVIA and DELMIA products can enable that. But it’s not just the software, it’s also the processes that go with the software which allow producers to get a handle on their production environment and understand where they are leaking in terms of business waste. Those procedures and processes that are inefficient are a waste of money and people’s time.”

“The key is strategic planning early on, reviewing plans and monitoring the plan.”

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PYBAR increases raise bore capability with purchase of new rig nderground mining contractor PYBAR Mining Services is further strengthening its raise bore capability in shaft construction with the acquisition of one of the most powerful raise bore rigs in the market – the Herrenknecht RBR600-VF. PYBAR is the third largest underground mining contractor in Australia with strengths in the eastern states and growth targets in the west. This acquisition places PYBAR in the top two underground miners in the country to have this level of raise bore capability, enabling it to service the largest underground mines. The majority of raise bore rigs in Australia have a maximum diameter potential of 6 metres or less. The RBR600-VF has the capacity to construct shafts up to 8m in diameter and 1,200m in length, making it one of only two large diameter Raisebore rigs in Australia with a capacity greater than 6m in diameter. Drilling shafts of this size requires rigs with high torque and high thrust forces. The RBR600-VF, developed by German rig manufacturer Herrenknecht, delivers this with a thrust force of 10,000 kN, or sufficient capacity to lift a 1,000 tonne weight under the rig. Due to its variable frequency drive, the rig is also one of the most efficient on the market. Whether utilising mains power or generators, its power consumption will be half of that of an equivalent capacity machine with hydraulic drive, potentially saving clients thousands of dollars on power bills. With its track mounted mobile and compact design, the RBR600-VF offers 40

RegionalBusinessReview

flexibility even in confined spaces and is therefore suitable for a variety of applications in the mining industry, minimizing the investment required in access roads and underground chambers. It can be used to create shafts for ventilation, access and haulage, as well as pressure shafts for hydropower plants. The rig can be mobilised by conventional load road transport (quad axle float) or overseas by ship in standard sea containers. With the industry increasingly seeking non-entry mining solutions, reaming shafts with the RBR600-VF is safer, less labour intensive and, depending

on the application, more cost effective than conventional shaft sinking. PYBAR CEO Paul Rouse said: “There are very few contractors with this level of rig capability. It means we can service the largest underground mining projects in Australia with a full suite of services available. “We’re building a solid reputation in the market for exceeding productivity targets and this latest investment will ensure we continue to add value to our clients and out-perform on concerning project schedules.” For more info visit: pybar.com.au

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miningreview

Rigging the future? Drilling and blasting may be old technology as far as industrialised mining is concerned but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as high-tech as anything else. WORDS: DARREN BAGULEY

miningreview

rilling and blasting are dangerous evolutions for the operators and drill rigs are expensive pieces of kit operated by highly-skilled crews. Not surprisingly, the main drivers for new drill and blast technology in the last few years have been safety and costsaving, both in terms of automation and fuel efficiency. With commodity prices low, however, producers are looking to sweat their assets by maximising the metres of hole drilled per shift and per maintenance period. “There is currently a major focus on costs throughout the industry trying to get more out of existing assets. More drilled metres per shift, is the biggest focus,” says Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions business line manager, Dustin Penn. “Producers are looking closely at metrics such as time between services, overall utilisation, metres per operating shift. There is not a lot of capital to go around the industry at the moment and one of the ways producers try to reduce their costs is to sweat their assets.” One of the ways that drill rig manufacturers are enabling producers to do this is through automation. “It’s all about consistent performance,” says Penn. “Factors like weight on the bit, optimal rotation speed, and maximising the drill bit cutting engagement into the rock to try and maximise what that drill can put out in a given shift.” Many of the newer drills that Atlas Copco has brought to market over the past few years are already set up with the company’s base technology, which gives an ability to upgrade with additional features, according to Penn. “Producers are moving from expansion to production mode and they’re upgrading to the automated features to try and get the most out of that asset.”

For mining companies, one of the most obvious drivers of automation is labour costs. Large sites that have five or six drill rigs, each with their own crew, can have 50 or so people per shift out drilling blast holes. Especially when these crews are FIFO, it gets expensive. With automation there can simply be one supervisor per machine with most of the production activity – trimming up, positioning over the hole, drilling the hole, etc – handled by the rig and its software. The remote-controller or supervisor is available to handle the exceptions, with the result being that the rig can achieve more hours drilling than with a machine where everything is done manually instead. Usually following a pre-programmed drill plan, the rigs use a combination of GPS, onboard sensors and a range of different linked computers on the machine in order to position themselves accurately. In most cases operators are onboard the machine, but Penn says some Atlas Copco customers are working on scenarios where the machine is completely remote and autonomous. “It’s effectively a robot drill rig,” says Penn.

“The rigs use a combination of GPS, onboard sensors and a range of different linked computers on the machine in order to position themselves accurately.”

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Atlas Copco’s latest rig control system (RCS5).

While cost reduction is a major factor, with Atlas Copco witnessing customers getting returns on investment (ROI) measured in months, safety has also been a major driver behind drill rig automation. The operator can ride the rig up to the rock face or bench that needs to be drilled, let it do its setup procedure and vacate the machine while it drills the blast pattern. Because the operator is nowhere near the rig while it’s drilling, in the event of a rock fall or even something major like a cave-in, the operator is a safe distance away from the machine. The automated machines have light boards and audible alarms which can be programmed and customised to fit with company OH&S standard operating procedures (SOPs). Penn explains that alongside the labour savings and safety elements, operators of the automated machines are finding they’re getting greater consistency and that the human operators are actually improving their skills by seeing what the machine is doing. “The advantage for shift and mine managers is that they know the machine will get so many metres drilled per shift and they can plan for that,” says Penn. “By contrast, human operators vary. Good

operators have bad days and some are just better than others.” Fuel efficiency has been another driver over the past few years and drill rig manufacturers have employed some clever engineering to do this. Normally, when not drilling, compressors are still on standby – which is a load on the drill rig’s engine. “By putting a ‘smart’ clutch between the engine and compressor which disengages when the rig is on standby, small rigs are reducing fuel usage by 60 to 70 per cent and big rigs by 30 per cent,” reveals Penn. The advance of drill rig technology is also feeding into blast technology. The new generation of automated drill rigs are able to gather data from the drill holes as they’re being drilled. Atlas Copco’s rigs are capable of wirelessly transmitting the data to a central server while other manufacturers transfer via USB. That data is then uploaded to blasting design software allowing drill and blast designers to use a range of different densities, explosive materials and delays in the pattern – all tied together by the blasting software. Other sensors measure the effectiveness of the blast, which is also uploaded to the blasting design software.

“Drill rig technology is also feeding into blast technology. The new generation of automated drill rigs are able to gather data from the drill holes as they’re being drilled.”

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snapshot

snapshot BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia.

Image courtesy of BHP Billiton

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Top tips from the experts on how to make the most of your hard-earned cash

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My Journey into Trading for a Living

have had the privilege of having a life time association with mining in WA. My initial attraction was by invitation from my employer and I have only temporarily deviated from that career path over the years. I have watched the iron ore and gold industry grow from its infancy to what it is today. I recall when the America’s Cup winner Alan Bond who along with his team had the foresight to convert the various mines on the Golden Mile into the giant ‘super pit it is today. Gold has been mined along the strip for over 100 years now. Similarly I was involved with the infancy of the great iron ore mines we have in WA. My connection has always been via mining construction and mining expansion. Once I became involved I guess the might and size of the various projects has always held my attention. Over the years I have had the great fortune of working on both underground and open cut mines in the gold and iron ore industry. Mining has always been a tough ‘mistress’ for myself and colleagues. In my early days I had several months away from my growing family and friends working on site. These days it is still a challenge. Many mining construction swings are either one month or three weeks on site and one week off. But irrespective of the time away from family the industry has always provided me with a great and fulfilling income and life style down through the years. I have had a long association with trading. I my infancy as a trader myself and colleagues bought and sold what were known as penny mining resource stocks. Some went well and other not so good. It was

all manual research and phone calls to the broker to get trades on and closed. Incidentally there was no apps as ‘stop loss’ orders in my portfolio. Hedging was a little known skill as well. My introduction to FX and Learn to Trade started about two years ago. My trading journey with LTT has been amazing. The trading education I have participated in has been very enlightening and always encouraging. The LTT team does not cease to provide outstanding support and encouragement. At this stage of my trading career I have learned as much about myself as trading. There is an abundance of trading techniques available to suit both the long term trader and the short term traders. Trading electronically is definitely ‘an art’ not a science and each of us has to decide where we fit. I am still on that journey. Speaking for myself I have had some great trading successes and can certainly see a way forward that I will be able to live comfortably trading for a living. Time for me to surrender my mine site commitments. LTT still provide me ongoing support and encouragement after all this time. My trading journey continues. Enjoy the journey, Colin McGill

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1800 720 964 learntotrade.com.au/fx/?gid=insidemining Learn to Trade Pty Ltd (ACN:138178542, AFSL:339557) provides general information and educational content only. This is not personal advice and no individual needs or circumstances have been considered, nor is this an offer to buy/sell financial products. Financial products are complex and entail risk of loss. You should always obtain professional advice to ensure trading or investing in such products is suitable for your circumstances. Ensure you obtain, read and understand any applicable offer document.

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A TIDY SUM

OF SUPER THE WORD SUPERANNUATION NEVER FAILS TO ELICIT ANXIETY, DREAD AND UTTER BAFFLEMENT. WE SPEAK WITH INDEPENDENT ADVISOR SIMON WOTHERSPOON WHO DEMONSTRATES THAT KNOWLEDGE REALLY IS POWER, AND GIVES US THE TOOLS TO BEGIN INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE. WORDS: RILEY PALMER

Managing our superannuation is something we tend to put off for that elusive rainy day all the while knowing – and ignoring – that we’re potentially stabbing our future selves in the back. Sound familiar? Fear not. Independent private wealth advisor and joint director of Adelaide-based financial advisory Wotherspoon Wealth, Simon Wotherspoon, is here to save future-you from present-you. Taking us back to basics, Simon sheds light on some of the fundamental superannuation dos and don’ts, and gives us a starting point from which to approach that rainy day. Q: What is superannuation, and how do different funds operate? A: Superannuation is simply a taxtreatment around investments intended to provide for retirement. There are many different ways to access this tax environment. While industry funds and retail funds offer a package comprised of the tax structure, administration and investment service, self-managed super funds (SMSFs) allow an investor to take control and separate out the administration and tax from the investment functions. Q: What are the benefits of SMSFs? 1. Control and greater flexibility: As trustees, SMSF members can

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choose where to invest their retirement savings – from listed shares, term deposits, cash management accounts and bonds, to listed investment companies, exchange-traded funds and even direct property. 2. Fees: Often the administration fees are fixed for a SMSF so they become cost effective for higher super balances (>$400k). Usually retail and industry funds have administration fees based on a percentage of funds under management. 3. Insurance: SMSFs can hold personal risk insurance in the fund and can be tax-deductible to the fund. 4. Estate planning: Superannuation does not usually form part of a person’s will, but as the trustee of your own fund, you have more control over who receives your ultimate benefit. 5. Borrowing and direct property investment: In 2007, the superannuation rules changed to allow people to borrow through their SMSF for investment purposes (this is currently being reviewed).

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Q: How can individuals maximise their superannuation as an investment? A: Though retirement may be some time off yet, it’s likely that super will end up being your largest asset, so being in control and understanding it is vital. Talk to a professional adviser, and establish a plan that you can work towards over time. Also, ensure your superannuation is consolidated – by having more than one fund you are being charged multiple administration fees. Q: What should people early on in their careers know about superannuation? A: Super doesn’t only have to be a saving account for your retirement. While you typically can’t draw on your superannuation until you reach your preservation age (between 55 and 60, depending on your birth date) and permanently retire, or reach age 65, it can have many benefits in the interim – especially tax benefits. And if you’re managing a SMSF you can invest with almost as much freedom as investing outside of super. Q: Explain what contribution caps are. A: There are two types of contribution caps: concessional (pre-tax) and nonconcessional (post-tax). Typically, concessional contributions are employer contributions and salary-sacrifice contributions from pre-tax salary, and are taxed at 15 per cent on their way into the fund. The concessional contribution cap is currently $30,000 for individuals below age 49 and $35,000 for those age 49 and over (as of 30th June 2014). If you earn in excess of $18,200 p.a. and have spare cash flow to contribute to superannuation, you may gain a net tax benefit by salary sacrificing to superannuation. Non-concessional contributions are made with funds that have already had income tax levied. There is therefore no super contributions tax payable on these types of contributions as they enter the fund. The non-concessional contribution cap is currently $180,000 p.a. or, if brought forward over three years, $540,000.

Simon’s top five tips for choosing a super fund 1. Decide how much control you’d like to have over the investment of your super. 2. Consider whether or not you want the additional responsibilities that come with being a trustee of your SMSF. 3. Make sure you know what fees are involved when choosing a fund. Consider the scale of superannuation monies you have now and expect to have in the near future.

Q: What superannuation tips can you provide for people earning large quantities of income in short periods of time (eg. miners)? A: As you get closer to retirement, making extra salary sacrifice contributions up to the concessional contributions cap can offer disciplined savings, while reducing your personal income tax. Another consideration is making additional nonconcessional contributions – however, once the money goes into your super, there are strict rules about drawing the funds back out.

4. Compare the performance of funds you wish to consider. Although past performance is no indication of future performance, it can provide some insight. 5. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and make sure you can access life insurance through your superannuation fund. Make sure you nominate a beneficiary for your superannuation funds in the event of your death.

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investment

Managing our superannuation is something we tend to put off for that elusive rainy day, knowing that we are stabbing our future selves.

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Q: What are some of the hidden costs associated with super funds? A: There are typically three levels of fees associated with superannuation: 1. Tax and administration: Fees charged by the super fund – or fund administrator in the case of SMSFs – to manage the paperwork, and ensure the rules of superannuation are followed. Industry funds tend to keep these costs very low but supplement their income with investment fees (see below). Retail funds charge a percentage of funds under management which can add up as your balance grows, while administration fees for SMSFs tend to be fixed and can range from $2000 to $4000. 2. Investment fees: Fees that are paid to the super fund investment managers. Investment fees on managed funds can be as high as two per cent. It’s a fee many people don’t realise they are being charged. Since trustees of their own SMSF have control over the investments they use, often these

investment fees can be avoided or reduced, by investing directly into shares or property for example. 3. Advisor fees: Fees charged by a professional advisor. Based on research recently conducted by Vanguard in the United States, professional advisors charge up to three per cent p.a. in net returns. It can help to seek out an independent advisor with a transparent fee-for-service. Q: What is the relationship between super and insurance? A: It is possible to hold some of your personal risk insurances inside superannuation. For instance, we recommend people in industries like mining hold life insurance inside super, with Income Protection, Total & Permanent Disablement (TPD) and Trauma cover outside of super. Holding life cover inside super is tax effective since the premiums can be paid for with concessionally taxed super contributions.

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