COLUMNIST ARTICLES

ACCREDITED EDITOR

By Susan Pierotti

Here’s an alarming statistic: dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia – and the leading cause of death for women. Dementia can tragically affect people as young as forty but most dementia sufferers are older.

If you know or are related to an older person, do you know if – or when – they will get dementia? No, no one knows. So it is vital to begin the process of telling their stories now.

Family stories are so important. They leave a legacy, they unite family members, they contribute to the cohesion and history of the community and add value to the teller’s identity. It’s an awful thing to have those stories lost because someone in your family is losing their memory or their health.

Everyone has an interesting story

When asked to tell their life story, most people say, ‘Oh, my life isn’t very interesting’. However, what might seem normal to them, such as minor details about their childhood in a bygone era, is fascinating for those who never lived through it. Being able to draw from them stories of a world that many of us have never experienced makes every older person's story fascinating.

There is a genuine breakthrough moment when older folk realise their stories are interesting. They sit up straighter, their eyes shine and it can be hard to get then to stop talking! Unlike other cultures, our Western values system doesn’t include ceremonies for honouring our elders. When our older loved ones realise that someone actually wants to listen to them and record their lives, their knowledge and wisdom, it makes them feel really valuable- a wonderful gift to a person in their twilight years.

Stories heal family wounds

It's amazing what writing someone's story can do for that person's family. All families have secrets. For instance, what happened to that cousin? Why did our uncle go overseas and never return? Family members are told snippets that are coloured by another teller’s point of view. Misunderstandings between family members occur. Rifts appear and solidify. Sometimes these stories are painful to relate but sometimes telling them can heal and restore, not just for the family members but for the elderly loved one who may have been carrying a burden of guilt and grief for so many decades.

How to begin

One easy way to get people to open up is by showing them a photo. Our visual sense is strong and a simple image can unlock a wealth of stories about distant events. Telling the story can make people emotional, but that’s okay. It’s another opportunity to connect. to hear his father’s story but these two men spend precious time together, a rare event in our society.

Recording your relatives’ story is easier than it has ever been. There are so many devices to use. Stories over the years have been preserved on cassette tape, CDs and phones. Keep in mind, though, that technology changes, and changes rapidly. There are young people nowadays who don’t even own a CD player because they download everything. Here’s a tip: print never dies! Type or write it down.

Showing a photo even works for people with dementia. My father has Alzheimer’s. One day, I showed him pictures of the area where he grew up. To my surprise, he began talking about the few Aboriginal children in his school. Unlike the other children, he was kind to them and so he was the only one in the class who was invited to visit them in their settlement. I now learned a story about my father that I had never known. Whenever I show him a photo of a place he knows, his longterm memory is triggered and seems to work fine. Creative Text Solutions is a member of Life Stories Australia that assists people to tell their stories. Contact us today at susan@ creativetext.com.au to help you record your elderly loved ones’ stories.

Susan Pierotti

Another person I know takes his father out to lunch once a month when there are no Covid lockdowns). He records their conversation on his phone. At home, he is able to transcribe it so that his children can read it. Not only does he get

Accredited Editor Creative Text Solutions 0437 127 159 www.creativetext.com.au

The Amazing Benefits Of Coffee Machines

COMMERCIAL COFFEE MACHINE

By Ivana Smith

The Covid lockdown is about to end and summer is around the corner. Businesses will return to the office. Dealerships, warehouses and other business premises will reopen. We will be allowed to visit our loved ones in aged care facilities once more. With the warmer weather, we also shake off the football frenzy and engage in summer sports.

What do these all have in common? They are community hubs, places where people meet and congregate, where friendships and relationships form. And what better place in each than over a cup of coffee!

However, businesses, aged care facilities and sports clubs have all been affected financially over the last two years due to the Covid lockdowns. Things won’t be the same as they were in 2019. If you are the treasurer of a bowls, cricket, swimming or tennis club or you are a facility manager, you may now be under pressure to save expenses.

Did you know that installing a coffee machine in your premises will save you money? Not only that, but it will make your business and social gatherings more productive and contribute to saving the environment as well!

A coffee machine saves time and money

When it comes to coffee, a coffee machine delivers bulk coffee with much better flavour than a spoonful of instant and boiling water out of an old electric jug.

Here are some other benefits. Did you know that when employees can take up to fifteen minutes to get a coffee if they leave the office? That’s sixty hours per year of lost time for just one employee! Installing a coffee machine onsite will encourage them to stay close, and it willpromote collegiality in the workplace. For sports clubs, the community aspect will be enhanced if you install a coffee machine in the clubhouse because your members won’t need to disperse around the neighbourhood trying to find a drinkable blend.

There is also the advantage that an inhouse coffee-machine can brew your favourite cuppa whenever you want it. No longer will you be dictated to by the opening hours of your local barista bar. You will also have great coffee ready to go for all your clients; it’s amazing what the impression of an aromatic and flavoursome coffee will do for the reputation of your business.

The benefits of a coffee machine

With a coffee machine, unwashed coffee mugs and dirty teaspoons are a thing of the past. No more do you have to put the lid on the coffee jar or the milk back in the fridge.

A coffee machine is low maintenance – clean and easy to use. Delivering a wide range of coffee options, they are also safer than kettles, electric jugs and cappuccino frothers as all the coffee brewing occurs within the sealed machine. You don’t even need to supply and grind beans or filters. All you need to do is insert a pod or push a button.

There are two types of coffee machine: one that uses pods and one that uses ground beans. Pods are quicker and simpler to use but some brands are still not recyclable. If you would prefer a more environmentally friendly solution, try an espresso machine.

These automatically grind the beans, boil the water and make your selection with one push of a button. Their in-line water heater saves energy by quickly heating up water for each individual cup, rather than heating water all the time. Another energy-saving measure is their in-built programmable time management system that turns the machine on and off so that it's ready when you need it, and saving money when you don’t. And with no pods or filters, they cut down on plastic and paper waste that ends up in landfills. More importantly, they make superb tasting coffee! Macchiatos, flat whites, long blacks – you name it, the machine makes it. The beans are sourced from quality producers of countries less well off than we are.

Improve your community experience and enjoy the amazing benefits of a coffee machine.

For advice on coffee and how to supply it to aged care facilities, office spaces and clubs, contact Ivana at ivana.smith@ xpressodelight.com.au.

Ivana Smith

Commercial Coffee Machine Xpresso Delight 0418 393 085 www.xdcoffee.com.au

All Company Director’s Now Can Register For Their Director IDs Online

By Warren Strybosch

All Australian company directors including SMSF directors can now register for the new director ID.

This unique 15-digit identifier only takes about 15 minutes to apply online for most people but for those overseas a paper-based system may need to be used. For those currently living overseas, it is recommended they start this process as soon as possible as there might be issues with matching current director names to their actual birth names. The director IDs will stay with a person for life and aims to provide greater security and a level playing field for all those running a business.

Superannuation and Financial Services Minister Jane Hume said it would cut red tape and make things fairer for all.

“Directors will keep the same director ID as they move between different roles, businesses and even countries,” Ms Hume said.

“Acting as a unique identifier for every director, director ID not only paves the way for streamlined experiences in the future but offers directors greater confidence that they are protected from fraud and illegal activity today.” With over 2.7 million company directors can now apply for their new director identification numbers (director ID) using the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) website.

To apply, directors can simply log into ABRS online using the myGovID app. It is free to apply and available to directors within Australia and overseas. Applications are available by phone and by paper for those who need it.

Any individual who is a director or acting as an alternate director must register. This includes directors of an SMSF or a limited recourse borrowing (LRBA) corporate trustee.

Due to the huge number of applications that will need processing, there are transitional arrangements in place for directors to assist with the onboarding process.

Key dates to be aware of From 1 November 2021 to the end of 4 April 2022 there is a transitional period where all new directors have 28 days to apply for a DIN after being appointed as a director. required to apply for a DIN prior to being appointed as a director.

For all existing directors appointed prior to 31 October 2021, they will have a deadline of 30 November 2022 to apply for a DIN.

SMSF Directors are encouraged to get their DIN as soon as possible.

For directors of corporate trustees related to a SMSF, only they can apply for their own DIN. The accountant, tax agent or bookkeeper will not be able to apply on their behalf. As such, all SMSF Directors of SMSF are encouraged to also start the process as soon as possible. For those setting up a new SMSF or a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, they must get the DIN with in 28 days of face ASIC action, including penalties for non- compliance.

If a SMSF director fails to obtain their DIN, the SMSF could become noncompliance and face huge tax liabilities. Also, it might result in the SMSF Director, who is also a member, having to exit the SMSF given they have demonstrated they do not have the ability to manage their own SMSF.

The Best Investment is an Investment in Yourself

BOOKKEEPER

By Neha Nayyar

As busy business owners, we rarely have time for ourselves, let alone time for upskilling in areas that may not directly correlate to your businesses offering. Time and time again, business owners approach us with their books in quite a state. Yes, of course we can help sort things out, however what we can also do is provide training to empower business owners (and/or their office staff) on how to confidently do their own books ongoing.

When you run your own business, you are an expert in your field, knowing the ins and outs, but when it comes to doing the books, often business owners just plod along using the same old systems and processes they always have. In this world of online accounting and automation, your books shouldn’t be taking up much of your time at all.

By taking control and investing in training, you will be:

Empowered

By undertaking training specific to your businesses accounting, you will walk away with the confidence and knowledge required to do your own books. No more late nights worrying about pays, super and tax. You will feel confident that you have everything under control and that all your books are in order.

Efficient

By using cloud systems to their capacity, the efficiencies for small business owners are nothing short of amazing. Invoicing, automatically following up overdue payments, reconciliations, automatic pays, all your figures and reporting in the one place will make doing your bookwork a breeze. At Sum and Substance, we run individual training for businesses, but we also run specialized industry training through our sister company, Future Proof Accounting. Our next specialized training is for people in the medical industry. You can read more about that here.

If you want to enquire about training for you or your business, we can be reached at (03) 9424 9447 or info@sumsubstance. com.au. You can directly book in a time to chat with Neha by clicking here.

Compliant

By having a thorough understanding of what is required, combined with a solid cloud accounting platform, you will know that your business is compliant, which in turn ensures ATO payments are done on time, super requirements are met etc, meaning you won’t be met with late fees or penalties again.

Neha Nayyar

Bookkeeper SUM AND SUBSTANCE www.sumsubstance.com.au 0401 409 573

Navigating The COVID-19 World As Our Freedoms Are Returned

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

By Mark Felton

Our retail industry is reopening, and it is mandatory for every Victorian business with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

There is no change to your obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) as a result of the Directions issued by the Victorian Chief Health Officer (CHO).

Preparation of a COVIDSafe Plan forms part of the development of a safe system of work. However, having a COVIDSafe Plan and complying with the Victorian CHO Directions does not necessarily mean you have complied with all of your duties under the OHS Act and OHS Regulations.

You must follow any health directions that apply to how your business must operate, and ensure that you are meeting your obligations under the OHS Act. Employees must also comply with their duties under the OHS Act. There is an abundance of information available at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au and www. coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Proof of vaccination status will be required by patrons entering retail businesses. The Victorian State Government advises that all people intending to enter a retail premises act in the following manner:

1. Make sure you’ve added your

COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Vic app or have an alternative proof of vaccination status (including a printed copy of the certificate along with photo ID, a printed copy of your immunisation history statement along with photo

ID, or a printed copy of your medical exemption along with photo ID)

2. Scan the Service Victoria QR code or show your alternative proof of vaccination status 1. Show staff the two green ticks

2. Wait for a staff member to confirm it’s

OK to enter

Many businesses may have a reasonable handle on this but how do you manage the situation where a patron is refusing to cooperate. Staff members cannot be expected to use physical force to eject the difficult patron. Instructions to staff must be clear and easily understood.

If you have any doubts about your preparedness, including how to best keep your staff and patrons COVID safe please feel free to contact Mark Felton at Beaumont Advisory on 0411 951 372 or mfelton@beaumontlawyers.com.au for an obligation and cost free initial discussion.

Please be patient and respect our staff

CHECK IN NOW

We appreciate your support and patience

For more information go to CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne Poster updated October 2021

Mark Felton

Occupational Health & Safety Beaumonth Advisory www.thebeaumontgroup.com.au

Jaundice: Why does my baby look yellow?

LACTATION CONSULTANT

By Dr. Joanna Strybosh

Babies commonly experience a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes after birth. This condition is called hyperbilirubinemia, or neonatal jaundice. Bilirubin is an orange or yellow pigment circulating in the blood stream, most of which is a byproduct of the breakdown of the newborn’s excess red blood cells in their liver. Normally, this product is excreted through the newborn’s intestinal tract via their stools. In the case of jaundice, some bilirubin remains in circulation and gives the skin and eyes its characteristic yellow colour.

Why does a baby have excess red blood cells to breakdown?

Before birth, the baby requires higher levels of red blood cells because the uterus is a relatively low oxygen environment. After birth, the baby moves into a higher oxygen environment and no longer requires as much hemaglobin (red blood cells). This excess is what is broken down in the baby’s liver and then excreted via the intestinal tract. Most newborns produce more bilirubin than they can eliminate.

There are other situations that can increase a newborns’ likelihood of becoming jaundiced. This includes prematurity (especially late pre-term ie 35-38 weeks), bruising or hematoma such as occurs with vacuum extraction, infection, maternal diabetes, infant weight loss, use of oxytocin to induce labour and genetic factors.

Physiological Jaundice:

It is estimated that 60-70% of full term infants will become visibly jaundiced in the first week of life. Most of the time, this a benign, self-limiting condition, which resolves spontaneously without the need for any treatment. In these cases, the jaundice usually peaks around day 4 or 5 after birth, and then resolves over the following week or two. This is called physiological jaundice.

Breastmilk Jaundice:

In this situation, the jaundice peaks around day 6-14 after birth and can develop in up to one third of healthy breasted infants. It occurs in male and female babies equally and can run in families. The hyperbilirubinemia can persist for up to 3 months. This form of jaundice is not fully understood although it is thought to be due to factors in maternal breastmilk that inhibit the normal metabolism of bilirubin.

Photo by Laurie Gouley from Pexels

Breastfeeding Jaundice:

Also called various other names such as nonfeeding jaundice or lack of breastfeeding jaundice or even starvation jaundice. This occurs in circumstances where there is inadequate milk intake (for either infant or maternal reasons). Infrequent, inefficient breastfeeding reduces calorie intake, increases the amount of infant weight loss and delays meconium passage through the gut. This can drive up bilirubin levels to where intervention is required.

This form of jaundice can be seen in babies whose feedings are scheduled by the clock (such as, every 3 hours for 10 minutes) or in babies who show signs of hunger but are given a dummy. It can also occur in babies who have difficulties latching, sucking or swallowing and therefore do not actually transfer milk in sufficient quantities. These babies may be put to the breast and may appear to be feeding but are in fact not swallowing. As a result they don’t poo as much.

Skilled assessment by a qualified lactation consultant is important to ensure infant swallowing is occurring at the breast. Advice and support to the mother can improve infant feeding.

When is the situation serious?

Rising levels of bilirubin needs to monitored as extremely high levels of bilirubin can be toxic to the brain and cause seizures and brain damage. Although severe hyperbilirubinemia is uncommon, it can happen if a jaundiced baby is not monitored closely and interventions implemented early on. Risk factors for severe hyperbilirubinemia include: jaundice within the first 24 hours after birth, visible jaundice before hospital discharge, late pre-term (35-38 weeks), maternal age greater than 25 years, bruising or cephalohematoma, previous jaundiced sibling, male baby and East Asian ethnicity.

Management of Jaundice:

Most commonly, phototherapy is used for babies with high levels of bilirubin. Phototherapy helps with the breakdown of bilirubin, so that it can be excreted via the stools. There are side effects of phototherapy that can interfere with breastfeeding (such as separation from the mother, lethargy, poor feeding, increased water loss requiring fluid replacement and unsettled baby). In less urgent situations, and for in-home treatment, a portable phototherapy blanket (biliblanket) can be used.

Breastfeeding Support: All newborn babies and mothers benefit from receiving support to optimise their new breastfeeding skills. The more a baby feeds, the more he poos and the more bilirubin is excreted. Jaundiced babies are often sleepy and slow to feed, adding to the challenge of establishing these important breastfeeding skills.

Best practices for after birth to optimise infant feeding and therefore reduce jaundice:

• avoid separating mother and baby • 24hr rooming in and feeding through the night helps eliminate meconium and bilirubin more quickly • Frequent feeds (8-12 feeds per 24hrs) • minimise visitors that would delay or inhibit a mother from breastfeeding • skin to skin contact to trigger behavioural feeding-readiness cues • skilled breastfeeding assessment and advice

See your local IBCLC for further information or help with managing jaundice in your baby.

Dr. Joanna Strybosch

Osteopath B.App.Sc(Clin.Sc)/B.Osteo.Sc/Grad Dip Paeds

Lactation Consultant CHILDREN’S OSTEOPATHIC CENTRE (03) 9876 3011 www.childrensostheopathiccentre.com

Is Now The Best Time to Fix The Rate On Your Home Loan?

MORTGAGE BROKERING

By Reece Droscher

As a mortgage broker one of the most common questions I receive from clients is whether they should fix the interest rate on their Home Loan. Since the commencement of the COVID pandemic there has been a surge in clients locking in at least some of their Home Loan into a fixed rate to take advantage of the very low rates on offer in this market, in some cases well under 2%.

Now, with commentary from the Reserve Bank indicating that they may be looking to increase the cash rate a lot earlier than expected due to inflation, most lenders have started to lift their advertised fixed rates, particularly in the popular 2 and 3 year fixed rate products. At the same time some of their variable rate products have started to come down, with Banks trying to encourage more customers into these products, anticipating that there may be several rate rises from the Reserve Bank in the future.

Given the current interest rate uncertainty is now the best time to fix the rate on your Home Loan? There are advantages and disadvantages to locking in your interest rate which would determine if fixing your rate is the best option for you.

Advantages

1. Security

When you fix a rate on your Home Loan you are guaranteed that the rate will not change for the period you have fixed for. This means your repayments will also remain unchanged which is helpful for household budgets.

2. Potential Money Saver

If you are able to fix your rate at the right time you will save money on interest, potentially thousands of dollars. For example, if you were to fix a rate today you could lock in for as low as 2.09% for two years with some lenders. These same lenders have variable rates at 2.69%, and if those variable rates do not reduce below 2.09% over that two year period the benefits of fixing at the lower rate would be substantial.

3. Some Flexibility

Most lenders will allow borrowers to make additional repayments when they have a fixed rate loan without incurring a penalty. It is most common for any extra repayments to be capped at a maximum $10,000 per year.

Some lenders also offer the ability to have an offset account linked to the fixed rate loan to help reduce interest costs further, although these are generally only partial offsets usually 40%. For example if you had a $1,000 balance in an offset account only $400 of that balance would be offsetting your loan.

Disadvantages

1. Penalties may be payable for early repayment

If you become dissatisfied with your lender, decide to sell your home or you simply want to take advantage of better deals elsewhere, when you are locked in to a fixed rate you could be charged a substantial interest penalty to break the contract. A complex formula is used to determine what the loss to the lender would be if the fixed rate contract is broken which is outlined in any Home Loan Contract. This penalty could offset any benefit you received by locking in originally.

2. Most flexible features are unavailable

Flexible features that are standard on most variable rate loans are either not available or offered with reduced benefits on a fixed rate loan. Offset is typically not available, or only offered as partial offset which reduces the effect it has on interest saving, and redraw is also not available on fixed rate loans.

3. Potential to lose on the interest rate bet

Fixing a rate is effectively betting that the fixed rate will be lower than the variable rate for the time you choose to lock in for. In a volatile interest rate environment, where variable interest rates are dropping, if you have a fixed loan your rate will not reduce. The inflexibility of the fixed rate which is great in stable environments can be a curse at other times.

4. Potential for higher repayments once the fixed rate expires

A large number of borrowers have fixed their rates at historically low rates for the next few years. Once these rates expire the new interest rate may have increased significantly during this period, so their loan repayments could be much higher than what they have been used to paying. Borrowers could be in for a rude shock in the next 2-3 years.

Split Loans

If you can’t decide which option is the best one for you it is possible to hedge your bets. Lenders also offer a split loan option which means you can have a portion of your loan at a fixed rate and the balance on a variable rate. By splitting your loan you retain the flexible repayment features of a variable rate loan, as well as having some of your loan locked away securely on a fixed rate for a few years.

It is always a great idea to speak with a mortgage broker who can guide you through the process, advise you on which loan structure would suit your needs best and recommend the most suitable lender to meet your requirements.

At SHL Finance we are available to speak with you at any time. We are already proactively helping our clients negotiate a better rate with their current lender, reviewing their existing loans and discussing ways to potentially save clients thousands of dollars. We would love the opportunity to help you too. Please call Jodie Moore on 0402513213 to discuss your options.

Signage: The Christmas Gift Which Keeps on Giving

SIGNAGES

By Glenn Martin

We have already entered one of the busiest periods in the shopping calendar, with Christmas and New Year looming, bargain hunters everywhere have braved the lockdown and are now ready to purchase Christmas gifts and fill their fridges for the celebrations. While retailers and restaurant or pub owners are now rushed off their feet, there’s one more job you should add to your to-do list, and it could just be the one which helps you maximise sales over the festive period - installing new signage.

Competition in the retail and hospitality sectors can be incredibly fierce over the Christmas period, with everyone trying to outdo their neighbours with discounts, special offers and diversity of stock. It’s a critical time for making up sales after the year we have had, giving a muchneeded boost to the balance books as the year draws to a close. Capturing your fair share of the Christmas market is, therefore, a big priority over the coming days and weeks, and new signage could be just the thing you need to catch the eyes of the Christmas crowds and pull in new customers.

For all shop owners, ensuring your premises is looking at their best can make a big difference to the foot traffic you get through your door at this time of year. People are automatically drawn to the most attractive, best-looking outlets, so a dreary shop window or a shabby façade can easily drive much needed custom straight into the arms of a local competitor.

Customers really do like to see attractive shops fronts and are more likely to venture inside if they can see that the outside of your premises is well-kept and appealing. Getting people to pause and examine your window display, or cast an eye over your menu, is half the battle when it comes to clinching those allimportant Christmas sales, and a bold, beautiful and eye-catching sign can be seen from quite a distance and may well lure customers over.

A high-quality sign speaks volumes about your business and about you. Nobody wants to go through the doors of a shop or restaurant where the sign above the door is missing letters or looks grubby and unloved, but a well-lit and well-maintained sign has exactly the opposite effect and offers encouragement. At this time of year, when the weather is improving, the warming glow of a good sign is a welcoming invitation to the casual passerby and certainly helps your business stand out.

Getting your signage right is key, and when done well, it becomes the gift which just keeps on giving. Signage is an incredibly powerful marketing tool which is both a prominent and a permanent investment, advertising your business round the clock simply by being so visible. Good signage does more than just put your name above the door - it’s a prime piece of branding, so must be bold and memorable.

Add signage to your Christmas list this year as signage should be at the top of your Christmas list. It may seem like just one more thing to get done when you’re already rushed off your feet, but the benefits of installing new signage are immediate and impressive. With year end coming fast, it is imperative to reach out now if you want to have your signage installed by Christmas.

With many years’ experience in this field, Signarama are able to work with you to design, manufacture, install and help you maintain your signage, offering innovative solutions to all your signage needs. For more information about the services we provide, or to get advice on the best signage for your business, simply call 1300 633 902 to get in touch with our expert team today.

Glenn Martin

mitcham@signarama.com.au www.signarama.com.au/store/mitcham

Colour Guide and Painting Tips For Summer

ARCHITECT

By Kathy Ismail

Choosing a colour scheme can be highly personal so it’s good to start with a certain theme – plenty of inspiration can be found across the internet and from paint manufacturers.

Whites

Whites work the best as the base colour for your scheme but it can be one of the most difficult colours to select. An interior designer, Lathika Nair from Lathika Nair Design, has some advice on what kind of white is the best for your project:

‘Other than neutral white which is best for ceilings, there are two other shades of whites. Warm whites have undertones of yellow, amber or pink and work well if you are planning to use earthy and neutral décor and furnishings for the room. Cool whites have blue or grey undertones. These give a clean and crisp feel and work best if you are after a modern, minimalistic or beach-style feel.

Warm colour scheme by Lathika Nair Design

‘Natural light plays an important role in selecting your whites. Warm white can brighten up a room that has less natural light. Cool white neutralises sunlight, so it tones down intense natural light in a room.

‘The third aspect is the strength of the colour used. For example, there is the colour Lexicon White, but what about Lexicon White-Half or Lexicon WhiteQuarter? These have the same undertone, but the shades differ due to the amount of undertone used. Sometimes by using a different strength of the same colour, you can create an element of interest.’

Assembling your colour scheme

It is best to put a physical mood board to see if your colours fit together. individually or in bundles, colour stickers and swatches from the website.

Cool colour palette by Lathika Nair Design

Colour influences our mind and our emotions. After the pandemic, people want vibrant colour in interior spaces.

Lathika has insight into the three top trending colours for this summer.

• mustard yellow: it works well with both cool and warm palettes. • olive green: classic, contemporary or modern, it can be used extensively from cabinetry to walls and paired with timber, it works wonders. • purple: a combination of cool blue and exciting red, when paired with the right shade of green, it brings distinction to a room.

Home painting advice

The most popular brand for paint colours is Dulux. They offer a massive range of products comprised of exterior and interior paints, as well as timber coatings. I had the opportunity to ask them some questions:

What is the best way for the public to get colour samples?

Dulux has just extensively remodelled its website to empower consumers on their painting journey. With a mere click, a world of colour opens up to anyone eager to explore the magic of paints, including sourcing and purchasing colour samples directly from the website.

If you can’t get to your nearest hardware store for swatch samples and sample pots, you can buy sample pots Is there a correct way to paint our houses ourselves?

Take time to select the right colour and products to complete your project. Move your chosen swatches or paint samples to different areas of the surface over a couple of days, testing against natural and artificial light, and against existing furnishings and home décor to ensure you will be happy with the final result.

Once you have selected your colours, ensure you choose the correct product; for example, wash and wear, weather shield, enamel or eco-friendly paint with ultra-low chemical emissions and odour system that can help maintain your indoor air quality.

Properly prepare the area for painting. This means washing the surfaces you intend to paint with Selleys© sugar soap, sanding down any chipped or scuffed areas, and laying down drop sheets and taping trims to keep the surrounding areas clean.

Learn more about the paint products and ranges available and always read the label on the paint before applying.

Start getting excited putting together your colours for your home project!

Contact KiR Architecture at contact@ kirarchitecture.com.au for help with planning your building projects. We do wholistic architecture – taking care of inside and outside to provide you with a home that you love.

Kathy Ismail

ARCHITECTURE KiR ARCHITECTURE 0422 026 962 www.kirarchitecture.com

Premium Minimisation Using Risk Control

GENERAL INSURANCE

By Craig Anderson

Insurance policies indemnify the named insured against losses for which they become liable in the course of their business, making them a simple but effective risk transfer product. The risk will not magically vanish, but the majority of the financial risk falls on the insurer, with the insured required to pay a deductible known as an excess. Implementing risk management strategies can have a positive impact on the amount of risk the insurer takes on, and premium cost in some cases. Well-documented risk control (plus appropriate experience and qualifications) may even take a company from considered unacceptable to an underwriter to acceptable. Some simple steps might help you achieve a long-term claim-free record and minimal premium increases over time. As risk comes in all shapes and sizes I’ll stick to some of the simple fixes.

Minimise physical losses to 3rd parties.

With OH&S matters involving physical risk there is a simple Hierarchy of Controls, which if followed allows the insured to assess and eliminate, or at least control physical hazards. Visit https://www. worksafe.vic.gov.au/hierarchy-control to see the official Victorian version. This should be formalised within the company OH&S Policy document that every company must have anyway. Better work practices keep the team safe, and make them less likely to mishandle materials or equipment that could injure others on and off the work site.

Minimise Theft.

Pole mounted solar powered security cameras which upload any motion detected to cloud servers are now common on building sites. Some Contract Works proposal forms now have this as tick box question. Using these can favourably affect your premium. Shops are expected to have CCTV for theft deterrent value as much as for the evidence they provide. While breakins still happen, they are increasingly ram raids. The addition of bollards to roller doors and window protection to shopfronts should reduce attempted raids and minimises associated damage. Combined with External Lighting, monitored alarms and security patrols premiums can come down further.

Minimise Interruption

When looking for a location to base your business a bit of research can go a very long way. Incredibly, there are large swathes of land on which warehouses and factories sit where there were once wetlands, and this land may still be subject to occasional flooding. In fact this is the case in many pockets around Australia and insurers offer no flood cover at these addresses. The result can be long-term business interruption and stock and equipment damage. It takes only a few minutes to look up the flood mapping for an area you are thinking of targeting. Avoid locating close to chemical industries, hazardous sites, lowlying areas, and estates with only one way in and out. Name any important suppliers in the Business Interruption section of your policy, because if they are the only source of a particular thing your business needs, their interruption becomes your interruption.

Get Risk Management Help

Get some advice from an Insurance Broker, and where needed a Risk Management Consultant. A consultant can look at every part of your business including your office, and help you eliminate the risks. By helping you document everything neatly even the Worksafe Inspector will love you (may have gone too far there…). Your broker will be happy to present your information to the Underwriter confident in the knowledge that you are doing your utmost to eliminate or control all of the known risks.

For a health check of your business insurance, contact Small Business Insurance Brokers via email sales@ smallbusinessinsurancebrokers.com.au

Any advice in this article has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, before acting on the above advice, you should consider its appropriateness (having regard to your objectives, needs and financial situation).

Craig Anderson

General Insurance Small Business Insurance Brokers

www. heightsafetyinsurancebrokers.com.au 0418 300 096

Love, Compassion and Togetherness Trumps Anger and Divide!

PARENTING

By Lesley-Anne Banton

With so much divide and civil unrest it is a time to come together despite how we individually choose to experience and perceive the world right now. Life is tough enough without the divide of our personal point of views around Covid. What if we could show compassion, love and respect, despite our differences of opinions? Could the journey out of this psychologically and emotionally be through love, compassion and togetherness?

On many levels and areas in life, there is stress right now and most of it comes from FEAR showing up when Covid showed up.

ET is an iconic film about an extraterrestrial that is left behind on Earth and his journey to get back home. For ET this journey was scary, unknown and filled with uncertainty about the place he had been left behind in. Over time, he learns to trust those around him and overcomes his fear. Likewise the humans around him build trust in him, rallying around in love and compassion to keep ET safe, and get him home.

We can use ET as a symbol that represents our fear showing up triggered by the uncertainty of Covid being present in our lives and not knowing what could happen when this might leave us, and what it could do while it is here.

What is it that your fear might need in this unknown time?

Fear is a part of you that can do unpredictable things to your thinking, perception and actions. It can be a part of you that you shame, a part of you that you might be scared of as it might be alien to you, or you let it become part of your identity when it never used to be.

How might your fear/ anxiety/ stress react to being on an unknown world – the world of Covid and being screamed at, feared? What might it need to feel safe? What might it need to be ok with being there and understood?

In the film, ET quickly built trust with those around him, and without a full understanding of words, he felt love and secure enough to put trust in those around him to help him get home. It was love, compassion and togetherness that got him home

This can be also true with many right now, as they are in panic and want to contain, ignore, or destroy their fear.

Fear and panic can be paralysing. It can cause you to run away from those wanting to help you and towards those who don’t. Fear can also dominate your thoughts and prevent you from moving forward because you feel unsafe or unsure. You can also make decisions that you wouldn’t normally make and be someone you normally wouldn’t be.

It was understanding, trust, compassion and love that helped ET get home. What could help you get back to a place that you know you are home within yourself? Is it love? Compassion? Understanding of where you are at?

This might be easier said than done right now yet love and understanding helps us feel safe and secure in moving forwards in our lives.

So how can we move from fear to love?

Notice

Awareness

Focus

In fear we might feel withdrawn, believe we have no choice, that we are stuck, hopeless, attacked, angry, or in procrastination. We might also be forthright, overstep other people’s boundaries with words or actions. We might make irrational decisions and statements, act in a wat to ‘protect’ ourselves but hurt or disrespect others in the process. Our bodies might feel a bit off, low in energy, or feel we want to take flight. Whatever it is for you, one of the first steps is to NOTICE this. Notice where your thoughts and thinking are at, how your body is feeling, and what are your actions doing?

Once you empower yourself with noticing yourself, what your thoughts, emotions and feelings are. You give yourself the gift of AWARENESS. With this awareness, you can put words and understanding to where you are at and what state of mind and emotions you are in. You can then choose to change your thinking and focus to bring you back to love.

In this space ask yourself:

• What would love do? • What would compassion do? • If I was in a state of love or certainty, what would I do? What would I think? Feel? Act? • What if I showed compassion to those who have a different perception and opinion?

As you are asking yourself these questions, breathe and FOCUS on yourself, calm your breathing and notice your body calming. Bring thoughts of love, kindness, joy, gratitude or whatever words bring a sense of calm and peace to you.

By bringing yourself back to a place of love and out of a state of fear you can navigate your world differently, more empowered, and you could help those around you come back to a place of love, come back to a place of feeling like home within themselves, bring back a sense of togetherness.

SMSF Trustees – Should You Purchase Collectables?

ACCOUNTANT

By Warren Strybosch

SMSFs trustees need to be aware of the various compliance risks surrounding collectables, as the asset class requires continued consideration and how it can impact a SMSF.

With low interest rates, SMSF trustees are looking for alternative investments to place their funds into which has led to an increase in collectables within SMSFs. However, care needs to be given to the restrictive rules surrounding the holding of collectables in a SMSF.

Collectables and personal-use assets include artwork, jewellery, antiques, artefacts, coins, stamps, books, memorabilia, wine, cars, bikes, recreational boats and club memberships. Bullion is not included as its value is based on intrinsic weight and purity.

One of the restrictions with collectables, is that they cannot be leased or used by a related party or stored in a private residence of a related party. The SMSF can only lease them to unrelated parties e.g., to an art gallery, and it must be possible to show the transaction was completely at arm’s length.

Even with vintage cars held with an SMSF, the related party cannot drive it for any reason, even if it is for maintenance purposes or to get restoration work done on the vehicle.

When it comes to storage of these type of assets, they must be remote; not located in a trustee’s private residence – that includes the land they own. As such, artwork and vehicles, cannot he displayed in a trustee’s home or stored in a purpose built shed on their property. Records must be kept by trustees showing how the decision was made to store the items.

Lastly, the items must be insured by the SMSF and not in a trustee’s individual name or under a business entity they might own. If the SMSF cannot insure the collectibles appropriately so that the asset is secure for members in the future, then the fund must dispose of that asset. Whilst collectibles are a different asset class to hold within the SMSF and may seem ‘sexy’ when telling friends and other’s you own such an asset, given the limited ability to use or display such an asset, trustees need to consider whether or not holding such an asset is worth all the hassle.

At Find Accountant, we provide SMSF tax advice. Our senior accountant is also an award-winning financial advisor. If you require SMSF advice or are considering whether or not to wind up your SMSF, then speak to Warren Strybosch at Find Accountant Pty Ltd.

Warren Strybosch

You can call them on 1300 88 38 30 or email info@findaccountant.com.au www.findaccountant.com.au

WARREN STRYBOSCH

Find Group

The founder of the Find Group of companies draws on his diverse background, which ranges form teaching, to serving in the army, to taxation and accounting, to coach and help clients live their best financial lives. A multi-award winner, Warren’s innovative approach in business means he was a champion of virtual financial advice long before the pandemic. Warren established the Find Foundation, which owns and operates across Victoria.

TOP 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL FINANCIAL ADVISER IN AUSTRALIA

The financial advisers featured in this guide are a diverse group: some specialise in responsible investment advice, some provide financial advise to specific professions, and some focus on addressing market gaps, mwith several finding themselves on the list for the very first time. But they all have one thing in common: they all wield influence that can create the blueprint for the future of financial advice in Australia. Not all of them are faniliar names but just because they are not making a lot of noise doesn't mean they are not making waves. Meet our Power 50.

Triple Jab out now – a boost to all Victorians

By Warren Strybosch

Bendigonians will be one of the first group of Victorians to be administered the third job in a hope to reduce COVID numbers.

The third jab will only be available to those who have already had the two first jabs at least six months earlier.

The booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered to all eligible adults, regardless of the vaccine type received for their first and second shots.

Those wanting to receive their booster shot must provide proof of their first two COVID-19 vaccinations before they will be able to get the booster shot. However, the proof must be via your mobile device displaying the certificate or a copy of the certificate supplied via Medicare. It won’t be enough to simply show the card that was written on by the nurse who gave you the first and second vaccination shots as there are reports that some people have obtained these cards and falsified, they have been vaccinated already. For anyone caught with falsified documents we believe the fines are very hefty.

The booster dose will be offered to people over the age of 18 and who had their second COVID-19 vaccination over six months ago.

It is also believed that the health minister has stated that all state-run aged care residents and staff will be required to take the booster shot in the coming months.

It is reported that a Pfizer booster shot five months after a second dose reduces a person's risk of hospitalisation with the coronavirus by 93 per cent.

This is yet to be proven given we are all still living through the largest clinic trial on earth.

Victorian Nurses Can Be Fired But A Court Challenge Related To The Vaccine Mandate Is Likely Heading To Court

Many nurses are being forced to leave their jobs because they are either refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccination or refusing to disclose their vaccination status. A group of nurses from Monash Health, tried to unsuccessfully stop Monash Health, one of Victoria’s largest public health service, from allowing them to be fired – the court injunction was thrown out by the federal court.

A directive from Victoria’s chief health officer under the Public Health Act makes it clear that health workers must be fully vaccinated, having received at least their first Covid-19 vaccine dose by 29 October, in order to work in a healthcare setting. They must provide evidence of vaccination to their employer. As such, Monash Health has been given the green light to terminate it’s nurses if they do not take the jab. Justice John Snaden said that Monash Health had no choice but to fire them.

“…the evidence that there is very much suggests that the course that has been plotted has been plotted because Monash Health has formed the view that under the public health directions by which it is bound, they’re not permitted to do anything else [other than terminate employment],” he said.

Chris O’Grady QC, representing Monash Health, said the employer had simply been following the chief health officer’s directions. “In light of the CHO directions it goes without saying that anyone working in the health sector is going to have difficulty working in that sector absent their willingness to either be vaccinated or disclose their vaccination status,” he said. The only hope for those nurses who have not been vaccinated is the pending court case regarding the vaccination mandate. Snaden said when the matter goes to trial, if the court finds the vaccine mandate was unlawful, then the nurses would likely have their employment reinstated and receive back pay.

Therefore, the court had no reason to block disciplinary action including Monash Health firing the nurses in the meantime, he said.

Monash Health has given undertakings not to take action against the relevant nurses until the matter was determined. In light of Snaden’s decision, Health was now free to terminate the staff.

More COVID information on Page 78

What investments should I hold in my portfolio?

FINANCIAL PLANNING

By Warren Strybosch

Whether you own a SMSF, are an accumulator, or a retiree, it is a golden rule of investing to diversify your super/ pension assets. In other words, not to have all your eggs in one basket.

In the past, managed funds have been a very popular investment choice. There were single sector managers, index managers, growth managers, multimanagers, and so on. The list of fund managers has grown exponentially over the last 20 years as technology evolves. Whilst fund managers have been the main stay of investment for many years, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Listed Investment Companies (LICs) have grown in popularity. Whilst technology has made it easier to choose different types of investments, it is becoming unclear as to which type of investment should be chosen. For many, there is the fear they might miss out or be placed in the wrong type of investment. This is especially so for those who are moving into their retirement phase of their lives. They do not want to risk their hard-earned savings that has taken them over 30 years to accumulate being lost through poor investment choices.

So, what is the ‘right’ type of investment one should consider investing in?

To help you choose the right investments we have summarised the main technical points related to some of the key investments out there in the marketplace:

What are LICs and ETFs?

Listed investment companies (LICs) are the great grandfathers of the listed managed investment scene, with a history going back almost 100 years. LICs provide exposure to a basket of underlying securities, often shares, although increasingly there are funds providing exposure to other asset classes, such as fixed income.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) invest in a basket of shares or other investments that generally track the performance of a market index such as the ASX200 Index or the US S&P500.

You can buy an ETF to give you exposure to an entire market, region such as emerging markets, market sector such as global health or technology stocks, or theme such as sustainability. They also offer investments in a wider range of asset classes, from local and international shares to fixed interest, commodities, currency, property, infrastructure and cash.

The most popular ETFs in 2020–21 were Australian and global equities, as sharemarkets rebounded strongly from the pandemic lows. The best-performing ETF were technology sectors and themes such as battery technology, robotics and AI and global cybersecurity.

Similarities:

1. ETFs and LICs are like managed funds in that are professionally managed but tend to have lower fees than most managed funds. 2. Like managed funds, ETFs and LICs, have your money pooled with other investors to create a large portfolio of assets. 3. All three allow you to gain exposure to other sectors and regions that traditional Australian shares cannot provide which in turn achieves greater diversification.

Differences?

1. ETFs and LICs can be bought and sold on the Australian Stock

Exchange (ASX) whereas most managed funds are bought directly via the fund manager themselves or through a financial advisor. However some fund managers are available via the ASX mFund Service but do not operate like shares. Where the price of shares, ETFs and LICs are live on the ASX, the un-listed managed funds, display the price at the close of trading each day. 2. Most ETFs simply passively track the index however there are some new

ETF players in the marketplace who claim to be active managers; utilising derivates, options and short-selling to try to outperform the index.Before choosing a fund, it’s important to understand how they work. Also look at their underlying investments, their performance and trading history, their tax status and distribution policy as well as their fees and cost. 3. LICs are companies traded on the ASX where the share price is determined by the market. They are closed-end structures which allow the fund manager to concentrate on investment selection without

having to factor in the possibility of money coming into or leaving the company. ETFs are open-ended which means units in the fund can be created or redeemed according to investor demand without the share price being affected. LICs are closed-ended investments, which mean they have a fixed number of shares on issue 3. LICs use a company structure whilst

ETFs, similar to managed funds, use a unit trust structure. 4. LICs pay company tax on their income and realised capital gains whereas ETFs are not required to pay tax on their income or realised gains.

LICs may hold on to their profits or pay them out as a dividend to their investors whereas, ETFs pass on all tax obligations to the investor who pays tax at their marginal rate. Despite the different ways these investments are structure for tax purposes, investors to tend to pay a similar amount of tax once income has been paid out. 5. ETFs tend to the more affordable of the three when it comes to fees with managed funds, especially active managed funds that charge a performance fee, being the costliest of the three investment choices to hold on to.

This information is current as at November 2021. This article is intended to provide general information only and has been prepared without taking into account any particular person’s objectives, financial situation or needs (‘circumstances’). Before acting on such information, you should consider its appropriateness, taking into account your circumstances and obtain your own independent financial, legal or tax advice. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision about a product. While all care has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and reliable, to the maximum extent the law permits, Alliance Wealth and its related bodies corporate, or each of their directors, officers, employees, contractors or agents, will not assume liability to any person for any error or omission in this material however caused, nor be responsible for any loss or damage suffered, sustained or incurred by any person who either does, or omits to do, anything in reliance on the information contained herein.

Warren Strybosch

You can call them on 1300 88 38 30 or email

Should you merge your finances with your partner?

By Money and Life

(Financial Planning Association of Australia)

If you’re in a relationship, it can be tricky to work out when to start sharing income and expenses. Here are a few ways to successfully merge money as a couple.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives, and romance is no exception. While lengthy separations have led some relationships to end, other couples are choosing to move in together more quickly than they might have expected.

If you’re planning on living together, you might be wondering whether to merge your finances. Combining money is a big step for any couple, and not something that has to be tackled all at once. There are several ways to share money as a couple, and you might like to take it in stages.

Before you merge your finances

It’s important to be honest, open and transparent about your financial situation and expectations upfront. Money can become a source of tension in relationships, often due to mismatched values, poor financial habits or financial infidelity.

Before merging your finances, set aside a time to talk about your current financial situation, including any debts or bad spending habits. Discuss your shared goals and vision for the future. Put a financial plan in place to help you get there. And work out which approach to sharing money will work best for both of you, so that you can set up your accounts to manage household expenses.

Also keep in mind that once you’ve been living together in a relationship for a period of time, you’re considered to have a spouse for legal and financial purposes. This can have implications for your tax returns, government rebates and benefits, and, in the event of a split, can affect how your assets are divided up.

Read more: Advice for couples at tax time

Ways to share money

If you’re planning on moving in together, you’ll need to work out how you’d like to pay for your household expenses. There are a few different approaches to combining money, and each has its pros and cons. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Proportional method

In this approach, each member of the couple contributes to household expenses in line with what they earn. For example, if one partner earns $100,000 a year, which is 66 per cent of the household income, and the other earns $50,000, which is 33 per cent of the household income they would each contribute accordingly. That means, if the monthly bills come to $3000, then the higher earning partner pays $2000 (66 per cent), while the other partner pays $1000 (33 per cent).

Pros: In this scenario, both partners spend the same percentage of their income towards bills, expenses and entertainment, while keeping what’s left over for themselves individually. That means you can both enjoy a better lifestyle than you could if you kept your money separate. It also relieves the stress of trying to keep up with a higher earning partner, or ‘budget down’ to the level of the lower earning partner.

Cons: One possible drawback to this method is that the higher earning partner could start to feel resentful about contributing more, or you could get into disagreements about whether an expense should be joint, or personal.

Related: Show your finances some self love

Equal shares

In this system, expenses are split down the middle, regardless of who earns what. You keep the rest of your income to spend how you like. That means you’re also responsible for paying down debts you’ve racked up on your own – your finances are essentially separate. Cons: If there’s a big disparity in incomes, this can limit your lifestyle to that of the lower earning partner. It’s also not a realistic way to manage many of life’s major events, for example, if you want to buy a home you’ll need all of your borrowing power. Or, if one partner needs to take time off work to have children, you’ll need to reassess the arrangement.

Related: Is your lifestyle affecting your borrowing power?

Going all in

Another option is to combine all of your finances. Couples who use this method only have joint bank accounts and credit cards, shared loans and so on. Each partner’s income is deposited into a joint account, and all of your household and personal expenses are paid from a joint account.

Pros: Both partners have complete transparency over the household finances. It’s also simple to manage, as you don’t need to worry about splitting bills. Having an overview of your whole financial situation can also help with financial planning and money management.

Cons: This approach can cause friction if your values and spending behaviour aren’t aligned. One partner can become resentful of the other’s spending, or, disagree with individual purchases they want to make.

As you can see, there’s no right or wrong way for couples to share their money. The most important thing is to keep talking regularly about your finances, and review and alter your approach over time, as your needs change.

Pros: This is a great option for people who value their independence, especially in the early stages of a relationship. Neither partner feels like they are contributing too much,or being subsidised. For more advice on reaching your financial goals as a couple, why not speak to a financial planner?

Less Children To Suffer From Heart-Attacks When Taking Pfizer

By Warren Strybosch

Pfizer adds ingredient used to stabilize heart attack victims in vax for kids

Buried on Page 14 in the Pfizer paperwork submitted to the FDA for the Covid vaccine for children is the following:

Vaccine formulation

Authorization is being requested for a modified formulation of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Each dose of this formulation contains 10 μg of a nucleosidemodified messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARSCoV-2 that is formulated in lipid particles and supplied as a frozen suspension in multiple dose vials.

To provide a vaccine with an improved stability profile, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use in children 5-11 years of age uses tromethamine (Tris) buffer instead of the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as used in the previous formulation and excludes sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The packaged vials for the new formulation are stored frozen at -90°C to – 60°C. The frozen vials may bethawed and stored at refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C for up to 10 weeks.

Tromethamine (Tris) is a blood acid reducer which is used to stabilize people with heart attacks.

Here are known side effects: Respiratory depression, local irritation, tissue inflammation, injection site infection, febrile response, chemical phlebitis, venospasm (vein spasms), hypervolemia, IV thrombosis, extravasation (with possible necrosis and sloughing of tissues), transient decreases in blood glucose concentrations, hypoglycemia, and hepatocellular necrosis with infusion via low-lying umbilical venous catheters.

AMA encourages doctor’s not to abide by their own Code of Conduct

By Warren Strybosch

The AMA Victoria president, Dr Roderick McRae, said those who do not believe Covid-19 is real or a threat should update their advanced care directives and inform their relatives that they do not wish to receive care in the public health system if diagnosed with the virus.

“Covid-deniers” and “anti-vaxxers” should opt out of care in the public health system if they catch the virus as Victoria reopens, says the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association. This statement by the AMA seems to fly in the face of the code of conduct that doctors must abide by when dealing with patients.

The Good Medical practice (the code) describes what is expected of all doctors registered to practice medicine in Australia. It also is intended to let the community know what they can expect from doctors.

Under section 3.4 Decisions about access to medical care, the code states:

Your decisions about patients’ access to medical care must be free from bias and discrimination. Good medical practice involves:

• 3.4.2 Not prejudicing your patient’s care because you believe that a patient’s behaviour has contributed to their condition.

• 3.4.3 Upholding your duty to your patient and not discriminating against your patient on grounds such as race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or other grounds, as described in antidiscrimination legislation. • 3.4.7 Not allowing your moral or religious views to deny patients access to medical care, recognising that you are free to decline to personally provide or directly participate in that care.

We understand these are trying times for everyone involved, but we are disappointed that the AMA has politized their role and encouraged doctors and nurses to go against their core values of why they joined the profession e.g., to care for all people needing medical attention.

Maybe someone in his profession needs to remind Dr Roderick McRae of his own code for which he should be abiding by? This language can only be seen as inflammatory in a time that is already stressful for medical practitioners in Victoria.

Welcome back to Your Library!

We are so excited to welcome you back! From Monday 8 November, our libraries will open in line with government guidelines. Libraries will open:

• Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm• Saturday, 10am-1pm • Sunday, 12pm-5pm (select branches only) • *Some variations will apply. Find your local library here.

Your safety, and the safety of our staff, is our number one priority. When we reopen, all of our staff will be fully vaccinated. Conditions of entry will include:

Supporting you in proving your vaccination status and accessing your library

You must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination (or a signed medical exemption)

Density limits of 1 person per 4 square metres will apply

You must check-in using the Service Victoria app (available on our iPads in branch)

The hand sanitizer provided must be used before entry to the library

You must continue to wear a mask while indoors (unless you have a lawful exemption*)

Please do not enter the library if you are unwell

Printing your certificate

We offer a Print & Collect service. You can send

us your digital certificate and organise to have it printed and ready to collect when you arrive at the library.

Digital Certificate help

Need help setting up your COVID-19 Digital Certificate? We’ve prepared some guides for you to read or watch. We’re also holding a step-by-step online help session where you can get help from our friendly tech team.

Click & Collect continues

If you are unable to enter the library for any reason, you can still access our collections via Click & Collect. Browse, reserve, and arrange collection through the Your Library ERL app, or just call your local library.