Find Manningham Decmber 2024 Edition by Find

anningham The

We are looking for business owners who like to join the

Manningham Network Group and Community Paper.

• Accounting Services

• Acupuncture

• Architect

• Architectural Interior Design

• Attorney- Family

• Auctions- Real Estate

• Bookkeeper

• Bowen Therapy

• Builder- Commercial

• Business Coach

• Business Equipment Financing

• Business Insurance

• Cabinets

• Caterer

• Graphic Designer

• Plasterer

• Chinese Medicine

• Chiropractor

• Creative Director

• Commercial Mortgage

• Computer Repair

• Computer Web Design

• Concrete

• Copywriting/Copy Editing

• Counselor/ Psychotherapist

• Dentist

• Digital Media

• Electrical Operations

• Electrician

• Finance Bookeeper

• Financial Planner

• Fitness Trainer

• Flooring

• Pilates

• Garage Doors

• General Insurance

• Health & Wellness Coach

• Homeopathy

• Lactation Consultant

• Lawn Care

• Lawyer

• Life Coach

• Loans

• Marketing

• Massage Therapist

• Meditation/Yoga

CLUB SPONSORS

• Mortgage Broker

• Naturopathic Medicine

• Nutrition

• Osteopathy

• Painter

• Personal Trainer

• Photographer

• Plumber

• Podiatrist

• Printer

• Project Management

• Psychologist

• Real Estate Rentals

• Real Estate Sales

• Reiki

• Residential Cleaning

• Residential Mortgage

• Security

• Signs

• Solar

• Solicitor

• Travel Agent

• Website Developer

• Wedding Planner

COLUMNIST CONTRIBUTORS

About the Find Manningham

By Warren Strybosch

The Find Manningham is a community paper that aims to support all things Manningham. We want to provide a place where all Not-For-Profits (NFP), schools, sporting groups and other like organisations can share their news in one place. For instance, submitting up-andcoming events in the Find Manningham for Free.

We do not proclaim to be another newspaper and we will not be aiming to compete with other news outlets. You can obtain your news from other sources. We feel you get enough of this already. We will keep our news topics to a minimum and only provide what we feel is most relevant topics to you each month.

We invite local council and the current council members to participate by submitting information each month so as to keep us informed of any changes that may be of relevance to us, their local constituents.

EDITORIAL ENQUIRES: Warren Strybosch | 1300 88 38 30 warren@findnetwork.com.au

PUBLISHER: Issuu Pty Ltd

We will also try and showcase different organisations throughout the year so you, the reader, can learn more about what is on offer in your local area.

To help support the paper, we invite local business owners to sponsor the paper and in return we will provide exclusive advertising and opportunities to submit articles about their businesses. As a community we encourage you to support these businesses/columnists. Without their support, we would not be able to provide this community paper to you.

Lastly, we want to ask you, the local community, to support the fundraising initiatives that we will be developing

The

and rolling out over the coming years. Our aim is to help as many NFP and other like organisations to raise much needed funds to help them to keep operating. Our fundraising initiatives will never simply ask for money from you. We will also aim to provide something of worth to you before you part with your hard-earned money. The first initiative is the Find Cards and Find Coupons – similar to the Entertainment Book but cheaper and more localised. Any NFP and similar organisations e.g., schools, sporting clubs, can participate.

We value your support,

The Find Manningham Team.

anningham

POSTAL ADDRESS: 248 Wonga Road, Warranwood VIC 3134

ADVERTISING AND ACCOUNTS: editor@findmanningham.com.au

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 1300 88 38 30

EMAIL SPORT: sport@manningham.com.au

WEBSITE: www.findmanningham.com.au

OUR NEWSPAPER

The Find Manningham was established in 2019 and is owned by the Find Foundation, a Not-For-Profit organisation with a core focus of helping other Not-ForProfits, schools, clubs and other similar organisations in the local community - to bring everyone together in one place and to support each other. We provide the above organisations FREE advertising in the community paper to promote themselves as well as to make the community more aware of the services these organisations can offer. The Find Manningham has a strong editorial focus and is supported via local grants and financed predominantly by local business owners.

ALL THINGS MANNINGHAM

The City of Manningham is a local government area in Victoria, Australia in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Manningham had a population of approximately 125,508 as at the 2018 Report which includes 27,500 business and close to 45,355 households. The Doncaster and Templestowe Council administered the area until December 15, 1994.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Find Manningham acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where Manningham now stands, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pays repect to their Elders - past, present and emerging - and acknowledges the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within our community.

DISCLAIMER

Readers are advised that the Find Manningham accepts no responsibility for financial, health or other claims published in advertising or in articles written in this newspaper. All comments are of a general nature and do not take into account your personal financial situation, health and/or wellbeing. We recommend you seek professional advice before acting on anything written herein.

NEXT ISSUE

CHRISTMAS DAY AND HOLIDAYS

By Warren Strybosch

The end of year is fast approaching and what a year it has been. A lot of things have been happening behind the scenes to make this community paper even better and we hope to roll out many of these initiatives in the new year.

Before I get into some of these new initiatives, I want to say a big thankyou to everyone who supports our community paper. There is a lot of work that goes into producing this community paper and it would not happen if we did not have the support from our Find Foundation board, local businesses, Not-For-Profits and of course, our readers.

Ok. So, what has been happening behind the scenes? Firstly, we have welcomed several members to the board of the Find Foundation (www.findfoundation. org.au). The Find Foundation is the Not-For-Profit that overseas and runs the community papers. It makes all the big decisions regarding the future direction of the community paper and how we interact with all the stakeholders who are currently involved and will be involved in the future.

It is our aim to have a community paper established in all council regions across Victoria and so it is important to have the appropriate governance structure in place to not only see this vision come to light but to ensure we are meeting all the regulator requirements needed to safeguard the NFP mission and vision.

The community papers enable other NFPs, and other organisations who are running fundraising events, to promote their events for free. Also, it is a place to enable NFPs and charities to share their story so that the general public can become more aware of the services those organisations provide and in turn help support those organisations if they feel called to do so.

Secondly, we have worked with Find Pty Ltd, to revamp the Find Network (www. findnetwork.com.au) and to rollout the Find Network App. The Find Network App will make it easier for small businesses to refer clients and customers to each other in the Find referral network and keep track of those referrals at each stage of the process. The Find Network has introduced three levels of participation (https://findnetwork.com.au/join/) so that it is now more affordable to become

a Find Network member and participate in network meetings. The first membership option is an online network meeting option for those wishing to explore what the Find Network has to offer and to get a better understanding of how the Find Network runs alongside the Find Foundation. If you become a Find Network member (options 2 or 3) and we have the numbers, in short, we will set up a community paper in your region and you will be able to support the Find Foundation by contributing articles and advertising in the community paper. Don’t worry, your Find Network membership covers all associated advertising costs – you don’t have to pay anything more to advertise and provide articles about your business in the community paper when you become a Find Network member.

Thirdly, we are so close to rolling out the Find Cards App and this new exciting fundraising initiative (www.findcards. com.au). We were hoping to have this App ready in July/August but as with everything new it takes time to get things right. As of writing this letter, we are currently waiting on the Apple Store to approve the App. The good news is that Google Play have approved it already. The Find Cards fundraising initiative will enable the public to sign up to the Find Cards for less than a coffee a month. Businesses will be able to supply discount deals and coupon deals – instead of giving 30% away to Uber Eats as an example, we will encourage them to provide discount offers to our Find Card members. This way both the general public and local business owners will

benefit. Also, Find Card members will go into monthly draws to win prizes. As we get more members on board, the prizes will get larger. We will eventually have prizes per region so that more people have a chance of winning a prize. Some of you might be asking how is this a fundraising initiative? Who does it benefit? Well, when you sign up to become a Find Card member, you elect an organisation to support. The organisation can be a school, sporting club, NFP or charity. At the end of the year, we inform the organisation of the funds we have raised for them and pass on these funds to them. All the organisations must do is sign up as an in-kind sponsor of the Find Foundation to receive the funds. There is no cost to sign up as an in-kind sponsor. In short, everyone wins…the general public, the small business owner, and those organisations needing additional funding to continue operating. Not only will some funds go to the organisation you have elected to support, but some will also go to the Find Foundation to help that NFP to achieve its mission of rolling out community papers across Victoria.

As you can see it has been a very busy year here with lots of exciting things on the go.

From all the team of the Find Foundation and Find Network, we hope the rest of the year is rewarding, restful, and you find love and/or friendship in those around you.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.

Bookkeeping - Back to basics

10 Essential Bookkeeping Tips for Tradies

BOOKKEEPING

By Jodie Moore

As a tradie, you're likely flying solo when it comes to managing your business's books. This means you must find a balance between your core work and staying on top of your numbers.

Here are 10 practical bookkeeping tips for tradies to help you stay organised and ensure your financial processes are running smoothly.

1. Use Job Numbers for Better Tracking

Having unique identifiers to help distinguish one job from another reduces the risk of confusion or mix-ups. As your business grows and you take on more clients, job numbers become even more critical for tracking progress payments, and outstanding balances. You can also assign expenses to a specific job to help ensure you are charging the client correctly, increasing your profit margin. With a clear system in place, you can easily monitor which jobs have been paid and which are still pending. Job numbers also allow you to look at specific historical jobs should a client call you up with a query on a previous job you did for them or to ask for more work to be done. Everything is in one place meaning you don’t need to go looking for it giving your client peace of mind that you can help them again.

2. Create a Simple and Streamlined Bookkeeping System

I think it is safe to say that many tradies aren’t fans of paperwork, so it’s important to create a bookkeeping system that works for you. Automate the flow of tasks from job acquisition to invoicing and payment tracking. Set up a filing system so you don’t spend half your time looking for receipts. Having a system in place means you are more likely to keep on top of your paperwork and not let it build up to the point where it becomes overwhelming to even look at.

3. Outsource Invoicing and Accounts Management

Handling accounts manually can be time-consuming and error-prone. Outsourcing your invoicing and accounts payable/receivable tasks can save you hours of admin work.

A professional bookkeeping service will ensure that your invoices are sent out on time, payments are tracked accurately, and best practices are followed. This allows you to focus on growing your business and building relationships with clients rather than getting bogged down in paperwork.

4. Understand Your Tax Obligations

As a business owner, you have a responsibility to stay on top of your tax obligations. Failing to report your income and expenses accurately could lead to fines or legal trouble. Working with a tax accountant or bookkeeper can help you keep your financial records in order and ensure you take advantage of any tax deductions available to your business. A tax accountant can also assist with preparing your tax filings, reducing stress come tax time.

5. Separate Personal and Business Expenses

A key trait of financially successful tradies is discipline—both on the job and with their finances. Mixing personal and business expenses can create confusion and make it harder to track your financial performance. Open a separate bank account for your business transactions to help maintain clear financial boundaries. This simple step will make your bookkeeping more organised and reduce the risk of accidental misuse of business funds.

6. Monitor Your Bank Account Regularly

It’s easy to assume you have enough money in the bank, only to find out later that your account is running low. Keep a close eye on every dollar that enters and leaves your bank account. Regular monitoring helps you avoid overspending and ensures that you can manage your cash flow effectively. Always be proactive about tracking your income and expenses to prevent any surprises that could negatively impact your business. Consider what larger expenses are due within the next couple of months so you can maintain sufficient funds in your account to pay for them.

7. Maintain Ongoing Relationships With Your Customers

The relationship with your customers shouldn’t end once a job is completed. Repeat business is often more costeffective than acquiring new customers, so stay in touch with past clients. Keep

their contact details on hand to reach out for feedback, ask for reviews, or notify them about new products or services you offer. Building lasting relationships with clients can lead to valuable wordof-mouth referrals and future work.

7. Keep Detailed Financial Reports

Accurate financial reporting is the backbone of any successful business. Ensure that you maintain up-to-date balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and annual reports. These documents provide valuable insights into your business’s financial health, helping you make informed decisions and plan for growth. Regularly review these reports to keep track of expenses, income, and profitability.

8. Retain Detailed Receipts for Every Transaction

Receipts serve as proof of your business’s transactions and are vital for maintaining accurate records. They also come in handy when it’s time to file taxes. Keep a physical and digital copy of all receipts to ensure you can back up your financial records. Even if you use accounting software to track your expenses, having physical receipts as backup can help avoid complications in case of a dispute or audit.

9. Consider Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping and Accounts

If you’re serious about growing your business, outsourcing your bookkeeping tasks can free up valuable time and reduce stress. Professional bookkeepers can help you manage all aspects of your finances—from tracking income and expenses to preparing reports and handling payroll. By delegating these tasks, you can focus on what you do best—delivering high-quality work to your clients—while ensuring that your finances are in expert hands. It will likely take a bookkeeper a lot less time than it takes you to manage your finances. But it is also important that you understand your finances and not just hand it all over and forget about it.

Final Thoughts

Bookkeeping might not be the most glamorous aspect of running a business, but it’s crucial for long-term success. By following these 10 tips, you’ll create a solid foundation for managing your business’s finances. Whether you handle the books yourself or outsource them, staying organised and informed is key to growing a successful tradie business.

Just how beautiful are wilderness areas, refreshing to the soul

By Liz Sanzaro

Recently we visited the North and West Coasts of Tasmania, leaving from Launceston.

Cataract Gorge is actually a little known feature of Tasmania, people preferring Hobart but the Launceston gorge is amazing and quite close to the CBD.

Always spectacular especially after heavy rain. Loud roaring, turbulent and a force of nature.

When not in flood it is quite a different picture, and a great walk up and back with not too much of an incline.

Tasmanian geology is so very different from the mainland, in fact a professor of geology who has made a lifetime study of rocks and matching up places from Gondwana land to known places, has a very well explained theory that Tasmania was never attached to Australia, but instead is a chunk broken off from Antarctica when that land mass was near North America. Sounds bizarre, but you can read about the new findings here,https://www.abc.net. au/news/2015-09-08/tasmania-oncewedged-between-antarctica-and-northamerica/6757774

Further afield there is Levon Canyon walk, out of Ulverston on the north coast. Amazing to see the canyon come and go from the one vantage point.

Dip Falls out of Boat Harbour is also beautiful, but we are yet to find waterfalls that do not impress, plus the sounds are soothing. You can see the dolerite columns here, where the water splashes onto each column, making for a very white water fall.

Having already seen the Nut at Stanley which is well known as a dormant volcano base.

Last but not least is the absolutely amazing Trowatta Arch and caves on the Tarkine national forest

With Tasmania on our doorstep, this was all done in a 4 day get away. It is necessary to refresh your soul, especially if you are feeling despondent about Climate Change and world events. We are not travel agents, just wanting to share vision of how pristine parts of Tasmania still are, precious beyond words.

The Conservation Society wishes you all a good end of year break.

If you find any injured wildlife over the holidays, carefully transfer it to a cardboard box using a heavy towel or blanket to protect yourself, then take it to a local Vet if open. There is no charge for this service. Also when the weather is hot make sure there is water available for wildlife in your garden.

Otherwise call Wildlife Victoria 24 hours, 7 days a week on-call support for injured or sick wildlife.

Call Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300 or report an injured animal using their online form.

By Ethan Strybosch

For not-for-profit organisations (NFPs), standing out online can feel like an uphill battle. But what if you had $156,000 annually to boost your online presence and drive more people to your cause?

Enter the Google Ad Grant program, a powerful opportunity that provides NFPs with free advertising credit to spread their message, attract new supporters, and increase donations. If your organisation isn’t leveraging this game-changing resource yet, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

What Is the Google Ad Grant Program?

Google offers eligible NFPs up to $10,000 a month in Google Ads credit—totalling $156,000 a year. These funds allow you to run targeted ad campaigns that appear in Google search results, helping you reach the right audience at the right time.

Whether your goal is to raise awareness, drive traffic to your website, or engage with potential donors, Google Ad Grants can transform your online marketing efforts.

How to Apply

1. Check Your Eligibility

Start by ensuring your organisation meets the requirements. You must:

• Be a registered not-for-profit.

• Hold valid charity status in your country.

• Agree to Google’s non-discrimination policies.

Visit Google for Nonprofits for full eligibility criteria.

2. Submit Your Application

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you can apply directly through Google for Nonprofits. The process is straightforward, and guidance is available at every step.

3. Set Up Your Account

After approval, you’ll need to set up your Google Ads account. Google provides a guided setup to ensure your campaigns comply with the program's policies.

Optimising Your Ad Campaigns

Getting started is just the first step— ongoing optimisation is key to making

Are You Tapping Into

$156,000 Per Year Google Ad Grant Yet?

the most of your ad credit. Here’s how to create impactful campaigns:

• Keyword Research

Identify the terms your audience is searching for using tools like Google Keyword Planner. Focus on keywords that align with your mission and services.

• Engaging Ad Copy

Craft compelling ads that resonate with your audience. Use clear and direct calls to action, such as “Donate Now” or “Learn More.”

• Landing Page Optimisation

Ensure the landing pages your ads link to are relevant and userfriendly. A clear call to action on these pages—like signing up for a newsletter or making a donation— can drive better results.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While the Google Ad Grant program is an incredible opportunity, it’s essential to avoid these common mistakes:

• Low Click-Through Rates (CTR)

If your ads aren’t attracting clicks, test new keywords and refine your ad copy. Small changes can lead to significant improvements.

• Poor Quality Scores

Google assigns Quality Scores to your ads based on their relevance to the landing page. Ads and landing pages must align closely to maintain performance.

Ready to Make an Impact?

With $156,000 per year in free advertising, your organisation has the potential to reach new heights in visibility, engagement, and impact. Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimise existing campaigns, the Google Ad Grant program is a resource no NFP should overlook.

Take the first step today—visit Google for Nonprofits to learn more and apply. Your cause deserves to be seen.

MORTGAGE BROKERING

By Reece Droscher

Did you know that seven out of 10 borrowers use a mortgage broker?

During the June 2024 quarter, mortgage brokers wrote 73.7% of all new home loans in Australia – the second highest result on record.

When it comes to refinancing, many borrowers choose to use a mortgage broker for peace of mind that switching is the right move for them.

Here’s why many borrowers are using a mortgage broker to refinance, rather than going direct to a lender.

Professional advice you can trust

Australians are in the midst of a cost-ofliving crisis and money is tight for many. When it comes to your home loan, you want to know that it’s competitive and has the features you need.

A mortgage broker is a trained finance specialist who can offer support and guidance about whether refinancing is suitable for you. We understand the different home loans and can narrow down your options to find one that marries with your specific financial situation and goals.

Mortgage brokers are bound by a best interests duty. What that means is we are governed to always act in the best interests of our clients, so you can rest assured we’re on your team.

A streamlined refinancing process

Do you remember when you took out your existing home loan?

Maybe you had to jump through a few hoops to get to the finish line? Perhaps it felt like there was A LOT of paperwork to wade through and it all seemed overwhelming at times?

Mortgage brokers streamline the refinancing process. We liaise with the lender, oversee the paperwork and provide ongoing assistance.

Bottom line: you’ll have someone to support you throughout the entire refinancing journey.

Tailored finance solutions

There’s no one-size-fits-all mortgage. Everyone’s financial situation and goals

WHY USE A MORTGAGE BROKER TO REFINANCE?

are different, which is why you need tailored finance solutions.

A mortgage broker will take the time to understand your financial circumstances and goals. If we think you could benefit from an offset account or redraw facility, we’ll explain why, but we won’t push extras on you that you don’t actually need.

A panel of lenders

If you go directly to a lender, they’ll try to sell you their home loans. Naturally.

We have access to a full panel of lenders, so we can compare the market and find a mortgage that’s suitable for you. Borrowers are spoilt for choice these days, and we will help you pick your home loan from the hundreds of options out there.

What about commissions? The commissions we receive are pretty similar across lenders. This ensures there’s no incentive for a broker to recommend one lender over another. Our job is to act with our clients’ best interests at heart.

A holistic approach to your finances

Banks are generally focused on the here and now. Their primary goal is to secure your business and lock you in.

Mortgage brokers, on the other hand, take a holistic approach to your finances. We’ll take into account your current

financial situation and future financial aspirations, then line you up with finance to support those goals.

Common reasons to refinance

If you haven’t reassessed your mortgage recently, now is the time to do it. Refinancing could help you to:

• Secure a more competitive interest rate

• Benefit from interest-saving features like offset accounts or redraw facilities

• Access equity for renovations, additional properties or other financial goals

• Consolidate debt.

Like to explore your options? Interest rates may be on the move again in early 2025, so it makes sense to shop around now to see what lenders are offering. Contact Reece on 0478021757 for more information.

Please call Reece Droscher on 0478 021 757 to discuss all of your Home Loan needs.

reece@shlfinance.com.au www.shlfinance.com.au

FINANCIAL PLANNER

By Warren Strybosch

As the year is coming to a close, we want to thank all our readers and clients for their continued support. At Find Wealth (which also includes Find Retirement & Find Insurance) we will continue to strive to improve our client experience and be one of the best financial planning firms in Australia. On that note, we are excited to announce that Erryn Langley is a finalist for the first time at the IFA awards (https:// www.ifa.com.au/excellence-awards/ winners/2024-winners-and-finalists) in the category of SMSF Advisor of the Year, and I, Warren Strybosch, am a finalist in 2 individual categories: Client Outcome of the Year & Holistic Advisor of the Year – Vic. The Find Group (representing Find Wealth, Find Accountant, Find Foundation, and Find Network) is a finalist across five (5) categories. Last month I, Warren Strybosch, was listed for the third time in the FS Power 50 as one of the most influential financial advisors in Australia and I recently attended the IFPA awards where I picked up Holistic Advisor of the Year and Australian Financial Practice of the Year. In all, Erryn and I have had a good year, and this could not have been possible without the support of our amazing team and our families.

This month we just want to touch on what is new across the industry as follows:

1. New Aged Care Bill passed

On 25 November, the Aged Care Bill 2024 passed both houses of Parliament and will become law with amendments made by the Senate. The new Act will commence from 1 July 2025.

These changes were mentioned in previous editions under our Aged Care.

Early in the new year, we will delve into the potential impact of these changes from a strategic perspective for our clients looking to access aged care both before and after 1 July 2025.

Note: Warren Strybosch of Find Wealth will be looking to launch their new website www.findagedcare.services in 2025 and from 1st July 2025, will start to provide aged care advice. Watch this space.

2. Increase in maximum published Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)

As part of the Government’s aged care reforms, there is a proposal to allow the maximum published accommodation price that can be charged without seeking approval from the Pricing Authority, to increase from $550,000 to $750,000.

Additionally, the maximum price will then be indexed annually on 1 July each year to CPI.

While the new Aged Care Act will commence from 1 July 2025, the Government has registered a legislative instrument Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (Maximum Accommodation Payment) Determination 2024 to implement this change to RADs which will come into effect from 1 January 2025.

3. Release of super on compassionate grounds

The ATO recently released statistics pertaining to the early access of super under the Compassionate Grounds condition of release.

The information highlights the popular reasons for access and the likely success of the application, a useful bit of information for clients requesting early access under this condition.

Of particular interest:

• The total dollar amount released under the Compassionate Grounds definition has more than doubled over the past six years

• Medical treatment is by far the largest category for withdrawals, making up 94.5% of applications approved in 2023-24.

• Of the sub-categories under medical treatment, 45% of the approved claims were for dental treatment and 28.6% for weight loss

• Preventing foreclosure or forced sale of a home was the category with the lowest application success rate with only 1,110 approved applications from 12,900 applications received in 2023-24.

The full report is available on the ATO website here.

4. 2025 Federal Budget date change

The Australian Federal Budget for 202526 will be handed down on Tuesday 25 March 2025 instead of the usual second Tuesday in May. This is in anticipation of the upcoming Federal Election which must be held on or before 17 May 2025.

Leading up to the election, when Parliament is dissolved, all proposed bills and other business before the House of Representatives and the Senate will expire and will have to be reintroduced in the next Parliament (if applicable).

Again, from everyone at the Find Group which includes Find Wealth, we want to wish you all a happy Christmas and enjoyable time away with your friends and family at this time of year.

Warren Strybosch

Financial Planning is offered via Find Wealth Pty Ltd ACN 140 585 075 t/a Find Wealth & Find Retirement.

Wealth is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No 468091) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007 (AFSL No. 449221).Part of the Centrepoint Alliancegroup https://www. centrepointalliance.com.au/

Warren Strybosch is Authorised representative (No. 468091) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd. Services offered are superannuation, retirement planning and aged care advice.

This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice.You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication.

Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, it is based on our understanding of current regulatory requirements and laws at the publication date. As these laws are subject to change you should talk to an authorised adviser for the most up-to-date information. No warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither Alliance Wealth nor its related entities, employees or representatives accepts responsibility for any loss suffered by any person arising from reliance on this information.

Dreaming of setting up your own business – things to consider

ACCOUNTANT

By Warren Strybosch

I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to a well-earned break at the end of 2024. As a family we hook up the caravan and head off towards Falls Creek and set up camp along the Kiewa River. I try to slow down even though I find that hard, but I do look forward to spending that time with family and friends.

As you all know, I run my own accounting and financial planning business with a focus on looking after pre-retirees and retiree clients. What you may not be aware of is that I am also the founder of a Not-For-Profit called the Find Foundation which runs community papers throughout Victoria, and I manage the Find Network that runs a network group alongside the community papers. Additionally, I am on the board as treasurer where my children attend their schooling, and if that is not enough, I am about to launch our new wellbeing business to help our aged care clients and those clients with mobility issues. I am also currently writing a money/ financial planning book aimed at helping young people who either cannot afford financial advice or simply don’t want to see a financial planner. I told the Uber driver about my book, and he now follows me on LinkedIn. He told me he would be one of the first to purchase it…I might give him one for free given he was so encouraging during our trip to the airport. Oh, did I mention I am also writing a financial planning course for an overseas university? One of my friends says he gets tired just hearing me talk about all my business ideas and what I have on the go, but I thrive on it…well, most of the time I do but to be honest, I am looking forward to some down time this year…it has been a big year.

The end of year is often a time for reflection. For some there will be thoughts of leaving paid employment and running their own business. Whilst running your own business brings with it certain rewards and sounds romantic, it can also bring with it many challenges. I was asked recently to help a new client set up his own business. So, I thought I would put together a few thoughts for people to consider before they head down this path.

1. Business Idea and Market Research

• Define Your Niche: Clearly identify the problem your business solves and how it stands out in the market. If you can find a solution to a problem

, then you are likely to succeed. Alternatively, if you feel you can do what someone else is already doing but better, faster or cheaper (without sacrificing on quality) then that might be the way to go.

• Understand Your Target Audience: Conduct thorough market research to understand who your customers are, their needs, behaviours, and pain points.

• Competitor Analysis: Research competitors in your industry to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. This helps you identify gaps in the market or areas for differentiation. For me, I like to speak to other award-winning financial planning and accounting practices. Be humble and recognise that you can learn from others.

2. Legal Structure and Compliance

• Choose a Legal Structure: Decide on the type of business entity (sole proprietorship, partnership, company, trust, etc.). This decision impacts taxes, liability, and other factors. Speak to your accountant about all of this.

• Obtain Necessary Permits and Licenses: Depending on your location and industry, you may need to apply for specific business licenses, permits, or certifications. Often it is insurance you will need to obtain e.g., public liability, work cover and/or income protection.

• Understand your Tax Obligations and get the Right Software: Consult a tax professional to understand the tax obligations and what bookkeeping software you should use. Aim to use bookkeeping software at the start as it will save you time and money in the long run.

3. Funding and Cashflow

• Estimate Startup Costs: Calculate the initial capital required for equipment, inventory, office space, marketing, etc. This helps you determine how much funding you need.

• Sources of Capital: Explore funding options such as personal savings, bank loans, investors, crowdfunding, or grants.

• Cash Flow Management: Set up a cash flow plan that includes cash flow projections, budgeting, and accounting systems to track revenue and expenses.

4. Branding and Marketing Strategy

• Develop Your Brand Identity: Create a strong brand that resonates with your target audience, including a logo, colour scheme, messaging, and tone of voice.

• Marketing Plan: Design a marketing strategy that includes both online and offline channels, such as social media, SEO, content marketing, email campaigns, and traditional advertising. Don’t fool yourself. If you are not on social media, you need to start. Remember, when you run a business, social media should be all about you and your business so keep it family friendly. You do not want to alienate the general public who are conservative by nature.

• Domain Names and Trademarks: Make sure you can obtain the domain name that represents your business and check IP Australia for trademarks. The last thing you want to do is receive a letter stating you are infringing someone else’s IP.

• Customer Acquisition and Retention: Identify strategies for attracting new customers and retaining them, including promotions, loyalty programs, and personalised services.

5. Operations and Systems

• Set Up Your Operations: Establish processes for day-to-day business operations, including supply chain management, inventory control, and customer service.

• Technology and Tools: Invest in the right software and tools (CRM, accounting software, project management tools) to streamline your workflow and enhance productivity.

• Scalability: Design your operations with scalability in mind, so you can efficiently handle business growth without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction.

• Staffing: Consider hiring admin staff from overseas and only hire client facing staff in Australia.

By carefully considering the above areas, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a successful business.

Feel free to give me a call if you wish to discuss your next business idea or want any help to understand any of the above points.

How to look after your liver (especially during times of celebration)

NATUROPATH

By Kathryn Messenger

Your liver is one of the major detoxification organs in your body. But not only does it work in detoxification, it also plays an important role in hormone regulation and blood glucose metabolism.

It’s commonly known that too much alcohol is bad for your liver. But did you know that overeating, too much sugar or white flour products, as well as prescription medications (and recreational drugs) can increase the detoxification load of the liver?

Some common signs of reduced liver function:

• Fatigue (especially after lunch or mid-afternoon)

• Brain fog

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Irritability, frustration, or anger

• Dry skin

The good news is that the liver is an organ that can repair itself (at least at this point), and there are lots of simple things you can do to help your liver with its role of detoxification and help to improve its function.

Fluids

Drink plenty of water, it’s the easiest way to help your body eliminate waste products and toxins, it does this via the liver and digestive system, via the kidneys and urinary system, and also through sweat. Lemon, lime or grapefruit in water is especially helpful. There are some herbal teas that will also be of benefit: chamomile tea, dandelion root, or turmeric.

Foods

Bitter foods are not only good for the liver, but will stimulate your body to make more enzymes to aid in digestion. Mild bitter foods include the brassica family: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts and cabbage. Bitter leafy greens such as roquette or dandelion greens can help, and for a good serve of bitters, you can't go past bitter melon.

Fasting

It makes sense that if overeating can cause liver problems, fasting can help with the repair. Often people with poor liver function don’t have a morning appetite. If this is you, fasting breakfast is a great place to start. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and when you do start eating, avoid sugar and white flour products, and include some of the foods that will help your liver.

I see such good results in my clinic with people’s energy levels in a short time after taking liver herbs, and there are some great herbal and nutritional products to improve metabolism and to help you feel great.

Kathryn Messenger

When do you consider closing down your SMSF?

RETIREMENT

By Warren Strybosch

Before I delve into this topic, I just want to say thank you to everyone who reads my articles and for those who have supported me throughout this year. I was very humbled to have been placed into the FS Power 50 once again.

(https://www.financialstandard.com.au/ fspower50#website).

The Financial Standard’s Power50 list is made up of the 50 most influential financial advisers in the country according to the readers of Financial Standard and FS Advice - The Australian Journal of Financial Planning.

They search for advisers who have actively participated in industry-based activities, community-based projects and/or other initiatives designed to promote the important role that financial advisers play in the country’s socio-economic future.

Not only did I make it into the FS Power 50 but I was a finalist in three (3) categories for the Australian Financial Industry Awards for 2024, an initiative run by the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA). These prestigious awards celebrate excellence and outstanding

achievements within the accounting, superannuation, and financial advice sectors. I was able to attend the awards in late November and won Holistic Advisor of the Year and to my astonishment, walked away as the overall winner as Australian Financial Practice of the Year.

(https://online.ifpa.com.au/2024finalists).

This week I am travelling to Sydney again as I am a finalist across eight (8) categories for the prestigious IFA Excellence Awards. It is one of the most anticipated awards programs of the year, that identifies the top businesses and professionals in the financial services industry across the nation. In 2021 and 2023. I won an award, and last year I was the bridesmaid across four (4) categories. Winning an ifa Excellence Award is a desirable accolade for both individuals and businesses seeking to forge their role in the finance industry and pinpoint professional development and innovation.

Moving on to this month’s article.

When is it time to close down a SMSF?

At least once or twice a year I find myself having a discussion with a Trustee of a SMSF regarding the closure of their SMSF. Often these discussions take place when the trustees are in their late 70’s or 80’s and are starting to find it burdensome

to keep up with all the regulatory requirements of running their own SMSF. Often, these trustees do not have a financial planner helping them to manage their SMSF affairs and/or the underlying investments, and so all the legal and investment requirements fall on their shoulders.

Whilst it is not a requirement to have a retirement strategy in place when running a SMSF, I encourage trustees to consider putting one in place and to seek professional advice when doing so. I believe it is important that trustees give thought to their futures and to consider the ‘what if’s’ situations that might occur. For instance, what if one of the members pass away? Usually, it is the husband to pass away first and they were the ones managing the SMSF on behalf of himself and his wife. Would the wife be able to continue running the SMSF? What if a trustee has a property in the SMSF and wants to retire but still has debt associated with the property and cannot meet the minimum pension payment requirements? How do they pay themselves a pension? What if one of the members loses capacity to manage the SMSF?

Trustees should reconsider every three years if an SMSF is still the correct retirement strategy for their needs, and

RETIREMENT

have an exit plan in place, otherwise they might be forced to close the SMSF at a time they did not expect it or want to.

With the rise of industry funds offering low fee investment options and the ability now to purchase shares, exchange traded funds (ETF), and term deposits (TD), there are now alternative options compared to a SMSF for those in retirement.

I am of the opinion that if you do not want to hold property in a SMSF and you are not inclined to invest in highly speculative investments like Crypto and Derivatives, then maybe a SMSF is not the right vehicle for you to use in retirement. As such, I manage a lot of clients share portfolios using industry funds and the returns have done quite well to date. Even so, there are many clients who just love running a SMSF and so our business needs to cater to those with and without a SMSF.

I felt that as an accountant and financial advisor, who also has SMSF financial planning qualifications, that there would be a conflict of interest to do both the tax returns and provide financial planning advice in this space. It made sense to find another financial planner who specialised in this area. As such, I asked Erryn Langley to join the Find Group of companies so that any conflicts of interest would be removed and there would be two sets of eyes on the SMSF accounts, adding extra protection to our SMSF clients.

& RETIREMENT & AGED CARE

Erryn Langley specialises in providing financial advice to trustees who own and operate their own SMSF. I liked what Erryn did so much that I convinced her to join my business so that I could concentrate on the tax side of the business when it comes to SMSF, and Erryn could do her magic on the financial planning side of things. Erryn has a great rapport with her clients and looks beyond just investments. She prides herself on being on top of all the regulations and implementing strategies that benefit the clients now and in the future.

We work well together.

So, if you are not ready to let go of your SMSF but realise that you might need some help managing it, then Erryn might be an option for you until it becomes all too difficult or your situation changes that having a SMSF is not a realistic option anymore.

Even so, we still would encourage trustees to review their retirement strategy at least every three years. As part of your review, we encourage you to at least know what steps you may need to take if you ever find yourself needing to close down the SMSF. It is better to be informed now rather than feeling overwhelmed later on.

Feel free to reach out to Find Retirement, Find Wealth or Find Accountant if you need help with your SMSF.

Special Tax Return Offer

Warren Strybosch

Award winning Financial Adviser and Accountant

Part of the Find Group of Companies

Financial Planning, SMSF, Super, Insurance, PreRetirement & Retirement Planning (Financial Planning) are offered via Find Wealth Pty Ltd ACN 140 585 075 t/a Find Wealth, Find Insurance and Find Retirement. Find Wealth Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No 468091) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007 (AFSL No. 449221).Part of the

Centrepoint Alliance group (www.centrepointalliance.com.au/fsg/aw).

Warren Strybosch

Authorised Representative (No. 468091) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd.

Erryn Langley

Authorised Representative (No. 1269525)

This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication.

Manningham

New Mayor and Deputy Mayor elected for Manningham

Manningham’s new Councillors have elected Councillor Deirdre Diamante as Manningham Mayor and Councillor Andrew Conlon as Deputy Mayor for the year ahead.

Unanimously voted in by her fellow Councillors at the Annual Meeting of Council on 19 November 2024, Cr Diamante said it is an honour to lead the newly elected Council in the first year of its four-year term.

The Tullamore Ward Councillor is passionate about equal opportunity, our natural environment and family, and has been a Manningham resident for more than 40 years. A Councillor since 2020, Cr Diamante previously served as Manningham Mayor in 2022/23.

“I have grown up in Manningham, in Council Street, and the opportunity to again lead this City in public service is truly amazing,” Cr Diamante said.

“I want Manningham to continue to be a great place to live, learn and grow. I want my children to want to live here and want to raise their families here.”

Cr Diamante said some of her key priorities over the next year will include advocating for the Manningham community on the North East Link Project, working with local multicultural communities, supporting the work of our healthy ageing unit and enhancing opportunities for local businesses.

“I look forward to collaborating with all of our Councillors in developing our Council

Plan, the Budget and our strategic approach for Manningham, harnessing our extensive expertise and experience for our community.”

Cr Andrew Conlon was elected as Deputy Mayor and congratulated Cr Diamante. “This is an important year to set the tone for our Council term and I know you will support us to collaborate and make the right decisions for our community,” Cr Conlon said.

Find out more about Manningham’s Councillors at manningham.vic.gov.au/ councillors

Watch the Annual Meeting of Council at manningham.vic.gov.au/events/annualmeeting-council-19-november-2024

Council

Manningham Council property purchase sets the stage for new community house

Manningham Council has signed the contract to purchase 576-578 Park Road, Park Orchards as part of its planning for a new Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre.

A priority action in Council’s Community Infrastructure Plan, discussions and advocacy have already commenced for the replacement of this popular neighbourhood house and it is hoped that this significant investment by Council will be the catalyst for investment from other levels of government.

Manningham Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, said the existing community house needs replacing to bring programs and services together.

“The Community House is widely used and offers a variety of programs and services in learning, fitness and art for all ages, and includes a well-loved childcare facility.

“The current building is coming to the end of its useful life, has limited accessibility

and is too small to cater to all programs. These limitations have resulted in programs moving to different locations and spread across multiple local venues.

“By bringing these programs together into one building with better access and more space, we can improve efficiency and better support the community’s growing needs.”

The location of the new property, adjacent to the existing Community House at 572 Park Road, will allow for more space for the variety of programs on offer.

“Located in the heart of Park Orchards, as part of a community and education precinct and near public bus transport, the site will maintain convenient access to childcare, schools, recreational areas, and shops.” Cr Diamante added.

The purchase of 576-578 Park Road is part of Council’s long-term planning to replace this important neighbourhood house for Park Orchards.

Neighbourhood houses are predominantly funded by government grants and additional state and commonwealth government funding will be needed to deliver this new community facility.

“We have purchased this property as part of our long-term plan for the community house and local area. We’re pleased to be able to secure a site for a new centre in Park Orchards and will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding to deliver it.”

The purchase was funded by Council’s Strategic Fund which is part of its 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34.

For more information, visit yoursay. manningham.vic.gov.au/park-orchardscommunity-house-feasibility.

For more information, readers can visit

On the 8th November the Sunbeam Talbot 10hp, car ( the 21st birthday present to Lady Pamela Vestey- daughter of Dame Nellie Melba) was “ flagged off “ at Ringwood Square car park by Councillor Prue Cutts and Philip Daw President of the Heatherdale Community Action Group Inc.

The Sunbeam Talbot was driven to Coombe Cottage in Coldstream by Mal Clarke- one of the restorers of the vehicle – a slow and steady trip. The escort vehicle was a Sunbeam Allegro( owned by Terry Sully) ( one of 3 in the world) . THE SUNBEAMS WERE CERTAINLY BEAMING. !

I WANT TO BE A SUNBEAM

Baroness Saffron Foster, ( grand daughter of Dame Nellie Melba.) and family were there to view & welcome the car back for the special trip to its ancestral home..- Coombe Cottage was built in 1912 and Dame Nellie Melba always called it home. Coombe has always been kept exactly as she left it, and the house and 80 acres of grounds have been maintained impeccably .

Mr. Terry Sully stated that it was “fantastic” to be able to bring a small part of history to the family . The Sunbeam was stored in a hayshed for 70 + years before Mr. Sully purchased it for restoration with his mate Mal.

It is hoped that the next phase of the exquisite car’s life will be an interesting one where many people are able to see this part of history. – where is yet to be decided.

ELWYNNE KIFT

HEATHERDALE COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP

EV Strengthening Communities has launched a new service called the Virtual Volunteer Navigation Hub. The Virtual Volunteer Navigation Hub is a service available for anyone who is interested in finding volunteer opportunities in their local area according to their interests or needs. Prospective volunteers will submit a registration form on our website or via QR codes on postcards and flyers.

We have trained volunteer assessors who will meet with prospective volunteers online via Microsoft Teams or at our office in Ringwood to discuss the volunteer opportunities that are available locally. These volunteer opportunities would be referred to these volunteers to apply independently or with our support if requested. We also provide support in completing our registration form on our website if requested.

Feel free to send in a registration form on our website www.ev.org.au and select “I want to volunteer” OR scan the provided QR code to direct you straight to

form if you are interested in getting support in

Manningham Council to investigate next steps for former quarry in Doncaster

Manningham Council is investigating options to rehabilitate the site of the former Doncaster Quarry after identifying issues that prevent the land from being developed in its current state.

Earlier this year, Council sought expressions of interest for the potential development of the former quarry site, located at 620-628 Blackburn Road in Doncaster East.

This process was part of Manningham Council’s Strategic Property Portfolio initiative, which aims to find new ways of funding the increasing costs of services and infrastructure locally.

Due to issues with the quarry site limiting the financial return of any proposed development, the expressions of interest received were not found to be feasible.

Manningham Council’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Day said due to issues with fill, compaction, water and slope, the site will need to undergo rehabilitation before it could be developed.

“Our focus for the former Doncaster quarry site has shifted to rehabilitating the land site to support potential further development.”

The first step will be an investigation into what is required to remediate the land for future use and development.

The findings of this investigation will be presented to Council mid next year.

“We only get one opportunity to determine the future of this site, and we want to ensure the best financial return for the community. Once we understand what is required to rehabilitate the site, we will be in a better position to assess its potential,” Mr Day added.

For more information, go to yoursay. manningham.vic.gov.au/former-quarryprecinct

Manningham elects new Councillors

The Manningham community has elected its new Councillors, who have this week been officially sworn in to represent you through to 2028.

The new Council includes three new and six returning councillors across the nine wards of Manningham.

Following the elections in October, the elected Councillors are:

• Cr Geoff Gough – Bolin Ward

• Cr Andrew Conlon – Currawong Ward

• Cr Peter Bain – Manna Ward

• Cr Jim Grivas – Ruffey Ward

• Cr Laura Mayne – Schramm Ward

• Cr Deirdre Diamante – Tullamore Ward

• Cr Anna Chen – Waldau Ward

• Cr Isabella Eltaha – Westerfolds Ward

• Cr Carli Lange – Yarra Ward

Returning Councillors include Cr Geoff Gough, Cr Andrew Conlon, Cr Laura Mayne, Cr Deirdre Diamante, Cr Anna Chen and Cr Carli Lange. New Councillors are Cr Peter Bain,

Cr Isabella Eltaha and Cr Jim Grivas (who also served as a Councillor from 2012 to 2016). Manningham Council Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Day, is pleased to welcome the new Councillor group.

“It’s a privilege to welcome the new Council for Manningham. These are the candidates our community has voted in to represent them over the next four years,” he said.

“We look forward to working together to serve our wonderfully diverse and vibrant community here in Manningham.

“Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s election. To those who stood for Council, supported local candidates or voted – your participation has helped ensure the strength of our democratic process and system.”

The new Council will come together at the Annual Meeting of Council on Tuesday 19 November to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the year ahead.

This meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Manningham Council Facebook page.

Expressions of interest – help shape management of stormwater and flooding in Manningham

Community members are invited to register their interest to join the Manningham Flooding and Stormwater Management Community Reference Panel (CRP), for its second two-year term.

The CRP partners with Manningham Council to better understand the existing and emerging water challenges facing the community including:

• increased risk of flood and drought; and • pressures on potable water (drinking water) supplies.

This is your opportunity to make an impact on how we sustainably manage our water resources, care for our environment and manage flood risk into the future.

The CRP provides a diverse community voice to guide the preparation of an Integrated Water Management Strategy and the development of the Flood

Mapping Project. In informing Council’s deliberations, it supports quality decision making to best place the community, to proactively and sustainably, meet the challenges ahead.

Membership includes an independent facilitator, community members, Councillors, council officer representatives and subject matter experts.

For more information, or to submit the online Expression of Interest (EOI) form, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/ flood-and-water-management

The EOI process will close at 11.59pm on Friday 29 November 2024.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the Expression of Interest process by mid-January 2025.

Manningham Council partners with Jackson Court traders to support local business

With support from Manningham Council, the new Jackson Court Traders Association has seen the launch of its first initiative – a welcoming new sign at Jackson Court Shopping Centre.

Formed just over a year ago, the Jackson Court Traders Association advocates for its businesses, collaborates with Council, pursues funding opportunities and creates initiatives to promote the popular activity centre.

Jackson Court has more than 90 businesses, making it one of Manningham’s busiest and most vibrant centres.

The new sign on Doncaster Road is designed to showcase the mix of local businesses and advertise the centre.

Manningham Council supports activity centres with infrastructure upgrades, business support and planning. At Jackson Court, Council helped establish

the traders’ association with registration, governance, communication and business development support.

Manningham Council supports activity centres with infrastructure upgrades, business support and planning. At Jackson Court, Council helped establish the traders’ association with registration, governance, communication and business development support.

President of the Jackson Court Traders Association, Con Valsamis said the sign brings a new look and increased advertising space for businesses at the centre.

“As a group, we have so many ideas on ways to continue improving this important shopping district. This new signage is a big step towards us achieving these goals,” Mr Valsamis said.

“A big thank you to my fellow committee members for their passion and dedication and to Manningham Council

for their support in setting up our traders association.” “We want to bring this area to life and really show people what we at Jackson Court have to offer,” Mr Valsamis added.

You can follow Jackson Court Traders Association on Instagram @jacksoncourt. doncaster.