Find Manningham_May 2023 Edition

• Bookkeeper

• Bowen Therapy

• Builder- Commercial

• 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

• 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

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.

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

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.

Follow us on facebook (https://www. facebook.com/findmanningham) so you keep up to date with what we are doing.

We value your support, The Find Manningham Team.

anningham The

EDITORIAL ENQUIRES:

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

PUBLISHER: Issuu Pty Ltd

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.

ADVERTISING RATES (INCLUDE GST)

Available

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NEXT ISSUE

Next Issue of the Find Manningham will be published on Friday June 9, 2023. Advertising and Editorial copy closes Friday June 1, 2023.

GENERAL INSURANCE

By Craig Anderson

I get regular calls from people who are in the process of starting a new business. Many are after a “ball-park” figure for insurance costs so they can flesh out a business plan and budget for outgoings. No matter how the conversation starts, the outcome is largely dependent on the quality of the information provided by the client, and this can be… to put it politely, “a little thin” at times.

To maximise your chances of getting a fair and accurate insurance quote:

Be Qualified. I can’t tell you how many times people have been unaware of the qualifications, licenses, registrations, or tickets which are essential not only to do the job they plan to do, but to convince the insurer they are a “good risk”. This is particularly the case if we are trying to get you Professional Indemnity cover. Best to do your research before telling the boss you’re leaving. We can’t insure the uninsurable.

Clearly Define your Activities. If you describe yourself as a “glazier” but forget to tell us you are abseiling from the 40th floor to replace windows in a multi-storey office block, the insurer will incorrectly rate you and will decline any claims. Remember to describe and disclose your activities properly. We can’t provide accurate quotes without a correct description. An inaccurate quote could lead a worthless policy if care is not taken at this stage.

Tell Us About Future Plans. The selection of insurers may depend on whether they can accommodate all of the required cover sections. A Business Pack PL (Public Liability) Policy may be more appropriate than a stand-alone PL policy if—in a couple of months—you might need to add contents, business interruption, and machinery breakdown cover sections for example. You may need a stand-alone PL Policy if your activity is “non-preferred” by Business Pack Policy Insurers. Your broker might have to place you with a specialty underwriter who understands that specific occupation. It’s better to know from the start what you plan on doing later, so a flexible insurance programme can be put in place.

Provide Correct ABN and Trading Name. One fellow—insured with a direct insurer—had insured another company (not his own) with similar spelling for 6 years before realising that it was wrong from the very beginning. Details do matter. Double check this, otherwise you

Planning to start a business?

may take out an entirely worthless policy when you go ahead. Again, facts have to be right from the beginning.

Consider Advice. We understand no one has an unlimited budget, but don’t cut corners that may put you out of business before you’re off the ground. For example, If you handle and store people’s details like phone numbers, names and addresses, you need cyber protection for yourself. If employing people, you may need Management Liability Insurance, if you give advice, you may need Professional Indemnity and so on. Take the time to familiarise yourself with the risks, so you aren’t taken by surprise, and so you can write a realistic budget. Deciding in advance you need the “bare minimum” may be a costly financial error.

Read All of the Paperwork. When we ask you to read through and confirm the details are correct, you must check! Once a quote turns into a policy, this is a legal contract between you and the insurer. If you fail to read it, and later have an issue caused by a failure to correct your answers, it’s too late once a claim has occurred. Read the Schedule and read the PDS. Ask your broker questions, as the answers could make a big difference to the cover selected, and to how you manage risk within your business.

Be Patient. Often insurers and their underwriters are overwhelmed with the volume of inquiry, so be prepared to wait for a quality answer to come back. Speed doesn’t always equate to efficiency or deliver accuracy. Not everything can be done using online quoting tools, and this is particularly the case for complex risks. So perhaps start your research well before you quit your job to allow ample time to get it right.

You can thank me later.

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).

0418 300 096

By Warren Strybosch

Mother's Day is a special occasion that celebrates the women who have dedicated their lives to raising and nurturing their children. It's a day to recognize and appreciate the love, sacrifices, and unwavering support that mothers provide throughout our lives.

Mothers are often the backbone of the family, the ones who keep everything together through good times and bad. They are the first to wake up in the morning and the last to go to bed at night, working tirelessly to ensure their family's needs are met. They give up their own dreams and aspirations to make sure their children have every opportunity to succeed.

But Mother's Day is not just a day to celebrate biological mothers. It's a day to honor all the women who have played a motherly role in our lives. This could be a stepmother, grandmother, aunt, or any other woman who has provided love and guidance along the way.

On Mother's Day, we have the opportunity to show our appreciation for all that these women have done for us. Whether it's through a thoughtful gift, a heartfelt card, or a simple phone call,

By Tess Ikonomou

(Australian Associated Press)

Australians exposed to data breaches will soon be protected by a dedicated privacy watchdog with extra funding to keep information secure.

It will be the first time a standalone privacy commissioner has been appointed in more than eight years.

There will also be increased funding in the federal budget to tackle privacy issues. Australian information and privacy commissioner Angelene Falk will continue in the dual role until a replacement is found.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said massive data breaches that happened last year, including on Optus and Medibank, were distressing for millions of Australians.

“The former coalition government left Australia disgracefully unprepared for this challenge by failing to update

mothers make the world go around

taking the time to acknowledge and thank our mothers is a meaningful way to show our gratitude. But we shouldn't just celebrate our mothers on this one day. We should make a conscious effort to show our appreciation and love throughout the year. Whether it's by spending time together, sharing a meal, or simply saying "I love you," these small gestures can mean the world to a mother.

In a world that can be chaotic and unpredictable, the love and support of a mother is a constant source of comfort and stability. So let's take a moment to thank the women who have made such a significant impact on our lives. Happy Mother's Day!

If you would like to have your say, then write your response to editor@ findmanningham.com.au

privacy laws and scrapping the position of a standalone privacy commissioner,” he said. “The Albanese government takes privacy regulation seriously and has already acted to significantly

increase penalties for companies which fail to take adequate care of customer data and give the Australian Information Commissioner improved and new powers.”

‘Disgracefully underprepared’: New data breach watchdog

What is Lead Generation and why is it important?

DIGITAL MARKETING

By Ethan Strybosch

In today's digital age, lead generation and funnels are two critical components of digital marketing that go hand in hand. Lead generation refers to the process of attracting and converting potential customers into leads, while a funnel is a visual representation of the customer journey from initial awareness to final conversion. In this article, we'll explore what lead generation and funnels are, why they're essential, and how to create an effective lead generation funnel for your business.

At the heart of lead generation is the idea of identifying and nurturing potential customers. This is critical because it allows businesses to move potential customers through the sales funnel and ultimately convert them into paying customers. There are several ways to generate leads, including content marketing, social media marketing, paid advertising, and email marketing. Each of these channels can be effective in its own right, but the key is to use a combination of channels that work best for your business.

A funnel, on the other hand, is a visual representation of the customer journey.

The funnel is designed to capture a broad audience at the top and narrow down to a specific target audience at the bottom. The funnel typically consists of four stages: awareness, interest, decision, and action. At each stage, businesses need to provide the right messaging and content to move potential customers through the funnel.

Creating an effective lead generation funnel involves several steps. The first step is to define your target audience. Understanding your target audience is critical to creating content and messaging that resonates with them. Once you've defined your target audience, the next step is to create a value offer. A value offer is an incentive that you offer to potential customers in exchange for their contact information. This could be anything from a free ebook to a free trial or consultation. The key is to create something that provides value to your target audience and encourages them to take action.

The next step in creating an effective lead generation funnel is to build a landing page. A landing page is a dedicated page that's designed to convert visitors into leads. It should be focused on a specific offer and have a clear call-toaction (CTA) that encourages visitors to provide their contact information. The landing page should be optimised for

conversion, which means that it should be easy to navigate and load quickly.

Once you've created your value offer and landing page, the next step is to drive traffic to your page. You can do this through a variety of channels, including social media, email marketing, and paid advertising. The key is to use a combination of channels that work best for your business and target audience.

Once you've captured leads, it's essential to nurture them through targeted email campaigns and other forms of communication. This will help build trust and keep your business top of mind as they move through the sales funnel. It's also essential to measure and optimise your lead generation funnel regularly. Use analytics tools to track your performance and identify areas for improvement. Test different elements of your funnel, such as your value offer, landing page, and email campaigns, to see what works best for your business.

By Warren Strybosch

An Australian Mayor, Brian Hood, elected last November to represent the Hepburn Shire region, 120km northwest of Melbourne, has fired shots over the bow of ChatGPT over claims that he has been defamed, and may proceed with a defamation case against the founders of ChatGPT.

Whilst ChatGPT was not founded by individuals in the traditional sense, it is a product of OpenAI, a research organisation focused on artificial intelligence. OpenAI was co-founded by several individuals, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, John Schulman, and Wojciech Zaremba. However, Musk departed from OpenAI's board in 2018 due to conflicts of interest, and Altman stepped down from his position as CEO in 2020. Nonetheless, ChatGPT is a product of the collaborative efforts of many researchers, developers, and engineers who worked on its development and training.

Mr Hood was informed by his local constituents that ChatGPT was providing inaccurate information about Mr Hood. ChatGPT had claimed that Mr Hood served time in prison for bribery. However, it seems ChatGPT might have it slightly wrong. Mr Hood claims that ChatGPT has falsely named him as a guilty party in a foreign bribery scandal

Celebrate Reconciliation at Realm!

From the start of Reconciliation Week on 27 May until the end of NAIDOC Week on 9 July, 2023 , Realm will come alive with a range of events and exhibitions in celebration of Indigenous Australians. This will include:

• Performances by proud Mutti Mutti man, award-winning singer/songwriter Kutcha Edwards, Yeng Gali Mullum and the Eastwood Primary School Choir who will perform outside Realm in Ringwood Town Square (weather permitting) on Friday 2 June from 10am -12 noon.

• A video installation by Daen SansburySmith from Black Crow in ArtSpace at Realm titled From our Elders featuring interviews with ten Elders along with displays by Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place (MMIGP)

• A scar tree banner created by MMIGP where visitors to Realm will be invited to write their thoughts about what Reconciliation means to them on a leaf that will be added to the tree

ChatGPT May Be Sued

involving a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Australia in the early 2000s.

Hood did work for the subsidiary, Note Printing Australia, but was the person who notified authorities about payment of bribes to foreign officials to win currency printing contracts, and was never charged with a crime, lawyers representing him said.

If Hood sues, it would likely be the first time a person has sued the owners of ChatGPT for claims made by the automated language product which

has become wildly popular since its launch last year. Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) integrated ChatGPT into its search engine Bing in February.

Given Mr Hood's reputation as a key official is central to his role, Mr Hood would have a strong case to argue defamation has occurred due to the inaccurate information being disseminated via the OpenAI software.

If this case proceeds it will be a landmark moment as no one has ever sued artificial intelligence before.

• A scar tree banner created by MMIGP where visitors to Realm will be invited to write their thoughts about what Reconciliation means to them on a leaf that will be added to the tree

• Wonderful books by Indigenous authors and/or celebrating Indigenous peoples and their cultures will be on display at the Realm Library.

• Children are also invited to attend events at the library where they will make a collaborative mural celebrating Reconciliation week, and learn about and make story stones .

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT OF HOME LOAN INTEREST RATE RISES?

MORTGAGE BROKERING

By Reece Droscher

The rise in the inflation rate to over 7% in the latest update has meant the Reserve Bank has again raised the cash rate this month to 3.85%. Since last May mortgage holders have seen 11 increases to their Home Loan rates. For some homeowners this has resulted in their loan repayments increasing by over $1,500 per month , so what can you do to minimise the impact of these changes?

1. REVIEW YOUR CURRENT HOME LOAN

As a mortgage broker I regularly come across people who have had a Home Loan with the same lender for five years or more. They have simply been paying the required repayment without ever thinking about what the current interest rate is, the fees that are being charged and what other lenders may be offering. In the current environment it is a mistake to assume that your current Home Loan is providing you with the best value. By having your loan reviewed a Mortgage Broker may be able to present products from lenders offering lower interest rates than you are paying currently. This could potentially save you thousands on interest costs or help you pay your loan off sooner.

Another benefit of having a review is to ensure the type of loan you have remains the most suitable to meet your current needs. Offset, redraw, the ability to make extra repayments or switching your rate between fixed and variable rates are all options your Mortgage Broker can review for you.

2. CONSOLIDATE MORE EXPENSIVE PERSONAL LOANS AND CREDIT CARDS

You may also have some smaller debts, such as credit cards or personal loans, that are charging higher interest rates but could be consolidated into your Home Loan. This could help repay these debts sooner by reducing the costs of these debts but would also simplify your finances, reducing the number of loans and repayments being made to multiple lenders.

3. NEGOTIATE A BETTER DEAL WITH YOUR CURRENT LENDER

Even without refinancing your Home Loan to another lender, your Mortgage Broker may be able to negotiate a better deal with your current lender. It costs a lender a lot more to attract new borrowers than to keep their existing customers, which is why they invest a lot of money in business retention teams. By

looking at what competitors are offering your Broker can use this information to leverage a lower rate with your existing lender.

It is also important to note that a mortgage broker is required to act in their client’s best interest by law, which is different to the requirement on a lender when you deal with them directly. That is why the best person to review your Home Loan is your local Mortgage Broker. At SHL Finance 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 our clients thousands of dollars. We would love the opportunity to help you too.

Please call Reece Droscher on 0478 021 757 to discuss your options.

reece@shlfinance.com.au

www.shlfinance.com.au

By Adrian Hunter

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has over $66 billion in uncollected taxation revenue that has been accumulating over many years. Of this amount, the ATO believes $44.8 billion is collectable, with 65% owed by SME businesses. The collectable debt amount has grown by over $18 billion in the last three years.

In 2022 the ATO restarted its debt recovery activity and wrote to approximately 30,000 businesses and 52,000 directors with Director Penalty warning notices advising that they may be facing personal liability for the debts of their company. As of 30 June 2022, these warning notices achieved a recovery of $2.21 billion, with a further 13,000 taxpayers entering into repayment programs.

During 2022 almost 18,500 directors become personally liable for the tax debts of their companies via Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) being issued. The ATO also disclosed nearly 500 businesses to credit reporting agencies as part of its Disclosure of Business Tax Debt program.

We anticipate that during 2023 the ATO will take firmer action to recover tax debts leading to an increase in both DPNs being issued and company liquidations.

When dealing with the ATO, proactivity has always been the mantra recommended by Brooke Bird. Those taxpayers who actively engage with the ATO are more likely to be rewarded with additional time to resolve their tax debt issues than those businesses which adopt a "wait and see" approach or ignore the debt.

Understanding options as ATO action is set to increase

For businesses that are unable to repay their debt in full they will need to look at one of the many insolvency options available to them. For eligible SME businesses these options can provide for the ongoing trade of the company with a compromise put to creditors through a Small Business Restructure program, which are looked upon favourably by the ATO when dealing with businesses that have a viable operation. In assessing the viability of a business many factors need to be considered, including the mental health of the directors.

At Brooke Bird (www.brookebird.com. au), we regularly meet with individuals and business owners dealing with a wide variety of financially stressful situations. Each meeting has its unique set of circumstances that requires time spent to map out the various possible options available. The solutions to resolving financial distress can be complex, so we encourage individuals and business owners to make contact with us at the earliest opportunity so that their businesses have the best chance of survival.

THIS IS A HUGELY PERSONAL POST and if women’s menstruation makes you feel uncomfortable,

STOP READING NOW !!

Last week my beautiful 19-year-old daughter underwent a 5-hour Surgery for Endometriosis

After 4 long years, she will finally be able to live a life FREE of pain.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition, which can be debilitating, and is likely to get worse over time without management or treatment.

1 in 9 Australian women are confirmed as having the disease, though it is suspected many more are living with this “silent cancer” which takes, on average, 7 years for women to be diagnosed.

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. Endometriosis can start at a person's first menstrual period and last until menopause.

Symptoms of endometriosis include:

Period Pain, Ovulation Pain, and Pelvic Pain

Infertility

Pain during or after sex

Pain when using your bladder or bowels (usually during your period)

Heavy vaginal bleeding, irregular bleeding, bleeding for longer than normal

Blood in your stool or urine

Mental health problems (such as anxiety and depression)

Nausea and vomiting

My daughter experienced over half these symptoms.

Countless visits to the GP, numerous CT Scans, MRIs and the like (especially traumatic during COVID19 lockdowns) all resulted in the same medical advice: “suck it up buttercup, its just your period, go home and take a couple of Panadol”

Then HALLELUJAH I speak with a couple of colleagues last month who recommended the amazing Dr Simon Gordon, Melbourne’s leading Specialist.

I CANNOT TELL YOU in words the heavy weight that has now been lifted. Thank you both SO MUCH

Here’s to life !! Endometriosis sucks

If you suspect you, your daughter, or any other woman you know and love to have the dreadful, incurable disease - try this quiz https://epworth.org.au/who-weare/our-services/endometriosis-centre/ endometriosis-awareness-month#quiz

NATUROPATH

By Kathryn Messenger

Whilst bowel movements may not be the most lovely topic, they can tell you a lot about your health.

As a naturopath, the digestive system is very important. After all, it is where both the nutrients from food is absorbed and where the majority of waste products and toxins are eliminated. Your stool and how often you pass one gives a good indication of the state of your lower digestive tract (colon).

The problem with constipation

If the body’s waste products and toxins are not eliminated efficiently and are left sitting in the colon, they can be reabsorbed into the body. This can cause a feeling of bloating or fullness and contribute to a number of health issues. These substances include both toxins that have been taken into the body, as well as hormones that are no longer required, and these become reabsorbed creating an imbalance. This can lead to skin issues, hormonal dysregulation, period pain, and reduced immune function. Additionally, the combination of hard stools with straining can cause haemorrhoids or anal cracks.

What is the ideal stool?

Generally, it should look like a sausage, ranging from solid with slight cracks, through to soft with well-defined edges. Medically, constipation is determined as less than 3 bowel movements per week, although this is much less than what is ideal. For optimal health, you should pass 1 -2 bowel movements per day, with little urgency, little to no straining, and a sensation of complete evacuation.

How to improve bowel movements

Water

Firstly, drink lots of water: 1.5L-2L/day. If you like some fizz, drink some soda water, or if you don’t like the taste of water add some lemon juice or mint leaves for flavour. As the weather gets colder, herbal teas are a great way to increase your water intake.

Increase dietary fibre

If you don’t eat a lot of vegetables, this is the best place to start when increasing fibre. Think of ways you can add more vegetables to the meals you already eat. Secondly, if you eat a lot of white flour

The importance of staying regular

products such as white bread, pastries, or cakes, switch to a wholemeal flour, and replace your sweet treats with fruit. You can add soluble fibre to your diet, by including ground flaxseed, oat bran, psyllium husk, slippery elm powder, and pectin.

Support the bowel microbiome

The beneficial bacteria in your colon feed on vegetable fibre. The best way to improve the balance of gut bacteria is to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, covering all the colours of the rainbow. Fermented foods can be a great addition to improve your bowel microbiome. These foods include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso soup, and kimchi.

Exercise

Daily exercise such as walking can help to stimulate the bowels; aim to move your body daily.

When nothing is moving

For extra support, try chamomile tea, bitter green leafy vegetables or prunes to stimulate bowel movement. When all else fails, herbal laxatives are much more gentle than conventional ones, you can get these at a health food shop or from a naturopath.

Whole Naturopathy can help provide you with natural products and dietary advice to keep your bowels moving regularly as well as treating any issues that may arise as a result of constipation.

This advice is general in nature and not intended to be prescriptive. For individualised prescriptive advice, please see a naturopath or other health care practitioner.

Kathryn Messenger

BHSc (Naturopathy)

kathryn@wholenaturopathy.com.au

Suite 1, 24/1880 Ferntree Gully Rd

Mountain Gate Shopping Centre

Ferntree Gully, Victoria

ACCOUNTANT

By Warren Strybosch

The ATO is increasing its data matching program to now include residential investment property loans. The ATO will be specifically looking at account details, balances, commencement and end dates, as well as transaction details and property addresses.

The ATO has advised that it will acquire residential investment property loan data from authorised financial institutions under a data-matching program for 2021-22 through to 2025-26.

We anticipate the ATO will be reviewing the data to make sure no personal transactions had taken place and to confirm the whole loan is related to the investment property. If the ATO finds transactions are personal in nature and this has resulted in the loan being greater than what it should have otherwise been if the debt only related to the investment property e.g., the investment loan has been increased as some funds were used to renovate their owners principal residence, the ATO could potentially treat the whole

residential investment

PROPERTY LOANS UNDER ATO RADAR

loan as a personal in nature, deny the interest being claimed as a deduction, and/or claw back previous interest that has been already claimed in past returns.

It is really important when purchasing investments and where a loan is involved, to make sure the investment loan is kept separate to any and all personal loans and to not increase the

CONGRATULATIONS!

WARREN STRYBOSCH

Find Group

on winning the Holistic Adviser of the Year again at the IFA Excellence Awards 2022.

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

TOP 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL FINANCIAL ADVISER IN AUSTRALIA 2021 & 2022

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.

Why Longevity Risk is vital for Retirees

FINANCIAL PLANNER

By Erryn Langley

Longevity risk refers to the potential financial risk arising from individuals living longer than expected. Longevity risk can impact individuals who have not adequately planned for retirement and find themselves living longer than expected without sufficient savings or income. Mitigating longevity risk typically involves taking steps to accurately forecast life expectancy and adjusting financial planning accordingly.

A startling analysis by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) conveyed to the Government as part of a key consultation around the objective of superannuation pointed out just how many people are outliving their superannuation balances.

The study found that around 35% of those aged over 75 and 58% aged between 65-74 (2019-20) have superannuation.

Where death benefits are concerned, the HILDA data showed that 80 per cent

of people aged 60 and over, who died between 2014 to 2018, had no super in the period up to four years before their death. For those aged 80 and over, 90% had no super in the four-year period before their death.

The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey is a household-based panel study that collects valuable information about economic and personal well-being, labour market dynamics and family life.

(Source: https://melbourneinstitute. unimelb.edu.au/hilda)

The above data shows that most retirees do not have any superannuation monies left at time of death and therefore it is arguable that introducing a $3m concessional cap on superannuation is not something the government needs to introduce in the May budget.

The Government’s argument is that many retirees do not use their superannuation funds in retirement and they should reduce the tax concessions on superannuation balances over $3 million.

Retirees should seek professional advice incorporating longevity risk to ensure they have sufficient retirement funds in place to see them through to life expectancy.

Erryn Langley

1300 557 144 | erryn@findwealth.com.au www.findwealth.com.au

Financial Planning is offered via Find Wealth Pty Ltd ACN 140 585 075 t/a Find Wealth. Find Wealth is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No 468091) of AllianceWealthPtyLtdABN93161647007(AFSLNo.449221).PartoftheCentrepoint Alliance group https://www.centrepointalliance.com.au/

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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.

LACTATION CONSULTANT

By Dr. Joanna Strybosch

Breast milk is known to be the most nutritious and complete food for infants. It provides all the essential nutrients required for a baby's growth and development, and it also contains antibodies that help protect babies from infections and illnesses. However, in some cases, babies may have difficulty swallowing breast milk due to various medical conditions or developmental delays. In such cases, thickening breast milk with a thickener can be beneficial.

A thickener is a substance that is added to breast milk to increase its viscosity, making it easier for infants to swallow. It is commonly used for infants with reflux or swallowing difficulties, such as premature infants, those with neurological impairments, or those with cleft palate or other structural abnormalities.

Thickening breast milk can also help reduce the risk of aspiration, a condition in which liquids or food are inhaled into the lungs instead of going down the esophagus and into the stomach.

Aspiration can lead to serious respiratory problems, such as pneumonia or lung infections. Thickened breast milk can also help reduce regurgitation and spitting up, which are common in infants with reflux.

There are different types of thickeners that can be used in breast milk, including rice cereal, oatmeal, and commercial

Thickeners In Breastmilk

thickeners. Rice cereal and oatmeal are natural thickeners that can be added to breast milk, but they may alter the taste and nutritional composition of breast milk.

Commercial thickeners,on the other hand, are specially designed for infants and are often made with rice starch or other foodgrade thickeners that do not affect the taste or nutritional value of breast milk.

Thickening breast milk can be done by adding the thickener to the breast milk using a bottle or a syringe. The mixture should be stirred or shaken well to ensure even distribution of the thickener. It is important to note that thickened breast milk may require a larger nipple or a specialized feeding system to ensure that the infant can swallow the milk easily.

Cyber safety checklist for small business owners

As a small business owner, protecting your systems from cyber security threats is essential. There are some simple things you can do to keep your business and client data safe from cybercriminals.

Here are our top 5 tips to keep your data safe:

1. Install all software and app updates. Using an outdated version of software can leave the door open for cybercriminals to access your devices.

2. Turn on automatic updates. This can reduce the risk of missing out on important updates. And it takes the stress out of remembering to

manually update your devices.

3. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible. MFA combines 2 or more security measures such as a fingerprint, password or physical token to protect your accounts.

4. Use strong passphrases that are difficult to guess. Long, unpredictable and unique phrases are difficult for cybercriminals to crack.

5. Teach yourself and your staff how to prevent, recognise and report cyber incidents. The Australian Cyber Security CentreExternal Link has fantastic resources that

by

Before using a thickener in breast milk, it is important to consult with a lactation or healthcare provider to determine the appropriate type and amount of thickener to use. Over-thickening breast milk can increase the risk of dehydration or constipation, and under-thickening breast milk may not provide enough support for swallowing difficulties.

explain how to put cyber safety measures in place.

Check out our other top cyber security tips for businesses for more ways to secure your devices.

Cyber safety checklist for small business owners | Australian Taxation Office (ato. gov.au)

Kelly Sikkema via Unspalshed

FEDERAL BUDGET SUMMARY MAY 2023

INTRODUCTION

On the evening of 9 May 2023, the Government delivered its second Budget in the current parliamentary term.

Inflationary pressures, interest rates and escalating costs of living have all had a significant impact on the lives of everyday Australians. The Budget needs to deliver the right balance of spending and savings.

This year’s Budget has a strong emphasis on providing cost of living relief, strengthening Medicare, and investing in a stronger and more secure economy. There were very few surprises and most of the significant announcements had been made prior to the Budget being released.

Importantly, it goes without saying the measures announced in the Budget are not a fait accompli. They will be subject to the successful passage of relevant legislation.

HIGHLIGHTS

THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY

Perhaps the surprise in this year’s Budget was the announcement of a surplus for the 2022-23 financial year of $4.2 billion. This is the first surplus since 2007-08 and represents significant turnaround from the projected $36.9 billion deficit forecast in the October 2022 Budget.

Real GDP growth is expected to be 1½% for 2023-24 before rising to 2¼% in 2024-25.

The unemployment rate in recent years has placed Australia in an enviable position. The currently historically low unemployment rate is expected to increase marginally in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Much of the focus of the past year or so has been the rapid rise in the inflation rate. The Government predicts the inflation rate has now peaked and is starting to moderate. The inflation rate for 2023-24 is forecast to be 3¼% and will return to the Reserve Bank’s target band of 2-3% by 2024-25.

The big-ticket items in this year’s Budget include:

• Cost-of-living relief,

• Increased Parenting Payment (Single), JobSeeker, and Youth Allowance,

• Further investment in renewable energy

Now for a more detailed look at some of the key announcements.

SUPERANNUATION

The Budget was decidedly quiet on the superannuation front this year. The only measures of any significance were:

Better targeted super concessions

This simply repeats the release made on 28 February 2023 when the Government announced plans to proportionately increase the tax on a person’s total superannuation balance that exceeds $3 million by an additional 15%. The Budget announcement does not depart from the initial proposal despite the measure having been open for public consultation between 31 March and 17 April 2023.

This measure will not apply until 1 July 2025 and is only expected to affect 80,000 individuals, at least in the early stages. However, this is expected to increase as the $3 million threshold is not indexed.

This measure will also extend to members of defined benefit superannuation schemes.

Importantly, most superannuation members have significantly less than $3m in superannuation and will not be affected by this proposal.

Securing Australians Superannuation Package.

Employers are currently required to pay superannuation guarantee contributions for their employees by the 28th day of the month following the end of each quarter. The Budget proposes that from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees superannuation guarantee contributions on the same day they pay their employees. This initiative will help to counter the underpayment or non-payment of superannuation guarantee contributions, which remains a significant problem.

Self manged super funds – amendments to non-arm’s length (NALI) income provisions

The provisions announced by the previous Government covering the NALI provisions as they apply to expenditure incurred by superannuation funds will be amended to provide more certainty.

In particular, the income subject NALI provisions will be limited to twice the level of a general expense. In addition, fund income subject to NALI will exclude contributions.

Perhaps what was more notable from the Budget was what wasn’t mentioned.

Pension drawdowns

For the past couple of financial years, the minimum prescribed income to be drawn from a pension account has been discounted by 50%. Discounting was due to end on 30 June 2023.

The Budget did not include any reference to the current 50% discount being extended beyond 30 June 2023. opportunity was not passed before the last Federal Election was called.

Legacy pension amnesty

In its 2021 Budget, the previous Government announced their intention to allow a two-year window (from 1 July 2022) to allow people with old-style defined benefit income stream products (e.g. lifetime, life expectancy, and market linked pensions) to exit those products without incurring tax or social security penalties. Unfortunately, legislation to implement this.

While it has been hinted the current government will revisit this proposal, the Budget was silent on this.

Transfer balance cap indexation

The general transfer balance cap is scheduled to increase to $1.9 million from 1 July 2023.

While the method of indexation is enshrined in current law, there had been some concern the Government might move to pause or limit indexation.

Again, the Budget was silent on any changes to the indexation of the general transfer balance cap, so we expect the cap to increase to $1.9 million from 1 July 2023.

INCOME TAX

Like superannuation, the Budget was very quiet on income tax, with a couple of minor exceptions.

Exempting lump sums in arrears from the Medicare Levy

This initiative, due to apply from 1 July 2024, will ensure that low-income earners don’t pay a higher Medicare Levy because of receiving an eligible lump sum payment, such as compensation for underpaid wages.

While this is worthwhile for those affected, it is expected to have minimal impact as the cost to the Budget is only $2m over the next five years.

Medicare levy low-income threshold

As occurs most years, the income thresholds applying to the Medicare Levy are to increase from 1 July 2022. The proposed thresholds are:

AGED CARE

The Government has committed to spending a total of $36 billion on the aged care sector in the 2023-24 year with a focus on increased wages for aged care workers, funding to help improve the quality of care for both home care recipients and those in residential care facilities and additional funding to implement recommendations identified in the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

Wages to increase by 15%

From 30 June 2023, it is proposed that a 15% increase to award wages will be available for many aged care workers including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, personal care workers, home care workers, recreational activity officers, and some head chefs and cooks.

Implementation of Royal Commission initiatives

Over the next 5 years, the Government will provide funding exceeding $300 million to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety including:

• Enhancements to the Star Rating system to improve accountability and transparency of aged care providers,

• The development and implementation of a new, stronger Aged Care Regulatory Framework to support the new Age Care Act which is due to commence from 1 July 2024,

• Establishment of a national worker screening and registration scheme and the development, monitoring and enforcement of food and nutritional standards.

Improvements to care at home

Funding has been committed to improve in-home aged care by implementing a range of initiatives including the release of an additional 9,500 Home Care Packages and the design, build and implementation of the new Support at Home Program which is proposed to commence from 1 July 2025.

WELFARE

TDelivering cost-of-living relief was a key focus for the Government in this year’s budget including reduced energy bills, reduced health costs and increases to Rent Assistance for 1.1 million households.

Energy bill relief

Two initiatives have been announced to help reduce energy bills for eligible Australian households.

SMALL BUSINESS

To provide continued support to small businesses (those with an aggregate turnover of less than $10 million) the Government has announced a temporary increase in the instant asset write-off threshold to $20,000. This will apply from 1 July 2023 and will continue until 30 June 2024.

Importantly, the instant asset write-off applies per asset so small business may be able to access this opportunity on multiple occasions.

Firstly, the Commonwealth Government in conjunction with state and territory governments will provide targeted electricity bill relief of up to $500 for eligible households. The amount that will be available will depend on which state or territory you live in.

To be eligible for the bill relief, you will be the primary electricity account holder and you must also hold an eligible concession card or receive an eligible government payment in your specific state or territory.

The second initiative announced was the establishment of the Household Energy Upgrades Fund to support home upgrades that improve energy performance and save energy, therefore providing further reductions to energy bills.

Reducing out-of-pocket health costs

From 1 July 2023, a range of measures have been announced to help reduce out-of-pocket health costs including:

• Tripling incentives for doctors to provide bulk billing,

• Investing in more bulk billing Urgent Care Clinics,

• Improving access to medicines, vaccinations and related services delivered by pharmacies.

The Government also proposes to allow 2 months’ worth of certain PBS medicines to be dispensed by pharmacies from 1 September 2023.

Additional support to help combat rental affordability

With rental prices in most Australian locations increasing rapidly over the past decade, rental affordability for many, including those on Government income support and family benefits, is a major problem.

To assist, the maximum rates of the Commonwealth Rent Assistance will increase by 15%. It is projected that this will support over 1 million households including veterans, pensioners, job seekers, students and those receiving family tax benefits.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Some positive news for those receiving working age payments from Centrelink with an increase to the base rate of payment confirmed. Single parents will also be supported when eligibility rules are expanded for Parenting Payment (Single).

Payments to increase by $40 per fortnight

The Government has announced that the base rate for a range of working age payments will increase by $40 per fortnight from 20 September 2023.

Payments that will benefit from the increase include:

• JobSeeker Payment

• Youth Allowance

• Parenting Payment (Partnered)

• Austudy

• ABSTUDY

• Disability Support Pension (Youth), and

• Special Benefit.

Older JobSeekers

To recognise the barriers that older job seekers often face when looking for work such as age discrimination, the Government is expanding eligibility for the existing higher rate of JobSeeker to recipients 55 and over who have received the payment for 9 or more continuous months. This higher rate (which is $92.10 per fortnight more than the standard JobSeeker rate) is currently available to those 60 and over.

It is estimated that this change in age will help around 52,000 eligible recipients.

Eligibility to Parenting Payment for single parents expanded

From September 2023, eligible single parents, 91% of whom are women, will receive Parenting Payment (Single) until their youngest child turns 14. Currently, these parents are required to move to JobSeeker when the youngest child turns 8.

The current base rate of Parenting Payment (Single) is $922.10 per fortnight, compared to the JobSeeker Payment base rate of $745.20 per fortnight. It is hoped that the improved support for single parents will provide wellbeing benefits particularly for single mothers, who are overwhelmingly the recipients of this payment, and their children.

The release date of this document is 10 May 2023. The content of this document is of a general nature only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation and/or needs. Accordingly, the information should not be used, relied upon, or treated as a substitute for specific financial advice. While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither Centrepoint Alliance Limited nor its employees or agents shall be liable on any grounds whatsoever with respect to decisions or actions taken as a result of you acting upon such information.

By Paul Osborne

(Australian Associated Press)

The federal government does not expect to meet the goal of having 24/7 nurses in all aged care residences by mid-year.

From July 1, at least one registered nurse must be on-site and on duty at all times at each residential facility.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said she was “hopeful” it would happen as providers were funded to meet the goal, but noted full compliance was not likely.

“We know at the moment more than 80 per cent are meeting that goal,” the minister told Sky News on Monday. “We know that another about nine per cent are very close to it, and working diligently to get there by July 1.

Target for nurses in aged care won’t be reached

“We also know there’s probably about five per cent out there, particularly in our rural and remote areas, that will not meet it.” She said workforce shortages were the key problem in rural and remote areas.

Read more

The Advisor Innovation Summit is back in 2023 with a focus on how advisers can adapt to transform and thrive in the future.

As the advice industry copes with economic uncertainty and generational shifts in wealth management, the highlyanticipated Adviser Innovation Summit is returning this year to arm advisers with the strategies they need to flourish in an ever-changing landscape.

Taking place over two days — 8 and 15 June 2023 — the summit will unpack how advice practices could revamp their business models to succeed even when the market is volatile and deliver cost-effective advice, boost efficiencies, and meet compliance requirements. The IPA conference, also over two days, will provide delegates with key

Warren Strybosch

I am excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the Cape Schanck Hybrid Conference and 2023 Advisor Innovation Summit at The Great HallUniversity of Technology Sydney.

information to enhance their technical knowledge, understand emerging management and professional skills and discuss thought-provoking insights on professional and ethical standards.

The summit is aimed at financial advisers, fintech consultants, executives, IT and compliance managers, practice managers, product managers, and decision makers. The IPA conference is aimed at accountants or accounting technicians.

One of the industry leaders, Warren Strybosch, will be one of the speakers at this year's summit. He will be joined by other industry leaders to discuss the latest data and strategies that could help other advisors transform their practice into an accessible, compliant, well-oiled machine, and look

at the opportunities and threats unique to the financial planning industry.

Warren will also be speaking at the Institute of Public Accountant (IPA) Conference this April. He will be joined by other thought leaders in the accounting profession to discuss ethical standards in the accounting profession.

The Advisor Innovation Summit and IPA Conference will push advisers and accountants to reimagine their operational structures and find new practice efficiencies to provide quality advice.

You can read the full article about the summit here: https://www.ifa.com.au/ news/32536-adviser-innovation-summit2023-to-future-proof-advice

Manningham Building our resilience through water management

Manningham Council is inviting the community to help prepare for Manningham’s future by sharing how you use and conserve water and why it’s important to you via ‘Manningham’s water future’ survey.

Southern Australia is forecast to receive less annual rainfall, reducing water availability from water supply catchments and increasing drought risk. Conversely, the changing rainfall patterns are also anticipated to bring greater intensity rainfall events, which will increase flood risk.

As identified in its endorsed Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), Council is committed to sustainably, mitigating against, and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Council is undertaking various flood and stormwater management initiatives, aimed at building a more resilient and liveable Manningham.

Part of this work includes developing a draft Integrated Water Management Strategy, which will respond to emerging water risks and challenges and identify opportunities to adapt to a more water constrained future. The draft strategy will be available for public exhibition in mid-2024.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante said Council shares

the community’s passion for environmental sustainability and growing concern for our environment, biodiversity and climate.

“We rely on water for our personal health and household needs, as well as for creating and sustaining the ecosystems. It’s integral to food production, energy, health and wellbeing, economic activity, social stability and human life,” she said.

“By actively working together – Council, our community, schools, businesses and partners – we have the opportunity to create a more sustainable future for us all.

“Your responses will help us better understand community views, priorities, needs and expectations relating to Manningham’s water. We will also use the survey results to inform how we engage with and deliver information to you on water matters in the future,” Cr Diamante said.

To learn more and complete the survey, visit yoursay. manningham.vic.gov.au/flood-and-water-management

The survey closes 5 June 2023.

Participants to the ‘Manningham’s water future’ survey will have the opportunity to enter the draw to win a $100 Westfield gift voucher.

Manningham Civic Award nominations are open!

It’s that time of year again when Manningham recognise local stars in the community.

Nominations are open to shine a light on a Manningham community organisation or resident who has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of the local community - through volunteer, paid or unpaid work.

There are five award categories:

• Citizen of the Year

• Young Citizen of the Year

• Doreen Stoves Volunteer of the Year

• Sports Volunteer of the Year

• Community Organisation of the Year.

Previous winners have been local community members who have contributed in one of the categories and have made a difference to the lives of others through their own dedication, commitment and hard work.

Last year’s Doreen Stoves Volunteer of the Year recipient, Varvara Ioannou, was nominated for creating inclusive schools, universities, workplaces, community organisations and communities. Varara spoke about being recognised for her contributions. “I feel really honoured to have been recognised.

Because what I do is not easy. I’m all about culture change; all the committees and all the work I’ve been doing have contributed to creating inclusive workplaces, schools and communities. Cultural change is slow.”

Volunteering is just one of the many ways that Manningham acknowledges its local members. They also awarded the CareNet Program the Community Organisation of the Year, for providing much needed food relief to the community. CareNet has overcome barriers to food accessibility, making food relief easy and available in a safe place for those in need.

Anyone can nominate for a Manningham Civic Award and it is a great way to show a dedicated colleague or friend that their work is valued and honoured. Last year’s Young Citizen of the Year Award went to Stephanie Martinez, who started volunteering at the age of 12. Stephanie said, “It makes you feel amazing being recognised for all the work you do and I would definitely urge those considering nominating to do so”.

Nominations are open until Friday 10 July at 4pm, and the winners will be presented at the Manningham Civic Awards Gala Ceremony on 16 August 2023.

For more information visit manningham.vic.gov.au/ manningham-civic-awards

Victoria’s waste and recycling industry will finally have access to a Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) by 1 November 2023. The scheme will be run by three network operators across the State.

In the Eastern region, Visy has been appointed as one of the network operators to deliver the CDS supported by Envirobank, an Australian-owned and recognised indigenous business to manage refund collection points.

This will support the Victorian Government Recycling Victoria – Victoria’s Circular Economy Policy and Action Plan to standardise waste and recycling services across Victoria.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante said, we are in discussions with Visy to establish collection and refund points at convenient locations across Manningham for our residents.

Manningham’s Draft Community Infrastructure Plan is now available for your feedback before being finalised later this year.

We are seeking your feedback on the draft plan during the consultation period that is open until 4.00pm on 31 May 2023.

During the public exhibition period we are holding three information sessions:

• Thursday 11 May at 6.00pm, online

• Wednesday 17 May at 1.00pm, in-person at Heimet Centre, 125 George St, Doncaster East (this session)

• Tuesday 23 May at 7.00pm, in-person at MC2 Doncaster Room, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster

We value and encourage comments from our community. We will amend the draft plan in response to relevant feedback before the final version is presented to Council for adoption in late 2023.

About the Draft Community Infrastructure Plan

The Draft Community Infrastructure Plan outlines Manningham’s long-term direction for community-based infrastructure over the next 20 years and provides a basis for Council’s investment in new facilities. It will also help us make decisions about existing community assets that may need an upgrade or reconfiguring to meet emerging community demands.

Container deposit scheme is coming to Manningham

“For every can, carton and bottle returned, CDS will reward residents with a 10 cent refund, assisting in reducing litter and providing better environmental outcomes for recycling containers across the State.

“Being a CDS partner is an important part of our Manningham Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and prioritising incentives to recycle and repurpose materials,” Cr Diamante said.

If your school, non for profit, business, community or sporting group is interested in becoming a collection point operator for the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme please submit your interest via: www.visy.com.au/cpo-form

Learn more about the Victorian CDS refer to Visy RecyclingRe-manufacturing - Recycle - Re-use - Re-make.

Draft Community Infrastructure Plan information sessionDoncaster East

The Draft Community Infrastructure Plan identifies short, medium, and long-term priorities and explores community hub models, where a range of like-minded facilities are collocated in one accessible location. Our goal is to finalise a plan which meets the needs of the community, based on the needs of our community and data sources such as population projections.

For more information, email communityinfrastructureplan@ manningham.vic.gov.au or complete our survey, view YourSay Manningham.

New guide for street tree planting in Manningham

The new Manningham Council Street Tree Planting Guide outlines our approach to the selection of trees included in our street tree planting program.

The Guide was endorsed by Council at its 26 April Council Meeting. It maps out 18 local precincts, each with their own selection of trees. The tree selection (or palette) is based on the character of the precinct.

Research to inform the new Guide reviewed each of Manningham’s 1820 streets including main and arterial roads, to determine the character type most appropriate for each. The Guide also aligns with the Melbourne Metropolitan Urban Forest Strategy, Living Melbourne: Our Metropolitan Urban Forest.

Manningham is one of 32 councils which have endorsed the Strategy aiming to enhance canopy cover, improve mental and physical wellbeing and protect and enhance biodiversity and habitat corridors.

“Our commitment to increasing tree canopy cover throughout Manningham, as well as population growth, higher-density living, changes to neighbourhood character and climate change meant it was time to update our 2009 guide, the Manningham Streetscape Character Study,”

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante said.

The Guide will be implemented prior the 2024 Street Tree Planting Program in April next year. The aim of the guide to ensure consistency in the tree planting program and that trees that have been selected are suited to the environment.

Manningham Council’s plant nursery team propagates Indigenous (local to Manningham) and native (local to Australia) trees from seed within the plant nursery located at the operational depot in Doncaster East. “The seeds are collected from the healthiest samples of tree species from our local parks and streets.

Our plant nursery team then carefully nurtures the plants until they’re ready to be planted in streets where they’ll grow and look best. “It is pretty incredible to visit the nursery and see lines of young, healthy trees at all the different stages of growth, being prepared for planting around our neighbourhoods,” Cr Diamante said.

To learn more about Council’s selection of trees and how species are chosen for specific locations, check out the Street Tree Planting Guide on the Manningham Council website: manningham.vic.gov.au/about-council/environment-andsustainability/tree-management

By Ewan Simpson

Donvale Bowls Club is indeed indebted and beholden to many of our beloved characters which define and distinguish it.

One such character at Donvale is Brian Roberts

A brief insight into Brian’s working life, his involvement at Donvale Bowls Club, and the successful experiences it provided.

He drew his first breath in Launceston, Tasmania, one of 7 children, lovingly raised by his parents, Henry Charles, and Lyra Bellatrix Roberts (wondering about his mum’s strange names, they were chosen by his grandfather, a prominent builder in Launceston and avid astronomer who named all his 9 children after stars and heavenly bodies),

Brian considers his upbringing as quite humble; he recalls the happiness and good times he shared with his parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters, all crowded into a modest 3-bedroom house in a working-class area where families of 7 or more children were considered the norm.

He was educated at East Launceston Primary and Queechy High Schools before starting his working career as a trainee building surveyor with the Launceston City Council. This was the beginning of his lifetime love of building and architecture.

He left the council after being offered an “in house” cadetship with an architectural firm.

One of the firms’ major clients was the National Trust of Tasmania, how he loved it, working on restoration projects of many notable Tasmanian colonial homesteads, including Franklin House in Launceston, Clarendon House at Evandale, Malahide Estate at Fingal and Mount Morrison at Ross.

All was to come to an end when he was called up for national service in September 1968.

near Sydney, he was posted to Adelaide working as an architectural draftsman with the Royal Australian Engineers Corps.

It was here in Adelaide he met Jennie, “the loveliest girl in Adelaide”, they were married in 1970.

On his discharge, they moved back to Tasmania.

Following several varying prospects… owning a milk bar – newsagency and a restaurant, he returned to life on the drawing board, setting up his own office. Never looking back, employing 2 draftsmen keeping up with client demand for his services.

A highlight of those years was winning a top 10 award for Australia’s best home design, this project published in the annual James Hardy best home designs book.

During those years his family grew with the addition of 3 wonderful children, Monique, Heath and Lincoln.

For almost 50 years Brian has played bowls, winning several club events, including 6 club singles titles, 7 club pairs and several Northern Tasmanian and State Pennant flags.

His proudest moment winning the club pairs with his then 12-year-old son Lincoln, (although starting rank outsiders, Lincoln was brilliant giving his opponent one of the clubs leading skips, a lesson in draw bowling setting up the win).

First time in 95 years of club history a father-son team had won this event.

To be closer to family they eventually decided to move to Melbourne.

It was here they discovered Donvale Bowls Club.

A tireless worker at our club, Brian has always been ready and able to take on many of the challenges and opportunities as they arise.