Find Maroondah - October 2022 Edition

Are

FOUNDER | ACCOUNTANT

WARREN STRYBOSCH

LIFE COACH | FACILITATOR

LESLEY ANNE BANTON

GENERAL INSURANCE CRAIG ANDERSON

EDITOR | WRITER

SUSAN PIEROTTI

ARCHITECT

KATHY ISMAIL

MORTGAGE BROKER

REECE DROSCHER

LACTATION CONSULTANT

JOANNA STRYBOSCH

SIGNAGES

GLENN MARTIN

HEATHERDALE COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP

NATURE & CONSERVATION

LIZ SANZARO

HERITAGE & HISTORY

RUSS HAINES

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

MARK FELTON

ELWYNNE KIFT

NATUROPATH

KATHRYN MESSENGER

RINGWOOD & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FINANCIAL PLANNING ERRYN LANGLEY

LEGAL DEAN BOSMAN

BOOKKEEPING

Bookkeeper?

About the Find Maroondah

By Warren Strybosch

The Find Maroondah is a community paper that aims to support all things Maroondah. 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 Maroondah 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 businesses 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.

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

We value your support,

The Find Maroondah Team.

Maroondah

EDITORIAL ENQUIRES: Warren Strybosch | 1300 88 38 30 editor@findmaroondah.com.au

PUBLISHER: Issuu pty Ltd

POSTAL ADDRESS: 248 Wonga Road, Warranwood VIC 3134

ADVERTISING AND ACCOUNTS: editor@findmaroondah.com.au

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 1300 88 38 30

EMAIL SPORT: editor@findmaroondah.com.au

WEBSITE: www.findmaroondah.com.au

OUR NEWSPAPER

The Find Maroondah was established in 2019 and is owned by the Find Foundation, a Not-For-Profit organisation with is core focus of helping other Not-For-Profits, 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 Maroondah has a strong editorial focus and is supported via local grants and financed predominantly by local business owners.

ALL THINGS MAROONDAH

The City of Maroondah is a local government area in Victoria, Australia in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Maroondah had a population of approximately 118,000 as at the 2019 Report which includes 9000 business and close to 46,000 households. The City of Maroondah was created through the amalgation the former Cities of Ringwood and Croydon in December 1994.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Find Maroondah acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where Maroondah 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 Maroondah 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.

Congratulations Geelong - 2022 AFL Champions

By Warren Strybosch

Well, another season has come to an end and we farewell the 2022 footy season.

We want to congratulate Geelong Cats, one of the oldest teams in the AFL, for winning and taking home the 2022 premiership flag.

It was a one-sided affair but we have to acknowledge that Sydney where in the grand final compared to the other 16 other AFL teams who did not make it.

Irrespective of where you stand with the time of the Grand Final the best team won on the day. We wish Joel Selwood a happy retirement from football and congratulations to Geelong and the Norm Smith Medalist Isaac Smith.

With the footy season now ended we wish everyone all the best who play sports during the summer season.

Rachael Ward (Australian Associated Press)

Mysterious space diamonds could hold the key to revolutionising mining and manufacturing. Australian scientists have proven the existence of lonsdaleite, a rare diamond that is smaller than the width of a human hair.

Until now some have debated whether or not it even existed, but the study’s lead Professor Andrew Tomkins from Monash University said that’s now been settled.

“It’s a significant discovery in the sense that we’ve proven beyond doubt that it exists,” Mr Tomkins told AAP. “It’s been speculated about for quite a while, but it’s been difficult to prove because every time they’ve found it, it’s been quite small.”

“Now we’ve found these quite large particles we can look at it properly.”

The team from Monash University, RMIT University, CSIRO, the Australian Synchrotron and Plymouth University then went one step further.

They showed how it was formed in space more than 4.5 billion years ago, when a meteorite collided with a dwarf planet.

“These diamonds are quite special,” said physicist and RMIT PHD student Alan Salek.

Secrets of Space Diamonds Unlocked

“Normal diamonds that you would find here on Earth, like on an engagement ring, have a specific atomic structure that’s cubic. These special diamonds are hexagonal in structure.” “It’s pretty exciting because it’s a new form of material.”

That unique shape is believed to be why lonsdaleite is stronger than any other diamonds.

Scientists are now working out how to begin growing it in a lab, so it may one day be used in machinery.

“If we can make it, then we can use it for normal grinding and cuttings things like (how) diamond is normally used,” Mr Tomkins said. “They might find a way towards being able to manufacture shaped ultra-hard machine parts.”

By Russ Haines OAM

Vida Jane Goldstein (13 April 1869 – 15 August 1949) was an early Australian politician who campaigned for women's suffrage and social reform. Australian women were granted the right to vote in 1902, yet New Zealand being the first self-governing country in the world to give all women the right to vote in 1893. She fervidly opposed the 1916 and 1917 attempts to introduce conscription for WWI.

She was the first woman in the British Empire to stand for election to a national parliament. After her death, Goldstein would later come to be recognised as a pioneer suffragist and important figure in Australian social history and a source of inspiration for many female generations to come. Second Wave Feminism led to a revival of interest in Goldstein and the publication of new biographies and journal articles.

Vida and her fellow campaigners made many visits to Ringwood in the early 1910s, often to packed audiences in the local hall. The listeners were not only women but also Ringwood men, many of whom supported her ideals.

The Ringwood Mail reported, “On Friday 16 January 1914, Miss Vida Goldstein lectured on "The Truth about the Suffragettes" at the Ringwood Mechanics' Institute on Tuesday evening. The place was crowded and many stood at the doors.The story that Miss Goldstein told was interesting and painful. The British woman's political betrayed, her unjust and intolerable treatment, her industrial wrongs and low wages moved the audience to unanimously and enthusiastically endorse the following resolution (a) That British men must be urged to support the suffrage on their woman folk for the sake of the prestige of the empire; (b) that this resolution for forwarded to all political organisations of Australia for their endorsement; (c) with the request that they send it to the prime minister of Britain.The low poverty wages paid British women if heartbreaking and the only way and the very best way to help those women, according to Miss Goldstein, is to give them that powerful instrument of defence, called the vote of suffrage. With this, the woman would make politicians do something to improve their deplorable conditions.”

“The argument should appeal to the human sympathies of Australians. For instance, Australian high wages and good conditions of living are threatened

"Vida Goldstein"

women's lib for ringwood

by the products of the awarded wage of England. If this wage can be increased by women demanding it at the point of six million women's votes, then the wretched competitor of English sweated labor to reduce our high wages and standard of living will be largely done away with. It came as a further about to the meeting to know of the unjust differential treatment between male and female British political offenders. Men are allowed to wear their ordinary clothes whilst in prison, whereas women are disrobed and dressed in gaol garments of the criminal. When the talented lectures told how the British had descended to the brutality of forcible feeding his women folk, the meeting evidenced its indignation and

disgust, recognising that the prestige of the empire was being endangered, and that's why the resolution was unanimously affirmed.”

In 1984 the Division of Goldstein an electorate in Melbourne was named after her. Seats in her honour have been established in Parliament House Gardens, Melbourne and in Portland, Victoria. The Women's Electoral Lobby in Victoria has named an award after her.

For some years, Vida was seen as an international celebrity and worked with the English suffragettes, such as Emily Pankhurst and others from America, Germany, Turkey, France and elsewhere.

Vida's contribution will always be remembered.

How to improve your LinkedIn profile

ACCREDITED EDITOR

By Susan Pierotti

How many LinkedIn profiles have you seen that don't give you a clear idea of the person it is describing. They are generic in tone and don't distinguish the individual from the competition.

Here are some tips for make your LinkedIn profile work optimally for you.

What a LinkedIn profile shouldn't be

A LinkedIn profile is neither a CV nor an author bio.

An author bio is what you read about on the back of a book or in a conference brochure. For example:

'Joe Blog has been speaking on the Global Financial Crisis years before it began. With a PhD in Economics from Oxford, his entertaining style is in demand on the international scene.'

This gives you a microscopic version of who Joe is and why he is qualified to write or talk on financial affairs. This is in not what your LinkedIn profile should look like.

Neither should it look like a CV. (This is where many people err in their LinkedIn profiles.)

A CV describes what you've done, plain and simple. It is a list of your achievements and where you've worked. It's a useful tool for prospective employers to build up a picture of whether you can do the task.

But here's the bad news: there is always somebody else who can do what you can do. Employers want their job made easy – have we picked the “right” candidate for our firm, team, workplace? They are looking for much more than who can do what.

What your LinkedIn profile should have LinkedIn is designed for you to insert causes that are important to you, charities you work for, schooling, groups that you follow. It is so much bigger than just the normal CV.

Here are three tips to make it work better for you.

1 Don't describe what you've done but where you want to be

Imagine Sally. She’s creative, empathises with people well and is able to see the “big picture”. She is stuck in a job which is text-heavy, where staff aren’t valued and there is no forward thinking. However, when applying for the same role in other industries, Sally says that no one seems to want to know about her creative side.

Up the top of her LinkedIn profile are her recent achievements in the boring job, with her activities as a worker with children with disabilities and her theatre work right down the bottom. An employer wanting a creative person with her ability to empathise would want to see everything in the first three lines.

Your profile is there to promote you, the whole you, and to link you to that great job and potential employer. Think where you want to be and use your LinkedIn profile to get you there.

2 Use SEO words throughout your profile

I am an editor and proofreader. I use these words and variations of them (edit, professional proofreading, etc) not only in job titles but in describing what I've done. If I had specialised in a particular field, e.g. editing for the health sector, I would put that as well. The employer who wants and need to contact you doesn't want to wade through hundreds of LinkedIn profiles. They want to optimise the search by letting SEO (search engine optimisation) reveal a number of suitable candidates. Your profile will continue

to climb to the top if you have the right keywords in your LinkedIn profile text.

3 Get references

You must have done one job somewhere, sometime, for somebody who liked what you did.

Ask them for a reference. There are tabs on the profile page that set this up for you. Ask your friends; if they agree, even write one out for them that they would be happy to endorse, send it to them and ask them to post it on your profile. People who look up your LinkedIn profile will see wonderful things written about you from qualified professionals, so get some!

Apply these few tips and your LinkedIn profile will increase SEO activity, increase people's awareness of your profile, and provide a fuller picture of who you are, thus adding to your chances of success. Creative Text Solutions can assist you in improving your LinkedIn profile. Contact us at info@creativetext.com.au.

Contact me at http://www.creativetext. com.au for all your proofreading and editing needs.

www.creativetext.com.au

Everybody, Somebody, Nobody, Anybody…who do we claim to be?

NATURE & CONSERVATION

By Liz Sanzaro

What makes an every day mum become someone noteworthy in her community? Whilma had four children and a husband who worked shiftwork. She had no drivers license and needed to keep the house quiet during the day so that her husband could sleep. So on many occasions, she would get the children up dressed, lunches packed then stowed in a backpack and she and the children would walk. They walked around their entire local area and also used public transport to get to a distant location such as the city if necessary, to educate her children in a way that complimented their schooling.

After that, she became involved in the Scouting movement where two of her children, both boys could enjoy many years of outdoor exploration and weekly fun at the Scout Hall in Birdwood Avenue. Their mum subsequently became involved as a uniformed member and eventually as the Group Leader for the ages ranging from eight through to 25 and she did this for over 19 years

As time went by Whilma also joined Probus and Rotary to extend her ability to reach out and work with others. Due to the fact that her father had been returned servicemen she was actively involved with the RSL she could always be found in Main Street Croydon on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day near the post office selling badges or poppies to assist with funds for the families of returned servicemen.

Her father had been returned servicemen from the First World War unfortunately missing an arm but in spite of this considerable handicap it did not stop him from building and renovating a home in Bayswater for his family, and providing for his family. Clearly his hard work, and considerable effort made a significant impact on Whilma as she was growing up, she extremely very proud of him.

Like many women of her vintage, she was not given the option of further schooling in spite of her abilities, she was sent to a secretarial college to do typing and shorthand with the expectation that she would marry and have no further

use of her skills. This this did not sit well with this young lady and in every area that she turned to she gave of herself in a wholehearted and generous fashion.

These days we have a day for everything like RUOK day. Whilma never waited for a day, it was often her first question to someone she bumped into while out walking or met at a meeting. This lady always asked everybody how they were what was going on in their life, did they have any troubles? Always with the intention of lending a hand, provide a shoulder to lean on, offer advice if it was asked for, or find if there was some other way, she could be helpful; as if she didn’t have enough to do raising her own four children.

took them along to Probus or Rotary by public transport too, if they didn’t drive. She helped out wherever she could and when she lost her own husband, and the days seemed longer, she then joined chicks with sticks and got together with other ladies knitting tiny bonnets for premature babies. This lady gave so much to her community she never asked for anything in return. Whilma had an expectation of others that they would do the right thing; be honest, helpful and contribute to the community they were living in.

Known by all in the scout group as Skippy she earned a place in the hearts of many families whose children went through scouts. Now, we have a chance to honour her considerable community generosity. She would say she was not special, but Whilma was extremely special, in her friendship generosity, compassion and help for others she will not be forgotten.

Soon, she became aware of Conservation society around 1992 and put her shorthand to excellent use being our secretary for many years. As well, at the same time, she was still the group leader of 3rd Croydon. She collected others around her, women who had become recently widowed she

Liz Sanzaro

President of Croydon Conservation Society

Whilma was an “anybody” who did what she could to improve life for so many.

Whilma’s extended family at the dedication event on Saturday 17th August.

Why can’t I lose weight?

NATUROPATH

By Kathryn Messenger

Did you know that it was discovered around 12 years ago, that you can’t get fat from eating fats, there just isn’t a metabolic pathway!

They came up with this idea because fats give you more energy per weight than carbohydrates and protein. But what this actually means is that fats can fuel your body longer, than what carbohydrates can.

Good fat sources include avocado, butter, coconut oil, olive oil, oily fish, nuts, and seeds.

Protein is required for growth and repair of all cells, and should be included in every meal. It’s found in meat, eggs, dairy, soy, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Good sources of carbohydrates (carbs) are fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains. Carbs are particularly important for kids and teens as they grow and for adults that are active all day.

When you have a diet with plenty of fats, it’s easier for your body to use stored fats as a fuel source as the process is similar, but if you’re used to a diet high in carbs and low in fats, it can take a little while for your body to get used to using fat as a fuel source, so don’t suddenly change overnight.

Below are some reasons why you might be eating well, but not loosing weight, of have plateaued.

Thyroid dysfunction

The thyroid gland determines metabolism in your body, how energy is used and stored. Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder and can cause weight gain or fluid retention, depression, fatigue, concentration and memory problems, high cholesterol, muscle weakness, cramps, SOB, menstrual irregularities, low libido.

Hyperthyroidism is the opposite, increased metabolic rate, can be due to stress or over supplementation with iodine.

If you suspect thyroid dysfunction, see your doctor about blood tests, and this will give you a starting point as to what’s

going on. Further testing can be done to fully understand how your thyroid is functioning.

Stress

Stress causes your body to retain weight, as historically, human stress involved a lack of food. Short term stressors are actually good for us, for example, exercise, where you push your body for a short time. This actually increases your resilience to stress. It’s the longterm chronic stress that’s a problem, which is becoming increasingly common as a result of life over the last couple of years. In response to stress, your body produces cortisol, which is helpful short term, but proinflammatory long term. This is why there is a correction between stress and heart disease, but also many other inflammatory conditions. Factor into your week activities that help you relax: time with friends, as well as activities that you do for fun.

Women’s hormones

Perimenopause begins around mid 40’s, at this stage the hormone oestrogen can fluctuate, whilst progesterone decreases. This can cause stress leading to weight gain amongst other things. Essential fatty acids are required to make hormones, so be sure to include quality fats sources in your diet. The pill can also disrupt your hormones and cause weight gain.

Insulin

This is the hormone that puts your energy away in cells, used for all carbohydrates and somewhat for protein. When the cells are full, excess energy is stored in your liver (this allows you to go all night without eating), it then stores energy in adipose cells (fat). Adipocytes by nature are inflammatory leading to a number of health issues including heart disease and joint pain. Continually overeating carbohydrates can exhaust the insulin, making it harder to get energy for the cells, leaving you exhausted. This happens in the lead up to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, where being prediabetic you can cause you to gain weight and be exhausted, similar to hypothyroidism. This can be checked by a blood test and managed by diet if it is found early enough.

Poor sleep

This can either cause stress or be as a result of stress, which once again, can cause weight gain. When you’re tired,

healthy food choices can be harder, and you can have less energy to prepare food.

If you have trouble falling asleep, try a night-time routine that includes winding down before bed, and blue light glasses for screens in the evening.

A sugar spike can keep you wide awake, so if you’re hungry in the evening choose high protein, high fats snack like nuts, and add a little dried fruit if you need to. Be sure all evening beverages are sugar free. Alcohol is also high in sugars and research has shown that one glass of wine can improve sleep, but more is often worse. If you need something calming in the evening, a herbal tea with a name like relax, sleep, calm, etc can be beneficial.

Don’t forget that too many coffees during the day can be affecting your night-time sleep. If you’re awake with a busy mind set aside time while you’re still awake to process thoughts, to do lists, or journaling, talking about problems with a friend, etc.

Diet

A low calorie diet can have your body

think that there are food shortages, and store energy as fat, whilst a high calorie, low nutrient diet will also store energy as fat. I recommend a diet high in fats and proteins, and low in refined carbohydrates.

If you crave sugar, try eating something sour or bitter like lemon juice or roquette.

When you eat sweet foods, go for natural forms such as fruit, dried fruit, honey, etc. With all of these you will hit a point where you don’t want anymore, as opposed to sugar, where you can just keep going.

Chocolate – cocoa is high in magnesium, so if you crave chocolate, are stressed, and have muscle pain, supplementing magnesium may be helpful. If you want

chocolate, go for dark chocolate, and try to work your way up to 85-90% cocoa.

Gymnema is an amazing herb for sugar cravings, just a few drops in your mouth and you can’t taste anything sweet for hours!

Once you’re eating good food, be guided by your body, if you wake up ravenous, eat, if not wait until you are hungry. We were never meant to be eating all day, eat a meal, then wait until your hungry before you eat the next one.

Whole Naturopathy can help with any of these issues, from diet guidelines, to hormonal regulation, and well as with natural supplements to provide further weight loss support.

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

Big Battery ‘more useful than big banana’

Rachael Ward (Australian Associated Press)

Australia can’t become fully powered by renewable energy without storage to support wind and solar, industry warns.

South Australia’s Hornsdale Power Reserve was the world’s first Big Battery, since overtaken by a larger plant in Victoria near Geelong, and the South Australian Virtual Power Plant (SA VPP) aims to link 50,000 solar and home battery systems to create another record-breaking asset.

“When the Big Battery was proposed it drew many critics, and was derided as being as useful as a big banana,” state energy minister Tom Koutsantonis told an industry forum in Adelaide on Tuesday.

“Those critics – many of whom did not understand the battery’s purpose – have been proven wrong and now batteries are being widely deployed, following the lead we took here in South Australia.”

But Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton said many of Australia’s regulations still aren’t fit for energy storage, and cost pressures brought on by global supply chain woes aren’t helping.

“The business case for batteries remains challenging,” he told the forum. “For household-scale batteries, a lack of clear Australian product standards, the need to update installation standards and overcoming risk aversion from regulators and emergency services are all critical to accelerating deployment.” Updated and effective technical frameworks were also needed, along

with speeding up the process for connecting or upgrading batteries, Mr Thornton said.

Governments were also urged to provide more financial support for household batteries, with cost still the main barrier for most Australians.

For industrial-scale energy storage, the full capabilities are not yet properly defined, valued or remunerated, and needed a clear market signal such as an energy storage target, Mr Thornton said.

This could support storage in all its forms, such as new services markets and encouraging networks to develop support agreement contracts with storage providers.

But the South Australian government has “bold plans that will change the way we view storage in this country”,

Mr Koutsantonis said. “For householdscale batteries, a lack of clear Australian product standards, the need to update installation standards and overcoming risk aversion from regulators and emergency services are all critical to accelerating deployment.”

Updated and effective technical frameworks were also needed, along with speeding up the process for connecting or upgrading batteries, Mr Thornton said.

Governments were also urged to provide more financial support for household batteries, with cost still the main barrier for most Australians.

The state often tops 100 per cent of energy use from renewable energy generation but wind and solar can be curtailed – deliberately switched off at times – to keep the electricity grid safe.

Hydrogen will be added to the energy mix, supported by “dedicated hydrogen and renewable energy development” laws the minister said would soon be introduced to parliament.

A new hydrogen electricity generator announced last month will be the biggest in the world.

“During the day the electrolysers will soak up the abundant renewable energy from large-scale wind and solar to create hydrogen, and help provide additional grid stability,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

The hydrogen created by this process can be stored for use in the power generator, with savings passed on to steelmakers and other industrial users.

Colour Trends For 2023

ARCHITECT

By Kathy Ismail

Are you thinking of redecorating the interior of your home? Now’s the season to refresh your walls and ceiling with a new coat of paint.

According to Dulux, the Covid crisis has generated a desire for connection and a yearning to live more authentically, which underpins the paint palettes of 2023. In a world recovering from turmoil, many of us want to experience harmony and stability, with creature comforts along the way.

Dulux has chosen tones from their extensive range to bring together three palettes of moody and earthy hues for balance, simple and warm tones to enhance connection, and bold brights for revival and energy. The new palettes are at once joyful and earthy, bright but more grounded than last year.

Choose one main colour that acts as a backdrop to a few contrasting but complementary colours. Together, these are called a palette and paint manufacturers make their paint tones in palettes so that they blend with each other and unify a space. Instead of having to work out which colour goes with which, an architect or interior designer will be able to help you choose the right colours to use as highlights, and offer advice on the most appropriate furniture to go with your new “wow” walls.

Balance

Luxurious textures like lush velvet and soft silk, furniture with exaggerated, curved silhouettes, abstract art, and décor pieces with organic shapes and delicate pleating complete the look.

Connect

Calm, warm and deeply intertwined, the Connect palette creates a space that feels welcoming, and its golden, earthen tones reflect a sense of homeliness and simple beauty. Texture is important here, with knits, wools and woven fabrics playing together to create cosiness and layers of richness. Old and new sit side by side, with vintage pieces alongside newer furniture with a modern bent.

Big, bright and bold, the Revive palette uses colour to create harmony while uplifting your spirits. Personal expression is at the core of the palette. Here, any colour goes: think peachy pinks, cobalt blues, lavender and glimmering emerald. Have some fun!

The Revive palette looks great in large spaces, characterised by unexpected colour combinations, graphic geometric patterns and chunky, wavy furniture.

Unsure which palette to go for?

Contact KIR Architecture at contact@ kirarchitecture.com.au for help with all your interior design queries. We are always happy to answer any inquiries.

The Balance palette is refined, unifying a room through a combination of blues, greens and accents of deep garnet, which reflect the beauty of the ocean. A touch of luxury is achieved, adding warmth to contemporary and heritage architectural features. In terms of décor and materials, sophistication and modernity are key. Nature is again an inspiration, with patterns that draw from seashells and fern — complex, yet minimal.

Simple furniture in natural materials like timber, leather and rattan look well with this palette, alongside stone flooring and bespoke, modern lighting made from recycled materials for a rustic and cosy look.

Revive

The perception has been for a long time that lawn bowls is a sport for ‘older’ people.

Let’s blow that perception sky high. It is a sport for people of ALL ages – young, old, male, female – no matter what age category you fit into lawn bowls is a sport that has its doors open for you to walk through.

Lawn Bowls is a sport that takes you outdoors 52 weeks of the year and it also provides great exercise with plenty of walking on offer. It’s the perfect combination – playing outdoors in the fresh air and plenty of exercise.

And there is another important ingredient to playing lawn bowls – you get to mix with other people. Make new friends whilst enjoying a game of bowls. That is on offer to people of all ages – why sit at home on your own when you can be meeting new people and developing new friendships.

Call into your nearest Bowls Club and find out how you can become a member. Most people start out as social members and then progress via coaching to playing lawn bowls at a higher level.

During summer many bowls clubs run ‘barefoot bowls’ – this is potentially

A sport for all ages

another starting point to your lawn bowls career. And it’s another way for people of all ages to ‘have a go’.

Why not get a group together, call your local bowls club, find out when you can play and book in.

Many people think it’s just a case of rolling the bowl from one end of the green to the other.

It’s a lot more complex than that. There is a high level of skill associated with lawn bowls and with the support of an authorised coach you will soon find out what is required to elevate you from

playing social bowls to playing pennant bowls or competing in tournaments held at bowls clubs around Australia.

It doesn’t matter how old you are once you get started you will want to get better and better at it and test out your bowling expertise against other bowlers. The decision to take up lawn bowls rests with you. Don’t just think about it – do something about it.

No matter what Bowls Club you contact you will be welcomed and provided with every opportunity for lawn bowls to become your number one active sport –NO MATTER YOUR AGE.

Peter Horton

Local Soutions for Global Challenges: case for Lake Knox

By Dr. Chloe Mackallah, PhD Local Climate Scientist

Along Blind Creek in the city of Knox, on the land of the Wurundjuri people of the Kulin Nation, lies a crystal clear lake; disconnected from stormwater and fed purely by the rain. It is a rich ecosystem of diverse native species, including rare native grasses and 56 species of water birds. This includes the Blue Billed Duck, an indigenous species threatened with extinction, who use the site as a habitat and breeding ground.

A proposal recently put forward by Development Victoria and the Victorian Labor government would see an artificial wetland primarily for stormwater treatment built next to Lake Knox, the lake subsequently filled in, and its ecosystem decimated. This is to make way for over 400 tiny townhouses, with just two entrances on the already busy corner of Scoresby Rd and Burwood Hwy. Because of the size of the individual lots, the developers are under no obligation to build energy efficient, carbon-neutral houses that are sustainable in any way. The ecosystem of Lake Knox will be permanently disrupted, if not destroyed entirely.

Meanwhile, we face a global health and environment catastrophe that will disrupt our society via increasingly frequent pandemics, climate change, and severe losses in biodiversity. There is a concept known as ‘planetary health’, which recognises the deep connection between biodiversity in the natural environment and the stability and

health of our society. After decades and centuries of unending development, the health of our planet is taking a sharp downturn; and is likely to take us along with it. We face a less stable future, with rising temperatures for at least the next few decades, if not centuries, mass population shifts due to water and food scarcity, and further increases in pandemics originating in wild animals suffering from habitat destruction, such as COVID-19.

Our challenges are global in scale, but the effects are felt locally. Through lockdowns with 5km restrictions, we experienced a global pandemic at home. In Victoria, it drove up gender imbalances and drove down access to reproductive healthcare. Global greenhouse emissions are felt in the form of golf ball-sized hailstones and fierce bushfires destroying Victorian townships. Our ecosystems have an intrinsic value and we have a responsibility to care for them. But we also live in this ecosystem,

and as a species we are dependent on its survival. The question is: how do we start to solve these problems from the local scale? It is often disheartening that there is so little we can do as individuals and communities to influence planetary health on such a large scale, especially when it affects our environment, economy and healthcare so dramatically.

The good news is that there are local solutions. What we do, here in Knox and Bayswater, can have an effect globally. Our environment is not only threatened by global forces, but also by local decisions. Like the choice to replace a richly biodiverse lake ecosystem with a stormwater treatment wetland and unsustainable housing. But we can make better decisions, supported by evidence, and made with empathy. There are local solutions for these global challenges, and our parliamentary representatives can make better decisions to ensure a more stable future.

This isn’t just about Lake Knox though. What about the next lake that could be used for another development? The next creek that prevents urban expansion? Melbourne is the city of rivers and creeks, with one flowing through almost every suburb. But many, such as Blind Creek, were redirected into pipes, severing their connection to the wider ecosystem and limiting biodiversity. Most were also connected to urban stormwater, increasing their susceptibility to botulism and filling their streams with rubbish.

Keeping in mind their role in keeping all of us healthy, we must secure their

future stability by increased daylighting activities (where a buried creek is given life again) and creating a cleaner stormwater system. Let’s revitalise our local environment, not obliterate it. We can start by protecting the green spaces we have left, and making sure they are healthy by rejuvenating their biodiversity, a key indicator of a stable environment.

These are local solutions for global challenges — like keeping our rivers and lakes healthy, for a healthy planet.

Just as biodiversity maintains the natural environment, diversity is key to a strong, healthy community. There are many ways to support this diversity, including prioritising community health, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalised. Funding of holistic healthcare is vital for our society — improving mental health through the provision of rich green spaces, promoting and supporting good nutrition, and providing equitable and local access to reproductive healthcare and education. Covid-19 saw access to medical abortion in Knox decrease from already woefully low levels, depression and anxiety increasing drastically over the past decade, and family violence occuring 5 times more often in Knox than the Victorian average.

If we are to thrive in an uncertain global future, local healthcare must be a priority,

including the conservation of our local ecosystems. Local solutions for global challenges; a healthy planet for a healthy community.

One of the largest, and most challenging to reverse impacts that we as a species have had on the planet is that of climate change as a result of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Since the industrial revolution, we have pumped 2 trillion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. The effects are so long lived, that if we stopped emitting CO2 today, the effects of climate change would continue to worsen for decades to come; and we are showing little sign of slowing down. The impacts this will have will be significant and unprecedented; from coastal flooding from stronger storms, to the inevitable loss of the Great Barrier Reef.

Most of the blame and responsibility for this environmental and social catastrophe lies in the failure of the world’s governments and multinational corporations to enact evidence-based policy when it could have prevented our present situation. However, it is local decisions that act to either support and reflect these actions of environmental apathy, or stand as examples of making smarter decisions for a cleaner future. Compare the relative environmental

effects of either logging native old-growth forests across the state to supply cheap construction materials, or ensuring that all future housing developments are only constructed sustainably — ethically sourced, carbon-neutral, energy efficient, and not built on the top of the breeding grounds of an endangered native species.

The challenges we are facing are global, but both the effects and the solutions are local. The ever-increasing exploitation of the natural environment, from climate change to extreme losses in biodiversity, are threatening to destabilise the health of the planet we call home.

We are experiencing the effects of this locally, with increasing pandemics like COVID-19, extreme bushfires like black Saturday, and worse health outcomes for everyone. The solutions are local too, like building more sustainable housing, bolstering our healthcare system, and protecting local sources of rich biodiversity like saving Lake Knox.

As an Earth scientist with a passion for planetary health, I want to see policy based on scientific evidence, and decisions made to preserve our unique and vulnerable ecosystem, prioritise and bolster community health, and push for sustainable housing developments.

Serious fear: Have you got nomophobia?

Maureen Dettre (Australian Associated Press)

Many people feel a little anxious if they forget their phone but some suffer from nomophobia – “no mobile phone phobia” – a serious fear of being disconnected.

Macquarie University psychologist Wayne Warburton says smartphones, tablets, computers and TVs can all fuel screen overuse, but phones are particularly problematic because of their constant presence in our lives.Associate Professor Warburton recently published a paper that found up to three per cent of young people could have internet gaming disorder, an affliction associated with screen addiction.

“For most of us, this is not an addiction or a disorder,” he said on Tuesday.“It’s a habit that we’ve developed, but one that’s having a real impact on our lives.”

The problem is that screens and apps are designed to distract. “They’re giving us lots of little dopamine hits. But they never reward us with that eventual

feeling of satisfaction that stops a behaviour, so we keep scrolling,” Prof Warburton said. “There’s always the promise of something better just out of reach.”

When we’re not using them, they try to draw us back with notifications that distract us.

Brain imaging of people with severe screen overuse shows a drop-off in brain activity in certain areas.

“The longer this goes on, the greater the effect on our ability to focus and pay attention,” Prof Warburton said.

While two-minute social media videos used to retain attention, that’s too long now.

“That’s why platforms like TikTok are so popular,” he said.

PhD candidate Michoel Moshel is studying the effects of screen overuse on cognition which not only impacts attention but higher order thinking skills, like problem solving and impulse control.

He recommends self imposed breaks from technology like getting rid of notifications from your phone, removing your phone from your desk, charging it overnight in another room and taking time to read a book instead of scrolling social media.

“Think of your attention span as a muscle that hasn’t been exercised,” Prof Warburton said. “Building it up will take time, but it can be done.”

Former-VicSuper members (now Aware Super):

Are you getting a raw deal with the merger?

FINANCIAL PLANNER

By Erryn Langley

All former-VicSuper members received an email around the 13th of September. The email reminded VicSuper members that the merge with Aware Super would bring about ‘stronger returns and enhancements over the long term.’

The email included links to significant events related to that merger and one has to question how this represents ‘enhancements’ to members.

Most VicSuper members were in accumulation phase so this article will concentrate on the first significant event that relates more to those accumulation members; more specifically the personal insurance changes that will take place. However, it is important to note that your super fees are going up and you will be paying more than 1% in fees on Funds Under Management (FUM).

There are many superannuation products available, and we may be able to assist you in finding a cheaper alternative to suit your needs. To view an example of the potential fee savings Find Wealth may be able to provide to you go to https://findaccountant.com. au/financial-planning/super/ and view the chart ‘How much are you paying in Super fees’.

If you wish to pay less super and/or pension fees e.g. 0.2%-0.3% then speak to someone at Find Wealth (1300 557 144). Here is the link to the significant VicSuper event: VicSuper FutureSaver SEN.

Important insurance dates*

To check if you have insurance through your VicSuper account, log into Members Online or the mobile app and go to the insurance tab. (refer to the illustration above)

It is important for former-VicSuper members to understand what these changes mean and to make any nominations before the 3rd of November 2022.

We regularly review our insurance arrangements for members to insure they're competitive and meet our

On this date*...... this will happen......

If you want to apply for insurance or make any changes, we need to receive your application by this date.

You can cancel your insurance at any time during the temporary interruption, please call us to discuss.

can log into your account and check your insurance.

If your current occupation category is General and you want us to review your new insurance category, we'll only backdate any changes to 3 November 2022 if we receive your request on or before 31 January 2023. If we receive your request for a review after this date, any change to your insurance category will be effective from the date the change is approved.

members' expectations. As a result of our most recent review, we'll be making changes to our insurance arrangements, effective from 3 November 2022.

From 3 November 2022 we're:

• replacing unit-based death and total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover with aged-based cover design that will improve affordability of automatic cover

• introducing new streamlined, online insurance application processess

• changing the way we calculate insurance premiums

• introducing new insurance categories (which are used to calculate insurance premiums)

• simplifying many insurance features, including a simplified TPD definition.

No member's amount of cover will reduce on 3 November 2022 as a result of these changes.

As a financial advisor, when I compared industry fund insurances in the past, I felt that VicSuper had one of the better insurance offerings available. However, with the new changes being introduced, I believe the new insurance offerings are going to be more aligned to the other industry fund providers insurance offerings, which may lead to poorer claim outcomes for their members and more expensive premiums. I would go so far to say that these ‘enhancements’ do not benefit members but will benefit the superannuation fund and their shareholders e.g. less claim money being paid out in the future.

Don’t get me wrong, I love industry funds – I am not anti-industry funds. In fact, I recommend many of our clients use a particular industry fund for their Superannuation investments. However, when it comes to holding personal insurances in an industry fund, I believe the ‘group cover’ now being offered is less desirable and in most cases, more expensive compared to holding insurances with a ‘retail’ provider. And for all of you ‘Bare Foot Investor’ followers who still hold on to the mantra that you should hold insurances within an industry fund, I feel you need to reconsider that piece of advice. The insurance advice provided in those books are about 10 years old, and in my opinion, is now not relevant. Also, when it comes to lump sum cover, it will likely cost you more in the long run.

A Summary of the major changes that will occur is outlined below:

A. Unit Based Cover to be removed and replaced with Aged Based Cover.

• This will result in your cover decreasing when you need it most e.g. when you are getting older. After age 40, your cover will decrease each year until it reaches $10,000.

B. Removal of Indexation on Fixed cover.

• The insurer, will be discontinuing the indexation option that adjusts your cover amount each year in line with inflation. This means your benefit amount for fixed death and Total and Permanent Disablement Cover (TPD) cover will no longer increase due to indexation on 1 July each year

C. Automatic Reduction of Fixed Cover from age 61

• If you have fixed TPD cover, your insurance will reduce in equal amounts each year from age 61 until it expires at age 70. If you take up fixed TPD cover after your 61st birthday, your TPD cover will reduce in equal amounts each year from your next birthday until age 70.

D. Income Protection - Removing ‘Own Occupation’ definition.

•

The insurer is removing the optional ‘own occupation’ Income Protection (IP) definition (which some members have currently chosen, at a higher premium) – a single definition of disability will apply to all insured IP members.

E. New Total and Permanent Disability definition

• A new TPD definition will apply for claims with a date of disablement on or after 3 November 2022.

• Different provisions based on a member’s age will be removed – only one set of provisions for all members will apply.

• The optional ‘own occupation’ TPD definition (which some members have currently chosen, at a higher premium) will be removed - the same definition of TPD will apply to all insured members in future.

• Activities of daily living, future care, domestic duties and loss of limbs provisions that currently apply in the current definitions will be removed, making the TPD definition less complex and it will be consistent across all members, whatever their age.

F. Cancellation of insurances due to inactivity

• If your insurance has ceased because you haven’t had any contributions or rollovers into your account for 16 months, you currently

have a 3-month reinstatement period in which you can request reinstatement of your insurance cover using a form from our website. You can reinstate your cover by completing a ‘Reinstate your Insurance Cover Form’ and returning it by 2 November 2022.

• However, if your insurance ceases due to inactivity, it cannot be reinstated after 2 November 2022, as this reinstatement period will not be available from 3 November 2022. If you want insurance later, you’ll have to apply and answer several questions from the insurer, including some about your employment, health and lifestyle. Depending on your answers, the insurer may decide to offer you cover, or decline to offer you cover, or they may offer you a different cover amount or on other terms

The removal of ‘own’ occupation definitions is concerning as is the inability to ‘re-instate’ your personal insurances due to inactivity. For those who stop work due to having children or go on ‘leave without pay’ for a period of longer than 16-months, you are likely to lose your insurance cover and will have no recourse to get it re-instated.

It is important that all former-VicSuper members read the significant event related to their super and insurance otherwise, you may be paying more in fees or could lose your insurance cover in the future.

If you would like to a review of your personal insurances and/or superannuation, then consider speaking to a financial advisor from Find Wealth who can discuss with you your needs and objectives and if suitable provide you with a no obligation insurance

and superannuation report for your consideration.

Don’t pay more fees or hold on to insurance that may cost you more in premiums. Book an appointment now with Find Wealth.

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 Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007 (AFSL No. 449221). Part of the Centrepoint Alliance group https://www. centrepointalliance.com.au/

Erryn Langley is Authorised representative (No. 1269525) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd.

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.

Whilstallcarehasbeentakeninthepreparationofthis 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-todate 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.

GENERAL INSURANCE

By Craig Anderson

In the last few days, you may have become aware that Optus has disclosed that a cyber-attack against them has resulted in a hacker accessing the personal details of many of their customers. Details accessed may include name, date of birth, email, phone number, address, and ID numbers such as drivers license or passport numbers. If this can happen to a multi-million dollar global communications giant with a full time IT department, then it can happen to you.

This news should send a shiver down the spine of all small and medium enterprises as well, because similar data breaches experienced by small businesses put up to half of them out of business within 12 months. Reputational damage and associated lack of trust is certainly a revenue killer, even if the horrendous cost of rectifying a breach isn’t enough to bankrupt the business first. Fines and penalties will sometimes be a problem too, and there are potential EU General Data Protection Regulation fines, which may apply within Australia if the affected party is from an EU country.

So what might a Cyber Policy typically cover?

a. Business interruption financial loss due to a network security failure or attack, human errors, or programming errors

b. Cost of data loss and restoration including decontamination and recovery of files and hardware

c. Emergency incident response and investigation costs, supported by an insurer appointed contractor

d. Delay, disruption, and acceleration costs from business interruption event that stems from a cyber-related issue

Cyber insurance

e. Crisis communications with clients and reputational damage mitigation expenses

f. Civil Liability costs arising from failure to maintain confidentiality of data

g. Civil Liability arising from unauthorised use of your network

h. Computer/data network, or data extortion / blackmail (where insurable. Paying this may be illegal under certain circumstances)

i. Online media civil liability

j. Regulatory investigations expenses

As diligent as you may be at managing your clients’ data, system intrusions can still happen. Given that cyber-crime profits have eclipsed the global drug trade in turnover, I would say it’s a pretty fair assumption that the SME sector will take a beating sooner rather than later. Talk to your broker about Cyber

Insurance today, and protect yourself and your clients against extensive losses. For a health check of your business insurance, contact Small Business Insurance Brokers via email sales@ smallbusinessinsurancebrokers.com.au

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

Craig Anderson

GENERAL INSURANCE

Small Business Insurance Brokers

www. heightsafetyinsurance brokers.com.au 0418 300 096

Warren Strybosch - Find Group has been shortlisted for the ifa Excellence Awards 2022. Warren Strybosch - Find Group has been named as a finalist in the ifa Excellence Awards

for Holistic Adviser of the Year & Practice Principal of the Year

Year after year, the ifa Excellence awards have rewarded the most exceptional financial advisers and businesses across the country, showcasing their achievements and honouring their efforts in contributing to the sector.

Recognising the contributions of the profession’s rising stars through to those in the most senior ranks of start-ups, established businesses and transformed businesses, our awards program enables thousands of professionals and businesses to boost their careers, reputation and businesses after winning an award.

The finalist list, which was announced on 5 October 2022 , features over 230 highachieving financial services professionals across 28 submission-based categories.

“Firstly I would like to congratulate all the finalists and thank everyone that applied for this year’s ifa Excellence Awards. The competition was very tough and we at ifa are thrilled to once again host a fun night out for all our well-deserving advisers after another fairly tumultuous few months,” says Wealth editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic.

“We look forward to celebrating the excellent work being undertaken by advisers all across the country and those whose innovation has led the way for the sector."

Warren Strybosch, Founder at Find Group, said that he was humbled to be recognised and proud to be named as a finalist in the ifa Excellence Awards 2022.

"Find Group's recognition for our excellent contribution to the Financial Services Industry reinforces the strength of our service and dedication to connecting with the community and engaging with clients," added.

Holistic Adviser of the Year:

This award Recognise An Individual Who Offers Clients A Multitude Of Advice Services And Professional Disciplines, Such As Investment And Risk Advice, SMSF, Tax And Accounting, Legal And Estate Planning, And Mortgage And Credit Advice.

Practice Principal of the Year:

This Award Recognises The Individual Owner Or Managing Director Of a Boutique, Self-Licensed. Financial Planning Firm Who Has Built The Most Successful Business Over the Past Calendar Year. Success Will Be Measured By The Individual Adviser and Collective Advice Capabilities Of The Firm, Growth And Retention Of Advisers And Other Team Members, Plus The Success of the Business In Term Of Revenue And Profitability.

CRAIG LIDGERWOOD (Botanic Artist)

Elwynne Kift Heatherdale Community Action Group

As a child, Craig lived at 2 Hardwood Court, Mitcham from 1968-1982.

He went to Dr. Stanley Cochrane Kindergarten, Mitcham Road, Mitcham in 1970.

Mitcham Primary from 1971-1977, with a break in London in 1975, where he attended Moss Hall,Finchley, London.

He returned to Mitcham to attend Mitcham High School from 1978-1981.

Craig went to boarding school in Albury in 1982-1983.

Craig participated in tennis as a member of the Mitcham Tennis Club throughout most of his childhood and studied piano with Mr. Humphries in Mitcham. Craig stated that he is fortunate indeed to be included presently in an international exhibition of Botanic Illustration.

This is an international exhibition which selects about 40 botanic artists from around the world and is held every 3 to 5 years.

Craig’s art can be viewed on his website. and is displayed at Macedon.

The Art of Botanical Illustration 16th biennial exhibition

The Art of Botanical Illustration is sponsored by Bed Bath N' Table, Metro Tunnel Creative Program, Kyneton Old Rectory and Eckersley's Art and Craft

To coincide with its 40th anniversary celebrations the Friends of the Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne are also celebrating the 30th anniversary of their biennial exhibition 'The Art of Botanical Illustration.'

This is Austalia's premier botanic art botanic art exhibition and is held at Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

The Art of Botanical Illustration attracts not only well established botanic artists from Australia but also artists from all over the world. All works selected are beautifully executed in minute detail using variety of materials, approach and styles. This exhibition also encourages emerging artists to submit and have their work professionally assessed and curated with the the opportunity exhibit to a wide audience.

The Art of Botanical Illustration exhibition: last 17 Sept - 3 Oct 2022

Domain House and Gallery: Dallas Brooks Drive, South Yarra Free entry of gold coin donation. All artworks are for sale.

Botanic art is highly skilled merging of art and science. Botanic art's purpose is to enable the identification of planet species. Recently this art form has had a resurgence as not only are the artists aspiring to more artistic expressions of their individual art but also, with the current threats to our natural environment, botanic art by its very nature has become an important tool to

Lioudmila Volodina - Grevillea

illustrate and record of many threatened species both in our natural and garden landscapes. This art form also has the unique ability to bring our attention to the overlooked beauty of our natural worl through highly detailed works.

This year the exhibition is also part of the 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress' cultural program hosted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in Melbourne. With this in mind the exhibition willl include virtual platform of all works including a group of European botanic artists who have an affiliation with several of the botanic gardens represented in the Congress including artworks of fellow botanic artists from Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Ukraine.

All these exquisite original artworks are for sale and profits support the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the National Herbarium.

NO SCHOOL CAMPS IN 2023

Jodie Moore

The new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with the Teachers Union puts many school-based extracurricular activities that our children love at risk. After all our kids have been through with lost learning through covid lockdowns, mask mandates and being unable to celebrate important milestones such as graduation, they now face this blow!

The EBA ‘Time-in-Lieu’ Problem

The new time-in-lieu component of the teacher’s union’s new EBA is a massive headache for schools, principals and teachers. This new arrangement is putting every extracurricular activity in jeopardy, particularly school camps and performing arts, which will incur an enormous out of school time payment that is unfunded by the state government.

The school is to provide 100% of time while on duty and 50% of time while ‘on call’ as time-in-lieu. The government is offering 1.3 new staff for each school, but this can’t account for the teaching of performing arts, language specialists or teachers in areas of high demand such as maths or science.

Time-in-lieu should be taken within two weeks of earning it, however this is naturally not always possible. There is a provision to delay the time-in-lieu until the end of the year, to be taken in December, which is difficult but possibly workable for Secondary School teachers as they finish a great deal of their curriculum content by December. However Primary school teachers are teaching curriculum well into December and music/art/language teachers, who earn time-in-lieu due to concerts and similar events, require specialist knowledge and therefore this will leave a gap in student learning no matter when the teachers take their leave.

If a school doesn’t provide the time in lieu by 1 March of the following year, then the teachers are entitled to a cash payment of 150% of the time they are owed, also coming out of school budgets, which is even more problematic.

Schools will either not organise extracurricular activities or will need to consider extra charges for camps, interschool sports competitions or performing arts activities to make up the funding shortfall. This will hit vulnerable families hard as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise rapidly.

Angela Lober - 'Spear Lily'

Janet Matthews - Hakea Culcullata

Companies Fined

$50,000 Following Arm Injury

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

By Mark Felton

Brick manufacturing company, PGH Bricks & Pavers Pty Ltd, was sentenced in the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide plant that was, so far as reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.

The company was convicted and fined $40,000.

Bricks Australia Services Pty Ltd (BAS), which employs staff that worked at the PGH facility, earlier pleaded guilty to a single charge of failing to provide necessary information or instructions to enable its employers to perform their work safely.

The company was fined $10,000 without conviction, and ordered to pay costs of $3,140.

The court heard a worker was inspecting a possible problem with a head drum that powered a conveyor belt used to transport clay, when his right arm became trapped between the belt and the drum.

Another worker heard the man's cry for help and activated the emergency stop button.

The worker suffered a dislocated elbow, nerve crushing and damage from his bicep to his fingers.

The court heard it was reasonably practicable for PGH to have fitted guarding to the head drum and for BAS to have ensured that workers received the necessary information and instruction in WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said the risks associated with conveyors were well known and include entanglement and crushing of body parts.

"Tragically, this worker's lifealtering injuries could have been avoided if appropriate safety measures were put in place," Dr Beer said.

"There is no excuse for duty holders who fail to implement guarding around known danger areas, or who fail to provide their staff with the training they need to perform tasks safely."

Employers are required to manage risks when working with machinery, and should:

Identify hazards, assess the risks associated with them and eliminate or control those risks by isolating them or using an alternative.

Train staff in the safe operation of machines and equipment and provide written procedures in the worker's first language.

• Develop and implement safe operating procedures in consultation with employees and health and safety representatives.

• Ensure safety guards and gates are compliant and are fixed to machines at all times.

• Regularly service and inspect machines and equipment.

• Place signs on or near a machine to alert employees of the dangers of operating it.

How effective are you at providing this level of protection for your employees? We assist business owners clarify what they currently have in place, as well as where there are shortfalls. We then assist in developing effective systems and documentation, work with employers to implement. Checks are put in place to monitor effectiveness, to ensure that going forward they are sound and comply with the Act, and most importantly keep them and their employees informed, and healthy and safe. Please feel free to contact me, Mark Felton, at Beaumont Advisory on 0411 951 372 or mfelton@beaumontlawyers. com.au for an obligation and cost-free initial discussion.

Mark Felton

Occupational Health & Safety www.thebeaumontgroup.com.au

MARK FELTON

HEALTH & SAFETY

Farmers ‘big winners’ in UK trade deal

Alex Mitchell (Australian Associated Press)

Australia’s agricultural sector would be the big winner in a new free trade deal with the UK, the chief negotiator says.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Elisabeth Bowes has told a parliamentary inquiry ratifying the agreement would bring huge benefits to Australia.

Australia is the first country negotiating a trade agreement with the UK since it exited the European Union.

Ms Bowes said it would bring “substantially increased opportunities” for exporters, particularly in agriculture.

She said more than 99 per cent of Australian goods entering the UK would be duty-free, up from 89 per cent.

“This additional 10 per cent … access benefits Australian agricultural exporters in particular with beef, sheep meat, sugar and dairy products,” she said.

The quotas would increase over time and eventually all tariffs would be eliminated.

“This outcome reduces and eventually eliminates the current very restrictive quotas and tariffs that apply to Australian agricultural exporters in the UK,” Ms Bowes said.

Other impacts of the agreement would see Australians able to take three-year working holidays in the UK up from two years, and the age limit on those trips upped from 30 to 35 years old.

“Potential for increased mobility of skilled workers between our two nations is vital for COVID-19 economic recovery as recently recognised in the jobs and skills summit,” Ms Bowes said.

The National Farmers Federation argues red meat producers would be unlikely to benefit from the agreement, given southeast Asian demand already exceeds what Australia can supply.

But Andrew McDonald from Meat and Livestock Australia said the deal would “future-proof” the trade environment. “What we look for within the FTA is future security of open trade to let markets and

consumers drive outcomes,” he said.

Australian Education Union Federal Secretary Kevin Bates told the committee any lowering of child protection standards through the liberalisation of international trade undermined the autonomy of relevant bodies to maintain standards of entry into the teaching profession.

“A single child being harmed as a result of a provision in this treaty is not something the teaching profession or either party to the FTA could ever accept,” he said.

Mr Bates said the “potential for unsuitable individuals to more easily cross borders poses an unacceptable risk to children”.

Labor committee chair Josh Wilson said independent assessment in the UK found the deal would add $3.9 billion to the country’s bottom-line by 2035, increase output in 20 sectors and adversely impact three.

Mr Wilson noted no similar assessments had been carried out in Australia. The inquiry continues.

Why Should You Use a Mortgage Broker?

MORTGAGE BROKERING

By Reece Droscher

Now is the time to take a good, hard look at your current financial situation and stop paying more than you should be on your Home Loan. So you want to refinance your home loan to get a better interest rate, but where do you go? The bank down the road looks like they have a good rate but you’re self-employed and had heard it was difficult to get a home loan. You may be right, but how do you know that you’re getting the best option available to suit your needs? Or you have a few debts that are getting out of control with rising interest costs. How do you try and improve your finance situation? That’s how a Mortgage Broker can help you.

Finding A Lender To Suit You

A Mortgage Broker can help you filter out the Lenders that don’t suit your personal situation. Asking your friends or on a Facebook group will only provide you with the lender that is right for that person, and it probably only suited them at the time they applied. If they were to apply again six months later, they may find they are better off with a different lender altogether.

Each Lender’s credit policy is different and while one lender may be happy to lend to the self-employed, others can make it more difficult or may prefer PAYG applicants. Some will happily lend for properties in regional areas, other lenders may only lend against securities in metropolitan areas.

Time or Features – what’s more important?

Time can also be a factor when deciding which lender to go to. If you are looking to purchase a house, you may need a lender that is approving loans quickly. If you are refinancing, that may not be an issue and having the right rate and product features is more important.

Mortgage Brokers are in touch with lenders every day and know which ones are able to respond quickly and which ones are taking a bit longer.

Fast Refi

If you are refinancing and time is of the essence, after all you want to be paying the lower rate as quickly as possible,

there is a product called Fast Refi that some lenders offer as part of their process. Often it is your current lender that can hold up the process and delay settlement, meaning they get to receive your repayments a little longer. Lenders who offer the Fast Refi process bypass asking your current lender to transfer the title of your property before releasing the money to pay out your current loan. They simply repay your current loan and then request the current Bank to discharge their mortgage and transfer the property title to them. Not all lenders offer this but your Mortgage Broker will know which ones to deal with if that is an option you wanted to pursue.

Medical Practitioners/Professional Packages

Did you know that if you are in a certain occupation, some lenders will offer you extra benefits? For example some lenders offer to waive the costs of Lender’s Mortgage Insurance on loans where the applicant needs to borrow more than 80% of their property value. Some of these occupations include Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics and Dentists as well as Financial Planners, Accountants, Lawyers and Vets. If you

think you might be eligible for this type of loan, a Mortgage Broker will know which lenders to approach on your behalf.

BID – Best Interests Duty

Mortgage Brokers are required to always put your needs first and to consider each loan based on your personal requirements. This means you can be confident that, even in the long term, the loan you get will be in your best interests and will have taken into consideration your current plans as well as future ones. If you simply walk into a bank, even if they know their product isn’t the best one for you, they can only offer you their product, which could cost you dearly.

As a mortgage broker we act in your best interests. A lender has no obligation to do so. At SHL Finance we have always acted in our clients’ best interest and would love the opportunity to help you too.

call Reece Droscher on 0478 021 757 to book in a review and discuss your options.

Mibenge Nsenduluka (Australian Associated Press)

Most Australians will lose an hour of sleep but gain – in theory – warmer weather, as clocks move forward for daylight saving.

At 2am local time on Sunday, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia, and the ACT will fast forward to 3am.

Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight saving and the sunshine state is the only jurisdiction on the east coast that does not change time.

There have been renewed calls for another vote on daylight saving in Queensland, however, in February state government minister Yvette D’Ath rejected the idea.

At the time she said the issue was not a focus after a suggested referendum by the Brisbane lord mayor.

“We have listened to the people Queensland who have previously said they do not want daylight savings,” Ms D’Ath previously said.

Longer, Warmer Days During Daylight Saving

Daylight saving ends when clocks are turned back one hour on the first Sunday of April.

DAYLIGHT SAVING

* Where? … NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT

* Why? … To extend daylight hours during conventional waking time in warmer months

* When? … Clocks go forward one hour on Sunday and back an hour on the first Sunday of April.

WARREN STRYBOSCH

Find Group

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

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.

SMSF: Is property part of your portfolio?

ACCOUNTANT

By Warren Strybosch

Do you own property in your Self Managed Superannuation Fund (“SMSF”)? If so, you will need to start suppling valuation reports to the auditor to justify the value of your property. In the past, auditors would have asked you to estimate the value of the property or rely on the rates notice, however, those days have now passed.

As the property is an important component of your SMSF, and likely the main asset of the SMSFs, determining the market value is now a compliance requirement by SMSF auditors.

The easiest way to obtain a valuation is to request a restricted property assessment by a qualified and independent property valuer.

What is a SMSF restricted property assessment?

It is a desktop assessment completed by qualified valuation professionals. The licensed valuer does not need to visit the actual property but can use real-time sales and leasing data in real time which enables them to provide an accurate and timely report. The report helps the trustee meet there obligation of providing the auditor with a property valuation that is reliable and represents a true or close to true market value assessment.

When and how often is it required?

The ATO has stated that the valuations

should be supplied on an annual basis to the auditor. However, best practice is to obtain a valuation after ‘a significant event’ and as at 30 June of each financial year to comply with the relevant super laws.

Why is it required?

All SMSF's are required to provide a market value of assets held in their fund. ATO recommends engaging an independent valuation of properties that are owned within an SMSF especially:

• after a “significant event” which may include macroeconomic events, market volatility or natural disasters. COVID-19 could be considered a significant event and the trustees are recommended to take this into consideration when preparing this year’s financial reports.

• if either the value of the assets represents a significant proportion of the fund’s value or the nature of the asset indicates that the valuation is likely to be complex or difficult.

e.g. If it is a land-rich investment property, a number of different approaches may be required to determine what is the highest and best use for that property.

Should you use a local real estate agent to conduct the valuation?

Yes and No. You will need to check with the real estate agent that they can demonstrate they are using current and relevant supportive data when preparing their valuation reports. If they can, great. If they cannot, then it would be best to find an independent valuer who can.

How much does it cost?

Most Restricted Property Assessments will cost around $330 for residential property where the property value is less than $1.5M. For properties above this amount and for commercial properties, where the value is less than $2.5M, and has less than 2 tenants, the price could be as high as $695. It is not uncommon for a valuer to charge up to $1100 for properties valued over $2.5M.

For SMSF trustees, the annual valuation requirement is another additional cost that must be incurred when holding property in a SMSF. Unfortunately, it is a legal requirement and must be completed annually otherwise the SMSF might become non-compliant. A noncompliant SMSF is something to avoid at all costs.

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

Warren Strybosch

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

NATURE

By Kayte Kitchen

Over the next 5 publications we will be running a series of sensory experiences in nature. Each experience will take about 10 mins and you are encouraged to read through the instructions before you commence your time in nature to maximise your experience.

Find a spot outside where you can sit or lie down comfortably. This could be in your backyard, your local reserve or in a national park.

Take a few moments to regulate your breathing and settle into your position. Take a big breath in, followed by another smaller ‘extra’ breath in, then exhale. Repeat a few more times.

Allow your breathing to find its natural rhythm once more.

For the next 5 mins tune in to what you can observe with your eyes.

Look around you, what do you notice?

Look close and far away.

Look for big things and look for the details.

Look for light and shade.

Look for colour and contrast.

Look for movement and stillness.

Allow your sight to move around and then see what it settles on. If your mind gets distracted, just draw your thoughts

and attention back to what you are seeing.

Try to slow your eyes down and enjoy the experience of tuning into your sense of sight. When you choose to complete your experience, you may wish to take a moment of gratitude for nature and for the experience you have just had.

Kayte Kitchen is the founder of Admirari Nature Therapy who provide nature experiences for schools, business and individuals. For more information visit admirari.com.au

Tuning into our senses is an important way to unwind and unplug from the ‘hurry’ of life.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts” Rachel Carson

5 Tips for Making a Lasting

Impression with your Trade Show Booth

SIGNAGES

By Glenn Martin

People form opinions in less than onetenth of a second about a person or company. Make a lasting one with a creative trade show booth.

Have you ever seen someone in passing and formed an opinion about this person without ever speaking to the person? If you are considering contacting a local business about their services but when you visit their website, it looks dated, is that a turn off? When you call a doctor’s office to make an appointment and the person on the other end is friendly and helpful, does that make you feel confident in your choice to see this doctor?

Let’s be honest. First impressions matter.

People form opinions in less than onetenth of a second about a person or company. Make a lasting one with a creative trade show booth. Below, you will find our top 5 tips for making the best impression possible at your next trade show with a stunning new trade show booth:

1. Know the space: Before designing a trade show booth, it is imperative to know the details of the space you will be using, such as the size of the space and whether you will be on a corner at the end of an aisle or in the middle of an aisle. Are there any height limitations? Consider other practical elements such as where outlets are located or if there are any restrictions placed on vendors. Knowing this information before designing your trade show display is critical.

2. Accentuate your logo: Making your logo clearly visible on your trade show display is crucial to your success. Be sure that the trade show booth is compatible with the goal and purpose of your business. Other considerations, such as assuring it is well lit, should not be overlooked as they directly impact visitors’ first impressions. Associating your logo and brand with a welcoming and attractive trade show display is a great way of creating positive brand recognition.

3. Drawing them in: Having an attractive trade show booth is not the only component necessary to draw in a crowd. How do you plan on making your company’s trade show display stand out from the rest? Incorporating digital signage or audio is a great way of catching people’s attention. Will your booth feature colored lighting, photos of your products or completed projects scrolling on a flat screen monitor(s), etc.? These are just some ideas that can bring in the crowds at your next trade show.

4. Accessible contact info: Creating a trade show display for your company is a fantastic investment, unless your visitors leave without getting your contact information. Make sure that your company’s contact information is easy to access and keep for visitors who may be in a rush or would prefer to contact you one-on-one after the show. In today’s digital world, people snap photos of everything, including trade show booths that stand out so make sure your contact information will be visible for those who may take a picture with their phone.

5. Keeping the Crowd: Once you’ve drawn them in, how will you convince visitors to stay long enough for you to give product, service or contact information? Develop an incentive for them to stay longer, such as video displays, demonstrations, or by making the booth interactive. This is your chance to point out special deals that will only be honored for those who sign up at the show.

At Signarama, we can help you create the trade show display of your dreams with all the bells and whistles to make a lasting impression. Contact us today to discuss the many options available for your company’s next trade show booth. The only limit is your imagination!

Glenn

Top 3 benefits of the caravan lifestyle in Australia

A rising number of Australians are searching for alternative life experiences that provide them with a sense of independence from city life and a connection to nature.

Caravan living can be for you if you’re looking for new experiences or wish to live simply. Even though living in a van or camper is considered an unusual lifestyle choice, there are several ways to make life on the road enjoyable and fulfilling.

The transition from living in a conventional home to a caravan or motorhome requires some getting used to. However, you can expect to reap the rewards of living on the go with the right preparation and resources. So, if you plan to embark on the caravan lifestyle in Australia, here are its 3 major benefits to help keep you motivated.

1. It’s one way to downsize and live a simple yet satisfying life.

Because of the limited space in a caravan, you’ll need to get rid of items that are no longer useful to you. It also won’t be practical to purchase more or new things simply because you lack

space. With fewer purchases, you lessen your environmental impact. You also consume less water and electricity and minimise waste, thereby lowering your carbon footprint. Opting for the caravan lifestyle in Australia will help to declutter your life. This way, you also learn to value the things that are really important, like cultivating connections and spending time at peace with nature.

2. It can help you cut costs and save money.

By choosing to live the caravan lifestyle, you’ll be sparing yourself the stress of paying utility bills, council fees, and home maintenance. You’ll also be less prone to impulse buys as you’ll be focused only on shopping for essentials.

If you’re renting now, consider how much you’ll be saving if you give up your rented home and start living on the road where space is essentially free or, at the very least, quite affordable in caravan parks. Also, purchasing and maintaining a caravan cost a whole lot less than buying a house and investing in its yearly upkeep. As long as you’re committed to living a minimalist way of life, then the caravan lifestyle would be perfect for you.

3. It offers endless opportunities to explore the wonders of nature.

Australia is renowned for having a diverse landscape, so there are tons of possibilities for what you can see and do while living in a caravan.

Whether you choose to station yourself close to a beach, river, mountain or forest, you’ll never run out of places to visit and explore. You have a wonderful chance to take in the beauty and tranquillity of nature every day.

Ease into the caravan lifestyle slowly

If you’re making a transition from conventional to caravan living, think about the latter as a lifestyle and no longer a holiday if you want to succeed while doing it full-time.

It is ideal to ease into a daily pattern that includes chores, regular mealtimes, and lots of relaxation rather than trying to pack activities into one day. After all, if you adjust successfully, you’ll be doing this for a really long time.

And as long as you don’t mind giving up the creature comforts of the conventional life, then you might just succeed in living the caravan lifestyle.

Feedsy Exclusive

2022 TAX UPDATES

Downsizer contributions to superannuation

Downsizer contributions have been available to members of complying superannuation funds since 1 July 2018. From that date, a person aged 65 years or older has been able to make a contribution up to $300,000 from the proceeds of selling their main residence. A legislative amendment originally from the 2021 Federal Budget reduced the age limit from 65 to 60 from 1 July 2022. Further, another legislative amendment has been issued by the new government in August 2022 to reduce the age limit again from 60 to 55. The change will not come into effect until after the new Bill receives royal assent. To be eligible to make a downsizer contribution, an individual must have owned their main residence for at least 10 years. It is available to both members of a couple for the same home, even if only one is on the title deed.

Downsizer contributions are in addition to existing rules and caps and are exempt from the: age test, and $1.7 million total superannuation balance test for making non-concessional contributions.

Self-education removal of deduction limitation

Individuals may soon have the ability to claim a higher deduction for self-education expenses from the 2022–23 income year. New legislation has been tabled into parliament following the original announcement by the former government in the 2021 Federal Budget. Currently, a self-education deduction is limited to costs above $250 each income year. This limitation, known as the s 82A limitation, will be repealed from the tax laws. This requires legislative approval. The announcement is somewhat related to a Treasury discussion paper released in December 2020. However, other matters addressed in the paper, such as deductions for expenses unrelated to current employment, have not been taken further at this stage.

Sharing economy reporting system to be implemented

Starting from 1 July 2023, operators of sharing economy platforms will be required to report transactional information to the ATO. The Taxable Payments Reporting System already applies to some businesses in industries where non-compliance is deemed to be high risk. By adding operators of sharing economy platforms to the regime, taxpayers who hold or use assets for short-term lease or contract work will have their information collected. The identification of users of sharing economy platforms means that, as an adviser, you should be informing taxpayers who earn income off these platforms of their tax obligations. This includes short-term accommodation, ride-sharing transport and food delivery platforms. Also, other task or time-based service platforms will be required to report for income years beginning on 1 July 2024. The start date of the proposed changes have been delayed after the former Bill was prorogued at the last federal election.

Announcement(10-May-2017)

Consultation

Introduced(3-Aug-2022)

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effect(1-Jul-2018)

Announcement(11-May-2021)

Consultation

Introduced(3-Aug-2022)

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effect(1-Jul-2022)

Announcement(25-Aug-2021)

Consultation

Introduced(3-Aug-2022)

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effect(1-Jul-2023)

ATO to have power to make small businesses undertake tax education course

The Commissioner of Taxation will be given new powers to direct a taxpayer to undertake a record-keeping education course in lieu of an administrative penalty.

The new directive will be initially limited to small business owners in order to assist them in keeping up to date with tax obligations.

The individual must then provide the Commissioner with evidence of completion of the course in order to avoid financial penalty. The new directive will be available after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

Announcement(3-Aug-2022)

Consultation

Introduced(3-Aug-2022)

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effect

2022 TAX UPDATES

Small business technology investment boost

A business with aggregated turnover of less than $50 million will be entitled to a 20% bonus deduction for expenditure relating to a digital business adoption. The bonus deduction will be available for expenditure incurred from 7:30pm (AEDT) on 29 March 2022 (2022 Federal Budget night) until 30 June 2023.

There is a limit of $100,000 of eligible deductions able to be claimed by a business each income year but can be claimed on both business expenses and depreciating assets.

Small business skills and training boost

Small businesses will get a bonus tax deduction on top of the allowable deduction for training their employees.

Businesses with aggregated turnover of less than $50 million will be entitled to claim a 120% deduction for eligible expenditure. Eligible expenditure refers to external training courses delivered to a business’s employees by a registered training organisation in Australia.

The skills and training boost is available from 7:30pm (AEDT) on 29 March 2022 until 30 June 2024.

Announcement(29-Mar-2022)

Consultation(29-Aug-2022)

Introduced

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effect

Announcement(29-Mar-2022)

Consultation(29-Aug-2022)

Introduced

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effect

Non-commercial losses and the Commissioner’s safe harbour

Sole traders and partners in a partnership may be able to utilise a safe harbour to deduct non-commercial losses against other assessable income.

The PCG bypasses the Commissioner’s discretion under the non-commercial loss rules, where a business has been directly affected by floods, bushfires or the COVID-19 pandemic.

The business will be required to show necessary evidence to support using the safe harbour.

The safe harbour applies for the 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22 income years.

Announcement(11-May-2022)

Consultation period(21-Jun-2022) Released(14-Sep-2022)

Crypto assets to be specifically excluded as foreign currency

Crypto assets are to be specifically excluded as a foreign currency with the release of exposure draft legislation.

The proposed legislation maintains the current tax treatment of crypto assets such as Bitcoin and removes uncertainty following the decision of the Government of El Salvador to adopt Bitcoin as a legal tender.

If the legislation receives royal assent, the new laws will be in effect from income years that include 1 July 2021.

Queensland land tax to include interstate landholdings

Note: On 30 September 2022, reports have emerged that the Queensland government intends to scrap the newly legislated measure that would include interstate landholdings in land tax assessments. We will provide further explanations in due course once they are announced by the state government. Queensland has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to change land tax rules relating to taxable landholdings. Under the proposed changes, a landholder will have their land tax calculated based on their total Australian landholdings. The calculation will then be pro-rated to reflect a taxpayer’s Queensland-only taxable landholdings. The new legislation will commence from 1 January 2023, meaning that the first calculation under the new rules will take place for 30 June 2023 assessments.

Announcement(6-Sep-2022)

Consultation(6-Sep-2022)

Introduced

Passed

Royal Assent Date of effec

Announcement(21-Jun-2022)

Consultation

Introduced(21-Jun-2022)

Passed(24-Jun-2022)

Royal Assent(30-Jun-2022)

Date of effect(30-Jun-2023)

Join us to celebrate Children's Week. Events and activities

Maroondah Toy Library at Realm Library

Come along and ignite your child’s imagination as they engage with the wonders on offer from the Maroondah Toy Library. Children will have access to a range of special toys while adults will learn more about what the Toy Library has on offer.

• Saturday 22 October

• 10am to 1pm

• Free event

• Ages 0 to 6 years

• Realm Library - 179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood VIC 3134

This event is proudly brought to you in partnership with the Maroondah Toy Library. There is no need to book your place for this event. Just meet us at Realm Library!

Find out more

Ways to Play session at Croydon Library

Calling all families! Come and join us as we sing, dance and play together in a free fun-filled active play workshop for children, parents and carers of all abilities. The ‘Ways to Play’ workshop provides families with lots of fun and creative ideas that will encourage children aged 0-6 to play in a variety of ways that support their learning and development, free from gender stereotypes. Everyone can play!

Every family will receive a free Level Playground Family Play Kit to take home with them after the workshop is over, containing toys, activities and a play book to help continue the fun at home!

• Wednesday 26 October

• 10am to 10.45am

• Ages 0 to 6 years

• Free event - Bookings essential for all adults and children

• Croydon Library - Civic Square, Croydon VIC 3136

Bookings essential for all adults and children.

Book online

• Free event - Bookings essential for all adults and children

• Realm Library - 179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood VIC 3134

Book online

Ways to Play session at Realm Library

Calling all families! Come and join us as we sing, dance and play together in a free fun-filled active play workshop for children, parents and carers of all abilities. The ‘Ways to Play’ workshop provides families with lots of fun and creative ideas that will encourage children aged 0-6 to play in a variety of ways that support their learning and development, free from gender stereotypes. Everyone can play!

Every family will receive a free Level Playground Family Play Kit to take home with them after the workshop is over, containing toys, activities and a play book to help continue the fun at home!

• Saturday 29 October

• 10.30am to 11.15am

• Ages 0 to 6 years

More information

Visit the Eastern Regional Libraries website or Facebook page for a full list of activities.

Find out more and see all events and activities for Children's Week 2022

Date and Time

• Saturday, 22 October 202210.00am to 1.00pm

• Wednesday, 26 October 202210.00am to 10.45am

• Saturday, 29 October 202210.30am to 11.15am

To celebrate Children’s Week, Maroondah children and their families are invited to join in these activities at Realm Library and Croydon Library.

Celebrate Children’s Week event

us for our

Children’s Week event on Saturday

October. Come along and join in our

Children’s Week event.

uplift

Find out more

October - Mental Health Awareness Month

To celebrate Mental Health month we are offering a range of free wellbeing workshops. Join us and learn new ways to live well even when things aren’t going to plan. Our LifeSkills workshops will teach you practical skills to help move through and grow from life’s experiences.

E-waste (+ more!) collection day

Our e-waste events have grown, and we are now accepting clean polystyrene, cardboard and textiles.

E-waste, or electronic waste, is growing 3 times faster than any other waste stream. E-waste contains potentially hazardous and valuable materials, which don‘t belong in landfill. Council’s recycling events are an easy way for Maroondah residents to recycle their e-waste for free.

Find out more

Giving thanks to our incredible seniors this October

The 2022 Maroondah Seniors Festival celebrates positive ageing and wellbeing during October. It is run in conjunction with the Victorian Seniors Festival, which turns 40 this year!

The annual Seniors Festival encourages Maroondah residents aged 60 and over to discover exciting activities and community groups available to them. It also allows the community to acknowledge the importance of our older residents.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Mike Symon, encouraged senior residents of Maroondah to take part in the festivities.

“The Maroondah Seniors Festival is the perfect time for our community to acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful contributions of our older residents. It’s also a great way for Maroondah seniors to get involved in community events and activities or find out more about the range of Council services and supports available to them,” Cr Symon said.

“Residents with a Victorian Seniors Card can also enjoy free travel on public transport from 2 to 9 October, so I’d encourage them to make the most of the week and explore all that Maroondah and Melbourne has to offer them.”

Where and when to celebrate this year We’re once again hosting our Seniors Wellbeing Expo from 9.30am to 12.30pm

on Tuesday 25 October at Karralyka in Ringwood East.

This free event is an opportunity for residents aged 60 and over to find out more about the opportunities and supports available to seniors in Maroondah.

There will be a range of stallholders and seniors can collect stamps to go into the draw to win one of many prizes.

Maroondah seniors are also invited to enjoy a free community luncheon from 12.30pm to 2pm on Tuesday 25 October, including a two-course meal and a special appearance by the Victorian State Ballet. Tickets are limited, so get in quick. For tickets, visit www.karralyka. com.au or call 1300 88 22 33.

Find out more about the Seniors Wellbeing Expo

Free travel during Seniors Week

public transport between 2 to 9 October across Melbourne as well as in regional and rural locations.

This means you won’t be charged when you ‘touch on’ and ‘touch off’ when travelling on Melbourne trains, trams and buses, as well regional trains, coaches and buses to visit attractions.

Find out more about travelling on public transport in our Maroondah Seniors Transport Guide.

Stay up to date

By subscribing to Maroondah News you'll be the first to find out about upcoming events, the latest news, project updates and what's happening in and around Maroondah.

National Ride2Work Day

Have you ever considered riding to work? Riding to work is a fun, cheap and convenient way to help you stay fit! Join thousands of people all over the country by riding to work or your closest train station on Wednesday 19 October for National Ride2Work Day.

According to the Department of Health, more than half of all Australian adults are currently not active enough. Cycling to work is a great way to accommodate incidental activity into your day. Being active in the morning can also improve cognitive ability and increase your productivity.

Find out more

Maroondah

Protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma

Thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening for people with asthma or hay feverespecially those who experience wheezing or coughing.

The Department of Health issues Epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecasts twice daily during grass pollen season (October to the end of December) to help keep you informed.

Seniors Wellbeing Expo and Community Luncheon

Tuesday 25 October | Expo 9.30pm to 12.30pm | Luncheon 12.30pm to 2pm | Karralyka

The Seniors Expo is a great way for Maroondah residents aged over 60 to discover opportunities and supports available to them. Our free community luncheon includes a two-course meal and a special appearance by the Victorian State Ballet. There are still a few luncheon tickets remaining, so don't delay!

Maroondah Tri & Duathlon

Maroondah Tri and Duathlon is back this October. The Maroondah Tri and Duathlon event is great for all fitness levels. The course travels around Fred Geale Oval, Croydon, and swimming is at Aquahub. Choose from Tri Maroondah, Maroondah Duathlon, the full Triathlon or the Dash. Register by 5pm, Friday 21 October.

Find out more

Register Online

Book Community Luncheon tickets

Join us for Maroondah BizWeek

Maroondah BizWeek, the must-attend premiere week for businesses in Melbourne’s East, is back and you’re invited!

With a week of events and workshops you are sure to find one to suit your business. Reach for the stars because anything is possible! Believe. Begin. Become. Be inspired, connect with other businesses, and gain tips from experts, inspirational speakers and workshops.

Book your tickets now and bring your colleagues and clients. We look forward to seeing you at Maroondah BizWeek!

Wednesday 19 October

The Frenchams Brunch with Aimee Stanton Dare to be different

Wednesday 19 October, 10am to 12noon, $45

Get your friends and colleagues together and be inspired by Aimee Stanton while having a delicious brunch and bubbly.

Book in now as you don’t want to miss out on this fun and inspiring event!

Starting out in business

Wednesday 19 October, 2.30 to 4.30pm, $30, workshop

BOOK NOW

Set your new business up for success by developing a strong framework and understanding of good business practices, business planning, financials and marketing fundamentals.

Microbusiness Health Check

Wednesday 19 19 October, 6 to 9pm, FREE, online webinar by Business Victoria

BOOK NOW

Understand how regular self-assessment will set you up to identify key issues before they arise andwhere to best focus on improvement if needed.

Thursday 20 October

Strategies to develop your small business

Thursday 20 October, 10am to 12noon, $30, workshop

Business development takes time and energy, this workshop will provide strategies to help accelerate business improvements and growth, including generating ideas and planning implementation.

Building customer experience

Thursday 20 October, 1 to 3pm, $30, workshop

Learn to create exceptional customer experiences to delight and build satisfaction and long-term connections.

Small Business Mentoring Clinics

Thursday 20 October, 4 to 8pm, FREE, virtual mentoring

Attend a free, confidential, one-on-one 45 minute mentoring session to discuss your business in more detail about issues that you are having to help move your business forward.

Friday 21 October

Strengthening business practice

Friday 21 October, 9am to 12noon, FREE, workshop by Business Victoria

Get short term, constructive advice to support business recovery as well as tools for longer-term future crisis planning. Learn to build contingency and resilience measures as well as business risk awareness.

The sebel Friday Afternoon 'Wine Down'

Build your business connections

Friday 21 October, 3.30 to 5.30pm, $45

Wind down after a busy working week and ease into the weekend with great company at this Friday afternoon gettogether. This is your chance to connect with like-minded interesting and inspiring business people from around the region. Limited places for this VIP event. Book your ticket now for an afternoon of priceless opportunities.

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

Maroondah Council News

Monday 24 October

Social Media and content marketing

BOOK NOW

Monday 24 October, 9am to 12noon, FREE, workshop by Business Victoria

Learn tips, tools and strategies to enhance your online presence with digital and social media to attract more customers. A hands-on practical session where you leave with ideas on curating content and learn the basics of social media.

Get your website listed higher on Google Monday 24 October, 1.30 to 3.30pm, $30, workshop

BOOK NOW

If you have a website, then you should attend this workshop. It’s not enough to just have a website, Google needs to find it and so do your customers. Full of demonstrations, this workshop shows how to optimise your website, or if outsourcing tell website designers what you want for real improvement.

Get your website listed higher on Google Monday 24 October, 10am to 3pm, FREE, online workshop

BOOK NOW

Attend a free, confidential, one-on-one 45 minute mentoring session to discuss your business in more detail about issues that you are having to help move your business forward.

Better mental health

Monday 24 October, 6 to 8pm, $15, online workshop

BOOK NOW

Is your mental health not quite 100%? Feelings of anxiety and stress are common in these uncertain times. This is your chance to take action and build better mental health through learning practical skills and tips.

Tuesday 25 October

Generating cashflow

Tuesday 20 October, 10am to 12noon, $30, workshop

BOOK NOW

Identify the key cash flow drivers in business and learn ways of improving operational activities that will immediately improve cash flow.

Marketing Fundamentals

Tuesday 25 October, 9.30am to 12.30pm, $30, workshop

BOOK NOW

Learn how marketing can help grow your business. Unlock your growth through promotion, positioning and assessing your situation in the market.

Maroondah Business Group Dinner with Mark Wales Forging resilience, finding purpose and mastering transformation.

Tuesday 25 October, 6.30pm to 11.30, $30

Join us for an evening of conversation with your local business community, the Maroondah Business Group, and hear from the dynamic and inspiring guest speaker Mark Wales.

Book early to hear his extraordinary story whilst enjoying a 2-course meal and meeting other local businesses.

Wednesday 26 October

Creating a sustainable business

Wednesday 26 October, 9.30 to 11.30am, $30, workshop

Learn how to become more environmentally sustainableincluding decreasing waste, better packaging and reducing your carbon footprint.

Betting on yourself to skyrocket your business in 2023

Wednesday 26 October, 1.30 to 3.30pm, $30, workshop

Set goals and create the mindset for growth. Think big and develop a pathway to get there. Believe. Begin. Become.

Thursday 26 October

Financial wellness

Thursday 26 October, 9.30 to 11.30am, $20, workshop

Gain financial freedom by strengthening your personal finances - learn about saving and investing, managing debt and making the most of your superannuation.

Cyber Security

Wednesday 26 October, 2 to 4pm, $FREE, online webinar by Business Victoria

Understand the importance of cyber security and how to protect your business from the consequences of an attack.

Maroondah Business Excellence Awards Gala

Get ready to celebrate business success in Maroondah

Thursday 27 October, 6.30 to 11pm or $1000 for a table of 10

The Maroondah Business Excellence Awards have returned this year to acknowledge and celebrate business excellence in the City of Maroondah. Book early as there are limited seats to this exclusive event.

Maroondah BizWeek 2022 partners

Small Business Finance for Non-Finance People

Tuesday 25 October, 1.30 to 4.30pm, $30, workshop

BOOK NOW

Learn the essentials of finance for your business to help you make better business decisions, so that you can apply financial management tools and techniques with confidence.

Maroondah City Council would like to acknowledge the support of the businesses that helped make Maroondah BizWeek a success. Their partnership helped bring business experts and inspirational guest speakers to the region to help other businesses Believe. Begin. Become.

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

NOW

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

Are you Not-For-Profit in

Area?

your events for FREE on the following pages.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT

FRIENDS FOR GOOD

These past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic that have come with lockdowns and mandated restrictions on social connections have shone a light on what the experience of loneliness is like and show us how vital connectedness and belonging are in our daily lives. Loneliness can be described as an emotional state experienced when a person feels that there is a difference between the social relationships they would like to have, compared to the relationships they have. These differences may be that the quality or quantity of social relationships are insufficient and lack the interaction, connection, intimacy and sense of belonging one hopes for. Almost everyone has experienced loneliness from time to time and at any point in our lives. regardless of age, gender or other socio-demographic characteristics, we can be vulnerable to experiencing loneliness; loneliness does not discriminate.

Loneliness has been found to have a detrimental impact on mental and physical health and well-being. People regularly experiencing loneliness have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety and mortality. Loneliness also has a significant economic cost adding pressure to the healthcare system and reducing workplace productivity. Evidently, loneliness is a serious issue impacting many Australians and that is where Friends for Good comes in, as Australia’s first not-for-profit organisation that is solely focused on addressing loneliness and social isolation. Friends for Good describes loneliness as the hidden suffering of the modern age and their mission is to help people break free from loneliness. This organisation was

founded in 2016 and their work raises awareness of loneliness as a significant issue in the community and addresses gaps in services to foster a greater sense of connection and wellbeing for individuals and communities.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT OF THE MONTH

online chat service that connects people experiencing loneliness with a trained volunteer for a lovely chat, which can be about anything such as the weather, the news, films, books, different areas of interests, and simply sharing a story or two. All FriendLine conversations are anonymous and confidential, however, it is not a counselling or crisis service.

FriendLine’s telephone service is available 7 days a week 10am - 8:30pm and the number is 1800 424 287. The FriendLine chat service is available Monday-Friday 6pm-8pm and can be accessed via the FriendLine website: https://www. friendline.org.au/

The Good Health Together program is an extension of FriendLine and offers short-term individualised support over the phone for those experiencing loneliness, to help people become more socially connected. Participants work collaboratively with a Project Worker over 4-6 sessions exploring experiences of loneliness as well as strengths and opportunities to create meaningful connections.

The aim of the program is to provide long-term solutions to free people from loneliness. The Good Health Together program is free and suitable for individuals who are currently not receiving support in addressing loneliness by a Case Manager/Support Worker. For more information about this program or to apply please email wellbeing@friendsforgood. org.au

As FriendLine is a volunteer driven service, Friends for Good are looking for friendly volunteers who wish to help people break free from loneliness by having a lovely chat with FriendLine callers. These conversations truly help callers feel less lonely and make it easier for them to cope. It is also a wonderful and rewarding experience for volunteers to have conversations with a broad range of callers and is a great

opportunity to develop valuable skills, meet new people, gain work experience, and improve self-esteem. FriendLine operates from two locations, Northcote, and a new Carlton/ CBD location. All volunteers are provided with training and support. If you would like more information about volunteering with FriendLine or would like to apply please visit the Friends for Good website www.friendsforgood.org.au

When we experience loneliness, it is our body’s way of telling us that our social environment is lacking meaningful connections and this feeling is trying to motivate us to do something. So, whether it be utilising one of Friends for Good services such as FriendLine or the Good Health Together program, or possibly becoming a FriendLine volunteer yourself, these are all fantastic ways of addressing loneliness and creating a greater sense of connection and wellbeing, not only for yourself, but the community.

Social connections and belonging are a fundamental part of our daily life and with consideration of the detrimental impacts of loneliness, Friends for Good has an important role to play in the fight against loneliness.

help us the community

Friends for Good is a volunteer driven not-for-profit and Australian loneliness pioneer.

Ringwood U3A is a relatively small, friendly organisation that runs a wide variety of Classes.

On offer are a wide range of Exercise Classes including Tai Chi, Yoga, Shibashi, Line Dancing and Dance to Music, as well as Table Tennis.

Equally important there are very active Discussion Groups which enhance our knowledge - such as Current Affairs and Elders and the Law.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE RETIRED AND SEMI-RETIRED:

You may be interested in diverse and informative Courses such as :

• Drawing and Sketching, Writing and Card Making

• Poetry, Music, Film and Art Appreciation.

• Computer assistance and free basic digital skills mentoring.

• Foreign Languages and Family History.

• Out and About Excursions - always enjoyable and strengthen friendships.

• Wine Appreciation and Quilting.

Importantly, you may have a skill/interest that you would like to share with and enthuse our current membership - you will be pleasantly surprised by the level of interest that is generated by this input.

You can, of course find out more about joining us, current membership fees, Courses and Activities on our easy to navigate website at www.u3aringwood.org.au or email us info@u3aringwood.org.au or phone 0481 591 224.

Do you have an upcoming events e.g. fair, sausage sizzle, production? Place your EVENT AD here for FREE in our community online paper.

SEND US YOUR NEWS!

Simply upload your ad at www.findmaroondah.com.au/nfp-free-advertising or you can email the ad to the editor@findmaroondah.com.au and we will do the rest for you.

& EX-PUPILS’ REUNION

Halloween Limited Time Menu

It's spooky season and things are getting freaky at Fridays! Trick or treat yourself to our Halloween limited time menu from Wednesday 5 October - Tuesday 1 November.

We dare you to slime your Mac 'n' Cheese Signature Loaded Potato Twisters with our green slime herb cheese sauce, or try our Green Slime Pasta, available 20% off for MyFridays members.

If you're looking for a next level scare, peep on our creepy Eyeball Brownie dessert and get into the Halloween spirits with our chilling cocktails - the Ghost Bath, conjured up by Ferny from TGI Fridays Robina, or the Transfusion, a creepy concoction with a bloody surprise.

Hover in to TGI Fridays and try them all before they vanish...

Enhance your Nutrition in a Few Simple Steps

We’re proud to partner with Nutrition Australia to deliver a series of cooking demonstrations and fresh food tours...

Find out More

Find out More

Spring at Zing New Range Out Now!

The bees are buzzed about Zing Pop Culture’s brand new Spring at Zing range, featuring Zing Exclusive tees.

The bees are buzzed about Zing Pop Culture’s brand new Spring at Zing range, featuring Zing Exclusive tees, pyjamas, jerseys, and MORE!

Boost Juice: Bluey Is Here!

4 Collectible Kids Cups, available in stores now! Everyone's favourite Heeler family has arrived at Boost - For real life! With 4 cups to collect - you can take Bluey, Bingo, Bandit or Chilli home with you today. Plus everybody wins!

Best of the Bunch

Do you know someone who's achieving their personal best? Nominate now and give them the recognition they deserve. All nominations will go in the draw to win 1 of 3 $1,000 prize packs*Nominations close 23 October.

Find out More

Find out More

Find out More

GLENN

MARK

ADVERTISE HERE

U19 Announcement

The Norwood FC is pleased to announce the exciting return of its Under 19s programme for 2023.

Since last fielding teams in this important age group pre COVID, we have remained committed and worked tirelessly to relaunch, creating the crucial link between the junior and senior clubs.

As part of that work and relaunch, identifying an appropriate coach that will lead and develop this group was the highest priority.

We are extremely please to announce Rhett Jordan as that coach and congratulate him on the appointment.

Rhett brings a wealth of knowledge through coaching and playing at some of the highest levels of football.

His ability to develop and grow this age group second to none. We look forward to the announcement of his extended support group in the near future.Naturally Rhett continues as a senior player in 2023 also.

Pastoral Team

Services

About us

Dining

Part of the secret of success is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.

Brekky,Brunch

& Lunch

The best memories are made when gathered around the table

NEW OFFERS COMING

WITH A

IS LIKE

SAMPLE

Takeaway

You don't need a silver fork to eat good food

NEW OFFERS COMING NEW OFFERS COMING

Dance is the poetic baring of the soul through motion

SAMPLE

SAMPLE

Non-Transfer

The barter trade, sale, purchase, or transfer of the Find Coupons &/or Find Cards, by any person or entity, including but not limited to business placing offers in the Find Paper, printers, publishers, and distributors of the Find Coupons /Find Card, is strictly prohibited, unless expressly authorized by Find Pty. Ltd. Find reserves the right to make changes to the participants and their offers at its sole discretion. Members will be notified of these changes via email or via the Site.

The Find Coupons and its Offers are intended for the non-profits use of the individual purchaser of the Find Cards &/or Find Coupons. Additionally, the use of the Find Coupons &/or Find Cards or any of the Offers placed in our Find Paper, for advertising purpose, in any form of fashion, is strictly prohibited. Any use of a Offers in violation of these Rules will render the Offer VOID, and violators will be prosecuted. Offers may not be reproduced and are void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Find, will not be responsible if any

establishment breaches its contract of refuses to acccept the Find Cards / Offers with in the Find Paper: we will however, use our best efforts to secure compliance, Find, will not be responsible in the events beyond its control. © 2022 Find.

Valid Periods

Find Restaurant, Find Cafe & Find Coffee offers can be used at participating businesses any time except the following days:

*Christmas Eve *Christmas Day *Boxing Day * New Year’s Eve *New Year’s Day * Valentine’s Day *Good Friday *Easter Sunday *Mother’s Day.

Some restaurant/Cafe/Coffe establishments will have additional terms and conditions on the page where the business is advertising their offer).

Present Find Card

You are required to present your Find Card at any participating businesses if you wish to secure the discount or goods/service being offered.

Authentication Code & Customer Signature

All Find Cards must display an Authentication Code, Regions Sticker and a members name and signature to be deemed VALID. If your Find Cards does not display your signature and the correct code, the business can refuse to provide the discount offer advertised. You will receive your Authentication code after registering your Find Card.

John Dee

PRESENT VALID FIND CARDS VALID

Valid Find Cards have four folds and contain six different categories. Valid Find Cards will have its Regions logo sticker placed in the circle at the back and has an Authentication code display in front of the Find Cards

NOT VALID

Find Cards that DO NOT display its Regions Sticker in the circle at the back and DO NOT display an Authentication code in front of the Find Card are INVALID. They will not be accepted at any participating businesses. Also, your signature must be present. You may be asked to present ID to verify that Find Card belongs to you.

the Find Card and

will be

is

This

to a number on the

Maroondah