About Business August 2015

SUCCESS

iCONNECT

FAMILY LAW

BLOKES ABOUT TOWN

GUY LEECH SHARES HIS TIPS FOR CREATING HEALTHY BUSINESS

BUSINESSES PITCH IN TO HELP LOCAL NON-PROFIT GROUPS

PIPPA COLMAN SHARES HOME TRUTHS ABOUT PRE-NUPS

OUR BLOKES FESS UP TO CHALLENGES IN BUSINESS

TECHNOLOGY MADE SIMPLE Michelle Hamer shows how to maximise investment in technology

Guy Leech

BUSINESS BOOTCAMP The champion ironman makes the shift from board to boardroom

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REAL ESTATE ADVICE, BUSINESS TIPS AND MORE!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE COAST’S LEADING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE www.profilemag.com.au

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BUSINESS

JACK AND CHRIS CHILDS

WELCOME to the sixth issue of About Business, how time flies! Once again, we bring you another collection of great reads from inspiring leaders in business, all with important messages for you to apply to your own field of expertise.

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hat a Guy! In 1984, in front of more than 100,000 people, Guy Leech triumphed in the world’s first professional ironman race – The Coolangatta Gold, a 46km race of running, swimming and paddling from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta and back.

Guy remained at the top of the sport for the next 10 years, winning major international ironman races including the World Ironman title. He retired from the sport having never lost a marathon ironman race!

These days he’s an advocate for a healthier nation and is in high demand (having trained celebrities including Madonna and George Clooney). He caught up with us before his guest speaker appearance this month for Think Speakers and Events, to chat about his healthy crusade and how he turned his passion into a thriving business.

Meanwhile local businesswoman-come-author Michelle Hamer shares some of her insights into how start-up business owners can maximise their investment in technology – she insists on ingesting her information with a side of coffee and cake, now that’s a way to grab people’s attention!

Profile Magazine Editor Ingrid Nelson once again brings you Blokes About Town and this time they dined at Pelican Waters Golf Club overlooking the green (the blokes did their best to stay on topic and not get tempted to play a round of golf!) and chatted about the challenges each of them face in their respective local businesses.

And don’t miss our Real Estate section where we bring you an interesting feature story on award-winning Sunshine Coast builder Dean McEwan, who grew up in the industry and wound up paving his own niche. We also have the latest facts and advice from the real estate industry to help you make the best decisions, whether you’re an existing homeowner and looking to buy an investment property, or about to purchase your first home.

We hope you enjoy this issue of About Business.

WWW.CHRISCHILDS.COM.AU

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BUSINESS GERRY MORRIS

Phew! My voicebox is strained from negotiating appearances for the remainder of the year – just kidding, I’m an Irishman, I’ve got the gift of the gab and can spin endless yarns, anyone who has been to one of our events will be testament to that!

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ike all good Irish men I also have a certain affinity for having a good time and have been known to enjoy the odd pint of beer here and there, so it gives me great pleasure to announce Mr Glenn Cooper of Coopers Brewery will be our next breakfast presenter on 4 September.

Glenn is one of the most respected CEOs in the country and the Coopers family business story is just fantastic, you won’t want to miss it.

On 7 August we have yet another Legends at Lunch with four more sporting greats pulling up a chair. This time we have former Wallabies coach John Connolly, ex-New Zealand cricket bowler Danny Morrison, Australian former rugby league player and now assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans Trevor Gillmeister, and Simon Black from the Lions.

Then on 14 August we have Guy Leech coming in celebration of Think Money’s partnership with RACQ CareFlight. Guy experienced great success in the marathon ironman arena, having never lost a race in his decade-long career. Since retiring he has gone on to work directly with national organisations inside and out of the office to create healthier businesses.

Later in December, ‘Mr Body Language’ Allan Pease, will be joining us for a special speaking event. Allan is internationally-renowned, but hails from none other than right here on the Sunshine Coast, so we’re lucky to grab him while he’s on home soil.

Also a big thank you to everyone who came along to our special dinner event with Lisa Wilkinson last month, she was held in such high regard and did not disappoint, having everyone in the room hanging on her every word as she took us through her incredible career in Australian media.

Lisa was every bit the wonderful woman I thought she would be and had some absolute pearlers of advice, whether you work in the media industry or not.

Having set the bar incredibly high in the first half of 2015, Lisa has kicked off the second half of the year with a bang and Think Speakers and Events has even more inspiring speakers to come this year, so stay tuned for more announcements being made in the coming months.

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For a full list of events go to www.thinkspeakersandevents.com.au Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with all these great events.

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GUY GUY LEECH LEECH Champion Champion ironman ironman Guy Guy Leech Leech makes makes the the shift shift from from board board to to boardroom. boardroom.

BLOKES BLOKES ABOUT ABOUT TOWN TOWN This This month month our our blokes blokes fess fess up up to to challenges challenges they they face face in in their their business. business.

DEBORAH MICHELLE HUTTON HAMER Great business advice andstartup tips forbusiness womenowners seeking Michelle Hamer teaches the elusive work/life balance. about technology.

MICHELLE HAMER PIPPA COLMAN Michelle HamerPippa teaches startupshares business owners Family lawyer Colman home truths about about technology. pre-nups.

REAL FACTS MUCH MORE! Don’tan miss columns and predictions. tips from Keep eyeinformative on real estate trends and leaders in their fields including advice on how to run your business like a finely oiled machine.

MUCH MORE!

Don’t miss informative columns and tips from leaders in their fields including advice on how to run your business like a finely oiled machine.

BUSINESS

WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

BUSINESS BOOTCAMP Since retiring from a golden run as a surf lifesaving ironman champion, Guy Leech has taken his winning streak from the board to the boardroom, making health and vitality his business along the way.

GUY LEECH

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works on breaking community fitness world records, speaks at workshops and events, and is aligned with a multitude of companies who share his mission for health.

“You can't be great at something unless you love it. Health and fitness was always something that excited me – I wanted to help others realise health is so important,” Guy shares.

“I have used the same winning structures from sport into business.

“I think awareness is one of my strong traits – I learnt awareness from my background in ironman competition, dealing with the surf and the changing conditions. This learnt trait has kept me in good stead with business.

“My coaches in sport taught me to keep looking for improvement everyday. From the training sessions I did, to the techniques I executed, to how I rested and what I believed, all of this created a want to look for constant improvement.”

The mental focus required to achieve elite physical ability, in Guy’s case pushing his body through 46km of swimming, paddling and running, is now translating into unequivocal business strategy and success.

“I have always been goal oriented; massive goals that are chunked into smaller ones,” Guy shares.

“I write them down, see them everyday. I’m not afraid to tell others the goals and rate myself weekly on how much effort I have put into getting closer to them. I also have mentors that keep me on task. I work from a basis of brutal honesty – I am tough on myself and expect big results.”

In his early 20s, Guy triumphed in the world’s first professional ironman race in front of a crowd of 120,000 on the Gold Coast in 1984 that created a sport and gave Guy a “fantastic” 12-year career.

He spent a decade in sporting prominence with international event accolades including the World Ironman title and representing Australia in surf lifesaving and marathon swimming.

He retired without losing a marathon ironman race throughout his career – so it makes sense when Guy shares of the ‘competitive void’ left from racing professionally.

So, he traded other athletes for a new rival.

“I used it (money) as a benchmark for me to compete with. I set

“You can't be great at something unless you LOVE it. Health and fitness was always something that excited me – I wanted to help others realise health is so IMPORTANT.”

hen high-profile athletes face the decisive crossroads at the end of their sporting career, interest in their next move is often piqued.

And, how they choose to direct that competitive drive from their sporting pursuits will often be the breaking, or the making of their next phase.

Guy Leech chose the latter.

From golden days in Australian surf lifesaving, including winning the inaugural Coolangatta Gold Ironman race – the first professional ironman race in the world – and taking out multiple national and international titles in the sport, to riding a wave of business success, Guy hasn’t lost his standing in the nation’s psyche.

Today, Guy is a family man, a health crusader, the man once dubbed ‘Australia’s fittest athlete’ by the Australian Institute of Sport in 1993 and crowned Australia’s number one fitness ‘Guy’, following a stellar 12-year sporting career with building a brand, resulting in self-branded enterprise www.guyleech.com.

He is a proud advocate for a healthier nation, a celebrity personal trainer, has launched a fitness gear line and sports equipment range, regularly carries out bootcamps in his home base of Sydney Harbour,

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RIGHT: GUY WITH WIFE HELEN AND DAUGHTERS PALOMA AND PHOENIX

THE FAMILY ‘GUY’ GUY’S DAY ON A PLATE BREAKFAST (after paddling): Porridge, fruit and a coffee MID MORNING SNACK: Couple of pieces of seeded toast with jam LUNCH: Salmon, vegetables and rice with miso soup DINNER: Lamb chops, mash and vegetables DESSERT: Couple pieces of dark chocolate and fruit salad.

Drink water throughout the day.

“I think my wife and I are pretty good with teaching the kids about being healthy. Helen has always cooked a lot of healthy meals at home and lets both the girls know what is fresh, healthy food,” Guy shares.

“We have had both the girls in kayaks from the age of two and we regularly go for family walks and bike rides. We have a gym at home that everyone uses fairly regularly.”

GUY’S WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE I have a fitness paddling group I take training on Sydney Harbour from Monday to Friday, with the sessions lasting from one to two hours. I also ride a mountain bike a couple of times a week and use my gym at home a couple of times.

12 competitions a year I can compete at, so I still feel like I’m racing!”

Guy reveals.

“I had to find the same interest levels I had from Ironman in something else for me to reach my full potential.”

Guy shares strategies about how to ‘win’ in all areas of life and his sporting career has given him valuable insight into what it takes.

“I have met a lot of people who are the best at what they do,” he says.

“But in getting to know them I realised they weren't necessarily good across other parts of their life – in fact a lot of them were miserable.

“For me, when I was World Ironman Champion, other parts of my life weren't going well – like my marriage. Once I finished competing as a professional athlete I became very aware that I wanted to be good across all different sectors of my world.

“Some of the rules I have are non breakables and they give me a really solid platform to live my life from, like always walking my kids to school in the morning and exercising every morning.”

Ensuring his family’s health as a husband, and father to two daughters, is a cause close to Guy’s heart, tracing back to a “lifechanging” moment when Guy was a young boy.

At 12-years-old, Guy witnessed his dad, aged 42, suffer a heart attack in front of him.

“He was a great athlete as a youngster but his lifestyle changed as he joined the workforce and consequently his health deteriorated,” Guy remembers.

Subsequently, Guy is passionate about seeing health flow through families and in the workplace, often training corporate groups in his home base of Sydney, and as one of the nation’s biggest voices on health, is spreading the word through reputation and determination.

“You need to be very clear on what you/the product/the business stands for,” Guy affirms. “I have always tried to present the same story to the general public. My brand is a true representation of me – that way it is very easy to represent it!”

The proof is in the brand’s success, with news of upcoming collaborations including launching a number of new products into the market this year, a superfoods range that will be in stores by Christmas and a high protein ice-cream range; his own Ironman race launching in November and starting a high performance corporate golf school on the Sunshine Coast with golf coach Grant Field.

And just like the ironman races of Guy’s sporting era, the marathon of maintaining a business in the long run and coming out on top is a mental game, tied with the same focus, discipline and goals.

“I think if you want to operate in a high performance state then health and fitness are part of the formula for success.”

You can hear Guy’s business tips when he comes to the Sunshine Coast with Think Speakers and Events – see below for details.

FRIDAY 14 AUGUST, 2015 VENUE The Surf Club Mooloolaba, The Esplanade, Mooloolaba TIME 6.45am start TICKETS $55 per person (breakfast included) To secure your ticket visit thinkspeakersandevents.com.au

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BLOKES ABOUT TOWN TIM GALL MARK WIGGINS

GARY MEARS

BEN HAYCROFT

CHALLENGES IN BUSINESS WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS WADE FUGE VENUE PELICAN WATERS GOLF CLUB

Being in business is a tough gig! From sourcing and managing staff to managing overheads, to the day-to-day operation, whether you are a business owner or at the helm of one, there are always going to be challenges. I recently caught up with several successful Sunshine Coast businessmen to discuss some of the unique daily challenges they face in their role. Co hosting the lunch at the beautiful Pelican Waters Golf Club was my partner in crime Gerry Morris of Think Speakers and Events, joining us was Mark Wiggins, practice manager with Griffiths Parry Lawyers, general manager of The Caloundra Events Centre Gary Mears, Ben Haycroft of Workplace Central (formerly Haycroft Workplace Solutions) and Tim Gall, general manager of the Pelican Waters Golf Club.

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PROFILE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED IN YOUR ROLE AS GM? A lot of people still think we are a private or exclusive club. I have met people who have lived in the estate for 10 years or more and didn’t realise they could dine at the club any day of the week. We are trying to change that. We have such a beautiful setting here and offer a great menu, we want the public to know we are here. Many people don’t know that we are the number one ranked Sunshine Coast golf course and we are ranked 55 of 100 Australiawide. We get quite a lot of accolades. We have expanded our wedding market and with the new development approval we are expanding even more. We do great themed dinner nights, such as Fawlty Towers, which are a lot of fun.

RIB FILLET STEAK

BEN HAYCROFT Haycroft Ben Haycroft has been part of the well respected Haycroft family business for ?? years. Previously Haycroft Workplace Solutions, the company has recently undergone a rebrand and name change to Workplace Central. As one of four directors of the business, Ben is a workplace health and safety specialist and is passionate about ensuring fair workplace practices.

PROFILE: CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED IN YOUR ROLE? Anything to do with employing people is always a challenge and we are tied to legislative changes. We are constantly battling with businesses who don’t want to pay the correct hourly rates or prefer to pay people cash than put it through the awards.

There was an exposé just recently about the cheap labour hire in the fresh food industry.

Industrial relations is always moving. Our business is extremely volatile. We are lucky to have to have specialists in all areas who are passionate about ensuring people get a fair go in the workplace.

TWICE COOKED PORK BELLY

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TIM GALL Pelican Waters Golf Club Tim Gall has been general manager of the Pelican Waters Golf Club for almost eight years. A pro golfer himself, Tim has been in the PGA business for 26 years and has been at the helm of many high profile golf courses throughout his successful career. Pelican Waters Golf Club is currently awaiting development approval for 250 to 300 medium density and single dwelling homes as well an as extension of the club itself and Tim is passionate about sharing the many facilities the club has to offer the Sunshine Coast community.

BUSINESS MARK WIGGINS Griffiths Parry Lawyers With a long term background in the financial services industry plus many years experience as a small business owner/operator on the Sunshine Coast, Mark Wiggins’ position at Griffiths Parry Lawyers allows the partners to concentrate on being solicitors while he attends to the day-to-day tasks associated with running a business, managing staff and ensuring the business’ long term success.

PROFILE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE? Griffiths Parry is a well regarded, established law firm on the Coast.

A big part of my role since commencing was to help the firm go from the 18th century to the 20th century technology wise. For example, I recently had all the family lawyers go through a course on online searching that will make their lives so much easier. We have had the facility for three years but they just didn’t know they had the ability to get it. It’s just a communication thing. Also, as we are growing it is hard to find staff with the right attitude and cultural fit for what we do. But perhaps my biggest challenge is getting the lawyers to look after themselves. Family law is a high pressure role, lawyers are exposed to some heavy stuff. They deal with it day in and day out.

There has to be work/life balance. The challenge is to get them to understand that it’s not selfish to take time out of the day for them.

GARY MEARS Caloundra Events Centre General manager of the Caloundra Events Centre for the past two years, Gary Mears is passionate about making sure the venue is the best it can be for both performers and visitors alike. Hailing from a long and successful career in similar roles as general manager of the Ipswich Civic Centre and marketing manager with the Ipswich City Council, Gary brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.

PROFILE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE? We are about to undergo a big renovation at the centre, so that is going to present its own challenges. I am really lucky to be in an industry where everyone who comes to the Events Centre comes there for a good time, and to have some fun. I hear people say, I got my citizenship there, I got married there, I did my first dance recital there 30 years ago, I saw Suzie Quatro there. My challenge is making the centre relevant to everyone who lives on the Sunshine Coast.

Watching kids perform on the stage and lapping up the excitement is great to see. Then the people coming to see the play will get a different experience. I am passionate about making the Events Centre the absolute best version of what it can be and the renovation is going to bring it right up to date and make it somewhere Sunny Coasters can be proud to show off.

On the menu...

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his was my first visit to the Pelican Waters Golf Club and I must say my first impressions were, ‘why have I not dined here before?’. Boasting a beautiful view of the pristine golf course, and offering a peaceful and laidback setting, it was a delightful spot for a catch up with the Blokes About Town.

General Manager Tim Gall, had arranged a fabulous twocourse lunch especially designed by the talented chefs at the club for the Profile lunch and it was amazing.

For entree we were treated to a choice of Blue swimmer crab linguini with roasted cherry tomato, preserved lemon, basil, chilli and pecorino; Twice cooked pork belly with warm apple slaw and chilli caramel sauce; Crumbed camembert salad with watercress, red plum and cranberry glaze or Roast asparagus salad with grilled haloumi, quinoa, cress salad and balsamic glaze my choice. It was absolutely delicious and judging from the squeaky clean plates around the table, so was every other dish!

Main choices included seafood chowder of fish, prawns, squid, mussels with a creamy veloute served in a freshly baked cob loaf; prosciutto-wrapped chicken breast stuffed with sundried tomato, mash, seasonal vegetables and served with hollandaise sauce; 250gm rib fillet steak, house salad, bad boy chips and Cedar Creek tomato dessert relish or Panko fried flathead fillets with chips, salad, tartare sauce and lemon. While the chicken and rib fillet were both a popular choice among the lads, I settled on the flathead and it was superb. The servings were all very generous and cooked to perfection.

If you haven’t popped in already, put the Pelican Waters Golf Club on your ‘to do list’, you won’t be disappointed.

Pelican Waters Golf Club 40 Mahogany Dr, Pelican Waters phone: 5437 5000

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ROAST ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH GRILLED HALOUMI

BUSINESS

Introducing iCONNECT WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Community initiative

A community incentive launched by a Sunshine Coast organisation with a heart for making a difference will see businesses and not-for-profits have the chance to connect in a unique digital space – with more freedom to change, and less red tape.

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business is about to revamp its office space. Desks, “For the smaller non-profits, it’s hard when you don’t have chairs, tables, printers, even computers still in resources, and money can make all the difference.” working order are grouped to one side to make way Just like online ‘swap or trade’ sites, iConnect links the supplying for a new fit-out or upgraded equipment. business with the donations/goods to the receiving non-profit The business owner organisation and once a ‘match’ is may have the best intention to drop made, supplier and receiver set up the the goods off at a local charity store, finer hand-over details. but in the midst of being timeEach item and participating poor, and dealing with bureaucracy, organisation are carefully screened to applications and other barriers, ensure the products and companies ultimately those spare goods can be are quality, eligible and legitimate. simply thrown away.

“It’s a way to let locals know This is where iConnect comes in. your business cares and is making a It is a practical way for non-profit difference,” says Sue. organisations and businesses to share “Businesses can also choose which resources, products and services in non-profit to donate their goods to.” order to support each other and It’s conscious commerce that’s bridge gaps. iConnect is like a local making a difference, and Sue hopes – FIONA SIMPSON MP ‘classifieds’ site for Sunshine Coast it will help contribute to stronger ties non-profit organisations. between non-profit organisations and The unique program was developed businesses on the Sunshine Coast.

by Inspire Connecting Communities director Sue Frost, whose “Working with non-profit organisations, I’ve always looked for tireless community work and connections with an array of local ways to help them, and this is a working model of that,” says Sue businesses and non-profit organisations led her to identify a niche passionately. that was more than ready to be tapped into.

“It’s simple and practical – sometimes it’s just the simple ideas “Businesses would love the chance to give the goods away, but that can be the most effective.”

For more information or if you’d like to register your interest, please it’s about finding the time to help the community and small nonvisit: www.inspireconnect.com.au/connect-community/ profits,” says Sue.

“I appreciate the vision of those who birthed this idea of businesses and not-for-profit organisations collaborating and WORKING TOGETHER to build a stronger and more CONNECTED COMMUNITY.

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Model, TV presenter, magazine editor, designer and founder of a successful online business, Deborah Hutton is the queen of reinvention. The stunning 53-year-old shares the secrets behind her continued success and oers some great advice for women seeking the elusive work/life balance.

Model OF SUCCESS WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

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he is one of Australia’s most recognisable faces. Blessed with classic good looks and an air of sophistication and style, she has been gracing the pages of glossy magazines since her debut on the cover of Cosmopolitan at just 16-years-of-age.

But Deborah Hutton is not just a pretty face, she is also an astute and polished business woman who has carved a successful career for herself in the Australian media industry. The beautiful and familiar face of several iconic Australian brands, including Myer Grace Brothers and Qantas, Deborah has also presented many lifestyle TV shows including Location Location, Amazing Homes and Celebrity Overhaul to name a few, as well as being at the helm of the Australian Women’s Weekly for 10 years as Editor. Drawing on the wealth of skills she has honed throughout her 30 plus years in the industry, Deborah’s most recent business venture, Balance by Deborah, is an online community helping women find balance in their life through connecting with a team of experts across eight key areas; body, relationships, home, work, money, mind, beliefs and emotions. The program brings together a team of expert coaches to help people unlock the key to a successful and happier life as well as candid interviews with high profile celebrities who share their personal stories.

It was an epiphany some six years ago that was the catalyst for Deborah to start thinking about the next phase of career. Having reached her late 40s, she candidly admits that despite her good genes, she could not rely on her looks alone as she entered her more mature years. “About six years ago I started to notice a lot of my long term contracts were not being renewed and I could see I had reached my peak and was coming down the other side of the hill in terms of modelling,” says Deborah.

“That was a real turning point in my career and I thought to myself ‘I am going to have to really think about what I’m going to do here and how I can reinvent myself to remain relevant in my industry going forward’.

“Looks are very much a part of this industry and why I am here today, let’s call it what it is. I have been very fortunate with my mother’s good genes, they have got me a long way and I have made the most of the opportunities. But I am in a very visual medium and you are challenged as you get older and I have fought tooth and nail not to change my face in any shape or form, it is what it is. I am lucky to have as many smile wrinkles on my face as I do and I am proud of every one of them.”

It was following a change of management a couple of years ago that Deborah realised it was time to re-evaluate and re-position herself in the industry and Balance by Deborah was born.

“You have to think about the future and not be sad the past is coming to an end,” says Deborah.

“I have a beautiful wall of all these wonderful photos – I call it my peanut gallery and that’s great, they are beautiful memories to have but they are meaningless, the most important thing to me now is where to next? What does the future hold? What is my next challenge?

“You have to continually challenge yourself and continue to learn and pull together all the skills you’ve got. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and you have a really good chance of creating something.

DEBORAH HUTTON

“There are a lot of women in a very similar position. They want to stop the five-day, 10-hour corporate lifestyle.”

Deborah says the feedback she has received from her followers has been her biggest source of inspiration.

“I am so humbled by the fact we are helping and changing women’s lives. I am gobsmacked when I read the letters I receive and I am grateful to be in the position I am. It’s a byproduct of the business I didn’t expect but wow, what a by-product. The fact that I am helping people is fantastic and it just makes me want to do even more.

“My message is that you have to forgive yourself for not being able to do everything. We are all human, you have to accept who you are.

Just by changing your perspective on things, you can change your life for the better,” she says.

So what are Deborah’s tips for maintaining a happier more balanced lifestyle?

“Work life balance is so important. It’s about lifestyle, it’s about freedom. People don’t have to be hemmed in to a nine to five job anymore. It’s about what we can do for ourselves to create the life we want to live.

“I still struggle with it. Digital publishing is a 24/7 role but you have to create timeframes. That’s why I set aside an hour every morning for a walk with the dogs. That is not negotiable, that’s my time.

“I also have a great business partner who lives on the Sunshine Coast, she is my rock and one of the smartest people I know. Every one of her skills are different to mine and that is why we complement each other.

You can’t do everything alone, you have to have people around you who understand you and share your vision. You challenge each other and that is how you grow and become stronger.”

There is no doubt Deborah is paving the way for other women to step out of their comfort zone and into a new life, whatever that may be and she is a shining example that anything is possible if you follow your heart.

“It’s about opening people’s minds to looking at things a different way. I feel like I can be a great conduit for other people to enjoy a better more balanced life.”

Well said Deborah. Watch this space, you never know what she might do next.

“WORK LIFE BALANCE is so important. It’s about lifestyle, it’s about FREEDOM … It’s about what we can do for ourselves to CREATE the life we want to live.”

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TECHNOLOGY

made simple WORDS NICOLE FUGE PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

Michelle Hamer launched her business in what some would now consider to be ‘caveman conditions’ – the mobile phone had just been released and the Internet was in its infancy stages.

Over the years, technology has become Michelle’s closest ally in business and she now shows start-up business owners how they can maximise their investment in technology.

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lack with a bit of milk,” Michelle Hamer says, as she sits down to a pile of paperwork.

Through working with corporate clients for the past 35 years, Michelle has found pairing technology and coffee to be the perfect combination to achieving a work/life balance.

Running three IT businesses, consulting to international law firms, assisting local charities and still having a life sounds unobtainable, but Michelle has done it and gone on to write a book about it, full of tips and tricks for start-up businesses.

“I’ve been asked many times how I achieve the amount of work I do, as well as be involved in various community groups and run a

MICHELLE’S TOP TIPS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Use your domain name in your email address, and not a gmail, Hotmail or Outlook account. Prove you are in business and promote your business, not Google etc.

Check to make sure any apps you use will work on all of your devices. Don’t get caught out with the app only working on your phone!

Use a time recording app to record every chargeable item/time to capture your income and your non-chargeable time, and to make sure you’re not procrastinating.

Use a receipt scanning app on your phone or tablet so you know where you are spending your hard earned money.

There is no excuse for not backing up daily as there are some excellent cloud solutions. Don’t say ‘I should have’ after your phone is dropped and damaged!

business that works with clients all over the world,” says Michelle.

“The simple answer is, I use technology. Technology is my secret weapon, it’s my PA, my answering machine, my memory, and it is always with me.”

Michelle says many of her great decisions were also made over a cup of coffee, which is why she invites the reader to grab a cup of coffee at different stages throughout her book, Technology made simple for startup businesses.

“I find the coffee conversation is a relaxing conversation because we can all get so wound up and anxious,” she says.

Michelle runs three technology businesses that provide services, such as training on a variety of PC desktop applications, providing consultancy services in relation to the setup of computer environments and assisting clients’ to develop their technology strategies.

Michelle says the question she gets asked the most by people wanting to set up their own business is ‘What technology do I need?’

“My book covers practical solutions from software to hardware and is designed to assist start-up businesses make research-based, good decisions about technology,” she says.

Over the years, Michelle has worked with hundreds of businesses to develop their technology strategies and says the most common challenge for business owners wanting to get the most from their investment in technology is a lack of understanding of their needs in terms of software and hardware.

“I love spending time supporting business women and I have spent a lot of time talking to women about how they set-up their business,” says Michelle.

“There’s so much to learn, so much to do. People who are in their 20s, they just do it, but to us who are 30, 40, 50 we’re challenged and people say, you should do this and you should do that, you should use this, you should use that.

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“What I try to do is give some structure around it and talk about business from a structural point of view, because there’s the ‘unsexy’ parts of business, the finance, operations, doing backups, I try to make it easy.”

And if there’s one person who knows about changes in technology in business, it’s Michelle, having launched her own business in a much ‘simpler’ time.

“The mobile phone had just come out and it was a brick, I remember going down to the mobile phone shop and saying, how am I going to fit that in my handbag? That ain’t going to work.

“Then I bought my PC, I didn’t have a laptop to start with because it was too far outside the budget for me, whereas today you buy a laptop for $300 to $400.

“I remember sitting at my desk and thinking, I’m ready, what’s going to happen from here?”

While technology has brought business people closer together, Michelle says the multitude of communication tools can muddle the way we do business. Which is why she instigates regular touch points with her corporate clients and spends a lot of time talking with them, something that has become the backbone of how she runs her business.

“I’m very lucky that I have very impressive clients and I’ve had them for such a long time. It’s about how to keep in touch with those sorts of clients,” she says.

“It’s about how do you keep having that touch point when a lot of it is about now, we want to do this now, but it’s not about now, the longevity of your business is about the future and you’ve got to put those thing in place now to help manage that future.”

Michelle’s experience and knowledge caught the attention of Deborah Hutton and she recently joined the Balance by Deborah Hutton team as their technology consultant.

“It came about because her business partner is here on the Sunshine Coast and we got talking and she said you’ve always been great at sharing information, how about writing and I said okay,” she says.

“At the beginning of this year we did a segment together on Channel Nine and it was fantastic.”

Michelle moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1967, moving away to complete university and enter the workforce, before returning 21 years ago to set up her business.

Since founding Smart Advice in August 1994, Michelle Hamer has assisted organisations in three main sectors with IT implementation and education, among her clients are the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Sunshine Coast Council. Between 2000 and 2011, Michelle lectured at the University of the Sunshine Coast in International E-Marketing Strategy; Management and Organisational Skills; and Strategic Management, and lectured at the University of Shanghai on behalf of USC. And while technology has changed, the fundamentals still ring true.

“The common thread when I talk to business women is that they think they can start a business without setting up certain things, like having conversations with their accountant and their lawyer because they get too scared to do that,” she explains. “The ATO has to become your friend, the bank has to become your friend.

“Sometimes people go into business and it’s exciting but they forget about the ongoing, but there are all these foundations they’ve got to lay – so many people buy a domain, but just have a google or gmail account, but if you have a business, you need to make the best possible opportunities of being in business.

“You also need to spend money because someone’s going to pay you, so you need to support your business, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands.”

With decades of experience under her belt, Michelle could talk business all day long – I better brew another coffee.

MICHELLE HAMER

15 | ABOUTBUSINESS

BUSINESS

FIONA ROBERTS ALL ABOUT AWESOME

ALL ABOUT AWESOME:

Systems

Y

Having the right systems in place can change the way your business operates.

This month’s ‘All About Awesome’ column is all about how to run your business like a finely oiled machine.

ou chose to go into business so you could live the life you’d always dreamed of, but instead of you running your business, your business is running you. Hmmm. THAT won’t work for long now, will it?

So, then you put some staff on to take off the pressure, but you didn’t get the results you’d hoped for. Did you hire the wrong person you wonder? Nope. You didn’t have your systems in place. Your team will work with your systems, and your systems will run your business for you.

Here’s some steps you can take towards automating your business today:

understand if they are effective or if they require modification.

Share it. Put all your processes together in a manual, and have your team members access it regularly. Train everyone regularly. Make sure there is a process in place that clearly shows how to update these documents so you have the most recent evolution at your fingertips, should it be required.

“We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Get it out of your head – now! Great systems and processes can not only save you time and money, but increase your income. And a funny thing happens when you write things down, you often think of even better ways to do them!

Sounds like some great reasons not to procrastinate, right?

Be prepared to document everything. Write down how to answer the phone, how to save a file in your computer, how to process your payroll – even how you make big decisions. Your aim here, is to be able to ‘drop’ any team member into any role, give them a process, and have them be able to run with it.

Be proactive. Understand that what is obvious to you, may not be to someone else. Anticipate problems, and create pathways for a solution.

Revisit your processes regularly with the people who are using them to

Having great processes is an awesome way to leverage your current resources. There’s no denying that this can be an overwhelming task when it is in front of you, so just take it one step at a time.

You know the quote – “Tip toe if you must, but take the step”. You will thank yourself later, I promise! And remember, there’s no reason you need to do these things alone, so do join in the conversation at www.allaboutawesome.com.au. I’d love to hear about your goals, challenges and successes.

Fiona has many hats. She and her husband Scott own IBN Direct: Alternative Funding Solutions, and she is also a small business mentor, blogger, celebrant, wife and mother. IBN Direct is holding a charity golf day on 18 September at Pelican Waters Golf Club, for details visit www.ibndirect.com/about-us/charity-golf-day.

Check out Fiona’s website here: www.allaboutawesome.com.au and the IBN website here: www.ibndirect.com

16 | ABOUTBUSINESS

BUSINESS PIPPA COLMAN SOLICITOR PIPPA COLMAN & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS

TO DOCUMENT OR NOT TO DOCUMENT –

that is the question!

Pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, binding financial agreements...people in love are reluctant to talk about them. Clients have said to me, “They are not very romantic” and I always respond with, “Neither is litigation in the Family Court and spending tens of thousands of dollars fighting with someone you used to love.” So at what stage do you document the financial aspects of your intimate relationship?

W

hy doesn’t everyone who enters into a defacto relationship or a marriage have an agreement which sets out what assets and liabilities they each brought into the relationship, how they will share their finances during their relationship and how they will divide their finances if (God forbid) they separate?

The answers are many and varied, but boil down to these (with my typical responses): Client: We don’t have enough money to worry about doing a pre-nup.

Pippa: I wonder what you will say when Granny dies and leaves you $1M. Client: We are in love and we will never separate.

Pippa: No one who consults me has ever told me they entered into a relationship intending to separate down the track.

Client: We don’t want to pay the costs.

Pippa: Really? If you insure your life, your house, your car, then why wouldn’t you insure your relationship? You can either pay the costs at the beginning of the relationship (with a pre-nup) or at the end of the relationship (possibly in Court before a Judge). Up front is the place to do it, I say.

Client: We are prepared to share everything.

Pippa: People say this when they are in love. When the relationship is over, they don’t tend to sing the same song.

Client: We have heard they are not enforceable.

Pippa: If you get it off the internet or pay less than $5000 for the preparation and signing of it, it probably isn’t enforceable. This is a complex area of law and requires both parties to obtain the right legal advice and the document must reflect their agreement. Done properly, the chance of the agreement not being enforceable is minimal.

Client: We are already married, so it’s too late to do an agreement.

Pippa: No it’s not. You can do it before the relationship, during the relationship or even after you separate/divorce.

So I say, get some legal advice. Have a frank discussion with a lawyer and decide what is best for you – to document your financial relationship or just cross your fingers and hope for the best!

For further details contact Pippa Colman & Associates Solicitors on 07 5458 9000 12/64 Sugar Road, Maroochydore Qld 4558 www.pippacolman.com

17 | ABOUTBUSINESS

BRIEFCASE

WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS

dr beverley powell

Jodi Collins

Sunshine Gynaecology Cotton Tree

Coco Pearl Buderim

W

orking with women’s health is a science in its own right, and Doctor Beverley Powell’s impressive 25-year career in medicine – 10 years as a generalist doctor and 15 as a specialist gynaecologist equips her well in the field.

Dr Powell completed a six-year medical degree at the University of Queensland, before moving to Cairns to work as a junior doctor. She entered the specialist training scheme as a registrar, gaining experience during stints in Adelaide, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and in Roma.

“I’m passionate about empowering women by informing them of how their bodies work …”

It was while in the western region of Queensland that Dr Powell’s career began to take flight, quite literally, when she spent three months as a flying obstetrician/gynaecologist.

“We’d jump in the plane in the morning and fly all over Western Queensland … I was doing the gynaecology operations and emergency obstetric call outs,” Dr Powell remembers.

After more time in the city, Dr Powell finished her specialist training and set up her clinic on the Sunshine Coast in early 2001.

Since then, Dr Powell says she has seen incredible medical advancements in the industry, and uses these modern approaches in her practice.

“When I was a medical student, keyhole surgery was just starting to become accepted and now it’s the norm – most operations are done via laparoscopy now,” she says.

Aside from using contemporary laparoscopic techniques, Dr Powell has just introduced a new ‘MonaLisa Touch’ treatment that assists women with vaginal atrophy through stimulating the body’s own regenerative processes.

She now works between consulting at her Cotton Tree clinic and operating at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital.

“I’m passionate about empowering women by informing them of how their bodies work and what’s going on when there are problems. I aim to help them make informed choices,” she says.

I

t’s a Tuesday morning and Buderim hairdresser Jodi Collins has just finished transforming a client, chopping her long locks into a much shorter style.

“I love helping to change the way people feel about themselves … and when we do a big change like that we make sure the clients can look after it at home and educate them how to do it,” she says.

“But you don’t have to do big changes, just a nice style cut can make a difference.”

With more than 20 years in the industry, completing her apprenticeship on the Sunshine Coast after graduating high school, Jodi knows the importance of being on top of current trends while staying true to her roots.

“I love helping to change the way people feel about themselves.”

“We are constantly training, going to hair shows to better our experience and keep up with the times,” she says.

“Over the years I have seen a lot of the colours change but cuts are still pretty similar.

“At the moment balayage is still quite big and a lot of soft curls are really in too.”

Joining the team at Coco Pearl Hairdressing in Buderim almost six months ago, Jodi specialises in colouring, cutting, keratin straightening and a variety of other hair care and colour services.

She’s kept busy with a full diary of clients on her salon days of Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and Thursday nights by appointment.

And on the other days, Jodi juggles regular bootcamp sessions, raising her children with her husband, playing netball and coaching her daughter’s netball team.

So, any style tips for other mums balancing the demands of family and work?

“Dry shampoo is amazing to get the oiliness out of your hair after a workout,” shares Jodi.

“Otherwise you can quickly whack your hair up into a messy bun to get you through – although there’s nothing better than doing it properly with soft curls!”

And that’s the long and short of it.

18 | ABOUTBUSINESS

REAL ESTATE DESIGNER HOME BY DRM DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

inside 20

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Dean McEwan turned a job as a young chippy into an award-winning career

19 | ABOUTBUSINESS

29

REAL FACTS

Keep up-to-date with the latest trends and figures in the real estate industry

TO 24 BENEFITS APARTMENT LIVING

Is apartment living the way of the future? Tanya Mungomery weighs in on the debate

REAL ESTATE DEAN McEWAN

chip off

THE OLD BLOCK WORDS NICOLE FUGE PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY AND CONTRIBUTED

Having a hard-working mother and father in the building industry, construction seemed like a natural path for Dean McEwan to follow. But what started as a job as a young chippy turned into an illustrious career building award-winning designs, including the prestigious Master Builders House of the Year.

D

ean McEwan prides himself on providing quality workmanship and it’s a trait that has served him well – but it hasn’t come without a lot of hard work along the way.

His dad was a builder by trade, but owned a glass and aluminium company in Noosa, retiring in 2005.

“Dad was one of those gifted people who could do anything … I take my hat off to him,” Dean says.

Meanwhile, his mum was involved in the accounts side of the business and his three sisters went on to pursue academic careers.

Having completed his carpentry apprenticeship, Dean cemented his place in the industry by working for a “good builder” in Noosa.

“When he semi-retired, I took on a bit of his work and his reputation and went from there and started building a house for myself and it snowballed into what it is today,” says Dean.

While Dean doesn’t have a great deal of involvement in the designing stage of a home, what he constructs lends itself well to the architectural market, rather than project or standardised building.

“I get a lot of my inspiration from working with good architects and a good crew of tradies and suppliers that keep you on your toes and keep you wanting to work harder and move forward and strive for that ultimate finish,” he says.

“Every job is different … especially in architectural homes, nothing is the same – the houses we’re getting into these days are pushing the boundaries in design and engineering.”

Dean’s builds have earned his business, DRM Design and Construction, some impressive accolades including three Queensland Master Builders Association awards for their flagship property at Mooloolah Island including House of the Year; Individual House over $2m; and Best Kitchen.

20 | ABOUTBUSINESS

REAL ESTATE

“If you can find a good group of guys to work with, that respect you and have your best interests in their own heart, you’re well on your way.”

But he says he can’t take all the credit himself, “It’s not just me doing the decision-making, there are seven other guys (contractors) putting their heads together too, coming up with the right solutions”.

“If you can find a good group of guys to work with, that respect you and have your best interests in their own heart, you’re well on your way.

“I’ve kept working with the same core group of plumbers, electricians, gyprockers since I started in 2007, I have the same guys standing beside me today – we’re all mates.

“The architect I work with is also very much open to suggestions and open to compromise. But at the end of the day, he won’t sacrifice that detail and hence the awards that we’ve been able to achieve.”

The job opportunities that have come along with winning the Master Builders awards have set Dean up for years to come, but it almost didn’t happen.

“The house I built was for a friend of mine and he was talking to me about it, saying it would be good for exposure to get my name out,” he says.

“In the Sunshine Coast awards I cleaned up which was a buzz

because I went into it with no expectations and it was good to be recognised for the hard work and the architects and the guys who worked on it, it’s that core group of guys who get it across the line.

“I was nominated to go to the State awards and won House of the Year, and it was starting to hit home that maybe I’m on the right road and kicking a few goals.”

Dean credits having two shining examples to learn from – his dad and his boss, for his strong work ethic and approach to business.

“Dad was organised chaos in regards to having 20 to 30 jobs, but he got it done,” he says. “Compared to the guy I worked for, who was calculated and only took one or two jobs, high-end homes.

“It’s those old school ethics that people respect. I feel that’s gone in the building industry and that’s from the change in generation. The young fellas don’t understand what it takes some days.

“I’m different in that I’m still heavily involved. One thing I learnt since 2008 with the GFC is that people are very aware of where their money is spent and who they’re spending it with. If they’re spending two million dollars, they employ me and they expect me there, they don’t want me driving around and looking after three jobs.

21 | ABOUTBUSINESS

REAL ESTATE

DAN PERRYMAN QLD INVESTMENT BUILDING CORPORATION DAN@QIBC.COM.AU

THE PROPERTY WINDOW

H

ouse and land or units/apartments? When discussing property investment the above question is often posed.

The answer – it really depends.

Both can provide equal returns by way of rent and capital growth in their respective markets. House and land, units/apartments and townhouses are obviously all very different property types and therefore suit very different markets.

Often investors can get hung up on the ‘Australian Dream’ of a quarter acre lot with a three to four bedroom home. While this type of property is certainly still out there in the market it is not necessarily going to provide an optimum investment and most likely will exceed the budget of most if you are searching in the right location for capital growth.

While location is undoubtedly one of the more important factors when considering an investment property, the property type is equally important.

Some markets, like segments of inner capital cities are ideal for unit/ apartment investment while some markets, often the outer suburbs or regional markets are where house and land investment is required.

Ultimately it comes down to consideration of the research; demographics, supply and demand, all of which determine the ideal property type for the respective market.

22 | ABOUTBUSINESS

“Often investors can get hung up on the ‘AUSTRALIAN DREAM’ of a quarter acre lot with a three to four bedroom home. While this type of property is certainly still out there in the market it is not necessarily going to provide an OPTIMUM INVESTMENT.”

Sun shines on investment market

The reason most of us choose to live on the beautiful Sunshine Coast is because of the relaxed, coastal lifestyle.

I

t’s far removed from the hustle and bustle of city living, and that’s just how we like it.

Our beautiful geographic location which has been the playground of holidaymakers for generations, holds us in good stead for future positive growth prospects, particularly with the added advantage of increasing infrastructure investment and jobs.

Investment properties are riding a wave of interest in Caloundra and right across the Sunshine Coast as buyers, encouraged by a brighter economic outlook, trade the hustle and bustle of city life for sun, surf and sand.

A sustained period of low interest rates and favourable growth forecasts for population, local economy and jobs has created optimism in the market and driven strong enquiry levels for property investment opportunities throughout the region.

Henzells’ investment property specialists are reporting that the sector is performing at excellent levels on the back of these favourable conditions and an encouraging outlook for sustained, sensible growth.

The region has left the doom and gloom of the GFC well behind, with Caloundra in particular performing very strongly. Its friendly relationship with Brisbane buyers just an hour down the highway gives it a unique advantage over its northern Sunshine Coast neighbours.

The region has a sense of its own mini economy fuelled by historic support from Brisbane sea-changers and its own local popularity.

Quality properties are being snapped up as soon as they hit the market and agents are reporting a huge influx of new buyers particularly from Brisbane capitalising on the excellent market conditions to make the sea change they have always dreamt of.

Tracey Rossow Investment Manager

49 Bulcock St, Caloundra 0448 616 055 trossow@henzells.com.au 23 | ABOUTBUSINESS

The full spectrum of property types is performing strongly from the little walk-ups under $400,000 to the million-dollar-plus apartments in the premium buildings with the big views, as well as sensibly-priced residential homes.

Development of the $2 billion Kawana Health Precinct has been a key factor in the region’s economic revival.

It is the largest and most exciting infrastructure project the Coast has seen and will drive demand well into the future, not just for health but all associated businesses.

The project has ignited a fresh sense of confidence in the economic future of the Sunshine Coast which the State Government has declared Queensland’s employment capital, creating jobs at eight times the rate of the state average.

Builder confidence in the region has also been recognised as being the highest in the state, and population growth for both the short and long term looks very encouraging.

Over the next couple of years the Sunshine Coast population is expected to grow by around 20,000, requiring in the order of 2600 new dwellings per year and the long term forecast is similar.

This is great news for investors with the coastal lifestyle and value for money on offer here making it hard to match anywhere else in Australia. n

REAL ESTATE

tanya mungomery Integrity. Knowledge. Results.

Tanya Mungomery brings 20 years of client service experience to her role with McGrath and prides herself on exceeding clients’ expectations through her friendly and professional manner.

Dedicated to delivering exceptional results in a stress free manner with proven results, Tanya makes an excellent choice for the sale of your property offering six star service and advice delivered with integrity.

Tanya Mungomery Sales Agent M 0414 260 711 T 5450 8000 E tanyamungomery@mcgrath.com.au W mcgrath.com.au

BENEFITS TO APARTMENT LIVING Apartments look to be the way of the future. Soaring house prices, growing populations and an increase in dwelling approvals for units, flats and townhouses – higher density living will become a reality for more Australians.

COMMUNITY Many Australians barely know their neighbours beyond a nod and a raised hand in greeting upon accidentally seeing each other while putting the bins out. Sharing a building with others, increases the possibility of getting to know those living around you, and making new friends.

SUSTAINABILITY Living in an apartment means you generally accumulate less stuff that you didn’t really need in the first place, and this can also equate to a smaller carbon footprint. Your heating and cooling bills tend to be lower.

CLEANING Easier to clean and less time spent cleaning means more time for more enjoyable activities.

LOCATION An apartment can be your ticket to that trendy inner-city suburb where houses cost a small fortune. Most developments are built in thriving communities close to public transport, shops, restaurants and entertainment, and are an easy distance from the city.

MAINTENANCE Apartments have less upkeep in general, there’s also a body corporate to handle the building’s bigger issues that need fixing.

AMENITIES Bigger apartment developments can have some desirable perks, including swimming pools, gyms, rooftop hangouts and communal gardens. Lots of apartments come with secure car spaces and balconies.

LIFESTYLE Getting out and among the action can be a great way to feel more connected to your community, get some fresh air, see friends and stretch your legs more often. Additionally, when living in the inner city, there’s so much to do right on your doorstep.

LESS GARDENING One job that’s eliminated in an apartment. You can still grow some herbs on your balcony, and if you have a green thumb and still want to get those hands in the soil, then that’s what community gardens are for.

SECURITY Apartments are harder to rob. With intercoms, secure entrances, and alarms inside individual apartments as well.

24 | ABOUTBUSINESS

INVEST OR LIVE

45 BOUTIQUE APARTMENTS

9km from the Brisbane CBD, neighbouring 10 hectares of parkland For your free information pack CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

45 BOUTIQUE APARTMENTS

Go where the growth is Investing in Kedron is investing in a growth area – one the State Government has identified significantly important. Parkside Kedron is a carefully planned apartment development with an outstanding location at Kedron’s highest point. It brings a new standard of product to the area, with a considered and thoughtful design that takes advantage of the views, breezes and 10 hectares of parkland at the back fence. Parkside Kedron provides an opportunity for the astute investor, capitalising on the billions of dollars that have recently been spent on infrastructure in the immediate area.

Snapshot:

- Positioned on elevated land in Kedron only 9km from the Brisbane CBD with gate access to 10-hectare neighbouring parkland - Oversized generous apartments with modern contemporary design - High quality finishes

FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACK CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

KEDRON

A leader in the Brisbane Northside market

BY TERRY RYDER, DIRECTOR, HOTSPOTTING.COM.AU

K

Parkside Kedron is designed for quality living with very low body corporate fees.

Features include:

- Large kitchens with stone bench tops and stainless steel European appliances - Generous balconies for outdoor entertaining - Spacious internal living areas

- Generous-sized bedrooms and walk-in robes to most rooms - Split-system air-conditioning in living rooms - High speed internet and Foxtel provision - Separate internal laundry

- Secure undercover basement parking with automated roller door and security intercom

Hotspotting Report: KEDRON

edron is a classic example of the Northside markets that have led the recent upturn in Brisbane markets.

While the generalised figure for price growth across the Brisbane metropolitan area in the past year has been moderate – around 3% or 4%, depending on whose figures you prefer – selected areas have done much better.

The standout precinct has been Brisbane Northside – the northern suburbs of the Brisbane City Council area. And Kedron is typical of the suburbs which have done well, recording double-digit growth rates well above average for the Brisbane metro area.

This is quintessential Brisbane middle market. Kedron is 10km north of the Brisbane CBD, with links to the City and to Brisbane Airport enhanced by the Airport Link tunnel. Two standout features of Kedron are the number of secondary schools and colleges, and the extensive green space areas centred on Mercer Park.

Kedron’s median house price is around $610,000, a little above the overall median for the Brisbane City Council area ($570,000). The median for apartments is $410,000.

The hallmark of this market is solidity. Kedron has a respectable long-term growth rate, having averaged 6% per year over the past decade in terms of the average annual rise in the median house price.

Over the past five years, Kedron’s growth has averaged 7.1% per year.

The long-term growth rate for apartments is a little higher, around 7.5% per year.

These capital growth rates rank close to the best in the Brisbane metropolitan area.

The Kedron market has been a consistent growth performer, with price growth in eight of the past 10 years. The only significant down period was 2011/2012 when the Greater Brisbane market generally was in decline.

The market recorded double-digit price rises in 2008, 2010 and again in the current market, with the median price rising 10% in the past 12 months. The median price for apartments has increased 20% in the same time frame.

The market remains strong, with average time on the market (56 days) below the Brisbane City average, which means homes sell faster than the city norm. Discounting is low and generally in line with Brisbane City averages.

There have been 250 dwelling sales in the past 12 months, including 176 houses and 74 apartments.

The numbers for investors are solid also: rents average $450 per week for houses and $330 for apartments, and typical rental yields are around 4.5% for houses and 5% for apartments.

The vacancy rate for the Kedron postcode has hovered between 2% and 3% for most of the past five years and, according to SQM Research, is currently 2.8%.

FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACK CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

100% OCCUPANCY READY

SELLING FAST

2 bedrooms from $432,500

What makes Parkside a great place to invest or live?

• Parkside Kedron is positioned only 9kms from the heart of the Brisbane CBD • Directly neighbouring spacious Bradbury Park, boasting 10.86 hectares of walking, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas and open space • Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre provides everything from retail therapy to fine dining with over 400 retailers. It is also one of the largest employment hubs in the region and just 1.5kms from Parkside Kedron • The Prince Charles Hospital and Holy Spirit Northside Hospital provide a large percentage of jobs and both are extremely close at just 900 meters away • Major public transport facility, The Chermside Bus Interchange, is a leisurely 1.1kms walk.

Over 1,000 buses depart weekly, providing fast access to all locations 24 hours a day. There is also immediate access to the CBD in less than 15 minutes.

• The expanding Brisbane Airport, another major employer, is 15kms away and currently undergoing major upgrades and moving towards a projected 50,000-plus workforce

For your free information pack CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

REAL ESTATE

REAL FACTS Whether you’re looking to enter the real estate market or are already a seasoned home-buyer, it pays to know the trends and predictions within this often-fickle industry. Profile keeps you in the know for all things real estate.

MORE ʻMUMS AND DADSʼ ENTER NEW HOUSING MARKET “The boost in building approvals for detached houses signals the welcome entry of more non-investors into the housing market,” Peter Jones, Chief Economist of Master Builders Australia says. It is important this continues to rebalance the makeup of the new housing market, which has been dominated by high rise apartments,” he says. “The latest building approvals for April recorded a rise of 4.7 per cent seasonally adjusted for detached houses to be up by 9.1 per cent in annual terms entrenching a strong positive trend for residential building sector. This trend needs to continue to ensure that the new housing market becomes more sustainable and in putting downward pressure on new house prices.

In total there was a 4.4 per cent seasonally adjusted fall in approvals of new dwellings, largely due to a drop in approvals of multi-unit developments particularly in New South Wales and Queensland. Nevertheless, overall approvals are up 16.6 per cent through the year confirming the strongly positive role residential building is playing in economy and jobs growth.

“We have a combination of LOW INTEREST RATES and INCREASED SUPPLY hitting the market which provides consumers with a wide range of CHOICE.” QUEENSLAND HOUSING STILL A GOOD BUY Home buyers need to look beyond the “bubble talk” emanating from the massive price increases in Sydney, and to a lesser extent Melbourne. Master Builders’ deputy executive director says Paul Bidwell unlike its southern counterparts, Queensland is not experiencing a housing bubble. Prices for new construction are stable and there are good opportunities to buy.

“We have a combination of low interest rates and increased supply hitting the market which provides consumers with a wide range of choice.” Mr Bidwell says according to the Master Builders Survey of Industry Conditions for the March quarter, the majority of respondents (55 per cent) reported that their average contract prices remained the same.

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REAL ESTATE

“There is little evidence of upward pressure on contract prices for NEW HOUSING as the industry continues to be driven by strong COMPETITION for available work and budget-conscious consumers.”

REAL FACTS ... continued

“There is little evidence of upward pressure on contract prices for new housing as the industry continues to be driven by strong competition for available work and budget-conscious consumers,” he says. “Historically, high house prices in the southern states have encouraged people to move to Queensland. This will help to sustain the Queensland market as it continues a period of steady growth.” Residential building work has increased by 15 per cent over the last 12 months according to the latest ABS Construction Work data.

CHANGES TO BUILDING CONTRACTS QBCC legislative changes have come into effect that will see a number of Master Builders’ contracts change significantly.

Which contracts will be impacted?

- Residential Building Contract (L2) - Residential Cost Plus Contract (L2) - Residential Renovation Contract (L2) - Minor Works Contract (L1) - Trade Contract (L1) - Pool Building Contract (L2)

“Historically, high house prices in the southern states have encouraged people to move to QUEENSLAND. This will help to sustain the Queensland MARKET as it continues a period of steady GROWTH.” contract will become Level 2 regulated residential contracts for which the contract price is equal to or more than $20,000 (excl GST). More onerous general provisions apply to Level 2 contracts namely, details of price, method of calculating price and warning regarding price change, documents to be given to the owner.

The Minor Works Contract and Trade Contract will become Level 1 regulated residential contracts for which the contract price is more than $3,300 (excl GST) but less than $20,000 (excl GST).

What are the big changes?

There will be changes to contract names (which will now be referred to as Level 1 and Level 2 contracts) and content, as well as changes to warranties, cooling off period, deposits, progress payments, variations and extensions of time.

The Residential Building Contract, Residential Cost Plus Contract, Residential Renovation Contract and Pool Building

What do these changes mean for builders and tradies?

If you have current versions of these contracts, they should not be used beyond 30 June 2015. You should purchase new versions once available, which should be used for any contracts signed after 1 July 2015.

Please note: current versions that are signed on or prior to 30 June 2015 will remain valid.

Sourced from: www.masterbuilders.asn.au

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