AusBiz - December 2022/January 2023

NEWS | Finance | health | agriculture | mining | environment

80. OCEAN FARM FINANCE

Tech start-up Oceanfarmr launches Farm to Buy, a new program to finance the aquaculture industry.

P.64 ausbiz. news p.66 investing advice

P.72 farming trends P.76 menopause awareness p.84 mining state of mind P.88 scholarship winners p.92 cybersecurity concerns

ELECTRIFYING THE NATION

The Evolution Group, one of Australia’s largest traffic control and management companies, has committed to becoming the first company in the world to fully electrify its fleet of light utility vehicles in Australia and New Zealand.

The Evolution Group will convert 500 of its vehicles to fully electric over the next five years, with a further target of having the first electrified traffic management vehicle ready and roadworthy by 2023. The announcement comes after the company’s recent partnership with Tembo, the electric vehicle subsidy of the global B Corporation, VivoPower International –a global B Corporation – which will help Evolution fulfil its conversion promise.

Kerry Dale, Non-executive Chairman of Evolution, says: “Evolution is constantly evaluating opportunities to offer innovative and competitive solutions to the industry. We have one of the largest fleets of vehicles for traffic management services across Australia and New Zealand,

Windy warriors

The Government has announced Australia will be joining the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA), an association organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency. The collective aims to see 380 gigawatts of offshore wind infrastructure built globally by 2030. Currently the world has around 60 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, with no operational projects in Australian waters. However, many private companies are keen to explore opportunities to advance Australia’s contribution, which with the potential to reach a capacity of 40 gigawatts.

Nine other countries, including Japan, Germany, the US and the UK have joined the alliance after COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference, held in Egypt earlier this year. Speaking at the summit, Australia’s Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen stated: “Australia is back as a constructive, positive and willing climate collaborator.” His words have raised hopes of Australia taking stronger action on climate change going forward.

Currently, Australia is ranked 51 out of 59 countries for its climate action, according to the annual Climate Change Performance Index. It’s a sobering statistic, and one the government hopes to combat through this increase in action. This includes a bid to host the UN Climate Conference in 2026, a demonstration of their commitment to protecting the environment.

and being the first to commit fully to electrification will help to set eco-friendly standards for the industry.”

The first phase will involve electrifying 80 vehicles, which will be tested in commercial trials. If the trials are successful, Evolution is committed to transforming its whole fleet, maintaining its objective to deliver costeffective and environmentally friendly solutions.

Cheriton Valley: A

PICTURESQUE HAVEN AND THE PERFECT CITY ESCAPE

Nestled in the beautiful Cheriton Valley just minutes north of the town of Gingin, an exclusive country address with an idyllic lifestyle in a safe, close-knit community awaits. It offers the best of countryside living while being on the fringes of Perth.

Country Heights Estate has been developed to an exceptional standard with fast-speed internet, scheme water, power and sealed roads, whilst retaining its rural charm and natural beauty – with stands of mature gum trees and untouched bush adding to its appeal.

The stunning estate is home to 313 exclusive 1-hectare lots, plus rural residential homesites with utterly breathtaking views of rolling hills and sweeping valleys.

Claymont Chairman Jerry Goh says fully serviced large hectarage home sites having scheme water in such close proximity to metro areas are a rarity, with the homesites being 25 times larger than the average suburban home site, for a better price.

The enchanting estate aims to deliver an improved quality of life with plenty of fresh air and wide-open country spaces for the whole family to enjoy, while also offering enough space for large pets to roam and play.

ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, WITH THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Country Heights Estate is easily accessible via the completed NorthLink Tonkin Highway extension. With this new development, travel times to myriad metro areas with high-density work places and shopping centres have been significantly slashed.

Joondalup, Wangara, Malaga, Morley, Balcatta, Ellenbrook and Midlands are between 30 minutes to 45 minutes from the estate, and the airport and Perth CBD are an hour or less away.

“With its excellent accessibility, Country Heights Estate offers a unique opportunity to live the ultimate lifestyle with the best of both worlds – healthy living in a safe country community on large hectarage home sites, and the ability to work in metro areas with an easy commute,” says Jerry.

As a result of the lockdown experienced during the pandemic, there is a growing popularity with city-dwellers seeking a lifestyle change to regional areas which are within easy commutable distance to the city. It gives them more room and space to spend quality time at home, with more flexible work-fromhome lifestyles.

“The availability of high-speed internet here is perfect for those who desire a rural work-from-home lifestyle, making Country Heights Estate an ideal place to live and work partly or fully from home,” Jerry says.

The nearby Gingin town has every a tree-changer could possibly want – including great schools, a medical centre, post office, bank, hotel, cafes, shops, and numerous recreational and sporting facilities.

Ideal for the building of a family home, retirement, an investment, or to claim your own weekender on the edge of the Darling Scarp, the estate is also within easy reach of coastal communities such as Lancelin, Seabird and Guilderton on the pristine Moore River.

WHAT’S ON OFFER

Stage 1 included 45 homesites that were well received, as it is now sold out. The next 61 homesites will be released in Stage 2 comprising Stage 2A, 2B and 2C with titles expected early in 2023. Selling prices start from $215,000 to $305,000 for premium elevated homesites with stunning panoramic valley views.

Take a scenic drive to Country Heights Estate to see it for yourself.

For more information, please visit countryheightsestate.com.au (or use the QR code below).

Alternatively, contact our agents Tom Cabassi: 0429 095 864 or Rob French: 0401 970 997.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

What should a long-term investor do? How do you save for your goals and aspirations? Adam Smith, CEO of Saxo Australia, gives us his seven top tips on becoming a better investor.

In the words of American economist Benjamin Graham, “the essence of investment management is the management of risks, not the management of returns.”

Understanding your investing psychology is crucial to building your portfolio and managing risks. Different investors realise their dreams at different times.

Some investors are willing to take on investment risk because they are confident that the stock market will recover in the long run, which fits their long-term investment horizon. Other, more cautious, investors may regard a 20 per cent drop in the value of their portfolio as disastrous. These investors may have loss aversion, meaning they

fear losses and feel the pain of losses more than they enjoy gains.

For your long-term financial health, it’s critical to understand which type of investor you are (risk averse, loss averse, risk-taking or long-term) and to set your portfolio at the appropriate risk level to avoid panicking at the worst possible time, selling out and incurring significant losses, only to jump back into the market once the gains from any rebound are in the rearview mirror.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT INVESTMENT?

Here are some valuable tips on how to pick it. Investing can

be a daunting task, even in the best of circumstances. We want to make things a little easier. While not every investment will be a winner, understanding what makes an investment worthwhile can help you build an enviable investment portfolio.

Choosing a good investment is a combination of understanding their financial situation and identifying the more significant trends that will shape the market in the future. Whether you’re a seasoned stock market veteran or a complete novice, refreshing and refining your investing strategy is never wrong.

With that in mind, consider the following seven suggestions to help you become a better investor.

1. Know what you want from your investment portfolio

Before making any market moves, it’s critical to understand what you hope to gain from your investments. Everyone has different goals when investing, so being honest with yourself is essential. Looking for high short-term returns? You may want to make ‘riskier’ investments. Do you want to start building a long-term nest egg? You may want to consider investing in high-quality bonds.

Know what you want from your investing experience before putting your money where your mouth is. This way, you can be confident in your decisions and satisfied with the results.

2. Observe what sectors are experiencing change

A changing world means shifting fortunes for businesses all over the map. While everyone will recommend different sectors, keeping an eye on commodities (particularly companies involved in mining and exporting oil, coal, gas and gold) is worthwhile as the world is facing a shortage of real resources and rising demand. Consider companies that manufacture electric vehicles, as the market is expected to grow in the coming years.

Identifying market trends will help you understand how the market is thinking now and how it will think in the future. World events, government legislation and innovation can all change the fortunes of companies and even entire sectors, so keeping up to date is a must.

3. Identify companies that will play a crucial part in pushing their sector forward

Now that you’ve identified which industries are changing, look for companies that will drive the change within those industries. For example, if you’re interested in electric vehicles, you might consider investing in electric car manufacturers such as Tesla and

Volkswagen. You can also consider investing in companies that mine materials such as lithium, aluminium, copper, cobalt and nickel, all of which are used in producing electric vehicles.

Keep in mind that the market is constantly evolving, so identifying these changing sectors early on can help maximise the profit you’ll make from your investments.

4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Compared to a portfolio that only includes stocks from one sector, a diverse portfolio is more likely to succeed over time. If you only invest in a few companies, one company failing or underperforming can spell disaster. On the other hand, if you have a diverse portfolio of companies from various industries, you are much more likely to withstand changing market conditions.

5. Numbers don’t lie – so look at their financials Before investing, look at the company’s public financials and ensure it has a track record of increasing its cash flow and earnings. You can use a platform like ours or Yahoo Finance to quickly and easily determine if a company’s earnings and cash flow have been increasing, and if these trends are likely to continue. Such numbers, known as ‘fundamentals', can quickly help you understand how the company performs and manages its accounts. Fundamental analysis is integral to deciding which companies to invest in, so don’t rush it. When you select companies with rising cash flow and earnings, their stock tends to increase. You don’t want to be backing a company that’s not gaining business or is going backwards financially.

6. Think with your head, not your heart FOMO (fear of missing out) can be a powerful motivator, especially if you’re part of a group betting on a specific stock or sector. However, if the numbers don’t add up and it’s not

a stock you’d typically invest in, don’t take the risk.

7. Time in the market is better than timing the market Stock and bond price declines, as we are currently experiencing, create opportunities to invest at much lower prices. Investors should not try to ‘time’ their investments but instead spread them out over regular intervals. This is known as dollar cost averaging and is accepted as an excellent way to build portfolios, especially when stock prices are volatile. The reality is that most gains in a portfolio come from asset allocation – the mix of stocks and bonds – rather than picking winners in a selection of individual stocks.

MANAGED PORTFOLIOS MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU

Finding the right mix of stocks and bonds for your risk tolerance and life stage is challenging. Only investors with the time and knowledge should attempt to create and manage their asset allocation.

Research from The Advisable Australian 2022 report illustrates that many investors in Australia are looking for sophisticated investing support yet are being priced out of private wealth management services. Managed portfolios can be an excellent way for time-stretched investors to diversify their portfolios, grow their wealth and minimise risk.

In 2023, Saxo will launch lowcost, expertly managed portfolios to help bridge the chasm between Australian investors and the everpresent opportunities across the global markets. The portfolios are curated by renowned masters of the global markets, including Black Rock, Morningstar and Nasdaq. The funds dynamically allocate assets that reduce your risk in the bad times, and shift assets when the markets turn good again, so you can keep calm and carry on.

DIVERSITY IN RETAIL

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The new three-year project launched by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the Australian Retail Association and Disability Employment Australia will help to nurture a more accepting workplace for diverse Australians. The project will involve 120 participants, with trials in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to establish their “retail readiness.”

The study, a big step forward for creating a more inclusive country, comes after the Australian Government provided an $867,420 grant, which was administered by the Department of Social Services. Thanks to this funding, the QUT research team hopes to gain insight

into how to prepare and support workers, and deliver impactful training to increase employment opportunities in the retail sector for workers with psychosocial disability.

AUSTRALIA’S RETAIL INDUSTRY

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing, young adults between the ages of 15-24 with a disability are more than twice as likely to be unemployed or experience longer periods of unemployment.

At the same time, due to the continued effects of Covid and an ongoing workers shortage,

there are over 46,000 vacant jobs in the retail sector. This large gap in the workforce is a problem the QUT project aims to solve, focusing on helping the retail sector to develop a more accessible environment for diverse workers.

Once the program has been completed, trainees will be provided with a certificate from the Retail Training Institute, which will allow them to access new opportunities in a previously closed employment market. These trainees will be well equipped with the skills needed for successful retail careers, meaning both employer and employee can thrive.

New research into long-term employment for young adults with psychosocial disabilities is helping to change our workforce for the better.

Matilda Meikle

THE STUDY

Professor Gary Mortimer, one of the lead researchers on the QUT team and chair of the ARA’s Consumer Research Committee says that research shows customers developed positive relationships with brands after engaging with diverse workers.

“Developing programs to help people with psychosocial disability overcome barriers to employment enables them to enter a workforce that provides gainful employment, social engagement and meaningful income,” he says.

“This is real-world research that’s going to deliver real outcomes for not just retail businesses, but society in general.”

And Gary isn’t alone in that sentiment. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA), one of the leading companies launching this project, wants to create a unified and diverse workplace. As a sector that employs

1.3 million Australians, retail has the opportunity to grow into a community of accepting and forward thinking team members. The ARA informs, advocates, educates, and protects the retail sector, hoping to turn this dream into a reality.

Paul Zahra, ARA CEO, says retail is one of the most diverse work sectors in Australia.

“Improving the diversity, equality, and inclusion opportunities for people with a disability is an important focus for our team members.

“We applaud and warmly welcome this investment from the Federal Government which will be critically important in undertaking this work.”

The project is still in early stages, but could signal the beginning of a more open and accepting workforce, providing diverse Australians with employment opportunities and helping to educate the public.

“Developing programs to help people with psychosocial disability overcome barriers to employment enables them to enter a workforce that provides gainful employment, social engagement and meaningful income.”

THIS PAGE: EMPLOYING 1.3 MILLION AUSTRALIANS, RETAIL IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE SECTORS IN THE COUNTRY.

Monitor where it matters most with InfraGuard

Senceive’s InfraGuard wireless monitoring system is ideally suited to sites and structures that are considered valuable and vulnerable, and where there is the possibility of sudden, potentially catastrophic movement.

InfraGuard, available from Position Partners, is a sophisticated wireless monitoring solution to help asset owners manage critical infrastructure.

It not only tells you what your assets are doing – it shows you. Smart tilt sensors respond to movement to give you immediate insight of an event at a remote site. You will get alerts of small-scale movement which could indicate the early signs of a slope or structural failure, and graded alerts of further movement, backed up by photographic images.

InfraGuard is primarily intended to detect movement but can also include cameras that are triggered by tilt sensors, providing an instant view of potential problems so that users can differentiate between false

alarms, small-scale movement and large-scale movement that could represent an emergency – all without visiting the site.

With a proven track record of detecting potentially disruptive and dangerous events, InfraGuard can be your eyes and ears on site, without needing feet on the ground.

Data assessment and management is performed in the field without relying on external server analysis – if a sensor detects movement that breaches a threshold, it will trigger a sample to be taken on all the sensors within its network. This is crucial for interpreting an alert to understand its validity or impact.

When movement is detected, a higher sampling rate is often required to understand the rate of change and to plan appropriate steps. Pre-defined parameters and trigger levels can be programmed, which instruct the system to change sampling and reporting rates according to the degree of movement.

InfraGuard is built around the Senceive FlatMesh intelligent communication platform and therefore provides long-term, low maintenance monitoring, with readings taken at set intervals in normal conditions. When the system detects movement, it responds automatically by accelerating sampling and increasing transmission rates, with the extent of the response related to the severity of the event.

The system is suitable for many monitoring applications including:

• Sites where there is the possibility of sudden, potentially catastrophic movement.

• Sites that are considered valuable and vulnerable.

• Monitoring slopes such as road and rail cuttings, embankments, levees and mines.

• Sites where early warning of failure such as landslips and rockfall would be needed.

For more information, visit positionpartners.com.au/product/ infraguard/

FARMING TRENDS ON THE RISE

It’s an Australian way of life, and agriculture accounts for 12 per cent of our GDP. As the world grapples with rising production costs, the war in Ukraine and post-pandemic supply chain disruption, what does the future hold for Australia’s farming industry?

Words: Jeanette Severs

THIS PAGE: WHEAT FIELD IN MIROOL, NSW. THE MAJORITY OF AUSTRALIAN WHEAT IS SOLD OVERSEAS TO ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST.

EXPORT MARKETS

Agriculture accounts for 12 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP), but we produce substantially more food than we consume – with 71 per cent of our agricultural output exported to international markets. By comparison, as a nation we import only about 11 per cent of the fresh and processed food and beverages we consume.

In 2020-2021, more than 88 per cent of Australian agricultural exports were destined for Asia, with the top five export markets being Greater China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

International trade is crucial to global food security, and for a long time Australia has undertaken a key role in the Asia-Pacific region,

supporting policies that enable food self-sufficiency in countries with lowand medium-income populations.

NEW TECH

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant flaws in supply chain management, with medical and food security in the spotlight. Global accounting firm EY predicts that in the next three years companies will significantly increase investment in cold storage sensors for medical supplies, and in technologies that limit supply chain disruption for basic household and food products.

GPS technology is already enabling the use of driverless forklifts, tractors and trucks, while fully automated planning in horticulture allows vegetables to be harvested, sorted,

washed and bagged with minimal human intervention. In the dairy industry, automated milking systems also enable cows to choose when they want to be milked.

Drone technology is on the rise, with delivery drones broadcasting fungicide, herbicide and insecticide, as well as beneficial predator insects, into crops. Drones are also being used to sow seed and survey herds of livestock.

Digital technology is enabling sensors to identify where electric fences are experiencing issues, and when bores and troughs stop working. Using these technologies to identify faults reduces the need for a large workforce to manually monitor farm infrastructure.

FANTASTIC FIVE

Beef, lamb, aquaculture, dairy and oilseeds comprise the ‘fantastic five’ of Australian agriculture.

It’s estimated that 55 per cent of Australian land is given over to beef farming – as broadacre grazing, farming on developed country, or intensively in feedlots. The red meat sector on its own contributes $7 billion to Australia’s GDP. With an estimated 25 per cent growth in consumer demand for red meat and livestock products, Australian producers want to be recognised as a key supplier to global markets.

The dairy industry and food processing sector is the third largest rural industry in the country. Annually Australians consume on average 97 litres of milk, 13.6 kilograms of cheese, 4.1 kilograms of butter and 9.4 kilograms of yoghurt.

The dairy industry also includes products such as dry milk powder,

“Drone technology is on the rise, with delivery drones broadcasting fungicide, herbicide and insecticide, as well as beneficial predator insects, into crops.”

THIS PAGE: SHEEP IN BALLARAT, VIC. LAMB IS ONE OF THE 'FANTASTIC FIVE' OF AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: OYSTER FARM; POULTRY BREEDERS NEED TO PROVIDE ENRICHMENT FOR LIVESTOCK; PROTECTING CATTLE FROM FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

infant formula and food, biopharmaceuticals and beverages enriched and fortified with milk protein and fat. Australia exports 32 per cent of its milk products to China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.

The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on global wheat prices and volumes. And with excellent seasonal forecasts for most regions, Australian grain growers have also sown grain, pulse and oilseed varieties. The majority of Australian wheat is sold overseas, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, where it is processed to make bread, noodles and pasta.

Most of Australia’s aquaculture production comes from high-value species such as pearls, salmonids, tuna and oysters. More than 40 types of seafood are cultivated in farms, including barramundi, silver perch, Murray cod, mussels, prawns and oysters, while nearly 60 per cent of Australia’s aquaculture production comes from wild-catch fisheries in the surrounding oceans.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Consumers are increasingly demanding high standards of welfare for farmed animals.

Poultry meat breeders are required to provide environmental enrichment for their livestock, and ducks specifically need access to water for bathing. The code of practice for the welfare of pigs raised for meat consumption includes protection from extremes of climate, appropriate care to allow the animals to socialise and display normal pig behaviour.

Red meat processors are requiring guarantees from producers that pain relief has been used in animal husbandry (for castration, tail docking and dehorning, for example), and transparency over whether antibiotics are provided to treat injuries or infections.

The CSIRO and leading industry organisation Meat & Livestock Australia, along with government departments, are developing a tool to assess, benchmark and objectively track changes in welfare performance, and clearly identify areas for improvement across Australia.

BETTER BIOSECURITY

Indonesia’s outbreak of foot-andmouth disease has put biosecurity in the spotlight, but stopping diseases

and pests at the border is an ongoing challenge for Australia’s agricultural industry. Any breach could be a serious threat to food production, food security and trade agreements.

One of the biggest risks to biosecurity is travellers bringing contaminated clothing into the country after hiking through regions or visiting farms where disease is rife. Contaminated food products concealed in luggage – however innocently – are another factor.

As well as foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease and African swine fever have also spread into new regions within the Asia-Pacific zone. If these highly contagious diseases were to get a foothold in Australia’s livestock the effects could be devastating. Globally, African swine fever accounts for 82 per cent of reported pig deaths.

In terms of pests, Khapra beetle – a destructive pest found in at least 75 countries and a significant risk to the grain industry – is on the watchlist. It arrives in shipping containers, imported grain and other foodstuffs, machinery, cargo and mail, and again thanks to unsuspecting travellers.

IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT MENOPAUSE

THIS PAGE: TALKING ABOUT MENOPAUSE IN THE WORKPLACE CAN REDUCE STIGMA AND ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO SPEAK UP ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES.

According to researchers at the Australian Menopause Society, the symptoms of menopause are becoming worse and worse, which directly affects menopausal women while they are at work. These symptoms can be often misdiagnosed as mental illness or other conditions, and can severely impact attendance and productivity.

As many women will experience menopause while they are of working age, it is vital to acknowledge the challenges they face in the workplace due to their menopausal symptoms.

STARTING THE CONVERSATION

Menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, and happens to every woman at some point in her life. In Australia, more than 80 per cent of women experience mild to harsh menopause symptoms.

A quarter of women going through menopause endure debilitating symptoms, including but not limited to irregular periods, hot flashes, chills, mood changes, irregular sleep patterns and more. These symptoms can last up to 10 years, with many women cutting down their hours, only working part-time or retiring early to cope with their symptoms.

As a result of the severity of these symptoms, women can become discouraged at work, which results in a decrease in job satisfaction and reduced working hours. According to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), menopause costs women upwards of $17 billion annually in lost revenue and superannuation.

Many women have difficulty identifying their symptoms, which leads them to avoid seeking help. Having colleagues who do not understand menopause or don’t have enough information about it makes it even harder for them to discuss or ask for help.

Researchers have found that early diagnosis and education is an important preventative measure for menopause and its related illnesses. When the necessary actions are taken to educate others, it reduces absenteeism in the workplace

Many women will experience menopause while they are in the workforce. How can businesses start the conversation to provide better support?

Words: Lauren Lefever

and encourages women to speak up about their experiences.

ENDING THE STIGMA

Janet Michelmore AO, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, stresses the importance of ending the stigma in regards to menopause in the workplace and finding women the necessary treatment.

“We need to break taboos around the topic of menopause and encourage women, their partners and families, and workplaces to acknowledge this life stage and talk more openly about it. We need to find options and uncover more ways to keep women in the workplace so they can

contribute to society and the economy as they wish to,” says Janet.

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a national not-for-profit organisation that advocates for women’s health education. The organisation honours the work of Jean Hailes, who opened the nation’s first women’s health clinic dedicated to menopause. In 2022, the Jean Hailes organisation opened two clinics in Victoria specialising in women's health issues.

Janet encourages women everywhere to check out the Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website for updated information, booklets, video and podcasts on how to manage menopausal symptoms.

“Important conversations and increased education for women and their health practitioners around menopause have to become the norm,” says Janet.

It’s essential that workplaces today recognise the negative impact menopause has on the many women at work.

There are many different strategies

BELOW: JANET MICHELMORE IS THE CEO OF JEAN HAILES, A NOTFOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH. IMAGE: JEANHAILES.ORG.AU

management and HR can implement that will help women feel more comfortable talking about their symptoms and asking for assistance.

Some of them include:

– Encouraging support groups to discuss perceptions of menopause.

– Providing HR managers and other employees with the necessary training and information on what menopause is and how it can impact work conditions.

– Understanding that each woman experiences menopause differently.

– Creating new HR policies that promote menopause-friendly ideas.

– Assisting in awareness campaigns that acknowledge menopause and work to remove the stigma behind it. Managing symptoms and understanding them better can greatly contribute to women’s wellbeing at work. It’s time we take the necessary steps to make women feel comfortable and heard at their workplace.

“We need to break taboos around the topic of menopause and encourage women, their partners and families, and workplaces to acknowledge this life stage and talk more openly about it.”

SHELLING OUT FOR OYSTERS

Oyster farmers come up against many different challenges in their work, including waves, wind, tides, disease and climate change. However, one of the biggest hurdles they face is finance. Oceanfarmr’s Farm to Buy program hopes to provide a solution.

Words: Emily Riches

OPPOSITE AND RIGHT: THE OYSTER INDUSTRY IS WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS GLOBALLY.

OCEANFARMR IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO FINANCE THE GROWTH OF THIS SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY.

Ewan McAsh is a game-changer. A marine biologist turned oyster farmer, Ewan founded the farm management app Oceanfarmr (previously SmartOysters) in 2017, which turned the regenerative aquaculture industry on its head.

Oceanfarmr allowed oyster farmers to accurately record the activity of their farm using GPS-enabled technology, rather than just relying on their own memory, skill, experience and grit.

Now, following the success of Oceanfarmr, Ewan is back at it again with Farm to Buy, a program that aims to continue supporting ocean farmers and the expansion of Australia’s aquaculture industry.

OVERVIEW OF THE OYSTER INDUSTRY

The oyster industry is worth US$150$300 billion globally – and growing. As Ewan says, “Over the past 10 years we have seen an increased appreciation and awareness of the health benefits of eating seafood as

well as the environmental benefits of ocean farming of oysters, mussels, and seaweed. Demand and prices have significantly increased but growing conditions have become more challenging. The end result is that farmers have had to rapidly change cultivation methods, adopting new technology and growing methods to meet the market.”

Oceanfarmr’s Farm to Buy program has been designed with this in mind. As the only company dedicated to the ocean farming sectors of oysters, mussels and seaweed, Oceanfarmr is in a unique position to finance the growth of the sustainable ocean farming industry.

HOW DOES FARM TO BUY WORK?

While land-based agricultural farms often have the option to use their land as an asset to secure financing, ocean farmers have traditionally found it more difficult to access capital.

As Ewan explains, “They simply cannot use marine leases as security

for traditional bank loans, and with the farms being underwater, they are perceived as high risk.”

The Farm to Buy program is enabling farmers to expand their production by providing initial crops and infrastructure. For example, the oyster farmer will receive a crop that can be grown over a 12-month cycle as well as the infrastructure to grow it (oyster baskets). The farmer makes no upfront or ongoing payments. They then farm the crop for the 12-month cycle, and when it is harvested and sold, use the funds to pay out the finance. The farmer will then have ownership over the new baskets and farming system outright.

Not only does this alternative allow farmers to expand their production, it also eliminates the fear of debt from traditional financing options.

As Ewan says, “Farm to Buy is tailored specifically for ocean farmers. It’s not finance in the traditional sense, more an innovative combination of crop financing, share farming and asset management. [It] enables

LEFT TO RIGHT: SUE AND GREG MCINTYRE, PAMBULA, NSW; OYSTER FARM IN EAGLEHAWK NECK, TASMANIA.

farmers to leverage their expertise and farm data to fund new gear and grow their farm’s production. It does not require security. It does not require monthly cash repayments. Instead, it enables farmers to invest in the newest, most robust farming technology.”

To access Farm to Buy, the farmer must be an existing farmer and Oceanfarmr subscriber, with at least three months of farm data tracked with Oceanfarmr.

WHAT WILL IT ACHIEVE?

This farm data is an important aspect of the program. Oceanfarmr constantly captures hundreds of data points over time across crops, assets and activities. The Oceanfarmr team then work closely with the farmer to provide insights on their business and infrastructure.

The Farm to Buy program uses that data to show that these farmers have better farm practices, efficiency and scalability, to maximise crop value and de-risk the farm.

Oceanfarmr has shown that shellfish and seaweed farmers who most actively use the Oceanfarmr app can typically manage more stock, have lower mortality rates and are

frequently more profitable. Not only that, but finance providers can also benefit by using Oceanfarmr to more effectively measure the risks associated with aquaculture farming.

The importance of sustainable aquaculture for the environment can also not be overstated. As Ewan notes, “Sustainable aquaculture needs no inputs so uses little to no natural resources. It draws nutrients out of the ocean currents thus improving water quality. The farms provide habitat and shelter for other sea animals. The world has a growing need for healthy protein which shellfish provide without damaging the environment.”

As climate change has a wider effect on ocean life and landscapes, the technology will also allow farmers to increase the quality and quantity of their yields. Ewan is looking forward to the changes this will bring to the industry. “This means more sustainable, quality seafood can be

grown, more jobs for local regional areas – for both young and old farmers and staff – and more opportunities for young farmers to come into the industry.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR OCEANFARMR?

Ewan was blown away by the initial response to Farm To Buy. “We had a huge response to the Farm to Buy with now more than $60 million in farm finance enquiries. So, our focus at Oceanfarmr is getting farmers set up to take advantage of this new program, with mussel and seaweed farms to be added next.”

They have just had a massive investment from Katapult VC, which will be used to accelerate and expand the Farm to Buy program, allowing more farmers to access much needed resources to grow their farms sustainably.

Visit oceanfarmr.com

“Sustainable aquaculture needs no inputs so uses little to no natural resources. It draws nutrients out of the ocean currents thus improving water quality.”

MINING STATE OF MIND

As the world enters a new minerals super cycle, mining is expanding all over the country, with Western Australia and Queensland leading the charge.

words: Ian Lloyd Neubauer

DELVING INTO WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The comparative ease in planning new projects, strong government support and a high chance of hitting pay dirt saw Western Australia ranked as the world’s top jurisdiction for investment in mining by the Fraser Institute’s most recent annual survey of mining companies.

Western Australia is already the world’s largest producer of iron ore, pearls and diamonds by volume, and it has more than a third of the world’s proven gold reserves. It has also positioned itself as the world’s largest producer of lithium concentrate, a crucial ingredient for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles.

Some 250km south of Perth, Greenbush – the biggest hard-rock

lithium mine in the world – has two new projects in the works that will lift production from 1.27 million tonnes per annum to more than 2 million tonnes per annum by 2025.

Wesfarmers and Chile’s SQM have started early mining operations at the new $1.9 billion lithium mine and processing plant at Mount Holland, 450km west of Perth, which sits on one of the largest undeveloped deposits in the world. Production will commence at full capacity in the second half of 2024.

Mount Holland also has a power plant with 27,000 solar panels, which will provide a quarter of the power for its processing plant as the industry moves towards net-zero or ’green’ mining. The Kathleen Valley lithium mine will build Australia’s largest

wind-solar power station, while the Pilgangoora lithium project has commissioned a solar generator.

Fortescue Metals has promised to spend $6.2 billion to achieve net zero for direct energy and electricity use at all its iron ore mines by 2030. Bellevue Gold is claiming it will be the first ‘green gold’ mine, following the installation of a renewable power system at its Kalgoorlie mine.

With Australian dollar gold prices trading near record highs, historic gold mines in Western Australia are getting new leases on life. The Kalgoorlie Super Pit has had its first expansion in 30 years with drillers now hitting gold mineralisation up to 2km below the surface. And at the Burbanks gold mine 550km west of Perth – the richest gold mine in the

state in the early 1900s – Greenstone Resources has started mining on a trial basis at the historical 150-metre pit.

“To put that into broader context, a number of the other mines within the region will often mine down to 1,000 or 1,200 metres below surface quite comfortably,” managing director Chris Hansen told the ABC. “So we really are just scratching the surface here.”

Construction has also begun at the upcoming $2.1 billion Onslow iron ore project in the West Pilbara region, one of the largest iron ore mines in the state. A new port will be built to service it, with the first ore shipments scheduled to sail to Shanghai in December 2023. The project is backed by Baowu, China’s largest stateowned steelmaker.

And Rio Tinto is on its best behaviour after destroying two 46,000-year-old sacred indigenous sites in the Pilbara in 2020. Earlier this year the mining giant opened the most high-tech, environmentally friendly mine in the region, which features autonomous trucks, trains and drills, a digital replica of the processing plant with an interactive 3D environment for virtual reality training and a solar farm with 83,000 panels that meets one-third of the facility’s energy needs.

All in all, the future looks bright for mining in Western Australia.

“We offer a stable investment environment, we have a strong economy, highly skilled workforce, and world-class mineral resources backed by industry-leading mining

and logistics infrastructure. This means our state is well-placed for the future,” says Premier Mark McGowan.

ON THE FRONTLINE IN QUEENSLAND

When Queensland hiked coal mining royalties in June, after a 10-year freeze – hoping for a larger share of the super profits mining companies are earning in the state – the Queensland Resource Council warned the local coal industry was at risk. And when BHP said it was pausing a proposed $1 billion investment at the Blackwater South coal mine as a result, it seemed the council was right.

But coal is now trading at more than $500 per tonne – a 150 per cent increase compared to the previous year – and mining in Queensland is

“We offer a stable investment environment, we have a strong economy, highly skilled workforce, and world-class mineral resources backed by industry-leading mining and logistics infrastructure. This means our state is well-placed for the future.”

THIS PAGE: THE KCGM SUPERPIT KALGOORLIE BOULDER. IMAGE: TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

thriving, not just in coal but with new developments in gold and copper, too.

The biggest new project, the Olive Downs coal mine in the Bowen Basin, represents a $1 billion investment that will eventually add a projected $10 billion in gross state product. More than 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase, which has begun, and another 1,000 mining jobs will be created when it is operational. Olive Downs will produce 15 million tonnes of high-grade metallurgical coal for steelmaking every year, and could theoretically operate for 80 years.

BHP also has big plans for coal mining in the Bowen Basin. Shortly after announcing the freeze at Blackwater South, it sought federal

approval for another coal mine south of Blackwater. BHP has also applied to expand its Peak Downs mine in the Bowen Basin.

Then there’s Grosvenor, an underground mine in the Bowen that was closed in May 2020 after five workers were seriously injured in a methane explosion. Grosvenor has now received approval from the state regulator to restart operations.

In the Mount Isa region of North West Queensland, South African mining company Harmony Gold has paid $230 million for the Eva Mine, and is set to commence operations next year. Eva is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper and 18 tonnes of gold over 15 years. And Altona Mining is looking to develop

ABOVE AND BELOW: ONSLOW IRON ORE ROADTRAIN. IMAGE: INTERNATIONAL MINING; COAL IS NOW THRIVING, AND TRADING AT $500 PER TONNE.

Little Eva, part of Australia’s biggest undeveloped base metal site, which contains 1.65 million tonnes of copper and 0.4 million tonnes of gold.

In the Darling Downs, a 13-year application process – the longest in the state’s history – has finally paid dirt for the New Hope Group after it received state approval for the third expansion of its New Acland mine. New Acland is projected to produce 7.9 million tonnes of coal over the next 15 years – 60 per cent more than it was producing until November of last year, when the mine closed after all the coal in its second expansion had been extracted.

New Acland’s application for a water licence is still pending, while environmentalists and farmers have vowed to fight on and stop the expansion from ever seeing the light of day. But many people in the nearby town of Oakey see things in a different light. “This will be a relief for the town. The town has suffered, there is no doubt about that, you only have to walk down the main street. Two of the hotels have closed and one of the cafes closed only a few weeks ago,” Pat Weir, the local Liberal MP, told the ABC.

Last but not least, 700 jobs were saved in the Isaac Region after an expansion to the Carborough Downs metallurgical mine was approved, increasing it’s lifespan by 11 years.

“Queensland is naturally blessed with the world’s highest quality metallurgical coal, which the world needs to make steel,” Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said after giving Carborough Downs the green light.

“Even as the world transitions to renewables, metallurgical coal for steel will remain an essential and valuable international export commodity.”

TRULYAUS.COM

Best and brightest

Words: Lauren Lefever

As advancements in agriculture continue to occur, it’s important to recognise and appreciate those who are making strides to create a positive change in the industry.

The NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarship Program has been rewarding, promoting and encouraging excellence in the agriculture sector since its creation in 1993.

This year, five women were the recipients of the five different $4,000 scholarships, each being honoured for commitment to agriculture advancement of regional communities.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be in their first or subsequent year of study, or their second year or subsequent year of university or vocational education.

Their parents or legal guardian must also have been full producer members of NSW Farmers for two consecutive years at the time of the application.

NSW Farmers Rural Affairs committee chair Garry Grant says that the scholarship is a really great opportunity for students who are dedicated and disciplined in their agriculture studies.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS

Below we have covered the five different scholarships students could apply for.

The EL O’Brien Scholarship

The EL O’Brien Scholarship commemorates the commitment of EL (Dick) O’Brien, a Walgett wool grower and senior official in the United Farmers and Wool Growers Association (UFWA).

The John White Memorial Scholarship

The John White Memorial Scholarship was created in honour of former NSW Farmers’ Association Chief Executive John White. John was pivotal in the process of combining the Graziers Association and the United Farmers’ and Woolgrowers’ Association in 1978 to create NSW Farmers’ Association.

The Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship

The Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship honours the commitment of Alan Chapman, who served for 30 years on the NSW Farmers Council and attended 51 NSW Farmers Conferences throughout his career.

The Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship

The Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship pays tribute to Graham Blatch, former NSW Farmers’ Association Regional Services Manager. Graham has been a member of the Association since he was 18, and has influenced many farmers throughout NSW and spent his life committed to the advancement of agriculture.

The Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship

The Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship pays respect to the work of Paul Lockyer, an Australian television journalist for the ABC and the Nine Network. He spent

much of his career reporting on regional and rural issues throughout Australia.

THE RECIPIENTS

This year, five stellar young women were chosen based on their commitment to the farming industry and their active engagement in their studies and community.

JESSICA RYAN

Jessica Ryan is the winner of the EL O’Brien Scholarship and she is a student from Charles Sturt University studying agriculture business management. Jessica has spent her life tending to her family’s farm and plans to continue that work after her graduation.

“Farming is an evergrowing industry, where staying innovative is getting harder yet becoming the simplest way to be profitable. I hope to be a part of the positive change in farming, even if it is in the smallest way possible,” Jessica said.

EMME WILLIAMS

Emme Williams was the recipient of the John White Memorial Scholarship.

Emme is a student from Charles Sturt University studying for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Emme grew up immersing herself in agriculture and rural communities. With age and experience, her passion for the agricultural industry and working alongside

farmers as a veterinarian has flourished.

“I want to give back to the industry that grew such a large personal passion for livestock, through educating others and showcasing the power of animal welfare in nutrition, genetics, environment, and husbandry,” Emma said.

IMOGEN WILKES-BOWES

The winner of the Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship is Imogen Wilkes-Bowes, a student at the University of Sydney studying for a Bachelor of Science. Imogen has grown up working on her family farm, and regularly returns home to help her parents in the farming industry.

“I have chosen to pursue

medicine because I believe that the gap in healthcare outcomes between rural and metropolitan areas can be bridged by healthcare which focuses on prevention, education and support, which I hope to provide,” Imogen said.

MATILDA CLIFTON

The winner of the Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship is Matilda Clifton, a student at the University of Sydney receiving a Bachelors of Science. Growing up on her family’s farm, Matilda was taught the importance of teamwork from a very young age. She is concerned with the lack of mental health resources provided to younger people, and aims to bring a change to the current state of rural healthcare.

“I look forward to moving back to the country and promoting mental health awareness, increasing accessibility and knowledge

of services, as well as breaking down the stigmas that farmers and country towns have surrounding mental illness,” she said.

SOPHIE CARGILL

The recipient of the Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship is Sophie Cargill, a student at Charles Sturt University studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Sophie is interested in providing more mental health resources in rural areas, and plans to improve the accessibility of health services in remote areas.

“I hope to improve the quality of life experienced by Australians living in regional and remote communities, by encouraging them to live active, safe, and healthy lifestyles,” Sophie said.

A similar story first appeared in The Farmer magazine for the NSW Farmers Association.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JESSICA RYAN; IMOGEN WILKESBOWES; SOPHIE CARGILL; MATILDA CLIFTON; EMME WILLIAMS.

THE HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE

In a landmark case, the Munupi Clan prevented oil and gas producer Santos from drilling in the sea north of the Tiwi Islands.

Words: Lauren Lefever

READ IT ONLINE

On September 21, 2022, the Federal Court dismissed Santos’s attempt to drill for gas in the sea north of the Tiwi Islands. Federal Court Justice Mordecai Bromberg decided that the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), should not have approved Santos’s request to drill off the islands, as the company neglected to discuss this decision with the Tiwi Traditional Owners. Santos was ordered to remove its rig from the island and vacate the premises by October 6.

OPPOSITE: SENIOR LAWMAN DENNIS TIPAKALIPPA; PITJAMIRRA BEACH ON MELVILLE ISLAND. IMAGES: REBECCA PARKER.

RIGHT: TIWI ISLANDERS PROTESTING THE BAROSSA GAS PROJECT; A GAS CARRIER. IMAGES: REBECCA PARKER.

PRIOR TO THE DRILLING

At the beginning of the project, Santos said it had sent the Tiwi Land Council a consultation package in June 2022 regarding its plans. This was then followed up with a second email a few weeks later.

Santos said that further attempts to contact the Council were made by phone, but no response was received, giving the impression that there were no issues or concerns.

Justice Bromberg told Santos that the Tiwi Land Council did not have ultimate jurisdiction over the Sea Country, and the lack of response, “may also have raised a doubt or concern as to whether the invitation to engage in consultation had actually reached a person who was likely to have regarded the invitation as of relevance to any representative or other function that that person may have.”

THE LAWSUIT

The lawsuit was initially launched in June 2022 by Senior Lawman of the Munupi Clan Dennis Tipakalippa, one of the Traditional Owners of the Tiwi Islands. Dennis voiced his concern with the implications of drilling in the sea, mentioning the possibility of spill.

The Senior Lawman informed the court that he and many Traditional Owners of the islands have a spiritual connection with the Sea Country, the northern part of the island that extends into Santos’s project area. Dennis also stated that a lot of time is spent fishing and hunting in the water. The offshore project posed a risk to many food sources for those who reside in the Tiwi Islands.

In August, the federal court made a trip out to the Pitjamirra Beach on Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands to

receive personal attestations from the Traditional Owners, including in the form of song and dance. While the court was making its decision, Santos agreed to cease any drilling before making contact with the gas reservoir.

Justice Bromberg stated that there is enough evidence to assume NOPSEMA did not consult the Munupi, and the sufficient Sea Country material that Santos needed to consider was not considered.

THE HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE

At the conclusion of the trial, Dennis stated that he was “the happiest man alive.”

“The most important thing for us is to protect our Sea Country. We want Santos and all mining companies to remember – we are powerful, we will fight for our land and Sea Country, for our future generations, no matter how hard and how long,” he stated in an interview.

EDO Special Council Alina Leikin declares this a “huge victory for the Munupi Clan and a testament to their

strength and dedication in the face of one of Australia’s largest mining companies.” She predicts it will encourage future consultation with First Nations people on projects regarding their land.

Alina also expressed how much of a privilege it was to represent Dennis and the Munupi Clan throughout this process.

“Today’s decision puts oil and gas companies on notice. It sets a new standard about the depth of consultation that companies are required to conduct with Traditional Owners before they gain approval for drilling in Sea Country. It confirms that the voices of First Nations communities must be heard when their Countries and cultures are under threat,” she said in an interview.

Jason Fowler, Energy Campaigner at the Environment Centre NT, also gave his input on the situation.

“This is a historic decision that could have enormous ramifications not only for the Barossa project, which is now in disarray, but for all offshore oil and gas projects.”

STAYING CYBERSECURE

Recent cyber attacks have led to significant data leaks, and industry leaders fear that Australians are losing confidence in the country’s cybersecurity capabilities.

Words: Matilda Meikle

Recent cyber attacks in Australia have resulted in identity leaks and significant breaches in user confidentiality. One incident with MyDeal.com.au occurred when a compromised credential, due to an increase in users, allowed access to the database that stored user information. In total, this attack led to the release of 2.2 million customers’ data, including everything from emails, names and phone numbers, addresses and birthdays.

In an interview with Channel 9, Professor Sanjay Jha, Chief Scientist at the UNSW Institute for Cybersecurity,

stated: “the breach raises serious concerns for the end user’s confidence in using online services and poses a serious challenge for the industry.

“Compromised credentials should not provide easy access to malicious actors when multi-factor authentication is in place. You would expect more stringent authorisation and access control and network partitioning to protect these critical assets.”

But with these leaks becoming more and more regular, how should the public respond? And what measures are being put in place to ensure our digital safety?

PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY

A simple way to increase online safety is by following the Cyber Security Guidelines released by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. They outline a series of measures that can help businesses protect their online systems from breaches, allowing customers to feel safe and secure.

Dr Arash Shaghaghi, a senior lecturer in cybersecurity at the UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering and UNSW Institute for Cybersecurity, says it’s clear the newest research on cybersecurity isn’t being implemented fast enough by

many industries, resulting in these attacks. If companies listen and respond to this new information, our data may be better stored and protected.

“Users’ data is collected by various services without any control from the end user, and often the data collection to join these services is excessive – leaving end users vulnerable and with limited options when a serious breach occurs,” he says.

“Other parts of the world are investing heavily in technological measures such as self-sovereign identity, where users would have better control over who has access to what part of user identity and other information.

“We need to enhance investment in practical research and think of measures that facilitate the adoption of the latest technologies to reinforce our resiliency against the growing number of attacks targeting Australia.”

By adopting innovative technological solutions, companies can secure the future of cybersecurity.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In September this year, 10 million Optus customers were hacked when cyber criminals broke into the system and stole personal details including passport ID and driving licence numbers. The breach revealed that an open port used for testing purposes was left in the final product version, creating an opening which was exploited by the hackers.

While this attack was shocking, it’s not uncommon in the digital world. Professor Jha recalls a similar incident when boxing an early version of the Philips Hue bulbs. His team discovered that it was possible to control these devices through similar open ports.

“This was reported to the company who fixed the problem in their future version. A simple penetration testing of servers before deployment could have potentially made such attacks difficult, if not impossible.”

Professor Jha has been concerned about the use of authorisation processes for a long time, claiming that an enforcement of harsher penalties for negligence may ensure future attacks are prevented.

By educating businesses and offering better digital support for improving these processes, the public’s data can be protected.

But for this to happen, researchers and industry need to come together, working closely to safeguard Australia’s online community. “We need to regain the community’s confidence in our cyber capabilities,” he says.

These inventive solutions to our cyber security problems may just save Australians from further attacks, but it’s up to businesses to implement strategies online and regain public trust.

“Users’ data is collected by various services without any control from the end user, and often the data collection to join these services is excessive - leaving end users vulnerable and with limited options when a serious breach occurs.”

LEARNING IN THE HARBOUR CITY

Located just eight kilometres east of Sydney’s CBD, Kincoppal-Rose Bay is nestled amongst extensive private bushland, with easy and direct access to the harbour’s beaches.

For our boarders, KRB is a home away from home where they can relax and unwind. We cultivate a close-knit and nurturing community that allows many opportunities to connect, relate and gain an understanding of different cultures.

The beautiful harbour at Rose Bay is a serene backdrop to the learning, development and adventure that takes place within our school every day. Our location and campus design offers the very best of nature with many opportunities to exercise and be active in a beautiful setting so our students can continue to thrive.

Boarders at KRB live and learn on the picturesque edge of Australia’s biggest city. By taking advantage of all the learning and cultural opportunities that Sydney has to offer as a truly global city, boarders at KRB can expand their world.

The city’s many galleries and museums offer rich learning experiences for our students, with premier cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of NSW situated less than 10 kilometres from Kincoppal-Rose Bay.

On the weekend, boarding staff facilitate an array of activities, both on campus and around the city. These include attending festivals such as Vivid Sydney, going to sporting matches such as the AFL and Sydney Swifts games, days at local beaches such as Bondi and Coogee, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and surf lessons. There are also visits to the CBD, the many shopping precincts, cinemas and local markets.

For more information, visit krb.nsw.edu.au

KRB Scholarships

Kincoppal-Rose Bay offers a range of scholarships and bursaries including a number of means-tested full boarding and tuition scholarships.

Applications for Kincoppal-Rose Bay scholarships for students entering Years 7, 9, 10 and 11 in 2024 are open now until Monday 13 February 2023.

Visit www.krb.nsw.edu.au for more information and to apply.

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT, WHO NEEDS ANEMONES?

Australia’s first offshore coral nursery at Fitzroy Island has spawned an abundance of coral, thanks to the Reef Restoration Foundation.

Words: Matilda Meikle

Reef Restoration Foundation’s CEO, Ryan Donnelly, says the start of coral spawning was recorded by a coral farming expert and three marine biologists. As coral is crucial to marine biodiversity, it’s an exciting development, opening the door for further marine habitat restoration on the Great Barrier Reef.

CRUCIAL CORAL

Reef Restoration Foundation planted coral on underwater frames in 2017, after the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority granted a permit for the pilot research program.

“We planted coral cuttings in a degraded patch of reef and these pioneer species have grown to around 1 metre in diameter, helping to create a healthy and complex habitat for various corals and marine life,” says marine biologist and Master Reef Guide Azri Saparwan.

“Watching our coral babies reproduce for the first time to create the next generation of corals was a beautiful and humbling experience.

“The spawning was a showcase of how the Great Barrier Reef generates new coral recruits each year as part of its regeneration process.”

The techniques employed by these scientists were based on reef restoration sites in Florida, where healthy coral was attached to underwater frames, and then planted onto hard substrate after a growing period of around six months.

THE PROJECT

Cameron Bee was part of the team recording the coral spawning. He has 25 years’ experience in coral aquaculture, specifically with coral farms in the Asia-Pacific region, and is part of the Great Barrier Reef Legacy’s Living Coral Biobank project.

“We are facilitating reef recovery in a time when disturbances are more frequent and severe. Growing corals to create habitat is important, but additionally taking them through to spawning is a milestone in our bid to maintain biodiversity,” he says.

Additionally, Reef Restoration Foundation has partnered with the Tropical North Queensland tourism

industry and corporate sponsors to support the Fitzroy Island nursery, as well as another two outer reef sites on Hastings and Moore Reefs.

“It is a community effort as we receive no government funding and rely on the support of around 50 volunteers, with about one-third of these experienced divers working in the tourism industry,” says Ryan Donnelly.

“The challenge for the Great Barrier Reef is far from over, with scientists telling us the water will continue to warm, but we are up for the fight. In a changing climate, it is all about buying time and selling hope.

“We need to drastically reduce global emissions, but at the same time work collaboratively to build the resilience of the places we love. We all have a role to play.”

LEFT TO RIGHT: RYAN DONNELLY, CEO; MARINE BIOLOGISTS AZRI SAPARWAN AND HANNAH KISH. IMAGES:RRF.

A SUMMER OF FAMILY FUN AT EAST

If you’re visiting Canberra, there is no better time to check out East’s Summer of Fun.

Ping Pong battles, foosball playoffs, movie marathons, pizza picnics and so much more will help keep the whole family entertained!

EASTHOTEL.COM.AU

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