Business News 229 by Adcell Group

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BUSINESS

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

– Henry Ford may 2014

• avalon: taking off

• the jobs challenge

ISSUE 229

Digital Wallpaper the new interior design craze, as seen on Channel 9’s “The Block.”

If you’re looking for something different for your next DIY project, Eagle Creative have the perfect solution that is guaranteed to turn heads in envy. You can now create your very own personalised wallpaper or work with one of our experienced designers to come up with something special that will definitely give your home or office the WOW factor! For more information, contact us today.

P: (03) 5229 2022 E: info@eaglecreative.com.au www.eaglecreative.com.au

A Division of the

news

BUSINESS 23.

CONTENTS

SHIPPING

10/ New Appointments

16.

11/ Inside Word 22/

AVALON: TAKING OFF

Comment 24/ Leadership 28/ Time Honoured 33/

44.

Safety

TECH GUY

“Plans for international flights from Avalon are again flying high.”

34/ Legal 38/ Community 41/ Governance

30.

46/

TRAVEL

ISSUE 229 MAY 2014 Read online at: www.biznewsmag.com.au BUSINESS NEWS, an Adcell Group publication, is mailed to more than 6000 businesses. If you would like to receive Business News at your business please contact us.

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EDITOR Davina Montgomery davina@adcellgroup.com.au

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EDITOR

Oh, yea of little faith

t’s budget month, and on May 13, Joe Hockey will set out how this government will attempt to balance big-spending promises with a fight back to surplus. And while we’d like to think that all budget decisions are made on the basis of what’s best for the nation and the economy, the reality is that our political parties will do almost anything to avoid breaking their election policies... even when it’s to the detrimnent of the rest of us. Most of the key budget announcements will have been leaked out for a soft launch well before budget day. The asset test for the pension will be readjusted over time, and there will be deep cuts in government spending. Yet, amongst these decisions will remain Tony Abbott’s now notionally moderated Paid Parental Leave Scheme. I know I’m not alone is seeing this scheme as pointlessly significant national expenditure, but the government will fight for it anyway, because Tony Abbott promised it. And after his attacks on former PMs – Rudd and Gillard – over broken promises, Abbott has backed himself into a corner. He must feel he can’t renege on this scheme, even if he does now see its flaws weighing on an ever-tightening budgetary position. If all the soft launch announcements eventuate on budget day, there will be some good things in this budget, along with more than a bit of pain. For instance, ruling asset-rich retirees out of the aged pension would help alleviate at least part of the great baby boomer pension rort – and in a fairer society that would leave more in the pension budget for those that actually need it. That we need to spend less to fund the structural shift in our ageing tax base is clear, the question then becomes of where to spend, where to spend less and where to tax. Many of these decisions come with a nod to productivity measures, but if productivity were really the aim of the PM and the Treasurer, then they would have already abandoned the Paid Parental Leave Scheme and increase funding to genuine productivity boosters like more scientific research and business-linked training – but I can’t see that happening.

Tony Abbott apparently conceived his Paid Parental Leave Scheme around what would help his own daughters when and if they chose to have a baby… hardly a well-rounded approach. As a working mother who in general supports an equitable maternity leave scheme I think this is a phenomenally stupid piece of legislation. It won’t do what the government is so desperately trying to tell us it will do: encourage mothers to return to work after having children. Maternity leave doesn’t convince mothers to go back to work; it just helps to pay the bills while they aren’t working. Here’s a tip: if you’re serious about raising the nation’s level of productivity by increasing the workforce participation of mothers, then invest in childcare, look seriously at workplace conditions for parents, including funding retraining of women either during pregnancy or after into more family-friendly industries if that’s necessary. But there’s a key element of the equation that is almost always overlooked – and it would create a tsunami of backlash amongst teachers and unions - and that is increasing school hours, cutting school holidays and bringing kindergarten into the school system. Childcare alone doesn’t fix the problem – children in primary school, and for much of high school, can’t be left at home alone for the ten weeks of holidays teachers currently enjoy – and finding a job that caters for school hours isn’t easy. Making school hours 9am to 5pm, integrating traditional after school activities, and shortening holidays to 6 weeks a year would do more than anything else to increase parental participation in the workforce. But in the meantime, as we all know governments don’t have the stomach for such radical reforms, wouldn’t it be nice to have our pollies have enough faith in our collective intelligence to fess up when they’ve made the wrong call, and rather than trying to bluff out the resulting storm, actually made the hard decisions that are also the right ones when it comes to foolish promises?

BUSINESS NEWS | 4

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

BIZ NEWS BIZ NEWS the investment was an example to other businesses in the region about how to link up with Government and major industry in driving new opportunities and markets, which build on Victoria’s strengths.

GRIIF funding posts further jobs boost

he latest Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF) announcement will see 36 new manufacturing jobs created when NSWbased Trade Mailing and Fulfilment Services opens a new manufacturing and training facility in Geelong. Trade Mailing received a $1.2 million grant that will go towards the creation of a new $2.4 million facility to upskill the company’s Australian workforce to use state-ofthe-art technologies, such as its new inkjet digital printing system.

The announcement is the fourth amongst the firstround recipients of GRIIF funding, with, according to the AusIndustry website, at least one more to come. So far, in addition to Trade Mailing, Carbon Revolution have received a $5 million grant towards the company’s new $23 million commercial-scale manufacturing facility at Waurn Ponds; Pickering Joinery received $230,000 towards its $560,000 expansion; and Great Southern Waters received $377,388 towards a $1 million expansion of its seafood processing facilities in Indented Head. The second round of the $24.5 million GRIIF funding allocation is now open, with applications for Round 2 closing at 5pm on May 29.

Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, David Hodgett, said the investment was an example to other businesses in the region about how to link up with Government and major industry in driving new opportunities and markets, which build on Victoria’s strengths.

Trade Mailing and Fulfilment Services makes and supplies mailing envelopes, x-ray bags and similar paper based envelope products to mailing companies, printing firms and other clients.

Established in response to Ford manufacturing closures, the GRIIF provides minimum grants of $50,000, with recipients required to at least match the funding amount sought. Applicants must show how the funding will contribute to a sustained net increase in economic activity and create new jobs in the Geelong Region that are not created at the expense of jobs elsewhere. For more information, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.

The company currently produces its envelope products in Sydney and prints in Brisbane and will now reduce the number of envelopes it imports and expand its range of Australian made products. Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, David Hodgett, said

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 5

BIZ NEWS

Celebrate local business women ‘Bad apples’: SPAA supports ASIC sentiment

he SMSF Professionals Association of Australia has lent its support to the ASIC submission to the Financial Services Inquiry, which called for tougher measures to counter so-called ‘bad apples’ in the financial services industry. SPAA technical director, Graeme Colley, said all groups, no matter what the size or who they are composed of, contain a small number of bad apples who make it more difficult for the great majority. “Most of the laws are aimed at controlling the minority, as the majority do the right thing,” Mr Colley said. “SPAA’s reason for being is focused on professionalism, industry standards, industry development, investor protection and ongoing and education.” Mr Colley said SPAA particularly support mandated reference checking for advisers that offer Tier 1 or complex advice and would welcome the creation of a central register for employee representatives. “The concept of a national examination for advisers before they can give personal advice on Tier 1 products is also one SPAA supports,” he said.

ndrew Katos, Member for South Barwon today called for the Geelong and regional community to celebrate brilliant local business women by nominating them for the 2014 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

As the longest-running state/territory and national awards program for business women, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards provide an exceptional opportunity to showcase the Geelong region’s inspirational business women leaders. “I urge the community to get behind our local business women by nominating them for the 2014 Telstra Business Women’s Awards,” Mr Katos said. “The Awards recognise business women whose passion, creativity, leadership and success make a positive impact to our community and inspire other women to walk in their footsteps and reach their own goals. “Twenty years ago the Telstra Business Women’s Awards encouraged women to break through the glass ceiling; today they play an important role in encouraging diversity in business in Australia.” Winners and finalists across Australia share in a total prize pool of more than $650,000. The Awards have three qualifying categories for business owners, employees in the private and corporate sector and employees in community and government agencies. Entrants can also be considered for two specialist categories for innovation and young business women. Nominations can be made at womensawards.com or by calling 1800 817 536. Entries can be submitted from 26 May and close on 14 July. Winners of the 2014 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards will be named at a gala dinner on 21 October.

Building a brighter future

t hasn’t been easy in the construction business in recent years, however, things are on the improve, with the March 2014 edition of the UDIA BIS Shrapnel Quarterly Property Report showing that new house approvals in Geelong were up 11 per cent in the 2013 calendar year. City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Darryn Lyons, said the 11 per cent growth figure makes Geelong the strongest regional market in Victoria, “and confirms what more and more people are discovering – that our city is a fantastic place to live and work.” Mayor Lyons will speak at the Urban Development Institute of Australia industry lunch in Geelong on Friday 9 May. Across Australia, business confidence in building and construction is the highest its been in six years since March 2008 according to Master Builders National Survey of Building and Construction. “The Survey for the March quarter 2014 finds that building activity in 2014 is set to continue its rebound on the back of improved confidence in residential building,” Peter Jones, Master Builders Chief Economist said. “Results for the March quarter show that we are beginning to see signs of the stronger confidence necessary to underpin a sustained recovery,” he said. “We are seeing key indicators

continue to strengthen while others have entered positive territory for the first time in years. “Builders confidence in the prospects for their own business rose for the third consecutive quarter. This is particularly reflective of the residential building sector’s response to low rates and is an encouraging trend indicating industry’s expectation that business activity will continute to rise over the next six months,” Mr Jones said. However, Housing Industry Association Chief Economist, Harley Dale, warned that there needs to be significantly more expansion across the industry before it can deliver on hopes for construction to counter the downturn in mining investment. Overall, the national construction industry contracted at a milder rate in March, with the seasonally adjusted Australian Industry Group/Housing Industry Association Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI®) up 2.0 points to 46.2 in the month. It is the third consecutive month since the industry’s return to growth in the final quarter of 2013 that the Australian PCI® has been below the critical 50 points level that separates expansion from contraction. The easing in the sector’s contraction was due to slower declines in both new orders and activity.

BUSINESS NEWS | 6

BIZ NEWS

‘It’s time’ for Portarlington Safe Harbour

ity of Greater Geelong Coryule Ward Councillor Lindsay Ellis said the time had come for action on the Portarlington Safe Harbour project.

“We’ve done all the studies – the heritage and environment aspects have all been properly thought through, and it’s time to get down to the nuts and bolts of this very important Bellarine Peninsula project,” he said. “The Safe Harbour Project is a funding priority for Council and for G21, but we need major government funding to take the next step.” Cr Ellis said that both sides of politics have invested heavily in the studies that have been made so far, and that the Council is confident that both major parties are prepared to progress the project to the next level. “However, timing is now of the essence, and the timeline we are looking for is right now,” he said. Cr Ellis said the existing Portarlington Pier was almost at the end of its working life, and the future of the aquaculture industry on the peninsula depended on the rejuvenation of the harbour and its infrastructure. “We are in a great position to become a real power in Australia’s production of mussels, oysters, scallops and abalone, but we urgently need to upgrade our harbour facilities.” Cr Ellis said the potential for a ferry service, mentioned in Parks Victoria’s draft Portarlington Safe Harbour Master Plan, would bring an immediate boost in tourism and would create significant new jobs for the Bellarine work force, particularly young workers.

He said Council voted some time ago to support development of Parks Victoria’s Portarlington Safe Harbour Master Plan, and has maintained its support for the project. Cr Ellis said the City had also participated in the project through discussions with other involved agencies including the Department of Sustainability and Development, Bellarine Bayside, Tourism Victoria, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, the Department of Primary Industry and Marine Safety. “The aim of the project is to establish a safe harbour at Portarlington that supports local aquaculture, tourism and recreational activities, integrated with the surrounding foreshore precinct extending to Newcombe Street.” Parks Victoria’s draft Master Plan contains a number of directions, including: • A new, heavy duty pier to provide commercial service berths for the fishing fleet, including 45 berths, a refuelling/ service berth and allowance in the design concept for the provision of a future passenger ferry terminal and berth • Extensions to the existing pier to provide up to 70 permanent recreation berths (accessed from pontoons) and 31 temporary berths, in addition to the provision of measures to control sand movement, and • A boardwalk and commercial area on the beachfront for commercial and harbour facilities, with upgraded parking area.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 7

SMALL BIZ

Jobs growth is in our sights

here was a time in the late 90’s when there was significant government effort into chasing smoke stacks. This is where a government sells the family silver to attract a big business. Large companies know that regional and state governments will go to extraordinary lengths to sway them to relocate and put themselves on the auction block. A study commissioned by Harvard University showed that while these smoke stack deal looked attractive on the surface the real economic advantage was slim if present at all, and in many cases the government had effectively a net loss in getting these flagship companies to relocate. In the wake of large scale manufacturing closures, we are seeing a return to the smoke stack days in Victoria, and particularly in Geelong, and while the pollies might be chasing headline-making companies, the rest of us should be asking if we are happy with the return on what is very much our investment. So, what is the alternative if we don’t get a smoke stack company to move to the region? Surprisingly, there is a real positive answer and it is right below our collective noses: we grow our own businesses. Each small business does not contribute much, but together they make a big impact. In fact, about half of the nation’s revenue and more than 80 per cent of total employment is filtered through small business. Small businesses vary in their relative value, with some just serving a local area and just supplying a wage for the owner, whereas others play on the world stage. It is this latter group that form the big business that we need today. These businesses grow at a steady pace and move into the space of regional significance. To give you an example of a small business that has become a foundation business, one that employs less than 50 staff and is therefore still technically a small business but is now ranked number four in the world for its industry, we only need to take a trip out to Anakie to Hot Shots Skirmish field. http://www.buzzfeed.com/earleymichael/top-10-insanepaintball-fields-around-the-world-mzfo Mel and Steve Cauchi have continued to build their business. At first, things were small and it was hard work just making ends meet, but they had a vision and a grand plan and the long hours and dedication started to pay dividends. Many people would have stopped at that point and sat back and enjoyed the good life, but for these two, their passion and dream saw them press on. I went out to the field a few times and got shot at and unleashed the atavistic and primal warrior I suspect we all have inside. I had to put my pacifist badge away for

the day and learnt to shoot back. It was exciting, but my biggest thrill was being invited to act as a photographer for a National tournament. On this day I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I was hugely surprised to see hundreds of civilian cars serving as battlewagons as people arrived from far and wide. The skirmishes are the key point, as these teams would implement tricky strategies to win a castle or defend a fort or even tackle each other in an old west town. There were Italian tanks driving around and tanks from campaigns that I couldn’t quite pin down the origins of. I would wander in the middle of the field with hundreds of the gel paint balls whizzing around and marvel that the teams’ accuracy was so good that they would avoid me. From this privileged position I could see the machinations of the teams. Despite the fact that these players were dressed in protective gear and launching paint ball at each other, it was like corporate strategies played out at super speed. The teams that worked best worked as collectives and gathered information from each member of the team, allowing some independence of thought and action. The lone hero leader standing in front of his team that he governed to a fine fettle was often the first to get splatted with green paint... Some socalled leaders still just don’t get it! To be number four in the world is no simple task. It is a reflection of the sustained hard work and the depth of vision and the multiple layers of value applied over a decade or more. Well done guys, you deserve the ranking. As Mel said, it is skirmish’s equivalent to winning an Olympic medal. Hot Shots is a great example of a homegrown business that contributes far beyond its size. This is exactly the type of business that forms the foundation of our economy. It is different and unexpected, it stands alone and is not a monopsony that relies only on the local market, and it has many raving fans who are young and fresh and therefore in abundance, and finally, it has the ability to expand beyond common expectation. In short, it’s got balls and plenty of them. A few decades ago, Hot Shots had a troubled beginning, as this type of business was out of favour with the government of the time, so Mel and Steve had to push against the resistance, and thank goodness that they did, because their creation is fantastic.

BUSINESS NEWS | 8

CLINT JENNINGS

Big thinker on small business

COMMENT

Put privacy on your business agenda

ew reforms to the Federal Privacy Act, which took effect in March this year, are set to see an end to the complacency many Australian businesses have had regarding the issue of securing customer data.

In a major legal shake up, businesses can no longer afford to treat security and privacy as an afterthought. The changes to the Privacy Act have seen a toughening of the laws that cover the responsibilities of businesses to properly protect customer information. One of the areas most likely to be effected by these sweeping new laws will be how Australian businesses manage the protection of their online customer data, with the Federal Privacy Commission set to use their greater powers to enforce the new legislation. The changes being implemented are the result of the Australian Law Reform Commissions landmark 2008 report into privacy. Following the report, the federal government announced in 2011 it would adopt the reform recommendations, foreshadowing the legislative changes. The Privacy Act now provides a detailed framework requiring businesses to make security and privacy a much higher priority and have significantly increased the legal obligation on organisations to strengthen their security and privacy controls. Until the recent changes to the Privacy Act, the only pressure businesses faced to maintain solid security protocols came from their customers and partners. The reality was that if a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security was breached they could simply sweep it under the carpet, however that is now no longer the case. The new reforms require companies to better protect customer information. The requirements include things such as: the organisation must make clear to customers when their data will be collected, where it will be stored and how it will be used. It also stipulates that if the organisation makes any changes to the way they use the data, all affected customers must be notified. The first thing most companies will need to do is examine any offshore cloud providers they use, because unless those providers agree or are lawfully required to comply with the new requirements of the Australian Privacy Act, the business could be extremely vulnerable to breaches resulting in a compromise of customer data. The days of tick and flick compliance is a thing of the past. Unless organisations purchase the right security tools and allocate sufficient resources to properly monitor them, they will be at serious risk of becoming the victims of hackers and falling foul of the privacy laws, which could prove to be financially devastating. The bottom line is that organisations are now legally obligated to accept 100 per cent responsibility for the protection of their customer information. So, if you are unsure whether you are adequately protected, speak to your local IT support company.

Rod Deacon

Managing Director, Evongo, Ph 1300 765 975

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NEW APPOINTMENTS

APPOINTMENTS

new

HEALTH

Damian Armour has been appointed as the inaugural CEO of Epworth Geelong and will take on a dual role, which includes Executive Director of Diagnostics & Radiation Oncology across Epworth HealthCare, Victoria. Epworth Group CEO, Mr Alan Kinkade, said that Mr Armour’s proven capability and many years of achievements at Epworth, together with his strong links to the Geelong community, position him ideally for this role. Educated in Geelong at St Bernard’s Primary School, St Joseph’s College and Deakin University, Mr Armour joined Epworth Healthcare in June 2007 as the Executive Director, Epworth Freemasons Hospital in East Melbourne. Prior to arriving at Epworth, Mr Armour spent ten years at Barwon Health, as Chief Information Officer then as the General Manager Surgical Services. His background in management also includes consulting roles with Arthur Andersen and KPMG, and the former Supercats basketball player served as Supercats club chairman from 2001 to 2007. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.

MANAGEMENT

Training

LEGAL

Arthur Reed Photos welcomes Jason Butcher as Manager – Business Development. Jason brings over 10 years Senior Management experience within Recruitment, TAFE and State Government. Jason is looking forward to continuing the success and growth of this iconic family owned business.

Ian Naylor has been appointed Business Development Consultant for AGB Human Resources, Ian has over 15 years in the Training, Recruitment & Apprenticeship industries in Geelong & Melbourne, with 20+ years management experience in Wholesale & Retail sectors.

Matt Cowdell joins Coulter Roache Lawyers as Marketing Manager. He has experience across a range of media and marketing roles, including both traditional and digital marketing, previously working for Open Universities Australia and News Ltd and is looking forward to his new role.

Community

EMPLOYMENT

Recruitment

Jane Thomas has joined Anam Cara House Geelong as PR, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager. Previously at Coulter Roache Lawyers, Jane also worked for 20 years in Melbourne across government, consultancy and NFPs such as Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

Gforce Employment Solutions welcomes Lyn Gibbs as their Business Development Consultant in Apprentices & Trainees. Lyn has worked in Advertising & Manufacturing/ Educational industries, and has a focus on reducing clients’ risk and increasing competitive advantage.

Lauren Hogan has been appointed Recruitment Executive at Sj Personnel. Having worked extensively within the sector, Lauren is looking forward to continuing to deliver quality candidates to businesses by customising proven recruitment methodologies.

BUSINESS NEWS | 10

INSIDE WORD

Oakdene Scoops Cellar Door Award

Prushka Expands in Geelong

ebt recovery agency Prushka has expanded its Geelong office with the opening of a central regional hub in March that will cater for central Victoria, Gippsland and Tasmanian clients. Roger Mendelson, CEO of Prushka, said the expansion would provide a more specialised service for regional Victorians. “Geelong is well situated near large regional centres, such as Ballarat, making it the perfect location for centralising our regional operations. The Geelong office was the first regional office Prushka established and we’ve had a continuous presence in the city for over 20 years.” Mr Mendelson said centralising the regional offices would not only provide a welcome economic boost to Geelong, but also simplify the debt recovery process for regional businesses. “Regional clients are going to benefit enormously from having all our services under one roof, giving them a one-stop-shop when they deal with us,” he said. “We are very focused on achieving growth and welcome businesses to drop in and discuss their needs.”

he Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant & Cellar Door on the Bellarine Peninsula has been awarded Star Cellar Door for the Geelong region for Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine’s ‘Australia’s Best Cellar Door Awards’.

A team of experts criss-crossed the country visiting hundreds of cellar doors to determine the standouts in every region, with the best large and small operations, wines to try, delicious food offerings and other must-do activities awarded in the April/May issue of Gourmet Traveller Wine. Jeni Port had the following to say about Oakdene: ‘It’s hard to decide what is more outrageous, the upside-down house that operates as a cellar door or the interpretative sculpture junk tree in the driveway fused together with vineyard flotsam and jetsam. Oakdene is definitely unique in its decorating, courtesy of co-owner Elizabeth Hooley, but the quirky décor is proving to be a huge draw card for the Bellarine Peninsula winery. The wines, however, deserve equal attention. Stay for a meal in the restaurant, and Oakdene also sells orchids, lots of them, from its nursery out back.’

The office services many hundreds of regional clients across a diverse range of industries from medical practitioners to tradespeople. “The Geelong office is now our largest office outside Melbourne and we are currently recruiting for more staff. A real benefit of being in Geelong is that we are able to attract and retain high quality staff to the office. “Geelong has gone through a lot of change in the past year so this expansion is great for the community. We are looking forward to working closely with local businesses and helping them with their debt recovery needs.” The Geelong regional hub office is located at 1/128 Yarra Street, Geelong.

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Where will the jobs come from?

here is no single answer to the question of ‘Where are the Alcoa, Ford and supply chain workers going to get a job?’ It’s a stark reality facing thousands of local people who are on notice that their job or their business is going to end. And while it’s easy to sympathise, sympathy won’t pay the bills. What these people need is a job.

facing the local industry he represents, but he also sees the opportunities.

Where there is no single answer, we must look for many answers, but where will we find those? We will find them in business growth, particularly in SME growth, as well as in infrastructure investment, in reskilling and retraining and in attracting new investment to the region.

“Even now, when you look at what gets made in Geelong each day: petroleum gets refined, you get by-products of petroleum like polypropylene, aluminium, wool, olive oil – and over 70 per cent of Australian grown olive oil is processed in Geelong at Boundary Bend,” Mr Peart said.

Many of the answers will come from the growth of advanced manufacturing in Geelong, because the multiplier effect of manufacturing goes far beyond the direct jobs, right down through supply chains and through to food and service businesses.

“When you look at Boundary Bend, they would be described as an SME company. They’ve got their niche and they’ve developed a very strong niche for extra virgin olive oil and they’ve also scaled up to a point where they can produce in large volumes supplying into the major supermarkets and retailers. We would all recognise the Cobram Estate and red island labels, which are owned by Boundary Bend, but many of the business’ products are ‘buyer’s own’ brands, such as Aldi. That’s a really good local story.”

This is why things like the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund, and the recently expanded Growth Fund are targeted on accelerating investment in advanced manufacturing in regions affected by automotive closures. The fifth grant under the first round of the GRIIF has just been announced, with a $1.6 million grant to global chemical giant, Accensi. A market leader in chemical crop protection, Accensi is set to establish a $20 million agricultural chemical manufacturing facility on a 5-acre site at the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct in Lara. The company has been trying to establish a base in Geelong for a number of years now, and the role of Enterprise Geelong in streamlining the process through Council of businesses looking to invest in the city has helped those plans become a reality. The new plant will create around 45 full-time positions, plus an additional 35 jobs downstream, with potential for another 200 as the company looks to expand into southeast Australia and develop additional business streams. David Peart, Executive Officer at the Geelong Manufacturing Council, knows all too well the challenges

Sitting in the GMC offices, I could see a giant Ugg Boot made by Emu, the carpet was made in Geelong, there was steel piping, a model wind turbine – so many examples of the diversity of manufacturing in Geelong.

Australia is set to become the 3rd G20 nation not to manufacture cars, and there are very real concerns not only around retaining a highly skilled workforce, but also around the viability of the auto supply chain businesses once automotive manufacturing winds up. Mr Peart said that Ford Australia’s research and development program will remain very important to Geelong and needs to be valued, but said the GMC was very concerned about the future of supply chain businesses and workers. He congratulated Ford for running the Australian automotive supplier expo in Geelong last month that introduced Ford’s Australian suppliers to the Asia-Pacific supply chain. Alcoa suppliers are also in the same boat and Mr Peart said the manufacturing council is encouraging those businesses to diversify, to look at new markets and to look at innovation and new opportunities.

BUSINESS NEWS | 12

FEATURE

And then there are stories like that of Huyck Wangner, who closed in 2009 to relocate its operations to Vietnam. In the last two years, they have reopened in Geelong and have significantly increased their production to the point where they are on the verge of breaking some of their production records.

“There’s a lot of hard work for them to do to try and replace the Alcoa contracts. It comes down to effort and hard work, because it’s not something that will be delivered to them on a plate. “There are some good examples of supply chain companies that have done and are continuing to do that, and Backwell IXL is a really good one. Over the last five years, they’ve successfully done a lot of diversification work. They have spun off into a clean technology solar division with IXL Solar, and there are significant opportunities in the clean technology sector for local companies.”

Rebecca Casson, Chief Executive Officer of the Committee for Geelong, said that as well as supporting manufacturing growth, we need to think strategically about job creation, and to looking to sectors experiencing global growth. She highlighted agribusiness, tourism and international education, and said exporting from Avalon and the Port will play big roles in jobs growth.

The development of the Carbon Nexus testing facility at Deakin and the university’s work in the development of advanced materials is coming of age and provides incredible growth and innovation opportunities for Geelong’s manufacturing sector. The GMC and Deakin have collaborated on the Industry Innovation Program to help get that innovation out of the university research setting and into industry, with some early successes.

“We’ve just done an inquiry into exporting from regional centres, and we talked about exporting fresh milk from Avalon, and we could have something like 30,000 litres day, or 10,000 litres each flight of fresh, premium milk, that can come off the farm in this region, be put on a plane over night, and be in Chinese supermarkets the next day. Demand for high value food products is on the rise in a big way globally, and particularly in Asia, and there remain significant opportunities in the domestic market as well. Local gourmet produce business, The Food Purveyor, is just one example. A conversation with Target about the possibility of introducing The Food Purveyor’s gourmet hampers of local produce, initially thought to supply to the Geelong CBD and Waurn Ponds stores, has become a national supply deal for the business.

Mr Peart said a good example is Sykes Rowing, who use carbon fibre to build their racing rowing shells and who are a world-leader in what they do. The Land 400 bid is serving to highlight the region’s strengths in defence manufacturing. From Deakin University and CSIRO’s work with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, to RPC Technologies, Winchester, Chemring’s safety systems and countermeasures and Marand Precision Engineering’s dedicated defence facility at the Ford Plant that produces high-tech trailers and tail parts of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets that the Australian Government will be purchasing, our city is already very active in supplying to the defence sector. A Geelong Defence Alliance has been formed amongst Winchester Australia, Enterprise Geelong, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the State Government as a single body to represent Geelong’s defence capable businesses.

Ms Casson said we also need to consider options for exporting our skilled labour force, saying there were significant opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers on projects like the rebuilding of Christchurch – opportunities that would be enhanced by the development of an international terminal at Avalon and improved rail links.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 13

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

VECCI

Million-dollar CFMEU fine sends right message

he decision of the Supreme Court imposing fines totalling $1.25 million on the Victorian CFMEU for contempt of court is welcomed by VECCI. It vindicates the decision of Grocon and the State Government to take the CFMEU to court to demonstrate there is no place for intimidation and harassment at work, no place for unlawful attacks on an employer’s right to decide who it wants to employ and no place for contempt of our courts. The decision of the Supreme Court is noteworthy not just for the fines it imposed. The CFMEU was found to be in criminal contempt of the Court on 5 different occasions. His Honour, Justice Cavanough, stated that the conduct of the CFMEU “amounted to ‘perverse and obstinate resistance to authority’”, involved “deliberate defiance” and was “for the most part, highly visible to the general public”. He also noted that almost immediately having been served with some of the court orders, the CFMEU “began to breach them. It breached them not just once, but repeatedly.” It was conceded by the CFMEU that court orders had been made that were clear and capable of being complied with, that the Union fully understood them and that it nonetheless chose to disobey them. His Honour, described the CFMEU’s repeated defiance of the orders as “very troubling” and the contempts as “exceptionally serious” warranting explicit classification as criminal contempts “perhaps for the first time in the Australian industrial context.” He also noted that having initially ignored the Court, the CFMEU made no apology and did not claim remorse. His Honour indicated that the notion that compliance with Court orders is optional must not be tolerated. He added that “the imposition of a penalty for contempt of court should not be viewed as simply an anticipated cost of industrial action” and agreed with the proposition that “few things could be more destructive to the authority of the Court and to the rule of law than the idea that fines or similar

punishment are akin to a tax that, once budgeted for, enable the use of unlawful conduct to achieve industrial outcomes.” There were some very serious issues at play in this case and the sort of action engaged in by the CFMEU documented in the decision cannot be justified. VECCI applauds Grocon for having the courage to stand up to the CFMEU and pursue it through the court system. Not many businesses have the resources to do what Grocon has been able to do and no other business should have to go through what it has endured. It was a heavy load to bear during both the illegal blockades and the ensuing court proceedings. VECCI also congratulates the Victorian Government for standing shoulder to shoulder with Grocon, thereby demonstrating it will not tolerate the rule of law being so flagrantly ignored. Its support for a business confronted with such unlawful behaviour and its recent ‘Move-on’ laws that will protect businesses from unlawful picket and protest activity have both been welcomed by Victorian business. Federally, it is time for the Opposition and the Greens to stop blocking legislation in the Senate that will restore the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC) with a full suite of powers, including the power to fully prosecute parties who do not comply with the law. As VECCI has maintained from the outset, Victoria cannot afford the economic and reputational damage that results from the sort of behaviour of the CFMEU on the Grocon Blockade in 2012 and Victorians simply won’t get the infrastructure they need without a framework that delivers it safely, harmoniously, productively and in accordance with the law. To those who think we protest too much, imagine the outcry if a business was to act in criminal contempt of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

BUSINESS NEWS | 14

MARK STONE

Chief Executive of VECCI

FUNERALS

End of Financial Year Planning with Kings Funerals

Fixed Price Funeral Plans – pay at today’s prices and guarantee the agreed funeral service will be provided without additional cost. All funds are invested with Foresters Friendly Society and the investment is capital guaranteed. Funeral Bonds by Instalment – pay small amounts regularly. All funds invested will contribute towards the cost of your funeral and earn an annual bonus. In addition to Fixed Price Funeral Plans and Funeral Bonds by Instalment, you can now have access via an arrangement Kings Funerals has with Foresters Friendly Society to a new product.

Ezicover Funeral Advantage s the end of financial year approaches, many of us are turning our minds towards our personal affairs. One item that is frequently overlooked is organising a funeral plan for yourself and your relatives.

A large number of Geelong residents are taking out socalled ‘funeral insurance’ policies every year. There are some circumstances in which this small amount of life insurance is appropriate to a person’s needs but if death is not expected within 1 to 7 years of commencing coverage the consumer is likely to end up paying more in premiums than the actual cost of their funeral. Many consumers find themselves trapped with escalating premiums that must be paid continuously until their death, which may be many decades in the future. In 2011, the ABS measured an increase in female life expectancy to 84.2 years. A Rice Warner report conducted in 2010 found that a person who takes up funeral insurance at age 60 for a $6,000 funeral will pay: • Over $7,000 in total by age 70 • Over $14,000 by age 75 • Over $28,000 by age 80 • Over $85,000 by age 90 Source: Rice Warner Actuaries, September 2010 Kings Funerals offer a range of options to plan for your funeral and reduce the financial pressure on your family. Two popular options are:

• Is available to people aged between 35 and 70 • Provides coverage between $5,000 and $15,000 • Cover is for accidental death in the first 12 months • Once cover begins, premiums do not increase with age • Once your premiums paid reaches the benefit amount, you pay NO more • The funeral director can be nominated as a beneficiary of the funeral benefit which can reduce claim paperwork for your family or executor and the cover will be used to contribute to the cost of your funeral The monthly premium for a 60 year old non-smoking woman with $6,000 of cover is $25.25 and no interview or medical is required. Call our Funeral Planning Specialists on (03) 5248 3444 to arrange an obligation-free appointment to discuss fixed price funeral plan or funeral bonds or for information on how to apply for Ezicover Funeral Advantage. Important information: Ezicover Funeral Advantage is issued by Zurich Australia Limited ABN 92 000 010 195, AFSL 232510. Kings Funerals has an arrangement with Foresters Friendly Society under which Kings Funerals receives an annual marketing allowance. Foresters Friendly Society will receive a referral commission of 20% (plus GST) of each premium paid on your Zurich policy. This is paid by the insurer and is at no additional cost to you.

At Kings Funerals we offer a range of options to plan for your funeral and reduce Beth, Louise & Michael King

In addition to Fixed Price Funeral Plans and Funeral Bonds by Instalment, you can now have access to information regarding a new product. Call us to learn more.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 15

COVER STORY

Is the timing right for

Avalon?

BUSINESS NEWS | 16

eelong has experienced increasing frustration about Avalon over the past decade, with a lot of talk, but no development. A small number of flights, poor timetabling, delays - and the loss of Tiger and Qantas maintenance – have all afflicted the airport.

depend on both Australian and Chinese government approval,” he said. “But now that we have the MOU, we will work towards getting everything in order, including moving towards setting up bilateral agreements, and setting up support services such as border agencies, customs, quarantine, immigration, etc.”

Could Avalon, at last, be about to turn a corner? The Memorandum of Understanding signed in April between Avalon Airport, Linfox Group and China’s HNA Group, owner of China’s fourth largest airline, Hainan Airlines, could be the first step towards an international airport that could dramatically improve Avalon and our region’s fortunes.

One of the most promising potential outcomes of the international airport relates to employment – an issue in the minds of many in the Geelong region. Both Justin Giddings and Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson have stated that the airport could bring 10,000 new jobs to the region in 10 years.

With China being our largest and strongest growth market, the arrangement has the potential to offer a major boost to local employment, international tourism and local exports. With support from the Prime Minister and all levels of government, the new deal with China could be the economic panacea that our region sorely needs.

Local and international evidence shows that airports can provide significant employment, in areas ranging from transport, postal, warehousing and catering, to airline staff and terminal staff, as well as the flowon jobs resulting from increased production and tourism.

“Within 10 years Avalon should be the biggest employer in the region.”

The agreement commits Linfox to assist the HNA group to start an aviation service between Australia and China within 18 months, with the initial focus being on commercial and air freight services. Avalon’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin Giddings, said that the arrangement would offer “direct links to international tourism and trade markets.” “Linfox and HNA will work together to establish flights within 18 months between China and Hong Kong, and Avalon, that will also then link to other Linfox-related logistics operations, such as our trucking network,” Mr Giddings said. With the initial focus to be on freight, Giddings is optimistic that international passengers would also be passing through the terminal within 18 months. “There are a number of regulatory requirements that need to be worked out, such as air rights, which will

“Avalon is the greatest opportunity for Geelong,” said Mr Giddings. “We have the footy club, Deakin, Carbon Nexus, Cotton-on, which are all fantastic, but the growth potential for Avalon is enormous. Within 10 years Avalon should be the biggest employer in the region. “Becoming an international airport will bring in 300 to 400 jobs straight away, in areas such as engineering, security, catering and indirect jobs.” In terms of local exports, Mr Giddings and Ms Henderson expect fresh producers to be the major exporting beneficiaries of an international terminal, particularly in areas such as dairy, including milk, and high value fresh products such as seafood and small livestock. Golden Plains Mayor, Jenny Blake, agrees, saying that if the shire had “access to an international terminal at Avalon, in 32 hours we could take food from the farm and have it on a plate in Asia.”

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 17

“While the Chinese may not consume a lot of milk per person, they still consume a lot more than we do because of the sheer numbers of the population,” added Mr Giddings. In terms of maximizing the tourist potential, Mr Giddings believes that the challenge for Geelong will be getting tourists to stay in the region, rather than going to Melbourne and Crown Casino. However, the Chair in Strategic Management at Deakin University, Professor Stuart Orr, believes that Geelong and the southwest region could easily keep Chinese tourists in the area, saying the pieces are in place for Avalon’s international terminal to become a reality. Professor Orr believes that Chinese tourists don’t just come to Australia to see a big city, but to find activities that capture the “quintessential Australian tourism experience”.

that the Geelong region is accessible and safe makes it very attractive.” Sarah Henderson added that this is one of the most popular tourist regions in Australia. “The Great Ocean Road contributes to a $2.1 billion (tourist) economy already,” she said. All key players agree that a crucial element for the success of the terminal will be the construction of a rail network to Avalon, to improve public transport connections to both Melbourne and Geelong for visitors.

We are carefully considering all options for the alignment of the Avalon rail link and a decision... is expected in 2014.

“As long as the region is able to provide these experiences, there should be no problem with attracting the tourists. Chinese people tend to be very comfortable with a rural city. The fact

Mr Giddings expects that international flights will need to be in place before the State Government makes a commitment to heavy rail, but he is optimistic that a light rail system can be introduced in the interim.

Options currently being considered include light rail, buses, and “driverless transport options.” One key proposal is for a new station to be built on the Geelong-Melbourne train line between Lara and Little River. From here, a new light rail line could take passengers to the Avalon terminal. If this option proceeds, the “airport experience” could begin at this point, with passengers potentially being able to check in, drop off their luggage, and then take the light rail to the airport. This type of connection has been constructed at other international airports, such as Changi in Singapore. A spokesperson for the Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder, said that the Victorian Government is dedicated to planning for a rail link. “We are carefully considering all options for the alignment of the Avalon Airport rail link and a decision on the preferred alignment is expected in 2014,” he said. Given Avalon’s ups and downs, can we really expect an international terminal to be developed in such as short time frame? Professor Orr is optimistic that the timing is right. “Given Chinese expansion, there is the capacity to do this,” Professor Orr said. “It is an entirely realistic timeframe. Our long-term trading relationship means that the indicators are in place for the flow of freight and Chinese tourists to this region,” Professor Orr said. “In conjunction with the desire on the part of the Chinese, at the state level, to increase their development activities, the chances of success for this project proceeding are very high. “There are a limited number of airports available. There is no reason why a Chinese airline shouldn’t choose Avalon. It is

BUSINESS NEWS | 18

COMPLIANCE relatively unrestricted, with no curfews, for instance, and it has some proven track record. It has the resources and international scope.” Professor Orr added that other airports in China have “had a serious level of development” with a fast turnaround time, and there has been a recent history of producing high-level facilities within Chinese airports, such as retail outlets.

Honesty is the best policy

Sarah Henderson says that she will “be doing whatever I can locally to make this happen.” “It is a step-by-step process, but the prospects for Avalon are looking really positive,” she said. “The fact that the MOU was signed in China in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Premier is very exciting. “Avalon has done a lot of hard work. That work, combined with some of the work that the Government has done, such as the free trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, will help to create a whole new world of opportunity for us. The Government is also confident that we will reach a free trade agreement with China. All of this offers enormous potential for South West Victoria.” Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles MP, says that the terminal will be a “real shot in the arm for tourism, trade and the business community.” “It means, quite simply, we can be much more competitive in vying for the lucrative tourist dollar, but also increase business and trade opportunities.”

onest advertising is not just good for your business – it is required by law. Honest advertising and selling practices under the Australian Consumer Law benefit businesses and consumers alike. Businesses should be able to prosper on the merit of their products or services without fearing that competitors will gain an unfair competitive advantage by misleading consumers. Consumers also have a right to accurate and truthful information from businesses about their purchases. Imagine a store sells a cricket bat that has been ‘used by Michael Clarke’. The Michael Clarke they are referring to is a local schoolboy and not the captain of the Australian cricket team. Is this statement likely to be false, misleading or deceptive? The answer is yes – even though the statement is literally true, consumers are likely to be misled.

Deakin’s senior lecturer in International Business, Dr Jane Menzies, agrees. “Most Chinese tourists are looking for the traditional ‘koala and kangaroo’ experience,” she said. “Many will have lots of spending money, for quality products such as food, wine, souvenirs and luxury items, although they may not wish to spend their money on five star accommodation.” She added that the tourism benefits would not be just one way. “There will be greater opportunities for Australians to visit Asia. Hainan is the ‘Hawaii of China’,” she said. The other piece of the puzzle at Avalon is the long-term future of Jetstar, and the CEO of Jetstar Australia and New Zealand David Hall, remains cautious about the future. “Following several years incurring losses on our Avalon services, we reached an agreement with the Victorian Government and Avalon Airport late last year which allowed us to continue operating from the airport until April 2015,” Mr Hall said. “While people have observed that some of our flights to and from Avalon are full, this is only because we’re heavily discounting tickets. This means our yield – how much a customer pays for their seat – is less than the amount it costs us to operate the flight. “Our most recent losses will be partially offset by the financial support provided by the Victorian Government and Avalon Airport, but much more needs to be done if we’re to return operations to profitability. “To this end, we’ve been working constructively with Avalon Airport and key Geelong stakeholders, including Mayor Darryn Lyons, on strategies to encourage more locals to use the flights on offer.”

The fundamental rule of advertising and selling all businesses, advertisers and marketers should remember is that any statement they make about products or services must be true, accurate and be able to be substantiated. It doesn’t matter how a false or misleading statement is delivered, what it is about or whether there was intent to mislead. This rule covers any statement made in television or radio advertisements, in catalogues, on labels, on websites, in contracts (or during contract negotiations), over the telephone, in letters or emails or in person. It also covers statements about the quality, value, price, age or benefits of goods or services, or any associated guarantee or warranty. Importantly, if using ‘was/now’ or ‘strike through’ pricing, care must be taken not to mislead consumers about the savings they can achieve. And if you include any qualifications or disclaimers, don’t bury them in the fine print – they need to be prominent and clear to avoid any potential confusion that may be caused by the advertised price. It is important to know too that, irrespective of whether a business operates purely online or in a bricks and mortar store – the same advertising and promotion laws apply. The ACCC has recently revised its Advertising and selling guide, which includes the main parts of the Australian Consumer Law, examples of conduct likely to breach the law, and practical tips for advertising and selling. It has also produced a short video on using ‘was/now’ pricing. For more information, read the revised guide, watch the ‘was/now’ pricing video, visit the ACCC website or call the ACCC small business helpline on 1300 302 021.

Claire Whitely www.biznewsmag.com.au | 19

APS EDITORIAL TOP LAYER.pdf

16/10/13

4:41 PM

INFORMATION ABOUT PROBATE AND DECEASED ESTATES (will with an appointed executor)

What is probate? Probate is the term used throughout Australia for the process by which a person named as executor in the last valid will of a deceased person becomes entitled to stand in the shoes of the deceased for the purposes of distributing the deceased’s assets in accordance with the deceased’s will. The executor must apply for a Supreme Court order for a grant of probate according to the rules which apply in the state or territory in which the deceased lived. In some cases, the Court’s power to grant probate (in uncontested matters) is delegated to the Registrar of Probates who functions separately to the Court via the Probate Office. As part of the application process the executor must prove the will, in other words, the executor must produce and lodge the original of the will and swear on affidavit that it is the last known will of the deceased. In most cases this is just a formal process which goes smoothly, but occasionally the Probate Office will have some questions or require more information and, even more rarely, there may be some challenge to the validity of the will. Probate has nothing to do with probate duty which was a state based tax applying to deceased estates throughout Australia and abolished many years ago.

Do you need probate? The executor is not legally obliged to obtain probate, however there are a number of scenarios where, practically speaking, the executor will need to obtain probate, namely: · If the deceased owned real estate either solely or as a tenant in common, and · If the deceased held significant bank account balances solely (banks vary as to their requirements but anything over around $10,000 is likely to require probate) So for an estate with a jointly owned home and minimal other assets, there may be no need to obtain probate, and the executor could simply administer the will using a copy of the will and copy of the death certificate to satisfy all necessary authorities.

Some important facts about probate in Australia •

A grant of probate once made in a state or territory can be registered or resealed in any other state or territory without the need to reswear affidavits or prove the will again.

•

Some states and territories have a simplified regime for small estates (estates worth less than a prescribed maximum figure varying between $10,000 and $50,000)

•

In all states and territories (apart from SA) you must give at least 14 days notice of your intention to apply for probate by publishing a notice to that effect.

•

All states and territories allow claims to be made against an estate by persons who may have been inadequately provided for in the will (testator’s family maintenance or TFM claims)

The contents of this information sheet is intended as general advice only and should not be relied upon for any specific circumstances. If you require specific advice on your own personal circumstances then please contact us. If you require financial and/or accounting advice you should contact a qualified APS EDITORIAL FOOTER.pdf 1 17/10/13 1:09 PM accountant and/or financial adviser.

D I S C L O S U R E I N F O R M AT I O N

Membership of APS Bene ts automatically entitles you to a funeral bene t issued by APS Bene ts. You should consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement & Financial Services Guide (available from APS Bene ts or our web site on www.apsbs.com.au) before making a decision to become a member of APS Bene ts or buy any products offered by APS Bene ts. Financial services provided by Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd are provided under its AFSL No. 244115. APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 305923 of Futuro Financial Services Pty Ltd (‘Futuro’). Financial services provided by APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd are provided under Futuro’s AFSL No. 238478. APS Savings Disclaimer: *This is not a bank product, it is an unlisted APS Note. No independent assessment has been made about the risk to investors losing any of their principal investment. Applications for APS Notes can only be made on the Investment Application Form which accompanies the prospectus issued by APS Savings Ltd. Please read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to make an investment. APS Wills & Estates: Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

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COMMENT

NDIS Agency Skills are Vital for Geelong

arms.

he formal launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Agency (NDISA) National Office is great news for Geelong, and it is hoped that everyone in the community will welcome the new staff with open

It was important to the NDISA to relocate as many staff as possible to Geelong, minimising the loss of corporate knowledge from the organisation as it transitioned. It is equally important that the staff that have moved to Geelong experience the smoothest transition as possible. As Geelong establishes itself as the centre of excellence for rehabilitation, insurance and services for people with a disability, the City needs the vital skills of these highly professional individuals, and the community needs to work hard to retain them in Geelong. These issues became evident when the Committee for Geelong, working in partnership with Enterprise Geelong and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), presented about Geelong to the NDISA staff in Canberra last year. It was clear that our presentations were key to final decision making for staff considering a re-location to Geelong. The TAC is a great example of how smooth the transition can be to Geelong, how a major organisation moving to Geelong can benefit the City in so many ways and how the staff can benefit from living and working in such a glorious environment. The TAC has become an excellent corporate citizen in Geelong, and all of these factors clearly contributed to the announcement that the Victorian Work Cover Authority may also re-locate to Geelong, subject to the State election outcome.

of helping others adapt to a new environment. This was recognised in a paper, published in August last year, by the Alfred Deakin Research Institute called ‘Everyone has settled in so well: How migrants make connections and build social capital in Geelong.’ The paper looked into what challenges a person moving to Geelong is faced with and, more importantly, how to overcome these challenges. One of the findings in the paper confirmed that ‘good connections facilitate ‘settling in’, which enhances health, well-being, individual contribution to the community and a willingness to stay.’ Now that the NDISA staff and their families have made the move to Geelong, it is not only their employer that is responsible for making them feel welcome; Geelong’s whole community should be aware of the vital role it plays in integrating this new group. Having made the move to Geelong over 5 years ago, my family credits the ease of our transition to the support we found in this community. In particular, the Skilled Migration Department of the City of Greater Geelong provided aboveand-beyond support that went such a long way in making Geelong feel like home, not just a destination. Geelong should be proud to be the City in Australia chosen to host the prestigious NDISA. As Geelong continues to transform, we all have much work to do to ensure that everyone is glad they came.

Geelong is no stranger to attracting much needed skills through migration and our City has a great track record

BUSINESS NEWS | 22

Rebecca Casson

Chief Executive Officer Committee for Geelong

SHIPPING SHIPPING

Port’s big future

acting on its research, will begin a multi-million dollar project mid-year to widen its shipping channel at City Bend to ensure safe access for these larger-sized ships. Small changes in a ship’s length, width and draught can have major ramifications on manoeuvrability. The City Bend adjustment will provide the next generation of ships with more room to move safely. Cutting-edge technology, including the computer simulation program Planimate, is playing a major part in helping the VRCA and port users position the shipping hub to capitalise on future opportunities and a projected doubling of trade by 2030.

evelopment analyst, Stuart Christie, knows size does matter when it comes to ships visiting Geelong’s busy port.

The Victorian Regional Channels Authority employee can see big bulk carriers navigate the narrow shipping channels into Corio Bay from his office window. And he doesn’t need a crystal ball to know those floating visitors are going to get even larger in the future.

Planimate, an interactive development tool run by Mr Christie, gives an on-screen view of the port and surrounds. It allows the authority to test the capacity of its channels and assess how infrastructure, including wharves, will cope as trade increases, vessel sizes change and new markets develop.

``This port capacity model is a good way to get a handle on some of the `what if’ scenarios the port faces,’’ Mr Christie says. ``It has a high The trend to bigger vessels level of sophistication that enables the is causing ripples across the VRCA and port stakeholders to capture the complex nature of both marine and global shipping industry and landside logistics, providing confidence Geelong is not exempt. in medium and long term forecasts centred on the port.’’

``In the past five years there’s been a big change in the global shipping fleet,’’ Mr Christie says. ``The trend is for larger vessels and we must anticipate and plan for these changes to keep the port’s competitive edge. ``If we want the port of Geelong to grow, supply jobs and support the state’s economy, then we have to look at ensuring the infrastructure allows that growth to occur and these bigger ships to visit. That comes back to planning - by governments, port managers and users.’’ The VRCA uses information from comprehensive studies into ship sizes and its own sophisticated computer simulation programs to help the port plan for challenges to infrastructure, channel capacity and safety that larger and more frequent ships will bring. The trend to bigger vessels is causing ripples across the global shipping industry and Geelong is not exempt. The authority,

The authority also draws on data from maritime specialists, including Clarkson Research Services, as part of its planning strategy. Clarkson Research Services data paints a clear picture of changes in the global fleet as the industry embraces bigger ships to achieve economies of scale. Clarkson figures reveal dry bulk vessels in the world fleet have increased from an average of 50,200 deadweight tonnes in 2000 to 72,500 deadweight tonnes in 2012. That’s an average increase of 44 per cent. ``These changes are coming and the rest of the world’s not sitting still,’’ Mr Christie says. ``There’s a huge amount of economic development going on in the Asian region – in India and China particularly - and we are perfectly positioned to capitalise. But we have to ensure the port of Geelong has the ability to provide a safe, competitive, efficient connection between Australia and the rest of the world. And that means effective forward planning.’’

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Level 22,Level 235 Ryrie Street, Geelong | | www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au Level Level 235 2,235 235 Ryrie Ryrie Street, Street, Geelong Geelong |www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au 2, Ryrie Street, Geelong | |www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au Level Level 235 2,2,235 Ryrie Ryrie Street, Street, Geelong Geelong | www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au www.biznewsmag.com.au | 23

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LEADERSHIP

The value of learning leadership King’s Funerals General Manager Beth King talks about the value of the Leaders for Geelong program

hen I came back to Geelong to live in 2009, I saw the city of my childhood with a fresh set of eyes. After completing a double degree in Melbourne and living throughout Australia and Europe for five years working freelance at arts festivals, I had developed a habit of looking at my surroundings as a detached observer. It was a hard habit to shake. Geelong became my new/old home. I saw a lot to like, but realised there were things we had the potential to improve. Within 12 months of coming home, I was offered a management role with my family business. This new position proved a huge challenge. The career choices of my twenties gave me exposure to a wide range of people, languages and cultures, but I needed to develop a new relationship with my parents as business colleagues, work in a sector that required a more formal approach and learn to manage a team of people from diverse backgrounds. This drove an enormous amount of growth and change in my life. In this context of feeling new in familiar surroundings, I applied for the Committee for Geelong’s Leaders for Geelong program in 2011. Leaders for Geelong introduced me to a wonderful group of peers who taught me so much and who I know will contribute to my life for many years to come. Just as importantly, the program gave me an overview of the issues, organisations and people who are helping Geelong develop and thrive in a global environment where uncertainty is the only certainty. The community project component of Leaders for Geelong was a stand-out experience. Six of us were drawn to the idea of emulating the success of Open House Melbourne, started by a similar leadership program in 2008. We developed a list of properties suitable for public viewing and organised a team of volunteers to enable the tours. What a fantastic result! Our pilot event in 2012 attracted more than 3000 free visits to 12 of our city’s historic buildings. Open House Geelong has now become a biennial event and we hope to have 20 buildings open when it is held next on Saturday October 25, 2014. From the lessons learnt during the pilot, we are confident Open House Geelong will go from strength to strength. Visit openhousegeelong.org.au or become a Facebook fan to learn more. Completing the Leaders for Geelong program at an early stage of my management career has helped me fast track my development and become more comfortable writing and speaking in public. In 2012 I was fortunate to win the Australian Funeral Directors Association Scholarship and present a paper at the association’s annual convention in Perth. I now regularly contribute articles to a variety of local publications and am currently Deputy Chair of Central Geelong Marketing. To continue my leadership development, I am participating in the Williamson Community Leadership Program, which is giving me access to an expanded network of peers from around Victoria who will work together to advance Victoria and Geelong over the coming years. The commitments required of Leaders for Geelong program members are not always easy to fit into an already busy life, but few things of real value come without difficulty. I would recommend anyone who is looking to gain a deeper understanding of the Geelong region and its peer network to apply for the 2014/16 Leaders for Geelong intake. Applications close at the end of May. You won’t regret it!

Beth King Valedictorian of Leaders for Geelong, 2011-13

BUSINESS NEWS | 24

TALK TO THE EXPERTS

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LEGAL

A meeting of legal minds

uietly, on 26 November 2012, the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 replaced the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. Transitional arrangements to help Associations and Committee Members adjust to the new laws were in place from 26 November 2012 to 25 November 2013. This transitional period has now ended. The Act includes some vital reforms to the duties and liabilities of Committee Members. Committee Memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liability

powers and duties with the degree of care and diligence that a reasonable person would if they were an office holder of the association at the time of exercising their powers or duties and had the same responsibilities within the association as the office holder. (c) Duty of good faith and proper purpose An office holder must exercise their powers and discharge their duties in good faith in the best interests of the association and for a proper purpose. The purposes of the association will be defined in the constitution.

Committee members of any association, club or A person who breaches any of these duties can charitable organisation are required to act in a be ordered to pay penalties up to $20,000. In fiduciary capacity when exercising their powers addition, if it can be shown that they knowingly or and carrying out their duties. Fiduciary duties refer recklessly breached their to the obligation to exercise duty not to improperly use your power to manage the information or position, they organisation in the best interests A person who breaches any of can be fined $8,661.60 of the organisation and not for these duties can be ordered to pay (currently). They may also be your personal benefit. A breach penalties up to $20,000. In ordered to pay compensation of this duty may give rise to a to the association, although common law claim for damages. addition, if it can be shown that it is a rare event and will they knowingly or recklessly Committee members also usually be accompanied remain personally liable breached their duty not to improperly by a significant degree of for contracts entered into deliberate wrongdoing or gross use information or position, they and tortious acts (such as negligence. can be fined $8,661.60 negligence) performed Whilst the penalties for a while acting on behalf of the breach of the Act can be members. severe, it is not difficult to satisfy the obligations If the organisation becomes a registered placed upon committee members. Provided an incorporated association (under the Act) however, office holder acts in a manner that shows sound the organisation must indemnify its committee business judgment, and which is for the benefit of members for any liability owed by an office holder the association and its purpose, they will meet the to a third party (to the extent that the assets of the requirements of the Act. organisation will cover the liability) where the liability Care, skill and effort and keeping oneself informed was incurred by the office holder in good faith in are the best methods to ensure an office holder performance of their duties. shows sound business judgment. The duties of committee members and officeholders This article provides general information only, current at the time of production. Any advice of an incorporated association in Victoria are in it has been prepared without taking into account your personal circumstances. You contained within the Act. Importantly, the Act not should seek professional advice before acting on any material. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (other than for the acts or omissions of only includes a committee member in its definition financial services licensees) in each State or Territory other than Tasmania. of officeholder, but a person in accordance with whose instructions or wishes the committee of the association were accustomed to act. Duties of office holders pursuant to the Act: (a) Not to improperly use information or position An office holder (or former office holder) must not make improper use of that position and they must not make improper use of information acquired to gain an advantage for themselves or any other person; or to cause detriment to the association.

Claire Centra Senior Lawyer

(b) Duty of care and diligence An office holder must exercise and discharge their

BUSINESS NEWS | 26

BIZ EVENTS

Rock Online with a Buffet of Seminars and Food for Small Business Geelong small business operators are once again being offered a smorgasbord of expertise and mentors at the Geelong Small Business Buffet being held at Geelong Conference Centre on Wednesday 25 June. The Geelong Small Business Buffet is an ‘all you can learn and all you can eat for $45’ event where 12 experts will present seminars over the course of one day.

newsletters and infographics, and Getting Found to Getting Customers. Attendees will also be able to get some great tips on how to implement what they’ve learned from a oneon-one session with a Small Business Mentoring Service mentor, and will be encouraged to network throughout the day, as well as at the tailored networking event in the morning.

Small Business Smart Business program coordinator Liz Grant said that feedback from the past two Geelong Small Business Buffets – in March 2014 and November 2013 – was so positive that there was an expectation that it would become a regular event.

“Sometimes it’s hard for small business owners and managers to get out of the office or even to know what information will add value to their business” said Liz Grant. “By putting everything we could into one day, the business owner can pick and choose, leave and come back, or share their ticket with their staff for different seminars”.

“We’re aiming for three Buffets each year – March, June, and November – so that, combined with the Geelong Small Business Festival in August, small business owners have an opportunity every three or so months to learn practical ways they can improve and grow their business” Ms Grant said.

The Buffet also includes expo tables for businesses that supply products and services to small business – another way for businesses to promote their services to their target market.

“Once again, we’re giving these small business operators the chance to pick and choose which seminars they’d like to take part in - they can choose one or two, or come for the whole day - it’s entirely up to them,” Ms Grant said. The theme for this Buffet is ‘Smarter Online Intensive’. Seminars presented come under the categories: Content and Conversations, such as social media, blogging,

Tickets are only $45 for the day, all-inclusive, and can be purchased at www.trybooking.com/EWBF. Expo tables start at $75 and can be booked at www.trybooking.com/EWBG.

* The services provided by Small Business Smart Business are partly funded by the Australian Government

Don Nowate !

Geelong’s

Appeal

Donate in May to Give Where You Live

DESIGN DONATED BY

All donations from the ‘MAYDAY Appeal’ go to Give Where You Live. For further information visit givewhereyoulive.com.au OR phone 5229 4364

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 27

Building a Better Geelong

When Geelong

celebrates,

For over 25 years, Truffleduck has celebrated the milestone events, the memorable wins and the long-standing successes that form the fabric of our city. From the 2007 and 2009 Cats Premiership wins to the UCI World Cup Cycling to the 150th anniversary celebrations of Geelong College and the 50-year celebrations of the Rip Curl Pro, the iconic local catering company has delivered the party, scooping the 2008 Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards Overall

Winner along the way. The company slogan of ‘Exceptional Catering - Anywhere, Anytime’ is an apt one, because the real success of Truffleduck over the years has come from an absolute commitment to quality, regardless of where, when or whatever the weather. That very real sense of pride that Geelong can deliver exceptional quality events is one Hugh shares.

“There’s always something new waiting out there for you,” Hugh says. “I want to do more international events and I want to see Geelong placed more prominently to attract those events and showcase that this is a destination where we can look after people and create some beautiful events in ideal surrounds.”

www.truffleduck.com.au |

it celebrates with Truffleduck

TIME HONOURED

Photo: Pam Hutchinson Photography

The Geelong College’s 150th anniversary dinner for 900 guests on the College oval was a significant moment for Truffleduck, because so many people said it simply couldn’t be done outside of Melbourne. But deliver they did, and in style. From Prime Ministers, to the global head of Audi, to Cadel Evans, Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, to Paris

and Nicole Hilton, from catering for the Chibba Lotte Japanese baseball summer camp, to the Davis Cup, the International Marine Science conference IMPAC and the corporate suites at Skandia Week and Audi Week, right through the partnership with Deakin that resulted in Waterfront Kitchen there have been many memorable moments over the years.

Gregarious, often surprising and of genuine quality – from the food to the service to the faces and names behind it all, Truffleduck has become an institution of excellence in Geelong. And there is a very real mutual affair of admiration and respect between this iconic business and the city it does business with.

66 Hyland St Fyansford

Phone: (03) 5229 7503

TRAVEL

coast

CLUB

THE best

or many people it is unimaginable they could live – let alone holiday – more than a short distance from the coast. Could there possibly be a coast as beautiful as the Great Ocean Road? And could there possibly be an argument to go on holidays anywhere else? As a Torquay local I would obviously risk life and limb if I put forward such a heretical idea! So, I won’t argue that there are more beautiful coastlines, but I will argue that the Great Ocean Road is only one member of an elite club: the best coasts in the world club. ////////// The narrow road winds higher and higher above the inkblue sea, skirting the hem of spectacular mountains that are over 1400 metres high. At some points, the sheer drop from the road to the sea lapping below is nearly 500 metres. These numbers might not mean much, but to put them into perspective the Great Ocean Road reaches a maximum height of 107 metres at Mt Defiance and the highest nearby mountain, Mt Cowley, which is a good distance inland, only reaches a height of 675 metres. Not only is the road I am on higher, and the mountains higher again, it is much narrower than the Great Ocean Road. I am keeping up a decent pace, but the local Vespa riders insist on passing me. When one whizzes past and I follow it around a blind corner, I find myself face to face with a concrete truck. And there is simply no room for a car to get past. The bike is long gone - over the side for all I know, although this seems unlikely given the concrete truck driver is nonchalantly lighting a cigarette. I take a deep breath. The concrete truck driver looks at me. I look at him. It’s clear that in his mind the truck has one

option – to go forward. And it quickly becomes clear in my mind that I have one option – to reverse around the blind corner behind me and to keep backing until I find a section of road wide enough for me to pull in and allow the truck to pass. The reference to Vespa may have been sufficient to give away where I am: the Amalfi Coast. This is Italy’s most spectacular stretch of coastline - a landscape of towering bluffs, pastel-hued villages terraced into hillsides, luxuriant gardens, and superb views over turquoise waters and towering mountains. And a twisting, narrow road with squadrons of Italian drivers – who will swear to you they’re not suicidal, just highly skilled. The Amalfi Coast lies along the southern flanks of the Sorrento Peninsula, a mountainous cliff-edged promontory at the southern end of the Bay of Naples. Its most famous towns - Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello – have captivated visitors since the days of the Romans. Today, they still attract people to soak up the sun, to eat superb food, to dive in warm, crystal-clear water, to shop in luxury boutiques to wander the alleyways of ancient towns, and to exchange vows of ‘until death do us part’! From June to October it’s 25 to 30 degrees every day. Surprisingly, outside the main European holiday season in July and August, it is still possible to enjoy the Amalfi Coast without massive crowds and without spending a fortune. A network of trails link the coastal towns with villages in the mountains, so there are some brilliant walks, including multi-day itineraries if you’re feeling ambitious. Some of the smaller towns and villages have reasonably-priced accommodation and well-priced (and outstanding) local restaurants.

BUSINESS NEWS | 30

This is Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular stretch of coastline - a landscape of towering bluffs, pastel-hued villages terraced into hillsides, luxuriant gardens...

TRAVEL ////////// The road is sweeping through rain forest. In some places it feels as if we are in a cathedral nave created by the ruler-straight trunks of the world’s tallest flowering plants. Some of these plants - mountain ash trees - are well over 50 metres high. This number might not mean much, but to put it into perspective the highest cathedral naves in the world are around 45 metres high. St Peter’s Basilica in Rome is 46 metres high. I’m talking about trees that stand as high as 15 storey buildings. I swing around another well-cambered corner doing a comfortable 90 km/h and I am suddenly on top of a huge tandem-axle caravan travelling at a sedate 50 km/h. I jump on the brakes and take a deep breath. I can’t see whether it is Robert or Elizabeth at the wheel of the four-wheel-drive. It’s one or the other, because the helpful sign on the back of the caravan says, UHF: call Bob ‘n Betty, Channel 40. If I did have a UHF radio I would definitely call them to make a suggestion, even though I am sure they would argue they’re not suicidal, just very careful. But I don’t, so I try to relax and enjoy the scenery; even though Bob ‘n Betty’s diesel fumes have drowned the clean smell of eucalyptus. The occasional straight sections of road are not quite long enough to allow me to pass and, anyway, Bob (or Betty) accelerates quite quickly at the beginning of the straights. After 10 minutes of this my acquired Italian attitudes are on the verge of breaking through my law-abiding Anglo-Saxon training. I’m about to floor the accelerator and take my chances there won’t be concrete truck coming in the opposite direction. Fortunately, there’s a signpost to Moonlight Head and a dirt road to the left. We leave the bitumen with relief and end up at an empty car park scraped into a gravelly ridge. A path leads through a grove of she-oaks (casuarinas). Their drooping pine-needle foliage creates a continuous eerie whisper. You cannot even hear footsteps because the fallen needles create a soft brown carpet. When you emerge from the she-oaks, you meet the ocean. Or perhaps it is truer to say the ocean meets you. This is not a sea, this is the Great Southern Ocean, the world’s wildest unbroken stretch of windwhipped water, and it smashes into the cliffs and reefs below us, tearing at the land. It burrows and gnaws at the weak points, creating weird coves and towers and caves. The reference to mountain ash and Moonlight Head may have been sufficient to give away where I am: the Great Ocean Road. The hills might not be as high as some, and the road might not be as challenging, but the attack of the ocean is unmatched. In fact, the road is more about the ocean than it is about the land. Perhaps this is the reason it is indeed called the Great Ocean Road, not the Great Coast Road…. The region attracts a staggering seven million people a year. Most of the tourists (including most local Victorians) stick to the towns or to an itinerary that takes in a mere half-dozen sights, chief among them the somewhat disappointing Twelve Apostles (there aren’t 12 for a start, and the car park full of tour buses is flat-out depressing.) Fortunately, with a little bit of research and planning, it’s still ridiculously easy to get away from the crowds. From Torquay to Warrnambool, virtually every dirt track leading off the Great Ocean Road will reward you with a hidden cove or valley – a good number of which are as impressive as their heavilypromoted neighbours. One more thing can be guaranteed. In a state that is famous for changeable weather, the Great Ocean Road can still surprise. On the same day it can be 40 degrees in Torquay and 18 degrees at Cape Otway. By six pm it can 18 degrees in both! After all, the Great Ocean Road is on the southern edge of a desert continent, with nothing but water between it and the Antarctic.

Richard Everist Richard Everist has written guidebooks for Lonely Planet and was the CEO of Peregrine Adventures. He recently founded Around The Sun, a travel company, with his partner Lucrezia Migliore. Around The Sun organises small groups tours and private trips to selected destinations, including Italy and the Great Ocean Road. See www.aroundthesun.com for full details or call 5264 8667.

BUSINESS NEWS | 32

WIN!

So, w Great hich coastl in O memb cean Road es – other t han ers of a nd Am th your f alfi Co the avour e Best Coa ast st ite expert @aro . Write to A Club? Nom are undth inate Torqu esun round Th ay descri 3228. Inclu .com, or PO e Sun, at pti de B the mo on. We’ll tr a photo an ox 850, y d st pop t a shor o c ov article u s. The lar nomina er a couple t of tions free co best three py of entrie in future s ‘T will he to the Great Complete G win a ui Ocean Road’. de

SAFETY

Minor injuries: reporting obligations

ECCI’s OHS Helpline recently received an interesting question from one of our members. The member’s employees sometimes received very minor injuries during the course of their work day – usually cuts that just required a band-aid. Most of these incidents were not being recorded. The question was: “Could you clarify the point at which we need to record these incidents? ”

workers’ compensation claims or not. Again, this implies that minor injuries are not excluded from recording requirements.

It is a fact that minor cuts treated with a band-aid are not mentioned in relevant legislation or in the relevant Australian Standard, the Workplace Injuries and Disease Recording Standard – AS 1885.1-1990 – which sets out what is good practice in relation to recording of workplace injuries. However, Victorian workers compensation legislation and the AS1885.1 do imply that even minor cuts should be recorded. The AS1885.1 recommends that all occurrences are recorded, including those that do not involve lost time. Reporting of these injuries to the regulator, the Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe Victoria) is an entirely different matter. Injury reporting or notification to the regulator is only required in the case of notifiable incidents, which are those resulting in death or serious injury, or dangerous occurrences such as forklift rollovers, chemical spills, fires in the workplace or an explosion. The current Victorian Workers’ Compensation legislation, the Accident Compensation Act, 1985 (AC Act) and the new Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 2013 (WIRC Act) which replaces the AC Act from 1 July this year, require employers to keep a register of injuries that is readily accessible in the workplace. The register is a record of all injuries suffered by workers, whether they result in

Registers of injury must include all of the following: •

the name of the injured worker

•

the worker’s address

•

the worker’s age at the time of injury

•

the worker’s occupation at the time of injury

•

the industry in which the worker was engaged at the time of injury

•

the time and date of injury

•

the nature of the injury

•

the cause of the injury.

The recording of minor injuries, such as cuts, bruises and strains will help draw attention and prompt action when injuries are likely to occur (even though they are unlikely to be serious). Remember, minor cuts can become infected, especially in environments where workers may be exposed to blood-borne pathogens or other contamination. To find out more about your OHS rights, obligations and responsibilities under the new WIRC Act, which will come into force 1 July 2014, you can register for VECCI’s New workers’ comp changes webinar on 29 May. The article was first published in VECCI’s Radar and is reprinted with permission. See more from VECCI at http:// www.vecci.org.au/policy-and-advocacy/news/radar

Corporate Authorised Representative of Roderick Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd. AFS Licence No. 246613 Car No. 366697

Tresidder Insurance Group Pty Ltd 116 Yarra Street Geelong Vic 3220 P: (03) 5226 5999 E: info@tresidders.com.au

www.tresidders.com.au

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 33

Members of

LEGAL

Enterprise agreement knocked back due to invalid notice of representational rights

representational rights must contain the content and be in the form prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations. The notice must be given to employees on the happening of certain events and at least 21 days before the employer requests employees to approve an enterprise agreement by voting on it. Although, the FWC confirmed in its decision in Peabody Moorvale Pty Ltd v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union that employers can validly give extra information to employees at the same time as providing them with the required notice, it confirmed that there is no capacity under the relevant legislation for employers to modify the content of the notice. In this case, the additional pages were found to have formed part of the notice and therefore to have invalidly modified its content. As a consequence of the employer’s failure to provide a notice that complied with the content and form requirements of the regulations, the FWC did not have the power to approve the employer’s enterprise agreement, and dismissed the employer’s application for approval.

ny employer which has gone through the process of negotiating and making an enterprise agreement with its employees and seeking approval of the A failure to follow the required process for bargaining, voting agreement from the Fair Work and approval of an enterprise agreement will Commission (FWC) will know that the often have the unavoidable result that the A failure to follow the required process and approval requirements FWC simply cannot approve the agreement. can be complex and time consuming, process for bargaining, voting and As an enterprise agreement can not come and that the requirements for approval approval of an enterprise agreement into operation under the Fair Work Act until are quite technical. at least 7 days after the FWC has approved will often have the unavoidable In a recent case illustrating how easy it the agreement, a failure to obtain approval result that the FWC simply cannot is to get the process wrong, the FWC means that the agreement will not take effect Full Bench held that the mandatory and the employer will be left to waste time approve the agreement. notice of employee representational and resources repeating the mandatory prerights given by an employer to its approval process to correct any procedural employees was invalid, due to the inclusion of additional errors, before making a new application for approval. material, which altered the content of the notice. The FWC Workplace relations lawyers can assist with enterprise consequently refused to approve the employer’s proposed agreement negotiations, advice on approval requirements and enterprise agreement. other aspects of employment law. The employer had provided its employees with a document purporting to be a notice of representational rights, together with two nomination slips, which were stapled to the notice. All three pages had also been electronically saved by the employer as a single PDF, and were jointly attached to the Jim Rutherford & Sonia McCabe employer’s application to the FWC for approval of its enterprise agreement. Principal, Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations, Lawyer The Fair Work Act 2009 mandates that a notice of

Harwood Andrews are launching possibilities.

We work in a collaborative partnership with our clients, to understand their business and bring to bear our expert judgement, to ensure the advice and service we provide is specific and tailored to their needs.

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BUSINESS NEWS | 34

FINANCE

That fourth R Word

he three Rs refer to the foundations of the basic skills orientated education program within schools, reading, writing and arithmetic, but unfortunately, the equally as important fourth R is something that is mostly overlooked in most secondary schooling and education programs, “Real Life” experiences. It was only recently l experienced first-hand the lack of understanding of young adults as they venture down the road of establishing themselves in the modern world and l talk about their overall lack of knowledge of financial affairs in general. Social media and social networks combined with modern conveniences have enabled our society to stay in touch with the world, but these phenomenon or game breakers have also enabled the youth of today to isolate themselves from family dinner conversations centering around: • Wages • Taxation • Superannuation • Insurance • Wealth accumulation • Renting • Saving • Mortgages • Loans

guarantee insurance, what was income insurance, what was the difference between variable and fixed rate loans, how additional repayments options would affect the loan and the list goes on and on and on! Whilst the common response from some readers will be that the teaching of the usage of social mediums such as the information highway (the Internet) gives youth the capacity to research most aspects of what l have raised as “real life” experiences, l maintain that practical and physical experiences in personal budgeting and preparation for financial independence should be mandatory, standing them in good stead as they traverse the journey of life’s many paths.

From my academic experiences, I’ve realised that the content l learnt in secondary and further education didn’t tell me much about myself; it taught me if l was good at school and, to a lesser extent, taught me how to research and memorise in a methodicalQ: manner. It certainly indicate or help me in How do I growdidn’t my business Whether you’re how to become marriage, parenting, making andvehicles, tosuccessful the next inlevel? motor managing money or giving back to our community. In my eyes, equipm school should be a place where kids can not only learnvehicles, about real life, butA:also discover they Finance love, things that set Talk to thewhat Morris ortheir capital raising hearts and souls alight!

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As Winston Churchill noted, “when I was 16 I thought my parents knew nothing, yet when I was 21 I was shocked to discover how much they had picked up in the last 5 years.”

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My personal experience was with my well-educated 23 year-old daughter and her partner who were wishing to look at building a first home and calling something their own. Whilst Morris Finance have given me the experience and understanding of all types of loans and taught me more about the four C’s (the character of an applicant, their capacity to repay a loan, their creditworthiness and the collateral or security offered) the ignorance of youth and secondary education was evident with no real understanding as to what an actual mortgage was, what general savings were required to obtain a loan, how much a financial institution would lend as an LVR (loan to value ratio), what was mortgage

Q: Who allows you to preserve your working capital during periods of growth?

Until next month, onwards and upwards in your quest to now or go to our become not only a supportive and compassionate parent, but also a truly respected and trusted life coach. TM

Martin Carter

Abby Davis

Call Abby, Megan or Fiona on (03) 5223 3453 now or go to our website for more information. Megan Clarke

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Business Manager

Whether you’re requiring business finance for motor vehicles, light & heavy commercial vehicles, equipment & machinery, properties or capital raising, contact the experts in intelligent structuring of debt.

A: Morris Finance does by providing the most effective finance solutions.

Fiona Trotter

COMMENT

Is Australia overtaxed and overstretched financially? The answer might surprise you

axpayers Australia decided it was time to look behind the spin and hyperbole and investigate the truth behind myths commonly trotted out by politicians. The conclusions were surprising because our analysis suggests that Australia has one of the most sustainable tax systems in the world, with a tax burden which has been steadily decreasing in the past decade and national spending that pales in comparison to that of other countries. Overtaxed? Treasury says no! Treasury figures from last year revealed that Australia’s taxto-GDP ratio is actually low by international standards. In 2010, the latest year for which comparable international data was available, Australia was shown to have the fifth lowest tax burden of the OECD countries and has typically ranked in the bottom third of OECD countries since 1965. According to OECD analysis, the tax burden on low-income earners in Australia is bettered only by Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. In 2010, Australia’s tax-to-GDP ratio was 25.6% — below the OECD average of 33.8%. Fiscal emergency? Sorry, no  For further proof that we are far from a fiscal crisis and that Australia is in fact “living within its means”, International Monetary Fund (IMF) data revealed that Australia has the lowest level of gross debt, after Chile, when it came to other OECD countries. Over the course of the global financial crisis, Australia’s net debt position went from a low of -3.8% of GDP in 2007-08 to a high of 6.0% in 2012-13. In comparison, the average in the G7 countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and United States – went from a low of 53.0% in 2007 to a projected 94.2% in 2015. By 2015, Japan’s net debt is projected to reach 154.7% of GDP, America’s 85.5% and Britain’s 83.9%. Living beyond our means? Not quite Apart from having the fifth lowest taxes in the developed world, Australia is one of the richest countries in the world with a robust health system and a more highly educated society than many other developed nations. Overall living standards are high – Australia ranks behind only Norway in the UN Human Development Index and tops the OECD Better Life Index. It is also one of the most socially mobile countries in the OECD – what your parents earned when you were a child will have very little effect on your earnings, making Australia similar to Denmark and Canada. According to OECD data canvassed in 2013, health spending as a share of GDP is lower in Australia (8.9%) than in the United States (17.7%) and a number of European countries such as the Netherlands (11.9%), France (11.6%) and Germany (11.3%). Further, Australia was shown to not spend as much as most OECD countries on cash benefits – unemployment benefits, family benefits and so forth.

So why do we keep hearing that the sky is falling? It is more likely that Treasurer Joe Hockey is stoking national fears to justify savage budget cuts, building upon findings released by the National Commission of Audi. Hockey has signalled that the Age Pension is due for upheaval this Federal Budget as he emphasised that $39.5 billion is “much more than we spend on defence, or hospitals, or schools each year”. “It is our single biggest spending program,” Hockey said. “So the policies must be changed, either now or more dramatically in the future.” Independent think tank The Australia Institute has called bluff on the Treasurer’s assertions however, and said the government could strengthen the age pension by tackling overly generous and unfair superannuation tax concessions. In a report released last month, the Australia Institute said superannuation tax concessions will soon cost more than the age pension. “If the age pension is said to be ballooning, the superannuation tax concessions are the Hindenburg of the Federal Budget. These tax concessions are projected to rise to $50.7 billion in 2016-17, an increase of around 12% per annum. By this time superannuation tax concessions will be the single largest area of government expenditure. The overwhelming majority of this assistance flows to high-income earners. Low-income earners receive virtually no benefit,” Australia Institute executive director Richard Denniss said. The report said lifting the age pension by $5,000 a year and making it a universal, non means-tested payment, and abolishing the overly generous tax breaks on superannuation would leave the Federal Budget $13 billion better off. Looking beyond the myths Whichever way you look at it, Australia is a low taxing, low debt and low-spending country by international standards. The Treasurer and other members of the government have been making headlines recently for their repeated claims that there is an impending “budget crisis”. In reality, however, Australia is in an enviable position – “the wonder from Down Under” as some northern hemisphere media have dubbed us. Before we take a sledgehammer to that reputation – a sledgehammer aimed straight at the nation’s most vulnerable and those low and middle-income earners who represent the bedrock of our taxpayers – perhaps its time to look a little more critically at the rather selective “evidence” politicians promote and consider the real state of the nation.

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TAXPAYERS AUSTRALIA www.taxpayer.com.au

ACCOUNTING

What’s In Store For Australian Investors?

US citizens return zero interest). We’re now seeing investors reevaluate riskier investment exposures that include companies in markets like China, India, Brazil, Turkey and Mexico. While these nations are expected to continue to grow faster than mature economies in future, they are perceived as riskier from a governance, political and transparency viewpoint. Overall, some investors are reassessing their emerging markets exposures, leading to more volatile markets.

n order to stimulate GDP growth following the GFC, the US Federal Reserve undertook an unconventional and extraordinary stimulus program. The program’s success means the USA is now seeing economic growth pick up, leading to a reduction in the required stimulus. Perversely, this has led to increased market volatility, including for our sharemarket. The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has started reducing its quantitative easing, or QE program from $85 billion to $65 billion per month. Stimulus provided the US financial system with liquidity, aiming to flow into their economy via American consumers and businesses to support and propel GDP growth following the GFC.

Australia has not been unscathed, given our reliance on exports to some of these fast growing nations. So, what does this mean for Australian investors and businesses? Well, whilst we’re considered a developed market, some of our major trading partners are considered emerging Asian nations, in particular China. Developments in emerging markets have been impressive with their populations becoming richer and therefore able to afford aspirational goods and services.

Australia’s raw materials used in constructing some of these nations’ essential infrastructure and expanding cities could be expected to slow, albeit from a higher base, as policy makers in emerging nations turn their attention to consumption-led growth (essentially, making their people richer). Companies in the discretionary and services sectors in materials used in those countries could benefit.

Australia’s raw constructing some of these nations’ essential infrastructure and expanding cities could be expected to slow, albeit from a higher base, as policy makers in emerging nations turn their attention to consumption-led growth

Five years on, QE has been successful, according to the Fed, with the most recent US GDP figure above 2% and unemployment dropping below 7%. The Fed now aims to gradually remove the stimulus, assuming their economic indicators remain in line with an economy that is on a more self-sustaining growth path. Consequences of the stimulus were far reaching and led many assets and investment markets higher where investors’ have sought returns in a zero interest rate world (bank accounts for

For Australian businesses, this could mean opportunities in readymade goods, travel, finance and real estate. This is a long-term transition and shocks will occur, but Australia ‘the destination’ could be a new desirable commodity as the mining boom cools down.

This document is for general information only. Any advice in it has been prepared without taking into account your personal circumstances. You should seek professional advice before acting on any material. While all reasonable care is taken in the preparation of this document, to the extent allowed by legislation, Crowe Horwath Financial Advice Pty Ltd ABN 51 060 092 631 AFSL 238 244 accepts no liability whatsoever for reliance on it.

The Marriner S Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building. Source: Wikimedia Commons

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Andrew Conlan

Principal – Financial Advisor

community

Girls get stuck in Cabinet making and joinery, plumbing, bricklaying, electrotechnology and horticulture are just some of the trades that more than 100 girls from Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast schools sampled on Tuesday 1 April at the 2014 Girls’ Big Day Out. The annual event, organised by Karingal BacLinks (Business and Community Links), in partnership with The Gordon, saw the girls work alongside industry professionals to gain hands-on experience in a range of potential careers considered non-traditional for women. Based on their personal interests, the girls got to choose from a number of workshops that also included painting, sustainability, sports and recreation, GTEC engineering and information technology. A teacher or industry professional from The Gordon hosted each workshop. Karingal BacLinks Acting Manager, Tracy Bull, said the event was a real success thanks to the great support they received from local businesses. “We had great support from the Alcoa Foundation, Geelong Manufacturing Council and Gforce Employment Solutions, who were really motivated to get involved after seeing the prominence of trade industries in the 2013 Victorian Skills Shortage List,” said Tracy. “Although some trades and industries are still considered nontraditional in a sense, these days many women are finding excellent job satisfaction, opportunities and conditions in skilled trades. With help from our sponsors, the Girls’ Big Day Out encouraged the girls involved to think outside the square and consider the possibility of following a non-traditional career path.” Importantly, employees from Alcoa and Gforce Employment Solutions volunteered their time to act as mentors on the day, assisting the girls as they took part in the workshops. “We were really lucky to have some incredible female mentors work with the girls throughout the day, including engineers and electricians,” said Tracy. “All the mentors have established successful careers in non-traditional trades or industries and freely shared their advice and experience with the girls as they worked alongside them. “Thank you to all the volunteers involved; they were great role models and proof that, despite limitations that may have existed in the past, the door to a career in trades is now well and truly open for girls. “We hope everyone involved came away from the day inspired to follow their interests and career dreams – whatever they may be.” Registrations now open for the 2014 Winter Workplace Big Day Out Registrations are now open for the annual Karingal BacLinks Winter Big Day Out to be held on Thursday May 15, 9:00am to 3:00pm at The Leisuretime Centre, Bell Post Hill. This event offers employees an opportunity to give volunteering a go and spend a day participating in fun-filled activities alongside people with a disability. Trained staff will be on hand to support the volunteers and a BBQ lunch will be supplied. Registrations close Thursday 24 April. Visit http://www.baclinks. org.au/workplace-big-day-out for more information.

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COMMUNITY

Geelong disability projects shortlisted for state awards

programs and very little support from state government, and it’s not a responsibility of local government.

Two Geelong projects giving a voice to people living with an experience of disability have been announced as finalists in the 2014 Victorian Disability Sector Awards.

“There is a large demand for migration advice for clients living in Geelong. Previously, Diversitat has funded additional services to enable further support for these clients, but we are unable to continue to do so.”

A joint initiative between National Disability Services and the Department of Human Services, the Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals, teams, organisations and businesses assisting people with disabilities to achieve their personal goals. The Committee for Geelong’s innovative leadership and advocacy program, LEAD Barwon, and the Inclusion, Integration and Empowerment Project, developed by a team from the Leaders for Geelong program, will vie for top honours at the Awards ceremony on June 4. LEAD Barwon, which involves people from Geelong, Colac and the Surf Coast participating in an Australian-first program to share their experiences of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with other members of the community, particularly those beyond the trial sites, has broken new ground in its approach to building leadership and advocacy skills among participants; while the Inclusion, Integration and Empowerment Project was a collaboration with local organisers of the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID) Having a Say Conference. The project helped build skills critical to the success of the conference held in Geelong earlier this year. Committee for Geelong Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Casson, says it’s a great thrill to have two local projects recognised for excellence in delivery and focus. “Both projects demonstrate the Committee for Geelong’s creative approach to providing opportunities for people with a disability to be involved in a broad range of conversations with Geelong’s business and leadership community,” she says.

Funding uncertainty threatens local refugee services Local community services provider, Diversitat, is looking for donations to make up a $150,000 funding shortfall over the coming months, as ongoing federal government funding uncertainty forces it to drastically reduce and modify refugee services in Geelong. According to Diversitat, the Department of Social Services, which is now responsible for multicultural and settlement programs, has given no details as to when funding will be available through the usual settlement grants programs. Affected Diversitat services include case management, immigration advice and community development programs. “We have over 1,500 clients in Geelong and get minimal funding, which does not cover the costs of our services,” says Diversitat’s CEO, Michael Martinez. “The waiting time for refugees who urgently need to see a case manager is now two weeks and we expect these times will blow out even further. There is insufficient money for our facilities and

Even with these additional contributions, appointments for services are being made three weeks in advance and cuts to this service will mean access to migration advice for refugee arrivals will be reduced from 42 hours per week to eight hours per week, resulting in people having to wait much longer to reunite with family members from overseas. “This has nothing to do with asylum seekers but is for refugees who have come through the ‘right channels’”, Michael says. “The potential impact of these changes will have a devastating effect on clients and place a much higher demand on the community to meet their needs. In addition to these cuts there will also be reduced access to Diversitat facilities and programs, including out of hours support.” Diversitat needs to raise over $150,000 in the next few months to enable the continuation of key refugee programs and services in Geelong. Donations can be made through www. diversitat.org.au

Celebrate Mother’s Day and raise funds for breast cancer research An estimated 15,395 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and this year’s Mother’s Day weekend is the perfect opportunity to join in the effort to raise funds for a cure. On Saturday May 10, Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is calling for 15,000 people to illustrate the statistics by standing on the MCG to create a Field of Women forming the Pink Lady silhouette, symbol of the BCNA. The event will be held from 4.30 pm, before the Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs match in the evening, and includes a moving ceremony and entertainment. Ticketing and fundraising information is at www.fieldofwomen.org.au. On Sunday May 11 it’s Mother’s Day and time for the annual Mother’s Day Classic, a fun run/walk held around the country to raise funds for breast cancer research while paying tribute to those who are fighting the disease and remembering those who lost their battle. The Geelong event this year has a new course allowing participants to run or walk the four or eight kilometre options in new surrounds while still taking in the fabulous foreshore. With spot prizes for competitors and entertainment and activities at the expo area, there is definitely something for everyone, whether you are running, walking, cheering or volunteering. The course begins at Eastern Beach Reserve, Waterfront Geelong and on-the-day registration is available from 7am. You can also register online until May 7. For more information visit www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/event/vic/ geelong#event-sponsors

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COMMUNITY The power of volunteering As well as celebrating mothers, May is also the month to celebrate the millions of volunteers around Australia who every day make possible so many of the activities and programs we take for granted, from op shops to soup kitchens, to guides at local attractions, to caring for the elderly and disabled and helping out at schools and sports clubs. Held from May 12-18, 2014 celebrates 25 years of National Volunteer Week with the theme of ‘Celebrating the power of volunteering’, a tag line that, according to Volunteering Victoria, “asks us to imagine the possibilities for a better community offered by the power of volunteers and volunteering”. ‘Celebrate the power of volunteering’ will be adopted by volunteering organisations nationally as they plan for celebration events to acknowledge and thank more than six million volunteers “who together form a formidable workforce powering many essential community, environmental, sporting and cultural services and supports”. Visit volunteeringvictoria.org.au or volunteeringgeelong.org.au for more information. You can also join the charity Do Something in recognising the tireless efforts of volunteers through the second annual #DoSomething photo contest to influence Australians to explore, engage and empower change through volunteering in their local communities. If you want to do something to support your local community, you can get involved. Submissions close 31 May – go to www.dosomethingnearyou. com.au

…And remember, May is MAYDAY Appeal Month If everyone in Geelong donated just $1 to Give Where You Live’s MAYDAY appeal we could raise $220,000. Imagine if all those who could afford it, donated even more – how about $1 a day all through May (less than a daily cup of coffee)? You can donate to the MAYDAY Appeal anytime during May either online or in person at Give Where You Live Myers Street, at GMHBA and Bendigo, NAB and Westpac bank branches, at City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centres or via MAYDAY donation tins in hundreds of Geelong cafes, shops and businesses.

Help fight stroke Retiring StrokeSafe Ambassador, Helen Glare, encourages others who have been touched by stroke to share their story, helping raise stroke awareness. The National Stroke Foundation wants to stop stroke and is seeking local volunteers to join its StrokeSafe Ambassador program to help spread the stroke message in Geelong. “Many people don’t realise that stroke is Australia’s second biggest killer and that it kills more women than breast cancer and more men that prostate cancer – it’s facts like these that I share with community groups,” Lara resident Helen said. “The talks are also a critical opportunity to learn lifesaving stroke prevention and awareness messages, such as how to recognise the signs of stroke. Being a StrokeSafe Ambassador is also a great opportunity to meet new people and give back to the community.” Like all StrokeSafe Ambassadors, Helen has been touched by stroke – her mother passed away from one. It is in her memory that Helen decided to take on the volunteer role of StrokeSafe Ambassador for the National Stroke Foundation in 2010, but after four years, she is retiring due to health reasons and other commitments. Stroke is a blood clot or bleed in the brain that starves brain cells of oxygen and causes parts of the brain to die. The common condition is a leading cause of death and serious disability, with one in six people suffering from a stroke in their lifetime – a third of whom die from it. Despite these facts, strokes are largely preventable. The National Stroke Foundation needs volunteer speakers from Geelong and the surrounding area to join our program and conduct talks in your local community. No experience is required and comprehensive training is provided. To express your interest in joining the StrokeSafe Ambassador team, please contact Suzanne Larsson on (03) 9670 1000 or volunteer@ strokefoundation.com.au

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GOVERNANCE

Photo source: Wiki Commons

Be guided by good principles

he ASX Corporate Governance Council was formed in 2002 with its mission to ensure that its principlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; based framework that it developed for corporate governance continued to be a practical guide for listed companies, their investors and the wider Australian community. The Council created 8 corporate governance principles and recommendations, which companies listed on the Australian stock exchange must report on in their annual report to shareholders, stakeholders and regulators. Whilst it could be argued that there is a vast difference between an ASX listed public company and the operations of a not-forâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;profit organisation, the actual principles are relevant and appropriate, with the only difference being the scope and depth of the application. Detailed below are these 8 principles that provide a useful guide to good governance for all organisations, irrespective of size, sector or intent.

Principle 1: Lay solid foundations for management and oversight: define and clarify role of the board and CEO, ensure effective, timely and accurate reporting and have the right structure in place to drive and manage the organisation.

financial management underpins viability. Principle 5: Make timely and balanced disclosure: incorporate complaints management, stakeholder engagement, compliance obligations and external reporting requirements. The business is being managed on behalf of others, so appropriate systems must be in place to report on all material matters. Principle 6: Respect the rights of shareholders/ stakeholders: recognise that the board is only the custodian of the organisation and, therefore, all stakeholders should be recognised and engaged with, commensurate with their relationship with the organisation. Principle 7: Recognise and manage risk: every business activity contains an element of risk - the risk that a business choses to accept can and should be managed through effective oversight and internal controls through the adoption of an appropriate risk management process.

The Council created 8 corporate governance principles and recommendations, which companies listed on the Australian stock exchange must report on.

Principle 2: Structure the board to add value: ensure the board has a balance of skills, experience and independence to effectively undertake its role, representative of stakeholders and with a considered succession plan in place to manage both continuity and renewal. Principle 3: Promote ethical and responsible decision making: have the right culture in place, based on integrity, ethical considerations and legal obligations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all delivered because it is the right thing to do, rather than because it has to be done. Principle 4: Safeguard integrity in financial reporting: understand the drivers of the business, undertake critical performance reviews, adopt appropriate financial policies and oversee conservative investment management. Long term viability is a primary responsibility of the board and strong

Principle 8: Remunerate fairly and responsibly: an appropriate reward system should be in place to attract and retain the best people possible to work in the business. In addition, ongoing performance management is required to ensure alignment between the organisation and management and staff.

At first glance, reference to the ASX corporate governance principles may seem inappropriate and irrelevant to the not-forprofit sector; however, on closer consideration, these principles are very applicable to this sector. If a board adopts these principles as the foundation of its governance systems, then their primary responsibility of acting in good faith and on behalf of the organisation will be fulfilled and all stakeholders can be assured of a respectable governance environment. This is an outcome all boards should be working towards on an on going basis.

Mark C Schultz

For further information, go to www.governancetoday.com

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ARTS Landscape, Memory and Desire 3 – 17 May Landscape…is not simply what we see, but a way of seeing: we see it with our eye but interpret it with our mind and ascribe values to landscape for intangible – spiritual – reasons’. Ken Taylor - Landscape and Memory In Metropolis Gallery’s latest concurrent solo exhibitions, Sisca Verwoert and Victoria Howlett interpret the landscape in unique, colourful and surprising ways. Landscape, Memory and Desire, an exhibition of recent paintings represents two quite individual ways of seeing: both artists use personal experience and impressions of landscape as a starting point to inform intimate, richly layered and poetic works. Verwoert’s paintings bring together elements of the Otway Ranges with a heightened colour palette and simplification of landmass, vegetation and ocean that presents the atmospheric buzz of a region close to our hearts. Victoria Howlett’s work plays with the connection between landscape, memory

and an evocation of place. “A remembrance of things past plays a significant role in the development of my work as I paint from recalled vistas stored in interior sites as well as the vistas before me, drawing on motifs from sites as topographically varied as the water holes of Mutawintji, the rich red Broome ‘pindan’ dunes and the dry plains of Noonkanbah in the Great Sandy Desert,” she says. www.metropolisgallery.com.au Explosive – Art Unlimited 2014 until 18 May Geelong Gallery partners with St Laurence Community Services Inc. to present Explosive—Art Unlimited 2014, an exhibition featuring 37 new works by 17 artists from Geelong’s Art Unlimited studio that include a selection of paintings, drawings and sculptures reflecting on pop culture, current affairs and universal themes, while also examining personal stories. Art Unlimited, a creative visual arts studio based at the Old Geelong Gaol, is an initiative of St Laurence Community Services Inc. and provides opportunities for

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practising artists with an intellectual disability.

and The Government Inspector.

Artists enjoy access to a professional studio along with guidance and support from a dedicated team of tertiary qualified practising artists. Currently, 38 artists create a diverse range of works in the Art Unlimited Studio each week.

Under the direction of the ever-inventive Simon Stone (Death of a Salesman), this ridiculous, laugh-out-loud comedy presented by Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre takes a mad-cap turn toward twenty-first century Australia. It may not entirely resemble the play Gogol wrote in 1836, but this new Government Inspector is an implausible masterpiece for our implausible times.

Director of Art Unlimited, Sharon Bromley, says the Explosive exhibition showcases the diversity of work produced by the artists at the Art Unlimited Studio and confirms the studio’s philosophy of respecting and encouraging artistic integrity and individuality. On Thursday May 15, visitors to the exhibition can enjoy a special viewing of Explosive at the Geelong Gallery at 10.30am before taking a bus trip to the Art Unlimited studio for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. This event is free, but places are strictly limited and bookings are essential. Phone 5229 3645 or email geelart@geelonggallery. org.au www.geelonggallery.org.au The Government Inspector By Simon Stone after Nikolai Gogol 22, 23 and 24 May Nikolai Gogol was a nutcase. Bonkers. And in between bouts of nuttiness he just happened to write what are unquestionably the two funniest plays of the nineteenth century, Diary of a Madman

www.gpac.org.au Bethany Arthouse Film Festival – The Hunt 27 May The second instalment of the five-film Bethany Arthouse Film Festival, The Hunt is a disturbing depiction of how a lie becomes the truth when gossip, doubt and malice are allowed to flourish and ignite a witch-hunt that soon threatens to destroy an innocent man’s life. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Alexandra Rapaport, Thomas B Larsen and Anika Wedderkopp, the film tells the story of Lucas, a highly regarded school teacher who has been forced to start over having overcome a tough divorce. Just as things are starting to go his way, his life is shattered. A Danish production with English subtitles and directed by Thomas Vinterberg, The Hunt won the European Film Award for Best Screenwriter, British Independent Film Award for Best Independent Film and a Best Actor Award for Mads Mikkelsen at Cannes in 2012. www.gpac.org.au

Top left: Sisca Verwoert, Barham Hills

Left: Christian Den Besten The Mayor of Geelong 2014 mixed media Reproduced courtesy of the artist Above: Nuova Vista, XIV, 2010, Oil on board

Right: Sisca Verwoert, Alpaca

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TECH GUY

The Tech Guy Every month, our Tech Guy, Jon Mamonski, brings us the wildest, most mind-blowing gadgets he can find...

Big flat screen Smart TV on a budget

The big size 139cm (55-inch) Soniq E55V13A-AU Smart TV at $799 has weighed into the budget conscious boxing ring against Kogan, Palsonic and Hi-Sense. This LED TV has built-in Wi-Fi, a USB port with high-definition video playback, a clever Web browser and 4 HDMI inputs. If you’re not familiar with Soniq, they have been in Australia for the past six years, although the products are sold all over the world, including the Middle East, China and New Zealand. The parent company is the Chinese-based Quatius, though they are known as Soniq in Australia. I have been road testing this model and there are some really useful features, starting with the remote control that looks like any other on the front, but on the back, it doubles as a mouse and keyboard to work the Internet, YouTube, email and all the other goodies that run on the smart TV’s CinaVision app. Soniq also provides a subscription service via a USB dongle for $129 that widens the variety of available programming. The quality of the picture gets better with some tweaking in the menu to reduce the level of red (a common issue with flat screens) and then just adjust to your taste. All in all, the quality and features of this big screen smart TV punch well above its weight for the meagre $799 price point and it’s available now at your nearest JB Hi-Fi store.

Tablets are all the go, being so portable, but when you want to send a lengthy email or write a document you really need a keyboard, and that’s where the thinner smaller notebooks known as Ultrabooks come in. So, how to choose? Now you can have your cake and eat it too with a combined tablet and keyboard running the full Windows 8.1 (not the limited Windows RT) and lots of power under the hood with the new Intel Bay Trail quad-core processor. The Asus Transformer Book T100 comes with a version of Office as standard and it’s a great inclusion. The best part is the price – with all of this goodness for $499 it represents outstanding value and it’s available from PCD Computers, 78 Mercer Street, Geelong.

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Tablet or ultrabook?

It makes perfect sense to combine the two in today’s living room where Smart TV’s offer Internet and email access and you would rather get rid of the TV, DVD player, theatre sound amplifier, CD player and game player remotes so everything is in one simple unit. That’s what Logitech thought too, and they are the benchmark for all-in-one remotes worldwide.

A living room keyboard and universal remote all-in-one

At a price of around $165, this Harmony Smart wireless keyboard will control a long list of devices including the Apple TV or Xbox One, with support for IR, RF and Bluetooth. The keyboard accesses all content when connected to a PC or Mac, as well as media streaming devices and game consoles. You can control up to eight devices in your home theatre and QWERTY away to your heart’s content. Expect the Logitech Harmony Smart wireless keyboard not long after Easter.

Blazing bright tail lights

What is Heartbleed anyway? If you’re dazed and confused about a computer virus called Heartbleed, you are not alone. The virus affects security on popular web servers that keep your usernames, passwords, and cookies in an encrypted format that cannot be seen by others while it goes from your computer to the website. The application in question is a thing called OpenSSL and the version released on April 19, 2012, has a bug that allows a malicious hacker to retrieve information without leaving a trace. Heartbleed exploits a built-in feature called heartbeat. Should you worry about this problem? The short answer is, don’t panic and yes, you should definitely change your passwords such as any on Google and Yahoo, as you do every six months or so… right? If you can’t remember your passwords, you can always use a password manager such as LastPass or 1Password. This is nothing but a precaution and something you should do as a regular safety measure.

Have those robotic Roomba style vacuum cleaners taken your fancy? Now, try and imagine a printer that works on the same principle.

Roomba printer

Most tiny printers are really shrivelled versions of what you’d see on the desk. Zuta Labs’ Pocket Printer robot prints over a flat page of any size, with greyscale ink. The only criteria are that the page be perfectly flat on a flat surface. This is possibly the best re-invention of printing since the Canon Inkjet came out in the late 1980’s.

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The taillights on most vehicles leave a lot to be desired. They need reflectors to be visible from all angles, are power thirsty and the bulbs blow easily. BMW want to change that and have announced an OLED-based Organic Light technology. The extra-thin, uniformly lit strips promise tail lights and some interior lights that are easy to see and use a fraction of the power of car lights. Expect BMW to create some really fancy designs on their car butts very soon.

HOURS

after

1 Year of Growth for Chamber

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce held its 123rd Annual General Meeting at The Geelong College in April, with over 350 members and guests in attendance at the sold-out event. “Our membership base continues to grow at 14% per annum and we now have over 750 members and 30+ corporate partners,” said Geelong Chamber of Commerce President, Kylie Warne. Some of the Chamber fast facts presented at the meeting were: the largest After 5 networking event in the Chamber’s 160 year history was held at Adventure Park, Wallington in 2013 with over 450 in attendance. During the year the Chamber held 66 networking events and offered 29 training events and workshops. Chamber members represent 35 per cent of Geelong’s workforce with 89.2% of members employing between 1 and 50 employees. “Geelong’s small and medium-sized businesses have an important role to play in creating much needed new and diverse jobs for Geelong workers,” Ms Warne said.

The Chamber’s Small Business Smart Business program, Geelong Retail Network, Geelong Young Professionals Network, Powercor Geelong Business Excellence Awards and new strategic advocacy pillars supporting business growth have strengthened the Chamber’s profile and role in Geelong. “At a time when many membership bodies have experienced declining numbers, our membership continues to grow solidly,” said Chamber CEO, Bernadette Uzelac. Photos by open2view.com

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THE E.L PHOTOGRAPHY CORPORATE STYLEGUIDE AFTER HOURS

THE E.L PHOTOGRAPHY CORPORATE BRAND

1. CMYK STACKED VERSION (ON WHITE BACKG

Elisha Lindsay (E.L Photography) is a Geelong photographer who was born to take beautiful photographs. Her love for the lens has followed a natural progression throughout each stage in her life.

Elisha prides her business on being one that is multifaceted and has the ability to meet the needs of all clients. Whether it is commercial, weddings or portraits, E.L Photography can meet the needs of businesses, individuals and groups. The logo represents the E.L Photography brand and is, therefore, the essence of the E.L Photography identity. Do not attempt to redraw or rearrange it, or alter the colour in any way. It always, where possible, appears as a colour image.

2. CMYK HORIZONTAL VERSION (ON WHITE BA Commercial Photography Staff portraits Product shots Marketing shots Events & Functions Weddings & Portraits

E.L

10 1. Gavan O’Connor, David Peart, Manny Spiteri 2. Dr Terri Grote, David Mackay, Kobi-Lee Hiebl 3. Richard Coverdale, Barb Doquile, Erin McLeod 4. Sally Smith, Andrew Barr, Kathryn Egan 5. Henry Hes, Graeme Ott, Jarrod Carter, Ian Berry 6. Rachel Barter, Julie Hunter, Robert Hunter, Nicole Guetermann, James Rigoni 7. Jon Zabiegala, Elise McVilly, Garry Flanigan 8. Dean Bateup, Norm Lyons, Phil O’Brien, Bruce McKay 9. Kate Munro, Jane Littore 10. Stephen McHenry, Nick Nydam

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Studio - 162 Bellerine St, Geelong elisha@elphotography.com.au 0439 353 958 elphotography.com.au

HOURS

after

1 Nine Lives Geelong Season Launch Breakfast

Forget ladies who lunch, it was a room full of footy-mad girls who joined in all the fun of the Nine Lives Geelong Season Launch Breakfast at Simonds Stadium on April 17. Back by popular demand, the Nine Lives Geelong was a chance to join the Catsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; No.1 ticket holder, Rebecca Maddern, as well as players and special guests for a morning of laughter, entertainment and all things Cats! Nine Lives major sponsor, Fernwood, had National Programs Manager, Tracey Robson-Garth at the event to share some health and fitness tips this morning at event, where she even managed to get Channel 7 Sunrise correspondent, Rebecca Maddern, to sport a little Fernwood too! Photos by Elisha Lindsey, EL Photography

4 BUSINESS NEWS | 48

AFTER HOURS

7 1. Josh Caddy (Cats), Rebecca Maddern (Channel 7), Diana Taylor (Cats) & Michael Luxford (Cats). 2. Rosie King (Cats) & Bernadette Uzelac (Geelong Chamber of Commerce). 3. Mary Luxford and son Michael. 4. Brian Cook (Cats CEO). 5. Rebecca talks footy with Michael and Josh. 6. Cherie Chandler (TAC), Alycia Baines (Barry Plant), Carly Post (Villawood) and Roxie Bennett (Plan.it Roxie and Bay FM). 7. Diana Taylor with Tom Hanley (Fernwood), MC Rebecca Maddern, Brian Cook and Guest Speaker from Fernwood, Tracey Tobson-Garth. 8. Major Sponsors, Fernwood, finds a fitting model for their hot pink bags.

8 www.biznewsmag.com.au | 49

Relax and indulge with these calming and charming acessories that that effortlessly combine style with fun. From cups to chandeliers there is something to please everybody.

STUFF

coolâ&#x20AC;˘

Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Azure beaded chandelier Eco Chic www.ecochic.com.au

Mei Chair Natural Satara Australia www.satara.com.au

Erin Petson Print A3 Herding Cats Erin Petson www.erinpetson.com.au

Mini King Cavalier Cushion - Blue Urban Attitude www.urbanattitude.com.au

Retro Kitchen Wall Clock With 60 Minutes Timer Yellow Octopus www.yellowoctopus.com.au

Scrabble Alphabet Letter Mug J 1 Yellow Octopus www.yellowoctopus.com.au

Butter Bar Stool - Blue DesignByThem www.designbythem.com

Cardboard Cat Playhouses By Suck UK Yellow Octopus www.yellowoctopus.com.au *Our fave: Because a cat in a tank is priceless.

BUSINESS NEWS | 50

Cappuccino set with Bamboo Stand Urban Attitude www.urbanattitude.com.au

BOOKS

new•

Dear Leader Jin-Sung Jang Jang Jin-sung held one of the most senior ranks in North Korea’s propaganda machine. He was privy to state secrets, including military and diplomatic policies and the devastating ‘Scrutiny’. After breaking security rules he was forced to flee, and now brings a rare and extraordinary glimpse into the reality of life in North Korea. The Unknown Woman Jacqueline Lunn Lilith has a selfie obsessed 14-year-old daughter, an overweight son, a good husband who works long hours, a convenience friend neighbour, and a mother-in-law who has launched a successful career as a sculptor at 63. Lilith Granger is a modern woman with no idea who she is anymore. The Axeman’s Jazz Ray Celestin In New Orleans, 1919, a dark serial killer known as the The Axeman is stalking the city. Hunting the killer are a Detective Lieutenant, a former detective and a newly freed man back working for the mafia. Inspired by a true story, The Axeman’s Jazz is set against the heady backdrop of jazz-filled, mob-ruled New Orleans. Look Who’s Back Timur Vermes Summer 2011 in Berlin and Adolf Hitler has woken up on a patch of ground, alive and well. Hitler barely recognises his beloved Fatherland, filled with immigrants and run by a woman. People certainly recognise him, though - as a brilliant, satirical impersonator who refuses to break character. The unthinkable, the inevitable, happens, and the ranting Hitler takes off, goes viral, becomes a YouTube star, gets his own TV show, and becomes someone who people listen to. Things a Little Bird Told Me Biz Stone From GQ’s “Nerd of the Year” to one of Time’s most influential people in the world, Biz Stone is the creative, effervescent, funny, charmingly positive and remarkably savvy co-founder of Twitter. Biz tells fascinating, pivotal, and personal stories from his early life and his careers at Google and Twitter, sharing his knowledge about the nature and importance of ingenuity today.

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Harwood Andrews are launching possibilities. We are proud to announce our new look. We understand that being progressive means moving with the times, and being in touch with the business world around us. After 170 years of serving our community, Harwood Andrews continue to demonstrate our commitment to clients by providing commercial and innovative solutions. We work in a collaborative partnership with our clients, to understand their business and bring to bear our expert judgement, to ensure the advice and service we provide is specific and tailored to their needs. Ask us how we can add value and help launch your business to reach its greatest possible potential.

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