Business News 241

June 2015

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www.clubexec.com.au BUSINESS NEWS | 2

CONTENTS

16.

CONTENTS 5 Biz News

COVER STORY

10 New Appointments 11 Inside Word 20 Finance 22 Accounting

12. FEATURE

“You CAN cook with Extra Virgin olive oil and as a natural oil with no added chemicals, high levels of antioxidants and vitamins A and E, there are all sorts of reasons why you should.”

23 Business 28 Elevator 31 Legal 33 Governance 34 Competition

40. ARTS

42.

35 The Crush 36 Health

ISSUE 241 JUNE 2015

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EDITOR

SMALL GAINS BUT NO BIG WINS

B

udgets normally take a while to be fully digested, which is something of a rarity in Australian politics, and there was good and not so good in both federal and state budgets to be chewed over. What there wasn’t was the choking astonishment of last year, which is something we can all be thankful for. But that there was no astonishment in the federal budget in particular – apart from a skip of joy on the overdue focus on small business – left a nagging sense of unease rather than fulfillment. There was little to get excited about, which was a signifier that the big picture stuff, the big projects, the big reforms and the big decisions, have all been put off to be dealt with later.

And the results from across the floor in Canberra could be summed up as ‘Yeah, but no … but yeah… but no.” There is more than $100 billion over the next 10 years across three federal budgets wrapped up in unlegislated measures according to the independent Parliamentary Budgetary Office. How much of that legislation will be passed, how much permanently blocked and what will be compromised?

The real problem that we have in Australia’s parliamentary system is that the true divide between the big two parties increasingly exists between headlines and 40-second media grabs and in those few short steps across the chamber floor and no longer in real policy differentiation.

This legislation received bipartisan support, with only the Greens opposing it. There was no surprise in that, as both of our major political parties have been complicit in implementing appalling refugee policies and both have been publicly applauded for it.

During Reconciliation Week, my kids were learning about the Stolen Generation and hearing the personal stories of children who were forcibly removed from their parents had a clear impact on them. We talked about it repeatedly during the week because the boys just couldn’t understand how people could be so cruel. We talked about how people in powerful positions can convince themselves and others that they are doing the right thing even when what they are doing is obviously wrong and causing so much damage.

The sad truth is that it’s easy to be morally outraged at a distance in the car listening a news report, in a café talking with friends or in an office, writing an article. I suspect there are few politicians who didn’t enter politics with their own healthy level of outrage. But ours is a political system that swallows outrage, that masticates it down into a slurry of conservatism, substance-free slogans and moral compromise that is then spoon-fed to a weary, wary and highly reactionary voting public. Straying off script has become the political equivalent of attempting to floss the teeth of an irate crocodile – a bad idea for so many reasons.

In the meantime, the Australian Border Force Act 2015 came into effect late last month meaning that doctors, nurses and social workers providing care for asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island can be jailed for up to two years if they tell the public or the media what is actually going on in Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres.

Where is the character? Business people around the nation, including many here in Geelong, saw more than a bit of character in Small Business Minister Bruce Billson in recent weeks, with the smiling champion of small business now being labeled as a cult figure. Why? Because he just talks, he talks personally and honestly about his own experience and about the stories people tell him. And he speaks with conviction, which is surprisingly easy to do when you really believe in what you are saying. But I had to wonder, when did character and conviction become such rare commodities? Would a Bruce Billson have what it takes to lead a political party, or to lead the nation in the future? I’d like to think so, but what compromises would he have to make to not only get there, but to hang on to the top job?

This is the type of totalitarian government control that we associate with North Korea, China, Egypt, Afghanistan and Vietnam. Do we want to be a country that seeks to incarcerate people for talking about what they have witnessed? Are we so infatuated with control at any price that we adopt policies specifically designed to hide hideous truths?

There are a lot of truly wonderful things about living in Australia, but there are some very big problems as well, and trying to push them into the shadows, to hide them or to dismiss them is no way to manage them. It will take leaders of character and strength, or the overwhelming force of public outrage, and probably both, before policy overrides politics when it comes to the big stuff.

The great debate we should be having about tax reform, for instance, was condensed down into a volley of words over the GST on tampons.

DAVINA MONTGOMERY BUSINESS NEWS | 4

BIZ NEWS

STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR LARGE-SCALE SOLAR

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he development of large-scale solar projects has had a twisted trajectory over the past couple of decades. California is clearly leading the way with the two largest solar power plants in the world, but large scale solar is on the rise around the globe, with big projects in Spain, the United Arab Emirates, India and Germany also investing in commercial-scale solar. Australia has been and remains a long way behind many of our trading partners in the shift towards renewable energies, but with strong community support, this could change in the years ahead.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has been a key driving force in advancing the national conversation on renewables and is now looking to people power to argue for change in Australia’s energy future.

Ipsos, an independent market research company, has produced best practice community consultation guidelines for proposed large-scale solar projects that ARENA CEO, Ivor Frischknecht, said would be an ‘invaluable resource’ for solar projects in Australia.

“The results show Australians strongly support renewable energy and demonstrate the importance of involving and consulting locals,” Mr Frischknecht said. “Key industry participants have welcomed the best practice guidelines, which can help the solar industry more effectively communicate the economic, environmental and social benefits of solar projects to nearby communities.

“As large-scale solar becomes more common in Australia, companies can draw on these reports and the lessons learned during the construction of the ARENAsupported Nyngan, Broken Hill and Moree solar farms to enable more successful project development.”

ARENA provided Ipsos with $153,000 funding towards the report.

Ipsos Research Director Jennifer Brook said: “While supportive of large-scale solar energy facilities, community backing is often dependent on clear communication from project stakeholders about the efficiency of large scale solar power.

“Details of any potential employment opportunities, project timelines and information about the area of land required to establish a large scale solar energy facility are also important factors in establishing community support. Early and ongoing opportunities for consultation and engagement with local communities about proposed large-scale solar projects is vital to ensuring communities fully support these projects.”

Ipsos also conducted an online survey, which found more than three quarters (78%) of Australians support large-scale solar energy projects.

(Editor: A government agency seeking an evidence-based approach to communicating on large-scale projects is almost worth a headline on it’s own!)

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 5

BIZ NEWS

AUSTRALIA-BRAZIL TRADE TO TRIPLE

T

he Ambassador Consul General of Brazil, Carlos de Abreu, was in Australia last month, talking up trade and investment opportunities between two nations.

At the announcement of the Australia Brazil Business Council (AuBrBC) the Consul General said bilateral trade between Brazil and Australia is set to triple in the next 4 years.

The inauguration of the AuBrBC marks 70 years of trading between the allied nations, but with a combined GDP of almost $4 trillion yet only $1.7 billion being traded between the two countries in 2014, there is significant room for growth.

“There is so much untapped potential between our two countries, I am confident growth, competitiveness, and job creation will result,” the Consul General said in a statement. “Last year alone there was $15 billion worth of investment between Australia and Brazil and this is picking up fast for 2015 with an expected $20 billion, so with the AuBrBC’s guidance, the future is looking very bright.”

The AuBrBC is made up of prominent Brazilian/Australians within Australia’s private business sector, headed up by Julio De Laffitte, the President of the AuBrBC and Founder of the entrepreneurial group, Unstoppables.

Both Australia and Brazil share many similarities; both offer vibrant democracies with multicultural societies, and both have strong private sectors with open gateways to trade and investment. It’s the differences between the two economies that present the most exciting opportunities however, opening the way for increased cooperation and partnerships in business.

According to Carlos de Abreu, the number of Brazilian companies trading in Australia is set to increase rapidly. “Brazilian companies already with investments in Australia include JBS, Marcopolo, Tramontina, and WEG. More companies from Brazil will soon follow, in sectors such as information technology, finance, and logistics.”

Other notable companies trading with Australia include Alpargatas (Havaianas sandals manufacturer), Embraer (third largest manufacturer of civil aircraft in the world).

In the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics Games, an envoy of 100 Australian CEOs will visit Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for a trade mission to further cement the two nation’s bilateral trade relations.

GETTING SMARTER ABOUT INRASTRUCTURE

I

t seems like barely a week goes by without someone (at least someone in the Business News office) whingeing about our woeful record on infrastructure planning. So when this heads up from the federal House of Representatives popped up on email, it raised a curious, albeit wary, eyebrow.

Just how we do or don’t use smart information and communication technology (ICT) in the design and planning of infrastructure in Australia will the subject of a new inquiry by the House Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications.

You could be forgiven for phrases such as ‘talk fest’ or ‘just another inquiry’ leaping to mind, but the simple fact that it has been recognised at a government level that we need to see where we and where we aren’t using the most advanced mapping and modelling technologies available when it comes to infrastructure planning and design is a notable development.

According to the Committee, the inquiry will: “Identify innovative technology for the mapping, modelling, design and operation of infrastructure; Identify the new capabilities smart ICT will provide; Examine the productivity benefits of smart ICT; Investigate harmonising data formats and creating nationally consistent arrangements for data storage and access; Identify international best practice in the use of smart ICT in the design and planning of infrastructure; Consider the use of smart ICT in related fields, such as disaster planning and remediation; and Consider means, including legislative and administrative action, by which government can promote this technology to increase economic productivity.

Committee Chairman, Jane Prentice, the Queensland Member for Ryan, said the committee believes that smart ICT will revolutionise the planning and design of infrastructure.

“As part of its recent inquiry into infrastructure planning and procurement, the Committee took evidence on technological advances in survey and imaging techniques which have the capacity to significantly increase the speed and accuracy of data collection for the mapping and modelling of infrastructure, making it much more efficient and cost effective, with huge benefits to the community as a whole.”

We can but hope…

BUSINESS NEWS | 6

BIZ NEWS

BUSINESS LOANS: THE CANSTAR RATINGS ARE IN

JOBS4GEELONG FAIR RETURNS

R

egistrations are now open for exhibitors at the Jobs4Geelong Fair held on Friday 19 June and Saturday 20 June at Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus.

“N

ow is the time for Australian businesses and households to borrow and invest,” was the catch cry of Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey as he travelled the nation selling the second Abbott Government budget. And the combined actions of the federal government and the Reserve Bank have resulted in a positive lending environment.

The Jobs4Geelong Fair is a great opportunity for local businesses looking to expand, start ups and industry groups to find potential employees.

Demographer Bernard Salt will kick off the Jobs4Geelong Jobs Fair with a presentation on the Great Skills Shift. There will be a series of seminars over the two days and an interactive jobs zone with a jobs board and Geelong Careers App. City of Greater Geelong Councillor Bruce Harwood portfolio holder for Enterprise Geelong said he hopes a large number of local employers get on board as exhibitors at the Fair.

“Business are obviously very familiar now with the incentives in the Federal Budget and the good news is that, based on our analysis, they can also expect the cut in official cash rate to flow through to their business loan products,” said CANSTAR Research Manager, Mitchell Watson.

“The Jobs4Geelong Jobs Fair is a great opportunity for employers to meet a wide range of potential employees,” said Cr Harwood.

“Of the business loan products and lending amounts that we research, approximately 90% reduced their rates after the February cash rate cut. The vast majority of those matched the RBA move of 25 basis points. As such, we would expect to see that again this time around. The Federal Budget incentives as well as a lower lending rate do put businesses in a win/win situation.”

Cr Harwood said the Jobs4Geelong Jobs Fair would provide people with the tools they need to assist in their job search.

Key amongst the factors that determine the right loan for a business is interest rates, but also fees and features.

The cost of participation for an exhibitor is $165 and entry is free for job seekers.

“Fees charged can vary significantly from loan to loan,” said Mr Watson. “For example, for a term loan of $250,000 (residentially secured), our research found application fee costs ranging from $0 to $2,500. That’s a large variance for a relatively small loan. Additionally, ongoing fees on the same loan size varied from $0 to $1,200 per annum.”

“The crowd attending the Fair include job seekers, recent graduates, people wanting a career change, people returning to work, retrenched workers and new Geelong residents.

“We are already seeking participation by a broad range of organisations with current or upcoming jobs.”

“There will be resume advice available and interview training to give people the confidence they need to win that dream job.”

The Jobs4Geelong Jobs Fair is an Australian Government initiative delivered by Enterprise Geelong.

To register your interest contact: info@enterprisegeelong.com.au or call Michelle Flight 5272 4888

“Borrowers should also consider features such as lending terms, the security that will be accepted, portability, redraw and offset as well.”

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 7

BIZ NEWS

HOW TO ATTRACT MATURE-AGE JOBSEEKERS

I

ncentives to hire jobseekers aged 50 and over announced in the federal budget have put a welcome spotlight on perhaps the most under-utilised segment of the working population, mature aged jobseekers. Recruitment firm Hays says that there are a number of things businesses can do to take advantage of the experience and knowledge of older workers when they are looking for new employees.

“Mature age employees have a lot to offer employers, but as a group they are not being fully utilised,” says Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays in Australia & New Zealand.

“Various government initiatives have been announced to help increase the employment of mature-age employees over recent years, but many employers still fail to attract and recruit these candidates.

“In its recent budget, the federal government pledged $10,000 over 12 months, up from 2 years, to employers who hire and keep an older worker. At Hays, we believe that a strategy to successfully attract, recruit and utilise a diverse workforce, including mature age workers, makes sense as a bridge to overcome skill shortages, secure talented employees and improve productivity.”

Here are Hays’ suggestions on attracting talented mature age employees:

Age-friendly recruitment practices: Whether you want to proactively attract mature age workers or simply ensure you get the best person for the job, age-friendly recruitment practices are essential. This includes removing age-related language from your advertising, writing position descriptions that focus on the skills required for the role, and reviewing the practices and attitudes of your hiring managers to ensure they select from the best pool of suitable candidates, not only those of a particular age group.

Age-friendly employment brand: Review your employment brand to ensure it is age inclusive.

Consider the job design – could the role be performed flexibly?

This is a key consideration that can improve the attraction of professionals of all ages, not only mature age workers.

Widen your search: Identify top talent from a range of sources. If you restrict your search to one sourcing tool you are unlikely to attract as diverse a candidate pool as you would otherwise.

Focus on skills – When you interview candidates, focus on the experience and skills of each person rather than their age. Use the same questions for each applicant, and put forward candidates based on their suitability for the role, rather than the hiring manager’s ability to personally identify with them.

BUSINESS NEWS | 8

BIZ NEWS

A FUNDRAISER WITH A REMARKABLE STORY

W

e all know we should move more, but it’s cold outside and nothing quashes motivation faster than a chill in the air – unless it’s a half-day productivity meeting … If motivation is preventing you from moving more, this might be just what you need.

On Saturday, June 20, you can do a yoga session at Atha Yoga in Geelong with all funds going to support the work of a dedicated surgeon in Vanuatu.

The story of General Surgeon Richard Leona is an extraordinary one. Raised in a small village in North Pentecost, Vanuatu, Richard finished his schooling in Port Vila and undertook medical training in Fiji, while scholarships took his to New Zealand and New York to undertake further surgical training. Richard has a close connection to Geelong, having spent a year at University Hospital Geelong (the then Geelong Hospital) undertaking a Urology fellowship. He has also worked with leading Geelong plastic surgeon, Ian Holten, through Interplast – a non-profit organisation than sends volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons and surgical teams from Australia and New Zealand to Asia Pacific nations including Vanuatu to perform surgeries such as cleft lip and palate reconstruction and burn scar contractures that are otherwise unavailable.

At just 35 years old, Richard is both a Consultant General Surgeon and Medical Superintendent at the Vila Central Hospital and through his subspecialty in urology Richard is able to perform procedures previously unavailable in Vanuatu, particularly keyhole prostate surgery. A leader in connecting international health services with Vanuatu, Richard is hoping to build a small hospital with a surgical theatre on his own island of North Pentecost to would service many of the surrounding islands, however, the devastating impacts of the recent cyclone in Vanuatu has left very little government funding for what we would consider basic health infrastructure.

John Mahobule, Richard’s cousin, lives in Geelong with his wife Julie and together the couple have been raising awareness, goods and funds to help the people of Vanuatu in the aftermath of the cyclone, including sending a shipping container of donated goods provided by the Geelong community. Richard’s story and his dedication to providing quality medical care has inspired the Atha Yoga community to come together again, this time to help raise the funds needed to fulfil Richard’s dream of providing surgical treatments to the people of his home island and nearby islands.

To find out more, book into a fundraising yoga session or to donate visit www.athayoga.com.au.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 9

NEW APPOINTMENTS

WHITFORD - BARWON HEADS TOM BUTTERS - DIRECTOR Tom Butters is the Director of Whitford’s new agency in Barwon Heads. Tom is a fully Licensed Estate Agent and an accredited auctioneer.

Following a period of successfully selling some of Melbourne’s finest properties in Albert Park, Middle Park and surrounds, Tom is returning home to his roots on the Bellarine and bringing a reputable and highly respected business name to Whitford.

Having garnered over ten years real estate experience and a wealth of industry knowledge, Tom is following in his family’s footsteps by proudly launching Whitford in Barwon Heads. With a passion for auctioneering and a strong obligation to his clients, Tom’s philosophy is to identify and maximise every opportunity for buyers and sellers alike.

Away from work, Tom is a keen fisherman, golfer and an avid supporter of the Geelong Football Club.

LEGAL Gregory Farrell joined Bowman & Knox as a Litigation Lawyer after being admitted to the Legal Profession in February 2015. Gregory holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University and completed his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Leo Cussen Institute.

Gregory is available to advise and appear in all commercial and civil litigation matters, particularly in the area of domestic building and employment law disputes.

REAL ESTATE Suzi Gudasic, a born and bred Geelong local has joined Gartland, bringing with her 20 years’ experience in administration and customer service. Five years ago Suzi decided on a change of direction and ventured into real estate. Her strong passion for the industry ensures that the day to day management of rental properties runs as smoothly as possible.

HOSPITALITY Boasting a CV with such diverse positions as marketing for Penguin Books Aust Ltd, licensee of several country Victorian hotels, owner / operator of Cafe Go and, more recently, landscaper and upholsterer, Juli Baldwin has now arrived at The Geelong Club in Brougham Street.

BUSINESS ADVISOR

LEGAL

Shane Franklin has joined Crowe Horwath as a Senior Manager to provide high level accountancy and compliance advice to clients. He brings significant commercial experience advising owner/ managers across a range of industries and has a clear understanding of the day to day issues facing business owners having spent a number of years in industry as a FD/CFO.

Joanne Dorn joined Bowman & Knox Lawyers as an Associate in April 2015. Joanne started her career at Land Victoria Melbourne, and has spent the previous six years in one of Geelong’s largest firms with a focus on property and commercial law.

BUSINESS NEWS | 10

Joanne is now practising in property law, commercial law and estates.

INSIDE WORD

GEELONG GALLERY TO FAREWELL DIRECTOR

G

BARWON HEALTH TO WIND UP LINENCARE

I

eoffrey Edwards has become synonymous with the Geelong Gallery, but having steered the gallery he has announced that he will retire in late April 2016.

n an era of rationalisation it was perhaps inevitable, but the announcement of Barwon Health’s decision to wind up the operation of its in-house laundry operation, LinenCare, came as a telling sign of the times.

Notable amongst a career of notables that has included working for the National Gallery of Victoria, the Met Museum in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Geoffrey oversaw the national campaign to acquire Eugene von Guerard’s great colonial masterpiece View of Geelong from its previous owner, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Purchased for $4 million in 2006, at the time the acquisition held the national record as the most expensive Australian painting ever purchased for a public institution. Geoffrey was also responsible for the more recent acquisition of Arthur Streeton’s Ocean Blue.

But perhaps his greatest legacy will be his drive and determination in setting a clear course and developing the business case for the muchneeded expansion of the Gallery.

When we spoke to Geoffrey earlier this year about the future of the Gallery, he described the planned $40 million expansion of the Gallery as long overdue, saying an expanded Gallery would become a principal driver of incoming tourism.

“Our business case works towards not only a much bigger, expanded building, but just as importantly it looks at a new operating model where we would have fewer but larger exhibitions,” he said.

Gallery President, Terry Wills Cooke, on behalf of the Board expressed his gratitude and appreciation of Edwards’ leadership.

“Both the Board and the staff have valued his dedication, extensive knowledge, erudite speeches, and strong leadership during his time as Director and wish him well in his future career as a major figure in the Australian arts scene.”

Edwards leaves the Gallery to pursue his lecturing, writing and arts advisory work.

Barwon Health made the announcement following what the region’s peak health organisation described as an exhaustive review of options, including seeking independent advice from Ernst & Young, that it would cease operating LinenCare on 20 June 2015.

Barwon Health has operated LinenCare since 1965. Currently employing 94 people, it is one of the last internal hospital laundries in the state and provides around 51 tonnes of laundry per week to around 100 customers across the region with Barwon Health accounting for around half LinenCare’s volume.

Eureka Linen, operated by Ballarat Health Services, will take over the provision of laundry services to Barwon Health and other LinenCare customers.

With the laundry requiring a significant investment in the order $11 million to upgrade its plant and equipment, the healthcare organisation said it must prioritise investment in core health and medical infrastructure.

The laundry needs significant investment of around $11m to modernise its plant and equipment in order to continue to operate. As a health service, Barwon Health must prioritise investment in core health and medical infrastructure and is unable to allocate the funds LinenCare requires.

Barwon Health has operated LinenCare since 1965. It currently employs 94 people, and is one of the last internal hospital laundries in Victoria.

LinenCare provides around 51 tons of laundry per week to around 100 customers across the region with Barwon Health as the largest single customer, accounting for around half LinenCare’s volume.

Our linen service will transfer to Eureka Linen, operated by Ballarat Health Services, on 1 July 2015. We will work with internal and external LinenCare customers to ensure minimal service disruption through the decommissioning process.

Commenting on the decision, Barwon Health Chief Workforce and Culture Officer Perry Muncaster, said, “We are acutely aware of the impact this decision will have on LinenCare staff, customers and other stakeholders; we have reached this conclusion reluctantly. However, following an exhaustive review of options, we are confident that closing LinenCare is the most responsible decision in the circumstances, particularly given our core commitment to deliver the best possible health services for the people of Geelong – now and into the future.”

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 11

FEATURE

UNDERSTANDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Geelong Chamber of Commerce was very pleased to welcome 15 new members at our May After 5 sponsored

by Viva Energy.

Buxton Real Estate City to Surf Mobile Café Derbyshire Homes Dr. Annemarie Hofedank Gooddaydeals Australia Pty Ltd Greensaver Solar helloworld Geelong West J & S Transport Geelong Kalluri IT Lombard MACS Complete Care Maze Accounting Group McCoy Safety Consultancy The Firm Slimming & Health Clinic – Geelong UK Caravan Imports

I

ntellectual property (IP) is the property of your mind or proprietary knowledge and can be an invention (patent), a trade mark, a design or the practical application of your idea (copyright).

It is important that you understand how to protect your IP as it is a valuable business asset. It is often one of the most valuable assets a business will have. In most instances, it will be easier and cheaper to enforce your rights following a breach of your IP if they have been protected “up front”.

In this article we provide an overview of the different types of IP and look at the basics for protecting your IP rights.

Trade Marks

Upcoming events: JUNE BEFORE 9 June 2 2015 - 7.15am Newtown Events Centre Hosted by Philip Lange Consulting

JUNE AFTER 5 18 June 2015 The Pier Geelong Hosted by Allianz

JULY AFTER 5 – ‘DRY JULY’ 15 July 2015 The Pier Geelong Hosted by TAC

ANNUAL WESTPAC ECONOMIC BREAKFAST 7 August 2015 The Pier Geelong Hosted by Westpac

AUGUST AFTER 5 12 August 2015 Waterfront Kitchen Hosted by Deakin University

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS PRESENTATION DINNER 20 August 2015 The Geelong Arena Hosted by Geelong Chamber of Commerce

A trade mark can be a letter, number, word, phrase, sound, smell, shape, logo, picture, aspect of packaging or a combination of these that distinguishes your goods and/or services from those of other traders.

A trade mark identifies the particular goods or services of a trader as distinct from those of other traders. Essentially, a trade mark acts as the branding identity of your business, products or services.

There is no legal requirement to register a trade mark, although registration establishes your legal rights to use, sell or license the trade mark or to take action against another party and prevent them from using your trade mark without permission.

If you do not register your trade mark, you will need to rely on protection through legal action, such as misleading and deceptive conduct and passing off under common law. Such an action can be difficult, expensive and time consuming.

Therefore, registration is strongly recommended where possible.

Registered IP rights usually provide you with exclusive rights. However each IP right has its own restriction in terms of duration. A registered trade mark is afforded ten years protection, which can be renewed upon the expiry of this period for a further ten years upon payment of a fee. A trade mark can therefore be registered indefinitely.

Copyright Copyright is a collection of exclusive rights that vest in certain types of creative work, such as written material, art, literature, music, film, broadcasts and

computer programs.

A single item can contain more than one element that is protected by copyright.

For example, a video recording of a performer singing a song will have copyright in the song lyrics, the musical score, the video recording as well as any choreography, among other things.

Each of these elements is separately and cohesively protected by copyright.

The exclusive rights granted by copyright vary depending on the nature of the material. In general, they include the exclusive right to copy the material, publish the material and to make various other uses of it.

In Australia, copyright protection is automatic upon creation. You therefore don’t have to apply to register your copyright as you would with many other forms of IP. The owner of copyright is usually the person who created the material, although there are some exceptions to this such as where the person is an employee and the material is created as part of their employment, in which case the employer will own the copyright and certain commissioned works. Copyright protection generally lasts for 70 years dependent upon the type of work.

Where duration of protection depends on publication, protection is for 70 years from the date of publication, otherwise it is generally the life of the author plus 70 years.

Patents Inventions that are new, inventive and useful can often be protected through patent registration.

It is important to be aware that patents protect only a specific invention and once an invention has been made public it is no longer able to be protected through patent registration. It is therefore recommended that any patentable invention is held undisclosed until such time as an application for registration is filed.

A patent owner has the exclusive right to use, sell or license the invention.

Patent protection also allows the owner to prevent others from manufacturing, using, copying and/or selling the device or process.

There are two types of patent registration available in Australia: an innovation patent and a standard patent. The process

BUSINESS NEWS | 12

FEATURE for registering a patent can often be long and complicated and professional advice is recommended as early as practicable.

Other types of IP

A standard patent is protected for 20 years, whereas an innovative patent is protected for eight years.

Plant breeders’ rights are used to protect new varieties of plants by giving exclusive commercial rights to market a new variety or its reproductive material.

Trade Secrets & Confidential Information

Circuit layout rights automatically protect original layout designs for integrated circuits and computer chips.

Any information that is not known publicly is confidential information.

For a business this can include customer lists, business and marketing plans, internal business processes or formulas for products. Business ideas that have not been openly discussed can also be considered confidential information.

There is no registration process for trade secrets or confidential information, however they are normally protected via contracts, agreement and management procedures. In general, the owner has the exclusive right to use, sell or license the IP.

Moral Rights Moral rights are granted to the creator of material in which copyright subsists. Moral rights are the right of attribution of authorship, the right against false attribution of authorship and the rights not to have a work subjected to derogatory treatment. Moral Rights therefore protect the reputation of the creator of the work.

Unlike copyright, moral rights are non-transferrable and will always vest in the creator. As a result, a person may have moral rights in material but not own the copyright.

Designs Designs are typically the way a product looks or features of a manufactured product. Design registration is therefore intended to protect designs that have an industrial or commercial use. A design can be registered if it is new and distinctive.

Some designs can be protected by copyright, however, where a three dimensional design is in industrial or commercial use copyright protection no longer applies. In order to be protected, such designs need to be registered.

Design registration protects the design for an initial period of five years from the filing date of your application for registration. A design may then be renewed for a further period of five years. A design may therefore be protected for a maximum of ten years.

Some domain names can also contain IP rights if a trade mark is featured in the domain name.

International Protection Most IP rights are territorial, meaning they have to be dealt with in each new territory where you intend to trade. For example, a patent, trade mark or design granted in Australia is not automatically granted in other countries.

Copyright is the only IP right that is automatically recognised in the global market. All other forms of IP need to be specifically assessed and approved in each country in which you intend to do business in order to gain protection.

Australia is party to a number of international agreements, making it easier to apply for rights such as trade marks, patents and designs in other countries.

Transferability IP rights are often negotiable and can be used for commercial advantage. They can generally be bought, sold, licensed, or made freely and widely accessible.

Conclusion IP is a valuable business asset, and thus protecting it should be standard business practice forming part of the overall business plan. Understanding the rights that exist and the methods available for protecting IP is the first step to creating greater value in a business.

For more information on protecting your IP rights contact us today on (03) 5273 5263 or email mvanderploeg@coulterroache.com.au

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BUSINESS NEWS | 14

MONEY

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COVER STORY

THE GOOD OIL Three years ago, a decision was made to choose once and for all who produced the world’s best olive oil, with Italy, Spain and Greece home to the obvious contenders. Fifteen of the most highly respected olive oil judges were flown to the USA for the New York International Olive Oil Competition where 700 of the world’s best oils were blind tasted. While European producers are part of a millenniaold tradition of olive oil, it was Cobram Estate, produced here in Geelong, that has been the most awarded oil in all three years of the New York competition – and this year collected an unprecedented total of 11 awards including two prestigious Best in Class trophies, five Gold medals and four Silver medals. Which is why what began as a small 200-hectare grove planted at Boundary Bend in Victoria can now, with absolute certainty, be called not just a good oil, but the best olive oil in the world. And Boundary Bend’s Lara site produces 15 million litres of Extra Virgin olive oil every year.

I went out to the Broderick Road production plant in Lara when the company launched both its $4.2 million high-speed packaging line and new ultra-premium Cobram Estate 2015 ‘First Harvest’ Extra Virgin olive oil.

Like a number of successful local businesses, a lot of us know about Boundary Bend Limited – we know the name and we know they do olive oil – but what is less well known is the scale of the business, the power of its vertically-integrated business model and it’s place in the global olive oil industry.

The business owns and grows around 65 per cent of Australia’s olive oil and has a similar market share of the Australian-produced Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Overall, when you include imported products and refined olive oils, Boundary Bend would hold around 25 per cent of the total market share in Australia. These are very big numbers.

Rob McGavin (CEO and Executive Chairman) and Paul Riordan (Executive Director) founded the business in 1996 and have continued to grow, develop and refine the public unlisted company to one that now dominates the Australian Extra Virgin olive oil market; and one consistently setting new benchmarks in quality and world’s best practice olive oil manufacturing processes.

Australia consumes more olive oil per capita than any other country outside of the Mediterranean region, averaging 2-litres per head per annum. In Greece, the world’s most abundant olive oil consumers, that average is 17-litres per head. But Extra Virgin olive oil consumption is on the rise and more and more consumers are recognizing the health benefits of Extra Virgin olive oil.

The new fully-automated packaging line has a peak output capacity of 15,000 bottles per hour and is a symphony of precision to watch, but it was the First Harvest – Cobram’s equivalent of what the Italians celebrate as ‘Olio Nuovo’ – the product of the very first cold-pressed olives of the season, that really impressed. This rich cloudy green oil did more via a few dunked pieces of bread to explain why olive oil should be produced to its highest quality than any number of awards can do. The flavour was unbelievably good.

And for company founders, Rob and Paul, being able to produce and sell the highest possible quality at the lowest possible price has always been what this business has been about.

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COVER STORY The Cobram Estate and Red Island brands are at the core of the business and are the nations two top-selling Extra Virgin olive oil brands. The company also produces bulk oil and produces Extra Virgin olive oils for other labels.

“We go all the way from having nursery, breeding and growing our own trees, right through the process to the finished product on the shelf. The olive oil never leaves our sight, from the time before it’s even a flower, growing through to a fruit, through milling = and logistics to laboratory, to packaging. It’s a reasonably unique business model.” Rob said.

The story of Boundary Bend is a new-generation Geelong manufacturing story and it’s one that puts the product absolutely at the centre of the business.

Rob and Paul weren’t packaging or bottling experts or laboratory experts, they weren’t even oil experts when they began; they were horticulturalists. They met as agriculture students at Marcus Oldham College. Paul was from Geelong and Rob from Queensland.

It was Paul who first stumbled upon the idea of growing olive trees during a tour of New Zealand, when he became interested in what was then a burgeoning market. Rob was in South Australia at a large-scale vineyard he had helped establish and is still involved in, amongst other agribusinesses. At the time, the South Australian Government was encouraging farmers to grow olives, and particularly a specific Israeli variety.

Rob and Paul decided they wanted to do something together around olives but didn’t have enough money to kick-start the business. Family and friends became the seed investors and, Rob said, a lot of the initial capital for Boundary Bend came out of the Geelong area.

essence it’s very simple and based on the fact that as soon as you pick an olive off the tree, like any fruit, it slowly starts to deteriorate the faster that you crush the fruit and extract the Extra Virgin olive oil, the better the quality of the oil; the sooner the oil is consumed after bottling the more antioxidants you get from the oil and the better the flavour and health benefits.Fresher is better. That it took two tree-enthusiasts from Australia to establish this process is the real surprise. After all, the history of olive oil consumption dates back to around 6000BC. The high labour costs here in Australia meant that the production process at Boundary Bend needed to be mechanised in order to be scalable. Rob and Paul collaborated with engineering design firm MaqTec and poured millions of dollars into the development and manufacturing of the aptly named Colossus harvesters. The Colossus was specifically designed for olive harvesting to give Boundary Bend the quality of the oil they wanted in high volumes.

“They’re brilliant,” Rob said, “and if we didn’t have them the quality of the oil would be no where near as good. Developing the harvesters meant that we were reducing our costs to production and increasing our quality, so that was a real competitive advantage for our business.

“Traditionally, olive trees have been planted on slopes in mountainous regions in Europe with not much top soil and lots of rock and that meant that it was very difficult to get equipment in to harvest the olives.”

There is alchemy at play here, and according to the world’s leading judges of olive oils, the results are liquid gold.

“Those initial shareholders are still involved and we’ve got some great friends in the business. Geelong really has been the epicenter of investment for Boundary Bend. This city is a great place, from the services to the access to good people; it’s just a really good place to do business. I don’t know that Geelong even knows how good it is,” Rob said.

The first olive trees, which became the mother trees of the company’s 2.2 million trees growing in 6070 hectares of olive groves, were 200 hectares of certified true-to-type trees imported from Israel in 1998 and planted in 1999.

“We’ve probably brought in 20-odd different varieties now, and part of the whole process has been trial and error on how those trees perform here in Australia; certainly we’ve learned a lot. The trees that we plant now will be a different mix of varietals from what we originally started with, and that’s based on how well they have adapted to our environment, what quality we get off them and how consistently we get it.”

Nothing is left to chance. Everything is rigorously measured, tested and trialed – there is alchemy at play here, and according to the world’s leading judges of olive oils, the results are liquid gold.

The Australian olive oil industry is still very young, with the Australian Olive Oil Association being founded in 1995. In that year, Australia had an estimated 2,000 hectares of traditional olive groves and produced around 100 tonnes of oil.

It was Rob and Paul and their loyal staff who became global pioneers of the modern way to grow olive oil, and that method is consistently producing oils of much higher quality. It sounds complex, but in

Here in Australia, the cost equation to modernise and mechanise is a very different story. It costs $1 per kilo to pick the olives by hand, and picking fruit when it is ripe is essential for producing the high quality oil Australian producers need as a competitive advantage against the scale and history of the European oil producers. Developing the olive straddle harvester (as in it straddles the trees) was a pivotal point for Boundary Bend and has meant fruit can be harvested for 10 cents per kilo as opposed to $1 per kilo. The harvesters have reaped a quality dividend as well, being able to bring in a far greater volume of fruit right on harvest that can be immediately crushed.

“If we hadn’t developed the harvester, we wouldn’t be here, we’d be broke,” Rob said.

The business now has 22 harvesters, and with a price tag of $850,000 each they are a serious investment as well as having taken years of research and development and more than little heartache to get the design right. On-site, at groves in northern Victoria, the olives are grown, harvested and then milled on the estates within six to eight hours of harvest. The mill simply crushes the olives into a tapenade, and then spins it to extract the oil from the water and flesh of the crushed fruit. The oil is trucked down to Geelong and stored in stainless steel tanks under temperature-controlled conditions before being bottled off on a just-in-time basis. The oil is kept freshest in the tank and the bottling process is designed to get the oil on the shelf and into consumers’ kitchens as quickly as possible. The dark bottles also help reduce oxidation and maintain the quality of oil on the shelf and in pantries.

“We would only have a maximum of four weeks of stock and we try to turn it over pretty fast, because that gives the consumer a much better experience. And we put a best before date that has been scientifically calculated at our laboratory,” Rob said.

The Boundary Bend laboratory is another key element in the development of the business. Extra Virgin olive oil is a natural food

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COVER STORY produced without chemicals or preservatives, meaning the industry hasn’t had any pressing need to invest in scientific testing and development of its product. The same cannot be said of blended or refined olive oils. As horticulturalists, it was important to Paul and Rob to understand the science behind what they were doing and to continually improve the end product. A research paper produced by the laboratory into calculating best before dates has been recognised as world’s best practice.

“We’re really big on guaranteeing that if the customer gets our oil in their hands that it’s Extra Virgin until the day of that best before date. All oils deteriorate over time and they sacrifice the antioxidants in them to stop the oil going rancid, but when the antioxidants are gone they go rancid pretty quick. So freshness and the way the oil is stored is hugely important to the flavour and the health benefits.

“We have amazing people running the laboratory here in Lara and they all live locally. It has been rated as the most accurate olive oil lab in the world in three of the last six years by the American Oil Chemists Society, who are the people who regulate laboratories globally,” Rob said.

The production methodologies developed at Boundary Bend has meant the expert staff have become in demand as speakers at international symposia, industry conferences and technical workshops. Rob says this constant interaction with the global industry means they can present the latest research coming out of the laboratory and continually lobby forimproved olive oil standards around the world.

The hours, weeks, months and years that go into driving that quality tells in Rob’s voice when he talks about it, and one of the biggest challenges they continue to face is getting across to consumers how much value there is in high quality Extra Virgin olive oil.

The story of health and olive oil is a big one. Extra Virgin olive oil is the only cooking oil produced from fruit. It has no cholesterol, no salt, no chemicals, contains unique antioxidants, can help lower chronic disease, heart disease and cancer risk factors such as blood cholesterol and blood pressure and is rich in vitamins A and E. Antioxidants help slow the ageing process of cells, which is why anyone with a health message to spread tends to bang on about them. High quality Extra Virgin olive oil will have at least 300 per cent more antioxidants than other cooking oils.

Like so many modern manufacturing success stories, it is the quality of the product that sits at the very core of the Boundary Bend business. Rob and Paul have looked at how to produce the highest possible quality of olive oil from every angle – from the soil to the trees to the growing, harvesting, crushing, storing, testing, bottling and distribution. Every step of the process impacts on the quality of the end product, which is why they control as much of the process as possible.

“The Boundary Bend story is in a way an anathema to what we think we know about the future of Australian manufacturing.”

“All of the research, the varieties, the research into pollination, into best before dates and antioxidants, it’s all been done to try to produce the best quality oil at the lowest possible price.

“If the consumer gets this wonderful product they’ll keep buying it, and they’ll get the most out of the health benefits, and then you can afford a sustainable industry where the growers can actually make some money and reinvest and it becomes a circle that is good for everyone. We’re really passionate about that, and because we’re outspoken about it there’s a reasonable amount of heat that comes our way from Europe. But, when you’re arguing with science and fact, there isn’t too much debate about who’s right and who’s wrong,” Rob said.

The lightning moment when the business partners really knew they were on to something came in 2004. That year, Boundary Bend produced 25 per cent of Australian-grown olive oil with only two per cent of Australia’s olive trees. They knew they were doing something right.

“That was an inflexion point for us. Before that we were just trying to get the trees to grow up,” Rob said.

In 2006, the company purchased the old wool-combing site on Broderick Road and converted it into an olive oil processing, storage and distribution plant.

When Rob and Paul began taking samples of their oils to Europe – the spiritual and historic home of olive oil – they were staggered by how much attention they drew when people tasted the oils.

“All the big buyers in Europe just couldn’t believe how good the quality was. We would be going flat out to get a meeting with them, and then they’d taste it, then a whole lot more people would come in and a five-minute meeting would turn into an hour. You just know then that you’re having a big impact.”

It would be easy to think everyone works that way, but of course we know that’s not true. For some incredibly large manufacturing businesses, and this is sadly true of some in the food manufacturing sector, pouring as little money in at the top and streaming off as much as possible at the bottom is the core business model. Consumer experience is decentralized as ‘marketing’.

“A lot of people see big and probably don’t think quality, but because we are larger the quality is better. The scale is really why we are the best, because we have so many systems, so many people with expertise and the passion to do everything right,” Rob said.

“From day one Paul and I had a saying, ‘If it’s good enough to do on one acre then it’s good enough to do on 10,000 acres.’ So, everything we do is because it’s the right thing to do; we don’t take shortcuts because we’re big, in fact it’s the reverse, we are very attentive to detail in every respect.”

The Broderick Road site is the home of Boundary Bend limited and the sense of how humble this business is (until they start spruiking the quality and value of their oil, that is) seems to rest surprisingly easy against its very obvious scale. The steel oil tanks are enormous and there are rows and rows of them. The company is in the process of expanding its storage capacity with an investment of $1.6 million.

The Boundary Bend story is in a way an anathema to what we think we know about the future of Australian manufacturing. The business is Australian-founded, it remains and will remain Australian owned, the two founders are still the largest shareholders, the products are Australian-produced from start to finish, the quality of the products is world-leading but remain at a very affordable consumer price point.

As Rob points out, it’s almost an oxymoron to have such a high quality product at such a low price and to have it available everywhere. All major supermarket chains, including the independent supermarkets stock Boundary Bend oils.

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COVER STORY

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL MYTHS - WHAT IS EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL? You CAN cook with Extra Virgin olive oil and as a natural oil with no added chemicals, high levels of antioxidants and vitamins K and E, there are all sorts of reasons why you should.

•H igh Quality Extra Virgin olive oil has a high smoking point, meaning you absolutely can deep fry with it.

•T he higher the quality of oil the higher the smoking point. Cobram Estate olive oil has a smoking point of around 210 degrees Celsius.

• The high levels of antioxidants mean the oil remains much more stable than vegetable oils when cooking.

• E xtra Virgin olive oil is the highest grade of olive oil. It is the natural juice cold pressed from fresh olives.

• E xtra Virgin olive oil is best consumed within 12 months of the date of harvest.

• Cloudy green oil is GOOD. The freshest, first harvest oils are distinctly cloudy and green. The flavour is rich and intense and the freshest oils are incredibly rich in antioxidants as well as vitamins K and E.

“We always believed that if we produced a really good product and priced it competitively, it should be a winning formula. We knew nothing about marketing or branding or retail, so we figured if we over-delivered on quality then consumers should like our product, and that’s really what has happened,” Rob said.

“And Australian consumers are, hand on heart, the luckiest olive oil consumers in the world because there is nowhere else you can get this quality of oil at such a low price – not even close. In Italy, oil of this quality would be triple the price.”

And it was for quality reasons that the business is based in Geelong.

“The weather is perfect because it’s closer to the ocean, so you don’t get those big extremes in heat and cold. You need to store the oil at around 17 degrees centigrade, and up at the groves that would mean huge power consumption to try to keep the temperature controlled, whereas down here, while the building is insulated, it’s cool enough at night and the average temperature is fine to keep the oil at the right temperature. So we’re saving a lot of money in power and electricity by being here near the bay,” Rob said.

The business owns three groves in Australia, with the Boundary Bend Estate comprised of 3,500 hectares and 1.3 million trees spread over two sites, one just south of Boundary Bend and the other near Wemen alongside the Murray River. The Boort Estate is one of the largest single estate olive groves in the world with 900,000 trees planted on 2,550 hectares. Both estates have an on-site processing plant and the Boort plant produces premium Extra Virgin olive oil in some impressive amounts. The Boort Estate plant can process more than 46 tonnes of olives per hour, with a staggering 1,104 tonnes per day. This ability to efficiently process the olives

on-site immediately from harvest is what sets these premium oils apart as the freshest, healthiest and fullest flavoured Extra Virgin olive oils.

While the production is big, the business itself is lean, with a full-time staff of around 100 across the production and grove sites. With turnover sitting around $100 million there is still plenty of room for growth.

“We hope that if consumers continue liking our product then we can keep growing and start to make some impacts on the export markets particularly,” Rob said.

And while Cobram Estate is exported to China, the USA and Japan, Australia remains by far the brand’s biggest market, accounting for between 70 and 80 per cent sales per annum.

The company has also started to expand internationally, having purchased 1,500 hectares of freehold land in the San Juan province of Argentina, another nation known for its modern olive production, with an eye to future production. And Boundary Bend has launched its first US-based growing and production operation in Woodland California.

“For us, California at the moment is about proving our business model. We think if we can do it here we can make it work in the States, but we’re going to go slowly to go fast. We’ve got some really good people on the ground over there and we’re really excited about it all, but we also understand that a lot of companies go there and fail and we don’t want to be the next,” Rob said, and given that America is littered with the bones of Australian businesses, it’s a smart approach.

“Making it work isn’t just about money, it’s about people and systems and a culture to make it work. If it was just money anyone could make it work.”

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

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FINANCE

THAT BIG BAD A WORD

W

e constantly hear people say that someone has a poor or bad attitude, prompting me to devote some time in researching what it really meant, and, more importantly, what brought about that attitude and can we have a profound influence in changing it?

use covert or subliminal television commercials where you may see young, beautiful people having fun on a tropical beach while enjoying a sports drink. This attractive and appealing imagery causes you to develop a positive association with this particularly cool beverage, not to mention an inner urge to think about a holiday in the sun.

Let’s start by using the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of attitude, being: “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behaviour.”

Many articles that I have read over the years have espoused differing factors that optimize individual and team performance, but years of business experience tells me that the fundamental factor underlying all other performance factors is undoubtedly attitude.

When delving deeper, psychologists maintain an attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviours toward a particular person, object, thing, or event. There are a number of different factors that can influence how and why attitudes form, with the most common being life experience, social factors and learning.

Attitudes can be formed as a result of a direct personal experience or they may result from observation of people around them, whether they are work colleagues, friends or family. The most common example of this is with children, who normally spend an inordinate deal of time observing the attitudes of their parents and usually begin to demonstrate similar outlooks, or are said to be ‘tarred with the same brush’.

Attitudes can also be strongly formed by social roles or norms where people are expected to behave in a particular role or context, involving society’s rules for what behaviours are considered appropriate.

The learning aspect of how an attitude can be formed or influenced is best displayed by the classical conditioning of advertisers who

Within a workplace, there are typically three types of employees, namely, players with positive attitudes, spectators with neutral attitudes and critics with negative attitudes and the secret of your success will be in your or the team’s ability to use the art of persuasion to convert the negative critics to a level of neutral spectators or beyond. This change will most likely arise when critics are motivated to listen and think about the message, leading to an attitudinal shift or they might become influenced by the characteristics of the leader, resulting in a surface shift in attitude; either way it’s normally a win of sorts.

In conclusion, there is nothing truer than the fact that our attitude is the one thing we can count on as a lifetime companion. Jobs and relationships come and go, but your attitude is always with you.

Unfortunately you can’t take a vacation from yourself!

Until next month, onwards and upwards in your quest to develop or maintain the right attitude that is considered by all and sundry as a compelling reason to associate with you or your business.

MARTIN CARTER, BUSINESS MANAGER, MORRIS FINANCE

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VECCI

BUDGETS DELIVER FOR GEELONG TOURISM

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he recently released state and federal budgets deliver a range of measures that will expand Geelong’s tourism infrastructure, lower business costs and boost the region’s promotional activities.

The 2015-16 state budget’s tourism highlights for the Geelong and western Victorian region include: • Simonds Stadium upgrade ($70 million) • Geelong Performing Arts Centre redevelopment ($30 million) • Grampians Peaks Trail development ($19 million) • Victorian Wine Tourism Strategy development ($1 million) • Additional funding to grow the major events sector throughout Victoria ($80 million over four years) In addition, we look forward to the outcomes of the State Government’s Visitor Economy Review to further boost Victoria’s tourism competitiveness.

With the small business sector making up 97 per cent of Geelong businesses, 2015-16 federal budget measures to reduce costs for small business were also welcomed, as was funding to support regional infrastructure and boost foreign investment.

Measures include: • The 1.5 percentage point corporate tax cut for small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million.

• The 5 per cent tax discount up to $1,000 a year for unincorporated small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million.

• An expansion in accelerated depreciation rules providing an immediate tax deduction for assets costing less than $20,000 for small businesses with an annual turnover of $2 million or less.

• $30 million for promotional activities in priority markets to increase foreign investment in key sectors, including tourism.

• $1 billion over five years for the National Stronger Regions Fund for the construction of new, and upgrade of existing, infrastructure throughout Victoria.

These measures will ease the cost of doing business, encourage investment, support infrastructure and contribute to tourism growth in the Geelong region and throughout Victoria. They are consistent with the Victoria Tourism Industry Council’s long-held policy recommendations and we welcome the focus of both governments on growing our sector.

DIANNE SMITH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, VICTORIA TOURISM INDUSTRY COUNCIL

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ACCOUNTING

HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS PERFORMING?

T

he start of a new financial year is the ideal time to develop a performance dashboard for your small business. It’s a way to graphically assess at a glance your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and make sure your business is on track to reach your objectives.

Typically, KPIs fall into 5 main categories:

TIM BIRCHALL, MANAGER, ACCOUNTING & BUSINESS ADVISORY, CROWE HORWATH

“Measure the projects, deals and activities that will have a positive impact onyour business success...”

1. Financial Performance 2. Operational Performance 3. Sales 4. Customer satisfaction 5. Staff Performance How do you know when you are performing or whether your business is in trouble?

The answer is to identify the specific performance indicators that are meaningful and relevant to your particular business, its strategic direction and goals, and which will have a positive impact on revenue/sales/profitability in the very near future.

Then measure and monitor these on a regular basis – measure and monitoring are key!

The trick is to not measure everything that moves within your business.

A powerful single page tool for measuring success It is essential to “get into the performance zone” each and every financial year to have a thriving business over the longer term and to avoid the peaks and troughs of success. Being in the performance zone only every other year can lead to disaster.

This article is general information only and not specific to you and your situation. It is essential you seek professional advice before taking any action. Crowe Horwath (Aust) Pty Ltd 84006 466 351.

Results on a page A very powerful tool for measuring performance is a performance dashboard, sometimes called Results on a Page. Think of the dials on a car dashboard - at a glance, the driver can see speed,

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fuel, temperature and so on. A performance dashboard shows on one page, the 4 to 6 most important performance measures for your specific business.

Measure the projects, deals and activities that will have a positive impact on your business success, sales and revenue and which will bring the business out of the crisis zone and into the performance zone. Be specific. Don’t guess.

This single page should give you the complete picture at a glance. Use graphs, diagrams, tables, dials and colour to illuminate the information, which is easy to do using Excel and even easier if you have migrated from using accounting software into the Cloud.

Dashboard features are a standard built in future on Xero, MYOB AccountRight Live and Reckon One (Quickbooks) – just some of the Cloud Accounting solutions available to subscribe to.

Using “traffic lights” is a very powerful and easily understood visual prompt. Results above target can be coloured green, results at target levels can be amber, results below target can be red – and are a serious warning requiring immediate action.

Update your dashboard at intervals that suit your business sales cycle (daily, weekly, monthly).

Sometimes being in the performance zone is defined in terms of making progress toward large strategic goals, but often success is simply the repeated, periodic achievement of the 4 to 6 most important performance measures for your business.

Stick to your strategy and your KPIs and you will certainly increase your chance of success. So make 2015/16 a great financial year for your business.

BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESS – THE NEW BLACK

T

he recent Federal Budget announcement contained good news for small business. For the first time ever, small business - often touted as the engine room of the economy - was one of the central features of a budget designed to stimulate the nation’s economy and grow jobs.

For far too long, small business has been afforded only lip service in the big economic debates of this country. Small business had a place, but was not really a serious contender on the world economic stage and was often considered as an after-thought in the design and execution of key economic strategies that would transform our nation’s capacity to build its reputation as a smart, knowledge-based economic powerhouse. Finally, here we have a Federal Budget that has given much more than lip service to the notion of the importance of small business within the economy, raising its status to that of a key driver of national reform and jobs growth.

The litmus test of the Australian Government’s bona fides was the elevation of the small business portfolio to The Treasury and the inner sanctum of Cabinet. I’m sure there are some screaming “heretics”, but for those in small business it’s a case of “about time”! To cap it all, we have a Small Business Minister in the Hon Bruce Billson MP, who gets it. He’s been a small business owner and makes no bones about the fact that he’s failed in business. He understands only too well the rough and tumble of life in the fast and risky lane of small business, and the many highs and lows that it can bring. He’s a politician with chutzpah who goes about his role with energy and a fair modicum of self-deprecating humour. Small business owners love him and his enthusiasm is infectious, at times bordering on evangelistic. He’s the Minister who ministers to his flock of small business owners and they’re following him in droves!

Small business has now become part of mainstream parlance when talking innovation, agility, thought leadership and change. For

years now, government departments have been trying to emulate the qualities of small business and create small government. The trend away from ‘big is good’ to ‘small is beautiful’ has become so mainstream now that it’s hard to fathom why it’s taken so long for those in the know to recognise this and to take action. For those in small business though, it’s always been known. Their ability to act swiftly and to recognise and fleet-footedly move on trends has always been a major strength in the arsenal of small business.

Geelong has a swathe of innovative small businesses that ooze creativity and are destined for greatness. Today’s small business will be the big business of tomorrow; but with the lessons learned from humble beginnings, these bigger businesses of the future will cut a very different cloth to their predecessors. From humble beginnings to greatness – could be a theme for many of Geelong’s dynamic small business operators and underscores Geelong’s ethos and values as a city.

With more than half the workforce employed in small business and more than 95 per cent of businesses in Geelong classified as small, it’s no wonder that the day of the small business has finally arrived and its importance to the economy and status of our region cannot be ignored. In a truly balanced economic ecosystem, big business needs small business and vice versa.

More than ever before, small business has the opportunity to influence and drive change. Old thinking about large-scale employment needs to be re-considered and recalibrated to embrace the wonderful and exciting opportunities that a career in a small business can offer.

So let’s discard the shackles of the past and embrace the tantalising possibilities of a future where small business is front and centre. As Minister Billson said, when he addressed a large audience of Chamber members recently, “small business is the new black.”

BERNADETTE UZELAC, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GEELONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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COMMUNITY

T

CONTINUED GROWTH AT GEELONG’S RSL

he Geelong RSL has a powerful place in the community. Home to service members, affiliates and other residents of Geelong, the space continues to be a hub for Geelong locals and is growing more and more each day.

Chris Bennett, Manager of the Geelong RSL Sub-Branch Inc., understands the importance of RSLs in the community. After visiting his fair share of RSLs both nationwide and overseas, Chris understands how vital it is for an RSL to be friendly.

He explains that while the community venue primarily looks after those who have served, the RSL is also a warm space for other members of Geelong. “It’s very much a service people’s club, but everyone in the community is welcome.” Chris understands that this image and encouraging all members of the community to be a part of the RSL will always be a work in progress.

“Our Geelong RSL prides itself on looking after its veterans, with the majority of our membership base between 40 and 70 year-olds,” says Chris. Nonetheless, younger members of the community also find the venue just as valuable. “We’ve had a wide range of demographics over the last four years,” he adds. Over this period, the RSL has increased their membership base from 1,900 to 5,500 people. Approximately 1,000 of these members are service members, another 1,000 are affiliates members (relatives of service people) and the remaining people are social members of the community. The RSL has even been recognized as the best RSL of its size in Victoria, and won an award for the biggest membership increase in Victoria in 2014.

Meal special nights continue to fully book out the venue, with ‘$13 steak night’ on Tuesdays and ‘$13 parma and pot night’ on Wednesdays. These occasions bring a younger crowd to the club, mostly those in their 20s and 30s, but also quite a few in their 40s. Every two months they also do giveaways at the RSL for members, Ross Parke Good Guys really look after them on their purchase of approximately $4,000 - $5,000 worth of products.

The Geelong RSL offers advertising space on their social bowling green; as a means to both promote local businesses and help fund the RSL’s bowling. A 2m x 1m ad on the RSL’s bowling green costs just $250 a year.

“We have loads of social bowling and weekly bowling tournaments offering plenty of advertising exposure,” Chris adds.

Despite being a destination welcome to Geelong members from all walks of life, veterans still hold a special place at the Geelong RSL. “Our culture is to really look after the returned veterans,” Chris says. This is why the RSL has their badge selling days for both Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and the money they make goes directly back to veterans. “We are a club, but our core beliefs are looking after our returned service people and the veteran community.” Come in anytime and speak to our hard working President Andrew Hanns or his committee for all your military issues, past or present.

The Geelong RSL received a $20,000 grant from the City of Greater Geelong, which helped enhance their Anzac Day celebrations this year at Johnstone Park. Anzac Day is certainly the biggest day of the year for the RSL, and they had about 550 people come through for breakfast on the significant morning.

The RSL is experiencing tremendous positive growth overall. “We’ve been going so well and reaching our goals,” says Chris. They’ve got a target objective to reach 6,000 members this year, and reaching 5,000 members was their goal last year that they successfully accomplished. Having 5,500 members in the middle of this year indicates that they are certainly on track to reach their target once again. “It’s gong to be a journey,” Chris explains. “It will be difficult, but we are on track.”

The Geelong RSL is a safe and enjoyable social destination for all members of the community. To maintain these qualities, Chris understands the importance of local support in contributing to the club’s growth. “The stronger we get, the more we can support veterans and their families in our community.”

The Geelong RSL will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2017, and Chris and the other 40-plus people working at the RSL look forward to celebrating with Geelong. “It’s a big milestone. A lot of clubs are falling down at the moment with the ever increasing costs, but we’re becoming stronger and more popular.” Chris loves to see as many people as possible down at the club. “Come down and give us a try. You’re welcome here,” he says.

This warm and inviting community hub is only getting bigger and better, as Geelong spreads its love and continues to support its local RSL.

ALLY MCMANUS

BUSINESS NEWS | 26

OPPORTUNITY

ONLINE BUSINESS FOR SALE A supersized gorilla you can sit on. Life-sized horses. A triceratops. Movie props. Outdoor furniture. From large to small and from wild to wonderful, Décor Impact is all about making people smile.

This local business is jam packed with personality and growth potential. Established by an industry professional with more than 25 years of experience. Having had businesses in Melbourne and regional Victoria, the business owner started a new business that grabbed plenty of local attention here in Geelong.

Décor Impact hires and sells a wide range of large scale, life-size and small fiberglass animal models, props and outdoor furniture.

The business is established in the Australian market, with a customer base spreading along the east coast to Brisbane and west into South Australia and particularly strong markets in Melbourne and Sydney. With all business driven by inbound customer enquiries, Décor Impact services: •E vent organisers

But what makes this business such a terrific opportunity is that while it has maintained solid turnover throughout its operation, there has been no marketing done to bring in new customers.

For someone looking for a career change or a new online business opportunity, the avenues for growth are clear. There is also potential for franchising the business.

This is a business you can walk in to and operate successfully. But an owner with a passion for marketing and the drive to grow the business could generate some very real wow factor.

Stock is sourced directly through importers and the business comes with well-established statewide and interstate distribution networks through a Geelong-based transport company.

This is a unique opportunity to take over an established business with great potential for growth.

Call Russell on 0419 430 139

• Private Parties

• Businesses

•L andscape Designers

• Racing Clubs

•C inemas

•R estaurants

•C onferences

• 3 00-plus businesses on the client mailing list From Crown Casino to the Melbourne Cup Carnival to birthday parties to nursing homes, the client base of the business is extraordinarily broad.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FOR SAL E

Geelong

This unique business is now for sale after 12 years • Online & Retail Sales • Hire Business • HUGE growth potential • All current business based on INBOUND leads • Direct Importer (no middle man) • Website & Social Media presence • Long list of high profile clients • Includes, business, equipment, fittings & contacts

$40k

t Value + Stock a

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 27

the

ELEVATOR

3iD Studios are a design focused Architectural practice offering an approach that is distinctive and individual, whilst being cost effective and functional.

We offer a client focused service, to ensure the buildings when completed are a reflection of the needs and lifestyle of our clients. Our process is centred on actively understanding our client’s needs, taste and budget and translating this into buildings which are efficient, considered with a sense of character and style.

The team led by Mike Nowson has over 20 years experience in the successful delivery of buildings of varying scales including; single dwellings & unit developments, through to commercial, educational and mixed use facilities.

We appreciate that selecting an Architect and undertaking a new construction can seem a difficult task however it is our aim to ensure this process streamlined, enjoyable and exciting.

We are happy to meet on site without obligation or at the Studio by appointment to review our folio and to discuss your project and ideas.

The ELEVATOR allows businesses the opportunity to give their ‘Elevator Pitch’ to the rest of the regional business community free of charge.

FOR DETAILS SEE WWW.BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU

At Colliers International, our team lives and breathes Commercial Real Estate.

Monday.

Advised walk-in client looking to begin investing in real estate about the many differences between commercial and residential. “The only source of knowledge is experience.” #alberteinstein #commercialproperty #happytohelp Tuesday.

Leased out an industrial shed AND sold a retail store today. #onaroll #selling #leasing Wednesday.

Saw the fruit of our efforts today - helped a longstanding client maximise an asset by getting it up to scratch. Better long-term return. #clientrelationships #experience #strategy #lookinggood Thursday.

Reviewed client outgoings today. Switched electricity providers, saving 20% on electricity for the tenants! Satisfied tenants = paying tenants = happy landlords. #propertymanagement #returns #customerservice Friday.

Auction day today. Sold under the hammer. Great result and end to the week. Time to bring on the weekend! #success #fun #winning

Ink Schmink Print Co. is an inspiring poster print design business with a modern, bold and monochromatic focus, lovers of all things black, white and minimalist; this is for you…

Like most creative business’ Ink Schmink was born out of a need to be creative. As a new mum having left a role in Design/ Product behind it was important for me to continue utilizing my skills and continue with my passion and love of on trend product.

You may have blank wall that just needs a little dressing up or expecting a new little one into the family; we have great pieces to suit a range of spaces.

Created initially with brush and ink, the prints are digitally retouched to achieve the finished result.

The poster prints are available unframed; choose your frame colour and overall look to suit your interior. Or alternatively we now offer timber hangers this takes the hard work out and they are ready to hang the moment you get them home.

We are seeing a lot of mixing of various design and print sizes hung in various ways; washi tape, bull dog clips and traditional framing.

There’s so many creative ways to decorate and add interest to your walls.

Let Ink Schmink put together a unique look for your space.

Custom work available.

Visit one of our offices today and talk to us about your Commercial Real Estate needs. Our experts are ready and willing to help.

Colliers International. Accelerating your success.

Shop 6, 79 Ryrie St, Geelong, Vic. Ph: (03) 52 219 420 Mob: 0410 527 366 Ph: 1300 55 33 69

www.3idarchitecture.com.au info@3idstudios.com.au

60 Gheringhap Street Geelong, VIC 3220 (03) 5226 9393

618 Sturt Street Ballarat, VIC 3350 (03) 5327 0700

www.colliers.com.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 28

Contact: Alysa O’Rourke 0423 271 055 inkschminkprintco@gmail.com www.etsy.com/au/shop/InkSchminkPrintCo

Inkschmink

inkschminkprintco

THE ELEVATOR

Is it a buzzword, is it misunderstood, overexposed and feared? Yes! It’s Innovation.

Innovation may be one of the most overused and misunderstood words in the business vocabulary, but when used correctly, it is undoubtedly the most important.

Why? Because if your Company is truly innovative, then it is adding value to your customers and delivering profits through new ideas every day.

Innovation is the holy grail of every CEO. The trouble is that even when you are succeeding at Innovation, you are only ever one new business model or technology away from being the underdog, and constantly staying ahead of the competition can be daunting, not to mention demanding.

G2 can help you to develop your Innovation skills, so that you and your team can respond effectively and efficiently to business threats and opportunities, drive profits and make the leaps you’ve been searching for.

We’re proud to work with global brands such as Scholl, Nurofen, Bendix and Durex. We’re even more proud to be a Geelong business.

Highton Valley Meats are the new kids on the block. Supporting local free range producers and offering up an attractive product that is affordable for the whole family. The passion for quality can be clearly seen in the young owner’s products that he puts on display. Traditional family favourites such as Chicken Kiev’s and the humble Thick Sausage are sure to please alongside some new comers such as Lavender Chicken; make sure you ask about the dry aged meats when you pop in.

The shop also has a range of local gourmet foods such as olive oils, sauces and wines.

They are exclusive suppliers of Otway pork in Highton. Customer service is a focus, if you can’t find what you’re after in the sizable meat display make sure you ask and the staff will go out of their way to help.

If your Company’s Innovation activities could benefit from a fresh perspective and you want a dynamic, systematic approach which doesn’t just provoke change but embeds it, drop us a line.

www.g2innovation.com.au andrew.jones@g2innovation.com.au Phone: 0432485587 @G2aus

Offering the full range of financial services under the one roof, our expert advisors work together strategically to provide outcomes and solutions for businesses. From investors, home based businesses through to large corporations, Government agencies and not for profits, we act for all type of businesses from all industry sectors. So no job is too small or too large for us to handle – we will always make time for you.

We enjoy and are passionate about what we do – and we like to work closely with clients forming long term relationships. In this way we get to know you, your business and your business needs and challenges. So if you are keen to develop, grow, restructure, improve profit, employ more staff, invest and plan for the future, buy another business, or sell and retire on a healthy nest egg, we would love to talk to you.

As the largest finance firm in the region, we have offices in Geelong, Ocean Grove, Torquay, Werribee, Colac and beyond through Western Victoria, the state and nationally.

Contact: Lindsay Meys 5 Bellevue Arcade, Highton, Vic. 3216 Ph: 5244 2093

L1 200 Malop Street, Geelong 3220 Ph: 5224 7749 geelong@crowehorwath.com.au

Like us on facebook

www.crowehorwath.com.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 29

BIZ NEWS

CHANNELLING INVESTMENT TO GEELONG

T

he State Government has confirmed Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA) will remain in Geelong following concerns that the role of the channels authority would be impacted by any deal to lease the Port of Melbourne.

All those involved in an extensive campaign to preserve the VRCA’s operations in Geelong, led by the Committee for Geelong, welcomed both the positive result on the future of the channels authority and the $9.8 million upgrade of Geelong’s channels, to be managed by the VRCA, announced in Victorian Government’s 2015 Budget.

Ms Rebecca Casson, CEO of CfG, said the independent membership organisation is “relieved and delighted” by the response of the Victorian Government to the CfG campaign.

“We are delighted to confirm that CfG has received a letter from Treasurer Tim Pallas confirming that the role of the VRCA will not change as a result of the leasing of the Port of Melbourne.

There was a real risk that the VRCA’s responsibilities could be transferred to Melbourne, meaning a loss of jobs and a return to the bad old days of neglect of Geelong’s channels.

Wharf and Refinery Pier,” Ms Casson said. “The funds will increase access and improve safety so CfG considers that it is the right project to kick off a long-term programme of works.”

The VRCA has a 24-stage strategy preparing Geelong to receive the new fleet of larger ships. The strategy is designed to ensure that the Port of Geelong remains competitive by being able to accommodate the global trend for larger ship sizes.

As the strategy reflects current demands and estimates of future needs, the scope and timing of the remaining stages will be assessed as actual demand from port users becomes clear.

The Port of Geelong also has a major impact on the state’s economy, with the economic output generated for Victoria by the Port valued at $489 million, statewide household income is increased by $109 million, $247 million is added to the economy and Port operations support 1,605 full-time equivalent jobs.

“Since its inception, the VRCA has significantly improved channels and navigation for ships bound for Geelong”, Ms Casson said.

The continuing development of Geelong’s port and channels is a vital part of the future development of Geelong as a city. Sea transport supports Geelong’s industry, and provides significant job creation opportunities.

“CfG also understands that $9.8 million will be invested in deepening and widening the channel adjacent to Lascelles

BUSINESS NEWS | 30

LEGAL

PROPOSED CHANGE TO PARENTAL LEAVE

I

n its latest policy change on paid parental leave, the Coalition Government has proposed to remove parents’ ability to “double dip” paid parental leave entitlements from 1 July 2016 in a bid to save almost $1 billion dollars over four years.

Under the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010, eligible employees can currently access up to 18 weeks of government funded parental leave pay at the national minimum wage, totalling around $11,500, in addition to paid parental leave provided by their employers.

SONIA MCCABE, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND OH&S

Eligibility & Process Commonwealth funded parental leave pay is currently available to an employee who: • is the primary carer of a newborn or recently adopted child; • has worked for at least 10 out of the last 13 months before the birth or adoption, and for at least 330 hours in that 10 month period;

“...this could result in well-intentioned employers finding themselves footing larger parental leave bills...”

• will be on leave or not working from the time the employee becomes the child’s primary carer until the end of the paid parental leave period; • meets Australian residence requirements; and • has received an adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the relevant financial year.

Employees can lodge a claim for parental leave pay with Centrelink up to three months prior to the birth or adoption of the child. Once the application is lodged, the Commonwealth assesses the employee’s eligibility, and notifies the employer if the employer is required to provide parental leave pay.

If the employee has worked for the same employer for at least 12 months, will remain employed until the end of the parental leave period, is an Australian-based employee and expects to receive at least 8 weeks of parental leave pay, the employer will be required to administer and make parental leave payments to the employee through the employer’s usual payroll system, once funds are received from the Commonwealth.

Businesses which are required to administer parental leave payments for employees need to register with the Commonwealth for the paid parental leave scheme.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 31

Interaction with workplace paid parental leave Currently, Commonwealth parental leave pay can legally be accessed by eligible employees in addition to any separate entitlements to paid parental leave provided by their employers.

Many employers have designed their own paid parental leave schemes to complement the government scheme by topping up Commonwealth funded payments to employees’ normal salary levels, or providing additional paid leave entitlements either during or after the 18 weeks of government support.

2015-2016 Budget proposal The 2015-2016 budget papers released in May include a proposal to “remove the ability for individuals to double dip, by taking payments from both their employer and the Government” while ensuring that all primary carers would have access to parental leave payments that are at least equal to the maximum 18 week paid parental leave benefit.

After sparking public backlash in initial interviews about the proposal, Treasurer Joe Hockey has acknowledged that parents who take advantage of both public and private paid parental leave schemes in compliance with the law are not committing fraud.

If legislated, this proposal would mean that only those employees receiving less than 18 weeks of paid parental leave at the national minimum wage from their employers would receive any government support after 1 July 2016.

Depending on the structure of individual workplace parental leave arrangements; this could result in well-intentioned employers finding themselves footing larger parental leave bills in order to maintain current entitlements for their employees.

The proposal has been bogged down in the Senate, following substantial public criticism of the proposal and of Joe Hockey’s comments about the current scheme. Although these particular proposed changes to Commonwealth funded parental leave pay may never see the light of day, employers should keep track of any upcoming changes in this area and make sure that workplace paid parental leave arrangements remain appropriate in light of any changes to the government funded scheme.

Who are we and what do we stand for?

We are an accounting, taxation, advisory and wealth creation business, so we look after the tax affairs of everyone from Individuals, companies, trusts and self-managed super funds, including how best to structure your financial affairs.

At APS Tax, Accounting & Business Services we are so much more than that. We work with clients to have your tax returns and financial statements completed each year – we schedule your work, quote up front, guarantee you a completion date and hold an AGM with you to talk about how you and your business could perform better.

rd Standa ax al T u d i v i d in hen w 9 9 $ Return te this o you qu umber nt n discou 05 9 1 S P *A

We know you need more than just tax returns.

That’s because we have worked with hundreds of businesses and individuals over the years, so we know what it takes to build and grow a great business. We specialise in working with businesses to improve their financial position and to create a successful, profitable business, that is sustainable into the future and to make your money really work for you.

If you would like to know more we can catch up virtually or in person.

That is really what APS Tax, Accounting & Business Services stand for – you, your business and your growth.

Contact Richard Ferraro at APS Tax, Accounting & Business Services on 1300 131 809 or (03) 9322 2000 and you will notice the difference. *Available to NEW customers for their first tax return. This is a 50% discount off our normal tax return fee of $198

BUSINESS NEWS | 32

GOVERNANCE

THE FOUNDATIONS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE PART 4: PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

T

his is the fourth article in the series on exploring the foundations of good governance. The focus is on performance management and the role this process plays in the governance of an organisation, irrespective of its size, business or sector.

One of the key governance responsibilities of any board of management/ directors is ensuring a positive long-term future for the organisation.

Firstly, some guidelines for the implementation of your performance management system: Alignment: The focus for every individual and business input must be alignment. The board takes a leadership role in the first instance by developing and endorsing the strategic plan, creating a framework for the development of the annual business plan (CEO and management) and then business unit and individual operational plans. The principle is that if the organisation is truly aligned, then each individual will understand what his/ her role plays in the overall goals. True alignment creates a building block process; where individual roles combine to achieve the desired end result is achieved (not unlike building a house!).

The Process: The key to a successful Performance Management system includes Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): The Organisation: • I n terms of characteristics, must meet with SMART standard, that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound. Without these qualities, time and resources will be wasted interpreting the results and if everyone does not see the same number, then the system will be ineffective.

• In terms of focus, must provide a balanced review of the business activities and be aligned to the operating, business and strategic plans.

The KPIs must be more than financial. Lead indicators should focus on the strategies articulated in the strategic and business plans. For example, if a strategy is to gain new clients, or diversify services or product offering or invest in training of staff, then the KPIs should report on these activities to enable the board and the organisation itself to understand how it is tracking against its expectations. It is all about having a balanced approach to measuring the key drivers across the whole business.

KPIs are a means to assess outcomes achieved and quantify the performance management cycle by creating an objective rather than subjective review environment. Furthermore, any person within the

organisation should be able to review the KPI scorecard and understand how the organisation is tracking against its overall strategic and business objectives – if this can be accomplished, then true alignment will achieved.

The Chief Executive: The review criteria for the Chief Executive should be that which is detailed in the business plan. A separate system/criteria runs the risk of creating two systems that may or may not be aligned and therefore have the potential to redirect resources from the core activities - this is not a good outcome for either the organisation or the Chief Executive. If the board considers a matter to be important enough to include in the Chief Executive’s performance review, then it must be included in the business plan for clarity, transparency and focus. Once a year is sufficient and review should be undertaken when the results are finalised and within a reasonable timeline to ensure the data is not redundant. This review is not about behaviour, if issues arise here, the board should address these matters forthwith and not leave them to some point in the future – behaviour is an entirely separate matter to business performance and should be dealt with accordingly.

The Board itself: Individual board members do not, and should not, escape accountability and performance review simply because of their position at the top of the organisational hierarchy. Implementing the strategic plan is a collective responsibility with each member of the team - board members, management and staff - playing a specific and accountable role and, as such, the board should also participate in an annual review system. There are a variety of ways for this to occur and a whole article will be devoted to this process in due course, however, suffice to say at this time, the board should align its KPIs to the role it plays in the development, implementation and review of the strategic plan and the risk management plan (the subject of the previous article on governance foundations) – no one is exempt from accountability and review in a good governance business model.

In summary, from experience, developing a scorecard that accurately aligns with business strategy is generally a work in progress - not one that changes significantly year-on-year or within a trading period, as that would make diminish the value from the process. If we continually change the goal posts, we will never learn anything! However, as we do learn from the performance management process, we should refine the system to better reflect the actual performance of the organisation and provide better information to assist us all manage the business for long-term success. It is a key part of good governance.

MARK C. SCHULTZ For further information, go to www.governancetoday.com

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 33

COMPETITION

Looking for a way to spice up a wintry Sunday afternoon? Well, just take a jump to the left, or a step to the right, and enter our competition for your chance to win a double pass to The Rocky Horror Show at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre.

Rocky Horror is celebrating turning 40 and Fabulous again, after the Richard O’Brien (the original Riff Raff) production sold out across Australia in 2014.

With audiences clamoring for more, the production has returned to Melbourne led in his 2014 Helpmann Award-winning role of Frank N Furter by Craig McLachlan and the inimitable Bert Newton (and yes, Bert does the Time Warp) as the Narrator.

S T E K C I T N I W

pass to e l b u o d a June n 1 i 2 w y o a t d e n c u han nee on S i t a m For your c w o l your h i S a r m o e r r r o o H e ook pag b e The Rocky c a f g a om.au c m . s p u w o e r n g z l i l b e head to ey@adc b b a o t s l i a det orror” H y k c name and o R “ ject line b u s e h t h t wi

The Rocky Horror Show is playing at the Comedy Theatre from 12 June.

Book at Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011. For show information visit www.rockyhorror.com.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 34

Bringing you the pick of the latest offerings from our region’s wineries

WINTER SHIRAZ WEEKEND - A CELEBRATION OF GEELONG WINE 2012 LIZ’S CHARDONNAY

2013 WILLIAM SHIRAZ

Pale straw with a vibrant hue, with notes of struck match, white peach, citrus, and toasted oak. The wine delivers excellent mid palate weight and a creamy texture with nectarine, white peach and citrus on the back palate, and a toasty oak finish balanced by taut acidity. The wine underwent primary and malolactic fermentation in 100% French oak puncheons (40% new) matured for 10 months. Enjoy now or cellar for 4 to 7 years. James Halliday from Wine Companion has awarded this wine 94 points.

Full-red purple.

Highly perfumed red and dark plum notes and spicy bouquet, lifted by whole bunch characters. Medium to full bodied palate, with savoury red fruit characters, delicate spice and pepper notes. Firm but fine tannins and well integrated French oak. Balanced acidity, and a long savoury finish. 15% whole bunches, wild yeast and matured in new (30%) and seasoned French oak barriques for 16 months. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 to 15 years.

Campbell Mattinson from The Wine Front has awarded this drop 94 points.

Established in 2001, Oakdene specialises in the varieties best suited to the region: chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc, and the range includes both still and sparkling wines. The wines are elegant and complex, reflecting the true varietal character of the region.

Boasting modern Australian and European cuisine the onsite restaurant and newly opened Mr Grubb café, complement the high standards of this establishment.

Halliday Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant, Café & Cellar Door cellardoor@oakdene.com.au Phone: 5256 3886 Fax: 5256 3881 www.oakdene.com.au

Wine Geelong has announced the arrival of a new annual wine event that is set to keep us toasting through the cooler months.

Winter Shiraz Weekend - A Celebration of Geelong Wine, will boast two days of delectable cool climate wines, hearty winter fare and entertainment by the warmth of open fires in some of our region’s most beautiful surroundings.

The first 2015 program will deliver food and wine experiences, gourmet produce, local music and a wine master class.

Head to www.winegeelong.com.au for full details.

THE RABBIT GETS FIERY! Local hotspot, Jack Rabbit Vineyard is firing on all cylinders this winter as they gear up to showcase a range of ‘Dinner and Show’ packages in its renowned Jack Rabbit Restaurant.

On the back of the successful fireside Jazz series in 2013 and 2014, the boutique winery and restaurant will this time combine two Fireside Fab nights with three Fireside Jazz nights.

Artists have been personally selected by Chair of Jazz Australia, Diana Allan, so you’re guaranteed to see some of the best Jazz musicians getting around not to mention the fun and excitement popped in to the Fab nights! (Think Kylie and Abba…)

Each Fireside evening will commence at 7pm and feature a three-course dinner & show for $90 per person. (Limited numbers. Drinks at Bar Prices.) www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 35

HEALTH & FITNESS

ULTIMATE WELLNESS FOR CORPORATES

L

ooking after your health is more ingrained in society today than ever before. From your traditional meetings now taking place at the walking track in the park, to early morning corporate yoga instead of a bacon and egg roll at your desk – health and wellbeing is becoming just as important as career development and business growth.

Geelong’s Club Exec understands this demand for looking after your health and wellbeing. The modern health club is in Geelong’s award winning Glass Lantern building and offers programs for workers in Geelong’s CBD. The club is adapting its business model to become a “one stop shop for all your health and fitness needs,” explains Robyn Reimers, Owner and Managing Director of Club Exec. Robyn has an extensive background in health and fitness and works with Managing Director, Shari Livingston.

Together they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the health-orientated business.

Club Exec has been running for over six years and strives to stand out from the crowd. While remaining unique to the market, they also ensure they give customers what they want and need out of a health club. Members are provided with transparent fees, the club has adapted new payment models and they continue to evolve their training and programs. This constant reinventing allows Club Exec to remain a key player in the expanding and competitive industry.

Clients of the club are generally business people based in the CBD, and the club’s services have been specifically tailored to this target market. The facilities are conveniently placed in Geelong’s CBD, as the business understands how time-poor Geelong’s working population is. Club Exec knows that looking after your health must be convenient, simple and affordable. They offer free services to customers and rewards for their referrals, as the business can’t generate revenue without client support. This consumer-centric business model ensures that the client’s needs are at the forefront of the business.

Robyn decided to rebuild and remodel the club at the end of 2013, and Club Exec transformed into a 24-hour studio. New health arms of the business are also in development, while other innovative aspects of the club have been launched throughout the last 18 months. This desire to adapt came from the notion of wanting to offer more than your standard gym. By diversifying its income, services and offerings, the club has much more available to clients than your classic treadmill and body pump class. By implementing a new pricing model, they also cut expenses back by 50 per cent in 2014. These new arms below are the by-products of Club Exec’s determination to be unique and successful as a business, while remaining convenient and result-driven for customers.

FOOD EXEC launched December 2013 This nutrition arm of the business looks at clean eating on the run. Food Exec provides fresh fine food for members that is ordered online and delivered daily to the club from Vitality café in Highton. They have implemented the correct tools in this arm to ensure members have a high level of success with their food intake, which in turn sets them up to maintain longlasting healthy habits.

ONLINE EXEC launched July 2014 The online aspect of the business allows members to train online, anywhere, anytime.

This arm will bring more passive income into the business, with the newly launched www. onlineexec.com.au that’s growing approximately 10 per cent per quarter. Users have access to an interactive menu planner, a superfood menu and a food diary for tracking their meals. This online arm is unique to the market as there are no restrictions or limitations. Members have an online source that they can access whenever they want and wherever they want.

BUSINESS NEWS | 36

HEALTH & FITNESS

OUTDOOR EXEC launched July 2014 Outdoor Exec is the outdoor training arm of the businesses. It takes advantage of the lack of boundaries in outdoor training, by providing bootcamp classes on the Geelong Waterfront three times a week for members. This arm provides functional training for all fitness levels while breaking away from the confines of the studio. It was a move to remain competitive with other operators, along with being necessary to lift maximum capacity of the club.

HEALTH EXEC launched April 2015 This medical arm of the club provides allied health services to members, promoting “smart health, real wealth” as its philosophy. Allied health isn’t provided everywhere in the CBD, so they took advantage of the gap in the market.

They aim to have a 24-hour super clinic offering a wide range of health and cosmetic treatments with discounts for members.

STUDIO EXEC The new business model aims to increase income streams at its residence in the TAC retail precinct through Studio Exec. This arm of the business is a proposed new group of studios for Club Exec, offering in-house training for large corporations and landlords of large multi-tenanted businesses. Health is a big priority for many corporates and executives, and these exclusive studios will be private and free to employees that work in the building or their organisation. They will also have access to the food, allied health and online arms, along with the 24-hour gym and fitness classes.

They will be run on a monthly agreed rate to the landlord or corporation.

“We are at the early stages of something that has the ability to multiply many times over and create an enormous amount of jobs within the CBD,” Robyn says. She explains that the business transformation will take approximately five years to execute, but will benefit both Club Exec and the local community. “Many streams of income ensure future income does not rely on training alone,” Robyn adds, referring to the specialised arms of Club Exec that are a result of the company’s diversification, both in terms of income and services.

Club Exec’s marketing messages connect with the needs of busy business people, in an attempt to resonate with their target audience on a personal level. They have taken advantage of Facebook as their primary social media platform, which allows them to represent the club dynamically in the digital sphere.

They also track and measure the source of new members, and have discovered that word of mouth and social media are the primary contributors to the health club’s growth. As a result of this business transformation that continues to evolve in the changing market, Robyn has put together an application for the Business Excellence Awards in Geelong.

Club Exec looks after its members, as the health club’s business model has a consumer-centric focus. Their primary emphasis is on client care, which is as important as ever in the competitive health and wellness market. They want customers to have access to as much as possible, as cheaply as possible and as efficiently as possible, which ties in with their slogan to “train smarter, not harder”. This underlying focus on Club Exec clients ensures that everyone gains as much as possible from their membership. Club Exec lives, eats and breathes health and wellness - and wants to make this process achievable for all business people in Geelong.

FUTURE EXECS The health club plans to implement two more arms of the business, to further expand into the broader realms of health and wellness. Retreat Exec is a proposed health retreat on the Bellarine Peninsula tailored to business people, and Life Exec is a life-coaching arm for executives looking to take their health to the next level.

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HEALTH

MAKING HEALTHY WORKPLACE CONNECTIONS • Quit Services, Fiona Lewi, Educator, Quit Victoria • Smoke-free Community Clinics, Dr Rudi Gasser Manager Occupational Health Physician, Barwon Health • Healthy Eating in the Workplace, Melissa Tinney, Dietitian, Healthy Together Geelong; • Mental Health in the Workplace, Chris Mackey, Principal Psychologist, Chris Mackey and Associates; • Workplaces Mental Health Program, Rae Bonney, Engagement Consultant, Beyondblue; • Mental Health First Aid Course, Barwon Health; • Case studies about staff retention, resilience through change and mental health training from GMHBA, Viva Energy and Barwon Water.

City of Greater Geelong staff enjoying the free Group Personal Training sessions offered to staff. Pictured: Lahnee, Dona, Rhonda, Rhondda, Karen and Bec from Ariston City Learning and Care.

Seventy-eight workplaces across Geelong have united to form the Geelong Healthy Workplaces Network to connect with those working in health and wellbeing. These businesses are aiming to achieve best practice in healthy eating, physical activity, mental health and reducing smoking and harmful alcohol use.

Healthy employees are more productive, have better morale and take less sick leave. Work Safe Studies have shown that organisations that focus on health and wellbeing are four times less likely to lose talented staff within 12 months.

With the costs to replace employees being so high, it makes good business sense for health and wellbeing to be part of a workplace’s continuous improvement process.

Network attendees have expressed that the learnings from the sessions have inspired them to think of new ideas and allowed them to confidently trial similar initiatives in their own workplace.

The next Geelong Healthy Workplaces Network session will focus on physical activity and include an exercise physiologist giving practical ideas to reduce sedentary behaviour; top tips for organising a pedometer challenge; ideas on how to engage staff in physical activity interventions; how to get employees to take a break; measuring the benefits of physical activity and resources to get staff moving more.

The Network is free to join, so if you are interested in attending the next session on Tuesday 23 June, email healthycommunities@geelongcity.vic.gov.au for more information.

The Network is supported by Healthy Together Geelong and reaches 27,000 employees across Geelong and Bellarine.

Business managers, human resource managers and occupational health and safely representatives are amongst the representatives who connect for a shared purpose.

These bi-monthly meetings facilitate the workplaces to learn from experts in the field in each priority area, listen to case studies from a variety of organisations, connect through shared experiences and enables buying power for workplaces that don’t have enough employees or funds to run health sessions on their own.

Topics and expert speakers have included: •S edentary Behaviour, Professor David Dunstan, PhD, Head of Physical Activity, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute; •A ctive Workplaces Tips, Tools and Resources, Hugh Griggs, Victoria Walks Inc; •S moke-free Workplaces, Patricia Ritchie, Project Manager Smoke-free, Deakin University;

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HEALTH

Catering the healthy way

These corporate caterers make delicious healthy food their business

Diversitat Wholefoods Catering

Ph: 5221 5421 wholefoods@diversitat.org.au follow us on facebook! www.diversitat.org.au/wholefoods

Fresh, local and organic produce. Choose from a set menu or call us to discuss your special requirements. All catering can be tailored to meet your taste, your budget and the occasion.

All items come with a healthy attitude!

Gourmet sandwiches, great bread, filled with fabulous salads, sprouts, cheeses … create your own!

Salads with chickpeas, nuts, fruit, noodles, fresh herbs and Asian greens. Also Greek Salad, Potato Salad & Fresh Fruit Salads.

Selection of lentil, hummus, beetroot & savoury dips and spreads served with flat breads or your choice of healthy veggie chips.

Wraps stuffed with avocado, spinach, tomatoes, whatever you like!

Cold meats available on request.

Call us to discuss your catering needs. Both hot and cold foods available. Create your own menu to meet your needs. Most items made in house. From 10 – 100 people, from $5.50 per head. All orders made to suit your taste & budget.

Seasons by Karingal prides itself on creating nutritious and delicious food. Our selection includes scrumptious salads, warming soups and seasonal fruit salad as well as healthy gourmet wraps and sushi. Seasons offers a wide variety of fresh and tasty menu options designed by our team of talented chefs to tempt all taste buds.

If you are looking for healthy corporate catering, Seasons’ innovative menu ticks all the boxes - including vegetarian and gluten-free options and offers great value for money.

Seasons by Karingal is a division of Australian Disability Enterprise Karingal Kommercial, which provides supported employment and career opportunities for people with a disability.

Ph: (03) 5272 1777 | seasons@karingal.org.au

www.seasonsfoods.com.au

Seasons by Karingal specialises in both corporate and event catering and produces a range of gourmet jams, chutneys and sauces available for sale online and at their café in Douro Street, North Geelong.

dal Gourmet Café & Catering healthy options catering menu offers house-made delicacies designed to tantalise your tastebuds. dal creates quality gourmet finger-food from the finest and freshest ingredients, sourced locally. Sample dal’s: dukkah chicken skewers, beef koftas, Moroccan veggie patties, mini Spanish omelettes, Thai fish cakes and sushi, to name a few. Savour our fruit and cheese platters, offering a wonderful selection of fresh seasonal fruit, gourmet Australian cheeses, nuts and crackers. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available. dal also offers free delivery across the Geelong CBD.

Ph: 5223 1288 www.dal.org.au

But it’s not just exciting food we’re famous for; dal Gourmet Café & Catering is an award-winning vocational training and supported employment service for people with disabilities…supporting your local community. dal is your healthy catering choice for your next corporate function or special occasion. dalicious!

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ARTS THE IRON DUKE

UNTIL 16 AUGUST 2015-05-20 The startling, contentious, intricate, ribald and at times hilarious tradition of political cartooning in Britain has a long history, and a notable piece of that history is now on show at the Geelong Gallery in The Iron Duke – soldier and statesman. Sourced from both public and private collections, the exhibition explores the life of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, and coincides with the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. With cartoons and other works on paper, a bust that will be gifted to the Gallery

by Christine Bell, medallions, books and, startlingly, a set of amputation instruments believed to have been used at the Battle of Waterloo, on loan from the Medical History Museum, The University of Melbourne.

The Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815 in what is now Belgium ended Napoleon Bonaparte’s vision of a Europe united under his rule, and set direction for much of Western Europe throughout the remainder of the 19th century. Wellington was a central figure in the political milieu that led to the Napoleonic Wars and led the allied coalition armies against the French ruler. He later became the Prime Minister at a time of enormous social and industrial change in Britain and remained the Commander-in-chief of the army until his death in 1852. www.geelonggallery.org.au

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ARTS FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA UNTIL 21 JUNE 2015

Geelong Gallery presents recent works by local artist Lisa Wang exploring both the grandeur and the intricacies of the Geelong region’s vibrant landscapes and seascapes.

In From the river to the sea, Wang studies prominent points along the Barwon River, the Geelong waterfront and beyond, capturing the distinct atmosphere of her selected picturesque locations at different times of the day between early morning and sunset. From Barwon Heads and the Bellarine Peninsula to Buckley Falls and the Eastern Beach shoreline, each work conveys the warmth Wang feels for her subject. The beachside sunsets of Geelong are reminiscent of the place of her birth, the seaport city of Dalian in Northern China. www.geelonggallery.org.au

MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 4 AND PROKOFIEV SINFONIA CONCERTANTE (COSTA HALL) 19 JUNE

Conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and accompanied by cellist Pieter Wispelwey and soprano Jacqueline Porter, Mahler’s cycle is a milestone in the MSO’s musical evolution.

A moment of soulful introspection from one of music’s intrepid travellers, Mahler’s Symphony No.4 recalls an age of innocence with its moments of childlike joy. Tempestuous instrumentation and sly wit abound in Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante, considered a high point of the composer’s last creative years. www.gpac.org.au

WORD FOR WORD – SAVE THE DATE…

THE INIMITABLE MR MEEK

11 - 13 SEPTEMBER

13 JUNE - 9 AUGUST

James McKain Meek was one of nineteenth-century Australia’s great eccentrics who turned his skill as a draughtsman into an artistic career.

Arriving in the colonies in the 1830s, he ran a sly grog operation on the Ballarat goldfields, set up a cured fish business at Warrnambool, and managed a spa resort in New Zealand, but he is memorable today for the enormous, intricate drawings he produced throughout his career, celebrating aspects of local or colonial history or the achievements of particular families.

The Inimitable Mr Meek is curated by Joan Luxemburg, who is writing a PhD thesis on the life and work of this fascinating artist, and is accompanied by an illustrated scholarly catalogue www.artgalleryofballarat.com.au

EXIT THE KING – GEELONG REPERTORY COMPANY

Due to the success of the 2014 Word for Word National Nonfiction Festival, this exciting event is back for 2015 with a new look, new dates and an exciting program of workshops, panel discussions, ‘in conversation’ sessions and renowned keynote speakers.

To stay in touch with all the latest Word for Word festival happenings, visit www.wordforwordfestival.com.au

FAREWELLING A CREATIVE SPACE Sadly, the doors of the wonderfully creative ETCH Gallery will be closing at 215 Moorabool Street. Over the past eighteen months, the gallery has championed the diversity and skill of many local artists, hosting 26 exhibitions and selling over 300 works of art. Director and owner of ETCH, Robyn Mackay, will be moving her studio and etching press to Newtown.

3 – 18 JULY

Written by Eugene lonesco, translated by Neil Armfield and Geoffrey Rush and directed by Stacey Carmichael, Exit the King, recently made famous by Rush’s performance as King Beringer on Broadway, is an absurdist comedy about the decline and death of the King and the descent of his court and Kingdom, and indeed the world, into chaos.

The heaters aren’t working, the sun won’t rise, the throne room is filthy and there’s a huge crack opening up in the wall. The signs that the King is dying are unmistakeable, the kingdom is collapsing but Berenger refuses to acknowledge this.

“The hallucinatory, dislocated play reveals a chasm in which there is an absence of God, a kind of nothingness; the ridiculousness of people and their plights serve to illuminate a crazy, cruel world.” www.gpac.org.au or www.geelongrep.com

Top left / Above: Geoffrey Rush in Exit the King Middle left: ‘Leaving the House of Lords through the assembled commons’ 1829 Bottom left: ‘New mode of military discipline’ 1829 Left: ‘A portrait of that excellent old dog Waterloo’ 1829

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GET BEHIND #projectlove

TACKLING DISADVANTAGE IN THE G21 REGION

The Barwon Health Foundation’s new appeal, #Projectlove, follows on from the successful Special Care Nursery Project and aims to raise more than $3 million over two years for the redevelopment of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre Chemotherapy (ALCC) Day Ward and Pharmacy.

According to the Foundation, 2400 people living in the Geelong region are diagnosed with cancer each year and 197 patients are treated in the Barwon Health Chemotherapy Day Ward each week, in addition to 600 medical outpatient appointments.

The Andrew Love Cancer Centre Pharmacy supplies over 16,500 products a year for patients treated at Barwon Health and, since 2010, the number of items prepared and supplied by the ALCC Pharmacy to Barwon Health patients has increased by more than 80 per cent.

The planned redevelopment of the Day Ward and Pharmacy will “make a big impact in the lives of people within the Geelong region fighting cancer,” according to the Barwon Health Foundation. The Day Ward’s new design will provide more privacy, more space and improved facilities with a more comfortable environment for patients and carers.

To keep up with the increase in demand, the ALCC pharmacy will expand to ensure each patient receives the best individual treatment possible.

The redevelopment will feature more space and updated equipment to provide clinicians and pharmacists with the best facilities possible, including a new dispensary outlet allowing cancer patients to receive counselling and information direct from the pharmacists within the centre.

It will also provide a better flow of access for Chemotherapy Day Ward staff to collect and administer lifesaving chemotherapy. #Projectlove will be totally community funded and will only be possible with strong community support. To support #ProjectLove and the 2,400 people diagnosed with cancer in our region each year, you can hold a fundraiser at your workplace or make a donation. To donate online or register a fundraising event go to www.barwonhealthfoundation.org.au or contact the Barwon Health Foundation on 4215 8900.

The Foundation is also planning fundraising events throughout the year, including a whole weekend of fundraising over the Barwon Health Hospital Appeal Giving Weekend on June 5-6, the Hanlon Industries inaugural “Light Up The Green,” which will transform Simonds Stadium into a unique driving range on July 2 and the #ProjectLove Shopping Tour on July 25 (more information at www.barwonhealthfoundation.org.au/ our-events).

Described as “a bold and ambitious long-term strategy for tackling disadvantage in the G21 region,” the G21 Region Opportunities for Work (GROW) Strategic Plan document was launched last month by Geelong MLA Christine Couzens.

Based on significant international evidence that the best way to reduce areas of persistent disadvantage in a community is to reduce unemployment rates in those areas, GROW will bring together philanthropic, business, government and community organisations across the G21 region with the single objective of creating job opportunities specifically benefiting the most disadvantaged in our community.

Developed with Regional Development Victoria funding, GROW is a joint initiative of Give Where You Live Foundation and G21 – Geelong Region Alliance. The partnership began in 2014 when the boards of both organisations became increasingly concerned about “pockets of persistent, potentially self-perpetuating, disadvantage in the regional community” and decided to jointly seek a solution.

“GROW will create new job opportunities focused on areas within the region which have the highest levels of joblessness and persistent disadvantage. It will do this by targeting two significant means of job growth — procurement and investment,” Give Where You Live CEO Bill Mithen says.

“These two powerful economic drivers, when properly harnessed, will achieve well-directed job growth in those areas within the region with the greatest disadvantage, and therefore in the greatest need.

“In the G21 region there is over $18.5 billion spent annually on goods and services, both public and private sector. It is estimated that there will be $1.2 billion of major infrastructure projects in the region over the next few years, creating around 4500 jobs.

“Achieving the most efficient use of, and benefit from, the substantial existing regional procurement spending choices is therefore at the very heart of the GROW formula.”

According to G21, GROW is “a long-term strategy that will benefit and strengthen the social and economic fabric of the entire G21 region over coming years,” with an initial 10-year outlook and the ability to extend to future years.

G21 CEO Elaine Carbines says that at the outset GROW would focus on places of greatest disadvantage within the G21 region.

“Colac, Corio/Norlane and Whittington will be the initial focus; where unemployment is at double-digit levels, and well above regional and state averages. In future years GROW will expand to take in other areas within the region.

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COMMUNITY NEWS “GROW will work to reverse under-investment by business in the targeted areas by encouraging new entrepreneurship, supporting the growth of existing businesses and encouraging government and not-for-profit employment. “[It] will also work to ensure jobseekers from the target areas have access to support, training and the services necessary to become suitable candidates for jobs [while working with] employers in and around targeted areas to ensure they are matched with suitable candidates for their jobs,” she says.

The strategy includes “transparently tracking and publicly acknowledging” local businesses that use local materials and employ local labour.

According to G21 and Give Where You Live, GROW doesn’t aim to replace the many programs already addressing disadvantage and unemployment across the region, such as Northern Futures in Corio/ Norlane, Whittington Works and the Youth Employment and Training Works Project in Colac, but will work with them by providing region-wide connections and a united approach.

“GROW is about bringing along those people who are most disadvantaged as the region grows and prospers. It is in nobody’s interests to have sections of our community left behind,” Mr Mithen says.

Give Where You Live Foundation has provided initial funding of $2 million over 10 years to establish GROW, with the expectation that additional government, business and philanthropic funding will be committed as the project develops. G21 has provided $30,000, plus an ongoing in-kind contribution, while the state government provided $100,000 to develop the GROW Strategic Plan document. Alcoa Australia also provided $300,000 towards GROW.

FOOD REVOLUTION DAY: A SERVING OF FUN WITH A SERIOUS SIDE The fourth annual Food Revolution Day was held on May 15, with a focus on fighting for food education for every child. In celebration of international food campaigner and chef Jamie Oliver’s global day of action, Jamie’s Ministry of Food Geelong kitchen taught students from Geelong schools to prepare Jamie’s colourful, tasty and seriously fun to make, Squash It Sandwich.

Have a fun day out at the races in aid of local charity Kids Plus Foundation on Kids Plus Race Day, 12 June at The Geelong Race Course.

In collaboration with the Geelong Racing Club and GJ McDonald & Co Real Estate, the Kids Plus Race Day brings together 150 members of the Geelong business community for a two-course lunch with drinks and an afternoon of excitement and entertainment, including a fashion show, beer tastings, pamper corner, neck and shoulder massages, magic show, raffle and auctions, as well as, of course, horse races.

Tickets are available via TryBooking at www.trybooking.com/HNJX or contact KidsPlus if you prefer to be invoiced for tickets. Race name sponsorships are also available as great way to promote your business while helping out a local charity.

For more information call 5223 1475 or email julia@kidsplus.org.au

RED NOSE DAY 2015 Red Nose Day has become something of an institution in the Australian fundraising events calendar since it was first held in Victoria in 1987 and nationally in 1988. Held annually on the last Friday of each June (26 June this year) Red Nose Day continues to be the major fundraiser for SIDS and Kids as well as raising awareness of the issues surrounding sudden infant and childhood death, which affects over 3,500 families in Australia each year.

Supporting Red Nose Day means raising funds to find answers for parents by funding and supporting vital research into stillbirth, SIDS and safe sleeping practices. Through evidence based community education SIDS and Kids works to prevent deaths and supports bereaved families.

To date, Red Nose Day fundraising activities have contributed over $16 million to research and education programs.

You can support Red Nose Day by making a donation or purchasing Red Nose Day products online or through Big W, Target, Terry White Chemists and other leading retailers. Red Nose Day also needs volunteers throughout June to support fundraising events. Register online at www. rednoseday.com or email rednoseday@sidsandkids.org to find out more.

WARM UP SOMEONE ELSE THIS WINTER Got a spare blanket, spare food, spare cash, spare coat or boots?

Oliver says that with diet-related diseases rising at an alarming rate, it has never been more important to educate children about food, where it comes from and how it affects their bodies. He believes it is the duty of governments, businesses, schools and parents to work together to help reverse this preventable situation.

While in Australia in March this year, Oliver announced his global petition, asking all G20 countries to sign up and help with the movement.

“By educating children about food in a practical, fun and engaging way, we can provide them with the knowledge and skills they so urgently need to lead healthier, happier lives. We need to make practical food education a compulsory part of every school curriculum across the world, and that’s why I’ve launched a petition calling on all G20 countries to action this.

With enough support from millions of people around the world, I truly believe that we can create a movement that’s powerful enough to make governments take action,” he said.

All donations to Food Revolution Day made in Australia go to The Good Foundation, which is in partnership with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation to drive the global food revolution that now exists in 100 countries around the world. The shared mission is to shape the health and wellbeing of current and future generations and contribute to a healthier world, by providing better access to food education for everyone through handson programmes, awareness raising campaigns and online learning and teaching resources.

For more information and to sign the petition, visit www.foodrevolutionday.com

A DAY AT THE RACES

It was a cold and wet autumn and winter isn’t looking any better. So, when you’re huddled in front of your heater or snuggling into a warm bed, remember the hundreds of people, many of them children and young people, in our community who have nowhere to go to escape the cold or get out of the rain. Think of them and then turn the thought into action by donating to any number of relief organisations (below is just a small list of suggestions) in Geelong. They need all the help we can give them so they can continue to help others.

Geelong Food Relief Centre: www.geelongfoodrelief.org Salvo Connect: www.salvoconnect.com.au St Vincent De Paul Society: www.vinnies.org.au Christ Church Geelong Meals and Emergency Food Relief: www.christchurchgeelong.com.au Bethany Community Support: www.bethany.org.au Give Where You Live: www.givewhereyoulive.com.au

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COMMUNITY

Robbie Brandwyk “Meadow After the Rain” 40cm x 50cm, Acrylic Paints

HELPING GIRLS BUILD CAREERS IN NON-TRADITIONAL TRADES

KARINGAL KARNIVART INS Launched at a packed house last month, the KarnivART exhibition featured artwork of more than 60 artists from the Geelong, Surf Coast, Rosebud and Warrnambool regions who have a disability or history of mental illness.

Around one hundred Year Nine girls from schools across Geelong sampled a range of trade activities recently at the 2015 Karingal BacLinks Girls’ Big Day Out. The annual event, organised by Karingal BacLinks (Business and Community Links), presented by MatchWorks and supported by the Gforce Employment Solutions and the Geelong Manufacturing Council, saw the students work alongside industry professionals to gain hands on experience in a range of potential careers considered non-traditional for women.

Karingal BacLinks Manager, Joanne Forssman, said the event offered the girls an opportunity to get hands on experience, chat to industry professionals and get a real feel for a potential career in trades.

“With help from our sponsors and the mentors they generously provided, this event encouraged the participants to think outside the square. We hope they walked away from the day inspired to follow their interests and career dreams – whatever they may be.”

The coveted KarnivART Prize for first place was taken out by Kirsten Waugh’s ‘Book of Dogs’, with Jason Richard’s ‘The Books of Hate’ in second place and ‘The Soldier’ by Zara De Rosso in third. Robert Croft was awarded the City of Greater Geelong ‘Year of Light’ Prize and Hannah Wilkinson was awarded the TechnologyOne prize. Rhiannon Newman and Daniel Marton both earned honourable mention prizes, which were proudly donated by Lions Breakfast Club.

Karingal Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Starkey, said the exhibition, now in its seventh year, offered important recognition for artists with a disability or mental illness from around the region.

“Ultimately, we hope that KarnivART encourages and inspires the artists involved to continue with their passion. Having a creative outlet is important because it can offer so many benefits such as increased community involvement, new ways to communicate and express emotion and improved selfconfidence. It is great to see this event continue to grow each year.”

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AFTER HOURS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP HAS TO START SOMEWHERE Local industry, businesses and educators heard key out-takes from Sky Software CEO Nick Stanley’s recent trip to the U.S.A. - including the huge demand for software engineers and the dynamic nature of the start-up culture at the 2015 Official Launch of the Upstart Challenge last month.

The Upstart Challenge is a unique business ideas competition for high school students in the Geelong region and plays an important role in building entrepreneurial culture and skills in young people. As an initiative of the St Joseph College Foundation four years ago, the program has expanded with continued support from the Foundation, local business and educators and the Geelong Region Local Learning Employment Network. It is now an independent not for profit organisation with 12 high schools involved in 2015 as well as an online stream and has secured funding for the next three years from Skilling the Bay. In 2015, the free program runs from May-August with events taking place outside of school hours and culminating in a Pitching Showdown at the Upstart business dinner. It is open to students in Years 7-12 as well as all school staff to form teams and enter their big business ideas to positively change their world.

For more information visit www.upstartchallenge.com.au

Photography by Pam Hutchinson, Pam Hutchinson Photography

Jen Perks (Upstart) & Amanda LaBonte

Neville Wright (Supatramp)

Sharon Kerlin (Skilling the Bay) & Helen Kostiuk (Karingal)

Julie Hope (Deakin) BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 45

AFTER HOURS

FOOD, FASHION AND FUNDRAISING Every May, businesses across the region say thank you to those essential cogs in the wheels of every business and organisation, the admin professionals, and help Give Where You Live raise vital funds along the way. The Business Technology Specialists Admin Professionals Breakfast was held at The Pier with special guest speaker and granddaughter of the inimitable Margaret Fulton, Kate Gibbs.

The morning event raised more than $35,000 for Give Where You Live’s annual community grants that every year sees up to $2 million allocated across the region in July to help alleviate some of the daily struggles of some of Geelong’s most vulnerable people. GT editor, Kylie Oliver, kept the morning flowing along and Westfield Geelong Stylist, Renee Enright, kept all eyes fashion forward with a ‘Steal that Style’ session.

Photos by Elisha Lindsay EL Photography

Terry McKiernan, Craig Brock & Debbie Grillin

Andy Mathers, Lee Stamps & Georgie Goodwin BUSINESS NEWS | 46

AFTER HOURS

Sandra Holt & Angela Edsall

Caroline Tayler & Sheridan Salmon

Stan Corner & Kim McRae

Tanya Carroll & Abbey Sherwell

Felicity Bolitho, Mary Rubans & Kylie Warne BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 47

AFTER HOURS

Adam Murray (Crowe Horwath), Small Business Minister Bruce Billson & Tim Birchill (Crowe Horwath)

THE BRUCE BILLSON SHOW ROLLED INTO TOWN The Federal Small Business Minister, Bruce Billson MP, rolled into town in May as part of the post-budget roadshow and won over a room of small business people at Truffleduck in Fyansford with his honest tales of his own failed small business.

Sharing his own experiences of pillow talk about cash flow, the long hours and stress is precisely what endeared the smiling cabinet member to the small business owners who turned out in numbers to hear the Minister sell ‘the small business budget’. It’s safe to say he was preaching to the converted.

The lunchtime event was hosted by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce along with Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson and sponsored by Harwood Andrews and Crowe Horwath Geelong.

Photos by Elisha Lindsay EL Photography

Geelong Chamber President Kylie Warne, Vittoria de Stefano (Harwood Andrews Lawyers) & Sarah Henderson MP BUSINESS NEWS | 48

AFTER HOURS

Keelie Hamilton (Enterprise Geelong) & Roe Clapham (Buds to Blooms)

Margaret Ryan & Geelong Chamber CEO Bernadette Uzelac

Deb Fribbins (Developing Excellence in Business) & Dan Bingham (Dazzling Dan the Magic Man) BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 49

‘Toucan’ Print

‘Mexican Forest’ Print

‘Get Lost & Find Yourself’ Print

Unframed available in A3 $20 & A4 $15

Unframed available in A3 $20 & A4 $15

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Okay Luna

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Kit includes 1 x A2 (420mmx 594mm) 1x A3 (297mm x420mm) 1 x A4 (210mm x 297mm) 1 x A5 (148mm x 210mm)

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‘I Go Bananas’

‘Sleepy City’

Available in A3 (297mm x420mm)- $35 A2 (420mmx 594mm) -$55 Print with Timber hanging

Available in A3 (297mm x420mm)- $35 A2 (420mmx 594mm)- $55 Print with Timber hanging

Okay Luna ‘Flamingo’ Cushion Okay Luna ‘Budgie’ Cushion All Cushions are great for switching up with a different front & back. Digitally printed and is 45cm x 45cm in size, zipper & black piping. Removable microfiber cushion insert included. Cushion is a natural linen/polyester blend.

BUSINESS NEWS | 50

BOOKS

THE SHORT LONG BOOK Martin Flanagan Every now and then, from amongst the morass of poorly ghosted sports memoirs, comes a book that brilliantly crosses divide between words and action. Martin Flanagan’s portrait of Michael Long is one such book.

In 1995, Michael Long quietly revolutionised Australian sport by refusing to let a racial insult pass during the Anzac Day match between Essendon and Collingwood. When the overwhelmingly white football public backed a black man against a white institution (the AFL), the culture of the game flipped and the AFL became a leader in Australian race relations. A decade later, his quiet revolution continued when he set out to walk from Melbourne to Canberra to confront the Howard government over Aboriginal issues. Flanagan digs down into the story of a shy black kid from Darwin who became one of the most notable figures in the history of Australian sport, of a footballer who tore apart the 1993 grand final within seven minutes of the start, of a man known as a joker who is a serious social and political thinker. It is also the funny, incisive and revealing story of a white sportswriter who is taken to his limits, and a long way beyond, seeking to understand a man who can only be understood through his Aboriginality.

THE LAST BOOKANEER Matthew Pearl The first thing I did when ‘The Last Bookaneer’ came across my desk was to Google “literary pirates” to explore the what turned out to be a long and fascinating history of book thieves. The bookaneers would find all manner of questionable methods in their fervor to steal the latest manuscripts of famous writers and smuggle them to the hungry waiting public. Matthew Pearl weaves the tale of two literary pirates, racing towards Samoa, where a dying Robert Louis Stevenson is working on a new novel. But like the famed author, the days of the bookaneers are numbered. This is a grand adventure, racing around two desperate outlaws, a tropical paradise with a violent destiny, a brewing colonial war and a reclusive genius directing events from high in his mountain compound.

THE EYE OF THE SHEEP Sofia Laguna Short-listed for the Miles Franklin Literary Award (also short-listed for The Stella Prize 2015) is a beautifully wrought, absorbing tale of everyday struggles – the kind that will return to you in quiet moments. Jimmy Flick isn’t like other kids. He sees things they don’t. He misses the things that are so obvious to them. He’s different. His mum, Paula, is the only one who can manage him. She teaches him how to count sheep so that he can fall asleep. She holds him tight enough to stop his cells spinning. It is only Paula who can keep Jimmy out of his father’s way. But when Jimmy’s world falls apart, he has to navigate the unfathomable world on his own, and make things right.

ARCHITECT’S HOUSES Stephen Crafti For anyone fascinated by the craft of the architect – and the power of architecture to transform not only a space, a collection of walls, floors and ceilings, into a home, but also to transform how we live and even how we see ourselves – the opportunity to peek inside the homes of architects is a tempting one. From warehouses to apartments, from an entirely new build to a substantial renovation, these are the spaces create for themselves and their families. In this lavishly photographed book, Crafti looks at the fascinating details of the process involved, as much as the end result. What were the challenges, the hardships and the problems faced? Did ideas have to be modified to suit the budget? Were there compromises along the way? What discoveries were made? What didn’t quite go to plan? The results are anything but traditional.

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