September 2015
THE CHANGING FACE OF PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUE 244
Being a disability confident workplace is simpler than you think
Stand out from the market
The Diversity Field Officer Service is a free practical, one to one tailored service to help your business become ‘disability confident’ and welcoming
Recruit smarter
www.diversityfieldofficer.com.au
Access tangible business benefits
Become an employer of choice
Increase innovation, creativity and problem solving
We’re here to help you take that first step and to keep things simple for you as a small business. The Diversity Field Officer Service is a free (absolutely no obligation) program offering one to one tailored advice and practical support to Geelong businesses during the next 12 months to become more confident, welcoming and accessible. The service will be capped to 50 businesses – are you one of them?
Register your interest at
www.diversityfieldofficer.com.au
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
16. COVER STORY
5 Biz News 10 New Appointments 11 Competition
14. FEATURE
20 NDIS
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
30 Wealth Management 32 Governance 33 Finance 34 Property 36 Elevator
40. ARTS ISSUE 244 SEPTEMBER 2015 Read online at: www.biznewsmag.com.au
42. COMMUNITY
38 Tech Guy 44 After Hours
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EDITOR
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EDITOR
WE’VE ALL GOT WORK TO DO
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f only the successive mining boom governments had invested in infrastructure and saved for our rainy today … If only businesses had invested in infrastructure and saved for our rainy day today … If only Australians had invested rather than spent and saved for our rainy day today …
The Prime Minister flew down in August to announce that the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-Tech) school model that he personally championed after seeing these schools in action in the United States would be introduced to Australia at Newcomb Secondary College.
It’s easy to look back at the recent past and spell out the if-onlys, but it achieves nothing other than to make us sigh.
The Commonwealth is providing $500,000 to get the P-Tech model up and running at the eastern Geelong school in 2016. The program directly links students with local industry and has a firm focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
There has been a raft of funding announcements in Geelong over the past month or so, all of them designed to encourage job creation across the region and all of them present opportunities for the local business sector. The question is how will we capitalise on these opportunities so that in 20 years time we aren’t once again looking back and sighing? The Victorian Government’s $200 million Agricultural Transport Fund – contingent on the passing of the Port of Melbourne lease legislation – garnered some cautious optimism with it’s potential to fund investment in improving heavy transport connections between Geelong and the Port of Melbourne. Agriculture will be one of the world’s mega-growth industries over the coming decade and beyond and Victoria’s capacity to produce high quality, sustainably farmed and safe food is one of our greatest assets. But it’s hard to get really excited about a plan that is so heavily tied to political maneuvering. The Commonwealth Government has also had a busy month in Geelong, announcing two new Commonwealth offices. The TradeStart Office of Geelong, part of the Department of Industry’s Austrade, to be established in the city to provide local businesses with access to Austrade’s export advisory services. And the role of the Geelong Employment Facilitator, currently held by Simon French, has been extended with a funding boost of $1.3 million to establish a new Job Connections office and a Geelong Region Future Jobs Taskforce. It’s always nice to hear that funding is flowing into the region, but there is little governments can do to create jobs outside of the services and public sectors other than to fund infrastructure projects. What governments can do, and seem to have a growing appetite for, is to work with the local business and industry sectors to boost the capacity for job growth.
Bendigo Bank, Sky Software and Barwon Health have all signed on as partners in the program that is designed to teach kids in school what skills they really need to work in these industries. This is one project the local business sector should be watching with considerable interest. And topping of a very big month of announcements was the $14 million national Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, to be based at Deakin University Waurn Ponds. The Centre will focus on linking Australian businesses with global companies, commercializing Australian innovations and developing business opportunities for Australian manufacturers in advanced manufacturing supply chains. Those supply chains largely lead to our Asian trading partners and the need for the Free Trade Agreement with China to be finalised is all too clear. The concerns around labor force testing should the subject of expedited negotiation on boosting the departments charged with enforcing 457 visa requirements and the parliament should get on with ratifying the agreement. And then the real work begins. Because, as much as we welcome government funding and support, governments have neither the capacity nor the capability to drive our future growth – although they can do a good job of hindering it through prevarication and inertia. It’s the businesses and individuals who will seize on these opportunities, who will take the risks, provide the investment, create the jobs and who will drive our city, our state and our nation forward. It is the people who will learn new skills or find new ways of using old skills that will determine whether a few good news announcements can lead to a lot of new business in the future.
DAVINA MONTGOMERY BUSINESS NEWS | 4
BIZ NEWS
THE GORDIAN KNOT OF VICTORIAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
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he game of politics is made up of play and counter play, but with the big moves increasingly played out in, and for, the public eye, the big picture can all too often topple off the board. Here in Victoria, that big picture is the state’s infrastructure projects. Take the Andrews Government’s new $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund. The Fund would enable upgrades to key freight routes including improving High Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) access between Geelong and the Port of Melbourne. The wider fund would be available for project and programs specifically to boost the agriculture sector, including transport, irrigation, and energy projects, as well as skills development programs and market access campaigns. This focus on the agricultural productivity of the state makes perfect sense. Agriculture will become an increasingly important sector of the Victorian, and Australian, economy. Victoria in particular has a high level of potential to increase its agricultural export capacity throughout Asia. The $200 million fund is, however, entangled in and wholly dependent on the Port of Melbourne lease legislation that is tied up in Parliament. The move to privatize the Port is a contentious one, and the major parties are holding fast to their respective support and objections. The proceeds of the asset sell-off of the Port have been slated to fund the Andrews Government’s key election promise of removing level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne. A delay in the sale also puts at risk millions of dollars of funding on offer under the Federal Government’s asset recycling scheme. The Andrews Labor Government say the Delivering Victorian Infrastructure (Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction) Bill 2015 will increase efficiencies and competitiveness of the Port for Victorian
farmers, as evidenced by the Port’s decision to implement an export discount. The privatization legislation would see the Port leased to a private operator for 50 years with the option of a 20-year extension, returning somewhere in the vicinity of $5-6 billion into the state budget. The Liberal State Opposition and the Nationals have voted against the legislation in the lower house and have called for a review of the legislation, saying the privatization deal is uncompetitive and would leave the state liable for a compensation payout if a second container port – the cause of much angst before the last election – were to be built. The Australian Industry Group has supported the State Opposition’s call for a review of the legislation, saying issues around the length of the lease and whether a second port would be developed are of particular concern. The Victorian Director of the Australian Industry Group, Tim Piper, said, “A review would hopefully help Victoria to achieve a very good price for the long-term lease of the Port while ensuring port users are not charged excessive pricing.” The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) however, is urging the parliament to get on with it and expedite the signing of the legislation to lease the Port of Melbourne. VECCI Chief Executive, Mark Stone, welcomed the $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund, saying the fund would underpin investment in projects that would not only improve productivity in the sector, but reduce business costs, boost jobs and support business getting goods to domestic and international markets more efficiently. And it seems Premier Daniel Andrews may take a classical approach to the unpicking of this particular Gordian knot by pushing through the lease agreement without the support of the parliament – a move he says he would prefer not to have to make.
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BIZ NEWS
Geelong Chamber of Commerce was pleased to introduce the following new members at our August After 5 event . Held at Waterfront Kitchen. Hosted by Deakin University. Barry Plant Highton Geelong Business Centre See Change Supported Accommodation DC Service Management Consultancy Enterprise Access Pty Ltd Establish Practice Support Eventfulness Balanced Sustainability To discuss your possible membership with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Contact: Jody Keating, Membership Services Manager. Ph: 0429 223 432 Email: jody.keating@geelongchamber.com.au
Upcoming events: GBEA COCKTAIL EVENT Winners & Sponsors 10 September 2015 Truffleduck Hosted by Geelong Chamber of Commerce
SEPTEMBER AFTER 5 24 September 2015 Cotton On Head office Hosted by Unite Water
HARWOOD ANDREWS LAW BREAKFAST
CSIRO’S SPEEDY CRYSTAL SPONGES PROVIDING INNOVATIVE WASTE SOLUTION
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ew sponge-like crystals that clean up contaminants in industrial waste and soil can now be made rapidly and for 30 per cent of the previous cost.
CSIRO’s new method, developed in collaboration with The University of Padova in Italy and The University of Adelaide, makes the crystals viable to manufacture for the first time by reducing the production time from up to two days down to as little as 15 minutes. The crystals are made of extremely porous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and have an internal storage capacity of 7000 square metres, which is equal to the size of a football oval in a single gram. This means that the crystals can filter huge volumes of industrial wastewater, trapping large amounts of contaminants including carcinogenic material and heavy metals. MOFs are an advanced structure that is extremely ordered, porous and customisable. They grow in a crystal form and are extremely flexible, especially when combined with nanoparticles for additional functionality or attributes. CSIRO research team leader, Dr Paolo Falcaro, said the breakthrough has been the length of time it takes to produce MOFs has been a barrier to their manufacture, until now. “We’ve estimated that this process could cut the cost to make MOFs by thousands of dollars for Australian manufacturers,” Dr Falcaro said. “While we’ve initially used the method to create zinc oxide-based MOFs, it could be applied to a range of different MOFs with applications spanning energy and pharmaceuticals.” Producing MOF crystals has traditionally been an energy-intensive process due to the heating and cooling required, but this new method is performed at room temperature for dramatic energy savings. “We’re now seeking to work with Australian chemical manufacturers to further develop the method and explore turning the crystals into a sustainable industrial waste management product,” Dr Falcaro said. CSIRO has already used MOFs to develop a molecular shell to protect and deliver drugs and vaccines, a ‘solar sponge’ that can capture and release carbon dioxide emissions and plastic material that gets better with age.
8 October 2015 Geelong Football Club
WAGE GROWTH REMAINS LOW
OCTOBER AFTER 5 14 October 2015 Hosted by RACV Resort Torquay
CORPORATE PARTNER LUNCHEON 15 October 2015 Le Parisien Hosted by Vic Super & Geelong Chamber of Commerce The Hon Richard Wynne MP Minister for Planning, keynote speaker
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ncertainty in the economy has seen wages growth reach its lowest level since 1998 - as far back as the ABS figures go.
The seasonally adjusted Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.6 per cent in the June quarter 2015 and 2.3 per cent over the last year, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). In the June quarter 2015, Private sector wages grew 0.5 per cent and Public sector wages grew 0.7 per cent, seasonally adjusted. Private sector seasonally adjusted wage growth of 2.2 per cent over the last year is the lowest rate of wages growth since the start of the WPI series, first published in September quarter 1998. In the Public sector, wages grew 2.5 per cent over the last year. In the June quarter, the largest rise of all industries was 0.8 per cent in Financial and insurance services. Rental, hiring and real estate services had the smallest rise of 0.1 per cent.
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BIZ NEWS
FIRST STEP IN NEW SAFE HARBOUR PROJECT
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he development of a Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour could herald the biggest development of the Waterfront for more than two decades.
Funding for a formal business case and masterplan for the proposed project was announced earlier this month, with the Victorian Government, the City of Greater Geelong and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club jointly funding the preliminary planning process. The potential redevelopment and upgrade of the precinct would be a major boost for the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) and its annual hallmark event, the Festival of Sails. The Victorian Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, visited the RGYC to announce that funding had been secured - and consultants had been appointed - to undertake the ‘Geelong Waterfront -Safe Harbour Precinct: Major Events and Public Access Infrastructure Development Project, Business Case and Precinct Master Plan’. Minister Eren said the appointment of the consultants was a significant step forward for the Project. “The Geelong waterfront presents a unique opportunity for further redevelopment and growth – and that means jobs and a stronger region,” he said. “It is already home to our world class Festival of Sails and today we’ve added another exciting drawcard to Victoria’s enviable suite of major events – that of the 2017 Viper Worlds.” The Minister made the announcements at the official launch of the 2016 Festival of Sails. The Viper World Championships will be staged from January 7th – 15th and will be a major lead-in for the 2017 Festival of Sails regatta. It’s the first time the World Championships will be staged in Australia and promises some exciting racing with up to 70 boats from Europe, the United States, New Zealand and Australia expected to compete.
On behalf of West Carr & Harvey, we congratulate our clients on their success in the 2015 Geelong Business Excellence Awards. Winner of the Health Promoting Workplace Award
Winner of the Family Business – Second Generation or more Award
Winner of the Emerging Business Award Winner of the Commercial Services Large Award 79 Gheringhap Street, Geelong T: 5222 4522 www.westcarrharvey.com.au
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BIZ NEWS
GEELONG’S AUTOMOTIVE DIVERSIFICATION ROLLS ON
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A BOOST FOR GEELONG’S CARBON FIBRE CAPABILITY
eelong’s carbon fibre manufacturing capability received a boost last month with the announcement of a $13.9 million investment by carbon fibre and advanced composites manufacturer Quickstep Holdings to relocate its process, research and development (R&D) functions from Germany to Geelong, creating 20 new, highly skilled jobs over four years.
Bernard Brussow, CEO Backwell IXL and Sarah Henderson MP with one of the company’s solar panel frames
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HC Glass in North Geelong and Backwell IXL are among nine businesses to receive grants under Round Two of the Automotive Diversification Programme, part of the Australian Government’s Growth Fund. MHG Glass will receive a $1 million grant towards a $3.92 million project developing a new architectural glass processing business leveraging its existing auto industry skills and capabilities. Backwell IXL will receive $450,000 towards a $900,000 project to further develop an innovative fast mounting system for commercial solar rooftop applications. Federal Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson, welcomed the Australian Government’s investment of $1.45m to assist the two local automotive component manufacturers to diversify and create new jobs. “This funding is critical for companies to grow their business and plan for their futures, while also retaining important skills and jobs in the Geelong region,” Ms Henderson said. The next round of the Automotive Diversification Programme opened on August 3, with applications closing on September 17. Further information on the programme and a list of the investments can be found at www.business.gov.au/ADPRecipients.
Quickstep Holdings has been collaborating with Deakin University for over ten years and will operate its R&D functions alongside its new Automotive Division at the University’s Geelong Technology Precinct in Waurn Ponds. By establishing its Global Technology and R&D Centre at Deakin University, Quickstep will also provide job opportunities for Deakin University PhD students. The new R&D facility will leverage equipment and expertise from other Geelong Technology Precinct tenants including Carbon Nexus, the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR), the Institute for Frontier Materials and the Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre. Quickstep aims to make Geelong its automotive composites solutions centre and is also developing capability to be part of the defence industry supply chain, working with a range of businesses. Quickstep has recently secured a niche volume order to produce a series of up to 1000 lightweight carbon fibre engine compartment parts for a global vehicle manufacturer, with production expected to begin in early 2016. Making the announcement, the Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, said the Victorian Government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund will play an active role in working with business experts and workers to grow the state’s traditional industries and invest in emerging sectors.
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BIZ NEWS
DESIGNING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO SMALL BUSINESS he Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) is working on a small business project to produce mental health resources that are relevant for small businesses. And to do this, they need the help of small business owners willing to provide some occasional feedback and advice.
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mental health resources that they develop for the small business community,” Leanne said.
The project came out the broader Heads Up project developed by beyondblue. Working with beyondblue on the project, it became clear that some more work needed to be done specifically for the small business sector.
Leanne said they are particularly keen to include sole operators and micro businesses in the advisory group, as, she said, they are often the group that misses out on material specifically developed for them.
Leanne Faulkner, who is working with COSBOA as the Project Coordinator, said the feedback process has been designed to be easy, quick and the only experience required is to be a small business owner.
“This is an opportunity to ensure their voice is heard. In addition, we want to make sure the group represents all of Australia and small business owners based in rural/regional locations will be most welcome to participate. We’re largely seeking opinions and advice, so I don’t expect that the project will be time consuming at all.”
“We are establishing a reference group of 40+ small business owners from diverse businesses across all of Australia. Communicating primarily online, the group will be asked (from time to time) to give their opinion and advice to beyondblue about
“You don’t have to be an expert in mental health, or have experienced any mental health challenges yourself. Your experience owning a small business is what we’re interested in.”
Business owners interested in participating can contact Leanne via email at headsup4smallbiz@gmail.com.
BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 9
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Nicholas Redman has been promoted to Principal at Coulter Roache Lawyers and will head the Property & Development department. After commencing his legal career in Geelong, Nicholas gained further experience in Melbourne including at the toptier firm Herbert Smith Freehills.He is a graduate of Deakin University, having obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws and has extensive experience in Finance, Real Estate and Projects. Nicholas is committed to creating strong partnerships with his clients and understands the importance of timely and practical advice.
COULTER ROACHE LAWYERS NICHOLAS REDMAN - PRINCIPAL
TRAINING
TRAINING
Jana Wilbert has been appointed as Business Development Consultant at AGB training. Jana has extensive experience in Account Management with responsibilities over a broad range of industries including the safety, electricity and in education and training sectors. Jana holds a Bachelor of Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and looks forward to assisting businesses across Geelong.
Liz Loughnan has joined AGB Training as a Business Development Consultant. Liz has worked within publicity, promotions, public relations, event management and marketing within the television and entertainment industry for more than 18 years. Possessing a strong knowledge of Corporate Training and the Vocational Education and Training Sector Liz is looking forward to assisting business in training their employees.
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RECRUITMENT Sally Madigan joins the People at Work team in Geelong. Sally brings over twelve years of industry experience in the private recruitment sector. She has held roles in recruitment across Australia in Melbourne, Queensland and WA, as well as in the UK. Her role will be focused on Business Development for the region.
HOSPITALITY Travis Owen has taken over the culinary reins at Curlewis Golf Club as Head Chef and launched a new menu with a paddock to plate edge. A relative newcomer to the region, Travis’s career has included working at some of Australia’s best epicurean destinations including Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island, Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro Station in NT, the Victoria Hotel in Port Fairy and Berkeley Lodge in WA.
COMPETITION
WIN
We have 2 Double Passes to giveaway to 1 lucky Business News reader for Friday night of the 19th Annual Queenscliff Music Festival 2015. Just email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with QMF Tix Please! in the subject line or visit our Facebook page to enter. Competition closes October 1st 2015. Tickets along with event info and map are to be collected from the QMF box office on arrival.
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BUSINESS NEWS | 12
ENERGY
WHEN A DISCOUNT ON ELECTRICITY MAY ACTUALLY COST YOU MORE
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PETER BENNETT SALES MANAGER, SMALL BUSINESS
ocal businesses are being urged to take a closer look at ‘discounted’ electricity offers before signing up, as they don’t always represent the best value for money according to ERM Business Energy, Australia’s fourth largest electricity retailer1. “For example, a 25 per cent discount from one retailer may represent a better saving than a 30 per cent discount from another retailer. This is because the electricity prices being discounted are not the same - a retailer offering a higher discount may have a higher starting price than a retailer offering a lower discount, or even no discount at all,” Sales Manager, Peter Bennett said. Mr Bennett believes the confusion stems from a common misconception that electricity prices are set by government, but this hasn’t been the case since deregulation.
focus on the price per kilowatt-hour shown in cents, as this is the best way to measure the real cost of your electricity. “At ERM Business Energy, our pricing is straightforward and competitive. There are no gimmicks or discounts on inflated base prices, just our best price and, unlike some of our competitors, we don’t charge exit fees or early termination fees if customers break their contracts,” he said. It’s not all about price though. ERM Business Energy specialises in energy for businesses, not households, and understands the importance of retaining customers by consistently offering quality customer service.
“Electricity prices are set by energy retailers and rates can vary considerably between retailers, so it pays to do some research,” he said.
“We have dedicated Business Account Management and Business-Only Sales Specialists focussing on the things that matter to business and, as a result, ERM Business Energy has been voted number one for customer satisfaction for four years running2,” he said.
“Don’t be fooled by the size of discounts. To make an accurate comparison for your business,
To find out more call 134 376 or visit ermbusinessenergy.com.au/upload
1 Based on volume of electricity sold to customers. 2 Utility Market Intelligence (UMI) survey of large customers of major electricity retailers by independent research company NTF Group in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. *Cents per kilowatt-hour is the only way to measure the real cost of your electricity and to accurately compare prices.
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FEATURE
WHY SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT DIVERSITY
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new service has been launched in the Geelong region aimed at identifying and breaking down the barriers to small business recruiting people with a disability. The twelvemonth proof of concept project will see Disability Field Officers working one-to-one with local businesses.
accurate and targeted information on how to improve processes within the business via a disability-friendly check, develop a customised plan to improve accessibility and establish the right connections so the business can confidently carry out its plan after the contact with the Diversity Field Officer ends.
Jessica Zammit is the Project Manager of the new Diversity Field Officer Service, and said, “There has been very little focus on building the capacity of small businesses to be able to tap into the business benefits of a more diverse workforce. Through the Diversity Field Officer Service, we will be working one-to-one with businesses that have between 5 to 100 employees to understand and build a more comprehensive picture of the needs of small business, as well as the opportunities and gaps. We will then tailor an approach for each individual business that will help them to become more confident, welcoming and accessible.
Geelong’s position as the home of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the Barwon trial site of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), along with the city’s strong local business network and statistical representation of Australia as a whole, made it a logical choice for the trial service.
“This could be as simple as working alongside a business to review how recruitment occurs and whether there are simple barriers that can be removed. For example, having a requirement for an Australian Drivers License for every position in the business can act as a barrier for skilled candidates to apply for positions. It could be reviewing how jobs are advertised or whether flexible work practices are offered.
As a community, our perceptions around and understanding of disability has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go and barriers to equity in employment remain a challenge. Twenty per cent of Australians report having a disability and for many people that disability is not visible, such as the case with mental illness, chronic pain conditions or acquired brain injury. Thirty-two per cent of employees with disability work as professionals or managers. It is a significant statistic and one that challenges the perceptions of disability in the workforce.
“...our perceptions around and understanding of disability has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go...”
“Flexibility can have significant benefits for a workplace. If you do flexibility well, it can not only improve productivity and morale, but can make a significant difference for people with a range of disabilities and benefit the whole workforce, including employees who have other needs to be accommodated, such as parenting responsibilities,” Ms Zammit said. “It is about finding out what these minor things are that can make a huge difference to a workplace so that it is more accessible and welcoming for customers and potential employees.” The Diversity Field Officer Service will work with a maximum of fifty local businesses. As part of the service, a Diversity Field Officer will work one-to-one with a ‘champion’ within the business to undertake an individual business review, provide the business with
“There is a common misconception that a person with a disability can only work in entry-level roles or for an Australian Disability Enterprise earning as little as $2 an hour. Over one million Australians in the workforce report a disability; that is a lot of people in a wide range of industries. Disability is simply another life experience; it’s just one element of a person,” Ms Zammit said. “This project is about building the confidence of employers to work with people who happen to have a disability at a whole range of career levels, including very senior levels, across all industries. “We need to move beyond charity model thinking. This service is about enabling businesses to access a wider diversity pool with a broad range of talent and bringing in diversity of ideas and experience, including the resilience that a lot of people with disability bring to the table. And by being an inclusive employer,
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FEATURE
Ph businesses are better reflecting their customer base, which is a smart business move,” Ms Zammit said. The small business sector will be one of, if not the biggest driver of economic growth in Australia in the post-mining boom era. This presents an incredible opportunity in terms of scalable growth, of innovation on many fronts and the ability of smaller, more nimble operations to capitalise on new opportunities as they emerge. The challenges are the access to specialised expertise in areas including recruitment and policy development. Smaller businesses simply do not have the same resources, and therefore do not have the same capability in areas like recruitment and diversity policy development as their larger counterparts. This, Ms Zammit said, is why this service has been developed, not to prescriptively impose yet more regulation on small business but to work with them to build a picture of what might be holding small businesses back from hiring people with a disclosed disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is designed to deliver choice to people with a disability and their families. But for people with a disability, choice is more than just what services they can and cannot have funded access to. While statistically workers with a disclosed disability – and many people with a disability still do not disclose – have a higher retention rate and lower rates of absenteeism, Ms Zammit pointed out that often people with a disability will remain in a job or with the same employer because of the barriers of getting a job elsewhere.
Small businesses are, by necessity, cost-focused operations. Being able to clearly understand any potential costs before an employee discloses a disability can make an enormous difference to how an employer or potential employer handles that situation. “One of the things that we often hear is that business owners think that accommodating an employee with a disability is going to be expensive,” Ms Zammit said. “Accessibility can mean many things, like having a program on a computer that reads information audibly via headphones to a person with a vision impairment. Between 85 to 90 per cent of the adjustments that people with a disability may require in a workplace cost less than $500, which in the majority of instances is covered under the Federal Government’s Employment Assistance Fund, meaning very little, if any, cost to a business. Some people with disability may not require any adjustments at all. “What we seem to forget is that every time any business hires a new person, adjustments are made, whether it is a later start or finish time or re-allocating tasks that a person may not be strong at. The thing is that we don’t draw attention to this; it’s just part of the process.” Ms Zammit stressed that the project isn’t about placing people with disability into roles, but rather about unpacking what it is that the business wants and the areas where confidence is most needed, which could lead to employment opportunities and better recruitment. She said the results of the proof of concept service would be used to inform the review of the Federal Government’s re-tendering of Disability Employment Services, to provide a framework that better supports small businesses and people with disability to get the support that they need.
“We want businesses to become comfortable and informed so that if an applicant does disclose a disability, there isn’t that fear about what to do or what to say.”
“I used to work very closely with people who are blind or vision impaired and there would be some people who worked for organisations for ten years. They would tell me that they had applied for other jobs but hadn’t progressed to an interview, or that the moment they walked in to an interview with a white cane they could tell that the atmosphere had changed. These were highly qualified people with degrees and significant work experience behind them. “Unfortunately, the truth behind some of the loyalty of people with a disability is poor awareness by new employers about disability and a fear of the unknown; fears that are often unsubstantiated.” Ms Zammit said that businesses that take part in the service could find that after three or four meetings they have received the support they require, while contact may be more intensive for another business depending on their needs. “What we want to do is build the capacity of a business to feel confident to be able to be more inclusive and widen their pool of talent. We want businesses to become comfortable and informed so that if an applicant does disclose a disability, there isn’t that fear about what to do or what to say. Businesses do worry about things like how an employees’ peers at work might react if they disclose having a mental illness, for example,” she said. “In this instance, it is about identifying the steps to remove that fear.” A key element of the project is working flexibly to suit each individual business involved, with Diversity Field Officers available to meet at times that are convenient to small business, including during and outside of normal office hours.
The Diversity Field Officer Service is supported by 18 local, state and national partners, including the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), Deakin University, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, National Disability Insurance Agency, WorkSafe Victoria, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Committee for Geelong, G21 Geelong Region Alliance, Disability Employment Australia, Australian Injury & Disability Insurance Network, Geelong Local Learning and Employment Network (Geelong LLEN) and local employment providers Matchworks, Ostara, St Laurence and Encompass. The Geelong Chamber of Commerce is hosting the service’s first event, which will focus on building a high performance workplace, with a breakfast event on Wednesday 30 September. The event will bring together Geelong leaders who will share their experiences of the benefits of a more diverse workforce and discuss opportunities for fostering innovation and recruiting across a wider field of talent through the Diversity Field Officer Service. The event will be held at the Western Beach Room at Deakin University. Designed with small business in mind, this event aims to provide the confidence to take that first step. For more information visit www.diversityfieldofficer.com.au or for event information visit www.geelongchamber.com.au/events
DAVINA MONTGOMERY
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COVER STORY
THE CHANGING FACE OF PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
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here is nothing simple about the Australian healthcare system. A tangled beast of regulatory systems, contested funding streams and competing interests ranging from the political to the commercial to the public, any attempt to build a clear picture of the system inevitably results in a headache. It is within this complex environment that GMHBA has been rather quietly working away for the past 80 years. And while the system in which it works is continually gaining in complexity, this mainstay brand of the Geelong community began with a very simple idea. Back in 1934, a group of workers from the Australian Cement Company who were concerned about the rising costs of healthcare – yes, even then the rising cost of healthcare was a broad community concern – formed the Cement Workers Hospital Benefits Scheme. The health insurance scheme was designed to protect the families of cement workers and the concept was simple, by pooling their resources they could ensure that the workers and their families could all afford quality health care. The scheme worked and a growing demand for public access to the health benefits scheme led to a public meeting called by then Mayor of the City and the formation of a new open scheme. The open health insurance fund grew and gradually the local industrial based schemes transferred their membership into the public fund. The demand for access was also coming from outside of Geelong and the scheme was expanded, one town at a time, across southern and central regional Victoria. The fund became known as the Geelong Medical and Hospital Benefits Association in 1958, and formally adopted the acronym as its name in 2000 when the company became GMHBA Limited. Today, the fund remains a wholly member-based, not-for-profit organisation, with approximately 127,000 member policies covering some 261,000 people and annual revenue of around $376 million. Nationally, GMHBA covers around 2.9 per cent of the private insurance market, but the niche, regional Victorian fund has no national market-share ambition. Instead, the business is focused on its home market, which extends from Geelong through the South Australian border, where it holds around 38 to 40 per cent market share, as well as holding between 12 and 14 per cent of the market across the central Victorian goldfields region. While the fund is not looking to strike a blow in the national market share, it is very interested in national growth, having launched Australia’s first online health fund,
Frankhealthinsurance.com.au in October 2009 as a way of targeting a broader market. In July this year GMHBA announced that it had acquired health.com.au, a Melbourne-based online insurer that brought an additional 38,000 policies and covering more than 85,000 Australians. The acquisition of health.com.au brought the digital fund’s predominantly younger policy holders that help to balance the ageing profile of GMHBA members as well as a distribution agreement with iSelect that provides good coverage of east coast metropolitan markets. That there are significant challenges facing the health insurance sector and wider healthcare system in Australia is undeniable. Mark Valena, CEO of GMHBA Limited, believes that while both the public and private health systems are in the maelstrom of an unprecedented period of change, there are as many opportunities as there are challenges for the Geelong-based insurer. The rapidly ageing population is one of the key drivers of systemic change across the health system, but the big factor for the health sector more broadly, and certainly for health insurance, is the rapid rise in the rates of chronic disease. “The model of care that has been established here, and in most parts of the world, is a system to cure illness. The idea that you would get sick, then be made well under the system before going back to your normal life is challenged by those two factors of chronic disease and an ageing population. That need for longitudinal care completely stresses the way the current system is designed,” Mr Valena said. Chronic disease, encompassing cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, mental health, musculoskeletal conditions – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis – oral health and respiratory diseases including asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are the leading causes of illness, disability and death in Australia. Collectively, these conditions accounted for 90 per cent of all deaths in Australia in 2011, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Around half of all Australians have a chronic disease, and one in five Australians have at least two. The costs, both in terms of quality of life and impact on the future affordability of the health system, demand change. Across Australia, there are more than one million claims under the Medicare Benefit Scheme every day. In Victoria, the number of patients being subsidised under Medicare has risen by just under a million over the past decade.
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COVER STORY The private system is also seeing continual increases in demand. According to Private Healthcare Australia, the peak body for the health insurance industry, over 13.2 million Australians have private hospital insurance, and more than half (57.3 per cent) of all surgical procedures are performed by private hospitals. Importantly, the number of Australians over the age 65 with private health insurance is also rising, with 51.4 per cent of the population over the age of 65 covered by private health insurance. The increasing demand for health services is driving a shift in the focus of the sector towards disease prevention and greater importance being placed on primary care. The redesign of the system also means the funding model will change, both in the public and private healthcare sectors. And just as it was in 1934, there remain widespread concerns about the rising costs of health care. While the cost of individual procedures is certainly inflating, it is the rising number of procedures per visit that is seeing the cost of healthcare inflating at around three-times CPI or higher. The recent stoush between the Catholic health provider Calvary and Medibank Private was deadlocked over the cost of individual procedures. But according to Mr Valena, the inflationary pressure is arising from not so much the procedure costs but rather the number of procedures per visit or admission. He said the system needed to better manage the utilisation of health services. Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveal that in 2011-12, Australia spent around $140.2 billion on health. Health expenditure has grown faster than population growth and faster than growth in the broader economy.
In short, premiums are rising and will continue to rise, creating issues of affordability around private health cover. “The consequence of that affordability issue is increasing downgrades – so people are buying products that basically have less cover, with either higher excesses so there is more out of pocket expenses, or restrictions on the cover. We are also seeing high lapse rates across the industry,” Mr Valena said. “You’ve got systemic drivers of cost, you’ve got the design of the system not designed to control cost and you’ve got government policy and benefits inflation driving niches of affordability in the product – that’s the industry context in which we compete.” In Australia, health reform has been about as successful as tax reform – there is a lot of tinkering around the edges, a few hardline reform policy announcements that inevitably crumble in the face of public and industry condemnation. And, like tax reform, there will soon come a time when the overwhelming cost of avoiding reform will outweigh the potential political costs of the reform itself.
“Around half of all Australians have a chronic disease, and one in five Australians have at least two. The costs, both in terms of quality of life and impact on the future affordability of the health system, demand change.”
This issue goes far deeper than having more tests done when we go to the doctors. As a community, we have far higher expectations of what can and should be picked up by our doctors and the wider health system than we did only a few decades ago. We no longer go to the doctor and expect to get a vague diagnosis of ‘general illness’. At the first sign of malaise we turn to Dr Google – and 1 in 20 Google searches are health related - before flocking to a local doctor or hospital to have that serious and potentially life-threatening condition ruled out. And when we do have an issue or illness, we expect the system to fix us. “It would be absolutely wrong to blame providers for all of that servicing,” Mr Valena said. “There is a consumer expectation that more is better – that the more testing you’re having the better the quality of care you’re getting, and the more expensive my doctor is the better the doctor the must be. “There is no direct correlation between the cost of the service and the quality of the service, but that is the perception that is out there and what we are seeing is patients and consumers driving this ‘I want more and I want it now’ shift.” Into the dynamics of system-wide change in the health sector is the rising cost of health insurance. The Federal Government has linked the Private Health Insurance Rebate to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning that over time the value of the rebate will decrease and the rebate does not apply to additional Lifetime Health Cover loading.
“We believe that the Primary Healthcare Networks provide a real opportunity, if done well, for better coordination of primary and acute care on a regional basis. We think localising that coordination should make a difference and we think that is a good reform,” Mr Valena said. “If we can get that right, we think the Government’s continued investment in that is a logical thing. But there are very few changes in the system that are designed to move it to an outcome and value-based system rather than a funding of activity system where we just drive more and more work.”
Another interesting dynamic in the industry is the dominance of the very large insurers – Medibank Private with 30 per cent of the market and Bupa at between 28 and 30 per cent of the market – and the top four or five funds controlling an estimated 80 per cent of the national market. “Along with aggregators like iSelect what we are seeing is a few insurers with very large capacity to expend marketing and sponsorship to attract membership at one end and a whole range of medium to very small funds looking to add value in their own way at the other,” Mr Valena said. “The marketplace is certainly more competitive than when I entered the industry seven years ago and I can see no end to it, and I think that’s not bad for consumers.” GMHBA’s strategy within that market context is one of providing a niche value proposition. “It’s pretty obvious that we’re not going to outspend our competitors and so we look to compete for private health insurance members and retention through a regional connection strategy and value for our members,” Mr Valena said. “We are looking to turn the way that we think and the way that we behave back to those old-fashioned community values of the 1970s and 80s – where the mindset of someone who lived in Geelong was to be a member of GMHBA because that was the local health insurer. “We’ve got to do that in a very modern way and, for us, I think Bendigo Bank is a very good example of how to be national and regional at the same time.
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COVER STORY “Ken Jarvis, the [GMHBA] Chairman, put this challenge to me two or three years ago as we saw what was happening with Ford and Alcoa which was; what are the next generation of Geelong businesses that are going to step forward into the brand and community void as those organisations withdraw?” Mr Valena said. “While GMHBA is a long-standing brand and has been successful, we had sort of taken our place in Geelong for granted and I think to some extent Geelong had taken us for granted. That’s been a real catalyst for us to step forward. “I am now the Deputy Chair of the Committee for Geelong and we are deeply entrenched in the Geelong Chamber of Commerce. Our head office is here and we employ people here. Making local investments to put funds back into our regional economies has been really important for us. “The future of Geelong is going to come from education and health, and small and medium business, and we want to be a part of that transformation that is going on.” A significant part of GMHBA’s investment strategy is an Australianfirst privately coordinated and integrated healthcare model to be located in a purpose-built facility at Armstrong Creek. GMHBA purchased 13.2 hectares on the corner of the Surf Coast Highway and Boundary Road, with part of that land wholly owned by GMHBA and some purchased through a partnership. The plan for the land also includes an aged care facility and a childcare facility, neither to be owned nor operated by the fund, and a portion at the back of the block to be developed for residential housing. “We didn’t want to be disrupting local existing providers and the beauty of Armstrong Creek is its demand is huge and growing, so anything we put down there won’t be enough to meet the demand,” Mr Valena said. “For a brand like ours that genuinely wants to remain a good corporate citizen, a good local organisation, it was important that we went into a growth area, that we didn’t do this health precinct in the middle of where there are 30 other GP practices.”
moment where really no one is funded to care about how a patient passes through the system. Everybody that does their bit does their best at their bit, but no one is funding the time it takes to help people access the services they really need and helping them through the system,” Mr Valena said. The facility will not be exclusively for GMHBA members and is, according to Mr Valena, probably what most GPs would want to be able to do to get the best health outcomes for their patients, but that no individual or even group of GPs could afford to do. “There’s a whole chain of non-GP primary and preventative care providers that currently aren’t connected into the one patient. They all might play a part in that patient’s care, but they aren’t connected to each other. “It is ten parts exciting and 20 parts scary,” he said of the planned development and coordinated care model. “There’s uncertainty about how we are going to do it. There’s uncertainty around how much of it we need to own ourselves versus how much we need to partner out.” Another portion of the land will be used for a GMHBA owned and operated retirement village through a joint venture with an existing provider. The village will have 161 independent living units, designed around embedding good health for its older residents. Allied with the retirement village will be an expansion of GMHBA’s services for the aged on a broader scale. The business is currently working through what the scope of those services will be, with options ranging from advisory services to home care and home maintenance to clinical care services. “When we looked at the age of our Geelong membership, given that we’ve been here for a long time and the Baby Boomer bubble, we saw that they were ageing. We formed a view that unless we broadened our relationship and the offerings that we could assist our members to access, then the relationship we were going to have with members was going to be one of when they got really old and sick, send us the bill.
“The vision is to have a physical place in which integrated and coordinated healthcare can be provided and proven as a model of care. ”
GMHBA has been developing plans for a two-storey integrated and coordinated healthcare precinct. The building will house a primary care general practice, pharmacy, radiology, pathology, dental, optical, other allied health services, a prehab/rehab fitness centre and a café. “The vision is to have a physical place in which integrated and coordinated healthcare can be provided and proven as a model of care. The intellectual property associated with that, academically researched, can then be made back to the broader regional health system,” Mr Valena said. This is the first time that this sort of integrated facility has been built in the private health system in Australia but the concept has been tried in the USA. And, of course, Kardinia Health in Geelong is a good example of a co-located facility.
“It struck us quite deeply that we could do better than that. That we could be a participant in them ageing well at home and that’s the objective, to help people live well at home,” Mr Valena said.
The unprecedented economic advantages the Baby Boomer generation have largely benefited from means that most will retire far wealthier than the generations that preceded them. That wealth can effectively buy choices and will mean that much more will be demanded of aged care services in terms of the level and quality of services being provided. It will be this generation that will turn the dynamics of aged care on its head by acting as customers who dictate the services they want, rather than patients who will simply accept the services as provided. GMHBA has also recently acquired Geelong-based optometry business, Moran Pritchard & Roche (trading as Eyecare Plus) with four practices in Geelong, Belmont, Corio and Drysdale.
The difference with the system that GMHBA is looking to establish at Armstrong Creek is that it will be not only have colocated services under the one roof as is being developed across Australia, but will have an integrated managed care model, with the services working together for each individual patient under the one funding system.
There is an increasing shift across the private heath insurance sector for insurers to not only fund health services, but to become coordinators and, in some instances, providers of that service. Australia’s private health insurance and health legislation prevents private insurers funding out of hospital services for which there is a Medicare rebate – which is why you can’t claim GP visits under private health insurance.
“The idea is that someone with a chronic condition would be assisted to pass through a very complex system and be able to navigate that system. We have a healthcare system at the
“At the most fundamental level, health insurance provides nothing of value other than the clinical service that allows it to be funded. It’s something I didn’t think the industry particularly understood or
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COVER STORY valued when I first got here. My previous background was as an insurer of doctors, running a professional indemnity company for doctors, owned by doctors and with a board of doctors. So that was a different experience altogether,” Mr Valena said. “I came from a background where there was a strong and trusting and respectful relationship between the profession and the hospitals and the insurer. Health insurance isn’t disrespectful of providers, of the clinicians and the hospitals, but the relationships are defined by money. “We’ve put a fair bit of work into provider management, trying to understand more about how they view the world and the realities of how they have to look after our members. So that relationship has changed. “And, of course, as we make our own move into either being a coordinator of care, which is a clear direction for us, or in some cases being a provider of care ourselves, then we will finally have a provider-to-provider relationship. I think it’s fair to say that the system hasn’t worked out what it looks like when a funder is also a provider and the relationship is peer to peer.” One of the biggest challenges facing the private health insurance industry is to simplify the messaging around what you can claim under your health insurance policy – particularly when presenting at either a private or public hospital. The system badly needs some transparency for consumers, particularly at the critical point presenting at an emergency department. “The first we know about someone going into hospital is when we get notified for payment because, currently, the industry insurers are prohibited from funding general practice,” Mr Valena said. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has expressed its support of targeted reforms that would better support GPs to effectively utilise Private Health Insurance funded wellness/ support programs in caring for patients and also allow private insurers to fund a broader range of GP services for privately insured patients. But the issues of communication across public and private care providers mean that patients caught in the middle have little or no idea what their insurance will cover and what their out-of-pocket expenses might be. When facing a potentially costly hospital admission, the easy option for many insured patients is to go through the public system. What we do know is that the communication divide between the private and public health system isn’t helping the very sickest patients, those with multiple chronic diseases. Mr Valena said the statistics reveal that gap can be enormous. “Something like 5 per cent of the membership account for around 55 per cent of the benefit outlay. But I can’t approach the local GP community to put a plan in place for what we, as a funder, can do for these people who are bouncing around the system. I can’t have that conversation with general practice and I think that’s an absolute shame. “I can, however, go out and establish my own general practice, which is the irony. As an insurer, I can go out and become one, but I can’t fund one.” The lack of data is not only around what services are going to cost, but also between private and public health services. “What you end up with is a very disempowered consumer of healthcare. They don’t know much about the quality of the provider, the outcomes, the average length of stay, the infection rates, the out of pockets – in fact, they know nothing. The desire for that knowledge is growing rapidly and Mr Valena said he believes it is just a matter of time, and probably not a lot
Artist Impression of time, before the TripAdvisors of healthcare that are strong in other parts of the world, will emerge in Australia. “Consumer sharing, digital and social media empowerment have changed just about every other market and it will change healthcare.” For GMHBA, the fund’s strategy for the next ten years is to grow through a local focus on providing services in the areas of greatest need in the system – health services for the aged and services targeting the prevention and management of chronic disease. Over the coming decade, GMHBA has the potential to grow to around $750 million per annum in revenue, potentially doubling its employees from 260 to more than 500. “Not all of those employees would be engaged in health insurance. Some of them would be involved in care delivery, some in services for the aged business,” Mr Valena said. Future predicting in healthcare is a long way from being an exact science, but one area where there is little question is that aged care services will increasingly dominate the sector. What the health care model for older Australians will be is yet to be seen, but it will need to be both sustainable and scalable, and will focus on keeping people as healthy as possible, as connected socially as possible and in their own home for as long as possible. “Better health outcomes will be delivered for our members by aging well, so we are looking at the kinds of services that people will need and what role we can play in that,” Mr Valena said. “The reason that we are pursuing it with a very regional focus isn’t that we think that we will be very significant in terms of delivering aged care services, but we do think we can make a difference here. “Let’s say that 25 per cent of the Geelong population is about right for our best estimate of our share of that population, it will be a much higher percentage of those that are either in or approaching potentially needing a broad range of services for the aged, and I do mean a very broad range of services. “Right now, we are making no contribution to the way they access those services. And again, if we use the Bendigo Bank example, all of our members’ purchasing power is being fragmented. There is no one particularly focused on supporting them to get the services they want in any coordinated fashion. “We think we are going to have a role in that. We think the brand will be trusted to do it. We’ll have to earn our right. Right now our community and our members trust us as a very good health insurer, but we’ll have to earn our right to be trusted to do all of these other things. So a big part of our future will be earning the trust of our members to be more involved and for the system itself to trust our role in that.”
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THE NDIS: TWO YEARS IN
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e are now two years into what is likely to be the largest social reform of this generation in Australia and with such a significant focus of the early phasing in of the scheme happening here in the Geelong region, we approached the National Disability Insurance Agency to find out how the scheme is progressing and what they have learned in the lead up to the national roll out. The Barwon trial site was launched in July 2013, along with trial sites in South Australia, Tasmania and the Hunter trial site in New South Wales. Three more trial sites in the ACT, the Barkly region in the Northern Territory and Perth Hills in Western Australia were launched in 2014. The trial period of the scheme will end and the three-year national roll of the scheme will begin in July 2016. The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has represented a radical shift in the way we provide support for people with a disability, their families and their carers in Australia. There is widespread acknowledgement that the system the NDIS replaces was both unfair and underfunded. On a budgetary level, the NDIS is an insurance-based model – similar to the TAC and WorkSafe – and has been funded largely by the 0.5 per cent increase in the Medicare Levy. Best guess estimates suggest that the Medicare Levy, which is being collected now, will fund around 40 per cent of the NDIS budget. The question of where the rest of the required budget will come from remains a contested issue.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – the independent agency that oversees the operation of the NDIS - released its second annual Progress Report in July, showing that 97% of participants in the scheme so far rated their experience with the NDIS as good or very good. The NDIS has introduced new concepts and language, with words like choice and control, reasonable and necessary, now part of the national conversation around disability, and there has been a role for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) in all of these things. NDIA Regional Director Barwon, Meg Parsons, said, “Like any big change there are both challenges and opportunities. Through listening and responding to stakeholder feedback we have continually refined how we work. “People with disability are at the centre of everything we do. We are actively working with participants, families and providers to make improvements in the Scheme so it is sustainable and accessible for all.” Large-scale social reform of this kind only works when the people it is directed for and to are able to work with the system. The trial sites were established to see how the insurance-based model worked. “Participants are mostly very happy and are finding that new opportunities are opening up for them. We have young people living independently from their family for the first time ever and young people are learning new skills to be able to connect with their peers.
But the funding must be found for many reasons, not least of which is that based on the old disability support system, the cost of not implementing the NDIS would be more than the cost of the new system as early as 2023.
“As well as funding supports for basic daily needs that we all take for granted, we are also funding capacity building that is enabling participants to increase their skills and participate more fully in the life of the community,” Ms Parsons said.
By increasing assistance to people with a disability and their families, the modeling around the NDIS roll out predicts greater workforce participation equating to around 35,000 jobs and that the system could provide a net return of more than $9 billion.
As a whole of system change, service providers play a critical role in the successful roll out of the scheme, and, perhaps inevitably, there have been some issues around the price of services as funded under the scheme not meeting the cost of providing that service.
And, two-thirds of the way through the trial period, the latest reporting on the NDIS show the scheme is running on time and within budget.
At the same time, the scheme has also delivered providers in the trial sites with some unique opportunities to expand their reach not only within the trial site areas, but potentially intrastate and nationally as the NDIA prepares to roll the scheme out across the country.
The NDIS has been driving change right across the disability sector and beyond. The introduction of new systems has meant changes for people with a disability, as well as for their families and carers. Over the first two years of the scheme, 4,394 people with a disability have entered the NDIS through the Barwon trial site.
“The experience that service providers bring, with their strong community connection, is vital to the NDIS and to people with disability,” Ms Parsons said.
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NDIS “A range of consultation and feedback mechanisms have been established at a local level and at a national level to ensure providers are helping to inform scheme design. “A great example here in Geelong, is a budgeting project with the Bendigo Bank. We have NDIS participants working with staff from the bank to learn about managing money. It has been really exciting to develop new opportunities with well-respected players in the community.” Ms Parsons said that building on those established partnerships to create a more inclusive community is now a focus for the team.
businesses on the transition to a more customer driven, market based environment. The local NDIS team has also been working with local sporting groups, Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation, community houses, local governments, Give Where You Live, and many others to establish a broader understanding of the scheme and what it means for the community.
“There is widespread acknowledgement that the system the NDIS replaces was both unfair and underfunded.”
“We are planning a week-long series of events in early December to coincide with the International Day of People with Disability. The commitment we are seeing from the Committee for Geelong, G21, local government staff, Deakin University and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce to raise the profile of disability in our community sends a strong positive message.”
Over the past two years, the NDIS engagement team within the Barwon trial site has been focused on working with local organisations and
Both the roll out of the Barwon trial site and the establishment of the NDIA National Office in Geelong have seen staff moving from Canberra into the region, bringing further demand for housing, schools and a range of other services, all of which has been a boost to local businesses.
“Working at the NDIA is a once in a life time opportunity to contribute to one of Australia’s largest social reforms and this shared purposed has helped build a cohesive team,” Ms Parsons said. “We have an amazing team of highly qualified staff with broad experience from not-for-profit organisations, insurance, health, education, disability and government. It is a unique blend that contributes significantly to our success.”
DAVINA MONTGOMERY
Introducing
Diversitat’s Disability Services Program Diversitat, also known as Geelong Ethnic Communities Council, is a registered charity whose history reaches back almost forty years. It is a not-for-profit community service organisation with a core set of services and business operations that support the multicultural communities and the disadvantaged in the region. Diversitat commenced operation in Geelong in 1976 and was known as the Geelong Migrant Resource Centre, which later changed its name to Geelong Ethnic Communities Council and now trades as Diversitat.
The knowledge and understanding they bring assists them to help clients explore a range of opportunities for social participation
Today Diversitat offers services in Disability, Immigration & Welfare, Youth Services, Aged Care, Training and Arts & Events. It also manages 94.7 The Pulse community radio station and Wholefoods Café/Shop & Catering. In addition we run a driving school, Migration Services and Cultural Awareness workshops.
Diversability operates 9-5, 5 days a week from our Northern Hub, 25-41 Arunga Avenue Norlane 3214
If you are not already connected to the NDIS but have a disability and are of a CALD background, we can also currently assist you to see if you are eligible for the NDIS. Our vision is to empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential, please contact us if you think we can help.
Phone 52 606000 or email diversability@diversitat.org.au
Since its inception, the core mission of the GECC has been to ensure that ethnic groups, organisations and individuals are given the opportunity to develop their potential and fulfil their aspirations as equal members of the community. With the commencement of the NDIS trial in Barwon, Diversitat sought to ensure that the needs of individuals and families of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds were properly considered in the setting up of this new scheme. The Diversitat Disabilities Findings Report identified a number of barriers to CALD people accessing disability support and provided recommendations to service providers and the NDIS about how to address these. At the same time we established Diversability, our disability services program. While we specialise in helping people from culturally diverse backgrounds, our skilled staff are keen to support anyone who needs help to implement their NDIS plans. Our qualified staff have worked in a range of settings prior to joining us here at Diversability including school settings and outdoor education.
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PATHWAYS TOWARDS A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKFORCE Mentally Healthy Workplaces Great for your staff and your business Pathways has developed a range of Consultancy offerings and educational packages designed to support and assist workplaces, of all sizes, to create and maintain mentally healthy workplaces. • A FREE 1 to 2 hour introduction presentation on Mental Health issues in the workplace. • A half to full day workshop, depending on the size of the organisation and agreed objectives, to assist the workplace to develop a Mental Health Action Plan. • The delivery of the accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course.
Fee Structure We are confident that we will find a fee structure arrangement that will suit your organisational budget.
Mental Health in the workplace is everyone’s business and as employers we have a role to play and in fact a great opportunity to promote good mental health.
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athways partnered with the Geelong Cats to host a special luncheon focused on workplace mental health last month. The August 26 event brought together CEOs and HR Managers to consider good mental health practises in the workforce with the aim of creating a more understanding and supportive work culture. Pathways - leading local provider of mental health and wellbeing services - is an official partner of the Cats and has sponsored the club’s 2015 Community Education Sessions. The sessions target a wide variety of audiences and provide them access to hearing from key figures within the club, including players, club doctors, coaches and CEO, on topics that matter to community. Pathways Acting CEO, Phil Dunn, said, “Mental Health impacts on individuals, workplaces and the community. Organisations can play a pivotal role in providing a mentally healthy workforce for all employees. In a given 12-month period, 20 per cent of Australians will have experienced a mental health condition. Workplaces who invest in creating a mentally healthy environment can expect a significant return on investment through reduced presentism and absentism, and improved health of their people. “Simple measures such as speaking openly about mental health in the workplace, making information about support readily available, and providing opportunities for staff to learn more about mental wellbeing should be readily encouraged. We applaud the Geelong Football Club for taking up this initiative and hope for the wellbeing of all Geelong workers that this will open up a pathway for more organisations to follow suit,” Mr Dunn said. Earlier this year, the Cats staff participated in a 2-day Mental Health First Aid course. Geelong Cats General Manager of People and Culture, Rosie King, explained the initiative. “Mental Health is a silent illness and the more we understand how to identify the issues, help and raise awareness, the better we will all be.
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE DATES: Session 1:
Friday 25th September & Friday 2nd October
Session 2:
Thursday 8th October & Thursday 15th October
Session 3:
Monday 23rd November & Monday 30th November
To register or for further information: Contact: Paula Allan Ph: 5229 8295 E: paulaa@pathways.org.au or visit our website www.pathways.org.au
Belinda Dean, Cottage By The Sea & Chris McGrath Pathways
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Phil Dunn, Pathways, Philippa Bakes, Pathways and Sue Kelly, HR4Business
Sarah Albon, Geelong cats and Sue Cormack, Leisure Networks
“The Mental Health First Aid course has provided our staff with a framework and some practical tools to have greater understanding and confidence of how to approach Mental Health issues in the Community. “Feedback from the course has been extremely positive and this level of engagement helps us drive our other Health and Wellbeing initiatives at the Club.” Ms King said the wider benefits of mental health training in the workplace for the Club and its staff include an overall increase in performance across the Club, stronger connections with stakeholders, improved diversity of thought and increased employee engagement and talent retention in the workplace. “The two-day course was oversubscribed and we have a list
of interested people at the Club who are waiting for the next opportunity, which is exactly the response we were hoping for,” said Ms King. Pathways offer a range of different Mental Health & Wellbeing supports and support packages funded by either the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or with the option of selffunding. With 30 years of sector experience and a client base of over 300, Pathways is one of the leading providers of mental health services in the Geelong region employing approximately 150 staff. Pathways, with the support of the Geelong Cats, have created a video on Mental Health in the Workplace that can be seen on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mapjWsEj_dQ
BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 23
BUSINESS ADVICE
Your Vision has been Our Vision for over 30 years!
Your Vision has been Our Vision for over 30 years & NDIS is Business As Usual……
I
t is hard to believe that Encompass Community Services is turning 30 this year! A Pearl symbolises a 30 year anniversary. Like a pearl Encompass, has grown as it has been agitated and irritated that our catch cry of universal opportunity is too slowly gaining momentum.
Operating under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), for over two years now, NDIS is ‘Business As Usual’ for Encompass. When you grow organically there are always challenges and NDIS has been no different. The concept of a person-centred approach, a key platform for NDIS, was closely aligned with our organisation’s strategic direction. Consciously, we had moved to this approach many years ago in recognition of our clients’ requests to achieve individual goals. Funding challenges have and will continue to impact us. Within these challenges, we had to review and refine our business model. Throughout the processes of rejigging pricing, reinventing the way we market and cope with the increased administrative load, the positive differences that the NDIS has had for many people with disabilities, and their carer’s and family’s lives is impressive. We continue to see our participants achieve by being involved in the NDIS: the increase in program flexibility, individualized support, and more importantly - choice & control in how their needs and goals are met. When talking to participants, their carers and families, it is evident that the NDIS is working for many of them. A number of participants have engaged with travel training support and have gained an outcome of learning to travel either by taxi or public transport independently. This has taken a lot of pressure off families who were previously transporting participants to and from their daily activities. Some of our families have commented
that the additional support from NDIS outside of the standard operating hours, traditionally 9am-3pm, has not only resulted in the participant increasing their community access opportunities, but has allowed families time to spend with other siblings. Many participants have gained work experience at our various Social Enterprises including The Hub 3219, HomeStart and ReadyStart. Here participants experience retail, furniture recycling/ upcycling and ceramics. Our catering service, Munch ‘n’ Crunch also provides participants the opportunity to experience the hospitality industry. Feedback about the benefits of these opportunities have been extremely positive. Participants are enjoying the opportunity to gain experience in a supportive environment, feeling valued as a member of the team. One family has commented on the benefits of a 1:1 horse riding session which has been set up for a participant. Matching of the staff member to that participant has worked really well and her mum mentioned that her daughter comes home every week with a smile on her face. Many families and participants have given positive feedback about having the opportunity to participate in our weekend camps. So much is gained from being independent and away from the family unit for a weekend, spending time with friends and experiencing different activities. As the CEO of an organisation which began 30 years ago with one staff member and now employs nearly two hundred staff, I am immensely proud of the team. Their determined efforts to ensure the best outcome for our participants and families during the NDIS rollout has been second to none. Our staff not only recognise and acknowledge participants’ goals but also their families and carers who are often an integral part of a participant’s decision making process. With the new scheme comes additional compliance requirements and our Quality Assurance and Compliance team has grown to
BUSINESS NEWS | 24
meet the increased demands. We are now two years through the NDIS and no longer consider ourselves ‘in trial’. Our experience has been invaluable and as a Centre of Excellence, Encompass is a source of information and guidance for people with disabilities, their families and carers and also for other service providers across Australia as they embark on a similar journey with the NDIS roll out. Other service providers, particularly from interstate, have come to visit and experience our Leopold Farm, “The Paddock”. The Paddock is an initiative that Encompass developed to trial new projects and social enterprise partnerships with local business, such as the Flying Brick Cider Company in Wallington, to deliver skills development opportunities and pathways to jobs for people otherwise unable to access lived experiences of employment. And we continue to evolve. With the popularity of the Paddock, including a recent visit by MP Martin Foley (Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing), and its location to the Whittington area, we are working with Give Where You Live and G21 Regional Opportunities for Work (GROW) to address place based disadvantage in this area. Currently in the design phase, we are building a Multipurpose Shared Use Training Facility to double our capacity. We have been fortunate enough to receive a multi-year capital grant from Give Where You Live (GWYL). A three year grant provided for innovative capital builds, the first of its kind to be offered. This is in addition to a multi-year grant received from Perpetual Trustees (Percy Baxter Trust) as well as a grant from Helen MacPherson Smith Trust. Encompass is a mission-based organisation, pushing for positive change and for everyone with a disability to be given a fair go; we never leave anyone behind. We view the opportunity to work with GROW, GWYL, Whittington Works as well as our philanthropic partners on this initiative as being a wonderful opportunity as well as being absolutely the right fit for us. Did the NDIS challenge us? Absolutely but it also empowered us to move into the next 30 years richer for the experience. For now though it is time to celebrate our achievements. On the 23rd of October, we shall be holding an event with proceeds from the night going towards the Multipurpose Shared Use Training Facility project. We invite you to come along for a night of fun and entertainment as we take a moment with the wonderful community of Geelong to say thank you for your generous support and to acknowledge our accomplishments over the past 30 years. - Encompass CEO, Elaine Robb
Tips for those who are about to meet with NDIS planners: • Pre-plan before meeting with your NDIS planner. Write down some of your goals and aspirations to ensure you don’t forget to mention them at the meeting. • Be honest and transparent about some of the barriers you face. This is the only way you are going to get the support that you require. • You don’t have to go to the meeting alone. If you want, you can bring your advocate to the planning session. • Think about what you have in your current plan. Is there something you would like to keep or something you wish to change? • Write down some events or things in your life which have been difficult for you. For example community access, using public transport, making yourself understood in a cafe or trying to get a job. • If you already have funding the following may apply - Ensure it is maintained. Families and/or individuals should inform the planner if there have been any barriers towards using their funding, eg- a waiting list to gain access to a service - If you need assistance with using funding / accessing a service, you can request a case manager or coordinator to assist. - If you have progressed towards your goals and if you have achieved them what would be the next goal for you? • Most importantly, remember that you can appeal the decisions in relation to your individualised package. If there are any gaps, you should let your planner know!
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COMMUNITY
STUDENTS COOK UP A FRENCH STORM AT THE ‘Y’CHEF COOKING CHALLENGE The demand for qualified and skilled chefs is heating up in Australia amidst a period of booming growth in the food industry. This highlights the positive employment potential for graduates of hospitality courses in coming years; however, the number of students in Geelong schools undertaking VET Hospitality studies continues to remain relatively low. The annual ‘Y’Chef Cooking Challenge seeks to address this by having award-winning Geelong chefs work with students currently undertaking VET Hospitality classes to train and inspire them on to their own pathway to a successful career in the industry. Sponsored by the Geelong Regional Vocational Education Council (GRVEC), MatchWorks and the Lions Breakfast Club, the Challenge kicked off with an official launch in June followed by students training for seven weeks under the guidance of chefs, Daniel Brehaut of Black Bull Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Jan Solovic from Empire Grill, and Jason Tucker from Seasons by Karingal. “Encouraging and nurturing the talent of local students over this time gave them an insight into the culinary industry and a taste of the excitement of
the hospitality industry,” said Daniel Brehaut. Eight student pairs from the three participating VET in Hospitality host schools, Sacred Heart College, The Gordon and Northern Bay College, were chosen to battle it out for the coveted prize at the final, held in the Northern Bay College kitchens. Judges, Hayden and Milly from BayFM, food writer Gail Thomas, Tony Spoljaric from La Madre Bakery, and Leonie Mills from Jack & Jill Restaurant, had the difficult task of picking the pair whose interpretation of the French inspired three-course menu was considered superior in taste, presentation and preparation. Allison Cooshna and Samuel Reichler from Geelong Baptist College, who trained at the Gordon under mentor Daniel Brehaut, took out the main prize, which, apart from the perpetual trophy, included a Scanpan knife block and complete knife set, and a three-course lunch with tips and tricks at Jack & Jill. Jade Angus and Kirralee Kirk Bride from Northern Bay College came in second; however, all the students displayed excellence in their culinary skills, professionalism and creativity.
KARINGAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO ITS RETIRING CEO The Karingal Foundation hosted its inaugural Gala Dinner Dance in August, a spectacular night of celebration and entertainment. Held at the Geelong West Town Hall, the Dinner Dance was attended by over 200 distinguished guests who came together to pay tribute to retiring Karingal CEO, Daryl Starkey, and celebrate his 15 years of exemplary service. Under Daryl’s stewardship, Karingal experienced a period of rapid and innovative growth, expanding more broadly across Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne, as well as interstate, to support an increasing number of people with disabilities, and their families, to live the lives they choose. In this way, his vision and leadership has driven powerful and meaningful change, not just for Karingal, but also across the whole disability sector. The Gala Dinner Dance also raised $15,000 to add to the $700,000 already raised by the Foundation to fund the building of the Eastern Geelong Community Centre, the region’s first fully inclusive community centre. The Foundation would like to thank all the businesses that have contributed to this remarkable fundraising achievement. The Karingal Foundation will also proudly present the 4th Annual ‘Hundred Hole Hike’ on 22 January 2016, an extreme golf marathon sponsored by the Transport Accident Commission. Registrations are open for individuals and teams. If you would like to play or find out how to support a golfer to raise funds for the ABI Club House program, which will be located at the new Eastern Geelong Community Centre, please visit www.karingal.org.au/foundation or contact Caroline Moore carolinem@karingal.org.au.
BUSINESS NEWS | 26
Fo
.
Karingal was proud to support the Every Australian Counts Campaign which was a catalyst for the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013. Simone Stevens, Lynne Foreman and Joyce Schroeter were three of the campaign champions who worked tirelessly to lobby for the rollout of the NDIS. Two years on, the three women take some time to reflect and also look ahead…
Name: Simone Stevens (participant)
Name: Lynne Foreman (participant)
Name: Joyce Schroeter (parent/carer)
Age: 37
Age: 58
Age: 67
When the NDIS was announced, I dreamed of… a world where people with disabilities’ needs were met there and then, that they no longer had to wait unnecessarily; no more restrictions and a fair system for all.
When the NDIS was announced, I dreamed of… having more hours, so I wasn’t juggling my time (e.g. have I got time to have a shower and also get my washing pegged out?), as I was on the waiting list to receive more hours from DHS. Under the NDIS I can still go swimming and now have a coffee and cake afterwards.
When the NDIS was announced, I dreamed of… it bringing an end to the tragedy of services denied or delayed, and instead offer people with a disability the care and support they need over their lifetime.
Two years on, I feel… empowered but also restricted because of the change of the mobility finances. A highlight for me… is that I have more choice and control in my life, which I will be eternally grateful for. I have been with VISTA Community Support for four years. My personal support, medical appointment and community access hours have significantly changed for the better. I only wish this was the same for all participants. There’s room for improvement…. as I believe that people with intellectual disabilities are not being included, while there also seems to be a lot of responsibilities for older parents and carers, but not enough advocacy to support people with all disabilities. The most important issue we face ahead of the full roll-out is… not enough advocacy training from advocacy organisations to empower people, especially those with intellectual disabilities, so that they can have more say and more inclusion in their own plan.
Two years on, I feel… I am now in control of my life - I am in the driver’s seat. I can take my package with me interstate so I can get the care that I receive in Victoria. A highlight for me… I can now pick and choose my providers, and not be locked into just one. Under the NDIS I now have two new providers. There’s room for improvement… as the NDIS rolls out in other states. The NDIS is learning from different areas and also they are learning ‘that’ is working well, but ‘this‘ is not. The most important issue we face ahead of the full roll-out is… that all states and territories, have to have the same legislation for the disability sector, so when and if we do decide to move, we are all on the same page.
Two years on, I feel … blessed we have the launch site in Barwon. I am discovering that people with a disability are being given more opportunities than ever before to reach their potential. A highlight for me… is seeing people with a disability having their needs recognised and given more choice and control than ever before. There’s room for improvement… in the planning process. It is imperative NDIS planners are effectively skilled to recognise participants with an intellectual disability who cannot advocate for themselves. They need to liaise with a supporter who will make sure their plans are designed and implemented so they can reach their full potential. The most important issue we face ahead of the full roll-out is… securing more affordable and accessible housing and accommodation options for people with a disability. There needs to be a plan in place to prevent this housing crisis from developing further. It is a real concern for ageing carers.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a great advancement for people with a disability and Karingal would like to thank the National Disability Insurance Agency, Federal and State Governments, industry professionals, parents, families and participants for their dedication to making the scheme a success. For more information about Karingal’s services please call 1300 558 368 or visit karingal.org.au
BUSINESS NEWS | 28
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
BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 29
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
I WANT TO RETIRE, BUT …
H
ave we got enough money? Will we get anything from Centrelink? What about my long service and annual leave? I’m not sure about my super fund?
The rules are too complex, I don’t understand.
DAMIAN MCVILLY, PRINCIPAL, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, REPRESENTATIVE, CROWE HORWATH
There is a lot to know and understand about retirement planning and sometimes it’s easier to stick your head in the sand. Or, you can make it really easy for yourself and leave it to the Financial Planning experts to explain it all to you in simple terms, and guide you in the right direction. Damian McVilly, Financial Advisor at Crowe Horwath, says, “Those heading towards 55 years need to think about their transition to retirement and how they could be salary sacrificing to boost their retirement income. Those already in retirement need to ensure that what they have in place is the best structure for them and should seek a second opinion.
Damian says, “Many people are scared about the concept of ‘self managed’ because of the complexity of rules and the responsibility of being a trustee. They also think it will be a whole lot of paperwork, time and hassle – something you don’t want in retirement!
“But that’s where an expert Advisor will assist with all the information needed to make sound financial decisions and we can manage the paperwork on your behalf. So the ultimate control is always maintained by you with us “There are many taking the administration investment options for burden off your hands.”
those looking to build on their retirement income potential.”
“The Centrelink entitlements system, including age pensions and concessions cards, can be difficult to understand, particularly if you haven’t had previous experience with Centrelink. Having some professional advice can simplify the process and help to accurately put together the information Centrelink needs.” There are many investment options for those looking to build on their retirement income potential. But again, this can be unfamiliar and daunting territory even for those with strong money management skills within their business or personal finances. Professional, accredited advisors can work with you to better understand what your income needs are likely to be in retirement and how to invest now to provide financial security in the future. Having a clear picture of where you are now and where you would like to be in retirement through cashflow projections and mapping expectations can take a lot of the stress out of planning for retirement. This article is for general information only. Any advice in it has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should therefore not act on it without first taking those things into account and seeking professional advice. Crowe Horwath Financial Advice Pty Ltd ABN 51 060 092 631 AFSL 238 244. accepts no liability whatsoever for reliance on it.
into a Managed Fund, another option is a Self Managed Super Fund, where you make all the decisions about how your money is invested. It can provide the ultimate in terms of control and flexibility of retirement savings.
A successful retirement plan is one that looks across more than just the immediate balance of your super fund and eligibility for Centrelink entitlements at the point of retirement. Issues around ageing are also important factors to be considered. While estate planning matters, including inheritances, and plans for aged care admissions, may not be exciting as planning that dream holiday, they are much easier to deal with early rather than later. “Reviewing your arrangements is an essential part of any retirement plan due to ongoing legislative, economic and personal changes,” Damian said. “For example, on 1 July 2017 new laws change the Centrelink asset test threshold for age pension entitlements. This may have major consequences to your current or expected future age pension entitlements. As an Advisor, I can assist in recognising, growing and configuring your assets to move towards obtaining your retirement lifestyle aspirations.”
Capital growth can provide stronger growth than income growth, but there is no single answer to what to invest in, when, and how much to invest.
So, whatever your concept of retirement is, there are going to be financial consequences. Unfortunately, many don’t realise until late in their working life how important superannuation can be. For a financially successful retirement, tax minimisation, Centrelink entitlements and estate planning are also important parts of the equation.
Superannuation is generally most people’s second largest asset after the home. Instead of putting all your superannuation and savings
The key message is to start planning now. There are many issues to consider and delaying planning, might mean delaying your retirement.
BUSINESS NEWS | 30
VECCI
REGIONAL VICTORIA MEANS BUSINESS
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Geelong road freight network; providing funding for Stage 3 of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre; developing the Portarlington Safe Harbour project; and funding the development of the Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct.
The Geelong region was well represented, providing a valuable opportunity for delegates to shape the agenda in support of continued local business and economic success.
Speaking at the Summit, Geelong delegates, Bernadette Uzelac of Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Ken Dickens of Corio Waste Management, Mark Edmonds of MRE Consulting, Bill Winter of Enterprise Geelong Advisory Board, and Peter Valentine of Geelong Taxi Network, highlighted a number of ways governments can help the Geelong region capitalise on its strengths. Among these were:
VECCI’s Victoria Summit 2015 policy paper, Regional Victoria Means Business, contains a number of recommendations to strengthen regional business competitiveness including:
•F unding the business case (approximately $5 million) and construction (approximately $100 million) of a convention and exhibition centre in the region.
• Raising the payroll tax threshold from $550,000 to $850,000 to assist regional SMEs create jobs.
•D eveloping Avalon Airport, including rail access and international airport status.
riorities for growth in the Geelong region were among the key issues discussed at VECCI’s Victoria Summit 2015 – Regional Victoria in Bendigo recently.
We were delighted to host over 100 regional business and local government leaders from throughout Victoria at the Summit, along with the Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Public Transport and Employment, and the Hon. Matthew Guy MP, Leader of the Opposition.
• Retracting Victoria’s two new public holidays, Easter Sunday and Grand Final eve, as they impose significant costs on regional small business and result in lost productivity. • Progressing major regional investments by creating a one stop shop for local and state government regulatory approvals to reduce costs and delays. • Developing a strategy and action plan to leverage regional opportunities created by Free Trade Agreements and assist regional SMEs to take advantage of these. Recommendations specific to the Geelong region include upgrading freight connections from the Geelong Ring Road to the Port of Geelong; supporting heavy vehicle bypass works on the
•E ncouraging government departments and agencies to implement procurement policies that support purchasing goods and services from the region. •L everaging strengths in manufacturing and education, as well as Geelong’s position as an attractive, affordable place to live. The Victoria Summit recommendations will form the basis of VECCI’s regional business agenda into 2016 and beyond, including for VECCI’s 2016-17 state budget submission and the next federal election. We cannot expect Victoria’s economic performance to be strong without vibrant, forward looking and competitive regional business.
MARK STONE, VECCI CHIEF EXECUTIVE For further information please visit vecci.org.au.
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GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE AS LEADERSHIP – WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
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on-profit organisations in the small-to-medium size range generally do not have access to diverse and well-developed organisation structures to deliver their strategic and operational plans. Resources are scare, supply and demand rarely meet and employment conditions do not always attract the “best and brightest” (this is by no means a criticism of those who work in the sector, rather a reflection of the funding available to deliver these services). Within this context, under a traditional form of governance, boards practice two modes, namely fiduciary and strategic. The fiduciary mode is a basic and fundamental requirement of good governance – protect the assets of the business, ensure resources are deployed efficiently and effectively, and for everyone, both the board and management, to always act in the best interests of the organisation. There is nothing unusual here and sound principles upon which to build a sustainable organisation. Under the strategic mode the board and management think together to identify strategic priorities and drivers. The external as well as the internal environment is reviewed and assessed; enquiring minds are encouraged, strategies and decisions are open to challenge based on thoughtful consideration and the focus is on the ends rather than the means. Both of these modes of governance are fundamental to maintaining relevance and a sustainable business model. However, there is another, the generative mode (Governance as Leadership, Chait, Ryan & Taylor; Boardsource) that can take governance and leadership to another level, all within the confines of the existing board and management structure. In a generative mode, the board’s work is more creative, challenges the norms, applies a robust deliberative process and plays a key role in the framing of issues and the development of strategic options and plans. That is, the board gets involved sooner rather than later and becomes a valuable part of the solution. Under a traditional form of governance, management frames the issue and develops strategic options and plans. The board does not get involved during the formative stage and is generally
presented with options for consideration and a preferred option recommended by management. Only then is the board given the opportunity to be involved in the discussion. However, is this too late? Does this approach take advantage of the collective wisdom sitting around the board table? Given the scarce resources that non-profits are confronted with, is this best approach? A new way of thinking about governance as leadership is that there is a better way; one that does not conflict with the principles of good governance but does take advantage of the intellectual capacity that is contributed by members of the board. The organisation utilises the multiple levels of board capital, i.e. intellectual, reputational, political and social, and applies these to the whole decision-making process that is the formative, deliberative and challenging stages. Instead of sitting back and waiting for a paper to be presented by management, the board participates in the actual development of the paper. This approach transforms the way organisations utilise the capability that sits around a board table. It re-enforces a requirement for a skills-based and diverse board and provides a means, within the guidelines of good governance, for that board to make a more meaningful contribution to the strategic management of the business. By being involved in the actual framing of the question and the development of strategic options, the board is providing leadership at a governance level and one that, given the resources the board can individually and collectively contribute to this process, should produce a better outcome for the organisation. There is a time and a place for the three modes of governance. This is not about an either-or decision, it is one that looks at the issue at hand and determines the best outcome for the organisation. What this type of thinking does is to challenge boards and organisations to look at the way they utilise the collective wisdom around the board table and adopt an approach that will maximise that wisdom for the benefit of their organisation. It really is elevating governance to a leadership function and is worthy of consideration by all boards and management who wish to be the best they can be for all stakeholders.
MARK SCHULTZ For further information, go to www.governancetoday.com
BUSINESS NEWS | 32
FINANCE
THAT COMFORTABLE C WORD
I
n both sport and business we are acutely mindful of the prime C, competition, but once we are satisfied with our achievements we are constantly reminded of the need to avoid the bigger C word, complacency. Complacency is described in the Oxford Dictionary as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often whilst being unaware of some potential danger.
MARTIN CARTER, BUSINESS MANAGER, MORRIS FINANCE
“Complacency’s best friend is mediocrity and combined these twins are brutal.”
Complacency can sometimes be perceived as a sneaky thing, mainly because it starts off with a positive feeling of achievement that comes from having done something special, reached a significant goal or some form of big success. Human nature dictates that you take some time to revel in the celebration, inertia sets in and, before you know it, a dark cloud engulfs you, the dreaded haze of success. The danger here is that you eventually move on, but without the same sense of urgency, without the drive and the tenacity that helped you achieve greatness, and you start to lose focus and direction. Not surprisingly, complacency doesn’t set in overnight and the first step towards erasing the haze is recognizing that it exists and is starting to strangle your passion. Once you’ve woken up, there are a number of basic actions you can take to make sure that complacency doesn’t start camping within your passion park. One of the best ways to get motivated is to look back at some of your biggest accomplishments. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing down some of the things you have done that you are most proud of. I know this sounds an awful lot like blowing your own trumpet, because that is what it is meant to do. It’s also a great way to remind yourself what you’re capable of and start to build some confidence that will continue to lead to actions of positivity, drive and further success.
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Goal setting is not something you should only do annually, as goals are not resolutions. Make sure the goals set are achievable and agreeable. The truth is, the most successful goals are those that you take time to set with engagement from stakeholders and then revisit frequently to make sure you’re on track. Complacency’s best friend is mediocrity and combined these twins are brutal. They work in harmony, with complacency prompting action and forcing you, under duress, to do the bare minimum to get by. Enter, mediocrity! To break this chain you need to take one task or project and commit to going above and beyond, shattering expectations and getting it done exceptionally well. You’re only going to complete that project with 100 per cent effort and you’re going to feel good, damn good, when it’s completed successfully. In fact, you’re going to feel so good that it rolls into the next project, and the next and so on. Before you know it, you’re just achieving greater success all the time. Complacency is an intrinsic flaw that often prevents people and organizations from pushing beyond the status quo to achieve exceptional successes. Success, and the resulting tendency to become complacent, often leads organisations and individuals to believe that they are very talented, have figured things out, have the answers to all the questions, and no longer need to get their hands dirty in the trenches, but experience tells me nothing could be further from the truth. As we’ve stated before, the harder we work the luckier we get and once you reach Number One the thinking that must become part of your business DNA is “think like Number One but act like Number Two,” and constantly strive to achieve greater success. Until next month, onwards and upwards in your pursuit of excellence.
PROPERTY
W
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CYCLES AND TRENDS
hen most people think about commercial property they realise that it relates to offices, industrial and retail but, mistakenly, they believe that it is one large market moving in a single cycles. In actual fact, there are three separate cycles going on; the largest both physically and financially, is the office market. If you think about capital cities it’s pretty clear to see how that dominates the skyline. The office market is unaffected by interest rates and attempts to historically move in an 18 year cycle from peak to peak. Industrial property, however, has historically moved in a 9 year cycle; whereas retail attempts to move in a 6 year cycle, and that’s probably because it is more sensitive to interest rates movements. The only time you have a boom time situation in the commercial property segment of the market is when all three cycles are peaking at the same time and that’s at the end of each 18 year period – although there will, of course, be smaller peaks in retail and industrial properties within the boom cycles. The last time that Australia experienced a big boom in the commercial property market was when all three segments of office, retail and industrial properties peaked in the mid to late 1980’s. The height of the peak came in 1989, after which the property market crashed because it had become so overheated. Some of those properties fell by 40 to 50 per cent in value and there was devastation. What’s happened since that last big boom and bust is interesting as the Global Financial Crisis interrupted the overall cycle for property and there has been a segmenting of the Australian market, with the signficantly more mature Melbourne and Sydney markets remaining relatively stable while the much younger Brisbane and Perth markets have remained in this sort of boom and bust cycle.
Across both Melbourne and Sydney, the development of Docklands and Darling Harbour meant some large corporates were able to relocate close to the CBD. Those moves being made with precommitments meant those large tenants weren’t coming to the end of leases in the City, triggering a perceived shortage of space and speculative building. It is these two factors – a perception of undersupply and speculative building – that drive the traditional 18 year cycle. Now, the way I see it at the moment is that the Global Financial Crisis effectively left us at the bottom of the 18 year cycle, which happened in 2008 through to about 2010, meaning that the office cycle is probably going to peak for Sydney and Melbourne around 2019-2020. The Perth and Brisbane markets suffered far more than Melbourne and Sydney from the GFC. Perth is starting to recover but as they are relatively immature market there would still be a boom and bust activity that may well continue on a little further past the 2020 to potentially 2022. The maturity of the Melbourne and Sydney markets means that even as they approach the next peak, they won’t come off as much; so they might peak earlier and come down slightly, and I’m talking around 10 to perhaps 15 per cent. Whereas the Perth and Brisbane markets, from my reading of the past and trying to interpret it going forward, will probably peak a little later, but when they do peak will then decline more sharply, maybe 20 per cent and possibly 30 per cent when the decline occurs. So, hopefully that gives you a bit of an insight into the Australian commercial property cycles and where we are in the cycle.
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CHRIS LANG Chris is a 6-time published author on Commercial Property and CEO of CommercialPropertyMadeEasy.com Important information: This content is general in nature and does not constitute formal advice. Individuals should seek appropriate professional advice that considers the individual’s objectives, financial situation and needs before making investment decisions.
Make your networking membership count
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Annual memberships from just $200
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To discuss your possible membership with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Contact: Jody Keating, Membership Services Manager. Ph: 0429 223 432 Email: jody.keating@geelongchamber.com.au
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Tem Rec
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As professional recruiters at People@Work we are seeing more and more businesses and organisations choosing to engage temporary staff. Temps offer greater flexibility for businesses, enabling the business to have the necessary staff on hand during peak periods, and the ability to scale back in quieter times.
Is temping for you? Undertaking temporary or contract work can allow you greater flexibility in your career while working around family and personal commitments.
Other businesses may choose to engage a temp to assist with specific projects, to cover staff leave, or cover a skill set that the business does not have in their existing team. Here is what some of our clients have to say about the People @ Work team.
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Always be on time – even a little early just to make sure!
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Be professionally presented and well groomed.
“If you want to get the right people in your workplace talk to People@Work. The company’s professional, no nonsense approach to finding and helping select appropriate candidates is excellent. The time saved sifting through applications and CVs is an added bonus, but one of the best features is the comprehensive report provided by People@Work which identifies the most suitable candidates for interview.”
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Know the dress code – Business Attire, Corporate or Smart Casual.
Kath Walsh - Sacred Heart College
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Never refer to yourself as “I am just a temp…”
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Return calls to your recruitment consultant promptly as most temp positions have an urgency attached to them.
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Ensure your timesheet is accurately completed and submitted on time.
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If you don’t know the answer to something respond by saying, “I don’t know the answer to that, but l will follow that up and get back to you.”
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Be flexible in what work you will undertake.
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Never say “That’s not my job.”
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Ensure you know who to report to upon your arrival.
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If you are sick or unable to attend work, call your supervisor and your consultant.
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Be polite and professional at all times.
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Don’t become involved in office politics.
“The People@Work team always conduct themselves in a professional manner, maintaining confidentiality and are respectful. They always respond to my request for staff in a timely manner, often offering alternative solutions when unable to fill specific requests. Importantly, People@Work staff have been open to feedback in relation to their temp staff and have been willing to participate in staff reviews when applicable. Over time I have developed a great working relationship with the People@Work team, which I have very much appreciated and I believe they always strive to provide us with a professional service.”
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Do your best – You are representing yourself, the client and People@Work!
Temp work can provide you with the opportunity to gain new skills or enhance your existing skills while being paid. Temp work can lead to long term opportunities and permanent jobs within businesses and can provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the type of business you would like to work in. So what does it take to make a good temp?
Temporary & Permanent Recruitment
HR Solutions
Outplacement
39 McKillop St, Geelong, Vic, 3220 Visit us at peopleatwork.com.au BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU or call us on 03 5221| 35 5599
Merrin Kelly - Family Services, City of Greater Geelong
the
ELEVATOR
Let’s face it- you probably don’t get excited about a clean car like we do. That’s why you call us. Car Detailing Geelong have been passionately operating for over 8 years and we have a long list of happy clients , reputable business and regular customers- because we do it professionally, conveniently coming to you at work, home or business ( subject to suitable conditions). Minimal inconvenience to your office- we bring back productivity to your business- allowing your staff to get on with their work, without needing to leave the premises. From a regular valet wash & vacuum for fleet and staff vehicles, through to sticker removal of company vehicles and interior details- we keep your business image smart. With the recent Government incentives for small business, we have been increasingly busy, making cars and work utes and vans impressive for trade-in or private sales. With our convenient booking service, we discuss your needs and expectations and arrange for the work to be completed. We work with your business, performing onsite inductions where required and ensuring a safe workplace for all. When finished, we invite you to inspect the completed works to ensure we have delivered a serious quality clean and follow up with the opportunity to leave any feedback. If this sounds like the convenient, professional and serious detail you need for your vehicle, staff or fleet cars in your business, call us to find out more.
Brad and Tania Goss hello@cardetailinggeelong.com.au 0409 562 452 www.cardetailinggeelong.com.au
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
Geelong-based Balanced Sustainability is a specialist in environmental sustainability with services in energy and carbon audit. Our inspiration comes from an organisation’s opportunity to improve financial performance, health and wellbeing for its stakeholders and reduce environmental impact. We elevate stakeholder engagement as an integral part of our work with clients. Energy audits are conducted at schools with the participation of students who are presented with applied numeracy exercises for energy efficiency and energy conservation purposes. For employees, we run group-based learning programs as part of the energy audit, presenting them with their baseline data and distribution of energy consumption over time. With backgrounds in Business Intelligence and Carbon Management we recognize the importance of providing trustworthy data to guide client decision-making to maximize project outcomes and capabilities. In 2015 Balanced Sustainability was the recipient of a Community Engagement Award from the City of Greater Geelong for our active work in creating a sustainable future for the Geelong region. Please head to our website for more information of our services or contact Heidi Fog to book in a free site visit and quote for your energy or carbon requirements.
M 0400 846 566 E heidi@balancedsustainability.com.au W www.balancedsustainability.com.au BUSINESS NEWS | 36
SURFCOAST CABINETS Pty Ltd is a brand new and exciting, up and coming addition to the already vast and very strong cabinet making fraternity of Geelong and the Surfcoast. With Over 10 years experience behind them, this family owned and run company can customize concepts to fulfill all of your individual cabinetry needs. From large newly established whole house lots in contemporary, modern or traditional design - right through to breathing life into the smallest renovation to existing units to blend back in flawlessly. With product design ranging from Kitchen and Bathroom to Laundry and Wardrobe, our service also extends to customized Entertainment Units, Shop fronts, Offices, and specialized niche projects. Stylish facade options with an incredible palette of colour and texture including 2 pack coated, Thermolaminated vinyl wrap, Melamine w/ PVC edge protection, Timber veneer and Solid Timber. SURFCOAST CABINETS can also bring finesse in that final touch. Catering to Glass Door / Mirror / Solid Glass Splashbacks, as well as Reconstituted stone and Marble Countertop options to add strength and class to any particular project type. Offering direct connection to outside trades such as Electrical, Plumbing, Plaster and Tiling. We can orchestrate the project from beginning to end, with efficient, cohesive, comprehensive tradesmanship. So please call today for a free measure and quote and together, we can create a fresh, new, cost effective ‘lifestyle by design’.
Andy - 0422 814 448 Info@surfcoastcabinets.com.au Facebook.com/surfcoastcabinets
THE ELEVATOR
Australian Red Cross Australia is one of the most charitable nations in the world with almost three in four of us supporting a charity at some time during our lifetime. With more than 100 million volunteers worldwide and 30,000 members and volunteers in Australia alone, Red Cross reaches people and places like nobody else. In remote communities Red Cross delivers a wide range of programs including personal support and wellbeing services, food and nutrition. The growing desire for older people to stay at home puts more pressure on charities like Red Cross to provide home visits and daily phone calls. We also have a range of companionship programs where our volunteers visit isolated, older people to help them stay in touch with their local communities. During disasters emergency services volunteers and staff work alongside police, fire and other emergency services, government agencies and community partners to ensure local communities are well supported. For more information on supporting or volunteering with Australian Red Cross, please contact our Regional Office in Geelong
DO YOU LIKE YOUR COFFEE? DO YOU TRAVEL? HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE? ARE YOU TIME POOR? NEED MORE ENERGY? The answer? Great tasting, simple, easy to use coffee. I have had my coffee business for 6 months now and capitalising on the coffee industry from home feels totally natural. Brand new to Australia, I deliver the coffee to your door and you have the option to order online. Personalised service with gourmet quality. When I learned about the product, I discovered that it was infused with an exclusive and powerful ingredient - a Chinese herb. Since consuming the beverages (my favourites along with the coffee are the green tea and hot chocolate), I have been amazed to experience more energy, better quality of sleep, no “crashes”, dry mouth or running to the loo. It really is a coffee with a difference. A gourmet flavour, gourmet quality coffee, packaged in individual servings which makes it perfect for the busy entrepreneur. Just add hot water and have a better coffee that can go with you wherever you need to be OR give the Greg Norman signature blend pods a go (Nespresso machine compatible) I love knowing that I’m part of the reason for hearing my customers make such comments as “it’s delicious”, “that creme is amazing” and “I feel so refreshed now when I wake”.
Income Solutions is a leading financial planning firm with offices in Geelong, Melbourne, Colac, and Hamilton. Financial Planning is a phrase we often hear but what does it really mean? Put simply, financial planning involves using all the tools that are relevant to you and connecting them together into a plan that will help you achieve what you want to achieve. So what is it that you want to achieve? We’re ready to help. In our media driven world, it’s easy to become confused by the multitude of messages that are out there. Whether you want to increase your knowledge, secure a loan, start investing, pay attention to your super, get your personal insurances in order or ensure your estate planning is bulletproof – we can help set you on the right path. Why not start the process by booking for a FREE information session? Head to our website now to book, as well as check out our range of client video stories and staff blogs. We hope to see you soon.
I offer free samples and also free coffee sessions for Companies with 50 staff or more. Currently looking for people to help us expand our reach in the local market. Passive income, getting paid every time someone drinks coffee. Change your coffee. Change your life. Take the plunge.
www.incomesolutions.com.au 03 5229 0577 153 Mercer St, Geelong Australian Red Cross Geelong Regional Office 49 Mercer Street, Geelong Vic 3220 Ph. 5223 8700 www.redcross.org.au
facebook.com/incomesolutions For orders or enquiries: Contact SallyPhone: 0438963718 Email: taketheplungerog@gmail.com
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youtube.com/dreamgrowachieve @Inc_Solutions
ROUTER FROM OUTER SPACE With its pyramid-like design, shiny apple red finish and six external antennas, it looks more like a Star Trek device than a high-end triband networking router. Yes, that’s right - tri-band. This is the new black in router technology and yes, it delivers wi-fi around your place much faster. The top holds six LED indicators that display activity on the USB ports and on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the Internetconnection status and the power status. On the back are four Gigabit Ethernet ports, an Internet port and two USB ports (one 2.0 and one 3.0). There are also reset, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), and power buttons. The engine is a 1GHz dual-core processor and circuitry that supports all the 802.11b/g/n/ac wireless networking.
Every month, our Tech Guy, Jon Mamonski, brings us the wildest, most mind-blowing gadgets he can find...
This router can theoretically reach speeds of up to 3,200Mbps (600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1,300Mbps on each of the two 5 GHz bands). It supports Beamforming technology to target wireless clients for stronger signal reception, and SmartConnect technology, which acts as a traffic cop to steer wireless clients to a band with the most bandwidth. The router offers a user-friendly Web-based management console for easy setup and configuration and can also be managed remotely via a smartphone using the mydlink Lite mobile app. Analysts suggest that the DIR-890L/R has the fastest wireless throughput scores seen to date on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Street price is around $328 if Wi-Fi speed matters to you.
FACEBOOK MOVIE SLIDE SHOW Facebook’s Moments app now automatically creates slide show movies from your photos. The relatively new Moments app started life as a way to privately share photos with friends. It groups pictures you’ve taken into ‘moments’ and then suggests you share them with your Facebook friends who are in the pictures. The app can now auto-generate video collages based on your groups of photos. By default, any moment with six or more photos will automatically have a short video generated from the pictures; you can customise it by changing the soundtrack (there are 11 different music options), adding or removing photos and tagging your friends.
BEE TRACKING WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
Researchers from CSIRO want to pinpoint what’s leading to the mass death of honey bees around the globe in what is being called colony collapse disorder. To do so, it teamed up with Intel earlier this year to outfit healthy bees with an RFID ‘backpack’ that’s a third of their weight and has a battery that can generate power from vibration. CSIRO uses an Intel Edison-based system to monitor with an Atom processor, 1GB of memory, 5GB of storage, dual-band wireless WiFi and Bluetooth - all on the bee’s back - I kid you not. They’ve already managed to tag around 10,000 bees in Tasmania, and the research is now ongoing.
The revamped Google Photos app that was introduced earlier this year is already a huge hit and Google keeps on adding features to make it better. The latest is a new tool that lets you walk down memory lane, so to speak. The Google Photos “assistant” will now show you cards that contain images that you shot on the same day in years past, letting you reminisce about whatever exciting things you took pictures of way back when. It’s a smart way to surface images that you may have forgotten you ever took when you don’t have time to go searching.
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BETTER THAN TWO MONITORS ON YOUR DESK If, like me, you have two monitors on your desk, it’s time to consider one curved 34-inch instead. Once you have experienced the Dell Ultrasharp, there’s no turning back. One curved wide screen has many benefits, including all your open documents fitting comfortably on one screen surface, and you can just imagine a video screen this size is nothing short of spectacular. The U3415W boasts typical Dell build quality with bezels that are slim and hidden inside the panel and port choices nearly as wide as the monitor with MiniDisplayPort, DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0. The latter is perhaps the most significant addition for 4K video that will be widespread in the coming year, and if only because few competitors support it. There’s also a DisplayPort output for daisy chaining and MHL for attaching mobile devices and USB support consists of four 3.0 ports. Two integrated 9-watt speakers provide balanced audio with decent volume and an audio-out jack is included for use with speakers or headphones of your choice. The Dell U3415W includes picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes and the MHL port means you can even input video from a tablet or smartphone. The 34-inch curved monitor has punchy image quality right out of the box and looks great when fed high-resolution, high-contrast photos or games. Sharpness is the equivalent of a 1440p monitor and the colour gamut is great, covering 100 per cent of sRGB and 78 per cent of AdobeRGB. At $1369, you’ll never want for a more immersive screen experience.
GOOGLE GIVES THE WORLD A PEEK AT ITS SECRET SERVERS
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Google has given everyone a rare look inside its server rooms and how it keeps up with the massive growth of its search business. The company’s current network, Jupiter, can deliver a petabit (1 million Gigabytes) per second of total throughput - dwell on the scale of that just for a few seconds. That means each of its 100,000 total servers can randomly speak to each other at a speed of 10Gb/s, a hundred times faster than the first-generation network it created in 2005. To get there, Google did something surprising - it built its own hardware from off-the-shelf parts.
MAKE BETTER COCKTAILS WITH THIS LED-COVERED BLUETOOTH STICK The idea of using technology to make a better cocktail is wonderful if you suck at it, enabling those of us with no mixing skills to make a passible martini or daiquiri. The MixStik, an LEDcovered stick you connect to your phone with Bluetooth. Once its paired with your phone, you simply pick a cocktail recipe with the corresponding app and then the stick lights up with colours that correspond with your selected drink’s ingredients. Just drop the stick into the glass, fill it up according to the directions and you should the perfect cocktail - shaken not stirred, of course.
ROLLY LG KEYBOARD LG Electronics has just unveiled the industry’s first solid rollable wireless portable keyboard at IFA 2015 in Berlin, Germany. Unlike other portable keyboards on the market, LG’s Rolly Keyboard (model KBB-700) folds up along the four rows to create an easy-to-carry “stick” that fits into one’s pocket as easily as any purse or briefcase. Featuring high-contrast keys and a fold-out mobile device stand, typing on Rolly Keyboard is extremely comfortable because its 17mm key pitch is nearly as generous as the 18mm key pitch found on most desktop keyboards. Two sturdy arms fold out to support smartphones as well as tablets in an upright position. Simply unfolding the Rolly Keyboard enables the auto pairing function to connect easily to two different devices at the same time via Bluetooth 3.0, with the ability to toggle between the two with a simple key press. A single AAA battery powers the keyboard for up to three months of average use. The Rolly Keyboard will make its debut towards the end of the year.
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ARTS GEOGLYPHS – THE LAND ART PROJECTS OF ANDREW ROGERS
Steve Parkhill and Debra Jackson are all smiles in the lead up to their concurrent solo exhibitions at Metropolis Gallery opening Saturday 5 September
TO 22 NOVEMBER
Andrew Rogers has practiced his art on a grand scale, creating colossal land art projects have been constructed around the world, often in remote and spectacular locations including deserts, gorges, mountain valleys, fjords and national parks. The largest of the artist’s land art projects, titled Time and space and comprising 13 stone structures along a 2.5 kilometre stretch of mountain valley, is located in Cappadocia, Turkey. Currently showing at the Geelong Gallery is a special video installation documenting the making of a series Rogers’ geoglyphs, collectively titled Rhythms of life. Amongst the projects undertaken over 16 years in 16 different countries are the Rhythms of Life geoglyph on a bluff at Eastern Park, Geelong, and the Bunjil geoglyph in the You Yangs Regional Park representing the great ancestral spirit of the Kulin nation. These land art projects were created on the occasion of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The 51 separate stone structures that make up Rogers’ Rhythms of life land art projects are visible from space and their imagery has been captured by satellite photography. The land art projects have also been the subject of documentary films screened in the United States, in Europe and on the National Geographic channel. www.geelonggallery.org.au
The Sanctuary 2014 - Debra Jackson oil on canvas 76 x 123cm
DEBRA JACKSON: MY COUNTRY AND STEVE PARKHILL: THE ART OF LIFE 5 - 19 SEPTEMBER 2015
Concurrent solo shows by Geelong region artists Debra Jackson and Steve Parkhill are underway at Metropolis Gallery this September. Surfcoast artist Debra Jackson’s artistic inspiration comes from her desire to capture the spirit of the vast, seductive Australian landscape. In her exhibition of paintings My Country at Metropolis Gallery, Debra searches for deeper meaning through the layering of highly textured paint, colours and natural and manmade patterns and designs.
Bunjil, You Yangs Australia 2006 - Andrew Rogers
Geelong artist Steve Parkhill’s exhibition The Art of Life at Metropolis Gallery is the creative result of his exploration and processing of major recent life events, including a refreshed look at life and love with a ‘new’ heart. After a major operation in the Geelong Hospital earlier this year, Steve now has a new lease of life: physically, romantically and artistically. www.metropolisgallery.com.au
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ARTS MASTERCLASS 16-19 SEPTEMBER
The Deakin 2015 Theatre Season concludes with Master Class, an unforgettable production that delves into the life and artistry of La Divina, Maria Callas. Inspired by Callas’ famous 1973 visit to New York’s Julliard School of Music, Maria Mercedes plays the diva herself as she prods and provokes her students in a searing, funny, and touching depiction of a woman who knows what it takes to walk the high wire and the sacrifices required to attain the dream. In 1973, Callas’ own career singing on the world’s great stages had drawn to a close, her voice a shadow of its former glory. Callas’ story of a woman forced to choose between professional power and a personal life remains as relevant as ever. Four years later, Callas’ death at the age of 51 sealed her legend as a tragic heroine. www.gpac.org.au
2015 GEELONG ACQUISITIVE PRINT AWARDS TO 22 NOVEMBER 2015
The nationally acclaimed acquisitive prize exhibition features 42 entries from around Australia by established and emerging printmakers. This year’s exhibition will include works by some of the nation’s most talented established and younger generation artists along with a number of artists from the Geelong region. Printmaking has long been a medium through which artists have made political comment and this year’s shortlist includes a number of works addressing topical issues, such as those by Alexis Beckett, Rosalind Atkins, Locust Jones and William Kelly, variously addressing environmental, political and social concerns. www.geelonggallery.org.au
GALLERY DIRECTOR’S PRESTIGIOUS AWARD WIN
The devil’s firmament 2014 - Sophie Cape (printed in collaboration with John Loane)
Geoffrey Edwards, retiring Director of the Geelong Gallery, has received a prestigious Victorian Museum Award from Museums Australia (Victoria), the industry body for 1,000 museums and collecting organisations across the state. Edwards received the Individual Excellence Award (paid staff) for his outstanding contribution in developing the significant collection at the Geelong Gallery over his 15 years as Director. The collection numbers over 5,500 works of art, including $7 million of new acquisitions secured through ambitious fundraising programs. These new acquisitions in a range of media have enhanced the Gallery’s holdings of images of Geelong and the wider region. Geoffrey Edwards has led the management of numerous programs, including conservation initiatives, improved storage facilities, an online database, a bequests program known as the Hitchcock Society, and capital works. On receiving the award Edwards said: “I’ve been very fortunate, as Gallery Director, to have had the opportunity of working alongside a highly professional team of colleagues unstinting in their support of my efforts to enhance a collection that is, without question, amongst the finest in regional Australia.” “I’m delighted to be honoured by this award, but I see it really as a reflection of a splendid team effort over the past decade and more.”
Blue Claude (after McCubbin) 2015 - Robert Hague (printed by Peter Lancaster, Lancaster Press)
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CYCLISTS TO RIDE IN RECORD NUMBERS IN AMY’S MEMORY Geelong has become a cycling region and every year for the past five years thousands of cyclists, from weekend wheelers to competitive racers, converge on the Great Ocean Road to support the road safety work of the Amy Gillett Foundation. The 2015 Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo is shaping up as one for the record books. For the first time in the event’s history, more than 5,000 cyclists will have the Great Ocean Road to themselves, with the road closed on Sunday 13 September. “It’s a special year for Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo and the Foundation in general, as 2015 marks 10 years since the death of Amy Gillett,” said Foundation CEO, Belinda Clark. “To have a result such as [this] is incredible. “To see thousands of cyclists enjoying the beauty of the Great Ocean Road in freedom and supported through a comprehensive safety briefing will be fantastic.” Born out of tragedy, the Amy Gillett Foundation was formed with a single purpose – to make bike riding safer. The Foundation is Australia’s leading bike safety organisation and aims to achieve zero bike fatalities in Australia. It recently launched the ‘We Remember’ initiative in memory of Amy Gillett. Limited places for Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo are still available at www. amysgranfondo.org.au. For more information visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival or call Seniors Information Victoria on 1300 135 090.
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COMMUNITY NEWS ANAM CARA ATTRACTS MAJOR AWARD ATTENTION
MAKE THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME
The community respite and end-of-life care facility was one of five finalists in the Outstanding Organisation category of the nationwide 2015 HESTA Aged Care Awards. The Awards recognise those who make an exceptional contribution to improving the quality of life of older Australians.
Anyone who needs to make or update their Will should circle October in their calendar as this is the month Red Cross is bringing its Community Wills Days to Geelong, where local solicitors will prepare a simple Will for just $75 per person.
Anam Cara was established by the community to meet a critical need in the region, providing respite, palliative and end-of-life care for people with a long-term or life-limiting illness. Nurse Manager at Anam Cara House, Karen Eccles, said the hospice is a purpose-built home that provides quality physical care, as well as emotional and spiritual support for guests and their families. “Providing this type of care in the local region means people do not have to travel outside of their own community to get much needed support and respite,” she said. “Anam Cara House provides carers with valuable time out so they can attend medical appointments, family events or simply take a break. This greatly assists the carer to continue caring for their loved one at home for as long as possible. “When home-care is no longer possible, we provide palliative and endof-life care in a very home-like environment.” Mrs Eccles said Anam Cara House is the only respite facility of its kind operating in the region and there is considerable demand for its services.
Writing a Will is one of the most important things you can do in your lifetime and yet just under half of Australian adults still do not have one. The Red Cross Wills for Life program has helped thousands of Australians get their affairs in order with a new or updated Will and many have chosen to leave a gift in their Will to Red Cross. One such person is Genie. Genie can still vividly remember the trauma of fleeing war-torn Poland during the Second World War and the help she needed from Red Cross. Genie’s family was reunited by Red Cross after the war and Red Cross blood donations helped her through a harrowing hip operation. These days she receives a friendly phone call every day from a Red Cross volunteer to check she’s OK. Genie recently decided to leave a gift to Red Cross in her Will. “I feel that I’ve been very, very fortunate in life and it’s one way of giving back.” Genie still needs to keep some money aside for aged care, but by leaving a gift to Red Cross she feels she can help people in Australia and further afield. For more information about Red Cross Community Wills days, or to make an appointment for Torquay (9 October), Queenscliff (15 October), Drysdale (22 October), Hamlyn Heights (27 October) or Belmont (30 October) phone 1800 811 700 or email bequests@redcross.org.au
“Over the past 12 months, we have supported guests and their families under various circumstances; including 370 attendances at our day respite program and 110 admissions for overnight care within our hospice. “The local community is involved, with almost 30 volunteers trained to Palliative Care Victoria standards, as well as volunteers who care for our extensive grounds and assist with maintenance.”
VICTORIAN SENIORS FESTIVAL FUN COMES TO GEELONG A jam packed October is promised for this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival with Geelong seniors encouraged to pick up a program now and start planning to make the most of the fantastic events. Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens, said the 2015 Victorian Seniors Festival program, released today, boasts more than 1,300 free and low-cost events and activities across Victoria. “The Festival has a great program of events and I encourage seniors in our community to make sure they come along,” Ms Couzens said. The festival program can be picked up at any Coles, local council, neighbourhood house or U3A premises. The calendar of events can also be browsed using the Victorian Government’s Seniors Online website. The program guide features an array of social, cultural, educational and body and soul activities that older Victorians can enjoy. From sports, to the arts and unique experiences – there is something for everyone. Highlights of the festival in Geelong include: •F ree central Geelong bus shuttle to the National wool museum and the arts and culture precinct •A week of free public transport •W aterfront heritage tour •H igh Tea at Osbourne House •M usic, dancing, and art, photographic and textile exhibitions Free public transport services will be provided to Victorian Seniors Card holders. Free metropolitan trams, buses and trains and regional bus services will run from Sunday 4 October to Sunday 11 October. Free travel will be available on V/Line rail and coach services on Tuesday 6 October, Wednesday 7 October, Thursday 8 October, Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October. For more information visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival or call Seniors Information Victoria on 1300 135 090.
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AFTER HOURS
POWERCOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 520 people gathered at the Geelong Arena on the 20th of August to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 2015 Powercor Geelong Business Excellence Awards, hosted by Denis Walter. Toshiba specialists SC Technology was crowned Business of the Year and also took home the Commercial Services Medium Business Award. 19 other businesses were recognised for excellence by being category winners. Photos by Elisha Lindsay EL Photography
SC Technology Group - Business of the Year
Kylie Warne, Geelong Chamber of Commerce President
Nick Papps (Geelong Advertiser), Elaine Carbines (G21 Geelong Region Alliance)
Aprika Business Solutions BUSINESS NEWS | 44
AFTER HOURS
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons
Denis Walter, John Eren MP
Sandy Kelly Burton, Simon Flowers, Michelle Flowers
0439 353 958 elisha@elphotography.com.au www.elphotogrpahy.com.au
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Clawbaby Pet Services
AFTER HOURS
THE RED SHARK WOWS BUSINESS CROWD Entrepreneur, founder of Red Balloon and the crimson-clad innovator starring on Channel Ten’s Shark Tank, Naomi Simson sure knows how to fill a room. Naomi was the guest speaker at Enterprise Geelong’s ‘Amplify Your Success’ event as part of August’s Geelong Small Business Festival. Held at Truffleduck Fyansford, she shared her insights, experiences and tips for success with to the packed room. As an entrepreneur, speaker, director, mum, author, blogger, innovator and very, very passionate about business, her presentation was a highlight of the month-long small business festival. Photos by Hilary Walker Photography
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AFTER HOURS
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AFTER HOURS
KARINGAL FOUNDATION GALA Karingal CEO Daryl Starkey was farewelled in style at the Karingal Foundation Gala, which celebrated Mr Starkey’s significant contribution and also raised funds for the Eastern Geelong Community Centre. More than 240 guests - including Geelong business and community leaders, and Karingal staff and clients – packed out the Geelong West Town Hall for the memorable evening which was hosted by former ABC broadcaster Derek Guille. The Gala also featured the inaugural inclusive community address, presented by broadcaster and comedian George McEncroe, who inspired guests to continue working towards a fully inclusive community. Dressed in their finery, guests enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Seasons by Karingal while being entertained by the ragtime jazz of one man band ‘Up Town Brown’ and The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra. Mr Starkey’s 15-year career with Karingal culminated last month. Karingal Board Chair Rod Payne paid tribute to the retiring Mr Starkey at the Gala on August 7, highlighting his outstanding commitment to Karingal and how he had led the organisation with integrity, vision and compassion and touched the hearts and lives of many. Photos by Nitch Photography
Daryl Starkey and Kate Betts
Tony and Debbie Spence BUSINESS NEWS | 48
Ross Exton and Kylie Goulding
AFTER HOURS
George McEnroe and Derek Guille
Brandon Howard, Marnie Troeth and Barb Cronin
Austin and Ros Paterson
Jane Littore and John Fitzgerald BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 49
77 Preston St Geelong West 3218 relax_frankie@yahoo.com.au Urban Cartel hanging copper planter $62
Wall Bubble $60
Jonathan Adler Xebra Trinket Dish $50
Black Stripe Glazed Vase $25
Mountain Cushion $39
Deer & Lime Stone Print $30
130 Torquay Rd, Grovedale VIC 3216 (03) 5244 2244
Loft Chair
Natural Side Table
Carly Chair $1279
Abstract Buffet
Samson Day Bed
Portsea bookcase $999
358 Melbourne Road North Geelong 3215
Carson Buffet $2899
CafĂŠ Cube $179
BUSINESS NEWS | 50
BOOKS
THESE THINGS HAPPEN Greg Fleet Greg Fleet is an Australian actor, comedian, broadcaster, author and addict. Born in Michigan, USA, his family moved to Victoria when he was aged four. He studied at Geelong Grammar School for twelve years and then attended NIDA for a year before being expelled. For 30 years Greg Fleet has been one of Australia’s most widely known and best-loved comedians. For the same period, he was living the twisted existence of addiction and a mutually toxic relationship. For anyone wanting to really understand what life is like on the wrong end of an ice pipe or heroine needle, comedian Greg Fleet’s memoir of his decades as a drug addict is an extraordinary, hilarious and heartbreaking read.
HOW TO LEARN ALMOST ANYTHING IN 48 HOURS! Tansel Ali We all want to improve our knowledge, learn new things, and remember the names of the people around us, but in this fast paced world we can feel a little time poor to really get the best from ourselves. In this tantalizing book, memory coach and brain trainer, Tansel Ali unlocks the secrets to learning almost anything in just 48 hours. Tansel demonstrates techniques to apply to learning a wide range of things, including studying exams, speeches and presentations, foreign languages, music theory and practice, speed-reading, new technologies and software and general knowledge. How to Learn Almost Anything in 48 Hours also includes exercises to hone your skills at memory and train your brain to learn well and learn fast. Now, if we could just remember where we left the book…
THE FIGHTER
The extraordinary true story of how a Muay Thai champion survived hell on the frontline in Afghanistan
Paul Warren Paul Warren has an extraordinary story to tell. As an Australian Muay Thai champion, he knew about pushing himself to the limit, but his limits would be challenged when he took on a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Australian Army. A young soldier, Paul was in the war-torn country for only a month when an improvised explosive device exploded, tearing off his right leg and instantly killing his mate, Private Ben Ranaudo. It was 18 July 2009 and Ben was the campaign’s eleventh fatality. Private Warren’s life was saved by the quick work of his battalion, who got him a helicopter within 16 minutes for surgery. Paul was flown to Germany and then back to Australia, where he received treatment for his injuries in Brisbane. Although he had only known his partner, Dearne, for four months before his deployment, she moved to Brisbane to assist his recovery. There were many dark times as Paul struggled with the shattering effects of PTSD, and guilt and grief over the death of his mate Benny. Recovery was a slow and at times desperately painful process, but he kept fighting. Now, married to Dearne and living in Townsville with their two children, Paul works for Mates4Mates, an organisation dedicated to helping injured soldiers.
A BANQUET OF CONSEQUENCES Satyajit Das For ordinary individuals, the goal of a steady job, a home or one’s own, a comfortable retirement and a good life for our children is receding. In this brilliantly clear-eyed account, Satyajit Das links past, present and future to show that it’s not just unrealistic expectations, but the poor performance of those governing us that are to blame. The strategies and policies deployed to promote economic growth after the Great Recession have failed, not least because such growth cannot continue indefinitely. The solution – structural change – is electorally unpopular and therefore ignored. A Banquet of Consequences explains why the ultimate adjustment, whether stretched out over time or in the form of another sudden crash, will be life changing. An internationally respected commentator on financial markets, credited with predicting the Global Financial crisis and featured in the 2010 Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job, Satyajit Das takes the too-often dry and dull world of economics and has produced a highly-readable, informed, impassioned, lively and witty account of what the future will bring if nothing changes.
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