Business news 247

December 2015

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM: OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH HOUSING ISSUE 247

CONTENTS

18.

CONTENTS 7 Biz News

COVER STORY

16 New Appointments 17 Inside Word 24 Business Advice 28 Governance

22. TIME HONOURED

29 Finance 32 Property

“Cheops’ Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.”

- Attributed to the Pharoah Cheops (Khufu), builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza

33 Legal 40 Elevator 42 Crush

“

52 Tech Guy

At

55 Business Events 56 After Hours

48. ARTS ISSUE 247 DECEMBER / JANUARY 2015 Read online at: www.biznewsmag.com.au

44. COMMUNITY

62 Cool Stuff 63 Books

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EDITOR

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BUSINESS NEWS | 4

STYLE

L IT TL E PIECES OF LUXURY The best Christmas gifts are things we would never buy for ourselves those little pieces of luxury that make you smile the whole year round.

Brett and Linda Wood at Artworks Jewellers have made an art form

keeping true to those family values also means maintaining the life

of designing, crafting and stocking jewellery that is just a bit extra

of the jewellery, even across generations, by repairing, servicing or

special - the little gifts that say, ‘I saw this and thought of you’.

remaking their jewellery.

Theirs has been a family business and the family has extended to

Another family atelier, Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen, imbues the

include clients who remember the old days back in Rock O’Cashell

same values of craftsmanship, quality and care. The company was

Lane in central Geelong, where the couple began to build their

appointed Purveyor to the Danish Royal Court in 2008, and Princess

reputation for unique pieces and quality craftsmanship. This early phase of the business saw the Woods take on two apprentices and one of them, Mardi, is still with the Artworks team 29 years later.

The move to 135 Pakington Street saw them cement their place in the heart of Geelong’s premier shopping strip. Other stores may have had bright, busy windows, but it was always the select few pieces displayed in the Artworks Jewellers windows that saw passers by slow, stop and just dream a little.

A vacancy just down the road will see Artworks Jewellers move from its home of 20 years in early 2016, as they take over a site Brett has had his eye on for years. And when a highly skilled jeweller has his eye on something, you know it’s going to be something out of the ordinary. There has been an enormous amount of work carried out

Mary is often snapped wearing Ole Lynggaard pieces.

The handcrafted, understated and luxurious beauty of Ole Lynggaard designs are only available through jewellers who share the values and standards set by Ole Lynggaard himself, and the unique collection is available now at Artworks Jewellers.

Brett and Linda know that there are few gifts more personal than jewellery, and if you are just a little unsure you can do what one savvy husband did and pre-arrange a budget in store and give your beloved a ‘There’s something special waiting for you at Artworks Jewellers’ card… otherwise known as a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card.

“We consider our clients to be part of our extended family,” Brett said, “helping them to remember birthdays, anniversaries; those

on the heritage building to restore and recapture its character, and

moments we often forget and let pass by.

the finished store will feature a boutique showroom with a second

“We like to help people shine in the eyes of their loved ones. And it

floor design studio.

really is the little things that make the most special memories. Things

Understated luxury has always been the style at Artworks Jewellers,

like a first wedding anniversary, ‘push rings’ after the birth of a baby,

with quality jewellery designed to suit people for everyday; it is what

or just remembering the date you both started going out together.

has made those tiny packages so treasured.

“These days we also have the next generation of clients coming

And those little packages have become part of the family stories of

through, and we’re making engagement rings for our clients’ children.

Geelong, celebrating the special moments. And for Brett and Linda,

It’s all part of being a family jeweller.”

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 5

EDITOR

RIDING THE INNOVATION WAVE

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cross Australia, we’ve typically been a pretty innovative bunch when it comes to finding clever solutions to the challenges of the environment around us. Things like the fridge and the rotary clothesline are synonymous with Australian inventiveness. But we are in a new era and Australia has fallen behind in the innovation race. We have become the comfortable country, and comfort rarely breeds innovation.

The Paris climate change talks have signaled a global acceptance of an uncomfortable truth, that we need to change the way we produce and consume energy and reduce the impact our very modern world is having on the environment.

What should be an historic global accord just may be the stimulus needed to generate serious investment in smart, earth-friendly technologies in Australia. It would provide a unique opportunity for our local businesses and investors to springboard off the back of years of stagnation to invest in cutting edge technologies that challenge the performance of first-generation sustainability technology.

Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Innovators need seed money, they need access to research and development and they need to be economically viable. Part of the Prime Minister’s proposed $1 billion innovation package is an innovation tax incentive that would provide a capital gains tax exemption for investors who hold their shares in a startup for more than three years. This move, if it makes it through the parliament, would provide half of the missing piece in Australia’s innovation puzzle – with the other half being regulatory certainty. Governments at all levels need to get off the fence and start backing in renewable energies and smart technologies.

We don’t need to be importing barely efficient sustainability products, we need to be designing, testing and manufacturing the kinds of products that will answer the challenges of reliability,

affordability and sustainability. The world is crying out for clever solutions to everyday problems. From water use and reuse to high-efficiency solar storage and capture technologies to next generation wind turbines to creating energy and easy-to-use resource efficient alternatives to the everyday products.

The challenge of climate change could be the next big economic driver of our nation’s economy, and certainly of our state and local economies.

The big falls in resource values, particularly in coal, have been hailed in certain segments of the media as a returning windfall for Australia. But that is both an arrogantly comfortable and dangerously shortsighted approach to our economic future. Yes, coal is having a last gasp, and it is creating big problems for the gas industry that was, not so long ago, supposed to replace coal and iron ore as our key economic driver. If all you do is focus on what the world wants today, you run the very real risk of having nothing it will need tomorrow.

Resource companies have been making hay while the sun shines, but as we’ve seen in Paris, the dark clouds are heading our way fast and we need to be doing the work now so that when the storm arrives, and it will, we will have moved to higher ground and be settled in.

If we can get the policy settings right, provide certainty for investors and actually drive strong connections between our world-class researchers and our world-class manufacturers, rather than just talking about it, then we have the opportunity to once again become the home of innovation. But it is going to mean stepping outside of our comfort zones.

Sustainability innovation can be the next wave of economic and investment strength in Victoria and Geelong, we just need to get on top of the wave.

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

BUSINESS NEWS | 6

BIZ NEWS

A GREEN VIEW FOR GEELONG’S ROOFTOPS

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hen we talk about city revitalisation, we tend to focus on the what’s happening at street level, but an innovative new program is looking at revitalising some of the city’s best views, by encouraging green roofs and rooftop gardens across Geelong.

Cleantech Innovations Geelong will launch a competition with a difference in February 2016, inviting entries from commercial buildings in Geelong who convert the barren wasteland of their rooftops into green spaces or rooftop gardens. Costa Georgiadis from the ABCs Gardening Australia will officially launch the competition.

The adoption of these solutions on new and existing commercial buildings is spreading rapidly across the world’s cities, as climate change and population growth drives the demand for accessible, green open spaces in built up urban areas.

As one of Australia’s only north facing major cities and with its low, terraced skyline providing ample sunshine for growing plants, Geelong is uniquely placed to become a leading Australian exponent of green roofs, green walls and rooftop gardens.

GMHBA established its Community Harvest rooftop vegetable garden in 2014, where employees maintain the garden and donate produce to the Christ Church Community Meals Program.

The Green Roof Competition is being funded by Future Proofing Geelong and Cleantech Innovations Geelong – an alliance of business and industry, including the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the State Government’s Manufacturing Productivity Network. The alliance was formed to develop markets for clean tech goods and services and attract investment to drive growth in the local clean tech industry.

Future Proofing Geelong will offer financial support, via a grants process, to entrants who choose to have an engineering report completed as part of the process to verify building suitability for the design.

Landscape Architecture students from Deakin University have been engaged to provide garden designs for entrants to the

competition and this work will provide course content for the students throughout 2016.

Workshops, events and liaison with council departments, where necessary, will be provided to support commercial building owners to participate in the competition.

The competition provides an opportunity for commercial buildings in Geelong to create innovative ways to help make the city more liveable, sustainable and productive. Entrants will be provided with planning assistance and there is a prize pool of $10,000 for the commercial buildings entrants and their rooftop designers. Judging and award announcements will take place in November and December 2016.

Non-residential buildings in Geelong will be eligible, including office buildings, industrial buildings, school buildings and community buildings, and entrants will be encouraged to use recycled/reclaimed materials and use indigenous planting schemes.

The green roofs are to be low cost, low maintenance with high aesthetics and deliver environmental and/or social benefits (e.g. self-watering, food producing, self-powered, restore biodiversity etc.). The competition will encourage entrants to use local suppliers for rooftop garden designs, products, supply and installation. A suppliers list will made be available to entrants.

There will be a range of prizes on offer, including gardening vouchers, green wall installation, water system, contributions to outdoor furnishings and fittings, lighting and solar panel or wind turbine system; and a contribution to colour printing costs of exhibiting designs for student landscape designers.

Future Proofing Geelong is inviting all non-residential commercial buildings owners and tenants to express their interest in learning more about this opportunity, by 28th January 2016. All interested parties will receive further information and an invitation to the launch. Contact: Future Proofing Project Officer - Liz Raimondo Phone: 5272 5077 or email: lraimondo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holidays Call 1300 131 809 or (03) 9322 2000 BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 7

BUSINESS NEWS | 8

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BEER FESTIVAL 2016

Saturday 6th February 2016

Great Beer, Great People, a Great Day ... that is the Great Australian Beer Festival. Returning bigger and better in 2016.

equipment tips on fine-tuning your techniques and creating a better brew.

Now into its fourth year, Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival has quickly established itself as one of the country’s leading celebrations of everything beer & cider.

Add live music, two stages, beer cabaret, visual arts, an annual keg rolling competition, barbequed treats and delightful tucker from local restaurants & food trucks, and this festival has all you need for a beer filled weekend.

Brewers and beer lovers from Australia and beyond make the annual pilgrimage to the city by the bay to join with locals and experience first-hand what makes GABF a unique social day out.

Step into a beer lover’s paradise, wander through pop up bars, lounge in terraced gardens while tasting well over 200 Australian and international brews.

Organisers are expecting over 5,000 people to attend the full day of tasting at Geelong racecourse, many within social groups and school reunions. Locals have embraced the event as their own dressing up in costumes and making it an ideal social event to kick of their year.

Learn to appreciate beer and ciders even more than you already do at free seminars throughout the day. Discuss mouth feel with friends or possibly even with the very person that brewed it. For keen homebrewers there are masterclasses,

GABF is a truly great summer event to attend, a delightful journey of sipping, sampling and socialising. Great Beer, Great People, a Great Day ... that is the Great Australian Beer Festival!

Tickets cost $29.50+bf and are on sale now.

Visit www.gabf.com.au for more information.

WIN!

To score a double pass for you and a friend to attend the 2016 Great Australian Beer Festival just head to our Facebook page /biznewsmag for details or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with the subject line ‘Beer!’

Competition closes midnight January 15th and the winner will be contacted via entry method.

Prize includes 1 X double pass entry only.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 9

BIZ NEWS

INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH CENTRE OPENS Geelong Chamber of Commerce was pleased to introduce the following new members at our November After 5, hosted

by Village Cinemas and our December After 5, hosted by Mercure Geelong.

November After 5 Social Pages VIP Andy Magee Events Lightbulb Training Solutions Little Constructions P/L Tomi Lounge The Anxious Bird Max Employment Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault Marc Logan

December After 5 geebiz Om Psychology Adelia Fine Foods Paul Bell Real Estate TGR Transport Muhor Pty Ltd Next Level Accountants Shakespeare & Associates Sunny Grain Pty Ltd Aprika Business Solutions St Laurence MyWORK

DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Geelong Chamber of Commerce for 2016 and

PROMOTE Your Business EXPAND Your Network INCREASE Your Exposure STAY informed ENJOY Special Offers BE Connected MEMBER ONLY Events 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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he Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID) has been officially opened in a boost to the Australia’s infectious disease research capability.

A collaboration between the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), Deakin University and Barwon Health, the research hub will work to further our understanding of infectious diseases and how they are transmitted and attack the body. This work will form part of global collaborations to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.

The $6.1 million research hub includes a cytotoxic area for handling toxic agents, a state-of-the-art containment laboratory and a new laboratory and wet lab space.

The new laboratories and research facilities have been developed in line with the global ‘One Health’ approach to infectious diseases. AAHL has been operating under the ‘One Health’ approach for a number of years now, with research collaborations that extend from the often wildlife-based emergence of infectious diseases, through its

transmission to domestic animals and to humans, through to medical research on the prevention and treatment of human infection.

GCEID researchers will be seeking to better understand emerging pandemic diseases, such as SARS, Ebola and the Hendra virus, as well as working on improving treatments for and reducing the instances of outbreaks of preventable diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis and polio.

The centre has had strong support from all three levels of government and is expected to create up to 30 ongoing jobs and an estimated 137 indirect jobs for the region, by creating opportunities for flow-on commercialisation of local biotech innovations.

The Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases will be headed up

by Professor Soren Alexandersen, an international virology and ‘One Health’ expert who has come to Australia from his position as Executive Director of Canada’s National Centres for Animal Disease.

VIC GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE LOCAL PROCUREMENT

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he Victorian Government is set to review its local content policy with the aim of buying more local Victorian goods and services.

The Government has released a discussion paper looking to strengthen the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP), which requires government agencies to consider competitive local suppliers when awarding government contracts.

The Victorian public sector spends more than $10 billion on procurement activities

each year, including construction, goods and services. A strengthening of the local procurement requirements would provide significant opportunities for local business and industry, help to boost the economy and create local jobs.

A series of workshops will be held across the state with business, unions and the community as part of the VIPP review, with the strengthened policy to come into effect from 1 July, 2016.

BUSINESS NEWS | 10

BIZ NEWS

GETTING SOCIAL VALUE FOR MONEY

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he ambitious GROW initiative that is tackling the decades of multi-generational unemployment in Geelong has gained the support of local philanthropic, business, government and community organisations to sign a Compact recognising that ‘addressing disadvantage is everybody’s business’.

G21 Region Opportunities for Work (GROW) is based on significant international evidence that the best way to reduce areas of persistent disadvantage in a community is to reduce unemployment rates in those areas. The project is recognising that someone’s suitability for a job should have nothing to do with the postcode they live in.

The first step in what will be a long journey is to use the existing economic lever of procurement. GROW is supporting organisations in the G21 region to understand the value of choosing local suppliers, products and services, helping create new jobs which can potentially employ people from target areas.

GROW will also link jobs and jobseekers through ‘demand-led employment brokerage’, providing incentives for the employment of suitably trained people from target areas.

GROW is a joint initiative of Give Where You Live Foundation and G21 – Geelong Region Alliance and uses a Collective Impact approach.

“In the G21 region there is over $18.2 billion spent annually on goods and services, both public and private sector. It is estimated that there will be $1.2 billion of major infrastructure projects in the region over the next few years, creating around 4500 jobs,” Give Where You Live CEO Bill Mithen said on the day of the Compact signing.

“Achieving the most efficient use of, and benefit from, the substantial existing regional procurement spending choices is therefore imperative to the success of the GROW formula. We need to make sure that money that is already invested into this region, stays in this region and delivers social outcomes.”

Signatories to the Inaugural GROW Compact are: Avalon Airport; Baptcare; Barwon Water; Barwon Health;

Bendigo Bank; Brand Bureau; City of Greater Geelong; Colac Otway Shire; Costa Property Group; Deakin University; Fagg’s Mitre 10; G21 – Geelong Region Alliance; Gforce Employment Solutions; Give Where You Live; GMHBA Health Insurance; Life.

Be in it.; The Gordon; Karingal; St Laurence Community Services; and Viva Energy.

“We are not asking businesses to employ people they wouldn’t normally employ, or purchase goods they wouldn’t normally purchase. It’s about organisations identifying what adjustments they can make to their buying practices, or their employment processes, to create change. What could be a small change to them could be of immeasurable value to the community,” said G21 chief executive, Elaine Carbines.

GROW will focus on places where there are the greatest numbers of jobless families within the G21 region. Colac, Corio/Norlane and Whittington are the initial focus; and in future years, GROW will expand to take in other areas within the region.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 11

COMMUNITY

WHY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS MATTER

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hen the Corporate sector and the Not-For-Profit sector share a common purpose the results can be powerful. This is a story about how a project in Norlane has produced something unique and beautiful. It’s about an initiative that made a positive difference to a disability program supporting people to achieve their full potential. It vividly demonstrates how a local business not only delivers value to its shareholders and its consumers, but how it understands the value of making a difference in the local communities in which they operate.

Over a year ago, St Laurence Corporate Partnerships Program was fortunate to commence a conversation with Adroit Insurance Group about how it might realise its goal to participate in a a corporate social responsibility initiative that made a difference in the lives of local people. They were keen to be active in a capital project that would have a lasting impact and would provide Adroit with an opportunity for volunteer staff engagement. At the same time, Adroit was looking for a project to potentially benefit from funds raised through their Annual Charity Golf Day. The seed was sown to build a Sensory Garden at St Laurence’s MyPATH Norlane campus. Our MyPATH Disability Services supports approximately 200 clients who live with various disabilities and participate in outcome based learning through our MyPATH program.

The project plan was to convert an outdoor space that in its current state could not be used for various safety and inaccessibility concerns into a space that would be welcoming, accessible, safe, inclusive, educational and therapeutic.

Research demonstrates that there are health and wellbeing benefits associated with spending time in a positive environment like a sensory garden, including reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure, improved mental health, improved concentration, and improvement in symptoms associated with challenging behaviour. They are also a great place for providing social opportunities and activities.

St Laurence engaged designer Chris Reed from Kevin Heinze Grow, a Not-for-Profit organisation specialising in therapeutic horticulture for people with disabilities. Chris has 35 years experience in this field.

He has designed therapeutic gardens for a range of facilities such as aged care, hospitals, community services, schools, and mental health services.

This project was only possible through the generous support from a number of existing and new corporate partners, including Adroit Insurance Group and the Transport Accident Commission. As well, we called on new community partnerships with Ardoch Youth Foundation and Nelson Park School so that students in their final years could also contribute to the initiative.

We thank all our corporate partners for their involvement and we are extremely proud of the finished product, which is helping to achieve the St Laurence vision: “together we innovate and build resilient, inclusive communities to help people achieve their full potential.”

For social enterprises like St Laurence, corporate partnerships provide valuable access to skills and resources, which help extend its impact, as well as providing vital funding. This project was only possible with the significant financial contribution from Adroit Insurance Group, who raised the funding as part of their Annual Charity Golf Day. Adroit has contributed in excess of $840,000 for local community projects over the last 14 years.

For more information on St Laurence’s Corporate Volunteer Program visit www.stlaurence.org.au or contact Angela Fortune, Community Partnerships Coordinator, on 52821405.

BUSINESS NEWS | 12

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 13

BIZ NEWS

MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCHER RECOGNISED

NEW ERA FOR EMPLOYER PEAK BODY

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The highly prestigious international award if presented by the U.S based Brain & Behavior Research Foundation as recognition for outstanding achievements in mental health research.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Mark Birrell, said VECCI has been working to grow the Chamber of Commerce movement in Australia under a common national brand.

The Foundation held its 28th Annual National Awards Dinner in New York City, recognising Professor Berk’s award work and continued development of Novel Therapies in the treatment of Psychiatric Disorders.

“Our new name, along with the unveiling of our new logo, symbolises our enhanced focus on national issues of importance to Victorian business and stronger alignment with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Mr Birrell said.

lfred Deakin Chair in Psychiatry and Director of Barwon Health/Deakin University’s IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Professor Michael Berk, has been awarded the 2015 Colvin prize for Outstanding Achievement in Mood Disorders Research.

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER VISIT

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he British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Menna Rawlings CMG, will be in Geelong in February to deliver the keynote speech at the Committee for Geelong’s Annual Leadership Breakfast.

As a passionate advocate for women in leadership roles, Ms Rawlings will share her views on the importance of women taking their place among the top tiers of community and corporate decision makers as Geelong continues to transform.

Ms Rawlings began her Australian posting in April this year and is the first female career diplomat from the UK to be appointed as High Commissioner to Australia.

Her Excellency Menna Rawlings said she was looking forward to her first official visit to the region.

“I am honoured to speak at the Committee’s Annual Leadership Breakfast. I am a strong advocate of women in leadership, and of the benefits of a diverse and modern workforce in achieving organisational excellence. I look forward to discussing these themes with the business community of Geelong.”

ictoria’s largest business organisation, VECCI, has marked a new chapter in its 160 year history - and will be known as the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sharing a common identity with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said the new logo is built around the Federation Star - a distinctly Australian design that reflects the Victorian Chamber’s place in the united chamber movement. The new brand will be adopted by the other state and territory chambers progressively.

The Victorian Chamber has achieved significant wins through partnering with other chambers, including during the successful multichamber tender for a new, expanded Federal Government contract to deliver apprentice services through Apprenticeship Support Australia.

Another notable example is the national “Small Business – Too Big to Ignore” 2013 federal election campaign, which resulted in several probusiness initiatives such as a $1 billion red tape reduction program.

Did You Know…

The solar industry in California employs 55,000 people* - that’s more than the Silicon Valley tech giants of Google, Apple, Facebook and Twitter combined. And that figure is growing… (*California Solar Jobs Census 2014 found 54,690 solar workers in California as of October 2014)

BUSINESS NEWS | 14

BIZ NEWS

NEW DONOR TISSUE BANK PUTS VICTORIA ON THE MAP

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issue donation has received a boost in Victoria with the opening of the new Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria. The purpose-built facility is the only one of its kind in Australia, screening, storing and distributing multiple tissue donations from the one facility.

The facility marks the completion of the State Coronial Services Centre redevelopment project that began in Southbank in 2010.

Mr Pakula said the new state-of-the-art facility provides greater storage for tissue donations and the ability to accommodate new technology. The upgrade means the facility now has the capacity to incorporate next-generation tissue transplant products including those using human stem cells.

More than 11,000 recipients have benefited from tissue donated through the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria since it was founded in 1989. The donation of tissue can only occur through the generosity and selfless spirit of those families who have lost loved

ones, often in sudden and tragic circumstances, and who wish the death of their family member to contribute to other’s welfare.

Anyone wishing to become a tissue donor should discuss their intention with their family and record their decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

Further information on how to register is available at www.donatelife.gov.au

NEW FOCUS FOR REGULATION REFORM

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ederal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will strengthen its regulation reform agenda to focus on changes to increase innovation and productivity.

Speaking on the Coalition Government’s fourth Red Tape Repeal Day, Ms Henderson said that the Government’s agenda to cut red tape and reduce regulatory costs has been an overwhelming success.

“The Coalition made a commitment to reduce red tape by $1 billion annually and I’m pleased to announce today that we have already achieved that target with almost $4.5 billion in red tape savings in our first two years alone,” Ms Henderson said.

“Recent significant savings include our reforms to the Australian Taxation Office’s activities, which will reduce annual compliance

costs by $185.2 million. Measures like these will assist businesses to grow and invest.

“The Government is also introducing legislation to make it easier for terminally ill and injured people to access certain ATOadministered superannuation monies; measures like these reduce the burden of red tape in times of hardship.”

Ms Henderson said that from 1 July 2016, the Government will broaden its focus to regulation reforms that have direct impact on innovation, competitiveness and productivity.

“An important area to look at will be working bilaterally with a state or territory, or with all states and territories together, to remove duplication and regulation that hamper innovation and productivity,” she said.

More information is available at http://cuttingredtape.gov.au/

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 15

NEW APPOINTMENTS

ANGELA CAMPBELL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - FAGG’S MITRE 10 NEW MEMBERS FOR NOVEMBER

Angela Campbell is the new CEO of Fagg’s Mitre 10. Angela arrived in Geelong from New Zealand three and a half years ago, after working at Fletcher Building for 26 years and owning two timber and hardware businesses. Angela was the Manager of Flintstones Sand and Soil before joining Mitre 10 Australia in 2012, working across the nationwide network before taking up the CEO role at Faggs Mitre 10 in 2015.

Adelia Fine Foods Armor Antiques Beachdoc Buy Bellarine Inc Cater and Co Compass Group Geelong Regional Library Corporation Geelong Tender Centre La Salle a manager Mabel & Me on the Road Proserpine Cottage Springdale Neighbourhood Centre The Hot Chicken Project Yoga Grace Consistent with their ‘working in partnership’ philosophy, TGGB works together with the tourism industry and local government to promote the region as a “must see” destination. Don’t take our word for it, here’s what one of our members had to say:

LYNDSAY SHARP Director – Leura Park Estate, Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Flying Brick Cider Co, Curlewis Golf Club The decision to become a TGGB member was a no brainer! The TGGB team are extremely passionate, pro-active and supportive - their multi-faceted strategic initiatives form the backbone of the increasing profile and visitation to our wonderful region.

EVENTS

LEGAL

RETAIL

Brenden Caligari has joined Curlewis Golf Club as Club & Events Manager. A stellar corporate sports personality and talent, Brenden’s career history has included nine years with the Geelong Football Club as Sponsorship Manager.

Prior to this Brenden worked with the Geelong Advertiser, including four years as Advertising Manager.

Rachel joins the Harwood Andrews team as the Marketing and Business Development Advisor.

With over 8 years’ experience in the not for profit sector, Rachel was previously the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the Cotton On Foundation. Prior to that Rachel worked as the Public Relations and Events Coordinator at the Barwon Health Foundation.

Chris Caramanico has joined the stylish team at Eddy Elias Menswear. Chris has a background in mens fashion retail and customer service and is passionate about working with clients to ensure that they walk out of the store looking and feeling on top of their game.

Chris’ commitment to personalised service makes him a welcome addition to the team.

If you’d like to know more about membership or anything TGGB do, don’t hesitate to get in touch with their Business Development Manager Di Nelson on 5244 7109 or dnelson@tourismgeelongbellarine.com.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 16

INSIDE WORD

JACK RABBIT HOPS AWAY WITH AWARD

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outique winery and restaurant, Jack Rabbit Vineyard on the Bellarine was awarded Best People, Place & Product Tourism Restaurant in Australia at the Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Association National Awards for Excellence held recently in Brisbane.

Jack Rabbit General Manager, Lyndsay Sharp, said she was “humbled, elated and grateful for such a wonderful and talented team, the combination of which presents the Jack Rabbit experience.”

“We are all so proud of what we do here – it’s an honour to contribute to the flourishing tourist reputation of this great region of ours,” she said.

LANTERN LEGAL GROUP NOMINATED FOR B CORP AWARD

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antern Legal Group, parent company of law firms Harwood Andrews and Sladen Legal, was the only Australian business to be nominated in the B Corp Rookie of the Year award at the B Corp Champions Retreat in Portland, United States. The awards recognise businesses that have spread the B Corp movement and made a positive impact on their communities over the past 12 months.

Lantern Legal Group became one of only 55 Australian businesses to be certified as a B Corp in March 2015 and was nominated for the Rookie award alongside social media platform, Hootsuite; Portland Brewery, HUB; Colorado running shoe

company Newton; and Brazilian cosmetics brand, Natura.

Managing Principal of Lantern Legal Group, Dan Simmonds said the nomination was a great achievement for both firms, whose yearlong process of achieving B Corp certification was one of great importance.

Globally, there are over 1,400 businesses from more than 42 Countries and over 130 industries that have been awarded their B Corp certification, including well-known businesses such as Patagonia, Etsy and Ben & Jerry’s. They all work together towards one unifying goal: to redefine success in business, to not just the best in the world, but the best for the world.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 17

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COVER STORY

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM: Our Love Affair With Housing

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he housing construction industry has been the great economic hope of the post-mining investment boom in Australia. Here in Victoria, those great swathes of new roofs that are changing the landscape along regional and metropolitan fringes have been a key factor in why our state’s economy has remained buoyant in a time of otherwise poor economic growth.

But booms don’t last forever, and in the coming few years this one will do what booms do.

HIA Executive Director, Victoria, Gil King, said the housing construction industry has been filling the gap in the Australian economy for a number of years.

“Back in 2008, when the global financial crisis hit, they were building 24,000 homes a year and in Victoria we were in the 40,000s. In 2010/11 we built 60,000 homes, and at that time what was happening here in Victoria basically kept the Australian building industry out of recession. If it hadn’t been for Victoria, the total figures across the country would have been appalling.

“In 2010/11 we said that would never happen again, that 60,000 homes was ridiculous, but we’ve just recorded figures over the last financial year of over 65,000 homes.”

Across the last two years, 30 per cent of all new homes built in Australia have been built in Victoria.

In these peak buildings years, residential building has been contributing around $4 billion a year to the Victorian economy.

Across all sectors of the industry, building permits worth $1.3 billion were approved in Geelong in 2014, including the state’s second largest building permit for the $148.9 million Epworth Geelong Hospital building at Waurn Ponds.

When we’re talking residential dwellings, any statewide number above 50,000 is considered a boom in housing construction in Victoria, with the average closer to 40,000 new homes a year.

More than 50,000 new dwellings have been built in Victoria every year for the past six years, and will be again in this current year, before an anticipated drop back to closer to normal numbers.

Any way you cut it, the figures have been extraordinary and go a long way to explaining why our unemployment rate both locally here in Geelong and across the state has remained low, against all expectations.

There were a record 65,235 new home builds that started in the 2014/15 year. The record building levels reflect the boom in apartment building, particularly around the Melbourne CBD. In the detached home segment the figures were still strong, with 32,500 commenced last financial year, but industry predictions are suggestive of tougher times ahead for home builders, and new detached home starts are expected to fall by 4.6 per cent this year to around 31,000 – with more substantial falls of 8.8 per cent in 2016/17 and a further 5.6 per cent in 2017/18 across the state. Overall, that would mean a drop of close to 20 per cent over three years.

Big falls are also predicted in the apartment and multi-unit starts, with forecasts suggesting a drop to 35,700 in 2015/16 to be followed by a sharp decline by 31.4 per cent in 2016/16 and a further 8.1 in 2017/18. These figures would suggest a leveling of a segment that has been experiencing an unsustainable boom.

“The apartment and multi-unit market has been an exceptionally strong performer over the last few years,” Mr King said. “This has been a strong contributor to the overall performance of Victoria’s building industry and economy more broadly.

“However, the scale and persistence of such strong activity presents a growing risk that this part of the market could struggle under the weight of new supply reaching the market within a relatively short period of time. It is important that market participants are factoring this possibility into their plans for the next few years.”

While the HIA are not expecting the building commencement figures to repeat the record breaking figures this year, a strong pipeline of approvals means 2015/16 will be another strong year for home building across the state.

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COVER STORY

Ph It’s unlikely that outside of apartment building in Melbourne that we will see a spectacular bust, but even a slow dissipation will put pressure on underperforming sectors of the economy.

“In Geelong, the story is quite different to Melbourne. You’ve had good land release that has resulted in some quite remarkable developments and activity. Places like Armstrong Creek have created gateways for people to work in Melbourne but be easily able to access the lifestyle along the coast,” Mr King said.

The City of Greater Geelong issued 2,135 housing permits in 2014/15. Steady population growth has helped to create a period of stability across the region’s building sector, and this stability in the sector has been seen in Ballarat, Bendigo and across much of regional Victoria.

Victoria’s population is predicted to have a population of 10 million by 2051, with 7.8 million in Melbourne and 2.2 million people living in regional Victoria. Here in Greater Geelong, the population is expected to grow by 76,000 people between 2011 and 2031 – although that figure could be significantly higher depending on the improvement of transport links to Melbourne.

Armstrong Creek, Lara, the Bellarine, and Lovely Banks will continue to see strong residential building growth over the next five to ten years to meet the demands of population growth.

New home buildings tend to not be speculative in the way apartment developments are, and across most of regional Victorian cities, housing construction will continue to play a strong role in supporting the local economy.

As older Australians increasingly choose to age in their own home, the report suggests there will continue to be a scarcity of family friendly housing in both cities, and that both cities are on track for an apartment glut by 2022, with Melbourne particularly in danger of an oversupply of apartments.

Looking at the big picture, as apartment building falls off, strong land release in regional Victoria and into the new Werribee East precinct will keep residential building going for some years to come.

The housing industry is a major employer, but training has been a big issue for the industry in Victoria for a long time. Mr King said there are still plenty of problems in the training of skilled trades in the state.

“The most sold training course for the building industry is the Certificate IV in Building and Construction. People are being told that if they get their Certificate IV they get their registration, but the reality is that it is not a recognised qualification for licensing and registration in Victoria. It’s been a problem for many years that the product that is being sold as the qualification is not the qualification at all.

“When we talk about the building industry, the pathway for leaving school to becoming a builder has not been well defined. This is a criticism I’ve had of governments over previous years, but we are pleased that this current government is at least looking to put in place a proper pathway.

“We talk about Australia not having had a recession since the 1990s, but the housing industry has had about three of them since them.”

“We talk about the multiplier effect of building, for every dollar you spend you return four dollars into the economy – that is specifically in the housing sector. The multiplier effect for a new home is quite remarkable. It creates jobs in a whole range of sectors, right down to the local government, with additional garbage collection and road cleaning, parks and gardens, new childcare centres and it just goes on and on.

“You think about the nurseries, about the landscaping industry, about the hardware and home wares stores, the electronic and white goods stores, they all get a benefit from a new home construction much more so than they would from the sale of an existing home. There’s nothing like a new home as a driver for the economy of the state.

“People want to come to Victoria – not withstanding what they might think about our weather.”

Mr King said a lot of the apartment construction activity in Melbourne’s CBD has been to meet demand in the holiday rental market.

“This has become almost a whole new industry in Victoria. I live in an apartment in Melbourne, so it’s not great for me and others like me, because what is my home is also someone else’s hotel. But besides that, there is a massive need for houses, townhouses and apartments for people to rent when they are visiting Victoria.”

“At the moment, you leave school and you do an apprenticeship, but that is no guarantee that you are going to be able to become a builder. And that’s if you make it through your apprenticeship, because there is a massive amount of non-completion of apprenticeships.”

Mr King said non-completion of training is tied up in the qualification system. The qualification for a builder or other skilled trade is gained by correctly answering the qualification questions by the building authority, and many aspiring young tradies have found they can pass the test without having to complete their training. That poses significant problems in the ultimate skill levels across the sector.

“When I talk to our people and ask them how they are off for trades, they tell me that there are plenty of trades, just not a lot of properly skilled ones. I say it a lot, there’s a hell of a lot of people laying bricks in Victoria, there just aren’t a lot of bricklayers,” Mr King said. “The current system makes it easy for fly-by-nighters who come in and make the dollars while the [building] numbers are up. They don’t do particularly good work, and then when the market tightens up they drop out and go back to doing something else. To combat that you need very clearly defined requirements for training and that clarity just isn’t there.”

A November report from The Australian Population Research Institute raised doubts over the apartment boom making housing more affordable in Sydney and Melbourne, as much of the greatest need is for family-friendly housing in both cities.

The problem isn’t a new one. It wasn’t so long ago, in the later 2000s, that Victoria had a serious shortage in the availability of skilled trades. With the uptick in building and construction, and the kind of money on offer, that is no longer a problem. People with trade skills have flocked to the state, and while many come with skills, that doesn’t mean they have the skills required to be a registered carpenter, bricklayer, electrician, plumber or concreter.

The report, ‘The housing affordability crisis in Sydney and Melbourne Report One: the demographic foundations’ showed that overseas migration and the ageing of the residential population were driving the housing affordability crisis almost equally.

“If the government is thinking about tackling the registration of trades, then they really need to be thinking about the future and how they are going to transition these people who practice now without the requirement for registration or licensing,” Mr King said. “What we don’t want is a situation where today you don’t

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COVER STORY need licensing but tomorrow you do, and if you haven’t got it you can’t practice and the industry shuts down because there isn’t sufficient numbers of licensed tradespeople.”

Compliance and regulation have increased sharply over the past decade – and, as with most compliance and regulation requirements, some are commonsense and some belies reason. Today, Mr King pointed out, there isn’t a lot in the actual construction method and timing that has changed, but more than half the process from the time a vendor purchases the land to handover is taken up in planning, and around 40 per cent of the cost of a standard house and land package is tax.

“If you go back 20 years ago, it wasn’t anywhere near that. The Victorian Government has had a massive windfall in stamp duty, land tax, the Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution and all the levies on building activity on the back of new home construction,” Mr King said.

HIA Chief Economist, Harley Dale, said that the rate of growth in residential property prices has peaked, “although for the roughly 60 per cent of the population living outside Sydney and Melbourne, this has hardly been a housing boom.”

“When we talk about construction boom conditions, we really are only talking about Victoria and New South Wales. The conditions are quite diverse across the rest of the country,” he said.

And while history clearly demonstrates that it is very hard to have a strong local economy if you don’t have a strong housing economy, Mr Dale said the flip side of that economic impact is that when building conditions slow, if they slow disproportionately quickly, it can have an equally negative impact on the local economy.

“We need to recognise that you don’t increase what you build forever, and while population growth is strong, it’s not actually accelerating. “The rate of growth has peaked and while building approvals remains strong, they are not moving upwards in the way there were a few years ago. It looks like 2016/17 in particular is when we will release that while we’ve still got a lot going on, it’s not going up relative to the year before,” Mr Dale said.

It is the same conversation we were having about the mining investment boom a decade or so ago, but in a much more sensible fashion.

“We don’t tend to get quite so carried away with things in the building industry,” Mr Dale said. “We got hit very sharply when the global financial crisis came along and while we recovered from that very quickly, because the Federal Government was quick to put some stimulus measures in place. And it was only back in 2000 that the GST came in and that completely and totally whacked new housing. So, we’ve had two instances in a decade where the industry suffered quite a bit.

“We talk about Australia not having had a recession since the 1990s, but the housing industry has had about three of them since them,” Mr Dale said.

Tightening of credit made available to investors, including the differential interest rates have, according to the HIA, had an impact for the appetite for housing, particularly those looking to invest in Melbourne or Sydney. Mr Dale said he would expect the tightening of lending conditions for investment borrowers to continue to impact housing demand to some extent.

projects that, technically speaking, are perfectly commercially viable.

“There are a whole range of issues that impact the viability, and therefore the availability of finance for a project, including presales, comparable valuations and a host of other hoops to go through.

“The nature of the industry is that a lot of businesses run on negative cash flow models because that is how building works. It has become more difficult, although it’s not quite as bad as it was a few years ago.”

The sharp contraction of the credit market when the global financial crisis hit saw a number of building companies fold in Australia, including Blue Cove Homes in Geelong and Cavalier Homes in Ballarat.

Lending conditions also have an impact on operating a business in the housing sector.

“All of a sudden, the tap got turned off on a lot of credit options and that was very challenging for a lot of businesses,” Mr Dale said.

“Building has always been a tough game,” Mr Dale said. “But credit has certainly tightened up post the global financial crisis; valuations are less clear than they used to be, goalposts shift more than they used to and it’s a more uncertain and difficult environment for builders and developers to get finance for

“The nature of how we build homes is that you do a lot of your building without being paid for it. So you do a certain amount and you get a progress payment for it. This is a business where you are paying for products and materials, you are paying your subcontractors and labour, but you’re not regularly getting paid.”

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COVER STORY Mr Dale said the availability of credit to the industry in a flexible and fair manner is a critical issue and one that needs to be addressed by governments at both the state and federal level.

- Poor site layout or material stockpiling that blocks access ways, requiring employees or subcontractors to lift equipment, tools and materials over obstructions to get to work.

“There is no silver bullet but I think it is important that everybody doesn’t get tarred with the same brush.”

“While everyone in the housing industry has a role to play in promoting safety on site, it is particularly important that all builders supervise their sites effectively to ensure their subcontractors and employees are working safely, particular young and inexperienced workers,” Mr Moody said.

Mr Dale said unilateral measures to restrict business credit fail to recognise the differing operating conditions of different industries and sectors.

There are far greater risks than business failures in the building industry however, and, despite significant safety improvements, the construction sector still has one of the highest risk factors for injury and death in Australia.

“When you hear that someone has lost their life on a building site, you just don’t get over that. As an industry, the risks are something we can get away from, but in general I would say that it’s a very safe industry,” Mr King said.

“Only that way can the risks be eliminated or reduced so everyone gets to go home safely at the end of the day.”

While the housing sector has been key to keeping the state’s economy afloat in recent years, Mr Dale said that with consumer spending continuing to hold reasonably steady, the missing ingredient in the Victorian economy is businesses outside the housing and mining sectors.

“They haven’t been confident enough yet to invest in new plants, new equipment, new buildings and new people.

“We always need to be improving safety and that’s something we work very closely with WorkSafe on,” Mr King said.

WorkSafe construction manager, Dermot Moody, said that while safety on housing construction sites has improved dramatically over the past 20 years, the number of deaths and injuries that occur in the sector remains a source of concern.

“Far too frequently, workers are being shot while using nail guns, while power and drop saws, as well as angle grinders, result in many injuries, including amputations. Falls during the erection of roof trusses still occur regularly and all too often end in serious injury or death.

“At the moment, you leave school and you do an apprenticeship, but that is no guarantee that you are going to be able to become a builder”

“Even battery tools have their risks,” he said, “and sprains and fractures are common from the high torque models now available “While the sector has improved markedly in areas such as perimeter fall protection, a greater use of Safe Work Method Statements for high-risk tasks, more machines to replace manual labour, and general housekeeping practices on site, there is always more that can be done.

“Some of the safety issues that WorkSafe inspectors see far too regularly onsite include: - The removal of scaffold and fall protection before all works at height have been completed; - Working at height without fall protection because it’s only a fiveminute job; - Structures under construction, such as brick walls or roofs, not being adequately braced or supported; - Incomplete floors being overloaded, risking their collapse;

“In terms of the broader economy, both in Victoria and the whole country, that’s what we need to see evidence of over the next twelve months.

“I think perhaps businesses are becoming a little more confident, and therefore a little more inclined to invest more. As soon as they do that they will employ more and that would cushion any downturn we might have in residential construction.”

Overall, the state economy has been growing at a rate well below the long-term average in recent years, however, without the strong growth in the state’s housing sector, the growth figures would have been grim indeed.

For the sector to continue to be a driver of economic stability, governments also need to look at ways to reduce rising cost pressures on new home building.

“As the focus – quite rightly – intensifies on the need for economic and taxation reform in Australia it is imperative that policy makers recognise the importance of the residential construction industry,” Mr Dale said.

“Residential construction is the second most heavily taxed industry in the Australian economy, to the detriment of the home ownership aspirations of many Australians.

“Independent research over a number of years demonstrates the inefficiency of much of this taxation and the large gains to productivity and Australian living standards from reducing this onerous cost impost on new housing.”

- Toilets not maintained in a hygienic condition;

Another factor in the cost of housing in Australia has been the changing ideal of the Great Australian Dream. Whereas once it was to own your home, today that dream seems to be to down three or five or more houses in order to fund a long retirement.

- Inappropriate demolition of old structures, which can lead to site contamination by materials such as asbestos; and

“We would like to see more investment in housing because we have this underlying demand,” Mr King said.

- Builders and subcontractors not complying with testing and tagging requirements for electrical equipment;

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

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TIME HONOURED

Derbyshire Still The Benchmark In Home Design & Build Building a home is a dream realised; every home should be personal.

the 2012 HIA Home of the Year and the Master Builders Best Custom House Award.

It was this idea that drove Noel Derbyshire to break away from the volume building model that dominated the building industry in the late 1980s.

In 2013, they were just pipped at the post, being named runners up in the $500,000-$700,000 and the Over $700,000 categories of the HIA Home Awards.

He ventured down a path of building contemporary and modern homes that were designed to celebrate their natural landscape and to suit the people who would live there.

It is an impressive list of awards for an established, yet emerging and independent local building company, but for the Derbyshires, it’s never been about the accolades, although they are nice to get.

The late 1980s was a time when the same angular, geometric designs were seen everywhere. Shoulder pads were wide and ties were slim. As Kylie Minogue’s career began, Prime Minster Bob Hawke celebrated Australia’s bicentennial.

As a young builder working out of the back of his old green Kombi, Noel Derbyshire could see his industry being filled with companies that simply reproduced more and more variants of the same house - as if each fell from a giant cookie-cutter. Few bothered to challenge the status quo or alter the norm.

Sticking to his belief that building a home should be an exciting and personal journey and the finished product a symbol of pride; Noel, with the support of his wife Kerri Derbyshire, grew the business from a one man band to a high quality team designing and building homes from $300k to upwards of $3m.

The core values of quality, communication, pride and integrity still permeate throughout the business 25 years later. And their work has gained plenty of attention.

Having been finalists in the HIA and Master Builders Custom Home Awards in previous years, Derbyshire Homes collected the highest accolades offered by both peak industry bodies in 2012, winning

Families are important when you’re building homes and, two years ago, Noel and Kerri’s youngest son, Peter Derbyshire, who had been working in the finance sector in the United Kingdom, returned home to take up the role of General Manager of the business early in 2014.

Peter’s introduction saw a shake-up of the business.

“We have been here from day one, establishing Derbyshire from the grass roots. As Peter’s joined us and taken over, he brings another edge to the way we do things. He has us more multiskilled and working even smarter. We now combine our expert knowledge and old school experience in building and design, with Peter’s people skills and education in business and corporate management,” Kerri added.

“It’s been a busy few years,” admits Peter, “but bloody exciting.

We’ve kept it simple and just tried to focus improvement on a few key areas. We’ve added some highly respected and good quality people into our team to help this. We’ve also begun working with Bespoke Architects who are just fantastic people. Our client design and build process is second to none with their involvement.

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TIME HONOURED

“Having a builder and architect in the room during the whole design process means that any changes can be talked about and costed with clients and changes are made. It makes the process smoother and much less stressful. Once we begin the design process, we work really hard to get a great outcome for our clients.”

A lot of what Derbyshire does is geared around improving the client experience; from design right through to the hand-over of their keys.

“We’re really committed to maintaining our boutique model of building. A dozen homes a year means we can devote more time to each of our clients and that there is always a Derbyshire actively involved in every project. We really want the home building journey to be as enjoyable as possible - for our clients and staff. Happy staff and happy clients always lead to a better outcome,” Peter said.

Part of what makes Derbyshire different is proactive communication with clients throughout the entire process.

From initial meetings and design right through to the finished home. Because nothing can derail a build faster than a failure to effectively communicate.

“We communicate clearly with the client and have their feedback every step of the way,” Noel said. “We go through every aspect of the design and are in discussion during the construction process, so there’s no surprises. The homes we build are on budget and on time.”

Peter pointed out that making sure clients are as familiar and comfortable with every step of the process as possible makes the build easier for all parties involved.

“We see it as a real privilege that people would entrust their precious land into our care,” he said. “Creating a home that suits their lifestyle, tastes and budget is a responsibility we take very seriously.

“We understand that building is an emotional process, so we do everything we can so clients are as excited and proud of the results as we are.”

And because these are homes that are built for life, sustainability is an integral feature of Derbyshire homes, and the company is one of only a few builders accredited with the prestigious Master Builders Green Living certificate.

“Intuitive design and sustainable construction processes don’t have to be an added luxury. By simply placing more windows to the north and less to the south, selecting better insulation and using double-glazing, there is hardly a need to heat or use an air conditioner,” added Kerri.

“When we first began deliberately looking into building greener homes, there was barely a dual flush toilet, water tank or much consideration given to a home’s orientation. The world has thankfully become more educated about living with reduced environmental impact.”

For Derbyshire, keeping their focus on the quality of their work and their working relationships is the future of this boutique local business.

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BUSINESS ADVICE

PLANNING FOR PROFIT & SUCCESS

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s the year draws to a close, what plans have you made for 2016? Will they achieve the outcome you desire?

Many businesses repeat performance year after year – some even wing it and cross fingers that their accountant will give them a good report each August!

SHANE FRANKLIN, SENIOR MANAGER, ACCOUNTING & BUSINESS ADVISORY, CROWE HORWATH

“It is a proven fact that when you commit to writing and measure your progress on a regular basis you are more likely to achieve success.”

For those keen to improve their business, improve profitability and to grow, then plan, plan, plan.

If you keep it simple, keep your eye on the main game and don’t get distracted by offers and opportunities that may steer you off the path, then you won’t ruin a good business.

That’s not to say you should be inflexible.

Business plans should be a live document, constantly being reviewed and adapting to change. After all, the world around us is in constant change, impacted by technology, social media, communication, market demands and legislation impacting on it. And if you don’t adapt and respond to change you can not only be left behind the competition, but your business can fail, which no one wants.

A business plan provides an overview of the business, its market and goals. While it is good to have a detailed plan of the business’ objectives and its path to achieve those objectives, a simple plan is great to track progress on a month-bymonth basis (we suggest one plan to a page), it is effectively a map that details: 1. Where the business is now. here you as the owner want it to be 2. W in the future.

3. How you will get there.

In preparing your plan, questions to ask yourself are: - Is it time to employ staff or more staff?

-S hould you extend your range of products or services?

- Is your business structure appropriate?

-W hat issues may impact on your business?

E.g. changes to workplace laws, increasing compulsory super contributions.

This article provides general information only, current at the time of production. Any advice in it has been prepared without taking into account your personal circumstances. You should seek professional advice before acting on any material.

Crowe Horwath Financial Advice Pty Ltd is the holder of Australian Financial Services Licence number 238244 ABN 51 060 092 631

-W hat will rising interest rates mean to your business, and to your customers? Will rates impact on your customers’ ability to keep within trading terms going forward?

As directors, you are responsible for compliance and risk management and for making decisions that comply with the State and Federal regulations, so you are obliged to keep on top of those issues.

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Employment Law and Industrial Relations is always a high priority for businesses with awards, distinguishing employees from contracts, payroll issues and more. So again, make this part of your plan to ensure you get things right and avoid unnecessary risks to your business.

Well developed strategies will out perform ad hoc decisions. So how will your business perform?

It is a proven fact that when you commit to writing and measure your progress on a regular basis you are more likely to achieve success. The published research shows this to be fact.

Some of my clients meet monthly with a group of peers and check their progress according to their one page plan. It keeps them honest to their plans and focussed on what they are doing; and they learn from each other. Our firm can also facilitate these forums.

We also provide a Business Planning Kit that we give to clients as an instruction manual of sorts and a one-page template to summarise all issues and use ongoing. Our monthly newsletters address cashflow, budgeting, employment, super, and many other topics to keep business owners up to date on issues that may impact on their business. We welcome anyone to call us on 5224 7749 to subscribe.

Drafting a structured set of objectives that have a strategy attached on how you are going to achieve them and a written one page plan that measures your progress along the way, is essential to planning for profit and success in 16 and beyond. With 6 months until the end of the financial year, you can still make changes to your business to achieve better results.

So don’tthink, act.

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OPPORTUNITY

Do you have an Employee Assistance Program?

Want a local provider who is in touch with local issues?

Bethany can provide this to you!

Established in 1868, Bethany delivers a diverse range of services that creates opportunities to encourage and empower people to change and strengthen their lives. Our mission is to Value People, Strengthen Lives, Effect Change and a vision of OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary and confidential counselling service available to an employee of an organisation. The service is usually available to any employee requiring assistance with issues affecting their wellbeing, either personally or at the workplace.

People experience issues that may have an impact on their work at some time in their lives. Many people find the problems short lived and easily resolved, sometimes with the help of family or close friends. At other times the difficulties may persist. In these cases it is important to seek help.

resolution of personal issues affecting staff wellbeing. Staff will access the program in accordance with your Human Resource policy.

Standard hours of operation will be between Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Evening sessions may be provided by appointment.

Services will be provided at 16 Ballarat Road, Hamlyn Heights.

Bethany will exercise due care, skill and judgment and at all times act in accordance with applicable professional ethics, principles and standards.

Employees can contact Bethany direct to book their strictly confidential appointment. Each employee can access up to 3 sessions per issue (determined by employer).

EAP is usually centred on:

The EAP can be used for assistance with resolving any issues that may be causing concern to an employee.

• Relationships and personal issues

Bethany has been providing counselling services to members of the Geelong Community since the 1970’s. Our EAP counsellors have a broad range of qualifications and experience including Psychotherapy and Counselling, Family Therapy, and Social Work, and are eligible for membership of relevant professional associations. We are able to offer choice of either male or female counsellors.

• Work / life balance

Bethany can offer an Employee Assistance Program that includes counselling via face-to-face or over the telephone. The EAP is not designed to provide counselling or rehabilitation services where there are highly complex issues requiring specialised treatments or for issues requiring more intensive longer term counselling. However, the program can assist with the provision of information and referral to appropriate services in these circumstances.

The EAP is a neutral service and does not provide advice to staff about industrial or legal matters in the workplace - its focus is on the

• Workplace relationships • Grief and loss • Addiction • Anxiety and depression • Bullying and harassment To find out how your business could benefit from our EAP Services you can contact: Ralph Menchise Executive Manager - Business Development (03) 5278 8122 rmenchise@bethany.org.au or checkout our website www.bethany.org.au

• Assist people experiencing financial stress and provide material aid

• Help build better family and couple relationships • Support the education, wellbeing and safety of children

• Help those affected by problem gambling and other addictions

• Support parents • Protect victims of family violence and change perpetrator behavior

• Advocate on issues to effect social change

• Assist people who are homeless or at risk • Help people access training and employment

BUSINESS NEWS | 26

GOVERNANCE

SUSTAINABILITY - THE BOARD’S ROLE AND GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITY

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What role does the Board play in the development, implementation and monitoring of the sustainability of the organisation it governs?

irstly, why is sustainability a governance responsibility? The answer is quite simple – Board members are custodians of their organisations and are charged with the responsibility of ensuring they leave the business in better shape than when they were appointed to their positions.

This outcome cannot be achieved if the 3 pillars of sustainability, namely Economic, Community and Environment, are either ignored or not given the appropriate focus and attention in both the strategic and operational management of the business.

Secondly, it makes good business sense to include the 3 pillars of sustainability in the governance model.

In a world where the environment is now very publicly in the social and political arenas, organisations that take a public and positive approach to environmental management are seen and generally regarded as good corporate citizens; whereas those that create environmental disasters or have poor records in this area are severely punished – incurring heft fines, losing share/business value and consumer support - and are publicly denigrated, as we have seen with BHP and the Brazilian mining disaster.

The next generation of leaders, managers and staff consider the environment to be of much greater importance than their forebears and are attracted to an organisation who values the environment in their business model.

Customers and consumers are attracted to environmentally responsible organisations that “walk the talk” and not just provide lip service to this strategy.

Operating costs can be lower when incorporating environmental sustainability into the business model, especially now that these inputs are further along the product life cycle, which generally means costs come down as products move from the formative to growth stages and more suppliers enter the market.

The government and communities in general are being much more active in the areas of social and environmental management; furthermore, social media now provides a public voice and mass distribution for this increased activity. Poor behaviour is now much more difficult to hide from public scrutiny and, so long as smart phones and the internet are in existence, then this phenomenon will not only continue, but more than likely grow to be an even more powerful force than it is already.

How then does a Board incorporate sustainability into its governance responsibility and agenda?

The following approach is advised for the Board to take a leadership role in this aspect of strategic management: • Develop and communicate sustainability policies and procedures to all stakeholders and delegate the Chief Executive to implement, manage and report on the outcomes achieved at least 3 times per annum;

llocate sufficient resources (people, •A assets, capital) to implement the policies; • I nclude the environment as a key plank in the strategic and business plans, not a mere side show; • I nclude the subsequent reporting in the monthly/ annual board agendas; •R eport on the outcomes achieved to both internal and external stakeholders; and • I f disasters strikes have a plan in place and ready to enact. Do not try to hide from or evade the issue – there is nowhere to hide in today’s social media world.

Sustainability is no longer an optional extra in the governance and strategic management of any organisation, large or small, for profit or non-profit. Business may arrive at a position on sustainability from different perspectives (compliance, good corporate citizens, generational, or market demand), however, irrespective of the drivers, the outcomes achieved will benefit all stakeholders.

Managing and leading change in such a key strategic area sits very comfortably with the Board and is an area in which the Board should take a proactive approach (i.e. because it is the right thing to do) rather than a reactive approach (i.e. because it is something that has to be done). Both achieve a result, but the former reflects a positive culture and is an investment, whilst the latter merely conforms to compliance requirement and is seen and treated as a cost.

In summary, every Board should want to leave a positive legacy from its time as custodians of the organisation. Developing, implementing, resourcing and monitoring the 3 plank policy of economic, social and environmental sustainability will go a long way of achieving this outcome and generate a great result for all stakeholders.

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

BUSINESS NEWS | 28

FINANCE

“I

THAT BIG T WORD

f you want to go fast, go alone - if you want to go far, go together”

This African proverb epitomises the very core of this month’s discussion on that big T word: Teamwork.

MARTIN CARTER, BUSINESS MANAGER, MORRIS FINANCE

“Teamwork in business, in my experience, is easy to preach but difficult to practice”

The modern dictionary describes teamwork as a cooperative effort by the members of a group to achieve a common goal and, as such, I’d like a dollar for every time I’ve heard friends, colleagues and associates use the phrase “there’s no I in team”. Whilst this is indeed true, what one needs to keep reminding oneself of is that there is a “me” in team, so we need to play an integral part in it, and not be an individual that masquerades as a team player, but really believes that the team wouldn’t exist without them.

Teamwork in business, in my experience, is easy to preach but difficult to practice and the key when starting from the ground up is to break the process down into four stages; namely, forming, storming, norming and performing.

Forming is where members get to know each other, establishing guidelines, goals and processes, assessing and breaking down the task at hand. Storming is where individuals assert themselves and develop preferences with debate arising about how to proceed.

Norming is where work begins in a more organised and coordinated manner, rules and processes are established and progress is made And performing is where the team as a whole focuses entirely on the goals, objectives and action required to success.

Whilst these four stages are the rungs on the ladder of success the real key is to recognise group work as a process and find ways to progress to the performing stage as quickly as possible.

Often teamwork issues arise because in life, in particular in our earlier educational years, tasks involve individual performance, so we find it challenging to work and be assessed as part of a team. Often the work takes longer than an individual task would and there is usually less individual control over the end product or performance,

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 29

not to mention the group dynamics that can also add the potential for conflict.

At Morris Finance, we focus on the significant benefits of our team functioning well. For instance, collaborative learning is well known to improve the quality of learning.

Sharing or contesting ideas and knowledge promotes deeper understanding, and working in a team requires and develops a broader range of skills than individual duties and assignments. More can be achieved through teamwork in a shorter timeframe and at a higher quality if the team works well together.

Many years of working within and guiding teams has enabled me to pinpoint the top ten most common characteristics that make up a truly effective team: •D iversity within the group •S ense of responsibility to the group and the business •S pecific roles and goals documented • Communication - honest, open, regular and consistent •A ccurate perception and awareness •S trong work ethic •O rganisational skills • I nnovative thinking •C onflict resolution strategy •A ppreciation of effort and achievement What really makes a consistently successful team is clearly the people within that team, with communication being the key. Teamwork always requires you to communicate effectively with others, recognising and understanding their viewpoints and appreciating the contribution you are expected to make. Above all, trust and respect are the x-factors, ensuring the success of working relationships, overall performance and the achievement of shared common goals.

Until next month, onwards and upwards in your team’s journey to pass a multitude of milestones along the road to success, where coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success!

BUSINESS NEWS | 30

PARTNERSHIP

A UNIQUE SPONSORSHIP OFFERING

S

etting off on an evening sail on the bay, with a waterfront dinner at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club – there just isn’t anything else like it and being able to offer this experience to your most valued clients is just one of the benefits of becoming a business partner at RGYC. Business partnerships form an integral part of RGYC and its connection with the Geelong Community and the Club benefits greatly from its partnership agreements with a range of local and national businesses.

Regular Partner Networking events are held during the year for our corporate supporters who can network and communicate their offer to their business peers. There have been many examples of these connections turning into valuable business relationships, all of which keeps business in Geelong and allows businesses to support local enterprise.

Many businesses have a reach outside of Geelong and a recent example of a very successful business promotion was run by Morris Finance, who themed their annual Wednesday Twilight race with the Holden racing car they sponsor. Leading team driver, Garth Tander, attended along with one of the race cars, which was on display on the front lawn. Morris Finance invited their business partners and agents to enjoy an evening sailing hosted by club members on their yachts, followed by dinner in the Club.

With major events such as the annual Festival of Sails on the Australia Day long weekend in January, and the bi-annual Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong bringing thousands of people to the Geelong Waterfront, RGYC plays a major role in promoting Geelong as a destination not just for sailors.

Long-term sponsors Rex Gorell Land Rover have enabled the Festival of Sails to reinvigorate as the largest keelboat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, and with Land Rover a major sponsor of sailing internationally,

including the Land Rover BAR America’s Cup team, it has good synergy with their global marketing. Attractions such as the TerraPod Land Rover experience add to the spectacle and provide a perfect platform for Rex Gorell to showcase their product.

By developing the shoreside festival that runs in conjunction with the Festival of Sails with the generous support of Geelong Connected Communities, RGYC has extended the entertainment for the general public to become more involved with the event.

Free activities and entertainment, along with an extensive range of food and beverage options across the waterfront precincts from Steampacket Gardens to Eastern Beach, provide a perfect family destination over the weekend.

Other key relationships include the Deakin Worldly sponsorship of junior sailing, which provides avenues for children to progress from Discover Sailing through school programmes and more competitive classes such as the International Cadets.

RGYC prides itself on providing a prime venue for all boating and water related activity for Geelong’s residents, as well as staging world class events, all supported by our crew of support sponsors, sharing a culture of teamwork to achieve success while having fun along the way.

To discuss corporate sponsorship please contact Steve Hassell at RGYC on (03) 5229 3705 or email partnerships@rgyc.com.au

Commodore Chris Williams, Garth Tander, Ian Murray, Nathan Murray and front Max Mascot

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 31

PROPERTY

THE TRUTH ABOUT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY YIELDS

W

henever you consider commercial property, it’s important to fully understand what the overall yield is likely to be. And the simple formula to arrive at an estimated overall figure is:

Yield = Income + Capital Growth And investors often ask me, ‘how do average yields vary from one sector of the commercial property market to the other?’

The short answer is that they tend not to vary at all.

On the face of it, that might seem a strange response. But remember, you are now talking about the overall yield from the property — not merely the net return, as far as income is concerned.

Long-term Expectations From my experience, investors are anticipating an overall yield from their commercial property (i.e. income + growth) of around 12% per annum.

While the composition of that yield will vary between the sectors, when taken together, the total for those components is expected to remain the same, across all three sectors of retail, offices and industrial properties.

[Enter table here] In other words, if a retail a property is purchased returning 5% per annum, then that investor is anticipating a 7% capital growth each year.

Alternatively, there may be the odd occasion where you can negotiate a “terrific deal” on an industrial property, at around 11% per annum.

However, you need to realise that your capital growth will then most likely be down around 1% per annum, and the reason you were able to achieve such a high income return was to provide you compensation for the anticipated meagre growth going forward.

Will there be anomalies?

Of course, there will always be occasions where a vendor is caught in a tight spot; and that will enable you to snare a great deal; however, that will generally be the exception.

Some of the recent retail sales in strip shopping centres have been occurring at extraordinary returns as low as 3% net. On the face of it, those investors are anticipating capital growth of 9% per annum.

Unfortunately, that may turn out to be a fond hope given the present fragile nature of retailing.

Bottom line: The table above is intended to provide you with a handy guide for calculating your anticipated overall yield from commercial property. Furthermore, it also enables you to select your preferred risk profile - choosing between a higher income return, or higher growth.

Or maybe, you decide upon the Office sector, to provide a more balanced portfolio.

CHRIS LANG Best-selling Amazon author & responsible for 7 books on Commercial Property, Chris is also 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.

BUSINESS NEWS | 32

LEGAL

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAY SEASON It’s that time of year again. Tinsel is decking the halls, streets, shops and offices and lazy summer days at the beach beckon. But holiday cheer can easily lead to a legal hangover for employers. Here’s a quick guide to surviving the silly season.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

JIM RUTHERFORD, PRINCIPAL AND ACCREDITED SPECIALIST IN WORKPLACE RELATIONS

ell employees that any ‘after party’ is not endorsed by •T the business and is undertaken by the employee in their own time; don’t then endorse that party by, for example, paying for the drinks.

Preparedness is the key to avoiding the Christmas party legal hangover! An employer’s obligation to prevent harassment, discrimination and/or bullying and to ensure the health and safety of employees continues to apply at the Christmas party and, depending on the circumstances, an after party. Employers can also be found liable for an employee’s inappropriate behaviour if such behaviour is committed in the course of employment. This can include work-sponsored events occurring on-site or off-site, or even at unplanned events such as drinks after a client meeting or, depending on the circumstances, an after party.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY TRADING

Top tips:

Employees working?

• Make sure workplace policies are up-to-date and tailored to the particular circumstances and needs of the workplace.

Modern awards and enterprise agreements generally provide for penalty rates to be paid to employees working on a public holiday. Some awards and agreements may enable employees to substitute the public holiday for a different day, have a day added to their annual leave balance or get time off in lieu.

• Employees should be made aware of the workplace polices, particularly anti-discrimination, harassment, bullying, social media, drug and alcohol, and those around workplace health and safety.

• Inform employees that the workplace policies and rules apply to the Christmas party and also to other unplanned functions or events that may be work-related, and responsible and respectful behaviour is required by all attending.

• Remind employees of the possible consequences for failing to observe the policies.

• Talk to the function venue about responsible service of alcohol.

• Consider the manner in which alcohol is served at functions (e.g. should it be unlimited, should you provide spirits etc.)

• Ensure plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks are available.

• Set specific start and finish times for the Christmas party and organise travel arrangements, or provide options to get employees home safely.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 33

If, despite best efforts, there is still some bad behaviour, employers should be careful to consider what conduct warrants disciplinary action, up to dismissal, and ensure employees are afforded procedural fairness in respect of any allegations.

Employee refusing to work?

The National Employment Standards provide that an employee can refuse to work on a public holiday if their refusal is reasonable (or the employer’s request to work is not reasonable). Determining whether a request or refusal to work on a public holiday is reasonable depends on the employee’s particular circumstances (e.g. their family responsibilities or whether they will be entitled to receive penalty rates or overtime for working) and the needs of the business (e.g. the nature of the workplace and its operational requirements and the type of work performed by the employee).

Employee on leave?

If an employee is on personal or annual leave when a public holiday falls, the day should be treated as a public holiday and not as paid leave, and should not be deducted from the employee’s leave accruals.

Y

1

R o c Fo to Th d in

Th $ is c

Th d o C

Fi ra a

BUSINESS NEWS | 34

APS Benevolent Foundation Your donations are making a difference in the 12 Gifts of Christmas to kids with Cerebral Palsy.

Update Mi-Base – This is an electronic cataloguing system that is in desperate need of updating.

Registered charities are in the news with reports of 30% of gross funds raised being donated to charities. The APS Benevolent Foundation (the Foundation) donates 100% of every cent raised to the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC).

The APS Benevolent Society (APS Benefits) has donated $400,000 to the Foundation. True partners in helping the kids.

Electronic Aids – IPads, Educational Application Software, Barcode Scanners, Laptops, Data Projectors, IT System rollouts are tools so desperately needed by the occupational therapists for education and communication with the kids.

Smartstander Technology – Smartstanders help children stand upright with the assistance of footcups, knee blocks, hip and chest support. The The Foundation has just recently donated over children can further stabilizes their body through $57,000 to CPEC. Wonderful timing, given Christmas grasp bars and have something to play on. is here. The Foundation donation has been fondly Wheelchair Repairs and a specialized Buggy. called the 12 Gifts of Christmas.

EMOTIV – This stands for Computer Brain Interface.

This is where your donations are making such a This is a device which will be used as an difference to the kids at CPEC. Here are the 12 Gifts assessment tool to support children with severe of Christmas that our funding is assisting the kids at physical disabilities to access technology.

CPEC: The 12 Gifts of Christmas. From the APS Benevolent Fitbit HR – This enables CPEC to monitor the heart Foundation to CPEC. Merry Christmas kids. Merry rate of the children assisting the treatment of Christmas CPEC. Your donations are certainly making a difference. anxiety and sleeping habits and sleep programs.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 35

VECCI

VICTORIAN EXPORTERS BACK THEIR HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS

V

ictorian businesses say the high quality of their products gives them an advantage over competitors when selling in international markets, according to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s recently released Survey of Business Trends and Prospects for the September quarter.

When asked to identify their competitive strength in overseas markets, more than 50 per cent of respondents indicated that the high quality or uniqueness of their product or service offering gives them an edge.

The results show that business feels many products and services from the Geelong region, such as those in the manufacturing and agribusiness, education, healthcare, tourism and financial services sectors, can compete favourably on quality on the global stage.

The Victorian Chamber survey of nearly 450 businesses in Geelong and throughout Victoria, across seven major industry sectors, also identified the most significant barriers businesses face in selling into international markets.

More than one-third of respondents reported that difficulty competing on price, transport costs, and language or cultural barriers present the most significant impediments to trading successfully.

Governments must continue to reduce the cost of operating for Geelong businesses and those throughout Victoria. For example, attention must be given to reducing payroll tax and improving transport infrastructure to ensure locally made goods and services are competitively priced in global markets.

State and federal governments must also provide more tailored support for individual businesses to help operators identify the best overseas market prospects and take advantage of opportunities presented by the signing of recent free trade agreements and partnerships.

Asked which countries are on their expansion radar, more than one quarter of respondents reported that emerging markets in South East Asia and the Pacific are the priority. However, the traditional markets of North America and Europe remain important for a number of Victorian businesses.

JAMES GULLI, REGIONAL MANAGER, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

BUSINESS NEWS | 36

PORT ??

STUDY PAINTS PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR GEELONG’S PORT

T

clear that infrastructure improvements, on land and in the water, will play an important part in positioning the port so it can grab future trade opportunities when they arise.’’

The VRCA, responsible for the shipping channels in Geelong’s port waters, has spent about $18 million on channel improvements since July last year as it prepares for a growing trend of bigger ships and greater numbers.

The authority is also poised to introduce Dynamic Under Keel Clearance technology at the port within months. The sophisticated computer algorithm pinpoints the amount of draught a ship needs to enter the port safely, after taking into account factors including weather and tide. It will allow bulk carriers to safely navigate the shipping lanes while loaded to maximum draught.

Viva Energy Australia, which owns Geelong refinery, estimates an extra 10 centimetres in vessel draught leads to more than $1 million in savings a year. The technology, developed by Melbourne-based OMC International founder Dr Terry O’Brien, is in use in 24 ports around the world, including the Port of Melbourne.

Captain McGovern said the Port Phillip Sea Pilots, Marine Controllers and Harbour Master Captain Dilip Abraham were currently undergoing training in the DUKC technology, with a months-long verification process to follow. OMC International is leading the training process over several weeks.

Captain McGovern said the DUKC system would be a valuable tool for the VRCA, port users and the Port Phillip Sea Pilots during the planning, approval and operation of a ship’s safe transit through Geelong’s network of shipping channels. ``This sophisticated system is just one more weapon in our arsenal to keep our channel system safe for big ships and our port productive,’’ he said.

rade and jobs in Geelong’s port will grow by 50 per cent in the next two decades, an economic impact study into the busy shipping hub has found.

The research, commissioned by the Victorian Regional Channels Authority, estimates that port operations add more than $400 million to the region’s economy each year. And it forecasts that figure will rise significantly in the future, with an ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements that help the port to retain its competitive edge.

The study, carried out every three years by expert maritime and transport analysts, reveals that last financial year the port: • Generated direct and flow on-benefits of $570 million to the state’s economy.

• Handled 12.1 million tonnes of cargo, with a total value of $8.4 billion.

• Received 709 ship visits, up considerably on previous study figures.

• Contributed 24 per cent of total trade handled by the state’s four major ports.

• Was a major contributor to jobs, with 10 significant port users generating almost 8000 direct and flow-on full-time equivalent jobs in the Barwon region.

While the current figures are impressive, the Port of Geelong Economic Impact Study 2015 predicts trade will exceed 18 million tonnes by 2035. It also forecasts gross regional product will hit $457 million in 20 years, a significant leap from the current annual figure of $247 million.

VRCA chief executive officer, Captain Peter McGovern, said the report hammered home how vital a healthy port is now, and in the future, to Geelong, the region and the state. ``A thriving port means more jobs and a stronger economy and that’s what we all want for Geelong,’’ Captain McGovern said. ``This study gives us a strong understanding of exactly where the port stands today, and where it can be in the future if we plan carefully. It’s

PORT OF GEELONG

13 million tonnes of cargo a year supporting 5,000 job

s

When Boating on the bay Ships have Right of Way PH

Level 2, 235 Ryrie Street, Geelong

|

5225 3500

www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU BUSINESS NEWS | 37| 37

HOME

CUPBOARDS AIN’T CUPBOARDS ANYMORE

H

aving built a new home a few years ago, I find myself looking around at all those details that seemed so critical to successful home and wonder why smart storage didn’t sit right at the top of the list. Yes, we did pack additional storage in every one of the function rooms - kitchen, bathrooms, laundry – but other than it being ‘more storage’ we didn’t go much further than a couple of useful shelves in the wardrobes… hardly a modern addition, as not so long ago on an annual re-read of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the effusions of Mr Elliott over the additional of ‘shelves in the cupboard’ startled me. Good grief, what had I been thinking?

The truth is that cupboards really aren’t just cupboards anymore, or they shouldn’t be. Smart storage solutions are about forgetting everything you ever thought you knew about the single hanging rail wardrobes and kitchen cupboards of the bog-standard size with one shelf in every cupboard. Smart storage means you look at what space you have to play with and then think about all the things you have to not only be able to fit in there, but also be able to easily access. It is the panacea to that age-old problem of the Tupperware cupboard (I’m sure the Romans, who had pretty much the same cupboards that too many of us have today, had much the same problem with their pottery and metal storage containers; finding they had multiplied inexplicably and the lids to all but the most useless containers had disappeared. You can almost hear them across the millennia, banging their heads on the bench top and exclaiming “Deodamnatus! Te futueo et caballum tuum.”)

Nowadays, we have the means to be so much better at organizing our stuff, even if we can’t stop it inexplicably multiplying.

The idea of the pullout pantry that wowed us in the 1990s has now made it’s way into every storage area of the house – providing everything from a clever use of a narrow space in the cabinetry to a concealed shoe rack with serious wow factor.

BUSINESS NEWS | 38

HOME

Hettich storage solutions have been leading the market for years, and their latest innovations include smart hinges that reduce little fingers being caught in the gaps, to drawers that not only have soft-closures, but also have under-drawer runners (no unsightly runners on the sides) that pull out to the full depth of the drawers.

The innovations keep coming in smart storage, from pull-down coat rails that mean you can utilize your wardrobes to the ceiling height, to corner cabinets with spinning shelves for full storage access. There are flexible storage systems that use a modified ladder system so you can arrange shelving heights to your changing needs, right through to fully-customised cabinetry that really does allow for a place for everything and everything in its place.

More and more what were once hidden parts of our homes where the practical side of life took place are now on show. Modern homes have walk-in or walk-through wardrobes that can all-toooften fall into the trap of becoming the Tupperware container for the whole house, that place where we put all the things we can’t find a home for anywhere else. Before we know it we are tripping over rolls of Christmas paper we are saving for next Christmas,

• • • • •

ducking for cover as the overflowing top of the wardrobe threatens to rain down on you while you search for your other shoe in what feels like a pile of right-only shoes.

At Cabinet Maker’s Choice, the wonderful world of smart storage is on show. With decades of experience, the team can create the kind of wardrobe that will make it look like you should be writing books about organizing your life. And all of the latest innovations and inventions in the storage world are on show for when you are planning your new kitchen, bathroom or laundry.

The options for the finish on your cabinetry are almost endless, but if timeless style and effortless luxury is your thing, then the new range of bamboo cabinets and bench tops is for you. The beauty of the material is enhanced by a range of finishes, from dark and sultry tones right through to the natural finish. The combination of finishes – say a dark bench top with natural finish cabinets, is stunning.

The next time we build or renovate, I’m not going from the outside in, I’m starting in the kitchens, wardrobes and bathrooms and making it all work around those. I might even build in a secret cupboard, just for me, for when the kids hit their teens…

Cabinet doors & hardware Decorative boards & laminates Custom & prefabricated wardrobes Timber veneers Benchtops & more!

Unit 1, 124 Grove Road Grovedale 3216 (03) 5244 3631 www.cabinetmakerschoice.com.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 39

the

ELEVATOR

We admit discussing photocopiers isn’t the most interesting of topics. Even now, we can sense your eyes diverting to the next column to read about a more exciting business.

A copier salesperson is probably the last person you’d want in an elevator with you. We know because we see people’s eyes glaze over and notice them edging away whenever we answer the question “So, what business are you in?”.

Undeniably, copiers and printers need an image boost.

They’re the office machines making all our working lives more stressful when they don’t do what they’re designed to deliver. That’s right, isn’t it?

Not really. If your copier or printer isn’t reliable, maybe it isn’t suitable for your needs.

The team behind Barwon Copying Solutions has over 30 years’ experience selling and servicing photocopiers. We recognise the importance of matching the technology we deliver with our clients’ expectations and requirements.

We understand not every business is ready for a superfast multifunction copier with up-to-the-minute document solutions. Sometimes, a reliable and durable printer is all that you want. For others, a mid-level copier with good scanning and printing options compatible with your network is the answer. Or you may require a larger system with security protection and authentication functions to better manage confidential documents.

Our philosophy is to work with you to develop packages and contracts best suited to how your business operates. Importantly, we appreciate we sell more than a machine but also an ongoing service for supporting your printing needs.

That’s the way we work. Give us a call to find out how it can work for you.

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

For more details email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au

My name is Janet Cook and I am your Geelong consultant for The Healthy Mummy.

The Healthy Mummy is an Australian company established over 5 years ago to empower mums to live a healthier life. We have amazing products to support healthy weight loss including: -W holefood smoothie powder - R ecipe books and online recipes -M eal & exercise plans - L ocal online and face to face support groups (free) - P regnancy specific products to support healthy weight gain and nourish you and your baby

Our plans and products are: - Breastfeeding friendly - P regnancy safe -D esigned specifically for mums by nutritionists and midwives - E asy and delicious - Natural - F ree from caffeine, stimulants and artificial sweeteners - F ree from gluten, dairy and fructose -H igh in protein, fibre and many other essential nutrients I have personally used these products and plans over 3 years and two babies- so I KNOW they work!

Please contact me via e-mail, phone or Facebook for more information. I offer friendly and fast service with all products held in stock, with free pickup from Hamlyn Heights or free delivery to selected areas.

Geebiz is a newly-established business directory for businesses in Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine. So what – yet another business directory?

What’s different about Geebiz?

Firstly, Geebiz is an app – your business details are easily accessible on the screens of your customers (and potential customers!). You can be certain that your advertisement is not going to be thrown out with the other “junk mail”.

Secondly, Geebiz is ALL about our local area, promoting the businesses who employ local people and who spend their profits locally. We will not accept advertising from businesses who “service the area” – all businesses must be able to justify their inclusion as a truly local business. This means people in our region can support businesses in our region which has to be a good thing!

Thirdly, unlike all of the big directories and expensive search engine optimisations, Geebiz has been designed specifically to be affordable. For small businesses, the cost of advertising is less than $3 per week. Imagine your business details being available on every mobile phone in the region for less than a cup of coffee per week!

Finally, we have an introductory offer for new advertisers. Head to the web link below to read about our no obligation, short-term free advertising opportunity.

Accessible, local and affordable – three great reasons to join Geebiz!!

barwoncopiers.com.au Ph: 52983018 e: paulc@barwoncopiers.com.au /barwoncopiers /company/barwon-copying-solutions-pty-ltd @BarwonCopiers

BEFORE

AFTER

Ph: 0419 570 950 e: janetcookhealthymummy@gmail.com

BUSINESS NEWS | 40

hello@geebiz.com.au www.geebiz.com.au/elevator

THE ELEVATOR

®

Lightbulb Training Solutions (LTS) are Geelong’s Customer Service Training Specialists.

LTS Founder and Service Excellence Coach - Cate Schreck, knows what it takes to have customers raving about a business for all the right reasons.

With a 6 Step ACTION process, Cate and the LTS team are helping businesses large and small to educate and motivate their customer service staff to step up and become Customer Service Superstars.

What are Customer Service Superstars?

• They are dedicated to providing excellent service all day, every day • They handle complaints and difficult customer interactions with ease • They are excellent communicators – face to face, phone and written

Clean, Green and Local! Moorabool Ridge produces fine cool climate wines, Olive Oil and a range of farm grown produce to entice visitors to the unique Cellar Door/ cafe in their 1856 Sheppard’s Hut on the banks of the Moorabool River. Open for tastings, food and coffee from 11am to 5pm weekends this small family enterprise offers very personal service to ensure your visit is memorable. Quality is not compromised by producing most fruit on the property, as organically as possible, as sustainably as possible.

White wine of the Year 2010 confirmed the quality of the unique wines. Nestled in a beautiful setting next to the river, with abundant wildlife, this is the spot to relax and enjoy wine food and the tranquillity, alone or with friends.

It is also that unique location you have been looking for that special birthday celebration or wedding venue. Come visit and enjoy.

• They have the skills to help your business grow • They work together in harmony and you pray they never leave If you want a team of Customer Service Superstars, your first step is to contact Cate to complete a FREE Customer Service Analysis of your business. It takes as little as 30 minutes and can be conducted over the phone.

Est. 2005

ated - 100% Aust an Owned & Oper rali

Yummy Mummy Lolly Shop is Geelong’s biggest ‘Pick N Mix’ Lolly shop, one foot in the door and you will be sure to take a trip down memory lane. Family owned and operated for 10 years Yummy Mummy prides itself on providing quality Lollies and chocolate to ensure your experience is never forgotten. Yummy Mummy Lolly Shop makes a great contribution in the Geelong community having generously donated over 100 hampers to fundraisers, charity, fates and community events this year alone. Come on in we have the whole family covered with sugar, gluten, nut and lactose free products available to ensure no one misses out. A real destination shop for all the Aussie classics or for those who want a taste of home away from home we stock international products from the United States, Netherlands, UK and New Zealand. Got an event coming up? We are here to help, no event is too big or too small for Yummy Mummy to supply with every product available at wholesale level.

Corporate events, weddings, birthdays, you name it Yummy Mummy will go above and beyond to track down a product no one else has or even a single color to match your theme, we make it happen.

Give your customers the best service possible by giving your staff the best training available.

Shop 4/165 High Street Belmont Geelong, Victoria 3216

Cate Schreck - Lightbulb Training Solutions

www.lightbulbtraining.com.au 0422 476 070 admin@lightbulbtraining.com.au /LightbulbTrainingSolutions /Cate Schreck

11am - 5pm weekends and public holidays

37 Spiller Road, Lethbridge

03 5281 9240

mooraboolridge@gmail.com www.mooraboolvalley.com.au/ridge

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 41

Alistair Bell Director Phone: (03) 5245 7311 Email: albell@aanet.com.au www.yummymummylollyshop.com

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

BELLARINE ESTATE BELLARINE CITY LIMITS PRESENTS JOE CAMILLERI & THE BLACK SORROWS

EARLY BIRD CALL OUT FOR KILTYNANE!

Bellarine City Limits presents Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows at Bellarine Estate Winery and Brewery, supported by a sensational line up of artists for all ages including, Geelong’s own The Mik Maks and Good Faces for Radio.

It’s a day for the whole family kicking off early with kid’s favourite, The Mik Maks. Get their autograph and let the kids play in the free kids’ entertainment area.

Date: Sunday 14 February Time: Gates open at 10.30am Venue: Bellarine Estate, 2270 Portarlington Road, Bellarine Tickets & Bookings: Head to www.winegeelong.com.au for more details.

OAKDENE VINEYARDS RESTAURANT PRESENTS NEW YEARS EVE, BONNIE AND CLYDE STYLE!

Come join us for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2016, for our “Firepit & Foraged Seaside Lunch’ in the garden overlooking Swan Bay, with a menu including fire pit roasted lamb, vegetables from our own provedore garden, and biodynamic wines from the vineyard.

Meet the people who create our wines from vineyard to glass and learn more about biodynamic practices and wild fermentation at this fun filled and educational event!

Date: Sunday 6th March 2016 Time: 11.00am Venue: Kiltynane Wines, 43 - 53 Nye Rd, Swan Bay Bookings: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/program

SUMMER RECIPE:

LEMON CHAMPAGNE POPSICLES

Join in the New Years Eve Celebrations this year at Oakdene Restaurant. Celebrate the end of another year and welcome in 2016 with a quaint dinner party at Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant with a ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ theme. This is our first New Years Eve in 12 years, so be sure to join us for an unforgettable evening.

Date: Thursday 31 December Time: 8pm until just after midnight Venue: Oakdene Restaurant, 255 Grubb Road, Wallington Cost: $195 pp (Groups of 6 or more – $150 pp) Bookings: Bookings are essential. To book, please call 03 5255 1255 or email us at restaurant@oakdene.com.au

Yield: 10 popsicles (plus a little bit left over to drink!)

• 350ml of champagne (we like Leura Park Blanc de Blanc) • 120ml of cognac or gin • 120ml of simple syrup (equal amounts of sugar and water, boiled to dissolve and cooled) • 90ml of fresh lemon juice Combine all ingredients together into a large measuring jug, then evenly distribute into your Popsicle moulds, leaving about 1 cm of room at the top. *Yield will be dependent on your mould size – double the recipe if need be and enjoy on a hot summers day over the break!

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PEER WORKER TRAINEESHIPS SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY

G

eelong-based mental health service Pathways has announced a new traineeship project in mental health peer work.

The Peer Worker Traineeship program has been made possible with the support of the Give Where You Live Innovation Grant initiative and is designed for people with a lived experience of overcoming mental ill health and recovery. The program is based on the belief that people who have faced, endured and overcome adversity can offer support and mentorship to others facing similar situations.

During the paid 18 month traineeship, trainees will undertake formal, accredited training in Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work and other informal training programs to provide them with the peer

work skills, confidence, knowledge, attitudes and values needed for work in the mental health field. The organisation also hopes the knowledge gained from the Peer Worker initiative will contribute to the scope and development of peer work within the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

HELPING TO FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE GEELONG

Nominations for the Geelong Awards for People with a Disability 2016 opened last month and winners will be announced at a ceremony on 9 February 2016.

To nominate someone and for more information, visit www. geelongaustralia.com.au/disabilityawards/default.aspx

A finalist in the inaugural Geelong Awards for People With a Disability believes the awards provide overdue recognition for those with a disability.

Simone Stevens - a champion campaigner for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - was a finalist in the 2015 Award’s volunteering category and knows just how much it means to be nominated. “Famous people get recognised a lot more than those of us who have challenges in life,” she said. “People with disabilities get overlooked, but I want to change this and these awards can assist with this.”

The awards celebrate the invaluable contributions of people with a disability across six categories - Volunteering, Sport and Recreation, Leadership and Advocacy, Achievement, Arts and Outstanding Employee. Karingal has again partnered with the City of Greater Geelong for the awards, which will double as the opening of the VALID (Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability) Having a Say Conference.

Karingal CEO, Mike McKinstry, said the awards recognise “the amazing contributions that people with a disability make in our community.”

The project is supported by a steering committee represented by ten organisations, including Give Where You Live, Karingal, Mind Works Geelong and the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, and will be evaluated by an independent body.

Six Peer Worker Traineeships are available. Applicants can apply online at www.pathways.org.au

BOOST FOR ICE REHAB SERVICES

Geelong’s Stepping Up Consortium will begin taking referrals for new, community-based day rehabilitation programs, funded as part of Victoria’s Ice Action Plan.

The Victorian Government’s Ice Action Plan commits $18 million to expand drug treatment services so that an additional 500 people a year can get the support they need to recover from an ice addiction.

The funding has been allocated to drug treatment organisations across the state, focussing on regional and rural areas where the services are needed the most.

Therapeutic day rehabilitation provides people with an intensive structured program of drug treatment, similar to the interventions that might be provided through a residential rehabilitation program, including counselling and programs designed to build life skills and promote wellbeing.

Victorians seeking drug and alcohol treatment referrals, including community-based day rehabilitation, can call DirectLine on 1800 888 236.

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COMMUNITY NEWS NORTHERN FUTURES HONOURED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

Norlane-based organisation Northern Futures has received national recognition for its work in creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged young job seekers in Geelong’s northern suburbs, winning the Youth Employment Award at the 2015 National Employment Awards during last month’s Australian Long-term Unemployment Conference in Melbourne.

Northern Futures Executive Officer, Lou Brazier, said the award recognised the success of the Northern Futures model.

Northern Futures won the award on the basis of its delivery of the Alcoa Foundation’s Global Internships for Unemployment Youth, a program that gives disadvantaged young jobseekers the opportunity to complete a six-week paid work placement in local industry. The only Australian provider of the global program, Northern Futures has received feedback from Alcoa Foundation’s New York-based program manager that the organisation demonstrates best practice in program delivery and has achieved employment rates more than 30 per cent above the average of other global partners.

Results are showing that by using its own model, Northern Futures is setting international benchmarks in the delivery of the program.

Twenty-six young people have commenced global internships since January 2014 and twenty-two now have ongoing employment.

“Our programs focus on bridging the knowledge gap about the ‘hidden rules’ and mindset that exists within different socioeconomic levels of the community. Not only does this help our participants succeed in the workplace, it ensures our industry partners better understand the challenges faced by the young people they employ,” Ms Brazier said.

“We are helping young people turn their lives around. Once they realise they can get a job and keep it, it changes their whole idea of what is possible.”

MUSICIANS AND GOLFERS UNITE FOR A GREAT CAUSE

Karingal’s Music To A Tee 2015-16 season has been announced, with some of Australia’s finest musicians performing for Karingal in the lead-up to the major Hundred Hole Hike and Music to A Tee on 22 January 2016 with acts including The Backsliders with Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst, Dom Turner and special guests, as well Karingal Appeal ambassador Tim McCallum.

Joe Camilleri with The Black Sorrows is back on December 4 after wowing the audiences at the 2015 Hundred Hole Hike earlier this year and will be followed by ARIA Hall of Famer Renée Geyer on 8 January 2016.

Established in 2013 to raise money for Karingal’s Eastern Geelong Community Centre and Acquired Brain Injury programs, the Karingal Hundred Hole Hike is still the only official event of its kind in the southern hemisphere and last year broke the world record for the greatest number of golfers in a Hundred Hole Hike event.

Golfers take on the challenge of playing a full 100 holes of golf continuously while walking the magnificent course at 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads - that’s 6 rounds of golf in 15 hours, 60 kilometres of walking and no buggies allowed.

Since 2013, Hundred Hole golfers have helped to raise over $100,000 that has gone directly towards Acquired Brain Injury programs and the Eastern Geelong Community Centre, Geelong’s first fully inclusive community centre.

The 2016 event’s proceeds will go towards the building of the ABI Clubhouse at the Community Centre, to provide people with an acquired brain injury, their carers and family members a place where they can spend time with others and receive important peer and social support.

To register as a 100 Hole Hiker or to pledge support for players, visit www.karingal.org.au/foundation. To book tickets to Music to a Tee concerts go to www.13thbeach.net.

E&S TRADING GOLF CLASSIC 2015 RESULTS

November’s 2015 E&S Trading Golf Classic for Give Where You Live raised over $105,000 for Geelong’s most vulnerable people, bringing the total funds raised from the Golf Classic to over $1.5 million over 24 years.

Adroit took out first place, receiving the Kaye Sinclair Trophy with a final score of 50.375.

Save the date for the 25th Anniversary Event on 7 November 2016, as places are limited for this milestone event. To secure your place in the 2016 E&S Trading Golf Classic email events@ givewhereyoulive.com.au or call 5229 4364.

KEEP ON GIVING IN GEELONG

This year’s Give Where You Live Feed Geelong Appeal raised over $33,000 to assist Geelong’s emergency food relief organisations helping those in our region experiencing food insecurity.

The need continues, especially as Christmas approaches. Those of us who can, let’s be generous this festive season!

Donate food, funds or time to the Geelong Food Relief Centre at www.geelongfoodrelief.org/ or call 5278 6588.

Get your New Year’s Celebrations off to a very early start while raising money for Give Where You Live. Watch the sun come up over the Waterfront as you run the five kilometre Dawnbusters Fun Run, supported by the Geelong Cross Country Club.

The run begins at 7am sharp at The Carousel on the Waterfront on 31st December. Book online now at https://givewhereyoulive.secure. force.com/Events/Events/DawnBustersFunRun until 28 December, or register on the day in front of the Carousel from 6am.

DIVERSITAT AND DEAKIN PARTNER TO REUNITE FAMILIES THIS CHRISTMAS

There is a unique new Christmas Appeal in Geelong being championed by a partnership between Diversitat and Deakin University. The Reuniting Families Christmas Appeal has been established to help bring refugee families back together, with some having been separated by family members for over ten years.

The Appeal will help families who need assistance with visa applications for family members who remain in refugee limbo overseas.

“There is a piece of me missing and I will never feel complete while I remain separated from my daughter. My family and I come from the [Democractic Republic of Congo] where millions have been killed and displaced. Over 19 years ago we ran for our lives to a refugee camp in Tanzania, where my daughter remains. We are thankful to have been granted refuge in Australia, however I have now been separated from my daughter for over 5 years. Her being left behind was out of my control, and still is. However, I will never give up hope of being reunited.” - Anonymous client of Diversitat.

Diversitat is hoping to raise $7,500 and Deakin University has committed to match dollar-for-dollar the funds raised with the appeal.

CEO of Diversitat, Michael Martinez said, “This is an important appeal and we are grateful for the extraordinary support and commitment from Deakin. This is a great opportunity to support others in need during the Festive Season.”

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COMMUNITY

GIVE ME A BREAK – TAKING CARE OF CARERS

OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS GOT DOWN AND DIRTY TO HELP OUT JIRRAHLINGA

At some time, most of us will either be a carer or need a carer. National Carers Week celebrates and recognises the 2.7 million Australians who are in a caring role for a partner, a parent, a child, friend or neighbour.

Representatives from nine local Geelong businesses rolled up their sleeves and spent the morning at Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary, carrying out maintenance tasks in a response to a call for support from Karingal BacLinks.

Presented by Geelong Connections Communities and hosted by Milly from BayFM, lucky guests were treated to a high tea prepared by Seasons by Karingal. Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy luxurious massages and hair and makeup styling demonstrations provided by the Centre of Excellence.

Geelong Connected Communities, Alcoa and GMHBA have supported this event as part of their commitment to supporting local health and welfare organisations. John Fitzgerald, Director at Geelong Connected Communities, said, “This was a fantastic event and one that GCC was thrilled to be supporting. Our carers provide such an important service in today’s world, largely unsung. Sometimes they get so caught up in their responsibilities that they forget how important it is to look after themselves so that they can better cope with the demands of caring.”

BIG NIGHT OUT The Karingal Big Night Out is a themed end of-year dinner that brings together approximately 500 Karingal business partners, staff, clients with a disability, family and friends in an all-inclusive celebration.

Now in its 12th year, the theme this year was Bollywood and there were plenty of bright colours, jewellery and Bollywood dancing. It broke down the usual barriers faced by people with disabilities, providing a memorable and enjoyable experience for all involved.

As 2015 comes to a close, the team from Karingal BacLinks would like to thank all the many businesses that have generously contributed to their community through membership and events and projects we coordinated during the year – it has made a real difference. We wish you all a safe, happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to a future association with you next year.

Workplace volunteers from Geelong Financial Group, Evologic, Barwon Water, Prestige Jayco, Morris Finance, Crowe Howarth, Deakin University, Commonwealth Bank and Incitec Pivot spent time helping with general maintenance at the sanctuary.

Tehree Gordon, Jirrahlinga founder and owner, said it was fantastic that these businesses understand the importance that volunteering plays in creating strong and healthy communities. “Volunteers make it possible for many not-for-profit organisations like us to complete projects and activities that we would never be able to complete on our own, or would otherwise have to spend our valuable resources outsourcing,” said Tehree.

Businesses supporting BacLinks: Adcell Group Adroit Insurance Group Adventure Park Alcoa Australia Alliance Scaffolding Barefoot Media Barwon Water BCOZ Group Bendigo Bank BTS Business Technology Specialists Business News Magazine Business Professional Women Geelong Buxton Real Estate Commonwealth Bank – Sth West Vic Connect Tel Coulter Roache Lawyers Crowe Horwath Davidsons Pty Ltd Deakin University EHS Solutions Evologic Eye Gallery Ford Australia

Geelong & Surf Coast Living Geelong Chamber of Commerce Geelong Financial Group Geelong Manufacturing Council GMHBA GPAC Harwood Andrews Lawyers Hewstone IT Hodges Real Estate ID Accounting & Wealth Solutions Incitec Pivot Jim’s Mowing K Rock/BayFM Kingman Consulting Kings Funerals L Bisinella Developments LBW Chartered Accountants Lions Breakfast Club of Geelong Matchworks Morris Finance NAB Nagle & Co. Patrick Rowan & Associates

BUSINESS NEWS | 46

Planwell Group Powercor Prestige Jayco Preston Rowe Patterson Ray White Real Estate Rotary Club of Highton Ryrie Centre Property Select Architects Signs T’Go SNF Southern Star Windows St John of God Pathology Stratel Pty Ltd Transport Accident Commission Target Australia Tuckers Funeral Services Victoria Police VicWest Community Telco Westpac Bank Whyte Just & Moore Wightons Lawyers

n

ARTS

ARTS GEELONG FORMS OWN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

G

eelong’s finest musicians have joined together with the launch of the Geelong Symphony Orchestra (GSO) last month.

The formation of the GSO brings together the region’s best, highly trained classical musicians, while providing music lovers with new opportunities to enjoy world-class concerts at local venues.

Grown from a groundswell within the music community looking to harness the growing pool of local talent living and working in the region, the GSO aims to be a dynamic and collaborative ensemble performing inspiring music that enriches the cultural life of the region.

“Geelong has many fine musicians who are experienced and well trained, but have lacked the opportunity to come together as a symphony orchestra under the baton of a skilled professional conductor. The GSO will fill this gap,” says local musician and president of the GSO management committee, Wendy Galloway OAM.

The GSO’s inaugural conductor and musical director is the highly regarded conductor Joannes Roose, who studied conducting in Vienna and founded the Sinfonia of Adelaide. A former Dean of the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Tasmania, Joannes has been the Musical Director of the Melbourne Sinfonia for the past 20 years and lives at Inverleigh.

The GSO has two concerts planned for 2016 and is hoping to attract broad audiences with accessible programs and affordable ticket prices. The first concert, a gala event showcasing the region’s musical talents, will held be held on 26 February at Deakin’s Costa Hall and feature Grieg’s muchloved Piano Concerto to be performed by celebrated Australian pianist Amir Farid. The concert will also include Dvorak’s great symphony From the New World and Nicolai’s Overture to the Merry Wives of Windsor.

A second concert will be scheduled for later in the year.

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ARTS NOEL! NOEL! A CHRISTMAS CONCERT

STARS IN THE RIVER— THE PRINTS OF JESSIE TRAILL

18 DECEMBER

Music at the Basilica presents a Christmas Concert featuring The Windfire Chamber Choir and the Windfire Instrumental Ensemble conducted by Rick Prakhoff, in a performance of Joseph Haydn’s “Mass in for Saint Nicholas” with soloists Lee Abrahmsen, Belinda Patterson, Michael Petruccelli and Kiran Rajasingam.

The program also includes the Christmas Concerto for Strings

by Correlli and “Five Days Old” – a work specially written for the Windfire Choir by Geelong composer, Malcolm John - and special guests The Geelong Youth Choir directed by Denise Hollingsworth.

Tickets are available at GPAC (www.gpac.org.au) or at the door. www.musicatthebasilica.org.au

INSIDE THE DOME (DYE 2)—MURRAY FREDERICKS AND TOM SCHUTZINGER UNTIL 7 FEBRUARY 2016

A NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA EXHIBITION UNTIL 14 FEBRUARY 2016

One of Australia’s most important printmakers of the twentieth century, Jessie Traill, embraced the medium of etching in the early 1900s, forging a radical path for printmaking through the duality of her vision. Depicting the beauty of the natural environment alongside dynamic images of industry, her works reveal a profound understanding of the dilemma which requires nature to be sacrificed in order for the modern world to progress.

From early views of Victorian rural scenes and Melbourne as the ‘Paris of the South’ through to her major series documenting the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Traill’s prints combine her poetic sensitivity with an unerring eye for line and form and are recognised as vital to the evolution of post-war Modernism. www.geelonggallery.org.au

JOHN BURSILL: FIRE, DROUGHT AND FLOOD UNTIL JANUARY 10, 2016

Diamond Creek artist John Bursill captures the landscape around his home and rural Victoria, documenting the devastating effects of the successive drought, fires and floods.

Superimposing gestural line drawings onto photographs of the landscape, Bursill uses these signature lyrical marks to create a dialogue with the terrain and interact with the artist’s shadow, cast across each image.

Bursill’s ‘In Landscape’ series of large-scale photographs brings us face to face with the aftermath of nature at its most destructive - the enduring drought of the first decade of the new century, the Black Saturday fires, and the floods of 2010. www.artgalleryofballarat.com.au

DISNEY’S MARY POPPINS (FOOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS) 22 JANUARY – 6 FEBRUARY 2016

Inside the dome (DYE 2) is an immersive video and sound installation by Murray Fredericks and Tom Schutzinger, transporting the viewer to a remote location, a remarkable structure and a distant era within the striking domed architecture of the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.

Filmed and recorded within the geodesic dome of an abandoned early warning missile detection facility in Greenland (known as DYE 2), once part of a network of structures integral to the detection of airspace activity during the Cold War era, the breathtaking visuals and multi-layered soundscape form an installation in which past and present collide.

The world’s most famous nanny flies into Geelong in January for a limited season. Mary Poppins has been seen on stage by more than 11 million people worldwide, making it one of the world’s most popular musicals of all time and now it is Geelong’s turn to experience the magic.

From the moment chimney sweep Bert introduces audiences to the Banks family from Cherry Tree Lane London, be prepared to be swept up in this irresistible musical with unforgettable songs, dazzling choreography and incredible effects.

Brilliantly adapted from the beloved books by P.L. Travers and the wonderful 1964 Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins features all the memorable songs we love including Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious, Feed The Birds, A Spoonful of Sugar and Chim Chim Cheree. www.gpac.org.au

www.geelonggallery.org.au

WIN

a double pass to the Opening Night of Footlight Productions’ Mary Poppins at GPAC on January 22. To enter, send us a message on Facebook @BizNewsMag or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au.

Entries close January 15

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 49

ENTERTAINMENT

A SEASON OF WORLDLY WINNER & HOMEGROWN HITS

G

eelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) has unveiled a season of nine sensational theatre productions for 2016, including international hits, award winning productions, new Australian work and Victorian-exclusive performances.

The 2016 theatre season will feature exciting new Australian work including Extinction by Hannie Rayson, directed by Nadia Tass.

In a regional first, GPAC is co-producing a new Australian work, Extinction together with Red Stitch Actors Theatre. The Hannie Rayson play, directed by Nadia Tass, will open in Geelong in July, then tour to Canberra before returning to Victoria for a season at the Arts Centre Melbourne.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

EXTINCTION

You’re six-years-old. Mum’s in hospital. She finds it hard to be happy. You start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world and leave it on her pillow. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. Every Brilliant Thing is a brilliant and funny new play about depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love. It has had critically acclaimed seasons in Edinburgh and New York.

The tiger quoll once ruled the dense Otway forest but is now almost extinct. A wild, rainy night, a twist of fate and an injured tiger quoll bring together a passionate environmentalist and an unlikely Good Samaritan. Both are hell-bent on saving the species, but intentions are murky. What will be compromised in the quest to save the quoll? Nothing is black and white in this intriguing story about love, sex, money and power played out under the shadow of global warming.

23 – 27 February

13 – 16 July

4000 MILES 2 -5 March

21-year-old Leo rocks up unannounced at the Manhattan apartment of his 91-year-old Jewish grandmother Vera. Having broken up with his girlfriend and cycled across the country, he needs a place to crash for the night, no questions asked. But Vera – prickly, stubborn and sharp as a tack – isn’t about to let him off that easily.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS 14 – 16 March

Brontë’s gothic masterpiece Wuthering Heights storms the country in a new adaptation from the company behind the critically acclaimed productions of George Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE

WINYANBOGA YURRINGA 17 – 20 August

Written and directed by Yorta Yorta/Kurnai woman Andrea James, Winyanboga Yurringa is inspired by Hyllus Maris and Sonia Borg’s iconic Women of the Sun and the provocative imagery of Wathaurong artist Bindi Cole. True, poetic, sometimes crude and often humorous; Winyanboga Yurringa takes the intergenerational pulse of Aboriginal women today to expose the complexity and beauty of women’s business and our enduring connection to country.

Come sit with us.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS 14 – 17 September

12-14 May

Tennessee Williams was one of the greatest American playwrights of the 20th century.

The Glass Menagerie is his most loved play.

Put in the hands of Belvoir Artistic Director Eamon Flack, this production delivers on every count – winning Best Play and Best Actress for the great Pamela Rabe at the 2015 Helpmann Awards.

COMPANY

Starring Ian Stenlake like you’ve never seen him before, buckle up as the Jules Verne classic Around The World In 80 Days takes you on a high speed transcontinental race against the clock! This is a joyfully frenetic whirlwind of a show, full of Victorian invention and daring deeds.

DISGRACED

5 – 8 October

26 – 28 May It’s Robert’s birthday - he’s turning 35 and his closest friends are throwing him a surprise party. Witty and well liked, living in the heart of New York and dating three gorgeous women, Robert has it all ... so why can’t he blow out the candles on his birthday cake and make a wish?

This production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company was a sell-out season in Melbourne.

BUSINESS NEWS | 50

Amir is an American living the American Dream. On track to make partner in his law firm, he lives with his artist wife Emily in their spacious Upper East Side apartment, where occasionally they’ll throw a dinner party.

Tonight’s guests are Jory, a work colleague, and her husband, Isaac, an art dealer, and, with so much in common, the conversation flows easily. Then, as it inevitably does in today’s conflicted America, the topic turns to race, religion and identity. Now, how quickly things fall apart.

COMPETITION

Feel the Rhythm: Cirque Africa Cirque Africa is bringing the world’s best circus acts from Africa to the Australian stage in Geelong for the very first time.

Cirque Africa is a world-renowned acrobatic circus performance that is unparalleled in its energy and excitement. Having toured the globe, it arrived in Australia for the first time in June, playing to sold out crowds throughout Melbourne. It is now set to surprise and delight the audiences of Geelong!

Produced and directed by ‘Papa Africa’ aka Winston Ruddle, the show is a combination of acrobatics, theatre, song and dance.

Cirque Africa is a celebration of African culture, both new and old and has been described as the ‘greatest show from Africa’.

The 90 minute show begins on Wednesday the 16th of December at the Geelong Show Ground, where it will remain throughout December and January, before continuing its two year trek across Australia.

a twelve metre high big top all the way from Africa. This is the first time the show will be performed in a big top and Ruddle is excited to see his spectacle taken to the next level.

Highlights of the show include The Amazing Hakuna Matata Acrobats who are the largest African acrobatic group in the world, Emmanuel Laryea, Zaina Shabani, The Charming Wubshet Amare, Baraka Juma, Selemani Musa, Ibrahim Tulwo, The Sound of the Drums from Ivory Coast, Jean-Marc Kouassi Agbogba, Yetnayet Melese & Asmare Nega, Lidiya Dawed & Tegegn Shewalem, Ebrima Mbye, Lazarus Mwangi, Teame Gebregziabher Ersie, Leul & Nahom and Fadhili Ramadhani & Omary Ramadhani all acts back by a 8 piece live orchestra from Zanzibar and Zimbabwe Playing live music composed just for the Australian tour.

Cirque Africa artists have travelled to the USA, Germany, Costa Rica, Italy, France, Romania, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, performing sold out shows, before coming to Australian shores.

“The show is a true delight for the senses and is sure to get the audience members’ hearts racing!” says Ruddle. We’ve worked extremely hard to present a show that will introduce Australian audiences to African culture, both traditional and modern, and leave them utterly mesmerised. We are striving for an energetic response from the audience – we want you to take your breath away and get you up out of your seat.”

Ruddle and his team have taken on the impossible and are bringing to Australia 70 tonnes of circus and stage equipment, professional sound lighting, elevated seating for 1,100 people and

WIN

To win a double pass for you and a friend to feel the rhythm of Cirque Africa just head to our Facebook page /biznewsmag for details or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with the subject line ‘Cirque Africa’ Competition closes Monday January 4th and the winner will be contacted via entry method.

Prize includes 1 X double pass entry only.

For more information on the show and how to book tickets please visit www.cirqueafrica.com.au.

Tickets are available via Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 51

FIRST FOAM ARTIFICIAL HEART Artificial hearts pump blood but they’re typically solid blocks of machinery that are out of place in a flexible human body.

Cornell University scientists have developed an artificial foam heart that imitates both the functions and shape of its meaty counterpart. The key is a new polymer that can be poured into specific shapes and has pores that let it pump fluids. It’s not only soft and stretchable, but more efficient -- you don’t need much energy to get liquids moving. If the discovery leads to real products, the most obvious use is in smarter, safer artificial organs that could be customised for individual patients. That’s just the start, though, the material could also be useful for soft robotics, prosthetics and anything else where a bendy, more natural-feeling surface would be appreciated.

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

ROBOT SMARTPHONE RoboHon or ‘Robot Phone’ has a robot frame that fits in your pocket.

It can take calls, dance, project photos, display maps and more.

It’s a robot with a smartphone inside. Naysayers may decry the idea of a phone with a 2-inch touchscreen, but it’s pretty cute.

Will it have artificial intelligence?

We’ll found out when it launches in Japan early next year.

FACEBOOK EMOJI OR IS THAT EMOJIES The social network behemoth has confirmed it’s now in testing an emotional range of emoji, whether or not the feelings of love, sadness and empathy are what you’re trying to express, the test is currently limited to users in Ireland and Spain. Notice that none of the faces are extreme. Depending on popularity, this could roll out to the rest of the billion or so Facebook users soon.

SMART CLOCK FOR BABY REMI is a Bluetooth nightlight that fits on a child’s dresser or with the child in his or her cot. The device is completely customisable, giving parents the ability to create alerts, talk to the child, display different lighting, play music and more. With REMI, parents are able to track their child’s sleep patterns by creating a sleep diary within the app, which helps identify what conditions are ideal to foster healthy sleep routines. Parents can also avoid midnight wake-up calls and early Sunday morning surprises by using REMI’s mobile app to adjust the settings so their child will understand when it’s okay to get up. What really makes REMI unique and invaluable is its mobile app for tablets and iOS or Android smartphones.

VERY PORTABLE PC As convenient as a PC-on-a-stick may be, it’s typically saddled with some major limitations. You rarely have more than one port and you always have to plug into a power source. InFocus (yes, the projector company) thinks it has a better idea, though. Its new Kangaroo PC gives you a battery-powered Windows 10 desktop that’s about as small as a smartphone. You can pull it out of your pocket, connect peripherals and start working for up to four hours. You can even connect to an iPad if you’re bent on a completely portable setup. Also, InFocus takes a clever approach to expansion. There’s an included dock with HDMI and two USB ports, and there are promises of more add-ons in the future.

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TURN YOUR BIKE WHEELS INTO TURN SIGNALS Safety lights are one of the most important pieces of bicycle equipment, especially if you ride at night or in low-visibility weather conditions. Most look the same - a large, forward-facing beam under your handlebars and a slim row of red LEDs under the saddle. But Revolights are a little different. For years now, the company has been experimenting with lights that attach directly to your wheels and, by constantly analysing your speed, illuminate at just the right moment to create two arcs of light. The new Eclipse, which is pitching on Indiegogo, is its most ambitious set to date. The Eclipse+ version is also Bluetooth-enabled, meaning you can track your rides and monitor battery life from your smartphone, as well as trigger turn signals - a full, flashing ring of lights on one side and a control pad on the handlebars using an app or by gesturing with a smartwatch.

TAG HEUER SMARTWATCH TAG Heuer has unveiled its first smartwatch called ‘Connected’. The 155 year-old luxury watch company turned to its classic Carrera model for inspiration, but in guts of the watch is Android Wear and Intel for its sensors and processing.

The first TAG Heuer Connected for men is a large 46.2mm across and 12.8mm thick. The watchmaker announced that a women’s version is in the making, but for now the men’s version of the watch is available for a poultry $1,800.

QUERKYWRITER FOR TABLETS The hipsters of today dress like they’re about to teach a physics class at Geelong High School circa 1954. That’s why the Qwerkywriter feels like such a product of its time: a $499 84-key Bluetooth keyboard that’s been styled to look like a genuine ancient typewriter. A gleaming exhibit of the future designed to seem as if it’s been in the back of a junk shop for the last hundred years. It’s in Kickstarter now, let’s see if it goes into production.

R2D2 MINI FRIDGE Yes, this is a full-scale R2-D2 replete with a moving head and flashing lights. It’s not loaded with a superintelligent A.I. and it doesn’t project holograms of Princess Leia, but it can chill your beer and even bring it to you while you put your feet up on the banana lounge. I’m assuming you have a fancy one, because this mini-fridge costs almost $10,000 and that’s not including the fees you have to pay to import it from Japan. This remotecontrolled AQUA R2-D2, made by whitegoods giant, Haier Asia, is now up for pre-order. Unfortunately, you’ll need a Japanese address, as you will see on its Star Wars-themed reservation page. If you do have a way to buy one, you might get it just in time for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, since units will start shipping out this month.

CYBER DOG

STOCK THE SHELVES

WowWee, a smart toys company, has unveiled a robotic dog with blue-green LED eyes. The dog, aptly called CHiP (short for Canine Home Intelligent Pet), sits - with the tap of a button, picks up your presence in the room via bluetooth and plays fetch. The sensor-loaded pup comes with a wristband that allows it pick up your whereabouts.

When you’re happy with your pet’s response, you can press a thumbs up button on the wristband to approve. It’s a digital equivalent of a tummy scratch.

Few things are more annoying while shopping than finding out that a supermarket hasn’t bothered to stock what you want. Assuming you know to look for it in the first place. A robot may just come to your rescue. Simbe Robotics is launching an autonomous robot called Tally that scans store shelves and lets workers know when goods are running out or misplaced.

Supermarkets no longer have to make a human trudge through the aisles; they only have to send someone out when supplies are low. Tally can work during normal business hours and it even has a Roomba-like charging dock so that it can top itself up in mid-shift.

HACKING FOR GOOD In the wake of the ISIS’ attacks on Paris, the loosely-affiliated hacker collective known as Anonymous announced the launch of a massive cyber-campaign, dubbed #OPParis, designed to scrub the terrorist organization’s influence from the Internet, while French and allied airstrikes target ISIS strongholds on the ground. “We cannot fight them with guns and rifles,” an Anonymous spokesperson told the BBC, “stopping their propaganda is an effective way to weaken their manpower and their presence in the Internet.”

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EVENTS

DEFINITELY NOT YOUR STANDARD BUSINESS EVENTS

W

hat is your reaction when asked to attend yet another business networking event? Would you secretly rather endure a root canal?

One woman has made it her mission to STOP agonising commercial functions where bored delegates pray for exits to be unbolted, while suffering through presentations with all the sedative power of horse tranquilizers.

Meryl Whiteside, owner of Business Building Events, sees corporate events as, “a fabulous and underutilised opportunity to provide education and engaging activities.”

She puts the fun into FUNctions, by running events, including workshops, boot camps and expos all tailored to each client’s promotional requirements.

The essence of what Meryl does is creating exciting activities to attract people and finding something to entice them to stay long enough to learn what the business has to offer.

“I devise, plan for and stage all kinds of functions that are creative, educational and engaging. I envisage all kinds of promotional opportunities to introduce my people to their new clients,” she explained.

In June 2015, Meryl began Business Building and became part of the Professional Conference Organisers Association, as ways to link the business community with prospective clients, and to reaffirm their existing relationships.

“I have been around events forever. Before taking this on full-time, my background had always been managing an array of things simultaneously. I think laterally through potential issues to ensure those around me can sail smoothly, while I paddle like mad under the water,” Meryl said.

The effervescent ‘professional connector’ takes pride in “connecting businesses to clients and connects the clients to business.”

Meryl came into her role well prepared for event management’s myriad of challenges. She has extensive media experience including print, radio television and theatre production work. Her business management, community service and real estate backgrounds have provided her with an eclectic skill set, helped her generate wide social and professional networks and have proven her creativity. Her career has been built upon strong foundations.

“Business Building Events was born out of my work with some of Australia’s most successful business coaches. I learned how to nurture current and potential client relationships, through staging large-scale events. By providing engaging networking opportunities that people want to attend, the business’s profile is enhanced and the attendees become clients.”

Meryl explained that for her clients, conducting a professionally planned event takes as much effort as sharing a core message with just one person.

Meryl explained that she works by establishing what the business is about and then designs corporate functions to bring that message to its potential and current clients. She aims to save her clients both time and money by ensuring people are able to do their jobs to their capacity.

“I am always surprised when people admit that their events have been staged by their sales people, their HR team, their daughter, or whoever their marketing guru is, as they are being take away from their jobs to do something they’re ill equipped for. Even if they’re outstanding at their usual position, they’re being set up to be unsuccessful at one role or the other. They can’t meet KPIs while they’re attempting to coordinate the details of a large scale event,” Meryl added, saying the cost of outsourcing event management can easily be built into ticket prices.

Let the people working in the business focus on their jobs and outsource the event.

The kinds of businesses she finds most rewarding to work with are ones who see the real value of educating their clients.

“I enjoy creating opportunities; so an innovative accountancy firm, a forward thinking medical clinic, an imaginative legal group, a team of health coaches or any other unexpected organisation that is bold and looking to find different ways to bring their services or products to the their target market.”

Meryl is a sea changer, having moved to Torquay twelve years ago.

“When I originally left Melbourne I came to Williamstown, then onto Point Cook, before realising that I needed to be by the water. I love the strong vibrant community here in Torquay.”

With the ease of online access and an increasingly computer literate clientele, Meryl finds working remotely allows her to connect to clients anywhere. It also suits her ability to manage a successful work-life balance.

“Today, it really doesn’t matter where you are based. My work is with clients based all over Australia. Together we can easily stage events anywhere across the nation. It doesn’t matter where you are based, as the online world brings us all together on a screen.”

“I project manage everything, so you’re able to do what you do best. It makes more sense for one to speak to many, rather than many times having to repeat one-on-one communications.”

It is unfortunate that those most often left to arrange business events, are also incredibly busy doing their own jobs. They rarely have the resources and time, or in some cases the skills, to invest in the potential of their brand’s marketing. In this situation, either the quality of the function or that of their work output will suffer.

These are the people who need the assistance of professional events manager most.

JODIE WHITTAKER BUSINESS NEWS | 54

Ph: 0408 007 790 meryl@businessbuildingevents.com.au www.businessbuildingevents.com.au

Upcoming

BUSINESS EVENTS The 2016 Festival of Sails brings all the colour of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest keelboat regatta to the sparkling waters of Geelong’s Corio Bay over the Australia Day long weekend in January.

ENTERPRISE GEELONG, CITY OF GREATER GEELONG

Show 2: 4 Dec - 25 Dec (Christmas music),

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BEER FESTIVAL

DATE: Wednesday, 17 February, 2016 10:00 to 13:30

Show 3: 2 6 Dec - 7 Jan (celebratory/party music)

Ease your way into the new working year and head along to this great local event:

VENUE: Council Offices, 100 Brougham Street, Geelong

DATE: Saturday 6th February

COST: $30

ICONIC FLOATING CHRISTMAS TREE AND LIGHT SHOW DATE: Now – 7th of January 2016 VENUE: Geelong Waterfront 3 different feature shows!

Show 1: 13 Nov - 3 Dec (Christmas music),

CIRQUE AFRICA - THE GREATEST VENUE: Geelong Racecourse, 12-8pm SHOW FROM AFRICA Great Beer, Great People, a Great Day… DATE: Wed 16 Dec – Sunday 17th of January 2016

VENUE: The Geelong Showgrounds, COST: Tickets from $40

Visit www.cirqueafrica.com.au for more details

BPW GEELONG

Geelong Business Excellence Awards launch

New Year meet and greet luncheon for old DATE: Wednesday, 10th February 2016 and new members: VENUE: TBA DATE: Tuesday, 19th January, 2016 – See www.geelongchamber.com.au for 12.30 – 2pm more details in the New Year!

VENUE: The Geelong Boathouse, Western Foreshore Road, Western Beach Visit www.bpw.com.au/geelong or Facebook /BPWGeelong for more details

PRESENTER: This is a Small Business Victoria workshop

FACILITIES: Wheelchair access

CONTACT: Michelle Higgins 03 5272 5138 Visit www.gabfgeelong.com.au for tickets EMAIL: info@enterprisegeelong.com.au and more details

GEELONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

COST: $25 for 1 course lunch + soft drink

Starting Your Business Right

GEELONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE February After 5

DATE: Thursday 18th February, 5.30pm – 7.30pm VENUE: The Geelong College See www.geelongchamber.com.au for bookings

CENTRAL GEELONG TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

CENTRAL GEELONG TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Content Marketing for Small

Build a Better Business Plan

Get your 2015 networking into shape at our Business & The Time Poor PRESENTER: Annette Cotter - Cotter January lunch!

PRESENTER: Jurgent Strauss - Innovabiz Consulting DATE: Tuesday, 23 February, 2016 - 10:00 DATE: Wednesday, 10 February, 2016 ROYAL GEELONG YACHT CLUB to 11:30 09:00 to 11:00

2016 Festival of Sails Regatta & Shoreside Festival

VENUE: Geelong City Hall, via Little Malop VENUE: Geelong City Hall, via Little Malop Street, Geelong Street entrance, Geelong DATE: 23rd – 26th January COST: FREE for Central Geelong Business COST: FREE for Central Geelong operators, $50 for all non-members VENUE: 25 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong Operators, $50 for all non-members 7.30am – 11pm daily | Free admission

EMAIL:trainingexcellence@geelongcity.vic.gov.au EMAIL:trainingexcellence@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Proudly supported by

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 55

AFTER HOURS

L-R: Rob Funnell (Allianz), Dean Longmuir (Allianz), Danny O’Leary (Adroit), Craig Robson (Allianz)

Garry Lyon and Andrew Locke (Adroit)

ADROIT GOLF DAY SHINES AGAIN Adroit Insurance Group hosted their 14th Annual Charity Golf Day at 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads on the 19th November, raising $90,000 for St Laurence Community Services and the Geelong Community Foundation.

Of the $90,000 raised, $11,000 was donated to St. Laurence Community Services to help fund their Sensory Garden project. This project converted a large north facing area which could not be used into an outdoor garden space that is safe, accessible, inclusive, educational and therapeutic. The remaining $79,000 will go to the Geelong Community Foundation who will distribute to other worthwhile community projects.

Adroit not only bettered their 2014 contribution of $86,000 but broke the event day record, cementing the event’s reputation as a major fundraising date for the Geelong community.

Besides generously contributing funds for the local community, participants had a great day out on the course.

44 teams played over the two courses, with the NTI team taking out top honours on the day and winning the Meatball Cup. The event was closed out with a celebratory seafood dinner, with AFL personality Garry Lyon as MC.

L-R: Glenn Lambert (GT Insurance), Andrew Locke (Adroit), Rhonda Page and Andrew Coad (GT Insurance

L-R: Catherine Codd (Adroit), Sarah Ford (Adroit), Garry Lyon, Robyn Nisbet (Adroit), Josie Nadile (Adroit) and Jade Jansen (Adroit)

L-R: Scott Lyons (Johns Lyng Group), Bethany Taylor (Johns Lyng Group), Simon Horne (Johns Lyng Group) and Jamie McKenzie (Johns Lyng Group) BUSINESS NEWS | 56

L-R: Joey Bastick (Adroit), Stuart Gull (Gull Group) and Leanne Welsh (Adroit)

AFTER HOURS

A NIGHT IN A HIDDEN OASIS Nestled on Brougham Street and secluded by ivy covered red brick walls of the old Dalgetty building, Adcell Group celebrated the end of a very busy year with a night with clients in the garden at The Geelong Club.

The beautiful old garden feels a world away from the hectic streets outside, and the night was a welcome chance to breathe out and have a chat about what we have all been up to.

And just in time for Christmas, four local start ups had guests browsing and ticking off their present lists, with photography cushions by Macier 3, coffee and hampers from Take The Plunger, stunning silver jewellery and buttery soft leather bags and purses from stacey inq, and beautiful soy candles by torch. Guests also got their hands on the very first copies of the summer edition of Ruby.

From everyone here at Adcell Group, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and a calmly productive 2016.

Tanya Carrol , Fleur & Jim Whelan

Neville Whitley & Linda McAuliffe

Samantha Meade, Fred Davis & Robyn Davis

Alicia & Brenton Hobson

Abbey Sherwell & Davina Montgomery with Nige Robinson & Ross Sharrock from Cabinetmakers Choice BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 57

AFTER HOURS

NEW NAME, NEW DIRECTION FOR CANNY GROUP One of Geelong’s longest-running accountancy firms has unveiled a new name and fresh direction as it moves to position itself as a professional hub for small business support.

SJ Canny Pty Ltd has transformed to the Canny Group to reflect its expansion into offering legal advice and services alongside its current accountancy operations.

The new chapter in the firm’s story was unveiled at the company’s recent 55th anniversary celebrations at The Pier.

Company director, Krystine Canny-Smith, said Canny Group now consisted of Canny Legal alongside Canny Accounting and Canny Advisory.

Canny Group has also revealed plans for a new three-story office building to be located on land next door to its current offices in Station St, North Shore. Construction of the new premises is planned to begin in 2017.

BUSINESS NEWS | 58

AFTER HOURS

Tara McKinty (Co-founder)

Georgia Livermore (left) and Liana Collins (right)

(left to right) Sophie Vickers-Willis, Scott Vickers-Willis & Georgie Fidge

Ian Cover (MC)

THE SANCTUARY GALA DINNER On Saturday, 14th November, The Sanctuary Counselling Centre held a gala dinner at The Pier to celebrate 20 years of operation. Ian Cover emceed the event with over 400 people attending the dinner. There were standout performances from Geelongยนs own Imogen Brough and the Baker Boys.

Many local businesses from around the Geelong region supported the event, including Austins & Co, Pennyยนs Prime Meats, Wilsons Real Estate and Baillieu Holst.

Along with the fabulous entertainment, the guests heard from co-founder Tara McKinty about some of the history of The Sanctuary and what it means to the Geelong community, which has helped over 5000 people since opening in 1995. Two young amazing women, Georgia Livermore and Liana Collins, spoke of their experiences with The Sanctuary after losing parents to cancer.

Brothers, Guyon and Mark Wilson conducted a short auction and overall the night raised $75,000 for The Sanctuary.

Mark Wilson (back), Guyon Wilson (front)

(left to right) Scott Austin, Matt Wilson & Marshal McLean BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 59

AFTER HOURS

Jade Jansen, Emma Tayler & Sheridan Salmon

CELEBRATING A SUCCESSFUL YEAR Give Where You Live toasted a successful year at the 61st Annual General Meeting, held at the Geelong Yacht Club, with supporters and partners joining the celebration.

Revenue growth in the 2014/15 financial year allowed Give Where You Live to meet a community contribution of $2.06 million to local community organisations and $2.7 million now invested into the Foundation’s corpus. “To all the donors, corporate supporters and sponsors, workplace givers, event participants and Trusts and Foundations that have supported the Foundation throughout the year we say a huge thank you. That support has been unwavering and allows us to continue our work for the Geelong Region, said Bill Mithen, Give Where You Live CEO. Give Where You Live concluded the event with the launch the 2015-18 Strategic Plan which will direct the organisation over the next three years, with the vision to create an inclusive and connected G21 region where people are not limited by the effects of disadvantage.

Jenny Blake & Elaine Carbines

Bill Mithen, Hayden Miller & Murray Boyd

Alec Hand, Barry Fagg & Gary Work BUSINESS NEWS | 60

Kate Betts, Peter Dorling & Kathryn Egan

AFTER HOURS

The Type 1 Foundation was launched with a Gala Dinner held at The Pier on Saturday 21st November.

MC Amanda Labonte hosted the evening along with guest speakers Dr. Peter Goss (Paediatrician), Fiona Scott (Barwon Health) and Sam Oxenham (Animas Insulin Pumps) who addressed the 320 guests that were in attendance. Funds from the night will go towards raising awareness of Type 1 Diabetes by supplying care packages to newly diagnosed families, hosting day camps, running events and strenghtening support networks in and around the Geelong region.

The Type 1 Foundation Board

Ange McCaughley

SimonHeffernan, MarkSanders & PaulCodd

Liz Wason

Stella Sodamaco & Michelle Abbott

Bernard Leovold & Lisa Stott BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 61

Ally Lofts

0438599329 macier3photography@gmail.com

Under the bridge $50

Sandy $35

2 bridges $60

Beach $60

Pink pops $35

Kalbarri delights $50

Snapper $60

New bloom $35

Offshore $50

Contact Sally Phone: 0438963718 Email: taketheplungerog@gmail.com

Cowhide Clutch $80 Mohawk Sling Bag_Tan $180

www.staceyinq.com.au

Butch Bracelet $50

www.torchsoycandles.com.au

Legion Bracelet $40

Lemongrass & Ginger from $17.50

Oakmoss Amber $22.50

BUSINESS NEWS | 62

Echo Ring $38

Sweet Pea from $17.50

Maca Ring $55

Soy wax melts $10

BOOKS

THE SHORT AND EXCRUCIATINGLY EMBARRASSING REIGN OF CAPTAIN ABBOTT Andrew Street The title alone of Fairfax columnist, Andrew Street’s first book, is like a Christmas gift that you would never have thought to ask for but are delighted to behold. ‘The Short and Excruciatingly Embarrassing Reign of Captain Abbott’ takes a lighter look at the political life and times of our 28th prime minister.

Street follows the trail from bold promises to questionable realities; Malcolm Turnbull’s assurances of support to Julie Bishop’s death stare. And, through it all, the questions kept coming: how long can the Captain suppress an outright mutiny?

Boasting a colourful cast of supporting characters that only a nation unfamiliar with the concept of below-the-line voting could elect, this is a unique take on what were, gaffes and gall aside, momentous times in Australian political history.

THE CLASP

by Sloane Crosley A laugh out loud comedy with real bite and surprising tenderness, The Clasp is the first novel from the New York Times bestselling writer.

Reunited for the extravagant wedding of a college friend, Kezia, the second-in-command to an insane jewellery designer; Nathaniel, the former literary cool kid now selling his wares in Hollywood; and Victor, who has just been fired from a middling search engine, soon slip back into their old roles: Victor loves Kezia. Kezia loves Nathaniel.

Nathaniel loves Nathaniel.

A bizarre encounter with the mother of groom sends Victor off on a quest to find a legendary necklace, supposedly stashed away in an obscure small town chateau. And, in a bid to save him from ruining whatever is left of his young ambitions, Kezia and Nathaniel set out to find him.

Heartfelt, suspenseful and told with Crosley’s inimitable spark and wit, The Clasp is a story of friends struggling to fit together when their lives haven’t gone as planned.

SPQR

A HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME Mary Beard Ancient Rome matters. Its history of empire, conquest, cruelty and excess is something against which we still judge ourselves. Its myths and stories - from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of Lucretia - still strike a chord with us. And its debates about citizenship, security and the rights of the individual still influence our own debates on civil liberty today.

SPQR is a new look at Roman history from one of the world’s foremost classicists. It explores not only how Rome grew from an insignificant village in central Italy to a power that controlled territory from Spain to Syria, but also how the Romans thought about themselves and their achievements, and why they are still important to us.

Covering a thousand years of history, and casting fresh light on the basics of Roman culture, from slavery to running water, as well as exploring democracy, migration, religious controversy, social mobility and exploitation in the larger context of the empire, this is a definitive history of ancient Rome.

SPQR is the Romans’ own abbreviation for their state: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, ‘The Senate and People of Rome’.

This fascinating insight into an era that is both long dead and all too familiar is perfect for the long days and balmy nights of summer.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MADE EASY THE 9-STEP INVESTMENT FORMULA Chris Lang Chris Lang has been buying and selling commercial property for 45 years and this ebook is his seventh book on commercial property investing. The Amazon best-selling author, and Business News columnist, provides a step-by-step interactive guide to successful investing.

Find out how to filter properties, how to make the right decisions and be able to sleep soundly afterwards, how to negotiate the best deal, validate your purchase, lock in loan terms, set up tax benefits, how to add value and maximize profits.

With a simple, hands-on approach that cuts through the myths, the book uses case studies, audio tracks and downloads to show that commercial property isn’t overly complicated – you just have to know the rules of the game.

(*Get a Business News $10 discount on the pdf at cpmeBook.com with coupon code: BusMag)

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