Business News 249

March 2016

E-HEALTH TURNING ON OUR TECHNOLOGY POTENTIAL ISSUE 249

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CONTENTS

14. FEATURE

CONTENTS

24 Property

6 Biz News

26 Tech Guy

12 New Appointments 16 Time Honoured 21 Business Advice

28. ARTS ISSUE 249 MARCH 2016 Read online at: www.biznewsmag.com.au

33 Baclinks

11 Inside Word

34 National Youth Week

18.

36 Elevator 38 Business Events 40 Conference & Events

22 Legal

46 After Hours

23 Real Estate

51 Books

32.

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COMMUNITY

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EDITOR

MASTERFUL OR MORE OF THE SAME: HOW WILL THE PM PLAY THE TAX REFORM GAME?

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ither the Federal Government is being very smart with its direction of the tax reform debate or just usually disappointing … we will all know the answer soon.

I once had a history professor who said it’s often not what someone says, but why and how it was said that tells the real story. This sage insight has resonated with me over the years and has been particularly useful when picking over political issues.

Take the current tax reform debate. It is never easy for a government to sell tax changes that will take from the public or corporate pocket and deliver to the treasury, regardless of fiscal necessity. Go too hard and you go the way of Kevin Rudd’s first term; get the balance wrong and it is the path of Abbott and Hockey for you; or be too high-minded and logical, as was the case for the would-be reformer John Hewson, and you get run over by someone who understands populism at street level. Australian political history is littered with the tales of reformers who couldn’t bring the public with them.

Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison would be more aware than most of how much depends on getting the mix right on tax reform.

Push too hard in the lead up to an election – potentially a July election, if they, as seems increasingly likely, pull the trigger on a double-dissolution – and they face an electoral backlash. Don’t go hard enough and risk appearing soft on economic management, which is a dangerous perception for a right-wing government.

By focusing discussion first on a rise in the GST, then on negative gearing, and now with the narrative shifting to superannuation,

the Turnbull Government could be playing a very clever game of preparing the electorate for a package that includes all three things. By allowing the expected backlash to play out as the draft tax reform package is being formulated, policy makers can gauge where the pressure points will come from – in effect, testing what people are prepared to live with and what would raise the ire of the electorate as happened with Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey’s 2014 Federal Budget. They could be deliberately taking some of the steam out of the pressure-cooker issue.

It would be a masterful move.

Or… are we, yet again, seeing a Federal Government wavering in the face of necessary but hard tax reforms? Risking the future economic strength of the nation in the name of short-term political expediency? With first a GST increase raised and shouted down, then changes to negative gearing raised and now seemingly being shouted down, the focus is turning to superannuation. If they’ve genuinely caved on the first two, the job of fixing the future tax base will fall disproportionately on superannuation and will, inevitably, raise a deafening outroar of opposition across an ageing population that doesn’t fancy it’s retirement aspirations being swept out from under them.

Taxes aren’t meant to be popular, but they are necessary. Can Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison and Co. pull a Bob Hawke and charm Australians into supporting an extraordinary reform agenda or will they take the path of least resistance and least effect?

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 5

BIZ NEWS

BUSINESS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC FOR 2016

A NEW MEMBERS February Bellarine Furniture & Bedding Pty. Ltd Christian Bus Co Escape Room Games – The Mad Scientist Escape Room Geelong Espy Hotel Inflatable World South Geelong ON PAKO Queenscliff Community Sports Centre Rotary Club of Queenscliffe RT Edgar Bellarine Pty Ltd Swan Bay Holiday Park The Geelong Advertiser The Geelong Hotel Tomi

WANDER VICTORIA

ustralia’s CEOs are more optimistic about general business conditions in 2016 than at any time in the past three years, according to the latest Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) National CEO Survey Business Prospects in 2016 – Cautious New Hope.

“This improved outlook reflects more favourable developments in the economic and business landscape through the latter half of 2015, including further drops in the Australian dollar; low interest rates and inflation; a more strongly improving labour market; a resurgent residential construction sector; improving consumer confidence and local spending; and the positive response to the change in Australia’s political leadership,” Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said.

“Nonetheless, some significant storm clouds remain on the horizon. Not least among the risks for 2016 are the volatility in financial markets, recent trends in commodity prices and the fragility of the global economy. 2016 will also bring the uncertainties of a Federal election.

“There are clear messages for policymakers from CEOs in this Ai Group 2016 Business Prospects report. Local

conditions have improved for the nonmining industries since last year, primarily due to the lower dollar. But we are still struggling to establish and sustain significant new sources of growth.

Businesses are working hard to eke out much-needed productivity gains, but government also has critical roles in supporting confidence, competitiveness, investment and innovation.

“In this Federal election year, our policy debate needs to focus squarely on several key areas: - Improving the tax system – to lift its efficiency; to reduce barriers to investment and innovation; and to strengthen and stabilise our revenue bases; - Investing in skills and education, including with a stronger emphasis on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills; - Removing the barriers to business growth, employment and workforce participation imposed by inflexibilities in our workplace relations arrangements; and - Supporting a faster pace of innovation by lifting business/research collaboration,” Mr Willox said.

MILLENNIALS ON THE MOVE

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A quirky ad campaign in which two friends “walk back” home after a lunch at a winery is the centrepiece of a $4.5 million initiative aimed at getting Melburnians to go beyond the city and visit their State.

nless Australian businesses rethink their retention strategies for millennial workers they risk losing a large percentage of their workforce, according to Deloitte’s fifth annual Millennial Survey.

Minister for tourism John Eren, said: “Regional Victoria is very important to us.

“The findings of the Millennial Survey are critical for business leaders,” said David Hill, Deloitte Australia Chief Operating Officer.

“The 7,700 tertiary educated and employed millennials (aged up to 31) we interviewed globally place great importance on working for an organisation with innovative leaders who offer meaningful work, opportunities for professional development and a good worklife balance.

“There are a million jobs associated with tourism in this country and for us (Victoria), it’s worth $21 billion and 206,000 jobs.

“We want the people of Melbourne to jump in their cars, go a couple of hours into beautiful regional Victoria and discover what’s in their own backyards.”

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

“They also want their leaders to listen and consider their views. In my experience we have a lot to learn from these bright, young future leaders. The best leaders value their ideas and energy. Those who don’t are likely to find their millennial workers quickly looking elsewhere.”

Of the 300 Australians Deloitte interviewed as part of its global survey of millennials across 29 countries, almost half (46 per cent) said they expect to leave their current employer in the next two years (up from 44 per cent globally). The data is even starker over the longer-term, with only 19 per cent of Australian millennials saying they expect to stay with their current employer for more than five years (compared with 27 per cent globally).

Born after 1982, millennials make up a significant proportion of young professionals and are already emerging as senior leaders in the technology sector and other industries. They will comprise 75 per cent of the global workforce by 2025. Their loyalty to their employer is strongly linked to leadership development opportunities, workplace flexibility and, importantly, a sense of purpose beyond profit.

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BIZ NEWS

AUSTRALIA-FIRST INDIGENOUS TREATY PROCESS UNDERWAY IN VICTORIA

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ictoria is on the path to forming Australia’s first treaty with Indigenous people. At a February 3 Victorian Government forum on Indigenous self-determination, hundreds of First Nations representatives rejected the Federal proposal of constitutional recognition, instead calling for self-determination and a treaty.

The treaty process, which will see the state government follow in the footsteps of New Zealand, Canada and the United States in signing treaties with the country’s indigenous people, is expected to commence in the coming weeks.

According to the Victorian Traditional Land Owner Justice Group, the First Nations treaty will aim to provide recognition of past injustices, of all 39 First Nations and their Clan’s Authority, and recognition of and respect for country, traditions and customs.

The group have called for a futures fund to implement and establish the treaty, the establishment of a democracy treaty commission, land rights and land acquisition legislation and funding, and fresh water and sea water rights.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Natalie Hutchins, said the Victorian Government was backing the establishment of a treaty.

“For too long, governments have ignored the views of Aboriginal people. Instead, the [Government] is listening and working in partnership with the Aboriginal community,” she said at the February 3 forum. “This meeting is about hearing directly from the Victorian Aboriginal community on constitutional recognition and what self-determination should look like in a modern Victoria.”

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BIZ NEWS

MEDICINAL CANNABIS LEGISLATION PASSES PARLIAMENT

GFORCE WINS CONTRACT TO HELP THE BARWON’S YOUNG JOB SEEKERS

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he Federal Government passed legislation in February that provides the missing link to legally-grown medicinal cannabis treatment in Australia.

Advocates for the full legalisation of medical cannabis treatment, used in the treatment of chronic pain disorders that have proved difficult to treat under currently available pharmaceuticals and therapies, have been celebrating the move.

The legislation means that state and territory governments, and companies, can apply for licenses to cultivate or manufacture medicinal cannabis. It does not, however, change or relate to the decriminalization of general cultivation or recreational use of cannabis as a banned substance.

Hailing the new legislation, Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson, said it was vital that Australia has a clear national licensing system to ensure the integrity of crops for medicinal or scientific purposes, adding that independent Advisory Committee will now be established to oversee the next stage of the rollout of a national regulator now legislation has passed.

DID YOU KNOW: that since legalising medical cannabis in Colorado 2012, the industry has almost single-handedly turned around the local economy in Denver, returning just under $100 million in tax revenue and has led to a housing boom in the city?

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eelong-based recruitment firm, Gforce, has won a fouryear federal government contract to deliver `work ready’ skills across the Barwon region.

Gforce chief executive officer, Rob Birch, says the Transition to Work program is an exciting opportunity for young people, including early school leavers, in a region where youth unemployment tops 19 per cent in some areas. ``We’ll be able to assist more than 300 young job seekers a year to develop valuable work-ready skills and find employment,’’ Mr Birch said, announcing the contract win.

Welcome New Chamber Members for March 2016 The Geelong Chamber of Commerce looks forward to welcoming the following new members at the March After 5, hosted by Diversitat, to be held on March 17 2016.

Andrew Katos AQtive Business Consulting Architects Fulton + Salomon Beachside Blooms Brooklyn Dynamics Call Assist Ebony Ivory Video Production Flower Child Posies Hillross Geelong

Indie Lane Nicheonomy Progressive Accounting Solutions Ricoh Geelong Sara Taylor Photography Skin Deep Medical Spa UnKluttered Life Zuster Photobooth & Events

INTRODUCING NETWORKING MASTERCLASSES The Geelong Chamber of Commerce, this month announces a new offeringt o members, the Networking Masterclass.

These will be held monthly and offer to members, an opportunity to learn and develop effective networking skills. To launch the Chambers networking masterclasses this month, business coach, bestselling author and speaker Jen Harwood will hold her Networking like a Pro presentation.

For all enquiries in regard to the Geelong Chamber of Commerce please contact the Chamber office on 5222 2234 or email jody.keating@geelongchamber .com.au

``Through this program, participants receive practical skills through intensive, pre-employment support. Our organisation is primarily set up to assist youth and this initiative is a great step in reducing that jobless rate and helping young people to a more positive future. You just can’t underestimate the power of a having a job. Getting work, training or further education can be life changing and open doors. That’s what this program’s about and we’re excited to be part of it.’’

The Federal Government announced eleven successful organisations to deliver the first round of the national program in seven high-need employment regions across Australia. While Gforce Employment Solutions is Victoria’s sole provider so far, the government will unveil more successful tenderers over coming weeks to deliver the $322 million initiative.

The program, open to young people and early school leavers aged between 15 and 21 years, aims to move participants towards work or re-engagement with education. Gforce’s new Youth Employment division will co-ordinate the program out of the not-for-profit organisation’s central Geelong and Norlane offices. The Gordon TAFE will be a key training provider.

Gforce Staffing Solutions and Marketing manager, Nic Jarvis, who will oversee the Transition to Work service across the Barwon education region, said the outcome-based program will provide intensive, pre-employment support to improve participants’ work readiness in areas including interview skills, resume preparation, canvassing jobs, understanding employers’ expectations and how to present themselves well to potential employers. It will also provide career advice.

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VIC CHAMBER

INFRASTRUCTURE VICTORIA GETS TO WORK

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he Victorian Chamber welcomes the release of Infrastructure Victoria’s discussion paper, Laying the Foundations.

This represents a positive first step in setting Victoria’s infrastructure priorities for the next 30 years.

The Victorian Chamber has been a strong supporter of the establishment of Infrastructure Victoria as an independent body to provide advice on key infrastructure priorities and projects.

Through consultation, independent analysis and transparency, Infrastructure Victoria will play a key role in building a stronger consensus on the State’s infrastructure priorities among decision-

makers, business and the wider community.

We welcome the fact that the consultation paper does not jump to conclusions. Rather, it seeks input from all parts of the Victorian community to identify the objectives that Victoria’s future infrastructure needs to address.

This work is vital to ensuring that strategic infrastructure planning goes beyond the short-term political cycle. The Victorian Chamber looks forward to ongoing engagement with Infrastructure Victoria and the Government to define, prioritise and progress the longterm infrastructure needs of all Victorians. confidence remains fragile and more must be done for industry to sustain and grow this newfound optimism.

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE LIFTS Victorian business sentiment about the Victorian and Australian economies over the next year has risen strongly, according to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Survey of Business Trends and Prospects.

Over the December quarter 2015, 23 per cent of respondents said they anticipate stronger national economic growth over the next year. Sentiment for the Victorian economy also rose, with 23 per cent of respondents similarly expecting better economic conditions in the year ahead.

These findings point to an opportunity for both state and federal governments to deliver business-focused 2016-17 budgets that convert this sentiment into medium- and long-term economic growth and job creation in Geelong and across Victoria.

Geelong business is looking to governments to deliver budgets that reduce the cost of doing business, drive productivity through major infrastructure projects, boost workforce skills and grow our international trade capabilities.

Businesses reported growth in net sales, exports, employment and investment in plant and equipment during the December quarter.

However, wages and other labour costs also continued to rise, squeezing profits. Despite the rise in business sentiment, business

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MARK STONE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

LEGAL

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TIPS TO AVOIDING COPYRIGHT TRAPS

here are many misconceptions regarding copyright which, if not corrected, can result in unintentional copyright infringement with serious consequences for the infringer.

What work is protected by copyright?

EMILY CAPILL, LAWYER CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL

Copyright protects a large number of published and unpublished works in Australia, such as literary (including computer programs), dramatic, musical and artistic works. Sound recordings, films, broadcasts and published editions of works are also protected by copyright.

Misconception #1 – I can copy up to 10 per cent of a work without infringing copyright It is no defence to copyright infringement that you copied only 10 per cent of the work. As a general rule, you will infringe copyright in a work if you copy a “substantial part” of it, usually involving the essential elements of the work. There is a specific exception for the copying of a literary work when it is copied for the purpose of research or study, provided the copying is “fair”.

Misconception #2 – I did not know that I was infringing copyright Ignorance of the fact that you were infringing copyright is not a defence to copyright infringement.

However, you may be able to limit your liability to an account of profits, rather than damages, if you can prove that you were not aware and had no reasonable grounds for suspecting that you were infringing copyright. Generally, establishing this defence is quite difficult, and there is usually an expectation that you will make reasonable enquiries into the subject matter and possible copyright before copying the particular work.

Misconception #3 – the work did not have a © symbol on it A work will be protected by copyright whether or not it has a © symbol on it. The symbol is merely a sign to the public that the work is protected by copyright. Copyright, like other IP rights, grants the copyright owner exclusive rights to exploit the work for the term of the copyright. Because copyright automatically protects most works, it can easily be infringed by a person who misunderstands copyright or who does not make proper enquires before exploiting the work.

So, how can I avoid copyright infringement?

You might infringe copyright in a work not only if you copy it directly, but also if you authorise someone else to copy it; or you copy or use a work that is an unauthorised copy of it. For example, if you purchase an infringing copy of a painting at a market and then display it on your business premises; you may be liable for copyright infringement.

In order to avoid copyright infringement, it would be prudent to take the following actions before exploiting a work: 1. M ake proper enquiries of the true origin of the work.; 3. S earch online (including image searches) for the source of the work; 4. Contact the relevant authority for consent or a licence to use or copy the work; and 5. If after taking the above actions, you are still concerned about your rights, seek legal advice.

Note: The content of this article is for general marketing purposes only and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact Emily Capill on the above email address or (03) 5273 5263.

BUSINESS NEWS | 10

INSIDE WORD

LOCAL AND VOCAL: Prominent Voices at Ministerial Tables

After spending the vast majority of adult life being spoilt by award winning coffee and food in one of our major capital cities, Chris the Coffee Drinker has taken up residence in Geelong and is ready to discover some of our region’s best Coffee O’Clock venues.

10 sq M

Unit 2, 124 Ryrie Street, Geelong

G21 CEO Elaine Carbines

G21 CEO Elaine Bernadette Uzelac Carbines

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hree leading ladies of the Geelong business community have been appointed to state government Ministerial Councils and advisory committees in recent weeks. Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Bernadette Uzelac, has been appointed to a new Small Business Ministerial Council.

Rebecca Casson, chief executive of the Committee for Geelong (CfG), joins the Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee. And G21 chief executive, Elaine Carbines, has been reappointed to the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Barwon South West committee.

The Small Business Ministerial Council has been established to support and advise on critical issues concerning Victoria’s 530,000-plus small businesses. The Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Philip Dalidakis, said, “The appointment of Ms Uzelac is particularly important in our commitment to supporting small businesses in regional Victoria, ensuring they have a direct line to government to address any challenges or concerns.”

A new Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee, brought together to help steer Victoria’s new approach to tourism and major events, features two prominent voices from the local community, with Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings joining the Committee for Geelong’s Rebecca Casson.

The new advisory committee was announced today by the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren.

Ms Casson said, “This sector is vital for employment in Victoria and I look forward to positively promoting the G21 region through my position on the Advisory Committee.”

Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash, announced the latest appointments to the state’s RDA committees, saying the

Rebecca Casson

committees continue to drive economic growth and make the most of the potential capability of their regions.

“The RDA committees are well placed to support stronger regional growth across the state and ensure all three tiers of government work together,” Senator Nash said. “RDA consists of a national network of 55 committees that strongly focus on regional economic development and facilitate local projects that aim to make a difference in local communities.”

Ms Carbines is one of four returning members of the Barwon South West Regional Development Authority committee members, along with Ruth Gstrein, Kaye Scholfield and Andrew Westlake. Joining the committee are Sue Wilkinson, Carolyn Woods and Grant Sutherland.

G21 Board Lobbies Canberra A G21 – Geelong Region Alliance board delegation to Canberra this month (2-3 March) has advocated for key G21 region infrastructure and community development projects in the lead up to the federal election.

You’re going to be lucky to stumble over 10 sq M. And when I say that you’ll be lucky to stumble over it, I really do mean lucky.

It is located in a really small space in an arcade that runs between Ryrie Street and a car park. This café is uniquely Geelong – a small space off the main street of our CBD, serving Sensory Lab Specialty Coffee to locals and tourists alike. No loud music, no hipster jargon, no “energizer bunny” over-the-top people behind the counter – just great coffee and an opportunity to chat with someone who actually knows what he’s talking about.

The space is limited and its arcade location often makes it cooler than outside – great in summer but an extra clothing layer might be needed in winter.

It is understated and serves excellent coffee.

What is there not to like about 10 sq M? www.facebook.com/10sqm

Lucy Locket’s 261

261 Myers Street, East Geelong

I cannot stand the way some people describe their café as “just like a little piece of Melbourne in Geelong”. If I want my coffee experience to be like that, I can jump on a train and experience a REAL piece of Melbourne within the hour.

Lucy Locket’s 261 could never be accused of being “just like a little piece of Melbourne in Geelong”. It is a family-friendly, suburban, informal cafe that serves really good 9 Baa Espresso coffee.

G21 CEO Elaine Carbines said the timing of the delegation was especially relevant given the recent ministerial reshuffle, meaning there are new ministers in key portfolios of interest to this region.

There were people from all age groups, sitting at a combination of communal and individual tables. Everyone seemed to know everybody else and the atmosphere was really relaxed, in the same way as a family gathering might be at Grandma’s farm.

The G21’s priority projects advocated for by the board delegation include:

The coffee is really good. The menu looks tempting. The atmosphere is really friendly.

- Revitalisation of the Geelong CBD

If you live nearby, make it your local. If you don’t, get in the car!

- The Land 400 project - Solutions to clogged road access to Melbourne from Geelong

www.lucylockets261.com.au

- Faster rollout of broadband to the region, especially for education - Support for the growth of Avalon Airport - The GROW (G21 Region Opportunities for Work) project, to address disadvantage

BUSINESS NEWS | 11

/geelongcoffee

www.geelong.coffee

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Tony is responsible for leading GMHBA’s Private Health Insurance team which includes GMHBA Health Insurance, Frank Health Insurance, Health.com.au and Budget Direct Health Insurance.

With an extensive 15 year health insurance background and more than 18 years in corporate executive positions, Tony has gained experience and capability across a number of key functional areas including sales, marketing, product, provider relations and customer service delivery. A local resident of Torquay, he is a keen surfer and mountain biker with a passion for the community and environment.

REAL ESTATE

Tony holds a Bachelor of Business and has experience leading the development of corporate strategy, major strategic projects, productivity improvements and customer value proposition redesign.

TONY HALL GENERAL MANAGER – GMHBA PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

Tamara Harris has joined Gartland as Business Development Manager. Tamara has an extensive background in property, having worked for two prominent Geelong firms for 20 years prior to joining Gartland as well as having worked in London and operating her own small business. Her new role is largely responsible for creating new opportunities for the business, particularly within the Residential Portfolio Management area.

Tamara is known for her warmth, excellent customer service delivery, sense of humour and an exceptional work ethic that is second to none.

HOSPITALITY

ACCOUNTING

HEALTH

Robyn Berry joins O’Shanassy Chartered Accountant after 7 good years at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. Robyn is a welcome addition to the team, providing administration and accounting support to all OCA clients.

Robyn’s positive personality and efficient problem solving has already become an asset to the team.

Eloise Simpson joins the Pace Physiotherapy team as the latest physiotherapist providing handson therapy and care to our clients. Eloise has a passion for dance and has a special interest in dance injury prevention and rehabilitation. Her keen eye for movement analysis and a comprehensive understanding of the body makes her a valuable addition to the clinic.

Although new to the hospitality industry, Linda Borzen has spent the past 13 years in the Tourism sector and joins Mercure Geelong as an Events Sales Administrator. For the past 10 years, Linda worked for a global tour operator in a variety of roles, including a stint in Toronto. A former Operations and Global Sales Manager, she brings valuable experience to the Mercure.

BUSINESS NEWS | 12

LEGAL

Tess Aberline has joined Coulter Roache having previously worked at the Victorian Courts. Tess was awarded the Leo Cussen Institute for Law’s 2015 Prize for Excellence in Client Communication. Tess works closely with Bronwen Charleson, and can assist clients in drafting their Wills and preparing Powers of Attorney.

INSIDE WORD

GAIL RODGERS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - GEELONG COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Geelong Community Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Gail Rodgers as Chief Executive Officer. Gail’s appointment follows the announcement that founding Executive Officer Andrew Lawson will retire after 15 years of outstanding contributions to the Foundation.

REAL ESTATE

Gail comes to the Foundation with a distinguished career spanning roles in the community and corporate sectors, and a passion for the Geelong community.

Since 2007 Gail has been the Manager at Volunteering Geelong and is formerly the Corporate Citizenship Manager at Ford Australia and Executive Director at United Way Geelong (now Give Where You Live).

Ray White Geelong are very proud and excited to announce that Will Ainsworth has now been appointed as Partner. With over ten years of experience in both Melbourne and Geelong, Will is not only a very successful real estate agent but an accomplished auctioneer as well - with a proven track record of success in listing, marketing and negotiating outstanding sales results.Will’s sales success and training experience makes him a vital member of the Ray White Geelong staff, where he enjoys mentoring colleagues and assisting in the development of a dynamic sales team.

Geelong Community Foundation Chairman John Miles said that Gail had an outstanding track record and was ideally suited for her challenging new role.

Gail will commence on 1 February 2016.

Andrew Lawson will continue with the Foundation for a changeover period to ensure a smooth transition.

REAL ESTATE Having spent most of her life in Melbourne, Amy Evans comes to Release as a well-travelled professional Lease Manager. Having worked in hospitality and events in London, Amy returned to Melbourne, gained her Agents Representative Certificate and became a Property Manager, progressing quickly to Senior Property Manager. Organised and friendly with an eye for detail, tenants and landlords can be assured that Amy will always communicate with clients in a friendly and timely manner.

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FEATURE

THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER: The projects reshaping Geelong

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here is a need for a narrative change in Geelong – moving on from grand, but at times conflicting ideas, into real projects that will happen… and we are all a part of that.

Victoria’s economy is growing at a rate that is leading the nation.

As the state’s second city, Geelong has a significant role in the future strength of the economy of the state. With Melbourne adding an unsustainable 100,000 people to its population each year, the state can’t grow successfully without strength in the regions, not only in Geelong and into the South West, but also in Ballarat, Bendigo, and beyond.

According to the City of Greater Geelong’s Enterprise Geelong and highlighted at last month’s Transforming Geelong Roadshow in Melbourne, there is more than $1.3 billion in projects underway across the city, and more than $2.3 billion in the pipeline.

Between the 2013-14 to 2014-15 period, building activity across the region reached a record $1.2 billion with more than 2000 dwellings approved each year. Across the same period, more than 5 million visitors came to Geelong and the Bellarine.

As a snapshot, it’s not bad for a place that was supposed to fall over toes up when Ford and Alcoa decided to stop making cars and aluminium here. In fact, the long-anticipated announcements by the big American manufacturers galvanised the city into forging a new path forward, one that made sense in 21st Century Australia.

“In Geelong, in the past, we’ve jumped around a bit - lobbying for this today, thinking about that tomorrow. Ideas that were started weren’t finished,” said the Chair of Geelong Development Authority, appointed by the Victorian Minister for Planning to set the direction for imminent action on four key infrastructure projects planned for the city.

The Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, signed the Terms of Reference for the Geelong Development Authority on 8 September 2015, with members appointed for a three-year term with the option of reappointment for additional terms. The members include Peter Dorling, Business Manager at Avalon

Airport and former Executive Director of the Committee for Geelong); Robert Costa, Chairman of Costa Group Holdings and Geelong Regional Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF); Janet Dore, Chair of Lantern Legal Group and former CEO of the Traffic Accident Commission; Prof. Roz Hansen, international urban planner and Member of the Central Geelong Taskforce; and Jill Smith, General Manager of Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC); can be reappointed.

Mr Dorling said he anticipates that major infrastructure projects in the city centre will be underway by the end of the Authority’s first term in 2018.

“I think the government is committed to helping Geelong to get cracking on a few things,” he said.

Of the four key projects for the Geelong Development Authority (otherwise known as the Geelong Authority or the GA), three are focused on the city centre: the Vision 2 plan for the city centre that would see Malop Street redesigned into a green spine; oversight of major planning permits in the city centre; the development of a Geelong Convention Centre; and the fourth big one is the Moolap/Alcoa redevelopment zone.

The Vision 2 is an elegant and comprehensive model of urban renewal; the final design concepts of Vision 2 were launched in March 2013. Now, with the formation of the Geelong Authority last year, the state government is looking for action, and has specifically tasked the GA to advise the Planning Minister on what parts of that plan should be included in the new state plan for Geelong.

The underutilised railway precinct is one of those forgotten urban pockets now in the spotlight.

“I would defy anyone who hasn’t been to Geelong to find the Waterfront when they walk out of the station – or even the city centre. It’s hard enough even getting to Johnstone Park and you can see it from there,” Mr Dorling said. Even those of us that live here struggle with driving through the labyrinthine set of intersections that lead from the railway station to Malop Street.

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FEATURE The temporary greening of Malop Street, part of what is known at City Hall as ‘City in a Park’ has been a teaser campaign of sorts for the planned green spine that will, when completed, link the railway station to Johnsons Park, to Malop Street, to Eastern Park and the Botanic Gardens.

The Geelong Authority’s remit includes consideration of central Geelong planning permits for projects that would automatically trigger oversight by the Minister for Planning, those are buildings over five-storeys in height, over 5000m2 or with more than 50 residential dwellings. Those projects would also require detailed planning assessment by the Council.

“We would be looking at these developments in relation to the Vision 2 document; and in particular how they fit into what we are trying to achieve, what sort of impact the proposal will have at street-level. It’s critical that we don’t just build things up and there’s no landscaping, there’s no sculpture and there’s no ‘feel’ at ground level,” Mr Dorling said.

For those who have followed the recent history of pie-in-thesky development proposals in Geelong, the calls for a convention centre initially came in the aftermath of the failed bid for a Geelong Guggenheim in the early 2000s. At its core, the convention centre idea was always solid. In practice, too many egos got in the way of settling on a practical site, with suggestions of Limeburner’s Point, on the end of a redeveloped Yarra Street Pier and, more recently and perhaps even more oddly, on the Point Henry site; ignoring the fundamental purpose of a convention centre is to host events for up to 1000 out-of-town delegates. A convention centre of the scale being proposed would require walking-distance access to quality accommodation, cafes and restaurants. Lacking a solid business case, all previous attempts at lobbying for a Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre have been firmly rebuffed by successive state govenments. Now, however, wiser heads have developed that business case around an inner city development – most likely connected to or integrated with Deakin’s Waterfront Campus – and the state government is paying attention.

up until August last year and was a President and Board member of the global business meetings and events organisation, the ICCA, has been actively involved in this latest push for a Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. If built, the facility would operate with close ties to the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre.

Not everyone agrees with the state government’s firm focus on central Geelong, however, it’s worth remembering that other cities around the world that have successfully reinvented themselves after major industry change, as has happened here in Geelong, have focused on their city centres for the simple reason that it sends a message to the community that while the past has served the city well, this place has a new future.

Cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool in the UK, Virginia in America, Bilbao in Spain, focused on modern architecture and new connections into the centre of the city that created a new sense of purpose - a new sense of place - that heralded a wider economic and cultural change.

“...it’s worth remembering that other cities around the world that have successfully reinvented themselves after major industry change, as has happened here in Geelong”

A spokesperson for Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, said the government wants to secure the biggest and best business events and conferences, ‘because we know their value to Victoria’.

This is Min-speak for ‘we’re onto it, we’re checking under the couch cushions as the budget is a bit tight, but when the time is right (all ducks are in a row, the business case is solid, hopefully we can get some political mileage out of it) we’ll make an announcement.’

Minister for the Environment and Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, has already hinted at an imminent announcement on the project. The Geelong Authority is due to brief the state government by June 30 this year on where the building should be sited and what business case should be pursued. That work is now nearing completion.

Leigh Harry, who steered the quadrupling growth of the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre as chief executive officer for 21 years, was the chief executive of Tourism Victoria

“Transition means a lot of things to a lot of people, but it’s probably a ten to fifteen year process and I think we’ve done pretty well in year two,” Mr Dorling said.

The Central Geelong Taskforce, at the City of Greater Geelong, have driven early infrastructure projects including the urban landscaping on Myers Street and Mr Dorling praised the drive and flair of the people in the Taskforce who would have a central role in the development of the Vision 2 blueprint. He also pointed to the planned redevelopment of the Geelong Yacht Club that would be a stunning addition to the Waterfront, opening up the entrance of the club to the public and becoming a centrepiece of the tourist hub.

The first element in the planned ‘green spine’ would be the redevelopment of Geelong Railway precinct.

“Unfortunately for us, we built the Courthouse and the police station right in front of [the railway station], but the reality is that they’re there,” Mr Dorling said. “The infrastructure of the railway station needs a good brush up and we need to make it quite clear, when people come out of the station, how they can get to our cultural precinct, how they can get to the green spine and down to the Waterfront. That’s the challenge that we’ve thrown out to some people at the moment – how you would do that.”

The conceptual ideas will be released for that project within the next twelve months, with a consultation program leading into a final design and funding proposal.

The substantial task of reimagining the shoreline from the salt flats in Moolap around to the now vacant Alcoa site at Point Henry is only just beginning, and the project should develop a definable shape between now and this time next year.

“There are a lot of people with a lot of views about what should happen at Moolap, including Alcoa, who are running their own Point Henry 575 development process,” Mr Dorling said.

Watch this space…

DAVINA MONTGOMERY BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 15

Artwork by David McCubbin.

TIME HONOURED

Kylie Warne - Managing Director and Principal on site at Gen Fyansford development

THE BRAND BEHIND THE BRANDS

I

Brand Bureau: Celebrating 10 Years

n 2006, the marketing environment in Geelong was a very different place. It was the cusp of the digital revolution, but many local businesses were still contemplating the need for a website. Email dominated the digital space and branding was largely concerned with logos, signage and mainstream advertising.

This was the environment into which Brand Bureau (then Warne Marketing) founder, Kylie Warne, converted her kitchen table into an office and started a small business.

“It was a challenging time, those first few years. I didn’t take traditional maternity leave and I can distinctly remember giving a presentation to a board of directors twelve days after I gave birth to my second child. I don’t remember a lot about that meeting, but we won the job!

Raised in Geelong, Kylie had worked in several multinational corporations in Melbourne before returning home after a decade to take up a marketing role at the Geelong Regional Library Corporation. Working part-time, Kylie launched her own consultancy, Warne Marketing. As the work began to flood in she and husband Brett made the decision to forego her regular wage so that she could concentrate on the small business.

The market disruptions have come thick and fast over the past ten years, but one business’ disruption is another’s opportunity and rather than falling victim to the GFC and the digital revolution, the business took off.

“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit; as a 14 year old girl I knocked on the doors of the local shops asking them to display posters promoting my babysitting services. At the same time, I used to get paid to produce signage for a local footy club. Even back then I liked being my own boss!” Kylie says.

“Frankly, it was terrifying to cut the apron strings and walk away from a guaranteed weekly pay cheque. I had worked for a variety of large organisations, and I’d become accustomed to having support from a range of departments; finance, IT, HR, marketing, not to mention being surrounded by supportive colleagues. When I started my business I was suddenly alone. It was a huge shock. But failure has never been an option for me. I never wanted to be on the wrong side of the statistics which suggest 60 percent of small businesses cease operating within the first three years of starting,” Kylie says.

Consulting from the kitchen table led to employing a full-time graphic designer and from that point the business took off. By the time the team grew to five, the Warnes renamed the business to “Brand Bureau”, had added two children into the mix and, this time, it was Brett who gave up full-time work to move into the business as a web-designer so they could both juggle the business and family.

Kylie says that more men need to be given the same opportunities, as well as women, to work flexible hours and care for their children, adding that flexibility and support for men is a missing link in the gender equity and national productivity debates.

It’s a busy life, running a business, serving as the President of the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and raising a couple of kids. It wasn’t any easier when the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) struck just two years into starting the business.

“The GFC provided us with opportunities to innovate our business model, and most of the changes we made later proved to serve as a foundation for today’s steady cash flow and growth.”

“Technology will continue to present significant opportunities for consumers, business and government to understand, engage and build value-based relationships. In the near future, Geelong could and should - be known as a destination that welcomes and nurtures start-ups and entrepreneurs,” Kylie says.

Kylie laughs as she says that if running a business was easy, everyone would be doing it. “I’m a very different person ten years on from those early days. I’m a lot more resilient. I have absolutely no regrets – my team and I have the privilege of being invited to work with diverse businesses and help reach their objectives. I’ve met some terrific people along the way that have become close friends.

Our employees are like family.”

“For Brand Bureau clients, generating ideas is rarely the issue; if a business needs marketing ideas, they can search Google and they’ll find millions of ideas. Our job is to help the client articulate their goals and objectives and then identify the correct strategies and tactics to deliver return on marketing investment. We work with our clients to find a very clear, measurable, strategic way forward for their business.”

Tara Iacovella - Senior Consultant

BUSINESS NEWS | 16

ent

TIME HONOURED Community involvement, networking with other like-minded businesses all help to build a picture of who you are as a business and what you do. In this space, actions speak louder than words and Kylie says Brand Bureau has a focus on local procurement as a professional priority.

Brett Warne - Web Developer, on site at Wettenhalls Transport She said that the one thing that technology will never do away with is relationships and the business has been founded on long-term relationships with clients. And it was seeking new relationships with like-minded small business people that first led Kylie to the Geelong Chamber of Commerce.

“I became a member of the Geelong Chamber of Commerce around the time I started the business. I never imagined that one day I’d be President; the role is an honor and one I take very seriously. The Chamber brings together Geelong’s business community – from large corporates to microbusiness – and gives them a single voice.

We advocate on behalf of business in Canberra, Spring Street and locally. Also, networking is a fundamental part of establishing a small business in a community such as Geelong and the Chamber delivers networking opportunities in spades,” she says.

And giving back, when and where you can, is just another part of doing business in Geelong. Brand Bureau provides pro bono work to a range of organisations, including Give Where You Live.

“Working for multinationals gave me experience in corporate social responsibility, and even though we’re a small business, we’ve injected contemporary CSR practices into the business wherever possible,” Kylie says.

“I’m the first to acknowledge that we do business in a national and global context; but I also think there is a role for parochialism when it comes to supporting businesses in our own backyard. Local businesses are the ones that donate to local charities, sponsor local sporting clubs, fill the fundraising tins and employ our families, friends and neighbours. I do think it’s crucial that, wherever possible, local businesses and government departments support local suppliers.”

Brand Bureau’s clients include Deakin University, Epworth Geelong, Wettenhalls Transport and Golden Plains Shire. “We’ve done everything from developing national advertising campaigns to being flown by private plane to New South Wales to work on communications to support a $100 million construction project. But we also work with smaller organisations. Our clients appreciate the importance of a strategic approach. As a full-service agency, we use our knowledge, expertise and commitment to quality to ensure a seamless transition from concept to the intended audience,” Kylie says.

Life is certainly never dull at Brand Bureau!

Nicole Manks, Creative Director with Sheridan Salmon, Marketing Manager, Give Where You Live

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 17

COVER STORY

E-HEALTH Turning on our Technology Potential

H

ealth, as a sector, is being revolutionised by technology in ways many of us are only beginning to understand. The collection and management of data, the delivery of health services using new technologies, monitoring of patients, and the technologies that will keep us healthier and at home for longer are all changing as eHealth solutions sweep across Australia and around the world.

suicide risk that is being trialled at Barwon Health is a good example.

A recent ICT Geelong eHealth summit brought together representatives from Deakin, the local IT sector, CSIRO, manufacturing, Barwon Health, TAC and GMHBA and others working in the health, manufacturing and IT spaces, all exploring the challenges and opportunities in the eHealth sector.

Under the PRaDA trial, that risk assessment is added to the patient’s electronic health record, with a data analytics program looking for predictive patterns.

Put simply, the potential for developing eHealth solutions in Geelong isn’t just a nice idea, it’s actually happening. The technical skill and world-leading facilities to scale up and commercialise the projects, systems and products being developed are already in place in the city. And the funding streams to establish start-up IT and manufacturing businesses in the health, disability and aged care markets are coming on line this year. The framework to develop into eHealth in Geelong is already in place and the potential is huge.

Listening to Professor Svetha Venkatesh, the Director of Deakin’s Centre for Pattern Recognition and Data Analytics (PRaDA), talk about using new technologies to recognise patterns in big data is a little like using a smartphone for the first time - so much sense in the midst of extraordinary complexity.

In the health sector, there is so much information available to time-poor clinicians, that what is most important can go unrecognised. Where machine learning and data analytics can help is by cutting through the noise and extracting the pieces of information that help to tell clinicians what is really going on with a patient.

PRaDA has developed pattern recognition and data analytics systems that are some of the best in the world. The centre has developed incredibly efficient ways to take the information that is already being gathered – whether that is patient data from across a hospital, or CCTV footage from the thousands of cameras across central London – and find what is similar, what is different, and to predict incidents that haven’t happened yet.

The centre is focused on finding practical solutions to very real problems, and their work on developing a predictive tool for

Currently, it is incredibly hard for a clinician to predict suicide.

When seeing a patient who is experiencing a serious mental health problem in hospital, a clinician undertakes a 20-point risk assessment and recommends a model of care based on the results.

“The factors [that contribute to the risk of suicide] are known, but the combination is not known. There is no pattern,” Prof.

Venkatesh said. “The solution came from the solution we provided to the security industry, developed in the aftermath of the London bombing.”

Using London’s CCTV footage, PRaDA was able to narrow down the behaviours caught on camera to those most likely to result in a criminal or violent event.

By narrowing down the focus of the Barwon Health project to just riskiest ten per cent of mental health patients, the PRaDA team were able to use machine learning to identify which were the significant risks in that group, looking at around 60 seemingly isolated factors. The program was shown to be twice as accurate as the clinicians when it came to predicting a high risk of suicide and triggering the need for an immediate response. PRaDA is also working with the Black Dog Institute in Sydney on the project.

Other areas where clinical health predictions are typically poor, such as in predicting pre-term birth, or toxicity in cancer treatment, are now the focus of work being done between PRaDA and health providers.

Commercialising some of these models is already underway, with the PRaDA lab having spun out three start-ups, the TOBY Playpad (an app delivering early intervention therapy for young children with autism), iCetana (a security start-up that identifies and predicts threats using large existing CCTV systems) and iHosp (recognising patterns linked to health risks in health systems).

In the health space, the capacity of data analytics to use very advanced technology to create solutions to problems that currently have no solutions is enormous.

BUSINESS NEWS | 18

COVER STORY The future of technology-enabled healthcare isn’t one where people are replaced by technology but, rather, one where technology improves access to that finite resource – access to clinicians and funded care – and, hopefully, helps to keep us healthier for longer.

Assistive technology (known as AT) is any device, software or product system that allows people to do something they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. Wheelchairs, prosthesis, orthotics, right through to advanced sensor technologies, robotics and apps come under the umbrella term of assistive technology. Two examples of world-leading assistive technologies developed in Australia are the Cochlear hearing device, the company employs 2700 people and recorded a profit of $110 million in 2014, and the ResMed respiratory apparatus, with ResMed employing 4000 people and recording a $144 million profit in 2014.

Barwon Health has been active in the assistive technologies space, particularly with their advanced rehabilitation facilities at the McKellar Centre; the NDIA is investigating the establishment of an Assistive Technologies Hub in Australia; Deakin are bringing together research and development and innovation; the Geelong Manufacturing Council are working with companies to engineer and build new assistive technologies.

GMHBA are moving into the eHealth space, actively looking for disruptive technologies and providers offering health e-visits, mobile home health monitoring, and personally managed health records, as the insurer moves to position itself at the forefront of emerging health technologies.

For GMHBA, the potential for eHealth monitoring in helping to treat and reduce the instance of chronic disease is of particular importance.

research, technology and manufacturing all working in and around the city, the opportunity is there to leverage the region’s high tech testing and development facilities at the McKellar Centre and Deakin’s Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training (CADET), and bring in the region’s engineering and manufacturing expertise to develop lower cost innovations.

The McKellar Centre has been involved in facilitating an inclusionbased model of rehabilitation based on the model used by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Technologies including voiceactivation and power-assist for wheelchairs are just some of the innovations being used to help patients do what they want to be able to do in their homes, at work and in the community.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is developing an Assistive Technology Strategy and Mr Zanon said Geelong should be looking to be the centre of an assistive technology innovation hub. The CSIRO has moved a significant part of its focus into manufacturing, health and ICT as the national scientific research agency seeks solutions to costly future problems in Australia and around the world.

What is interesting is how much work is already underway across the city in the assistive technology space. We have companies like Cytomatrix, another company spun out of Deakin University, that is working with Swiss materials manufacturer HeiQ (pronounced hi-kew) on using short Nano fibre materials to build the frameworks for Cytomatrix’ stem cell production. The aim is to produce high volumes of stem cells to treat patients needing bone marrow transplants.

“The program was shown to be twice as accurate as the clinicians when it came to predicting a high risk of suicide and triggering the need for an immediate response”

Wearable devices are perhaps the most high profile development in eHealth technology. Wearable technology is still very, very new and will develop exponentially in the years to come. Also in that space are biochips and healthcare in the home technologies.

At a GMHBA eHealth Hack Day held last year, inspired by a similar event initiated by the City of Greater Geelong, a team developed a fall bracelet in just two days. The wearable device monitors the movement of the wearer and recognises a change in the pattern – specifically, movement indicating a fall. If the movement isn’t corrected, an alert is triggered to notify a nominated contact or call 000. Simple. Smart. Solves a problem.

The continuing shift to consumer-directed care – where patients have greater control than ever before over their health care – as well as the expanding insurance sector will be great drivers of change across all areas of the health industry. What people want, and what they’re willing to pay for, provides a plethora of opportunities for businesses that can offer high quality, costeffective solutions to health problems. The market is substantial in Australia; it is staggering in scale across Asia, where ageing populations and rising middle classes offer a marketplace that extends into the millions, even billions of people seeking smart solutions to health problems.

The kinds of technologies that will allow people to live better for longer and in their own home are things that entrepreneur Steve Zanon would like to see designed, tested and commercialised in Geelong. Working with the Geelong Assistive Technology Group, auspiced by the Committee for Geelong, Mr Zanon points out that Geelong has a unique set of industry sectors that intersect in the assistive technologies space. With healthcare, insurance,

Ben McMurtrie at Geelong Orthotics and 3D Ortho Tech is manufacturing custom-designed orthotic devices at his Bellarine Street clinic and a workshop at Barwon Health. The Geelong Assistive Technology Group is looking at how unique devices being developed in Geelong could be put through R&D testing and scaled up for commercial manufacture. 3D Ortho Tech is already working with Carbon NEXUS, CADET and Deakin Engineering on product development.

HealthRFID are manufacturing low-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) labels for pathology samples, and Unique Care are manufacturing hospital and aged care products here in Geelong, specialising in electric adjustable beds.

At Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre, NAB sponsored the building of a research facility that is a functioning apartment space in which new assistive technology prototypes can be piloted, tested and the results monitored in-situ. Patients with particular care or rehabilitation needs help to test new technologies being developed here in Geelong. It is just another piece in the assistive technology puzzle.

“What we are seeing and what we need to see more of is the health sector opening up to manufacturing to scale the development of these new technologies, to undergo quality assurance testing, to establish commercialisation and distribution networks,” Mr Zanon said.

The Deakin CADET facility is a critical part of the process in commercialising locally-developed assistive technologies, allowing for ideas to develop to the prototype stage in shared facilities surrounded by engineers working on a range of projects.

Designs that reach the prototype stage can be piloted though a clinical validation phase at the McKellar centre.

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 19

COVER STORY Australia Post is set to open ‘The Hive’ in Geelong that would help to provide quality assurance and back office services around emerging businesses. In October 2015, Ahmed Fahour, Managing Director and Group CEO of Australia Post, announced a change in direction for the organisation into investing into emerging eCommerce businesses and providing logistics, billing and distribution services for emerging Australian businesses. Mr Fahour said The Hive would provide meeting spaces, IT support and business coaching to local start-ups and micro-businesses.

With sophisticated collaborations with China Post and Alibaba, Australia Post are positioning themselves to provide established distribution services into the Asian markets for Australian startups and micro-businesses – businesses too small to want to or be capable of establishing their own international distribution network.

Funding streams for health and technology start-ups are beginning to open up in Australia, with many start-ups previously having to rely on self-funding, crowd-funding or angel investors to get their business idea up and running. The Federal Government’s new Biomedical Translation Fund will open on 1 July 2016. The $250 million fund- with funding diverted from the Medical Research Future Fund for two years – will see fund managers bringing at least matched funding from the private sector to selected projects. The private equity model means projects are funded on an entrepreneurial business-case basis rather than through the traditionally lengthy medical research grant funding processes.

Seed capital of $5 million to $10 million will be available for projects that have a working prototype. Funding is also available for scalable business development though the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF).

the city seeks to become known as a smart 21st Century city.

There are 8,500 people employed in Geelong’s hospitals and collaboration is increasingly being fostered across the region’s healthcare providers.

“Over the past three years, Geelong has heard announcements regarding investments in health infrastructure totaling more than $600 million,” said St John of God Geelong Hospital’s, Chief Executive Officer Stephen Roberts. “This is clear evidence of the importance of healthcare as a critical new industry and employer in the region.”

Mr Roberts said the opening of St John of God’s new Intensive Care Unit, due in late 2016, is another major step in supporting a range of complex care services, including a new cardiac surgery program being developed in cooperation with Barwon Health.

Barwon Health’s Interim CEO, Paul Cohen, said with almost 7,000 employees, his organisation has consistently seen year-on-year growth and he expects that will continue.

“The NDIA knows it needs to drive down the cost of delivering services and drive the quality up”

“We have the NDIA, TAC, Barwon Health and GMHBA all here in Geelong, meaning we have very detailed statistics about disability, what exactly the needs are and where that need is. It takes the guesswork out of what products are really needed and at what volumes,” Mr Zanon said.

“The NDIA Assistive Technology Strategy Paper talks about building an assistive technology marketplace, with the new model of consumer-directed care driving one end of the market and manufacturing at the other end responding to that consumer need.

“The NDIA knows it needs to drive down the cost of delivering services and drive the quality up. Assistive technologies are certainly one way to do that. I’m surprised that a government department thought of that, but they did and it’s brilliant.”

He said that with the NDIA spending around $1.06 billion annually in assistive technology procurement once the scheme is fully rolled out, the marketplace in Australia alone for advanced assistive technologies is a strong one.

“It’s really hard for one company or even one industry to develop advanced assistive technologies themselves. But once one moves [into collaborating on product development] then they all move. And that’s where we need to get to,” Mr Zanon said.

The healthcare sector in Geelong has been critical in setting a new course for the city and is expected to create an estimated 1,950 jobs locally in the next five years. The recently launched Transforming Geelong document paints a compelling picture of just how important the health sector is and will continue to be as

Mr Cohen said education and research will become a greater focus for the organisation following the opening last year of the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID), a collaboration between Barwon Health, Deakin University, CSIRO’s Animal Health Laboratory, Commonwealth Government and City of Greater Geelong.

Epworth Geelong CEO, Damian Armour, said there is great anticipation about the pending opening of the new facility in Waurn Ponds and he has been overwhelmed with more than 6,000 expressions of interest for the initial 400 full-time equivalent positions. When fully operational, the Epworth Geelong will employ a staff of 700.

Epworth Geelong has a 10-year contract with Barwon Health to support it in the treatment of public patients in the areas of renal dialysis, day oncology and same-day surgical services.

Another area of focus for Epworth will be in the establishment of neurosurgical services in Geelong.

“We are very proud to be responsible for the commencement of inpatient neurosurgical services in this region,” Mr Armour said.

“Up until now patients in south-western Victoria needed to travel to Melbourne for neurosurgical procedures, however, from July we will be providing this much needed service in Geelong.”

Healthscope, the operator of both Geelong Private Hospital and the Geelong Clinic, has seen significant growth in inpatient and outpatient services over the past two years within acute care and mental health. Further growth and expansion is expected.

General Manager, Janine Haigh, said Geelong Private and the Geelong Clinic shared a synergistic relationship where acute care and mental healthcare needs of patients often overlap.

“We are in a unique position to support the often unmet and growing need for mental health services in our region with dedicated staff who often work across both of our sites within our specialty inpatient, day program and outreach services,” she said.

The opening of a $6 million critical care service at Geelong Private last year was another significant step for health services in the region.

DAVINA MONTGOMERY BUSINESS NEWS | 20

BUSINESS ADVICE

R&D TAX INCENTIVE: ARE YOU ELIGIBLE

A

ll Australian companies conducting research and development type activities should consider whether they are eligible to claim the Research and Development Tax Offset in relation to a particular income year.

Eligible companies will either have their income tax bill reduced or receive cash refunds from the Australian Taxation Office.

ALEX DUONIS, PRINCIPAL, TAX CONSULTING, CROWE HORWATH WESTERN VICTORIA

What is it?

The R&D Tax Incentive was introduced in Australia to encourage industry investment in R&D. It is a broad-based programme that can be accessed by all industry sectors. Its main objective is to promote R&D activities that otherwise would not be conducted because of an uncertain return from the activities, in cases where the knowledge gained is likely to benefit the wider Australian economy.

“Eligible companies will either have their income tax bill reduced or receive cash refunds from the Australian Taxation Office”

• A net tax benefit of 16.5 cents in the dollar spent maybe available for ‘small companies’ in an otherwise tax payable position. Small companies are those with an annual turnover of $2 million or less. The tax rate for these companies is now 28.5 per cent.

• If the turnover of the company is between $2 million and $20 million, the net tax benefit is reduced to 15 cents in the dollar spent.

• If the company is considered a small company and is otherwise in a tax loss position, the company will receive a full refund of 45 cents in the dollar spent.

• All other companies will receive a net tax benefit of 10 cents in the dollar spent.

In the 2014 Budget, the Government announced it would reduce the R&D Tax Incentive by 1.5 per cent to 43.5 per cent and 38.5 per cent respectively from 1 July 2014. This change is currently before parliament.

What is the claim process?

Companies that have determined that they are eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive must obtain claim approval with AusIndustry. A relatively in-depth description of the nature of R&D activity must be set out in the application form, and all the relevant eligibility criteria must be addressed. Applications are due annually within 10 months after the end of the income year in which the activity was conducted. For 2015 claims, the R&D registrations must be lodged no later than 30 April 2016.

The claim itself is made in the company’s income tax return after AusIndustry approval is obtained.

The R&D Tax Incentive may be available in respect of direct and indirect expenditures incurred in connection with qualifying “experimental activities”.

The activities need to be conducted in a scientific way for the purpose of generating new knowledge or information in either a general or applied form.

Only company entities are entitled to this incentive and a $20,000 minimum annual R&D expenditure threshold applies.

What are the potential benefits?

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

Companies with a turnover of less than $20 million can obtain a refundable 45 per cent tax offset. All other companies are entitled to a non-refundable 40 per cent tax offset.

The tax benefit arising from the tax offset depends on the tax profile of the company:

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 21

What to do next All businesses conducted from a company structure should be proactive and ask the following questions: - Does the business take a product or service to the market?

- Has the business engaged in R&D activities to develop new products or services, or enhancements to existing products or services?

- Were there technical challenges or uncertainties around the product or service being developed such that experimentation was or will be required to prove the concept?

If you have answered yes to the above questions, we highly recommend you consult a tax specialist to explore the making of an R&D tax incentive tax claim.

LEGAL

TAX BENEFITS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

T DIANNE SISAK PENJALOV

here is no doubt that the current economic environment presents many challenges for small businesses, and the need for tax reform in the context of the federal government’s quest to look for ways to repair the budget will mean that current tax breaks will be scrutinised and reviewed in the lead up to the May budget.

However, the government is proceeding with a recent legislative measure that will make it easier for small business entities to restructure their business without triggering a capital gains tax liability.

The Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business Restructure Roll-over) Bill 2016 was introduced into the House of Representatives in February.

Once passed, the Bill will introduce Subdivision 328-G into the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997). The broad effect of this will be to introduce a voluntary rollover to defer potential capital gains tax that may arise on the transfer of the active assets of a small business entity to another small business entity where the underlying economic ownership of the active assets transferred remains unchanged. Active assets are broadly those that are used in carrying on the business.

The rollover concession should assist small business with cash flow and greater access to capital when seeking to restructure an on-going business, but, like any piece of legislation, the measure needs to be carefully considered in its application. A threshold requirement to access the concession is that both the entity that transfers the assets and the entity that receives the assets in the course of a restructure must be a small business entity. Currently, an entity will be a small business entity if it, and any entities that are

BUSINESS NEWS | 22

affiliated or connected with it, have a combined annual turnover of less than $2 million (Subdivision 328-C of the ITAA 1997). This is a relatively low threshold that may easily be exceeded and limits the scope of entities that may benefit from the reform measure.

Small business entities seeking to access the rollover also bear the burden of proof to establish that the transfer of the active assets is part of a ‘genuine’ business restructure. This is a question of fact. Some examples provided in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Bill include that: the restructure is part of a commercial arrangement to enhance business efficiency; it is not simply part of a step to facilitate the economic realisation of assets; the restructure results in a new structure that the owners would have originally adopted had they previously sought appropriate professional advice when initially establishing the business; and the restructure is not artificial or tax driven.

Another condition that must be satisfied for the rollover to apply is that the underlying economic ownership of the business must be unchanged following the restructure. This refers to beneficial ownership by individuals. Therefore, where business interests are held by beneficiaries through a discretionary family trust, consideration will need to be given as to whether there is a valid family trust election in place for tax purposes to substantiate that the assets transferred continue to be owned by members of the same family group.

The above is a broad overview of some of the requirements to access the capital gains tax rollover. Once enacted, the measure will be available to qualifying transfers of business assets where the transfer occurs on or after 1 July 2016.

REAL ESTATE

A FRESH OUTLOOK FOR GARTLAND

M

ichael De Stefano may be the new owner of Gartland Real Estate, but he’s no stranger to the business; he knows it inside out and his understanding of the Geelong community is unparalleled.

After working with Gartland founders, Bob and Phillipa, for over a decade, De Stefano purchased the established business in late 2015. Bob will continue as a mentor and consultant to the business.

With his hands now firmly on the reins, De Stefano is keen to take the business into a new phase and with a fresh outlook.

According to Michael, the way people buy and sell property has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. With the advent of websites like realestate.com.au, people are far more engaged in the online world for initial information than viewing photos in the traditional real estate shop front.

What this means is that Gartland is moving from its long-term address in Gheringhap Street, right into the heart of the bustling cafĂŠ scene at 71 Little Malop Street. Currently owned by Bill Votsaris and Darryn Lyons, this heritage building was originally the head office of Cheetham Salt.

Moving into an area surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants and a thriving creative scene may be a master stroke from De Stefano.

Foot traffic is growing between the Gheringhap and Moorabool Streets precinct of Little Malop Street. And if people are no longer making time to visit real estate offices to buy and sell, why not be where the people (and great Michael De Stefano coffee) are?

Photo by Reg Ryan Photography De Stefano is also keen on building the Gartland business outside of his existing stronghold in commercial sales, leasing and management. With the Gartland residential property management business being sold to McDonald & Co, Michael has appointed Tamara Harris to rebuild this offering, alongside the residential sales division.

With the latest figures showing that Geelong continues to be a hot spot for property investment, a new golden era for Gartland may be upon us.

Aerial shots by George Stawicki.

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PROPERTY

BRINGING NEW YORK STYLE TO A GEELONG INSTITUTION

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ith its deco arched windows, brickwork and soaring ceilings, the Gordon Junior Technical School building on Moorabool Street has always been an eye-catching building. Now, this old Geelong institution has been given a new lease of life as The Devlin, a luxury short-stay apartment building.

Boutique Melbourne developers, IDS, have converted the heritage-listed building into 37 boutique hotel apartments, encompassing three distinct architectural and designer styles, New York Loft, Modernist and Industrial Chic.

The luxury 4.5 star New York Loft rooms are an indulgent first for Geelong, bringing together sharp and luxurious styling in airy, light-filled spaces, featuring large arching windows, lush fabrics, sheer curtains and elegance just a short walk from the CBD and Simmonds Stadium.

The new development, which will open in April, will also help fill the need for high-spec accommodation for corporate, event and short-stay visitors in Geelong. Business owner and manager

Garry Henderson explains, “With the recent infrastructure improvements and strong growth of regional areas, we anticipate that demand for accommodation in Geelong will rise in the coming years.

“We’re bringing something new to the area. Every year thousands of holiday-goers and corporate travelers visit the region and we want to offer a new experience by developing high end, boutique architectural apartment styles.”

The building, which was originally constructed in the 1920s, has always made a strong architectural statement and respecting and retaining that history has, Mr Henderson said, been an important aspect of the development, with the striking features of the building allowing for a seamless transition into contemporary apartments that are reminiscent of New York and inner city Melbourne.

The Devlin is a truly exciting development and is situated at 312 Moorabool St.

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PROPERTY

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UNUSUAL LEASING OPPORTUNITY AT 242 LATROBE TCE.

elease Property Management has a unique property ‘For Lease’.

Rare as hen’s teeth is the grand residence of Narbethong “A Cheerful Place”. This property lends itself to a business owner that wants to work next door to home.

Renee Reynolds, Director Release Property Management, commented, “It’s a perfect offering for a family who want to run their own business from home, it is big enough for a number of small businesses to operate together or a medium-sized business to occupy in entirety.

“Narbethong is in a great location at 242 La Trobe terrace, close to all that the Geelong Waterfront and Pakington Street have on offer.

“The owners have carefully restored this property, ensuring the artdeco feel remains with fireplaces, entrance porch, balconies and broad eaves, all with the addition of modern conveniences.”

The Grand Residences offers two locations in one. On one side is a 5 bedroom home, and on the other is commercial rooms including a reception area, 5 separate offices and kitchen, offering any kind of professional services or medical services firm to operate from.

The property is superbly placed within walking distance and is brilliantly located to benefit from the Geelong CBD. You will have immediate access to the Geelong train station, major arterials and the popular cafe precinct in Pakington Street, Geelong West.

“Significant repairs and restorations have already been invested in Narbethong, along with safety upgrades and additions for technology, it really is a unique opportunity.”

Contact Release Property Management for more details

H

RELEASE PROPERTY MOVES

aving managed over 1,000 properties over the past 8 years from the Geelong Ryrie Street Office, Release Property Management (Release) has a new place to call home. On January 25, 2016 Release opened the doors at 88 Pakington Street Geelong West.

Renee Reynolds, Director commented on the past eight years, “When we first started, I saw the property management industry change, with rental prices declining due to economic changes and large subdivisions being released. There has, however, always been a demand for rental properties, and over the past couple of years I have seen strength returning to the rental market and, in turn, rental prices increasing.”

After a comprehensive fitout, Release has turned the previous Lifeline shop into a modern, fresh new office environment catering for over fifteen staff.

“I found that we had outgrown the Ryrie Street office and parking for our clients and staff was hard to find. Our Pakington Street office is not only larger for our continued growth, it is also easier for parking.

Of course, the staff also love the local shopping, cafes and restaurants along the street,” said Ms Reynolds.

As the business continues to expand, the Pakington Street Head office will service the Geelong area as well as providing corporate services such as Marketing and HR to the Release branches. Release will also begin to focus on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Release is an innovative and progressive Property Management agency with a strong focus on continuously improving customer service and training staff.

1300 853 857

100% Property Management

Award Winning Property Managers “Working Hard to Lease Your Property Faster”

FOR LEASE All Property Details and Inspection. Times Available Online

releasepm.com.au realestate.com.au

domain.com.au

Our Geelong Office has Moved 4/1 Station Road, Lara

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 25

88 Pakington Street, Geelong West

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

running app for more detailed fitness tracking, but if workouts are your main concern, you’ll want to go with a dedicated fitness tracker.

The Classic uses Samsung’s own Tizen operating system, which is perfect for its purpose. A twist of the bezel or swipe to the left brings up push notifications, while the right brings up the menu for Apps, a list of favourite contacts, Settings, and the S Voice assistant. Swipe or rotate again and you’ll find every loaded app circling the screen, like numbers on a watch face. It’s a far better solution than Android Wear’s cards and vertical lists. There is also an endless array of different watch faces, so you’re bound to find one that suits you precisely.

HI-TECH, CLASSIC FEEL Smartwatches have come a long way in the past year. The best example is the Samsung Gear S2 Classic that has the look and feel of a superb piece of watch jewellery design. The black leather wristband and black stainless steel case has ‘gear’ rotating bezel to help control the watch and is a joy to use. The gear bezel is a more precise way to navigate menus than the seemingly endless series of screen wipes that are required with an Android Wear watch like the Motorola Moto 360. The Gear features two buttons on the right side of the case to help navigate the interface.

There’s a back button at the two o’clock position and a home button at four o’clock. The Home button brings you to the default watch face or your app library if you’re already at the watch face.

The screen is a circular, 30.5mm, 360-by-360 Super Bright AMOLED display. It stays off by default unless you wake it with a twist of the bezel, a wrist gesture or a tap. Brightness can be adjusted by swiping down on the display and tapping the Brightness setting, or you can let the ambient light sensor do the work for you.

Samsung will release a version of its 3G-connected Gear S2 that ditches the traditional SIM card in favour of an electronic one. Vodafone and Optus are planning to adopt the technology, which Samsung is hoping will help remove some of the hurdles that have held back adoption of internet-of-things devices. After all, the less you have to fiddle around with individual data plans and customer support to get your smart doorbell activated (for instance), the better. Vodafone executive, Patrick Chomet, agrees, saying that the launch of the e-SIM Gear S2 3G will spearhead a “new generation of devices” connecting to cellular networks.

The built in sensors include an accelerometer, a barometer, a gyroscope, proximity sensors and a heart rate sensor.

The heart rate sensor checks in about five times per day, though you can adjust it to check more or less frequently.

You’ll find a few preloaded widgets on the watch, including the S Health step counter, weather info and a water consumption tracker. You can customise where the widgets are placed on your watch face and add your own apps from the Samsung Gear manager on your phone.

The Classic counts steps and nudges you when you’re at rest for too long, which was amusing at first, then annoying, then finally a useful way to remind you of your sedentary lifestyle. You can install the Nike+

BUSINESS NEWS | 26

TECHNOLOGY

FOREVER DISCS Now, this really does sound like science fiction but it’s not.

Researchers at the University of Southampton’s Optical Research Centre have announced on that they’ve perfected a technique that can record data in 5 dimensions and keep it safe for billions of years. The method etches data into a thermally stable disc using femtosecond laser bursts; yep, you heard it here first. The storage medium itself holds up to 360 TB per disc, can withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees C and are estimated to last up to 13.8 billion years at room temperature without degrading.

they’ve essentially perfected the recording technique and have since recorded the entirety of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Newton’s Opticks, Magna Carta and King James Bible.

“It is thrilling to think that we have created the technology to preserve documents and information and store it in space for future generations,” Professor Peter Kazansky from the ORC said in a statement. “This technology can secure the last evidence of our civilisation: all we’ve learnt will not be forgotten.”

Each file is comprised of three layers of nanoscale dots. The size and orientation of the dots, as well as their position within the three standard dimensions, constitute its five dimensions. These dots change the polarization of light travelling through the disc which is read using a microscope and polariser.

The Southampton team originally demonstrated the technology back in 2013, although, at that point, they could only fit a 300kb test file onto a disc. In the three years since their first demonstration,

FLEXIBLE SMARTPHONES

15 MINUTE FULL PHONE CHARGE Growing in popularity, Oppo phones have released a new phone at Mobile World Congress. The company showed off its new SuperVOOC quick-charging technology. If real-world results are as promising as they say, you will be able to fully charge their new devices in 15 minutes.

Oppo says that’s about how much time it’ll take to charge a dead 2,500mAh battery to 100 per cent and that the technology will work over traditional micro-USB and USB Type-C cables. It’s more or less proprietary to Oppo, so the company has full control over the battery, silicon and software involved. An Oppo staffer plugged a metal-encased reference device into a charger and continued his spiel and in less than ten minutes later — after he discussed an algorithm that varies current to maximize charging efficiency while keeping temperatures low, the phone was back up to 100 per cent. Here’s hoping it’s the beginning of the spread of this technology.

Bending the device will flip through the pages of an e-book and the more you bend, the faster it flips. In another example, you can play Angry Birds by bending the device to slingshot a bird, with the rubber bend stretching tighter as you flex it. Thanks to the voice-coil haptic motors, you can precisely “feel” the pages flipping or the Angry Birds slingshot stretching out for a launch. The haptics also allow eyes-free navigation, making it easier for users to keep track of where you are in a document, according to Queens Media Lab director, Roel Vertegaal.

The researchers plan to show off the device at a human-computer interaction conference in the Netherlands and believe commercial devices will be available within five years. Based on the prototype, it seems possible that the tech could arrive even sooner.

HOLLER IN A MARSHALL Is it possible: set of wireless headphones playing non-stop for 30 hours? The box clearly states “30 hours of playback,” but it is a humble understatement. Try 37 hours. The Marshall Major II’s 680mAh battery has logged a total of 37 hours at high volume with testers and that’s about three times more than you’d expect from most Bluetooth headphones. Sound wise, the headphones are surprisingly full-bodied and spacious-sounding.

Marshall is going after the High Street head bopper with nice design details, like the trademark leather-look ear cups and the brass-effect control button. So, for benefits, the long run time, substantial sound and $250 price point mean these will find favour with the long-play crowd.

Companies have been promising us futuristic flexi displays for ages, but so far nothing practical has emerged.

The ReFlex, a prototype flexible smartphone from Queens University is tantalizingly close to what you’ve been waiting for. To build it, the team mated a 720p flexible LG OLED display to bend sensors and haptic feedback motors. Powering the device is an Android 4.4-powered board, complete with custom drivers placed in the non-flexible part beside the display.

IOFIT SMARTSHOES Samsung is about to launch a new brand of smart athletic shoes called IoFIT from its in-house startup, Salted Venture. The shoe comes with numerous pressure sensors that measure your posture, balance and weight distribution.

An app then crunches the data to help you improve your athletic performance in sports like weightlifting, golf and running. The IoFIT team say they’ve based their idea on force plates, equipment used by fitness, rehab and golf facilities to measure athletic performance.

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BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS 16 MARCH

Dynamic Australian singer and entertainer Kelly Auty presents her hit Australian show Backwards in High Heels at Wallington’s Flying Brick Cider House.

Based on the music, lives and fashion of great women singers who were trend setters, game changers and activists, and those who left a legacy that influences artists and audiences to this day, Backwards in High Heels is a nostalgic musical road trip from 1980 to 1950.

Renowned for her spirited live shows, Kelly’s lightning fast costume changes, along with her humour and sensitivity to the women she portrays, is mesmerizing as she presents the music of extraordinary women who truly made a difference and took a stand for their passions and beliefs including Annie Lennox, Bette Midler, Janis Joplin, Eartha Kitt, and Edith Piaf.

The Cider House is offering dinner and show tickets at $60 per person or show only tickets at $20 per person. www.flyingbrickciderco.com.au

THE ROTARY CLUB OF DRYSDALE ANNUAL EASTER ART SHOW 26-27 MARCH

The premier display of paintings in the Geelong region and the main fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Drysdale’s community and international projects, the Annual Easter Art Show has brought artists and art-lovers together every Easter for four decades.

Renowned artists, ambitious newcomers and all those in between exhibit more than 500 paintings each year.

The 2016 At Show will be held in the Christian College Sports Stadium, 40 Collins Street, Drysdale with tickets $8.00 for adults, $6.00 concession and children under 12 free. www.drysdalerotary.org.au

GOLDEN PLAINS ART TRAIL 19-20 MARCH

A dynamic mix of mediums, the Golden Plains Art Trail is an exciting collaboration between artists, council, community and local businesses as artists and makers from across the Golden Plains Shire open their homes, studios and hearts for a very special weekend of inspiration.

The event has been running since 2008 and is now a key date on the region’s arts and culture calendar with the 2016 trail featuring 72 artists, 25 venues and 15 home studios and unique opportunities to view and buy original works of art and craft directly from the artist. www.artstrail.com.au

WELCOME BACK ETCH GALLERY AND STUDIOS Robyn Mackay’s Etch Gallery and Studios is now located off the river-end of Pakington Street at 19c Rutland Street. Open to the public on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 4.00pm and Thursdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm, Etch is home to Robyn’s art gallery, working artist and print studio. Fellow local artists Robyn Sanford and Kim Jones also have working studios at Etch. www.etchgalleryandstudios.com

BUSINESS NEWS | 28

ARTS ANIMAL INSTINCT UNTIL MARCH 19

Since prehistoric cave paintings and throughout art history, animals have appeared in many guises in mythology and storytelling, and their physical and behavioural attributes have supplied artists with a wealth of inspiration and artistic metaphor.

Metropolis Gallery’s latest exhibition Animal Instinct explores how artists view animals and, at times, appropriate their characteristics to make sense of the human species and connect more with the natural world.

The exhibition presents diverse interpretations by a number of artists in a variety of mediums including Anita Barrett, Dean Bowen, Jazmina Cininas, Rona Green, Bridget Farmer, Gillie and Marc, Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison, Lucy Hardie, Sheridan Jones, Kyoko Imazu, Adrian Lockhart, John Ryrie, Judi Singleton, Jess Szigethy-Gyula, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Deborah Williams and Gail Willoughby. www.metropolisgallery.com.au

With a broad range of artists including fine artists, abstract artists, water colourists, illustrators and mixed media artists taking part, organisers Epilepsy Action Australia hope there will be pieces to suit all tastes and budgets. To view the art and place your bid, visit http://artforepilepsy.com.au

NEW APPOINTMENT FOR GEELONG PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE TRUST GPAC has announced the appointment of Back to Back Theatre’s Alice Nash to the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust.

Back to Back Theatre makes theatre from the hearts and minds of a unique ensemble of actors with intellectual disabilities.

Alice has been the Geelong-based company’s Executive Producer and co-CEO since 2003, overseeing its growth into one of Australia’s leading cultural exports.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley MP, described Alice as “a respected member of Victoria’s creative community and a big picture thinker” who had helped build Back to Back’s reputation for taking Geelong creativity across the globe.

Alice joins fellow members of the Trust: Robert Bett (Chair), Jane den Hollander (Deputy Chair), Jenny Blake, Robert Costa, Peter Dorling, Michelle Heagney, Geoff Saunders and Geoff Street.

Alice Nash

GEELONG AFTER DARK 6 MAY

Put this one in the diary for May - highlights for this year’s Geelong After Dark program have been released, promising a jam-packed line-up of exciting and unique performances, installations and arts experiences as the annual multi-award winning event transforms Central Geelong’s streets, laneways and venues during a night of discovery.

Up to 40 artists and arts groups (totalling over 200 people involved) will take part in a program of intriguing arts experiences, which will delight, inspire and be enjoyed by people of all ages.

This year’s highlights include an interactive and immersive sound installation caravan, a pop up winter wonderland, an art installation escaping its canvas and a one-man cabaret-styled documentary radio project set to air on ABC Radio National.

Adrian Lockhart Bird Woman 1, acrylic and graphite on canvas, 76x56cm

ART FOR EPILEPSY

www.geelongafterdark.com.au

UNTIL 26 MARCH

Over 40 artists, prominent and up and coming, across Australia have created or donated works of art to be auctioned until 26 March (a day of action for epilepsy known as Purple Day) to raise much needed funds for people living with epilepsy – and provide art lovers with a rare opportunity to snare some very special pieces by artists such as Mia Oatley, Michael Weitnauer, Erin Whitty, James Ainslie, Katie Mckinnon, Gabby Malpas, Marie Schlederer, Helen Treuel, Jacqui Macumber, Tony Walker and Claire Wee. The only stipulation was that each piece needed to contain the colour or shade purple, the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy.

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RIDE FOR DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

A

s Steve Andrews stood at the wake of his best friend’s wife, Anna, who had committed suicide after a long battle with depression, he thought about all the other people he knew were suffering from the illness and felt the need to raise community awareness and create a national conversation so that people living with mental ill health could feel able to talk about it and seek support.

In 2009, he embarked on a solo month-long motorbike journey around Australia, raising $34,000 for the Suicide Call Back Service and engaging thousands of Australians with his message of awareness.

Now, what began as one man’s ride to raise awareness of depression, has developed into a national suicide prevention charity involving thousands of Australian motorcycle riders who have raised over $2 million for mental health services and fostered mental health awareness around the country.

You can join thousands of other Australians riding for awareness of depression and suicide prevention by taking part in the Geelong Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer, one of 35 1 Dayer rides around Australia on 20 March.

Registration for the Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer is $27.50 rider / $12 pillion online and $30 rider / $15 pillion on the day. Registration fees (received online or on the day) and the sale of merchandise assists Black Dog Ride Australia with its nationwide charitable activities. All proceeds from donations related to the 1 Dayer and fundraising activities on the day are gifted to local mental health projects or organisations. For the Geelong ride, donations will support Lifeline Geelong-Barwon’s suicide prevention programs.

To register online visit https://geelongvic1dayer2016. eventbrite.com.au and for more information contact Ann-Maree on 0400 043 411, email geelong@blackdogride.com.au or visit www.blackdogride.com.au.

RIDE TO “END POLIO NOW”

Local Rotary Clubs, like their counterparts throughout the world, have been committed to the eradication of polio since 1985 and the worldwide effort has seen incidences of the crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease reduced by 99 per cent.

Ride the Bellarine, a ride to “End Polio Now” on 3 April will raise much needed funding to finally see the end of polio.

A project of the combined Rotary Clubs of Geelong and District, Ride the Bellarine takes in some of Victoria’s most scenic roads as it circles the Bellarine Peninsula. Three courses of 60km and 105km and the all-new 20km Family Ride, take participants from Eastern Gardens through Drysdale, Portarlington, St Leonards, Queenscliff, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Armstrong Creek before returning through Geelong to Eastern Gardens.

Visit www.ridethebellarine.com for more information and to register.

TREK THE SURF COAST FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

Joining the inaugural Surf Coast Trek for charity on 9 April will help make a real difference to the lives of those in need in Geelong and the Surf Coast.

Open to individuals and teams of four, the 40km trek from Aireys Inlet to Torquay along the Surf Coast Walk is a non-competitive community event to raise funds for local charities Kids Plus Foundation and the Give Where You Live Foundation.

To register and find some great tips on fundraising visit www.surfcoasttrek.com.au.

AUCTION @ THE MILL

Also supporting the Give Where You Live Foundation is a very special auction at the old Geelong Woollen Mills, Mackey Street, North Shore on 6 May to raise funds for Give Where You Live’s annual MAYDAY Appeal.

Organised by an external local committee, the night will feature auction items including a car, holiday packages, vouchers to local eateries and wineries and more.

Early Bird Tickets of $45 are available until 30 March and include entry to the auction, Little Creatures beer, wine from local producers, canapés and music.

To book your tickets, visit www.givewhereyoulive.com.au

JOIN THE WORLD’S LARGEST WOMEN’S MOVEMENT

YWCA Victoria is part of the World YWCA, the largest women’s organisation in the world. Present in 125 countries, the YWCA has been in operation since 1855 and engages with 25 million women and girls across the globe each year.

At a local level, YWCA Victoria works to mentor, empower and engage women and their communities through events, community programs, affordable housing and sporting clubs. Operating within a secular and feminist framework, we act as an advocate and campaigner for women’s rights across the state. The YWCA is proud to be a powerful voice for equality and equal opportunity.

Join the global women’s movement by becoming a member of YWCA Victoria. Connect, network and support Victorian women today.

Visit www.ywca.net for more information on how you can get involved.

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COMMUNITY

GMHBA HELPS LAUNCH THE NEW LAZARUS CENTRE

T

his year promises to be a big one with Karingal BacLinks calendar of events and projects looking very full and exciting.

Our year kicked off with the launch of the long awaited Lazarus Centre housed in the newly renovated Governor’s residence at the Old Geelong Gaol.

Partners, the Yarra St Uniting Church, Christ Church, Friends of St Mary’s, and Uniting Care have worked tirelessly to bring to fruition this muchneeded service to our community.

The Lazarus Centre is an important addition to the Geelong community as it will provide a safe, welcoming environment to our homeless and socially isolated community members, giving them access to showers, laundry and kitchen facilities and recreational access to computers, reading rooms, gardens and other comfortable leisure areas.

Six keen GMHBA employee volunteers took time out from their working day to assist them to set up for the breakfast launch, serve food and coffee, and engage with dignitaries and guests.

Karingal BacLinks Manager, Jo Forssman, said they were pleased to once again work with GMHBA to assist them to meet their objectives of providing genuine support to local organisations through projects such as this.

“GMHBA is committed to supporting the Geelong community,” said Amy Gillett, GMHBA Community Manager.

‘SHARE THE DIGNITY’ INITIATIVE

The GMHBA team taking time out at the Lazarus Centre “Helping out at the launch of the Lazarus Centre provided us with another opportunity to make a contribution to our community and was another great way for our staff to connect with the people who make up our community.”

Just a small taste of what is coming up this year…

As a result of the #itsinthebag initiative, Karingal BacLinks was able to pass on to 50 Karingal participants from Transcend and Individual Support divisions beautiful bags filled with thoughtful items such as toiletries, personal and sanitary items, as well as other practical and appropriate products. We’d like to thank Share the Dignity for their generous support of Karingal and everyone who has contributed to this wonderful initiative.

2016 WILL SEE KARINGAL BACLINKS PRESENT A ‘WHAT WE DO DAY’ FOR BUSINESS. This project has been very successful in the past in introducing students to the potential of the diverse employment opportunities Karingal offer. With a twist it promises to be an enlightening opportunity for our business partners to learn about the extensive range of services Karingal provides and how these services may be of benefit to them.

KARNIVART PRIZE AND EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN THE NEW EASTERN HUB The beautiful new rammed earth Eastern Hub, located on the corner of McKillop and Humble Streets, East Geelong, opens in late April and will offer brilliant facilities for use by the Geelong Community.

This year’s KarnivART Geelong exhibition will take advantage of the Hub’s soaring ceilings, curved walls and spacious open spaces to showcase the wonderful artistic contributions submitted by artists with a disability or mental illness within Victoria. The Hub will host the official launch and announcement of the winner on the 4th May. The exhibition will be open to the public everyday between 7.00am

Tracey Bull (right) and some colleagues from Karingal with a selection of the fabulous bags

and 3.00pm. The Hub will also host Karingal BacLinks second breakfast for the year in June.

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N

ational Youth Week is an annual, week-long celebration of young people (aged 12–25) throughout Australia.

It is a joint initiative of the Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments. It gives young people an opportunity to express their ideas, views and act on issues affecting their lives.

Each year, Australia-wide events are organised to celebrate and recognise the contribution of young people. Over 20,000 youths participated in 2015.

In partnership with the Australian Government, the Victorian Government is again providing National Youth Week grants of up to $2,000 to fund these community events. On 8 February 2016 the Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos MP, announced more than $225,000 in funding for 115 organisations to stage events across Victoria as part of National Youth Week 2016.

Funded events for Geelong include: COGG Autumn Sounds, Ocean Grove’s Neighbourhood Centre Youth Art Show and North Geelong Secondary College’s Going Strong event.

Geelong has a number of service centres available to youths and their families with many incorporating volunteer services.

Staff Voluntary days are a great way for local businesses to get involved with the community bringing much needed assistance to these mostly Not for Profit organisations.

National Youth Week 2016 will be held from 8 April to 17 April 2016.

D

iversitat Youth have been offering education to youth in the Geelong region who have become disengaged from mainstream school for almost 20 years. We offer a range of programs aimed at giving Geelong’s Youth a second chance at their education and hope that they will be able to move into further study or work.

Many of our students have come to us with a history of noncompletion in the mainstream education setting. We offer a relaxed learning environment, small class sizes and time for one on one assistance. For some students success would be a completed VCAL certificate, for others it may be the completion of an entire years schooling for the first time or the confidence to re-commence mainstream education, training or employment. The completion rate across our programs is exceptionally high for these young people.

The key to our success has been a strong focus on the student’s welfare and a culture of respect in the programs. Our staff come from a variety of backgrounds including Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registered teachers, trade qualified, welfare qualified trainers and business owners. Having staff from different backgrounds means there is no shortage of ideas for class projects, often linked to a fundraiser for a community organisation.

Last year our classes volunteered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Melbourne, raised money for The Refugee Christmas Appeal and planted trees on the Barwon Coast. You Turn Trade made mobility boards for a disability program. We have a strong focus on giving back to the community.

Thanks to strong community and industry support our You Turn Trade program is able to offer authentic trade tasters to eligible students. As you can appreciate offering the facilities of a modern fully equipped workshop to our youth is an expensive operation but ensures that they get the best hands on trade experiences.

We have 2 program sites in Geelong. Our VCAL programs run from 83 Ryrie Street Geelong and our Trade facility is at 76 Furner Ave North Geelong.

Our accredited programs are State government funded under VTG and our VCAL programs are considered Full Time by Centrelink.

BUSINESS NEWS | 34

F

rom a Dual Diagnosis of Bi-Polar & Aspergers at 15 years-old, the past nine years has been a journey for Grace towards, in her words, “a better place”, to understand her illness more and, with the support of her family and support agency, learn strategies to cope.

Personal recovery has been defined as ‘a deeply personal, unique process of changing one’s attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles... a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life, even with the limitations caused by illness’.

Grace has been supported by Pathways for the past 6 years and identified her personal goals to become more independent, with a main focus on employment. Grace and her support worker worked on tasks around the family home - cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, budgeting.

In 2014, Grace completed a Certificate IV in Disability and took further steps to achieve her employment goals by seeking guidance from Astara (Disability Employment Service) to support and complete a resume. Support from Pathways at this time was focused on identifying the key selection criteria of specific job application, knowledge of the interview process, what to wear, and practising possible interview questions.

Diversitat Youth Services 83 Ryrie St, Geelong 03 5223 3222 www.diversitat.org.au/youth

Pathways HYE – Highlighting Youth Engagement 61 Pakington Street, GEELONG WEST VIC 3218 Ph: (03) 5228 8295 www.hyepathways.com.au

Barwon Child, Youth & Family

At Grace’s first interview, as she describes, she was “knocked back”, but from this grew more determination to do better in the next interview. Grace is currently working at Karingal in disability residential work four-days per week. She continues to see her Pathways Support Worker for support around work (e.g. when to take medication if at work, drowsiness) as well as sleeping patterns and exercise.

Grace also attends the Out There Group at Pathways and reports that she enjoys socialising and catches up with friends outside the group.

She said she has a good support network at Pathways, and makes an effort to see Out There Group as much as she can, as being part of the group betters her health. She talks about the friends she has made in the group and said that being with Pathways has helped her to achieve her goals.

Head Office: 12-14 Halstead Place, Geelong West Ph: 03 5221 4466 www.bcyf.org.au

COGG Hubs, drop-ins and places: The fOrt (North Geelong), South Youth drop in (Grovedale), Old Post offices youth hub (Central Geelong), Youth activities area (Geelong Waterfront). For more info: www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youth

YoDAA YoDAA is Victoria’s Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice service.

For Youth AOD advice call YoDAA (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) on 1800 458 685 www.yodaa.org.au

T

YSAS Geelong Residential Withdrawal

The focus is on recovery, and participants are supported to overcome barriers and obstacles to a meaningful and fulfilling life. They are supported to improve every day functionality, and finding meaning in life through their own goals of education, employment and social connection.

Barwon Health

his Pathways program has been designed with early intervention in mind, for ages 12 - 25 years. The Youth Connections team works in conjunction with headspace Barwon and Barwon Health Youth Mental Health services, to support youth who have a history of disengagement from services, community and everyday life due to experiencing mental health issues.

Free Call: 1800 287 585 www.ysas.org.au/ysas-geelongresidential-withdrawal

The team work intensively with clients on an individual basis to work on mood, anxiety, selfesteem, substance use, relationship problems, poor health and further service engagement.

Early intervention in these cases are proven to help prevent participants becoming long term users of mental health services – the hope is that they journey to a point where they no longer require services and have found their own hope, meaning and purpose in life!

Barwon Health Youth Mental Health 24/7 enquiries and referrals: 1300 094 187 www.barwonhealth.org.au/services

headspace Geelong 105 Yarra St, (enter via Little Ryrie), Geelong headspacegeelong@westvicphn.com.au www.facebook.com/headspaceBarwon

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES • Dedicated Youth Support Team • Group Programs for Youth • Geelong’s only specialist Mental Health Agency • 30 years experience providing Mental Health Support in our region

Ph: 5229 8295

www.pathways.org.au BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 35

T 1 h to c T b s th T

the

ELEVATOR

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

TheCourseBank Learning Information Management System Aprika Business Solutions is a software consultancy specialising in the cloud-based Salesforce.com CRM system. Aprika offers a wide-range of consulting services to help clients maximise their return on investment.

We have vast knowledge and expert understanding of the Salesforce.com Platform and bring genuine commitment and passion to delivering a high-quality service to our clients.

With over 40 years combined experience, we have successfully implemented Salesforce.com for over 200 clients across numerous industries including financial services, property development, automotive, software and manufacturing.

Aprika has also developed a range of solutions that are listed on the AppExchange, Salesforce.com’s online business app market place. Apps include Mission Control, a feature-rich project management solution that provides Gantt Charts, Kanban project boards, resource schedulers, timesheets and financial tracking.

With a passion for surfing, the directors, Colin Johnson and Chris Woolcott moved the business from Melbourne to Torquay 4 years ago. Being 100% cloud-based Aprika is able to service clients across the globe, whilst providing employees a great work/life balance.

Aprika is also proud to be the winner of the Small Business of the Year Award in the 2015 Geelong Business Excellence Awards.

Queenscliff’s iconic family hotel The Esplanade, affectionately known by most as The Espy, has been providing delicious food and drink since it was first established in 1879, and has just recently reopened under new ownership.

Whether you are looking for a destination for your family get-together or celebration, somewhere to stop for lunch on your day trip out of Melbourne, or just needing a cold drink to save yourself from the heat, The Esplanade Hotel’s indoor and outdoor dining areas offer something for everyone. On offer is the magnificent sun deck & beer garden, alongside a sports bar and bistro.

At The Esplanade we can cater for all functions, big or small, and have the ability to cater for weddings, birthdays and much more!

Located on the corner of Symonds and Gellibrand Streets, The Esplanade Hotel looks over magnificent Princes Park and across to the Queenscliff pier, making it the perfect destination for a meal or drink as soon as you get on or off the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry.

www.aprika.com.au/facebook www.aprika.com.au/twitter www.aprika.com.au/linkedin www.youtube.com/user/aprikabizsolutions

Established and reliable and accepted as a major training tool, TCB is a policies and records management system and an invaluable technology partner for the pedagogical mentor, TCB is the leading-edge, low-cost investment for companies determined to meet workplace dutyof-care obligations and training qualifications compliance; invaluable as a governance partner.

Peace of mind is provided for the client company, and its management through workplace and site inductions to skills transfer activities and from workplace safety to quality control.

The TCB learning and management information system (or platform) is multi-layered, the client authorised administrator is able to drill down through those layers, tracking and processing the progress of participants.

Tens, hundreds or thousands of users are processed and managed for each client within the TCB interactive online environment, globally.

As a repository for its policies and procedures and other business support documents, TCB operates in its secure and protected online environment.

TCB will prepare client material for online delivery, upload it, adopting the client company branding and seamlessly present it to the world, without fuss.

For further details, please visit our website, www.aprika.com.au or call 1300 446 133.

Colin Johnson Managing Director colin.johnson@aprika.com.au Ph: 0418 165 511 or 1300 446 133

Inter-active online participation is now in its third decade: TheCourseBank (TCB) has been there, online and fully inter-active since the beginning.

2 Gellibrand Street Queenscliff VIC 3225 Tel: 03 5258 1717 Email: info@espyhotel.com.au The-Espy-Hotel-Queenscliff espyhotelqueenscliff

BUSINESS NEWS | 36

Contact The CourseBank PO Box 564, Geelong, VIC 3220 Call on 03 9028 2589 or email Martin Stow mbstow@thecoursebank.com.au

www.thecoursebank.com.au

THE ELEVATOR

Welcome to tomi Lounge, Café & Bar. Got a good idea? Don’t know where to start?

You’ve been thinking about it. That opportunity, that marketing campaign, that ideal client …

There are a million reasons why that project won’t get off the ground. I’m too busy. No idea where to start. It probably won’t work anyway.

These are no longer excuses. Let’s talk.

Business Growth

•S trategies and action plans •B etter branding •C lient nurturing •M arketing campaigns

Projects

•B rainstorming IDEAS • F inding opportunities •D iscovering niche markets • E vent Management

Social Media

• Management of social media channels • T raining and implementation

Content

•W ebsite refresh •N ailing your message •B logs and newsletters •C ontent marketing plans

Connections

•C onnecting with the right people •M edia engagement B well connected. Where good ideas are connected, raised and nurtured.

I’m Neil Butler from The Biz Whiz.

Since 1989, I have been working with organisations of all shapes and sizes, helping them to grow their business, identifying issues and developing innovative solutions for them.

Along the way, I have gathered all sorts of ideas that have made a positive difference to the way that small and medium sized businesses can operate.

What I want to do now is to use that knowledge and experience to help small and medium sized businesses to fly. Not just exist. I want them to discover new ways of doing things. I want the owners and proprietors to realise that running your own business can be an exciting, fun and profitable thing to do in your life.

The Biz Whiz is not a standard, structured business coaching program. Those programs also have their place and add value to many businesses. But that’s not The Biz Whiz.

No, The Biz Whiz has been established to be different. To provide a different perspective. To be flexible to YOUR needs not ours. We take the time to understand what YOU want to achieve before we get started.

Get in touch with me at www.bizwhiz.com.au and let’s get your business flying!

Situated in the heart of Geelong’s CBD, tomi is the latest Lounge Cafe & Bar offering guests a relaxing & comfortable ambience.

Owners Jason and Caron bring a wealth of experience to tomi having previously owned successful venues across Geelong including the old Maddissons Lounge in Westfield.

A dramatic transformation of their new Malop St digs took place late in 2015 which has bought a modern and vibrant element to the evolving streetscape.

Once inside, you can expect to relax on comfortable lounges and be surrounded with modern furnishings and cool lighting.

The menu boasts fantastic daily specials, breakfast (served til 12pm), an affordable all-day menu, dinner, desserts and amazing tapas & sharing plates for an entertaining night out with friends!

When it comes to wetting the whistle, you can be sure you will leave satisfied and in some cases – well hydrated.

Tomi serves great coffee and a selection of herbal teas (take-away available) and for those after something a little more risqué; beer, wine and cider plus an extensive cocktail list (named after some Hollywood greats) is sure to keep you smiling.

Reservations are welcome and tomi can also cater for your next private function including birthdays, engagement parties, family reunions or business meetings.

We look forward to serving you!

Belinda Lyle

0409 432 196 Belinda@bwellconnected.com.au PO Box 7040 Geelong West, Victoria, Australia (03) 5280 8044 http://www.bizwhiz.com.au/

www.bwellconnected.com.au

/bizwhizau

/bizwhizau

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 37 /bwellconnected

Opening Hours 7 days a week – 7.30am til late 64 Malop St Geelong, VIC 3220

Ph: (03) 5229 6437

Upcoming

BUSINESS EVENTS

March 2016 RIVERS GIFT ANNUAL CHARITY GALA BALL – VEGAS NIGHTS! HOST: Josh Buckle (K-Rock) WHEN: March 12th, 2016 TIME: 6.30pm – 11.30pm WHERE: Mercure Geelong COST: $135 or $1300 for a table of 10 BOOKINGS: www.trybooking.com/KCSK CONTACT: Nerissa 0402 263 959 The bright lights of Vegas call as Rivers Gift raises funds to SOS (Stamp Out SIDS).

WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL WHEN: 12-14 March 2016 WHERE: R oyal Geelong Yacht Club, Eastern Beach

GEELONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - MARCH AFTER 5

LARA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

WHEN: Thursday, 17 March, 2016

TIME: 10am-4pm

TIME: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

WHERE: Diversitat Northern Community Hub Arunga Ave, Norlane

COST: FREE for Chamber members only

CONTACT: Geelong Chamber of Commerce PHONE: Jody Keating - 5222 2234 www.geelongchamber.com.au

6 KEYS TO A WINNING TEAM WHEN: Thursday 17th March TIME: 9:30am – 11:30am

WHERE: 398 Latrobe Terrace, Newtown COST: Free FACILITIES: Catering and/or dining, Children’s COST: Free activities, First Aid available, Seating/viewing CONTACT: Shelley King areas, Toilets available, Undercover areas, Wheelchair accessible

ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: RGYC CONTACT: Stuart Dickson PHONE: 0417379860 EMAIL: stuart.dickson47@gmail.com.au

GQC/GMC EVENT “SYKES, LIGHTER & SMARTER”

PHONE: (03) 5221 8969

EMAIL: shelley@actioncoachgeelong.com.au MORE INFO & BOOK ONLINE:

www.businesscoachgeelong.com.au/team

WHEN: 20 March, 2016 WHERE: Pirra Homestead, 108 Windermere Road, Lara

COST: $5 entry, under 18’s free

FACILITIES: Free parking, Free Childrens activities - Cooking, competitions live music & more!

CONTACT: www.larafoodandwinefestival.com.au

GEELONG YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PRESENTS MICHAEL MCQUEEN WHEN: Wednesday 23rd of March 2016 TIME: 7am breakfast

WHERE: T he Captains Room, Simonds Stadium entry off Latrobe Tce

COST: $55 includes cooked breakfast

CONTACT: www.facebook.com/GYPcommittee The Geelong Young Professionals committee deliver events for young professionals with the view to advance business amongst peers and within the Geelong Region.

GEELONG BUSINESS CAFE

The Business Cafe is an informal networking DEVELOP YOUR ONLINE STRATEGY environment where you can come along, WHEN: Wednesday, 23 March, 2016 WHEN: Wednesday, 16 March, 2016 network with other businesses and the Enterprise TIME: 1:30pm to 5pm Geelong Team.

TIME: 8:15am to 10:45am WHERE: G eelong Council Offices, 100 WHERE: S ykes Racing, 65-67 Tucker Street, WHEN: Thursday 17th March Brougham Street, Geelong Breakwater TIME: 7.30am - 9.00am COST: $30 COST: Free to Geelong Manufacturing Council / WHERE: W inters Cafe, 330 Pakington Street, Engineering Network Geelong Members.

FACILITIES: Wheelchair access Geelong West ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Geelong CONTACT: Michelle Higgins - Enterprise Manufacturing Council, Geelong Quality Council RSVP: Enterprise Geelong info@ Geelong, City of Greater Geelong & Business enterprisegeelong.com.au or call 5272 4888 CONTACT: Flavio Giurco on 0439 319 249 Victoria Registrations are essential as places are limited EMAIL: Flavio@oqs.com.au PHONE: 03 5272 5138 to a maximum of 45 people.

EMAIL: info@enterprisegeelong.com.au

BELLARINE BUSINESS

WHEN: Wednesday 16th March, 2016 TIME: 6-8pm VENUE: TBC! CONTACT: www.facebook.com/

bellarinebusiness for more details

BUSINESS IN HEELS GEELONG

FUNDING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS The Industry Skills Fund assists businesses to invest in training and to develop innovative training solutions.

WHEN: Monday, 21 March, 2016

-R emove the fear, feel confident and at ease on the stage

TIME: 9:30am to 11:00am

WHERE: Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Suite 13 Level 2, 10 Moorabool Street, Geelong

WHERE: N AB Business Centre, 43-45

COST: $10 including GST

WHEN: 12th-14th April, 9-5pm approx.

COST: $40 per person CONTACT: Deb Fribbins or Emma Atkinson

5222 2234

geelong@businessinheels.com 0400 524 451

-D esign, practice and perfect your signature speech.

- Learn how to captivate and connect with the audience

WHEN: Wednesday, 16 March, 2016 TIME: 7pm - 9pm WHERE: Jack & Jill Restaurant (upstairs), 237

Moorabool Street, Geelong

PRUE MORRISON – THE ART OF SPEAKING FROM STAGE

Brougham St, Geelong VIC

heck website – early bird tickets CONTACT: Small Business Smart Business 03 COST: C now available!

EMAIL: liz.grant@geelongchamber.com.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU BUSINESS NEWS | 38| 38

CONTACT: www.pruemorrison.com/events

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 39

CONFERENCE & EVENTS

HOW TO HOST A SUCCESSFUL EVENT

“W

hy don’t you host an event?’ We all want to bring likeminded people together to form working connections and help to grow our businesses and organisations.

Events can be a very effective way of letting people know what you do and how you can help them with what they do.

But, like anything else in business, the trick lies in getting it right.

Here are some insights and ideas to help you make business events work for you, rather than just being more work to do.

TARGET Why are you hosting an event in the first place? Do you want to attract new customers and thank valued clients? Do you want to launch a new product or service? Do you want to position the business in a certain sector?

Think about who you want to come to your event, and why.

Setting some clear goals should be the very first thing you do.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING Business people, people who work, are almost all busy people; and yours will be just another in a string of event invitations they get. Give careful consideration to when you hold your event.

Think about the time of day – outside or during business hours – and have a look at local events calendars to see what else is on that day. Double booking events happens, it’s hard to avoid, but a little Googling can help avoid the more embarrasing clashes.

And give yourself plenty of time to pull the event together. Three to six months is the standard – anything less than eight weeks and you will quickly regret having raised the idea in the first place.

TEAM UP Events can be hard work, and typically the organising falls to a few people. If you don’t have a dedicated event organiser, consider teaming up with a partner business or organisation.

Not only can you widen the appeal of the event and your contacts list, but you can also share the organising load.

KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL Always, always have a detailed budget for events and keep it updated. Track costs and delivery times and keep event details on a database that can be accessed by everyone involved.

Have contingencies in place. Stuff happens, often when you don’t want it to. Don’t bank on things going wrong, but have a few backup plans, just in case.

SAVE THE DATE Giving people plenty of notice of your event is great, but most people won’t know what their availability is until a few weeks out, so follow up, remind, and then do it again. Put hash tags around events on Twitter and promote the event on Facebook, and send personally addressed invitations on email.

PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE A bad event is one no one comes to …

DELIGHT & EXCITE It can’t be said too often, business events are all too commonly [yawn… think I’ll just check Twitter… this has got to be over soon] boring!

BUSINESS NEWS | 40

CONFERENCE & EVENTS You must be excited enough about what you have to offer or what you’re promoting to even want to hold an event in the first place. Share that excitement!

If people are bothering to turn up in the first place, they are already interested. Your job is to take that interest and boost it up as much as you can in the short time that you have their attention.

LESS IS MORE When speaking, try not to make the mistake of trying to get everything you want to say into your introduction speech. You have the rest of the event to get around and talk to people personally, and your staff or colleagues will be doing the same.

Keep non-keynote speeches short and to the point. If you are spending more than 10 minutes on announcements, it’s too long.

Dot-pointed notes help to keep you on topic and can calm those speaking in public nerves. If you have speaking notes on a phone or tablet, make sure it’s charged!

ALLOW GUESTS SOME DOWNTIME How many times have you turned up to an event and seen at least a dozen people you want to speak to, only to find in a jampacked schedule that you are tied to a table the entire time?

Business people turn up to events to talk to other business people. So give them that time, and that means you can talk to them too.

THE BASICS These are non-negotiables – the must-dos of a well-run event: -C atering 101: allow for food allergies/intolerances and confirm numbers with the caterer.

-C heck and familiarise yourself with the AV equipment and event set-up (i.e. where things are going to go in the room.

-B rief all suppliers: know that everyone who has a job to do in delivering your event knows what is happening during the event and what you need from them.

-H ave a running sheet. It solves so many problems.

-H ave a database of attendees including contact names, business/organisation, phone numbers and email addresses.

-B rief your staff/committee/partners. You are going to be busy and guests will ask questions of anyone who looks like they might be involved in organising the event. Ensure they have the answers.

After the event: - Send thank you messages to organisers, staff, speakers and sponsors.

-P ost photos and an event overview on social media and/or your website.

-H it the database and thank guests for coming.

-C lose off your budget and report on attendance/costs and evaluate what worked well and what you could do better next time.

- Relax and congratulate yourselves on an event done well.

The Bellarine’s Most Beautiful Conference Venue

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 41

BUSINESS NEWS | 42

CONFERENCE & EVENTS

HIP, GREEN AND ON THE MOVE . .

C

Curlewis Corporate Cache

orporate events with a difference are fast becoming a specialty at Curlewis Golf Club, the much loved and iconic ‘emerald’ of The Bellarine. Located just one hour from Melbourne and 15 minutes from Geelong, Curlewis Golf Club is powering ahead with the enviable reputation as the fastest growing golf club in Australia.

In the last six months alone, more than 85 members have joined Curlewis. In addition, the spectacular course recently catapulted up the Australian Top 100 Course rankings from 88 to 78 and is primed to continue its ascent with a suite of ongoing course and club house improvements as well as a range of great new events and opportunities for corporate golfers of all ages and abilities.

“Here at Curlewis, we are really tailoring golf days with events and activities designed to suit the clientele with the main emphasis of course being on fun and team building,” said Brenden Caligari, Curlewis Club Manager.

“Every company has different reasons and desired outcomes for initiating a corporate golf event and the options for the ‘ideal’ golf day are only limited to the imagination - a classic round, an ambrose format, a simple driving comp, ‘skins’ comp, putting comp, beat the Pro. . .the list goes on!”

Mr Caligari said that people were loving the options of matching their tailored golf events with the host of dining opportunities on offer at Curlewis.

“Gourmet BBQs, breakfasts, canapes on the East deck, roving refreshment carts, on course pop-ups featuring local food and wine tasting, a more formal sit-down dining experience in the Club House to mention a few.”

Hot off the docks from the USA, the recently introduced stable of GolfBoards will add yet another exhilarating dimension to the fun component of corporate golf events at Curlewis. A fusion between a skateboard, classic golf cart and a Segway, GolfBoards are a most exciting and enjoyable way to experience the Curlewis golf course.

“They are fantastic fun, easy to learn and can be mastered by just about anyone in a few minutes,” “GolfBoard offers golfers the chance to experience the natural undulation of the fairways in a whole new way – don’t think it’s just for a younger demographic either, the young at heart are loving GolfBoard as well!”

Curlewis Golf Club 1345 Portarlington Road, Curlewis Ph: 5251 2534 www.curlewisgolf.com.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 43

CONFERENCE & EVENTS

BUSINESS EVENTS = ECONOMIC GROWTH

D

id you know: Business Events is the highest yielding sector of the Tourism Industry and is worth $3.4 billion to the Victorian Economy.

Mark Day, Convention Bureau Manager, Business Events Geelong said Business Events Geelong focuses on lifting the profile of the region as a contender within the business events sector to increase this market share.

“The average spend by a delegate attending a business event is

$330 per day, which contributes to a significant amount of yield for the region,” Mr Day said.

“The value of a region hosting a business event can be seen far wider than just by those directly involved in the delivery of the event. It is important to take into account all of the expenditure during the visit such as shopping and eating out. Many delegates also opt to arrive early or stay on which leads to further spend in the region.”

Experience Mindful Meetings

by Mercure Geelong from $49pp*

* For every $2,500 you spend we’ll donate a Bed & Breakfast Voucher to your chosen local Geelong Charity. Please mention this advert to receive one complimentary data projector hire per day per event. Contact Kerrie Benfield our Conference & Events Sales Manager on 5223 6215 for further details.

www.me rc ureg e e lo n g . c o m . au BUSINESS NEWS | 44

*Terms & Conditions Apply

CONFERENCE & EVENTS The How of the Where: choosing a great venue This basically comes down to what meets your needs best! You need to consider: Capacity – how many people do you need to cater for? Do you require break out spaces?

Style – do you want a unique or a contemporary space?

Location – do you want a CBD location? Do you require accommodation on site or within a short walk?

Access – do you need to be close to public transport? What about parking options? Does the building have disability access?

This is where Business Events Geelong can help!

Let the Experts Help Finding it hard to source the perfect venue? Why not ask Business Events Geelong to support you by locating exceptional conference venues, unique function spaces, quality accommodation, professional support services and amazing experiences.

Business Events Geelong guarantees you will gain the highest level of specialised support to ensure that your next conference or business event is a success.

Our services are completely free and include: Managing requests for proposals Production of tailored professional bid Conducting venue site inspections Hosting regional familiarisations Referring the best of our locally based professional support services Assistance with pre- and post-event touring options

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 45

AFTER HOURS

Brett & Linda Wood with their staff from Bretts Jewellers.

Celeste & Adrian Litterick and George Wood

A SPARKLING CELEBRATION Celebrating a new brand, Brett’s Jewellers, and a brand new home at 100a Pakington Street, Brett and Linda Wood welcomed clients and guests to an exclusive launch of the new-look Artworks Jewellers in February. The fine jewellery makers are a Geelong institution and the new showroom is housed in a building the Woods have been eyeing off for years.

Lynda Scott & Sam Joyce

Laura Sexton, Brett Wood, Roxanne Bennett, Tanya & Jodie Carroll

BUSINESS NEWS | 46

AFTER HOURS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT NORTHERN FUTURES BREAKFAST Guests at the Northern Futures Industry Partners Breakfast were recently given some food for thought by social justice campaigner Rev Tim Costello and Give Where You Live chief executive Bill Mithen.

Mr Mithen spoke about GROW (G21 Region Opportunities for Work) and the GROW Compact which acknowledges that ‘addressing disadvantage is everybody’s business’.

In November 2015, 20 Geelong organisations signed up to the Compact, committing themselves to stimulating inclusive jobs growth and increasing local investment to maximise economic and social outcomes in targeted areas across the G21 region.

Mr Mithen urged other Geelong businesses to sign up to the Compact.

Peter Dorling,Lou Brazier,Rev Tim Costello Bill Mithen,Simon Ramsay MLC

John Miles, Kate Betts

Anne O’Brien, Lou Brazier, Tim Harrop

Helen Long, Bruce King

Hugh Palmer, Maria Zaluski, Colleen Monk BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 47

Bernadette Uzelac, Bill Mithen

Lucy O’Reilly, Susan Eyton, Jonathan De Unamuno.

AFTER HOURS

COMMITTEE FOR GEELONG ANNUAL LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST WITH BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Menna Rawlings CMG, delivered the keynote speech at Committee for Geelong’s Annual Leadership Breakfast on February 18 2016. Over 350 people heard Ms Rawlings share her views on leadership and the important role it plays in our community as Geelong transforms.

Photos by Barefoot Media

Stan Corner, Rebecca Casson, Her Excellency Menna Rawlings, Dan Simmonds

Her Excellency Menna Rawlings

Summer Buckland, Vicki King, Ella Killworth

Tamara Reinisch, Miranda Bruyniks, Rosemary White BUSINESS NEWS | 48

AFTER HOURS

Jean Paul & Professor Barry Cooper

Deb Nash & Robert Pascoe

Ryan Chamley, Alvaro Revelo & Libby Pollard

Julie Hope, Julie & Robert Hunter

Simon Flowers, Wes Smith & Bernadette Uzelac

IS IT YOUR TIME TO SHINE?

The 31st Powercor Geelong Business Excellence Awards were officially launched in February, promising to showcase the best of the best of business in the Geelong region.

The Awards are the oldest continuously running and most prestigious business awards programs in Australia, and provide a significant recognition and celebration of business achievement and performance.

Entry in the Awards is an ideal opportunity for businesses to undergo an in-depth review of their operations, achievements and community involvement. The 2016 Awards program will culminate with a gala presentation dinner on Thursday 18 August.

Information sessions are underway, with session details available at www.gbea.com.au

BIZNEWSMAG.COM.AU | 49

AFTER HOURS

SUMMER IN THE VINES AT CLYDE PARK Hosts Ian Cover and Paula Kontelj kept 140 guest entertained in a celebration of local produce at the spectacular setting of Clyde Park Vineyard at the Give Where You Live Foundation’s Summer in the Vines dinner.

Guests enjoyed a five course degustation menu plus matched wines from Clyde Park Vineyard while raising funds for Geelong’s most vulnerable people.

Bill Mithen, CEO Give Where You Live Foundation said “Summer in the Vines is the perfect night out to enjoy local produce and wines, all while raising funds for the Geelong community and we are thrilled to announce that over $22,000 was raised on the evening”.

Marian & Grant St Quentin, Mae & Gary Hill and Bronwyn & Darryl Starkey

Todd & Jacquie Devine and Phil & Danni Anglin

CORPORATE TRAINING Our team of Accredited Exercise Scientists are the best in the game.

• Professionally run group sessions • Ergonomic assessments

Colin & Georgia MacCreadie

• Workplace health checks

For a free consultation on how to maximise your teams productivity and take the next step in shaping your employees the right way, call or email today:

(03) 52 487 079 geelongrehabilitationcentre@gmail.com www.geelongrehabilitationcentre.com.au EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | REMEDIAL MASSAGE | YOGA DIETETICS | CORPORATE TRAINING | WORK HEALTH CHECKS

BUSINESS NEWS | 50

Stephanie Cickayne & Annie Kennedy

AFTER BOOKS HOURS

CITY OF THORNS NINE LIVES IN THE WORLD’S LARGEST REFUGEE CAMP Ben Rawlence To the charity workers, Dabaab refugee camp is a humanitarian crisis; to the Kenyan government, it is a ‘nursery for terrorists’; to the western media, it is a dangerous no-go area; but to its half a million residents, it is their last resort. Situated hundreds of miles from any other settlement, deep within the inhospitable desert of northern Kenya where only thorn bushes grow, Dadaab is a city like no other. Its buildings are made from mud, sticks or plastic, its entire economy is grey, and its citizens survive on rations and luck. Over the course of four years, Ben Rawlence became a first-hand witness to a strange and desperate limbo-land, getting to know many of those who have come there seeking sanctuary. Among them are Guled, a former child soldier who lives for football; Nisho, who scrapes an existence by pushing a wheelbarrow and dreaming of riches; Tawane, the indomitable youth leader; and schoolgirl Kheyro, whose future hangs upon her education. Lucid, vivid and illuminating, here is an urgent human story with deep international repercussions, brought to life through the people who call Dabaab home.

AERIAL PERSPECTIVE: GEELONG AND SURROUNDS Lindy Lee & Karen Pegg From the molten gold sea that is Corio Bay at sunset to the bisected mirror panes of the saltpans, Aerial Perspective offers up a stunning bird’s eye view of our region. Artist Karen Pegg and pilot Lindy Lee are neighbours and friends, and this book is the result of twelve months spent with Lindy piloting her aircraft with Lindy strapped in beside her, with the door open and camera pointed on the scenes below. Captured in its pages are the lace-edged braid of surf hitting the shores of the region’s beaches, the impressionist shapes on the water surface of the Western Treatment Plant, the orderly tent city of the Queenscliff Music Festivalthe eerily vibrant algal blooms on waterways, sweeping vistas, surprising patterns and broad panoramas. If a picture tells a thousand words, then this book is a saga of the beauty of living in Geelong and surrounds. The book is available at aerialperspectivebook.com

THE STORYTELLER’S SECRET: FROM TED SPEAKERS TO BUSINESS LEGENDS, WHY SOME IDEAS CATCH ON AND OTHERS DON’T Carmine Gallo How did an American immigrant without a college education go from Venice Beach t-shirt vendor to television’s most successful producer? How did a timid pastor’s son surmount a paralysing fear of public speaking to sell out Yankee Stadium, twice? How did the city of Tokyo create a PowerPoint stunning enough to win them the chance to host the Olympics? They told brilliant stories. In his hugely attended Talk Like TED events, bestselling author and communications guru Carmine Gallo found, again and again, that audiences wanted to discover the keys to telling a powerful story. The Storyteller’s Secret unlocks the answer in fifty lessons from visionary leaders - each of whom cites storytelling as a crucial ingredient in success. A good story can spark action and passion; it can revolutionise the way people think and spur them to chase their dreams. Isn’t it time you shared yours?

COMETH THE HOUR Jeffrey Archer Ah, blessed escapism. Books that make us think, and particularly the books that make us think about the way we think can be treasures; they can even change your life. But there is something satisfyingly decadent and self-indulgent about pouring your time into the pages of a book that carries you along for a thrilling ride and that requires little more of you than your time and your eyes to be open. If you need a bit of joyous escapism, the careening pace, shocks, twists and the occasional spiralling cliffhanger of Jeffrey Archer’s Clifton Chronicles could be just what you’re looking for. Cometh the Hour is the penultimate book in the series and opens with the reading of a suicide note, which has devastating consequences for the Cliftons and those around them. Archer’s characters may walk the halls of power, befriend towering figures of world politics and commerce, but their successes, failures and even their very survival depend on the everyday stuff – friendships, trust and greed.

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