Business News 225

FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

ISSUE 225 DECEMBER 2013

Standing The Test Of Time

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE

For 2014 Oates Vic Open Men’s & Women’s Championships BE PART OF THE 2014 OATES VICTORIAN OPEN Corporate Partnerships are now available for the Feb 20-23 event at 13th Beach Golf Links In its inaugural year in the Geelong region, the 2013 event attracted over 20,000 spectators, world class fields of male and female pro golfers and generated significant media coverage including a free-to-air TV program.

CORPORATE BENEFITS INCLUDE: TV & radio exposure Pro-Am teams Course & clubhouse signage Corporate hospitality Digital advertising Product displays Branding on event materials Reserved car parking Advertising in the Golf Victoria magazine Post tournament corporate golf opportunities at 13th Beach Golf Links Networking opportunities & relationship building Plus much more…

For enquiries or a copy of the Corporate Partnerships Guide, contact Golf Victoria’s Marketing & Communications Manager, Greg Oakford. Email: greg.oakford@golfvic.org.au. Ph: +61 3 8545 6222 Mob: +61 438 040 310

VIEW ONLINE AT: www.biznewsmag.com.au

ISSUE 225 DECEMBER 2013

FEATURES 16. Brewing a Big Future 18. An Exercise in Persistance 26. Time Honoured

CONTENTS 4. Editor 5. Bloke’s World 7. Biz News 10. New Appointments 12. Management 15. Training 21. Business Update 22. Insurance 23. Legal 24. Tax 25. Legal 40. Tech Guy 42. Travel 44. Leadership 45. Governance 45. Community 48. Arts 50. After Hours

18. An Exercise in Persistance

54. Stuff 55. Books

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BUSINESS NEWS | 3

EDITOR

Mandela’s lessons While we were busy working on our final edition of the 2013, one in which we wanted to celebrate the many and varied success stories of the local business community (and what you’ll find within really is just the tip of the iceberg), we were incredibly saddened to hear that Nelson Mandela had passed away. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to feel tears rolling down my face as I listened to the memories of those who knew him and the countless many more whose lives were so positively impacted by him.

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ISSUE 225 DECEMBER 2013 In the Business News, we’re having none of it.

There are so many inspiring success stories in the Geelong business community, and we are committing 2014 to telling as many of them as we can – from the world beating big businesses to the microbusinesses that have carved out their very own niche. From who’s hiring, to who’s moving to who’s signed an exciting deal, we want to celebrate the small successes as well as the big.

From a new office space, to a new client, to an expansion, to every increase in staff - we want to hear about them and we want to share them, because we know the future of our city is bright and that the innovative, the nimble and the resilient local business community will stand firm against the tide.

andela was a man that stood against the tide. He didn’t rant, but spoke calmly and with conviction. He neither promised nor advocated retribution, he simply He was an extraordinary stood firm for as long as it human being and his We all know that there have took. And when he finally been some tough times, but legacy is a powerful one. succeeded in turning the Geelong businesses and tide, he forgave those who business people have seen had upheld the regime he tough times before, and stood against and worked they have come out of them stronger than with them to create a better future. ever before. So much of what we hear from He was an extraordinary human being and his our readers and friends of Business News is legacy is a powerful one. that there is a lot of positivity around the year ahead. And here at Adcell Group, we have He showed us all that while focusing on the exciting things planned for our two magazines negatives might be easier, it is positivity, as well. So this holiday season, please rest up, respect and thoughtfulness that change the be happy and be safe, because there’s a big world – and he did change the world. year ahead for all of us.

Here in Geelong, we are inundated with Got a great story to tell? Send me an email negative stories, with the businesses that are at davina@adcellgroup.com.au leaving and the jobs that are being lost. We can’t change what others write or say about our city, but we don’t have to accept it.

Davina Montgomery

Read online at: www.biznewsmag.com.au BUSINESS NEWS, an Adcell Group publication, is mailed to more than 6000 businesses across Geelong, Ballarat and Werribee.

If you would like to receive Business News at your business please contact us.

PUBLISHER Maureen Tayler MANAGER Caroline Tayler EDITOR Davina Montgomery davina@adcellgroup.com.au FOR ADVERTISING Vinnie Kerr M 0409 427 473 vinnie@adcellgroup.com.au Tanya Carroll M 0418 302 869 tanya@adcellgroup.com.au T (03) 5221 4408 F (03) 5221 2233 203 Malop Street, PO Box 491, Geelong Vic 3220 Shop 4/100 Simpson Street, Ballarat Vic 3350

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BLOKE’S WORLD to locate the water trap too close to the final compressor, so I fixed that in the design.

You have to laugh The sorry tale of how service sabotage is stripping away the precious bond of a bloke and his power tools…

A few weeks later I went back to the same tool shop only to find the young guy was on holidays and so I explained my intended purchases to the tradie behind the counter.

ou have to laugh. I was taking back a relatively new drill that had stripped its gearbox after a few weeks of use. The guy at the front desk was quite pleasant.

After all he was the one who had sold me the thing in the first place. I remember him diligently asking questions about my intended use and then, after consulting with the boss, ascertaining that the best drill was this $400 dollar green (drills are fashion items, apparently) machine. So he was surprised that I returned so early.

“That’s a load of crap, who told you to do it that way?” Okay, I admit that I am a geek when it comes to tools and things practical. I explained where I got the advice from only to be told that he was full of shite, and in all his decades of trade experience he never would have set up the compressor for his nail gun like that. I tried to explain that it would be spraying a paint thickened by a high proportion of powdered metal.

His comments were “Nah! You can’t do that. Besides, metal doesn’t spray.”

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I backed out and went to another tool shop and then got a completely accurate but entirely different opinion. At least it seemed accurate at the time, until I tried their idea. Now I’m back at the original design. Seems I was sabotaged twice on this one and am fast approaching a brown creek with severely limited paddle choices What could I do other than and an uncomfortable mode of transport.

But despite their best efforts, here I was confronting the service department. The service representative came out with the bad prognosis of: “It’s stuffed, Mate”, my reply was this highly intelligent response: “But I only just bought it, so why is it cactus?”

His reply was: “You bought the wrong drill.” Now, here was my surprise. It had been recommended by their own agent and even cross checked with the boss; I had used it as a drill and only once or twice as a boat anchor and only once to stop the Melbourne train. It is a damn drill, mate, what was I supposed to use it for?

maybe spray paint the sign above the door and change the name from Service Department to Department of Sabotage

What could I do other than maybe spray paint the sign above the door and change the name from Service Department to Department of Sabotage This isn’t my only example of service sabotage. In another business I got advice from the young member of the sales team to buy two compressors and join them together with a spaghetti load of fittings so that I could then achieve my high flow and pressure goals. To cross check he then rang a spray painting company across town and had a chat with the boss. The young representative took copious notes and then got back to me. “Yep!” He said the only thing I missed was

You have to laugh.

Then, one day I was on the road and I happened to go into a tool supply place out of the region, just for a few replacement parts. Shock and horror - I was served by an expert. She was excellent, even to the point of knowing the part numbers of the pieces that I wanted and was able to give me some advice that saved me hundreds of dollars. I was so impressed that I walked out of there with three tools that I had been planning to buy in the future… and several hundred sheets of the folding stuff lighter.

This person is now my best friend (BFF) the only trouble is that her business is four hours’ drive away. At least she didn’t suffer from hardening of the knowledge arteries and obviously she had failed to book in for her customer service bypass operation.

Kurinto

BUSINESS NEWS | 5

BIZ NEWS

Things we’re talking about...

Research Hub Secures Funding New Business Incubator The Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases has secured $3 million in funding from the Federal Government, allowing what will be Australia’s first one health facility protecting population health, food safety and food security.

As a collaboration between CSIRO, Deakin University, Barwon Health and BioGeelong, the research hub will see crossdisciplinary teams working to identify, monitor and develop treatments for infectious diseases as they move between wildlife, livestock and human populations. Plans are already in place to establish the GCEID as a research hub within Barwon Health’s newly built Teaching, Training and Research building on Ryrie Street.

WorkCover to Geelong?

People in high places are concerned about jobs in Geelong, and with the likes of Ford, Alcoa and Shell in the spotlight, there is a push to relocate the WorkCover head office here. The Chair of Central Geelong Taskforce and Brownbill Ward Councillor Michelle Heagney has welcomed the possibility of the WorkCover head office relocation.

“The WorkCover head office would be a great boost to Central Geelong and build on our already considerable industry strengths and expertise in insurance, health and disabilityrelated services,” said Cr Heagney. “The Central Geelong Taskforce is clear about the need to attract more people to the city centre and an extra 550 workers would not only be a significant economic boost, but help to create the bustle and life that characterises vibrant cities.”

Mayor, Darryn Lyons, announced that Enterprise Geelong had secured funding from the Commonwealth Department of Employment for the creation of an ICT and sports innovation business accelerator.

The accelerator, to be known as Steampacket Accelerator Geelong will focus exclusively on creating and sustaining new businesses for Geelong. It’s ancticipated that 20 to 30 startups could be incubated in Geelong from the ICT and Sports Technologies industries. It will be hosted by the Geelong based national Organisation Australian Sports Technology Network, partnering with Enterprise Geelong and ICT Geelong and be located in Steampacket House in Central Geelong.

SJGGH Development on Track Anyone driving down Myers or Gheringhap Streets couldn’t help but have noticed the mammoth building project underway at St John of God Geelong Hospital.

The $65 million redevelopment, that will include the region’s first private emergency department, is set for completion in May 2014.

St John of God is pursuing a collaborative relationship with Barwon Health on the delivery of emergency medicine for the region. And the private hospital has recently appointed Dr Michael Ragg as the Director of Emergency Medicine at SJGGH. Dr Ragg has been a key part of Barwon Health’s emergency medicine team and will be a key driver of collaborating with Barwon Health.

It is anticipated that the new emergency department will operate from July 2014, along with new rehabilitation services and additional surgical services.

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Call 1300 4 MORRIS 6 | BUSINESS NEWS

www.morrisfinance.com.au

BIZ NEWS

Small business help just a click away The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has launched a new online hub to help small business owners and operators to better understand their legal obligations and the role of ASIC.

“W

ith small business accounting for 96% of all businesses registered with ASIC, it’s important we provide information these customers need,” ASIC Commissioner, Greg Tanzer, said.

In 2012, ASIC consulted key stakeholders and conducted an online survey with small businesses to better understand their needs and expectations. This survey found that ASIC needed to engage more with small businesses because they have limited knowledge about ASIC and what it does; they have little understanding of their compliance obligations and find it difficult to get relevant information or information that isn’t written in legal jargon from ASIC.

Whether you’re dealing with the everyday pressures of running a business, or looking to start up, you want information that is accessible, practical and easy to understand This hub is an information gateway and is designed to improve small business experiences with ASIC and help them better understand our role and how they can help.

Available at www.asic.gov.au/small-business features information on starting and closing a small business, legal requirements for small business operators, one-minute guides on popular topics and access to ASIC’s new quarterly small business eNewsletter.

Proof community involvement makes a real difference When keen golfer, Jim Colton, played 155 holes in a day at Colorado’s Ballyneal Golf Club in 2011 to raise funds for caddie, Ben Cox, who was paralysed in a skiing accident he thought he might raise $5000 to help meet some of Ben’s medical costs. Instead, he raised more than $110,000, established the One Divot charitable organisation and launched the Hundred Hole Hike, a fundraising initiative that has since gone international.

On January 23, the Karingal Foundation presents Music to a tee and the 2014 Hundred Hole Hike, a unique concert featuring some of Australia’s finest musicians and a group of determined golfers who, on the same day, will take part in the 2014 Hundred Hole Hike to help raise funds for people living with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Money raised from the Hundred Hole Hike will help Karingal build and staff a bigger ABI Clubhouse facility as part of the new Eastern Geelong Community Centre. With one person in 45 affected by an ABI - and that number continuing to increase as improvements in medical technology increase the survival rate for people following a stroke, assault, accident, fall or illness - a new ABI Clubhouse facility will help Karingal better support this growing section of the population.

Music to a tee and the Hundred Hole Hike is supported by 13th Beach and the Hundred Hole Hike. Early bird tickets are on sale until December 23 unless sold out. Visit www.karingal.org.au/ events or visit www.hundredholehike.com

JUDY BAULCH

Seasons Greetings The Principals and staff at Coulter Roache Lawyers wish our clients and associates a wonderful Christmas and prosperous New Year

Please note our office will be closed on the following days: * Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 & Friday 27 December 2013 * Wednesday 1 January 2014

Tel: 5273 5273

www.coulterroache.com.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 7

COMMENT

OECD study spotlights the G21 region The OECD comprises 34 member countries whose governments have been working together for over 50 years to address global economic, social and environmental challenges.

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n 2012 the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) commenced an investigation into Rural-Urban Partnerships to better understand how they can work to assist regional economic development and therefore improve the quality of life for local people. Our region and the G21 - Geelong Region Alliance were chosen amongst 10 other regional organisations from across the world as case studies for the investigation. Others included Nuremberg (Germany), Lexington (USA), Rennes (France), the Province of Forti- Cesara (Italy), Prague (Czech Republic) and Brabent Stad (Netherlands).

Our region was the only one from the southern hemisphere included in the investigation. To be chosen as a region of interest to the OECD was exciting to all at G21 and last year we were delighted to host their delegation over three days in Geelong and the wider region.

During their time in Australia, the OECD delegates met with federal and state ministers, government officers, the G21 Board, Pillar members and key stakeholders to ascertain both how G21 works and the value placed on our work by government. It was fascinating to work with the delegates and to learn from their experience of other forms of regional collaboration that exist across the world.

Last month, I travelled to Italy with Regional Development Victoria’s Dr Chris McDonald for the release of the investigation’s report at the OECD Rural Development Policy Conference: “Rural-Urban partnerships: an integrated approach to economic development.”

Our region was the only one from the southern hemisphere included in the investigation. To be chosen as a region of interest to the OECD was exciting to all at G21 and last year we were delighted to host their delegation over three days in Geelong and the wider region.

Over 200 delegates attended the invitation only Bologna conference. I was especially impressed by the high level of international representation amongst the conference delegates, including very senior representatives of the European Commission, the United States Economic Development Authority and the Deputy Secretary General of the OECD. I was honoured to be included on the agenda and to be given the opportunity to present to the conference about our region and the work of G21. It is clear from the OECD’s report that G21 distinguishes itself as a well-supported and successful rural-urban partnership with good relationships across all levels of government.

Judging by the large amount of interest at the conference, what G21 is routinely doing others around the globe are

8 | BUSINESS NEWS

aspiring to achieve. G21 was used as an example of what can be achieved through genuine collaboration throughout the conference. Many delegates showed a genuine interest in our region and told me informally how they were impressed by G21’s success.

The study report has made five key recommendations, which will go to an OECD ministerial council late this year, with a view to adopting a regional implementation framework that borrows from G21’s experience, among others.

Of course, G21 hasn’t been successful overnight. It has taken a combination of hard work, commitment and good will

by G21’s five member councils, other governments, member organisations and the community over many years.

When the G21 model is selected as worthy of study by an international organisation of the standing of the OECD it says that our region and work is being noticed. It also reminds us that what we have is important and makes a difference.

For those interested to learn more, the OECD’s website is located at www.oecd.org

Elaine Carbines, CEO G21 – Geelong Region Alliance

NEW APPOINTMENTS RETAIL Brown’s Corporate Uniforms is very pleased to welcome back Jessica, with her previous 5 years experience. A customer service professional who handles orders of 1 or 1000 units with a thorough manor, Jessica has a vast knowledge of embroidery and screen printing on garments, which makes them a tax deduction.

Jessica works alongside to assist clients with their orders.

BANKING Bank of Melbourne welcomes David Sproules as the new Senior Relationship Manager. David has a wealth of experience in Business and Commercial Banking, Specialising in Corporate and Commercial banking relationships. David holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) is completing a Masters of Business.

BANKING Dean Butters has recently joined the Bank Of Melbourne as the Local Business Manager, having worked within the banking sector for over 26 years. Dean has worked in a number of Business Banking Management roles in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. He has been back in Geelong for the past 7 years.

10 | BUSINESS NEWS

RETAIL With over 30 years experience in retail clothing, Sonia has worked in both men’s and women’s fashion. She leads the team at Browns Corporate Uniforms, having a passion for fashion, which shows in the ranges of garments on offer. No more do corporate uniforms look boring. Being professionally trained shows as she finds the perfect fit and look for everyone.

BANKING Katie Kirsopp has just joined Bank of Melbourne as a customer service specialist.

Katie has been working in customer service roles for over 10 years and has developed a wealth of banking sector experience working closely with individual clients and SMEs.

BANKING Bank of Melbourne welcomes Tony Palmer as its new Relationship Manager in Geelong. Tony brings more than 27 years experience in all areas of banking & finance, including the last 10 years as a corporate relationship manager. He will perform the role of managing Bank of Melbourne’s high net worth customer base.

NEW APPOINTMENTS HEALTH Dr Joel Grist has joined Shannon Avenue Chiropractic, having formerly been the principle chiropractor at Colac Chiropractic Clinic. Joel has a double bachelor degree and extensive training and experience in chiropractic technique, sports injury management, pregnancy and paediatrics, nutrition, dry needling (acupuncture) and wellness coaching.

ACCOUNTING S.J. Canny would like to welcome aboard Aileen Davis. Aileen joins the team as a Bookkeeper. She holds a Bachelor of Business and has over 13 years experience in the taxation field. Aileen has also operated her own business and therefore has the practical understanding and knowledge of everything that entails.

RETAIL Geelong 4WD& Camping is pleased to welcome John Sisley in the Role of Store Manager.

John has had extensive retail experience, owning and operating his own successful business in Geelong for the past 23 years. John is a keen recreational 4WD enthusiast and camper has travelled around most of Australia.

FINANCE SERVICES Brett Ricchini joined Crowe Horwath as a Financial Advisor Representative specialising in SMSF advice and services as well as retirement and estate planning. Brett promotes the benefits of well-informed financial planning for people at all stages of life and the importance of personal insurance and protection.

BEAUTY Lyn Waugh has returned to work in the hair removal industry at Geelong Laser and Electrolysis Clinic. Lyn is an Enrolled Nurse and Laser Technician and will use her skills to specialise in laser hair removal. With 11 years nursing and 2 years of laser experience, Lyn offers clients a friendly and confidential service in a private setting for both males and females.

HOSPITALITY Mercure Geelong has appointed Ms Emily Etheridge to the position of Sales Manager at the hotel. Her previous positions within the Accor group include Senior Conference Sales Executive at Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, Business Development Executive at Novotel Canberra and Conference Sales Manager at Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens.

It’s business as usual as Wheeler Financial Services becomes Bendigo Financial Planning Since 1964, Wheelers have provided financial planning advice and services to the greater Geelong community.

In order to secure our growth, expand our service offering and maintain our reputation for excellence, we recently became part of Bendigo Financial Planning, the financial planning division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

We’re proud to be part of Bendigo Financial Planning and we embrace this opportunity to become one with a corporation that shares the same vision, values and integrity that we have based our company on for nearly 50 years.

Our name may have changed but it’s business as usual at 16 Pakington Street, Geelong West.

Come and visit us soon, or call us on 5222 3055.

Bendigo Financial Planning Limited, ABN 81 087 585 073, AFSL 237898. 120 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008.

A member of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group, ABN 11 068 049 178, AFSL 237879 (S46861) (11/13)

Bendigo Financial Planning BUSINESS NEWS | 11

MANAGEMENT

How reliable are your computer backups?

The consequences of serious data loss on business are dire…

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hey say there are only 2 types of computer user – those who have lost data and those who will lose data.

The consequences of serious data loss on business are dire. Did you know that 7 out of 10 small firms that experience a major data loss go out of business within a year? (DTI/PricewaterhouseCoopers) Or that 94% of companies suffering from a catastrophic data loss do not survive – 43% never reopen and 51% close within two years.

(University of Texas)

RTO is the duration of time and a service level within which a business process must be restored after a disaster or disruption in order to avoid unacceptable consequences associated with a break in business continuity. In other words, how much system downtime can you tolerate before it starts having adverse consequences on your business?

RPO is a more difficult concept to grasp, but describes the age of the data you want to restore in the event of a disaster.

Ask yourself how much data you could afford to lose? If it is tolerable to lose 12 hours of data, and you want to restore systems back to the state they were in no longer than 12 hours ago, your RPO is 12 hours.

RTO and RPO are critical in thinking about your backup plan. For example, if RTO is 12 hours and RPO is 24 hours, a business making a weekly backup has no capacity to meet its recovery objectives. It is also critical to note that each software application that is operated by the business will have a different RPO and RTO, and therefore a “one-size fits all” approach such as a daily or weekly backup might not be appropriate.

If you ask how well protected their business is from the effects of computer data loss, most business owners will tell you that they are OK, because they make back-ups. Against this backdrop, it is interesting to note that How much system downtime can 96% of all business workstations are not you tolerate before it starts being backed up. (Contingency Planning having adverse consequences and Strategic Research Corporation) on your business?

50% of all tape backups fail to restore.

(Gartner) And 77% of those companies who do test their tape backups found back-up failures. (Boston Computing Network) It should be remembered that the primary purpose of backup is recovery after an episode of data loss, so recovery needs should drive backup planning, not vice versa. Recovery and backup planning is a business issue and not an IT issue.

It is useful to think of recovery needs in a business continuity context, and in particular to consider Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO).

Establishing a formal, written back-up plan is the first step. Thinking about RPO and RTO will help you to determine what applications and files need to be backed-up, how frequently you’ll need to perform backup procedures, where the data will be stored and how you will recover data from the backups. Offsite storage of backup data is a sensible option.

When everything has been properly thought through – risks have been analysed, and proper processes put in place, data recovery can be simple and painless, but failing to take your backups seriously can be catastrophic.

PETER NEWLAND Advanced Record Management

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12 | BUSINESS NEWS

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We don’t just sell ads . . .

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Located on 200 acres of Deakin University’s Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Deakin Management Centre is a haven from external distractions.

With an undisputed reputation for excellence in dining and event planning, DMC will meet and exceed your expectations as an event venue. Every event is personalised to your requests and supported by a team of exceptional staff; whether it be for conferences, weddings, gala dinners, awards night or any corporate event.

Approximately a one hour drive from Melbourne and 30 minutes’ drive from Avalon Airport. We are within easy reach and within a short drive to Highton, Belmont or Waurn Ponds shopping precincts and a perfect base for exploring the Geelong Waterfront and Surf Coast on the Great Ocean Road.

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TRAINING

Embrace the opportunities Consider some of the situations that people find themselves in during their careers: Megan has been a stay at home parent and is thinking, with some apprehension, about returning to the workforce; Leanne has been in the same job for a while, wants a change and has extensive experience but lacks the formal qualifications of other candidates; Glenn has given years of loyal service to an organisation only to be told his job will soon cease to exist; Simon runs his own growing business and finds himself needing to lead people but lacks some of the skills to do so; and Carol runs a team that is floundering, is hearing a few grumbles, good people are leaving and is confused about what to do next.

Megan could enrol in a Certificate IV in Business and study online, in a class environment or a combination of both and build her skills, confidence and employability in the months leading up to her return to work. Leanne might have her experience formally mapped through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and be awarded a qualification that strengthens her chances to get that next interview. Glenn might decide to riends and colleagues can change careers completely and provide these people with complete a Certificate IV in Training support and a sympathetic & Assessment. Simon could do an ear that can only go so Advanced Diploma of Management It is my goal to ensure people leave my office and select units that really help far and often results in little or no change. I’ve been lucky feeling confident because they now know him lead his people with great to work with some of Australia’s what choices are available to them to greatly success. Carol could run a team largest companies where people engagement day that flows into a enhance their future. confronted with challenges tailored training and development like these get easy access to agenda for her business that professional support and advice – results in her team enjoying what it’s there when you need it. they do more than ever. Meanwhile they all achieve a nationally recognised qualification with the Individuals and people in small to medium business often don’t potential to be approved for training subsidies along the way. have access to such support and that’s what inspired me to become involved with the Management Institute of Australia It is my goal to ensure people leave my office feeling confident (MIA). Part of what we do at MIA is to sit down with the because they now know what choices are available to them to Megan’s, Leanne’s, Glenn’s, and others in our community and greatly enhance their future. What’s your story? What choices hear what strengths they have and what they’re aspiring to do. and options do you think you have and what is it that you We then discuss ideas and support them with the information, haven’t thought of yet? Contact us to arrange a chat. choices and options they have available to them.

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e n r o l m e n t s n o w o p e n f o r 2 014 MIA offers flexible and unique training for students who want to gain a nationally recognised qualification that will maximise their employability and enable them to achieve high standards of professional development.

Advanced Diploma of Marketing Certificate IV in Training & Assessment Certificate IV in Business Certificate IV in Business Sales Certificate IV in Front Line Management Diploma of Business Diploma of Managment

P: (03) 5234 4788 www.geelong.mia.edu.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 15

FEATURE

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Big things are brewing

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Amidst all the doom and gloom surrounding the future of manufacturing in Geelong, one local industry is steadily building a good news story: there are big things brewing for the future of the craft beer industry in Geelong and the region.

t happened to wine, coffee and food: producers and distributors went out on a limb to introduce something new, discerning consumers got educated and created further demand for quality and variety and, not quite overnight, new businesses grew and thrived, contributing to their regions’ identities and economies. The same process is taking place in the craft beer industry and Geelong has the potential to be at the centre of a new boom with the opening of Little Creatures, arguably one of Australia’s best known craft beer brands, in South Geelong in December and the second annual Great Australian Beer Festival to be held in February.

The brainchild of Kieran Blood and Michael Ward, directors of Australian Beer Ambassadors, the Great Australian Beer Festival attracted more than 4000 people to its inaugural event earlier this year with its unique blend of craft beer tasting, educational seminars, live music and family friendly activities at the Geelong Racecourse. The 2014 festival will boast more than 150 brews from over 35 breweries representing every state, two stages for live bands, a ‘taste of the region’ showcase featuring Geelong’s top restaurants carefully matched to the beer (and ciders) on offer and something Michael calls “beer cabaret”, an eclectic mix of quirky performers engaging with the audience.

“I couldn’t have dreamed how successful this year’s festival would be and how much we would learn,” Michael says. “It was no Oktoberfest; rather the focus was on beer appreciation. It was learning about beer and those attending certainly had a thirst for learning; all our seminars were full and we had to turn people away.”

As a result, the 2014 festival will utilise much more space and offer more seminars, focusing on the increasingly popular home brewing market and matching beer with cheese and other goodies. There will also be a ‘fringe festival’ element, with visual and performing arts and the BEERtography photo competition,

16 | BUSINESS NEWS

open to professional and amateur photographers Australia-wide with a first prize of $1,500 provided by Little Creatures.

“Brewers are busy with craft beer festivals popping up around the State. They can’t attend them all, so we have to ensure they see value in ours,” Michael says. “We chose the racecourse venue for its grass and undercover space allowing us to create an allweather beer garden environment conducive to chilling out and socialising on a summer’s day.

“I want it to become a destination event that people put in their calendar as a must attend. The timing is ideal, with local people back from holidays and the coast still full. This year, we had people attend from every state in Australia, with a few coming from New Zealand. Twenty per cent of our audience came from Melbourne and I feel we can dramatically increase that in 2014. My aim is eight to ten thousand people and from there I want to cement this celebration of quality beer on our major events calendar. The fact that Council accepted it as a major event after the first year really demonstrates the tremendous potential and support for this event to grow.”

Fun as the festival is, for Australian Beer Ambassadors it’s a means to an end and what Michael hopes will be a “catalyst, the vehicle that puts the spotlight on this City as a hub for the craft beer industry.”

“As an event offering it’s fresh and new, but mainly it supports a local industry, a growing local industry. We’re losing industries, we need to replace them and we are replacing them with healthcare and services and education, but we need industry as well.”

A white paper produced by the Australian Real Craft Brewers Association (ARCBA) earlier this year stated that supporting Australia’s small independent brewers would “result in stimulating employment opportunities especially in areas of small scale

T c t S F t s l t

M t a

“ b b I s t t

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FEATURE manufacturing and tourism, particularly in regional areas,” and Michael hopes the Geelong region will follow international precedent, with several craft beer festivals in the US directly linked to the growth of not only the craft beer industry in their host towns, but also an increase in tourism, hospitality and other new businesses with positive effects on the local economy.

Given that beer sales are down across Australia, it may seem an odd product to drive a manufacturing revival in Geelong, but the figures don’t tell the whole story. The craft beer industry and demand for its product is booming around the world, despite ailing economies and research shows the Australian market is following the trend. While Australian beer consumption fell to its lowest level since the 1940s in 2011, craft beer experienced double digit growth and continues to grow. The consumption of craft beer is increasing by six percent every year and is expected to have a five per cent share of the market within five years.

story is more meaningful to consumers.

“It’s easier to activate the brand’s story in a home market and we find many labels conveying their story through creative labelling inclusive of local and personal myths, including heroes and folklore. The attractiveness of mythology and the stories connected to place are also part of the romance that is the craft beer story.

As such, an important brand element for craft beer is related to a sense of place. For example, Three Troupers Brewery from the Pyrenees in Victoria uses its founding fathers and the great gold rush as an integral part of its brand and local storytelling.”

Playing into that sense of place, the craft beer industry has a habit of promoting the towns where breweries are located as part of marketing and branding strategies.

“Ashville, North Carolina, the home of the Brewgrass festival, has a population of only 85,000 but one of the fastest growing beer scenes on America’s East Coast and has The story is mirrored in Geelong. The recently lured two of the largest craft Geelong is already home to six boutique city and region are already home brewers – Sierra Nevada and New breweries, a sign that larger companies to six boutique breweries, including Belgium – to town, who will each are paying attention to what the craft Southern Bay, Prickly Moses and invest $150 million to $175 million and Forrest Brewing Company, and beer industry here can offer. employ 150 people. The town sells the opening of Little Creatures (a its quality of life, its mountains and its subsidiary of Lion Nathan) is a sign that culture, and then it comes in with its larger companies are paying attention business assets,” Michael says. to what the craft beer industry here can offer their bottom line.

“The Geelong region has quality of life, its coast and a vibrant Michael says the craft beer industry “produces something greater evolving culture. Our business assets are our roads, rail, cheaper than a raw product for simple consumption. It produces an land, quality water supply and a council with a ‘can do’ attitude. authentic identity”.

We have the potential to sell the coastal living, access to wondrous “For me, the authenticity of the story behind the beers is critical scenery and the Great Ocean Road, surfing, hiking, mountain because authenticity is what the craft movement – not just in beer, biking and adventure to the market for craft beer which research but food, coffee, bikes, clothes, outdoor equipment – is about. shows is educated, has a large disposable income, is looking for It’s about spending our hard earned money on something of variety and wants to travel. substance that was created by people who are passionate about “With the explosive growth of the craft beer industry in the past their craft. Craft beer brings something original and of substance few years, Geelong is in the envious position of having the most to the market through a labour of love and passion for beer. potential among all regions to grow and blossom as the leading “They all come with a story, that’s what great about it, the labels, craft brewers’ region, with all the employment and economic the brewers themselves, they’ve all got stories to tell.” benefits that brings.”

He says because authenticity is so important, successful craft beer brands focus their efforts around their brewery where their

Judy Baulch

RTO 21832

AGB Human Resources

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BUSINESS NEWS | 17

COVER STORY

An

Exercise

In

Persistance

Merrill J. Fernando was just 20 years old when he first conceived the idea of developing a producer-operated tea brand in his home nation of Ceylon. He wanted to sell single source tea of the highest quality and to develop a business that would support, not exploit, the people of his country. It would take him 58 years of battling the establishment British tea giants to see that dream realised. It is an extraordinary story of uncompromising determination.

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oday, Dilmah is one of the top 10 tea brands in the world, exporting to over 90 countries with global sales of around $550 million. Australia is a big consumer of tea, and consumption here accounts for around 10 per cent of Dilmah’s global sales. But competition is fierce, and for a company that refuses to compromise on the quality of its product or the conditions of its workers, it cannot be a competition to the lowest price. Instead, Dilmah must appeal to an increasingly discerning market of tea consumers with a desire for high quality, ethically produced tea.

I think like many people of my generation, I feel like I grew up with Dilmah Tea. Most nights on the television, there would be Kamahl, surrounded by the stunning green slopes of the tea plantations, with his sonorous voice gently exhorting the pleasures that only pure Ceylon tea can bring.

Through these campaigns, Australians got to know Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of Dilmah, and his two sons, Dilhan and Malik, after whom the brand is named. But what we didn’t know was that this gentle, smiling man had a will of steel; that it had taken him decades to establish his business dream. His story, and the story of Dilmah Tea is one of the most extraordinary I have heard in years of business reporting.

18 | BUSINESS NEWS

Born into a middle-class family in Palathsena village, Negambo in South Western Sri Lanka, Merrill has often said that he was raised with outstanding values, but limited opportunities. As a young man, Merrill originally wanted to be a lawyer, but when a rare opportunity to train as a tea taster – a profession dominated by British expatriates, who largely thought the Ceylonese were unfit for the profession because they ate spices – he grabbed it. This led to a role with A.F. Jones and a move to London’s Mincing Lane, where he learned about blending and packaging branded tea. He also saw that the Ceylon tea that was bought for $1 per kg was, after blending and packaging, sold on at between $50 and $60 per kilogram.

Merrill believed that producing and supplying to customers directly was the only way that Ceylon and the millions who relied on the then declining national tea industry could benefit fairly from the price consumers paid for tea. It seems extraordinary now, but as Merrill’s son and CEO of Dilmah, Dilhan Fernando, explained on his most recent trip to Australia: in the 1950s, the idea that tea could be produced, picked, dried, packaged, branded and shipped from its country of origin was revolutionary.

“It was revolutionary and it was so for one very simple reason. Although in 1948 Ceylon received its independence from England, a sort of economic form of

COVER STORY colonialism persisted. Even in the 1950s, when my father first had this crazy vision of starting a producer-owned tea brand, it was still an industry that was dominated by the British. In fact, up until the late 80s, most of our tea went to England for auction, which was really ridiculous, because when tea is made in one of our factories it is pretty much ready for brewing and drinking.

“There were two main elements to my father’s dream.

One was the fact that fresh tea is generally much richer in flavour, much richer in antioxidants, and of course it is more natural, maintaining its authenticity and taste. As tea ages, you get the development of moisture, you get the development of various aflotoxins and other things which affect not only the health benefits, but also the flavour.

to him, ‘Mr Fernando, I wish that you would stay in Brazil because we need you.’ She explained, saying that Brazil accounts for 60 per cent of the coffee in the world and doesn’t have a single international brand.

“Unfortunately, that situation persists very much today, because Dilmah is the only international tea brand from any other producing country. There is one other multinational that was bought by a producing country, but apart from that there’s not many of us around, yet it’s the most logical and natural way for a farmer to take his or her produce direct to market.”

These issues are very much the same issues being grappled with by many food producers in Australia. We don’t need to look any further than the dairy industry’s “But the second element that was really the basis for my ongoing battle over milk prices to see this is also a firstfather’s relentless pursuit of this world problem. It is part of a global vision that he had was that with the problem, that there has been a These issues are very much the export of Sri Lanka’s produce of significant disconnect between the same issues being grappled with Ceylon tea went a lot of the fortunes production of food and the business by many food producers in Australia. of selling it. of the industry. The industry was We don’t need to look any further very much an exploited industry.

“In fact, that disconnect has The branding, the value addition than the dairy industry’s ongoing emerged, and unfortunately grown, and the marketing all happened battle over milk prices to see this because of the emphasis on price. offshore, which meant that Sri is also a first-world problem.

As a producer, we have a unique Lanka, its workers and the industry perspective on our produce. We had no possibility of development. are very proud of what we do, we The writing was on the wall that pretty soon there would love what we do, and therefore we will not compromise. be no industry left, because there was no investment into But on the other hand, we face and every producer faces technology, development of systems, procedures and competition from someone who doesn’t really look at the workers; all this sort of thing wasn’t happening.” product in the same way and from people who simply look Merrill went on to buy A.F. Jones with two other at tea as a business. shareholders, however he walked out after a shareholder “Whether that is cheese, or coffee or a cocoa producer, dispute. It was then that he was encouraged to start you have a certain pride when you grow something and his own export company. Business was good and tea your life is as intertwined as ours is with our tea. We would was fetching good prices at auction, but the rapid never permit a poor quality tea to go out, and particularly commercialisation of the industry in the later 1970s saw in the case of my brother and I, it’s a product that has our large multinationals buy out many of the smaller players names on it. So we are inextricably linked with the quality in the industry. The pure Ceylon teas increasingly made of our product, where I suppose elsewhere today there is way for cheaper blended teas. The business deteriorated a trading mentality, where you buy tea from wherever it is rapidly and eventually, Merrill sold the company that bore cheap.” his name.

A serious car accident gave him a new perspective, and having many friends, including the Russian ambassador, who pledged their support, Merrill went back to work.

He bought his first few estates and registered the Dilmah brand in 1974. The support of Russian distributors saw the Dilmah brand flourish and Dilmah developed a monopoly on the tea trade into Russia. That monopoly led to counterfeiting, which led to the telling of the Dilmah story on packaging, including Merrill’s picture. Despite the rampant counterfeiting, The Russian market was an enormous boon to the company and funded the move into Australia and New Zealand in 1988.

Starting with one Coles buyer agreeing to stock the brand in a Melbourne store, high demand led to rapid growth within that first year. The shift into the New Zealand market saw Dilmah become NZ’s most popular tea brand, a position it still holds today. The company also expanded its market into Europe and North America.

The establishment of Dilmah not only disrupted the longheld economic colonialism in the Sri Lankan tea industry, it also introduced ethical and sustainable business practice long before these concepts began to gain momentum.

“Today, we have a very different world,” Dilhan said, “and yet, two weeks ago we were in Brazil, and after sharing my father’s story, one of the journalists there stood up and said

There will always be a strong market for the cheapest products, but as people become more aware of where their food and produce comes from, issues of quality, sustainability and ethicality become deciding factors. We have seen this with cage eggs and we are seeing it with the steady growth of organics and locally produced foods.

There is no mistaking the passion in Dilhan’s voice as he explains the finer points of quality tea, in much the same way that any winemaking will explain the terroir of grapes.

“You will have tea grown at the top of the hill having a certain terroir on the basis of the wind conditions, the sun, the moisture levels; you have tea grown half way down the slope facing slightly different orientations; and you will have tea grown in the valley with eucalyptus next to it that will have very different characteristics. So those are attributes that are very much at the heart of luxury in tea.

“Unfortunately, in the process of commoditization, with retailers wanting cheaper and cheaper teas, all that was lost. But for my family, that is what is most beautiful about tea and that is what we want to share. So we established things like the Dilmah School of Tea and we established our link with chefs and gastronomy in Australia to present all this quality. Ultimately, the irony is that the difference between a good cup of tea that is garden fresh and packed at origin is generally only a few cents. So you might

BUSINESS NEWS | 19

COVER STORY business must exist for a purpose. The purpose in our case is to ensure that beyond all the health aspects of tea, that we are able to share the pleasure that comes from real tea.

“Beyond that, of course, if you are not able to sustain and help the people who are part of the business and the success of the business, then there is also no point. As part of his founding pledge when forming the business, my father made a commitment to make business a matter of human service, which I must say has been a wonderfully inspiring aspect – in fact, it is probably the single largest reason why my brother and I joined the business.

pay 2 cents a cup for something cheap and nasty, but a really good tea might be 6 cents a cup. It’s really nothing to split hairs about.”

The company is fighting back with a global marketing campaign, new product offerings and the development of culinary links with fine tea. They have new premium quality single region teas such as Ran Watte, which is grown at 1800 metres above sea level, and is described as giving off a light and mellow taste like champagne. Or Yata Watte, low-grown at 300 metres above sea level and with a more robust taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon. Then there are new flavoured packed teas like Acai berry with pomegranate and vanilla, and Ceylon spiced chai.

The Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge, launched in Australia, is a national competition, endorsed by the World Association of Chefs (WACS), that invites chefs and mixologists to create tea-based cocktails, mocktails and tea-infused dishes.

The company has established tea schools in Sri Lanka and France, is establishing partnerships with hospitality training institutes in Melbourne and Sydney.

Then there are the Dilmah t-Bars, with 12 t-Bars in tea-loving nations such as Poland, Belarus, Kuwait, Chile and the United Arab Emirates, and of course Sri Lanka, as well as more than 200 express tea bars in shopping centres and airport lounges around the world.

There has been an unwavering commitment to the product, to the brand and to the people who work to produce the tea amongst Merrill J. Fernando and his sons. They will not compromise.

“I think uncompromising would be the word, and that probably characterises my father more than anything else,” Dilhan said. “He believes in integrity and he says that there is no sense in pursuing profit for the sake of profit, because

“We see a tangible reward in the lives of people. You’re not just adding zeroes to your bank account, you’re seeing an impact that is very definite – you are seeing children that are being educated as a result of it, you are seeing differentlyabled children being offered therapy. That’s a lovely part of the business that for us, as family members, and for the next generation that is slowly being prepared, that is really influencing them and motivating them to be a part of the Dilmah story.”

It is an ideal that we know businesses take on board – that a business should be about more than just profits – but it is one that all too often goes unheralded. Social conscience doesn’t rate a mention on the stock market reports.

“While a lot of people have told us that the philosophy is really wonderful, I think it’s really nothing that is spectacularly innovative, in that it is simply based on family values. Unfortunately large businesses have become dehumanized by this perception that shareholders want shareholder value in the form of monetary profit alone. That might be right, that might be wrong, but the fact is that if your quarterly results aren’t so positive, then maybe the CEO’s business life is at stake. In a family business, we don’t have that problem. My father, my brother and I, we sit around the table and we talk about the need to look at biodiversity, the need to look at conservation, the need to look at helping people post-war or post-tsunami. After the tsunami, it was very easy – we got together and we voted to give $5 million. I can imagine a large company having to talk to shareholders, then to national and global headquarters or whatever it might be.”

In the early days, the company supplied the families of workers with school uniforms, books, pens and shoes so that their children could get a good education. Today, all 1400 workers in Colombo still receive the same benefits along with scholarships. And all companies within the Dilmah group contribute 10 per cent of before tax profits to the MJF Foundation, which is led by Dilhan’s brother, Malik.

The foundation has developed a $2.5 million state-of-the-art centre for children with disabilities, and the development of that centre is ongoing.

“I think [more sustainable business models] are the only solution and the only economic form that can sustain the problems that we are seeing in our society and in our environment today,” Dilhan said. “But ultimately it is going to be a tough one to bring out, because you have consolidation and you have increasing power in the hands of fewer and fewer corporations who are growing bigger and bigger. Even for us, however strong and nice our story is it becomes very, very difficult to survive in that environment.”

And that is the stark reality facing many sectors today, but we have seen time and time again across history that one small commitment, but one that is held on to unwaveringly, can turn the tide. We can only hope.

DAVINA MONTGOMERY 20 | BUSINESS NEWS

BUSINESS UPDATE industries in Geelong are port reliant, including Alcoa, Incitec Pivot, GrainCorp and Shell, and all the big employers at some stage have a need to use the port.”

When Geelong’s ship comes in Each time a Port Phillip Sea Pilot carefully guides a cargo ship into Corio Bay, he’s part of a sea voyage that brings wealth to the region and state.

A

nd as those floating steel workhorses travel along saltwater highways managed by the Victorian Regional Channels Authority, the benefits are flowing in their wake in terms of jobs and money.

That financial wave washes over port owners and stakeholders, governments, employees and the community.

These ships deliver the goods in more ways than one.

Last financial year 770 ships loaded and off-loaded a record 13 million tonnes of cargo worth about $7.6 billion at the port’s wharves. Economic researchers have found that each ship visit to Geelong’s port creates an average output of $650,000 for the state’s economy.

GeelongPort, a subsidiary of Asciano, manages most of the port’s commercial wharves and piers. It employs almost 60 staff while its sister organisation, Patrick Stevedoring, has nearly 100 on its books. A Port of Geelong Development Strategy has found the port and businesses reliant on it provide jobs for more than 7000 people across the region, ranging from transport and logistics to manufacturing and agriculture.

“The employment and spin-offs are pretty significant,” Mr Kenwood says.

Put simply, those floating visitors and their cargo help keep Geelong’s financial heart pumping. An economic impact study on the Port of Geelong also puts the value-added benefit of a visiting ship at $326,000. That’s business profit and wages.

That’s good news.

Those floating visitors and their cargo help keep Geelong’s financial heart pumping. An economic impact study on the Port of Geelong also puts the value-added benefit of a visiting ship at $326,000.

That’s business profit and wages.

That’s good news.

When a ship docks at a Geelong wharf, the region reaps hundreds of thousands of dollars of those direct and flow-on impacts. The VRCA, Asciano’s GeelongPort, tug owners, stevedores, trucking firms, fuel depots, farmers and mechanics are all part of the financial equation.

GeelongPort spokesman, David Kenwood, can see the ships from his office. He knows how vital the shipping hub and its mighty visitors are to Geelong. A recent VRCA study estimated the port generates a total impact on the Barwon region economy of $400 million a year and the dockside activity outside Mr Kenwood’s window is part of that important flow.

“Geelong’s really a port city,” Mr Kenwood says. “All the key

Crude oil and petroleum products, fertiliser, grain and woodchips are responsible for about 80 per cent of the port’s total economic impact.

The port’s trade is tipped to double by 2030 and GrainCorp is a leader in the growth charge, boasting a record year in 2012/13 with 2.5 million tonnes of grain.

Mr Kenwood says there must be on-going improvements to the shipping channels and land infrastructure to capitalise on predicted trade growth.

“GeelongPort needs to have sufficient back-up land to offer industry,” he says. “We also need improved road and port-rail connections, with dual-gauge rail connections to Lascelles Wharf at the top of the list.

“Lascelles Wharf is Victoria’s premier dry bulk operation. It’s currently handling up to two million tonnes of cargo annually and that’s all trucked in. A rail connection is the missing link.”

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Level 22,Level 235 Ryrie Street, Geelong | | www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au Level 235 Ryrie Street, Geelong |www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au Level 2,235 235 Ryrie Street, Geelong www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au 2, Ryrie Street, Geelong | | www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au Level Level 235 2,2,235 Ryrie Ryrie Street, Street, Geelong Geelong | www.regionalchannels.vic.gov.au BUSINESS NEWS | 21

INSURANCE

Contractual Liability – Do you know what you are signing?

If you are a business that signs lease, service, contractor or supply agreements that have a contractually binding nature, then you are probably inadvertently and unknowingly agreeing to certain conditions that may adversely impact on your insurance policies. And you wouldn’t be alone!

W

ithin our mix of commercial clients we estimate that on average each client is signing between 6 and 8 agreements per annum.

What’s the big deal with agreements and insurance you may ask? Well, put simply, “Contractual Liability”. Explained in short, this means when you are contractually taking on and/or assuming liability. The danger for insurance policies is that where this liability is more onerous than what would normally apply at common law, the insurance policy may not respond to any claim that results in that portion of the contractual liability. This relates more to Public and Products Liability insurance where such policies have a “Contractual Liability Exclusion” which is often the second or third exclusion listed in the policy wording.

Consider the most common form of Contractual Liability existing within a contractor, service or supply agreement.

For example, we recently examined a contract between our client – a national sales and distribution company - and a local Australian manufacturer. At common law, the manufacturer bears a large portion of the legal liability for the product they make, while the sales and distribution has little legal liability for the product. Yet, the contract that existed between the two companies had an indemnity clause that said the sales company was to indemnify and hold harmless at all times the manufacturer for all claims arising from the product. The sales

and distribution company were effectively now insuring both themselves for their own operations and insuring the product manufacturer for a range of exposures, including product failure and injury to people. None of these were covered under their Public Liability insurance policy and why should they be, given they were not making the product, were not part of its design, the build quality or compliance with Australian Standards, trade mark, copyright or patents? They were simply the sales and distribution company and their insurance policy covered them adequately for this activity. Yet had there been any injury to a person resulting from the product, contractually they were responsible for the claim, including the defence costs and any compensation awarded.

At this point, we treat the contractual liability as unlimited liability exposure and one that can cripple a business financially very quickly for any large or class action claims arising from the (in the above case) product.

Recommended steps for diligent contract reviews include: 1. Looking out for clauses often titled “Insurance”, “Indemnity”, “Hold Harmless”, “Waiver” or any permutation of these.

2. Consulting your legal advisor and/or insurance broker to determine whether it ought to be modified before signing or submitting to the insurer for approval.

3. Having simple procedures sent to all staff who have the authority to sign agreements on behalf of the company to mitigate contracts being signed without proper scrutiny.

4. Enjoying the process, because often contracts are a measure of business activity, and greater activity is generally good for business.

BRAD TRESIDDER Brad Tresidder is Managing Director of Tresidder Insurance Group P/L and sits on various boards and Risk/Audit committees advising on business insurance and risk management.

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

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

www.tresidders.com.au

22 | BUSINESS NEWS

Members of

W s

T A b i i

LEGAL

Write your business structure down The recent decision of the Supreme Court in Arhanghelschi v Ussher [2013] VSC 253 handed down

by Justice Ferguson in May this year, highlights the importance of properly documenting business structures in disputes with minority interest holders in a business.

A

rhanghelschi’s case concerned the operation of a radiology practice in rural Victoria. Dr Arhanghelschi and a number of other doctors conducted their radiology practice through a unit trust, to which was appointed a corporate trustee.

The evidence at trial was to the effect that for various reasons the other doctors in the practice did not wish to continue in practice with Dr Arhanghelschi. Under the terms of the unitholders’ agreement, the majority of unitholders, without giving any reason, could require the corporate trustee to redeem, cancel or purchase any unitholders’ shares.

The majority of the doctors in the practice, except for Dr Arhanghelschi, proceeded to give notice of their intention to require the trustee to redeem, cancel or purchase the units controlled by Dr Arhanghelschi. No reason was given for this action.

Dr Arhanghelschi commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court, alleging that the majority unitholders were in breach of their obligations under the trust deed, and that the conduct of the corporate trustee was oppressive. Unfortunately for Dr Arhanghelschi, the court found that in view of the clear wording of the trust deed, no reason was required for the purchase of what were, in effect, Dr Arhanghelschi’s units in the trust.

This finding was made even though Dr Arhanghelschi and the company, which controlled his units in the trust, had argued that there were a number of steps which the trustee should first have taken to ensure that “all reasonable steps” were taken by the trustee before acting in reliance on the information which apparently gave rise to the majority of the doctors in the practice seeking to expel Dr Arhanghelschi.

Confused by Workplace Laws?

Further, the court did not consider there was any duty to act in good faith, which ought reasonably to be implied into the trust deed. Instead, the court held that the relevant provision of the trust deed adequately dealt with a situation where the unitholders were to part ways, whether voluntarily or otherwise.

The court said that the relevant clause allowed: “… a majority of unitholders to say to another unitholder who is not in default, ‘we have lost faith in you and we just don’t want to work with you anymore. We want you to leave’.”

In the above circumstances, the court found any duty of good faith implied would impair the right of unitholders to act in a way clearly intended by the trust deed, and the court was not prepared to fetter unitholders in that way.

The court also went on to observe that Dr Arhanghelschi understood the nature of the business structure of the practice when he joined. In particular, incoming “partners” paid nothing and any outgoing “partners” would be paid nothing.

This decision clearly underlines the importance of a well thought out and properly documented business structure, which accurately reflects the intentions of the parties. Where parties in business together, whether conducting a professional practice or other business, have taken the time to properly consider and document their relationship with each other, they can expect that the courts will give effect to that agreement.

Significantly, Arhanghelschi’s case indicates that courts will not upset arrangements that have been clearly and unambiguously implemented by parties. By contrast, where parties in business together fail to take the time and effort to properly document the nature of their arrangement and their mutual understanding, they can expect that the outcome of any dispute will at best be uncertain, and at worst give rise to disastrous consequences for the business which in all probability were not foreseen.

Peter Gibbons Special Counsel, Harwood Andrews Lawyers

Get specialist advice you can rely on.

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www.harwoodandrews.com.au BUSINESS NEWS | 23

TAX

Should you be paying Super for your contractors?

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When calculating a quarterly superannuation liability, it’s critical for employers to determine which persons are ‘employees’. Failing to correctly distinguish between an employee and an independent contractor will inevitably lead to a superannuation shortfall. Over time, this accrued shortfall, which is subject to further interest and administrative charges, could expose the business to a substantial and unexpected liability. As a further downside, the eventual payment of it will not be tax deductible.

he Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (SGAA) requires employers to provide a minimum level of superannuation support for employees. This is provided in the form of superannuation contributions, with the current contribution rate being 9.25% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings.

substitute contractor/employee is paid directly by the principal.

3. The individual is not paid to achieve a result. A contractor is usually only paid to produce a result by their own means (such as third party labour, plant & equipment) in fulfilling the contract.

In a results-based contract, a specific outcome, job or project is usually defined. Consideration is often a fixed sum payable on completion, as opposed to an hourly/daily rate that is paid regardless of whether an end result is achieved.

Under the SGAA the term “employee” not only has its ordinary common law meaning, but it is extended further to include additional classes of persons. In particular, under Section 12 (3) “if a person works under a contract that is wholly or principally for the labour of the If a person works under a contract person, the person is an employee of the that is wholly or principally for the other party to the contract.”

If the above indicators are present then superannuation contributions may be required in addition to payments already made to the contractor. Even if Section 12 (3) does not apply, careful labour of the person, the person is consideration must be given to whether It is therefore possible for a person to an employee of the other party a common law employment relationship be an independent contractor under exists. Such a relationship could impose common law, yet still be deemed an to the contract. additional obligations such as PAYG employee for SGAA purposes. This Withholding, Payroll Tax, Workcover and situation is unusual, however in many leave entitlements. If you are uncertain about your employees’ cases the common law status of an employee/contractor can be status and require clarification you should call your accountant, unclear. If it is unclear, Section 12 (3) should be considered, if an Employment lawyer or HR expert. only to provide certainty in respect to superannuation obligations.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) consider the following three factors to be important in determining whether a person is an employee or a contractor: 1. The individual is remunerated for their personal labour and skills. This includes mental and artistic effort as well as physical toil. The payment of an hourly rate would usually suggest remuneration is for personal labour and skills.

2. The individual must perform the contracted work personally (there is no right of delegation). This is likely to be the case unless the contractor is free to arrange for his or her employees to perform all or some of the work, or may subcontract all or some of the work to another service provider. The ability to swap shifts with other approved contractors or employees is unlikely to be considered delegation for these purposes, particularly where the

24 | BUSINESS NEWS

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. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees) in each State or Territory other than Tasmania.

Luke Andrews Senior Manager Accounting & Business Advisory

LEGAL

ACCC to audit frachisors The ACCC will be targeting franchisors to ensure they are complying with the Franchising Code of Conduct.

The competition and consumer watchdog will be loking closely at the takeaway food, health and fitness sectors.

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The Australian Competiton and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced in late October that it will use its powers to audit franchisors in the takeaway food, health and fitness sectors to ensure their compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct (the Code).

The ACCC is the regulator of Australian franchises, which action. The most common breaches of the Code, the ACCC are subject to the Competition says, include misleading and deceptive and Consumer Act 2010 and the conduct and unconscionable conduct.

Code. The Code prescribes rules The takeaway food and the health Remedies sought may include that regulate the conduct of parties and fitness sectors have been injunctions, compensation, corrective subject to a franchise. Amongst other particularly targeted due to advertising or damages. things, the Act gives the ACCC the their disproportionate number power to audit franchisors to ensure The ACCC has warned that audits will of complaints relative to others. compliance with certain aspects not be limited to the takeaway and health of the Code. This audit power was and fitness sectors. Their announcement introduced in 2011. comes as a timely reminder for all The takeaway food and the health and fitness sectors have been particularly targeted due to their disproportionate number of complaints relative to others.

franchisors to review their current practices to ensure compliance with the Code and the Act.

The audit powers permit the ACCC to request from franchisors disclosure documents and marketing fund statements, among other documents, for their review. Where a franchisor is ordered to produce such documents they have twenty-one days to comply.

“Liability Limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.�

The ACCC has the power to enforce the Code and the Act where breaches are alleged, typically resulting in court

Coulter Roache Lawyers Pty Ltd

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BUSINESS NEWS | 25

Morris Finance Ltd: Quiet Achievers Morris Finance Ltd commenced business in 1998 with father and son team, Ian and Nathan Murray, of all places in Ian’s lounge room. At the time Ian was a partner in another business and the new venture was a way to get the then 20 year-old Nathan into the industry.

“Dad wanted me to come over every Saturday to learn the ropes and commence training to make sure I understood the fundamentals of the Finance Industry.

That lasted two weeks in the small confines of his lounge room,” Nathan laughed. “He told me to head off and do some research and find a suitable office to trade out of, so I did.” It was a 3 x 3 office in the old T & G Building in Ryrie Street Geelong.

“To tell you the truth, I had no idea what I was doing.

I’d studied accounting, business management and mathematics at school, but starting a business from scratch is such a daunting process. I think the benefit of starting a business at such a young age is that you’re young and naïve and you don’t think of the negatives in doing it, whereas, I think if you were to start a business at age 36, in an industry that you don’t know, then you may have a lot of negative thoughts and it would be extremely difficult. But back then, being 20, you have no idea, so you just do it and the negative thought process, or what if’s, don’t even enter your thoughts,” Nathan said.

With another job working night shift five nights a week, that first two years meant working 18 hour days for Nathan, which is a common story for startup business owners. “Unfortunately, you can’t just turn up, hit a button and it all happens – you’ve got to work for it.”

But the work paid off. The business was formed as an alternative to the big banks, providing commercial finance for small to medium businesses through a network of commercial brokers around Australia. It was a period of big changes in the Australian finance sector, and Nathan recalls that at the time Morris Finance Ltd commenced trading, they had four competitors, and by 2006 the business had 18 competitors around Australia; today they have only one.

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from $10,000 to $5,000,000.00. The Australian finance sector is heavily dominated by the big four banks, but that dominance has effectively created a sub-set of the market that is left looking elsewhere for financing because of the fairly rigid nature of the big bank’s lending criteria. This is the market that the success of Morris Finance has been built around.

As Ian so succinctly explains: “We finance anything with wheels.”

With now 32 staff based in their Geelong head office and a net profit increase in the June 2013 financial year of 24.5%, business is going well for Morris Finance. “To be producing numbers like that, after fifteen to sixteen years in business and during the world’s largest credit crisis, is exciting,” Nathan said.

In 2011, the business moved to its fourth commercial premises, 950 squares of modern offices in the newly constructed Bendigo Bank Building at 237 Ryrie Street Geelong. Yet for a business that had been steadily growing at the national level, very little was known about them locally.

As the naming rights sponsor of Gala Day, and partnering with the Barwon Health Foundation and Cotton On Foundation, as well as being partners of the Geelong Football Club and the Holden Racing Team, a number of local sporting clubs and developing a sports ambassador program in recent years the company’s profile has risen markedly.

Nathan explained that while they are based in Geelong, for many years very little of their core business was with local companies. That all changed when Nathan and Ian developed a new arm to the business, specifically offering finance services to individuals and businesses in the local region.

The new arm of the business, which is effectively brokering for the major lenders, provides facilities such as business car finance and leasing, capital raising, and personal and business mortgages.

“We’ve survived the test of time. We’ve gone through the biggest global credit crisis in history and it has actually made the business stronger – we used the GFC as an excuse to get bigger, not smaller.

“We’ve got the best of both worlds, we’re a funder but we’re also a finance broker working for the major lenders, so if the phone rings we’ve got both sides covered,” Nathan said.

Now we have 430 finance brokers working for us across Australia and the last five years has just been impeccable for the business.”

“The challenged now is to see how far we can reach and grow the company, we have some exciting news to announce early in the new year which will allow us to continue on our path”.

Morris Finance’s core business is providing plant and equipment finance to small to medium enterprises – from sole traders to larger operators – with facilities ranging

If you would like to talk to Nathan or one of the team, please give them a call on 1300 4 MORRIS or 5223 3453.

BUSINESS NEWS | 27

YO U R W I N D OW TO A B R I G H T E R

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Scholarships Your window to a brighter learning future.

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hrough an extensive Scholarship program, The Geelong College offers students the opportunity to join their learning vibrant community. The program further develops the culture of academic and musical excellence, and community citizenship within the College, encouraging new members to our community.

Principal, Mr Andrew Barr believes scholarships have a real impact on the makeup of a school community. “We look for students who will do well academically, but it is as important that they will make a positive contribution to our community, as leaders, in sport or the arts or in challenging the College to think differently about issues and causes, as examples” he said.

The Geelong College offers Academic and Music Scholarships from Years 6 to 11 and Boarding Scholarships from Years 7 to 11, with all applicants sitting a scholarship test and submitting school reports and personal achievements. Music Scholarship applicants also perform in an audition to showcase their ability on one or two instruments.

Mr Barr encourages families to consider scholarships to access a high quality, all round education for their family. “The College is a vibrant and exciting place to learn offering opportunities across a broad range of areas, and scholarships are one way we can assist your family to access this learning experience.”

Tips for doing your best on a scholarship test: • Take your time.

• Read each question carefully and underline the key words.

• Reverse the order in which you consider multiple choice answers, start at D – it will stop you from rushing.

• Write the numbers of any questions you are unsure of on a separate sheet of paper BUT always answer (even take a guess) ALL questions as you work through the paper – this will stop your answers getting out of step with the questions.

• Use visual aids. Draw a diagram, map or a graph to help you work out the answer.

• Use your imagination to solve problems.

• In writing tasks quality is better than quantity. Write expressively and in different styles for different tasks. Make your writing interesting, not only describe or explain what you see, say and emotionally feel but also hear, smell, touch and sense.

• Answer the question based only on the information given in the most obvious or logical way. Don’t forget to listen to your intuition, if you think it’s right, it probably is.

Tips for parents: • Try to manage your child’s expectations, the tests are designed to identify high performing students and it is quite normal to run out of time or to get approximately half the questions correct.

• Purchase some practice tests for your child, so they become familiar with the question style and the format.

• Make sure your child gets a good sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before the test.

Applications for Academic, Music and Boarding Scholarships for entry into Years 6 to 11 in 2015 are now open and close on Friday, February 7 2014. The scholarship test and school tours will be held on Saturday, 15 February 2014 from 8.30am.

For more information please visit geelongcollege.vic.edu.au.

BUSINESS NEWS | 29

www.byars.com.au

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Byars Packaging was established in 1985. Before starting the business, Daryl Byars worked for a paper bag manufacturer in Melbourne. Like many start up operations, when Daryl decided to start his own business, he started it from home in his garage.

Within two weeks, he needed a bigger site. He found a small warehouse in Dowsett Street, South Geelong, where he continued to grow the business to the point where they were packing orders in the driveway because the warehouse was full to overflowing.

By 1991, Daryl was moving his business again, this time to a site in Fyans Street, in a purpose-built warehouse complex.

As the Geelong region’s specialist packaging suppier, Byars Packaging has continued to steadily grow. Daryl’s two sons joined the business, and as business in Geelong grew, so too did the demand for packaging of all shapes and sizes.

Looking back on the development of his business, Daryl said just like every other business, Byars has had its ups and downs.

Once a major supplier of bags to supermarkets throughout the region, he recalled a year when the business lost 25 per cent of its business when the two big supermarket chains bought up and took over local supermarkets. While there have been losses, Daryl said that there have been many more opportunities. The growth of healthier takeaway food option, including Thai restaurants, has seen orders for food packaging grow exponentially, with Byars now supplying almost every Thai restaurant in the region. And while some of the big business orders that used to form a major part of the demand for packaging have fallen away, the boom of small businesses throughout Geelong and surrounding regions has seen demand grow just as rapidly.

Today, the majority of Byars’ customers are small business owners, retail businesses, bakeries and takeaway food businesses, and business is booming. Over the past five year, Daryl said that Byars has grown dramatically. Open five and a half days a week, the Fyans Street premises holds around 5,000 different types of packaging products – from paper and plastic bags to wrapping papers, gift wrap products such as ribbons, tapes, bubble wraps and industrial packaging. In the warehouse, there is a product for just about any packaging purpose you can think of.

In the past, businesses in Geelong would have gone to Melbourne or further to order packaging, but with the growth in Byars Packaging, many of those businesses have the convenience and time saving that comes with having their packaging needs supplied locally.

Byars has clients covering the entire Geelong region and neighbouring regions, from Geelong to the Bellarine Peninsula, along the Surf Coast to Apollo Bay, and also Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Werribee.

Through all the ups and downs, and particularly through the large-scale growth years, Daryl said he has been lucky to have dedicated, skilled and long-term staff members. As well as having two sons working in the business, he said most of his staff have been with Byars for around fifteen years.

‘the boom of small businesses throughout Geelong and surrounding regions has seen demand grow just as rapidly’ BUSINESS NEWS | 31

YEARS CEL

TING EBRA

More than just blinds…

The year was 1942. The world was at war, George VI sat on the throne of England and John Curtin was the Prime Minister of Australia – at the time a nation of just over 7 million people.

The year was marked by the fall of Singapore, the bombing of Darwin, the battles on the Kokoda Trail and the construction of the Burma Railway. It was the year that David Williamson was born, as well as Ita Buttrose, George Negus and Quentin Bryce. And down the road from Melbourne, in Sleepy Hollow Geelong, a small business was born.

Frank Paxton Bryant started Brax, making useful things out of wood, including Hobby Horses, rulers, set squares and knitting counters. Seeing an opportunity, he branched out into the manufacturing of timber venetian blinds.

It was the beginning of a business that would go from strength to strength for more than seven decades… and counting.

In 1945, Allan Stewart began working with Frank, and in 1952 Allan bought into the business, along with his long-term business partner and good friend George Pyle. Allan and George took over the business in 1958 before selling to Melbourne firm, Gair Evans Pty Ltd, in 1971. When Gair Evans was taken over by Sunshine Australia, better known as Sunshine Biscuits, it became part of a conglomerate of small blind manufacturing businesses in Victoria, with Allan in the role of area manager.

But by 1979, the business was in trouble, and rather than see the business they had built close down and take with it around 40 local jobs, Allan and George re-purchased what was then Brax Window Treatments – although the old name of Brax Blinds stuck around.

By 1990, Allan was ready to retire and handed over the management of the business to his eldest son, David. Having spent years working across different parts of the business, David was joined by his wife Cal as owners and operators.

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Committed to quality Over seventy years on from those early days in wartime Australia, both David and Cal agree that it is the people who work in the business, and the business’ valued clients, that have made it the success story that it is today. While the business is second generation, some of the many repeat customers are third generation, returning to the business their grandparents went to for awnings and blinds for their homes and businesses.

Brax was always more than just a store; the business began by manufacturing blinds in Geelong and is still manufacturing locally. The Stewarts have invested heavily in manufacturing facilities in South Geelong, where they produce a range of roller blinds, external awnings, aluminium privacy screens and Crimsafe security products. For years, blinds and awnings were manufactured on site at the Pakington Street premises in Newtown, but in 2000, the purchase of a new factory gave David and Cal the opportunity to create a large, modern new showroom. Joining the LUXAFLEX® Window Fashions Gallery national network also meant they could showcase their extensive product range, with large operating blinds on display.

Through strategic alliances with Crimsafe premium security products and Somfy automation specialists, Brax continued to build on its reputation for manufacturing and supplying a comprehensive range of high quality window treatments.

“We started manufacturing Crimsafe under a license agreement in 1998,” David said. “At that time, no one knew what it was, so we had to educate them, but we believed in the quality of the product.” Crimsafe has since become one of the most recognised brands in the Australian security market.

David and Cal are committed to manufacturing in Geelong into the future, but like so many other businesses, they are facing competition from lower cost, lower quality imported products.

“We need to look closely at the things that we manufacture to ensure we are efficient and competitive, but as a small family business we are hands on and able to react and implement change quickly.”

With the showroom now added to Google Places, so that customers can click on and view the virtual tour, as well as the first Brax YouTube video on show, this nimble family business continues to respond to and exceed the expectations of its customer base, and that makes for good business.

YEARS C ELEBR

G ATIN

More than just blinds…

Brax Window Treatments Pty. Ltd

Showroom: 332 Pakington Street, Newtown, Vic. 3220

(03) 5221 5533 www.braxwt.com.au BUSINESS NEWS | 33

TIME HONOURED

Tuckers Celebrate 130th Anniversary It all began when F.H. Tucker – Builders, Undertakers & Timber Merchants opened for business in 1883.

Tuckers Celebrate 130th Anniversary

It all began when F.H. Tucker – Builders, Undertakers & Timber Merchants opened for business in 1883.

Tuckers started out in 1883 as a small family business in Wycheproof, Victoria, operating from a two Tuckers started out in 1883 as a small family business in Wycheproof, Victoria, operating from a two room cottage with one standing desk, a few oil lamps, a horse drawn hearse and no telephones. room cottage with one standing desk, a few oil lamps, a horse drawn hearse and no telephones.

1925 saw Frank Tucker make the decision to move his family business to Geelong. Over the past 130 1925 saw Frank Tucker make the decision to move his family business to Geelong. Over the past 130 years Tuckers years Tuckers have continued to thrive by providing high quality, innovative services to families and has continued to thrive by providing high quality, innovative services to families treating them like their own. From a small family business, Tuckers today employ over 38 Geelong staff, operate several venues and office locations treating them like their own. From a small family business, Tuckers today employ over 38 Geelong throughout the region, maintain a fleet of vehicles, and unlike in 1883, all staff now have phones, ipads, mobile staff, operate several venues and office locations throughout the region, maintain a fleet of vehicles, internet access and much more. and unlike in 1883, all staff now have phones, ipads, mobile internet access and much more.

Over the past 130 years community desires have directed the services offered by Tuckers. Funeral services post WW1 saw cremations become not only possible, but popular. Funeral services became simpler and mourning was Over the past 130 years community desires have directed the services offered by Tuckers. Funeral downplayed with the focus not on grief, but on honouring the deceased. In the 1960s to 1990s there was a move services post WW1 saw cremations become not only possible, but popular. Funeral services became towards more open grief and a public discussion of death and funerals. Today, death and funerals are more hands on. The community is focusing on the grief process and celebration of a life. simpler and mourning was downplayed with the focus not on grief, but on honouring the deceased. In

the 1960s to 1990s there was a move towards more open grief and more of a public discussion of death “The key to longevity? ” says Mark Osborne General Manager “… the short answer is ‘our people’. Over the years Tuckers has employed incredibly passionate and dedicated staff, a tradition that continues today. In addition to this, and funerals. Today, death and funerals are more hands on. The community is focusing on the grief our key points of difference include our bereavement and aftercare program, multiple facilities, new technologies, process and celebration of a life. our entire funeral fleet, inclusive of our vintage hearses, and much more”. Over the years the quality of the service Tuckers provides has helped forge strong relationships with many Geelong families. Tuckers commitment to be involved in the community continues by giving back, participating both physically and financially to the people of “The key to longevity?” says Mark Osborne General Manager “… the short answer is ‘our people’. Over Geelong. “As a team we are looking forward to the opportunity to service this community for the next 130 years, the years Tuckers have employed incredibly passionate and dedicated staff, a tradition that continues meeting the needs of Geelong’s growing and culturally diverse population” says Mr Osborne. today. In addition to this, our key points of difference include our bereavement and aftercare program, After more than a century of service, Tuckers continues today to grow and bring quality service to the region of Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and Colac Otway Shire, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Golden Plains Shire and multiple facilities, new technologies, our entire funeral fleet, inclusive of our vintage hearses, and much surrounding areas. more”. Over the years the quality of the service Tuckers provides has helped forge strong relationships with many Geelong families. Tuckers commitment to be involved in the community continues by giving

After more than a century of service, Tuckers continues today to grow and bring quality service to the region of Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and Colac Otway Shire, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Golden Plains Shire and surrounding areas.

Geelong’s most trusted funeral provider,

serving the community for 130 years.

The team from Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service pictured outside their facilities located in Geelong West.

“The quality of the service Tuckers provides helped forge strong relationships with many geelong families over the years.”

The team from Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service pictured outside their facilities located in Geelong West.

A Milestone Year for Tuckers

2013 is a year to remember for the team at Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service Funeral Directors Trevor Cole, Ross Allen, Gavin Cole and Brad Tattersall are all very well known within the Greater Geelong community and with good reason - combined they have an impressive 130 years of service to the community. As Funeral Directors, Trevor, Ross, Gavin and Brad represent an organisation that is also celebrating 130 years - Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service. When talking to these four gentlemen you hear stories of men who have given their life to serving others, with each of them regarding it a privilege to meet and work with families who have lost a loved one.

Following the traditions set by his father and grandfather, Gavin Cole has dedicated the past 20 years to working with his family at Tuckers as a Funeral Director. After completing his trade and working as a cabinet maker, Gavin joined the family business in 1993. Still working as a Funeral Director today, Gavin feels honoured to have witnessed so many personal tributes.

Brad Tattersall also celebrates 20 years as a Funeral Director working in the Geelong region. In 1993 Brad started working as a Funeral Director within his own families business. Having worked in all aspects of the funeral industry, Brad joined the growing team at Tuckers In 2013, Trevor Cole celebrates 50 years A Milestone Year for Tuckers of service to the and considers it a privilege to continue caring for families Geelong community. Following in his Father’s footsteps, 2013 is a year to remember for the team at Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service in the region.

Trevor was called upon to help out the family business

as it grew. Starting off by completing bookkeeping tasks and clerical work Trevor eventually learnt the ropes and became hands on in every aspect of the business.

Over the years Trevor has seen many changes in both the business and the industry, particularly the growth in technology and innovation within the overall service Tuckers provide.

2013 sees Ross Allen commemorating 40 years working as a Funeral Director with Tuckers. Back in 1973 when originally offered a position by Trevor, Ross scoffed at the idea of working in the funeral industry. As you can see it turned out to be a well suited opportunity – 40 years later Ross is still working with Tuckers today and is honoured to have heard so many stories of lives that have impacted the world we live in.

Gavin Cole, Trevor Cole, Ross Allen and Brad Tattersall, pictured at one of the five Tuckers Funeral Chapels located throughout the Geelong region.

Gavin Cole, Trevor Cole, Ross Allen and Brad Tattersall, pictured at one of the five Tuckers Funeral Chapels located throughout the Geelong region.

Funeral Directors Trevor Cole, Ross Allen, Gavin Cole and Brad Tattersall are all very well known within th Greater Geelong community and with good reason ‐ combined they have an impressive 130 years of serv to the community. As Funeral Directors, Trevor, Ross, Gavin and Brad represent an organisation that is al celebrating 130 years ‐ Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service. When talking to these four gentlemen you hear stories of men who have given their life to serving others, with each of them regarding it a

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With over 15 years experience in the industry, Danielle has access to products that include home and contents, motor vehicle, boat/caravan, landlord, public liability, income protection, life, disability & trauma insurance. The next time you receive your insurance renewal notice or want insurance for the first time, call Danielle on 1300 131 809.

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APS Benefits Membership Coordinator Jesse Clarke can assist members to gain immediate funeral cover up to $15,000 for adults and $7,000 for dependent children (aged 2 to 15 next birthday). Do you have cover in the greatest time of need? Call us on 1300 131 809.

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APS Savings Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of APS Benefits and offers a Fixed Term Investment product. Ask Sam Athans about the interest rate on offer and you will be pleasantly suprised. The term can be 6 months, 12 months or 24 months. Call us on 1300 131 809.

APS Wills & Estates

Phil Lambourne from APS Wills & Estates has over 25 years experience as a lawyer. Phil can help you with wills, powers of attorney, probate and estate administration. Is your will up-to-date?

Have you reviewed your will recently? It affects more than just you!

Further to this, APS is owned by its members, so any profits are channelled back to members.

Help spread the word by introducing new members and APS will send you, your nominated charity or your staff social club $50 for each new member you nominate. For more information call us on 1300 131 809 or visit www.apsbs.com.au.

PROUDLY NOT FOR PROFIT Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd Level 1, 16-20 Howard Street (PO Box 326) North Melbourne VIC 3051 Toll Free 1300 131 809 Phone (03) 9322 2000 Fax (03) 8327 8200 info@apsbs.com.au ABN 64 077 846 809

AFSL No. 244115

www.apsbs.com.au

1300 131 809

www.apsbs.com.au

Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd

GDP INDUSTRIES TIME HONOURED

GDP D P IINDUSTRIES NDUSTRIES G

(G EELONG D ISABLED P EOPLE ’ S I NDUSTRIES ) ABN 96 004 811 116

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Held on Thursday June 21st 2012 At 6-8 Baxter Road at 5.00 pm

AGENDA Present:

GDP Industries is an Australian Disability Enterprise offering Apologies:

long term supported employment to people with disabilities.

Since 1965 GDP Industries (Geelong Disabled People’s Industries) has been providing wood and metal and packaging services to clients including Alcoa, Ford, OneSteel, Chemring, Cleanaway Waste Management, COGG (City of Greater Geelong) and Riverside Textiles.

Business Arising: We are a not for profit organisation based in North Geelong which has consolidated its position to become a genuine workplace with highly skilled employees. The fact that it is such a professional and productive operation is testament to the hardworking, loyal and happy employees, run by a team of dedicated supervisors, general manager Eric Smith and admin manager Mal Huybens.  Wages Review

Document Storage  Bonuses Sheds-For Lease • Lockable 3mt x 3mt premises • 24/7 easy access • Individually keyed roller door

Offering Document Disposal/Shredding Service • Lockable 240lt bins @ $15 per bin excluding GST

• Individually alarmed security keypad

• Shredding of Contents of Archive Boxes etc. @ $3.50 per box excluding GST

• Fire Rated Walls

• Free drop off and pick up of bins

• Smoke Detectors • Trolley/Step Ladder NextDocument Meeting: • Built in Document Shelving • Free use of Document Trailer • Monthly Rates + $85 per Unit excluding GST

Become Environmentally Friendly by using our polystyrene disposal facility

Free quotes on E-Waste Computer items can be dropped off free ofNorth charge 6-8 Baxter Road Geelong Victoria

• Disposal costs are:

$5.00 per cubic metre excluding GST, picked up.

Free quotes on pallet making. No pallets too large or small Free quotes oN Packaging itEms, 3215Seed Trays (Nursery)

Phone: (03) 52789411 Fax: (03) 52781871 E-mail: gdp.industries@bigpond.com

Lic: QAC/A61/0615

38 | BUSINESS NEWS

6-8 Baxter Road North Geelong Victoria 3215 Phone: (03) 5278 9411 Fax: (03) 5278 1871 Email: gdp.industries@bigpond.com

Lic:DES/A61/0615

Building skills for better lives GDP Industries, Geelong’s oldest adult disability training centre, is a thriving business offering a diverse range of services to organisations and individuals in Geelong and surrounding areas.

Since it was established by the Geelong West Rotary Club in 1965 to offer meaningful work to school leavers and adults with a disability, Geelong Disabled People’s Industries has continued to grow. The not for profit that originally provided work to employees mending soft drink crates and binding ropes now offers a wide range of light industrial services, from recycling to steel manufacturing.

Operating from the premises in Baxter Road North Geelong, where it moved in 1976 and has since expanded five times to accommodate extra work and employees, the award winning GDP Industries now has 62 employees, many of whom have been with the organisation for more than 25 years.

“As an organisation, we strive to provide a quality service to our customers while investing in work that’s suitable for our employees and gives them the opportunities and training to build their skills and confidence,” says GDP general manager, Eric Smith. In a company that is always seeking ways to improve working conditions, employees are offered numeracy, literacy and computer training and work with state of the art machinery.

The quality of the service offered to customers is evident in the contracts GDP has with a number of large firms in and around Geelong, including the operation of City of Greater Geelong’s North Geelong recycling centre. Much of GDP’s work is based around environmental sustainability, with services such as competitively priced document shredding for businesses and households and the recycling of polystyrene and waste wood.

“As an organisation, we’re well aware of the environmental climate facing all companies,” Eric says. “As a group with strong beliefs in this area, we worked on ways our company could reduce waste going to landfill and how we could help other companies to achieve this goal as well.”

GDP Industries shreds polystyrene for light weight concrete products, rips timber offcuts to produce kindling for firewood, bags pine shavings for kitty litter and compost, shreds paper for use in packaging and horse stables, produces seed trays for nurseries out of recycled fence palings, refurbishes old pallets to sell as recycled pallets, builds furniture from pine shipping crates, recycles television and computer components and cuts rags for industrial organisations. It holds ISO 14001/ISO 9001 credentials and was awarded the Enviro 2010 SULO Innovation Sustainability Award in partnership with Barwon Waste Management Group.

“When people come here they can’t believe all the different things we do,” Eric says. “As an organisation, we’ve diversified in many ways by thinking outside the square to create work for our employees. It’s important for us to look at ways we can generate work for years to come, while providing our customers with a solid work ethic so they can rely on our ability to meet their needs. No job is too small or too large for us; we’ll look at it and quote on it for any organisation in and around Geelong.”

The success of the organisation has meant it is also able to contribute financially to various community causes, including support for disabled students in local schools, Life Education and Give Where You Live. “If we see something we feel needs support and we can assist, then we will,” Eric says.

Despite the growth and success of GDP Industries its mission remains to provide a safe and enjoyable workplace for people with disabilities.

“We’re always looking to build the business so we can employ more people and contribute to the community,” Eric says. “We want to get as much work as we possibly can so we can continue to generate jobs for people with disabilities, while providing a quality service for our customers.”

Judy Baulch

“We’re always looking to build the business so we can employ more people and contribute to the community. We want to get as much work as we possibly can so we can continue to generate jobs for people with disabilities, while providing a quality service for our customers.”

BUSINESS NEWS | 39

THE TECH GUY

The Tech Guy

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

If you really, really want to impress this Christmas, look no further than the LG G Flex. This is a curved display smartphone which arcs from top to bottom and even offers a little bit of flex when you push down on it.

The ultimate Christmas gift

Thin tablet easy to swallow The tablet pioneer ASUS have reduced the overall thickness of the new teninch MemoPad to 9.5mm and weighs in at only 580g.

With a new Intel Clover Trail Plus Z2560 1.6GHz Dual Core engine under the bonnet and an LED Backlight WUXGA Screen with a 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS display, the MemoPad is a sight for sore eyes.

You get 2GB RAM, a 32GB

40 | BUSINESS NEWS

HDD, 178 wide view angle, capable stereo speakers with SonicMaster technology, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 1.2MP Front Camera (720p Video Recording) and a 5MP Rear Camera with Auto focus (1080p Video Recording).

Ins and outs include a micro HDMI Port, a micro USB 2.0 Port and a micro SD Card Reader, all running on the Android Jelly Bean 4.2 operating system.

You should be able to pick one up for under $395 - now that’s value for this premium tablet.

Officially it’s only available in Korea for 999,940 won (about $940), and while rumours are pointing to an eventual launch in other parts of the world, the earliest - and richest of early bleeding adopters can grab one from importers for around $1,200. The benefits of curved or flexible displays are three-fold. They should be more durable, give a better viewing experience and could potentially lead to wholly flexible devices like a phone with a foldable screen. This is the future of displays right here, right now.

Thinking pencil

R It looks like a builder’s marker pencil but comes in a choice of sustainable hardwood or brushed aluminium and is bristling with technology inside.

There’s an eraser to remove your digital mistakes and a rechargeable battery that promises a month of life

with normal use. It will pair to your iPad over Bluetooth and you’ll also get access to various tools like Outline, Mixer and Sketch for free.

The unit will set you back $60, but that’s small potatoes on top of the fees for your life drawing class.

THE TECH GUY

Build in 3D Microsoft made a point of building 3D printer support into Windows 8.1 and now it’s releasing a tool that lets even newbies create objects of their own. The new 3D Builder app includes a catalogue of pre-designed items that virtually anyone can start printing right away.

Especially curious users can adjust and combine objects without having to be a CAD expert, and those with access to more advanced tools can import their masterpieces. As long as you’ve already shelled out for the requisite printer, you can download and try 3D Builder for yourself.

Throat voice tattoo

Double sided mobile phone

Rocki wins

The idea’s fairly simple: a module that plugs into the back of an existing sound system via audio jack or RCA, essentially turning it into a wireless speaker system. The little hexagonal Play device streams music over your home network via 802.11b/g/n, which has some notable fidelity and range advantages over Bluetooth. If you’ve already got some speakers lying around, it’s also a fair bit cheaper than investing in a new Bluetooth or WiFi versions. The company is developing an Android app for the Rocki, letting you stream your music to multiple devices. It’s still in development stage, so watch this space.

Motorola has applied for a patent of a microphone with a tranceiver and power supply that is designed to be tattooed onto your throat. The idea is to capture vibrations directly from your larynx in order to cut out background noise. Watch the movie Elysium with Mat Damon to get the idea.

The skin-borne device could communicate with your handset or other portable device by Bluetooth, or other wireless things.

Beats having a phone hanging out of your ear.

If you’ve asked Santa for a dual display smartphone this year, the fat man in the red suit may be gliding down your chimney with a YotaPhone on Christmas Eve. With LCD one side and E Ink on the other, the Russian based company is planning to start shipping before

Christmas. The Android-based handset features a full colour, Gorilla Glass 4.3-inch 1,280 x 720 LCD display on the front and a 200 dpi E Ink display on the back. No idea on price yet, so keep Googling yotaphone to check out availability.

Banding together Who else but Nike would be on the front foot to thrust some technology on your wrist to measure stuff? The Nike+ FuelBand SE, having only been officially released earlier this month, is now a part

of its new Metaluxe Collection and this one is special edition model in a Rose Gold hue. The shiny but subtle FuelBand SE is available in limited quantities for around $199.

BUSINESS NEWS | 41

TRAVEL

T

urquoise water. Perfect white sand stretched in an arc between two rocky headlands.

I cringe when I think about some of the situations I have found myself in while travelling…. There must be a god that looks after naïve young backpackers for a start.

Apart from creating trouble for ourselves, which for most of us is genetically unavoidable, there is a small chance that we’ll unwittingly find ourselves caught up in a situation not of our making.

Many parts of the world – including many places where we love to holiday – are prone to political and natural disasters that can disable the basic infrastructure upon which modern life depends: electricity, transport, phones, Internet, water.

How to

survive human-made & natural disasters?

- tips and a packing list of life-saving equipment

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster there can be a period of chaos – normally not more than 72 hours – where nothing works.

If you’re fortunate enough to survive a catastrophe, it is worth carrying sufficient basic equipment to make sure you have a good chance of surviving the resulting temporary mayhem.

Of course, major disasters are actually very rare and the chance of being involved in one is even rarer. But it can and does happen.

Nothing is guaranteed when you’re at home - or in a developed country - either. You only have to think of New Orleans in 2005, or the 2010 Chile earthquake to scotch that idea. The difference at home, however, is that infrastructure and building codes are generally of a reasonable standard, and the government has deep pockets. Most importantly, you have a network of friends, families and communities to come to your rescue. Things will be much tougher if you are by yourself in Manila or Istanbul or Turkey or Tripoli or New Orleans…

So what can you do? First and foremost, don’t create trouble for yourself. Wherever you are, stay abreast of political and weather forecasts. Political trouble is flagged a long way in advance. With the exception of tornadoes, serious weather events are now reliably predicted in advance, so you will have an opportunity to prepare yourself or, even better, to run away! If you can’t put an ocean between you and the problem, make sure you contact a friendly embassy as soon as you can – prior to the event.

I still like to travel with a short wave radio, because although in most places the Internet is a brilliant source of information, a connection is never 100 per cent guaranteed. A small short wave radio in your luggage means the BBC World Service - the most reliable news source in the world - is always available.

Unfortunately, earthquakes and volcanoes remain stubbornly unpredictable. We know where they have been, and we know where they are likely to occur.

But we only know when they’ll happen, give or take a hundred years or so.

Essentially the earthquake and volcano risks are greatest where continental plates collide: along the Pacific’s Rim

42 | BUSINESS NEWS

TRAVEL of Fire, and along the Himalayas and into the Middle East, Turkey and Italy.

A 2001 study ranking the most earthquake-vulnerable cities in terms of potential loss of life ranked Kathmandu first, followed

by Istanbul, Delhi, Quito and Manila – but first world cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, San Francisco and Los Angeles are also extremely vulnerable.

Many cities, towns and villages also live in the shadow of volcanoes that have been deadly in the past, and have the potential to be deadly in the future. The most vulnerable cities include Naples (Mt Vesuvius), Portland (Mt Rainier), Quito (Cotopaxi), Yogyakarta (Mt Merapi) and Mexico City (Popocatepetl).

folded and hidden in my clothes in case I ‘lose’ my wallet.

Identification – Your passport is best, but any photographic identification will be better than nothing.

Day pack - If you have to move quickly, you will not want a suitcase or a huge pack.

Mobile phone – Your phone should have Internet and GPS capability so you can stay up-to-date with news, and you can navigate even if streets have disappeared under rubble.

Phone systems are fragile, but authorities make the restoration of phones a very high priority.

Mobile phone backup/add-on battery – If the electricity grid fails, you may need backup power for your phone.

That puts two of my favourite cities (Kathmandu and Naples) at the top of two somewhat unfortunate league tables.

Raincoat or poncho – Even in the tropics, you won’t want to sleep in the wet.

What to do? Obviously, one choice is to stay at home and watch documentaries on TV. The risks, once you actually have the TV set up in your home, are admittedly low – but while driving to the shop to buy your TV you are statistically at much greater risk of death or injury than you would be if you were picnicking on top of Mt Vesuvius or eating an apple pie in Kathmandu. The risk of death or injury on Nepalese and Italian roads is another matter altogether…

Short wave radio – If phones, electricity or the Internet fail, a small battery-powered radio (and the dulcet tones of the BBC) will keep you up-to-date with developments.

Some will call me paranoid, but personally I’m not comfortable about picnicking on top of Mt Vesuvius. And although I love to spend time in Kathmandu, I carefully choose my hotel room.

You won’t find me on the ninth floor of a multi-storey concrete monstrosity in the middle of the teeming alleyways of Thamel, the tourist ghetto.

Drink bottle

N95 facemasks - Epidemics like flu can be a natural disaster in their own right; other natural disasters can create potentially deadly dust.

Water purification tablets – Water-borne diseases come hot on the heels of all disasters.

Soap – Personal hygiene, especially before eating, is critical when diseases of insanitation are rampant.

Toilet paper – A roll of toilet paper might seem like a luxury, but it’s light, and comes in handy in all sorts of emergencies.

The basic principles to room selection that I apply are: Can I get to a decent open space quickly? I prefer to be on the first floor, and I want to be near a garden or park. Is the building sound? More often than not, traditional architecture will be safer than a modern concrete and brick construction.

If modern is unavoidable, I try to choose something simple (square or rectangular) with regular smallish windows. The most vulnerable buildings in earthquakes are those with irregular shapes (even those with an L shape), and large irregular windows.

Torch – Even in normal situations where there is a simple power failure, a torch can be vital.

In the event of a disaster you won’t be able to control your surroundings, but you can control the way you react. Remain calm and patient. Stay away from crowds. Impulsive, emotional behavior will only make the situation worse. Immediately after the dust settles, western embassies will establish assembly points, probably near the embassy itself. That’s where you will want to be, so make sure you know where it is.

Small medical kit

Emergency Packing List for Disasters

Basic wound dressings

Many of the items on the following list are common sense items that appear on a packing list for any holiday. But if you’re going somewhere where there is political instability, poor infrastructure, and the possibility of a natural disaster, these small items can be invaluable. They won’t go off so you can use them over and over again….

Any prescription requirements

Cash - Make sure you always have cash on hand. ATMs and banks are useless if there’s no electricity. I like to have some local currency as well as some US$50 notes, stashed somewhere immediately accessible (which does not include hotel safes, or even room safes if they require electricity to work). Even in developed countries I carry a $50 note carefully

Swiss army knife Gaffa tape – This all-purpose tape can make temporary repairs to almost anything. I use it to tape my emergency cash stash under a piece of furniture in my hotel room.

Lighter – Even our most distant ancestors knew that the ability to make fire is the difference between life and death (although they didn’t have toilet paper and lighters to help!)

Gastrolyte (diarrhoea) Broad spectrum antibiotics (for respiratory and diarrhoearelated illnesses, and infected wounds) Antihistamines (allergic reactions) Antiseptic cream

Richard Everist Richard Everist started work with Lonely Planet in its early days, wrote a number of guidebooks, and spent five years as global publisher. He was the CEO of Peregrine Adventures before moving to Geelong. Richard and his wife, Lucrezia Migliore, now run Around The Sun, a travel company that organises small group tours and private adventures to amazing corners of the world. See www.aroundthesun.com and/or ‘like’ www.facebook.com/aroundthesuntravel

BUSINESS NEWS | 43

LEADERSHIP

First be nimble Guiding people and teams through ambiguity and uncertainty

F

Every leader knows that the days of a slow changing, siloed private sector are over.

The world is too complex and fast moving, but what will the future hold? or insights, I asked private sector leaders two key questions while researching my new book First Be Nimble:

self-management, and could recite the keys to being socially aware and socially savvy, but leaders who guide people through ambiguity do a lot more than that.

• ‘What will the private sector of the future look like?’

Accordingly, let’s look at five practices of leaders who genuinely use emotional intelligence to develop nimble teams and organisations that can address the challenges of ambiguity, wicked problems and resource restrictions. These practices are all about promoting a nimble culture in which people learn and develop on the job with short, intensive coaching and development backed by skilled debriefing.

• ‘What leadership capabilities will be most important?’

To the first question the same words and phrases came back time and again: agile, nimble, adaptable, connected, innovative and clever. No surprises there.

To the second question the almost universal answer was emotional intelligence. Surely there must be more?

Maybe, but as we explored this further it became clear that it didn’t matter where they or their business were situated, they still saw the challenges through the lens of emotional intelligence (EI). Those challenges were about leading through ambiguity, engaging diverse stakeholders, tackling wicked problems and delivering more with less.

Then came the paradox. Despite the common theme of emotional intelligence, few could point to breakthroughs in how to really leverage that capability in themselves and their teams (and yet everyone had done multiple EI training courses).

In fact, when the practices of leaders who genuinely drive adaptive change were described, there was a high level of initial resistance to suggestions that emotionally savvy leaders provoke change, challenge people so they build their resilience and instil intensive and relentless debriefing of results and behaviour (so everyone boosts their EI on-the-job). Mostly this resistance was packaged in reasonable sounding comments such as: • We must respect our people • Engagement is essential to drive any change • People are change fatigued, so they need support • It’s important to take time to build trust No one could argue with these thoughts, but in a time of rapid adaptive change, it seemed that these leaders training in emotional intelligence had promoted a dangerously narrow and out-dated view of the role that emotions play in work, and in particular in meeting adaptive challenges.

Certainly they understood the basics of self-awareness and

44 | BUSINESS NEWS

Let Go – Welcome the Squirm: Emotionally savvy leaders know that their people and organisations are skilled at passive resistance to change, so they provoke change, and see ‘squirm’ as a sign of progress, not a signal to back off.

Be Brave, Not Busy: Savvy leaders manage the heat from stakeholders and make tough calls that direct resources to where they have impact.

Co-Create – Think One Team: The public sector is full of experts in silos (as are most large private sector organisations).

Savvy leaders respect and develop experts, but they also punch holes in the silos by fostering collaborative problem solving and debriefing.

Build to Flex: That includes replacing performance reviews with performance partnering conversations and systems, aligning teams with simple ‘true north’ plans and refusing to let bureaucracy stifle the speed and agility of nimble teams One way or another, businesses of the future will be nimble, innovative and adaptive. Whether or not the current generation of leaders drive that change will indeed be a reflection of their emotional intelligence. The message is clear. If you are a leader and genuinely want to lead your team or agency through ambiguity and uncertainty, then first be nimble.

Graham Winter Graham Winter is a leading advisor to corporate Australia on leadership and teamwork. He is a three-time Chief Psychologist for the Australian Olympic Team, author of business best-seller Think One Team and a Director of Think One Team International.

For more information visit www.thinkoneteam.com

COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE

What makes a great board great?

What you need to know to take the Board you’re on to the next level.

Good governance needs to be built over time. In the not for profit sector, almost all board members are part-time non-executive directors and by definition do not spend a lot of time either together as a group or involved in the day to day operations of the business. Consequently, to become an effective leadership team, the board - led by the chairperson - must continually work at its approach to become a successful and effective board.

Create a climate of trust and candour: Share important information with board members in time for them to read and digest. Encourage board members to meet with key personnel and visit sites. Provide an opportunity for board members to meet without the executive in attendance. Define what the board means by this climate and the type of behaviour that would mirror this aspiration.

Clarity regarding role and focus: High-performing boards begin with a clear understanding of their role, scope of responsibilities and expected contribution to the long-term success of the company. Some boards have a formal charter that covers these points and that can serve as a touchstone to ensure continuity and common understanding. Include the role and responsibilities of the CEO and how this relationship will be managed during the course of business.

An effective chairman: The chairman sets the board’s tone and direction as well as its performance culture. He or she creates the appropriate environment for full engagement by all members of the board, drawing out opinions and shaping discussions of sensitive issues. An effective chairman has established an open and honest relationship with their CEO based on mutual trust and understanding. Succession, for the Chairman, board members and the CEO, is also a key component of sustainability and one that should occupy a board’s thinking on an annual basis at least.

Stewardship v strategic role: recognise and understand the different roles, allocates appropriate resources to fulfil each requirement and evaluates performance on an on going and formal basis. Both are critical to long term viability and sustainability and should be allocated appropriate attention according to size and type of the organisation.

Foster a culture of open dissent: Dissent is not the same as disloyalty. Ask silent board members for their opinions, and ask them to justify their views.

Leave a board if the CEO expects obedience. The goal is to disagree, but not be disagreeable; through dissent and discussion, a superior outcome can be achieved.

Utilize a fluid portfolio of roles: Ask board members to develop alternative scenarios to evaluate strategic decisions, and push them to challenge their own roles and assumptions. Encourage alternative thinking, challenge the norms and create an expectation of excellence as the standard.

Ensure individual accountability: Give board members tasks that require them to inform the rest of the group about strategic and operational issues the organisation faces. Expect individual and group accountability.

Evaluate the board’s performance: Ask board members their view of and confidence in the integrity of the enterprise, the quality of the discussions at the meetings, the credibility of the reports, the use of constructive professional conflict, the level of interpersonal cohesion and the degree of knowledge. Look at initiative, roles, participation in discussions, and energy levels. Assess the performance of the board on an ongoing basis and against criteria that has been developed and agreed on by all members of the board.

BayFM Bethany Annual Giving Tree Appeal 2013 More and more families are doing it tough around Geelong and the region and Christmas will be less than festive for many people this year.

T

he 12th annual BayFM Bethany Giving Tree Appeal is an opportunity for us all to help make Christmas a little brighter for local families by placing new, unwrapped gifts under one of the more than 70 Giving Trees located in businesses, schools and organisations around the region.

Gifts can be for any age group, from infants to adults, and this year the appeal is hoping to collect 2,500 gifts on behalf on nine community agencies: Bethany, Barwon Youth, Glastonbury Community Services, Mackillop Family Services, St Laurence, SalvoConnect Women’s Service, Time for Youth, Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative and Zena Women’s Services.

To contribute, drop your gift off at one of these local businesses: 13th Beach Golf Club, Anytime Fitness Geelong, Bank of Melbourne Geelong branch, Barwon Heads Primary School, Barwon Water, BayFM, Bellarine Sports and Aquatic Centre, Bellbrae Primary School, Bendigo Bank branches, City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centres, Crowe Horwath, Curves Lara, GPAC, Give Where You Live, Herne Hill Primary School, Kevin Paisley Fashion Eyewear, KFC stores, Lara Sporting Club, Leisurelink, Mercure Hotel Geelong, Moriac Primary School, Newcomb Secondary College, Portarlington Primary School, Splashdown, Spotlight, Tates Toyworld, Waterworld and Xtra Real Estate.

There are lessons to be learnt from the past, in 2003 a Royal Commission investigated the collapse of HIH Ltd. and a quote from the report simply but succinctly states where the responsibility for good governance lies: ‘Systems and structures can provide an environment conducive to good corporate governance practices, but at the end of the day, it is the acts or omissions of people charged with relevant responsibilities that will determine whatever governance objectives are in fact achieved.’

Mark C Schultz www.governancetoday.com

BUSINESS NEWS | 45

COMMUNITY

Local disadvantaged men are working it Around 20 unemployed men aged 16 to 25 from Geelong took part in an intensive three-day program recently to assist in building their confidence and improve their chances of gaining employment. The program, titled ‘Work It’, is unique, because it specifically addresses selfesteem, health and appearance amongst men: topics often reserved for women specific programs.

Organised by Karingal through its initiative BacLinks and employment services provider MatchWorks, the program was developed to suit the learning styles of the young male participants, and address several topics that are of importance to many young men. Activities were hands-on and included adventure based learning outdoors.

“At MatchWorks, we assist many people who are experiencing significant challenges in their lives, and sometimes it’s not as simple as whether they have a job or not,” MatchWorks General Manager, Michael Wasley, said.

“For this reason, we partnered with BacLinks to deliver a program that will address some of their broader barriers to employment, such as maintaining their individual health, coping within the workplace and building on their personal strengths and selfesteem.”

Over the three days, participants had the chance to hear from the CFA, Victoria Police, Ford Australia, who presented on working in a factory environment, and Strawberry Seed Consulting, who presented on working in a corporate environment. The participants toured The Gordon to help get an idea of careers pathways and the support available to assist them to reach their career goals and, to help them look the part, they received haircuts and makeovers from students at The Centre of Excellence, as well as new work-appropriate clothes that were donated by the Geelong community. Before and after photographs were taken.

According to BacLinks Manager, Sheree Holdsworth, it is hoped this program will make a real difference to confidence levels of the young men and assist them in their pursuit of employment.

“Many of these men come from quite challenging backgrounds, and many left school early. I think we often forget that it’s not just young women who need to focus on how they present themselves and the need for a bit of a confidence boast.

“Employment and the satisfaction of receiving income in return for a hard day’s work is an important component of social inclusion

46 | BUSINESS NEWS

and feeling like part of the local community. We hope that this program has given [these men] a confidence boost and assisted them in gaining sustainable, long-term employment, and made a difference in their lives,” Ms Holdsworth said.

The three-day program was supported by several local Geelong businesses and community organisations, including MatchWorks, The Gordon, The Centre of Excellence, Ford, Strawberry Seed Consulting, Victoria Police, CFA, G-Force, Fuso Trucks, Karingal Training, and Karingal KABLE.

Proof community involvement makes a real difference This year has seen Karingal initiative, BacLinks, inject over $260,000 - including 2,800 volunteer hours - into the local community through projects built on linking relationships between the business and community sectors.

From a small group of employees committed to bringing business and community together for mutual benefit, BacLinks has grown over the last decade, increasing its business membership, networks and ability to meet a large variety of community need.

“In a tough financial environment, many community organisations are struggling to adequately provide important services to community members in need,” Ms Holdsworth said. “Businesses are also doing it tough, but it’s heartening to see them digging deep to support their community through various contributions such as employee volunteering, donation of goods and services or by sharing their knowledge and resources. All these things can and do make a difference”.

Highlights during the year included events such as the Girls’ Big Day Out where young girls were given an opportunity to try a trade for a day; the ‘Y’Chef Cooking Challenge for VET in Schools Hospitality students; the Journey to Work and Work IT projects that assisted a number of young women and men to better prepare for employment; the ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’ Mental Health Forum for Men; Project Pamper, which aimed at boosting the self-esteem of women who have cancer; and two Workplace Big Day Out events, which provided an opportunity for people with disabilities to have a fun, challenging day out in the company of employee volunteers from local businesses.

As 2013 comes to a close, BacLinks would like to thank all the many businesses who have generously contributed to their community through events and projects through BacLinks during the year – it has made a real difference.

COMMUNITY

Adroit Golf Day raises $90,000 for the Geelong Community Foundation The annual Adroit Insurance Group charity golf day has raised more than $650,000 in total for the Geelong Community Foundation, with the 12th annual charity golf day netting $90,000.

Held in November at 13th Beach in Barwon Heads, the event was the most successful yet with 172 players from many local businesses as well as the wider insurance community.

“We’re proud to contribute to the Geelong Community Foundation which, in turn, assists an ever increasing number of people in need across our community,” says Adroit Insurance Group managing director Andrew Locke.

The Geelong Community Foundation retains donations as capital in order to build a perpetual and substantial fund, with the income generated used to support the disadvantaged in the Geelong

district. In 2013, $656,000 was distributed to 45 charitable organisations across the region, covering a range of community needs and interests such as education, training, research, community wellbeing and support for the aged, families, health, youth and the arts. The Foundation received a massive boost in 2013 with a bequest of $900,000 from the estate of Margaret Cody, a Geelong nurse, midwife, keen volunteer and committed philanthropist whose lifetime interest through her work and with her friends was Geelong and the people of the region.

The 2013 Golf Day also assisted Adroit to achieve an incredible milestone of over $1 million of net funds raised for local communities through the organisation of fundraising events such as the Golf Day, Run Ballarat with the Cotton On Foundation and a number of other initiatives across all branch offices.

“We want to support and be involved in our community,” Andrew says. “This milestone is one that I’m incredibly proud of and one that I think demonstrates that we walk the talk.”

JUDY BAULCH

Footlight Productions by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC. presents

My

Fair Lady

7.30pm Friday 7 February 2014 OPENING NIGHT! All net proceeds go directly to Give Where You Live Bookings are essential, please visit givewhereyoulive.com.au or phone 5229 4364 to reserve your seats

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BUSINESS NEWS | 47

Jud

Images from GPAC’s 2014 Season Line Up

ARTS

ARTS All set for a happy new year at GPAC

GPAC’s 2014 Deakin University Theatre Season line up will make you laugh, gasp and cry, possibly all at the same time.

From drama to comedy and a circus performance, the spectacular program includes eight shows from Australia’s most innovative and accomplished theatre companies in a season described by GPAC’s general manager, Jill Smith, as “a mix of classic and contemporary works, as well as exciting family entertainment”.

Kicking off the year in March is Red Stich Actors Theatre’s warm and funny new play The Kitchen Sink by Tom Wells. A deeply engaging portrait of a not-so-typical family, The Kitchen Sink has already proved a hit for Red Stitch with a sell-out Melbourne season.

In May, Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre presents The Government Inspector, Simon Stone’s reworking of Nikolai Gogol’s classic story. Another classic will be brought to life in June when shake & stir theatre co presents a new adaptation of George Orwell’s chilling novel 1984. Strap yourself in for this terrifically chilling theatrical event set against a towering wall of plasma screens as Orwell’s final novel screams into the present.

In July, State Theatre Company of South Australia in association with Adelaide Festival Centre will fly in with Little Bird for the only Victorian performances of this production.

While Darwin playwright and performer,

48 | BUSINESS NEWS

Mary Anne Butler, heads south along the Highway of Lost Hearts in August with her heart-warming story about a woman, a dog, a campervan and 4,500 of wide open road.

Also in August, State Theatre Company of SA returns with another Victorian exclusive for GPAC - Oscar Wilde’s brilliant and muchloved comedy of love, manners and mistaken identity The Importance of being Earnest.

The circus comes to town in September as Circus Oz makes a long awaited return to Geelong with an electrifying new show for the whole family. And Watch This presents a killer black comedy to finish the season in October, with the Sondheim musical Assassins.

According to Jill, GPAC is able to offer such a high standard of theatre due largely to the support of corporate sponsors. Deakin University remains the naming rights sponsor of the annual Theatre Season, making a significant contribution to the performing arts in Geelong.

Season tickets packages of four or more shows are available at www.gpac.org.au offering discounts of up to 20 per cent on single tickets. Purchase a season tickets package before December 31 to be in the draw to win a trip for two to London, thanks to Harvey World Travel offices in Geelong West, Leopold, Drysdale and Ocean Grove.

JUDY BAULCH

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NYE 2013

City Quarter Soiree

Tuesday 31 December 8:00pm–1:00am $135 early bird before Dec 16 $149 Dec 16 onwards All inclusive ticket includes:

Basic spirits, beer, wine, soft drink and canapés. Plus an after party pass for priority entry to Lambys.

Prime viewing position of the 9:15pm and midnight fireworks over Corio Bay Good Faces For Radio and local DJs Dress code: Cocktail. No denim.

Tickets available from City Quarter between opening hours: Thursday–Sunday 5:00pm – late (03) 5222 6444 events@thecityquarter.com.au www.thecityquarter.com.au Level 1, Cunningham Pier, 10 Western Beach Foreshore Rd, Geelong City Quarter

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Rob Hunter, Ajay Arvind, Andrew Simpson

Toshiba’s High Tech Recycling!

Toshiba chose Geelong’s SC Technology Group as the location for the State launch of the Toshiba Eco MFD – a world first photocopier with erasable toner that allows pages to be erased and reprinted up to five times.

Darren Roskosch, Tracy Davey

Julie Barnes, Mark Sanders

50 | BUSINESS NEWS

“We are very excited to be part of such a new and innovative technology. We believe this new Toshiba solution is he first step toward

a paperless office and a great initiative to reduce carbon emissions” says Rob Hunter, owner of SC Technology.

More than 50 clients were treated to a demonstration of the machine by Toshiba’s National product managers Ajay Arvind and Andrew Simpson and got to see first hand the paper being erased and reused.

Terry Scott, Bernie Lowes, Peter Crossett

Simon Livingston, Linton Drever, Rohan Kux

Celebrating 2013

Michael Reed and Michael Malouf

Beth King & Shannon Short

Amongst the members of the local legal community and business and community leaders, there was a definite air of festivity at the Geelong Carousel as Harwood Andrews hosted their 2013 End of Year Celebration.

After a busy twelve months, it was a chance to relax for many as the sun shone through the glass walls of the Waterfront carousel house, and to have a convivial chat about the year ahead.

Dan Simmonds, Bill Trengrove, Elaine Carbines, Ross McKenzie

BUSINESS NEWS | 51

James Rogoni, Julie Hunter and Rob Hunter

BIG BANG

Breakfast!

Partners of the Give Where You Live BIG Program attended the BIG BANG Breakfast, held at The Captains Room, Simonds Stadium. BIG Partners were asked to Bring A New Guest (BANG) to the function.

Jodie Woods, Di Nelson,Bernadette Uzelac

Adam Doolan, Ryan Jones and Chris Howard

52 | BUSINESS NEWS

Guest Speaker Peter Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Cotton On Group, shared some valuable insights into businesses engaging with their communities. The message was clear – any business, any size can be a great corporate citizen. The BIG concept is simple; it’s about small to medium Geelong businesses joining together to make a BIG impact on the community in which they conduct their business. Give Where You Live understand that business owners really want to help their community but often don’t know where

to start and don’t have the resources to research where their donations will make the biggest impact.

There are so many wonderful causes and organisations helping the most vulnerable in the Geelong region, where do you direct your donation?

The Big Program allows small business operators to hand this decision over. Give Where You Live apply our expertise to understand the real issues in our region.

CurrentBIG Partners include Belmont Stereo Systems, Market Square Management, BTS, Adroit Insurance Group, Brand Bureau, Caronlab Australia, City to Surf Solar, Gartland Real Estate, Kings Funerals and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce just to name a few.

Find out more at www. givewhereyoulive.com.au

Marg Pocock, Steph Asher, Trish Clayton, Judith Brooks

A Lady of Many Talents Maggie Millar, a lady of many talents was guest presenter at a Ladies Christmas Celebration morning tea hosted by Patrick Rowan & Associates.

Maggie spoke emotionally of her ‘colourful life’, never really fitting in and finding out at the age of 17 she is adopted.

Mandy Neil, Simone Ettridge, Tania Hanneysee

Helen Pemberton & Maggie Millar, guest presenter

Maggie went on to become an award winning actress, appearing in Prisoner, The

Sullivans, Homicide and her favourite role - Rosie Hoyland in Neighbours. She is now an accomplished writer and artist.

The event held at the RGYC, helped raise funds and collected pre-loved ladies accessories for the ‘Work..

My Way’ Baclinks project, assisting women with a mild disability prepare to enter the workforce.

Michelle Crocos, Amanda Cowland, Leanne Nelson, Melina Conte, Maria Conte

BUSINESS NEWS | 53

STUFF

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Sharpener Desk Tidy www.yellowoctopus.com.au $54.95

Sausage Dog Bookends White www.yellowoctopus.com.au $39.95

Inflatable Globe 68cm shop.australiangeographic.com.au $24.95

Table Clip Cup Holder www.yellowoctopus.com.au $6.95

A change is as good as a holiday?

The new year has come around again and there is no better way to kick off 2014 than with an office make over.

Let your sense of style and creativity flow with these great decorating ideas ranging from the cute to the kitch to the seriously functional.

Swissvoice ePure Cordless Telephone www.yellowoctopus.com.au $89.95

54 | BUSINESS NEWS

Jump online to see more.

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BOOKS

Dog Days: Australia After The Boom Ross Garnaut There is no one with more economic clout in Australia than Ross Garnaut, and in his latest book, Dog Days, he explains the challenges facing Australia after the boom. Over the past two decades, Australia has experienced the sharpest rise in incomes over the shortest period of time of any developed nation. However, with dog days ahead, Garnaut says that Australians need to be prepare for a lowering of their standard of living – for a time at least – and that our politicians will need to put the national interest and the interest of the majority of Australians above the interests of powerful political supporters. He asks the question: are we clever enough – and our leaders courageous enough – to change what needs to be changed and preserve a fair and prosperous Australia? Dog Days is a book about the future by a leading advisor to government and business; with both forecast and analysis, it heralds a new era for Australia after the boom.

Cross My Heart James Patterson Cross My Heart is the twentyfirst novel in James Patterson’s bestselling series featuring Detective Alex Cross.

Alex Cross’s whole world is crashing down around him.

He has been hunted, stalked like prey, his predator priming himself for the kill. Cross has devoted his life to protecting others.

Now he’s unable to protect even those closest to him. As a police detective, he has made many enemies, but never like this. Everything he loves is being taken from him. Soon he will have nothing left.

Ned Kelly Peter FitzSimons Peter FitzSimons, bestselling chronicler of many of the great defining moments and people of this nation’s history, revels in the telling of this most iconic of all Australian stories. From Kelly’s early days in Beveridge, Victoria, in the mid-1800s, to the Felons’ Apprehension Act, which made it possible for anyone to shoot the Kelly gang, to Ned’s appearance in his now-famous armour, prompting the shocked and bewildered police to exclaim ‘He is the devil!’ and ‘He is the bunyip!’ FitzSimons brings the history of Ned Kelly and his gang exuberantly to life, weighing in on all of the myths, legends and controversies generated by this compelling and divisive Irish-Australian rebel.

Shame and the Captives Tom Keneally In Gawell, New South Wales, a prisoner-of-war camp to house European, Korean and Japanese captives is built close to a farming community. For Alice, living on her father-in-law’s farm while her husband is at war, the POWs change both her view of the world and herself. The small town is challenged by the foreignness of the Japanese compound and its culture. In the camp, driven by a desperate need to validate the funerals already held for them in Japan, the prisoners vote to take part in an outbreak, and the bloodshed and chaos this precipitates shatter the certainties and safeties of all who inhabit the region. A fascinating blend of fact and fiction.

Raising Steam Terry Pratchett The modern master of satire is back with the 40th Discworld adventure, and this time the Disc is facing an industrial revolution, heralded by the steam engine. From his window, the Patrician, Lord Vetinari can see steam is rising over Discworld, driven by a man wi’ t’flat cap and sliding rule who has an interesting arrangement with the sine and cosine. Luckily he has just the man to turn this largescale tinkering to the greater good.

Moist will have to grapple with gallons of grease, goblins, a fat controller with a history of throwing employees down the stairs and some very angry dwarfs if he’s going to stop it all going off the rails.

Adventures with the Wife in Space Neil Perryman Neil loves Sue. He also loves Doctor Who. But can he bring his two great loves together? And does he have the right? In January 2011, Neil Perryman set out on an insane quest to make his wife Sue watch every episode of the classic series of Doctor Who from the very beginning… even the ones that didn’t exist any more.

The result was a wildly successful and hilariously revealing blog called Adventures with the Wife in Space. But the adventure continues. From awkward years at school, terrified of giant insects, Daleks and rugby players, to even more awkward years as an adult, terrified of unexpected parenthood and being called a Whovian, here Neil tells the all too true story of life as a Doctor Who fan. Funny, honest and surprisingly brave, he also captures perfectly the joys - and fears - of sharing the thing you love with the people you love. Adventures With the Wife in Space is, at its heart, the story of Doctor Who, and its fans, seen through the eyes of two people - one who knows almost nothing about the programme and another who knows way too much.

BUSINESS NEWS | 55

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