Geelong Business News - 198

ISSUE 198 JULY 2011 $4.50 (inc Gst)

THE BEATING HEART OF HEALTHCARE

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BUSINESS NEWS

CONTENTS

GEELONG BUSINESS NEWS FOR LOCAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

3

Features 12 More people, more schools?

The region is growing, but what about our schools?

14 Sustaining the future

Taking the federal debate out of climate action

16 The beating heart of healthcare

Cardiac treatments putting Barwon Health on the map

CONTENTS 05 Biz News 10 Appointments 34 Small Biz 38 Tech Guy 40 Arts 48 After Hours 51 What's On

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4

EDITOR

We are (still) like tenant farmers When I sat down to write this piece, like so many others, I was still waiting to hear the detail of the Gillard Government’s proposal for a carbon tax. Let’s face it, all that most of us really want to know is how much it will cost and what it realistically could achieve – preferably without any histrionics from politicians.

Personally – and again, this is without having read any of the fine detail – I believe the package will be neither an environmental panacea nor economic poison. I don’t even think that of and by itself it will have that much of a direct impact on reducing the growth of carbon emissions. I think it will probably prove to be just another cost in most of our day-to-day lives. Of course, for individuals and businesses that are already buckling under the burden of rising living and/or business costs, it could prove to be one cost too many.

But it could also prove to be a cost that just might spark some significant moves away from a carbonintensive economy.

If we remove the environmental imperative out of the equation on the basis that it is accepted that we have no choice but to move away from our big polluting ways (excluding the bleating climate sceptics on the basis that they are fast joining the ‘end of the world’ prophets for absurdity factor), then what we have left is a debate around costs and benefits. Here is familiar territory for many of us.

The introduction of a carbon tax will bring with it increases in everyday costs, but is the right answer direct compensation – that is, returning the funds raised from the tax to householders and businesses?

Surely the point of a carbon tax is to act as an incentive to shift the marketplace away from CO2 emissionsintensive practices.

So the question then becomes one of how to assist the shift to a more sustainable economy. The government has within its power the means to reduce cost of living pressures through tax reform (and the work has already been done in the Henry Tax Review). Imagine, for a moment, if the government considered reducing other taxes to balance the introduction of a carbon tax!

At the end of the day, we know that the introduction of a price on carbon won’t come without some pain, but it is a market mechanism that must happen, and the longer it takes, the longer businesses and, more importantly, our energy sector will have to operate in uncertain market conditions. Costs will rise, but we need that cost pressure to necessitate change to our collective attitude to energy consumption. The change is necessary, inevitable, and long overdue.

In 1931, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, the two other contemporary leaders of American industry, Thomas Edison is recorded as saying: “We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy — sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”

Edison, it seemed, saw the writing on the wall for oil and coal at least eighty years ago. It’s sad to think it has taken the rest of us so long to catch up, if indeed we have…

ISSUE 198 JULY 2011 GEELONG BUSINESS NEWS, an Adcell Print Group publication, is mailed to more than 5000 businesses in the G21 region.

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BIZNEWS

5

Build it and they will come

Happy 40th Birthday, Email!

Do you have days when your inbox becomes overloaded with junk emails – a useless and frustratingly expansive collection of inane and irrelevant messages? I was having one of those days when this little gem popped up from distributedmarketing.org, and as it made me smile, I thought I would share it with you all in the hope that it makes you smile as well!

Forty years ago, engineer Ray Tomlinson sent the first electronic mail message. No one remembers now what the message said, only that it was short and difficult to compose. But whatever it said, it changed the communications picture forever.

When he showed his work to a colleague, he was told firmly, “Don’t go telling anyone!

That’s not what we’re supposed to be doing.”

Tomlinson never profited from his pioneering work, but his story of the creation of email, and how he came to use the “@” symbol to direct messages between networks, is fascinating [feel free to Google this if you are having a slow day today].

Here are a few of the milestones that email passed over the last four decades:

The Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct, or GREP, is officially open for sale, with the prospectus for the 500-hectare industrial precinct officially launched by Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Damien Drum. The 16-page prospectus outlines the many benefits of GREP for growing businesses and investors.

1976: Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain became the first head of state to send an electronic mail message.

1982: The word email enters the dictionary — and Scott Fahlman creates the first smiley “emoticon”.

1997: Microsoft buys Hotmail for $400 million — and launches Microsoft Outlook later that same year.

2007: Google launches Gmail.

Of course, there are many other milestones in a four-decade history of email. One constant since commercial email began to take up more and more inbox space is the fact that marketers constantly try to improve their messages so that recipients will open them and take action — and recipients try to filter out as much unwanted commercial mail as possible.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell said GREP provided a unique opportunity for developers to expand their operations in a strategic location.

“GREP is not only a stone’s throw from Melbourne via the highway, but it is also strategically linked to rail, sea and air transport,” he said. “The land is competitively priced and the zoning is suitable for all industrial activities.

With 500 hectares of land, GREP is the largest designated precinct for industrial development in our region.”

To help those businesses wanting to know more about and/or looking to invest in the precinct, the City has established a dedicated Business Facilitation Group for GREP. The GREP Prospectus can be downloaded from www.grep. com.au and hard copies can be obtained by calling 5272 4888.

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6

BIZNEWS

A welcome eye on public projects VECCI has welcomed the State Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s review into the industrial relations principles governing publicly funded building and construction projects.

VECCI Manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Workplace Relations Policy, Alexandra Marriott, says the review into the Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry 1999 is a welcome response to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the precarity of the industrial landscape in Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building and construction industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Flowing forward with water savings Two significant local water-saving projects are anticipated to save millions of litres of potable drinking water.

also improve the amenity of the park, with walking trails planned to wind around small lakes and wetlands.

At Eastern Park, up to 30 million litres of potable drinking water will be saved thanks to an innovative stormwater harvesting system. The Australian Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water for the Future initiative has contributed $415,000 to this $930,000 project, with the City of Greater Geelong funding the rest of the project.

At Hume Reserve, plans are underway for a wetland system to recycle water for irrigation of Hume Reserve soccer fields, council trees and, potentially, Geelong High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports oval. This project was funded through a CoGG partnership with the Australian Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water for the Future initiative, who contributed half of the $1.158 million required for this project.

Works will include diversion infrastructure, gross pollutant trap, sediment basin, open water basin, water treatment, pump station, indigenous plantings, walking trails and an interpretive centre.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strengthening the Code will alleviate concerns VECCI has about the lawlessness of the Victorian building and construction industry impacting upon the perception of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competitiveness,â&#x20AC;? said Ms Marriott. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The review should also ensure that major projects are not unnecessarily hijacked or delayed by unlawful industrial action, or poor industry practices.

The water saved will be used primarily to irrigate the Botanical Gardens as well as maintain other recreational space within Eastern Park. The harvested water will

Works will include the construction of diversion infrastructure, gross pollutant trap, bore injection pump, bore retrieval pump, sediment and holding basin, water treatment and pump station. This project will save up to 20 million litres of potable drinking water. Both projects are expected to be constructed in 2011/2012.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The proposed construction code will replace a code drafted by the previous State Government â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and will align with protections included in the Commonwealth Code, such as freedom of association, and the right to join or not join a union. VECCI looks forward to contributing to the review of the Code, and working closely with the State Government to ensure that improvements in public sector tendering are won,â&#x20AC;? Ms Marriott said.

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NEWS Focus on Black Spots The Federal Government will provide $281,000 to fix two dangerous black spots at the intersection of Ormond Road and Garden and Myers Streets, and the intersection of Heales Road and Broderick Road in Lara.

A fully controlled right turn signal will be installed at the hazardous Ormond Road, Garden Street and Myers Street intersection, where parking bays will be removed and the right turn lane extended, at a cost of $81,000.

In Lara, $200,000 will be spent to construct splitter islands in Broderick Road and extend the passing lane in Heales Road. Both projects will be delivered during the course of the current financial year.

Member for Corio, Richard Marles, said $3.6 million has been allocated to fix over twenty black spots across the Corio electorate since 2007. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This investment is helping to make our local roads even safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, with twelve of these projects already completed,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Marles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the good thing about our Black Spot program is that anyone can suggest an intersection or section of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade. Nomination forms are available from my office. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from: www. nationbuildingprogram.gov.au.â&#x20AC;?

7

Say 'no' to taxes on the busy and the stupid It is tax time and Australian taxpayers can look forward, once again, to negotiating the labyrinth of tax deductions, unless they can afford to pay an accountant to do it for them. According to the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) about three-quarters of Australian taxpayers do offload their tax affairs, more than in any other country, bar Italy. Adam Creighton from the CIS has a novel idea to ending the paperwork headaches as Aussie workers and business people seek to claim every available cent in rebates.

According to Mr Creighton, we mainly use accountants to squeeze the most out of the arbitrary work-related deductions. We make about $32 billion of personal tax deductions each year, more than half of which are workrelated (self-education, certain travel costs, union fees, depreciation of the home computer, etc). Accountants are apparently doing too good a job, spurring the ATO to send more than 100,000 letters to taxpayers reminding them to keep to the rules.

cut, and work incentives would get better too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even those people who would be worse off financially might still like the idea, as they gain freedom from shoe-boxes of receipts, accountantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees, or copious hours of reading the Tax Pack. Wages would increase in occupations where employees are currently burdened with additional expenses, or employers would simply pay the costs instead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Gillard government is already proposing to give taxpayers a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;standardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; $500 tax deduction, which will eradicate some of the complexity and paperwork. But surely having a lower tax rate is better than the puerile pleasure of ticking a box marked â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;deductionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?

Adam Creighton is a Research Fellow at The Centre for Independent Studies.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an idea. Abolish all deductions and use the extra revenue to cut income tax rates.

For obvious reasons, tax deductions are in effect a tax on the busy, the poor, and the stupid because all tax rates must be higher as a consequence,â&#x20AC;? Mr Creighton wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Assuming taxpayers claiming deductions pay a marginal average income tax rate of about 40 per cent, government could make an extra $6 billion or so by canning them. Provided all the money was used to cut income tax rates â&#x20AC;&#x201C; reducing, say, the 15 per cent marginal tax rate to 12 per cent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all taxpayers would get a tax

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BIZNEWS

Seeing is believing ...

Give Us Your Green Ideas Businesses with great ideas for tackling climate change are being encouraged to enter a national competition that could see Australian innovation become a global success.

Paul Fraser examining air stored in the Cape Grim Air Archive. Anyone can now explore online the record levels of greenhouse gases measured in the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere since 1976.

Image: North Sullivan Photography

For the first time, greenhouse gas data are accessed easily on a new CSIRO website.

The site shows the levels of greenhouse gases measured in the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere for the past 35 years.

Observed greenhouse gas concentrations – as measured by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology at Cape Grim, Tasmania – can be easily explored by members of the public.

The data are updated monthly from analyses of air measurements at Cape Grim, which, under baseline conditions, experiences some of the cleanest air in the world and accurately reflects global changes in greenhouse gases.

“The atmospheric level of carbon dioxide, which is the most important long-lived greenhouse gas influenced by human activities, is at its highest level in more than a million years,” says Dr Paul Fraser from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.

“It is currently increasing at about 0.5 per cent each year.”

Dr Fraser – who has been analysing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations for more than 35 years – says it is important to ensure that the community at large has access to data that clearly illustrate the impact of human activities on the atmosphere.

“The measurements testify to a steady rise in carbon dioxide concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere, mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation,” he says. “The graphs we’ve made available online will enable people to examine the evidence about the major driver of recent climate change. This is fundamental information in determining the global actions needed to avoid greenhouse gases rising to dangerous levels.”

The website employs a dynamic interface to allow users to analyse the behaviour of the three important greenhouse gases influenced directly by human activities and natural variability: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Data for the synthetic greenhouse and ozone depleting gases, such as CFCs, also are available. Water vapour, although an important greenhouse gas, is not significantly influenced directly by human activities.

The website puts the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations over recent decades in the context of longer-term variations over the past 1000 years – determined by analysing air extracted from tiny bubbles trapped in the Antarctic ice.

Dr Fraser says carbon dioxide is currently rising at nearly 2 parts per million molar (ppm) per year.

“Together, these measurements allow us to trace the dramatic rise in carbon dioxide levels from about 280 ppm before the start of the industrial era around the year 1800, to 388 ppm in 2010. That’s an increase of almost 40 per cent, largely due to human activities.”

Launching the Australian Clean Technologies Ideas Competition, Innovation Minister Kim Carr said climate change was the greatest challenge facing Australia and the world today, and it was vital countries around the world worked together to address it.

The Australian competition, linked to the international Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition, will showcase clean technologies with economic and environmental benefits. They will help reduce our reliance on carbon and aid energy efficiency by opening up new ways of doing business.

“Australian clean technologies businesses were worth $22 billion in 2010 and the sector employs over 25,000 people nationally. The Government’s goal is to develop a sector that helps Australia meet the growing needs of a low carbon economy,” Senator Carr said.

“The Australian competition will promote a uniquely Australian take on developing this high-tech, high-skill sector and, I hope, result in some ‘Eureka’ moments.”

Business ideas can be for technologies and services that address pollution, waste treatment and energy storage, new ways of looking at energy efficiency, building materials, transportations systems, public utilities and much more.

Competition entrants will compete for business services tailored to suit the diversity of needs highlighted by the new ideas – be it access to venture capitalists, patent support, legal advice, research support or corporate assurance. The winner of the Australian competition will represent Australia at the international Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition in the United States. The Australian winner will share ideas with entrants from 90 countries and compete for over $100,000 in services to launch their idea. They will also have a week of mentoring, meetings with investors, business services and other entrepreneurs at the International Awards Gala in November 2011.

For more information visit: www.cleantechopen.com.au.

The Australian competition is an initiative of the Gillard Labor Government’s $8.2 million Supplier Advocate Program and is supported by Enterprise Connect, Commercialisation Australia, the CSIRO and Austrade.

More information is available at www.innovation.gov.au

First for business.

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Things you should know: Information current as at June 2011. Combination offer only applies when a new business loan is settled within 3 months and is current 3 years from drawdown. Otherwise the establishment fee and any reimbursed switching costs must be repaid. New Westpac Business One Low Plan or Westpac Business One High Plan transaction account (Business Transaction account) must be opened in a branch. The account keeping fee (monthly plan fee) will be waived for the first 12 months and then the current account keeping fee will apply. The information on this account doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consider your circumstances. Before making a decision, read the Terms and Conditions and fee information, available on request or at westpac.com.au. All loans are subject to Westpacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s normal lending criteria. Terms, conditions and fees apply and are available on request. These may be varied or new ones introduced in the future. *Switching costs can be made in a single claim only, and include on a GST exclusive basis, valuation fees, legal costs, stamp duty and security registration and discharge fees. Break costs on fixed rate facilities and third party commissions and referral/introduction fee are not eligible switching coasts. Reimbursement will be made upon production of proof of costs incurred.Š 2011 Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL 233714 ACL 233714.

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10

APPOINTMENTS Community Services

Health

St Laurence Community Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon French as General Manager of the Employment Services. Simon is a former partner of Coulter Roache Lawyers and has lived and worked in Geelong for the last six years. Simon is a director of Geelong Chamber of Commerce and is the Chair of Human Research Ethics Review Committee, Barwon Health.

Frances Jordan has been appointed Deputy Director of Nursing at St John of God Hospital Geelong. After moving from Ireland to Australia, Fran spent 2 years at Swan Hill District Hospital, followed by 12 years at the Epworth Hospital. Fran joined the St John of God Hospital Geelong Cardiac Unit in 2003.

In 2010 she became the Oncology Services Coordinator before being seconded into her new role in January.

Hospitality

Accountancy

Nicole Hill has been appointed as the General Manager at Peppers the Sands Resort, Torquay. Nicole has a thorough knowledge of the region with her most recent appointment as Director of Sales at Mercure Geelong. Nicole has worked for many large Las Vegas hotels as well as the Phillip Island Nature Park, where she was Director of Sales and Marketing.

LBW Chartered Accountants welcomes Matthew Grapsas to their financial planning team as a Senior Financial Planner. Matthew has 14 years of experience in the financial planning industry in Melbourne and Geelong, with his recent experience specialising in superannuation. Matthew is looking forward to assisting the clients of LBW achieve their goals.

Water Services

Psychology

Barwon Water has appointed Melissa Stephens as General Manager Organisational Development. Melissa has held a number of key positions at Barwon Water in a career spanning 21 years, including Managing People and Culture, Regulation and Pricing and Financial Services. Most recently, Melissa has been responsible for leading Barwon Water’s cultural change program as Manager Innovation and Change.

Chris Mackey & Associates, Specialist Psychology Services, welcomes Suzanna Copp. Suzanna has a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology and her background includes work in the forensic field, group work and community mental health. Suzanna's particular interests lie within the areas of workplace difficulties, mood disorders, trauma, substance misuse and in particular, relationship issues.

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APPOINTMENTS

11

Legal

Real Estate

Graham Hobbs has joined Coulter Roache as a consultant. Graham has more than 40 years of legal experience with extensive family law, property law, wills, estates, powers of attorney, litigation in all jurisdictions and dispute resolution. After 9 years working in Melbourne, he commenced GW Hobbs Pty in Highton in 1979 and has practised in most jurisdictions across a range of areas of law.

Ray White Geelong is delighted to announce the appointment of Scott Hanneysee to their Sales division. Scott has over 20 years sales and management experience, four of which have been in the Real Estate industry in Melbourne. Scott recently moved back home to Geelong with his family to begin his career at Ray White. Scott is an experienced salesperson who understands the pressures of selling.

Legal

Real Estate

Darinka Barmby has also moved to Coulter Roache as a Senior Conveyancing Paralegal. Darinka has had in excess of 32 years experience in the legal community. She is multi talented as a secretary and paralegal, her work history includes maintaining her own conveyancing files and organising practices at Ainsworths (Belmont office) and for the past 16 years with Graham Hobbs.

Alex Campbell has recently become General Manager for PRD Nationwide Geelong & Lara. As a Director also, Alex brings us his experience in running the prominent PRD Jens Gaunt Ballarat office for a number of years. His focus is on the training, development and mentoring of the Sales and Rental Teams to ensure they are positioned to provide the best possible outcomes for their existing and new clients.

Catering & Events

IT

Carolina Rodriguez joins The RK GROUP Corporate and Event Catering as Client Relationship Manager for wedding and event catering. Carolina has recently relocated to the Surf Cost from Melbourne and brings with her a strong background in events. She as a Degree in Event Management & Marketing and has worked in the industry for 6 years for Museum Victoria and The Atlantic Group.

Damian Pruscino has joined the team at IT how To as a consultant. Damian has been in IT for almost 20 years with significant experience in software implementation, systems analysis and project management. Damian has worked extensively in planning IT installations & system changeovers with national and international organisations, as well as implementation to start up business.

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12

COMMENT

Shifting tides on carbon tax It seems that former Liberal Party Leader, John Hewson, isn’t the only one thinking that former PM Kevin Rudd was actually right when he said that dealing with climate change is the moral imperative of this century.

Amongst the furious debate, speculation and speech making that has been taking place around the proposed carbon tax, there has been a quiet groundswell of businesses that have added their names – and some of them are very big names – to those supporting the introduction of a price on carbon emissions.

Back in April, multinational conglomerate, General Electric, along with companies that included AGL, Linfox, Fujitsu Australia Ltd., BP, Better Place, IKEA, Kell & Rigby, Alstom, Pottinger, ARTC and Pacific Hydro released a joint statement backing the introduction of a carbon price.

Pledging support for the introduction of a mechanism to put a price on carbon, the coalition of businesses presented a united front to Parliament, urging positive action on assisting Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

In the joint statement, the companies said: “As major Australian and international corporations and representative associations operating across the Australian economy we strongly support the introduction of a welldesigned carbon price to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

“Australia must aim to be globally competitive in clean energy, energy efficiency and lowcarbon technology. Pricing carbon is critical to providing business certainty and unlocking the jobs and investment that will accompany the transition to a prosperous, cleaner and internationally-competitive economy.

“As the costs of action are outweighed by the costs of delay the carbon price should be implemented as soon as possible. A price should be accompanied by appropriate transitional assistance for households and trade-exposed industry, as well as

reduce

support a price on carbon – more than double the initial number from the day before.

“We look forward to working with the MultiParty Climate Change Committee and all members of Parliament as they implement a carbon price.”

The B4CE project is a joint venture between The Climate Group, the Clean Energy Council, The Climate Institute, the Carbon Markets & Investors Association, the Investor Group on Climate Change and the WWF.

complementary measures that emissions at least economic cost.

The organisations that were signatories to the statement include a number with a vested interest in seeing a price put on carbon – such as alternative energy technology suppliers, but a number of the biggest names also come from industries that we are being told will be hardest hit by the introduction of a carbon price, including energy, transport, construction and resources. So why take this stance? According to the statement, it was in the hope of seeing the development of a market mechanism that will promote investment in cleaner business practices, improve international competitiveness, grow more jobs and help Australia to reduce its carbon intensity.

As the nation’s media and political commentators went into a carbon tax frenzy, chasing real or supposed details on the Government’s proposal (at least until the New of the World scandal exploded), came another quiet show of support for a carbon tax from the business sector.

On 6th July, a press release was issued to say that a new website had been launched supporting the same statement issued in April.

The website, Businesses for a Clean Economy (b4ce.com.au) was again calling for businesses who support the introduction of a carbon tax to add their support.

With businesses including The Body Shop, Infagen and Grocon signing on, as well as the established carbon price supporters including GE, IKEA, AGL and Pacific Hydro, there was a sense that the quiet groundswell of support for a price in carbon in the Australian business sector was quickly gaining momentum. On the 7th of July, only a day after the first press release came a follow up, stating that more than 140 companies had now signed up to

Business for a Clean Economy says the website was developed out of concern that many businesses are not being represented in the current carbon price debate, and that the site will allow other businesses, no matter what their size or industry, to show their support for a price on carbon.

The businesses that sign on to the project agree that ‘a carbon price with cost effective complementary measures is critical to reducing Australia’s emissions and ensuring Australia remains globally competitive as the rest of the world reduces their emissions.’

Daniel Grollo, CEO of Grocon said of his company signing the statement supporting a price on carbon: “Personally I’m in favour of a cost on carbon. As I look forward in Australia, I see us at the threshold of some fantastic times and I get disillusioned when I see some critical decisions that need to be made for our future getting bogged down in politics.”

Mark Kindness, CEO of The Body Shop Australia said, “Practicing responsible environmental stewardship and advocating for strong climate change legislation is a key priority for us as a business. We hope the price on carbon will act as an incentive for corporate Australia to think twice before choosing carbon intensive business practices.”

The next four months will now see carbon price legislation drafted and debated in Parliament, and as the debate continues, the voices both for and against introducing a price on carbon – including those from the business sector will only get louder. We just might be seeing democracy in action!

Davina Montgomery

COMMENT

13

Sidestepping the banks Geeks. They have knack for upsetting the set ways of a market with the introduction of new technologies that often undermine traditional distribution channels.

In his original paper, Nakamoto argues that Internet commerce is too reliant upon financial institutions serving as trusted third parties to process electronic payments where they may also be called upon to mediate disputes due to non-delivery of goods, or even fraud. The associated costs and payment uncertainties can be avoided, he argues, by 1) creating transactions that are computationally nigh impossible to reverse, to protect sellers 2) further, escrow mechanisms can be implemented to protect buyers (with the need for a bank).

The music and entertainment industries are the classic example of how decentralised peerto-peer networks (p2p) permit the distribution of media amongst each other. Wikileaks, for example, seems to be entering the ‘breaking news’ space, historically the domain of the traditional media outlets.

The same technology is now being touted as a means of creating a “virtual” currency – the implications of which, if it gains traction, could enormously impact financial institutions, central banks and lawmakers.

Virtual currencies are not new. They have been mooted as the next big thing in the past and failed. During the dot com boom, or bubble, companies such as Beenz and Flooz touted their virtual currencies as the next big thing.

But as with most enterprises of that era, at the chagrin of venture capitalists, Flooz folded, while Beenz was sold to a US-based marketing group for an undisclosed sum. However, perhaps due to the excesses that led to the GFC, a grassroots movement has taken hold that seeks to remove the need for a central entity (be it a bank, company or government) to issue currency in a decentralised manner and create a payments system around it.

Welcome to the world of Bitcoin, a digital currency based on p2p technology. Like something out of the ’80s Wargames or

As a fledgling, grassroots currency, Bitcoin has enjoyed both success and notoriety. As of early June, Bitcoin has been capitalised at approximately $100 million and managed to achieve exchange rate highs of almost USD20.

It has also enjoyed much mainstream coverage in Wired, FT and Business Insider over the past few weeks.

Hackers, the concept is the brainchild of Satoshi Nakamoto, an identity believed to be a hacker pseudonym. Bitcoin digital currency around which a decentralised payments system exists that dispenses with the need for an intermediary and the need for a central authority to issue currency. By utilising a highly decentralised peer to peer network, Bitcoins negate the need for a financial institution – you don’t even need a safe to keep your coins.

So should financial institutions be afraid that this new upstart of currency will come to dominate Internet commerce? Not for the moment, but lawmakers in the US have expressed concern about the use of such a currency to buy illegal goods online for the murkier depths of the Internet, since you can’t trace something without a centralised system.

And as Wikileaks has proved, new Internet technologies can still surprise us…

These articles come from the insightful minds atburningpants.com.au. Burning Pants is a product of CoreData.

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14

FEATURE

Sustaining the Future There’s a lot of talk about carbon lately.

Likewise, climate change, sustainability and the economics of changing the way business, industry and households operate in order to adapt to an uncertain environmental future.

While the debate rages, there appears to be little action, and even less consensus on the extent of the problem or the best way forward, particularly at a national level. Behind the scenes, however, many businesses, industries and local governments are quietly working on ways to reduce their environmental and carbon footprints without reducing profitability or what’s referred to as ‘liveability’: two major stumbling blocks to affecting change. And, it seems, our own city - home to some of the highest emission producing industries - is leading the way, with a number of initiatives aiming to make the transition of our region to a low carbon economy as painless as possible.

According to Climate Works Australia (www. climateworksaustralia.org) - a partnership between the Myer Foundation and Monash University - Geelong has a ‘positive history of reducing emissions’ and plenty of local businesses, organisations and industries who are making their own decisions to change the way they operate in order to remain sustainable.

For example, Climate Works says in its Low Carbon Growth Plan for Greater Geelong that

Barwon Water’s improved understanding of the energy efficiency of water and sewerage networks has enabled the organisation to save over 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year by replacing pumps and process equipment. Alcoa has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% since 1990 and continues to partner with Greening Australia on forestry offset projects.

Bell Park’s La Madre Bakery has made a number of changes in order to reduce energy use, including the installation of a heat shifter to extract warm air from the production facility to heat the office and shop during the cooler months, automatic sensors to turn off lights, additional insulation and double-glazing of windows. Architectural, planning and construction management firm Third Ecology is a ‘carbon positive’ business, through having a low consumption base and then offsetting 200% of its remaining emissions through GreenPower electricity and the use of Greenfleet.

The City of Greater Geelong itself has also proven a quiet achiever in the sustainability stakes and is on track to achieve an emission reduction target of 30% from 2006 levels by mid-2011. This has been achieved by energy efficiency upgrades to city buildings and the vehicle fleet, Council-wide emissions tracking, development of renewable energy sources and

membership of organisations working towards emission reduction.

Enter the interconnected Future Proofing Geelong Project, the Geelong Regional Sustainability Covenant and the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Greater Geelong. While The Future Proofing Geelong website (www. futureproofinggeelong.com) acknowledges that Geelong’s business, industry, community, local government and NGO’s are “already doing great work in areas such as resource use, emissions reductions, water conservation and waste management,” it also identifies a problem, in that these efforts “tend to operate independently with differing messaging and disparate calls to action [and that] this shotgun sustainability approach is fragmented and costly”.

In an attempt to turn everyone to the same page and encourage collaborative effort and knowledge sharing, a three-year Future Proofing Geelong Regional Sustainability Covenant was signed in May between EPA Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong, with co-signatories including the Geelong Manufacturing Council, Chamber of Commerce, Committee for Geelong, Barwon Water and Deakin University.

The agreement is the first EPA Sustainability Covenant with a regional, rather than single

FEATURE

People @ Work Recruitment & Selection business or industry focus and is also a first for Australia. Aiming to provide opportunities for Geelong to become a more sustainable city while still growing its economy, the Covenant will, says the EPA’s Chairperson, Cheryl Batagol, “encourage business, government and the community in Geelong to look at ways to work together to become more sustainable in their planning and day-to-day operations”.

attracting investment and creating jobs in green technology. One of the key aims of the Future Proofing Geelong Project is to connect likeminded organisations to help strengthen the Region’s case when it comes to funding applications, investment attraction and infrastructure development.”

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retail spaces to improve energy efficiency could reduce energy consumption for individual businesses by up to 40%,” the Plan states.

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And, “Businesses, government organisations and households can all benefit from the financial savings that come from reducing emissions in transport. Shifting to more fuel The Low Carbon Growth Plan for Greater efficient vehicles, improving driving practices to minimise fuel consumption, and switching Geelong ‘identifies a range of greenhouse gas People @ Work offer flexible resourcing to meet your full staffing requirements.

From Temporary some urban car trips to walking, cycling or abatement opportunities that can be achieved While that may sound like just more talk, the Recruitment through to Professional and Executive search and selection public across a wide range of transport could save $10 million across for the lowest cost within the municipal Covenant, which sits within the Future Proofing business sectors. recruitment expertise enables deliver a Greater tailored Recruitment the Geelong economy each year.” boundaries of Greater Geelong’ us andto can be Geelong Project, does Our have aproven solid action plan implemented to results begin our for transition a behind it, setting out your achievable ways that and the obtain Campaign to suit business the now right yourtoorganisation.

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Ourtheproven us to deliverofaactivity tailored RecruitmentCr Doull says. “In of Greater Geelong, Sustainability Victoria, the other words, we don’t expect that achieving technologies, innovation ‘green’for skills [and] Campaign to suit your business and obtain the right and results your organisation.

Department Sustainabilityyour and time Environment thisyears targetPeople need result in anyhave negative impact also help to minimise the financial impact People @ work of understands is valuable.will Recruitment Over the last two @ Work and local industry, business, government and on livelihoods or our lifestyle.” of afrom carbon and is time consuming and can take your key staff away whatprice on local businesses become an integral part of business, community, who provided data and reviewed “… Every they do best, running your business. Our team of households,” experienced the report says. forming a very close While working the last relationship is possibly awith statement not the report, as well as identifying locally relevant household and every business in Greater Recruitment Executives together with our reputation for everyone will agree with, it seems that most our company.

Their exceptional service is actions to be included. consistently sourcing high calibre staff will ensureGeelong that yourcan play a role in reducing the agree a low carbon economy is what we’re People @ work understands your time is valuable.

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“We anticipate that from the Sustainability Covenant organization benefits our professionalism. headed for and the most cost-effective way to is time consuming and can take your key staff away from what become an integral part of our business, service, an understanding of our business will result in a tangible change in the region prepare for it is to start now and start Forsolutions and businesses, these actions Our recruitment provides efficient they doservice best, running yourpractical, business. Our team ofhouseholds experienced forming a very close working relationship with goals, a caring and detailed approach over time,” says Councillor John Doull, who somewhere, because every to effort makes a can bestep as Recruitment Executives together with ourOur reputation for simple as those many of us are to sourcing and selecting the best candidates. first our company.

Their exceptional service holds the portfolios for Climate Change and difference. alreadythat undertaking – switching off lights our HRwhen needs and requirements, whichis has consistently high calibre staff willand ensure your is to understand yoursourcing business - culture, goals needs.

We based on an extremely high level of customer Environment and Sustainability and professionalism. who has we’re not in the room, turning appliances off us at to organization benefits enabled form a genuine partnership. take this knowledge and workfrom withour you to develop an effective “Sustainability is about making sure we have service, an also been a driving force behind the the power point instead of leaving them in understanding of our business OurCampaign recruitmenttailored service provides practical, efficient solutions enough for everyone for ever,” Cr Doull points Recruitment to your requirements.

- General Manager, Bob White Electrix Sustainability Covenant and Future Proofing goals, atocaring and detailed approach to standby, and recycling as much as possible to sourcing and selecting the best candidates. Our first step out.

“It’s something we’re taking a lead on OurGeelong.

Recruitment Campaign includes the co-ordination oflandfill. According to the Low our HR needs and requirements, which has reduce Carbon is to understand your business - culture, goals and needs. We because it is fundamental to our future and all print and onlineknowledge media advertising, applicant screening, Growth an Plan, SMEs in Greater Geelong also enabled us torelates form anot genuine take this work you to develop effective “The Low Carbon Growthand Plan forwith Greater just to partnership. environmental matters but to control many other opportunities for reducing reference Recruitment checks, behavioural interviewing and any aptitude or Campaign to your requirements.

- General Manager, Bob White Electrix Geelong demonstrates there tailored is a financial our community’s liveability, prosperity and greenhouse gas emissions. psychometric testing youCampaign may require. We then assist with the Our Recruitment the co-ordination of advantage in adopting manyincludes of the wellbeing.” finalrecommended selection process and notify all unsuccessful applicants. all print and online advertising, applicant screening, actions in media the plan.

The other “For example, in the retail sector, where most reference checks, behavioural interviewing and any aptitude major potential effect is the opportunity of businesses are or small businesses, retrofitting Judy Baulch Professional & Executive Recruitment psychometric testing you may require. We then assist with the Our highlyfinal experienced Recruitment Executives apply our selection process and notify all unsuccessful applicants.

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16

COVER

Cardiothoracic surgeons are the rock stars of the medical world. Every day that they go to work, they literally hold someone’s heart in their hands. In this country, heart disease is a leading cause of hospitalisation and surgery (heart disease affects around 3.4 million Australians and, at 34 per cent, is the country’s leading cause of death), placing cardiac services at the heart of Australian healthcare.

There are six specialist Cardiac Surgery Units in Victorian Public Hospitals. Barwon Health has the only cardiac unit outside of Melbourne and is one of the busiest units in the state – busier even than the cardiac unit at the Austin Hospital. The hospital has two cardiothoracic surgeons – Mr Morteza Mohajeri and Mr Bo Zhang - and two specialist cardiac surgery theatres.

Taking time out of a very busy schedule, Bo Zhang explained how Geelong Hospital is taking the lead in cardiac care.

“We are doing between 400 and 430 cardiac surgeries every year,” Bo said. “We are also doing thoracic surgeries – on the lungs and things like that – we do around 150 of those.

So all together we are doing between 550 and 600 cases per year here. In terms of the services we offer, we do not do heart transplants, but we do all of the other services that Melbourne do. There is no difference.”

The beating heart of healthcare

The field of cardiothoracics has seen some remarkable advancements in recent years, and improved cardiac treatments – particularly stenting - are resulting in the annual number of surgeries generally decreasing across Australia, although the cardiac surgery numbers in Geelong have not followed this trend and are remaining steady, a trend perhaps attributable to our ageing local population and more people in the public health system.

In mid-2010, Geelong Hospital became only the second public hospital in the state to offer minimally invasive mitral valve surgeries. So far, 14 patients have undergone the cuttingedge surgery.

“In plain words it’s a keyhole surgery, so you don’t open the chest,” Bo said. “Cosmetically,

COVER

If you are an outpatient (nonemergency) patient who needs heart surgery at the Geelong Hospital, the process is likely to be something like this: ❖ If you have gone to your GP with mild symptoms (if in doubt ALWAYS call 000), you will be referred to a cardiologist at the hospital. ❖ A cardiologist will do a cardiac stress test (usually involves monitoring the heart function with the patient on a treadmill), a coronary angiogram (a specialized x-ray of the heart that involves injecting a contrasting dye into the heart via a slim catheter. The procedure is done in a Cath Lab, which is similar to an operating theatre), or an echocardiogram, known as an echo (an ultrasound of the heart that allows soundwaves to create a pictures of your heart), and make a diagnosis based on the results. ❖ If needed, the cardiologist can either schedule angioplasty (stenting – using a balloon catheter and mesh frame to open a blocked artery) if you are a candidate, or will refer you to the cardiac surgery unit. ❖ At your surgery appointment, where you will meet with and be assessed by a cardiothoracic surgeon. All paperwork and consent forms will be gone through and completed and you will be put on the surgical waiting list. ❖ A week before your scheduled surgery, you will come into the hospital and meet with an anaesthetist and have blood tests in preparation for your surgery. ❖ Outpatient cardiac surgery patients are usually operated on within a few weeks (Category 2 patients must be operated on within 60 days of going on the waiting list). ❖ Patients with severe or acute symptoms will be admitted into the Cardiac Care Unit and will not leave the hospital until they have had their operation. ❖ Post-surgery, patients will go the Intensive Care Unit and will stay in the UCI generally for 24 hours before being discharged to the general ward. All being well, after five days on the ward you will be discharged and ready to go home. ❖ Cardiac surgery patients are referred to rehab either at the McKellar Centre or rehab in community health centres.

keyhole is better. There is less pain because we don’t crack the chest and the recovery is quicker and better. The surgery itself is no different – we either repair the valve or replace it – actually it’s easier, because the mitral valve is easier to reach this way.”

Bo said that in terms of the latest surgical techniques, Australia is often two years behind the leading surgical innovators of Europe and America. Private patients have been able to undergo minimally invasive cardiac surgery at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne since 2004, and the surgery was first made available to public patients in Victoria at the Austin Hospital, followed by the Geelong Hospital. The Royal Melbourne Hospital has also recently raised the funds needed to purchase the highly specialized equipment needed for this type of surgery.

“All surgeries now are becoming less invasive, not only cardiac surgeries, but all surgeries,” Bo said. “Keyhole surgeries are more acceptable for patients and if you look at the very large group of studies that have been done around this, there are fewer complications with keyhole surgeries, reduced hospital stays and they are more cost effective for the health system.

“One of the biggest advantages of keyhole cardiac surgery is much lower risk of infection.

If the sternum gets infected after surgery, the patient has to stay weeks and weeks in hospital and that’s not good.

“I always think that Geelong is a teaching hospital and we have a medical school now, so we shouldn’t wait and follow Melbourne. We can start and lead the way – why not? When we first started doing the minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, a lot of people asked me why we were doing it when it wasn’t really being done in Melbourne. But we don’t have to follow others, we can be first.”

Bo said that the cardiology and cardiac surgery units at the hospital already work very closely together, but added that cardiac services could be further improved by initiatives such as a new cardiovascular theatre that would combine Cath Lab and cardiac surgery equipment.

“I think you should always think that you’ve got patients that need that theatre and you’ve got the staff that are trained to do these procedures, so you should just do it. But it all takes money and I don’t think we have as much money as metropolitan Melbourne hospitals.

“For example, in cardiology we could be doing percutaneous valve implantation and MitraClip repair (cutting edge minimally invasive procedure that can be performed instead of surgical procedures). Sandy Black (Association Professor Alexander Black, head of Cardiology

17

at Barwon Health) and a team went away and trained to do that procedure, but they can’t start doing that because the money isn’t there.”

Advances in cardiology services, particularly around minimally invasive techniques such as stenting, mean most of the more routine angioplasty cases are now treated in the cardiology Cath Lab by cardiologists, not cardiothoracic surgeons. Barwon Health recently launched a STEMI Accident and Emergency bypass system, which his simple terms means that patients potentially having a heart attack (STEMI stands for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, a blockage that is one of the major causes of heart attacks) are taken straight to a cardiology Cath Lab where they can be assessed and potentially have a stent inserted without delay.

Bo said changes like this in cardiac care mean that cardiothoracic surgeons are doing more and more complex surgeries, with cardiologists doing simpler procedures such as stenting.

“I’ve been doing cardiac surgery for 20 years, and when I was in training, you would see the surgeons doing three cases a day, but very simple cases. They would be doing two or three grafts on young patients, 50 or 60 years old, with good hearts.

"Now it’s totally different. We have a lot of older patients, more of the 70 and 80 year old patients and many the surgeries are much more complex, with three, four or five grafts on quite bad coronary arteries. Unless there are complications, cardiologists will now do pretty much all of the simple cases.”

While cardiac surgeons are seeing an increase in the complexity of surgeries needed on older patients, in the daily working life of a cardiothoracic surgeon, bypass surgeries and valve replacements or repairs are a routine part of the job. Sitting in a modest office at the hospital, it really is something to hear heart surgeries talked about as ordinary, everyday events. “Usually we will do one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and most are very routine,” Bo said.

Generally, the most common type of cardiac surgery performed at the Geelong Hospital is coronary bypass surgery, which accounts for around 60 per cent of all cardiac surgeries.

Valve surgeries such as aortic or mitral valve repairs or replacements make up a further 30 per cent of cardiac surgery patients, with a range of significantly rarer cases, such as a heart tumours and rare heart conditions, making up the remaining ten per cent.

Heart surgery becomes more likely the older we get, with patients aged between 70 and 80 years of age making up around 35 per cent of

18

COVER

all heart surgeries. After that, 60 to 70 year olds account for around 30 per cent of patients.

10 to 14 per cent are over 80.

Bo said the age profile of patients has changed significantly over the past decade or so. “As the age of the population increases so does the surgery population, more people are living longer and coming in for surgery.”

But as we know, the risks associated with all surgeries increase with age – and cardiac surgery is no different.

“With coronary bypass surgery, for example, if you look at the mortality rate (death within 30 days of surgery) for the age group below 80, it’s probably around 2 per cent. If you look over 80 the mortality rate is around 5 per cent, so you can see the difference.

“Last year I looked at all of the patients across the whole of Victoria who were over 80 having combined bypass and valve replacement, and the long-term survival was pretty good – much the same as the rest of the population. So, if they survive the surgery they are doing quite well.”

Heart surgery might be an everyday occurrence in a cardiac unit, but for patients, the process can be a daunting one. But as Bo said, the more patients know and understand about the

journey they are embarking on and what to expect, the better they cope.

The Patient’s Perspective Peter White* underwent a minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery at Geelong Hospital in November 2010. Peter had not experienced any symptoms and only found out that he needed a valve repair when he went in for a general check up at his local GP. Listening to Peter’s blood pumping through his arm during a blood pressure test, the doctor said he could hear a heart murmur. Peter said he didn’t have a murmur, but the advice of his doctor he took up a referral to see a cardiologist.

“I had an echo and a few other tests and we saw a photo of the left mitral valve where a couple of the little strings, that look a bit like strings on a parachute, had become detached and were floating around and creating a leak.

“My first thought was that it would have to be fixed straight away. The cardiologist said that these things can go on for a long time and that it was up to me; but that I had to be aware that when it is leaking, it can increase the heart size and the muscles have to work harder and longer to make up for the leak – that we would have to keep monitoring it.”

Peter decided to wait and continued having his heart function monitored over 18 months. The tests showed the valve was still leaking but as he was feeling fine and still had no symptoms, there was no sense of urgency to have the operation. As the months ticked by however, with a new baby due in the family and Christmas approaching, Peter opted to have the surgery earlier rather than later, to give him time to recover.

“I was lucky that at the age of 55 I’d always been fit, a non-smoker and never had any diseases. I think as far as the cardiologist was concerned, I could have left it another three to four years.”

Peter said before he went into Barwon Health cardiology, he looked at all the available cardiology centres, both here and in Melbourne.

“The Geelong cardiac team came up as being really highly regarded right across the board, from the surgery side of it through to the rehab.

I looked at all the options, with both the minimally invasive surgery and the more traditional heart surgery and when I looked into it, I concurred with the surgeon that the minimally invasive approach was the best option. Basically, the left mitral valve is at the back of the heart, so coming in from the front

COVER though the ribs is not really the desired entry anyway, and being an engineer, that made sense to me.”

around and rest and don’t go doing anything silly like getting your chainsaw out or trying to manage the farm.”

Having done his research and talked through the process with his surgeon, Peter pretty much knew what he was in for with the surgery, but said he was still nervous as the day approached.

At home Peter said life went back to normal fairly quickly, eating normal meals, having a wine or scotch at night. Then it was really just tacking it easy and taking the prescribed bloodthinning tablets for six weeks after surgery to help prevent clotting. That was it really, recovering at home until just prior to Christmas.

By Christmas I was as good as gold.”

“After the surgery I received a lovely email from my father-in-law from overseas, and I’ll never forget it, the message said, ‘God bless the surgeon’s hands that operated on you.’ It really is a life-changing situation when someone can go in and play with your heart and then come out again. It doesn’t change your way of life as such, but it does certainly gives you an appreciation of just what surgeons can do.”

Once the surgery was over, Peter said his recovery went even better than he had expected. He spent five days in hospital before going home and while he needed to take it easy, he didn’t need any post-surgery rehab.

“I woke up in intensive care with no pain, I felt terrific, although I was just a little uncomfortable in those beds! I lost a little bit of weight through the surgery and not being able to taste as usual with the drugs you have – but generally I was really comfortable. That first day I was up and showering and moving around slowly.

“The team at the hospital were extremely good and I give credit to the whole team. They were all very attentive and learned in what not to do to keep you safe as you convalesce over those first five days. After that I was out of hospital and at home and just did what they said, to lay

We specialise in:

The Barwon Health Cardiology unit is linked to physical and psychological rehabilitation services around the region, as many patients recovering from heart surgery have to make significant changes in their lives. While Peter was referred to the service, he found he was recovering so well that he could manage his recovery at home.

“I did go down and meet with everybody there, but really most of their patients were recovering from more extensive surgeries like coronary bypasses and things like that, and with my minimally invasive mitral valve repair, I found that I could do all the things like walking and riding the bike at home. Psychologically, I came to terms with the surgery as a life-changing situation fairly quickly. I figured that people go through the really big operations every day, and what I had was a small operation really. You have all the procedures to make sure you don’t have high cholesterol or muck in your system, and once you know that, you figure that’s it, it’s not going to be a heart attack that’s going to kill me, I guess it will be something else,” Peter said.

found that I wanted to talk to someone who had actually had the surgery. The hospital does have a patient-to-patient service linked to cardiac services, where you can sit down with someone who has had heart surgery – although the woman that I spoke to had bypass surgery, not a mitral valve repair, so I kind of felt that anyone who needed the surgery and wanted to call me or meet with me to hear about what to expect, I would be happy to do that.

“Sometimes it’s the little things that you would like to know. You get briefed on a lot of the big things, but little things like catheters at the end of the operation can come as a bit of a surprise. Another thing I found was that they neglected to tell me that there’d be no virtually no pain, because there wasn’t. It was an amazing thing. I had a little bit of pain underneath the rib cage, where they put a little incision in front of the sternum to put a camera in to monitor their work, and they put a little incision in the right pectoral muscle between the ribs to do the surgery. To call it minimally invasive is fantastic terminology, because there really wasn’t any pain and no issues.

“I think a lot of people really do worry about how much it’s going to hurt to have surgery.

Surviving the surgery almost becomes a secondary thing. I actually had a colleague who needed the same surgery, and he’d been going on with the monitoring for around four years. I said to him that if they can do heart replacements these days, surely they can go in and fix a little valve that’s leaking.

(In the interests of privacy, we have changed the name of the patient in this article.)

“Doctors and surgeons tell the patient about the risks around any operation and patients can often go around worrying about that. I

Davina Montgomery

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21

Healthy Mind Building on a foundation of excellence St John of God Hospital Geelong has long had a reputation for delivering outstanding care that focuses on the uniqueness of each and every patient that comes into our care. $IJFG &YFDVUJWF 4UFQIFO 3PCFSUT explains that the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole reason for being is to provide care that enhances the quality of life of patients by combining the key elements of committed and experienced doctors, the skill of our caregivers, the provision of first class facilities and forging behaviour that reflects the core values of hospitality, compassion, respect, justice and excellence.

This combination has seen SJG Geelong develop into a truly outstanding provider of care, evidenced by its recent move to UIF UPQ PG UIF "VTUSBMJB XJEF 1SFTT Ganey day surgery patient survey and its ground breaking research in music therapy.

SJG is now preparing to embark on a transformational change with the commencement of a $56.3 million redevelopment that will dramatically alter the face of the facility, but not whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at its foundation.

St John of God Hospital Geelong has long had a reputation for delivering outstanding care that focuses on the uniqueness of each and every patient that comes into our care.

The development will take advantage of the northerly aspect toward the bay an deliver both a visually stimulating facility infused with green landscapes built on a foundation of great patient care. .S 3PCFSUT FYQMBJOFE UIBU UIF GPDVT JT very much about the integration of site,

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The redevelopment follows on from the current $10m refurbishment of patient rooms and will bring an iconic new presence to the Myers Street site, JODPSQPSBUJOH B OFX &NFSHFODZ %FQBSUNFOU B OFX 3FIBCJMJUBUJPO 4FSWJDF 64 additional inpatient beds, 3 additional operating theatres, dramatically expanded and upgraded surgical support facilities, a significant expansion of underground car parking and a new medical centre on the GPSNFS (FFMPOH )PUFM BOE #FMM BOE 'VMUPO sites.

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CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER THREE DECADES

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St John of God Hospital Health Care is a leading provider of Catholic Hospitals, diagnostic and outreach services, basing its care on the Christian values of Hospitality, Compassion, Respect, Justice and Excellence

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Healthy mind, healthy workplace While people often know a lot about physical health problems, there is widespread ignorance of mental health.

This ignorance adds to the stigma of mental health and prevents people from TFFLJOH BQQSPQSJBUF IFMQ FBSMZ *U BMTP prevents people providing appropriate support to colleagues and family members, simply because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how. Mental health problems cost employers in absenteeism, accident and injury in the workplace. The impact is also financial, with businesses losing billions of dollars each year.

Two Geelong-based organisations that have been proactive in addressing the need for workplace mental health training are Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and G-force &NQMPZNFOU 4PMVUJPOT #PUI organisations have provided Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) for a large proportion of their staff. Whilst the information and skills gained through the course enable appropriate mental health interventions and better understanding of their clients, it is apparent that staff also benefit personally from their involvement in the course. Staff can identify early warning signs of their own mental health problems and seek help within the workplace or externally, reducing the degree of incapacity caused by such problems. *O 5"$ SFRVFTUFE .)'" USBJOJOH for a group of staff from throughout their organisation. The success of that course has led to TAC undertaking further courses for all sections of their XPSLGPSDF 5SBDFZ %PSF 4FOJPS .BOBHFS PG 4FSWJDF %FMJWFSZ BU UIF 5"$ TBJE 5IF course has created greater awareness of how to support mental illness within the organization, while also providing our employees with the vital skills to better support TAC clients.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mental wellbeing is B LFZ GPDVT BSFB JO 5"$hT %JWFSTJUZ BOE *ODMVTJPO 4USBUFHZ BOE UIF .)'" DPVSTF really complements the efforts we have put into raising awareness of mental

illness within our organisation and the DPNNVOJUZ 5SBDFZ TBJE TAC was recently recognised for its leadership in supporting mental illness within the workplace through its support PG UIF 7JDUPSJBO 1VCMJD 4FDUPShT 0QFO .JOET TVQQPSU HSPVQ "U B SFDFOU 0QFO Minds forum, TAC presented to 150 1VCMJD 4FDUPS .BOBHFST PO UIF organisation's approach to supporting their employees who have experienced a mental health episode. To view TAC's presentation or to find out more JOGPSNBUJPO PO 0QFO .JOET ZPV DBO WJTJU http://vpsopenminds.com.

Similarly, G-Force initially requested one course for a representative group of staff and subsequently provided MHFA training to the majority of their 75-strong workforce. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The management at G-force recognised mental health issues have the capacity to impact our staff on a number of professional and personal MFWFMT w (SFH +BDLB )VNBO 3FTPVSDFT Manager for G-Force said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We chose Mental Health First Aid training as the vehicle to educate our staff.

approximately 400 people,â&#x20AC;? she FYQMBJOFE i*O XF QBSUJDJQBUFE JO two Mental Health First Aid courses offering these to our management group.

All of the managers at the time chose to attend the course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Four years after we were exposed to the experience, we still use the knowledge and have respectful, articulate conversations about feelings and mental health at our management MFWFM * CFMJFWF JU IBT BTTJTUFE UIPTF UIBU attended the course to be better managers of people and better managers of themselves,â&#x20AC;? Miffy said.

If you would like a short presentation on Mental Health First Aid for your workplace or would like to book a course, please see the details on the page opposite.

i5IF USBJOFST GSPN #BSXPO )FBMUI provided a highly informative and engaging insight to the staff on recognising the signs of mental illness, and have equipped them to support and encourage not only clients but family, friends and colleagues who may be affected.â&#x20AC;? #BSXPO )FBMUI T .FOUBM )FBMUI UFBN IBT been conducting Mental Health First Aid training in the region since 2004. The FYQFSJFODF PG UIF $3' TUBGG JO $PMBD JT testament to the longer-term impact of this training.

Miffy Shelton, General Manager 0QFSBUJPOBM 3FTPVSDFT 0SHBOJTBUJPOBM -FBSOJOH BU $3' SFDBMMT UIFJS FYQFSJFODF of the course four years ago. i5IF $3' JT B MBNC QSPDFTTJOH DPNQBOZ JO 4PVUI 8FTU 7JDUPSJB BOE FNQMPZT

Pictured left to right: Rebecca Corbett Mental Health First Aid Instructor-Barwon Health, Tracey Dore Senior Manager, Service Delivery-Transport Accident Commission and Tania Lewis Mental Health First Aid Instructor-Barwon Health.

24

FEATURE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Healthy Body, Healthy Mind One number, many services With so many services on offer across 21 MPDBUJPOT #BSXPO )FBMUI TBX B OFFE UP streamline service access to people using its community-based health and rehabilitation services.

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Local trial for Ross River Virus vaccine A Barwon Health clinical trial could take the bite out of the Ross River Virus (RRV), with the trial investigating a new vaccine to prevent RRV infection. Ross River Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes Ross River Virus Disease (RRVD) in humans. The disease can cause severe joint swelling, fever and muscle aches and pains, as well as ongoing health problems.

The trial team, headed by Director of Infectious Diseases, Assoc.

Prof Eugene Athan, is looking for volunteers within the Geelong community to participate in the 12-month study.

Assoc. Prof Athan said the trial was of significance to the region, which had seen an increase in RRV cases in association with recent flooding.

well as confirm the process by which the vaccine is made. Males and females aged over 18 and who are generally healthy are able participate in the trial.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is currently no licensed vaccine for RRV and treatment for RRVD is limited to controlling symptoms through the use of antiinflammatory/pain relief medication, as well as physical therapy,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of the study is to examine how well the vaccine works in a large number of people in a variety of age groups.

The trial involves a total of three vaccinations, blood tests, six visits to the trial centre over the 12-month period and recording signs and symptoms in a study diary.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The trial will examine the safety and tolerability of the vaccine as

People can register their interest or find out more information by emailing trials@barwonhealth.org.au or by phoning 5226 78

26 ADVERTISING FEATURE

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Positive Psychology and the Workplace There are many ways that the field of psychology is contributing to more healthy and effective workplaces.

1TZDIPMPHJDBM TFSWJDFT IBWF traditionally focused on assisting individuals with various forms of emotional distress, including mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The potential costeffectiveness of such interventions is reflected in Australian research, which found that an employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reduced productivity from untreated depression cost their organisations $10,000 per year on average.

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by Edward St Aubyn (Pan Macmillan) RRP $32.99 'PS 1BUSJDL .FMSPTF hGBNJMZh JT NPSF UIBO B EPVCMF edged sword. As friends, relations and foes trickle JO UP QBZ GJOBM SFTQFDUT UP IJT NPUIFS &MFBOPS o BO heiress who forsook the grandeur of her upbringing for 'good works', freely bestowed upon everyone CVU IFS PXO DIJME o 1BUSJDL GJOET UIBU IJT USBOTJUJPO to orphanhood isn't necessarily the liberation he had so long imagined. A masterpiece of glittering dark comedy and profound emotional truth.

Solace

by Belinda McKeon (Pan Macmillan) RRP $32.99 Mark Casey has left home, the rural community where his family has farmed for generations, to TUVEZ GPS B EPDUPSBUF JO %VCMJO B WJCSBOU contemporary city full of possibility. His is a life without focus or responsibility, until he meets Joanne Lynch, a trainee solicitor whom he finds irresistible. Joanne too has a past to escape and for a brief time they share the chaos and rapture of a new love affair, until the lightning strike of tragedy changes everything.

The Mayan Prophecy

by Steve Alten (Pan Macmillan) RRP $32.99 For thirty-two years, archaeologist Julius Gabriel investigated the Mayan calendar, a 2,500-year-old enigma that predicts the Apocalypse. His research led him to believe that ancient constructions like UIF (SFBU 1ZSBNJE 4UPOFIFOHF "OHLPS 8BU BOE $IJDIFO *U[B XFSF BMM CVJMU BT QBSU PG B QSJNFWBM fail-safe system that might save humanity from total BOOJIJMBUJPO *U JT MFGU UP IJT TPO .JDIBFM UP QSPWF IJT fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theory before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too lateâ&#x20AC;Ś

28

RECRUITMENT

Perfect storm brewing A rare set of labour force conditions means we could be heading for a perfect storm of salary pressures in the year ahead, so hold on tight!

The 2011 Hays Salary Guide reveals that we are yet to see widespread salary increases, despite positive hiring intentions and a shrinking talent pool, which has seen candidates start to move back into a position of power in the jobs market. Against such a backdrop of subdued salary growth, Hays says this combination of pressure points will fuel a forthcoming 'perfect storm' of salary pressure.

"The employment market over the past 12 months was dominated by low unemployment and increased job vacancies," said Nigel Heap, Managing Director of Hays Asia Pacific. "At the same time, candidate confidence has continued to grow and skills shortages are now emerging in all of the sectors surveyed. According to our survey data, they are most prominent in accountancy & finance, operations, sales & marketing and engineering disciplines.

"Looking ahead, 74 per cent of organisations expect business activity to increase over the next 12 months, 45 per cent of employers expect to increase permanent headcount over the coming year, and staff turnover has already increased in 31 per cent of organisations. But we are yet to see employers offer widespread salary increases. Our survey data shows that 11 per cent of employers didn't increase salaries at all over the past 12 months. 37 per cent increased salaries by less than three per cent and 43 per cent increased salaries between three and six per cent."

According to Hays, employers instead used benefits to attract skills over the past year. They also quickened their recruitment process rather than relax their stringent criteria and used temporary assignments to fill a gap rather than compromise on fit. "Looking ahead, our survey data shows that 44 per cent of employers intend to increase salaries in their next review by between three and six per cent, while six per cent will offer increases above six per cent.

But 43 per cent intend to increase salaries by less than three per cent.

"Such low intentions are at odds with candidate expectations - particularly those of candidates in demand - and so we expect the gap between salary expectations to widen even further."

According to the Salary Guide, the notable salary trends by sector are: Accountancy & Finance: In the qualified space significant and wholesale salary increases are yet to be seen.

Banking: We are yet to see any significant increase, although the very real and acute candidate shortages that are emerging will drive salaries up over the coming months.

Insurance: Despite the shortage of skills, we have not witnessed any significant increase in salary levels across claims or customer service.

Office Support: The shortage of Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants has led to salary increases. But some employers are resisting such increases, and instead offer bonus schemes, training and development.

Contact Centres: Salary movements have been noted for good Customer Service Managers, Advisors and Telesales candidates.

Human Resources: While we have not seen a significant increase in salaries over the past 12 months, we expect that improving market conditions will enable candidates to negotiate increases in 2011/2012.

Sales & Marketing: Salaries have increased for sales professionals as companies look to attract high performers. In the marketing area, a premium is paid for candidates with specific online experience.

Retail: Given demand, multiple job offers and counter offers are increasing as businesses try to retain or compete for quality candidates.

Logistics: Overall there are more degreequalified candidates entering the industry and therefore salary expectations have risen.

Procurement: Employers are yet to offer widespread salary increases for permanent roles, but this should change in the second

half of 2011.

Legal: Staff retention is a major focus and salaries have been increasing gradually over the last year. We expect this trend to continue as firms strive to compete and retain quality candidates.

Pharma: Salaries have increased over the year in both pharmaceutical and medical devices at the Representative and Manager levels in every state and territory.

Healthcare: Despite demand for Senior Managers, Senior Clinical Division 1 Nurses and Emergency Department (ED) Nurses, salaries are set and so are not impacted by demand. However salaries have risen for Occupational Rehabilitation professional in response to demand.

Education: Salaries for Teachers in government schools remain stable, with yearly increments yet to erase geographical discrepancies.

Teachers in the private system in most cases continue to receive higher salaries than those in government schools. Salaries in early childhood education have increased, but are still not competitive enough to attract or retain sufficient staff numbers.

Information Technology: Salaries have slowly increased, particularly for roles where contracting is widespread as employers attempt to secure candidates on a permanent basis.

Construction: Major infrastructure projects, both planned and flood related in addition to our strong mining industry will lead to skills shortages and place upward pressure on salaries that have thus far remained steady.

Manufacturing & Operations: Manufacturers are struggling to attract and recruit skilled staff as candidates gravitate towards the generous packages offered by the resources sector.

Energy: Applicant availability remains the biggest challenge facing Australia's energy sector. High demand is pushing salaries up around the country.

Hays, the world's leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.

LEGAL

29

Be in charge of charges Have you made or are about to make a considerable financial investment or loan to a Company? If the answer is yes, registering a charge over the assets of the Company with ASIC helps protect your investment and will give you the best possible chance to enforce the charge. While a new system for registering security interests is likely to come into effect in October 2011 in accordance with the Personal Property Securities Act 2009, this will not affect charges required to be registered now.

The Corporations Act 2001 outlines strict time limits and requirements, which must be adhered to if an investment is to be recognised by an administrator as a legitimate security.

The most crucial of these time limits and requirements being that all investments that require security must be lodged with ASIC within 45 days of their creation. It is your personal duty to ensure all such requirements are met, as ASIC will not inform you of any errors or mistakes. Unfortunately, it is often the

case that the first you hear of a charge failing to be registered correctly is through a letter from an administrator informing you of such a failure. Fortunately, the Act does allow the Courts to extend the time requirements for lodging a charge if it has failed to be registered correctly.

In the recent case of Hadfield v ACN 092 328 400 [2011] NSWSC 114, the Plaintiff argued their rights to recover their investment from the Company came from a registered charge. The charge had failed to be registered correctly, through no fault of the Plaintiff, and the Court determined that the charge should be correctly registered, thus enforcing the Plaintiffs rights to recover their investment from the insolvent Defendant. While the charge in this case was rectified, a simple error or oversight in registering a charge can result in the benefits of the security being lost, and the charge must then wait alongside the other unsecured creditors.

When registering a charge, the following information will assist in ensuring the charge is registered correctly, and your rights as chargee are enforceable in full.

1. Take note of the date the charge was created and lodged with ASIC. Make a diary note 45 days past the date of registration to ensure the charge is correctly registered before this date.

2. Ensure the relevant ASIC forms are completed correctly.

3. Register the charge with ASIC as soon as it is created. Lodge a copy of the charge with ASIC immediately after it is created. It is not necessary for a stamped charge to be lodged with ASIC in the first instance. The stamped charge can be lodged afterwards thus ensuring the charge has been lodged in the relevant 45 day period.

Tom White, Partner Coulter Roache Lawyers

Do youâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;Śhave your retirement planned, your income protected and your estate planning in place.

Our highly experienced team are committed to providing you with the right financial solutions. Stop worrying, start planning, call us for a consultation to secure peace of mind and your financial future.

Now at our new location: 16 Pakington Street, Geelong West

Wheeler Investment Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 76 007 167 839) trading as Wheeler Financial Services is a Corporate Authorised Representative of The Advice Exchange (ABN 55 107 629 194) AFSL/ACL 278 937

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T 03 5222 3055 F 03 5229 0483 E office@wheelers.com.au W www.wheelers.com.au

30

TAX

Deal fever â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is Geelong ready? growth of 20% in sales. However, a closer look SFWFBMT UIBU TBMFT PG FYJTUJOH QSPEVDU MJOFT BSF forecast to fall, as a beef pie line was recently dropped by a customer. The assumed growth comes from new products that are in the testing phase, and may not make it to the shelves. We sensitize the forecasts to illustrate what would happen if these new products were not all successful.

Outcome: our client uses this to negotiate a lower price for the business.

Further considerations

A deal survey in 2003 showed that only 17 per cent of business acquisitions created substantial returns for the buyer, 33 per cent created marginal returns and 50 per cent actually eroded shareholder returns1 - and yet the level of deal activity is at record levels in Australia.

So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s causing deal fever and why do some deals fail to deliver?

Why people buy businesses It makes sense to buy if your strategic plan shows that it is the best way to achieve your goals. Of course, sometimes an opportunity arises out of the blue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the underlying rationale needs to be clear. Strategic reasons to consider a business purchase may include: t &YQBOTJPO JOUP OFX NBSLFUT t "DRVJSJOH DPNQMFNFOUBSZ QSPEVDUT UP TFMM JOUP your markets or via your distribution routes t "DIJFWJOH TDBMF XIJDI XJMM BUUSBDU CJHHFS customers t "DIJFWJOH TZOFSHJFT o F H CBDL PGGJDF DPTUT PS increased buying power are common synergies achieved when putting two businesses together t 3FEVDJOH UIF OVNCFS PG DPNQFUJUPST JO UIF market/region Confidence is key Geelong has been described as a sleepy hollow, but is it? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to think that Geelongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s businesses have the confidence to take some bold steps towards growth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about knowing what to watch out for, things to avoid, and planning ahead to get the best result.

Why do business purchases fail?

Often, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because the buyer doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the target, or what to pay, so it is imperative to undertake careful due diligence.

A financial due diligence review would typically include: 1. Understanding sustainability of earnings and cash flows, for valuation purposes.

2. Assessing normal levels of working capital, to help assess funding needs.

3. Providing input to the warranties and indemnities needed in the Sale and Purchase Agreement, to protect the buyer.

4. Identifying areas to consider in post-deal integration.

t 8JMM UIF DVMUVSF PG UIF UBSHFU CVTJOFTT NBUDI your own? t %P ZPV VOEFSTUBOE UIF UBSHFU T NBSLFU t )BWF ZPV DPOTJEFSFE MFHBM BOE UBY structuring? t )PX EJGGJDVMU XJMM JOUFHSBUJPO CF BOE IPX much will it cost to achieve estimated synergies? t )PX BSF ZPV HPJOH UP GVOE UIJT o EP ZPV OFFE to ask the bank for some new debt?

So, is Geelong ready? If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consider the GBDUPST BCPWF ZPV XJMM EFTUSPZ WBMVF #VU XJUI careful preparation, confidence and the right advice, you can make acquisitions a success.

Note 1: From Organizational Issues of Mergers and Acquisitions - Part 1 by William Cox 2007; survey attributed to Turknett, Turknett, & Anderson, 2003.

[Case study: Understanding sustainability of earnings] Background: One of my clients wants to buy a family owned business that makes meat pies for the major supermarkets. Reported profits have been steadily growing, in fact, the family is very bullish about new product developments being accepted by their customers.

Understanding the sustainability of earnings will involve: t "EEJOH CBDL NBOBHFNFOU DIBSHFT NBEF CZ the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s related party companies for use of the factory property, and replacing with an armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length market rent. t "TTFTTJOH B OPSNBM MFWFM PG NBOBHFNFOU salaries and adjusting the profits to reflect these, rather than the part charges made to this company in the past. t $PSSFDUJOH GPS ZFBS FOE DVU PGG FSSPST XIJDI have caused income to be recorded in the wrong period. t #BDLJOH PVU B HSBOU SFDFJWFE BT JU JT OPO recurring income.

These adjustments reduce reported profit in 2010 from $750k to an adjusted profit of $650k, and show a small drop in adjusted QSPGJU TJODF /FYU ZFBS T CVEHFU TIPXT

Philippa Bakes has advised on business deals for over 12 years. She has recently joined WHK to advise businesses throughout Western Victoria and can be contacted in the Geelong office on 5244 7790.

Readers should not act only on the basis of material obtained in this article as the contents are of a general nature and do not take into account each personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual circumstances and may be liable for misinterpretation. Do not act upon any of the information contained in this article without first obtaining specific advice by your adviser. All opinions, conclusions or forecasts are reasonably held at the time of compilation but are subject to change without notice. WHK Pty Ltd ABN 84 006 466 351

LEGAL

31

Personal liability risk for poor IR practices The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has warned that a lack of attention to industrial relations QSBDUJDFT BOE VOEFS SFTPVSDJOH PG )3 departments can contribute to poor practice and unlawful behaviour by employers and SFTVMU JO QFSTPOBM MJBCJMJUZ GPS JOEJWJEVBM )3 practitioners.

Section 550 of the Fair Work Act 2009 provides that a person who is involved in the contravention of a civil remedy provision (including by aiding, abetting or being knowingly concerned in the contravention) is taken to have contravened that provision, resulting in potential individual liability for civil penalties.

The risk of personal liability is highlighted in a recent decision of the Federal Magistratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; $PVSU JO 'BJS 8PSL 0NCVTENBO W $FOUFOOJBM Financial Services Pty Ltd & Ors. The case involved an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to re-classify sales personnel as independent contractors rather than employees by entering into i$POTVMUBODZ "HSFFNFOUTw XJUI UIPTF personnel. The agreements provided for the sales personnel to be paid on a commission only basis, rather than receiving wages, without any substantial change to their duties.

5IF $PVSU GPVOE UIBU EFTQJUF UIF QVSQPSUFE re-classification, the relationship remained one of employment. The employer had contravened a number of provisions of the Workplace 3FMBUJPOT "DU CZ NJTSFQSFTFOUJOH QSPQPTFE employment relationships as proposed independent contract arrangements (section 901), dismissing employees for the purpose of

engaging them as independent contractors (section 902) and failing to pay the employees a basic period rate of pay for guaranteed hours (section 182). Under provisions similar to TFDUJPO PG UIF 'BJS 8PSL "DU UIF $PVSU GPVOE UIBU UIF DPNQBOZ T EJSFDUPS BOE )3 Manager were involved in these contraventions and taken to have contravened the provisions personally.

t 8BT PUIFSXJTF BXBSF PG BMM NBUFSJBM GBDUT giving rise to the contraventions.

The FWO has applied to have both the director BOE )3 .BOBHFS PSEFSFE UP QBZ DJWJM QFOBMUJFT in relation to the contraventions and separately XBSOFE UIBU JU FYQFDUT QSVEFOU XPSLQMBDF relations practitioners to understand their responsibilities, describing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gosh, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t knowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defences as disingenuous.

*O DPOTJEFSJOH UIF QFSTPOBM MJBCJMJUZ PG UIF )3 .BOBHFS UIF $PVSU SFDPHOJTFE UIBU IF XBT â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;little more than a typistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the director, and XBT OPU UIF EFDJTJPO NBLFS 5IF )3 .BOBHFS gave evidence that although he prepared the agreements he believed the sales personnel had in fact become independent contractors SBUIFS UIBO FNQMPZFFT )PXFWFS UIF $PVSU found that it was irrelevant whether or not the )3 .BOBHFS QSPQFSMZ VOEFSTUPPE PS IBE reason to consider the legal effect of the agreements or proposed changes to the method of engagement or remuneration of the employees. To find that he was involved in the contraventions, it was sufficient that he: t ,OFX UIBU UIF TBMFT QFSTPOOFM IBE JOJUJBMMZ been engaged as employees;

Jim Rutherford, Principal and Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations and Criminal Law

Sonia McCabe, Lawyer

t 8BT GBNJMJBS XJUI UIF UFSNT PG UIF BHSFFNFOUT and knew that the introduction of the agreements would see the sales personnel remunerated by commissions and not by wages; t 8BT BXBSF PG BMM PG UIF GBDUT XIJDI XFSF subsequently found to prove an employment SFMBUJPOTIJQ FYJTUFE CFUXFFO UIF DPNQBOZ and the sales personnel; and

COMING SOON! P: 03 5223 3453

www.morrisfinance.com.au

32

AIRPORT ECONOMIST

A Tale of More Than Two Cities

At the recent Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) conference in Beijing, the question was asked if an Australian business were looking to do things in China, should it set up in Shanghai or Beijing? The answer is all of the above - and the rest!

According to Christopher Wright, Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner and country manager for China: "It's increasingly important for Australian businesses to look beyond the bright lights, big cities of Shanghai and Beijing.

Austrade now has 12 offices in China and there's opportunity in the second- and third-tier cities of Wuhan, Kunming and Chengdu."

Wright regards a Beijing base as important for government-to-government links and for international companies that need a strong central government network. "Despite what the textbooks might say, the reality is that there's a lot of government involvement in international trade - particularly in key sectors like education, healthcare, defence, transport and logistics and this especially applies in China," he says.

Australia's outgoing Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby, in a thoughtful speech to the AICD conference, agreed on the need for government help when doing business in China. "In view of

While once it would have been enough to visit Beijing or Shanghai, today rapid economic growth has spread across the country.

It is almost irresponsible these days to zip in and zip out of these cities, ignoring what is occurring in places that most people in Australia have not heard of, but which are major economic entities in their own right.

the close involvement on the Chinese side of government in the daily detail of commercial life, knowing when and how to use [the] Australian government presence in China is also essential. We have a robust entrepreneurial can-do spirit in Australian business, which often sees using the good offices of the Australian government in a place like China as somehow an admission of failure of commercial manliness. To the contrary, involving government is what you do in China. Skills and experience in this area are particularly valuable assets."

Another reason for a strong Australian government presence in Beijing and elsewhere in China is that Australia's commercial footprint is spreading in China beyond iron ore and coal.

Australian exports to China of Elaborately Transformed Manufactured goods (ETAs) reached $1.86 billion in 2010, an increase of 189 per cent since 2000.

There are around 3,000 Australian companies with a presence in China, in addition to the 4,800 Australian companies that export to China. In fact, according to Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner in Beijing, Alan Morrell, Australian companies are also now big employers within China, with major corporations like ANZ, Toll, Bluescope and Goodman employing at least 10,000 Chinese workers between them.

And how about Beijing's great rival, Shanghai?

According to Christopher Wright (who like Alan Morrell is both experienced in Chinese business as well as Chinese speaking), Shanghai has always been seen as a major hub for international business. "It's no surprise that American, European, Japanese and Australian companies headquarter themselves in Shanghai. They want to be close to their suppliers, their customers, their export markets

AIRPORT ECONOMIST

and their sources of capital, and Shanghai provides all of the above in spades," Wright says.

"That is not to say that a company that needs to win major central government contracts, such as an aircraft manufacturer or defence contractor, obviously needs a strong presence in Beijing, or that an iron ore business may need to be close to steel mills and local government in a second-tier city.

"In essence, in China, you need contacts in different tiers of government - central, city or local - depending on the nature of your

business, and each individual firm is in the best place to make that decision for them."

So whether you are in a government relations consultancy in Beijing, a financial services firm in Shanghai or an architect hoping to get a contract to build a local stadium or civic building in a second-tier city, there will be a need to have some good relationships with the Australian and Chinese governments.

But Australian business is increasingly looking beyond the traditionally coastal high-income areas of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou (encompassing the Pearl River Delta) and the

33

second- and third-tier cities. Austrade has nine offices in the second-tier cities, in addition to "The Big Three" and, as China develops westward, there will be increased demand for both Australian and Chinese government resources.

As Raby says: "While once it would have been enough to visit Beijing or Shanghai, today rapid economic growth has spread across the country."

"It is almost irresponsible these days to zip in and zip out of these cities, ignoring what is occurring in places that most people in Australia have not heard of, but which are major economic entities in their own right," Raby says.

They are hard to ignore, especially when eight of these cities have a population of more than 10 million residents, and 93 have more than 5 million. It is estimated that by 2020, China will have six provinces with an annual GDP of more than US$1 trillion, equal to six countries the size of Russia or Spain or Canada.

And these fast-growing cities need roads, airports, civic buildings, education facilities and energy. Hence the strong demand not only for Australian energy and iron ore exports to help fuel the rapid industrialisation of China, but also the need for Australian architects, construction engineers, training companies and environmental advisers to help the cities function.

In summary, Australia is now not only a big exporter to China, but is also becoming a more active investor in China. Australia's foreign direct investment in China and Hong Kong reached A$11.8 billion in 2010 - a 700 per cent increase on just five years ago!

As the AICD conference showed, with their depth of industry experience in both traditional areas and newer sectors such as professional services, more Australian companies are planning to have a physical presence in China.

So, whether it be Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Kunming or Chengdu, you'll find that behind a lot of Chinese economic developments is an Australian architect, engineer, designer or educator making a contribution to China's future prosperity.

In short, just as Australia is not just about Sydney and Melbourne, so China is not just about Beijing and Shanghai.

Tim Harcourt *Tim Harcourt is the Chief Economist of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade): www. austrade.gov.au/economistscorner. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the Australian School of Business, UNSW. He recently chaired the Australian Chief Economists mission to North East Asia and presented at the Australian Institute of Company Directors Annual Conference in Beijing.

34

SMALL BIZ

Living by the whims of the creative monkey Recently, I received a request from a reader asking, “What is the one thing that an artistic based business needs to do to be successful?”

This is an excellent question, but unfortunately, it can’t be answered with a single response.

Surprisingly, the success rate of artistic businesses is not much different to the broader range of businesses. However, they do have some different characteristics that are worth exploring and understanding because the characteristics may be useful for your business.

Obviously artistic based businesses tend to rely on a constant flow of creativity, but what is less obvious is that creativity is also an integral part of all small businesses. The challenge with an art business is that the creative juices need to flow regularly, but not at the expense of the commercial aspects.

Much to the chagrin of most artists, the cash books need to be balanced, the customer’s serviced and the taxman paid. The simplest statement, that the balancing of these forces gives most artists grief, would come as no surprise. Nevertheless, balancing creativity with

basic business responsibilities does increase the chance of success.

Helen came to art relatively late; she was always creative, but never considered herself an artist. When her first child was born she found that she enjoyed sharing art with her growing child. Finally, when Dylan went off to school, she continued the painting and even did a few short courses at The Gordon. It didn’t happen overnight, and there was considerable effort expended, but little by little Helen’s portfolio developed. A friend convinced her to hold an exhibition and to her surprise she made some good sales and was able to cover her costs of the exhibition.

Within a few years, Helen was earning a nice little bit of income out of her painting. The move from a good earning hobby to a fullyfledged business was the next step, but it was at this point the Helen started having difficulties.

A typical morning would have her getting Dylan on the bus and then a flurry of housework would see her ready to dive into the studio and paint, but more often than not she would be

interrupted when a friend would drop in or the phone would ring. It took a consistent effort to not answer the door and explaining to her friends that she was at “work”.

It is an obvious start and initially she was able to get some work done, but soon enough her productivity started to dry up. Helen’s creativity was evaporating before she had made the business a success. It is hard for artists to be creative on a given schedule – try it: write down an inspirational thought now! She had to treat her endeavour as a business.

It is quite common to have difficulties in increasing the rate of creativity when an endeavour changes from a hobby of passion to a consistent business. She had to pump up the volume. Helen needed to let her freak flag fly.

She had to feed her creative monkey (you know, that little imp that sits on your shoulder, who hates regularity and consistency, but sponsors the brilliant ideas).

The creative monkey won’t respond to the pressure of having to create a painting every two days. It needs to some freedom and a jungle and some play mates to have the occasional hoot, but this doesn’t mean avoiding pressure entirely.

We suggested that Helen have regular meetings with a group of artists. This meeting was a challenging affair, in that they took turns sharing commitments outlining the next week’s production, or in other sessions they opened the doors of their business and disclosed their real sales achievements. They would critique each other’s art and then dissolve into a few friendly drinks.

They called their group the Council of Critical Friends. They stated that their purpose was to support each other to be extraordinarily successful, above and beyond your average crayon artist.

It did take a lot of effort, but eventually Helen developed the habit of being creative and prolific. With the work flowing, we now had to work on making some money. The next phase was to work on the business centric skills.

There are many ways to approach a business of art and Helen chose to use a targeted approach. Her plan was to do large scale architectural art – these are the pieces that sit in the foyers of the CBD businesses in Melbourne. Helen investigated who made the decision to buy these huge pieces and found that most often it was a senior advisor in the architectural practice, with the decision then moderated by the developer.

Once she had identified these people, she then organised to meet them and negotiate the

SMALL BIZ

parameters that the buyers would use in selecting artwork. There were no commitments at this stage, but Helen had a clearer understanding of what they required. Some of the aspects were that the pallets needed to be very clean and simple, that the artwork was structured to be viewed at a distance and that the general theme of the artwork would be commensurate with the themes of the building.

Most of these points were rather obvious, but it was good to hear them articulated and note the exact words and phrases used by the clients.

Helen was not successful in her first attempts at putting together a pitch. This troubled her because the commissions did not come up often, but by the year’s end she was being invited to put in concepts with several architectural practices. Meanwhile, her general art was selling sufficient pieces to keep her hopes up and the mortgage wolf from the door.

A few years went by and still Helen had no income from a commission, but an interesting relationship had formed. One of the major galleries in Queensland had been purchasing and selling foyer art and had been keeping a quiet eye on Helen’s pitches, in the end they approached Helen to do some work for an international market This was not exactly what she wanted, but it turned out to be a nice adjunct to her local sales.

At our last meeting, Helen was still hoping to hit the big time and become a recognised name. She was making more than she expected out of her art, however this figure was less than she desired. What the future will hold is up to her creative monkey. Helen had

achieved a fine balance between the drier commercial aspects and the more delicate creative characteristics.

So, to answer our reader’s question, the most important aspect that makes an artistic business work is the delicate interaction

35

between the dissimilar forces of creativity and commercialism.

Have fun with your creative juices.

Clint Jennings Australian Business Development Centre www.abdc.com.au

Here are some of the habits that Helen developed to keep her creative monkey healthy and happy: Hold many broad interests, as you never know what will spark an idea.

Your monkey tends to work in metaphors and abhors logic, so let it swim in poetry and not drown in rational thought The monkey requires quiet time, so turn off the TV and radio, put up at least three keep out signs and avoid rational people for at least part of the week.

Listening to the creative monkey will cost you. It may ask you to dye your hair, or take up exotic hobbies or develop your eccentricities, but you must listen or your monkey will punish you.

The monkey will cause you to start many projects and most likely will leave you in an unfulfilled state as it rushes on to the next project. To cope with this, you may need to develop domestic blindness.

The monkey loves to dream, so if you have people around you that say 'come back to earth', don’t listen to them. You need to have space to explore the fantasies of the impossible futures.

The sad cost of living by the creative monkey is that you will at times feel lonely, because it is not a standard or easy way to live.

Monkeys come in two types: those that love red wine and those that like chocolate.

Each creative monkey is different, so you have to listen to the demands of your own monkey.

Need staff?

Need a job?

We can solve the puzzle

For real employment choices call Geelong 5246 6400 | Corio 5246 6460 www.centacareemployment.org.au

36

VECCI

The increasing wage equilibrium Two recent actions by Fair Work Australia (FWA) have highlighted how increased wage costs affect the ability of Victorian businesses to engage more staff.

The decision of FWA’s Minimum Wage Panel in early June to increase Australia’s minimum wage 3.4 per cent will create hardship for small to medium sized businesses. While the Panel’s decision strikes a balance between union and employer claims, it will magnify pressure on already struggling smaller employers.

As there is a direct correlation between wage costs and the ability of smaller enterprises to engage new employees, this increase will make it harder for those employers to take on more staff. VECCI is also disappointed that employers devastated by recent floods will see no relief from the 3.4 per cent wage increase – exacerbating already tough conditions for them.

With regional towns experiencing an economic downturn as a result of flooding, many businesses are experiencing the knock-on effects and they still have overheads to meet as

well as wages in some cases – these labour costs will now significantly increase from July 1.

It was hoped that more consideration would be paid to Australia’s two-speed economy and the fact that many Victorian businesses are experiencing very different economic conditions than those benefiting from the country’s mining boom. Last year’s ‘catch-up’ wage decision, which came after the wage freeze of the previous year, severely impacted the profitability of businesses, and with the current economic conditions being as they are, VECCI fears this year’s increase may compound this.

While VECCI is pleased the Minimum Wage Panel was critical of aspects of the ACTU’s proposal for a tiered increase, which would disrupt existing award relativities, the Panel has nonetheless awarded what they acknowledge to be a significant wage increase.

VECCI had been concerned that rather than mandating an increase that would maintain a minimum safety net – the primary role the Panel is tasked with – the Minimum Wage

Panel was moving towards a system of wage decisions closely tied to market rates. However, this is the second such significant increase in two years, and will no doubt prove, once again, to have real significance for employers. With continued uncertainty about a carbon price and industries such as manufacturing challenged by the high Australian dollar, the significant increase to the Minimum Wage will increase the pressure many businesses are already under.

VECCI had supported the Australian Chamber of Commerce’s claim that a $9.50 per week rise to the Minimum Wage was adequate for low income earners. Earlier in May, FWA also made a proposal to respond to the gender gap in wage rates paid to government and nongovernment workers in the social and community services sector by means of an ‘addition’ to modern award wage rates. This proposal has the potential to wreak havoc on the State Government’s budget and its delivery of services.

It will be the size of this ‘addition’ to existing wage rates that will be the most significant factor for employers and in turn State and Federal Governments, who fund the majority of the sectors affected by this decision: the aged care, disability and home services industries.

In its decision FWA concluded “there is not equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal or comparable value by comparison with workers in state and local government employment” and that “gender has been important in creating the gap”.

The Victorian Government has already acknowledged that should an equal remuneration order be made, it can only afford the $50 million a year wage bill already set aside in the State Budget. Should the quantum of the ‘addition’ be determined and enforced by an equal remuneration order that pushes the Victorian Government past this threshold, there will be real implications for Victorians.

The pressure it will put on the state’s bottom line will significantly impact the hours of work it is able to fund in the affected industries, as well as the State Government’s ability to maintain other services in critical areas such as health, education and law and order. Both the significant increase to the Minimum Wage and the possible ramifications of the Equal Remuneration case illustrate how closely wage costs are related to the engagement of labour.

COMMENT

37

Who do you trust on carbon?

Impact of a carbon tax

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is in a bit of trouble when it comes to honesty and climate change, according to a small but robust sample of the Australian population.

The ongoing debate about the introduction of a carbon tax in Australia has made it challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to work out whether they will be affected by such a tax, and what they need to do.

The research shows Gillard is not really believable when it comes to climate change ñ in fact Opposition leader Tony Abbott is six times more likely to be perceived as honest.

One of the few small joys in working in a research business is that you occasionally get to do a piece of work which allows you to see what Australians are thinking about all sorts of things.

Donít get me wrong, at CoreData we love spending our time thinking about and researching the way in which Australians think about money and their experiences with it, but this week, in reaction to the Carbon Tax Ads starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Caton, we found out what they think about the vexing issue of carbon pollution and the Gillard Governmentís proposal for dealing with it.

In what is a piece of good news for the Government, 82% of Australians accept global warming as fact and another 44% think that we should be doing something about it, despite acknowledging that Australia produces just 1.35% of the worldís carbon emissions and even if we wipe out carbon pollution altogether here it would be a mathematical irrelevance.

Whatís bad news for the Government is less than 10% of Australians actually trust them to administer the scheme. This is according to the 315 people surveyed and demonstrates a pretty bi-partisan lack of trust ñ even Labor voters think that the Government will stuff it up.

In fact the whole idea of a tax splits the electorate; just over a third of Australians think that tax is a good idea ñ another third think itís a bad idea and a similar amount donít know.

But letís talk about Carbon Cate for a moment. While 30% of Australians think that overwhelmingly she should be free to express her opinions and another 12% think itís fantastic because itís putting carbon on the agenda, another third think itís deeply irritating to be preached to by a movie star.

As far as the Government goes, only 15% of the electorate think the Government has handled the carbon tax issue well, while the remainder think the Government has done a poor or very poor job. As far as other solutions go, the most popular option is for nuclear energy with support from 21% of the population.

This in other terms is pretty poor news for the Government ñ 70% of the population thinks that prices will go up and there will be no obvious benefit to consumers and that this in the end will have been a load of hot air.

Who is Australia's Most Believable Spokesperson On Climate Change?

Tim Flannery - 18%

Julia Gillard - 1.3%

Professor Ross Garnaut - 16.2%

Cate Blanchett - 1.0%

Tony Abbot - 7.6%

Other - 14.3%

Scientists/climatologists - 4.8%

I donít know - 28.6%

Michael Caton - 1.6%

None of the above - 6%

These articles come from the insightful minds at burningpants.com.au.

Burning Pants is a product of CoreData.

A carbon tax, at its heart, is a tool to help manage the cost and consequences of carbon pollution, by making the polluter pay for it directly rather than having the community as a whole pay indirectly.

While it is unlikely that the introduction of a carbon tax will itself add direct costs to SMEs, this will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis. However it will have an indirect impact as costs such as electricity, lighting and transport will inevitably rise.

It makes sense for business owners and managers to at least undertake a carbon baseline calculation or audit so they fully understand what the likely impact on their business will be, including how it may affect their clients and customers.

A carbon baseline is a measure of the carbon emissions resulting from the operations of business or similar entity, mostly through use of energy sources such as electricity, gas, transport fuel and indirect sources such as waste to landfill.

A simple tailored energy efficiency and emissions reduction program will help identify any areas of risk, as well as any opportunities to reduce emissions and, as a result, costs. For example, the potential exists for most office buildings to reduce energy consumption by between 30 and 65 per cent.

A recent Treasury analysis provides some helpful figures, based on a scenario of a tax of $26 per tonne of carbon emitted. In total, such a tax would add about 0.1 per cent to the overall price of food and groceries.

Electricity prices for households would rise about $4 a week and gas about $2 a week; for SMEs a similar ratio would apply depending on how energy intensive their business is.

However, regardless of a carbon tax, electricity costs are going to rise significantly because the physical assets at all stages of the power generation and distribution cycle are nearing the end of their useful lives and need replacing.

For those seeking more information on what they should do to prepare for a carbon tax, or become more energy efficient, specialist advisers will be the best resource as there is no single Government source to answer all questions. A useful starting point is the relevant state government agency.

Deane Belfield, Director HLB Mann Judd Melbourne

v

38

THE TECH GUY Looks Leica Classic Just when you thought film cameras were dead and gone, this 1923 Leica 0-series just sold at auction for €1,320,000, or about 1.89 million in Australian dollars.

Curiously enough, the exact same auction house reportedly sold the exact same camera four years ago in 2007, where it fetched a relatively paltry €336,000, which was apparently still a world record for Leica cameras at the time.

There's something about the style though of the Leica that is quite fetching and ageless. So, if you have enough largesse, consider the new/old look Leica MP-9 digital.

It’s the smallest full frame digital camera in the world with the familiar leatherette and silver finish and a poultry $7,500.

Power Pedals Power assisted bicycles have become a craze in the US and Europe, offering a new and sometimes forgotten experience, the joy of cycling.

Here in Australia the trend towards getting to work in an environmentally friendly manner and not using the car as much is growing each day, not to mention the push towards being more active and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Geelong's De Grandi Cycle & Sport are embracing the new trend for E-Bikes with a range of the famous marque Ducati and Italwin pedal assisted electric bikes. E-Bikes Sales Manager, Mark Jordan, describes the growing trend as a great opportunity to provide everyone who loves

bicycles and those who need a little assistance along way.

"Our E-Bike division will certainly sell to the more serious cycle enthusiast, however we are finding the consumers interested immediately by the E-Bikes, including middle aged customers, physical disabilities such as knee injuries and even arthritis sufferers being given the option to ride decent speeds and kilometres on an E-Bike,” Mark says.

If you'd like more information about the E-Bikes, or to schedule an appointment with Mark, please call Xavier Fitzgerald at 03 5221 5099.

THE TECH GUY

39

Translation on the Fly Hello, is that you? The race to create simultaneous speech-to-speech translation is still ongoing and Japanese mobile mogul, NTT DoCoMo, has just hooked up with Google Translate and U.S. Dept of Defence Research Agency (DARPA).

Google Translate's Conversation Mode was demonstrated back in January, requiring each party to pause awkwardly between exchanges.

NTT DoCoMo's approach uses existing cloudbased services that recognise your words, translate them and then synthesize new speech in the other language, hopefully all before your distant 'other language relative' gets bored and hangs up.

All I Want for Christmas …

While you’re fighting over those 3D frames to watch Shrek, you can please your little prince or princess with the first of the 3D cameras heading our way in time for Christmas.

The DXG-018 3D camera will set you back around $90, but it'll be worth every cent. With a 1.44-inch LCD, dual lenses, an SD card (sold separately), and a pair of AA batteries, the kit also includes three 3D viewers, which apparently display 4x6-inch prints in three dimensions. DXG says the 3D camera was created with kids in mind, shipping in pink, lavender, orange, green, and yellow.

Thirst for thin Thin is in, and to be in, new release notebooks must be powerful, thin and light. The new Dell XPS 15z delivers the power you need inside an incredibly thin and light 38.1cm(15") laptop with 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors.

At just 2.51 kg and 24.68 mm thin, the XPS 15z is built from the finest materials, making it as elegant and durable outside as it is powerful inside, and it includes new NVIDIA GeForce graphics. From its anodized aluminum case to its backlit chiclet keyboard, the XPS 15z blends classic craftsmanship with contemporary design, and it’s also incredibly tough and livghtweight. There's also new Stage software, an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to edit and share photos, then

view them on the bright and vivid 15.6" display in full Hi Def. The spacious surface area and backlit keyboard on the XPS 15z make it easy to type comfortably around the clock.

On road test, the Dell XPS 15z is the Windows platform answer to the Apple MacBook Pro that has dominated this market segment for years.

In a direct comparison of bang for buck, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro has an Intel i7 2.0GHZ processor and 4MB RAM for $2099, versus Dell's XPS 15z with an Intel i7 2.7GHZ processor with 8GB of RAM for $1,699.

I rest my case.

Jon Mamonski - The Tech Guy

40

ART

Razor sharp comedy in The Gift Geelong audiences are in for a treat as the latest show from acclaimed Australian playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith, comes to The Playhouse stage as part of GPAC’s 2011 Alcoa Theatre Season.

The Gift is another witty examination of our modern moral confusions, from the writer of Ninety and Songs for Nobodies. Joanna Murray-Smith’s new play is a razor-sharp drama, at once disturbing and hilarious. In The Gift she creates an extraordinary situation to explore what gives our lives meaning.

Sadie and Ed meet Martin and Chloë at a holiday resort and instantly hit it off, despite

coming from completely different worlds. When Martin saves Ed’s life, everyone knows the debt can never be properly repaid. But Ed is rich and generous, and Martin and Chloë have a need so great it seems divine providence that the two couples should have found each other.

So, given time to think, they return to make their wish - but surely it's a wish nobody could possibly grant?

The play will will leave audiences with plenty to talk about long after the show closes. It stars theatre stalwart Richard Piper as the Ed, Heather Bolton as Sadie and Elizabeth Debicki and Matt Dyktynski as the younger couple, Chloe and Martin.

The Gift comes wrapped in Joanna MurraySmith’s glinting dialogue and is brilliantly directed by Maria Aitken, whose work was last seen at GPAC in The 39 Steps. Murray-Smith is regarded one of Australia’s most successful contemporary playwrights renowned for her thought-provoking plays, which deftly mix comedy and drama, elegant language, savage observations and wit.

Her latest bold and shocking comedy of morals opens July 14 for four performances in the Playhouse Theatre at GPAC. Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of The Gift runs from July 14 – 16 as part of the 2011 Alcoa Theatre Season. Tickets are available on 5225 1200 or online at www.gpac.org.au.

"35 /&84

41

the genre who explore themes as widely ranging as city and suburban life, landscape and atmospheric impressions, the world of dreams, historical allusion, and the relationship of Chinese opera and painting.

For information and open times visit: www.geelonggallery.org.au Below: Zhu Zhengeng, Acquiring Luoyang 2002, ink. Courtesy of the artist and the National Art Museum of China, Beijing

Friday Printmakers Exhibition 8JOUFSHBSEFO (BMMFSZ tt OE o TU +VMZ Local artists gather together in Geelong on Fridays for all things printmaking. Monoprints, relief prints, intaglio, solar plate and other terms are lovingly embraced and discussed. As a result of these gettogethers, the second Friday Printmakers Exhibition gets underway this July at Wintergarden Gallery. This year, to be opened by internationally renowned printmaker Marco Luccio, the exhibition will contain over 200 art works. Prints are often the starting off point for many budding art collectors... being generally more affordable than sculpture and painting.

Look out for the next Whistler or Goya right here in Geelong! Official Opening 2.30pm Sunday July 10th.

For information visit: www.artwintergarden.com.au

4JNQMZ 5IF #FTU 3FCFDDB 0h$POOPS BT 5*/" 563/&3 (1"$ 5IF 1MBZIPVTF tt +VMZ TU

3FGMFDUJPOT PG UIF TPVM o $IJOFTF DPOUFNQPSBSZ JOL XBTI QBJOUJOH (FFMPOH (BMMFSZ tt 'SPN +VMZ UI In recognition of 2011 as the Year of Chinese Culture in Australia, this special exhibition from the National Art Museum of China in Beijing illustrates modern interpretations of the venerable Chinese tradition of ink and wash painting. Exclusive to the Geelong Gallery, the exhibition includes works by nine leading contemporary Chinese artists working in

In the words of Tina Turner: "Rebecca is so good, she's scary. If I had her energy, I would still be touring today." Be prepared to stand in your seats as Rebecca O'Connor delivers her flawless rendition of Tina's greatest hits including Nutbush City Limits, Proud Mary, River Deep, Private Dancer, When the Heartache Is Over, Better Be Good To Me, and of course her anthem, Simply the Best. Tina Turner is one of the greatest live performers in music history ... don't miss your chance to see Rebecca with her wild hair, sparkling mini dresses, red lipstick and stiletto heels do the undisputed Queen of Rock n Roll pure justice in a performance that can only be described as "Simply The Best". Rebecca O'Connor was the winner of the prestigious European competition Stars in Their Eyes where she performed in front of over 33 million viewers.

For information and tickets visit: www.gpac.org.au

42

COMMUNITY

A winter heart warmer Students from the Gordon Sport and Recreation Program, under the guidance of experienced KABLE (Karingal Adventure Based Learning Experiences) staff, provided most of the team activities, including netball, basketball, soccer, 10-pin bowling, indoor cricket, picnic games, paper creations and games sense.

The involvement of these schools added another dimension to the event by providing a ‘real life’ experience for students.

Some of the most popular activities were martial arts, provided by a representative of Kyokushin Karate Waterworld, and badminton, provided by the Geelong Badminton Association.

Business representatives, sporting and service clubs, students and program members from disability organisations all got together recently to enjoy a fun, inclusive day out at the BacLinks 2011 Winter Workplace Big Day Out held at the Leisuretime Centre, Bell Post Hill.

BacLinks, a division of Karingal, organises two Workplace Big Day Out events each year.

Although this was the 18th event to be held, the Workplace Big Day Out remains a premier event on the social calendar for both people with disabilities and local businesses.

“I love coming to the Workplace Big Day Out. It’s fun and I get to meet lots of people,” said one program member, illustrating how the Workplace Big Day Out provides the perfect opportunity for participants, whether they be program members or employee volunteers, to extend their social experience, meet up with old friends, make new ones and learn new skills in a safe supported environment.

“The Workplace Big Day Out is educational, enlightening, but most of all, it’s a lot of fun for everyone involved,” Karingal Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Starkey said. “It’s also about introducing businesses and their employees to the business and social potential of workplace volunteering, in-kind support and other business-community partnerships.”

At this event, 60 employee volunteers enjoyed the day’s activities in the company of 110 program members from Karingal Community Living, St Laurence Community Services and Encompass Community Services Inc. Altogether, around 30 local businesses were involved in some capacity, with Powercor Australia presenting the event, which was also generously sponsored by MatchWorks, Harwood Andrews and St John of God Pathology/ Pathcare. All of our sponsors also sent along a generous number of employee volunteers.

“An eye opener,” said one volunteer, recognising that participation can take people out of their comfort zone. “The best experience I have ever had,” said another, demonstrating the high level of personal rewards achieved through volunteering at the event. “Give it a go, you will not be disappointed.”

Barefoot Media, the Costa Group, Geelong Badminton Association, Geelong Bowling Lanes, Karingal KABLE, Kyokushin Karate Waterworld, Village Cinemas, McDonalds Waurn Ponds and Tasman Meats also provided support for the event.

Karingal rock band, Psychedelic Plasma, wowed participants and got many up dancing after a lunch prepared by the Rotary Club of Highton. This was a great way to finish off the day and showcase the abilities of this talented group of program members.

BacLinks would like to sincerely thank all those businesses and individuals involved in this Workplace Big Day Out event. Congratulations, your participation and contributions made this event a great success.

The next Workplace Big Day Out will be held on Thursday, 1st December at Adventure Park.

BacLinks would love to see you there. To find out more about the Workplace Big Day Out contact us on 5249 8989 or visit our website www.baclinks.org.au

COMMUNITY NEWS

43

Knight in red satin Chivalry, it seems, is not dead, and within our local community there be knights – not of the armour, sword and charging horse, nor of the Sir Paul McCartney variety – but knights who fight for damsels (and mansels) in distress.

contact Seniors Information Victoria on 1300 135 090. The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards is an initiative of the State Government.

Applications close Friday 22 July.

Tackling sporting price hikes

For his many years of community and charity work, the Business News’ very own Tech Guy and GPAC Marketing Manager, Jon Mamonski, was last month recognised with a knighthood from the ancient but still thriving, Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller. When Jon is not welcoming patrons at GPAC, he is involved in numerous community organisations and charities including being the Deputy Chairman of Bravehearts Victoria, (the national child sexual assault lifeline).

The rapidly rising cost of participation in local sports is threatening the great level playing fields that we pride ourselves on in Australia, with insurance premiums driving up the prices across just about all sports. Business can and does make a big difference in helping local clubs meet these rising costs through sponsorships.

Down on the Bellarine Peninsula, Beach House Barwon Heads are taking the issue of equitable access to sport seriously, stepping up to sponsor the Barwon Heads Soccer Club women’s team.

The Order of St John is the world's oldest continuing Christian charity and order of chivalry. Formed in Jerusalem in the 11th Century to provide hospital care and protection to Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land.

Today, Knights and Dames of the Order carry on the centuries-old tradition of caring for the sick and the poor. There are about 120 knights and dames of the Order in Victoria, including over forty in the Geelong region.

Living on the Bellarine Peninsula, Jon was the founding chair of the Ocean Grove Community Enterprise, which is committed to providing grants to local community groups who struggle for funding. At Christmas time, you'll find Jon directing the Ocean Grove Carols in the Park as well as directing shows for the Queenscliffe Lighthouse Theatre Group like the recent Broadway spectacle, "The King and I" with a 120 strong cast and crew.

In the wee hours, Jon develops and manages numerous Web sites for local community groups and often accepts invitations to act as master of ceremonies across the region.

"Being involved and connected in your community is not a duty, it’s a privilege," Jon says.

"It’s all about people - they have so much to offer and many do so to help others and make a difference, it’s great," Jon says.

Senior amongst seniors Nominations are now open for the Victorian Senior of the Year. Award categories include Senior of the Year, Senior Achiever Awards, Promotion of Multiculturalism Award, Healthy and Active Living Award and Veteran Community Award.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Cr John Mitchell, encouraged local people to acknowledge someone they know who has made a significant contribution to the community since reaching the age of 60.

“As the backbone of so many of our local community organisations and sporting clubs, this is our chance to recognise those quiet and not-so-quiet seniors who inject so much spirit into our community and help make Geelong such a great place to live,” he said.

“We have so many passionate seniors in our region and nominating them for the Senior of the Year Awards is a great way to a acknowledge the important contribution they make to the Geelong community.”

To nominate someone you know, download the application form at www.seniors.vic.gov.au or

Levi Turner, manager of the Beach House said, “We choose to support local sporting clubs, businesses and charities as we like to give back and support the local people of Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and surrounding areas, that make our business operational and feasible 365 days a year.”

A recent recruit at the club, Cath Sattler, described the club as “one of the most inclusive and positive soccer clubs around.”

Cath has been involved with soccer since she arrived in Australia in 2005. “I just love being involved in this beautiful game,” says Cath, and in general that is what you will hear from players and parents alike associated with the club.

Without business sponsorship of local sporting clubs, the players and parents of younger players would bear more of the cost.

44

WINE

The case for wine, not mine

OR A few years ago I received an urgent call from a winemaker desperate for vintage staff. He said he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete with the wages being offered by the big mining companies and there was a major shortage of people willing to work.

Luckily, when he called me back a few weeks later, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d managed to find staff, but had to wait as they were coming from overseas. It looks like heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about to face another threat from the mines, but this time it might be more devastating than just finding a few staff.

The Margaret River wine industry was established nearly forty years ago, with the first significant plantings taking place in 1967. The region produces only 3 per cent of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total production, but more than 20 percent of our premium wines. Margaret River region wines have been high on most peoples shopping lists for a long time and, according to reports, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just had one of their best vintages on record. There are 120 producers in the region, which covers over 5,500 hectares.

All of this could, however, amount to nothing because it appears they no longer have the

support of government in ensuring the future of what they believe is a valuable resource.

There are fears that with up to a dozen applications for mining exploration quite near to the region, this would definitely impact on the clean, untouched image the region now experiences. There have (according to a Landline episode I watched) already been four exploration licences granted, with one coalmine to be dug literally beneath some of the regions best vineyards. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no doubt that coal mining is the dirtiest of all mining; it not only impacts on the atmosphere, but the valuable groundwater that vineyards rely on. The issue is that once consumers hear about what is taking place in the region, they will think twice about buying the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wines.

One argument from the mining industry is that one of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest regions, the Hunter Valley, has thrived with both mining and winegrowing working together in clearly defined areas. There is no doubt that this can be achieved, but at least one Hunter winemaker has said that in the local vineyards can not

continue to fight the mining superpowers, because they know the miners would ultimately get their way.

The impact that mining has had on our economy is a positive one. The jobs and money that it creates has been attributed to keeping the worst of the global recession at bay. I heard a great statement from Dick Smith the other day, he said that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to stop mining, but just slow it down a little so thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something left for our kids. Mining does generate enormous sums of money for the economy, but we could perhaps do with a little more balance.

Environmental impact aside, we are digging huge holes in the countryside in areas that could be preserved for use by other, prettier industries. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little disappointing that the wine industry seems to be looked upon as a rather poor cousin to mining in this case.

Adrian Marchiaro

When not immersed in his work as Winemaker's Assistant and jack-of-all-trades at the award-winning Witchmount Winery, Adrian presents wine tasting evenings at Lamby's Restaurant + Bar [check on renaming of Lambys to Black Sheep CafĂŠ?]

eVeRYÂ FRIDaYÂ FROMÂ 5pm

1st July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tasting gold from brilliant Bendigo An excellent selection from the Bendigo region Entertainment: Warm Sands

15th July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Take a bash at Bordeaux Affordable wines from one of Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest wine regions Entertainment: Warm Sands

8th July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Plentiful wines from the Pyrenees A great array of the Pyrenees best whites and reds Entertainment: Chic

22nd July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; It all tastes Greek to me Great Greek wines and food, dress up to win great prizes!

Entertainment: Chic

WINE NEWS

45

Eastern eats and western wines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect!

It was an evening that celebrated two cultures, and superb food and wine, when Clyde Park Vineyard hosted the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA) annual food and wine appreciation dinner in recent weeks.

The 180-strong guest list, comprised of dignitaries and local business professionals with strong Hong Kong connections, were treated to a magnificent 8-course Hong Kong inspired menu from renowned Melbourne restaurant, Shark Fin House, with each course served with selected Clyde Park wines.

For Clyde Park owner, Terry Jongebloed, the evening was a terrific opportunity to grow the Clyde Park brand amongst the Hong Kong business community in Australia, and indeed through to the Hong Kong region.

Terry said that the HKABA approached Clyde Park is testament to the reputation of the winery in the Melbourne area. Clyde Park has developed an uncompromising reputation to

winemaking and viticulture which has seen Clyde Park awarded the 5 star rating again in James Hallidayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2011 Wine Companion, along with making his Top 100 wines lists in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. As well the Clyde Park Pinot Noir was recognised in Campbell Mattinson new book of Top 101 Reds in Australia.

The vineyard was established in 1979 with small plantings of pinot noir and chardonnay.

With the additions of further plantings of shiraz, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris, the vineyard was developed extensively and now boasts 13 hectares under vines.

The Clyde Park Bistro overlooks the magnificent Moorabool Valley, offering simple, rustic and elegant cuisine, which reflects the diversity and quality of our regional produce. Serving lunch on the weekend and public holidays from 12noon. Cellar door is open from 11am daily.

Clyde Park is available for functions.

Terry Jongebloed addressing the HKABA attendees Clyde Park Vineyard & Bistro 2490 Midland Highway, Bannockburn. Victoria. Tel (03) 52817274; www.clydepark.com.au

12 Apostles Vistor Centre Kirsten Kilpatrick

Visitor Centre, 12 Apostles Visitor Centre, Port Campbell

View over vineyard from Clyde Park Cellar Door

Town Planners Urban Designers Landscape Architects

Geelong Foreshore

Tract Consultants

Tract Consultants Geelong and Regional Victoria Office Tract offers town planning, urban design and landscape architecture services to private and public sector clients throughout the region.

Kirsten Kilpatrick, Associate Town Planner, from our Geelong and Regional Victoria Office is available to assist you with a range of planning and design needs in the following areas: Permit applications VCAT representation Planning scheme amendments New estate and subdivision design Community and stakeholder engagement ! Urban design ! Landscape design ! ! ! ! !

1/216 pakington street, geelong west, victoria 3218 | po box 1716, geelong, victoria 3220 | t. 03 5221 0105 | geelong@tract.net.au www.tract.com.au

46

BIZ EVENTS

New look business banking centre Westpac has launched the brand new design of its Geelong Business Banking Centre at 1/69-71 Moorabool Street in Geelong, boosting its investment in the area by $1.2 million.

The Business Banking Centre upgrade is part of the Westpac Local program, which sees the bank investing in its existing branches and business banking centres, as well as introducing more expertise in its network.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve gone back to the more traditional role of the local bank, to look after our business customers locally and give them the one-onone attention and expertise that they need to manage their finances well,” said Westpac Geelong Region Manager, Commercial, Tony Harman.

“Geelong is an important area for Westpac, as it is a growth area with the recent upgraded ring road and newly-commenced Armstrong Creek precinct, and we want to support and be a part of that growth.

Westpac staff and clients

“Our business customers in Geelong can literally pick up the phone or come into our Centre and ask their business banker for advice. I can action that advice immediately, meaning no more lengthy approval processes with head office,” Mr Harman said. “We have local Commercial Relationship Managers who live and work locally and understand local business.”

Westpac has a long presence in Geelong, having moved to the current site in 1998. The bank has approximately 100 employees in the area, located at seven branches and a business centre.

David Willder (WMC Accounting); Stephen Kaiser (Kaisercraft)

Westpac client George Katos

The function was held at the fully refurbished business centre, which was officially opened by Director of the Gorell Group of Companies, Paul Gorell.

Photos by Terry Broun Jr]

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BIZ EVENTS

Paul Gorell cutting the ribbon held by Westpac's Senior Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking Phil Mounsey

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Westpac's regional manager Tony Harman

Left: Cr Barbara Abley; Mark Paton (Westpac Vic GM)

Right: Westpac client Todd Devine

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AFTER HOURS

Manufacturing on their minds The local manufacturing industry held its keynote event of the year on June 23rd, with a small, medium and large businesses all represented at the Geelong Manufacturing Council 2011 Industry Leaders Dinner.

While guests come from a broad cross-section of manufacturing sectors, everyone had an interest in the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guest speaker, State Minister for Manufacturing and Exports, Richard Della-Riva.

The event was held at the Four Points

by Sheraton Geelong.

Photos by Terry Broun Jr

Maree Herath (Harvest Recruitment)

David Peart (GMC); Bernadette Uzelac (Geelong Chamber of Commerce)

David Sykes (Backwell IXL); Peter Gostelow (Aust. Industry group

Davis Isaak (Winchester Aust.); Stephen Cairns & Kelvin Stones (Backwell IXL)

AFTER HOURS

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Mr Abbott, lend me your ear ......

Amongst other stop-offs in his visit to the region last month, Tony Abbott, guests at an impromptu Geelong 500 Club event made the most of the opportunity to gain the ear/s of the leader of the opposition.

Mr Abbott was the star attraction of the event, and a broad cross section of the local business community made up the 120-strong crowd that it seems all wanted a few minutes of Tony’s time – including the Mayor and local State politicians seeking Mr Abbott’s support for the region.

Yogi Stefanovski, The Hon. Glyn Jenkins & Tony Abbott

Sophie Snow Amy Stek & Tony

Dr. John Stekelenburg, Tony Abbott, Angelo Kakouros & Ian Smith.

"DB .... " is Darren Brown, Mark Tobias, Tony Abbott & Sally Beck

"Crowd at Tony Abbott" - too many to name

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WHATS ON

Geelong Small Business Festival Victoria's Small Business Festival - is designed to provide small business people with practical business advice and assistance. The festival runs throughout August each year and features a program of informative seminars, exciting exhibitions, networking events and expos. Events are tailored especially for small business to deliver thoughtprovoking insight and inspiration on marketing and sales, online business, business planning and more.

Small Business Victoria co-ordinates and presents the festival together with partner organisations from industry groups, private organisations, tertiary institutes and other government agencies. Events are proudly delivered across Victoria to ensure that all Victorian small businesses have opportunities to participate.

Whether it is inspirational guest speakers discussing global trends or hands-on business administration advice, the annual festival has an extensive program of events to provide the inspiration, ideas and information to start or build a business. We have listed a few of the events happening in early August. For further information and a full events listing, visit https://services.business.vic.gov.au/ems/emshome.do

Monday 1st August

Friday 5th August

Starting Your Business Workshop - Find out how to assess your idea, what's the best business structure, financial considerations, resources, as well as business plan pointers and tips. Cost: $30. Where: Conference Centre / Geelong City Hall.

Social Media: How Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Changing What Customers Want - Social media is here to stay. Find out what you need to do to grow your business in this changing customer landscape. Cost: $25.

Where: Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

The $50,000 IT Invention Test - Find out how to make a submission to this competition that helps entrepreneurs commercialise great IT ideas and how to pitch to prospective investors. Cost: Free. Where: Alex Popescu Room, Skilled Stadium.

Tuesday 2nd August Successful Networking Secrets - Find out how to make a submission to this competition that helps entrepreneurs commercialise great IT ideas and how to pitch to prospective investors. Cost: $15. Where: Victorian Business Centre, 69 Moorabool Street.

Wednesday 3rd August Tax Basics - Learn about tax issues relevant to owning and operating a small business and receive practical tips for business responsibilities. Cost: Free. Where: Geelong City Hall.

Monday 8th August 10 Financial Mistakes & How Good Bookkeeping Can Help You Avoid Them - The team at Bookkeeping & Small Business Essentials show how to avoid financial mistakes with tips and tricks to improve your record keeping. Cost: $20. Where: Geelong City Hall.

Working with the Media - Find out what to do for the media to take note of your business or product and how to plan positive media coverage. Cost: $50. Where: Geelong City Hall.

Tuesday 9th August Recruitment & Selection of Quality Staff â&#x20AC;&#x201C; What you need to know to prepare to select and recruit the most suitable staff for your business, including advertising, behavioural interviewing and references. Cost: $10. Where: People @ Work, Tenancy 5, TAC Building.

Visual Merchandising: Design & Display to Increase Sales Discover not only how to improve the look of your store, but also how to increase sales by making your surroundings more attractive. Cost: $40. Where: The Gordon, Fenwick Street.

Surviving Change: A Crash Course in Resilience - Karen Curnow lost her house, her possessions, three loved animals, and almost her life in Victoria's 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Share her story. Cost: BPW member $39, nonmember $49. Where: Lyndon Grove Reception Centre.

Thursday 4th August

Wednesday 10th August

New Country, New Life, New Business - Targeted at those from culturally diverse communities thinking about starting their own business. Discover how to succeed, avoid the pitfalls and keep motivated. Cost: Free. Where: 94.7 The Pulse FM Diversitat, Little Ryrie Street.

Get Your Business Organised Workshop - Learn to identify and remove distractions, prioritise effectively, productivity strategies and other tips to create more time in your day. Cost: $20. Where: Conference Centre, Geelong City Hall.

2015: Survival of the Fastest - Dave Chaffey presents a fascinating look at the opportunities and challenges that SMEs will face as the internet evolution accelerates. Cost: $20.

Where: Conference Centre, Geelong City Hall.

Workplace Relations, OH & S and Business Succession - A comprehensive legal update on two critical issues for small business - workplace relations (including occupational health and safety) and planning for succession. Cost: Free. Where: Harwood Andrews Lawyers.

WHATS ON 16 - 30 July 2011 METROPOLIS GALLERY: CONTEMPORARY AND COLLECTABLE Australian Printmakers This comprehensive exhibition will transform Metropolis Gallery with an exceptional range of images by some of Australia’s most prominent contemporary printmakers: Anna Austin, Dean Bowen, Jazmina Cininas, Robert Clinch, Madeleine Goodwolf, Nicolas Goodwolf, Graham Fransella, David Frazer, Rew Hanks, Deborah Klein, Damon Kowarsky, Clare Whitney, and Deborah Williams (courtesy Australian Galleries).

The importance of printmaking in Australian art is reflected by the massive archive of works from colonial to contemporary held in the National Gallery of Australia Print Collection. Artists’ edition prints are a great opportunity to acquire excellent images by Australian artists who are important practitioners in the printmaking medium. Several artists in this exhibition are successful painters who also create etchings and lithographs as a logical extension of their painting practice.

Contemporary and Collectable Australian Printmakers will be launched by Jackie Hocking, Gallery Manager, Australian Print Workshop: 5-7pm Saturday 16 July at Metropolis Gallery, 64 Ryrie Street Geelong . The show runs until 30 July and all works can be viewed online at www.metropolisgallery.com.au

Tuesday 12th – Friday 15th July

Saturday 30th July

I Henry Robot – School holiday production. Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

La Traviata - Opera Australia’s Oz Opera presents this searching new look at the story of Opera’s favourite working girl. Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

Thursday 14th – Saturday 16th July The Gift - From the writer of Ninety and Songs for Nobodies, The Gift opens to reveal another witty examination of our modern moral confusions. Brilliantly directed by Maria Aitken, whose work was last seen at GPAC in The 39 Steps.

Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

Thursday 14th - Saturday 23rd July A Chorus Line -

Friday 15th July Austen Tayshus: The Merchant of Menace - the Biggest name in Australia comedy for over 3 decades returns to Geelong.

Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale.

Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

Wednesday 20th July Leo Sayer: 40th Anniversary Concert Tour – Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

The Happiest Show On Earth - A feast of vaudevillian fun for 4 to 8 year-olds. Where: Drama Theatre, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

Tuesday 2nd August My Afternoons with Margueritte – A little old lady befriends a middle-aged stranger in a park and teaches him the joy of reading in this Bethany Arthouse Film Festival presentation starring Gerard Depardieu (French with subtitles).

Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

Friday 5th August Beethoven’s Eroica – the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents an exclusive preview of the Beethoven Festival, which begins the following day in Melbourne.

Where: Costa Hall, Deakin University Waterfront Campus.

Details: www.gpac.org.au

Saturday 6th August

Improving Cashflow and Profitability - Learn how to use tools to ensure you maintain profitability and increase cashflow.

Discover practical tips to improve management of stock, customers and suppliers. Cost: $20 Where: Shire Hall, Bannockburn. Details: www.services.business.vic.gov.au

Rachel Berger unleashes: Clever Dicks - Berger arrives at The Potato Shed to deliver her dynamite insights into why the lucky country is in danger of becoming a tosserís paradise and to blast some modern manners at the socially challenged. Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale.

Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

Thursday 21st July

Sunday 7th August

Simply the Best: Rebecca O’Connor as Tina Turner – Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

Cosmo Cosmolino - Cosmo Cosmolino is an ARIA-nominated ensemble of talented musicians who draw broadly from the traditions of European gypsy and tango orchestras to play mostly original instrumental music and songs. Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th July Little Shop of Horrors – The classic horror musical. Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

To publicise your event in GBN’s What’s On in August email: editor@geelongbusiness.com.au

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