Geelong Business News 231

news

BUSINESS

“Something good eventually emerges from something bad.

As a consequence, weaknesses often become strengths.”

–

We reckon a farmer said it.

july 2014

• The case for workplace flexibility

• The rise of the agri-preneur

ISSUE 231

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A Division of the

news

BUSINESS 16.

THE RISE OF THE AGRI-PRENEUR

CONTENTS 10/ New Appointments

38.

11/ Inside Word 14/

THE GREAT WAR

Time Honoured 22/ Business Events 24/ Comment

TECH GUY

Where is the flexible workplace at?

27/

48.

Time Honoured

12.

30/ Governance

32.

36/

TRAVEL

Legal 42/ Community

40.

45/ After Hours

ISSUE 231 JULY 2014 Read online at: www.biznewsmag.com.au BUSINESS NEWS, an Adcell Group publication, is mailed to more than 6000 businesses.

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

ARTS

PUBLISHER

FOR ADVERTISING

Maureen Tayler

Tanya Carroll M 0418 302 869 tanya@adcellgroup.com.au

F (03) 5221 2233

Abbey Sherwell T (03) 5221 4408 abbey@adcellgroup.com.au

Shop 4/100 Simpson Street, Ballarat Vic 3350

MANAGER Caroline Tayler

EDITOR Davina Montgomery davina@adcellgroup.com.au

T (03) 5221 4408 203 Malop Street, PO Box 491, Geelong Vic 3220

www.adcellgroup.com.au

Winter 2014 Issue Out Now. Ruby is: • Charming • Stylish • Witty • With the occasional moment of madness - She’s just like you

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 3

Magazine

EDITOR

Woo Me or Lose Me

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want to make this very, very clear: I am a huge fan of Avalon Airport and I want to see it reach its extraordinary potential. I remember speaking to Lindsay Fox about his vision for Avalon years before it opened up for commercial flights, and even then the airport’s potential as a driver of growth for not just our region, but the whole of southwest Victoria was unmistakable.

That being said, the whole ‘Use It or Lose It’ message that Jetstar is sending out shows us all exactly why this airline is struggling in a market that should be like shooting fish in a barrel. It’s not like the same sort of campaign hasn’t been run before, or that long ago. This was the same messaging that Ford Australia ran with when it’s bottom line shrugged its shoulders and slouched off in search of better company. Did the ‘buy our cars or lose our production’ make you want to buy a Ford? The reasons people stopped buying Falcons wasn’t that they didn’t like Ford or want to support local production, and by extension local jobs, it was simply that Ford wasn’t making the cars we wanted to buy.

Here’s a basic truth of commerce: people don’t like being told how to spend their money. We want to be wooed. So my answer to you, Jetstar, is ‘Woo Us or Lose Us’, or at the very least don’t make it so hard to like you. I’ve spoken to countless people about Jetstar at Avalon, and I invariably hear the same things: ‘I love flying out of Avalon, but you can’t fly to the Gold Coast/Brisbane/Hobart/Cairns,’ or ‘I always look at whether we can fly out Avalon, but the flight times are ridiculous’.

It seems that most of us who’ve flown with them have a story of failed customer service. Here’s one of mine. Last year, we booked a trip for my hubby and son, and a friend’s hubby and their son to go and see the North v Brisbane game in Brisbane.

The boys, then 6, couldn’t have been more excited, and the big boys hardly less so. It was hailing and freezing cold down here and a balmy 27 degrees up there… there were no girls going… you get the picture.

They were booked on to a Jetstar flight leaving Avalon late in the morning and were all set to go when we got a text message at around 9am saying the flight was cancelled. We rang Jetstar, in a panic, only to be told that they could get them on a plane the next day … the day after the game. After much explaining of why this was unacceptable and that we wanted to be transferred to a flight out of Melbourne, they said we would have to call the booking number, that maybe there would be a chance to get on a flight that day, but they couldn’t guarantee the boys would all get on. Terrific.

There have been other trips, to Brisbane again, to Canberra, to Newcastle, none of which flew out of Avalon. So when I read that ‘we’ the people of Geelong, were being urged not to bypass Avalon for Tullamarine I almost choked. Did they really think we went to Tulla by preference? I know people who would happily drive from the other side of Melbourne to Avalon, or from north central Victoria, who would rather drive the extra distance to Avalon because of the ease of parking and traffic.

I know that the airline isn’t so much struggling to get passengers to fill flights from Avalon, it’s struggling with the low yield of the flights to destinations like Brisbane (i.e. the price of seats is too low to return a decent profit from the flights). So they need to charge a bit more to make those flights viable, is that right? I suspect if they asked the flying public whether they would be willing to pay a bit more for a flight out of Avalon rather than Tullamarine, they would find many would. It already costs us more to drive to Tulla, to park the car, if you’ve got kids they always need food and then there’s the traffic…

Yes, Jetstar, I would happily pay above the $49 or $79 flight specials for that convenience, but ONLY if you have the flights to where I want to go at a reasonable time.

And just before I fall off my high horse, here’s another nugget of customer insight for you: I don’t want to be told that, having already paid for my fare, that if I don’t check in at least 30 minutes before departure that I won’t get on the plane. Virgin doesn’t do that to me; they make me feel that they value me being on their flight. I’m talking to you here, Mr Hall, it’s my money and I expect you to work for it.

Alright, that’s my rant for the month – and it is a rant, I know – but there are so many businesses working their proverbials off for their customers and to have this ‘Use It or Lose It’ message shoved in our faces is frankly insulting. You’re a business that I genuinely want to use – but it’s up to you to make it convenient and a pleasant experience for me to use your services. Trying to dictate my spending decisions isn’t doing you any favours.

If I, or my family, needed to fly to Sydney, would I fly with Jetstar from Avalon? Of course I/we would. I hope we all would. And I/we would pay a bit more for the convenience of flying out of Avalon, and when the Captain announces, ‘Thank you for flying with Jetstar’ I want to feel that sentiment is genuine.

We want to welcome Abbey Sherwell to the team at Business News & Ruby. Abbey is an account management professional with a wealth of experience. She is also a strong believer in driving business growth by building strong relationships… Jetstar could learn a thing or two from her.

When we finally, after 45 minutes in a phone queue, did get seats, but were told emphatically that there could be no guarantee of any of the seats being adjoining – and by that, I mean that neither 6 year old child couldn’t be guaranteed a seat next to their father. After a series of phone calls, we got it sorted out.

BUSINESS NEWS | 4

DAVINA MONTGOMERY

BIZ NEWS BIZ NEWS

Annual leave conditions under review

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employer having the ability to deduct payment for any leave granted in advance from monies owed on termination; - The right of an employer to require employees to take annual leave during a close-down; and

very four years, the Fair Work Commission undertakes a review of Modern Awards. Currently under review is the Annual Leave Case, and the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) is calling for greater flexibility for both employers and employees.

- The right for an employer to pay annual leave as part of the employer’s normal pay cycle, rather than in advance of the leave being taken.

“Under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act, cashing out of annual leave beyond four weeks of accrued leave is currently available for “It is about time that annual leave provisions in awards award-free employees, with the are updated to reflect the needs of agreement of their employer. Also, employers, employees and modern enterprise agreements are able workplaces,” Ai Group Chief to include provisions allowing It is about time that annual Executive Innes Willox said. cashing out of leave in excess leave provisions in awards “The model clauses which Ai Group of four weeks’ accrued leave. is seeking to have included in most are updated to reflect the However, where an award applies modern awards cover: to an employee, cashing out is not needs of employers, available. Employees and employers - The cashing out of annual employees and modern covered by awards should not be leave by agreement between workplaces. disadvantaged,” Mr Willox said. an employee and the employer, provided that at least four weeks’ of The Annual Leave Case is listed for accrued leave is maintained; hearing before a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission in mid-August.

- The right of an employer to direct an employee to take annual leave where the employee’s “Ai Group’s proposals preserve a high level of protection accrued leave is excessive (defined in the proposed for employees, while ensuring that employees and model clause as more than 6 weeks of accrued leave); employers have access to flexible arrangements to meet their personal and enterprise circumstances,” Mr Willox - The granting of annual leave in advance by agreement said. between an employee and the employer, with the

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BIZ NEWS

Manufacturing remains in the red in May

Cutting business energy costs

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Victorian Government grant of just under $100,000 will be shared between the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and the Geelong Manufacturing Council to help local businesses develop the skills and knowledge needed to be more energy and material efficient around the workplace.

“I am delighted to announce that the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce are successful recipients from the Coalition Government’s Building Business Capability program and will receive $50,000 and $49,600 respectively to help them deliver workshops to promote energy and materials efficiency,” said Member of South Barwon, Andrew Katos, announcing the grant.

“The Building Business Capability program provides training and site visits to small and medium enterprises so that they have the information needed to run their operations in a more environmentally friendly way.”

The funding falls under the government’s $14 million Smarter Resources Smarter Business program established to target the reduction of energy costs and environmental impacts for Victorian businesses by encouraging more efficient use of business resources.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said: “By using energy, materials and water more efficiently, and reducing waste and pollution, businesses will not only reduce their environmental impact, but also the cost of doing business.

“In an economy with an increasing focus on sustainability, it is extremely important to empower businesses so that they can gain the competitive edge”, Mr Smith said.

The big dry could be closer than you think

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he Bureau of Meteorology is advising that the early warning signs are there of an El Niño in spring, with the Bureau stating: “Warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean over the past several months has primed the climate system for an El Niño in 2014.”

While a leveling off of temperatures in recent weeks, positive Southern Oscillation Index values and large areas of warm water in the western Pacific and off northwestern Australia are counter to typical El Niño development and provide some hope we could still avoid the big dry, the Bureau’s modelling suggests there is at least a 70 per cent chance of El Niño developing this year.

For Australia, El Niño is often associated with below-average rainfall over southern and eastern inland areas and aboveaverage daytime temperatures over southern parts of the continent.

M

anufacturing remained in negative territory in May according to the latest Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®). The seasonally adjusted index rose 4.4 points to 49.2 to remain just below the 50 point expansion level.

Respondents noted a dampening in confidence following the Federal Budget, although there was a rise in manufacturing production and new orders in the month. These sub-indexes improved to 51.6 points and 55.1 points respectively. Manufacturing employment contracted further in May, as did supplier deliveries, inventories and exports. Four sub-sectors expanded and four contracted in the month.

Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said: “The manufacturing sector continues to be buffeted by weak household demand, a lack of business confidence and fierce competition in both domestic and export markets, heightened by the renewed strength in the Australian dollar. While there was an encouraging rebound in new orders after a particularly weak April, the public reaction to the Federal Budget appears to be weighing negatively on consumer sentiment and business confidence. The ongoing uncertainty over a number of budget measures is adding another layer of concern for local manufacturers,” Mr Willox said.

Australian PMI®: Key Findings for May: • The May Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) rose 4.4 points to 49.2 points (readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity).

• The new orders sub-index rose 13.3 points to 55.1 points.

• The production sub-index rose 9.0 to 51.6 points.

• Manufacturing sales – a newly added sub-series this month – recorded 53.7 points in May. • The employment sub-index fell to 40.8 points, its lowest reading in over a year (since April 2013).

• Across the eight sub-sectors, four expanded, with the relatively small wood and paper products sub-sector recording the highest reading at 55.5 points. The printing and recorded media sub-sector had the lowest subsector reading this month at 37.3 points.

• Supplier deliveries sub-index was down, at 46.8 points.

• Stocks were also lower, with this sub-index at 46.1 points.

Full report available at: http://www.aigroup.com.au/portal/ site/aig/economicindicators/

BUSINESS NEWS | 6

BIZ NEWS

Cleantech on the agenda

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he development of clean tech received a boost in June with the announcement of $600,000 for Cleantech Innovations Geelong.

Cleantech Innovations Geelong is a business and industry alliance, run under the auspices of the Geelong Manufacturing Council and Future Proofing Geelong and the idea behind it all is to develop Geelong as a centre of excellence for sustainability.

Yes, it’s a buzzword, but there’s a good reason for that. Cleantech is part of a global growth trend in sustainability, covering everything from water and waste management and recycling to biofuels and clean cities.

Cleantech isn’t just good the environment, it’s good for the generation of jobs and, of particular importance in Geelong, it’s good for generating new manufacturing products and markets.

“100 representatives from business, industry, academia and government that collectively identified new market opportunities for manufacturers, engineers and businesses looking to develop markets for cleantech goods and services.”

Last year, the alliance held three forums that attracted around 100 representatives from business, industry, academia and government that collectively identified new market opportunities for manufacturers, engineers and businesses looking to develop markets for cleantech goods and services.

This funding – comprised of $300,000 over three years from the state government, announced last month by the Minister for Ports, Major Projects and Manufacturing David Hodgett MP and matched funding from Future Proofing Geelong and the Geelong Manufacturing Council – will help develop some of those market opportunities.

Cr Andy Richards, who holds Council’s Portfolio for Environment and Sustainability, said the grant funding would come from the State government’s Manufacturing Productivity Network Program Stage 2.

Geelong Manufacturing Council Chief Executive, David Peart, said GMC and its industry partners aimed to establish the region as a dynamic and innovative manufacturing centre of the future.

Future Proofing Geelong and the Geelong Manufacturing Council were successful in securing Stage 1 Manufacturing Network Funding at the end of 2012 to deliver a scope of works through Cleantech Innovations Geelong.

Cr Richards said clean technology is defined as economically viable products and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources and reduce or eliminate emissions and wastes.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 7

BIZ NEWS

Small business looking ahead with caution Ditto all dressed up

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itto, the educational mascot of child protection advocate Bravehearts, has a new outfit for his Geelong performances.

Advance Record Management’s (ARM) Peter Newland, a fervent supporter of Bravehearts, presented Ditto with his new uniform for his Keep Safe Adventure Show.

Ditto’s acclaimed personal safety show teaches kids strategies and skills to stay safe in a range of situations, from sexual assault to bullying.

The program has already been seen by thousands of children from child care centres and primary schools across the region and the Bravehearts Geelong committee expects this year to be bigger and better.

Bravehearts provides counselling, advocacy and support for victims of child sexual assault and their non-offending families while educating the wider community and lobbying for change.

Bravehearts has operated in Geelong since 2012.

Peter, Managing Director of the Geelong-based ARM, urged the community to support the child protection service.

“Individual members of the community and businesses can do their bit to raise awareness and help Bravehearts continue to deliver its vital services.”

PHOTO: Ditto with Advance Record Management Managing Director Peter Newland at the company’s Broderick Road, Corio, complex.

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ictorian small businesses aren’t alone in treating the short-term outlook with caution. The second Westpac-Melbourne Institute Small Business Index for 2014 saw business people in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia less optimistic about the near future, while their Queensland counterparts are significantly more optimistic than they were in early 2014.

Julie Rynski, Westpac’s General Manager of Small Business said, “It is not surprising to see a slight decrease of the Index in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, given the number of mining and manufacturing closure announcements across Australia in recent months.”

The Index also revealed that 40.1 per cent (rising from 35.1 per cent last quarter) of small businesses consider the economy to be the top negative factor affecting business performance.

Bill Evans, Westpac Global Head of Economics said the response from small business and consumers following the recent Budget announcement will be critical to the change in sentiment and business activity over the next quarter.

“The Index is showing that macroeconomic conditions are still a major concern for small business, however, there is a continued degree of confidence amongst the sector.

“Even though there was little in the Budget which would affect small business adversely, the concern will be the impact the Budget has on household confidence and subsequently demand. We have seen a 6.8% fall in the Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Confidence, indicating that households may wind back some spending. That will have a direct impact on small business,” said Mr Evans.

Looking ahead, the Index revealed that small businesses with turnover above $2 million were more positive about future activity, with a net balance of 38.7 per cent indicating that they expected business activity to increase in the next three months. Among industry groups, small businesses in wholesale and retail trade were the most optimistic about future business activity (net balance of 41.0 per cent).

“Small business is the backbone of our economy, and we must support these businesses to ensure the continued prosperity of our nation,” added Ms Rynski.

BUSINESS NEWS | 8

BIZ NEWS

Insurance policy drop-off expected from budget pains

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ustralia’s $800 billion underinsurance problem is predicted to rise as the fallout of last month’s Federal Budget continues.

Australian households are under mounting pressure to reduce their discretionary spending as they face reductions in various government concessions announced in the Federal Budget, with the life insurance policy being tipped as one of the main casualties.

Dr Adrian Raftery, a senior lecturer at Deakin University in financial planning and superannuation, said that he expects the life insurance premium to be one of the first expenses to be dropped from Australian household budgets in response to reductions in government support.

“Whilst life insurance is a necessity, sadly most view it as a luxury item and will cancel it, or let it lapse, at first opportunity when cash flow gets tight,” Dr Raftery said.

With data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimating that the lives of working Australians could be underinsured by up to $800 billion, Dr Raftery said he was concerned the problem would magnify in coming months.

equivalent of their current mortgage commitments,” he said.

“They should also be encouraged to take out an additional amount as a buffer to fund children’s education and lifestyle benefits, such as holidays and personal effects.”

The Federal Budget announced a raft of cuts to concessions such as Family Tax Benefit Part B and the abolition of the dependent spouse and mature age tax offsets as well as the introduction of the temporary budget repair levy and a $7 fee to visit GPs, however not all of these measures may be passed by the Senate.

GOLDEN RULES WITH PERSONAL INSURANCE · Make it a priority in the budget – insurance should ALWAYS be one of the first items in any family budget … not one of the last. No exception. · Think about your last gasp of air – when considering your insurance cover, you should be thinking about the look on your family’s faces if they are not financially protected when you die.

He suggested a tax deduction for life insurance premiums could be a solution to reversing the trend.

· People do get run over by buses – it is never planned, but people do die unexpectedly. Cover the worst case scenario.

“We are already underinsured as a nation, so we want to encourage people to take out cover rather than give them opportunities to opt out,” he said.

· Don’t lie in insurance applications – by not telling the truth to the underwriter at application may jeopardise your payout when you need it most.

Dr Raftery said he had personally witnessed the financial impact of the tragic and unexpected death of an uninsured friend on his widow and their three young children, which had been a harrowing experience.

· Cover the mortgage … and a little bit more – the basic cover that every Australian should have is their mortgage.

Also think also about schooling, childcare, everyday household running costs and lost income.

“One of the saddest moments in my life was hearing at his funeral that my mate, aged 40, had cancelled his life cover only just a few months earlier,” he said.

· Protect your income – what would happen if you couldn’t work for a couple of months? Do you have enough of a buffer to cover your mortgage repayments? Cover is tax deductible.

“Sadly, the ones that probably need it the most are the ones that won’t have any life insurance cover at all.”

Dr Raftery said Australians needed to be better educated about the levels of life insurance required.

“At an absolute minimum, families should have cover to the

· Get your super to pay for it - to help with cashflow, get your superannuation fund to pay for your life insurance coverage. · Check the terms and conditions – if you are unclear then talk to a licenced financial adviser or life insurance broker.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 9

NEW APPOINTMENTS

APPOINTMENTS

new

Ruth VanEekelen recently Opened Aussie Bellarine.

With over 20 years in customer service and seven years in finance Ruth prides herself on customer service and would love to help you meet your lending needs. Aussie offer an obligation free service with up to 19 different lenders including the big four banks.

She is located In Ocean Grove but happy to travel as well.

Ruth has been a local in Barwon heads for 4 years where she lives with husband Joedy, and between them the couple have 6 children.

When she is not at work you will most likely see her running or out for coffee with friends.

FINANCE

REAL ESTATE

SOCIAL MEDIA

ACCOUNTING

Haylie Stroud comes to Release Property Management with a strong customer service and administration background.

With her sights set on Property Management, Haylie is eager to expand her industry knowledge and continue to progress within the company.

Kathy Smail has developed and led Target’s Social Media Team following 12 years of small business marketing, management, HR, process design & development and strategic business positioning.

Kathy provides a unique success offer to businesses and NFP organisations.

Josh Easton joins Crowe Horwath as a Senior Advisor.

Josh gained considerable experience at William Buck in business advisory and business services and will provide clients with strategic business advice, tax planning, cloud accounting, structuring, cashflow and budgeting.

REAL ESTATE

HEALTH

ACCOUNTING

Sarah Hawkins is the new friendly face joining Release Property Management as the Receptionist at our Lara office. With an administration background, Sarah is eager to increase her industry knowledge and oversee the running of the office. Sarah is excited for the challenges that lie ahead.

The Golden Health and Wellness Network welcomes Katelyn Mortimer as a Business Partner. With Katelyn graduating with her BSc degree in 2013 and continuing with her Masters this year, she has the passion and knowledge to contribute in the company objective of Promoting Healthy Living.

McFarlane Pattinson has joined Crowe Horwath as a Senior Accountant. McFarlane provides virtual CFO services managing clients’ reporting and compliance obligations.

He is experienced converting clients to Cloud Accounting, working closely with clients in franchising and claiming various government grants.

BUSINESS NEWS | 10

INSIDE WORD

New partnership raises the bar on medical education

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eakin University School of Medicine has joined forces with Australian medical education provider MediMark International to improve the independence and quality of continuing education provided to thousands of Australian healthcare professionals.

The new partnership will facilitate independent development and objective appraisal of MediMark education programs by medical experts from across Deakin’s clinical network – setting a new standard in continuing education for general practitioners, specialists and nurses.

“Deakin is delighted to be involved with MediMark in this way,” said the Head of the School of Medicine, Professor Jon Watson. “It will allow us to assist the medical profession keep up-to-date with changing clinical practice, which will of course benefit [patients].”

Professor Watson said the collaboration is important because it focuses on the provision of continuing medical education by educators who are independent from the pharmaceutical industry.

“There has been growing concern about commerciallyfunded medical education that presents unbalanced information,” he said.

“This collaboration is a new model for Australia that enhances the independence and integrity of program content and delivery.

“While funding is still provided by pharmaceutical companies through unrestricted grants, all content is independently prepared for review and endorsement by Deakin University staff with relevant expertise.”

Managing Director of MediMark International, Mr Derek Woolfall, explained that the collaboration with Deakin

University provides “a level of scrutiny unmatched in the Australian medical education market.”

“Doctors are inundated with medical information of varying quality,” he said. “What they have been seeking is greater assurance that content is balanced, objective and represents the latest in expert opinion. MediMark programs have always provided this and now they have the added benefit of the backing of a leading medical school.

“Our relationship with Deakin stems from a common belief that health professionals require independent, evidencebased education that delivers long-term behaviour change that improves the health of patients.

“Deakin understands the value of partnering with MediMark to deliver the latest knowledge directly to the coalface of medical practice.”

Founded in 1999, MediMark International is the largest provider of face-to-face medical education in Australia.

The company’s continuing education programs have been accredited by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, as well as the Australian College of Nursing and have resulted in numerous studies and articles in peerreviewed journals focused on improving medical practice and patient health outcomes.

The Deakin University School of Medicine is Victoria’s first rural and regional medical school. Established in 2008, graduates have already established strong links with regional and rural hospitals, together with Melbourne city hospitals. As well as teaching, the School is involved in high level research in areas including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, cancer treatment, mental health, neuroscience, infection and immunology.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 11

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Where is the flexible workplace at?

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f flexible working arrangements are ever to move from being a ‘perk’ for favoured employees, or something that working mothers do, to an acceptable, mainstream practice then they need to work for employers as well employees and be something that is equally acceptable for men and women.

As a disclaimer, I work from home as a self-employed person.

You probably can’t get a more flexible workplace than that (or a more – ahem - accommodating employer…). I do this for a number of reasons – to fit in around my children’s school hours and after school commitments and because it allows me to be involved in some form of community work when deadlines allow and (kind of) manage the household administration tasks. I am able to do this, in large part, because my partner also has a job with flexible arrangements - he can do the school runs if I am under the pump with deadlines or a contract takes me away from home for a few days. He can work from home when he needs to, take time in lieu and buy purchased leave. It works for us. Presumably, it works for his employer, or it wouldn’t be offered.

ABS data released last year shows an increase in the percentage of workers who have a written flexible working arrangement (FWA) with their employer since 2009, the year that requests for flexible working arrangements became part of the National Employment Standards (NES). (Under the NES, certain employees with caring responsibilities have a right to request a FWA from their employer. Requests for FWAs must be made in writing and employers must give employees a written response to the request within 21 days.)

Of full time workers with a FWA, 58.7 per cent of women and 54.4 per cent of men have a written agreement, an increase of 24 per cent for men and 20 per cent for women since 2009.

Increasingly, research is showing that men have an important role to play if flexible working arrangements are ever to be seen as mainstream, indicating that workplace flexibility is a key driver of employment decisions and job performance

BUSINESS NEWS | 12

FEATURE for men, including young men, male managers, men approaching retirement and especially younger fathers.

The fact that male employees’ requests for flexible working arrangements are more often denied (according to a perspective paper by the Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency, men are more likely (17.4 per cent) than women (9.8 per cent) to have their request for flexibility declined) perhaps indicates that employers need to acknowledge the changes in men’s lives over the past few decades.

conflict between co-workers and concern on the part of employers.

“Business owners or senior executives may perceive that flexible work arrangements are associated with a lack of commitment to the organisation… [and may view it] as a curiosity, privilege, nuisance or unnecessary cost,” the Managing in a flexible work environment paper states.

They may also be worried about losing the ideas that occur when colleagues chat in the hallway and the tearoom and brainstorm in meetings. After all, “It’s understandable for executives to want to build an atmosphere where the office becomes a destination, a place where workers want to come together, where ideas percolate and bounce around an office and end up on a memo in the director’s inbox that becomes a Hot New Thing,” writes Derek Thompson in a piece for US publication The Atlantic, that was actually for flexible working arrangements, rather than against it. However, as is frequently pointed out, there are advantages for businesses who allow flexible working arrangements, including more productive employees, improved employee morale leading to lower turnover, being seen as an employer of choice and attracting better candidates for roles and, in some cases, lower overheads.

Fifty-four per cent of all couples with children now have both partners in the workface, rather than one full-time employee, traditionally the man, and one full-time stay at home partner, traditionally the woman. Fathers are expected to have more involvement in their children’s lives than ever before and, more than ever before, they welcome that involvement.

“An increasing proportion of men no longer identify as the ‘ideal worker’ (i.e., a full-time, fully committed employee without personal or family commitments that impede their availability to work). In place of the traditional ideal worker/ breadwinner role, men’s identities, priorities and aspirations in relation to work and family/personal life have diversified.

In tandem with this, men’s (and particularly fathers’) needs have also changed, but employers have not kept up with these changes, and as a consequence have been unresponsive to men’s and fathers’ needs.” - Engaging men in flexible working arrangements, Workplace Gender Equality Agency Perspective Paper

The cons of working flexibly are not just for businesses to ponder. The blurred line between life and work that often prompts the desire for flexible arrangements can blur the other way – we all know the stories of part-time workers answering emails and taking calls from clients on their days off. The very technology that makes working from home feasible can also mean you actually never get away from the demands of the office. People with flexible working arrangements also worry they will be “out of sight, out of mind” if they’re not in the office and may be overlooked for promotion or training opportunities.

According to Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) research, men’s preferred forms of flexible work include increased opportunities to choose their start and finish times (64 per cent), work a compressed week (56 per cent), work some regular hours at home (34 per cent), and work parttime (20 per cent). In its report, Men get flexible! DCA says a review of available research “clearly demonstrates the return on investment that can be generated when organisations consider flexibility as it relates to men” and says that men and flexibility “constitutes an important enabler of mainstreaming flexibility in Australian business through the promotion of flexible work and careers as legitimate for and available to all, rather than merely the domain of mothers with young children, working at lower levels and in lower paid roles.”

So, it’s true that flexible working arrangements may not work for every company and every job, but it’s also true that the very concept of flexible working arrangements is flexible in itself, encompassing ideas like part-time work, working from home some or all of the time, job sharing, working the equivalent of a full week in four days, flexitime, time in lieu, rostered days off, the ability to purchase extra leave, working from another worksite that may be closer to home than head office, staggered start and finish times, phased in return from leave and phasing in to retirement.

Given the gender imbalance in the workforce generally, having more men working flexibly would contribute to flexible arrangements being viewed as mainstream and an option for everyone, regardless of gender, seniority or wages and would generally contribute to better work/life balance for more people. It would also, according to the Engaging men in flexible working arrangements paper, “increase opportunities for women to engage more fully in the workforce [resulting] in businesses having access to a broader talent pool, and an overall increase in national productivity.”

Reactions to flexible working arrangements vary from employee to employee and from business to business.

A large percentage of employees of both genders would like to have more flexible working hours, but many are reluctant to ask, as they don’t feel it would fit with their organisation or couldn’t be done in their job. As well, according to a green paper released by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) in July 2012, Managing in a flexible work environment, “there is a strong perceived connection in the community between working flexibly and working less than a full time load” and that’s a recipe for

My partner and I are certainly not alone as working parents in desiring workplace flexibility to help us juggle everything else we do, but parents don’t have an exclusive on the difficulties of attaining a work/life balance – so does everybody else in the workforce. Everyone has household administrative tasks and things they need to organise in their non-work sphere – telecommunications companies that give you a four hour window for an appointment, for example, or the common story of staying home all day waiting for the appliance repairer who never shows up.

People have elderly parents they need to care for, study to do, volunteering activities they’d like to undertake, places they’d like to travel to, hobbies they’d like to develop, and, with many of us increasingly living in satellite suburbs, long commutes to avoid. Add to this the idea of raising the retirement age to 70 and flexible workplace arrangements are going to become even more important for both men and women.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 13

Judy Baulch

1-9 Barwon Terrace, South Geelong VIC 3220 Phone: (03) 5221 2899 | www.faggs.com.au

160 years & counting It is a business that has grown, hand to hammer, chisel and saw with our city. This year, Fagg’s Mitre 10 will celebrate 160 years of continuous trading in Geelong.

The Fagg’s name is synonymous with hardware in Geelong.

Generations past have grown up hearing “I’m just nipping down to Fagg’s”. And while the arrival in town of big box hardware had many concerned over the future of Fagg’s, the company just kept doing what they do well: providing good products, at a good price, and looking after their customers.

The business has been around longer than cars, than the ballpoint pen, longer than the paperclip and the zipper.

Computers, smartphones and iPads are barely a blip on a timeline by comparison. Fagg’s is the eighth oldest family business in Australia and is still owned by direct descendants of the founders.

The Fagg’s story began with two brothers, Samuel and William Fagg. The brothers were among the gold rush, boarding boats from England and arriving at Point Henry in October, 1852. Not much is known of their success or otherwise on the gold fields, but we do know that in 1854 they combined their skills (Samuel was a clerk and William a carpenter) and went into business as ironmongers and builders.

Their first business location was on the corner of Pakington and Russell Streets (where the Brax Blinds business stands today). The business grew to the point that they purchased a new site on the banks of the Barwon River in the early 1860’s, where Fagg’s have traded since. Samuel and William were very entrepreneurial and expanded their store business over the next four decades. Samuel’s five sons joined the business during the last 1890’s.

Unfortunately, a major fire in 1901 all but destroyed the premises. While this was a major blow to Samuel and William, who were then in their 70’s, Samuel’s sons set about re-building the business. In 1913, a hardware store and timber yard in Geelong West was purchased and land for a large timber mill in Fyans St was acquired. This was closed in 2004.

Successive world wars and the Great Depression brought tragedy and loss to the Fagg’s, as they did to many families and businesses at that time, but Fagg Bros. survived.

The third generation took up active leadership in the post war period, including brothers Stan and Bert Fagg, along with their cousin Hadley. Timber was a focus and the Mill on Fyans Street had diverse operations, including oregon re-sawing, mouldings, kiln drying and a joinery, supplying timber for thousands of homes and many significant public buildings.

BUSINESS NEWS | 14

TIME HONOURED

In 1965, Fagg’s joined the Mitre 10 group as one of the very early members. The marketing and distribution benefits the Mitre 10 group brought further enabled the business to grow substantially, expand the range offered and store merchandising improvements.

Fourth generation family members, including brothers, Barry and Keith Fagg, along with Don and Ray Fagg, led a period of significant expansion. This included a store at Waurn Ponds (1988 – 1993) and purchasing the existing Mitre 10 store in North Geelong in 1999. The Wallington Mitre 10 store joined the Fagg’s Mitre 10 stable in 2011, followed by the Colac Store in 2013 and the Torquay store from July 1, 2014.

In 2012, the business became a Joint Venture between Fagg’s Geelong Pty Ltd (Barry, Keith and Mark Fagg) and Mitre 10 Australia, which is now itself owned by the Metcash Group.

That’s a short history but the core of the business is pretty much exactly what it was 160 years ago - provide good quality, always value for money and always, always look after your customers.

A big focus for the company in the coming 12 months will be the expansion and redevelopment of the Wallington store, to cater for the booming residential growth across the Bellarine.

With the Torquay store, the business will employ around 290 people - with the employees ranging in age from 15 to 70.

Many have been with the company for years. There are former builders, painters and others who’ve worked on the job for years at every Fagg’s store, providing invaluable industry and product knowledge for customers, but also for younger staff.

Every business will tell you that they put customer service first, and while it’s not absolutely true for all, it is for those at the helm of Fagg’s. From getting a late afternoon timber order delivered early the next morning if it’s at all possible, to providing how-to videos that you can watch on your phone.

“We care. If you’ve got a problem, we’ll try to help you to sort it out,” says CEO Mark Edmonds. This ethos is at the heart of the business and I suspect has a lot to do with why the company has continued to expand. Fagg’s is part of the fabric of the Geelong community, and there is something very grounded about this company’s attitude towards community involvement, as if it’s a relationship, rather than an obligation. For instance, Fagg’s matches dollar for dollar all employee contributions to Give Where You Live and provides a Loaned Executive or two every year.

The community focus at Fagg’s is absolutely local, but not necessarily big. There are countless school and community fundraisers across the city that Fagg’s donates items as prizes or auction items to. This isn’t a structured program, but it is a generous one, and an increasingly rare one. But, of course, this is their community too.

It’s all part of the picture of long standing family business, built on long standing family values.

Below: From founding brothers, Samuel & William to our brothers Fagg, Keith & Barry

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 15

COVER STORY

I

f the predictions are right, agribusiness is set to be the number one growth industry in the Geelong region - and Australia. Deloitte predicts that agribusiness has “the biggest potential to lift Australia’s growth trajectory over the next 20 years.”

In the ‘Positioning for Prosperity? Catching the Next Wave’ report, Deloitte predicts that agribusiness will be ahead of gas, tourism, international education and wealth management in the top five growth hotspots.

“Agribusiness is positioned in the juncture between global opportunity and Australian advantage,” says Deloitte’s National Industry Leader in Agribusiness, Rob McConnel.

“We have what the world wants and will increasingly need over the next 20 years,” McConnel said. “The figures are compelling.

“The world’s population is around seven billion. This is forecast to increase to nine billion by 2050. This is, of itself, a 28 per cent increase, but, due to changing and evolving diets, particularly in the Asian middle class, we’ll need to increase global food production by around 75 per cent in this time – or, to put it another way - in the next 50 years we’ll need to produce as much food as we have in the preceding 10,000.”

Australia has the land, but the question is: do we have the skills,

capital and infrastructure to turn this vision into reality?

Dr Yasmin Chalmers, Director of the Centre for the Study of Rural Australia at Geelong’s Marcus Oldham College, says that the timing is right for growth in this sector, with people “being forced to think out of the square because of changes in the economic landscape. We have the land, and I believe we can develop the skills to feed people much more widely.”

The Centre for the Study of Rural Australia has just introduced a program, called Entrubiz, that aims to encourage and up-skill Victoria’s rural entrepreneurs.

The Centre has brought in US rural entrepreneurial expert, Dr Tom Lyons, to help develop and facilitate the program. Dr Lyons’ experience in the States has shown that being successful in agribusiness is, in large part, a matter of mastering the necessary skills and having the support from the community, peers and networks.

The Entrubiz program focuses on developing innovative approaches to business creation and development, through providing professional guidance and direction from a rural entrepreneur developer, or coach. The training is tailored to the individual participant’s skill levels and the current needs of their business.

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T h e ri s e o f t h e a g ri- p re n e u r Dr Lyons holds the Chair in Entrepreneurship at the Zicklin School of Business at the Baruch College City University in New York - and has been running entrepreneurial support programs in the US for a number of years.

He says that the ingredients for successful entrepreneurialism in agriculture are no different to any other industry.

“The main ingredient is to be an innovator, to be creative and to take that creativity to the market, whether the new idea is a product or service,” he said.

“Being successful is a matter of being opportunistic and finding ways that one can add value to people’s lives - to solve a problem and meet people’s needs at an affordable price.”

He has seen many people who didn’t think of themselves as entrepreneurs become successful agribusiness owners.

“Being entrepreneurial is a skill. You need to master a skill set,” he said. “You might be good at what you do, whether this be growing apples, or making jam, but being able to turn this into a successful business requires a completely different set of skills.”

The Entrubiz program begins by measuring the skills of participants. The coach then tailors a program of support that

addresses strengths and weaknesses and helps to develop a professional plan. Through resource brokering, participants are then connected with relevant organisations that provide entrepreneurship support, whether this is an accountant, a nonprofit group, or a government agency.

“We pair businesses with the service provider at the same level, providing the right help at the right time and price,” said Dr Lyons He added that diversifying is very important for modern agribusiness, with three main ways that businesses can innovate: creating new products or services; finding new markets; or coming up with different ways of processing what they do.

“The corporatisation of farming means that smaller farms need to find ways to scale, or add value, to their business, including considering new markets,” he said.

A number of businesses in Geelong are already developing such approaches. For instance, Raven’s Creek Farm in Moriac, which began by raising pasture-fed beef and pork, added berries to their mix, then incorporated a café, and are now growing other products such as bush foods, honey, eggs and cut flowers. Their latest foray involves developing an

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 17

Lyon D r To m

s

“T he ch a lle n g es ha ve a lwa ys bee n th ere in this in d u st ry, but on e of th e g reat est ch a lle n g es tod a y is th e hig h co st of la bou r, co m pa red to ot he r cou nt ri es.”

agricultural tourism trail on the property.

According to co-owner, Jasmin Findlay, diversifying has been crucial because of the small size of the farm. Her business partner and husband, Hayden Findlay, studied at Marcus Oldham and has undertaken ‘lots of personal research’ since establishing the business.

Similarly, the fencing company, Think Fencing, diversified their PVC fencing range after spotting an opportunity to target the thoroughbred horse market and is now exporting to Japan.

Dr Lyons said that the concept of ‘paddock to plate’ also has strong potential for contemporary agribusinesses.

“A number of farmers are moving into sustainable practices,” he said. “It is estimated that around 17 per cent of the Australian restaurant market wants to buy sustainable products.

The provenance - or telling the story of the journey of the products - is becoming increasingly important to consumers.

“It is a matter of rediscovering our roots,” said Dr Lyons. “All of our economy was entrepreneurial originally. Then we became corporatized and dependent on big companies. It has been a cycle.”

Prior to World War II, many Australians worked for themselves or locally owned small businesses or governments. After the war, more and more Australians started working for larger corporations and government agencies, with the benefits that entailed. As we all know, over the past two decades we have entered a new environment, with larger employers replacing workers with technology, outsourcing or moving offshore, and self-employed and smaller businesses re-emerging.

In a similar move back to earlier times, Dr Lyons explained that experts have identified the value of the collective aspect of rural entrepreneurialism, with renewed awareness of how

communities can support business, which, in turn, attracts wealth to the broader community.

“Communities are involved in providing entrepreneurial infrastructure, such as providing the civic and social needs of businesses, whether these be extra daycare places, or creating a more formal committee – as long as somebody is taking leadership,” he said.

This seems like a natural fit for rural communities, with country people renowned for working together, particularly when times are tough – and this type of scenario is resurgent around Geelong.

For instance, six farmers set up Southern Farming Systems at Inverleigh in 1995 as a not-for-profit program that benefits its members, who all pay a levy that goes to cropping research.

The program now has 600 members and five branches across Victoria and Tasmania, all of who recognise the benefits of collaboration and keeping up with the latest research.

In fact, it is in the area of research and development that Frank Costa – one of Australia’s most successful agricultural entrepreneurs – believes we should focus most energy if Australian agribusiness is to be internationally competitive.

“It is a matter of getting the right product that the market wants and growing it to the right standard, with consistent quality,” said Mr Costa.

“The challenges have always been there in this industry, but one of the greatest challenges today is the high cost of labour, compared to other countries. We have to have greater efficiencies - and use the latest developments and technologies - so that we can keep the cost of products as low as we can.”

Frank Costa owns 50 per cent of the $1 billion Costa Group,

BUSINESS NEWS | 18

COVER STORY

“It is a m atte r of redis co ve ri n g ou r root s.

All of ou r econ om y wa s entrep re n eu ri a l orig in a lly. T he n we beca m e co rporat iz ed a n d d epen d ent on big co m pa ni es.

It ha s bee n a cy cle.”

Dr Y

the nation’s largest grower, marketer and exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables. The Costa Group uses sophisticated shelters for growing products such as berries and mushrooms, and automates packaging so the business can “grow more, achieve higher yields and employ more people.”

The family’s 50 per cent share of the business will be sold in 2017 under the terms of the agreement signed in 2012 which saw US private equity firm, Paine & Partners, purchase a 50 per cent share. It will present a tantalizing opportunity, but will also mark the end of an era. Frank, along with his brothers, turned their parents’ small fruit and veg shop into a billion dollar empire that farms some 4000 hectares, employing around 7000 people, and is the major supplier of fresh produce to both Coles and Woolworths.

Frank Costa sits on the Victorian Premier’s Asian Food Bowl Task Force, which has been set up to position Victoria as a Food Bowl to Asia. The taskforce intends to capitalise on the fact that Victoria produces almost 30 per cent of Australia’s food and fibre exports, despite covering only three per cent of its land mass.

“The biggest challenge is to really understand the market, which is highly volatile,” said Mr Costa. “Markets can change very quickly.”

While individual businesses and programs, such as Entrubiz, are demonstrating promising innovations, in terms of the

rs

bigger picture, Deloitte identifies several issues that must be addressed by government and policy makers if Australia is to become the agribusiness high achiever we would like it to be.

“We have an abundance of natural resources,” said Rob McConnel. “However, there is the question of investment and, with that, capital optimisation. We need to decide whether this goes into farming, or succession planning for the ageing farmers’ population, or research and development (by both the public and private sectors), or education - so we increase our graduates in agriculture and food sciences - or address supply chain challenges around road, rail and port.

“We need to have a conversation around investment and, with that, consider the question of foreign investment as well.”

At 76, Frank Costa has seen it all. He is already exporting to Asia, which, he says, “is a matter of visiting, talking to importers and finding out what they are looking for” and, of course, the proposed international terminal at Avalon would make an “enormous difference” to local suppliers.

“We could increase what we grow very quickly, but it is a balancing act. You need to increase your acreages as your sales increase,” says Frank Costa.

“It is a great industry, if you know what you are doing.”

He advises would-be entrepreneurs to “work for a very good firm that is already doing it” before striking out on their own.

“People should put in a few years to learn all the challenges, so they know how to grow the products and market them successfully. Many people go into the business without that background. They mortgage their house, and then they finish up coming a cropper,” he said.

a rm e h C n i m as

Claire Whiteley Manager, Reach PR Claire Whiteley is a writer and PR specialist with over 15 years experience. She has managed communications in sectors ranging from tertiary education, finance and transport, to government bodies and UNESCO. Claire currently manages Reach PR - a Geelongbased PR consultancy - helping businesses and government agencies be heard in the right places.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 19

APS EDITORIAL TOP LAYER.pdf

1

16/10/13

4:41 PM

INFORMATION ABOUT PROBATE AND DECEASED ESTATES (will with an appointed executor)

What is probate?

Probate is the term used throughout Australia for the process by which a person named as executor in the last valid will of a deceased person becomes entitled to stand in the shoes of the deceased for the purposes of distributing the deceased’s assets in accordance with the deceased’s will.

The executor must apply for a Supreme Court order for a grant of probate according to the rules which apply in the state or territory in which the deceased lived. In some cases, the Court’s power to grant probate (in uncontested matters) is delegated to the Registrar of Probates who functions separately to the Court via the Probate Office.

As part of the application process the executor must prove the will, in other words, the executor must produce and lodge the original of the will and swear on affidavit that it is the last known will of the deceased. In most cases this is just a formal process which goes smoothly, but occasionally the Probate Office will have some questions or require more information and, even more rarely, there may be some challenge to the validity of the will.

Probate has nothing to do with probate duty which was a state based tax applying to deceased estates throughout Australia and abolished many years ago.

Do you need probate?

The executor is not legally obliged to obtain probate, however there are a number of scenarios where, practically speaking, the executor will need to obtain probate, namely: · If the deceased owned real estate either solely or as a tenant in common, and · If the deceased held significant bank account balances solely (banks vary as to their requirements but anything over around $10,000 is likely to require probate) So for an estate with a jointly owned home and minimal other assets, there may be no need to obtain probate, and the executor could simply administer the will using a copy of the will and copy of the death certificate to satisfy all necessary authorities.

Some important facts about probate in Australia •

A grant of probate once made in a state or territory can be registered or resealed in any other state or territory without the need to reswear affidavits or prove the will again.

•

Some states and territories have a simplified regime for small estates (estates worth less than a prescribed maximum figure varying between $10,000 and $50,000)

•

In all states and territories (apart from SA) you must give at least 14 days notice of your intention to apply for probate by publishing a notice to that effect.

•

All states and territories allow claims to be made against an estate by persons who may have been inadequately provided for in the will (testator’s family maintenance or TFM claims)

The contents of this information sheet is intended as general advice only and should not be relied upon for any specific circumstances. If you require specific advice on your own personal circumstances then please contact us. If you require financial and/or accounting advice you should contact a qualified APS EDITORIAL FOOTER.pdf 1 17/10/13 1:09 PM accountant and/or financial adviser.

D I S C L O S U R E I N F O R M AT I O N

Membership of APS Bene ts automatically entitles you to a funeral bene t issued by APS Bene ts. You should consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement & Financial Services Guide (available from APS Bene ts or our web site on www.apsbs.com.au) before making a decision to become a member of APS Bene ts or buy any products offered by APS Bene ts. Financial services provided by Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd are provided under its AFSL No. 244115. APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 305923 of Futuro Financial Services Pty Ltd (‘Futuro’). Financial services provided by APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd are provided under Futuro’s AFSL No. 238478. APS Savings Disclaimer: *This is not a bank product, it is an unlisted APS Note. No independent assessment has been made about the risk to investors losing any of their principal investment. Applications for APS Notes can only be made on the Investment Application Form which accompanies the prospectus issued by APS Savings Ltd. Please read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to make an investment. APS Wills & Estates: Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

D I S C L O S U R E I N F O R M AT I O N

Membership of APS Bene ts automatically entitles you to a funeral bene t issued by APS Bene ts. You should consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement & Financial Services Guide (available from APS Bene ts or our web site on www.apsbs.com.au) before making a decision to become a member of APS Bene ts or buy any products offered by APS Bene ts. Financial services provided by Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd are provided under its AFSL No. 244115. APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 305923 of Futuro Financial Services Pty Ltd (‘Futuro’). Financial services provided by APS Financial Planning Pty Ltd are provided under Futuro’s AFSL No. 238478. APS Savings Disclaimer: *This is not a bank product, it is an unlisted APS Note. No independent assessment has been made about the risk to investors losing any of their principal investment. Applications for APS Notes can only be made on the Investment Application Form which accompanies the prospectus issued by APS Savings Ltd. Please read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to make an investment. APS Wills & Estates: Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

e

1300 131 809

www.apsbs.com.au

Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd

BUSINESS EVENTS

Small Business is Big Business during August

T

his August we’re celebrating small business.

The Geelong Small Business Festival runs from the 1-31 August giving business owners the opportunity to learn new skills to start or grow their business and network with other small business owners.

The festival, now in its fourth year, is part of the highly successful Small Business Festival Victoria.

Event topics include networking, marketing and social media, staffing solutions, business basics and how to develop and grow your business.

Geelong Small Business Festival – Message from the Mayor: Small businesses plays a significant role in the Geelong economy, accounting for over half of our employment and this is likely to increase into the future.

The Small Business Festival celebrates the importance of this sector to Geelong. It enables business owners to get some expert advice and pick up some new skills.

It’s also an ideal forum for small business to identify opportunities to do business with other small business.

The Greatness Principle Many small business owners find themselves isolated and/ or doing lots of roles in the business and no one to help them. It’s a hard place to be. So, how do you build your support network so that your business grows and you have a life? Join Jen Harwood and the Enterprise Geelong team at our feature event and share The Greatness Principle and how you can start to build your support network to have a GREAT, thriving business.

Event Host: Enterprise Geelong

The Festival is only possible through the tremendous support of the Victorian Government, Small Business Victoria and local business owners who offer their time to support this initiative.

Date: 6th August 5.30pm – 8.30pm Cost: FREE

There are 47 events in this year’s calendar – we’ve highlighted a few – so get along to the small business festival this August.

Don’t miss out – book today! www.enterprisegeelong.com.au/gsbf Cr Darryn Lyons City of Greater Geelong Mayor

BUSINESS NEWS | 22

Business Cafe: Personal brand and why it’s important

Creativity for business success

Understand the concept of brand as the promise of a consistent experience to clients and how perception creates reality. The aim is to generate answers to the following: What does your brand promise? What is a personal brand? What are your default settings in communications? What is your optimal brand? How can (do or will) you communicate your brand? How will you get others to take action? How can you implement a personal brand awareness program in your business?

Clare Bowditch is the founder of Big Hearted Business, where she teaches creative people about business and business people about creativity in ways that make sense.

A mentor to creative business people for the past 10 years, Clare also happens to be an ARIA award-winning songwriter and a Logie-nominated actor. Join Clare as she provides insights and everyday strategies to unlock creativity and innovation and find creative solutions to business problems.

Event Host: Enterprise Geelong

Event Host: Department of State Development, Business & Innovation

Date: Sunday 17th August 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Date: 26th August 6.00pm – 9.00pm

Cost: FREE

Cost: $40 includes 2-course dinner

LIVE PODCASTS: Making It Count! A smarter approach to business success and A Smarter approach to business success

Starting a Business: What you need to know to succeed

Event Host: KBB Digital

Over 75% of businesses fail in the first five years due to lack of preparation, planning and skills gaps. Only 25% seek professional advice. This seminar is designed to assist prospective business owners/investors. Learn about assessing the feasibility of your business idea, writing a business plan (required by banks), choosing the right business structure, monitoring results. You will take away knowledge, new skills, valuable checklists and handouts to help you achieve your goals.

Dates: 5th August and 12th August 12.00pm – 1.00pm

Event Host: Crowe Horwath

Cost: FREE

Date: 20th August 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Join Kochie (David Koch) and his panel of experts as they debate one of today’s key business challenges: tangible and effective ways of growing online.

Kochie and his team will take questions throughout the webcast.

Cost: FREE Business Networking Dinner with Keynote Speaker, Interior Designer Shayna Blaze Celebrity and award-winning interior designer, Shaynna Blaze, from the hit TV series The Block and Selling Houses Australia, has created stunning interiors in homes and commercial spaces for over twenty years. Learn how she has transformed commercial, private and retail premises on modest budgets to million dollar projects and her tips on renovating heritage buildings while balancing the expectations of the modern day consumer.

Advanced Negotiation and Collaboration Organisations and individuals that work together through collaboration position themselves for success they could not achieve on their own. This session will provide you with the framework to apply collaboration to your business to improve decision-making and improve collaborative discussions with suppliers and customers so that you can increase your competitive edge and business outcomes across the board.

Event Host: Borough of Queenscliff

Event Host: Inspireme Consulting

Date: 25th August 6.00pm – 10.00pm

Date: 25th August 9.00am – 10.30am

Cost: $65 includes 3-course dinner

Cost: $30

horizontal ‘sbf brand’ cluster option

GSDM_11796

Over 40 information and training sessions at no cost or minimal cost to assist your business.

Sessions include: Social Media, Marketing, Leadership, Networking, Business Development and vertical ‘sbf brand’ cluster option Staffing Solutions.

BOOK ONLINE NOW enterprisegeelong.com.au/gsbf

Like us on Facebook enterprisegeelong

Practical advice to save you time and money

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 23

COMMENT

Mental health in the workplace – it’s the law

B

eyondblue Chaiman, the Hon. Jeff Kennett AC, has joined with Safe Work Australia and Comcare to remind employers and workers that mentally unhealthy workplaces don’t just hurt profits - they may also be

illegal.

It comes weeks after beyondblue and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance launched Heads Up (www.headsup.org. au), an Australian-first campaign funded by the Department of Health to encourage business leaders to take action on mental health in the workplace.

Beyondblue recently released PwC research that revealed the economics behind workplace mental health in Australia.

It showed businesses that invest in effective mental health strategies receive an average return of $2.30 for every $1 they spend through productivity improvements and decreased compensation claims, while the cost of workers’ untreated mental health problems to Australian businesses is $10.9 billion a year.

Mr Kennett said that while some business leaders might view laws around workplace mental health as onerous, they help ensure businesses’ success.

“These laws don’t just protect workers, they help create an environment that, as the PwC research has shown, helps business make money,” he said. “Bullying, harassment, inflexible rules, unrealistic deadlines and unmanageable workloads harm your business because they can create ongoing stress for employees, which can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. This can affect workforce productivity and morale.”

Australian laws require businesses to ensure the health and safety of their workers and other people at the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes protecting people from risks to their mental health and protecting people who have mental health problems from discrimination of any kind when they are at work.

“I would urge all Australian employers to improve their understanding of this issue, the practical actions they can take, and the factors critical to success by visiting www. headsup.org.au and start reaping the benefits,” Mr Kennett said. “However, it’s not a one-way street. Good mental health is everyone’s business and workers also should help ensure the wellbeing of their colleagues. A mentally healthy workplace is a shared responsibility of employers and workers alike, and both benefit from a workplace culture that takes people’s mental health as seriously as their physical health and safety.”

Safe Work Australia Acting Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Baxter, agreed that both physical and psychological health need to be taken seriously in the workplace.

“Under the model work health and safety laws, persons conducting a business or undertaking have a primary duty to manage workplace risks – both physical and psychological,” said Ms Baxter.

“Psychological hazards and risks can be managed by the same risk management process businesses used for physical hazards. I encourage all employers and workers to understand their legal requirements and implement practical risk management approaches.”

Comcare CEO, Paul O’Connor, also said that while recent legislative changes mean employers have a greater duty of care to manage mental health in the workplace, there are many benefits for employers who look after the wellbeing of their people.

“When senior leaders support people through mental health challenges, productivity and workforce participation improves.

This benefits the employer, the economy and individuals,” he said.

To learn more about how to make a workplace more mentally healthy, visit www.headsup.org.au A new feature on the website allows employers to create a tailor-made Action Plan to guide them through the steps to create a mentally healthy workplace in a cost-effective way.

BUSINESS NEWS | 24

COMMENT

Our Town’s ICE Fight

T

he Committee for Geelong recently held an ICE forum in partnership with Committee member Paul Kelly Creative. The Committee’s members, leadership program participants and alumni heard from Victoria Police, Department of Human Services, Barwon Health and RYP International on the substantial issues surrounding the use of the drug ICE in our region.

ICE is indiscriminate and users span all ages and demographics. Users can be regular business owners and part of stable families. One concerned parent reported that, although their now adult child previously attended a private school and had a good job, as a result of becoming an ICE user, they became involved with organised crime gangs.

Some parents have also reported that once they have assisted their children to get off ICE, they encouraged them to move out of the region, some even interstate. We cannot afford to haemorrhage good people from our community and without grabbing a hold of the ICE issue our region will suffer.

So, think about it, have you seen any irrational or delusional behaviour recently? That could be ICE affecting your loved one. Most worrying is that, sometimes, there are no signs and the effects of this drug can remain unrecognised – until it’s almost too late.

Dr Nicole Reid from Barwon Health’s Emergency Department advised the forum that users feel no pain and commit acts that are completely out of character, including violence and being chaotic. This skin crawling drug also changes physical appearances and signs can include skin picking, tooth decay, hair loss and aged appearance.

The ‘Our Town’s Ice Fight’ campaign group will make a joint submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply and use It was clear from the presentations that this is the ugliest drug of methamphetamines, particularly ICE, in Victoria. ICE’s very to hit our streets, ever. Raising awareness of this filthy drug is nature is such that traditional approaches may be obsolete vital. If we do not take action now, ICE will continue to make and, therefore, a review on the adequacy of past and existing our region a cold place. Following the forum, the Committee State and Federal strategies for dealing with methamphetamine was contacted by a range of attendees use is needed. It was clear from the wishing to provide informed advice to forum that internal co-ordination between others regarding ICE. We offer the following Government departments and external ICE is indiscriminate observations, shared directly from a parent co-ordination with community organisations of an ex-ICE user. We do this on the basis and users span all ages needs to be improved. So too does the that this is their perspective and others, system’s ability to collate data on ICE, as this and demographics. who may be reluctant to talk about it, could is limiting positive outcomes. benefit from the information: Users can be regular What to look out for: • Disrupted eating and sleeping.

Our region is fighting against ICE being brought in and fighting against the associated behavioural issues that come with usage. More needs to be done, and a coordinated approach is essential. This is why the Committee has agreed to be involved with the ‘Our Town’s ICE Fight’ campaign, and why our members have stepped up to donate to it. Make no mistake about the seriousness of this drug. It is devastating to the user, family and community.

business owners and part of stable families.

• Partners may be using too.

• Earning good money but seem to be short of funds.

• Recognise the smell – vague chemical smell in the house and on them.

• Using sleeping tablets and pain killers – slurred speech.

• Minor car accidents – can quickly change to major ones.

• Superior attitude – feeling of empowered intellect.

What to do: • Take it seriously and realise it is going to take a while to deal with.

• Get the user to a good GP who understands the problem.

• Be prepared for relapse – users never forget how it made them feel and they will always crave the drug.

Also of importance: • Do not be surprised that friends have the same issues in their families – they may be hesitant to talk about it, but it’s important to share information and support each other.

• A tough love approach should be considered. If police become involved, step back and let the ICE user deal with the consequences, early in the habit a tough lesson may be the answer.

• Finding and punishing dealers is critical. All users have phones and a delivery is only 5 minutes away.

• Families need support – they have to be able to speak to someone. More resources for organisations offering this support is needed.

Some of the Committee’s members have shown immediate support for the ICE campaign with financial contributions from: Geelong Connected Communities (Bendigo Bank), Transport Accident Commission, Paul Kelly Creative, Davidsons Accountants & Business Consultants, NAB, McClusky and Co and Costa Property Group, together with in-kind support from Geelong Cats, GMHBA and Barwon Health. Other organisations have also contributed, such as APCO service stations and the five Councils through G21 Geelong Regional Alliance.

We thank everyone for their support and now formally encourage all business and community organisations to consider stepping up to help support this vital campaign against ICE, either through corporate financial contributions, or in-kind support.

More information can be found at www.icefight.com.au. One thing is for certain, we need to collectively grab hold of this drug and fight it like hell.

Rebecca Casson

CEO, Committee for Geelong

118 Gher inghap St, Geelong VIC 3220 Phone: (0 3) 5221 4 399 www.forty winks.com .au

TIME HONOURED

w

Store front no

Store front then

Bu ilding a business o n dreams

It was August 1987 when Leigh Keen opened the doors of the Forty Winks Geelong store. It was the same weekend that Geelong lost the last game of the season and missed out on the finals … hardly an auspicious beginning.

“Those were the days when you used to close at midday on Saturday, so after we closed up I went to the game. I couldn’t believe it,” Leigh said.

But Leigh knew what he was doing when he decided to set up shop in Geelong. From working at Myer in Ballarat for a decade, Leigh saw the start up of specialty bedding businesses. When Forty Winks rolled into town he took up a job there and within twelve months the opportunity came up to open his own store in Geelong.

Along with his family he moved from Ballarat to open the new store. It was a big decision and he said he never thought he’d still be doing the same thing 27 years later.

Leigh and his family settled in quickly and Geelong became home. The success of the business meant Leigh could indulge his passion for football, becoming involved not only with his beloved Cats, but also with his local club of Newtown/Chilwell.

That first store was a small (for a bedding store) 6000 square-feet on Mercer Street with three staff. Today, the McKillop Street store is triple that size with ten staff and a separate warehouse.

Back in the early days, it was mostly innerspring mattresses and that great luxury item of the 80s, the waterbed. The waterbed craze may have only lasted for five or six years, but it left an indelible mark on the memories of more than one generation. Who didn’t know someone who had a sprung a leak in the waterbed and flooded the bedroom?

It was usually the dog or the cat that was the culprit, or so the owners said, and Leigh recalled coming back from Easter long-weekends, when nobody worked, to a stream of frantic phone calls as soon as the store opened again.

Over a quarter of a decade of selling beds, you can bet that Leigh and the staff at Forty Winks have some stories to tell. Many, given that we are talking about beds, are probably best left unsaid, but Leigh had a laugh when he remembered being asked by one female customer during a delivery if sex really was better on a waterbed.

“I nearly fell off the verandah,” he said.

“A bed used to be a grudge purchase – something you had to have but you weren’t happy about buying it. But now, with the focus around sleep and health, people are more aware of the benefits of a good night’s sleep and want a good bed. People understand now about changing your mattress every ten years because of dust mites.”

“Back then, we would have had four or five bedroom suites, now we’d have 50 suites on display and over 50 different types of mattress,” Leigh said.

For many years just an afterthought, and something tacked on the household budget after the big ticket things like the new couch, new table or new fridge, a good quality bed is now seen by most people as a must-have and the choices are seemingly endless. The showroom floor today is very different to what it was in 1987. Who would have thought the humble bed would have evolved so dramatically over the past 27 years?

Leigh describes it as a problem-solving business. “When someone comes in, they’ve usually got a reason for coming in, a problem they’re looking for an answer to. So for us, it’s about finding out what they need, what problems they’ve got – whether that is sleeping or back pain – and finding something that will help them and something that they’re happy with.”

Over the years, the Forty Winks store has seen the same customers come back again and again, some who have bought ten or fifteen beds over the time. Some are generational customers, with the parents, the children and now the grandchildren sleeping on Forty Winks beds.

Like most small businesses, there are a few long-term staff members at the store who have been there so long they feel more like family than employees, like Rob McEwin, who’s been working on the floor for 17 years, and Jo, who’s been in the office for 11 years, and there’s been others over the years who’ve been part of the business for over ten years.

There is no end date for Leigh and the business – people always need beds and retail is an industry that doesn’t mean you walk out the door to retire at 65. Just like any other business, there are good days and bad days, and there are always challenges. Increased competition from both bricks and mortar and online stores is a fact of life in the industry, and for Leigh, being part of a national brand like Forty Winks means that the backend marketing, promotion, product and range redevelopment, supply negotiations and IT support is all taken care of, leaving him to focus on the business. And he reckons he sleeps pretty well at night.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 27

LEGAL

VCAT’s New Power

V

CAT proceedings are set to change significantly following the Victorian parliament’s recent enactment of new legislation.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Amendment Act 2014 (Vic) amends the 1998 Act in order to enhance VCAT’s powers and efficiency. The legislation was passed by parliament in March 2014 and will take effect by 1 February 2015. The changes will: • Give VCAT the power, when reviewing a decision of a government authority, to invite the original decision maker to reconsider the decision; • Introduce a new regime for expert witnesses and expert evidence; and • Improve VCAT’s ability to manage proceedings, including the ability to remove parties and delegating certain functions to registrars.

costs. In contrast to the power to award costs, which is limited and generally exercised only where a party has acted improperly, fees may be awarded in a wider range of circumstances and in many cases will be an entitlement.

VCAT’s new power regarding fees and the automatic entitlement that a successful party will have in many cases highlight the importance of careful consideration before bringing or defending a claim in VCAT. The new VCAT’s new power regarding fees reality is that in many cases, the unsuccessful party will be ordered and the automatic entitlement to pay the successful party’s fees that a successful party will have in addition to their own. This new in many cases highlight the risk means that parties should importance of careful consider obtaining legal advice at an early stage to determine the best consideration before approach to the dispute.

bringing or defending a claim in VCAT.

A further significant change will empower VCAT to order a party to a proceeding to pay or reimburse another party for fees incurred in the proceeding (for example, application and hearing fees). In exercising this power, VCAT will consider the nature and outcome of the proceeding and the conduct of the parties.

In certain proceedings, including small claims, domestic building, owners’ corporations and residential tenancies proceedings, the successful party will be automatically entitled to have its fees reimbursed by the unsuccessful party, unless VCAT orders otherwise.

The new power to order the payment of another party’s fees is additional to VCAT’s existing power to award legal

This article provides general information only, current at the time of production. Any advice in it has been prepared without taking into account your personal circumstances. You should seek professional advice before acting on any material. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees) in each State or Territory other than Tasmania.

Martin Reid

Principal & Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Benjamin Capill Lawyer

BUSINESS NEWS | 28

VECCI

Taking Care of Business: VECCI’s election priorities for a stronger Victoria

T

he launch of our state election campaign, Taking Care of Business, recently laid down the challenge to the major political parties that jobs, infrastructure, skills and international engagement will be vital issues in the upcoming November election.

The launch highlighted our key priorities within these four areas, many of which are significant for Geelong, and which the major parties must address to win the support of business.

Victoria has a solid economic base and industries with growth potential such as health, finance, education and agribusiness.

However, Victoria’s potential will not be realised without policies that drive greater investment, confidence and business activity.

There must be incentives for employers to expand their business and employ more people.

Recommendations that will benefit the Geelong region include: Jobs • Lift the threshold at which a business starts paying payroll tax to $850,000 - bringing payroll relief to 40,000 businesses across the state, including those in the Geelong region, and generating more jobs.

Infrastructure • Reconstruct the Yarra Street Pier to encourage growth in the number of cruise ships visiting Geelong, improve water access, support major events and enhance other recreation, economic and tourism opportunities.

• Commence construction of East West Link Stages 1 and 2, which will assist access to and from Melbourne for Geelongregion residents.

International Engagement • Commit $75 million to Victoria’s international engagement strategy over the next four years.

• Accelerate the Food to Asia Action Plan, ensuring it capitalises on free trade agreements and stimulates employment in agribusiness and agrifood research, processing and distribution.

• Capitalise on the opportunity to export Victoria’s healthcare services (training, ICT management and medical R&D).

We have launched this campaign almost six months before the November election so the major parties have sufficient time to commit to this agenda for business.

This is a crucial election for Victorian business. A strong business sector means a financially healthier Victoria and VECCI has highlighted a number of recommendations vital to this.

Many are longer-term innovations that will require detailed discussion with both sides of politics. We are in the process of meeting with State Government and Opposition members of Parliament to explain our priorities and will spread our message throughout Victoria with a subsequent launch here in Geelong, as well as in Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon.

We are calling on the next government, regardless of who forms it, to commit to our four key priorities, plus our supporting recommendations, because they will accelerate growth and secure future prosperity across Victoria.

• Commence construction of Melbourne Rail Link, enabling Geelong residents to travel to and from Melbourne Airport by train and access other parts of Melbourne more easily.

On Election Day in November, the people of Victoria will decide which party will best represent them and our state.

VECCI wants a government with a pro-business agenda, a clear majority and a strong mandate. This will ensure Victoria remains the best place in Australia in which to live, work and do business.

Skills

To read our full agenda please visit www.vecci.org.au.

• Increase VET in schools funding to reduce youth unemployment and stimulate apprenticeships and traineeships.

• Redirect some of the Training Guarantee funding to support career paths in the services sectors including hospitality, tourism and retail.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 29

James Gulli VECCI Regional Manager

GOVERNANCE

Performance management: what gets measured, gets done

S

omeone once said: “I don’t have time to write you a short letter, so I’ll write you a long one instead!”

The same principle applies to performance management and measurement in both the nonprofit and commercial sectors – it is very easy to identify 20 to 30 key performance indicators, it’s not so easy to agree on just 10 that really do present the total picture of how an organisation is performing both historically and some indicators of future performance as well.

Performance evaluation has long been the cause of much discussion and debate at the board level of non-profit organisations. The reason is quite simple – what the board and the CEO agree will be measured determines what the organisation, management and staff will focus on during the year. Consequently, the establishment of a performance management system is of utmost importance in the governance of all NFP and commercial organisations.

Whilst the sign-off of an organisations performance management system generally requires a considerable commitment of resources, there are some general guidelines that will assist the process: Context: the measures chosen must be aligned to the organisation’s mission, goals and strategy. As a guide, a board member should be able to look at the performance report (we will refer to this as KPIs) and understand how the organisation is tracking against its strategic plan. As such, the starting point is a clearly articulated strategic plan that is understood by all working in the business.

The Mission: the 1st step is to agree on what your mission is, i.e. what are you trying to achieve? This needs to be well defined and concise and for everyone in the organization, from the board to service delivery, to have a very clear understanding of both the words and the intent. This is the reference point for the organisation’s KPIs Strategies/Initiatives/Actions: what are we going to do to achieve our mission? This incorporates all aspects of the business, including service delivery, business development, human resources, administration and financial management.

Outputs/Outcomes/Impact: what are we going to measure?

There are 3 measures of performance that relate to a nonprofit organisation.

(1) Outputs – what did the strategies produce? For example, workshops delivered, participants attending an activity, programs delivered. An output is a raw number that enables some degree of performance evaluation and is usually relatively simple to tabulate and report; (2) Outcomes – as a result of the initiative, what did participants achieve? For example, an education qualification, an employment position, an improvement in health standards. Outcomes are the next level of performance evaluation, focused on achievement rather than participation/delivery.

(3) Impact – the highest level and by far the most difficult to determine. Impact refers to changing the cause rather than addressing the result. So, rather than investing in providing short term shelter for homeless people, the strategy, and therefore the performance evaluation, focuses on addressing the issues that create the homeless status in the first place.

Whilst the need for short-term shelters will still be there, over the medium to long term the strategy should be to reduce the need for short-term initiatives by addressing the initial causes of homelessness.

Furthermore, a performance management and evaluation system requires a benchmark or target to enable effective assessment – an isolated number means nothing, it only comes to life when compared to a predetermined target and a subsequent trend. The benchmark or target should therefore contain the following key characteristics, the SMART principles: S – specific, nothing vague M – measurable and the information relatively easy to collect A – achievable, within the capacity and capability of the organisation R – realistic, some degree of stretch but not so that it demotivates T – time bound, not open-ended The discussion on KPIs should be around the results achieved, not the interpretation of the words.

Most non-profit organisations are about effecting some degree of change for the better in the areas in which they operate – whether it be education and training, mental health, the justice system or homelessness, to name just a few. With the ever-increasing demands on both the public purse and private contributions, those organisations that can demonstrate that their initiatives are delivering quantifiable results in terms of achieving real and positive change in their area of operations are in a much better position to retain and attract funds to continue their work.

The challenge then is not only in service delivery but, just as importantly, in the performance management and evaluation systems we have in place to demonstrate the results we achieve through the investment of our resources. The KPIs chosen should be relevant to both internal management and external assessment of performance and add value to the overall management of the organisation - both at board and operational level. If your performance management system does not provide this level of value, then it’s time to review, update and implement a new approach. The investment will be worth it.

Mark C Schultz

For further information, go to www.governancetoday.com

BUSINESS NEWS | 30

ACCOUNTING

How is Your Business Performing?

T

he start of a new financial year is the ideal time to develop a performance dashboard for your small business.

A performance dashboard is a way to graphically assess at a glance your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and make sure your business is on track to reach your objectives.

Typically KPIs fall into 5 main categories: 1. Financial Performance

Measure the projects, deals, activities that will have a positive impact on your business success, sales and revenue and which will bring the business out of the crisis zone and into the performance zone. Be specific. Don’t guess.

This single page should give you the complete picture at a glance. Use graphs, diagrams, tables, dials and colour to illuminate the information, which is easy to do using Excel and even easier if you have migrated from using accounting software into the Cloud!

2. Operational Performance 3. Sales 4. Customer satisfaction 5. Staff Performance How do you know when you are peforming or whether your business is in trouble?

It is essential to “get into the performance zone” each and every financial year to have a thriving business over the longer term and to avoid the peaks and troughs of success.

The answer is to identify the specific performance indicators that are meaningful and relevant to your particular business, its strategic direction and goals, and which will have a positive impact on revenue/sales/profitability in the very near future. Then measure and monitor these on a regular basis – measure and monitoring are key!

The trick is to not measure everything that moves within your business!

A powerful single page tool for measuring success It is essential to “get into the performance zone” each and every financial year to have a thriving business over the longer term and to avoid the peaks and troughs of success. Being in the performance zone only every other year can lead to disaster.

Using “traffic lights” is a very powerful and easily understood visual prompt. Results above target can be coloured green, results at target levels can be amber, results below target can be red – and are a serious warning requiring immediate action.

Update your dashboard at intervals that suit your business sales cycle (daily, weekly, monthly).

Sometimes being in the performance zone is defined in terms of making progress toward large strategic goals, but often success is simply the repeated, periodic achievement of the 4 to 6 most important performance measures for your business.

Stick to your strategy and your KPIs and you will certainly increase your chance of success, and help make 2014/15 a great financial year for your business.

Results on a page Results on a Page is another term for a performance dashboard and it is a particularly powerful tool for measuring performance.

Think of the dials on a car dashboard - at a glance, the driver can see speed, fuel, temperature and so on. A performance dashboard shows on one page, the 4 to 6 most important performance measures for your specific business.

Dashboard features are a standard built in future on Xero, MYOB AccountRight Live and Reckon One (Quickbooks). But Cloud Accounting, the way of financial management in the future, is a topic in itself for another column.

Helen Butteriss

Principal, Accounting & Business Advisory, Crowe Horwath The information in this article is information only and should not be relied upon as advice specific to your business. Please seek professional advice from experienced Business Advisors before taking action on any of the information provided.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 31

TRAVEL

Bali

via Dum Dum

T

he agent’s brochure might read something like this: ‘Holiday rental on idyllic island. Suit fishing and gardening enthusiasts. Welcoming, crime-free community. Sustainable house with low-carbon footprint. Pool. Tiger supporters welcome!’

Your first impression when you arrive on Bali is that you have been transported to the Garden of Eden. This may have something to do with the fact that a few short hours earlier you were standing in the middle of Kolkata (Calcutta), India – in a maelstrom of battered cars, rickshaws, buildings and people.

This is not a typo. There is another island called Bali, and it is a short drive and boat trip from Kolkata. Do not stress, however, because there are no flights to the Indian Bali.

There’s no way you’ll end up there by mistake.

I have to say, however, the thought of a planeload of hedonistic Australian schoolies unintentionally disembarking at Kolkata airport fills me with pleasure. Formerly Dum Dum Airport (I kid you not), the Kolkata airport is now known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. And it’s new and pretty flash, so the real comedy would not begin until the Australian tourists got off the airport bus and started asking, ‘Where’s Kuta?’

They would understandably be confused. For a start, as they will have anticipated, it’s hot and nearly everybody is brown, poor and eager to please. The religion, Hinduism, is also what they will, of course, have expected. Mimicking a swimming action and repeating ‘Beach’ (ever louder as the touts’ bemusement grows) would ultimately get them to a washing ghat on the side of the great Hooghly River.

I’m betting that before they actually arrive at the river (which would, without question, be the final clue that something had gone horribly wrong) they will be seriously worried.

For a start, there are squadrons of weird yellow taxis that look like something from a Mad Max nightmare – a hybrid between a Noddy car and something sinister from a wrecker’s yard that has come to life. These yellow rust buckets heave themselves down technicolour streets that are absolutely full of people. And more people.

People walking, people sleeping, people driving, people selling, people eating, people chewing betel, people sitting, people talking, people shopping, people spitting betel, people cooking, people laughing, people washing, people having haircuts – and that’s on a 50 metre stretch of sidewalk.

Calcutta is one of the most exhilarating places on earth. The combined energy of 15 million people, desperate to survive,

BUSINESS NEWS | 32

“There are no police, not a single one, but on the other hand there is no crime.�

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 33

TRAVEL sparks around you. For the city to work at all, for people to be so full of life, for them to maintain their dignity and respect under such pressure, is nothing short of a triumph. And I’m sure our imaginary schoolies will appreciate this as they put together their makeshift beds on the sidewalk.

But Bali – yes, we’re back to the Indian island - is a very different story. It is one of approximately 50 inhabited islands on the Indian-controlled side of a massive delta on the Bay of Bengal, created by the huge rivers that begin in the Himalayan mountains to the north.

The delta region is known as the Sundarbans. It’s divided between Bangladesh (60%) and India (40%), covers around 10,000 square km and is probably home to 10 million people. The region is brought to life in Amitav Ghosh’s entertaining 2004 novel, ‘The Hungry Tide’.

Normally, I’m not interested in islands, particularly islands that you can get around in less than a day. Islands (and cruise ships) provide abundant proof of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: the best, the brightest, and the most ambitious leave as soon as they can. On islands this process is repeated every generation. (A cruise ship is actually a floating metal-and-plastic island staffed by cheap Asian labour. The workers, more often than not, are both bright and ambitious, and likely to have come from impoverished islands. The passengers, not so much.)

Bali is the antithesis of Kolkata. There are no cars or motorbikes. In fact there are no motorable roads.

The island is so small and flat that bicycles and rickshaws are the only mode of transport. There are no blaring speakers, or flashing lights. Indeed, there is no electricity – just a few solar panels here and there to charge radios and phones. The island is pure, fertile mud, which combined with a generous tropical climate creates rice paddies that are an electric green. Poke a stick in the ground, come back in a week and it is a mango tree! Every inch of this valuable land is carefully cultivated and cared for. The houses have smooth, cool mud walls and thick thatch roofs. A shaded pool stands beside each one – created when the mud for the house walls was excavated and the resulting hole filled with groundwater. They’re swimming pools for kids, bathrooms and laundries and, of course, they’re stocked with fish.

Bali has a population of 25,000 and the nearest outreach of the Bengali government is 1.5 hours away by boat. There are no police, not a single one, but on the other hand there is no crime. There are no hospitals or doctors – other than a weekly clinic organised by the small, comfortable resort where I am staying. If you’re really sick, but not rich enough or fit enough to get yourself to medical help, you get better or die.

The island is surrounded by a four-metre-high mud levy, without which it would be inundated every high tide. Because the island’s silt is no longer naturally replenished, and because ground water is constantly being removed, Bali is sinking. And thanks to climate change, the Bay of Bengal is rising.

The people say, ‘We sleep beneath the waves!’ They literally do.

And a day of reckoning is on its way. Even before climate change, the cyclones that howled in from the Bay of Bengal were terrible events. In 2009, Cyclone Aila killed hundreds of people and displaced millions. Nobody wants to think about the next cyclone. So people don’t. Despite the population density, half the islands in the Indian Sundarbans remain uninhabited, and are now part of a national park, created to protect a population of the world’s most spectacular predator: the Bengal tiger. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Park.

Although statistics are unreliable, there are still numerous fatal attacks on humans every year. The unique local variant of Hinduism – which is heavily influenced by Islam – also understandably makes the Tiger demon, Dakhin Rai, a central figure.

It is the possibility of glimpsing a tiger that brings tourists to Bali – although even without tigers the strange water world of the Sundarbans is so beautiful and fascinating a trip is easily justified.

I spent two days exploring the uninhabited mangrove islands and waterways by boat, guided by an interesting former poacher. We only found deer, crocodiles, and birds, but I was never bored or disappointed.

Back on dry-ish land I did come face to face with a tiger-actor in an extraordinary village performance of the story of Bonobibi – the goddess who protects people from tigers and Dakhin Rai. I’ll end by returning to the agent’s spiel with which I started. Your rented house on Bali could be a mud-walled masterpiece created by a Bengali artist and ceramicist, Bidyut Roy. Built around a central courtyard, the traditional design has gable windows, long verandas, a kitchen, two bedrooms - one with an attached bathroom (the only western addition). The roof is made of tiles, and in Mr Roy’s words, it’s ‘low, like a bird perched on the ground with its wings spread wide.’

I am flying there in my dreams right now.

Richard Everist Richard Everist has written guidebooks for Lonely Planet and was the CEO of Peregrine Adventures. He recently founded Around The Sun, a travel company, with his partner Lucrezia Migliore. Around The Sun organises small groups tours and private trips to a range of Asian and European countries, including both Balis. See www.aroundthesun.com or call 5264 8667.

BUSINESS NEWS | 34

FINANCE

That Big A Word

M

ost recently, Morris Finance had the opportunity to present our credentials and one of the key words that was used to describe our staff’s developing culture was “awareness”, as staff were continually encouraged to act with a sense of “self awareness” or that big A word!

The Oxford Dictionary describes awareness as the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects or sensory patterns more broadly, it is the state or quality of being aware of something.

I believe that the foundation for personal growth and success is built on self awareness - the most vital form of emotional intelligence that one can possess in both a personal and business sense. Self awareness enables you to have a crystal clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions.

Conversely, self awareness also allows you to understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the moment.

If you can recognise and understand your emotions then you have the power to control them. This kind of self awareness makes it impossible for your emotions to rule you, unless of course you choose to give them the upper hand!

You may recall the mini TV series Prison Break, where Michael’s freedom came as a result of learning the system intimately. In this case, the system is you and you have to know your inner self.

Examples of experiences that assist us in getting to know oneself include mid-life crises, which, by the way, are affecting more and more people at earlier ages today, no longer just in middle age; health issues, relationship issues, career issues, financial issues and mental, emotional or psychological issues.

importantly “behaviours,” in order to determine where we end up in life.

In Spencer Johnson’s short self help novel, “Who moved my cheese” a basic four step change model is demonstrated with the following phases highlighted: 1. Denial - “it’s not happening to me, l don’t have to do this” 2. Resistance - “This will never work, I want to go back to the old way” 3. Exploration - “Maybe this can work, there might be a way” 4. Commitment - “This is how l work now and this is a better way”

This wonderful business and personal model is also integral to the core of what we have spoken about, as it involves the need Q: How doand I grow my business Whether you’re to let go, neutral zones a new beginning and commitment to a new desired all parties - a process that to outcome the nextforlevel? motor vehicles, normally begins through consultation and the recommendation vehicles, equipm of other parties.

A: Talk to the Morris Finance

Until next month, onwards and upwards in the development of Call Abby, Mega that big A word in order to build the most important intelligence now or go to our one can have, emotional.

TM

Self awareness is the first step in creating what we want by mastering our fear and resistance to change, focussing attention on our emotions, reactions, personality and more

Q: Who enables your business dreams to become realities?

Martin Carter

Abby Davis

Call Abby, Megan or Fiona on (03) 5223 3453 now or go to our website for more information.

Megan Clarke

TM

1300 4 MORRIS www.morrisfinance.com.au

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 35

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ww

Business Manager

Whether you’re requiring business finance for motor vehicles, light & heavy commercial vehicles, equipment & machinery, properties or capital raising, contact the experts in intelligent structuring of debt.

A: Morris Finance Ltd’s team of experienced New Business Specialists will.

or capital raising

Awareness also reminds me of one of my most treasured team ofby, Specialists intelligent struct sayings that l try to live that is “Life is 1% what happens to you and 99% the way you react to it!”

Fiona Trotter

AUSTRALIAN PRIVACY PRINCIPALS One of the most important aspects of the privacy reforms was the introduction of 13 Australian Privacy Principals (APPs).

Are you subject to the Australian Privacy Principals?

ARE YOU IN BREACH OF THE PRIVACY ACT?

The APPs apply to a very large percentage of the Australian business community. In short, Federal Government agencies are subject to the reforms. So too are private sector organisations that: • have an annual turnover of more than $3 million; • are health service providers (regardless of turnover);

O

n the 12th of March this year, the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Private Protection) Act 2012 (Cth) came into operation, marking the start of a period of significant reform to privacy law in Australia.

The legislation amends the Privacy Act 1988 by: • widening the definitions of Personal Information and Credit-Reporting Personal Information; • being more prescriptive in the way in which individuals’ personal information may be collected, accessed, used and disclosed; • allowing for more comprehensive credit reporting; • providing individuals with increased avenues of protection against the incorrect use of their personal information and credit-related personal information; and

• receive payment for collecting or disclosing personal information (regardless of turnover); or • provide contractual services to the Commonwealth, including all Federal Government contractors (regardless of turnover).

If your organisation meets any of the above criteria, your organisation is now known as an APP Entity and the APPs apply to your business operations.

It is imperative for organisations to familiarise themselves with the privacy reforms or risk significant consequences that could jeopardise the future of their business.

How do you Comply with the Australian Privacy Principals?

All APP Entities must comply with the 13 APPs. The very first APP requires all APP Entities to have a privacy policy in place which deals with: • the kinds of personal information collected;

• how the personal information is used and disclosed; and • how an individual can seek access to, or correction of, their personal information.

• broadening the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s enforcement powers and increasing the penalties for breaching the Privacy Act. It is imperative for organisations to familiarise themselves with the privacy reforms or risk significant consequences that could jeopardise the future of their business.

This privacy policy must be available in an appropriate form, be free of charge and comply with the APPs. It is extremely important for APP Entities to understand each of the 13 APPs. Procedures and policies should be introduced or revised to ensure internal processes are conducive to compliance with the Privacy Act. Staff should become familiar

Harwood Andrews is launching possibilities

We work in a collaborative partnership with our clients, to understand their business and bring to bear our expert judgement, to ensure the advice and service we provide is specific and tailored to their needs.

Geelong Melbourne Ballarat Bendigo harwoodandrews.com.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 36

LEGAL

with the procedures and policies and should be educated on the dos and don’ts of dealing with Personal Information received from individuals when doing business.

significant consequences for non-compliance. This is largely due to the enhanced powers that have been given to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

If you haven’t made changes to the manner in which you handle personal information since 12 March 2014, you are likely to be in breach of the Privacy Act and you should take immediate action to ensure compliance with the reforms before it is too late to avoid the significant penalties.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has the power to:

CREDIT REPORTING REFORM Simultaneous with the introduction of the APPs, changes to credit reporting were also introduced on 12 March 2014 to allow for a more comprehensive credit reporting regime.

• investigate an entity that is covered by the Privacy Act following receipt of a complaint; • conduct assessments of privacy compliance for both Australian Government agencies and some private sector organisations; • accept enforceable undertakings;

The new regime applies to Credit Providers, Credit Reporting Bodies and Affected Information Recipients. These terms are all defined in the Privacy Act. So far as businesses who supply goods or services are concerned, if such goods or services are supplied on deferred payment terms of 7 days or more, the organisation is a Credit Provider and will be subject to the reforms. Importantly, unlike the criteria for determining whether a business is an APP Entity, the level of a business’s turnover is not a factor in determining whether an organisation is a Credit Provider. Thus, the credit reporting reforms are much more far reaching and many small businesses are now subject to the obligations and restrictions imposed by those reforms.

An organisation that is subject to the credit reporting reforms must:

• apply to the courts for an injunction to restrain a person/ organisation from engaging in conduct that would constitute a breach of the Privacy Act; • seek civil penalties in the case of serious or repeated breaches of privacy (up to $1.7 million for breaches by corporations and up to $340,000 for breaches by individuals).

NEXT STEPS In light of the significant consequences for non-compliance with the Privacy Act, it would be unwise for any organisation to ignore the overhaul of the Privacy Act. It is integral for business owners, managers and operators to: • seek advice as to how the privacy reforms affect them; • revise their privacy policies; • review and amend existing contracts;

• have a clearly expressed and up to date credit reporting policy that explains, amongst other things, how credit-related personal information is managed and how inquiries and complaints about compliance with the credit reporting reforms are dealt with; and • comply with a new Credit Reporting Code of Practice that came into operation on 12 March 2014.

• put in place procedures and processes to enable compliance with the reforms; and • educate staff on the reforms and the resulting changes to the day to day operations of the business.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NONCOMPLIANCE?

Joanne D’Andrea & Nicole Whelan

Principal & Lawyer, Business Law

As mentioned above, the privacy reforms have introduced very

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

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

www.tresidders.com.au

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 37

Members of

Great War The

– a graphic legacy Accounts of my dancing evenings. Season 1914—Jim Pavlidis 14 June – 24 August Geelong Gallery commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First World War with two exhibitions presenting very different aspects of the conflict that left an indelible mark on our national psyche.

The Great War – a graphic legacy is a powerful exhibition bringing together works by some of the early 20th century’s finest artists that capture the realities and impact of war from different national perspectives. Featuring 35 works, including prints and drawings

by Frank Brangwyn (British), Will Dyson (Australian), Käthe Kollwitz (German), Oskar Laske (German), Norman Lindsay

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ARTS

(Australian), and Théophile Steinlen (Swiss/French), shown in conjunction with paintings by Australian war artist Harold Septimus Power and British painter William Lionel Wyllie, the exhibition presents quite different and distinct artistic responses to the conflict by a diverse group of artists.

From the imagery of official war artists such as Dyson, Laske, and Power that depict firsthand experience of the battle front, and commissions undertaken by Brangwyn and Lindsay for the Canadian War Memorial Fund and the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, to the dramatic aerial battles over the Western Front represented by Wyllie, and the more intimate depictions of soldiers by Steinlen, as well as the melancholy and highly subjective response of Kollwitz, whose son died fighting on the Belgian front in October 1914, The Great War—a graphic legacy, co-curated by the Gallery’s Director, Geoffrey Edwards, and Curator, Lisa Sullivan, draws on both public and private collections and includes many rarely seen works.

The exhibition’s subtitle is a double-edged reference to the predominance of prints and drawings on display, as well as the intensely felt and compelling nature of the images and the subjects and events depicted. In many instances, the works of these artists continue to offer viewers, a century later, a sobering commentary on war and the human condition.

In contrast to the The Great War – a graphic legacy, the concurrent exhibition, Accounts of my dancing evenings. Season 1914—Jim Pavlidis depicts life in suburban Melbourne on the cusp of the war, inspired by the very personal point of view of 19 year-old Winifred Noble, whose handwritten journal from 1914 entitled ‘Accounts of my dancing evenings. Season 1914’ was recovered from a recycling depot in Kew by a relative of Pavlidis.

Winfred’s diary includes entries from April to October, innocently charting her life in suburban Melbourne—including her romantic

yearnings—far removed from the turmoil brewing in Europe. It describes in detail a series of weekly dancing sessions attended by the author, and, specifically, her desire to find love. In August, seemingly unaware that Australia was about to go to war, she wrote of her hope that there would be more boys in her next dancing class: “If every girl brings one we should do well.”

Pavlidis’ poignant exhibition of prints and drawings plays on this sense of the everyday existing within history’s bigger picture: his interpretations of Winifred and her life are merged with historical imagery sourced from wartime newspapers and the pictorial collections of the State Library of Victoria where Pavlidis completed a Creative Fellowship in 2010 that culminated in the work created for Accounts of my dancing evenings. Season 1914—Jim Pavlidis.

“Through these pictures I wanted to tell the story of how life quietly unfolded in Melbourne during the war,” Pavlidis says.

“Women like Winifred were far away from the fighting, but would nonetheless come to be profoundly affected by it.” The war itself, however, is never mentioned in Winifred’s diaries, an omission that seems somewhat curious given the significance this period in history now holds in the collective Australian consciousness.

“This exhibition is a wonderful complement to the images on display in The Great War—a graphic legacy, created by artists during or immediately after the First World War,” says curator Lisa Sullivan. “In Jim’s exhibition we have a contemporary artist reflecting on a period that has since come to have great historical significance.”

Pavlidis will host a free Meet the Artist floortalk about his artistic practice and a selection of works on display in Accounts of my dancing evenings. Season 1914 at 3pm on 10 August (no bookings required). geelonggallery.org.au

From Left to Right: Jim Pavlidis - Soldier, Käthe Kollwitz - The mothers 1921-22, Harold Septimus Power - A shell-swept road 1920, Jim Pavlidis - Don’t neglect your skin

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Inspirare: Luccio + Luccio 5 – 19 July 2014 Displaying contemporary, classic and rare works by Marco and Debra Luccio, Metropolis Gallery’s most recent exhibition Inspirare: Luccio + Luccio offers a fresh look at the art of the couple who continue to draw inspiration from one other, resulting in strong mutual influences on their individual art practices. ‘Inspirare’ means ‘to breathe in’ and it’s the two-way interaction of ideas and technique that led to the concept of this joint exhibition opening at Metropolis on 5 July.

Featuring international cityscapes, landscapes, bodies, portraits and dancers across a variety of mediums including monotypes, assemblages, drypoints, etchings, paintings and drawings, many of the exhibited works have been shortlisted for major awards and edition prints are held in important collections such as the National Gallery of Australia and several New York collections.

Marco has been shortlisted for awards throughout Australia, including the 2010 and 2009 Dobell and the 2013 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing. His work is represented

ARTS

in over 24 major public collections, both nationally and internationally. In 2013, he collaborated with award-winning author, John Hughes, to create the book The Garden of Sorrows featuring 60 of Marco’s etchings, a number of which are presented in Inspirare.

Debra is an award-winning artist represented in collections nationally and internationally. She has held 15 major solo exhibitions and been included in more than 60 group, curated and award shows.

Awarded the prestigious CPM National Print Award in 2009, she has also been shortlisted for the 2012 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, the Hutchins Award and the Swan Hill Print and Drawing Award.

In 2010, Marco and Debra were invited to exhibit major solo exhibitions at the Australian Consulate General in New York.

Over the years, the Luccios have also inspired many others through workshops and artist talks and will present a free Artists’ Talk at 2-3.30pm on 12 July at Metropolis. www.metropolisgallery.com.au

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Time and Tide 5 – 30 July This solo exhibition by Victorian artist Jane Flowers at Queenscliff’s Seaview Gallery showcases new abstract works and meditations on ocean and outback. While Flowers is known for her passion for the Australian landscape – the inland reds and ocean blues - this exhibition also contains works that take a new direction. Part of her most recent series “Containers” depicts fantastic images of large container ships, especially supplied by Port Phillip Sea Pilots, which have been cropped and printed on canvas then overpainted with oils.

Seaview Gallery is also currently displaying new releases from world famous body artist Emma Hack, who produced the stunning body art in THAT clip for Gotye’s worldwide smash hit single “Somebody that I used to know” and who opened her first London solo show in June after receiving wide acclaim with solo shows in New York and Hong Kong.

Geelong artist, Sara Paxton, who has become increasingly popular with her wide range of subject matter and visually exciting works, is also featured at Seaview with colour saturated landscapes and still lifes. www.seaviewgallery.com.au

Top Left: Camelia And Peacock, Emma Hack

Above: Vreeland Cockatoo, Emma Hack.

Right: Failing Light 92 X 92, Sara Paxton

Left: Striped Vase 106X106cm, Sara Paxton

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community Rebecca Casson from Committee for Geelong

Tech jobs of the future for Geelong students A career event with a difference last month gave senior high school students from Geelong a chance to benefit from the insights of more than 30 experienced technology professionals.

Designed by students for students, the Big Day In @ Geelong, held at Newtown’s Sacred Heart College, gave students an overview of the career opportunities the tech industry offers and was the first time the event, one of a series of ten nationally, has been held in Geelong.

Students heard from a range of speakers from organisations such as HP, WiseTech Global, Deloitte, and local organisations such as FE Technologies and Geelong City Council, and were able to hear first-hand the experiences and journeys of the presenters.

They were also able to speak with presenters, ask questions and receive valuable information to help them make better informed career decisions, including the importance of gaining relevant industry experience to complement their studies and qualifications.

The Big Day In, organised by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Foundation was brought to Geelong at the invitation of Cr Rod Macdonald, who attended a similar event in Melbourne last year.

“I realised Geelong students would gain a significant benefit by getting direct access to the quality information provided on the day [so] I approached the ACS Foundation, with the idea of holding the event in Geelong,” Cr Macdonald said. “Our region is experiencing challenges at the moment and the technology industry provides young people with a ‘future proof’ career opportunity.”

The ACS Foundation, established in 2001 to encourage private and public sponsorship of IT scholarships, higher education and research projects, has raised over $50 million in sponsorship for scholarships and research since its inception, awarding more than 5,000 scholarships to high achievers and people who are disadvantaged.

John Ridge AM, Executive Director of the ACS Foundation, said the Foundation runs a series of programs enabling students to receive vital industry experience. “Our role is to help them make the transition from their studies into the industry,” he said.

Leaders for Geelong shine at the 2014 Victorian Disability Sector Awards

Graduation Day for LEAD Barwon participants The 19 participants in the Australia-first advocacy and leadership development program, LEAD Barwon, celebrated their graduation last month with the launch of a photographic exhibition and the presentation of their certificates by The Hon. Mary Wooldridge MP, Minister for Disability Services and Reform.

Run by the Committee for Geelong and funded by the State Government, the LEAD Barwon program enabled participants to share their personal experiences of the introduction of the National Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and was a finalist in the Excellence in Advocacy and Rights Promotion Award section of the 2014 Victorian Disability Sector Awards.

“I am thrilled that the LEAD participants have delivered on the program’s vision and are now recognised leaders, public speakers and advocates in their community,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Committee for Geelong Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Casson, said the program broke new ground in its approach to building leadership and advocacy skills. “LEAD participants from Geelong, Colac and the Surf Coast have developed the skills, knowledge and confidence to share their early experience of the NDIS,” she said.

L2P program volunteer mentor, Sarah Carroll, with Cr Tony Ansett & L2P program learner driver, Caroline Evans

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COMMUNITY

Geelong recognised at 2014 Victorian Disability Sector Awards The Committee for Geelong was also celebrating a win at the 2014 Victorian Disability Sector Awards, with its Leaders for Geelong: Inclusion, Integration and Empowerment Project Team taking out the Excellence in Improving Learning and Development Outcomes Award for its work in developing and delivering a leadership dinner focussed on disability for the Geelong community.

Minister for Disability Services and Reform, Mary Wooldridge, said Leaders for Geelong’s work demonstrated “innovation, creativity and thinking that is outside of the box.

“Leaders for Geelong’s passion and commitment for improving the lives of people with a disability is admirable and I commend them as a deserving recipient of this year’s Victorian Disability Sector Award,” she said.

The Victorian Disability Sector Awards – which recognise individuals, teams, disability service providers and businesses making a significant contribution to supporting people with a disability – are a joint initiative between the Victorian Government and National Disability Services.

Geelong organisations and individuals were among the best, with Karingal’s Leanne Dugdale a finalist in the Excellence in Improving Learning and Development Outcomes Award, the G21 Disability Inclusion Partnership Highly Commended in the Excellence in Improving Participation Award and Encompass Community Services’ Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Spurdle being Highly Commended for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominated for her lifelong commitment to fighting for equal opportunity, access and social inclusion for people with disabilities, Liz has worked at Encompass as receptionist and administrative assistant for 15 years and is a member of the City of Greater Geelong’s Disability Advisory Committee, providing Council with advice and input regarding universal access and inclusion matters.

The Highly Commended G21 social media audio-visual Belonging and Connecting project features nine young people with disabilities from the G21 region in a series of three to four minute video vignettes.

“The videos showed how these amazing young people have successfully integrated into their local communities,” Acting G21 CEO Fiona Reidy said. “The project showcases their strength and determination and the positive contributions they are making. The aim is to motivate other people with disabilities to connect and participate in their communities.

By telling their own stories in such a frank and open manner the young people are having a positive impact on the lives of others across the G21 region and more widely.”

Nominations now open for National Disability Awards Meanwhile, nominations for the 2014 National Disability Awards close on 18 July. Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, says the national awards “highlight and celebrate the individuals and organisations that are making outstanding contributions to our national effort to improve the lives of people with a disability.

Federal Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson, has encouraged people living in the electorate to identify and nominate individuals and organisations who are helping to improve the lives of people with disability.

To nominate for the National Disability Awards, go to www. idpwd.com.au or call 1800 672 682.

Have car, will drive The donation of two cars by local car dealer by Winter & Taylor to the VicRoads L2P learner driver mentor program in Geelong will enable more young people in the area to learn to drive. The generous gift is a welcome development as Geelong’s L2P program is the largest in Victoria.

The L2P program assists learners under 21 without access to a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the driving experience they need before they can apply for their Ps. Twenty two new mentors have recently been trained in addition to the 58 active mentors and approximately 85 active learners are currently enrolled in the program, which is free for eligible young people and funded by the TAC.

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community

A Big Day Out to Celebrate National Volunteer Week In an example of community volunteering at its best, employees from a range of local businesses and people who have disabilities joined together on Thursday 15 May for an inclusive day of fun activities at the Karingal BacLinks (Business and Community Links) Winter Workplace Big Day Out. The event, presented by Powercor Australia, coincided with National Volunteering Week and provided an opportunity for organisations to sample workplace volunteering, while breaking down barriers between people of all abilities and fostering a greater sense of community.

The volunteers spent the day participating in a range of team activities alongside 94 program members from Karingal, Encompass and St Laurence. Activities on offer included bowling, badminton, dancing, basketball and soccer.

Karingal BacLinks Acting Manager, Tracy Bull, said the event offered workplaces a great opportunity to enter the wonderful world of volunteering. “The Winter Workplace Big Day Out was a fantastic introduction to volunteering,” said Tracy. “It provided many of our volunteers with their first opportunity to spend time with people who have a disability in a supported environment.

“It was an educational and enlightening event, but most of all a whole lot of fun for everyone involved. There was a great community atmosphere during the day, with plenty of laughter, and it was obviously a very rewarding experience for the volunteers, both personally and professionally.

“It was fantastic to see our volunteers and incredible program members taking part in activities together and learning from one another. Volunteering plays an essential role in pulling communities together and bringing about a sense of participation and acceptance. The Winter Workplace Big Day Out encompassed all this in an inclusive day full of fun activities and many newfound friendships.”

Help Karingal BacLinks reach their goal of 30 members in 30 days As a member-based organisation, Karingal BacLinks relies on support from local businesses to deliver important community programs across Geelong. During June/July Karingal Backlinks is on a mission to recruit 30 new business members in 30 days and they need your help!

By joining Karingal BacLinks as a corporate member you can have meaningful involvement in the Geelong community through employee volunteering, donations of goods and services, business networking opportunities and contributions to community projects.

Karingal BacLinks caters to businesses great or small and can tailor programs to your needs. As an added incentive, any current members who refer a friend during the ‘30 in 30’ campaign will enter the draw to win 2 corporate tickets to a Melbourne City FC home game in the 2014/15 A-League Season.

For full competition terms and conditions, plus all you need to know about becoming a Karingal BacLinks member, visit www.baclinks.org.au or phone (03) 5249 8989.

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THE E.L PHOTOGRAPHY CORPORATE STYLEGUIDE AFTER HOURS

THE E.L PHOTOGRAPHY CORPORATE BRAND

HOURS

after

Elisha Lindsay (E.L Photography) is a Geelong photographer who was born to take beautiful photographs. Her love for the lens has followed a natural progression throughout each stage in her life.

Elisha prides her business on being one that is multifaceted and has the ability to meet the needs of all clients. Whether it is commercial, weddings or portraits, E.L Photography can meet the needs of businesses, individuals and groups.

1

The logo represents the E.L Photography brand and is, therefore, the essence of the E.L Photography identity.

Do not attempt to redraw or rearrange it, or alter the colour in any way. It always, where possible, appears as a colour image.

Networking designed for small business

2

3

4

1. CMYK STACKED VERSION (ON WHITE BACKG

2. CMYK HORIZONTAL VERSION (ON WHITE BA Commercial Photography Staff portraits Product shots Marketing shots Events & Functions Weddings & Portraits

In response to the sell out success of this year’s After Five events, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce has launched a new series of networking events, the aptly named, Before 9 series, with KBB Digital hosting the inaugural event.

Held as a short and sharp networking event before work hours, only one person from a business or organisation can attend any single event, capped at 120 people. The more relaxed format also opens up the opportunity for smaller business to sponsor or host an event.

E.L

Before 9 events will be held every second month, on the 4th Thursday of the month.

Running from 7.30am – 8.45am and include a stand up breakfast.

1. The KBB Digital team KBB were the hosts of the event 2. Michele Challis and Dean Bateup 3. Paul Whittaker and Caroline King 4. Christine Silvestroni and Mary-Ann Seebeck

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 45

Studio - 162 Bellerine St, Geelong elisha@elphotography.com.au 0439 353 958 elphotography.com.au

HOURS

after

1 Alli Murphy Dinner Dan Simmonds, Chairperson of the Committee for Geelong and past Chairpersons Michael Betts and Jim Cousins AO hosted a dinner to celebrate the contribution of Allison (Alli) Murphy to the Geelong Region and help raise funds for the Allison Murphy Memorial Scholarship. Alli tragically passed away on 25 February 2014, aged 42.

2

The Alli Murphy Scholarship Fund has been established in partnership with the Geelong Community Foundation. In Alli’s honour, the Scholarship will give women from the Geelong region the opportunity to follow in Alli’s footsteps and study at Deakin University majoring in political studies, media or marketing. A panel of prominent Geelong business women explored issues around leadership and the importance of relationship building at the dinner. The panel of speakers includes the Committee for Geelong’s Deputy Chairperson Janet Dore, CEO of the TAC, Prof Jane den Hollander, Vice Chancellor, Deakin University and Diana Taylor, Geelong Football Club Board Member.

A number of volunteers and donors worked diligently to organise the fundraising dinner and prizes and it was their work that resulted in a true celebration of Alli’s contribution to Geelong. The dinner was held at the Geelong Football Club.

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5

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AFTER HOURS

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9 1. Peter Stephens (Alli’s husband) 2. Dan Simmonds 3. Peter Dorling, past chair of CfG 4. Ron Fairchild, Vice-President (Advancement) Deakin Uni. 5. Attendees 6. Panel of Speakers Diane James, Janet Dore (TAC), Diana Taylor (Geelong Football Club), Jane den Hollander (Deakin) 7. The Redstick team: James Baird, Karen Cartwright and Jessica Taylor 8. Peter Stephens (centre) with some of Alli’s nearest and dearest. 9. Ross Synot, Rebecca Casson, Stuart Atkins, Barb Cronin 10. Sarah Henderson MP, Deputy Mayor Bruce Harwood, Christine Heath, Helene Bender

10 www.biznewsmag.com.au | 47

TECH GUY

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

Smartphone beams 3D

The goss is that the Google is preparing to build 180 “small, high capacity” satellites that will go into low orbit and provide internet connections to remote areas. The word is the search company could double its vehicle count if all goes well. And there’s no doubt that, wherever you are, having a solid internet connection significantly improves your livestyle.

Google satellites

BUSINESS NEWS | 48

If you are absolutely transfixed with the idea of beaming 3D images from your smartphone, Ostendo’s handset could be capable of just that. Thanks to some nifty breakthroughs, 5000ppi projectors the size of Tic Tacs are now powerful enough to control the colour, brightness and angle of individual beams of light across one million pixels. Just one chip is said to deliver a usable image, but adding additional chips provides scope for even more complex and detailed images. The Wall Street Journal watched a demo involving six chips, which beamed green dice spinning in the air and noted how consistent the motion appeared, irrespective of where it was viewed from.

Thin, thinner….

Sleep on the train? It’s ok If you’ve ever taken the train home after a big footy game or night out in Melbourne, you know how tough it can be to get off at the right station because you may fall asleep well before then. That shouldn’t be an issue if you’re using a recent Android phone, however. Android Police has noticed that the latest version of Google Now on Android lets you set an alarm that wakes you up shortly before your station comes up; you can safely catch some shut-eye knowing that you’ll still be home on time. There are thirdparty apps that offer similar reminders, but it’s good to have a builtin safety net when you’re not entirely sober…

If you want to record a bike ride or bungee jump by yourself, you normally have to wear an action camera. That’s okay for a first-person view, but what if you want some more dramatic shots? That’s where Hexoplus camera drone comes into play. The robotic hexacopter captures aerial footage of your thrill seeking by detecting where you are (or rather, where your phone is) and following along - you only have to set a preferred Dramatic distance. It’s fast (69 KPH) video of and stabilised as well, so it you should keep up even if you’re racing across hilly terrain.

If your kids are complaining about the drab car you drive, Light up they’re going to love the latest from Toyota’s concept your car team. The vehicle lets your children (and their creative bonnet parents) customise the look by translating their image ideas to nearly 7,000 LED lights on the car bonnet.

You could change styles at a moment’s notice without having to swap panels. There’s no word on the possibility of this technology reaching production models, still, Toyota raises hope that cars will one day be as unique as you are.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 49

Intel announced the new 14nm Core M (Broadwell) processor to enable thinner, fanless laptops and tablets. At 7.2mm (0.28 inch), the demo tablet is thinner than the iPad Air (7.5mm) and it’s also significantly lighter than two-in-one devices already on the market. The tablet is a notebook-class PC running Windows 8.1 Pro (see photo), yet it weighs just 667 grams, compared to 767 grams for the Surface Pro 3.

Shatter proof screen

This could save you a trip to the iPhone doctor. The screen on your smartphone is likely scratch-resistant, but it still won’t survive a bounce on the footpath. This could all change if University of Akron scientists get their shatterproof touchscreen film into commercial production. They’ve developed transparent electrodes that, when layered on polymer surfaces are just as transparent as current technology (indium tin oxide) but much more durable. You can bend them over 1,000 times without breaking, and they also hold up against peeling.

Recycled Steel Flamingo Outdoor Art LisaSarah - designs in steel www.lisasarah.com

STUFF

cool•

Clip | Cage lamp Cranmore Home www.cranmorehome.com.au

Fuschia Lady Peacock Chair Cranmore Home www.cranmorehome.com.au

Can’t get away this winter?

Escape indoors with this colourful range of tropical inspired homewares.

Parrot Lamp with Stripe Shade Happiness Place www.happinessplace.com.au

Cushion Vanda Blue Cranmore Home www.cranmorehome.com.au

Jakkara Stool - Palm Green Kush Living www.kushliving.com.au

Heiko Pineapple lamp Littleville www.littleville.com.au

BUSINESS NEWS | 50

BOOKS

BOOKS

new•

Falling Freely, As If In A Dream Leif G W Persson In 1986, the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme, was assassinated. The case remains of Europe’s greatest unsolved crimes... It’s August 2007, and Lars Martin Johansson, chief of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Sweden has opened the files on the unsolved murder of Prime Minister Olof Palme. Persson’s work lifts the veil on one of history’s greatest unsolved crimes in a novel that goes toe-to-toe with the best of true crime books.

Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant Owen Beddall It all sounds so glamorous: flying to exotic destinations, swanning about in five-star hotels, lazing around the pool and nighttime tabletop dancing with Bollywood stars. Beddall tells you the things you always wanted to know (and maybe a few things you didn’t) about the fabulous world of flying. From cabin crew adventures to misadventures in far-flung places, there’s sex, drugs and lots of celebrity gossip.

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe Romain Puertolas This book already has my vote for best book title of 2014.

It is the story of a fake fakir looking for a free ride. Having conned the people of his village into paying for his ticket to France, so he can get a new bed of nails. Having hidden in a handy wardrobe overnight in an IKEA store, he finds himself being shipped out in a wardrobe and so begins a madcap romp around Europe. Yet, woven throughout is a thread of humanity that cuts through caper, with the Fakir finding himself facing the challenges and fears of an illegal immigrant.

The Rise and Fall of Australia Nick Bryant Never before has Australia enjoyed such economic, commercial, diplomatic and cultural clout. Its recessionproof economy is the envy of the world. It’s the planet’s great lifestyle superpower. Its artistic exports win unprecedented acclaim. But never before has its politics been so brutal, narrow and facile, as well as being such a global laughing stock. A positive national story is at odds with a deeply unattractive Canberra story. In this thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking book, Bryant deals with politics, racism, sexism, the country’s place in the region and the world, culture and sport.

www.biznewsmag.com.au | 51

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