Imagine Three by Reid Media Pty Ltd

WINNER

AUTO EUROPA 2011 TITLE Motoring journalists are a cynical mob at best, and the Italian ones are probably the most cynical of all. Yet when it comes to the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, they go weak at the knees. They awarded it the Auto Europa title for 2011 ahead of 40 other vehicles, including the BMW 5-Series Saloon and Peugeot RCZ. It was for a combination of many things: its exhilarating _ yet environmentally friendly _ performance and 6-speed gearbox; the fact that it’s the safest compact car ever tested; plus its ergonomic and luxurious interior equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It’s another step in Alfa Romeo’s on-going romance with motoring.

BWMALF5026/IMAGINE

YOU CAN FALL IN LOVE WITH GIULIET TA AT YOUR NEAREST DEALER TODAY.

ALFAROMEO.COM . AU

L'UNIONE ITALIANA GIORNALISTI DELL'AUTOMOBILE

KNOW YOU’RE ALIVE

Publishers Desk

ISSN 1838-0514

Imagine Your Lifestyle Pty Ltd ABN 27 120 725 073 ACN 120 725 073 Publisher Nicholas Reid publisher@imagineyourlifestyle.com.au Editor Jeni Bone editor@imagineyourlifestyle.com.au Advertising Sales & Marketing John Blondin {Media Titles Pty Ltd} advertising@imagineyourlifestyle.com.au

The Publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desk.

elcome to the his vision for the future and the next Autumn edition chapter of the Virgin story. Read all of Imagine. about it on page 20. Once again the Finally, and on behalf of the team at past few months Imagine, I would like to to take this have just flown by and we find ourselves opportunity to extend our deepest at the beginning of another issue. sympathies to all those who have Imagine Two, or as we like been affected by the recent to refer to it, The Oprah Queensland floods, New Issue, proved very Zealand earthquake He who asks popular with readers, and most recently, is a fool for five and I would like to the devastating quickly thank all of minutes, but he who Japanese earthquake you who wrote us does not ask remains and subsequent with your praise and Tsunami. Our a fool forever. support. Please keep thoughts and prayers Chinese Proverb it coming. The team are with you all as truly appreciate the you rebuild your cities effort and thanks. and your lives. We have put together another Please send your feedback exciting issue for you to enjoy or story suggestions to editor@ this season, full of amazing and truly imagineyourlifestyle.com.au. inspirational stories, and as tax time is For now, sit-back, relax, enjoy and nearly upon us we have also included keep imagining! some useful tips and hints. Gracing the cover this issue is the always energetic and inspiring Sir Richard Branson. Nicholas Reid, Publisher I would like to thank Sir Richard for www.imagineyourlifestyle.com.au joining us in this issue and sharing

imagineyourlifestyle

Printed in Australia by Caxton Web www.caxtonweb.com.au Distributed by Future Sources www.futuresources.com.au Fairfax Media www.fxj.com.au Imagine Three Contributors:

Carol Yip

Sam Tannous

Andrew Winter

Lauren Brittain

Lizzie Loel

Geoff Edwards

www.reidmedia.com.au

Disclaimer No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form by any means without prior written permission from the Publisher. Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Imagine Your Lifestyle Pty Ltd. All editorial material is accepted in good faith. We welcome editorial and photographic contributions.

Join Us FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS.

@imagine_mag

Art DirectioN Reid Media Pty Ltd studio@reidmedia.com.au

A big thank you to Sir Richard for taking the time to talk with us.

Every issue of Imagine Your Lifestyle is prepared with careful attention to accuracy. Please use this magazine as general guide. It is important to consult a professional before making decisions relating to your own financial investment. Imagine Your Lifestyle expresses the views of the authors and is based on the information available at the time and it is not to be taken as advice. Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

integrated innovative award winning Macquarie Life Active, Best Life Insurance Product of the Year Awarded by AB+F magazine

Macquarie Life Active has received the Australian Banking and Finance (AB+F) award for Best Life Insurance Product of the Year. This award endorses our commitment to product innovation – giving your clients a comprehensive, commonsense insurance offering that’s the first of its kind in Australia. We are serious about supporting your business and will continue to build our insurance capability for the long term, investing in our people, our products and our technology.

Macquarie Life Active at a glance /

One simple, single solution

Greater breadth of cover

Benefit payments that make sense

Ability to make multiple claims

Pricing efficiencies passed on

Delinking of TPD from occupation

Macquarie Life

Macquarie Adviser Services Call us on 1800 005 057 to find out more about Macquarie Life’s award winning insurance solutions, or visit macquarielife.com.au

Macquarie Life Limited (MLL) ABN 56 003 963 773 AFSL 237 497 is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act (Cth) 1959, and MLL’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542. Macquarie Bank Limited does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of MLL.

ACtive_11.2010

Destination

Sir Richard Branson Motoring

104

Bookend Cuisine

114

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Active

100

Sebastian Terry

Lucas Parsons

Contents.

Imagine Three

Regulars Publisher’s Desk

An Adviser’s Tale 6

Noticeboard 10

David Holloway

Events & Festivals Guide 12 Kids Events 14 Foreword - Book Reviews 15 Silver Screen - Film Reviews 17

Debbie Crowther

GALLERIA

with Carol Yip

Personal Space

One life to lead, 100 things to do

FeatureS Sir Richard Branson Space Ace

Buying Property

Through superannuation

When All Stars Align

Big Green Inspiration

All Star Funds Green Grants

Mother’s Day

When Disaster Strikes

RACQ Careflight Women’s Wisdom

90 92

Make mum’s day Geoff Edwards

Karen Phillips

Financial Planning Better Late Than Never

The comfort factor

Gail Havig

Marc Bineham

Negative returns, positive outcomes Ian Byrne

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Building better business

Family Matters From toddlers, tweens to teens 54 Cover Comfort

Counting on kids

Julius Czerny

The Wealth Academy

Cuisine 72 74

Greener Pastures

Beverages 76 Grape Escapes

Imagine Fashion Online Outfitters 78 Well-heeled 80

Health & Wellbeing Health News Skin Therapy

84 85

Travel

Home

Destination: International

Destination: Sunshine Coast

Property 64

Hot Spots 2011

Interiors 66

Stay & Play

with Andrew Winter Ship Shape

Design with a Conscience EcoChic.com.au

Grape Escapes

What’s new on the gourmet shelf

Lucas Parsons

Imagine Profiles 40

Latest Instore

Market News

aahh...Comfort Food

Sebastian Terry

Out & About

At Home

Active Pro Profile

100

Steven Jeffress

Detour Motoring 104 Lexus - The Luxury Hybrid

Motoring News 107 Boating 108 Integrity - Boating made easy

Boating News 111 Marine 112 Marina Berths

Bookend Ivanka Trump

Making an impact at work

114

Noticeboard

faq Taxation

If you would like to ask our experts any financial questions or anything relating to your lifestyle, email your questions to:

Imagine Four

Your Say

ask@imagineyourlifestyle.com.au

Pomegranate Power Australia’s first natural pomegranate body range, based on nature’s super fruit – long prized for its incredible healing and anti-ageing qualities – can be yours. The pomegranate has been used from as early as 1552 BC as a key ingredient in the treatment of arthritis, circulation disorders, viruses and digestive problems. Scientists have found that this marvellous fruit can prove helpful in the prevention of skin cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes and even osteoarthritis, according to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Essential Stuff is the producer of Australia’s first dedicated non-artificial pomegranate skincare range, using 100% active ingredients. There are no artificial colours, fragrances or animal testing. The Essential Stuff range is available online and from specialist distributors www.essentialstuff.com.au

Email your letters and comments to: letters@imagineyourlifestyle.com.au

What IS tax? Tax is money that people and businesses pay the government. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) collects income tax and other Commonwealth taxes, such as goods and services tax (GST). These taxes are used to provide services to the community, such as health, education, defence, roads, social security and welfare.

Records you need to keep The Australian tax system works by self assessment – The ATO accept the details you put on your tax return and process it. However, the ATO can later ask you to provide the records and information you used to complete your tax return. It’s your responsibility to complete your

Win!

d two on or letter an tial ti es qu a s u d en Sen will win an Ess lucky readers lued at over $100 each. va Stuff package, : f pack contains Essential Stuf od wo Rose Pomegranate & 0ml $24.70 Hand Cream. 10 n d Lemon Fusio Pomegranate an l $23.70 0m 25 Body Wash. d Citrus Pomegranate an r. tte Burst Body Bu 250ml $37.95 d Pomegranate an ot Peppermint Fo Balm. 100ml $24.70

return accurately and be able to prove the claims you made. Your records are critical in proving, or substantiating, your claims.

How DOES income tax work? The main tax you’ll pay is income tax, which is charged on income you receive, such as salary and wages, investment income and business income. Generally you pay income tax during the year as you earn it – for example, if you’re an employee your employer will take it from your wages. The amount of income tax you pay is linked to how much you earn and whether you’re an Australian resident. The more you earn, the higher your rate of tax.

Your tax return At the end of the income year (30 June), most people need to lodge an annual income tax return to tell us how much income they received, tax they paid, and any deductions or offsets. If you’re an employee, most of this information will be on a payment summary that your employer gives you. You have until 31 October to lodge your income tax return (unless you have it prepared by a registered tax agent). The ATO will use the information you give them to work out your tax refund or tax liability. The ATO then send you a notice of assessment and your tax refund if you’re entitled to one.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

hat time of the year is approaching, and the Commissioner has some news and advice for us all. For those among us affected by the natural disasters that swept through all states recently, help is still available, according to Commissioner of Taxation Michael D’Ascenzo. “To assist the community during the recent natural disasters those in affected postcodes automatically had their lodgement and payment dates deferred,” he said. “All December and January monthly activity statements were deferred until 21 March 2011 and all December (Q2) quarterly statements

How much income tax you pay The more you earn, the higher your rate of tax. If you’re an Australian resident, the first $6,000 you earn each year is tax free – it’s called the tax-free threshold. The next $29,000 of income is taxed at a rate of 15%. The highest rate of tax is 45%, for income above $180,000.

When completing your annual tax return, you’re entitled to claim deductions for some expenses that are directly related to earning your income. You subtract these ‘allowable deductions’ from your total income to reduce your taxable income. You may be able to claim deductions for expenses that directly relate to your work as an employee (work-related expenses) or your investment income. The most common work-related expenses are: • vehicle and travel expenses • work clothing expenses • self-education expenses.

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

If you own a rental property, many of the associated expenses – such as mortgage interest payments, building insurance and council rates – are deductible. If you earn income from interest and dividends, you can claim deductions for expenses such as account-keeping and management fees, and interest charged on money borrowed to purchase shares.

}

Deductions you can claim

until 28 March 2011. “Although the deferrals have come to an end, taxpayers who feel they need further assistance can contact the ATO, even if they are not in the list of affected postcodes. We will take your circumstances into account to see what we can do to help you through difficult times.” Any deferrals that have already been granted will continue to apply. A list of identified affected postcodes can be found on the ATO website. www.ato.gov.au Businesses and individuals seeking further assistance can contact the ATO’s dedicated emergency support information line on 1800 806 218.

No one likes to pay more tax than they need to, but keeping up with the complexities of changing tax laws is no mean feat.

There are tax-effective ways of saving and investing for your future and the cost of getting the right advice can often be covered by just one smart tax move. Co-contributions, salary sacrificing, offsetting the income from investments – these are just some of the ways you can reduce your tax bill while planning for future wealth. There may be even more that apply to your specific situation, and a professional financial planner can help you discover the best ways to manage tax.

What is...

Noticeboard

TaxTimeTips

capital gains tax Capital gains tax (CGT) is the tax you pay on a capital gain. It is not a separate tax, just part of your income tax. The most common way you make a capital gain (or capital loss) is by selling assets such as real estate, shares or managed fund investments. Managed funds also distribute capital gains you must report. You are taxed on your net capital gain at your marginal tax rate. Your net capital gain is: • your total capital gains for the year minus • your total capital losses for the year and any unapplied net capital losses from earlier years minus • any CGT discount and small business CGT concessions to which you are entitled.

Entrepreneurs’ Tax Offset (ETO) If you are a small business entity and have an aggregated turnover of $50 000 or less, then you will be eligible for an ETO of 25% of the tax payable on your business income. The offset phases out when your aggregated turnover is greater than $50 000 and ceases once your turnover reaches $75 000.

Fringe benefits If your employer gives you benefits because of your employment – for example, they provide you with a car – they may have to pay tax on the value of these benefits. This is called fringe benefits tax (FBT). You may need to include the value of any fringe benefits in your income tax return, and for many income tests, such as super co-contributions and some income-tested government benefits. 11

National Events Festivals Guide

May 19-22

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

Events Guide.

Sanctuary Cove’s vibrant waterfront Marine Village will turn into a lively display of luxury for four days during this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. A huge range of world releases will be unveiled whilst offering plenty of entertainment options during the Show including cooking demonstrations, roving musicians, seminars and radio broadcasts - there is something to entertain all ages. Tickets online at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

April 23-29

April

In 2011 the Travel XPOs will send travel bugs into a frenzy in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with exhibitors showcasing dream destinations all around the globe. It will have something for everyone whether it’s an African Safari or simply a weekend family getaway.

2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the first Fremantle-Bali race. The Fremantle to Bali 2011 comprises two races - an ocean rally commencing on 23 April, and a yacht race from 26 April. The racing yachts will sail non-stop to Bali so, depending on the weather, the entire fleet is expected to start crossing the finishing line at Serangen, off Sanur Beach on the south east coast of Bali from 29 April 2011.

April 15-17

April 29 – May 1

ABC Gardening Expo Brisbane

Trading Post Perth Challenge V8 Supercars

April 15-17

Travel Expo

Brisbane’s ABC Gardening Australia Expo returns to Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre offering seasoned green thumbs and aspiring gardeners the very latest how-to advice from Australia’s leading gardening experts. Watch ABC TV’s Gardening Australia team in The Potting Shed as they provide advice and conduct practical and hands-on demonstrations. 12

Freemantle to Bali 2011 Yacht Race

West Australian Motorsport fans are in for a treat with the return of the V8 Supercars racing in the Trading Post Perth Challenge and the strongest line up of motorsport racing in WA’s V8 Supercar history. Will you be cheering on the V8 Superstars Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander or be backing local heroes Dean Fiore and Karl Reindler? Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

National Events Festivals Guide

May

May 14-15

May 19-22

May 8

Lovedale Long Lunch

HIA Sydney Home Show

Mother’s Day Classic

The Lovedale Long Lunch is an annual event, held on the third weekend in May. It is a progressive-type lunch where visitors wine and dine their way around the seven participating wineries over the weekend enjoying a glass of wine, gourmet food, fabulous music and art. This event is a must for all food and wine lovers.

Australia’s premier Home Show returns this May to the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, from Thursday 19 Sunday 22 May 2011. With more than 300 exhibitors with the latest products and services, visitors are sure to leave full of ideas, advice and products to improve their homes and lives.

Since the first event in 1998, the Mother’s Day Classic has raised $7.8 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and created a Mother’s Day tradition that raises awareness about a disease that affects one in nine Australian women. With more than 100,000 people expected to walk or run, the Mother’s Day Classic is now Australia’s largest national charity event, involving communities in seven capital cities and at least 25 metropolitan and regional locations across the country.

May 14

Variety of Chefs Australian celebrity chefs Jared Ingersoll of Danks Street Depot, Astral’s Sean Connolly, Peter Kuruvita of Flying Fish and Darren Simpson of LA Scala on Jersey are set to come together for a night of glamour and fine dining when Variety hosts its third annual Variety of Chefs red carpet dinner on Saturday May 14, 2011 from 6:30pm in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney. w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

May 15

RSPCA Million Paws Walk The 18th Annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk will be held across Australia on Sunday 15 May 2011 and is the big day out for animal lovers! Whether you have pets in your family or not, you are invited to join the pack and walk with tens of thousands of people and pets throughout Australia to help raise vital funds for the RSPCA and the animals in our care. With 20 walk locations throughout QLD - you’ll be sure to find one close to you!

May 20-28

Melbourne International Jazz Festival With more than ninety-five events over eight days and nights, the 2011 Melbourne International Jazz Festival is a true celebration of the riches of jazz. This year it continues its reputation in bringing the finest jazz performers from Australia and all over the world. Aiming to create a program that repeatedly delivers transformative musical experiences that will affirm Melbourne’s significance as an international centre for jazz music. 13

Kids

National Events

Gaga Magic Show April 9 – May 4 Gaga Magic will be bringing the best of Lady Gaga's songs, dancing, singing & lots of fun to all different places around Victoria and Sydney these April 2011 school holidays! Gaga Magic is a visual spectacle - with uncanny LIVE vocals, moves and costumes of the real Lady Gaga. This show will have everybody up and dancing! High energy, amazing dancers, incredible costumes ... It's so Gaga. You're sure to be caught up in the illusion!

Hi5 - Turn the Music Up! April 8 – May 15 Hi-5 has a brand new show called Turn The Music Up! Join the Hi-5 team of Casey, Fely, Lauren, Stevie and Tim, along with Chats as they sing, dance and share a great fun time. If your kids enjoy watching Hi-5 on television they’ll love seeing them in person as they share their favourite songs and dances at this very special concert. More at www.hi-5.com.au

Kids Events. KidsFest Shellharbour Where: Shellharbour City. When: May 15 - 21 KidsFest Shellharbour is a vibrant weeklong annual festival that will take place from 15 – 21 May 2011. Shellharbour City will come alive with activities and events for children 0-12 years of age, celebrating and promoting Shellharbour as a child-friendly City.

Kids’ Cushion Concert Where: West Australian Symphony Orchestra. When: May 4 - 14 Suitable for ages 2-7, EChO Cushion Concerts are an enjoyable, interactive introduction to classical music and the instruments of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO). The 15-piece Education Chamber Orchestra (EChO) will demonstrate its instruments through classical excerpts and familiar songs.

Alice in Wonderland Where: Ballet Theatre of Queensland at QPAC in Brisbane. When: April 19 - 20 Don't be Late for this Very Important Date with Queensland's premier youth ballet company, Ballet Theatre of Queensland at QPAC in Brisbane. Join the dancers in this exciting new production packed with fantasy, humour and pure family entertainment. The magic and mystery of this classic children's book are captured dramatically on stage. Join Alice on her adventures through the nonsensical Wonderland as she follows the White Rabbit into a world of enchantment. 14

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Foreword

Turn over a new leaf A Guide to Australian Etiquette: For All Occasions, From Weddings to Work. Ita Buttrose

ta Buttrose has been an inspiration to generations of Australian women. In the course of her phenomenal media career she has seen how important etiquette is in every aspect of life, from the personal to the professional. Correct etiquette not only ensures that a meal will be pleasant or a wedding will run smoothly, it can also make or break a career. In this handy companion, Ita deals with navigating the manners minefield that sometimes accompanies organising a wedding, arranging a funeral, being the perfect guest at a dinner party, hosting a business lunch, making a speech and travelling (tip: don’t remove your shoes!). Penguin Australia.

Curl up with a paperback as the weather gets cooler, look up a recipe or two, then brush up on your fitness (or manners) rather than settling in to hibernation. This season, there’s a book for all tastes and temperaments. Compiled by Madeline Bone.

Gourmet Sandwiches. Suzanne Blythin

elicate or hearty, sandwiches have enjoyed a resurgence, from High Teas to Picnics, Birthdays and even Dinner Parties. In Gourmet Sandwiches, Suzanne Blythin brings the world of sandwiches to your fingertips, including wraps, rolls, bagels,condiments and accompaniments, the healthy and the wholesome and the little bit naughty. New Holland. RRP $24.95

Burgers. Marian and Peter Kissner

ith over 60 mouthwatering recipes, this tasty tome will inspire you to try these delicious and easy recipes at home. Each recipe has endless possibilities to creating and mastering your own burger. From the barbeque classic, to the spicy Chilli chicken, Marina and Peter’s Burgers is a book that will have you reinventing and experimenting with endless possibilities. Definitely a book to sink your teeth into! New Holland. RRP $24.95

RRP $29.95

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Foreword

Turn over a new leaf Losing the Last 5 Kilos: Your Kick-Arse Guide to Looking & Feeling Fantastic. Michelle Bridges

ose 5 kilos in 30 days. It sounds straightforward Michelle Bridges, Australia’s most successful weight-loss expert shows you it is. Whether your weight has been slowly creeping up over the last few years or you’ve already lost a lot of weight but can’t get any further, this book gives you all the information you need to get back to your perfect size. It includes day-by-day menu plans, with weekly shopping lists, Michelle’s favourite low-cal and filling recipes as well as easy-to-follow, high-intensity exercises, with step-by-step photos. So, set aside 30 days to follow Michelle’s training program and menu plan and watch those last 5 kilos drop off! Penguin Australia.

127 Hours. Aron Ralston

his is a thrilling and impacting autobiography that will leave you with a better outlook on life. The book highlights the courage and bravery shown by mountain climber, Aron Ralston, after spending five days with his right hand trapped against the canyon wall. Aron is left with no choice but to amputate his own hand and wrist with his pocket knife. However his ordeal was just beginning, with blood loss and infection very real, Aron was fighting for his life! Simon & Schuster.

Food you love – that won’t make you fat. Ajay Rochester

ave you been battling with your weight for years, dieting and exercising don’t seem to help? Ajay Rochester will show you how to cook the foods you love, without feeling guilty. With hundreds of recipes, Ajay will have you cooking healthy meals that taste great. You’ll be left feeling lighter and happier, and still get to relish your favourite foods. New Holland. RRP $29.95

RRP $22.99

RRP $29.95

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

SilverScreen

Country Strong.

Just Go with It.

A drama centered on a rising young

In Just Go With It, a comedy

country-music songwriter (Garrett Hedlund) who sparks with a fallen star (Gwyneth Paltrow). As his star rises and she makes a comeback, it leads to romantic complications involving her husband and manager (Tim McGraw) and a beauty queenturned-singer (Leighton Meester). Release date 28 April.

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Win!

To win one of SIX double passes to the movie Just Go With It, email your name and contact information to competition@ imagine.com.au

starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, a plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife in order to cover up a careless lie. The lie about the pretend wife turns into another lie about having kids and things soon spin out of control. Everyone – his fake family and the schoolteacher – head off together for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.

Imagine Galleria

Snazzy snaps Happiest in water and rough terrain, GE’s new waterproof and shockproof camcorder and camera is a compact companion that fears no conditions. It withstands depths of 5 metres and bumps from 1.5 metres. Whether riding the waves, dipping into a pool party or in between a festival crowd, the GE DV1 soaks up its surroundings with more than just snapshots. The GE DV1 shoots video in full high definition (1080p) and captures 5 megapixel photos. www.gecameras.com.au

PERSONALSPACE Quiet comfort No more noisy neighbours or travel companions. Just slip on the QuietComfort® 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones from Bose and shut out the chatter and hum. These compact headphones feature an around-ear design, fold-flat convenience, and power from one AAA battery. Less noise, acclaimed lifelike sound, a fit that stays comfortable for hours and superb Bose quality. www.bose.com.au

High-tech cocooning is all about switching on, or off, hooking up, or hanging up, zoning out, plugging in and most importantly, looking ubercool with the latest in personal communication and entertainment devices. Micro speakers, mega sound Offering the latest in design excellence and uncompromised sound, the Edifier ‘Sound To Go’ is a fully portable micro speaker system which measures small but delivers large. Connecting to the USB port of any laptop or desktop computer, the Edifier ‘Sound To Go’ provides exceptional audio, with far greater performance than any built-in audio solution. www.edifier.com

Kindle 3G The most most-wished-for, mostgifted item on Amazon.com, Kindle is a firm favourite with young and old. Now 15% lighter (it weighs less than a paperback!) with a new, sleek design, built-in Wi-Fi and battery life of one month, the new Kindle 3G has a variety of features that make it the ideal travel, bed or cocooning companion. www.amazon.com

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Galleria

Take a letter The USBTypewriter™ is a new and groundbreaking innovation in the field of obsolescence. Lovers of the look, feel, and quality of old fashioned manual typewriters can now use them as keyboards for any USB-capable computer, such as a PC, Mac, or even iPad! The result is a retro-style USB keyboard that not only looks great, but feels great to use – and what a conversation piece! www.usbtypewriter.com

Switched on to Sony The VAIO YA Series is a stylish and ultra portable notebook. At just 11.6” wide, it’s ideal for travel. It boasts a 1366 x 768 LED backlit display, and Ultra Low Voltage Intel® Core™ i3 processor, offering fast and smooth operation on everyday tasks, plus an isolated and recessed keyboard for easier and quicker typing. Also from Sony, the DAB Portable clock radio, with its sleek wooden retro styling. This Digital DAB/FM Tuner with 20 preset stations has a timer, Stereo Speakers 1.6W RMS and LCD Display. www.sony.com.au

Coolest cooler From those clever designers at Dyson come two new Dyson Air Multiplier™ fans: the AM02 Tower and AM03 Pedestal – both bladeless and superbly crafted. Ideal for larger spaces, the floor standing machines produce a greater airflow with no buffeting, and no fast spinning blades or awkward grilles, so they are safe and easy to clean. And with the efficient brushless motor located in their base, keeping the centre of gravity low, they are sturdy as well. www.dyson.com.au

iPad 2 Just one year after the launch of the original, the second generation iPad is on the market. The iPad 2 has a faster processor than the original iPad and comes with two cameras for taking photos and video chatting. The iPad 2 is also thinner, 8.8 millimeters instead of the current 13.4 millimeters. Apple also launched a new accessory for the iPad that will let people connect the tablet to high-definition televisions, so they can watch videos up to 1080p in resolution on the bigger screen. Jobs’ wonders will never cease! www.apple.com/au/ipad

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Imagine Feature

SpaceAce

Sir Richard Branson is fuelling the world’s next space race. This time around the prize is the hearts and imaginations of consumer travellers – and their $250,000 for the ticket. Story By Jeni Bone

“A

bove and Beyond” is the corporate motto for Spencer Travel, the first travel agency in Australia to sell a fully paid ticket to space. That was way back in 2007, and the ticket holder is guaranteed to be among the first 100 to experience outer space travel, but as Tina Killeen from Spencer Travel explains: “The wait is no issue to people who are interested in being the first space tourists. They have been dreaming about it all their lives.”

It’s true. Since Neil Armstrong uttered those immortal words, accompanied by grainy footage from the Moon landing beamed to the world’s millions in their homes and gathered around TV store windows in 1969, a large slice of the population has been waiting for their own chance to rocket into orbit. Among those at the time, dizzy with awe at the bravery of the NASA astronauts was a gingerhaired 19-year-old from London. Young Richard Branson, already a media magnate of sorts with his own magazine called ‘Student’ and Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

plans for a record mail-order business, watched the moon landings on TV with his parents, brother and sisters and determined that he too will one day experience the wonder of space travel. In 1995, as the 212th richest person the world with his wealth and expertise built from expanding the Virgin empire to more than 400 companies, while waiting for ideal weather conditions to attempt a hot air balloon circumnavigation record, Sir Richard Branson engages in a chat with legendary astronaut, Buzz Aldrin. They discuss the challenges involved in building a commercial manned space launch system. Both agree that to launch w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Space Ace

e Imagine Exclusiv

a spaceship from the air rather than the ground in much the same way as the US X15 project, could overcome some of the safety and cost issues. The Virgin Galactic name is registered in 1999 and the search begins for suitable whizz to build the craft to take tourists into space. Aerospace engineer, Burt Rutan, who Sir Richard has engaged to plan the building of the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an all carbon composite plane designed for Steve Fossett to circumnavigate the globe non-stop on a single tank of fuel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has also designed an air-launched space plane named SpaceShipOne. The project, 21

Imagine Feature

“It’s incredible to think only 450 people have ever been into space. This represents the chance for our ever-growing group of future astronauts and other scientists to see our world in a completely new light.”

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Space Ace

financed by Microsoft co-founder, is found to be the technology they have been looking for. Rutan has since designed and built Virgin Galactic’s mothership and spacecraft. And, following a series of successful trials on SpaceShipTwo and its carrier plane WhiteKnightTwo, according to the space tourism pioneer, there are people lined up to be among the first to space tourists, travelling three times the speed of sound to drift weightlessly into black, endless space. Spencer Travel is one of 11 accredited agents in Australia selling tickets to the dream for Virgin Galactic. And while Tina says the deadline is approaching, nobody can say for sure when take-off will be scheduled. “There is no hurry,” she says. “This is not a race. Sir Richard Branson is focused on the safety aspect above all.” Spencer Travel joined the international throng of agents keen to enlist as official partners in Virgin Galactic’s w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

vision. They made their submission, were visited by the VG team and put through various interviews before being selected. “It’s amazing! We have been onboard since they started. We are proud to be able to offer people a bus ticket or a ticket to outer space.” Tina, who has been involved from the start and attended every milestone, announcement, unveiling and flight test in the US since the program was launched in 2006, would love to among the numbers, given half a chance and a quarter of a million dollars. “Of course I would jump at it in a second. There’s the mystique of space travel, zero gravity, the curvature of the earth, the sky turning from blue to black. People have spent 40 years wishing they could go to space.” It is believed that more than 400 people worldwide have already put down at least $20,000 to secure their seats. “It’s backed by a smart team,” continues Tina. “Burt Rutan and Sir Richard

Branson are behind it committed to its success. It can’t fail.” After rigorous testing in the New Mexico desert in the US, Virgin Galactic achieved its first manned glide flight late last year. “Now people are hearing more about it and realising it’s going to happen, sometime soon. It was an experience money couldn’t buy before, or at least was only available to multimillionaires who could pay to train and go on a shuttle mission or visit a space station. But now, it will be more accessible to more people.” Tina says she expects prices will drop when it becomes more established. The experience is likely to involve three days training before the actual flight, which will operate out of New Mexico in the US. The space ship is attached to carrier aircraft, and travels for about 45 minutes like a normal plane. At about 16,000 metres, the rockets ignite, hurtling the spaceship forward at supersonic speed, before switching off. Passengers will then experience four to five minutes of weightlessness, floating around the cabin. 23

Imagine Feature

Stats & Facts: Virgin Galactic is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (VSS Enterprise) and Mothership (VMS Eve) are both being developed for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design but are being built to carry six customers on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat zero gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space. The VSS Enterprise test flight program will continue through 2011, prior to commercial operations, which will be based at Virgin Galactic’s new headquarters at Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Re-entry is guided by gravity and the craft glides back into New Mexico. The US$212 million commercial spaceport, known as Spaceport America, was recently completed and dedicated in New Mexico. In attendance were New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and 30 of the 380 Virgin Galactic future astronauts along with guests from around the world, all of whom watched a flyover and landing by Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, in a captive carry with SpaceShipTwo. The spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles. The state-of-theart launch facility is under construction near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is expected to become fully operational in 2011. Virgin Galactic will be just one of several global aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, MoogFTS, Armadillo Aerospace, and UP Aerospace all of whom are eager to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility. “We are celebrating the world’s first spaceway at the world’s first purposebuilt, commercial spaceport,” said 24

Governor Richardson. “New Mexico is not only helping to launch the commercial spaceflight industry, but we are launching new jobs and opportunities for the people of southern New Mexico. Today marks a significant milestone on our historic and exciting journey.”  Sir Richard Branson, the co-founder and chief proponent of the project said the dedication brought the dream one step closer to reality for him. “The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in Virgin Galactic’s development. Our spaceship is flying beautifully and will soon be making powered flights,

There is no hurry. This is not a race. Sir Richard Branson is focused on the safety aspect above all. Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Space Ace

propelled by our new hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program. The investment deal with our new partners, Aabar has successfully closed, securing funding for the remainder of the development program and we are seeing unprecedented numbers of people coming forward to secure their own reservations for this incredible experience.” Sir Richard has lost none of that 19-year-old’s wideeyed zest. Speaking about the reality of propelling fare-paying people into space, he waxed lyrical: “It's incredible to think only 450 people have ever been into space. This represents the chance for our ever-growing group of future astronauts and other scientists to see our world in a completely new light. “I know there are literally thousands of people who would love to go to space, to be able to look out the window, to marvel at the beautiful Earth.” For more about the Virgin Galactic fleet, technology and the space experience visit www.virgingalactic.com

Stop Press: As Imagine goes to print, Virgin Galactic has signed a contract with the Southwest Research Institute, the world’s first such agreement to fly scientists into space (over 100 kilometres or 328,000 feet above the Earth), enabling valuable microgravity, biology, climate and astronomy research. SwRI has made full deposits for two researchers to fly on Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft, with the intent to make similar arrangements for an additional six seats for a total value of US$1.6m. George Whitesides, President and CEO of Virgin Galactic said: “This agreement signals the enormous scientific potential of the Virgin spaceflight system. Virgin Galactic will be able to offer researchers flights to space that are unprecedented in frequency and cost. Science flights will be an important growth area for the company in the years to come, building on the strong commercial success already demonstrated by deposits received from over 400 individuals for Virgin’s space experience.”

To buy your ticket visit www.spacetickets.com.au

Sir Richard Branson and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson at Spaceport America Runway dedication. Photo by Jeffrey Vock

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Imagine Feature

Buying property through Superannuation. Benefits & Pitfalls. Borrowing to acquire property could be a good option to consider for SMSFs. By Samantha Tannous

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Superannuation

elf Managed Superannuation Funds, or SMSFs are now the largest and fastest-growing segment of the super industry, according the Commissioner of Taxation, Michael D’Ascenzo in June last year. There are more than 830,000 Australians with a SMSF, with a total of $400 billion invested of the $1.3 trillion super sector. While there are strict rules and regulations covering this DIY form of super – and anyone with a SMSF will tell you that you need to consider the personal responsibility beyond the assistance of your financial planners and accountants – there are also myriad options for investment beyond cash and shares that might appeal. Property is now easier to invest in for a SMSF, and in the right circumstances, gearing could be an excellent strategy for increasing wealth through property, says Bob Kolevski. Kolevski, a Partner of the North Sydney accounting firm Barnes Dowell James and financial advisor at BDJ Financial Services, explains changes to the SMSF borrowing regulations in recent years mean Trustees can now consider direct property as part of the fund’s overall investment strategy. Through gearing, commercial property, and even residential property in some cases, can become part of a retirement strategy for Trustees, providing exposure to the property market sooner than otherwise possible. “Most of the major banks will now generally lend a SMSF up to 65% of the capital required to purchase a commercial property,” explains Kolevski. “In many cases, the fund’s investment strategy calls for the accelerated repayment of the loan, using SG and additional concessional contributions to retire the debt in a timeframe appropriate to the member’s retirement and overall investment strategy.” When your SMSF borrows to invest in property, a special type of trust – called an Asset Acquisition Trust or a “Bare”

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Trust– is set up to hold the asset on behalf of the SMSF while there is debt on the property. By using the fund’s cash as a deposit, the balance of the purchase is funded via a Limited Recourse Loan. This type of loan means the lender can accept only the property as security. The lender has no recourse against the other assets of the fund or the members, which is why most banks require a principle and interest style loan rather than interest only terms. “From a planning perspective, Trustees need to consider carefully the implications of a geared property strategy on the fund’s investment strategy and the fund’s ability to provide retirement benefits at the required time,” says Kolevski. “Inevitably, younger members may need

In addition, insurance requirements need to be carefully considered, warns Kolevski, to cover the implications of the death or total and permanent disability of one or more members, especially in cases where the tenant of the property is also a fund member or an associated entity. There are several potential benefits of buying property through your super. If the Trustees believe the property is a good investment proposition that has the potential to provide capital growth, gearing allows the acquisition to take place now rather than in future years. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) savings could also be significant. By purchasing the property in accumulation phase and selling in pension phase (after age 55), no CGT is payable by the fund. Importantly, the SMSF may combine

A pitfall to consider is the restrictions on the further use of the property. The property must be for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits. to contribute a much larger proportion of the fund’s capital to meet the deposit requirements. This has implications on the fund’s investment strategy in terms of diversification, illiquidity, and investment risk associated with the concentration of retirement savings in one asset class. With careful planning however, this can be overcome to ensure the fund is well diversified over time and that the members are not over-reliant on the property to provide retirement benefits.” A pitfall to consider is the restrictions on the further use of the property. The property must be for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits. Even after the loan is paid off, the property cannot be offered as security for any other loans required by the business such as overdrafts etc. This is a major consideration that may dictate whether the property is purchased via superannuation or outside.

the superannuation assets of up to four members to enable such a purchase faster than any individual could do. In February this year, the industry body SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia (SPAA) and Russell Investments released their first study, “Intimate with Self-managed Superannuation” which had some surprising results. SMSFs are out-performing the large super funds by an average of 1.8 points, with the big funds reporting an average rate of return of 8.9% and SMSFs 10.7%. The report also shows a low appetite for borrowing to invest with three in four respondents saying they have not used, and do not intend to use, the new borrowing rules. Advisors, on the other hand, can clearly see the upside to this strategy with two in five respondents saying they have provided this type of advice to their clients. The report suggests that the stringent rules around

Imagine Feature

borrowing may be putting some SMSF trustees off, however the survey didn’t cover that topic in detail. Despite the reticence, Kolevski provides three compelling case studies that BDJ Financial Services has shared with its clients. The case studies provide examples of how the purchase of property through superannuation could work for some Trustees.

Case Study 1 Transfer of Existing Business Real Property. [author: BDJ Financial Services]

ohn and Mary, both aged 52, run a successful small business that employs a number of staff. Five years ago, John and Mary purchased their office premises in their own names using a deposit of $200,000 and an interest only loan of $500,000. Their loan to value ratio (LVR) was 71% which was acceptable to the bank at the time. They took out a five year fixed rate interest only loan to fund the purchase. The rent their company pays to John and Mary is around $80,000 per annum. The five year loan recently matured and the bank reviewed the loan, asking for new valuations. As a result of the GFC, a downturn in the property market, and a change in lending practices by their bank, the property was re-valued down to $600,000, representing a LVR of 83%. As this breached the bank’s new LVR limit of 65%, the client was asked to contribute around $110,000 in cash to reduce the loan to $390,000 or 65% of the current value, which required them to draw down from their home loan. John and Mary also have a self managed superannuation fund with total assets of around $800,000, including $400,000 in cash. Some time later, John and Mary sold the property to the SMSF at fair market value ($600,000). The SMSF used $300,000 of its available cash and borrowed the additional $300,000 under the limited recourse borrowing rules. The remaining personal debt was repaid as a result and no Capital Gains Tax was payable as a result of the small business concessions (these may not always be available). The new gearing level in the SMSF is around 50%, meaning that the $80,000 28

per year rent would comfortably cover the principle and interest payments on the fund’s loan. Cashflow modeling showed that along with the rent, and the allocation of some of the future contributions to the fund, the SMSF could pay off the 15-year loan within a period of six to seven years. The long-term advantages of this strategy include: 1. Rent is tax deductible to the trading company (30% tax benefit) and subject to 15% tax in the fund. 2. When the fund converts to pension phase (after age 55), the rent will be tax free to the SMSF. 3. Upon the eventual sale of the property, any capital gains will be tax free if sold after age 55 and in pension phase. 4. A sset protection – by placing the property in the SMSF environment, it is generally protected from creditors.

Case Study 2 Purchase of Business Property. [author: BDJ Financial Services]

om and David (aged 49 and 51 respectively) run an IT business through a company. They currently pay $60,000 per year in rent and are about to have their rent increased following a review. They jointly run a SMSF that has $400,000 in cash and $200,000 in Australian shares and other investments. They find a property not far from their current premises for $600,000 they wish to buy as they believe the property will provide strong capital growth. They could buy the property in their own names, however their bank requires a deposit of $210,000 plus stamp duty costs which they simply cannot raise. Instead, they consider using their SMSF’s cash to place a deposit of $300,000 and borrow $300,000 under the limited recourse borrowing rules. With a 50% gearing level, the $60,000 they were previously paying in rent would be more than sufficient to cover principle and interest repayments on a 15 year loan. Using some of their company SG contributions and other concessional contributions, the loan could be repaid within a much shorter time frame.

Case Study 3 Purchase of Residential Property. [author: BDJ Financial Services]

urchase of residential property is also possible using SMSF capital. In practice, it is harder to achieve because rental yields are generally much lower compared to commercial property. However, with careful cashflow planning, sufficient capital in the fund and conservative levels of debt, this may prove an excellent strategy to consider. Susan (46) and Bill (45) are self employed Architects running their business through a Partnership. They have several investment properties aside from their home and feel strongly that property is the asset class that will provide them with good capital growth. They have a SMSF with assets of $1,000,000, of which $400,000 is invested in cash, the rest is invested in shares. They have been saving the cash in the fund to buy a property for $600,000, which should buy them a 2 or 3 bedroom unit in the inner metro area with rental income of around $2,500 per month. Using the $400,000 as a deposit and borrowing $200,000 on a 15 year principle and interest loan, the rental income is sufficient to cover the loan repayments. With other property costs such as rates, strata levies etc, the property is essentially self funding. With additional contributions made to the fund, the loan could be repaid at a faster rate. In any event, the objective of the purchase is capital growth, so gearing allowed the purchase to take place now (rather than having to wait until enough cash was accumulated), thus providing greater exposure to the property market at an earlier stage. www.imagineyourlifestyle.com.au

Bob Kolevski is a Sub Authorised Representative 244977 of Belgrave Computer Services (T/A BDJ Financial Services) Corporate Authorised Representative 354345 of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd. AFSL 234951|ABN 11 074 608 558 Disclaimer: The case studies above are intended to provide an illustration of how a geared strategy could operate and are general in nature. They are not intended to be taken as advice. Trustees are advised to seek advice from an accountant and financial planner in relation to any property purchase via superannuation.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Are you getting the right financial advice on superannuation, investments and life insurance? Your financial future is a serious issue that requires the expertise and skill of a professional. Someone who is committed to providing the right quality advice.

Professional Investment Services Making sure you are ok! Speak to one of our financial advisers today:

1300 273 865

www.areuok.com.au | www.profinvest.com.au Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd | ABN 11 074 608 558 | AFSL 234951

Imagine Feature 30

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Kate Mulligan will tell you there is no such thing as a “boys’ club” these days in the rarefied realm of funds management and wider domain of finance. But she does acknowledge that while credentials are important, day to day hard work – and sometimes working harder than the rest – are vital. Story by Jeni Bone

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

ate began her own journey via a Law degree, rising in the ranks to Senior Solicitor specializing in funds management law, before turning down partnership in preference to “moving to the other side”. After several roles in funds management, including three years running Advance Asset Management, St George’s funds management arm, she was head hunted by Professional Investment Services’ Robbie Bennetts to head up All Star Funds as a kind of “manager hunter” herself. “I was sought after for my creative thinking, not just nuts and bolts approach. You have to have a gut instinct, as well as strong technical knowledge. You have to always ask yourself – will this add real value to our clients’ investment portfolios?” That was four years ago, and since then, All Star has brought onboard just four Funds – something Kate is proud of and which she says stands testament to the ethos “If we can’t see through it, we won’t do it”. All Star Funds was established in July 2007 to provide retail, “mum and

All Star Funds

when all stars align.

dad”, clients access to some of the world’s leading investment managers, those usually reserved for institutional investors. “These managers are like bespoke tailors. Their sole focus is to manage money. Despite being approached by and investigating nearly 200 per year, we find very few meet our parameters,” explains Kate. The birth of All Star could be considered serendipitous. July 2007 was the month cracks began to appear in investment markets as a result of the US sub-prime mortgage practices. While the next three years were turbulent for investors, the managers acting on behalf of investors in All Star have performed in an exemplary manner. All Star currently has four Funds on offer with a view to increase to 10 to 12 over time. “We are in no rush and prefer to make the right investment decisions, not hasty decisions. Those we have now, must add real value to investors in terms of returns that are a good amount above benchmark.” The four Funds and their investment managers are: All Star IAM Australian Share Fund (Investment Manager: Independent Asset Management); All 31

Imagine Feature

when all stars align. Star KFM Income Fund (Investment Manager: Kaplan Funds Management); All Star Nomura China Fund (Investment Manager: Nomura Asset Management) and All Star MapleBrown Abbott Listed Property Fund (Investment Manager: Maple-Brown Abbott). According to Kate, before engaging a single investment manager to run the assets of each Fund, “All Star undertakes considerable and robust review of the market and the investment managers”. “Key to this research, are four, non-negotiables: An active approach to investment opportunities; An investment process that allows consistent out-performance through multiple market cycles; A proven track record with a focus on Risk Management; and a highly experienced and stable team of investment professionals. “Using superior manager selection methods we identify, package and distribute a diverse range of quality investment products to meet, in part, the investment needs of Australian retail investors.” Those products have to have simplicity and transparency, Kate adds. “We have to fully understand the risks and intricacies. When they’re packaged in to managed funds, they have to flow

After years of leading teams at large institutions, Matthews sought the freedom to do what really drives him: managing share portfolios in an unfettered environment. The core of the IAM team of 6 fund managers has been together for 15 years and is currently managing $2bn of client mandates, and to its credit, intends to fortify and maintain its boutique culture by capping funds under management at $3bn and capping the number of large clients. This Fund utilises a combination of macro economic themes and bottom-up stock selection in creating an actively managed, high conviction, portfolio of equity securities listed in Australia. The portfolio will generally hold 60-80 securities with a bias to larger companies, with cash holdings up to 10% of the portfolio. Matthews took the best aspects of the investment philosophies in his previous positions to set up a high performance culture at IAM. He has built a team of highly experienced fund managers with incentives and responsibility for their performance and the flexibility to move quickly. IAM also has a resources fund and a small companies fund. The fund managers all have 30 years experience and each is responsible for investment decisions in their fund, while working within a team environment. This means Matthews can devote all his time to managing the share funds for a dedicated group of 10 wholesale clients – including several government funds, industry funds and a large corporate super fund, as well as All Star. To keep IAM focused on managing performance, rather than selling product, IAM doesn’t employ any sales staff and is not directly available to retail clients other than through an exclusive retail arrangement with All Star. Stats, rankings and returns aside, Kate is certain investors are as content as she is with the performance of the All Star Funds Managers. “The feedback we receive, emails from investors, invariably say what a good job our managers are doing. We treat investors as stakeholders and they are happy investors. They understand the products, have faith in our methods and tell us they are delighted.” Next in the pipeline is something that makes Kate and the All Star team truly excited – a new product, but not just a garden variety, a category-breaking innovation. “We are planning to launch a Capital Protection product that took two years to develop, around mid-year. It will suit those investors who are not in the market at the moment because they are nervous. We are really excited! We wouldn’t bring it into the market unless we understood it to the nth degree, and that it will satisfy investor expectations.” iyl

“We are in no rush and prefer to make the right investment decisions, not hasty decisions. Those we have now, must add real value to investors in terms of returns that are a good amount above benchmark.” through and be consistent with what the manager and the assets they are managing are doing beneath them.” Kate believes diversity and an emphasis on “different thinking” are crucial. “On any executive team, I prefer to have diversity of gender, race, age and background. Saying that, I do find that the concept of ‘grey hair’ is important. There is no substitute for experience. I don’t want people to learn by their mistakes in All Star. They need to have seen and survived the tech wreck, recessions, GFC and acquired an admirable track record through all kinds of markets and conditions. “All our funds managers have more than 10 years in practice – a few of them more than 25.” One of those – one of the first two Funds Manager onboard – is IAM, established in 2001 by Greg Matthews and considered among the highest achieving in the industry. IAM is a boutique Australian Equity fund manager and Matthews himself has forged a formidable reputation, topping Australian share fund rankings consistently year after year. After joining the investment industry in 1979 as an analyst with Prudential, Matthews went on to work at senior levels in stock broking in Australia and the US as Head of Industrial Research and Research Sales Director with Merrill Lynch and Ord Minnett. He was Australia’s top performing equities manager at ING (Mercantile Mutual) and was Chief Investment Officer and Joint Head of Funds Management at Macquarie Bank. 32

www.allstarfunds.com.au Information contained in this article is of a general nature only. It is not intended as advice, as it does not take into account individual objectives, financial situations or needs. Before acting on this article, you should obtain advice from a licensed adviser. Investment can only be made on an application form attached to the PDS dated 2 October 2009 as issued by Ventura Investment Management Limited ACN 092 375 258, AFSL 253 045 as the responsible entity of the Funds. Copies of the PDS are available from Ventura. Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

MLC0335/I

MLC. With you on life’s journey.

MLC can help you grow your wealth and protect you from life’s uncertainties, just as we’ve been working with Australian families for 120 years. So ask your financial adviser about how MLC’s investment, personal insurance and superannuation solutions can help you achieve your goals.

Investment

| Personal Insurance | Superannuation

Financial Planning

Linda Timms, Gail Havig and Lance Meikle.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Gail Havig

Postponing investing in a nest egg until her 60s, Gail Havig is testament to the adage “it’s never too late” to take financial control.

y any definition, Gail Havig is a pioneer. She was working in property sales in Brisbane in the 80s, when very few women were in upper echelons of business and even fewer held senior roles in real estate. Despite that being a mere 30 years ago, Gail recalls a Brisbane that was decidedly ‘boys’ club’. “It was not a woman’s game then,” she recounts. “Men wouldn’t buy homes from a woman. But I loved it. I found a niche in the early 80s with divorcees who were more comfortable dealing with a lady. I also helped a lot of women get in to

Better late than never. Gail Havig owes her comfy semiretirement to her duo of experts. the industry by employing them and offering them flexible office hours, because I understood about picking up children from school and other family commitments. And they in turn, were grateful and worked very hard.” Gail and her husband raised their children, while she carved a very substantial career at the pinnacle of her field. Covering Brisbane’s northern blue-chip suburbs, the prosperous, pretty Hamilton, Ascot and Clayfield, Gail’s agency, Havig & Jackson, has always specialised in a customised approach to the sale of multi-million dollar homes. “There was plenty of money. The commissions were good and the market was booming during that time, but we always put it back in to the business,” says Gail, who admits she was also a very generous boss who enthusiastically supported charities, community activities and staff celebrations and incentives. It wasn’t until she was in her mid-60s, with no thought of slowing down or retirement date in mind, that the first opportunity arose to ponder life beyond the daily grind of owning and running a business. “It was a spur of the moment occurrence,” says Gail. “I had a client from the UK who was looking to buy a property, but told me he had to buy a w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Financial Planning

business in Australia in order to secure the migration he wanted. I said ‘why not mine?’ It was a very good business, privately owned and well established. Two hours later, we were discussing the details and that afternoon, I sold the business.” Handing over the mantle of Principal, Gail moved in to the role of Sales Manager and relished the ability to be able to focus on marketing clients’ properties, rather than juggling the minutiae of management. It wasn’t until she had a ‘deep and meaningful’ with her Accountant, Linda Timms, that Gail was compelled to think about superannuation and putting something away for later life. “Linda, who I had known socially, really gave me a lecture. I was spending too much with no thought about superannuation or the future,” Gail acknowledges. “I thought I was infallible, that I would work forever. But meeting with Linda roused my interest in superannuation and the need for my money to be managed, and for it to be

“I could have ended up saying ‘I should have’ or ‘if only’, but I engaged the experts. I owe them mine and my family’s welfare.” working harder for me.” Through Linda, Gail came to meet Lance Meikle, principal at Sothertons Financial Solutions in Brisbane. “When Linda started working with Gail, she had zero in her super-fund,” says Lance. “She was making a good income, owned a beautiful home, but had no thought to retirement. Linda persevered with Gail to get her to put money away over five years. Then I came in on the tail end as a Certified Financial Planner and took the nest egg to make it grow for her future.” In theory, that all sounds a simple, effective solution, but the reality was a very different story. “When I stared in January 2009, it was the depths of the GFC. The financial crisis had reached the bottom and it was

ugly. Everybody thought the world would come to an end. For Gail to entrust me with her nest egg, which was quite substantial by that stage, was a large leap of faith.” Lance, a Fee for Advice Planner, said this alone contributed to putting Gail’s mind at rest. “I have no vested interest and Gail took comfort in that.” For an annual fee, Gail has Lance’s advice and services “on tap, 24/7, 365 days, global, seamless”, as is Sothertons’ motto. “She can call me any time. We have a quarterly meeting and an annual review. Our client liaison is web-based so the client determines the type and amount of communication.” Lance likes to portray his role as “head coach”. “A client’s team of experts report to me.” With just 60 clients, Lance can offer this holistic, thorough, client-focused model. Since 2009, with a portfolio of managed funds, shares and other investments, Gail has been extremely satisfied with her team. “The returns, results and comfort that Gail has with me as planner, PIS as Licensee and her Accountant, Linda is priceless. Gail frequently says somebody must have been looking after her to send this team to work with her.” Still busy, personally handling a maximum of three to five properties at any one time, Gail says one of the best attributes of the Linda-Lance combination was that they were prepared to come to her, to fit in her irregular schedule around open houses, client meetings and appointments – as well as a newly invigorated social life. “It has become a great relationship,” asserts Gail. “Every quarter, Linda and Lance come to visit, with full reports, personal attention, and I can call them

as often as I like with questions or any updates.” “I still work because I enjoy it. The commissions are good and I only work on three to five properties at a time. But now I have a nest egg and income.” Cosily ensconced in a riverfront apartment in her preferred enclave of Hamilton, Gail and her husband are enjoying a new phase of their lives. “I am trying to lead a more social life. We have stunning river and city views – they are entertainment in themselves. We watch the River Cats and the working boats, the city lights and sunsets.” As well as peace of mind, Gail has the assurance that her very productive working life has not all been in vain. “I suppose I am the prime example of the saying it’s better late than never. Looking back, I see how fortunate I am to have met Linda and Lance. I could have ended up saying ‘I should have’ or ‘if only’, but I engaged the experts, who applied their wisdom and to a great extent, I owe them mine and my family’s welfare. iyl www.sothertons.com.au

Lance Meikle is a Sub Authorised Representative 296207 of Sothertons Financial Solutions Corporate Authorised Representative 341180 of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd. AFSL 234951|ABN 11 074 608 558

This communication has been prepared on a general advice basis only. The information has not been prepared to take into account your specific objectives, needs and financial situation. The information may not be appropriate to your individual needs and you should seek advice from your financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

We’ll mirror the RBA cash rate. Macquarie Cash Management Account

Interest rates have risen recently and we want you to make the most of it. That’s why we are offering you a decidedly unambiguous rate on Macquarie’s Cash Management Account: we’ll mirror the RBA cash rate until March 2012, updating the rate within one week of any change*.

Macquarie has been a leader in cash management for three decades. The next generation cash hub, Macquarie’s Cash Management Account (CMA) comes with an impressive range of benefits. For a start, there’s the competitive rate of return. Then there’s the market-leading functionality, visibility, reporting, and of course personalised service.

Speak to your financial adviser, call Macquarie on 1800 501 562 or visit macquarie.com.au/cma to find out more.

* For the current rate see macquarie.com.au/cashflow or call 1800 501 562. The Macquarie Cash Management Account (CMA) interest rate is variable and subject to change without notice. Macquarie Group is regulated by APRA, the Australian banking regulator, as the holding company of an Australian bank (Macquarie Bank Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Group). Macquarie Bank Limited has been a licensed bank since 1985. Macquarie Bank Limited is an authorised deposit taker under the Australian Banking Act 1959. The Macquarie CMA is offered by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542, AFSL 237 502. This information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, in deciding whether to acquire or continue to hold an investment in the above product, you should consider the relevant offer document, which is available from us. CMA_IMAGINEFP_01

Financial Planning

Building a relationship and getting to know the client is one of the most important functions of a financial planner, since, until we can empathise with our client’s situation it would be almost impossible to ensure full understanding of their financial needs and goals which leads to creating the correct plan for realisation of those ambitions.

ow to actually ‘look after’ the client is a vital role of the financial planner that can sometimes become lost amongst technical phrasing, product disclosure statements and legislative requirements and is easily put aside by many new advisers to our industry. As a long standing adviser within Professional Investment Services, as well as State Director of the Association of Financial Advisers, I have the opportunity to meet many advisers and have seen a transition from the salespeople of the past to a new breed of technical whiz-kids of today. Don’t get me wrong, the complexities of superannuation, investment management, tax and estate planning, insurance strategies

The comfort factor. The importance of the client-adviser relationship.

Marc Bineham.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

is on their side personally as well as financially. Obviously we can only assist on the financial side; however, a personal relationship involving understanding our clients better can create a satisfactory level of comfort for all. Recently, I attended a talk where the presenter (not from our industry) spoke of his experiences with two financial advisers. The first adviser after asking all the required questions on his ‘Fact Find’ said that while he would provide a Statement of Advice (report) he also

This was his immediate financial planning motivation – something the first adviser had not taken the time to find out and as a result had no personal relationship with the potential client and therefore no business. Also of interest was that the second adviser returned with the Statement of Advice with a cover featuring the Inca temples ensuring the client was fully aware of the advisers level of understanding of both his short and long term financial goals and what really mattered to him. As advisers we are aware that,

Marc Bineham

to name but a few, have made it a far different landscape from that of 20 years ago. Our clients still expect full service from a financial planner, which involves bringing all types of skill and expertise to the management of their portfolios. What, understandably, is also expected is a level of empathy, trust and comfort which can only be gained by the planner having taken the time and effort to get to know and understand each individual client. Based on recent independent research, an adviser who takes the time to educate as well as advise, empathises with various client situations and most importantly keeps in regular contact with clients was rated higher than the importance of the return received or in which fund the money has been invested. This was highlighted by the Global Financial Crisis. When interest rates and account balances plunged, advisers who did not have a relationship with their client, apart from where the funds had been invested, really struggled. The advisers who stayed in regular communication with their clients during this horrendous time could understand and sympathise with the emotions clients were experiencing which translated, more importantly, into assistance of their clients understanding of the situation and that it would not last forever, that interest rates would bounce back and account balances would grow again, handled this situation better than most for their clients. On reading much of the literature on the topic of building client relations it is possible to notice a common thread running through the text. It suggests that for example the initial meeting between client and adviser will establish the level of trust and comfort the client has regarding the adviser’s handling of their financial affairs. These choices can become an emotional experience for the client as the creation of a financial future is a major decision in their life, therefore, as advisers on completing the Fact Find to collect the potential client’s financial information during the initial meeting, it is essential to remember that it is not just about the numbers. Clients need to be asked what they are passionate about, what keeps them up at night with worry, we just need to try to understand what makes them tick. Only then does a client feel the adviser

“Advisers who can create a relationship of mutual trust, comfort and providing that personal touch will always be in demand.” commented that as a quick initial summary the adviser would suggest the goal would be to pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible and then create a savings plan to reach the necessary retirement target. The presenter of the speech did not feel remotely connected with this adviser and pointed out that he had been asked nothing of what his real goals were. The second adviser took a different approach and after the ‘Fact Find’ he asked questions of a personal nature regarding drives, motivations and more immediate goals and ambitions. This was more like what the presenter had hoped for and allowed him the opportunity to explain that whilst he was working exceptionally long hours, his wife needed to support him and therefore had to make some sacrifices especially while looking after their young child. He explained his aim was to have enough funds saved so that in a few years he could treat his wife to a first class trip to South America to see the Inca temples, a grand dream of hers.

particularly since the GFC, investors are far more knowledgeable and informed and therefore take greater interest in their own affairs, such as where their money is invested and the associated fees and charges, and we are continuously noting more and more internet and direct discount brokers appearing. This should not concern advisers unduly as it is important to remember there are only twenty-four hours in a day and many a busy professional working long hours with a family and all its needs may invariably prefer not to have the micro-management of their financial affairs as another duty but to outsource these matters. Advisers who can demonstrate to their clients the value of the service provided by financial planners by not only providing the technical knowhow expected, but to also create a relationship of mutual trust, comfort and providing that personal touch will always be in demand. iyl

Marc Bineham Managing Director Noall & Co. Mark started in the financial planning industry in 1987 and has built his business to over 1,400 clients and 3,000 corporate superannuation members, with a staff of 12, including five advisers assisting these clients on both insurance, superannuation and investment management in Australia and Asia. www.noallco.com.au Marc Bineham Authorised Representative 244670 of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd. AFSL 234951|ABN 11 074 608 558

Imagine Profile

100 One life to lead,

. o d o t s thing

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Sebastian Terry

It’s not bravery, or luck, just taking the step. It’s a mindset.

Sebastian Terry, 28 has spent much of the last two years far away from his Sydney home, undertaking and ticking off his 100 things to do “Bucket List”, objectives that have taken him around the world and back.

ebastian was inspired to chuck it in and follow his dreams after the death of a close friend. As he explains, his priorities changed and he set off to chase a notional list of goals as diverse as visiting a prisoner on death row, hitchhiking across America, presenting the weather on Canadian TV and breaking a Guinness World Record. As this was being written, Sebastian and his buddy Andy were riding scooters across the Nullabor from Perth to Melbourne, taking seven days to cover the 3,500km, tootling along at 85km. “I can tell you, once you’re over the hills outside Perth, it’s desolate,” he recounts. “There’s a stretch of road that is 146km and it’s dead straight. We broke down on that road, in the rain at 9pm, and we had to sort ourselves out.” But, while being flat, dry and without vegetation for much of the trip, it was never boring. “The scenery is w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

unbelievable: desert, sand, green in places, mountainous, a lot of variety. But after seven days, I was never so happy to see a city as when Melbourne skyline came in to view. Doing that ride makes you realise how big Australia is.” Raising money for Camp Quality is Sebastian’s overriding objective. Number four on his 100Things list is to raise $100,000 for the kids’ charity. “And I just signed a book deal, which is due out at Christmas, so I will give a percentage of that to Camp Quality as well. I have no doubt we will raise well over $100,000.” Sebastian is as surprised as any that he has parlayed his “rush of blood to the head” idea into full-time occupation. As well as undertaking his List, which seems to grow every day thanks to contributions from his many Facebook fans and followers and his blog, he is in demand on the public speaking circuit. “It’s creating its own momentum. Some

people don’t get it and wonder what all the hype is about and with others, it really strikes a chord.” The first step is taking that departure from ‘normal life’ and deciding to do it, he says. “It’s not bravery, or luck, just taking the step. It’s a mindset. I am training for a boxing match right now and plan to live on a desert island (48km off the coast of New Caledonia) for a week by myself. It doesn’t make sense to some people. But most people are inspired to really take stock of their own ambitions and desires.” Here, our intrepid explorer sheds some light on his motivation and what’s left to conquer. What first inspired you to start a list?

I was always curious about life and after getting a university degree I felt there was something else out there that I needed to address. It was then a close friend of mine passed away and immediately I began to re-evaluate the direction I was taking. I started by writing everything that I’d always wanted to do on a piece of paper and I decided there and then that I would drop everything in my life to achieve this list. 41

Imagine Profile What’s on it – can you reveal all?

The list can be seen on my website www.100things.com.au and so it’s certainly no secret. In fact it’s incredible the amount of support I get and through the website people try and help me with specific items and even suggest things that I should do. What is/was your timeline for achieving them all?

There is no timeline with this, at the end of the day I’m living a life that allows me to do the things I’ve always wanted. With this in mind, there’s certainly no rush; there’s nothing I’d rather be doing. The thought of testing myself by living out of my comfort zone is something I want to continue doing; I think I grow by doing this. What have been the highlights so far?

The list is varied and on it are things that scare me, challenge me, excite me and so on. I always get asked what is the best thing is but to be honest the variety makes everything just as fulfilling for me. Visiting an inmate on death row sits alongside marrying a stranger in Vegas, as does delivering a stranger’s baby or even getting a world record for crushing the most amount of eggs with my big toes in 30 seconds. How have the foreign media and people responded to the concept?

This journey started as a very personal adventure but quickly it gained a large following from people and media 42

everywhere. I recently even got sent an article from someone in China who had read about me in a local paper (the article was in Cantonese so I have no idea if it was complimentary or not!). There has never been a goal other than to be happy with this list and so I just have fun with whatever comes my way. Have you had any ‘extended experiences’ as a result of your travels – any life-long friendships made or new ambitions, places you want to spend more time?

The trip is about self discovery and as such I’m learning a lot about myself. I’ve met a million people who all are very close to me now and connecting with people has been a major highlight. I think in a way I’ve developed a belief in people and I thrive on this connection. As one of my challenges I performed a stand-up routine which certainly put me out of my comfort zone, but I discovered that I really enjoy public speaking and making people laugh (usually at me). This is why I enjoy doing the motivational speaking so which is a recent development having returned to Australia. When you speak to groups, what is the message you wish to convey?

At the end of the day I’m just an average bloke trying to work out life; aren’t we all? The one thing though I’ve seen is that as people we often forget to consider ourselves in the grand scheme of things and I think that this is a point that it’s important to address; we need

to remember to satisfy our own dreams and goals otherwise we risk becoming very unfulfilled. We live in a society that encourages financial security over self-fulfilment and this doesn’t sit right with me. How do they react?

The reaction has been unbelievable. I receive emails from people sharing their own lists with me, people wanting to join me, some simply saying thank you. All in all it’s incredible to think that my own antics in some way seem to encourage others to consider making positive changes in their own lives. I’m still working this one out! Ha ha! What are the benefits of having a bucket list?

I’m a simple guy and a list is the easiest way for me to put down all my goals. In this way I can focus clearly on what I have to do. I think we all have at least one thing that we’ve always wanted to do and whether it’s on our heads or on a piece of paper; we all have a list by which we go by. What’s next for you?

I’ll be living by myself on a desert island for one week, then going to ride a tandem-bike from Vancouver to Las Vegas with a mate of mine. After that I’ll be chasing tornados for 10 days in the US and then somewhere amongst all this I have to finish writing a book about my journey for Random House Publishers who have asked that I write a book for them! I’m just living day to day and enjoying a life that seems to have created its own momentum. Who am I to argue? iyl www.100things.com.au Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Imagine Profile

building better business To describe Debbie Crowther as â&#x20AC;&#x153;dynamicâ&#x20AC;? is to reduce this intense and incredible woman to the ranks of mere mortals, and she is anything but! Story by Jeni Bone

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Accountants nationally and by age 26, she had obtained additional qualifications of Registered Auditor, Registered Tax Agent, Qualified Trainer, and subsequently was short-listed as Australian Young Accountant of the Year. “My passion is to help people and I love to make a difference, and I guess I see things differently to most people. I have no fear to challenge the status quo and think outside the square, even if I’m venturing in areas I’ve never been before.” Dr Gordon Prestoungrange, Baron of Prestoungrange and CEO of Burke’s Peerage flew Debbie to the UK 3 times in one year to undertake strategic planning for his international operations and comments “I would without hesitation

keeping businesses on track. A lot of business operators are smart – Stratacore is about making them smarter.” Debbie does not single-handedly handle this gargantuan task. “I firmly believe in a collaborative approach. No one person knows everything. No one can call themselves an expert in accounting, marketing, HR management, strategy development and a variety of other fields. And as accountants are subject to ethical standards, it is normal for us as a profession to bring in the other experts as necessary, rather than doing everything ourselves. “The way I view Stratacore is as a collaborative vehicle with numerous stakeholders working together to achieve that goal. But I demonstrate that experts need to work with a business in the

Debbie Crowther

ebbie has the zeal of the motivator and the patience of the pedagogue, combined with the credentials of the upper echelon Accountant she was until striking out in to business development and training through her own venture, Stratacore. Herself challenged by a high school maths teacher to think beyond a trade and aspire to university qualifications and the myriad doors that could open up as a result, Debbie is an advocate of and testament to the benefits of continual education. “That was the start of my recognition of the vital importance of teachers to growing potential,” she says, having lost none of her school girl enthusiasm for the power of knowledge. Debbie is unique in a marketplace of “experts offering upskilling”. Firstly, her professional accounting credentials and accolades single her out as a high achiever, in every sense of the word. At just 21, Debbie was given the reins by Paul Wenham, Managing Partner of Nelson Wheeler Sydney, which at the time consisted of 23 male partners (now BDO), and was sent to the Gold Coast to establish its local operations, charged with targeting the growing Japanese presence. Debbie was unfazed, even though she was only four years into a six year part-time accounting degree. “I knew instinctually the Japanese were going to become major players in the Australian economy, particularly on the Coast – but I never dreamt that I would be dealing with the presidents of major companies, including a Japanese Bank, and within few years of establishing the Gold Coast branch have clients with more than $1 billion in assets at that time – by today’s reckoning, around $3 billion.” At 25 Debbie became the first female partner of Nelson Wheeler Chartered

“Stratacore was established to address these issues; education, collaboration, implementation in the right order, keeping businesses on track.” commend Debbie as a workplace colleague and as an ambassador for any organisation. Her judgement and advice are shrewd and her mastery not just of the financial facts of a situation but of their potential, and wider still for the organisation at large – are remarkable.” “I’m incredibly passionate about improving the performance of business and that is the mission of both Stratacore and me personally. I cannot believe that so many businesses are underperforming and that the failure rates are so horrific. Unfortunately people don’t know what they don’t know and they don’t know where to get all of the answers. When people do try to fix their business, it’s generally with a haphazard approach.” “Stratacore was established to address these issues; education, collaboration, implementation in the right order,

right order. For example to undertake significant marketing activities before the structure of a business is right or strategy is in place is crazy.” Stratacore evolved from a need, and Debbie was literally thrust in to the fray. She recounts: “When unemployment figures had massively increased in 1997, the federal government set up localised taskforces under the ‘Jobwatch’ banner to identify contributing factors and address the issue. I was asked to join. The taskforce found that the majority of employers were small business, thus, their performance was crucial to improving Australia’s economy. I was then the principal in writing a program designed to encourage their growth, which became the base of the Stratacore program.” In 2007, Debbie received $325,400

Imagine Profile

AusIndustry grant (Federal Government). “That marked the birth of the ‘Maximise Your Business Growth, Maximise Your Business Value’ program, which targeted small business owners,” she explains. “The training days provided education delivered by numerous experts on a variety of topics and Stratacore delivered one-on-one assistance to help implement the required actions to improve the

resulted in accountants being stuck in compliance mode with limited time available for other services. “The Stratacore Business Growth program was designed to provide accountants with a structured, cost effective, easily implemented program to help their clients grow. I had sat in their shoes for many years, so was very aware of the issues they faced.” It is

“It’s simple really: kick apathy out the door, invest in quality knowledge for your business and realise the potential.” participants’ businesses.” From initial feedback, it was evident the program worked. “We had businesses from sole traders to companies with millions in turnover attend with very diverse needs – from those commercialising inventions, to those concerned with exit strategies, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and everything in between.” The next step was how to take this concept national. “We knew we needed to bring in more to help, the obvious answer was the accounting profession. In my opinion Accountants should play the pivotal role in helping their clients maximise the value and growth of the business however, in the years since I started in Accounting, unlimited new taxation and corporate legislation have been imposed on business. That has

little wonder Peter Campbell of BCP Group Services refers to Debbie as a ‘groundbreaker’ in the profession. Since launching in 2009, and now with licensees from Bundaberg to Melbourne, Stratacore has been regularly involved with the ICAA and CPA, as well as major corporates and government bodies. “We’ve certainly hit a cord,” Debbie asserts, adding that popular topics include the “25 Traits of a Successful Business” and “The Future of the Accounting Profession”. Today, the company includes the Stratacore Business Academy and the Stratacore Business Growth program to license accountants to access other IP including a Business Health Check report for clients. Debbie tells of a well-established Sydney manufacturing business that was initially

reluctant to undertake a business health check but after being repeatedly pushed by their accountant, BCP Group Services they finally agreed and met with Debbie and their accountant. Instantly issues were identified with ownership of the IP from their new, professionally produced marketing campaign plus numerous other issues covering many areas of the business were uncovered. The impact was so powerful, the CEO and 2nd in charge flew to the Gold Coast the next week with their accountants to attend IP training and later, with their accountants assistance, received a Government grant to help fund the implementation of changes required. “This is a very good long term clients with 20 staff and making good profits”, says Rob Burns, CEO of BCP. “The Stratacore program has impact and we recommend people embrace and more importantly implement the action points it will surely identify. “It’s simple really: kick apathy out the door, invest in quality knowledge for your business and realise the potential. Stratacore provides our accounting team a very practical tool to assist clients beyond mere compliance and transactional advice. It demonstrates clearly we care about our clients and have a desire to ensure they are fit to operate and take advantage of opportunity.” The Stratacore Business Academy provides education to business owners, management, accountants and other professionals through training programs presented by experts in their respective industry fields. “The current program can be likened to completing your masters in two days and then the smart participants will link with a Stratacore licensee (Licensed accounting firm) to ensure all of the learning becomes action with the accountant helping to address the issues required for each client.” The Stratacore Business Academy is mobile, able to be implemented as a joint program with organisations to help their members or clients improve the performance of their business or improve their management skills. “Business is incredibly hard and every industry is facing change and education and implementation is the key to achieving success,” she says. “My passion is to help people achieve at their optimal level, and that’s what

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

mind of Debbie, Aaron can attest to her “tremendous passion and drive” and admits that they were major competitors when Debbie was in Accounting. There are no ‘snooze periods’ during the course, and the quality of the speakers is really high”. “Having an extensive background in professional practice enables Debbie to truly relate to the advisors within the network. She is not just a slick marketer who spruiks a series of motherhood statements. Her business model is all about being another resource for accountants to call upon and there is no risk of her interfering in your client relationships.” From the construction industry, Jody McMullen General Manager, Taf Group Construction Pty Ltd, attended the Stratacore Business Academy Seminar in Sydney. She states that as an accountant with a public practice background, she had thought she understood the fundamentals of business and had the skill set to manage a medium sized company within the construction industry. “However, after attending the Stratacore seminar, I learnt that there were vital aspects of our business that I hadn’t considered, but were essential to the success of the business. “I now view our business from a new perspective and have begun implementing strategies developed using the knowledge gained. I believe we are now armed with the knowledge to prepare for the future and work towards ensuring growth rather than reacting to today’s market, in essence, working proactively. “The seminar has given me confidence in areas where I would not dare to go, such as Marketing and Intellectual Property. The information the presenters provided have allowed us to make decisions about how to identify our needs and how to attract our market audience.”

Debbie Crowther

drives me,” adds Debbie. “When a client achieves something and I know we have helped them get there it is incredibly rewarding.” Testimonials flood in, unsolicited, from industry, accountants, business owners and senior staff. Graham Slip, head of BlueChip Wealth Management attended a recent training program and states: “My wish is that every one of my business clients does the course (and particularly their accountants!) My clients would have more wealth for my business to manage! Every module creates the most important ‘to do’ list you could have for your business. This course is particularly relevant in today’s business paradigm, with key understands of intellectual property, web marketing, succession planning and strategies.” Ultons Group, Chartered Accountants, Business Advisors and Financial Planners who employ over 80 professionals in the Bundaberg region refer to the Stratacore Program as “the missing link” they need for their clients. Aaron Lavell FCA is Partner at WMS Solutions, one of the first firms to join the Stratacore program. Aaron recalls: “Like most accounting firms, we had struggled to provide a cost effective value add for our SME clients in relation to their holistic needs outside the raw numbers. Each client’s issues had been dealt with on a case by case basis with no real structure to our processes. The Stratacore program is a very efficient way of ‘throwing multiple hooks in the water’ to see where a client’s needs and interests lie. The trick for the accounting advisor is then to run with the issues and establish a win/win situation with the client. That is, the client improves their business operations and our staff gain greater job satisfaction assisting clients grow their business.” Like most people exposed to the rapier-

As Jody points out, it is easy for businesses to get caught up in the day-today operations and lose track of the big picture. “I believe the Stratacore Business Academy is a necessity for any company wanting to get the best results from their business and I’m incredibly grateful to WMS for introducing me to Stratacore.” The final word belongs to David AshtonLewis, former High Court Judge and barrister, and consultant for 13 years to the financial sector (including Professional Investment Services), who has undertaken the Stratacore program and worked with Debbie to rise to the next stage of his professional incarnation, the speaking circuit. “Debbie is smart, both intellectually and practically, and people really benefit from that. Her program is excellent and is aimed at businesses, large and small, to improve their competencies in the running of their enterprise. It covers every facet, from staff efficiency, training, morale and operational skills, to deeper core fundamentals of a business that most people don’t even know exist.” iyl www.stratacore.com.au

The Business Tamer A new initiative of Debbie’s, The Business Tamer blog, was recently launched to allow her to address topical business issues and interact with the broader business community. The blog features Debbie’s comments on matters affecting companies globally, analyses of successful businesses and why they work, as well as interviews with leading business identities eager to share their wealth of experience. Find it at: www.thebusinesstamer.blogspot.com

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Financial Planning

Ian Byrne. Negative Returns. Positive Outcomes. Volatility and negative returns are rife and still affect local and international investments.

epending on purchase dates and costs, most shares remain below their prior highs. If this applies to your situation, read on for a way to turn this into a positive outcome. We are all likely to have some form of blue chip investments in our portfolio that are down from where we purchased them, but we know are keepers for the long term. Whilst an unpleasant feeling for most, lower values can present a good opportunity to create useful outcomes from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;badâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; investment returns. If you have not done so in the prior GFC slump era, now is still an opportune time to consider transferring existing

Ian Byrne CFP Adv Dip FP, has worked in the financial services industry since 1995. Over the past 16 years, Ian has held positions in both national and local planning organisations as a Director and Senior Financial Planner, including a National Accounting chain that locally boasted 10 Accounting Directors and over 80 staff. Ian has particular expertise in the areas of selfmanaged super funds, retired and pre-retiree clients, strategies for high net worth clients, as well as asset accumulation and tax minimization for high income earners.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Feature

investments between entities such as from your own name into a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF), Family Trust, or lower income spouse. The advantages are: • you retain control or ownership of the investment, albeit in a different entity; • you secure a ‘capital loss’ for the original owner to offset against future gains from other investments; • the investment is now held in a lower tax environment, such as superannuation, which in turn leads to; better tax outcomes on income returns, including any franking credit treatment and future capital gains tax implications; • it can also aid in any succession or estate planning issues. Here are examples of strategies for turning a negative return into a positive outcome, by transferring personally held shares into a SMSF.

Strategy1 • Make an ‘In Specie’ or ‘Off Market’ transfer into the SMSF of the selected investments, (put simply, the ownership of those assets are transferred to the superannuation fund). • This is deemed to be a contribution to the superfund, so be conscious of any limits or contribution caps that may apply. • No money changes hands in the transfer • I t is seen as a disposal of the asset and therefore the two cost considerations are Capital Gains Tax (CGT) implications and Stamp Duty. With regards to shares, since 1 July 2001, stamp duty on trades in marketable securities has been abolished, leaving only CGT as a consideration. As per the strategy, if transferring for less than the original purchase cost, this will be a loss to you personally. • Depending on the type of contribution you make, concessional or non-concessional, the super fund will be required to have enough cash to pay contributions tax on the amount of any concessional contribution. •D epending on your employment situation, a concessional contribution could also assist in lowering your own personal tax payable. This method may be handy if you are personally cash poor at the moment.

Strategy2 • This is essentially the same, but rather than making an ‘In Specie’ transfer, the SMSF purchases the investment from you off market. This will avoid brokerage costs, but must be done at the market price of that day. • The advantage in this is that money is released from the super fund to you personally in the transfer, which may assist with cashflow for you • No limits or caps apply as this is not seen as a contribution and cannot be claimed as one. Therefore attaining other personal tax benefits from a concessional contribution is obviously not possible, but all the other advantages of the above strategy apply. A real life example of this is a very widely held share that was issued by float, AMP shares: • Assuming received in float 2000 AMP shares at $10.43 base price which are valued at $ 5.40 at close 28/01/2011 which is the date of off market transaction. • This realises a Capital Loss of $ 5.03 per share x 2000 shares = $10,060 that can be used to offset against future personal gains for the original owner. • The SMSF retain ultimate ownership of the shares but they are now in low tax structure for future dividends and franking credit rebate advantages. Comparative further potential benefits are likely on any future sales from a Capital Gains Tax perspective. These strategies are potentially more valuable to high income earners who either received shares through various floats over the years, or purchased shares without considering future tax implications. The same logic could be applied to those without Self Managed Super Funds who simply wish to transfer share ownership into their spouses/children/ grandchildren/family trust or other person/ entity’s name. * Please note, this is not personal advice and we recommend that you seek specific individual advice from a qualified professional before taking any action.

Ian Byrne is a Sub Authorised Representative 263857 of Ian Byrne Financial Planning Corporate Authorised Representative 343993 of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd. AFSL 234951|ABN 11 074 608 558

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Financial Planning

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

An Adviser’s Tale

An Adviser’s Tale. I have been in the Financial Services Industry for over 30 years. Like most Practitioners of my vintage, I started off in the Life Insurance industry and was a “true believer” – so much so, I even lectured for the Insurance Institute and helped turn many Advisers into similar advocates of a noble profession. David Holloway

imes change. People and professions change and over the years and the obtaining of my CFP qualifications, I became more and more involved with helping people achieve their investment and retirement goals than insisting they take adequate Life Insurance. It is always mentioned, but it is stressed Income Protection and/or Critical Illness or Trauma Cover are more important as there was far more likely to be a claim as most term life insurance policies will lapse quite often before death from old age occurs. How many claims had I administered over 30 years for premature death? Only a handful, as medical science keeps people alive for the most part these days so if dollars are critical, Income Protection and Trauma are paramount, or so I thought. It is very true they are of the utmost importance, as many clients can attest, but through a near death experience, I now realise, the Life Insurance I took out when I was a “zealot” would certainly have provided much needed funds for my family to continue their normal lifestyle. More to the point, if only one policy in a thousand results in a claim, to the family of the deceased – whilst no money can bring back a loved one – life will eventually return to normal, at least from a monetary point of view. I am lucky to be alive and proud to say I, or more to the point, my wife and family, did NOT have to make a claim. So, why have I now returned to my “zealot” status to advocate that everyone who has loved ones needs adequate (not just “token”) Life Insurance? One Sunday evening, my wife and I were walking up the hill of a street near our home. We had just left Church and were half way up the hill, she on the footpath and myself about half a metre on the road. Admittedly we were on the left hand side of the road when perhaps common sense would have

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

dictated that we be on the right hand side (facing any oncoming traffic) but in a quiet street, on a Sunday night, who would have suspected malice? Although it was nearing twilight, cars could easily have seen pedestrians and anyway, cars do not travel that close to the gutter! Oh yes they do, or at least ONE did. Apparently the noise of my whole body hitting the car was heard up the street. My wife maintains she will never forget that sound. One minute we were having a casual conversation, the next minute (apparently) I was flying through the air like an amateur Superman only to land crushed and bruised on the footpath. I did not hear the car, he did not stop (probably drunk or under the influence of drugs) and all I remember was waking from a drunken-like stupor (shame considering I had not been drinking) and asking my wife to “take me home as I didn’t feel too well”. Between hazy recollections, lots of blood, people, police, chaos, I remember the Ambulance Officers (who were fantastic) cutting off my clothes (oh no, not my expensive suede jacket!) and putting a brace on my neck. Next thing, assuring my wife I had been “stabilised” they took me to the hospital where I had my first (and last I hope) experience of a casualty department and subsequently intensive care ward. I could write a separate exposé on the hospital experience and the fact that I encountered other patients in the intensive care ward who also reaffirmed my belief in Critical Illness Insurance and of course Income Protection Insurance. But WHY have I confirmed my faith in the need for adequate Life Insurance when fortunately my relatives (spouse in particular) did not need to make a claim? When I woke up from the effects of slight bleeding in the brain, bruising to lungs, heart and body and 51

Financial Planning

“Lying in hospital feeling sorry for myself, I realised that had the unthinkable happened, at least my wife and family would have had enough to assist with their ongoing lifestyle.” a suspected “minor” heart attack, but miraculously no broken bones, and after the effects of morphine had subsided, I began to realise a fact which hitherto had escaped me. Most mere mortals consider themselves indestructible as young folk and, to a large degree, this feeling continues even after the effects of old age grip our increasingly frail bodies. Medical Science assists us overcome many illnesses and we take for granted we will live to a ripe old age and die in our sleep. On the other hand, from an everyday perspective, whilst relatives and the patients find it hard to live with the diagnosis of cancer, stroke, heart attack and the many other prevalent causes of premature death, in most instances everyone has time to adapt to death. Time to prepare both mentally and financially, BUT what about the husband

who leaves home one morning and doesn’t return? The son who goes fishing and is lost at sea? The wife who takes the kids to school and collides with a car going through a stop sign or, as in my case, someone simply walking up a street near home and who gets run over by a hit and run driver probably too drunk or drugged to notice and too inhumane to stop? Most likely these events from a statistical point of view only represent a very small percentage of premature deaths BUT statistics don’t mean a thing if YOU or YOUR family are the ones involved. Lying in hospital feeling sorry for myself and asking why, but at the same time, thanking God for the fact that I was still alive, I realised that even though this event wouldn’t be a claim on my Income Protection Insurance (apart from a small hospitalisation benefit) and even though it would not be a claim on a Trauma

Policy (a contract I am unable to obtain in any event due to my Diabetes) had the unthinkable happened, at least any outstanding debts I have would have been settled and my wife and family would have had enough to assist with their ongoing lifestyle. As a result of this experience, I have realised people are far more important than property and the love of family and friends is what life is all about. I resolved never to leave home or go to bed angry just in case I never got a chance to say sorry. I resolved to tell my clients, associates and all who will listen, that no one likes to think of their own mortality and no one expects their family to make a claim on Life Insurance and no one likes to pay premiums for something from which they personally will never benefit, BUT isn’t the small price one pays worth it JUST IN CASE for their peace of mind. iyl

David Holloway, CFP David Holloway is Managing Director of MSI Taylor Financial Services P/L where he has been since he merged his practice with MSI Taylor Accountants in July 2001. His hobbies include painting, golf and fine food and wine as well as being active in the Chamber of Commerce. David is married to Silvana, and has three children, four grandchildren and a pug called Gus. www.msitaylor.com.au David Holloway Authorised Representative 244915 of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd. AFSL 234951|ABN 11 074 608 558 This communication has been prepared on a general advice basis only. The information has not been prepared to take into account your specific objectives, needs and financial situation. The information may not be appropriate to your individual needs and you should seek advice from your financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

MDTdesign AUSTRALIA’S MOST AMAZING DIAMOND JEWELLERY

Award Winners

166 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: 03 9654 6805 Fax: 03 9650 4401 Contact us for a full colour catalogue

www.mdtdesign.com

Family Matters

From Toddlers, Tweens to Teens: with Carol Yip

Teach Them Money Management Skills. If you believe that the world is your children’s oyster because of the endless possibilities ahead of them, think again.

omorrow’s world will be a higher competitive and costly place to live. Not only do you have to prepare your children to compete for jobs, you must nurture your children with money management skills to give them a head-start. Why? Because doing so will provide them with a living legacy of financial peace of mind. And knowing you don’t have to worry so much about them being in financial distress can only improve your own life. These personal financial skills are critical today: your children have been conditioned in an environment of consumerism and materialism, spending money has become an integral part of their life. There is no difference between teaching your children money management skills and teaching them good manners, attitudes and appropriate life values, numeric skills, reading and writing skills. It is all part of the daily communication with your children, and it takes you and your spouse to work on it together as a team. You’re a role model

You may think your children are too young to learn money management skills, but the truth is that they're learning by watching you and experiencing how you deal with your money, loans and investments. Take

advantage of kids' builtin curiosity and you'll give them money advice that will serve them throughout their lives. Parenting style has great impact on your teachings – find a balance between the authoritative approach and a nurturing approach to be most effective. You’re your children’s greatest mentor. As you help your children develop a healthy and strong self-esteem (self-worth), you will find that they’re able to manage money effectively instead of using it to boost their self-esteem. Furthermore, they will be less easily influenced by their friends or advertisements to spend money. Remember that you and your spouse must adopt the right, consistent and firm teaching strategies and methods, with clear intentions, messages and expected outcomes. Otherwise, your children will quickly learn who they can bully and take advantage of. Start them young Cultivating a good financial attitude and teaching your children good money habits is an important gift you can offer. Healthy financial practices with your children can lessen the chance that your family might make financial mistakes. And family’s financial success requires teamwork from your children. Below are ideas you can adopt but be creative to fine-tune them according to your children’s behaviors, attitude

and characters. You may want to discuss the ideas with other parents and seek their experiences - sharing and discussion among parents can be helpful. Toddlers 1 to 3 Toddlers may not be able to understand money, but they can certainly understand "stuff." By the age of one or two the "gimmees" have probably already started. Instead of seeing these requests for toys and candy as a battle, see them as a chance to teach. Saying “No” to some of these requests shows toddlers that they can't always have what they want – a very valuable money lesson indeed because you are controlling the expectation of instant gratification starting at early age. You introduce the concept of "later" by telling toddlers that they can't have what they want now, but if they are patient, it may come at a point in the future. This sets the stage for lessons to manage instant gratification, avoid impulse spending and cultivate patience to wait and save for bigger goals when they are older. You need to make conscious decision to give your children only what is required and not indulge them with more than they need - toys, food and clothes. You are conditioning them to the importance of need instead of varieties, and nurturing spending habits on needs instead of wants as they get older.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Carol Yip Age 4 to 6 You can be sure your children now know what money is and recognize it's worth. Children are generally very curious about a parent's job at this age, so seize upon this curiosity to explain why you work. Teach your children to identify coins and dollar notes of different denominations. Successful identification is a good way of teaching numeric skills by way of counting money and recording the results in a book. When your children pick out something to buy, let them handle the transaction. They learn to calculate the price differences and change they get back to understand the value of money (cash instead of credit card). Show them how to compare prices

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

when you shop with your children, and explain why paying less has merit. Teach your children to save whenever they receive money from people. Open a

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no difference between teaching your children money management skills and teaching them good manners, life values, reading and writing skills.â&#x20AC;?

saving account to keep the money. Introduce the concept of interest for their savings account. Have your children track this on a simple chart to illustrate how interest increases the value of saved money over time. Initiate an environmental-friendly home lifestyle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sharing, recycle, reused, repair and do-it-yourself to save resources (like clothes, computer, common items) and money, and prevent clutter. Advocate a frugal lifestyle of consuming less and avoid waste (electricity, water, food and groceries) to promote sufficiency and sustainability. Age 7 to 12 This is the time to teach your children about financial responsibility and accountability. Give your children a weekly allowance for certain expenses, such as food and books. Make it clear that there will be no more money once the allowance is used up. Don't bail your children out if they have mismanaged their allowance. They should experience the consequences of poor money management. Teach your children to budget according to their savings affordability for expensive purchases. Once your children have saved up some significant amount of money, head to a local bank to open a fixed deposit account as a long term savings plan for the future. Tell your children where to shop for cheaper things, substitutes and eating out, use discount vouchers and rebates. Praise them if they are helping you to save money. Educate and negotiate with your

Family Matters

children about their needs and wants, and when there is peer influence - delay gratifications, cheaper substitutes or not buying at all. Share with them your experience about peer pressure (with your friends and colleagues) and how you manage the pressure instead of allowing it to affect you financially. Organize a monthly family financial meeting to create financial goals, review the monthly budget and discuss family spending. This will allow financial transparency and communication with your children. Age 13 to 15 By this age, children know exactly how money is earned and spent, they also probably understand how hard it is to earn money or how quickly it can disappear. Encourage children to start babysitting or to do odd jobs around the

neighborhood. This shows how hard you have to work to earn money. Make allowance payments bi-weekly instead of weekly. This allows your children to budget over a longer period of time. Tie the allowance to a list of weekly house chores. Reduce the allowance if chores aren't completed or done appropriately. Ask your children to observe how you negotiate and bargain for better prices (value for money) when you shop in a market, at neighborhood groceries shops or flea market. Shopping in supermarkets and departmental stores does not allow you to teach your children negotiation and bargaining skills which are required in the corporate and business world. Let your teens prepare the budget for family events, source for prices and submit for approval. Constantly review the living and education expenses by showing your teens the monthly financial commitments. This way, you’re allowing financial visibility to make them understand the importance of your job and saving money for the family. Age 16 to 18 This is the time where they want their freedom and yet cannot have financial independence from you. Encourage your teen to find a part-time job, and teach them how to balance their studies, work and life. Continue an allowance but switch to once-a-month payouts. Expand your children’s financial responsibilities to pay for cell phone bills, house utility, groceries and toiletries when they have a part-time job (or summer vacation job). Get your teens to prepare the groceries shopping list, keep track of the family bills and expenses - allow them to manage the budget, be in touch with inflation. If your teens are interested in owning a

car, they must know the costs of maintain a car. Introduce your teens to the concept of an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Teach your children about credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, insurances, taxation, pension and superannuation as money management and financial planning for the future. Introduce your teens to investment vehicles by getting them involved in your investment portfolio, and explain concepts of risk and investment returns during family financial meeting. Let your teens know your commitments for housing loan including monthly repayment and tenure period. You’re teaching them to save money to invest in property as early as possible. Your Legacy and Financial Footprint If you have challenges implementing these ideas, you can consider engaging a professional financial advisor to moderate family financial meetings and teach your children to implement them. Sometimes you need a third party to convey ideas when there are communication difficulties at home. It is a lifetime ‘investment’ to teach your children and the ‘return’ comes as you watch them successfully navigating financial situations, and achieving fulfilling their financial goals on their own. It’s a great self-achievement and legacy that any parent can be proud of! iyl

CarolYip Carol Yip is a Singapore based Personal Financial Coach and founder and CEO of Abacus for Money. She is also a seasoned writer for some of Singapore’s most respected financial media, and Author of “Money Rules & “Smart Money-User”. Each issue, Carol shares with IYL her views on points to consider when thinking about financial strategy. www.AbacusForMoney.com

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

THE ONLY GUARANTEED WAY OVER THE LINE. Buy your Rugby World Cup 2011 Corporate Hospitality package through Ticketek|John Eales 5 today. • Guaranteed Category A Undercover seating • Packages for all games including semi-finals and the Final • Packages confirmed on day of booking • Variety of packages including a fine dining experience, as well

For more information call Barbara on 09 336 5208, visit www.ticketek.com/rwcnz2011 or email rugbyhospitality@ticketek.co.nz

OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY

as pre and post match entertainment

Family Matters

Cover Comfort. When Julius Czerny opened his eyes in critical care, he felt absolutely fine. He was suffering none of the pain or panic usually associated with a heart attack.

“L

ying there in the ICU, I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about,” he recounts, now back to his ebullient best and almost back to gym sessions and his pastime of 40 years, competitive Surf Life Saving. “I felt fine. I woke up and saw my partner, Helen, hospital staff and our financial adviser, Martin – which I thought was unusual. I didn’t realise what I had been through.” Julius’ near-death experience – in fact, he was dead for several minutes – was a major concern for his family, friends, doctor and financial adviser. He literally owes his life to his quick-thinking team mates on the Tallebudgera Masters Boat Crew who were training at the Surf Club when the 59-year-old collapsed. Thinking initially that Julius was joking around, his three friends sprang in to action: Paul Davies starting compressions, Graham Barr on breaths and Peter Richards racing off to get a 58

defibrillator. Julius’ heart was restarted and he was rushed to Gold Coast Hospital for treatment. At the hospital, doctors found one of his arteries was 95% blocked. A robust, fit and clean-living man, Julius was as surprised as anybody that his heart gave out. Fortunately for Julius, the team had changed their plans to train on-water. Had he been out on the water the heart attack struck, he may not have been so lucky. His recovery too was nothing short of phenomenal. In just three days, Julius checked out of hospital. “There was no damage because of the speed my mates attended to me,” recounts Julius, adding that the incident has given him a new appreciation of “the simple things in life – loved ones, this great life on the Gold Coast, and the importance of good insurance cover”. “You couldn’t meet a healthier guy,” says Helen. “Really, it was a wake up for everybody.” Martin Wiltshire and his wife Katrina, Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

time, recommended Risk Cover against their debts, which also included Trauma Cover as well as Death and Disability Cover. “When I started my own company in 2007, I was able to offer them better cover at more competitive premiums under Zurich – policies which were completed and operating in February 2008.” Over the years, Julius and Helen and Martin and Katrina have developed a strong friendship. When Julius and Helen enquired about reducing their Trauma Cover, Martin

well as adequate Death/Disability Cover so as sufficient funds are available to clear all their debts. Also, this market needs to remember to protect their Income and Business Expenses with Income Protection Policies. These covers are part of our process for clients’ needs and our recommendations.” As Martin observes: “Australians are the most underinsured people in the Western world – probably a case of the attitude ‘she’ll be right, mate’. Houses burn down and people aren’t covered, and that’s the same with Life Insurance including

Julius Czerny

who consider themselves friends as well as financial advisers, are credited with persuading the couple to maintain their Trauma Cover. “There had been some recent discussion about the cost of the premium, but we advised them to retain it. Julius owns a few businesses in partnership with Helen, and they also staff, who all rely on him. Trauma Insurance is vital if something happens and you need the time to recover.” According to Julius, his pay out from Zurich came through “hassle free”, processed over the hectic Christmas period and in his account in just nine working days. The money helped support his family and his businesses while he couldn’t work, paying for extra staff, the capital to continue ‘business and usual’, with peace of mind. John McClure, state manager for Zurich, oversaw the processing of the claim. “This shows the importance of trust between client and adviser and the diligence of Martin as an adviser.” Trauma cover is not “a cure-all”, McClure says. “But it certainly is a valuable security net. It takes some of the financial pressure off while you concentrate on getting back to health.” “It seems ridiculous that there’s only a 3% take up of Trauma cover, when there is nobody who is exempt from illness, accident or injury,” he continues, explaining that the very concept was devised by Marius Barnard – the brother of heart transplant pioneer, Christian Barnard. “They saw the consequences of people surviving a heart attack or stroke and not having the insurance to support them while they recovered. Marius Barnard came up with the idea of a lump sum payment after accident or other incident.” Martin, who is owner and principal at Risk Key Business Insurance Pty Ltd, has been in the industry for 26 years. Together with his wife Katrina and son Paul, they boast a half century of financial services among them. “We are a family business offering tailored risk solutions for business and professional clients,” says Martin. “We have one of the best balanced teams of risk writers on the Gold Coast, totally focused on providing a professional, friendly service.” Martin first met Julius and Helen in 2006, when he was employed by Westpac as a Financial Business Adviser and at that

There had been some discussion about the cost of the premium, but we advised him to retain it. Trauma Insurance is vital if something happens and you need the time to recover. strongly recommended they continue with payments on the same scale. “Trauma Cover is imperative in the case of such illnesses as cancers and heart attacks. From having Trauma Cover, Julius’ recuperation was not complicated by worries about incurred medical cost or costs to his businesses.” Martin is generous in his praise for Zurich. “Zurich was exceptional in handling this claim. Once I arranged the claim forms, which were sent directly to me, Julius completed them and followed up with the Medical Specialist to have his report submitted. Once Zurich received all necessary paperwork, the Trauma Cover was processed with a minimum of fuss and Julius received the total payout in just over a week – outstanding considering it was in the middle of the Christmas and New Year holiday period!” Martin’s daily dealings with his clients bring in to sharp focus the need for such cover. “I believe Medical Practitioners and Specialists should all have Trauma Cover including Needlestick Cover as

Trauma Cover. This story should bring home to people the importance of cover and getting advice in this area. “No matter how fit and healthy people feel at the present time, or if they take the approach ‘I don’t have a family history of disease’, in actual fact, we are not made of glass and cannot see what is going on in our bodies in the case of such illnesses as blocked arteries, cancer, heart attack or stroke about to happen. Seek advice, put Risk Protection Cover in place, make it tax deductible if you can and keep doing your best to live healthy to stay here on planet earth!” As evidenced by Julius’ experience, the personal attention of one qualified expert looking after him and making his Claim for him, would have been great comfort in the chaos following his heart attack. “We were there all the way. His claim wasn’t handled online or via a call centre. I was the personal contact who made sure it all progressed smoothly. There’s a lot of comfort in that for all parties involved.” iyl Risk Key Business Insurance has moved to Unit 4/ 4 Wain Ave, Ashmore. For more information contact Risk Key Business Insurance on 0418 787 506 or email: riskinsure@iinet.net.au Martin Wiltshire is a Sub Authorised Representative 316713 of Risk Key Business Insurance Corporate Authorised Representative 342498 of Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd. AFSL 234951|ABN 11 074 608 558

Family Matters 60

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Counting on Kids

g n i t n cou s d i k n o The Wealth Academy has one objective: to teach kids to become financially capable in the world in which they live, thus empowering them for the best financial future.

xperts agree that the higher your financial intelligence quotient, the higher your potential annual income. Journalist and Consumer and Financial Literacy Taskforce Chairman, Paul Clitheroe, estimates that “financial ignorance” costs people thousands of dollars each and every year, and that most people – he says 85% - learn about finance through “trial and error”. “Many children today, from highly articulate families, have got no idea where money comes from. They think it comes from pressing buttons on a machine or from a piece of plastic.” In his opinion, education is crucial, and it can’t start too young. Bill Moss of Macquarie Bank agrees. “If we are taught to be street-smart early in life, we carry it with us through life, hopefully making good decisions and staying one step ahead of the fraudsters.” Financial education is included in the Australian Curriculum but it is usually mathematics based and not life-skills oriented. Depending on the subjects chosen at school, many teenage students may in fact receive no in-depth financial life skills by the time they leave school. So if the education isn’t coming from the curriculum at school, unless you choose specific mathematics subjects, and most parents are pressed to impart the myriad of other life-lessons to their kids, where can parents and teachers turn for unbiased and non-sales oriented financial life-skills resources that support the financial learning of their children and students?

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Ken Swan has one option, and it’s one that will prove popular with schools, financial planners and parents. During his 25 years education experience, Ken has been a teacher, education adviser, university course developer and lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, curriculum developer at the Queensland School Curriculum Council and Queensland Studies Authority, and a school principal. His interest in effective financial life-skills education stems from the lack of such education being provided to his own children during their schooling. “When we looked around, we realised there was no proactive education-based provider helping teachers and parents who want to develop the financial literacy of students and children,” he explains. Now Director of The Wealth Academy and publisher of e-zine, Teenfinca Ken also publishes Student Leaders, an e-Module that helps teachers develop the leadership knowledge and skills of primary and secondary students across Australia. “We are not selling financial products. Our education programs aim to help Australia’s young people become financially capable adults,” asserts Ken. Just as their parents and employers want their children and young employees to learn to be financially capable, kids are keen to learn about wealth, says Ken. There are many providers in the financial service industry who are eager to provide a more comprehensive service to their clients. 61

Family Matters

“Young people want information that relates to their age group, not their parent's age group. There is immense media and peer pressure on today’s young people to buy rather than save, to have debt rather than credit, and to live for now, rather than plan for the future.” Ken sites recent figures from an Australians Understanding Money report that he describes as “alarming”: 17% of kids think ‘Nothing I do will make a difference to my financial situation’, 36% believe ‘ I do not have the ability to understand financial language’ and 59% say that ‘Financially, I like to live for today’. “Kids feel this way because they only see financial information as it is presented to adults in newspapers or in television advertising. All kids can learn basic financial life skills if they are ‘taught’ not told. I want kids to grow up having had a minimum of three days a year of focused teaching on financial life skills. That could be spread over a year, or a term. From the age of 10 to 18 that is 29 days of teaching. That is not too much to ask.” The Wealth Academy program is ideally suited to financial advisers and accountants, says Ken, enabling them to empower and equip the next generation of financially competent, confident adults who view wealth acquisition in a balanced, positive light. “School teachers too are looking for solutions. They are increasingly challenged by an expanding curriculum, and are now asked to be experts in developing financial literacy. This is another burden on our education system and in particular teachers. “We provide teaching in a wide variety of financial topics and the wealth-health relationship. Our focus is young people aged nine to 20. We are not owned by any financial institution or organisation. We use proven education theory and pedagogy to deliver quality learning experiences.” The group also provides programs for ‘Financial Lifeksills Camps’, once again through the financial community. “If a school wants to host a camp then we will happily manage that process.” The Wealth Academy program starts from the age of nine, which Ken states is the ideal time for “deep learning”. “Good habits should be taught early 62

“There is immense media and peer pressure on today’s young people to buy rather than save, to have debt rather than credit, and to live for now, rather than plan for the future.” and reinforced regularly. Should we start to teach young people the value of nutrition, social skills, good hygiene, sun safety when they are over 18? To do so would be irresponsible. “The same as teaching kids a musical instrument or sport, parents seek qualified teachers to teach their children when they are young. This is one reason why we only use experienced and fully-qualified teachers. We have the skills, expertise and experience to make learning enjoyable and successful for children and teenagers.” Teachers who contribute to The Wealth Academy supplement the curriculum by providing in-depth instruction to all students, helping them along the path to financial capability.

The Wealth Academy programs will be launched Term 2, 2011 through adviser and accountant networks. Says Ken: “Qualified teachers deliver the core program. At the moment we are Queensland based but will deliver in any major city if adviser or accountancy groups wish to make this service available to their families. We are searching for appropriately qualified teachers interstate to deliver our programs at the moment.” As an introduction to the fundamentals of finance, Ken and his professional team have devised Teenfinca, Australia’s first online financial learning magazine. Teenfinca – short for teenage financial capability – provides teenage friendly articles that will help young people

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

learn about their financial world. It includes articles on investment, the law, profiles, personal development, business basics and financial fundamentals. Written by specialist teachers with qualifications and experience in finance, business, accounting and law, and quality assured by financial specialists, Teenfinca is available by online subscription through The Wealth Academy web site. “Advisers who have clients with children or teenagers or are business owners with young employees and want to build relationships with this younger generation should call me to arrange a program for their clients.” The Wealth Academy goal is singular: financial capability. “And that is based on a person’s awareness and respect for financial safety, financial literacy, financial intelligence and financial responsibility. We want children to understand the financial world in which they live.” iyl

Counting on Kids

Wealth Academy Core Programs. For each age group there are set topics. Lessons respond to the needs and interests of children so there is a fluidity of topics across age groups.

Age 9 - 1: Financial learning beginners.

Age 15 - 17: Financial literacy for teenagers. Includes: credit and debit cards, taxation, phones, cars, careers, investing, risk, HECS, networks, complaints, bank accounts and services, negotiation, future planning, compound interest.

Includes: saving, goal setting, needs, wants, money, spending, wealth perspectives, pocket money.

Age 18 - 20: Financial survival for school-leavers.

Age 12 - 14: Financial fundamentals.

Includes: finance, scams, fraud, shopping online, moving out, revenue streams, wills, insurance, legal, money, superannuation, loans, living overseas, management, investment products, portfolio, diversity, research, real estate.

Includes: debt, credit, interest, budgeting, starting to work, banks, credit unions, financial decision making and problemsolving, individual planning.

www.wealthacademy.com.au

Property

HOME & PROPERTY

Natural Disasters.

Andrew Winter

A real estate reality.

n light of the devastating events recently, not only in Queensland but in other states too, I do not want to be insensitive, because let’s face it the world of real estate seems so irrelevant as thousands of streets and homes were being inundated with that putrid, brown, snake-infested, stinky liquid and families lives were being turned upside down! Yet as that water recedes we ha ve seen Aussies not sitting down and moaning, they’ve got up and got on! So, eventually, the world of real estate will start to matter again. The most common question people ask me currently; not ‘where did you get that fantastic shirt’, but ‘What is the future of real estate for the areas affected and for development in flood prone areas? Believe it or not, as amazing as it seems, the dramatic events of January 2011, although they will never be forgotten, memories will slowly be pushed to the back of people’s minds as time goes by and the flood areas will begin to gradually rejuvenate. The proof is the 1974 Floods. Many of the lessons from that event were clearly forgotten over time. I cannot get over that shocking footage of the wall of water and the destruction in its path, and I don’t know when and if it will ever occur again. Like most people, I am stunned that this scenario ever happened,

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

If you are living in a home that is at high risk, there could be some negative impact on the value of your home potentially, but currently that is just not a quantifiable figure or percentage to evaluate. in elevated areas too, so all I can do is address those living in a conventional flood risk zones. Firstly, perhaps you currently are buying your first home, upgrading or downsizing? I do believe you need to take into account the recent floods and look at your local areas flood risk map. To be fair, many areas are simply not affected at all, but other have certain streets, even certain sectors of streets at risk. My advice is to be sensible. In high flood risk areas, a single level slab home is not ideal, but could you maybe negotiate a deal and at a later point, extend and go up a level. Maybe re-landscape to add some protection to your block. This all could be costly, hence you need to negotiate a deal. If you are buying, a two level home that has sufficient height above the flood line to allow you to relocate upstairs, if you ever need to, could be the answer. So we may witness some values being affected for some homes in high risk flood locations, but that pricing impact may not last for more than a few years. What if you are a seller? Well again you need to establish your risk by checking the maps again, and I do not think any buyer nervousness will be suburb, or area-specific, because that makes no sense. It will be down to an individual home/block’s risk. If you are living in a home that is at high risk, I do think there could be some negative impact on the value of your home potentially, but currently that is just not a quantifiable figure or percentage to evaluate. We are too early in the process to have analysis available. Home owners that I feel need to be most concerned and who could suffer the most impact are those residing in the

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

single level slab homes. Classic high sets and two level home owners can be a little more relaxed. For example, take two similar two-level homes in the same street. One dwelling however, is build a few metres higher. Therefore, that could be the home that achieves a speedier sale and possibly the better sales figure. I have given the flood victims and at-risk home owners much thought. It is a very difficult situation with no clear cut answers, especially for those of you with single level dwellings. One feasible answer could be to create some upper level space – not necessarily anything more than one single room ideally with a basic shower room/ toilet, no guarantees drains will be any good but worth a try! Enough space to accommodate all those special personal belongings and expensive items, with a nice wide access door and stairs, as you may be moving up there in a hurry. I will call it a ‘flood room’. A design like this, even in a high flood risk location could give you, as the occupier, peace of mind and buyers too. Happy, relaxed buyers could mean a lesser price reduction! This is a hugely complex subject to break down into this article. The Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development at Bond University, Professor George Earl, says the disaster underlines the need for adequate infrastructure to deal with the effects of climate change. So it is a subject being talked about now, finally! Somewhere along the way, Councils have allowed development to proceed in risk areas without insisting on high set style housing or similar. In my very humble opinion, existing

Andrew Winter

HOME & PROPERTY high-risk housing stock that was constructed with Council permission should have some assistance to perhaps create that ‘flood room’. Future schemes in flood risk zones, councils and developers should stop being so short sighted and return to constructing homes in the ‘high-set’ style or ‘Queenslander’ design. The guys back then knew what they were doing! Around Australia, we have many homes build along coastlines, canal precincts and rivers. Do the recent floods spell the death of homes offering this lifestyle? I don’t think so somehow. I do believe if you have bought or built close to river, canal or ocean you need to consider elevating your home, or going up that second level in consideration to rising water levels and flood episodes – all of which have been in the headlines for a decade or more! Dare I say it, you have been a bit short sighted. When the sun shines and the boat’s on the jetty it is easy to forget the forces of nature. It will never kill the waterfront market but maybe buyers, sellers and builders and councils will all start to think a bit more? The other question asked of me is where do I live? I am not prepared to disclose my exact address, due to potential stalkers and avoiding hate mail from those short-sighted waterfront home buyers! In answer to this question though, I do live in a high flood risk area, but our block is elevated enough (I hope)! iyl www.andrewwinter.com.au Andrew Winter is best known as host and residential property expert for the award-winning series Selling Houses Australia, exclusive to The LifeStyle Channel. He is also author of the ‘No Nonsense Guide to Buying and Selling Property’.

At Home

Ship Shape

In troubled times, designers turn to the whimsy and comforting allure of the sea.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Interiors

hether quirky seabirds, weathered wood, bold brass, or the New England neatness of navy and red stripes, this year, marine motifs in all their salt-sprayed diversity are back, investing our homes and work spaces with the lulling, lyrical emblems of the ocean. Find flotsam at a second-hand goods store, revamp preloved items with a professional reupholster, or trawl online for authentic nautical pieces that will buoy your ambience beyond the big blue. But don’t go overboard, warns Sarah Egan from Boatstyle.com. au. Less is more when it comes to creating a nautical theme, even onboard luxury vessels. “The idea is to create accents, to draw the eye to key pieces, without being a slave to the theme. There’s no need to start from scratch. It can be a matter of adding pieces to existing decor, breaking up a look with carefully chosen items.” Materials that evoke the beach and do double duty indoors and out have come a long way since the days of hard canvas. Today, products are available in high-tech materials such as melamine, polycarbonate (shatterproof glasses, brilliant!), chenille, velvet, cotton-bamboo blend and linen-like fabrics that are tough, yet tactile. “Boats, beach houses and al fresco dining areas, especially in our harsh climate, call for pieces that are durable, weather, mould and UV resistant, and still look great for many years. Many interior products are not designed for the usage we subject them to.” But outdoor and boating accessories needn’t look like picnic-ware or camping gear. “They can look and feel top quality, but still have that hardiness. You shouldn’t have to compromise on style for the sake of being functional. Sarah supplies all manner of products – from bed linen to biminis, throw rugs to silverware – sourced from all over the world for discerning boat and home owners. One of her specialty brands is Sunbrella, versatile indoor-outdoor fabrics for every application. “Indoor/outdoor fabrics such as those in the Sunbrella range give us the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest. There’s no need to drag the cushions inside at the sight of rain clouds or the end of a day. Whether in the toughest of environment onboard a boat, by the sea or under the harsh Australian sun, Sunbrella fabrics are designed to live the way we do.” For Superyacht and home interiors Sarah’s secret is a restrained hand and the merest hints of marine motifs. “My philosophy is to create a sanctuary, a personal space. You can’t relax in a pristine, over-designed space. It has to suit your lifestyle and the people using it.” Besides being her livelihood, marine decor is Sarah’s passion. As she explains: “With a ‘land girt by sea’ I suppose it’s not surprising that nautical style is so favoured. Our affinity with the sea is no surprise when you consider over 80% of our population lives along the coast. “Nautical décor is crisp and cool. A way of expressing our affinity with the sea, it’s familiar and has happy associations.” www.boatstyle.com.au w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

“The idea is to create accents, to draw the eye to key pieces, without being a slave to the theme.” Sarah Egan Boatstyle.com.au

At Home

Design with a conscience. EcoChic.com.au was created for discerning decorators who want accessible, affordable, good quality furniture but are concerned about its impact on the environment.

ounded by Gold Coast-based interior designers, Cris Bucknall and Paula Breckman, EcoChic.com.au showcases eco friendly furniture and homewares that do not sacrifice style and are every bit eco-aware. “If you associate buying green furniture with tree slab tables and handmade quilts, says co-founder Cris Bucknall, then think again! Our online furniture shop is a little less Birkenstock and a little more Balenciaga! When you buy eco friendly furniture from us, it’s a sensitive purchase, but sexy at the same time. It’s high time people were offered quality furniture that is also responsible.” Paula emphasises the stress-free convenience of buying online. “Our online furniture sales allow people to take all the stress out of shopping for home furnishings and spend more time doing the things they love,” she says. “We also have made it a policy to accept returns for any reason and will refund the shipping cost to clients.” American Cris Bucknall started out as a set designer in Hollywood, before travelling to Fiji and then Australia designing hotels and resorts. She created Eco Chic as on offshoot of her interior design company MEI Mannigan Edwards International. Paula Breckman, originally from the UK, travelled around the world as a music promoter with the biggest bands and artists of their time, before settling in Australia and turning her hand to interior design for a Gold Coast based company where she met Bucknall. Sustainable products are not just those that are good for the environment, they must also be safe and healthy for the people who interact with them, socially sustainable and economically sustainable. Eco Chic’s furniture and homewares ranges run from modern furniture to vintage pieces, but everything works back together and different items are meant to be mixed and matched. iyl www.EcoChic.com.au

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

The reason to finally turn your bucket list into a shopping list has arrived. The new Integrity 32 Explorer has arrived. Priced at $299,000 you can finally throw out the bucket list and start your shopping list. Designed in Australia for the toughest of Australian conditions, the new Integrity 32 Sedan is a sturdy big-volume trawler style cruiser with a class leading beam and large walk-around decks. The luxurious but functional saloon has 6’6” headroom and features a large galley and L-shaped dinette that converts to a full double bed. The master cabin features a queen size island bed

with separate shower and ensuite. Complete with bow thruster and the ability to navigate under low bridges, you’re ready to cruise the great Australian coast and beyond from only $299,000. Call Brett or Peter today on 1300 798 735 to arrange your personal inspection or email peter@integrityboats.com.au, brett@ integrityboats.com.au or visit www.integrityboats.com.au

100% Australian owned and operated. We offer great prices for quality trade-ins.

Phone 1300 798 735 www.integrityboats.com.au

Cuisine

market news In Season: Beetroot

his humble root vegetable is now making its way out of ancient recipe books and onto the menus of the hippest restaurants in town, with compelling new research supporting its health benefits. If you’ve only ever tried the tinned variety, this is the season to buy fresh and experiment. Containing no fat, very few calories and a great source of fibre, this strong-tasting tuber has been prized in Europe for generations for its deep red colouring, which has been shown to increase the uptake of oxygen by as much as 400 percent. The beta-carotene and other carotenoids (plant pigments) function as antioxidants that work to protect damage to body cells from free radicals. It is known that the more vibrant the colours of our fruit and vegetables, the more they have to offer in terms of nutrients to help protect our bodies from oxidation.

The green leafy part of the beetroot is also nutritious, bursting with folate, iron, potassium and vitamin C. Try eating the leaves and stalk boiled or steamed and accompanied by onions and garlic. Or chop finely and add to stir-fries. The beetroot bulb itself can be eaten raw. Just peel it and it’s ready to use. Beetroot can add a refreshing touch to a salad, a sandwich (try it with cheese!) or roasted as the perfect winter treat that’s as versatile and decorative as it is delicious.

Roasted Beetroot

3 medium beetroot 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled but lightly crushed 1 bay leaf freshly ground black pepper & sea salt

Succulent with smoked or baked fish, roasted beetroot is a delectable side dish. It can be served as a dip with dark rye bread, horseradish cream, egg mayonnaise and dill pickles.

Method 1. Preheat oven to 180C. 2. W ash beetroot well but do not peel. Dry them and trim most of the leaves and root away. 3. Put half the olive oil in a small ovenproof gratin dish. Halve the beetroot and place cut side down in the dish. Add the crushed garlic cloves and the bay leaf and cover tightly with a lid or with aluminium foil and bake for at least an hour, until a skewer slips through the beetroot without resistance. Allow to cool. 4. You can try using a pair of disposable gloves to prevent the purple staining your hands. 70

Peel the beetroot and cut the flesh into wedges or cubes. 5. Squeeze out the soft garlic and mash it with the remainder of the olive oil and any juices in the baking dish. Toss with beetroot and season with salt and pepper. 6. Best served warm or at room temperature. www.organicfood.com.au Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Market News

Manu’s French Kitchen Manu Feidel

his is a book for lovers of French food and for every home cook who has ever dreamed of creating the perfect niçoise, bavarois, beef bourguignon or tarte tatin. French-born Australian chef and television star Manu Feildel introduces you to the absolute classics of the French kitchen and to the home-style fare of his childhood in Brittany. Clear, easy instructions and standout food photography mean you don't have to be a trained cook, Julia Child or born in France to achieve delicious results every time. Written with heart and full of practical advice and cooking wisdom, Manu's French Kitchen is your introduction to one of the world's great cuisines from one of Australia's most charming chefs.

$39.95 Slow Allyson Gofton

elebrity cook Allyson Gofton gives us her own special take on slow-cooked food, sharing over 180 of her favourite recipes for the slow cooker or crockpot. With chapters on soups, main meals (beef, lamb, pork, chicken and vegetarian) and desserts, Slow is packed with meals your family will enjoy all year-round. Whether you are looking for classic comfort foods or new taste sensations, this is the perfect cookbook for easy meals that taste like you spent hours at the stove. Penguin Australia.

Penguin Australia.

$49.95

$40.00 My Greek Kitchen Mary Valle

ary Valle welcomes you in to her Greek kitchen, a place to share simple food, warm laughter and tradition. Indulge in the fresh scents of oregano and lemon; lamb roast that melts in your mouth; sticky baklava and light almond biscuits; crisp spanakopita; and the tender juiciness of a great moussaka. These are classic recipes, handed down through generations and enlivened by Mary's own modern twists. With personal memories and stunning images, this is the cookbook to begin your journey into Greek food for every occasion. New Holland. w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Cuisine

comfort food. aahh...

It’s the phrase we coin to encapsulate far more than merely dinner when we don’t feel like donning the glad rags and heading out to somewhere fancy. ByLizzie Loel.

or some, the term evokes memories of home cooking, or pleasant stays in rural surrounds, childhood meals, savoured and treasured. And in some minds, it’s simply a soup or a casserole, something warming and hearty but perhaps it is more than that. Think for a minute about the myriad of cultures and their delicious cuisines. And then think about how every culture; from the marble-lined kitchens of great English houses to spice-imbued Medina’s of the Far East all have their

own unique and much loved recipes for comfort on a plate. As Australian’s we have the luxury of exposure to so many different cuisines and with that, ready access to the ingredients and preparation tools needed to create this kaleidoscope of comfort, but so often we rely on our old favourites, recreating again and again, the same dishes for ourselves and our families, as delicious as they may be. So, as the mercury drops and the first chills hit overtake our balmy evenings, let’s take a peek at what others around the world call comfort food and see if

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Comfort Food

something else out there appeals. In Vietnam it’s Pho, an aromatic soup made from anise and cinnamon scented beef broth with rice noodles. It is very simple to prepare, it hearty and nutritious and has a low fat content. Indonesians make bakso, also a broth but this one has meatballs and celery leaves and is eaten with a fried wonton. The Japanese have oyakodon, a soft and ubercomforting dish of mirin, sake and soy broth into which you then layer onions and chicken and cook for about five minutes before adding beaten eggs which are cooked in the fragrant sauce for about a minute. This gently flavoured dish is so comforting, it acts like a pillow to your senses. In the Philippines it’s Adobo, pork cooked in vinegar and soy and in Malaysia they do wonderful things in clay pots, cooked for hours often over an open flame. Singapore is a country brimming with diverse cultures where stir fries sit next to sushi and elegant

Aussie winters can be filled with a colourful collage of dishes, hearty and nutritious, with hints of holidays past.

French patisseries take their place next to firey curries. For me it’s the Duck Rice that you get from the covered food markets that truly comforts. Rich and incredibly tender, soy steeped duck breasts are carved over perfectly cooked rice and served to you on a rudimentary plate to be eaten in the communal dining area alongside the throng of city workers and tourists from all over the globe. Bibimbap literally translates as ‘mixed up rice’ and this is what Koreans turn to for solace. Vegies like cucumber, onion, mushrooms, zucchini and carrots are sautéed with garlic and sesame oil, a little sugar and vinegar, then beef is quickly sautéed and the dish is layered over the rice finished with the strips of lean beef. And then it’s off to Thailand where just about everything on the menu is comforting. Except of course those night stalls selling deep fried bugs and spiders that will have even the most adventurous palate diving for a lovely fragrant bowl of laksa. In India curries comfort except of course, those w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

searing hot ones that threaten to break your pain threshold. In the south gentler spices and ingredients like coconut milk and turmeric, shellfish and beautiful dosa, thin pancakes made from besan flour, cooked on a flat griddle and filled with a variety of masala’s. Up north you’ll see more meat – beef, goat and lamb slow cooked with tomato bases and always plenty of exotic spice. Middle Easterners do comfort in a warm climate very well by reducing the lengthy cooking process and presenting mezza, a colourful collage of cooked and raw dishes that perfectly compliment each other. Hummus, feta in olive oil, lamb koftas, cucumber in yoghurt all supped up with freshly made hot flatbreads and washed down with mint tea or soothing lassi’s, it’s a hot weather salve with added bonus of being highly nutritious and flavour packed. A journey around UK and Europe is comfort in itself. Begin in Britain where winter can be long and arduous with dishes like shepherd’s pie, bubble and squeak and Welsh rarebit. Classic roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, Irish stew, Cornish pasties, sticky date puddings and of course, the all time fave, fish and chips. Across the channel in France is where you might find yourself eating slow cooked pork in cider and pears, chicken steeped in creamy tarragon sauce, coq au vin or pot au feu. The plethora of patisserie and exquisite gateau is also of great comfort to many as are deep bowls of onion soup topped with crisp gruyere toast and, in the south, rich bouillabaisse, ratatouille and pissaladiere. Italy owns risotto in many guises and the world has adopted much of their favourite everyday food – pasta. What could be more comforting than freshly made spaghetti with simple sauces laced with garlic, fresh herbs and salty parmesan? The Greeks do it with lamb and octopus often marinated in oregano and always barbequed with lots of olive oil. Towards the east you’ll find goulash with paprika and lashings of onions and rich syrupy cakes that sooth the soul. Across the pond American’s will offer clam chowder in coastal parts and classic chicken soup elsewhere and in the south barbeque pits and generous kitchens offer fried chicken, coleslaw and sticky, sweet ribs. Further south in the America’s beans, corn, guacamole and moles (spiced casseroles often using chicken) dominate. Back at home with our abundant produce from land and sea and melting pot of culture and it’s fair to say we have it all – with a little or a lot of effort, Aussie winters can be filled with a colourful collage of dishes, hearty and nutritious, with hints of holidays past – or, if the kitchen doesn’t beckon you can always drop in to the local bakery and grab a meat pie and a lamington. iyl 73

Cuisine

Braised Lamb Shoulder served in a Baguette Makes 4-6 Cooking time – 3 Hours

Lucas Parson s: Greener Pastures

here was more than an air of familiarity when Lucas Parsons walked onto the set of Australia’s first series of MasterChef in 2009. The affable 40-year-old humbly revealed that he was the former professional golfer now café owner Lucas Parsons, but forever a food lover. Lucas proved to be a popular contestant and reached the final week of the series which received the largest Australian audience for a non-sporting event with a peak audience of over 4.11 million viewers for the Finale in July. In his other incarnation as a pro golfer, Lucas was one of Australia’s favourite sporting characters and competed as both an amateur and a professional on the international golfing circuit for over 18 years. These days, he owns and operates T’s Book Café in Randwick, Sydney. The cafe is undergoing refurbishments and will re-open in Autumn 2011 as providores for products from the Orange Region in NSW selling items such as Olive Oil, Verjus and Hazelnuts, serving Allpress coffee along with a menu designed and cooked by Lucas. Here, he shares some of his favourite Winter Warmers with Imagine. iyl

Lamb Ingredients 1 x lamb shoulder 4 x garlic cloves - crushed 1 sprig rosemary – finely chopped Zest of 1 lemon 1 x brown onion – sliced 1 x carrot – sliced 1 x tomato - chopped 200ml veal stock 200ml chicken stock 100ml dry white wine 30ml olive oil Salt & peper 2 x baguettes Yoghurt mint sauce ingredients Handful of mint – finely chopped 150g yoghurt Zest of half a lemon

Lamb Method 1 Preheat oven to 140 degrees Celsius 2 Place the garlic, rosemary, olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon zest into a bowl and mix, rub this mixture over the lamb shoulder and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes 3 Heat a baking dish on the cooktop and colour lamb shoulder until golden on each side 4 Remove the lamb shoulder and set aside 5 To the baking dish, add onion and carrot and sweat off, then add the tomato and cook for 1 minute 6 Deglaze with white wine then add stocks then place the lamb over the top 7 Cover with foil and cook for 2-3 hours or until the meat is falling off the bone 8 Remove the meat and set aside to rest for at least 15 minutes 9 Strain sauce through a fine sieve or muslin and save for later

Chocolate Fondant Serves 3 Ingredients 100g Chocolate (65-70% Cocoa solids) 100g Unsalted Butter (cut into 1cm cubes) 2 x Eggs 2 x Egg Yolks 50g Castor Sugar 25g Flour 6g Cocoa Vanilla bean ice-cream

Method 1. Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius 2. Grease and dust with cocoa three dariole (H7cm x 7cm Diameter) moulds 3. Place chocolate and butter into a bainmarie/double boiler over a medium heat and stir occasionally until melted and combined 4. Using a whisk, combine eggs and sugar into a mixing bowl until sugar has dissolved (do not overwhisk) 5. Then combine the melted chocolate mixture with the egg mixture. 6. Sift the flour and cocoa into the rest of the ingredients and fold through gently. 7. P our the mixture into the dariole moulds ¾ full, then place in fridge uncovered for 1-2 hours minimum. 8. Place into oven and cook for 12 minutes. 9. Remove from the oven and let rest for 1 minute. 10. Then carefully place dariole mould upside-down on a plate and the fondant should slide out, serve with vanilla bean icecream.

Yoghurt Method 1 Combine all ingredients in a bowl 2 Pull meat off the bone and place into an open baguette with a little gravy and yoghurt sauce. Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Cuisine

Grape Escapes Comes the winter with all its splendour, or so it is for lovers of wine. Nothing is more splendid than the cooler months for festivals of the grape, with celebrations, events, tours and gourmet trails all centred on the country’s vineyards.

n the Hunter Valley, The Lovedale Long Lunch is something of an institution, 14-15 May. It’s a progressive-type lunch where visitors wine and dine their way around the seven participating wineries over the weekend enjoying a glass of wine, gourmet food, music and art. On the Sunshine Coast, the Noosa Food and Wine Festival has become renowned for its top line-up of over 150 leading chefs, iconic winemakers, high profile food and wine media, restaurateurs and serious foodies who converge Noosa to taste, talk, debate, dine and indulge. This year, the festival runs 13-15 May and will feature the inaugural Qantas “Best Dinner in the World”, showcasing seven chefs from the San Pellegrino's Top Restaurants in the World. Their efforts will be matched with wines by the legendary James Halliday. The vignerons of the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria cannot think of a better way of celebrating the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, 11-13 June, than their Winter Wine Weekend, a calendar fixture with epicureans since its inception in 1988. This festival claims to be “a three-day immersion in fine wines from a unique cool maritime wine region”. This year, 53 Peninsula wineries are throwing open cellar doors, pulling bungs on barrels and countless corks to showcase the diversity of this renowned wine region, right on Melbourne’s doorstep, just one hour’s drive. Also on the June long weekend, the Shoalhaven

Coast Winter Wine Festival, celebrating the cool climate wines of this emerging wine region on the NSW South Coast. Along with wine and cheese tasting at participating vineyards and wineries from Kiama in the North to Bawley Point in the South and Kangaroo Valley in the West, there will be a veritable feast of gourmet food, local produce and live music. Iconic family brand, Brown Brothers is hosting two feasts fit for a king as part of the “Weekend Fit for a King” celebrations throughout the King Valley, also on the Queen's Birthday weekend. The Brown Brothers lunches will be held on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June in the Epicurean Centre, featuring head chef, Danny Neate, presenting a banquet style feast requiring, they state “at least 3 hours put aside to indulge in this experience”. With a national itinerary, the 2011 Good Food & Wine Show will be coming to a venue near you. Satisfy your foodie cravings with hundreds of mouthwatering produce exhibitors, free food sampling and Australian wine tastings. Meet your favourite gourmet stars including George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, Matt Moran and Manu Feildel with live celebrity chef demonstrations, book signings and master classes. The 2011 Good Food & Wine Show starts in Melbourne 3-5 June, then heads to Sydney 1-3 July, Perth 15-17 July, Adelaide 7-9 October and Brisbane 4-6 November. It’s not quite wine, but it’s another one of life’s purest

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Beverages

www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au www.visitvineyards.com/events www.shoalhavencoast.com.au www.brownbrothers.com.au www.celebrationofaustralianfoodandwine.com.au www.goodfoodshow.com.au www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au www.barossagourmetweekend.com.au www.tastesofgoldcoast.com.au

pleasures, chocolate, and it will be honoured in all its diversity at the Chocolate Winterfest in Latrobe, “just seven minutes drive from Devonport” as organisers assert. This indulgent winter festival is the opportunity to immerse yourself in all things cocoa (or carob), and “escape the bleakness of winter”. You can “eat chocolate; mould chocolate into a sculpture; shove chocolate in someone’s mouth; gorge on chocolate, decorate a cake with chocolate, drink chocolate; feast your eyes on chocolate and chocolate desserts, see a chef play with chocolate; catapult chocolate flour; putt an egg, make a chocolate fingerprint; salivate on Tasmanian desserts; have your face painted with chocolate.” You may then return home with excess kilos, and probably not in your luggage. The heart of South Australian wine country, the Barossa hosts its Gourmet Weekend 20-21 August. Each of the cellar doors taking part in this event will be serving up a fine dining experience matched with premium wines and the smooth sounds of live music. Then on the Gold Coast, 18 August to 4 September, the region’s food producers, chefs, restaurants, and wine and beverage makers unite in The Tastes of the Gold Coast. There’s something to please everybody, with street parties, kids cooking sessions, chef demonstrations, picnics and a cocktail trail. Who said winter wasn’t worth the chills for the delectable and delightful pastimes created to warm the very cockles of hearts and palates. iyl

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Fashion

ImagineFasHion

Hip global brands are just a click away with some of the country’s major e-tail boutiques and brands.

Online Outfitters

renery, Country Road, French Connection and other firm fashion favourites have established sophisticated shopping sites for people looking for convenience, edited choice and believe it or not, superb customer service. Because the interaction is generally via email and internet, these etailers are committed to prompt delivery, easy order tracking and great follow up, with alerts, bonuses, bargains and special offers available to online customers in many cases. On the boutique side, there’s Pink Zebra. Like its name, Pink Zebra is feminine, beautiful, intriguing and a little different from the rest of the fashion pack. It began in 2005, the concept of Sarah Paykel, an experienced retail fashion executive based in Sydney. Along with five boutiques in Sydney and Melbourne, carrying the hottest imported fashion lines with a special focus on contemporary cashmere, premium denim and the hippest labels from the US, Pink Zebra has a remarkable online shopping option, regular fashion newsletter and this year, ‘Fashion Insiders’ – a travel division providing shopping tours to world fashion capitals LA and New York. Hand in hand with the fashionistas who know these towns inside out, Australian shoppers can now experience the best of shopping, dining and accommodation in the US. The website is cleverly sectioned in to trends for each season, with this year’s hot themes inlcuding: Beige and Naturals, Polished Leather and Shearling, Modern Military, Drape Dresses with lady-like lace, the Slouch Pant, Accessories like platform boots, cuffs, animal print belts, bags and scarves – as well as staples like cashmere, jeans, jackets, Tees and dresses. www.pinkzebra.com.au

.au www.trenery.com

www.countryroad.com.au

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Online

top10 Must Haves for winter 2011 The Coat Make a statement this season – whether it’s with the trench, bell shaped, cape or belted, the coat is fundamental to your wardrobe.

The Dress Emphasise the waistline with a belted streamlined shift. Invest in a jersey dress for something less structured and wear in bold shades including red and magenta.

The Aviator Jacket

com.au www.pinkzebra.

Made famous by Tom Cruise in Top Gun now you can have your own movie moment. With shearling collar detail, wear this with anything from denim to dresses.

The Hat Accessories are key: complete your look with a felt fedora, beret or a more relaxed bohemian style.

The Pant Worn slim, high-waisted, harem or with slight flare they make the ultimate wardrobe staple this season.

Lace Someone say La Dolce Vita – sexy, chic and uber feminine, everyone should own a piece of lace this season.

Animal Print Bold zebra or leopard, pair with neutral accessories

www.countryroad.com.au

Denim Denim comes in all shapes and shades. Denim on denim is stronger than ever.

Footwear The boot has never been so varied or fashion forward from the ankle wedge, ankle platform, over the knee, equestrian style and even the rain boot. Source: David Jones w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Fashion

ImagineFasHion

Nude Mockingbird Tiger. $189.95

Skin Kill Bar Tiger. $229.95

Windsor smith highland black suede leather flat almond toe lace up shoe with brogue detailing. $149.95

well-heeled S

tyleTread is the online shoe boutique with the latest, most sought after styles from a large range of Australian and select international designers.Â For male and female shoe-addicts, StyleTread has all the hottest styles whether for a special occasion, the office, casual Fridays or every day. This season itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a case of animal attraction, with prints galore in flats, wedges, boots and heels. For men, leather and laces, buckles and boots. Comfort neatly combined with style. www.styletread.com.au

Windsor smith oasis brown burnish leather almond toe lace up shoe with brogue detailing. $149.95

Mollini Octopussy Ocelot. $129.95

Diavolina Xena Leopard. $149.95

Windsor smith james whisky leather chisel toe refined dress lace up. $129.95

Soles Boot This Zebra. $169.95

Soles Leary Moccasin Dusty Leopard. $159.95

Croft teede tan galileo leather chelsea boot with almond toe $189.95

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS THAN PERFECTION The Hearts On Fire Transcend Diamond Engagement Ring set in platinum For more information email us at: perfection@heartsonfire.com

567 Military Road, Mosman (02) 9969 4152 dracakis.com.au

Manuka Arcade, Manuka (02) 6295 9493 briolette.com.au

View our entire collection at heartsonfire.com

Imagine

Green Grants.

What’s big and green and innovative? That’s what the British Council wants Australian entrepreneurs, businesses and creative up and comings to tell them. On offer, six grants to support ventures in waste reduction, energy, transport and water efficiency and sustainability. Photos: Carla Gottgens

he UK government is offering young Australian entrepreneurs with an interest in combating climate change access to a grants program to kick-start their eco-visionary projects. On his recent visit to Australia, British foreign secretary William Hague launched the local leg of the initiative, E-Idea, which locally will be called The Big Green Idea, to encourage 18- to 35-yearold innovators across the Asia-Pacific to pursue environmental projects. “We believe the most successful economies of the future will be built on low-carbon growth. And the challenge is to seize the opportunities that this presents and be one of the leaders of the pack in this regard,” Hague said at the launch in Sydney last year. The competition, which will be held in China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia, is jointly run by the British Council, the UK government’s cultural relations agency and Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance. Locally, The Big Green Idea opens in March. Up to six grants will be awarded to young entrepreneurs with plans to make a real contribution to Australia’s environmental future. Projects promoting waste reduction, efficiencies in transport, energy reduction, water efficiency and sustainable design will be considered. “This initiative is designed to assist and to initiate new projects that motivate people to minimise their own impact. In particular, entrepreneurs with good ideas that will help address some of these biggest sustainability challenges for urban communities while making a positive impact.” iyl www.biggreenidea.com.au

British Council Director Nick Marchand and Leyla Acaroglu.

BIG GREEN INSPIRATION Here are the ideas behind some of the winners of last year’s pilot program: Leyla Acaroglu came up with The Secret Life of Things, a series of short animations and educational resources that explore the lifecycle aspects of products and materials, and shows how a large percentage of a product’s environmental impact is ‘locked in’ at the design stage. Her company, EcoInnovators, is a group of architects, designers, scientists and sustainability experts, who act as consultants for businesses and designers who wish to measure and reduce their environmental impact. Miyuki Jokiranta has been working ways to make Australian festivals greener. Through her not-forprofit organisation, seven thousand oaks (7KO), Miyuki organised the 2010 Festival of Sustainable Arts. She has distributed a ‘best practice’ green events toolkit, developed by Miyuki for festival producers.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Mothers Day Ferragamo, Attimo Drawing inspiration from the impeccable pedigree of the house of Ferragamo, Attimo is inspired by a multicoloured rounded wedge, designed for stage and screen legend, Judy Garland. The fragrance is refined, feminine, floral with distinctive notes of patchouli and pear. EDP 30ml $69, 100ml $136

Heaven Scent Glasshouse Fragrances introduce the limited edition Triple Scented Candle in Versaille, Violet & White Amber, inspired by the magnificent gardens and Palace of Versailles. In particular, The Hall of Mirrors, known as the most beautiful room in the Palace, has provided the motifs and effect used on the finish of the jar. The scent is a combination of Acacia Blossom, Creamy Tuberose, with Lily of the Valley, Musk, Violet, Sandalwood and White Amber. $39.95 www.glasshousefragrances.com.au

MakeMum’sDay This Mother’s Day, think outside the square (iron, chocolates, slippers) and spoil her with something she’ll really love.

Swags of Style Take your own tote to the market and save the planet in the process – that’s the message from the New York designers of Fleabags. These sturdy and stylish bags are made of eco-friendly materials, American and Italian leathers and water-based ink. The new range includes an Indian Blanket design that features authentic Pendleton Wool and Cowboy Brown leather with blush-coloured vegetable tanned handles that are long enough to wear over your shoulder for comfort. Kindredgifts.com is the exclusive retailer of, Fleabags who design and manufacture fashionista-friendly, handmade tote and satchels that count celebs and fashionistas among their fans. www.kindredgifts.com

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Health & Beauty

FitFlop now with a shoe on top! After one year of engineering, FitFlop launches the FF Supertone™ Sneaker, a muscle-toning, energising, shockabsorbing FitFlop with a “shoe” on top. With an ageless, cool, go everywhere style, the FF Supertone has a cleverly designed to hide toning sole so you can wear it everywhere without anybody knowing you’re getting a workout while you walk. FF Supertone has an ageless, cool, go-everywhere style – with FitFlop’s thigh-toning, foot-flexing, bottom-benefiting biomechanics built-in. Made of breathable, treated leather, this little baby won’t have any of the odours normally associated with fitness footwear, and comes in a selection of ontrend colours to suit every mood and every outfit. www.fitflop.com.au RRP

$199.00

Health News Organically good Australian skincare and spa brand, LI’TYA is proud to announce the organic certification of its Blue Cypress Body Wash, a gentle, softly foaming lotion that cleanses, hydrates and purifies in one. Blue Cypress is renowned for its antiinflammatory properties, relieving muscle tension and soothing tired skin. And with the added benefits of Sandalwood, Grapefruit and Aloe Vera, skin is strengthened, stimulated and hydrated. The LI’TYA range is created using organic native Australian ingredients blended in results-oriented formulations. LI’TYA is founded on a Tread Lightly TM environmental approach and gives back to the indigenous people through the LI’TYA Foundation. More information and orders at www.litya.com

White Tea Have a little fat you'd like to lose? Maybe now is a good time to turn on the kettle and pour yourself a cup of this: white tea. Made from the buds and early leaves of the same plants used to make green and black teas, white tea may have special fatthwarting powers, a new study suggests. Fat cells increase or decrease in size, according to your weight. And in a lab study, human fat cells treated with white tea extract accumulated significantly less fat. In fact, the white tea extract reduced the incorporation of fat by as much as 70 percent! The tea also seemed to stimulate the breakdown of fat from mature cells. Because white tea is less processed than green or black tea, it has more of certain active compounds, like epigallocatechin3-gallate (an antioxidant) and methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine). And researchers suspect that these compounds influence fat-cell metabolism by acting on the expression of certain genes. www.realage.com

Fab filler Known for its gentle and high tech skincare, Kiehl’s introduces Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler that offers instant and longterm results, without the use of silicones. In clinical tests, it has been shown to minimise the number of facial lines over time, in as little as four weeks. Formulated for daily application, Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler is a gentle, yet potent blend of two types of extremely bio-compatible Hyaluronic Acids, plus polymers, peptides and silica to help provide double-action, visible skin-smoothing immediately while minimising the appearance of wrinkles* and visibly improving skin’s elasticity over time. Best of all, it also does not contain fragrance or parabens. www.kiehls.com 20ml

$68.00 Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Skin Therapy

Prevention is the ideal strategy, but we are all guilty of crimes of the flesh that add lines to our faces and years to our looks. Thank science then, that there is a battery of treatments now available and more accessible than ever to halt the hands of time. But all the information and marketing hype is no substitute for professional opinion.

Dr May Marr, a skin specialist offers her expert insight in to skin maladies and some genuine, high-tech remedies.

Veins (Telangiectasias)

Skin Therapy.

“The best first step is diagnosing the cause of facial veins,” says Dr Marr. “There are various causes and by establishing that cause in your individual case, we can find the best way to treat the condition.” As Dr Marr explains: “There are several causes of facial veins: sun damage, rosacea or they could be a symptom of other medical conditions like auto-immune disease ( for example lupus) or liver failure”. “To treat the cause, it’s vital to get to the root of the problem before you begin any treatment on the facial veins. Obviously, drinking, smoking and exposure to the sun can increase redness.” One of the most common causes of telangiectasia in younger clients is rosacea. Often, these clients have been having repeated IPL or laser for their facial veins. There is recurrence of facial veins as their rosacea is still active. The most effective way is to diagnose and treat the underlying rosacea, then treat the telangieactasia. Once active rosacea is controlled, the telangieactasia tend not to recur. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments, or vascular laser, and in some cases, radio

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Health & Beauty

leads to an increase in the sympathetic response, contraction of the erector pili muscle and decrease in pore size. Botulinum toxin also acts on a receptor (muscarinic) which is responsible for excess oil production hence the use of Botulinum toxin will also cause a decrease in sebum production. “The depth of Botulimun injection is important,” says Dr Marr. “It should be in the dermis not the muscle. It is crucial that this be administered by a qualified practitioner. In addition, a good exfoliant and sunscreen are vital.”

Wrinkles

frequency ablation works to ameliorate facial veins. “A skin professional should ask you a few simple questions to work out which is best for your skin.”

Enlarged pores

Facial pore size and excess oiliness are notoriously difficult conditions to treat. Again, a correct diagnosis is paramount in successful treatment. If increased “pore size” is due to scarring, then resurfacing modalities using skin laser or IPL will work. Enlarged pores are concentrated in the T-zone areas as these are the areas that have the highest concentration of pilosebaceous units. The reason that laser resurfacing has limited result on facial pore size is because the pilosebaceous units are located in the deeper dermis – a layer not penetrated by most lasers. The size of a facial pore is determined by a complex interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems action on the erector pili muscle. Botulimun toxin (known as its brand name, ‘Botox’) blocks the parasympathetic nervous system which

lines’ because you have spent happy times, laughing. That eye-area is set on thin muscles and when people paralyse that area, they tend to look sunken, hollow and staring. Smile lines are much more attractive.” But Dr Marr is adamant, prevention is the best means of putting off treatment until later in life. “There is no substitute for using a 30+, broad-spectrum sunscreen, or better still, avoiding the sun altogether, and using an A or B hydroxy-acid in a leave-on exfoliant formula, along with a prescription Vitamin A cream. It’s as simple as that.” iyl

The bane of ageing, wrinkles exist in two varieties: dynamic and static. As Dr Marr explains: “Dynamic only appear when muscles contract when you smile or frown, and they eventually become static as collagen and supporting tissue wear away by the muscle contraction so the deep lines remain.” Treatment for both is complementary. “I take an * approach that is somewhat more complex. I prefer to use dermal fillers in the temple and eye-area, so that we minimise the antiwrinkle (Botox) experience doses required. My One Lucky Imagine Reader will Marr May Dr of se clients still have the anti-aging experti cialist, spe spa ed own ren and t soft lines and the and skin therapis ’s On Rae at t therapis ability to express Marionne de Candia, resident Marr Dr ds, nee ’s themselves. Watego’s. Depending on your skin nt tme trea el o-pe mes x 1 will treat your skin with Dermal fillers facial ing age i ant ur 1-ho a as l wel (valued at $300), as support the at $150). Also, you by Marionne de Candia (valued movement La Gaia will win a selection of the new there.” n Laing. Jea Dr by ised Naturaceuticals, dev According to Dr Marr, many people deserves fall in to the trap To enter tell us why your skin less or ds wor 25 in nt tme of completely over this expert trea ne. agi @im tion peti com to: il doing it and aiming to ema and com.au with SKIN in erase every facial line. the subject box. “I prefer the natural look. Crows feet are called ‘laugh

* Prize is for treatment at Dr May May’s clinic, is not redeemable for cash and is valid for 12 months from date of publication.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Africa…

Experience

Now is the time for you to discover what Africa has to oﬀer—it is aﬀordable, it is safe and the experience will provide you with memories that will live on forever.

South Africa Surprise

from

4,125*

Johannesburg to Cape Town

per person,

15 days including flights & taxes

twin share

Price Includes: Airfares, transportation in luxury microbus or coach, 3 star accommodation throughout, breakfast daily, 4 dinners, all touring & sightseeing as per itinerary, porterage, VAT. Valid for departures: 15 May, 12 Jun, 14 Aug, 2011. Other dates & single supplement available upon request.

S LEF

CE 3 PLA Y L N O

Tony Park’s

African Explorer

Johannesburg to Johannesburg

per person, twin share

13 days including flights & taxes

Join Tony Park as he takes you on this exciting safari through South Africa. Visit places from his previous books as well as a few new places as he searches for future plots. Share his passion, as one of Australia’s most famous authors shows you “his” Africa—a must for all Tony Park fans! Departs: 04 July, 2011.

Ben Britton

Wild Animal Encounters

Over the past 13 years, we have successfully sent thousands of clients on safari, presenting them with the magic of Africa. Let us help you design your perfect safari holiday… the holiday of a lifetime!

from

9,995*

Africa is a destination that requires ﬁrst hand experience and local knowledge to sell correctly and The Africa Safari Co.’s consultants are specialists—we pride ourselves on the fact that we have travelled extensively throughout Africa and sell our products with pride in the knowledge that each property has been sited, and is approved by us as oﬀering value for money with a level of service and quality that can be guaranteed.

This is but a taste of what we have to oﬀer. For full details and many more options, contact us today.

• South Africa • Botswana • Zimbabwe • Zambia • Namibia • Malawi • Kenya

• Tanzania • Zanzibar • Uganda • RWANDA

• Madagascar • Egypt • Indian Ocean

from

6,985*

Johannesburg to Johannesburg

per person,

10 nights including flights & taxes

twin share

Visit various conservation programs in Southern Africa, including The Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre and the Khami Reptile Park. Whilst the focus is on wildlife conservation centres, a highlight of the trip is a visit to Ngala Private Game Reserve for safaris in open vehicles and on foot. Departs: 06 June, 2011.

Kenya & Tanzania Experience

from

4,995*

Private Safari (private vehicle & guide) Nairobi to Nairobi

per person,

13 days land only

twin share

Visit the highlights of East Africa: including the magnificent Serengeti and Masai Mara Game Reserve, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater and, of course, you get to enjoy some magnificent game viewing at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the Amboseli National Park. We utilise 4 star accommodation throughout and all meals, park fees and safaris are included. Departs daily (min. 2). *Some conditions apply. Single supplement upon request.

License no: 2TA4698 ABN 20 290 083 627

Office 1, Commercial Suites, Illawong Shopping Village, 273 Fowler Road, Illawong, NSW, 2234.

Tel: (+61 2) 9541 4199 Fax:

(+61 2)

Toll Free:

9532 0744

1800 659 279

Email: enquiries@africasafarico.com.au

www.africasafarico.com.au

Islands

Imagine

When Disaster Strikes. Once the chaos and shock of a natural disaster have worn off and it’s time to rebuild homes and lives, there is a series of support mechanisms to aid individuals and communities on the road to recovery. Life Coach, Geoff Edwards examines some of the costs, consequences and coping strategies.

e have had a massive number of natural disasters in Australia recently and some people may be thinking they are not in the “lucky country”. There have been floods, Cyclone Yasi and bushfires and the impacts have been catastrophic, with the loss of many lives and whole towns and communities destroyed. It is important to extend our sympathy to the families of those who have lost loved ones and note the courage shown and support provided by so many in the face of these disasters. There are many sobering statistics about these natural disasters. This summer has been the biggest natural disaster in Australia’s history and the cost of cleaning up and repairing the damage will no doubt be well in excess of $10 billion. It will take years to restore damaged infrastructure and repair the economy and in some places an entire recovery may not be possible. On average, natural disasters cost Australia $1.14 billion annually. Most people recover from these 88

situations and start and look ahead to a more positive future, however some of those who are affected may be vulnerable, even though most Australians will show courage, and determination. This article provides some suggestions that may support people on the road to recovery. Disaster Support At the time of a disaster occurring, it is important to ensure support is provided at all levels i.e. for individuals, families, communities and across the State. There is also clear evidence that both practical and emotional support are very helpful to the recovery process. Because Australia does have a history of natural disasters, a great deal of thought has been given to the availability of resources, including a Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements framework for victims of natural disasters. Coping with Disasters Dr Vivienne Lewis, a practicing psychologist at the University of

Canberra says it’s quite common for people following an experience of a natural disaster to feel distressed and feel like they are not coping as they try to rebuild their lives. “But people are amazingly resilient and often people’s ability to cope far exceeds people’s expectations. It’s in the weeks and months following displacement due to the natural disaster where if people are still feeling the same level of distress and are still not able to engage in daily routines such as going to work, looking after the family and loved ones, then they may need to seek professional help.” Much has been said about the resilience of communities hit by disasters, but even those of greatest fortitude may face difficulties in coping. While many people and communities will be resilient in the face of disaster, there may still be significant difficulties for some in these circumstances. The more severe the disaster, particularly in cases where people’s lives have been threatened, where they have lost loved ones or family members or family homes and communities, the more likely the support

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Feature

may be required. We also know that there is a high level of distress and grief initially as normal people deal with such abnormal experiences. However when the stress continues and disrupts people’s capacity to function, it is important that they have the opportunity to seek further support and counseling should they wish. This is particularly the case if these or other symptoms continue to disrupt their lives. The ongoing disruption may indicate the difficulty people are having in coping with the effects of the emergency and its ongoing consequences. The things that really help people in such times are being able to be with them and offering practical assistance and letting them talk if they wish. Services at such times include outreach programs, call centres and the support of Government and Non Government organizations. It is more important to let people use their own pathways to deal with their feelings about this experience. Returning to “normality” is important, however, it may be a new “normality” for people. Recognising this and helping people deal with it involves the support of people who care, together with close family and friends. For most families, such experiences are very stressful and they may also impact on family relationships. The opportunity to talk together regularly and get back to family life can be very helpful. Additional support and access to services is also available through local medical services i.e. GPs. Dr Lewis states that “the best things to help people recover from trauma are to have loved ones around them, feel safe and secure, return to routines such as going to work and school and to feel connected to their community”.

Geoff Edwards is an internationally accredited Life Coach with over 25 years and 3000 hours of coaching experience who can support you on your journey to success with results that last. He can be contacted via geoffedwards@bigpond.com and his website is www.geoffedwards.net

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

“Both the community and government assistance are important to helping people recover from trauma.” Assessing individual coping mechanisms and the need for specialist counseling support is vital. Ongoing health problems that might arise include such things as stress, sleep difficulties and fears and anxieties. The suffering and struggle required to recover in the aftermath of a traumatic experience may lead to people recognising their strength and capacity to cope in such circumstances. Looking ahead to the future Natural disasters are an inevitable part of human life and have an impact on everyone in the community. It is known that shared actions for recovery will help people look ahead to the future. It is often helpful to see something as a challenge rather than a threat and this can help you to deal with it and build your resilience. Some suggestions for building skills for resilience are: •R ecognise the situation as a challenge and the skills that you have at your disposal to meet the challenge •D evelop skills to manage stress, for example avoiding negative preoccupations and fear based approaches • Try and keep a positive frame of mind. Establishing a routine At times of great stress it is important to look after yourself. Below are some tips on what you can do to make difficult times easier: • Adjust your lifestyle to your needs • Make many small decisions daily • Remind yourself daily that you are coping • Accept that you and many others are going through a highly stressful experience • Respect and acknowledge your emotions • Find people you trust to talk to about your reactions • Take extra care of yourself; your health, exercise, sleep and relaxation. • Communicating and building bonds Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to help a person affected by disaster. It is normal to struggle with what to say or do in these cases. Below are some tips on how to best help a person recovering

from a traumatic event: • Spend time with the stressed person, without judging or demanding. People will recover in their own time. • Offer support and listen. Communicating with others is very important i.e. airing problems. Remember that people may need to go over things many more times than usual, or some may not wish to deal with their problem at this time • Help with practical tasks and chores. This gives people more energy and time for the recovery process. • Give people time, space and patience and don’t take it personally if at times they are irritable, bad tempered or want to be alone. These reactions are a natural part of the stress response and will pass as people recover. • Don’t try to talk people out of their reactions, minimise the event or try to get them to look on the bright side. Saying things like ‘you’re lucky it wasn’t worse’, or ‘pull yourself together’ isn’t helpful. • Stressed people need to concentrate on themselves at first; they will feel supported if you let them know you are concerned, want to help and are trying to understand • Involve yourself in community activities, establishing relationships, support others • Turning to the road ahead, it will take time to rebuild lives, homes, businesses and communities and it will not be an easy process. If you’ve made some effort in preparing for the future, then you will be much more confident. Australia will recover from the tragedies that have confronted the whole nation in recent times and many other challenges that will inevitably occur. Such challenges will also leave memories and some emotional pain, however we know that many people communicate, grow and strengthen in many different ways through these experiences. There are many useful resources that exist for support at these times, some of which are shown below: www.disasterassist.gov.au www.centrelink.gov.au www.psychology.org.au www.redcross.org.au

Imagine

RACQ

CareFlight The recent Queensland flooding added up to an exceptionally busy summer season for CareFlight, whose iconic fleet of blue and gold choppers rescue or transport more than 350 sick and injured people every year. Story by Jeni Bone

s Ashley van de Velde, CEO of CareFlight Group Queensland explains, CareFlight pilots and crew were called upon to go over and above their regular duties, adapting their resources to suit the needs of the people in crisis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During this busy period RACQ CareFlight juggled a variety of different missions, including evacuating sick and injured patients from regional hospitals, who otherwise would not have made it to the specialist care they needed with many roads cut-off due to flooding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our crews also performed a number of winch rescues, airlifting families into the safety of

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Careflight

the aircraft after they were forced to take refuge on the roofs of their homes as flood waters left no other means of escape.” Over December and January, during the peak period of inundation in Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley Ipswich, Brisbane, the Bunya Mountains, Warwick, Chinchilla, Goondiwindi and other remote and regional locations, CareFlight worked around the clock to provide relief to those requiring urgent assistance. In one 24 hour period alone, crews were tasked to over 20 missions, making it necessary for the organisation to mobilise all four helicopters just to service the demand. “Often crew members volunteered to perform extra shifts, just to make sure the demand for rescues could be met,” recalls van de Velde. “Despite challenging weather conditions, RACQ CareFlight remained on standby 24/7, ready to respond to a call out, when it was safe to do so.” There are a myriad of stories associated with CareFlight evacuations, and among them are many heart-wrenching accounts and close calls. At Bright View, a mum had given birth late one night in her home after her semi-rural property was isolated by flood waters. Her husband and family members helped deliver the baby, with directions over the phone from emergency services. Mum and bub were airlifted to St Andrew’s Private Hospital in Ipswich and both were able to receive the care they needed. “RACQ CareFlight’s crew members have seen first-hand the toll that these floods have taken on the local communities we proudly serve,” says van w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

de Velde. “We have airlifted families who were able to escape only with the clothes on their backs, as flood waters rapidly rose, putting their properties and homes underwater. As we fly over water –logged towns, evacuating people who have been forced to abandon the homes they have worked so hard for, it’s impossible not to be personally affected by the loss and sadness this disaster has brought about.” A critical care doctor is carried on board every RACQ CareFlight mission 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide emergency medical at the scene of an accident. Seven pilots, five air crewmen four critical care doctors, five intensive care flight paramedics and five engineers are based at CareFlight’s Gold Coast Hangar. RACQ CareFlight South West operation employs a group of specifically trained Toowoomba- based professionals who work on board the helicopter 24/7. RACQ CareFlight has a day time response as little as 6 minutes.

This reliable, rapid and impeccably resourced service doesn’t come cheap. Each RACQ CareFlight mission costs in excess of $10,000, at no direct cost to patients, relying on government funding together with corporate and community donations to keep its fleet in flight. After nearly three decades, RACQ CareFlight’s biggest supporters are still the communities of southern QLD which contribute almost half of the service’s funding. Emphasising the importance of community support, van de Velde says it’s imperative the vital work of RACQ CareFlight continue. “You may have already supported the flood relief appeal to help those in need directly. We thank you for this generous community spirit during what is a tough time for many Queenslanders. We ask you to extend your generosity if you can, to support RACQ CareFlight to raise vital funds to keep our choppers in the air.” iyl www.CareFlightrescue.org.au or call 1800 630 014.

Imagine

Women’s Wisdom. Launching auspiciously on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, 8 March 2011, at an official function in Canberra presided over by Australia’s Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, an insightful new book from media personality and journalist, Karen Phillips, Women’s Words of Wisdom, Power and Passion.

rom an enviable contact directory assembled over a career over 20 years, Karen marshalled 50 of Australia’s most celebrated, high profile, extraordinary and quiet achievers for her book, sharing their thoughts and experiences of success, love, health and happiness. During her career, Karen has spoken to thousands of women from Cairns to Hobart and Perth to Sydney at events and leadership forums. Through this she learned that women of all ages hunger for wisdom, mentors and new opportunities to learn. Karen also manages a successful women’s networking group on the Gold Coast (Early Risers) where she worked with many of the women featured in this book. She wanted to share their knowledge, insights, lessons, sadness and triumphs with ordinary women. The pages within Women’s Words of Wisdom, Power and Passion are devoted to interviews, personal anecdotes and stunning photos from Australia’s most respected and adored women. The book is a celebration of influential women in fashion, business, sports, politics, media and everyday life. Through their insight, valour and compassion come some of life’s most important lessons. The inspirational voices she has assembled include Olivia Newton John AO, OBE, Carla Zampatti AC, 92

PM Julia Gillard MP, Miranda Kerr, Gai Waterhouse, Terri Irwin AM, Maggie Beer, Catherine Freeman OAM, Collette Dinnigan, Tara Moss, Dr Fiona Wood AM, Sigrid Thornton, Kathy Lette and many more. Karen’s own journey towards writing this book is a lesson in courage and overcoming obstacles. During a holiday in Bali in June 2010, Karen broke her back. Doctors said she was lucky to survive. After this life-changing experience Karen, decided it was time to follow her heartfelt dream. Less than a year later, her dream to inspire women around the country, is now coming to fruition with ‘The Women’s Words Project’ – which includes launching her book and the Women’s Words of Wisdom website www.womenswords.com Gathering together 50 iconic Australian women for the book was just the beginning. Karen’s passion to make a difference has motivated her to create ‘The Women’s Words Project’ to provide a multitude of platforms for women to share, learn and embrace what being a woman is all about. Also, 10% of the book’s profits will be

donated to Olivia Newton-John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre. A seasoned media proponent with experience in the UK and Asia, Karen launched her communications, branding and events company at just 27. Karen Phillips Corporate Communications has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious brands and identities. An avid supporter of women’s cancer charities and other causes, she has managed and hosted one of Australia’s longest running women’s business clubs, now called Early Risers in Queensland for over 18 years, featuring such iconic names as Jane Fonda, Ray Martin and Olivia Newton-John. iyl www.womenswords.com

Imagine has 4 copies of Women’s Words by Karen Phillips to give away. For your chance to win one, email competition@ imagineyourlifestyle.com.au

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Travelling through France? Paris

1h 37 3h 18

2h 10 4h 03

309km

375km

Did you know taking a TGV is the fastest way to travel between French cities?

2h 00 4h 51

Nantes

458km

3h 00 5h 59

2h 40 7h 13

575km

Bordeaux

Toulouse

For bookings and information please contact your professional travel consultant or visit www.railplus.com.au

Dijon

5h 20 6h 57 669km

Lyon

702km

3h 30 7h 43

5h 32 9h 37

740km

943km

Avignon Montpellier Nice *www.theaa.com TGV CAR*

Travel

Hot Spots 2011 Luxury tour travel company Abercrombie & Kent shares its insider knowledge on what’s hot for 2011 and why. Antarctica Travellers seeking the last and final frontier should look no further than an expedition to Antarctica. This is a destination of extremes: the weather is unpredictable, the distances long but the experience nothing short of remarkable. The landscapes are breathtaking and the wildlife in its natural habitat is delightfully unaffected by the presence of humans. Adventurous souls can see it all and in comfort on A&K’s MV Le Boreal which carries just 199 guests in a style unmatched on other expeditionary cruises. The Galapagos Islands Rated "Top Island" in the World’s Best Awards 2010, the Galapagos archipelago 94

is rightly hot. A year-round destination, its remote location 960kms off the coast of Ecuador rewards the adventurous with a dazzling array of plant and animal life with many species found nowhere else on the planet. Famous as the inspiration for Darwin’s ‘The Origin of Species’, the place is a living laboratory best explored with expert guides onboard Sanctuary MV Eclipse. South Australia Travellers wanting to escape urban confines with a holiday close to home are excited about new Arkaba Station, a 60,000 acre working sheep station in the Flinders Ranges with Wilpena Pound right on the property’s northern boundary. This is a pristine outback adventure but delivered in homestead Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Hot Spots Bhutan Still off the beaten track, visitor numbers are limited. Its landscapes, spirituality and charming people are the biggest attractions and there’s a small but excellent choice of luxe lodgings (Amankora and Uma Paro). Experience the A&K Bhutan Himalayan Explorer showcasing Bhutan’s profound Buddhist culture, witness a puja ceremony and visit the Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery and Chele La Pass.

style and comfort. A walking safari is also available with luxury camping in swags under the stars! Japan Japan’s cultural and scenic attractions are up there on the bucket lists of discerning travellers. From the neon lights of ultra-modern Tokyo to the World Heritage shrines of Nikko National Park and the geisha culture of Kyoto, Japan quite simply, dazzles. There are beautiful landscapes, volcanic hot springs and temples and shrines aplenty plus an intriguing culture far removed from our own. Mexico There’s something for everyone in Mexico, from vast deserts to jungle, ancient Mayan ruins to tropical Caribbean beaches, snow-capped volcanoes to bustling modern cities. It's beautiful and diverse, with breathtaking vistas, numerous cultures, cuisines, handicrafts, music and art forms. Though relatively difficult for Australians to get to it’s well worth the effort and great value thanks to a strong Aussie dollar. w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

Take in some key highlights of this diverse country from Mexico City to the UNESCO world heritage city of Puebla, Oaxaca and a visit to Monte Alban among other highlights: Morocco Dust, desert, souks and spices. Colourful and exotic, it’s home to a fusion of Berber, Arabic and Moorish cultures. There are boutique riads, chic hotels and Bedouin tented camps with adventure aplenty. Suits the sedate leisure traveller interested in culture, cuisine and history as well as more active types who seek physical challenges in the form of hiking, horse riding or desert adventures. A&K’s office on the ground ensures the best guides and there’s a fantastic A&K Philanthropy project to visit, which gives a safe haven and daily activities to street children. The Imperial Cities tour takes in the ancient imperial cities of Meknes, Fes and Marrakech, snake-charmers, scribes and soothsayers at the medieval Djemaa 95

Travel

el-Fna Square, Adventure in the Atlas Mountains and a lesson in the art of cooking Moroccan style: Syria Syria has 7000 years of history to wow the visitor. There are spectacular desert palaces, rambling archaeological sites, ornate Islamic mosques, Roman ruins, Crusader castles, chaotic medieval souks and a rich cuisine. Bed down in restored Ottoman palaces or deluxe five star hotels and enjoy all the attractions in the company of the finest private guides. The Highlights of Syria is a new itinerary for A&K and includes: Umayyad Mosque with its three thousand years of history, Wander the old souks and khans of Damascus, Maaloula, the only place in the world where Aramaic is still used as a living language, Krac Des Chevaliers, a Crusader fortress, Hama and its ancient norias (waterwheels), Citadel of Saleh Ed-Din located high in the coastal mountain range and a stop in the Syrian Desert to visit the ruins of the walled city of Al-Rasafeh: Zambia Top billing for wildlife enthusiasts is a safari in Zambia. Home to the walking safari this is the place to go for some of the world’s best game viewing and you can do it in the traditional style on foot at Sanctuary Zebra Plains, A&K’s new walking safari camp. Dictated by the seasons, the walking safaris only operate five months of the year when you join Garth Hovell, guide par excellence, in search of the unique species which inhabit the vast South Luangwa National Park. iyl www.abercrombiekent.com.au 96

Croatia It’s Europe’s new Riviera. Blessed with ancient monuments, a sundrenched coastline and turquoise seas it’s largely unspoilt by the hordes yet with its fair share of super yachts and glamorous A-listers. It offers a fabulous cultural heritage (Roman ruins and walled cities), superb beaches and has some of the best boating in the region. A&K has its own office on site and Guardian Angels on call 24/7. A&K’s Delights of the Adriatic tour takes in the country’s medieval castles, snow-capped peaks and ancient walled cities, a private ‘plenta’ cruise across Lake Bled, a cruise along the Dalmatian Coast to the island of Hvar and a visit to the independent state of Montenegro and the medieval coastal city Kotor.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

www.avalonwaterways.com.au

france

The GReAT

RIVeRS OF

When you step on to an Avalon Waterways river cruise, your breath will be taken away by the magic that separates you from everyday life on land. You’ll glide past imposing castles, lush riverbank vineyards, and remarkable ancient wonders along France’s Seine, Saône and Rhône rivers. every gentle bend of the river reveals another fascinating sight as your luxurious river cruise ship winds its way through scenic landscapes, delivering you

Avalon Waterways offers three deluxe rivers cruise itineraries throughout France: Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches (8 days Paris – Rouen – Paris) Burgundy & Provence (11 days Paris – Nîmes – Côte d’Azur) Grand France (16 days Paris – Rouen – Nîmes – Côte d’Azur)

right to where many of France’s most celebrated cities were born.

For more information and a virtual tour of our ships visit the website and to book see your Travel Agent.

Travel

Stay and Play. The Sunshine Coast is a golfing hub, boasting as many golfing options as beachside attractions.

If your tastes run to luxury, there’s nothing like the Hyatt Regency Coolum course, home to the Australian PGA Championship course, or the first ever Greg Normandesigned course at Pelican Waters and the Twin Waters Resort Golf Course, a world class course designed by the five times British Open Champion Peter Thompson. There is an array of other courses, each with its charms and challenges. But the best part about the Sunshine Coast is making a holiday of it and experiencing the high calibre dining, leisure and family attractions unique to the region. From Eumundi markets to Noosa’s Hastings Street boutiques, rainforest walks and pristine golden beaches, there’s more than enough variety for every budget and taste.

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast To Do List: 100kms Soak up the sun with over . from ose cho to s che of pristine bea . ond bey and Explore the bush , arts in rich area Lush hinterland e. crafts, local culture and heritag parks l ona nati Happy trails. Nine . Vibrant Eumundi markets . rday Satu and day nes Wed ry Eve

Homes away from Home rom the moment you pass through the gates at the Grand Mercure Apartments Twin Waters, you feel like you’re home – your home, only architecturally designed to take best advantage of the lake and beach surrounds and equipped with every gadget and mod-con for complete retreat. And the neighbours are just as spoilt. Adjoining the Maroochy River and only metres from the golden sands of Mudjimba Beach, the self-contained, 4.5 star Grand Mercure Apartments Twin Waters provide the perfect coastal escape. Stylish, yet relaxed, the contemporary, self-contained dwellings suit couples and families who enjoy resort facilities but also wish to retain their own space and privacy. The one, two and three bedroom apartments sleep two, four and six guests respectively while the generous twolevel, three-bedroom and four bedroom beach houses sleep up to eight people. Grand Mercure Apartments Twin Waters boasts award winning architectural design, featuring breeze catching shutters, expansive outdoor entertaining areas, polished floorboards, European appliances, contemporary furnishings and all the luxuries for cocooning and carrying out summer rituals of barbecuing and socialising. Beyond your cosy accommodation, there are three swimming pools with w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

barbecue facilities, and bicycle, walking and jogging tracks around the central lagoon providing – something for every member of the family. Staying at the Grand Mercure, you also have access to many of the facilities and activities available at the adjacent Novotel Twin Waters Resort, recently benefiting from a multi-million dollar refurbishment. Windsurfers, catamarans, kayaks, water trampoline, beach volleyball the gymnasium, children’s bikes, buckets and spades, cricket sets and more are all complimentary for Grand Mercure guests. Additional services for a fee include Kids Club and baby-sitting service, Circus Espace featuring a bungee trampoline and trapeze, arcade games, sea kayaking, adult bikes, surf boards, boogie boards, archery, fishing rods and spa treatments at Novotel’s Lagoon Day Spa. While you hardly need to emerge from your apartment or beach house, there are many temptations that make it worthwhile, including a host of restaurants including the picturesque Lily’s on the Lagoon, along with special guest rates for the nearby 18-hole championship Twin Waters Golf Course, aqua driving range and tennis courts. The Sunshine Coast Airport, five minutes drive from the Twin Waters Resort is serviced daily by all major domestic airlines from capital cities. iyl

Four championship golf courses. Getaways to heritage listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and an ecotourism delight. Family attractions including Australia Zoo (home of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin), Underwater World, The Ginger Factory, Big Kart Track, SuperBee and Aussie World.

www.iseekgolf.com www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au www.grandmercuretwinwaters.com.au

Active

Pro Profile. Steven Jeffress. Professional Golfer Steven Jeffress reveals the pros and cons of Pro golf, supported by a dedicated team that consists of a phsyio, swing coach, mental coach, caddy and sponsor and Professional Investment Services.

started golf when I was 10 years old. My dad played on a Sunday in the RSL club, so when I was about eight, I used to go out and caddy for one of dad’s mates every Sunday morning. I wasn’t really allowed to play until I was 10, as dad wanted me to learn the rules and etiquette before I started playing. I just loved the game from that point. Golf is a great game. The honesty and integrity of golf is its biggest attraction. From an early age, it’s a game that’s teaches you a lot about how to act as a 100

adult. I think it is a great game for not only kids but anyone to get into. I have met some amazing people and now have friends all over the world. The game has taken me all over the world. I have been to places that are famous in golfing terms such as St Andrews, to PNG which is an interesting place. I lived in Pheonix Arizona for about two years which was great fun, playing desert courses, which is a different type of golf. I have travelled over most of Australia, and have seen some great sights. There are plenty of highs and lows in this Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Pro Profile

“If you have a bad run of events, which means that you have made no money, it is hard to keep your chin up and stay positive.”

game. When you win an event it is a great feeling. It makes all the hard work worth it. But there are plenty of times that you wish you were working a different job. If you have a bad run of events, which means that you have made no money, it is hard to keep your chin up and stay positive. It’s even harder when you’re in a different country, a long way from friends and home. There have been plenty of times when I have been close to giving up. I love what I do but it’s a hard grind. In these situations, coaches and friends always tell me that you could be right on the verge of doing something great. Most of the time they are right! Australians are as good as any other players anywhere in the world. Australian golfers’ strengths are the ability to play tough golf courses well. We have plenty of tough courses in Australia especially down on the sandbelt in Melbourne. Whether you are w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

playing in Europe, US or a Pro am in Australia the competition is strong My Mum only ever played a handful of games. My Dad passed away at the end of last year but he used to play once a week, but I think he just played so he could have a few beers. I have an older brother David, who played as a junior, but stopped when he attended NSW Uni. My younger sister Joanne has never played. I work really hard on improving my game. I work with three guys. Firstly Laurie Montague, who is my performance coach. I work with him on mainly the mental side of the game, but also on my stats (performance numbers), goals and basically how to get better. Golf is like any business, you have to know where your strengths are, and also when you are doing things that are costing you money. You have to know your business. This info tells you what you have to work on to improve your results. So from this I create a practice plan, with the goal to make my weaker skills stronger. Secondly, Kev Morley is my swing coach. I work hard on my swing mechanics, which include driving, putting chipping. Hopefully the work I do on my swing will be ingrained so when I walk onto the course it will become second nature. Then there’s Josh Meyer, my physio. When I am back on the gold coast I see Josh about three times a week. We work on golf fitness and strength. Golf requires a different type of fitness from a lot of other sports. You need explosive power but also be aerobically fit. You don’t have to be a fitness freak, but a good level of fitness will give you a better chance to compete. When I am training my day usually starts at about 6am. I practise through to about midday, (this includes chipping putting and full shots. An example of this would be standing on a range for about two hours and hitting as many as 200 balls) then have some lunch. Normally start about 1pm again and practise or play through to about 4. Then I head to the gym for 50 minutes and my day is done. I do this five and a half 101

Active

days a week. Buy this time I am fairly tired and am looking forward to sitting down and relaxing. I don’t do any work outside of golf. Some guys may do a little teaching but the training I do is a full time job so you need a little time to relax. I play very often in events. Over the past four years I have played on the Australasian Tour, Japanese Tour, QLD Sunshine tour, and NSW Pro am tour. Probably over the past four years I would play 40 weeks out of the year. Add practice to that and there is not a lot of time off. People don’t really see all the behind the scenes activities that you do to get to where you are. Professional Investment services have sponsored me for the past two years. Sponsors are hugely important, as they take a little pressure of you to pay bills. Playing in Japan was costing me about $2500 a week. So if you miss a few cuts, you don’t have a wage coming in, so you go backwards quickly. Robbie Bennetts, the CEO of PIS is a golf nut so I play a lot of golf with him. The great thing about the guys at PIS is that they are great guys who enjoy a challenge. That’s why they enjoy golf! I would love to win a major 4 round event in Japan or in the US. Goals like these are what keeps you positive and enthused. The next year or so I will be playing on the One Asia Tour. There are about 17 events throughout the year, all through Asia. Mixed with that I will play some Australasian Tour events (Australian Open, Australian PGA) and some QLD Sunshine Tour events. At the end of the year I will head back to the Japanese Tour school to get my card back. I have a great support group of coaches and friends. Robyn Beecher is a great friend who has been my manager for about 10 years. She organises schedules and travel because, when you’re playing, you get busy and often forget about basic things such as booking flights. She as important to my golf as any part of my team. Also the boys I travel with help keep me sane. After golf we have a great time which includes general ’boy’ high-jinks. iyl

As a pro golfer, Steven relies on the support of family, his team and sponsors to propel his career on the Tour.

www.jeffrogolf.com

102

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

The new CT 200h has arrived!

F-Sports shown

The World’s first Luxury Hybrid Hatch. Finally, the wait is over. The uncompromising CT 200h is here, featuring a unique two mood, two mode hybrid system. Its character changes with the turn of a dial. CT 200h features leading safety for a compact luxury hatch, an ergonomic cabin that ensures seamless anticipation and unique styling that not only catches the eye but enhances the performance of the vehicle as well. At Lexus, we refer to it as a beautiful contradiction.

To take a closer look at the world’s first luxury hybrid hatch, visit Sydney City Lexus to arrange a test drive today.

CT 200h Prestige Luxury F-Sports (pictured) Sports Luxury

from from from

Drive Away* $44,636* $54,036* $55,086* $61,386 *

DL 13042

Open 7 days • sydneycitylexus.com.au

Detour

Happiness is a hybrid. In this new incarnation of Lexus, luxury sits comfortably with conscience.

104

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Motoring

hat began as the LF-Ch concept has been realised in the form of the Lexus CT 200h, unveiled for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in February last year. Swift response and environmental responsibility have been refined into one compact package without compromising on a single luxury feature for which the marque has become renowned since its global launch in the US in 1989. Unlike its rivals in the luxury market, the Lexus CT 200h is a full hybrid, as opposed to what Lexus terms the “mild hybrids” of competitors. According to Joe Caruana, General Manager at Sydney City Lexus, this model will be the envy of the automotive marketplace this year. “It is not often that Lexus introduces a new model, but in true Lexus style and fashion, the CT 200h stands out. With individual styling available in four variants, the CT 200h offers high levels of standard equipment combined with Lexus Hybrid Drive Technology. This is a Luxury Hybrid Hatch for under $45,000, drive away for the Prestige model.” The CT 200h marks the evolution of the brand as well, with Lexus strategically targeting a younger, hipper driver who values status, precision engineering, and a thrilling driving experience, tempered with a genuine concern for the

w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

environment – now embodied in the new CT 200h. “The CT 200h will no doubt attract a younger market to the Lexus Brand as hatchbacks are very popular with today’s youth,” explains Caruana. “With the main competition such as BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and the Audi A3 approaching the end of their model cycles and Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic owners looking to enter the luxury car market, the timing is perfect for the CT 200h.” Lexus CT200h chief engineer, Osamu Sadakata, told the world’s media at the Geneva launch that Lexus is aiming for a new group of buyers, regardless of age, “those who are environmentally conscious but don’t want to lower their high standards”. “Its individuality and cool styling will appeal to Gen Ys and customers looking

*Sports Luxury model shown.

for great styling combined with luxury, complete with Lexus Hybrid technology which provides clean power and fuel efficiency,” agrees Caruana. Automotive websites and columnists the world over are already predicting the CT 200h will become the core model in the range, eventually accounting for one-third of its sales. The CT 200h is equipped with the refinement of Lexus Hybrid Drive. Put simply, an advanced 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle VVT-i petrol engine works together with a high output electric motor. At any given time, the optimum fusion of petrol power and electric energy delivers dynamic response with remarkably quiet running, and low CO2 and NOx emissions. The interior treatment evokes high levels of luxury and combines superior

*Sports Luxury model shown.

When the driver activates sport mode the lighting transitions to red.

105

Detour

ergonomics with the extensive use of metallic finishes and dark, soft touch materials to create an outstanding driving environment of hand-crafted, premium quality and advanced interface technologies. An LCD screen (standard on all models except Prestige) vividly displays vital information while the Lexus Remote Touch, which operates on similar principles to a computer mouse, allows a range of vehicle set-up programs to be accessed and customised with fingertip control. Lexus engineers have created a rigid body structure with a low centre of gravity, offering superb handling in all driving conditions. As a Lexus first, it is also equipped with an advanced front and rear stability damping system to absorb unwanted noise and vibration. Macpherson strut front suspension and a double wishbone rear suspension system respond willingly to changing road contours, for optimum cornering control and ride comfort. The CT 200h offers the standard driving mode that balances power with fuel efficiency, as well as different driving modes that modify control of the hybrid system, vehicle stability control and electric power steering, transforming both the driving style and cabin mood. Sport Mode offers direct response and 106

quick acceleration, while Eco Mode combines emphasised fuel efficiency with comfortable driving. Gauge illumination turns red in Sport Mode and blue in Eco Mode, and the tachometer along with the Hybrid System Indicator light up in Eco Mode. The CT 200h is also equipped with EV (electric vehicle) mode for quiet operation that uses the electric motor only. When the driver activates SPORT mode the lighting transitions to red, representing excitement, and a tachometer appears by illuminating a different section of the meter. The CT 200h is a dynamic evolution of the LF-Ch concept vehicle unveiled at the Frankfurt 2009 Motor Show and represents a powerful evolution of Lexus' L-finesse design philosophy- creating vehicles which are not only distinguished by engineering

brilliance, but elegant design as well. This is brought to life in the CT 200h from the visual harmony between the interior and exterior design, through to the advanced technology within. It has a highly distinctive, sharp-edged, resolute appearance generating a unique aura which immediately sets it apart from lesser vehicles in the premium compact segment. The packaging of the CT 200h sets a new standard in the balance between driving performance, interior comfort and luggage space. 10 exterior colours are available for the CT 200h including the debut of Solar Flare and Volcanic Bronze. No superlatives can replace the experience of actually test driving the new model. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Experiencing the CT 200h Luxury Hybrid Hatch has been made easy with Sydney City Lexus having two great locations for your convenience: Rushcutters Bay and Waterloo. Call our friendly sales executives, you won't be disappointed!â&#x20AC;? promises Caruana. iyl Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Motoring

Motoring News Mini rockets back to the future. If comments from BMW to the motoring press

Lexus CT 200h CT 200h Pricing CT CT CT CT CT CT CT CT

200h 200h 200h 200h 200h 200h 200h 200h

Drive Away*

Prestige Prestige + Leather Trim Pkg Prestige + LTP + Moon Pkg Luxury F Sports F Sports + Moon Roof Sports Luxury Sports Luxury + Sports Pack

$44,636* $47,736* $49,836* $54,036* $55,086* $57,711* $61,386* $62,961*

are anything to go by, the Mini ‘Rocketman’ concept car unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March may well go in to production – turning out a new classic almost as small as the 1959 original. Mini says the concept “harks back to the classic Mini in terms of dimensions while the technology points to the future of automotive design”. The 3.4m-long Rocketman features familiar Mini design cues but there are likely to be pointers to the styling of the third-generation ‘new Mini’ due about 2013.

*Price shown is the drive away price for private buyers only within New South Wales. Recommended drive away price includes, 12 months registration, 12 months compulsory third party insurance (CTP), dealer delivery and stamp duty. Please note that your actual drive away price may differ depending on your individual circumstance.

Visit or call the team from Sydney City Lexus to secure your exclusive personal viewing time.

www.sydneycitylexus.com.au Rushcutters Bay 50 McLachlan Avenue 02 8113 3200

Waterloo 824 Bourke Street 02 8303 1900

Hail the hybrid MPV Completely new, designed from the ground up, the Prius+ is a 7-seat MPV in a 5-door hatch bodystyle that Toyota presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Prius+ is a further expansion of the Toyota Prius family, joining Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid. This new vehicle offers three, independent, split/ folding second row seats and a 50:50 split/folding third tier. The only specs released on the new model are the details of the lithium-ion battery pack in a non-plug-in hybrid for the first time in this Prius+, as opposed to the nickel-metal hydride pack of the standard Prius. Toyota will roll out the Prius+ in European markets beginning in early 2012.

Detour

Integrity. Boating made easy. Story by Jeni Bone

108

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Marine

Integrity Motor Yachts was founded by Brett Flanagan, who with Peter Hill – Australian boating industry proponents for the past quarter century – works and lives by the ethos of making cruising more accessible and affordable for everybody – from entry level boaties, the seasoned old salt and the budget conscious.

esigned to be sturdy, stable and comfortable long range passage makers, they are also great day and weekend entertainers. Manufactured in China to strict quality control measures, the Integrity range positions itself as the best value displacement boats on the market, with unmatched local warranty and service support While price is a distinguishing factor, quality is not compromised. As the team at Integrity emphasise: “Our range of boats was created with the Australian market and climate specifically in mind. Boaties will greatly appreciate not only the low purchase price and running costs of these vessels but also the high quality of workmanship and finish of the interiors. A high quality FGI gelcoat system is used to create an easy to look after finish that also looks sensational.” The Integrity encompasses the classic lines and style of the boats of yesteryear but has also been modernised with comfort and practicality. “These are vessels designed to encourage people to go boating and with some of the best waterways in the world right on our doorstep, we can now comfortably and affordably reach these places,” says Brett, adding that safety too is a huge priority. “We all enjoy taking our family and friends boating however we do tend to stress when the little ones are out of our sight. The 35's have full Euro style-walk around decks and ample shade to escape the heat of our summer sun. Combine this with dual helm stations and you have the perfect all weather boat. The brand appears to have struck a chord with families, retirees and semi-retired couples, keen to explore this great island of ours and tick off several items on their “bucket lists”. “Cruising and living aboard are the ideal way to see the country,” says new owner, Mike Mathers. He and wife Di, who plan to ease up on their work commitments w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

over the next few years and spend more time cruising together on board “Much Karma”, their Integrity 350 MKII. The Mathers came across Integrity in a story that appeared in a trade magazine, attracted by the array of features for the ultra competitive price. At that time, the Labor government’s 50% investment allowance was freshly introduced and it “tipped the scales” for the couple. “We had always had trailerable boats,” explains Mike. “When the government’s investment allowance came in, we decided it was worth buying a larger boat and setting it up for charter. We are still working full time, but we are planning to wind up in a few years. Chartering the boat is the ideal way to have it in use and offsetting some of its costs.” The couple actually visited their boat under build in China and were thoroughly impressed with the state-ofthe-art facilities there, “just 70 minutes ferry ride from Hong Kong”, as well as with the craftsmanship of local tradespeople, under the direction of an experienced Australian surveyor.

109

Detour

Right now, Much Karma is moored at Airlie Beach, charting a course around the Whitsundays. Mike and Di took her there from the Gold Coast, taking a month for the owner shakedown and to indulge in their new purchase. “We could have spent much more time aboard,” attests Mike. “It was wonderful!” Coinciding with the severe weather conditions in the region in November and December, the trip encountered some rough seas and sloppy weather. But on each occasion, says Mike proudly, she rode it out and handled exceptionally. “We had it built to survey, suitable for charter, so it is reinforced, durable and foolproof in terms of operation and all 110

the fitout onboard. We were very satisfied. We were completely at ease and utterly comfortable. It’s ideal for a couple, or a family with a couple of kids, and it will sleep up to six at a pinch.” Up in the Whitsundays, once the weather cleared, Mike and Di enjoyed a blissful week exploring the island network in what is Australia’s most prized cruising ground – Lady Musgrave, Border Island and Lady Elliot Island. “I don’t know what it is about the boat, but we always had dolphins at our wake. We were never without them – either a pair, or sometimes up to 12. We never had that with the trailer boat!” Hot on the heels of the Integrity 350 MKII is the single engine 320 Sedan. Powered by a 150hp 6 cylinder Iveco engine, and including a free bow-thruster, the 320 Sedan offers exceptional entry level boating with the first two boats in the range being offered at just $299,000. “Our 350 MKII Motor Yachts have fast established a reputation for exceptional sea-keeping and incredible value for money for a boat of its size,” says MD, Brett Flanagan. “With this in mind we decided to take all that is great about our 350s and offer even greater value for money in a single engine entry level cruiser, the 320 Sedan. Our owners continually speak of how impressed they are with the spacious layouts and roomy entertaining areas of our boats, and this will be reflected in the 320. You will be hard pressed to find such a roomy boat, which offers the value for money of the 320.” iyl Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Marine

O EG

Integrity 350 MKII •B uilt to NSCV Survey standard, the only boat in the category with this level on construction and certification, •C lass leading beam adds to stability as well as more spacious cabins, • Spacious undercover entertaining cockpit, •T he cockpit features an icebox and plenty of storage, with space for BBQ •T he high bulwarks and handrails on the walkaround decks add to safety •T he lower helm station is simple with a single, twolever control box • I t comes with a standard panel for the optional single Cummins 220hp engine instruments – a 150hp Cummins is standard – and a yacht-style stainless wheel

Boating News Just the shot for getting

around and admiring the views, above and below, the Ego, “compact semi-submarine” from Korean company, Raonhaje, is heralded as the most environmentally-friendly and commercially viable concept of its kind. The Ego comes in two models, luxury (personal use) and standard (resort and environmental monitoring) and functions as both a motor boat and as a twoweater sub. Instead of using a rudder and outboard motor, both models are run by electric podded propulsion with a battery-powered BLDC (Brushless DC electric motor). The completely battery-powered sub uses a Trojan T-890 battery pack, a golf-cart battery, that allows the boat to run for up to eight hours at moderate cruising or about four hours at top speed between charges, according to company specs. It needs six to nine hours to fully recharge the battery pack. Best of all, the electric sub-boat creates no pollution to the environment and is comparatively cheap to run. Other accessories on the boat include an LED battery gauge, a digital depth sounder, and a front/ back switch to cruise in both directions. It also has an LCD screen fed by an onboard camera for viewing your above-board surroundings when you are down below. It’s available in sufficient colours to please everybody – take your pick from a palette that includes Persian Pink, French Rose, Lime Green, Chrome Yellow and Pure Red. The Ego is marketed as a leisure toy or a vessel that can be fully outfitted with equipment for research purposes. Can’t wait to get your hands on one? The Korean developers are looking for international distributors for their semi-sub. www.raonhaje.com

• The owner’s cabin is fully lined with teak panels •M ost of your skippering is from the flybridge helm station, which features a single helm chair with side lounges fore and aft either side •T he flybridge also features a large entertaining area above the cockpit • Market leading value at $449,000. www.integrityboats.com.au w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

111

Detour

Marina Berths. Still proving buoyant investments. Story by Jeni Bone

tempestuous economic seas, marina berths have proven their worth as a popular investment option with boaties and those less inclined to boat but are astute investors. “The demand for berths is up and there just aren’t enough available,” explains Peter Hobbs, Sales and Marketing Director of Meridien Marinas –Australia’s largest marina developer, owner and operator with marinas located in Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, the Gold Coast and Sydney. “Marina berths are already in short supply and the reality for boat owners is they need to decide not only what type of boat they want, but where to moor it.” While many real estate and stock market investments have run aground during the global financial crisis, the marina market has performed against the tide by posting strong capital growth, high occupancy rates and rental returns. The growth in demand for marina berths outweighs supply and the gap is growing, placing investors who act swiftly in an advantageous position.

112

“Marina berths are a popular investment option due to strong rental income and low vacancy rates with rents increasing by over 5% per annum,” adds Hobbs. According to National Property Research with minimal new marina supply entering the market across the eastern seaboard, the end result will be that supply remains constrained whilst demand continues to increase. Aiding in the diminishing number of marina berths is the severe restrictions by the Environmental Protection Agency for developing marinas. The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency has very stringent environmental policies in place which govern the future developments of marinas an recently has rejected a number of applications for new marinas, which creates scarcity in the market. In NSW, a statewide Boat Ownership and Storage report published last year by NSW Maritime illustrates growth forecasts up to 2026. Neil Patchett says the report aims to help organisations in NSW plan for increased growth in the recreational boating sector. “The information is valuable for industry, Councils, stakeholders, the private sector, developers. It shows participation figures are on the rise, and that there will be challenges of storage on land or afloat to meet them.” Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

Marine

The report uses two methods to forecast growth. The first is linear projection and estimates the number of recreational boats each year up to 2026 based on the average compounded annual growth rate (2.9%) experienced across the State in the period 1999–2009. This projection method estimates that in 2026 the number of registered boats in NSW will have grown to 351,113. The second method is based on the proportion of the population who are boat owners and population forecasts to 2026 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Using that method, it is estimated there will be 334,470 recreational boats registered in NSW in 2026. “Either way, NSW faces a significant boat storage challenge, and there is room for optimism in the boat storage sector of industry,” says Patchett, referring to opportunities for development. Darren Vaux Chairman of Boating Industries Alliance and Director at Empire Marinas, Bobbin Head - Marina of the Year in 2009 – oversaw the facility’s massive, multi-million dollar redevelopment in 2008. It now boasts 200 deepwater berths, 10 moorings, large hardstand, 50 tonne travel lift, full on-site trade services, water, gas, fuel, provisions and café in the unique National Park environment of Ku-ringgai Chase, 24kms north of Sydney. As Vaux recounts: “We then proceeded with the first release of marina berths on 25-year lease terms, just 20 of them, and oriented toward the boat owner rather than investors. We wanted them to be attractive to people who want to secure their long term location within a National Park.” Two years on, there are only two remaining – a 20m berth for $475,000, and 25m berth at $800,000. The terms are 25-year leases, renewable subject to approval by National Parks. “From the boat owner’s point of view, they are securing their own future, considering the chronic lack of supply especially in Sydney where there is a limit to potential development. Investing in marina berths goes some way to quarantining yourself to these market forces, and you can choose sell at a time that will deliver capital gain.” Vaux continues: “In Broken Bay specifically, 155 to 344 boats will be looking for on-water storage every year for the next 15 years, and net supply is w w w.imagineyourlifetsyle.com.au

zero. It’s a real issue. If you’re in the boat storage business, that is a good thing. But these are barriers to getting in to boating. In Qld, stats from Queensland Transport state there were 780,000 boat registrations in Australia as at 31 January 2010, of which Queensland makes up 30% with 233,862 registrations.

“The number of boaties in South-East Queensland has exploded and with the State Government’s legislation restricting the development of any further canal sub-divisions or marinas the pressure on the available supplies is just enormous,” says Meridien’s Peter Hobbs. Meridien Marina’s Port of Airlie marina in Airlie Beach is one of the few new

While many real estate and stock marke t investments have run aground during the global financial crisis, the marina market has performed against the tide by posting strong capital growth. Queensland’s boat ownership is growing at 2% per annum (Queensland Transport 2010), indicating the Sunshine State can rightly claim the title of boating capital of Australia, with one in 22 Queenslanders owning a boat. Marine Queensland states that there could be at least eight more marinas in Queensland to cover the short of supply in marina berths. “Owning a marina berth at any of Meridien Marinas 5-star, fully integrated marina villages represents an unrivalled investment opportunity, with huge potential for capital growth and significant rental income thanks to growing demand and limited supply, as well as significant tax benefits,” says Peter Hobbs from Meridien. “Recent financial market volatility makes the case for property, including marina berths, even more compelling.” Meridien Marinas has recently settled nearly $20 million in marina berth sales, with both investors and boat owners securing berths. On the Gold Coast, Meridien Marinas Horizon Shores 12m Multi-hull berths saw rental growth of a record 21% as at February 2010 (Midwood Report: Wet Berth Analysis).

marinas in Queensland and took over 20 years to gain local, state and federal approvals. “In our experience, some investors have purchased two or three berths in Meridien Marinas’ locations instead of securing a typical house or apartment as an investment property. One of the main motives has been the significant tax advantages associated with marina berths as 100% of the berth price can be amortised over 10 years.” Meridien Marinas also offer a 7.68% NET guaranteed return for three years on marina berths purchased in the Port Douglas, Horizon Shores and Abel Point marinas. Berths are sold on a long-term leasing basis such as 10, 15 and 20 years. iyl

Empire Marinas

Meridien Marinas

Empire Marinas’ vision is to provide premium quality facilities coupled with excellent personal service in a relaxed enjoyable and friendly atmosphere.

Meridien Marinas creates 5-star resort-style marinas, builds breathtaking boating havens and lifts world standards in marina design.

www.empiremarinas.com.au

www.meridienmarinas.com.au

113

Bookend:

Ivanka Trump

Tips

For making an impact at work.

Take on difficult assignments: If you mean to survive and thrive in a competitive office environment, establish yourself as the go-to person in your office, the individual who is willing to take on the most onerous tasks that your co-workers shrink from. It’s important to take an initiative at work; just be sure you don’t take on more than you can handle.

View from 2 the top. IVANKA TRUMP is the antithesis of the feckless heiress. The daughter of Donald J. Trump, she has stepped out of his shadow in ladylike heels to become internationally recognised for her own business acumen and astute investments.

oining the firm in 2005, she is now Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions, along with her brothers, Donald Jr and Eric, oversees Trump Hotels and Spas worldwide. Ms Trump, now married to Jared Kushner, still has a hand in the world of high fashion where she dabbled for a while as a model. She is a principal of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, along with a partnership with Marc Fisher footwear to launch the Ivanka Trump Footwear Collection and another alliance with Mondani Handbags and Accessories to launch Ivanka Trump Handbags. In March 2010, Ms Trump became a spokesperson for the U.N. Foundation's ‘Girl Up’ initiative, a campaign to recruit young women to support U.N. programs for girls in developing countries. In 2009, her first book THE TRUMP CARD: Playing to Win in Work and Life, was published and became a New York Times and Wall Street Journal Best Seller. Here, Ms Trump shares some of her wisdom for working women.

114

Seek feedback on your work. The best way to improve your work performance is to actively ask how you’re doing and then follow the advice you receive the next time around. Make sure you ask your colleagues as well as your boss for their input.

Be confident enough to ask questions. The most successful people I know spend more time asking questions of the people around them than they do answering them. When you ask a question, you gain another point of view; ask it several times, and you gain even more perspective and put yourself in a better position to make a knowledgeable decision.

Keep Learning: Fill in the blanks in your experience by increasing your knowledge base and stimulating your mind. It’s important to keep your skills sharp and gain an edge on your competition. Continue your education and keep abreast of the trends and developments shaping your world by reading as many newspapers and magazines as you can. Take the time to educate yourself outside of your industry by taking classes or attending seminars or lectures.

Adapt for your co-workers: Respect the methods and habits of people you work with. Be flexible. Learn to be a team player. We all go about our tasks in a variety of ways, but being effective and getting things done are what count in the end.

Have a positive mind-set: Never underestimate the power of enthusiasm in a workplace. Don’t complain

when things don’t go your way. Take pride in the work you do and your passion will not go unnoticed.

Network at all levels. Make connections with everyone in the company, not just those higher up. This includes co-workers, mailroom employees, and interns. Get to know everyone who works in the office. Form lasting relationships that might serve you in the future.

Remember image matters: Your first impression is not your only impression. Maintain a professional image by continuing to be aware of your appearance, body language, and tone. This means being a consistently well-groomed and confident employee.

Manage your time well. Be punctual to work and meetings. Learn to prioritize; make todo lists if necessary. Always meet project deadlines; work late or on the weekends if you have to. Be considerate of other employees; don’t waste your co-workers’ or your boss’s time.

Set the bar high. Dream big. Never settle for being ‘good enough’. Be your toughest critic. Have high expectations for yourself and work hard to exceed them. iyl

www.borders.com.au online price: $44.95

Imagine Three | Autumn 2011

MDTdesign AUSTRALIA’S MOST AMAZING DIAMOND JEWELLERY

Award Winners

166 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: 03 9654 6805 Fax: 03 9650 4401 Contact us for a full colour catalogue

www.mdtdesign.com

Twins

Pink and Blue Diamonds By Robert Musson

www.musson.com.au | Telephone 61 2 9412 0888 | | Level One Chatswood Chase Sydney |

DIAMOND GUILD AUSTRALIA FOUNDING MEMBER

Protect your investment. Musson engagement rings now come with full international all risk insurance. Ask instore for terms and conditions.