Grow Magazine Spring 2017 by Star News Group

ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2017

PITCH

PERFECT Boosting business in Berwick ■ Pizza ovens that are homemade ■ Garfield designer cuts through ■

CONTENTS: 10

Racing ahead in business

Grants help with auto transition

Casey Cardinia Business Award nominees

Bunjil takes shape

Home and Away with Alan Boyd

EDITOR Narelle Coulter narelle.coulter@starnewsgroup com.au Phone: 5945 0642

CASEY CARDINIA REGION

Q&A with Chris Buckingham

Samantha King skking@casey.vic.gov.au

ADVERTISING

Andy Jukes andy.jukes@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0666

Calendar of Events

DESIGN

WIDER REACH FOR GROW WELCOME to the eighth and final edition of Grow magazine. Grow magazine, in both its printed and digital form, has successfully focused attention on businesses large and small across the Casey Cardinia region. The magazine has championed manufacturing, celebrated new initiatives, told the stories of those who have turned their passion into profit and promoted the rich variety of businesses that provide local jobs for local people. The magazine has also been a vehicle for fostering business to business conversations and partnerships. It is now time for Grow to step up to the next level and reach an even broader audience through Star News Group’s stable of respected newspapers. Grow Business will become a regular feature in the pages of the Pakenham Berwick Gazette, Pakenham Officer News, Berwick News, Cranbourne News and the Journal News reaching a readership of 170,000*. The conversations about what is happening in the Casey Cardinia Region will broaden to target not only those involved directly in business but also the mums and dads who rely on the region’s economy to provide jobs for themselves and their children. In conjunction with a regular Grow Business section in the newspapers, up-to-date business news and features will continue to appear on the Grow website.

of Casey and Cardinia Shire who see focusing attention on business news as an important way of strengthening the region’s competitive advantage. City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz welcomed the evolution of Grow. “Decentralising Grow Magazine’s online presence makes a lot of sense. It offers readers easy access to the most up-to-date news on the topics they want, exactly when they want them - in 2017, this can mean the difference between advancing a new business opportunity and being left behind,“ he said.

Cnr Princes Hwy & Army Road Pakenham 3810 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777 Produced and published by Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pty. Ltd. ACN 005 848 108. Star News Group Trading Terms and Conditions can be found on www.starnewsgroup.com.au

Find an electronic version of grow. online at:

growcaseycardinia.com.au

In a bumper final edition, read about how Chisholm Institute is honing the sales skills of manufacturing businesses to sell locally made products to the rest of Australia and the world.

ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2017

Learn about the exciting Cube 1 development at Narre Warren and how Berwick firm Australian Precision Technologies has thrived despite the downturn of the automotive industry. Grow previews the opening of Bunjil Place and features all the nominees up for this year’s Casey Cardinia Business Awards. As ever the Grow team is keen to hear about business news from across the region. Got a tip? Email narelle.coulter@starnewsgroup.com.au or phone 5945 0642. * Publisher’s estimate.

Grow Business has the backing of both the City

Editor Narelle Coulter

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“We’re very excited to see how this successful publication can continue to bind local businesses and assist them in their business journey.”

Stories will be published online more frequently and as they happen at www.growcaseycardinia.com. au

Mark Dinnie mark.dinnie@starnewsgroup.com.au

PITCH

PERFECT ■ ■

■ Boosting business in Berwick Pizza ovens that are homemade Garﬁeld designer cuts through

COVER Chisholm Industry Educator Michele Tocci and Bomac chief engineer Tate McFarlane. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

LEVEL CROSSING JOB BRINGS CAREER TURN By Bonny Burrows

FOR Pakenham’s Ben Carpenter, the chance to work local was too good an opportunity to pass up - despite it involving a career change. The former machinist turned welder used to commute daily to Dandenong - a two-hour round commute during peak hour - and was sick of spending his days in traffic. So, when the State Government’s Pakenham pre-cast factory, specialising in custom-made concrete sections for its Level Crossing Removal project opened just eight minutes from home, he knew he had to apply. The massive, purpose-built factory on Pakenham’s Greenhills Road employs 200 concretors, steel fixers, welders and plant operators - the majority of which, like Ben are local.

Ben with workmates Jacko and Dermott.

Ben started work at the site in October 2016 and despite the early 6am start time, he hasn’t looked back since.

Ben’s work involves welding pieces of steel. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

“The travel time is awesome ... I’m saving at least an hour a day of commuting,” he said. Working locally means Ben can make the most of the limited winter daylight, and spend more time with his fiancee and father. He’s home just after 2.30pm most days, leaving plenty of time to tackle household chores and catch up with friends. Along with the newfound freedom the job brings, Ben insists he “actually really loves” his new career. The 40-year-old’s role involves welding steel cages which reinforce the rail lines’ 30-tonne concrete segments. “I really like doing something different to engineering,” Ben said.

job - work is expected to wrap up once the project is complete - Ben can’t see himself

“I’d like to stay in construction and stay in Pakenham,” Ben said.

While the rail-yard may not be a permanent

returning to his former life.

“I’m really enjoying the change.”

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Saahil Luthra wants to expand Dhoom Films to help promote local film-making talent.

THE TEMPLE OF DHOOM Hollywood may be the next step for an ambitious Casey-based film production company.

By Victoria Stone-Meadows

AN AWARD-WINNING Casey-based film-making crew is hoping to open more opportunities for people interested in film in the South-East. Dhoom Films took home two awards at the 2017 Nice International Film-maker Festival for an original production titled, Somewhere Over the Rainbow. The film focuses on the lives of six young LGBTIQ people and their stories in coming out and finding acceptance with their peers. The film’s producer and one of the drivers behind Dhoom Films Saahil Luthra said it was an honour to travel to Europe for the award ceremony. “We got there, and we were selected for screenings and received nominations for best supporting actress, best director, best film and best editing,” he said. “We ended up winning awards for Best Director and Best Supporting Actress for Laura Rigon.”

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Mr Luthra said the crew couldn’t believe it when they were announced as winners. “We were just blank at first, and it took a minute to sink in that we won; I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I told our director Rhiannon Williams she was the reason we won, and she deserved it, but she was speechless.” Dhoom Films has been making films in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs for about eight years with studios and offices previously in Hampton Park and Cranbourne. The firm’s office is now in Narre Warren. All the time given by producers, writers, directors and actors is voluntary, and people are brought together by the love of film-making. Mr Luthra said he wanted to be able to use Dhoom Films to allow people in the community a chance to get their ideas off the ground. “With me as a producer, I want people who

want to make films to come to me and I want to help them and promote local talent,” he said. “There is not much opportunity in Australia for small film-makers, and I want to have a big studio where I can get people involved and work on films as a team. “I want to be able to work with people rather than for them or them for me; we have won these awards, and we are confident enough to make this happen.” Mr Luthra said he was happy to be working with the people he was currently engaged with, and hoped he could continue to make films with local passionate people. “I am really proud of my team; Rhiannon gave me the script, and we worked together; all the actors devoted their time, and it was such a big project,” he said. “We are working on a few scripts, and want to do an international film; something youth based, and with more local actors involved.”

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SALES EDGE TO MANUFACTURING Chisholm Institute has devised an innovative sales and marketing course that is teaching manufacturers how to sell their products to Australia and the world. By Narelle Coulter

WHEN Johnny Depp soars through the air in the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean the American actor is tethered to a gantry system manufactured in Hallam. “All the stunt people love our stuff,” Bomac chief engineer Tate McFarlane said. “They find it easy to set up and use, and it’s versatile, so they can do a lot with it. We have supplied mainly action films like Wolverine and The Matrix. “I’ll elbow my wife in the middle of a film and say ‘That’s Altrac’.” Altrac is a light-weight modular aluminium rail system manufactured by Bomac. It works like Lego to build high safety systems and material handling systems. “It started in 1984 as a brains for hire company, so we did everything and anything,” Mr McFarlane explained.

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“Then with a changing economy that was occurring, one-off engineering was cheaper to do overseas, we came up with a standardised product.” Mr McFarlane’s father Barry, a boiler maker by trade, came up with the idea for the original piece of rail while lying in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack. Now the product is making headway overseas in New Zealand, Korea and the US. As the second generation to run the business, Mr McFarlane said he wanted to build on the foundations laid by his parents. To do that, he realised he needed to get smarter about sales and marketing. “We are a very technical-orientated company. Engineering knowledge we have. Sales and marketing skills are something we don’t have,” he explained. “With the way marketing and sales are going, you have to be up front, if you lag behind,

you can suddenly drop off the radar with all your customers. “Modern business is about creating relationships and networks. You have to be able to relate to the customer and create that trust between the two parties.” Mr McFarlane is one of eight students who are completing Chisholm’s inaugural Creating Future Leaders in Manufacturing Sales program. Chisholm Industry Educator Michele Tocci said the size of the companies involved in the course varied from small family-owned firms like Bomac to larger firms with 200 plus employees. Participants include Hilton Manufacturing, Thermofilm, Pluspak and Claas Harvesting. “The diversity shows you the core issue of technical people developing sales skills is what is important, Ms Tocci said.

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THE BEST STEP TO PROGRESSING ANY COMPANY IS ADMITTING YOUR WEAKNESSES AND THEN ADDRESSING THEM.

“The products they have are fantastic. They just have to learn to speak the language to make that connection, understanding and rapport.” Ms Tocci said Chisholm developed the course to fill a knowledge gap identified by industry bodies including SEMMA and SEBN. “What they came up with first and foremost were sales skills. There is an incredible amount of knowledge, but it was the sales component that needed to be developed. Second to that was international trade.” Students attend a monthly industry expert workshop. They also receive regular on-site visits from educators like Ms Tocci to make sure what they are learning is integrated into their individual industries. “We are looking for participants to be a lot more proactive in their business, and we are already seeing that in a number of ways,” Ms Tocci said.

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“If we look at Tate and his role, he has an on campus day, then we come out and visit for three hours after one of the those sessions. There is online reading and assessment tasks. Importantly, anything Tate learns can potentially be implemented in his business.” Mr McFarlane said he had already started using skills learnt in the course in his role at Bomac. “You don’t just get a certificate at the end that says you have done the course. You actually get tools and use them as you go along.” He said he found the course relevant and industry-focused. “Lots of sales courses and marketing courses assume you are selling Coke or some other household name where as this was aimed at something that in the Australian economy should be considered clean, critical and clever. “Because it was tailored to manufacturing, I felt it was worth taking on. It’s been pretty

positive in that it’s always kept that in mind.” After completing the sales component of the course, students can go on to complete a certificate four in international sales. “I do think sales is a critical element to any successful business,” Mr McFarlane said. “It’s not where my formal training lies. The best step to progressing any company is admitting your weaknesses and then addressing them. I enjoy the challenge of sales. The sparing with other brands, proving to the customer yours has a unique capability. I get enjoyment out of our of customers appreciating we have a unique product that can do what they want it to do. “It’s nice to tell people that manufacturing is still alive in Australia. That its clean, clever and critical not dirty, dumb and dangerous.” For more information, call 1300 854 039 or go to www.chisholm.edu.au/flms

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Ritesh Prasad is the young, dynamic face of the Berwick Business Group. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

BUSINESS BOSS HAS HEART OF GOLD The Berwick Business Group aims to celebrate and promote the best of Berwick. The group’s young, dynamic president Ritesh Prasad sees his role as a way of giving back to the community which embraced his family after they were forced to flee their native Fiji. By Narelle Coulter

A WALK around Berwick Village with Ritesh Prasad can be a lengthy undertaking. The president of the Berwick Business Group knows all the small business owners in and around High Street. He continually stops to say hello, wave to someone on the opposite side of the street, shake hands and chat. “Sometimes I pop out of the office to grab a sandwich and get back two hours later,” he said, laughing. Mr Prasad is principal and senior financial planner at MLC Berwick. He is also the dynamic, young face of the Berwick Business Group.

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Mr Prasad is brimming with enthusiasm for Berwick and its commercial heart. He said he and other members of the business group want to put some “zing” into the picturesque village. The business group was formed three years ago at the prompting of the late Mick Morland who was concerned at the void left when the Berwick Chamber of Commerce folded. The business group has 80 members, who are dedicated to promoting trade in Berwick, creating employment and helping the City of Casey tackle the region’s commuter drain. Mr Prasad wants to grow membership to 100 by the end of the financial year.

He sees his role as as a way of giving back to the community who embraced his family when they were forced to flee their native Fiji. As he says “Fiji is very well known for its coups”. He was 15 when he left his homeland with his mother, sister and brother, evicted because of their Fijian-Indian heritage. The family arrived at Melbourne airport on 22 July, 1995, with 50 dollars Fijian to their name. “We had to move because we were given an ultimatum - either leave or we will kick you out. It’s a scary thing when the soldiers come to your house and point guns at you,” Mr Prasad said.

“It’s a very sad moment every time I look back. Fiji was the country I was born in, it was what I knew. But I have always been the kind of person who looks at the glass half full. There is a man upstairs who has a path for me and I’m going to take it. That path has brought me here. This is where I am meant to be.” The Prasads settled in Hampton Park. Mr Prasad worked a series of jobs to help his family make ends meet - delivering pizzas, mowing lawns, running beside a rubbish truck collecting bottles, truck driving and security. His real talent however lay with numbers. After finishing school, he got a break as a phone based consultant for a superannuation fund. He moved into financial planning and was eventually poached by the ANZ and later Bendigo Bank. MLC Advice is his first foray into owning his own small business.

“Everyone is a local, self employed business owners. They understand the community, they live here, they eat here, their kids go to the local schools. “We are all family orientated and very down to earth and approachable.” The group holds monthly lunches and stages three major events each financial year a Christmas celebration, a kids’ Easter egg hunt and a VIP fashion event. He said the lunches are invaluable networking opportunities. One business has garnered $20,000 worth of work through contacts made at one lunch. “In two months he has been able to employ three more staff. That is an opportunity for three people in the community to have full time jobs. “That tells me that what we are doing is actually working.”

His role with the business group brings back fond memories of being taken as a child to free entertainment put on by community and business groups.

Mr Prasad’s other talent was revealed when the DJ booked for last year’s Easter event cancelled the night before due to illness. Mr Prasad stepped in and spun tunes for the day.

“I remember when I was a kid we used to go to the community events done by Casey Cardinia business groups.

“Every time we have an event everybody now presumes Ritesh will be DJ,” he said, grinning.

“I thought it was really cool what they were doing, to be able to put on entertainment for the kids. That stuck with me and I thought okay I’d like to be involved with this and when the opportunity came I jumped on board.”

“I’ve got the equipment so I’m happy to be part of it. It also promotes my business. I’m in the MLC marquee and people come up and want to know what I do. It’s good for business. I’ve picked up a few clients that way.

When asked about how he came to find himself in the position of president he roars with laughter.

“Music’s always been a big part of my life. It’s my go to thing. It helps me focus.”

“My hands were pushed up!” He agreed to be the group’s figurehead on one condition: he wanted two vice-presidents and two secretaries to help shoulder the workload. He described the executive, comprising vicepresidents Michelle Beadle and Casey May and secretaries Magda Dabaco and Caroline Ward as “fantastic”. “I’m very thankful to my team and fellow board members. They are absolutely fantastic.

When asked what is his favourite music, he rocks back in his chair and with an impish grin says “I love rock ’n’ roll, I love AC/DC. I never say that to anybody.”

EVERYONE IS A LOCAL, SELF EMPLOYED BUSINESS OWNER. THEY UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY, THEY LIVE HERE, THEY EAT HERE, THEIR KIDS GO TO THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.

the wider Casey community. The group has members from Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Cranbourne. “It’s exciting that anyone running a business in the City of Casey can be part of it. We want to make sure we work with everyone and anyone out there. “We are a very young, enthusiastic group and we are looking to grow. It is very challenging as an individual business, but if we have a pool of money we can do a lot more not just for the businesses but for the kids.”

The business group was also instrumental in getting CCTV cameras installed in Adams Lane to deter graffiti.

Mr Prasad hopes his community involvement, (he is also a member of Casey Rotary) will imbue his children, three and 18 months, with a sense of community as they grow up.

A new plaque will also be installed soon near Coles promoting the traders in and around Adams Lane.

“This county has given me a lot. I want to pull my sleeves up and give back to the community.”

Mr Prasad said the business group is dedicated to working to promote all businesses not only within Berwick but in

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SCALING UP CREATIVELY Navigating the challenges of doing business in China has been part of life in the fast lane for for mini-helmet manufacturer John Kral.

Kral’s Creations combines John Kral’s love of motorsports and art.

By Narelle Coulter

JOHN Kral’s Lilliputian racing helmets combine his love of motorsport and artistic design. From a home office in Upper Beaconsfield, the former corporate recruitment executive runs Kral’s Creations. In the corner of John’s sparse office is a plastic tub full of colourful miniature racing helmets emblazoned with the colours of teams and their sponsors. Each helmet has a movable visor, foam padding and a tiny chin strap.

to expand that output by exploring new opportunities in the US and the Middle East. John’s love of racing began as a boy growing up in Lakes Entrance. He started riding motorbikes at 12, then moved into racing at 14. He won few championships “here and there but crashed a lot too”. “Being a country lad in Lakes Entrance there was always a strong surfing and beach culture but that didn’t do much for me. I liked tinkering with machines and ultimately things that burnt petrol.”

make up of private company organisations didn’t gel with the way I like to work. I didn’t fit in particularly well and I didn’t enjoy it.” What he did love doing was custom painting racing helmets. In the late ’90s his hobby became a serious income generating option when John and his partner were working hard to secure their first mortgage. “Custom painting helmets became popular in the late ’80s in America. I couldn’t afford a custom painted helmet so I thought I’d do it myself.

John was also inspired by his father’s stories of messing about on bikes in his native Czechoslovakia.

“For me it was a practical form of art I enjoyed. Whenever I got a new helmet I painted it to show my own identity.”

Popular in the US and Europe, John was the first to introduce the concept of miniature souvenir racing helmets to the Australian market.

“He would tell me stories of bikes he rode in Europe and all the crazy stunts he pulled. I thought ‘that sounds great’. My parents were very encouraging in everything I did and motor bikes were no different.”

John soon found that he could make more money custom painting than his day job paid.

Manufactured in China, John sells mini helmets to racing teams and drive experience businesses like Fast Track, who then on-sell them as merchandise and souvenirs or give them away as corporate gifts.

After university John pursued a corporate career in the recruitment industry. However, he quickly discovered the corporate culture wasn’t for him.

“This is an entirely new product to Australia,” John explained, plucking out one of his favourite helmets.

Last year he moved 2500 units and hopes

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“It just wasn’t making me enthusiastic about getting out of bed each day. The general

He admits it was big decision to quit the safety of a regular income and go out on his own, but once the mortgage was secured he took the plunge. As business grew John moved Kral’s Creations to a factory in Berwick, eventually employing eight staff to custom paint not just helmets but hot rods, racing boats, jet skis, snowboards and Harleys.

John Kral at work in his home office in Upper Beaconsfield. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

“I ended up essentially running a business and doing marketing which was not that enjoyable. One day a customer walked into John’s factory with a mini helmet he had brought back from Europe. “I thought it was the greatest thing in the world and it sowed the seed of an idea.” Manufacturing in Europe was too expensive so John turned his attention to China. After 12 months of “banging my head against the wall” John found a reliable agent and

John spent 70-80 hours crafting a full size prototype shell of his own helmet design to avoid the headache of licence fees. When the first test copy of his prototype arrived from China John opened the package with trepidation. “It was so exciting and thrilling to open it and see something I hoped for but didn’t dare think they would get right the first time.” By this time he had closed his Berwick factory, scaled back staff and relocated Kral’s Creations to Upper Beaconsfield. The first customer for John’s mini helmets was the F1 Corporation which purchased 250 to give away at the 2012 Melbourne Grand Prix. Since then sales have steadily grown with John’s client list now including the likes of BMW, Mercedes AMG and Subaru.

He is now looking to develop an open-faced helmet to appeal to motorcycle categories and also dirtbike helmets, which are different again from motorbike and car racing helmets. “I’m also trying to make headway in the US and Arab nations. In the US you can get mini helmets already but they are of a fairly low standard. There are organisations there which want a premium quality product.” John loves the autonomy of running his own business or as he puts it “being the dictator of my own future”. “Realistically if you put the work in there is a high potential you will be rewarded for it. I like being the author of my own destiny. “This business is still very much in its infancy but I can see in the future that if I have a dozen organisations that are re-ordering every year, ordering say 1000 helmets, suddenly life is less stressful and I can spend less time on sourcing new orders. I am really, really looking forward to that.”

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As with many small business owners, John soon found that he was tied up operating the business and not doing what he actually loved, which was the creative side of Kral’s Creations.

a manufacturer who would fill the relatively small orders of 250 he required.

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“I was fastidious about the art work. I wanted it to be exactly the way I wanted it so we developed a very good reputation very quickly.”

MOVING ON FROM THE CAR TRADE Businesses in the Casey Cardinia Region are weathering the downturn of the automotive industry thanks to a program funded by the State Government.

APT business development manager Ron Weinzierl, right, and employee Adam Sutton.

By Narelle Coulter

BERWICK business Australian Precision Technologies (APT) has successfully navigated the downturn of the automotive industry thanks to forward planning and help from the State Government. As an automotive supply chain company, APT took advantage of the State Government’s Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program (ASCTP). The program was established to help businesses identify future opportunities and new markets, and highlight the capabilities needed to enter those markets. APT business director Ron Weinzierl said the firm used ASCTP assistance to fund an employee alignment and leadership program. “It is a key development allowing APT as a SME (small to medium enterprise) in the auto supply chain to make sure we had a clear business strategy which all employees were aligned with,” Mr Weinzierl said. “It has allowed us to get in a consultant, an industry expert who came in to APT to develop a new strategy and allowed us to align to that new strategy.” Mr Weinzierl said APT had been devising a strategy to diversify away from the auto

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industry towards a future as an advanced manufacturer for at least a decade. In the late ’90s, about 90 per cent of APT’s work came from the auto industry. Today it is under two per cent. “The money we received three years ago has helped us diversify into the growth industry of defence supply,” Mr Weinzierl explained. “The grant will help us align all our employees so they know what the new strategy is. The second focus was on key leadership skills.” This year APT celebrates its 25th anniversary. Mr Weinzierl said after tough business conditions in 2014/15, APT employee numbers had since increased, as had its investment in technology. The firm has now expanded to a second facility. “Without the grant we probably wouldn’t have taken the risks that we have and we wouldn’t have progressed our defence industry programs.” Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan said the program was part of the State Government’s $46.5 million Automotive Transition Plan to help Victorian

automotive businesses transition into new markets, retrain and find sustainable jobs for automotive workers, and attract investment into communities suffering from the closure of automotive manufacturing. “This funding will provide tailored case management services to assist automotive supply chain businesses to diversify into new markets.” Eligible supply chain companies stand to receive assistance valued at $16,000 to develop a transition plan. Businesses can then apply for funding of up to $50,000 to implement the key transition activities identified in their plan. Funding is also available for business capability development, including assistance with management skills, sales and marketing strategies, financial management, new product development and marketing opportunities. To participate in the Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program applicants must be a Victorian based business with at least 10 per cent of revenue derived from new car manufacturing by the three local car manufacturers (Ford, Holden and Toyota) and their supply chain. For more information go to www.business.vic. gov.au

Cutting-edge offiCe suites MAB Corporation has officially commenced construction of its cutting-edge $40 million office development in the City of Casey, bringing nearly 600 new jobs to the area. CubeOne is the first of two office developments by MAB, consisting of five levels and about 4500m2 of high quality commercial space tailored to small-medium business. Completion of CubeOne is due in mid-2018. “MAB actively targeted this location for a commercial development given the strength of the local business community, availability of local recreational amenity and the convenience of local transport connections,”

MAB director of Commercial Projects Andrew White said. Available office suites range in size from 88m2 to 802m2 and have been met with high demand. Retail opportunities remain on the ground level, and all office suites include car parking spaces on title. Facey Industrial Commercial’s Mark Bond said CubeOne offered exceptional value. “CubeOne office suites are selling for circa $4800-$5000 per square metre in a market where similar-sized commercial investments are selling for in excess of $5150 per square metre in nearby Verdun Drive, Narre Warren,” Mr Bond said.

Knight Frank’s Matt Romanin said that demand for premium office space sub 250m2 continues to grow in the South-East and is one of the most competitive markets outside the CBD. “Local tenants, owner occupiers and investors are driving this market, looking for premium office space surrounded by great amenity yet close to home,” he said. CubeTwo, the second stage of MAB’s development, will target larger businesses seeking office suites in excess of 500 sqm. For further information or to register interest, contact Stefan Miles, MAB Development manager on 8681 2222 or visit mab.com.au

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Greg, Matt, Kristian and Matt of Eclipse Security Systems - considered to be at the forefront of the security industry in Victoria. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS ADVERTORIAL

BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF BUSINESS By Rebecca Skilton

USED to enable visual surveillance and monitor a variety of environments and activities either from the site or a remote location, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is often directly associated with the prevention and detection of crime. However, as Hallam’s Eclipse Security Systems director and founder Greg Flood and technical operations manager Matt Sklepic explained, having CCTV security cameras can not only detect misconduct, but also substantially improve functionality of both small and large scale businesses. Specialists in CCTV, access control and intrusion alarm systems, Eclipse Security

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Systems has been providing home and business owners throughout Melbourne with security solutions since 2000. The company’s technicians and installers assist clients in identifying the vulnerable areas of their business, and provide security solutions that work towards their ongoing business success. “Everybody thinks that CCTV is about catching burglars or catching people shoplifting, but quite often it’s about managing a process,” Mr Flood said. “In a production line, the business can use CCTV as a management tool to be able to see how efficiently that production line is operating.

business in

FOCUS “And that saves them some real dollars.” In order to increase business profits, Eclipse Security Systems suggest a simple three-step process to combine with the use of CCTV: monitor, analyse and implement. By using this strategy, Mr Flood explained that businesses are able to take a bird’s eye view of their business and examine how they are currently functioning. “Let’s say in a retail environment, a customer walks through the front entry doors. The business owner might want to know the most common path customers take in store, what they go to, what they look at and how long do they spend looking.

EVERYBODY THINKS THAT CCTV IS ABOUT CATCHING BURGLARS OR CATCHING PEOPLE SHOPLIFTING, BUT QUITE OFTEN IT’S ABOUT MANAGING A PROCESS. “They might want to know what displays and areas that draw people in, they might want to take a count to find out how many people actually came into the store in a day or what their busy periods were ... CCTV can help with that.” “And if there’s someone who has injured themselves, CCTV can limit occupational health and safety claims as well.”

“People are usually at first reluctant to use it, but once something happens around the business and they manage to resolve the issue with CCTV they see the benefits,” Mr Sklepic said. “And it will add value to the whole business because it’s going to potentially give business owners insight that they’ve never actually seen before.”

Having evolved dramatically since its inception, Mr Flood explained that modern CCTV systems allow users to easily sort through footage and content: the simple, easy and efficient method to analyse people, assets and processes. And while some business owners may be hesitant in implementing CCTV, the Eclipse Security team is positive that once they experience the benefits of using the system such as greater productivity, better customer service and increased profits - it can become one of their greatest business strengths.

Increase Business Profits Monitor assets, people and processes in your business with CCTV. It’s a simple 3 step process: 1 2 3

Monitor Analyse Implement improvements

Security solutions tailored to your business needs.

Request a Quote at

www.eclipsesecurity.com.au

1300 66 11 99 12362810-37-17

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IN THE RUNNING FOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS Nominees for the 2017 Casey Cardinia Business Awards were announced at a business breakfast on 6 September. The awards recognise significant achievements from a range of sectors and celebrate those who contribute to the social, economic and sustainable benefit of the region. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday 27 October at the Cranbourne Racing Centre. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Successful Endeavours Successful Endeavours designs electronicsbased products that are intended to be manufactured in Australia.

Direct Management At Direct Management, Diane Lucas and her team have the ability to look beyond the numbers to facilitate business growth and systemisation for clients’ businesses. They do this by providing both bookkeeping consulting and bookkeeping services. “As a culture-focused company every member of our team is friendly, passionate and dedicated to your business success,” Ms Lucas said. “We are committed to finding innovative ways of doing things, building relationships based on mutual trust and understanding, empowering clients and exceeding expectations. You can expect us to focus on the preparation of your books and health of your finances with the utmost care, laserbeam precision and a problem-solving mindset.”

This encompasses industrial controls, power distribution equipment, telemetry devices including the Internet of Things (IoT), security systems, automotive after-market ECUs, custom communications equipment, toys that are intended to get children and adults off their devices to do something active and even a mobile phone. The company’s aim is to provide its clients with world-class product development services that allow them to be locally and internationally competitive in their chosen market.

Ideas Ministry specialise in making a businesses brand do the selling. The team at Ideas Ministry combine great ideas with expert skills in graphic design and marketing, and collaborate with other creative professionals like photographers, web designers, copywriters and printers, to offer a complete branding solution to help reel in dream customers.

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This family-owned farm business in Longwarry has been operating for seven generations. The business provides high quality DNA genomic tested Simmental cattle for beef/ milk quality. Ten-Rose supplies cattle, embryos and AI straws. The owners farm in a sustainable manner for humanity, flora and fauna, future generations and for a quality life.

HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELLBEING

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Casey Cardinia Region Beaconsfield Dental Beaconsfield Dental was established in 1988 by Robert Panjkov. The practice offers all aspects of general, family and cosmetic dentistry. Beaconsfield Dental won last year’s award for Environment Sustainability. The practice uses biodegradable dental products, and environmentally-friendly cleaning and kitchen supplies, including a compost bin.

Diane Lucas and her team at Direct Management, nominees in the Professional Services category. Ideas Ministry

Ten-Rose International Simmental Fleckvieh

Mr Panjkov said staff were educated about recycling paper and encouraged to reduce printing by viewing documents on the computer.

Clark Asset Management Clark Asset Management is a small marketing and management company based in Narre Warren. It teams up with larger companies and marketing agencies to provide a unique form of outdoor and online marketing.

Kinders Together Kinders Together Association is a professional, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the provision of high quality, community based education and care services. Lakeside Psychology Lakeside Psychology is a private psychology clinic providing help for children, adolescents and adults for a range of personal problems and psychological disorders. The clinic also provide group programs, support for parents and teachers, school presentations and community events. YMCA Casey YMCA in the City of Casey has been an integral part of the city for the past 19 years. The organisation manages six leisure facilities on behalf of the City of Casey including Casey ARC, Casey RACE, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Berwick Leisure Centre, Casey Indoor Leisure Centre and Doveton Pool in the Park. Each facility offers the community a wide variety of services and programs including but not limited to swimming lessons, recreational swimming, health clubs, group fitness classes, childcare, gymnastics and stadium sports.

Darren Michelle, the owner of Kelly Sports Berwick, is nominated in the Home-Based Business category.

Pat and Kirsten Hardiker in the restaurant at Cannibal Creek Vineyard and Winery at nominated in the Hospitality category.

Ray Keefe’s business Successful Endeavours is nominated in two categories - Manufacturing and Business and Professional Services.

HOME-BASED BUSINESS

HOSPITALITY

MANUFACTURING

Casey Cardinia Region MGR Security Doors Kelly Sports Berwick Kelly Sports focuses on teaching young children (Kelly sporters) fundamental sports skills. Owner Darren Michelle and his team provide Kelly sporters with a taste of a range of sports and activities to enable them to decide what to pursue via local sporting clubs. “These classes are age appropriate and are designed to get the young children moving, increase confidence, sports and motor skills and most importantly, they are great fun,” Mr Michelle said. Soul Sister Nosh Soul Sister Nosh produces 100 per cent organic raw balls that are healthy, delicious and provide a variety of nutritious benefits. Soul Sister Nosh products are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free plus vegan and paleo friendly. The business has a simple message: “making the right simple small changes can have long-lasting health benefits”. “From experience we know changing to a healthier lifestyle is a gradual process that needs to have a series of small wins. And the first small win is to replace those unhealthy ‘on-the-go’ snacks with healthy snacks,” Caroline Towers said. Tour Local Pakenham-based Tour Local provides touring solutions for individuals or groups of any size. The company also provides charter services for air and port transfers, weddings and corporate events. Tour Local’s real specialty is writing and delivering tailor-made tours of any length (from a few hours to many days away) for groups of any size.

Cannibal Creek Vineyard Cannibal Creek Vineyard offers French leaning food and wine made by hand from the ground up. Under winemaker Pat Hardiker, Cannibal Creek wines are single estate, cool climate varietals made using traditional ‘by hand’ methods and high quality French Oak. The vineyard’s new restaurant offers a changing menu of French-inspired food made from scratch by Michelin-trained chef Philippe Desrettes, who takes inspiration from local produce complemented by Cannibal Creek’s own kitchen garden. Elevation at Emerald Elevation at Emerald is a fully-licensed restaurant and bar situated in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges overlooking the green hills of Emerald. The building was architecturally designed to blend into its surroundings and boasts floor to ceiling windows that can be opened on fine days. The business has a distinctive focus on catering for those with special dietary requirements, while provide appealing meal choices that are innovative, fresh and interesting, with service that is friendly and informal. Settlers Run Golf and Country Club Settlers Run Golf and Country Club, set among the housing estate at Botanic Ridge, features a magnificent 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, a full service golf shop, bar, bistro and restaurant, pool, sauna and gym. The superbly designed $10 million clubhouse facility is a popular function venue catering for up to 150 people. The restaurant offers a variety of dining options for guests, from sandwiches to pub classics in the bistro to more up market modern Australian fare and white linen.

MGR Security Doors provide Security Doors to Casey-Cardinia region - from measure and quote to manufacture, supply and install. The product range includes security doors, steel door enclosures, fly screen doors and windows. Powerplants Australia Powerplants Australia offers a wide variety of products and service in horticultural technology, operating in all sectors of the horticulture industry including: berries, soft fruit, cherries, field vegetables, nurseries, protected cropping and cut flowers. Powerplants manufacture technology supplies and accessories locally in Australia in its own premises to provide customers with innovative tailored solutions. “This enables our customers to focus on growing their business, while we take care of all their service and maintenance requirements,” Tony Bundock said. Successful Endeavours Successful Endeavours designs electronicsbased products that are intended to be manufactured in Australia. This encompasses industrial controls, power distribution equipment, telemetry devices including the Internet of Things (IoT), security systems, automotive after-market ECUs, custom communications equipment, toys that are intended to get children and adults off their devices to do something active and even a mobile phone. The aim is to provide its clients with world-class product development services that allow them to be locally and internationally competitive in their chosen market. The company can also manufacture products for clients.

Employing over 50 staff across golf and food and beverage operations and with over 1600 members, the Settlers Run Golf and Country Club is a popular venue offering exceptional service to members, guests and visitors.

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NEW BUSINESS

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Village Way Cafe Village Way Cafe has featured in the Casey Cardinia Business Awards before, winning the People’s Choice award in 2016.

Enhance Yoga Aligned Leisure Aligned Leisure aligns programs and services with the local Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan that highlight unique key community priorities. “Our programs and services are not about us, they are about our partners and they will at all times be in total alignment with the needs of the specific community that we are servicing,” Simon Bryson said. “Supported by the people and business systems of the Richmond Football Club and the AFL, Aligned Leisure can deliver unprecedented additional value to our community partners.” Davey Marine Davey Marine is a retail and service specialist for a select range of new and used recreational boat brands and accredited dealers for Honda Marine, Blackdog Cats (New Zealand) and Edencraft Boats Australia. Davey Marine also operates a Compleat Angler franchise from its retail outlet in Pakenham and sells an extensive range of boating accessories and safety gear. Ideas Ministry Ideas Ministry’s specialty is making brands do the selling for its clients. “We combine our great ideas with expert skills in graphic design and marketing, and collaborate with other creative professionals like photographers, web designers, copywriters and printers, to offer you a complete branding solution which reels in your dream customers,” Natalie Birch said.

Berwick’s Enhance Yoga won last year’s People Choice Award. The studio offers Pilates, yoga and barre and prides itself on embodying all that is health, and with that, all its members form part of its ‘Enhance Tribe’. The yoga and wellness studio is the first of its kind in Melbourne’s South-East to offer the unique styles of barre fusion, calligraphy flow and vinyasa flow yoga as well as workshops in a purpose-built studio. Director at Enhance Yoga and Qi Gong and yoga teacher, Adam Beardsley, was a multiple Australian National Wushu title holder, competing abroad in the World Championships representing Australia from his years training kung fu/wushu. Adam with his wife and director, Suyinh Beardsley, call their operation a family business. “We always had vision to not have just a studio but to have a wellness centre and to share our knowledge with others,” Adam said. Twisted Sista Upper Level Fountain Gate The Twisted Sista idea was to create a unique twist on a modern cafe combined with a Gelateria. Sam and Martha Di Salvo launched the first Twisted Sista in Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in June 2011. As one of three sisters, Martha Di Salvo has always been affectionately known as the “twisted” sister, so naming the business was easy.

It was then owned by Paul Sloothaak who switched careers from shopfitter to pastry chef and opened the popular cafe in Pakenham’s Lakeside estate with wife Christina. The cafe now has a new owner, Laura Celona, who took over a little more than two months ago.

RETAIL

Davey Marine Davey Marine is a retail and service specialist for a select range of new and used recreational boat brands and accredited dealers for Honda Marine, Blackdog Cats (New Zealand) and Edencraft Boats Australia. Davey Marine also operates a Compleat Angler franchise from its retail outlet in Pakenham and sells an extensive range of boating accessories and safety gear. Emerald Village Pharmacy Emerald Village pharmacy is a community pharmacy offering a wide range of pharmaceutical services as well as specialising in beauty and complementary medicines.

“Through dedication, our diligent hard work was recognised by winning seven retail excellence awards including the prestigious ‘Best Retailer in Victoria’ award by Westfield,” Martha said. “Over the years this inspired us to push the boundaries of business to see what we were capable of. Twisted Sista was born from a vision to create an atmosphere of fun and excitement with a menu based on the freshest ingredients delivered with exceptional personalised service. We put everything we had into the business and worked harder than ever before. We soon knew we had created a recipe for success and with family at the heart of everything we do, we introduced our daughter Josie into the business.”

Owners of Framing to a T, Tony and Cath Stocks, are nominated in the retail category. Framing to a T Framing to a T Picture Framers and Designers is a premium style destination for custom picture framing created by Tony and Cath Stocks. With a state-of-the-art manufacturing HQ and showroom located in Hallam, and two beautiful retail stores in Berwick and in Brighton, Framing to a T provides bespoke picture framing, divine artwork and stylish furniture and home accessories for spaces across Melbourne.

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

TOURISM

Insulgreen Solutions Insulgreen Solutions is a local leading distributor and installer of Australian made and owned insulation. It services the residential and commercial construction industries specialising in Melbourne’s South-East.

Casey and District Multiple Birth Association Casey and District Multiple Birth Association (CDMBA) is totally managed by volunteers, and has been providing parent-to-parent support to multiple birth families in the Casey, Cardinia, Gippsland and Dandenong regions for 30 years. All volunteers have walked in the footsteps of a new multiple birth family and know the value of a listening ear and a compassionate conversation. The support and assistance is provided in a number of ways to families with twins, triplets or more - from the ante-natal stage through to schooling years and beyond. Kare ONE Kare ONE is a privately owned company that delivers homecare, personal care and respite care throughout the south and south-eastern regions of Melbourne. The business prides itself on delivering quality care through careful carer placement, focusing on teamwork and recognition of the individuality of all parties involved. Kare ONE also offers an emergency 24-hour on call service, which is delivered in-house, ensuring that clients and carers alike, have direct accessibility to services and support. Services include personal/attendant care, home care, respite care, companionship, community access, live-in care, home safe services and general home maintenance for a whole range of different types of people.

POWERPLANT Project Services Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links is a picturesque 27-hole golf course offering golf and footgolf. Situated at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, Beaconhills is more than just a golf club, it prides itself on being a community club and works closely with local businesses. Safir Tours Safir Tours offers a complete array of inbound tourism services geared to a wide range of travellers from various parts of the world. The firm provides an end-to-end solution for independent travellers, family groups, meetings, conferences and incentive groups. Travability Travability’s mission is to be agents of change; to inspire people who have never travelled before to do so and to inspire others to do more. The business aims to encourage all cultures of the world to see disability as an integral part of life, and to provide the motivation and tools to the tourism industry to allow them to create accessible environments that enable inclusion in an economically sustainable way.

Hallam electrical contractor POWERPLANT Project Services won last year’s Trades and Construction category. The award followed the company securing the contract to design lighting for the upgrade of the Monash Freeway. Director Greg Plant said after the Monash project was finished, Powerplant’s staff would have designed lighting for the freeway from Pakenham to Tullamarine – except for the city tunnels. “For us it’s a real achievement as a relatively small company to be participating in these larger projects and to have contact with nearly the entire freeway,” Mr Plant said. “We’re little guys who have got to do big things locally.” Mr Plant started the business as a solo venture at home in 1999, seeing an opening after the State Electricity Commission of Victoria was broken up. “Regulators wanted customers to have a choice but there was no-one to provide that.” Mr Plant said the secret to POWERPLANT’s success was “serving our customers well”.

TRADES AND CONSTRUCTION

Waverley Industries Waverley Industries empower people with a disability and enhance their lives by providing them with meaningful, high quality employment. They are a not-for-profit organisation and believe working with them is exceptionally rewarding and an experience second to none.

Major sponsors

Elite Building Services Elite Building Services prides itself on building its customers exceptional homes that are not just built to last, but are worthy of lasting. Staff are open and honest with customers and provide an outstanding and personal experience which encourages customers to be actively involved in the construction of their home. Building with Elite Building Services is an interactive and enjoyable experience. The team at Elite Building Services are passionate about bringing people home.

Greg Plant and John Kelso from POWERPLANT Poject Services.

Media sponsor

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‘Mr Body Language’ Allan Pease addresses businesses as guest speaker at the Casey Cardinia Business Breakfast at the Cranbourne Turf Club. Picture: GARY SISSONS

MONEY FOLLOWS PASSIONS By Brendan Rees

AT THE age of 21, Allan Pease was the youngest person to sell more than $1 million worth of life insurance and qualify for the Million Dollar Round Table. As an international best seller of 10 number one books, he teaches body language and communication skills that inspire people and businesses to get results. The motivational speaker and author told a crowded business breakfast that if people followed their passion the money “will follow”. He was the guest speaker at the Casey Cardinia Business Breakfast held at the Cranbourne Turf Club on Wednesday 6 September. Mr Pease said greatness in life came when people followed their passion. “What is the one thing in your life that you love so much that you would get up early? Whatever it is if you can identify that thing that is where greatness is in you.

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“It terms of whatever you want to do with your life, I want you to stop thinking about how you want to do it. The how is buggering you up. That’s why you’re not moving forward. “From today only think about what you want. What you’ll do, what you’ll become, what you’ll achieve and then the how will appear,” Mr Pease said. The former Upper Beaconsfield resident said most people didn’t really know what they wanted in life. “You know 84 per cent of people hate what they are doing for a living. On Sunday nights they get a knot in their gut and they hate it. If you’re not waking up saying ‘I can’t wait to do this’ you’ve got to get out and quit. Stop wasting everyone’s time.

thing for me I’ve ever been involved in”. Discussing the brain’s ability to drive success, he said the reticular formation was the command centre for the brain and was the most important to understand. “Every experience you have filters through there except for smells. “There’s a system in there called the reticular activating system. This is the most significant thing about your brain that you’ll probably ever learn about business.” He said all sporting icons and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey started as amateurs. Mr Pease said reading someone’s body language was reading a person’s emotional condition.

“It might take you six months, 12 months or two years to decide what it is that you really want to do with your life that makes you wake up and excited,” he said.

“Most people have made up their mind about you within four minutes. When you cross your arms people give 40 per cent less eye contact, they talk in shorter sentences and stand further back.

Promoting his new book The Answer, he said it had been the “latest and most exciting

“If people buy you, they buy what you bring with you.”

The sweeping legs of the giant Bunjil eagle.

The theatre will seat 800 people.

Bunjil Place takes shape ahead of its official opening at the end of October. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

BUNJIL PLACE SET TO SOAR THE City of Casey’s signature project, Bunjil Place, will open its doors for business in October. Mayor Sam Aziz said the $125 million project had already injected approximately $83.5 million into the regional economy. Annually, the arts, cultural, leisure and entertainment precinct is expected to boost the South-East region economy to tune of $4.4 million. The construction phase created a jobs boom as the massive structure took shape in Narre Warren. Ongoing jobs will include new positions for front-of-house staff, production staff, curation staff and technicians. Visitors numbers at Bunjil Place are projected to be more than 1 million a year. “Bunjil Place will put our region on the map as more people find out where we are and the variety of entertainment and activity ,” Cr Aziz said. Cr Aziz said the council and builder Multiplex deliberately engaged local

manufacturers and suppliers where possible to work on the project.

“Casey’s commitment to healthy workplace design is particularly exciting for us.

Hallam-based business Backcare and Seating was awarded a contract to supply seating for the workspaces and back-of-house areas.

“The healthy work principles tie in with exactly what we provide as a business so it is excellent to be involved in a project of this scope in our own municipality,” he said.

Family-owned furniture designer and manufacturer Planex, which has been operating in Hallam for more than 15 years, was engaged to provide storage solutions in various spaces throughout Bunjil Place. Casey catering business G’Day Chef has been appointed to operate the café at Bunjil Place. Chef Jason Galletti said his team was excited about the new challenge. “The coffee is going to be special. We’re working with some amazing boutique Melbourne coffee suppliers and designing our food offering around modern food trends,” he said.

Cr Aziz said businesses will have a variety of options to engage with Bunjil Place once open. The studio will be available for exhibitions, functions, trade shows and events. For larger functions, Bunjil Place offers a 350-seat capacity function centre. “After many years of planning and construction, we are incredibly excited that we now have a date to welcome the first visitors to this vibrant entertainment precinct,” Cr Aziz said.

“In line with what Bunjil Place is trying to achieve, we want to bring the best to the South-East and create the great food and coffee culture found in Melbourne.”

The official community opening celebration will be held on the weekend of 28-29 October. Council services and the Narre Warren Library will open at Bunjil Place from Monday 30 October.

Backcare and Seating director Simon Van Dam said he was thrilled to be involved in the project.

The construction of Bunjil Place was funded by $10 million from the Federal Government and $115 million from the City of Casey.

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Containing around 400 individual pieces, the Melbourne Fire Brick Company’s Oven Kits are a hot seller, with director Ben Guilford selling around 250 ovens per year.

COOKING KIT IS HOT PROPERTY Turning up the heat on wood-fired pizza ovens, he’s the Melbourne engineer transforming the much-loved cooking icon into a worldwide phenomenon. And as the director of the Melbourne Fire Brick Company, Ben Guilford is just getting started.

By Rebecca Skilton

ONLY six years young, the Melbourne Fire Brick Company (MFBC) has come a long way in its few short years. Led by mechanical and aerospace engineer, 35-year-old Ben Guilford, MFBC specialises in fire bricks, high temperature insulation and refractory materials for building forges, as well as kilns and fireplaces. But at the core of the business, are DIY wood-fired pizza oven kits that are putting the Hallam-based company on the international map. Containing around 400 individual items, a MFBC DIY kit is designed to make building authentic wood-fired ovens as easy as possible. While oven kits aren’t an entirely new concept to the market, it’s the idea that every brick and oven part is cut to size and ready to go that is gaining the MFBC the right type of attention. And as Ben explained, it’s the concept of this simple construction process that originally spurred the idea behind the Melbourne Fire Brick Company. “My dad built an oven at home with my

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little brother and they did a terrible job,” Ben explained. “But it just grabbed me; the idea of it just caught me. I love a project where I get to build something with my hands and I saw them doing it and I thought; ‘oh I can do this better’, and saw the project from an engineering perspective. “So now, if people buy one of our brick oven kits, basically they get the entire oven I think the best way to describe them is as a giant Lego set ... (but) we are the only people in the world who are making a brick oven kit where all the bricks are cut to size.” From inception to completion, the oven kit’s development took roughly two years with a number of trial-and-error exercises taking place. But as Ben explained, it was the continuous customer feedback and engagement that helped mould his product into what it is today. “When we first started, of course there were teething issues,” Ben admitted. “But I was heavily involved with every customer and I’d say to them; ’give me all the feedback you can and we’ll apply it to the kit’.

“It’s certainly helped (taking on customer feedback) but I think any company who wants to succeed has to listen to their customers - that’s basic 101 stuff.” Not only has that ‘basic 101 stuff’ created an extensive list of satisfied customers, but has also landed the MFBC and its products on American soils.

I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THEM IS AS A GIANT LEGO SET ... (BUT) WE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO ARE MAKING A BRICK OVEN KIT WHERE ALL THE BRICKS ARE CUT TO SIZE. to make tracks back in Australia with his products featuring in the likes of MasterChef judge George Calombaris’ restaurant Hellenic Republic in Kew and Atlas Dining in Prahran.

Despite not doing ‘everything’ in the literal sense of the word, Ben does admit that being MFBC’s director and engineer does sometimes require being a ‘master of everything’.

But the extent of Ben’s work doesn’t stop there, with the entrepreneur engineer also having begun outsourcing tradesmen to install his ovens for those who prefer avoiding the DIY method.

But having recently received advice from a business-minded friend, he had some words of wisdom for others trying to balance entrepreneurial thinking and sustainable business practices. “A friend with a wealth of knowledge in business recently came and spoke to me,” Ben explained.

“We’ve set up an American company called Flamesmiths and we’ve just sent a container load over and sold about half of it.”

“If you came to me and said ‘I want one of these ovens but I don’t want to build it’, what we do is we take your details and we get one of our flamesmiths to contact you. A flamesmith is effectively a pre-qualified oven builder; someone I can trust to build it for you,” Ben explained.

Admitting that venturing into the United States was an exciting milestone in the company’s existence, Ben is continuing

“I get them to give you a buzz and quote you. So then we focus on being manufacturers rather than doing everything.”

“We’ve done a whole heap of (YouTube) videos on how to build our oven kits,” Ben explained. “What we were finding was something like 20 per cent of the views from our instructional videos were from America. And then they started asking - we just started getting like three emails a week - how much to send an oven over? “So I figured for every person that’s asking and sending an email, there’s probably a dozen people who might be interested, so we’re giving it a crack.

“He said, ‘you’re an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word, but you need to be a business manager, you can’t just be an entrepreneur because it doesn’t work. It might work for a little while, but eventually if you don’t balance that with actually managing your business, you just won’t last’.”

General manager of the Hellenic Republic restaurant group Travis McAuley, Renowned Masterchef judge George Calombaris and The Melbourne Firebrick Company’s Ben Guilford enjoying meals prepared on Calombaris’s home wood-fired brick oven.

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Australian Asparagus Council president James Terry on his Kooweerup property. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

ASPARAGUS IS CREAM OF THE CROPS By Bonny Burrows

“But the prep work, the ongoing work to maintain a business is enormous.”

KOOWEERUP asparagus growers are predicting a bumper crop, possibly the biggest on record.

It’s this dedication that had seen the small town become synonymous with the green spears - and for good reason.

The Australian asparagus season officially launched on 30 August, and with it an influx of workers to local farms.

“The soil, the climate, the access to markets and labour, for asparagus Kooweerup works,” Mr Terry said.

But behind the scenes, between the faces of the seasonal workers, are the local growers, the farmers who remain year round, prepping the soil, doing the work that needs to be done to create that highly sought-after Kooweerup asparagus.

But as the local farmers prepare for the busiest period of the year, they say their work’s just getting started.

Australian Asparagus Council president and local grower James Terry is one of them.

Locally about 7000 tonnes of the green stuff is grown annually on about 4500 acres. It’s a lot of produce, and a hell of a lot of hard work.

Along with fellow growers Alex Motta and Con Raffa, Mr Terry spends most of the year out in the fields of muddy, rich soil.

It’s not something they can do alone so during peak season they bring in hundreds of workers who stay and shop locally for the three-month season.

Farmers spend five to six months prepping for the season.

Typically workers can trek about 10km a day culling asparagus in the sweltering heat.

“There’s a lot going on but from the outside it may not look like much is happening,” Mr Motta said.

By the end, many have dropped tens of kilograms due to the labour and are absolutely exhausted.

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But they return year after year to be a part of something special - the Kooweerup asparagus - and to secure much needed and well-earned cash. “You’re looking forward to the season starting up and then you’re looking forward to it finishing,” Mr Motta said. “You’re completely exhausted by the end,” he said. “But then you’re back looking forward to next year.” While the quality of the project is driven by weather, the Kooweerup asparagus is well-regarded as one “of the world’s best” and is shipped nation-wide to major supermarkets and retailers. Mr Terry said the benefits to the area were enormous. “It’s got to be up there with one of the most valuable industries for the shire,” Mr Terry said. “Kooweerup has a very good reputation for its asparagus.”

TAKING THE RISK OUT OF FOOD SECURITY A Hallam company is helping food growers to move indoors and keep their businesses growing. Powerplants Australia director Carl van Loon is trying to take the risk out of food growing.

By Casey Neill

POWERPLANTS Australia creates automated greenhouse systems that include water and fertiliser delivery and recycling, climate control, harvesting aids and more. Director Carl van Loon said wild weather was putting more pressure on these producers than ever before. Mr van Loon said farmers would usually have a couple of good years followed by two or three bad ones. “Sometimes they’d go broke because they didn’t have enough good years in a row,” he said. “We’re taking that risk out.” Mr van Loon said vertical farming was becoming a more realistic option thanks to improvements in LED light technology. “Every year they get a bit better and faster and cheaper,” he said. “LEDs are one of the biggest parts of that whole vertical farming picture. “In some places, it’s already a serious production system.” Different coloured LED lights control how plants grow. Red promotes generative growing, encouraging the plant to flower and produce more fruit.

Blue encourages vegetative growth, producing more leaves.

“Then the business grew and grew and the market changed.

“People are getting quite interested in controlling the plants,” Mr van Loon said.

“Now food production is the major part of the business.

It’s about fully-automated growing systems.

“We design and install and service systems for growing food.”

“You take all the guesswork out and turn it into a production process,” he said. “With plants there are generally so many variables - weather, insects, disease... “If you can make it into a totally predictable model, you can do it anywhere in the world.” Powerplants was born in 1994. “I was working for my dad and we had a plant nursery,” Mr van Loon said. “I used to do all this technical work for him climate control systems and all that sort of stuff. I was self-taught. “Whenever I was buying things, we were buying greenhouse equipment from chicken shed manufacturers. “There wasn’t a proper horticulture industry. “You were buying stuff from people who didn’t know anything about plants.” He saw a niche and started the business with his mum and brother. He’s since bought them out and expanded Powerplants. “We used to just do equipment for nurseries, for greenhouses,” he said.

He employs about 31 people, including engineers. The figure is down from a height of 44 over the past year due to “a bit of a recession”. “There’s so much Dutch competition in Australia now,” he said. “They’ve been having a terrible time over there so they’ve been coming over here more. “It’s just starting to get busier in Europe again.” So Mr van Loon is hopeful the tide will turn. “We’ll always need to eat,” he said. “People seem to be moving towards better and better quality and that’s what we’re all about - helping growers to produce really high quality crops without pesticides, without fungicides and sprays by giving the plants a really good climate. “There really isn’t anyone else in Australia that can provide the servicing. “We have some work overseas as well and we’re actively seeking more.”

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Eliassen Rorbuer Lofoten islands, Norway.

BOYD’S BEST SHOT Alan Boyd is a well-known face around Berwick. He has been a long-serving member of the Berwick Fire Brigade and runs an accounting firm in Gloucester Avenue. Away from the office, he is a passionate photographer, as NARELLE COULTER discovered. ACCOUNTANT Alan Boyd’s Berwick office doubles as a gallery for his real passion, photography. Hanging on the walls of his brick office are prints of some of his favourite photographs. A grungy view of Hosier Lane with Federation Square in the background shot at dusk as a garbage truck pauses to collect rubbish; a shot of Sydney’s Strand Arcade full of shoppers, Uluru at sunset and two photographs Alan took last year on a trip to Norway. “Every one of my photographs has a story,” he said, looking wistfully at the photographs, as if a mere glance transports him back to the exact time and place they were shot. “When I took the graffiti lane picture I was in the city with friends. The garbage truck really made that photograph. My friends thought it was just a pooey old garbage truck so they sat out in Flinders Street and waited for me. It ended up being the shot of the night.” At Uluru he waited two nights until the light

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was just right. In Norway he capture the frozen grandeur of the remote Eliassen Rorbuer Lofoten islands. “I loved being there in the middle of winter. The starkness of the landscape, the raw environment. It really was seeing nature at its best,” he said of the islands, which are consistently listed as one of the 10 most beautiful places in the world to photograph. Later this year Alan is off to Cuba. Also on his wish list are Antarctica, Canada, Alaska and the Scottish Highlands. Alan discovered his passion for photography during a 2010 trip to Norfolk Island. He bought himself an “entry level” DSLR camera “got snapping and really enjoyed it”. He entered a shot of a whaling boat moored at Kingston on Norfolk Island in the Berwick Show and took out the prize for Best in Show. He has since won several national competitions and claimed gold and bronze in his first international competition last year.

Accountant and keen photographer Alan Boyd.

home and away

“Photography is creative, it’s interesting, it lets you capture a moment in time from your perspective and that moment won’t happen again,” Alan said. His growing collection of work includes “thousands” of images, which record his extensive travels throughout Australia and the world. He enjoys getting to some of Australia’s most far flung places in his four-wheel drive and “capturing their beauty in photographs”. His current companion is a Canon 5DRSR which gives a 50 megapixel resolution, “fantastic for my landscape scenes”. “I have an approach that I’m always learning. I read many technical magazines and try to make contact with local experts when I travel. “I am always trying new techniques and I spend a lot of time experimenting with High Dynamic Range shots.” Alan aims to capture as much as possible in the initial frame with very little post processing.

Hosier Lane, Melbourne.

Alan grew up on his parents’ Friesian stud farm at Lyndhurst before the family moved to Berwick in 1977 where he has lived ever since.

As a teenager he also developed a love of stamp collecting. When Alan was 17 he wrote to the editor of the Weekly Times suggesting a new section on philately. “He wrote back and said we should talk. He got a bit of a shock seeing how young I was but gave me the gig.” World of Stamps with Alan Boyd appeared weekly for the next 20 years. After high school, Alan started an agricultural science degree but couldn’t see a future for himself in primary industry. He quit university and got a job with Dandy Bacon in Dandenong as an accounts payable clerk.

He has been a CFA volunteer with the Berwick brigade for 32 years, including 18 years as captain. He estimates he has attended more than 5500 call-outs with Berwick and is a veteran of Ash Wednesday, Black Saturday and campaign fires in the alpine regions and NSW. On the wall of his office reception is a photograph of the mountain ash trees near Falls Creek which have never recovered from the ferocity of Black Saturday. He says photography and travel are a “reality check” from the pressures of staying abreast of tax law and the demands of running a small business.

He studied part time and “made my way up the tree”.

“It gives me a bit of perspective. Accounting involves a lot of routine, it is quite serious and mundane.

He later worked for James Hardy for eight years before opening his own accounting practice in 1995 in Berwick.

“Travel is also a great conversation piece. I am always swapping travel stories with my clients.”

He still loves Berwick which has “enormous character”. “It’s still a communal village and the people are great. When I came to Berwick there was nothing south of the railway line. The Mansfield Estate was just started. It has evolved with time but it is still a nice part of the world.” Leaning back in his chair, his eyes wandering to the gallery on his office wall, he says thoughtfully that photography has taught him patience and how to look at the world differently. “Patience is the big thing. Sometimes you have to be there for hours to get a shot or you have to go back a number of times. You have to be patient. “And, yes, I do see things differently. No matter where you go the mood and light is always changing. You always get a different shot.”

Over 30 years of experience •฀Small฀Business฀including฀Sole฀Traders,฀ ฀฀฀฀฀฀฀Partnerships,฀Companies฀and฀Trusts ฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀•฀Extensive฀knowledge฀of ฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀Self฀Managed฀Superannuation฀Funds ฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀•฀Personal฀service ฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀฀•฀Flexible฀appointment฀times

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His passion for travel and the outdoors were hatched in his early days of scouting.

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SUITE 2, 28-32 GLOUCESTER AVE, BERWICK (CORNER OF RICHARDSON GROVE)

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SWEET SLICE OF THE GLOBAL APPLE PIE The future is looking apples at Narre Warren North orchard Montague. By Casey Neill

GROWING export opportunities are at the core of a $45 million shake-up at Narre Warren North orchard Montague. A project, which would allow the business to embrace its export potential, could create up to 50 jobs. General manager Rowan Little hopes the project will start taking shape early next year and be up and running by mid-2019. Bill Montague started the business in 1948 and is now in his 90s, “but still gets involved in talking about apple varieties”. Bill’s youngest son Ray is the managing director. His children Scott and Tim are involved, plus Bill’s niece and two nephews. Aside from the Montagues, the Horswood Road orchard and packing facility employs about 200 people year-round, and extras seasonally. “Our sales in fruit are around $150-odd million a year and really focus on apples, pears and stone fruit,” Rowan said.

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Montague has four other orchards around Victoria and Tasmania. About 80 per cent of its sales are of fruit that partners have grown. “This is the main site we use for distribution offshore,” he said. “We send apples to Europe, to Asia. We send stone fruit to Asia and the Middle East. “That’s the part of the business that we’re most enthusiastic about growing. “We see our opportunity to really grow to the next dimension to be through the export market. “One of the challenges Australia has as an exporter is that the way we pack fruit has been built around supplying the domestic market. “Packing and movement of fruit to the port and then out of Australia is the big area where we have to do a lot of work.” The Montague facilities as they stand are very adequate for the domestic market, Rowan said, “but they’re not going to give us the efficiencies we need to go into the export market”.

Builders came in and recommended starting from scratch with a customised site. Just updating the existing facilities wouldn’t get the efficiencies either. Montague got the opportunity to buy the horse agistment next door. A touted ring road extension to improve transport routes sealed the deal. Lysterfield Park borders the new land so Montague spoke to Parks Victoria about its plans. “The plan is for a cafe, bike rental, and to also develop a pick-your-own orchard,” Rowan said. “We do a lot of work on introducing new varieties into the Australian market. “We’re going to use this as an opportunity to test with consumers some of the new material that we have the opportunity to commercialise and have some real-time data back from them about what they prefer.” Montague drew up a masterplan and received a planning permit earlier this year. “Now we’re at the point of trying to raise finance for the project,” Rowan said.

“It will double our apple packing here, and stone fruit. “It will drop 10 to 15 per cent off the cost of that distribution. “This existing site will be converted into bulk storage, basically.” Visitors will be able to test new apple varieties before they reach the shelves. Montague has relationships with breeders all over the world. “Typically from identifying a variety in a breeders test block and getting it to market is a 10-year process,” Rowan said. “Right now we’re testing about eight new apple varieties and about 40 new stone fruit varieties. “We go through about a five-year testing phase, to see if it can be grown in Australian conditions. “The most successful introduction of a new variety was jazz. “It’s 10 years this year since we planted the first of that. We’ve been selling it for six years.”

WE SEE OUR OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY GROW TO THE NEXT DIMENSION TO BE THROUGH THE EXPORT MARKET.

Rowan said Montague invested in a breeding program in France a couple of years ago that’s producing red-fleshed apples. “We’re pretty excited about them,” he said. “There’s more acidity to them, like a Granny Smith. “The colour and flavour are a radical departure from standard apples. “After five years of investment, we had the first two apples in Australia this year. “We’ve also just tested another apple this season in the local Pakenham, Gippsland area, from Japan - Shinano Gold. “We’re growing that with a couple of growers in the Pakenham-Drouin area.

12344116-KC15-17

“The innovation is just coming very quickly now.”

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MAKER MEANS BUSINESS It combines influences from the normal and the paranormal. It blurs the lines between the strange and the familiar. It’s influenced by all things peculiar, fun and frightening. It’s called Loose Threats and it’s the result of probing, passion and persistence.

By Rebecca Skilton

LOOSE Threats is an illustrator, creative studio and self-described passive aggressive label. Grinding a new track for the world of casual and skate apparel, the brand is founded, directed and run by graphic artist and Garfield resident, Zac Fawkner. A graduate of the graphic design course at Victoria University, Fawkner had no business training or experience prior to establishing Loose Threats in 2014. Describing his schooling attitude as “primarily only motivated when it came to art and design”, the 23 year old admitted that operating his own business was something his 17-year-old self would have failed to imagine. “When I was a kid I used to draw up my own skate brands and clothing designs, but it wasn’t really until the end of my design course that I realised it was something I could actually achieve. But in saying that, starting a business on my own wouldn’t have been something I thought I would do when I was in school,” Fawkner explained. “It was pretty hard at first to figure out everything that I needed to do to get started. Things like the business structure, the budget and getting everything together was a bit of a puzzle to work out. I had no business training or background so it was all bit shaky at the start, but I was determined to work it all out and learn it on my own.” From concept designs, to organising and

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Fawkner’s love for graphic design and illustration developed throughout high school, leading the 23 year old through university and finally to his business Loose Threats.

outsourcing printing and garment suppliers, to managing finances, social media accounts as well as shipping and postage concerns, Fawkner is currently a one man show. Yet despite his solo mission, the Loose Threats online store stocks a wide range of original long and short sleeve T-shirts, singlets, hoodies, caps, and beanies; with some products stocked on the digital shelves of larger companies.

the brands name and theme, the designer commonly creates his website and products to incorporate intimidating remarks such as; ‘Bring money. Buy Shirts.’

“I run Loose Threats by myself so networking is very important, especially when it comes to choosing the right people to help manufacture and sell your products,” Fawkner said.

“From the designs, to the website and social media feeds, it all has that loosely threatening attitude. Aside from that, I put a lot of work into the branding and packaging - people always appreciate the small details.”

“And having friends help out is always appreciated, especially when it comes to promotional things like photography, and even just getting honest opinions is always refreshing.

Only three years into his business endeavours, the future for both Fawkner and Loose Threats is a limitless journey, with a number of business objectives already highlighted for the graphic designer. However, despite looking forward to his future, Fawkner never fails to forget each small but significant triumph that’s been achieved along the way.

“But operating your own business is really rewarding - especially when something works out or you get recognition or sales. You also have full creative control which means decision making is slightly less controversial. But there are downsides too. If something doesn’t work, you have full responsibility. And of course being in charge of finances is tough.” Dedicating 20 to 30 hours a week to the Loose Threats brand, Fawkner constructs his designs to tie in with the arbitrary sensation of the brand’s name. With a general interest in anything strange and mysterious, Fawkner’s creations frequently feature sci-fi and other-worldly designs. Often playing on

But despite what some would consider menacing, it’s what Fawkner considers his brand’s point of difference. “What makes Loose Threats different comes down to the brand’s attitude,” Fawkner said.

“Every time a person I’ve never met wants to buy something that I’ve designed and made always feels like an accomplishment. But I still definitely want to evolve Loose Threats. I want to keep the clothing label as a base but expand more in to the freelance market, and start making some interesting designs for other brands and businesses,” Fawkner said. “But my advice for anyone wanting to start up their own business is don’t be afraid. Just work hard and take a few risks. And on top of all that, don’t forget to try and enjoy it.”

1. Spending up to 30 hours a week shaping Loose Threats, Zac has taken the brand right through from inception to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current status entirely as a one-man-show. 2. It all comes down to attitude: Zac Fawkner with some of his Loose Threats T-shirt range. 3. Loose Threats is influenced by all things peculiar, fun and frightening.

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Clare Bowditch asks for audience feedback during her women’s business lunch presentation.

MAKING DREAMS MATTER Singer, songwriter and radio host Clare Bowditch ditched her shoes and settled in for a chat at the annual Casey Cardinia Women’s Business Lunch. By Narelle Coulter

“You don’t have to be one thing, but you have to start with something.” As those words faded, and the last notes fell from the strings of Clare Bowditch’s guitar, the audience at the Casey Cardinia region women’s business lunch broke into applause. “Maybe today is that little start for you,” Bowditch told her audience. The singer, songwriter, actor and radio presenter was guest speaker at this year’s Casey Cardinia Women’s Business Lunch held on Friday 4 August. Bowditch, mother of three and founder of Big Hearted Business, spoke about her own journey from shy teenager to Aria winning songwriter. “We are in this room as apparent business people from all different areas, all different

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walks of life but in actual fact, we’re here to build relationships,“ she said, animatedly walking around the stage in a long black dress and cream crochet cardigan. As she settled into her presentation, Bowditch kicked off her flat black shoes leaving them in the middle of the stage and padded about in bare feet, her toe nails a pale shade of pink. “The most useful thing that I can do for any of you - besides talk about my fabulous life - which is how it sounds on paper, I can tell you the reality is quite different - but the most helpful things I can do is help you connect to each other.” She cajoled the audience into connecting with each other by urging them to reveal their childhood dreams to someone they didn’t know saying “in that childhood dream of who you wanted to be is a clue about what you’re good at”.

“What were you good at as a child? What came easily to you? Because in that kernel is the answer to your success as a business person and the answer to your success in your career and the answer to your desire to be happy for God’s sake. “Many of us are paralysed by the question ‘what is the meaning of my life, what is the purpose?’ It’s a big question to ask, I get it. I’ve been asking it since I was three, four and five years old.” Bowditch said she knew even as a child that she “wanted to do something that made a difference in the world”. To achieve that she set her sights on becoming Miss World 1979. Hospitals were the landscape of Bowditch’s childhood, as she and her family spent years comforting older sister Rowena who died of a rare condition aged seven.

St John of God redevelopment manager Allison Merrigan.

Vicki MacDermid, a partner at Pitcher Partners, enjoys Clare Bowditch’s presentation.

Abby Munaretti and Patti Muley from Australian Skin Clinic Fountain Gate Shopping Centre.

“I knew that I wanted to save her and I thought that if I became Miss World, I would have power and influence. I only worked that out in the last decade. For a long time I judged my childhood dream, I thought; what a shallow b#%!.

you, itching in you, what’s on fire in you, the thing that pisses you off the most is perhaps yet another clue in what your journey is supposed to be in this life. What is the problem that you are yearning to solve?”

She urged the largely female audience to “work out what you need to stay sane” explaining she works four afternoons a week on ABC radio so she can devote another day to writing and singing.

Her awakening about her own destiny co-incided with a powerful influence entering her life in the form of prominent Melbourne businesswoman Fabian Dattner.

In response to a question about what is on the horizon for her in the next 10 years, Bowditch said she was determined to keep “doing something meaningful” and “survive” her twin sons’ teenage years.

“But really, in that childhood dream was a desire to do more. I didn’t get to save my sister but I did get that gift that she left me which is, carry on, do the best that you can. You can be powerful in a small tiny little way - she was.” Bowditch said she always had burning desire to “do something that mattered”. After finishing school, she stumbled along a path, which included a PR course and call centre work, until anger drove her to pursue her real love - singing/songwriting. “I thought, I’m angry, why aren’t there people like me out there making music? Why do you have to take your clothes off to be popular in a film clip. So whatever it is that’s burning in

“I was planning to be a musician at that point. I had no idea why I would need the language of leadership or business, I was just planning to have a hit single, get rich and retire,” she said, laughing. “But Fabian taught me what it means to understand the different parts of ourselves. She taught me something very important early on, we’re just people. There is no work you and you, you that is not interconnected.” Ms Bowditch said being a mother “informs everything I know about trying to make a business work”.

She revealed she was writing a memoir in the hope that her story would inspire other women put aside self-doubt and follow their passions. “I don’t know if politics is for me, or Miss World, but a girl can dream,” she said, smiling. “In a nut shell I want to be useful and survive.” Many of the working mothers in audience said a silent “Amen to that”.

Federation University vice-chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett took part in the panel discussion.

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Q&A: CHRIS BUCKINGHAM What has been your biggest career success to date? I was named as a finalist in the 2012 Melbourne Awards for Individual Contribution to Melbourne’s Profile and served an Adjunct Professor with Victoria University’s College of Business for a number of years. However my biggest successes have been a direct result of my capacity to build strong high performing teams. As a leader, it is the people you work with who determine whether you succeed or fail.

What has been your biggest career failure to date?

Chris Buckingham is CEO of Casey Cardinia Libraries. He has also owned and operated a small business, led community organisations, worked as a senior manager for local goverment and served as the CEO of Destination Melbourne. Chris shares insights into his working day and what he has learnt from his professional successes and failures.

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Describe a typical working day? Life at Casey Cardinia Libraries is never dull. We operate seven libraries and a mobile service which receive more than two million visits a year. It is always a challenge balancing the strategic and operational demands of the business. I love being with people in the libraries, so make a conscious effort to get out and about. There is only so much you can learn from an excel spreadsheet.

What are your impressions of the Casey Cardinia region from a business perspective? It is a really exciting time for business in the Casey Cardinia region. There are growing pains particularly around infrastructure, however the fundamentals are in place – close connection with major transport routes, a growing population, good education and training institutions and progressive councils that value the role of business in their community. Accessing reliable, fast internet remains the big challenge.

I have had a few! My first job was in the public bar at the Hotel Windsor. At the interview I was asked if I could pour a beer. I said ‘Of course!’ not realising that there was a significant difference between emptying a cold stubby into a glass and using a beer tap ... thankfully my skills were not tested until I started on the job. My first attempts were a source of amusement to customers and workmates. Thankfully, one of the more experienced staff showed me how it was done before the manager turned up.

What did you learn from that experience? If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again. While my career at the ’grand old lady’ on Spring Street was short lived, I learned enough to pour beers for a living all the way through uni. I also realised the importance of listening to customers and making people feel welcome.

If you had to invite five people to a business luncheon, who would they be and why? If I was to host a business luncheon it would be to encourage greater support for the vital role public libraries play in our region. The key

criteria would be shared values around supporting early literacy, lifelong learning, free access to information and building stronger more resilient communities. I trust that with a bit of time and the opportunity to engage with the local business community, I will meet the people who want to play a role supporting public libraries in our region.

How do you relax away from work? I always look forward to spending time with my family, getting up early on Saturday morning for Parkrun and regularly help out at the Warragul Farmers’ Market. I also enjoy reading, surfing and skiing when I get the chance. I particularly enjoy sitting on the front verandah at home with my partner Mikaela as the sun sets over the hill.

Tell us something most people would not know about you? I am pretty sure that I was the first man to complete a Minor in Women’s Studies at Monash University in 1992. An amazing learning experience that taught me a lot about women and myself. I am very grateful to the lecturers in the Women’s Studies Department who took my application on face value and allowed me to participate.

What is your business mantra? I have a few, but the one that stands the test of time is ‘Pay it forward’. It is the idea of giving to someone else without expectation of return. Generosity and good business go hand in hand. Everyone has the capacity to give if they think about it whether it be time, expertise or resources.

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Women Making it Work Networking Evening