Geelong Business News - 199

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3CONTENTSBUSINESS NEWSGEELONG BUSINESS NEWS FOR LOCAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

CONTENTS

05 Biz News10 Appointments34 Small Biz38 Tech Guy 40 Arts48 After Hours 51 What's On

13 What the carbon tax means for you We ask a tax expert what the carbon tax will really mean

16 NBN: Inside Australia's high tech futureWhy business needs the national broadband network

30 Geelong Small Business FestivalLearn how to get the most out of your business

Features

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4 EDITOR

It really has been very, very cold this last month. You all of course know this. The weather has been miserable, and – as misery apparently loves company – there has been plenty of misery going around.

There’s the early morning drag, when no amount of coffee seems to help. There’s the mid-afternoon drag, when all you want to do is crawl under the desk and go to sleep. Then there’s the dashes through the rain to and from the car (and if you think it sucks boys, you should try doing it across slippery, muddy nature strips in heels!), and the drive home in the dark.

There has been the news. The appalling behaviour of News of the World journalists in the UK, followed by the terrible mass shooting in Norway, almost as awful for the extremity of the anti-multicultural feelings behind it as for the act itself – news that makes already dark days feel even darker. The kind of news that makes you shake your head and wonder how on earth people can get it all so dreadfully wrong.

Then there is the continuing drag of negative financial news – both from the international markets and from the non-mining sectors here in Australia, particularly the retail sector.

It’s even been too grim to add to the gloom in this column by going over the now usual pettiness from our pollies throughout what should be informed, informative and spirited debates on the very serious, complex issues we are dealing with across our nation.

It had been one of those days as I was skittering down the footpath towards the car after a long day at work when it happened. I turned to look for oncoming traffic before crossing the street when I caught the eye of a young-ish guy in a beat up Commodore. He was grinning hugely, clearly very happy about something.

He popped his head out of the window and called out, “I just got a job, out of the blue!” He shook his head, still grinning, as if he just couldn’t believe his luck, and then drove off.

That was it. I found myself sitting behind the wheel grinning as well. This stranger’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself remembering those first jobs. They were nothing great; in fact they were pretty rubbish - working in little cafes and retail stores. But those were the days when a university degree was a liability in the job market, as it made you ‘over qualified’. Jobs weren’t easy to get and just to have one was a huge thrill, because it was an opportunity – however small. I’m sure that was what that guy was experiencing; that excitement of getting a chance to show what he could do, to start to change his life and work towards a better future.

Do you remember what that felt like? I hope so. I hope that more often than not we can still find that feeling of possibility and positivity. It’s too easy to get bogged down in the grind of how much we have to do, and how much we have to pay, and it’s too easy to forget what it was like to not have that much to do and to have no means to even think about buying all the things that we end up worrying about paying for.

For that young man, whoever he was, it seemed like he was on the start of a journey. I want to wish him the best of luck, and thank him for reminding me that just being on the journey is a reason to smile, even on a dark and miserable day.

Davina Montgomery

PS: CONGRATULATIONS CADEL! Another shining light in the dark for all those Aussies, and particularly all those here in Geelong, that sat up till 2am sharing his incredible journey.

ISSUE 199 AUGUST 2011GEELONG BUSINESS NEWS, an Adcell Print Group publication, is mailed to more than 5000 businesses in the G21 region.If you would like to receive Geelong Business News at your business please contact us.

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Regional businesses are reporting deterioration in trading conditions over the three months to June; with businesses anticipating conditions will decline over the coming quarter, according to the latest VECCI-Commonwealth Bank Survey of Business Trends and Prospects.

The Survey shows regional businesses are grappling with a significant deterioration in general business conditions, with declines in sales, exports, selling prices, profits, employment, overtime, investment in buildings, structures, plant and equipment, while at the same time facing growth in wages and other labour costs.

Compared with their metropolitan counterparts, regional businesses have a slightly less optimistic outlook for the Australian economy, with 21 per cent expecting stronger economic conditions over the next 12 months.

This is compared to 22 per cent of metropolitan businesses expecting stronger economic conditions over the coming 12 months.

VECCI Chief Executive, Mark Stone, says the results are an illustration of the effect on

business sentiment of soft consumer sentiment, consecutive interest rates rises and a high Australian dollar.

“Add to this the fact that little compensation for SMEs was announced as part of the Federal Government’s carbon tax plan and it’s clear Victorian regional businesses are facing tough times ahead,” says Mr Stone.

"Business is in the unfortunate position of facing declines in the majority of indicators, but having to find funds for increases in wages and other labour costs.

"These findings show how tough it is for regional SMEs at the moment, and few of them expect conditions to improve dramatically over the next three months,” says Mr Stone.

VECCI is now calling for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates as small operators face incredibly tough conditions.

VECCI Small Business Council Chair, David Richardson, said in a statement that as businesses - particularly retail businesses - try to cope with high rents, a looming carbon tax, low consumer confidence and the aftermath of devastating floods, an interest rate rise would add salt to the wound.

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Talking climate change in Pacific Islands

Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, has concluded his visit to United Nations, which focused on climate change and its impact on small island states.

“I have been struck during my visits throughout the Pacific by the reality of the threats these small island nations face from climate change - this was the main reason I wanted to speak at the Security Council and highlight the region’s concerns over the impact of climate change,” Mr Marles said in a statement.

The themes discussed during Mr Marles’ talks with UN Ambassadors will help shape Australia’s objectives for this year’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“My visit underlined that the Pacific is a vital part of the United Nations, and the United Nations is important to the Pacific.”

6 BIZNEWS

Michael Martinez, the CEO of Geelong’s leading multicultural community service organisation, Diversitat, has released a statement expressing his concern in relation to the Refugee swap arrangement of the Australian Government’s Malaysian immigration detention centre deal.

The Australian government has officially signed off on its transfer deal with Malaysia. It plans to send 800 asylum seekers, who have arrived in Australia illegally by boat to Malaysia within 3 days of arriving on our soil, in return 4,000 people the UNHCR consider to be most in need will be resettled in Australia over the next 4 years.

“Who knows what is going to happen when the first 800 have been accounted for,” Mr Martinez said. “This provides us with no confidence whatsoever in the system. The Malaysian opposition doesn’t support this deal, so what does the future hold?”

He continued: “The expense alone is in no way comparable to the cost if the refugees were to be resettled in Australia.”

Mr Martinez pointed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Australian Human Rights Commissioner having both spoken out against the deal, saying that international alarm bells are ringing.

Pino Migliorino, Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils’ of Australia (FECCA), which is the national peak body for all migrant organisations, said that the deal raised many concerns, including issues of Australia not supporting family reunion situations. He said that there was a danger that arrivals who had families in Australia would be sent to Malaysia.

Mr Migliorino said, “Adding further complexities to processing is only increasing the suffering of these people, many of whom have already had traumatic experiences in fleeing their home countries. This, in turn, will mean that we are creating difficulties for ourselves when people are accepted and are unable to participate in our society due to their ongoing suffering.”

Too many unanswered questions on Malaysia deal

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Deakin University is celebrating a major award win for an invention that uses waste heat to slash car fuel consumption has been recognised with a Gold Award by the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia (SAE-A).

Geelong-based engineering researcher, Frank Will, and his team invented the system that uses waste heat to reduce car engine friction by warming the engine oil to its optimal operating temperature. The prototype has demonstrated fuel consumption savings of more than seven per cent. Car engines typically waste about 80 per cent of the fuel consumed, with only 20 per cent of the fuel’s energy used to drive the car forward and the rest is lost as heat. In a statement, Mr Will said he believes the Deakin system – which is tentatively named OVER7™ – represents a smarter approach to vehicle engine design.

“The system also has the potential to be retrofitted to existing engines and we don’t think it will require big changes to fit it. We also think the system will be suitable for a range of vehicles, including diesels, hybrids and alternative fuels,”Mr Will said.

The research team is now working on further testing with car manufacturers and their suppliers to optimise the technology to best suit their needs.

Deakin technology slashes fuel consumption

7BIZNEWS

New research, published in the journal Science has provided clear proof of what we have long believed – that the Earth’s established forests are essential in absorbing fossil fuel emissions. According to the study, the world’s established forests remove 2.4 billion tonnes of carbon per year from the atmosphere – equivalent to one third of current annual fossil fuel. This is the first time that volumes of the greenhouse gas absorbed from the atmosphere by the world's forests have been so clearly identified.

“This is really a timely breakthrough with which we can now clearly demonstrate how forests and changes in landscape such as wildfire or forest regrowth impact the removal or release of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2),” said CSIRO co-author of the paper: A Large and Persistent Carbon Sink in the World’s Forests, Dr Pep Canadell, in a media announcement. “What this research tells us is that forests play a much larger role as carbon sinks as a result of tree growth and forest expansion.”

In addition to the large carbon sink, he said scientists now know that deforestation is responsible for emitting 2.9 billion tonnes of

carbon per year – an exchange that had not been known in the past because of a lack of data. For comparison, total emissions from fossil fuels are currently above eight billion tonnes of carbon per year.

Dr Canadell said emissions from deforestation are much larger than previously thought, suggesting that the potential benefits of avoiding deforestation through the United Nations-backed Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) scheme, are much larger than previously appreciated. The REDD scheme aims to formulate a financial value for the carbon stored in forests.

Dr Canadell said a surprising finding was the large capacity of tropical forest re-growth to remove atmospheric CO2.

“We estimate that tropical forest regrowth is removing an average of 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon per year. Unfortunately, some countries have not looked on forest regrowth as a component of REDD, and so are missing a very important opportunity to gain even further climate benefits from the conservation of forests. Combining the uptake by established and forest re-growth plus emissions from deforestation, the world’s forests have a net effect on atmospheric CO2 equivalent to the removal of 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon annually.

“Carbon exchanges from tropical forests have the highest uncertainties in this analysis and this research has required a concerted effort to refine them to our best knowledge.”

Community groups and councils in the Geelong and Surf Coast region can now access grants of up to $10,000 for local crime prevention initiatives as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s Community Safety Fund.

Member for South Barwon, Andrew Katos is encouraging local community and sporting groups in the Geelong and Surf Coast region to apply for Community Safety Fund grants, saying that the Government recognises that communities are best placed to identify and prioritise issues around local crime and safety in their areas.

In the first phase of funding, the CSF is set to provide one-off, non-recurrent grants of up to $10,000 to councils, community, sporting and business groups, and local state government schools to implement practical community safety projects. Mr Katos said this includes projects such as installing security lighting, padlocks, security screens, and fencing, or undertaking awareness activities to deter crime and increase community safety.

The CSF grants program will be implemented over a four-year period, as part of the Coalition Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program. For application forms, guidelines and other information please visit www.justice.vic.gov.au/safetygrants

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8 BIZNEWS

The Cancer Council Victoria and Barwon Health will host a four-week Living with Cancer Education program commencing on 16 August 2011. Cancer patients, carers, family and friends are invited to attend the special program to be held at Barwon Health’s Swanston Units.

This free program provides an opportunity to learn more about cancer, along with coping strategies to help people deal with the life-changes often associated with a cancer diagnosis.

Dr Amanda Hordern, Director of the Cancer Information and Support Service, said the program covers both emotional and practical information, support and advice for people affected by cancer.

“Discovering that you or someone you love has a cancer diagnosis can be a very distressing and unsettling time,” Dr Hordern said. “The Living With Cancer Education Program allows people to ask questions and discuss their concerns in an open and supportive environment. It also provides an opportunity to meet others going through a similar experience.”

Barwon Health program facilitator, Sue Bowles, said the Living With Cancer

Education Program is a wonderful source of information and support for cancer patients and their families.

“Participants learn a great deal about cancer and what to expect throughout their cancer journey,” Ms. Bowles said. “While the experience of cancer is different for everyone, it’s wonderful to share with others who are in a similar situation.”

The Cancer Council Victoria's Living With Cancer Education Program for people affected by cancer will be held over four weeks starting 16 August, from 1pm –

3pm at the Geelong Hospital. For more information or to register, please contact Sue Bowles on 5246 8228 or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

FREE PROGRAM HELP PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CANCER

Hire your own U Boat?

[Most of the time, as we trawl through the piles of press releases and media announcements that come across the editor’s desk (well, email, as we are well and truly in the digital age) we are seeking the informative, the timely and the locally relevant to share with you, dear readers. But every now and then, something so wacky comes along that I just can’t resist sharing it, even if does fail the timely and relevant tests! – Ed]

Dutch submersible manufacturer, U Boat Worx (UBW) has announced that it has two submersibles available for global charter. Clients can go on their own personal quest or simply enjoy the underwater scenery and aquatic life. Several clients have already chartered the submersible together with their own yacht.

“They feel like real explorers when they are diving on unexplored sites 100 meters below the surface” says Charlotte Schroots of UBW, who said that professional researchers and offshore companies are also amongst UBW’s client portfolio.

The submersibles have advantages over SCUBA diving by allowing the passengers to reach greater depths and stay underwater for extended time, in a dry, relaxed, comfortable, and spacious environment. Unlike SCUBA diving, the passengers will not experience any pressure inside the submersible nor do they require extensive training. UBW submersibles are powered by state of the art Lithium-ion batteries that are capable of packing more than three times the energy. This ensures the submersibles to perform diving operations up to six hours, emitting zero pollution into the ocean.

UBW will arrange the crew, all necessary support equipment, and transportation to the desired destination and also accessories like HD cameras, manipulator arms, lights and advanced tracking systems.

During consultation with UBW, the client will decide which submersible will fit the needs of the mission. The company also has several exclusive itineraries that can be suggested to clients who are unfamiliar with the underwater world.

Both available vessels have a maximum operating depth of 100 meters. However, U Boat Worx says that in the near future, other models with extended depth capabilities will be added to the fleet.

Need to know more? Visit www.uboatworx.com or see the submersibles in action on You Tube.

Ladybirds are wolves in sheep's clothingDo you remember hearing or reading about the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory calling for people to scour their gardens for ladybird species? Well, the research has been done, with some surprising results about the spotted bugs!

One ladybird beetle species has the ability to produce larvae that, with impunity, poach members of 'herds' of tiny, soft-bodied scale insects from under the noses of the aggressive ants that tend them. CSIRO researchers found that one of the ladybirds' first major evolutionary shifts was from feeding on hard-bodied ('armoured') scale insects to soft-bodied scale insects.

However, the soft-bodied sap-feeding insects are tended by ants, which guard the defenceless scales and collect a 'reward' of sugary honeydew. The ant tenders aggressively defend their scale insect 'livestock' and are always ready to attack any predator that threatens their herd.

To avoid being killed as they poach the ant's scales, ladybird larvae evolved to produce two anti-ant defences: an impregnable woolly coat of wax filaments, and glands which produce defensive chemicals. Smart! By the way there are about 6000 species of ladybirds.

Photo: David Pearlman

Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University

9COMMENT

Debt, doubt and the dual-speed economyEconomists are like meteorologists with much bigger piggy banks – they all tend to say the same thing at the same time, we smile or shake our heads at their comments, make plans based on their predictions, only to find out that they were wrong, sometimes seriously wrong.

How many economists predicted the collapse of global financial markets and the American sub-prime crisis? Answer: very, very few. How do we know? Nothing was done to avoid its catastrophic consequences. Similarly, how many meteorologists predicted Hurricane Katrina? Answer: very, very few. How do we know? Nothing was done to avoid its catastrophic consequences.

Unlike meteorologists, economists tend to have very low public profiles outside of the financial sector. They tend to be seen as grey men in suits. But that all changed last month when Westpac chief economist, Bill Evans, broke ranks with the accepted wisdom when he predicted rate decreases from now until the end of 2012.

Key amongst Evans’ expansive report was the following:

“We now expect a sequence of rate cuts beginning with 25bps in December 2011 and through 2012 totaling 100bps prior to a period of steady rates in 2013… While the catalyst for the first rate cut is likely to come from offshore we do not expect it to be a one off. Interest rates are too high in Australia given the state of the non-mining sectors of the domestic economy and a downward adjustment is required to avert a damaging round of contraction. This rate adjustment is likely to take a similar form to previous easing cycles.”

Remember, this was when many economists were expecting the RBA to raise the cash rate on August 2 as the Reserve's concerns over inflation have been highly visible.

Evans urged the Reserve Bank to look beyond the mining boom, and inflated prices of bananas and petrol, to address the very real concerns of the non-mining economy suffering under the mounting pressures of weak consumer sentiment, uncertainty around international markets and the continuing impact of the floods on food prices. The Sydney Morning Herald labeled Evans a national hero for his stance.

The RBA Board must have been feeling a pressure, and it was not overstating the situation when some commentators said that to have lifted the cash rate above the current 4.75 on August 2 would have been tantamount to sacking Glenn Stevens as the governor of the Reserve Bank.

Non-mining businesses - particularly in the retail sector - are under enormous pressure. The latest ABS housing approval figures show a 3 per cent drop in new home applications from

May to June, signaling that consumer confidence remains low. There is a real sense of uncertainty as many are wondering when the cost rises will end.

Ai Group Chief Executive, Heather Ridout, said the RBA decision to hold the cash rate was 'a no-brainer', saying, "It will be received with relief by the bulk of the Australian economy which is experiencing tough trading conditions."

Australian Retailers Association Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said it has been an anxious wait for retailers, saying, “Consumer confidence is at an all-time low, with consumers too spooked to spend. This has left the retail sector unable to post any healthy growth and looking seriously at their staffing levels.”

The point is a valid one, although I find myself inwardly cringing every time I read or hear about weak or low consumer confidence – as if Australians are hiding at home too afraid the spend any money. We all know that we are spending, and spending a lot. And every time we fill up the shopping basket (I say basket because who can afford to fill up the shopping trolley these days!), put fuel in the car or open up a bill, we seem to be spending more. The point is not that we are lacking confidence as consumers, we are simply lacking the means to spend on non-essentials in the way that we did before interest rates, fuel prices, food prices and essential services started rising.

We are constantly being told that households aren’t spending, resulting in a widening of the gap between the mining and non-mining

sectors. But figures released by the RBA in July showed that we are more in debt that ever before, with Australian owing a record $49.4 billion.

The insightful minds at Core Data pointed out in a burningpants.com commentary that more worrisome than the figure itself was the extent to which households are employing credit card debt to fuel consumption – with just over a quarter of all household expenditure being financed by credit card debt.

“The growth in credit card debt use since 2000 has been explosive, increasing from just over 10% in 2000 to the between 25 and 30% in 2008 and beyond. Interestingly, however, the extent of credit card debt financing consumption appears to have slowed over the past year, with a sharp incline in the data not as evident as in the years from 2000 to 2008,” was another point raised in the “Thrifty Times” story, which went on to discuss rising levels of cash savings.

It would be interesting to know how much of that credit card debt has been amassed by pulling out the plastic to pay for food, fuel and bills, and unless the RBA puts their monetary policy where Bill Evans mouth is and start to seriously consider rate reductions, the lower end of the two-speed economy might just be pushed too far. If that happened, even with the mining boom, foreseeing the fallout from rising debt defaults and job losses is (to paraphrase Heather Ridout) a no-brainer.

Davina Montgomery

Westpac Chief Economist, Bill Evans

Community ServicesGive Where You Live will soon welcome its new Chief Executive Officer. Born and raised in Geelong, having run a successful local business and, more recently, two years in the not-for-profit sector as Australian Operations Director for Save the Children Australia, gives Bill Mithen a strong set of credentials to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer for Geelong’s Community Chest – Give Where You Live.

Financial PlanningSamantha Butcher joined the Financial Planning Team at WHK in May having previously worked for over 10 years in private financial planning businesses. Sam has considerable experience in Centrelink, pensions, retirement and aged care issues, as well as wealth accumulation, retirement planning, superannuation and self managed superannuation.

Real EstateAfter 15 years within the real estate industry in media related roles, Ian Ballard has started up R.E. Promotions, a local business that offers professional real estate marketing services, including photography, floor plans, copy writing, printing and the introduction of property video tours. R.E. Promotions prides itself on providing quality local suppliers to capture, process and deliver premium content to its clients.

HospitalityMark Day has been appointed as the Business Development Manager at Peppers the Sands Resort, Torquay. Having grown up in the Geelong region, Mark’s local knowledge is second to none. Mark has spent the last several years working for the Accor Group, commencing his career at Mercure Geelong. With a keen passion for sales and a drive for success we are extremely happy to welcome Mark to Peppers.

Community ServicesFelicity Ellis has been appointed the Community Partnerships Coordinator at St Laurence Community Services. Felicity holds a Primary Teaching qualification, but also has 12 years’ experience in volunteer management, most recently in her role at the National Wool Museum in Geelong, where she managed eighty volunteers. Felicity brings a wealth of knowledge to her position at St Laurence.

RetailBrax Window Treatments welcomes Kath Carlson as the newest member of their successful sales team. Having previously worked in real estate, Kath has the advantage of having seen lots of homes, and seeing what works in many different styles of houses around the Geelong region. Kath has a genuine passion for interior design, and an infectious enthusiasm for providing memorable customer service.

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11APPOINTMENTS

Real EstateRay White Geelong welcomes the appointment of Jamie Mitchell. Jamie has extensive customer service experience across Information Technology and Banking industries with leading organisations in Australia and overseas. During his career Jamie has developed an open and honest approach, which has resulted in a successful track record.

Real EstateRay White Geelong is delighted to announce the appointment of Scott Hanneysee to their Sales division. Scott has over 20 years sales and management experience, four of which have been in the Real Estate industry in Melbourne. Scott is an experienced salesperson who understands the pressures of selling and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and strategies with his clients.

Human ResourcesPaul Scorpo has joined AGB Human Resources as the Manager of Business Development/Marketing. Having worked for over 6 years in the employment network, he has brought his fresh ideas and approach to AGB. Pauls’ love for networking and all things business related saw the company promote him into the senior management team as the manager for within the first month of his employment.

Human ResourcesAGB Human Resources is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanne Cornelius to the role of Administration Manager. Joanne has extensive in RTO compliance and administration experience in Queensland, which will be utilised in her new position. Joanne has been working in the Automotive and training industries for over 25 years, working in the Defence Force and major vehicle franchises.

Human ResourcesWarren Holland has joined AGB as a Senior Trainer in the Community Services sector. Warren has a 17 career in Community Services across a range of service areas. He has a strong focus on Community engagement and client focus and has assisted in creating and training programs such as, Horizon House, Community Rehab, Making Changes, Foundation 61, Music Lab, and Roads to recovery.

Human ResourcesLynn Carroll joined the team at AGB in late 2009 as Office Manager based at the Head Office in South Geelong. She brings to AGB a wealth of knowledge and experience after 20 years in finance and administration. Lynn is proud to be involved with a strong family and community orientated group that also covers such a wide variety of businesses.

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12 COMPETITION

“My Dad Is …”Does your dad deserve to celebrated, to be lauded, and to be fed a rip-

roaring breakfast this Father’s Day? Then this is the competition for you.

Thanks to the Geelong Conference Centre you can win one of two

packages of four tickets to Geelong’s premier Father’s Day breakfast. Just

log on to the competition page at adcellgroup.com.au and tell us in 25

words or less about your dad. The two entries we like best win!

Whatever your dad is, you can treat him like a hero this Father’s Day with a delicious breakfast in the heart of Eastern Park Gardens. The Geelong Conference Centre’s Father’s Day breakfast is on Sunday September 4 from 8am to 11am. Treat Dad to all his favourite breakfast foods at the sumptuous buffet, with poached and scrambled eggs, sautéed rasher bacon and sliced chorizo, grilled tomato, hash browns, baked beans and pan-fried mushrooms, pikelets and mini danish pastries, breakfast cereals, breakfast breads and spreads, yoghurt, poached stone fruits and fresh fruit salad, fruit juices, freshly brewed coffee (espresso coffee available for purchase), a fine selection of teas and Milo. And all without you (or Mum) having to do the dishes!

Tickets are $27 for adults and $10 for children, and all Dads attending go into the draw to win 4-hours of gardening from TB Property Maintenance.

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13FEATURE

Special report: Carbon Tax

Introduction

Not surprisingly, on the 10th July 2011, when the Federal Government released Securing a Clean Energy Future – the Australian Government’s Climate Change Plan and details surrounding the proposed price on carbon, there were many questions from business. Anyone who has read the Government’s carbon plan will agree that it is a little hazy when it comes to the details of the tax, even if it does clearly explain the policy rationale behind it. This article looks at the five key questions the Government’s proposed carbon strategy raises for your business, and outlines the proposed impacts on non-business individuals.

Question 1: Am I one of the top 500

emitters?

Under the carbon plan, the top 500 emitters are required to obtain permits from the Government and will generally pay $23 per tonne of carbon emitted in the year of introduction. This will increase in real terms by 2.5% a year until the Emissions Trading Scheme is introduced on 1 July 2015.

The Government estimates that the top 50 emitters are responsible for about 75% of the carbon pollution covered by the proposed scheme. The top 50 emitters are relatively easy to identify and include some of the big power generators, zinc and aluminum producers. But how do you determine if you are one of the bottom 450 emitters on the list?

It is understood that the Government could be using information obtained under Section 16 of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007. Under this Act, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency maintains a register of 777 corporations and their carbon emissions. If you are concerned about your business being one of the top 500 emitters, the first thing to do is to check the register. If your business name or ABN appears, you need to start planning for the possibility of paying for your emissions from 1 July 2012.

Question 2: What are the likely indirect costs

associated with the introduction of the plan?

If your business is not in the top 500 emitters, you will need to look at the cost of inputs. In particular, you will need to review price fluctuations in relation to the following costs:

• Direct consumption of power (including electricity and gas) in the production of goods and services

• Transportation involved in the production process

• Upgrades to plant and equipment

• Retrofits to make buildings more efficient in their consumption of power

• Whether efficiency savings in processing can be implemented or brought forward

Once the likely impact on costs has been determined, you will need to consider whether your business has the capacity to pass on these costs. This will involve an analysis of the

elasticity of demand for your business’ goods and services; and any long-term contracts your business has committed to, and whether there is the possibility of varying these to account for the increases in the cost of production.

Question 3: What will be the effect of the tax

on businesses that consume fuel for

transportation?

The plan does not impose a carbon tax directly on the use of fuel; rather, the fuel tax credit system will be adjusted and proportionally reduced to mimic the effects of a carbon tax to provide a level of symmetry between smaller and larger carbon emitters. The general plan is to reduce fuel tax credits by an equivalent amount to the tax when the fuel is used for business transport and non-transport purposes.

There are specific carve-outs from this regime from 1st July 2012. Businesses and non-transport use of fuels in agriculture, fishing and forestry will continue to use the existing fuel tax credit system.

Also, heavy on-road vehicles will continue with their current fuel credit arrangements until the 1st July 2014, when the Government intends to implement changes and bring such credits in line with the new system.

Question 4: What government assistance and

tax breaks are available for my business?

In terms of industry assistance generally, approximately $9 billion will be made available

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What impact will the proposed Carbon Tax have on my Business?

14 FEATURE

to ‘emissions intensive, trade exposed’ industries such as coal and steel to help such industries make changes to adjust to the new tax environment without losing their competitive advantage.

Other government assistance initiatives will include:

• Emission intensive, trade exposed industries may be eligible for the Jobs and Competitiveness Program. This essentially reduces the carbon price by up to 94.5% over time to encourage a gradual reduction in emissions.

• Farmers can apply for grants to take action on the ground, including the testing of new carbon sequestration methodologies in the soil.

• The Clean Technology and Investment Program and the Clean Technology Food and

Foundries Investment Program provides grants to businesses to support investment in energy efficient, low technology capital equipment, including a provision of up to $25,000 for energy efficient capital equipment under competitive tendering.

• The Clean Technology Innovation Fund provides grants to support business investment in

R&D in renewable and low emission technology, incorporating a $40 million energy efficiency innovation grants scheme.

• Industry assistance programs will be available for steel manufacturers, food processors, metal foundries and forges, as well as specialist grants for the coal sector, including

free permit allocation, funds for the closure of plants and low interest loans.

• Strongly affected regions will also be entitled to apply for further government assistance.

In terms of tax breaks, owners or operators of Small Business Enterprises (entities with aggregated turnover of less than $2 million a year) may benefit from an increase in the threshold for the 100% asset write off from $5,000 to $6,500 and further personal tax cuts discussed below.

Question 5: I am a small business looking for

an easy way to recoup costs. Should I rely on

figures given to me by my industry

association?

The short answer is no. Assume you are a restaurateur with a small restaurant in a busy urban area and you are trying to estimate the impact of the carbon price on your costs, which predominantly include rent, wages, electricity, gas and wholesale food. In the June quarter, the local council provided you with a notice of the increase in power costs for the 2013 income year, which enables you to factor increased power costs into the calculations to increase the prices of meals you sell. However, you are still unable to forecast the increase in the cost of food.

Treasury forecasts that the average family grocery bill will increase by approximately $40 a year, or about 80¢ a week under the proposed carbon price. However, the Food and Grocery Council has indicated that an average family’s shopping bill could increase by $2.40 a week or 300% above Treasury’s estimate. To make matters more complex, the peak

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15FEATURE

vegetable growers’ association, Ausveg, estimates price rises of more than 3000% above Treasury estimates.

While the work undertaken by such organisations is important, it is essential to look at the methodology behind their calculations. Treasury, for instance, feeds the $23 carbon price into economic models that track how different entities are likely to pass the price through the economy.

Critically, it assumes the full cost is passed through and nothing is absorbed along the way. As a result, it may actually overestimate price increases. While overestimating can be a good thing when preparing for the worst, passing the complete price rise onto consumers can be a negative if it makes firms uncompetitive in comparison to similar entities in the same market.

How will the Carbon Tax impact on non-

business individuals?

The government estimates that the average Australian household will pay an extra $9.90 per week under the carbon tax, but they will receive $10.10 per week in government assistance. In theory, households will switch to greener consumer behaviour as carbon intensive items become proportionately more expensive (the substitution effect).

Assistance in the form of tax cuts and compensation that covers the entire average price impact will be made to 6 million households. Another 4 million households (such as some pensioners) will get an extra buffer with assistance covering 120 per cent of the average price impact. Importantly, this

assistance is permanent and will increase with fluctuating price permits under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

The tax-free threshold will increase from $6,000 to $18,200 ($19,400 in 2015/16). However the marginal tax rates will increase slightly to cancel out tax benefits (due to the threshold increase) for those earning over $80,000.

Alex DuonisTax Director WHK

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

16 COVER STORY

NBN: DO WE NEED IT?It was only a mere four years after Alexander Graham Bell first spoke through a telephone that Australia’s first telephone exchange was opened in Melbourne. In 1881, The Australian Sketcher published an article about the Melbourne Telephone Exchange:

“… of its utility there can be no two opinions. As an invention [it] will enable a man sitting in his own office to ask his bank manager for an overdraft, order a coat from his tailor, and send his wife any reasonable excuse for his non-appearance at home at the usual hour …” [Source: retro-rotary-phones.com]

The introduction of the exchange changed the way the city worked. According to the Melbourne Museum, buildings became taller due to the ease of communication between floors, and the small army of message boys and letter carriers that were used to carry messages between offices becoming obsolete.

Dr Peter Burn, Director of Public Policy at the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) believes the rollout of the National Broadband Network will have a similarly transformative effect in Australia.

If you don’t really know what the NBN is, you’re not alone. We are experiencing an extraordinary period of major policy developments and regulatory change, made all the more confusing when the detail of these changes is often left out of the debate in favour of cheap political point scoring. So, in this look at one of the most expansive programs of technical infrastructure ever to take place in Australia, let’s go back to the basics.

The National Broadband Network project is a Federal Government project to replace the nation’s reliance on ageing copper wire telecommunications infrastructure with a new, wholesale-only, nationwide network of high-speed optical fibre. Under the Gillard Government’s plan, 93 per cent of Australian homes, schools and businesses will be connected to the fibre network, with the remaining 7 per cent of homes, schools and businesses to be connected via a combination of next-gen fixed wireless and satellite technologies.

The government established the company, NBN Co Limited, to design, build and operate the NBN. Consumers will connect to the network via retailers, such as Telstra, Optus, Internode and iiNet.

Why do this? Copper is old technology, and can provide a limited speed and capacity broadband service. Limitations in speed and capacity mean limitations to technology advancements. The high-speed fibre network will be capable of broadband speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second. Those connected via fixed wireless or satellite can access peak speeds of at least 12 Megabits per second. Another advantage to come out of the process has been in breaking the stranglehold of Telstra on Australian communications infrastructure – something the ACCC has been trying, without success, to achieve for well over a decade.

How much will it cost? A lot, and by a lot, we are talking tens of billions of dollars. The anticipated cost of the network peaked at $43 billion in 2009, while the government and

Telstra arm wrestled over the deal. By December 2010, the NBN Co Corporate Plan was quoting a total capital expenditure for the project of an estimated $35.9 billion and around another $40 billion in equity and debt funding. The government has committed to contributing $27.5 billion, while NBN Co will need to borrow a further $13.4 billion from the markets.

Where does Telstra fit into the picture? Since the government sold off the state-owned telecommunications network in the 1990s, Telstra has had an overwhelming monopoly on telecommunications infrastructure in this country. NBN Co wanted to be able to access Telstra’s cable, ducts and exchange systems to help establish the new network. Telstra – naturally – didn’t seem too happy about the idea of a new faster and potentially cheaper network muscling in on its territory. In the end Telstra agreed to an $11 billion deal to provide access to its infrastructure. The deal means that NBN can be rolled out faster, more efficiently and at a lower cost.

How do the major party policies differ? The Gillard Government plan is a world-leading, expansive national infrastructure rollout that has already begun and will continue for some years to come. The Coalition released its policy in late July, promising to cease works until a Productivity Commission cost-benefit analysis can be conducted. If they win government in 2013, the Coalition have pledged to renegotiate the deals that have been struck with Telstra and Optus, to use the infrastructure already in place at the time, but to continue with a lower-cost system combining the continued use of

17COVER STORY

existing copper cabling, fibre and satellite systems. Essentially it’s a case of a long-term full upgrade with all its associated costs; or a lower-cost, short-to-medium-term stop gap program of improvements and some upgrades.

Will internet plans become more expensive? From what I can piece together, that’s unlikely. Early on, most retailers will still provide a range of options, from lower speed, lower limit and low cost options, right through to top speed, limitless options. While prices will remain pretty much the same as they are now, we should expect a little more bang for our buck in terms of speed, because fibre networks provide consistent speeds, unlike ADSL2.

Dr Burn said the Ai Group is excited about the potential offered by the NBN, and wants businesses across the country to share in that excitement.

“From our point of view, the potential of the National Broadband Network is incredible for business. In fact, in some senses and without getting into too much hype, it’s sort of limitless,” he said. “More immediately, it will improve the transfer of information in and out of the business and open up opportunities for cost-saving with any use that information within the business.

“We think that businesses really need to start thinking about it and to get on the front foot in

preparing themselves, and rethinking their business; thinking of ways that this might be able to make them more profitable or satisfy whatever objective it is that they might have.”

So just what are those opportunities?

“Some owners of small businesses particularly would like, more than anything else, to be able to have five hours more leisure time a week – five hours more family time. Maybe there is an opportunity to say, ‘Can I use IP in a way that will give me that?’ Other people might want to look at how they can cut costs out of their business, how they can make themselves more profitable. It just provides a great opportunity to think of ways to use that [system capability], and that means knowing what the possibilities are and thinking through the business in light of that,” Dr Burn said.

When I first started thinking about the potential of the NBN, I immediately thought of the opportunities to create more flexible workplaces (you can tell I don’t download a lot can’t you. Apparently most people get excited about being able to download a movie in under 2 minutes!) High speed connections make working from home – or even working some distance away from the office – much more viable.

“I think that area around flexibility of the workforce, which can include the owner operator or management, is one of the great

potentials. Because it would not only mean that people can have access to the people who wouldn’t otherwise be available, and this is very important at a time when we already have skills shortages and we’re thinking that they’re becoming more likely. So it could be very important from a labour market point of view – but it’s also probably very important from a productivity point of view, because you could be tapping into people who appreciate the opportunity to be working when previously that opportunity didn’t exist.

“Think of what we can do with all the time that we spend commuting, and the time we spend wondering how to do things, if that could somehow be linked into businesses earn income then that would be a great thing.”

The Ai Group are not only running business briefings around the nation on the potential benefits to business of the NBN, but are also lobbying the government to do more to get the key messages about the new system out to Australian businesses and households.

“At the moment what we’re trying to do is to encourage the Government to click into the idea that if this thing is going to pay off, they need to focus on getting information to businesses or making information available for businesses to access that opens people’s minds to it. So that would be information about

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Senator Conroy at an NBN rollout event.

18 COVER STORY

what people are doing and what can be done and the like, but also packaging that information and presenting it in a way that is digestible and that excites people. That’s where we’re putting our energies at the moment and we’re putting a lot of emphasis on how the Government ought to be playing a role in that regard.

“The other thing that we think ought to happen is that there ought to be a fair bit of research and development into new applications and new ideas focused on [the NBN]. That comes back to this ‘limitless’ idea, so it’s a question of doing more relevant studies, looking at potential applications and what’s happening in the rest of the world and what can happen here. It’s about getting the IP gurus in there thinking about practical business issues and working on ways to get that information out to businesses.”

Dr Burn said that the government needs to focus on selling the advantages and possibilities to SMEs that don’t already have firms such as KPMG or Deloitte presenting the options for them. He said that so far, the messages getting to businesses about the NBN are too often the negative ones.

“At the moment with the NBN, everyone’s thinking about ‘Where is the cost-benefit analysis?’ and ‘Gosh, that’s a lot of money and it’s going to be digging up my nature strip,” he said. And he’s right. Once again, like so many other serious issues facing our nation, the point-scoring has overshadowed the policy. The fact is that regardless of who wins the next federal election, the network will be built in one form or another, and that’ what we need to be talking about.

So, why do we need the NBN?

“That’s the fundamental question. Do we need it? And the other question is, in ten years’ time will I look back and say, ‘Gosh, that was a good

investment?’ They are two very different questions, and my suspicion is that for all the difficulty in answering the question of ‘Do we need it?’ – and the difficulty is centred around what ‘need’ really means – in ten years I think we will look back and say that it was a good investment. But we will be more readily able to do that if we’ve made parallel investments in communication, education and the development of opportunities that are associated with it, so that it’s not just a handful of people or the top end of town that benefits, but it’s up and down across the business community and up and down throughout the wider community and into households.

“So, hopefully, in ten years we’ll be saying that it was a great investment and what a great step it was to tell people about it.”

The NBN program is essentially a capital investment to put in the place the infrastructure that will, in terms of communications technology, allow the possible development of a whole range of things that currently we can barely conceive of – ideas that are probably resting in the back of the mind a 12 year-old tech genius.

“Some of these things that are possible aren’t narrowly business opportunities, although they will be developed from business,” Dr Burns said. “There is a degree of familiarity with the potential for sensors in houses and the link that can have to aged care and health care. That’s a very important thing because people like being at home, they don’t like being in hospital. If we can improve the monitoring of people, in many cases they will be a lot better off in their own home than in hospital. So the potential is incredible. It would save tax payers’ money, and give individuals more satisfaction and improved health outcomes.

“There are some fantastic opportunities, and from a business perspective, there will be people out there thinking that could be a big market in sensors. Then you think about how these people [in their homes] are going to be fed and there would be opportunities there. People ought to be, and I’m sure they are, thinking about how decentralized healthcare is going to present business opportunities.”

One of the other big areas of potential business development is in the education system, where businesses will be increasingly looking to have their training delivered onsite via the internet rather than business owners, managers or employees physically travelling to and from training centres. There are some big opportunities for us to change the way we do things and to change the amount of time it takes to do things.

“These are just the things that we can think of readily. I was talking to a guy at a dinner a year or so ago, and he had access on his handheld device to messages being sent from sensors in his home. He could monitor when people were moving around his home and when people were moving from one room into another. Now, I don’t know why you might want to have that, but it’s an incredible facility. I said to him that you wouldn’t want your wife to be having an affair; it would just be too much information! But there is that incredible ability to be able to get information that you don’t really think is possible. Personally, I don’t know that I would want that sort of information, but some people might find it useful.” (Think of all those kids who would never be able to wag off school if every home had this technology!)

What we’re talking about is access to a broadband system with high speeds and high capacity. What we do with it is up to us and the generations to come. Dr Burn said there is

19COVER STORY

real potential for the system to help develop solutions to some of our biggest problems.

“There is another possibility that dovetails with this whole emissions reduction program. I think there are strong links between high-speed broadband and a whole lot of ways to save emissions. Reducing travelling through teleconferencing is an obvious one; then there are a whole lot of logistical problems that could be addressed, even going so far as the step changes in public transport that could be put in place. There is incredible potential and all of that relates to business, because somehow or other, all those dots have got to be linked by people who are actually developing new systems and drumming up trade and supply and all that.”

If time is money, then saving someone else’s time could be money in your pocket. But just like that famous hair product ad – it won’t happen overnight, but it will happen!

The NBN program is a long-term plan. The first phase of the rollout is the delivery of high-speed fixed wireless services to remote communities surrounding Ballarat in Victoria, Tamworth in New South Wales, Toowoomba in Queensland, Darwin in the Northern Territory

and Geraldton in WA. The second phase of the rollout will see services delivered in Tasmania. The first services are expected to go live mid-2012. The fibre network will take considerably longer to rollout.

“We’re looking at ten years before everything is hopefully up and running and the system is complete. Then another ten years while people get the full use out of it and the opportunities are accelerated and built to some critical point. So basically it’s a generational thing. It’s not dissimilar to telephone lines and those sorts of investments that were made a hundred years ago,” Dr Burns said.

The implementation of an optical fibre network for broadband is not a new concept. Australia already has existing optical fibre networks, and a number of countries have developed large scale systems, with most of Asia and Europe developing the high-speed networks.

What are we learning from these other national systems?

“Well, first of all, there is a lot of potential for households and households get a lot of benefit out of it. Business links in much better through these systems, both in business to business and business to consumer links – all that gets

taken to another level. Then this whole social media use within business organisations is something that Australia has only just started to get into,” Dr Burns said.

“I’ve heard of an example of a business that has gotten rid of its IT department and through social media, has used the expertise of its general staff to solve its IT problems in house. So for someone who employs a lot of people who are new graduates –between 20 and 30 years of age – these people are IT savvy. So, when someone has a problem, you don’t ring up the IT department, you put it out in the social media framework and then someone comes and solves your problem. That’s one dimension of that potential of social media.

“Another dimension of how social media helps is in the connectedness of the organization itself. I was having a conversation with someone only the other day and they were saying that in the old days in the public service in particular, the tea lady would come around at quarter past ten and everyone would put down probably their fountain pens in those days and walk into the corridor, where they would stand around and have a bit of a chat and a cup of tea. Then one of the cost-saving measures in the public service in the 80s was to clean out the tea ladies and introduce tea bags and hot water tanks. But what we lost in that was the networking, and people have been trying to fix that up ever since. They’ve tried stand up meetings and weekly staff meetings etc. and social media adds another dimension to that – and of course it’s much more accessible and is not reliant on a specific time, which adds a fantastic dimension of flexibility.”

The Ai Group will be hosting a business breakfast event at The Pier on September 1 – the closing event in the Geelong Small Business Festival - to help local businesses better understand the enormous growth opportunities and productivity benefits of high speed broadband.

Ai Group Victorian Director, Tom Piper, who will be speaking at the event said, "This event aims to help address the lack of up-to-date information and understanding of the impact of broadband, especially for regional business and to help companies learn more about the new technology and what it means to their business and their industry.

"As a vibrant business hub, Geelong is well placed to reap the benefits offered by high-speed broadband. IT savvy businesses are generally more profitable than their less connected competitors. Broadband enabled technologies could help Geelong businesses to better compete on a global level."

Davina Montgomery

6

2011Proud Winners and Sponsors of The

• Geelong AdvertiserBusiness of the Year

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• Commercial Services (1-15 Employees) Award

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(16 Plus) AwardWinner: WHK.Sponsor: Hardings Hardware.• Manufacturing/Export AwardWinner: Southern Star Windows.Sponsor: City of Greater Geelong.• Government Enterprise AwardWinner: Glastonbury Child & Family Services.Sponsor: Powercor.

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Events & Services AwardWinner: Queenscliffe Visitor Information Centre.Sponsor: TAC.

GEELONG BUSINESS EXCEL

WHK is an accounting and financial services firm servicing individuals, investors and the Small and Medium Enterprise (“SME”) market in all industry sectors.

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Recently announced the winners of the Geelong Business Excellence Awards- Commercial Services Award (16+ employees) we are proud of our achievements and the outstanding contributions made by all our staff. In order to continue as a leading financial adviser in the region, WHK remain committed to providing quality, expert, client focussed, innovative and proactive solutions for our clients.

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Winner Government Enterprise Award 2011

Sponsor - Powercor

Glastonbury Community Services is a trusted and accredited community business delivering care and support services to vulnerable children, young people and families in disadvantaged communities.

Glastonbury prides itself on being a successful and efficient business to ensure all of our resources are focused on those most in need in the Geelong Community.

Through the Geelong Business Excellence Awards Glastonbury was given the opportunity to showcase the services provided to vulnerable children, young people and families.

Whilst also presenting a strengthened business model required for the community business to ensure sustainability for continued client care.

Glastonbury offers four services areas throughout the Barwon and South Western Region, these include:

Early Years Program - This program creates a positive and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children aged between 0-6 years old. It also focuses on parent engagement and attachment.

Family Services - This service assists families during hard times to create positive solutions and improve their wellbeing whilst helping families stay together where ever possible.

Community Services - This service works with individuals (mostly in a family context) as well as groups with specific concerns and needs. The aim is to develop strategies to manage these problems impacting on their day to day life.

Out of Home Care Program - This provides short and long term care for children and young people who cannot live safely at home with their families. Children and young people are matched with volunteer foster carers and reside with foster families and in residential settings.

Glastonbury recruits and trains volunteer foster carers while providing them with around the clock support.

Glastonbury is built on three core values:

Glastonbury Community Services has recently undergone a name and brand change to truly reflect the great work being done in our community. The new identity is vibrant and contemporary and indicates the beginning of truly exciting times for the organisation.

Glastonbury Community Services would like to acknowledge all the Geelong Business Excellence Awards entrants for their hard work and dedication.

Congratulations to all the winners for 2011 and thank you to the Government Enterprise category sponsor; Powercor, the judging panel and The Communicators without which this fantastic process would not be possible.

For further information on the services and programs offered by Glastonbury Community Services, please visit our website: www.glastonbury.org.auPhone: (03) 5222 6911 Address: 222 Malop Street Geelong

• Family Business AwardWinner: Journey Management Group.Sponsor: Harwood Andrews Lawyers.• Regional Business AwardWinner: Ray White Lara/Northern Suburbs.Sponsor: Bendigo Community Banks.• Best First Year Entry AwardWinner: Barry Walker Homes.Sponsor: The Gordon.• Judges Award - North Of The

Barwon RiverWinner: Golden Plains Farmers' Market.Sponsor: Bunnings Warehouse Corio.• Judges Award - Bellarine And

South Of The Barwon RiverWinner: Portarlington Mussel Festival 2011.Sponsor: Bunnings Warehouse Waurn Ponds.

6

2011

LLENCE AWARDSGeelong Business Excellence Awards

The commitment from Tuckers Funeral and Bereavement Service to provide meaningful funeral services offering more choices, along with bereavement care and support, for the Geelong community has recently attracted community recognition.

As winners of the Medium Business Category at the recently held Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards, Tuckers have impressed the judges with their emphasis on traditional family values, trust, integrity and honesty.

These awards focus on Business Excellence within the Geelong region and have allowed them the opportunity to present why they are the choice of so

many local families. Tuckers Vintage Hearse Selection and production of memorial keepsakes were on display when presenting their points of difference, and community involvement was highlighted through their education programs and sponsorship. This also included looking at new technological developments including Funeral Webcasting and how well this has been received by the community.

Currently employing 25 local staff, Tuckers’ have recently completed renovations to the Geelong West Chapel and ‘back-of-house’ facilities. “This award has provided a rare opportunity to discuss in depth our current developments; we were also able to show the judges what we do at Tuckers. We have received such positive feedback relating to our services, it is a testament to our team” says General Manager De’arne Cole. By providing the Geelong community with more modern, up to date and contemporary

funeral facilities along with a highly skilled and experienced team, Tuckers are able to provide funeral services to meet the diverse cultural needs of the Geelong community and can be relied upon to understand and assist in all aspects of funeral care. This was again highlighted with the new addition of Tuckers Highton Chapel located at the Barrabool Hills Centre.

De’arne says “This outstanding achievement is a tribute to the dedication, vision and drive of our team, and we (Tuckers) will continue to support the Geelong community in their time of need.”

LEFT TO RIGHT Tamara Bolger (Marketing Manager), Mark Osborne (CEO), De’arne Cole (General Manager)

Excellence Awarded to Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service

Ph: 5221 4788 www.tuckers.com.au

Ray White Lara & Northern Suburbs is

a leader in the real estate industry.

After being in operation for only three years, it

is the market leader, holding the market share

for Lara, Anakie & the Northern Suburbs.

Three agents have reached a prestigious

performance level (30 sales in 12 months) and

have been rewarded with national company

recognition.

Jo Boothroyd opened the Lara office in May

2008 and the Northern Suburbs/Corio office in

October 2009 after working in the industry for

16 years. She now employs

25 staff who embody the values,

passion and culture she believes are the

keys to success.

The business’s mission statement is to make every customer, client and everyone who walks into its office feel they have had a great experience dealing with the team.

Sales staff are encouraged to run their own business within the business. The infrastructure, guidance and support are available to help make that possible.

Providing this for the sales staff allows the principal to concerntrate on the overall business and increase productivity and sustainability. This includes continually assessing industry trends, markets and competition.

Staff are included and involved of all aspects of the business with empowers and encourages them to deliver their vision.

Marketing is one of the most important tools used by the business with campaigns including websites, window displays, brochures & pamphlets, newsletters and more.

In the past 12 months, Ray White Real Estate

has continued to improve its business with renovations of its offices, new equipment, continuing trading and an increase in properties on its rent roll.

Constantly striving to contribute to the local environment, the business employs practices such as recycling and re-using office supplies, conserving electricity and reducing water usage.

“We’re a fairly new business so it’s lovely to have this hard work pay off for the team,” Jo Boothroyd said. “Sometimes rewards are few and far between, so this is very exciting.”

Leader in the Realestate Industry

Ray White Lara

16 Hicks StreetLara Vic 321203 5215 6137

Ray White Northern Suburbs

83E Purnell RoadCorio Vic 321403 5215 6137

22 ADVERTISING FEATURE

This year’s Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards saw Bartlett’s Environmental take out the ‘Business of the Year’ award after also winning the ‘Large Business’ award.

Starting off with a humble beginning, Darren

Bartlett purchased his first tanker 1989.

Learning many life lessons along the way,

Darren has pioneered the liquid waste

industry, diversified into asset management

and environmental services and ultimately

developed a very successful business. ‘Looking

back, I can see just how far we’ve come in the

past 22 years’ said Mr Bartlett.

Now with over 45 vehicles, Darren has not

forgotten about where he started. ‘It has taken

a lot of hard work, many sleepless nights and

especially in this industry; you’ve got to be

prepared to get dirty!’ he joked.

Bartlett’s has been at work over the past 12

months creating efficiencies throughout all

areas of the business, diversifying their customer

base and implementing techniques to become

more sustainable.

In February the company underwent a full

business rebrand; changing their name from

Bartlett’s Waste Management to Bartlett’s

Environmental. ‘It was a change that has made a

real difference to how we are perceived and it also highlights our core business values’ said Mr Bartlett.

Bartlett’s Environmental General Manager John McCoy explained, ‘We have undergone an entire business review and put into practice many business improvements. The employment of new staff within key areas, implementing customer management software, installing GPS units within all vehicles and the development of an interactive website are just a few enhancements we’ve made’.

We’ve also placed a strong focus on staff training and development; ensuring our employees are the best in their field thus providing our customers with exceptional service’ said Mr McCoy.

This year the company officially introduced mobile dewatering technology into Australia, setting a new standard for the liquid waste industry. In order to fully utilize the units’ dewatering abilities, Bartlett’s had to challenge the EPA’s existing regulations and prove they had a sustainable alternative for the management of liquid waste.

‘As part of our business review and strategic planning, we have looked at where we want the business to go in the future and have put plans

in place to ensure ongoing success.’ ‘We are continuously working on the business and looking for new opportunities’. ‘Just recently we have imported new equipment from the USA to expand our capabilities’ said Mr McCoy.

Mr Bartlett attributes the business’ success to ‘excellent customer service, being reliable and having the courage to invest in new technology... a great team to work with doesn’t hurt either’ he said.

‘Our customers are the reason we are here today and we do what we can to keep them happy’. ‘We pride ourselves on being able to deliver the high quality of work they expect’ said Mr Bartlett.

‘It is great to be acknowledged and receive recognition as a key business in Geelong.’ ‘Winning this award proves we must be doing something right’ said Mr Bartlett with a chuckle.

Bartlett’s Environmental - Business of the Year!

E n v i r o n m e n t a l

www.bartlettsenvironmental.com.au (03) 5248 7955 24/7 Emergency Response

Check out ourNew Website!

Proud winners of the 2011 Geelong Advertiser

Business Excellence Awards

‘Business of the Year’

From Darren & Sue Bartlett & the Bartlett’s Environmental Team

Thank you for your support and loyalty throughout the past year. Each and every one of our customers and suppliers has contributed to making us the company we are today, and for this we are grateful.

Bartlett’s Environmental is Proudly Supported by...

23ADVERTISING FEATURE

24 SMALL BIZ

Cause of death: lack of breathingThere is a rubbery statistic that is quoted about the failure rate of small business. I have heard people quote figures as high as 90% and others around 50% of businesses that fail within two years of commencement. However, it is hard to find any decent studies that give dependable results.

The studies that are out there tend to show that the main reason that businesses get into trouble is internal factors, with management inadequacies topping the list of reasons for failure. From the businesses that I have worked with, we would suggest that it often comes down to poor marketing. We know that at the end of any businesses life there is a sense of other factors closing in. A common symptom is poor cash flow or negative cash reserves. Notice I used the term ‘symptom’ and did not claim that cash flow problems are a cause of difficulty. I remember reading an old medical journal that said that death certificates in the 1890’s often stated that the patient died from a lack of breathing. Cash flow problems can be the harbinger of death of the business – we need to find out the reason that the cash flow has dropped.

I was talking to a business recently that was in trouble and they had received advice that their cost of goods was far too high at 40%. The recommendation they got from an advisor was to rapidly reduce costs. Wow! Danger, danger!

Each business is different, so this may not represent a problem for your business, but with this business the cost of goods are not far away from a benchmarked result. By digging a little it didn’t take too long to find that sales had been poor and not up to the year on year results. We needed to investigate the external market and see whether there was a general malaise in the market (even though I knew that this was not the case, because other clients in

the same industry were doing quite well). There had been some obvious changes, but most of the difference could be attributed to the steady drift of markets as they age and younger people move into the target market.

After a quick look at the externals, we could now focus on the internal management practices. Now the surprise surfaced; this business was doing almost zero advertising. Their website was static and boring, there was zero social media presence, almost no newspaper coverage and, apart from a street presence, it was a next to nicks situation. I had a discussion with the owner and I found that he was proud of the fact that the majority of his customers were regulars, which on the surface is admirable, but there were few, if any, replacement customers. No new blood.

When we look at markets over a long time period, we find that in reality markets change at a variable rate, but an oft-quoted amount is 3% per year. Customers move, some die, some change their habits. A business owner may not notice the gradual drift in the market, and in a business that has weekly variation and perhaps seasonal variation, it is almost impossible to detect a decline of 10%. Unless the owner has excellent patronage records, the decline will be disguised in the daily variations. Most businesses that I meet are not so rigorous and only discover the decline after an extended drought, or a visit to the accountant who tells the tale of woe that was actually in place three months ago. Oops!

Some of the businesses that get into this situation rush around and advertise, but that is no more than a flush of desperate activity and not a considered act. You probably have seen the crazy spurt of advertising some businesses get into. John Argenti, the business guru who spent years explaining the various trajectories

of business that were in trouble, describes the cycle of desperate advertising that goes something like this: Business gets in trouble so the deals start; the regular customers who purchase last week are cheesed off because their purchase price is now shown to be too high so they avoid the business; the bargain hunters move in and push for a lower price; the business is doing more, but has a lower profit, and now the desperation increases, so another round of discounting is tried. I am sure that you can imagine the end point of this spiral.

Even good businesses miss their market at times and need to correct. In this situation the corrections are done early and, if possible, they alter the value proposition by adding value rather than diving for discounts. This is not to say that discounting doesn’t have a good function, but it needs to be a reward for loyal customers, rather than the grab for just any customer.

A successful marketing campaign is conducted throughout the year and has targets such as: Increasing profit yield Increasing sales volume Extending seasons Rewarding customer loyalty

Most businesses that are struggling have a poor top line. A weak top line in turn effects the profit position. While we don’t want to be wasteful or have poor practices, the main method to deal with the problem is not to attack the costs, but to increase the profit through better a marketing program. When cash is flowing into a business it is amazing to see how many problems simply melt away.

Clint JenningsAustralian Business Development Centre

www.abdc.com.au

25LEGAL

Government moves on sex discriminationOn 24 May 2011, the Federal Government passed amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 which will strengthen protection for workers with family responsibilities and breastfeeding mothers. The amendments send a strong government message that sexual harassment and sex discrimination is unacceptable, especially in workplaces and schools.

There are four central amendments to the Federal Sex Discrimination Act:

The amendments ensure that protection from sex discrimination applies equally to women and men.

The amendments broaden the existing prohibition on direct discrimination on the ground of family responsibilities to provide equal protection from discrimination to both men and women in all areas of work. The existing prohibition on discrimination on the ground of family responsibilities is limited to the protection of employees from termination on the ground of family responsibilities.

The amendments establish breastfeeding as a separate ground of discrimination, and allow measures to be taken to accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers. This ground of discrimination is only available to women who are breastfeeding and extends to both direct and indirect discrimination.

It will be discriminatory to impose, or propose to impose, a condition, requirement or practice that has, or is likely to have, the effect of disadvantaging people who are breastfeeding. For example, an employer will be unlawfully discriminating against breastfeeding mothers by imposing a requirement on all employees that they must not take any breaks outside set periods during the day under any circumstances.

The amendments strengthen protection against sexual harassment in workplaces and schools. In relation to workplaces, the changes recognise that sexual harassment can occur in many different forms in the workplace and expands existing protections to include sexual harassment from co-workers, supervisors, colleagues in other organisations and clients.

Protection from sexual harassment is also extended to school students, whether in the schoolyard, online or through more subtle forms of bullying, such as through text message.

Employers should ensure they have an understanding of the amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the consequential impact on workplaces. There have been a number of high profile cases in the last 12 months in which huge damages have been sought in claims of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination. It would be prudent for employers to update existing policies or implement new procedures to ensure compliance with the changes.

The amendments will commence following Royal Assent.

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

Sonia McCabe, Lawyer

AUSTRALIAN FERTILISER SERVICES ASSOCIATIONNATIONAL CONFERENCE

26 ADVERTISING FEATURE

The smell of successYou may not find the distinctive odour of it particularly appealing, but there is no denying that the fertiliser is an essential component of worldwide food production, and it is big business here in Victoria.

This August, Geelong will host the Australian Fertiliser Services Association National Conference, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Victorian Branch. The AFSA has grown and flourished over the past four decades, having grown up from representing the fertiliser spreading fraternity to now representing the transport operator and dealers across Australia. The Association began in Victoria 40 years ago, and has been operating nationally for 39 years. This year’s event looks at the future prosperity of the industry.

This year’s conference is also allied with FIFA (no, not those soccer blokes from Europe), the Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia, which represents fertiliser wholesalers and importers). Together, the AFSA and FIFA will bring together a cross section of delegates representing almost every aspect of the industry.

The keynote speaker at the conference is Andy Jung from British Sulphur Consultants, a world-

renowned authority on the fertiliser industry. Andy will be talking about the global industry, the new developments in mining and manufacturing, and the political issues that affect nutrients generally.

Rod Abbott, immediate past President of the AFSA, said there has been considerable interest in the 40th Anniversary Conference.

“Fertilisers are a world-traded commodity, and here in Australia, our industry is a bit like a small cork bobbing about on a big ocean. We are buffeted by global trading conditions,” Rod said.

The Australian industry is around a 5 million tonne industry, equating to around 2 per cent of the global market. By comparison, Rod said that countries like India and China would buy more in one single fertiliser purchase than Australia would purchase in a year. In real terms, 2 per cent of a very large worldwide industry makes this a significant part of the Australian economy – and the industry is an important player in global food production.

Rod said there were a lot of reasons why Geelong was a natural fit as a conference

location. The first being that Geelong is the key

supply location for the Victorian and New South

Wales markets for fertiliser, and with this year’s

event marking the 40th Anniversary of the

industry association in Victoria, it was desirable

to have the event in this state. Then came the

issue of finding a venue with the capacity to

cater for between 120 and 150 delegates.

“The Four Points has a fantastic facility to

achieve what we wanted to achieve and they

really have been great to work with as we have

been putting the event together,” Rod said.

Some highlights of the conference, along with

the presentation by Andy Jung, will include

presentations by Melbourne Zoo CEO, Jenny

Gray; and Victorian Farmer’s Federation

President, Andrew Broad; as well as presenters

from CSIRO AAHL, Clean Coal Victoria and

Worksafe Victoria amongst others in this very

full program.

There are still a few places left to attend the

AFSA National Conference in Geelong please

contact Rod Abbott on 5658 1182 for further

information.

Sheraton Four Points, Geelong WaterfrontAugust 21st to 25th, 2011

40th Anniversary of Victorian Branch “Future Phosperity”

Great networking opportunity with fellow

contractors and suppliers

Learn about the latest technologies and

products – Good fun and fellowship

International Keynote Speaker

Andy Jung Principal Consultant,

Fertilizers & Chemicals

Australian Fertiliser Services AssociationNational Conference

27ADVERTISING FEATURE

Main SessionsTUESDAY AUGUST 23RD, 2011

Session 1 Sponsored by Oamps9.00am Welcome from Vic President Paul Anthony to the 40th Annual Conference

Welcome from Nat President Wes Wheelhouse to 39th National Conference And introduce Andrew Broad President Victorian Farmers Federation

9.15am Andrew Broad to speak regarding the importance of agriculture to Victoria

9.45am Dr Wojtek Michalski - Aust National Animal Health Laboratory Scientist to speak on the work of the research facility.

10.15am Major Sponsor Presentation

10.30am Morning Tea

Session 2 Sponsored by IPL11.00am Key Note Speaker Andy Jung - British Sulphur Consultants

11.30 to 11.45am Question time for Andy Jung

11.45am to 12.15pm Rob Norton – How do we determine if a product works ?

12.15 to 12.30pm Sponsor Presentation

1.00pm Lunch Sponsored by OrdMinnett

Session 3 Sponsored by Landmark / Agrium2.00pm Charlie Speirs – Clean Coal Victoria

2.30 to 2.45pm Question Time for Charlie Speirs

2.45 to 3.15pm Owen Mc Carron Liquid Fertilizers - Where do they fi t ?

3.15 to 3.30pm Sponsor Presentation

3.30pm Afternoon tea

Session 4 Sponsored by CSBP4.00pm Speaker Worksafe Victoria - Ross Pilkington

4.30pm Speaker David Wilson Business Coach – Business Development

5.15pm Presentation Fertiliser Industry Standard Contract

5.45pm General Forum

6.30pm Cocktails Sponsored by Agrotain

7.00pm Conference Dinner/ Entertainment – Arnie. Sponsored by IPL

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24TH, 2011

Session 5 Sponsored by JCB9.00am Minemakers Project Update

9.20am Rum Jungle Project Update

9.40am Krucible Project Update

10.00am Sponsor Presentation

10.30am Morning Tea

Session 6 Sponsored by Mercedes11.00am Speaker Russell Nichol - Accuspread

11.30am Speaker Recognition of Prior Learning - Link

12.00pm Speaker Craig Tosetti, Vickery Bros – Profi tability from your trucks

12.30pm Speaker Gerrard Rushton Agricultural Consulting Services NZ NZGFA Economic Benefi ts of Accurate Nutrient placement

1.00pm Lunch Sponsored by Haifa

Off Site Tour Cross Over Tour to be organised IPL Plant Tour and Ritchies Auction Site where machinery housed.

6.00pm Cocktails Sponsored by DFI

7.00pm Dinner Sponsored by Ritchies

Sponsor Item Auction

EVENT SPONSORS

WENGFU AUSTRALIA egatnavdA tneicfifE ehT

Agroton

WESTAR TRUCKS

28 RECRUITMENT

Net Work: manage your jump onlineTechnology offers employers, recruiters and hiring managers powerful new recruitment tools, but the pace of change can be an obstacle and face-to-face methods need to remain central to the process, says recruiting experts Hays in Geelong.

According to the recruiter, many organisations rushed to incorporate social media in their recruitment process, even if they were not sure how to put their new tools to effective use.

“We’ve seen countless cases of organisations rushing into the online networking space before developing a proper strategy or thinking about what they want to achieve,” said Nick Deligiannis, Director of Hays in Geelong.

“With the rise in popularity of Web 2.0 tools and technologies like Facebook, wikis and blogs, all the talk has been about how these online spaces could help firms find those elusive passive candidates, and many organisations - recruiters included - rushed to establish an online presence. Here was a medium that provided free access to thousands of potential candidates.

“But without thinking ahead, the increasing use of these mediums means employers no longer totally own their brand. We have to accept that allowing employees to blog and discuss matters on social forums isn’t without its risks and employees must remember that they are representing the company.

This is where a clear strategy and policy around what employees can and cannot do comes into play.

“There is more to consider than simply broadening your search base. As we all know, its quality not quantity that matters. If companies want to be active in online communities, their image and reputation have to be carefully managed and monitored, and they need to act quickly to address any issues, because they can become widespread very quickly and have a significant impact on candidate attraction.

“That’s not to say we should steer away from using social media. Technology has an important part to play in the recruitment process. With many candidates now being much more strategic in their approach to online networking, taking advantage of the sites linked to career-related groups and forums is a sensible move.

“But this form of networking must not be done at the expense of face-to-face methods, which remain central to the recruitment process. We need to look at it as just one of the attraction tools that we can use. Taking the time to get to know someone is still crucial in identifying the right role for them and picking up the phone to candidates or meeting them in person just can’t be substituted.

“Above all, technology and social media must be used to add value to the recruitment process. Used at the right time and in the right way, it’s a highly effective way of communicating. Used exclusively, at the expense of speaking to people, it becomes counterproductive. Nobody uses only one method of communication or interaction – it’s

about using the right method at the right time in the right way.”

For any organisation considering incorporating social media into the recruitment process, Hays has this advice:

Research: Find out what is being said online about your organisation, and where it is being said.

Listen: Continue to listen to what is said about your organisation. You can also use the information as the basis for your future conversations with potential recruits.

Identify potential audiences.

Develop a strategy.

Involve the business – do not restrict your social media efforts to the HR department; candidates want to have peer-to-peer conversations with those in the areas of the business they could work in.

Select your social media ambassadors well and provide training on appropriate content that will engage potential recruits.

Do not become preoccupied with a single area of technology. Social media changes rapidly.

Hays, the world's leading recruiting experts in

qualified, professional and skilled people.

Encompass Training Services400 Pakington Street, Geelong

Tel: 5222 2819 (direct) or 5222 3377 [email protected]

Training Services Your pathway to success...

Vocational education and training is a great way to gain a nationally recognised qualification that will improve your ability to enter the workforce or enhance your career or job prospects.The Training Services Division of Encompass Community Services Inc., is a Registered Training Organisation (TOID 6899) and has been offering Vocational education and training in the Geelong Region since 1999.

Our programs offer opportunities to assist you in the development of your skills and knowledge in your chosen career pathway, which will increase your opportunity to access employment. We offer smaller class sizes, within a supportive environment. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We encourage you to visit our organisation – view our new training rooms and meet our staff. We can then discuss career options and opportunities with you.

Our training programs are interactive and engaging. Student handouts, power point presentations and guest speakers from respective industries will form part of your course.

29TAX

Do you know the value of your business?Understanding the value of your business (or

interest) prior to entering negotiations with a

potential buyer can greatly improve the

transparency of the process and ultimately of

achieving a higher sale price!

A formal business valuation can be helpful to

existing or potential business owners for a

number of reasons, including buy-sell

negotiations. In addition, a valuation may assist

with :

• succession planning – to prepare or enable a

divestment or transfer of ownership

• capital, balance sheet or shareholder value

management – for strategic decision making

or balance sheet management purposes

• purchase price accounting and impairment

testing

• determining company income tax position

(such as capital gains tax) as a result of tax

consolidation or restructuring

• division of property for family law purposes

• commercial litigation, including shareholder

and partner disputes.

The process for assessing the value of a

business reflects:

• the context of the valuation (as described

above)

• the status of the business or interest in the

business (such as shares)

• the likelihood that a transaction will occur.

The valuation approach can be dictated by the

context of the valuation, particularly in relation

to family law situations, where the interests of

the parties involved are most relevant.

The status refers to whether the business is trading and profitable or expected to be profitable in future. Clearly, the value of an operating business will be greater than the value of a business which is insolvent and forced into liquidation.

Typically, a valuation is based on an impending transaction or shareholder event between two or more parties. The likelihood that a transaction will occur, among other things, results from the liquidity, marketability, business prospects, the perceived investment risk and the proportion of the company interest available for trade (controlling or minority interest). For instance, transactions of small private businesses usually have a limited number of buyers and sellers, therefore restricting the marketability and value of the shares in the business.

The business value may or may not be equivalent to the actual price achieved in a transaction. This will depend on the valuation context and the relevance of any unique circumstances of the potential buyer or seller. As they say “price is what you pay, value is what you get.”

A valuation reflects the future expectation for a particular business at a point in time. Unfortunately, we do not possess the crystal ball to accurately determine whether the expectation will be met. As a result, the valuation of a business involves a little art and a little science in order to assess the likelihood of future events.

The science includes analysing the historic financial performance of the business and undertaking research with respect to comparable companies by which a benchmark for future performance can be estimated. This is similar to the way a property valuer would use recent property sales in a particular area to estimate the value of a new property to market.

The art involves judgement based on experience. It is rare for two valuers to derive the same opinion of value. To paraphrase a common proverb, we do not know the worth of the water until the well is dry. That is, we do not know the true value of a business until after the transaction or event. Nonetheless, valuers can estimate the expected value of a business based on market conditions at a point in time and assuming a hypothetical transaction between willing, rational and informed buyers and sellers.

In light of the potential complexity of a business or share valuation, it is important that a Business Valuer is fully informed, has undertaken relevant research, and is sufficiently experienced and professionally accredited.

Lachie McCollSenior Manager

WHK Western Victoria

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

30 SMALL BIZ FESTIVALG

SDM

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72

Practical adviceto save you time and money To find out more about the range of events and for bookings log onto:

www.geelongaustralia.com.au/gsbf

Over 40 information and training sessions at no cost or minimal cost to save you time and money. Sessions include social media, branding, marketing, leadership, recruiting the right staff and more.

GEELONG Small BusinessFestival August 2011

BOOK NOW

Geelong Small Business Festival

Understanding Business Insurance

Aug 17 & 30

Presented by Geelong Insurance Brokers, learn all about the types of insurance a small business should consider, including how insurance works, tips and traps, and claims scenarios.

For more information or to book for these FREE information sessions, contact Geelong Insurance Brokers:Phone: 03 5229 0061Email: [email protected]: www.gibvic.com.au

The Victorian Training Guarantee: What it can mean for your BusinessAug 16

Presented by Skills Victoria, Mentor Human Resources, this FREE morning information session details how the Victorian Training Guarantee gives eligible individuals access to government-subsidised training, allowing firms to pay less for training and invest in up-skilling their employees. Employers can now determine the specific skills and training they need, how, when and where it is delivered and which accredited training provider they want to deliver it.For more information and to RSVP contact Skills Victoria:Phone: 03 5221 4902Email: [email protected] Website: www.skills.vic.gov.au

The month of August will provide you with an opportunity to learn a

few new skills and brush up on your technical expertise thanks to the

inaugural Geelong Small Business Festival.

Over forty information sessions, events and networking opportunities are on offer throughout the month at no cost or minimal cost. You can pick and choose any number of events that will assist you with your business.

Event topics include social media, branding and marketing, tips on recruiting the right staff, organising your business, leadership, networking,

surviving change or how to ‘green’ your business.

Feature events include a ‘Post-Federal Budget Financial Insight’ presentation by Westpac Chief Economist, Bill Evans, at a Geelong Chamber of Commerce breakfast event on August 25, and a breakfast briefing presented by The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) on ‘Unlocking your business value: Broadband technologies that drive business tactics and improve cash flow’, which will be the closing event of the festival.

BUSINESS BASICSTopic Event Provider Date Time Cost

Understanding Business Insurance Geelong Insurance Brokers Aug 17 & 30 6.30pm-8pm FREE

New Country, New Life, New Business Diversitat Aug 11 9.30am-2.30pm FREE

10 Financial Mistakes and How Good Bookkeeping & Small BusinessBookkeeping can Help you Avoid Them Essentials Aug 8 9.30am-11.30am $20

Get your Business organised Small Business Victoria City of Greater Geelong Aug 10 9am-11am $20

Record Keeping Australian Taxation Office Aug 17 1pm-4.30pm FREE

Business Deduction Essentials Australian Taxation Office Aug 31 10am-12pm FREE

Activity Statement Essentials Australian Taxation Office Aug 31 1.30pm-3.30pm FREE

MARKETING & PROMOTIONTopic Event Provider Date Time Cost

Working with the Media Bellarine Tourist, Tourism Geelong, Central Geelong Marketing, Aug 8 2pm-5pm $50 Borough of Queenscliffe

August After 5 Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Hays Recruitment Aug 10 5.30-7.30pm FREE

What your Brand says About You Dewey Creative Aug 12 7.30am-9am $25

Retailing Selling Strategies from the Top Victorian Small Business Festival Aug 16 6pm-9pm $59

Social Media 101 Geelong Chamber of Commerce DDG Aug 18 10am-11.30am FREE

31SMALL BIZ FESTIVAL

Topic Event Provider Date Time Cost

Networking Seminar Golden Plains Shire Aug 24 6pm-8pm $20

Making your Website Achieve More Innovabiz Aug 26 7.30am-9am $30

Effectively using Media to Build your Business City of Greater Geelong K-ROCK/Bay FM Aug 30 10am-11.30am FREE

HUMAN RESOURCES & STAFF SOLUTIONSTopic Event Provider Date Time Cost

Recruitment & Selection of Quality Staff People@Work Aug 9 4pm-6pm $10

Interview Skills & Body Language City of Greater Geelong Harvest Human Resources Aug 11 9.30am-12.30pm $20

How to Assess Integrity & Geelong Chamber of Commerce $15Counter-Productive Behaviour ACER Aug 15, 29 9am-10am ($25 non member)

Leadership Potential: Geelong Chamber of Commerce $15From Corporate Field to AFL ACER Aug 15, 29 10am-11am ($25 non member)

The Victorian Training Guarantee: Skills Victoria, Mentor What It Can Mean For Your Business City of Greater Geelong Aug 16 9.30am-11.30am FREE

HR & Business Solutions People@Work Aug 23 4pm-6pm $10

BUSINESS PLANNINGTopic Event Provider Date Time Cost

Surviving Change: A Crash Course Business & Professional $39in Resilience Women Association Aug 9 6pm-9pm ($49 non member)

Legal Updates - Workplace Relations, City of Great Geelong OH&S and Business Succession Harwood Andrews Lawyers Aug 10 12pm-2pm FREE

How to Build Lasting, Profitable Client Relationships Augustus Media Aug 19 7.30am-9am $25

Business Structuring & Asset Central Geelong MarketingProtection Coulter Roache Lawyers Aug 24 5.30pm-7pm FREE

Post-Federal Budget Geelong Chamber of Commerce $50Financial Insight Bill Evans, Westpac Aug 25 7am-9am ($60 non member)

BUSINESS INNOVATIONTopic Event Provider Date Time Cost

The Secrets of Selling Off-Peak Bookings. How to Boost Sales and Occupancy in Quiet Times Borough of Queenscliffe Aug 10 7.30am-9am $50

Sustain your Business with City of Greater Geelonga Measure of Green Conservation Enterprises Unlimited Aug 15 10am-12pm FREE

Lean Systems: Building Operational Excellence Geelong Manufacturing Council Aug 19 9am-12pm 1pm-4pm $20

Tender & Proposal Writing VECCI Aug 24 9am-4.30pm $360 ($440 non member)

Manufacturing Resource Efficiency: A forum for SMEs VECCI Enterprise Connect Aug 3 9am-4pm FREE

Green Living 6 Star Workshop Master Builders Association $35 of Victoria Aug 31 8am-12pm ($65 non members)

Unlocking Your Business Value The Australian Industry Group Sept 1 7.30am-10am $25

To find out more about the range of events log onto: www.geelongaustralia.com.au/gsbf

Presenters: The Victorian Training Guarantee – Barry White, Skills Victoria Enterprise Connect: Business Review – Vlado Baban

‘Skills for Growth’ – Cass Langdon, Mentor

Date: Aug 16 Time: 9.30 am – 11.30 am

Place: City of Greater Geelong, City Hall, 30 Gheringhap Street To book log onto www.geelongaustralia.com.au/gsbf

Cost: FREE

Victorian Training Guarantee to assist businesses to up-skill their workforce.Changes introduced to funding arrangements for accredited training

now mean that businesses will play a much more central role in workforce development, training and ‘up-skilling’ their workforce.

Topic: ‘The Victorian Training Guarantee: What it can mean for your Business’

Businesses will be advised of how they can take advantage of government assistance in strategic and workforce planning through Enterprise Connect’s

Business Review and the ‘Skills for Growth’ program.

FREE morning information session.

GeelongInsurance Brokers

solving the insurance puzzle

www.gibvic.com.au | ph: (03) 5229 0061

Specialist Business Insurance Broker.We are licensed General & Life Insurance Brokers, and provide:

• All types of insurance for businesses • Professional advice and assistance

• Personal service with policies structured to meet your needs • Competitive prices and quality covers

34 Ormond Road, East Geelong 3219 | [email protected]

Come & see us at the Geelong Small Business Festival. Reserve your place (which are limited) to: [email protected]

32 VECCI

Pressures compounding on small business

A raft of Federal Government initiatives affecting business have either come into effect or have been announced during July, including the long awaited details of the carbon tax.

While a minority of small businesses, particularly in the green technology sector, will benefit, the carbon tax plan will leave a sour taste in the mouths of most Victorian small businesses; the state’s 500,000 small businesses have effectively been ignored.

Most households and some large businesses will receive compensation, but small business will not receive any meaningful compensation in this sense and will have to absorb flow-through power costs. Small business risks being left as `the forgotten sector’, while already operating on low margins in the wake of soft consumer sentiment, interest rate rises and a high Australian dollar.

There has been little modelling of the impacts on small business – the sector that employs the bulk of Victorians. Victorian State Government modelling shows a cost to the State economy of around $2.5 billion and up to $1,000 for the average small business, such as the hairdresser, bakery and pizza shop via increased power costs. According to this modelling, the cost to the average dairy farm will be $1,500, impacting heavily on regional Victoria.

In industrial relations news, earlier this month the second birthday of the Fair Work Act was marked with a range of workplace relations changes converging on July 1.

As of this date, employers became the Federal Government’s pay clerk, administering its Paid Parental Leave scheme in addition to facing cost pressures caused by an increase to the minimum wage and modern award transitional arrangements. This is on top of employers still coming to terms with the complexity of the modern awards system, with many employers facing increased labour costs due to transitional arrangements with regards to modern awards.

Furthermore, the minimum wage increased 3.4 per cent from July 1, or the first pay period on or after 1 July, and while striking a balance between union and employer claims, this rise will create hardship for small to medium sized businesses. It’s the second significant increase in two years and will no doubt prove, once again, to have real significance for employers.

With continued uncertainty amongst business about exactly what effect a carbon price will have and industries such as manufacturing challenged by the high Australian dollar, the added paperwork of the Paid Parental Leave scheme combined with wage costs increasing will compound the pressure many businesses are already under.

What we have now is a very unwieldy industrial relations system in Australia. Many employers feel the clock has been turned back. And while not all businesses have been directly impacted by some of the more contentious aspects of the Act – all businesses are sensitive to the fact that the industrial game has changed.

Decisions by Fair Work Australia on key aspects

of the architecture of bargaining in the Fair Work system, ranging from industrial action to representation rights, demonstrate that the system is, indeed, precarious. This precarity will only continue while unions continue to seek to test the parameters and intention of the Act.

In the workplace, the Act has proven to be proscriptive, with modern awards continuing to trouble employers – in some cases, increasing costs (transitional provisions notwithstanding) and often causing confusion.

Rather than a return to the politics surrounding the industrial relations debate, both the Federal Opposition and Government must begin to acknowledge the elephant in the room, or continue to watch our productivity, and indeed, international competitiveness, dwindle.

James Gulli is the VECCI Regional

Manager for Geelong and South West

Victoria

33ADVERTORIAL

The Australian Public Service Benevolent Society (APS Benefits) is a not for profit organisation that provides a wide range of financial services to all government departments, their families and friends. Having been in existence for over 105 years, the APS family has earned the trust of over 27,000 members offering the following financial services listed below:

APS Tax & Accounting

Alfred Mallia at APS Tax, Accounting and Business Services has 24 years’ experience. Whether it is setting up a business, managing your superannuation fund or just obtaining better service and lower fees, Alfred can help you.

APS Financial Planning

Timothy Foster provides access to advice and information on the important financial decisions we all face, whether it be superannuation, investments, pre and post retirement planning, life insurance, gearing, managed funds or savings plans.

APS Mortgage Broking

Sam Athans treats every mortgage as if it were his own. He has access to 20 mortgage lenders and over 40 years’ experience in banking.

APS Insurance (General Insurance Broking)

Danielle Rowe heads up our insurance broking team and is a salaried employee of APS Benefits. With 15 years experience in the industry, you can be assured of receiving unbiased advice that meets your insurance needs. We have access to products that include Home and Contents, Motor Vehicle, Boat/Caravan, Landlord, Public Liability, Income Protection, Life, Disability & Trauma insurance. The next time you receive your insurance renewal notice from your current insurer or want insurance for the first time, call Danielle on 1300 131 809.

APS Personal Loans

The APS Benefits’ personal loans team can assist members to obtain an unsecured loan, or they can apply online at www.apsbs.com.au. Either way, loans can be approved within 24 hours.

APS Funeral Cover

APS Benefits’ Membership Coordinator Jesse Clarke can assist members to gain immediate funeral cover up to $15,000 and protect their loved ones in times of need. Do you have cover in the greatest time of need? Call us on 1300 131 809.

Independence is important to APS. Our key advisors are employees of APS, and therefore have no personal bias towards any supplier. Further to this, APS is owned by its members, so any profits are channelled back to members.

APS would also like to assist you and your family and friends in making available our wide range of not for profit services. Help spread the word by introducing new members and APS will send you, your nominated charity or your staff social club $50 for each new member you nominate.

For further information on the APS family and its wide range of not for profit financial services, phone 1300 131 809 or visit www.apsbs.com.au

Notice the difference a NOT FOR PROFIT financial service provider can make to Geelong and surrounds, their families & friends.

APS Benefits is Proudly Not For Profit.

Crackmasters welcome first franchisee Geelong asphalt and pavement maintenance franchising business, Crackmasters, has sold their first franchise, which will operate in the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Crackmasters founders have a combined total of over 60 years experience in the industry and after running their own business successfully for over two years made the decision to franchise in late 2010.

Jason Cobb, Crackmasters Founder and Director, said he has been working with Sherpa Group throughout his franchising journey and is excited to be growing the Crackmasters network with his first franchisee.

“It’s exciting that our network is growing successfully and we are well on the way with our franchising journey, expanding our customer offering nationally through committed and talented franchisees,” Mr

Cobb said.

“When I first started franchising I was given some bad advice; but after being introduced to Vicki Prout and her team at Sherpa Group my confidence and beliefs in franchising have really grown. I highly value my close working relationship with Sherpa Group and their support throughout the franchisee recruitment process.”

With training and preparation well underway Crackmasters Gold Coast Franchisee David Townley is looking forward to opening his doors for trading at the end of July 2011.

“I have a solid background in self employment and I was looking for a new challenge and opportunity with growth potential,” Mr Townley said.

“I see the value and demand of the products and services on offer by Crackmasters and I am thrilled to be joining their franchise team and offering these services to the Gold Coast market.”

Crackmasters offer asphalt and pavement maintenance solutions to both the commercial and domestic market. Franchisees enjoy an outdoors lifestyle, comprehensive training and support, a business that is financially simple with strong cash flow and cost effective techniques and simple technologies.

For more information about the franchise or Crackmasters’ services please visit www.crackmasters.com.au or contact Jason Cobb on 0418 176 083.

Notice the difference

34 AGED CARE FEATURE

MAKING INDEPENDENT LIVING POSSIBLE

Provider of Community Nursing & Palliative Care

Active Care provides a range of nursing services

p: (03) 5229 8444 | www.activecare.net.au

Active Care is a local business that has been in operation in the Geelong region since 1996. Active Care’s philosophy is to provide care and to maximise independent living for members of the Geelong community. Care is provided through various teams, such as nursing, personal carers, home and gardening maintenance and domestic home care. We provide a professional twenty-four hour service that extends to the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast.

Active Care’s Nursing Division goal is to provide a service that is tailored to the client’s health requirements. This is achieved through comprehensive nursing assessments, individualised care plans and engaging with other key health

stakeholders such as family members and GPs. We promote autonomy through encouraging clients to have an active input regarding their health goals. Clients and families can find comfort in knowing there is a 24-hour on call service staffed by Active Care staff.

The nursing team are experienced, caring health professionals who have relevant qualifications and police checks. We provide community nursing from post acute care to palliative care. Active Care provides nursing care for private, Department of Veterans Affairs and hospital discharged clients. Please contact either Leo or Lorraine on 5229 8444 for further information.

"The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquillity of the evening. Old age

has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth."

- W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM, The Summing Up

Let the Better Bed People find you

A BETTER HOME CARE SOLUTION.

fortywinks.com.au

STEP CHOOSE YOUR FURNITURE.

STEP CHOOSE YOUR MATTRESS.

STEP CHOOSE YOUR ADJUSTABLE BED.

Geelong118 Gheringhap Street

Ph: 03 5221 4399

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youyouuu

Marseille suite

MORE STYLES AVAILABLE

To learn more about the product range or for a personalised quote, book an appointment with your local Forty Winks Home Care Solutions Specialist.

Many people are touched by injury, illness and ageing that can make everyday life a challenge. Specialist care, bedding and furniture for individuals who suffer from health problems can be difficult to find. Many families and carers faced with this challenge are limited to large bulky and unattractive bed items that make the home feel like a hospital environment.

Forty Winks has partnered with aged care industry specialists to develop a range of electric adjustable beds, mattresses and companion furniture that is not only functional and meets the highest of industry standards with Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) registration, but provides the opportunity to bring a sense of independence to those with mobility, health and ageing issues.

The appearance of Home Care Solutions bedding and furniture is a quantum leap

from the styles that have been on offer until now, making the environment feel like a home and not a hospital room.

Who can the Home Care Solutions range help?

The Home Care Solutions range is designed to meet a wide variety of different ageing and mobility impaired needs including:

• Arthritic Conditions

• Asthma

• Emphysema

• Post operation recovery

• Individual Disabilities

• Bariatric requirements

How does Home Care Solutions work?

With the assistance of expertly trained

staff, customers will be guided through a simple 3-step selection process which will result in bedroom solutions to meet individual budgets, styles and comfort levels:

Step 1: Select a suitable electric bed

Step 2: Select a suitable mattress

Step 3: Select a suitable bed frame and matching pieces

Forty Winks also provide a range of accessories including overbed tables, self help poles, bedsticks, IV stands, Safety rails and many more to assist those who require additional care.

For more information come in to Forty Winks Geelong and speak to the Home Care Solutions Specialist. Alternatively visit www.fortywinks.com.au to watch interactive videos of the product range.

Home care with dignity


Ph 5222 4288

• Long term and respite care

• Small boutique facility

• Beautiful ensuite rooms

• DVA and TAC approved

• All rooms with individual air conditioning and heating

• Homestyle meals

345 Shannon Ave. [email protected]

Originally built by JP McCabe-Doyle in 1909 as a private residence, Chesterfield is a charming and friendly small facility of just 30 rooms.

Located in leafy Newtown, Chesterfield still retains many of its period features as well as the charm of yesteryear. Enter Chesterfield and you will immediately notice its welcoming and homely atmosphere.

Generous sized rooms, private en-suites, individual heating and cooling in all rooms, home style onsite cooked meals, and daily breakfast in bed all contribute to ensuring your stay will be a pleasant one.

We cater for respite, convalescence and permanent stays and are DVA approved. You will be free to come and

go as you choose, have as many visitors as you like, yet have the security of experienced, qualified and friendly staff to assist you.

If you need a break, or are looking for something more permanent ... please consider. Ring for an appointment or drop in and see us.

Generous sized rooms, private en-suites, individual

heating and cooling in all rooms, home style onsite cooked meals,

and daily breakfast

BELLA CHARAIndependent Living Apartments

Limited vacancies now availableA rare opportunity to secure your retirement lifestyle within a vibrant community

Bella Chara ~ Choice, freedom and peace of mindBella Chara

For more information call 03 5279 6800, email [email protected] visit www.macs.org.au

Mavis loves it here; its home to Yvonne; and Jim has never regretted his decision to come here.

“Here” is Bella Chara independent living apartments, part of the Multicultural Aged Care Services community.

Yvonne appreciates Bella Chara for the wonderful friends she has made since arriving two years ago, having lived most of her life in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

“We are encouraged to be as independent as we want to be,” Yvonne said.

Jim arrived at Bella Chara 16 months ago and says he hasn’t looked back since.

“I knew it was time to find somewhere after I had a couple of falls in my unit, Jim explained. “A friend of mine knew about MACS and recommended it.” Jim said MACS CEO Joy Leggo, personally collected him to show him around Bella Chara.

“I decided on the spot to come here and I’ve never regretted the decision. “There

are lots of activities and I’m still active in the seniors club at Vines Rd Community Centre so I get out and about as well.”

Like many of the residents, Jim still drives and often catches up with friends. Bella Chara still has limited vacancies for some of its one and two bedroom self-contained apartments.

Bella Chara independent living apartments are at 100 Weddell Rd North Geelong.

For more information phone 5279 6800, email [email protected] or visit www.macs.org.au.

BELLA CHARA INDEPENDENT LIVINGI really love it here, it’s been lovely to have the

peace of mind Bella Chara has given me.


St Laurence Community Services Mission is “Helping People Help Themselves”

St Laurence is a Not for Profit organisation dedicated to providing high quality services and personalised aged care.

When facing choices of how and where to age, selecting a new home and care options, people aim to maintain their independence and live in a friendly, stimulating and caring environment. St Laurence offers this environment.

St Laurence’s long-term commitment is to deliver:

• comprehensive individualised support services to people as they age allowing themto sustain active engagement in their local community

• a range of supplementary care-focused support services designed to maintain independence at home for as long as possible

• security for all families of ageing citizens by providing accessible, high quality care that is individually tailored to respond to the person’s changing levels of independent living skills and increased frailty

Aged Care SpecialistsSt Laurence has provided aged care services to families in Victoria for over 50 years. The strategic vision of the founder, Father Tucker, was the development in the 1970s of an ‘ageing in place’ philosophy to respond to retired workers’ need for support to address deterioration of independent living skills that accompanied the ageing process. The retirement village at Lara opened in 1959 as low cost accommodation for low income retired residents of Geelong and surrounds on a 42 acre site. A residential low care support facility was established to respond to the needs of individual residents when they could no longer live independently within the retirement village, and a 30 bed nursing home was built.

Today, an extensively expanded and modern facility offers a fully integrated ageing in place model of care for families residing in Lara, Geelong and the surrounding region. Tucker’s original continuum of care model, where levels of support increased as the frailty of ageing citizens increased, remains a core feature of St Laurence’s approach to aged care. St Laurence provides continuity of care and support services across the life cycle as individuals move through retirement and into in-home or residential supported environments.

St Laurence Vision today:“We innovate and build resilient, inclusive communities to help people achieve their full potential”

Healthy Ageing and Wellbeing Centre (Belmont)

This innovative service makes exercise accessible to all.

The Healthy Ageing and Wellbeing Centre (HAWC) was established in 2009 and is available to all adults over the age of 55, and adults with a disability. Memberships include an initial assessment, supervised exercise sessions, regular program reviews and feedback to the GP noting progress. The program is supported by a qualified Exercise Physiologist who monitors the progress of participants and makes recommendations on program design to support individual needs.

With modern equipment purpose designed for ease of access and highly qualified staff, this gym provides a comfortable experience that benefits individuals in a relaxed environment. The partnership with the participant’s General Practitioner has led to some fantastic outcomes for people who had never previously considered ageing actively.

Integrated Network of Ancillary ServicesSt Laurence has developed a broad range of professional services and ancillary support options designed to:

• allow ageing clients to remain at home with dignity for longer periods

• deliver more options and choices for clients and their families.

An interdisciplinary team approach enables a range of professionals (e.g. Occupational Therapist, Registered Nurse, Exercise Physiologist, Physiotherapist) to interact with individuals in the community with specialised intervention advice resulting in seamless care transitions across the continuum of care cycle.

Housing and Accommodation choicesSt Laurence Park Retirement Village located in Lara with its picturesque environment has become an important part of the local community.

Costa House Aged Care Facility is open to frail aged people who need specialised residential care and are no longer able to live independently in their own homes.

Dementia Specific Support St Laurence is proud to announce the opening of 19 new places in the purpose designed dementia specific unit of Flinders Wing at Costa House. These places provide quality dementia specific services for the growing number of older people in the area who have complex needs. The unit is co-located with Australia’s first Care Farm at Lara (complete with small farm animals, herb and vegetable gardens and orchard), and has internal gardens to provide a tranquil place to reside.

Client-focused Commitment Features of St Laurence Community Services

person-centred model include:

• continued connection with local communities

• a commitment to ensuring people are supported to achieve their full capacity and their life goals

• strong emphasis on empowering the vulnerable members of the community

SL Support and Care St Laurence provides in home support services through the dedicated care of qualified staff in the SL Support and Care program. The program is accredited to provide Veterans Home Care, TAC care, Workcover care and facilitates people receiving Individual Support programs through Case Management or the Department of Human Services. The program has developed through providing employment opportunities and on the job training through the St Laurence registered training organisation – Advanced Career Training.

Respite Care Support is offered to people who are in a caring role at St Laurence’s unique respite facilities located in a rural environment, two beach side locations and right in the heart of Geelong. St Laurence respite programs are supported by a social worker, a registered nurse, a leisure and lifestyles facilitator and experienced personal care workers. A range of respite options and solutions are available supporting the diverse range of needs in the community from long term up to 3 weeks in supported accommodation to short term – a couple of hours in the community or peoples own homes.

St Laurence has recently purchased a farm located in Gherang forest (a fourth respite care house). In line with Dutch research this innovation is achieving significant improvements in the health and wellbeing of both clients with dementia and their carers and has brought about increased community, family and volunteer direct involvement in aged care services.

Social Inclusion Social inclusion is at the heart of all St Laurence services. This means the design and delivery of services is focused on re-engaging clients who have begun to withdraw from daily activities in their local community due to increased frailty or the onset of dementia. Operationally, social inclusion establishes strong collaborative case management strategies designed to ensure networks and communication with all stakeholders is clear, regular and formal, ensuring every professional and family member assisting the client is working towards attainment of realistic common goals.

For any of your in home or respite needs please contact: 1800 SL CARE (1800 75 2273).

Helping people help themselves

Helping people help themselves

St Laurence has a proud and well deserved reputation as a quality service provider for achieving our mission of ‘helping people help themselves’.

Operating from 24 sites, St Laurence delivers services in a region encompassing Lara, Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool, Ocean Grove, Horsham, Ararat and Stawell and has approximately 470 staff and over 250 volunteers. Each year St Laurence provides services to around 10,000 clients and their families.

Choices in Aged Care

St Laurence has a wide range of services available for older persons, catering for individual needs including:

residential aged carecase managementpersonal carehome careactivities / programsspecialist dementia supportrespite for carer programs

St Laurence Park Retirement Village - Independent living

St Laurence Park, located at Lara provides a range of retirement housing. The Park is set on 42 acres of parkland and consists of fully self-contained accommodation in 93 units and 22 apartments.

St LaurenceCommunity ServicesHelping people help themselves.

Costa House Residential Aged Care

St Laurence Park is also home to the Costa House Residential Aged Care Facility. This facility helps frail aged people who need specialised residential and nursing care, including those with dementia, who are no longer able to live independently in their own homes.

Costa House also features Australia’s first Care Farm. The Care Farm has a variety of small farm animals, which the residents care for and feed on a daily basis with the assistance of staff and volunteers. There are also vegetable and herb gardens, fruit groves and a shed with tools and equipment needed for the daily running of the small farm.

Community Aged Care - living in the community

St Laurence provides a range of community aged care programs and services helping frail older people and people with a disability live as independently as possible in the community including:

Community Aged Care packages (case management services and low level in-home support)Extended Aged Care at Home packages (case management and high level in home services)Dementia specific EACH packagesVeterans Home CareHome Support Services including personal care and home careNational Respite for Carers Program (providing support and a break for carers and their loved ones)Social support (planned activity groups, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietician, hydrotherapy).

www.stlaurence.org.au

To learn more about the services offered by St Laurence Community Services contact: (03) 5282 1405 or visit www.stlaurence.org.au

OP

D13

2601

0811

St Laurence Community Services Inc. Reg. No. A0033023X

v

40 THE TECH GUY

The NotebookThe notebook, or laptop, is the most widely recognised and understood mobile computing device available, based on Intel or AMD technology, with the market divided between Windows based (90%) or Apple (10%) operating systems.

There are basically three categories of notebooks - desktop replacement, ultraportable and, general use notebook.

Desktop replacements come equipped with a large screen, a full size keyboard - perhaps with a full numeric keypad - a powerful CPU, and a generous complement of memory doing pretty much anything that a full size PC can.

The downside is that battery life is generally bad and the system is likely to be so bulky and heavy that you wouldn't want to carry it anywhere anyway. (I’ve lugged a 17-inch heavyweight for several years, but those days are over - phew!)

A happy medium can be the general purpose notebook that tends to sport 14 or 15-inch screens, along with full sized keyboards, integrated optical drives and plenty of connectivity options around the chassis. They generally weigh around 2.5kg, which means they're noticeably heavier than an ultraportable, but still light enough to be carried around in a backpack.

It's always worth taking a close look at the specifications of a general purpose notebook though, since some models that look like bargains are often equipped with ageing and underpowered hardware.

As a general rule of thumb in 2011, anything with an Intel Core (i5 or i7) processor and at least 4GB of RAM should be able to cope with most things you're likely to throw at it.

You should expect to see a DVD writer built in (but a Blu-Ray writer is preferred), at least three USB ports (one of which should be a USB 3.0), integrated Wi-Fi and probably Bluetooth.

It's pretty common to see a webcam built into the lid to facilitate video conferencing too. There was a time when a well built notebook with those features would have set you back over $2,000, but these days

you can pickup something from the likes of Dell, HP or Samsung for under a grand or just over if you go for a Bly-Ray drive.

The ultraportable category includes all those slim and sexy models that people like to show off in executive departure lounges or in Pako cafes while they're sipping a decaf latte.

They’re well under 2kg in weight, with many dipping below 1.5kg, and tend to sport screens that are 13.3-inch or smaller, often with LED backlighting to ensure a thin casing and excellent visuals.

They have low or ultra-low voltage CPUs to ensure that the most time can be squeezed out of the thin and light battery and they tend to be the design highlight of any notebook manufacturer's range and cost more as a result, usually around $1500, but for travellers it’s the optimal form factor.

Keep in mind that ultraportables often having no optical drive, and that you’ll need a separate screen/dock for your desk at work and at home, but when you’re travelling, there’s little to match them.

The NetbookWhen Asus launched its Eee PC back in 2007, it created a whole new product category that took the tech world by storm. While the original Eee PC was designed to be a very basic mobile computer at an affordable price (under $500), the netbook has evolved into a larger, more feature rich and ultimately more expensive device.

The important thing to remember about a netbook is that no matter what size it is, or how good the screen is, it's still limited by the hardware inside it.

Most netbooks come equipped with Intel's Atom processor and are limited to 1GB of RAM. The reason for the meagre complement of RAM is that in order to qualify for a cut price "netbook edition" of Windows, Microsoft insists that a netbook cannot ship with more than 1GB!

Of course that doesn't mean you can't upgrade the memory post purchase. But even with more memory, a netbook is still suited to basic computing duties, such as email, web browsing and basic document creation, so if you're looking to buy a computer that you can use to, say, edit your home movies and photos, a netbook simply won't be up to the job.

Netbooks are about limited portable use, when you're out and about, or relaxing in the garden, but when you need to do something a more heavy duty, you use something with a lot more juice.

The TabletDespite the fact that, deep down, most of us know that we simply don't need an iPad, (pictured) it hasn't stopped millions of consumers from buying into Apple's iPad hysteria.

To be fair, Apple has taken the tablet format to a new level by simplifying it. Whereas tablet PCs had always tried to shoe horn

Your next computer - what to buy?A special report from the Tech Guy, Jon Mamonski

It’s time to ditch the PC - but what to buy next? Notebook, netbook, tablet, ultraportable or smartbook?

Say it early and say it often, the PC is dead and mobile computing is the new desktop. That’s all well and good, but what is the best replacement amongst the plethora of note, net, smart and ultraportable ‘books’, to say nothing of a tsunami of tablets and smart phones about to hit Geelong?

Notebooks are only the tip of the mobile computing iceberg and the market is quite confusing for anyone who's looking for a portable PC, so let’s consider your options.

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41THE TECH GUY

Windows into a form factor that it wasn't happy with, Apple has created what is essentially, a really big iPhone, resulting in a user interface is superb.

In all honesty though, a tablet device does have obvious limitations. You're not going to want to write a long document on one, like you could on a notebook or even a netbook, since it doesn't have a keyboard - although new tablet designs like the ASUS Transformer (pictured) is changing that.

As always though, it comes down to what you're looking for from a mobile device. If you just want to use email, browse the web, watch some video and read the odd eBook, then a tablet makes a decent case for itself.

Oh and don't go thinking that the iPad is the only option if you think that a tablet device might be right for you. Check out the new Samsung Galaxy Tablet – it’s Android based and gives a whole lot more functionality than the iPad, and its coming to Geelong before Christmas…

The CULV NotebookIf you're looking for a mobile platform that sits between an ultraportable notebook and a netbook, you're in luck, because that's exactly where the CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage), notebook fits in.

The platform uses a very low power chip, allowing for thin and light notebooks that retain good battery life and offer much higher levels of performance, like the new Dell XPS15Z (pictured and reviewed in GBN June edition).

Another big advantage that CULV notebooks have over their netbook counterparts, is that they are powerful enough to run any version of Windows and are therefore not subject to the hardware limitations that plague the netbook platform.

The SmartbookThe smartbook is a completely new mobile category, so new in fact that we're still waiting for the first products to ship. In essence, a smartbook is what the netbook probably should have been.

So now we have the smartbook, which is lighter and smaller than a netbook, offers good battery life and is always connected to the Internet via built-in 3G. The most interesting looking smartbook is the Lenovo Skylight, (pictured) which appeared at CES in January.

The Skylight is very thin and light, but still has a keyboard that's good enough for extended periods of typing. Driving the Skylight is the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that powers the latest generation of high-end smartphones, like the HTC Desire. Also, rather than opting for Windows or Linux, the Skylight uses a mobile phone like operating system, much like the Apple iPad.

There's no doubt that the smartbook looks as though it could be a very interesting platform, appealing to first time mobile device users as well as established notebook users who want something thin and light to complement their fully featured mobile computer.

So there you have it.For mine, the Ultraportable or CULV notebook is an excellent desktop

replacement, and if the kids or partner are screaming for an iPad for

Christmas, makes sure you consider the alternatives like the Lenovo

Skylight, the ASUS Transformer or the Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

42 ART

A footy fix with a theatrical twist

With the footy season in full swing, GPAC brings the fascinating

story of one of football’s most exhilarating on-field partnerships to

centre stage as part of the 2001 Alcoa Theatre Season. Krakouer!

is a celebration of the skill, daring and resilience of Jim and Phil

Krakouer, Mount Barker's most famous sons.

The Krakouer brothers took the Australian football world by storm

in the early 1980s. Their unique and anarchic brand of football,

dubbed ‘black magic', captured the imagination of the nation.

Interwoven with video footage of the Krakouers at their best, this is

the story of the challenges they faced as indigenous footballers in

their rise to the top of their game. It celebrates their achievements

both on and off the sporting field, while acknowledging the

controversy and adversity that has met them throughout their lives.

In the 70s, no one could touch the Krakouers. Debuting into

professional football with the ‘blue blooded’ Claremont, the boys

propelled the Tigers to their first Grand Final in decades. In

Melbourne they reached new heights with the mighty Kangaroos

until injury and personal dramas unravelled their careers. But this

is more than a tale of football prowess. This is about two ‘Brother

boys’ who fought with and for each other against racial vilification,

gambling addiction, an unforgiving legal system and personal

tragedy.

‘The portrayal of the end of the brothers' fabulous on-field

partnership, the transfers to other clubs, the injuries and frustration

and then, the coup-de-grace to Jimmy's career, is precisely

accurate and gut-wrenching.’ - The West Australian

Written by Reg Cribb – the acclaimed author of Last Cab to Darwin

(GPAC 2004) – in collaboration with Sean Gorman, upon whose

book ‘Brother Boys’ the play is largely based, Deckchair Theatre’s

production of Krakouer! appears in the Drama Theatre at GPAC

from August 16-20, supported by Deakin University. Tickets are

available on 5225 1200 or online at www.gpac.org.au

43ART NEWS

Land is Life - Images from the frontlineNational Wool Museum and Geelong LibrariesTo August 25th

Oxfam is currently raising awareness of the impacts of climate change through the Land is Life photo exhibition, which will be showing free of charge in Geelong throughout August 2011.

Land is Life powerfully illustrates the impact that climate change is having on people of the Pacific Islands of Kiribati and Tuvalu, whose land is being slowly eaten away by storm surges, unpredictable weather and the salination of arable soil

This free photo exhibition shares a story of human determination and resilience in the face of great adversity. Rodney Dekker, award-winning documentary photographer and multi-media storyteller, has captured how climate change affects daily life on these fragile islands. Land is Life is showing free of charge at:

National Wool Museum - 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong: 5 - 14 August

Geelong West Library - 153b Pakington St, Geelong West: 15 - 25 August

Belmont Library - 163 High Street, Belmont: 15 - 25 August

See the images and join Rodney Dekker as he talks about his journey to the Pacific at Belmont Library: 10.30am, 23 August; and Geelong West Library: 12pm, 23 August.

Picture this 2011Geelong Gallery - To September 4th

An exhibition of works in various media by Transport Accident Commission (TAC) clients who were artists before their accident, have taken up art since or have embraced art therapy as part of their rehabilitation. For more information, visit geelonggallery.org.au

Marco Luccio: New York Found 2Metropolis GalleryAugust 20th – September 3rd

New York Found 2 at Metropolis Gallery is the sequel to Marco Luccio’s recent exhibition in Melbourne, reinforcing the depth of his recent works on paper with an exciting new take on New York.

Marco describes New York Found 2 as “… a culmination of objects, remnants and artefacts that I discovered, found or rediscovered from my several trips to New York over the past four years. A combination of items that had been thrown away, lost in boxes at flea markets or that I happened across at museums. It is about finding a new way of working with different images and how I can push my work in new directions”.

Artist Floor Talk: 3pm Saturday 27 August. Bookings essential.

For more information, visit metropolisgallery.com.au

SUBSPACE:

bringing art to the vacancy of Geelong’s city centre

An innovative public art project is to be held in one of Geelong’s most iconic buildings, the former Dimmeys space. The building in Malop Street has been handed over to the artists of Geelong for the next two months, to create a large-scale art exhibition spanning all three of its floors.

While locals refer to it as ‘The Dimmeys Building’, this vacant space has a place in local history as the original home of Target Australia. For this exciting project over 2785 square metres of floor space will house contemporary art works, ranging from small installation pieces to larger works.

SUB is a local Artist Run Initiative aiming to increase the variety and availability of arts related events in Geelong, bringing people back into the CBD. As part of their new nomadic gallery program, the Dimmeys building will be turned into a temporary SUBspace for artists to work in and create art installations leading up to a final exhibition in September.

A call has been put out for artists to participate in the project and create site-specific installations for the space. A variety of mediums will be considered for the show including projections, sculpture, multimedia and other installation works. This project is supported by the City of Greater Geelong through its Community Arts Grants Program and Courthouse Arts.

My Grandma Lived In GooligulchGPAC - September 3rd

From Graeme Base, international bestselling author, and Garry Ginivan, producer of Wombat Stew and Possum Magic, comes the rollicking Australian musical My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch.

Based on the much-loved book, My

Grandma Lived in Gooligulch tells the story of Kate, a city kid who has to spend the summer holidays with her eccentric Grandma in outback Gooligulch. Kate is sure it will be the worst holiday of her life - but when she finds the animals in Gooligulch can talk, her eyes are opened to a whole new world.

This Helpmann Award-nominated production, which premiered at the Arts Centre in Melbourne in 2006, is full of humour, charm and imagination with puppets, original music and a highly talented cast.

My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch is an Australian musical adventure that both kids and adults will love.

"A magical theatrical experience." - The Age, Melbourne

For more information visit www.gpac.org.au

Larissa MacFarlaneMoonrise on the highway 2010linocutCourtesy of the artist

Marco LuccioAthena

Drypoint

44 COMMUNITY

Volunteering brings its own rewardsEmployee volunteering is a great way for businesses to contribute to their community in a practical and meaningful way.

The additional human resources provided by employee volunteers supplements an agency’s regular volunteer base therefore increasing their capacity to service their client groups and encourages a better understanding of the scope and impacts of disadvantage in our community.

Recently, BacLinks facilitated two projects that saw teams of employee volunteers from local businesses contribute their manpower and skills during their normal work hours to assist two of our hardworking community agencies.

Working inside award-winning and innovative food redistribution charity SecondBite’s Moolap warehouse, ten Alcoa Point Henry employees sorted nutritious surplus fresh food collected from a number of fresh produce sources. They then assisted in the safe and timely redistribution of the food to local Geelong community programs that supply food to people in need.

“SecondBite began as a volunteer initiative and they are still the heart of the organisation today. Without the generous support of volunteers such as the Alcoa team we simply would not be able to continue with the work we do,” said Daniel Arklay, SecondBite’s Geelong Food Program Coordinator.

In 2010, SecondBite collected and re-distributed 880 tonnes of fresh nutritious produce to 212 community food programs across Victoria and Tasmania; enough food to

provide 1.7 million hearty meals to thousands of people who might otherwise go without a daily meal.

SecondBite continues to develop innovative food security research and programs, and this year plans to redistribute more than 1,200 tonnes of fresh surplus food that would have otherwise go into landfill (www.secondbite.org).

According to Alcoa Point Henry Smelter Manager, Stewart Esdale, Alcoa’s employees were keen to contribute to Second Bite’s impact in Geelong.

“Second Bite provides an integral service in our community and our employees were humbled to be helping out with the sorting and distribution of food to those in need. Through these volunteer experiences, our people get the opportunity to learn more about their community and how to contribute in a practical way,” he said.

GMHBA Health Insurance is another local business committed to giving their employees the opportunity to volunteer during work hours to assist our community.

One such project facilitated by BacLinks saw GMHBA provide six of their staff to assist with the preparation and serving of meals at the Salvation Army – Northside community service hub in the Northern Suburbs and afterwards join attendees to share lunch.

“The Salvation Army is a Christian organisation with a long history of supporting the most disadvantaged Australians. We value the time and assistance GMHBA and other like-minded

local business and community partners provide to enable us to enrich the lives of those in the community whom we serve,” said Captain Andrew Walton, Salvation Army Northside’s Officer.

The lunch program serves affordable and nutritious meals every day to between 25 and 40 people in the area that are homeless or otherwise disadvantaged. It also provides an important opportunity for social engagement, friendship and access to the centre’s other assistance services.

“GMHBA’s participation in the Salvation Army’s lunch program was a crucial opportunity for our staff to make a difference and experience something new with local people who have a different life experience to theirs. Opportunities to participate in community programs are important to us and we hope that our contribution and participation was of benefit to those living in the Northern Suburbs,” said Mark Valena, GMHBA CEO.

Employee volunteering is just one way your business can help out in our community. If your business wants to get more involved in your community but are unsure of what you can do, or how to go about it, please contact BacLinks on 5249 8989, as they have the experience and expertise to connect you into projects that are both manageable and effective.

Friday 26th August, 12pm - 5pmAt “The Silks Room” in the Briseis Stand, The Geelong Racing Club. Tickets are $120 each and includes a gourmet two-course meal with drinks package and tea & coffee, exciting raffles and auctions, special guest speakers and plenty

of punting opportunities with horse racing expert Rob Gaylard as MC.

Celebrate Spring Racing early at the Kevin Paisley Fashion Eyewear Race Day. Take your clients out for a fun and entertaining afternoon!

To book your ticket, go to givewhereyoulive.com.au/events or call 5229 4364

Day.Day.Day.Day.Day.Day.

Race Sponsors Media Sponsor

Improving our community

givewhereyoulive.com.au

Be part of the 2011 Alcoa Australian Corporate Head of the River, the largest corporate rowing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere and you’ll be helping change lives! This unique and enjoyable event is in its 14th

year and 2011 promises stiff competition, the chance to GET FIT and plenty of fun.

Even if you’re not competing, it’s worth coming along to the Regatta Day on Saturday 8th October to see the crews in action. On the day activities include market stalls, a mini-carnivale with jumping castles, face

painting and entertainment.

ENTRIES OPEN! To register your crew go to givewhereyoulive.com.au/rowing

Naming Rights SponsorA Fundraising Event For Dragon Boat Sponsor In Kind Sponsor Major Media Supporters

Improving our community

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This year, there’s another way to participate. Take the option to participate in a Dragon Boat race on Regatta Day, which only requires some casual training, at

flexible training times that suit you!

45COMMUNITY NEWS

New identity for GlastonburyGlastonbury Child and Family Services has long been an integral part of Geelong’s extensive and proud history. With origins dating back to 1854, the organisation has continued to grow and evolve in response to the needs of the Geelong’s vulnerable children. The next step for the community services organisation in 2011 is a new name and a new look.

After 30 years as Glastonbury Child and Family Services, the organisation has revealed its new identity that truly reflects the work that they do. Please welcome Glastonbury Community Services.

Glastonbury’s Chief Executive Officer, Gabrielle Nagle, said the transition is an exciting one. “Our name and brand are now vibrant and contemporary and truly reflect what we are trying to achieve,” she said. “And with our new positioning statement: Support Nurture Grow, we are trying to clearly articulate to the wider Geelong Community exactly what we do.

“We work to support and nurture children, young people and families to grow in their capacity to cope with life’s every day challenges and that’s what we want the people of Geelong to know,” Ms Nagle said.

As part of Glastonbury Community Services’ new name and new brand comes their future vision for their Early Years Program, celebrated at a tea party inspired launch on 5 August 2011. Ms Nagle explains the Early Years Program creates a positive, fun and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children aged between 0-6 years old. It also has a very strong focus on enhancing parent and child engagement and attachment.

“The Early Years programs work in partnership with parents to use play to improve the child’s skill and independence, whilst encouraging the development of the parent-child relationship,” said Ms Nagle. “The early years of a child’s life are the most significant in relation to brain development and our programs help parents to give their children the best start to life.”

One of Glastonbury’s Early Years programs; PLAY has been running for over ten years and has had great support from Shell Geelong Refinery over the past two and a half years.

Shell Geelong Refinery Communications Advisor, Jessica Marriner, said Shell was proud to have been the principal supporter of PLAY in the northern suburbs.

“Shell’s social investment programs are targeted investments that assist community organisations to achieve their goals and help build community capacity,” said Jessica.

“We support organisations and programs with an education focus or objective, and work closely together to maximise the benefit for the community,” she said. “Shell recognises the importance of Glastonbury’s work in supporting the early years development of children in the region and we are proud to have had an association with them for the past two and a half years.”

About Glastonbury Community Services

Glastonbury Community Services is a trusted community partner delivering care and support to vulnerable children, young people and families throughout the Barwon and South Western Region.

As an independent not for profit organisation, Glastonbury is governed by a board of directors and managed by a strong and skilled leadership team.

Glastonbury staff work very closely with vulnerable children, young people and families who may be facing a variety of challenges in their everyday life and teach them skills to manage specific challenges, create strong relationships and create new possibilities for themselves and the community.

Understanding needs of refugees in Geelong

The School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University is very pleased to be working in a new partnership with Diversitat to help support refugee families and communities resettling in the Geelong area.

A team of staff from the areas of Public Health & Promotion (PHHP) and Social Work will come together with Diversitat to explore the experiences of and perspectives on, the provision of resettlement support services to refugees in Geelong among a range of health

and social service providers and practitioners in the Geelong Region.

Deakin University Associate Lecturer PHHP, Greer Lamaro said, “It is hoped that this will lead to a better understanding of the barriers, facilitators and mechanisms of current support provision, and that this information will be useful in the future development of effective service provision to support refugees during resettlement in our region.”

The School of Health and Social Development, Deakin, will fund the project, and both Deakin and Diversitat will provide further human and infrastructure resources to support the work. The team will comprise of Deakin staff: Associate Professor Beth Crisp (Social Work), Ms. Greer Lamaro, Dr Lisa Hanna and Professor Ann Taket (all PHHP), and Diversitat’s Suzanne Cooper (Diversitat Settlement Services and Community Programs Unit).

Greer Lamaro said: “A core commitment of Deakin is to make a distinctive contribution rural and regional engagement, particularly in South Central and South Western Victoria, by engaging in partnerships to contribute to the social, economic and cultural capital of these areas. Thus, we are thrilled to be working with Diversitat, who we recognise as key community service provider and real regional leader in matters concerning migrant and refugee health and wellbeing in the regional area in which we are situated.

“A second core commitment is to undertake ‘research that makes a difference’ to the communities with whom we work. We recognise the great opportunities and potential to make a very real and genuine difference to the community in which we are situated and operate, through working with such a well regarded and important regional community service provider such as Diversitat.”

Diversitat are also extremely excited to be a part of the project, and hope that it will assist in the transition for Refugees and other Newly Arrived members of the community easier and ensure health related services are accessible.

46 COMMUNITY NEWS

Region’s most worthy share in $500kThe Geelong Community Foundation recently distributed $500,000 to 30 of our region’s community organisations at its Annual Grants Reception. The Foundation builds up a corpus of funds and annually allocates the earned interest to community grants. Foundation donors include individuals, families, corporates and other organisations. There was even more reason to celebrate with the announcement by Dr Denis Napthine Minister for Regional Cities that the Foundation is the recipient of a $200,000 state government grant for projects in Corio, Norlane and Whittington.

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Counterclockwise from top right: Gabrielle Nagle (Glastonbury Community Services) with Brian Quarrell (GCF Director); The Hon Dennis Napthine announces $200,000 funding to the Geelong Community Foundation; Helen Sorenson and Marcus Lovell (Special Olympics Barwon Region) with Barry Fagg (GCF Director); Steve Fernandez (Leaders for Geelong “Read On” program), Steve Kirtley (Davidsons), Wendy Maloney (GCF Director) and Paul Rawson (Leaders for Geelong “Read On” program; Lou Hayden, Michael Hayden and Judy Hudson.

47WINE

Semillon: a great BlancAs the Sav-alanche continues in earnest across the ditch, Australian winemakers are looking at a solution to the drop in sales and long-term effect on local white wine sales. The once highly regarded Chardonnay is making slow inroads as a small percentage of consumers demand a little more from their white but for many this may be to little to late. What happened to the magnificent Semillon Sauvignon Blanc’s from Margaret River or Hunter Semillons that everyone loved so much?

In Bordeaux the principle grape variety is Semillon. Although frequently blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make dry white wines, it has been used to make the great noble wines of Sauternes. Sauternes is referred to as a dessert wine and goes through quite a process that takes many hours of hard work and dedication in both the vineyard and winery. The resulting wines are nectar of the gods and, when bought from producers such as Y’quem, you could expect to pay upwards of $400 for a 375ml bottle. Might I add this is a small price to pay and if you ever get the opportunity to try one you will understand why - sensational with cheese, but can be suitably matched to a piece of lemon tart, or a crème brulee.

We make our own Semillon-based dessert wines in Australia, with the most famous being Debortoli’s Noble One. Semillon is also highly regarded for the dry style whites it produces. Amongst industry professionals the variety is coveted, and both winemakers and Sommeliers agree that it makes some of this countries best wines. Unfortunately for the industry, most

consumers have forgotten this fact and the variety currently languishes on shelves in bottle shops across the country.

A shame you might say, but the great thing about Semillon (unlike Sauvignon Blanc) is that it ages gracefully and is often referred to as a white that acts like a red. Some producers release the wine with 3-5 years bottle age, saving valuable space in our cellars. Consumers, unfortunately, have a limited understanding when it comes to aged whites, but take it from me, this is a great wine that definitely improves with age.

Margaret River, Barossa Valley and the Hunter Valley are regarded as the regions that produced the finest Semillons, although much like Chardonnay, it grows well in many of Australia’s best vineyards. Whether it’s blended or by itself, it makes a lovely fresh wine, perfect as a warm day drinker and with age develops a golden hue and a richness that partners a piece of salmon perfectly.

So with all these great attributes, how did it get left behind? Hard to say really, although one producer has decided not to take defeat lying down and is now marketing his Semillon as Semillon Blanc. You may see this is a marketing ploy based on deception, but I see it more as a clever way of reintroducing this variety to a consumer that may have overlooked an exceptional white wine!

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

5th August – D’Arenberg, McLarenVales DarlingSee why this producer is up there with the best in Australia

Entertainment: Chic

12th August – The revolution has arrived and Cider is its name!A selection of new and traditional ciders made from pears and apples

Entertainment: Warm Sands

19th August – Two shades of grey, the taste of todayTaste Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio wines they are still as popular as ever!

Entertainment: Chic

48 AFTER HOURS

A timely debate on Mayoral electionsRobert Doyle, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, was the keynote speaker at the Geelong Chamber’s July President’s Lunch, the second in the series of three President’s Luncheons for 2011. With much interest and robust discussion on the topic of a directly elected Mayor for Geelong, it was indeed timely to have the Lord Mayor as the speaker for the luncheon.

As well as being a vocal participant in the debate around directly elected Mayors, Robert Doyle is a Principal at the Nous Group management consultancy, President of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Chairman of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation and a Trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance. He is also an ambassador for Odyssey House, SecondBite, Field of Women, White Ribbon Day and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and is the Honorary President of the Melbourne Region of the Scout Association.

Photos by Terry Broun Jr

Above: Bernadette Uzelac (Geelong Chamber of Commerce) with Sue De Gilio (Gforce).

Christopher Carroll (Brace) with Maria Zaluski (Gordon) and Bob Morley (CVGT).

Above: Melbourne Lord Mayor, the Hon. Robert Doyle.

Below: Mark Davis (Australia Post).

St Laurence Gala DinnerDate: Friday 7 October 2011

Time: 7.00 pm (Red Carpet Arrival) Venue: The Pier Geelong,

Cost: Platinum $225 each, Gold $175, Silver $145 RSVP: 2nd September 2011 to Honnie Strachan on

Telephone: 03 5246 4504 or [email protected]

Join us at the St Laurence Gala Dinner hosted by well known TV

star John Blackman and featuring a performance by the James

Morrison trio with Emma Pask on vocals. All proceeds raised on

the night will help make living independently a reality for people

with disabilities. A night of superb entertainment, sumptuous

three course meal, stunning views – all whilst supporting a good

cause - not to be missed!

49AFTER HOURS

Sarah Albon, Geelong Cats; Melissa Farrell, Karingal.

Bridget Connor, RedStick Strategic Communications; Anthea Doran, Geelong Regional Library; Sandy Wilson, Silk Financial Services.

Pr2pr farewells second season

pr2pr, the leading initiative for the local communications industry, held their final event for season 2 on Thursday 7th July, 2011.

The event, which was held at Baveras restaurant located at The Pier, was attended by over 40 communicators from a range of organisations in Geelong and the surrounding area.

pr2pr was established two years ago as a network for professionals in the fields of public relations, marketing and communications. It provides a series of events over the twelve month season for networking, industry development and peer support

Season 3 is set to be launched in August 2011 at an after five event.

For more information contact RedStick at (03) 5224 2844.

Chrissy Meddings & Trudi Hollis, Gordon Tafe.

Kate Nelson, Barwon Health; Julia O'Keefe, K-Rock.

Emma Harty, Barwon Health & Karen Jackson, Four Points Sheraton.

Leanne Clutterbuck, Geelong Cats; Rachel Bell, Barwon Health Foundation.

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50 AFTER HOURS

Joining the campaign at Disabili-TEAAcross the nation on August 2 there were in excess of 850 Disabili-TEAS

held in support of the every Australian Counts Campaign for a National

Disability Insurance Scheme. Karingal and City of Greater Geelong

co-hosted the local event at the Geelong West Town Hall as they are both

proud and active supporters of the Every Australian Counts campaign for a

National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Whilst Government at all levels and Community Organisations have a part

to play in this campaign, that is not enough to make it happen. Guests

learned that it is vital that this is a grass-roots campaign that is of such

magnitude that it cannot be ignored, and were invited to sign up as a

campaign supporters, if they haven’t already done so, and to spread the

word to their families, friends and colleagues.

The Disabili-tea was MCed by COGG Councillor Barb Abley was the MC for

the Disabili-TEA and speakers included Daryl Starkey, CEO Karingal.

Photos by Terry Broun Jr

Above: Morning Tea served by Point Lonsdale Primary students

Above: Daryl Starkey (Karingal CEO)

Above: Jacqui Pierce (NDIS coordinator)

Above: Robyn Bradshaw; Ingrid Handell &

Robert Hindel

Above: Lynne Foreman (NDIS) & Cr Barbara

Abley

Above: Marilyn Blakey (Karingal Board of Directors) & Dot Leigh (Valid)

Throughout AugustGeelong Small Business Festival – See page 30-31 for details.

Throughout AugustPicture This 2011 - Where: Geelong Gallery. Details: www.geelonggallery.org.au

6th August to 4th SeptemberAlison Wynd – Me Photo, Uganda. Where: Geelong Gallery. Details: www.geelonggallery.org.au

7 AugustCosmo Cosmolino – ARIA Award-nominated Cosmo Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

10 August'I LOVE ME' - Where: The Pier Geelong. Details: www.headspace.org.au

12 AugustMary Duff in Concert - Where: GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

13 AugustGeelong Roller Derby - Where: The Arena. Details: www.geelongrollerderby.com

10 – 14 AugustEOS Tour of Geelong - Where: Geelong and surrounding areas. Details: www.caribou.net.au

14 AugustAnnual Vietnam Veterans Day March and Memorial Service - A march from Osbourne Park to the Vietnam memorial. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

16 – 20 AugustKrakouer – Where: Drama Theatre, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

19 August – 13 NovemberMy Cup Runneth Over - Christmas Decorations Inspired by the Johnston Collection. Where: National Wool Museum. Details: www.nwm.vic.gov.au

To 20 AugustScarf Festival 2011: Rhythm of Life – . Where: National Wool Museum. Details: www.nwm.vic.gov.au

20 AugustConcert for the Clans 2 - Following the success of the first concert, the Concert for the Clans returns. Where: The Potato Shed. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

20 AugustASK! 2011 Pink Ribbon Shopping Trip - Pickups at Ocean Grove, South Geelong and Laverton. Details: www.askushow.org

20 – 27 AugustEurobeat: Almost Eurovision – Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

21 AugustBellarine Rail Trail Run - Where: Queenscliff to Drysdale Railways Station. Details: www.brtrun.com.au

30 AugustOH WHAT A NIGHT! - A Musical Tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

31 August – 01 SeptemberDenise Drysdale: One of Australia's most enduring and recognised talents returns to Geelong. Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

02 – 17 SeptemberDoubt – Geelong Repertory Theatre Company presents John Patrick Shanly's Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play. Where: Woodbin Theatre, Geelong West. Details: www.gpac.org.au

03 September My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch – Where: The Playhouse, GPAC. Details: www.gpac.org.au

04 SeptemberHalf Man Half Woman - Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier. Where: Potato Shed, Drysdale. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

51WHATS ON

To publicise your event in GBN’s What’s On in September email: [email protected]

20th August 2011 2011 Geelong Mayoral BallThe 2011 Geelong Mayoral Ball will celebrate Geelong with a night of wonderful entertainment, great music, prizes, a three course dinner, fine local wines and a few surprises! Well known TV star and music performer Tim Campbell will MC and perform at the event.Best known as Dan Barker on Home and Away and as the lead role of Johnny O’Keefe in the reprised musical of Shout! The Legend of the Wild One, Tim has also appeared in a plethora of Australian and US TV series. He regularly performs at Carols By Candlelight, Carols in the Domain and the Good Friday Appeal, fronted TV show the Celebrity Singing Bee and took part in the hugely popular Dancing with the Stars (2007 series). The evening will include an auction with a variety of items suiting all tastes and budgets. All proceeds raised on the night will support the Geelong Hospital Children's Ward and St John of God Special Care Nursery. SUPPORT THE FUNDRAISING AUCTION Can you or your business help us help the children? The City of Greater Geelong is keen to hear from people willing to donate something to be auctioned on the night. Anyone who supports the event’s fundraising endeavours will be acknowledged and will receive suitable recognition for their generosity. Where: The Arena. Cost: $120 per person. Details: www.geelongaustralia.com.au

Live Music Market Stalls

Food & Wine

Carnival rides

Children’s activities

Art Exhibition

Winter FestivalSaturday 20 August 12 noon - 6pm (followed by fireworks)Venue: The Geelong College Talbot Street, Newtown

Everyone Welcome!www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au

Geelong Business News - 199

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