Business Resource & Lifestyle Magazine Issue #45

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 45 | July 2012 1

GWP Magazines®

EntrEprEnEur profilE:

SucceSS Women’S netWork: A Win-Win

Proposition

SYDNEY - ISSuE 45 | JuLY 2012

S y d n e y B u S i n e S S M a g a z i n e S i n c e 2 0 0 5

State Government

Has Eyes Set on Western Sydney

Page 20

Guns, Moses and ransom politics

in nSW Page 22

Keep the Cash flowing Page 26

JohnGlover

The Power of Pendragon!

2 Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 45 | July 2012



GWP Magazines®

DistributionKey locations for a free pickup

editor and Publisher:Dmitry Greku

cover Story:Adrian Payne

editing:Leonie Seysan

contributing Writers:Charlie Lynn Angry AndersonDarryn Fellowes Stephen FrostAndrew de Wynter Stephen Long Jeremy Carter Ruchaya NillakanLarry Woldenberg Ian Tierney Lynette Eyles Rob Cliff

art director: Svetlana Greku

executive Officer: Daniel Moisyeyev

cover design and cover Story Layout:Xabier Goñi, XDesigns

Photography:Francesca Surace, STILz Fotografika

Printing:Pegasus Print Group

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The opinions expressed in this journal do not necessarily reflect and are not to be regarded as the official opinion of the editor, publisher or their agents.

All information contained within this journal is provided for general information purposes only and on the understanding that none of the content herein constitutes professional advice. The editor, publisher or their agents accept no responsibility for any claim, loss or damages arising out of or in connection with any materials contained in this journal. Readers should not rely on the publications in the journal and seek appropriate professional advice in respect of their own circumstances.

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CONTENTS36

14 44Cover Story

8 John Glover - The Power of

Pendragon! Adrian Payne

entrepreneur Profile

14 Success Women’s Network: A Win-Win Proposition Larry Woldenberg

RegularsPoLitiCaL AGENDA

22 Guns, Moses, and Ransom Politics in NSW Charlie Lynn

LoCaL GOvERNMENT

18 The Hills Shire Council Makes Way for the North West Rail The Hills Shire Council

20 State Government Has Eyes Set on Western Sydney Parramatta City Council

21 Light Rail Gets Go Ahead Parramatta City Council

RegularsBusiness ADvICE

24 Thinking Strategic Darryn Fellowes

26 Keep the Cash Flowing Stephen Long

28 Stimulate Your Career with a Short Course Lynette Eyles

30 Am I Complying with My Obligations under the Fair Work Act? Andrew de Wynter

34 The Secret of Better Decision Making in A Complex World Ian Tierney

35 Outsourcing Bookkeeping Service, Why So? Ruchaya Rayya Nillakan

investment 32 Is it Time to Review Your Superannuation? Jeremy Carter

42 How Art Gains value Sharon Davson

RegularsmaRket PLACE

36 Top Jewellery Gifts for Men Rob Cliff

37 Tuscan Wine Review Direct Wine Cellars

soCiety & LIFE

38 You do not have to be the Biological Parent to be an Adult of Influence in a Young Person’s Life Stephen Frost

40 People You Meet Along the Way Angry Anderson

austRaLian SPORT

44 Grassroots Football at Its Best in the 2012 Panther Cup Penrith Panthers

46 CLassiFieds

CONTENTS


EdITOr’S LETTER

People who know me well can not believe I don’t watch news on TV as much as I used to. I keep reading newspapers where I can be a bit more selective of what information to uptake and what to ignore. News reports on TV, where you can’t select who to listen to, are becoming not just incredibly frustrating but can also be massively misleading.

Someone told me recently that politics are not related to business matters. I was very much surprised to hear this at the time. Now, I’m even more surprised that a mature individual running a business can have such an opinion. These days our government is taxing Australian businesses more and more, destroying their competitiveness on a daily basis and at the same time is trying to convince the very same businesses to “talk the economy up”. The connection between politics and business is clear. Healthy politics means healthy business and economy. Defective thinking politicians do not allow business to perform and as a result the economy goes down the drain. What could be easier to understand?

One of the mistakes of the current federal government is that they think they can fix the economy just by “talking it up”. The reality is that you can’t convince the economy to behave better. False confidence alone will not solve the underlying issue.

However, you can bring all the achievements of the previous government down pretty easily. It’s also very easy to blame hard working business people who pay most of the taxes and employ 80% of the Australian population. It’s a cheap claim made by politicians that they have “created x number of work places”, when in reality they

have no idea how to start a company and employ someone at their own expense.

I have taken notice that members of the current government definitely enjoy making a “public enemy” out of business people in the mining industry. How much of our money have they already spent and how much more will they spend to make mining operators look like they are stealing the “people’s share” for their own benefit? All this after they have invested and risked their own wealth, and encouraged foreign investors to invest into the “massively performing” Australian economy. How dare they collect a profit that supposedly belongs to the people?

Unfortunately for all of us, politicians can’t stop talking about their achievements in growing our economy 60% during the last four years – while trying to make it appear that they are protecting us from the still debatable threat of global warming. They’re doing this at our expense and providing Australians with increased electricity prices for a brighter future. The future won’t look so bright when businesses have to start turning their lights off.

Have a look around you. Local shops, restaurants and retailers are closing down in droves. Larger companies are laying off employees by the thousands. On a daily basis you hear a story of a major enterprise struggling with debts.

Our government has a tendency to come up with an endless number of excuses. They blamed the downturn in the global economy, the situation in Greece, the banana crisis, Tony Abbott and the whole of the Opposition and even hard-working struggling business people. “Ill-informed commentators” and “sceptics”, like myself, are the ones to blame for all the failures in the economy, the flood of criminals arriving from overseas on a daily basis, world highest electricity prices, the level of mismanagement of public funds and

increasingly growing country’s debt. They forgot themselves as people’s employees whose duty is to serve and protect (us, Australians, not new illegal arrivals and fellow politicians). They need a very deep and serious auditing and comparison of what they’ve done and how much they have been paid. I have no doubt the result would not be in their favour.

Let’s apply an old proven principle to our politicians: ”He who does not work, neither shall he eat.”

Bon Appétit, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Have a great day and take care of yourselves and your clients. G

e | [email protected]

Bon appétit, Ladies and gentlemen

Dmitry Greku, M. Sc. - Editor and Publisher - GWP Magazines®



PrOudly PreSeNTeD By

Business Resource & Lifestyle | Issue 45 | July 2012


grEaT AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS PEoPLE

by Adrian Payne


John Glover’s business is positioned to support modern trends where big businesses seek the

services of skilled individuals as contractors, rather than employing them directly in

a traditional employer-employee relationship.

This places Pendragon in

a unique relationship with both the employer and the contractor. The company supplies Hr compliant, payroll, contractor management, taxation minimisation, back office support and other administrative functions to maintain a beneficial relationship for all concerned.

John founded the business in 1998, realising that

the trend to contract key people, while good for all concerned, was a minefield for both contractors and employers especially when the best people were being recruited from overseas. Visas, salary packages, administration and government compliance means every contractor has a different set of circumstances which need to be accommodated on an on-going basis. This kind of service is well beyond the usual range of skills available in an in-house Hr department.

Born in the early 60’s John Glover came from humble beginnings in enfield, a suburb to the north east of London. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his parents and two sisters one older and one younger. His mother was a stay-at-home mum and he remembers coming home from school to freshly baked cakes and biscuits. Their home life was simple, there was no TV and only two rooms downstairs were heated in the winter, the bedrooms upstairs were cold, unless you were tucked up in bed. He remembers that from the start of his schooling, there was no being driven to and from the schoolyard, as is the case these days, he would walk both ways, every day. In any case, at that time it was rare for a family to own more than one car.

His Mum and Dad weren’t particularly religious, but taught the children well in matters of right

Pendragon, in historical terms, describes a particularly powerful Cornish or Welsh warrior. Legendary figure King Arthur Pendragon of Round Table fame has been described as such a leader. Attributes of King Arthur’s court are mirrored in the way John Glover’s company Pendragon values Arthur’s even handed dealings. There was no ‘head’ of the round table. Those seated there were forbidden to bear arms, so setting a peaceful environment for debate. King Arthur’s administration was also known for honesty and integrity in all its dealings.

JohnGlover

The Power of Pendragon!


and wrong, what was expected of them as part of the family and about their behaviour outside the home. He remembers that his father was a calm, peaceful person, but he would still get a ‘clout’ if he had done the wrong thing!

The houses in his street were typical of suburban england, they were all the same architecture, so when one house in the street was sold, you always knew that all the others were worth pretty much the same. If you were able to afford a better house, it was necessary to move to another street, possibly in another area altogether.

The local pub (public house) offered an extension of people’s lounge rooms. The rooms at home were quite small and when people wanted to get together they would do so at the pub. Here was always one within walking distance of any suburban house and when John was old enough to frequent the pub, he would meet his mates there rather than at home.

At the time it was possible to leave school at sixteen, John stayed on to take his ‘A’ levels in the GCe (General Certificate of education). He studied and sat the economics paper which had only in the last couple of years become an option in the curriculum.

So in 1979 after a couple of months break he went looking for a job. In those days in the UK going to university wasn’t an option for most school

leavers, perhaps only the top ten percent of achievers or the wealthy were able to access a university course.

When a traineeship he was interested in fell through due to an economic downturn, he went to the local government employment office and put his hand up for a job that was advertised with Standard Telephone and Cables. At the time he didn’t realise the size of the company, which supplied all the household telephones and laid all the cables for the GPO who at the time ran the British telephone network. He began work there in the buying department, and soon became a student of the dynamics at play in a large organisation. How different departments built or indeed failed to build good relationships with others. How white and blue collar workers were often separate socially as if there was an upper

and lower class system in the workplace.

He managed to gain advancement as STC merged with another company and John’s place of work changed to Southgate, another north-eastern London suburb. He was on a good wage and working only about twenty minutes from home while many of his mates were making the rush-hour journey into the city and back each day.

When he was 24, a mate suggested as neither of them had any real commitment to girlfriends, they should take a year off and go around the world. It seemed like a good idea so John left his job, packed a rucksack and they set off for America. They discovered that they could undertake to deliver cars from the east to the west coast. They would have to pay for fuel, but they had the use of the car for a time, so otherwise their transport was free!

The grand plan was to go to New Zealand, Australia, Asia and back home through europe. They had the opportunity to crew on a luxury yacht from Los Angeles to New Zealand, but the more tempting opportunity of entertaining some Californian girls made them a day late for the sailing... but there didn’t seem to be too many regrets as instead they gained a working passage on a German freighter that was bound for New Zealand via Brisbane and Sydney. Once in Brisbane where John’s mate had contacts and they were invited to an Aussie BBQ. When they returned to the ship, the crew were surprised they

turned up, especially since John at least had been working in the engine room – not the coolest place to work in the tropics! But, they wanted to get to New Zealand.

John’s introduction to Sydney was sailing into the harbour taking in the magic of the city sights from the vantage point of the freighter’s bridge. A day or two later the ship sailed on to New Zealand where they enjoyed being a part of the local scene including playing football for a local team.


With the tall, very tall Joanna Griggs at charity function for CMRI/Jeans for Genes


Caption

With the General Manager of CMRI/Jeans for Genes, Stephen Ryall, at the annual Ball-2010

One of the CMRI/ Jeans for Genes Paintings by the gorgeous and talented artist Nafisa Niomi, business colleague at the time and oldest friend Gareth Shaw


They hitched a ride back to Australia on a ‘party boat’ a cruise designed for young customers. They then began a three or four months stay on the Antipodeans Island continent. On a working holiday visa, they worked and played to the limit, but eventually decided to move on to the Asian stage of their journey. They flew to Singapore and took the train to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur. They then chose to go to India via Burma. They were able to get visas for two weeks in Burma, where they found the people very hospitable and were

surprised to find that english was widely spoken among ordinary Burmese. After the wonder of experience in India living on very little money, they moved on to europe where their savings soon dwindled and the time to return to the UK was around the corner. They had left on the 11th of November and returned home exactly a year later, to the delight of friends and family at home.

So John now needed a job again. Still fired with

enthusiasm from his twelve months adventure, John found work in a travel agency. The pay wasn’t much, but there was many opportunities to take the perks; ‘sampling opportunities’ offered by travel destinations to travel agency staff in the hope that they would get improved bookings.

Around this time John founded a social club – solely for the purpose of getting large discounts that were being offered to groups. He managed to get around two thousand members, and they were able to book many holiday options including a ‘corporate’ cruiser on the Thames. This experience taught him the power of the group and of networking.

His next opportunity was to work with one of Britain’s largest international hotel chains, Trusthouse Forte, selling and organising conference and incentive packages for big business clients like Jaguar, British Airways, Pilkington Glass and many others.

At this time he met an Australian girl Michele, who worked with his sister in the heady world of finance in the city. John and Michele began to live together and although they had no plans to marry, Michelle became pregnant. The baby was born prematurely, with poorly formed lungs and was on a life support machine for almost a whole day while doctors advised them of the prognosis. With heavy hearts they gave permission to turn off the machine and their firstborn failed to survive.


With the glorious and professional Chris Bath from Channel 7 and some of the team from work (l-r) Zola Jahn, Corrine Hadley and Brad Dawson at Jeans for Genes Ball 2010


Work colleagues at the Gala ball for Jeans for Genes - 2009


With the tragedy so emotionally distracting, they decided that Michele needed to have some support that John couldn’t provide, support from Michele’s mother who was of course in Australia. So they gave up their jobs, and moved Downunder. John was surprised that he was unable to get a job in the hotel industry here. Despite his recent experience with Trusthouse Forte and having many letters of testimonial from some of his best high profile clients, the hotels in Australia would not employ him, because he lacked a minor qualification that the industry in Australia demanded.

He knocked about doing various things, while being offered other jobs back in the UK. Their son Stephen was born again prematurely, and with the same difficulties as their first child. Thankfully, Stephen survived his first difficult months and John and Michelle decided that they would return to the UK, where a good job was being offered by a company working with the Disney organisation.

John was back in his element, planning and selling incentive packages with the Disney label on them, which they almost sold themselves. Soon Matthew was born, he too spent his fist weeks in an incubator and suffered serious loss of sight due to the early delivery. That year John realised how difficult it was for a mother with an Australian upbringing, to adapt to caring for children in an english winter, not being able to let them outside for days at a time, quite unlike her own childhood with wide open spaces and sunny days were the way of life, even in winter!

So they packed up and again headed for Australia. While working in recruitment he was seconded to work for Origin Technology, recruiting SAP people they needed, many from overseas. He discovered that there were some bad practices being applied among some employers who were using their ‘visa power’ to intimidate contractors. He went to the Immigration department to discover how the visa system works and saw an opportunity. Pendragon Management Pty Ltd was born.

Not far behind was the birth of Christine, the girl in the family, who grew up in parallel with the progress of Pendragon.

At first John worked from home before he employed his first member of staff. It was always his aim

to bring the business to the point where it would operate efficiently without his daily presence. While the services that Pendragon offer are a combination put together by John Glover himself, his own joy is in sales/marketing, rather than the daily routine and discipline of payroll preparation and accounts. He enjoys being out there meeting people, often potential clients and putting packages together to meet their future skill needs.

In the meantime, a talented team of key staff kept the business in trim on a daily basis.

Accounts and Payroll Manager, Angela Hall is passionate about Pendragon and believes they offer a unique ‘personal friendly service’ where you are known individually, not just a number - a rare find these days. She is committed to leading

and equipping her team to look outside the square, to find sustainable solutions and provide a first class service to all Pendragon’s Clients and Contractors.

Brad Dawson. After successfully completing a Diploma in Business and having 4 years of customer service experience, Brad began working within Pendragon’s payroll and accounts unit and has now been with the company for over two years

and is currently studying a Bachelor of Business in financial planning.

Gemma Fowler is the newest addition to the Pendragon Team. Gemma started at Pendragon in late 2011 on an internship with UWS, now she has proved herself in the role as Client relations/Communications Coordinator liaising with Clients and Contractors alike, while overseeing the day to day communications issues for the business, all while completing her Bachelor of Communication Studies in public relations.

John believes in caring for his team, he thinks that if they can work in a ‘family’ atmosphere, they will enjoy the work experience. Whenever possible John sets up opportunities for the business to do something special for the team or even just a member of the group, if an opportunity presents.

One such occasion was a ball being held by the



Charity golf day hole sponsored by Pendragon, 2007

John’s 21st birthday

party at STC, the first

company I worked for,

30 years ago, 1982

We requested that a Mini be livered up to look like it was covered in Jeans to use for promotional material for Jeans for Genes for the year. Kindly sponsored by The Mini Garage, Sydney 2007


children’s charity Jeans for Genes. So he took the whole team. Subsequently Jeans for Genes contacted John and invited him to come and see more of their work at the Children’s Medical research Institute, and as he says, the rest is history, since then he has taken a seat on the executive Committee of Jeans for Genes, John and his team have contributed over $100,000 to the medical research work of the CrMI.

John has also sponsored several university students to the tune of $10,000 per student per year, knowing that without the support of donations, they would not be able to have the benefit of a university education. The University of Western Sydney is one of very few that takes talented students who are unable to raise the cost of their course personally.

John Glover’s advice to business...

“Get a good accountant and train them.” His approach is to work all year with his accountant, advising him what he plans to do and asking for his views on the tax implications or any other financial aspects of a plan. He says that if an accountant runs the company it gets to be “all about money” and business is about other aspects as well ... not least, the people.

Similarly he recommends having a good lawyer, “and don’t begrudge them their fee if you are getting good advice”. Also ... Pay them immediately. you will often get a more friendly and low cost piece of advice on the phone when you need it.

Whatever your skill is ...do that as your part of the business, otherwise employ or contract someone who has the other skills you need.

John is a “passive” networker ... believing that getting to know people is a pre-requisite for getting referrals... simply ‘broadcasting’ a huge stock of business cards among rooms full of business people won’t do the job.

He believes in “focussed” marketing ... looking to convert relatively qualified leads into business rather than tackling prospects with a shotgun message.

He recommends to a perspective on the number of things on hand at one time, being mindful that attention to too many projects can distract from the core business upon which everything else is founded.

John Glover’s business story is one of innovation in a changing business world in which we need to be flexible. recently it was said by a scholar of Darwin’s theory of evolution, that those who are willing to adjust to the change that is going on around them, will win business and stay in the race. G



In England with Mother in Law and Matthew, John’s son, 1991

My Mum, Dad and little sister. In the scouts UK with a broken leg but it

did not stop me from still getting involved, 13 years old

With two sisters Gillian and Alsion (in the pram) and John as Thunderbird hoping to save the world again, 5 years old 1966

John’s first appearance in public – stepping forward with confidents to try to win the prize at a holiday camp in the UK, he was 3 years old.

With the team from work and John’s second oldest friends (Known since the age of 5 years old) for his birthday celebrations and team bonding at Penrith white water rafting - 2012


ENTrEPrENEur PRoFILE

What happens when an ex-school teacher wanting a new and challenging career gets together with a marketing consultant who wants to help women in small-to-medium-sized businesses? The answer is Success Women’s Network. Here is an interview with Cindy Steele the teacher and Natalie Moutia the consultant telling how a dis-organised luncheon led into building a rapidly expanding women’s network that is now helping thousands of women to better their careers.

Cindy: It all started organically. I met Natalie through a networking event in Blacktown. At the time I’d just had a baby and was running a fashion jewellery business. Natalie was co-hosting the After Five event. We hit it off instantly. We got to know each other really well and with her marketing background she helped build my fashion jewellery business. I’m an ex-teacher. I was an assistant principal and didn’t go back to teaching. I wanted a break. Having a newborn baby, I just wanted to have a part-time business with flexibility. And when Natalie helped me with that business, I introduced her to a women’s networking group. However, it later disbanded.

Natalie: yes, it disbanded in November 2007 and we really missed it. It was a great group of ladies. We had co-written a book together and attended networking events. So Cindy and I talked about how great it would be to get all the ladies back together. By chance, we looked through the calendar and it was International Women’s Day in March, so we decided to have an event and to keep it local. We chose Castle Hill Tavern, since we’re both from the Hills area.. We sent out a few emails and 55 ladies showed up for lunch. It was totally disorganised. We weren’t expecting that sort of response. Cindy and I were actually in the kitchen helping serve. But from that lunch the ladies asked if we could do it again in 8 weeks. We then thought there could be something in this because the ladies were asking if we could do one in ryde, Parramatta, Liverpool, and Penrith! So 8 weeks later in May 2008 we officially launched Hills Women’s Network.

Cindy: It was named Hills Women’s Network because the second lunch had a lot of the ladies from Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith.

Entrepreneur Profile

success women’s network: A Win-Win Proposition

By Larry Woldenberg



Natalie: The second lunch had 96 ladies.

Cindy: We didn’t expect that many either. So we were again waitressing. Just like the first luncheon, it was a little bit disorganised. But we made sure there was enough time for networking. We had no guest speaker. It was very casual. It was really after that second lunch that we decided we couldn’t keep volunteering our time, because it wasn’t just the lunch. It was the lead up, all the registrations and everything else, and I was doing all of that manually. So I decided not to continue with the fashion jewellery business, but to instead spend my time and resources organising what eventually became Hills Women’s Network. We developed 5 areas from May to December 2008: Blacktown, Castle Hill, ryde, Hawkesbury, Penrith and Parramatta. The following year we branched out to Five Dock, Northern Beaches, Central Coast and other areas.

DG: Did you run all those communities by yourselves?

Natalie: yes, up until last year. Last year we expanded into North Sydney, eastern Suburbs, St George, Sutherland and Gold Coast as well.

Cindy: That was our first interstate group.

Natalie: So now we’re up to 16 groups and the idea is to go national. Cindy and I have hosted about 90% of the lunches. That’s 3 or 4 lunches a week, so you can eat a lot in our business!

Cindy: That’s why I’ve put on a bit of weight!

Natalie: It is fun. We get to meet lots of lovely women, lots of dynamic business women. We love what we do.

Cindy: you get familiar with both the locals and their local Council.

Natalie: Now we’re absolutely stretched. I think we have 145 events including our business expos. So we’re going to license the business. We want dynamic business women in each area. They might have an existing business and can host lunches or an expo and have their community feel involved.

Cindy: So we’re now four and a half years old and just love what we do. We’ve seen a lot of businesses grow purely from the networking. I know a lot of them have won awards with their businesses, sold their business, and expanded.

DG: So are there any massive changes you’ve made or new concepts you’ve implemented this year?

Natalie: yes, the whole thing has been a massive learning curve.

Cindy: Now we’re called Success Women’s Network. That changed last year because of the interstate group. I guess the first year we were just understanding the network. A lot of

males wanted to come to our events too. So we developed the expos in local areas with the local council, any federal or state members, and local partners. We found that a lot of the local businesses weren’t just restricted to women, so the men could obviously network with the women as well.

Natalie: We’ve made that many mistakes but boy have we learnt in terms of trademarks, domain names, change of business names, branding, etc. We laugh – we could write a book of all our mistakes. The whole thing has been a work in progress; how we improve the lunches, how we improve our website, what else can we do for our members, always adding, coaching, adding value. I don’t think we’ll ever get it totally right.

DG: What are the major lessons you’ve learnt?

Cindy: I think trademarking is a huge learning curve because we have had a number of people try to copy us. We just take that as a compliment. We just say: “How can we improve and get better and better? How can we help the members so it’s a win-win?” If they like our Network they’re going to refer people to it. We want to be the best that we can be to help build and grow their businesses, because we think small-to-medium-sized businesses are the foundation of this economy. We think it’s important that we always look for new ideas. Look how social media has impacted business ten-fold compared to 5 years ago.

Hills Business Expo 2012



Natalie: We’ve also learnt too about the importance of having a mentor and coaching to help keep us on track. How do we keep improving our websites and be on the cutting edge in terms of Qr codes (quick response codes), Search engine Optimisation, etc. We’ve become better at planning, goal setting, budgeting and cash flow.

DG: Do you use a lot of services from your Network?

Cindy: Always.

Natalie: yes. Our dentist is in the Hills and our photographer has done family portraits of both of us.

Our marketing person, web developer, graphic designer, Pr person, health professional, coach, even our mechanic.

Cindy: yes, everything we’ve used is from our network to support them, and likewise they support us. It’s a win-win.

DG: Do you think you’ve improved your lifestyle and wealth? As I understand it, it’s now an independent business, not just a community project.

Cindy: We formed a company in July last year. We got a lot of phone calls from regional Australia — people who heard about us either by using Google or from a referral. Areas like Bathurst and Tamworth. So we know that unless we clone ourselves, we can’t be everywhere. We didn’t want to franchise because we still want the ladies to have their own personality in it. That’s why we went down the licensing track. All the legals are nearly complete and we’re just about to hopefully sign two ladies for licenses in different areas. But in terms of wealth, we continue to reinvest into our business. So I guess for us it’s just being strict with our work and our life balance. On the weekends if somebody calls on our mobiles we won’t answer it unless it’s a personal friend or family. We’ll get back to them on Monday.

Natalie: That’s the reason why we started it. We wanted a business that was flexible would also help women and Success Women’s Network is the perfect answer to that, but the work life balance is important to both of us. We’ve made it a point that our business has to fit in with our lifestyle and not vice versa.

Cindy: Our husbands own their own businesses as well, so we want to support them too.

DG: But what would your message be to people who might become your licensees and members? What would you like to say to them?

Cindy: Always have fun. If you’re not in business enjoying it and you’re not passionate about helping businesses, then you’ve picked the wrong arena.

Natalie: We can provide all the great events. We can put everyone in the room, but it’s up to you to work and be really proactive. I think a lot of businesses need to take more accountability for their own actions. If they’re not getting the results, okay it might not be their fault. But the responsibility does lie with them for the result they’re getting.

Cindy: It’s also about building long term relationships. It’s not just coming to an event and

selling something. Trust is such a huge thing in business and in life. Be like a servant. Help others because if you ‘re doing that then you can see long term.

Natalie: Gone are the days of ‘what’s in it for me’. It’s too much of a small world and everyone talks these days. It has to be a win for you and a win for your customer or client and you have to be able to help somebody else, so it’s definitely that triangle, that win, win, win.

Cindy: Visit the website to see all of our events: successwomensnetwork.com.au and, of course, the Business expos: businessexpos.com.au. And if any ladies are interested in licensing, they can come and chat to us or call us.

Natalie: We help anyone. If someone is looking for work we can help or if they’re looking to start their own business. It’s all about that community feeling, really trying to help each other, get to know everyone, because the more we get to know each other, the more business is done locally. G

The launch of City networking community

SWN 4th birthday and celebrating International Women’s Day in Parramatta

Success Women’s Network International Women’s Day Lunch


www.mygateway.org.au


lOCal GovERNMENT

The Hills Shire Council is set to move from its current location on the corner of Showground and Carrington Roads, Castle Hill, to a new location at 3 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills at the gateway to Norwest Business Park, to ensure continuity of customer service during the construction of The North West Rail.

Full Steam aheadMayor of The Hills Shire, Councillor Greg Burnett, said Council has always been in full support of the North West rail Link and has taken an opportunity to remove itself from the Hills Centre Station construction site.

“This decision reinforces that the North West rail is now full steam ahead,” Mayor Burnett said.

“It is hard to measure the exact impact this ‘nation building’ project will have on the Shire in the short term as the big dig gets underway with heavy machinery creating massive tunnels and laying down tracks, while trucks cart spoil away over extended periods,” he said.

“However what is abundantly clear is that this major project will benefit our region in the long term in ways too numerous to list.” Clearing the WayMayor Burnett said that the State Government’s environmental Impact Statement 1 (eIS1) brought home not only the scope of the project, but also that The Hills Shire Council will be heavily impacted by The North West rail, particularly the construction of the station at the Hills Centre.

“Following the Premier’s announcement at the 2012 Castle Hill Show to locate The Hills Centre Station away from the Showground to the southern end of the site under Council land, it became clear that something had to be done to ensure Council could still fully serve the community throughout the construction phase and beyond,” Mayor Burnett said.

“We have always supported the arrival of the rail, and the State Government’s decision to preserve the future role of the Castle Hill Showground as an important community leisure precinct, and we are now making way for The North West rail to proceed,” he said.

“I’m pleased to announce that Councillors are united in this decision to take the opportunity to relocate our operations,” Mayor Burnett said.

“extensive due diligence has been carried out by valuers and quantity surveyors, and we have complied with the Capital expenditure Guidelines introduced by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. This purchase represents a good business decision for the community.”

“Council is debt-free and will remain debt-free after the purchase,” Mayor Burnett said. Continuing Customer ServiceThe Hills Shire Council’s General Manager, Dave Walker, said an opportunity presented for Council to consider removing itself from the current site in order to facilitate future operations and clear the way for The North West rail.

“Council has been considering a number of alternatives for the future. Contracts have been exchanged on the Columbia Court site in Norwest Business Park that will become the new administrative centre for The Hills Shire,” Mr Walker said.

Mr Walker said that it is proposed that all Council and Operations Centre administration activities will be carried out from the new premises. He said the provision of space for other Council associated activities and some community uses is still being considered, while Council’s Operations Centre workshop activities will temporarily be located to a site in the Gibbon road light industrial precinct near Winston Hills.

“The construction of the North West rail Link will have a major impact on the community,” Mr Walker said.

“The North West rail Link is a big deal – it’s one of the biggest projects we will see. The ‘Totally Home’ centre at Bella Vista has already been impacted and, as outlined in the North West rail’s eIS 1, Council’s Operations Centre and some Council land will be compromised by construction

activity over a prolonged time frame.

“The timing of this decision has coincided with a window of opportunity to purchase premises suitable for Council to conduct business,” Mr Walker said.

“The building represents a significant opportunity for Council and the community to secure a building at the last stages of completion – and this outcome carries significantly less risk than Council purchasing land and constructing a new building,” he said. Moving Time FrameMr Walker said it will take at least 18 months to complete and fit out the premises before relocation can occur.

“This is a business decision that makes good sense for both Council and the community,” he said.

“Council will retain ownership of the current site, and a master plan will determine its future.”

“Over the next few months, Council will be working hard to prepare precinct plans for future development around the Hills Centre Station. This will be an ongoing consultative process with both the State Government and the local community.” G

Council has a range of business information that can assist you with informed decision making. Contact us today for a confidential discussion on 9762 1108 or visit www.investsydneyhills.com.au.

the hills shire Council makes way for the north west Rail

(l-r) Council’s Group Manager – Business Services Stewart Bates, Mayor Greg Burnett,

General Manager Dave Walker and Group Manager – Strategic

Planning Michael Edgar at C3, Council’s new premises in

Columbia Court Norwest.


Council has a range of FREE business information that can answer these questions and more...

Council understands how important home-based businesses are to the local economy, and how good information can lead to more informed decision making.

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And many more people ask: do I need a permit to run my business from home?

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• Are you a local business person?• WhatdoyouthinkarethebenefitsofoperatingabusinessintheSydneyHills?• Which business workshops would assist you and your employees in the future?

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lOCal GovERNMENT

More public sector jobs are in store for the west after NSW Treasurer Mike Baird announced the State Government would enter into pre-commitment leases in Western Sydney.

Mr Baird told Parramatta City Council’s economic Development Forum the State Government was “open to pre-committing as a tenant for new developments.”

The announcement is part of the State Government’s move towards decentralisation, aimed at fuelling local business districts and providing opportunities for increased investment, particularly in office space.

“There’s over 200,000 square metres of office space that can be built in Parramatta over the next 24 months. That is bigger than Barangaroo.”“That is a big opportunity and why shouldn’t government be part of that?”

This policy is set to provide benefits beyond the boundaries of Parramatta. The State Government has their eyes set on greater Western Sydney, citing Penrith, Bankstown and Liverpool as

places of particular interest.

Tenant pre-commitment is required by developers to secure the finance needed for major projects. Government agencies are often the anchor tenants on new developments.

Along with stimulating development, decentralisation will play an important role in addressing the jobs deficit in the west, actively creating more government jobs in places that will experience considerable population growth.

In Sydney today, there is a serious imbalance between where people live and where the jobs are located.

Parramatta City Council has taken steps to address this worrying deficit. Parramatta 10,000 is an ambitious campaign by Council which aims to highlight the need for targeted job creation strategies outside the CBD, and the need for an extra 10,000 jobs to be located in Parramatta in the next 5 years.

The Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr Lorraine Wearne, said relocating public sector jobs to the west is a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal.

“We are not expecting the government to give us all 10,000 jobs. We recognise business has an important role to play as well. We will be running a business attraction program to encourage businesses and investors to come to Parramatta,” Cr Wearne said. G

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird at Parramatta City

Council’s second Economic Development Forum

state government has eyes set on western sydney


lOCal GovERNMENT

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for Western Sydney commuters with a feasibility study into the Western Sydney Light Rail Network commencing this month, funded by Parramatta City Council.

Council has committed up to $1m towards project with the successful tender expected to be selected by Council in July.

The Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr Lorraine Wearne, said that the proposed light rail network will provide the improvements to public transport connectivity and capacity the people of Western Sydney need.

“There’s always plenty of talk about transport matters – whether it’s the congestion on Parramatta or Victoria roads – or lack of efficiency and service – on our public transport networks, but unfortunately there’s not enough action,” Cr Wearne said.

“We want to change this. This is a project that Council believes in and we feel will go a long way towards relieving congestion, providing strong regional connections across Western Sydney

and will also integrate with existing transport infrastructure such as heavy rail.”

“We’ve made a commitment to get this proposal up and running, and we’ll be calling on our Federal and State leaders to also get behind it and help provide solutions and the funds that will support the future growth of our City and our region,” Cr Wearne said.

The proposal has received widespread support, most notably from Federal Infrastructure and Transport, Transport for NSW, Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority, Infrastructure NSW, City of Sydney, The University of Western Sydney, along with WSrOC, neighbouring councils and State and Federal politicians.

The light rail network would improve access to employment in the Parramatta city centre, Westmead and Macquarie Park and have links to Macquarie University and the University of Western Sydney.

regional connections across Western Sydney will also be improved, including links to Castle Hill, Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Sydney Olympic Park.

The Western Sydney Light rail is planned to be segregated from the existing road and train networks, with virtually no sharing of road space. It is designed to work in partnership with the Western Sydney regional ring road, a series of upgrades along the M4, James ruse Drive and Cumberland Highway. G

For more information please contact Solaire eggert, Manager economic Development.

Parramatta City Councilp | 02 9806 5730e | [email protected]

Light Rail gets go ahead


POlITICal AGENDA

The Hon. Charlie Lynn - Member of the Legislative Council

“Our job is to keep the bastards honest” opined Senator Don Chipp as he sought relevance for his now extinct Australian Democrats in the 1970s. His mantra reverberated throughout voter-land and his small band of political misfits was vested with enormous power through their controlling influence in the Senate.

Over the years Australian voters have always hedged their political bets. Some vote for one of the major parties in the House of representatives and opt for the other side in the Senate. Those who can’t bring themselves to vote for the ‘other side’ usually park their votes with a minor party such as the Democratic Labor Party, Australia Party, Australian Democrats, One Nation, the Greens and the odd independent. State politics reflected the trend and NSW spawned parties such as ‘A Better Future for our Children’, ‘reform the Legal System’, ‘Outdoor recreation’, ‘One Nation’, ‘Unity’, ‘Australian Democrats’, ‘Christian Democrats’, ‘Shooters’ and the ‘Greens’.

Most end up as political shooting stars but whilst they occupy the leather benches they have to give the appearance of delivering for constituencies they purport to represent. This is facilitated by the predilection of voters wanting to hedge their political bets and ‘keep the bastards honest’. It also ensures that neither of the major parties will ever win a majority of seats in the Upper House.

Once elected minor parties coalesce into ideological groupings within an informal ‘crossbench faction’ to negotiate their demands.

The Greens entered Parliament in 1995 with a strong commitment to environmentalism however they were later hijacked by the extreme left of the urban elite after Lee rhiannon, a former Communist, was elected. Urban Greens soon became an embarrassment to the Labor Government but had to be tolerated because they had them by the roozendaals.

The Christian Democrats and Shooters represent conservative constituencies and generally

support the Government of the day on the proviso their views are reflected in the legislative process.

Satisfying the demands of two ideologically opposed minor parties such as these was a political high-wire act that could not be sustained.

After the election of the O’Farrell Coalition Government the Greens were sidelined and the balance of power in the Upper House shifted to the Shooters and Christian Democrats. One political wag referred to them as a “Guns ‘n Moses” coalition.

A major point of difference between the Greens and Shooters was their opposing views on National Parks. The Greens were ruthless in their pursuit of closing down the timber industry and locking up the state. The record shows they were enormously successful. There are now 799 National Parks which represent 10 per cent of the NSW estate and six Marine Parks covering almost half-a-million hectares. The resulting decline in our timber and fisheries industries are dying country towns, more dole recipients and increasing imports of fish and timber.

Labor eventually had too many competing interests sucking on their public teat and our resources were drained trying to satisfy them all. NSW now has to live with the consequences as Barry O’Farrell’s Government tries to rebuild from a negative base. One observer remarked that Labor not only trashed the house during their time in Government but stole the silver on the way out.

Labor’s Tripodi’s, Obeid’s and McDonald’s were so on the nose at the last election the Greens were able to secure an extra seat in the Upper

House at their expense. The irony didn’t go unnoticed by old-guard Labor members who now face a long political winter as they strive to recover their traditional voter base.

In the meantime the Greens have been consigned to irrelevance in the Upper House and are now reminiscent of John Williamson’s Old Man emu - “they squeak and squawk and try to talk but we and them’s like cheese and chalk!”.

The Shooters and Christian Democrats have emerged as a ‘Guns ‘n Moses’ coalition and

adopted the art of ‘ransom politics’ perfected by the Greens over their years of relevance. The Shooters demand for allowing Premier Barry O’Farrell to rebuild NSW with the $3 billion sale of electricity generators was access to 79 National Parks to hunt feral animals.

This seems a small price to pay in view of the fact that National Parks do not have the resources to prevent noxious weeds or feral animals from encroaching on rural properties.

Only the urban elite, whose experience in this regard relates to clover and stray cats, would object. For the remaining 99 per cent it is a win-win for Guns, Moses, and the Premier State. G

For more topics and to contact Charlie Lynn, please visit www.charlielynn.com.au/blog.

guns, moses, and Ransom Politics in nsw

The Shooters and Christian Democrats have emerged as a ‘Guns

‘n Moses’ coalition and adopted the art of ‘ransom politics’

perfected by the Greens over their years of relevance. The

Shooters demand for allowing Premier Barry O’Farrell to rebuild

NSW with the $3 billion sale of electricity generators was access to

79 National Parks to hunt feral animals.


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Friend ly locals, stunning beauty, over seventy different experiences, living culture and history, tasty local food, the World of Norfolk has it all! Swim or snorkel in the safe lagoons of Emily and Slaughter bays. For the adventurous visitors check out the deep sea fishing or take a boat trip to trek the outer Phillip Island. Spoil yourself and relax with a pamper massage, beauty treatment or a spiritual yoga class

Remember a time when the pace of life was measured, and there was time to give a smile and a wave to those you passed? And remember when you didn’t have to lock your house or your car and you didn’t have to pay to park it? Remember when the fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables burst with flavour and you could pick some of it as you walked down the road?

You might also imagine a place where beaches are uncrowded and the water crystal clear. And where coral lagoons shared the same space as some of the world’s best restored and World Heritage listed buildings, many of which are still in use today. Can you imagine a place where the beach was only minutes away from cliff top walks through natural rainforest, or from world class massage and other well being services?

Well, that is what you will find on Norfolk Island – a way of life now lost to most of the western world, and a world of wonderful experiences. And if that sounds all right, then keep in mind that this is one of the truly beautiful places on our planet. The soaring pines, lush rainforest, surprising coves and bays, towering cliffs and off-shore islets create a feast for the eyes.

All of this and more will be yours to savour when you holiday on Norfolk Island, staying at one of HIBISCUS Resort & Motels’ four central locations. Whether you’re visiting alone or with family and friends, HIBISCUS offers modern one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at four different locations (Aloha, Crown, Regal and Tudor). With free airport transfers and a half-day Island tour operated by BAUNTI ESCAPES provided free of charge, HIBISCUS is perfect for the first time visitor to the Island or a regular holiday-maker.

BAUNTI ESCAPES, Norfolk’s boutique tour company will bring you the very best of the island’s many tours and experiences, and will immerse you in the culture, history, nature, and lifestyle. You can enjoy and learn about Norfolk Island on a guided bus tour, or from the comfort of your hire car using our Do-It-Yourself tours, and at a time that best suits you.

Imagine a holiday in a place with a way of life that the rest of the world can only dream of. Norfolk Island is that place. C ome and enjoy it al l soon!

There’s More to Norfolk Island...


BuSINESS ADvICE

When you first established your own business there was a certain level of excitement of building a business you could be proud of. Being your own boss gave you that sense of freedom and flexibility that you always wanted and no longer were you accountable to anyone except for yourself.

In the beginning you were probably doing every job from answering the phone, ordering the stationery, taking orders, paying the bills and managing the accounts. As the business grew you were able to employ staff to do those tasks as you became too busy.

However, even though these resources are in place to free you up, we often find that the “boss” is often spending too much time on the day to day operations of the business and not being strategic in their thinking.

So what is “Strategic Thinking”? Strategic Thinking is a way of understanding the primary drivers of a business and challenging the conventional thinking about them. It focuses on exploring and developing the opportunities that may exist for a business and then discussing and challenging these thoughts through open discussion among people who have a direct impact on a company’s direction.

For many business owners “being strategic” or thinking strategically is difficult to do. We often find that leaders deal with what is important at the time, the task that is directly in front of them because they see it as being more urgent. Unfortunately, doing this all the time can put your company at risk. While you concentrate on the “important” tasks, you could miss out on opportunities and possibly miss the signals that lead the business into trouble.

Being the strategic leader of your business is a tough job and not one that can be easily taught. It’s hard to be a strategic leader if you don’t know what strategic leaders are supposed to do. But those companies that have a “strategic leader” in place are often more successful at executing their vision.

After two decades of advising organisations large

and small, Paul J H Schoemaker* has formed a clear idea of what’s required of a Strategic Leader. From his research, strategic leaders who thrive in today’s uncertain environment do six things well:

1. They Anticipate what is ahead2. They Think Critically 3. They Interpret information that is available before developing a viewpoint 4. They Decide by developing processes to arrive at a “good enough” position5. They Align key stakeholders6. They Learn from their success and failures.

Strategic Planning Strategic Thinking is the input to Strategic Planning as it challenges thinking and uncovers opportunities so that when a plan is created for a business it targets those opportunities.

When thinking strategically about your business you should consider and question the following:

• Vision/Mission – What does the business want to be? What is the business’ purpose? Why do we exist and how are we going to achieve our vision? • Capability – What are the internal strengths and weaknesses of the business? What are the external opportunities and threats of the business? What are the implications of these to the business? • Products and Services – What products and/or services does the business provide? Are these products and/or services aligned with the vision of the business? What differentiates you from your competitors?• Customers – Who is the target market for your products and/or services? What are their needs today and is that likely to change in the future? • Suppliers – Which suppliers do you need to work with? Do your suppliers determine the products/services you offer? How reliant is the business on its major suppliers? • Industry and Economic Environment – What market do you operate in and what is the current state of that market? Is there likely to be change in the future? Where is the industry headed and how are you positioned? Will you be negatively or positively affected by economic or regulatory change? • Competition – What is the state of competition in the market/industry you operate in? Can the market you operate in sustain the current level

of competition? Are there any threats from other domestic or international businesses entering into your business? What are their strengths and how do they differ from you?

Once these areas have been analysed and a strategy has been developed for the business, it is important to have a process of understanding its effect. Some of the areas to consider are:

• Doesthestrategyfitinwiththebusiness mission, vision, values and culture?• Doesthestrategyhaveclearexpected outcomes in line with business goals?• Doesthestrategyengageandmotivateyour staff? • Canthestrategybeimplementedeffectively?• Isthestrategyabletobealteredandadjusted quickly if needed?

If the strategies developed do not tick these boxes then you should re-consider your strategy.Strategic Thinking can be daunting and no one is born an expert in all these different skills. But they can be taught and whatever gaps exist in your skill set can be filled in. G

Skeggs Goldstien located in Norwest Business Park and Chatswood is a financial services business specialising in growth, succession and transition planning for small to medium sized business. If you want more information on developing your Strategic Thinking contact Skeggs Goldstien for an appointment.

* Paul J H Schoemaker - founder and chairman of Decision

Strategies International

Skeggs goldstien associates

p | 1300 753 447e | [email protected] | www.sgapl.com.au

thinking strategic

Darryn Fellowes, Wealth Adviser - Skeggs Goldstien

skeggsgolds ien



In the current economic climate and with a decrease in consumer confidence, managing your cash flow will be increasingly important in the coming year according to Stephen Long, National Australia Bank (NAB) Regional Business Executive for Sydney North West, nabBusiness NSW/ACT.

There’s no doubt that life as a small business owner is challenging. Confidence levels have fallen, profitability has been stretched and cashflow remains a key concern.

Our latest SMe Survey for the March quarter found that cashflow remains one of the biggest concerns for many businesses. Confidence is also another key constraint impacting SMes’ ability to make longer-term decisions.

Despite challenging conditions there is, however, a remarkable resilience amongst SMe business people and whilst many of them are currently being fairly conservative in how they run their businesses, they do remain focussed on the longer term.

There is no doubt that in challenging conditions cashflow is paramount. Having a healthy cash flow enables a business to cover everyday and unexpected costs, ride out fluctuating economic conditions and plan for growth.

every business has unique challenges so it’s vital that businesses never overlook the basics and ensure that cash flow is the cornerstone of their business.

With this in mind there are some basic steps businesses can take now to ensure their cash flow is managed efficiently to allow their businesses to grow.

Top tips for businesses to help avoid debt problems in the first place and to collect debt more efficiently:

1. accurate record-keepingCentral to any success is a robust Profit and Loss (P&L) and cash flow analysis to reveal your business’ true position at month end. This will

help you understand your current debt position and associated obligations and determine the current profitability of your business.

2. develop and implement solid collection plans Develop an action plan for overdue invoices. Try to understand your customer’s situation and carefully balance the need to receive payment with your relationship with your customer.

each additional day it takes a business to receive payment has a measurable financial impact. While we have seen a marginal improvement in payment days (an improvement of 3.3 days compared to the March quarter last year), developing and implementing a debtor collection plan is important.

3. Train staff to collect payments on timeTrain and reward your staff for boosting sales and collecting payments on time. Sales and collections need to work together with clarity over responsibilities.

4. understand and negotiate invoice terms now prior to the holiday seasonexplore options such as offering a discount to your suppliers for early payments. Making the same offer to customers who owe you payments may also help you receive your funds quicker.

5. Offering easy payment options for customers Give your customers a variety of simple payment methods to make it easy for them to pay on time. Offering a choice of payment options, whether they be eFTPOS, BPAy®, over the telephone or the ability for your customers to make payments to you online, may help you collect funds faster.

These are all good ways of ensuring your customers pay their invoices on time, and your cash flow is properly managed. The golden rule is - the quicker you manage your debtors the more likely it is that you will receive prompt payment.

Business owners who need extra help to get them through those debtor days should speak to their business banker about invoice financing options, which provide them with an agreed percentage of the value of an invoice immediately.

But the most important thing to remember is that the more disciplined a business is in collecting debts, the more likely they are to be paid on time, helping to lower costs and maximise cash flow. G

NAB has more than 5,300 business and specialist bankers across 215 centres working with local businesses around Australia. For information about your local Business Banking Centre, visit www.nab.com.au/business.

For more information contact Stephen Long on

p | 02 8831 9336e | [email protected] | www.nab.com.au/business

BuSINESS ADvICE

keep the Cash Flowing

Our latest SME Survey for the March quarter found

that cashflow remains one of the biggest concerns

for many businesses. Confidence is also another key

constraint impacting SME’s ability to make

longer-term decisions.

Stephen Long, Regional Business Executive - nabBusiness NSW/ACT


©2012 National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937

We do. Your NAB Norwest and Parramatta Business Banking Teams.When you’re running a local business it’s imperative to have a banker that really knows where you’re coming from. In Norwest and Parramatta, nobody understands local business like your NAB Business Bankers. Give us a call – we’re here to help you make the most of every opportunity.

Chris De Jesus 0409 030 662 and Keith Robinson 0400 348 200

Who supports local business?

We see Australian business.


Whether it be a flat white, macchiato, espresso or cappuccino, a shot of coffee is a very popular wake-me-up in the business sector.

The caffeine in coffee subdues the brain’s calming neurotransmitter and increases dopamine and adrenaline levels to make our brains feel more active and alert.

An active and alert brain is considered to be of importance for performance within the workplace – helping you to make clear decisions and to focus for more accurate and efficient work.

Keeping your brain active and stimulated has been shown to be of vital importance to the long term health of your brain and besides the buzz you may get from your favourite brew, one of the best ways to stimulate your brain is to engage in learning activities. Opportunities for learning can occur in many settings and a wealth of training is now available which can fit into your lifestyle. As well as stimulating your brain, a quick, well targeted training course can also do wonders to your career, according to Western Sydney Institute (WSI) Business Manager, Lynette eyles.

“We offer a number of short courses specifically designed to give you relevant and practical skills which will stimulate your brain and your career,” Lynette said.

“For example, we run a short course about using Facebook for your business. Participants find that this stimulating three hour workshop provides relevant knowledge for implementing a social media strategy, and taking advantage of the free social media networks out there. There are many other such courses which can provide quick skills to boost your business and keep you up to date and stimulated by current business trends.”

Another business trend which can provide a career boost and save your business money is in the field of information technology sustainability.

“Although IT within a business will only be responsible for around 2 percent of the organisation’s energy use, IT staff can be great

enablers in terms of reducing the organisation’s overall energy costs, for example by implementing video conferencing,” Lynette said.

“Implementing sustainable practices is great for the reputation of a business. It is therefore in the interests of businesses to have staff trained in sustainability principles, and courses such as these are also a great boost for the careers of individuals, giving them a specialist niche.”

WSI’s short courses, known as WSI Plus, can also be adapted to fit the needs of businesses, and a number of courses are available to meet regulatory compliances.

While many people choose to do a WSI Plus course to quickly gain that professional specialist niche or to fulfil a requirement within their business, many other participants choose their course to get a taste for a different career direction or to turn their hobby into a vocation.

Karen Bacic turned her love for dogs – and her desire to fit her work around her family – into a vocation after completing a WSI Plus Dog Grooming course. Armed with a home business idea for an appointment-only dog grooming service in her area, Karen completed her course at richmond College, and then opened up her business, K9’s On Kensington.

“The course I did was a fantastic way of building confidence and learning new skills. Being surrounded by like-minded people was wonderful, and the tips and tricks and advice were excellent. Putting those ideas into play when I left the course gave me a sense of great achievement.”

Just like Karen, who developed her personal interest into a satisfying vocation, there are many others pursuing their hobbies. With the growing trend towards encore careers, that is, careers which commence in the second half of life with a greater emphasis upon meaning and social impact, short courses are proving themselves to have an important place in the realm of lifelong learning, according to Lynette eyles.

“your vocation can be such an integral part of your identity, but for many people who have worked in one career all their lives there are dreams of pursuing other interests. There are such a diverse range of things that people can learn, and WSI Plus courses are an ideal way for them to do it.

“Learning is great for your brain health, so if you have always dreamed of snapping photos like a pro or creating bridal flowers, maintaining your own car, or gaining that niche in your vocation, I encourage you to take it further with a short course.

“And if you are still looking for a true caffeine hit, then there is always a barista short course so that you can make sure you get the most from your brew.” G

To discuss how you can pursue your professional, business or personal interests with a WSI Plus course, call Jan on 9208 9261.

BuSINESS ADvICE

stimulate your Career with a short Course

Keeping your brain active and stimulated has been

shown to be of vital importance to the long term health

of your brain and besides the buzz you may get from your

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BuSINESS ADvICE

Many small to medium businesses (SMEs) consider they are largely unaffected by the introduction of the Fair Work Act in 2009 but is this really the case?

Businesses must understand that the Act may be new and complex but compliance is not an option - it is the law. every day businesses are fined thousands of dollars and pay thousands more in back pay to their employees because they failed to comply with the requirements of the new modern Awards.

This article highlights some of the more critical changes impacting SMes. The comments attempt to explain the law in plain english and are not meant to be a substitute for reading the Fair Work Act and/or accessing independent advice.

employment legislation has undergone revolutionary changes over the last 10 years with the major changes being:

i) Federal Industrial Coverage ii) National employment Standards iii) Modern Awards iv) Unfair Dismissal v) Fair Work Ombudsman

Federal Industrial CoverageIn 2006 the Federal Government took the bold step of basing its industrial relations legislation on the corporation’s power of the Australian Constitution rather than the industrial relations power. effectively this meant that if you were a company the Federal parliament could now pass laws regulating the terms upon which you employed your workers. The legislation is now known as the Fair Work Act.

Previous State laws and Awards applying to corporations were now ineffective and had to be carried over into the Federal jurisdiction and given effect by what were referred to as Notional Agreements Preserving State Awards (or NAPSAs).

The States (except WA) completed this Federal takeover of industrial relations by referring all of their industrial powers to the Federal parliament effective from 1 February 2011. The States

retained power only over their own and local government employees.

National Employment Standards (NES)The Fair Work Act introduced 10 standards called the National employment Standards. They apply to all workers irrespective of salary and terms of employment.

The more prominent NeS cover Hours of Work, Parental Leave, Annual Leave, Personal/Carer’s Leave, Public Holidays, Termination of employment and redundancy.

Corporations, partnerships, sole traders, etc. employing staff must provide conditions which are no less than those contained in the NeS. Breaching the standards can subject you to fines and recovery action normally taken of behalf of the employee by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Modern awardsModern Awards took effect from 1 January 2010 and replace all State Awards and existing Federal Awards.

Modern Awards are either Industry based (i.e. Manufacturing, Black Coal Mining) or occupation based (Clerks, Architects). Most employees other than senior managers are likely to be covered by an Award.

The Awards provide minimum wages and conditions for employees and any contract or agreement must provide terms which are equal to or better than the relevant Award. If the employee is not better off, the employer is not compliant with the Fair Work Act.

It is critical for businesses to identify what award applies to their employees and determine if they are complying with the terms of the award.

unfair dismissalemployees with 12 months or more service, (if the business employs less than 15 employees) or 6 months service, (if the business employs 15 or more employees) can apply to Fair Work Australia if they consider they have been unfairly dismissed.

If the Fair Work Tribunal finds that the employee has been unfairly dismissed it can order reinstatement with no loss of pay or compensation of up to 26

weeks pay if it considers that reinstatement is not appropriate.

Businesses must ensure they follow a fair process in disciplining and terminating their employees otherwise they can find themselves before the Fair Work Tribunal being ordered to reinstate the employee and/or pay them compensation.

Business need to be aware that Unfair Dismissal provisions of the Fair Work Act apply to all employees irrespective of the size of the business (subject to exceptions identified in the Act which include earning an annual salary of more than $118,100, or being employed as an irregular casual, or employed on a fixed term contract).

Fair Work OmbudsmanThe Fair Work Ombudsman investigates allegations from employees that an employer has failed to honor its obligations under an Award, or Industrial Agreement or the NeS.

Fair Work Inspectors have extensive powers to obtain records as part of their investigations and significant fines are imposed on employers who fail to meet their obligations. G

The Hr Department has extensive experience in dealing with employment legislation and advising businesses on what they need to do to meet their legislative obligations.

If you want to confirm that you are compliant with Fair Work legislation contact the team at The Hr Department.

The Hr departmentSuite 515, 2-8 Brookhollow AveBaulkham Hills NSW 2153

e | [email protected] | www.theHrdepartment.com.au

am i Complying with my obligations under the Fair work act?Andrew de Wynter, Senior Consultant - The HR Department


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INVESTMENT ADvICE

Picture this... when you were 18 years old your well-meaning but financially inept uncle put $1,000 into an ordinary bank account for you instructing you to leave it there and let the bank’s interest turn it into a fortune to fund your early retirement. You followed his directions only to discover that when you reached 55 the balance of your “fortune” was just $2,094.64! What went wrong?

Well, to put it frankly, you didn’t give it any attention! And this is a classic mistake that many Australians make when it comes to their investments and their superannuation. Here are some questions to ask yourself, then come and talk to us: How long has it been since you reviewed your superannuation to see if it’s on track to meet your retirement needs, regardless of whether your retirement date is two years away or twenty? As your personal circumstances change, so should your strategy to ensure you are accumulating a nest egg for retirement in a tax efficient manner. Having a regular review will ensure you achieve the best possible outcomes given the market conditions. do you know where your super is invested? Have you ever made any changes to suit your own circumstances? If you’ve never made a change, chances are that you’re still invested in your company’s default fund investment option, which may not be appropriate to your needs. Many people don’t realise that the default ‘balanced’ investment option for many super funds means 70% of the fund is invested into the share market. The following example explains; Brian (53) and Ingrid (23) work for an employer that pays their super contributions into the company’s preferred fund, which has a default investment option of cash. This suits Brian as he doesn’t like risk and plans to retire in two years. However, it does not suit Ingrid, who is unlikely to retire for a further 40 years and is willing to accept short-term volatility to achieve higher returns in the long term. are you making personal contributions to super? Making ‘salary sacrifice’ or non-concessional contributions to superannuation

is one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost your retirement savings. you may also earn additional tax benefits or government co-contributions. On the other hand, if you are making regular contributions, are you certain that you’re staying within the set limits and won’t be penalised for contributing too much? Have you got more than one super fund? If you do, then your retirement savings can be eroded unnecessarily by paying multiple management fees. For the best efficiency you may want to roll over all your superannuation into a single fund and use an investment strategy tailored to your personal situation.

Have you got assets that would be better off being owned by your super fund? Assets like commercial property or shares may qualify to be transferred into superannuation as an ‘in specie transfer’ reducing personal taxation and also allowing these assets to qualify for a reduction or even exemption from capital gains tax. Who will receive your super when you die? Have you nominated a beneficiary on your account, or want to make a change to your existing beneficiaries? Binding nominations are valid for only three years. Is yours still current? does your super fund provide any insurance cover? If it does, remember to check the level for which you are covered. you may find that your existing cover is now inadequate and it’s time for a top-up. are you considering a self managed super fund? Self managed super is a powerful structure but only when it’s implemented correctly. Without the correct investment strategy, structure and proactive management of your fund, you can get a worse outcome than leaving your savings in a managed fund. The compliance requirements of a SMSF can be onerous and failure to comply can result in significant penalties.

are you 55 or over and ready to use transition to retirement? From age 55, you may be able to start drawing a pension from your super fund while salary sacrificing more of your salary as super contributions. This provides an immediate benefit of significantly reducing your personal taxation. Aside from your own personal circumstances shifting, the rules relating to superannuation are always changing, so it pays to review your super every year. you don’t want to reach that long-awaited retirement date to find you don’t have as much as you had “hoped”. G

Fusion Private Wealth located in Norwest Business Park is a boutique financial services business specialising in Self Managed Superannuation and holistic financial advice. Our integrated services including wealth advising, accounting and business strategy are designed to help business owners and time poor professionals achieve significantly better financial outcomes. For more information or to arrange an appointment, please contact us.

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is it time to Review your superannuation?

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How long has it been since you reviewed your superannuation to see if it’s on track to meet your

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BuSINESS ADvICE

From time-to-time executives have to make decisions using ‘gut-feel’. But it’s best to avoid making too many of these. An executive’s ability to make better decisions relies on how well a problem has been modelled and analysed. Failure to apply appropriate, often advanced analytical methods will limit decision making resulting in riskier outcomes.

By way of an example consider an organisation’s customer service process which is experiencing a high number of customer complaints regarding queue length and waiting time. One resource is employed who works 40 hours per week. Using traditional modelling techniques the manager maps the process as follows:

Data for this process is gathered over a number of weeks resulting in the following:

Customer Service Process Data

Customer arrivals

Average Number of Customers 40

Average Time Between the Arrivals 1 hour

Customer Service Process

Average Resource Utilisation 100%

Average Customer Service Time 1 hour

Customers Exiting


Average Cycle Time 1 hour

Analysis indicates customers on average should not be experiencing queues. This is because the time between new customer arrivals is one hour during which time the previous customer has been serviced. recognising the model does not adequately capture the problem the manager seeks further advice.

The manager was advised that the model was inadequate because the average customer arrival and service times did not account for variability. Also, the model did not make use of Queuing Theory to understand queue dynamics. Taking this advice into consideration the manager maps the process as follows:

Subsequent results provide insight not intuitively obvious. To make matters worse these figures are those experienced on average. Only 20 percent of customers experienced a wait of less than one hour. One customer experienced a wait of 11.2 hours! Similarly only 17 percent of customers arrived to an empty queue with 68 percent experiencing more than three in the queue. Three customers experienced a queue of 13 customers!

These advanced analytical results provide the manager with better information with which to make a decision. Since this is a simple model the manager can increase the number of resources which has to be balanced against the increased cost else model variability needs to be reduced.

Customer Service Process Data

Customer arrivals


Average Time Between the Arrivals 0.8 hours

Customer Queue

Average Queue Length 5.5 customers

Average Queue Wait 4.3 hours

Customer Service Process

Average Resource Utilisation 80%

Average Customer Service Time 0.9 hours

Customers Exiting


Average Cycle Time 5.1 hours

Signs that your organisation could benefit from advanced analytical methods include:Management isn’t sure what the main problem is: Managers know they face problems but find it difficult to determine exactly the nature of the problem or which areas should be prioritised. pminsight can help locate problems using ‘The Australian Business excellence Framework’.Management face complex decisions: Management is faced with many decision factors and don’t know how these factors interact or their affect on the problem. pminsight can help with problem structuring, simulation, optimisation and statistics.Management is uncertain about potential outcomes: Managers face uncertainty about the operating environment and what could happen as a consequence of various decisions. pminsight can model various scenarios, undertake ‘what-if’ analysis and determine an optimal solution.Organisation is experiencing process problems: One or more processes are broken else need to perform better. Many small, day-to-day decisions are not being made well, which is impacting the bottom line. pminsight can improve these processes and their outcomes.Organisation needs to beat the competition: Competitors are employing advanced analytical methods to gain a competitive advantage. pminsight can help your organisation stay on top with the latest methods and open up important new sources of advantage. G

To solve your most challenging operational problems pminsight has an introductory offer whereby every order placed during the month of July will receive entry for an ultimate 2 Night escape package at Jonah’s restaurant, Whale Beach.

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p | 02 8850 3994 e | [email protected] w | www.pminsight.com.au

the secret of Better decision making in a Complex world Ian Tierney, Principal – pminsight

CustomerArrivals

cuStomErSErvIcE procESS

CustomersExiting

CustomerArrivals

cuStomErSErvIcE procESS

CustomersExiting

CustomerQueue


BuSINESS ADvICE

Due to the recent advances in technology, the cycle of most operations within a business has been reduced from the several weeks to a mere couple of hours. Companies no longer have to face geographical limitations.

To be able to remain competitive in the market today, it is crucial that every company should carefully consider every method that is used in their business. Business proprietors should always consider how they can create better value for clients rather than only concentrating on individual processes.

A high percentage of successful companies today utilise effective outsourcing strategies. Such strategies have saved companies time in addition to saving on costs in dealing with operations in-house. As a result, companies can focus more on investing in business development in order to become more competent in the market.

Companies of various dimensions find that outsourcing bookkeeping has made them become more productive. This strategy helps companies save money on payroll, reduce overhead costs and save time. Company proprietors know this well enough - significant amounts of effort are required controlling accounting officers and bookkeepers, in addition to the time spent on employee management and training. For effective business development, it is absolutely crucial that business proprietors carry out the tasks by which the company prospers, such as dealing with the clients, finding new business opportunities as well as planning the marketing and advertising. your time and effort ought to be put into business development and concentrating on increasing the expertise of the organisation rather than fixing up accounting paper work and shuffling documents and statements.

The rapid advancement of information technologies has additionally assisted in the development and growth of the accounting and bookkeeping outsourcing practices.

Practices invest significant time and effort into ensuring they are highly productive and efficient. Besides completing the bulk work required for

effective tax return outcomes, firms need to keep up to date with ATO regulations and compliance issues such as BAS requirements, as well as develop specialised skills and train people. This gives practices the ability to effectively compete in the market.

It is very understandable why outsourcing has been accepted by big and small companies worldwide. No doubt, it is because of the large reduction in costs associated with the companies’ finance activities.

There are numerous accounting and bookkeeping services around the world that businesses can turn to. The range of services provided is broad and there are outsourced services likely to be able to satisfy the unique needs of your business no matter your business type or size

Firms that provide a great service learn that it is crucial to have advanced technology, rationalised business processes and highly trained employees who have extensive knowledge in accounting and bookkeeping activities for various fields. The majority of outsourced accounting firms and bookkeepers are highly knowledgeable in the core processes behind accounting and therefore are up-to-date with industry trends.

By outsourcing the accounting and bookkeeping activities for your business you are able to avoid the headaches business owners can experience with hiring and retaining employees for such activities. It is also quite difficult nowadays to get good bookkeepers with an understanding of specific software used in finance operations. Additionally, it is costly to manage and retain

such employees. By outsourcing, you don’t have to worry about these issues. you simply pay for the job done. That’s it.

Virtual services and new technologies have assisted companies, whether large or small, to be able to setup their own accounting and bookkeeping procedures in virtually any place in the world and to meet the specific requirements of the business. Outsourcing accounting has been shown to be fast, effective and to carry a low cost of management.

If you are spending much of your time taking care of paperwork, maybe it‘s time to think about outsourcing strategies. G

Super Smart Plans Financial & accountingLevel 4, Suite 888311 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000

p | 02 8093 1683/85 (Head Office)

Norwest Business Park CentreA15/24-32 Lexington DriveBella Vista, NSW, 2153

p | 02 9672 6279e | [email protected] | www.supersmartplans.com.au

outsourcing Bookkeeping service, why so?Ruchaya Rayya Nillakan - Tax Accountants & SMSF Auditors

A high percentage of successful companies today utilise effective outsourcing strategies. Such strategies have saved companies time in addition

to saving on costs in dealing with operations in-house. As a result, companies can focus more

on investing in business development in order to become more competent in the market.


BuSINESS ADvICEMarkET PlaCE

• The Watch – here a whole world can be opened up for the giver! Sports style watch is the most popular gift. Men these days tend to have many watches to suit all the different requirements in their life. However, every man must have or wants a dress watch, one he is proud to wear, and one that says who he really is! Gold is mostly worn for formal and a black face is most popular. Stainless steel has certainly come into its own. Start with a good brand name – men are far more brand conscious than they admit to! Analog (the more traditional style with hands on the face) is by far the more popular now whereas as a few years ago the digital reigned.

• The Wedding Ring – this can be the most important jewellery gift a man ever receives! Much more than a gift, it symbolises all your love and future together. Platinum two-tone is extremely popular and often an inlaid stone set with a beautiful diamond. A bit of advice here, men are generally very hard on their wedding rings, as they are rarely taken off, so choose carefully the design: robust and not too complicated. If your man must take his ring off for business (eg. builders) purchase a beautiful matching chain through which he can thread his wedding ring when not on his finger.

• Men’s Chains – simple or elaborate, depending on the personality of the receiver. Traditionally made from gold, now often fashioned from titanium or tungsten. ensure the clasp is strong, as these chains are generally much heavier. There is a chain for every man, and every man should have a beautiful chain.

• Men’s Pendants – always a popular gift and dating back to earlier times when crosses were worn for religious significance. Today, crosses are still one of the most sought after types of pendants for men. Other than crosses, pendants fashioned as good luck symbols or star signs and out of stainless steel or white gold are most popular.

• Cufflinks – a great gift for any occasion. Suits all budgets and it’s a gift that will last a lifetime. Nothing smarter than a man wearing cufflinks/ cuffs buttoned – it screams style! Modern trends are gold, titanium and stainless steel and stone set with a diamond or another precious stone.

Stone set cufflinks add that touch of class. Designs should be simple, easier to wear.

• Men’s Earrings – the stigma of men wearing jewellery has finally worn off and is now more common. Age is no barrier – it’s a fashion for all ages. As with most items in men’s jewellery, earrings are now made from the more durable materials such as titanium, but classic gold is still popular and timeless with the diamond stud the most popular of all.

• Men’s Bracelets – often a gift of a ring is a bit too personal or one does not want to indicate a level of commitment. Strength is again an important factor – titanium and tungsten the most popular with inlays of leather, or either/or pink, white or yellow gold. They range from very plain to quite ornate. This is the most bought gift by men for themselves, other than a watch.

• Promise Rings – a commitment to marry. Dating back to the sixteenth century, given in situations where the groom could not afford to get married so he would give a promise ring. These days they are seen as a pre-engagement ring and have become very popular. These are worn on the right hand and then changed to the left as relationships grow to a deeper level of commitment.

• Engagement Rings – relatively new concept but gaining popularity fast. This is generally

chosen together. Men’s hands are generally larger and therefore suite the heavier, stronger new materials. Most popular are titanium rings, as are black titanium and often stone set with at least one of the same stones in the ladies engagement ring. These should be specially designed and handcrafted as they are generally a gent’s version of the ladies engagement ring. G

gift ConsultationAs a reader of Business Resource & Lifestyle Magazine, please ring and book your exclusive, complimentary consultation appointment with one of our design consultants for advice on your jewellery gift purchasing or to have us create that extra special gift – just for him!

robert Cliff Master JewellersShop 380A Castle TowersCastle Hill, NSW 2154

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Robert E Cliff F.G.A.A., JP


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What is it about Super Tuscans that have Aussies in a wine haze?

“Supertuscans” began in the 70s and are an expression of a winemaker’s creativity, skill and quality. They can be made with a variety of grapes, matured in oak and have longevity. They are labeled as an IGT as opposed to DOC or DOCG. This is no reflection on the quality; it means they simply do not adhere to the Tuscan

Wine rules. However, at least 85% of the grapes are grown in the region.

They are also considered a good investment, as sometimes, the wine cannot be found outside the latest vintage so the commercial value could triple in time. you may have heard of a Supertuscan called Sassicaia. This is the most famous Supertuscan, grown in Bolgheri, southwest of Tuscany. you may remember our first wine review focused on our Sensi “Sabbiato” Bolgheri, a Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese blend. To die for!

Here is a little more information on a couple of Supertuscans we currently carry.

BOrgO CIPrESSI TOSCaNa rOSSO IgT 2010 – under $10 per bottleA ruby-red colour and a well balanced velvety taste. It is fresh and fruity with hints of cherry and other red fruit. The balance, aroma and flavour of this wine are far superior than the price suggests. Perfect for large dinners with family or friends, particularly functions such as birthdays, engagements, weddings e.t.c.

SENSI “MaNTEllO” – SaNgIOVESE/SyraH BlENd 2008 - $24 per bottleA dark wine with a nose of fresh tobacco, smoke and some cherries and blackberries. The palate displays fresh and tangy acidity with oak and cherries on a long tannic finish. It’s very well-integrated and very Brunello-like. For this price, a real steal! G

For more information on these wines, for help choosing a Tuscan wine for you or to become a member of Direct Wine Cellars, visit our online store or call us on 02 4773 4400.

p | 02 4773 4400w | www.directwinecellars.com.auf | www.facebook.com.au/DirectWineCellarst | www.twitter.com/DWCellars

tuscan wine Review from Direct Wine Cellars


Compared to the Baby Boomer era, the family unit today is different. Today’s youth are being raised in a variety family units; from the biological parent families to single parent families, blended families, grandparental families, same sex couple families, and even a combination of the above on an agreed or Court imposed arrangement. This makes it even more important that there is an adult of influence in a young person’s life. This could be someone in in the immediate family unit but often it is another adult outside of the immediate family such as an aunt or uncle, neighbour, a friend’s parent, teacher, church leader, sporting coach, scout or guide leader.

It is important that we know if a young person is looking to us as that adult of influence in their life as we can help make a significant difference in the way that child progresses through school to further education and or work. equally important is the life and attitudinal skills that child observes and develops. Most employers say they can teach a person the skills required in the workplace so long as they have developed the right attitude.

There is a plethora of research indicating that if the parent or adult of influence demonstrates an interest and is engaged in supporting the education of a child, the child will get more out of their education and have a more successful transition through school to further education and/or work. There is debate about the definition of being “engaged” in the education process. Some think it is participating in the P & C or turning up to career information events, but just because the adult of influence is not seen to be engaged with the school does not mean that they are not engaged in that child’s education. They may be working two jobs to ensure that there is a roof over their heads, clothing to wear and food on the table to ensure the child is fit, well and able to attend school.

If you are recognised, or you recognise yourself, as that adult of influence in a child’s life there are a number of things you can do to assist a child or young adult.

Here are 10 things you can do to help a child achieve.

1. ensure that they leave home with food in their stomach so they are energised for the day ahead2. Ask if they have any homework or if there is anything they need to assist them in their study or to complete their assignments3. Be aware of community support services in the area, should the need arise4. If appropriate, attend school information and “Parent / Teacher” evenings

5. Ask what they did at school, show interest6. Start a conversation around what they would like to do or their options for the future when they leave school. It’s never too early to start the conversation, even if it does change over time7. Share your experience with them: how did you get to where you are today?8. Can you make arrangements for them to gain some work experience or “shadow” you, or someone in a career they have an interest in, for a day?9. Take them to or make them aware of Career Information events, Apprenticeship expos and University Open Days10. Show empathy, be there for them, and understand the pressure of assignment deadlines and exams.

What will you do today to assist a young person to achieve? G

Stephen Frost is the Managing Director of the BreeD Taskforce Inc., managing the School Business Community Partnership Broker initiative of the Federal Government. If you would like assistance to work with your local youth to improve their educational attainment and transition through school to further education and/or work, contact your local Partnership Broker.

For more information on Partnership Brokers, please contact your local office listed below.

Members

[email protected]

p | 9853 3247

[email protected] | 9633 7100

[email protected]

p | 4725 0310

you do not have to be the Biological Parent to be an adult of influence in a young Person’s Life

There is a plethora of research indicating that if the parent or adult of influence

demonstrates an interest and is engaged in supporting the education of a child, the child will get more out of their education and have a more

successful transition through school to further education and/or work.

Ausexplore. inspire.engage

SIP

Stephen Frost, Managing Director - BREED Local Community Partnership

SOCIETy & LIFE

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SOCIETy & LIFE

My recent musings have been of a very personal nature and have been meant to be deep and meaningful, but it was never my intention to be dark or morbid. However, I now see how some of what I had to say may have been read that way by some. I must confess that I was just coming out of a very dark period in my personal life, a time of great upheaval and of uncertainty, trial and tribulation. I am happy to report that I am now over the worst of it and I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

As with all situations of this nature, we both suffer and learn but if you have been following my ravings. you will be aware that we have touched on this already and there is no need to visit that point again. I am very happy to report that I have emerged from the storm and deluge a stronger and more determined individual, a wiser and more resilient man. I am once more excited about life and all the promise that “tomorrow” brings.

During my time of trial, I was given to reflecting on past life and experiences in an effort to draw on lessons already learnt along the way that would, could or might help me in the understanding of all that was going on in my life at that time. Often I would travel back in time to those moments and events, similar to those I was going through, that had helped shape me. Of course when we do this we can’t help but remember those individuals that we have encountered along the way that have taught, educated, excited and inspired us.

A boy’s first influence, or a girl’s for that matter, is in most cases, quite naturally, their mother: not just because she gives birth to them, therefore giving them life but because she is the one who introduces them to affection, the main building block of their life. She is also probably the first person to talk to them. They may hear other voices first but it is her voice that speaks to them endearingly, lovingly and gently as she coos and cuddles them in those first few precious hours of life thus setting up a framework that she will add to for the rest of their life.

The second and other most influential person is,

of course, their dad. In most cases this influence is similar to that of the mother, positive and loving. Sadly though, in too many cases a dad’s influence is anything but positive. Very sadly in some kids’ lives their mothers are not a natural influence either. That is to say that the child is either neglected or abused by one or both parents.

In my life my mum has been the parent to exert the most positive influence; then in later life my step dad, who has been the dad I never had as a kid. He has contributed to my education by showing me how a man can and should truly love his wife.

All the good stuff that serves me so well in my day to day to life (and has always served me well) I learnt from my mum. For example: honesty is the best policy; treat others as you would have them treat you; there is always someone worse off than you; the world doesn’t revolve around you and your problems; think of others before you think of yourself; before you act think of how your actions are going to affect others; always take back hurt you have caused with an apology; always offer your love as a gift not a condition; and all that kind of stuff that mums are so good at teaching. Nannas and Grandpas are good at this stuff as well.

My biological father was unfortunately a deeply troubled man, physically violent and emotionally neglectful, but I now realise, with hindsight, that he did his best. He taught me to box because

he knew it would be tough on me always being small. He introduced me to weight training in an effort to build me up. He taught me to shoot and fish and to enjoy the outdoors, always as I remember, with a firm hand and not too much affection, if any at all - but he meant well.

School was, as I recall, a delightful experience; primary school that is. I was a troubled child, but the “real deal” had not set in yet, that came later. Secondary school years were anything but joyous for me but my early school years were great due mainly to the presence in my life of good teachers. My first teacher was a matronly lady who was kind and caring in the way my own

nanna was. Teachers were like that in those days. They were allowed to be so. They were, but the teacher I speak of next was a man who taught me in my older years at primary. His name was Mr. Duggan.

Mr. Duggan was in every respect the perfect teacher. He was kind and caring. He was generous with his time. He would go to great lengths to make sure that everyone in the class understood everything that he was trying to teach us. There were some kids in the class, including me, who were a little slow at learning or weren’t as smart as some of the kids. There will always be those who comprehend school work faster and more easily than others. A good teacher will recognise this and will be able to help those slower kids along in such a way that they do not feel any l ess than anyone else. Teachers were

People you meet along the way Angry Anderson

Honesty is the best policy, treat others as you would

have them treat you, there is always someone worse

off than you, the world doesn’t revolve around you and

your problems, think of others before you think of yourself,

before you act, think of how your actions are going to

affect others, always take back hurt you have caused

with an apology, always offer your love

as a gift not a condition.


were allowed to do that in those days.

Then came tech school and my drama arrived. I was about to discover that I had reached my full growth physically and that I was destined to be the shortest kid at school. Also my dysfunctional home life was taking its toll, driven to breakneck speed by the onset of the Big “P”… puberty! What a twisted ‘”logic” is puberty!

Again teachers stepped into my life and made not only a positive impact but “taught” me some wonderfully invaluable lessons about and for life. Like most kids I was interested in sport but found it more difficult as the years passed due to my size or lack of it. My sports teachers were very supportive and encouraged me to step up. Mr. Bell was a short stocky Scotsman. He was built like a brick sh*thouse and will always be remembered for his stern but gentle way of getting us to reach up. Our footy teacher was a famous Victorian “Aussie rules” player. Also a maths teacher, his name was John Kennedy. I remember him as a big bloke, a ruckman, who took the time to help a little bloke along. The teacher I will always love for his input and encouragement was my english and Art teacher, whose name sadly escapes me.

He saw my love for the written word and for drawing and painting and wisely supported my efforts at both. As I look back now I realise that he

knew that I was deeply troubled. He waited until I was “ready”, allowing me to build up trust in him - enough to offload some of my “stuff” onto him. Teachers were allowed to do that in those days.

At the close of my school years I remember him saying to me that school hadn’t been all that beneficial to me, academically speaking, and he gave me this advice: “you will find most of what you want to know in books and the rest you will learn from life experience. School,” he said, “can’t always teach you what you want to know but it can provide you with the tools to do the job.”

I am an avid reader to this day and will read until I can’t anymore. I’m always reading two or three books at a time. I rotate books so as not to become bored and also so that my intake goes some way to quench my thirst for more knowledge.

There are more important influences in my life that need to be mentioned but we have run out of time for today, so I will pick up next time here, where I leave off.

I remain your loyal friend, Angry. G

Angry Anderson AM is available for the following public speaking.

Subjects covered:• personal life journey experience, overcomingobstacles along the way like his battle with alcohol and drugs, humorous anecdotal stories about his life on the international stage with his band the legendary rose Tattoo;• inspirational messages on his ability to dealwith surviving all his tribulations;• stories about his involvement in Televisionwhich introduced him to his dedication to helping others in need;•hiscommitmenttoMen’sHealth;• his life long battle with depression andhis dedication as ambassador, to spreading awareness regarding Prostate Cancer.

Angry is also available for corporate or public and private engagements, musical entertainment – acoustic performance detailing the history in song and story of rose Tattoo; electric performance with cover band playing a selection of rollicking rock and roll and assorted r+B favourites.

e | [email protected]

BuSINESS ADvICE


FEaTurE

Whether you are viewing a painting for its inspiration or investment potential, there are ways that enhance the appreciation process - both for the viewer and the painting. How can we really tell if a painting is good or not? The beauty or impact of a painting can be a very personal thing. But there’s more to valuable art than just a pretty face.

The Power and the PassionMyth, art and spirituality lie at the heart of many cultures. religious reverence has powered some of man’s most fantastical achievements, particularly in art and architecture. From the egyptian Pyramids to the Sistine Chapel, regardless of our personal beliefs, we truly stand in awe.

There is certainly plenty of art that reflects beliefs and stories in such passionate ways that just viewing them somehow connects us. Whether they are cave drawings, a canvas of Christianity or an Aboriginal Dreamtime depiction, they will be images that show and share, reflecting how someone somewhere cares.

There was a time when wealth was lavishly bestowed on spiritual or religious art, particularly in eras such as renaissance europe and ancient egypt. In comparison, our Indigenous cultures see the riches of storytelling as paramount to the art’s value. But then spirituality is not about monetary richness. It is more about fulfilling our lives and souls.

In our modern Western world at least, the artists most dedicated to creating images that uplift the soul and inspire positive passion for life are frequently generous artisans who are doing it out of love. Perhaps this is a predominantly feminine trait, with gentleness and joy being the reward as well the gift. Spiritual art is a diverse genre whose expression gives us all the freedom to fly and dream for a greater good. It is also again attracting a return to high wealth investment. Are we becoming tired of confronting, aggressive or art that shocks or depresses the senses?

Many great artists have created spiritually uplifting paintings. Can you match the artist with the title of the painting they created?

1. Sandro Botticelli a. On the Ark of Salvation2. Sharon Davson B. Madonna of Port Lligat3. Vincent van Gogh C. The Virgin and Child

with five Angels4. Salvador Dali d. Pieta

artists of the arkDiscussing artist’s spiritual beliefs tends to sound like a testament to their good behaviour!

None of us are perfect, but two words aptly describe Davson for a character reference and her spirituality: generosity and gratitude. Her art, particularly since the mid 1990’s, has been created with the intention of uplifting and inspiring others in their faith.

Believing we can make a difference in the world may sound presumptuous. But if we are prepared to give of ourselves in the attempt, and meet like-minded people along the way, it might just work. And for Davson it did - and still does. For example, her environmental and world peace charity ventures and initiatives over the past two decades contributed towards many improvements and changes in our global community, as well as helped to bring out the best in everyone they touched.

In 2002, Davson also became a Founding Patron of the Multifaith Association of Newcastle and

H O W A R T G A I N S v A L U E

Answers: 1C: 2A: 3D: 4BThe Best

AdventureWe’ve embarked upon a journey

that’s our precious gift of life.And celebrate its glory,

filled with beauty, love and strife.

For now the seas are placidand the sky’s a radiant blue.

With joy and faith, we take each step.Your Light will see us through.

by Celia Berrell


FEaTurE

Hunter region. Finding common ground between various faiths, the Association organised functions that celebrated the region’s cultural diversity and its compatibilities.

On a personal level, and as a member of Sukyo Mahikari since 1995, Davson is comfortable with faith having different flavours. Sukyo Mahikari includes people of different religious preferences that see their participation in sharing the Light of God and all creation as a natural progression from their foundation beliefs. And gratitude is a key component of any form of spirituality.

Davson incorporates these beliefs into her art, and with some surprising results. The more

dedicated to inspiring others she became, the higher the values of her paintings also became. Now several of her major works are re-selling for substantive seven figure sums.

One of the highlights of Davson’s spirituality and artistic career was when her painting With Gratitude Comes Growth was gifted by the Australia-Oceania region of Sukyo Mahikari for the collection of the Hikaru Memorial Museum Takayama Japan in 1996. Then from February to July 2003, her flagship of spiritual art On The Ark of Salvation became the front-cover illustration

for six monthly copies of the Sukyo Mahikari International Journal.

As an artist who works mainly on commission, On The Ark of Salvation is one of only a handful of personal major works created by Davson. Since the painting’s creation in 1999, the image has acquired an impressive provenance with publications and major retrospective exhibitions of Davson’s art in public galleries. In 2011, it sold for $1.3 million, making it the highest valued painting by a living Australian artist.

Her inspirational paintings are now a highly valued commodity, and a new art movement is subsequently taking shape.

On 3 November 2011 in Takayama Japan, the Arkists or Artists of the Ark was formally pronounced with Davson as the acknowledged leader and artistic inspiration. The movement invites all artists who create in any medium for the uplifting joy and gratitude of their spiritual beliefs to become connected.

Could this be a resurgence of spiritual art rising to the role of lead violin instead of second fiddle in the wonderful orchestra of art and life? G

Contact Davson Art management to acquire her art from $5,000 and upwards; to learn more about why Davson’s art has experienced better than approximately 20% per annum growth for collector/investors for more than two decades; or to find out more about the Artists of the Ark.

Enjoy the benefits…

m | 0416 026 426 e | [email protected] | www.davsonart.com

Sharon Davson & Leo Sayer


auSTralIaN SPOrT

grassroots Football at its Best in the 2012 Panther Cup

Over 110 teams from primary and highs schools in the areas surrounding Penrith came together at Tregear on May 22nd and 23rd, to take part in the annual Panther Trophy competition.

Just on two thousand players participated in this exciting event, which saw eight fields at Whalan reserve come alive with some really great games of rugby league played by stars of the future.

The All-Schools Competition was developed by the NSW rugby League Academy, and is now in its 68th year. The 13 Panther Trophy winning teams will now go on to the finals on July 30-31 and August 1, with games to be held at venues right across the Penrith region. Competitors will travel to Sydney’s west from as far away as Broken Hill and Albury-Wodonga, to take part in this prestigious competition. The winning teams from the Penrith district were also presented with a specially-made winner’s shirt, which is a replica of the Panthers’ 2012 training shirt.

Penrith Panthers stars Junior Tia-Kilifi and Nathan Smith were proud to have had the opportunity to go along to watch the primary school teams in action, signing autographs on everything from posters to hats, footy boots and even footy shorts…still being worn by their excited young fans!

Junior says “I grew up in the Mount Druitt area, and have always played in local footy competitions including the Panther Trophy when I was at school.

“It’s always great to come out and support grassroots footy. Hopefully in ten years time, these boys will be out on the paddock playing for the Penrith Panthers. It’s a privilege for me to help provide a positive role model for the kids, and get them involved in rugby league from a young age.”

While Nathan Smith grew up in Canberra, he says: It’s exciting to see so many children involved in the game he loves. “It’s always fun to come down to these kinds of events, and meet the kids. Seeing how excited they are to meet us is humbling.”

Among the players we met ten year old T.J, from Willmot Primary School, who was over the moon to see Junior and Nathan there being a part of

their special day. “It’s amazing, it’s magic,” T.J said. Panthers fans Zane and Andrew from Blackett Public were keen to tell the boys how much they love the Penrith first-grade side. “I’m getting the big Panther jersey for my birthday,” Zane said. “The one with OAK on it – I can’t wait!”

The Panthers wish all teams the best of luck for

the finals. We are looking forward to seeing some of the stars we met running out on to Centrebet Stadium in the not too distant future. G

The Panthers’ Junior Tia-Kilifi signs autographs for some of the young fans from Willmot

Primary School



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