Page not found – Canberra's Premier Business Magazine https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au Canberra's Premier Business Magazine Thu, 24 Aug 2023 23:45:09 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 This Canberra paramedic cut medical training costs by thousands with an iPad – and it’s gone worldwide https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/this-canberra-paramedic-cut-medical-training-costs-by-thousands-with-an-ipad-and-its-gone-worldwide/286595/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/this-canberra-paramedic-cut-medical-training-costs-by-thousands-with-an-ipad-and-its-gone-worldwide/286595/#respond Fri, 23 Sep 2022 00:48:26 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286595 Peter Mckie

Peter Mckie, founder of iSimulate, offered business tips at CBRIN’s ‘Billion-Dollar Panel’. Photo: Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN).

Peter Mckie was volunteering at hospitals around Australia in March 2011 when he realised there was a problem.

“I was teaching advanced life-support to doctors, nurses and paramedics and the trouble is, the cost of actually doing this is quite high,” he says.

“You have to buy a very sophisticated manekin and then on top of that, a real hospital defibrillator. All up, you would spend close to $50,000, if not more. And that’s just for one. You needed four of these pairs to run the training courses.”


READ ALSO: QUIZ: We’re all Canberrans here. But how well do you actually know politics?


Peter grew up in Canberra, before working as an intensive-care paramedic and establishing Parasol EMT in Canberra, a healthcare training company with offices throughout Australia. He was also chairman of the ACT Australian Resuscitation Council for 20 years, regularly teaching advanced life-support courses as a volunteer.

He is now head of strategy and innovation at the solution, iSimulate.

Digital tablets were still in their infancy in 2011, but it dawned on Peter these large and expensive training setups could be condensed into screens for a lot less. During one of his training sessions, he met a doctor who was having similar thoughts.

iSimulate REALTi 360

The iSimulate REALTi 360. Photo: iSimulate, Facebook.

“By the end of that weekend, Dr Anthony Lewis and I were in business together and it was all guns blazing.”

iSimulate is “clinical education technology” and their flagship REALITi 360 model takes the form of two iPads, a yellow bag and some very clever software to simulate patient monitors and defibrillators.

“Essentially, it looks like a real monitor defibrillator, but with a plastic case, two iPads and bags on the side for all the bits and pieces,” he says.

They launched the first version at the International Meeting of Simulation in Healthcare in San Diego and were immediately overwhelmed with interest.


READ ALSO: Can Canberra transition to a circular economy? Businesses invited to join the conversation


“For three days, we did not stop demonstrating the concept we had come up with,” Peter says.

It spread out from Canberra like wildfire, and more than 10,000 units can now be found in “everything from the Berlin Fire Brigade to the University of London”. Meanwhile, in Australia, they’re in “every major medical institution without exception”.

“Up to 95 per cent of my business here in Australia is with existing clients,” he says.

The future is bright too. There are currently three models available, including the initial patient simulator, fetal heart rate monitor and a smartphone app containing various point-of-care technologies.

iSimulate popup. Photo: iSimulate, Facebook.

“Now that the system is down pat, expansion is just a matter of building an ‘ecosystem’ of features around it,” he says.

Peter will now be sharing his success story, as well as the painful lessons he learned along the way, at this month’s ‘Billion Dollar Panel’ event hosted by the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN).

The Billion Dollar Panel series features successful entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators who have experienced the challenging journey of entrepreneurship firsthand. These people pass on their wisdom in a fireside-style chat with a member of the CBRIN community.

Peter first came across CBRIN at the Telstra Business Awards in 2017, where he took home the award for the micro-business category.


READ ALSO: Canberra company CEA Technologies receives multi-million dollar defence radar contract


“A director got in touch with me and said we’d really appreciate if I could come in and help other people develop their business ideas,” he says.

He’ll be talking through the initial foundation-laying stages to a business, and tips to avoid common pitfalls.

“I’ve had some great ideas over the years that have turned out to be absolute failures,” he says. “And that’s because it was either the wrong time, the wrong place, or the wrong product.

“Every case is different, but every business has a sweet spot. It’s just a matter of finding it.”

Original Article published by James Coleman on Riotact.

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Rosella Street’s community of conscious consumers can now gather on iOS, Android https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/rosella-streets-community-of-conscious-consumers-can-now-gather-on-ios-android/286589/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/rosella-streets-community-of-conscious-consumers-can-now-gather-on-ios-android/286589/#respond Wed, 21 Sep 2022 23:00:21 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286589 rosella street app in use

The new Rosella Street app combines all the features of the platform’s web version with the convenience of notifications. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Rosella Street users now have all of the website’s functionality at their fingertips with the launch of its new app.

Available for Android and iOS devices, the app combines all the features of the web version with the convenience of notifications.

This includes Rosella Street’s Community, supporting Marketplace, its innovative Impact Tracker and nifty Wallet functions.

In the Community section members can form or join groups, allowing them to create connections based on geography or shared interests.

It also includes the “Community Square” – a forum where Rosella Street co-founder Mick Fritschy says users can post content or join conversation threads.


READ ALSO: Grab a bargain, monitor your carbon footprint with Rosella Street’s Impact Tracker


“One of our key drivers is to connect communities and enable them to reduce waste,” Mick says.

“The forum is one pathway to foster those connections and help people build communities and groups around certain topics.

“It’s where they can discuss interests, share ideas, content and examples of things they’ve done, answer questions and inspire one another.”

The app also houses the Rosella Street Marketplace, which supports groups with particular interests to buy, rent and sell their possessions in a sustainable way with the ultimate goal of reducing their waste and impact on the planet.

“Once people are connecting with one another and sharing ideas and growing their groups they may wish to rent, donate or share things with one another,” Mick says.

“The supporting Marketplace is the place for that.”

Rosella Street founders Mick Fritschy and Sammy Williamson

Rosella Street co-founder Mick Fritschy with co-founder and app designer Sammy Williamson. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Earlier this year the online community launched its Impact Tracker function, allowing users to calculate the cumulative impact their activity on the Marketplace was having on the planet.

The Tracker calculates three things for users – avoided waste to landfill, dollars donated to planting trees and “acts of good karma” – all devices of the Rosella Street platform.

“As a human being you generate a certain amount of waste and Co2 emissions,” Mick says. “When you rent or donate something, we’ve calculated that avoids an average of 4 kg of waste in landfill.

“For every transaction via the platform, Rosella Street also donates one dollar to planting bush tucker trees in a remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory. Then there are what we call ‘acts of good karma’ – when users give something away for free.

“The Impact Tracker measures all of this to show users how much their actions are offsetting their impact on the planet.”


READ ALSO: Take a walk down Rosella Street to see what all the chirping is about


Designed by co-founder Sammy Williamson, the app also features a Wallet function that plays an important role in Rosella Street’s promise of being “Australia’s safest marketplace”.

The Wallet enables users to store a record of their balance from any Marketplace transactions on the app, which they can use to buy, sell and rent things securely.

Mick says the app is another step in Rosella Street’s plans for growth.

“There are currently about 40 groups on the platform, we’re hoping to see double that number in the next 12 months,” he says.

“We’re looking to expand Rosella Street throughout Australia and really grow over the next year.”

The Rosella Street app is available in the Play Store for Android devices or the Apple Store for iOS. Visit the website for more information on Rosella Street.

Original Article published by Dione David on Riotact.

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Mitchell company flying high as Geodrones CEO named finalist for national defence award https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/mitchell-company-flying-high-as-geodrones-ceo-named-finalist-for-national-defence-award/286582/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/mitchell-company-flying-high-as-geodrones-ceo-named-finalist-for-national-defence-award/286582/#respond Wed, 21 Sep 2022 01:55:47 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286582 testing drone

The Geodrones Australia team is testing out one of their cargo-carrier drones. Photo: Geodrones Australia.

It looks like drones are the next big thing.

Geodrones Australia is a Canberra-based company pioneering drone technology and how we can use them now and into the future. CEO Glenn Alcock has been named a finalist in the Executive of the Year awards for the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2022.

These awards acknowledge all defence industry stakeholders — from academic institutions and associations to high-performing individuals such as defence executives, students, scientists, technicians and academics.


READ ALSO: Canberra’s first charter flights in more than a decade are now boarding


“It’s one of the largest defence industry awards out there, and I was fortunate to make it as a finalist for one of the categories,” he says.

“It’s really good recognition of the company and the significant growth we have seen over the past 12 months.”

Geodrones Australia was founded in 2018 and initially did damage assessment work with insurance companies on a contract basis. They would fly over wind farms, solar panels and other developments that were best inspected from the air.

Geodrones Australia

Geodrones Australia CEO Glenn Alcock and Director/Cofounder Jason Vella. Photo: Geodrones Australia.

Glenn came on board in 2020 to accelerate the company’s ability to design and manufacture its own drones in-house.

“Particularly those at the heavy, cargo-lifting end of the spectrum, so moving from a drone that takes photos to one that can take loads of 200 to 1000 kg.”

All their drones are manufactured in their Mitchell workshop, where they have a light machine shop, a design office and a ‘clean room’ for precise electronics work.

And the locals are buying it.


READ ALSO: Step inside Canberra’s new one-room hotel


Geodrones Australia recently topped more than a million dollars in private investment, many of them “Canberra-based business people who have been here for a long time and know what’s what”. Many of their employees are also recent graduates of the ANU with degrees in fields covering electronics, robotics and software.

“We’ve been quite fortunate within the Canberra market to attract good talent and work with local companies, particularly in the manufacturing space,” Glenn says.

Glenn says Canberra is also well placed as a “drone hub”, servicing the regions.

“That’s where we want to be. We want to be flying cargo from here as a local base to all those regional towns in NSW, such as Dubbo, Grafton, Shepperton – up and down the east coast.”

Glenn himself comes from a robotics background. He studied mechatronics and robotic engineering at university before landing a job in Defence, working on system development onboard Navy vessels. This naturally progressed to drones.

“Unmanned systems have been a part of my career for my whole working life.”

He says the industry is still only scratching the surface of drone capability. He sees massive potential in not only the transport sector but also the agricultural and commercial sectors. Think sky-Ubers, seed planters, airborne posties and more.

“There is going to be enormous growth, and a big part of that is happening in our own backyard.”

The Australian Defence Industry Awards 2022 were held on 15 September 2022 at the National Convention Centre.

Original Article published by James Coleman on Riotact.

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Workplace bullying and harassment – why token training is not enough https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/workplace-bullying-and-harassment-why-token-training-is-not-enough/286571/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/workplace-bullying-and-harassment-why-token-training-is-not-enough/286571/#respond Sat, 27 Aug 2022 23:00:13 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286571 Two female colleagues having a meeting with one upset

Red flags for workplace bullying and harassment can sometimes hide in plain sight. Photo: File.

Contrary to popular belief, identifying workplace bullying and harassment isn’t always a question of qualitative data.

While organisations commonly rely on staff surveys or find themselves on the back foot when a report is made, research conducted by Sententia Consulting has revealed quantitative data points that can indicate trouble – and it’s information most businesses collect as standard.

“There are certainly early indicators of patterns of bullying and harassment that organisations can pick up on,” managing consultant Tom Foster said.

“Examples are patterns in absenteeism or staff retention.

“What we found in our research was a lot of organisations were tracking this information but not following through with a simple next step – analysis and discussion with key leaders based on that analysis.

“You can track that information, but what you must then ask yourself is, ‘what is this data telling us and why is that important?'”


READ ALSO: Leaders, Parliament apologise for toxic workplace and commit to change


Mr Foster said while the survey approach has its uses, victims and bystanders embroiled in workplace behavioural issues often experience “reporting paralysis”.

“There are many different barriers as to why they wouldn’t report, such as fear of repercussions for the individual and the inherent power imbalance between managers, leadership and staff,” he said.

“The position of power will always limit an individual from rocking the boat, and without trust, your data will never be perfect.”

Sententia’s research, which looked at public and private sector organisations of all sizes, highlighted a need for multiple avenues for whistleblowing, including anonymously.

But its benchmarking exercise of initiatives undertaken by the organisations, policy development, volumes of reports, training undertaken, reporting and investigation processes found common deficiencies.

“In all instances, the organisations and departments had different frameworks, policies and procedures in place and they all typically individualised as much as they could beyond legislative requirements,” he explained.

“It’s critical to have that roadmap, so you’re not seen to be making it up as you go, but often the crucial missing component was how they then embedded that more broadly into their organisational culture.

“Whether an organisation is successful or not in handling workplace behavioural issues is inherently cultural. But there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and they need to tailor and embed them based on the needs of organisations.”

Sententia Consulting managing consultant Tom Foster

Sententia Consulting managing consultant Tom Foster. Photo: Sententia Consulting.

Mr Foster said there were elements workplaces could build into their frameworks, policies and procedures, and more broadly, into their culture to shift away from a purely reactive approach.

“The simplest answer is organisations need to showcase their commitment and this needs to start from the leadership level,” he said.

“It’s a two-staged approach. First is leadership repeatedly talking about diversity and inclusion and how important it is to them as individuals and as organisations. The second is living by example and living their words.

“We’re seeing that HR-driven campaigns like your standard yearly training, while important, are not enough. There is a strong need for that top-down approach, demonstrable commitment from senior leadership and for leadership to act decisively when events occur.”

Mr Foster said while matters of workplace behaviour have always been important, they have become more culturally prominent in recent times.


READ ALSO: Lessons drawn from managing emergencies


Movements such as #metoo as well as recent high-profile sexual harassment and bullying cases in the Australian public sector have brought these issues out of the periphery and to the forefront.

“Ultimately, there’s a greater community expectation around the proper treatment of individuals,” he said.

“From what we’ve found in our research and given the job market the past few years, staff are becoming more selective of the organisations they want to work with, and culture plays a big part.”

Workplace bullying and harassment can be costly – not only financially if brought to litigation but also reputationally and emotionally.

Mr Foster said legislative obligations aside, employers should feel morally obligated to invest appropriately at the front end to uncover red flags.

“Yes, there are the obvious financial impacts of bullying and harassment in the workplace,” he said.

“Litigation aside, there’s the reputational damage for organisations in the marketplace, potential loss of suppliers, partners, sponsors, market share value – broader financial implications. But protecting your staff is also just the right thing to do.

“How they promote that positive culture and change behaviour is the golden nugget they all have to try and seek out.”

Original Article published by Dione David on Riotact.

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Nicole brings her strengths, passions to Independent’s new Build to Rent space https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/nicole-brings-her-strengths-passions-to-independents-new-build-to-rent-space/286567/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/nicole-brings-her-strengths-passions-to-independents-new-build-to-rent-space/286567/#respond Thu, 25 Aug 2022 21:41:13 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286567 Nicole Short of Independent Property Group

Independent Property Group has appointed Nicole Short head of its new Commercial Leasing and Build to Rent Asset Management arm. Photo: Independent Property Group.

While long a popular model in the US, UK and Europe, Canberra is a relative newcomer to the Build to Rent market.

Despite being a newer concept in Australia, this asset class has drawn increasing interest from developers in residential real estate.

It’s a shift recognised by Independent Property Group, which has named Nicole Short as head of a new arm of the business – Commercial Leasing and Build to Rent Asset Management.

Ms Short said Build to Rent was bound for success in the nation’s capital.

“I think the market conditions are right for it now in Canberra for a number of reasons.”

Ms Short knows the Build to Rent model well.

“I’m from the US where Build to Rent – or ‘multi-family housing’ as it’s also known – has been around for a long time,” she said.

“I’m very familiar with how the model works and creating a community around those kinds of assets.”


READ ALSO: Unique initiative helping ‘Independent Women’ shape their careers in real estate


Build to Rent apartment complexes generally have single owners, often the developers who designed and constructed them.

The Suburban Land Agency (SLA) said this type of housing could establish high-quality rental homes that offered great places to live, provided greater security to owners and renters with flexible tenures, included affordable rental options and generated long-term, steady revenue for the owner.

Ms Short said she was excited to work alongside developers to run the assets and manage the facilities in a relatively new market for the ACT.

She said there were basically two Build to Rent models, both of which were ultimately about “creating a sense of community” in urban living situations.

One focused on addressing housing affordability. While only “high-level” thinking at this stage, Ms Short would explore long-term leases and different models that encompassed high-quality and affordable amenity.

The higher-end models created a fantastic asset and offered ancillary services that renters could opt into, such as cleaning, dog walking, child minding and events.

“We’re currently looking at what these different models might look like, how to make them successful and how to build communities around them,” she said.

“That’s where my hospitality background comes in handy.”

Aerial view of housing estate

The Build to Rent model can create communities in urban settings. Photo: iStock.

Ms Short also brings sales, marketing, pre-openings and senior management skills to the new role.

She said one of her career highlights was working from the ground up at MGM Resorts International. She was also an integral part of the pre-opening team of CityCentre Development as a national sales manager for ARIA Resort & Casino.

“Start-ups are agile and exciting places to work,” she said.

“You can make change and if it’s within the right business, I like that those changes can benefit not only the owner but also the community.”

After moving to Canberra in 2010, Ms Short became the National Gallery of Australia’s sponsorship manager before transitioning back into hospitality. She worked for Molonglo Group, first as director of sales and marketing for Hotel Hotel then as general manager.

Following the conversion of Hotel Hotel to Ovolo Nishi, Ms Short was appointed general manager of the Kambri Precinct at the Australian National University (ANU). She worked for Wiltshire + Dimas, and with developer ColonySix and the Australian National University to establish and run the precinct.

“We set that up so it was a very mixed youth precinct and it was a new model at the time for a university,” she said.

“There were events and activations for student life, but also to support the retail sector, and it invited the wider Canberra community.

“So it was not dissimilar to Build to Rent. It was also about building community around that asset and connecting the wider city to ANU.”


READ ALSO: Government looks to market for build-to-rent options


Ms Short said her new role with Independent combined her strengths and passions.

“It’s going to have the hospitality component looking after those who live in the asset, working with developers, ongoing sales and marketing, and the pre start-up factor.

“It’s also creating a sense of belonging in the community through events, activations and product offerings.

“I’m very excited. We’ve already started brainstorming about what success in the Build to Rent space could look like in Canberra.”

For more information about Independent Property Group’s new Commercial Leasing and Build to Rent Asset Management arm, visit the website.

Original Article published by Dione David on Riotact.

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Singapore Airlines is coming back, it’s just a matter of time https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/singapore-airlines-is-coming-back-its-just-a-matter-of-time/286563/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/singapore-airlines-is-coming-back-its-just-a-matter-of-time/286563/#respond Mon, 22 Aug 2022 01:47:44 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286563 Plane at Canberra Airport

Singapore Airlines is likely to return to Canberra as it rebuilds its network. Photo: Wikipedia.

Singapore Airlines is keen to restart its direct service to Canberra but the carrier is still rebuilding its international network after the pandemic, according to Chief Minister Andrew Barr, back from leading the ACT’s latest trade mission to the island state.

Mr Barr said the issue of direct flights and what the ACT could do to restore the link was raised at almost every meeting during last week’s visit.

“Their major challenge, like most airlines, is recruiting and training the additional staff necessary to expand their operations,” Mr Barr said.

“This may take a little time.”

He said a return to near pre-COVID levels of international travel across their network would help.

“For example, the Chinese and Japanese markets are currently still well below pre-COVID levels,” Mr Barr said.

But he described the reception the airline gave the delegation as very warm and positive.

“The CEO and their most senior management team attended the meeting,” Mr Barr said.

“I took the opportunity to thank the airline for continuing to fly to Australia during the worst of the pandemic.”

The Singapore Government and Singapore Airlines also helped supply Australia with COVID vaccines when the country really needed them, Mr Barr said.

The airline indicated that direct services between Singapore and Canberra were preferred over triangulated or circular services via other cities.


READ ALSO: Gentleman knocks back proposal for the first time to protect future of McKellar shops


Overall, Mr Barr said the mission made good progress in developing trade links and relationships with Singapore, with a particular interest in food, tourism and information technology.

“The mission was a great opportunity to promote Canberra exporters and encourage further collaboration in the Singapore market,” he said.

Mr Barr said there was unexpected interest in what organic and bespoke food and beverage products the Canberra region could provide to Singapore, which is keen to shore up its food security.

This should provide export opportunities to several high-end providers in the Canberra region, Mr Barr said.

Andrew Barr

Chief Minister Andrew Barr: “The mission was a great opportunity to promote Canberra exporters says the future is all-electric.” Photo: ACT ESA.

The ACT’s reputation as a clean, green city also attracted attention from a tourism perspective.

“Quite a few tourism operators also expressed an interest in partnership opportunities to learn about sustainable travel and the opportunities to spruik the environmental and climate action credentials of the ACT as a destination,” Mr Barr said.

The delegation returned with a number of achievements.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Kambah-based AgriGate and High Quality Meats Singapore.

AgriGate specialises in exporting primary produce to Asian markets, mainly through Singapore, while High Quality Meats processes carcasses to the specifications of Asian markets.

Canberra-based IT firm ArchTIS, which specialises in secure information sharing, signed an agreement with Singaporean businesses i-Sprint and STE (Singapore Technologies Engineering).

i-Sprint is its first partner in Singapore and ASEAN distributor, while STE is a global technology company with a diverse spread of interests, including smart cities, aerospace, engineering, defence and security.

The delegation visited Singapore’s Temasek Polytechnic Cyber Training Security Operations Centre to see whether a similar facility at the new CIT campus in Woden could benefit Canberra industry.

“We will seek to collaborate further with student and teacher exchanges as one possible example,” Mr Barr said.


READ ALSO: Hoax paralysis tick signage deemed ‘public nuisance’, reported to police


The mission also renewed the 2017 MOU Agreement between the National Arboretum and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which includes the expansion of the Botanic Gardens of Canberra’s Sister City, Wellington.

Mr Barr said the agreement allows for joint academic activity, exchange of research and staff, joint training, exchange of information and materials, joint research projects, organisation of joint conferences and workshops, as well as membership to each other’s respective botanical organisations.

There were also tourism opportunities through working with each of the partners’ ‘Friends’ organisations.

The delegation found interest in developing Build-to-Rent projects in Canberra, which are seen as part of the answer to boosting much-needed housing in the national capital.

Mr Barr said the government would host follow-up site visits from potential investors.

The mission partnered with Tourism Australia, Austrade and the Australian High Commission to make tourism and investment presentations.

“We expect to host investors travelling to Canberra over the coming months to take a closer look at the opportunities presented,” Mr Barr said.

The next trade mission will be to New Zealand and the Pacific in spring.

Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on Riotact.

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Dance director’s Kaleen studio shines as nationwide awards spotlight business, community commitment https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/dance-directors-kaleen-studio-shines-as-nationwide-awards-spotlight-business-community-commitment/286559/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/dance-directors-kaleen-studio-shines-as-nationwide-awards-spotlight-business-community-commitment/286559/#respond Thu, 18 Aug 2022 09:49:00 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286559 holly diggle

Dance Northside studio director Holly Diggle is ecstatic after being recognised for her successful business and community involvement. Photo: Holly Diggle.

A Canberra mother of two has shaped the lives of more than 350 students through dance.

Holly Diggle always wanted to create a space where people of all ages and abilities could express themselves.

In 2006, she brought her dreams to life when she became the studio director for Dance Northside in Kaleen.

She now has 369 students enrolled, ranging from 18 months to dancers in their 70s.

The studio owner’s success has recently been acknowledged with several finalist nominations in national awards.

“It feels good to have my business model recognised as unique, successful and industry leading,” Holly said.

“We provide age-appropriate, recreational dance classes in a safe and supportive environment.”


READ ALSO: The Voice semi-finalist Xanthe Campbell still hitting the high notes


Holly is a finalist in: the Australian Small Business Champion Awards; the AusMumpreneur Awards in the People’s Choice category – ‘Making a Difference: Local Community Business’, and the ‘Business Pivot’ category; and the 2022 Altitude Awards in the Community Connector Awards category.

The nominations recognise a combination of innovation, growth, product development and sustainability in businesses, as well as shining a spotlight on leaders and entrepreneurs achieving great things in their communities.

Holly felt a raft of emotions when reflecting on what she had achieved at the studio over the years.

“I’m really proud of our community at the studio. We do things a little differently at Northside, and we are purely a recreational community-focused studio,” Holly said.

“The studio’s values are kindness, respect, and community. I think everything we have done aligns with those values, which has helped us achieve great success.

“It’s a real privilege and honour to have a studio that is unique and recognised.”

Holly Diggle

Holly participates in Dance Northside’s recent concert, ‘Happiness is…’ at Canberra Theatre. Photo: Images Instantly.

Holly’s finalist nomination in the AusMumpreneur Awards for the ‘Business Pivot’ category, presented by The Women’s Business School, was a standout.

She said it recognised her success in balancing the role of mother and business owner during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time in which she also gave birth to her second child.

“Navigating my business, body and family through the transition to online dance classes was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Holly said.


READ ALSO: Legends, larrikins and the Australian identity: who has time for Henry Lawson now?


Holly’s training and experience has also helped her to create a supportive and inclusive environment for students, and strive for a holistic approach to dance education. She has a Bachelor of Dance Performance (Theory and Practice), a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Management from the Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD), and an RYT 200hr Yoga Teacher Certificate.

Holly now plans to make her studio more diverse.

“My goal down the track is to grow this studio potentially with a second location, but in less traditional dance setting,” she said. “This would include offering some yoga, and maybe some acrobatic arts and things like that.

“I just want to continue supporting other women in business to become the best and brightest version of themselves.”

Original Article published by Evelyn Karatzas on Riotact.

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Perfect timing for real estate couple to wave the Raine & Horne Commercial flag in Canberra https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/perfect-timing-for-real-estate-couple-to-wave-the-raine-horne-commercial-flag-in-canberra/286555/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/perfect-timing-for-real-estate-couple-to-wave-the-raine-horne-commercial-flag-in-canberra/286555/#respond Sat, 13 Aug 2022 23:00:01 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286555 Mark and Hayley Nicholls of Raine and Horne Commercial Canberra

Mark and Hayley Nicholls are set to take on Canberra’s thriving commercial property scene as Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra. Photo: Raine & Horne.

A Canberra husband and wife team has decided to ride the national capital’s thriving commercial property market wave, opening Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra.

With decades of combined experience in real estate, primarily in Canberra, Mark and Hayley Nicholls said the timing wasn’t coincidental.

Principal and Managing Director Mr Nicholls said the decision by the new Federal Government to revise the Commonwealth Procurement Rules would further underpin demand for commercial real estate in the Australian Capital Territory.

“Commercial stock is in short supply across most sectors, and more national brands who service government agencies are moving to the capital,” he said.

“These businesses will further drive demand for commercial space.”

Currently, retail and industrial yields are sub-six per cent and commercial yields sit at six to seven per cent. Mr Nicholls said this indicated a robust commercial market.

“Yields are strong, values are high, supply is low, demand is high,” he said.

“Vacancy rates have really tightened up … we’re getting a lot of enquiry from both tenants and buyers.”


READ ALSO: Government gives Lendlease nod to build Woden CIT


With a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Urban Estate Management from England’s John Moores University in Liverpool, Mr Nicholls’ career has included several record transactions since his move to Canberra in 2007.

As director of capital markets at CBRE Australia’s Canberra office, he sold Canberra’s landmark Section 63 at auction for $92 million, the majority of mixed-use development sites at Kingston Foreshore, Canberra Brickworks in Yarralumla, and premium mixed-use development site Campbell 5 for almost $63 million.

Canberra-born and bred, Mrs Nicholls has worked in real estate since 2005 and has a communications degree with minor units in business management from the University of Canberra. Her extensive resume includes supporting the valuations team at CBRE Canberra (where the couple met), coordinating training and events for the Master Builders Association ACT including the annual MBA Awards, and PR & marketing manager at property portal Allhomes.

Mr Nicholls said the couple’s wealth of experience and complementary skills meant uniting their strengths made perfect sense.

“Hayley and I are in an excellent position to join forces and grow our successful business together,” he said.

“After 15 years, we have very loyal clients who we have worked with and who are very excited to support our new business.

“I’m well versed with the crown leasehold system and negotiating transactions whereas Hayley is a gun in communications and handles the marketing and business development side of things.”


READ ALSO: ACT Budget Reaction: Business urges more action on skills, attracting staff


Mrs Nicholls said Raine & Horne was the perfect fit for their business goals.

“The Raine & Horne Commercial branding is very clean and corporate, their marketing solutions are outstanding, and the fact the group has offices all over Australia appeals,” she said.

“We also spoke to our residential real estate colleagues at Raine & Horne Queanbeyan/Jerrabomberra, who gave us much confidence about joining.

“Also, every person we surveyed had heard of Raine & Horne.”

Mr Nicholls said with Raine & Horne Commercial’s credentials and market-leading technology, he was excited by the prospect of waving its flag in Canberra.

“There was an opportunity to tap into the reputation of Raine & Horne Commercial as one of the leading commercial property brands with a national and international office network,” he said.

Raine & Horne executive chairman Angus Raine said the pair was a welcome addition to the group.

“Since 2007, Mark has ably assisted commercial property owners in providing strategic advice to divest their assets, marketing their property and negotiating transactions to secure buyers and tenants,” he said.

“Mark and Hayley are committed to providing the highest quality service to every client, and this is evident in their approach to all their sales and leasing listings, no matter how big or small.”

Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra is a full-service commercial real estate agency servicing the ACT and surrounding region across industrial, office, retail and development sites.

See the website for more information or visit the office on Level 3, Suite 22, 490 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson.

Original Article published by Dione David on Riotact.

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Celebrity chefs Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge celebrate Club Malua’s rise from the ashes https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/celebrity-chefs-manu-feildel-and-colin-fassnidge-celebrate-club-maluas-rise-from-the-ashes/286550/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/celebrity-chefs-manu-feildel-and-colin-fassnidge-celebrate-club-maluas-rise-from-the-ashes/286550/#respond Thu, 11 Aug 2022 04:45:33 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286550 Club Malua operations manager Manuela Littek has a fireside chat with celebrity chefs Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

Club Malua operations manager Manuela Littek has a fireside chat with celebrity chefs Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge at the newly reopened Club Malua. Photo: Kim Treasure.

Almost three years after a small South Coast club was razed to the ground in the Black Summer bushfires, it has reopened to much community fanfare – including the surprise appearance of celebrity chefs Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

After amalgamating with Club Malua, the Cabra Bowls Group spent $1.2 million refurbishing the much-loved Eurobodalla club and was just weeks from a relaunch when it was lost in the New Year’s Eve blaze that traumatised a whole community in 2019/20.

Denis Beavan, chairman of the Club Malua advisory committee, said it was a devastating loss for club members and the wider population.

“It was one of the most traumatic, frightening things I’ve been through and I’ve had 40 years as an emergency services worker,” Denis said. “I was scared, people were scared, we were confused. It really was the worst day of our lives.

“Early next morning they said the club had been lost. It took a few days for us to be able to get in and have a look at it … it was devastating, there was nothing left. There was just rubble on the ground.”

Almost immediately, Cabra Bowls pledged to rebuild.

“The CEO got in the car and came straight down,” Denis recalled.

“As soon as the police lifted the cordon we got in and … he made a commitment to establish temporary accommodation.

“As soon as the cordon was lifted, all the bowlers came onto the green. The greenkeepers we had at the time flooded the greens and they did a wonderful job to save them. We congregated on the greens, we held a barbecue on the greens and we decided as a community, as a bowling group, we would stay together and continue bowling.”


READ ALSO: Canberra’s round bus shelters are beloved icons, so why don’t we make them anymore?


The club continued to operate for more than two and a half years out of that temporary accommodation – The Marquee – and went on to win the Southern Tablelands and Far South Coast Region 2022 Perfect Plate awards for “Dan’s Marquee Steak Sandwich”.

Cooked on a barbecue from Bunnings in the makeshift marquee, the club meal was voted one of the most popular in the state-wide competition, which was championed by celebrity chefs Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.

Both were on hand at the official opening of the new $11 million Club Malua last Thursday, 28 July.

The pair entertained the crowd with anecdotes from their long cooking careers and congratulated the club and its community on their resilience.

“The story of this joint, the rebuild and the fire, it’s really a heartwarming story,” Colin said.

“That’s why we do this Perfect Plate thing. It looks like an easy thing, just eating food, but it’s not. But we get to come to places like this and hear the stories … that’s what it’s about.

“We are privileged to be here.”

Denis said bowlers and club members alike were delighted with the new facilities.


READ ALSO: Canberra developer to build international hotel in Batemans Bay


“This club is a hub to the community,” he said.

“A lot of people see this as their home, they see it as a place to gather, a place of safety … it’s their community centre.

“This community of Malua Bay and the area is expanding considerably. This club will re-establish itself as that nucleus of the community.

“We’ve had great support. When this club opened just a few days ago you couldn’t move in here, that’s how excited they were about it.

“We are over the moon.”

Original Article published by Kim Treasure on About Regional.

Original Article published by Kim Treasure on Riotact.

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Switched-on property managers ease headaches for new investors https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/switched-on-property-managers-ease-headaches-for-new-investors/286547/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/switched-on-property-managers-ease-headaches-for-new-investors/286547/#respond Wed, 10 Aug 2022 00:46:47 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286547 Lisa Konig

McIntyre Property’s investment property manager Lisa Konig says investors will reap the rewards of good communication. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

More Canberra “mums and dads” are taking the leap into property investment, but it’s no longer just a case of buying a property, sitting back and watching the bank balance grow.

While the high demand for rental properties may seem like a golden opportunity to rake in extra income, new landlords need to consider many factors.

Lisa Konig says there’s been an increase in challenges and expectations for landlords and tenants during her 10 years in property management at McIntyre Property.

“There is more information out there online so both sides have a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities. It keeps everyone on their toes,” Lisa says.

Landlords who choose to manage a property themselves have to keep up with constant changes in legislation and stay on top of paperwork, maintenance and inspections. Plus, they need to find suitable tenants.


READ ALSO: What it takes to get an EV charger in your apartment’s car space


One of the biggest headaches for D.I.Y. investors can be liaising with tenants.

Whether it’s requesting a rent increase or dealing with maintenance problems, Lisa says having an experienced property manager to do the hard work “makes sense” in the ever-changing world of real estate.

“They offer guidance and support, and ensure that landlords are doing everything within the law.”

She says property management is more than coordinating tenancies and rental payments — it’s about helping investors achieve their financial goals. And having a property manager you know and trust can make a huge difference.

“It is very common to hear from other landlords and tenants that they have so many changes with their previous agency, they lose track of who is actually managing their investment,” Lisa says.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the value of professional property managers, with inspections and viewings carried out virtually during lockdowns. Some interstate landlords were also locked out of the Territory.

Recent interest rates rises have also caused headaches for some investors, leaving them with no choice but to increase their rent.

Lisa says proposing a rent increase can be a difficult conversation for a landlord, especially when other living costs such as electricity, groceries and fuel are going through the roof.

“Owners have had to consider raising rents, which for some is really hard because they appreciate their tenants and do not want to put added pressure on them. But they are really left with no choice,” she says.

“It is a difficult time for tenants right now, but also challenging for owners.

“This is a time where a good property manager with exceptional communication skills can make a world of difference. I do my best to make sure both are taken care of as best as possible.”

Landlords also need to be prepared for all sorts of added costs, such as property maintenance and repairs.

“Having a contingency fund in place for unexpected maintenance, such as a burst hot water system, or rent shortages is a must,” Lisa says.

“Sometimes the costs are simply not covered by the rent alone, so squirrelling away some money for a rainy day is always a good idea.”


READ ALSO: ACT to ban no-cause evictions in tenancy laws overhaul


Lisa says while her job can be challenging at times, she finds it extremely rewarding.

“It’s great to be in a position to help landlords take care of their investment, and to help great tenants find a place to call home.

“It’s fantastic when owners recognise the hard work it takes to look after things, especially when the job is tough at times.

“And I think it’s great when you bring so much relief or joy to an applicant and they cry when you tell them they have been approved for a property.”

Demand for rental properties in Canberra has dropped slightly over winter, but remains at an all-time high.

Lisa says the Territory will always be a great place for mums and dads to invest.

“The public service brings people in. Then I believe people see how great it is here, so they stay.

“We have great schools, fresh air, the Brindabellas at your doorstep, and traffic jams that don’t last for hours on end – Canberra really is a great place to live!”

New and existing investors can reach out to Lisa and the local team at McIntyre Property for assistance and advice about managing properties in the Canberra region.

Original Article published by Katrina Condie on Riotact.

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Construction capitalises on under-tapped resource to rescue skills shortage https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/construction-capitalises-on-under-tapped-resource-to-rescue-skills-shortage/286543/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/construction-capitalises-on-under-tapped-resource-to-rescue-skills-shortage/286543/#respond Mon, 08 Aug 2022 05:04:06 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286543 Workers talking in high vis vests on a construction site

As the construction industry faces a critical skills shortage, employers are taking a closer look at under-represented demographics. Photo: File.

Lucy Marburg slipped into the construction industry as an administration officer. She didn’t consider herself as working “in construction”, nor was it ever intended.

“I always saw it as a male-dominated area,” she says.

“But I quickly developed an interest in the construction side of the company. I was drawn to it by its fast-paced, challenging but rewarding nature.

“My only misgiving was that since the industry was so male-dominated, I would struggle to progress far.”

About 18 months ago Lucy expressed an interest in a lateral move, and happily discovered her concerns were “very wrong” as she progressed quickly up the ladder.

Given the current state of the construction industry, her story shouldn’t come as a great surprise.


READ ALSO: Geocon reaches new heights and is now one of the ACT’s largest private sector employers


Between supply chain issues, material shortages, increased demand and, perhaps gravest of all, skills shortages, the construction industry is facing an existential crisis.

Any effective long-game approach must include a shot to the arm of domestic training and education, according to CIT head of Department, Building and Construction Management Tony Cowlishaw.

He says this should include finding ways to tap into under-represented demographics – including women. To that end, CIT has partnered with Geocon to launch the Women in Building and Construction Scholarship.

Open to female students 17 years or above, the scholarship will sponsor a new female student to enrol full- or part-time in a Certificate IV in Building and Construction or the Diploma of Building and Construction.

“I believe we have an obligation as an organisation to encourage and provide a pathway for women who might not otherwise have thought of construction as a legitimate career option for themselves,” Tony says.

“With Geocon covering their fees, it might be that tipping point.”

Two women in high vis vests walking through a construction site

Training on Australian shores could be a crucial part of an answer to the skilled labour shortage plaguing the construction industry. Photo: File.

Aside from increasing the talent pool, Tony says women “add a perspective to the industry that’s beneficial to all concerned”.

“They come in with different experiences and approaches and I think everyone can see the advantage of that,” he says.

While there are still clear deficiencies in the industry, Tony says he has noticed a pleasing trend in the uptake of construction roles among women.

“Over the past seven years the number of females undertaking our construction management courses has risen from about 1.5 per cent of the cohort to up to 22 per cent,” he says.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s definitely happening.”


READ ALSO: Geocon unveils plans for blue-chip mixed-use project on Allara Street


While Tony is hearing mounting reports of a “struggle getting qualified and quality employees” in the field, he believes this classroom trend is translating on work sites.

“A couple of weeks ago I was at Aspen – the Geocon site in Tuggeranong – and walking through on that Saturday morning I’d say 30 to 40 per cent of the tradespeople on site were women,” he says.

“Almost all our students looking for employment in the industry are getting a range of options upon graduation – cadetships, traineeship and other roles with a number of companies both residential and commercial.”

Woman wearing a hard hat and high vis vest on the phone at a construction site

Women add a valuable perspective to the construction industry. Photo: File.

Tony says women have the potential to “change the dynamics” of the construction industry for the better – on site and in the classroom.

“Women in the industry don’t want to be considered tokens,” he says.

“They want to be a constructive part of the team, equal to all other members and providing an equal contribution to the output of that team.”

It’s certainly the case for Lucy, now a senior contracts administrator for Geocon. Contrary to her initial concerns, she finds the industry “fun, inclusive and friendly”.

“I have been supported and given opportunities I never thought I would get as a 21-year-old female,” she says.

“I absolutely love my job. As someone who is fairly new to the industry, I find the actual work mentally challenging but more rewarding than any other role I have previously done.

“There is so much opportunity out there. If you find an area you enjoy, there is always room for growth and the resources are out there to support you in your progression.”

Applications for the CIT Geocon Women in Building and Construction Scholarship close 31 August. Visit CIT scholarships to apply.

Original Article published by Dione David on Riotact.

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Solar battery demand heats up as electricity costs go through the roof https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/solar-battery-demand-heats-up-as-electricity-costs-go-through-the-roof/286538/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/solar-battery-demand-heats-up-as-electricity-costs-go-through-the-roof/286538/#respond Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:00:01 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286538 solar batteries

Demand for solar batteries is on the rise in Canberra. Photo: Stephen Ning.

After years of waiting for solar battery systems to become more cost effective, many Canberra families have decided the time is right.

Canberra solar company Mondiaux Solar has seen a significant increase in demand for battery storage systems. About 80 per cent of new residential solar customers now also install batteries.

Mondiaux residential sales manager Garry Nagra says families are making the choice to become self-sufficient to avoid the rising cost of electricity.

“Solar batteries are a game changer,” he says.

By installing a battery, the excess energy produced by the sun can be stored and used by families during peak times, reducing their dependency on the grid and slashing their power bills.

“Going solar was always a better choice than depending on the grid and, with the electricity retailers now unable to meet the energy demand during peak-hour, increasing their price is the only way to discourage people from using energy during peak load times,” Garry says.

“Now is the right time to install a battery to beat the expected price hikes.”

Installing a solar system with battery storage is the best way to increase self-consumption of energy 24 hours a day.

If a house has solar, without a battery, it self-consumes an average 20 to 30 per cent of the total energy produced in a day, with the rest exported back to the grid.

“Without battery storage, people are dependent on the energy retailer’s feed-in tariff to maximise their benefit, but unfortunately the tariff is very low,” Garry says.


READ ALSO: Healthy sponsorships a gamechanger for junior sporting clubs


“They also have to pay for the energy they use after the sun goes down.

“Rather than selling their excess energy back to the grid, it’s more beneficial for people to store it in a battery for use during peak times.”

Garry’s says think of solar as a grocery store and electricity retailers as restaurants – why eat out every day when you can cook your own food?

An increase in the amount of time people are now spending working from home has also led to a rise in household electricity consumption.

With a solar system, people can reduce their electricity bills and their dependency on the grid by self-consuming the electricity during the day to run dishwashers, clothes dryers and washing machines. By adding a battery to an existing solar system, families can save even more in the long run.

“If a household has solar and battery installed, they can reduce their dependence on the grid by being self-sufficient and the electricity price increase won’t have a significant effect on the expenditure,” Garry says.

“Now, the average kilowatt price is 25 cents when you buy energy from the grid. But when you feed it back to the grid, you only get eight cents. It means in order to offset your current usage, you need to export three times the energy you consume daily.

“Storing energy in a battery allows you to use the energy at peak rates and, if the price of electricity goes up every year, you save more every year with a battery.”

Batteries have come a long way in recent years, with lithium-ion batteries gradually replacing lead-acid batteries in energy storage due to their affordability, higher efficiency and longer lifespan.

Lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries have become one of the most popular battery materials for the Home Energy Storage System (HESS).


READ ALSO: Solar, electric and simulators – transport operator looks outside the box for fuel and staff shortage relief


In addition to cell materials, the safety, performance and adaptability of batteries have also been gradually improved.

Once considered a luxury item, batteries are now more affordable as manufacturers, including Alpha ESS, Sungrow and Huawei, take on the big guns of Tesla and LG.

“Premium brands will always have a higher price, so people should look at the quality of the product rather than a brand,” Garry says.

Canberra residents can take advantage of the NextGen battery rebate which has reduced the cost of a 10 kilowatt battery to as low as $5000. They can also benefit from the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS) which offers eligible households zero interest loans of up to $15,000 over 10 years.

By pairing the ACT SHS loan scheme and battery rebate, households can purchase a solar system with 10 kilowatt battery for a zero upfront cost.

Mondiaux Solar consultants can set up new solar power systems and help you select the right battery for your existing system.

Original Article published by Katrina Condie on Riotact.

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Tradies urged to report safety risks, injuries to avoid painful compo claims https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/tradies-urged-to-report-safety-risks-injuries-to-avoid-painful-compo-claims/286535/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/tradies-urged-to-report-safety-risks-injuries-to-avoid-painful-compo-claims/286535/#respond Mon, 01 Aug 2022 23:00:55 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286535 Two workers on a building site.

Building companies are being told to lift their game to make ACT work sites safer. Photo: WorkSafe ACT.

Canberra tradies are being encouraged to dob in dodgy worksites or risk serious injury.

Contractors and short-term employees remain reluctant to report accidents and unsafe work practices on job sites, despite the residential construction industry having the highest number of workers’ compensation claims for the past five years compared to other ACT sectors.

Maliganis Edwards Johnson (MEJ) partner and workplace injury compensation lawyer, Kirsten Leitch says WorkSafe ACT’s recently launched Residential Construction Strategy for 2022-24 will go a long way towards stamping out the “she’ll be right” attitude long held by some building companies and their employees.

Ms Leitch says while construction sites can be dangerous workplaces, accidents can be prevented if risks are reported and proper Work, Health and Safety (WHS) procedures are followed.

But she says speaking up about safety concerns hasn’t been commonplace on building or construction sites in the past.

“Traditionally this isn’t an industry where ‘dobbing’ is encouraged, because often workers are subcontractors or short-term employees and there’s the fear they might not get the next job with the company,” Ms Leitch says.

“There needs to be a change in attitude towards safety on job sites, from the very top, right down to the tradies doing the physical work.”

According to WorkSafe ACT, common WHS offences have not significantly changed over the past two years. Breaches common across the ACT include failing to manage the risks of falls from heights, securing the workplace, and inadequate scaffolding.


READ ALSO: WorkSafe boss wants more penalties, prosecution options for construction repeat offenders


Ms Leitch says the laid back attitude often extends to reporting workplace incidents or injuries.

“Nine times out of 10, people will report an injury to their employer, but often only verbally,” she says.

“On residential construction sites, it’s not uncommon that a notification form is not filled out.

“Employees and contractors need to insist the paperwork is completed, regardless of the severity of the injury.”

All employers are obliged to give injured workers a claim form and provide the details of their insurer.

Failure to fill out the required documentation and to report an injury – no matter how minor it may seem at the time – can impact claims for compensation, including claims made years down the track.

Kirsten Lietch.

MEJ partner and compensation lawyer Kirsten Leitch says keeping records of all incidents can reduce complications with claims down the track. Photo: MEJ Lawyers.

Ms Leitch says tradies, and employees in other physical roles such as nursing, often make their own assessments of pain and accept “it’s just part of the job”.

“A lot of labourers don’t tell their employer about things such as back pain or sore knees because they think it’s normal and goes hand-in-hand with heavy lifting or being on their feet all day, every day,” she says.

“They tend to just hang in there and the injuries build up over time.

“Anyone experiencing pain at work needs to see a doctor and fill in the paperwork as soon as possible because it’s really important for protecting their rights down the track if they require compensation.

“Even if they think it’s something relatively minor, their employer’s insurer needs to know about it as well.”

People injured at work can still make claims for compensation, even if the incident isn’t reported at the time. But having supporting documents makes a compensation lawyer’s job much easier.


READ ALSO: Kirsten Leitch is breaking the mould in workplace injury law


Ms Leitch says the MEJ team has worked with clients who have all the documentation required, and others with no records of injuries that occurred years ago.

“Just because someone hasn’t reported an incident, doesn’t mean they’re not entitled to claim compensation,” she says.

“But, the longer they wait to seek legal advice, the less likely they are to get assistance from their employers and the insurer.”

Ms Leitch says employees can prevent potential injuries by reporting risks to their employers or Worksafe ACT. And if they’re injured at work, they mustn’t ignore it.

WorkSafe ACT WHS Commissioner Jacqueline Agius says workplace injury, illness and disease are avoidable.

“We all have one thing in common, that is everyone wants every worker and every workplace to be healthy and safe,” she says.

Claims involving accidents on construction sites are complex and require expert and specialist advice. For more information contact Maliganis Edwards Johnson

Original Article published by Katrina Condie on Riotact.

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Businesses team up with the Southern Cross Club to mark 50 year milestone https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/businesses-team-up-with-the-southern-cross-club-to-mark-50-year-milestone/286530/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/businesses-team-up-with-the-southern-cross-club-to-mark-50-year-milestone/286530/#respond Sat, 30 Jul 2022 23:00:25 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286530 Sarah McDougall with glass of wine

Lake George Winery’s Sarah McDougall sampling the CSCC 50th Anniversary Shiraz. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

The Canberra Southern Cross Club has teamed up with local businesses to make limited edition products to sell as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Businesses such as Underground Spirits, Lake George Winery, Capital Brewing Co and Lonsdale Street Roasters will come together to show their support with a special selection of unique wines, spirits and coffee to commemorate the milestone.

Canberra Southern Cross Club food and beverage general manager Anurag Gautam said this was a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for the venue.

“We started from humble beginnings and we’ve now grown so much in 50 years,” Anurag said.

“We’ve now got around 80,000 members with us, and from a city of 400,000 people, it shows us how much we have achieved and the responsibility we have to the Canberra community.

“Now it’s time for us to party. After the last few years we’ve had, everyone in Canberra needs a party.”


READ ALSO: ‘It tastes like the country’ Shiraz takes out top gong at National Wine Show


Underground Spirits CEO Claudia Roughley said it was exciting to work with Anurag and the team at Canberra Southern Cross Club to celebrate the 50th anniversary, as they had worked alongside each other for the past 17 years.

“It’s not every day you achieve massive milestones like that, so it’s a great reason to celebrate by sharing beautiful spirits with the club,” Claudia said.

“We wanted to incorporate those elements of good-quality food, drinks and good times with family and friends and really build them into this collaboration.

“To have that acknowledgement that we do produce beautiful things here in Canberra is really great and we can’t wait to be involved.”

claudia roughley

Claudia Roughley from Underground Spirits. Photo: Underground Spirits.

Claudia said Underground Spirits was producing a limited edition collaboration gin for the anniversary.

“We are just pulling up the final ingredients,” she said.

“It’s going to be called the Golden Anniversary gin to celebrate their massive milestone.

“The key flavours of the gin are yuzu and green apple, with other flavours including rosella, lime and myrtle and Thai basil and apple.”

Claudia said the Canberra Southern Cross Club was an institution, and to have the venue support local businesses such as themselves was phenomenal.

Sarah McDougall bottling wine

Sarah shows off the anniversary shiraz at Lake George Winery. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

Lake George Winery owners Sarah McDougall and her husband, Anthony, will also be producing limited edition products for the celebration.

“This year we’ve done a special shiraz and a special riesling,” Sarah said.

“It’s been 50 years since the vineyard was purchased too, so my husband and I are really excited to be part of the celebrations.

“Both of us also grew up celebrating milestones like birthdays and baptisms at the Canberra Southern Cross Club and we’ve brought our own kids to celebrate occasions too, so it’s just nice to kind of stop and celebrate together.”

Sarah said she and Anthony had worked with the Canberra Southern Cross Club since they bought the winery in 2018.

“It’s been a wonderful relationship for us to work together to host a special wine dinner and to be part of one of their milestones,” she said.


READ MORE: Champagne to flow as Southern Cross Club celebrates 50 years serving the Canberra community


“They showcase local products and they love working with local owner-operators.

“Their focus is paddock to plate and supporting local, so we really kind of fit in with that as we share the same values.”

For the celebrations, they have created a shiraz and a riesling.

“Our beautiful shiraz combines an eight-months-mature red wine in a mix of new and old French oak. We’ve made it exclusively for the Canberra Southern Cross Club,” Sarah said.

“We’ve only done 40 cases, so it’s a limited run.

“As for our riesling, it is made by one of our head winemakers, Nick O’Leary. Again it’s a small bunch, but we’ve done about 80 cases of it.”

man looking at wine

Anurag Gautam casts a discerning eye over the CSCC 50th Anniversary Shiraz at Lake George Winery. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

The Canberra Southern Cross Club is selling unique, custom-made products for the celebration through its website and at one of the four venues in Canberra – Jamison, Woden, Tuggeranong and Yarralumla. The yacht club reopens in early August.

Anurag said Canberra Southern Cross would also hold a gala event on 26 August, with 400 members, guests and business partners expected to attend.

It will also produce a special-edition cookbook titled A Recipe for Success.

”This will include the recipes of some iconic dishes from the Canberra Southern Cross Club’s history, which have helped build our reputation for quality dining,” Anurag said.

“We’re getting really excited as we love partnering with passionate local businesses.

“It’s very hard to find people that contribute to the community and who want to keep supporting it.”

Original Article published by Evelyn Karatzas on Riotact.

REGION MEDIA PARTNER CONTENT

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Chris Johnson joins Region team to head public sector coverage https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/chris-johnson-joins-region-team-to-head-public-sector-coverage/286523/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/chris-johnson-joins-region-team-to-head-public-sector-coverage/286523/#respond Tue, 26 Jul 2022 23:00:01 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286523 man's head

Chris Johnson joins Region Media in mid-August. Photo: Supplied.

Chris Johnson will join the Region team in mid-August as our Public Sector Editor.

Chris is currently the editor of The Mandarin and will bring a wealth of public sector reporting experience to his new role.

A Walkley Award-winning journalist, Chris is a longtime member of the Canberra Press Gallery at Parliament House. He was the bureau chief for Fairfax Media and has written about politics, the public sector and foreign affairs news from the press gallery for The Canberra Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The West Australian, as well as the digital-only New Daily and Mandarin online publications.

“I have been very impressed with what Region has achieved to date, and I look forward to joining this progressive team to help build a must-read public sector news service,” he says.

Chris’s career began with community newspapers in regional Western Australia where he cut his teeth on the West Australian newspaper group.

“I’ve had a huge interest in politics from the beginning and I’ve worked around Australia,” he says.

“I even spent a few years in Tasmania before coming to Canberra to join the Press Gallery. I felt I had to be part of the main game here in the national capital.”

His reporting beat has included foreign affairs with a strong focus on the Asia Pacific, the environment and industrial relations, as well as general political news.

During Chris’s time with the Press Gallery, he was chief political correspondent for The Canberra Times, national political correspondent for The Sun-Herald and Sunday Age and Canberra bureau chief for Fairfax.


READ ALSO: Former ABC News head Gaven Morris to join Region Media’s advisory board


Chris says that during that time the profession of journalism has changed dramatically, as has the content being produced by multiple sources.

“I’m interested in keeping people informed, in wanting to be part of providing a trustworthy source of news for readers,” he says.

“There’s now a plethora of social media where everyone is trying to be a commentator and a journalist. I want to work with news sources that are trusted and deliver solid news and analysis. I’ve always associated myself with those kind of mastheads.”

Region‘s public sector content includes news and analysis from the APS, the ACT public service, the diplomatic corps and the policy, politics and people affecting the sector.

“When it comes to public sector news, I’m their champion,” Chris says. “I like to report the news warts and all, but I’m on their side. I think the public service needs to be highly valued in this country.”

Original Article published by Genevieve Jacobs on Riotact.

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Much-loved Cooleman Court team member receives award of his own at nation’s top pharmacy https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/much-loved-cooleman-court-team-member-receives-award-of-his-own-at-nations-top-pharmacy/286520/ https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/much-loved-cooleman-court-team-member-receives-award-of-his-own-at-nations-top-pharmacy/286520/#respond Tue, 26 Jul 2022 01:21:31 +0000 https://www.b2bmagazine.com.au/?p=286520 Man receives award.

Daniel Lewis (centre) is honoured for his contribution to an award-winning pharmacy. Photo: Supplied.

A staff member at the nation’s Pharmacy of the Year has been honoured in a special presentation.

Assistant at Cooleman Court Pharmacy in Weston Creek, Daniel Lewis, has been recognised for his contribution and efforts in helping the business.

The award was presented by pharmacy proprietors Brad Butt and Brooke Veasey, and the pharmacy guild’s national president Trent Twomey.

Daniel was among staff members who collected the national award when Cooleman Court took out the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s top gong in March this year.


READ ALSO: Patient safety at heart of new prescription monitoring service


“Dan was part of the entourage that went to collect the award on behalf of the pharmacy,” Mr Butt said.

“I think everyone saw how enthusiastic he was, so a bit later we got a message basically asking if the pharmacy guild could make a replica of the award specifically for Daniel.”

Mr Butt said Daniel was a great worker and a treasured part of his staff.

“Dan brings warmth, happiness, and a special kind of energy to the pharmacy. He’s a joy to have around,” he said.

“He’s the kind of person to be up at 8 [am] and excited to go to work when he starts at 12 later in the day.”

Daniel has Down syndrome and takes care of the pharmacy’s robotic stock controller, the system that sorts the store’s prescription medicines.

“The accuracy of the stock robot is only as good as the person who works on it, and luckily for us we’ve got someone great working on it,” Mr Butt said.


READ ALSO: Business proves a lifesaver for Yass woman


Ms Veasey said Daniel was an extremely popular member of staff and much loved by all the pharmacy’s patients.

“He has a warm welcome for everyone and knows all our regular patients and makes them all feel as if they are part of the pharmacy family,” she said.

Daniel said he was proud to work at the pharmacy.

“It is an important job. Having a job makes me feel good, happy and part of a great team,” he said.

A replica of the Pharmacy of the Year Award was made specifically to honour Daniel’s outstanding contribution and enthusiasm for his work.

Original Article published by Aiden Rothnie on Riotact.

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