Brilliant-Online Magazine | The Proudly Australian Issue | January 2022

J A N 2 02 2

➸ The

➸

Oliver and Tania Taylor

PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN Issue INSIDE: Roaring in 2022. Brilliant-Online celebrates Year of the Water Tiger, Australia Day and our First Birthday!

Scan to book a Play Date

TG’s Child Care Blends in Indigenous Program for a Sustainable Future with Beach and Bush Kindy Activities TG’s Urangan has been incorporating Butchulla culture into our curriculum.

This consists of fortnightly Beach and Bush Kindee Excursions where the children get to explore and listen to stories from the Butchulla culture on their walks. Butchulla’s three lores also align beautifully with TG’s sustainability values (social, economic and environmental).

The 3 Butchulla Lores are: 1. What is good for the land comes first.

2. Do not take or touch anything that doesn’t belong to you.

3. If you have plenty, you must share.

Long Day Care and Kindergarten • Licensed for 75 places • Children aged six weeks to six years • All day long from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday • 52 weeks per year

Learning about indigenous culture is part of identity building for the children.

They realise how they are all connected to their culture, their past, their community, and to their environment. When the children see how people took care of each other and their environment in the past, they naturally learn how to go forward to make a better future for their planet and their communities.

(07) 4184 2282

tgschildcare.com.au/urangan

61 Miller St, Urangan, QLD 4655

urangan@tgschildcare.com.au

3

ED ITO R ' S N OTE

NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR ✦ Roaring into 2022!

Yes, 2021 was a shocker and certainly one to forget, but it’s in the rear view mirror now as we stride into 2022 with confidence. With a new year comes a new you and, echoing the year of the Tiger, we are roaring into the year ahead!

At Brilliant-Online, we have learnt through the pandemic that adaptation, creativity and community have been vital in helping many businesses survive even thrive through challenging times.

In this issue we look at the ever-evolving shape of the workplace and getting back to business, with some invaluable money tips from John Clarke. We also preview top financial New Year resolutions and how to fulfill them, learn what social media can really do for your business and Samso’s Noel Ong shares his top three investment tips for the year ahead.

ABOUT BRILLIANT Brilliant-Online makes people and businesses famous. It is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses pushing for a better world in the digital era. Born witty, Brilliant unveils an online magazine featuring a variety of digital interactive content that makes it similar to the magical Daily Prophet newspaper from Harry Potter.

FOLLOW US @brilliantonlineinternational @BrilliantOnlineInternational

With Australia Day just around the corner, our very own Chrissy Jones shares why the occasion is so special for her, plus we have a recipe on the perfect Lamington and the lowdown of Aussie slang with our comprehensive Aussie Lingo 101 guide!

With a big thank you to all of you for your invaluable and much appreciated support we at Brilliant-online wish a Happy Australia Day to one and all here’s to a great year ahead!

Ben Tirebuck

Planning for

2022?

Let’s help you with a Brilliant start. ✦ Contact Chrissy ✦ for an advertorial:

+61 412 137 621

chrissyjones@brilliant-online.com Brilliant-online.com

CONTACT US

Subscribe to Brilliant

editor@brilliant-online.com brilliant-online.com P.O. Box 9339, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES HQ Australia +61 412 137 621 P.O. Box 9339, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia Singapore +65 96 817 045

@AdBrilliant

North America

Brilliant Online Magazine

+1 (647) 239 3231

Request Ad Package

➹ ➹ ➹

W

elcome to the first edition of BrilliantOnline for 2022 and a very happy belated New Year to all our readers, customers and contributors.

2022 Advertising Themes

4

1

8

20

➸

IN THIS ISSUE 1

Featuring Oliver And Tania Taylor On The Cover

2

TG’s Child Care: Blends In Indegenous Program For A Sustainable Future

3

Note from Our Editor

3

About Brilliant

6

Brilliant-Online Roars Into 2022

Brilliant AUSTRALIA 10

Australia Day - What It Means To Me

14

Lamingtons Recipe

16

Aussie Lingo 101

18

Australian Products And Services

Brilliant YEAR OF THE TIGER 22

Eye Of The Tiger!

24

Chinese New Year Dish For Happiness & Longevity

26

New Year New Clothes

27

Vermilion Pinstripes Wishes You Happy Lunar New Year

5

I N TH IS ISSU E

Brilliant BUSINESSES

28 38 48 56

30

New Year New Career At TG's Child Care Where Playing Is Learning For Life

34

How To Improve Your Business 3678% In One Year

36

Why Social Media Is Important For Your Brand

Brilliant INVESTMENTS 40

The Future Of Indigenous Women In Mining And Its Challenges

42

The Market Is Waking Up To Halloysite

43

2022 Market Expectations For The Mineral Resource Industry

44

Samso's Top Investment Picks For 2022

46

Aurumin Limited (ASX:AUN) - A Gold Miner With A Straightforward Strategy

Brilliant SPORTS 50

A Preview Of The 2022 Australian Open

52

The Sky's The Limit For Oliver Taylor

Brilliant COMMUNITY 58

Greenbourne Nursery Advises To Heat Proof Gardens

60

Top 11 Financial New Year's Resolutions And How To Fulfill Them

64

Local Artist Stu Doherty Wins A Blue Ribbon

65

Wauchope Lassiandra Festival

66

Wauchope Creative Hub Welcomes Local Artist Angela Marr-Grogan To The Creative Family

68

Australia's International Education 2022

69

Brilliant Ad Themes For 2022

70

MBF: Make 2022 Your Best Year Ever

6

BRILLIANT-ONLINE ROARS INTO 2022 ✦ Welcome to the first edition of Brilliant-online for 2022, roaring in a number of celebrations

F

New Year New You

➹

irstly, let me wish all our readers, customers and contributors a very happy belated New Year. A New Year, A New You was written last month to ring in 2022. During this time, most people make New Year resolutions and our article gave tips on goal settings.

Eye of the Tiger

➹

Secondly, we welcome the year of the Water Tiger roaring into the year ahead with confidence and some believe it is a time to take bold actions. We believe that a new year presents new opportunities. Let us roar into the new year to make magic happen, create ideas and turn these ideas into reality. Let's make 2022 a year of possibilities.

Thirdly, it is Brilliant-Online's first birthday.

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising sharply, we are concerned about the health of our community. So we have decided to postpone our Brilliant First Birthday Face to Face Celebrations.

At Brilliant-Online, we have learnt through the pandemic that adaptation, creativity and community have been vital in helping many businesses survive and even thrive through challenging times. Over the past year, Brilliant-Online has become the platform for businesses to share their stories. As of today, we have published 337 stories ranging from topics about businesses, people, communities, investments, homes and gardens, travel, sports and arts and entertainment. Our stories have now attracted almost 19,000 subscribers. We will keep creating wonderful stories that make you famous.

7

B RILLIA NT- O N LIN E ED ITO R S N OTE

Our appreciation and gratitude towards the businesses and communities who have stood by us continues, and we are still delighted to give away one FREE 1/4 page Ad as a way to say thank you for your support!

To get your FREE 1/4 page ad to be published on any month of our Brilliant-Online Magazine, all you have to do is send a congratulatory VIDEO message to us before 10th February 2022. Yes! It's that brilliantly simple!

Lastly, Brilliant-Online wishes you Happy Australia Day on 26th January 2022. Our very own Chrissy Jones shares why the occasion is so special for her, plus we have a recipe on the perfect Lamington and the lowdown of Aussie slang with our comprehensive Aussie Lingo 101 guide!

Australia Day

➹

Free Ad

Send Video Message

➹

Enjoy Brilliant-Online January 2022 stories

8

9

B RI LLIA NT AUS TR A LIA

✴

Brilliant

AUSTRALIA ✦

10

AUSTRALIA DAY - WHAT IT MEANS TO ME ✦ I'm Chrissy Jones, born and bred in Australia, January 26th - Australia Day, has always been a day of community celebration and pride to me.

A

day to come together either with community at a town celebration, in a local park or, in my later years, a get together with family and friends at home on the farm.

Preparations begin many days prior as either way the 26th of January was, and still is, marked in my life. Many things to organise, from the food to the games, it is a day full of tradition for not only me, but many.

Whatever it means to you, I believe all Australians should take this day to relax with family and friends and be grateful that we do live in the lucky country.

But if, in these troubled times, you find yourself on your own, maybe in COVID isolation or separated from those you love due to other circumstance, take the Public Holiday to reflect on the good and your treasured memories. Look to the future with the Aussie way of “She’ll be right mate!” at the front of mind.

➸

History Of Australia Day My school years were relaxed and fun. I grew up in a small country town in regional NSW and like others, learnt from a young age the history of Australia Day from books.

Firstly, Australia Day, held each year on the 26th of January, is a public holiday honouring the establishment of the first permanent European settlement on the continent of Australia.

On January 26, 1788, Arthur Phillip, who had sailed into what is now Sydney Cove with a shipload of convicts, hoisted the British flag at the site. In the early 1800s the date, called Foundation Day, was celebrated by politicians and businessmen of New South Wales with private dinners.

It then began to be called Anniversary Day, and in 1836 the first Anniversary Regatta, still held as the Australia Day Regatta and the oldest such sailing race in the world, was run in Sydney Harbour.

First Nations people declared January 26 a “day of mourning” in 1938.

The conference was chaired by Jack Patten (right). Image: Mitchell Library Printed Books Collection, State Library of New South Wales.

11

B RI LLIA NT AUS TR A LIA In 1838, on the 50th anniversary of the settlement, official public celebrations were held for the first time. There were centenary celebrations throughout the continent in 1888, and in 1938, on the 150th anniversary, the day was proclaimed an official holiday.

In 1988, January 26 became a national public holiday, and, in an effort to end the practice in some areas of celebrating the day on the closest Monday, agreement was reached in 1994 that the holiday would be observed on the actual date.

Government and military officials have long taken a prominent role in the celebration of Australia Day, which includes many public ceremonies, and beginning in the 1940s, with increased immigration to Australia, the day became a time for naturalisation ceremonies. Sporting events, including horse races and regattas, have continued to be an important part of the celebrations, and the day’s festivities often end with fireworks.

Since the late 20th century, Aboriginals and their supporters have criticised Australia Day celebrations as excessively nationalistic and have sought greater recognition both of the indigenous inhabitants of the continent and of the effect on them of European settlement.

Australia Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

6 important facts Australians should know about January 26.

1. January 26 was the day the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove in 1788.

2. January 26 wasn’t adopted as "Australia Day" until 1935 3. The so-called ‘Australia Day debate’ was happening as early as the 1800s.

4. First Nations people declared January 26 a “day of mourning” in 1938.

5. The largest protest over January 26 was held 32 years ago.

6. Most Australians associate Australia Day with... a holiday IA McNair yellowSquares national poll commissioned by The Guardian in 2017 found that 68% of Australians felt positive about Australia Day. But the same poll also hinted at a possible explanation for why...

The three words most identified by respondents as associated with "Australia Day": barbecue, celebration and holiday.

For First Nations people, none of those were ranked among the top three. Theirs, instead...

Aussie Kids Reflect on Australia Day

➸

➹

Invasion, survival and murder.

The significance of the day differs amongst the nation’s population.

The largest protest over January 26 was held 32 years ago.

Protestors outside NSW Parliament House on January 26, 1988. Image: Getty.

12 To me, Australia Day is all about sitting back and enjoying the Australian lifestyle, enjoying the spirit of the Aussie larrikin and having a bit of fun. Playing some games while waiting for the sausages to cook on the barbie and keeping the festivities going long into the arvo.

Australia Day wouldn’t be right without a barbecue, good friends and Australia Day games in the backyard or on the beach! Get your Aussie on with these Australia Day games – for kids and adults alike!

Australia Day Games 1. Toss the Thong or gumboot You will need chalk or some sort of marker. You can either go the dartboard approach using a circle, closest to the bullseye, OR go for distance. Warning - these implements can cause injury! (FYI - thongs are also known as flip flops in other countries around the world)

2. Backyard Cricket You might need to improvise with your stumps and even your bat, (a baseball bat can substitute a cricket bat) but if you prepare just a little, hopefully, you will use a cricket bat and ball on Australia Day. Either way, it’s Australia mate, and it really doesn’t matter either way!

3. Three-legged race This is an old time favourite and a test of coordination. Find some old material to tie legs together with, stockings are traditional, and race to the finish line without falling over!

4. Water Fights/play Whether you have a pool or just a couple of water pistols or a stash of water balloons, a hot day is always made better with water and even a sprinkler and a game of red rover will keep the heat down and the fun happening!

5. Beach Frisbee and/or football You really can’t get more Australian than a frisbee or football on an Australian Beach... just make sure you slip slop slap (wear sunscreen) and drink lots of water.

13

B RI LLIA NT AUS TR A LIA

6. A to Z of Aussie items

8. Egg and Spoon Races

Great to play with the kids – who is the fastest person to name an Aussie item for each letter of the alphabet?

This is an undervalued game at parties everywhere – great entertainment can be had by watching little and big kids race each other with an egg balancing precariously on a spoon.

7. Australia Day Quiz This can be fun for all ages. Buy some trashy $2 prizes and discuss your answers over some yummy slices of Australian watermelon, some pavlova or a lamington or two.

Learn Australian Lingo

This is a fun one for the little kids to nibble their way through an Arnott's milk arrowroot bikkie until they think it resembles the shape of Australia. The closest one wins!

10. Best Dressed

➹ ➹

Lamington Recipe

9. Bite the Arnotts Biscuit

Make your Australia Day Celebration into a fancy dress. The person who made the least effort wins…

No.1 rule on Australia Day: relax and have fun, because that is what being an Australian is all about, mate!

14

LAMINGTONS RECIPE ✦ The world famous Australian culinary icon named after the Governor of Queensland, Lord Lamington.

Photo Credit: Nagi

INGREDIENTS: Butter Sponge • 125 g / 4.5 oz unsalted butter , softened • 1 cup (220g) caster sugar • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • 3 eggs , room temperature • 1 3/4 cups (260g) flour , plain/all purpose, sifted (Note 1) • 3.5 tsp baking powder • 1/2 cup (125 ml) milk (low or full fat)

Icing • 4 cups (480g) icing sugar (confectionary sugar), sifted • 1/3 cup (22g) cocoa powder • 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter • 150ml (1/2 cup + 2 tbsp) boiling water

Coating • 3 - 4 cups desiccated coconut • OPTIONAL: JAM AND CREAM • Strawberry jam • 1 cup (250 ml) cream • 1 tbsp white sugar

INSTRUCTIONS: Butter Sponge 1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F (or fan forced 160C/320F).

2. Sift flour and baking powder together.

3. Grease a 20 cm x 30 cm / 8" x 12" cake pan. Line with baking paper (parchment paper), leaving an overhang on all sides (to make it easy to remove).

15

B RI LLIA NT AUS TR A LIA

➹

The great Aussie cake - Lamington Recipe, courtesy of Nagi

4. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium high speed until light and fluffy - about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

5. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition so the batter is smooth, not curdled.

6. Add half the flour and gently fold to combine, then stir in half the milk. Repeat with remaining flour and milk.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

8. Stand for 5 minutes then use the overhang baking paper to lift the cake out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Prepare Cake to Coat • Cut cake into 15 squares (5 x 3), or 18 rectangles. Freeze for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Icing • Combine the Icing ingredients in a heat proof bowl and mix until smooth. Should be a syrup consistency, but not watery.

Coating 1. Place coconut in a shallow bowl or pan with a largish surface area.

2. Place a piece of cake in the icing and roll to coat using 2 forks. Transfer it into the coconut and quickly roll to coat all over in coconut. Transfer to tray.

3. Repeat with remaining sponges.

4. Stand for 1 to 2 hours, or until set. Then serve with tea and coffee!

*Optional: Jam and Cream Beat cream and sugar until firm peaks form.

Cut coated Lamington in half horizontally. Spread with jam then pipe or dollop on cream. Top with lid, keep refrigerated.

16

AUSSIE LINGO 101 ✦ Australians are generally an easy-going bunch, and this is often reflected in how they speak. Having a reputation for shortening 90% of words used, Aussies have unintentionally created their own Aussie Lingo.

I

f you want to join in, just remove the last few letters of a word and replace it with a vowel sound (-a, -ie/y, -o). Some classic examples: Avocado = Avo; Kangaroo = Roo; Mosquito = Mozzie.

Slang Words for Eating & Drinking

But there is another string to the Aussie lingo bow which features weird and wacky Australian slang words and phrases that are not so easy to understand. So, if you don’t know your cark it from your cactus or your goon from your grundies, scroll down for a quick Australian Slang 101.

Barbie – Barbecue (because we’ve all heard, ‘throw another shrimp on the barbie‘, thanks to Hoges The Paul Hogen story!)

A Cold One / Coldie – Beer Avo – Avocado

Billy – Teapot (In the Outback on the fire) Booze Bus – Police vehicle used to catch drunk drivers Bottle-O – Bottle Shop or Liquor Store – basically a place to buy alcohol that isn’t a hospitality venue.

Brekky – Breakfast Bring a Plate – instructions to bring a plate of food to contribute to a BBQ or party/event.

BYO – bring your own (usually in the context grog) Cab Sav – Cabernet Sauvignon. Never has wine sounded so refined.

Choccy Biccy – Chocolate Biscuit Docket – Bill, receipt; or list of items to be dealt with.

Esky – Also known as a Cool Box, Ice Box, Chest Cooler, Chilly Bin. Fairy Floss – Candy Floss, Cotton Candy

17

B RI LLIA NT AUS TR A LIA Flake – Gummy shark flesh sold in fish and chip shops Frothy – Beer Grog – Liquor, Beer Icy Pole – Popsicle Lollies – Sweets Maccas – McDonalds Sanger – Sandwich Skull / Skol – To down a beer quick Slab – A carton or box of beers (usually 24) Snag – A Sausage Stubby – a bottle of beer Stubby Holder – Used so your hands don’t get cold when holding your beer, or to stop your hands making your beer warm!

➸

Barbie

Sausage Sizzle – a sometimes weekly BBQ event held outside Bunnings.

Tinny – Can of beer or small boat Tucker – Food. ‘Bush Tucker’ tends to be food found in the Outback such as witchety grubs.

Aussie Expletives, Exclamations, Insults Banana Bender – Somebody from Queensland Beauty! – Great! Most often shouted emphatically as “You Beauty” when something good happens, particularly in sports.

Bloody – Very. Used to extenuate a point

➸

A Cold One / Coldie, Stubby, Frothy, Grog

Bloody oath – Yes (or, it’s true) Bogan – Someone who is not very sophisticated. The Aussie equivalent of US rednecks Deadset – True or, that’s true.

Defo – Definitely Devo – Devastated

Learn the Australian Lingo

➹

Drongo – A fool or an idiot

➸

Tucker - witchety grubs

18

I would love to help you select and plan a perfect ceremony that best reflects your wishes and desires for your very special day.

Let's plan your wedding together Phone: 02 6584 6132 | 0414 863 706 Email: jenny@jennifermckenzie.com.au Website: www.jennifermckenzie.com.au

DO YOU NEED SOMETHING MADE JUST FOR YOU? We can handcraft a piece just for you such as this loose fit crochet top which is fresh for Summer and warm for Spring and Autumn. www.puravidafashion.com.au

Shop Now

19

B RI LLIA NT AUS TR A LIA

Modern, high impact, UV resistant Acrylic Pool Fencing Koala Farts and Tipsy Koala send 999.9% of germs Woop Woop on impact, along with the bacteria SHOP NOW w: dinki.com.au

e: sales@dinki.com.au

atreem.com.au | 0411 443 535 www.puravidafashion.com.au

ENQUIRE NOW

ABSTRACT PLASTICS 29 Jindalee Rd, Port Macquarie Tel: +61 2 6584 8907

20

21

B RI LLIA NT Y E A R O F TH E TIG ER

✴

Brilliant YEAR OF THE TIGER ✦

22

EYE OF THE TIGER! ✦ Celebrations for 2022 are not over yet… Not with Lunar New Year on its way!

Do you know?

• Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC. • A complete cycle takes 60 years, divided into 12 year elements which is a repeating 12-year cycle of animal signs and their ascribed attributes, based on the lunar calendar. In order, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

• Each of these 12 years is named after an animal favoured by the Buddha.

• The year you were born in is said to influence your personality.

This year’s animal in the Chinese zodiac will be the Tiger, an animal known for its power, fearlessness and passion. For those who are interested in knowing what the Tiger year may bring, watch this video here:

Chinese Zodiac

➹

C

ome 1st of February 2022, millions of people around the world will be celebrating a new year the Lunar New Year.

23

B RI LLIA NT Y E A R O F TH E TIG ER

➸

Major banks in Singapore such as Citibank, DBS, OCBS, Maybank, Standard Chartered and UOB offer e-hong bao services. To show users how easy it is to send e-hong baos, banks such as DBS have created videos or guides for users.

Photo credit: DBS Bank

In Singapore, there is a movement towards “e-hong baos” for various reasons. According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, using e-hong baos in place of physical red packets and currency notes is “environmentally more sustainable as it reduces the printing and subsequent wastage of new notes that are returned by the public to banks after each Lunar New Year.”

For longevity, My Blue Tea shares a Singapore Noodles Recipe with a boost of Sambal Tumis.

Happy New Year 新年快乐

Singapore Noodles

For good luck and wealth, toss some salad. “Yusheng" is a must-have element during Chinese New Year.

Get the recipe and watch how you toss the salad (Lo Hei).

Toss Some Salad

Happy New Spring 新春快乐

Gong Xi Fa Cai / Kong Hee Fatt Choy (wishing you happiness and prosperity) 恭喜发财

Read The Full Story

➹

In China, people use the payment mode of their messaging app, WeChat, to send these “hong baos” to friends and family.

Common Chinese New Year greetings

➹

We're talking E-red packets, believe it or not!

Celebrate Lunar New Year with auspicious food

➹

Culture goes digital

24

CHINESE NEW YEAR DISH FOR HAPPINESS & LONGEVITY ✦ Try this modern take on Sing Chow Mai with My Blue Tea's Sambal Tumis

I

f you haven´t decided yet which auspicious dishes to have for Chinese New Year, here is one to whet your appetite and have your guests asking for seconds!

My Blue Tea shares their version of the classic Sing Chow Mai with a touch of their mouthwatering Sambal Tumis.

Recipe for Singapore Sing Chow Mai (Singapore Noodles)

INGREDIENTS • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 10 large shrimps (peeled and deveined) • 3 strips turkey bacon or char siu (sliced into bite size strips) • 2 cups cabbage (shredded) • 1 carrot (sliced into thin strips) • 1 fish cake (sliced) • 5 cloves garlic (chopped) • 2 cups bean sprouts • 1 brown onion (slice) • 1 small red onion (thinly sliced into half moons) • 2 dried red chilli peppers (roughly chopped) • 3 stalks scallions/shallots (roughly chopped)

METHOD

• 2-3 tspn @my.blue.tea Sambal Tumis Powder

1. Soak rice noodles in hot water for 7-8 minutes, until they are al dente – you don’t want them cooked all the way through since you will finish them in the wok (or pan).

• 130 grams dried rice noodles • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar • 1 teaspoon sesame oil • 2 tablespoons soy sauce • ground white pepper

2. Drain noodles and use scissors to cut them into lengths that are easy to eat.

Set aside.

3. In a wok or large pan over high heat, add oil. When the oil is hot, add shrimp and turkey bacon and cook for 30 seconds.

4. Add cabbage, carrot, red onion, dried red chilli peppers and half of the scallions, and cook for 4 minutes, stirring often.

5. Add @my.blue.tea Sambal Tumis Powder and stir.

25

B RI LLIA NT Y E A R O F TH E TIG ER 6. Add rice noodles, salt, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and soy sauce, and gently mix.

7. Turn the heat off and transfer the noodles to a plate or bowl.

8. Season with ground white pepper, top with remaining scallions and serve.

➹

Tip: You can experiment with the ingredients for your own personal version of this dish. My Blue Tea recommends using Sambal Tumis Powder instead of the usual bland curry powder because the Sambal Tumis has anchovies and belachan added in the powder which gives the dish a rather special oomph.

My Blue Tea is a company based in Australia that offers unique Asian superfoods, like the Butterfly Blue Pea Flowers (Clitoria Ternatea), Pandanus, Durian, Roselle, Dragon Fruit and more. Recently they launched a range of spices that contain No MSG. No Preservatives. No artificial colouring and are HALAL certified.

Note: Shop My Blue Tea Superfoods with a Brilliant15 coupon code to get 15% off regular priced items.

SHOP NOW

26

NEW YEAR NEW CLOTHES ✦ Wearing new clothes symbolised a new start and fresh hopes for the new year

W

hether or not you are going out to visit relatives or friends, dress your best anyway. This means colourful clothes, no sombre blacks, blues or greys, and certainly none of the pandemic-style house-clothes that are too posh to be pyjamas and too lame to be seen outside in!

Thing is, we all feel better when we put in a bit of effort to pamper ourselves and look good, and new clothes during this time is a way to welcome good fortune. So go ahead, don't be shy, dress up whether you are going out or not!

SHOP NOW

27

B RI LLIA NT Y E A R O F TH E TIG ER

VERMILION PINSTRIPES WISHES YOU HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR ✦ Let’s create opportunities and make 2022 the Year of Possibilities!

After the roller coaster years of the pandemic, the world is heading towards the new Year of the Tiger.

According to the lunar calendar, this is the year of the Water Tiger which some view as a time for bold actions.

For the team at Vermilion Pinstripes, we believe that a new year presents new opportunities. Let us roar into the new

year of Never Normal to make magic happen, create ideas and turn these ideas into reality.

Let us make 2022 the Year of Possibilities!

Read The Full Story

Contact Vermilion Pinstripes:

➹

L

et’s create opportunities and make 2022 the Year of Possibilities!

HQ Australia: +61 407 779 828 Singapore: +65 9681 7045 admin@vermilionpinstripes.com www.vermilionpinstripes.com P.O. Box 9339, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, AUSTRALIA

28

29

B RILLIA NT B USI N E SSE S

✴

Brilliant BUSINESSES ✦

30

NEW YEAR NEW CAREER AT TG'S CHILD CARE WHERE PLAYING IS LEARNING FOR LIFE ✦ Do you know what it's like working at TG's? TG's Educators love going to TG's every day, and here's why!

H

ave you ever wondered about that dream job where you get to do exactly what you love, where you enjoy getting up in the mornings, ready to go to work?

This isn't some non-existent Utopia it actually is possible and if you have met one of TG's Educators, you'll know what that means.

If you think about the number of hours we spend every single day at work, it would make sense to say that our work environment is really important. It's not just about getting a job to pay the rent and feed the children. We want to have a job where we feel fulfilled, valued, appreciated and that we are contributing our skills and experience, where in our own little way, we can make a difference.

And if we actually have FUN at work, then that's a huge bonus! It's an emotional salary that is not always a given in every job. Today we get a glimpse into the world of TG's Educators and find out why they love what they do.

Appreciation Goes A Long Way People who are appreciated always do more than what is expected.

You've probably read this quote before, and many share personal experiences of how they are motivated to go the extra mile simply because their bosses, colleagues or clients show appreciation of what they do.

➸ TG's Child Care has always stood out with their strong presence across regional Australia where they are well-known and loved for their commitment to high quality care, education and community engagements and their diversity and inclusivity.

TG's educators go to work to play!

What people may not know is even with their Educators, TG's is also highly committed to nurturing them and giving their Educators just as much importance, attention and care as they do to the children and families.

31

B RILLIA NT B USI N E SSE S It is no wonder that TG's Child Care has won quite an arsenal of awards for the business side of what they do: • Inaugural Uralla Shire Business Awards 2018 • Employer of Choice at the Armidale Regional Business Awards 2017 • Excellence in Business at the Armidale Regional Business Awards 2017 • Excellence in Business at the Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards 2017 • Gayle Kee - Business Leader of the Year - Armidale 2015 TG's educators are valued, loved, and nurtured as part of the TG's Family.

What makes TG's Educators stand out is how they value their role as more than just a job. TG's families often show gratitude for how the Educators go beyond to make sure their children feel right at home and loved at TG's.

TG's takes care of their Educators and values their own individual learning journeys. TG's tailor-made staff development programmes allow the Educators to grow their careers and develop TG's culture. Their education and learning journey is every bit as important as that of the children.

There is a beautiful cycle of paying it forward with the loving kindness at

➸

Laura Mowle, Area Manager for Wauchope

TG's - the Educators celebrate the children's unique milestones on their learning journeys, and TG's in turn celebrate each Educator's unique gifts and milestones too.

TG's Educators have to juggle between work, family and their training for an early childhood certification. TG's makes it possible and motivating for their Educators to want to learn and grow. TG's environment is primed for this. The Educators thrive in a flexible and supportive environment where there are opportunities made available for them. Just like the beautiful cycle of life in TG's, because the Educators have been given so much, they in return are eager to offer their gifts to make TG's thrive.

Laura Mowle, Area Manager for Wauchope has experienced this herself during her professional career at TG's. For Laura, as every opportunity is a gift at TG's, she is always ready with her motto of ´give it a go´. And it has stood her well as it brought her to her current position at TG's today. She joined the TG's Family at the Armidale campus in 2010.

From being an Educator, she grew to take on the roles of Team Leader and Educational Leader. While it meant having to relocate, she was ready for the challenge and wanted it. Laura studied for her Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood and became Centre

➸

Crystal Majeski, Centre Manager, TG's Riverbreeze, Wauchope

Manager at TG’s High Street in 2016. In 2020, she became Area Manager for Wauchope, and she continues to give back to TG's every single day.

We're Not Going to Work, We're Coming Home For TG's Educators, TG's is not a place of work and toil to be delayed with several alarm snoozes and as many cups of coffee as possible.

Seeing is believing, and those who have experienced the loving, caring, joyful and laughter-filled environment at TG's can see why this is like coming home. There is a reason why they are called the TG's Family. TG's Educators do not feel like they are going to work every single day. TG's is a home away from home for them, this is where their extended family is, and TG's children and families can attest to that.

Families feel safe leaving their children at TG's because TG's Educators are like mother hens who take every child under their wings as if they were their own.

This loving family atmosphere is what TG's Educators feel as well in their teams. Paddling the canoe together is a common saying at TG's, and each Educator knows that their team has their back and no one is left to deal with hard situations alone. Sometimes educators buddy each other when they are training and studying for their certificates and it is embodying the TG's culture of love, trust, respect, compassion and fun. It is about building relationships and collective thinking. Home is where one feels heard, valued, respected and cared for. And TG's is all about that.

Crystal Majeski is Centre Manager of TG's Riverbreeze, Wauchope, NSW. When she first joined TG's, she was surprised by how warm and welcoming the team were towards her.

And more than that, she was struck by how much fun they were having! It was definitely a big attraction for Crystal to want to come back the next day and the next and the next! Educators are not too different from children. It feels good to be welcomed and accepted into a warm, loving environment. What makes TG's so good at what they do is they remember and celebrate what humans need - loving connections

32

We Go to Work to Play!

Playing is taken seriously at TG's.

TG's is a place for fun, adventures, explorations and experiments. And that's not just for the children.

TG's Educators are Play Experts Playing is Learning for Life at TG's and TG's Educators have never forgotten what it felt like to be a child. They recognise what children enjoy and need, what their interests are, their individual gifts and what opportunities they need to develop these gifts. Knowing what it's like to be a child helps TG's Educators to be so good at what they do. They can see the world from the eyes of a child.

TG's Educators go to work to play, and they play really well.

Bron Byers is Centre Manager at TG's Uralla and children are her world. She nurtures and supports every child and family under her wing and she

Do You Have a TG's Educator Profile?

TG's Educators have a very special characteristic and just for fun, in the spirit of TG's, here's a little quiz for you to take. See how many YES(!)s you score on having a TG's Educator profile!

1. Do you love being curious and creative ? Can you invent FUN every day?

2. Do you enjoy sharing your gifts (your experiences, skills, unique characters)?

3. Are you a keen observer and can identify each child's interests, understand their backgrounds, development levels and experiences?

4. Can you make learning fun and relevant for the children?

5. Do you explore ways to grow each child's gifts?

6. Do you advocate for everyone around you to reach their fullest potential? Are you passionate about continuing your professional development and growth?

7. Can you identify your gifts and those of others? Can you work towards success as a team?

8. Are you a good listener? Can you trust you have a voice in your team?

➸

Bron Byers, Centre Manager, TG's Uralla

9. Are you an excellent communicator with families and are you excited to involve families in the learning journeys of the children?

10. Do you understand the importance of empathy to connect with children, educators, families and your communities?

Learn About Being a TG's Educator

Join the Team, Experience the Magic

➹

never gets tired of being involved with the children's excitement, discoveries, curiosities. Every day there is something new to learn and being actively involved in each child's world of imagination means every day there is something new to experience.

Bron has experienced the magic of TG's as a parent and her children's graduation from TG's did not stop her from continuing to be a part of the TG's Family. She signed on to become a TG's Educator and she has gone from having children under her wing to having other Educators in her team under her wing.

An important testimony to the magic of TG's is there are TG's children who have grown with TG's as children and who later grew up to join TG's again as educators. And there are TG's parents who trained to become TG's Educators - it is clear many cannot get enough of TG's.

The good news is, TG's Child Care is currently hiring. WIth an evergrowing TG's Family, TG's is looking for Educators to join their team.

If you are an enthusiastic, experienced, friendly and energetic qualified Early Childhood Educator, with ECT Degree, Diploma or Cert 3 in Child Care & Education, have a good understanding of EYLF and NQS, and be able to deliver a high quality early childhood program, TG´s is excited to welcome new Educators into their friendly, fun-loving professional team.

TG's Child Care provides a family owned and operated Preschool and Long Day Care service, catering for children 6 weeks to 6 years of age with Preschool and Long Day Care Centres in Uralla, Armidale, Wauchope and Urangan.

TG's Child Care offers opportunities for further growth and development through education and skill development and leadership roles.

All 106 members of the TG's team embody their 3 foundations stones to build relationships, understand our gifts and encourage collective thinking that invokes Love, Trust, Respect, Compassion and Fun. TG's models excellence and thinks creatively and innovatively to support more than 468 children each week.

Apply to TG's

➹

in a safe, respectful and trusted space. Crystal found a supportive and nurturing place at TG's and it helped her grow from educator to Team Leader, Educational Leader and now Centre Manager. And if that is not enough to show how much TG's means to her, Crystal's daughter is also part of the TG's family. This is truly their extended family and their home away from home.

33

WE'RE HIRING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS JOIN THE AWARD-WINNING TG'S FAMILY Our Purpose ​ ur purpose is to create and develop independent young minds, encouraging collective thinking with their peers.

O In doing so, the TG's Way becomes a way of life.

​Why be a TG's Educator? ​ o be a TG's educator is to embody the ideal of Playing is Learning for Life. Every TG's educator sees TG's as their T extended family and they love going to TG's every day, as much as the children do. The loving, nurturing environment at TG's extends to the educators too!

TG's educators can be identified by these traits: • ​They love being curious and creative - they invent FUN every day!

• They are keen observers and can identify each child's interests, understand their backgrounds, development levels and experiences and explore ways to grow each child's gifts.

• They make learning fun and relevant for children, combining what the children do outdoors with their indoor curriculum.

• They identify their gifts and those of their team, working towards success as a team.

• They are excellent communicators with families and are excited to involve families in the learning journeys of the children.

As a TG's educator, your gifts and strengths are recognised and matched to each group of children under your care.

You grow in an environment that resonates with trust, support, respect and love.

FIND OUT MORE AND JOIN TG'S FAMILY

NSW: Armidale, Uralla, Hastings St Wauchope, High St Wauchope, Riverbreeze Wauchope QLD: Urangan

www.tgschildcare.com.au

34

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS 3678% IN ONE YEAR ✦ The 1% improvement advice from John Clarke, Success Tax Professionals.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s either:

Much to my surprise the improvement was 36.78 times.

1. Clarkie is crazy 2. Clarkie is speaking through his hat

Benefits

3. All of the above

1% a day is achievable.

and I don’t blame you.

Each day we do something to work on our business, but working in our business is not neglected.

However, a bit over a year ago I attended a business improvement workshop. The speaker said you can improve your business dramatically by making a 1% improvement each day for a year. In fact Sharon said if you do that each day then your business will be 37 times better after a year.

I went to school in pre-calculator days, so there was no way I was going to try and calculate this manually. Fortunately we now have spreadsheets. I love spreadsheets.

Spreadsheets are amazing.

So I worked out the formula. I thought yes there will be improvement but no way will it be 37 times by a 1% improvement each day for 365 days.

It can be simple.

Measuring I like to document my 1% each day in a spreadsheet. Did I mention I love spreadsheets? I just put down what I have done that day to improve.

What can you do to make a 1% improvement?

So I calculated the formula:

Contact me at john.clarke@stptax.com for my list of 25 suggestions.

Improvement = (1+0.01)365 -1 where 1 is the business when you start the process, and the business is improved 1% a day for 365 days.

As always the advice in this article is general in nature and you should contact an accountant or tax agent for advice that is specific to your circumstances.

35

36

WHY SOCIAL MEDIA IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR BRAND ✦ Tessa Kutscher and Anna McAfee bring two ideas of what social media can really do that can take you from Marketing 101 to Marketing Specialist.

That's Marketing 101. Social media actually has a much more powerful potential than just that.

A big part of her role is the social media side of things and how they use social media to keep in touch with their shareholders to get the news flow out. It is a way to make sure the Blackstone story is understood and is getting out there. For her company, social media does the incredible job of educating.

Tessa Kutscher and Anna McAfee use social media to: 1. Educate 2. Build Communities Tessa Kutscher is Corporate Affairs Tessa Kutscher is Corporate Affairs Advisor of Blackstone Minerals Limited (ASX:BSX). As Corporate

➸

Read Tessa's Interview

Tessa Kutscher, Corporate Affairs Advisor, Blackstone Minerals Limited

➹

Affairs Advisor, Tessa's job is mainly to 'keep Blackstone in people's faces', looking after Managing Director Scott Williams and the team in terms of keeping the company up and running, engaging with investors and shareholders.

Anna McAfee is a Community Curator, Educator and LinkedIn Trainer and Consult for companies who want to establish their LinkedIn company page. She is bringing the idea of social media, specifically LinkedIn, as a means of bridging diversity. She wrote a book called ‘How a Hashtag Changed the World’, sharing the lessons for building user communities, activating local ambassadors, and how we can view social media as a tool to embrace diversity and bridge the human connection gap in a post pandemic world when we are able to gather again.

Read Anna's Article

➹

W

e think of social media as something businesses can use to reach out to customers. It makes you visible, you can share your story, it tells people you exist.

Anna McAfee, Community Curator, ➸Educator, LinkedIn Trainer, Consultant

37

B RILLIA NT B USI N E SSE S

By this time your head is probably excitedly buzzing with ideas on how to boost your brand and enhance its visibility and engage more deeply with customers. Remember, the social media world is a fast changing one as well, so it pays to keep up with the latest trends and know what's making heads turn.

Here are the top social media trends of 2022 from Hootsuite, and it is well-worth taking a look to see which of these trends can help give your business a boost.

The Brand Strategy Trend - Brands finally get community right with the help of creators The Social Advertising Trend - Marketers get creative as

consumers wise up to social ads The ROI Trend - Social quietly matures beyond the marketing department The Social Commerce Trend - Social becomes the heart of the post-pandemic shopping experience The Customer Care Trend - Social marketers save their brands from the customer service apocalypse

Read The Full Story

➹

Keeping Up with Social Media Trends 2022

38

Disclaimer ASX companies engage Brilliant-Online to share their commentary on the progress of their companies and projects. The author, owners of Brilliant-Online and associated entities may or may not hold shares of these companies. The content above is the writer’s personal opinion and is provided to you for information only and is not intended to be general or personal advice nor will it create/induce the creation of any binding legal relations.

39

B RI LLIA NT I N V E S TM ENT S

✴

Brilliant

INVESTMENTS ✦

40

THE FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN IN MINING AND ITS CHALLENGES ✦ Insights from Florence Drummond, CEO & CoFounder of IWIMRA (Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia)

IWIMRA aims to create a stronger connection amongst Indigenous women in Australia’s Mining and Resource sector.

Noel Ong, CEO of Samso, has been keeping his eye on the development of ESG, and the Social aspect is what he is focusing on here. For him, a key component of making ESG work is to create a greater awareness of First Nation requirements.

And this is where Florence Drummond, CEO and Co-Founder of IWIMRA comes in.

Ms. Drummond is a part of Samso's ESG series of Conversations and as an avid ambassador of her cause, she brings valuable insights to help us understand how encouraging the participation of the indigenous population is a way to boost sustainability.

The mineral resource sector is a high value component of Australia's GDP so naturally, one would think of encouraging the First Nation population to participate in the continued growth of the industry. And because mining projects are in remote areas, it makes sense to get the indigenous population to join in and create wealth in the community by encouraging employment.

➹

Insights from Florence Drummond, CEO & Co-Founder of IWIMRA

41

B RI LLIA NT I N V E S TM ENT S

About Florence Drummond CEO & Co-Founder, IWIMRA Florence Drummond leads IWIMRA, a community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the mining and resources sector. Founded in 2017 with the focus of raising the profile of Indigenous women, the national network is now stepping into the international arena and engaging with all Indigenous peoples in the sector. It is an organic shift into the NFP space to better contribute towards best practice.

Florence's introduction to the mining industry was as a Machine Operator. Within the 8 years of her time working directly for tier one companies, alongside her national team, she has successfully built IWIMRA as a peak body for Indigenous relations within the sector.

Her international participation and experience in attending forums such as UN Commission of the Status of Women in New York and also representing Australia at the regional forum of UN ESCAP in Bangkok, has continued to shape the expectations of the network to contribute at a policy level to ensure best practice for Indigenous stakeholder engagement in the industry.

In 2020 Florence was recognised as WIMUK Global Top 100 Most Influential Women in Mining, joining a cohort of influential women who continue to reflect and uphold what good leadership looks like.

About IWIMRA

women in Australia’s Mining and Resource sector. IWIMRA partners with industries to continually raise the profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and to contribute to best practice solutions.

Through their lived experiences, and their narrative of Indigenous intersectionality, it is their priority to ensure the visibility, voice and quality participation of Indigenous women.

IWIMRA aspires to lead with clarity and purpose. Working with industries to build solutions-driven, cross-culture influential relationships, together they continue to contribute towards a sustainable future for everyone

1. Why does IWIMRA exist?

To raise the profile of Indigenous women in the mining and resources industry

2. What does IWIMRA do?

As a membership based organisation, IWIMRA aims to build an online community to engage in conversation with women across the industry.

Our digital platform is designed to overcome geographical barriers with the core aim to identify gaps for career progression and opportunities to improve for Indigenous women.

Furthermore, promote culturally safe professional development tools, access to community of mentors, quality opportunities and brokering greater relations with key industry stakeholders. IWIMRA is focused on building capacity that is fit for purpose, to align with the innovative nature of the mining and resources industry.

3. Who does IWIMRA benefit?

Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWIMRA) was founded in 2017 to create a stronger connection amongst Indigenous

To learn more of IWIMRA's membership opportunities contact:

IWIMRA is established to benefit Indigenous Women in the mining and resources sector. Indigenous women are identified as the cornerstone of

iwimra.com/pages/contact iwimra.com

many families and communities.

Indigenous women's participation and influence in the industry can be utilised to strengthen relations within the Indigenous workforce, to promote retention initiatives. From a global perspective, Indigenous women are identified as most vulnerable, in their opportunities to innovate with the fast paced society. The mining and resources industry is informed by global instruments such as the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

4. How will IWIMRA achieve its goals?

IWIMRA will achieve its goals by strengthening its digital platform, which encompasses key focus areas that include: access to professional development pathways services, community of mentors and relations & investment by employee companies. This partnered approach to raising the profile of Indigenous women in mining and resources, will ensure transparency, accountability and ownership.

5. What does success look like?

Success for IWIMRA will be a self sustaining network of confident, capable and informed women.

Leading the conversation internally for specific Indigenous initiatives and contributing to industry best practice.

The success of our digital platform to facilitate robust conversations within the mining and resources industry which will continue to promote and inform best practice, with a lens that is culturally safe, future focused and fit for purpose.

42

THE MARKET IS WAKING UP TO HALLOYSITE ✦ Noel Ong, CEO of Samso clears the air on halloysite - an emerging material with game-changing green potential.

Noel sifts through the misinformation, misunderstanding and mistrust about halloysite's value and uses.

My awareness of halloysite stems from the news from Andromeda Metals Limited (ASX:ADN) about their deposit in South Australia.

Even as a geologist, I have to confess I am no expert on this material, so giving a length explanation of it is quite beyond me. And that is an excellent reason to get curious, dig deep and share what I find.

In today's Insights, I share what I have found about the two main locations that are currently mining halloysite - Dragon Mine in Tinitc, Utah, USA and the Matauri Bay deposit in Northland, New Zealand. I breakdown how clays

➹

are categorised and also delve into the real significance of halloysite. It's clear there is a lot of momentum in this sector now, but I really want to know why.

Whenever there is confusion in the market, it's important to listen to the thought leaders in the industry and have a clear understanding of the facts - what the process is, and what the potential products are.

As we are in an emerging space of a new "Industrial Revolution", there is a movement that is driving an increase in need for the humble kaolin. And how halloysite fits into this still needs time and research to consolidate where it is going. It pays to follow companies like Andromeda Metals Limited to see what the next chapter of the Halloysite story is going to be about.

Read The Full Story

➹

Halloysite is not well-known in the mineral resources investing community on the ASX. From being used mainly as an alternative material to kaolinite for ceramics to its current exponential increase in research, something is going on here that's worth a look.

Halloysite - an emerging material with game-changing green potential

43

B RI LLIA NT I N V E S TM ENT S

2022 MARKET EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MINERAL RESOURCE INDUSTRY ✦ Noel Ong, CEO of Samso wipes clean his crystal ball and takes a hard look at what to expect in 2022.

The Year of the Tiger is looking bright and Noel is excited to be part of our century's new Industrial Revolution. He is most interested in two key issues - Green Energy and No Emissions.

on the EV-No Emission Revolution. This is the Industrial Revolution of our current times.

Four Main Components of Growth in 2022 1. Molybdenum

Noel has been in the mineral exploration industry for over thirty years. And he admits he has never before seen such a state of euphoria that the industry is experiencing now.

2. Nickel

Geologists are much sought after and offered excellent compensation. This is a rare occurrence.

4. Lithium (the hot favourite in the industry)

What this means is, the capital market is going to either burst out in 2022 and create a bubble for investors to be concerned about, or it will just carry on to 2023.

Noel is optimistic about the path ahead and his confidence in this optimistic narrative is entirely based

Noel has not covered the ESG requirements and participation factor, but it is clear that Environmental, Social and Governance is going to drive the industry as companies look to bring their businesses in line with the ESG bracket. The emergence of a strong ESG requirement is also creating more opportunities and allowing more capital to be allocated.

Read The Full Story

➹

There was nearly AUD$750M raised in 2021 and about AUD$400M to AUD$500M raised in 2020. It is a sign that exploration activities will continue to be strong. This plus the fact that the EV / No Emission narrative is totally driving every aspect of the resource industry means the outlook for the metals is going strong.

3. Copper

44

SAMSO'S TOP INVESTMENT PICKS FOR 2022 ✦ An interview with Noel Ong, CEO, Samso about his views on his top three investment picks

2. What particular trends are you seeing in this sector/industry?

There have been a lot of conversations in the past two years about the rise of uranium, but I think 2022 will be the year it leaves the preparation platform. I am not sure if “Lift-Off” is the word to use for the trend, but I think this is the year to position yourself in this sector.

1. What sector/industry are you currently watching and why?

I like the uranium sector now. There has been a lot of talk with Green Energy and Green Metals, but the most misunderstood part of the uranium energy industry is that it is the greenest of the so-called Green Energy Evolution. Yes, there is the part of the not so green waste, but this has been a well understood part of the equation for decades.

Uranium as a component of the energy scale has the lowest carbon footprint of all. The word Uranium is strikes anxiety and stress and hatred to the “Green” movement but there is now scientific and industry evidence that it is the greenest of the lot.

To give context, you can have a read of my recent publishing of the following, Expectations for the Mineral Resource Industry in 2022 - Green Energy and No Emission.

✤ Uranium as a component of the energy scale has the lowest carbon footprint of all. The word Uranium is strikes anxiety and stress and hatred to the “Green” movement but there is now scientific and industry evidence that it is the greenest of the lot.

People may argue that it is too late, but as many wise investors will say, if your thoughts are that this will be an evolutionary change in humanity/ sector, then we are still in the infancy stage. Why do I say that? Well, the word Uranium or Nuclear Energy is now positive these days. The social media information super-highway is now driving a positive narrative. My level of optimism is that it is not less negative but positive.

The anticipation of a rising uranium price has been doing its slow and steady rise which is a good sign for sustainability. If my thoughts are correct in a evolutionary move to nuclear energy, then the valuation of some for the companies involved will be multiples where it is now.

The issues with metal extraction for uranium is no different than any other metals. The lag time from discovery to production or even resource to production will be lengthy. The onset of the ESG movement will ensure that this process is more compatible with current levels of requirements and expectations.

ESG will be a major component factoring the viability of projects and in some degree limit the number of

45

B RI LLIA NT I N V E S TM ENT S

3. What are your top 3 stock picks in this sector/ industry and why?

Stock picks are always a hard one to mention as there are so many factors that come into play for the viability of the project. There are some that have all the bells and whistles but then fall over with regulations or funding or some environmental matter.

Sometimes, like the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, something outside the typical issues creates a negative theme.

My strategy in this sector is to have a position in either nearly production or good exploration projects. It is all about leverage and upside. The producers will be safest but I like leverage.

In saying that, my money is with Vimy Resources Limited (ASX: VMY). I have liked Vimy for a very long time. In fact, I looked at their geology way back in 2010 and I thought it was credible.

Over the years, that project has developed into a real player in this space. Don’t misunderstand, to get a uranium project to become viable is extremely hard. Many participants in the uranium industry will attest to this statement.

Why do I like Vimy? Well, they have basically passed all the hard hurdles and they are still very cheap. Recently, Deep Yellow Limited offered to take over the company for a 10% premium of the then current price which, if my memory serves me well, was AUD$0.29. This offer was rejected.

The current market capitalisation of the company (@ AUD$0.24) is AUD$232M.

Contact Samso:

There is a shift in political thinking relating to recent issues with China and the COVID-19 pandemic, so I believe the movement for a change is closer to reality now than it has ever been in the last 20 years.

The next tier down for me is Valor Resources Limited (ASX: VAL) and Thor Mining Plc (ASX: THR). These are a greenfield play for me as they will have good leverage. I like the projects and they are in the US region. The market is nearby, and the projects are not a geophysical target. They have known mineralisation so that is a big plus for me. Uranium geology, to me, is all about the presence of the metal.

If you have it, then you are in the game.

What I like with VAL is that they are in the Athabasca Basin. For those that don’t know, this is the Mecca of uranium deposits. This is synonymous with finding uranium. They are finding float (rocks on the ground, meaning could come from anywhere) with good grades of U3O8 and that is a good thing but their issue is finding the source.

What convinced me to put my money into VAL was the acquisition of the Smitty Uranium Mine and the Lorado Uranium Mine. These are great uranium projects positioned for success.

Then there is the Hoot Lake project.

When you look at the Hoot Lake project, you see a multi-element project with good Uranium, Silver, Lead, REE and Molybdenum. What that tells me is that there is some serious cooking happening. Now if they can define the source, the chances of a decent range of results is high. For investors, this will create excitement and who knows where the share price will go?

+61 490 092 814 noel.ong@samso.com.au www.samso.com.au PO Box 1609, Booragoon, Western Australia 6954

The negative will be the higher market capitalisation value of AUD$50M. Now, this is not your typical AUD10M play but with what they have as potential, I can accept that figure.

Thor has their uranium-Vanadium project in the Uravan Mineral Belt in Utah/Colorado. A sandstone paleochannel play which will be a lot cheaper to process. A combination of uranium and vanadium which will be great when the time comes to valuing extra credits. Again, a place well known for uranium mining historically. Thor is planning a drilling program in 2022 and as its paleochannel, it will not be a costly exercise.

The great part about the THOR project is that it has a strong history of uranium mining hence, there will not be any issues to future development.

Disclaimer: I hold shares in both VMY and VAL and THR is a client of Samso.

The information contained on this website is the writer’s personal opinion and is provided to you for information only and is not intended to or nor will it create/induce the creation of any binding legal relations.

Download eBook

➹

potential projects. This in turn will create a supply limitation and can and most likely cause a rise in demand.

46

AURUMIN LIMITED (ASX:AUN) - A GOLD MINER WITH A STRAIGHTFORWARD STRATEGY ✦ Brad Valiukas, Managing Director of Aurumin Limited (ASX:AUN) talks about the company's straightforward mining strategy

➹

Aurumin Limited (ASX:AUN) has two very interesting projects in the Southern Cross Goldfields.

This is a region that has a history of producing high-grade resources. You can find these two projects listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) .

What is noteworthy is the company's acquisition of 750,000 ounces of gold.

This is a clear indication of the company's intent. And for Noel Ong, CEO of Samso, a company's intent is vital in how far they go. He had a feeling that Aurumin Limited was a company that was very focused on their mining strategy.

And he was absolutely spot-on. The company's move has confirmed his thoughts.

Brad Valiukas, Managing Director of Aurumin Limited (ASX:AUN) talks about the company's straightforward mining strategy

47

B RI LLIA NT I N V E S TM ENT S For Noel, this is a highly positive fact that is advantageous and warrants paying attention to.

✤ What is noteworthy is the company's acquisition of 750,000 ounces of gold.

There is a lot of work to do, so the stamina of a long-distance runner is needed here. There's no quick-fix five-second microwave style result here. Mr. Valiukas' conversation with Noel also reveals more surprises in the making.

Tune in to the highlights of a gold miner's strategy here.

About Brad Valiukas Managing Director

The company's initial Mt Dimer and Mt Palmer and Johnson Range are initial cornerstone projects.

However, this acquisition changes things and now the Sandstone project is a step up.

When Noel looks at a company's story, it is very common to see companies use their mining strategy as a lead for a story. This is all very well, except that few companies pull through and actually have the intent to make this story a reality.

The mining strategy itself is not rocket science. It is fairly straightforward and clear.

First, you look for historical mining projects that have potential for growth. You acquire it, and then you get down to business and drill. The natural next step is to then develop the project.

One of the key aspects of Aurumin's project is the 500,000 ounces of gold resources which is untouched and underground.

✤ One of the key aspects of Aurumin's project is the 500,000 ounces of gold resources which is untouched and underground.

BEng (Mining), GradCert (Econ), Member AusIMM Mining Engineer and experienced executive with over 20 years operational, management and executive experience covering underground and open pit operations across multiple commodities around Australia and internationally.

Brad's most recent position is that of Manager – Technical Services for Northern Star Resources. He was previously COO at Focus Minerals, COO at ABM Resources and held senior roles at Mincor Resources.

About Aurumin Limited (ASX: AUN) Aurumin Limited (ACN 639 427 099) (Aurumin or Company) is an Australian company incorporated on 28 February 2020 in Western Australia as a mineral exploration company to allow the reorganisation of projects held by Aurumin Mt Dimer Pty Ltd (formerly Acertim Resources Pty Ltd) (Aurumin Mt Dimer).

Contact Aurumin Limited

In particular, the Company was established to enable the restructure of the Mt Dimer, Mt Palmer and Johnson Range projects into separate project entities and further consolidate additional tenements, and to progress these gold exploration projects in the Southern Cross and Kalgoorlie regions. Since incorporation, the Company has acquired 100% legal and beneficial ownership of Aurumin Mt Dimer and Aurumin Mt Palmer Pty Ltd (formerly Mt Palmer Gold Pty Ltd), and has entered into a further 3 tenement acquisition agreements and applied for further tenements such that it now has an interest in 29 tenements across 4 projects.

+61 8 6555 2950 admin@aurumin.com.au aurumin.com.au Suite 2, Ground Floor, 17 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005

48

49

B RILLIA NT SP O R T S

✴

Brilliant SPORTS ✦

50

A PREVIEW OF THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN OPEN ✦ Keep score here - ausopen.com

I

n the Aussie sports calendar nothing screams summer quite like the Australian Open and the 110th edition of the revered tennis tournament gets underway on January 17th at Melbourne Park.

Whereas it is somewhat unfortunate to start any preview piece with matters off-court, it would be remiss not do so on this occasion as the build up has been dominated by defending champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic embroiled in an unsavoury tangle with Australian immigration officials over his personal COVID-19 status.

At time of press, Djokovic had been denied a visa for a second time by Australian immigration officials, plunging

➸

his participation into serious doubt. The Serb’s lawyers claimed they will contest the decision after in an effort to allow him to play after he was drafted into the competition draw although the government seemed to be steadfast in their decision.

It has been widely publicised that Djokovic is against forced vaccination and in the lead up to the Aussie Open he refused to reveal whether he had been personally innoculated. The crunch came due to the fact that Australian border control laws stipulate vaccine as essential, with few or no exceptions made.

2020 Australian Open - Day 14 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand during his Men's Singles Final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day fourteen of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.

(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

51

B RILLIA NT SP O R T S

Then a stunning outcome was declared when an emergency online court hearing saw the judge order that the decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa “be quashed”. Many considered it as great as any victory the Serb had achieved on court as he was cleared to play and defend his crown.

However, the ruling on Jan 14th means Djokovic, who was the overwhelming favourite pre-tournament, may be unable to claim a record-extending 10th title at a venue where he owns an 82-8 record, nor be able to break the men’s Slam record with a 21st Major crown.

Briton’s Emma Raducanu, 19, shocked the tennis world last year by becoming the first male or female qualifier ever to win a Slam title when she claimed victory at the US Open and will be looking to repeat her form in Melbourne.

Raducanu’s opponent in that final was fellow 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez from Canada who comes to Melbourne in a confident mood.

Others leading the youth charge in the women’s game include Polands’ Iga Swiatek, 20, and 17-year-old American sensation Coco Gauff who reached the Wimbledon fourth round as a 15-year-old.

Read The Full Story

World No. 2-ranked Daniil Medvedev of Russia, who Djokovic defeated in last year’s final, will be looking to go one better this time around. Medvedev did manage to beat his rival in the US Open final last September, denying the Serb becoming only the second man in the Open era to win all four major Grand Slams.

➹

Dojokvic was refused entry and his visa cancelled on January 6th, leaving the star in a detention centre for several days while his legal team contested the ruling.

Others that pose a threat include Djokovic’s longterm rival Rafael Nadal, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and the youngest ranked player in the World top ten, Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Indeed, at only 20-years-old, Sinner is one of many young talents that experts expect to shine in Melbourne. Also keep an eye out for 21-yearold American Sebastian Korda, Spain’s 18-year-old prodigy Carlos Alcaraz and 21-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Barty time?

In the women’s competition, World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty will be aiming to become the first Australian woman to win the event since Chris O’Neill in 1978.

The current Wimbledon champion goes into the tournament as hot favourite with the bookmakers and is in good form having won the singles and doubles titles at the Adelaide International recently, her first tournament since the US Open last year.

Barty will be buoyed by the fact that Serena Williams will not be competing in Melbourne this year and that defending champion Naomi Osaka is still working her way back to top form and fitness after a long break.

However, there are still threats to Barty’s dream of a home win. World No.3 Garbine Muguruza of Spain, only behind Barty and big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the world rankings, won the season-ending WTA Finals in Guadalajara and is an outside bet.

Former number one Simona Halep of Romania also comes into the tournament in good form having won the Melbourne Summer Set 1 trophy on January 9th. Last year was the first time since 2013 that the 30-year-old failed to win at least one tournament since 2013.

➸

2022 Australian Open: Previews MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Ashleigh Barty of Australia serves during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.

(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

52

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR OLIVER TAYLOR ✦ Recently awarded a flying scholarship from Hastings District Flying Club, Oliver (Ollie) Taylor chatted with us about what this means to him and his future.

W

hen asked how he felt when he first found out he had been awarded the scholarship Ollie smiled and said, “I was having dinner with Mum and Dad, sitting there thinking I didn’t get it. Then the phone rang and it was Rod. He told me I got it, I was over the moon. Totally happy, I told my parents straight away. It was a great family moment.”

Ollie told us that it was a fairly simple online process to apply for the

scholarship. Just fill out the online application form, stating why you love flying, provide your academic record and really show your desire to fly.

We have been given Ollie’s scholarship submission and have taken a snippet to share: “I am very interested in WW2 (especially the aviation side of WW2), however my main hobby is aviation

(of course). I spend most of my time at work or school, but when I am at neither, I like to watch aviation related movies, watch aviation related videos, plane spotting, and even designing model aeroplanes (even the sling) on fusion360.”

Having an interest in all things aviation goes all the way back to Primary School days for Ollie, who is only 16 years of age now. Having a close friend who was in commercial aviation and a brother studying to be a Bachelor of Aviation at University,

53

B RILLIA NT SP O R T S were definitely influences. Plus watching movies like Top Gun added to his interest and instilled in him that he was going to learn to fly one day.

He started his flying lessons at the tender age of 15 with his Mum and Dad's full support and encouragement. They paid for the initial tuition and drove him to and fro.

Ollie is currently in year 10 attending Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus where he plans to finish year 12 and obtain an ATAR. He will be studying standard English, advanced maths, PDHPE, physics, engineering studies, and graphics technology in his senior years.

Upon completing his schooling, Ollie intends to either obtain a Commercial Pilots Licence, join the AirForce as a pilot, or study Aerospace Engineering at University. Currently, he works

alongside his parents Tania and Rob at the family business, Lighthouse Beach Post Office, as much as possible during school holidays and after school hours. This helps pay for Ollie’s flying.

Currently flying under the Hastings District Flying Club with Mike as his instructor, Ollie is passionate about flying. He has over 20 hours of flying up his sleeve and will have his Recreational Pilot Certificate soon if all goes to the youngster's plan. Ollie needs to complete various courses in the future, such as navigation training and passenger endorsement to edge him closer to getting a Recreational Pilot License.

Flying is definitely in this youngsters sights, either commercial or in the military, wherever it takes him he is happy.

➸

✲ The dream…

To own his own plane, a classic Cessna. “I have to have room for passengers - Mum and Dad would be first in line,” Ollie said.

Rob, Tania and Oliver Taylor

54

“ It’s a good way to go. Very affordable for flying. Very good instructors. And the people around the club are really, really, really good. There are lots of people to talk to about flying.”

HDFC has a fantastic social scene as well that has given Ollie and family many fun times. He told us, “There are lots of social get-togethers. The presentation night was one of the best nights I've ever had. It was very, very good. The stories and experiences I heard were amazing.”

Ollie is working hard to complete his Recreational Pilot Certificate so he can fly by himself without an instructor.

➸

After Ollie's First Solo on 13th May 2021

Ollie’s Mum and Dad are very supportive, paying for half of Ollie’s flying lessons to date. This was a major factor for Ollie applying for the scholarship, to ease the financial burden on his parents. The HDFC scholarship will allow him to now assist in him completing courses and furthering his aviation career.

Ollie's First Solo Flight At just 15, Ollie’s first maiden voyage so to speak has been a highlight of his life so far. During one of his flight lessons, instructor Mike told him he would be going solo soon. When he and Ray, CFI were happy with his progress, they will discuss it with him to do his first solo. When they landed, sure as eggs another instructor came out and jumped in the Sling2, HDFC's training aircraft.

Ollie remembers being very nervous, as he knew then and there that was the day he was going to do his solo flight if he did well with the other instructor (Ray, CFI) on board. He successfully completed three landings and takeoffs. When Ollie landed the third time, Ray exited the plane and said "off you go". So off he went - on 13th May 2021!

He says it was just like any other circuit he had done except now there was no one sitting next to him and that can be nerving.

Ollie highly recommends HDFC If you want to learn to fly Ollie says to firstly join the Hastings District Flying Club.

"Our students always emerge more mature, disciplined, confident and responsible after they have gained their Pilot's Certificate. These characteristics stay with them for life and it sets them apart from others, even if they do not fly professionally.

This is a wonderful privilege for every young individual. Our goal as a flying school is to produce GREAT and RESPECTED Pilots. We do this by ensuring total aviation safety and disciplined airmanship through accurate and professional flying training and Pilot Proficiency Days.

We are second to none among all RA-AUS Flying Schools and General Aviation Schools." - Ray Lind, Chief Flying Instructor and Club Captain since 1990.

The best thing about flying…

“Being out there. It's a different view of earth. It's unreal. Different than a commercial flight. It’s not the same.

You are in a small plane, you can look out the window and you can have control,” Ollie said. “You’re in the air and you're in control in the air. It's just such a different feeling.

You don't know the feeling till you are out there.”

The dream…

To own his own plane, a classic Cessna. “I have to have room for passengers - Mum and Dad would be first in line,” Ollie said.

LEARN TO FLY WITH HDFC

Buy a Discovery Flight A Discovery Flight is a fantastic way to experience what flying is all about.

With one of our professional flight instructors at your side, you will actually get to fly our Sling aircraft across the coast and town of Port Macquarie!

DISCOVERY FLIGHT

GET IN TOUCH WITH US: t/ 02 6583 1695 e/ enquiries@hdfc.com.au w/ www.hdfc.com.au a/ Oliver Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

55

56

57

B RILLIA NT COMM U N IT Y

✴

Brilliant

COMMUNITY ✦

58

GREENBOURNE NURSERY ADVISES TO HEAT PROOF GARDENS ✦ Daniel “Chook” Fowler, Greenbourne Nursery

W

elcome to 2022 everyone. I hope the festive season has been very enjoyable for all. As we now head into the warmer months of summer, we need to heat-proof our gardens. Let’s go through a few reliable methods and tactics that will ensure your garden stays green through the season.

Mulching the soil The obvious benefit of mulching is how it creates a physical barrier to minimise moisture evaporating away from the soil. Water is stored for longer periods in the soil area beneath the mulch. There are many different types of mulch available, the dominant ones used are sugar cane, lucerne hay, pine bark and tea tree. One benefit of mulching through summer that often gets overlooked is the protection the mulch gives the organisms in the soil.

While protecting water levels in the soil is very important for plants it is also vital for the care of our hardworking soil organisms. The heat of summer can be a serious problem that can create soil conditions that become uninhabitable for small organisms.

Mulching the soil helps to moderate the soil temperatures and provides more stable moisture levels as well as food for our tiny little workers.

When irrigating your garden beds make sure you are getting the water down nice and deep. It's easy to quickly throw the hose over the plants and think that you have given your plants respite for the day, however a lot of the surface water will not get to the root system on a hot day.

By watering deeper, you are also

Checkout ATM's Mulch Recipe

➹

Water deeply

59

B RILLIA NT COMM U N IT Y encouraging the roots to penetrate deeper into the soil.

These deeper areas have a better temperature consistency and are far less likely to dry out. By soaking you garden beds to achieve this you will actually find that over time you will use less water, because you are increasing the efficiency of how you are using the water.

Water early or late in the day By watering your gardens during periods where the sun has a reduced potency, you will lose less water to surface evaporation. Watering early is a great way to set the plants up for the heat of the day. If you are not an early riser the alternative is to water in the evening. A great time to do it as the suns heat is nearly done for the day.

If watering late, do minimise too much foliage contact as plants are more susceptible to fungal attack when the suns UV rays aren’t around.

Tip for pots You do need to keep an extra eye on your potted plants over the summer. The pot can only hold a limited volume of water. If possible, a great method to reduce water usage for potted plants is to move them around the garden into more protected areas. Giving the plants a percentage of the season in a filtered light area under a large tree or minimising their exposure to the tough western heat by situating them on the eastern side of the house. It will aid in reducing the transpiration of water from the plant that will allow you to water less.

Soil additives The two dominant soil additives that can help your garden are water crystals and wetting agents. Water crystals are best used when they are dug into the soil. They swell up to, many times their initial size and basically provide the soil with lots of ‘little reservoirs’ that the roots of the plant can access. Wetting agents are great for hydrophobic soils that may not be absorbing water as efficiently as they should.

Over time soil can develop waxy qualities. The wetting agents aid in breaking up these waxes and thus allow the water to penetrate through the soil rather than around it.

Really good to do this right at the beginning of the summer and really aids the method of deep watering.

Plant selection in the nursery Summer is still a great time to purchase plants in your local nursery. The growers have provided quality plants that have exceptional growth on them due to the full spring season. The range is always very large as the growers have recovered from their peak September supplies and a lot of nurseries will often encourage people into their businesses with new year sales that will guarantee you great value.

When purchasing plants in the nursery in the heat always go for plants that have been well ‘hardened off’. Plants that don’t show any signs that they have come straight out of a growing igloo. Too much young, soft, new growth is a risk when you are planting into your garden in the summer.

Most nurseries are really responsible with this issue and will often place stock in a holding area out the back if they have received plants that are a little soft. These plants will be ‘hardened off’ until they are deemed tough enough to go straight into the garden.

Future plan your garden It is a great time to survey your garden and see it when the elements are at one of their extremes. You will quickly identify the harshest areas in your green space. By seeing and noting these areas you will be able to relay these conditions to your local nursery person who will be able to suggest plants that will do well in that position. It could be as simple as changing to a species that tolerates the area better or more long term by suggesting a larger plant to create extra shade to accommodate the existing plants you already have there. If certain soil areas are vulnerable to these extreme conditions, it is a great time of year to identify that fact and develop a strategy to correct it.

So, get out into you gardens and green spaces and have a good look around. Create some new areas to accommodate the heat. Get into your local nurseries and enjoy the warm weather gardening. Come in and see us at Greenbourne for some good advice or just a friendly chat.

For All Your Gardening Needs Greenbourne Nursery, Wauchope Plants and Landscape Supplies a/ 239 High St, Wauchope NSW 2446 p/ +612 6585 2117 w/ greenbournenurserywauchope.com.au f/ www.facebook.com/midcoast.com.au

60

TOP 11 FINANCIAL NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS AND HOW TO FULFILL THEM ✦ Tackling money in 2022 while inflation jumps

2

021 is winding down, and that means it’s time to think about resolutions for the coming year.

With the cost of goods and services rising e.g. fuel jumping 36% since April last year, financial resolutions are foremost in the minds of many consumers.

With the right plan in place, you can stick to your financial resolutions and end the coming year in a better place than when you started it.

Tanasia Bailey of Bankrate, Inc., 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10011 has contributed this article on practical financial tips. Some tips will be relevant to the US.

Here are 11 practical financial resolutions to commit to, along with expert tips on how to keep them.

1. Refinance your mortgage and/or your student loans Mortgage rates have been at historic lows, so it may be the right time to refinance to lower your monthly payments, if you haven’t done so already.

As for student loan refinancing in the United States, federal student loans are in forbearance through January 2022, meaning you’ll need to start making payments again soon.

Whether you have a federal student loan or a private one, consider refinancing the loan to lock in lower rates.

Study Assist is available for Australian students and there are lots of HELP available on their website.

61

B RILLIA NT COMM U N IT Y

2. Pay down credit card debt A recent study found 75 percent of adults carry a credit card balance from month to month. Among those who carry a balance, the average amount is $5,315.

A spending plan allows you to choose what you spend your money on instead of restricting yourself on what you can’t spend. Start by determining your monthly income and then decide what spending categories are most important to you.

If you have credit card debt, consider making it a goal to pay it off. There are several approaches you can take, but two common strategies are paying off your highest debt first (the debt avalanche method) and paying off your smallest amount of debt first (the debt snowball method).

As a rule of thumb, start with necessary expenses that include items such as housing, utilities, groceries and savings. After identifying how much you need for those categories, create others your remaining funds can go toward, such as entertainment and travel.

If you’re struggling with making payments, consider credit counselling, a low-interest balance transfer, a personal loan or even debt settlement.

Money management apps are good tools for keeping track of where your money is going. Some banking apps offer similar tools.

3. Can’t stick to a budget? Create a spending plan instead

The end result is the same as budgeting, minus the restrictive rules — making it a good strategy for those who don’t like being told what they cannot do.

The new year is as good a time as any to start (or grow) your emergency fund. In general, experts recommend saving three to six months of living expenses. Start by opening a separate and dedicated high-yield savings account. After that, consider these four tips:

4. Automate your savings

• Evaluate your spending and look for areas where you can save.

"If you have had trouble sticking with a budget, consider ditching the traditional budgeting method and create a spending plan instead", says Loreen Gilbert, an experienced wealth manager and CEO at WealthWise Financial Services.

“The concept of living on a spending plan instead of a budget can give you freedom and peace of mind,” Gilbert says. What a great idea!

One of the easiest ways to build savings is by automating contributions, which alleviates having to think about how much money to set aside each month.

Many employers allow employees to divide their pay checks so that

different amounts go into different accounts. Another option is to set up automatic transfers between bank accounts. Regardless of which option you choose, make it a priority to have your savings automated.

5. Start an emergency fund A recent Bankrate survey found that more than half of Americans have less than three months’ of expenses saved in an emergency fund. But an emergency fund is an important financial tool that can help deal with unexpected expenses, such as home or car repairs.

• Set a savings goal.

• Set up automatic contributions.

• Try to increase your contributions over time.

62

6. Boost your retirement savings Saving for retirement is one of the most important aspects of a sound financial plan.

“Use [the new year] to boost or maximize contributions to 401(k)s or HSAs, plot out holistic retirement goals (e.g., Where will I live? Will I work? How much to budget for travel?).

No matter your age or life stage, take meaningful steps to boost your financial wellness,” says Lorna Sabbia, head of retirement and personal wealth solutions at Bank of America.

There are a few ways you can boost your retirement savings. For one, if your employer offers a Super match, be sure you’re contributing enough to get the full match since it’s essentially free money. Another thing to consider is looking at where your money is being invested. Many experts recommend investing in a diverse portfolio of assets to reduce your risk but still achieve attractive returns.

Superannuation Calculator

➹

For Australians, check out CareSuper Superannuation calculators.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the only way you get the market’s long-term average return of 10 percent is by holding through all the tough times.

“Your retirement savings will grow quicker if you pick a solid longterm plan and then stick with it through the good and bad times, but especially the bad times,” says James Royal, Bankrate investment and wealth management reporter.

If you already have an emergency savings account, consider setting up an investment account for goals with specific time horizons, like early retirement or saving for a house.

“While it’s great to max out your taxadvantaged retirement accounts — $6,000 in an IRA and up to $20,500 in a 401(k) — you’re going to have even more opportunities if you save in a taxable account as well,” Royal says.

Royal adds that some of the biggest perks of investing outside of your retirement account include: • No limit to what you can save.

• Tax deferral benefits on unrealized gains (stocks you don’t sell).

• Immediate access to the cash without penalties or other restrictions.

Royal says that investors should continue adding to the account and keep from selling, no matter how tempting it may be.

If you’re just getting started, consider looking into a robo-advisor, which will do the investing for you after taking your risk tolerance and ideal earnings into consideration.

7. Invest more

8. Improve your credit score

Don’t limit your investing to only making tax-advantaged retirement contributions.

A good credit score varies depending on the scoring system. For example, FICO considers a good score to be 670

to 739, while the VantageScore scale considers 661 through 781 to be good.

Either way, your credit score plays a critical role in determining whether you get access to financing and other financial services you need. Your credit score can determine how much interest is paid on a loan, for example, and in some states credit scores are a factor in setting car insurance rates.

Consumers can get a free credit report every year from each of the three major credit reporting companies, as guaranteed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Some credit card issuers and other lenders also let their customers know their credit scores for free. Alternately, you can choose to purchase your score from one of the three credit bureaus.

To increase your credit score, consider these four tips: • Pay all bills on time and in full.

• Lower your credit utilization ratio.

• Take advantage of score-boosting programs, like Experian Boost.

• Don’t apply for new accounts too often.

63

9. Cook more meals at home Put more money back into your wallet by cutting back on restaurant food.

Eating at home can be fun (and easy) with meal subscription services, which give you the option of picking new recipes each week and deliver the ingredients straight to your door.

You can save even more money by cooking from scratch. Find recipes online or ask friends and relatives for their tried-and-true ones. After a tryout, calculate your savings and consider putting the extra money toward paying down debt or building up your emergency fund.

10. Update your beneficiaries It’s a good idea to revisit your beneficiary designations soon after you’ve experienced any life-changing situation.

“If you haven’t looked at it in a while or especially if there has been a change in family dynamics such as a marriage or divorce, review the beneficiary designation on your life

insurance and retirement accounts to make sure it reflects your current intentions,” says Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst, Greg McBride, CFA. Also, check your retirement and bank accounts, insurance policies and other financial accounts to make sure your beneficiary designations are up to date.

Adding a beneficiary to your accounts is critical to ensure your assets go to the person you want to have them.

Beneficiary designations trump wills, so be sure your will and any account or policy, such as life insurance, are aligned in their directives.

11. Look for ways to boost your income Sometimes, it’s less about savings and cutting back and more about increasing your income.

If the pandemic has taught consumers anything, “it’s that life is uncertain and having multiple income streams is more important than ever,” says Laura Gariepy, business

coach and founder of Before You Go Freelance, a blog that offers advice for aspiring freelancers. “People are realizing that self-employment is not inherently more risky than traditional employment because there’s built-in income diversification when you have multiple clients or customers.”

There are many ways to increase your revenue streams. Freelance work, for example, is optimal for those who have a specific skill to offer. But there are also less technical side hustles, like dog walking, to consider. Additionally, if you have some savings in hand, consider investing in dividend stocks or real estate investment trusts.

By finding different ways to increase your revenue streams, you aren’t entirely dependent on one income source. Not only can that strategy help you make more money, increase your savings and reach your goals, it can also provide some protection if you lose your primary job.

64

LOCAL ARTIST STU DOHERTY WINS A BLUE RIBBON ✦ Local watercolour artist Stu Doherty took home $1000 and first place in the inaugural Bonny Hills Art Prize from over 45 entries in the category.

T

he art prize had 300 entries from 100 artists across the Mid North Coast, and the demand for entry was as exceptional as the quality of work submitted.

What is also amazing is the idea for the event was only conceived in August and the success of the event is due to the great work of a team of volunteers and the work of the Bonny Hills Progress Association.

The event was Judged by Bridget Purtill; the Glasshouse Regional Gallery Curator and attended by the Port Macquarie Mayor Peta Pinson.

Exhibition An exhibition of Stu Doherty’s other watercolour paintings can be viewed at The Wauchope Creative Hub gallery; 87 Cameron Street, Wauchope, Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.

65

6 B6 RILLIA NT COMM U N IT Y

WAUCHOPE CREATIVE HUB WELCOMES LOCAL ARTIST ANGELA MARR-GROGAN TO THE CREATIVE FAMILY ✦ Wauchope Creative Hub Director Stu Doherty is honoured to include the beautiful work of Angela alongside other local contributors.

W

auchope Creative Hub Director and teacher Stu Doherty told us how the workshops have benefited so many people in 2021. “Connection through creativity has been a great boost for a lot of locals coming out of a tough year, we have small classes and have a fun time while learning," said Stu. “Angela’s work is so personal and the stories are so significant, aside from the obvious beauty of her intricate

work, we are just so pleased to have such a different technique and style join our cooperative family” Angela Marr-Grogan will be running her in-demand workshops on a regular basis in the WCH studio and kicked off 2022 with a day course early January.

Angela is a Birrbay woman with over 20 years industry experience in cultural arts, community consultation, project management and workshop facilitation.

67

✤ "As an Aboriginal woman and artist, I am extremely passionate about celebrating and promoting my culture through art and language. I am inspired and driven by the depth of my culture and my place within it."

- Angela Marr-Grogan, Gurrwa Marraygan.

As a professional artist, Angela specialises in culturally inspired imagery and designs, private commissioned works of art and custom gifts.

Her works of art are contemporary, bold and fresh, and symmetrical in style and design. As an Aboriginal woman she is extremely passionate about story telling though art and sharing her love of it with others.

"As an Aboriginal woman and artist, I am extremely passionate about celebrating and promoting my culture through art and language. I am inspired and driven by the depth of my culture and my place within it." - Angela Marr-Grogan, Gurrwa Marraygan.

68

AUSTRALIA'S INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 2022 ✦ Viewpoints from Thomson Ch'ng.

By 2019, international education has contributed $40.3 billion to the Australian economy.

visa holders working in critical industries - agriculture, hospitality and healthcare settings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted international education. Border closures have seen student enrolments fall by up to 70 per cent on pre-pandemic levels for some parts of the sector. The absence of international students has also been felt keenly in communities and on campuses around Australia. Substantial efforts to meet the full spectrum of student needs and expectations, both onshore and offshore are being strategised.

As COVID-19 (particularly the Omicron variant) continues to spread across Australia, thousands of workers have been plunged into isolation. As a result, many sectors are struggling with extreme labour shortages, prompting the government to relax the restrictions for an estimated 400,000 international students.

The Australian Government is temporarily easing the restrictions on working hours for International student

➹

You can check the Department of Home Affairs web page for further updates on working hour exemptions for international students.

Brilliant-Online interviewed Thomson Ch'ng to reflect on International Education, Border reopening, challenges and opportunities for 2022, a perspective from an International Alumnus and Specialist Education Sector Advisor.

69