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COLUMNIST CONTRIBUTORS
Mother’s Day in Maroondah 2025: A Heartfelt Celebration
By Joe Lam
Mother’s Day 2025 in Maroondah, a charming area located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, promises to be a heartfelt celebration of love, family, and community. Renowned for its beautiful parks, close-knit communities, and lively local culture, Maroondah provides an ideal backdrop for families to come together and express their gratitude for the extraordinary women in their lives.
The morning of Mother’s Day in Maroondah kicks off with a wide variety of breakfast and brunch choices that enable families to treat mums to delightful food and cherished moments. Numerous local cafes are celebrated for their substantial breakfast options, showcasing everything from gourmet eggs benedict to fresh fruit bowls, alongside locally roasted coffee. On this special day, these cafes frequently feature Mother’s Day specials, including extras like complimentary mimosas or unique Mother’s Day-themed pastries, helping to create a memorable experience.
Many families take advantage of Maroondah’s breathtaking natural landscapes to relax and unwind. Bungalook Conservation Reserve in Kilsyth South, with its majestic trees and indigenous flora, and Wombolano Park in Ringwood East with it’s sensory trail and wetland area, are just two of
the many reserves in Maroondah that are popular destinations for a relaxing afternoon, where mums can appreciate a leisurely walk while enjoying the company of their loved ones.
For those inclined towards a more engaging way to celebrate, Maroondah’s local markets present a wonderful chance to find a unique gift for mom. The Ringwood East Market is an excellent venue to discover a variety of handmade goods, including jewellery, home decorations, and artisanal food items or surprise mum with a bouquet
of fresh flowers, making it easy to personalise the celebration. Or treat your mum to a night out at Karralyka Theatre with a wide variety of shows in May.
Mother's Day in Maroondah is a time to celebrate the love, strength, and dedication of mothers. With a variety of activities and events to choose from, it's easy to create a day that reflects your appreciation and love. Whether through a shared experience, a thoughtful gift, or quality time spent together, make this Mother's Day in Maroondah a memorable one.
Chart of Accounts: Where Bookkeeping Begins
BOOKKEEPING
By Jodie Moore
The Chart of Accounts is the foundation of your bookkeeping system. When starting a business, one of your first tasks should be setting this up. It is a structured list of all the accounts used to categorise your financial transactions for entry into the general ledger. Think of it as a financial map, organising transactions into five main categories: assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses.
Each category is further divided into specific accounts. For example:
• Assets might include Cash at Bank, Accounts Receivable (Debtors), and Inventory.
• Income could include Sales, Service Fees, and Interest Received.
• Liabilities might feature Mortgage, Accounts Payable (Creditors), and GST Collected.
• Expenses may include Wages, Marketing, Electricity, and Rent.
• Equity typically includes Capital and Drawings.
Each account is assigned a number and a short description. A bookkeeper can guide you through setting this up correctly
and tailoring it to your business needs. Once your Chart of Accounts is established, it rarely needs major changes—only occasional additions as your business evolves (e.g., a new subscription or creditor).
Every transaction you make should be backed by a source document—such as an invoice, receipt, cheque butt, or credit note. In many cases, especially with delayed payments, multiple source documents may be involved (e.g., an invoice and a subsequent receipt). These are essential, particularly if you use the Accrual accounting method, which we’ll cover in more detail in a future article.
When you give your source documents and bank statements to your bookkeeper, they’ll match each transaction to an appropriate account. If you’re using accounting software like Xero, this process becomes much faster and more cost-effective. While there is a monthly fee for the software, it’s usually taxdeductible and can significantly reduce bookkeeping and accounting time—and costs
Once your transactions are properly categorised using the Chart of Accounts, your bookkeeper will enter them into your General Journal and General Ledger, laying the groundwork for accurate financial reporting.
Australia’s Payroll Landscape
Recently we had an inquiry from a sole director asking us about putting his partner on the books. As this is a common question for sole directors when their businesses are starting to grow, we felt we should cover the topic of payroll and what to consider when employing a family member this month.
Let’s begin with payroll.
The payroll landscape in Australia is undergoing significant changes driven by regulatory updates, digital transformation, and a growing emphasis on transparency and compliance. These shifts are making it increasingly important for businesses— particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs)—to adopt online accounting software to manage their payroll obligations efficiently and lawfully.
It really surprises us when we come across sole directors who are not abreast of these changes, have not set up payroll, and are continuing to just draw out funds from the company as though they are operating as a sole trader. When we meet these clients for the first time, we begin the journey of educating the client regarding these new changes and help them to set up payroll. So, what are these changes:
Key Changes Impacting Payroll in Australia
1. Superannuation Law Reform –“Pay Day Super”: One of the most notable upcoming changes is the requirement for employers to pay employees’ superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. This change, known as Pay Day Super, is set to take effect from 1 July 2026. It aims to ensure workers receive their super entitlements promptly, which will significantly improve retirement outcomes and reduce lost super. For businesses, this change increases the need for streamlined, automated payroll systems to avoid compliance breaches and penalties.
2. Single Touch Payroll (STP) and
Online Reporting: The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) mandates that employers use Single Touch Payroll (STP) to report salaries, wages, PAYG withholding, and superannuation data each time they pay employees. STP Phase 2 further expands these reporting requirements. This move toward real-time online reporting enhances data accuracy and helps the ATO detect and reduce payroll fraud and underpayments more effectively. It also increases the accountability of employers, as employees can view their payroll data via their myGov accounts.
3. Increased Transparency and Employee Notification: Employers must now notify both the ATO and employees of payments made, ensuring transparency. Online accounting software helps automate this process, reducing administrative burden and errors. By ensuring employees can see their wage and super payments recorded in real time, businesses are also more likely to maintain trust and retention among their workforce.
Why Online Accounting Software Is Now Essential
Given the regulatory complexity and increased compliance requirements, manual payroll processes are no longer practical or sustainable. Online accounting software such as Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online, and Reckon offer features that directly support compliance, including:
• Automated super and payroll processing in line with “pay day super” laws.
• STP integration for real-time reporting to the ATO.
• Employee self-service portals to view payslips and super contributions.
• Error reduction through automatic tax calculations and award interpretation.
• Audit trails and reporting tools that improve accountability and reduce fraud.
With the tightening of superannuation laws, expanded STP reporting, and a national focus on payroll transparency, Australian businesses need to move with the times and modernise their payroll systems. Online accounting software is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for ensuring compliance, reducing risk, and managing payroll efficiently in a changing regulatory environment. If you are a sole director, and you have not set up your payroll, then we encourage you to make this a priority leading up to the new financial year.
Hiring your partner or family member.
Now we have more insight into the need to have our payroll set up, let’s take time to consider some important facts when putting your partner (spouse or de facto) on as an employee in your business. This can be a beneficial next step in the business, but there are several legal, tax, and compliance issues you must be aware of to avoid penalties or scrutiny from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Fair Work Ombudsman. Here’s what to keep in mind:
1. Genuine Employment Relationship
You must be able to prove that your partner is a genuine employee, not just being paid for tax benefits. The ATO may audit your business to ensure:
• The work performed is real, regular, and necessary.
• The pay reflects market rates for the work done.
• There’s a clear employment agreement or documentation (even if informal).
Tip: Keep time sheets, job descriptions, and examples of work to support this.
2. Fair Work Compliance
Just like any other employee, your partner must:
• Be paid at least the minimum wage for their role.
• Receive entitlements under the National Employment Standards (NES)—such as annual leave, sick leave, and super.
• Be covered by the correct Modern Award, if applicable.
Failure to do this can trigger legal action from the Fair Work Ombudsman, even in family-run businesses. Oh, we have seen this happen especially amongst siblings and when there is a relationship breakdown between the owner and their partner.
3. Superannuation Obligations
If your partner is earning an income who is over 18 years of age (or if under 18 years of age and working over 30 hours/ week), you are required to:
• Pay superannuation at the current rate (11.5% in 2025FY, changing to 12% in 2026FY).
• Soon, you’ll need to pay super at the same time as wages (under the upcoming “pay day super” rules from 1 July 2026).
4. Payroll Tax and PAYG Withholding
You must:
Requirement
• Withhold PAYG tax from their wages and report it through Single Touch Payroll (STP).
• Register and pay payroll tax if your total wages exceed the state threshold.
Avoid paying your partner in cash without proper reporting—it’s illegal and risky.
5. Workers Compensation Insurance
Even if your partner is a spouse, if they’re a paid employee, they may be eligible for workers compensation. In some states, this depends on:
• Their role.
• Whether they’re classified as a working director or contractor. Check with your state WorkCover authority
Summary Checklist
6. Impact on Family Tax Benefits or Centrelink
If your partner receives Family Tax Benefit (FTB), Child Care Subsidy, or any Centrelink payments, becoming an employee may affect eligibility, as income will be assessed differently.
7. Tax Deductibility
Wages paid to your partner are generally tax-deductible only if:
• The payment is reasonable for the work done.
• It is actually paid (not just journaled).
• It’s reported through STP and included in your BAS/IAS
The ATO may disallow deductions if they suspect the arrangement isn’t legitimate.
• Written job description/contract
• PAYG withholding & STP reporting
• Superannuation contributions
• Minimum wage & NES entitlements
• Payroll tax (if above threshold)
• Workers comp insurance
• Reasonable market-rate pay
Must You Do It?
Recommended Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory If applicable Usually required Essential for tax
Hiring your partner can make business and financial sense—but only if it’s done by the book
Warranwood Primary School hopped into Easter
During the last week of Term 1, Warranwood Primary school enjoyed all things Easter. From the artwork and writing pieces that were hung up in classroom to the wafts of hot cross buns coming from the canteen on Hot Cross Bun Day. Easter had certainly arrived. The students couldn’t wait for their annual visit with the famous Bunny and there was chatter in the yard about the Easter themed dress up day.
On Wednesday 2nd April students and staff had a visit from the Easter Bunny. Our furry friend was escorted through the classrooms by one of our Friends of Warranwood volunteers. FOW volunteers take this opportunity to invite the Easter Bunny to visit students and staff as a thank you to the community for their ongoing support. Being able to have our special guest join in on the fun of handing out delicious chocolate eggs is really rewarding. Students welcomed the Easter bunny into each classroom with smiles and excited laughter. There were even requests for selfies with our famous visitor.
Completed the week with an afternoon assembly on Friday the 4th of April. The excitement in the courtyard was contagious as our principal, Shane Harrop, built suspense throughout the raffle draw. The audience was hooked on every word trying to work out from the clues who the prize winner would be. Students were so eggscited they literally hopped, jumped and squealed with happiness when their name was called. The community took great delight in witnessing how excited the prize winners were. The joy of such happiness was infectious.
We were very fortunate the Easter Bunny was able to reschedule a few things with their busy schedule to come back and surprise us with an extra visit this year.
From Noise to Momentum: The One Thing Most
Not-for-Profits Overlook in Their Marketing
By Ethan Strybosch
In the world of not-for-profit marketing, visibility is often treated as the ultimate goal. More views, more clicks, more traffic — all signs of progress, right?
I used to believe that too.
But after working closely with dozens of incredible organisations, I’ve come to a different conclusion: visibility without clarity is just noise.
We’ve seen charities doing all the “right” things. Posting regularly. Running ads. Showing up on every platform. Yet despite their efforts, they weren’t seeing results. Their impact didn’t grow. Donations stayed flat. Engagement was minimal.
Why?
Because they hadn’t nailed the one thing that truly makes marketing work: a clear message.
Clarity is what turns a social post into a call to action. It’s what transforms a website visit into a donation. It’s the difference between being seen and being remembered.
The questions every not-for-profit must answer are simple — but powerful:
• What do you want people to do?
• Why should they care?
• How does your mission align with the change they want to see in the world?
When we helped clients uncover and communicate this clearly, everything shifted.
Campaigns started converting. Donors leaned in. Volunteers showed up. The mission came to life in ways that felt tangible and exciting.
This isn’t just theory. It’s the pattern we’ve seen again and again.
So if your organisation’s marketing feels like it’s falling flat, don’t immediately assume you need more content or a bigger ad budget. Don’t just chase reach for the sake of reach.
Instead, pause. Get clear on your message first.
Because clarity is what transforms noise into momentum. And in the not-for-profit world, momentum is what drives real, lasting impact.
DIGITAL MEDIA
Why Having a Budget is Important When Setting Up a Financial Plan
FINANCIAL PLANNER
By Warren Strybosch
When it comes to managing your finances and achieving long-term financial goals, having a clear financial plan is essential. However, creating a financial plan without a budget is like trying to navigate a new city without a map—you may get somewhere, but it will be far harder to reach your destination and more likely that you’ll get lost along the way. A budget is the foundation of any successful financial plan because it helps you manage your income, control your spending, and prioritise savings and investments.
In this article, we’ll explore why having a budget is so important when setting up a financial plan and how it can help you achieve your financial goals.
1. Provides a Clear Picture of Your Finances
A budget helps you understand exactly where your money is going each month. By tracking your income, expenses, and savings, you get a clear overview of your financial situation. This visibility is essential for making informed decisions about your spending and savings. Without a budget, it’s easy to overspend or mismanage funds, as you might not be fully aware of how much money is coming in and how much is going out.
With a budget, you can see:
• Your income: How much money you earn after taxes and other deductions.
• Fixed and variable expenses: How much you spend on essentials like rent, utilities, groceries, and discretionary items like entertainment.
• Your savings rate: How much money you’re setting aside for future goals or emergency funds.
2. Helps Control Spending
A budget is a powerful tool for curbing impulse purchases and unnecessary spending. When you allocate a specific amount for different categories of your budget (such as groceries, entertainment, and transportation), you make conscious decisions about where to spend. This helps prevent overspending and ensures that your money is being directed toward the things that matter most.
By setting limits for various expense categories, you can:
• Avoid spending beyond your means.
• Keep track of your discretionary spending to ensure it doesn’t exceed your planned budget.
• Identify areas where you may be able to cut back and reallocate funds toward savings or investment goals.
3. Enables You to Prioritise Financial Goals
Having a budget is essential for setting and achieving financial goals, whether short-term (like paying off debt or saving for a vacation) or long-term (like buying a home or retirement). A budget allows you to prioritise your financial goals by directing your money toward these objectives.
For instance, if your goal is to save for an emergency fund, you can allocate a portion of your income to this fund each month. Similarly, if you’re working toward paying off high-interest debt, a budget will help you plan your debt repayments, ensuring you stay on track. A budget gives you a clear framework for how to achieve your goals and ensures you’re not sacrificing one priority for another.
4. Improves Debt Management
If you’re carrying debt, having a budget is essential for managing and paying it off efficiently. A budget helps you allocate a portion of your income specifically for debt repayments, ensuring that you avoid missing payments and accruing late fees. Additionally, it can help you determine the most efficient strategy for paying off debt, such as the debt avalanche method (paying off highinterest debt first) or the debt snowball method (paying off smaller debts first for quick wins).
By tracking your debt and repayment progress, you can:
• Stay on top of due dates and avoid penalties.
• Make informed decisions about how to allocate extra funds toward paying down debt faster.
• Create a clear path for becoming debt-free.
5. Helps Save for Emergencies and Future Needs
One of the most important aspects of any financial plan is building a safety net for emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. A
budget helps you allocate a portion of your income toward building an emergency fund, ensuring that you’re prepared for unforeseen circumstances without relying on credit cards or loans.
In addition to emergencies, a budget also allows you to plan for future needs like retirement, education expenses, or major life events. By identifying areas where you can cut back on non-essential spending, you can increase the amount you set aside for long-term goals.
6. Offers Better Control Over Taxes
When you create a budget, you’ll have a clearer picture of your total income, which can help you estimate your tax liabilities. This knowledge is essential for effective tax planning. By allocating money for taxes and tracking tax deductions or credits, you can avoid surprises at tax time. A budget also helps ensure that you’re saving for tax obligations if you’re selfemployed or if your income is variable.
By monitoring your tax situation, you can:
• Set aside enough money to pay taxes throughout the year.
• Adjust your withholding or quarterly payments if needed.
• Ensure that you’re taking advantage of potential tax-saving strategies, like contributing to tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
7. Helps Track Progress and Stay on Course
A budget isn’t a one-time task—it’s a living document that needs to be regularly updated and reviewed. Having a budget
helps you track your progress toward financial goals and ensures that you’re staying on course. By reviewing your budget monthly or quarterly, you can assess whether you’re meeting your savings targets, sticking to spending limits, and making progress in debt repayment.
Regularly monitoring your budget also allows you to make adjustments if needed. If you’re overspending in one category or your income changes, you can modify your budget to reflect those changes and stay aligned with your financial goals.
8. Encourages Financial Discipline and Responsibility
A budget instils discipline and encourages a responsible approach to money management. It forces you to take an honest look at your financial situation and make intentional decisions about how you spend and save. Financial discipline is key to achieving long-term financial security and having a budget helps develop the habits necessary to build wealth over time.
A budget is the cornerstone of any sound financial plan. It helps you understand your financial situation, control your spending, prioritise your goals, and prepare for the future. By creating and sticking to a budget, you ensure that your money is working for you and that you’re on track to achieve both your short-term and long-term financial goals. Whether you’re saving for an emergency fund, paying down debt, or planning for retirement, a budget is the tool that makes all of it possible.
Warren Strybosch
1300 88 38 30 |warren@findwealth.com.au www.findwealth.com.au
Warren Strybosch Award winning Financial Adviser and Accountant
Financial Planning is offered via Find Wealth Pty Ltd ACN 140 585 075 t/a Find Wealth & Find Retirement.
FindWealthisaCorporateAuthorisedRepresentative (No 468091) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007 (AFSL No. 449221).Part of the Centrepoint Alliancegroup https://www.centrepointalliance. com.au/
Warren Strybosch is Authorised representative (No. 468091) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd. Services offered are superannuation, retirement planning and aged care advice.
This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication.
Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, it is based on our understanding of current regulatory requirements and laws at the publication date.As these laws are subject to change you should talk to an authorised adviser for the most up-to-date information. No warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither Alliance Wealth nor its related entities, employees or representatives accepts responsibility for any loss suffered by any person arising from reliance on this information.
Manningham
Have your say on the Wombat Bend Playground upgrade
Manningham Council is seeking community feedback on a concept design for an upgrade at Wombat Bend Playground.
Wombat Bend Playground is a much-loved regional playground catering to visitors of all abilities – created by the community, for the community. It embraces inclusive design to foster creative development, inspiration and imagination and to encourage the mind to explore.
The concept design developed for the playground upgrade reflects insights gathered from community consultations held in December 2024. The proposed upgrades include:
• a diverse range of play equipment suitable for all ages and abilities
• a dedicated swing zone with five different seat types
• a larger water play area
• a sand play zone with raised tables and a digger
• a refurbished maze zone
• improved access paths for better connectivity and movement
• upgraded amenities, including new seating, picnic areas, drinking fountains, shelters, and BBQs
• enhanced shade and expanded grassed areas
• a new co-located fitness station.
Community consultation now open
To have your say on the Wombat Bend Playground concept design, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/wombat-bendplayground-upgrade
Council is also holding an onsite consultation session on Sunday 18 May.
Community members are invited to attend between 10:30am and 12:00pm (noon) to discuss the design directly with the project team.
Council values the input of the community in shaping the future of the Wombat Bend Playground and appreciates everyone’s involvement in making the playground a better space for all.
Consultation closes Monday 2 June 2025.
For more information, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/ wombat-bend-playground-upgrade.
