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The

MAROONDAH SUPPORT LOCAL, BUY LOCAL, DISCOVER MAROONDAH

OCTOBER 2026

What’s INSIDE:

09 Columnist article Jodie Moore - Accountant

Discover Local Magic at the Inaugural Maroondah Art Fair

12 Maroondah Council news

By Joe Lam

Discover local magic at the first-ever Maroondah Art Fair! Join us October 17–18 at Central Ringwood Community Centre for a vibrant weekend of original art, live music, delicious food, and unique makers markets. Support community creators and find your perfect masterpiece!

Read full article on page 4.

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COLUMNIST CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDER | ACCOUNTANT

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GENERAL INSURANCE

MORTGAGE BROKER

WARREN STRYBOSCH

LESLEY-ANNE BANTON

Craig Anderson

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joanna srtybosch

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ETHAN STRYBOSCH

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BOOKKEEPING

JODIE MOORE

KATHRYN MESSENGER

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About the Find Maroondah By Warren Strybosch

The Find Maroondah is a community paper that aims to support all things Maroondah. We want to provide a place where all Not-For-Profits (NFP), schools, sporting groups and other like organisations can share their news in one place. For instance, submitting up-andcoming events in the Find Maroondah for Free. We do not proclaim to be another newspaper and we will not be aiming to compete with other news outlets. You can obtain your news from other sources. We feel you get enough of this already. We will keep our news topics to a minimum and only provide what we feel is most relevant topics to you each month. We invite local council and the current council members to participate by submitting information each month so as to keep us informed of any changes that may be of relevance to us, their local constituents.

We will also try and showcase different organisations throughout the year so you, the reader, can learn more about what is on offer in your local area. To help support the paper, we invite local business owners to sponsor the paper and in return we will provide exclusive advertising and opportunities to submit articles about their businesses. As a community we encourage you to support these businesses/columnists. Without their support, we would not be able to provide this community paper to you.

and rolling out over the coming years. Our aim is to help as many NFP and other like organisations to raise much needed funds to help them to keep operating. Our fundraising initiatives will never simply ask for money from you. We will also aim to provide something of worth to you before you part with your hard-earned money. The first initiative is the Find Cards and Find Coupons – similar to the Entertainment Book but cheaper and more localised. Any NFP and similar organisations e.g., schools, sporting clubs, can participate. Follow us on Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/findmaroondah) so you keep up to date with what we are doing. We value your support, The Find Maroondah Team.

Lastly, we want to ask you, the local community, to support the fundraising initiatives that we will be developing

Maroondah The

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES: Warren Strybosch | 1300 88 38 30 editor@findmaroondah.com.au PUBLISHER: Issuu Pty Ltd POSTAL ADDRESS: 248 Wonga Road, Warranwood VIC 3134 ADVERTISING AND ACCOUNTS: editor@findmaroondah.com.au GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 1300 88 38 30 EMAIL SUPPORT: editor@findmaroondah.com.au WEBSITE: www.findmaroondah.com.au

OUR NEWSPAPER The Find Maroondah was established in 2019 and is owned by the Find Foundation, a Not-For-Profit organisation with a core focus of helping other Not-For-Profits, schools, clubs and other similar organisations in the local community - to bring everyone together in one place and to support each other. We provide the above organisations FREE advertising in the community paper to promote themselves as well as to make the community more aware of the services these organisations can offer. The Find Maroondah has a strong editorial focus and is supported via local grants and financed predominantly by local business owners.

ALL THINGS MAROONDAH The City of Maroondah is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Maroondah had a population of approximately 118,000 as of the 2019 report, comprising 9,000 businesses and nearly 46,000 households. The City of Maroondah was created through the amalgamation of the former cities of Ringwood and Croydon in December 1994.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Find Maroondah acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where Maroondah now stands, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pays respect to their Elders - past, present and emerging - and acknowledges the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within our community.

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Readers are advised that the Find Maroondah accepts no responsibility for financial, health or other claims published in advertising or in articles written in this newspaper. All comments are of a general nature and do not take into account your personal financial situation, health and/or wellbeing. We recommend you seek professional advice before acting on anything written herein.

Next Issue of the Find Maroondah will be published on Friday November 6, 2026. Advertising and Editorial copy closes Friday October 30, 2026.

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By Joe Lam

Discover Local Magic at the Inaugural Maroondah Art Fair Get ready to experience a weekend full of colour, music, and incredible talent! On October 17 and 18, 2026, the Central Ringwood Community Centre will come alive for the very first Maroondah Art Fair. This highly anticipated two-day event runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day, offering a perfect weekend outing for families, art lovers, and anyone looking to support the local community. While Maroondah has a rich tradition of cultural gatherings like the annual Mayoral Art Exhibition, this event marks a brandnew milestone. It is the first formal, standalone Art Fair created specifically to give local everyday creators an affordable spotlight to display and sell their work directly to neighbours and visitors. This exciting launch is a massive team effort. It is brought to life by the passionate members of the Ringwood Art Society, working hand-in-hand with the Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood Secondary College, and Arts in Maroondah. Together, these organisations are building a platform that bridges the gap between professional creatives, enthusiastic hobbyists, and young student artists who are just starting their creative journeys.

The benefits of the fair reach deep into the heart of the community. For local artists, it provides a rare opportunity to sell original 2D masterpieces—like paintings, drawings, and mixed media—with absolutely zero commission taken from their sales. For visitors, it is a chance to gather, connect, and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere. Beyond the gallery walls, you can explore a cozy makers market featuring unique handmade crafts, watch live art demonstrations, and even participate in hands-on interactive workshops. With live music filling the air and fresh food and coffee available, it is more than just an exhibition—it is a community celebration. Don't miss your chance to be a part of history at this inaugural event! Bring your friends, support your local creators, and find the perfect unique piece to take home. Mark your calendars for October 17–18 and join the celebration at the Central Ringwood Community Centre. See you there! Sourced from: Maroondah City Council Calendar, Central Ringwood Community Centre Updates, Ringwood Art Society and Partners Announcement

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BOOKKEEPING By Jodie Moore

October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH

PAYG instalments

We often get clients getting confused over PAYG Instalments and BAS payments. They receive a reminder to pay their PAYG instalment and their response is that they cancelled their GST registration last financial year so cannot understand why they are being asked to pay it now. Although PAYG instalments will often be included in your BAS, it is a very different thing. Almost everyone who receives a Tax Debt for their tax return because of investment or business income, will be put onto a PAYG instalment plan. This includes Individuals, Companies, Trusts etc. Let me give you an example. In your 2025 tax return, you received a tax bill of $1500 because you had a sole trader business or interest earned from your bank account. This amount is due now. If you cannot pay it upfront, you can set yourself up on a payment plan either through MyGov or by contacting your Tax Agent or Bookkeeper. As you had a tax bill for the 2025FY, the ATO will assume that you will also receive one in the 2026FY. To help ease the shock and burden of receiving this tax bill and having to find the money in one go, they will automatically set you up on an instalment plan to pay it beforehand. Using the amount of your 2025FY tax bill, the ATO will divide it by four for you to pay in four quarterly instalments. However, they also want it paid before the end of the financial year. So, if you do not complete your tax return until November for example, the first instalment will be due in the JanuaryMarch quarter, but this amount will include the July-September quarter, the October-December quarter and the January-March quarter, effectively paying three instalments in one. The final quarter will then be reduced back down to the single quarterly amount. Please also note, these PAYG instalments are to pre-pay your anticipated 2026FY tax debt. It is not paying off your 2025FY tax debt. This is a different amount and needs to be paid separately as highlighted above.

You do not really have a choice whether you pay these instalments or not. If you pay these instalments and then find you overpaid when you complete your next tax return, you will receive a refund. This will not automatically take you off the PAYG instalment plan though if you would have still received a tax bill without the previous excess instalments, they just might be reduced. The first year you enter the PAYG Instalment system can hurt, particularly if you are paying off both your previous year’s tax debt as well. However, once you get through that first year, it can become quite handy spreading your expected tax debt over four quarters. If you are still unsure or have a question relating to your specific situation please call us on 1300 88 38 30.

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How You Know Your Financial Planner Is Legit

FINANCIAL PLANNER By ERRYN LANGLEY

Choosing a financial planner is one of the most important money decisions you’ll make, yet it’s easy to spend more time researching a new car. The good news: Australia has a public system that lets you verify a planner in a few minutes, for free. It is important to take the time to confirm if the person promoting themselves as a financial planner or who is offering financial planning services, is able to provide the advice to you and more importantly that you will be protected if something goes wrong. I am writing this article because I still come across dodgy practitioners who are promoting themselves as financial planners or who offer financial planning services but are not licensed to do. Last month I had to write to an accounting practice reminding them that they cannot promote financial planning services on their website when they do not own a financial planning licensee and/or do not have someone in the practice who is an authorised representative of a Australian financial services licensee (AFSL). If you are simply referring to financial planners then state that from the outset but don’t pretend you offer these services in house. Also, be careful of those who label themselves as ‘advisors’ when they simply might be mortgage brokers or people who are spruiking properties. Whilst, ‘advisor’ is not a legislated and protective term, the words, ‘financial planner’ or ‘financial advisor’ are protected terms that can only be used by qualified financial planners. So, don’t get confused when you hear someone say there are a licensed advisor…this does not mean they are a financial planner.

So be careful who you choose before entrusting someone with your money. 1. Check the Financial Advisers Register Start with ASIC’s Financial Advisers Register on the Moneysmart website. Anyone giving personal advice on investments, superannuation or life insurance must appear on it. Search by name or adviser number and you can see where the adviser has worked, their qualifications and training, the products they’re authorised to advise on, and any disciplinary history. Two things to keep in mind. ASIC doesn’t endorse advisers or check the information before it’s published, because licensees are responsible for keeping entries current. And if a planner isn’t listed, that’s a serious red flag. Ask why. 2. Confirm they hold (or work under) an AFS licence Moneysmart is clear that anyone who gives financial advice must have an Australian financial services (AFS) licence or be an authorised representative of a licensee. The register shows who their licensee is, and who owns or controls it. 3. Check their qualifications Australia’s professional standards are now much tougher than they once were. Personal advisers to retail clients must: • hold an approved bachelor’s degree or higher (existing advisers had until 1 January 2026 to meet this) • have passed the ASIC financial adviser exam • complete ongoing professional development each year • comply with the Code of Ethics, which includes 12 ethical standards • new entrants must also complete a supervised Professional Year

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Designations such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can add further assurance of experience and ongoing education, and membership of a professional body such as the Financial Planning Association and the Association of Financial Advisers merge to become the Financial Association of Australia back in 2023. 4. Ask for the Financial Services Guide Advisers must give you a Financial Services Guide (FSG). Moneysmart’s checklist includes whether they provide it without hesitation. It should explain the services offered, how they charge, any commissions or incentives they receive, and how complaints are handled. Read it before you sign anything.

Erryn Langley

5. Understand the fees and conflicts

Director and Financial Adviser - GradDipFinPlan Authorised Representative No 1269525

Ask exactly what you’ll pay, how often, and what you get in return. Also ask what commissions or incentives they receive if you buy a product, and how they choose which products to recommend. A legitimate planner will answer plainly.

T:1300 557 144 Email: erryn@cherrywealth.com.au Website: www.cherrywealth.com.au Office Address: Suite 4 / 4 - 6 Croydon Road, Croydon 3136

6. Trust your instincts in the meeting A good adviser gets to know you, asks clear questions and checks they’ve understood your answers. Be cautious if someone: • promises guaranteed or unusually high returns • pressures you to decide quickly • is vague about fees or avoids giving you documents • recommends products without understanding your situation The bottom line Before your first meeting, spend ten minutes on the register, confirm the qualifications and read the FSG. You can compare several advisers and you’re never locked in to one. If something doesn’t feel right, move on.

General information only. Visit moneysmart.gov.au to check an adviser.

Warren Strybosch

WINNER BOUTIQUE FINANCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE OF THE YEAR

th o u g h t le a d e r o f th e y e a r

WINNER

Financial Planning is offered via Cherry Wealth Pty Ltd Ltd ABN 14 653 375 458 Cherry Wealth is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 1314769) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007 (AFSL No. 449221). Part of the Centrepoint Alliance group https://www.centrepointalliance. com.au/ Erryn Langley is Authorised representative (No. 1269525) of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd. This information has been provided as general advice. We may not have considered your financial circumstances, need or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek assistance from an authorised financial adviser before making any decisions 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 as at the publication dates. 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.

“I’m truly honoured to be recognised by my peers as one of Australia’s leading financial services professionals,” Warren said. “This recognition of Find Group for our contribution to the financial advice industry reinforces the strength of our service, our commitment to the community, and our dedication to achieving real results for clients. We will continue to work hard to enhance our service offering and make a positive impact on the lives of our clients and our local community.”

Founder/Managing Director - Find Group of Companies

BOUTIQUE FINANCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE OF THE YEAR

Postal Address: PO Box 657, Croydon VIC 3136

FINALIST in

• • • •

BOUTIQUE ACCOUNTING PRACTICE OF THE YEAR HOLISTIC ADVICE PRACTICE OF THE YEAR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROFESSION AWARD WELLNESS PROGRAM/INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

THOUGHT LEADER OF THE YEAR

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What Does the Research Actually

Say About Homeopathy?

NATUROPATHY By Kathryn Messenger

If you've searched online for information about homeopathy, you've probably found conflicting opinions. Often the first thing that comes up is that there is “no evidence” to support homeopathy, but that often stems from a paper with unusual study design. It did not include studies that were too big, too small, certain diseases, and the list goes on until they found a category for which there were no studies. But no studies doesn’t mean no evidence, and if you go looking for no evidence, it’s likely what you will find. As we look into scientific research, it's important to have an objective look

at the evidence. Research is rarely as simple as a headline suggests, and understanding what different types of studies can, and can't tell us helps make sense of the bigger picture. What is Good Research? In healthcare, not all research is created equal.

systematic reviews combine the results of multiple studies to look for overall patterns. Each type of research has strengths and limitations. Rather than relying on a single study, researchers look at the entire body of evidence. Why Is Homeopathy Difficult to Research?

Scientists use different types of studies to answer different questions.

One of the biggest challenges is that homeopathy is usually individualised.

Laboratory studies look at how cells or tissues respond under controlled conditions. Animal studies may provide early clues about biological effects before treatments are tested in people. Clinical trials investigate whether a treatment helps patients, while

Imagine two people with frequent migraines. Although they share the same diagnosis, they may have completely different symptoms, personalities, sleep patterns, food preferences and emotional responses.

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A homeopathic consultation considers all of these factors before selecting a medicine. This means those two people may receive entirely different homeopathic prescriptions. Conventional drug trials, however, are generally designed to test one medicine for one condition. That works well when everyone receives the same treatment, but it becomes much more complicated when treatment is tailored to each individual. Researchers have recognised this challenge and have increasingly designed studies that allow qualified homeopaths to prescribe individualised medicines, reflecting real-world clinical practice more closely. Looking Beyond Clinical Trials While randomised controlled trials are considered the gold standard, they are only one part of medical research. Laboratory studies have reported measurable biological effects of highly diluted homeopathic preparations in cell cultures, plants and animal models. Because these studies do not involve patient expectations, they continue to attract interest from researchers investigating possible mechanisms. Observational studies are another valuable source of information. These studies follow people receiving treatment in everyday clinical settings. Although they cannot prove that a treatment caused the improvement, they provide useful information about how therapies perform in routine practice and can identify areas worthy of further investigation. What Do Systematic Reviews Show? Systematic reviews are considered to be the highest level of research because they aim to summarise all available research. However, different reviews do not always reach the same conclusions. The answer to this usually lies in which studies were included and how they were assessed. Some reviews include only placebocontrolled randomised trials. Others also consider pragmatic trials, observational studies or research involving individualised prescribing. Different inclusion criteria naturally lead to different conclusions.

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Researchers from the Homeopathy Research Institute have highlighted that when studies are assessed according to the condition being treated, rather than grouping every homeopathic trial together, the picture becomes more nuanced. Which makes sense: we don’t design trials to see if “drugs” work as a group of medications, and like all research, some conditions have encouraging evidence even with a very low research budget.

•

Does Homeopathy Only Work Because of Placebo?

Instead, they look at the available evidence, talk with friends who have seen results, as well as trusted health professionals and consider their own experiences and values.

This is a question that is often asked. The placebo effect is real. Expectations, the therapeutic relationship and the body's own healing processes can all influence how people feel. Conventional medicine recognises this, and placebo responses occur in studies of prescription medicines and surgery as well. Due to how a homeopathic consultation is conducted, which is 1 hour or more, with lots of detailed questions, people often feel heard and understood, which is a great starting point for healing. However, placebo does not explain every observation made in homeopathy research. Laboratory studies involving cells, plants and animals have reported biological changes where patient expectations cannot play a role. Researchers continue to investigate these findings to better understand what they may mean. At the same time, good healthcare is rarely about choosing between "it's all placebo" or "it's all the medicine." Recovery is often influenced by many factors, including lifestyle changes, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, conventional medical treatment and the body's own remarkable capacity to heal. Why Does Research Continue? If there were absolutely nothing to investigate, scientists would have stopped researching homeopathy years ago. Instead, research continues in universities and research institutions around the world. Scientists are exploring questions such as: • • •

Can highly diluted preparations produce measurable biological effects? Are there physical characteristics that distinguish homeopathic preparations from controls? Which conditions appear most responsive to individualised homeopathic treatment?

How can research methods better reflect the way homeopathy is practised in real life?

These are legitimate scientific questions, and they continue to generate new studies each year. What Does This Mean for Patients? Most people don't read scientific papers before making healthcare decisions.

That's a sensible approach. In my clinic, homeopathy is not usually considered in isolation. Most patients have already consulted their GP, had bloodwork done, and many continue taking prescription medications while using homeopathy alongside nutritional and herbal medicine where appropriate. The goal isn't to choose between conventional and complementary healthcare. It's to use each approach where it has the greatest potential to support the individual. The summary The research on homeopathy is not as dismissive as critics often suggest. Some studies have reported positive findings, others have not (but often due to poor study design), and researchers continue to debate how best to investigate this highly individualised form of healthcare. Science is a process of continual questioning and refinement. As better research methods are developed and more high-quality studies are published, our understanding will continue to grow. For now, the most honest conclusion is also the simplest: homeopathy remains an active area of scientific research, and the conversation is far from over.

Kathryn Messenger BHSc (Naturopathy) kathryn@wholenaturopathy.com.au Suite 1 53/1880 Ferntree Gully Rd Mountain Gate Shopping Centre Ferntree Gully, Victoria

October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH

10 FIND MAROONDAH | October 2026

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Build It and They Will Come

Giving Sugar Gliders a Helping Hand By Anthony Bigelow Sometimes conservation begins with simply noticing that something isn't quite right. Around four years ago, volunteers working in our local environment were seeing sugar gliders using PVC piping and other less-than-ideal spaces for shelter. The animals were there, but suitable natural hollows weren't always available. The question was simple: could we give them somewhere better? That became the beginning of a volunteer-led program that now includes more than 120 purpose-built nest boxes across the local area — supported by years of surveying, monitoring and learning. Most encouragingly, over that time we've seen sugar glider numbers gradually increase. Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal marsupials that spend much of their lives above our heads. Using the membrane of skin between their front and back legs, they glide between trees in search of food and shelter. Like many Australian animals, they depend heavily on tree hollows. The problem is that suitable hollows can take many decades to develop. In an urban and fragmented landscape, that creates a gap between the habitat wildlife needs today and the mature habitat we're working to protect and restore for the future.

Nest boxes can help bridge that gap. With grant funding secured through First Friends of Dandenong Creek, boxes were built specifically for the program. Importantly, they were designed not just as homes, but so volunteers could easily monitor them. Using a camera mounted on a pole, citizen scientists can look inside a box and record what's happening with minimal disturbance to the animals. And that's where much of the real value of the program lies. Putting up a box is one thing. Returning to survey it over months and years is another.

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October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH 11

It's a great example of what can happen when local knowledge, citizen science and land-management expertise come together. The program is expanding again at Ringwood Golf Course, where six new boxes are being installed following another successful grant. Once they're in place, volunteers will begin surveying them and watching to see what happens next. Sugar gliders are appealing animals, but there's a bigger reason for helping them. Their diet includes insects, nectar, pollen and plant sap, making them part of the complex relationships between plants and animals that keep ecosystems functioning. They are also part of the local food web. Their presence tells us something about the landscape too. A nest box can provide somewhere to shelter, but it can't provide everything a sugar glider needs. They still require food, vegetation and connected trees that allow them to move safely through the landscape.

Those repeated observations help build a picture of how sugar gliders are using the landscape. Are boxes being occupied? Are gliders returning? Are numbers changing? Are some locations more successful than others? Over four years, those individual observations have become part of a much bigger story. The program is also spreading into new places. In Heathmont, nest boxes have recently been installed on residential properties, recognising that wildlife doesn't distinguish between a public reserve and someone's backyard. This expansion is now being supported by Maroondah City Council's Bushland team, working alongside volunteers to help survey existing boxes and install new ones on residential properties.

That's why nest boxes aren't a substitute for mature trees and healthy habitat. They're a helping hand while we protect and rebuild both. Four years ago, volunteers saw a need and decided to do something about it. More than 120 boxes later, they're still returning — now joined by new volunteers, residents and council staff — surveying, recording, learning and watching a local sugar glider population gradually grow. Sometimes, if you build it, they really will come.

October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH

12 FIND MAROONDAH | October 2026

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ATO Cracks Down on the Shadow Economy:

Ignoring Tax Obligations Could Have Serious Consequences ACCOUNTANT By Warren Strybosch The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is increasing its focus on businesses and individuals who deliberately avoid their tax and superannuation obligations, with a significant rise in prosecutions over the past two years. According to recent ATO figures, nonlodgment prosecutions increased by 80% between 2024–25 and 2025–26. More than 350 individuals and entities were prosecuted during the two-year period, resulting in more than 305 convictions and over $2.7 million in court-imposed fines. The figures demonstrate that failing to lodge tax returns and other required documents is not simply an administrative matter when the behaviour is deliberate. What is the shadow economy? The term "shadow economy" generally refers to activities where individuals or businesses deliberately hide income or business activities to avoid their tax, superannuation or other legal obligations. We are now seeing businesses, who in the past, had a great track record with the ATO and have met all their compliance obligations, receiving letters for late lodgement with the possibility of that business now being fined. So, don’t think if you have a good track record you will be safe. This can include deliberately failing to lodge tax returns or activity statements, accepting cash payments and not declaring the income, under-reporting sales, claiming expenses that are not legitimate, or failing to meet employee superannuation obligations. The ATO has made it clear that deliberate non-compliance can result in consequences extending well beyond a tax bill or administrative penalty. Fines are not the only risk ATO Assistant Commissioner Tony Goding has warned that serious offending can have significant financial and personal consequences.

A criminal conviction may affect a person's reputation and business, as well as their ability to travel overseas, obtain finance or secure insurance. In serious cases, imprisonment is also possible.

If you are behind with your tax returns, activity statements, superannuation or other obligations, it is generally better to address the issue early rather than wait for the ATO to contact you.

This is particularly important for business owners. A decision that may initially appear to provide a short-term financial benefit can potentially create much larger problems if the ATO identifies deliberate non-compliance.

An accountant or tax professional can help identify what is outstanding, establish a plan to bring the business up to date and ensure future obligations are properly managed.

The ATO also points out that the shadow economy can place legitimate businesses at a disadvantage because businesses complying with their obligations are competing against those attempting to reduce their costs by avoiding tax and superannuation. Where is the ATO taking action? The ATO's figures show that Queensland accounted for 28% of successful nonlodgment prosecutions in 2025–26, followed by Western Australia at 26%, New South Wales at 20% and Victoria at 17%. The ATO is also working with other government agencies to identify businesses that may be deliberately avoiding their obligations. Recent joint compliance activities have examined issues including unpaid superannuation, incorrect reporting of income and expenses, unpaid PAYG withholding and non-lodgment of tax returns and activity statements. Getting tax obligations right The message for businesses is straightforward: don't ignore an outstanding tax obligation or assume that a missed lodgment will simply disappear.

For businesses that are genuinely struggling, seeking professional advice early can also help distinguish between a temporary cash-flow problem and deliberate non-compliance. The ATO's latest prosecution figures are a reminder that tax and superannuation obligations should not be treated as something that can simply be ignored. Good record keeping, accurate reporting and timely lodgment can help businesses avoid potentially serious consequences.

Warren Strybosch You can call them on 1300 88 38 30 or email info@findaccountant.com.au / www.findaccountant.com.au

Important Information This information is of a general nature only. It does not take into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. You should obtain professional financial advice if you have not already done so before acting on this information. You should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a decision to buy or sell a financial product. Any case studies, graphs or examples are for illustrative purposes only and are based on specific assumptions and calculations. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Superannuation, tax, Centrelink and other relevant information is current as at the date of this document. This information contained does not constitute legal or tax advice.

October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH 13

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Is It Burnout, or Is My Brain Just on Break?

By Jan Panase

A few Tuesdays ago, I found myself standing in the middle of the kitchen holding a car key in one hand and a carton of milk in the other. I had opened the fridge with complete determination, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember which item belonged on the shelf and which belonged in the ignition. If you read my last piece about navigating menopause in the workplace, you might recognise the feeling. Since then, so many people have shared their own stories — walking into a room and forgetting why they were there, losing their train of thought during a meeting, or staring at a familiar email and wondering why it suddenly feels impossible to write. So, how do we know whether it’s perimenopause, burnout, or simply being completely exhausted? Sometimes, it can be a combination of all three.

During mid-life, hormonal changes can affect sleep, concentration, memory and mood. Add a demanding job, family responsibilities and a few nights of poor sleep, and it’s little wonder your brain starts feeling like it needs a holiday. It can be easy to think, “What is happening to me? I used to be so much sharper than this.” But a moment of forgetfulness doesn’t mean you’re losing your edge. Sometimes, your brain is simply telling you that it has had enough. When the Fog Rolls In The first step is to stop treating every lapse as a personal failure. Instead, think of brain fog as a warning light rather than a weakness. Your body and mind may simply be asking you to slow down. And you don’t need a three-week retreat to give your brain a break. Try taking a few small pauses throughout the day. Step away from your screen for three minutes. Look out the window. Take

a few slow breaths. Write down the one thing you need to finish next instead of trying to hold ten things in your head at once. Sometimes, giving yourself permission to pause is far more effective than reaching for another coffee and pushing through. Your Action for the Week The next time you feel that mid-day mental wall approaching, pause before pushing through it. Put down your phone, step away from your screen and take 3–5 slow breaths. Then choose just one thing to focus on. You might be surprised how much clearer things feel when you give your brain a little room to breathe. And if brain fog or fatigue is persistent, worsening or affecting your everyday life, it’s worth having a conversation with your GP. Your brain isn’t failing you. Sometimes, it’s simply asking for a break.

October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH

Maroondah Council News

OCTOBER 2026

Maroondah Council News

OCTOBER 2026

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October 2026 | FIND MAROONDAH

october 2026 NOT - FOR TEMCARE – DOING LIFE TOGETHER Behind every front door is a different family story. Some families are doing well. Others are navigating financial pressure, isolation, family breakdown, the imprisonment of a loved one, or simply a season where life has become harder than expected. For more than 40 years, Temcare has been walking alongside families through seasons like these. Temcare is a local Christian not-for-profit supporting families across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Our heart is captured in a simple phrase: Doing Life Together. While Temcare is grounded in the Christian faith and our work is shaped by the love of Jesus, families do not need to be Christian to receive support. We welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds with dignity, care, and respect. For us, that means practical help when it is needed, but it also means relationship. We want families to know there are people in their own community who see them, care about them, and are willing to journey with them.

Some of the families we first met throug have remained connected with Temcare th attending camps, building friendships and

Our families are local. They are parents, grandparents, carers, and children living in the same suburbs where we live, work, shop, attend school, and run our businesses.

What began as a practical need becam relationship.

Throughout the year, Temcare brings families together through family camps, activities, workshops, mentoring, practical assistance and our NURTURE, ANCHOR, and HOPE communities. But the programs themselves are only part of what we do. A family may first come to Temcare because they need practical support, but through connection, they can begin to build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. A child may take part in an activity they would never have tried before. A parent may begin to believe they are capable of more than they first thought. That is the kind of growth we want to see. Christmas can be where the relationship begins Christmas is a joyful time for many of us, but it can also magnify the pressure a family is already carrying. When the household budget is stretched, the extra groceries, presents, and activities that come with Christmas can feel overwhelming. Parents can find themselves making difficult choices simply to give their children the kind of Christmas most of us hope every child can enjoy. Last Christmas, Temcare distributed 111 Christmas hampers to families in our local community. Some went to families already connected with us, while others were distributed through local schools, churches, social workers, and community services. For a number of those families, a hamper became their first introduction to Temcare. That matters to us. A Christmas hamper may provide food, gifts, and some welcome relief, but it can also say something much simpler: you are not doing this alone.

Local businesses – we'd love your help

Temcare does not receive government fun through the generosity of individuals, chu community who choose to invest in local fa

This Christmas, we want to reach even more

We are inviting businesses across our loc hampers and make Christmas a little lighte

Your business could support the Christmas a • • • •

Donating food or practical goods for Donating new gifts for children, teenag Making a financial contribution tow Christmas support Running a workplace collection, giving to contribute together

FOR - PROFIT OF THE MONTH TOGETHER THIS CHRISTMAS

gh last year's Christmas outreach hroughout 2026 – joining activities, becoming part of our community.

me an opportunity for an ongoing

Whether you are able to fill a box, make a financial gift or contribute a few items, it all adds up. This is local businesses supporting local families – and that is something we would love to see grow. Do you know a family who could use some extra love this Christmas? You can help in another important way. There are families in our community who may never think to ask for help. It might be a neighbour, a family from school, a single parent, a grandparent raising children, or someone you know who simply had a very difficult year. If you know a local family who is doing it tough and could use some extra support this Christmas, you can refer them to Temcare. Christmas may be the immediate need, but our hope is that it can be the beginning of a relationship – an opportunity for that family to discover a community that will continue walking alongside them into the year ahead. Because at Temcare, a hamper is never just about what is inside the box. It is an opportunity to connect.

nding. Our work is made possible urches, businesses, and the wider amilies.

It is a reminder that someone cares.

e local families.

To sponsor a hamper, donate goods, organise a collection, or explore ways to partner with Temcare, contact Camille at office@temcare.org.au or visit our website https://temcare.org.au/.

cal community to help us fill our er for families doing it tough.

appeal by:

our hampers gers, or parents and carers wards the cost of hampers and

g staff or customers an opportunity

And sometimes, it is the beginning of doing life together.