BDmag Jan-Mar 2022 Edition

ISSUE 11 January - March 2022

Roadhouse Recipe to

EXPORT SUCCESS MODERN SLAVERY

CLEANING UP THE WORLD

TOURISM SUPERSTAR

FROM FIELD TO FACTORY

Do you know the origins of your supply chain?

Local disinfectant product taking the world by storm

Maggie Tour Best of the Best

Dietary fibre produced from Burdekin sugarcane

YOUR FREE NORTH QUEENSLAND BUSINESS MAGAZINE

CONTENTS

05

24

05 CLEANING UP

20 MOVERS, SHAKERS &

THE WORLD

Locally produced disinfectant taking the world by storm

06 MODERN SLAVERY

Do you know the origins of your supply chain?

CHANGE MAKERS

5 Star Fitness share on the evolution of their business

10 GAME CHANGERS FOR 2022 & BEYOND

Catalytic projects for the North Queensland region

12 SOARING TO

NEW HEIGHTS

Townsville Helicopters pilot training program

14 GETTING PERSONAL

Meet the people behind PVW Partners’ cutting edge business advisory services

IN A DIGITAL AGE

A look at the effectiveness of print marketing in a digital world

24 MAGGIE TOUR BEST OF THE BEST

Aquascene wowing the nation and world with the beauty of the reef

25 SOCIALS FEATURE

North Queensland’s business event highlights

31 RECRUITMENT

Shaping the business & community leaders of tomorrow

Understanding Council’s procurement process

SPECIALISTS

IPA Recruitment Services delivering professional services & social change in North Queensland

The role I.T. can play in your business strategic plan in 2022

34 FROM FIELD TO THE FACTORY

The gut health product produced from Burdekin sugarcane

36 3 THINGS THAT ARE KILLING YOUR JOB APPLICATIONS

(and how to fix them!)

38 A FORCE TO BE

RECKONED WITH

Proud Waanyi woman, Bernice Hookey driving social and economic change across all levels of business

39 BUILDING ON

THE ADDISON FAMILY NAME

WITH COUNCIL

OF SERVICE

Osk Bar serving up impressive drinks & “big city feels”

28 DOING BUSINESS

TO AUSTRALIAN ICON

18 YOUNG PEOPLE

A CATALYST FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

27 TAKE A SIP

16 HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The Outback Pie Co.’s tasty rise to business success

32 TECHNOLOGY:

22 POWER OF PRINT

08 A DECADE OF FITNESS

Updates from the local business community

27

Addtech’s family business legacy

40 GROWING THE

JONES EMPIRE

Activating regional jobs & creating a circular economy

BDMAG ABN 77 899 099 507 M. 0415 908896 www.bdmag.com.au EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES E. info@bdmag.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Georgie Desailly, Julie Johnston, Elisabeth Silvester FRONT COVER Milo Gaffney & Camilla Jorgenson, The Outback Pie Co.; Photography by Sonia Warrell, Hello Muse Photography BDMAG PHOTOGRAPHERS Phil Copp, Sonia Warrell DESIGN & PRINT NPS Print Co. We acknowledge the Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples as Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. BDmag is committed to providing a media platform that is diverse and inclusive.

All contents of BDmag are subject to copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. The views and opinions of the authors and advertisers do not nessecarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of print, the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or subsequence including loss or damages from reliance on information in this publication. BDmag is printed on FSC certified, sustainably sourced paper.

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR Flicking through this issue, it’s evident that we’ve really gained traction this last quarter in establishing relationships with our region’s key stakeholders and industry bodies, who have been able to introduce us to some of these amazing innovators who are doing incredible things, but generally tend to fly under the radar. We know you will be inspired by these locally grown businesses who are making an impact on a national and global scale. As a small team, it’s important we continue to connect with industry bodies across the key sectors which contribute to North Queensland’s economic growth, so please feel free to reach out to us if you can assist with shaping our content to ensure it is relevant and engaging to our business community.

Over this next quarter, we will be holding focus groups with stakeholders and advertising partners to evaluate our product offering to ensure that we are delivering a multi-media platform that educates, inspires and engages our readers, and offers a great return on investment for advertisers.

We’ve had wonderful feedback to date, but we’re committed to work towards continuous improvement and ensure our financial sustainability, so if you have some suggestions you’d like us to take on board, you can email us at info@bdmag.com.au.

I’m excited for what 2022 has in store for us. Last year was a steep learning curve and I feel we’re ready to spring into the new year with purpose and put all the learnings into action. I invite you to join with us to build the BDmag community this year, whether it be through engaging with us on social media, passing on your copy of the magazine to a friend or your local café, or supporting us financially with advertising, we can’t do it without you!

Julie Johnston

Community

JOIN OUR ONLINE @BDmagAU

Got a story?

Tell us what’s happening in your sector and the stories we should be sharing.

Visit our website for contributor guidelines or contact us at info@bdmag.com.au

BDmag is designed and printed locally by family owned and operated business NPS Print Co. on sustainably sourced paper.

EDITOR & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

npsprintco.com.au

bdmag.com.au

03

FOCUSING ON YOU & YOUR BUSINESS WHO WE ARE?

WHAT WE DO?

Two words are very important to us -

We work closely alongside business owners

Diversity & Specialised and we value both.

to bring more clarity, direction and support,

Offering a diverse range of services and

improving elements of your life beyond

specialising in a few key industries.

just the business.

TAX & ACCOUNTING

BUSINESS CONSULTING

Help with the tax & accounting issues that stress you out.

Guidance & direction you need to build a stronger business

LIFESTYLE & FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

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Work towards your ideal lifestyle now & in the future

The legal help you need for planning ahead

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mail@couttsredington.com.au

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www.couttsredington.com.au

Cleaning Up THE

WORLD

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

A locally produced disinfectant has taken the world by storm with their innovative solutions to successfully tackling the after effects of natural disasters and now the Coronavirus pandemic.

After 10 years of development in North Queensland, Townsville based company Natroshield has been gaining global traction for their 100 percent plantbased disinfectant, which founder and director, Adam Gregor, says has been developed by harnessing a select combination of plant extracts that kills bacteria.

“Natroshield is a hospital grade disinfectant formulated with plant extracts and organic acids that is strong enough - and yet safe for people, pets, and the planet - to be used in the homes and streets after cyclones, flooding and storms,” explains Adam.

“Preserving our natural balance while finding a way to live with Mother Nature was the key to developing the product.

“We have undergone many clinical trials and over time we have liaised with a range of corporate clients, local councils, charities and community clean-up organisations to provide Natroshield for use as a disinfectant.”

Natroshield recently gained accreditation as a hospital grade hard surface disinfectant, capable of killing 99.999 percent of microorganisms including COVID-19, mould and mildew.

The product, which is manufactured in Cannonvale, also has the ability to be safely transported through the mail, which Adam says has seen Natroshield’s reach grow quickly online through major retail sites, as well as in local stores.

“While the focus on sustainability has allowed our disinfectant and alcohol-free foaming hand sanitiser to find its market in the commercial sector, we are also encouraged by the growth of interest in the consumer market,” says Adam.

“Beyond our online sales, we now are on the shelves of close to 20 local outlets. More consumers really are demanding household products that provide them with a level of comfort when used around their families and pets.”

Over the past several years, Natroshield has donated thousands of litres of the disinfectant cleaner to regional communities and towns impacted by disastrous weather events. This included the 2019 flooding event, which saw them donate a tanker full of the eco-friendly cleaning product to Townsville City Council to help sanitise flood and mould affected houses.

Adam says the product is now seeing new demand from clients overseas who are seeking a plant derived solution for optimal safety. To keep up with increased demand, they are now looking to increase production to fulfil sales throughout Australia while also expanding into other key international markets.

“We’re fielding enquiries from buyers in AsiaPacific countries, and we can certainly see the opportunities to extend our reach to major global markets, in a new world where disinfectant use has become an everyday necessity,” says Adam.

“Natroshield is exploring increasing its production to fulfil sales throughout Australia, and then look to New Zealand, Singapore and possibly the USA and Europe within the next two years.

“Natroshield has always been a success story, a quiet but reliable achiever; and now the whole world is interested in how we can clean up the world without creating chemical hazards.”

bdmag.com.au

05

ARE YOU SUPPORTING MODERN

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

Do you know the origins of your supply chain? Increasing visibility into supply chain practices takes work but has the potential to boost business value and lead to new market opportunities.

Until recently, ‘modern slavery’ was not a concept that many would associate with the Australian workplace. However, since the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (cth) came into effect on 1 January 2019 - which outlined new modern slavery reporting requirements for Australian entities with an annual revenue greater than $100 million - businesses have been under scrutiny to boost their supply chain transparency and develop collaborative responses to eradicate modern slavery.

Despite government organisations being an exempt entity, Townsville City Council is now addressing this issue through their tender and prequalification processes, recently making it a mandatory stage 1 criteria for their suppliers to comply with the practical, risk-based reporting framework outlined in the Modern Slavery Act 2018.

Chief Executive Officer of Townsville City Council, Dr Prins Ralston, affirms this landmark initiative is a significant step to fixing supply chain issues that have resulted from the rapid globalisation of manufacturing

06

over the last two decades and seen many businesses unwittingly support modern slavery through lack of supply chain awareness.

“Townsville City Council requires its suppliers with an annual revenue greater than $100 million to develop an annual modern slavery statement. This statement requires suppliers to understand in detail their supply chain and commit to either improving working conditions or transitioning components of its supply chain that do not present risk of modern slavery,” explains Dr Ralston.

“Businesses that do not reach this income threshold are required to sign a modern slavery declaration, which enables organisations to understand their supply chain and committ to transitioning components that are at risk.”

Beyond these regulatory requirements, Dr Ralston says investment into supply chain tracking can lead to new market opportunities and boost business value, often revealing new ways to operate more sustainably and costeffectively. This is critical in the wake of COVID-19, which has highlighted Australia’s reliance on overseas suppliers, with long lead times and significant price increases now commonplace.

“Over the past 20 years, increased globalisation of the manufacturing sector has enabled businesses to utilise supply chains with a significant presence in developing countries where the cost of developing their goods and products is significantly lower,” continues Dr Ralston.

“While this has contributed to the enhanced financial sustainability of many commercial organisations, this has led to the enablement of modern slavery like, for example, using child labour, significantly underpaying workers and unsafe working conditions.”

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has caused viral disruption to supply chains globally and exacerbated the vulnerability of those trapped in modern slavery. However, it hasn’t all been negative, with much of the focus now shifting to ways North Queensland can boost local manufacturing for critical industries to decrease import risk. This has further been compounded by investment into major projects such as the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct to ensure there is the required infrastructure and viable manufacturing facilities available in the region.

“Australian businesses understand the need to increase the capacity of the local manufacturing sector to enhance supply chain reliability and support stable pricing. This transition has seen Australian businesses adapt to provide goods that have traditionally been sourced overseas, however, significant growth is still required in this sector,” says Dr Ralston.

“This transition, along with further advancements in technology, presents enormous opportunities for an advanced manufacturing sector and the economic stimulus this would provide through stable and secure jobs.”

With the industry looking at opportunities to help grow the sector, Chamber of Commerce CEO, Ross

McLennan, says it’s time to get back to connecting with customers; and wherever possible, supporting local supply chains to stimulate the economy.

“Approximately every $1 spent locally generates about $1.46 in the local economy so when it comes to larger contracts and procurement, the multiplier effect not only works when money is circulating in the local economy, but it builds critical capacity,” says Ross.

in place to decrease the risk of modern slavery,” he continues.

Whilst this isn’t a process that will happen overnight, Dr Ralston reminds us that it all comes back to education; he encourages businesses to start small and ask key questions about the origins of goods and services to ensure they are growing an economically sustainable business that is not reliant on slave labour.

“Review the modern slavery statements of your suppliers and wholesalers. These will detail the strategies organisations have

Supply chain transparency is designed to make each step of the production process visible—from the acquisition of raw materials to the distribution of the final product—with the idea that integrity is maintained throughout each step of the process.

“Businesses can identify opportunities to transition all or some of the components of their supply chain to markets that do not present risk of modern slavery.”

“Now is the best time to refresh our business networks. As supply chains start to change in line with reduced capacity of import, it has provided an opportunity to look for new, local suppliers to support your business and support them in return.”

As businesses face rising expectations to embed responsible business practices into their supply chain operations, the focus on modern slavery compliance risk for Australian entities is only predicated to become more mainstream over the next decade.

WHAT IS SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY?

“Where suppliers do not have a modern slavery statement in place, the organisation’s website should be reviewed, and suppliers questioned on how well they understand their supply chain.

REPORT Establish appropriate mechanisms for internal & external reporting

MONITOR & REVIEW

DESIGN Design & implement a modern slavery management framework

HOW TO RESPOND TO MODERN SLAVERY

Monitor & review the effectiveness of the modern slavery risk management framework & process

REMEDIATE Develop & implement appropriate remediation measures

ASSESS Conduct due diligence on modern slavery risk in business supply chain & operations

MITIGATE Adopt strategies for addressing identified modern slavery risks

bdmag.com.au

07

A Decade of Fitness.

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

For almost a decade, husband and wife team, Brent and Lyndsey Gorris, have been the king and queen of the fitness market in Townsville.

As they prepare to celebrate 10 years in business this June, they reflect on the last decade of success and how they managed to build a fitness empire from the ground up.

Women’s Cricket Team, JCU Townsville Fire and The Australian Opals, which has recently seen him attend to 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.

Lyndsey, who is no stranger to thinking outside the box, first started 5 Star Fitness as a women’s only circuit class outside the front of her house in 2012 before expanding to include their infamous 12-week challenges that have since become Townsville's largest and most well-known fitness series.

“To build an ongoing, sustainable business, you need strong foundations; it’s all about consistency; your clients need to trust that you’re not a pop up and that you’re here to stay. This means, we don’t cancel classes, we turn up regardless and our clients know that.”

“Brent’s extensive experience and skills has added another dimension to the business and enabled us to service elite athletes and clientele who needed modifications due to injury or chronic illness,” continues Lyndsey.

“I really identified an opportunity for female fitness to be at the forefront of the Townsville market and fill a unique gap in a crowded industry,” explains Lyndsey, who has a background in business and marketing and qualifications as a personal trainer.

Last year, the business faced their biggest hurdle yet when COVID-19 hit during their 12-week challenge in March. The couple quickly pivoted and within 48 hours had taken the business online, which not only enabled the challenge to continue but has since opened up new revenue streams in the national market.

“From the beginning, I had a really strong business plan for where I wanted to take 5 Star Fitness and eventually when it all came to life, Brent came on board in 2016 to help develop, refine and grow it further.”

“Going online was a huge leap for us but COVID-19 pushed us to adapt in a way that we needed to in order to keep up for the future and increase market retail,” says Lyndsey.

With a career spanning over 20 years as an Exercise Physiologist and Strength and Conditioning Coach, Brent has worked with The Queensland Academy of Sport, the Townsville Crocodiles, The Australian

“The online component now runs simultaneously with the in-person challenges and our clientele has definitely grown across Australia, so it has been a brilliant addition.”

Over the past decade, 5 Star Fitness has evolved to have a strong focus on positive body image and health and wellbeing, which Lyndsey says has created a culture of support and connection.

“With both of us now working full-time on the business, we’ve been able to add a lot more to our 12-week challenges over the past few years,” she says.

“In the beginning it was very much about body transformation, but our mission has developed to focus on social connection and confidence, particularly with young adolescents who are starting to grow into themselves.

“Fitness isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, if anything, it’s continuing to grow, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the next decade brings for us.”

Photo credits: Sonia Warrell, Hello Muse Photography

08

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2022

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From time to time, communities can be impacted by a significant investment or event that changes the focus or direction for the next generation.

In 2022, North Queensland will experience several private sector projects that will be catalytic, enabling further major investment, particularly in new industries.

This network line optimises existing and new major enterprises in North Queensland by reducing the cost of energy, and allowing enhancement of the grid resilience. The more affordable and reliable energy is:

Two dominant catalytic projects for the region are:

• the more attractive it will likely be for major investors to finance major new projects, and • current operating industry becomes more sustainable.

COPPERSTRING 2.0 A 1,000 km high voltage network line starting near Woodstock, that allows Mount Isa and Cloncurry to connect with the national grid. The line is a game changer for nearly every industry between Townsville and the Northern Territory border.

ARK ENERGY’S GREEN HYDROGEN EXPORT FACILITY Ark Energy’s initial, but innovative steps toward a Green Hydrogen export facility in Townsville, comprise moving to 5 zero emission hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, which can be refuelled at Sun Metals refinery, from December 2021.

Why? Why are these projects so significant insofar as the way that North Queensland industry may work over the next decade? Let’s start with Copperstring 2.0.

10

The really exciting add on to Copperstring 2.0 is its ability to carry high-capacity fibre optic cable, to strengthen communications services across the Townsville to Mount Isa corridor.

Further, the network line encourages investment in very innovative renewable energy projects, particularly north of Hughenden where the capacity for both solar and wind energy is second to none in Australia.

This project is a genuine enabler of new industry, driven by the aspirational goals for North Queensland that its key people, John and Joseph O’Brien maintain, so we can be confident that where new projects can link in, Copperstring 2.0 will be keen.

The first steps in the Ark Energy Green Hydrogen initiative are exciting because they are likely to be so visible. Commercial Vehicles between the Townsville Port and the Sun Metals Refinery has been operating from December and allow a very transparent measure for Townsville to observe.

“

it allows our younger generations to be excited about North Queensland and their ability to live and work here over a long term.

With change occurring, be confident in your knight franK team.

The five commercial vehicles are 140 tonne rated fuel cell electric trucks that will be fuelled through a 1 MW electrolyser with storage and refuelling infrastructure at Sun Metals Refinery.

. . . .

Sun Metals has already shown its commitment to investing in Townsville in a sustainable way and the further clear commitment by the aligned Ark Energy is simply the type of ‘full steam ahead, damn the torpedoes’ attitude that warrants the support of North Queenslanders.

The approach by Korea Zinc, the parent company to Sun Metals and Ark Energy, to be pioneers in the development of this technology and to eventually use the Green Hydrogen produced here in their other projects, should give us a great deal of confidence in the intent of this group.

Both projects allow other projects to succeed and benefit from the synergies they create. The attitude that both proponents bring to the table appears to be highly cooperative with proponents of other similar projects.

What impact will the projects have on Townsville?

The most obvious will be the construction workforce needed to build the Copperstring 2.0 network, with recruitment for contractors and the construction workforce to commence in mid-late 2022. But then as the Copperstring 2.0 project is underway and understood by industry to be happening, the positive domino effect on other projects starting may begin in early 2023.

Project Marketing Valuation and Advisory Sales and Leasing Asset Management Services

As North Queensland experiences the impact of exciting and innovative investment. Let’s live, work and enjoy being local.

The local construction workforce is minimal for Ark Energy’s hydrogen cell fuel infrastructure, but the message is powerful and the advancement toward Green Hydrogen export becomes more realisable. This demonstrates a different and exciting industry capacity for our region and allows Townsville to be recognised a as a genuine leader in this technology – not a potential leader.

.

And most of all, it allows our younger generations to be excited about North Queensland and their ability to live and work here over a long term.

CRAIG STACK Managing Director of Knight Frank’s Townsville and Mackay offices.

Your business means something to us.

Craig leads a team of 43 property professionals who are among the best in what they do in Regional Queensland.

The Knight Frank team consistently deal with nearly 1,000 North Queensland based businesses every month.

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Your Partners in Property. bdmag.com.au

11

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

Townsville Helicopters has long been the leading pilot training organisation in North Queensland and has seen students from across Australia come to learn the tricks of the flight trade.

The company is now soaring to new heights as they expand their footprint across the region with their innovative aviation solutions.

“Townsville Helicopters is a locally owned family company providing a range of services including scenic flights, customised charters, island transfers, holiday packages, aerial work and pilot training,” explains Owner, Director and Chief Pilot, Dick Arnold, who has 30 years of experience in the industry.

“We started with a goal of growing the helicopter industry in the region in 2008 before establishing Townsville’s first helicopter flying school in 2010, and since this time have experienced tremendous growth across all aspects of the business.”

The purchase of the company’s large hangar Hanger 85 - in 2018 gave Townsville Helicopters the opportunity to branch out to include three other additional brands - Townsville Flight Training, Zephair Australia and Aviatrix Australia - which Dick says has enabled them to meet increased demand and expand their service offerings into other key markets.

“Starting Townsville Flight Training enabled us to expand the training division to include the training of aeroplane pilots up to Multi-engine and Instrument Flight Rules which meant the acquisition of larger passenger carrying aircraft,” he continues.

12

“We also identified a gap in the light fixed wing market in North Queensland and capitalised off this to further utilise the larger aircraft for passenger carrying charter and ultimately form Zephair Australia, which offers 24hour custom air charter services.

“This was closely followed by the establishment of Aviatrix Australia in 2018, which was created after my wife Michelle realised the low rate of women’s participation in the global aviation sector, with just over 7% of certified civilian pilots being female.”

When it comes to gender equality, the company is aiming to challenge the status quo of the aviation industry.

Dick says training and retaining an increasing number of female aviation professionals is the key to assisting the industry to meet future demands and encourage more women to pursue careers in the aviation sector.

“We identified the lack of female participation in aviation right from the grassroots level of training through to the professional level,” he continues.

“Therefore, we are advocating for the advancement of women in aviation by educating, encouraging and promoting the study of aviation for women in Australia.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to grow and expand as more opportunities arise and seeing where the wind takes us.”

Photo credits: Phil Copp Photography

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Getting Personal The People Delivering Cutting Edge Business Advisory Services in North Queensland.

The demand for specialist business advisory skills by North Queensland business owners has driven PVW Partners to grow its Business Advisory team. Colin Ryan, advisory lead partner at PVW Partners and Scott Vollmerhause, Tax Counsel, both appreciate the challenge of attracting suitably qualified people to regional Australia.

“Like almost all trades and professions over the last year, finding good people in the accounting industry has become difficult. Add to that the specialist capabilities we’re seeking in the advisory area and the need to fit in with our team and culture, it becomes almost impossible. But we have a hook – the chance to do great work with great people,” explains Colin.

Despite the challenges, PVW Partners has managed to grow the team with some targeted recruitment. There are some changes to the team but there is a degree of familiarity too. Colin, Scott and Clancy have worked together since 2016 when they came together under predecessor firm Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Colin also worked with Michael Wilson and Michael Tompkins at a large accounting firm prior to that.

“Everyone is finding their groove and it’s coming together nicely. There is a real range of professional skills and personality styles but the fit is great. A diversity of backgrounds and skills is a must for us, but so is a common goal of delivering meaningful work to clients and solving important problems.”

14

“

We now have the largest dedicated advisory team in Regional Queensland, helping clients start, grow, mature, exit or transfer their business to the next generation. It’s about those life changing moments in business such as taking on a new joint venture or business partner, exploring a new market, acquiring a new business or it might be the simple day to day business activities to grow and develop that we are here to partner with.”

SCOTT VOLLMERHAUSE is PVW Partners’ tax specialist. As Tax Counsel, he advises clients on tax structuring, planning and assists with managing ATO disputes. Scott is a known expert in his field and is generally regarded as one of the leaders in small business taxation.

BEVERLEY EASTMOND whose strengths are financial modelling and analytics, joined the team in 2020 when she moved from New Zealand to be closer to her family in Townsville. She works with a broad range of clients on financial forecasts, business and company valuations, bank reporting and client pitch decks for new finance proposals.

MICHAEL TOMPKINS has a breadth of commercial and consulting experience having worked previously at Crowe Horwath in Townsville before pursuing opportunities in commerce in Australia and abroad. “After 4 years working in the UK and Canada, it’s good to be back home. I reached out to Colin after a short time in Melbourne and he was looking for people with my skills at the same time. It was meant to be.”

CLANCY COX is a manager in the advisory team and has extensive experience in M&A, tax and corporate finance services. He has provided advisory services across a range of industries including agri business, engineering, supermarkets, building products, and logistics.

MICHAEL WILSON

Townsville | Innisfail | Cairns

a former director at KPMG, Michael joined the firm as a Partner in Cairns in October.

He has a strong advisory background and is delivering both tax and consulting services to clients. He’s already adding value to clients, leveraging his in-depth experience in advanced tax and financing strategies for family businesses, and NAIF grants management.

Regional Australians Growing Regional Australia

USMAN BASHIR has also joined the Cairns team from a government role in Canberra and brings with him almost 15 years of finance experience. “Usman has enormous intellect, and he will bolster the creative thinking in our corporate finance and tax service offerings,” says Colin.

COLIN RYAN leads the Business Advisory Team and has over 17 years of extensive experience in consulting and corporate advisory services.

Colin’s expertise in spotting growth and acquisition opportunities and tax efficiencies for emerging corporates and institutions is highly valued by his clients.

What to look for in a business advisor

• Business Advisory

Relevant experience.

• Tax and Accounting

No one is an expert in everything so having the right person on the right task is critical.

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A willingness to listen.

• Bookkeeping

An advisor who doesn’t understand the problem can’t offer a decent solution.

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Able to work as part of a team.

A business advisor must be able to work with your managers and other advisors.

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Technically strong.

They have to know their stuff and know it well enough to break it down and explain it.

(07) 4721 8500

Comfortable with saying no.

Scan For More Info

It’s sometimes best to hear that a person doesn’t have the time to assist you with your problem than have them not focus on what is important to you.

15

From humble beginnings to an

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

What started with a homemade chunky steak pie recipe from a Charters Towers roadhouse and a bold vision to supply Australia with premium quality convenience pies has since become a multi-awardwinning company that manufactures over 6,000 pies an hour and sells their products to several countries across the Asia-Pacific.

Established in Townsville in 2003, The Outback Pie Co. has a long-standing reputation for its quality range of pies and baked goods that have graced the shelves of various regions throughout Australia for nearly two decades.

Managing Director, Milo Gaffney, and his wife, Camilla Jorgenson, who has been instrumental in building the business, says the company’s commitment to quality and consumer satisfaction is at the core of building the business into an aspiring iconic Australian brand.

“The idea of The Outback Pie Co. was born from a discussion at a family barbeque about the opportunities for pies in the greater Australian market and from that conversation stemmed the seed of an idea which we worked on and developed,” explains Milo.

“In 2003, we invested in purchasing a small business in Aitkenvale which gave us a manufacturing base and a platform to set up our distribution roots which we used to build the foundations of the business.

Photo credits: Sonia Warrell, Hello Muse Photography

16

“Fast forward to today, we now employ many locals and take great pride in having a dedicated team who are passionate about the brand and our products.”

Their distribution strategy has been heavily focused on the food service and petrol and convenience market segments. Despite tough competition from much larger competitors, the business has yielded success by focusing on standout marketing and leveraging its specialist manufacturing capabilities.

“The goal was always to develop the petroleum and convenience industry and we really focused on the innovation of the product and providing a key point of difference,” says Camilla.

“We also decided to brand the pastry lid on our pies as a unique marketing strategy that reinforces our brand strapline ‘Pies So Beefy, We Brand ‘em’. This strongly supports the brand’s core proposition of products made with 100% Prime Australian Beef.”

The business soon identified export potential for its products and in 2011 began designing and building their factory in the Bohle to accommodate this new business venture. The North Queensland based export accredited facility is now one of only three in Australia, and the only export pie making factory in Queensland.

“While the company has time, one thing that hasn grown over is our passion for baking ’t changed products our customers lo great tasting ve,”

“Our export orders are shipped or freighted to our Asia-Pacific direct from our manufacturing facility here in Townsville and it has provided an incredible base to expand our range and offerings to nations all around the globe,” continues Milo.

“The retail space is a different sales channel to petrol and convenience, so we had to pivot our business modelling to tailor to the market, but in doing so it has assisted our brand growth and has given us avenues into other distribution outlets.”

“We have a heavy export focus on the Asia-Pacific region such as the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Vietnam, which has proven to be very successful.”

As the world continues to open up, the company is looking to increase business in the retail sector, expand their product range and continue to penetrate key international export markets.

The continuing growth in the company’s sales has been driven by flavour innovations and quality, and they now have their products stocked in major retail outlets such as Coles and IGA.

“While the company has grown over time, one thing that hasn’t changed is our passion for baking great tasting products our customers love,” adds Camilla.

“We sell a core range of meat pies in IGA and other various independent outlets, and also stock our unique and only offer of an all-day breakfast pie in Coles Queensland,” says Milo.

“We are in it for the long haul, we love the business, and we look forward to continuing as a strong North Queensland company.”

bdmag.com.au

17

Service Young People of

or the past four years, the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp has been held at Townsville Grammar School on the first weekend of the September school holidays. For three days and two nights, children with disability stay in the School’s Boarding House and are cared for by Year 11 students who have been trained through the Sony Foundation program to be Sony Companions.

For Year 11 student, Dylan, the challenge was far greater than he had anticipated. Reporting to the School Assembly on his involvement, Dylan explained that it was an incredible experience that he wouldn’t change.

“I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences of my life,” says Dylan.

“Sony Camp taught me to push through my own comfort zone and gave me an insight into the demands of caring for a child with disability. It was an incredible experience, and I will definitely do it again.”

Principal Tim Kelly says that after joining Townsville Grammar School in 2018, he introduced the Sony Foundation Camp experience as part of an overall servicelearning strategy that the school is enthusiastically embracing.

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“I’ve been involved with the Sony Foundation’s Children’s Holiday Camp for 19 years, both at Toowoomba Grammar School and now at Townsville Grammar School, so I am passionate about this event and the service-learning opportunity it affords our young people,” explains Tim. “It is very special, and it is such a rewarding experience for all involved – the students who train as companions, the children (our guest campers) and the staff and volunteers who support throughout the program.”

Whilst the core business of a school is to grow and strengthen the intellectual abilities of its students, Tim believes that this alone is not enough.

“The formation of character must occur alongside the intellectual and emotional development of students. I see our role as a School as not to merely pass on knowledge, but to develop deep learners, to foster personal growth and to give students opportunities to extend themselves beyond their comfort zones and experience the joy of service and giving back.”

Townsville Grammar School’s Service Program is certainly flourishing, with the sheer number of students and staff willingly involving themselves in service opportunities, testament to this claim.

The School has partnered with several new organisations to give students further service opportunities.

“We formed a partnership with the Ginger Cloud Foundation and ran a Modified Rugby Program at the School, for children with disability,” continues Tim. “When I first put the call out to our students, I expected a few rugby players might be interested, but we had more than 50 students come forward to be involved. They trained with the children, showing them how to play rugby, and supporting them in a fantastic game that was held during our annual Grammar@Home rugby weekend.”

OPEN DAYS

In 2021, Townsville Grammar’s Junior School introduced an EarlyAct Club, a junior version of the Secondary School’s Interact Club, which has been in existence since 2004 and aligned with the Rotary Club of Mundingburra. Last year the School also partnered with Smart Pups Assistance Dogs, taking in puppies to their Boarding House during their training rotations, as they learn to become assistance dogs for children with disability.

YEARS 7-12

North Ward Campus Thursday, 10 March

PRE-PREP - YEAR 6

“The value of service cannot be underestimated. This generation of students is heading into a world forever changed by the pandemic, and one that requires a worldview based on compassion, now more than ever.

Annandale & North Shore Campuses Saturday, 12 March

“We are shaping the business and community leaders of tomorrow, young people of character, with a contributing and compassionate mindset.”

A GRAMMAR EDUCATION bdmag.com.au

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TGS.QLD.EDU.AU/OPENDAYS

Shakers

LOCAL HEALTHCARE MERGER ANNOUNCED Local businesses Access Therapy Services and Helping Hands have officially merged and rebranded as Apricus Health to bolster Allied Health Services in North Queensland. Founders Joanna Murray and Cassandra Chiesa say the partnership has increased their capacity to deliver a variety of services for all ages.

FIRST SOD OF SOIL TO BE TURNED ON BREAKWATER HOTEL PROJECT Construction has begun on an $80 million luxury hotel project on vacant land adjacent to The Ville, which is due to be completed in mid 2023. The hotel will feature 132 hotel rooms, and take advantage of the panoramic views of Magnetic Island and Castle Hill. The Ville’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Jones says it was a significant day for both The Ville and Townsville to see ground broken on the $80 million project.

is exciting for us and “ This the Townsville community

JACK GROWDEN NOMINATED FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD Congratulations to Founder and CEO of LiteHause International, Jack Growden, who has been nominated for the 2022 Young Australian of the Year Award for his outstanding work in collecting second hand computers from local businesses and donating them to children across Papua New Guinea and other parts of the world. Since its establishment, the organisation has bridged the digital divide and created learning opportunities for more than 40,000 students in regional and remote areas across four countries.

as this project will not only help stimulate the local economy but also put North Queensland on the map as a luxury travel destination.”

CITY PHARMACY EXPANDS WITH FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH Amcal Metro Pharmacy located in Townsville’s City Arcade is expanding to become a holistic health service provider, with a goal of being a leader in the mental health space. The pharmacy will now offer services such as individual medication education consultations with their pharmacists and personalised in-house consultations with a highly qualified Naturopath. Owner Christine Richardson says prioritising wellbeing services to meet the needs of customers is crucial, which is why they have also recently implemented same-day supply of medicinal cannabis; one of the first in Townsville.

Explore Property Wins REIQ Award Congratulations to Explore Property Townsville for taking out the win for Regional Agency of the year at the 2021 REIQ awards, which aims to recognise the top regional performers.

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The Power of Print Marketing in a Digital Age. In a world propelled forward by a digital mode of operation, it is easy to push print to the wayside or, even more so, predict its exit from modern life all together. With the rise of internet in recent decades, and its usefulness to human efforts becoming more concrete, it is no surprise that the whispering idea ‘print is dead’ has grown louder and louder in the collective conscious.

Even though the future of print may look grim from the outside there are some strong statistical indications that this longstanding method of communication may be as powerful as ever. In fact, for those looking for the most effective ways to promote their business, research suggests that print shouldn’t be left out from marketing campaigns but instead dovetailed in with digital strategy to supercharge marketing efforts.

What value does print add to your campaigns?

Both print and digital advertising approaches have their strengths, with each offering a unique set of capabilities when it comes to building brand awareness and generating sales.

Based on digital vs print advertising statistics, print marketing drives stronger brand recall1 as well as being more trusted by consumers when making purchase decisions. On the other hand, while digital marketing is recollected less than printed, it is more effective than print marketing at converting engaged readers to act on messaging2.

It is no wonder then that joining these two marketing forces is a must for businesses wanting to multiple campaign results.

According to a study conducted by Top Media Advertising, when implementing an integrated, multi-channel approach where printed marketing is combined with digital strategy, online campaigns have shown to be 400% more effective.

1

Print can also be a point-of-difference in an era where consumers are overwhelmed with digital communication, becoming a ‘quiet in the noise’. Visually less demanding than digital text, print provides audiences with the spatial and tactile cues to help process messaging more effectively than digital reading. Research conducted by R.C. Brayshaw in 2020 also showed that print advertising requires 21% less cognitive effort to process than digital.

Not only does print influence our minds more effectively but it plays a significant role in affecting our emotional response to content. Ever since Gutenberg created the printing press over 600 years ago, readers have craved the allure of the printed page and there is perhaps no better way to consume the depth of a story than in print. The tactile nature of ink on paper, like the sound of a turning page, creates a bond between readers and stories.

While we may live in an increasingly digital world, it is obvious that print has a timeless staying power as a dependable medium for business marketing. And, if you’re still not convinced, take a break from your screen, and look around. It won’t be long before you see how much print lives here in the real world.

Print drives higher levels of brand recall vs. digital (77% vs. 46%) (Newsworks, 2020).

Digital ads are less recalled than print ads but they are more effective than print ads at converting engaged readers into action takers (64% vs 55% for print) (Newsworks, 2020).

2

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A matter of mind & emotion.

IMPACTFUL PRINT FOR YOUR BUSINESS. Print drives higher levels of brand recall vs. digital (77% vs. 46%) (Newsworks, 2020).

Print ads generate a 20%

higher motivation response—even more so if it appeals to more senses beyond sight and touch. (R.C. Brayshaw, 2020).

By combining print and digital ads, it will make online campaigns 400% more effective!

Colour you can feel.

4728 1306

(Top Media Advertising, n.d.)

@NPS_PRINT_CO bdmag.com.au

23

Maggie Tour Best of the Best

BY ELISABETH SILVESTER

A Magnetic Island small business is making big waves as a world leader in the tourism industry after being recognised for giving tourists a first-class North Queensland experience.

Aquascene Charters Magnetic Island have been in operation for 17 years with owners Steph and Adam Hinks starting the business to share their love of Magnetic Island with others and to raise their young family together.

The high school sweethearts operate Aquascene 2 – a 24 seat boat offering their guests a variety of different tour options to explore Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches and secluded bays, as well as the shipwreck SS City of Adelaide.

Steph says the family business had grown organically from sharing the love of their island home.

“We have always been based here and growing up here, you become a tour guide from a young age and as a kid you have your family visit, so you are always showing people where you live,” she says.

“At the heart of what we have done, is our love for where we live and sharing this with others, it has come very naturally for us.”

Adam is also the proud skipper of Aquascene 2 and says the tours were about igniting a spark for the purity, history and wildlife of the region.

“You can show people the island, but we always wanted people to feel connected and to feel how we live here,” he says.

“It is different from showing people because people will remember a connection.”

Last September, Tripadvisor named Aquascene Charters Magnetic Island as number 7 out of 10 in the world for “Best Experiences To Do” in 2021.

The award ranking is calculated by the number of positive reviews an experience receives on Tripadvisor.

Both Adam and Steph say they thought the win was “a fake email joke” when they received the exciting news.

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Photo credit: Townsville Enterprise

They say the international accolade was also contributed to living in a beautiful part of the world.

“Personally, what we do know is, it means it’s not just the tour; it is also the destination and it lets the world know that Magnetic Island is a beautiful place,” Adam says.

“It is a profession and we have been doing it a while, but you don’t get that ranking unless it is a beautiful destination.”

Adding another feather to their hat was the recent recognition at the North Queensland Tourism Awards held at The Ville in October.

Steph and Adam were announced as the winners of the Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution to tourism over many years.

The award highlights some of North Queensland’s best tourist attractions, operators, experiences and events.

“No way would we think we would even have a chance to win this, just to be nominated was an honour,” says Steph.

“This one means a lot because I think to be recognised in the legacy and footsteps of a great man like Richard Power for your contribution to an industry he was so passionate about, to me, that is a pretty humbling thing and we were both in tears on the stage that night.”

Socials Feature

Business in Heels

Teresa Hudson & Anita Greenaune

Business in Heels NQ held their October ‘Networking at the Nook’ event in conjunction with Nourishing Bites, where attendees came together to celebrate Indigenous Business Month.

Guests heard from inspiring speakers including Bernice Hookey, Sharine (spanner) Milne, Shelley Grainger and Brayden Murray, all who shared their story and goals for the future.

Photo credits: Tamara Lopdell Photography

Amanda Bell & Sue Wilson

Amanda Carr

Sharine (Spanner) Milne, Bernice Hookey, Shelley Grainger & Brayden Murray – speakers

Chamber Coffee The Townsville Chamber of Commerce hosts a fortnightly morning coffee networking event in Townsville Bulletin Square. These events are free to attend for members and non-members and are an excellent opportunity to meet other local business professionals.

Odette and Kym

Ashleigh, Hans, Jodie, Mark, Lisa, Lisa, Sai, Chris

Wade and Jeremy

Michael, Dimity, Sherren

Women of Achievement

Rebecca Dubois Kylie Bartlett and Julie Johnston

Heidi Turner

The annual Women of Achievement Luncheon was held at A Touch of Salt in October, which event organiser Kylie Bartlett of Lead.Love.Leap says celebrates and elevates the incredible voices, stories and businesses of women in North Queensland. Guest speakers included Heidi Turner, Melissa Hall, Rebecca Dubois and BDmag’s own Julie Johnston.

Melissa Hall

Photo credits: Felicity Cole, Flicka Photography

bdmag.com.au

25

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Take a sip.

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

Located in the heart of Gregory Street, Osk Bar has brought a “big city feel” to Townsville with its ambitious and unique cocktails that has made it the go-to destination for those seeking a high-end experience.

Drawing from their expertise managing hospitality venues for the better part of five years, including establishing renowned local restaurant Matte Black Violet, business owners Scott Stalker and Marissa Seeley were inspired to bring a new and completely different cocktail experience to the Townsville market in April of last year.

“The hardest thing is bringing your vision to life. Deciding how we design the venue, the menu, the drinks, the uniforms, the lighting, the furniture and even the fragrance to deliver the exact feeling that we want,” explains Scott.

Photo credits: 537 Media

says Osk Bar has been their most successful venture to date, which he credits to the culmination of lessons he and Marissa gained from their previous businesses.

“Each business has been better than the last. The reason we are so pumped about ‘learning from your mistakes’ is because Osk is a perfect example of what happens if you continually and patiently work on each aspect of business,” he continues.

“In terms of statistical parameters, Osk is certainly the most profitable business we have had, which is great, but what makes it truly the most successful is that our customers are genuinely the happiest and most satisfied we have ever seen in all of our businesses thus far.”

“Every business we have owned across four different industries has taught us something completely new, and even now I love knowing that I'm going to look back on Osk in five years time and see so many things I would have done completely differently.”

The pair are the first to admit that they aren’t afraid of “risking every dollar” and whilst Scott says he doesn’t recommend this business approach, he does acknowledge it has added another dimension to the business and enabled them to go all in.

The couple and their five staff members spend their week making anywhere between 800 - 1200 cocktails, including their most popular drink, ‘Pornstar,’ which is served with a huge smoke bubble on top. Scott

“We are trying to do things we shouldn’t really be able to do, we don’t have family with capital or experience, our lending ability is non-existent, so we take a certain level of risk and live a certain kind of

lifestyle that enables us to achieve the things we want,” adds Scott.

“It’s not something we recommend as a business approach as it adds another layer of stress and risk, and we understand that we won’t always have the fortitude to continue this way, but in business and in life, you must do what is best for you and your current situation and goals.”

As Osk Bar fast approaches the one year mark, Scott says they are continuing to refine their processes to ensure it remains as the number one illusive cocktail experience in the region.

“Now that Osk is up and running, it's about working on our weaknesses, building up those quieter days, training staff and working on consistency,” he continues.

“It’s important to remember that you are responsible for your successes and failures and if you don't take responsibility and acknowledge both what you do well and what you need to do better in business, the competitive market will swallow you up.

“Business is hard, if you're not taking every opportunity to fail, to earn and improve then you’re leaving a lot on the table.”

bdmag.com.au

27

DOING BUSINESS WITH COUNCIL.

There is a lot for Townsville businesses to be optimistic about.

The city has established itself as a key hub for Northern Australia and is poised to expand across major industries like hydrogen production and tourism.

Mayor Jenny Hill says it wasn’t hard to remember how the city felt just a few years ago following the Queensland Nickel refinery closure, which created a gaping hole in local industry and left many families without income.

“The difference between now and then is stark. In the five years that have passed our city has rolled with the punches of the 2019 monsoon and the pandemic, all while embracing a changing skyline, she says.

“But the skyline hasn’t been the only thing changing – confidence in our city is skyrocketing.

“Our population is expected to pass 200,000 in the next 12 months and the city is also proud to boast an unemployment rate that is now lower than the state average, with the trades, healthcare, and hospitality sectors at the top end of local growth.

“Council has signed an agreement to make the city a leader in hydrogen production and export in Australia.

This is a strong step towards securing more green jobs for the region and providing another economic stimulus for North Queensland.”

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Cr Hill says supporting local businesses was a priority for Council, with an organisational goal to reach 90 per cent procurement spend with local businesses in the next five years.

“Last financial year, Council’s total expenditure through procurement reached almost $270 million, and around 85 per cent of that was with local businesses,” she says.

“As a recent signee of the Small Business Friendly Council charter, Council is committed to continuing its support of local businesses, with a goal of reaching 90 per cent procurement spend with local businesses in the next five years.

“In order to achieve this goal, Council is making it easier for local to do business with us with the launch of our new tendering system VendorPanel.

“VendorPanel will be the platform used by businesses to submit tenders and quotes for upcoming projects, respond to queries and provide updates to registered suppliers.

“It will make the tendering process even more streamlined and easy to access for our local businesses, ensuring we can reach our procurement targets and continue supporting the local economy.

“It also allows our registered suppliers access to tenders for neighbouring councils and upcoming State and Federal agency panels ensuring that they have the opportunity to secure work across the region.”

Cr Hill says Council was also running face-to-face sessions with local businesses to learn how to become a supplier for Council.

She says this was a valuable opportunity for businesses that wanted an insight into how to engage with Council’s procurement process.

“The Council procurement team is holding one-on-one meetings with local businesses to make sure they understand how to take part in Council’s procurement process,” Cr Hill says.

“Each meeting runs for 30 minutes and covers how the quoting and tendering process works, supplier requirements and any opportunities Council has for businesses.

“Council is committed to supporting local businesses, and these informative sessions are one way we can make sure Townsville businesses are up-to-date with our procurement processes.”

Cr Hill says these processes, systems and commitments all pointed towards confidence in the city’s future.

“There are billions of dollars of public and private investment forecast to be invested in our community in the coming years, which shows just how strong our future is here in Townsville,” she says.

Our local procurement spend is increasing.

“Local businesses will go from strength to strength as the city continues to grow.”

Townsville City Council wants to reach 90% of procurement spending with Townsville businesses and 65% with small-tomedium-sized businesses in the next five years.

Find out how you can do business with Council at: townsville.qld.gov.au/tenders

bdmag.com.au

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With a presence spanning over 20 years in North Queensland, IPA Recruitment Services is passionate about providing access to the best talent across a diverse range of industries whilst helping create positive social change.

As businesses recover from the tumultuous effects of the last two years, IPA Regional Manager, Angela Olsen, says it’s never been more important for businesses to partner with a recruitment company who understands the needs of both the business and the region.

MEET THE TEAM RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST “My passion is to work with clients and help support their business needs by finding the best employment solutions for them. I love that I am instrumental in positively impacting someone’s life.”

“We understand the impacts that 2020 and 2021 have had on businesses in Australia, particularly regional areas like Townsville,” she explains.

“When you partner with IPA for your workforce needs - whether that be Permanent Recruitment or Temporary Labour Hire - you will access the best talent and help create positive social change. That’s because IPA is a Certified Social Enterprise recruitment agency.

“This means 100% of our profits support people within the community, people with a disability or from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

The Townsville IPA team are ready to assist with your recruitment needs and are proud to actively support local community initiatives.

RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST “For close to 10 years, I have chosen to work within the Human Resources and Recruitment field. The most rewarding aspect for me as a Recruitment Specialist, is placing the right candidate into the right role.”

BUSINESS MANAGER “With a previous background spanning over 10 years within the Automotive Spare Parts industry, my skills within business development, sales, and management, have provided me with the experience and expertise I needed to build a solid footprint at IPA.”

1

0 1 1 0 0 1 1 It’s January and as a member of the business community, you are finalising your strategic planning for the year ahead. You think you have considered all facets: finance, HR, marketing, sales. You are well documented and prepared.

However, you may not realise that you have forgotten a key component. A driver for change.

A catalyst for growth. Technology.

0 1 1 0 0 1 1

1

ogy:

Te c h nol-

the CATALYST for BUSINESS GROWTH

“We are seeing a major difference in performance of customers who are utilising cloud technology in comparison to on-premise, as in software installed on a particular device,” Simon says.

The implementation of technology solutions in a business is often overlooked. NQ Managing Director of ADITS, Simon Greenwood stresses that technology is a foundational piece in 99% of business.

“It is often the backbone of the operations and if that foundation is not solid, the business will suffer.”

The I.T. Provider, based in Townsville, works with customers every day to optimise their technology and essentially, give business owners and employees back their time. Simon uses the scenario of booking meetings with customers as an example.

“Do you send a dozen emails back and forth, or do you send one email with a link to your scheduling software?” he says.

“If you are completing general daily tasks and thinking to yourself, ‘there must be a better/faster/easier way to do this, there most likely is and you should talk to your I.T. Provider who can assist in finding a solution.”

With respect to COVID-19, research predicts that the majority of companies will never go back to the old model of all staff in the office at the same time.

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“Utilising cloud technology changes the game and is the ultimate risk management strategy, as it gives employees access to corporate data no matter where they are working from. This means, that no matter what the COVID-19 situation is, or what new risks emerge in a vaccinated population, your employees have the same level of accessibility.”

When trying to identify where technology can make a positive impact, Simon, first and foremost, recommends the simple stuff.

“It can be as simple as holding your nose and bravely assessing your day,” he says.

“You need to ask yourself, ‘what is not being done optimally?’ and make the emotional commitment to making the appropriate changes.”

“Start by looking at your general daily tasks, not the big, broad picture. If you are able to identify or can make the change yourself, great! If you don’t know what step to take next, contact your I.T. Partner who can assist in providing an effective solution.”

When identifying opportunities for technology to assist you, this may be unchartered territory for many.

A few key questions to get the ball rolling include:

1“ - 2“ 3“ - 4“ Could there be a better way of completing this task?

Could these manual processes be automated through technology?

Where in my strategic plan can I see opportunities for technology to make a positive difference?

How can technology allow me to reach my business goals?

Simon reminds us all, “don’t fear technology and the change that comes with it. In the worst case, you spend a small amount of time now to save a large amount of time later, all whilst increasing work satisfaction. That doesn’t sound too bad to me!”

SIMON GREENWOOD Managing Director of ADITS North Queensland Simon has been working in the industry for 26 years and has supported his customers in evolving with their technology. He takes a considered approach to the I.T. Solutions he proposes for customers, ensuring they are well suited to the company, industry, and customers in which they serve.

ADITS PTY LTD Level 1/85 Denham Street, Townsville

1300 361 984 www.adits.com.au

bdmag.com.au

33

FROM THE FIELD TO THE FACTORY:

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

Sugarcane has been the backbone of the Queensland economy for over 150 years and now in a world first, an Ayr based company has found a way to turn virgin cane into a powdered fibre containing endless health benefits.

The cane flour, known as Kfibre, is being used to counter the effects of health disorders such as acid reflux and constipation worldwide. The breakthrough technology was developed in the Burdekin by local company, Health Food Symmetry (HFS), formerly known as KFSU Pty Ltd, after years of research and millions of dollars of investment.

Company Managing Director, Gordon Edwards, says the project has had the backing of consumers, industry and the medical fraternity since their small-scale production started in April 2006.

“During this time, sugar mills and sugar farmers were experiencing low profitability and we thought this would be a great diversification project to utilise the whole of the sugarcane plant,” explains Gordon, whose background in marine engineering assisted in developing the required processing technology.

“This functional food ingredient originates from the fibrous component of sugarcane which has traditionally been burnt as boiler fuel in the sugar milling process.

“When added to foods, Kfibre has shown to lower the glycaemic index of the food, and exhibit health benefits associated with dietary fibres such as improved bowel and gut health and is used as a flour-based alternative for celiacs.”

Kfibre first hit the shelves of Queensland pharmacies in 2010 before expanding nation-wide. As a result of the highly positive consumer response, HFS opened their $6 million dietary fibre plant in Ayr in 2015, which

34

was funded by a $2 million grant from the Federal Government and $4 million from investors.

Alongside injecting over $2 million dollars into the Burdekin economy every year, the company is also the first to bring commercial scale sugar cane dietary fibre to the international market, with their most recent distributor being Amazon in the U.S. “Traditionally sugarcane has produced only one export crop being sugar, which is highly vulnerable to the vagaries of commodity pricing. Kfibre has helped the industry to diversify, and value add, particularly for farmers as the product has a higher return than sugar,” continues Gordon.

“From our plant facility, we have the capacity to produce around 1,000 tonnes per annum using approximately 10,000 tonnes of sugarcane and we employ 14 people at the factory plus an additional 10 further down south.

“We have distributors in the U.S, Canada, the Phillipines and the EU, have two companies that are looking at taking us into the Chinese market, we have several hundred stockists in Australia and the company is also cash positive.”

They are not only assisting the globe’s population with intestinal issues but are also now helping improve the shelf life of foods through their US distributor’s new product, ‘WoW Protein Donuts,’ which contains their new sugarcane-based ingredient called Phytocel.

The product launched in the US through Walmart in

November and Gordon credits their rapid growth overseas to an increasing demand for natural ingredients that have the potential to improve food products and general health.

“Consumers in developed countries are increasingly discerning, some obsessively so, about additives and allergens, which has created enormous demand within food manufacturing for natural alternatives to traditional wheat-based fibres,” he explains.

“Our technology applies a unique chemical-free process which maintains the ‘all-natural’ quality and inherent goodness of sugarcane without the sugar.

“We also have full traceability from the consumer back to the farmer which is desired by medical food manufacturers.”

Kfibre has recently been endorsed by worldrenowned therapist and wellness expert, Marissa Peer, and its unique flour-like formula is backed by their research partners, the University of Tasmania, and the University of Queensland, who have conducted human clinical trials and scientific publications using HFS’s sugarcane fibre.

“Utilising our university research and using Kfibre and probiotics, we are planning that our product becomes a core recommendation for both clinicians and consumers when they are looking for assistance for a wide range of digestive ailments,” says Gordon.

“We also have a chemotherapy trial that will start early this year which is aimed at treating patients on chemotherapy for nausea and appetite, and we are also looking at going into the aged care sector for microbio and constipation relief.”

The company is now aiming to raise $3 million in equity funding to fund a significant expansion of Kfibre’s retail range and are looking to establish themselves as the leading provider for the global health and goods market.

“We have a whole range of new products coming out in regard to synbiotics, which is a combination of prebiotics and probiotics, and we’re looking forward to seeing that expand and come to life,” explains Gordon.

“We will continue to manufacture and research functional ingredients for the global health market and hope to become the go-to product when people are considering gut health and overall wellbeing.”

“When added to foods, Kfibre has shown to lower the glycaemic index of the food, and exhibit health benefits associated with dietary fibres such as improved bowel and gut health and is used as a flourbased alternative for celiacs.”

bdmag.com.au

35

Guest Contribution

3

Things that are Killing

Your Job Applications

(and how to fix them!)

founded Clothier Careers in 2016, a careers service specialising in resume preparation and review, government job applications, career coaching and recruitment.

You can connect with Vicki at www.clothiercareers.com or www.vickiclothier.com

As a resume writer, I read and write a lot of job applications. Recently we recruited for a new writer in our team.

With over 170 applications hitting my inbox, I remembered a few things that are killing job applications – and they are more common (and easy to fix!) than you think.

Check the application requirements, and follow the application instructions

There were two main aspects to our application process: the first, to provide a resume – the second, to address three key selection criteria in a cover letter.

We received 177 applications, and the majority of candidates did not follow the application instructions, so the “unsuitable” pile looked like this: • 97 applications only had a resume – no KSC or cover letter • 1 application was the menu for a gluten free home food delivery service • 56 applications included a resume and a cover letter, but did not address the key selection criteria

write for your audience.

I challenge you to think about your application’s purpose, what it will be used for…and who will be reading it?

By doing this, you will be forced to consider things like: What are they looking for in a candidate for this job?

What do they want to know about me?

How can I demonstrate that I care about the outcome of this application?

Your application – including your cover letter – needs to make sense to the reader. Are you applying for a part time role? Briefly explain why that works for you. Changing industries? Make sure they know your motivations for doing so. From an employer’s perspective, it is just as important for the job to suit you as it is for you to suit the job.

If you’re applying for multiple roles, you can save time by writing

an ‘anchor’ cover letter that addresses your strengths and history, then use it as a template. Each time you apply for a job, add a paragraph to detail WHY you’re applying, how you meet their specific requirements, and what motivates you. Make sure you address the correct contact name and reference the right job in the title, too!

Tailor your resume to suit the job They say you only have six seconds to grab a recruiter’s attention with your resume. If you are applying for a job that you would be great for, it’s important that the reader can recognise this quickly.

What do you need the reader to know about you? Make sure this information is easy and obvious to find – structure your resume to ensure that important information can be seen on the first page. An example is your education – if a qualification is desired for the role, then make sure the ‘Education’

36

section outlining your degree is front and centre.

Use the Professional Summary section (normally positioned at the top of your resume) to outline why you are an ideal candidate for the job. Tailoring this section for each job application will make all the difference when you are applying for multiple roles.

If you have a ‘Key Skills’ section on your resume that lists a bunch of interesting but not essential skills

for this job, then it doesn’t serve a purpose for that application. The same skills are not necessary from job to job, so this is an easy section to tailor each time you apply.

Applying for multiple jobs can be tedious, but quality over quantity is the approach I advise you to take.

Sometimes, a small tweak to your documents will make a world of difference to the receiver, and you are more likely to receive a call back for interview when your application makes sense to the recruiter.

A FORCE

to be reckoned with

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

From grassroots to government, proud Waanyi woman, Bernice Hookey has been driving social and economic change across all levels.

As a First Nations Cultural Advisor and the owner of local consulting service, MZB Empowerment, Bernice strives to educate business owners, corporates and governments on how to strengthen cultural inclusion of Indigenous Australians in the workplace.

“My mission is to value-add and transform the visibility and representation of Indigenous people through truth-telling education,” explains Bernice.

“Many organisations or businesses that are looking to develop a strategy to engage Indigenous employees find it challenging to figure out what that first step should be, so we specialise in simplifying that process through workshops, training and cultural design for development programs to provide that guidance.”

With an extensive career working in a mix of government, private sector, Indigenous organisations and a 20-year stint in the mining sector, Bernice draws on both her personal and professional experience and learnings to empower others in the business space. She has been a keynote speaker at several events across sectors such as education, health and community, and notably presented at the Mining Leadership Summit for AusIMM in 2019.

“Successful change starts at the top; cultural inclusion needs to be underpinned by leadership strategy and it is crucial when it comes to running an effective team, so if I am able to get through to a business via their leader, then that leader is doing their job,” she explains.

“By embedding cross-cultural awareness with culturally appropriate tools, this in turn strengthens businesses to have the ability to invest in their workforces which leads to an array of talent who are committed to the company to develop culturally appropriate responses to innovative solutions and maximise economic activity as a result.”

Bernice has facilitated leadership programs nationally and co-designed the Yanalangami Leadership program offered via Tranby which was successfully launched in 2021 and delivered to 16 women across Australia with the goal of increasing Indigenous female-led change. She is also a mentor for the Meereeng50 Accelerator Program for a Victorianonly Indigenous business and a facilitator for the One Business Program, helping create pathways for Indigenous businesses in the Queensland innovation economy.

“Connection, facilitation and engagement - whether in the form of mentorship in the corporate or government setting, or in the context of emerging Indigenous businesses - is the key to breaking the cycle of disadvantage,” she continues.

“It comes down to having access to the right resources, tools and education.”

Alongside her work at MZB Empowerment, Bernice also serves on several boards across health, women’s services, legal, disability and is the Queensland representative on the National Rural Women’s Coalition CRT. Her tireless efforts have seen her become a finalist for both the Emerging Changemaker of the Year in the 2019 Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards and Inspiring Leadership Awards 2020 for Women of Colour. She was also recently invited by the Australian Human Rights Commission to participate in a closed roundtable discussion on the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report that was released in December 2020.

“Sitting in a room with 30 incredible women who were ex-ministers, academics and professors was an amazing experience and to be part of that process continues to be very humbling,” she adds.

“Successful stakeholder and community engagement is critical to business success regardless of the sector and for those seeking cultural expertise, it’s important to find a service that will assist you in achieving your key deliverables.

“By incorporating cross-cultural awareness in the workplace, we really are continuing that journey towards intergenerational healing.”

“

Successful change starts at the top; cultural inclusion needs to be underpinned by leadership strategy Photo credit: Tamara Lopdell Photography

38

BUILDING ON THE

Addison Family Name Local businessman Dean Addison is a young man in a hurry – his interest in fast cars and motorbikes is testament to that.

But he’s also got his eye on history as the latest member of the successful Addison family to take his place in the North Queensland business community.

Dean’s late grandfather Brian Addison led the way after relocating to Townsville in 1960 from chilly Tasmania.

Brian and his wife Marj started Planet Homes, a construction company that specialised in both domestic and transportable homes.

Planet Homes quickly became the largest building company north of Brisbane. Mr Addison went on to expand into retail hardware (Universal 7 Day Hardware), car and truck rental (1300 Meteor Rentals) and property development.

“Grandfather Brian’s legacy inspired me to go out on my own in 2018 after working in the electronic security, access control and automation industries working on large-scale government projects all around Australia,” says Dean.

“That’s when I started Addtech Services, specialising in commercial security and CCTV systems, air conditioning, automation and smart building technology solutions.”

Dean says the recent increase in property crime in the region had led to increased demand for Addtech’s security services such as CCTV cameras, access control, alarm systems and automatic gates.

Dean and Miriam Addison with their three sons. Dean aims to follow in his grandfather’s steps by striving for excellence in his business, Addtech Services.

Photo credit: Tamara Lopdell Photography

“We’re currently hiring due to the increased business demand; my No.1 priority is for a qualified electrician with a passion for smart building technologies,” says Dean.

“This would be an ideal position for an electrician with a strong background in domestic and commercial contracting and a willingness to obtain further qualifications to better service our industry.

“Townsville people are becoming increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint – that’s where our industry-leading expertise in smarthome technology is a bonus, he said.

“The time is right to join a dynamic, growing company.”

Dean is a proud North Queenslander. He and his wife Miriam, who was born in Cairns, have three boys – Levi 6, Mitchell 4 and Ezra 4 months.

When he’s not on the tools, Dean enjoys mountain biking, fast cars and tinkering with his Harley chopper motorcycle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call Addtech Services on 1300 233 832 or reach out on Facebook!

We are a local business offering reliable building technology services including:  Data  CCTV  Access Control  Automation  Smart Home  Air Conditioning

www.addtechservices.com.au

1300 233 832

GROWING THE JONES EMPIRE

BY G E O R G I E D E S A I L LY

Local forest and haulage company, Jones Group, have recently opened a fourth branch of their businesses - Jones Wood Based Products & Recycling - with a goal of activating regional jobs and creating a circular economy with their new innovative mulch products created from North Queensland timber plantations and timber waste.

Owners Luke and Belinda Jones have spent the last six months upcycling urban waste into value-add mulch products for the garden industry, which is helping to reduce the cost of waste disposal and enable them to offer a complete forestry solution to their clients.

“Our background is in forest harvesting and we saw a gap in the market to repurpose the various green and timber waste that is often left over,” explains Luke, who also manages three other additional businesses under the Jones Group umbrella, which employs a total of 22 people.

“We bring mouldable products into our yard including wood chips, waste from local mills, green waste and tree cuttings and we grind them with our machinery and value-add to create various mulches and different products.

“We create around six different products from the waste to supply to other markets in the region.”

Both Luke and Belinda have a goal to grow the wholesale space in the garden industry; a market that is relatively untouched in North Queensland. However, the couple are well

on their way to achieving this after securing a 12-month contract with local gardening company Ki-Carma, which has seen their products be stocked in various outlets including Bunnings.

The company also supplies their products to Harvest Solutions, who are making hummisoil for the agricultural industry and Townsville City Council, where their mulch is being used on the banks of Bluewater River and Ross River for weed control as part of the reef rehabilitation scheme.

“There is so much value in collaboration. The goal is to not compete with other businesses in the industry, but rather we want to supply wholesale to them”, continues Luke.

“We want to be that bulk wholesaler of mouldable products and supply to local landscapers and other gardening businesses so they can build off it and solve the issues they may encounter when sourcing the product.

“If you can generate something out of waste that people can use as a base and then value add to, then it assists everyone in achieving their goal.”

Last year, Jones Group acquired land next to local hardwood and agricultural recycling facility, Qplas, which has seen them collaborate to develop solutions to the waste from African mahogany tree plantations and additional plantation timber waste.

As their product volume increases, Luke and Belinda say their waste timber has the ability to fuel North Queensland’s hydrogen hub, power the sugar mills and grind waste from various construction sites, all of which can be repurposed and sold back to the same industry it was extracted from.

“Thanks to our forestry business, we have access to a lot of volume and resources,” continues Luke.

“Our timber waste will be able to generate hydrogen for the new hub. The ability and capacity are all there as we expand, develop and grow.

“We are proud to play a role in helping our region become more economically and environmentally sustainable.”

40

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