YOUR FREE NORTH QUEENSLAND BUSINESS MAGAZINE 2022December-October14ISSUE HISTORY RESTORED The original Grammar School building restored to its former glory PERFECT PAIRING Restaurant connoisseur partners with new artisan gin distillery HIGH STEAKS Transforming a rundown Charters Towers pub into an award winner THE GLEESON FAMILY LEGACY looking around the CORNER
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SOCIAL FEATURE
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Hello Muse Photography; Phil
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22 THE RIX REVIVAL
Galactic Donuts creating a delicious new habit for locals.
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32 DEALING WITH TALENT CHANGES Guest Contribution article by Stevenson.Townsville’sAlternativeTheBoard®Mary
acknowledge the
Bina’s Kitchen serving up tasty delights from home shores.
77 899 099 507 M. 0415 908 896 www.bdmag.com.au EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES E. info@bdmag.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Meghan
Meet Sealink’s newest vessel to hit our waters.
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The restoration of a Charters Towers golden old pub into an award winner.
inclusive.
14 TASTE FOR GOOD BUSINESS
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PVW Partners’ approach to business growth in North Queensland.
The Caravan Hub are on the road to expansion.
We Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples Traditional Owners of land on which past, present and future. BDmag is committed to providing a media platform that is diverse and
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we operate and pay respect to Elders
Georgie
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Updates from the local business community.
The Gleeson family’s legacy for Queensland.North
HISTORY RESTORED
Rockpool Pavilion and Tan Lines Distilling - the perfect pairing.
Photography DESIGN & PRINT
CAREERCORPORATEFAST TRACK
15 RIDE THE WAVE V. GOOD SWIMMER
PAVILIONROCKPOOLFACELIFT
Rising Sun FPV’s race to support the region’s drone community.
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as
Ray White Munro & Co.’s change.throughperserverancethewavesof
STARTMEMORIESCARAVANNINGHERE
Discover if JCU’s MBA offering can give your career a boost.
How to create space for acoustic comfort in open plan workplaces.
26 BUILD, BORROW OR BUY?
Julie Johnston, Luke Lum FRONT COVER Therese Smith and Matthew Smith, Photography by Sonia Warrell, Hello Muse Photography BDMAG PHOTOGRAPHERS Sonia
MOVERS, SHAKERS & CHANGE MAKERS
Phil
LOOKING AROUND THE CORNER
the
DRONE WIZARDS
SEALINK MAGGIE CAT
28 TREATS FROM THE TORRES STRAIT
CONSIDERATIONSSOUND
BDMAG ABN Boland, Desailly, Warrell, Copp, Copp NPS
The reopening of Grammar’s original School House.
REACHING ANOTHER MAJOR MILESTONE Townsville City Council’s Haughton Pipeline Project. SMILE QUEENSLAND!NORTH My Family qualitycommitmentDental’stohigh-dentalservices.
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How to bring in cash while stabilising cash flow.
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In this issue you can also catch up on the glitz and glamour of the recent Townsville Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, where BDmag was thrilled to win the Best Micro Enterprise Award. Our very own Georgie Desailly was a deserving recipient of the Best Employee Award, and we thank her for her ongoing dedication to the growth and success of BDmag’s print and online platforms. Georgie is currently in New York for a three month internship with the School of New York Times, so be sure to follow us online for The Georgie Times to keep updated on her amazing adventure. We’re so proud of you Georgie!
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LETTER
Down the other end of The Strand, the Rockpool Pavilion has been flourishing under the ownership of renowned restaurant connoisseur, Jamie Fitzpatrick, who is partnering with new local artisanal gin distillery business, Tan Lines Distilling, to create a full tasting experience in the new bar area as part of his vision to improve The Strand as a key tourism destination.
One of the joys of publishing BDmag is getting a sneak peek behind the scenes and to hear the stories behind our incredible local businesses. In preparing this issue, Georgie and I had the opportunity to tour the historic Queens Hotel and sit in its suedelined boardroom where business deals have been made with some of Australia’s most prolific media moguls. Considered the ‘father of television’ in Northern Australia, the late Jack Gleeson’s legacy lives on through The Gleeson Group, most notably for their planned development, The HIVE, a multi-staged project connecting The Strand to the CBD to support science, heritage, arts and culture in North Queensland.
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The business has given Zak purpose since his medical discharge saying, “towards the end of being in the military, you can sit there and think ‘this is painful, I’m not getting challenged.’ Whereas now, there’s something different every day and the customers you meet, everyone has a different background and brings something different to the business.”
“The closest parts store was Brisbane and even with overnight shipping, parts weren’t getting here on time. So, after speaking with my wife, we put around $900 into stock. We sold all of that in around two weeks.”
“It did get to the point where I had to tell my neighbours what was going on, because people would leave the house with little brown bags at all hours of the day!”
After sustaining an injury in 2015 while on a training exercise in Townsville, Zak was eventually posted to Newcastle in 2017 where he filled his downtime away from work scrolling the archives of the video platform. It was there he came across First Person View (FPV) Drone racing.
Demand increased, stock inventory grew and thus Rising Sun FPV was established, named after the Rising Sun badge as a homage to Zak’s time in the ADF. A makeshift shopfront was installed in the garage of Zak’s home by the time he was medically discharged from service.
“At the moment with the capacity we’re in, we’re not a military contracting business. Maybe one day, as we keep growing, it’s something we can consider. We’ve definitely had ideas for designing things, we have the know-how and the equipment but right now isn’t the time.”
A year later Zak was posted back to Townsville where he helped develop the local FPV drone community into a fully-fledged club, Townsville FPVR. Once members and a location had been established another problem arose: access to parts and repairs.
Creating Rising Sun FPV and 3D enabled Zak to keep supporting the Defence community by offering Defence discounts and sponsoring the Army Drone Racing team. While there is currently no official Defence contract in place, Rising Sun also supplies services to the Army through printing RC-grade accessories for target practice. However, it’s not something that is completely off the radar for Zak.
“Guys practising on Wednesday or Thursday might smash their drone up and on Friday night or Saturday mornings they’d say they wouldn’t be able to race that weekend,” Zak says.
“It was videos of the Drone Racing League in America that got me thinking ‘this is pretty cool.’ Building a drone with a small camera that feeds to a pair of goggles, controlling those at high speed and racing against other people all caught my interest,” Zak explains.
“I used to play rugby in the Army and I couldn’t do that anymore with my knee injuries so I was looking for another sport. The Army Drone Racing had just started up, so it was a fantastic opportunity to get into it.”
RISING SUN FPV’S RACE TO SUPPORT THE REGION’S DRONE COMMUNITY.
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Image credits: Phil Copp Photography
By Luke Lum
YouTube wormholes can lead to some very sketchy corners of the internet but for Australian Army Veteran Zakariah Martin-Taylor, it has led him to create a business that has grown from a solo, home garage venture into Rising Sun FPV and 3D.
“I went to Bunnings, bought carpet, logos were painted on the walls, and I really tried to transform this twocar garage into somewhere that looked normal on the outside, but you’d walk in and there were drones on the walls, 3D printers doing their thing… it was like wow!” continues Zak.
He was the one who initially approached other local businesspeople to become shareholders and help finance NQTV. He had this incredible foresight and could always see around the corner for the next big thing.
“Dad was quite the entrepreneur,” reflects Therese, who took over as Managing Director of The Gleeson Group in 2014.
Considered the ‘father of television’ in Northern Australia, Jack Gleeson began his career in radio as a technician, where he learnt about the business of communications and sales which culminated in his eventual acquisition of 4AY Radio in the After1950s.purchasing
By Georgie Desailly
“He was the one who initially approached other local businesspeople to become shareholders and help finance NQTV.
THE GLEESON FAMILY LEGACY
In the early 1960s, an eager young businessman recognised an imminent tipping point in the shape of commercial television. His progressive mindset led him to build the first television station in Northern Australia and go on to lay the foundations for The Gleeson Group.
stakes in NQTV (which went on to become TEN Network Holdings Ltd), Jack played a key role in bringing commercial television to Townsville in 1961, making it the first town north of Brisbane to get television reception.
Almost 16 years later, he purchased the iconic Queens Hotel and established the family-office known as The Gleeson Group. Four decades on, the baton has been passed down to the next generation of Gleesons, in particular his youngest daughter Therese Smith.
Image Credits: Hello Muse Photography
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looking around the CORNER
Whilst the family has since sold their ownership with TEN Network Holdings, Jack’s contribution to the radio and television sector didn’t go unnoticed, with him receiving an Order of Australia for his service and commitment to the industry in 1985 and a Queensland Greats Award in 2015.
As for Jack’s grandson Matthew, the gravity of his grandfather’s legacy is not lost on him. It’s something he carries with him through his own investment company, Menninger Capital; the name of which was inspired by an old paperweight of “GrandadJack’s. had this paperweight he made which sat on his desk and it contained a quote on it from Dr William Menninger,” explains Matthew.
Prior to her appointment as Managing Director, Therese spent many years running her own business which she remarks put her in “good stead” to take on her current role.
“It read, “No matter what your age or job in life, you are more mature if you have found a cause in which to invest your time and money for some social good. Through it you can achieve an outstanding characteristic of emotional maturity - the ability to find satisfaction in giving.’
The company, which resides in the old 4AY Radio building on Flinders Street East, has become successful in its own right, establishing itself as one of North Queensland’s premier investment management and corporate advisory companies.
Their boardroom has since become home to the infamous paperweight, acting as a constant reminder of the company’s ethos. But it is Jack’s philanthropic mindset that continues to inspire Matthew throughout his business journey.
sense of giving-back was something we witnessed from a young age and has shaped us personally and also influenced the way we conduct business.”
“At this time, I was looking for a unique name for my company and the quote really resonated with
me and embodied the direction I wanted to take the company, so Menninger Capital was born.”
house the new headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park FutureAuthority.stages of the development approval include a cultural precinct and concert hall, commercial spaces, restaurants, residential apartments, and the refurbishment of the heritage-listed Queens Hotel.
Jack Gleeson, Northern Australia’s ‘father of television’
“There’s no doubt that this end of Flinders Street has been ready for development for some time, and we’re excited that the first stage of this project is finally coming to life,” says Therese.
“Grandad was constantly giving back to the community whether that be volunteering with St Vincent De Paul, fundraising for organisations or helping renovate the Sacred Heart Cathedral,” adds
While Jack passed in 2018, it’s evident that his presence is still very much alive within the walls of the Queens Hotel. His legacy continues to live on through his five children, 14 grandchildren and 20 Nowgreat-grandchildren.atatimewhere The Gleeson Group continues to evolve, it is clear Jack’s younger“I’mbusiness.bephilosophyforward-thinkingwillalwaysattheforefrontoftheveryawareofthedemographic
He had this incredible foresight and could always see around the corner for the next big thing.”
“Coming from a customer-facing business, a lot of skills were very transferable, but it was Dad who really taught me the importance of having a values-first approach in business,” she continues.
One of their most notable projects is The HIVE development, a catalytic, multi-staged project connecting The Strand to the CBD, with a focus on supporting science, heritage, arts and culture in North CurrentlyQueensland.inthe first phase of development, the $250 million project plan, which covers 18,000 square metres, includes the construction of a five-storey commercial building which will
“He knew that resilience was required for doing business in Townsville, as it comes with its own set of unique “Hechallenges.alsoknew everyone’s name in the company. He was just that type of person. So that respect and alignment of values was something I learnt very early on as being the key to achieving win-win situations.”
and ensuring we can provide them with reasons to stay here in Townsville,” adds Therese, when asked about her vision for the city.
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This community-focused mindset still takes precedence at The Gleeson Group today, with the company continuing to invest in multiple projects that are critical to the growth and economic development of the region.
“As citizen investors, over 75% of our family reside here and we are focused on The HIVE being a placemaking project with a legacy for future generations to enjoy.”
As citizen investors, over 75% of our family reside here and we are focused on The HIVE being a placemaking project with a legacy for future generations to enjoy.
“For us, it’s about looking around the corner for those opportunities, just like Dad did, and working towards making Townsville and our region a hive of interconnectivity and growth for the generations to come.”
“ThisMatthew.strong
Miss Songs Asian Kitchen was recognised for exceptional food and service, taking home the Tourism Restaurant award and long-serving waiter, Joseph Drover, was crowned Food & Beverage/Front of House Employee of the year.
Former Townsville Enterprise Government & Stakeholder Relations Advisor Richard Norris has taken the plunge from the corporate world and purchased the Osk Bar
Other winners from The Ville include:
The Ville Award Wins
ofManager/SupervisortheYear
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Apprentice Chef of the Year
Kylie Ashley-Cooper (Kylie’s Swim School) Gold in Children’s Education Award
NEWSOMETHING&EXCITINGTOSHARE?
Miss Songs Asian Kitchen, Photography by Simon Shiff
AusMumpreneur Awards
LiteHaus International recently celebrated their 5th Anniversary with a Gala Ball at The Ville Resort-Casino. The event also showcased their commitment to digitise one million dreams by 2027, raising $170,000 in donations on the night.
Proudly
Reegan Maggenti
L-R: Award Winners Shanna Hunter, Brooke Bullock, Kylie Ashley-Cooper, Ashe Coxon
Bronze in Disabled Business Excellence Award
The 2022 AusMumpreneur awards were recently held in Sydney with four North Queensland business women recognised as leaders in their respective fields:
Congratulations to Stephanie Gillman who has been promoted to the role of Queensland Country Bank Head of Product and Marketing.
GOT
LiteHaus Celebrates 5 Years
Collette Seage
Branden Varga
Amy Aquilini
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Ashe Coxon (Medical Career Planning) Gold in Regional Business Award
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“Osk is a unique little offering in Townsville, so we are absolutely pumped to be able to take it over and inject some fresh blood and energy. Our goal is to continue to develop a premium experience, from what we have on the menu, through to how we interact with our guests. Townsville as a city has great things ahead of it, so I see this as the perfect time to invest and try to make our mark on the hospitality scene.”
Shanna Hunter (Hunter Taxation Services) Silver in Financial Services Award
TraineeApprentice/Hospitalityofthe Year
The Ville Resort-Casino took home five awards from their seven nominations for North Queensland and Northern Territory regions at the 2022 Restaurant and Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
Senior Client Managers at Coutts Redington, Andrew Towers & Amanda Pickers, both say it’s important for business owners to understand their risks and take the necessary steps to manage cash flow before it becomes a large issue.
tell-tale signs a business may be entering a cash flow problems:
“At the end of the day, following up on payments takes valuable time and prevents you from growing the business,” says Amanda.
The business is spending too much time chasing outstanding payments.
The business is operating with less than twice the monthly expenditure available as cash in the account.
Amanda says there are many steps business owners can take to prevent poor cash flow, including automating invoices and communicating openly with new clients about the payment expectation.
Your Business Cash Flow
“If you only start addressing cash flow issues when the situation is already an emergency, it is often too late.”
that prioritising the largest outstanding invoices is also of great importance, while documenting any conversations in writing can further assist in preventing additional issues from arising in the future.
Did you know that around 80 percent of businesses fail due to cash flow problems? The big challenge for any business is when cash flow issues creep up unnoticed. So, how can businesses bring in cash while stabilising their cash flow?
“Cash flow has nothing to do with profit, but rather the amount of cash available to your business. It is the difference between the cash paid out and the cash received,” explains Andrew.
The business has multiple customers/ clients with unpaid invoices well overdue.
Amanda agrees and encourages business owners to not be afraid of walking away from clients who consistently have outstanding invoices.
Stabilising
“As a business owner, it is crucial to be aware of the red flags and always make the safety and stability of your business the number one priority.”
“It is also critical to follow up your phone calls with a reminder email, clearly stating the outstanding amount and details of the conversation. This will keep a consistent record of all your communication and make it easier to restart the conversation later, if necessary.”
“With software today, businesses can now automate email reminders for overdue invoices and statements. This means collecting payments can be largely automated, saving business owners valued time and money,” says Amanda.
The Coutts Redington team’s
278 Ross River Road Aitkenvale 127 Thuringowa Drive Kirwan 4796 0888
Customers or clients are frequently asking for payment extensions.
A business has multiple unsettled bills from suppliers and relationships have become strained.
“If you’ve sent automatic reminders and statements and still have outstanding invoices, be sure to prioritise the biggest or oldest amounts - not the ones at the top of an alphabetical list,” continues Andrew.
Focusing on YOU & YOUR Business
“When engaging with a new customer or client, it’s a great idea to start instilling good payment habits early on in your working relationship. It is important to have clearly communicated when payment will be expected, when they will receive invoices and the payment terms that Andrewapply.”adds
01. 04. 02. 05. 03. 01. 06. 07. 02. 04. 03. 05. Meet The Press 01. Employer of the Year - PVW Partners: Chris Rockemer, Colin Ryan, Sonia Chalk, Carl Valentine, Ross McLennan. 02. Go Local Award - Smart Precinct NQ: Chris Rockemer, Matt Steine, Miranda Mears, Stuart King, Stephen Lamont. 03. Employee of the Year - Georgie Desailly: Susan Kinobe, Georgie Desailly, Chris Rockemer. 04. Best Micro EnterpriseCreative Concepts PR & BDmag: Jordan Jilg, Julie Johnston, Georgie Desailly, Meghan Boland, Luke Lum. 05. Young Business Person - Dahe Wie: Chris Rockemer, Dahe Wie, Stuart McDonald. 06. Best Major Enterprise - Alliance Rehabilitation: Chris Rockemer, the Alliance Rehabilitation team, Stephen Boyle. 07. Best Innovation & Best Medium Enterprise: Travel Associates Townsville. 01. Jodi Hamilton, Nick Attam, Toni McGregor, Murray Holm. 02. Julie Johnston, Lawrence Jeffcoat, Lily Nothling, Cliff (CK) Kern. 03. Loretta Woodford, Emma Chadwick, Vicki Saylor, Kellie Stephenson. 04. Natalia Dearnley, Hayden Menso. 05. Paula Tapiolas, Amanda Walker, Toni McGregor. Proudly sponsored by10
GHD Townsville clocked up 50 years in Townsville in August and chose Flinders Lane to host their celebrations. This also marked the first private function held at Flinders Lane. Joe Carey, Mayor Jenny Hill, Dean McIntyre, Alison Colella, Mayor Lyn McLaughlin. Wulgurukaba Walkabout. Dale, Edgar. Miller, Zamperoni, Orr, Derbyshire.
Jock
04. Harley
01. 03. 02. 04. GHD 50 Year Celebration Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
Social Feature
Awards
02.
03. Denton Liu, Chris
Rob
David
The Townsville Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2022 Business in conjunction with their 140th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Townsville Helicopter’s Hangar 85, showcasing the valuable work of their members through eight award categories.
01.
Creative Concepts PR (which owns and publishes BDmag) held its first Meet The Press forum at the Mercure Hotel on Thursday August 11th. The expert panel included 7news Townsville’s Lawrence Jeffcoat, ABC North Queensland’s Lily Nothling, Triple M Townsville’s CK and was facilitated by Creative Concepts PR owner and Editor of BDmag, Julie Johnston.
Rebecca
“It’s all part of our commitment to investing in the local community and supporting organisations such as Magnetic Island Network for Turtles, Magnetic Island Koala Hospital, Arcadian and Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving Clubs, Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville Open Water Swimming Association, Great Island Trek alongside various other charities and sporting clubs.”
Townsville Fleet joins SeaLink’sBOOKYOURTRIP!
In the past two years, SeaLink North Queensland has spent $13 million on two new vessels for Townsville –the 340 seat Maggie Cat and 320 seat Coolgaree Cat.
There’s nothing quite like a sunset on the water overlooking Townsville, The Strand and Magnetic Island.
The $6.5 million Maggie Cat launched in June this year and is now the largest vessel in the Townsville fleet.
The perfect solution for any corporate event, engagement party, birthday celebration or Christmas party.
Darren says the investment into building new ferries showcased the company’s ongoing commitment to tourism, transport, and supporting both local industry and the wider community.
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The new Maggie Cat has officially joined SeaLink North Queensland, who is part of the Kelsian Group - Australia’s largest transport and tourism company fleet - and will operate as the flagship vessel to Magnetic Island.
Celebrate with a difference
SeaLink North Queensland General Manager, Darren Spearman, says the new addition follows the Kelsian Group’s announcement of a $23 million investment into the construction of five new vessels, made right here in “MaggieQueensland.Catisthelargest in the Townsville fleet, able to carry 340 passengers to and from Magnetic Island, with three levels including a sun deck,” explains Darren.
“We are proud to build such a quality world-class vessel right here in Queensland, and extend a huge thank you to our local vessel manufacturing partners who without their expertise, passion and commitment these builds would not have been possible,” says Darren.
MAGGIE CAT
SeaLink North Queensland runs the North Queensland Adventure Series for Whale Watching and Orpheus lsland Yanks Jetty day trips between the months of July and September, both of which were sold out this season. As the foundation sponsor, SeaLink North Queensland are proud to continue as the naming rights sponsor for the recent 15th SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week held last month. This event generates over $1 million in revenue for the local economy every year. on-board SeaLink
“She is the highest fuel-efficient ferry in Townsville’s water, especially configured for the shorter, more frequent Magnetic Island passenger service and custom built with DDA approved disabled access, hearing loop and paramedic stretcher access.”
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1. BLOCK: HIGH BACK SOFAS AND MEETING PODS
Sound waves are vibrations, energy transfers from cell to cell within different materials. As these vibrations move around a space, they displace the air which causes our ear drums to also vibrate. These vibrations in our ear drums are then converted into signals received through our nerves by our brain.
Considerations:
How to create space for acoustic comfort in open plan workplaces
Without trying to oversimplify the interdisciplinary science of acoustics, having at least a little knowledge of how sound moves around a room and interacts with surfaces can highlight how to improve sound quality in a space.
Knowing that sound is vibration, it makes sense to visualise that as sound energy hits different surfaces its ability to reflect and amplify would be affected by the characteristics of those surfaces. For example, when a sound strikes a hard surface, it is reflected with greater influence than if it were to pass over a fibrous acoustic material which would absorb the impact. The more fibrous a material, the better the absorption of sound. For the visual thinkers out there, imagine the difference bouncing a tennis ball off a brick wall would have compared to bouncing it into a wall made from, well let’s say, marshmallows.
Including a sofa with a higher back will lower the sound levels in a space as well as create small rooms within the room. Good for creativity, privacy, and small group meetings.
UNDERSTANDING SOME (VERY) BASIC PHYSICS OF SOUND
Interaction of sound with various surfaces
Nest Easy Chairs
Therefore, if how much sound moves around a space correlates to how ‘noisy’ a space feels, looking at approaches that restrict the mobility of sound off room surfaces will aid to improve room acoustics.
While
+Halle
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STEPS TO QUIETER WORKSPACES
Sound privacy is crucial when performing certain tasks that require focus. In turn, working in an environment that does not offer reprieve from the buzz of an open plan can inhibit concentration and place mental strain on your team, diminishing the efficiency of your workplace.
ou’d be hard pressed to find an office in today’s corporate world that isn’t in large part open plan, if not entirely so. Open plan offices have their own kind of driving energy that improve communication, collaboration, and creativity. And yet, these open workspaces can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming to work in due to the unavoidable noise that goes hand in hand with occupying communal zones.
Reflection Absorption
VS.
a complete retrofit to make considerations for acoustic comfort may not be feasible for most businesses, here are four easy methods that can help to mitigate noise pollution in an open plan office.
Y
FIBROUS MATERIALS
HARD MATERIALS
Framery pods help your office work in-person, online, & everything in between. 2. ABSORB: WALL AND CEILING ACOUSTIC PANELS 3. DIFFUSE: HANGING ACOUSTIC SCREENS 4. SEPARATE: ACOUSTIC BOOTHS Sound absorbing acoustic panels are applied to walls, ceiling or both and combine functionality with aesthetics as they reduce disturbing reflections of environmental noises from voices, telephones, clatter etc.
Offecct SoundstixFrameryQ 13bdmag.com.au
Autex 3D Wall Tiles
Hanging Screens are spatial and acoustic partitions that fall elegantly from the ceiling to the floor. Usually, decorative patterns are etched out of the screens allowing light to pass through while helping to diffuse sound waves.
Having a designated soundproof space to take private calls and meetings can improve the sound quality but also significantly raise workplace satisfaction for those working in open plan environments. Let’s be honest, we all know a loud talker in the office we’d like to lock away from time to time, even if that person is ourselves.
It’s almost a case of same-same but different when it comes to breaking into the doughnut market, as it was all those years ago when Eagle Boys Pizza first launched.
“We went into markets that didn’t really have a pizza consumption culture. In fact, we broke the ground in about 70% of the markets we went into. Dominos came in behind us. Pizza Hut were already out there in a lot of the city markets but weren’t really servicing the regional
“Thismarkets.(doughnuts) is different. In one way, people know the product but they don’t have it as a staple, once a week treat yet. So, it’s very, very similar as far as we’re creating a new habit for people. The difference is that this industry isn’t as easy to get into as the pizza industry.”
By Luke Lum
“Glenn said to me a couple of weeks ago, ‘we’re not going to sell the lemon curd and white chocolate anymore’, and I said, ‘why not? They’re selling in Brisbane’ and he said, ‘well they’re not selling in Townsville!’ so we took them out,” Tom recalls.
“The pizza market was underdeveloped when we got into it,” Tom explains.
tasteBusinessGood forDespite
an opening that outperformed all expectations, Tom is under no illusions of the challenges new businesses and businesses in general face now and in the future.
Having good business partners is key to the success of Tom’s businesses and the same goes all the way to front line staff. He has nothing but praise for the Townsville team.
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While bringing doughnuts to Townsville was initially Glenn’s idea, it was Brisbane based Tom, who
The success in Townsville has led to the Galactic Donuts brand to expand already, with a Rockhampton store that opened in August and a store in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley that opened in September.
Boasting a huge selection of handcrafted doughnuts, Galactic Donuts is the brainchild of the legendary founder of Eagle Boys Pizza and his long-time business partner and former franchisee, Glenn Adair.
“I looked at the doughnut industry in Melbourne and it’s getting really big down there. There’s four big players and I said to Steve, my partner in the bakery, we’ve got to do something about this,” he says.
was already monitoring the industry in Melbourne 18 months ago. Tom says if he didn’t do something similar in his Brisbane based bakery, Crusty Devil Bakehouse, someone else would.
“It was quite a shock to us; we weren’t ready for it. We did nearly 20,000 doughnuts in our first week and it was concerning because we would prefer to do half as many customers and make sure we had product integrity and everything else spot on,” Tom elaborates.
After a successful product test in Brisbane and a conversation with Glenn, it was decided that Galactic Donuts would make its debut into the Townsville market. With a 5050 ownership model, it allows each business partner to ensure their individual store caters to the needs of its local community while remaining true to the brand strategy.
“As much as Glenn and I sat down and agreed on how everything’s going to look, I said things will change and we’re going to have to evolve and change with it.”
No stranger to taking on the big players, Tom Potter’s no-nonsense approach to business coupled with tough strategy and guerrilla marketing has made a return to North Queensland in the form of Galactic Donuts
“The biggest achievement for me was the high quality of staff. I think we’ve created a pretty good work culture where everybody knows where they stand. We’ve given them a lot of flexibility and we’re very transparent with what we expect. The staff have been very good in “Glenn’sTownsville.recently decided to scale back his work commitments which has paved the way for our two store managers, Tessa-Dawn Tata and Tangi White to buyout his share of the business.”
written about through media sources of late which is causing unnecessary worry to those needing to make a property transaction.
theRideWave SwimmerStrongv
“We looked at proven process and methodologies, data collection, technology and human happiness as needles for our business compass.”
At a recent Ray White Real Estate Business Owners meeting at Queensland Corporate Office, they posed the question ‘Are you a business owner who rides the waves or are you a business owner who is a strong swimmer?’
Australians’ love affair with real estate ensures communities consume news about the property market they live in, are curious about or are investing in. Jools says there is too much doom and gloom being
“Having access to resources through the Ray White Group allows us to seek guidance from the best of the best to ensure we are at the forefront of our industry. In turn, our people in our business seek to also hitch their wagon to a stable business, with a focus on employees’ career ambitions and personal goals for employment.
while building a business model has seen her staring at a learning curve which at times feels almost vertical, a strong foundation is critical to success.
“I knew the answer straight away, I’m a strong swimmer,” says Ray White Munro & Co Principal, Jools “BehavingMunro.elegantly and bravely in business turns out to be a challenge at times of change and personal life events, but together Errol and I have made it through our share of rough waters and we’re still swimming
Joolsstrongly!”says
“ It is the completion of proven competition creating activities which will ensure the strong swimmers are the sales agents who achieve their career ambitions in this industry.
“Our business was built from scratch in 2016 when the property market was normal. We will be here for the community of Townsville no matter the property climate. Our foundations are strong with a focus on our clients’ needs, not ours. I am proud to be a strong swimmer.”
“The real estate industry has seen a wave of new and returning sales agents get into the property ocean chasing sales activity which could be described like a large school of bait fish being chased by dolphins. However, a lot of these agents are wave riders. They will come, enjoy the ride and go.
“We have taken our time to build a concrete slab foundation suitable to weather a cyclone in our business. Our humble beginnings of our business commenced on 1 July 2016 with my friend’s rental property, the wisdom of Errol’s double decade in the real estate industry and my energy, which was endless.
With plans to extend the product line beyond gin and vodka, Tan Lines Distilling owner, Aaron Rieniets, says the Rockpool Pavilion will provide the perfect launching pad for his business.
As part of the revamp, he has also partnered with a new local artisanal gin distilling business, Tan Lines Distilling, to create a full tasting experience in the new bar area of the Rockpool Pavilion.
“We’re also excited about the product itself. The quality of Tan Lines’ product really adds to the space at the Rockpool Pavilion but is also a great standalone product too.”
“It is important that we, as a region, showcase our local products in areas that attract both locals and tourists.
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Set to launch at the end of this month, the space will enable locals and tourists to sample Tan Lines’ three main products: a contemporary Australian Gin, Australian Vodka and statement Pink Gin; all of which are set to hit other local bars and restaurants across the city before “GivenChristmas.we are trying to reactivate the building, and the site in general, we see the distillery as a great fit for the Rockpool Pavilion,” continues Jamie.
The Managing Director of FGH Group - which oversees the operations of a number of hospitality and accommodation venues including Shaw & Co, Shorehouse and The Courtyard - says plans are underway for the redevelopment of the site as part of a bid to revitalise the entry to The Strand.
Whilst a combination of Covid and labour shortages has pushed pause on some of the key projects, Jamie is hopeful the full refurbishment will be finished within a year.
“As Tan Lines continues to grow, we’d like to expand our offerings and add rum and whisky as well,” explains
Townsville is in a time where we have the right deliveringandopportunitiesprojects,peoplethataregenuineinchange.
By Georgie Desailly
ICONIC BUILDING GETS A
“There is more to come in the next six to twelve months, but we’re really excited about the long-term potential for the space and the role the venue could play in improving The Strand as a key tourism destination.”
“Stage one of the ‘facelift’ was completed earlier in the year, and we are now looking to evolve the menu alongside other areas of the business,” says Jamie.
Renowned restaurant connoisseur Jamie Fitzpatrick has put his mark on the former Fish Inn, rebranding as the Rockpool Pavilion after purchasing the venue in October last year.
17bdmag.com.au
We’re also excited about the product itself. The quality of Tan Lines’ product really adds to the space at the Rockpool Pavilion but is also a great standalone product too.
Aaron, who has spent majority of his hospitality career in the US before returning in 2019.
“Townsville is in a time where we have the right projects, opportunities and people that are genuine in delivering change,” adds Jamie.
“The projects we have on the horizon will see real game changing investment in the city, the need for human resources hence the population growth we need to grow our “Post-Covid,city.people are now looking for that lifestyle component more than anything else when deciding where to live and work.
“Working with Jamie is an exciting opportunity to build the Tan Lines brand with his wealth of local business insights, and I am looking forward to moving into the Rockpool Pavilion and sharing our products with the Jamie,community.”whois also the Board Director at Townsville Enterprise, hopes the refurbishment of the Rockpool Pavilion and the eventual redevelopment of the Shoredrive Motel across the road (which has been on hold due to Covid) will inspire further action in the revitalisation of The Strand; something he says is critical in driving tourism and addressing the regions skills shortage.
Image credits:
“The hospitality and events sector play a key role in creating that lifestyle attraction and so I hope to work with other stakeholders to continue evolving the waterfront and ensure the city remains competitive on the national stage.” Phil Copp Photography
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After several years of meticulous renovation, School House, the original building of Townsville Grammar School, established in 1888, has re-opened.
Restored to its former glory, this iconic heritage-listed building has resumed its place in the heart of the North Ward Campus, and will serve as a wonderful venue for use by the School and the wider community, with function and meeting rooms available and a school museum in the planning.
School House, a part of the Townsville City Council’s Heritage Trail and added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2002, was built in 1888 as the first classroom and boarding rooms for the School.
The building was used for many purposes throughout the latter decades until it was closed for restoration in 2011, a lengthy process dictated by heritage restoration laws and regulations.
HISTORY RESTORED
“We’ve been watching the restoration of School House for several years and it’s fantastic to now be using it and opening it up to the wider Townsville community to use,” says Mr Kelly.
slightly different design in 19031904 by Townsville architects, FDG Stanley Tunbridge and Tunbridge. The new design was considered a cooler, more suitable building for the tropical environment, with verandahs on both levels used for sleeping in the hotter months. Until 1940, all lessons, with the exception of science, were conducted on the lower level of the building, while the upper level was used as a dormitory for boarders.
The Reopening of School House: Est 1888
As the oldest secondary school in North Queensland, Townsville Grammar School was established due to the lobbying and fundraising of a group of locals – lawyers, businessmen, clergy and farmers - under the 1860 Grammar Schools Act of Queensland. Originally a boys school, it became coeducational in 1893, becoming the first co-educational, independent secondary school on mainland TheAustralia.original School House building was partially destroyed in 1903 by Cyclone Leonta and rebuilt to a
“The School’s 134-year history is a fascinating story, one that captures the spirit of the northone of endurance, resilience and community. It is my hope that we can use School House as a way of capturing this history for past, present and future Grammarians.
Cyclone Leonta partially destroyed the original School House in 1903.
“Townsville Grammar School has grown alongside the Townsville community, almost mirroring the development of the town which was founded in 1865,” says Mr Kelly. “School House not only belongs to Townsville Grammar School; it belongs to the city of Townsville and its community.
“We frequently have Past Grammarians visit the School, and since the news of the development of the TGS Museum has circulated, we have been gratefully receiving some wonderful items of memorabilia which we are using to populate our TGS Museum. Once complete, the Museum will form a central hub for our Past Grammarians Association and a place for our alumni to visit and share in the story of the School.
Townsville Grammar School Principal, Mr Timothy Kelly, says the School community has been eagerly awaiting the re-opening of this building.
“We hope this lovingly and respectfully restored iconic building will become well-known as a part of our city’s heritage and that our community will enjoy visiting and using the Communityspace.”groups are welcome to contact the School for an inspection of School House for possible functions and meetings where possible, around the School’s calendar.
19bdmag.com.au
THEDIFFERENCEGRAMMAR
Townsville Daily Bulletin Thursday, February 9, 1889
Jack Callcott – Former President of the Past Grammarians Association
Just imagine if you could put your hand on one of the walls somewhere and have the building tell you about its life since 1903 – and know you were part of the story.
“The establishment of a Grammar School in Townsville has done much to supply the wants of the heads of families in North Queensland. It is now unnecessary to send their children to Brisbane, or elsewhere in the State, to educate them, as they have a well-directed institution in their own part of the country, where tuition of the highest order is available under the direction of one of the best English Public Schoolmasters.”
TGS.QLD.EDU.AU
“In my role as Director of JCU’s MBA program, I’m focused on students’ personal development,” Damian says.
“It’s about helping them sharpen their critical thinking, take a global outlook and embrace teamwork.”
“I was attracted to the MBA because I’m hoping to bridge the gap from Engineering into management.
“For employers seeking managers with educational training in obtaining finance, JCU’s MBA is attractive because it provides future firm leaders with an understanding of financial markets. And, in part, the valuation of the firm in the market.
Damian Scanlon, Director, MBA Program
“Graduates of the degree are able to identify when to obtain finance, the barriers to financing and valuation models for share price maximisation.”
“In the MBA I learnt how to do strong feasibility studies and how to write cost-benefit analyses. This can be the difference between getting a project over the line or the project being rejected,” he says.
“The research shows that a practical degree, such as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), is favourably perceived by the market,” says Dr Wallace, who teaches Financial Principles and Corporate Finance in JCU’s MBA.
Withflexibility.more
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In an increasingly competitive job market it has never been more important to set yourself apart from the competition. But what is it employers are really searching for in their ideal management candidate?
Are you seeking to enhance your career prospects, develop your expertise, or secure a lucrative job promotion? Invest in your future with JCU’s Master of Business Administration and gain the knowledge, skills, and experience employers are searching for.
FAST TRACK
JCU’s MBA degree can be completed in as little as oneand-a-half years when studying full-time (part-time study also available) and can be tailored to align with students’ career goals. Students initially study six core modules covering a broad range of business topics before choosing from a wide variety of majors to specialise in, including: Conflict Management and Resolution, Leadership, Project Management and Entrepreneurship. External and online options are available for study
YOUR CORPORATE CAREER
than 15 years of executive experience working for major Australian publicly listed companies, the Director of JCU’s MBA program, Damian Scanlon, knows the business world well. Since leaving the corporate environment in late 1998, he has successfully pursued several entrepreneurial opportunities in the aquaculture, software and property industries, both as a shareholder and Executive Director.
Dr Damien Wallace, a Senior Lecturer in Financial Technology at James Cook University (JCU), has been investigating CEO characteristics in relation to firm performance and his findings suggest postgraduate qualifications are highly prized.
An alumnus of JCU’s MBA Program, Warren Hunter, is Operations Engineer at Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) and says undertaking the Masters has sharpened his finance skills.
“My favourite part of the degree was the Data Science subjects because they’re so relevant to the work I do as a chemical process engineer at IPL’s Mount Isa plant. I enjoyed analysing data and using the figures to optimise a plan, as well as studying business leaders and how they implement best practice.”
“ Those keen to enrol in an MBA should also consider completing JCU’s new Graduate Certificate of Project Management. It’s the first university-level qualification in Australia to emphasise skill development in asset management and consists of four subjects that count towards the MBA.
START DATES: February, May, September
TOP 3 REASONS
* Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021
Many students pursue MBAs to increase their earning potential, advance to an executive level or change the industry they’re working in.
MBA FAST FACTS
In the world of business, it’s who you know as well as what you know. While undertaking an MBA at James Cook University (JCU), you will develop lifelong connections. This is your opportunity to establish an extensive business network that includes fellow students, academics, industry professionals and JCU alumni.
LOCATION: Townsville, Brisbane
JCU College of Business, Law & Governance Master of GraduateAdministrationBusinessCertificate of Project withcoursesindustryDesignedBachelorBachelorBachelorManagementofBusinessofCommerceofLawsinconjunctionwithprofessionals,ourinstilfutureleaderslife-longpracticalskills.Experiencehasnosubstitute.jcu.edu.au
The JCU MBA is the only classroom-based MBA in Townsville and offers additional opportunities for learning and networking. As the #2 university in Australia for both median salary* and full-time employment**, you can graduate with confidence as JCU MBA graduates are highly valued by employers.
EXCITED ABOUT EXPANDING YOUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES?
** 2022 Good Universities Guide, PG Business and Management
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK
TO PURSUE AN MBA 321
21bdmag.com.au
REFINE YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS
RISE IN MANAGEMENT OR CHANGE CAREER
To discover more about JCU’s MBA offerings, visit DirectorTowww.jcu.edu.au/courses/study/business.discussyourjourneyfurther,emailofJCU’sMBAprogramDamianScanlonatdamian.scanlon@jcu.edu.au.
Develop management skills across the breadth of business-related areas, such as people, marketing, financials, operations, innovation, entrepreneurship, and change, as well as building critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: AQF level 7 Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or AQF level 8 degree; or 4-year managerial experience that satisfies the course co-ordinator’s requirements.
22
When Jane and Noel Jesberg purchased The Rix Hotel seven years ago, the building was largely considered the town eyesore. Had it been foretold they would eventually be awarded the Queensland Hotels Association award for the Best Regional Bar and Best Regional Restaurant, there wouldn’t have been many in Charters Towers that would have believed
Luke Lum
Byit.
THE
“When we came in, there were drinks half full at the bar… it was like they’d walked out mid trade.”
“We did a soft opening on the Friday and by Sunday COVID closed the industry. We were renowned for our cheeseboards, so we did those as takeaway during COVID,” Jane explains.
“We just sort of traded as it was. It was messy,” Jane adds.
“We had to do a lot of it ourselves. During the start-up phase, it was just my brother and I and some mates,” Noel explains.
“We wanted to be an upper market pub. You can’t compete with the big groups, have a bistro and try to take them on. You’ll just be another pub.” Noel says.
Image Credits: Cody Malty, Outback Impressions
23 BEFORE AFTER
Community support has played a huge part in the success of The Rix, especially when COVID hit on the opening weekend of the newly renovated Beast & Barrel restaurant.
“We’ve created an environment where we do care and we’re mindful, in a small community, that if we don’t give back we can’t expect the support in return. They are the backbone.”
“We include them and give them that responsibility and we’re kind to them. Our biggest ethos is, be kind to customers, be kind to each other and own your mistakes. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt and live by is just own it.
“Of course, there’s a little bit more labour cost involved and doing this style of thing but I think it pays off. A lot of people say you could pick this pub up and put it in Brisbane or Sydney and it’ll still go well. It’s just a small, boutique little pub which I find has more atmosphere.”
“Noel had his eye on it for a while. He saw potential in it,” Jane says.
While COVID waves still provide challenges for the industry, particularly in terms of staffing, the Jesbergs have been able to maintain a core group of loyal, hardworking staff. Jane says it all boils down to being kind.
Over the next five years and shoestring budget of around $700,000, the couple embarked on a slow renovation of the venue beginning with the gaming area, the public bar, the restaurant and are only now renovating the rooms of the motel.
“I’d heard it was a good business before it closed. I asked a few managers beforehand if it was successful and they said, yeah it was really good but it was run badly,” Noel elaborates.
Vacant for approximately 12 months, there were squatters living in the motel, half-drunk schooners on the bar and even Mayor Frank Beveridge and Federal MP Bob Katter thought the Jesbergs were mad for taking on such a project.
“We have also had a lot of support from local builders,” Jane “Noelcontinues.didalotof the initial work himself but I guess we’ve had to do everything on a shoestring because that’s how it started.”
“As soon as the liquor licence came through and the gaming licence approval, which was only four or five weeks, we opened as soon as we could. The day we got the licence, we spent two weeks cleaning up before we opened the doors.”
“We slowly emerged with restricted numbers and were booked out weeks in advance. We will always be grateful for and will never forget the loyal unwavering support and kindness of the incredible community.”
Offering an elevated food experience that is comparable to steakhouses in the bigger cities, The Beast & Barrel sets itself apart, not just from the other eateries in the Towers but from the standard bistro offering of pubs and clubs in Queensland.
Jane adds, “we want to preserve some of that old-fashioned dining etiquette and manners. I think it’s lovely. It creates a nice experience if someone isn’t clearing dishes before the other person has finished. Those old-fashioned mannerisms are part of our success.”
With expired stock still in the fridges and rubbish bins overflowing in the gaming room, Noel, who is a third generation publican of Jesberg’s White Horse Tavern, says that it was a matter of weeks before they opened.
As for the growth of the business, the Jesbergs have just purchased the old Retravision premises in the adjoining lot with tentative plans to expand the floor space of the pub and restaurant. However, Jane says they are keeping a close eye on two big players, Woolworths and Star Liquor, who are coming to “We’remarket.ina holding pattern at the moment. We want to stay true to our brand because it’s different to what anyone else is likely to do,” continues Jane.
Noel adds, “At the end of the day, the pub game is a big competition anyway. For a small town, eight or nine pubs is a lot, it’s always a worry but we just need to do what we do, well.”
Since finalising the purchase of the premises, The Caravan Hub has already renovated its Service Department offices and added a demountable building as a dedicated suite of Sales Department offices in the caravan display yard.
“Opening a second, highly visible location at the Hyde Park Centre will give us adequate space to display the Snowy River RV range, and it also enables us to establish the systems and processes required to manage off-site locations, paving the way for future expansion within our primary marketing area.
Having worked in the caravan industry since 2004, Josh established the Townsville Caravan Repair Centre in 2014. The business has since grown to include new and used caravan sales, servicing, major insurance repair and an extensive spare parts department. Josh and his team relocated to 9 Horwood Street in April 2019, just after the Townsville floods.
manufacturers“Caravan are very selective about who they appoint as their regional dealer, and rightly so, as the dealer can make or break the experience for a customer,” says “InJosh.November
“A key marketing activity for us moving forward will be hosting roadshows and expos throughout our PMA to give locals their first look at the latest models from Crusader Caravans and Snowy River RV, and we expect this will significantly boost our new van sales going “Ourforward.goal is to educate customers and ensure they’re in the correct van for their needs. Stocking a range of leading brands gives us the ability to offer customers a van to suit where they’re going and what they’re towing with, so they can make caravanning memories without the Joshheadaches.”hasinvested
Josh Mullock, Managing Director of The Caravan Hub, announced the purchase of the company’s premises at 9 Horwood Street, Currajong, in July this year. Having leased the 5,500m2 yard from the Hinspeter family since 2019, Josh says, “It was a huge risk for a business of our size not to have a secure, long-term premises. It was always one of our financial goals to secure a commercial property, and we’re excited to have this established base of operations from which we can expand.”
“Caravanning has always been popular with Grey Nomads, but there is no doubt the pandemic sparked a resurgence in domestic tourism and caravanning is growing in popularity with many young families now investing in a caravan to enjoy quality time with the kids.
2020 we became the regional dealer for Nova Caravans and in September 2021 we were awarded the regional dealership for Crusader Caravans. We have just secured the rights to Snowy River RV, which will retail from a newly leased site beside the Hyde Park Centre on Woolcock Street.
“We were extremely busy after the floods,” said Josh. “We’d outgrown the premises we were renting in Garbutt and this location was available and the size felt perfect for our needs.”
Caravanning Memories
The Caravan Hub’s strong capital base and excellent reputation for customer service have enabled it to secure leading caravan brands for the North Queensland region. Its primary marketing area (PMA) extends from Rockhampton through to Far North Queensland and out west to Mount Isa.
The premises has a fully enclosed four-bay workshop and eight additional open-face workshop bays. Since moving into the premises, Josh has added specialist equipment including four-post hoists for the service department and scaffolding, racking, a guilotine and a folder for the major insurance shed.
“We’re blessed in North Queensland to have so many beautiful spots right here on our doorstop, making it the perfect place to live, work and holiday.”
heavily in building a strong team with robust organisational systems and procedures so he is well equipped for the next growth phase of his business.
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“The buildings are fifty years old and it was primarily built as a workshop, so we want to improve our facilities for customers to include easy access for caravans with off-street parking,” says Josh.
Hyde Park Center 36 Woolcock Street, Hyde Park www.snowyrivertownsville.com.au ARRIVING OCTOBER 2022! 4779 1881 9 Horwood Street, www.thecaravanhub.com.auCurrajong
Jennifer Faithfull
Rely on a relationship with a partner who possesses the resources you need for growth to get the resources you need (e.g., joint venture, strategic alliance).
The 2012 book “Build, Borrow or Buy: Solving the Growth Dilemma,” by Laurence Capron and Will Mitchell makes the case that while many organisations are adept at sketching out a growth-focused strategy, many of them suffer with implementation. According to Capron and Mitchell, there are three fundamental ways to implement any business growth strategies:
“We build the future accountants and advisors in our region by taking on large groups of trainees and graduates and developing them personally, professionally, and technically,” Carl explains.
Over the past five years PVW Partners has seen business growth with adopting the strategies of ‘Build’ – investing in the personal, professional, and technical development of their team and ‘Buy’ - successful mergers with several great North Queensland accounting firms.
CoordinatorOperations 26
Northern Queensland’s businesses need to be better than ever at attracting, developing, and retaining their people. Carl Valentine, Managing Partner, says PVW take on board the Capon and Mitchell strategies and believe that fostering the careers of young professionals is essential to the success of the business.
Borrow
Sarah Bowrey Partner Mandeep Singh Executive Jason Donoghue Senior Manager Letitia Kowski Manager
BUSINESS GROWTH IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND“Asthose
L-R: Letitia Kowski, Mandeep Singh, Vicki Jones, Jason Donoghue, Sarah Bowrey, Michael Tompkins, Olivia Oakley, Samantha Crossley and Sarah Jeffers
Vicki Jones Manager Michael Tompkins Specialist Advisor Jennifer Faithful Assistant Sarah Jeffers Senior ManagerConsultant Rachel Gangemi Senior Consultant Olivia Oakley Consultant Samantha Crossley
Today’s labour market is characterised by near record low levels of unemployment, competition for scarce resources, remote work arrangements (meaning that employers are competing nationally and even internationally – no longer just locally), higher employment costs (both salaries and on-costs) and layers of employer related compliance costs.
Build
Buy Acquire the resources required for expansion (e.g., purchase the IP needed, acquisition of other businesses, recruiting experienced team members).
team members build skills, experience, and confidence, we then promote them into more senior roles. We also seek out and recruit senior and experienced people to join us, buying talent where we PVWcan.”recently announced eleven promotions within their team, with seven of those eleven team members having joined PVW as trainees or graduates. Some of those promotions reflect the very first significant milestones in their careers. For others, like Sarah Bowrey who was promoted to Partner and Mandeep Singh who was promoted to Executive, their promotions reflect long-term success and personal development to reach the most senior levels in PVW’s business.
BUILD, BORROW OR BUY?
PROMOTED STAFF
Creating the resources required for expansion from the company’s current resources (e.g., internal development programs, promotions, R&D).
Rachel Gangemi
“For PVW, these programmes are enhancing both personal and professional skills for our team, which in turn is being reflected in the experiences their clients receive.
PVW Partners was honoured to be named Best Employer at the recent Townsville Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business Awards.
“Dean and Sherren are well known in their field and are in high demand from other North Queensland businesses seeking to implement their programmes.”
Our team feel safe and secure in the knowledge we are investing in them, they have options with PVW Partners when it comes to career opportunities.
Business Advisory Tax and Accounting SMSF Bookkeeping Agribusiness (07) 4721 8500 www.pvwpartners.com Regional Australians Growing Regional Australia
Carl says that another important element of PVW Partners’ growth has been the creation of a People and Performance Advisory service, led by Dean Tuckey and Sherren Edkins, to assist both team members and clients with specifically designed leadership and development programmes.
PVW Partners has grown to a team of 60 across Cairns, Innisfail and Townsville and are North Queensland’s largest locally owned and operated tax, accounting, and business advisory firm with a proud 100-year history in the region. They have the local context, technical expertise knowledge and experience. They live by the purpose, “Regional Australians Growing Regional Australia.”
~ Carl Valentine, Managing Partner PVW Partners
With Dean and Sherren, we are building a better workplace and helping our clients do the same.
PVW are always on the lookout to recruit experienced Accountants, Bookkeepers and Business Advisors, and will continue to offer opportunities for trainees and graduates to join the firm.
~ Carl Valentine, Managing Partner PVW Partners
“Dean and Sherren design and implement leadership and development programmes that will improve both an individual as well as business performance.
“ Dean Tuckey & Sherren Edkins
27bdmag.com.au
Bina’s Kitchen offers a range of traditional Torres Strait Islander cuisine, with favourites including the coconut crayfish, chicken curries and sob sob - a gluten free dish of assorted sweet potatoes and pumpkins cooked in banana leaf.
The food van proved to be so popular that Evelyn decided to open her own store-front at Garbutt Central in April this year; something she heavily attributes to the support of the community.
Image Credits: Sonia Warrell, Hello Muse Photography
A traditional Torres Strait Islander food business is on a mission to put Indigenous cuisine on the menu after recently opening the doors to their new shop front.
Evelyn says she first learnt the delicacies of the Torres Strait cuisine from her late mother who worked as a cook at James Cook University.
30. Bina’s Kitchen
“I love being able to share my different flavours and
“The response was so positive, and it really inspired me to take the next step.”
“When I saw the space at Garbutt, I was encouraged to expand the business, so I took the leap and we finally opened,” adds Evelyn.
“When we would take the food van to festivals and events, there would be lines of people waiting and we got such good feedback,” says Evelyn.
FROMherself.
Founded by Townsville-born Torres Strait Islander, Evelyn Billy, Bina’s Kitchen first began operating as a food van late last year cooking for events and markets around the city.
TOWNSVILLE TO THE Strait
By Georgie Desailly Torres
“Our cuisine is basically Torres Strait infused with Malaysian and also has a touch of Melanesian and Polynesian influence because of our ancestral Throughoutbackground.”her business journey, Evelyn has been supported by services such as the state government’s Mentoring for Growth program and The Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services.
“We’ve had heaps of catering requests and more continue to come in, so it’s really exciting to see it all coming to life,” says Evelyn.
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“Catering is my passion. It’s something I grew up with and everything I’ve learnt has been from my mum. She was my inspiration,” continues Evelyn, who is now a mother of nine
Alongside the traction inside the store, she and her five staff members have also been heavily booked with catering jobs for organisations such as Townsville City Council, Queensland Health and the Festival of Chamber Music.
“The community has been so supportive and without that support and encouragement the shop wouldn’t be here today.”
“Aboutconstruction.200local
“This is a four-year project for Townsville and we are on track to meeting the major milestones. “The awarding of the tender for the supply of pipe is an exciting step in bringing this project closer to starting.
Water and Waste Committee chairperson Russ Cook says contractors laid down more than 2,760 individual lengths of 1.8m diameter pipe during stage one of
“It will give confidence to businesses looking to invest in Townsville that there is a reliable water supply.
Initially, stage one was funded by the Queensland Government, which provided $215 million to Council to carry out the initial works.
Currently, stage two of the project will cost an estimated $274 million, with the Queensland Government providing $195 million and the additional funding coming from Council.
Reaching another major milestone
Constructing the pipeline delivers on the recommendations made by the Townsville Water Security Taskforce’s final report to build a pipeline between the Ross River Dam and the Burdekin River near Clare. This piece of water infrastructure will enable the dam water levels to be managed to best deliver water security to the city.
townsville.qld.gov.au
Once complete, more than 60km of 1.8m diameter pipeline will help to supply raw water from the Burdekin River to the Dam during prolonged drought.
Visit our website to find out more.
Townsville City Council anticipates the region’s population to increase from about 200,000 to more than 300,000 residents by 2050.
I N V E S T I N G F O R T
The pipeline project is a water security initiative to support Townsville’s Ross River Dam catchment and has been split into two construction stages.
Cr Hill says the next pipeline stage is a more complicated process.
“Townsville is situated in the dry tropics, and our region is one of the driest in Queensland. Our rainfall is unpredictable and sometimes falls outside of dam catchment areas.
“ This pipeline will give the city the assurances it needs to continue growing for decades to come
businesses were involved directly or indirectly in stage one, and this local capability gives us real confidence in delivering stage two of this vital water infrastructure project,” Cr Cook says.
“This will help businesses grow and employ more people, and give residents the assurances to continue building their lives in Townsville.”
Construction of the Haughton Pipeline Project stage two is set to start in mid-2023, with a planned completion date of December 2024.
For stage two, the pipeline will extend from the Haughton River to the Burdekin River near Clare.
North Queensland’s most significant water infrastructure project reached a major milestone with Townsville City Council awarding a $51 million contract to IPLEX for the supply of pipeline for stage two of the Haughton Pipeline Project.
Proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Townsville City Council.
Mayor Jenny Hill says the pipeline was critical to ensuring water security for one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia.
“More than five years ago, Council identified the need for long-term water security to help support a growing population, and we have pushed hard to make this project a reality,” Cr Hill says.
PIPELINEHAUGHTON PROJECT O D
A Y A N D T O M O R R O W Supporting our community and growing Townsville.
“In one experiment, participants who were instructed to smile while completing a difficult task not only felt happier and less stressed, but also performed better than those who didn’t smile.”
“Damien has since gone on to smile with confidence, and it is people like him who constantly inspire us on a day-to-day basis.”
Dr Navdeep Singh with patient Damien
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“One of our patients, Damien, was finding it difficult to eat and didn’t like how his teeth looked. Over the course of several weeks, we were able to provide full mouth rehabilitation and give Damien a new lease on life,” explains Dr Singh.
A recent survey found that over half of all Australians don’t visit a dentist regularly. Dr Singh notes that this is particularly prominent in regional areas, which he attributes to barriers such as patients’ anxiety or embarrassment and of course their accessibility to certain services.
While Dr Singh acknowledges that there are many rewarding aspects of dentistry, he says nothing beats the physical and internal transformation that occurs when a patient finally gets the smile they deserve.
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Queens Smilelanders
“In some cases, people may be embarrassed about the state of their teeth and fear that the dentist will judge them. Our dentists will explain the options available to improve your oral health and they will never judge you” continues Dr Singh.
Nine years later, the My Family Dental group has proven to be highly successful and has since grown to six dental clinics across North Queensland, including two in Townsville at Kirwan and Bohle Plains Kalynda.
This certainly was the case with one of his recent patients who first came to the clinic with multiple tooth infections, broken teeth and extensive decay.
“ For regional and rural areas, accessibility can also be a big issue for many patients, which is why My Family Dental has made a commitment to not only servicing these areas but providing our patients with advice and support on how they can improve their oral hygiene. ”
Helping Regional
With this goal in mind, Dr Singh opened My Family Dental in 2013 with just a single private practice in the cane-farming community of Ingham.
“A great smile does more than just make a good first impression. Research shows that it can also have a positive impact on your mental health,” explains Dr
“Our mission is to continue to increase quality dental treatments and services available to rural and regional communities across Queensland,” explains Dr Singh.
After working as a dentist across regional Queensland for many years, Townsville local Dr Navdeep Singh identified the growing need to provide high-quality dental services to regional and rural communities across North Queensland.
When it comes to choosing a dental provider, Dr Singh says it’s crucial for patients to choose someone they can trust and who will work alongside them to achieve their desired dental outcomes.
“ Our teams are locals who live in and support their communities, many of whom have been born and raised in regional Queensland and are passionate about giving back to their communities. ”
Despite their incredible growth, Dr Singh says their mission remains the same: to support regional and remote communities in their dental health journeys.
have found that smiling can help to reduce anxiety, both in the short and long term, and improve work performance and overall happiness.
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“ inspiring patients to take action to their dental health, it will ensure they will be on their way to a mouth, mind and body.
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DEALING WITH
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Talent Changes
Whilst there is no silver bullet solution to the talent shortage employers are facing, taking a more strategic approach to planning, being committed and staying the course with initiatives that will drive a consistent supply of talent and skills, will be critical for the future success of business.
The significant changes that employers are now attempting to manage include an increased demand for skilled and professional labour, negative impacts on the supply chain (leading to increased task focus, deadline pressure and margin management) and the lowest unemployment rates in 48 years - underpinned by a significant reduction in overseas net migration for the last seven years, exacerbated by international border closures due to COVID-19. They are also starting to see the retirement/resignation and relocation plans brought forward for many baby boomers. Employers are suffering fatigue from the continued coping with COVID-19 infections and isolation requirements impacting themselves and their families.
TREAT JOB CANDIDATES LIKE CUSTOMERS. It’s a job candidate’s market, so being strategic with how you engage potential future new hires is more critical now than ever.
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UNDERTAKE A TALENT AUDIT AND UPSKILLING PROGRAM, with the view of growing the skills of current staff. This is a great reward strategy as well for upcoming workers seeking to rise to the next level of their career (often a more satisfying reward than money).
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS:
ENGAGE IN THE GIG ECONOMY engaging project workers as part of your workforce strategy: project-based workers can offer a valuable solution for reaching specific business goals.
SHIFT YOUR CULTURE to one that encourages critical thinking and innovation. The level of engagement and satisfaction experienced by your employees is directly related to output, productivity and profitability. Alignment of the activities being undertaken in your business and your business strategy is key. If you include your people in the bigger picture, especially through the contribution of ideas, you’re establishing a more cohesive, inclusive environment, one that will experience a better rate of employee retention.
Employers here in Australia have had to navigate the greatest challenges in modern times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Border and business lockdowns, travel restrictions, increasing infection rates and serious ill health and mortality have drastically changed the norms for business, potentially forever.
In looking to overcome the talent challenge, business owners and CEOs need to be taking a strategic approach to establishing and nurturing a talent pipeline as a means of addressing talent shortages and retaining existing employees.
MARY STEVENSON is the franchise owner of The Alternative Board® (TAB) Townsville Region. TAB helps forward-thinking business owners increase profitability and improve their lives by leveraging local business advisory boards, private business coaching and proprietary strategic services. To get in touch, email mary@thealternativeboard.com.au.
RETHINK THE CONCEPT OF A TALENT SHORTAGE. Is it people your business is lacking or is it skills? In a lot of cases you’ll find it’s a lack of skills. Now this is an easier problem to address.
OFFER FLEXIBLE WORKING SOLUTIONS: offsite workers, flexible hours and job sharing and engaging with older people looking to work limited hours, are just some ideas that have proven valuable.
DEVELOP A WORKFORCE STRATEGY THAT INCLUDES SUCCESSION PLANNING. Aligned with talent upskilling this will provide business leadership and employees with a future vision and ensure you have the people in place to achieve business goals. It will also support employee loyalty and retention.
Relax, SmartBudget.with
1800 075 078 • queenslandcountry.bank Terms and conditions apply and are available at queenslandcountry.bank/smartbudget. This information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the information you should consider the relevant TMD, whether it is right for you and seek your own advice. Queensland Country Bank Limited ABN 77 087 651 027 AFSL 244 533
Queensland Country Bank’s SmartBudget makes it easier to manage and pay your bills, so you can live more and stress less.
