Aussie Painting Contractor

Issue 5, February 2012

House Prices in 2012 –

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Instant access to our TWO pricing and estimating guides

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Quotation guide to assist you when quoting

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Work Method Statement and Risk Assessment Guide

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Special Pricing with Resene Paints (Lower Paint Prices)

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Personal service and phone advice

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Web Listing for prospective customers to find you easily

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Free targeted online marketing & advertising

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Back-links to assist you in SEO rankings

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Your own page on homepaintersinfo.com

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Painter Help section if you are looking for work or looking for painters to help

If now is not the right time to subscribe we can still offer you a complimentary 1 page listing in our 'Find a Painter' section.

Supply your details to obtain your complimentary page NOW! Make sure you include your address, phone number and current web site if you have one, if you don’t, use ours!

$49.97 is all you pay for one year’s subscription

Editor Nigel Gorman

Contents From the Editor 4 Members Consultant 5 Business Principles Series Part IV: Community Involvement 6

Deputy Editor

Making a Positive Difference is Easier than YOU Think 8

Caroline Miall

Disposal of Inherited Shares 10 What are your Business Resolutions? 12

Writers

Member Profile 14

Belinda Ross

Tony Isgrove’s Painting and Decorating 14

Caroline Miall

Protect Your Greatest Asset – Your Income 16

Deb Cross Jennie Gorman Jim Baker

How To Become A Really Successful Painter 17 House Prices in 2012 – Where To? 18 Work place health and safety 20 Eco Painting and Your Business 22

Mel Holzworth Nigel Gorman Stephanie Gadd

Zero and Low VOC Paint 24 Colour Me Fantastic! 25 Roskilde Cathedral 26

Tamara Simon

Celebrate 28

Tony Isgrove

The Industry Idiots 30 Important Contacts 31

From the Editor

Well, the festive season is but a memory now, and I hope your 2012 has begun well. Hopefully all our painters are finding enough work to keep themselves busy, particularly during the big wet which is drenching so much of the country at the moment.

Home Painters Info has some good news to start the year –we are working closely together with Resene Paints to bring our Members an extremely competitive pricing structure for paint purchases that will potentially save each Member thousands every year, as well as helping to make you more competitive and potentially turn a greater profit in the current tough market.

So you can pay for your subscription to Home Painters Info in the savings you make with your first paint purchase!

We are also in discussions with other organisations to bring our Members better value deals. Over the next couple of months we will bring you up to date with the companies that we are securing partnerships with to save your business money.

This issue also provides you with small business tips and ideas on how to assist you in running a successful business.

Until next month, Nigel Gorman nigel@homepaintersinfo.com 0430 399800

Members Consultant Happy New Year to you all! I Trust that 2012 is going to be an exceptionally profitable year and hope that all your resolutions come to fruition.

Oh! Did you purchase Membership to Home Painters Info as a Christmas Gift for your Apprentice? It’s not too late!

Remember, the tools that we offer to our members are not only restricted to business owners. We would love it if you passed on this information to your Brushies, Apprentices and Subbies. Our tools will benefit all painters! We are keen to introduce ourselves to your apprentices; they are the future of our industry, and the information that we offer will most certainly help them on their way at the same time giving them un understanding of what you do.

Home Painters Info have not just been resting and digesting over the break! We have continued to work hard at making an even more exciting information source for you for 2012.

Our weekly emails to you are not designed to clog up your inbox. On the contrary, we are sending you information that we feel is relevant to our industry and hope that you as a contractor can see that we are here to stay and are here to continue to supply the industry updates that you need.

For UNDER $50, we are offering you membership to Home Painters Info - an affordable entry to our

membership site where you will benefit from more useful tools as well as special prices and deals with our partners.

We also encourage your input; your feedback as to what benefits you’d like to see with your membership. Click Here to view the advantages of joining.

GET MORE EXPOSURE! We are getting a phenomenal number of views on our website. This includes the consumers… So for absolutely no cost, get your details onto our Find a Painter section so that you don’t miss out on valuable consumer enquiries and online searches for Painting Contractors. All you have to do is visit us and while you’re there, fill in your details to receive free, the ‘5 Tips for Winning the Job’!

Go on, you’d be mad not to! Join now and be a part of the Home Painters Info Journey for under $50!

Until next time, Stephanie Gadd Membership Consultant 0433 724 794

Business Principles Series Part IV: Community Involvement

If a simple professional practice was to benefit your business with an enhanced reputation, improved community relationships, and positive effects on employee morale, you’d try it right?

Well assisting your community could be just the way to achieve these objectives. If there’s one thing that recent disasters and difficult times have demonstrated about Australians, it’s that ultimately, community does matter. What may be more surprising is that recent studies show that community involvement is now seen as a social responsibility of a business and, in fact, one which is aligned with the future long term success of the company. Whilst once upon a time the social and professional responsibility of the company was fulfilled by providing the promised goods or service, and satisfying the relevant stakeholders, now

good corporate practice should include contributing money, time, products, services, leadership or other resources to the community in which the company operates.

(See Corporate Community Involvement, Establishing a Business Case, p1, Aust Government http://www.facs.gov.au/sa/co mmunities/progserv/Documen ts/cci_report_07/default.htm 2009) How you decide to commit your business to serve your community can depend on your own interests; sporting and cultural areas, business affiliations, your preferred charities or to directly support those most in need. Even just reinvesting time in your own industry will be of benefit to both parties and the community, with apprenticeships, education and mentoring.

It’s not an easy part of a business plan to measure outcomes for, but the trend would appear to be that companies are adopting a more strategic move towards planning and managing corporate community involvement; this would suggest profitability in the long term. Whether you wish to simply provide monetary assistance to an organisation, or become heavily involved with a specific community group, consider a way to give back appropriate to your business and circumstances, and get involved.

There should be few problems in securing agreements to have your name and logo used in acknowledgement of your contribution; approach the community areas you’d like to help out and make a proposal.

So, you may just be keen to give back to your community or

for the sake of sound business strategy - medical research suggests that it’s good to help others, and business research suggests the same! Consider it part of your business plan to include various activities appropriate to your operation, which demonstrate good will and help out your neighbour.

Reaching out to your community could turn out to be the best form of advertising for your company yet, because it’s all win-win.

Ideas for giving back: Donate labour hours to non-profit organisations Provide assistance for the upkeep of heritage listed buildings

Support your local sporting team with your time or money; buy their hats, uniforms, or some new equipment. Ask if you can have your logo printed on them!

Give staff an agreed number of hours each year to undertake charity work of their choosing Hold a simple regular sausage sizzle for disadvantaged people, or to raise money for a worthy cause There are literally hundreds of ways to contribute and thousands of organisations who would be grateful for assistance. You might try some of the following organisations for starters and ideas:

Habitat for Humanity: Provides housing and other assistance in Australia and overseas, and initiated the Brush with Kindness programme will assist families that were devastated by the floods by repairing homes and rebuilding lives. http://www.habitat.org.au/pag e.aspx?pid=224 Volunteering Australia – for companies http://www.volunteeringaustra lia.org/_Information/Companie s.asp Australian Institute for Corporate Responsibility http://www.ourcommunity.co m.au/business/view_article.jsp ?articleId=1115

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Making a Positive Difference is Easier than YOU Think It astounds me how difficult some people seem to think making a difference to another’s life can be.

Most people who are networking feel that they are creating connections for their business only. They forget that supporting people in achieving their needs, in all areas of their lives, is what comes first.

How do you make a difference in other people’s lives? Are you listening to what others are looking for? Do you listen to what they are really asking when they speak with you?

No matter whom we are or what we do, we all have needs that are not business related. So, do you listen to what people are saying in regards to what they are looking for in their life to make it easier? It may be recommending a good trade’s person, a book keeper or accountant, a great place to eat out for a special occasion, where to get some good stationery or something for their computer, or where to get a great Christmas present for their grandchildren.

To develop a good relationship for future success it is imperative that you are seen as someone who listens to the needs of your contacts, supports them to find what they are looking to find and become known as a person with good contacts.

Building relationships cover all areas, not just business.

So, think again about how you can help others in your network to achieve what they need outside of their businesses by helping them find the contact they are looking to find. This is why learning more about your clients and contacts can support you to achieve what you are looking to find too!

Be the supporter that your network needs.

If you want to discover how you can make a difference contact Jennie for more information on 07 3262 5343 / 0414 278 344 http://www.connexionsunlimited.com.au

As you can see, people talk about all sorts of things that may not be anything to do with their business.

This doesn’t make the need any less than if it was business related!

So, you can make a difference too many people’s lives by just listening to what they are looking to find and the contacts they need to make.

At this time we are fortunate for the creation of Social Media. We are being given a wonderful opportunity to connect with more people, getting to know more about the ‘friends’ whom we personally know and are in our network. This gives us the chance to support even more than we could before.

Disposal of Inherited Shares Those fortunate enough may inherit shares from the Will of a relative who has passed away. So are these shares tax free to us or do we have a tax obligation?

Question Fred was a resident of Australia for tax purposes and in his Last Will & Testament, bequeathed some shares to Wilma. Wilma is a resident of Australia for tax purposes and the shares passed to her as a beneficiary of the deceased's estate as defined in accordance with the Tax Act. What cost base is used for calculating the capital gain made by the Wilma, the beneficiary on the sale of the inherited shares?

Answer For these purposes, a CGT asset (the Shares) is treated as passing to the taxpayer (Wima) as a beneficiary of the deceased estate where Wilma becomes the owner of the CGT asset (Shares): 1. under the will of the deceased, or that will as varied by a court 2. by operation of intestacy law, or such law as varied by a court order 3. because it was appropriated to the taxpayer by the legal personal representative in satisfaction of a pecuniary legacy 4. under a deed of arrangement if : 

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the taxpayer entered into the deed to settle a claim to participate in the distribution of the deceased's estate, and any consideration given by the taxpayer for the CGT asset consisted only of a variation of a claim to one or more CGT asset that formed part of the deceased's estate (s 128-20).

Cost base For CGT purposes, Wilma is taken to have acquired the CGT asset (shares) of the deceased on the date of Fred’s death (s128-15(2)).

The cost base of the shares is determined in accordance with Div 110. The cost base generally comprises five elements.

However, as the shares passed to the taxpayer as a beneficiary of a deceased estate, the first element of the cost base is modified. The first element of the cost base of a relevant share in the hands of the taxpayer will depend upon whether the deceased originally acquired the CGT asset before 20 September 1985 or after 19 September 1985.

Where the deceased originally acquired the share prior to 20 September 1985, the first element of cost base of the share in the taxpayer's hands will be the market value of the share as at the date of the deceased's death (s 128-15(4), item 4).

Where the deceased originally acquired the share after 19 September 1985, the first element of the cost base of the share in the hands of the taxpayer will be the cost base of the share in the hands of the deceased as at the date of the deceased's death (s 128-14(4), item 1).

The cost base of a share may be amended by different CGT events. It is not possible to address all the potential events which may result in an adjustment. Also there are considerations where the original shares may be acquired pre 19 Sep 1985 yet the dividend re-invested shares issues have flowed through each subsequent year.

Sometimes it is best (tax wise) to ask the executor for our Will to cash in all the Assets, and pay out cash to the beneficiaries. Sometimes not and it is best to transfer Shares and other Assets direct to the beneficiaries. You should have a talk to your tax agent/accountant about these issues and what best suits your intentions. Don’t ficiaries. In life we are all conscious of trying to legally reduce our tax, so we should plan the same for our death.

Melvin Holzworth Holzworth Law & Assoc Accountants & Tax Agents Tel 07 38082868 www.holzlaw.com

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What are your Business Resolutions?

Business Systems Specialist, Tamara Simon says many people make fantastic resolutions for their business but rarely stick to them.

In addition to your business resolutions which you may or may not stick to, do you take a real holiday regularly?

By ‘real’ holiday, I mean no phone calls, no quick visits to the office, no emails and no impromptu meetings with clients. Most of you, especially solopreneurs, are probably thinking “tell her she’s dreaming.”

What if I told you that by implementing some simple business systems you can minimise rework, increase your productivity, and free up time to develop your business, gain more clients or take a well-earned holiday.

Many businesses have little or no systems in place because they started with the sole objective to accept any work that comes in the door and to maintain cash flow. This is fine until it gets to a point where there is too much work for one person, even by working seven days a week.

Which best describes you? a. Are you an overworked solopreneur, working up to seven days a week, leaving little time for your family and friends – knowing and wanting a ‘better way’, but unable to stop this cycle because the work keeps coming in?

OR b. Are you at a point where your business has grown so much that you are constantly troubleshooting problems with staff, leaving you no option to take a break as things wouldn’t function without you?

What price is your business having on your family and friends, and on your health?

Is everything about your business – your intellectual property about clients, jobs and how your business runs – stored in your head? If so, unless you implement some simple and effective systems, to keep your business running while you’re not there, it will be impossible to let go, keep staff or have a real holiday.

At some point, to move forward and survive, both personally and professionally, you will need to stop and implement systems that will help to make your business more efficient and reduce costs, as well as your stress levels.

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Here are some simple systems you can implement NOW: 

Use a whiteboard to track where various jobs are at

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Don’t always be available for clients, rather allocate blocks of time for client meetings and phone calls

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Use checklists to ensure information and processes are correct

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Develop templates for fee proposals, letters and emails, etc.

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Document the tasks for each component of your work and keep up-to-date procedure manuals

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Collect deposits and progress payments from clients to assist cash flow

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Don’t release plans/documentation until final payment has been received

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Use email or tracking software to keep clients informed about their work

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Use excel spread sheets or Feepro calculators (www.chargeoutrate.com.au) to accurately calculate hourly charge out rates, as well budgeted hours and costs for all parts of a job (including your time and administration).

So what business resolutions will you adopt NOW to move your business from surviving to thriving so you can take a real holiday in 2013 (or even better in 2012)?

Tamara Simon was a Queensland Finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards. With extensive experience in over 10 industry sectors including building design, training, auditing and marketing, she is passionate about helping build profitable and sustainable servicebased businesses.

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Member Profile Tony Isgrove’s Painting and Decorating Tony Isgrove got a start as a painter with his father, Rod Isgrove firstly during school holidays and then after leaving school on Sydney’s North Shore. It was under the guidance of his father that Tony found his passion in life. Tony enjoyed every minute of learning and it wasn’t long before he was ready to start his own business.

Tony Isgrove’s Painting and Decorating Specialists was born in 1983. Tony was instantly busy, he understood what his discerning clients wanted and needed..... Excellent customer service, where nothing is a problem and all projects completed to a high standard. Over the next ten years Tony quite happily worked as a one man band. He also took time away from Australia to travel and live in Europe.

In 1994 Tony returned full time to Australia and put on his first Apprentice - his brother Brad. This was the beginning of the Tony Isgrove’s Painting and Decorating Specialists we see today. Tony now employs 38 painters and has 3 support staff.

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What are Tony’s secrets to success?

To get up early and get a jump start on the day, he is usually at his factory in Artarmon by 5.30am. By getting to the factory early he is fully prepared for the day and if something unexpected happens it’s not a problem.

Tony has total focus on building enthusiastic and happy employees. Having 38 painters mean that 12 projects can be on the go at once, each job requires a team leader who is as passionate about his project as Tony is.

Team leaders always ensure a safe workplace complying by WHS requirements, helping to co-ordinate the project making sure the client is well informed throughout the entire process.

Have a system. Having a system for everything both on the project site and in the office helps Tony stay on top of his ever growing business. For example each job has a file which goes to site with the team leader to help the job run smoothly.

Customer service is the ultimate key to the success of Tony’s business and it’s the very simple things that set his business apart from many others, such as arriving at the appointed time, returning phone calls asap, helping co-ordinate other trades if need be and following up after completion to make sure everything is to the highest standard.

Tony has built a strong relationship with his suppliers including Dulux and is a Dulux Accredited member. Tony also understands the value of fostering great relationships with his customers who include Architects, Builders, Strata Managers, Property Managers and private clients. It is not unusual for Tony to have worked for two or three generations of the same family. Tony is a member and former President, vice president, treasurer and a current board member of Master Painters Association NSW. In his down time Tony cherishes any spare time with his wife Rhianna, son Sam and daughter Zoe. As well as dining out with friends, boating, travelling overseas and escaping for the weekend. Tony also enjoys painting of a different kind by getting out his easel, canvas and artists brushes.

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Protect Your Greatest Asset – Your Income

If you’re employed or self-employed, you should consider Income Protection insurance.

What are the benefits?

By using this strategy, you could: • Receive up to 75% of your pre-tax income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury, and • Meet your living expenses while you recover.

How does this strategy work?

Many people insure their home and contents, even their life. Yet, all too often, they don’t adequately protect what is potentially their greatest asset – their ability to earn an income.

Think about it this way. If you are unable to work for an extended period due to illness or injury, how will you meet your mortgage repayments and other bills and expenses? Without an income, you could run down on your savings very quickly and face financial difficulty.

Rather than putting your family’s lifestyle at risk, by taking out Income Protection insurance, you How much will you earn by age 65?

Current income (pa) Age now 25 $40,000 $3,020,000 $60,000 $4,520,000 $80,000 $6,030,000 $100,000 $7,540,000

35 $1,900,000 $2,850,000 $3,810,000 $4,760,000

could receive a monthly benefit of up to 75% of your income to replace your lost earnings while you recover.

Most Income Protection policies offer a range of waiting periods before you start receiving your insurance benefit (with options normally between 14 days and two years).

You can also choose from a range of benefit payments periods, with maximum cover generally available up to age 65.

A financial adviser can help you determine whether you need Income Protection insurance.

They can also review your insurance needs over time to make sure you remain suitably covered.

What is future earning capacity?

If you’re in any doubt about the importance of protecting your income, the table below shows how much you could earn by the time you reach 65.

For example, if you are currently 35 and earn $80,000pa, you could earn around $3.8 million before you turn 65. Isn’t that worth protecting?

45 $1,070,000 $1,610,000 $2,150,000 $2,690,000

55 $460,000 $690,000 $920,000 $1,150,000

Assumptions: Income increases by 3%pa. No employment breaks. Figures rounded to nearest $10,000.

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How To Become A Really Successful Painter My name is Jim Baker. I have been a painter for 42 years and have run my own successful painting business in Brisbane for 27 years under the name of James W Decorating.

At the Dulux National Conference in 2004 and 2006, I won the title of Dulux Accredited Painter of the Year for Queensland. I have also been a finalist in the Action Coach My Business Awards for Best Small Business in 2008, the Dulux Accredited Business Professional finalist in 2011 and the Micro Business Queensland Telstra Business Awards finalist also in 2011.

When I was first in business, my main concern was to be cheaper than my competitors’ price. Experience has taught me that this is not what a client is looking for, which is the reason I wrote a book, “How To Become A Really Successful Painter”. If you are in business, or one day want to start up a business, then my book can help you. I can show you how, using a series of 8 easy steps, your business will be one jump ahead of your competitors and more profitable. It doesn’t matter if you want to be a one man operator or have 50 people working for you. The outcome is the same. Success for your business!

What I have learnt through trial and error, attending seminars, observing how others run their business and being in the trade myself for 42 years, will be of huge benefit to you.

I will show you how to:         

Advertise efficiently without spending a fortune.

Get more exposure.

Increase the number of your potential clients.

Win the job even though you are the highest quote.

Improve quote acceptances.

Be more of a business person rather than ‘just a painter’.

Make your quotes more appealing.

Design graphs to help keep track of calls and clients.

Get and keep that competitive edge over other painters.

Just one small detail could mean either a Yes or a No on a job acceptance. By following even a few of my proven ideas, I assure you that you will have more success in winning a job over your competition. This is not done by lowering your prices. From feedback I receive from my clients, I am often the most expensive and I am usually booked 3 to 4 months in advance.

My book has been thoroughly approved by Dulux, Master Painters, Be Constructive Qld. and TAFE teachers from various colleges around Australia.

1200 books are being given out by Dulux to every final stage painting apprentice and Post Trade graduates in Australia each year. It is also being used as a reference book by Dulux in New Zealand and a TAFE College in Fiji.

If you are looking for improvements in your business, then “How To Become A Really Successful Painter” can really help you.

A copy of my book is available by emailing your name and address to jimbaker@notjustapainter.com.au http://www.housepainteradvice.com.au Regular retail price: $25.50 (inclusive of GST and postage).

House Prices in 2012 – Where To? The housing market is constantly in a tug-o-war between two factors — demand and supply. And really it doesn’t get simpler than that.

If there is a limited number of properties for sale and plenty of keen, cashed-up buyers then prices are almost certainly going to be bid up. Similarly if there is an abundance of property on the market and buyers are cautious — preferring to take time to find the ‘right’ home — then prices are more likely to ease.

Clearly there is no single “housing market”; rather there are countless markets, even down to street level. But if there is a common characteristic across markets at present it is that the supply of homes is up.

RP Data has data on almost every single property in Australia, so it is best placed to describe what’s going on. And its latest estimate is that there is 5.8 months of effective housing supply in Australian capital city markets at present.

That takes into account the current sales rates as well as the number of homes on the market.

But that figure doesn’t mean much without some reference point. RP Data advises that a year ago there was around 4.5 months of supply in capital city

markets. Over the past 4 years, effective supply has ranged between 2.3 and 6.5 months, averaging 3.9 months. So it is clear that housing supply is

currently relatively high.

But as always supply conditions vary across the country. RP Data notes that supply is lowest in Canberra while highest in Brisbane. However supply in actually lower than a year ago in one capital city — Perth.

So much for supply — how do you measure demand? In part it is determined by interest rates (cost of finance) but also includes labour market conditions, risk preference (desire to take on debt), rent levels and attractiveness of other asset classes. And then you have to incorporate other elements, such as demand being brought forward into earlier periods — as occurred with the global financial crisis when rates were cut and incentives were provided to first home buyers.

It is clear that demand for housing has weakened over the

last 6 to 12 months. The job market has clearly softened; Aussies have become more reluctant to take on debt, while returns on cash-based investments have held up in relation to other asset classes. While interest rates have just been cut, this is a more recent development and the key question is whether the reduction in rates has been enough to offset conservative risk preferences.

Overall, it shouldn’t be surprising that capital city home prices have fallen by 3.4% over the past year, especially following a period of above-normal demand and price growth in 2009 and early 2010. But with supply arguably peaking, job markets healthy and interest rates down, 2012 should be a year of home price recovery.

Shannon Michell - Finance Manager

Australian Credit Licence: RFS Finance Pty Ltd No 388022 M 0408 759 030 | F (07) 3112 5058 E/ smichell@rfsfinance.com.au W/ www.rfsfinance.com.au

Work place health and safety

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Eco Painting and Your Business Such a significant part of our industry’s future, APC will be regularly revisiting principles of environmentally friendly and sustainable painting practices. Here’s a brief overview…

Across the board, industries have to take a fresh look at their practices, materials and processes and the way they might be impacting on the world, and the population.

With heightened awareness of dwindling resources, and a polluted environment the consumer is beginning to demand to know more about the goods and services they purchase. Significant resources are available now in our industry that have been developed

to provide reusable, renewable alternatives and minimise use of valuable natural resources, and potential for harmful waste.

The impact of painting on the environment can be various and far reaching. Fortunately toxic ingredients like lead and chromium have largely been eliminated (not to diminish what a massive problem the removal lead paint continues to be..), but other contents mean heavy metals potentially building up within the food chain and the emission of noxious gases, causing nausea, headaches and asthma to name a few, in the short and long term.

Fortunately, our industry has responded to the demand for change, with a number of accredited courses now available to those who wish to be certified as an Page | 22

“Environmentally Friendly Painter”. Chances are, your requests for quotes are more and more being accompanied by questions regarding your own sustainable choices as a professional. People wishing to make the right choices for the environment and healthiest for their family will want to know this about their options regarding Environmentally Friendly painting: Sustainable, environmentally friendly painting - What is it?

1/ The use of Low VOC paint.

Volatile organic compounds in paint are a gaseous emission from the paint solids on your wall that can continue to vaporise for years after application. (See APMF p24).

Their effect is and cumulative over long term exposure, making research into the many and varied impacts difficult. Basically stuff to try to avoid.

2/ Reduce Reuse and Recycle… of course. The other side of this best practice painting is seeking alternatives which result in less waste and lower impact. There are government grants and subsidies available to help painters cut waste. Consideration for recycling of water, tins; ensuring safe disposal etc. Heatreflective coatings which are used on exteriors to improve energy efficiency cut carbon emissions and reduce electricity consumption.

These products will be the fastest growing market once the carbon tax comes in in July.

Solvents should always be recycled, and there are programs and technology available to help.

- Will it cost me more?

The good news is that Low VOC paints are comparable to traditional paint in cost so it’s a perfectly viable alternative now. No VOC and totally natural options may be more costly.

Thoughtful actions and environmental stewardship may require more attention which can cost you time. Be honest with your client about what’s involved, and don’t be tempted to overcharge. Chances are, environmentally sustainable practices may cost slightly more in time but your professionalism is worth the investment - What are the benefits/drawbacks, and are the products as good?

Well, according to a few questions of our members and some online reviews there are good options, although a few considerations.

You sacrifice some gloss with low VOC it was said; some fantastic products but expect to pay a bit more for the best rated and most natural. Be aware of issues with tinting that you might encounter.

- How available is it, and what is required?

are readily available. Website “Ecospecifier”, (www.ecospecifier.com.au – great database of product and consumer information, check it out) acknowledges paints for meeting Good Environmental Choice specifications and for their participation in The Australian Eco Label Program. Do a bit of research yourself. Talk to your peers.

Look at product reviews online.

As for what is required, it depends on your time, resources and commitment. You should consider undertaking a relevant course to become accredited in this regard. But even simple, cost effective measures can be taken, like ensuring a good estimation of paint required - reducing waste, and being mindful of water use. A Business ethos that includes an ongoing commitment to opportunities to improve the environment and protect your customer will pay off in a variety of ways in the long term, including customer loyalty, the marketing of your ‘Environmentally Friendliness’, and even community acknowledgement. So consider reviewing your business and its practices. See what you think you can include or change for the better for everyone.

Most paint manufacturers now produce their own version of Low VOC paint, so alternatives

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Zero and Low VOC Paint Available at most paint outlets is zero-VOC or low-VOC paint. This type of paint contains no, or very few of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have traditionally acted as solvents in the paint and evaporate as the paint dries. In old-style paints this kept the paint wet and allowed it to be spread evenly and adhere to surfaces. But the bad thing about these odoriferous chemicals is that, while the paint dries and in high doses, they can contribute to kidney and liver damage, as well as cause problems in the lungs.

Most premium paint manufacturers have come out with their own version of zero and low VOC paint. The growth in popularity of this type of paint has been driven by safety concerns, government caps on the amount of VOCs in paint, and consumer demand.

But the question remains: are Low and Zero VOC paints as effective as the old-fashioned paints? There have been complaints in the past that these eco-friendly paints leave brush marks and require more coats.

However, recent studies have shown that the technology for this type of paint has been improving and most low-VOC paints on the market are comparable to solvent-based paints.

Purchasers of this type of paint should be aware that the amount of VOCs can vary depending on the colour. Darker colours usually have slightly higher VOC levels, often depending on the vendor’s hues and colouration system. VOCs in paint are mainly released during the drying process.

Thanks to the Australian Paint Manufactures’ Federation.

http://www.apmf.asn.au/documents/lowvocpaint.html The voice of Australia’s paint and ink manufacturers.

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Colour Me Fantastic!

some super High Gloss to add even more texture.

I have just received the Colour Forecast 201213 Fandeck from Dulux and I must say – “I like it!”

It’s a little bold, breaks some conventions and I notice that the neutrals are more monochromatic (ie. white, grey, black) than beige and browns. Not a pastel in sight!

The blues are bold and bright, some with a warmish hue, teamed with cool whites such as Dulux White on White, and Lexicon.

The purple/plums are somewhat playful teamed lusciously with warm whites like Peplum, and Sago in their varying strengths.

Red/Orange – wow! Really bold add texture, gloss, it seems like anything goes here.

The Re-Set palette is quite technology coded – very white with quite strong blacks, silver, foil, metallic features here too – loving it.

The greens are quite quirky, everything from bright emerald to lemon-lime, grassy green to

Let’s face it, the world is looking brighter, let’s Colour it Fantastic!

Don’t be shy, let yourself shine, it’s paint – it’s not forever – use it for a season then change it – it’s paint, be bold, be brave.

It’s not difficult to update the colours on an existing building – dwelling or otherwise – an eye for detail is all that’s required.

It’s great preparing a colour scheme for a new building – elevation drawings and a profile of who it’s for will give keys to the perfect scheme.

If in doubt find a colour consultant in your area, ask to see some work they’ve done before and make sure the owners have been happy. Beware of consultants who continuously regurgitate the same schemes over and over again.

Happy painting!

Belinda Ross olive. Team these with Ecru, Handmade Linen, Grand Piano, Whisper White.

Colour Transformations

07 3886 4488 0413 464 289

Throughout the neutral palette add stone, rust, suede, natural wood stains, icy white and a great range of new Powdercoat colours. Add neutrals in Flat, Matt, Low Sheen, then add Page | 25

Roskilde Cathedral Take a tour with Stephanie Gadd

This magnificent cathedral was first built in Roskilde, just outside of Copenhagen by Harold Bluetooth who died around 985 and is rumoured to be buried in the Church itself in order to honour the Holy Trinity. In- saying this however, no evidence has been found of Bluetooth’s original church.

Roskilde is, and has been the resting place of the Danish Royalty for over 1000 years. Over the many years churches have been built, and rebuilt. The present brick Cathedral was started in the 1170’s under Bishop Absalon (Bishop 1177- 1201).

One of the chapels which I found particularly fascinating was Christian 4’s Chapel. Designed by the architect Lorenz Steenwinckel. There are two large paintings which depict scenes from the life of Christian 4. On the east wall is a famous scene on the ship Trefoldighed during the sea battle off the island of Fehmern in which the king was wounded. The painting on the west wall shows the king as a righteous judge exposing forgery. Both paintings and the painting of Christ were done Page | 26

by Vilhelm Marstrand while the illusory frame is the work of Heinrich Hansen.

The whole chapel is painted in “Trompe d’loiel”, an illusory style of Painting. Mostly art however we can use it as decorative painting in modern day decorating. Its truly a beautiful and an amazing exhibit of this creative style.

During my visit I had the honour of talking with one of the female conservation painters restoring Saint Brigitte’s Chapel. To become a conservator it takes 6 years of study.

The conservationists have been assigned to this restoration, which has involved the cleaning of the chapel taking no less than 1 year to date. The cleaning involves firstly removing the loose dirt, which has accumulated over the years, using a soft, wide brush. The public are not permitted onto the scaffolding, and the work being conducted there will take a few years.

When beginning the preliminary examination of the Frescos when retouching firstly the conservationist must ascertain the condition of the murals and the materials involved.

Based on the information they must then decide on the best way to correct the damage and the best way to prevent further deterioration. At the same time, the Frescos are carefully documented and photographed before, during and after the restoration work.

These photos then used to record what works are carried out and where. It is very important for them to study the archives to find out when the paintings were previously restored and what was done.

The Frescos were painted over with a layer of lime wash in 1536 after the Reformation, where they remained concealed until the mid 19th century. At this time, the paintings enjoyed a revival and were uncovered, restored, and repainted using the best techniques available at the time.

The Frescos were first painted onto plastered and lime washed walls using pigment paint mixed with lime. In some parts of the Frescos, where the paint has become loose, a mixture of Lime and Sand are injected behind the painting to help adhere it to the walls. Some of the original materials used now to aid in the restoration are lime, quartz and sand powder.

Saint Birgittes Chapel is being restored for the current Monarch, Queen Margrete II and her husband Prince Consort Henrik.

For more information about this beautiful Cathedral in Denmark, visit http://www.roskildedomkirke.dk/historie/kirkernes -historie/roskilde-domkirke

Page | 27

Celebrate

is a lot of team building happening which has really positive flow-on effects for the office it’s not because I made a cake, but because the people in the office get involved in the celebration of it all and look forward to it.

So - how do you turn an occasion or event into a memorable celebration? It’s a celebration when you take the time to make it special, but make it authentic. By that I mean that it should be a reflection of the guest/s of honour, their likes, interests and passions - in other words it should fit.

Life is full of reasons to celebrate, but we don't celebrate as BIG or as often as we could. We all have hundreds of reasons to celebrate - whether it’s the celebration of a brand new life, or celebrating a life-well-lived, whether you are becoming an adult or becoming a student, because you got first place or because your baby got their first tooth...whatever - life just seems more rewarding if we celebrate the things that matter to those we love. Celebrations are a great tool for building relationships, whether they be personal or business relationships, and with a little planning you can create celebrations that are simple yet meaningful, memorable and really joyful.

Celebrate the little things.

I started a new parttime job recently and I decided one week that I would take some home baked treats for work. One of my colleagues asked what the occasion was and all I could think of was that it was WEDNESDAY…why??

Just because it’s the middle of the week. It stuck! And it’s been wonderful because there Page | 28

Valentines Day is approaching quickly and whether you go for the whole romantic thing or lean towards the conspiracy between florists and greeting card companies theory, it’s a great occasion to have a celebration.

Whether it’s a romantic picnic in bed with your partner; a heart themed dinner with your children or a "who needs love when I have mates like you" party with your single friends. If the idea of it really doesn't appeal then celebrate Austrian Ferris Wheel Day on Feb 14th instead.

So with that, here are my FIVE TOP REASONS to CELEBRATE: 1. Celebrate your successes of today, don't keep looking to the 'what's next'. When we celebrate our achievements, it motivates us for the future. We always have a celebration when school report cards come out, to recognise the achievements of our children and it really does spur them on.

2. Celebrate the new season. It just gives us 4 more occasions to get together with friends and family in a year. Spring picnics, summer barbecues, autumn wine tasting and winter dinner parties. Or you could celebrate the solstices and equinoxes.

3. Celebrate cross-culturally. AS a culturally diverse nation its interesting and fun and brings to join the celebrations that go on all around us such as NAIDOC Week, Chinese New Year, Diwali or St Patrick's Day 4. Celebrate anniversaries - anniversaries are the events that changed our lives, big and small. Celebrate them because they did.

Even the sad anniversaries are worth honouring.

5. Celebrate what matters to you. If you have a cause that you are passionate about celebration bring awareness. I was challenged recently to put together a lunch for National Recycling Week‌it was enormous fun.

Visit our website www.umbrellaeventsbrisbane.com for ideas and more on celebrating.

Page | 29

The Industry Idiots

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