Grow Magazine Winter 2016 by Star News Group

SPARKLING SUCCESS BELLEVUE PIPPED AT HALL OF FAME

ISSUE

JULY 2016

contents

manufacturing challenges

raising the roof

manufacturing hall of fame

Pottery for Profit

Q&a with ross neilson

EDITOR

eVents anD conferences

Garry Howe garry.howe@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0624

CASEY CARDINIA REGION

Samantha Henderson shenderson@casey.vic.gov.au

traDie start

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exPert column - how to stanD out from the crowD

Andy Jukes andy.jukes@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0666

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the region by numbers

GROW Cnr Princes Hwy & Army Road Pakenham 3810 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777 Produced and published by Paul Thomas for Star News Group Pty. Ltd. ACN 005 848 108.

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growcaseycardinia.com.au COVER Bernadette Russo from Bellevue Orchards with the new Pink Lady sparkling apple juice range, which impressed judges at the Manufacturing Hall of Fame event in June. Picture: GARRY SISSONS

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CHARITY BOARD BOOST By GARRY HOWE THREE local business leaders have joined the board of the Casey Cardinia Foundation. Carina Tomietto, Kristine Ash and Norm Davidson were recently inducted, to help fill the vacancies left by retiring board members Jack Mitchell and Andrew Facey. The philanthropic organisation is the preferred charity of the Casey Cardinia Business Group. Chairman Paul Thomas said the Foundation carried out a transparent and open process seeking expressions of interest from the community to fill the vacant board positions. “We received a number of excellent applications, conducted a thorough the interview process and in the end the decision was a difficult one,” he said. “The Foundation is lucky to have people the calibre of Carina Tomietto, Norm Davidson and Kristine Ash join the board, with each providing different skills. “We are looking forward to taking the Foundation to the next level and are excited with the team on the board, as well as the leadership of executive officer Therese Howell and accountant Kamya Rook.” Ms Tomietto already sits on the Outlook

Casey Cardinia Foundation chairman Paul Thomas (third from left), accountant Kamya Rook (left) and executive assistant Therese Howell (right) with the new directors (from left) Carina Tomietto, Kristine Ash and Norm Davidson. and 4Cs boards, previously worked at Windermere and has a background in business as founder of the Home Baked Cookie Company. She has a particular interest in social impact measurements and is currently studying in that field. Ms Ash has a strong charitable background, is heavily involved in community groups around Cardinia and currently works for online fundraising platform Everyday Hero. She has a strong knowledge of the not-forprofit sector and governance laws and is

an executive member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia. Mr Davidson also has a strong philanthropic and community background with experience in fundraising and event management. The manager of the Bendigo Bank Pakenham branch is an ambassador for Oz Child and currently works closely with the Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch committee, the Fish for Life initiative and he sits on the Lakeside and Heritage Springs residents groups.

GROW., is the new, quarterly, regional business magazine that will change the way you think about business in the Casey Cardinia region. Developed in partnership with Star News Group and City of Casey and Shire of Cardinia Councils, the publication will shine light on local business’ successes, struggles and offer an opportunity for targeted business to business promotion. GROW., will be distributed electronically to businesses within the region, available on the net and a select number of copies will be printed. Register now to receive your free copy at growcaseycardinia.com.au or call 5945 0643

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Tim Leeds in the Rotomould factory in Pakenham.

BUILDING ON LOCAL ADVANTAGE By NARELLE COULTER MANUFACTURER Tim Leeds is particular about hiring staff that live close to his Pakenham factory. His 45-strong workforce are predominately residents of Cardinia Shire. Tim heads Melbourne Rotomould, which designs, manufactures, packages and delivers moulded plastic components for many brands. He was a guest of the Casey Cardinia Region at the CEDA’s manufacturing and future industries forum. He speaks enthusiastically of the benefits of manufacturing in the Casey Cardinia region. “There is a great network of suppliers in the area and for me it’s close to home.” He said Casey Cardinia region was good at

encouraging businesses to connect with each other and Melbourne Rotomould “buys local where we can”. “I’ve definitely had good support from Council.” Cardinia CEO Gary McQuillan said it was vital more businesses like Rotomould were encouraged to set up in Cardinia. “We see advanced manufacturing as crucial to the ongoing success of our economy, which is directly linked to the future of local employment opportunities for our almost four hundred thousand residents,“ Mr McQuillan said. “Opportunities to work locally mean much more to our residents than being able to set their alarm clocks later. “These opportunities mean real outcomes for their health and wellbeing, and the wider community, such as, being able

to participate in recreational or sporting activities, volunteer in the community, prepare healthier meals for their families, save money on transport costs and, of course, it means less congestion on our roads.” Mr Leeds is hopeful that manufacturing in the region will continue to grow in line with the region’s vision. “It’s an advantage for us as more businesses come to the area, it helps with supplier back up service. When you get a critical mass you get momentum.” With Mr Leeds at the forum was Rotomould client, Marc Noyce representing Biofilta. Mr Noyce said Biofilta decided it could no longer rely on the quality of components manufactured overseas, so brought its business back on shore using Victorian manufacturers like Rotomould.

RISING TO THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA’S manufacturing challenge was summed up neatly in one graphic beamed to a room full of academics, government representatives and industry professionals at a manufacturing and future industries forum at the Sofitel on 7 June. The graphic showed a mass of criss-crossing lines circling the globe. The lines represented the links between the major manufacturing countries - China, the US, Japan, China and the United Kingdom. Alone at the bottom of the world was Australia. Closer ties with the rest of the world were crucial to Australia’s future manufacturing prosperity, especially when it comes to smart manufacturing, delegates were told.

CSIRO manufacturing director Cathy Foley backed the view that Australia needed to integrate into global supply chains. also benefited from the (lower) Australian dollar,” Ms Toth said. “Another area that has held its own because the dollar and quality control is the building industry supply chain. Things like building materials, industrial textiles and furniture.” She said a strong focus on product control gave Australia an advantage.

Hosted by the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, and sponsored by the Casey Cardinia Region, the forum discussed the current state of manufacturing in Australia as well as the outlook for the future.

Ms Toth said Australia was slowly building an advanced manufacturing sector in everything from food to metals. At present 20,000 businesses are identified as advanced manufacturers.

Chief economist with the Australian Industry Group Julie Toth said finance and mining still dominate the manufacturing sector.

She listed company tax rates, regulations and the fluctuating Australian dollar as impediments to manufacturing growth.

However, on the rise were industries such as food, beverages and groceries. Pharmaceuticals were also on a growth trajectory, as were cosmetics, toiletries and vitamin and health supplements.

When looking at drivers of manufacturing success overseas she cited talent, innovation policy, energy policy and physical infrastructure.

“These are all areas of production where quality control is paramount and they have

CSIRO manufacturing director Cathy Foley backed the view that Australia needed to integrate into global supply chains.

She cited the CSIRO’s relationship with Boeing as helping pave the way for other Australian partnerships with large multinationals. She also said it was vital that Australia’s full human potential was harnessed including encouraging more girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. Ms Foley predicts manufacturers of the future will become service providers and that businesses will become “multi-faceted” responsible for the recycling of products. She said envionmental reponsiblity would become a vital part of manufacturing. She said the problem of clothing going to landfill could be solved by “dissolve on demand” threads and instead of buying a refrigerator, customers would purchase “cooling hours”, with the manufacturer responsible for monitoring when the appliance needed fixing and recycling it at the end of its life.

From left, CSIRO manufacturing deputy director Cathy Foley, executive director of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council Jennifer Conley, executive director of the Future Industries Project Michael Green, Ray Keefe from Successful Endeavours, Tim Leeds from Melbourne Rotomould and chief economist with the Australian Industry Group Julie Toth.

CENTRE WORKS FOR EVERYONE planning business,” he said.

By CASEY NEILL

“We invited some people to come and rent some office space from us next door.

The Casey Cardinia Business Hub is expanding into a new space in Narre Warren.

“We said to them ‘as we grow, you’re going to need to move on’ but we became friends and we enjoyed their company and they enjoyed ours.

Waterman Business Centres and City of Casey worked together to open a collaborative office space at 64 Victor Crescent over 18 months ago.

“Their business was growing, ours was growing and so we kept doing it.

From Friday 1 July, the 66 Victor Crescent site will provide co-working space for up to 150 people, serviced offices, and meeting rooms. Businesses can rent an office in a size to suit their needs or sign up for a virtual membership to access meeting and coworking space when they need it. The hub provides the benefits of working in the Melbourne CBD without the travel or expense. Creator Neville Waterman said people in small business were often isolated and could achieve a lot through connecting to the right business community.

“We realised that we were doing something that was a really good idea.” The CCBH work and meeting spaces are unique. “People just naturally start to collaborate, they refer, they support each other, they help each other, they give each other ideas,” he said. Mr Waterman came up with the CCBH concept accidentally. “We have an accounting and financial

The new hub will officially open on Friday 29 July with guest speakers, lunch, tours and small business seminars. In the lead-up there’s a competition to win a year in a new office valued at $15,000, 25 prizes of six months of flexi co-work desk space use, and 50 six-month flexi meeting memberships. Visit www.ccbh.com.au for more information.

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An artist’s impression of Bunjil Place and its eye-catching roof.

BUSINESS ‘PUNT’ PAYS OFF HANDSOMELY “The appointment reinforces the fact that doing business locally does not mean compromising on quality.

By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS FOUR long-term employees at BardenSteeldeck Industries took a punt and bought the business when its founder Reg Mullins retired 10 years ago. Since then under those workers-comeowners Robert Hansen, Michael Shacklock, Mark Fishes and Nick Mullins, the Hallam company has gone strength to strength. It now has a workforce of 52. Recently Barden won a $2 million contract to supply and install the eye-catching roof on Bunjil Place arts and civic centre. Barden-Steeldeck Industries was selected by competitive tender to deliver the complex 10,000 square-metre roof which is regarded as the defining element of the $125 million building. Mr Shacklock was not overwhelmed by the complex geometry - which includes three levels and two arcing ‘eagle’ wings that meet in a ‘tongue’ on the building’s western corner. “We try to specialise in the out-of-theordinary,” he said. Mr Shacklock said installers would abseil to

“It results is a significant re-investment back into the community by supporting local jobs.

Brookfield Multiplex project manager Jason Barry, Casey mayor Sam Aziz and Michael Shacklock at the Bunjil Place construction site. Picture: ROB CAREW work on Bunjil’s winged elements. It’s a low-risk, tested method of working on the bespoke-design roof’s highly-varying gradients and its curved-over front, he said. Aluminium will be used for the roof’s most curved and tapered sections and the rest will be the more standard Colourbond steel. Barden-Steeldeck has been involved in many of Melbourne’s modern landmarks including the undulating Southern Cross railway station roof - a project feted with architectural awards - and Casey RACE. Casey mayor Cr Sam Aziz was impressed that Barden-Steeldeck was not only local but “the best in the business”.

“We are confident that Barden-Steeldeck is best placed to manage the architectural challenges of the project with its impressive track record.” Cr Aziz said Council expected design awards from the project which boasts 40 enviroprogressive features. The insulated roof will harvest rainwater into two massive underground tanks. It is acoustically designed to stop noise from Princes Highway intruding into the library, gallery, theatre and studio. It will also offer an overhang and shade to reduce heat entering the building. The number of workers on the feverishlybusy construction site recently topped 100 and works are said to be 12 days ahead of schedule. Barden-Steeldeck is expected to start on-site in September for the three-month installation.

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MANUFACTURING HALL OF FAME Officer juice producer Bellevue Orchard and Hallam’s TRJ Engineering and Dorma Australia have been named among the state’s top manufacturers. They didn’t take home prizes from the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame gala dinner on Thursday 9 June but were named as finalists for the coveted awards. Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan said manufacturing had a bright future in Victoria. “These awards celebrate those businesses and individuals who are shaping the future of this important sector,” he said. “These awards recognise forward-thinking businesses that are driving this economic growth.”

SPARKLING ADDITION TO A FRUITY RANGE By CASEY NEILL

we’re hoping that we’ll start to see them hit the shelves over the next week.

OFFICER’S Bellevue Orchard has added a new product to shelves and another accolade to its long list.

“That forms part of re-inventing the range.

The family company’s Summer Snow juice brand was a finalist for the Food and Fibre Processing Award at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame gala dinner on Thursday 9 June. Andrew Peace Wines beat Bellevue to the trophy, as LangTech International did last year. But making the coveted shortlist two years in a row was quite a feat in itself. Summer Snow co-manager Nick Russo said it recognised hard work. “We’ve been expanding consistently over the last four to five years,” he said. “There’s another round of expansion happening at the moment.

“We’re hoping to release a few more products over the next 12 months. “We’ve got our eye on the school and nursing home and health avenues.” Mr Russo runs Bellevue alongside his cousin Bernadette Russo. The orchard has supplied fresh apples and pears to markets and grocers since the 1950s. Angelo Russo and his brothers first bought Bellevue Orchard into the family, and Nick’s father Robert and Bernadette’s father Joe purchased it in 1977. A hail storm that ripped through the orchard right before harvest in 1998 inspired the family to install an apple juicing plant to retrieve some value from the damaged fruit. The Summer Snow brand was born.

“Most recently we’ve been installing new storage vats and upgrading all of our processing equipment.

The Russos crush, juice, filter and bottle local fruit in various blends and without additives.

“We have been working pretty hard here.”

Bellevue was crowned Cardinia’s Business of the Year in 2012.

Bellevue this month released a new product - sparkling apple juice in a glass bottle. “We’ve always done pure apple juice - 100 per cent Australian fruit, no preservatives, no added sugar,” Mr Russo said. “It’s always been in PET plastic. “We’ve wanted to do something a little bit different for a little while now.” The lightly-carbonated, single-strength apple juice is served in a 330 millilitre bottle. “All of the other traditions hold true,” Mr Russo said. “We’re really excited about it and it’s getting a great response already. “We’ve been sending samples around and

The new sparkling pink lady apple juice.

Bernadette Russo with the new sparkling pink lady apple juice. Picture: GARY SISSONS

MANUFACTURING HALL OF FAME

TRJ THRIVES ON VARIETY By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

furniture locally and across the nation.

aT first David Murphy was reluctant to join “the old man“ at the family’s Hallam-based business TRJ Engineering.

As part of its “high end, high impact” work, TRJ made the striking, custom bins, bike racks and benches in the Revitalising Central Dandenong project and the seats in the recent revamp of Eaton Mall, Oakleigh.

Twenty years later, he holds the reins of the company with pride. “Whether or not it goes for another generation, we’ll see,” the managing director says. The key to TRJ Engineering thriving as a manufacturer is “getting off our bums and finding work”. The 42-year-old business, which employs 30 people and turns over $5 million a year, was named as a finalist at the recent 2016 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards. It has not shed a job in recent times despite the challenging times for manufacturing, including the wind-down of Australia’s automotive industry, Mr Murphy said.

David Murphy with a chassis for a B-double truck. Picture: ROB CAREW “We’ve actually employed 10 or so more people since 2008,” he said. Apart from effort, the manufacturer has also drummed up business because of its versatility. Much of its work comes from making B-double truck chassis, as well as vandal covers and safety handles for earth-moving equipment and stylish, custom street

It has produced bins, illuminated signs, benches in Argyle Square, Carlton, a toilet block, barbecues for the City of Melbourne, as well as custom work for Perth and Randwick city councils. Mr Murphy’s motto is that the company will make anything, with the help of design software that produces 3D models. “Our skill sets are really high. There’s nothing we can’t have a crack at. “I’d go stir-crazy if we were just doing the same thing each day.” TRJ’s services include metal fabrication, all types of welding, laser and guillotine cutting, general engineering, powder coating, and brake pressing.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddeh.

Hallam-based company Dorma Australia is facing its own sliding door moment with its merger with global security group Kaba looming on 1 July.

Domestically, Dorma’s customers include Sunshine Coast University Hospital, New Royal Adelaide Hospital, Crown Towers in Perth, Collins Street Towers in Melbourne and 580 George Street in Sydney.

The manufacturer of drive-units that open and close automated doors, employs 152 at Hallam and turns over $100 million-plus a year.

Dorma itself started in Germany and was owned by the original family for about a century.

It is also a finalist at the recent Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.

Mr Meyers said manufacturing is hard in Australia.

Its Pacific Region operations manager Nick Meyers said it survives and thrives by offering the best quality product.

“You have to be smart in what you do,” he said.

“Our doors carry more weight than any other in the market.”

There’s care to have lean manufacturing processes, not to double-handle orders but to get it right first time, he said.

The first such mechanism - then driven by a motorbike chain - was invented by BWN Industries in Australia in the 1960s. BWN has since been absorbed into Dorma’s operations. The company’s point of difference is to manufacture specifically for each customer such as Apple stores, Mr Meyers said. Some of its major projects are all over the world. They include 140 doors at Changi Airport Terminal Four, up to 100 doors in the Saudi Riyadh financial district and 100-plus doors

Ricardo Platcher, Henry Cannon, Nick Meyers and Rakesh Narayan at Dorma’s Hallam factory

Sandra Smith at Dorma’s plant in Hallam

PAPER KIDS TO On weekends, they would supplement their income by selling Chiko rolls and Footy Records at VFL Park in Waverley.

By GARRY HOWE OVERSEEING one of the most impressive business and property portfolios in the Casey Cardinia Region is a long way from selling newspapers twice a day on a busy suburban intersection.

Like many large migrant families, they learned the value of good old-fashioned hard work.

But that’s where brothers Ray and Ron Weinzierl and their siblings started to develop the work ethic and business acumen required to head up the likes of multi award winning component manufacturer Australian Precision Technologies in Berwick and the sprawling retail enterprise Car Megamart in Pakenham. Business director Ron Weinzierl at APT.

They remember as young kids selling copies of The Sun at the corner of Springvale Road and Police Road in the morning and returned in the afternoon with an armful of Heralds (before the papers morphed into the one entity). Ron has happy memories of cashing in on 26 September 1983 - the day John Bertrand steered Australia II to the nation’s first win in the America’s Cup - when the papers went like hotcakes.

Richard Weinzierl started APT back in the 1990s and is still actively involved.

“I sold a record number that day, about 350 I think,” he recalled. “I think the Sun sold for about 20 cents back then and people were so happy they were giving me 50 cents a copy and even a few dollar notes.”

“We never went without, but we soon worked out that if you wanted something you had to work for it,” Ray said. Their parents Rudy and Marie migrated from Austria in 1956 with little more than what they carried in their suitcases, first settling in Newport, then in Mulgrave, where their eight children grew up. Rudy worked six days a week as a fitter and turner making parts for the mining industry and had another job on the side and half the backyard was converted into a vegetable garden to help keep food on the table. Marie cared for the growing brood - the boys Rudy junior, Robert, Richard, Ray and Ron and their sisters Vicki and Nevenka. The eldest boy Millera lives in Yugoslavia. Rudy worked for 35 years and, like many of his generation, was careful with his money, making sure there was always some tucked away for a rainy day. He and Marie loved their golf and when Rudy died about 10 years ago, she donated a brand-new pair of golf shoes to the Pakenham Golf Club.

3 2 1

1. Rudy and Marie with the Weinzierl clan. 2. Dad Rudy hard at work as a fitter and turner. 3. Ray, Ron and Richard in their younger days.

BUSINESS GIANTS The man who inherited them found a cheque for $85,000 stuffed in one of the shoes, which turned out to be a part of his superannuation payout. “He was old school,” Ray explained. “He had kept it there just in case. “Unfortunately, the cheque was too old to cash by the time it turned up.” The boys didn’t exactly excel at school. Ron made it halfway through Year 11 and Ray was asked to leave Clayton Tech in Year 10. “School just wasn’t for me,” he laughed. The business empire started reasonably modestly in 1990 when Ray started WB Cabinets in Intrepid Drive, Berwick. He bought a block to build the factory, then purchased another next door to build another factory to sell or lease out. A few years down the track, they made a tidy sum when they sold those two properties, which allowed them to buy a fair chunk of the developing industrial estate to the east of Pakenham in Embrey Court. They moved WB Cabinets there in 2005 and built 10 factories - two for their business and the other eight to sell. Elder brother Richard started building components in Dandenong in 1992. He was joined in that venture by Ron and by 1998 Australian Precision Technologies was born. They relocated across the road from WB Cabinets in Intrepid Drive in Berwick in 2001

and continue to operate out of extended premises there.

network of business associates into any new venture.

Ron’s role was to develop APT into an industry leader and it has built up an impressive client base around the world building the likes of specialist aerospace components. The company has since won many industry awards and has been inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

“You mix with good people and do the right thing by your network,” Ron explained.

The family’s next big venture came a few years back when Ray was driving along the Princes Freeway and noticed a Toyota dealership sitting in a paddock alone in Pakenham’s new South East Industrial Park. A friend had an involvement in Car City in Ringwood and had mentioned one day that 40 per cent of their business came from the Gippsland area. So he thought: “Why wouldn’t we have a Car MegaMart here?” Ray and a few mates bought 38 acres along South East Boulevard and opened his own city of cars in 2014, which has developed in stages and will soon offer rows and rows of motorcycles and boats to complement the cars. More recently he bought another 38 acres across the other side of South East Boulevard and development will fan across there as well. The Weinzierls don’t believe in going it alone in business and try to include their growing

Ray joined a well-established Pakenham business family when he married Bridget Hardy, the daughter of former Hardy’s Mitre 10 director Darrell Hardy and his wife Barbara, extending his business knowledge and influence. “Darrell always tells me to get three or four different opinions and then go with your gut feel,” he said. Vicki runs a business in Berwick and is married to Bruce Andrew, a long-time Hardy’s employee who now heads up Dahlsens in Pakenham. Some of the family’s latest ventures have included purchasing and refurbishing the Cardinia Park Hotel in Beaconsfield and the Royal Hotel in Kooweerup. They see a lot of potential in the Casey Cardinia Region and Ron and Ray particularly has been great advocates of the area, pushing for technology and innovation hubs at the soon to be vacant Monash University site in Berwick, as well as land along Soldiers Road and around the new Cardinia Shire officers in Officer. “There are 127 families move in a week and 135 babies born a week, so this area has great potential,” Ron said.

Ray (left) and Ron (right) with then Cardinia mayor Graeme Moore at the opening of Car Megamart.

Kate, Robert, Bobby and Sam Gordon. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

SO MUCH MORE ON THEIR PLATE The Robert Gordon shop.

By CASEY NEILL

“Traditionally when I started, our market was retail.

A fAmily pottery in Pakenham counts Australia’s culinary cream among its clients.

“But now what’s keeping us going is hospitality.”

And the list of well-known names eating from Robert Gordon crockery doesn’t end with MasterChef’s George Calombaris and Vue de Monde’s Shannon Bennett.

Robert Gordon also imports some products it’s designed and developed in China.

Robert ‘Andy’ Gordon said his team produced dinnerware for Canberra’s Parliament House a few years ago. “It was driven by Nick Xenophon and John Madigan,” he said. “They were sick of eating off imported plates in the cafe. “And all our stuff is in State Parliament House in Victoria.” Andy said a change in dining style had opened up the best restaurants to Robert Gordon and its counterparts. “It’s not fine dining anymore, it’s more sharing plates. It’s more suitable to our type of product,” he said. “It’s a big buzz, especially when we do a good restaurant fit-out or people come to us.

“Fifteen years ago we would have gone broke if we hadn’t,” Andy said. “The imports really swamped the market. “Australian made really was no longer in favour, so much. “We started importing and that provided us with reasonable profitability to stay afloat. “But now what’s happening is that Australian made is outgrowing our imports, the demand has come back really strongly. “Other potteries that have hung in there through the bad times, the same thing’s happening. “There’s a real resurgence in hand-made again, in bespoke.” That resurgence has helped to fuel a Robert Gordon expansion make it the biggest manufacturing pottery in Australia in terms of clay consumption.

Frank glazing.

SERVING UP MAIN STREET CHANGE By CASEY NEILL Gembrook’s Main Street has received the Gordon family golden touch. The Robert Gordon Pottery crew set up The Independent with Argentinian chef Mauro Callegari. The restaurant serves up local produce in a modern Argentinian menu and has been part of a recent resurgence for the Dandenong Ranges community.

Its Mulcahy Road site will this year grow to include a new warehouse on a neighbouring block. “This is not a proper warehouse,” Andy said gesturing around the packed room. “It’s too low and it’s very congested. “All our imports will move across into our new warehouse and this will become a tourist destination and a proper manufacturing plant again. “We’re investing in new kilns, we’re replacing all our old kilns. “We will have pathways for people to visit us. “We’ve got new offices going in. Our old offices will be demolished and that will be all open retail space with a restaurant.”

“Bobby’s very methodical and really needed,” Andy said. Sam is the youngest and is “the seller, the marketer”. “Sam’s degree is still pending. He bombed out of uni pretty early,” Andy laughed. “He knows George (Calombaris), he knows Vue de Monde, he knows all the chefs. He does the connecting.”

“I said to the owner ‘if you want to sell it, I’ll buy it’. I didn’t really have any idea of what I wanted to do with it.”

“We start off with a concept. We do the moulds here.

The seams are cleaned off the shaped clay and it’s into the kiln to be bisque fired at “a low temperature” - about 1000 degrees.

Hannah is the eldest and “gets stuck with all the strange admin submissions and importing and logistical stuff”. “Hannah did business and management studies,” Andy said. “Kate trained in graphic design - she’s got two degrees, one’s fine art and one is in fabric design. “Kate does the design and decorating, she’s the last word on all of that although we all dabble.” Next is Bobby, who’s an architect who ran his own business.

“The pub had gone bust and closed down.

“We design and develop product. Glauco’s a brilliant mould-maker. His father was a mould-maker in Italy so he’s really steeped in the tradition of ceramics,” he said.

“The kids gradually came into the business, which was great,” he said.

“I’m very lucky they’ve got different personalities.”

“Some guy tried to make it into a tattoo parlour.

“It would have set the whole culture for Gembrook.

“Some shapes we cast, and some shapes we put on a press or what’s called a Jigger and Jolley machine.”

“The good thing about it is that they’re all happy to have different interests in the business.

“It was a lovely old building and I used to go in there when I was a kid. I loved it.

Andy explained that every Robert Gordon product started in the mould shop.

Andy followed his mother and father into pottery, and his four children with wife Barbara have done the same.

“Now they’re running it and I’m the odd-job man!

“We come from Gembrook and there was a hardware store that shut down years ago,” Robert ‘Andy’ Gordon said.

“The shapes are then put onto these shelves at this stage and then they’re glazed and decorated,” Andy said. The glazing is done by hand, and then it’s back on the kiln carts for firing at gloss temperature - 1280 degrees.

Meanwhile, Mauro told Andy’s son Sam that he wanted to move to the hills and start a restaurant. “It came up a treat and I think it set Gembrook off,” Andy said. “When my son moved into the main street he had to complain to the police because of people doing burnouts on Thursday nights. “There were people assaulted, and it was really going down. “The whole place has changed. “It’s going more towards a little Healesville rather than a run-down country town.”

“What we do is high-fired stoneware, and it’s something that I’ve always done,” he said. “The difference with a stoneware product is it’s what’s called vitrified. “It’s very hard and hard-wearing and if the glaze is chipped nothing will happen - it will still function as a pot. “Whereas with an earthenware, if you break the glaze surface then because the body’s not vitrified, it’s still chalky, it absorbs moisture into the body and expands and cracks and eventually disintegrates.” A final inspection post-kiln sends 5 to 10 per cent of products into the seconds shop and the rest to dining tables around the country.

The Independent team members Manuel Santeiro, Lil Gray, Mauro Callegari and Laura Burn.

Todd Sampson kept the breakfast crowd captivated.

A CHANGE OF MIND ON FEAR ADVENTUrEr AND AUsTrAliAN-CANADiAN bUsiNEss lEADEr ToDD sAmpsoN ATTribUTEs bUsiNEss sUCCEss To ThE sCiENCE oF “brAiN plAsTiCiTy”.

By ALANA MITCHELSON “For years science has told us that our brains are fixed, that our brains develop until we’re about 25 and then roughly around the age of 30 there is a steady decline. Now we know that this science is false,” he told a packed room of Casey Cardinia businesspeople. “There is no biological reason for our brains to become less flexible as we age.” Sampson has taken it upon himself to take on the most extreme tasks to ultimately prove this theory. He has challenged himself above and beyond the perceived capacity of most ’ordinary’ people. He has climbed a 120 metre rock-face in Utah’s Moab desert blindfolded, successfully performed a blindfolded Houdini water escape with 30 kilograms of chains and five combination locks, and completed a skywalk between two 21-storey buildings without a safety net. And he has survived to tell the tale. “All that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary is access. The human brain has the capability to hold information equivalent to 500 encyclopaedias. Everyone can be extraordinary,” he said. “It comes down to us challenging the series of highways in our minds and to think more creatively rather than always travelling down the same road. That’s the revolution.”

Sampson said the most important skill in business today was “mental flexibility”, a characteristic that each of the most successful people to have walked the planet have in common. He said there were a number of ways to “redesign the brain” and improve brain plasticity including forced adaptation, visualisation techniques to improve memory capacity, and meditation to help concentration and stress. “A great example of forced adaptation that everyone can try at home is to brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand. You’ll notice it’s a difficult task but the more you train your brain, the easier it becomes,” Sampson said. “Lack of sleep is one of the biggest challenges. Less than eight hours a night over time reduces your IQ. We consolidate memories as we sleep and that’s when the plasticity process happens.” Sampson described the fear he experienced during his skywalk as “excitement without breath”. He emphasised the importance of controlling anxiety in not only the business realm, but all aspects of life to achieve the best outcome. “The brave are not without fear. The part of the brain responsible for fear - the amygdala - is not born blank,” he said. “We all live with levels of fear and anxiety. But it can be managed to the point where fear is no longer an issue.”

Todd Sampson - the thinker.

THE BEST IN BUSINESS Since winning the award, Village Way Cafe has put on more staff, including another full-time chef and a full-time front of house employee.

By NARELLE COULTER A LIGHT will be shone on some of the region’s best businesses when the Casey Cardinia Business Awards are handed out on Friday 16 September. The awards recognise significant achievements from a range of sectors and celebrate those who contribute to the social, economic and sustainable benefit of the region. A record 107 applicants are vying for this year’s awards.

Christina encouraged people to get involved and vote for their favourite among the 48 nominees.

Paul and Christina Sloothaak in their popular Village Way Cafe. The Pakenham cafe won the inaugural People’s Choice Award.

“You feel your work is being acknowledged if customers do vote for you. You think ’I am doing something right’. “Winning was the icing on the cake.“

Nominations have closed and finalists in all categories will be announced on 14 July.

industry for more than 15 years, while Paul switched careers from shopfitter to pastry chef.

Voting for the winner of the 2016 People’s Choice Award opens on 15 July and closes on 12 August.

However, residents can still participate by casting a vote in the People’s Choice Award.

Christina said the award meant a lot to them and their staff.

Participants can may vote as many times as they like, but only once per business.

Unlike other categories, the People’s Choice Award is not decided by judges but by popular vote.

“We get a lot of response from customers who actually voted for us. We were so overwhelmed.“

To vote go to www.caseycardinia.com.au/ businessawards

Last year’s winner was Village Way Cafe at Lakeside Square Shopping Centre in Pakenham.

Christina and Paul shared the $1000 prizemoney among their staff and also bought new equipment.

Owners Paul and Christina Sloothaak had only been in business a couple of months when their loyal customers voted them the people’s choice winner.

A sticker in the window and a trophy displayed in the cafe are proud reminders of last year’s win.

Christina has worked in the hospitality

“As a team we felt very privileged to have such an accolade,“ Christina said.

For businesses interested in next year’s awards, the program is free to enter and provides entrants with the opportunity to be recognised, receive publicity, establish relationships with other local businesses along with senior business leaders, network at a range of events, receive valuable feedback, review project objectives and ambitions and provide recognition and reward for employees.

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The ever-curious Geoff Bartlett 155122 Picture: GARY SISSONS

COMPETITION TESTS THEIR METTLE By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

innocuous-looking high-tensile safety chain used for large heavy vehicles.

SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD family business Bartlett Equipment hasn’t endured from following other people’s ideas, says its third-generation managing director Allan Bartlett.

The light, tiny part, which prevents trailers dismounting from trucks, was a significant upgrade on the bulky alternatives.

One time-worn example is the “Bartlett ball” - a trailer coupling system based on the business’s founder Norm’s prototype and invented by Norm’s son Geoff in 1964.

Much has changed due to the “power of the computer” which has fast-tracked the design process. Computers can predict the stresses of a towing design, even how its parts will fatigue.

Geoff, whose earliest memories were sorting nuts and bolts in the Bartlett workshop, was still studying mechanical engineering at the time. The original system is still sold at Bartlett Equipment. It endures even beyond the expiry of its patent - and competitors’ cheaper copies didn’t cut it. Geoff explains the revolutionary snug-fit system suppressed the loud rattles that blighted previous couplings. For the first time, the trailer became an integral part of the truck. “What Geoff has you can’t bottle it,” his nephew Allan said. Another of Geoff’s innovations was an

“It used to be done on the run,” Geoff says. “You’d build it and see how it runs.” Officially in retirement, Geoff still sits in on production design meetings at the business - which moved to its current Hallam site in 1988. Since starting in Clayton South in 1946, the truck and trailer equipment manufacturer has evolved from farm machinery, then axles and then towing set-ups for B-double trucks. In its Hallam workshop, staff build and fit tow bar systems for ABS-enabled trailers on 150 Australian Defence Force 14-tonne 4WD trucks. Allan, who is grandson of founder Norm, said the company has always been about

designing things. “We want to be different. We want to be leaders,” Mr Bartlett said. “We don’t want to be following other people’s ideas.” Bartlett Equipment celebrated its 70th anniversary with trade figures at the Melbourne Showgrounds. It has also recently been presented with a commemorative certificate from the City of Casey. The Bartletts hold their family and company’s history dear. Allan recently found a rusted welding mask owned by Norm. It prominently hangs in a rustic framed box in the office oozing with history. But as with other manufacturers, there’s much to contemplate in the future. “Manufacturing materials could be coming out of anywhere these days,” Allan said. “We have competitors copying some of our products.” Allan said the key to the company’s future is to continue to be “smart” in its designs.

A Bartlett display stand at the Royal Melbourne Show in the 1950s

An early photo of Geoff Bartlett taking a close look at the runnings of a harvester

Allan Bartlett with the ’Bartlett ball’ tow-bar coupling. Picture: GARY SISSONS

Q&A

BALANCE AND CO-OPERATION

IN WORK AND LIFE First National Neilson Partners managing director ROSS NEILSON is a familiar figure in the CaseyCardinia Region. His business roots date back to September 1981 when he and his father Neil bought out the Noel Gould Holden dealership in Berwick. They sold that in 1987 to Barry Bourke and Ross entered the real estate industry, first working with Andrew Facey in Dandenong. After a five-year sabbatical in the city working and studying, Ross rejoined Facey’s in 1996 and over time bought the business with four other partners. Ross now runs the Narre Warren, Berwick and Pakenham operations. He and wife Jenny live in Glen Waverley and they have two sons, Grant and Scott, and three grandchildren. Describe a typical working day? All days are a bit different, but they have the same elements - helping staff, talking to clients, approving accounts and, without fail, solving problems. The boss’s job is to be at everyone’s beck and call. With 50 staff, they only have to have one problem a year and you have one a week to sort out. And if it is only one a year, then you can’t complain. Fortunately, the people here are pretty good and they solve a lot of issues themselves. They say a leader is the servant to all the followers and it works out like that, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. What are your impressions of the Casey Cardinia Region from a business perspective? I think one word sums it up - opportunity. It is a busy, growing area and a good demographic from a business point of view.

First National Neilson Partners managing director Ross Neilson.

terms of presentation. In hindsight, we hung on too long and it became an expensive lesson. What did you learn from that experience? I learnt there is a time to let go. Your first loss is often your best loss. If you had to invite five people to a business luncheon, who would they be and why? Economist Alan Oster is very insightful and the knowledge he brings would be useful; the sharp wit of Bob Hope to lighten it up a bit; entrepreneur and adventurer Dick Smith would have some great stories; the insightful and powerful Winston Churchill is a must, explaining how he managed things so well under duress in wartime and Audrey Hepburn would round it out nicely - a beautiful lady in looks and spirit who did a lot of charity work later in life and was never sucked in by own importance and glamour.

What has been your biggest career success to date?

How do you relax away from work?

I would have to say it is growing a successful business partnership. Having five different personalities as partners in a business that runs with no disharmony and genuine cooperation is rare indeed. We have achieved that and have maintained it over an extended period.

I love spending time with the grandkids Joshua, Ivy and the newest addition Evelyn, who came into the world on 10 June, the day of my father Neil’s funeral, adding a bit of happiness to a sad occasion. I also love camping, exploring Australia and riding motorbikes - in the bush or on the road.

What has been your biggest career failure to date?

Tell us something most people would not know about you?

It would have to be making the decision to close our new homes department. We spent over two decades representing builders in display homes and I really enjoyed the interaction. We have some great builders, but the larger companies have taken display homes to a level that is hard to match in

I love reading comics - particularly The Phantom. What is your business mantra? Always try to look at it from the other person’s perspective and keep it fair for all.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

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GET PARTY PLANS ON TRACK Australia’s newest racetrack will be boasting a range of gourmet food trucks, Fashions on the Field, big screens to watch all the live racing; along with plenty of lawn space to mingle with friends.

THE 2016 Pakenham Cup is set to be the biggest in its long and distinguished history. With the Cup awarded Listed status and running on the new date of Saturday 3 December, it now makes it the perfect day to celebrate a Christmas party for work colleagues, friends and business associates. With attendance expected to build well over 8000 people, the atmosphere on the day will be electric, combining the excitement of the Pakenham Cup, with the celebration of Christmas and the Christmas holidays just around the corner.

Many hospitality packages will be on offer, ranging from a casual picnic package on the lawn, right up to the all-inclusive dining experience, complete with a private marquee and beverages for the day. The Pakenham Cup will have something to suit the needs of every business owner or manager.

Spaces in marquee and hospitality packages will be limited, so it will be critical to book early to avoid disappointment, as the opportunities to hold work Christmas Party at such destination events don’t come any better than this. The Pakenham Racing Club will be offering complementary shuttle buses on the day that will pick up patrons from selected pick up points in Pakenham to transport them to the track and return.

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EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

ATURA STEPS UP TO HELP ATURA Dandenong was recognised for its contribution to the community at the 2016 Tourism Accommodation Australia (Victoria) Accommodation Awards.

The urban, industrial and design-inspired Atura Dandenong hotel lies on the border of the Casey Cardinia region and Dandenong serving some of the state’s fastest growing business park precincts and a growing leisure market seeking unique and different tourism experiences.

Atura won the award for Outstanding Community Service Achievement. General manager Lisa Parker said the award recognised the substantial contribution made by Atura Dandenong – both through direct philanthropic support and fostering hospitality career opportunities.

Atura offers four flexible event spaces including a separate boardroom, prefunction areas flooded in natural light and a courtyard garden.

In addition, three of the hotel’s local staff were named category finalists for individual excellence in service - Anastasia Parashis for Hotel Industry Rising Star, Jessica Dimech for Food and Beverage Services and Samantha Farrington for Sales.

The lush Atura courtyard.

professionals to sponsorship of sporting clubs, charities, the arts, participation and support of business networking groups plus support of school programs and activities.

“Connection to local communities and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industry is a fundamental part of the Atura offering and the Dandenong property has made significant, diverse and far-reaching contribution to the communities it serves,“ Ms Parker said.

This support helped ensure Fountain Gate Secondary College’s Future Problem Solvers Group were able to travel abroad to the USA to compete at an international level.“ The award caps off a big year for the property which formally opened as an Atura Hotel in April last year after an extensive renovation and refurbishment of the former Chifley property.

“More than 30 different organisations have received support this this year alone, from work placement programs to inspire a future generation of hospitality industry career

Staff can cater for groups ranging from two people to 200. Unlimited, complimentary wi-fi is offered in all function rooms. Ms Parker plays an active role advocating for the growth of tourism in the region, both in her role and through her work on the Casey Cardinia Tourism Advisory Panel. “I’m incredibly proud of both the Outstanding Community Service and Achievement award and the finalist accolades for our phenomenal team members. The award is a credit to our broader hotel team. Without their support, the impact the hotel has made through its community engagement program would not have been so great,” Ms Parker said.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

EVENTS AND CONFERENCES

QUEST FOR A FRESH LOOK QUEST Narre Warren is set to undergo the biggest renovation in its 15-year history.

room, pulling back the curtains to flood the room with natural light.

With work set to start within weeks, the serviced apartments will be cleaned and painted inside and out, new kitchens fitted in each of the 35 apartments, bathrooms will be completely renovated and new furniture and carpet installed.

“Natural light is not something all conference rooms offer,” he said as he unlocked the door to the adjoining undercover patio.

The gardens will be refreshed, new artwork hung on walls, a new barbecue installed, the outdoor furniture replaced and the pool re-grouted.

“We are located close to the Monash Freeway and Princes Highway, there is unlimited parking, there would never been enough cars to fill our carpark, and we don’t charge for parking. Tea and coffee is also free.”

Manager Bastian Schluter is excited to get on with the project.

Mr Schluter said the conference space would also undergo a facelift in the renovation.

“If you look at the building now you see 15 years of use. Once we are finished it will basically be a completely new property, which will be wonderful,” Mr Schluter said.

“Work will be done progressively, a couple of rooms at a time, clients won’t even realise what is going on.“

Quest Narre Warren offers one, two and three bedroom apartments, conference facilities, on-site parking, an outdoor barbecue area and pool. As one of the few conference centres in the south east, Quest can cater for up to 70 delegates at a cocktail event or 30 people in a U-shaped seated setting. Mr Schluter showed Grow the conference

Quest has become a regular home away from home for people visiting the south east for business and leisure. Mr Schulter said 30 per cent of Quest customers needed short-term accommodation for leisure reasons such as weddings, engagement parties or visiting family in hospital. Twenty per cent were insurance stays and the rest were corporate bookings.

The conference room at Quest Narre Warren. He said Quest was particularly attractive to corporate customers because of the generous size of the rooms. Each apartment has an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area, separate bathroom and separate bedroom. “Companies can book two or three staff into the one apartment and they can cook for themselves or we have La Porchetta next door.” The renovation is expected to be completed within 12 months.

FEEL AT HOME AT QUEST NARRE WARREN Cnr Princes Highway & Verdun Drive Narre Warren VIC 3805 Visit questnarrewarren.com.au or call +61 3 9796 6944 1225448-KC27-16

Design Unity’s “Arcandian“ Project. Picture: DESIGN UNITY

DESIGNED FOR EXCELLENCE By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS BERWICK-BASED building design company ‘Design Unity’ is a multi award winning firm that has been selected for more honours this year. It is easy to understand why the firm continually wins awards after speaking with business owner and director Warren Jenkins.

“We designed it to suit the environment with the house wedged in the southern corner and fanning out towards the northern axis.” The project also utilised Australian materials to maximise the effectiveness of the structure.

“It’s not necessarily about the awards but about the client satisfaction,” he said.

“We used recycled brick, sustainable Australian timber, polished concrete internally to give good thermal mass and used same brick internally to trap the heat from the outside,” Mr Jenkins said.

“The real reward is seeing a family or occupants live in the home and the awards are secondary to that.”

“There is also a simple open-plan kitchen in a central hub that connects all parts of the house together.”

The team at Design Unity have recently been shortlisted for a Building Design Award from the Building Designers Association of Victoria for their ‘Arcadian’ project.

The home really speaks to true and sturdy Australian design with the use of raw materials and a sensible solution to a difficult block of land.

The project, a home for a growing family of four on an acre block in Warragul, faced some tricky design elements with the triangular shaped block and sharp angles.

Design Unity has won over 20 awards for their work, but My Jenkins doesn’t let the awards go to his head.

“This semi-rural property had to have a design for a wedge-shaped allotment,” Mr Jenkins said.

“It’s a good way to network and also compare with peers and also get feedback with what you are doing, but the client satisfaction is the real reward.”

Warren Jenkins. Picture: ROB CAREW

The Design Unity team Warren Jenkins, Stuart Coleman, Racquelyn Isip, Michelle Taylor, Josh Longhorn and Graeme Parker. Picture: ROB CAREW

QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE TRADE

By RUSSELL BENNETT A NEW app known as ‘Tinder for tradies’ is changing the way job seekers and employers are connecting across Melbourne’s southeast - one of the country’s biggest growth corridors. Tradie Start is becoming the fastest growing network for tradespeople, builders and apprentices throughout the country. The online business was formed less than a year ago by builder Jarrod Plymin and Sam Langford-Jones - from Langford Jones Homes - who has a degree in property (construction). It essentially helps young people looking to get their start as an apprentice find qualified tradespeople to work for. The Tradie Start service - which includes both a website and an app - is quick and user-friendly. And since it started, users from the Casey, Cardinia and City of Greater Dandenong areas have already made up a huge portion of its total user base. Daniel Hughes, who has a background in sales, has also since come on-board the business and in the past six months alone has visited more than 30 secondary colleges and TAFEs in areas including Pakenham, Dandenong, Keysborough, and right across Gippsland - speaking to VCAL students about to enter the workforce. His son is currently a Year 12 VCAL student, which gives him an even greater perspective on the business. “The idea came about because they (Jarrod and Sam), in their capacity as builders, were always being approached by local footy clubs or people they knew asking if they could find a job for a young player at their club,” Daniel explained. “That was the idea 10 months or so ago. “They approached me in November of last year - by opportunistic chance. I’m the senior coach for the footy club at Old Haileybury. “One of the attractions for me - apart from the opportunity for a new business - is that my son is doing Year 12 VCAL at St Bede’s. “He’s in this hit-zone right now and at the conclusion of this year when he finishes his

VCAL he’s going to be looking for a job in the trade game. He wants to be a builder, so what better way to test the water.” Daniel, Jarrod and Sam have complete confidence in Tradie Start. The trick now is to make it financial. “We’ve identified that, from a money-making or a business sense, this is very much a longterm thing - it won’t be a matter of putting in $10,000 today and getting $100,000 back tomorrow. That won’t happen,” Daniel said. “The conversations about how to make money have been more about advertising through our site, and the way to do that is to get more people on it. The profile awareness has been our major focus.” Daniel has done a number of presentations in schools where he walks students through the Tradie Start app and gets them started on their application process. “The profile creation process takes about five minutes, and it costs nothing so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do it,” he said. “It’s easy - it’s like creating a Facebook profile. That’s exactly what it is. “It’s actually been referred to as Tinder for tradies - that’s how it works. Tinder works on the basis of creating a profile about yourself with photographs and details about yourself, and the second person does the same thing. “This is the same principle. We have people who want to join the trade game create their profile based on who they actually are, where they live, their contact details, a brief history about themselves and then conversely we have the businesses - qualified tradespeople and the like - do the same thing.

“If you’re a builder who’s been in the game for 25 years, currently employs 20 people, builds houses in the south-east and is looking for a first-year carpentry apprentice that’ll be on your profile.” Daniel said the capacity for young people to walk on to a building site and actually ask for a job was “pretty damn low”. “My son wouldn’t do it, and I wouldn’t do it either,” he said. “This gives them the capacity to create their own profile, in the comfort of their own home on their smartphone, laptop or iPad. “They can edit it and take their time on it and on a Monday after school they can get home, log in and check it. It’s the same principle as Tinder or some other social media - yes or no. You just swipe. “If you say yes and they do too, you get a match and off you go. It’s a very simple process - it’s not hard at all. “It’s not scientific - it’s simple and it’s practical.” Daniel said Tradie Start was currently concentrating on the electrical, carpentry and plumbing trades but could fast expand to sectors including upholstery, automotive, gardening and landscaping, bricklaying and cabinet making. Berwick shooter Laetisha Scanlan, who is set to compete in the Rio Olympics, is an ambassador for the company. For more information, visit www.tradiestart. com.au or search for ‘TradieStart’ in the Apple and Android app stores.

Robert Scott, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from Endeavour Hills, in his one-car garage gym made out of recycled materials. Picture: ROB CAREW

BUILT FROM THE TIP UP IT’S the in-and-out neighbourhood gym made out of recycled and repurposed goods, and it’s in Endeavour Hills. Quick Body PT is exactly that, 20 minute personal training group and solo classes to give clients more time doing what they love most.

“Everything you see in the gym was done for under $900.”

person who wants to come a few times a week,” Robert said.

With some clever thinking and a load of useful materials from the Narre Warren and Knox tips, Robert now trains up to six people in his garage each week.

“By changing the name and shortening the classes to 20 minutes for $10, that’s affordable.”

“Mirrors are a big thing in gyms and if I had to get them installed and cut I would have been looking at a few thousand dollars,” he said.

Robert Scott is a 27-year-old entrepreneur going gang busters - online, in the gym and at the supermarket.

“So I got sliding mirror doors, formerly used as a wardrobe.”

A personal trainer of more than eight years, Robert still stacks shelves at Woolies to make ends meet, but said his out-of-the-box gym design saved him thousands.

With 16 full-time Quick Body PT clients, Robert said his new faster model of training has proved a success.

“I built the gym out of my one-car garage using materials I sourced from Gumtree, recycled goods shops and the tip,” Robert said.

“I rejigged the business from when I trained out of my parent’s home, because personal training isn’t that affordable for your regular

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Robert focuses on maintaining his clients health and muscle conditioning, he’s says it’s not about becoming an elite athlete. With a community business website on the way and his growing personal training business, Robert is a shining example of putting it all on the line. “I really want Quick Body PT to become the financial backbone of my internet start-up business and eventually once it’s bringing in more than I make at Woolies, I’ll quit stacking shelves,” he said.

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By GEORGIA WESTGARTH

SHAPING THE SKILLS THAT WORK By CASEY NEILL BUSINESSES can benefit from forging ties with educators to discover untapped potential. South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) school and community development officer Jennifer Ebdon also said that educators and businesses each thought the other was responsible for creating employment pathways for students. “That suggests there’ll be some young people falling through those cracks and not getting those employability skills,” Jennifer said. She and Mary Tresize-Brown launched a report on the issue at the SELLEN AGM on Thursday 2 June, at the group’s new Langhorne Street headquarters in Dandenong. SELLEN was established in 2001 to bring together educators, employers, industry, welfare agencies, local government and nongovernment organisations. The focus is giving 10-year-olds to 19-year-olds a better go at successfully moving through the education system to employment. CEO Andrew Simmons said funding had been a major challenge for SELLENs over the past few years.

SELLEN’S Andrew Simmons and Mandy Stevens with City of Casey’s Lydia Ropiha at the South East Try a Trade and Careers Expo in April.

a training awareness program to 150 at-risk young people.

conversation about easily bringing schools and businesses together.

Mr Simmons said SELLEN was also involved in more than 40 networks, steering groups and taskforces, “providing further support to like-minded organisations and initiatives in the region and across the state”.

Ms Ebdon said work experience was the most common way educators and businesses interacted.

“These relationships allow us to have an influence on many issues that impact young people, particularly those living within the SELLEN region,” he said.

“A change of State Government has brought with it the promise of four years of funding for LLEN (Learning and Employment Networks) core contracts,” he said.

Ms Tresize-Brown said consultation for the Business and Education Interaction in South-East Melbourne report across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia started about 12 months ago and included 20 businesses from several sectors and 20 educators.

“The confirmation of funding for LLENs out to 2019 has provided some security to programs and staffing.”

“We asked them very simple questions ... centred around how they interact with each other,” she said.

Mr Simmons said SELLEN was involved in developing many programs, initiatives and partnerships last year.

She and Ms Ebdon wanted to find out what worked for each party, she said, with the goal of finding out how to create a win-win-win situation for employer, school and student.

These included the South East Try a Trade and Careers Expo in April, a Young Parents Education Program at Cranbourne Secondary College, adding 173 new employers to its contact suite, and delivering

MELBOURNE PR & MARKETIN( ;

“We will take the report back to the 20 schools and 20 businesses,” she said. In July they plan to use the report to start a

But some schools have done away with the program, she said, because it was too timeconsuming and not valuable enough. Some employers also said they “preferred to have students who had been on that journey, decided what pathway they wanted to go down and could come to the workplace already focused”. Ms Ebdon said many businesses didn’t know how to connect to educators, and vice-versa. “There is untapped potential out there in the business community that we can harness,” she said. “It’s time for the stakeholders to come together and map a new way forward.” She said the report also found that some schools thought they didn’t need to prepare students on an ‘academic path’ for work. “For every student, regardless of the pathway that they take, their ultimate destination is a workplace,” Ms Ebdon said.

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1230119-24-16

the Bombardier vehicles move in at midnight. Picture: GarY sIssOns

MAKING GOOD ON PROMISE OF INNOVATION By CASEY NEILL Manufacturers from across the southeast showed what the industry was capable of at a celebration of skills in Dandenong. The day-long Smart Manufacturing ’16 Dandenong and South East Melbourne on Show featured symposia at the Drum Theatre and displays from dozens of businesses in Harmony Square and surrounds. Trams, trains and buses blocked Walker Street, and pre-recorded stories and live crosses played on the big screen to hundreds of students from across the region, businesspeople and the general public.

australian fresh Leaf Herbs’ taryn Mazzarella and Jan Vydra.

A farm-to-plate section featured produce from Officer juice producer Summer Snow, Clyde’s Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, and Gembrook potato powerhouse Mountain Harvest Foods. “Manufacturing keeps this country moving. We need manufacturing,” was the message from keynote speaker Senator Kim Carr. About 350 people attended the first symposia session and more than 1500 registered for the event. Senator Carr said manufacturing was “the key to a strong and advanced industrial economy” and employed nearly 9000 Australians.

Luke southwell from summer snow.

He said Federal Government support for research and development, education, and bolstering overseas competitiveness was crucial - particularly given the impending departure of key automotive companies from Australia. “The shutdown of the major car makers doesn’t mean the end of the industry,” he said. “I’m confident there will be an automotive sector in Australia after 2017.” Adaptive thinking, creativity and cooperation will be key to manufacturing success in the future, guests heard at the Skills of the Future symposium.

committee for Dandenong’s Jill Walsh, a champion for manufacturing and key organiser of the event, with a Bombardierbuilt train. Pictures: rOB careW

Embracing a willingness to fail was also among the advice to emerge from the session, led by Chisholm Institute’s industry engagement manager Simon Upton.

Sharing their experiences were Hilton Manufacturing’s managing director Todd Hartley and HR manager Anthony Di Battista, Bombardier Transportation Australia managing director Rene Lalande, and Centre of Australian Foresight strategic futurist Marcus Barber. Mr Hartley said the Dandenong South sheet metal company recently signed a new deal with Kenworth that required it to drop its price by three per cent per year over the next three years. “It can’t just come off our bottom line,” he said. “We have to work out how to reduce our costs year on year when electricity and labour are becoming more expensive. “We’ve got to do it through different skills.” Mr Hartley said he’d need more adaptive thinkers and creativity as automation increased. “We need to get that top 10 per cent involved in manufacturing,” he said. Mr Lalande said that more than one third of the energy spent developing a new train was in software development. He said trains still had a wide mechanical and electronic base but they were becoming ever more complex. “You can no longer be only a welder,” he said. Mr Barber said collaboration was no good without co-operation, and that all innovation was creative but not all creativity was innovative. “You need to make something redundant for it to be innovative ... not just make incremental improvements,” he said. He also stressed encouraging a willingness to “fail intelligently” and learn something along the way - or “die instead”. At a cocktail reception that evening, Committee for Dandenong chairman Gary Castricum said SM16 “was all about trying to change perceptions”. “It’s about recognising what we have in the south-east and supporting it,” he said.

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By NARELLE COULTER FORTY electronic eyes continuously scan Car Megamart’s sprawling premises in Pakenham South.

Eclipse specialises in CCTV, access control and intrusion alarm systems backed up by service, maintenance and monitoring.

If something untoward happens, evidence of the incident is instantly fed back to a central control room monitored 24 hours a day by Hallam firm, Eclipse Security Systems. If the controllers can verify there is an intruder on site, police are dispatched immediately. It’s a far cry from the days of human security guards patrolling a business day and night, putting themselves at risk of physical harm. Eclipse director Greg Flood believes modern security systems are a valuable business asset, not just for peace of mind but for the data they collect. “Our systems are not just for security purposes. Businesses can increase productivity, monitor and control access to areas within the business as well as obtain valuable data which can improve profit margins,“ Mr Flood said. “For example CCTV heat mapping cameras measure activity and hot spots. Retailers can

The team at Eclipse Security Systems, from left, Matt Sklepic, Kristian Burrows, Greg Flood and Matthew Trofa. Picture: GARY SISSONS

“Over the years Eclipse has delivered security solutions to a variety of industries across Melbourne including hospitality, manufacturing, medical and schools as well as complete council solutions,” Mr Flood said.

record who goes through their doors, which way the customers go, how long they stay in one particular spot.

“Our job is to replace security guards with smart and intuitive security. Customers are assured that their premises is protected with 24-hour coverage.”

“Large manufacturers can use security systems to monitor and control machines to avoid OH&S issues and provide evidence for legal purposes.

Frightening attacks by the now notorious Apex gang resulted in Eclipse’s phones “lighting up”.

“It is not just a matter of videoing events. We also have analytics software designed to track events and analyse them which is valuable information for businesses and their future growth.”

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Casey councillor Louise Berkelmans and mayor Sam Aziz in Narre Warren

KEEN INTEREST IN KEY BUSINESS CENTRE By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

SIGNS point to Narre Warren as a critical engine-room in south-east Melbourne’s economy, says Casey mayor Cr Sam Aziz. Its business district is designated as one of 10 major activity centres in Victoria; its destiny is shaped by an extensive structure plan created by Casey Council. According to Cr Aziz, the district’s upgrade will dwarf the recent $290 million Revitalising Central Dandenong that radically rebuilt and reconfigured large chunks of the town’s CBD.

higher-density housing at the activity centre, especially near the railway station.

council areas) in Victoria, we’re entitled to have that presence in our city.”

More apartment-style accommodation would put less pressure on infrastructure, reduce urban sprawl, lessen car dependence and create more affordable dwellings for people seeking to get into the housing market, Cr Aziz said.

Cr Aziz said he was encouraged by interest from two “top law firms” in opening offices in the hub. Other niche industries such as engineering and defence firms were also committing to set up camp in Narre Warren.

Cr Aziz pointed to the tall corporate buildings filling with businesses in Victor Crescent as an indicator of the future. Webb Street would require a multi-level car park.

“It is going to be one of the critical economic drivers of the whole region,” Cr Aziz says.

Casey will seek to attract more government agencies and hence more local jobs into the hub for the ever-soaring Casey-Cardinia population.

One plank of the structure plan includes

“Given Casey has the largest population (of

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“It’s very exciting and part of our ongoing economic development.” The structure plan is a decade from full realisation but Cr Aziz wanted “quick and strident action” and prompt investment from the public and private sectors. It includes PPP (public private partnerships) that reduces the upfront cost of infrastructure for all ratepayers in favour of a subsidised user-pays system, Cr Aziz said.

SPUD MONEY PUMPED INTO ENVIRONMENT By CASEY NEILL A flourishing Gembrook potato grower and processor has poured almost a million dollars into protecting the environment. But like many burgeoning businesses, Mountain Harvest Foods (MHF) has at times struggled to keep up with its environmental obligations during its rapid expansion. So it’s worked with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on its journey from small fry to potato gem over the past six years, addressing issues as they arise. Anthony Failla came on board at the family potato farm in 2003 he didn’t see a sustainable future, so he built a potato cake factory, bought and relocated two established suppliers and got his sister Christina de Sousa involved. Farm turnover has grown from $230,000 a year in 2003 to more than $10 million today with the addition of the manufacturing facility. In June this year, the EPA issued MHF with a remedial notice relating to ongoing pollution reports regarding a fish and chip-like odour emitting from the Mountain Road factory. EPA officers have visited the site on several occasions and confirmed the smell, plus noticed a build-up of cooking fats around extraction fans. Their report on the issue said they were informed that plans were being developed to install a scrubber to address the odour and particle emissions.

Spuds fresh from the Mountain Road property. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Christina de Sousa and brother Anthony Failla keep an eye on the potato cake line.

$850,000 in environmental protection measures.

“While we were extremely unhappy about the circumstances, as a growing business this issue provided us with the opportunity to test our responsiveness, safety and quality protocols,” she said.

A $500,000 planting system from Europe is set to reduce soil degradation and improve efficiency. An environmental consultant reviewed processes and helped to develop and implement solutions, at a cost of $60,000. About $100,000 in robotic handling equipment and $50,000 in vision systems are to reduce waste generation and improve efficiency. EPA southern metropolitan manager Leigh Bryant said Mountain Harvest Foods came to EPA’s attention in March last year following community pollution reports.

In addition to hiring a full-time project manager with a background in food manufacturing, MHF has spent almost

Ms de Sousa said at the time that a pipe blockage caused a small oil overflow into a dam but added that it was contained.

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A MHF spokeswoman said the company was committed to complying with all regulations and growing in a sustainable manner.

“Mountain Harvest Foods has complied with a number of remedial notices relating to wastewater, and has prepared a waste management plan for its premises,” he said.

“Soil and water are our primary resources and we take our stewardship of the land very seriously.” He said that, in general, failure to comply with EPA notices could lead to further enforcement action and fines of more than $7,000. “EPA has not issued any infringements on the company.” It's not unusual for manufacturing businesses that are actively growing, like Mountain Harvest Foods, to experience a lag in the development of their environmental management plans. The significant investments they are making in addition to a good working relationship with the EPA is a positive way forward.

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ExpErts in thEir fiEld

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD with the introduction of iTunes to changing lifestyles with products such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, Apple continues to lead the pack based on its brand positioning of simplicity and pushing the status quo. Virgin is renowned for being the fun, cheeky upstart challenger brand, that shakes up industries to provide a different experience based on fun, zestful youth and dynamic optimism. With a brand positioning statement of ‘Belong anywhere’, Airbnb has successfully responded to the trend of holiday makers seeking a more ‘authentic and connected’ travel experience by providing an online platform for renting local homes rather than hotel rooms. Online apparel business Zappos, with its focus on ‘happiness’, is famous for its extraordinary customer service including its policy to fully refund an item up to a year after purchase. By embracing their unique point of difference, these businesses compete on the basis of being incomparable rather than on the basis of being debatable against their competitors.

Marketing and public relations expert Ros Weadman. By ROS WEADMAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR MELBOURNE PR AND MARKETING MARKETING is a game of influence influencing a prospective customer to buy your product or service over your competitor’s. However, being influential in this era of information overload and shrinking attention spans, is more than a challenge for most small businesses. We no longer live in a world where information is scarce and attention is easy to gain. The meteoric rise of the internet has flipped this around - information is now abundant and attention is difficult to gain. Consumers are bombarded with competing and conflicting messages, distracted by multiple sources of information, and being tracked and lured no matter where they

browse on the internet. This has created an environment where there is clutter from information overload, confusion from message overload and commoditisation from an overload of undifferentiated goods and services in the marketplace. To be influential, businesses need to adapt to this new environment or risk being invisible. But how? By being different and doing it on purpose. When a business defines what makes it different - otherwise known as a unique selling proposition or point of difference - it has a clear focus for decision-making and positioning its brand in the marketplace. Consider these examples. From revolutionising the music industry

The true power of embracing your point of difference is in the attraction of prospects who are a direct match. Think of the car market. Volvo, for example, has positioned itself as the ‘safe’ option, Mercedes as the ‘luxury’ option, Audi as the ‘prestige’ option, and Jeep as the ‘adventure’ option. By wrapping all of their marketing efforts around their point of difference, these companies attract customers who want the specific experience they are offering. Marketing guru Seth Godin says ‘In a busy market place, not standing out is the same as being invisible’. So, what’s your unique point of difference? Ros Weadman has recently published her new marketing guide for small businesses, BrandCODE. Two Casey Cardinia region businesses - Successful Endeavours and Waterman Business Centres - are featured in the guide. To find out more, visit www.brandcode. marketing or call Ros on 0409 969 785.

Median housing values

Key regional economic drivers

$600,000

$582,067

Construction Manufacturing $481,986

Retail Trade Transport, postal and warehousing

$435,779 $389,572

Education and training

$350,000

Source: Remplan, June 2016

Casey Cardinia region

City of Casey

Cardinia Shire

Greater Melbourne

Population

Population Growth

REGION

62%

Projected increase by 2036

Casey Cardinia region

Source: Population.id

Dandenong

Employment by industry sector INDUSTRY

JOBS

Retail Trade

9,798

Education and training

7,548

Health care and social assistance

7,528

Construction

6,753

Manufacturing

6,094

Accommodation and food services

4,368

Wholesale trade

3,221

Transport, postal and warehousing

2,845

Professional, scientific and technical services

2,690

Public administration and safety

2,308

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

1,904

Administrative and support services

1,526

Arts and recreation services

1,139

Rental, hiring and real estate services

1,007

Financial and insurance services

912

Electricity, gas, water and waste services

642

Information, media and telecommunications

545

Mining

126

Frankston

Knox

Kingston

Yarra Ranges

Source: Population.id, June 2016

24,296 businesses in the Casey Cardinia region Source: Remplan, June 2015

Source: Remplan | June 2016

Calendar of events

Tax EssEnTials Workshop

Date:

Wednesday 28 September,

Join tax professionals from the Australian Tax Office for this free information session which will show taxpayers how to set up the best business structure, maintain accurate records and answer all tax questions.

Time:

10am-11.30am

Date:

Thursday 7 July

Time:

5.30pm-8.30pm

Venue: Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre Cost:

Free.

rEcord kEEping Workshop For those who are new to business or those who have been open for years, it’s important to keep accurate records for tax purposes. Join this session to find out how to streamline the process with tips straight from the Australian Tax Office. Date:

Thursday 14 July

Time:

5.30pm-8pm

Venue: Cardinia Shire Council Civic Centre Cost:

$20

BusinEss coffEE cluB Join like-minded small business owners at an upcoming free Business Coffee Club as they hear from guest presenters and enjoy a light morning tea, while making meaningful business connections. Date:

Thursday 21 July

Time:

10am-11.30am

Venue: Casey Cardinia Business Hub Date:

Tuesday 16 August

Time:

10am-11.30am

Venue: Casey Cardinia Business Hub

Venue: City of Casey Civic Centre

TEch-innovaTion and EnTrEprEnEur’s forum Come along to the third annual forum where local leaders of innovation and growth will share insights into their journey and local young entrepreneurs will present their big idea to a panel of judges hoping to win support and mentoring to take their idea to the market. Date:

Tuesday 2 August

Time:

9.30am-noon

Venue: City of Casey Civic Centre Cost:

Free

be daunting. There is an assembled a panel of human resource experts to help employ the right person and adhere to legal and financial obligations. Date:

Tuesday 16 August

Time:

6.30pm-8.30pm

Venue: Casey Cardinia Business Hub Cost:

$20

BusinEss planning EssEnTials Business planning is a vital tool for any business to succeed, especially when seeking finance, leasing premises, getting permits and engaging staff. Join this workshop to navigate through the process and create a one-page plan. Date:

Wednesday 24 August

Time:

6pm-8pm

sTarTing your BusinEss righT

Venue: Toomah Community Centre

Join a small group of local people new to business for a workshop led by an expert that will show how to start a new business on the right path. Specifically, it will cover evaluating business-readiness, market analysis, determining the best structure, preparing a business plan and a step-by-step guide to getting registered.

Cost:

Date:

Wednesday 10 August

Time:

6pm-9.30pm

Venue: Toomah Community Centre Cost:

$30

your firsT EmployEE - a panEl ExploraTion inTo hr Recruiting the right person to be a first employee is crucially important and can

$20

BusinEss BrEakfasT Join renowned ‘foodie’ Stephanie Alexander at the next Casey Cardinia Business Breakfast. Stepanie’s The Cook’s Companion has established itself as the kitchen bible in over half a million homes since released in 1996. Date:

Wednesday 28 September

Time:

7am-9am

Venue: Cranbourne Turf Club.