http:// 2013-05-21T02:58:16Z 2013-05-21T02:58:16Z shed-vendor-warns-perth-residents-don-t-get-complacent-about-tropical-storms

Perth, WA, May 21, 2013 - Cyclone season 2012-13 came and went without much effect on the Perth area. Port Hedland, to the north, and Queensland would bear the brunt of this season's most severe weather. Perth would be threatened a couple of times, but for the most part, the Perth area would emerge unscathed by tropical storms.During the 2012-13 season, four tropical cyclones had a chance of affecting Perth. Ironically enough, none would affect Perth as much as the 7th-8th May storm that wasn't even included in tropical storm ratings.Mitchell was first, forming on 27th December. Mitchell would produce winds as high as 75 km/h, but stayed to the west of WA, and didn't affect the mainland at all. Narelle, though, would be a different story, entering TCWC Perth's domain on 9th January.Narelle was predicted by some models to make landfall in WA, but never did. It would, however, bring belts of wind and rain into the wheatbelt. Exmouth had 76 mm of rainfall, and Karlgarin would see wind gusts as high as 90 km/h. This would tear the roofs off of eight buildings. A suspected tornado hit Capel and cut through a 400 m wide swath of trees. Perth would only receive a bit of rain and their warmest January in more than two decades.Port Hedland and much of Western Pilbara would see two tropical cyclones in a little over a month. Tropical Cyclone Peta made landfall near Point Samson, causing shipping to be closed in Port Hedland on 22nd January. 261.6 mm of rain fell in Hooley Station, adding 28 billion litres of water, or 40% of its capacity, to the Harding Dam.Severe Tropical Storm Rusty was next, making landfall a mere 100 km to the east of Port Hedland. Port Hedland saw 39 straight hours of winds recorded at gale force, with gusts as high as 199 km/h. Pardoo Station would subsequently report 482.5 mm of rain, with other stations reporting as much as 300 mm of rainfall.Though Perth was not affected by tropical storms, it did see a very heavy system or rain and high winds on 7th-8th May. 53.4 mm of rain fell in Perth, while some suburbs saw up to 100 mm of rain. Some areas saw winds as high as 100 km/h.Max Italiano, owner of Action Sheds Australia, was happy to see a relatively calm year, but sounded a note of caution: “I am happy that we had such a quiet cyclone season, but I don't think for an instant that it means we aren't at risk for a direct hit in the future. We have been very fortunate in Perth. For the most part, it looks like we are almost sheltered from tropical cyclones due to where they usually form and how they usually move. But there is no guarantee that we won't get hammered like Port Hedland did this year.”Italiano continued, “Most houses are built to withstand cyclonic winds, but your sheds also must be able to withstand severe weather. ShedSafe certification guarantees that we have the know-how to provide you with the right shed for the right area, but why not go one step further with cyclonic sheds?”Italiano concluded, “Don't let your shed or its contents become projectiles in severe weather.”Action Sheds Australia provides cyclonic sheds to Perth and surrounding areas, for both residential and commercial use. For more information, please call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/

2013-05-20T23:31:00Z accountant-business-advisory-services-enriched-with-all-new-myob-companydocs

Accountant business advisory services enriched with all-new MYOB CompanyDocsMYOB launches new small business services online portal; announces exclusive launch offer Australia’s largest provider of accounting software MYOB announced a new online portal for small business services that will enhance their client relationships. MYOB CompanyDocs enables accountants to easily set-up a new corporate structure online anywhere, any time. This starts with proprietary limited company registrations, helping accountants and their clients meet ASIC and Corporations Act requirements. In coming months, the service will cover superannuation funds. General Manager, Accountants Division, Adam Ferguson says, “CompanyDocs will strengthen our accountant partners’ reputation as trusted small business advisors. They can register a new company for their client and check domain name availability all within CompanyDocs, with a step-by-step guide and tips provided along the way. “When the new company is registered with ASIC, MYOB will upload the ACN and Certificate of Incorporation and a full set of documentation into the CompanyDocs portal. It’s that simple. “We’re really pleased to partner with Sparke Helmore Lawyers to offer our accountants an approach to new business services that makes it easier for them to be a credible, connected advisor. We know this is a competitive market, so it’s important for CompanyDocs to provide effective data capture, quality documentation and end product, prompt delivery and competitive pricing. We’ve 100% delivered on this.” The easy-to-use online portal is also a ‘one stop shop’ of resources for trusted business management solutions such as the MYOB Live product suite and EXO Business. In further detail, key features of MYOB CompanyDocs include:High quality legal documentation provided by top 20 Australian legal firm Sparke Helmore Lawyers. With experts in legislation and company incorporations, trusts and self-managed superannuation funds, Sparke Helmore has provided all the legal documents for CompanyDocs. These are fully compliant with current-day practices and legislation.Online registrations through a simple to use and easy to navigate website containing helpful hints and tips.Fast turnaround time to process registrations via electronic lodgement direct with ASIC. Quick download of new company documents in an easy-to-read format.Document history via a dashboard that shows a summary of transactions and the status of applications.Client support via Live Chat. Before 1 July 2013, accountants can receive a $100 discount per new company registration in CompanyDocs.MYOB Connected Accounting Practices receive a free 3-month MYOB LiveAccounts subscription for each client registering a new company. Pricing: $465 for each proprietary company registration in CompanyDocs until 1 July 2013 (normally $565).**Incl GST and ASIC fee Visit http://companydocs.myob.com.au/- ENDS - For further comment or other information please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations ConsultantP: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997/ E: angely.grecia@myob.com About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is now Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. It simplifies accounting, payroll, tax, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory management and much more for businesses of all ages, types and sizes. Over one million businesses in Australia and New Zealand have used one or more of MYOB’s 50+ products and services. Today, its solutions extend online, delivering innovation through cloud computing. This enables its clients to be more productive and make smarter connections with their staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, book keepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections

2013-05-20T01:06:25Z with-music-education-at-risk-musicians-and-teachers-take-action

Perth, WA, May 20, 2013 - Peter Luff, the conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, doesn’t believe that the children are being exposed enough to music in elementary school. Furthermore, he feels that music should be a right and that adults, educational and music professionals most notably, have the obligation to impart some kind of musical knowledge and appreciation to them.The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has been performing during an annual concert series to elementary schools specifically in an effort to fight against the decline in well-supported music and arts programs.From the Queensland Conservatory of Music, Dr Ralph Hultgren makes the claim that musical education is much more creative than math and other subjects, and that it is music that enhances a person, separating them from everyone else. Music education also correlates with increased performances in math and other academic subjects, making it the perfect supporter of those other fields. It can also lead to increased social skills, including the greater capacity for teamwork.In fact, a good number of music and non-music academics agree that music education is very important to a well-rounded, holistic education, and is much more than just learning how to play an instrument, although that is a facet of it. That is not to say that math and other tested subjects are not as important, or even less, but that musical instruction is just as important as instruction and development in those areas.This being said however, Hultgren also makes mention of the point that music teachers should be trained professional in a way, thus making the quality of the education that much better. An average music fan could not effectively teach a music class without proper training and a specialist of sorts is required for the best possible music instruction.Other school principals and administrators are nervous about increased cuts to music program, especially in light of the new government NAPLAN teaching reform. Teachers and principals agree that music and instrument playing tuition is very important to a better education and development as a person overall. The QSO and other musical organisations continue to push for better music programs in primary schools nationwide.Monster Music, an online network of music teachers in Australia, and its owner, musician and teacher Danny Achurch, fully support the growth of music programs in primary schools and are against the cuts made to schools for any reason.“Music programs are so vitally important for our children,” Achurch, a personally major proponent of musical education states. “If a school cuts its music program, I feel that it’s letting down its children and students and short-changing them from what could be the best possible education for them.” Being a teacher himself, Achurch knows the value that teaching children of any age about music holds. “It doesn’t just make them a better student, but it makes them a better overall person to be able to appreciate music and express themselves creatively.” He claims on the subject. “Monster Music’s mission is to spread music education to those who need it and we do it because that’s what’s best for our young people.” Monster Music provides piano, violin, singing, and guitar lessons in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, and many other cities across the whole country. For more information about them, please visit http://www.monstermusic.com.au/ or call 08 9335 8881 now.

2013-05-17T05:45:34Z most-common-regret-of-brides-is-not-spending-enough-on-wedding-photography

Perth, WA, May 17, 2013 - Two different polls, two different years, one result: 21% of the recently-married brides who were polled regretted not spending more money on their wedding photos. The first poll was conducted by photography website Shutterfly from 10th to 13th January, 2011, and had 500 participants. The second poll was conducted by New York Magazine for their current issue, and had 100 participants. While the sample size may appear small, the convergent results cannot be attributed solely to coincidence. In the more contemporary of the two surveys, which provides more detailed data, flowers were the next item of regret at 16%, the wedding cake came in at 9%, the wedding gown came in at 9%, and everything else combined came in at 45%. A second part of the recent poll asked the bride’s what they regretted splurging on the most. Flowers were number one at 17%, while photos came in second at 12%. Hair and makeup or third at 9%, the wedding gown was fourth at 8%, and the wedding cake was fifth at 6%, leaving everything else at 48%. Peter Edwards is a wedding photographer with a wealth of experience in the Perth area, and is the owner of Peter Edwards Photography. He is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), and has also achieved a Double Master of Photography. His specialisation in wedding photography and the sheer number of weddings he has photographed make him uniquely qualified to interpret the data from the two surveys. Edwards begins by pointing out a pattern that is obvious to him: “Everything mentioned in the poll is visual, because the visual element of a wedding is extremely important to the bride. That is why it is so important to hire the best photographer for your wedding instead of price shopping. It is no accident that photos were mentioned first, and no accident that the other visual elements of the wedding were mentioned as the next three most important items.” Edwards continued: “When the wedding is being put together, it is often a reflex action to try and reduce costs. Sometimes, it is possible to find good work and an inexpensive price. Unfortunately, price shopping is usually hit and miss at best, and the bride ends up being disappointed at the quality of service she receives. Worse yet, when photography is one of the items at which the bride tries to save money, the results are almost always disappointing. This is false economy as if the purchase doesn’t meet expectations, no matter how small the amount paid there is no value. On the other hand an item purchased that is truly valued as time passes is priceless and the cost is soon forgotten and may even appear “cheap” on reflection.” Edwards added: “Ultimately, when the wedding is over, your photographs are going to provide the most enduring memory of your happiest day. If there is one thing, and one thing only, to make sure you do right, it is to hire a professional and experienced wedding photographer. Professional wedding photographers know how to use light effectively, how to use their equipment to the best advantage, how to pose people, capture that moment and put people at ease. ”Edwards commented further: “If a few of the visual elements in your wedding are a bit off, a great photographer can find a way to make them look good. However, a mediocre photographer only produces photos that look mediocre.” Edwards concluded: “Don’t trust your most cherished memories to chance: hire a professional and preserve your memories for a lifetime.” Peter Edwards Photography is a professional wedding photography firm from Perth. Not only do they specialise in weddings, weddings are all they do. For more information, or to inquire about their services, call 08 9316 2465 or visit their website: http://www.peteredwardsphoto.com.au/

2013-05-17T02:10:55Z hasty-decisions-costing-first-home-buyers-up-to-89-000

Rockingham, WA, May 17, 2013 - In the past year, Baldivis has become known as a haven for first home buyers. The combination of pent-up demand, a recovering WA economy, low interest rates, and reasonably-priced housing in Baldivis has combined to produce a market that is conducive to young buyers seeking their first homes.However, many first home buyers are paying as much as $89,000 extra over the life of their home loans, because they are not doing their due diligence. Buyers who struggle to save for a down payment find themselves putting down minimum deposits as low as 3% on their homes. According to industry estimates, as many as 33% of first home buyers are making minimum deposits on their homes.When a buyer makes a deposit below 20%, lenders not only add a host of upfront fees, but also charge more interest for their loans. Using average industry numbers, if two buyers purchase homes for $320,000, and one deposits $80,000 while the other deposits only $40,000, the borrower who made the smaller of the two deposits ends up paying a total of $89,935.75 more over the lifetime of their loan than the buyer who made the larger deposit.According to a recent blog post, The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham says that buyers should be wary of these costs, and recommends four strategies for first home buyers to lessen their debt burden by eliminating a portion of the upfront costs.Their first recommendation is to do due diligence on their respective state's grants for first home buyers. In WA, each first home buyer gets a one time grant totalling $7,000. These grants vary from state to state, with the N. T. offering a $25,000 grant for all homes except established homes in urban areas.For many first home buyers, it makes sense to find a guarantor. This is usually a relative who has enough equity in their house to put it up as collateral. This can eliminate a lot of the upfront costs that lenders add in to accounts with less than sterling credit and insufficient deposits.It is also important for first home buyers to make sure that their credit reports are clean and their credit ratings are as high as possible. When a loan doesn't fit a lender's ideal recommendations, they add a lot of upfront costs. For example, when buying a $400,000 house in NSW, with a deposit of $40,000, an extra $25,337 would be tacked on to the cost of the loan.According to Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, it is extremely important for anyone seeking a first home loan to do their due diligence. According to Smith, “In today's climate, especially for a first home buyer, it is important to shop around and find the best terms for your loan.”Smith continued, “The easiest way to shop around is to hire an experienced mortgage broker and let them shop around for you. Experienced mortgage brokers know which lenders are more friendly to which situations, and have access to many lenders from their desktops. Instead of driving around to a bunch of banks and loan companies, all you have to do is have your broker find the best deal for you.”Smith concluded, “Always hire a professional mortgage broker. You will save time, effort, and money.”The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham brokers home loans in Baldivis, Rockingham, Kwinana, and surrounding areas. For more information, call (08) 9527 1800 or visit their website: http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/

2013-05-16T23:00:48Z don-t-get-into-hot-water-with-claims

Concerns about the cost of repairs and ongoing maintenance for an owner’s investment property can be reduced by claiming back these costs when an investor is completing their tax return. Before an investor can start to tally deductions, it is necessary to understand the difference between claiming repairs, maintenance and capital improvements. Repairs & maintenance Work completed to fix damage or deterioration of a property is defined as repairs, e.g. fixing part of a damaged fence. Work completed to prevent deterioration to a property is defined as maintenance, e.g. servicing an air conditioner. A deduction for expenses incurred because of repairs or maintenance on an investment property can be claimed completely within the current financial year. Capital improvements Improving the condition or value of an item beyond its original state at the time of purchase is defined as capital improvements. Capital improvements must be depreciated or claimed as capital works deductions over time. Capital improvements are classified as either capital works deductions or plant and equipment. Capital works deductions include structural additions and renovations such as adding and extending an internal wall and also includes items fixed to the property which cannot easily be removed. Plant and equipment items include removable or mechanical items such as carpet, hot water systems and stoves. To determine how expenses on an investment property should be claimed, an investor can consider the following questions: Has the property or item been improved beyond its original condition at the time of purchase? If an item provides something new or changes the character of the original item in any way, it will be considered a capital improvement. Was the asset partially replaced, or replaced entirely? Partially replacing an item due to damage or wear and tear is classified as repairs and maintenance. If an owner decides to replace the entire item to improve the property’s value, it will be considered a capital improvement. A BMT Tax Depreciation Schedule will only include items classified as capital improvements. Repairs and maintenance can be separately claimed as a 100% deduction with an accountant when an investor is completing their tax return. BMT can answer questions about alterations, additions, repairs or improvements and the implications they may have on depreciation. Article Provided by BMT Tax Depreciation. Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS) is the Managing Director of BMT Tax Depreciation.  Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit www.bmtqs.com.au for an Australia wide service.

2013-05-15T23:17:00Z 25-years-on-the-banksia-awards-innovates-again

When the Banksia Awards first commenced in 1988, recognising environmental excellence was a unique concept. After 25 years it has become mainstream and Australia no longer sees environmental matters in isolation. “Today, it is important to reflect the interdependency between environment, society and the economy and the resulting excellence that comes from meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” says Graz van Egmond Chief Executive Officer, Banksia Foundation. “So to mark its 25 Anniversary, the Banksia Awards (now known as the Banksia Sustainability Awards) has acknowledged this vital step forward and the Awards in 2013 will reflect a sustainability approach throughout the various category awards”. To demonstrate this expansive area there will be 21 Awards in total. New awards added in 2013 to the portfolio are: 1.       The Banksia CEO Award - recognising an individual executive's contribution towards the economic, social or environmental sustainability achievements of the organisation or company they work for and which has collateral benefits for the globe. 2.       The Banksia Technical Awards including:a)      Waste Minimisation Soil Remediation & Improvementb)      Energy Efficiency and Carbon Managementc)       Transportationd)      Climate Adaptation 3.       The Banksia Business and Not-for-Profit Award – recognising leadership in implementing projects, strategies and initiatives that demonstrate capacity building, measurably enhancing the long-term social, economic and environmental state of the community and implementation of relevant solutions. This is seen through the full application of shared sustainability principles and practices throughout joint activities, demonstrating societal value add. 4.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainable Procurement Award 5.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainability Award To cater for this array, the awards presentation program format needed to be changed. This has allowed for specific awards and areas to be spotlighted. The Banksia CEO Award will be presented at the inaugural Banksia CEO's Corroboree. A breakfast gathering of Non-Executive Directors, CEOs and Senior Bureaucrats designed to provide the opportunity to discuss where their respective sector will be under the sustainability umbrella in 10-15 years. Providing an opportunity to focus on the technical aspects of sustainability, the Banksia Technical Awards will be presented at a lunch. The traditional Category Awards, the GPT Group Community Grant, the Banksia International Award and the Banksia Gold Award will be bestowed at the evening awards function.The Banksia Foundation acknowledges that the Awards are not just for the recipients but should be made accessible to as many as possible to learn and be inspired by the amazing examples of excellence. To enable this accessibility, the Awards Presentation program will be associated with the Australian Sustainability Conference and Exhibition, in Melbourne (9 – 10 October 2013). The Banksia Foundation is pleased to be working with Sustainability Business Australia (SBA) to reach Australian businesses and assist them in these challenging times. Entries are now open for the 2013 Banksia Sustainability Awards, providing Australians a great opportunity to showcase our innovation and leadership in the various areas of sustainability. – ends –

2013-05-15T22:58:00Z budget-2013-smes-must-take-advantage-of-technology-innovation-and-skills-initiatives-to-succeed

16 May 2013 MEDIA ALERTBudget 2013: SMEs must take advantage of technology, innovation and skills initiatives to succeed This year’s budget tax increases and spending cuts are the talk of the town in the lead up to the election. To help Australia’s small and medium business operators (SMEs) get the most out of the budget changes, we strongly encourage them to take advantage of technology, innovation and skills initiatives. These will help boost productivity, business performance and confidence in the domestic economy. MYOB CEO Tim Reed says, “Following the handing down of the budget, it can be tempting for business owners to postpone their growth plans until the election. Jobs and growth are key themes in this budget, and there were some positive announcements and opportunities for SMEs. “Investing $24 billion in roads, including highways and rail in our cities and regions, will help ease the pressure of rising fuel prices. This has been a top pressure point of SMEs since 2011. Our latest research found 61% of SMEs would welcome investment in transport infrastructure in our major states and cities. Adopting teleworking technologies can also help ease the pressure by enabling business operators to operate from home or any location outside of the office. “From a job’s perspective, it’s a pity the increase in the tax-free threshold to $19,400 was deferred, but given the government had already lifted the threshold from $6,000 to $18,200; this should still encourage more part time workers to return to the workforce as it becomes more financially viable. This could result in a larger group of skilled candidates for businesses to draw from when they are employing new staff. A fresh perspective and new skills in a team can work wonders for innovation. “I’m pleased with the government’s pledge for new funding to help small businesses take advantage of the National Broadband Network. I hope some of this can be directed towards training on leveraging the internet for business. Our research found more than half of SMEs were in favour of free government-funded training on how to use the internet to help them enhance and grow their business. In addition, SMEs with a business website were 60% more likely to experience a revenue rise in the past year. “The benefits of online technologies include the ability to compete on a more level playing field with local and global rivals, increased productivity and less time spent on business administration. This means more time for growing the business, which has the potential to make a difference to our economy.” Key 2013 Budget measures announced that may impact SMEs include:$24 billion investment for road and rail upgrades, including money for the M4 extension in Sydney, Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project and Melbourne’s Metro train system.$500 million investment in Industry Innovation Precincts and the government's $1 billion "Plan for Australian Jobs".$378.6 million for the Innovation Investment Fund to pump venture capital cash into high-growth businesses. $29.4 million in assistance for small and medium businesses vying for government services and tenders. Government grants of up to $1 million will be made available for SMEs.$12.9 million in new funding to help small businesses take advantage of the National Broadband Network.$3.2 million over 15 years for the “promotion and marketing” of Australian start-up success stories, with the aim to stimulate innovation within existing Australian businesses. Top initiatives that would turn SME election votes:*Making business life easier by reducing paperwork burden, abolishing the carbon tax and investing further in infrastructure were among the top 10 initiatives that would turn SME election votes towards the proposing party. Policies that significantly simplify the GST/BAS reporting process – 65%The abolition of the carbon tax – 63%More Federal Government investment in transport infrastructure in our major states and cities – 61%A reduction in payroll tax – 57%Increased Federal Government funding for skills, training and apprenticeship programs – 57%Increased Government funding for innovation, research and development by Australian businesses – 53%Waiving any penalty interest charges on late tax payments for start-up businesses in their first two years of operation – 53%Providing free Government-funded training to all small businesses on how to use the internet to enhance and grow their business – 51%The creation of a single flat tax for personal tax and company tax – 49%Further cutting Government expenditure to return to surplus faster – 42% Visit http://myob.com.au/EOFY for a summary of major tax changes, helpful tips and resources, and download a Federal Budget 2013 white paper. Note to media: If you’d like further statistics or commentary from MYOB, please contact:Angely Grecia, MYOB Public Relations Consultant Symon Madry, Haystac Public AffairsP: 02 9089 9071 / M: 0449 169 997 / E: angely.grecia@myob.com P: 02 8094 7779 / M: 0409 919 508 / myob@haystac.com.au *About the MYOB Business MonitorEstablished in 2004, the MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of small and medium business owners and managers, commissioned to independent market research firm Colmar Brunton. The most recent study ran in January and February 2013, surveying 1,005 operators from sole traders to mid-sized companies, representing the major industry sectors. The Monitor researches business performance and attitudes regarding areas such as profitability, cash flow, pipeline work, technology usage and the government. Note: the weighting of MYOB client and non-client respondents is reflective of overall market proportions.About MYOBEstablished in 1991, MYOB is now Australia’s largest business management solutions provider. It simplifies accounting, payroll, tax, CRM, websites, job costing, inventory management and much more for businesses of all ages, types and sizes. Over one million businesses in Australia and New Zealand have used one or more of MYOB’s 50+ products and services. Today, its solutions extend online, delivering innovation through cloud computing. This enables its clients to be more productive and make smarter connections with their staff, business partners, business advisors and customers. With a network of 20,000+ accountants, book keepers, certified consultants and other professional partners, MYOB provides support and tools that help make business life easier. Visit: http://myob.com.au/smarterconnections.

2013-05-15T11:16:04Z training-choice-opens-its-new-european-headquarters-in-london-united-kingdom

Given Training Choice's constant development and their success in providing training facilities in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and America, the company now offers their over 14 years’ experience and expertise to European clients. As a start, Training Choice will provide training facilities and related services in over 40 locations in the UK, 10 in Germany and will soon supply all equipped training and conference rooms in France, Italy, Spain and beyond.                                                             Training Choices’ headquarters will be located in the Marble Arch Tower, London; benefits of this European business central location are competition, proximity and accessibility. The opening of this first European office marks an important step in Training Choice's continued international growth. The London office will enable Training Choice to better serve existing clients and expand the company's roster of international clients. Training outsourcing offers professional industries and organisations a fantastic platform to showcase their training expertise in an effective manner; to achieve their training and development objectives. Training Choices’ aim is to deliver service excellence to maximise results; follow and respond to markets needs and remain close to customers.   Supporting rapid growth   Training Choice’s new headquarters will act as a central hub for the company’s facilities supplying offering across the European market. Salah BANNA, EMEA Director, will lead the London operation office. Salah comments: “We committed to our clients and partners to become the largest worldwide network of training facilities and the inaugural of the London headquarters is a testament to our customer centric focus to continually ensure we meet the needs of the market”.  Training Choice's clients now have access to over 250 locations worldwide providing state of the art facilities for training, conferences and meetings. Training Choice will be looking to provide more services to their clients and expand their presence in areas where it will benefit their customers, partners and the community at large. About Training Choice: Training Choice is an International company, specialising in the providing of training outsourcing solutions to multinational clients all over the world. In addition to rooms and facilities, Training Choice provide a full range of training outsourcing services including instructors, training sales, training administration, logistical support, catering... For further information visit: www.training-choice.com  Contact: Sofia DA SILVA - Europe Marketing Executive Tel: +44 20 7859 8355 Email: sofia@training-choice.com

2013-05-15T07:01:17Z long-awaited-vehicle-drives-riding-for-the-disabled-expansion

For an organisation that usually specialise in hooves, saddles and reins, the arrival of a new set of wheels today at Wagga’s Riding for the Disabled (RDA) paves the way for an expansion of the much-loved group’s services. Wagga Mutual Credit Union has presented the RDA with an eight-seater wheelchair friendly vehicle that will allow the group to transport children who otherwise could not access horse-riding and carriage driving lessons at the RDA’s arenas on Plumpton Road. The vehicle has been purchased and converted to become wheelchair-accessible following a $30,000 grant from the Wagga Mutual Regional Fund and an additional $35,000 in financial support from RDA donors and the Wagga community. RDA president Bev Amery has been eagerly awaiting the vehicle’s arrival and was today presented with the keys by Peter Rutter, General Manager Community of Wagga Mutual’s parent company Community CPS Australia. Already Mrs Amery has plans to keep the vehicle busy travelling across the region picking up children and bringing them to the Plumpton Road arena. "Now that we have the vehicle we’ll be able to pick up children from local schools which have not had their own means of transport and bring them here for lessons starting from next week," she said. "We’ll also be using the vehicle to transport our riding coaches to training sessions and RDA state conferences. "This is truly a highlight for us and marks a turning point in our long history. We started almost 40 years ago with six clients and now have more than 100 clients visiting us each week. The smiles we receive from our clients and the strength we see them gaining from their lessons is incredibly rewarding and we know they, and their families sincerely appreciate every trip to the RDA." Mr Rutter said the RDA was the second annual recipient of the Wagga Mutual Regional Fund Grant, which provided much needed support to a key community group in the region. "Bev and her team of volunteer trainers have been providing riding lessons since 1975 and are making a real difference to children and young people with disabilities," Mr Rutter said. "Today marks a special day in the history of RDA and it is with absolute pleasure that Wagga Mutual can present the car to Bev and her hardworking team of volunteers to help them extend their already popular services." About THE COMMUNITY CPS AUSTRALIA GROUP Three-time winner of Money magazine’s Credit Union of the Year award (2012, 2008) and Best Credit Union (2005) and winner of the Mozo People’s Choice Award for Best Credit Union (2012), the Community CPS Australia Group is one of the largest customer owned financial institutions in Australia. With assets under management approaching $4 billion, the Credit Union employs 598 staff across 46 branches to service more than 186,000 members. Community CPS is located in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and operates as Wagga Mutual Credit Union in Wagga Wagga, Companion Credit Union in the Hunter Valley and United Community Credit Union in Western Australia. The Group comprises activities in banking, the community (through the Community CPS Foundation) and professional services (wealth management, tax and accounting services via Eastwoods). For more information visit www.communitycps.com.au 　

2013-05-15T02:21:07Z now-is-the-perfect-time-to-take-out-income-protection-insurance

Did you know that income protection premiums are tax deductible? As the Australian Taxation Office views income protection as being ‘income protecting’ in nature, they generally allow for the deduction of your premiums against your personal exertion income. Therefore, as we approach the end of the financial year, now is the perfect time to take out income protection and qualify for the deduction before June 30 and Life Insurance Direct can help!  How much can I claim? The amount you can claim will depend on your marginal rate of tax. The 2012/13 marginal tax rates are outlined in the table below: Taxable Income Tax on this income 0 - $18,200 $0 $18,201 - $37,000 19c for each $1 over $18,200 $37,001 - $80,000 $3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000 $80,001 - $180,000 $17,547 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000 $180,001 and over $54,547 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,001 Source: ATO website, 26th April 2013 If you are earning between $37,001 and $80,000, you will receive approximately 32.5 cents back for each $1 of income protection premium you spend. For example, if your income protection premiums cost you $1,000 per year, you can expect to receive back approximately $325 following the lodging of your tax return. How do I claim the deduction? The deduction is claimable when you complete your tax return at the end of the financial year. Step 1: Make sure you have received a statement from your insurance company detailing the premium amount that is tax deductible. These statements are usually sent out in July or August. Step 2: Speak to your accountant or tax agent regarding your income protection premiums Step 3: Include all relevant paperwork, including the statement from your insurance company, in all documentation you submit to your accountant or tax agent. Step 4: Alternatively if you are completing your own tax return, visit the ATO website to find out where you need to include your income protection premium details. If in doubt, it is always advisable to speak to your tax agent or accountant before making any decisions. For more information, visit www.lifeinsurancedirect.com.au, call us on 1300 882 762 or contact the ATO or your accountant.

2013-05-14T22:29:58Z is-it-worth-buying-income-protection-insurance-as-a-carpenter

If you’re self-employed or work as a sub-contractor on a regular basis then an income protection policy is a vital addition to your insurance portfolio. Similarly if you have business overheads that you are committed to paying e.g. through a rental agreement, then it is also worth adding business overheads insurance to your policy or buying a completely separate policy. This is never truer than if you are a sole worker because as a one man band you’ll have nobody to rely on to keep your business afloat. If you consider the potential benefits of an income protection policy and weigh them against the premiums you’ll pay it’s easy to see that this particular type of insurance is worth buying. Even if you have an accident unrelated to work that means you can’t work in your profession as a carpenter you can still claim and receive a regular income. Some policies even let you claim for a spouse’s lost income if they have to have time off work to care for you.   The last thing any self-employed person wants is to lose the business they’ve worked so hard to build up just because they are too sick or injured to earn a living for a while. Some life insurance policies may help to cover medical expenses and other costs but they won’t provide a regular income that can be relied on. They won’t help to keep your precious carpentry business running either.  Click or income protection quoteby Lifedeal

2013-05-14T01:03:00Z nearly-half-of-australia-s-finance-professionals-hunting-for-new-job-survey

Media Release Nearly half of Australia’s finance industry hunting for a new employer - survey Australia, 14/05/2013 - Almost most half (46%) of Australia’s finance professionals intend to move to a new employer in 2013 according to a recent survey conducted by eFinancialCareers the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries. The eFinancialCareers Employment Survey* found the intended movement of Australian finance professionals resulted from a continued lack of career progression in their current firm (54%), perceived higher pay at other employers (38%) and frustration with a lack of recognition for their accomplishments (33%). These factors motivating employees to leave their current firm were also cited as the main reasons in the 2012 eFinancialCareers Employment Survey. The desire to change employers amongst Australian finance workers (46%) compared favourably to finance centres Singapore (64%) and Hong Kong (74%) respectively for 2013. “The slowdown in hiring activity has led to less people movement between financial services companies. For finance professionals this means there has been less opportunity to take advantage of internal openings created by staff turnover, and the large scale layoffs experienced at the end of last year are also likely to have stalled the potential for some individuals to progress within their organisations. While many companies are mindful of the risk associated with losing top talent, outward pressures can’t always be overcome. In this situation we tend to see more candidates looking externally for a chance to advance their careers despite the challenging hiring environment,” said George McFerran, Managing Director APAC at eFinancialCareers. Not just about the moneyWhen asked what factors, apart from compensation, would be critical in their decision to move to a new employer, a supportive culture and good working environment came top, followed by a defined career progression. The survey also found that two thirds of Australia-based finance professionals (65%) were keen to keep their flexible working arrangements if they were to move to a new employer. Ends * The eFinancialCareers 2013 Employment Survey was conducted in April 2013. The survey polled a total of 512 employed bankers and finance professionals in Hong Kong, 572 in Australia, and 1,262 in Singapore. The survey explored current issues and trends in employee retention in key finance hubs, in the region’s finance sector. About eFinancialCareers: eFinancialCareers, a Dice Holdings, Inc. service, is the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries. The website provides financial services professionals with job opportunities, job market news and analysis, salary surveys and career advice. Recruiters and employers can post jobs targeting specific sectors within the financial services industry, both buy-side and sell-side, and can search the resume database for highly qualified and specialized professionals. eFinancialCareers has a network of co-branded career sites with industry-leading trade publications and offers local websites in 19 markets and five languages primarily across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and financial centers of the Middle East. Please visit www.eFinancialCareers.com.au for more information. For media enquiries and more information, contact Cape Public Relations Pty Ltd:Ph +61 2 8218 2190 Emeere Roberts: emeere@capepublicrelations.com M: 0432 746 564

2013-05-14T00:35:17Z rare-coastal-estate-lomandra-now-on-the-market

[14 May 2013] It’s hardly surprising that when a property such as Lomandra hits the market, investors, developers and homebuyers all prick up their ears. The 10-hectare private family retreat is a rare treasure in the current property market. Nestled up against the coast, and just minutes away from the popular seaside resorts of Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga, the property boasts a unique combination of size, valuable natural assets, beach proximity and subdivision potential. Lomandra sits just two hundred metres from a three-kilometre long, pristine and near deserted beach and is bordered on two sides by natural vegetation boundaries - ensuring privacy and exclusivity. The property boasts the characteristics of Country Acreage, including a picturesque wetlands area, rolling fields, a freshwater lake, homestead and a level grass playing field. At the same time, the land is only a short five-minute drive to shops and services in the surfing town of Woolgoolga and twenty minutes to the bustling hub of Coffs Harbour. “Buyers tend to find that most properties in this category don’t tick all the boxes,” says building designer and current owner Peter Davey, who moved to the property with his wife Diana and three children in 1997. “Those that are this large and close to the ocean are often isolated from services, whilst those that are close to services and subdividable are rarely found in such a beautiful location. There is no shortage of endorsement for the area with some of Australia’s most recognised celebrities choosing neighbouring properties as their private retreats. “It's been an absolute treat for our family to live here - surrounded by beach, lake, kangaroos and extensive birdlife and while we have enjoyed every minute, we have also been aware of the potential for fruitful and sensitive development.” Lomandra provides a particularly lucrative opportunity as the local DCP already indicates a potential 61 lot development on the property. The two directly neighbouring properties have received development approval or are in the process of receiving approval for a total of over 130 lots. "It's an investment opportunity not to be passed up," said Mr. Davey. Great care has been taken to maintain the property’s unique natural qualities and Mr Davey, a strong advocate of green development and sustainability, is hoping that like-minded investors will be attracted to the sale, securing the property’s unique flora and fauna through high sensitive, low density develop. “It’s a tough decision to sell something loved so dearly, but the reality is that it’s time to pass the property onto someone new,” admitted Mr Davey. Expressions of interest should be directed to Peter Davey on +612 6654 8100 or dpdavey [at] gmail.com.Lomandra Fact SheetLomandra is a 10 hectare property on NSW Mid North Coast. The unique property is situated twenty kilometres north of the coastal hub of Coffs harbour and about 5 kilometres south of the surfing and holiday village of Woolgoolga. Key Facts: ●     Subdivision potential up to 61 lots ●     Village hamlet environment ●     20 minutes north of Coffs Harbour ●     5 minutes to Woolgoolga ●     10 Ha. parcel only 200 metres to the beach ●     Very quiet location ●      3 km walk along beach to Woolgoolga ●     All lots in close proximity to beach ●     Beach and freshwater lake proximity ●     Project suitable for investors or developers ●     Sea change, tree change or superannuation - your choice!   Media enquires contact: Tom Davey, +61 403 388 477 or t.davey [at] tomdavey.com.au. Example images on following page, additional images and high resolution versions are available upon request.

2013-05-13T05:58:21Z car-buyers-in-the-driver-s-seat-to-steer-a-good-deal

Next month thousands of Australians will take advantage of end of financial year car sales, but all buyers should do some homework first to make sure they’re actually getting a good deal, advises leading credit union, Community CPS Australia. With June consistently being the most popular month to buy a car - particularly in 2012 when sales rose 17 per cent compared to June 2011 and with demand in Europe slumping by as much as 20 per cent – Australian car prices are falling, making it a buyers’ market. Community CPS’ General Manager Distribution in the Hunter Valley, Ray O’Brien said it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of shopping for a car, particularly during the promotional periods, but buyers could save hundreds of dollars more if they sort out their finance first. "Sorting out your finances before shopping around helps give some clarity on what you can afford," he said. "It also gives you better bargaining power, especially if you get your loan pre-approved because you know your budget and can negotiate a deal straight away. This could save you thousands of dollars and could potentially offset any lower finance rates offered by the dealership. "Dealer finance packages can have appealing interest rates and be very convenient but consumers should consider the fine print," he said. Mr O’Brien provided his top five tips for consumers to consider when securing car finance, including: Before you start test-driving, get a car loan pre-approved Consider all the terms and conditions on your car loan, not just the interest rate – do you need a deposit, is it a short-term agreement, can you make extra payments? Read the fine print, particularly with highly promoted low rate loans – is this loan for a particular car, e.g. new not used, and is it available for a limited time? Consider all expenses, not just the cost of the car – this includes stamp duty, insurance, running costs and interest Explore a few loan options – talk to financial institutions Shane Townsend from East Maitland decided to get pre-approved finance with Community CPS – operating as Companion Credit Union in the Hunter Valley – for a new work vehicle, before shopping around to help make the process easier. "I knew from past experiences that the buying process would be easier if I got pre-approved finance for my Toyota Hilux first because I’d know how much I had to spend and could negotiate a deal with the provider straight away," Mr Townsend said. "Companion Credit Union helped me work out a realistic loan amount which was affordable and allowed me to buy the heavy duty car I needed for my building business. "Getting a car loan this time with Companion Credit Union was simple and convenient compared with my past experiences because they were helpful throughout the process," he said. About THE COMMUNITY CPS AUSTRALIA GROUP Three-time winner of Money magazine’s Credit Union of the Year award (2012, 2008) and Best Credit Union (2005) and winner of the Mozo People’s Choice Award for Best Credit Union (2012), the Community CPS Australia Group is one of the largest customer owned financial institutions in Australia. With assets under management approaching $4 billion, the Credit Union employs 598 staff across 46 branches to service more than 186,000 members. Community CPS is located in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and operates as Wagga Mutual Credit Union in Wagga Wagga, Companion Credit Union in the Hunter Valley and United Community Credit Union in Western Australia. The Group comprises activities in banking, the community (through the Community CPS Foundation) and professional services (wealth management, tax and accounting services via Eastwoods). For more information visit www.communitycps.com.au