20150401 hunternet what'son april -...

What’s On! APRIL 2015

CEO’s Message

Dear Members,

Welcome to this months edition of What’s On! This editions theme is focused

on Infrastructure & Asset Management and showcases several member

initiatives / developments including:

Forum Chair / Vice chair Q&A’s

John Holmquest, NHP, interview

Aurecon’s contribution to the New Space Building

Total Engraving rebrand

Port of Newcastle future planning

Georgiou’s Huntlee Development

DSI’s Civil Division capabilities

Three (3) HunterNet current initiatives are worthy to note. Firstly, the Future Leaders Program has

recently been launched. The Program extends over the next eight (8) months and aims to

accelerate our Future Leaders Professional Development and skills base. Secondly, the HunterNet

B2B Procurement Guide has been launched and aims to maximise procurement transactions

between HunterNet members themselves. I would encourage all HunterNet members to participate

in this wonderful opportunity to maximise benefits through leveraging the HunterNet network.

Finally, the HunterNet General Members Business Planning Conference will be held on 19 May

between 2.30-4.30pm. This is one of our most important events we hold annually. If provides the

opportunity for members to have a direct impact into HunterNet’s 2015 / 2016 Business Plan.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to three (3) new members; All Group Australia, Force

Access and TAE.

In closing, the HunterNet team look forward to working with you to improve your business success

during 2015.

Kindest regards,

Tony Cade

Editions Feature Infrastructure &

Asset Management

2015 I&AM Forum 5 in the Net : Justin Jefferson & Scott Thompson Making it in the Hunter

an interview with John Holmquest, NHP

Aurecon carries out structural, civil and

façade works for the University of Newcastle “New Space” building

Port of Newcastle are ‘Open for Business’

New Office & New

Energy at Labour Co

Georgiou Deliver at Huntlee and

Grow NSW Business

DSI Focus on Support for Infrastructure

Sander van Ameijde joins

DSI Australia

HunterNet Launches Future Leaders Program

2015

HunterNet General Members Business Planning Conference Hunter T&I Centre, Level 3, 251 Wharf Road, Newcastle 19 May 2015 @ 2.30pm

2.30-4.30pm Business Planning Conference (light refreshments provided)

followed by May General Member Meeting - hosted by Total Engraving

4.45pm Meeting registration

5.15pm Meeting commences

6.30pm Meet and greet (light refreshments provided)

RSVP by Friday 15 May to [email protected]

Editions Feature: Infrastructure & Asset Management Forum

Infrastructure & Asset Management Forum 2015 Over the last few years, HunterNet’s Project Forums have gone from strength to strength and

today represent the ‘engine room’ of HunterNet where major project owners and prime

contractors engage directly with members, members share market intelligence, and collabora ve

opportuni es are explored and tested. A key ‘value add’ of the forum is the development of

opportunity pipelines.

The Infrastructure Forum added Asset Management to its tle in July 2014 due to the fact that

many members were seeking or were capable of providing facili es maintenance /asset management

opportuni es across a range of industries. The change represented a natural progression for this

Forum.

Our presenters have been of the highest calibre during the current financial year and this will

con nue into the future. Members can be confident that the presenters that they meet at Forums are decision makers and

increasingly, project owners are looking to book a place at the table with HunterNet to engage with members as their poten al

preferred suppliers and service providers.

Our presenters have provided updates across a range of major projects which has included presenta ons from Port of

Newcastle, ARTC, Graincorp, Lend Lease (NACC RAAF Project) , Huntlee Town Development, John Holland Rail, Aurecon (Asset

Management Group), Veolia (Hunter Water Contract), Aurizon (Hexham Rail Facility) and many others.

An important part of the Forums are the regular presenta ons provided by members to help increase the awareness of our

collec ve capabili es and the Project Reviews, where the Infrastructure and Asset Management Pipeline Report is discussed and

reviewed and new project informa on added.

Our Project Forums would not func on without the input of members and the commitment from our Chairs and Vice Chairs.

We are thankful to have Jus n Jefferson from JA Mar n as our Infrastructure and Asset Management Forum Chair and Sco

Thompson from KSB Pumps as our Vice Chair.

The next Forum is on Wednesday June 10th from 8.00am, where we will hear from Robert Ioffrida, Project Director from the

Lend Lease Bouygues Joint Venture who will discuss opportuni es on the Northconnex Project (M2 to M1 tunnel link) and DSI

will provide an update on their Infrastructure and Maintenance capabili es.

Kind regards,

Karl Putnis, Project Director

Infrastructure & Asset Management Forum

OBJECTIVES

Develop opportunity pipelines for infrastructure and asset management related projects.

Promote member capabili es to industry sector primes.

Develop working groups engaged on supply chain par cipa on projects.

Expand the membership across relevant sub‐sectors.

Infrastructure & Asset Management Forum 10 June 2015 @ 8.00am Hunter T&I Centre, Level 3, 251 Wharf Road

Presenting: Robert Ioffrida, Project Director from the Lend Lease

Bouygues Joint Venture and DSI.

Page 2

5 in the Net with... Jus n Jefferson

Business Manager

J.A. Mar n

Chairperson


What do you enjoy most about what you do? The wide and diverse range of people I come into contact with and the daily challenges I am faced with. My role is quite varied, from working on Tenders with the team, searching for work opportuni es, networking with industry peers, company photography and general business development.

What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession / area of exper se through the years? With a downturn in the resource sector, big companies are no longer solving problems by simply throwing more money at the problem. Now the challenge facing SME’s, is how a company can add value to their offerings as opposed to purely cu ng bo om lines and having a race to the bo om.

What do you see as the coming trends in your profession / area of exper se? Efficiency gains, anything from produc on through to administra on, it’s all about reducing overhead without affec ng output, plus the customer’s overall experience. We need to be able to reduce produc on costs and gain produc on efficiencies, cheaper methods or ways of doing the same things or different methods to produce the same result.

What do you get from a ending forums and networking events? Networking with the right people or a lot of the me its mee ng people that are connected indirectly to the companies we are trying to reach out to. The posi vity that these people have is mo va ng and I like the informa on exchange that happens at these events.

Who would you like to talk to / be introduced to at our next networking event? Anyone that is involved with any of the major projects.

Stolthaven would be a great company to get along as the Mayfield project has a lot of opportuni es

Sco Thompson

Sales Engineer

KSB Australia

Vice Chairperson


What do you love/enjoy most about what you do?

I thoroughly enjoy my client base, one day I will be working

with civil contractors, nechanical engineers, consultants and

public works asset managers, the next day I could be on a mine

site in regional NSW. My role includes comple ng tenders from

start to finish and searching for work opportuni es, I enjoy

problem solving when a client is in need of a solu on when a

cri cal situa on comes along.

What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession/area of exper se through the years? In my industry KSB were successful in comple ng projects for suppling a highly efficient and designed pump. Now we are seeing a very price conscious market where the bo om line means everything. Companies are no longer comparing products.

What do you see as the coming trends in your profession/area of exper se? Efficiency, companies are always talking about reducing the capital cost with new innova ve ideas, I believe the days are gone of just customer rela ons, companies are looking for the new revolu on of products to reduce produc on costs and gain produc on efficiencies.

What do you get from a ending forums and networking events? Networking & sharing informa on, I find what you put into HunterNet you will receive back, It is surprising the wealth of knowledge & contact diversity within the members

Who would you like to talk to / be introduced at our next networking event? I met a lady from Delta Water at the Hunter Mining Show who didn’t have any business cards le , we have a lot of clients in common which I would like to share

Forum Project Pipelines

Our Forums involve a lot of hard work from our teams and are an integral part of HunterNet’s Intellectual Property.

Prior to Forums, Project Directors will email members links to PDF Project Pipelines saved in the password protected members sec on of our website . Hard copies will con nue to be available at Forums.

Please contact [email protected] if you require assistance with accessing the Members Sec on of our website.

How did you get involved in HunterNet? I was aware of HunterNet even while working and living in Queensland from my me working with Neville Sawyer at Ampcontrol. Neville was a personal and business mentor and as you know, a founding member of HunterNet. I guess some of his passion for Newcastle and the Hunter must have rubbed off on me.

What made you decide to go into the field you now make your living from? Coming from an electrical trade it was almost a natural progression really, I was always interested in management and leadership through my spor ng connec ons and felt I had something not only to offer but to give back to an industry that has provided a very good lifestyle for my family.

How did you get your start in the business? By luck really, as construc on was coming to a close on the QPAC performing arts complex in Brisbane where I was working as an electrical supervisor, I needed to find myself a new job. At the me (some 35 years ago) NHP were looking to start a sales representa ve with electrical trade experience. I had li le or no knowledge of sales and marke ng but quickly learnt you needed to provide excellent customer service backed up by sound technical support when supplying any technical goods to industry.

What advice would you give me if I wanted to be successful in your line of business? Provide excellent customer service. Ensure you staff are well trained and you have the right people in

the right roles. Constantly be aware of the opportuni es that are out there, as

there are many.

What advice would you give someone just star ng in this business? Planning, Planning, Planning and embrace and become a master of change. Many companies are caught unprepared by change that others see coming. Some companies take change in their stride whilst others stumble and fall.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I really enjoy mentoring and coaching and watching my team achieve. My job is to create an environment where my team can grow and develop to their maximum poten al.

So, John , if someone were to describe you in one sentence what would they say? John likes things to be done the right way.

What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession / area of exper se through the years? This is a great ques on, whilst there has been an incredible change in technology we s ll rely on rela onships to conduct business. People do business with people.

What do you see as the coming trends in your profession/area of exper se? Technology will con nue to drive change, it is interes ng to look back and note some of the famous quotes by some very notable people who are at the forefront of their industries who grossly under es mated the rate of innova on. I think it was Bill Gates who made the comment in 1984 that “640K ought to be enough compu ng capacity for anybody”

What was the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced in your business / organisa on? One of the funniest things that happened to me was just a er I joined NHP in the early 80’s, although I didn’t think it was funny at the me. We were doing a roadshow in western QLD and were on our way to Mt Isa in the NHP Display Van. We managed to get rained in at Longreach and spent the whole day wai ng for the flood waters to subside, eventually we headed off only to become completely bogged in the famous QLD black soil. S cky smelly and very wet we arrived in Mt Isa around 3.00am only to find the General Manager hadn’t booked any accommoda on for us. A er hosing ourselves down at the local football club oval we spent what was le of the night trying to get some sleep in the display van. I phoned my wife the next day and told her the story and made the comment that I wasn’t sure this company was for me. Funny now that I have been with NHP for over 25 years. I book my own accommoda on now!

What one thing would you do if you knew that you could not fail? I am a great believer in s cking to the plan, of course you need to be able to adapt that plan as circumstances change but in essence do what you say you are going to do. This is a trait that good leaders demonstrate and good managers manage.

It’s the end of a great week and you have some free me on your hands – what would you do? Another really good ques on, In my world there is never nothing to do. I am heavily involved with the AFL Juniors in NSW as the current chair of the Board of the AFL Greater Sydney Juniors. I have enjoyed watching the game develop over the past 10‐15 years, especially in the Hunter and across NSW. The recent debut of local Hunter Junior player Issac Heaney with the Sydney Swans was just an amazing story, for not only him and his family but for the game in general.

I like to play the occasional game with the AFL Masters and enjoy the mateship at the na onal carnivals, I have been lucky enough to represent NSW at the past ten carnivals.

Should the weather permit, something I really like to do is clear the cobwebs out of my VTX 1800cc Honda motorcycle.

Making it in the Hunter

An interview with John Holmquest Branch Manager - Newcastle, NHP Electrical Engineering Sales P: +61 2 4960 2220 M: +61 419 280 558 E: [email protected]

What do you get from a ending forums and networking events? I really enjoy both events and get to as many as I can when I am not travelling with work. The Business Value Group forum is just a great ini a ve hosted by HunterNet, it is not very o en you get a chance to hear firsthand the experiences of some of the most successful business people in the Hunter. I am constantly amazed just what Hunter business are doing not only locally but o en on a world scale. Has networking provided you with some valuable connec ons / work? Absolutely, as I said earlier people do business with people. I have been lucky enough to have travelled to every state and territory with my work, in addi on to a number of interna onal supply line partners in the USA, Japan, Europe and New Zealand and have met many amazing people along the way.

What separates you from the compe on? I believe it is our people, they are your number one asset so you need to look a er them.

What would you say the culture at your organiza on is? Our core values are what we live by and we have a saying in our business: hire for values train for skill. Adap veness to change, passion for the customer, energy, integrity, commitment to performance, consistency.

Are you par cipa ng in or leading the field in innova on? Whether it is product, service or simply embracing technology NHP enjoys being the market leader in its field. To give you an example our sales team can provide our customers with a technical drawing within minutes through an in house so ware package we have developed. In addi on every customer facing representa ve has state of the art access to stock in any branch and customer pricing capability via their smart phone or tablet. What if any do you see the role of the customer should play in the innova on strategy? A lot, a number of our products and services have been developed because of feedback from customers. Many of those have been around improving safety and produc vity.

Editions Feature: Infrastructure & Asset Management

Newcastle’s city centre is undergoing a significant revitalisa on. Ini al projects include the NeW Space building, for which Aurecon was contracted to provide structural, civil and façade engineering design services. This building is part of the inner city campus for the University of Newcastle.

The new campus will accommodate offices and the teaching and learning spaces for the University’s Faculty of Business and Law. The NeW Space design incorporates various urban connec ons at ground level and includes refurbishment to areas of the adjacent University House building. The loca on for NeW Space is integral to the University’s vision for an expanded city presence and will contribute to the enhancement of the CBD of Newcastle. The campus will act as a city landmark and facilitate greater engagement with the business and legal communi es and with the people of Newcastle.

The NeW Space building represents an exci ng and iconic structural form that ‘twists’ to unlock views of Nobbys Head; the Hunter River mouth; and the City Hall Tower. Aurecon has worked closely with Lyons Architects and their local collaborators, EJE Architecture, to provide elegant and efficient structural engineering solu ons that respond to the complex geometrical form of the building.

The comple on date for the project is early 2017.

The design challenges facing Aurecon included:

“Hybrid” Structure: part post‐tensioned concrete slab and band beam structure; and part steel framed with bondek slab structure

“Nobbys Extension” is a four storey steel structure extending out from the main building and is suspended five stories above the ground. It is supported by two storey high steel trusses on two raking five storey high columns.

No uniformity or regularity – almost every aspect is unique and complex. Not a single floor plate is the same.

Very complex façade with over 20 different façade elements.

Refurbishment of the adjacent University House building.

Aurecon carries out structural, civil and façade works for the University of Newcastle – NeW Space building

Industrial Engravers Go Total Industrial Engravers in Sandgate Rd. Sandgate have changed their name to Total Engraving.

Total Engraving offers a total 360 degree service to the mining, construc on, architectural and electrical industries. They also work with signage companies across Australia providing a comprehensive suite of engraved and laser etched products.

Total Engravers have also launched a new professional looking website which highlights what their customers say and showcases some of their project such as Bathers Way (engraved stainless steel) and Anzac Memorial Walk (engraving of soldiers). Please go to: h p://totalengraving.com.au

HunterNet General Members Business Planning Conference Hunter T&I Centre, Level 3, 251 Wharf Road, Newcastle 19 May 2015 @ 2.30pm 2.30-4.30pm Business Planning Conference (light refreshments provided)

followed by May General Member Meeting - hosted by Total Engraving

4.45pm Meeting registration

5.15pm Meeting commences

6.30pm Meet and greet (light refreshments provided)

RSVP by Friday 15 May to [email protected]

Page 8

At the April HunterNet Infrastructure Forum, Peter Francis, Execu ve Manager, Trade and Business Development, Port of Newcastle provided members with a presenta on and window into the future regarding planned port development. Several of Peter’s management team also a ended and engaged with members during the networking session a erwards.

Peter detailed planned development on a precinct by precinct basis which includes the Kooragang, Walsh Point, Carrington and Mayfield Precincts. The vision for the port is to maintain Newcastle’s posi on as one of the leading and most efficient global scale coal export ports and facilitate con nued growth and development of exis ng and new trades in a sustainable manner.

Peter also discussed the 98 year lease arrangements between the NSW Government and The Infrastructure Fund (managed by Has ngs) and China Merchants Group who have $820b of global assets under management which includes investment in 24 seaports worldwide.

As a Patron Member of HunterNet the message was that Port of Newcastle are ‘open for business’ with the inten on of engaging with HunterNet members and local business. The presenta on can be found on the HunterNet website with your member logon and password.

Port of Newcastle are ‘Open for Business’

The plan is to facilitate end to end supply chain solu ons for import and export and grow exis ng or introduce new trades and business with:

Project management from concept to opera on

Joint capital project partnerships

Guide proponents through planning and enviro systems

Introduce service providers within the port and the region

Facilitate access to berths and land

Land leasing

New Office and New Energy at Labour Co Labour Coopera ve Group has been opera ng in the labour hire industry since 1986, a not‐for‐profit, self‐funded company servicing a broad range of industry categories. A er opera ng for a number of years in Cooks Hill, Labour Co. have moved to their new offices at 38 Clyde St, Hamilton.

“Our move to Hamilton will make it easier for our clients and employment candidates to gain access to us and will also cater to our expanding range of services”, said Managing Director, Danny Egan. “We welcome HunterNet members to visit us at our new premises”.

Labour Co. has also recently employed Debbie Eade as their Business Development Manager. Debz provides some new and infec ous energy into the business and HunterNet members are sure to become familiar with her though her a endance at HunterNet forums and mee ngs. She is looking forward to sharing informa on, assis ng fellow members and contribu ng to HunterNet.

“We welcome Debz to our team. She possesses a broad experience in labour hire services and has a history of working closely with clients to gauge their changing needs and ensuring value for money outcomes along the way”.

No placement fee – Labour Coopera ve Group does NOT

charge a placement fee for transi oning casual employees

to permanent or full‐ me work a er 1 month.

Fully ve ed staff, using Labour Coopera ve Health’s

comprehensive pre‐employment health and func onal as‐

sessment processes.

Commitment to safe work environments through site

inspec on, induc on programs and equitable rates of pay.

Reduced workplace costs.

ISO 9001:2008 Web‐based Quality Assurance

management system.

Industry leaders for 29 years in the Hunter area.

Surplus funds re‐directed to training staff to provide

clients with a wider selec on of qualified staff.

For more informa on call

Debz on 0434 703 009.

Labour Coopera ve can deliver many benefits to their clients including:


Leading building construc on, engineering and property development company and HunterNet member Georgiou Group has announced the appointment of a senior industry figure to drive its expansion into New South Wales, just six months a er being awarded a major land development contract in the key east coast market.

The company has appointed Robert Monaci as its inaugural New South Wales General Manager, a posi on which will see him responsible for establishing and growing a presence for Georgiou in the civil engineering market in New South Wales.

Holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from the NSW Ins tute of Technology, Mr Monaci brings more than 27 years of engineering and construc on experience to the company and has built his career on a prac cal approach to project management and a strong customer focus.

Previously with John Holland Pty Ltd as the General Manager Opera ons Infrastructure South, Mr Monaci has also held senior leadership roles with Thiess and BIS Industrial Logis cs.

Chief Execu ve Officer John Georgiou said the company was delighted to have secured the services of a senior and well‐respected industry figure to spearhead its New South Wales opera ons.

“Georgiou is a growing business playing in a number of markets across Australia and, as a company, we feel it’s important to expand our reach into New South Wales with both exis ng and new clients,” he said.

“Robert’s solid understanding of the engineering and construc on industry will greatly augment Georgiou’s ability to sustainably grow the New South Wales business and the industries in which it operates.”

Headquartered in WA, Georgiou is a na onal company with established opera ons in Victoria and Queensland.

The move into the New South Wales market comes just six months a er Georgiou was selected by LWP Property Group to deliver the first stage of works of the Huntlee New Town Project in the Hunter Valley.

The $40 million‐plus term contract will see Georgiou deliver upwards of 250 lots over two years, with the company responsible for development of the site from clearing to final prepara on of lots for sale – including the establishment of roads and provision of u li es such as water, sewerage and power.

“Across Australia, Georgiou has really established itself in the land development market which is core to our business,” said Mr Georgiou.

“We have highly experienced project teams who strive to deliver high‐quality projects, in excess of our clients’ expecta ons.

“Securing the Huntlee New Town contract opened the door for Georgiou to bring that experience into New South Wales, and really grow our brand and capability. We an cipate the next 12 months will see Georgiou firmly establish itself in the State and con nue delivering innova ve solu ons to clients.”

Georgiou Deliver at Huntlee and Grow NSW Business

Katherine's Landing street loca ons in construc on zone 1 Katherine's Landing & realignment of Wine Country Drive underway

Lake, playing fields and Coles loca on (Wine Country Drive)

Industrial Experience for UoN Engineering Students Newcastle University engineering students are required to complete 12 weeks of industrial experience in order to qualify for their engineering degrees. As employment condi ons are a bit ghter at the moment their students will be looking more broadly for contacts to be able to secure relevant experience.

HunterNet members may be approached by students seeking work experience.

If you haven’t heard from anyone and feel that you could assist them please contact Linda Se on, Careers Consultant on 49 215588 or Linda.Se [email protected]

When people think of DYWIDAG‐Systems Interna onal Pty. Ltd. (DSI) what easily comes to mind is DSI’s successfully established Mining business as Australia’s largest manufacturer and supplier of specialist strata reinforcement & support products to the underground coal and metalliferous mining sectors.

Lesser known is the DSI Civil division which is now set to grow further opportuni es in Australia. The aim of DSI’s Civil division is to assist and supply the civil construc on market with highly engineered, proven techniques for the support of geotechnical, tunneling or post tensioned structures.

Geotechnical systems include anchor and piling systems and their related product lines are used for a wide variety of geotechnical applica ons such as the stabilisa on of slopes and excava ons, substructure founda on needs as well as the counterac on of upli forces both for new structures and for the rehabilita on of exis ng structures.

DSI also develops, manufactures and supplies en re product lines and system solu ons for Tunneling. DSI's innova ve tunneling systems are known under the brand name of "ALWAG Systems" and have an excellent reputa on on the market.

DYWIDAG Mul strand Post‐Tensioning Systems have been used for decades for the construc on of bridges, commercial buildings and many other structures requiring engineered reinforcement and support elements. Increasingly, they devote their know‐how and technology to the repair and rehabilita on of exis ng structures.

DSI is also a specialised manufacturer & supplier of technically sophis cated Concrete Accessories such as li ing & fixing tools or chemicals for concrete structures and knowledge and products for injectable resins. DSI is the founder of the well‐known full‐treadbar systems type GEWI and WR‐high‐tensile bars.

Sander van Ameijde joins DSI Australia

To strengthen the DSI Civil business, Sander van Ameijde has joined the team at Benne s Green as Manager Sales and Marke ng Civil in Australia.

Sander joined DSI‐Netherlands in 2007 and brings a wealth of experience with him to Australia. While working in Europe on a number of iconic projects Sander and his team developed several successful systems working together with the precast industry.

DSI was successful in the delivery and execu on of several larger civil projects (involving Sander) that have been published in DSI’s capability and marke ng informa on over the years.

Projects include a 3 kilometre mul span elevated highway in Amsterdam with longitudinal and transversal post‐tensioning. DSI also executed a 1100+800 ton stay cable bridge with 80 stay cables of size 61 and 91 strands over the River Rhine. Another iconic project was the quay wall of 1200 meter ed back with Gewi+ DCP‐bars and Strand‐ es of 22 and 27 strands in the newly built harbor at Port of Ro erdam.

“I have experienced a warm welcome from the team at DSI Australia. The first signs of the civil market are challenging but posi ve,” said Sander.

“Within DSI Australia, the posi ve atmosphere is encouraging, combined with the easy going nature of the people and the climate. I will have a great me here”.

Sander is se ling into the region with his young family and is looking forward to engaging with HunterNet members and ge ng to know them.

DSI Civil recently launched their new website: www.DSICivil.com.au

You can contact Sander on 0477 026 822 or [email protected]


DSI Focus on Support for Infrastructure

The inaugural HunterNet Future Leaders Program was launched in style on April 16th at PKF Lawler’s fantas c facility in Hunter St. The program will be conducted over 8 months which will culminate in a gala dinner in November where par cipants will present the outcomes of their group projects which will be judged by a panel of judges who are leaders in their industry. HunterNet Future Leaders commenced in 2014 when a core group of HunterNet future leaders formed an organising commi ee who together with HunterNet Project Director, Karl Putnis explored the need to develop a structured and sustainable program that would become part of the HunterNet landscape in the coming years. Fortunately, Karl had a discussion with Steve Tolley from Engenicom who introduced Karl to Ed Riley from MaxSam, who has been involved with the development of leadership programs in the past. The planning for the Program commenced over 6 months ago with Ed, Steve and Karl working with the organising commi ee – Sabina Andersson, LMC; Jen Benson, ATSA/UVS; Rick Evans, State Training Services; Pierre Goullier, RPC; Mathew Swan, PKF Lawler; and Craig Williams, Bohemia Interac ve. This team has done a marvellous job and have been very commi ed to the vision and value that this program can provide by taking on many of the tasks related to marke ng, the development of the program project, the organising of high profile presenters, mentors and judges and many of the administra ve tasks. Merran Wiggins was added to the team as our Program Liaison earlier in year and has done a great job in support of the marke ng, launch and event coordina on. The response from members has been fantas c with the investment employers see in the development of future leaders and the recogni on of the value that this program can provide. This program also represents an investment in the future of our Region with program par cipants coming from a broad range of Hunter based companies and from large regional employers such as Varley, Forgacs, Port of Newcastle and Newcastle University. HunterNet Board member and FL team member Steve Tolley opened the Launch and was followed by members of our Future Leaders organising commi ee who discussed the course topics and the group project part of the program. HunterNet Chair, John Gambrill thanked the organising team and welcomed all the par cipants. The Launch was also a ended by dis nguished guests, industry leaders and HunterNet Board members. We are very thankful to PKF Lawler for hos ng the event and especially the many staff who organised the event and assisted with catering ac vi es. The first presenta on session commences on April 30. If members wish to get involved with the program it is not too late. Please contact Merran at [email protected] or Karl at HunterNet.

HunterNet Launches Future Leaders

HunterNet Business 2 Business Booklet Business adver sements are a great way to showcase your business and what you can do for HunterNet and its members.

1/4 Page Adver sement = $255 (50 spaces available)

1/2 Page Adver sement = $450 (50 spaces available

48 page booklet with 4 editorial pages

5000 copies approximately 25 copies per member Artwork for adver sements can be submi ed print ready or designed by the studio at a cost. Please contact [email protected] or 0422 348 417.

Express Delivery Service To assist HunterNet customers with their repairs and maintenance following the recent bad weather, Specialised Wholesale are running an express delivery vehicle over the coming months.

Specialised Wholesale realise that members have an enormous task ahead in repairing their infrastructure and that me ‘off site’ can affect how quickly they get back to normal.

Contacts for Specialised Wholesale express delivery service are:

[email protected]

Sales Phone 02 4952 4544

Fax 02 4956 1449

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FORGACS has joined with minehunter builder Thales to tender for a $600 million contract to build up to 21 Pacific patrol boats.

Melbourne‐based BAE Systems and Western Australia’s Austal shipyard are also expected to compete for the contract, which is worth $1.4billion once a 30‐year maintenance program for the vessels is included.

The new fleet is to replace 22 vessels built by Australia in the 1980s and 1990s and donated to a dozen Pacific states including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga.

Forgacs Chief Execu ve Lindsay Stra on said the patrol boat contract was in ‘‘the sweet spot’’ as far as the company’s facili es and abili es were concerned.

Opening the tender last month, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said the Government was looking for a steel‐hulled design of up to 40metres that was ‘‘simple and cost‐effec ve to own, operate and maintain’’ and had a top speed of 20knots or more.

‘‘The replacement vessels will be larger and more capable than the current fleet.

‘‘They will also have greater sea‐keeping ability, habitability and endurance, and will be updated for the contemporary opera ng environment,’’ Mr Andrews said.

Mr Stra on said that while Forgacs was determined to win the work, it would not be enough to completely span the ‘‘valley of death’’ that Forgacs and other naval ship‐builders were facing once the exis ng air warfare destroyer work wound down at the end of the year.

The industry was back in the news last week when the Federal Government released a 300‐page report on naval shipbuilding by the United States‐based Rand Corpora on.

The report examined the problems facing the industry and said a lot of Australia’s cost problems could be overcome by more consistent ship ordering by the Federal Government.

Forgacs has hundreds of people working hull modules for the destroyer contract being assembled in Adelaide by the Government‐owned ASC. The final module for the second ship was finished last week and Mr Stra on said Forgacs had 10 modules for the third and final vessel under way at Tomago.

These would leave for Adelaide on ‘‘two or three barges’’ as they were finished in the coming months, but as things stood, work would run out at the end of this year.

Tenders for the patrol boats closed in June, but even if Forgacs won the job it would ‘‘take too long’’ to maintain the full workforce.

Forgacs hopes to win a contract to replace the ageing

Pacific‐class patrol boats.

QMS CEO Appointed as Chair of AACB QMS CEO, Adam McDean, has been unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Associa on of Accredited Cer fica on Bodies (AACB).

AACB's mission is to ensure accredited cer fica on of management systems, products and personnel is understood, accepted and valued by key stakeholder groups, including government, industry associa ons and both public and private organisa ons.

Adam says he is thrilled to lead the organisa on into its next phase.

“AACB have been working hard to raise the profile of cer fica on and explain its importance for business growth and success,” Adam said.

“We are now moving into our own growth phase as an organisa on, looking to value‐add within our own industry and grow the sector as a whole.”

Although historically an Australasian‐focused organisa on, AACB and its members plan to build its industry profile, both locally and abroad, and become a leading industry representa ve globally.

Forgacs, Thales to tender for patrol boats contract

Member Collabora on

QMS CEO, Adam McDean, Chairman of the Associa on of Accredited Cer fica on Bodies

(AACB).

Host a HunterNet Members Meeting HunterNet invites member companies to host one of our monthly Members Meetings. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business to the wider HunterNet membership. For more information or to register your interest in hosting a meeting please contact Adrienne (02) 4908 7380 or [email protected]

Page 2 Page 2 Welcome New HunterNet Member

Disclaimer HunterNet is a business development network focused on championing the combined capability of our network and promoting the Hunter region as an international centre for manufacturing and engineering excellence. The views expressed in What’s On are those of the authors, not our membership as a whole. The information herein is provided in good faith. HunterNet does not guarantee the accuracy of information provided or assume any responsibility arising from the publication for any damages costs or claims.

All Group Aust P/L—Facili es Management Specialist

Mr Troy Bosden 162 Hillside Road, Avoca Mobile: 0423 229 898 Email: [email protected]

About Us : All Group Australia is a small complete Facility Management company that has a base on the Central Coast.

Principle MarketsMines: Shopping centre's, commercial buildings, schools and universi es.

Capabili es: Specilising in cleaning, security, waste management, pest control, hygiene, fire service and all general maintenance needs.

Mr Anthony Johnson 8 Stenhouse Drive, Cameron Park

Mobile: 0417 213 572

Email: [email protected]

Force is the leading provider of safe, reliable, access equipment hire solu ons. Force specialises in the hire of elevated work pla orms; scissor li s, cherry pickers(boom li s), knuckle booms, ver cal li s, teleshandlers and travel towers to meet any access requirements.

Sa ety at Heights

Force works with you to achieve your working at heights project goals. WithAS/NZS4801 Safety Accredita on and ISO 14001 Environmental Accredita on across the en re branch network you can bank on Force to help you deliver a greater return on your project.

Mr Gary Jones Raff Base, Williamtown Mobile: 0414 747 552 Email: [email protected]

About Us

TAE is 100% Australian owned and is Australia’s No 1 provider of gas‐turbine engine MRO services. We also provide industry‐leading services in aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, avionics, fuel and electrical component maintenance, aircra wheels & brakes and materials sales.

Principle markets

Gas turbine ‐ Total logis cs support (fleet management, engineering, MRO&U, materials and

supply support).

Manufacturing ‐ aluminium vacuum braze products, avia on whets and brakes ‐ MRO&U.

RESTORING STRENGTH AND HOPE AFTER A SPINAL INJURY A er a serious spinal cord injury, movement and feeling can be lost completely. Currently there are no medica ons available to help people walk again. Surprisingly, exercise therapy holds the best promise to recover movement a er injury, as HMRI researcher Dr MICHELLE RANK explains.

Each year nearly 400 Australians sustain a spinal cord injury, with one in three injuries occurring in young people be‐tween 15 to 24 years old. Most spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Right now, around 12,000 Australians are living with a spinal cord injury, most (84%) of them men.

How severe a spinal cord injury is depends on the loca on and amount of damage to the spinal cord. Injuries to the neck will result in a paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia) and injuries below this level will result in different areas of paraly‐sis from the legs up to the abdomen (paraplegia).

Spinal cord injury can also impact other bodily func ons. Bladder and bowel control can be affected as well as the ability to breathe independently. The long‐term effects of spinal cord injury can be devasta ng.

Specialised exercise training, usually in the form of therapist‐assisted step training on a treadmill, is by far the most effec ve treatment cur‐rently available. It results in significant improvements in standing and walking a er spinal cord injury.

Most people with spinal cord injuries have some undamaged nerves le around the site of the injury. Using laboratory models, our research has shown that exercise training encourages the remaining nerves to sprout and make a func onal ‘bridge’ around the damaged area.

I also recently discovered that dedicated exercise therapy improves the communica on across these nerve ‘bridges’. For pa ents with a spi‐nal cord injury, this means it is easier for messages from the brain to reach the muscles they want to move.

The next step in my project, subject to funding support, is to try to iden fy what type of nerve cell in the spinal cord is most important for recovery, and most sensi ve to exercise training. This will hopefully lead to targeted therapies that can increase recovery and reduce the amount of exercise therapy required.

* Dr Rank is a member of the University of Newcastle’s Pain and Sensory Dysfunc on Research Group and researches in conjunc on with HMRI’s Brain and Mental Health Research Program. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

Many of us recall the recent exci ng news about the con nued recovery of Newcastle Knights player Alex McKinnon. A er months of dedicated physical therapy since sustaining his spinal cord injury in March 2014, Alex is now able to stand.

His impressive recovery from a devasta ng paralysis to regaining strength and movement has been remarkable to watch. But how is it possible?

Emerging therapies like stem cells are very exci ng but for now simple is best.

Exercise therapy can improve movement!

Community Partners - HMRI

Donate to HMRI There are many ways you can donate to HMRI and every dona on, no ma er how big or small, contributes to be er health for the community.

You can give a single dona on, make a regular monthly dona on, leave a dona on in memory of a loved one, and more. All dona ons $2 or more are tax deduc ble.

By dona ng to HMRI you are enabling them to support their researchers and their vital research, helping prevent illness and improving health outcomes in the future for people in our community and across the world.

You can make a dona on online, or call (02) 4042 1000 to speak to a team member.

Mark will host and perform at the Big Band Benefit Concert to raise funds for Cys c Fibrosis Research on Friday May 29th at the Factory Theatre, Park Avenue, Adamstown (see map).

VIP Cocktail cket $75.00: concert cket + entry to VIP Cocktail Party which includes gourmet food and beverages plus some very special extra’s (must be over 18 to purchase). VIP Cocktail Party doors opens 6:30pm.

Show only cket $25: includes concert only. Limited food and beverage available to purchase from the venue café. Concert Doors open 8pm.

All ages welcome.

Find out more: h p://www.hmri.com.au/hmri‐event/mark‐wells‐concert/

Community Partners - Salvation Army

The Red Shield Appeal happens every year because hope isn’t part of everybody’s story.

And we’re passionate about changing that. Help write chapters of hope into the story of your community. Be part of something that’s bigger than yourself.

Bigger than fear or failure. Bigger than "you can’t do it" or "you're not good enough".

Be part of a drought‐breaking rain of hope that soaks the places that need it most… your postcode, your city, your neighbours,

your loved ones.

Possibility and a future is something we want for everyone – no excep ons. So join our army of hope and give what you can to see our

movement thrive as it con nues to meet the needs of 1 million Aussies every year.

Give a dona on, volunteer your me or simply spread the word. h p://salvos.org.au/get‐involved/help‐us‐fundraise/red‐shield‐appeal/

We can’t do it without you.

DONATE TO THE SALVO’S The Salva on Army helps more than one million disadvantaged Australians each year without discrimina on, including people who are hungry, homeless, abandoned or abused. That's one person every 30 seconds.

The need is growing all the me. We have many heart‐warming stories that owe their success to caring individuals like you. In fact, there are people out there right now whose lives could be changed because of you.

Please keep up the great work and help us to con nue suppor ng people in need all year round. Donate online now

Doorways - A New Model for the Delivery of Emergency Relief Services The Salva on Army (Australia Eastern Territory) announces it is changing the way it delivers emergency relief services from April 1, 2015.

The new delivery method ‐ Doorways ‐ is an innova ve, best‐prac ce model to run and manage Salva on Army services across 48 regions in New South Wales, Queensland and ACT providing emergency relief (ER) and financial counselling.

This new approach aims to end long term, genera onal welfare dependency, which affects up to 20% of clients. It also aims to restore those in situa onal poverty back to previous level of func oning.

Major Bruce Harmer, spokesperson for The Salva on Army, says Doorways is about focusing on the needs of clients who are experiencing both situa onal and genera onal poverty.

“We want to help people deal with their needs in an efficient and effec ve manner. We want a client to develop the confidence and receive the support to break free from the cycles they are trapped in. Doorways will focus on the long‐term unemployed and those with complex needs, delivering a higher standard of care through dedicated and trained case managers working to a standardised triage model.

“The other advantage for clients is they will now have access to help more regularly during standard opera ng hours. Previously, opera ng hours were dependent on individual center hours which varied according to the volunteers and employees who staff that centre. Clients will now also be serviced by staff with appropriate case management qualifica ons,” said Major Harmer.

Highly successful trials of the Doorways model have been run across metropolitan areas in Sydney and the Illawarra region.

“Successful trials of this new Doorways model were run between 2013‐2014 across four sites including Liverpool, Fairfield, Illawarra and Hurstville. Both clients and employees overwhelmingly reported posi ve feedback of the new model,” said Major Harmer.

Community Partners - Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Right on track Pacific Na onal is proving to be just like “The Li le Engine That Could” when it comes to its support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Employee workplace giving alone has contributed $27,000 to the Service since May last year when the scheme came into opera on. The rail company holds “Employee Business Update” sessions, normally twice a year during rail network shutdown periods. “It’s extremely challenging to get our employees who work 24/7 rosters into one room,” said Pacific Na onal’s Nadine Hughes. “Track maintenance periodically prevents our services from opera ng, so those instances are the perfect opportunity to engage our workforce and update them about our customers and our business. “As one of our chosen chari es, we feel these are excellent forums for the Service to gain some addi onal exposure and support.” Ms Hughes is happy to deflect a en on to Community Liaison Officer Adam Tyrrell. “We’ve seen some very touching and sobering presenta ons from Adam, and they have clearly tugged at the heartstrings and the wallets of our employees, which is wonderful to see,” Ms Hughes said. “Staff can see the value of the Service. “Our train crews operate in remote areas, so they realise the importance of helicopters, especially if they ever needed support. “We also employ call‐car drivers, specifically to ensure our train crews are delivered safely to and from our trains. “Fa gue is a big factor for people working around the clock and at odd hours. It’s something we are acutely aware of.”Pacific Na onal knows this only too well. One of its staff in the Central West had an asleep‐at‐the‐wheel accident and was airli ed to hospital. “The presenta ons drum up support, but talk a er o en turns to firsthand accounts of surfing and bike accidents,” said Ms Hughes. “Pacific Na onal will be extending our support of the Service again this year.” “We have just engaged the Service volunteer fundraising team to manage our in‐house staff barbecues. It’s a win‐win situa on and another way in which we can support the valuable service it provides our community.” To support through workplace giving contact your local Service Community Liaison Officer. Hunter, Central Coast, Mid‐North Coast – 4952 0000 New England ‐ North West – 6764 9400

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