| Regional Update - 08 December 2008 .jpg) WBBACC CHAIR BILL TREVOR ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
After more than 12 years spearheading the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee’s (WBBACC) achievements in business expansion, job creation and growth opportunities across the region, WBBACC Chair Bill Trevor has decided to call it a day.The iconic regional figure officially announced his intention to step down from the voluntary role early in the New Year, during WBBACC’s final (for 2008) General Meeting held in Nanango last weekend. As WBBACC awaits the Federal Government’s announcement of plans for the regional body’s future and a possible transition to Regional Development Australia, Executive Officer Cameron Bisley said the event was a bittersweet moment for all WBBACC Board, members and staff. “Twelve years is a remarkable period for anyone to dedicate to a community-based organisation in a voluntary capacity, and Bill’s drive and commitment have never wavered since our very first meeting in 1995.” “Under his leadership we’ve been able to deliver many millions of dollars in economic and community capacity-building projects across the entire region over the years.” In announcing his retirement Mr Trevor said the Federal Government should not underestimate what an injection of capital can do in rural and regional communities. “The Federal Government has very few organisations at a local level so our ACCs are a valuable tool for government to get into the heartland of these communities, and as times get tougher their role becomes more critical than ever.” “I believe we are just waking up to the fact that the future is in our hands but people in regional Australia need to raise the level of dialogue in a meaningful way if we are to harness the relationships with State and Federal Governments effectively,” Bill said. Reflecting on some of the WBBACC’s milestones over the years he cited the support given to the region’s struggling dairy industry, quadrupling jobs at Biggenden Meatworks and facilitating establishment of the collaborative Regional Organisation of Councils as personal highlights. “Without doubt some of our shining successes have also been the Bundaberg Futures Program, and transforming the Austoft site into the Bundaberg Technology Park.” The region’s leaders have added their voice to the widespread recognition of Mr Trevor’s efforts with Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss MP saying he has made an enormous contribution to the development of local communities and his input across a range of areas of government activity has been valued by policy makers. Paul Neville MP, Federal Member for Hinkler said Mr Trevor set a level of leadership which was the envy of ACCs around Australia and a very high standard for others to follow. “To have maintained such strong leadership over so long a period is as inspiring as it is remarkable.” “Bill displayed excellent judgement in being able to encourage and work up projects which have helped the entire Wide Bay Burnett area’s social and economic development,” he said. In turn Mr Trevor praised his fellow WBBACC volunteer directors for their dedication, saying the Federal Government should not underestimate the value and expertise such high profile people bring to the region. “WBBACC’s success has been built on the hard work and commitment of a strong and focused team and we need to be careful we don’t lose the ability to attract and retain such quality people in future.” “I greatly respect and admire the calibre of people with whom I’ve had the privilege to serve, so many people from private enterprise who’ve given up their time so willingly.” Now that Bill is taking a break from a public career spanning 23 years, he intends to take advantage of some quality time with his grandchildren, get his hands dirty again on the family farm and even squeeze in an extended holiday in Europe next year. Mr Bisley said Bill’s innate ability to foster teamwork and positive relationships with people from all levels of government, business and the community has helped WBBACC make a difference at a grassroots level where regional communities need help most and he will be sorely missed.  Best Wishes for the Festive Season/Office Closure
On behalf of the Chair, Members and Staff at the Wide Bay Burnett ACC we would like to extend our best wishes to all our great friends and colleagues for the upcoming Festive Season. We could not do our job without the wonderful partnerships and support we get each year and we hope you have a prosperous New Year and look forward to catching up in 2009. We would also like to advise that our office will be closed for our annual shutdown from Friday 19 December 2008 and will re-open on Monday 12 January 2009. Please also note that this will be our last 'Regional Update' for 2008. We expect to re-commence our e-newsletter in mid January 2009. AAAI 2009 National Angels Conference
Date: Wednesday 18 February to Friday 20 February 2009Time: Begins 11:00 am Venue: Rydges Hotel Chelsea Ballroom 9 Glenelg Street, Southbank Cost: Early Bird Rates: Member $585 Non-member $860 (Includes all sessions, workshops, conference lunches, cocktails and gala dinner) Registrations are now open for the AAAI 2009 National Angels Conference. AAAI held its inaugural and highly successful AAAI 2008 National Angels Conference in Canberra in February 2008. AAAI's second annual conference will be held at Rydges South Bank in Brisbane from 18-20 February 2009. AAAI invites you to: • share in the latest in angel education at the Master Classes; • hear about real angel deals that are in the works; • get the latest research on the Australian Angel sector; • review trends in Angel investment around the world; • learn how angel groups can be more successful; • discuss the practicalities of IP and governance; and • explore the benefits of co-investment with venture funds. AAAI will present the views of angel investors and other investors and professionals from across Australia and around the world. For more information or to register please click here. Funding Connect QLD
Date: December 4th 2008Time: 1:30pm-7pm Venue: State Library, Brisbane Cost: $220 inc. GST (50% discount for entrepreneurs and employees of public funded research institutions & start-ups) Slattery IT is conducting 'Funding Connect' to assist entrepreneurs and technology businesses to gain an insight into the processes of securing funding. Participants will have the opportunity to meet investors, learn how to find the right investment sources and to win their support. Leading entrepreneurs will also be on hand to offer inspiration on growing your business and the best ways to seek capital. The events will be followed by Entrepreneur Resolutions, which will look at what the top entrepreneurs are aiming for in the New Year, and how they plan to get there. Attendees will get a peek at the market outlook ahead as well as plenty of time for questions and networking. Speakers for the event include: Bill Bartee- Founding Partner, Southern Cross Venture Partners Anne-Marie Birkill- CEO, i.lab Incubator Pty Ltd Mark Gill- Partner, CM Capital Raeleen Gillett- CEO & Founder, Octahedron Pty Ltd Kon Kakanis- Managing Director, MHB Rick McElhinney- Chairman, Founders Forum Stephen Phillips- Founder, wotnews.com.au Rob Sale- Managing Director, Diversionary Therapy Technologies Pty Ltd Malcolm Thornton- Investment Director, Starfish Ventures Bob Waldie- Chairman & CEO, OpenGear Mark White- Founder & CEO, Locatrix Communications For more information or to register to attend please click here. ‘Disclosure Regimes for Charities and Not-for-profit Organisations’
The report on ‘Disclosure Regimes for Charities and Not-for-profit Organisations’ has just been released. The full report is here: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/economics_ctte/charities_08/report/report.pdf And here’s a summary of the first five (5) of fifteen (15) recommendations: Recommendation 1 The committee recommends that all Australian Governments agree on common terminology for referring to organisations within the Sector. Governments should also develop a common meaning for terms referring to the size of these organisations, including 'micro', 'small', 'medium' and 'large'. This standard terminology should be adopted by all government departments. Recommendation 2 The committee recommends that the Government establish a unit within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet specifically to manage issues arising for Not-For-Profit Organisations. The unit should report to a Minister for the Third Sector. Recommendation 3 The committee recommends that there be a single independent national regulator for Not-For-Profit Organisations. Recommendation 4 The committee recommends that the Australian National Regulator for Not-For-Profit Organisations should have similar functions to regulators overseas, and particularly in the UK, including a Register for Not-For-Profit Organisations with a compulsory sign-up requirement. The committee recommends consultation with the Sector to formulate the duties of the National Regulator. As a minimum, the Regulator should: a) Develop and maintain a Register of all Not-For-Profit Organisations in Australia. Once registered, the Commission should issue each organisation with a unique identifying number or allow organisations with an ABN to use that number as their Not-For-Profit identifier. This could be enabled using existing ASIC website resources. b) Develop and maintain an accessible, searchable public interface. c) Undertake either an annual descriptive analysis of the organisations that it regulates or provide the required information annually to the ABS for collation and analysis. d) Secure compliance with the relevant legislation. e) Develop best practice standards for the operation of Not-For-Profit Organisations. f) Educate / Advise Not-For-Profit Organisations on best practice standards. g) Investigate complaints relating to the operations of the organisations. h) Educate the public about the role of Not-For-Profit Organisations. The voluntary codes of conduct developed by ACFID and FIA respectively should be considered by the Regulator when implementing its own code of conduct. Recommendation 5 The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government develop the legislation that will be required in order to establish a national regulator for Australia. Natural Resources Awareness Grants 2009
Grants of up to $5000 (excluding GST) are available to community natural resources management groups for the development of small projects that promote the importance of natural resources. This year, the grants’ theme is, 'Youth working together—protecting, repairing and restoring the environment'.Applications close Friday 19 December 2008. For more information go to http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/funding/nr_awareness_grants/index.html New report identifies skill gaps in primary industries
The latest edition of the Queensland Rural Skills and Training Demand report has identified a number of skill development needs and opportunities across the state. Produced by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) annually, the report is the result of industry engagement with producers, peak representative bodies and industry stakeholders. The key skill areas identified by producers as critical for future training relate to:
The report also looks at delivery methods, recommending locally delivered training that targets specific skill sets rather than full qualifications. Timing and season for training are also highlighted for consideration, to suit industry sectors to help producers access training. The 2008 report will inform the Department of Education, Training and the Arts’ investment in rural vocational education and training for 2009-2010. The report is part of DPI&F’s Fresh Approach initiative, which seeks to build a skilled rural workforce. It supports the state government’s Queensland Skills Plan. Download the 2008 Queensland Rural and Training Demand report For further information, contact Di Edelman, DPI&F Coordinator Rural Industry Skilling. Queensland lndigenous Employment and Training Strategy 2008-2011
The Queensland Government has made the improvement of conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a high priority. Strengthening of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is consistent with the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) recently expressed commitment to close the gap on lndigenous disadvantage in a range of areas. In employment, COAG has agreed to a new national target of halving the gap between lndigenous and non-Indigenous employment outcomes within a decade. The Positive Dreaming, Solid Futures lndigenous Employment and Training Strategy 2008-2011 is the blueprint for Queensland to help meet the Commonwealth-State target on employment. For more information on the strategy go to www.deta.qld.gov.au/positivedreaming. Small grants for small communities
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal has small grants (up to $5000) available to not-for-profit organisations to undertake projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities living in small rural and remote locations in Australia, contributing to their development in social and community welfare, economic, environmental, health, education or cultural areas. Communities with fewer than 10,000 people are given a priority. Applications for the next round close on 31 March 2009, and preference will be given to projects that support community hardship in drought effected areas; community infrastructure; resettlement of immigrants in rural Australia, and community development involving disadvantaged children or young people Details on how to apply are at http://www.frrr.org.au/programsDetail.asp?ProgramID=4. |
Copyright © 2009 Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee Inc. Design by Firewave Design. Photographs of the region are courtesy of Tourism Queensland. |
(07) 4121 7099
(07) 4121 7095
