September 2014 A WORD FROM THE CEO… Volume 33

Welcome to our first newsletter for the 2014/15 financial year.

Regional Development Staff have been busily putting together the Board’s 2013/14 Annual Report, which not

Australia Limestone only acts as a mechanism to record our activities and achievements for the previous Coast Inc (RDALC) financial year, but also ensures we remain on track in striving to achieve the goals and objectives of the current Regional Roadmap. Electronic and hard copies of the Annual Report will be available in mid October and I encourage anyone interested in receiving Inside this issue: a copy to register with front office staff.

A word from the CEO I am pleased to welcome aboard Jayne Miller, who has been employed on a 19 hour a week basis to oversee implementation of the Cold Storage for Potatoes project. Jayne

Tasting Australia has hit the ground running and will be an asset to the RDA. (See article later in this bulletin for more information on Jayne and her current role). It is however, with Chinese Grain sadness that we farewell Michaela Bell from the role of Business Development Officer. Importers Tour of the Michaela resigned to take up a part time role within the South East Local Government Association, so we will continue to work cooperatively with Michaela into the future. We also bid farewell to Julie Walker, Administration Officer within the Career Development School Industry Centre, who will be leaving the RDA in early October. The RDA thanks both Michaela Partnerships Winners and Julie for their service to the organisation.

Announced The work of the Limestone Coast Economic Diversification Group provides significant Casual Dollars opportunities for the Limestone Coast region and we will continue to participate in the group over the next 12 month period. The 2014/15 Work Plan is due for public release shortly. Board Member Profile

– Dr Ruth Schubert Earlier this year the RDA was successful in obtaining some $50,000 from the Minister Board Member Profile for Sustainability, Environment & Conservation to develop a Limestone Coast Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The South East Natural Resources Management Board and – Gwenda Lawlor the South East Local Government Association and the Department of Environment, Staff of RDALC Water and Natural Resources are key partners in the delivery of this project. Stage 1 will see the development of a locally relevant Climate Change Vulnerability Risk Cluster Project Assessment that considers the implications of climate change on the economic, social

Officer Appointment and environmental aspects of the region.

Workshop & Training Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the local business community

Needs and the Board continues to partner with various Government and private organisations to provide training and information sessions on topics of regional relevance. Over the

last few months the Board has partnered with Gallagher Bassett to deliver a Work Disclaimer: Health and Safety - Return to Work Services workshop; hosted a Customer Led This newsletter is produced Innovation Workshop; and facilitated a Business Collaboration Workshop. A program quarterly, as a guide to services of further workshops for the year is now being finalised and we welcome input from the provided by the RDALC and to highlight other regional local business community in relation to any topics or areas of interest that we could initiatives. The material is consider including into the schedule. correct to the best of our knowledge as at June 2014. We Mike Ryan allow reproduction of material in this newsletter provided acknowledgement of the Limestone Coast Update is given TASTING AUSTRALIA

The Limestone Coast was well represented at Tasting Australia Town Square during May. The event housed over 125 opportunities to Eat.Drink.Share.Participate. during the newly formatted event in Adelaide which included more than 75 events on the menu. The Town Square was a place to meet friends, taste some regional treats, savour a little ale and wine or cider, take part in a class or discussion and whet your appetite for the Festival’s many exciting events and experiences.

RDA Limestone Coast coordinated the site dressing and management and were thrilled to have 5 local operators present to help share our real Food & Wine experiences.

While the event was spread across a number of locations and days, the Limestone Coast was present and very active for 4 days and was overwhelmed with the response from the 50,000 patrons that attended.

CHINESE GRAIN IMPORTERS TOUR THE LIMESTONE COAST The National Grains Conference in Melbourne in July attracted a contingent of some 40 delegates from many regions of China. Many of these were looking to source new products from Australia. Following the conference, and in a show of collaboration, Austrade’s China Business Development Managers and the South Australian Government’s Shanghai office and PIRSA, hosted 12 participants on a tour through some of ’s grain growing regions. Tradestart Export Adviser, Bruce Rodda, supported the initiative by meeting the guests for the start of their tour at Bordertown, Keith and the Southern Mallee. The delegates visited Blue Lake Milling, Tatiara Seeds, PGG Wrightson and were guests at an informative session with the Mayors of Tatiara and Naracoorte. With the continuing development of a Free Trade Agreement with China, this successful mission could provide some early results for our region. SCHOOL INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Some of the Limestone Coast’s most successful school- Business working with a Secondary School Award community partnerships were celebrated at a gala dinner Allan and Kayelene Lucas, Glentanner Angus Stud in this month. The School Industry (Nominated by Area School Show Cattle Partnership Awards, hosted by the Partnership Broker Program) Limestone Coast program, recognised initiatives that have ultimately been designed to help young people stay Emerging Partnership Award engaged in education and training while also benefitting North School Community Hub – ac.care, Salvation Army, the wider community. Mount Gambier Children’s Centre, ICAN (Nominated by Mt Gambier North Primary School principal “There are a range of outstanding programs underway in Jane Turner) our region that have been cultivated with the generosity and guidance of hundreds of Limestone Coast Established Partnership Award – Joint Winners organisations and individuals, and their success Winner 1 highlights the importance of maintaining strong links Science & Engineering Challenge – Rotary Club of Mount between schools and their local communities,” said Helen Gambier Lakes, Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West, Strickland, Manager Skills, Training and Workforce Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Development, Regional Development Australia Limestone (Nominated by Samantha Brown and Karen Jared, Mount Coast. Gambier High School)

From community hubs and gardens to country shows, Winner 2 cattle handling, science and engineering challenges, The Chemistry of Wine – Wynns Coonawarra Estate charity fundraisers, and chemistry of wine lessons, the (Nominated by Fleur Roachock, Principal, Penola High opportunities available for young people in this region are School) believed to be more diverse than ever. An additional ‘Sustained Partnership’ award was also handed out on the night to joint winners: “The participants recognise the value that partnerships bring – these collaborative approaches are not only Winner 1 motivating our young people to achieve some great Mil Lel Primary School – Mil Lel A&H Society things, but are nurturing a more cohesive, caring (Nominated by Mil Lel Primary School Principal Stephen community across all age groups and education Jolley) backgrounds,” said Helen. Winner 2 Schools were asked to nominate successful partnerships St Vincent de Paul Society - Tenison Woods College in six categories, and judges narrowed down the record (Nominated by Tenison Woods College – Michelle Coote, number of entries to the following list of winners: Assistant Principal – Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM) 2014 Partnership Winners: ‘Dream chaser’ and international author Sebastian Terry Individual Award was a special guest speaker at the dinner. Fresh home Kathy Bell from the Millicent High School Earth Care from Machu Picchu, he entertained the crowd of more program than 200 people with news of his quest to achieve “100 (Nominated by Millicent High School principal John Things”. Mr Terry has helped to create a global Shelton ) movement of people setting their goals, and dinner guests were encouraged to contribute to a soon-to-be published Business working with a Primary School Award list of 100 things that they would like to complete Mount Burr Community Garden - Bunnings Warehouse themselves or see achieved in the Limestone Coast. Mt Gambier (Nominated by Lisa Scott, Mt Burr Primary School)

For more information regarding this event or the Partnership Broker Program, please contact Helen Strickland on (08) 8723 1057 or email [email protected]

Partnership Broker Limestone Coast is part of a national program fostering a whole-of-community approach to supporting young people as they learn and develop, building links between and among schools and training organisations, business and industry, community, parents and families.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PARTNERS: , GTE, UNI SA, DI-MONTY TRAINING SOLUTIONS, BUNNINGS, UFS CHEMIST

CASUAL DOLLARS

The Career Development Centre hosted Casual Dollars at the Limestone Coast Rotary Careers Expo this year. The focus was on making sure young people are aware of the opportunities for casual work in the retail industry. We invited retail organisations to be part of the day and provided them with a space to promote their recruitment process.

Several of the organisations are currently recruiting or will be soon to meet the demands of Christmas trade. McDonalds and Subway supplied personnel to talk to young people and from their feedback have received suitable applicants to fill positions in their team. We also had information from K Mart, Target, IGA, She’s Apples, The Reject Shop, Big W, Coles, Hungry Jack’s, Woolworths and Masters. Unfortunately other organisations were unable to participate due to their Human Resource policies. Approximately 300 young people passed through our exhibit.

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE – DR RUTH SCHUBERT

The Chair of RDA Limestone Coast, Dr Ruth Schubert has worked in the education and training industry since first graduating in 1980 and currently holds the position of Program Director (Vocational Education and Training), LH Martin Institute. Ruth has completed a PhD with Flinders University and was awarded a Premier's Award for Postgraduate Research into Lifelong Learning. Ruth has been a member of the RDA Board since January 2010 taking over the reigns as Acting Chair in 2012, following the resignation of Mark Braes, with an official appointment to this position announced by the three levels of government in March 2013. Ruth has served as a chair and board member of various community organisations including Migrant Settlement Committee, 5GTR-FM and SERDE Inc, as well as being a founding member of the SBS Self Help Group.

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE – GWENDA LAWLOR

Deputy Chair, Gwenda Lawlor, is one of the Board's seven Community Representatives and has been involved in this capacity since August 1997. Gwenda has a background in local government and is currently a Councillor with and a Justice of the Peace. Gwenda is a current member of the Mount Gambier Health Advisory Council and has been involved in a wide range of community activities over the years including:- Treasurer of the Kangaroo Inn Area School; President of the Kangaroo Inn Area School Welfare Club; President, Treasurer and Member (at various times) of the Kingston Red Cross; and a Member of the Millicent Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society, Millicent Tennis Club and Millicent Football Club Canteen. Gwenda lives and works on the family farm in Furner and in her leisure time enjoys gardening, reading and watching football.

STAFF OF RDALC

Chief Executive Officer, Mike Ryan is responsible for overall management of the RDA's operational affairs; developing partnerships & innovative ideas & securing funding to deliver on the Board's Strategic Plan.

Manager - Skills, Career and Workforce Development, Helen Strickland manages both the Career Development Centre (CDC) and the Partnership Broker program (PB).

Steve Chapple manages the Small Business Advisory Service and can provide assistance to those about to start a business or those already in an existing business.

Mae Steele coordinates the Limestone Coast Skills for Jobs in Regions Program. This is a State Government initiative which enables skills development and employment programs to be delivered to individuals and businesses throughout the Limestone Coast.

Biddie Shearing, Tourism Development Officer assists businesses develop and grow specifically for the tourism market. Biddie works very closely with the South Australian Tourism Commission on marketing the Limestone Coast as a region.

Gina Raisin, Project Officer - Partnership Broker Program, builds partnerships between school, business and community as well as assists young people prepare for the world of work.

Jayne Miller administers the Food and Wine Co-Innovation Cluster project. See article earlier in this newsletter for more information.

Charmaine Lawrie and Anne Mulraney are Career Development Practitioners, within the Career Development Centre, assisting people of any age, at any stage in their working life with career advice.

Bruce Rodda through a joint venture with Austrade and the State Government, provides export assistance services to new and potential exporters, along with assisting companies to achieve success in their first overseas market. (Employed by Department of State Development in collaboration with the Board through a contractual agreement).

Administration Team:- Nikki Peterse, Executive Assistant Jan Shanahan, Finance Officer Julie Scott, Administration Officer Dani McKinnon, Receptionist Maree Beale, Project Support Officer, PB and CDC Julie Walker, Administration Officer, CDC

CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAY - PHONE: (08) 8723 1057

CLUSTER PROJECT OFFICER APPOINTMENT

Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast has appointed Jayne Miller as the new Cluster Project Officer, under the Food and Wine Co-Innovation Cluster Program funded by PIRSA.

The project will be developing a collaboration of producers to action opportunities for securing cold storage facilities for the local potato growing industry and the development of alternate markets. Jayne will be facilitating this project to help secure the economic viability of the potato growing industry in the Limestone Coast.

Jayne has a range of experience to bring to this role having spent time in the Royal Australian Air Force as a GIS/Intelligence analyst; having been an Administrative Team Leader at TasTAFE and having worked as a Project Officer for The Department of Education in Tasmania, securing funding and managing contractual agreements for State and Federal Training authorities.

After spending time living and working in other parts of SA, Jayne has lived in Mount Gambier for the past 5 years. Jayne’s project management and analytical skills will make her a valuable addition to the RDALC Team. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Business Management from The University of Ballarat and Certificate III in Physical Science from James Cook University.

For more information on the Cluster Project please contact Jayne on: Phone: 08 8723 1057 Mobile: 0455 470 059 Email: [email protected]

WORKSHOP & TRAINING NEEDS

The RDA Limestone Coast Business Advisory Staff are planning future workshops to meet the needs of small business.

The following workshops are being considered: • Human Resources Basics for business. • Advanced Human Resources and Leadership for business. • Mining regulation – for tenement holders and businesses involved with earthmoving, sand and gravel production. • Succession planning and bullet proofing your business against economic and other downturns. • Developing and presenting capability statements for your business. (Generally associated with tendering) • Fair work presentations on legislation and requirements. • Environmental Protection Authority information session. • Industry Capability Network – how to link your business to major and State projects.

Please contact the Board on 08 8723 1057 to register your interest in any of these workshops. Staff will then contact you to discuss your needs in more detail.

BOARD MEMBERS OFFICE DETAILS

Dr Ruth Schubert - Chair Mr Alan Richardson “Old Town Hall”, Commercial Street East Ms Gwenda Lawlor - Deputy Chair Mr Lew Parsons (PO Box 1445) Mount Gambier, South Australia 5290 Mr Rob Foggo Ms Karen Glover Phone: (08) 8723 1057 Mayor Richard Vickery Mayor Richard Sage Fax: (08) 8723 1286 Mayor Erika Vickery Ms Ann Aldersey Email: [email protected] Cr Harvey Nolan Web: www.rdalimestonecoast.org.au