September 2013
A Healthy
Workplace
Success
page 3
Our Future
World
page 6
Keeping
it Fresh at
Dandenong
Market
page 9
Airbrush
School
now in
Motion
page 16
Contact.
Focus
Paul Kearsley
Group Manager
Greater Dandenong Business
Welcome to the September issue of
Council’s magazine specifically for
our business community. This edition
we focus on big issues for business;
take a look at labour market trends
and resulting opportunities; examine
global megatrends from the latest
CSIRO research; and profile the rise of
social enterprises as communities seek
out innovative responses to injustice
and disadvantage.
Sandra George
Manager South East Business Networks
Business Development Centre
4th Floor, 329 Thomas Street
Dandenong, Victoria 3175
Enquiries to 8571 1550
www.greaterdandenong.com
Adrian Boden
South East Melbourne Manufacturers
Alliance (SEMMA) Ph: 8571 1565
www.semma.com.au
Jacquie Brown
Greater Dandenong Chamber
of Commerce Ph: 9794 8881
www.greaterdandenongchamber.org
Paula Brennan
Stakeholder Editorial
Ph: 8571 1573
[email protected]
Views expressed by individual contributors in this
publication do not necessarily reflect the views of
the City of Greater Dandenong.
Material from Stakeholder, Greater Dandenong‘s
business news may be reproduced for noncommercial purposes provided the source is
acknowledged, e.g. ‘This material first appeared
in the City of Greater Dandenong’s Stakeholder
publication, September 2013.'.
Cover: The iconic Dandenong Market.
Paul Kearsley.
Also in this edition are great local
stories to inspire and encourage you
including the renewed future of the
iconic Dandenong market, business
successes and celebrations and
investment activities around town.
Check out the activities being
undertaken through the South East
Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance and
the South East Business Networks
(Pages 12 & 13), all aimed at providing
support within this essential hub
of manufacturing.
See the new economic profiling
information, and the latest marketing
activities for the area. We also
celebrate those businesses that have
been successful in receiving grants
to upgrade technologies to maintain
their competitiveness into the future.
Check out the latest e-resources for
business too (see page 20).
Finally the new Council website and
the calendar of events are must sees
for local businesses – check out where
you can get involved.
We hope that you enjoy the read.
Paul Kearsley
Group Manager,
Greater Dandenong Business
Healthy Workplaces
Council
Promotes Life
in the Workplace
T
he City of Greater Dandenong’s
‘Healthy Workplaces Initiative’ has
been increasing momentum with more
workplaces signing up to improve
workers’ health.
how to prevent type 2 diabetes and
improve health. During the prevention
education session, type 2 diabetes
risk assessments are completed with
workers. High-risk, eligible employees
can then participate in the Life! course,
made up of five group sessions that
teach participants how to reduce
their risk of diabetes, heart disease
and stroke.
To find out more about these sessions
and the Healthy Workplaces Initiative,
email [email protected]
Type 2 diabetes is the most common
form of diabetes and is Australia’s
fastest growing chronic condition with
25 per cent of Victorian workers at
high-risk of developing the condition.
Workplace health programs benefit both
employees and their employers. Evidence
shows participants of workplace health
programs experience up to a 35 per cent
reduction in sick days.
The City of Greater Dandenong is
working with Diabetes Australia – Victoria
to offer free workplace sessions on
2 Stakeholder
Image courtesy of Diabetes Victoria.
Business Success
A healthy
workplace success
A&L
Windows, a window and door manufacturer for more than 30 years,
has joined the Healthy Workplaces Initiative to further improve its
comprehensive workplace health practices.
Since joining the initiative earlier this year, A&L has launched an employee
program offering counselling services and an educational program promoting
healthy eating and lifestyle habits, with free access to a dietitian.
The company was already undertaking many health initiatives. “It’s been
something gradual that we have built over the past five years… until you put
it down on paper, you don’t realise how much we do, which is quite a lot,”
says National HR Manager Sue Saavedra.
“The introduction of the Compulsory Exercise Program back in 2010 made a
significant improvement to our employees’ health. We found a lot of injuries
were happening first thing in the morning so a physiotherapist recommended
that people needed to warm up before doing their daily tasks.”
With around 500 people across four manufacturing facilities and five
showrooms throughout Australia, A&L’s staff turnover is very low which can be
attributed to the company’s strong “work-life balance” ethos.
“The introduction of our culture inventory surveys two years ago has engaged
employees to participate in improving the business, particularly around
communication and employee involvement initiatives,” says Ms Saavedra
“As a result of the survey we formed the Lending a Hand initiative in
which the company and employees can assist the local and international
communities via financial and volunteer support. We have sponsored
the Ponheary Ly Foundation for three years, buying 280 push bikes for
Cambodian children to access secondary schools; enabling 11 children to
complete secondary education; as well as supporting many local charities
and sporting organisations.”
Continual innovation is critical to the ongoing success of A&L according to
National Research and Development Engineering Manager Marcus New.
“It’s a collective effort from everybody within the business – from our account
managers talking to customers, to our national marketing department.
“We undertake research with alternative materials, spending a lot of time prototyping
and testing to give us an advantage in product performance,” says Mr New.
Following the Black Saturday bushfires, A&L spoke with industry and
government groups to identify a need for total window systems for fire
resistance, which involved extensive product development and testing to
achieve a BAL-40 rating (or bushfire attack level).
After two and half years in Dandenong South, the company is planning to
expand within the area, having already outgrown its building.
www.alwindows.com.au
To find out more about the Healthy Workplaces initiative or to register please
contact the Healthy Workplaces Team at [email protected]
or phone 8571 5135.
A&L windows a
happy, healthy
workplace.
Stakeholder 3
Jobs AnD Skills
Grant opportunity
for employing
young people
Ivan Neville provided
labour market facts
to local businesses at
SEBN's May breakfast.
T
he Victorian Department of State
Development, Business and
Innovation has just released a new
program to assist employers across
Victoria with the costs of recruitment
and training of a young unemployed
Victorian within their business.
The Employment Start Up for Business
program offers a direct response to
Victorian small and medium sized
(SME) businesses that are experiencing
difficulty in filling job vacancies.
The program aims to support at
least 1,750 young people to start
employment over the next four years.
Eligible SME’s can apply for a grant of
up to $4,000 which can be claimed in
two parts:
•$1000 on employment of the young
person (for at least 30 hours per
week); and
•A further $3000 after 16 weeks of
continuous employment where the
employer has organised and paid for
accredited training for the employee.
To be eligible for individual funding
businesses should:
•Be small to medium sized (up to
200 employees); and
•Place a young unemployed
person aged between 15 to 25 in
sustainable employment.
For full criteria and guidelines visit:
www.business.vic.gov.au/employ-youth
Labour market opportunities
I
van Neville from the Department
of Education, Employment and
Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
presented a range of opportunities
and trends for employment in Australia
and south-eastern Melbourne at a
fascinating Greater Dandenong South
East Business Networks (SEBN)
breakfast on 23 May this year.
The research stems from a range
of sources including an April 2012
survey of employers’ recruitment
experiences in South-Eastern
Melbourne, which is one of the
federal government’s 21 Priority
Employment Areas.
“The Australian labour market is
reasonably resilient,” says Mr Neville.
“We’re still creating jobs even though
our growth is not as strong as the longterm trend. Our unemployment rate is
5.7 per cent. and if we compare where
we are with overseas countries, we’re
doing well – in the Euro zone it’s over
11 per cent.
“South-Eastern Melbourne was originally
selected as a priority employment area
because the unemployment rate in that
area has been consistently higher than
the national and state average, and
there has always been a strong focus
on employment in the manufacturing
industry in which it is becoming
increasingly difficult to compete. Another
factor was the lower levels of education
– people with limited education are
going to find it more difficult in the
contemporary labour market.”
Mr Neville says the manufacturing
industry still employs more than
900,000 people across the country
and will undoubtedly continue to be
4 Stakeholder
a very large and important industry.
“But it’s an industry that is changing
and becoming more highly-skilled.
“One of the real growth industries
across the country is the healthcare
and social assistance industry, the
largest employing industry now in our
labour market. More jobs have been
created in this industry over the last
five years than any other.
“Healthcare is now the third largest
employing industry in South-Eastern
Melbourne due to strong population
growth, which has been much faster
than the national and state rate. The
other reason is our ageing population.
It’s not just doctors and nurses – there
are job opportunities across all skill
levels, for example for kitchen hands,
aged carers and clerical workers. It’s
also an industry that employs people
on a part-time basis which can be
more suitable for many people.”
Mr Neville says education and training
are vital elements for securing a
job. “We need to be encouraging
more people to take post-school
education whether it’s university or
TAFE, but this needs to be coupled
with ‘soft’ skills such as teamwork,
communication, and motivation.
Our research has found while
some employers are prepared to
compromise on experience and
technical skills when hiring, few will
compromise on those soft skills.”
For further information or to view the
full presentation visit www.deewr.
gov.au/regional-reports-employersrecruitment-experiences and www.
deewr.gov.au/local-employmentcoordinator-south-eastern-melbourne
Social Enterprises
Council supports businesses
with a social conscience
T
he City of Greater Dandenong is supporting the
development of social enterprises in the municipality
through a program established by the Economic
Development Unit.
Activities include developing a leveraged-learning network,
conducting a pilot mentoring program and providing startup assistance. This project is supported by the Australian
Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship
through the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program. For
more information, visit www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia
Network members are visiting fellow social enterprises
in the municipality to learn from each other. The first
visited was Free Burma Café, which has been running
since 2012, driven by Peter Dekker of the Urban
Neighbours of Hope community organisation.
“We’re community workers who move into the
neighbourhood alongside people who are struggling to
see how we can help. We moved in seven years ago and
at the same time a large number of Burmese refugees
came to Australia,” says Mr Dekker.
“We started working with the community on different
programs and found food and hospitality were central
to their culture. We ran a food stall at a conference
and the food was a hit.
“From there we started thinking about opening
a café so we undertook training in food handling
and customer service and set up a catering business.
We thought we would do one job a month but it
exploded into three gigs a week. By the end of it
we raised about 80 per cent of the funds to
set up the café.”
The Springvale business employs up to
12 Burmese people including a number of youth,
which is vital to a community that has the highest
early school leaving rate in Greater Dandenong for
people aged 20 to 24.
Mr Dekker’s advice for those considering establishing
a social enterprise is to “take the business plan side of
things very seriously”.
“Don’t expect that just because it’s a good cause
people will buy into it, and expect it to take more
of your time than you ever dreamed!”
For further information on Council's Social Enterprise
support program email [email protected]
www.freeburmacafe.com.au
178 Springvale Road, Springvale
Mas Mai and Kha Re Mar have found great
pride and a sense of belonging through
managing the Free Burma Cafe.
Stakeholder 5
Innovation
Story courtesy of Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, Leader - CSIRO Futures
O
ur world is changing at an accelerating rate.
Population growth, digital connectivity, global trade
and technological advancement are all creating risk and
opportunity for Australia.
4. Forever young – Australia and the world are moving
towards a more aged demographic. This has implications
for the productivity of the workforce, retirement models
and healthcare expenditure.
In recognition of the challenges and opportunities arising
from our rapidly changing world the CSIRO set up a futures
research unit. The aim of CSIRO Futures is to explore future
trends, shocks and scenarios to help decision makers in
community, government and industry organisations make
wiser choices.
5. Virtually here – The digital world is upon us and will
continue to reshape the world of retail, labour markets
and human communication.
The main publication of CSIRO Futures, which will be
updated every few years, is titled Our Future World. The
most recent version identifies six megatrends that will
change the way we live:
1. More from less – Limited availability of natural resources
(water, food, energy and minerals) coupled with growing
demand fuelled by population growth and economic
growth, all leading to innovative systems for efficient
resource use and sharing.
2. Going, going, ... , gone? – Over the coming decades the
world’s biodiversity will face unprecedented pressures.
The good news is that humans are doing more than ever
before to protect valuable habitat.
3. The silk highway – The world economy is changing
fuelled by rapid economic growth in the developing Asia
region. This is opening new markets and new sources
of competition.
6 Stakeholder
6. Great expectations – Consumers and society are diving
more deeply into the experience economy, where material
consumption drops while GDP increases, and there is
a growth in fair trade type activities. People have great
expectations for complex, authentic and personalised
experiences. It’s not just about the product; it’s about
how it makes people feel, and the legacy it is leaving.
These megatrends are being used
by governments, companies and
community groups to set future
strategies based on informed
evidence. By imagining possible
futures we can be better
prepared, and maximise the
resulting opportunities.
The CSIRO Futures team aims
to keep this work updated.
So watch this space. You
can download our reports at
www.csiro.au/futures
Business Success
SRX Global, a local business
exporting to the world.
World
Entrepreneur
of the year
announced
P
age 2 of the March to May edition
of Stakeholder this year outlined
the $30 million investment global
yoghurt maker Chobani had made in its
Dandenong plant.
Congratulations to Chobani‘s founder,
Hamdi Ulakaya, who was recently
awarded the title of Ernst & Young’s
World Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 at
a ceremony held in Monte Carlo.
Making big ideas a reality
‘SRX Global’ may not be a household
name, but the Dandenong Southbased company is the Australian
market leader in electronic
manufacturing services, partnering
with major innovators to make their
visions a reality.
“We are a contract electronics
manufacturing company but we also
do full solutions for our customers,”
says General Manager Australia
Jeff Malone.
“We originally focused on the printed
circuit boards assemblies, but we
now often build, test and pack the
complete product for our customers,
and provide after sales and warranty
repair services.”
Mr Malone says one of the keys to
the company’s success is having
three sites that can handle a range of
demands based in Melbourne, New
Zealand and Malaysia.
“For example in Malaysia we can
provide low-cost country sourcing
with Australian ownership, however
still have the intellectual property
protection of SRX and the localised
support in Melbourne.”
competition, SRX still remains
competitive with 70 per cent of
its products exported outside of
Australia and $35-40 million in sales
per year out of Melbourne alone.
The protection of intellectual property
is one of several factors that makes
SRX competitive globally, especially
for defence and medical projects,
according to Mr Malone.
Hailing from Turkey, and later setting up
business in the USA, 41 year old Hamdi
has been recognised for his insight
into emerging markets and intuition
with business decisions – building the
business to now reach annual sales of
more than $1 billion.
Chobani chose Australia as its first
international market, and purchased
Victorian Dairy company Bead Foods
in Dandenong South in 2011. Chobani
yoghurt is now a well recognised
consumer item on the Australian
supermarket shelves.
www.chobani.com.au
World entrepreneur of the year,
Hamdi Ulakaya, at Chobani's
Dandenong plant.
“If you’re a small start-up, you might
not have the consistency of volume
to set up manufacturing, or the
quantity to be attractive to Asian
manufacturers.
“Many customers have highly
technical products and they want us
to be close to their engineering. We
also have to be able to do it at the
right price.
“Two of the key innovators and
collaborators we work with are Axxin
and Planet Innovation in Melbourne
and we sometimes pitch together,”
says Mr Malone.
SRX Global employs around 200 staff
in Melbourne and 400 across all three
locations comprising engineers, shop
floor workers and administration staff.
Some of SRX’s clients include
ResMed, Telstra, Quest (EFTPOS
machines), HPM LeGrand, and
Thales (defence systems).
With so much international
www.srxglobal.com
Stakeholder 7
Food
Food for our future
T
he potential for the food industry to drive the economy into
the future is a topic on the lips of many leaders across the
world. Victoria has only 3 per cent of Australia’s land mass, yet
is the nation’s biggest food exporter* and is set to expand its
capacity to feed a hungry growing middle class in Asia.
In Greater Dandenong we are intrinsically linked with
neighbouring food producing regions, as well as a hub for
food manufacturers and their associated supply chains in
both machinery manufacture and storage and transport, and
(due to our distinctive multicultural community) home of an
increasing cluster of unique food dining experiences.
It has been recognised that people who live with disadvantage
due to low incomes, limited education or disability (for
instance) are more likely to suffer from food insecurity. Greater
Dandenong has a high rate of food insecurity despite being
well-served for fresh and healthy foods with a local fresh food
market and an array of community services enabling access
to healthy food to those in most need.
The threat to communities like Greater Dandenong and
beyond is that good fertile soil is a distinctly finite resource,
as are water and energy, whose rising prices are ever-tighter
constraints on irrigated inland farming and long-haul transport.
Urban planning – which allows for residential and industrial
developments to fill parcels of good production land – may be
a short-term solution to transport infrastructure demands, but
will restrict the ability to produce the food supplies required
for our future. Our well-stocked supermarkets can lead us to
complacency about the future of food, but policy makers need
to look beyond our current privileged position.
* www.business.vic.gov.au † Remplan.
8 Stakeholder
Looking back to the global situation, continuing food
protectionism in many countries still acts to prevent food
from moving to where it is needed [most]. The competition
for skilled workers, exacerbated to some extent by the
demands of the mining sector, is impacting on the food
processing sector across Australia. Competition between
the mining sector and other manufacturing industries has
made the search for scientists, chemists and engineers
particularly challenging.
Despite this, the food processing industry has consistently
accounted for at least 23 per cent of employment in the
Australian manufacturing sector. In Greater Dandenong Food
and Beverage equates to 8 per cent ($1.2b) of the local
manufacturing output, with employment at 2,483 (11 per
cent) and export of $764 million†.
The potential for increased food export was outlined in
a South East Melbourne Innovation Precinct (SEMIP)
event at the Australian Synchrotron in May this year,
with speakers showcasing the trends in the food sector,
successful connections between food science & industry
and explored opportunities for local companies to partner
with global brands.
The City of Greater Dandenong is about to embark on
the development of a Food Strategy which will consider
these issues and plan for the best way forward to
support both the business and resident community into
the future. If you are interested in contributing, please
email [email protected]
Food
Keeping it fresh
at Dandenong
market
T
he Dandenong Market is set for some exciting changes with
the appointment of new General Manager Jennifer Hibbs,
former CEO of the renowned Queen Victoria Market.
Dandenong Market is one of Victoria’s oldest markets having
begun trading in 1866 and today sells a diverse range of
goods from fresh produce to jewellery, homewares, toys and
clothing. The City of Greater Dandenong owns the site, which is
managed by Dandenong Market Pty Ltd (DMPL).
DMPL Chair Julie Busch says the market is set for an
exciting future following its $26m upgrade from 2005 to 2011
which saw facilities and services significantly upgraded, and
environmentally-friendly infrastructure installed.
“The board has an expert skillset and was established in
October 2012 to guide the future direction of the market,”
says Ms Busch.
“Dandenong market needs to appeal to all, so part of that is to
make the market more accessible.”
Ms Busch says part of the plan includes opening the market on
an additional trading day when more people, especially families,
are available to shop. In an exciting move Sunday trading is now
set to commence on 6 October.
DMPL is also looking at improving dining areas so visitors
can eat in a more relaxed and colourful environment and be
encouraged to stay at the market longer.
“We want to ensure we maintain the traditional market vibe
but enhance the vibrancy and atmosphere. This will include
developing more events, celebrations and live entertainment
and a sense of fun, positioning Dandenong Market as a place
to meet,” says Ms Busch.
The market will also now be easier to find, soon to be the new
home to the iconic Dandy Pig neon sign.
Dandenong Market recently joined the Markets of Melbourne
collective, which will see it further promoted to locals and
tourists as a cultural icon.
www.dandenongmarket.com.au
Corner Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong
A market stall representative
promoting the fresh food on offer.
Stakeholder 9
Investment
Industrial markets
on the move
Artists impression of the
new regional emergency
management complex.
T
here has been a flurry of activity
in the local industrial market over
the past few months. Local agents
report the following amongst the many
sales and long term leases around
Greater Dandenong:
Jones Lang LaSalle:
3/333 Frankston-Dandenong Road,
Dandenong
Leased to Apollo Cycles
Size: 4,200sq.m
Term: 6 Years
Rental: $260,000 per annum net
Leased by Kosta Filinis
& Andrew O’Connell
Part 31-55 Carter Way,
Dandenong South
Pre-Lease to Kumho Tyres
Size: 10,500sq.m
Term: 12 Years
To be developed by Elite Property Group
Due for practical Completion Late 2013
Negotiated by Kosta Filinis
Knight Frank’s latest property
watch reported the following local
property activity:
Growthpoint Properties has
purchased 19 & 20 Southern
Court, Keysborough for $18.8m.
The 17,834sqm industrial project
has been purchased from Australand
Property Group on an initial yield of
8.25 per cent. (ASX Announcement
(GOZ) 24/7/13)
Growthpoint Properties has purchased
Lot 45 Atlantic Drive, Keysborough
for $17.4m. The 12,800sqm industrial
project has been purchased from
Australand Property Group on an
initial yield of 7.5 per cent. (ASX
Announcement (GOZ) 24/7/13)
Savco Logistics has leased a
7,034sqm of space at 43-63 Princes
Highway, Dandenong. The office
warehouse has been leased for a
10 year term at a rent of $58/sqm.
(AFR 23/7/13 pg40)
Source: The Week in Australian Property.
These are just a few examples of
the transactions which will see
development and business investment
into Greater Dandenong continue to
flourish this year.
10 Stakeholder
Dandenong attracts
more vital infrastructure
T
wo major infrastructure projects
for the Country Fire Authority (CFA)
will see jobs created and improve
emergency service facilities in
Dandenong and the broader area.
“This would not have been possible
without the strong partnership
between CFA, the developer Cbus
Property and the City of Greater
Dandenong.”
The CFA’s Dandenong Fire Station will
move to 186-194 Princes Highway,
and the new Region Headquarters
and multi-agency Emergency
Management Complex will be based
in Dandenong South.
Construction on the new $13m
integrated fire station will begin soon
with the two-level station set to be
the largest of its kind for CFA.
CFA Southern Metropolitan Regional
Director Peter Schmidt said
construction had begun on the new
$3.5m headquarters at Estate One
Business Park – the former GMH site.
“This project will amalgamate multiple
offices and emergency management
facilities into one building, ensuring
efficient and adequate amenities in
future,” he said.
Victorian Minister for Police and
Emergency Services Kim Wells said
the Dandenong Fire Station project
would create between 130 to 150
jobs during the construction phase,
while around 180 jobs would be
created during construction of the
headquarters.
Both buildings are expected to be
completed by mid-to late 2014.
www.cfa.vic.gov.au Investment
Pitcher Partner
representatives
(from left to right):
John Brazzale,
Managing Partner;
Vicki Macdermid,
Partner; and David
Knowles, Partner.
Full Steam Ahead
C
onstruction workers have been
busy over recent months bringing
the vision for the new municipal
building to life. This month the structure
of the main building was completed
and the metal roof installed.
Construction on the new Council
chambers will also be completed along
with the new micro retail building.
Levels one to six of the new building
have window frames and glazing well
underway while aluminium cladding for
the main building and Council chamber
are progressing.
Major Accounting Firm Chooses
Dandenong as its next ‘City’
A
ccounting and advisory firm Pitcher
Partners has opened a new office
in Dandenong South. As an association
of independent firms located in
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth
and Adelaide, this is the first time the
organisation has opened an office
outside of a metropolitan business
centre and demonstrates the growing
significance of the region.
“This state-of-the-art office offers the
highest level of services, facilities and
technologies and provides greater
convenience and accessibility for our
clients located in the south east,” said
Managing Partner John Brazzale.
“We see opportunities for growth
of the firm and our clients within
this major region given its large and
growing population.
“We are actively participating in local
business networking groups such as
SEMMA, SEMIP and SEBN and will
continue to invest our time, energy
and resources in forging strong
relationships with key business,
political and community leaders, and
influencers in the region.”
The new office opened in
August 2013 with a capacity to
accommodate 35 staff and an events
facility to cater for up to 80 guests.
http://www.pitcher.com.au
80 Monash Drive, Dandenong South.
The Road to
Good Taste
G
alle Road in Dandenong is a new,
vibrant restaurant and café. In just
three months and with an investment of
over half a million dollars, the premises
has transformed into a “five-star”
venue, according to owner Ranj Perera.
Customers enjoying decadent cakes
as part of Galle Road's tasty offering.
“We opened the business in June with the
idea of having a one-stop dining spot. We
believe we’re the largest café-restaurant in
the area,” says Mr Perera, whose venue
can accommodate up to 150 customers.
“We’re also setting up a large function
area at the back of the building that
should be ready in the next two months.”
Workers are now busy on the internal
fitout of the building including tiling,
carpets, plaster walls, partitions, ceiling
insulation and more.
The entire project is due for completion
early next year with Council aiming to
be open for business from the new
building in April 2014.
The vision of this building rising from
street level, and the activity of cranes
moving around the sky have certainly
been getting attention from passers
by and visitors to our city, and the
plans for central Dandenong’s future
are building excitement as to what will
come up on this skyline next.
For more visit:
www.greaterdandenong.com and
select LIVE | Your Community |
Building a Better Greater Dandenong
The venue is named after a major
road in Sri Lanka. “Galle Road runs
along a beach offering different
types of food along the way. We
thought that described our place
perfectly with its variety of offerings
including specialty cakes, and our
fusion of Sri Lankan and modern
Australian cuisine.”
Galle Road currently employs around
20 people and sources its produce
locally wherever possible.
“I see Dandenong as the next big city
after Melbourne with amazing growth,”
says Mr Perera.
15 Pultney Street, Dandenong
Stakeholder 11
South East BUSINESS Networks (SEBN)
Why not join your peers in
a manufacturing network?
SEBN 2013 network groups
& programs include:
•General Manufacturing
Leadership
•OH&S
•Quality / Environment /
Sustainability
•Manufacturing Shop-Floor
Excellence
•Export / Globalisation
•Lean Leadership Academy
•Future Leaders
•CEO Master Class
•Business Leaders Mentoring
Program
South East Women in Business
(WIB) activities include:
•Showcasing WIB Series
•Women in Business Network
Contact [email protected]
Annual Dinner
SEBN’s 20th Annual Dinner was
held on 1 August at Sandown
Racecourse Betfair Park where
more than 180 business people
were engaged by Dr Keith Suter
as he enlightened and entertained
the audience – opening with his
perspective on the 10 broad
trends of the future world and
closing with ‘thinking your way
to success’.
12 Stakeholder
What is the purpose of SEBN?
'Strengthening Business,
Manufacturing and
Community Capability in
Melbourne’s South East'.
T
hrough its extensive program of
activities with business and industry,
'SEBN creates a smarter, more viable
and sustainable business community,
addressing capability development,
business networking, resource planning
and social connection'.
These two statements have resulted
from a recent series of workshops that
helped participating companies revisit
their ‘Business Articulation’ and ‘Value
Proposition’ (VP) enabling them to go
back to their workplace and revise
their strategic direction and articulate
their VP. SEBN itself took advantage
of these sessions to review its position
with the above results.
Participating in SEBN manufacturing
network groups really does deliver
results for business – both in a practical
application sense through innovative
tools, and by exposing companies to
new ideas and or a different way of
looking at common and often ongoing
challenges or problems.
From our perspective, the more we
bring manufacturing and business
together to strengthen their
knowledge and capability, the more
we can leverage those relationships
to strengthen the capability of the
workforce and tap into the diversity
of the ‘talent pool’ that exists in
our community.
With business and industry support,
SEBN is also able to influence
educators and service providers
to meet the ever-changing and
increasingly sophisticated requirements
to service the needs of employers.
The City of Greater Dandenong leads
the way in its support of business
and industry. It is not bound by
geography, offering a service to
regional stakeholders and an ongoing
commitment to progressive business
growth through ‘Greater Dandenong
Business’.
The relationships also provide a
wonderful ‘corporate responsibility’
connection between the disadvantaged
in our community and business as
evidenced in the Corporate Soccer
program, ‘Take a Swing for Charity’
annual golf day, and the various
work-place integration programs we
undertake in partnership with others.
South East Business Networks is one
of the Greater Dandenong Business
departments and, thanks to the
commitment of Council, has been able
to provide a value-add resource to
business and industry continually for
more than 20 years.
So to the 500 or more business and
manufacturing companies that currently
participate in SEBN – thank you for
your support and if you’re not one of
the 500 – then why not get involved in
some way? Your company just might
be the better for it!
South East BUSINESS Networks (SEBN)
Transport
Packaging
project
SEBN’s Transport Packaging project
recently concluded with a feedback
session hosted by Corex Recycling
for participating companies.
Initiated by SEBN and SEMMA with
financial support from Sustainability
Victoria’s Beyond Waste Fund,
the project was designed to assist
companies to identify commercially
viable alternatives for transport
packaging to reduce materials
consumption and reduce the amount
of waste either generated or disposed
to landfill.
The project was a catalyst for a
number of outcomes, including one
organisation that has been able to
standardise the size of its shipping
cartons from suppliers through to
wholesale customers. This has
resulted in the reuse of incoming
supplier cartons for outgoing
repackaged goods; reduction in
purchase of local cartons; increased
pallet stability negating the need
for wrap, and labour productivity
improvements as well. Similar potential
savings were identified at several
organisations that participated in the
on-site visits.
A register of materials and a series
of case studies with themes ranging
from cartons, wraps and straps, to
symbiosis and returnables, have
been collated.
For further information contact Ian Young
or Anthony Peyton at the Centre for
Sustainable Resource Consumption at
www.manufacturingbestpractice.com.au
Do you know the difference?
SEMMA’s role is to bring opportunities to the table for its members and
manufacturing in general and the role of SEBN is to ensure that the
region’s companies have the internal capability to take advantage of
the opportunities presented.
SEMMA EO
Adrian Bolton (left)
chatting with local
manufacturers.
A profile of Adrian Boden
New SEMMA EO
Article courtesy of Casey Neill ‘The Star’
T
he region’s new manufacturing
spokesman says he fell into the
industry, but wouldn’t want to be
anywhere else. Adrian Boden took
over as South East Melbourne
Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
executive officer from long-serving Paul
Dowling in May.
Adrian got his start in manufacturing
during a gap year in Paris to improve his
French skills, with plans to return to his
linguistics studies at university. Instead
he stayed with the manufacturer for
20 years in various places around the
world and completed an International
Business degree.
“I ended up at SEMMA because I was
looking to do something a bit different
from the corporate world and give back
a little bit,” he said. Mr Boden said it
was important for a country to protect
its manufacturing sector.
"It sounds great to import everything
but if the dollar keeps dropping, prices
will just go up,” he said.
Another danger is losing skill sets forever
and having no choice but to import.
Mr Boden said SEMMA could help
its 200-plus members collaborate
to become stronger, and lobby
governments on issues like creating
balanced free trade agreements and
buying Australian products.
"As a government, if you’re buying a
product here and you’re sustaining a
job, then you’re sustaining a taxpayer,
so your income," he said.
Mr Boden said Australia had worldclass products and people in
manufacturing but needed to transmit
this image internationally.
He said the south-east's manufacturing
heartland also had to better
communicate its brand and thinks his
sales and marketing experience in the
sector put him in a good position to
assist. “I hope I can communicate to
manufacturing companies with their
own language and vocabulary,” he said.
“I don’t particularly want it to be
my opinion being transmitted - I
must transmit the opinion of the
manufacturers.”
SEBN – Bringing people together to strengthen business, manufacturing and community capability.
This page feature stories from Council’s Business Networking Department, South East Business Networks (SEBN), together with the South East Melbourne Manufacturers’
Alliance (SEMMA Inc) highlighting their work with industry and the diversity and innovation typical of the manufacturing sector in this region.
Stakeholder 13
Investment
Greater Dandenong
New
Economic
Profile
Whether you want to start a business, expand, develop a site
or relocate to Greater Dandenong, up-to-date information
about the area's economy will be important for your decision
making process.
R
ecognising the significance of providing the latest facts in an accessible format,
the City of Greater Dandenong’s Economic Development Unit has created a
new economic profile consisting of a suite of four publications. Each publication
presents statistical information and analysis about an important facet of Greater
Dandenong that can serve as useful information for investors, entrepreneurs and
the wider public. The information is divided into four topics: economy, workers,
residents and place.
Our place
Our residents
Greater Dandenong has a mix of
residential areas, large activity centres,
extensive industrial precincts and
green wedge land. Construction
of workplaces is an important
component of the local building sector
as the average value of non-housing
construction per capita is higher than
metro Melbourne. The housing stock
available is varied including second and
third home-buyer family homes.
Greater Dandenong is the most
culturally diverse municipality in Victoria
and second most culturally diverse
in Australia. Approximately 60 per
cent of the estimated 145,000 people
living in Greater Dandenong in 2011
were born overseas. Reflecting this
vibrant cultural mix, a large number
of multicultural businesses have
helped Greater Dandenong become a
visitor destination.
Our economy
With an increasing number of higher
education enrolments and higher
TAFE attendance, the local labour
force is becoming more skilled. Local
employers have an opportunity to
utilise the local labour force with
varied skills and help to address a
relatively high unemployment rate in the
municipality.
Greater Dandenong has a diversified
high-performing economy. The
industrial precincts form a part of
one of Australia’s most significant
and productive manufacturing
areas. Various other industries also
demonstrate strong value-add, high
productivity levels and strong increases
in employment.
Our workers
Employers in Greater Dandenong have
access to a vibrant local workforce with
varied skills and abilities that contribute
to the region’s economy. Strong local
economic activity creates many jobs
making the municipality a net exporter
of jobs. Around 20 per cent of local
demand for workers is met by people
who live and work in the municipality.
14 Stakeholder
All four publications are available on
the City of Greater Dandenong website
www.greaterdandenong.com I Work
I Business Resources and Data I
Economic Profile
In addition, the website will shortly
include an online interactive economic
profile containing comprehensive
information about the Greater
Dandenong economy and trends.
For more information please call
Emina Hamzic on 8571 1508
Investment
Greater Dandenong
Property
Investment
Greater Dandenong has a vibrant property market with
continuous private and public investment in new building
activity and active real-estate sales. The latest figures reinforce
this track record.
Property market
Property sales in Greater Dandenong
increased significantly in the six months
to March 2013 compared to the
previous period.
Residential properties sales, including
units and houses, grew notably during
the past year. Over 1,800 properties
exchanged hands during 2012, which
is double the number of properties sold
in the previous year.
During the first three months of
2013, the residential median capital
improved price was $365,000 with
392 properties exchanging hands
and thereby maintaining similar
level of activity to the previous three
month period.
During the March 2012 quarter, more
future properties (not yet rated) were
sold than vacant residential lots. There
were 18 vacant lots sold at a median
price of $363,500, whereas, 34 future
properties sold at a median price of
$340,000 in that period.
The total value of capital improved
commercial sales grew from $12 million
in the last 2012 quarter to $14 million in
the first 2013 quarter.
It will be interesting to see whether the
trend set in the six months to March
2013 continues on during this year.
Building activity
Building activity in Greater Dandenong
is driven by housing, commercial
and industrial work. Of the total
value of over $91 million building
work in Greater Dandenong during
the first 2013 quarter, almost half
was domestic and residential work.
Approximately 20 per cent of total work
was commercial and 17 per cent was
industrial. This equates to 55 per cent
of total Melbourne south-east1 building
activity. Compared to the previous two
months, the total value of building work
increased in March 2013 setting an
upward trend for this year.
Industrial capital
improved median price
increased by 68 per cent
in the last 2012 quarter.
$30
million
During the three months to
March 2013, 38 industrial
capital improved properties
were sold with a median
price of $507,500 with a total
value of over $30 million.
+$14
million
Commercial sales grew
from $12 million in the last
2012 quarter to $14 million
in the first 2013 quarter.
With 56 properties sold, industrial
capital improved median price
increased by a significant 68 per cent
to $705,000 in the last 2012 quarter.
Due to a number of high-value
properties sold, the total value of sales
for that quarter was an impressive
$94 million.
55%
During the three months to March
2013, however, 38 industrial capital
improved properties were sold with a
median price of $507,500 with a total
value of over $30 million. During the
same period, four industrial vacant
properties sold as well.
In the third 2013 quarter, 17
commercial capital improved properties
sold with a median price of $320,000.
+68%
1Includes Cardinia, Casey,
Greater Dandenong and Kingston
Building activity in Greater
Dandenong equates to 55
per cent of total Melbourne
south east building activity.
Stakeholder 15
Business Success
Scott Seedsman surrounded by some of
his creative work at AIM in Dandenong.
Airbrush school now in motion
M
ulti-award-winning business AIM
'Art In Motion' is planning to
inspire other artists with a new school
of airbrushing.
Mr Seedsman says part of Art In
Motion’s success can be attributed to
“pushing boundaries and going beyond
the call every time”.
“And in Dandenong, I have access to
everything – services, advice, supplies
– there’s nothing you can’t get within
a kilometre.”
“We apply art using special-effects
paint to anything that moves – people
always try and challenge us,” says
Mr Seedsman.
“We did a fully airbrushed bus onsite
in country Victoria, sleeping onboard
and waking in sub-zero temperatures.
It’s hard to airbrush when you can’t
feel your fingers, but testament to our
work, 20 years on that bus still has the
same artwork.”
“I airbrushed a Lamborghini in Singapore
for two months at 100 per cent humidity
– applying the paint was tricky at best.”
Mr Seedsman’s extensive experience
includes work in America, Europe,
and Asia.
The Art in Motion airbrushing school
commenced in August 2013. “I used
to airbrush at all sorts of shows and
I loved chatting with the crowd and
showing them how it's done. I’ve been
developing the school over the past
year, beginning with an 'Introduction to
Airbrushing’ course. For the people who
love it, I’ll have some more intensive,
advanced courses,” says Mr Seedsman.
According to owner Scott Seedsman,
art is his life and the company was
established when he was 12, although
not legally registered until he was 16.
Boom signage at the 2012 ” Vans”
Bowl–a–Rama skate competition in Bondi.
Creative Arts a
Booming Trade
B
oom Studios, which provides
creative solutions, was born in
owner Ryan Bishop’s bedroom where
he created his first signs. The business
in Dandenong has now been trading
since 2011. “We make things that no
one would even attempt to make,”
says Mr Bishop.
“Growth has been huge for us this year;
we’ve registered ourselves for BRW’s
fast 100 business list. Innovation is the
key – some companies are stuck in
1970 but everything’s changing and we
16 Stakeholder
www.aimautographics.com.au
can relate to our clients… a lot of my
clients will text me their orders!”
Mr Bishop said Boom Studios attracted
unique print work, including a large art
exhibition for RMIT. “That included a 30
by 8 metre-high wall for us to wallpaper,
we’ve made suspended rotating plinths
for around 100 mannequins, and
everything we’re doing for that is as
recyclable as possible.
“We’re also fitting out a resort next
month for Nike where 15 influential
writers will stay and we need to
customise all the rooms with decals
and displays.”
www.boomstudios.com.au
Retail Activities
Congratulations
and celebrations
to Maggies Bridal
The ever-cheerful Rob
greets customers with
a smile.
M
aggies Bridal in Walker Street,
central Dandenong has a lot to
celebrate this year being voted 3rd in
Victoria in the Bridal Gown Boutique
category at the 2013 Australian Bridal
Industry Association (ABIA) awards.
Over 6000 past brides were invited
to rate their wedding suppliers based
on the quality of product, quality of
service, value for money and attitude
of staff.
“We were pretty excited about this
award but are setting ourselves a
goal to be voted 1st at next year’s
awards”, says owner and operator
Jodie Elliott.
A south-eastern safari
R
ob's British and Irish Butchers is
starring in a new celebrity food
tour of Dandenong. Maeve O'Meara
of Food Safari on SBS will host the
tours and has previously featured
Rob’s Butchers on the show.
“When they did Food Safari and
travelled around Sydney and talked
about British products, my shop kept
coming up,” says Rob Boyle, the
English-born owner of the business.
“So they felt they needed to come
to Victoria to have us on the show
about five years ago.”
The monthly series of tours began
in August and will conclude in
November with Sydney food critics
among the participants to sample
scotch eggs, pork pies, Rob’s bestselling sausages, and haggis and
black pudding meatballs.
Mr Boyle says the Dandenong
tours began in early 2012 and were
so successful that Miss O’Meara
decided to continue them.
Rob’s Butchers is a destination in its
own right attracting customers from
Geelong to Warrigal but according
to Mr Boyle, “It took us ten years
to become an ‘overnight success’;
to turn a dollar where we could say
we’d still be here next year. We had
to build a customer base.”
In October Maggies will be
celebrating 25 years of trading
which is another milestone for this
showcase business. After working
in the business, Jodie purchased
Maggies in 2005 and has taken
it to new heights with innovative
ideas, including fashion shows
in partnership with internationally
recognised designer Henry Roth.
www.maggies.com.au
146/148 Walker Street, Dandenong
The business attracts British
communities with its fare covering
the whole of the United Kingdom
and incorporating sweets and
pastries as well.
Rob’s gourmet sausages are sold
at a premium with nothing but the
best ingredients used, including
Otway Pork. He has won the
Victorian Sausage Championship
numerous times.
The shop’s award-winning products
are stocked in around 50 venues in
Melbourne, including 30 hotels. “We
have good staff and everything we
sell we make on the premises," says
Mr Boyle.
When asked how he keeps up with
the demand, he says. “I haven’t had
lunch in about 20 years!”
www.robsukproduce.com.au
177 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong
Jodie Elliott, owner
Maggie's Bridal in
Dandenong.
Stakeholder 17
Retail Activities
Dandenong
Retailer of the Year
40 years on Parkmore continues
to be a successful centre.
W
hat do customers think about
your retail store? You could be
surprised, just like last year’s businesses
when they got nominated for the
Dandenong Retail Traders Association
(DRTA) ‘Retailer of The Year’.
Customer nominations commence
on 1 October with the winner being
announced at an Awards Dinner on
12 November. The top 5 voted retailers
in Dandenong will be profiled on the
night as well as receiving free publicity, a
certificate and signage for their business.
If you are a retailer, get on board
and have your business recognised
for all the hard work you do. And if
you are a customer – nominate your
favourite retailer and say ‘thanks for a
great experience’.
The DRTA is a not for profit association
with membership only $90 per year.
The DRTA provides networking nights,
business tips, and access to free business
seminars being held around Dandenong.
A birthday where
everyone’s invited
The DRTA also works with the City of
Greater Dandenong around current
retailing issues as well as future directions
for retailing in Central Dandenong.
P
For more details contact Peter (0435
234 683) or Kathryn (9793 5420).
The next DRTA function is on Tuesday
1 October at the Ramada Encore
commencing at 6pm. See calendar of
events (pg 22) for details.
Major project
underway
T
he Springvale Level Crossing
Removal project is in full swing on this
vital initiative to reduce traffic delays in
the busy shopping area.
Major works are required to remove the
street-level train crossing and move the
train tracks below road level.
Residents, commuters, drivers and
shoppers should all be aware that
major changes to Springvale Rd
access will occur this month including:
•in early September Springvale Road
18 Stakeholder
arkmore Shopping Centre in
Keysborough will celebrate an
impressive 40 years in business on
14 November 2013 with customer
discounts, give-aways, children’s
activities and live entertainment
on the day.
The Centre offers around 100
specialty stores in addition to major
retailers and prides itself on its
community involvement, including the
weekly Parkmore Community Walk
exercise group.
will be closed overnight from
9pm-6am while night piling works
take place with traffic diverted via
Westall Road
•on the weekend of 6–9 September
the train line will be shut to allow
works that cannot be done while the
trains are running
•from 21-28 September Springvale
Road will be completely closed for
the entire week when a new bridge
will be built over the train line
•access to Platform 2 at the train
station has moved further down
Sandown Rd, and will be completely
closed for two weeks from 9
September–23 September, during
“Parkmore Shopping Centre has
had a long association with the
community and has evolved to meet
the changing needs of the area,” says
Marketing Manager Jodie-Lee Pirak
Murphy. “Our 40th anniversary
celebrations will be a great day out
for the whole family.”
For further information on
Parkmore’s anniversary visit
www.parkmoreshopping.com.au
317 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough
that time shuttle buses will run from
Sandown Park station to connect
passengers to Springvale.
Other major works have included
changes to Sandown Road making
it one-way only for traffic turning into
Springvale Road.
Keep up to date with all road
closures, detours and changes to train
services at:
•local newspapers for updates
•online at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
and searching for `Springvale Level
Crossing Removal Project’
•phoning 1800 100 792
•emailing [email protected]
Technology
A&L windows in
Dandenong South.
Locals receive technology grants
F
our local businesses have been
selected for a Victorian Government
Investing in Manufacturing Technology
(IMT) grant.
These grants promote growth, productivity
and international competitiveness of
manufacturing businesses by stimulating
investment in new technologies.
Popina Foods – a family owned
business with over 25 years’ experience
producing mueslis, cereals and snack
bars, Popina are the commercialisation
partner of CSIRO taking BARLEYmax™
to market along with the brand
Goodness Superfoods. Other brands
of Popina Foods are Arnold’s Farm and
Heritage Mill Australia.
CSIRO scientists showcase titanium 3D printing.
Popina will utilse the funding to
consolidate two production lines into
a single high speed one, as well as
to add in-line blending and upgraded
bagging stations to their processing
facility in Dandenong South.
Inducted into the Victorian
Government’s Manufacturing Hall
of Fame in 2009, HM will use
the grant to install fast, accurate
machining technology resulting in
four new jobs.
Kez’s Kitchen in Noble Park – familyfavourite biscuit manufacturer will
install state-of-the-art production line
equipment to manufacture a broader
range of products, creating more great
biscuits and 12 new jobs.
A&L Windows – (featured on page
3) will use the grant to purchase and
commission robotic feeding on its
existing double glazing line.
HM GEM Engines – Dandenong South
company specialising in supplying fully
remanufactured engines and cylinder
heads to the Australian automotive
repair industry.
Exploring local
technology
opportunities
D
emand is running high for places
at SEMIP’s innovation workshops,
with the latest held at CSIRO in mid-July
filled to capacity well before the event.
The topic, Additive Manufacturing,
was certainly popular, as were the
places to tour the relevant CSIRO
labs. Those who went on the tours
enjoyed small group discussions
around the latest in 3D printing and
how the cutting-edge technologies
supported by CSIRO and other
MSE research facilities can benefit
their businesses.
Congratulations to those and others
who are making the most of the
opportunities presented through
Government funding to boost
innovation and jobs.
www.business.vic.gov.au
The previous workshop, held late in May
and hosted by the Australian Synchrotron,
explored opportunities in and for the
food sector arising from local investment
and the expanding Asian markets. The
next event, to be held in September, will
explore grant and funding opportunities
available for entrepreneurial businesses.
The SEMIP committee is currently
chaired by industry representative,
Juergen Schneider of Siemens, and
industry round tables are about to
commence. Local business leaders
keen to get more involved in setting
the activities and directions for SEMIP
should make contact.
If interested in becoming involved,
or to join the mailing list for
SEMIP events please email
[email protected]
Stakeholder 19
Business Information
E-resource for small business
A survey of a sample of the Greater Dandenong business community was undertaken last year
to assist the Economic Development Unit plan activities for the coming financial year.
T
he feedback indicated a need for easy access to useful on-line resources for business. Council’s new website (see back
page of this edition) will include links to various existing and new online resources for business, and the following are
examples of those. We hope that you find them useful.
Competition & consumer law
– On-line Education programs
The ACCC has developed an online small business program, providing free
education designed to help small businesses learn more about their rights and
obligations under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
The program includes 10 short modules covering topics such as pricing, advertising,
consumer rights, selling safe products, unlawful competition and scams.
Businesses can work through all the modules or select the ones most relevant to
their business.
www.ccaeducationprograms.org
Victorian government e-resources
The Business Victoria website contains useful information about starting, and
developing a business including exporting, employing and managing staff.
Some of the information which is accessed most regularly includes public holiday
and shop trading hours, long service leave calculator, free business plan template,
starting a business health check, recruiting staff health check and the find a loan
section. This link also includes information on business grants and workshops.
For these and many more online tools visit www.business.vic.gov.au
Australian Government e-resources
The Australian Government recently launched a new version of its popular
E-resource kit for small businesses. The kit, provided on a USB flash drive, has
found its way to more than 40,000 small business owners so far, and contains
useful information and resources designed to help small business owners and
start-ups get down to business.
The upgraded information in the kit includes revised versions of the Starting your
Business and Growing your Business checklists, which have been downloaded
more than half a million times to date. The kit also includes information
on legal issues, independent contractors, and key contact information for
small businesses.
The Australian Government also launched the new Building Success website
buildingsuccess.innovation.gov.au which includes information about direct
assistance and advisory services that are targeted toward small business, as well
as programs that help small businesses build skills in their workforces.
You can obtain a resource kit by contacting the Small Business Support
Line on 1800 777 275 emailing [email protected] or going to:
www.business.gov.au/resourcekit.
20 Stakeholder
Get Involved
Relay for Life
– Business
community
backs cancer
fundraiser
L
ocal businesses are being
encouraged to take part in Greater
Dandenong’s ‘Relay for Life’ event
on 12-13 October to raise funds for
cancer research.
Lonsdale Street,
Dandenong.
Streets ahead in Dandenong
D
andenong’s new $20 million
redevelopment of Lonsdale
Street has been impressing the
design world and received a series of
prestigious awards.
The quality of design, lighting
(including the celebratory coloured
light sticks) and quality of landscaping
have all captured the attention of
industry leaders and award judges.
Awards for Lonsdale St have included:
•2013 Victorian Architecture Awards
(Melbourne Award Winner)
•2013 Victorian Architecture Awards
(Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design)
•2012 Australian Institute of
Landscape Architects – Victoria
(Design in Landscape Architecture
Excellence Award)
•2012 Melbourne Design Awards
Lighting Design Award
•2011 Master Builders Award
(Excellence in Civil Construction).
Mayor Angela Long said the awards
recognised the amazing transformation
underway in central Dandenong.
“Five or ten years ago it would have
been inconceivable to think the area
would be competing for such high
honours in awards that recognise
projects of state and national
significance,” Cr Long said.
“I’m incredibly proud, as I’m sure the
entire community is, and this is really
something that we can hang our hats
on and shout from the roofs tops!”
The State Government’s $290 million
Revitalising Central Dandenong (RCD)
initiative, delivered in partnership with
Council, has created a fresh new
future for central Dandenong as the
capital city of the south-east and a
great location for people to live, learn,
work and socialise.
Relay for Life – and event that
celebrates cancer survivors,
remembers loved ones lost and
fights back against cancer – is an
opportunity for businesses to take
part in a key community event that
promotes team-building, wellbeing
and social responsibility.
A number of local businesses, such
as Connect Chiropractic in Noble
Park, have signed up by registering a
team of 10 participants to keep
a baton moving in a relay-style
overnight walk or run around the
Ross Reserve Athletic Track.
Money raised helps Cancer Council
Victoria to fund research, implement
prevention programs and provide
support services for those affected by
cancer in the Greater Dandenong area.
For more information or to register,
visit www.relayforlife.org.au, or call
1300 656 585.
RCD is expected to help create up
to 5000 new jobs, 4000 new homes
and to leverage $1 billion in private
sector development in the city
centre over the next 15 to 20 years.
RCD projects have also attracted a
number of other awards including:
Government Services Building
Australian Institute of Architects (Vic)
Commercial Architecture Award.
Pop Up Park
Parks & Leisure Association
Connecting Communities
National Award.
Precinct Energy Project (PEP)
Australian Institute of Building
(Vic) Infrastructure Professional
Excellence Award.
Noble Park Aquatic Centre (NPAC)
staff preparing to take part in
Greater Dandenong’s Relay for Life.
Stakeholder 21
Calendar of Events
September
October
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance
(SEMMA) Lunch With The Winners – Schools
to Industry Event
Dandenong Retail Traders Association
Launch of Business awards
•Tuesday 3 September
•Tuesday 1 October
•12pm for 12.15pm start
•6pm
•Sandown Racecourse (Sportingbet Park), Princes
Highway, Noble Park
•Ramada Encore Hotel, 50 McCrae Street, Dandenong
•Enquiries/Bookings www.semma.com.au or
[email protected]
South East Business Networks (SEBN)
Showcasing Women in Business Breakfast
Highlighting women in business who have achieved in their
chosen career and brings together women from all walks of
life. Gentlemen most welcome as the topic of business is
relevant to all.
Find out how you can be involved!
•Free event
•Enquiries and RSVP’s to Kathryne or 9793 5420 /
0400 936 710
South East Melbourne Innovation Precinct
(SEMIP) Innovation Workshop
Knowledge to Profit – Grants and Funding Opportunities
Find out how your business can get assistance and support
to innovate and grow
•Friday 20 September
•Tuesday 1 October
•7am for 7.15am–9am
•8am–11.30am
•Cost $55 pp Corporate Tables of 10 $500
•Hosted by CSIRO
•Register your interest at [email protected]
•Visit www.semip.org.au
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Grand Final Charity Luncheon
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Premier Regional Business Awards Breakfast
•Wednesday 25 September
•Wednesday 9 October
•12 noon for 12.15pm
•6.45am for 7am
•Sandhurst Club, Skye
•Sandown Greyhounds, Springvale
•Enquiries Jacquie 9794 8881 or
[email protected]
•Enquiries Jacquie 9794 8881 or
[email protected]
Victorian Small Business Commissioner
Don’t let a commercial dispute drag your business down. These FREE sessions offered through the office of the Victorian Small
Business Commissioner are not to be missed.
Resolving Commercial Disputes –
The Role of the Small Business Commissioner
Thursday 10 October 8am – 9.30am
Starting a businesses?
Lessons from the Small Business Commissioner
Thursday 24 October 8am–9.30am
Retail Leases –
Tips and Traps
Thursday 17 October 8am–9.30am
Building & Maintaining
Successful Business Relationships
Thursday 31 October 8am–9.30am
These events are hosted by the City of Greater Dandenong. To book visit: www.business.vic.gov.au/festival
22 Stakeholder
September to December
November
Dandenong Retail Traders Association
Retail Business Awards Dinner
•Guest Speaker Gary Castricum – Chairperson of the
Committee for Greater Dandenong.
•Tuesday 12 November 6.30pm
•Dandenong Club, 1579 Heatherton Road (Corner
Heatherton Road and Stud Road) Dandenong
•Enquiries to Kathryne 9793 5420 / 0400 936 710
SEBN Showcasing Women in Business Breakfast
Highlighting women in business who have achieved in their
chosen career and brings together women from all walks of
life. Gentlemen most welcome as the topic of business is
relevant to all.
•Friday 15 November
•7am for 7.15am–9am
•Cost $55 pp Corporate Tables of 10 $500
•Register your interest at [email protected]
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Premier Regional Business Awards Breakfast
•Wednesday 20 November
•6.45am for 7am
•Sandown Greyhounds, Springvale
•Enquiries Jacquie 9794 8881 or
[email protected]
Greater Dandenong has an excellent, diverse food offer, and
an example of this reputation is that local businesses have
been selected to participate in The Age Good Food Month
presented by Citi throughout November. This is an annual
national event being held in Victoria for the first time – with
the following local businesses involved:
Ginger Jones at 175 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong is dishing
up a Ginger Jones Big Breaky offer during work days for
$20 per person.
9.45am on Tuesday 26 November
R
esidents and businesses are
invited to a Greater Dandenong
White Ribbon Day march against
family violence, in central Dandenong
on 26 November.
The City of Greater Dandenong’s Economic Development
Unit is holding hosted Dandenong Walk, Talk & Taste tours
in central Dandenong. Experience amazing flavours, sample
food from around the world, lunch together and visit the
iconic Dandenong Market on 12 and 26 November.
Bookings and event information www.goodfoodmonth.com
December
SEBN Christmas Industry Breakfast
Annual festive breakfast for South East Business Networks.
•Thursday 5 December 7am for 7.15am–9am
•Cost $55pp Corporate Tables of 10 $500
•Register your interest at [email protected]
Food & Cultural Tours
Sensational Springvale Cultural Tour 10am
Thursday 19 September
Thursday 24 October
Thursday 21 November
Afghan Bazaar Cultural Tour Dandenong 6.30pm
Thursday 19 September
Thursday 24 October
Thursday 21 November
PRESENTED BY
Walk to Oppose
Violence Against
Women
African Village Kitchen at 43 Walker Street, Dandenong is
presenting Your African Feast every night of the week for
$35 per person with live African music on Saturday nights.
Day Time Food Lovers Tour Dandenong 9.50am
Wednesday 25 September
Little India Cultural Tour 6pm
Friday 21 September
Friday 25 October
Friday 22 November
All tours are $40 per person and bookings are
made through the Drum Theatre on 8571 1377 or
visit www.greaterdandenong.com/tours
At 9.45am on Tuesday 26 November,
Council will hold a march from
‘The Kitchen’ at the Dandenong Market, to
the Drum Theatre, where participants will
hear Phil Cleary and others speak about
the cost of family violence to individuals,
families, business and the community.
Violence against women is the major
cause of preventable death among
women in the prime of their lives, the main
cause of homelessness, and costs the
Australian community $13 billion per year.
On White Ribbon Day, all residents
are encouraged to speak up against
such violence and in support of
respectful and peaceful relations
between men and women.
Businesses that wish to
commemorate White Ribbon Day
in their own workplaces can obtain
information, posters, brochures
and white ribbons from the White
Ribbon Foundation website, at
www.whiteribbon.org.au
Stakeholder 23
New
Website
Launched!
Council has launched its new-look easy-to-use website with a raft
of features making it easier for us to connect with the community.
The new home page has everything you need right at your fingertips under four main areas:
Live – with information on living in our community including services and community projects and facilities
Work – information on support for local businesses, working for Council, volunteering, tenders and contracts
Play – discover our many leisure facilities, parks, playgrounds and cultural precincts
Your Council – all the nuts and bolts of Council including your councillors, policies, statistics, Council meetings and more.
Visit: www.greaterdandenong.com