Saturday, 5 May 2007

Role model for corporate achievers, Future Summit 2007: Shaping the future, Weekend Australian, 5 May, 2007

Role model for corporate achievers - FUTURE SUMMIT 2007: Shaping the future: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 05 May 2007: 35.
Show highlighting
ADC is an Australian-owned not-for-profit non-political organisation that promotes leadership and business excellence. TheAustralian is the Media Partner for Future Summit 2007. The Leadership Awards are an important part of Future Summit 2007, to be held on May 14 and 15 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne.
Among award recipients are Kevin Fong, managing director of Goolarri Media Enterprises in Broome, for his contribution to indigenous culture; Jeremy Steele, a director in ANZ Capital with an interest in business ownership succession; Anna Reynolds, who has been working to raise awareness of climate change through the World Wildlife Fund for Nature; and Simon Moss, chief operating officer forthe Oaktree Foundation, a youth-run international aid organisation. Another recipient, Tom Dawkins, founder of Vibewire, promotes theuse of media and the arts to help young people express themselves.
The Future Summit Leadership Awards 2007 gives outstanding new- generation leaders the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements and by attending Future Summit, to contribute to shaping Australia's future. To register for the summit or for more information visit www.futuresummit.org
Awards
GERALDINE Chin Moody, at age 31, is already a serious over- achiever.
From a Chinese family in Darwin, she will add to her many accomplishments this month with a Leadership Award at the Future Summit 2007.
She hopes this will allow her to fulfil her ambition of encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to achieve in the corporate world.
After a combined science-law degree at ANU and a University Medal, Ms Chin Moody completed a Master of Law at Harvard University as a Fulbright Scholar and last year won the NSW Telstra Business Women's Award for young women.
Before joining leading international law firm Baker & McKenzie she held the senior executive position of general manager, people and development, with the Australian stock exchange, where she was instrumental in driving a culture of performance and increasing staff engagement.
In her spare time she has worked as an English tutor for asylum- seekers and is a strong advocate of the role of mentors, diversity inthe workplace and corporate social responsibility.
"Despite the fact I came from a Chinese family in Darwin and am a young female, I have been given a chance to take on senior executive roles. Strong mentors have helped me to navigate the corporate world and create these opportunities."
Ms Chin Moody is among the best and the brightest of a new generation of leaders. Organisers of the Future Summit ADC (Australian Davos Connection), hope that by bringing them together their stellar achievements will have benefits spilling down thegenerations.
ADC is an Australian-owned not-for-profit non-political organisation that promotes leadership and business excellence. TheAustralian is the Media Partner for Future Summit 2007. The Leadership Awards are an important part of Future Summit 2007, to be held on May 14 and 15 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne.
One thing the 26 recipients of the Leadership Awards have in common is that they are all astonishing over-achievers. They were selected from corporate, academic, government and community sectors and already occupy positions of responsibility in their fields.
Among the winners are The Australian's senior writer and Walkley Award winner Caroline Overington and journalist turned manager Shane Rodgers, deputy general manager of Quest Community Newspapers.
ADC chief operating officer Caroline Johnston said the awards "provide an opportunity for awardees to build active relationships with both their peers and senior leaders".
Among award recipients are Kevin Fong, managing director of Goolarri Media Enterprises in Broome, for his contribution to indigenous culture; Jeremy Steele, a director in ANZ Capital with an interest in business ownership succession; Anna Reynolds, who has been working to raise awareness of climate change through the World Wildlife Fund for Nature; and Simon Moss, chief operating officer forthe Oaktree Foundation, a youth-run international aid organisation. Another recipient, Tom Dawkins, founder of Vibewire, promotes theuse of media and the arts to help young people express themselves.
2007 LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS
AUSTRALIAN Davos Connection congratulates the following Future Summit Leadership Award 2007 winners selected for their leadership ability and commitment to shaping the future of Australia.
Ms Suzanne Bell
Partner, Audit & Risk Advisory Services, KPMG
Ms Geraldine Chin Moody
Chief operating officer, Baker & McKenzie
Mr Gino Cocchiaro
Barrister and solicitor, Mangan Ey & Associates
Mr Peter Cooley
Director, Koori Communications & Training
Mr Colin Cornish
CEO, Australian Youth Orchestra
Mr Tom Dawkins
Founder and national co-ordinator, Vibewire
Mr Simon Divecha
State director, Big Switch
Ms Georgine Duncan
Project manager, Adelaide Solar City, Origin Energy
Ms Faiza El-Higzi
Founder, interim president, Al-Nisa Youth Group Inc
Mr Kevin Fong
Managing director, Goolarri Media Enterprises Pty Ltd
Ms Helene George
Company director, Creative Economy
Mr Adam Kaye
Managing director, Gersh Investment Partners Ltd
Mr Brent Lyons-Lee
Educator and corporate relations co-ordinator, Urban Seed
Dr Iain MacGill
Research co-ordinator, Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets, UNSW
Mr Andrew Miller
Group winery manager, Orlando Wyndham Group Pty Ltd
Mr Simon Moss
Chief operations officer, The Oaktree Foundation
Ms Caroline Overington
Senior writer, reporter and columnist, The Australian
Mr Cameron Paterson
Director of learning and teaching, Shore School
Ms Anna Reynolds
Deputy director, Global Climate Change Program, WWF International
Mr Shane Rodgers
Deputy general manager, Quest Community Newspapers
Ms Georgia Russell
Consultant, The Nous Group
Mr Jeremy Steele
Director, ANZ Capital
Ms Niki Vincent
Chief executive, Leaders Institute of South Australia
Ms Denise von Wald
Chief executive, Education Adelaide
Ms Eloise Wett
General manager, market operations, Australian Securities Exchange Ltd
Mr Michael Zorbas
General manager, government relations, Stockland
The Future Summit Leadership Awards 2007 gives outstanding new- generation leaders the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements and by attending Future Summit, to contribute to shaping Australia's future. To register for the summit or for more information visit www.futuresummit.org

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 4 May 2007

Dad leads TV crew to missing children, The Australian, 4 May, 2007.

Dad leads TV crew to missing children: [3 All-round Metro Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 04 May 2007: 5.
Show highlighting
"I could never harm my children. In fact, I could never harm anybody," he told Nine. Nine's Sydney news director John Chouiefate defended the network's conduct of the case, saying the federal police had been kept informed of proceedings.
A spokesman for the Family Court said it believed "the publicity over the last 48 hours has greatly assisted in the location of the children and we appreciate the co-operation of the media. We are very pleased the children have been found safe and well".
The children's mother said there were "not going to be big hassles about this. We will just sort it out and have the children come home safely".
THREE children missing for more than six weeks were found with their father in a Tasmanian hideout yesterday.
They were reunited with their mother last night.
Police are unlikely to lay charges against Murray Robertson, who had been caring for them during an access visit at his Blue Mountains home, west of Sydney, in mid-March.
The Nine Network located the children after Mr Robertson made contact to tell his side of the story. He led TV cameras to his daughters Bokkie, 10, and Matilda, 9, and son Barney, 7, in a house in outer Launceston.
But despite mother Philippa Yelland's public appeals to find her children, Nine did not immediately alert Australian Federal Police and only convinced Mr Robertson to hand himself in after securing an exclusive 23-minute interview with him and footage of the children.
"I could never harm my children. In fact, I could never harm anybody," he told Nine. Nine's Sydney news director John Chouiefate defended the network's conduct of the case, saying the federal police had been kept informed of proceedings.
"My main concern was the safety of the children at all times," he said.
"We wanted to make sure that they were brought home safely to their mother and we worked in conjunction with the federal police every step of the way."
A spokesman for the Family Court said it believed "the publicity over the last 48 hours has greatly assisted in the location of the children and we appreciate the co-operation of the media. We are very pleased the children have been found safe and well".
Mr Robertson has not been charged.
The AFP said it would not be laying charges against him and any subsequent procedures were up to the Family Court.
The court's spokesman said an arrest warrant had not been part of the orders that had been made but that there might be future proceedings.
The children's mother said there were "not going to be big hassles about this. We will just sort it out and have the children come home safely".
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 3 May 2007

Howard Cricket Team The Australian 3 May 2007

MAY 3 2007: Not wanted at last minute:
John Stapleton
THE Australian cricket team made a triumphant return to Australia yesterday, showered with superlatives by politicians and mobbed by ordinary fans.
The team landed in Sydney shortly after five am from their history making third successive World Cup win.
After passing through customs at Sydney airport team captain Ricky Ponting and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist emerged proudly holding the World Cup trophy between them.
They braved a frenzy of photographers with grins from ear to ear and signed autographs for more than 100 waiting fans. It was just be beginning of a long day.
At an official breakfast at the Sydney Cricket Ground Prime Minister John Howard welcomed them back ``on behalf of a very proud and grateful cricket-loving nation''. He congratulated the team on a ``stunning performance'' and said ``you've warmed the cockles of the hearts of of those who see cricket as the greatest game that the world has ever seen, and a game at which Australia are unsurpassed as world champions''.
The Prime Minister paid particular tribute to ``the wonderful'' Glenn McGrath, who he described as ``an ornament to Australian cricket for many years''. McGrath's appearances yesterday were his last official acts before retiring.
``He is the greatest fast bowler of his generation, and many would say he ranks with the very greatest that the game has seen,'' Howard said.
Both Mr Howard and retiring fast bowler Glenn McGrath addressed the breakfast, hosted by major sponsors of Cricket Australia, including Emirates Australia and Mastercard.
"It has been a fantastic morning," said Cricket Australia spokesman Lachy Patterson.
``There has been a lot of excitement with the Australian team winning its third succesive World Cup. The team is very happy with the win and very happy to be home, they have been away for nearly 50 days.''
The cricket squad then fronted thousands of fans at a public reception at Martin Place in central Sydney at midday with NSW Premier Morris Iemma. The function included a special video tribute to McGrath at his last official function as an Australian player. ``How good does this get, World Cup champions undefeated,'' the Premier said, after being booed by the otherwise exuberant crowd. ``We should all be very proud. ``These guys were better, fitter, faster, more skillful than any of their opponents. Nothing can take away from the achivements of this team, they are a credit to the entire nation.''
The NSW Premier then presented Ponting with a State Achievement Award. Ponting said the team had celebrated long and hard since claiming the World Cup. ``I am extremely proud of what everyone of these guys have achieved. The whole team played a standard of cricket we have probably never seen before.''
Of the Australian team's renowned ability to celebrate, he said: ``I am feeling more refreshed than I was two days ago that is for sure. The celebrations were long and hard which is what they should be after you win a World Cup.
``It has been an amazing couple of months of our lives and even more amazing last few days.''
Host of the Martin Place celebrations, sports  Ken Sutcliffe, introduced retiring coach John Buchanan as having done ``a magnificent job''. To enthusiastic applause the coach said paid tribute to the team he so successfully led: ``It is unusual to have a batting and bowling team that have worked so well together. It has been a great pleasure and a great ride.''
With a great sense of occasion, Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O'Connor presented each member of the team with a gold ring marking the 2007 World Cup victory.
Man of the Series and in many ways man of the day, champion bowler Glenn McGrath
Posted by at No comments:

Safety fears for kids missing with father, The Australian, 3 May, 2007.




Safety fears for kids missing with father: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 03 May 2007: 5.
Show highlighting
Their mother, Brisbane journalist Philippa Yelland, took part in several media interviews yesterday in the hope of being reunited with her children. "I still sometimes wake up and think it's a nightmare and if I just go back to sleep and wake up again it'll be all right," she told the ABC.
"It has been excruciating for our client," she said. "She is extremely distressed and just wants the children home. These children have completely disappeared. I deal with a lot of cases of people separating, but this is different.

WIDESPREAD publicity surrounding the plight of three children believed to have been snatched by their father has failed to uncover any trace of them.
Bokkie, Matilda and Barney Robertson, aged 10, 9 and 7 respectively, have not been seen since a contact visit with their father, Murray Robertson, on March 16.
His home, in the Blue Mountains town of Hazelbrook, west of Sydney, has been abandoned.
The Family Court has taken the unusual step of issuing a publication order allowing media to broadcast the names of the children and the parents involved in thecase.
Their mother, Brisbane journalist Philippa Yelland, took part in several media interviews yesterday in the hope of being reunited with her children. "I still sometimes wake up and think it's a nightmare and if I just go back to sleep and wake up again it'll be all right," she told the ABC.
Leading advocates for family law reform, including Barry Williams, at Lone Fathers, and Sue Price, at the Men's Rights Agency, said Mr Robertson was not known to them and was not in the tight circle of people calling for the implementation of joint custody as the post-separation norm.
Ms Yelland and Mr Robertson, whose marriage ended acrimoniously 18 months ago, went to court last September and a judgment setting out access rights was handed down in November. Mr Robertson was to have contact every third weekend with the children, who had been living in Brisbane with their mother.
Family law specialist Fiona Kennedy, of Delaney & Delaney, is representing Ms Yelland.
"It has been excruciating for our client," she said. "She is extremely distressed and just wants the children home. These children have completely disappeared. I deal with a lot of cases of people separating, but this is different.
"The Australian Federal Police have been looking for them for six weeks.
"We had a `location and recovery' order from the Family Court the day after they disappeared, which allowed the AFP to use all their resources to track them down. While I am not allowed to talk about the father I can say I am extremely concerned for the children and their safety.
"If anyone has any information please contact the authorities."
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, 2 May 2007

Refugee protests The Australian 2 May 2007

MAY 2 2007 web only.
John Stapleton
A dozen refugee activists picketed the Department of Immigration office in Sydney at lunchtime today to bring attention to the fate of four Chinese detainees on a hunger strike who are facing deportation.
The four began refusing food on the 28 March after the deportation of a woman Falun Gong practitioner.
Members of the spiritual group, banned in China, said the woman has not been heard of since and there are serious concerns for her safety.
An Australian member of the group, who wished to remain anonymous, said the hunger strike was triggered by the deportation but the hunger strikers refusal to eat was an individual matter and not an official action by the group, which focuses on spiritual activities.

The Refugee Coalition Action Group claims that the four Chinese, three women and a man, have been on a hunger strike for 35 days at Villawood Detention Centre in western Sydney. They said six other Chinese ended their hunger strike on Monday 23 April.
They claim another one of the hunger strikers, a Ms Yuan, was taken to hospital on Saturday.
``Grave concerns are held for the hunger strikers,'' said Refugee Action Group spokesman Ian Rintoul. ``They are beyond the point where they may suffer permanent damage. The Minister has behaved recklessly with their lives by continuing to deport people from Villawood.
``The Minister must urgently reconsider deportations to China.''
He said there were concerns that a number of Chinese asylum seekers who had been deported in recent weeks had experienced trouble with the Chinese authorities upon their return.
An activist at today's picket John Morris said many people were stopping to listen and read the pamphlets being distributed. ``It is part of the general awareness of how the Liberal government has oppressed rights across the board,'' he said. ``There is general discontent over the treatment of refugees.
``People thought all the reforms meant that the Immigration Department was getting better. It is getting worse for the chinese people. That is shown by the fact that we have four people on hunger strike after 35 days. They are not kidding.''
He said while the majority of asylum seekers from the Middle East were now being released into the community, the majority of Chinese asylum seekers were being held in custody and faced imminent deportation.
``There would be grave concerns for their welfare if they are sent back,'' he said. ``It is relatively recent that we have had a significant number of Chinese. People are being dragged from their beds in the early hours of the morning and forcefully deported.''
A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews confirmed there were four people on a hunger strike. ``It is unfortunate when people decide to take these actions,'' she said. ``They are taking fluids, being monitored and encouraged to take food,'' she said. ``We have no legal right to monitor people when they go back to another country. All their claims for protection are checked and if found not to have a claim for protection, which is the only grounds on which we don't return them, then we deport them.''
Posted by at No comments:

Abolition agenda 'barking up wrong tree', Weekend Australian, 19 May 2007.

Abolition agenda `barking up wrong tree': [1 All-round Country Edition]

John Stapleton, Sarah Elks. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 19 May 2007: 4.
Show highlighting
"You can make more money this way," Mr [Stephen Lewis] said. "If you are prepared to put in the hard work, if you look after the boss, he'll look after you. You feel like you are more part of the business than just working here."
"In the restaurant game, it's very competitive," he said. "You have to give and take. We work for the customer and for the customer's happiness.

SEAFOOD restaurant Dedes, boasting views of Sydney's Parramatta River, was one of the first NSW businesses to adopt Australian Workplace Agreements.
Stephen Lewis, assistant head chef at Dedes, said being on an AWA was excellent, providing him with more income, which was helpful when supporting a young family.
"You can make more money this way," Mr Lewis said. "If you are prepared to put in the hard work, if you look after the boss, he'll look after you. You feel like you are more part of the business than just working here."
The father of two from the eastern beachside suburb of Coogee said he had forfeited his overtime pay and some penalty rates when he signed his individual contract, but the salary boost had made it worthwhile.
"In the restaurant game, it's very competitive," he said. "You have to give and take. We work for the customer and for the customer's happiness.
"If I have to do overtime, I do it. Whatever needs to be done gets done and, in the end, we get paid well for it. It is hard work, but if you don't put it in you don't get it out. I still get holiday and sick pay of course.
"I think going back to union agreements is going backwards, not forward. I am completely happy with the way it has worked out. Kevin Rudd is barking up thewrong tree trying to abolish (individual) workplace agreements."
CASE STUDY
Name: Stephen Lewis.
Job: Assistant head chef, Dedes Restaurant, Sydney Rowing Club, Abbotsford.
Lost under AWA: Overtime pay and penalty rates for weekend work.
Gained under AWA: Large increase in salary and job security.
Salary under AWA: $60,000 a year.
Under award: $45,000.



ORIGINAL DRAFT

By John Stapleton
POPULAR sea food restaurant Dedes, inside the Sydney Rowing Club at Abbatsford and boasting views across the Parramatta River, was one of the first businesses in NSW to adopt workplace agreements.
Both owners and employees express themselves happy with Howard's IR reforms.
Co-owner Con Dedes said the agreements provided staff with more money and flexibility and the contractual nature of AWAs meant his employees could go to their bank manager or mortgage broker with proof of employment and tenure. ``They are not just popular with owners or employers,'' he said. ``My experience is they are popular with employees as well.
``Our staff are more settled and confident, rather than just being a casual we have called in for the day.''
Mr Dedes said Howard's laws had helped build favourable relationships between staff and employers. ``We all know exactly where we stand at any one time,'' he said. ``In my experience Howard's IR reforms have made for a loyal staff. As the owner this has really helped me. A fair, reasonable and good employer will always attract a far, reasonable and good employee.''
Stephen Lewis, 43, assistant head chef for Dedes, said being on an AWA was excellent, providing him with more income, which benefited his children. ``You can make more money this way,'' he said. ``If you are prepared to put out, if you look after the boss, he'll look after you. You feel like you are more part of the business than just working here.
``Everyone is happy. It is hard work, but if you don't put it in you don't get it out.
``I think going back to union agreements is going backwards, not forward. I am completely happy with the way it has worked out. Kevin Rudd is barking up the wrong tree trying to abolish workplace agreements.''
Chief Executive Officer of the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association of Australia John Hart said AWAs were popular in the restaurant industry because it allowed  businesses to negotiate arrangements that suit their small workplaces.
``When the owners make money the staff make money,'' he said. ``The whole package of industrial relations reforms by the Howard government has led to a change in employment practice. A reduction in the casualisation of the industry and the greater employment of more committed, permanent staff has stabilised the industry and strengthened the workforce.
``There are 37,000 restaurants in Australia employing an average of eight people, with at least a quarter on AWAs, and changing all those arrangements would be very messy indeed.''
National Secretary of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous union Jeff Lawrence said AWAs did not deliver more money.
``There has been a proliferation of AWAs and non-union agreements which simply strip conditions away from people in hospitality,'' he said. ``People are losing penalty rates, shift allowances, overtime."
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, 1 May 2007

Police officer arrested after siege, The Australian, 1 May, 2007.

Police officer arrested after siege: [7 NSW First Edition]

John Stapleton, Dan Box. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 01 May 2007: 5.
Show highlighting
Dozens of NSW police officers armed with riot gear and automatic weapons were called to Earlwood police station, in Sydney's inner west, about 2.15pm yesterday.
A spokeswoman for NSW police described the situation as "serious and sensitive".
"I heard that there were two men and they went into the police station," Ms [Maria Smalios] said.
A THREE-HOUR siege at a Sydney police station ended last night when a 39-year-old policeman was arrested after armed officers entered the building.
Dozens of NSW police officers armed with riot gear and automatic weapons were called to Earlwood police station, in Sydney's inner west, about 2.15pm yesterday.
The man, who had no hostages, gave himself up at 5.05pm after speaking with negotiators. The officer is believed to have been armed, although police have refused to confirm this.
Roads around the police station were evacuated during the siege and a nearby school was closed as a precaution.
A spokeswoman for NSW police described the situation as "serious and sensitive".
"The man was at the rear of the station in a courtyard and made a call to an officer which resulted in police being called," thespokeswoman said.
Maria Smalios, who lives in Earlwood, said she was terrified by the incident, which attracted hundreds of onlookers.
"I heard that there were two men and they went into the police station," Ms Smalios said.
"The stories keep changing all the time. No one knows what is happening. It's too much for this little area."
NSW police superintendent Frank Mennilli said the officer would spend the night in police custody, but he would not say whether charges would be laid.
The officer, who is likely to undergo a psychiatric assessment, was not seen leaving the station.
Superintendent Mennilli would not reveal what had caused the siege but said the officer's family was not involved in thenegotiations.
The incident follows the death of 29-year-old constable Greg Norman Lundberg, who took his life at Menai Police Station in southern Sydney on January 7 this year.
Lundberg was found with a single gunshot wound to the head in the toilet of the small police station.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)