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4th Quarter 2018Highlights Report for RDA Midwest

Gascoyne

RDAMWG Welcomes New Committee MembersThe RDAMWG Board has accepted the nomination of 3 new Board  members

at the November meeting held in Cue:

Mrs Liz Jones  General Manager – Mt Magnet Gold Mine Ramelius Resources

General Manager at Mt Magnet Gold operations. Manages a broad range of

stakeholders and actively work to improve their relationship and perception of

the mine. Worked at a number of mines inland from Geraldton and through this

role has extended networks through the region. 

Mrs Tami Matire  Portfolio Manager, Auto, Engineering and Regions – Central

Regional TAFE Carnarvon

Experience in senior leadership positions with the state government working for

two statutory authorities, The Gascoyne Development Commission (GDC) and

Central Regional Tafe. Extensive networks and maintain professional

relationships through holding a genuine interest in working with those who are

actively finding ways to realise opportunities and to tackle problems by

focussing on solutions.  Responsible for the development and implementation

of the Gascoyne Leadership Strategy which was the precursor to the first

regional program delivered by Leadership WA

Mrs Jackie Brookes  Manager – Ningaloo Lodge Exmouth

Strengths in tourism/marketing and communications. Deputy Chair of

Australia’s Coral Coast, strong advocate for Tourism. Manages a successful

world class small business in Exmouth

RDAMWG Chair Mrs Yvonne Messina said that the nine Board members now

have a combined skill set that will set our RDA well into the future to guide the

deliver of the program.

The new members join the current Board members:

Mrs Yvonne Messina (Chair)

Mrs Leonie Noble (Deputy Chair)

Mr Tony Turner

Mrs Jenny Allen

Ms Margie Robinson

Mr Colin Bastow

 

Young InnovatorsYoung Innovator Finals Rock the Judges

Young Innovators knock the socks off international Line Up of judges at the

final pitching event in Geraldton on Friday the 7th December 2018.

The future innovators have delivered some great ideas to help Ocean and

Waterway Health to the judging panel and guests and parents looking on in

awe.

Six primary and high school finalists presented to an International Judges from

America and Greece and Australia who are from the world of innovation and

entrepreneurship. Two international schools also submitted video pitches to vie

for the overall prize of $1000.

Judges included representatives from the US Consulate in Perth, led by

Meghan Higgans, Policy Chief, who said

“The United States Consulate Perth is proud to sponsor Geraldton’s Young

Innovator Competition.  The participants developed creative solutions to real

world problems demonstrating a deep understanding of both the issues facing

our oceans and also what it takes to pitch innovative new ideas.  The students

displayed boundless enthusiasm for addressing the pressing needs of our

oceans and we’re eager to follow the future successes of these bright, young

entrepreneurs.”

Other Judges who participated:

 

Joanna Catalano - CEO of iProspect Asia Pacific, Joanna also spent two years

leading Singapore Female Founders, a non-profit research and advocacy

organization dedicated to promoting equality for founders of tech-enabled

businesses.  

Eleni Atsikbasis is an entrepreneur that brings together creatives,

entrepreneurs, design thinkers and youth from across the globe to

find sustainable solutions to join the NPO initiative she founded, Healing

Lesvos. By working together, this community’s key aim is to reboot, rebuild and

rethink Lesvos - including the wider Aegean - and restore the ongoing

perception of the Aegean while helping the Lesvos manage the situation with

locals and hosted communities.

Tom Goerke is the lead for Cisco in its alliance with Curtin University and

Woodside for the Cisco IoE Innovation Centre Western Australia. With

foundation partners Curtin University and Woodside Petroleum, the centre is

focusing on developing innovative solutions in the areas of astronomy,

agriculture, resources and energy, and smart campus

Marvin Liao is a Partner at Micro Venture Capital Fund 500 Startups, running

the SF based accelerator program as well as investing in Seed stage start ups.

Formerly an experienced client-facing senior executive in the media and

technology space in both large and start up growth companies, having

managed large multifunctional teams across multiple countries. 

 

The finalists pitched ideas on helping with Ocean Health and Waterways Then,

in the style of Shark Tank TV, the finalists fielded answers from the judges

about their ideas. Regional Development Australia Mid West Gascoyne

Executive Officer Alan Bradley said the students had experienced an incredible

opportunity to share their ideas with world-class innovators. Alan said “This has

been a great opportunity for our young students to get some exposure to these

world class business people who look at ideas like this everyday and make

business and investment decisions. The international schools also produced

some great ideas to be considered.”

In the lead up to the event, the finalists were schooled by Emma Jackson, Chair

of Scinapse on how to identify the problems, develop a solution and create

solutions. They then attended a workshop with Geraldton’s innovation hub

Pollinators, to learn the art of the elevator pitch. Pollinators Spaces Lead Angie

West said it was gratifying to see Geraldton’s young people stepping up as

future innovators. “It was exciting for us to be involved with these young

innovators and help them develop the skills to pitch their big idea – after all

these young people are our future,” Mrs West said. “It was also interesting to

note they were all female in a space normally dominated by young males.”

First place in the Year 5/6 category was Dusty Morgan and Scarlett O’Brien

Leaning Tree Steiner School, who presented an app to monitor water use in the

home and make savings. Runner up was Nakiya Van Lierop who proposed a

robot that could scoop up rubbish from the oceans and drop it back to marinas

for collection

Nagle Catholic College’s India Newman won the Year 7/8 category for her Sea

Water Carbon Dioxide Treatment Plant, to help remove CO2 from the Ocean.

The runners up in this category was Jasmin Joyner and Georgia Thill from

John Willcock College who proposed the installation of Scuba Bins in areas

where divers and snorkellers could collect and deposit rubbish from then

ocean.

Elena Dalle, (who is home schooled) won the Year 9/10 category with her pitch

that proposed a concept to make recycling fun, with rewards for kids who

deposit foam cups into an iconic lighthouse recycling unit on the beaches of

Geraldton. Runner up was a winning competitor from last year Danielle Radford

from John Willcock for the development of a process to tax single use plastic to

Prevent Plastic.

Two International schools also presented ideas via video. Maritina Akmoutsou,

Marina Irakleous and Dimitris Georgakis - Petra Gymnasium School – Greece,

presented an idea to use a new enzyme that could eat plastic in the ocean and

a team from New Village School – San Francisco delivered an idea  called

Bago Bag, which reminds you to take your shopping bags into the shop and

provides rewards and an lightweight bag to take with your phone.

The Overall best judged application was Monitor My Home by Dusty Morgan

and Scarlett O’Brien - an app to monitor water use in the home and make

savings. Dusty and Scarlett take home the $1000 prize for best overall idea.

The judges were especially impressed with Scarlett’s efforts to also help

another contestant who became a little shy during the pitch event.

The Young Innovator Competition was developed by Regional Development

Australia Mid West Gascoyne, with the support of US Embassy, Mid West

Development Commission, Iluka, Cisco Innovation Centre and a host of other

supporters and helpers.

 

The Inaugural Murchison Calcutta Cup 2018  They were off and racing on Thursday evening the 1st November when

Barbara Thompson from the RDA Midwest Gascoyne in conjunction with the

Cue CRC, and the Murchison Zone of WALGA Delegates hosted the inaugural

Murchison Calcutta Cup at the Murchison Hotel Beer Garden. 

With a crowd of appropriately 45-50 people who all joined in the fun of this

creative networking event where a whopping $700 was raised for the RFDS. 

Alan Bradley DRD of RDA Midwest Gascoyne welcomed everyone to the

sundowner and introduced new Chair Yvonne Messina and Board member,

Jenny Allen, CEO of Ngala and Colin Bastow CEO, Shire of Wiluna. 

Barbara coordinated the creation of The Murchison Cup, a recycled

masterpiece fashioned by D-Trans in Geraldton, from an old gas bottle with a

flourish of horse shoes for handles for good measure ! 

Special thanks go to Marie Ireland and Susan Bell from D-Trans in Geraldton

for all their creative efforts. 

It was polished to an inch of its life and proudly won by Vicki from Cue   with

her horse “Bastow’s Outback Boy”. 

Coming in in second place was Norm Trenfield from Meekatharra with

‘Sandstone Sensation, followed by Andrew with “Barbie Girl” 

The horse race was a lot of fun and enjoyed by all and looks to be a possible

event again with next year’s November Local Government zone meeting,

warmly referred to as ‘Cue Parliament’. 

Barbara also worked in conjunction with Ruth and the team of the Cue CRC

who did a great job providing local coordination and RSVP’s. 

The wonderful Murchison Hotel was the perfect venue to host a mock race and

enjoy loads of delicious food and drinks! 

Thank-you also must go to the Cue Shire for their support and the Murchison

WALGA zone delegates for coming along and ensuring the success of this

networking event. 

Special thanks to the Shire of Yalgoo President, Joanne Kanny, CEO

Silvio Brenzi and Yalgoo  Works Forman Ray Pratt  for coming to the rescue

when  Barbara  Thompson RDA Midwest Gascoyne and RDA Board member

and Ngala CEO Jenny Allen were stranded because the vehicle  broke down! 

 

Geraldton Overnight Cruise EventThe Azamara Quest made its inaugural visit to the Geraldton Port on 17

December 2018 and were warmly welcomed with a special event to

commemorate this occasion at the Geraldton Port. 

The Cruise Geraldton Committee which Barbara Thompson Midwest

Coordinator participates to support the development of Cruise ship tourism.  

MidWest Ports pulled out all stops to have the berth ready for the arrival of the

Azamara Quest which had spent several days at sea departing from Indonesia

before arriving in Geraldton.  

International passengers mainly from Europe and USA were invited to attend

the special ’Australiana’ themed welcome event which was sponsored by

Tourism WA. 

The event showcased local Crayfish from the Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-Op,

Abrolhos Pearls and Jewellery designed and manufactured by local Jeweller

Gemma Baker. 

There were pearl seeding demonstrations on hand for visitors to view, products

and displays including local yabbies & marron from the Chapman Valley

Fish Farm. 

Guest were treated to local crayfish and yellow tail king fish delicacies which

was accompanied with music and fine Western Australian wines. 

The Greenough Wildlife Park had friendly Australian native animals to introduce

to passengers. 

A crowd pleaser on the evening was local Aboriginal

didgeridoo player Leroy Shiosaki who was accompanied by his mother Donna

Ronan who gave the welcome to country at this special occasion. 

It was also a great opportunity for passengers and crew to have more time to

be able to explore and experience some of the magic of the Midwest region. 

RDA Midwest Gascoyne has been focusing on tourism as a major driver for the

local economy. 

Cruise ship visits are a great and growing contributor to promoting

our regions  which are offering great and diverse  experiences for visitors. 

Wibbs Wows Midwest with Business Expo  RDA’s Midwest Coordinator, Barbara Thompson was thrilled that RDA Midwest

Gascoyne was again so supportive in enabling the Wibbs Business Expo for

2018. 

 The Women Inspiring Better Business, Business Expo held in Geraldton on

Sat 13 October 2018 was a tremendous success and enjoyed by all who

participated either as one of the 60 stall holders or as one of the hundreds of

visitors who attended during the day. 

The Expo showcased local Midwest businesses representing a broad

cross section ranging from creative home-based industries, artists, event

organisers, to large corporates such as the Geraldton Radiology Department,

the team from the Midwest Ports and Aust Industry who provided

information about the services & support they can provide to businesses. 

Builders, health practitioners, Hotels and restaurants, mortgage services, real

estate agents, the list of businesses and services and product was a

kaleidoscope for all to enjoy. 

The Business Expo also ran concurrent workshops facilitated by local business

owners. We had face painting for children, which they loved and the Wibbs

showbags were a popular ‘must have’ additional for all attendees at the Expo. 

Free coffee was offered to the first 200 entrants and delicious food catered for

by leading local restaurants included fresh crayfish rolls which proved to

be very popular. 

There were many generous door prizes won by surprised and

delighted people. 

A great deal of organising and planning were executed for this successful event

and of course a ‘team’ approach always makes for the best results for our

community. 

Our young team member Tanelle Godden took up the reins of this event as her

major project for the Nagala Leadership Training, working closely with Aimee

Rowland and Sylvia Jones with the continued support with the entire committee

all dedicated to working for a successful Expo for the community. 

The were commended for all their efforts which were well appreciated. 

Cost for the participating businesses were kept to an absolute bare minimum to

enable opportunity for small and large businesses to showcase their goods

and services. 

Local Business Expo Sponsors supported this initiative which enabled us to

hire a suitable venue from the City of Greater Geraldton, and to advertise and

market this event successfully. 

Sponsorship makes the world of difference to enable us to deliver not just a

good event but a great event! We are grateful of all the sponsors

support especially from RDA Midwest Gascoyne. 

The day concluded with a Wibbs Sundowner which proved a much-

needed opportunity for stall holders to relax and unwind and enjoy some

networking amongst each other.  Local musician, who accompanied

Phil Doncon who delighted us with a live ‘paint storm’ of two sensational

paintings, one of the Abrolhos and the other of our iconic Midwest wildflowers in

blooms. 

The new CEO of the Midwest Ports, Dr Rochelle McDonald gave a presentation

at the Sundowner about her recent appointment to the Midwest region and

shared with us that she is only the second female Port CEO to be appointed in

Australia. 

It was a delightful conclusion to a very successful Women inspiring Better

Business Expo for 2018. 

 

 

AusIndusty Showcases Federal Programs in Geraldton  RDA Midwest Gascoyne introduced Brett Duane the Business Development

Manager for AusIndustry’s WA State office at an information session on the 12

Oct 2018 in Geraldton. 

Brett gave a very informative overview of the Australia Governments Programs

to local stakeholders which included information, grants, registrations and

support to assist businesses succeeding in Australia, found via the

Business.gov.au site.

Also, was the Australian Business license site with

its comprehensive Information services available. 

The R & D Tax Incentive and its benefits was discussed, and the case study

used was local Midwest business Bhagwan Marine Pty Ltd. 

Bhagwan was established in Geraldton and is now recognised as one

of Australian’s largest Marine vessel operators servicing the Oil and Gas

Resources industry. With some 150 purpose built vessels servicing ports,

offshore and subsea activities. 

R & D incentive has supported & developed a novel shallow water dive vessel

which need to meet critical operation features for Bhagwan Marine. 

The Entrepreneurs Program which accelerates commercialisation and

business development, innovation and commercialization. 

The business evaluation program offers a comprehensive evaluation for

businesses with practical and clear advice for future business growth which is

provided by experienced advisors and at  no cost. This also offers access to a

business growth grant up to $20,000. 

Innovations Connections-this works and offers

innovative facilitation opportunities to access up to $50,000 matched funding to

support the business to collaborate with the research sector. 

The Importing and Exporting has the Tradex scheme, Austrade export market

Development grant and well as the Export Finance & insurance Co-op for

businesses. 

Finally, the Building Better regions Funds. This has $641.6 million dollars of

funds which supports the Federal Governments commitment to create jobs,

develop economic growth and building small regional communities into the

future. 

This was a great and added opportunity for the community to hear directly from

Brett prior to the Wibbs Business Expo which they sponsored and showcased

their services to the broader community. 

Midwest Coastal Tourism Cluster  Recently established this year this tourism cluster has now had  2 face to

face meetings, the initial one in Dongara, with the Shire of Irwin  and more

recently one in Coorow, which we linked in with the Shire of Dandaragan to

witness and enjoy the opening celebrations of a wonderful new walk way

around Dynamite Bay . This new facility will be used and enjoyed by locals and

visitors alike. 

With the importance of tourism for economic growth and

jobs acknowledged the cluster has already researched and

made grant applications for funding to assist in establishing a much

needed ‘calendar of events’ which will see the Coastal Midwest Shires initially

working together to better the regions offer and service with a focus on visitors

into the region. 

This cluster includes the City of Greater Geraldton, the

Geraldton Visitors Centre, Kalbarri Visitors Centre which  is in, the Shire of

Northampton also the Shires of Irwin, Coorow and Dandaragan  and the Jurien

Visitors Centre. 

All participating Shires except for Northampton have committed funds towards

this great initiative include RDA Midwest Gascoyne such is the importance of

this new initiative this cluster will be a trial study and hopefully this will be taken

up across the state and eventually link into to create a excellent platform of

information events.  

 

  

The Strategic Foresight for Regional Australia

This publication is the result of a strategic foresighting project undertaken by

CSIRO in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure, Regional

Development and Cities. The report considers a number of potential scenarios,

detailing what it could be like to live, work and invest in regional Australia in 30

years.  Strategic foresighting is part science/data and part art/narrative.

Originally developed by the Shell company, the technique is used by many of

the world’s major organisations to ensure their decision makers understand the

key influencing trends affecting the future of a particular sector or industry (or in

our case, regional economy). It is designed to avoid complacency and

challenge assumptions.

A wide range of regional development stakeholders from academia, the

community, industry and across all levels of government were consulted. The

scenarios were informed by the following five megatrends: connectivity

improvements in both physical and telecommunications infrastructure; the

growing significance of the Asia-Pacific region; population growth and

economic activity being drawn away by larger centres and high amenity areas

from smaller towns; value generation through knowledge, innovation and new

services in the economy; and the environment as a source of both risk and

livelihood to regional communities and businesses. These megatrends were

identified through analysis of issues related to social, economic, institutional,

environmental and technological change.

Download a copy here

 

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