Before this year, most parents had never worried about their children being diagnosed with a deadly disease that had no vaccine, treatment or cure – but now the world has experienced exactly what so many families live with every day.

This month, as we launch the 2020 Jeans for Genes campaign, and Australians start to return to their normal lives – the families of the 1 in 20 children who live with a genetic disease or birth defect can only dream of what that must feel like.

Their kids must always stay home from school if their classmate has a sniffle or they could end up in intensive care. They cannot just sign up for the school soccer team when their legs are barely strong enough to hold their weight. Their parents have given up jobs just to be able to offer the care they need.

Julie Gravina is mum to Charlize, who lost her twin brother to the same genetic disease she lives with, and she feels a strange sense of relief that people have had a glimpse into her life.

“Everyone is now getting a taste of what we’ve lived,’’ Julie said. “We’ve had to create a world in a bubble for her.’’

Charlize had a liver transplant to save her life, but it has only bought her time.

“The liver transplant has saved her life, but we live in fear of rejection, and she still has a limited life span,” Julie said. “If she could be given gene therapy, her life span would be normal. We hope now most importantly, maybe people will understand the importance of research.’’

Kate New is mum to Lachlan who has never walked nor talked like his sister. She also hopes that Australians now value research in a renewed way.

“I hope this experience shows people how important research is,’’ Kate said. “The only way life will return to normal after COVID-19 is a vaccine. For us, I feel so strongly that people need to value research. I look at scientists that dedicate their lives to this research, and they are superheroes in my eyes.’’

The importance of medical research has never been more evident to the world but when the pandemic is over, the battle continues for these families.

Jeans for Genes is the iconic fundraising campaign behind Children’s Medical Research Institute (based at Westmead), which aims to find cures for children’s genetic diseases. Our researchers are taking ideas from the labs all the way to the patient in hospital to shrink the timeline from diagnosis to cure – which could mean the difference between surviving or not surviving the disease.

Sign up here to fundraise now. You could fundraise online as an individual, have an event in workplace, sell merchandise in your shop or office – and don’t forget to encourage local schools to wear denim and fundraise on August 7. Find out more at jeansforgenes.org.au

City of Parramatta Council is calling on the NSW Government to support a suite of ready-to-go projects that will help stimulate Sydney’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and create more jobs.

Council has asked the NSW Government to prioritise both public and private investment in the Central River City, including through its new $3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund.

“Parramatta is fast emerging as the economic powerhouse at the centre of global Sydney,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said.

“With a rapidly growing number of residents, workers and visitors, Parramatta is going through an unprecedented period of growth and is in a unique position to lead Sydney’s economic recovery.

“We have a long list of construction and infrastructure projects already underway, from Parramatta Light Rail to Parramatta Square, and many more in the pipeline that will benefit not just Parramatta but Sydney as a whole.”

Council has asked the NSW Government to consider several key priorities, including:

• The delivery of more than $6 billion worth of city-shaping projects, plus the $20 billion Sydney Metro West, which combined will create almost 21,400 jobs in the short term and upwards of 6,000 jobs in the long term.
• The acceleration of State Government-funded projects, including Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and planning for Sydney Metro West and Powerhouse Museum, as well as a commitment to projects such as Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.
• Support with financial assistance and approvals, the acceleration of Council’s works programs – worth more than $500 million, including the new Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Riverside Theatres.
• Working with the private sector to identify and remove barriers to help accelerate the $1.7 billion worth of approved private developments in the Local Government Area.
• Support the immediate start of City of Parramatta’s shovel-ready projects, including 42 projects worth $64 million that can be delivered in the next 12 months and employ 180 locals, through additional funding and fast-tracked approvals.

Please click here for the list of shovel-ready projects identified by City of Parramatta Council.

Plans for an iconic new walk in Western Sydney Parklands with views from the Blue Mountains to the CBD and showcasing some of NSW’s most beautiful bush and natural beauty is set to open next year.

The 12-kilometre walk will start adjacent to Middleton Grange in the Liverpool area of the Western Sydney Parklands and wind north to Cecil Hills.

Western Sydney Parklands Executive Director, Suellen Fitzgerald said the Walk’s positioning is truly spectacular, highlighting some of Western Sydney’s outstanding natural beauty.

“Visitors will be able to enjoy incredible views and pause to catch their breath along a number of well-designed resting areas,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“This Walk will be the hugely popular, not only with locals, but visitors from all over Sydney and beyond. We are talking to residents and community groups in coming weeks about our new destination walk in the heart of Sydney’s West.” The Parkland’s existing tracks and trails are used by around 250,000 people annually and feature spectacular sites including Moonrise Lookout, The Dairy, Plough and Harrow, Sugarloaf Ridge and Lizard Log. “Our tracks and trails are hugely popular, with options for beginners through to advanced bush walkers,” Ms Fitzgerald said. “We are looking forward to adding this Walk to our network of existing tracks and trails to offer another great option to keep fit and healthy while enjoying the Parkland’s stunning natural bushland.”

Concept plans for the Walk have been developed under the Southern Parklands Framework, a long-term plan for the Parklands’ Liverpool precincts. The Parklands is Sydney’s biggest backyard and the largest urban park in Australia, spanning 27 kilometres across 5,280 hectares - almost the same size as Sydney Harbour - with an existing 60-kilometre network of tracks and trails. To find out more about the Walk and view the most recent designs, map and artist impressions please go to: www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au

The pandemic has triggered unprecedented challenges. Many businesses have been fortunate enough to be able to stabilise their operations to weather the pandemic storm. Now more than ever, it is important for businesses to stop and consider how they can recover and even grow to ensure a successful future.

For businesses to recover during uncertain times, it will take a careful balancing act. But if businesses walk the tightrope with confidence they have an opportunity to bounce back stronger than ever.

Click here to learn tips on how your business can recover with strength.

You have managed to stabilise your business, you can finally lift your head above the sand. But what is next? Is your business set up to take advantage of any growth opportunities?

Click here to find out more on how to help your business grow.

For further information please contact your Pitcher Partners representative.

Contacts

John Gavljak

Partner | Business Improvement Solutions

E: john.gavljak@pitcher.com.au

P: +61 2 8236 7759

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“Time & Space are not conditions of existence – Time & Space is a model for thinking” - Albert Einstein

The William Inglis Hotel is the perfect venue for your next event, providing your team the luxury of time and space.

Located only 40 minutes from Sydney's CBD and 25 minutes from Sydney Airport, the property is set amongst the stunning grounds of Riverside Stables with uninterrupted views of Warwick Farm Race Course and Chipping Norton Lakes.

The William Inglis Hotel features 23 conference spaces that all boast natural light, inbuilt audio visual systems and the flexibility to cater to a range of event set ups.

Take advantage of their 2020 Time & Space conference offer from only $75.00pp including:

• Arrival tea, coffee and hot chocolate
• Morning tea items
• Working lunch
• Afternoon tea items
• 30 minute post event networking drinks (served in the 1867 lounge)
• Complimentary venue hire
• Optional – 1 hour team building activity

Relax over night for your event from only $195.00 pp including:

• Superior King Room
• Breakfast for 1
• Complimentary overnight parking
• Wi-Fi
• Access to the rooftop pool + wellness centre

This offer is exclusive to WSBC Members. Connect with The William Inglis Team via:

P: 02 9058 0365

E: HB042-SL2@accor.com

W: www.williaminglis.com.au/conference-and-events/

Terms & Conditions

Valid for new bookings between 01/07/20 – 31/12/20. Based on a minimum of 10 guests. Subject to availability.

“It’s OK, as a leader, to say you’re also struggling with this, and you don’t have all the answers.” Aaron Williams, Mindstar.

At this moment, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is fundamentally changing the way we work and the way we live our lives. But amidst the effort to manage the impacts of COVID-19, we are also grappling with the mental health impacts of social isolation, heightened anxiety and financial uncertainty.

Business leaders have the additional challenge of managing teams remotely and steering organisations through a period like no other in recent history.

Read more here.

Macquarie has been providing Business Banking solutions for over 30 years and provides SME clients with tools and strategies to grow and develop their business. You can get regular updates by subscribing to the monthly newsletter, Strictly Business by visiting macquarie.com.au/businessbanking. If you would like to find out more about how Macquarie can support you to take your business further, call Sam McCarthy at our Parramatta office on 0417 518 724 and be connected with one of our banking specialists.

This information has been prepared by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 237502 (“Macquarie”) for general information purposes only. This information does not constitute advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. No member of Macquarie accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss arising from any use of this information.

Due to the pandemic the Salvos did not have events, they were not visible in shopping centres or out knocking on your door.

The ability to raise money has never been more difficult and due to COVID-19, the need has never been greater. 

Please support the work of The Salvation Army this year through their Digital Doorknock Appeal so they can meet the present and growing need of people in crisis.

Click here to make your tax free online donation.  

If you are struggling financially, emotionally or psychologically because of the issues caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, please contact The Salvation Army on 13 72 58 (13 SALVOS).

Australia’s Construction sector is one of the country’s leading industries in terms of growth, employment and profitability, but it has also been identified as one of the highest occupational risk groups for suicide.*

Talking about suicide can prevent suicide. So too can categorising the shame around mental health and encouraging open forums of communication in the workplace, or on the job site.

It’s time to break the cycle of mental health in the construction industry and here are 3 simple ways we at Interior Construction Group address the topic, show compassion to our team and build a trusted network for people to speak up and show up:

1. Minimising stress through a 3-step process

Stress is one of the leading causes of human illnesses. Minimising stress is essential to mental, physical and emotional well-being and when it comes to construction, our process includes:

Planning → Managing → Helping

Planning ensures the overall scope of work and associated methods are considered early on, providing an overall overview; Managing ensures time is executed effectively, avoiding overworking and burnout; and Helping is the involvement of cross-departmental teams to assist one another, rather than drowning individuals with work… that’s right, we collaborate.

2. Utilise technology

We often come across the non-physical items to alleviate stress, but nowadays, we should make use of the automation available to us.

With today’s tech evolution, the systems and software in place play a big role in efficiency. Managing projects, communicating with stakeholders and implementing project management tools are a valuable way daily processes are streamlined - saving time and energy.

3. Open spaces, open forums

With an open-plan office, and a “door always open” philosophy, our approach is centred around welcoming open platforms of communication through trust and transparency. In engaging in team bonding activities, weekly check-ins and community involvement initiatives, we’re built on solid foundations that encourage our team to express how they feel, raise concerns they may have or simply to show gratitude for anything and everything they’d like.

These simple steps play a big role in our daily experiences, and have proven to be successful and helpful in our workplace. The most important thing to take away from this is to first address that mental health is a concern, we all have a right to a workplace to be happy and as businesses, we have a responsibility to create a workplace, culture and environment that fosters this.

Joe Taouk

General Manager, Interior Construction Group

*Source: A Longitudinal Assessment of Two Suicide Prevention Training Programs for the Construction Industry, International Journal of Environmenal Research and Public Health 2020

As part of City of Parramatta’s commitment to support small businesses during this difficult time, Council is offering grants of up to $2000 for businesses who need to modify their operating model to continue to generate revenue. A funding pool of $100,000 will help businesses to adapt and diversify, to continue trading during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible, businesses:

• Must be located within the Parramatta LGA
• Must be an existing business (trading for more than 6 months as at 20 March 2020)
• Must have an ABN
• Must be a business that can transfer/adjust service/trade and/or goods to online/delivery/take-away
• Must be able to implement change in service within 6 weeks of receiving grant funding
• Must use funding purely for expenditure related to adapting service/trade to online/delivery/take-away

Applications open 9am, Monday 27 April 2020 and close 4pm, Monday 4 May 2020.

For more information and to apply, please visit Council's website.

Every parent across the country is doing whatever they can to keep their children entertained and educated while they work – and now they have the opportunity to get them away from the screen and stimulated with some science fun!

Children’s Medical Research Institute based at Westmead, the charity behind Jeans for Genes, is selling a Future Scientist Kit that is packed with loads of educational and entertaining resources from pipettes to beakers, craft items to colouring-in, clay, pencils and even a bouncy ball! They also have Future Scientist lab coats available to foster a love of science in your little ones. They can have fun at the same time they’re learning about the importance of research.

Julie Gravina is the mother of Charlize who is one of the faces of this year’s Jeans for Genes campaign. Charlize lives with genetic disease every day and has had to undergo two liver transplants in her short lifetime. She knows what it is to spend long hours in hospital or at home being sick. Julie is experienced at keeping Charlize busy and loves the Future Science Kit.

“We could all do with a little help keeping our children occupied right now and I think the Future Scientist show bag is a fun way to entertain and educate our kids,’’ Julie said. “My girls really enjoyed pretending to be scientists by setting up their own lab at home and pipetting coloured water. The craft supplies and other creative activities are especially welcomed at this time.

“I also love that all the money raised goes to help the scientists who are trying to find cured for conditions that will help children like my daughter Charlize.’’

Now, more than ever—during an international pandemic—Australians realise how critically important investment in research is. When you pop online and buy a kit for the kids you are supporting future generations.

Just as our scientists never give up when they face an obstacle in their lab, we know that you will stand beside them and the 1 in 20 children facing a birth defect or genetic disease—and it’s as easy as going to shop.cmri.org.au