Optometry Australia has announced its new National President, Kate Gifford, who is only the second female and youngest candidate to be elected to the optometry profession’s highest office.

The sole practice owner of Gerry & Johnson Optometrists in Brisbane, Mrs Gifford’s appointment further exemplifies the trending nature of Australia’s small business sector which has seen a significant growth in women running a business .

Mrs Gifford said: “I enjoy the challenges of running my own practice as this has taught me to constantly innovate and to demonstrate value to our patients”.

She takes this philosophy into her leadership roles: “Being involved in the sector’s professional development is important to me, and I’m particularly interested in advancing and evolving clinical and commercial education for optometrists.

“I’m also very passionate about Optometry Australia and the role that it plays, in collaboration with the State Divisions, in leading, engaging and promoting the profession of optometry and eye and vision health.

“The optometry sector is changing rapidly, not only due to technology advancements but due to policy, structural, societal and gender adjustments. Optometry Australia is working to ensure that these changes are benefitting and not hampering our profession, supporting the profession in meeting the eye health and vision care needs of the Australian community.

“Preventative eye health and vision care is critical to a healthy Australia and as a result of the work undertaken by Optometry Australia, and the profession of optometry, we have one of the best optometry sectors in the world. I am deeply proud to be given this opportunity to lead the sector.”

Mrs Gifford has been a Director of Optometry Australia since late 2010. She is formerly President of, and remains on the Board of Optometry Queensland and Northern Territory. She is a graduate from QUT (2003) where she received First Class Honours and a University Medal. She joined Patrick Gerry Optometrists, now Gerry & Johnson, in early 2005 and took over the practice in July 2007.

A part-time PhD student since 2011, Mrs Gifford specialises in children’s vision, binocular vision and contact lenses. An award winning clinical supervisor and visiting lecturer at QUT, she has written 21 peer reviewed and professional publications and presented more than 50 lecturers at conferences in Australia, New Zealand, England and the USA.

“I enjoy solving clinical puzzles and delivering best practice clinical care to each of my patients. I also enjoy being involved in a professional smorgasbord of activities and believe that my diverse professional experience informs my understanding of nearly every facet of optometry - clinical, academic, research, professional education and business ownership”, Mrs Gifford said.

Mrs Gifford succeeds Andrew Harris who has served on the National and Victorian Division Boards of Optometry Australia over the last 15 years. He held the role of National President from 2007 to 2010 and resumed the role in late 2011.

Mrs Gifford said she was honoured to be taking over the role of National President. “Andrew Harris has done an outstanding job leading the optometry sector and through the recent brand review, putting the foundations in place to support the profession strongly into the future.

“We sincerely wish him every success as he returns his attention to his private practice whilst pursuing his commitments on a

For further information please contact: Richard Amos - richard@royce.com.au, 0418 344 978; Tony Faccenda – tony@royce.com.au, 0411 231 433.

Optometry Australia is the peak professional body for optometrists. Representing more than 90% of all Australian-based optometrists, Optometry Australia’s focus is to lead and advance the profession of optometry by putting eye-health front and centre of Australian healthcare. Optometry Australia was formerly known as Optometrists Association Australia. The name change was made on 28 May 2014 to better reflect its role and purpose.

On 26 February 2015, the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards will celebrate the individuals driving the agenda for women – as leaders, mentors, innovators and excellent managers.

Are you one of the individuals driving the change agenda right now? Are you an emerging leader who deserves recognition? Are you an entrepreneur producing groundbreaking ideas? Does your mentor deserve a gong? Do you know a change champion who should be celebrated? 

Nominate for the NAB Women's Agenda Leadership Awards today.

Entry's FREE, simple and open to a wide range of people via a broad mix of categories.

For more information please click here.

The CEO of UnitingCare Queensland, Anne Cross, has been named the 20th Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.

Telstra said Cross, a former front-line social worker and champion of the Not for Profit sector, has reshaped the way healthcare, community and aged-care services are delivered to hundreds of communities and the thousands of people UnitingCare helps every day.

On receiving the award Cross said that the win, while being a great personal accolade, would hopefully help to profile the important role the Not for Profit sector plays and help attract even more high-achieving people to offer their skills and talent to valuable community based organisations.

"The health and community services sector is a significant contributor to Australia’s social and economic fabric," Cross said.

"UnitingCare Queensland is a significant business. As one of Queensland’s largest employers, much of what we do is world class. Hopefully this award will highlight our role and importance in society."

Telstra said that within a year of her appointment as CEO in 2003, Cross used her business nous to lead the transformation process, consolidating more than 100 separate organisations into four service groups - Blue Care, UnitingCare Health, UnitingCare Community and Australian Regional and Remote Community Services.

Under the four umbrella groups, Cross oversees 16,000 employees and 9,000 volunteers across 400 locations. The organisation has a sharp focus on being people-centred and delivering digital services.

“In 2012, she cemented a partnership with the Commonwealth Government to construct Australia’s first fully integrated digital hospital at Hervey Bay, along the way extensively redesigning how clinicians and staff go about their work to deliver quality treatment for its patients,” Telstra said in announcing the winner.

Cross joins other 2014 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Awards category winners including: Kate Weiss, the owner of Victorian food company Table of Plenty, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the CEO and Managing Director of ASX50 property company Mirvac, Assistant Commissioner Donna Adams, Tasmania’s highest ranked female police officer, Andrea Galloway, CEO of the NSW Not for Profit organisation Evolve Housing, and Tina Tower, the young owner of franchise tutoring business Begin Bright.

“It is a privilege to be able to lead an organisation of great complexity that aligns with my personal values and aspirations for our communities,” Cross said.

“I am so humbled and overwhelmed to be named the overall national winner at this prestigious event amongst such an impressive group of inspirational women.”

National Director of UnitingCare Australia, Lin Hatfield Dodds, also expressed her delight at the recognition Cross has received.

“Agencies like UnitingCare Queensland demonstrate the incredible strength of Not for Profits in this country,” Hatfield Dodds said.

“Our agencies are mission rather than profit-driven. We exist to support and serve vulnerable people, but as Anne Cross’s leadership demonstrates, this is underpinned by sound business acumen.”

“Our entire network congratulated Ms Cross for the recognition she has rightly received for her outstanding leadership and work.”

Telstra Chief Operations Officer and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador, Kate McKenzie said  the event celebrates six truly brilliant women as national winners in the 20th year of the Awards.

"Australia’s economic future depends on the leadership and innovation of women like these and the inspiration they’re giving younger women," McKenzie said.

"At a time of increasing momentum on gender equality and workplace flexibility, I’m proud to say through the Awards and other initiatives, Telstra is taking a leading role in championing the achievements of Australian business women such as Anne Cross."

McKenzie said the judges were truly impressed by how Cross had brought together such a fragmented group to enhance service delivery for society’s most disadvantaged people.

"They said that her leadership of the organisation - which was authentic and based on strong values - has positively impacted many people including people with disabilities, the elderly and the Indigenous community," she said.

- See more at: http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/11/nfp-ceo-named-telstra-business-woman-year#sthash.n5UnVhfw.Wws8yopJ.dpuf

Claire Austin has been named as Chief Executive of the Cancer Society of New Zealand. Announcing her appointment, National President, Murray MacCormick said “Claire brings a diversity of experience to the role. She has first-hand knowledge of the not-for-profit sector in New Zealand, the health sector, development of the health sector workforce and she has worked in the areas of health policy development.”

Claire’s last position was as a consulting Principal with Sapere Research Group specialising in health workforce issues, primary and rural health care policy, health reform and service development, health practitioner regulation and health sector organisation strategy and change management.

Throughout her career Claire has held a number of national and international strategic, governance and health policy advisory roles. These include being a member of the New Zealand Minister of Health’s Advisory Council focusing upon the implementation of the New Zealand Primary Care Strategy, International Federation on Ageing Advisor and New Zealand Health Strategy expert reference group. She has also provided advice to a range of Australian, New Zealand and United
Nations policy makers and organisations and the New Zealand Health Workforce Advisory Committee.

“I am looking forward to taking on this role and working with the Divisions, their staff and volunteers. They do a fantastic job and have a huge impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families. At the end of the day that’s what we are here for,” said Claire, “to support that role.”

For further information contact
Lynne St. Clair- Chapman
National Communications Manager 027 4444 150

Ms Mac Dermott was previously the Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council for the past four years. Her career in property includes 11 years as a property journalist for the Australian Financial Review (including seven as Queensland Bureau Chief) and corporate advisory roles in Brisbane and London.

Chief Executive of the Property Council Ken Morrison said: "Kathy brings more than 25 years' experience of working in the property industry and has led a highly successful Queensland Division, achieving excellent member and political engagement.

"Most recently she has been very involved in the formation of the Property Male Champions of Change, a national initiative to help increase the number of women in leadership roles and achieve gender equality in our industry."

"She brings strong communication and change management experience to the COO role."

Mr Mountford has more than a decade of experience in public policy advocacy and has been the Deputy Executive Director of the Property Council's Queensland Division for the past four years. His career includes working with the Local Government Association of Queensland and Civil Contractors Federation.

"Chris is an outstanding advocate for the industry and has played a leading role in several recent public policy debates, including the review of Queensland's infrastructure charges framework," Mr Morrison said.

"I am confident his appointment will help the Property Council continue to build on our achievements in Queensland and maintain open communication with policy makers at all levels of government."

The announcement follows recent appointments of new Executive Directors in South Australia and Tasmania and a restructure of the Property Council's national policy team.

Both appointments are effective immediately.

Media contact:

Kathy Mac Dermott on 0427 243 986, or Chris Mountford on 0408 469 734

Sourced from: http://www.propertyoz.com.au/Article/NewsDetail.aspx?p=16&id=10312

AUSAE has the great pleasure to announce Rydges Hotels and Resorts NZ as their new annual partner in New Zealand. 

New Zealand may be known as the “land of the long white cloud,” but when it comes to quality hotels, Rydges has the country covered.  Rydges currently offers five hotels in New Zealand- Rydges Auckland Hotel, Rydges Wellington Hotel, and Rydges Rotorua, all located in the North Island. The South Island includes the Queenstown Resort located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, plus the newest addition Latimer Christchurch. No matter which you chose, we are certain you will be satisfied by the amenities awaiting you at Rydges.

We are delighted to have Danelle and her team onboard. Contact Danelle Ayers danelle_ayers@rydges.com 04 498 3780

Have you considered a LinkedIn ‘company page’ for your association? With linkedIn being an online community for professionals this could be a great way to create awareness of your association to those within your industry or sector.

The winner of the 2014 Macquarie Social Innovation Award was announced today, with the Fogarty Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that supports and provides educational opportunities for Western Australians, taking out the award.

The Award recognises and rewards an Australian organisation or program that addresses an unmet community need in Australia. The Fogarty Foundation won for its Fogarty EDvance initiative, which aims to improve the educational outcomes
of students in low socio-economic status communities by providing principals working in low-SES schools with leadership and management skills. In this way it can help develop targeted school improvements.

The Fogarty Foundation will receive $100,000 over the next two years to scale up the EDvance program to attain a critical mass, and to develop its sustainable funding model.

Shemara Wikramanayake said the high calibre of submissions received this year meant it was a difficult judging process.

“On behalf of the Foundation Committee and our judges, I would like to commend all the organisations and individuals who participated.

“I congratulate all our outstanding finalists for their commitment to continuing to develop innovative programs that address social needs and long-term community problems.”

The Social Innovation Award finalists were (in alphabetical order):

• The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, which tackles Australia’s toughest social challenges by developing new ways of doing things.
  
• The Centre for Eye Research Australia, which is Australia’s leading ocular research centre.
  
• Settlement Services International, which provides settlement and support services to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers across NSW to help them integrate into the community.
  
• The Smith Family, which invests in children’s education to help break the cycle of disadvantage in families from low-SES background.
  

The judging panel for the 2014 Social Innovation Award and David Clarke Fellowship comprised:

• David Bennett – Committee Member, Macquarie Group Foundation; Chair, Social Enterprise Finance Australia
  
• Tanya Branwhite – Committee Member, Macquarie Group Foundation, Board Director, Anika Foundation
  
• Michael Traill – Executive Director, Social Ventures Australia; Chair, Goodstart Early Learning
  
• Sheryl Weil – Former Committee Member, Macquarie Group Foundation;Board Director, Lifeline Australia and Schizophrenia Research Institute
  
• Shemara Wikramanayake – Chair, Macquarie Group Foundation
  

For more information, please contact:

Navleen Prasad, Macquarie Group Corporate Communications (02) 8232 6472

About the Social Innovation Awards
The David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship, established in 2012 in memory of the Macquarie Group Foundation founding Chairman, David Clarke AO, is presented biennially to a CEO of a not-for-profit organisation to visit and research Macquarie Group Foundation 4 best practice innovation around the world. The Fellowship was this year opened up to entrants outside of Australia for the first time, in Hong Kong, New York City and the US.

Macquarie’s Social Innovation Award is presented biennially to an Australian not-for-profit organisation to recognise, promote and reward news ideas that work to meet pressing community needs, alleviate disadvantage and promote social
inclusion.

Sourced from: http://www.cbb.com.au/community-development/grants-and-scholarships/

The CBB next round of Community Development Grants is now open!

They are seeking applications from Australian Not for Profit organisations undertaking a project that assists in their growth, or provides a benefit to the community. The applicant must show that the grant will be used for a purpose that supports CBB Community Development Grants objectives:

• To assist Not for Profit organisations in the Australian community who serve disadvantaged, disengaged or marginalised individuals.
  
• To assist Not for Profit organisations that provide advocacy or services to those in need.
  
• To assist Not for Profit organisations to achieve their social objectives.
  
• To support services and programs that build capability and capacity of the Not for Profit sector.
  

A monetary grant of up to a maximum of $3,000 + GST will be available to successful applicants. The number of successful applicants will be determined by the CBB Community Development Grants Committee.

Applications close 5.00pm (ACST), Friday 28 November 2014.

Find out more here: http://www.cbb.com.au/community-development/grants-and-scholarships/

• Optometry Australia awarded major tender to accredit the optometry profession’s CPD
  
• Stricter governance on CPD service providers to be introduced
  
• Service providers to be charged a service management fee