EDITION 4, October 2015
S YDN E Y SH I N E S The meeting place of people, opinions and ideas
PEOPLE
IDEAS
DINING
EVENTS
TECHNOLOGY
Australian Technology Park
Stacking the odds in our favour Australia’s startup hub World’s darkhorse tech hub Incubators, accelerators and entrepreneurs
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he buzzword at the moment in the professional services and ICT landscapes is ‘startup’. While it’s difficult to quantify the number of startups, it’s easy to say that there continues to be significant growth, especially in startup physical hubs, incubator and accelerator organisations. So, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that Sydney was recently named as one of five darkhorse emerging fintech hubs. Never one to let the rest of the world beat them to the finish line; rather Sydney is taking it to the world. In a 2014 survey by Startup Muster, results indicated that 64% of all startups in Australia are “software development and general business functions”. Of all Australian startups, NSW far exceeds all other states, with Sydney leading the way for the state. As Australia’s largest city, home to many of the country’s largest and most successful organisations and academic institutions, and a melting pot of cultures, it is little wonder why so many global financial and professional services organisations have Sydney as their Asia-Pacific headquarters. This is one of the reasons why Sydney is a magnet for global talent and it is this attraction combined with exceptional local
knowledge that is fast making Sydney a strong player in the fintech space.
companies working at the cutting edge of technological advancement. Construction of new buildings followed, and today, ATP A report by KPMG states that Sydney’s is home to more than 100 organisations – leading global attraction – entrepreneurial including ATP Innovations, which was last spirit and readiness to year named the World’s capture the market – has Best Business Incubator it perfectly positioned to – and a business and capitalise on this growth As a leading global conference centre that market. attracts more than centre for financial 100,000 people each services, couple with a deep year. “As a leading global centre for financial cluster of ITC, digital, services, coupled with “ATP’s location on the creative and professional a deep cluster of ITC, doorstep of Redfern services, the city is digital, creative and Station, and close to the professional services, positioned to capitalise on city, universities and the city is positioned the airport, means we’re this growing market.” to capitalise on this a perfect location with growing market.” development potential to capitalise on access to It would appear that this leaders of the knowledge growing trend is already moving full steam economy and creative industries,” says ATP ahead – so much so that Sydney may shake General Manager Duncan Read. off the darkhorse tag and cement a position on the leader board. “Businesses here work together to create a collaborative environment; one where startThe innovative and entrepreneurial culture up companies from ATP Innovations can is deeply rooted in the city. Always a hotbed move out into the broader Park to take up of movers and shakers, the incubator tag expanded office space, once they’ve grown has resonated strongly across the Harbour from idea to implementation.” City for some time. The city’s evolution to precincts is also helping the fast-moving ATP’s approach and consideration of this startup culture. Physical spaces promoting emerging business trend has paved the and bringing together enterprises are way for further alternative physical hubs, a driving force of the startup culture. A particularly as demand increases for more stalwart of the innovation and startup space bespoke and industry-specific collaborative is Australian Technology Park (ATP). hubs. Located a few kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD, ATP’s story is one of evolution and innovation. Throughout the early 1990s, existing buildings were adapted to attract
Announced in early 2015, the development of Stone & Chalk, as a physical fintech hub helps foster the emerging industry and provide a platform for entrepreneurs
to accelerate their business. Sydney was primed for such a development. So much so that before the doors even opened in May 2015, the demand for the physical space was so great that new premises were required. The requirement for space pushed the launch date to August 2015. Collaboration is a key aspect of the startup culture. Startup Muster reported that one in five startups have also been through an incubator or accelerator process. Allens, prominent law firm, has also joined the the ranks of those following the trend, offering services to startups. Allens Accelerate, offers free and cost-effective legal documentation, advice and policy commentary. Allens Partner and Practice Leader, Startups and Emerging Companies, Gavin Smith, says that for the organisation this is an exciting and rapidly growing sector. “We are passionate about helping great ideas be brought to life and supporting startup companies through these formative stages to increase their chances of success,” he says. While the focus for a number of startups is in Australia, there are indications that nearly a quarter of these organisations have greater visions of engaging globally. What this means for our startup economy is global attention on the city’s smarts and opportunities to attract global talent.
sydneyshines.com.au
Manufacturing a green future Rockstar scientist and engineer Green crusader BESydney Ambassador
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ow far can an around-the-world ticket take you when you have a burning passion to take your message global? India to Sydney – via Vancouver and Michigan is the road travelled by Business Events Sydney Ambassador, Veena Sahajwalla. An international award-winning scientist and engineer, her dedication to environmental sustainability has led to her pioneering world-first green manufacturing technologies. While a scientist and engineer, Veena is at heart an inventor and visionary. Here’s the hot tip – the future is ‘green manufacturing’. We’re talking about creating products – including steel products – using recycled and waste products. Veena, and her team, from the University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT), are focused on using waste and end-of-life products (think of all of that by-waste lying around your workplaces and homes) and turning it into valuable raw materials for other products. And they’re not thinking small. Working with industry partners, Veena has ensured her vision has become a reality. In partnership with One Steel, the team has developed a process to make green alloys with end-of-life rubber tyres. To date two million passenger vehicle tyres have been diverted from landfill in Australia, with the technology now used in Australia and overseas. That’s something else that Veena is passionate about; the collaboration between research and development (in academia) and industry. Simply being able to engage with industry and have a platform is something she believes is critical to the success of her discoveries. “It was the fact that organisations in Sydney, companies like One Steel, that were really so visionary and were able to see where this technology could take us, that we were able to be the first in the world to trial this,” she said. The ability to engage with industry, Veena believes, is bigger than just one company’s enterprising spirit, it’s the environmental cause at the heart of all Sydneysiders, and Australians that is really the catalyst. “In Sydney, in Australia, we really value and care for our environment. Whether you’re a young kid in school who has been taught about the environment, or whether you’re someone who works in an industry, we place a lot of emphasis on the roles that we all play as individuals and doing our part for the environment,” she says. Sydneysiders’ adoption of environmental sustainability is something Veena loves about this city, so much so that she considers spreading the word a ‘hobby’. “It’s quite exciting to say it’s a hobby of mine to take the message of the environment across communities, and I absolutely love doing that. Whether it’s talking to kids in high school or primary school, I think the sooner we learn and teach kids about that message of environmental sustainability, the sooner it becomes part of life and who we are in Sydney.” Keeping her findings to herself is not
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Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla
something Veena advocates. She firmly believes that the more people working on these new forms of technology, through research and development and through industry, will enable the platform for green manufacturing to become standard practice globally. And this doesn’t mean just engaging with her counterparts across Australia, Veena sees the world as her oyster. In 2006, she and her team held the first International Sustainability Symposium, and Sydney was the perfect location.
Sydney. We’ve seen that the event has really built up international collaboration for us and taken it well and truly beyond what we would have ever imagined.”
“Some of our most important and strongest collaborations and partnerships are with people in Australia, Sweden and India. In fact, it has become so much more than a sharing of ideas Sydney has a lot of and collaboration. UNSW has welcomed people who are very researchers from forward-thinking, who Sweden, India and South Korea to spend time with want to make a difference, us to learn more about but who equally, and our ways of learning and importantly, want to our technologies and innovations, and most showcase what we can do.” importantly how we go about doing it.”
“It was a natural thing to hold the symposium right here in Sydney. Sydney is the place where the research and development was actually happening, where new technologies were being born. At that time we were also looking at commercialising the technologies in Sydney, and we really wanted to showcase Sydney in its full glory,” she says. From a tiny seed a great idea was born. That inaugural symposium attracted more attention than Veena first anticipated.
“We had industry partners come along and talk about what this type of technology meant towards environmental sustainability. We also had a phenomenal response from our international colleagues, particularly those from Sweden.” Now held on a regular basis, these symposiums have seen further connections and greater global networks emerge and develop each year. “It’s been quite exciting over the years running the symposium right here in
“Our research has attracted all of these incredibly bright people and incredibly bright students who then come to Sydney, so it’s a win-win outcome for everyone, especially Sydney.” While the science itself is of major value to her international colleagues, Veena doesn’t downplay the key role that industry engagement plays in attracting global attention. “The fact that we’ve got that established engagement with industry, and with communities, it’s a holistic solution that we actively develop and it’s very attractive to our international colleagues. We’re thrilled that from our first international symposium these outcomes have gone beyond anything we could have ever imagined.” But it’s more than the smarts that lie in the discoveries of green manufacturing that attract people to the symposium – both research and industry. Veena believes it
is the heart of Sydney and its charm – it’s Sydney’s future focus and self belief that appeals. “Sydney has a lot of people who are very forward thinking, who want to make a difference, but who equally, and importantly, want to showcase what we can do.” Ultimately, for Veena, the benefit of the international symposium, above and beyond the collaboration and partnerships with international colleagues and industry, and the attraction for students across the world, is that it takes her burning passion to the world. “It’s important to recognise that this type of global challenge requires global solutions and these partnerships will give us precisely that.” “What started out as a fairly modest symposium has grown into this large international symposium, a meeting of minds addressing one common, global challenge – environmental sustainability. It shows how we’re all truly trying to create real-world solutions that can be applied so that businesses can find solutions to save resources, recycle materials, reduce energy consumption and ultimately achieve greater environmental sustainability.” From India to Sydney, Veena has made her mark not only on the Sydney landscape, but most definitely in her field leading the change on green manufacturing right here in Sydney. Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla is the Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) and is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
smart.unsw.edu.au
flavoured dishes with many layers of flavour and a unique, modernist aesthetic. His personal favourite dessert and signature dish, the Guava Snow Egg, which he describes as “a poached meringue egg, with a ‘yolk’, consists of a mouth-watering concoction of custard apple ice-cream, coated in a crunchy golden praline maltese shell, sitting on a bed of guava granita and a slick of guava fool.” Just writing it sounds like a an eating adventure! The diversity of the city has also given rise to other interesting intersections. Aheda Zanetti, was born in Lebanon and moved to Sydney with her family at the age of two. Growing up in Australia, enjoying the Australian lifestyle and climate, Zanetti realised that traditional Muslim women had extremely limited options when it came to participating in swimming and surfing, due to their burka. Thus the burqini was born.
Frans Johansson
Intersecting innovation Cross-cultural innovation Entrepreneurialship and passion
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hat do locusts and fast food have in common? How about astronomy and the study of human cells? And, what does all of this have to do with snow eggs, light festivals and surfboarding for Muslim women? The answer is simple. Each and every one of these concepts is an example of the new types of connections being made at the intersection between different fields, industries and cultures in Sydney – and that is very exciting to see.
The University of Sydney’s, Charles Perkins Centre, is a multi-disciplinary institute dedicated to finding the connections between healthcare and other industries. They have clinicians and health scientists working together with philosophers, marketers, architects, economists, and many others to uncover exciting, innovative insights.
In fact, it is Sydney’s openness to different perspectives, fields and cultures that make it such an exciting city to keep a watch for in the future. Great innovations are bound to keep coming from these types of intersections!”
As our world continues to accelerate, so does the rate of convergence between different cultures, disciplines and ideas. As a result, the future of innovation will be interdisciplinary, collaborative, and cross-cultural in nature. Sydney has long been a hub of cultural convergence, and the intersectional nature of the city is showcased by some of the breakthrough entrepreneurs, scientists and artists that have risen from it.
For example, by applying largescale mathematics necessary in cosmology, scientists can gain a better understanding of what is happening to the protein structure in our own cells; while new discoveries in obesity research are coming from understanding how swarms of locusts feast and famine.
These intersections between different fields and cultures in the city has also given rise to innovative food concepts. Chef Peter Gilmore’s, Quay Restaurant, has held Australia’s Restaurant of the Year award a number of times, and it is Gilmore’s innovative and forwardthinking approach to his culinary creations that has brought this success.
Seizing an opportunity for her community, this entrprenerial woman designed a head-to-toe, two-piece swimsuit made from high performance fabric. When she opened her online store, ‘Ahiida’ (meaning ‘to promise’) she was quickly swamped by orders from around the world. No matter where I am, people are always surprised by this story. This is what happens when you combine bikinis and burkas – a uniquely Australian idea. In fact, it is Sydney’s openness to different perspectives, fields and cultures that make it such an exciting city to keep a watch for in the future. Great innovations are bound to keep coming from these types of intersections! * Article written by Frans Johannson, Chief Executive Officer of The Medici Group. Frans, is an author, entrepreneur, and acclaimed international keynote speaker. His debut book, The Medici Effect, available in 18 languages, was named one of the “Best Books on Innovation” by BusinessWeek and one of the top 10 best business books of the year by Amazon.com. His follow up book, The Click Moment, rewrites the rules for success. Frans has advised Executive Leadership from the world’s largest companies, including BAE Systems, Caterpillar, MetLife and Nike; as well as startups, venture capital firms, government agencies, and universities around the world. He sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Board of Novartis, and has been featured on CNN, ABC, and CNBC among others. .
Come shine in Sydney Lyn Lewis-Smith CEO, Business Events Sydney People power
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n August, we celebrated our Business Events Sydney Ambassadors and the significant contribution they make to New South Wales (NSW) and Australia. Our nation is home to some truly remarkable people. Created in 2009, the Ambassador Program recognises bid leaders and their role in helping to secure strategically important business events for Sydney. These events confront and create solutions for some of the most important issues communities around the world are facing: health, technology, urbanisation, renewable energy, and more. Also important are the opportunities these events provide for innovation, trade, investment, education and employment. Our Ambassadors are the best brand champions our state has. They are the faces and voices of our business and innovation achievements. In this edition we share the stories of some of our friends – bright minds who are working to create a better future. They are pushing the boundaries of science, research and innovation. Why is this important? Tomorrow will look very different from today, and its people who are helping to create this landscape. It’s this people power – their knowledge, skills and talent – that have become a new global currency as cities vie to attract, and of course keep their ‘intellectual capital’, and develop the skills for tomorrow’s business and industry. It’s our people and their innovation that will drive growth and cement our place as a competitive global city: a city where ideas happen – where people want to live, work and visit. Come shine in Sydney.
Gillmore utilises technology and draws inspiration from an eclectic array of influences to create unexpected, richly
fransjohansson.com
sydneyshines.com.au
The City of Sydney is experiencing exponential growth, here’s a snapshot of how the city is evolving and ensuring it’s ‘fit for the future’
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS PLANNED
GENERATING:
OVER THE NEXT
10 YRS 10S MORE THAN 400+
OF MILLIONS OF NEW CONTRACTS FOR BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES
& 2,000 NEW JOBS PER YEAR
+3.9BN
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS
(source: City of Sydney)
INNOVATION LEADS TO GROWTH –
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Developing new techniques for grain future International collaboration to benefit future health benefits Leading agribusiness research
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hared learning between Australian and Chinese researchers is seeing major developments in the agribusiness sector. Lecturer in microbiology Dr Padraig Strappe, from Charles Stuart University’s (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences in Wagga Wagga, NSW, is part of an ongoing scientific collaboration to share knowledge, learn new technology to support further research, and lay the groundwork for future student exchange with Tianjin University of Science and Technology, in China. Through the Australian Research Centre (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Functional Grains at CSU, Dr Strappe has developed a new technique of cell culture to rapidly screen a wide variety of grains for health benefits. “We can analyse a wide range of cell types for grain bioactivity through use of adult stem cell technology,” said Dr Strappe.
Anna Polyviou
“This involves changing a stem cell into cell types which are important in certain diseases and determining what effect grain extracts may have on these cells. “For example, changing a stem cell into a fat cell, known as an adipocyte, then determining in cell culture whether a particular grain extract can reduce this process of fat cell formation.
Punk princess of pastry A feast for the eyes and tastebuds Challenging the status quo Exciting the dessert world and delighting customers
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star to her bow, recently sending sweet devotees into a sugar overload with her incredible graffiti carrot cake on the 2015 MasterChef Australia. So much is her love of her chosen field, and her love of her adopted city, in 2011 she also co-founded the Sydney Pastry Chef Club.
ydney is well-known for beautiful, fresh, local food – especially seafood. But the wheels are turning, thanks to one woman – the ‘punk princess of pastry’. Anna Polyviou, the reigning princess of the Australian sweets scene is Executive Pastry Chef at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.
The punk princess means business. Since joining the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney just over two years ago she’s set the bar high, taking not only the hotel on a sweet journey, but cementing her cult-like following with Sydneysiders not being able to get enough of her innovative and edgy sweet creations.
Her 13-year career has taken her from Melbourne to London, Paris, Chicago and, now, Sydney. Upon her return from Claridge’s Hotel in London, Chef Anna held the position as executive pastry chef at Bathers Pavilion for five years.
She’s taken Sydney’s sweets world to new heights introducing three major sweet events including, high tea in the hotel; an annual ‘Sweet Street’ event showcasing the best in Sydney’s pastry world; and fivecourse dessert degustations, which are held in Anna’s pastry kitchen.
For those in the know, the names of those who Anna has worked with will leave them in a spin, including some of the world’s most talented pastry masterminds, such as Julie Sharp; Nick Paterson; the Queen’s pastry chef, Katherine Boyden from the United Kingdom; Pierre Herme from Pierre Herme Patisserie in Paris; and well-known Bathers Pavilion chef, Serge Dansereau from Sydney. She’s an award-winning chef, cookbook contributor, judge, and can now add TV
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“I’m so excited about the talented team of pastry chefs at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. We have a great pastry team who I am always learning from and we are constantly trying new things to take pastry at the hotel to a new level,” said Chef Anna, who leads a team of ten pastry chefs at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.
shangri-la.com/sydney/ shangrila
Dr Padraig Strappe
“This has implications on potential dietary interventions for treatment of obesity and development of functional foods. “The technology allows us to rapidly screen a wide variety of grains for health benefits and to focus further research on those that show potential. It also allows us to understand at a cellular level what effect certain types of grains are having.” Over the past two years scientists from Tianjin University of Science and Technology have visited CSU to learn the new technique while Dr Strappe has made several visits to China. “Together we’re really advancing this field of searching for bioactivity and using cell culture as a screening assay,” said Dr Strappe. “It’s very exciting, China is changing rapidly and their investment in science is quite large so being part of a lab in China means being exposed to high end technology. “It’s always fascinating to learn more about culture and language and to form long-term friendships and collaborations.” Dr Strappe’s visit to China has been supported by funding from the Tianjin State Administration through a high-end Foreign Expert award. The ARC’s aim is to transform the Australian Grains Industry from a commodity-based industry into a highly efficient industry producing high quality food and feed products that exceed market expectations.
csu.edu.au
SOME OF THE AREA’S NOTABLE FEATURES INCLUDE: — SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK — RAAF BASE AND MILITARY CAMP — 10 NATIONAL PARKS — — — — —
SYDNEY’S MAJOR SPORTING FACILITIES: SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL TENNIS CENTRE ANZ STADIUM SYDNEY HOCKEY CENTRE SYDNEY ATHLETICS CENTRE DUNC GRAY VELODROME SYDNEY DRAGWAY Western Sydney
Western Sydney star continues to soar
In an exciting new development, approval for the Sydney Science Park at Penrith has been welcomed as another positive in transforming Western Sydney’s job precinct.
Attractive, sustainable new communities Largest growth area for NSW Creating opportunities for future generations
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or close to a decade the New South Wales (NSW) Government has made a commitment to prioritise the growth of Sydney’s outer western suburbs. Today, these visions are fast becoming realities, with the area becoming the largest growth area in the State. The area is experiencing unprecented growth and investment. Support is not only coming from both the Federal and State Governments, but also from local business chambers, institutions and employers.
The Western Sydney Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, David Borger said, “The Sydney Science Park is a vital element in the Western Sydney Innovation Corridor, a region dedicated to growth of business and employment in the region. “Traditional Western Sydney job creators are in decline, while the medical research and medical technologies sectors are going from strength to strength.
“Parramatta already has a number of smart job precincts, such as the Westmead medical precinct, and the ever growing banking and professional services sector in the Parramatta CBD. “The strategy
Western Sydney is is very much “Investing in innovation Australia’s third largest an investment in the and knowledge precincts economy, behind Sydney and Melbourne, and in future of our students makes sense, the Sydney Science Park will create a its own right would be and in our region.” hub of industry, education, Australia’s fourth largest city and business bolstering the (by population). The region long term future of Western covers 8,941km2, is home to over 1.6m people, and is anticipated to grow Sydney,” said Mr Borger. to 2m inhabitants over the next 20 years. It’s all happening in Western Sydney, with As part of the Government’s plans, the the newly rebranded Western Sydney area will be home to new communities, University (formerly University of Western health and education facilities, essential Sydney) also recently announcing a number amenities and services, public transport, of exciting developments. entertainment and cultural facilities, bushlands, key infrastructure, and Revealed also in August the University’s new employment lands. identity is about putting Western Sydney first, and acknowledging the University’s In fact, the Western Sydney Employment commitment to the region – one of the Area will be the single largest employment fastest growing and most dynamic areas in space in the State. The NSW Government the country. estimates that half of the extra 500,000 jobs that will be created in Sydney over the next “Over the next 25 years Western Sydney 25 years will be in Western Sydney. will account for 60 per cent of Sydney’s
population growth and 25 per cent of Australia’s, so now is a good time to reevaluate how we talk about the University and an opportunity to reinforce our leadership role within the region,” says the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover. As well as the new name and logo, Professor Glover says the comprehensive positioning strategy is an investment in the student experience. “The majority of the investment over the next three years is aimed at improving the student experience in the digital age – significantly growing our digital presence – as well as delivering targeted career services and development programs to students,” says Professor Glover.
Westmead Health and Medical Research Precinct, as it is strategically located adjacent to the Westmead Hospital, Westmead train station and the rapid bus Transitway (T-way) service. “The revitalisation of the site will be of major benefit to the broader Westmead Health precinct and the local community, and will support its role as a critical hub for health and medical research for Western Sydney,” says Professor Glover. The Westmead precinct represents the largest concentration of hospital and health services in Australia, serving Western Sydney and providing other special services for New South Wales.
“The strategy is very much an investment in the future of our students and in our region.”
The precinct has four major hospitals and three research institutes, with over 1,640 patient beds, employs over 16,000 people and treats over a million patients each year.
“This University is helping to unlock the potential of Australia’s current and future leaders and it is about equipping its students to not only build careers, but build an entrepreneurial spirit to create jobs,” says Professor Glover.
The Australian Government is also committed to delivering on its plan to build a stronger and more prosperous Western Sydney by investing $2.9b over 10 years in major infrastructure upgrades that will transform the region’s economy.
“We believe our students have unlimited potential, and the University provides unlimited opportunities. We are excited by the future ahead.”
With this in mind a number of major transport links are in the works, most significantly with the final approvals being given for the new second Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek. This will allow for more passengers to move through Sydney’s aiports (with an estimated 80m passengers a year anticipated to come through the terminal), and will provide much needed ease of access to air transport services to workers living in the area.
In further news from the University, Western has announced its intentions to transform their four-hectare Westmead campus into a mixed-use development that will include education, commercial, retail, residential and community spaces, and will complement and enhance the overall character of the broader Westmead precinct. Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover says Western’s Westmead site has the potential to become a gateway to the busy
uws.edu.au wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/ Westmead-Hospital
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Tania Yuki
Taking Sydney smarts to the world Digital trailblazer Innovator and entrepreneur Opportunist, risk-taker and Aussie spirit
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bite from a redback spider might cause most five-year-olds to scream, panic, or at least burst into tears. But not Tania Yuki. “I remember seeing it happen and holding my hand incredibly still because that’s what my kindergarten teacher had told us to do, otherwise the venom would go to your heart,” says Yuki. “I explained to my mum what had happened. She screamed and called the ambulance. I remember standing there with my arm above my head, thinking, ‘don’t shake it, don’t shake it’. “That’s what’s beautiful about Australia. You’ve got crocodiles, sharks, dangerous snakes and spiders, and you just have to chill about that. “That attitude has become really helpful in business. You don’t have the same things trying to kill you, but you have lots of other things trying to kill you, and you can’t freak out every time you get bitten.” As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of a tech company in New York City, Yuki has had plenty of opportunities to test herself in the big jungle of the business world. She set up her company, Shareablee, in 2012. It’s a social media benchmarking and analysis firm that helps companies analyse and improve their social media content through a purpose-build online platform. And not just any companies. Shareablee’s clients include some of the biggest names in business. “When companies like Ford try to talk to
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their customers on things like Facebook and Twitter, we try to tell them how they’re doing and whether they’re doing it better or worse than a competitor like Chrysler,” says Yuki. Already Shareablee has 70 employees, a new office in Manhattan and along with Ford, a client list including Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Time Inc, Conde Nast, major US television broadcasters and the National Basketball Association.
make sure their business kept running.” An arts-law degree at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) culminated in an honours thesis that focused on legal rights management in the digital age, and Yuki toyed with the idea of becoming a lawyer, specialising in media law. But clerkships with some leading law firms convinced her that law wasn’t the right fit for her, and in 2005, while working on her thesis, Yuki applied for, and received, a grant that opened up new possibilities.
“We’ve ensured we’ve worked with the very best companies early on and the ones who believe in innovation and being Yuki’s Australian the best in their category,” says Yuki. “If you can help the leaders in their category, or help those close to being number one in their category become number one, it really helps build your momentum.”
upbringing, she feels, helped give her the courage to sit at the same table as some important players.”
Why do these companies need Shareablee? “Because social media is freakishly hard,” says Yuki. “Even for publishers, who are in the content business. “They’re suddenly posting 30 to 50 times a day to platforms like Facebook and Twitter and trying to keep track of whether they’re posting enough, are they posting too much, are they better off posting short, long, which articles are best, how do you get people to click, how do you get people to engage, who is their audience? Shareablee answers these questions.” This wasn’t the future the young Tania Yuki had pictured for herself growing up in Sydney’s southern suburbs. The daughter of immigrants ‒ a Croatian father and a Japanese mother ‒ Yuki learnt from an early age about the value of hard work. “My parents worked hard and instilled that quality of really going above and beyond to
The Emerging Artists Award, from independent filmmaking hub Metro Screen and the New South Wales Film and Television Office (now known as Screen NSW), gave Yuki the funds to make a short film, which qualified for the finals of the Australian short-film
festival, Tropfest. A production role on a documentary took Yuki to the US for the first time, and she quickly realised this was where she wanted to be. “I realised how much exciting stuff was happening in digital media and it opened my eyes to all the things I could be doing,” says Yuki. Over the next five years, three more roles in digital marketing, measurement and analytics followed: Head of Content at the online content distributor Roo Media; Senior Director, Cross Media and Video Products at digital media analytics company comScore Inc; and Vice-President, Advertiser Solutions at Visible World, a company specialising in targeted television advertising. Then she was ready to go it alone. “At comScore I was exposed to people who had started tech companies,” she says. “I was
in this company that had been built from scratch by some really brilliant people and it ignited in me a ‘gosh, if they can do it, I can do it’.” Yuki saw a gap in the market and Shareablee was born. In the future, Yuki sees her company solving bigger problems as social media becomes more important for businesses. “I feel we’re just getting started,” she says. She credits her “boatloads of persistence” as the most important personal quality that has driven her success, and says the achievement of which she is most proud was moving away from her Sydney comfort zone to New York. Yuki’s Australian upbringing, she feels, helped give her the courage to sit at the same table as some important players. “Coming from Australia I firmly believe no one’s better than anyone else. It’s really about how hard you’re working and the quality of what you’re trying to do, and I think that helped me not be afraid,” says Yuki. “We don’t believe in status or hierarchy in Australia, and that’s helped me have conversations at a high level and not feel I was too junior. “The education system in Australia is fantastic and I went to a school that taught you to question everything, and not put anything down until you’ve got to the bottom of it. That’s very helpful when you run a company.” * Source: Licensed from the Commonwealth of Australia under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the content of this publication.
shareablee.com
SYDNEY FAST FACTS
43 OF AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER’S TOP 100 RESTAURANTS FOR 2015 ARE BASED IN SYDNEY
HONG KONG
SINGAPORE
MALAYSIA
NSW
NSW ECONOMY IS LARGER THAN HONG KONG, MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE
11 UNIVERSITIES (6 IN SYDNEY AND 5 ACROSS NSW)
The search for planets and beyond now within reach in Sydney To infinity and beyond Leading the charge in space technologies Realising Sydneysiders’ space dreams
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acquarie University has launched the Macquarie University Planetary Research Centre.
The new centre brings together top researchers in earth sciences, astronomy and astrophysics, engineering and environmental sciences to address the big problems of planetary formation and evolution, and the application of planetary and space research to remote planetary monitoring. “Planetary and space sciences have shed light on some of the biggest questions we have, and more and more we utilise space technologies in everyday life,” said Associate Professor Craig O’Neill, Director Macquarie University Planetary Research Centre. “From GPS systems in our phones to satellite communications to remote monitoring of the Earth’s environment, the applications of planetary research continue to grow,” Associate Professor O’Neill added.
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Turning printer cartridges to asphalt – image courtesy of City of Sydney
Recycling hits the road Innovative approach to age-old problem Saving the environment one toner at a time
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ver wondered about where all of those used printer toners end up? Next time you’re stuck in traffic look down and you just might have the answer staring you in the face. In May, the City of Sydney, announced it would be trialling a new environmentally friendly asphalt blend on city roads using old printer toner. Taking Sydney’s sustainable city tag to the next level, this new and innovative asphalt mix uses recycled materials including toner from discarded printer cartridges and is warmed at temperatures significantly lower
than regular asphalt, meaning it takes less energy to produce. This revolutionary asphalt blend can reduce emissions by 40 percent compared to its more conventional asphalt counterpart. Sydney is well on track to meet the sustainable living targets set out in the Sustainable Sydney 2030 goals and this is yet another push to reduce the carbon footprint and recycle as much as possible. With major cities around the world using over two thirds of the world’s energy and omitting more than 70 percent of emissions, Sydney is striving to find innovative ways to convert valuable resources.
cityofsydney.com.au
In addition to the everyday interaction humans have with space technologies, satellite and drone technology is allowing scientists to monitor changes to the Earth in real time, including those associated with climate change, human land use, and even ground motion associated with seismic activity. Associate Professor O’Neill, believes that the growing interest in planetary science in Sydney in recent years will only increase, and the launch of the research centre is perfectly timed to meet the interest and demand. “Sydney has a vibrant research community – and some of the strongest teams in Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Astronomy in Australia. The Macquarie Planetary Research Centre and brings together these researchers, but also connects them with the burgeoning space industry. This is something which is small in Sydney right now, but set to grow as space technologies – like GPS in mobile phones – underpin and expand into so much of our life,” he said. The Planetary Research Centre supports multidisciplinary undergraduate degrees, projects for Master of Research degrees and opportunities for doctorate students.
mq.edu.au
Image courtesy of Chris Stacey
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Foundation, the team revealed ‘distinct DNA methylation patterns’ in the primary biopsy breast cancer cells, indicating better or worse prognosis. This discovery enables further research into the responsiveness of targeted drugs for patients diagnosed with this form of breast cancer. “This is the first study to investigate the methylome of triplenegative breast cancer and its association with disease outcome,” said Professor Clark. “The key was to find a way to interrogate biopsy DNA ‒ a valuable resource, because methylation patterns in biopsy samples can be correlated with patient outcomes.”
Professor Ian Jacobs
Changing the lives of women around the world Thought-leading cancer research
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ustralian medical researchers are leading the world in detecting cancers and women around the world will significantly benefit from the discoveries made by two prominent Australian scientists and their teams. In Australia, breast cancer is the most common cancer for women (uncommon in men); and ovarian cancer is the eighth
Prevention as the cure Leading Alzheimer’s disease research Creating better outcomes for communities Inspiring futures
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he World Health Organisation says it needs to be a global health priority. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the fastest growing diseases around the world, with a World Alzheimer’s Report (2015) stating that there are currently 46.8m people living with dementia around the world, and numbers are set to increase to 74.7m by 2030, and 131.5m by 2050. Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre are focussing on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease rather than the cure.
Professor Clark and her team have identified ‘epigenetic DNA signatures’ that could help clinicians tell the difference between highly aggressive and more benign forms of ‘triplenegative’ breast cancer. In a study published earlier this year, funded by the National Breast Cancer
Dementia is a term for a constellation of illnesses causing a progressive decline in a person’s mental functioning. It can affect memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language and judgment. Professor Sharon Naismith, Head of the Healthy Brain Ageing Program at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, is working towards a prevention rather than a cure.
My hope is that when the results of the UK Collaboration Trial and Ovarian Cancer Screening are available, this approach will prove capable of detecting ovarian cancer early enough to save lives.”
“There is a clear need for better informed disease management. In the absence of robust prognostic tools, too many women are being over-treated,” she added. Professor Clark’s team believes this new discovery will help future prognosis. “We are very encouraged to have found that epigenetics provides a promising new prognostic tool,” said Professor Clark. The oncology medical research knowledge hub in Sydney has certainly been busy. In another landmark finding for cancer detection, Professor Ian Jacobs has led a team to uncover a new method of detection of ovarian cancer.
The trial has seen patients undergoing annual bloodtests for CA125 levels and then a computer algorithm was used to interpret their risk of ovarian cancer, based on factors of age, original levels of CA125 and how the level changed over time.
“Our findings indicate that this can be an accurate and sensitive screening tool when used in the context of a woman’s patterns of CA125 over time,” said Professor Jacobs. “My hope is that when the results of the UK Collaboration Trial and Ovarian Cancer Screening are available, this approach will prove capable of detecting ovarian cancer early enough to save lives,” he added. “Women around the world can have further hope that the medical fraternity is forging ahead with research and findings that will greatly improve their chances of risk and detection of cancers.” Professor Ian Jacobs is a Business Events Sydney Ambassador.
unsw.edu.au garvan.org.au
“It is predominantly a problem of ageing so we will see more cases arising as the average age of the population increases. In its early stages, people with dementia face problems such as difficulty with recalling events and conversations, or difficulty with high-level visual tasks such as finding where they parked their car or navigating their local environment,” she said. “In the later stages of the disease, people can have difficulty caring for themselves, such as getting dressed or even making a cup of tea. This has major effects on carers and family members as they need to increasingly assist or take over these tasks on behalf of dementia-affected people.” “The focus of our research is to identify early signs of cognitive decline, which can be a prodromal stage of dementia. Our research assesses the efficacy of programs that address risk factors for dementia to see if we can improve cognition and/or slow the disease. We are also providing advice and programs to address these risk factors in an effort to prevent cognitive decline and consequent dementia.
Australia is among the world’s leaders in dementia research.”
The Centre says 80 percent of people with dementia risk factors will develop the disease within five years. Their message is: what’s good for the heart is good for the brain. And they should know. They are leading programs to prevent a disease that will affect more than 100m people across the globe.
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most common cancer in women. Professor Ian Jacobs, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Susan Clark, Division Head – Genomics and Epigenetics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, have been leading groundbreaking research that will save the lives of women around the world.
In a study that spans the globe Professor Jacobs and his team have been working with University College London and Harvard University, with initial trial results detecting 86% of cancers, more than doubling previous rates.
“This is a different focus from former research and interventions. In the past we used to wait until people had dementia, but what we now know is that prevention is better than the cure. We really need to be tackling these risk factors for dementia 10 or 20 years before the illness presents.” Research trials at the University of Sydney are addressing a wide range of dementia risk factors says Professor Naismith. “We are taking a holistic, multi-faceted approach to dementia prevention and
Brain scan supplied by UNSW treatment. We run group programs tackling issues like depression, poor sleep, exercise and getting people more socially engaged in their community. “A key message is what’s good for your heart is good for your brain. Doing new tasks and challenges supports neuroplasticity in the brain in order to stimulate the growth of dense new connections between neurons in the brain. It’s also important to look after your mood – depression is a major risk factor for dementia and can be very easily detected and treated. “Australia is among the world’s leaders in dementia research; however, it’s fair to say that the world has a dementia crisis because there is no cure for the disease. Really the focus across the world is on these lifestyle interventions. There are a number of research trials occurring to see if we can start to reduce the rate of dementia as people age.”
Some of these trials are large public health interventions aimed at altering dementia risk factors among people in mid-life rather than solely on older people where it may be too difficult to undo the damage that has been done. The rationale is to alter the risk profile of large populations of people earlier in life as a way to avert and reduce the burden of disease in the community that’s likely to occur as people age. “The results of my trials show that people doing multi-faceted healthy brain ageing programs targeting these risk factors are doing better not only on memory performance but also show improved mood and sleep, which in turn should have a beneficial effect on dementia risk,” says Professor Naismith.
sydney.edu.au
The Kee to success Sydney’s design doyenne Innovation meets fashion and style Energy, vitality and stunning landscapes spun in high-quality fashion
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hat do the 1980s, tourism and iconic Australian fashion design have in common? Ken Done and Jenny Kee. If you were a child of the 80s it’s highly likely you have Kodak memories; or if you had visitors to our shores, you sent them home with something brightly designed and iconicly modern and Australian (think scarves and jumpers!). Fast forward 30 years and there’s somewhat of a revival for one of these mega-stars of iconic Australian fashion. It’s said that Australia was built on the back of the wool industry. Combine this with a talented Australian designer and you have pure alchemy.
Greg Weatherby (L) with renowned Australian actor Jack Thompson (R)
Born in Sydney, Kee’s life reads like a glamorous novella, from beautiful Bondi Beach to the swinging 60s of London, Kee has not only carved out her path, but immortally put Australian fashion design on the global map. Taking inspiration from her surrounds – from the light, vitality, natural stunning beauty, landscapes and native flora and fauna in Sydney and Australia – Kee along with fellow designer, Linda Jackson, started a fashion empire that would grow to have a cult following. In keeping the focus on Australia’s natural beauty, the love affair with Australia’s greatest export commodity grew. Fashionable knitwear featuring Australia’s other famous exports, the tourism enticers ‒ koalas, kangaroos and kookaburras ‒ as well as stunning grevilleas, bottle brushes and other native flowers, adorned the beautiful Australian wool and Australian made products. Her designs have been seen on catwalks, fashion pages and streets around the world. Most famously, her ‘Blinky Bill’
koala jumper was worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Today, this innovation has inspired another Australian collaboration – again ready to take the world by storm. Kee, has teamed up with The Woolmark Company to produce a new wave of iconic design using Australian merino wool. This new collection, aptly titled ‘A new beginning’ includes jumpers, cardigans, scarves and beanies and features the design style for which she is synonymous. “Wool is the most incredible, beautiful fabric, and it’s a great product of this country,” said Ms Kee. While this new collection draws together stories from decades past, it is thoroughly modern in its production, using modern knitting technology. “The industry has changed in the past 40 years. Designs are now digitally knitted and not hand-knitted anymore. This collection is a global meld of exactly who I am,” she said. Kee’s mother has Italian heritage and her father is Chinese. For this collection, the Australian wool is being spun in Italy by Zegna Baruffa, before going to the artisan of Hong Kong, before finally returning back to Australia. While Kodak memories are now digital memories, there’s sure to be a new generation of Jenny Kee ‘forever memories’ captured in Australia and internationally with this new collection.
Wool is the most incredible, beautiful fabric; and it’s a great product of this country.”
jennykee.com
“Dreamtime” by Greg Weatherby artwork
Capturing Dreamtime Inspired art A journey through time Australian Indigenous culture
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rt is a form of expression, of communication, of capturing a moment in time, or simply an outlet of pleasure. Artworks tell a story and take you on a journey, not only of that culture but also of the artist themselves. Greg Weatherby is an Indigenous Australian artist whose artworks are born from a deep spiritual faith, trauma, and a journey to help others discover their own paths. Born in Sydney, Greg, like so many Indigenous Australians, was no stranger to the trauma of family separation as a child. While haunted throughout his childhood and into his teenage and adult years, Greg found peace and solace in art, most particularly for traditional Aboriginal expression. Greg’s travels and learning of the ways of the bush, as well as living with different
tribal people, greatly influences his paintings. Using techniques distinctive to the Indigenous people of the New South Wales (NSW) town of Moruya and the Walbatja people, as well as traditional forms and markings derived from other Indigenous people throughout Australia, his art echoes the subjects and colours of his dreams. Greg’s works, featured in galleries throughout Australia and internationally, focus on the Dreamtime, on mother earth, and particularly fauna and flora and the joy, life and happiness they bring to people. Greg’s artwork “Dreamtime Sydney” (above) represents the beautiful city of Sydney. “The kangaroo and emu represent our culture, our land; the flowers are native high baccus, which are medicine and a herb. The style of artwork is traditional cross-hatching and dot art, both depicting ‘land informer’. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, represent the modernity of Sydney,” said Greg. Jenny Kee
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ICC Sydney attracts bright talent from across Australia and the world Building a world-class team
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world-class venue requires a worldclass team to bring clients’ business events to life and create exceptional experiences. After an intensive recruitment process to ensure it secured top talent, ICC Sydney’s leadership team is now in place. The executive team comes from all walks of life, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise from Australia and abroad. This combined local and global experience underpins ICC Sydney’s worldclass positioning, while accentuating the magnetism of Sydney as a global talent hub. The team is led by ICC Sydney Chief Executive Officer Geoff Donaghy, who is also Director of Convention Centres AEG Ogden and President of the Brussels-based International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC). Donaghy’s rich industry expertise and influence across the globe has seen him awarded the Australia Centenary Medal by the Federal Government, the Australian Industry’s Outstanding Contribution Award, and the Joint Meeting Industry Council’s Global Power and Profile Award. With a career in the convention and exhibitions industry spanning 28 years, Adam Mather-Brown is ICC Sydney’s General Manager. He is a seasoned specialist in pre-opening, having opened some of the world’s top convention centres, including Cape Town International Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and Qatar National Convention Centre. For Mather-Brown it was the promise of “playing a part in delivering a new precinct set to change the face of the city for generations to come” that compelled him to now call Sydney home. As Director of Culinary Services, Lynell Peck is charged with delivering ICC Sydney’s creative culinary philosophy. Peck said her vision was to deliver world-class, creative cuisine that focuses on seasonal, locallysupplied produce served with the warmth and vibrancy of Sydney hospitality. “From day-to-day operations to exclusive functions, ICC Sydney will set new standards in culinary services across the
board. Our premium benchmark will be experienced across staff training, local product sourcing, presentation and imagination,” she said. With the appointment of Tony Panetta as Executive Chef, formerly of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, ICC Sydney’s culinary services are already shaking up the industry. The award-winning Panetta is a respected expert in delivering five-star dining at large-scale events. “Creating innovative culinary solutions using local produce is a life-long passion of mine. I feel a natural affinity with the ICC Sydney Culinary Plan – to ensure the venue delivers fresh, five-star creative cuisine, while encompassing AEG Ogden’s philosophy of seasonal, locally-supplied, superior food and beverage experiences,” he said. Beverley Parker is ICC Sydney’s highly experienced and industry-renowned Director of Business Development. Parker said she was an avid advocate of Sydney and the city’s business events. “My role is extremely rewarding because it allows me to share all that Sydney has to offer, including its culture, innovation, business and social aspects with the rest of Australia and the world,” she said. A senior communications and public relations professional, Samantha Glass is ICC Sydney’s Communications Director. Glass said she was thrilled to play a role in the marketing and operation of such an iconic Sydney venue. “It is a great privilege to be a part of this major city-building project, which will attract expertise from an array of disciplines to Sydney and ultimately showcase our stunning city to the world. My vision is to inspire Sydney-siders across industries to act as advocates of ICC Sydney,” she said. Mathew Paine is ICC Sydney’s acclaimed Human Resources Director. With a trackrecord of delivering results in fast paced environments, Paine said he was incredibly proud to help shape a team of high performers. “Creating and fostering a customer-focused culture is vital to ICC Sydney’s success. We are shaping a team that will continue to build on the trust that AEG Ogden is recognised for across the world. Our team will have deep industry knowledge, global reach and creative solutions to deliver success time and time again for our clients,” he said.
A world-class venue requires a world-class team to bring clients’ business events to life and create exceptional experiences.”
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As Director of Event Services, Malu Barrios is recognised for her industry influence and advocacy of business events. Her commitment to clients and their needs will ensure her aspiration of “working collaboratively for successful outcomes” was fulfilled. Johnny Naofal is the venue’s Director of Building Services and is highly skilled in the management of large multi-site venues. Having managed the safety of many highprofile events, including the APEC Summit and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Naofal is committed to “creating and maintaining a safe and sustainable venue.” A qualified Certified Practising Accountant, Erica Blythe is ICC Sydney’s Director of Finance and Administration. Blythe’s goal was to “ensure ICC Sydney delivers strong financial results and is driven for success in all areas.” Donaghy said the team was well and truly on track to deliver unparalleled business events.
Geoff Donaghy Chief Executive Officer
Adam Maher-Brown General Manager
“I couldn’t be more delighted with the team. We have handpicked experts from business events, hospitality and related industries, building a driven, supportive and dynamic culture,” he said. “This is the team tasked with opening what is undoubtedly the single most exciting project underway globally across the events industry today. It is one of Sydney’s most prominent projects, delivering a contemporary, diverse and dynamic venue that the city and the world will be extremely proud to host and attend events in.” Donaghy said the ability to compile such an esteemed team was down to three key factors: the prominence of ICC Sydney on the world stage, the strong and supportive culture set out by ICC Sydney’s management company, AEG Ogden, and the innate liveability and bright future for Sydney.
Lynell Peck Director of Culinary Services
Beverly Parker Director of Business Development
“Participating in a city-shaping project that will deliver a legacy for Sydney is a rare and rewarding opportunity. The experience will stay with the team throughout their careers,” he said. When ICC Sydney opens in December 2016 it will employ more than 320 full time and up to 1,500 casual staff, supporting Sydney’s employment market.
Samantha Glass Communications Director
iccsydney.com
Sydney lights up for summer Welcoming the warmer months in true Aussie style Always something to do in Sydney
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he weather is warming up, the days are getting balmy and the nights are getting longer. Australia is known for its fun and relaxed lifestyle, and Sydney is a great place to be at this time of year. Sydney does not disappoint for locals and visitors alike, encouraging everyone to enjoy all that the city has to offer. From October to March each year the city is abuzz with events for everyone no matter their interest. From sights and sounds, to delicious aromatic smells, plus a range of uniquely Sydney events, here’s just a taste of what you can expect in the city.
Good Food Month Month-long celebration of the ultimate dining experiences, including the everpopular favourite Night Noodle Markets. Hyde Park, Sydney 1 October – 31 October 2015
Agents of change Entrepreneurs, innovators, champions Future leaders
Yaara Bou Melhem Journalist Lebanon-born, Australian-raised Yaara Bou Melhem, is a brave young Australian journalist who, during 2010, risked her own freedom by going undercover in Syria to document the struggle for democratic change. While her passion for social affairs, social justice, human rights and politics is evident in her work, Bou Melhem believes it is her responsibility to simply pass on the experiences and tales of others. For a month Bou Melhem travelled alone through Syria, collecting the stories of those who had spoken out against the oppressive regime. Bou Melhem’s career began while completing a double-degree in journalism and law at the University of Technology Sydney, when she took up a casual position reporting for the Australian multicultural television network, SBS. In 2009, she made her first documentary, Jordan – Jailing the Innocent, for which she won the prestigious Walkley Young Australian Television Journalist of the Year Award. In 2011, Bou Melhem won the United Nations Australia Media Peace Award for Best TV Current Affairs, the Walkley Foundation’s International Journalism Award for her Struggle for Freedom series on the Arab uprisings, and the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Award for Freedom’s Call.
Sculpture by the Sea Sculpture by the Sea returns to the Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach coastal walk. This 2km long temporary sculpture park features over 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world. Bondi to Tamarama Coast Walk 22 October – 8 November, Free entry
7 Bridges Walk The past nine years has seen a total of 75,000 walkers take part in the Seven Bridges Walk and over $2 million raised for charity. The event is a great way to see Sydney, benefit your health, join in a great community activity and raise money for charity. Sunday 25 October 2015
Sydney Festival Every January, Sydney Festival enlivens and transforms Sydney with a bold cultural celebration based on the highest quality art and big ideas. 370 performances, 100 events, 700 artists. 7–26 January 2016
Chinese New Year Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival is one of the largest celebrations of the Lunar New Year outside of mainland China, and attracts more than 700,000 people each year. 6–21 February 2016
View from 7 Bridges Walk
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e often talk of leaving lasting legacies for future generations, but what happens when you turn the table and future generations begin to create legacies and change right here, right now. Identified as future leaders and decision-makers of courage, imagination and will, we profile some of Sydney’s brightest stars using their smarts to help their communities and people around the world. They are leaving legacies, fighting for human rights and social justice, and making their mark as innovative entrepreneurs. Spread across the world, their message is clear: our time is now.
Samah Hadid
Nathan Murphy
Ruchir Punjabi
Entrepreneur; Founder, Audio High School, MuesliForMe and SuperTea
Founder and Chairman, Langoor, Founder, Australia India, Youth Dialogue
Human rights campaigner, Winner of the 2014 Charity and Community Award, Instyle and Audi Women Awards
Ruchir Punjabi is happiest creating opportunities for those who don’t have them, believing in the kind of change that involves innovation and positively impacts millions of people. This is exactly what he hopes his digital agency Langoor is on its way to achieving.
Samah Hadid is a determined campaigner for the rights of women and a more equitable world. She is proud to be defined by her Muslim heritage and has dedicated most of her young life to campaigning for human rights and social justice in Australia and the Middle East.
Named after a cheeky monkey with a determined spirit, the company is Ruchir’s third, and was founded in his student apartment in inner-city Sydney whilst completing his Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of Sydney.
Growing up in Western Sydney, her hardworking parents were proud of their ‘black sheep’ who was the first to go to university, who didn’t get married young and who has always been passionate and outspoken against injustice.
Employing 150 people across Sydney, Melbourne, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hong Kong and Singapore, Langoor, creates and maintains an effective online presence for companies ranging from brand giant Acuvue and coffee chain Gloria Jean’s, as well as supporting non-profits.
Hadid has a Bachelor of Economic and Social Sciences from the University of Sydney, and a Masters of Human Rights Law and Policy from the University of New South Wales. She often appears on the ABC’s Q&A program.
Nathan Murphy has always had a unique approach to life. His upbringing in multicultural Western Sydney taught him to communicate with people from all walks of life, a trait that has stayed with him. A voracious reader as a child, he grew restless in high school and finally gave up on further formal education, preferring to be self-taught. By 18, he was living rough in Darwin, later spending time at the Salvation Army’s Oasis centre in Sydney, experiences that taught him that you could both survive after losing everything and that someone else is always worse off. Murphy used these experiences to channel his entrepreneurial drive, initially building an audio-visual educational tool, Audio High School, and more recently creating start-ups MuesliForMe and SuperTea, both of which have since been acquired. Nathan’s determination has led to introductions to Richard Branson and entrepreneur Timothy Ferris, and his tenacity has taken him to Silicon Valley and beyond.
Punjabi grew up in the populous western Indian city of Ahmedabad and was drawn to the stability and diversity of Australia – a country he describes as multicultural and progressive – and the quality of its educational institutions. His involvement in student politics has taught him to question everything, a trait he continues to value and promote today.
For Samah, the Arab uprisings of 2010 were transformative. They made her more determined to have her voice heard, taking the opportunity of her appointment as the Australian Youth Representative to the UN to campaign for Australian causes from Indigenous health to the welfare of refugees. Samah’s drive to fight injustice makes her a force to be reckoned with – now and in the future.
* Source: Licensed from the Commonwealth of Australia under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the content of this publication. Images for Ruchir Punjabi, Samah Hadid and Nathan Murphy courtesy of The Foundation for Young Australians - Future Chasers.
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ROTARY IN SYDNEY RAISED ENOUGH FUNDS TO BUY POLIO IMMUNISATION VACCINES FOR 240,000 CHILDREN, TAKING THE WORLD ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE ERADICATION OF A GLOBAL DISEASE
CHANG E T H E WO R L D Sydney is the ideal place to create lasting outcomes
END POLIO NOW
THE ROTARY ‘END POLIO NOW’ BRIDGE CLIMB BROKE TWO WORLD RECORDS AND RECEIVED WORLDWIDE MEDIA ATTENTION
“We gave some tremendous opportunities and received some tremendous opportunities in Sydney because of all the things we did to highlight what Rotary is doing worldwide. We hope that legacy continues as we finish the Polio Eradication Campaign, and have the world certified polio-free.” — Ron Burton, Former President of Rotary International and the 105th Rotary International Convention, and BESydney Ambassador
Disclaimer This publication has been prepared by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) as an information source only. BESydney makes no statements, representations, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you and all other persons should not rely on, any information contained in this publication. Any reference to a specific organisation, product or service does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by BESydney. BESydney disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason. © Business Events Sydney 2015
Image credits:
Artist’s impression of ICC Sydney courtesy of HASSELL + Populous and Darling Harbour Live.
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