Guest Speaker, Lochi Jackson presented us with an interesting snapshot of business life in South East Asia outlining the many opportunities and challenges available.  He has been employed by Xypex Australia since 1993 and holds the position of Senior Director Business Development (Export). Loch’s business origins are in legal and finance, then moving on to develop a joint venture with Japanese partners in the 1980’s trading agricultural products into Asia and USA before finally settling into the export end of the construction chemicals business developing opportunities and sales for Xypex Australia throughout the South East Asian Region. Loch has extensive experience and knowledge of business throughout SEA and has been the principal driver therein of the Xypex brand and technology. He has worked on projects as diverse as two of Hong Kong’s largest underground rail structures, iconic projects in Singapore such as Theaters on the Bay and Woodlands Customs Checkpoint, Putra Jaya Government Administrative City in Malaysia and in Thailand on new temples and some of the World’s largest retail developments such as Siam Icon a half kilometer long water frontage development on the Chayo Praya river in Bangkok. Loch’s working life is spent between his office in Albury and Xypex SEA Regional office in Bangkok  Thailand from where Xypex Australia are now opening up market opportunities in the emerging Myanmar / Burma and Laos markets. Concurrently with that he is responsible for the re-development of  Xypex business opportunities in the fast emerging Indonesian market. Loch was a first generation member of Albury Hume Rotary Club in the late 1970’s before moving to Melbourne. Loch’s mother Yvonne Jackson is also the recipient of a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Guest Speaker Sonie Wilson, counsellor/social worker for Alzheimer’s Australia Vic presented some interesting facts on Dimentia and its associated illnesses. Sonie grew up in North East Victoria, however for the last 25 years has been living in Melbourne. Last year she moved back up here to take the Alzheimer’s Australia position in Albury covering Albury and the Victorian LGAs (local government areas) of Towong, Alpine, Indigo, Wodonga, Wangaratta, and Mansfield. Dementia is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, their behaviour and their ability to perform everyday tasks.Early diagnosis of dementia means early access to support, information and possibly medicines.

Over a period of months or years, most people with dementia gradually:

• lose their memory – at first for recent events, and later for events further back in their lives
• have a personality change
• lose interest in life
• withdraw from their usual activities
• lose their ability to care for themselves and for others around them.

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a collection of symptoms, not one specific disease. There are more than 100 different causes of dementia. The most common causes are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Dementia is more common in older people, although it can come on in a person’s 40s or 50s. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing – most older people do not have dementia. If you notice signs or symptoms of what may be dementia in yourself, or in a family member or friend, then it’s important for the affected person to see their doctor. If the person is diagnosed with dementia, then early diagnosis means early access to support, information and possibly medicines. Also there are other conditions, which may be treatable, that produce similar signs and symptoms to dementia. Delaying seeing a doctor may delay effective treatment. Most cases of dementia are not inherited, although it depends on the cause

In answer to a common question: Marina Bertolino is the person who had an idea, envisioned an opportunity, brought a team together and produced a children’s book series based on road transport within Australia. Marina Bertolino is the irrepressible creative force behind the beautiful Berty Button Kids book series which brings happiness to children around Australia. More important to Marina however, is that the books are capturing childrens’ imagination and igniting renewed interest to read and write via value based learning and ‘pure-bred Aussie’ trucking adventures. As a passionate and committed advocate of children’s literacy and numeracy, Marina acknowledges the vital role inspiring teachers and role models play in childrens’ education, particularly in the case of her own daughter.  Marina’s extensive business experience as a road transport executive, has been acquired not only around Australia but also in Europe. She has capably managed and built up a number of successful businesses in a variety of industries such as freight, construction and travel management.  Creating the emerging ‘Berty Button’ brand with its jellybean-covered Berty Button fleet, to then convert the eye-catching concept into a successful children’s book series is but one of Marina’s many accomplishments. Now happily settled with her family on the NSW-Victorian border (well it is Australia’s transport hub!) Marina has recruited some exceptionally talented people to carry on the great work of the Berty Button Kids Book Series and continues to evolve and further develop the brand.  A dynamic and empathetic entrepreneur, Marina is already planning her next ‘big thing’ but we can’t spill the beans on that just yet… with transport well and truly in her blood, Marina’s roadmap to success is clearly defined so hang on for the ride!

Life, Learning & Leading at Scots School Albury … With a passion for teaching and learning and a wealth of experience in relation to quality teaching and assessment, Peggy Mahy was able to share with us the progress of the School and in particular the Life Learning & Leading philosophy she has introduced to Scots.With a theme … “Getting ready for the next 150 years” Peggy outlined the progress being made towards a “World-Ready-School”. Peggy mentioned Scots students range from pre-school through to year 12 and with the programme already in place and succeeding students will “hit-the-road-running” when they graduate.