FROM superyachts and supercars, to live entertainment and cooking demonstrations, interactive Kids’ Zones and a fishing tournament with a massive prize package, the 2018 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show offers visitors a feast of options to entertain, inform and excite.

So much more than just a boat show, SCIBS 2018 is a fantastic family day out with more than enough to keep each and every member of the family amused all day, or over multiple days if you want to see everything.

For anglers of all skill levels, the popular SCIBS fishing tournament is back again, this year branded the 2018 SCIBS ‘Fly Scoot’ Bream Shootout presented by Shimano. The winner-takes-all event takes place Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May and promises to be great fun for participants and visitors to the Boat Show alike.

For the fourth year in a row, beach, boating and fishing expert Paul Burt returns as official SCIBS ambassador and is patron of the annual fishing competition, with the live weigh-in taking place across the weekend and judging on The Main Stage on the Sunday of SCIBS.

The tournament will be complemented by daily live fishing demonstrations at the Berkley Supertank presented by resident angling experts, Brett Thomson and Michael Cooke.

The spectacular 15m long and 3m high Perspex-sided giant mobile fish tank harbours a natural habitat and an abundance of tropical fish, with visitors able to learn the tricks of the trade of today’s top anglers on the different types of Berkley lures and how fish react to them.

Over at The Main Stage, Paul Burt will host daily cooking segments showcasing the freshest and tastiest ways to prepare seafood, plus a huge program of fantastic entertainment will be on offer across the four days of SCIBS, including Virtual Reality (VR) and interactive experiences, drones for fishing and fun, lessons on rope-tying and talented local live music performers, roving entertainers, cocktail-making classes and more!

The weekend program offers hours of fun for the junior set, with the SCIBS Kids’ Zone featuring plenty to keep the little boaties entertained. Along with a jumping castle and games, there will also be face painting, and roving entertainment, including appearances by the one and only Captain Jack Sparrow.

From an educational standpoint, the Sea World Research & Rescue vessel and its qualified crew will be on hand to inform visitors on how they can play their part and contribute to conservation and protection of our marine life, with sessions on animal rescue onboard ‘Sea World 1’.

The latest in high-tech maritime patrol vessels, the Coast Guard will also be sure to impress, imparting their crucial role in patrolling our coastline for security and safety at sea.

Motorsport fans will be in auto-heaven, with the display from three-time Bathurst winner Tony Longhurst and his BMW GT4 The Boat Works car, which won the 2018 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race. Drivers Tony Longhurst and Aaron Seton will be meeting visitors and signing autographs on Saturday at The Boat Works stand.

The festival atmosphere will be enhanced by roving entertainers and the award-winning talents of Master Illusionist Matt Hollywood, who will perform his mind-blowing magic act in the Village Theatre on the Friday and Saturday night at SCIBS.

SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said visitors will also be able to sample and savour the wide selection of pop-up food stalls and the varied dining options throughout The Marine Village across the four-day event.

 “It’s no exaggeration to say there’s something for everyone at SCIBS 2018,” he said.

“Australians love the coastal lifestyle and there will be every facet of boating on display, alongside a lively entertainment schedule with something for all the family.

“We invite visitors to come along and enjoy the wide entertainment and food offering available, and soak up the great atmosphere in The Marine Village.

“We can’t wait for the gates to open on Thursday (24 May) and for our exhibitors, sponsors and partners to turn on a wonderful 30^th SCIBS welcome!”

Further details on how to register for the SCIBS 2018 ‘Fly Scoot’ Bream Shoot Out and T&Cs are available online at www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/the-show/#shoot-out

For more information to see What’s On Show, or to purchase tickets to SCIBS 2018, visit www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

Running May 24 to 27, 2018 the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show attracts more than 40,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors to a spectacular showcase featuring hundreds of boats and thousands of marine products across four days.

SCIBS offers FREE park ‘n’ ride services from Warner Bros. Movie World, along with limited on-site parking, available pre-paid.

ABOUT SANCTUARY COVE:

The $A2 billion Sanctuary Cove Resort, located on the northern Gold Coast, is Australia’s leading and most successful master-planned community.

Featuring two 18-hole championship golf courses, a 226-berth marina, five-star InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Country Club including full fitness centre, tennis courts and 25m swimming pool, Sanctuary Cove is also home to some of the most diverse waterfront, golf course fronting or hilltop residential house and land options on the Gold Coast.

At the heart of the community is The Marine Village – Sanctuary Cove’s vibrant precinct featuring more than 80 tenancies, including a selection of shopping, cafés, restaurants, bars and business services.

THE HOUSE Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources today launched a new inquiry into the barriers to increased investment in Australia’s agriculture sector by superannuation funds, and called for submissions.

According to the committee’s chair, Rick Wilson MP, the Australian agricultural sector is in danger of being left behind because of a lack of investment:

“The agricultural sector in Australia needs much more investment if it wants to remain competitive, and the superannuation industry is an obvious source of that. With this inquiry, the committee hopes to find out how investment can be encouraged," Mr Wilson said.

The committee will be inquiring into and reporting on whether:

• there are any regulatory requirements imposed on superannuation funds by ASIC, APRA and any other relevant regulators, which are acting as a barrier to superannuation fund investment in Australian agriculture; 
• the information required by the superannuation funds in order to invest in Australian agriculture is readily available, and if not, what statistical performance reporting of the agricultural sector is necessary; and
• there are any other practical barriers to superannuation fund investment in Australian agriculture.

The Committee will be accepting submissions until Friday, June 22.

www.aph.gov.au

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES firm EY has been named Australia’s 2018 Employer of the Year for LGBTI inclusion at the Australian LGBTI Inclusion Awards, hosted today by ACON’s Pride in Diversity - the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTI workplace inclusion.

More than 700 business leaders, diversity champions, HR professionals and many more actively working on LGBTI inclusion came together at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney to celebrate the results of Australian Workplace Equality Index

(AWEI); a rigorous, evidence-based benchmarking instrument that assesses workplaces in the work and impact of their LGBTI inclusion initiatives.

In 2018, for the first time, there was significant shift in the makeup of top employers. Traditionally dominated by financial and professional services, this year saw representation from various levels of government (Australian Taxation Office and Brisbane City Council), retail (Woolworths), higher education (RMIT University), energy and resources (AGL Energy) and religious organisations (Uniting). 

Twelve organisations were awarded Gold Employer status, with an additional four being awarded Platinum for the longevity of their high performance spanning at least four of the last five years (Westpac, LendLease, Accenture, Commonwealth Bank).

This year’s awards were attended by a record number of CEOs and Australian business leaders, including Qantas CEO and Pride In Diversity co-patron, Alan Joyce, and Luke Sayers, CEO of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, who picked up this year’s CEO of the Year Award for his role in LGBTI inclusion.

Director of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs (which incorporates Pride in Diversity, Pride in Sport and Pride in Health+Wellbeing) Dawn Hough said, “The AWEI has seen remarkable growth over the first eight years of its life; this year we see the most significant change in the diversity of our top employers and a much higher growth in participation of our small employers which we are delighted about."

The AWEI saw 135 employers across Australia participate this year (both small and large employer indices), a 16 percent increase on 2017 participation. The employee survey attached to the index received 23,130 responses, an increase of 38 percent. Participation by small employers rose by 120 percent this year with Key Assets, The Children’s Services Provider (Australia) taking out Small Employer of the Year Award.

“ACON congratulates all award winners recognised today on their significant achievement and for showing great leadership in the area of diversity and inclusion,” Ms Hough added.

Pride Inclusion Programs will next celebrate LGBTI inclusion within Australian sport with the inaugural Australian Pride in Sport Awards in Melbourne on 19 June. Held at the Showtime Events Centre, the awards will honour national and state sporting organisations, clubs and individuals as it showcases the results of the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) – the national benchmarking instrument used to assess LGBTI inclusion within Australian sport.

The event will be hosted by renowned Australian sports journalist, Tracey Holmes, and attended by Pride in Sport co-patrons Alex Blackwell and Daniel Kowalski, along with several other high profile athletes.

For more information on ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, go to www.prideinclusionprograms.com.au

2018 Australian LGBTI Inclusion Awards Recipients

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VICTORIA will benefit from a more independent Parks Victoria with expanded functions and powers to manage and protect the state’s natural assets, accordingto the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The chamber has welcomed the passage of the Parks Victoria Bill 2018 in Parliament today.

The new legislation will make Parks Victoria a statutory authority. It will provide the agency with direct land management powers and clearer responsibilities to better manage Victoria’s national parks and other reserves.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Mark Stone AM acknowledged the support of the Government and Opposition for this important bill, which will benefit our visitor economy.

“Strong strategic management from Parks Victoria is vital to ensure visitors have a great experience and local communities and businesses benefit from sustainable tourism,” said Mr Stone.

"Victoria’s national parks and reserves make a significant contribution to Victorian tourism and provide environmental and recreation benefits to the broader community. Each year, Parks Victoria welcomes 106 million visits to national and state parks across the state.

"The Great Ocean Road region alone draws more than five million visitors per year, adding $1.3 billion to the Victorian economy and generating over 9000 jobs. The number of international visits to the region is projected to double by 2025/26.

"As a statutory authority, Parks Victoria will be better placed to protect Victoria’s natural assets and support important initiatives like the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan – a comprehensive program to improve opportunities for visitors and strengthen the local economy and employment opportunities through sustainable tourism."

www.vicotrianchamber.com.au

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