by | Jan 21, 2025 | Business
Applications for the 2025 intake of Rabobank’s Business Management Programs – the Farm Managers Program (FMP) and the Executive Development Program (EDP) – are now open.
Designed for farmers at various career stages, the two available programs – the Executive Development Program for farm business owners or senior managers and the Farm Managers Program for emerging farmers – aim to provide participants with the latest insights in business management.
Announcing the opening of applications for 2025, Rabobank regional manager Australia and New Zealand Mark Wiessing said more than 1400 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman had participated in the Business Management Programs across the past 25 years.
“The programs are incredibly valuable for primary producers as they allow the opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day operational side of their businesses and spend time developing strategies to help ensure that their operations remain resilient into the future,” he said.
“The programs also provide participants with networking opportunities with like-minded primary producers from different sectors across the two countries and, in many cases, relationships started on the programs continue far beyond the completion of the course. Previous participants tell us these ongoing relationships are a key benefit of the course and we help to foster these via our regular Business Management Program alumni events across Australia and New Zealand.”
Mr Wiessing said Rabobank’s long-term support of the Business Management Programs, was aimed at assisting farmers to grow and build resilience. “And in this way, the bank also contributes to strengthening rural communities – with rural and regional communities benefiting from a financially-healthy local agricultural sector,” he said.
Mr Wiessing said this year’s FMP program – for young and emerging farmers – will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley from June 15 to 20 this year.
“The FMP provides a forum for farmers from across a range of agricultural sectors to find out what is working for them in their farming roles,” he said.
“The program will help participants enhance their leadership and operational skills to prepare themselves for future management roles, and includes sessions on topics including communication and influencing skills, conflict management, sustainable farm business planning, financial management and managing people.”
Mr Wiessing said the Executive Development Program, which runs as two one-week long residential modules approximately a year apart, will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney, with the first module running from August 24 to 29 this year and the second scheduled for late July 2026.
“The EDP helps participants build strategic planning capabilities and commercial management skills to help drive business growth,” he said.
“Key topics covered on the program include formulation and implementation of long-term strategy, applying effective economic rationale to goal setting and decision making, and effective leadership skills.
“Between the first and second modules of the program, participants are also tasked with developing a management project which explores opportunities to make improvements within their own farming operation.
“This element of the program gives participants an opportunity to immediately apply the skills and knowledge from the first EDP module and, over the years, we’ve had some fantastic ideas outlined in these projects which have resulted in significant positive benefits for our participants’ farming businesses.”
EDP alumni and winner of the 2024 Dr John Morris Business Development Prize – a prestigious trans-Tasman business prize awarded annually as part of the program – Stuart Tait believes the course was exactly what he needed to continue to develop his career and management skills.
“I applied for the Executive Development Program with the aim of developing a strategic plan for the next 10 to 15 years for our beef-cattle breeding and trading, and dryland winter cropping business, and to learn how to identify and analyse various opportunities which may present themselves,” he said.
Mr Tait, based near Mandurama on the NSW Central Tablelands, said the course allowed him to remove himself from the day-to-day workings of the business and to gain an arm’s length view of the enterprises and where they are heading.
“The EDP was very well organised and structured, each and every session was well aimed to complete the strategic puzzle for a modern farming business,” he said.
“The course provided the tools to really break down the intimidating goal of creating a strategic plan into simple and actionable tasks,” he said. “It was a positive environment to be involved in, with over 30 successful and progressive farmers to learn from.
“I have already recommended the course to several friends and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to take their farm leadership and management skills to the next level.”
With numbers on each course limited to maintain group dynamics, positions on the programs are set to be highly contested, with farmers selected to attend from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.
Applications for the FMP and EDP close on Monday, March 31. Further information and applications can be found on the Rabobank website, or at Business Management Programs.
by | Jan 21, 2025 | Business
The New Channel (TNC), a trailblazing digital platform known for timely, thought-provoking, and advocacy-driven content, announces bold plans for 2025, focusing on cultural promotion, international collaboration, and innovative projects that promote positive change.
*
Charting a Transformative 2025
TNC is set to elevate its role as a key player in alternative media through these groundbreaking initiatives:
1/ Showcasing Filipino Culture and Talent
TNC will continue to expand its lineup of online content in video and written formats promoting Filipino culture, ingenuity, and Filipino talent. By collaborating with thought leaders, key opinion leaders, and responsible content creators locally and abroad, TNC aims to harness the power of digital media to spotlight the Philippines as a global hub of creativity, excellence, and innovation (or the newness of things).
2/ Evolving Advocacy Projects
Flagship programs such as Global Women Who RULE, Me and My Outstanding Mother, and Like Father, Like Son will take on a new dimension in 2025. TNC intends to incorporate more face-to-face events with live audience participation while maintaining its robust live-streaming setup for maximum reach, both nationwide and globally.
3/ TNC combines Media with Music Marketing
TNC together with its partnership with PraXis Experiential will continue to run The Karaoke World Championship (KWC) franchise for the Philippines. This new year and the years to come promise a wave of acquiring new and raw talents from the country and will be exposed to the possibilities of not only competing on the global stage but also an international entertainment management contracts.
With Praxis as TNC’s partner, TNC will continue what it has started for music marketing. TNC is set to get involved in more music festival marketing, management, and productions in the country and abroad.
4/ Global Collaborations and Expanding Reach
Continuing its mission of leveraging and elevating international influence, TNC will strengthen partnerships with global events, conventions, and advocacy groups. Through these existing and new collaborations, TNC is committed to amplifying Filipino voices and creating content that resonates across borders, solidifying its place as a global alternative media leader.
* * *
An Important Note on Integrity and Excellence
In a recent significant legal victory, The New Channel (TNC) Media Corp. has successfully defended its trademark rights. Not known to many, TNC has filed an Intellectual Property case against Lloyd Luna. The dispute centered on the registration of the trademark “TNC”, which Luna secured for himself under Certificate of Registration No. 4-2021-508618. The Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has ruled in favor of TNC, canceling Luna’s registration and affirming the company’s ownership of the trademark.
In December 2024, the BLA dismissed Luna’s appeal and upheld the original ruling affirming the cancellation of the “TNC” trademark under Luna’s name. The BLA’s decision highlighted Luna’s bad faith in registering the trademark. TNC successfully demonstrated that the mark, which is used by the company, was improperly registered for Luna’s personal benefit.
This marks TNC’s second consecutive legal victory in this dispute, following favorable decisions from both the Adjudication Officer (AO) and the Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) of the IPOPHL.
TNC welcomed the ruling, reaffirming its commitment to its mission and the protection of its brand. The company expressed gratitude to the BLA for providing legal clarity that underscores the critical importance of intellectual property rights for businesses.
“This recent and successive victory of TNC on its trademark battle, not only allows us to move forward with renewed focus but also serves as a powerful example for companies and individuals to stand up for their intellectual property rights.
Importantly, TNC will be able to correct misinformation that has been spreading about the ownership of our trademark and the company for years.
This is very timely as we continue to promote and urge brands and netizens to create more online content that promotes Integrity and Excellence.” Manansala shared in a recent and exclusive sit down upon hearing the news.
Manansala also reminds the public to be vigilant in dealing with people online and to make sure that the information received about TNC is coming from the correct source.
“Intellectual property rights should be used ethically and should not be weaponized to disadvantage another party, especially when that party is the rightful owner of the mark,” added the JRSantiago & Associates Law Office, which represented TNC in the case.
* * *
The Woman Behind TNC: A Catalyst and Visionary for Change
Apple Esplana-Manansala, President & Chief Executive Producer of The New Channel (TNC) Media Corp. expressed her optimism:
“As we step into 2025, TNC remains dedicated to creating content that promotes the use of Digital only for food and uplifts while showcasing Filipino talent on the world stage. Our roadmap is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of media to drive meaningful change.
We also look forward to the local and international collaborations that we have been harnessing over the years. We are hopeful that there will be more and better online content that we can contribute not just to the Philippine audience but for the rest of the world to enjoy.”
*
About The New Channel (TNC)
TNC is a pioneering digital media platform committed to advocacy-driven and inspirational programming which was launched during the global pandemic. Through innovative partnerships and a global reach, TNC continues to redefine alternative media while championing Filipino culture, talent, and ingenuity.
For more information about TNC, check out www.thenewchannel.com or www.thenewchannel.com/highlights
Search for #TNCnow on social media https://www.facebook.com/TNCnow, https://www.instagram.com/tncnow/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/thenewchannel/, https://www.tiktok.com/@tncnow, https://www.youtube.com/@TNCNow
by | Jan 21, 2025 | Business
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: 21 January 2025, Australian copper producer and explorer, Austral Resources Australia Ltd (ASX: AR1), is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Frontier Minerals (ASX: NFM) to form a strategic alliance. This collaboration aims to enhance production at Austral’s Mt Kelly processing facility through the potential processing of copper ore supplied by NFM.
Under the agreement, Austral will work closely with NFM to evaluate the suitability of ore from NFM’s NWQ Copper Project, including the Big One Deposit (Mineral Resource Estimate: 2.1Mt @ 1.1% Cu), for processing at the Mt Kelly facility. The alliance represents an opportunity to leverage both companies’ assets and expertise to unlock significant value from the Mt Isa copper belt region.
Austral Resources’ Chairman, David Newling, commented:”I would echo the comments of (NFM Chairman) Ged in relation to the positive outcome for both groups from this MOU. Whilst there is still some metallurgical work yet to be completed in relation to suitability of NFM’s ore for the Mt Kelly processing facility, the MOU is demonstration that the Company has assets that are attractive to third parties, and we would welcome others to the table as well.
The Mt Isa region is primed for consolidation in the copper industry, and Austral remains focused on these opportunities where it has the potential to add significant value for shareholders.”
The alliance includes a framework for potential ore processing agreements, metallurgical test work, and further exploration to assess other prospective copper deposits within NFM’s project areas. The partnership not only facilitates a path to production for NFM but also allows Austral to potentially secure a new, consistent source of copper ore feedstock.
This agreement reinforces Austral’s commitment to maximising the value of its assets while contributing to the consolidation of the Mt Isa copper belt region.
by | Jan 21, 2025 | Business
Music Australia has announced the recipients of the Record Label Development Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative which aims to support Australian labels actively nurturing and promoting Australian talent.
The $1,732,000 investment will support 23 record labels, varying from local independents to major label Australian subsidiaries, for the creation of new professional recordings, digital content and artwork, marketing and promotional campaigns, production, manufacturing and freight, artist development and staffing.
In addition to supporting labels, the artists featured in the project activities will also receive support through a mandatory non-recoupable 10% artist creation fee. Record labels are also incentivised to manufacture using environmentally sustainable materials, guided by Green Music Australia’s Sound Country: A Green Guide on Physical Music Products.
Director of Music Australia Millie Millgate said:
“This direct investment into Australian record labels will see a minimum of 83 Australian acts benefit, creating a domino effect of support, that reinforces the interconnected nature of the contemporary music ecosystem. The role record labels play in developing their artists is significant and we need to safeguard them at a time when breaking Australian artists has never been harder.”
The Record Label Development Scheme will ensure Australian labels of all sizes, and with different genre focusses, can continue to compete effectively, support their artists, and contribute intrinsic value to a vibrant Australian music landscape.
The awarded labels include:
- Anti Fade Records
2. Bad Apples Music
3. BMG Australia
4. Butter Sessions
5. Cheersquad Records
6. Chugg Music
7. College of Knowledge Records
8. Civilians
9. Efficient Space
10. etcetc
11. Farmer & The Owl
12. Forever Ever Records
13. Future Classic
14. Good Manners Records
15. I OH YOU
16. Medium Rare Recordings
17. Mushroom Music
18. NLV Records
19. ONELOVE
20. Pieater
21. Remote Control Records
22. Sing Hum Records
23. Tomboi Records
by | Jan 21, 2025 | Business
ACCAN – Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – has hailed the Federal Government’s strengthening of enforcement powers a major win for telecommunications consumers.
ACCAN’s CEO, Carol Bennett, said the reforms will promote increased accountability, transparency and compliance within the telecommunications industry, and contribute towards improving trust in telcos which has been eroding.
“This announcement by the Australian Government addresses longstanding calls from consumer advocates to improve accountability in the telecommunications sector and we applaud these critical reforms,” she said.
“The government’s announcement to boost the enforcement powers of the ACMA will ensure telcos face real and meaningful penalties if they breach their obligations to Australians. This is a critical step towards ensuring that the telco sector works in the interests of consumers.”
“Granting the ACMA greater and more timely enforcement powers goes a long way towards addressing the persistent limitations of the ACMA’s regulatory toolkit”.
The changes will be part of expanded consumer protections under a suite of reforms to the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth).
The changes will mean the regulator, ACMA, will now be able to take direct enforcement action against breaches of industry codes rather than first having to issue a formal direction to comply.
The reforms also provide for significant increases to maximum penalties for breaches of industry codes and standards, from $250,000 to $10 million, bringing the telco sector in line with other essential service sectors.
The Australian Government also announced that it will establish a Carriage Service Provider (CSP) registration scheme to increase the visibility of providers in the telecommunications market. A CSP registration scheme will support a telecommunications market that works efficiently for all participants and provide much needed oversight of the market by the ACMA.
You must be logged in to post a comment.