SWOT Analysis through Creative Practise

New Developments in the Communication Sector – Coles plastic bag ban and backflip

INTRODUCTION – THE STORY

In this SWOT analysis case study we will be looking at the Coles plastic bag ban. We will be looking at their communication, their problems, what they didn’t do right and what they should have done to communicate more efficiently about the issue.

The story begins with the July 2017 announcement from Coles and Woolworths supermarkets that they will be phasing out single use plastic bags, replacing them with new 15c bags and reusable eco bags. Coles stated they received quite a few complaints from customers who were having trouble adjusting to the ban and who said they needed more time to remember to bring their own bags – which led to Coles deciding to give out their 15c bags free “indefinitely” and essentially backflipping from the initial ban.

This backflip resulted in negative media coverage and heavy scrutiny from environmental groups and the public – which then resulted in Coles backflipping on their backflip and charging for plastic bags again.

THE PROBLEM

The main problem for Coles was trying to satisfy everyone all at once. They wanted to keep their customers happy which led to the initial backflip. Once they realised that did not go down well with the public – most of whom are happy to bring a bag and help the environment – and that the negative media it was directing towards them was not good for their image, they decided to reverse their decision leading to their second backflip. The main problem with this issue was that Coles was constantly changing their stance and not maintaining consistency or standing by their initial decision – despite the fact it was a positive decision towards being a greener company.

SWOT (STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS)

In looking at the Coles plastic bag ban backflips and applying SWOT analysis to the issue, the following can be determined –

Strengths – It is a good move towards being a more ‘green’ company/ecological, dramatic reduction in waste in the environment, cost effective for Coles.

Weaknesses – Trying to satisfy everyone, not as thoroughly researched as could be – could have been rolled out over time.

Opportunities – Communication of the ban – investing in above and beyond reminders to customers, researching how international/interstate supermarkets have dealt with bans.

Threats – Not enough dialogue/communication with customers/environmental groups/community, alienation of customers.

WHAT WAS NOT DONE RIGHT

In their haste to match opposing supermarket Woolworths’ plastic bag ban which was announced three hours before Coles announced theirs, Coles set themselves up to be unprepared for all possibilities considering the bag ban. If they had of taken the time to independently research into how their customers would react to the ban and opened a dialogue with them they would be prepared with an appropriate response to any issues and would be able to see any problems that could arise before they happen potentially. Researching into how interstate and international supermarkets have rolled out similar bans would also be useful in implementing their own version to predict any issues that could arise. They also could have trained their staff in providing customer service by informing customers in the store of the coming ban, and although they had some advertising, more advertising on different platforms leading up to the ban being initiated and a few weeks after would have been a good way to keep customers informed and remind them to bring their own bags.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE

In this situation, Coles was trying to find a way to please their customers quickly without taking the time to consider all of the options available to them to remedy any issues their customers had with their ban. Coles really should have taken the time to make a more considered decision by having a dialogue with their customers before enforcing the plastic bag ban to ensure that once the ban is started they would be fully informed and prepared for any customer complaints and not acting in a reactionary way to their customers concerns. Prior to the ban, holding focus groups, small surveys and even in-store surveys or dialogue cards could have been an option to gauge a sense of how their customers would react to the news of a bag ban, preparing them for any backlash that may occur after its initiation. After the ban is initiated, they could have more signage in stores, TV, radio and print advertisements leading up to the ban and after reminding customers to bring their own bags and perhaps communication to the public of the effects the ban is having on the environment and how it is making a difference to help provide context to the customers who can then see tangible effects of their efforts in reducing plastics.

 

Hotel Mono

Originally published on Est Living

If like us you prefer to live your life in black and white rather than shades of grey, Singapore’s latest boutique accommodation Hotel Mono is just for you. Projecting a clean minimalist aesthetic throughout and close to the action, the elegant hotel is the newest addition to the Chinatown precinct. Originally a conservation shopfront built between the 1840s and 1960s, the building is an iconic part of Singapore’s architecture. The space has been lovingly refurbished by the President Design Award winning firm Spacedge Designs to incorporate a sleek, modern look.

DESIGNER Spacedge Designs

Monochrome is featured heavily throughout the interior design, from the foyer to each unique room. This classic yet contemporary vibe is displayed through contrasting tones in all areas of the hotel. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that all this luxury only comes at a small cost – family size rooms start at a very agreeable $300 (AUD). General manager Glenn Quah says “We want to provide value-for-money accommodations with a five-star service experience.” Seems to us making a style-conscious choice was never made so easy.

The light-filled rooms have an easy, flowing quality to them. All are equipped with their own unique central features that display a common theme of functionality and aesthetic. A standout example is the seamless metal bar that weaves its way through each room, acting as a source of light, coat rack and sculpture all in one and providing a link between style and form.

Navigating the surrounding areas is just as seamless as the hotel with a wide array of shops and stalls on nearby Pagoda Street and Ann Siang Road. A large range of bars are waiting to be discovered such as B28, one of the few dedicated whiskey bars in Singapore. Or for a whimsical experience there’s The Library, a speakeasy where telling a joke to the doorperson lets you into a cosy bar with plenty of unique cocktails to peruse. Chinatown is also a hop, skip and jump away from Marina Bay and the busy Orchard Rd shopping precinct will satiate any taste for luxury.

If you’re looking for a calm and design-friendly space to retire to when staying in the bustling city, Hotel Mono is the perfect place to wipe clean the day and recharge for the next.

 

End of the Line: The Bustling Burb of Belgrave

Originally Published in The Weekly Review

This is the third entry in End of the Line, a new series that looks at fun things to do at the end of Melbourne’s various train lines. Don’t miss the earlier entries, a guide to the manifold delights of Sunbury and all the reasons why you should visit Williamstown.

Belgrave is only about 40km from Melbourne, but it seems like another world. The suburb sits quietly between Ferntree Gully and Emerald as a lush destination for visitors looking for a breath of fresh air.

Known for its beautiful green landscape and old-world charm, Belgrave is certainly a place where anyone could spend hours taking in the serenity and the charisma of the town and its many attractions. Forests and gardens are plentiful, and with wildlife around every corner as well, Belgrave is certainly buzzing with activity.

Puffing Billy

You can’t talk about the Belgrave without mentioning the world-famous Puffing Billy steam train. Running across the  Dandenong Ranges, the traditional steam trains are certainly a sight to be seen. Return or one-way tickets can be purchased, and you can hop off and on at most stations along the way to explore the area or perhaps have a picnic for lunch.

The trains are always a hit with the kids, who love waving from the cars and on selected weekends Thomas the Tank Engine trips are also run. There is also a Puffing Billy Railway Museum where visitors can get a look at how the railway was built and restored for some background history as well.

Cameo Cinema

If you’re after a cinema experience that’s different to the traditional inner-city multiplex, the independent Cameo Cinema is for you. Offering the latest blockbusters, independent arthouse films and fun events such as Q&As, there’s always lots going on here. In summer, they also hold an outdoor cinema experience under the stars.

You can bring a picnic or bean bags, and deck chairs can be hired from the cinema to complete your cinematic adventure. You can get craft beers and gourmet ice creams to accompany your movie, and the cinema is only a short walk from Belgrave Station as well.

1000 Steps/Dandenong Ranges National Park

This one’s for the fitness fanatics, those who like a stunning view with their workout or just those looking for some amazing landscapes to get lost in. The Dandenong Ranges have some of the best hiking and walking trails Melbourne has to offer including the famous 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Walk, a favourite of those trying to improve their fitness.

The steps can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on your fitness levels, but it’s no race. Bring a bottle of water and take in the scenery as you ascend to the top. There are many other trails to tackle, or you could have a barbecue at the bottom and take in the peace and quiet.

Trees Adventure

Not far from Puffing Billy you’ll find the Trees Adventure High Ropes Park, a place not for the faint hearted with their range of tree-top rope courses and flying foxes.

The venue is full of amazing tall trees and rare plant selections, and boasts 12 flying foxes and up to 60 aerial challenges for all ages and from beginner to immediate. You’ll get some training before you take to the skies, so you don’t need to worry too much; prices are around $40, but vary depending on age.

Where to eat

Head to the Laughing Owl Cafe for a spot as tranquil as its surroundings. With a vegan and vegetarian menu, you can keep up your fitspo after trekking the 1000 steps, or fill up on some tasty waffles that will also look great on your Instagram.

If you’re looking for something lively, you can visit Sooki Lounge for meals, cocktails, trivia nights, as well as live music and DJs.

For dining on another level there’s the SkyHigh Mt Dandenong Restaurant, located among the leafy surrounds of Mt Dandenong and with a menu of pasta, steaks and parmigiana to refuel after a day of hiking. The Sunday roast lunch and afternoon tea are also very popular.

End of the Line: Why you should visit Williamstown.

Originally published on The Weekly Review 

This is the second entry in End of the Line, a new series that looks at fun things to do at the end of Melbourne’s various train lines. Don’t miss the earlier entry, a guide to the manifold delights of Sunbury.

If you feel like a sea change but don’t want to be further than a stone’s throw from the city, Williamstown just might be the perfect option. The Williamstown line offers one of Melbourne’s more scenic train rides – and the final station is just half an hour from Flinders Street, bringing coastal chic and history together.

Williamstown Beach is certainly the star attraction in the summer, but there are plenty of activities available when you’re looking for something a little different at any time of year.

Gem Pier & Sea Shepherd ship tours

Williamstown’s Gem Pier, where ferries and local fishing boats dock, is the centrepiece of the suburb’s waterfront. Built in 1839, the pier was named after the Gem, a ship that journeyed between Williamstown and Port Melbourne for about 40 years.

The HMAS Castlemaine, a former Navy minesweeper, is docked at Gem Pier year-round. It’s now a floating maritime museum and open on weekends and public holidays. Family tickets cost $15.

Conservation crusader Sea Shepherd‘s main vessel, the Steve Irwin, also docks at Williamstown. Free tours are available on Sundays and donations of supplies and vegan food are always welcome. Ferries also depart Gem Pier for the scenic voyage to St Kilda and Docklands.

Melbourne Seaplanes

For those who want an offbeat view of the bay, Melbourne Seaplanes offers a different perspective. Departing from Williamstown, its Historic Port Phillip tour gives airborne customers a true Victorian experience in one hour.

The tour takes in Queenscliff and Sorrento and passes over Melbourne landmarks such as the MCG and Albert Park Lake.

If you want a short but sweet option, the Hobson’s Bay Circuit ($99) flies over the bay and other landmarks such as St Kilda and the Yarra River. It’s a unique way to experience Melbourne and certainly a cool conversation starter.

Williamstown Sea Kayak Tours

If you’re not keen on flying high in a seaplane, you could always get among the action on top of the water in a sea kayak. Sea Kayak Australia has tours for beginners and novices, so you don’t need to be an expert to pick up a paddle.

You’ll be able to paddle up close to boats and watch yachts and ferries as they sail past, as well as take in amazing views of life on the water.

Williamstown Craft Market

If you’re hoping to find a souvenir that is a bit different from your standard fair, the Williamstown Craft Market might just be the place.

Held on the third Sunday of every month, the market has about 100 stalls. The diverse range includes everything from handmade jewellery and toys to clothing and tarot card readings, and there will be something to suit even the fussiest buyer. There’s also live music and plenty of food vendors.

Where to eat

On the beachfront, Shelly’s Beach Pavilion is one of the best places to unwind with a meal and glass of wine. The menu includes Italian classics such as pizza, pastas and parmigiana, as well as an amazing seafood tower featuring all the oysters, lobsters and calamari a diner could want. There’s also a good selection of wines.

Another great bayside dining experience is at Anchorage Restaurant, near the centre of Williamstown. It serves modern seafood dishes and offers bay views from a restored boatshed. Diners can expect a fine modern dining experience with the right atmosphere for a day by the bay.

A little Spanish flavour can be found at El Burro tapas and cocktails. Its menu features dishes such as paella and tacos, and a great selection of drinks such as margaritas and other cocktails. 

Those who want some drama with their meal should head to the Titanic theatre restaurant. Keen patrons can put themselves in the middle of the world’s most famous nautical disaster and enjoy a three-course set menu at the same time. Bookings are essential to ensure you’re seated in your approved “class” of first class or steerage.

End of the Line: Why you should visit Sunbury

Originally published on The Weekly Review 

If you’ve ever sat on the train and wondered what lies at the end of an average 45-minute train ride in Melbourne, you’re not alone. These towns might seem like a world away but many hidden treasures lay in wait, ready to be discovered.

There are 16 train lines that start in Melbourne and spread out across Victoria like spaghetti. And although the main connection between these communities is their respective train lines, each has their own unique flavour that adds to Melbourne’s diverse culture.

First on our list of end-of-the-line suburbs is the ever-expanding Sunbury. It is experiencing growth at a rapid rate, with contemporary estates such as Rosenthal cropping up with new town centres and extra train stations proposed.

Being just over 40 kilometres outside of Melbourne, the suburb has a feel of being halfway between town and country – close enough to all the action but still far enough to have that laid-back charm.

Venturing out for a day in here feels like a day out in Bendigo without the long travel time.

Dining destinations

If there’s one thing Sunbury has down pat, it’s good food. With such a wide range of restaurants you might have make a few train trips just to try them all.

Some good starting points include The Spotted Owl on O’Shanassy Street, a newcomer with a range of tasty and Instagram-worthy treats, including a black soft-shell crab bun, nourish bowls and amazing French toast.

A few doors down you’ll find Vic’s Food and Wine, which has some of the best Italian food you’ll find in the area as well as a great bar and a delicious dessert selection.

For something a little heavier there’s Between 2 Buns, which has everything a burger lover could want – from stacked burgers, loaded fries, amazing milkshakes and donut sundaes that will make your mouth water.

Wonderful wineries

Sunbury is well known for its reputation as one of the oldest wine regions in Victoria, developing and crafting the good stuff since the 1860s.

Mostly developing cold climate wines such as shiraz and riesling, but also chardonnay, semillon and pinot noir, the Craiglee and Goonawarra vineyards are a wine lover’s paradise.

Craiglee Vineyard is family run and has won multiple gold awards in the Melbourne Wine Show for their drop and is a member of Angton’s Classification of Top 100 Shiraz producers, while Goonawarra Vineyard hosts weddings and events on their historical homestead.

The owners have put forward an $45 million upgrade proposal to Hume Council, which would add a 76-suite hotel, two additional restaurants and a spa (as if you needed another reason to consider a winery visit).

Spooky sightseeing

Sunbury is rich in history, but if something a little spookier is your thing, you will not be disappointed with a tour of the old Sunbury Mental Asylum. Located in the Jacksons Hill estate, the asylum dates back to 1879.

Participants are guided through the main original areas of the hospital, such as the male special admissions ward for the criminally insane, the morgue and the women’s refractory prison as well as the infamous Ha Ha Walls, built to prevent escape.

The tours are designed to inform the public of life for patients in the asylum, and create awareness of the ways mental illness was treated by society. The tours operate during the day and at night for the super brave, and cost $30 per person.

Family fun

Love going to the Melbourne Show but can’t handle the crowds, the long queues for showbags and the traffic on the way home? Well every October, Sunbury puts on its own mini bash and it certainly gives the big one a run for its money.

The Sunbury Agricultural Show features local art, crafts and baking competitions, rides and games, musical performances, stalls, showbags and animal displays – everything you would want in a fun family day out celebrating rural culture.

This year will be held on October 14 from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Conveniently, it’s only a seven-minute walk from Sunbury Station.

 

Crunch time for critics or classics? How are sites like Rotten Tomatoes changing the way we talk about films.

Revered film critic Roger Ebert talked about how movies provide us with insight into the minds of others. “We live in a box of space and time. Movies are windows in its walls. They allow us to enter other minds, not simply in the sense of identifying with the characters…but by seeing the world as another person sees it.” But what if you could gain insight from film reviews and ratings as well?

Sites like Rotten Tomatoes provide ratings for films based on published opinions of hundreds of film and television critics. These reviews are compared to determine which films rate high or ‘fresh’ and which movies rate poorly or ‘rotten’. Fresh films have a 60% or higher score with those 59% and under receiving rotten ratings based on these professional reviews.

Given that art is subjective and one person’s favourite movie could be another person’s worst nightmare, these ratings are not seen as perfect reflections of the films they review but a general idea of the quality of film and the regard with which it’s held – based off these industry reviews. It’s no surprise then, that when looking at the top 20 highest rated films on Rotten Tomatoes that the films that dominate the list are ones considered universal classics or masterpieces by the industry, and films that come from the era of ‘Classical Hollywood narrative’ cinema, which spans US films from 1917 to the early 1960s.

Image of Orson Welles in The Third Man | Photo credit: twm1340 via Visual hunt / CC BY-SA

The top 20 highest rating or freshest films list contains four films made in the 1940s, four made in the 1930s, three made in the 1920s and two made in the 1950s. Of these films, at least 10 are considered instantly recognisable classics such as Citizen Kane at number three, which constantly takes the number one spot in greatest all-time film polls and was considered ground-breaking for ushering in a new class of narrative and technical style.

In the top 20, seven films have a 100% certified fresh review, with all except Singin’ in the Rain which was made in 1952, being made before 1950. Six of these seven films; The Third Man, Citizen Kane, All About Eve, Modern Times, Singin’ in the Rain and Laura are all considered greats of the American Classical Hollywood narrative wave. These films were seen as trail blazing and innovative for their time, and have endured to become pillars of cinematic excellence. It is no surprise to see these titles at the top of the list, but how did they get there?

When looking at this chart I created with the data from Rotten Tomatoes, you can see the rating of the top 20 films and then in the next chart you can see the total reviews the film received.

Chart made on Datawrapper by Amy Sullivan | Data from datazar.com

Chart made on Datawrapper by Amy Sullivan | Data from datazar.com

The funny thing about the highest rated films is that majority of them didn’t receive the most reviews as you would expect. The top three films with the most reviews are Mad Max: Fury Road, Inside Out and Boyhood, the only films on the list made in this century, released between 2014 and 2015. Does this data reflect changing attitudes towards film journalism and critique, or were the movies from yonder just a higher quality than those of today with less buzz?

Senior Lecturer and Head of Cinema Studies at RMIT University, Dr Adrian Danks thinks the older films on this list are the majority for a good reason. “It often takes time for us to be able to adequately assess the lasting value of a movie. And that’s as it should be. I would think that five films from the 2000s in such a list is a very high number – objectively far too many, and those films from the last 17 years are definitely not as strong as the others listed here; which doesn’t mean great films haven’t been made, of course – just not those five in my opinion. Although great films are made at all points in time, it would be hard to argue that the cinema doesn’t peak sometime in the 20^th Century when it was truly the dominant art form globally.”

The Wizard of Oz film poster | Photo credit: twm1340 via Visual hunt / CC BY-SA

Film reviews really started to take off around the 1930s when cinema started to take shape as a new form of art and entertainment. It took a while but eventually film critiquing went from a few journalists writing an extra review with their usual beat to having dedicated film writers to take on Hollywood. Over the years we’ve seen many prominent and influential reviewers from James Agee to Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael. But these days the internet has enabled most people to rely on platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB or Metacritic when gaining insight on a potential film to watch, whether at the cinema or at home. These platforms have also enabled everyone to let out their inner critic and have an opinion on film, blurring the lines of what makes a professional film journalist and a regular joe’s opinion. The playing field has been levelled for better or worse.

“I’m not sure (these platforms) are positive or negative – just inevitable when we are dealing with meta-data of one form or another. This is also an outcome of the film rating systems that became prominent from the 1980s onwards…. I think the real problem here is if someone just looks at these percentages as an indicator of a films quality – a more contentious, polarising and experimental film will always suffer with these kinds of aggregations. This will also not encourage someone to actually encounter or embrace film criticism – as it would be very sad if such percentages replaced good and creative criticism. The percentage can tell you nothing about why something is good, great or overrated or where it sits within particular histories, traditions, etc.” Dr Danks said.

While these sites have not taken down film reviewing entirely they have enabled more content to circulate and more opportunity for more criticism. The data shows a shift in how we consume opinions on film, and exactly what films we see as classics. It also shows that of the classic films that round out the top 20, while there are less reviews out there for them, those reviewers all universally agree on the revolutionary qualities of those films pushing their ratings up. It’s not necessarily that the films of today are of poorer quality, though some could argue they are, it’s that there are more people with an opinion than ever before and more people seeking opinions. However legitimate film criticism is still king when it comes to getting proper insight into a particular film. It seems you still can’t mess with a classic after all.

 

The little guys – How to help Australian Fashion brands flourish.

With international fast fashion brands setting up shop in Australia at an increasing rate, what does this mean for the future of the Australian fashion industry? Quick product turn-around and on trend pieces for cheap is hard to compete with, but many Australian designers are giving it their best shot, keeping faith in the industry and in consumers judgement.

As the textiles industry in Australia has steadily grown smaller in production, around 90 per cent of consumers in Australia now wear garments from international sellers and that are made overseas.

Olga Moore is the founder and head designer at Naked Official, a Sydney based high end clothing label, who believes that in order to support the Australian fashion industry, public awareness of where brands are made needs to change among other things.

“I think the best thing is consumer awareness of the impacts of fast fashion, such as the wear one and throw out mentality and more focus and attention on the diversity that local Australian brands such as Naked Official give to the market I think it’s important that the Australian consumer and women consider their future and decide whether they just want to wear a fast fashion brand or they want to build a strong local brand culture providing individuality and I think Australian brands do that. “

Photo via Visual Hunt

Olga says the main drawbacks faced as an Australian manufacturer competing with international brands are competing with the low prices they are able to set due to their fast-paced product turnaround and ability to release on trend items quickly.

“They provide obviously a lot of cheaper products due to the volumes they can produce and most of the time they buy up the supply chain to have a really fast turn around and I think that’s impacted Australian designers because we obviously don’t turn around very quickly, we produce season after season, whereas big brands can produce every week which kind of creates this cycle of scarcity so the consumer keeps wanting to come back week after week”

Alice Edgeley, owner and designer of Melbourne based brand Edgeley says that people need to be educated in finding out how and where their clothes are made.

“It would be good if people knew more about local designers and maybe prioritised them over mass produced overseas things.”

She says that most of her customers appreciate the individuality of her brand and most of her business comes from her custom designs and alterations, a service not available at big name brands.

“I think you have to offer something different, so I do custom made and I do alterations to things so I can customise the clothes in the shop to suit people, I have my machine in here and I feel like that’s something that helps a lot, it’s not something that you’re going to get at Topshop or H&M. And it’s really hard to find clothes to fit people, like no one’s a standard size. “

Photo via Visualhunt

Olga Moore says that what sets Naked Official apart from international brands is the fact that she can keep an eye on the whole process and maintain quality control over the whole product.

“The fact that I manufacture here in Australia and have a good relationship with my suppliers and my manufacturer I’m able to control the quality and things like that and provide people with really high-end quality garments at a reasonable price.”

Naked Official has recently begun selling through the online store The Iconic and has plans to expand to Melbourne and Queensland soon, widening their reach to Australian consumers, and Edgeley is available online and in their Fitzroy store. If consumers do their research online and ask questions, they can find amazing home-grown brands that are unique and fashionable, and that support Australian made products and Australian jobs and creativity, while also making a statement that says more than fast fashion ever could.

Sunbury Library closes the book on second-hand sales.

The Sunbury Library will no longer be selling second-hand books among its other services it has been revealed.

The Library, which is run and operated under the Hume City Council who also oversees the Craigieburn and Broadmeadows libraries, has been offering this extra service for many years but will stop due to “lack of space”.

Facebook user and Sunbury resident Mary Day initially posted the news on the group “The Real Sunbury Community Page” and stated her disappointment at the council’s decision to stop selling pre-loved books saying “you will now have to travel to Craigieburn…to buy a 50 cent book!”

“Sad to say, Sunbury is losing out again!” her post said.

Director of Community Services at Hume Council and Sunbury Library, Margarita Caddick, said in a statement that second hand book sales were discontinued due to the very limited space available at the Sunbury Library, particularly with regard to storage.

“Once the new Hume Global Learning Centre opens in Sunbury, Council will reconsider the options to run regular book sales in Sunbury.  In the interim, the sale of withdrawn library books that have been taken out of circulation and are not donated, are also offered at the major festivals across the City, as well as at book sales run from the garage in the Hume Global Learning Centre – Craigieburn.”

“Hume City Council has an extensive program of donations of withdrawn library books to various charities and education institutions such as schools, nursing homes, pre-schools and child care centres. “

“In carefully managing withdrawn book collections, Council is able to ensure that they are shared amongst the community and continue to provide enjoyment to a wide cross section of Hume residents in line with Council’s general practice.” She said.

Sunbury Library. Photo by Amy Sullivan.

The proposed Hume Global Learning Centre for Sunbury is due to open in 2019 and will be an extension of the current facilities and simular to the Craigieburn centre will have meeting and training rooms, upgraded internet facilities, event spaces and catering services.

Local resident and Palmer United candidate for Sunbury, Trevor Dance says it’s a silly decision to scrap the initiative as it has worked for a long time and it’s a great asset for the Sunbury Community.

“It’s a service that costs nothing but means a lot to so many. It will affect all and when they said its being transferred (The service) to the other side of Hume, it simply shows the lack of interest in maintaining a good service for Sunbury residents especially those who are underprivileged and the elderly. “

“You may as well go to the State Library as it would be quicker.” He said.

Library patron and Sunbury resident for 26 years, Helen Sullivan said she would be disappointed to see the second-hand book stall go.

“I’m a big reader and go to the library usually once a week, and I love being able to look through the piles of pre-loved books for a hidden gem. I’m sure there are many people in the community, especially elderly people that will miss it too.”

“Books bring communities together, the last thing we should be doing is preventing access to them.”

Walk this way – Melbourne boy on track for the world stage in Milan

Mitchell Houghton is living proof that with enough persistence, you can reach your goals.

Having recently signed with Vivien’s Model Management, he has been shortlisted to walk in Milan Fashion Week.

Originally from Hampton, New Zealand, he moved to Australia with little more than a dream. “I moved to Melbourne just over three years ago knowing less people than I could count on one hand for the opportunities and creative environment.”

“I think Melbourne fashion is very diverse and gives most people a way to express themselves. I think it’s very interesting to see the way people rework different trends to suit their own personal style.”

Mitchell Houghton. Photo by Jack Blackwell.

Mitchell has been modelling on and off since he was 18 years old, while also running his own creative side businesses but had never begun to take it seriously as a possible career path until signing with an agency, which happened fairly quickly.

“Before I got into modelling I was working on a few different fashion projects including; running an online store and starting a leather accessories label. Between working full time and trying to manage going to the gym and these projects I needed to take a step back and focus on what I was most excited about.”

“I think for a while I was waiting to be miraculously scouted but due to it being such a saturated environment where everyone on Instagram is a model, it’s something you have to be proactive about if you are serious about it.”

“But from submitting candids to different agencies within a week or so I had interest from a few agencies and in the end decided to go with a reputable agency like Vivien’s. I am very excited about being represented by Vivien’s as it is such an established and well-recognised agency within the industry.”

Since signing with Vivien’s Mitchell has hit the ground running, doing campaigns for the Kevin Murphy 2017/18 Global Campaign for men’s grooming products and various fashion publications.

“I really enjoyed shooting with Kevin Murphy as it was a big international campaign and that was fashion, film and photos. It was a great opportunity and was good to get experience working with film and also with other models.”

“I also recently had to do an editorial submission for PUSS PUSS magazine where I was shooting with a ginger grumpy cat that did not want to be photographed, it arrived in a black BMW with tinted windows and then the whole team had to wait for this cat to come out of its carrier, only to have it run behind the backdrop once it finally was lured out…It lasted about 30 seconds before it was back behind the sheet.”

Mitchell Houghton. Photo by Jack Blackwell.

Despite working with diva grumpy cats, Mitchell’s professionalism and relaxed but high end look has caught the eye of the right people.

“Every year Vivien’s submits a collection of their models to different casting directors in Milan as an opportunity for them to see some fresh faces for runway shows. I was selected for a men’s show, which required me to send a casting reel of my walk, an introduction, and some new Polaroids.”

“I am still waiting to see the outcome of this but it’s exciting to have international interest at such early stages of my modelling and regardless of the outcome I think the opportunities that will come out of being seen by the casting directors will open up a lot of doors for me.”

For now Mitchell is hoping his modelling will take him to Milan and beyond, setting his sights towards the international industry.

“I am really taking it as it comes, saying yes to everything at this stage to gain as much experience as possible and get as much exposure as I can. I am really hoping to travel with modelling and get to visit places I haven’t been and revisit places I have loved before.”

Absence makes the heart grow fonder – long distance relationships in the modern age; are they worth it?

The French author Roger de Bussy-Rabutin once said “Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great.” In no way does this ring more true than in regard to long distance relationships.

His quote came from the 1600s, but fast forward to 2017 and our abundance of technological advancements, and you’d assume distance would be nary an issue for couples these days, but although it seems we are more connected than ever, can we compensate for good old fashioned quality time together?

Can you build a fully-fledged relationship when there are more than just kilometres between you? Does technology help or hinder that possibility? Will you be recognised as a legitimate couple?

There is not a lot of research undertaken on long distance relationships in Australia, and according to the article “Living-apart-together (LAT) relationships in Australia” from the Government’s Australian Institute of Family Studies, individuals in “Living apart together” unions are essentially “hidden populations not registered in any official statistics”

As a result it is hard to estimate exactly how frequent Australian long distance relationships may be but “survey evidence from a range of countries suggests that a substantial percentage of the population that would typically be classified as single is in fact in a LAT (non-cohabiting or non-residential) relationship. In Australia, nationally representative surveys indicate that between 7% and 9% of the adult population has a partner who does not live with them.”

“To date very little is known about non-cohabiting relationships in Australia, because of the lack of nationally representative survey data on this topic.”

Meanwhile in the US the total number of couples who claim to be in a long distance relationship is 14 million.

While talking to Mornings with Gavin McGrath on ABC Radio, Sue Yorston from Relationships Australia talks about putting in the thought and the effort in to make it work. “It’s about the planning and the commitment to it (the relationship)…it’s about the people who decide to have that separation; there needs to be a purpose to it and there needs to be an end to it and there needs to be structure to it.”

Tara Nathan has been in a long distance relationship with her partner Asten Griffiths for three years, with Asten living in Ledbury, UK and Tara in Melbourne, Australia. They met at a bar in Melbourne while Asten was here travelling, and maintain a loving relationship despite the considerable distance between them.

“Technology is a BIG help but making the effort through daily communication is key. Considering the time difference, we always set a “date night” which is usually Sundays where we talk for hours on end about how our week has been with work and life in general.”

They make the effort to communicate as often as possible, but make note of the difficulties distance creates when communicating to each other in ways that does not occur when in person.

“Distance is the biggest factor in this relationship which has been very testing at times.”

Tara Nathan and Asten Griffiths. Photo by Tara Nathan.

Miranda and Ed Coutts have also been in a successful long distance relationship, which after the distance was no longer an issue resulted in marriage and a baby for the couple.

“We met online 7 years before meeting in person and way before Skype existed. I was a long haul flight attendant for about a year. So that’s about 8 years all up.”

“I would have possibly been married to him 7 years earlier if we weren’t living in different countries. We might have had more children too, as I had my first and only baby at 40.”

Although she says that the key to keeping the relationship alive is all in the communication.

“Good communication and mutual trust is necessary…We chatted online, and then when Skype came along we used that.”

For Maddie Bowers, her experience with communication began to feel like a chore or obligation towards the end of her one year relationship.

“It’s really easy to have a misunderstanding when you’re not having the conversation face-to-face with someone. This caused a few arguments and disagreements.”

“For me, the biggest issue and the reason why it didn’t last was that we didn’t have the opportunity to put in the additional work required to keep a relationship afloat. The ability to nurture an attraction that separates a romantic relationship from a platonic one just wasn’t there. It involves a lot of work which I think neither of us were prepared for.”

Shaharin Sarwar, who also met her partner overseas, believes these difficulties in communication add fuel to the fire during arguments and heighten emotional responses.

“With distance, it’s hard because on one hand you have a wilder imagination. Sometimes it would get the better of us, for example anticipating their call around a set time and they don’t call, and sometimes it’s hard to get in contact with them so you’re just waiting around for ages.”

Photo via Visual Hunt

So with all this information and these experiences in mind, why do we seem to be casting our dating net wider and wider? Despite all the phone bills, the lonely nights and the endless time and money spent booking flights and filing out visa forms, why do we keep forging ahead with long distance relationships if they are so hard and there are plenty of fish in the sea?

Of her relationship Tara Nathan believes the struggle is worth it.

“When we are together, the chemistry and love for each other continues to grow and is electric. That’s what makes coming back to each other time and time again so worth it and all the more special. Who knows what the future will hold but I am glad that fate has brought us together even if we’re oceans apart, at the moment….”

It seems with the current state of the world, human connection is something to celebrate and something to fight for. Keep the winds blowing on the fire and the communication alive.  Just don’t forget the kindling.