TALKING HUMAN SERVICES
Welcome to a regular column with Department of Human Services General Manager , Hank Jongen . Here you can find out important information about the Australian Government Department of Human Services , which includes Centrelink , Medicare and Child Support .
WHILE not financial planners , the Department of Human Services Financial Information Service ( FIS ) officers can help break down complicated financial concepts for you in terms that are easy to understand .
They can also help with choosing a financial adviser .
FIS Officers can explain the different roles of financial industry professionals , so you are well equipped on how to use expert information if you need extra support .
Our tips for those choosing an advisor include :
* Ensuring they offer client , not product focused advice .
* Dealing only with licensed advisors .
* Asking friends and colleagues about their experiences . * Do your own research . All advice given by FIS Officers is free and confidential , and aims to educate on
' Being Beta ' from page 10
leader must always be in . “ If you are tunedout of yourself , you can ’ t manage others .” He further explained that contrary to popular notion , the brain does not multi-task . It turns on and off quickly . He emphasized the importance of human interaction . The brain is designed for face-to-face human meetings and so a leader must go beyond merely sending memos but must actually connect in person . He said emotional intelligence is more important than intellectual capabilities .
Ian Williamson , from the Melbourne Business School , talked about adapting , surviving and thriving in an atmosphere of external disruptions . He suggested practical strategies for organizations in times of changes in technology , customer preferences and demographics , competitive actions and new regulations . Awareness of the new ecosystem , motivation and capability to respond to them are key .
Jimmy Wales , the founder of Wikipedia , explained how his passion led to the creation of one of the Top 100 websites and how it thrives even without commercial help . He receives no salary . The entries on Wikipedia come from the community . Anyone can edit them .
He also talked about threats and opportunities for business in a globally connected world , and how adapting is so crucial to survival . He emphasized the need for synergy with employees , distributors , suppliers and the public .
The last speaker in the forum was Randi Zuckerberg , founder of Zuckerberg Media that caters to Fortune 500 companies . Yes , she is the sister of Mark , the founder of Facebook . She recently came out with two books : Dot Com , and a children ’ s book called Dot which encourages girls to be more interested in technology . The second book is now a TV show in the US .
She spoke about her eight years working with Facebook , the lessons she learned
By HANK JONGEN
Department of Human Services General Manager
Plan your financial future
a range of financial issues for current and future needs .
Free financial information seminars known as FIS seminars are held in a range of locations nationally and are open to all Australians .
You should attend a FIS seminar if you :
* Want to know more about saving and investing
* Are close to retirement and want to know how to prepare for it
* Are retired and want to understand your pension and the options you have .
There are upcoming FIS seminars on retirement matters such as understanding superannuation , preparing for the age pension , options for aged care , and many more .
To find out more about available resources and support services in Tagalog visit humanservices . gov . au / yourlanguage or call the multilingual phone service on 131 202 . •
there and her contributions to its growth . She was totally engaging with her wit , selfdeprecating humor and enthusiasm — she even threw in some singing !
Her years on FB taught her that great ideas can come from anyone . And , yes , it is okay to fail , to appear ridiculous . From failure can emerge success . Her idea of adding the FB Live app seemed like a disaster at first . She tried it and only two people watched — her mom and dad , so it was pulled out immediately . But , out of the blue , pop artist Katy Perry called to say she wanted to launch her new album through FB Live . Her co-workers at FB were thrilled . They relaunched the app , and before she knew it , it became a roaring success . Facebook Live is now available to 1.5 billion users .
She pointed out how technology has completely engaged practically every aspect of our lives , but she also warned that we must take control of it lest it overwhelms us completely . She ended her talk by indulging in a passion she said she has had since she was three years old , but never got to do in public . She sang Part of My World from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid , changing the lyrics to close her speech .
This was an opportunity I just had to grab , even if I had no idea how much I would enjoy the World Business Forum . I learned so much about business , a topic I thought I was not interested in . The brilliance of the speakers won me over . And I can see how some of their lessons can be applied to life in general . Words like “ agile ,” “ open ,” “ flexible ,” “ experimental ,” “ networked ,” “ curious ,” “ human ,” “ personal ,” etc ., are still swimming in my head as I write this . It ’ s a changing world and it ’ s changing faster than ever . So , no matter how old we are , let ’ s “ BE BETA !” •
JIM PAREDES is a multifaceted creative . He sings , composes , writes articles and books , teaches at the Ateneo De Manila
University , designs and facilitates workshops . He is a writer of books , a widely read columnist for the Sunday Life section of Philippine Star , and a well-known photographer .
MONEY MATTERS
Make it a happy financial year
1 July 2017 , marks the start of a New Financial Year . We have 365 new days ahead of us to create Money , protect what we value most and manage what we already have .
The beginning of the Financial Year is a special time created specifically to create a new future for yourself , your family and your business in the area of Money .
So how do you get started ?
By SHEILA CABACUNGAN
“ Don ’ t Look Back In Anger ” - Oasis The 90 ’ s Band Oasis wrote a song about looking at the past but not being upset about the things you might have said or done yesterday .
So take the time to get clear on your current financial position .
On our website www . carnegiefp . com . au there are tools to help you document your current financial position .
Knowing where you are right now is the first step in charting a new course or even working out if your heading in the right direction .
While your documenting your assets , liabilities and looking at where your money goes , notice when you start to judge yourself . Also notice areas in your money life where you ’ re doing well even if they seem small compared to the areas where you know you can improve .
While you ’ re doing this exercise remember that it ' s about looking
Siddhartha from page 11
good thoughts , so that everybody will have a beautiful life .
AK : The teaching of Christianity is to prepare the spirit for the afterlife , while Buddhism teaches to end human / carnal / body suffering . How can the two teachings compliment each other ?
LAYOS : I ’ m not sure about any particular teaching ; I believe personally that as long as there is love involved , there is no religion . AK : The healing of the mind leads to individual peace , while the preparation for an afterlife seems like a fantasy . How can one ’ s peace of mind lead to spiritual birth ? LAYOS : In the Buddhist teaching , we practice constant meditation . If you practice constant meditation , you will have a pure mind and a pure heart . I think that ’ s it !
AK : It would seem that following one way is limited , as Siddhartha found when he tried asceticism . In our time , now , in this age , is following one teaching or Book enough ?
LAYOS : I think it ’ s better if we open our minds and our hearts more . There ’ s nothing wrong if we follow different teaching , as long as we know that deep in our hearts , that it is for goodness , for ourselves and other people around us .
AK : Is the Middle Way , The Way ? Is it moderation ?
LAYOS : Personally , I think it is . Not too high , not too low , always follow the simple and middle path .
forward rather than looking back . “ The Rest is Still Unwritten ” –
Natasha Bettingfield
Now that you ’ ve had the change to look back at the last 12 months of your Money Life , it ’ s time to look forward . When I work with clients as a Financial Planner , I get them to start talking about what their ideal future would be . The future , realised and fulfilled is the best place to work from .
Ask yourself the following questions : Where are we living ? What are we doing to earn Money ? How is our Money working for us ? What ’ s happened to our debt ? How have we helped the children ? How have we contributed to the people who are important to us ? How have we left our mark on the world ? How will I be remembered ? Financial Planning is the act of building the bridge that will connect your Present to your Future Fulfilled .
Money is one tool alongside your Time , your Skill , and your Energy that when combined create with a Financial Plan , can create the Future of your Dreams .
So Let ’ s Begin . My invitation to AK NewsMagazine readers is to connect with me through the Facebook Community Fil-Oz Wealth Forum . For more Wealth Education you can visit www . carnegiefp . com . au •
Sheila is the the Managing Director of Carnegie SMSF Services Pty Ltd . Sheila believes it ’ s important for her clients to know that her advice and product recommendations won ’ t be influenced by the fear or favour of a financial institution .
AK : This is a very touchy subject – can a warrior be , or is a warrior , a follower of peace ?
LAYOS : I ’ m not really sure , I ’ m not a warrior . I think it depends on what ’ s the heart ’ s desire of that person . If he ’ s fighting for peace and love , personally , I think its okay .
AK : How do you live your life now – as a Christian ? As a Buddhist ? As a person ?
LAYOS : Outside of the play , I am a Christian . I was born a Christian . When I joined Sidhhartha ( the musical ), that was the time that I was able to know the teachings of The Buddha . And I am thankful to the Masters and my family and friends who have been supporting me - I have learned that there is no religion as long as the intention is pure , and to bring goodness to everyone . AK : Why the big ears ( as part of your costume )?
LAYOS : It means that you are full of wisdom , that you have attained enlightenment .
Jude Gitamondoc is the musical director , composer and arranger . The choreographer is Vince Gaton .
The musical is directed by Sarah Mae P . Enclona-Henderson .
Their previous performance was at The Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne on June 8 , 2017 .
The play was brought to Australia by Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple , and Buddha ’ s Light International Association in Sydney . •
16 JULY 2017 | AK NewsMagazine , Vol 7 No 10 www . kalatas . com . au