The bushfires that have ravaged parts of Victoria this week have created tragic circumstances not seen in this Country before. The worst natural disaster in Australia’s history with estimations of 300 lives lost, 1800 homes destroyed and thousand of lives changed forever.

The outpouring of support from individuals, businesses and celebrities has been quite staggering. Current calculations have approximately $75 million dollars pledged. Like always, the Red Cross have been exceptional in managing this process.

I do hope, however, that the plights of many Australians in need on a daily basis are not forgotten. If anything perhaps bringing together the community as this tragedy has inadvertantly done will make us more conscious of supporting those around us.

It is estimated that over 100,000 people spend every night without a roof over their heads. Not to mention the thousands of individuals and families living below the poverty line for a variety of reasons. The job losses we are absolutely certain of facing over the coming months will mean these hardships reach a scale not experienced by the majority of the population.

I am assuming those Companies that have so generously donated enormous amounts of cash have not and will not be laying anyone off in the near future.

I thank every individual and organisation who have donated money to the bushfire appeal, however please keep in mind those who continue to need help daily yet are rarely recognised in the mainstream media.

It is times like these that we all must support those around us like we have supported the victims in Victoria. The levels of support are symbolic of what can be achieved.

I hate to be cynical but do we really need a “telethon” to get corporate Australia pledging to the levels seen over the past few days. And please do not feel the need to run TV ads to tell people that your company will be donating money. Maybe use the money spent on the ads to add to your donation?

To individuals, business and celebrities; Remember the feeling when you decided that you wanted to help over the past week.

Hold that thought. 

It is what makes us great and it just makes sense.

Smith Family

Youth Off The Streets

If anyone has travelled recently between Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane you surely would have noticed a few things.

One is that no matter how long the cabbies have to wait in the queue we still have to wait in line for a ridiculuous amount of time before we can get a taxi. Might seem like a small thing but surely somebody can work out how to fix this (especially in Sydney).

Secondly and more importantly (with no disrespect to the cabbies) most domestic flights these days, particularly between the cities mentioned above, are delayed. I am sure somebody has statistics to prove me otherwise but I think most of you will know what I am talking about.

There are simply too many planes in the sky and we do not have the resources (or possibly space) to support it.

A sincere thankyou to Virgin Blue in particular for making air travel affordable but what this has done (certainly not blaming Virgin) is made it (or making it) almost unmanageable to book a flight between the 3 main destinations in Australia and be reasonably sure you will get there on time.

The very simple solution is to build a fast train network between the main capital cities.

More than ever we need a major infrastructure initiative in Australia. Yes it will cost a lot of money but probably no less than the Government looks like it will spend in the near future on propping up retail spend.

I also think given the right proposal you would have many an astute private investor wanting a piece of the pie.

We are not talking about a Simpsons style monorail but a genuine solution to what are growing issues within our economy.

It is nice to see from the link above that it is at least on the Government’s agenda but I really think the idea of a fast train out of Sydney deserves to be more of a priority. Surely it just makes sense.

Don’t pretend to be Nostradamus esque nor a highly paid economic forecaster but for what it is worth here are my predictions for some of the things I think may happen in 2009.

Economy

- Interest rates in Australia to fall as low as 3%

- Unemployment in Australia to rise to at least 8% (once people that don’t have a job are actually recognised as not having a job

- Yes I think there will be a recession, if we are not already technically in one.

- Stock market to bounce back to 4000 (All Ords) but not much more

- China to continue to slide, hurting Australian resource companies but shifting some manufacturing back to Australia

Politics

- Kevin Rudd to step down as PM. Nothing too controversial, just think he will step down.

- Federal Government continue to spend big to prop up economy particularly in the first half

- Scaling back on climate change reform and proposed emissions trading

- Proposed semi government funding of fast rail between Sydney and Melbourne (and possibly Brisbane)

- A significant change in the NSW government

Sport

- Warney to come back for the Ashes

- St George to make NRL Grand Final

- High profile AFL player or players to be busted for drugs (not Ben Cousins)

- Australian’s to win at least 2 golf majors

- No Australian to win any tennis major

If anybody would like to add their predictions (including other categories) for 2009 please add your comments or go to our ‘submit your idea’ section.

Yes we are in for a tough year on a number of fronts but plenty of opportunity for individuals, business and government to make a positive contribution.

Great time if you have a product, service or idea that ‘Just Makes Sense’!

Greenpeace have released their second greener products survey “Green Electronics: the search continues”. Whilst the results showed improvements there is still some way to go in maximising environmental friendliness and innovation.

The value of innovation is not restricted to business and given the current times innovation within your community can have a hugely positive effect. I also think the term ‘community’ will grow significantly in prominence over the coming months as many take a bit of a reality check and focus on what is important and what can be changed.

The article below talks about this, and whilst it is from the US I think the similarity in terms of opportunities for local community based innovation can be taken on board wherever you are.

Also if you have a community based event or project you would like to share please send us an email.

Community based innovation will boost economy

Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer talks of the power of innovation in dealing with the global economic crisis with a little help from Aussie entertainers - Tripod.

Whatever your views Rupert has done pretty well for himself and I think he may have a point here.

http://bigpond.com/news/business/content/20081207/2439960.asp

Not likely to happen here soon but how much fun would it be.

http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/

There is no doubt that Virgin Blue coming into the Australian market has changed the nature of travel in this Country. I really think we have a lot to thank them for.

There is the obvious benefit which is lowering prices. I don’t think it can be disputed that the price of air travel has dropped significantly as a result of a serious competitor to QANTAS. Many more planes in the sky as a result of this but that is a whole different story.

There are also a few other things they have done. Correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure they were the first domestic airline in Australia to;

1. Challenging the status quo (good band) by offering pay as you go in flight catering

2. Having the foresight for staff to be multi skilled ie same person can check you in and wave you in (almost)

3. Have a decent, insightful, in flight mag

4. Offer on line check in

5. Offer decent in flight entertainment – yes you pay but it is far better parting with $4.90 to keep the kids happy than make them watch the news

6. Have friendly staff. Apologies to the decent staff at other airlines but I really think the majority of Virgin Blue staff actually enjoy what they are doing

7. Exit front and back

8. Somehow manage to get the doors open reasonably quickly. Maybe that is to do with not having business class but anyone that pays full tote odds for business class within Australia with their or their company’s money needs to take a good long look at themselves.

Most of all, they have made it affordable. So well done Virgin Blue and I truly hope that with all this financial turmoil (Virgin Blue shares 20 cents?) you hold tight and prosper.

This is actually one of the better articles written about the current economic situation.

The comment re Westpac and its share price offering pretty good value raises an obvious question. Surely there must be other stocks out there that have been over sold. The old back to basics, stick to staples type formula probably has a bit of merit.

Certainly do not want to be offering stock market advice, but if anyone has any thoughts on well run companies that offer good value then keen to hear.

http://business.smh.com.au/business/cop-a-dose-of-harden-up-20081114-66nl.html?page=1