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Investing Responsibly – A Changing Landscape

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On 24 May 2016, Will Oulton, Global Head of Responsible Investment for First State Investments flew into Frankfurt from London to give a presentation on “sensible investments”, an approach to investment that explicitly acknowledges the relevance to the investor of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, and of the long-term health and stability of the market as a whole.

Besides expounding on the three drivers of “sensible investments” – fiduciary duty, investment performance, and growing demand driving transparency and technology – Will shared some case studies in Germany and Australia that highlighted the strong link between ESG factors and company performance.

After a lively Q&A session, the attendees adjourned for further discussion and networking over Australian Shiraz and German Riesling.

With the successful turnout in Frankfurt, we are delighted to announce that we will be bringing Will back to Berlin and Munich to share more about “sensible investments”. So look out for further information either by email or on our website.

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Cross-border Succession Law and Asset Structuring

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On 14 April 2016, Mario von Seelstrang, a partner, lawyer and tax advisor at the Munich based law firm FORUM Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Wirtschaftsprüfer gave a presentation about the current legal framework for cross-border succession and asset structuring. Mario’s presentation focused on expatriates, mixed nationality couples and German citizens with property interest in both Germany and Australia.

Due to some legislative changes that became effective in August 2015, Mario pointed out some important factors to consider in that context which led to a lively discussion while enjoying a typical Bavarian Brotzeit.

Larry Schulz from the American German Business Club was an interested attendee who contributed to the topic from his own experience at the American German Business Club. It was also great to have some of our new individual members with us for whom it was their first German Australian Business Council event and who provided very positive feedback.

We are delighted to announce that we are currently planning a similar event on the topic in Frankfurt and possibly Berlin. So look out for further information either by email or on our website.

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Australian Landing Pad in Berlin

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As part of the national innovation strategy, Australia is setting up five  landing pads to help startup companies expand internationally. The Hon. Steven Ciobo , Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment was in Berlin’s co-working space Rainmaking Loft this week to announce the selection of Berlin as the European launching landing pad. He was joined by a number of guests, including GABC board members Sabine Pittrof and Robert Harrison.

Right to Left: Robert Harrison, Sabine Pittrof, Minister Cibo, Volkmar Klein MdB

Right to Left: Robert Harrison, Sabine Pittrof, Minister Ciobo, Volkmar Klein MdB (c) Australian Embassy

Rob, whose family come from Australia, was thrilled with the news. “There’s a growing startup ecosystem in Germany and it’s great to see the Australian government supporting young and innovative companies to join us in the heart of Europe.” As GABC President Chair Sabine noted, “Germany industry is on the lookout for innovative partners throughout the world. The German Australian Business Council provides excellent opportunities for German and Australian businesses to get to know each other. We’re looking forward to meeting our new friends as well as dedicated innovators from Australia”.

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Australia Day Networking Event in Munich

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“Collaborate and cooperate” was the theme of this year’s Australia Day celebration in Munich, sponsored by the Bavarian government’s Invest-in-Bavaria agency. Opening the event, the Hon André Haermeyer, former Victorian Government minister and Deputy Chair of the German Australian Business Council, emphasised the close and developing relationship between the Australia and Germany and highlighted the work of the advisory group set up by the two countries to foster and develop relationship between the two countries.

André was followed by a talk by Dr. Peter Moar of La Trobe University in Melbourne who highlighted with Dr. Andreas Eckhard some of their joint work with the German Aerospace Centre DLR and Dr. Moar’s push to put Australian students into German industry. The talk was met with a great deal of interest from the approximately 40 participants as Peter explained the advantages of their joint work and some of the frustrations in funding commercial opportunities. It was an inspiring talk as Peter and Andreas suggested ways forward for collaboration.

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Christmas Lunch in Frankfurt

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Our annual Christmas business lunch was held at restaurant Margarete to mark the festive season. Members and Friends came together to network and enjoy a fascinating presentation from Christopher Woods, an Australian clarinetist and niche bow designer/maker.

Our chair, Sabine Pittrof also gave a brief overview of the past year’s events, major topics and changes to the association. We farewelled fellow board member Danister de Silva, who will step back from the board and leave Germany.

A business quiz rounded off the lunch with three lucky winners – Norman Wasse, Matei Ujica and Danister de Silva. The prizes – fine bottles of Australian wines were kindly sponsored by The Australien Wine Store in Kelkheim.

 

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Australia Day Lunch in Frankfurt

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The first official event of the German Australian Business Council for 2016, the “Australia Day Lunch in Frankfurt” took place on Monday, 18 January 2016 at the Kameha Suite in Frankfurt with around 50 GABC members and friends in attendance.

The guests of honour at the lunch were H.E. Mr. David Ritchie AO, the Australian Ambassador to Germany, and Mr. Volkmar Klein, Member of the Bundestag and Chair of the Germany-Australia New Zealand Parliamentary Group. We were also delighted to have in attendance Mr. John Atkins, the Western Australian Government’s Agent General to Europe.

Mr Ritchie and Mr Klein were both members of the Australia-Germany Advisory Group and they presented an overview of the Advisory Group’s report “Collaboration, Innovation and Opportunity” which was delivered to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chancellor Angela Merkel in November 2015.

The Advisory Group’s report details 59 recommendations to broaden, strengthen and deepen the relationship between Australia and Germany, covering the following five themes:

–       Increase trade and investment

–       Improve strategic dialogue and collaboration

–       Strengthen cooperation on science and education

–       Exchange on diversity, migration, integration and refugees

–       Enhance cultural and sporting links, and cooperation on wine making.

Following the presentations, Sabine Pittrof, the Chair of the German Australian Business Council, moderated a Q&A session which allowed a number of the attendees to seek further insights about the Advisory Group’s report from Mr Ritchie and Mr Klein.

Those in attendance were also treated to a wonderful performance by Louise Fenbury, a Frankfurt-based Mezzo-Soprano, who sang the Australian and German national anthems and Strauss’ Zueignung.

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Originalbild unter: http://sarahfotografie.fotograf.de/photo/56a154f1-4960-46c6-9daf-192a0a498d1e

 

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Coral Covey Jewellry

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Coral Covey at 1st Entrepreneur’s Tisch, Munich

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Laura Deakin, Australian jeweller and founder of Coral Covey jewellery was host for the 1st Entrepreneur’s Tisch organized by GABC on 30 November this year.  The evening took place at her pop-up exhibition in Munich, and was attended by Munich GABC members and friends.

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC

Penelope Richardson introduced the event with a few words about the value of creative industries to vitalizing cities and their economies. In the last decade cities that have embraced their creative sector have seen significant growth as well as renewal, such as Berlin, Leipzig and Melbourne.

According to the  ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI) at the Queensland University of Technology  Australia the ‘the creative sector employ more than 5% of the workforce in Australia and encompasses advertising and marketing, architecture, design and visual arts, traditional arts, film, TV newspapers and radio, music and performing arts, publishing, software and digital content’. Creative businesses can take many forms and sizes. But they all have to start somewhere.

Members and friends had an opportunity to see the handmade silver jewellery unique to Coral Covey, to hear about Laura’s business idea and the philosophy underpinning it, acquire insight into getting the Munich start-up off the ground and get an understanding of the making processes.

Many questions were asked about the process of making the jewellery along with an interest in the knowing about Laura’s Australian/German connection and her studies at the Munich art academy. Participants also had a chance to see the work of Scottish printmaker, Freya Cummings, who showed her textiles, cards and fine art prints alongside Coral Covey, both eco-friendly businesses.

A great beginning to the new GABC Entrepreneur’s Tisch.

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC

Coral Covey GABC 1st Entrepreneur's Tisch

Coral Covey GABC 1st Entrepreneur's Tisch

Coral Covey Jewellry
Coral Covey jewellery & GABC 1st Entrepreneur’s Tisch

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Melbourne Cup Carnival Business Breakfast

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Fascinators, top hats, straw hats and headpieces galore – the annual Melbourne Spring Racing fashion arrived at the Hilton in Frankfurt on a foggy Tuesday morning. Our German Australian Business Council members and guests gathered for a business breakfast buffet with a touch of Melbourne Cup Couture. Guests enjoyed networking over a delicious sekt breakfast while hearing a presentation from Carsten Meier (Investment Director for the State of Victoria) about investment opportunities in Victoria followed by a delayed telecast of the race.

Thanks to our generous corporate sponsor Emirates who provided the ultimate major prize in our sweepstake: a return Emirates flight for two to Melbourne including two Victoria Racing Club passes to AAMI Victorian Derby Day and Emirates Melbourne Cup Day 2016. A thrilled Jacqueline Fehse was the lucky winner of this. Other lucky winners included Liz Holland for her stylish race outfit and Laurence Hendry for his elegant outfit in the gentlemen’s category. Both Liz and Laurence received a bottle of Australian Sparkling wine donated by Gogan Fine Wines. There were also generous prizes from Olaf & Karen Czirr from the Australien Wine Store for those guests who drew the winning and losing horses in the sweep.  Thanks also to the Melbourne Business School and the State Government of Victoria and Aesop for their support in sponsoring this successful event.

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Aesop Shop Opening

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German Australian Business Council in Munich welcomes Aesop ….

 

On October 15 Aesop opened its first signature store in Munich. Visitors were able to explore and select from a complete range of skin, hair and body care products, distinguished by botanical and laboratory-generated ingredients of the highest quality.

Aesop was founded in Melbourne in 1987.

German Australian Business Council Board members Elisabeth Opie, Penelope Richardson, Rob Harrison and Eberhard Goihl were invited to examine the extraordinary facility located in the Luitpoldblock.

AESOP

Pascale Thouzery (Aesop Head of Marketing), Penelope Richardson (German Australian Business Council Board), Elisabeth Opie (German Australian Business Council Board)

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Evening Reception For the Deputy Premier of Queensland

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Despite the extremely warm weather in Frankfurt on Thursday 2nd July 2015, the German Australian Business Council was very pleased to host a reception for the Deputy Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier of Queensland, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade.

Ms Trad was accompanied by the Queensland Agent General and Trade and Investment Commissioner to London, Mr Ken Smith.

Ms Trad and her colleagues were visiting Frankfurt following their attendance the previous day at a meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Bonn. The group was buoyed by the Committee’s decision not to declare Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as “in danger”, a decision that both the Queensland and Federal Governments claim is a direct result of the action taken on behalf of both governments aimed at protecting the reef.

Ms Trad also met with the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure in Bonn, the Minister for Construction, Housing, Urban Development and Transport in NRW and Siemens in Düsseldorf, as well as key financial institutions in Frankfurt, with a view to attracting investment interest in Queensland’s extensive transport, infrastructure and urban development projects.

Ms Trad pointed out that with a GDP of over USD265 million, Queensland, Australia’s second largest and third most populous state has an economy comparable to that of Finland and larger than those of Ireland, Portugal and Greece.

Ms Trad also acknowledged the historical links between Queensland and Germany, which are continually evident to her given that the Brisbane German Club lies in her electorate of South Brisbane.

The Deputy Premier also noted the opportunities that existed for Queensland business in the German market as well as the economic opportunities for German businesses in Queensland.

In proposing a vote of thanks, German Australian Business Council Deputy Chair, André Haermeyer, pointed out the complementarity of commercial and economic interests between Australia and Germany, in particular how German “Mittelstand” businesses could use Australia as a safe springboard into the Asian market and as a vehicle to accelerate their own innovation, whilst Australia could learn a great deal from German in terms of how a developed country can be a competitive manufacturer of goods.

With the formal part of the evening over, Ms Trad spent more time networking with German Australian Business Council members, many of whom had travelled to Frankfurt specifically to heat her views and strengthen their business contacts in Australia. Later a smaller group ventured out into the balm Frankfurt night to soak up the atmosphere at the Opernplatzfest and try some famous Frankfurt Apfelwein.