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Sommeliers Australia Symposium launches in Melbourne & Sydney

Calling all professionals from the wine trade. Are you ready to engage in discussion about the future of the sommelier industry? About natural wines and perception versus reality? About how Australian wines are represented on Australian wine lists? On Tuesday 14th August (Melbourne) and Monday 20th August (Sydney), Sommeliers Australia invites you to join some of the hottest discussions of the year with some of the industry’s foremost opinion leaders.

An event perfect for anyone linked to the wine industry, this three-hour symposium brings together top names from the industry, as well as asks you to join in the conversation. Your opinions will be listened to, your outlook on matters considered and your comments and musings encouraged.

The Melbourne symposium welcomes guests Mac Forbes (owner, Mac Forbes Wines), Robert Walters (owner, Bibendum Wine Co) and Steve Webber (chief winemaker and manager, De Bortoli), wine writer Max Allen and sommelier Jeremy Shiell (Andrew Guard Wine Imports),

The Sydney symposium welcomes Iain Riggs (chief winemaker and marketing director, Brokenwood Wines), Stuart Knox (owner, Fix St James and Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide 2012 Sommelier of the Year), Matt Swieboda (owner, Sly Wine Bar), PJ Charteris (winemaker and director, Charteris Wines), Franck Moreau (Merivale Group and recent winner of the 2012 Best Sommelier of the Asia-Oceaniac) and Langton’s Fine Wine Principle, Andrew Caillard MW.

Sommeliers Australia Vice President and Beverage Director, Rockpool Melbourne, David Lawler, and Wine Australia’s Regional Director, Aaron Basher will also both speak in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Program

The Future of the Sommelier Profession in Australia 
There’s no denying the profession has come a long way in the last 10 years, but what’s next? The growth of digital and online media gives new platforms for education to sommeliers and customers, but how does this affect the role? Formal dining’s largely been replaced by casual experiences, but how has this impacted the job? And can connotations of aloofness often associated with sommeliers in the past finally be shed?
Speakers: Melbourne: Ben Edwards, Michael Hill Smith. Sydney: Ben Edwards, Iain Riggs.

Natural Wine: Perception vs. Reality
Few topics have activated as much passionate debate in the wine industry in recent times as has natural wine. But what is it? Why are people talking about it? Are the perceptions of natural wine even close to the reality? Why have so many attacked the straw man from all angles on this subject? With “natural” being used increasingly within the industry, do we need justification and regulation of this term?
Speakers: Melbourne: Mac Forbes, Max Allen, Jeremy Shiell, Robert Walters. Sydney: Stuart Knox, Matt Swieboda, PJ Charteris.

Are Australian wines under-represented on Australian wine lists? 
It’s rare to see a Yarra Valley chardonnay in the restaurants of Burgundy or a Hunter Valley shiraz on the tables of the Rhone Valley; so why are Australian wine lists so intent on offering imported wines? Variety of choice is great, but are Australian wine lists supporting the local product enough? Should we be pushing against excessive ‘wine-miles’? Could you live without Chablis, Gevrey Chambertin and Barolo?
Speakers: Melbourne: Steve Webber, Aaron Brasher, David Lawler. Sydney: Franck Moreau, Andrew Caillard MW, Aaron Brasher, David Lawler.

NB: Additional speakers may be added to the program.

For more information and other upcoming events from Sommerliers Austrailia visit: www.sommeliers.com.au

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Culture, sustainability in tourism, and the environment will be key topics at Australia’s first Small Island Forum on Lord Howe Island from 30 April – 4 May 2012, where representatives from small island communities from Australia will come together with government officials and business organisations to discuss the major issues that affect people living on small islands.
The five day forum, an initiative by the Lord Howe Island Board and the Bank of I.D.E.A.S (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Actions and Strategies), will provide a platform for open discussion between people facing similar challenges and opportunities in their island homes.

Key speakers at the forum include Professor Tim Flannery an internationally acclaimed scientist and conservationist, Canadian Zita Cobb, President & Co-Founder Shorefast Foundation and Anne Prince Director of APC Environmental Management.
Stephen Wills, CEO Lord Howe Island Board said the initiative is important for small island communities, many of which face similar challenges and opportunities in terms of their economic, social and environmental futures.

“Lord Howe Island, given its proactive approach to community and economic development, innovation in terms of environmental sustainability and tourism, is the ideal location to bring together people committed to small island development and who are keen to learn from best small island practices from around the world.” Mr Wills said.
“The Small Island Forum is the ideal opportunity for us to draw on insight from industry specialists and other similar communities, from both here and abroad, so we can further develop different aspects of the community, so it continues to be an impressive ecological and tourist destination.”

By taking on the knowledge of other experts in the field, Lord Howe Island can work towards ensuring the protection of its World Heritage status.The forum will focus on the themes: Growing Sustainable Communities; Enterprise & Livelihood (Tourism, Economy and Environment); Island Futures (Technology and Services); Culture, Place, Identity and small islands.

Speakers include:
- Professor Tim Flannery internationally acclaimed scientist and conservationist
- Anne Prince Director of APC Environmental Management
- Zita Cobb President & Co-Founder Shorefast Foundation
- Peter Kenyon Director of Bank of I.D.E.A.S,
- Elaine Stratford Associate Professor, Head in the School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania.
- Mal Bryce Professor, Curtin University, specialist in enabling communities and companies to harness the competitive advantage associated with new technology
- Jayne Bates Mayor, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
- Dr. Ray Nias is the Southwest Pacific Regional Program Director with Island Conservation – the international conservation organisation that specialises in the conservation of island species.
- Philip Hayward is a research professor at Southern Cross University, international network convenor of SICRI (The Small Island Cultures Research Initiative) and editor of Shima: The International Journal of Research into Island Cultures
- Toni Gregory- Hunt Business Operations Manager, Chatham Islands
For more information visit www.asiflordhoweisland.com

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Accor Australia has launched a new localised careers website – Accorjobs.com.au – to promote the extensive career opportunities available within the 150 plus Accor Hotels and Resorts across Australia.
Designed with a fresh and fun approach to career development, the website not only highlights Accor’s current job opportunities but also features ‘The Scoop’ a live feed of news, events, employee stories and information to give job seekers a greater insight into working life at Accor.
The dedicated website is a first for Accor in the Asia Pacific region and aims to increase the awareness of the Accor employment brand to prospective candidates.
“We spent considerable time researching what job seekers look for online, how we could improve their experience and above all, best speak to those seeking careers within hospitality and tourism sector,” said Accor’s Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath.
“We chose to invest in a bespoke website with a modern look and colloquial tone, rather than a corporate style of job site. Our aim is to give job seekers a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of the Accor family in Australia as well as the opportunity to apply for positions with us direct.

“Whilst job opportunities at Accor will still be posted on third party websites, we are very confident that our localised website will be of greater benefit to job seekers and increase direct online applications. As Australia’s largest hotel group and hospitality employer, we take career progression very seriously and are proud to not only provide a job but a career path for all our employees,” concluded Mr McGrath.
Accor Hotels and Resorts employ more than 8000 people throughout Australia and provide a multitude of training and development programs for employees through its own Registered Training Organisation, Académie Accor.

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Now in its fourth year, the Lorenzo Galli wine scholarship celebrates the diversity and richness of Italy’s wine and history while showcasing the latest trends in Australia with its interpretations of Italian varietals. This is done through a comprehensive, rigorous blind tasting of about 150 top wines during a two-day masterclass to be held on June 18 & 19 2012. Of course the wines will be assessed, discussed and thoroughly enjoyed.

To gain entry into the program, successful applicants are judged on an essay, which has proved to be a satisfying exercise. Besides, there’s an added incentive – the dux wins a trip to visit Italy’s wine regions and key producers valued at $10,000. No wonder it is regarded as an experience of a lifetime.

“Attending the 2011 Lorenzo Galli Scholarship was incredibly beneficial to my Italian wine knowledge. Being able to taste an incredible breadth of wines from remarkable producers alongside elite members of the industry was a truly priceless experience. The ultimate prize, to travel to Italy and meet the producers themselves was an eye-opening journey. Being able to put faces to labels, and learn directly from old-world producers with generations of knowledge was incredibly influential to my own winemaking expertise. I’m truly thankful to Pamela Galli for this opportunity,” said dux of 2011, Brendan Carter, student Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide.

The masterclass is led by Italian wine importer, Michael Trembath, wine writer Jane Faulkner and wine consultant Dan Sims. Plus some of the most respected winemakers such as Stephen Pannell, Luke Lambert and Giuseppe Vaira, viticulturists and consultants such as Mark Walpole and wine writers including Max Allen have contributed to the erudite teaching panel. Previous scholars have included sommeliers, winemakers, retailers, food and wine consultants, distributors and marketers.

The program’s patron, Pamela Galli, conceived the idea of a scholarship to honour her late husband, Lorenzo Galli. Tuscan-born, Lorenzo arrived in Australia in 1952 and diligently built up a successful property business. He later added vigneron to his list achievements when he and Pamela created Galli Estate Winery in Victoria’s Sunbury region in 1997. Lorenzo had a love for Italian grape varieties and the winemaking craft from growing grapes to their production; it was his dream to share that passion and encourage younger people to learn more about that process. This scholarship is Pamela’s tribute.

For full details: http://www.winescholarship.com.au/

Email: info@winescholarship.com.au

Twitter: winescholarship

Facebook: Galli Wine Scholarship

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Uni students, parents purchasing for uni students, and faculty and staff members can buy a new Mac with Apple education pricing **between 17 January and 17 April 2012, and get a $100 Back to Uni Card to use on the Mac App Store.*

*Buy a qualifying Mac from Apple or a participating Apple Authorised Campus Reseller between 17 January and 17 April 2012, and receive a $100 Back to Uni Card for use on the Mac App Store, the iTunes Store, the App Store and the iBookstore. Qualifying Mac must be purchased using Apple’s Education Individual Pricing. If the qualifying Mac is returned, your refund may be reduced by the full amount of the Back to Uni Card. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.apple.com.au/backtouni for full details. Not all Apple products qualify for education pricing.

**Apple offers special education pricing on Apple computers, software and select third-party products to uni students, parents buying for a uni student, and teachers, administrators and staff. Quantity limits apply. See terms and conditions.

The Mac App Store is available only to persons aged 13 or older in Australia and many other countries; see www.apple.com/support/mac/app-store/ww/ for a list of countries. Requires compatible hardware and software and Internet access; broadband is recommended (fees may apply). Terms apply.

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Danes Gourmet Coffee is not only known for their great coffee but also for their world-class accredited barista courses.
We all know Australians are a nation of coffee drinkers with cafes on almost every street corner, which means there is no shortage of barista jobs available for school leavers or teens to grab!
Danes are offering courses aimed at teenagers and graduates who want to learn the art of coffee so they can apply for a part-time job as a barista, whether in their local coffee shop over Christmas or when overseas traveling.

Utilising the experienced trainers and equipment of the DGCI, the ‘Essence of Espresso’ course is designed to thoroughly explain and train in the art of espresso.
Students will explore correct extraction involving grinder philosophy and adjustments, espresso machine calibration, espresso volumes and espresso machine trouble shooting, and barista techniques.
Training is provided through making the complete coffee menu which incorporates milk texturing techniques to make perfect foam for coffee art and latte art demonstrations. A DGCI training manual, Coffee menu and two Danes Gourmet Coffee Dosing Tools are complementary to the training. A DGCI Formare Barista Certificate is issued at the completion of the course.
Paul Jackson, CEO of Danes Gourmet Coffee Institute (DGCI), points out that there is In fact a shortage of good baristas.
“Learning the art of coffee is a great skill to take away with you if you are planning a gap year from university and heading overseas or looking for a part-time job. Wherever you go if you can make a good coffee and know the ins and outs of coffee machine, it will certainly put you ahead of many all vying for the same barista job” Paul explains.

The one day courses will run from 9-4.30pm at the Danes Gourmet Barista Institute at 28 Dales Street, Brookvale (Sydney). The course costs $140 per person.
Dates still available include Wednesday 18th January, Wednesday, 25th January and Friday, 27th January.

See http: www.coffeeinstitute.com.au or www.danes.com.au call the DGCI on (02) 9938 4522.

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In an effort to support the Travel Industry in Japan, The Real Japan on the 6th of July launched a Worldwide Online Contest to win a 100+1 day trip to Japan, called TRAVEL VOLUNTEER.
The idea for this project came from one of the employees at The Real Japan, while brainstorming how to bring Tourism back to Japan. After seeing the coverage about Japan from international media, The Real Japan felt a big part of information was missing: although the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear issue are terrible disasters, Japan as a country was NOT entirely destroyed or irradiated. All other places outside the evacuation zone are totally safe, but the media never mentioned it. This had severe consequences for many businesses in the travel & tourism industry, so in turn decided to create this project to promote Japan amongst the world’s travellers and show that it still is a safe & wonderful country to visit

Starting the journey on September 15, 2011, the selected TRAVEL VOLUNTEER will visit all of Japan’s 47 prefectures and share impressions through a dedicated travel blog and through social networks. All travel and accommodation expenses, including international airfares will be covered by the project.
Candidates are invited to apply by July 31, 2011 and international support is also sought for this non-profit initiative, whether in the form of a financial or non-financial contribution.
There has been an overwhelming response to the project, within three days of the announcement 200 people from 20 different countries applied.
Detailed information is available on the projects website: http://www.travelvolunteer.net and www.facebook.com/travelvolunteerproject
Please support our project by spreading the word via the Internet and visiting The Real Japan website’s support section.

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Two great Australians are being brought together to recreate a stunning garden landscape which, for so long, has provided an incredible backdrop to one of the top tourist playgrounds of the world.
Hayman, Australia’s idyllic nature island destination in the Great Barrier Reef, has engaged award-winning landscape designer, horticulturalist, and personality, Jamie Durie, to rejuvenate and refresh the beautiful garden surrounds of the acclaimed resort.
Jamie will be drawing on his unconditional passion for the outdoors and a deep connection with nature and its many qualities, to guide him in recreating the breathtaking and tranquil Hayman garden landscape setting which was severely impacted by recent Tropical Cyclones Anthony and Yasi and forced the temporary closure of the resort until the end of July 2011.
Joining Jamie and his award-winning design studio, Durie Design, in this significant rebirth of the spectacular gardens, is an excited group of Hayman team members who have chosen to remain on the island throughout the period of closure and are eager to assist with this project.
Among the many pleasures of staying on Hayman over many years has been the natural landscape and garden surrounds. This masterpiece of 14 hectares of resort gardens is home to an amazing diversity of fascinating and colourful characters.

The birdlife is vast and guests have most likely caught sight of White Cockatoos, Kookaburras, Stone Curlews, Pheasant Coucals, Herons and Egrets amongst the many varieties, while, from May to December each year, butterflies have traditionally formed a kaleidoscope of colour and vibrancy feasting on nectar of the Eucalyptus Trees. A truly spectacular sight is the resort’s Butterfly Trail, where these exquisite creatures gather to flutter in their thousands in spectacular glory.
Graceful swans and ducks continue to reside in the peaceful lagoons and ponds which meander throughout the gardens and Proserpine Rock Wallabies occupy the bush surrounds. A colony of the wallabies has populated the island over a number of years since Queensland Parks and Wildlife deemed Hayman to be the most suitable Australian location for establishing a new and thriving colony of these shy animals with the ongoing program hailed a great success.
“We are delighted to have Jamie involved in the design and evolving stages of our beautiful gardens on the island,” said Lloyd Donaldson, Head of Hotel Investments, Mulpha Australia and Managing Director, Hayman.
“It is wonderful to have a highly respected and talented professional in Jamie bringing his incredible energy and immense knowledge and expertise to Hayman, which over many years, has been acknowledged as one of the top resorts of the world.”
Jamie said he was “proud to be involved with one of Australia’s most prestigious and iconic resorts”.
“Over the years I have visited Hayman many times and have always been in awe of its natural beauty. Designing for Hayman certainly won’t feel like work for me. It will be an honour, privilege and pleasure to design for Hayman. And with the support of the owners, management team and staff on the island, my team at Durie Design and I are committed to not just rejuvenating the existing gardens, but offering six new exciting outdoor destinations for the guests to enjoy in Hayman’s classic, sophisticated, yet under-stated style.”
Jamie is the author of eight best-selling garden design books, including The Outdoor Room, which continues to dominate Australian sales and has hosted over 32 prime time, top-rating overseas and Australian television programs, including The Outdoor Room, Australia’s Best Backyards, Backyard Blitz, The Block, with Backyard Blitz receiving seven Logie Awards. Jamie is currently filming the much anticipated Top Design for Channel 9 where architects and designers compete and Jamie is the host and judge.
Jamie hosts makeover shows in the US and is a regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He designs a range of outdoor furniture and gardening products, PATIO by Jamie Durie and Jamie Durie signature products. Jamie has won over 30 awards for his design work throughout the world. Jamie’s career began in 1998 after completing four years of study in horticulture and landscape design. Jamie and his team design prestigious resorts in the Middle East, Singapore, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia. He is an Ambassador to organisations including Plan International, Children’s Cancer Institute and Planet Ark and is an official Al Gore Climate Project Presenter.
The rectification works currently being undertaken on Hayman encompass the gardens and key guest and accommodation areas, activity facilities and essential infrastructure. Hayman will re-open on 1 August 2011 and is accepting new reservations arriving from this date

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The Lindeman’s Open Garden has taken out the prestigious gold medal at the ninth annual Ex-Awards held in Chicago, USA, beating Tourism Australia’s ‘Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure’.
Judged by editors of Event Marketer magazine, the international Ex-Awards recognise the best of the best in experiential marketing and Lindeman’s Open Garden triumphed in the Best Single Venue/Market Event (Consumer) category.
The Lindeman’s Open Garden activation, in partnership with Sydney-based experiential marketing company Traffik, was launched in September 2010 at Floriade, Australia’s largest flower show in Canberra, and was again featured at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show earlier this year.
Nominated for delivering a unique experiential property driving awareness and stimulating trial of the marketleading Lindeman’s Early Harvest and Sweet Seasons range, which are both at least 25% lighter in alcohol*, the Lindeman’s Open Garden saw over 40,000 people enjoying the activation at its Floriade debut.
The activation received extensive media coverage with a sales increase throughout the event. Furthermore the Lindeman’s brands saw an uplift of off-site sales to more than 20% at certain local independent liquor outlets.Visitors to the Lindeman’s Open Garden were able to get hands-on experience with renowned gardener Meredith Kirton and TV Chef Dominique Rizzo with cooking and gardening demonstrations while the 18-metre Lindeman’s Cellar Door provided a place to relax and enjoy the lighter range of wines.
A key visual feature to the Open Garden was a six-metre hanging basket tree where visitors were able to showcase their own floral displays in the Lindeman’s Hanging Basket Competition which ran throughout the festival.

Lindeman’s Senior Brand Manager, Tasha Harp, said the garden was the perfect place to unwind for gardening fans, “We’re thrilled with the success of the Lindeman’s Open Garden and I was absolutely elated to receive the call yesterday announcing our win, in conjunction with our partners at Traffik. Seeing the activation win this high calibre USA marketing award is extremely rewarding for the entire team involved in creating the Lindeman’s Open Garden.”
“We wanted to create a space where visitors not only had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the show but also had the chance to try the entire LINDEMAN’S Early Harvest and Sweet Seasons range”, she continued.
The award-winning Lindeman’s Open Garden will again feature at Floriade in Canberra from 17 September to 16 October, 2011.
Visit www.lindemans.com.au

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Event and conference planners and meeting organisers will be pleased to learn that Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has launched a new meeting website at www.swissotelmeetings.com which is designed to be easy to navigate and offer a time-saving booking process.
Whether it is a small meeting with just a few participants or a large conference attended by 1000 delegates that is being planned, the extremely user-friendly new site provides decision-makers with an easy and convenient way of booking their event. One particularly useful feature is the function that enables organisers to compare three different Swissôtels at once from the international hotel chain’s portfolio, to ascertain their capacity at a glance, and to check availability directly online.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts offers a complete range of room and conference facilities in central locations all over the world, providing ideal venues for meetings and events of every kind and every size. The high-quality service, modern technology and creative gastronomy are tailored to the needs of the customer and make for successful, top-class conferences.

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