International Cave Rescuers and 2019 Australians of the Year, Dr. Craig Challen SC OAM (Craig) and Dr. Richard Harris SC OAM (Harry), took time out to go diving with Youth Members of Scouts Australia off the Western Australian coast on Saturday 30th March.

As part of their roles as Australians of the Year, Dr Challen and Dr Harris wish to promote outdoor adventure and resilience in young Australians. With children and teens glued to their screens, it is important to take a break and appreciate the outdoors.

“The risk [of outdoor activity] are actually very very small but the opportunities to develop as a person are massive,” said Dr Harris.

“And so many times, the only thing you’ve got to fear is fear itself,” added Dr Challen.

The connection between Craig and Harry’s message and Scouting was a natural fit.

As National Youth Scouts spokesperson and Venturer Scout Kalita Tomlinson reported “I could tell that Dr Challen and Dr Harris understood what Scouts do and the importance we play in developing today’s youth into tomorrow’s leaders.”

“They had many important messages for young people who might be afraid to try things in case they fail, or feel bad because they have failed in the past”.

“After hearing them explain how we can develop their resilience, I hope young people everywhere will try something new that pushes their boundaries”.

This was the first time Craig and Harry dived together since rescuing the Wild Boars Thai soccer team in July last year.

Primary Communication is proud to have worked closely with Scouts Australia on this incredible opportunity and adventure. The campaign included a special mini-documentary produced by Primary and released worldwide, an exclusive story opportunity with ABC 7.30, and media interviews to promote Scouts commitment to adventure, resilience, inclusion and outdoor activities for all young people.

Check out the incredible adventure video below!

On Wednesday 15th June, Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, stood beside Lexi Crouch and Butterfly Foundation CEO, Christine Morgan, at a Ministerial media conference on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Lexi’s brave personal account at the event provided the necessary lived experience focus of the Minister’s announcement and ensured that the audience was given a clear appreciation of the significance of Australia’s first trial of multi-disciplinary treatment in the community for eating disorders.

“This really does instil hope for the future of eating disorders treatment and the lives of so many Australians. It will take away an element of stress that is so real and prevalent for many accessing care.”

Lexi Crouch, 30, Brisbane

For the past 15 years Lexi has battled an eating disorder, including numerous life-saving emergency hospital admissions, in between attempting to access adequate treatment. Through sheer will-power and no shortage of heartache, Lexi has won her battle and is dedicated to sharing her experience with others.

Lexi’s story underscored the serious reality of what its like to live with an eating disorder.

Lexi provided the final chapter for Butterfly Foundation’s MAYDAYs campaign. She joined a group of Australians with diverse lived experience of an eating disorder, as they gave voice to the realities of the financial and life costs of battling an eating disorder in Australia’s current health system. Their bravery and willingness to tell their story to media and directly to the Government has illuminated the significant challenges needing to be addressed and underscored the Government’s recognition of the need for the Trial.

The Trial was a direct response to the need to have real world testing of the in-community treatment model being proposed by Butterfly Foundation, which is based on extensive consultation with Australia’s best clinical experts and Australians with a lived experience of eating disorders.

The key to inspiring change was to ensure that all communication and advocacy for this project had a heart and head strategy.

The heart of this matter was delivered in inspiring fashion by carefully supported storytelling from courageous Australians with a lived experience. Their daily realities inspired and informed the tone and attitude of all communication. Their stories and their real-world experience of the health system gave voice to the voiceless and created a community of shared lived experiences.

The head was in the form of Butterfly Foundation’s focus on its overall strategy, one of over-all health system reform for eating disorders based on up-to-date clinical and lived experience research, collaboration across the sector, and a carefully supported program of collaboration and consultation.

The treatment trial begins late in 2018 and it is hoped that with its success a national rollout of similar treatment and support in the community will be supported by the Federal Government over the coming years. The Trial is one step in the many changes needed across Australia’s health system to achieve the levels of treatment and support required.

Last night Scott Morrison unveiled the tax cuts he hopes will provide him an electoral bounce. His plan, he hopes to legislate, will mean 73% of Australians, earning between $41,000 and $200,000 will pay no more than 32.5% tax by 2024-25. A little context might go a long way to understanding what these tax cuts actually mean.

In the current financial year 53% of tax payers earning between $37,000 and $87,000 pay 32.5% tax on their income. A trip down memory lane to June 2000, just a week before the introduction of the GST the then Prime Minister, John Howard, said “Four in every five taxpayers will be on a top rate of 30 cents in the dollar or less.” So even if ScoMo’s plan is followed through in six years, and possibly three elections time, it appears that more taxpayers are still paying more tax than in 2000. But why let history get in the way of selling it?

This is clearly a Budget to take the election. Just a quick look at census data in some of the Government’s most marginal seats shows the demographic they are targeting. The median annual salary in Capricornia ($73,736), Forde ($76,076), Gilmore ($53,976), Flynn ($67,808) and Robertson ($67,808) are all squarely in the Government’s tax cuts income brackets. People in this income bracket can easily creep into the next tax bracket through income rises or through working overtime for more money.

ScoMo’s last budget was a shock to those who voted for him, dubbed a Labor Lite budget. This one appeals to his conservative base and middle Australia. No doubt he hopes that working Australians with a few more dollars in their pocket return him to his job on election day.

Primary Communication Account Director Elaine Banoub shares her insights on cyber security detailing the top three threats to Australian businesses with the Code Red Security Network.

These include;

1. Security is a moving target with the adoption of IoT
2. Ransomware will continue as a growing threat
3. Bring your own device (BYOD) is an issue that needs to be controlled

Read more here on the Code Red Security Network.

It was a big week for Primary as Mel and Michelle from our team celebrated the winners and finalists of the ResourceSmart Schools Awards 2017 at an official awards event held at the IMAX Theatre Melbourne Museum on Monday 16 October.

This year marked the tenth anniversary of the awards, which are Victoria’s largest sustainability awards for schools. For Primary, this was our sixth year delivering the school’s outreach and event support for this highly successful program.

Primary’s Account Director Mel Bairstow says it is always rewarding to see hundreds of entries come from all over Victoria, showcasing many inspiring sustainability projects and school communities.

“We were thrilled to see teachers and students from all over the state gathered together to celebrate the occasion – some even came from as far afield as Kaniva and Warracknabeal!

“And while over the six years we have managed more than 970 entries, we are continually impressed year on year by the commitment schools have to sustainability and climate change.”

This year’s event was hosted by gardening guru Costa Georgiadis of ABC’s Gardening Australia. Bringing his signature high-energy style and a genuine passion for the environment, he was a tremendous hit with both students and adults.

The ResourceSmart Schools Awards are part of the ResourceSmart Schools program to help recognise schools that embed sustainability into everything they do, and acknowledge the steps taken to minimise waste, save energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To see the full list of finalists and winners, click here.

A new era of commitment to deliver change to Australians with eating disorders. Advocacy projects can sometimes last months or years depending on the complexity of the issue and the decision makers involved.

There are 1 million Australians with an eating disorder and their treatment and support needs have been largely ignored to date. Yesterday, thanks to the Butterfly Foundation’s efforts, the Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt announced Australia’s first policy approach to eating disorders. The National Agenda for Eating Disorders, together with the Minister’s re-stated commitment to deliver a Medicare response for eating disorders, are the key commitments needed to begin health system reform.

Along with the announcement of necessary funding for health workforce training, the Minister also announced an additional $1.7 million for the expansion of Australia’s dedicated free national support line and online counselling service 1800 ED HOPE. Primary Communication is proud to continue to support this advocacy project as it harnesses the sector and government’s momentum to deliver the changes needed.https://lnkd.in/gpSsvde

Minister Hunt in an interview with ABC.

Sydney, Australia- 02 August 2017 – Primary Communication today announced it has joined Code Red, the first international PR network specialising in IT security technology.

Serving global security technology companies needing best-in-country services, Primary Communication is the only Australian public relations and marcomms firm to be accepted as a member of the Code Red Security Network.

The Code Red security network already has 18 specialist agencies working to provide cohesive, integrated campaigns to improve the knowledge and reputation of global security firms.

“We’re proud to welcome Primary Communication as the Australian and New Zealand partner, and as part of our overall strategy to offer global security communications support and opportunities for our clients in the security industry,” commented Code Red founder Dianne Canham.

“Businesses are investing in smart defences against data breaches and malware. They need the latest technology to tackle emerging threat vectors carried across mobile devices, the cloud and now the Internet of Things.”

Elaine Banoub, Account Director, Primary Communication said the Australian team is thrilled to be joining the Code Red Security Network. “IT security is a massive issue from the boardroom to the shopfront of every company and government group in Australia and New Zealand. Our technology clients do much more than provide systems, they are also contributing to the public dialogue.

“Working closely with the Code Red team, we can effectively tap into a much wider network of global services and roll out harmonised campaigns that are tailored to our unique local markets.”

The partnership with benefit from Primary Communication’s strong presence in ANZ along with Code Red’s existing international footprint of co-branded partners and affiliates across the globe.

Primary was proud to continue its support of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health with the launch of the Start Well – research report looking into the health and wellbeing of early career teachers.

Over 450 early career teachers in NSW provided insight into their experiences as a teacher, the challenges they face and the support mechanisms that help them thrive in their career as a teacher.

Hunter’s research provided a number of recommendations to invest further into mentoring and support for early career teachers.

Jenny Muir, Primary’s Chief Counsel said Primary has decades of experience in communication and advocacy in the education and mental health. The Start Well report is a key contribution to advancing both sectors understanding of the support required by early in career teachers.

“This report builds upon the decades of specialist research and program expertise Hunter has in mental health and well-being prevention programs within the education sector. The report is already being welcomed by ministers, stakeholders and of course teachers.”

The Hunter Institute of Mental Health report can be found here: http://www.himh.org.au/home/our-programs/child-youth-and-wellbeing-program/start-well

Almost half of the house fires in Australia start in the kitchen as a result of unattended cooking.

So to help prevent house fires this winter, Fire & Rescue NSW has released the Keep Looking When Cooking mini mag. Available in cafés, bars, community centres and other locations all over NSW, it features a great collection of mouth-watering recipes from firefighters that will give you the answer to that perennial question – “What’s for dinner tonight?”

Primary Communication is a proud supporter of the Keep Looking When Cooking campaign – our account team will play a crucial role in promoting this important initiative to families and community groups throughout the state. With winter now in full swing, there’s never been a better time to be aware of other potential house fire risks – during the cooler months, there’s also a 10% increase in fires starting in bedrooms/lounge rooms around NSW.

The Keep Looking When Cooking mini mag also has handy tips on how to stay fire safe. Fires can spread in minutes, but it only takes seconds to stop them!

KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY TIPS
• NEVER leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove or use a timer to remind you to check your cooking.
• DON’T put anything metallic in the microwave as metal can spark and cause it to catch on fire.
• KEEP matches and lighters out of reach of children as they are unaware of the dangers.
• STORE flammable items (aerosols, cleaning agents and cooking oil etc.) away from heat as they can explode.
• DON’T cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs as it impairs your judgement.
• KEEP loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels and curtains away from the stove as they can catch on fire.
• TURN pot handles inwards to avoid being knocked or grabbed by children.
• KEEP your oven and range hood clean. Excess grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
• DON’T use LPG cylinders for cooking or heating indoors.

IF A FIRE DOES OCCUR:
• NEVER put water on a fat or oil fire as it will immediately intensify and spread
• TURN off the stove and use the lid to smother the flame if you can
• GET OUT, STAY OUT AND CALL TRIPLE ZERO ‘000’.

You can also visit the Keep Looking When Cooking website to download the mini mag recipes, as well as additional recipes – and if you’d like to share your delicious recipes, post them to Fire & Rescue NSW Facebook page with the hashtag #KeepLookingWhenCooking

Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australasia announced today that Primary Communication will deliver its public relations and advocacy communication services.

Primary Communication will provide an integrated public relations framework to support CLIA Australasia’s role as the cruise industry trade association, and to raise awareness of the industry in the media, social media and across governments.

With over 25 million passengers globally expected to cruise in 2017, the sector is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Primary will work to reinforce CLIA Australasia as the voice of the cruise industry in the Australasian market.

CLIA Managing Director, Joel Katz said: “CLIA is looking forward to working with Primary as our new PR and government relations partner. We’ve had a wonderful long-standing relationship with MG Media, but with their principal’s retirement we had to find a new agency. After a competitive pitch, we chose Primary to take us forward.”

“Primary has decades of experience working with a range of industry associations and peak groups to build awareness and influence. We are looking forward to bringing our expertise to the table with CLIA.”

CLIA Australasia is the latest industry association and peak groups to work with Primary Communication. Some of Primary’s industry association experience includes: ACPET (Australian Council for Private Education and Training), Consulting Surveyors of NSW, National Catholic Education Commission, Mental Health Council of Australia, Australian Liquid Petroleum Gas Association, FARE (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education), Council of International Students Australia, Council of Australian University Librarians, Chiropractors Association of Australia and the Australian Information Security Association.

Primary Communication’s CEO, Chris Hall said: “We are excited to be working with CLIA Australasia on their PR and government advocacy program. With strong growth in both the domestic and international market, and over one million Australians and New Zealanders cruising annually, we are really looking forward to building CLIA’s reputation and influence within Australasia.