The property poker game
with Gareth Kent - Director, Preston Rowe Paterson There are a lot of forces playing in the perpetual poker game that is property. Undoubtably the biggest...
Celebrating the Bellarine
AT OUR Council meeting last month my newest colleague, Councillor Sarah Hathway, declared her ward was the best in Greater Geelong. It showed her passion...
Preserving our history
EXTENDING from our Firsts Nations people to our multicultural community, Geelong has a fascinating history marked by inventors, creators, and innovators. The Council-managed Art and...
Kicking goals for grassroots soccer
LAST year, when the men's edition of the World Cup was on, Geelong residents turned out in great numbers for the Socceroos clash with...
Plenty to see and do in the Borough
GREETINGS to all residing or visiting our beautiful Borough. I trust you have all been keeping well – and warm. Winter always brings much excitement...
Boats, trails and bowls
IT IS ALWAYS nice to be able to provide positive updates on local projects. There is a lot going on in the Bellarine ward –...
A place for innovation
GEELONG has always been a city of innovators. One of the members of the first Geelong town Council, James Harrison, is famous for having pioneered...
A strong budget for a sustainable community
HELLO to all residents, ratepayers, and visitors in the Borough of Queenscliffe on Wadawurrung Country. I'm pleased to share with you that at the June...
Gareth Kent: A changing world
I’m not sure how many of my readers have been following the war in Ukraine, but I am sure by now you are all...
Setting the platform
ALL organisations and tiers of government across the country are facing heavy financial pressure due to rising costs. Unfortunately, Council is no different. As a result,...
Welcome aboard
IN MY MOST recent column, I wrote about my former colleague and now great friend, Kylie Grzybek. There is a saying that a week is...
Building a better Borough
A GOOD day to all those in the Borough of Queenscliffe. Cr Michael Grout here, councillor responsible for the Heritage, Planning, and Infrastructure Portfolio. I...
Supporting creative excellence
I AM THRILLED to be chair of the Council's Creativity and Culture portfolio because I have an enormous level of confidence in the direction...
Slowing down for winter
BY GARETH KENT Director, Preston Rowe Paterson Geelong Winter is by tradition the slowest period of the year for the property market. Both residential and commercial buyers...
Time to connect
In 2022, the Sydney Brain and Mind Institute ran a national survey with Australian parents. The most startling revelation was that on average parents are...
Easing the transition: What borrowers can do as they roll off fixed mortgage rates
As the end of a fixed mortgage rate term approaches, borrowers face the challenge of transitioning to a new mortgage arrangement. This transition period can...
State land taxes – the devil is in the detail
The Victorian State Budget delivered on May 23, 2023 includes various land tax charges that should be concerning for both tenants and landlords alike. Preston...
Investment property tax deductions you can claim before EOFY
As the end of the financial year (EOFY) sneaks in, now is the time for property investors to consider and leverage the various tax...
Dietary supplements and chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a debilitating condition that affects many people worldwide. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that approximately 250,000...
Putting it all in perspective
Each week I write these articles, I try to find some interesting statistics that might give me a clue on what is happening from...
Instant asset write-off: what you need to know
More than 3.5 million businesses can take full advantage of the instant asset write-off, which after a year extension, will end on June 30...
Why did we need another rate rise?
Wowee, it's hard not to write about the Reserve Bank’s decision to put up interest rates another 25 basis points. Australia’s inflation figures were down...
Offset accounts: are you using them to your advantage?
An offset account is a powerful financial tool that can help homeowners save money on their mortgage and reduce the amount of interest they...
Marriage, separation and divorce – family law and wills implications
BY CHARLOTTE BRANCATISANO, FAMILY LAWYER AND EMILY RANNER, WILLS AND ESTATES LAWYER Getting married and separating are life events that have a significant effect, from...