The GLA Committee are pleased to announce this year’s annual dinner will be held at Zigrfrid's who pride themselves on using local produce to create simple and honest refined food.  The annual dinner continues to be a successful event, giving members the opportunity to relax and unwind with their peers and celebrate the end of another year. Entertainment: This year the GLA has secured a local favourite in Andy Pobjoy (Piano Bar) who will no doubt provide wonderful entertainment and hopefully get everyone up dancing.  Dress code: This year's dress code is cocktail. Dinner:  This year's Dinner will consist of waves of varying dishes allowing guests to sample a variety of delicious options Zigrfrid's has to offer. A limited bar tab for drinks will also be provided on the night. Please ensure you enter any dietary requirements when purchasing your tickets. An early bird ticket price for GLA Members will be available until the 31 October 2019 at 4pm after which ticket prices will increase. Be sure to get your tickets early as this event is one not to be missed.  This event is proudly sponsored by Foley’s List and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). The GLA would like to thank Foley’s List and the TAC for their continued support with this and many other GLA events throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you at the annual dinner.

October is Regional and Suburban Young Lawyers (RSYL) Month and the Geelong contingent is celebrating with everyones favourite a good old fashioned wine tour! Come along and enjoy some of the best wines our beautiful region has to offer.  We will be having lunch at the amazing Clyde Park Vineyard and attending two other surprise destinations for further wine tastings and a tour. The GLA has kindly agreed to supply us with a shuttle bus for the day so you can leave the car at home. The event concludes in Geelong for anyone who then wishes to continue on to another venue.  Event Details: The aforementioned shuttle bus will depart from the Geelong Law Court / Geelong Train Station car park at 10:30AM sharp. Please aim to arrive by 10:15AM to ensure a timely departure. The bus will return to the Geelong Train Station at approximately 5:30PM.  The bus and lunch at Clyde Park along with a tasting at another of our suprise venues is included in the ticket price. However we recommend bringing some cash on the day for wine purchases and/or wine tastings at the surprise destinations. Please note that there are limited tickets (53 people max) so make sure you book early. GLA Member tickets are $55.00 per person and Non Members are $65.00 per person.  Bus Prize (Door Prize): There will be a sponsored door prize on the day so please bring along your business card to be in with a chance to win.  Contact Details: Ben McLean - GLA Young Lawyer Representative.  Email: benm@wightons.com.au Telephone: 5226 4138

Dear GLA members, GLA Members are invited to attend this year’s GLA Deakin Day held at Deakin University Waterfront campus in the Percy Baxter Theatre. Please enter from Gheringhap Street and refer to signage. This event gives members the opportunity to obtain their compulsory CPD points in one day for FREE, including the opportunity to listen to a presentation by Her Honour Justice Quigley on Professional Skills. For full details for this year's program, please click here. All you need to do is purchase your FREE ticket for which session you wish to attend.  Morning tea and lunch will be served. Please add any dietary requirements when booking your ticket. This event is supported by Foley's List and Deakin University.

Dear GLA Members, In the third week of the GLA’s Health and Wellbeing Month we are focusing on Mental Health and Wellbeing. Next Friday we are hosting a FREE session at the Geelong Library from 12:30pm run by Dr Hannah Pickford focussing on what she calls the “Un-Stress Project,” and which will provide one CPD point.  Dr Pickford is a practicing chiropractor, avid martial artist and has a Masters in Human Nutrition. The session is designed to help people recognise the symptoms of chronic stress, otherwise known as sympathetic dominance and give insight into how nutrition and lifestyle modification can support recovery. This event is reserved for GLA members only. A light lunch will be served at 12:30pm, with the CPD starting at 1:00pm. You will be able to add any dietary requirements when you book your ticket. To book your ticket, scroll down to the end of the email and click on "Event Details". Employee Assistance Program (EAP) The character of the work that lawyers do can mean that we are particularly predisposed to suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.  Most employers offer an EAP that allows their staff to access free and confidential wellbeing support and assistance. Enquire with your Human Resources Manager to find out further details. The Law Institute of Victoria also offers an EAP program through Converge International.  LIV members can access this service free of charge for up to three hours per issue per year.  This is a confidential service that can be accessed by calling 1300 687 327 and arranging to speak with a consultant over the phone or meeting face to face. More information and Resources Following on with the topic of Mental Health and Wellbeing this month, we have put together the following interesting articles and resources: 1. The Black Dog Institute The Black Dog Institute has a useful and relevant Mental Health Toolkit that specifically focuses on the Legal Profession: https://blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/default-source/education-resources/black-dog-institute-mental-health-toolkit---resilience@law.pdf?sfvrsn=2&sfvrsn=2 The Black Dog Institute has also published an online self-help treatment program for stress, anxiety and depression called myCompass.  myCompass provides monitoring of symptoms and lifestyle, graphical feedback, motivational messages and tips. It also allows the completion of phsycho-social and skill building modules.  myCompass is free within Australia: https://www.mycompass.org.au/ 2. Apps Have you tried meditation and mindfulness? It is one of the most effective ways of managing stress. There a many free apps that can teach you to meditate, including “Smiling Mind” and “Calm” whch are both popular options you can find in your Appstore or Google Play. 3. Sympathetic Dominance by Dr Wayne Todd Dr Pickford also recommends a book titled Sympathetic Dominance by Dr Wayne Todd, which takes a closer look at the links between the gut, posture and hormone system with the nervous system which will be explored in her session: https://www.sdprotocol.com/shop-retail/sd-protocol-book/ We look forward to seeing you there. Geelong Law Association  

Dear Members, We have received a fantastic response to this Fridays FREE Yoga and Meditation Class. Tickets sales close this Wednesday, so be sure to book your ticket so you don't miss out!  Week 2 - Social Wellbeing  In the second week, we are focusing on the importance of maintaining social and community connections to your overall wellbeing. We are hosting a FREE BBQ on Friday 13 September at Eastern Beach Reserve between 4.00pm and 6.00pm to give our members the opportunity to catch up over a few old-fashioned games and enjoy some food together. This event is also open to non GLA members who can reserve a ticket. We are encouraging GLA members to bring along team members who might not be a GLA member to get the whole office involved in Health and Wellbeing Month.  This will be an alcohol-free event.   To book a FREE ticket, please click the link "Event Details" at the bottom of the page to reserve your ticket to ensure we have enough catering for you and your guests. There is an option to specify any dietary requirements.  We thank Foley's List for generously sponsoring GLA's wellbeing month. More information about Social Wellbeing Australians generally, and lawyers specifically, are spending more and more time at work.  Because we spend so much of our time working, the workplace is an important starting place to create a sense of social wellbeing. Taking part in events in the broader legal community in Geelong also helps us to stay socially and professionally connected, and supports social wellness. Being socially and emotionally well means being able to realise your abilities, cope with normal stresses in life, work productively and contribute to your community.   Social connections enhance wellness and a great place to start is at work: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/01/31/5-ways-social-connections-can-enhance-your-employee-wellness-program/#56ffc9f1527c The Victorian Government’s better health page also has lots of useful health-related resources, including this interesting article about the importance of relationships for strong health: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/Strong-relationships-strong-health Why should I socialize? I can’t be bothered?! Here’s  some info on how to improve your social connections and how relationships help the society too! R U OK day? 12 September Our wellbeing week coincides with R U OK? day on 12 September. R U OK's mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life. You can visit https://www.ruok.org.au/work to find out how to ask the question in the workplace. R U OK also publishes contact information for where you can get help, here: https://www.ruok.org.au/findhelp. We look forward to seeing you at the BBQ! Geelong Law Association

Dear Members, As we all know, working in the law can be demanding and it is important for us to manage our physical, mental, professional and social wellbeing. In September, the Geelong Law Association is running a month-long campaign of activities and information to promote and support the Health and Wellbeing of its members. We thank Foleys List for sponsoring this month.   As part of the campaign, we will be offering activities and supporting information focused on four key aspects of Health and Wellbeing – physical, social, mental and professional health. The GLA is pleased to offer its members a FREE Yin Yoga class next Friday 6 September 2019 as part of our focus on Physical Health.  If you don't have a Yoga mat, there will be an option to select a mat when you book your ticket (limit of 20 available). If you have a mat, please bring it along with a towel. Change rooms will be available so please arrive early if you need to change. Comfortable clothing is recommended - shorts, tracksuit pants or leggings and a top. What is Yin Yoga? Yin Yoga is a passive yoga practice involving variations of mostly seated poses typically held for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the deeper layers of fascia to be accessed.  It is perfect for beginners and incorporates an element of mindfulness as you sit in each of the poses.  It is also perfect for office workers as it tends to focus on key areas of tension for those of us that spend most of our day sitting, such as the back and hips.  Here is some more information about Yin Yoga:  https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/types-of-yoga/yin And Yoga more generally: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/what-is-yoga/ Tips and Resources Working in a sedentary role means it is important to ensure we are moving in line with Australia’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines. An easy way of getting in your recommended daily exercise is by focusing on achieving the 10,000 steps per day recommended.  Our health and wellbeing month coincides with Steptember, a challenge that also fundraises for Cerebral Palsy.  If you are interested in taking part, you can find some more information here: https://www.steptember.org.au/. Tips to help build up your daily steps include walking around while on the phone, walking in the office to deliver a message to a colleague, using your lunch break to take a short walk and get some fresh air.  Standing desks are another great way to cut back on sitting time – but if you don’t have that luxury standing periodically while reading documents is also a useful habit to get into.  Sick of the stuffy office? Have you considered holding your meeting during a brisk walk? Here’s a few tips: http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/Assets/Files/How%20to%20conduct%20walking%20meetings.pdf New member offer at Upstate Yoga If you enjoy this week’s yoga class, you might like to check out the new member offer that Upstate Yoga offers: 30 Days Unlimited Reformer + Mat Classes  (New clients only, pass commences from date of first visit) for $59. More information available at www.upstatestudios.com.au.   Geelong Law Association  

Attached is your invitation to our August CPD by Scott Cromb on Contractual interpretation principles: the latest from the Courts. Scott will present on some high-level topic areas including: 1.         Unscrambling the egg: what are the construction principles? 2.         The ambiguous ambiguity gateway: Codelfa and life after it 3.         Agreements to agree: a look at the Masters v Cameron principles 4.         Avoiding the Courtroom: drafting to avoid disputes Scott has a broad commercial practice with a particular focus on insolvency, competition and banking matters and class actions. Scott has gained a wealth of experience in commercial litigation matters and appears regularly in the Supreme, County, Federal and Federal Circuit Courts and has also conducted numerous interstate proceedings. The seminar will be delivered at WorkSafe, 1 Malop Street Geelong (Level 5, Room 7). The cost for CPD sessions for members will be $20.00 which includes lunch. Please purchase your ticket via Tidy HQ for the event which also provide an RSVP so that numbers can be calculated for catering. For more information please click here

Geelong Law Association - Trivia Night @ ALMA Restaurant  Price: $60.00 per ticket for Members & $80 per ticket for Non Members. Time: 6:30 PM ALMA Restaurant Geelong 93-95 Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220 Prepare for a night of fine dining at one of Geelongs best restaurants and the opportunity to test your general knowledge against colleagues and fellow GLA members. This is a night not to be missed tickets are limited due to capacity so be sure to book early.  Ticket price includes chefs selection menu (dietary requirements catered to), limited drinks Tab, professional Trivia company QUIZZAME and prizes throughout the night.   Should anyone wish to purchase a table to ensure you are all seated together there is 8 people per team and it is suggested that one person from the team should purchase all tickets at the same time from the GLA Tidy Hq website so a table can then be allocated. Alternatively there is an option but not a requirment when purchasing your tickets on the website to include your team name so that you can then be allocated to an existing team. 

Dear GLA members, Attached is your invitation to our Commercial Law June CPD presented by Daniel Lorbeer on Company directors’ safe harbour. On 19 September 2017, a statutory reform called a ‘safe harbour’ defence was introduced for company directors against liability for insolvent trading. During this CPD Daniel will discuss: The reforms; How they facilitate achieving a workout/restructure; Other issues facing directors during a workout; What effect the reforms may have on the directors’ decision on whether or not to appoint an administrator; and The implications for lawyers advising directors on a workout and thereafter. Daniel appears and does written work in disputes between businesses, insurance litigation, professional negligence, directors’ and officers’ duties, banking and financial services (Chapter 7) matters, personal and corporate insolvency and shareholder and partnership disputes. The seminar will be delivered at WorkSafe, 1 Malop Street Geelong. The cost for CPD sessions for members will be $20.00 which includes lunch. Please purchase your ticket via Tidy HQ for the event which also provides an RSVP so that numbers can be calculated for catering. For more information please click here.  

Attached is your invitation to our second CPD in May on a variety of Family Law topics, inlcuding: Social Media and Recordings (using that material in Family Law proceedings) presented by Alison Burt The Court’s view of short De-Facto Relationships (adjustments for parties) presented by Alex Metherell Post-separation Inheritances presented by Caroline Jenkins Current state of play for overnight time for children younger than three years of age (Court Orders and Family Law Reports: recommendations) presented by Sarah Fisken The seminar will be delivered at WorkSafe, 1 Malop Street Geelong. Please note this is an extended CPD delivered over 4 hours. The cost for CPD sessions for members will be $20.00 which includes lunch and afternoon tea. Please purchase your ticket via Tidy HQ for the event which also provides an RSVP so that numbers can be calculated for catering. For more information please click here.  

Attached is your invitation to our May CPD by Chris Holloway on Death and Taxes Chris Holloway from Equity Trustees has over 20 years’ experience with trustee companies specialising in deceased estate and testamentary trust taxation. He has headed Equity Trustees Taxation Services since 2010. As well as being a registered tax agent, Chris is member of CPA Australia, holds a Diploma of  Financial Planning and a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Monash University. The seminar will be delivered at WorkSafe, 1 Malop Street Geelong (Level 5, Room 7). The cost for CPD sessions for members will be $20.00 which includes lunch. Please purchase your ticket via Tidy HQ for the event which also provide an RSVP so that numbers can be calculated for catering. For more information please click here.

The Geelong Law Association welcomes all new and returning members to the first social event of the year to be held on the 18 April 2019. This will be the last day of work before the long weekend and what better way to finish off the week then with a few after work drinks with colleagues in a relaxed setting. This will be a great opportunity for returning members to catch up with familiar faces and colleagues or if you are a new member the perfect time to introduce yourself and get to know your new fellow GLA members. The GLA will be providing a limited bar tab and platters of food will also be available on the night. Be sure to RSVP by purhcasing a free ticket so we that we can cater appropriately for numbers and any dietary requirements.  The GLA committee look forward to catching up with returning members and meeting new members on the night.