OPF Consulting

13/03/2025

🌱 Today Elizabeth Picker and Oliver Forrester attended an insightful Hub Australia Connects session as part of Climate Action Week Sydney.

It's clear the path to sustainable transport isn't just about technology, it's about reimagining how we move in our cities.

Thank you to the amazing panel of speakers:
🚗 Kirk McDonald - Supercharge Australia
🔋 Michael Day - Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA)
🚗 Sarah Aubrey - Electrify Me
🔋 Brendan Joe Doyle - helpmebuyanev.com
🚗 Julie Perrissel - Ivygo

The discussion on sustainable transport solutions was both eye-opening and timely. We explored critical infrastructure challenges and debunked common misconceptions that are currently hampering our transition to greener transport options.

11/02/2025

Today is 🧑‍💻🛜, a global reminder that cyber security and digital responsibility matter for everyone, especially small businesses like ours.

We're reinforcing cyber security, educating our team, encouraging our clients to do the same and supporting initiatives like the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia(COSBOA)'s Cyber Wardens program to help businesses stay protected.

eSafety Commissioner

31/01/2025

We are excited to share the successful launch of Crime Stoppers ACT's latest youth crime prevention campaign.

Over the past few months, the OPF team, led by Elizabeth Picker, have been working alongside ACT Region Crime Stoppers, ACT Government, Neighbourhood Watch ACT, ACT Youth Advisory Council and ACT Policing to develop and deliver a comprehensive campaign strategy and creative assets

Canberra’s youth play a crucial role in crime prevention by staying informed, making responsible choices and speaking out when they witness suspicious or criminal activity. Through the "We Speak Your Language" campaign, Crime Stoppers ACT is providing young people with the tools to anonymously report crime and suspicious behaviour via the Crime Stoppers online reporting platform.

Campaign landing page: https://lnkd.in/gSDrHHnX

Crime Stoppers Australia Australian Federal Police

MEDIA STATEMENT

"We Speak Your Language": ACT Region Crime Stoppers Empowers ACT Youth to Build Safer Communities

ACT Region Crime Stoppers (ACTRCS) has launched an innovative youth awareness campaign aimed at empowering young people to take an active role in crime prevention. With the theme "We Speak Your Language," this campaign connects with the younger generation by using relatable language, fostering trust, and breaking barriers of fear and uncertainty around reporting crime.

The campaign focuses on educating young Canberrans about crime prevention and the importance of reporting suspicious activity. It provides tools and resources for anonymous reporting, while emphasising empowerment, responsibility and community impact.

A dedicated landing page, https://reportitcbr.com.au/, will host campaign content, promote safety messages, and provide links for anonymous reporting through ACTRCS. By making crime prevention relatable, ACTRCS aims to inspire the next generation to help build safer, more connected communities.

Oliver Forrester, Chair of ACTRCS, emphasised the importance of the campaign "By speaking their language, we make crime prevention part of youth culture. This builds trust and empowers young people to take responsibility for their communities. Together, we can create a safer Canberra."

Young people are at a formative stage in their lives, making education a powerful tool for shaping attitudes and behaviours. Educating youth about crime prevention not only equips them with the knowledge to protect themselves and their communities but also fosters a greater sense of responsibility.

Mr Forrester went on to say, “Education helps young people recognise risky situations, avoid dangerous influences and resist peer pressure, which are common precursors to youth offending. By speaking their language, this campaign makes crime prevention approachable and relevant to their daily lives.”

Although youth crime in the ACT has significantly decreased in recent years, challenges remain. From 2011–12 to 2021–22, the youth offending rate dropped by 76%, but youth crime still requires focused prevention. Recent changes to legislation in the Australian Capital Territory highlight the importance of youth-focused crime prevention strategies. The minimum age of criminal responsibility has been raised to 12 years and will increase to 14 on 1 July 2025. These changes reflect a commitment to rehabilitation and early intervention, making it crucial to provide young people with the tools to contribute positively to their communities.

This crime prevention education aims to bridge the gap between youth and law enforcement, making young people feel more comfortable collaborating with authorities to improve community safety.

ACT Policing Detective acting Superintendent Sam Norman said every bit of information, no matter how small it may seem, helped police piece together an investigation.

“Crime Stoppers is a key part of our ability to gather information about crime as it happens. We urge all young people to do the right thing and let us know about information they have about a crime or incident. That piece of information might seem insignificant to you but may be very useful to us as we work to identify and charge an offender.”

ACTRCS hopes by using relatable language and easy online reporting, they can, together with ACT Policing, foster trust and break down barriers of fear and uncertainty around reporting crime with Canberra’s youth.

This campaign is being rolled out with the support of the ACT Government.

15/09/2024

Today, Elizabeth Picker, alongside Cindy Rue represented Council of Small Business Organisations Australia at the Australian Traditional Medicine Society Post-viral Symposium in Sydney.

They highlighted the benefits of COSBOA's Cyber Wardens and Small Business Peak programs.

The Australian Traditional Medicine Society is Australia's largest professional association of natural health practitioners and nutritionists.

11/09/2024

We know mental health matters 🧠

This R U OK? Day, we’re taking a moment to check in with our team members. A simple "Are you ok?" can open up a conversation that makes a difference. Supporting each other creates a stronger, more connected workplace. Let's keep the conversation going, today and every day. 💛

28/08/2024

Oliver Forrester, Chair of Crime Stoppers ACT and Director of OPF Consulting, is in Tasmania for the Crime Stoppers Australia National Board Meeting. It’s a great chance to collaborate on national safety strategies.

He also attended the 30th anniversary of Crime Stoppers Tasmania, celebrating three decades of dedicated service to keeping Tasmania safe.

27/08/2024

Did you know? $46,000 is the average financial cost of a cyber attack on a small business.

This Scams Awareness Week (26-30 August), we're taking a moment to remind our team and clients that everyone has a part to play in shutting down cyber criminals.

Leading the way, Elizabeth Picker and Oliver Forrester have graduated the Cyber Wardens course. This training simplifies cyber security to help small businesses.

Cyber Wardens in an initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia supported by an industry alliance lead by Telstra, Commonwealth Bank and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

22/08/2024

We’re excited to share our digital advertising initiatives for Anytime Fitness clubs across Australia have achieved outstanding results in the recent national One Day Sale.

Our tailored campaigns helped our clients achieve top placements at the state level, and within the top 5 at both metro and regional levels across the country.

OPF is proud to be a preferred supplier for Anytime Fitness Australia, working together to support franchisees through impactful advertising and strategic campaigns.

Video supplied by Anytime Fitness Australia

13/08/2024

Tonight, OPF attended the National Summit: The New Frontier Pre-Summit Cocktail Party, where we mingled with industry experts, economists, regional leaders, government officials, political figures, academics, and representatives from the community sector.

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is the nation’s first and only independent think tank dedicated to building robust regional economies.

11/08/2024

OPF is pleased to announce a strategic partnership between Anytime Fitness Goulburn, owned by OPF Director Oliver Forrester, and Tribe Breweries.

We are proud to have played a key role in developing and launching this innovative collaboration, which integrates fitness and leisure in exciting new ways.

This unique collaboration seeks to encourage fitness and wellbeing among employees and their families, reinforcing a joint commitment to the overall health of residents in Goulburn and surrounding areas.

💜 Anytime Fitness Goulburn and Tribe Breweries Announce Corporate Partnership to Promote Health and Wellness in Goulburn 💜

Today, Anytime Fitness Goulburn and Tribe Breweries are thrilled to announce an innovative corporate partnership aimed at fostering health and wellness within the local community. This unique collaboration seeks to encourage fitness and wellbeing among employees and their families, reinforcing a joint commitment to the overall health of residents in Goulburn and surrounding areas.

Through this partnership, employees of Tribe Breweries and their families will gain exclusive access to tailored membership rates and wellness initiatives at Anytime Fitness Goulburn. These initiatives are designed to accommodate various fitness levels and preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy a workout that suits their lifestyle and goals.

"We’re excited to join forces with Tribe to promote a healthier lifestyle in Goulburn," said Oliver Forrester, Owner, Anytime Fitness Goulburn. "Physical fitness is integral to overall wellbeing, and we look forward to supporting Tribe’s employees and their families on their journey towards healthier living."

Conveniently located in the heart of the town, Anytime Fitness Goulburn offers members group fitness classes, functional training equipment, private bathrooms and personal training support.

Tribe Breweries is an independent, Australian-owned company which employs around 100 people from Goulburn and the surrounding region.

"We’re delighted to partner with Anytime Fitness to encourage our employees and their families to prioritise their health," said Robert Hazell, Head of People and Culture of Tribe Breweries. "This collaboration underpins our commitment, not only to the wellbeing of our team, but also to the community in which we operate."

As part of this initiative, Anytime Fitness will host a series of community events throughout the year, open to all residents of Goulburn, aimed at promoting fitness and wellbeing for all. The next FREE community event is a ‘Tread as One’ 12-hour campaign in October. Members and non-members are invited to register to participate.

“In October, we will be walking or running as many kilometres as possible to raise money for R U OK? – a su***de prevention charity that aims to start life-changing conversations.”

“Every year, 65,000 Australians attempt to take their own life. That means there’s 65,000 reasons to get involved and support this great cause. You don’t have to be a member of Anytime Fitness Goulburn to join – we want everyone in our local community involved.” Oliver concluded.

Anytime Fitness Goulburn invites community members to book a club visit here if they’re looking to join a gym. Registering your interest for a gym trial is an exciting first step towards embracing a healthier lifestyle.

If you are a local business in the Crookwell or Goulburn region who is interested in corporate wellness, please reach out to Elizabeth Picker, Anytime Fitness Goulburn’s Partnerships Manager, via email to [email protected].

Goulburn Post Crookwell Gazette

01/08/2024

Client spotlight: National Contemporary Art Prize

Congratulations to the 2024 National Contemporary Art Prize Finalists! 🌟🎨

As the creators of this prestigious prize, we are honoured to support and recognise these outstanding artists who have contributed immensely to Australia's cultural tapestry.

Presented with an idea over coffee, OPF went on to conceive, develop, design, and execute a national art prize within two months. Now in its fourth year, the National Contemporary Art Prize boasts a collective following of over 20,000 artists, firmly establishing itself among the most prestigious and popular art competitions.

With the finalist judging now concluded, stay tuned for the exciting reveal the three category winners in September.

Congratulations once again to the finalists — you are integral to shaping the artistic narrative of our nation.

FINALIST CAPTIONS:
Vivian Falk - A Man Of Values
Roxanne Lillis - Let Them Eat Cake
Kerry Madawyn McCarthy - Syaw (Fish Net)
HelenMcCarthy Tylmuty - Lirrga - Ochre Paints
Greg Mallyon - Ridge in Daylesford landscape

To see the 2024 finalists please visit - https://ncapart.com.au/

25/07/2024

Last week, OPF team members Oliver Forrester and Elizabeth Picker travelled with Council of Small Business Organisations Australia to Hobart to launch a new national program, Small Business Peak.

Special guests included the Hon Julie Collins MP, Federal Minister for Small Business, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and the Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Tasmanian Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence.

OPF Consulting is proud to be the delivery partner for Small Business Peak which is designed to assist small businesses navigate the complex industrial relations (IR) changes. To learn more about Small Business Peak, small businesses are encouraged to visit https://lnkd.in/g4uq2rsE.

Event details:
Venue: The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Floral arrangements: Botanical Kate Sice
Photography by: Rosie Hastie
Entertainment: Baker Boys Band