Cane News - February 2019 Issue

It's still not too late to nominate for a directorship position on the CANEGROWERS Proserpine board - but you need to hurry, as nominations close 5.00pm on Monday, 18th February.

CANEGROWERS Proserpine needs to elect seven (7) directors to the local board for the new three year term which commences on 1st May, 2019. Nomination forms are available on request from the Returning Officer.

In change from previous elections, CANEGROWERS Proserpine has appointed its' Company Secretary as Returning Officer. Therefore, ballot papers will not be returned or tabulated in Brisbane, but managed 'in-house' by the Proserpine office. If an election is required, ballot papers will be posted on Wednesday 13th March and need to be returned by Friday, 12th April.

Detailed instructions will issue closer to the election.

Completed order forms are due no later than Friday 8th March.

Please return to the SSP or Canegrowers Proserpine office

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REMINDER

This will be the final SSP shed meeting for February:

Friday 22nd February

Cannonvalley - Preston
9.00am
June McDonald's farm

Any Growers that were unable to attend their local area productivity meeting are welcome to attend this shed meeting.

Growers,

Please remember that it is mandatory to have soil tests taken of every block, before cane is planted.

Now is the best time to have tests taken, so your results can be returned in time for correct planting recommendations to be made.

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The SSP Board conducted its first regular meeting for the year last week - Acting Productivity Manager, Frank Millar, presented a report on operational activities over the last few months which included updates on various projects and contracted services.

There has been a reasonable rainfall over the district with some particularly heavy falls in some productivity zones. The crop has certainly responded to the rain, but there are still some very small crops and dead patches due to the preceding dry conditions. Hopefully, the crop will respond with a bit of dry weather and sunshine.

Frank and Christine conducted a series of shed meetings over the past week with good attendance reported at most meetings.

As you can imagine, the board devoted considerable time to the recruitment of a permanent Productivity Manager following Peter Sutherland's departure. The board has engaged a specialist agricultural recruitment agency to fill the vacancy, however, as you would expect, senior agronomists/extension professionals are in short supply. Our agents continue to advertise nationally for suitable candidates.

At this stage, Frank will continue to be growers first point of contact for any productivity related issues. The board thanks the members for their tolerance during the recruitment process and extends its appreciation to Frank and the team for their continued dedication to the task at hand.

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Registration of chemicals closes 19th April 2019

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Collections will begin in June 2019

A degree focusing on international business has led Caitlin Davy home to the sugar industry. Mrs Davy has been announced as Queensland Sugar Limited's Grower Relationship Officer in Proserpine, a role that will see her work with farmers to promote QSL's products and services. Taking up the position means she has returned to her roots, as she grew up on her parents Michael and Julie-Anne McDowall's cane farm, near Lethebrook.

After studying business (majoring in accounting and international business) in Brisbane, then securing work in the mining industry, Mrs Davy said it was good to come home. "Growing up on a sugar cane farm, I have always been passionate about the industry" she said. "I am most looking forward to helping growers by using the knowledge I have from my degree and experience. I want to help them be the best they can be".

Caitlin has worked in various management, accounting and contract management roles within the resource industry at Mt Isa, Collinsville and Rolleston. Along with her husband Troy, she has settled in well to Proserpine and the couple are building a house together. In the meantime, she is back living with her folks. "Being home every night is a huge bonus," she said. "It's actually hard to get used to after being away for so long."

Caitlin predicted her role to be hands on and was keen to meet with growers face to face. "QSL has a strong focus on providing locally based, one-on-one support for growers who use our services," she said. "Being available every day as well in the Canegrowers office is going to be far more convenient for our busy growers and ensure our service and information provision maintains a very high standard. "I'm here to help our growers understand QSL's products and services by providing the information they need that will help optimise their experience in the sugar marketing space, including with QSL-managed pools and self-managed pricing options, the QSL Direct online portal, as well as payment arrangements and statements and all other inquiries."

The Proserpine QSL office is located in the Proserpine Canegrowers building at 88 Main St. To make an appointment, growers are invited to contact Caitlin Davy on 0429 804 876 or email: Caitlin.davy@qsl.com.au.

An enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document which defines who you would like to manage your affairs provided you are over 18 years of age. It generally gives rights in connection with financial matters as well as personal and health matters. More than one attorney can be appointed if required.

It is a document which can prove invaluable in many instances. Like insurance, however, the value is often only appreciated after a significant event occurs.

Your attorney’s power to manage financial affairs begins when you decide this should begin. Many people bring this power into force immediately, but there is the opportunity to delay the operation of the document for financial matters. Generally an attorney should act in conjunction with your wishes provided you have the mental capacity to give instructions.

The financial attorney can perform a range of duties such as preparing your tax returns, managing your investments and ensuring your bills are paid on time. Generally no remuneration is paid to your attorney unless the attorney is acting in a professional capacity. It should also be noted that caregivers such as nursing homes should not hold a Power of Attorney for a resident.

People can lose capacity for decision making for reasons such as psychiatric or intellectual disability, dementia or temporary illness. The advantage of this type of Power of Attorney is that the attorney then has the power to make personal and health decisions on your behalf during the period of incapacity.

An attorney for personal matters can make decisions on for such things as where you live, who you will live with and your recreational activities. The attorney acting for health matters can make certain decisions such as medical, treatment options and what medicines are appropriate bearing in mind your wishes.

It is therefore important that you choose carefully the person or people you wish to manage your affairs as well as indicating clearly your wishes for personal and health care in the event of your incapacity.

It should be noted that the Public Guardian has powers to investigate complaints if an attorney holding an enduring Power of Attorney for financial, health or personal matters is acting improperly. This can fall within the field of elder abuse. This is an extensive area of concern nowadays and includes psychological/emotional abuse as well as financial abuse. This will be the subject of a separate article.

As noted earlier in this article, many people simply discuss with their attorney their personal and health wishes in the event of their mental incapacity.

For those who wish to provide more certainty to their attorneys, an Advance Health Directive can be drawn up. This is a formal set of instructions for your future health care. It is sometimes known as a “living will” and is used if you become unable to make decisions due to illness or mental incapacity.

There could be a time when you are seriously ill, unconscious or unable to communicate and critical decisions about your health care need to be made. An Advanced Health Directive ensures your wishes are known and gives health professionals directions about the treatment you require.

This can include information on such things as special health conditions, allergies to medications or religious, spiritual or cultural beliefs which could affect your care.

It is wise to take time to carefully reflect on any decisions you make remembering that you are putting in place a plan that will determine your future health care.

As future health care decisions are important and a person must be very clear on decisions being made, the document also requires to be completed by a doctor who would explain your options and provide more information if required.

For those operating a company, an Enduring Power of Attorney would not allow the attorney to act as a director of the company. Such power of appointment by a director would generally be made, with approval of the other directors in the company, in terms of the company constitution. It is therefore wise to check the company constitution to be aware of any such rights along with any restrictions which may apply.

As can be seen, a great many matters require to be considered when granting an Enduring Power of Attorney. As the contents of the document can have serious implications, it is always wise to seek advice on the legal implications from a legal practitioner.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this article is not advice and should not be treated as such. It is based on Queensland Law and where applicable Commonwealth Legislation. You must not rely on the information in this article as an alternative to legal and financial advice from a properly qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any legal and/or financial matters, you should consult an appropriately qualified professional.

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