FutureNow extends a warm welcome to new Board appointee and union representative Stuart Halusz. ​Stuart is a freelance actor, theatre director and writer. He has been President of the WA Equity Section of Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance since 2015, as Vice President from 2007, and has sat on the National Performers’ Committee since 2007. He also holds a position on the Federal Council of MEAA. Stuart passionately believes in the creative industries’ capacity to enrich our lives and the need for the development of industry skills and future-proofing against an ever-changing landscape is more pertinent now than ever.  

The National Visitor Survey results, published by Tourism Research Australia show the number of domestic – interstate, intrastate and daytrip visitors – grew in the year ending March 2018. The average length of overnight stays have however dropped; driven by people spending fewer nights on business or visiting friends and relatives in WA.
At the same time, spending by Australian visitors in WA decreased during this period.  
Food and beverage continues to attract visitors as nationally restaurant or cafe dining increased, as did visits to wineries.
For more information, visit TRA’s website.

The State Government has announced a new tourism plan for Pickering Brook and the Perth Hills. A taskforce will be appointed to develop a sustainability and tourism strategy that will provide planning certainty for residents and businesses and help maximise the tourism potential of the Perth Hills. 
See joint Media Statement

Congratulations to all winners and finalists in the Clubs WA 2018 Awards for Excellence. Special mention goes to four clubs that have stood the test of time and are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. They are Bunbury RSL (100 years); Byford & Districts Country Club (60 years); Lake Karrinyup Country Club (90 years) and The Western Australian Club (125 years).  To view the full list of winners, click here. 

​The Hilton Hotel chain has collaborated with The Smith Family Foundation to provide young people, many of which are from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain invaluable experience at participating hotels. The Parmelia Hilton Perth hosted a group of students from a Perth High School for three days in early June to give them an idea of what their futures could be through the variety of career opportunities in a hotel. Activities arranged for the students included preparing mocktails, balancing Maltesers while carrying three plates and a Careers ‘speed dating’ session with Parmelia Hilton staff in various positions across the hotel. 

​The Department of Jobs and Small Business has announced details of its July 2018 review of the Skilled Migration Lists, and has published a Traffic Light Bulletin on proposed changes to occupations listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List, the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and the Regional Occupation List. These lists underpin a range of employer-sponsored, points-tested and state-nominated visa programs. 
Stakeholders are invited to make a submission in relation to any occupation, even if no change is flagged at this time. To make a submission, please visit the Department’s website and see the Submission Guidelines for assistance. Public consultation is open until 20 June 2018.