Economic lessons for 2007
Michael Blythe, Chief Economist for the Commonwealth Bank, asks what lessons we should take from 2006 into 2007*.

A new Frontier
Bringing outsourced production back in-house has caused a leap in turnover for Victorian-based carpet manufacturer Frontier Carpet Mills.

Olympics closer for Sarah
Stamp duty abolished

Olympics closer for Sarah

Olympics closer for Sarah Australia's most successful single-handed dinghy sailor, Sarah Blanck, is consolidating her training program with less than two years to go until the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

After missing out on a medal by one point at the last Olympics in Athens, Sarah is determined to get a place this time around and is being sponsored in her quest by Interlease.

Sarah's rigorous preparation plan consists of physical fitness training along with entering regattas and championships in Australia and overseas.

A highlight for 2006 was sailing as team captain with the Australian team in the test event for the Olympic Games, held in Qingdao, the Olympic sailing city situated between Shanghai and Beijing.

“Sailing in China was challenging, but a great challenge,” says Sarah. “Huge tides ...huge! Quite often you spent your time going backwards, or with your foot dragging in the water to stop you drifting away from the starting line, but as long as you have patience and focus, this venue for the Olympic Games will be an exciting one.”

Along with the three world championships Sarah has won, 2006 saw her named Victorian Female Sailor of the Year for the third year in a row, and her world ranking soar from number 40 to number 11!

Sarah is looking forward to 2007 being as successful as 2006.