Dear AVCAL members and associates,

Time is flying and we are already into February and gearing up for a very busy time ahead of us. We are planning for a full series of events for 2007 and it should prove to be a very interesting year.

The first key event for us is the launch of the report which we commissioned from PricewaterhouseCoopers into "The Economic Impact of Private Equity and Venture Capital in Australia". I'd like to thank all of those who participated in the survey, particularly the CFOs and finance staff. The information you've provided was critical to the report's depth and independence and I know that it was a substantial effort to collate that data for us. It was much appreciated. The report will be available on our web-site from Thursday 8th February and downloadable as a PDF.

The Foundation Course has only had registrations open for 3 working days and is already nearly full. If you or a colleague are wanting to participate on the course you'll need to get your applications in very quickly.

All the best for 2007, I hope to see many of you during the year at our various events around the country.




AVCAL 2007

AVCAL's annual conference will return to the Sheraton Mirage and Versace Hotels on the Gold Coast on September 26 & 27 (Wed/Thurs).

AVCAL members will be notified when registrations open in April.




AVCAL State Events

MBO Series Lunch

Date: Thursday 22nd February
Time: 12noon - 2pm
Speaker: Brian Hodges, Bradken Limited
Topic: Perspectives on a PE-backed MBO
and on-going post-IPO success
Venue: Sydney Harbour Marriott, Sydney
Cost: $85 AVCAL Members & $95 Non Members
Click here to register

AVCAL Golf Day 2007

18 Hole Ambrose Competition (9 holes by request)
Date: Thursday 15th March
Registration: 12 noon
Start: Shotgun tee off at 1pm
Venue: Concord Golf Club, Sydney
Cost: $180 AVCAL Members & $210 Non Members
Click here to register

Qld Networking Lunch

Date: Thursday 15th March
Time: 12noon - 2pm
Panellists: Cameron Buchanan, Bruce Scott, Marcus Simpson
Topic: Private Equity - On the Board and On the Boil
Venue: Stamford Plaza, Brisbane
Cost: $75 AVCAL Members & $90 Non Members
Click here to register

VIC Networking Lunch

Date: Friday 16th March
Time: 12noon - 2pm
Speaker: To be confirmed
Cost: $65 AVCAL Members & $85 Non Members

Asian Venture Forum Feb 26-28, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. Visit their website

The forum is being staged by the Asian Venture Capital Journal and will analyze the expanding presence of global firms, recent regional developments in China, India & Japan and the implications and opportunities for Australia's private equity & venture capital fund managers and institutional investors.

For more information click here.




Hear Dr Bill Miller, Silicon Valley Legend

Dr Bill Miller has been active in Silicon Valley for 40 years. He is speaking next week in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide & Brisbane.

The event organisers, Slattery IT, are offering AVCAL members discounted ticket prices.

For more information about Dr Miller and details of the events please click here





Member Events

BRW Upstarts

BRW Magazine UpStarts 2007 call for entries.

BRW Magazine is keen to publicise young, fast-growing companies in its annual UpStarts list to be published in April.
More information is available here.

Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards

Sustainability Victoria is calling for organisations championing environmentally sustainable practices to enter the 2007 Premier's Sustainability Awards. More information is available here.

Investment opportunities in Nanotechnology in Australia

Sydney, March 27 & 28. More information is available here.




Yalari Limited - Progress Report

Yalari, the indigenous education charity that AVCAL has proudly supported since its inception in 2005, has provided scholarships for 13 new students who have recently commenced their secondary schooling at boarding schools in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Yalari has recently received 'DGR status' from the Tax Office which means that donations to Yalari are now tax-deductible. More information is available at www.yalari.org

Yalari is holding a fundraising dinner in Sydney on Thursday, March 22.

The dinner will be attended by New South Wales Governor, Professor Marie Bashir AC and the guest speaker will be Dr Kelvin Kong MBBS BSc FRACS, Australia's first indigenous ear, nose & throat surgeon.

Yalari has just sent invitations to its database of supporters. If you did not receive an invitation but would like one please email Fiona Latham


Kind regards,


Katherine Woodthorpe
Chief Executive