MMJ's Tim Jones built a career on confidence. Now he has to dance
Plus a few things you may have missed
Tim Jones closes deals for a living. He has never once closed a dance floor - but next month he’ll be centre stage on one for two-and-a-half minutes.
He freely admits the very thought of it overwhelms him: “Terrifies me, literally terrifies me.” Jones, MMJ’s managing director, will take the stage at Wollongong Entertainment Centre on June 19.
Jones is one of 15 participants in this year’s Stars of Wollongong, the Cancer Council NSW’s annual dance fundraiser now in its 11th year with more than $1.4 million for cancer research and support services, almost $180,000 from MMJ alone.
It’s no accident he is the last of the company’s board members to participate. Only last year did Jones’ business partner Martin Lo Surdo set a new MMJ benchmark, winning the whole shebang.
“We’ve won highest fundraiser, I think, a couple of times, and best costume … but Martin was the first of us to win the event - and he had to do it the year before I dance, which has made it very awkward for me,” Jones laughed.
Regardless, the years of deflection finally gave way to a mix of gentle pressure, a well-timed dare from a mate, and a cause that hits close to home.
Jones speaks candidly about losing a much-loved colleague, Debby Cramp, to cancer and the reality that, in a workplace of nearly 70 people, someone is always affected in some way.
“We have got people in here at the moment that are either directly or indirectly affected - in the past, are right now. So there’s always a reason. Debby’s one of the biggest and, yeah, probably the primary one. But there’s other people right now, within these walls, who have their reasons and have their own journeys going on, and it’s as much for them as it is for anyone else,” Jones said.
He’s been training twice weekly for six weeks with instructor Ebony Austin, who has, he said, given her time free of charge many Stars of Wollongong events. His primary goals for the night are, in order: not embarrass Ebony; not embarrass the MMJ directors who preceded him; and make some people proud.
One more big fundraiser
It’s not the first time Jones has operated outside his lane: he trained in journalism, once caddied at the Australian Open, and can touch his nose with his tongue. But none of that, he concedes, has done much for his footwork.
Either way, the fundraising push that’s already nearing $50,000, with a new target of $60,000 firmly in sight. He’s confident his Punt Party x Ladies Day at the Illawarra Hotel will push his fundraising further north: “Everyone’s upping their games as the big date comes closer. This event’s going to be epic. May 23 - can’t wait,” he said.
And that confidence surfaced again when he issued one final challenge to fellow contestants: “Come and get me on the leaderboard.”
Check out more about 2026’s Stars of Wollongong, right here.
Fowlers Road selected for critical M1 expansion
Transport for NSW will hold a number of info sessions at Dapto to explain its plans for the M1 ramps.
Fowlers Road has been confirmed as the site for new south-facing entry and exit ramps on the M1 Princes Motorway. This decision marks a pivotal infrastructure upgrade for the Dapto region, supported by a $30 million joint commitment from the NSW and Australian governments.
The preferred design includes a northbound exit and a southbound entry ramp via signalized intersections, alongside upgrades to the Princes Highway junction.
According to executive director Brendon James, Fowlers Road outperformed other sites, including Kanahooka Road, by offering superior traffic outcomes while avoiding sensitive Coastal Wetlands.
While this planning milestone provides clarity for local logistics and property interests, the project remains in the design phase. Construction remains contingent on future funding rounds. Detailed assessment reports are now available for public review as the state finalizes environmental impact studies.
At the info sessions, you’ll be able to speak with members of the project team and learn more about the project and what’s next.
To book a ticket for any of the sessions below, hit this link:
Tuesday, May 12, 2pm-4pm
Wednesday, May 13, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Thursday, May 21, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Friday, May 22, 11:30am-1:30pm
Saturday, May 23, 10am-12pm
BlueScope stand-off deepens
There had been a lull in the $14.2 billion takeover battle for BlueScope Steel but SGH Limited CEO Ryan Stokes ended all that earlier this week.
He called on the BlueScope board to provide “clarity” regarding the valuation required to secure an endorsement. This follows the board’s rejection of an improved joint bid from SGH and Steel Dynamics, which increased from an initial $13.2 billion in February.
According to reporting by the Australian Financial Review, Stokes argues that shareholders deserve to know the board’s target price. He further criticised the board’s suggestion to revise the “best and final” offer, labeling it a potential violation of “truth in takeovers” regulations. Under the proposed deal, Steel Dynamics would acquire North American operations while SGH would take over the Australian division.
Stokes highlighted that returns on capital for the Australian business are currently “sub-par” and unsustainable. Meanwhile, some investors are urging the board to act decisively, citing a “once-in-a-lifetime” window to maximize value for the high-performing US assets.
Stokes clarified that if either SGH or Steel Dynamics withdrew from the joint offer, there was a period of 12 months when neither party could act separately on a tilt for BlueScope or its respective divisions.
Guilt, workload stops 2 in 3 from taking sick leave
As the flu season approaches, eyebrow-raising survey results have Australians attitudes to work and health in the spotlight again
Recruitment and HR specialists people2people surveyed 1150 Aussies and reported the following stats:
65% said the biggest reason they work while sick is because they feel too busy (30%) or guilty (35%)
20% said fear of judgment was the main reason they worked while sick
81% said flu shots should be offered free at work
37% had received a flu vaccine in the past 12 months, while 63% had not
24% said they had used 10 days or more of their sick leave allowance in the past year
Among those with no sick leave left, 61% said they still went to work while unwell multiple times
37% of respondents said they were either uncomfortable telling their manager they were too sick to work or avoided saying it altogether.
“When employees say they feel too busy, too guilty, or worried about being judged for taking sick leave, it shows that presenteeism is still being driven by workplace pressure and culture,” Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of HR Solutions at people2people recruitment, said.
Mmm, lots there for management to ponder.
Between your ears
For me Straight Talk with Mark Bouris is a bit hit and miss. The last few have been terrific - from Australia’s first astronaut to AFR columnist Chris Joye explaining the nation’s economics reality and, the latest, with political strategist Kos Samaras. You’ll find it everywhere: website, Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Big ticket
The region’s live music central for the moment - from Guy Sebastian last night to Mondo Rock front man Ross Wilson at Anita’s on Saturday night (tix available). And that’s even before you consider Playlunch at OUW’s Unibar on Sunday (but sorry, no tix left for the bogan-funk favourites though).
For the energetic, get into Sunday’s annual Mother’s Day Classic at Wollongong’s Stuart Park. Registration for the 2k and 5k walk and run events will be open from 7am-8.40am.
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