Painful Greetings, Reader,
I’m hurting in places where I didn’t even realise I had places. Heaven knows how the Ironmen feel today – I was just running an Aid Station for the event. What a fantastic experience, seeing around 1,500 athletes pushing themselves to the limit of their endurance, and having the privilege to contribute to the spectacle.
We were up early, to be present for the start of the swim leg at 6.30 am, and we helped the last runner (should I say “hobbler”) through our station at almost 10.00 pm last night. In between, it was a real thrill to meet and assist (among lots of others) sporting heroes like former Wallaby Ben Darwin, rugby league legend Robbie O’Davis, and Aunty Jack show’s “Thin Arthur” – Rory O’Donoghue, all of whom finished to earn the title of “Ironman”. Our own “adopted” athletes American Craig Manning and Australian Brian Gillies both (amazingly) looked stronger each time they passed through the station. I don’t know how they do it!
The “Adopt An Athlete” program was a fantastic success this year – thanks to the many Port Macquarie businesses that generously took part. We were able to adopt out more than 330 visiting athletes, and the feedback from both athletes and adopters has been very enthusiastic. The athletes love the personal welcome provided, and the bit of “spoiling” that goes with it. And the businesses benefit from increased goodwill and exposure.
Panthers Port Macquarie, and in particular Janette Hyde and Manager Thomas Paynter, deserve special mention for the enormous support they provide for the event – way above and beyond expectations. And a whole lot of smaller businesses were amazingly generous in their support. I’ve mentioned Restaurant Splash before, but Vivien was mentioned specifically by her adoptees for her kindness and generosity. The teams at The Westport Club, The Observatory, Mercure Centro, Macquarie Waters, Rydges and Quality Sails all made their visiting athletes feel very welcome indeed with special celebrations.
I’ve learned some important lessons, and next year I will be starting the Adoption program earlier and reaching further. We want to keep the Panthers Australian Ironman in Port Macquarie, and business support is an essential part of ensuring contract renewal with the organisers.
OK, enough about the Ironman. What else is happening around Port?
+ = +
Lots of interesting business-related courses available:
804W002 - Responsible Service of Alcohol - Tuesday Apr 15th – 9am - 4pm - $90
804W003 - Responsible Conduct of Gambling - Wednesday Apr 16th – 9am - 4pm - $90
804W004 - Expresso Coffee including Food Hygiene & Safety - Thursday Apr 17th – 9am - 5pm - $105
804W005 - Bar Skills - Friday Apr 18th – 9am - 4pm - $105
803C006 - Introduction to MYOB - Monday Apr 28th to Jun 16th - 7 sessions 9am -12noon - $250
804C002 - MS Word & Excel for Business - Mon Apr 28th to Jul 7th - 11 sessions 1:30pm - 4:30pm - $420
804C011 - Operate a Personal Computer and Computing Packages
Learn how to operate a computer and three software applications - word processing, spreadsheets and database.
Tues 22nd Apr to 23rd September 6:30pm to 9:30pm - $420
+ = +
Thursday 10th April, 7.00 am till 8.30 am
At Panthers Pier One Restaurant
Don’t miss this one! We promise a lot of fun and interest.
RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au BEFORE cob Tuesday 8th April (Please!)
As usual, $20 for members and $25 for guests and visitors (who are very welcome)
+ = +
Seminars on financial markets, Superannuation, Centrelink and your financial health??......might not sound too exciting – but sure to be informative!
COMPASS financial management invite you to a Financial, Super Strategies & Retirement seminar:
· What is happening in all markets, and what can we expect? Some plain-language information on the current investment markets.
· Why is super an even more attractive investment under current rules and taxation?
· How can I continue working, access my super & save substantial tax if I am over 55?
· How can I take advantage of super opportunities in 2008 and beyond
· I hear that Centrelink entitlements allow greater access to funds – do I qualify?
· Why getting your finances right is only one part of a healthy, happy retirement.
· How much superannuation do you need to invest to fund your retirement?
All attendees receive a copy of ‘Choosing the Good Life’ which explores the four dimensions of a happy secure retirement
When: Wednesday 16 April
Start time: 2 Sessions - at 12 noon OR 6pm
Where: COMPASS financial management
5 Star Centre,
Places are limited, so please register online or call 1800 626 926 during office hours,
The AXA “I’m never too young for a retirement seminar” PLAN
+ = +
Steve Creigh, from BEC Member Southern Cross TEN sent me the following…
Port
Unfortunately Dane Puxty has been poached from me by our Gold Coast office & I am on the look out for a new "STAR Performer" . Maybe you could give this a mention for me in the BEC newsletter - someone in the local business community might know a suitable applicant thru family or friends who is looking to move to
If you are interested, or know of a suitable candidate, please call Steve on 6584 1821.
+ = +
You are invited to join the salvos!
RED SHIELD APPEAL Breakfast/Media Launch
Place:
Date: Friday 2nd May 2008
Time: 6.45 am for 7.00 am start
Guest speaker: Neville Parsons
CEO of
Breakfast sponsored by Westport Club
RSVP Monday 21st april 2008
Phone Debbie or Sharon on 6583 7444
All donations in support of the Red Shield Appeal will be gratefully accepted.
+ = +
Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce would like to inform you about
A SLICE OF HAVEN
A celebration of Food and Wine in the Hastings and Camden Haven region, Sunday, May 4, Laurieton Town Common (opposite the movie cinema) Midday to 4pm
This event has been designed to coincide with the tourism-friendly period of the award-winning Camden Haven Music Festival. It will feature local food and wine stalls, light musical entertainment, a kids jumping castle and Mother’s Day prize give-aways.
IMPORTANT
Here is a five-week early plea for anyone who can help – with support or donations, to ring Gordon Wiegold and offer assistance where possible. The Events Committee is on the lookout for people energetic and willing enough to stop thinking about doing things and start lending a hand - as small as that assistance may be, it will make a big difference.
YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Gordon Wiegold (Ph: 0418 266 700) - gkwiegold@bigpond.com
PS: Please let us know if you can display some event posters in your shopfronts or noticeboards
+ = +
Adam Roberts from Digital Design & Poster Studio dropped me a note to advise that his designer, Geri Williams, was nominated for Employee of the Year which is featured in the Port News today.
He was wondering if it would be worthwhile mentioning the Employee of the Year competition in the next couple of broadcast emails. He adds “I'm biased towards our candidate but, if there are other employees from BEC member businesses, it may be worthwhile giving them a plug also.”
And I agree. So, if you have employees nominated for the Employee Of The Year Awards, please let me know.
+ = +
Kellon Beard, from NSW Business Chamber would like to give you the opportunity through our member Mercure Centro Hotel Port Macquarie, to come to a lunch on the Thursday 17th April, to listen to Paul Condren on Differentiate or Die – “How any business can become an irresistible brand and take market leadership.”
Paul is a very dynamic public speaker and trainer and you will gain a lot of valuable information to assist you in your business.
To register just download the invitation from http://www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/PaulCondren.pdf and RSVP to Maree McEntyre on 6584 0930.
+ = +
And that’s about it for this week.
Supporting the Panthers Australian Ironman gave me a unique opportunity to combine my role with Hastings BEC and the business community, with my role for Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association, and it was great to help strengthen the links between business and tourism. As I’ve said before, any business in this region that thinks it doesn’t depend on tourism is jatz crackers. So it’s a privilege to help reinforce the connection.
No comments:
Post a Comment