Good afternoon Reader,
I’m still reeling from the huge attendance at our very successful February BEC Networking Breakfast. We had 84 members and guests in attendance to hear Belinda Novicky, Marketing Manager for Mid North Coast Tourism speak. (I’ve moved on from thinking that people come to hear from me!) Belinda is an energetic and animated spokesperson, and spelled out clearly the important symbiotic relationship between business and tourism in this region.
Many thanks to Jacqui Albutt, from our new Sponsor Member, Glasshouse Flowers, for providing the wonderful red rose table centres that combined with Panthers’ room decorations to make it a special Valentines Day event. We could all feel the business lurv!
Attendance at the BEC Breakfast was all the more gratifying as many people followed up after a huge Tourism Members meeting the previous night. In our audience was Rebel Thomson, CEO of Tourism Tamworth who, together with TT Vice Chairman Greg Maguire, was visiting Port Macquarie to meet with our Tourism Association and Council managers to advise on the corporatised tourism function that is working very successfully in
Most people I spoke with seemed to feel that our HBEC Breakfasts are back on the right track, with a healthy balance of guest and member presentations, and time for informal networking by participants. Our next breakfast, on Thursday 13th March at Panthers Pier One, will be hosted by Helen and John Ross’ J&H
Before I rabbit on, I must express our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mike Reid, who separated at high speed from his bicycle recently and broke everything but his promise. So much for fitness! Couch potatoes rarely collide with the pavement.
I spent a very enjoyable hour at the airport this morning, welcoming Cathy Freeman to Port Macquarie. Cathy is here, just for the day, presenting a workshop for young local athletes. It’s great to see Australian icons like Cathy visiting, and I’m sure the kids will be inspired by her presence. Many thanks to Qantas-Link for bringing Cathy here.
While at the airport, I was informed by a reliable source that there were no fewer than 56 rental vehicles parked in the airport car park. You may have wondered why you were unable to find parking when meeting a flight. If the information I received is correct, it’s a disgrace. Commercial operators obviously have a requirement to make vehicles available to arriving clients, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of local ratepayers trying to use the facility. With the increasing day tripping enabled by reduced airfares, there will obviously be increased demand for all-day parking, and a balance must be found to enable conveniently located short-stay parking to be available. Just one of many business challenges for the operator of a rapidly growing airport.
Congratulations to “Coach Coe” (as the Port News called him) – BEC Member Peter Coe has been appointed to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's internal audit committee. Peter will replace retired deputy vice-chancellor of Newcastle University Professor Brian English, who is concluding his three-year appointment on the committee. This is an important appointment for which Peter’s experience in the most senior ranks of
Finally, we welcome very warmly Steve McGrath, new Area Manager for the Commonwealth Bank, and welcome the “Which Bank” to our Sponsor Membership. It’s great to have the Commonwealth Bank with us as a senior member (even if their current TV ads are execrable!). I look forward to introducing Steve to members at our next Breakfast on March 13th.
And that’s about it for this week. On with the events:
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Three particularly business-related course offerings:
Keyboarding and Basic Computer Skills - 802C022 - Mondays Feb 25th to April 14th - 4:15pm to 5:45pm $110
Intermediate Excel Workshop - 802C019 – Friday 29th February, 9am - 3pm $90
Introduction to Payroll - 802C003 - Thursdays 28th February to 27th March, 6pm - 9pm $175
For information on these and other skills development programs contact the College on 6583 7288
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Thank you to all the Members and guests who attended last Thursday’s BEC Networking Breakfast, making it a hugely successful event.
Congratulations to Karen Williamson, from Ozland Photos, who won the big door prize of a box of roses from Glasshouse Flowers. (Thanks Jacqui!)
I really would appreciate receiving your acceptances by cob Tuesday preceding the breakfast (whenever possible) so we can plan properly for anticipated numbers. I know that last-minute things happen, but any help you can give is appreciated – by me and the catering staff at Panthers.
Next Hastings BEC Networking Breakfast will be held at Panthers Port Macquarie Pier One Restaurant on Thursday 13th March, starting at 7.00am. and will be sponsored by J&H Tours, so be prepared for something special!
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Port
The Port Macquarie Chamber's next member information and networking night has been changed to February 26th at Quality Resort Sails. This must attend meeting will enable members and guests to hear the latest on the Port Promenade from the key personnel involved in the project.
Guests speakers will be:
Craig Barnes - NSW Dept of Lands -
Department of Lands plans for the Port Macquarie Waterfront Developments
David Mann - Ariadne
Presentation on Ariadne's Expression of Interest Submission to Lands Department on Waterfront Site and plans for the
Peter Buckland - President - Port
Update of Chamber Activities
This meeting is important and will enable members and guests to hear and learn the latest information on the Port Promenade and first hand knowledge all important information night will enable
The meeting time is 6.30pm for 7.00pm at Quality Resort Sails. Drinks and savouries will be provided on the night, cost will be $10.00 per person, non-members and guests are most welcome.
For catering purposes please RSVP by 5:00pm Monday 25th February 2008. (02) 6583 4412 or email: executive@portchamber.com.au
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Row your corporate boat…
Port Macquarie Outrigger Canoe Club are holding their fourth Annual Corporate Challenge on Sunday 2nd March. This is a great day out for the whole family and a great team building exercise for you and your employees. No paddling experience is necessary and everything you need is supplied including paddles, canoes and even steerers (so you don't even have to paddle in a straight line). All you need is 5 keen employees with a bit of a competitive spirit and a desire to have a go at something new. An invitation and indemnity form is attached with all the details including who to contact - so go on.... have a go!
You can download a Corporate Day invitation here, and an Indemnity Form here.
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Celebrates the Achievements of Women In the
Gala Presentation Dinner
Pre-dinner drinks at 6.30pm for 7.00pm commencement
Dress semi formal
Tickets $60 per person are available at Panthers Port Macquarie 6580 2300.
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Springboard to Business Success
Calling all growth oriented businesses and entrepreneurs.
Help has arrived in the
Springboard recognizes the special requirements of growth businesses and the special needs of the entrepreneurs who run them who, for instance, see themselves as practical people who prefer problem solving and hand on learning. Participants in the program learn how to gather information, identify options, select and implement actions, assess the impact and amend their activity towards effective practical solutions. Time is a key resource in short supply, consequently entrepreneurs need development input which is convenient, short and to the point, timely, and very tightly focused on their real world concerns.
The Springboard Business Development Program has been working very effectively around
It changes participants’ attitudes and gives them the skills to successfully grow their businesses and employ more people.
Springboard was developed in
The first course for a maximum of 15 participants starts late March and runs for 10 weeks, two hours a week, followed by mentoring.
Participants will be selected based on:
* Their business having high growth potential in terms of turnover and employment
* A stable or growing business history
* Willingness to commit to the whole program and participate actively
* Keenness to find creative solutions to key business development problems
Business people wanting to participate should contact the
For more information contact
David Ledgerwood on 0419 827709
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Business Growth and Success Seminar, Wednesday April 2nd
It’s back! Direction Accounting have presented this seminar to Port Macquarie businesses over the last 5 years, seeing some remarkable results come from ideas implemented by those attending.
The seminar is a great way to pick up business strategies aimed at increasing your business profitability and cashflow.
More importantly the seminar is locally produced and presented by us. It is NOT a seminar full of hype and ideas that can't be put into action locally. The ideas and concepts spoken about will give you ideas to be implemented the minute you open the doors the next morning.
Past seminars have sold out so be sure to mark the date in your diary and download a registration form and return to secure your ticket. Register NOW
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The 54 Rotary Clubs of Rotary District 9650 will be sponsoring the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) from the 12th – 19th April 2008.
Young participants from as far north as
RYLA is aimed at encouraging and developing leadership and social skills for young people aged from between 18 – 25, so that they can more effectively contribute to their communities. It is a residential program designed specifically for young people. There are usually between 60 - 90 RYLA participants, typically from various community groups, with the majority of these participants either working or studying. Past RYLA program participants have described the experience as life-changing and that it benefited them in their careers, personal life and helped them gain strong leadership skills.
To ensure that we deliver another successful programme, we need your assistance. Please download the document from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/RYLA08.doc for details of how you and your business can help.
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What’s on in March at the Company Farm?
Gather a group of 8 to 12 friends and/or family together with your own private cooking class. Organize a group of work colleagues for a team building/bonding session. Learn, laugh and enjoy. Below is a list of scheduled classes and more detail is on the website.
March 2nd Phil Down, Restaurant Synergy, Mecure Centro - great wine information
March 9th Easy
March 16th Josh Brinkman, Bliss Restaurant, specializing in Balinese Cuisine (a must)
March 24th Italian and NOT Pasta
Give a Gift Voucher…….Make shopping for a gift easy whether for Membership to our Club or a Cooking Class.
Check the website calendar for February, March and early April www.cookingwithcompany.com.au , phone Lyn 6585-6495 or 0418-244396 or email lyn@thecompanyfarm.com.au.
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The Director of Workcover Business Assistance Branch, Mr Tony Robinson, will be in town on 28th February (one day only) and would like to know if there are any businesses interested in meeting with him, either a group meeting or individually to discuss or ask for assistance in their businesses needs.
Please phone Evelyn Doak, at Workcover, to make an appointment on 0428 111507
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Don’t forget the Port Macquarie Masters Swimming Club Inc ANNUAL BUSINESS HOUSE CHARITY RELAY
Teams of 4 - each swimmer must swim 50 metres. You do not need to be a good swimmer
You nominate a time & the team that swims nearest to their nominated time wins
PORT
6.30pm for teams requiring time trials - 7.00 start
Nomination Fee $25 per team, includes $5 per team donation to Oncology Unit at PMBH, plus pool entry of $2.90 per person payable at the gate
Includes sausage sandwich after the event
Nominations must be in by 7pm on the night
Perpetual trophy & individual prizes for winning team, PLUS $100 voucher for the Blue Water Restaurant. 2nd place $50 cash & 3rd place $25 cash
Enquiries to: Reg McGlashan: AH: 6584 7376 Bus: 6584 5500 or Ross Cummins Ph: 0408 694 487
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Labour force data available from Australian Bureau of Statistics
6202.0 Labour Force,
6202.0.55.001 Labour Force,
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Phew, it just keeps on getting better!
I’m being a “Tigger”. Tiggers are positive and forward-looking. Are you a morose Eeyore or a bouncing Tigger?
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