14 July 2008

Slightly chilly greetings, Reader,

My aching bones tell me that winter has arrived, and I have a trip down to Canbrrrrrra to look forward to very soon. Great timing!

Last Thursday’s HBEC Networking Breakfast was a huge success. Ninety five participants ensured that the room was packed for an informative presentation by Andrew McCormack, from AXA, kindly organised for us by the guys (and girls) at COMPASS financial management. Andrew’s presentation illustrated the way in which many investors fail to benefit from fluctuations in the stock market by behaving impulsively, selling and buying at the wrong time, following emotional cues rather than rational logical behaviour.

Of course, it takes a certain sang-froid to calmly watch your investments plummet, confident in their ability to rise again and exceed current values. The history of the market tells us that it is so, but humans rely heavily on the old reptilian cortex, where emotion – not logic – rules. Logic and history is all good and well, but I would still like to see my modest savings on an upward rather than downward slope.

I mentioned at Thursday’s breakfast my intention to arrange for the BEC to sponsor some wind-up LED torches to provide to Melinda and Steve Robinson, for their use in Uganda. The villages where Softpower Education charity is working in Uganda have no electricity and so, no lighting. I thought the caption “Light up a bit of Africa” had a nice ring to it. The torches are available for $20 retail.

I’m very grateful to announce that our new member Peter Vane, from IT West, through local manager Damien Bush has offered to provide these torches to us at HALF RETAIL PRICE. In addition, Peter and Damien are donating the first 10 torches free of charge. That’s a very generous donation, and I thank IT West for their support.

Unfortunately response for the Softpower Black Tie Fundraiser next Saturday night has not been great, so Melinda and Steve have been obliged to cancel the event. Hopefully, we will be able to organise a support function for them later in the year. In the meantime we’ll get some torches rolling.

On a brighter note (get it? – sigh!) I’m delighted to announce the return of Momentum Investment and Insurance as Sponsor Members of HBEC. Thanks to Geoff Woodham and the team at Momentum, great to have you back on board.

Welcome also to the delightful Ms Alison Innes, recently appointed GM of Macquarie Waters, who represents renewing Sponsor Member East Coast Holidays.

And, finally, welcome aboard to Matt Howarth and the team at Macquarie Southern Cross Media (Star FM and 2MC) represented at breakfast by the effervescent Kathleen Norman.

Please have a good read of the event notices below. There are several significant items this week.

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Port Macquarie Community College

Quality Customer Relations Learn about customer service strategies that work/don't work, techniques for telephone and face to face communication, techniques for dealing with awkward and difficult customers and situations and strategies to build customer loyalty. Book a workshop for your entire team.807W007 Thu Jul 17th 1 session 9am-4pm $98

OH & S for Construction Sites WorkCover Accredited. This course provides training and certification for people working, or hoping to work, in the construction industry, including building, landscaping, plastering, road construction and associated areas.807W008 Thu Jul 24th 1 session 9am-4pm $120

MS Word Essentials This class is ideal for expanding your skills and knowledge with MS Word. Topics covered will be saving documents, navigation, adjusting margins and layout, shortcuts, copy and move, search and replace, simple tables, autotext, mailmerge, printing and more.808C003 Fri Aug 1st 1 session 9am-3pm $90

Computer Skills for the Office If you are seeking employment or returning to the workforce this course will provide an excellent grounding in essential skills for office administration. It will include a keyboarding speed test to Australian Standard AS2708-2001. Five units of competency: BSBCMN107A Operate a personal computer, BSBCMN108A Develop keyboard skills, BSBCMN213A Produce simple word processed documents, BSBCMN214A Create and use simple spreadsheets and ICAU1133A Send and Receive Information using web browsers and email. Statement of Attainment from Certificate II in Business BSB20101.
807C020 Tue Jul 22 to Nov 11 15 sessions 9:30am-12:30pm $520

SLR Photography Master your digital or film SLR camera by learning the photography fundamentals of shutter speed, aperature, focal length, depth of field, basic composition and camera feature modes. An exciting and fun course featuring practical exercises that students will appraise each week.808C004 Tue Aug 5 to Aug 26 4 sessions 1:30pm-4pm $135

Makeup Techniques (mmm, I’ve been hangin’ out for this one!) In this workshop learn how to apply make-up for a range of occasions and acquire basic tips and guidelines to encourage healthier skin for both men and women. In this hands on workshop you will learn about which products are best for your skin type. This workshop is conducted by a qualified Beauty Therapist.809H009 Thu Sep 11 to Oct 2 4 sessions 6pm-8pm $110

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Next HBEC Networking Breakfast

Our next breakfast will be hosted by J&H Tours, on Thursday 14th August, at Panthers Pier One Restaurant.

This will be a very special event, so make sure you reserve your place. Judging by recent breakfasts, I wouldn’t be surprised if we reached the magic attendance of 100 for this one. I know I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing what J&H Tours have to say.

RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au

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Pam Foye asks me to let you know that “As part of our rebranding to Jobfind, my email address has now changed to: pam.foye@jobfindcentre.com.au . Please update my details in your address book. Our address, phone and fax numbers remain the same.”

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NSW TAFE North Coast Institute

A Course for Women
91347NSW Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training, Career Education and Employment for Women (CEEW)
This course prepares woman for further education and employment. Commencing 6 August 2008 and will run Wednesdays to Fridays between 9.00am and 2.20pm at Port Macquarie TAFE. Information Session Wednesday 23 July at 10.00am in room F1.8.

Colour for Interiors
7886 Statement of Attainment in Interior Decoration – Colour Consulting- Historical - Contemporary - Applications - Usage For more details contact Port Macquarie TAFE on 6581 6200.

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Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards

Nominations for the Business Awards are flowing in strongly. More than 100 businesses have already nominated across the whole of the Greater Port Macquarie-Hastings region. So maximize your chances to win by getting your customers to nominate your business!

For businesses accepting the nomination, the process could not be easier. All a business needs to do to participate is: - Be nominated - Accept the nomination by signing and returning the acceptance form the Chamber sends to you, and in 50 words or less explain what your business is about. There are no submissions or paperwork you need to complete!

Each week a nominated business will be drawn to win a profile in the Port News. A person nominating the business also has a chance to win a $50 voucher for a meal at Sails. Draws are announced on Wednesdays at 4.30 on Radio 2MC.

Friday 29 August is the big night, when Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards 2008 will be presented. Tickets are now on sale through Panthers Port Macquarie for $75 per head or $750 per table. The evening starts at 6.30 pm. Cricket commentator and comedian Kerry O’Keeffe will be master of ceremonies for the evening (not quite up to the standard of the local boy who MC’d the Customer Care awards, but not bad).

It will be a fun evening and an opportunity for all businesses to gain maximum exposure.
Don’t miss out!

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Applications now open for 2008 BCU Bill Ussher Agricultural Scholarship

Community credit union, BCU recognises the vital contribution farmers make to rural Australia and the BCU Bill Ussher Agricultural Scholarship was establishedto give something back to farmers. Now its fourth year, the scholarship honours the late Bill Ussher, a banana grower from near Macksville who was BCU’s first member and founding chairman.

Due to its success in previous years, the value of the scholarship has been increased to $11,000 to cover two awards, worth $7,700 and $3,300 respectively, to be used by primary producers to access educational and training opportunities.

More details are available by downloading this PDF document: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/ussher2008.pdf

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Not that any worthy reader of this epistle would stoop to consuming demon alcohol…

Wicked Elf Tastings (now I know I have your undivided attention)

This Friday, 18 July, starting at 5pm, at the bar on the rooftop at The Mercure Centro Hotel

The Elf has managed to lure the brewer of Port Macquarie’s medal winning beer out of hibernation. Come and have a chat and taste The Little Brewing Company’s Wicked Elf range in the warm and cosy surrounds of the bar on the rooftop of The Mercure (surely one of Port’s best kept Friday night secrets).

Tasting is free of charge. (Does that mean swallowing attracts a fee?)

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NSW Business Chamber Networking @ Night

NSW Business Chamber and Men At Work invite you and a colleague to attend a special evening of Networking. Our guest speaker for the evening is Rob Oakeshott MP – Independent Member for Port Macquarie.

NSW Business Chamber, formerly ABL State Chamber, has been invigorating business success for 120 years. NSW Business Chamber offers solutions to invigorate business growth and improve results at every stage of the business life cycle. Men At Work prides itself on the personal approach they take and the exemplary standards of quality they deliver to each and every on of their clients.

Date > Thursday 24 July 2008
Location > NSW Business Chamber, 146-148 Gordon Street Port Macquarie
Parking > Free parking at Growers Market car park and Gordon Street
Time > 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Cost > FREE (Light refreshments provided)

RSVP essential: Download invitation with acceptance contacts from: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/netatnight.pdf

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Laurie Smith OAM spoke briefly at last Thursday’s breakfast about: Volunteer of the Year Awards

The 2008 Volunteer of the Year Awards are a unique opportunity to recognise and publicly acknowledge the invaluable work done by hundreds of thousands of volunteers throughout NSW.

There are two major categories
- firstly, NSW Volunteer of the Year Award (with special Awards for Youth and Senior
Volunteers of the Year), 16 Regional Winners, including the Mid North Coast

- secondly, NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award (only one corporate Award will be issued across the State).

Judging criteria comprise a range of factors and include -
- Demonstrated benefit to the local community, region or State
- Evidence of initiative and innovation
- Capacity building and sustainability
- Length of service and number of hours of the nominee
- An explanation of what is outstanding about the nominee and the work for which he/she is being nominated
- Any obstacles which the nominee may have had to overcome to achieve the outcomes of their volunteering Timeline
- Nominations opened Monday 12 May 2008, and close on Tuesday 30 September 2008.
- Regional Winners announced mid-October to mid-November 2008
- 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year announced Friday 5 December 2008, International Volunteer Day.
- Cash awards will be made to the winners' nominated non-for-profit organisations.

For more information, have a look at www.volunteering.com.au/nsw_volunteer_awards/

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A HBEC Member business is looking for an exceptional Team Manager.

“Looking for a manager for our Port Macquarie team so if you happen to hear of a qualified Chartered Accountant with at least 4 years experience in accounting firms and excellent communications and client relationship skills, I'd be more than happy to hear from them.

We have a very flexible and fun working environment with lots of laughter in the office but we're also a team of goal oriented, driven people so will need someone with energy and enthusiasm.”

Please reply by return email, and I will pass on your interest.

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Reg McGlashan, from Wizard Home Loans, advises that: “Wizard Home Loans don't only have a wide range of home loans for just about any purpose we also now have business loans, but we also have equipment loans for businesses by way of rental or operating lease, finance lease and commercial hire purchase plus commercial / industrial mortgage loans.”

Reg can be contacted at Wizard Home Loans, 90 Lord Street Port Macquarie. Ph: 02 6584 5500 Fax: 02 6584 5511

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And there you have it for another week. As usual, I will provide a link to a juicy morsel from those hard working abacus-drivers at ABS:

Australian Social Trends 2008 - First Media Alert (Media Release), http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/MediaRealesesByCatalogue/12330AF6AA6F6B5ACA2574810001F757?OpenDocument

5609.0 Housing Finance, Australia, May 2008http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/5609.0?OpenDocument

Cheers until next week,