18 August 2008

Glorious sunny greetings, Reader,

Tragedy has struck. The women’s volleyballers have lost, so I no longer get to monitor that Seabird swimwear. I must say though, that the excellent construction and workmanship by member business Soft Edges stood up very well to the rigors of international competition. The Opals, women’s basketballers, thankfully, are still headed for gold in their Soft Edges-made outfits. Go girls!

Last Thursday’s HBEC Breakfast was, again, very well attended despite the spate of winter flu ravaging the area at the moment. Helen and John Ross, and their team from J&H Tours provided a mouth-watering presentation of their travel offerings. Possibly too tempting for my own good. For years I’ve managed to keep the wanderlust of The Cook under control, but now I think the fires have been rekindled, and a J&H Tour is looking like a real possibility.

As Helen described the growth of J&H Tours, from organising a one-off charity event to becoming a fully-fledged international luxury tour convenor, she demonstrated how passion and drive can deliver success for a business. The attention to detail, and emphasis on quality in all aspects of travel, accommodation and activity planning is evident, even down to the “convenience pack” provided to each tour member.

For anyone wanting to try a “sampler” of J&H Tours, they have arranged a couple of short tours to New Zealand’s Marlborough wine country, in November 2008 and March 2009, guided by none other than Mr John Cassegrain. These promise to be a gourmet’s delight, with an abundance of fine food and wine experiences packed into a few days. More details from J&H Tours.

It’s great to have J&H Tours as a Patron Member of HBEC, as it is a constant reminder of the growth and success potential for other local businesses here in Port Macquarie.

Breakfast attendees were treated to some great door prizes. Thanks to J&H Tours for a couple of lovely travel books, toSue Reid’s Discovery Health & Fitness for a personalised assessment and workout, to Glenda Hamilton’s “Perfectly Organised” for a 2-hour consultation, and a big thank you to Adam Roberts for a $250 open order from the Digital Design & Poster Studio. All gifts much appreciated by their lucky recipients.

Next HBEC Breakfast will (coincidentally) be held on the 7th anniversary of “9/11” – Thursday 11th September. Is it really 7 years, already?
This breakfast will celebrate Small Business Month, and will be held at Panthers Pier One Restaurant.

On to this week’s activities:

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Port Macquarie Community College

NEW Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
This accredited certificate will teach you how to safely administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
808W004 Thu Aug 28 1 session 5:30pm-7:30pm $40

Introduction to Computers
This introduction course will provide you with entry level skills for the workplace. You will gain the confidence and skill to start a personal computer, shutdown, work with files and folders, correctly navigate the desktop and use a range of basic computer functions. ICAU1128A - Operate a personal computer, Statement of Attainment from Certificate I in Information Technology ICA10105.
808C015 Thu Aug 21 to Sep 24 6 sessions 9am-12pm $220

Food Hygiene & Safety
This course covers safe food handling and safe storage, effective use of detergents and sanitisers, waste and pest control. Includes an overview of how food safety legislation affects you. Meets Food Safety Program requirements. Successful participants will gain Statement of Attainment THHGHS01B – Follow workplace hygiene procedures from Certificate III in Hospitality (Operations).
809W002 Sat Sep 6 1 session 9am-3pm $98

Introduction to MYOB
BSBADM309A Process accounts payable and receivable, Statement of Attainment from Certificate III in Business Administration BSB30201. Topics include: manage and set up your business or club accounts. Record sales and receivables, purchases and payables, invoices and payments, cheques and deposits. Basic computer skills are essential.
809C017 Tue Sep 9 to Oct 10 7 sessions 6pm-9pm $250

Introduction to Payroll
BSBADM308A Process payroll, Statement of Attainment Certificate III in Business Administration BSB30201. Manage holidays, sick leave, awards, salary and wage employees, calculate employee pays, print group certificates and perform end of year functions using MYOB V17.
809C002 Thu Sep 11 to Oct 9 5 sessions 9am-12pm $175

Body Language
We base our judgements of people primarily on their non-verbal communications, but it is easy to misjudge people because non-verbal communication is so difficult to 'read'. You will have the opportunity in this course to explore the impact that your own non-verbal messages have on your relationship with others and develop strategies to improve your interpersonal communication.
809W006 Thu Sep 11 1 session 9am-4pm $98

More information, and bookings, from the College on 6583 7288

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Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Dinner and Ceremony 2008 is less than 2 weeks away

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 will start at 6.30 pm. Cricket commentator and comedian Kerry O’Keeffe will be master of ceremonies for the evening. If you’ve ever listened to ABC test cricket commentary, you will have an idea what to expect. Lubricate your laughing gear!

It will be a fun evening and an opportunity for all businesses to gain maximum exposure.

Don’t miss out! Call Port Panthers on 6580 2300.

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Meet the Lyne Candidates

Hastings BEC is pleased to join with PM Chamber in supporting the "Meet the Candidates" session for candidates in the forthcoming Lyne by-election, being hosted by the Residents Action Network.

Date: Tuesday 26 August
Time: Commencing 6.00 pm.
Venue: Port City Bowling Club, Owen Street, Port Macquarie

For further information contact RAN Secretary Penny Marshall on 6586 3294

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September wouldn’t be September without The Great Debate!

This is always a very enjoyable lunch event, with lots of laughs.

This year’s topic: A BIG SALARY BEATS WORK-LIFE BALANCE HANDS DOWN
Date: Tuesday 2 September, 12 noon – 2pm
Place: Rydges Port Macquarie
Cost: $25 for debate & 2 course lunch
Registration: Maree McEntyre at the NSW Business Chamber by telephone on 6584 0910
or email maree.mcentyre@australianbusiness.com.au no later than COB Friday 29th August 2008.

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This Wednesday night, 20th August, at 8.00pm on ABC2 TV

Keating! The Musical. Don’t miss it.

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Warm up your taste buds.

Tastings of the Hastings, the region’s food and wine festival will be held this year on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
As usual, Tastings will be held at the Port Macquarie Race Course.

This was a great event last year, and this year promises to be even bigger and better. Put it in your diary.

For more information, or to take part, contact Coordinator, Sonia Fingleton, Mobile: 0414.376 868 or email: alliedassets@bigpond.com

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Are you the Signature Chef?

Mid North Coast NSW Regional Tourism Office is seeking entries from mid north coast chefs…
…..to find a Mid North Coast Signature.

Our BEC members, TAFE NCI, and Joyer are generous sponsors of this great initiative.
Please see all details in the full PDF brochure. Download from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/signaturedish.pdf
Another grand sponsor, Focus Magazine put together the fabulous entry forms and media release.

Chefs can enter online at www.midnorthcoasttourism.com.au or send entries by mail.

For further information: Contact: Belinda Novicky Phone: (02) 6569 4058 or 040003363 or
Sonia Fingleton , Good Company Group Pty Ltd, Phone: (02) 6585 9342 or 0414376868.

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Port Golf Day – all proceeds to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Glen Kolpak from WRHS spoke to our August breakfast about this Golf Day. It should be fun, for a good cause.

Date: Monday 15th September 2008, rego from 11am, 12 noon shotgun start.
Price: $50 per player including green fees, bbq lunch and nibblies at the presentation.
Teams of 4. 18 hole ambrose at Port Macquarie Golf Club.
Great team and individual prizes. Hole sponsorships are still available.

For info: Glen on 1800 155 155 or email glen.kolpak@rescuehelicopter.com.au

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Don’t forget the
Ronald McDonald House In The Hunter - Gala Charity Dinner & Show.

The Dinner and Show will be held at Tommy’s By The Beach at 6.30pm on Wednesday 3rd September 2008.
Tickets are only $60 and include “Tommy’s Punch”, canapes and two-course dinner and, of course, the show.
There will also be a charity auction and lucky door prizes.

Download the brochure from: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/RMHC.pdf

Tickets and information from: Mandy Miller 6583 1788 or Email mmiller@rossgroup.com.au

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The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a National competition for Government, Catholic and Independent schools. It is a non-profit initiative of Global Rock Challenge. The purpose of it is to give young people the opportunity to stage a major performance and access facilities and light and sound production that they would normally never be able to afford. The standards are astonishingly high. Schools compete in heats all around Australia and then finalists are selected for Grand Finals.

St Columba Anglican School has achieved the remarkable, and is one of 8 schools to compete in the Sydney Grand Final on Friday 05 September.

They need financial help to enable their travel and incidental costs. Business sponsorship is urgently requested. If your business can help, please download this information: www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/ColumbaRock.doc for details of how you can help.

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Finally, QANTAS LINK are offering some more special fares to Syddley, and the bigger Dash8-400 starts operations from PQQ on Monday 25th August.

QantasLink Seat Sale is now on!

OPTWEBU fares have been reduced for travel September 28, 2008 to October 26, 2008.

Sale ends August 21, 2008.

PQQ - SYD from $79 each way

Please refer to your GDS for fare levels and all conditions.

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And that’s about if for another blissful week in the cultural centre of the universe. But we can’t leave without an offering from the abacus-fiddlers in the National Capital…

6291.0.55.001 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery, Jul 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6291.0.55.001?OpenDocument

6302.0 Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, May 2008
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6302.0?OpenDocument

Enjoy,