10 November 2008

Ironed-out greetings, Reader,

The day after Scody Half Ironman is a time when the body reveals its true age. Bones and muscles ache – and I was just working on an Aid Station! Again, the Scody Half Ironman was a highly successful event for Port Macquarie, drawing a large number of people into the region and providing invaluable promotion and marketing across a very wide spectrum of media.

The weather could have been a bit kinder, doing as it did “a Melbourne”, with four seasons per hour. But overall the event was a great success. Congratulations to the organisers, sponsors, volunteers and, especially, all the athletes.


Last week all financial members of Hastings BEC were sent a letter from the President of the Board of our governing body – Port Macquarie Community College. In the letter, John Davies explains that the College Board has reviewed the place of the HBEC in the context of a business unit of the College. The Board has decided that the HBEC does not represent core business for the future direction of the College, and that relationship will be terminated with effect 31 December 2008.

The Board has sought expressions of interest from organisations and parties that may wish to take over the operations of the HBEC for the long term, in the hope that the HBEC may be transferred as a going concern.

A classic truism recalls that “with change comes opportunity”. I hope existing members will provide support and show perseverance through this period of change, that additional readers of this email will choose to take up HBEC membership, and that we will emerge with an even stronger and more responsive business organisation.

At our HBEC Breakfast this Thursday, 13th November at Panthers, John will speak on the College's decision on the HBEC.

RSVP for this Thursday’s BEC Breakfast – 6.45am for 7.00am at Panthers Pier One Restaurant, Port Macquarie.

Now, on to other events and activities:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Responsible Service of Alcohol

RSA training is mandatory in NSW for anyone involved with the sale, supply or promotion of alcohol and security staff at licensed venues. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHFAB009A - Provide responsible service of alcohol from SIT20207 Certificate II in Hospitality and a Certificate from the Liquor Administration Board. The LAB Certificate is required for employment in the industry. Training delivered and Statement of Attainment issued by ATAC RTO 90886 and LAB Approved.

811W005 Tue Nov 25 1 session 9am-4pm $90

Responsible Gambling Services

Legislation requires all people working in gaming areas of hotels and registered clubs to complete an accredited course. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHGAM006A - Provide responsible gambling services from SIT20207 Certificate II in Hospitality. Training delivered and Statement of Attainment issued by ATAC RTO 90886 and LAB Approved.

811W006 Wed Nov 26 1 session 9am-4pm $90

Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee

Learn to extract and serve espresso coffee using a commercial espresso machine, including cleaning, care and maintenance. Successful participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for SITHFAB012A - Prepare and serve espresso coffee from SIT20207 Certificate II in Hospitality. Training delivered and Statement of Attainment issued by ATAC RTO 90886.

811W007 Thu Nov 27 1 session 9am-4pm $100

Communicating with Customers

If you have contact with customers and want to explore your own interpersonal communication style and its impact on others, then this is the course for you. The dynamics of communication in the encounter between a customer or team member can be quite complex. This program focuses on customer service and examines the communication skills which help you to establish a relationship with your customer which is conducive to creating a happy and long lasting relationship. Communication processes like non-verbal communication, assertiveness, listening, questioning and feedback skills will be covered.

811W008 Thu Nov 27 1 session 9am-4pm $98

Computers for the Absolute Beginner

This course is for you if you have never used a computer before and need to start at the very beginning. We provide one computer per participant and our patient friendly tutor will guide you through the basics of the keyboard, mouse, parts of a window, startup, shutdown and basic word processing. This is a course with no pressure, You can do it!

811C006 Tue Nov 25 & Dec 2 & Thu Nov 27 & Dec 4 4 sessions 12noon-3pm $132

Introduction to Excel

Learn the basics of creating and updating spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Basic Windows skills required. Topics covered include entering and editing data, formatting, using formulas and functions and printing.

811C007 Tue Nov 18 to Nov 25 2 sessions 6pm-9pm $90

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Welcome to our newest Patron Member – Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

With great pleasure I announce that PM-H Council has taken up Patron Membership of Hastings BEC. This is a wonderful expression of confidence by Council in the significance of the HBEC as a collective of influential leading businesses in our community.

We already enjoy a very productive relationship with several arms of Council, especially Trevor Sargeant’s Economic Development Team, and the formal membership will help to cement an ongoing exchange of views and advice between us.

Especially during the current international trying times, a cooperative and productive relationship between business organisations and Council is essential for the well-being of our business – and wider – community.

Welcome aboard, Council, through your nominee Mr Neil Porter.

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Key Business Development Program

Council is currently preparing for next year’s intake into the Key Business Development Program. The group is kept small - about 15 businesses. To be considered you should have a strong desire to grow, a product or service with the potential to sell outside of this area and be prepared to work on strategy.

'Export' (that is, export out of this region) type businesses are considered to be an important contributor to this area's future economic prospects and, accordingly Council heavily subsidises the cost of participation so as to provide every opportunity for our best businesses to participate. Please use the link to the website in the attached Information Paper (download from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/kbdppaper.doc ) and read about the return other participants are getting from their involvement.

Should you be interested in being considered, please contact Trevor Sargeant on 65818660

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Goodbye MC Mortgage Consultants, hello Blue Chip Mortgages

We welcome news of Mike Chambers joining with Helen Cheers and Bernie Kepars in Blue Chip Mortgages, and forming a very strong team indeed as a Sponsor member of HBEC.

The Blue Chip Mortgage team consists of :

• Bernie Kepars, formerly founding managing director of Statewide Home Loans Centre. Previously District Manager with St George Building Society, Business Analyst for Stacks the Law Firm and the Secretary Manager of two Housing Co-operative Societies in the Hastings.

• Helen Cheers, formerly with Statewide Home Loans and well known prior to that in her position of Lending Manager of the old State Bank of NSW in Port Macquarie.

• Mike Chambers, whose own career consists of Bank Management and administrative rolls in Housing related Finance, specialising over the last 7 years in Investment Property Lending.

Combined together they have 88 years of Banking and Finance experience.
A formidable team developing a fresh approach to Finance Broking and Property Investment.

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It’s that time… Our Annual Combined Networks Christmas Party

BCU are again kindly sponsoring the combined Christmas Party for 2008 along with the support from Hastings Business Enterprise Centre, Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce, Hastings Business Women’s Network and NSW Business Chamber.

BCU was started in 1970 by small business owners just like you and is today an industry leader* in business lending. Whether you are a sole trader, partnership, family business, an SME or primary producer BCU has a wide range of business finance options and the specialist advice to make banking hassle-free.

BCU’s Betty Hartnett can tailor the right business finance package to suit your particular business circumstances from award winning# short-term overdrafts to long-term loans and leasing. Visit them at the 5 Star Complex in Gordon Street or phone 6583 9555.
*Credit Union Industry # CANNEX business star ratings

Tuesday 16th December 2008
5.30 pm – 8.00 pm
At Roto House, off Lord Street (next to the Koala Hospital) Port Macquarie

Parking
Free on Little Owen, Flynn & Lord Streets & Roto House Entrance

Cost: FREE

RSVP By 8th December. Note that numbers are limited, so RSVP early
Fax your acceptances to 6584 0930 or email maree.mcentyre@nswbc.com.au

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How to minimise the impact of the world-wide recession on local business – a FREE “Brown Bag Seminar”

The world wide recession is already impacting on some of our local businesses. In response to that, the MNC Business Advisory Service is holding a one and a half hour workshop at the Port Macquarie Library from 12 noon to 1.30 pm on Tuesday November 18 to discuss ways of minimizing the impact on local businesses.

Business leader David Ledgerwood will be the key presenter, supported by other experienced business people. Speakers will contribute their ideas of what can be done to recession proof the local economy.

The cost is $15 and covers tea and coffee. Those attending should bring their own lunch.

RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au or call David Ledgerwood on 0419 827 709

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Chrissy Jones is busy working the special Christmas Feature Pages for the December issue of the Holiday Coast Pictorial.

If you would like to take part, and highlight your business, feel free to contact Chrissy at anytime. The deadline for artwork bookings is 20th November, 2008, so get in touch soon to avoid disappointment.

Chrissy hopes to hear from you, so she can help send your Christmas message to the Pictorial's HUGE readership.
Download the details of this offer from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/Countdown to Christmas.pdf .

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Kylie Morris, from Hot Graphics, would like to inform you of their Hot November Offer.

Please download our 'Hot November Offer' from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/HotNovemberOffer.pdf .
Stocks are limited so if you want one, two or more of our special banners, please get your order in asap.

Hot Graphics offers all visual communication. Everything from Logo development, stationery, in-house digital printing, promotional material and signage.

See Hot Graphics to get the Chilli Factor!
Ph: 6583 9629 E: info@hotgraphics.com.au W: www.hotgraphics.com.au

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A Woman’s Heart

Ladies, don’t forget that the third in the series of A Woman’s Heart breakfasts will be held at Rydges Port Macquarie on Friday 14th November.

Full details can be downloaded from www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/awomansheart.pdf

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And that’s about it for another fun-filled week in Port.

For all you number crunchers, crunch these:

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

3.3 million people looking to retire, 11.6 million covered by superannuation: ABS (Media Release), Apr to Jul 2007
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/MediaRealesesByCatalogue/E9679A2449D49632CA2574F90010C0D1?OpenDocument

Employment Arrangements, Retirement and Superannuation, Australia, Apr to Jul 2007
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6361.0?OpenDocument

Historical Selected Agriculture Commodities, by State (1861 to Present), 2007
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/7124.0?OpenDocument

Cheers,