21 Jan 2008

Greetings Reader,

I’ve just enjoyed reading the most recent (very interesting) PM Chamber of Commerce newsletter (available online at www.portchamber.com.au if you missed it) and I particularly agree with the findings regarding the benefits to businesses of older workers (well, I would, wouldn’t I!). Nearing 58, I sure don’t feel “over the hill”, and I think I still have something of value to contribute.

Since arriving in Port Macquarie nearly 2 ½ years ago, I’ve been intrigued by the great number of people, especially those in the 45 to 60 age group, working way below their capability and qualifications. I understand that this is often a personal choice, made for lifestyle reasons, but it suggests to me a terrible waste of talent that could be harnessed more productively. I would like to take on a challenge this year to try to find ways to draw on this wealth of available talent to help less experienced business people in this region.

I know that very often small and medium businesses can’t afford to send staff to the sort of skills development seminars and workshops that are commonplace for government and large corporates’ staff. Perhaps there is an opportunity here for the BEC (without crushing the toes of commercial training providers) to try to make some skills development more affordably available for staff of members. Any suggestions welcome!

Congratulations to Patron Member Holiday Coast Credit Union on the opening of their new Service Centre with Travelworld in Settlement City Shopping Centre. And also for HCCU’s sponsorship of Travelworld Holiday and Cruise Expo, tomorrow Tuesday 22^nd January, from 10am till 7pm at Panthers Port Macquarie.

Last Thursday’s HBEC Networking Breakfast was very well attended, with 68 members and visitors hearing a variety of interesting presentations. Many thanks to Vickii Byram (from Port Central Shopping Centre!) for her generous donation of a $50 shopping voucher (won by Gary Jones), and to the guys from COMPASS financial management for revealing the truth of financial forward planning through the use of crystal spheres.

Pam Foye (WorkDirections) won a 4-pack of Australia’s best beer (in my humble opinion) “Wicked Elf Wit Bier”, while Barb Smith (Roving Trainer) and Ann-Maree Crowe (Mercure Centro Hotel) won a couple of nice bottles of wine courtesy of Glenda Hamilton (In Step Staff Solutions) and Peta Simmons (Bennett Steel). Mike Crowhurst (Wesley Uniting Employment) provided a couple of very nice diaries, won by Sharon Noble (ANZ Bank) and Nathan Edwards (News Ltd).

Finally, thanks to Peter Loveday for his presentation about his campaign to preserve the ability of Hastings residents to elect our own local government representatives. Peter’s campaign shop-front is now open at 129 Horton Street (opposite Sassy’s) from 10.00 till 4.00 each day, and he is busy collecting signatures on a petition to be presented to the NSW Upper House.

Next month our breakfast falls on Valentine’s Day, so we will be sure to arrange something special. Don’t miss it.

On with this week’s news:

Port Macquarie Community College

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Free Information Night 20 Feb - 6:30pm-7:30pm

Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAA40104) is available as an on-line course with regular face-to-face tutorials, and manuals are available to support learning.

Short courses available:

· Responsible Service of Alcohol – Tues Feb 12^th 9am-4pm, $105

· Responsible Conduct of Gambling – Wed Feb 13^th 9am-4pm, $105

· Bar Skills – Fri Feb 15^th 9am-4pm, $105

· Manual Bookkeeping – Tues Feb 12^th 6pm-8pm, $175

· Introduction to Payroll – Thurs Feb 28^th 6pm-8pm, $175

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Please note that Hastings BEC Membership Subscriptions are now due!

Hastings BEC is funded principally from Member subscriptions, so we are reliant upon your subscription renewal (or new subscription!).

If you have not yet completed your 2008 subscription, please try to do so asap.

Please contact me ( admin@hastingsbec.com.au ) if you would like a new Membership Application / Renewal form.

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Hastings Business Events Calendar is online.

Hastings BEC is now sharing an online events calendar with other regional business networks, thanks to Joyer Consulting.

You can check the calendar on our website at www.hastingsbec.com.au/calendar.html

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Bring on the E-Jets

We are just 14 days from the start of Virgin Blue’s E-jet service to Sydney. On Monday 4^th February VB will commence their 12.35pm – 1.30pm E-Jet service from Sydney to Port Macquarie, with the return flight leaving Port at 2.00pm for a 2.55pm arrival in Sydney. Fares start from $69 one way.

At the moment the biggest hot-mix bitumen plant in Australia is sited at Port Macquarie airport, to complete the runway and hard-stand extensions to cater for the additional services. Everything appears to be on schedule for 4 Feb, and flying over it yesterday, the work in progress is enormous.

I noticed yesterday that the QANTASLink Dash 8 aircraft is wearing a shiny new paint scheme. Of course the runway extensions mean that QANTASLink will be able to service Port with the bigger Dash 8-400 aircraft, which will make more (and cheaper) seats available on their services, too. It’s all good!

How long will it be before we also enjoy a direct jet service to Melbourne? Gee, I’ll really miss the drag down to Newcastle and back for the direct Melbourne flight… NOT!

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Hastings Business Women’s Network Awards 2008

Nominations for the Hastings Business Women’s Network awards are now being accepted. The awards are designed to highlight and recognise the achievements and successes of women who have made an outstanding contribution in the Hastings.

The range of categories include: Woman in Business, Unsung Hero, Young Achiever, Cultural and Creative. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on March 8, 2008 which coincides with International Women’s Day.

Nomination forms are available from:

HBWN website: www.hbwn.com.au

Port Macquarie - NBN, Port News, Snap Printing, Discovery Health and Fitness, Healthy Inspirations, Port Panthers and ANZ Bank-Lake Innes.

Wauchope - Bennett’s Steel and GWM Conveyancers.

Laurieton - Commonwealth Bank and The Sandbar Restaurant.

Nominations close 1 February 2008.

For further information contact, Gale Oxenford, President, Hastings Business Women’s Network on 0432 304 714.

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Don’t forget the Wisborough Positive and Powerful Leadership Program

“We create a peaceful, reflective environment that encourages an easy and informal approach for an intense programme. We have a maximum of only 8 clients on each programme to allow us to meet individual needs, and to finely tune the work in a way that would not be possible with larger groups.”

Where & When? At Sails Resort on 12th, 13th & 26th February

The Cost? $950 + gst to include all materials, refreshments & lunches

What next? If you are interested and would like to know more e-mail wisborough@hdl.com.au or phone Gregg Faulkner at the BEC on 0265 833211

or after 23rd January you can phone 0408291136

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ANZ Blue Week Trivia Night

This is early notice, so you’ll have no excuse for missing it! ANZ Bank are proudly supporting Blue Week, in aid of the Oncology Unit at Port Macquarie Hospital.

A Trivia Night will be held from 7.00pm on Friday 22^nd February, at The Westport Club.

Cost is only $15 each, or $100 for a table of 10.

Bookings to new ANZ Port Macquarie Manager, Debbie Kennedy. Email debbie.kennedy@anz.com or phone 6583 2011.

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BCU – Free Seminar on Home Loans, Insurance and Conveyancing

Patron Member BCU is offering First Home Buyers the chance to attend a FREE seminar covering Homes, Loans, Insurance and Conveyancing with a guest speaker from a local real estate, insurance company, solicitor and BCU presenting on the night.

Date is the evening of 29th January, 6.00pm till 8.00pm in the Hastings Room at Quality Resort Sails.

RSVP is essential so book now to avoid disappointment call BCU on 6583 9555 or visit Betty and Sue at 152 Gordon Street by Thursday 24 January.

Refreshments and lucky door prize on the night.

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New course in Media and Communication

TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute is offering the 2144VIC Diploma in Communication and Media at Port Macquarie Campus in 2008.

The one year full time course includes writing and editing, interviewing, publishing and multimedia skills. Would be journalists, writers and public relations consultants will find plenty of practical activities to develop their skills through this course.

For further information and enrolment applications contact TAFE on 131601.

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And finally, a combination dear to my heart… Good wine and 60’s music!

Douglas Vale will be holding a “ Musical Trip Down Memory Lane” in the Vineyard on Saturday 23rd February 2008, from 04.00 pm to 08.00 pm.

Entertainment will be provided by –

“Folded Arts” (7 piece band) including Michelle Styles. Popular Golden oldies from the 60s & 70s including Vintage Rock & Roll Music

Meals: BBQ sausage, steak sandwiches – From $2.50 Or cold meat & cheese Plate – From $7.50

Refreshments: Soft Drink cans $1.50 Bottled water $1.50

Wines: Tasting & Sales Available on the day

No BYO Wine permitted (but I assume a BYO bottle or two of Wicked Elf Wit Bier would be in order… ;-)

Seating: Bring a rug or chair

Entry: $6 Adults - Pre – purchase

At the Gate $7 Adults - Children under 12 Free

Gate Opens: 3.00 pm. Tickets: Limited to strictly 250 persons

Tickets Available from:

The Visitors Information Centre

Cnr. Gordon & Gore Sts. Port Macquarie.

Ph: 1300 303155. Open 7 days per week.

And at -

Douglas Vale Vineyard – 6584 3792 Oxley Highway – Port Macquarie Adjacent (Westport High) Wed, Sat & Sun 10.00 am to 3pm

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And that’s about it for another week in Blissville.

14 Jan 2008

Sunny Greetings Reader,

I did get a bit carried away last week, and let personal feelings intrude into the business environment. I had my “knuckles rapped” by a few people, including Mike Clarke from COMPASS financial management (whose opinion I respect and value). I did cross the line, and I apologise. It does raise an important issue; that of the delineation between “personal” and “business”. While very large businesses may operate in an impersonal space, that is definitely not the case for small, and even medium-sized businesses. And, of course, the same applies for the customer-facing parts of large businesses.

The personal touch is what often distinguishes a great business from a so-so business. The right personal presentation and approach can make a big difference in your relationship with customers, clients or business associates. This is easily overlooked in our busy lives, but is so important.

Consider a retailer, who serves 12 customers per hour. During the working day, you meet more than 80 customers. After a while they all start to look alike, sound alike and get treated alike. WRONG! For each of those customers, you may be the ONLY retailer they have spoken to about this particular issue. They are looking for individual, personal attention – not just a template that roughly fit the previous 20 customers. Personalised, positive attention can make for a happy, satisfied customer (= return business!). The “template” approach may lose the same customer.

Last week I mentioned taxi drivers. I’m pleased to report that, since then, I’ve had a chance to meet with Dave Keeley from PMQ Taxi Cabs. Dave understands very well that taxi drivers fit exactly the outline I’ve just described. Together we are looking for a way to provide “cabbies” with current information on events and attractions to help them provide positive local tips and advice, particularly for incoming tourists – to add value to their trip from the airport. Hopefully it will also help the cabbies to build a more positive focus on the bigger picture of a healthy growing town with thriving businesses and lots of attractions, rather than the niggles about pot-holes, traffic and road works.

Finally, I am proud to report that last Friday, together with Gale Oxenford (Hastings Business Women’s Network), Kellon Beard (NSW Business Chamber), Peter Buckland (PM Chamber of Commerce) and Betty Hartnett (BCU), we presented to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital a cheque for $1,955.oo, the proceeds of our charity auction held during our Combined Networks Christmas Party. The Koala Hospital will put the money toward their Koala ambulance, which should be on the road early this year.

We also had the opportunity to look behind the scenes at the Koala Hospital. This is a wonderful and unique organisation that is doing a great job for a species under pressure, and at the same time providing a fantastic tourist attraction for Port Macquarie.

Now for this week’s activities:

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Port Macquarie Community College

· GST & BAS Short course, Sat Jan 19^th 1 session: 9:30am to 4pm - $89

· MS Word Essentials, starts Thurs Feb 7th 4 sessions: 6pm-9pm - $115

· Introduction to the Beach - Surf Safety Awareness, Fri Jan 25^th 1 session: 9:30am-12noon - $25

Look out this week for your new PM Community College course brochure being delivered to your home

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HBEC Networking Breakfast – this Thursday, 17^th January 2008

To start the New Year on the right foot, you can hear:

· From David Relf (Telstra Shop) about the reasons for changing over your mobile phone from CDMA.

· From Peter Loveday about why a quiet, unassuming businessman should suddenly turn political activist

· From Glenda Hamilton, Warrick Affleck and a mystery third person, a “Minute On My Business”

And much more!

Panthers Pier One Restaurant, 7.00am till 8.30am

Members $20 and Guests and Visitors $25

RSVP (so I can prepare name tags) to admin@hastingsbec.com.au

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BEC Member Wisborough are presenting a Positive and Powerful Leadership Programme

This Wisborough Programme of a two day workshop plus a one day follow-up will show you how to:

· Use the power of thoughts and feelings to motivate yourself and your team

· Help your team take personal responsibility for the success of their work and their relationships

· Use your communication skills to get the best from your customers, suppliers, colleagues and staff

· Choose the right approach for every situation to increase commitment and competence

· Recognise your sources of power and use them with integrity

· Manage and maintain change positively

· Be an authentic leader

Download this one-page brochure ( www.hastingsbec.com.au/downloads/wisborough2008.doc ) for full details of the programme that will run in early February 2008.

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Patron Member BCU is running a home loan campaign over the next 2 months, offering nil establishment fee, great rates and their usual rebate on banking fees. BEC Members can get more details by calling Betty Hartnett or Mark Mooney at the Port Macquarie BCU branch on 6584 9555 or by going to web link: www.bcu.com.au OR http://www.bcu.com.au/personal/don_t_get_stung_/

BCU also provides the following bit of explanation about the current international financial troubles:

“Here at BCU we want to dispel some of the myths and allay members’ fears about the recent US sub-prime mortgage crisis and its flow-on effects on Australian borrowers.

What’s a sub-prime or non-conforming loan?

They are loans offered to people who do not meet normal lending criteria, or who have impaired credit histories. Such loans are considered to be high risk and usually attract a higher interest rate.

What’s causing the US crisis?

It’s been caused by a record number of sub-prime or non-conforming loans being offered to high-risk loan applicants in the US. Large numbers of these borrowers are now experiencing mortgage distress and defaulting on their repayments.

The flow-on effect has been an increase in the cost of money on the wholesale international market, and lenders who fund their loans this way may be facing increased costs and may raise their interest rates over and above those set by the Reserve Bank.

BCU is not directly affected by the US mortgage crisis because it has no direct exposure to the overseas money market. ‘At BCU we’re basically self-funded. We fund almost all our loans from our profits and members’ deposits and we don’t offer non-conforming loans,’ explains Ray Battle, CEO.”

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HBEC Member Peter Loveday has, as you may be aware, recently become a bit of a political activist with his campaign to defend the right of residents to elect our own local government (rather than have an administrator appointed).

Peter is holding an official opening of his Campaign Office at 129 Horton Street, on Thursday 17^th January at 1.00 pm, with nibbles provided.

Peter invites you to come and see what has him all fired up, and to add your voice should you wish.

The Office will be open from 10.00am till 4.00pm daily, from Thursday.

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HBEC Member Mel Gray-Thompson advises of the following meeting that may be of interest to HBEC members:

RAN Forum to focus on Climate Change

Local Kendall resident Ian Oxenford was one of 162 selected from 2,000 applicants to the Al Gore Climate Project Leadership program held in Melbourne in September 2007. This world wide program is managed in Australia by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). Residents Action Network (RAN) has invited Ian to be our guest speaker at the RAN General Forum to be held at the Port City Bowling Club on Wednesday 6th February, at 5.30 pm.

Ian will let us have his version of former US Vice President Al Gore’s now famous slide show on Climate Change which was the basis of the hit movie An Inconvenient Truth.

By profession Ian is an agricultural scientist & economist with thirty years experience in rural development throughout Asia-Pacific,

Ian’s slide presentation comprises:

· what is climate change;

· how is it caused;

· the impacts of climate change;

· solutions to this problem.

RAN hopes that this presentation will inform and inspire more people to take action.

The RAN Forum is open to all interested residents and President Sandy McClimont will deliver her usual informative and amusing report as well as inviting questions from the floor. There will be time to raise other issues of current interest to RAN members and the general community of the Port Macquarie-Hastings area.

For further information please contact: Penny Marshall, RAN Vice President, 6586 3294

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Mid Coast Safety Solutions is offering some interesting courses:

FORKLIFT - LOCAL Training and / or Assessment only

29, 30, 31^st January

WorkCover Assessments

Dogman / / backhoe / front end loader / forklift / skid steer

RTA - Traffic Control, Worksite Planning - LOCAL

30^th & 31^st January

$400+GST (Red Card)

Early booking essential call 0433 179 999 or 6584 5777

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And that’s about it for this week.

Thought for the week: “You can be happy if you choose to be happy!”

07 January 2008

Happy New Year, Reader,

As I sit in my office, hammering out these words, it’s so nice to see the sun beaming down outside – now that my holidays are over! I can’t complain though, we had a lovely break and spent some fun time with friends and family.

This will be a mercifully brief email today. Not surprisingly, the year is getting started a bit slowly, but we’ll soon be back up to speed.

Stephen Creigh, from Southern Cross TEN Network sent me some interesting news:

For the first time, the Gold Coast has beaten southern destinations as Australia's most popular Christmas holiday spot, according to an online accommodation website. “The Gold Coast has become the first south-east Queensland destination to record the most bookings over December 24 and 25”, wotif.com spokeswoman Saskia Moon reported.

“Sydney and Melbourne had taken out the top spot on the company's annual top 20 Christmas holiday list in the past, but beach holidays were particularly popular this year. Among the coast escapes found in the top 20 were Coffs Harbour (10^th), Port Macquarie (12^th), Noosa (13^th) and Hervey Bay (19^th).”

I can’t help thinking that maybe a lot of those people who visited the Gold Coast might prefer the somewhat drier surroundings of Port Macquarie next year.

This town was certainly buzzing, with big crowds of holidaymakers all over the place. I think it is reasonable to expect that next year, with additional air services and more attractions open, we will do even better.

Having family members visiting gave me the excuse to “do the tourist thing” and we were generally satisfied. Though the lack of after hours shopping and food services in the main tourist centre does astound me. Try coming into town at 8.00 pm from a day’s activities and look for some food options. Not a lot available! I think we still have a lot to learn about catering for tourists and holidaymakers who don’t want to live the “9.00 to 5.00 rule”.

One consistent story I heard from visitors was the negative image presented by Port Macquarie taxi drivers. Several times I heard the same story, that during the drive from the airport into town, all the taxi driver did was run down and whinge about everything in Port Macquarie. The first time I heard it, I wrote it off as a guy having a bad day. The second time got me wondering, and after the third time I started to think that we need to do something about it. After all, the taxi driver is often the first “local” an incoming tourist meets. They need to be ambassadors for the town, not depression inducing agents.

OK. Having got that one off my chest, let’s move on to the coming events:

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Port Macquarie Community College

Certificate 1 in Information Technology (the starting point for formal IT qualifications)

Wed Feb 6^th to April 9^th – 10 sessions 9.30 am to 2.30 pm – full course cost $550

Certificate II in Information Technology ( skills for the workforce in general office IT skills)

Tues Feb 12^th to June 24^th – 20 sessions 9.00am to 3.30pm – full course cost $1,300

Word and Excel for Business (suitable for anyone joining or rejoining the workforce)

Tues Feb 5^th to April 15^th – 11 sessions 6.30pm to 9.30pm – full course cost $420

Contact the College for bookings 6583 7288 or www.portace.com.au

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Hastings BEC Membership Subscriptions are now due.

Please action your membership renewal (to keep us solvent). If you have not received your membership renewal, or you would like to join us at Hastings BEC, please email me for membership details at admin@hastingsbec.com.au .

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HBEC Networking Breakfast – Thursday January 17^th

We will kick off the year with our first Networking Breakfast on Thursday 17^th January

I’m hoping to get David Relf, from the Telstra Licensed Shop, and some of the Telstra Country Wide guys to explain for us luddites what the change over from CDMA to Next G is all about.

As usual, start at 7.00 am to finish by 8.30 am

At: Panthers Pier One Restaurant

Cost: unchanged – Members $20 and Guests/visitors $25

RSVP to admin@hastingsbec.com.au

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TO ALL COUNTRY MUSIC FANS

A country music festival has been arranged for Wauchope which will become a yearly event for Wauchope. The event is being organised by Joy Lewis from Joy’s Music World and John Wilcox. Details as follows:

Date: 12^th and 13^th January 2008

Place: Wauchope Showground

Bring the family along to support this great event for Wauchope, the festival coincides with the lead up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and will also compliment the new Slim Dusty Way which takes travellers through Wauchope.

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Auction proceeds to Koala Hospital

This Friday, 11^th January, I will join with representatives from Hastings Business Women’s Network, NSW Business Chamber and Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce to present a cheque for a little over $1,400 to the PM Koala Hospital. This money was collected through an auction held during the Combined Networks Christmas Party at Douglas Vale Winery in December.

Many thanks to the organisations that generously donated products and services to the auction, and to the network members who made the winning bids. I understand that the money will be put toward a “Koala Ambulance”.

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Wisborough “Positive and Powerful Leadership Programme”

Chrissie McGinn and Richard Hewitt will be presenting a series of 3 workshops entitled “Positive and Powerful Leadership Programme”, in early February. Chrissie and Richard spend most of their year doing high-level corporate training in London, and have become annual visitors to these parts. Their workshops have received acclaim and are rapidly growing in popularity, and give us an opportunity to receive top-level skills development at a local venue.

Please let me know of your (no commitment) interest, so I can get Chrissie to pass on details to you. You can see examples of their work on their website www.wisborough.com

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How to Have a Positive Workplace

* "Manage attitudes to maintain optimism. Focus on the good things that happen, not the bad.

* When bad things happen, stimulate a feeling of security by focusing on anything you can do to weather the storm or to improve the weather.

* Recognize effort and focus on strengths.

* Nurture a spirit of playfulness in yourself and your people - It turns problems into opportunities"

Reference: Hiam, A. (2005). “The Starfish Files: one leader's account of insight & inspiration under duress.” Amherst, MA: HRD Press.

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I recently received a copy of the Energy & Water Ombudsman’s newsletter. It is available on-line at http://www.ewon.com.au/online/news_16/index.html and contains some interesting items. Help yourself!

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LATE NEWS - Save your right to vote

I just received an email from HBEC Member, Peter Loveday, who is driving a serious effort to save the democratic right of Hastings residents to elect their own local government representatives. Peter will officially launch a website on Wednesday but, as Hastings BEC supporters, you can have a sneak preview at http://www.myvotehastings.com/

Regardless of your views on the Glasshouse, Peter’s campaign is opposing the removal of our elected Council, and its replacement by an administrator who could do anything they liked, and who would not be answerable in any way to the people of the Hastings.

Your choice! Do you want to be ruled by a minister-appointed bureaucrat, or do you want a say in the management of your region?

My view, for what it’s worth: I served in the Australian Public Service for many years, and I am very familiar with bureaucrats of the like of Frank Willan (inquiry commissioner and former administrator of Tweed Shire Council). I have ZERO confidence in their ability to successfully administer a vibrant, growing and complex region like Port Macquarie-Hastings. And failure of administration would be disastrous for the future of businesses in this region.

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And that should be enough to get me into trouble first week back. Hope you had a good break, and are ready for a Great 08!