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NEWSLETTER
Monday 30th April 2007.
EVENTS:
Nowra Central Promotions Committee Meeting: 5.30pm Monday 30th April. At Wizard Home Loans Junction Street Nowra.
"Stars of the Shoalhaven" - 10th Industry Dinner - Worrigee Reception Centre.
You and your partner are cordially invited to join Shoalhaven Business Chamber at the 'Stars of the Shoalhaven" 10th Anniversary Industry Dinner to be held at the Worrigee Reception Centre, on Wednesday 16th May 2007 at 6.45 pm. The Awards Dinner is coordinated by the Shoalhaven Area Consultative Committee, and we are pleased to inform you The SBC has nominated Dynamic Business and Training Solutions Pty Ltd (Ulladulla), to receive a Stars Award and we would be delighted if you could attend. Guests of honour for the evening will be His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Marlena Jeffery. The cost of $77.00 per head includes excellent food, local wines and hospitality. Dress: Lounge Suit. Please R.S.V.P by Monday 9th Maywith names of those attending and cheque made payable to: Shoalhaven ACC, PO Box 1227, Nowra, NSW 2541.
Business after Hours:
If you are would like to host a networking evening at your business please email info@shoalhavenbusinesschamber.com.au these evening are a unique opportunity to showcase your business to a blend of SBC members and your own client base.
"Spotlight on Business" sessions.
Spotlight your business at the general members meetings. There are only two available dates remaining in October and November and if you would like to take advantage of this promotional opportunity and secure one of these dates please email info@shoalhavenbusinesschhamber.com.au ASAP.
Student Workplace Learning Program – Careers Expo and Jobs Drive – An Exciting Careers Expo for Students and Businesses.
Have trouble finding staff?Got jobs you want to fill?Should kids know about your business?Should kids know what training you want them to have to enter your business?Do you care about developing your community?Then think - CAREERS EXPO & JOBS DRIVE 2007 The Shoalhaven Careers Expo, to be held at the Shoalhaven campus on 27 June will take on extra importance this year with the addition of the Jobs Drive.The successful Shoalhaven Careers Expo is in its third year and brings regional businesses, education, training & service providers together to help young people and to assist those looking to change direction with their career planning.Last year more than 1,000 students from all public and private high schools across the Shoalhaven attended the event. The expo gives employers the chance to inform large numbers of young people and parents of training and opportunities, skills needs and career pathways available locally.The aim of the expo is to allow students to investigate careers before making senior year subject choices and to plan for their transition from school.A new and exciting addition to the expo in 2007 will be the Jobs Drive through which employers can advertise job vacancies. An afternoon session will also be held to encourage more parents, career changers and job seekers to take advantage of the careers information on offer on the day.
Sites at this event are available at no cost. If you wish your business or organisation to exhibit at this important Shoalhaven event call Evelyn O'Neile on 4422 0988 or ev@sswlp.org.au at Student Workplace Learning Program. Further information is available from Evelyn 4422 0988 or 0406 572 882.
NSW Business Chamber – Business Priorities 2007 – Members Survey.
The NSW Business Chamber (NSWBC) works on your behalf, as a member, to highlight the challenges faced by business to Federal and State Governments. Given the likelihood of a Federal election before the end of the year, it is important that the incoming Government is aware of the concerns of the business community and the priority issues for business at this time. NSWBC seek your assistance in determining which the most important issues are for Government from a business perspective. Your response to this survey will ensure that NSWBC accurately reflect business concerns in our representations and submissions to the political parties and candidates during the pre-election period and after the election of the next Government of Australia. This survey will also form part of a national survey coordinated by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), of which NSW Business Chamber is a founding member. All responses to this survey will be kept confidential NSWBC will only report aggregated findings. Personally identified records will not be disclosed to any third party. If you would like to discuss any issues relating to the survey, please contact Paul Orton, General Manager, policy and membership (NSWBC) on (02) 9350 8165. You can participate in this survey via the link sent to you in the separate email "Business Priorities 2007 – Members survey."
Small Farms Field Day:
The third Small Farms Field Day is scheduled for Sunday 23 September at Berry Showground and organisers are looking for exhibitors! There are no fees for a stand, but exhibitors are asked to donate a prize or do a short demonstration during the day to ensure that this information/education event is true to its name.
The field day is a not-for-profit event which aims to:
- promote the various government agencies and businesses which support local landholders
- display new technology and on-farm equipment
- promote breeds and alternative industries which are performing successfully in the local area, and
- allow Small Farm Network members to promote and participate on the day.
No selling is allowed, but this is a great opportunity to display your business directly to clients, at no cost!
For further information, please contact Andrew Britton on 4232 3200, 0437 134 736 or abritton@southerncouncils.nsw.gov.au
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
WorkCover and Small Business:
WorkCover's Business Assistance Unit has free safety programs for small business. Please contact Noeleen Musson Business Advisory Officer, Business Assistance Unit
Tel: (02) 4428 6704 Mobile: 0428 114 334 Fax: (02) 9287 4434 for further assistance. Safety program flyer attached.
South East Community College:
South East Community College is offering a one-day course for operators of bed & breakfast facilities. I did suggest earlier this year that we might do something along those lines, but, as our program is not able to duplicate any existing services, we suggest that those people interested in developing their knowledge of B&B operations consider this course. Even if you are a current operator, there would be excellent information and networking opportunities with other operators!
Date: Sunday, 6 May Time: 10am-4pm Venue: South East Community College, cnr Princes Hwy & Mattes Way, Bomaderry Cost: $154.00
Overview: You, too, can be part of the fastest growing sector in the tourism industry! Find out if you and your house are ready to enter this industry, and decide the level of commitment you are prepared to make with this venture. This course will enable you to better understand why B&B is a trend and not a fad, and outlines how to be efficient and successful. Course leader is Stewart Whyte, author of "Starting and Running B&B in Australia and New Zealand." Books available for purchase at course. For registrations, please call the College on (02) 4423 0351.
Australian College of Commerce and Management.
Government Funded Training for Small Business – 4 places left.
The Australian College of Commerce and Management will be offering a Financial Management course for Small Business which is part of certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management) in the Shoalhaven region. It is a nationally accredited program funded by the Government. An enrolment fee of $164 will apply to businesses, with the course valued at over $1,000 and the balance being paid by the Department of Education and Training. Formal study will commence with the first of 4 workshops on 1 May 6.00pm at the Nowra Golf Club. Telephone the college on 1800 111 700 for further information and to obtain an enrolment form – hurry there are only 4 places remaining.
TAFE NSW ILLAWARRA – NOWRA AND ULLADULLA.
TAFE PLUS – Short Course Calendar – Shoalhaven – Term 2 – 2007.
Your complete short course calendar is attached.
Department of Workplace Relations;
The Workplace Advisory Service, part of the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, partners with employer organisations, business associations, small business and special interest groups - including peak ethnic bodies, community groups and disability groups -to assist and educate employers and employees on both WorkChoices and the Independent Contractors legislation.
New Laws For Independent Contractors:People who work as independent contractors now have greater flexibility in how they run their business under new laws which came into effect on 1st March, 2007.The Independent Contractors laws:- stop state laws from treating independent contractors as if they were employees - provide a national system for dealing with unfair contracts - make it illegal for an employer to disguise an employment relationship as an independent contracting arrangement - make it illegal for employers to threaten or mislead employees to get them to change their status to independent contractors- maintain protection for outworkers in the textile, clothing and footwear outworkers - maintain New South Wales and Victorian Laws for owner-drivers pending a review.Free SeminarsTo explain the new independent contracting laws to independent contractors, businesses and workers, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has commenced a national seminar series.A seminar will be held in Nowra on 16th May, 8.30-10.00am. To book go to http://www.workchoices.gov.au/seminars/ and search by state and month (May). Bookings can also be made by phone on 1300 667 850.
For more information on independent contracting, call the Independent Contractors Hotline, 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday on 1300 667 850.
Tourism - Destination Development Workshops:
Tourism New South Wales in conjunction with Regional Tourism Organisations will be holding a Destination Development workshop in the Shoalhaven on Tuesday 22nd May, 2007, at the Nowra Golf Club, commencing at 8.30 am. Some objectives of the program are
Increase industry understanding of consumer needs. Provide industry understanding of tourism planning and partnership opportunities. Expand Tourism New South Wales destination knowledge of key experiences and products on offer. If you are interested in attending this workshop please register your interest with Mrs. Carolyn Haigh Telephone: (02) 4429 3248.
MEMBERS NEWS:
Great Business Opportunity!
Would you like to get your business'message out to 250 local women, primarily business women? Women who are enthusiastic and keen to learn?
Then you should consider becoming a sponsor of the second Shoalhaven women's conference is to be held in September this year. Last year's conference was a huge success and this year's promises to be even better! A range of sponsorship packages are available, so call Lyn Eckersley, Small Business Field Officer, for more information. Ph: (02) 4422 5402 or 0409 715 929.
Nowra Locksmiths.
Nowra CBD Retail site for rent
Shop 2/85 Worrigee Street Nowra
70sqm. Huge window display areas
Bathroom & kitchen amenities Rear entrance with customer parking
Good location opposite new office works site. $385pw incl. GST.
Available from 28th May. Email: locksmiths1@optusnet.com.au Website: www.locks4u.com.au
Telephone:(02) 4423 6857. Fax (02) 4423 5374
All Shoalhaven Business Chamber members who would like to include information about events and activities in their business for 2007 in the weekly newsletter please contact: Celeste @ Shoalhaven Business Chamber Inc. Tel: 44233582. Or email info@shoalhavenbusinesschamber.com.au
As part of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber Action/Management plan for 2007 presented to members at the general meeting on 20th February and included in the minutes of that meeting. SBC Executive members were appointed to portfolios and will establish "Working Parties" where required including interested members to lobby departments, Federal and State members etc where appropriate.
Members who have any matters that they wish to raise with the SBC for possible follow up or wish to be involved in an appropriate working party the Shoalhaven Business Chamber Executive welcomes your suggestions and feedback.
For your general information please find attached Office of Industrial Relations Newsletter.
Support the Shoalhaven Linear Accelerator and Cancer Fundraising. Gala Dinner.
Shoalhaven Business Chamber has booked some tables for this great evening.
Singles, couples and groups are invited to joinin this fun social eveningand supportthis local cause.
Please contact Chris Benning (02) 44284601 to secure your seatsfor the Gala Dinner at Worrigee House on Saturday 5th May 2007.
Thetickets are $50 pp for which you receive a three course meal, there will be a silent auction in aide of the Shoalhaven Linear Accelerator and Cancer fundraising and comedian entertainment.
The FUNdraising Postie raffles (a trailer full of goods and over $2000 in shopping vouchers) for this appealwill also be drawn at the dinner.The tickets are available at SBC office and are $5 per ticket for each raffle. Please support this worthy cause for the Shoalhaven and come along and have a great evening!!