March was such a great month with a busy BPS out amongst it. The collaborative lunch with Business Port Stephens (BPS), Port Stephens Council (PSC) and Port Stephens Woman in Business (PSWIB) was a great success with many walking away so impressed by Michael McQueen presentation.
A big shout out to Kerri Rodley (BPS), Fiona Brown (PSWIB) and Debbi Rodden (PSC) for putting on a sensational event for Small Business Month.
|
|
|
The first Business Breakfast for the year is only a few days away so if you haven't secured your tickets, now is the time. In January, we conducted our strategy meeting and we have pleasure in giving you some insight into the outcomes of this meeting at the Breakfast.
I wish everyone a busy, successful and safe Easter, and look forward to seeing you all at the breakfast on Thursday.
|
|
|
Don't miss out - tickets close today! (Mon)
|
|
|
|
Our first Business Breakfast for 2022!
When: This Thursday 7 April, 7 - 8:45am
Where: Nelson Bay Golf Club
Guest speaker: Debbie Innes from Addison Partners "What we have learnt from our employees during the pandemic".
Special guest: Mayor Ryan Palmer will give an update on Port Stephens Council.
Cost: $30 members/$45 non members
Includes: full breakfast, networking, lucky door prizes.
Proudly sponsored by: Port to Plate
|
|
Small Business Month event:
Change is the New Normal
|
|
|
|
Business Port Stephens recently had our annual Strategy Workshop and conducted our annual Member Survey. The two main outcomes we heard from our members:
- You would like more networking activities and information events
- You would like more local precinct involvement and events
It is through the feedback from our members that we are able to move forward in doing what we do. Advocate, educate, facilitate. The strategy meeting was an opportunity to revisit where Business Port Stephens was heading, how we have been impacted, how we transition and where our long-term strategy will lead us. With the introduction of new precincts within the LGA, we will have a stronger, more cohesive network covering all sectors of Business within the Port Stephens LGA.
If you have any suggestions for us please let us know below!
|
|
|
Welcome to our new members!
|
|
WELCOME to Scott Seddon from Scotty's Cinemas Raymond Terrace! They are a proudly independent, local cinema with friendly staff, good coffee and of course, plenty of mainstream and alternative content to suit movie-lovers of all kinds. Pop in and say hello at the cnr of Adelaide St & Bourke St East, Raymond Terrace and ask them about what they are showing this week.  
|
|
|
|
WELCOME to Paul de Laroche from Port & Hunter Insurance Services! Looking for a local broker? They specialise in designing insurance programs for Small to Medium Enterprise and commercial businesses. They are more than a broker - they collaborate with local businesses, share their network, knowledge, skills and resources. As a business partner they represent and defend their clients interests. Your Success is Our Success!
|
|
|
This is an opportunity for Mel to get to know you, what your business is about, what’s happening on the ground for your particular industry, and what makes you tick as a human outside the work place. If you wish to nominate yourself or another member please email us here.
|
|
|
|
Jess Burgess, Mortgage Broker, Advance Finance Solutions
|
|
Tell us about Advanced Finance Solutions: what services do you offer, how can you help businesses in Port Stephens?
Advanced Finance Solutions, we are mortgage brokers who specialise in residential property finance for homeowners and investors. We love to help all first home buyers looking to get out of the rental market and into the property market, refinancers or even anyone looking to do renovations! We would like to offer all residents in Port Stephens a free copy of our latest eBook about first home buying. Please email us for your free copy.
What do you love about being part of the business community in Port Stephens and why did you choose to be a member of BPS?
I love how all the local businesses get together and refer business, get to know each other etc. I love supporting local businesses and it’s a great group to be a part of.
In your downtime, what do you enjoy doing to help your wellbeing?
In my downtime I love to walk along Birubi beach, shopping, or hang out with family and friends.
Shout out your favourite restaurant, café, shop, tourism attraction, service…. in Port Stephens.
Definitely Crest at Birubi, amazing views, friendly staff and great food!
|
|
|
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to all the team at Oakvale Wildlife Park for their Bronze Win for Tourist Attractions at the Australian Tourism Awards held on the Sunshine Coast last week.
Kent & Leanne Sansom, Owners of Oakvale Wildlife Park were elated to accept the award. “It was such a special moment for us and the team, we are so honoured to receive this award, to be recognised at this level is a wonderful achievement. We would not have achieved this award if it wasn’t for our amazing team. We would also like to thank our visitors and local community, over the past two years your support, encouragement and loyalty have ensured that our doors have remained open. We look forward to taking the award back to the park and celebrating with our staff this wonderful achievement”.
|
|
Congratulations to our
MAYORAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER!
|
|
A huge  CONGRATULATIONS to Abbie Barr who won our Mayoral Scholarship through Port Stephens Council. Abbie graduated Merewether High School in 2021 and has been one of their high achievers across a range of subjects including Visual Arts, Environmental Science and English. She agrees that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ and feels that graphics have a unique ability to capture minds and convey ideas. Abbie’s first step in this career is at the University of Technology Sydney, studying a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication. She is interested in illustration, graphic design and advertisement, while facilitating community connection and accessibility through design.
|
|
|
Port Stephens Council upcoming works
|
|
|
|
Temporary removal of the Victorian Parade pedestrian footbridge superstructure is planned to enable inspection and maintenance works to be carried out. The schedule of these works is planned to be undertaken over the quieter months in Nelson Bay. The following information provides some detail around the phased approach for these works.
|
|
|
Council are now in a position to work through some potential solutions and options to the problems of parking and movement at Shoal Bay. Some of the key discussion points are:
• Potential options pros and cons
• Potential changes for nearby streets (Messines Street, Lillian Street and part of Tomaree Road)
• Equitable access for people with high needs
• Future projects
They are calling on interested people, including local business representatives, to get involved in our upcoming workshops and your input will help inform our future direction.
|
|
Was your business affected by the recent floods?
|
|
|
|
Port Stephens LGA has now been added to the list of Natural Disaster declarations. As a result this would make businesses directly impacted by the recent storms and floods in Port Stephens region potentially eligible for the February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.
|
|
|
|
Enroll NOW! NSW Government FEE Free
Business Continuity & Emergency Response Planning Course
Flood, fire, drought and the Covid pandemic has forced thousands of businesses in NSW and community organisations to close their doors. In many cases it is down to the simple fact that there was no business continuity, interruption or emergency response plan in place. This is Australia’s first fully subsidised and accredited training program dedicated to Business Continuity & Emergency Response Planning. It is a six week fully online course aimed at individuals and teams whose duty, responsibility or role is to develop and execute these critical plans.
- Develop a completed industry recognised recovery road map
- Protection for your income and people
- Integrate pandemic preparedness (covid-19) into a bcp
- Tackle crisis communications and media relations in a practical way
- Effectively analyse and quantify organisational risk assure compliance
- Organise people to facilitate continuous maintenance and improvement of a bcp
- Enhance organisational capability in recovery post emergency / disaster
Fee free by the NSW Government.
Limited places available - Apply now!
|
|
New service coming to Port Stephens
|
|
|
Launching on the 6th June, Tomaree Meals on Wheels will be the 10th location under the Newcastle Meals on Wheels banner. They deliver the meals in person, check in on clients with a friendly chat and give your loved one's the chance to remain independent and happy in their own home.
|
|
|
Meals are available for ANYONE, with pricing subsidies available for Seniors, Carers, Home Care Package recipients and NDIS participants. If you know anyone who might benefit from accessing the Meal Service, call 4089 0844 or click on button below.
Meals on Wheels would not operate without a team of amazing volunteers. Most roles can be done in less then two hours, and can be daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly. If you are keen to hear more about volunteering email: tomaree@mow.net.au
They will also be holding information sessions at Salamander Bay Shopping Centre from 26 April, 3 & 18 May.
|
|
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CINEMA
|
|
Let’s do what we do best and support local!
Grab your partner, friends, kids, pop corn and choc top and head out to see a flick. Or better still, grab a group, organise a fund raiser, shout your staff! Our local cinemas are a valued part of our community so let's get in there and show we care!
|
|
|
|
FREE Entrepreneurial Mindset Bootcamp
Do you know a young creative, innovator, or future entrepreneur aged between 17 - 24 who would like to learn about being an entrepreneur and developing entrepreneurship skills?
What is covered:
- What is an entrepreneurial mindset – we look at; Curiosity, Growth Mindset, Courage, Persistence and Grit, Opportunity Seeking, Problem Solving, Redefining Failure, Optimism, Resourcefulness, Adaptability and Empathy.
- How to develop an entrepreneurial mindset
- Learn more about your own strengths and weaknesses
- When: Thursday 14th April @ 10 am - 3:00 pm
- Where: Newcastle Digital Library, 12 Stewart Ave, Newcastle West
- Funded by City of Newcastle and Hunter Futurepreneurs
- FREE to all participants. Lunch and drinks will be provided.
- Parental consent required for those under 18
|
|
|
|
|
