Dear BPS members,
After much consideration, I wish to advise of my resignation as president of Business Port Stephens effective immediately (no, I am not running for Mayor). Due to current changes in my workplace and taking on a double diploma to further my career in tourism, it was necessary to make the difficult decision to resign.
|
|
|
I have served as president from August 2021. During that time, we faced remarkable circumstances within the business sector in Port Stephens. I would like to congratulate all of those members for their resilience, perseverance, dedication and sheer passion to come out the other side of what was truly an unprecedent time.
I have valued my time serving as President, I have learnt a great deal, met some wonderful people and had the opportunity to rekindle with the business community. I wish to thank the Board of Directors for their support during my time serving as President and to Kerri Rodley, for her impeccable management skills (it is really a gift she has), patience and support which paved a wonderful working relationship and forged a lifetime friendship.
We have achieved some great results over the past 16 months. Our Business Breakfast, always a highlight, collaborations with PSWIB, Destination Port Stephens, The Business Centre, Port Stephens Council with Small Business month events, Meet & Greets in our precincts, the merging of the Tilligerry Peninsula Chamber and a fundraising event for a very worthy cause.
And finally, to the BPS members. Thank you for your ongoing support, contribution and trust in the organisation. I am confident BPS will go from strength to strength and continue to advocate, connect, educate, grow and support the business community in the Port Stephens LGA.
My last 'hurrah' for BPS will be at the event of the season, The Christmas Cruise on board Moonshadow -TQC cruises (I really have come full circle) on Friday 2 December 2022. It would be great to go out with a bang with all the friends, colleagues and members I have met and made over the past year.
(Tickets close 5pm today Wed 30 Nov. Grab yours below).
From my family to yours, wishing you a safe, prosperous and wonderful Christmas. It has been my pleasure... Thank you.
|
|
|
Mel Turner
Outgoing President
|
|
|
BPS office hours in December
The BPS office will be closed on the following days:
December 5 - 9
December 26 - January 2
If the matter is urgent, please text 0455 844 751.
|
|
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS to our members who won at the Port Stephens Examiner Business Awards:
🏆Tanilba House - Wedding venue
🏆Shoal Bay Country Club - Hotel/pub/club
🏆Pure Property Management - Property Services
🏆Bella Kate Luxury Picnics - New Business
🏆Footprints Podiatry Salamander Bay - Health Improvement
🏆Mavericks Nelson Bay - Restaurant
🏆Raine & Horne Nelson Bay / Lemon Tree Passage - Real Estate
🏆Deeps Engineering - Service and Trade / Business of the Year
Well done to you all!
|
|
Small Business Month Event
|
|
|
|
A huge thank you to Henk Tobbe our fearless photographer for taking our happy snaps at the Small Business Month Event: Connection, Communication & Culture Dinner! Check out Henk's photo album below.
It was a very enjoyable event for all who attended, meeting new contacts, catching up with old friends and learning many new strategies to implement into our businesses.
See you in 2023 for the next Small Business Month event!
|
|
|
Small business program discussed at the event:
|
|
|
|
Are you or someone you know a small business owner or sole trader? Beyond Blue have developed a free mental health coaching program for small business owners. The program is designed for businesses with 20 staff or less to give owners the support they need to manage stress and get back to feeling like themselves.
|
|
Welcome to our newest members!
|
|
|
|
WELCOME to Kylie and Art from Anglerz Corner in Lemon Tree!
They supply quality fishing, boating and chandlery products and essential groceries. Located in the Lemon Tree Passage Marina next to the newly installed boat ramp, you will find quality fishing and boating gear, along with 24 hour ICE behind the shop. Pop-in and say hi at Anglerz Corner - your fishing cornerstone!
|
|
|
|
WELCOME to Mantra Nelson Bay!
Mantra Nelson Bay is a relaxed holiday resort featuring apartment style accommodation with a central location. Mantra Nelson Bay’s 110 apartments are spread across three buildings all nestled around a central lagoon pool with cascading waterfall and children’s water fountain area. The accommodation offers a selection of self-contained two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses, all within walking distance of everything Nelson Bay has to offer including a 27-hole golf course and a variety of amenities and activities.
|
|
|
|
WELCOME to Tracy Blosdale!
Tracy Blosdale is a pro active and passionate real estate agent with a tenacity to get the very best price from the market for her sellers - and she loves to play matchmaker for buyers finding them their perfect home. Tracy’s clients recommend her highly for her integrity, professional and caring nature coupled with brilliant results for her clients. Working with the talented team at First National Port Stephens, Tracy has received rave reviews and her ability to observe what the client’s needs are has made her a local success and a client favourite. Tracy was Agent of the Year in Anna Bay 2019 and has won numerous awards for her service.
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Pirate Coffee!
Pirate Coffee is Port Stephen’s first boutique coffee-roastery. Our coffee beans are small batch roasted, in beautiful Nelson Bay - which is pretty special if you ask me, but I’m the resident roaster so I’m going to say that! I’ve bored many people with my passion on the art and science of coffee making so thought I’d take the plunge on making a business out of it. Pirate Coffee was born from a passion to get “hands on” and do something to make the world a bit better. By combining our love of coffee roasting and our desire to create positive change, Pirate Coffee was born. Says BPS board member Kim Burbridge: their coffee is amazing! All locally roasted, and as a social enterprise business, a portion of proceeds go to men's mental health awareness.
|
|
|
|
WELCOME to Wheel Change U your complete mobile tyre service!
We’re the tyre shop that comes to you with quality new tyres, great prices and friendly, professional service. We proudly offer mobile tyre fitting and repair services in Port Stephens, fitted at your home, workplace or wherever you are. We work on cars, 4WDs, light commercial vehicles, trucks, forklifts, motor-homes, caravans and much more. We’re available Mondays to Fridays 7am – 5pm, Saturdays 8am – 3pm and Sundays by appointment only.
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the team at Deeps Engineering Pty Ltd!
In the garage of our founder, Steven Dee, we’ve been delivering products of exceptional quality since 1991 and since that time have expanded our services across the world to North America, Europe and Asia. Our skills in managing projects from initial concept & design to toolmaking and delivery of a completed product have allowed us to build a first rate reputation amongst our diverse range of clients (they won the Business of the Year at last week's Port Stephens Examiner Business Awards!) We offer a full range of solutions and years of experience and expertise in the global market, so to find out more about how we can help you with a new or existing product get in touch today on 02 4982 0094.
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Clive Jones from Jonesci Alliance Pty Ltd!
When you need a project completed and don't have the resources or skill sets internally to do it well or in a timely fashion...that's where I can help. In these days of finding the right skilled labour I can help make that task easier by creating the foundations on which to build your business. With my background as an Accredited Trainer and Coach with over 38 years of Business Management and Training experience I also ensure complete Change Management is covered so the real benefits can be accelerated. I am comfortable working with businesses of all sizes, from small to multi-national businesses and franchises, I have worked hands on with many small teams of professionals to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Whilst I have a strong diversity by working across many disciplines in business - the areas of Operational efficiencies in industries such as Manufacturing, Trades, Professional Services, Wholesale and Aged Care are perhaps the focus.
|
|
|
Mel's last one! 😥
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.
|
|
|
|
Ludovic and Mandy Poyer from The Poyer's
|
|
|
|
Image: Port Stephens Examiner
Tell us a bit about yourselves and The Poyer’s
The Poyer’s opened in 2015, it is a family owned and operated over the water restaurant that focuses on fresh food and creating a social and relaxed dining experience for locals and visitors.
What are your most favourite dishes to create?
Inspiration comes from what is seasonally sourced, it could simply come from a freshly picked baby carrot, potato or from a sea urchin.
What do you love about being part of the community in Lemon Tree Passage?
Lemon tree Passage is a very special place. We feel like our locals are a part of our team, whether it is from a simple recommendation to a visitor on their daily walk, to their daily drop off of their produce, or a simple chat to say hello.
Why did you choose to be a member of BPS?
To be a part of a local network of businesses.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Most of the time we work but in between we like to eat, drink, socialise with friends and rest.
Shout out to your favourite Port Stephens businesses: cafes, shops, services, activities etc.
Thank you to all of our local suppliers of eggs, seafood, meat and vegetables, it is a pleasure to work with you and your produce.
|
|
Work Integrated Learning:
Uni of Newcastle student placements for your business
|
|
|
|
What is Work Integrated Learning?
Work Integrated Learning means real on-the-job experience for our students. These powerful experiences happen in partnership with industry, community, and government. It helps our students forge strong relationships that prepare them not only for their future workplace, but also for life after they graduate.
- New Perspectives: Get fresh ideas and perspectives from students with the passion and drive to change our industries and world.
- Emerging Talent: Build awareness and a talent pipeline by bringing engaged students into your workplace before they finish their degree.
- Future Leaders: Work Integrated Learning gives students the chance to visualise a future with your company.
|
|
No experience required: Do you really mean it?
|
|
|
If you work in recruitment, you’ve probably heard the saying, “You need experience to get experience.” In job listings, we’re often guilty of writing “zero to two years of experience required” when really what we mean is “three-plus years of experience required.”
So why are we so hesitant to hire someone with little to no experience?
When we think about applicants with little to no experience, we’re usually talking about people who are fresh out of school or making a career 180. When a CV with little to no experience crosses your desk, what are your first thoughts? It might be that they don’t have a proven track record, will require a lot of training and might leave shortly after you’ve invested in training them.
Especially in the current economic climate, you might think that you need to focus on hiring more senior positions since low-experience hires require a larger time and effort investment up front. While this might be true in certain situations, it’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution.
|
|
|
Every fortnight join B Farm at Murray's for their Paint, Nibble & Tipple events (including high tea!)
|
|
|
|
Future use of Tomaree Lodge
The Department of Communities and Justice is seeking comments and ideas from the local community and stakeholders on the future use of the Tomaree Lodge site. The NSW Government is committed to retaining the Tomaree Lodge site in public hands and is asking the local community to help decide the best use for it in the future. This community consultation process will assist with determining how Tomaree Lodge is best used for community benefit. Have your say by Friday, 6 January 2023.
|
|
|
|
Image: Port Stephens Examiner
CONGRATULATIONS to Neil Merrin at Nelson Bay Cinema!
Majestic Cinemas is proud to announce that the three screen Nelson Bay Cinemas will be joining the Majestic Cinema Group from 1 December 2022. The Majestic Cinemas CEO announced the deal, saying, “Nelson Bay Cinemas is a well-run and much-loved cinema in a growing area and will be a great addition to the existing Majestic Cinemas Group. Nelson Bay’s owner/operator Neil Merrin will join Majestic Cinemas in the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Neil has almost five decades of experience in the cinema industry, including ten years running Nelson Bay and 28 years working for Greater Union Cinemas as COO.”
|
|
New fernery opened at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
|
|
|
Image: Tim Roberts Patron of HRBG, Trudy Larnach Port Waratah Coal, Kevin Stokes Director, Meryl Swanson MP and Ken Page Chairman
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens has opened its new Kevin Stokes Fernery, dedicated to the growing and display of Australasian ferns. The Fernery was named in honour of Kevin Stokes, a pioneer of the Gardens and noted native plant expert, who was also Hunter Volunteer of the Year and Senior Volunteer of the Year for 2021. The Fernery is expected to become a major new attraction at the Gardens. Ferneries have been a popular and important feature of botanic gardens since Victorian times, and visitors are drawn to the cool atmosphere, the sound of running water and the delicate green beauty of the foliage.
|
|
Shop local and everyone wins this Christmas!
|
|
|
Are you looking for the perfect gift for that special someone this Christmas? Especially if they are overseas? No shipping costs necessary - it gets delivered immediately. And it is cute and cuddly into the bargain.
You guessed it - adopt a koala!
At only $50/year you can choose from the 27 koalas available and each adoption helps support Port Stephens Koala Hospital’s conservation work, protecting habitat, preserving food supply and providing care for our beloved koala’s and other native wildlife. You will be pleased to know that your adoption is also tax deductible so it's also good for business. Win win win!
PS - just remember you don't get to take them home with you...
|
|
|
There are SO MANY reason to shop local this Christmas:
1. You are supporting your neighbours and fellow members.
When you support local businesses, you are supporting your neighbours and they are more likely, in turn, to keep the money you spent with them local as well (for every $100 spent locally, $68 of it stays local).
2. You meet and interact with people.
When you shop in-person, you meet and interact with people. There’s something to be said from those chance meetings that occur when walking around town. Who knows, you could meet your next business partner or a former friend.
3. It brings on the Christmas spirit.
When you are out among the sounds and smells of the festivities, it brightens your mood. Who doesn’t love sparkling lights, glitter, and all of the happy tunes of the season? It’s hard to get those same smiles shopping online.
4. You could find your next job.
If you shop in-person, you’ll quickly realize how many businesses are hiring. Who knows: you might decide to work at your favourite shop and help out a new friend.
So get shopping and support our local businesses!
|
|
If you have any news to share about what is happening in your business, send some text, an image and link for further information so we can share in this newsletter and on our socials.
|
|
|
|
|
