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Time flies – it’s March already! I’ll guess it doesn’t fly so quickly if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing. So this last month I’ve been getting into the role and having a number of meetings, including a 2-way with the Council, and another with Transport NSW. I was heartened to hear the positive feedback and offers of support from Council especially in working towards building our membership base and activities across the LGA.
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Our meeting with Transport NSW was also positive in the feedback they offered in regard to better signage southbound on the M1 pointing towards the Peninsula(s). The prospect of a central hub and spoke style interchange was floated based around the Williamtown Airport area to build more efficient and regular public transport connecting Raymond Terrace, Medowie, Tomago, Tilligerry and Nelson Bay regions together. They are keen to receive a proposal from us so your input and feedback will be helpful in this. A little way off but part of our Marketing Action Plan established this month is to plan for a Business Expo for you to promote yourselves as part of Small Business month in October. A fantastic breakfast this week woke many of us up in regard to the whole cyber security disaster awaiting us so I suggest, like me, you now take action to minimise your exposure before it’s too late.
Remember “If you are not able to control the wind, try adjusting your sails”
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Our first Business Breakfast for 2023!
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A great start to our events for 2023 at our Business Breakfast - Cyber Security for your Business at the Shoal Bay Country Club. A huge thank you to Insurance Advisernet IA Mid North Coast for sponsoring (sorry I had shuffled your slides for a challenge beforehand), Mayor Ryan Palmer and Peter Aletras ICT Manager from Port Stephens Council for their presentations, and our volunteer photographer extraordinaire Henk Tobbe for the social snaps (see if you can spot yourself via the link below). And yes Peter - we are all going to change our passwords and update our computers post haste! And NO MORE CLICKING ON LINKS! 
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Congratulations to our Mayoral Scholarship winner!
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We are excited to learn our winner in the Mayor Academic Scholarship program is Levi Brown from the University of Newcastle who is doing a double degree: Bachelor of Data Science and Bachelor of Computer Science. If anyone has experience in these fields and would like to help Levi please let us know and we can connect you. A huge congratulations Levi!
Image: Mayor Ryan Palmer, Levi Brown and Chontelle Grecian (BPS Director).
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Congratulations to our NSW Local Woman of the Year!
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A huge CONGRATULATIONS to our former President Mel Turner on her being awarded NSW Local Woman of the Year! Chosen annually by Members of Parliament, NSW Local Woman of the Year recipients are recognised for their exceptional contribution to their communities as businesswomen, role models, volunteers, leaders and mentors. As president of Business Port Stephens during 2021 and 2022, Mel led our business community through the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the BPS network strong whilst withstanding the challenges faced by a local economy heavily reliant on tourism.
Image: Kate Washington and Mel Turner from Port Stephens Examiner
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Adding to the BPS Family!
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 Congratulations to Kim Burbridge one of our Board Directors on the arrival of her baby daughter!
Meet Edwina aka Eddie Burbridge born to Kim and Claire Burbridge early February. Kim says she is absolutely perfect and are enjoying settling in at home as a family of four.
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Welcome to our newest members
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Club Lemon Tree
Club Lemon Tree is located in the town of Lemon Tree Passage on the Tilligerry Peninsula. It is a common place for bowlers, boaties, fisherman and families to relax and enjoy some great food and entertainment after a day in the sun. Our wonderful Eats @ Grand Bees Kitchen offers beautiful a-la-carte dining for your lunch or dinner – with freshly prepared lunch and dinner member specials that change every day – open from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm and 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm, and our Cafe Citron located in the Main Lounge area offers casual meals – open from 11 am on Mondays and 10 am from Tuesday to Sundays till late – 7 days per week. We have Function Rooms to cater for all your special occasions (corporate or family and friends) – including our multi-rooms catering for up to 40-160 people and our auditorium that can hold up to 300 people. We can also cater for weddings in our lovely garden area. Join our ladies or men’s competition bowling on our two bowling greens, or join us for barefoot bowls with your friends, family or corporate event.
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Hands Up Tuition
We are passionate about providing positive and supportive one on one face to face and online lessons. We specialise in helping children acquire the skills they need to become ready to learn and believe in the importance of looking at the whole child. WE OFFER A comprehensive initial assessment and report outlining areas covered and recommendations based on the results. Individualised one on one lessons that address the specific needs of the child. Regular liaison with other professionals such as speech, occupational therapists and psychologists. In Nelson Bay we are seeing preschool and primary school age children all subjects and will be expanding to High School mid year.
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One Fifty & Co
One Fifty & Co are a full-service marketing agency. We specialise in working with local, small to medium size business. Our Services include:
Brand Strategy, Brand Audit, Graphic Design, Content Management, Social Media management, Digital Marketing, Radio, Television and Outdoor. Our team of highly experienced and engaged marketing professionals become your outsourced marketing department. One Fifty & Co take all that we have learnt, to create, develop and implement uncomplicated yet highly effective marketing strategies for our clients. We are here to make marketing easy for you.
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The Original Tea Gardens Ferry Service
Our aim is to provide an exceptional passenger experience onboard our beautiful timber vessels. Tea Gardens Ferry Service operates a daily return ferry service between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. Crossing the bay is a must for visitors and locals to the Port Stephens and Myall Coast Blue Water Wonderland. Our friendly knowledgeable crew will provide informative commentary while you take in the panoramic views of Port Stephens and The Myall River. Keep an eye out for some of our locals …. Dingoes, Turtles, Seabirds and the bay resident dolphins enjoy putting on a display for our passengers regularly.
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This is an opportunity for Clive and members to get to know you, what your business is about and what makes you tick as a human outside the work place. To nominate yourself or another business send us an email: admin@businessportstephens.com
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Tell us a bit about Footprints Podiatry Salamander Bay?
Footprints Podiatry Salamander Bay is a trusted provider of quality podiatry services in the Salamander Bay area. Established with the goal of improving the foot health of the community, the clinic has since expanded to include locations in Anna Bay, Soldiers Point, and Medowie. The team, consisting of 8 podiatrists and 3 friendly receptionists, is dedicated to delivering individualised and effective treatments for all foot and ankle conditions. With a commitment to patient care and satisfaction, Footprints Podiatry Salamander Bay is proud to provide podiatry services to the Port Stephens community.
What are the five most important things people should do to look after their feet?
- Wear comfortable shoes: Make sure your shoes fit properly and provide enough support. Avoid shoes that are too tight, too loose or do not feel comfortable.
- Exercise your feet: Regular exercise can improve circulation and help prevent disease that affects foot health.
- Check your feet regularly: Inspect your feet regularly for any changes, cuts, blisters, or other foot problems. If you notice something concerning consult a podiatrist or doctor.
- Visit a podiatrist: Regular visits to a podiatrist can help identify and prevent potential foot problems before they become serious. They can also provide advice on proper foot care and give you customized orthotics or other treatments as needed.
- Give your feet time to breath: Allow time out of shoes and socks allowing your feet to dry and be free. This can help prevent fungal infections and improve overall foot health.
Why did you choose to be a member of BPS and how does it benefit the business?
We chose to be a member so we could be better connected to the businesses of Port Stephens. We wanted to be part of the business community and further our connections within the area. We also appreciate the work that BPS does for our business community and want to be a part of that. The benefits have been about connecting with other businesses and people to gain more insight and understanding of the community we are surrounded by. We also have been overwhelmed by the support that BPS provides through its social media channels to promote the businesses that are in Port Stephens.
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Is graffiti affecting your business?
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Graffiti was a growing concern in many areas of Port Stephens over the holiday break. Here is what to do if graffiti is affecting your business:
- Photograph the graffiti.
- Note the date and time you discover it. Recall when you last saw it clean (Needed for reporting).
- If you have CCTV collect footage. There are CCTV cameras around town owned by Council that can provide footage for the police. Note the closest to your business. Other businesses have their own cameras. (Be aware that unless you have a fairly specific time for the incident it can take time to go through the CCTV footage so do not delay reporting to police for this).
- Report it ASAP:
- In person to the local police station.
- Online through NSW Police Community Portal (below) within 48 hours, if possible. Important because it provides a record for the Police database. Also, you require a NSW Police Force Event Number which they will email you - for insurance purposes.
- By phone to the Port Stephens Graffiti Action Team: 0479 044 028 or email: psgat@iprimus.com.au
- By phone to the Police Assistance Line which is for reporting minor crime 131 444.
- If you have actual or suspected criminal information that might solve a graffiti crime you can report it to Crime Stoppers in confidence 1800 333 000.
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TAFE NSW in collaboration with Shoal Bay Country Club is offering a training and employment program to assist unemployed or underemployed jobseekers find work. The fee free program runs over 4 weeks and includes:
• training in five hospitality units over nine days
• two shifts of work experience
• mentoring from industry leaders
• the opportunity to gain a job at Shoal Bay Country Club or any Hospitality establishment in the Port Stephens area.
To register your interest please email Toni Foot toni.foot@tafensw.edu.au
TRAINING COMMENCES MONDAY 6th March 2023
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Special offer for BPS Members - Pirate Coffee are giving a special pricing for 1kg Bags of their Epic Beans! The one kilo size is normally reserved for wholesale customers only. More than a micro-roaster, Pirate Coffee is a social impact business that aims to champion men's wellbeing. Profits from the sale of our epic coffee beans are returned directly to Men's Wellbeing via their partners. Drink Good. Do Good. Be part of something good too.
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Need a new laptop, mobile or printer?
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Happy Birthday Port Stephens FM!
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New venue for BPS board meetings
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Business Port Stephens has a new venue for our monthly board meetings: Spark CoWork! Like all the best ideas, Spark CoWork was born over a coffee; a meeting to discuss work projects which quickly turned to the challenges of working from home. It creates flexibility and the personal connections and collaboration that comes from working in an office and the vision is to build a community of local businesses.
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GREAT NEWS: Koala Ferries & Water Taxi Service are back in the water at Lemon Tree Passage after six months of repairs! The ferry was put back into the water on February 11 and owners Richard Lampton and Stacey Somerville said they were looking forward to servicing their community once again and have plans to create tourism packages. Image: Koala Ferries owners Richard Lampton and Stacey Somerville with trusty skipper Gino Pin and the revamped vessel by Alanna Tomazin from Port Stephens Examiner
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If you would like to contribute to the GoFundMe page to help Richard and Stacey with the costly repairs you can do so below:
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Grants between $2,500 and $20,000 are available to eligible not-for-profit organisations for small capital projects and equipment that encourage and support participation in local projects, improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities. Round 8 aims to support communities recover from the widespread impacts of adverse weather events and current economic pressures.
Learn more and apply below. Expressions of Interest close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 12 March 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Meryl Swanson's office on 4983 2401.
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Want to make your businesses
Certified B Corp?
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This four-hour workshop will help get your business moving on the pathway to becoming a Certified B Corporation (B Corp). This workshop is an important step to take towards your business reaching the highest standards of social and environmental performance, and joining a 5000+ strong global business community.
When: 28 March, 2023 9am-1pm (AEDT).
Where: Suite 1, 1/165 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow
Format: four-hour in-person workshop covering how to navigate the B Corp assessment, tips on how to tackle certain questions, and how you can boost your score to hit the 80 points to certify!
Who should attend? People that want to improve the social and environmental performance of their business and become Certified B Corporations. Typically founders and leaders of smaller companies; sustainability managers and communications managers in larger companies
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Hunter public consultation – offshore renewable energy
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The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy has proposed an area in the Commonwealth waters off the Hunter for offshore renewable energy projects, such as offshore wind.
Consultation on this proposal is now open and they seek your feedback on the proposal and how offshore renewable energy projects could share the area with other users and interests. Your feedback will help inform the Minister’s decision on whether the proposed area is suitable for offshore renewable energy. Submissions close at 11:59 PM on 28 April 2023. For the Minister to consider your submission, it must be provided through the Consultation Hub by this deadline.
If the announcement or consultation process raises any questions that are not answered by information provided on the consultation hub, they are hosting seven community information sessions in Port Stephens:
- Hawks Nest Community Centre 11.00 – 1.00pm, Thursday 9 March 2023
- Nelson Bay Bowling Club 5.00 – 7.00pm, Thursday 9 March 2023
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Automatic membership renewals
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Do it yourself: login below and click on Membership Billing to set up (you may need to request a new password if you haven't logged in before)
We do it: call 0455 844 751 or send us an email below.
Easy Peasy!
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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.
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Do you have a less than flattering profile photo?
Or is it time for an update?
Have a professional headshot session with one edited image for only $150 plus gst. Linda really does make it effortless and fun! There are only limited spots so be quick! Book directly here:
