What a busy couple of months we have had and as we race to the end of the year it isn’t slowing down!
We had our AGM last week at Business Port Macquarie and said farewell to Board Members Chris Denny, Michael Mowle and Charlie Cull. Thank you all for your time enriching our Board! We welcome new Board members Peter Jones (Harvey Norman Mobile Phones, Computers & Technology), Linda Elbourne (Willing and Able) and Peter Buckland (Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel) who will join current Board members Tony Thorne, David Relf, Kellon Beard, Stuart Goodfellow, Angela Frimberger, Kieren Dell, Claire Mathews, Jenny Fraser and myself.
As I write this column we are saying goodbye to Katherine Harris who has been with us for over 12 ½ years. Katherine has been the friendly voice on the phone and the go to person for much advice. We thank Katherine for all that she has done over the years. She has been a very valued member of our team and we wish her well in her future endeavours. Don’t be a stranger Katherine, you will always be part of the Business Port Macquarie family.
Our new Executive Officer is Malcolm Neale. Malcolm was the former owner of the businesses AusSport Scoreboards and Fuel 4 Business. Malcolm brings with him a wealth of business knowledge which will be of great benefit to our members. Malcolm has also always been very involved in community work with organisations such as Orange Sky Laundry and Make a Difference PMQ (MAD). He has hit the ground running and really been thrown in at the deep end the past two weeks and has already proved himself a great asset. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Malcolm to Business Port Macquarie and wish him all the best in his new role. Malcolm will carry on the tradition we started with Coffee with Katherine however it will now be called Mal’s monthly coffee catch up. Our next one will be Wednesday 11th October at 10am at Hastings Coffee Co at the Westport Club. Come and say hi, meet Malcolm and some other businesses. You don’t have to be a member to come check us out.
October Tuesday, 24th is our Annual Sovereign Hills Update taking place at Rydges, Port Macquarie. This is a great opportunity to find out what is happening with the growth of Sovereign Hills and what is coming up in the future.
November 3rd is our Annual Charity Golf Day combining forces with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service at the Wauchope Country Club. This is always a great day raising money for a fantastic cause. There are some great sponsorship options for holes which includes a team of four players. These could be used by your business or to reward some clients. Or you can just register for a team of 4. Fantastic games and food will be provided so don’t miss this one. For more information on how you can come play with us contact executive@businesspmq.com.au or give Malcolm a call on 0422 562 300. November Networking Evening on Tuesday, 21 November. We will be having a fun Twilight Barefoot Bowls event at the Lake Cathie Bowling Club. Please note these dates in your diaries and more details and how to register will be on our website soon.
New Years Eve Fireworks – planning is well underway and we will have more information for you soon so watch this space!
Have you ever considered being a Business Awards sponsor? Believe it or not we have started organising for our 2024 Awards with nominations launching in early February and our gala dinner in May 2024. If you would like to be part of this great event and promote your business, please give Malcolm at the office a call.
We have recently moved into an office at Level 1, Suite 2, 146-148 Gordon Street, Port Macquarie sharing a space with the Business NSW team. Feel free to pop in and say hello.
A big congratulations to our members that were finalists and below who were winners at the Mid North Coast Business Awards Gala Dinner on Friday, 15 September.
* Claire Mathews – Outstanding Employee
* Ashley Sargeson Touchwood Flowers – Outstanding Business Leader & Excellence in Small Business
* All Disability Plan Management – Employer of Choice over 20 employees
* Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic on winning Excellence in Innovation
* Bennetts Steel for being awarded a Highly Commended in Excellence in Sustainability
* Crime Story for Outstanding Start Up
* Liberty Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Services for taking out four awards on the evening – Employer of Choice under 20 employees, Outstanding Community Organisation, Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion and the main award of the night, Mid North Coast NSW Business of the Year. So well deserved. ⭐🏆🥇
Our quote of the month – “Do the one thing everyday that scares you!”- Eleanor Rosevelt.
Until Next Month
Alex