Swansea Chamber of Commerce News

Zipper Tickers are proud to present Dr John Hewson at their inaugural gala dinner on July 27^th.

This dinner is being held in an effort to raise vital funding for the Heart Centre for Children at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Congenital Heart Disease is much more common than many people know, and is the number one killer of infants under the age of one. In Australia six children a day are born with Congenital Heart Disease.

The Heart Centre for Children is the primary provider of cardiology and cardiac surgery for children in NSW. Please join us for a gala dinner to raise awareness and much needed funding.

Black Tie Dinner

Saturday 27^th July 2013

6pm-Midnight

Newcastle City Hall, 290 King Street, Newcastle

Tickets are $175 per person (tables of 10) and include a 3 course dinner, drinks, live entertainment and a charity auction.

RSVP to:

Rachael Coyte: rach@zippertickers.com

Belinda Johnson: bel@zippertickers.com

Vector Design – logo and identity specialists have relocated to Belmont.

They are now behind Tranquility Pools in Belmont North.

For more information, see the website www.vectordesign.com.au or call 0421 062 808

The team at your business chamber continues to work tirelessly to develop the local environment and facilities in the local area as well as improve communication for businesses and residents and organise events to bring more people into the area and put Swansea on the map.

Our aims for 2013-2014 are below. We appreciate your feedback.

Shop front upgrades retail precinct Pacific Highway and Lake Road Swansea

The Chamber have been assisted financially through LMCC Town Centre Program Funding and the NSW Government in upgrading the facades of Seeds Trading, Swansea News Agency, Bombora Take Away (vacated), Parkview Takeaway, Swansea Health & Herb and in the process of contributing financially to Happy Cabby, Swansea Lakeview Laundrette and Hope on Main.

Planter Boxes and Bench Seating along the main street precinct of Pacific Hwy

The first stage of the planter box installation completed in May 2012 with the second stage to commence in March 2013 the installation of the bench seating along the main street were installed in February 2013 by LMCC.  The Swansea Men’s Shed maintain the Planter Boxes on a weekly basis.

Talbot Park Upgrade – subject to Grant Application before NSW Government

A Supplementary Project Application under the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund Call for Projects’ – July 2012 in association with LMCC has been submitted to the NSW Government to fund the creation of an awareness of Swansea as the ‘Gateway’ to, not only Lake Macquarie but to the Hunter. The upgrade of the park will offer amenities and facilities for future events such as Bi-monthly and Twilight markets attracting people into Swansea.

CCTV Monitoring – a 3-stage project pending Government Grant approval

With the ever-increasing criminal spikes occurring, the Chamber have submitted Grant application under the Community Building Partnership 2012 with the NSW Government for CCTV monitoring to safe guard our community and to provide security to our retailers. The CCTV monitors will initially be installed in one section of the Swansea retail precinct then further locations over a three (3) stage period.

QR Code – iPhone App

The Chamber has made available to members and to retail businesses a QR code to expand and have visitors aware of their business and extend an invitation and welcome existing and new members to join in this social media arena.

September/ October Holidays – Springtime Event

The 2013 event will be a ‘Lake and Sea’ theme and held only at the northern end of the town centre from Belmont Street to Lake Road and car parks. Currently confirming Woolworths as the major sponsor/ partner for this year’s event and submitting partnership support proposal/s to Dan Murphy’s, Swansea RSL, Paris apartment retailers. All businesses within the parameter will be invited to participate in the event.

December – Carols by Candlelight held at Thomas Humphrey’s Reserve

The Chamber in association with local churches hold the long standing Carols by Candlelight at Thomas Humphrey’s Reserve Swansea in December providing entertainment, amusements, selected stalls and a fireworks display concluding the event.  Delta Energy has sponsored the event for 10 years and currently confirming their sponsorship/ partnership for 2013. Proposal/s are being submitted to the partners that supported the event in 2012 which are Swansea RSL, Coal & Allied, Pelican RSL, Guardian Pharmacy, Murray’s Stockland, Woolworths, Amcal Chemist and Coles Swansea together with a Lake Macquarie City Council requesting support for 2013 event.

January 2014 – Swansea locals “Free” Australia Day BBQ Breakfast 7am to 11am

It is the Chamber’s intention to instigate a Swansea Aussie BBQ breakfast on Australia Day 2014 along the foreshore adjacent to the Paris Apartments and the Swansea bridge. The Chamber is currently in negotiations with perspective sponsors/ partners.

Easter Holidays 2014 – Festival Event

It is envisaged the event will be held only at the southern end of the town centre from McDonalds to Lake Road and car parks within the parameter. Currently submitting partnership/ sponsorship proposals to Coles, McDonalds, Leading Edge Video, Swansea Hotel. All businesses within the parameter of the retail strip will be invited to support and participate in the event.

Recreational Vehicle “RV” Stop over Regional Centre

The Chamber is considering commissioning a study to determine the viability of having a number of grey waste sites positioned in the Swansea Chamber area, as there is a very strong demand by all sectors of the community to travel intra and interstate using a fully contained self-reliant vehicle. 

Do you work with someone who goes above and beyond their job description to enhance staff morale and to promote a stress-free and productive work environment?

Concerned with unhealthy stress levels particularly in local workplaces, Lifeline created the annual Workplace Lifesaver Award to highlight local people who, in their own way, make a significant contribution to the mental health and well-being of their work colleagues.

Nominations for the 2013 award are now open until 18 May 2013. The award will be presented at a fundraising luncheon at Newcastle Jockey Club on 31 May. For further information, tickets or nomination forms contact Julienne Constable julienne@lifelinehunter.org.au.

The Business Growth Centre is hosting information sessions to assist entrants with completing Entry Forms.

These sessions are free and will be held at Business Growth Centre, 48 Oakdale Road Gateshead.

To book your place visit www.trybooking.com

Or follow the links:

http://www.trybooking.com/CTIJ

http://www.trybooking.com/48213

As part of the Hunter Innovation Festival 2013 we are delighted to  present Will Hird and Kimberley Evans from Davies Collison Cave.

“You have a terrific idea which will do well, but what now?”

Often people don’t realise that the great idea that they have is actually their intellectual property (IP). Your new idea, your business name, logo, customer lists and databases, and the skills and experience of your people can all form part of the IP portfolio of a small business.

Through the strategic management of your IP, you can create relationships with others to commercialise your innovation and prevent others from exploiting your idea without your permission. For many businesses — large or small — this may be their key to success.

Who Should Attend?
Inventors, small business owners and anyone with a unique idea or product that they would like to protect from being exploited by others. If you have an interest in taking an Idea to Market then this workshop is a must.

Register today and keep yourself protected.

Roads and Maritime Services is advising the Swansea community of changed work dates and conditions  to replace the fender system around the northbound Swansea Bridge.

Work was scheduled to start earlier this month but will now start today, April 29th.

Member for Swansea Garry Edwards said the NSW Government has provided $2.5 million for this important upgrade which includes a 35 per cent contribution from Hunter Water and Jemena Limited.

“The Swansea Bridge on the Pacific Highway is an important gateway spanning the entrance to Lake Macquarie between Swansea and Blacksmiths,” Mr Edwards said.

“It provides an alternative route along the highway between the Central Coast and Newcastle.

“Work involves replacing the timber fender system with a new steel structure.

“The new system will offer improved protection for the bridge, surrounding water and gas services from passing marine traffic,” he said.

“It will also minimise damage to vessels if they collide with the bridge.”

During the work only limited openings to marine traffic will be available from Monday through to Thursday with areas of the lake closed off to the public so work can progress.

“Motorists on the bridge may also experience short delays during work hours,” Mr Edwards said.

The work is expected to be completed in September 2013, weather permitting. Wet weather may change work dates and times.

Traffic management and reduced speed limits will be in place where needed to ensure the safety of workers, motorists and other road and water users.

Motorists and boat users are advised to plan their journey, allow extra travel time and follow all signs.

For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com, download Live Traffic NSW for iPhone® and iPad from the App StoreSM, download Live Traffic NSW for AndroidTM from Google Play, or call 132 701.

Nominations are open for the 2013 Alumni Awards. The Alumni Awards celebrate and showcase the outstanding quality and diversity of those who have graduated from the University of Newcastle and have achieved outstanding success in their chosen fields.

If you know a graduate who is an outstanding achiever, then nominate them today for an award. To download a nomination form, visit the alumni website.

Nominations close on Friday 24th May 2013.

It’s been 12 years in the making and now, the British & Irish Lions are heading to Newcastle to take on the Combined Country team on Tuesday 11 June at Hunter Stadium.

To celebrate, Australian Rugby Union are giving Hunter Business Chamber members the chance to view this history making match in true style, by winning your own fully catered enclosed Private Suite for 12 people.

Simply register your details and tell the ARU in 25 words or less why you want to see the British & Irish Lions in Newcastle before 5pm Friday 3 May. The most creative entry will win. Click here for more information and click here to view the entry conditions. Click here to purchase tickets to this exciting game before they sell out!

Fred Roberts and his wife Robyn Roberts, are the directors or local mortgage brokerage, Channel Direct Home Loans.

Channel Direct Mortgage Brokers specialise in providing all of their clients with the necessary tools and information to make the right decision when selecting a home loan solution in Lake Macquarie.

Fred has also served as president on the Chamber and is an active supporter of the local Swansea Soccer Club.

You can learn more about Fred and Channel Direct Home Loans here or on facebook.