As our retailers and tourism operators are preparing for what we hope will be a busy Christmas period, many are preparing for a break to spend time with loved ones and rest up ready for another huge year in 2012. 

• 11 Breakfast Before Business meetings (average attendance 65)
• 11 Business After Hours Networking Functions (average attendance 50)
• International Women’s Day Luncheon attracting close to 300 women
• Small Business Forum with Michael Pascoe (over 150)
• Business Excellence Awards with 300 in attendance
• Professional Development and Cluster Group meetings
• Junior Chamber of Commerce monthly meetings and activities
• Home Based Business Network meetings (and new website)

• Hair Cut or Clothing Vouchers
• Restaurant or Cafe Vouchers
• Tickets to the movies/theatre (we have both) or one of our local attractions (go the the discoverballina website for ideas – link below) 
• An overnight stay somewhere lovely (where better than Paradise..)
• A local tour voucher - river/sky/ocean – there are plenty to choose from
• Hampers of local produce made up at Ballina Visitor Information Centre or filled with scrummy treats at one of our Delicatessens 
• A piece of locally designed art or craft
• Pamper or massage voucher
• Homewares, music, plants ALL HERE IN BALLINA!! 

 

The February Business After Hours was a great introduction to the new year with over 50 members enjoying the Hospitality of TURSA Employment & Training at their premises in Tamar Street.

What a great night of Christmas Cheer at Deli 4 U.  The food was stunning and the champagne was icy cold!!

The Christmas Party was held on Friday 10th December with over 100 Chamber members and guests enjoying the lovely jazzy blues sound of Ella Mingaye and her musicians.

Home Based Business Network Social Drinks – Wednesday 27 October 5.30 pm @ The Henry Rous

Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting – Wednesday 3rd November 7.00 am @ Crowley Village

Business After Hours – Tuesday 9th November 5.30 to 7.30 pm – hosted by Fleurs Restaurant @ Comfort Inn All Seasons

Breakfast Before Business – Wednesday 17th November 7.00 to 8.30 am – keynote: Robyn Henderson, Networking Guru @ Ballina RSL

Chamber Christmas Party – Friday 10th December @ Deli 4U – 7.00 pm til late

Phone Nadia 6681 5049  with queries or to register

Getting on to Broadband via your phone and the latest release for Smart Phones

After nearly 10 years of introducing the community to some weird and wonderful music, Jen & Graham from JUST FUNKIN MUSIC decided it was time for a change. In fact the change was a bit of the old and a bit of the new.

 “we wanted a coffee that was medium roasted with a smooth taste, with a lingering mellow finish. After sampling a lot of coffee in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, we kept coming back to GRINDERS. The espresso bar gives the store a New York feel about it”.

The Music side of the shop has gone a bit “Retro” while still providing the newest of local, national and international releases. The store has taken on a more 60’s look with music Icons on the walls, such as Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, painted by local artist – Wayne Brown.

A number of listening stations are dotted throughout the store with different genre’s of music already loaded and ready for a listen, and a great place to drink your ‘GRINDERS’ coffee.

 “we are a cd store and that’s what we concentrate on. Although we have a wide range  of music related dvd’s, the cd’s are our main business. What you will find is music of all genre’s and all era’s, the majority don’t feature on many Australian radio stations. and you have to ask yourself why.

I guarantee you can come into JUST FUNKIN MUSIC and walk out with something you have never heard before. We are constantly looking for that album that blows you away, like a lot of people out there wanting to expand their mind and looking for something new – well JUST FUNKIN MUSIC is their haven. That’s not to say we don’t cater for the more popular artists, in fact it’s difficult to think what we haven’t got. After nearly 10 years, we have got lots of loyal customers up & down the coast, as well as our locals that pop in when passing to check our ever expanding range”.

In a world where major record companies and chain stores are trying to limit the range of music we listen to, Ballina has got what a lot of cities are craving for, and that’s a cd store that is an interesting place to browse, full of every genre and era of music, and is run by true music enthusiasts, and now a great place to get a great coffee.

TRADING HOURS 7.30AM – 5.30PM  MONDAY TO FRIDAY. & 8.00AM – 2.00 PM SATURDAY 

Was hosted by      

Ballina Marineland Boat Sales is owned by Kim and Ken Fitzgibbon, employing 3 full time staff and a casual. For the owners and staff at Marineland, boating is not a job- it’s a lifestyle!! Our motto is “we live it, love it , we do it!” And indeed we do – a boat builder, water ski racing champion, and we have a couple of mad keen fisho’s here too!!

Last October we had our very first Open Day to celebrate the opening of our new indoor showroom. It was a great success, we were thrilled with the response from the community and the Northern Rivers.

The  expansion of the business premises means we can display a variety of boat packages indoor, we have more boating accessories, and now have room out doors for  customers to sell their  boats on consignment.

     As a business operator, networking is an important way to promote your business, gain contacts, generate referrals, keep abreast of what is happening in the local marketplace.