Rob & Helen Stutfield and their team at the Telstra Licensed Shop put on a great after hours on Tuesday 13th March in their fabulous new premises at Ballina Central. Sue Passmore, General Manager of Telstra Country Wide, spoke about the Next G mobile network and wireless Broadband solutions whilst the drinks flowed and canapes circulated. It was a great night with quite a few new faces. Craig from Savvy Human Resources won the lucky door prize – a new phone!! Congrats to Craig and thanks to the Telstra team for their hospitality!!

Westpac hosted a networking function on Tuesday 27 February at the Ballina Beach Resort. This one started a bit earlier than usual as the team had Westpac’s senior economist, Justin Smirk visiting to give members an economic forecast for 2007. It was a great meeting and members enjoyed fabulous drinks and canapes on the verandah in and around the resort thanks to the Westpac team.

Grandview Apartments, East Coast Property Services and The Northern Rivers Family Magazine co-hosted a Business After Hours on 17 November in the Grandview Apartment Penthouse!!

Members enjoyed a lovely meal and an incredible view whilst learning about these three businesses.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTRACT OVER 50 FELLOW BUSINESS OPERATORS INTO YOUR BUSINESS? IF SO, CONTACT THE CHAMBER ON 6681 5049.

Even though it was School Holidays and many of you were taking some time to be with the family, around 50 operators came along to the RSL Club on Tuesday 10 October to meet the Credit Union Australia crew and network with your fellow members. Duncan Purkiss, Regional Manager for NSW and Col Kirkwood, State Manager for NSW and ACT for CUA both made an appearance along with our local Branch Manager, Kim Rook.

The canapes were fabulous (Gerhard Spatz’s home made pate!! YUM) and there was heaps of food to enjoy with a bevvy or two whilst chatting about the upcoming Boom Town Ballina 150 Year Celebration (at this point it was BIG secret as to who the Miss 1964 Summergirl was!).

Over 50 operators came along to Air T&G’s Hangar at Ballina Airport to check out Ballina’s first ever commercial helicopter service on Tuesday 26 September. One lucky member won a free helicopter ride!! Fabulous nibbles were catered by Mint Catering and Sirocco Cafe with wines and beers supplied by Ballina Discount Liquor.

Air T&G’s Flying School has since received approval so if you have always wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter – now you can!!

Over 60 operators attended Bronz Worx on Tuesday 12 September to witness a live bronze pouring. David Mackay Harrison outlined how the moulds and shells are prepared and explained the ‘lost wax process’. Members gained access to the Gallery and Portfolios whilst enjoying canopes and drinks.

In early 1999 David Mackay Harrison, internationally renowned bronze sculptor & artist, purchased a Foundry in Brisbane. David has now moved the business to Ballina, under the new banner of Bronz-Worx. The 2006 Business Excellence Sculpture Awards were designed by David and poured by the team at Bronz-Worx right here in Ballina!! Check out David’s work at http://www.dmhart.com.au, visit the Studio and Gallery at 79 Bayview Drive, East Ballina by appointment.

A big thank you from the Chamber Board of Management, its staff, sponsors and members to David Mackay Harrison and his team for sponsoring, designing and pouring the 2006 Ballina Shire Northern Star Business Excellence Awards !!

Over 90 business operators turned out to check out the Sandbar & Restaurant with cars lining Shaws Bay for miles!! Coffee Nirvana co-hosted the event showcasing their new blend LATTETUDE. Members sampled stunning Mezze Plates and indulged in a few beverages whilst listening to loungey funk tunes in the modern and ambient decor.

On Friday 30 June Ballina Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce and Ballina Tourism Inc. ran a Cross Cluster Networking Night at Ballina Airport hosted by Ballina Airport Horizon Cafe, REX Airlines, AVIS Car Rentals, Jetstar, North Coast Airline Services and Ballina Byron Rental Cars

This event attracted over 90 business operators from different sector and geographical clusters to learn about what other business are doing, tell everyone ehat they are up to and network with prospeactive clients, alliance partners, colleagues, suppliers and the like.

TP Health sponsored two beautiful gift baskets for door prizes and Tourism ballina Inc. ran a fundrasing raffle. First prize was a scenic flight via Air T&G and second prize was a Joy Ride with Harley & Trike Tours.

23 May RIVERBEND BALLINA 5.30 pm 1 Riverbend Avenue, West Ballina
Riverbend ballina is an affordable secure coastal resort style residential community consisting of newly constructed homes which have been purposely designed for active residents from 50 years of age. Riverbend features a 20 meter pool, bowling green, picnic and bbq areas, caravan and boat storage, library with internet access, craft room, gym, and community centre perfect for entertaining or activities such as yoga. The gardens are all landscaped and the gate entrance is electronically secure. Riverbend is a Corporate Sposnor of BCCI and we truly value their support.

Come along and join us for this fantastic opportunity to network and learn about what this members has to offer!! RSVP to the Chamber by COB Monday 22 May.

9 May DYNAMIC STAFFING SOLUTIONS & WOW SUSHI
Amy Comin welcomed over 50 members into her new rooms at 3/83-85 River Street (above LJ Hooker Real Estate) whilst the WOW Sushi team served up samples of their Winter Menu now available from their store in the Riverwalk Arcade 140 River Street.

Amy Comin has been providing temping services on the north coast since 2003 and expanded in 2005 to include a pool of experienced legal secretaries. In 2006 she has expanded again to include a range of specialised support services to legal offices and local or visiting businesses including temping, outsourcing, training and a serviced office (perfect for that home-based business or visiting barrister to see their clients!!).

June 13 – TURSA & Northern Rivers Surgical Supplies
July 11 – Coffee Nirvana
August 8 – Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS)
September 12 – Air T&G
October 10 – Credit Union Australia
November 14 – Laneway Labels
December 1 – Christmas Party
If you would like to host a BAH in 2007 put your name down now!!

BARBEQUES GALORE hosted over 50 members in their huge showroom at 11 Southern Cross Drive in the Ballina Industrial estate on Tuesday 11 April. Proprietors David and Sheila Avering showcased their extensive range of BBQ’s, entertaining accessories, outdoor furniture and more…. 10 members won a BeefEater barbeque kit valued at $99 each after correctly completing the BeefEater Trivia Quiz!!