http://www.mybusiness.com.au/newsletter/index.php?issue=870&key=499&admin

Living Food Garden at Kombu

Dear friends, colleagues and community members of the Mid North Coast

I invite you to take advantage of the collaborative potential of the Mid North Coast Regional Plan.

From the Manning to Coffs Harbour, distinctive valleys are developing, industries are diversifying, and more people are choosing to live and work here.

As each community’s ambitions grow, those ambitions can be connected by joint efforts that put our region on the map and allow us to present ourselves to public and private investors with a united voice.

This plan sets out how that collaborative work can unfold.

Over the next decade, if we work together, we can develop

· the infrastructure we need to strengthen our potential as an innovative region

· the skills we need to ensure people can achieve the opportunities they seek, &

· the community strength that makes our region an inclusive place for all.

I encourage you to connect with this plan, and with RDA, wherever you are in the MNC. The priorities will evolve as our region does – and we hope that will be with your input and engagement so that the work of RDA supports your community’s ambitions.

Comments are welcomed online until the 3rd August. Everyone registering for comment will be invited to a Feedback Session – Friday 13 August in Port Macquarie (Click here to register)

Elizabeth McGregor

Acting Chair (RDA Mid North Coast)

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDA MNC) is an Australian and NSW Government initiative that brings together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia. The RDA MNC has broad brief and incorporates Social Cultural, Environmental, Economic and Governance issues in its portfolio. The government has asked the RDA MNC to prepare a Regional Plan and we seek your comment to assist and inform the Board of priorities you as the community and stakeholders of our region would like us to communicate to government.

To view and/or comment visit the RDA Mid North Coast website and register:

www.rdamidnorthcoast.org.au

Peter Tregilgas

Executive Officer

Regional Development Australia – Mid North Coast (RDA-MNC)

Suite 1 Oxley House 133-137 Gordon Street (PO Box 2537)

Port Macquarie NSW 2444

W: 02 6583 5647

M: 0400 191054

E: petert@rdamidnorthcoast.org.au

W: www.rdamidnorthcoast.org.au

Small Business September (SBS) is the longest running, most comprehensive, month long event program hosted by Industry & Investment NSW and is designed specifically for small businesses and their business and educational needs.

Now in its 11th year, this annual celebration highlights the important role of small business to the social and economic fabric of the State. The event program will allow businesses to discover new technologies, trends and tools to help grow profitability, the events also allow for small business owners to come together and make connections. The Small Business September 2010 program promises to help small businesses across NSW “Connect for profit”.

The support and involvement of our event partners has been integral in ensuring SBS has been a continual success. This year will be no different and we invite you to register to become an event partner. www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au is now live and ready for you to upload your events.

For more information on how to become a partner please read the attached invitation.

We look forward to your involvement in SBS2010.

Regards

The Small Business September 2010 Team

SBS 2010 Event Partner information

Monday, July 12, 2010    Port Macquarie, NSW

The winner of the 2010 Mid North Coast Signature Dish Competition will win the opportunity to work alongside some of Sydney’s best chefs plus a swag of promotional material to put their restaurant on the map.

Entries for this leading Mid North Coast culinary competition close in just over three weeks and the Mid North Coast Tourism Organisation wants to ensure it attracts the best chefs from its established restaurants and cafes.

MNCRTO Signature Dish Competition guest judge, Chef Serge Dansereau, owner and head chef at Sydney’s celebrated The Bathers’ Pavilion has organised a new Sydney section of the prize which comprises the following:

· A day working in the three kitchens of The Bathers’ Pavilion;

· Another working with Neil Perry at Rockpool Bar and Grill:

· Another with Peter Gilmour at Quay;

· Time in the fabulous store of Simon Johnson Purveyor of Quality Foods including his cheese room, and

· A visit to the Sydney Markets with Pass, The Bathers’ buyer.

· This prize also includes airfares and accommodation courtesy of Mid North Coast Tourism.

Additionally the winner receives a Winner’s Plate to display in their restaurant, interviews and a three month advertising package in Port Macquarie and Manning Valley editions of Focus magazine; plus a marketing package from IT specialists, Joyer Consulting.

The winning chef and dish will also be highlighted in all Mid North Coast Tourism food and wine promotions throughout the 2010-2011 year.

“This competition is all about promoting the best fresh produce, product and culinary talents within our region,” said MNCRTO Executive Officer, Ms Belinda Novicky.

“Dining out is by far the most popular activity among all visitors to our region and we want to draw more visitors with increased knowledge and reputation for our catering and hospitality industries,” she said.

Twelve finalists from Coffs Harbour in the south to Port Stephens in the south will be selected to participate in the Thursday, September 9 for the Mid North Coast Signature Dish Final Cook-Off to be held on Thursday, September 9 at the North Coast Institute of TAFE, Port Macquarie Campus.

The competition is judged by a professional team of three led by Mid North Coast Institute of TAFE, Port Macquarie Campus’ teachers Matthew Armstrong, and David Baker with Chef Serge Dansereau.

Entries for the competition are now open and close on August 6 . Entry forms are available by visiting the MNCRTO website Promotions pages on www.midnorthcoasttourism.com.au or contacting MNCRTO Marketing on (02) 65859324.

For further information contact: Mid North Coast Regional Tourism Organisation Executive Officer, Ms Belinda Novicky Phone: (02) 65694058 or 0400033663.

Issued by Good Company Group for Mid North Coast Tourism Contact: Sonia Fingleton Phone: (02) 65859324 or 0414376868.

Sonia Fingleton

Good Company Group Pty Ltd

Business Development, Public Relations and Event Management

P.O. Box 2572 Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Phone: (02) 6585 9324 Mobile: 0414 376 868

Hi everyone,

Further to the Ecobello meeting on Monday, it would be great if you could send a letter of support for the two cycle way projects that Council is putting grant applications in for. Recently Council was successful in receiving a grant (through the same grant program) for the North Bellingen cycleway and I believe this success was partly due to demonstrated community support. Your voice is needed.

Please feel free to use the attached templates, or to create your own. (Already have letters from the Dorrigo green living group, Bellingen Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bellinger.

Draft letter of support – Dorrigo Cycleway Draft letter of support – Mylestom Cycleway

Thanks,

Nic Denshire

Development Engineer

Bellingen Shire Council

(02) 6655 7343

ndenshire@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

Confused about your workplace safety obligations? Not sure if you comply?

You are invited to come along to this FREE workplace safety workshop and find out how to achieve compliance, whether you are starting from scratch or need only build upon what is already in place.

Workplace Safety Essentials – Serious About Safety

The purpose of this workshop is to take participants through the basic elements of a safety management system. Participants use a checklist to evaluate their business’s systems, then discuss with the group ways to make improvements where needed. Employers who attend this workshop may be eligible for up to $500 cash back for implementing a safety improvement at their workplace.

Location: Coffs Harbour Golf Club, Earl Street, Coffs Harbour

Date: Thursday 22nd July 2010

Time: Registration: 9.00 am, Session: 9.30am – 11.30am

This workshop is free, but numbers are limited, registration will ensure you don’t miss out.

To secure your place, go to Workshop Registration or ring 1800 624 097.

To request a free advisory visit for one-on-one advice specific to your needs, go to Advisory Visits or call 131050.

Beverley Jackson

Business Advisory Officer, Coffs Harbour

Business Assistance Branch

Business Assistance Group

WorkCover NSW

*:Suite 33, Jetty Village Shopping Centre, 361 Harbour Drive COFFS HARBOUR 2450

( Phone: (02) 6659 1706

( Mobile: 0428 105 261

É Fax: (02) 9287 4456

? Email: beverley.jackson@workcover.nsw.gov.au

Safe business is good business 4

For more information on WorkCover please visit our website at: http:www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Bello Hip Hop Crew lessons will be starting up and running every Thursday at the Mem Hall from the first week of school until the end of the term. They culminate in the next Local M.A.D.E. show to be held on Friday 24th Sept (last day of term) at the Mem Hall: “Can Bello CruNK?” Well we’ll see!

The Bello Crew is a collaborative project where people can learn and share skills with friends and professionals. There are lessons in: Dance – for beginners and advanced by the very experienced BBoy Quinn (been doin’ it for 26 years!); Graffiti lessons with Snarl; DJ lessons with DJ Noodles & Xplicit Aktz; Beat Boxing with Rockerz of Zion; Rapping with Ran MC and others . It’s only $10 per session and you can pick and choose what you want to do, it’s all happening at one spot, Local M.A.D.E. Central. All welcome! Just turn up, get into it, have some fun and, if you want, perform at the September Local M.A.D.E!

Also in the mix are band competitions (at a yet to be decided venue) and technical production workshops with Tony Allison (Generations). We are accepting applications from all groups and artists for the next and future events now…

Local M.A.D.E. is now officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation and the committee is all about helping to present great affordable events and providing a stage, education and experience for emerging artists. The committee will be meeting every Thursday at the Mem Hall back room from 5:00 til 6:30, once again – all welcome. Note: a Local M.A.D.E. youth committee is on the cards as well. Local M.A.D.E. aims to be transparent in all its activities and community involvements. Our office bearers are: President – Evan McMillan, Vice-Pres – Ava (Heart Tribe), Secretary – Chris Dicks, Treasurer – Brendan Braid and Public Officer – Lilian Dicks. Other founding members are Craig Richardson, Leo Barcala and Ben Perrim (big up to Jo Constable – retired Secretary). This is a fantastic team capable of producing amazing things along with the support of the local community.

Email – info@localmade.net, Evan: 6655 4481, Ava’s Mobile: 0412084097. www.localmade.net

Time: 09:00 to 15:00

Are you concerned about river bank erosion on your property? Rivers are dynamic systems that require on-going planning and management to bounce back from flooding and prevent erosion.

As part of the Healthy Rivers Program, Council will be running a series of events to empower landholders to take action to improve river bank condition and stability.

Come along, explore some river bank restoration sites and see what it takes to achieve long term resilience to erosion and flooding.

WHERE: Bus Departs Maamgaduying Park (front of Chambers)

WHEN: Wednesday 14th July from 9.00am – 1.00pm

COST: FREE – Morning Tea & Lunch Provided

BRING: Closed Footwear, Water Bottle and Hat

NOTE: RSVP Essential by 12th July on 02 6655 7349

This article can be found on the web at:

http://bellingen.local-e.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/9403.html

Location:

Bellingen Library

Time: 11:00

Baby Bounce coming to Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga Libraries

Starting in Bellingen Library on Tuesday 6th July at 11.00am and running for 4 weeks before moving on to Urunga Library in August and Dorrigo in September, Baby Bounce is a program developed by libraries that focuses on providing a fun environment for both baby and parents/carers.

Together with library staff, parents/carers introduce their child to a world of words, books, songs, bounces, tickles and finger play, all designed to engage and delight whilst providing the child with essential pre reading skills.

This article can be found on the web at:

http://bellingen.local-e.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/9402.html