Most members know Sabrina Ferguson from her role as RBF's Executive Consultant - managing the Forum and its events on behalf of the Board and Members.

While marketing the Forum can be pretty hectic at times, Sabrina also finds the time to help companies with their marketing communications needs through her company Arion Productions which she formed in 2000. Arion Productions' services include webpage and website design and maintenance, graphic design, photography and copywriting. She has helped several startup SMEs develop their corporate look and feel, designing everything from a logo/wordmark through to stationery, document design guide, website and corporate brochure. She has also worked with bigger corporates such as BAE Systems with their internal communications requirements.

Telling the world about your company shouldn't cost the earth - visit Arion Productions' website to find out more.

July 2008 - The Weekly Times

Here's a business which needs no introduction for most of us! TWT is truly a community newspaper in the Ryde and Hunters Hill area, covering local events, providing exposure for community groups and an independent and often controversial voice on major issues. TWT was started by Charles S Engisch in 1921 with a focus on the Hunters Hill area and the paper has been in continuous production ever since.

Managing Editor John F Booth AM bought the business in 1978, revitalising a newspaper which had dwindled to a four or eight page weekly. Since that time TWT has grown considerably and broadened its geographic scope. It plays a strong role in the community sponsoring several parades, fun days and the annual carols spectacular.

John is widely known in the area for sporting a black bowler hat and being the original one-eyed Tigers supporter!

If it happens in Ryde, you can bet John Booth and Ulrike Eichmeyer will be on hand to cover it. More information, and this week's news, is available online at www.weeklytimes.com.au

June 2008 - Jackson & Rowe Real Estate

Jackson & Rowe has been keeping property buyers and sellers in Ryde satisfied since 1957, when Russell Jackson started the business. His son Stephen is now the Managing Director, and he says, "The agency has grown to be one of the largest, most respected and successful real estate companies in Sydney. Our market presence and activity consistently ranks us in the top 10% of real estate agencies practicing in the Ryde Council area.

"Our philosophy has and always will be to ensure that we remain at the forefront of the industry. We deliver the highest standards of ethics, performance and professionalism. Our commitment to this is evidenced by our investment in our most important asset - our staff. Our staff and their skills are amongst the best in the industry. If you need someone who is committed to providing you with the certainty of success, we do it better than anyone else. You'll see that we do things that produce real advantages and benefits for you. That's why our clients become clients and friends for life."

To find out more about Stephen and his team, visit their website: www.jacksonrowe.com.au

jStephen made the decision to join RBF at our June Business After Hours, and we welcome him to the Forum.

May 2008 - Quest Apartments North Ryde

Backing onto the bushland of Delhi Road, Quest Apartments North Ryde sits proudly on the hill opposite Riverside Corporate Park. The Quest chain is fully Australian-owned, and Quest North Ryde's franchise is owned by some regulars at our events: Andrew Edsor and husband and wife team Matthew and Melanie Child. Andrew took over management of the hotel in late 2005 and the franchise in July 2006, joined by Matthew and Melanie the following year. Because they are the owners and also the managers, they have a top priority in making sure the Quest experience is perfect for every traveller.

Quest is an all apartment hotel, with a range of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments just right for the corporate traveller or families. Whether your stay is overnight or for several weeks, Quest is a real home away from home. If you don't feel like using your full kitchen, there's Atlantis Seafood Restaurant on the ground floor. To relax there's a health club and pool, and the bushland of Lane Cove National Park is barely a block away.

Quest is currently running specials for your weekend retreat, and for people wanting one-bedroom accommodation for the Pope's visit. To find out more do call the Quest team on 8899 8888.

April 2008 - Centric Management and Governance Services

Richard Hale of Centric Management and Governance Services is our BOTM winner for April. Richard's been a member of the Forum for a couple of years now. Centric Management and Governance Services (CMGS) is a provider of :

* Widely used Managment Information Systems (MIS) in the R & D Sector
* Business and Technical Support establishment MIS and Governance
* Information Technology Consulting
* Business Process Consulting

"We are experts at taking the business requirements from conception to implementation using highly intuitive and exceptional methods that ensures that information assets within the organisation remain living instead of dormant and stale. We do this by utilising sophisticated tracking and visual signaling in our processes that encourage active management rather than reactive responses," said Richard.

"The Centric system successfully combines the practice of project management with the principles of governance and information management. Consequently, authority, accountability, and responsibility across the operational areas of any organisation can be managed in an effective and efficient way.

To date our work has primarily been to support program and project management in a range of key and critical research centres in Australia.

Our product also provides a sound foundation for both commercial and corporate project management and governance exponents and as such we are expanding into that more familiar market.

The product is feature rich and provides and meets a fundamental need in today's governance focused environment," Richard said.

Can Centric help your organisation? Call Richard to talk about it on 9889 2455.

March 2008 - Macquarie Community College

Macquarie Community College needs no introduction to people who live and work in our fair City. CEO George Papallo OAM runs arguably the most successful community college in the State. MCC's Macquarie Business Training Centre offers VETAB-accredited business training courses as well as IT courses and professional development courses in a wide range of subjects.

We didn't have room to list all the courses the College provides, but click on this link to go straight to the Courses page on the College's award-winning website.

Established in 1988, Macquarie Community College is an amalgamation of the Carlingford, Eastwood, North Ryde and Chatswood Evening Colleges, which had provided adult education to their communities since the 1930s.

The College now provides adult education at over 80 venues throughout North and North-western Sydney. The College continues to expand operations to meet the adult education needs of the community.

In 2007 Macquarie Business Training Centre (MBTC), Chatswood was officially opened. In 2008 a full-scale rebranding roll-out will occur launching the MBTC brand as the standalone individual and business-training arm of Macquarie Community College.

February 2008 - Midway Cellars

Midway Cellars is owned and managed by popular Ryde businessman Ross Rocca and his mother Rose. Located in Midway Shopping Centre (also owned by the Rocca family), Midway Cellars offers a wide range of beers, wines and spirits to cater for all budgets.

Ross has been a member of the Forum for several years, and has occasionally provided beverages for our events. Ross and his team are experts in corporate beverage catering, and can advise you on the best wines for your event budget.

Ross comes from a family of retailers with strong links in the Ryde area. Ross' honesty, good sense of humour and business acumen have helped to make Midway Cellars a highly respected business in Ryde - if you haven't visited the shop we recommend you do!

September 2007 - McGrath Estate Agents

Rob Churi and Kathleen Synnott are Directors of McGrath Estate Agents, and specialise in properties in East Ryde, Macquarie Park, North Ryde, Marsfield and Ryde.

Agent Kathleen Synnott has one simple philosophy – hard work always gets results. Committed to continually setting new benchmarks, Kathleen has built a reputation as one of the most successful and experienced agents in the Ryde area and holds the top two sales records for East Ryde.

From a real estate family in New Zealand, Kathleen has gained extensive experience in both residential and commercial property over her 17-year career. This, combined with her experience as joint owner of a local real estate business, means Kathleen is regarded as a leading authority on property in her specialist area. Enthusiastic, friendly and totally professional, she gives all her clients exceptional individual attention and believes that buyers need an equally high level of attention as vendors, to find the right house at the right price.

In the past 17 years Kathleen has seen demand for property in her specialist area rise significantly. "Macquarie University and Macquarie Centre, the North Ryde business district and the new Parramatta rail link have introduced masses of people to the area wanting homes near their work, so there is a big focus on and demand for good-quality homes in the area," she says.

Working as part of a highly successful sales team with her husband Robert Churi, Kathleen perceives McGrath as the industry’s most progressive agency, employing the best agents in the business. She is excited about putting her specialist area on the map and creating the high profile it deserves.

A strong negotiator and registered valuer who has established a highly successful career as an agent over the last 35 years, Robert Churi’s wide-ranging experience includes working with major franchise groups and independent agencies spanning residential, commercial and industrial valuations and sales. His recent accomplishments include being recognised for achieving the sixth-highest residential sales in NSW.

Robert is recognised for his unswerving professional, sincere and ethical approach to his profession. He enjoys the challenge, rewards and versatility of real estate and has developed extensive local knowledge as a resident in his specialist area for the last 10 years. He appreciates its rich cultural mix and is fluent in both Italian and French. Committed to developing and maintaining an honest and open relationship with his clients, Robert has the specialist skills to give them an accurate appraisal of their property’s value and hence he enjoys a high level of repeat business.

Contact: Kathleen on 9417 9614 or email kathleens@mcgrath.com.au. Contact Rob on 9417 9608 or email robertc@mcgrath.com.au

August 2007 - Luxottica

Luxottica is the Forum's newest member - and while you mightn't recognise the name, you might recognise some of the brands they retail: OPSM, Laubman & Pank, Budget Eyewear, Sunglass Hut. Chances are if you aren't wearing a Luxottica product, someone you know is!

OPSM and Laubmann & Pank retail prescription eyewear, contact lenses, high quality sunglasses and more, and can provide eye tests in store.

Sunglass Hut has more than 140 stores throughout Australia, retailing high quality sunglasses and offering a repair service on broken sunglasses.

Budget Eyewear has you looking good in glasses for less, and also provides contact lenses and eye tests.

Shirley Harris from Luxottica has often attended our events, and it was a pleasure to draw Shirley's name out of the hat for Business of the Month and also welcome Luxottica to the Forum.

June 2007 - New Horizons Enterprises Limited

New Horizons is a progressive not-for-profit community-based organization which has been operating since 1981, providing quality support services to people with disabilities or who are frail aged.

"We provide services in supported accommodation, supported employment and aged care for more than 650 people. Our non-profit commercial packaging service specialises in providing solutions for commercial clients while providing employment for people with a disability," said Garry Pearce, Business Service Manager, whose business card was drawn at our June Business After Hours.

New Horizons' head office is in North Ryde. It provides a range of accommodation and other support services for people with a disability in the Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter, Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions. Many of you who have spoken with Garry at our events are aware of the superb services New Horizons provides to the aged and disabled, but you might not be quite as aware of the packaging service, which may be of use to you.

"The New Horizons disability employment factory in North Ryde operates in the same way as most other factories in Australia. We have customers, suppliers and equipment. There are employees, supervisors and other people who make sure that the factory produces a quality product in accordance with accepted commercial standards," said Garry.

"Most of the work in the factory is shrink wrapping, blister and skin packing, rectification, collating, labelling and assembly. We pack Veterinary products (we have an APVMA license) and retail products for a range of industries including Automotive and Hardware.These services are provided for special occasions, for example promotions in hair care, father' and mothers' days, annual events such as race meetings, conferences and trade shows.

"We gift wrap, take products in bulk and pack and provide advice on the most suitable methods to protect or display cost effectively," Garry said.

The factory employees with a disability have the opportunity to work on various types of equipment. If an employee wishes to move to open employment, or to undertake further education, New Horizons will support them by linking them to specialist service providers.

Find out more about New Horizons by visiting its website, www.newhorizons.net.au, or contact Garry Pearce directly on 9887 4111.

April 2007 -Patches Yong Business Services Pty Ltd - Make Your Finances Simple

Many of you may have met the delightful Patches Yong at our functions. Patches has been a member of the Forum for many years, and it's a pleasure to announce that her business is our inaugural Business of the Month. Patches has lived in Gladesville since 1990, and owns a mortgage consulting business. Patches is a fully-fledged accredited Mortgage Consultant, specializing in:-

• Home Loan
• Property Investment Loan
• Construction Loan
• Commercial Property Loan
• Personal Loan
• Commercial Hire Purchase and Leasing
• Deposit Bond

Patches says, "No loan is too small or too big for us. I am an independent mobile mortgage consultant, and work with a vast range of lenders such as Banks, Non- Banks, Building Societies and Credit Unions to provide more than 400 products choices for your selection."

Patches Yong provides a FREE one hour consultation on your mortgage health check. Please call Patches on 0407 618 033 for an appointment. With interest rates having risen over the last twelve months, there's no better time than now to make sure you're getting the best deal for today and the foreseeable future.

Patches is fluent in several languages - she speaks Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka & Hokkien), Malay and English.