Colin Stibbs, Commercial Director of CPSA and Immediate Past President of North Ryde Macquarie Park Chamber of Commerce, was selected as our winner of March's Business of the Month. CPSA was established in 1986 by longtime RBF Member Sol Cohen. It is a packaging specialist, providing cutting edge production processing, manufacturing and technical support services to the pharmaceutical and other healthcare industries.

CPSA has enjoyed sustained growth and is recognised as one of the 100 fastest growing small to medium enterprises. Its high levels of technical expertise, service, integrity and the highest quality standards have established CPSA as Australia’s premier pharmaceutical contractor. Through its association with peak industry bodies and international connections, CPSA is at the forefront of changes in compliance issues and leading international advances so that our clients are always well informed.

CPSA's services include:

• Blister packing and blister sealing
• Bottle filling of tablets and capsules
• Liquid and cream filling into bottles, jars and tubes
• Labelling, shrink wrapping and cartoning
• Custom packaging
• Technical consulting support

The CPSA state-of-the-art building incorporates a wide range of energy efficient features with the latest in environmentally sustainable design. Licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, CPSA clients include the biggest names in pharmaceuticals as well as emerging players in the healthcare industry.

Clients can be confident that all products are processed in compliance with the regulations and in strict conformity with the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products. CPSA does not manufacture or market any products of its own, and guarantees market security and confidentiality at all times.

Find out more at www.cpsa.com.au or call Colin on 9856 3500.

February 2010 - NWBEN

North West Business Education Network (NWBEN) is one of approximately 140 Local Community Partnerships funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations as part of the Career Advice Australia Initiative. North West BEN's foorprint covers the Ryde, Hunters Hill and Ku-ring-gai Local Government areas.

By promoting partnerships between educators, industry, local employers, professional associations, young people, parents and their agencies the aim of the programs is to build community capacity and support 13 - 19 year olds in their journey from school to a sustainable career.

NWBEN is actively seeking business partners for 2010 to to facilitate the work placement program for the schools and TAFEs who have students studying a Vocational course (TAFE Certificate) as part of their HSC

Suzanne Atteridge is NWBEN's Executive Officer, and is a familiar figure at many of our events, and we are delighted that she was drawn from the hat to be our first Business of the Month for 2010. If you would like more information on how your organisation can partner with NWBEN - and how easy the process is - contact her on 9440 9656.

November 2009 - Ivy Business Consulting

Vicki Edler of Ivy Business Consulting says, “Ivy Business Consulting is a boutique practice set up to guide businesses of all sizes through various stages of the business life cycle: Starting your business, Growing your business, and Expanding your business. Each stage has different critical factors and we can work with you to make the most of your time and money whatever stage of business your business is in. We have a practical approach to business which delivers an increased return on investment via improvement in operational facilities.

“At Ivy we have held senior finance, commercial and operational roles in multiple industry sectors. This cross functional experience has given us unique insights into being able to offer innovative solutions, enhancing the ability to think outside the square to assist you in your desire and drive for results,” Vicki said.

“We are passionate about continuous improvement and have had extensive experience in “trouble shooting” roles, achieving success by identifying areas that are not operating at optimal efficiency and implementing strategies and systems to solve these problems.

“Our leadership and motivational strengths have been proven by the successful implementation of change management where others have failed, on a number of occasions tackling projects that had been deemed “futile” and achieving or exceeding target outcomes.” Want to know more? Call Vicki on 8206 9702.

October 2009 - The Salvation Army Employment Plus

The Salvation Army Employment Plus is October’s Business of the Month. You might not be aware that using their services is free for employers and jobseekers alike - so talk to Richard Bradshaw, Site Manager at the Ryde office, to discuss your vacancies and how they can be filled.

Businesses need the right staff – it’s that simple. The Salvation Army Employment Plus works closely with tens of thousands of employers every year to help them find the people they need and to support these workers once they start.

Their services are tailored to each business as they match people to jobs, facilitate training, provide pre and post-support, and even access funding to help settle in new staff.

Local teams like Richard’s have placed almost half a million people into work, with their services benefiting more than 200,000 Australian employers.

The Salvation Army Employment Plus has been an RBF member for more than seven years, working with and putting something back into our local business community.

If you need employees to fill your vacancies, call Richard on 8878 9900.

September 2009 - Lane Cove River Tourist Park

The City of Ryde is blessed with a superb National Park on its northern boundary - and in the heart of that park lies the eco-tourism award-winning Lane Cove River Tourist Park managed by Andrew Daff.

The Tourist Park is the winner of Best Caravan Park Camp Ground in Australia for 2009 and for NSW 2007 and 2008 - if you visit the facility you will see why! Just 10kms from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, the Lane Cove River Tourist Caravan Park and Camp ground provides a peaceful experience in ecotourism. The bushland and eucalypt forests of Lane Cove River National Park abound with native birds, bandicoots, tawny frogmouths and lace monitor lizards (and now Brush Turkeys). "Park visitors stay close to nature in fully serviced cabins or their own caravans, campervan, tents or camping sites on grassy camp sites. Here they develop a better environmental and cultural understanding of the true value of conservation. And every dollar spent in the Park goes directly towards maintaining our precious environment and perpetuating our carbon neutral footprint," said Andrew.

The Park is having a big year, having won a Qantas National Tourism Award in February and being booked out as an accommodation venue of choice for the World Masters Games next month.

For more information contact Andrew Daff and his team on 1300 729 133 or 9888 9133 or visit the website.

July 2009 - Leasecorp

Leasing vehicles and office equipment is a practical and obvious choice for many of us. You have the opportunity to upgrade to the latest and greatest, and the lease payments are tax deductible. Paul Partington of Leasecorp was drawn from the barrel as our July winner - and with the financial year just beginning you may be thinking of upgrading your leased equipment. Let Leasecorp help you!

Leasecorp has been providing specialised finance solutions to individuals and businesses for over 25 years. With offices in Sydney and Newcastle, prompt turnaround and a variety of finance options available, Paul and the team are dedicated to offering clients throughout Australia a unique and personalised service.

Their client base encompasses a vast array of businesses, trades and professions – from single owner-operator to some of Australia’s largest corporations. They provide a diverse range of finance options, including leasing, chattel mortgage, novated leases and inventory finance. Paul works with you to provide the most appropriate finance option – whether it’s for plant and equipment, trucks, cars, boats, computers, machinery, lighting equipment, office fit-outs, tools and accessories or many other selections.

Paul is conveniently located in Eastwood - give him a call on 8819 6741.

June 2009 - Johnson & Johnson family of companies

Tim James (left) of Johnson and Johnson was drawn from the bowl at our June Business After Hours. J&J probably needs no introduction - we're sure you have at least one of their products in your home or office.

The Johnson & Johnson family of companies manufactures a wide range of healthcare and pharmaceutical products for people of all ages.

These products include:

• Baby & Kids: JOHNSON’S Baby, JOHNSON’S Junior, JOHNSON’S Kids, and Desitin
• Beauty: JOHNSON’S Adult, Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Aveeno, RoC, JOHNSON’S Cotton
• Coughs, Colds, Sinus and Allergy: Actifed, Benadryl, Benylin, Codral, Sinutab, Sudaclear, Sudafed and Zyrtec
• Oral Care: Listerine, Listermint, REACH Floss and Toothbrushes
• Women’s Health: Stayfree Carefree, Meds, Diflucan One and K-Y Brand
• Healthcare: BAND-AID Brand, JOHNSON’S First Aid, Stingose and Lyclear
• Gastrointestinal: Mylanta, Rectinol, Immodium Agarol and Glycerin Suppositories
• Children’s Health: Banlice and Combantrin
• Eyecare: Visine

May 2009 - Macquarie Business Training Centre

Suzanne Dwyer has recently been appointed as the Business Development Manager for the Macquarie Business Training Centre (MBTC), a division of Macquarie Community College. Suzanne is pictured at left with Macquarie Community College CEO George Papallo.

MBTC works with organisations to improve and sustain their competitive edge. Their customised corporate training programs are responsive to the specific needs and challenges of your organisation and its people.

"Organisational performance depends on both the professional skills and the personal attitude of your staff. Training is an influential tool in both these areas," Suzanne said.

"Your staff need to know they are valued; that their personal and professional development is a key concern of the organisation for which they work. If you want to attract and retain top performers, opportunities for growing their talents and enhancing their skills must be part of your offer."

What’s more, enhancing the capabilities of your people is a retention strategy that promises:
• More stability and sustainable high performance, as good people have more reasons to stay.
• Improved reputation, both in the employment marketplace and with your customers.
• A skilled, business-savvy workforce, which impacts favourably on your bottom line.

MBTC offers competency-based, customised training programs to meet the specific learning requirements of individuals and teams at various stages of their careers.

Training can be conducted at your premises, or at MBTC's Carlingford, Chatswood or Ryde venues. They can also deliver some programs as self-paced online modules.

For more information talk to Suzanne. Phone 9411 9300 or email sdwyer@macquarie.nsw.edu.au and visit the website here.

April 2009 - Cameron Recruitment

Diane Humphries joined the Forum last month, and we’re delighted to announce that Cameron Recruitment was drawn out of the hat to be our April Business of the Month.

Cameron Recruitment is a specialist agency, concentrating on accounting and human resources recruitment. Because they are specialists Diane and her team can truly match the right person with the right position.

Director Diane Humphries is a qualified CPA as well as being an executive recruitment specialist. Throughout her recruitment career Diane has placed hundreds of qualified professionals across all industry sectors in both permanent and contract positions, and advised senior management in many organisations regarding recruitment and human resources practices.

Naturally Diane’s recruitment career started with the placement of qualified accountants. Over time this expanded into Human Resources, Sales & Marketing and Legal recruitment. Her experience included launching, building and managing a number of recruitment practices, as well as national advisory responsibility for a contracting and consulting recruitment division with a turnover in excess of $500m.

Prior to setting up Cameron Recruitment Pty Limited, Diane worked closely with Managing Directors and Executive Teams of large iconic Australian companies.

Cameron Recruitment is currently running a series of training seminars for people changing jobs - Enhance Your Job Prospects. Click here to find out more.

Contact Diane on 8853 7838 or email dhumphries@cameronrecruitment.com.au

March 2009 - FM Recruitment Services

FM Recruitment Services Pty Ltd was established in early 2006 by Frank and Mary Marano who live and work in Eastwood. The Marano family of six has lived in this community since 1991.

The company is a boutique organisation providing Personalized Recruitment Services to the local area helping to strengthen companies long term by recruiting in Sales & Marketing, IT, Management, HR and office staff.

Their focus has been evolving towards assisting green-minded socially responsible businesses.

They go above and beyond and are available to Employers and Candidates between 6:00AM and 8:00PM Monday through Saturday.
Frank, who is an MRCSA Accredited Recruitment Professional, can usually be reached on the mobile on most Sundays.

When possible, consultants meet with candidates close to their work or home. This helps in sourcing those candidates who are hard at it and with little time to interview outside business hours.

Collaborating strategically with like minded companies and working with exemplary managers in good cultured companies underpins the company’s success.

As a corporate member of the Recruitment & Consulting Services Association, FM Recruitment Services adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct and are committed to elevating the standards of the Recruitment industry.

Those that work with and make a difference to FM Recruitment Services’ clients and candidates are Kashif Cheema, MBA; HR specialty; alliance partners include first rate psychologists, HR professionals and Employment & IR lawyer and fellow member and President of RBF, Andrew Bland. The Marano Family members, young adults Hayley, Heather, Ashlee and Tessa all contribute to FM Recruitment Services.

The company’s mission statement is Making a Real Difference to Your Life, Your Business and Your World.

RBF is currently the sole chamber which the company is connected to. FM Recruitment Services hopes to make a difference to the Ryde Business Forum members.

FM Recruitment Services can be reached on 02 9858 5473; office mobile 0403 640 120; email- exceptional@fmrecruitment.com.au. Or visit the website: www.fmrecruitment.com.au

February 2009 - Watermark

Established in 1859, Watermark has a long history of assisting clients to protect and manage their intellectual property with an emphasis on obtaining competitive advantage and sustainable market share. Their patent & trade mark attorneys and lawyers work with clients across all aspects of intellectual property from registration to enforcement and commercialisation.

Your contacts at Watermark are Adam Hyland, Principal and Dr John Golding, Patent and Trade Mark Attorney. John and Adam say their work is both fascinating and rewarding, working with inventors across a broad range of fields. In particular they work for several clients in the pharmaceutical industry (which has a very strong presence in North Ryde).

Adam (pictured left) has extensive experience in the food industry giving him an understanding of most aspects of food technology, particularly in meat and cereal products, canning operations, extrusion operations as well as nutritional and sensory aspects of food product development. He joined the firm in 2000 and works on various patent applications and oppositions in the food processing area and liaises with technical personnel at food manufacturers regarding patenting issues. Adam also enjoys working on trade mark disputes.

John completed his Bachelor of Science with Honours (Microbiology) at the University of NSW focusing on the microbiological degradation of aromatic pollutants and then completed his PhD through Sydney University. His PhD focused on the impact of novel anti-arthritic drugs on the biochemical development of osteoarthritis. John subsequently worked as a research scientist in both publically funded research environments (NHMRC and CARG) and several privately backed biotechnology companies where he held senior research positions, specialising in the development of purification strategies for native and recombinant proteins for therapeutic use in a wide variety of disease indications. The latter positions exposed him to the world of IP and led him to his interest in intellectual property. Prior to joining Watermark , John held the position of Intellectual Property and Licensing Manager, for seven years, at the University of Sydney’s, Business Liaison Office, specializing in the biosciences sector. Whilst at the University, John continued his formal studies and qualified as a patent and trade mark attorney in 2006. With 20 years research under his belt, followed up with his business experience John hopes to be able to use his broad knowledge to foster the link between academic research and the biotech industry particularly in the area of biotechnology tech transfer and encourage local research institutions to fully understand the importance of intellectual property management.

Watermark has recently moved into Riverside Corporate Park. Contact them on 9888 6600.

November 2008 - AJH Sports/SportsSTAR

Need a bit of team motivation? Talk to Andrew Hill of AJH Sports, who can rev up your team spirit with a table-tennis or tennis competition, getting your team fit and having fun along the way. Andrew works with people of all ages and can design a sports program specifically for your company, to help team building and problem solving.

Andrew's core business has been tennis coaching, but over the last few years his STARS program for primary school children has gone from strength to strength. The STARS characters encourage children to participate in a range of activities in the sports, arts and educational arenas, building confidence and gaining new skills.

To find out more, visit www.ajhsports.com.au or call Andrew on 0418 406921.

October 2008 - Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney

The Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney (ROYAL REHAB) is a highly specialised physical rehabilitation facility located within the Northern Sydney Area Health Service.

It provides individual rehabilitation programs for adults with disabilities arising from:

Spinal cord injury
Traumatic brain injury
Age related illness and disease
Amputations
Occupational Injury
Orthopaedic injury and illness
Neurological illness
Stroke

Royal Rehab also provides community and residential services for people with severe physical disabilities through its Extended Care Service (ECS), supported accommodation in the community through the Community Integration Program (CIP) and the Community Outreach Team.

CEO Stephen Lowndes took over the reins of Royal Rehab earlier this year, and is looking forward to an exciting future, with plans to build better facilities for patients as part of a site redevelopment. Contact Stephen and the Royal Rehab team on 9807 1144 - and join the Royal Rehab team for our November Business After Hours!

September 2008 - Arion Productions

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.