9 December 2004: More than 120 members and guests enjoyed our "Christmas" Business After Hours aboard Tony Elias' cruise boat Harbour Queen on Monday 6 December.

Live music from the Eastwood Dixieland Jazz Band, a Kris Kringle lucky dip, delicious catering by Cathi King and a cruise up and down the Parramatta River made the night a very memorable one.

17th November 2004. Welcome to new member Mandy Taylor, Branch Manager of Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Centre. For help with your business banking in the Macquarie Park area and beyond, contact Mandy and her team on 9887 1900.

12th November 2004. Ryde Business Forum's second Corporate Golf Day for 2004 was held today at North Ryde Golf Club. Congratulations to our winning team from the Commonwealth Bank, who played superbly under sunny skies.

3rd November 2004. Wild winds and driving rain didn't keep guests away from our November Business After Hours, held by the water at Woolwich Docks. Hosts Hunter's Hill Council Mayor Sue Hoopmann and General Manager Barry Smith welcomed nearly 80 people to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust's historic site.

28th October 2004. Welcome to three new members:

• Eden Gardens & Garden Centre is an innovative new gardening complex in Sydney's North Ryde which will be opening its doors in November 2004. A unique and integrated horticultural centre combining beautiful display gardens, cafe restaurant, garden centre, strong community links and much more. Your contact is Director Community Development Anna Ainsworth, who may be contacted on 9879 3611.
• Fletcher Corporate Communications, which offers a flexible range of external and internal communications services to help organisations maintain a strong market presence, differentiate them from competitors and become more successful. Principal Jonathan Fletcher says the company's services include strategic communications planning;employee, corporate, media and stakeholder communications; community consultation; crisis management; change management communications; executive coaching and mentoring and communications skills; writing services; product and marketing communication; audio visual and print production management and more. To improve your company's communications call Jonathan on 0418 416668.
• David Nakfour of IMB Limited. IMB is the Illawarra Mutual Building Society, which was established in 1880. David is the Senior Mobile Lending Manager servicing the Ryde district. He has a wealth of experience in lending; if you need a business or personal loan, mortgage or other financial services, you can contact David on 0423 026435.

28th September 2004. A sparkling evening at the Stamford Grand North Ryde was held last night for our October Business After Hours. Around 70 guests joined new Hotel Manager Ganessan Suppiah to see the Stamford's refurbished suites and welcome Ganessan to his new role.

22nd September 2004. We're pleased to announce that our next Business Breakfast will give you the chance to learn more about credit card fraud - a crime which costs businesses millions each year. Join our guest speaker Glenn Bowles of b Risk Australia on 17 November for an invaluable, entertaining lesson in detecting fraudulent cards. You'll have to chance to see and touch fake credit cards during Glenn's presentation and learn for yourself what to look out for. We anticipate Glenn's presentation will run for approximately one hour - and for your business, it could be the most important hour you'll spend this year. Glenn is a dynamic presenter, and we highly recommend this breakfast to all business people and their employees who deal directly with customers.

7th September 2004 Unexpected guests do drop in at our Business After Hours - but we don't often get a visit from our local Federal Member, The Hon. John Howard MP! John Booth of The Weekly Times bumped into the Prime Minister earlier in the day and extended the invitation on our behalf. Mr Howard stayed for about half an hour, chatting to members and guests at the West Ryde Hotel/Prolarms Security event, before heading to his next engagement.

We also welcomed new members on the night:

• Mary McAvoy of Members & Education Credit Union (mecu), a mutually owned social enterprise that is operated entirely by and for its 100,000+ members. Operating since 1957. mecu offers a full range of banking needs including home loans, financial planning, insurance and travel services. It is located in Riverside Corporate Park in North Ryde. To find out more, call Mary and her team on 9490 9129.
• Victoria Bonello of The Mortgage Bureau Ryde. The Mortgage Bureau offeres mortgage and loans brokerage, including business and commercial, investment, personal loans and leasing, from a huge database of mortgage providers - it's a one stop shop where you can find the mortgage that suits you. You can call Victoria on 0418 584591
• Paul van Rooyen of RAMS Home Loans Northern District, a franchise covering the Northern District. Paul offers a range of loans and refinancing packages, and with partner Clark Pacific Financial Planning can help you get in control of your finances. Contact Paul on 9858 2533

27th August 2004. Welcome to new members:

• Victoria Bonello of The Mortgage Bureau Ryde. The Mortgage Bureau offeres mortgage and loans brokerage, including business and commercial, investment, personal loans and leasing. You can call Victoria on 0418 584591
• Kevin Cournane of Kevcour Building and Property Services. Based in Gladesville, Kevcour can help you with building maintenance, rectification, renovations and landscaping. If your premises need a makeover,or you need a new contractor, call Kevin on 0418 273366.

23rd August 2004. Ryde Business Forum has moved offices. We're now located in Westward Cottage, 8 Turner Street, Ryde - around the corner from our previous premises. Westward is an historic worker's cottage next to the Parsonage, which has been painstakingly restored and is managed by Macquarie Community College. If you're passing by, drop in and say hello!

Our postal address, telephone and fax numbers remain unchanged.

4th August 2004. Our August Business After Hours was held on 2 August at Brad Garlick Ford. Our thanks to Martin Wallace and his team for showing us superb new vehicles and a fine example of a customer-focussed modern motor dealership.

We welcomed Telstra, our newest member, on the evening.

6th July 2004. Last night's Business After Hours at Eli Lilly attracted a bumper crowd of more than 100 people. Our thanks to hosts Managing Director Stephen Fry and Director of Corporate Affairs and Health Economics David Grainger for being such generous hosts.

6th July 2004. We also welcomed four new members at our July Business After Hours:

• John Blair from Alto BMW Pennant Hills. John is the 7 Series Manager at Alto; for your BMW needs contact him on 98750202.
• Di Millington and Jennifer Tyrrell representing. Louise Byrom Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. This Hotel will open in September on the corner of Talavera and Lane Cove Roads. To find out more call the Business Development Team on 94919500.
• Duke Pearson of Ledger Solutions. Duke has an accountancy practice and also accountancy systems for companies of all sizes. Call him on 1300 762707.
• Len and Roseanne Gallo of Azac Pty Ltd. Len runs his florist business from Marsfield; you can call him on 9876 1399. Roseanne's singer/songwriter talents saw her with the most played song in Ryde during the recent Torch visit - her own Pass the Flame, Unite the World.

We have three other new members who couldn't make it last night:

• Peter Cash from St George Bank, Macquarie Centre. Peter is Branch Manager and may be contacted on 9888 6676.
• Tony Elias of Harbour Queen Cruises. The Harbour Queen is a beautiful function cruise boat that operates in Sydney Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers. As well as running regular functions the Harbour Queen could be a great venue for your next corporate function. Contact Tony on 9804 0100.
• Mary McAvoy of Members & Education Credit Union, based at Riverside Corporate Park. MECU has been operating for almost 50 years, has more than 100,00 members and offers personal banking, financial planning and insurance needs. Contact Mary on 9490 8129.

6 July 2004. Welcome to new member Geoff Owen of Australia's Best Instant Sign Centre at Drummoyne. Geoff and his team have produced some great signs and banners for us over the last couple of years, including the giant cheque we presented to the NSW Olympic Council. You can contact Geoff on 9719 8272.

6 July 2004. Our Olympic Week 21-25 June saw the Olympic Torch pass through more than 12,000 hands, visiting more than 30 schools and 20 businesses with the team of Catherine King (RBF), Andrew Hill (AJH Sports), Sabrina Davis (Arion Productions | Photography), Roseanne Gallo (Azac Pty Ltd) and David Dickson (AJH Sports). Once again the generosity of people in Ryde came to the fore; the Torch visit raised $33,000 towards sending our Olympic Team to Athens this year.

10 June 2004. Our Business After Hours held on Monday 7 June 2004 attracted around 100 members, guests and faculty to a great event, which was hosted by Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury (Vice Chancellor, Macquarie University) and Richard Dunford (Acting Dean, Macquarie Graduate School of Management). Guests had the opportunity to speak to faculty members about learning opportunties and discover more about the Macquarie family of education.

27 May 2004. The Cancer Council's Big Morning Tea is an annual fundraising event - and what nicer way to raise money and get some community spirit than tucking into some delicious jam and cream scones? Our member Lyn Clark-Duff & Co at Eastwood held a morning tea this morning for the Cancer Council. Several of our members joined her team and neighbouring businesses for a cuppa and a delicious spread provided by Trish and Liz, two of Lyn's team. Thank you to Lyn, Trish, Liz, Julie, Shirley and Hendrik for their hospitality.

Photo shows members and people from local businesses at the Big Morning Tea at Lyn's premises.

27 May 2004. John McGrath, CEO of McGrath Estate Agents, was our guest at yesterday's sellout Business Breakfast. This wasn't your usual breakfast - guests were encouraged to draw graphs and take notes as John's motivational talk covered some life and business lessons delivered in his own captivating way. Our thanks to John, to Kathleen Synnott and Rob Churi of McGrath Estate Agents Lane Cove, and to John Reid, Richard Luxford, Michael Patoka and the team at Dunmore Lang College for providing a delicious buffet breakfast and a superb venue.

Photo shows L-R Rob Churi, RBF Chairman Catherine King, John McGrath and Kathleen Synnott. Catherine presented to John "The River", a book by local historian Gregory Blaxall covering the history of the Parramatta River - essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Ryde. Copies are available for purchase from the Forum. For details email us.

17 May 2004. As a follow up to the Athens Torch Relay, in Sydney on 4 June this year, and to provide an opportunity for Ryde to be part of the Australian quest for Gold in Athens, the Olympic Torch will visit the City during Olympic Week - Monday 21 to Friday 25 June 2004. Ryde Business Forum and AJH Sports, with the support of the NSW Olympic Committee, are bringing the torch to schools and businesses across the City. Everyone will have the chance to hold the torch for a brief moment....and help our Olympians Go for Gold.

4 May 2004. Over 100 members and guests joined us for our May Business After Hours, hosted by the City of Ryde. A strong representation from other Chambers - West Ryde, Ryde, Gladesville and Eastwood - joined us to hear Ryde's plans for the future.

We also welcomed new member Harvey Baden of ProTalk Consulting,who offers competencies in strategic leadership, organisational change, teaming and offers a range of in-house training competencies. Members can contact Harvey on 0402 320449.

4 May 2004. We also have some other new members to welcome:

• Peter Lloyd of Olympic Locksmiths, who has a security and locksmithing business in Gladesville and Penrith. You can contact Peter on 9816 2811
• Peter Heazlewood of Heazlewoods Bushby International, a legal firm based in Epping offering personal and commercial services. Talk to Peter or Rosemary Foster in Marketing on 9869 2222.
• Amber Burgess of Adecco, the global recruitment company who can find you temporary or permanent personnel, in the commercial and industrial fields. Amber is based at the Chatswood office and is responsible for the North Ryde area. You can contact her on 9242 3207.

6 April 2004. Wet weather didn't keep members and guests away from our Business After Hours last night, generously hosted by Mitronics Corporation.

We welcomed three new members on the night:

• Elvan Tong of Benbon International, which provides Marketing support and advice to companies of all sizes,
• Matthew Penfold of Express Personnel. Matthew has opened Australia's first franchise of the international Express Personnel company at Epping, providing recruitement and HR services; and
• Michael Lowe of Money Tree Marketing, specialising in teaching business strategies and systems to small/medium sizes businesses.

27 March 2004. Our first Corporate Golf Day for the year was held on 26 March 2004 at North Ryde Golf Club.

17 March 2004. Our first Business Breakfast for the year featured 12 local Government candidates who will be standing for election on March 27. Guests had the opportunity to have each candidate spend a few minutes at their table, talking about his or her policies and answering questions. Our thanks to the candidates who generously gave their time.

3 March 2004. City of Ryde Developmental Control Plans. Visit the Ryde City Council site to view or download Control Plans and other documents for areas within our city: Eastwood Urban Village, Gladesville Town Centre, Macquarie Park Employment Area, Meadowbank Employment Area, Top Ryde Urban Village, West Ryde Urban Village, Urban Village Policy, Ryde Planning Scheme Ordinance, Section 94 Contribution Plan.

2 March 2004. Our second Business After Hours for the year saw the spacious new offices of Salvation Army Employment Plus fill with members and guests.

4 February 2004. Monday night saw a bumper start to the year with a record attendance at our first Business After Hours for 2004. Hosts Eastwood Chamber of Commerce and Westpac Banking Corporation organised a wonderful night of jazz in the plaza with a special video of business in Eastwood.

We also welcomed Sarnie Hay of Ian Hay and Associates The Exhibition Wizards. The Exhibition Wizards design, construct and install award-winning exhibition stands and displays. They also design conferences, including development of themes, audio-visual effects, awards and supply of equipment and backdrops, and graphic identity systems for the themes. You can contact Sarnie on 0412 979260.

back to top

4 February 2004. Macquarie University's Student Business Ambassador Program (SBAP), which provides interns for export businesses at no costs, has students available to undertake projects for three months from 1 March 2004. Enthusiastic Masters students from the US, Mexico, Germany, Indonesia and China, and undergraduates from the US,Germany, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Japan, Morocco and Denmark are keen to apply their theory and learn about Australian business. Many have previous work or internship experience in such areas as accounting, IT, international business or international relations. For more information visit SBAP's website or talk to SBAP Co-Ordinator Helene Mountford.

back to top