events

Business After Hours, 5 May 2008 - This month's Business After Hours was hosted by Macquarie University, MGSM and Access Macquarie, and showcased the wealth of learning and research opportunities available to both individuals and companies. With a special visit from the Olympic Torch, this was a night not to be missed. Click here to read more/see photos.

Business Breakfast Briefing with guest speaker The Hon John Watkins MP, 28 May 2008 -Join us for breakfast, hear an update from Mr Watkins and have the opportunity to ask him your questions. No business person in Ryde can afford to miss this one! This breakfast is proudly brought to you by the Johnson & Johnson Group of Companies. Download your invitation from our website and RSVP by Thursday 1 May 2008 by return email, phone 9807 4999 or fax 9807 4988.

Business Breakfast Workshop, Thursday 12 June- Website Legals. How well do you protect your visitors' privacy and your own copyright work on your website? This workshop will be delivered by law expert Andrew Bland. Download your invitation from our website and register quickly. Limited numbers on this one. Members $35, non-members $40. RSVP by email, phone 9807 4999 or fax 9807 4988.

June Business After Hours: will be hosted by the City of Ryde. This event, in conjunction with Ryde Chamber of Commerce, will feature Council's presentation on their next Draft Management Plan. Not to be missed! Invitations will be issued shortly but you can RSVP by email, phone 9807 4999 or fax 9807 4988.

business of the month

Quest Apartments North Ryde is our May Business Of The Month. 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 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. More information here.

new members

Welcome to new member Aleem Khalid of Kordia Solutions. Kordia offers a range of technology solutions based at larger organisations - broadcast solutions, telecommunications solutions and converged solutions. Kordia has been in the business for sixty years and Aleem is based in the North Ryde/Macquarie Park area to assist corporations with their needs. For more information, visit www.kordia.com.au and contact Aleem: aleem.khalid@kordia.com.au

sponsorship opportunities

We have two events this year for which we are seeking sponsors:

• The Ryde Business & Technology Expo on 6 August 2008. Held in conjunction with Expo Edge, the City of Ryde and Stamford Grand North Ryde. Seeking silver sponsors for the event. There will be a LOT of publicity throughout the City of Ryde and beyond for this event - a fantastic opportunity to get your logo on all material and advertising for this event. Contact Sabrina on 9807 4999
• The 2008 RBF/Toga Hospitality Charity Golf Day to be held on Thursday 13 November at Ryde Parramatta Golf Club. Seeking a sponsor to support the dinner for golfers and their guests. Proceeds from auctions and other fundraising events associated with the day will go to The Shack Youth Outreach. We want to make this event the best charity golf day in Ryde - to find out more contact Sabrina on 9807 4999.

member news

Congratulations to John Booth. It's 30 years this week since John bought and became the Managing Editor of The Weekly Times. Those of us longtime local residents may remember the paper before John's day - on a good week it was 8 pages, often it ran only to 4! Congratulations John on your anniversary and the continued growth of our local independent newspaper.

Reg Cain in hospital. Gladesville Chamber of Commerce President Reg Cain is recovering from a multiple heart bypass surgery in The San hospital at Wahroonga. Best wishes from everyone in the Forum go to Reg for a speedy recovery.

Western Sydney Manufacturing Week 2008. The Department of State & Regional Development is holding events to suit your business from 12 to 16 May 2008. All events are FREE. Places are still available at most events. You are invited to register at www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/westernsydney

These events include:

• Western Sydney Manufacturing Innovation Technology Showcase - The premier event of Western Sydney Manufacturing Week 2008. The Showcase and associated sessions highlight the latest research, technical advances, new processes and business model innovations. It features international speakers and Sydney’s leading research and educational institutions and manufacturers plus Government and Non-Government agencies dedicated to fostering innovation. Something for everyone and a must-attend networking and information event.
  Monday, 12 May 2008 2:00 PM
  Location: The Novotel Sydney Olympic Park
• Business Modelling and Technology Roadmapping Workshop - How leading manufacturers, large and small, are using business modelling and technology roadmapping to achieve success in global markets.
  Thursday, 15 May 2008 7:30 AM
  Location: Western Sydney Business Centre, North Parramatta

Mother's Day ideas from Stamford Grand North Ryde: Parrot's Brasserie at Stamford Grand North Ryde has some fantastic events this Mother's Day to help you express your love for your Mum.

• Mother's Day Lunch - Sunday May 11, 2008 , 12.30pm 3.30 pm | Parrot's Brasserie. Enjoy Stamford's famous Seafood Buffet with ocean fresh seafood, delicious hot & cold buffet items and mouth-watering desserts. Lunch price includes a beverage package, live entertainment and a complimentary gift. Adults $99 per person | Teenagers (13-17 years) $49; Children (6-12 years) $20 | Children under 6 Free! Book now - Call Parrot's Brasserie on 02 9888 1077.
• Mother's Day Champagne Breakfast, 6.00 am - 10.30 am | Parrot's Brasserie. Start Mum's day perfectly in Parrot's Brasserie with Stamford's scrumptious Buffet Breakfast. Let her relax and have her eggs cooked just the way she likes by the chef at the egg station, then choose from our tasty selection of traditional hot breakfast dishes and mouth watering pastries - sure to satisfy any appetite. We'll include complimentary Champagne to ensure it's the perfect way for Mum to ease into her day. Adults $39.50 per person | Teenagers (13-17) $25; Children (6-12) $12 | Chldren under 6 Free! Book now - Call Parrot's Brasserie on 02 9888 1077.
• Celebration Package - Continue the Mother's Day fun and let her enjoy some of life's little pleasures by treating her to the Celebration Package at Stamford Grand North Ryde. This package (for two people) includes luxury accommodation, Buffet Breakfast, High Tea, Late Check-Out and much more! Packages start from $310 per night. Book now - contact Reservations on 02 9888 1077 | reservations@snr.stamford.com.au.

Macquarie University Singers concert - War and Peace in perfect harmony. The renowned Macquarie University Singers are holding a special concert at 7.30pm on Saturday 31 May 2008 in the Macquarie Theatre. The concert will feature three magnificent choral works: the ethereal Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, a sublime prayer for peace performed by a small group of singers with harp and strings; the Fauré Requiem, a serene and sensitive work for choir and orchestra, loved by singers and audiences around the world, which portrays death as a “happy deliverance” rather than a painful experience; and the Singers will also perform Haydn’s Mass in Time of War, composed in 1796 as Austria was mobilising for war in Europe in the aftermath of the French Revolution. There are four superb vocal soloists backed by a dynamic symphony orchestra. Free parking is available, and refreshments will be provided during the interval. Tickets: $30 adult, $24 staff/alumni, $20 concession, $15 students. Bookings: MCA 1300 306 776 or www.mca-tix.com. More information on the concert can be found at www.mus.org.au.

Economic Updates: The Forum does not publish regular economic updates, but we have found a regular, reliable source for what's happening in the economy here: http://www.anz.com/aus/corporate/ecocomm/austeconupdates.asp

Eden Education Winter 2008. Eden Gardens has announced a wide range of courses for its winter program, from water harvesting to advanced garden techniques, and special floristry courses. Learn how to make a soft stone sculpture, prune roses and other deciduous plants, learn more about landscape design, botanic illustration and cooking with herbs. These workshops make a fantastic gift idea, especially with Mother's Day around the corner. Go to the Eden Gardens site for more information and booking details.

nsw business chamber news

NSW Councils sitting on $900M of unspent infrastructure funds - media release,

Skill Set training should be targetted to meet regional skills need - submission by NSW BC

Funding changes for Australian apprenticeships a win for business

The Productivity Places program - 20,000 new skills training places - media release

NSW Business Chamber events - click here to see a list of all current events. Bookings should be made directly with NSW Business Chamber.

RBF Members are eligible to take advantage of programs and information offered by NSW Business Chamber. Call Sabrina Ferguson on 9807 4999 if you have any questions.

If you have any items you'd like to publicise to other members - special offers, upcoming seminars you're holding, open days etc - please email the Forum to have them included in our next Newsletter.

If you're not a member of Ryde Business Forum and would like to join us, click here to go to the membership page on our website and download the membership form.