| Chamber News and Views :October 2007 |
Introduction..
President's Pen return to menu
Members’ involvement in Chamber activities seem to have leapt forward this year – if attendance at lunches is used as a measure, the Chamber is having a bumper year – total attendance at the lunches has topped 1,400 already this year, averaging 157 per lunch – our previous high was in 2006 with 1,111 for the year at an average of 111. So it’s quite likely that you or someone from your business has attended one of these functions by now.
Having said that, attendance at lunch is not the be-all and end-all, and if you have not been able to get to a lunch, I’d hope that you’re seeing benefits elsewhere. Whether it’s representing businesses’ interest on matters of strategic and regional import – such as roads and regional planning – or leading the charge to get solutions to skills shortages, the Chamber provides a critical advocacy role for the business community. We also have a focus on trade opportunities, such as running the ever-popular regional business tours that head out to some of the more remote outlying communities of Cape York, the Torres Straits and the Gulf, as well as coordinating mining Famils.
Some of these activities are covered in the newsletter here, and if you want more info or want to get involved, you can always contact me or Sandy and the staff at the Chamber.
Jeremy Blockey
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| Chamber News ..
Date Claimers return to menu
23 October : Chamber Lunch return to menu
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be able to bring to you a presentation on the Cairns Port Authority's activities by the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Neil Quinn. Register online at the Chamber website http://www.cairnschamber.com.au
Lunch Meetings 2007
12:00pm – 2:00pm
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October |
Tuesday, 23rd October |
November |
Tuesday, 27th November |
December |
Nil |
The venue for ALL above lunch meetings is Sofitel Reef Hotel Casino .
17 November : Young Chamber Scavenger Hunt return to menu
The Young Chamber will be holding a "Scavenger Hunt" event on Saturday 17 November at Mondos. Register online at http://www.cairnschamber.com.au
Last Month's Lunch : September
Pictured below: Hon Anna Bligh Premier, guest speaker at our September lunch
Members are encouraged to check the online calendar on the Chamber website at www.cairnschamber.com.au for details of upcoming events.The registration form for events is published online approximately 2 weeks prior to each event.
New Members return to menu
Welcome to the following new members, approved in September & October:
| Business Name |
Contact |
Type of Business |
| Cairns Marine Aquarium Fish | Ryan Donnelly |
Marine Contractors |
| Carmel Ross Consulting P/L |
Carmel Ross |
Business & Management Services |
| Health Management Dietetics |
Diane Diversi |
Health, Beauty & Body Care |
| Rapic Messengers |
Gretchen Dickins |
Road Transport & Courier Services |
| RTS Design |
Richard Scarborough |
Design Drafting Service |
| Zabu Cairns |
Kate Ifould |
Furniture & Electrical Appliances |
| Zeema Pty Ltd |
Luka Softa |
Cafes, Restaurants & Clubs |
| Bundarra Gallery |
Alison Fitzpatrick |
Artists & Galleries |
| Carol Shipway Migration Agent |
Carol Shipway |
Business Services |
| Chalco Limited |
Zhong Xiu Liang |
Mining & Mine Suppliers |
| La Pizza Trattoria |
Fintan Rafferty |
Cafes, Restaurants and Clubs |
| Parker Investments Australia P/L |
Jerry Parker |
Financial & Investment Services |
| Project Air Conditioning QLD Pty Ltd |
Keiren O'Brien |
Airconditioning & Refrigeration |
| Struber Constructions |
Sonya Struber |
Building Services & Products |
| Tropical Experience Tour & Travel Centre |
Andrew Gregory |
Tourism Services & Attractions |
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Hot Topics ...
FNQ 2025 return to menu
The Chamber has now received a response from the former Local Government and Planning Minister in reply to our previous letters. The Minister extended the planning period by 3 months to allow further research and consultation. The Chamber is continuing to play an active role in the process to ensure the interests of members are considered.
Australian Technical College return to menu
28 technical colleges around the country now have been established or given the go ahead by the Federal Government. These ATCs provide a school-based academic environment that is focused on secondary (Year 11 & 12) students who wish to pursue an apprenticeship. Our closest ATC is in Townsville (ATCNQ). School-based learning at ATCNQ includes core English and maths, together with a business studies subject, to give solid grounding for students for future career moves to become sub-contractors or project managers.
Students do four-week blocks at school and four-week blocks with their host employer, providing the student with fully supported and focused academic time, followed by block time with the employer. This benefits the school in being able to schedule classes and curriculum, it benefits students so they don’t miss out on classes and get to work on projects over a number of weeks, and it benefits the employers who can more effectively plan the on-the-job training and workload of the extra pair of hands.
A deputation to Canberra on 11th September to push for the establishment of an ATC in Cairns was led by Chamber President, Jeremy Blockey, with the support of Patrick Korman from CRGT and Bruce McConaghy from Advance Cairns. The response from Andrew Robb, Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, was very promising and follow up meetings with senior Department staff have now taken place in Cairns. A more detailed proposal will be submitted to the Minister shortly.
Jeremy Blockey and Patrick Korman also recently met in Cairns with Stephen Smith, Federal Shadow Minister for Education and Training and Jim Turnour to discuss the ATC. Labor's approach to school based apprenticeships is different to the Coalition's – in essence they do not support the further roll-out of specialist ATC's, instead favouring increasing vocational education funding to all 2,650 secondary schools around the country, On face value, the Chamber believes that, whilst Labor's approach might increase all students' exposure to vocational learning experiences, it will not be targeted at those students who have greatest propensity and motivation to seek a trade and hence will have a significantly lesser effect in getting more school based apprentices into the workplace. The Chamber will consider its approach to Labor's policy, and will likely put forward a “hybrid” proposal for Labor's consideration.
Resource & Industry return to menu
The “Mining Company Familiarisation Program” held on 7 & 8 September 2007 was a resounding success! Subsequent feedback from both our mine guests and sponsors echoed sentiments of a well organised and enjoyable program, with new relationships formed and rekindling of old.
The itinerary incorporated our mine guests arriving on Friday 7 September and departing on Sunday 9 September. On Saturday the mine guests spent the morning with the sponsors and the afternoon all together at the races. The Task Force’s goal was to use this opportunity well in showcasing both the industrial and leisure side of Cairns.
Pictured above: sponsors and Mine Guests at the 2007 Mining Company Famil
For further information about the Famil or getting involved with the Resources & Industrial Taskforce contact the Chamber on 4031 1838, or Chair of the Taskforce, Sharon Dawson.
Higher Education return to menu
The first of what may become an annual meeting with the Faculty of Law, Business and Creative Arts was held on 28th August.
The Chamber is creating stronger links with JCU so members can become more aware of JCU activities and access lecturers and students more readily. Research projects and assignments may be able to benefit your business and assist with planning, marketing and sales. Contact the Chamber to find out more about what may be available from JCU and to be pointed towards the right faculty/person.
Bruce Highway return to menu
Terry James (Deputy Mayor CCC) and Bob Norman met with Martin Ferguson & Jim Turnour regarding the Bruce Highway upgrade. Bob Norman also attended a meeting in Townsville with the North Qld Road Alliance. While there appears to be funds available for works on the Bruce Highway, the Chamber is concerned that more emphasis has not been placed on flood immunity works.
The Chamber is meeting with the new Main Roads Minister, the Hon Warren Pitt MP in the first week of October.
Tropical Science, Knowledge and Innovation return to menu
State Development commissioned Copernican Securities Pty Ltd to undertake a high level Market Study to identify potential markets, users and buyers of tropical science, knowledge and innovation and recommend key markets and product sectors. This study focused specifically on tropical health and tropical environmental management. The study was made available on the Department's web site on 7th September.
Further work is to be done with local businesses to tease out business prospects for this region, particularly in Asia.
Cairns Report 2007 return to menu
Expressions of interest from Chamber members will be sought later this month to produce the 2007 Cairns Report. Judy Lloyd will be overseeing this project.
This is a great opportunity for members to be part of a collective and widely distributed publication. If you have not seen a copy of our 2006 Cairns Report, please contact the Chamber office on 4031 1838.
Honorary Consul for Latvia return to menu
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is one of the Sister Cities of Cairns. The Chamber will be providing a letter of support for the establishment of an Honorary Consul for Latvia.
SD07 - A Climate for Change (29th October – 2nd November 2007 in Cairns) return to menu
The Mineral Council of Australia’s Sustainable Development Conference brings together leaders, experts and practitioners from around the world to exchange ideas, information and practical examples of sustainable development - it is the largest event of its kind for our industry. The comprehensive five-day program explores global, national, and regional issues and solutions.
2007 marks the 32nd year of the event that is recognised internationally as the leading minerals industry forum for sustainable development and its practical execution through cooperative partnerships with industry government and community. Presenters from both Australia and throughout the world challenge delegates through case studies, presentations, workshops and tours.
Contact the Chamber on 4031 1838 for further information.
Succession Planning return to menu
The region has recently been awarded some funding to assist small business owners grow their business and plan their future.
Commencing October 2007, a series of free seminars and workshops will be provided to local business owners, providing them with some insights and tips on how they can:
* Have the lifestyle they deserve;
*
Maximise the value of their business;
*Achieve an effective business sale; and
*
Ensure their wealth ends up in the right hands.
For more information or to register for the free seminars click here
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