Breakthrough Conservation and Breeding Programs Deliver Baby Bungarribee

Featherdale Wildlife Park, located in the region of Bungarribee in Western Sydney and home to the largest collection of native Australian animals in the world, has introduced the latest addition to its modern family. The adorable koala joey, named Bungarribee and lovingly nicknamed Gabby, has emerged from the pouch with an inquisitive nature, a fondness for people and a strong bond with her mother, Scout, who is never far away.

Bungarribee’s name is a symbol of Featherdale Wildlife Park’s mission to create a future where wild koalas and other endemic Australian animals will return to Bungarribee once more. The park is calling for the community’s green spaces to be earmarked for natural habitats, and this koala will be the champion of the cause with the hope of one day seeing her descendants thrive in the wild in Western Sydney.

Bungarribee was the result of science rather than courtship through Featherdale Wildlife Park’s world-class breeding program. The program, which follows best-practice husbandry guidelines, uses genetic technology to identify and match koalas for breeding based on the compatibility of their genes. This process ensures that the joeys are healthy and strong and have the best opportunity to thrive.

“Koala conservation is a huge focus for Featherdale Wildlife Park, and the birth of Bungarribee really represents our hope for a future where this incredible animal can thrive outside of captivity”, says Chad Staples, Director of Life Sciences. “It will be a pretty special day when our breeding program is simply the first step on a koala’s journey into the wild, although we’re a long way off from that being a reality”.

Today there are no wild koalas remaining in Bungarribee, a troubling reality which is representative of the wider koala crisis in New South Wales as the state fights to reverse an alarming decline in its koala population. Down almost 26% in just two decades according to the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, rapid urban development has systematically destroyed koala habitats and is widely recognised as the reason behind their impending extinction.

Bungarribee was born in October last year, and the joey’s cuddly coat has been months in the making. Like all newborn koalas she was born blind, hairless and without ears, measuring just two centimetres long and less than one gram in weight. She then spent seven months growing and developing inside her mother’s pouch before emerging with the distinct koala characteristics adored by so many including large furry ears and a big black nose.

Come and celebrate baby Bungarribee with us!

Book via www.featherdale.com.au to score a 20% discount on all tickets and annual passes when you enter the code ‘SYDNEY’.

But hurry, this offer is only available until 27 September 2019.

The Blue Datto Foundation invites you to their 5th Annual Gala Dinner on Saturday 19th October at the picturesque Hawkesbury Race Club.

Proudly sponsored by Cutcliffe Acreage and Lifestyle Properties, the evening will be full of fun entertainment, raffles, auctions, prizes and more!

Funds raised from the dinner will go to Blue Datto’s Keeping Safe program which aims to teach safe behaviours, encourage self-belief and empower young people to make safer choices on the roads as drivers and passengers.

Tickets

Includes canapes and drink on arrival, 3 course meal and non-alcoholic beverages.

$130 per person

$1300 per table of 10

Book your tickets here

Corporate Table Sponsorship

In addition to above, includes sponsored table signage, logo recognition in the event program and mention by MC, along with a special gift for each of your guests.

$1850 per table of 10

Become a Corporate Table Sponsor here

Would You Like To Offer Further Support?

To donate a prize or to learn more about other sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Michelle Burman, Community Engagement Manager

M: 0411 480 090

E: michelle@bluedatto.org.au

As an enthusiastic new business starter, the idea of writing a business plan was probably exciting. The possibilities, the growth potential, the new contacts; a business plan showed the world (and the bank) that you had big dreams and exciting goals. So, where is your business plan now? Is it in the bottom of a drawer?

Business Plans should be updated regularly because circumstances change. Some industries move very quickly (i.e. finance sector) so your business plan needs to reflect these changes. Setting reminders in your calendar can be a fantastic trigger to remind you to look at your plan.

If you have employees it can be a great idea to get them involved in the planning process. They might have valuable ideas on where they would like to see the business go and some suggestions on how to get there. Your team will have strengths in the business which you may not so don’t be shy in taking advice and suggestions.

Set goals, timeframes and measurable outcomes so you can compare your targets regularly. Graphs and tables are a great visual way to review your results. Make them bright and colourful so you can enjoy the experience of reviewing your plan.

Reviewing your business plan regularly is a fantastic opportunity to take a step away from the ‘everyday’ and review the big picture. Acknowledge your wins and accept the losses as a learning experience.

The Australian Government have a fantastic template they provide for free on their Business site. You can download it here. The website is also a fantastic sources of ideas, tools and contacts for all Australian businesses. You can visit it here.

If you need help with your business plans ISM have a great team of consultants who can discuss your business goals and objectives.

Check out the ISM team and feel free to contact them to discuss.

Western Sydney based charity the Blue Datto Foundation is confident its new membership with WSBC will engage and activate the local business network to help save lives and prevent injuries, while reducing the staggering costs of road trauma.

Sadly, young people continue to be overrepresented in road trauma statistics, and over the last 10 years a staggering 3,115 young people have been killed on our roads, including 65 on Western Sydney roads. with a further 2,403 hospitalised with serious injuries.

In addition to the immense emotional and social toll this has on families and communities in the Western Sydney region, the financial cost of these crashes is estimated at over $187 million.

As identified in the findings of the ‘Inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy 2011 – 2020,’ road trauma is fast reaching crisis levels and without changes 12,000 Australians will be killed and 360,000 will be injured at a cost of $300 billion over the next decade.

Launched in 2015 following the death of 17-year-old Philip Vassallo (known as ‘the kid in the Blue Datto,) Blue Datto’s award-winning Keeping Safe program has made a quick impact with young people, road safety stakeholders and the local community.

Targeting pre-drivers aged 15 to 18, the Keeping Safe program aims to reduce ‘risky’ behaviour by equipping young drivers with knowledge, skills and strategies to change the outcome of potentially fatal situations.

Initially delivering Keeping Safe programs to 1,100 youth participants in 2016, the Foundation is on track to celebrate its 20,000th program participant by the year’s end.

Casually employing 35 Peer Mentors who deliver the Keeping Safe programs, this growth has enabled the Foundation to move into its new office and training facility in Penrith.

Plans are also in place to launch new support services for those impacted by road trauma – the likes of which are not currently available in NSW.

“We’ve achieved a lot in the last few years, but there is still so much more that can be done to prevent crashes, as well as protect and support the Western Sydney community,” said Michelle Burman, Blue Datto’s Community Engagement Manager who says there are a number of schools and communities still crying out for financial support to run a Keeping Safe program.

“We’re so grateful for the support of WSBC and hope others within the network are able to get involved and help us achieve real life-saving change, whilst also reducing the staggering costs associated with road crashes and trauma.”

The Foundation is currently supported by WestConnex, Pace Farm, Steggles and the NSW Police Association, as well as by WSBC Platinum Partner World Class Teams.

Any parties interested in supporting Blue Datto should contact:

Michelle Burman

M: 0411 480 090

E: michelle@bluedatto.org.au

W: bluedatto.org.au

Today West HQ announced Greater Western Sydney residents will be getting their very own festive-season event featuring David Campbell and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra over two evenings on 12 and 13 December 2019 titled Christmas at the Coliseum, at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre.

Christmas at the Coliseum will see David Campbell and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform a showcase of songs from his album ‘Baby It’s Christmas’, including the titular track, ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ and ‘When My Heart Finds Christmas’. Other festive favourites including ‘Silent Night’, ‘Sleigh Bells’ and ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ will also appear. The concerts will feature new orchestral arrangements specially curated for the performance by Australia’s premier orchestra.

Of the project, Campbell said: “Working with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is an incredible privilege as a singer. I’ve never done a whole show with the Sydney Symphony before, so for me to be able to collaborate on something as beautiful as Christmas – my favourite time of year – is a dream come true. Plus, we get to christen a brand-new theatre in Western Sydney!”

Campbell’s enthusiasm for the collaboration was echoed by West HQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Errington: “The Christmas at the Coliseum event marks the first time the Sydney Coliseum Theatre will open its doors for a ticketed music event – a huge milestone in the history of the West, and for our landmark new venue. We can’t think of a better way to mark the occasion than with the immense talents of Australia’s premier orchestra and David Campbell. This is the beginning of a new era in entertainment for Western Sydney. West HQ are immensely proud of what we will offer both our first time and existing customers” Errington concluded.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra CEO, Emma Dunch, said: “The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has been performing in Greater Western Sydney and touring New South Wales for more than 87 years, and we are so excited to be taking this next step in bringing the best of orchestral music to more music-lovers at West HQ.

Together with the multi-talented David Campbell, conductor Nicholas Buc and the musicians of our Orchestra, this inaugural performance will herald a new era of music-making in Greater Western Sydney. West HQ will be a place to gather and celebrate the very best of our thriving arts and culture scene, and we are delighted to start the next chapter of our public service at this magnificent venue!

Sydney Coliseum Theatre opening week program features an all-Australian line up of world class performances from Tina Arena, Dame Edna Everage, John Butler, with the official opening night headlined by Grammy and ARIA award winning Keith Urban.

The waitlist for Christmas at the Coliseum is now open at sydneycoliseum.com.au

Pre-sale: 11am, Thursday 19 September

General Public on sale: 12pm, Tuesday 24 September

With only a limited number of 12, 20, 24 and 40 person Premium Suites, secure the ultimate viewing experience at Bankwest Stadium for 2020!

Bundled with Parramatta Eels player sponsorships or two on-field bolsters, this is your chance to promote your business, connect with players and fans and experience the best game day atmosphere in the country!

With only a few suites for 2020 available, get in quick to secure yours!

Click here for further information. 

The Western Sydney International Airport Experience Centre has officially opened its doors, welcoming hundreds of visitors within its first two weeks of opening.

Located on the Airport site on Eaton Road at Luddenham, the Experience Centre is free to visit and open to members of the public as well as school, community and business groups.

It gives the community a chance to learn more about the Airport and how it will help shape the future of Western Sydney.

Visitors to the Experience Centre are taken through a series of interactive stop overs, including an augmented reality preview of Western Sydney International and an airport control room, where giant screens provide insights and information about the $5.3 billion infrastructure project.

The exhibition provides all the facts and figures about the Airport, the construction timeline, runways and planned road and rail links. Importantly, it also tells you why Western Sydney International is being built, which is to create jobs and business opportunities for locals.

The final destination in the Experience Centre is a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling glass panels, which will eventually provide first-class views of terminal and runway construction, due to kick off with major earthworks on the site in early 2020.

WSA has recently awarded the contract for major earthworks that will see 23 million cubic metres of earth moved around the site to prepare it for runway and terminal construction, creating hundreds more jobs.

WSA’s employment targets mean at least 30 per cent of these jobs will go to Western Sydney locals.

Work to build Western Sydney International began in September last year with initial earthworks. So far more than 1.5 million cubic metres of earth has been moved on the massive 1780-hectare site.

The Experience Centre is open Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 4pm.

Groups of 10 or more should book in advance by calling 1800 872 872 or emailing info@wsaco.com.au.

Landcom and Sydney Metro are planning places for communities to live, work, shop and play close to new North West Metro stations. They are developing a concept masterplan for the Hills Showground Station Precinct. Come along to their community information and feedback session to share your views and help shape the plan.

Date Saturday 28 September 2019

Time Anytime between 10.30am – 12.30pm

Venue The old Hills Shire Council Administration building. Enter via gates on Carrington Road at corner of Showground Road, Castle Hill.

Can’t make it?

Visit smnwplaces.com.au to learn more and have your say online until 18 October 2019

Email sydneymetronorthwest@landcom.nsw.gov.au

Call 1800 712 292

Picture this: your business has finally overcome the challenges of being a startup and has now reached the growth stage.

However, as you take a breath, celebrate and consider plans for expansion, you begin to notice that what was working a year ago is no longer delivering the results you want, and you start to experience issues with stagnating sales, poor customer experience and increasing staff turnover rates.

Recognising the need to fix the situation, you look to the help of an external consultant to help fix these issues within your organisation.

Problem solved and job done… right?

While they are experts at identifying organisational issues, most consultants seek to fix the immediate problem (i.e. the one they can see) without understanding and addressing issues at deeper levels. Without properly resolving these, any fix is simply a ‘Band-Aid’ solution, which, in the long-term, can cause your organisation to bleed out!

Effects, Causes and Structure

The issues experienced by your organisation are the effects of shortfalls in your business strategy or a plan not working the way you intended. These are typically reflected in Business Performance KPIs such as profits not being met, poor teamwork and poor customer service. Because these effects are visible, we often try to ‘Band-Aid’ these problems.

Causes are intangible impacts on your business, typically external. Such ‘catalysts’ include competitors delivering more value, customer demands, economic factors, disruptions in technology and industry regulators.

Structure refers to the key internal systems and processes which significantly influence the way a business operates. It is often overlooked and its impact underestimated. Structural factors include a business’ mission and vision, people practice and the quality of an organisation’s leadership.

Getting to the Root of Your Organisation’s Issues

Rather than resolving only visible problems or playing guessing games, taking a diagnostic approach to solving your organisation’s issues can help you truly understand the causes and identify correct, impactful ways to rectify the problems.

ChandlerWoods has developed an approach that partners with your organisation to analyse your business holistically, seeking to understand the root cause of the issues. Our diagnostic approach studies the catalysts, structure, performance and people impact surrounding your business (see image below).

Once the root cause of the issues is understood, we then develop solutions that address the effects, delivering sustainable performance improvements to help your organisation get back on the road to growth.

Get in touch with ChandlerWoods today

ChandlerWoods’ award-winning solutions have helped businesses of all-sizes increase growth and performance.

Speak with them to discover how their unique diagnostic model can help your business do the same.

The first five WSBC members to respond to this press release will receive a free business diagnostic and debrief for their business.

Get in touch with ChandlerWoods: 

Melissa Powick

Director, ChandlerWoods

E: melissa.powick@chandlerwoods.com.au

M: 0412 606 552

Join PARKROYAL Parramatta for an indulgent seafood buffet lunch in their Governor’s Ballroom for Melbourne Cup. Enjoy a selection of locally sourced fresh seafood and a variety of enticing hot and cold dishes, salads, a live cooking station and decadent desserts to finish. Includes a three and a 1/2 hour beverage package.

Available Tuesday 5 November 2019 from 12:30pm until 4:00pm, this package includes: 

• A seafood buffet lunch including hot and cold dishes, salads, live cooking station and desserts
• Three and a half hour beverage package including beer, wine and soft drinks
• Live telecast of the race, displayed on the 4-metre Ballroom screen
• Sweepstakes
• Prizes for best-dressed male and female
• TAB runners for main race
• MC to run the day's activities
• Complimentary car parking

Click here for more information or to book. 

Terms and Conditions

Available Tuesday 5 November 2019 only. Bookings are essential. Car parking is subject to availability. A merchant service fee of 1.1% for Visa, MasterCard and 3% for Diners, Amex and JCB will be applied to all credit card payments.