The event industry gathered to celebrate the launch of Sydney Showground’s bold new brand. The launch was held in the newly opened 10,000sqm multi-purpose building which is now operational for the first time since it was completed in early March.

The new brand comes with bright new colours and the tag line “Big Experiences.”

‘Big is what differentiates us in the market place and we want to ensure that all of our customers, their customers and most importantly, their visitors have a ‘Big Experience’ each and every time they attend an event at Sydney Showground,’ commented Peter Thorpe, General Manager, Sydney Showground.

‘The new brand has been twelve months in the making and involved extensive research and surveying of our clients, prospects and other key stakeholders. It was through this research and subsequent workshops that our ability to do ‘Big’ well was identified. We also identified other areas that needed a bit of polish or upgrade and have taken steps to address these as well.’

The launch of the new brand coincides with the opening of our wonderful new facility which takes us up to over 32,000sqm of pillarless event space. Both of these achievements show that Sydney Showground is serious about supporting the events industry and is prepared to follow through on what we promise.’

At the same time, the Sydney Showground website is being relaunched to reflect the new brand and new technologies with the ability to be viewed on any mobile device -www.sydneyshowground.com.au.

The brand launch preceded the Sydney Royal Easter Show ‘Arts Preview’ which had over 1,300 guests and was officially opened by The Hon, George Souris, Minister for the Arts, Major Events, Tourism, Hospitality and Racing and Minister for the Hunter. The ‘Arts Preview’ is the first major event to be held in the new building just two days before the opening of Australia’s largest event the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

One of Australia’s largest TAFE Institutes is leading the way with a new initiative designed to boost apprenticeship completions across New South Wales by assessing people’s suitability to undertake an apprenticeship before they start.

The five day ‘Trade Readiness’ program will give more than 1,100 NSW senior school students and those who have left school a chance to demonstrate that they have the skills and competencies needed to excel in an apprenticeship.

The voluntary program consists of four days of intensive hands-on training and assessment, with a fifth day involving literacy and numeracy screening, exit interviews, career advice and counselling.

The program will initially be made available to young people interested in an apprenticeship in carpentry, plumbing and various automotive trade areas and eventually expanded to include many other trades-based occupations.

The ‘Trade Readiness’ program was pioneered by TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi) in 2013, focusing on skills including initiative, attitude, trade literacy and numeracy, hands-on skills and coordination.

It will be rolled out across TAFE NSW Institutes in the first half of 2014 with the financial backing of the NSW Government.

TAFE SWSi Institute Director, Peter Roberts said the program was a win for both apprenticeship hopefuls and employers.

“As it stands, only around 50 per cent of apprenticeships in NSW are being completed, costing both employers and apprentices precious time and money,” Mr Roberts said.

“The ‘Trade Readiness’ program will help increase the likelihood of an apprenticeship completion by putting more young people in NSW on the right career path to begin with.

“It will also provide employers across the State with the opportunity to employ people with the demonstrated skills and competencies needed to excel in an apprenticeship.”

For more information about the ‘Trade Readiness’ program and its benefits to employers please contact TAFE NSW’s ‘Trade Readiness’ coordinator, John Quine on 13 79 74.

The School of Business at the University of Western Sydney is looking for organisations that may be able to offer our students an internship or that may be interested in a group of students undertaking a specific project relating to their business. This may be in a number of areas including Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Management and so on. The students available to undertake this work would be final year undergraduates for the project work or, in the case of internships, generally postgraduate students.

If you would like further information please contact Warren Day on 9685 9103, mobile 0407 894 684 or email w.day@uws.edu.au.

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is renowned for providing individualised service to every guest. From the time of check in, to dining to when guests leave the hotel, the friendly staff are there to ensure you enjoy a memorable experience.

Novotel would like to introduce their newest member of the team, Kristiana Terkes, who is a true vision of the hotel and the hospitality industry. Kristiana joins the team with over 15 years experience in the hotel industry. Together with Executive Chef, Pierre Wong, they have plans to take the food and beverage department at Novotel Parramatta to new heights and create an exciting environment for both guests and their employees.

Kristiana has been with Accor Hotels for over 10 years, most recently at Accor’s 5 star brand, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Kristiana is dedicated to going above and beyond for her conference guests and diners in Two Forks Restaurant and Bar, living by the mantra ‘Customer service comes to me as second nature, I don’t think about it anymore, my guest’s happiness is all that matters’.

Kristiana is a vision of Accor’s People-ology in action. People-ology is Accor’s art of human connection that sets the brand apart from others in the hotel industry, understanding loyalty is not about marketing gimmicks but rather recognising guests and making them feel special. Kristiana’s interaction with a recent hotel guest is proof of this vision. Kristiana had noticed a guest in the hotel that seemed visibly distressed and wasn’t having a great day. She approached the guest to see if she could assist, the lady explained the day she had and said she was waiting for her husband. Kristiana ensured the guest had a room to freshen up and stayed talking with the lady in the lobby, comforting her until her husband arrived to pick her up. Kristiana doesn’t just create experiences for regulars but for all guests whether it’s their first or tenth visit.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, the team is determined to create an exceptional experience for all diners, and make sure every mum feels special at Novotel. Executive Chef, Pierre has created a buffet menu that is sure to delight with freshly baked breads, delicious, pancakes, hot items and a dessert spread of chocolate mousse, tartlets, cakes, Danishes and more. Plus candy buffet for the young heart!

To experience the spectacular customer service of the Food & Beverage team at Novotel Sydney Parramatta, be sure to get in quickly to book Mother’s Day Brunch. Find out how mum eats free plus book 6 or more adults to receive a complimentary bottle of wine*. For further information visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au or contact the hotel on 02 9630 4999.

Do you, or someone you know, have a great idea that you know has potential, but you don’t have the funds to get it off the ground?

Through The Telegraphs and NewsLocal Champions of the West grants program, your idea has the chance to come to life. Whether you’re an individual, group or business, you can nominate to be considered for a $10,000 grant to start your idea. You might be a community group needing funding for facility upgrades; or a sporting group wanting to purchase new equipment; or you work in the health industry and a grant will assist with clinical funding. The Champions of the West grants program recognises the talent, ingenuity, creativity and determination of Western Sydney. Find out more here. 

Congratulations to Fay Calderone, Director in the MatthewsFolbigg Workplace Solutions Group on recently winning the prestigious NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Award – Emerging Leader in the Private Sector.

Designed to celebrate emerging female talent, as well as the women and men who help women achieve, the judging panel were overwhelmed by the hundreds of entries received and inspired by all the stories heard throughout the nomination process. 

These Awards are an opportunity to showcase the talent that's available in the NFP, public, private and small business sectors of Australia. It's also a reminder of the mentors, change champions and agenda setters who are leading the change on workplace gender equality. 

All of us at MatthewsFolbigg are delighted that Fay’s hard work and talent has not only been recognised in the legal profession but throughout the private sector.

Treat Mum this Mother’s Day with a Deluxe Seafood Buffet at TABLE:30 in PARKROYAL Parramatta. Enjoy a special rate of $69.00 per person (normally $79.00) when you mention WSBC.

Mum will enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival and be able to enjoy a relaxed gourmet lunch.

To Book call 02 9689 3333 or email enquiry.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com. Bookings are essential.

Premier Mike Baird has declared he will get on with the job of making a second Sydney airport undefined and the infrastructure that supports it undefined a reality.

Premier Mike Baird / Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia

His government is already setting aside a corridor for the rail line that will eventually link the new airport with the South West Rail Link and ultimately the Western Line. The proposed route of the $5 billion line will be released for public consultation today but will not be built until after the road links and airport.

Mr Baird has set himself apart from his predecessor Barry O’Farrell’s lukewarm support for the second airport project, declaring “Hallelujah” that a decision had been made. But he said: “It’s roads first, the airport second and then rail.”

Backing the airport, he said: “It provides an incredible opportunity for jobs, for business, for housing undefined it comes as an economic powerhouse for Western Sydney.

“The federal government’s made a decision. Hallelujah, let’s get on and make it reality.”

The rail line would run from the end of the South West Link at Leppington to Bringelly and Badgerys Creek, south to Oran Park and Narellan and then north to connect to the Western Line at St Marys.

Mr Baird has long been a supporter of a Badgerys Creek airport. Mr O’Farrell previously backed a second airport at Canberra before finally­ supporting Badgerys Creek once it became clear Prime Minister Tony Abbott was going to proceed with it.

The first projects to be upgraded will be Elizabeth Drive and Bringelly Rd, with the federal government providing $5 billion for road upgrades. In relation to the prospect of an M7 widening, Mr Baird said: “That’s a longer-term proposal that needs to be considered as infrastructure starts to come to fruition.”

And he said rail line “provides an opportunity­ not just for the airport but for Western Sydney”.

“What this shows is that the decision’s made on the airport, let’s get cracking and we’ll be doing everything possible to build the infrastructure, certainly starting with the roads ASAP but this is a clear indication we are pushing the go button and ripping into it,” he said.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said consultation would begin this week on reserving the corridor for the rail, which would “link jobs, service hubs and communities in the southwest with Sydney’s existing and future public transport and roads networks”.

“To begin with undefined when the airport’s air traffic will be less than 10 per cent of that at Sydney Airport undefined access to the second Sydney airport will be provided through road upgrades, park and ride facilities and public transport services, including new express buses,” she said. “Longer term we are putting plans in place to make sure Sydney’s rail network will connect Badgerys Creek airport with the rapidly-growing communities that will rely on it.” She added the South West Rail Link was due to open in 2015 “one year ahead of schedule and $100 million below the $2.1 billion budget”.

Ms Berejiklian said reserving the corridors wasn’t “just about servicing an airport, it’s about servicing Western Sydney communities with appropriate transport links, now and into the future”.

By reserving the corridors, it would keep the costs of building the rail line down.

Government sources said in present dollars, the links would cost between $4 billion to $5 billion to build.

“We’ve seen previous growth centres of Sydney let down by insufficient transport planning by previous governments and we’re not making that mistake,” Ms Berejiklian said. “This corridor planning means when the time comes to extend the South West Rail Link, we will be ready and costs will be lower.”

Source: News Local by Andrew Clennell. Full article.