Emma McBride

Shop LOCAL this Christmas

 EMMA MCBRIDE

IT’S the most wonderful time of the year.

Andy Williams got it right when he released his hit Christmas song in 1963.

It is the most wonderful time of the year. The lights, the decorations, the festive cheer.

It’s a time when we all come together to celebrate.

But this year, it’s more important than ever for us to come together and support small business.

Small businesses are the heart of our community and the lifeblood of our economy, and they’ve had it tough lately.

That’s why I’m encouraging Coasties to shop local this Christmas.

Usually, when the Christmas rush hits, people head to the big department stores.

They’re after the perfect gift for their loved ones, food for the holidays or just one last look around stores before the big day arrives.

But there are 24,000 small businesses on the Central Coast who may have exactly what you’re looking for.

The Wyong Milk Factory sells delicious hand-made Belgium chocolates. The perfect gift for a chocolate lover.

Herbies Spices off ers a huge range of culinary herbs, spices and unique blends. Perfect for someone who loves to cook.

Experiences also make a great Christmas gift, especially if you’re looking for something to do with the kids during the holidays.

In that case, I’d highly recommend a trip to the Australian Reptile Park.

They have lots of options for the whole family.

And, they’ve recently received a number of accolades at the Central Coast Business Awards.

They were recognised for Outstanding Business Leader, Excellence in Micro Business, Excellence in Innovation and Employer of Choice.

This is an incredible achievement, and a testament to the business community right across the Coast.

Our small businesses have so much to off er.

Our small businesses have much to offer

You just need to know where to look. So, this Christmas make sure you buy local.

Instead of buying gifts online, go out into our community and see what you can fi nd.

That’s what business owners want to see this time of year.

They want to see customers coming through the doors, and they want to give them the best Christmas possible.

And in return, we can help them have a great Christmas too.

Let’s bring out that Christmas spirit to see out the rest of the year, and let’s support small business during the holidays in any way we can.

If we do, we can truly make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.

Emma McBride is the Federal Member for Dobell. Visit: www.emmamcbride.com.au

Emma McBride supporting local giftshop, Scout & Trader at Wyong.

Caring for the Central Coast

We need to

The Coast is a beautiful place to live and working together, we can make it even better

Invest in infrastructure to clear the backlog Drive local jobs to support our economy Boost health services and provide quality care, close to home Stop risky environmental projects and protect our coastline

OUR ECONOMY MATTERS. OUR HEALTH MATTERS.

OUR HOME MATTERS.

204/1 Bryant Drive PO Box 3763 Tuggerah NSW 2259 | 02 4353 0127 3 0127 Emma.McBride.MP@aph.gov.au | emmamcbride.com.au om.au

Hidden gem in fi tness

ALOCAL hidden gem, Central Coast Leagues Fitness is tucked away within the Leagues Club on Dane Drive, Gosford.

The facility prides itself on an inclusive community vibe, with members spanning everyone from seniors in the morning to corporate workers smashing it out on their lunch break and the die-hard yogis.

Following the 2021 Covid shutdown, the club has returned with an impressive group fi tness timetable, paired with our spacious amenities and competitive price points. It’s no wonder that CCLF is becoming one of the most well-known and respected gym facilities on the Coast.

Being located in the heart of Gosford, the club has the support of our local community, businesses and members to bounce back from Covid with a mission.

They deliver premium services, including high quality fi tness classes, clean facilities and exceptional customer service. The team of Personal Trainers have diff erent passions and skill sets,.

For corporate partners, there are

Central Coast Leagues Fitness.

programs aimed at improving the overall health and fi tness of employees. This in turn, improves employees’ wellbeing, helping them get more out of both life and work.

Whether you’re looking for a fun and healthy team building morning, something to shake up the weekly routine, or a staff appreciation event, our options cater to a range of needs.

Join some of the Coast’s leading organisations working with CCLF to support their employees’ health and wellbeing. Contact them on 02 4325 9879 to get started today.

Big changes at Council

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

IT came as a simple press release but it caused shockwaves across the Central Coast as the inevitable consequences for Council’s massive failure led to major changes at the top.

Two of the most senior long-term managers at Central Coast Council Leadership Team – Julie Vaughan and Scott Cox – were on their way out

No reason was given for the sudden departure of the two senior staff members, but former Council fi gurehead Brian Bell will step back into a senior role at the embattled organisation.

Social media lit up when the news hit on Wednesday night and most comments were in favor of the decision to freshen up the leadership team.

To be fair, Ms Vaughan and Mr Cox had to battle their way through the consequences of amalgamating two council staff s who resisted the changes, a computer system that didn’t work properly and massive fi nancial and business mismanagement.

Add that to a fractured majority of inexperience Councillors who spent way beyond their means and you have the makings of the $500m plus disaster that ratepayers have been left to pay off .

As they say in the classics – something had to give.

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City focus a welcome step City focus a welcome step

THE state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW says the creation of a Minister for Cities by Premier Dominic Perrottet is a positive step that will bring renewed focus to the economic powerhouses of our State.

The Premier has confi rmed the Minister will be appointed as part of a broader reshuffl e of his Cabinet.

“This will provide the necessary support for our cities, and is something the business community supports,” said Business NSW Regional Director Paula Martin.

“Having cities fall under one Minister will enable coordinated focus on sustainable growth and new economy transition in the large city centres of the NSW economy,” Ms Martin said.

“We are particularly pleased to see a renewed focus on the Central Coast as well as Illawarra and the Hunter regions which continue to add to our state’s international and regional trading strength.

“Progress of some signifi cant regional investment announced by the Greater Sydney Commission late last year seems to have stalled and with our population continuing to grow as a result of the pandemic, we can’t ignore the growing needs of our business community.

“We know that a strong city has an investment landscape with anchor developments that encourage business growth. This means shaping a city to encourage tourism, business events, overnight stays and entrepreneurialism and start-ups.

“Students also bring life to a city so any advancement of the proposed Education Campus in Gosford is eagerly awaited.

“Businesses need all the help they can get to achieve their growth objectives, from industrial space to housing development for their people.

“A whole of Government view of NSW economic centres is the right approach–and we look forward to the new Minister and a strengthened Greater Cities Commission advocating and enabling real investment, resilient infrastructure, liveability and attraction in these cities.

“Business NSW has for many years championed growth and state-wide collaboration through our strong business leadership teams in each of these six cities across the State.

“We look forward to working closely with the new Minister for Cities and the Greater Cities Commission in developing the vision with our members, and forming sound policy, strategy and investment directions,” Ms Martin said.

About Business NSW

Formerly the NSW Business Chamber, Business NSW is the peak policy and advocacy body which has been representing businesses in NSW since 1826.

Paula Martin.

Success for The Glen Rehab

THE Glen is celebrating another mas-

sive win with the Business NSW recognising The Glen as NSWs Outstanding Community organisation of the year. The award ceremony was held via Zoom in front of a large crowd of business leaders from across NSW.

“The Glen’s success refl ects the strength of the Central Coast Community. This award is an amazing recognition of the work the team at The Glen and all our stakeholders do for our clients, and other vulnerable members of the community” said The Glen CEO, Alex Lee.

The Glen Executive Director Mr Coyte said: “The Glen is very excited for this award and we are always very proud to represent The Central Coast region as we are very grateful for all of the continued support we receive from the whole Central Coast community. It’s an exciting time for The Glen moving into 2022 as we grow our team and we are currently looking to recruit 10 people to work at The Glen for Women.”

FUTURE OF BUSINESS EVENT Leaders showcase growth issues

 JULIE WATSON

WHEN we think about the future of business, we often think of digital, technical solutions made up of Ones and Zeros for Coding. But what does the future of business really look like? What will your business look like in the coming year or in five years from now?

We look at some of the actions you can take through the eyes of some of our most infl uential leaders, top entrepreneurs, expert coaches, and industry professionals. In March 2022, the Central Coast will see its fi rst ever, full day panel discussion event.

A full day of panel discussions, speakers, expos, entertainment, networking, complimentary food and refreshments, breakout hubs and meeting rooms (for sending those important emails).

Firstly, we will fi nd out some of the issues we can expect to face in the coming years, then we look at desired outcomes, and we fi nish each panel with tangible actions the audience can take away to put into place to support their businesses into the future.

THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS SUMMIT 2022 – LIFE ON MARS will bring you fi ve panels: 1. Digital Technology and Hybrid Workforces: Life On Future Earth 2. Speak up–Scale Up. Business Growth Beyond 2030. 3. Industry and Government Support. A Whole New World for Business 4. Daring to be Different: Gen X, Y,

Z–Life on Mars 5. A Culture of Leadership: Blast Off to the Future of Inner Space

Is your business ready to do what it takes to thrive and succeed into the future? What will our expert panellists come up with for 2022 and beyond?

Come away with concrete examples of what’s possible now, and into the future. While we’re future-gazing with the theme ‘life on mars’, the summit will be anchored in pragmatic ‘where do I start’ actions to take away.

The event will held at The Red Tree Theatre in Tuggerah on March 2, 2022 from 8am. Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now and are extended to the end of January for our readers. Contact info@strongerthanmyexcuses.com.au to find out more. Julie Watson is founder of www.strongerthanmyexcuses.com.au

COVID-19 Complimentary IR Assistance

Employer access to industrial relations advice and resources on COVID-19 issues such as vaccination.

Includes unlimited access to our specialist advice line; regular expert updates on IR issues; webinars; and industry sector briefings. We specialise in helping employers navigate employment issues. Go to www.aigroup.com.au/covid-19-ir-assistance/

We’re not down-sizing we’re up-living.

Enjoy retirement your way, with a stylish apartment in a friendly community.

Park Meadows boasts an excellent range of nearby amenities, such as Westmead’s Health Precinct, and is conveniently located directly opposite Parramatta Park. Choose your own comfort zone with premium 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments at the forefront of retirement living design. Enquire now Call 1800 864 846 or visit uniting.org/parkmeadows