Central Coast Sun - Business Awards Edition - OCT - Nov 2024 by Community Broadcast Network (CBN)

2024 WINNER – BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

4id Solutions: cutting edge technology

4id Solutions specialises in manufacturing smart labels and tags, designed for cutting-edge RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, and Sensor technologies.

The Wyong based business aims to empower businesses across multiple industries to enhance compliance, asset traceability, optimise operational efficiencies, and meet the demands of the evolving IoT (Internet of Things) landscape with innovative, high-quality identiﬁcation solutions.

“A simple label or tag, once applied to your vital assets, can reduce manual handling and eliminate human error, while providing accuracy and visibility when it counts,” said Michael Glenn, marketing co-orindator.

“At 4id Solutions, we are driven by a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainable practices. Our success is powered by the desire to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving RFID and IoT (Internet of Things) industry while addressing the needs of businesses in various industries.

“The impact we make, not only in improving our operations but also in reducing our carbon footprint, motivates us to continuously push boundaries and offer world-leading RFID solutions.”

A pivotal milestone for 4id Solutions was the development and integration of their proprietary continuous manufacturing system, supported by 4id SafeGuard, an advanced traceability and compliance platform.

These innovations meant 4iD Solutions could transition from traditional to continuous manufacturing, achieving a remarkable 300% increase in throughput and reducing waste to less than 1%.

By eliminating manual roll changes and stream-

lining the production process, the business improved efficiency, reduced power consumption, and minimized downtime.

This breakthrough also resulted in enhanced product quality, increase speed, and offer more sustainable production practices, positioning us as leaders in the RFID conversion industry.

4id Solutions growth ambitions centre on further advancing their sustainable manufacturing practices.

“We aim to continue reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and improving the environmental impact of our operations. We also plan to expand the capabilities of our 4id SafeGuard platform, allowing us to offer even greater traceability and data-driven insights,” Michael said.

“We see growth opportunities in sensor-enabled RFID technologies for sectors like cold chain monitoring and pharmaceutical logistics. Through these initiatives, we are committed to not only leading the RFID industry but doing so responsibly, with sustain-

The Central Coast No.1family luxury dealer

ability at the forefront of our goals.”

4id Solutions is committed to continuous improvement and sustainable practices.

Their efforts in developing proprietary manufacturing technologies and RFID traceability solutions have not only enhanced their own internal efficiencies but have also set new industry standards.

The business boasts a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability ensuring that the business remains a trusted leader in RFID conversion while contributing positively to the community and the global industry.

“As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to fostering a positive work environment, enhancing employee skills, and creating products that meet the evolving needs of our customers and the market.”

Visit: www.4idsolutions.com

Kathy & Bruce Hegan - Owners and Managing Directors.

Central Coast Business Awards

Committed to the Coast, ALWAYS

WORTHINGTON Motor Group (WMG) is a family business established 1996 providing BMW, MINI, Motorrad, Ducati and Lexus sales and service on the Central Coast in a relaxed professional atmosphere.

WMG is an award winning business and the proud recipients of over 10 BMW dealer trophies for excellence in customer service and other awards for achievement.

Conveniently located at the corner of the Central Coast Highway and the M1 Motorway at Somersby NSW, WMG is home of luxury brands with access to the “ultimate test drive” within minutes from the dealership.

Sustainability is at the forefront of the business for over 15 years, including the transition and adoption of eco-friendly practices.

From the design of our energy efficient buildings to recycling, solar and implentation of electric charging capability for motor vehicles are what you expect from a local prestige dealership with the environment in mind.

The entire team acknowledges the value and support that the Central Coast community has provided and therefore are always looking for opportunities to give back.

Visit: www.worthingtonmotorgroup.com.au

Congratulations all finalists, winners

 SCOTT GOOLD

AHEARTFELT congratulations to all the ﬁnalists of the 2024 Central Coast Business Awards, proudly presented by Business NSW.

The 2024 Central Coast Business Awards celebrate the innovation, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit that drive the growth of the Central Coast’s thriving business community.

This year’s ﬁnalists were selected for their outstanding achievements in key areas such as business strategy, customer engagement, marketing innovation, sustainability, ﬁnancial stability, and adaptability in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

“These are times of unprecedented challenges for businesses, yet these ﬁnalists have demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity,” says Scott Goold, Regional Director of Business NSW.

The awards not only recognize the ability to overcome obstacles but also highlight the determination to excel. “Every ﬁnalist and winner should take immense pride in their contributions to our local economy and the broader community,” adds Goold.

The 2024 awards introduced three new categories: Outstanding New Business, Business Leader for companies with above and below 20 employees, and International Business. These categories, along with the others, underscore leadership, best practices, and sustainable growth.

Office space supporting local

THE Foundry Cowork is a shared office environment with locations in Erina and Gosford. They provide workspaces, meeting rooms and private offices to people wanting to escape the isolation of working from home and/ or wanting to avoid the commute to their Sydney HQ. Spaces are available to the public by the hour/day, or you can become a member and enjoy addi-

tional beneﬁts such as discounted rates, invitations to our social and networking events and much more.

Private offices are suitable for 1 to 8 people and the Foundry Cowork is fully furnished with all utilities, kitchen and office supplies included in the monthly fee on a six-month minimum contract.

The main business goals are to support mental health, to assist small businesses to thrive and to

“This year saw a record number of entries from across the region, with ﬁnalists representing a wide range of sectors and industries. “Each ﬁnalist has been acknowledged for their excellence in management, long-term vision, and adaptability to changing market conditions,” says Goold.

Congratulations to all the category winners in what has been an exceptionally competitive year. The closeness of judging decisions is a testament to the high standards and quality of Central Coast businesses.

Scott Goold is Regional Director Business NSW Central Coast

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 - Special Feature

The Sustainable Games - Signarama Tuggerah shines in Paris

It’s incredible to imagine that a small Central Coast business was a key supplier to the Australian Olympic Committee at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Since acquiring Signarama Tuggerah in 2019, owners Melissa and Gary Marshall have transformed it from a humble signage shop to the Coast’s largest sustainable signage and print manufacturing hub. Today, they deliver sustainable signage at scale for Australia’s biggest companies.

Identifying an opportunity to innovate

In early 2023, Melissa and her team began experiencing allergic reactions from prolonged exposure to printer inks, printing materials, and cleaning chemicals.

“My team were experiencing itchy skin, eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, and even asthma attacks,” said Melissa.

Concerned for the safety of her team, Melissa reshaped her business approach by seeking out emerging technologies that were safer and more sustainable.

In 2023, Melissa and Gary made a signiﬁcant investment in two new printers: the HP Latex R1000, ‘Whopper’, and the HP Latex 800W, ‘Whipper’, made from ocean-bound and recycled plastics. This marked a pivotal moment for her store and the Signarama brand, as she led an initiative to meet changing customer demands and reduce the environmental impact of the industry.

Craig Hardman, Manager at HP Australia, said that ‘Whopper’ is one of three in Signarama’s extensive network, and the only one in NSW.

"Signarama Tuggerah has made signiﬁcant investments on the Central Coast. Melissa’s commitment to sustainability is commendable."

The printers offer many environmental beneﬁts. They use water-based, odourless and low-emitting ink and meet stringent health and environmental criteria. They can print on a wide variety of eco-conscious materials, delivering products that are recyclable, non-hazardous and safe for disposal.

The beginning of a sustainable printing mission

Since making the change, Melissa has observed signiﬁcant improvements in her team’s health and a huge waste reduction. Encouraged by these results, Melissa steered conversations about the future direction of the Signarama brand, advocating for a sustainable printing mission. Under her leadership over the past year, Signarama Australia has launched several sustainability campaigns, reaching more than 200,000 businesses, and, earlier this year, held a Sustainability Showcase event in Tuggerah that attracted government and industry, and generated media coverage in national trade magazines.

Melissa’s sustainability efforts led Signarama Tuggerah to win a significant scope of work with the Australian Olympic Committee for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games - known as ‘The Sustainable Games’.

Halving the

Games’

carbon footprint, one sign at a time

The 12-month project, injecting hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy, involved innovating, designing and manufacturing worldfirst eco-friendly signage solutions for high-profile locations in France, including five hotels, two shipping containers, and seven sporting venues.

The organisers of Paris 2024 aimed to halve the Games' carbon footprint of previous years, implementing innovative solutions across energy, food, venues, transport and signage. Integral to this effort is the circular economy strategy to reduce resources, make better use of resources, and ensure resources have a second life.

The scope of work was complex and broad, substituting plastic with cardboard to create hundreds of bespoke applications including structures, furniture, artwork, packaging, and signage. Inventing indoor and outdoor signage using organic materials was challenging and required a rapid innovation process to conceptualise, design, prototype, and test new methods.

This effort required innovative thinking and collaboration with global suppliers including HP, Spandex, and Avery Dennison. As a result, Signarama Tuggerah pioneered recyclable, reus-

able, and repurposable signage materials and packaging produced with 22% less carbon, based on certiﬁed carbon quotas.

Signarama Tuggerah’s innovations — new reinforcement methods, eco-friendly coatings, and precise digital cutting for ﬂat-packed shipping — met the AOC’s standards and proved high-quality sustainable signage is achievable.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback,” said Will Kong, AOC Designer.

“The sustainable products they’ve introduced are higher quality than PVC and corﬂute, yet lightweight and reusable. This project has been a turning point for the AOC.”

Does sustainable signage look and feel like traditional signage?

Sustainable signage options may include using eco-friendly materials such as Australian-made fully recyclable products, PVC-free banners, car wraps and vinyl, and water-based inks.

Signarama Tuggerah’s customers are often surprised to learn that making sustainable choices need not impact the look, feel, or quality of their signage. In many cases, the sustainable options have proven to be as resilient as traditional signage but can often be recycled when the signage is no longer needed.

“Consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever before,” said Melissa Marshall.

“By investing in sustainable signage, you can create a positive brand image and attract new customers who are more likely to support your business.”

To find out how you can leverage the latest sustainable products in your business, please contact: tuggerah@signarama.com.au

Meet industry disruptor Melissa Marshall

With an impressive career in management that spans three decades, Melissa Marshall has consistently demonstrated her knack for excellence and innovation. Her journey began in retail administration for Mobil and later Caltex, where her work ethic and

entrepreneurial nous earned her widespread recognition and respect.

In 2019, Melissa took a bold step into the print industry by acquiring Signarama Tuggerah. Under her visionary leadership, the company has set new standards with its pioneering eco-friendly signage solutions. As Director, Melissa excels in orchestrating complex projects, building strong commercial partnerships, and nurturing a dynamic team, all while instilling a culture that believes in limitless possibilities.

Driven by a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, her recent work for the 2024 Olympic Games stands is a testament to her ability to deliver large-scale, high-proﬁle, and sustainable projects that push the boundaries of what's possible in signage.

Beyond this, Melissa's strategic acumen shines through her role as President of Signarama Australia's Ad Fund Board, where she oversees its national communications and marketing strategy. Her inﬂuence extends globally as she frequently shares her expertise on international industry panels and webinars, advocating for sustainable signage practices and inspiring others to embrace innovation.

find out more, follow Melissa on LinkedIn.

Australian Athletes’ Village in Paris, supplied by Signarama Issy-les-Moulineaux

SPECIFY WITH CONFIDENCE

WITH ACCESS SOLUTIONS DESIGNED FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS

Grifco - Commercial Door Operators 110 Somersby Falls Rd, Somersby NSW 2250

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 - Special Feature

FANS KICKING GOALS WITH NEW Stadium membership program

INDUSTREE Group Stadium – the Home of Live Sport, Entertainment and Community Events on the Central Coast – has celebrated its biggest ever calendar of events in this its 25th year of operations.

Now the Stadium is launching a new Membership Program – guaranteeing fans a premium seat for EVERY sporting ﬁxture played at the venue plus a range of other beneﬁts.

The A-League Grand Final on May 25 was the biggest sporting event ever held on the Coast and a series of events mid-year smashed attendance and visitation records. The crowd of 21,379 fans at the Grand Final was the highest ever attendance at the Stadium and fans had to scramble for tickets to all the major football and NRL games at the Stadium this year.

Stadium Manager Kath Casey says the experienced VenuesLive management team that took over operations of the Stadium in 2022 is bringing more and more content to the venue, creating exciting opportunities for Members.

VenuesLive Head of Commercial Michael McLeod explained: “We've redesigned the Stadium Membership to make it more accessible to the community and allow fans to guarantee their

seat at every sporting event played at the venue. On top of this, Members will have a VIP window of opportunity to buy into any concert events when they're announced ensuring they will never miss out.

“Stadium Membership provides unprecedented value and with adults and junior pricing available we hope to welcome many more Members to come and enjoy everything that Industree Group Stadium has to offer.

Providing essential community services

ALLCARE Nursing & Community Services (ANCS) provides essential community services, support and nursing care in the home to the Central Coast.

They are locally owned and managed 38 years on with the head office based on the Central Coast. All management and staff also reside on the Central Coast, maintaining an understanding of local conditions and opportunities.

ANCS’s purpose is to support clients to live an empowered and meaningful life by actively involving them in their goal setting, addressing barriers to independence and building on their strengths and preferences. This approach empowers clients and contributes to their overall wellbeing by promoting independence and active aging. ANCS is dedicated to creating a more inclusive, supportive and

thriving Central Coast community through our specialised approach to care and community engagement.

The purpose goes beyond individual care to building a stronger, more resilient community that values and supports its diverse members at every stage in their life.

ANCS has a robust quality compliance and are accredited under the Australian Industry Community Standards, Aged Care Quality Standards, NDIS Practice standards.

ANCS is the only community care provider in Australia with accreditation for Information Security Management. Compliance to this accreditation guarantees clients personal and sensitive information is kept at the highest safety standards possible.

Visit: www.allcarenursing.com.au

W“On top of the match-day events, our Members will also receive exclusive discounts from local businesses, ensuring their Membership keeps on giving even outside the grandstand.”

Ms Casey said VenuesLive, working closely with stadium owner Central Coast Council, was absolutely committed to making Industree Group Stadium (generic name Central Coast Stadium) accessible to everyone in our community, hosting a diverse range of events.

“It certainly was a very busy winter, with the Mariners’ phenomenal success to win three major football titles and blockbuster rugby league games standout events for our stadium and indeed our Central Coast region,” Ms Casey said.

“When we attract quality events to the Central Coast, everyone in our community beneﬁts.

“Now we are gearing up for a summer to remember, with the new A-League men’s and women’s competitions soon to get underway.

“And we are also close to announcing a very exciting family event that will run through the summer holidays... so standby for an announcement!”

INDUSTREE GROUP STADIUM (Central Coast Stadium) at Grahame Park, Gosford

* Nickname – “Our Paradise”.

* Operated by VenuesLive, on behalf of Central Coast Council and the local community.

* Lock in your premium seats at ALL sporting events on the Coast with a Stadium Membership. It’s also the perfect Christmas present!

Visit industreegroupstadium.com.au/membership Upcoming events at www.industreegroupstadium.com.au

Proud to be a trusted source

ITH local, reliable, and award-winning automatic access solutions, Grifco has kept Australia open for business for 110 years.

Designed, engineered, and manufactured on the Central Coast, for Australian Grifco is proud to be a true and trusted access partner.

With a national team of experts to assist with speciﬁcations and installations, Australian businesses rely on Grifco’s purpose-built access solutions to stay open

and operational.

From car parks to ﬁre and ambulance stations, Optus Stadium and the ﬂag on the Anzac bridge, Grifco is local everywhere.

With a new purpose-built facility in Somersby, Grifco has cemented their commitment to delivering industry-leading solutions while continuing their historic manufacturing legacy on the Central Coast.

Visit: www. grifco.com.au

Fans at Industree Group Stadium.

The Voice of the Business Community

New board, exciting new direction!

Not a member yet?

WE SUPPORT YOU TO THRIVE.

Become a GEBC member today!

The Coastal Towns Business Chamber is a member organisation that organises events and activities to promote the common interests of our local business community. We work across various sectors including trade, industry, micro/small/medium/large business, NFP’s, and community organisations. While actively advocating for our members, CTBC ensures that businesses can

Our Vision:

Our Core Values:

• That we continually set and reassess our KPIs for projects, meetings, and events, to meet our business community’s needs.

• Ensuring we understand our member’s needs, and advocate for them and the wider community to appropriate levels of Government.

• Bringing people together, and providing connection through fun, friendly, and engaging professional events

• Prioritising the needs and wants of the business chamber through strong, authentic and effective leadership, drawn from the local business community which we represent.

• collaboration at its core.

Constantly seeking creative ideas, from within the Chamber and externally, that will build resources and inspire members to take positive action.

CONTACT: CTBC | Coastal Towns Business Chamber

MAIL: PO Box 321, Budgewoi, NSW, 2262

info@ctbc.org.au

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Low interest loans for local growth

THE NSW Government has announced the ﬁrst round of low interest loans to regional food and beverage manufacturers.

East Coast Beverages at Kulnura can now upgrade its production capacity by installing automated technology including high speed conveyors, bottling equipment, and advanced line cleaning systems to increase production and reduce waste.

The loans, delivered as part of the Government’s Regional Development Roadmap will help boost productivity, create jobs, and deliver advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The loans have been made to businesses in Dubbo, Byron Bay, Wagga Wagga, Wauchope, Bathurst, the Central Coast and Southern Highlands.

Under the $5M pilot program, low interest loans can be used for projects such as installing automated production lines, upgrading bottling lines, or buying equipment that will enable products to be exported more efficiently.

Loans are available of between $100,000 and $1M, and interest is charged monthly at a ﬁxed rate of 2.5 percent for the life of the loan. Loan repayments are interest only for the ﬁrst two years. The maximum loan term is seven years.

Unlike a commercial loan, these loans do not require family homes to be put forward as security,

In a series of Ministerial Roundtables with regional businesses this year, food and beverage industry leaders

indicated they needed assistance to adopt new technology to increase productivity and expand their market opportunities.

The NSW Government is assisting good businesses grow so they can increase demand for local produce, add value to their products, boosting revenue and creating jobs into their regions.

The food and beverage manufacturing sector is a major employer in regional NSW, which is already home to companies such as Nestle, Ferrero, Stone and Wood, Sanitarium and Simplot Foods.

The food and beverage manufacturing sector across NSW had an annual turnover of $42.5B in 2022-2023 and employed more than 66,000 people as of May 2024.

For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust

David Harding, Executive Director Business NSW said: “The take up on this attractive low interest loan pilot from the NSW Regional Development Trust is encouraging but not at all surprising. “Enabling regional businesses to invest in themselves and scale is exactly what is needed, especially with a loan focus on automation, efficiency and export potential.

“I look forward to seeing these regional backbone enterprises grow and ﬂourish, and expect the pilot scheme to be a great success. “I thank the Minister for Regional Development and Primary Industries, Tara Moriarty for initiating this smart and valuable initiative”.

Coast shipbuilder Harry turns 100, continues to live independently

LIKE the many metal-hulled yachts he has hand built, Harry Westerdyk is still going strong as he celebrates his 100th birthday.

The retired Central Coast boatbuilder remarkably still lives independently on his Wamberal acreage accompanied by his dog Mater. An unﬁnished Dutch canal boat in yard, retirement project, is reminder of his miracle powers with metal.

Harry’s yachts were serious business, competing over the years in the Sydney to Hobart, Brisbane to Gladstone, Melbourne to Devonport and other ocean races .His ﬁrst yacht sold in the 1960s, now known as the Cadenza, is still at sea.

These days Harry’s mind is still sharp and he’s an avid reader, but he has mobility challenges and is restricted to a walker.

Hammond Care At Home (HCAH) has provided him with care for nearly ﬁve years. HCAH provides a multi-disciplinary team of specialist care workers, nurses and allied health staff to support him six days a week under a Level 4 Home Care Package.

One day a week is for personal care needs.

Harry jokes that he wants to keep to himself his secret for long life, but he hints two soft boiled eggs for breakfast, cooked for exactly three minutes, could be part of the formula.

“I don’t want them peeled. I want to cut the egg myself and spoon it all out. That’s how I like it,” Harry said.

Son Robbert Westerdyk, of Terrigal , paid tribute to his father as a devoted

family man who could ﬁx anything, especially if it involved metal. Harry’s offspring includes three children, nine grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren with one more on the way.

Robbert said an ongoing family joke is to rib his dad about his longevity.

“Come on dad –you’re making us all wait a bit too long for our inheritance.”

He said the family all feel blessed to see him reach the milestone. “A few years back, we thought we had lost him after a fall in the house,” Robbert said.

Video cameras are now in different rooms so family members can check on him remotely. A duress alarm hangs

around his neck.

For the birthday, there will be plenty of family including daughter Maryke from Perth. There’ll be piano singalong of old favourites led by HCAH Specialist Care Worker Darryl Fry, letters of congratulations from King and Queen, Prime Minister and Governor General and, of course, cake.

Born in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, in 1924, Harry was jailed by the Nazis during World War II. At one point, the Gestapo subjected him to water torture. In 1953he left Wartorn Holland for Burnie, Tasmania with his new bride Wietske, or Vicky and little

more than his panel beater skills. By the time Harry retired in the 1980s, he had fabricated about 30 hulls. Vicky died, aged 79, in 2002. Robbert noted his dad still struggles with her loss.

The happy team ay East Coast Beverages.

Ship builder Harry and right celebrating with family.

Nominate for Gosford Woman of the Year

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2025 Gosford Woman of the Year Award. These awards recognise and celebrate the contributions of local women in the Central Coast community.

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP says it is important to recognise the remarkable women in the Gosford electorate.

“There are so many outstanding women in the Gosford electorate whose efforts go unrecognised. Each year, the Gosford Woman of the Year Awards are such a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on women who make signiﬁcant contributions to our community,” she said.

TI look forward to the Gosford Woman of the Year Awards each year, with nominations recognising women from across community, professional and volunteer roles, who contribute in a million small and large ways to our community each day.”

“I encourage members of the Gosford electorate to complete the secure online nomination form before 5pm on 20 October 2024. For those who prefer a physical nomination form, please feel free to pop into my office at 20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy for a nomination form.”

Nominees must live in the Gosford electorate and must be aged 18 years and over.

This year, Louise Lambeth was

named Gosford Local Woman of the Year for her ongoing service in water safety advocacy and surf lifesaving within our community and the broader NSW. Nominees will receive a framed certiﬁcate signed by the Premier, Minister for Women, and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch MP, be invited to attend the NSW Woman of the Year Awards Ceremony on Thursday 7 March 2025 and be included in the Honour Roll printed in the NSW Women of the Year Awards Ceremony program and listed on the Women NSW website.

Enquiries can be emailed to gosford@parliament.nsw.gov.au

New patient concierge officers across Coast

HE NSW Government will rollout 86

dedicated patient ﬂow concierge officers across the state, including four on the Central Coast Local Health District.

It forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s budget investment of $53.9 million to improve patient ﬂow and support discharge planning by identifying patients that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.

These roles will support clinical staff to facilitate patient ﬂow and better co-ordinate the discharge processes.

This will enhance patient communication and experience, including for patients awaiting discharge who are National Disability Insurance Scheme recipients or residential aged care residents.

This is just one of a range of mea-

sures included in the Minns Labor Government’s $480.7 million emergency department relief package announced in the state budget in June.

Other measures in the ED relief package include:

• $171.4M to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;

• $100M in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;

• $70M to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient ﬂow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours; and

• $31.4Mcto increase Hospital in the

Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed.

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris said:

“The new role in Wyong and Gosford hospital will improve patient ﬂow and the discharge process by coordinating and relieving suitable patients to be returned home with the appropriate supports in place.”

“The process will take some pressure off the emergency department staff to be more accessible to patients.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said: “These new patient ﬂow concierge officers will help improve discharge processes and patient communication, easing pressure on our local

hospitals and ensuring better care for Central Coast residents.”

“This is a great step forward for our community, with dedicated roles to support clinical staff and enhance patient care, especially for those who need additional support.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said: “The NSW Government is committed to improving patient experience at every stage of the healthcare journey, committing over $480 million to our Emergency Relief Package to take the pressure off of our healthcare system.

“By creating the new role of the patient ﬂow concierge, we aim to get patients home as soon as possible, freeing up doctors, nurses and other staff to get on with what they do best, looking after our community.”

Louise Lambeth and Liesl Tesch. L

Gosford CBD Growth

MONDSY September 2, 2024

marked a signiﬁcant milestone in Gosford CBD with the “topping out” of The Archibald by ALAND, the largest development project in the Central Coast’s history. The event, attended by NSW Premier Chris Minns and other dignitaries, celebrated the near completion of this transformative development.

The project features 327 apartments, a 130-room Voco® hotel, and six hospitality venues, including the region’s highest rooftop bar.

The $375M Archibald Precinct, consisting of two towers, is set to elevate Gosford as a major tourist and conference destination creating over 200 jobs.

Coinciding with the Aland Project, Urban Property group is making rapid progress on Stage 1 of the Waterfront development, that will have 136 apartments, public domain and retail, adjoining the Gosford waterfront park. This project, at 25 levels is expected to be complete by late 2025.

Gosford Erina Business Chamber was pleased to hear that Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation has been given responsibility to progress the Gosford Waterfront planning and look forward to working with HSSDC on this project.

NSW Business Awards

Gosford Erina Business Chamber is excited to be announced as Finalist in the Business NSW 2024 Central Coast Regional Awards, Outstanding Local Chamber. The Outstanding Local Cham-

ber Award recognises innovative projects undertaken in the past 12 months by a Local Chamber that aims to improve economic, environmental or social impacts. We look forward to the Awards event on 27th September 2024 and congratulate all ﬁnalists in their respective category.

Peter Lawley OAM is President of the Gosford Erina Business Chamber . www. gebc.com.au

BUSINESS NSW UNVEILS ACTIONS

Premier's lunch tackles housing affordability

BUSINESS NSW Central Coast recently hosted the highly anticipated NSW Premier’s Lunch, where the region’s housing affordability crisis took centre stage.

With special guests Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW, and David Harris MP, Minister for the Central Coast, the event provided a platform for key discussions on how to address the critical challenges facing the region.

The event highlighted the signiﬁcant pressures faced by the Central Coast, where vacancy rates are alarmingly low—down to 0.6% in some suburbs—and rents have soared.

For example, weekly rents for a 3-bedroom house have increased by 45% in Gosford and Wyong, and 47% in Woy Woy since 2020. These trends have created considerable difﬁculties for both businesses and the broader community.

"The housing crisis is one of the biggest issues impacting the Central Coast," said Scott Goold, Regional Director of Business NSW Central Coast.

"It’s not just about businesses being unable to attract and retain staff—nurses, paramedics, police, and hospitality workers are all being affected. Housing is fundamental to maintaining the vibrancy and wellbeing of our community."

Business NSW Central Coast, in partnership with local industry peak bodies and business chambers, has leveraged off the successful recommendations made by the Housing Now!

Alliance and launched seven key actions speciﬁc to the Central Coast.

"We need solutions that will deliver meaningful change, and that’s why we’ve identiﬁed seven key actions speciﬁc to the Central Coast," Goold said.

"One of the most urgent needs is to accelerate housing development around our major transport hubs in Wyong, Tuggerah, Gosford, and Woy Woy. These areas have the potential to deliver much-needed affordable housing, but we need a clear approval pathway to make it happen."

Another major focus of the strategy is ensuring the Central Coast Council has the capacity to efficiently process the large volume of Development Applications (DAs). The Council currently handles more DAs than any other region in NSW, but resourcing issues continue to cause delays.

"We’re advocating for stronger resourcing and the use of technology, such as AI, in approval processes," Goold explained.

"The Council’s DA team works extremely hard to process such a high level of applications, but they need to be properly equipped to handle this demand and ensure housing projects can move forward without unnecessary delays."

In addition to streamlining planning approvals, the peak bodies and local chamber group is committed to supporting the region’s construction industry. With demand for hous-

ing at an all-time high, there is a clear need for more workers, including a focus on encouraging female participation and apprenticeships.

"We need a strong and healthy construction industry if we’re going to meet housing demand on the Coast," said Goold.

"That means supporting our builders and developers, reducing contractual risks, and ensuring we have a steady pipeline of skilled workers."

Another critical component of the strategy is infrastructure investment. The recent UDIA Central Coast Building Blocks report estimated $29 million would unlock more than 2000 dwellings currently in the planning system.

"Unlocking these homes is essential if we’re going to tackle the housing shortage head-on," said Goold. "The necessary infrastructure upgrades are vital to support the development of these dwellings and to ensure the Central Coast remains a viable place to live and work."

Goold also highlighted the importance of promoting the beneﬁts of the 2018 Gosford State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), which supports high-density housing projects. Projects like the Archibald in Gosford are already transforming the region, and Business NSW Central Coast is committed to encouraging further investment in similar developments.

"Gosford is already on the cusp of signiﬁ-

cant transformation, and we need to continue promoting its potential to attract developers," Goold noted. "By highlighting the advantages of the Gosford SEPP, we can accelerate the delivery of high-quality housing projects that will beneﬁt our entire community."

The actions also focus on addressing the region’s affordable housing needs. Central Coast Council has committed to identifying a minimum of three, (but up to ten), Council-owned sites for delivery of new affordable housing. Acceleration of this process will help meet targets set in its 2020 Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.

"It’s crucial that we look at all options to increase affordable housing on the Coast," Goold said. “Leveraging council-owned sites can help meet the needs of low-income and key worker households."

These actions have been identiﬁed through close collaboration by Business NSW Central Coast, Paciﬁc Link Housing, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Regional Development Australia, Central Coast Industry Connect, Property Council of Australia, Gosford Erina Business Chamber, Business Wyong, and The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

The Premier’s Lunch concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to continue working together to address the housing crisis and ensure the Central Coast remains a vibrant, sustainable, and accessible region.

Media deal for women’s sport

FOOTBALL Australia and Paramount Australia have announced a multi-year agreement, making Network 10 and Paramount+ the exclusive broadcasters of CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos matches in Australia until 2028. This includes major events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ and AFC Asian Cup 2027™. The deal ensures 96% of Australian homes can access the games, with at least 50 matches on free-to-air TV. The agreement aims to enhance fan accessibility, boost football’s exposure, and support women’s football. Boost for super payments to mums

THE Australian Government's decision to legislate superannuation payments on its parental leave scheme will help reduce gender inequity and boost a mother of two’s retirement savings by approximately $14,500. This reform will beneﬁt around 180,000 Australian mothers annually and narrow the gender superannuation gap, which currently stands at $50,000 for those nearing retire-

ment. Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert urges swift passage of the Bill, highlighting its potential to signiﬁcantly improve ﬁnancial security for women and advance gender equity in retirement.

Global pandemic of super bugs

RESEARCHERS warn that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals, particularly in Southeast Asia, could lead to a global pandemic of deadly superbugs. A study in

the International Journal of Food Science and Technology highlights the risk posed by overuse of antibiotics in food animals, which can transfer resistant bacteria to humans. The team, including experts from RMIT University, recommends regional collaboration, stronger regulations, public awareness, and innovation in alternative treatments to combat AMR and safeguard public health.

Difficulty giving medicine to pets

ADMINISTERING medications to dogs can be challenging, often straining the pet-owner bond. Many owners struggle with traditional methods, leading to missed doses and stress. A study shows 65% of pet owners face difficulties giving pills, with 29% feeling stressed. Veterinary experts emphasise the importance of stress-free medication routines for managing chronic conditions like skin diseases. Innovations in pet medications, such as palatable treat-like options and long-acting injectables, are making the process easier, ensuring pets receive necessary treatments consistently and improving their overall well-being.

Retirement planning much earlier

AHESTA survey reveals that 49% of Australians aged 18-39 have taken action to plan for retirement, driven by cost-of-living pressures over the past year. This includes salary sacriﬁcing and using online tools to track superannuation. In comparison, 44% of those aged 40-54 and 29% of

those 55-plus have taken similar steps. The survey highlights growing awareness among younger Australians about the importance of superannuation for long-term ﬁnancial security, with running out of money being their top retirement concern.

Our unpaid super bill tops $5B

ANEW report reveals that Australia's unpaid superannuation issue, costing $5B annually, is worsening, depriving millions of workers of crucial retirement savings. The Super Members Council (SMC) urges urgent legislative reform to mandate super payments on payday and strengthen ATO compliance. With $41.6B in unpaid super over nine years, vulnerable groups like women and young workers are most affected. The government has pledged reforms by 2026, but swift action is needed to ensure timely and full super payments.

HCF partners with Smith Family

HCF, Australia’s largest not-forproﬁt health fund, has partnered with The Smith Family to support 1,500 disadvantaged students through the Learning for Life program. This three-year collaboration aims to address educational inequality as a key social issue impacting health outcomes. HCF CEO Sheena Jack highlighted the partnership's role in driving societal change and improving longterm health through education. The initiative also involves HCF employees volunteering, emphasizing HCF's commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities across Australia.

SARAH NAMED FINALIST IN AUSMUMPRENEUR AWARDS

ONE STOP PROSPERITY SHOP

FEMALE TRAILBLAZERS CROWNED

It was the ‘Logies of Small Business’

THE biggest celebration of women in small business has honoured more than 60 of the country’s top-performing female small business operators at the 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards held in Sydney on August 24.

Touted the ‘Logies of small business’ and hosted by Nine journalist and TODAY show presenter Jayne Azzopardi, the glittering gala event saw approximately 1000 small businesspeople from myriad retail, services and manufacturing industries converge at The Star.

Triple Olympic gold medallist, Stephanie Rice, was among the VIP guests in attendance and provided inspirational addresses on the power of resilience in professional sport as in small business.

The major recognition awards programme attracted entrants from all Australian states and territories and was comprehensively judged over multiple rounds by an independent panel of dozens of small business experts.

The stringent judging criteria spanned various aspects of small business operations including short and long-term growth strategies, pro tability, eco-friendliness, innovation, marketing initiatives, customer service quality and charitable and community support –to name but some of the judging criteria.

Winners included

The evening’s most highly-anticipated award – 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion ICON – was won by Vicki Clare-Geluk of Plie Groove'n'Shu e dance school at Cromer, NSW.

The epitome of a savvy trailblazer who turned her business from a onewoman-show to an award-winning performing arts and sports school that now operates across multiple campuses with more than 30 sta and 1000 students, Plie Groove’n’Shu e has achieved considerable growth under Vicki’s leadership.

Extremely active within Sydney’s Northern Beaches community, delivering a variety of volunteer-based initia-

tives designed to foster good mental health, self-esteem and coping strategies for young people, Plie’s unique programmes and nurturing environment under Vicki’s headship also cater to athletes with additional needs.

With a diverse background as a Director, Author and Marketing Strategist, Kristine Young of Bella Venezia Italian restaurant at Mooloolaba in Queensland, won 2024 Australian Small Business Champion In uential Woman.

The award for 2024 Young Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur was presented to Rise Up Occupational Therapy Services’ Director and Senior Occupational Therapist, Cassandra Cagorski, for her inspiring achievements in Allied Health services as well as exemplary leadership of her small business team.

Indi Livas, Founder of the Monday Food Co, was named 2024 Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur. With a variety of socially conscious and eco-friendly elements to her business which bene ted signi cantly from Indi’s appearance on the television show, Shark Tank, Indi grew up on a farm in New South Wales and is a quali ed yoga teacher. She has a background in naturopathy and raw food production that led her to creating the Monday Food Co, which she aspires to grow into Australia’s leading gut friendly health food company.

beauty business coaching

sional Services, the

In a beauty trifecta for Queensland, aesthetics and business company JadeStart took to t p gong for Professi s onal Services, Co C smetic Specialist ca c tegory was won by Bo B bbie Charles Skin & Cosmetic Clinic,

Employer, Environmental Business Tiny Tins and Wollondilly Women in Business for its success in aiding its members’ businesses to grow and connect with

Env Tins and Wollo for its success i businesses to g community. sele this even pool of thousan le small business

and Queensland’s Lust Minerals won the Beauty Product category.

However, among the year’s most competitive categories with more than two dozen nalists, the Beauty Services award was presented to NSW-based business, Isabella Loneragan Skin. With a focus on holistic health and bespoke facial treatments, as well as educational courses for fellow industry professionals and a product range called Ragan Skin, the Founder of the business, Isabella Loneragan, was also applauded for her in uence on the industry via e ective media engagement strategies.

Spanning capital cities as well as rural, regional and suburban towns, the array of more than 60 winning women-led small businesses this year also included Business Coaching category winner The Alternative Board, Quakers Hill East Combined OSHC Inc for Most Inclusive

“Being selected as a Champion of this major event from a national entrant pool of thousands speaks volumes of the tenacity and leadership at each of these small businesses,” said Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, which coordinates the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

Founder and M Precedent Prod tes Au Business C “Th ti m a C im

“The Awards honour the nation’s most exceptional female leaders today who are making an indelible mark on the small business sector. This year’s winners are now among a highly esteemed group of recognised Champions and as such, ought to feel immensely proud of their achievements and of their teams.

succes

Women’s Smal not per statem hid th

“The successes of our 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champions are not just personal milestones but also powerful statements of what women can achieve and the excellence that de nes Australian small businesswomen today. It is truly a pleasure to spotlight these very worthy Champion women of small business,” added Mr Loe.

According to Australian Government data, female small business owners currently represent more than one-third of all small businesses; and recently released research from Commonwealth Bank suggests more and more Australian women are choosing to start a small business or side hustle, with women opening up 43.2 per cent of all new business transaction accounts during the 2023 nancial year.

The 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards is sponsored by Boa, NOVA Employment, Xcllusive Business Sales, VJB Group, Castaway Forecasting and Big Clean.

For more information – including a full list of 2024 winners – visit championawards.com.au/ womens.

Winner Vicki Clare-Geluk.

SARAH NAMED A FINALIST IN AusMumpreneur Awards

SARAH MacRae of 24/7 Care Disability Services & Activity Hub

has been named as a nalist for the AusMumpreneur Awards for the Disability Services Award, Regional Business Award, and people's choice local community Business Award categories.

The AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The Women’s Business School celebrate and recognize Australian Mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed to recognize the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.

Sarah MacRae's journey began with a move from Moss Vale to Brooklyn, and eventually to Danger Island, where she learned resilience and adaptability living on an oyster lease. Her early life was shaped by managing the family business, which taught her the importance of hard work, structure, and a dedicated team.

Taking on signi cant responsibilities after her parents' separation, Sarah gained invaluable business skills. These experiences laid the

foundation for her leadership and entrepreneurial approach, emphasizing problem-solving and resilience.

Inspired by these early lessons, Sarah founded an organization focused on community, inclusivity, and support for marginalized individuals. Her vision re ects her commitment to compassionate leadership and creating opportunities for all.

Today, Sarah is dedicated to enriching lives and empowering individuals, driven by her unique background and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

She is delighted to be named as a triple nalist and is proud of her achievements, particularly Opening of the Activity Hub: Transforming a vision into reality, their state-of-the-

art facility now serves as a haven for individuals with disabilities, o ering tailored programs and activities.

NDIS Registration: Achieving this certi cation underscored their commitment to providing high-quality, accredited services to our community

There are many bene ts to balancing business and motherhood as Sarah MacRae explains, how she is driven by personal experience and a deep commitment to creating a nurturing environment where individuals with disabilities can thrive. She nds immense joy in being a mumpreneur, saying: "Being a mumpreneur allows me to balance my passion for making a di erence with the joys of motherhood, showing my children the power of perseverance and compassion."

It can be challenging to be a businesswoman whilst raising a family and Sarah gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.” Starting your own enterprise requires passion and resilience; embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and stay committed to your vision. Surround yourself with a supportive network and never stop learning, as continuous improvement is key to long-term success.” Read more at www.ausmumpreneur.com

Sarah MacRae.

Also, a bigThankYou to the entire community for supporting us from day one, we wouldn’t have have received this award without everyone’s support.We are so proud to live and work within this community.

One stop shop for your property needs

Three Kings and a Queen are your one stop shop for property solutions.

The small boutique real estate agency o ers a range of services whether you’re a rst home buyer, an investor, or a developer.

Licensee-in-charge Mira Tedjo said her team focuses on building a long-term relationship with their clients.

“By understanding your needs, we can tailor our service for you,” she said.

“We’re driven by results and a commitment to delighting you, our clients.”

The real estate business is also a project marketer for house and land packages, o the plan, new apartments, and rental management.

“We o er professional services from start to end with the help of our team,” Ms Tedjo said.

“We help you nd the property that suits your requirements either as a rst home buyer, an owner occupier or an investor and we help investors in managing their properties as well.

“Our panel of brokers and solicitors has helped many of our clients to enjoy a smooth property journey.

“A seamless process and honest communication remain our watch words.”

Ms Tedjo said the real estate agency was proud to have been chosen as a nalist for the Camden Local Business Awards in 2022 and 2023 for the Outstanding Real Estate and Youth Award categories, along with being a nalist for Australian Women’s Small Business Championship Award 2022.

“We strive to help our clients above and beyond and we are keen to see people achieve their goals in their property journey,” she said.

To find out more you can visit the website at www.threekingsandaqueen.com.au.

Alternative ways to transform women’s health

NATUROPATH Riannon Page started working in the health industry at age 15, and decades later founded Mungbean Health clinic.

Specialising in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and women’s and children’s health, Mungbean Health now serves families and individuals looking for alternative ways to their maintain health.

Prior to establishing her own clinic, Mrs Page, a mother of three, worked for a well-known international company specialising in thyroid and hormonal imbalances.

She worked as the international company’s head naturopath and trained fellow naturopaths in many aspects of women’s health.

Mungbean Health’s clinic has grown with clients from all around Australia & positively impacted the lives of over 3000 clients following Riannons protocols.

“Our values revolve around holistic well-being, combining traditional wisdom with modern scienti c research,” Mrs Page said.

“We support and guide individuals on their unique journeys fostering optimal health and vitality”.

“With a focus on a nurturing and emphatic approach, we aim to create a safe and inclusive environment where individual’s needs are addressed.”

With a team of now 10, our 7 Naturopaths, including 3 senior Naturopaths at Mungbean Health strive to positively impact the lives of many more families following Riannon’s protocols.

Mungbean Health is an exclusively online clinic who o ers advice on fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, children’s health and we have a blog with healthy tips and healthy recipes to support you.

Visit: www.mungbeanhealth.com

Krystle’s a master of transformation

KRYSTLE, Chief Executive O cer of Norah Head Sporties, is known for transforming the smallest club into a vibrant local Venue.

Krystles dedication to leveraging her role for the greater good is a commendable trait and under her visionary leadership, Norah Head Sporties has developed strong partnerships with key not-for-pro t organizations across the Central Coast.

These collaborations underscore her commitment to making a signicant di erence in the community.

Krystle’s innovative approach to drive the club’s success is exempli ed by her ability to create and host major events that resonate across the coast.

Events such as Norchella, featuring renowned artists like DJ Havana Brown, Thirsty Merc, and many more, have become cornerstones of the local entertainment scene.

These high-pro le events not only elevate the venue’s reputation but also attract substantial visitors, contributing to the economic vitality of Norah Head Sporties and the surrounding area.

Proud of authentic dishes

AT Enzos Cucina Dural the take pride in on delivering authentic traditional Italian dishes to our customers using recipes that have been passed down through family several generations. Growing up in the Italian culture food has always brought our family together, there are so many special memories from my childhood laughing over a meal at the table with my family.

My goal has always been to share this feeling with my community that I live and work in,” a spokesperson said.

“When they sit at table with their family they become an extension of our family and together we make special memories that they will never forget.

Being able to do this with my husband and our three girls who also work with us and have had the opportunity to develop relationships with our cus-

Her leadership extends beyond event management - she is a source of

tomers is completely priceless. If there is one thing that I could choose to say when I think about the business I have developed is the pride I feel about the environment we create every time someone walks through the doors. We strive to have them enter with an empty stomach and leave with a whole heart. It really is about the complete experience, good food, good laughs and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Visit: www.enzoscucina.com.au

inspiration and empowerment for her team.

She fosters an environment where team members can thrive, providing them with the support and guidance needed to pursue their dream roles and advance their careers.

Krystle’s achievements and accolades re ect her exceptional leadership and the positive impact she continues to have on her community and industry.

Her passion for her role as CEO and her commitment to both her club and the community is remarkable. Her focus on community and sta welfare demonstrates a deep-seated dedication that goes beyond business success.

Krystle has been nominated for 7 awards this year alone and con rmed as a nalist in the following categories:

• Business Xcellence Awards –Event Services.

• Wedding Industry Awards – Licensed Venue.

• Local Business Awards – Event Services.

Visit: www.norahheadsports.com

Mungbean Health founder and chief executive officer Riannon Page and her husband Jeremy Page, the company’s warehouse manager and co-CEO.

Helen releases her debut album

WESTERN Sydney based Helen Perris is a proli c storyteller who wears her heart on her sleeve, masterfully creating autobiographical songs that travel between whimsy and heartbreak with ease.

With classical training and contemporary sensibilities, Helen is a skilled songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist and she draws on an performance background in choirs, orchestras, chamber groups, musical theatre, cabaret and rock bands to craft a sparkling piano-pop with a depth and emotion reminiscent of Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Amanda Palmer, Katie Noonan or Kate Miller-Heidke.

She has written an extraordinary number ocxzf songs – over 500 of them – some of which have been released, and a number of which have been shortlisted for awards.

Helen has been shortlisted in the Open, Ballad and Contemporary Pop categories of the Australian Songwriters’ Association Awards more than once. She was a nalist for Best Music Video at the Australian Independent Music Awards and the winner of the Judges’ Choice Award in The Great Bean Counters Accounting Anthem Contest, demonstrating her keen ability to transform even mundane topics into catchy tunes. She is a founding member of the I Heart Songwriting Club and for her, song writing is a cathartic ritual. She gives herself precisely one hour a week to write a song. Astonishingly, unlike many other songwriters with similar intentions, Helen has found the discipline to do it.

Her new single, “As the Weather

Turns”, was written the day after the death of a close friend, who died after of having to make a terrible and impossible choice between her unborn baby and treatment for a disease discovered while she was pregnant.

It’s a painful subject that could have led to maudlin music, but Helen isn’t afraid to tackle dark and devastating subjects and shape them into what is becoming her trademark –light- lled, soaring, catchy songs full of hope that deeply connect, move and linger with you. It’s a magical recipe that makes As The Weather Turns striking and memorable – and somehow both deeply a ecting and uplifting.

Helen likes to confront the tough things life throws her way. She calls it as an “optimistic challenge”.

She has wrestled with her own mental health, having experienced post-natal depression with the birth of her second child, and for many years struggled with feelings of failure, anxiety and procrastination stemming from undiagnosed ADHD.

During the period of writing these songs, she dealt with overwhelming grief after losing four people close to her in quick succession – two grandparents, her friend and then her father.

She also lives with the anxiety disorder demophobia – a fear of crowds and crowded places – which puts her much more at ease onstage than she feels sitting or standing in the audience at a show.

Her writing routine is a way of facing her mental health challenges and seeking to overcome them.

Along the way her con dence and

Pools that add value to homes

BLUE Haven Pools specialises in concrete pool design, construction and after care.

Blue Haven Pools services over 1000 unique builds per year in NSW. Innovation and value for money is at the forefront of everything they do to enable us to provide cost savings without compromising quality or the ability to provide custom solutions for every type of site condition and cater to individual styling and desires.

Blue Haven Pools builds value, not just good swimming pools.

The key was they do that is to provide customised solutions to integrate the pool with the home and increase property value.

Blue Haven has cultivated specialists, individuals and a digital platform to craft unique solutions that does exactly what its designed to do; get results.

They o er the entire

of outdoor

song-writing output has improved too.

In the past, Helen has referred to herself a “geek with a keyboard” and summed her music up self-deprecatingly as “Suburban indie piano pop songs that will make you laugh, cry and dance”. Yet, as time rolls on, the songs well up and ow out and her song-writing craft deepens, such modest words increasingly fail to convey the full weight of her quietly brewing talent.

She has released two EPs to date –Flesh (2012) and Oneiro (2013) – and four singles – Mirrors & Windows (2015), Be There (2016), Our House Is On Fire (2019), and Crown (2023), which have attracted high praise for her song writing and performance talent from reviewers in Australia and overseas.

For her debut album, “Remove This Shield”, (released August 2, 2024), Helen collaborated with producer and fellow multi-instrumentalist Josh Schuberth. Between

the two of them, they played all the instruments on the recording. It was a smooth process and they captured superb performances.

Recorded over a three-year period from 2015 to 2018, the album is a collection of 10 songs picked by Helen and Josh from a shortlist of around 35 of the more than 500 songs she has written.

As well as being a singer-songwriter, Helen is also a passionate music teacher. She runs an award-winning school in Western Sydney teaching vocals, piano, composition and songwriting to children and adults and has Won the Yamaha Piano Teacher Award: Breakout twice (2024 and 2021). Her recent 2024 prize included the thrilling opportunity to spend time in Melbourne with one of her heroes, Tim Minchin.

The songwriting approach she takes – and teaches – has seen her become a kind of songwriting motivational speaker and advocate for music education, and made her a popular speaker at music education conferences and webinars.

She has been interviewed by Christine Anu on ABC Radio about her songwriting craft. She has presented talks on Engaging Teen Students Through Songwriting for Yamaha, written for The Piano Teacher Magazine and the Yamaha website. This month she presented at the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference in Melbourne. In 2012, she gave a TEDx Talk in Canberra on songwriting and mental health and proposed a challenge to her audience: Helen Perris’ album “Release This Shield” is out now independently on Bandcamp and across all digital and streaming platforms, with limited CDs available from Helen’s Bandcamp Music page.

Unique travel experiences

AT Fly Me Now Pty Ltd, their purpose is to create exceptional travel experiences that re ect the individuality of each client.

They are driven by a passion for meticulous planning and a commitment to excellence, ensuring every journey is seamless and memorable.

Their values centre around personalised service, accessibility, and integrity.

“We believe in making luxury travel attainable, o ering up to 40% o accommodation and exible payment options, including interest-free plans, layby terms and even Amex points payments,” a spokesperson said.

ages to bespoke developments, custom or kit project management and beyond.

Whether its securing exclusive access to sold-out events or organising complex itineraries, our goal is to handle every detail so you can focus on the adventure.

At Fly Me Now, the team turns your travel dreams into reality with profes-

We’re your one-stop-shop solution to your property journey.

COMMENT

Dr Gordon Reid

New equipment for fire season

KILLCARE Wagstaffe Rural Fire Brigade has received $3,994 from the Federal Labor Government’s 202324 Volunteer Grants.

The brigade has used the funding to purchase new equipment ahead of the ﬁre season commencing.

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP said: “Our rural ﬁre service (RFS) members and volunteers are outstanding.

“They are dedicated community members who are prepared to risk their own safety to respond to bush ﬁre emergencies and defend our communities.

“The new equipment that has been acquired will assist the Killcare Wagstaffe Rural Fire Brigade strengthen its volunteer capacity to respond to emergencies.

“I encourage our community on the Central Coast to be aware of the upcoming bushﬁre season and to take steps now to mitigate ﬁre risks on properties.

“I look forward to continuing to support all our RFS organisations across the region”, Dr Reid said.

Killcare Wagstaffe Brigade Captain, Michelle Biddulph said: “The Killcare Wagstaffe Rural Fire Brigade has bought 2 portable pumps, 2 suction hoses, 2 canvas hoses with nozzles, and 2 fuel containers with the grant money.

“These will allow the Killcare Firies to better service the community by increasing our capabilities of accessing the Static Water Supplies (SWS) in our area.

“We have a SWS program where the community can register their dams, pools, and water tanks which the Firies can access to help protect their properties in an emergency.

“Anyone in the Killcare/Wagstaffe Community can email killcarerfb@ gmail.com to register their SWS.

“Property owners in other communities should make contact with their local Rural Fire Brigade or District office central.coast@rfs.nsw.gov.au”, Ms Biddulph said.

For more information about the Killcare Wagstaffe Rural Fire Brigade or to get involved, visit: https://www.killcarerfb.com/ or visit the service located at 4 Stanley Street, Killcare, NSW 2257. Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website for ways in which you can reduce your risks of ﬁre: https://www. rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/prepare-your-property

Escabags available at Coast libraries

Escabags, short for escape bags, are now available for the community to access from several Central Coast Council libraries.

Escabags contain high-quality products for people in the community experiencing domestic or family violence.

EscaBags are not gender-speciﬁc and come in two variations ‘Parent and Child’ and ‘Single Adult’.

The bags are available at Woy Woy Library, Umina Beach Library, Tuggerah Library, Lake Haven Library, Kincumber Library, Erina Library, and

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP said: :

“Escabags Ltd is an Australian registered charity who distribute ‘Escabags’ for victims ﬂeeing domestic and family abuse.

“Central Coast Council have agreed to stock the bags at several libraries across the region for the community to access.

“Domestic and family violence is a scourge in our community, and we all need to play a part to end the violence.

“The Federal Labor Government is investing $4.4 billion in new funding to address the scourge of domestic and family violence.

“The government is also responding to the Rapid Review into Prevention Approaches, including through investing in frontline services and initiatives to prevent violence.

“Ending domestic and family violence is a top priority for the Federal Labor Government, we have already invested over $3.4 billion in initiatives to support the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-32.

“This is on top of billions the Federal Labor Government has committed for housing and support for single parents that we know will be of par-

ticular importance for our community escaping violence, including a $1.0 billion commitment through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility for housing for those impacted by violence and for young people.

To learn more about Escabags or to support the charity, visit: www. escabags.org

Contact details for libraries that stock Escabags:

• Woy Woy Library – (02) 4304 7555.

• Umina Beach Library – (02) 4304 7333.

• Tuggerah Library – (02) 4350 1560.

• Lake Haven Library - (02) 4350 1570

• Kincumber Library - (02) 4304 7641.

• Erina Library – (02) 4304 7650.

• Gosford Library – (02) 4304 7500.

Niagara Park public school visits Parliament House

Year six students from Niagara Park Public School have visited Parliament House in Canberra as part of their studies into Australia’s system of government.

Teachers and students were provided with an informative tour of Parliament House, as well as an opportunity

to meet with their Federal Member of Parliament, Dr Gordon Reid MP. Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP:

“It was a fantastic highlight to be able to welcome teachers and students from Niagara Park Public School to Parliament House.

“Seeing the students captivated by the building and all the work that takes place in it is a real pleasure.

“Students asked some tremendous questions about my work in Parliament House and how I help develop and pass laws.

“There were some great questions about my work as an honorary medical officer at Wyong Hospital emergency department too, and it was terriﬁc to be able to talk about the importance of our healthcare workers on the Central Coast.

“Thank you to all the students and teachers for visiting and making the experience fun and engaging”, Dr Reid said.

The Parliamentary Education Office provides access to a range of resources that outline Australia’s system of government and other interesting information.

Gosford Library.

COMMENT

Adam Crouch

Funding boost for our local schools

FIVE schools across the Terrigal Electorate have secured over $106,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s 2023-24 Community Building Partnership Program.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the funds would deliver welcome improvements to the schools which includes funding for upgrades to play equipment at Wamberal Public School and a sustainability garden at Empire Bay Public School.

“This is fantastic news for our community with ﬁve local schools receiving much-needed funding as part of the 2023-24 Community Building Partnership program.”

“Under Labor, we have seen school funding through the Resource Allocation Model go backward, and have seen conﬁrmed cuts of nearly $150 million, which is why this CBP funding is absolutely vital for these schools.” he said.

“Funding streams like the Community Building Partnership grant allow our schools to get these costly but much needed upgrades done without having to source the funds from their existing budgets.”

“I want to congratulate the hardworking school staff and P&Cs for their success in their applications and I look forward to seeing how these projects progress.” said Mr Crouch.

The full list of successful school projects in the Terrigal electorate for the 2023-24 CBP round includes:

• Avoca Beach Public School, for the purchase and installation of two water bottle reﬁll stations at both the junior and senior playgrounds

• Terrigal High School, for the replacement of the school hall’s vision system

• Empire Bay Public School, for the development of a sustainability garden with a worm farm, hand water pump and vegetable plots

• Erina Heights Public School, for the installation of heating and cooling facilities within the school hall

• Wamberal Public Schooll, for the installation of brand-new permanent outdoor play equipment in the school playground.

Gosford’s University Campus powering ahead

Construction of the University of Newcastle’s world-class Gosford Campus continues to power ahead, with preparations now underway for development of the first floor now the ground floor slabs have recently been completed.

The new campus will be a trailblazer for sustainable development on the Central Coast, using a unique sustainable concrete mix that uses 80% recycled water and contains 60% less cement than standard concrete, as well as using mass timber for the interior frame to reduce carbon emissions.

The building will feature a distinctive glass façade which uses curved elements, a frit pattern and double glazing to achieve the highest design and sustainability standards.

Minister for the Central Coast Adam Crouch recently had the opportunity to view the progress of the Gosford Campus with the project team consisting of representatives from the University of Newcastle, Hansen Yuncken and the APP Group.

“I am so proud to see the University of Newcastle’s Gosford campus power ahead, which will soon be a reality for the thousands of students who will use this on the Central Coast thanks to the former Liberal-National Government.”

“It was our government’s vision to develop Gosford into an education and innovation hub, providing the necessary land and an $18 million commitment to make this happen.”

“When a government works side by side with a great university like the University of Newcastle, we can achieve real results for our region’s future.” said Mr Crouch.

While the development of the new campus is progressing ahead, Mr Crouch said the same could not be said for the proposed new TAFE in Gosford.

“True to form, there has been utter silence on the proposal for a state-of-the-art TAFE in the heart of Gosford, which was part of the former government’s education plan for the Central Coast.”

“This is yet again reﬂective of this government’s lack of delivery and vision for thriving region, and the longer this project languishes, the more the Central Coast will suffer.” said Mr Crouch.

Better late than never for Central Coast Ambulance Stations

Expressions of interest are ﬁnally being sought for new ambulance stations on the Central Coast, two years after the former Liberal-National Government announced funding in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Adam

Crouch said that he had been repeatedly calling for the Minns Labor Government to deliver the remaining ambulance stations at Kincumber, Berkeley Vale and Lisarow which were announced by the former Liberal-National Government prior to the state election.

“The Minns Labor Government have ﬁnally listened to the Opposition’s calls for the delivery of these stations after the former government announced plans to build these new stations, along with the now operating Woy Woy Ambulance Station.”

“Our thriving region is the one of the fastest growing in NSW, and we need vital infrastructure projects like these delivered on time to support our region’s growth rather than face delays under Labor.”

“Paramedics have been left in limbo for over a year now and it’s ridiculous that the Central Coast has had to wait this long just for an expression of interest for these new stations, which noticeably does not include the proposed ambulance station in Lisarow.”

Mr Crouch said that in the time it had taken for the Minns Labor Government to announce expressions of interest for the new sites, the former Liberal-National Government had announced, funded, and built a brand-new station at Woy Woy.

“While the Minns Labor Government delayed the progression of these proposed stations, the former Liberal-National government got on with the job funding and delivering the Woy Woy Ambulance Station.”

“Ironically, the Labor Member for Gosford criticised the new Woy Woy Ambulance Station prior to construction but was the ﬁrst one to cut the ribbon once all the heavy lifting had been done by the former government.” said Mr Crouch.

Shadow

Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Urgentcare clinic clocks

Shop 127, Lake Haven Shopping Centre, Lake Haven Drive, Lake Haven, NSW 2263

Open 7 days a week

Mon - Fri 8am - 7pm Sat - Sun 9am - 7pm

We’re strengthening Medicare tomake healthcare better and more affordable.

Afterexperiencing a deep cut on my hand, I sought treatment at the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Lake Haven.

From reception throughto treatment, the care I received was brilliant.

I am grateful tohave had access to professional and prompt care so closeto home.”

Marion

Warnervale

Like Marion, thousands of locals have now received fully bulk billed care at the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

COMMENT

Emma McBride

Coast veterans and families hup open

The doors are now open at the new Central Coast Veterans’ and Families’ Hub.

Federal Member for Dobell and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, officially opened the new hub in Wyong today.

Located on Hely Street, Wyong, the Hub will see nearly 8,000 veterans and their families on the Central Coast access improved specialist services closer to home.

The Federal Labor Government has invested $1.7 million in funding through the Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program to establish the Hub.

The Hub will offer a range of tailored services to assist with transition, employment, social connection, and advocacy services, along with mental and physical health support for veterans’ and families.

The expansion of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs network on the Central Coast is part of the Government’s $46.7 million commitment to deliver eight new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country.

This commitment also includes the continuation of work underway to establish 10 new Veterans’ and Families Hubs under the Federal Labor Government.

For more information about Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, visit www.dva.gov.au/vfhubs

Assistant Minister McBride, Member for Dobell said:

“The Central Coast is home to a signiﬁcant veteran community, and this new Hub will improve access to services and supports, closer to home.

“This week in Parliament I met with the Veterans Affairs’ Minister to go through the ﬁndings of the Royal Commission in Defence and Veterans Suicide.

“We’re committed to delivering our veterans and their families the support they need and deserve.”

Fee free TAFE opens new pathways for Coasties

On National TAFE Day, Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride MP, has welcomed the news that more than 500,000 people have enrolled in a FeeFree TAFE course across Australia.

Fee-Free TAFE removes ﬁnancial barriers for people to gain skills in areas of demand that are experiencing skills shortages.

Across the Central Coast, people have been able to undertake a Fee-Free TAFE course to upskill or reskill, opening new pathways into the workforce.

Tanisha from Blue Haven, one of the more than 290,000 women who have enrolled in a Fee-Free TAFE course, said “As a mum of 4, I want to get back to work, but I couldn’t afford to pay for courses to upskill. Fee-free TAFE has made it possible for me to study a Certiﬁcate IV in Project Management and better myself to return to work.”

Fee-Free TAFE is delivered in partnership between the Albanese Labor Government and State and Territory Governments.

So far this year there have been over:

• 120,800 enrolments in the Care sector

• 45,800 enrolments in the Technology and Digital sector

• 32,100 enrolments in the Construction sector

• 31,900 enrolments in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector

So far this year there have been over:

• 108,300 enrolments by job seekers

• 158,100 enrolments by people aged 24 and under

• 296,200 enrolments by women

Students from regional and remote areas made up a third of total enrolments.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $502.9 million for an additional 320,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places nationwide over the next three years.

Assistant Minister McBride, Member for Dobell said: I am extremely proud of our Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which is changing lives.

“On the Coast many people chose to undertake a TAFE course to gain the skills required to enter the workforce or change careers.

“Fee-Free TAFE removes the ﬁnancial barrier and opens up opportunities for local people in regions like the Central Coast.

10,000 VISITS TO LAKE HAVEN MEDICARE URGENT CARE CLINIC

Local Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride MP, today welcomed news that the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Lake Haven has seen 10,000 visitors.

At the last election, McBride committed that, if elected, a Labor Government would deliver a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for the northern Central Coast.

In December last year, the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened its doors, offering an alternative to the ED for urgent but not life-threatening care.

The clinic offers bulk billed care 7 days a week, over extended hours.

1 in 3 visits are children under 15 years old, demonstrating that the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is a trusted alternative to the Emergency Department for local families.

Earlier this year, McBride welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Lake Haven where they toured the local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

Across the country there are more than 60 Medicare Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, with the Albanese Labor Government providing $227 million in the Budget to expand the network to 87 clinics.

There have been more than 700,000 presentations nationally since the ﬁrst clinics opened in June last year.

Assistant Minister McBride said: “I worked a Wyong Hospital for almost a decade, and I know just how important access to urgent care is for people on the Central Coast.

“Since opening, more than 10,000 local people have visited the Lake Haven Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, receiving fully bulk billed urgent care

TRAVEL

YOU might think motorhomes are for backpackers or grey nomads but not so at all. If you’re looking for a very cool and different luxe getaway Star RVs have just arrived at the Gold Coast. It’s a great choice when you have an event in Byron Bay or a reason to be up the coast. Or no reason at all, you can reacquaint yourself with the local area very quickly and remember how free you feel out in nature and away from a computer. These modern vehicles are fully equipped with everything you need for a little getaway, just arrive at Coolangatta airport with a travel bag and the staff will collect you and run through vehicle features and off you go - it’s that simple.

The interior of the vehicle includes a stunning

The Luxe motorhome getaway

white kitchen with black sink and tapware, a toilet and shower with black tapware and plenty of cupboard spaces to ﬁt clothing, toiletries and food for your stay. You name it, they’ve thought of it – kettle, toaster, cutlery, comfy double bed already made up with doona, pillows and towels.

Slide open the door and go for a swim at every different beach up and down the coast. Sit out in the sunshine on camp chairs that come with the RV, you don’t need to bring much. It’s great way to celebrate a special birthday weekend or just get out of the rat race for a while and press the reset button on life.

The beneﬁt of hiring an RV instead of staying in one spot is that it gets you instantly mobile in the local area so you can explore the gorgeous beaches and hinterland. You have freedom to choose, something a little different to a rental car/ hotel combo.

The RV is easy to reverse and pull up into car parking spots and smooth to drive and easy ﬁll up with diesel and that’s a big consideration as the idea of all that can be daunting but this is Star RVspearheading luxe motorhome driving 2024/ 2025.

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 - Special Feature

2024 Honour Roll

Employer of Choice - 21

Employees and Over Winner

Paciﬁc Link Housing

Primary Health Network - Central Coast

Chamberlain Group

Elecbrakes

TrendPac

Employer of Choice - Under 20 Employees Winner

Seton Family Lawyers

Grand Stand Events

CCTS

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Winner

Allcare Nursing & Community Services

247 Care Disability Services and Activity

Hub

FunHaus Factory

Making Footprints

Excellence in Innovation Winner

Signarama Tuggerah

Agrana Chocolate Chunks

Wyong Race Club

4id Solutions

CCTS

Elecbrakes

Rel8.app

SpotGo

Excellence in International Business Winner

4id Solutions

Agrana Export

Eternal Fresh

Foxton Creative

Excellence in Large Business Winner

Central Coast Mariners

Excellence in Large Business

Highly Commended

Australian Reptile Park

Archos Group

Central Coast Sports College

GMS Digital

Gosford RSL Club

Indigo ELC

North Construction & Building

READ Clinic Psychology

Excellence in Micro Business Winner

Key2 Realty

Koori Curriculum

Baby Origami DoubleWrap™

AAGilesberg

BJ’s PJs

Concept Shade

Exhaust Notes Australia

CC Safety

Iris Lodge Alpacas

SecondLife Recrafted

Spend With Us Australia

The Foundry Cowork

Excellence in Small Business Winner

LEP Digital (Hall of Fame)

Excellence in Small Business

Highly Commended

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

CCTS

Central Coast Aero Club

Central Coast Tile & Stone Warehouse

Dyson Logistics

Eat Street Cafe

Law Team

Quest Accountants

Refreshing Pool Services and Installations

Riverside Dental Spa

Six String Brewing Co

SpotGo

Excellence in Sustainability Winner

Signarama Tuggerah

Excellence in Sustainability

Highly Commended

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

Chamberlain Group

Indigo ELC

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Law Team

Refreshing Pool Services and Installations

SpotGo

Worthington Motor Group

Outstanding Business Leader – 20

Employees and Under Winner

Suzy Miller Leadership

Development Specialists

Melissa Marshall - Signarama Tuggerah

Amanda Giles - AAGilesberg

Andrew Smith - Central Coast Aero Club

Kath Casey - Central Coast Stadium

Michael Seton - Seton Family Lawyers

Outstanding Business Leader - 21 Employees and Over Winner

Paul Chapman - Central Coast Sports College

Outstanding Business Leader - 21 Employees and Over Highly Commended

Tim Faulkner - Australian

Reptile Park

Alyssar Narey Central Coast Mariners

Isaac Zoaretz - Daytoday

Outstanding Community

Organisation Winner

Allcare Nursing &

Community Services

Paciﬁc Link Housing

Coast Shelter

247 Care Disability Services and Activity

Hub

Browse Events

Central Coast Community Women’s Health

Centre

Coast & Country Primary Care

Darkinjung LALC

Making Footprints

The Glen Group

Iris Foundation

Outstanding Employee Winner

Melinda McCrone - LEP

Digital , Hall of Fame

Outstanding Employee Highly Commended

Billy Collett - Australian

Reptile Park

Belinda Smith - CCTS

Erin Jacob - Coast Shelter

Dominique Markwort - Seton Family Lawyers

Ebony Willmott -Nourished Not Deprived

Jenene Carling - Home in Place

Sophie Georgas - NeuroKind

Outstanding Local Chamber Winner

Coastal Towns Business Chamber

Gosford Erina Business Chamber

Outstanding New Business Winner

Renew Projects

Creating Waves Marketing

Mindful Synergi

MouldSafe

Results Focus NeuroKind

Outstanding Visitor Experience

- Regional Only Winner

Australian Reptile Park

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

Broken Bay Pearl Farm

Central Coast Stadium

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Outstanding Young Business Leader Winner

Robert O’Donoghue - CCTS

Daniel Richardson - Eat Street Cafe Gosford

Michael Viglione - Salmon Buckets and Attachments

Matthew Craig - NeuroKind

Samuel Lentini - Eastcoast Beverages

Business of the Year Winner

4id Solutions

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 - Special Feature

Local businesswoman wins bronze at National Awards

SARAH MacRae of 24/7 Care Disability Services and Activity Hub has been announced as the bronze recipient of the Local community at the 2024 AusMumpreneur Awards at a glamourous gala dinner in Melbourne.

The AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate and recognize Aussie mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas like business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed to recognize the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.

Sarah MacRae's journey started with a move from Moss Vale to Brooklyn, and eventually to Danger Island, where she learned resilience and adaptability living on an oyster lease. Her early life was shaped by managing the family business, which taught her the importance of hard work, structure, and a dedicated team.

Taking on signiﬁcant responsibilities after her parents' separation, Sarah gained invaluable business skills. These experiences laid the foundation for her leadership and entrepreneurial approach, emphasizing problem-solving and resilience.

Inspired by early lessons, Sarah

CCTS: Finalists in Five Business Awards

CCTS, the Central Coast’s leading technology solutions provider, celebrates over 35 years of excellence with nominations in ﬁve prestigious categories at the 2024 Business NSW Awards.

These nominations include Excellence in Small Business, Excellence in Innovation, Employer of Choice (under 20 employees), Outstanding Young Business Leader – Robert O’Donoghue, and Outstanding Employee – Belinda Smith, highlighting the company’s stellar team and forward-thinking practices.

Under the leadership of Robert O'Donoghue, CCTS has transformed

Committed to Disability and Primary Care

Afounded an organisation focused on community, inclusivity, and support for marginalized individuals. Her vision reﬂects her commitment to compassionate leadership and creating opportunities for all.

Today, she is dedicated to enriching lives and empowering individuals, driven by her unique background and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

Sarah MacRae was excited to be recognized in this category.

"Winning this award is not just a personal victory; it's a testament to the unwavering dedication of my entire team and the incredible community we

from a leader in telephony and network cabling to a comprehensive technology powerhouse.

As the only provider on the Central Coast offering a complete suite of business technology services, CCTS delivers everything from IT services and phone systems to mobile plans and security systems. This unique position empowers CCTS to provide holistic and effective technology solutions, backed by a commitment to same-day service.

CCTS' excellence is reﬂected in its capacity to integrate diverse technology services under one roof, enhancing efficiency and client service across the board.

This approach not only saves time but

serve. This recognition fuels my passion to keep pushing boundaries and making a meaningful impact every single day, she said.

It’s sometimes challenging to be a successful businesswoman whilst raising a family but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Sarah said she is so passionate about the work she does and gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.

"I love what I do because it allows me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, helping them achieve their fullest potential and creating a supportive community where everyone thrives. My advice for anyone starting out is to stay passionate, be resilient, and always remember that the work you do has the power to change lives," she said.

Now that Sarah that has been named the 2024 bronze Local community winner, she plans to expanding our programs and initiatives, reaching more people in need, and creating innovative ways to support and empower our community. I will continue to share our message of inclusion, resilience, and growth, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and be part of something greater than themselves."

For more information on the AusMumpreneur Awards and the full list of 2024 recipients visit: www.ausmumpreneur.com

also positions CCTS as a pivotal resource for businesses looking to consolidate their technological needs and save money.

For more information about CCTS and its diverse offerings, please visit www.ccts.com.au

Experts in archival imaging

CCSC empowers future sports

CCSC currently has an enrolment of approximately 900 student athletes.

Their coaches are fully qualiﬁed within the specialised sports program; the majority are full-time employees at the College. They do not substitute as teachers inside the classroom and our teachers do not substitute as coaches outside of the classroom. Each teacher or coach is employed to work in their area of expertise.

CCSC aims include:

• CCSC aims to develop well-educated, well rounded student athletes with programs based around:

• World standard support across all our education and sports programs.

• Developing educated athletes, leaders and responsible citizens.

• Creating local partnerships with sporting federations and organisations such as Central Coast Mariners.

• Providing multiple pathway opportunities with professional sporting bodies, universities, business organisations and more

CCSC is a Gold Regional Leader with Business NSW and is the region’s fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 94 per cent in the ﬁve years from 2018 to 2022.

The CCSC mission is to develop a community of conﬁdent and healthy young people through sport, innovative education and real-life opportunities

Visit: www.ccsc.nsw.edu.au

t Coast & Country Primary Care (CCPC), the team is committed to delivering exceptional services that truly resonate with the community on the Central Coast and Mid North Coast.

As a trusted not-for-proﬁt provider with extensive experience, CCPC offers a holistic approach that places our clients' needs and aspirations at the centre of everything they do.

They provide services which are inclusive and build capacity for customers.

“Our future is built on creating opportunities for meaningful social impact. We strive to be an industry leader in primary care and disability services in our communities and achieve this through our commitment to service excellence, innovation and purpose,” a spokesperson said.

“We make a meaningful social impact in communities where we live and work. Better Health. Better Life.

“Our Vision is at our core, and we live that every day through the delivery of a broad range of programs and services that

improve health and wellbeing in our communities.

Our purpose is to provide accessible and inclusive disability and primary health care, creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for people needing disability or primary health care to live their best life.

“We are an organisation that values people – our team, the people we support, and the wider community; and we are here to help.”

Visit: www. ccpc.com.au

At GMS Digital, formerly known as Gosford Micrographics and Scanning, the team continues to honour their rich history of nearly 40 years while advancing the ﬁeld of digital archiving and preservation, making them the leading digitisation bureau in Australia.

GMS Digital specialises in the preservation and digital transformation of heritage, archival, micrographics and all your document scanning needs and has evolved to meet the growing demands for modern digital solutions while maintaining its commitment to safeguarding valuable historical records.

Their specialised services include the digitisation of documents, photographs, maps, and other archival materials, preserved for future generations, and made easily accessible in digital formats.

GMS Digital employs state-of-the-art technology and meticulous processes to handle fragile and historic materials with the utmost care.

The team of skilled professionals based in Berkeley Vale work closely with councils, libraries, museums, universities, historical archives, government bodies, art galleries, and creative industries to deliver high-quality digital reproductions and tailored solutions that enhance accessibility, usability, and long-term preservation.

GMS Digital is a proud supporter of Coast Shelter, which is a notfor-proﬁt charity based in the NSW Central Coast.

Contact the team today, to experience excellence for all your digitisation needs.

Visit: www. gmsdigital.com.au

Sell online and buy from a bush business

Spend With Us, (SWU) provides a dedicated marketplace and community for rural and regional Australian small businesses to sell online and reach a wider audience.

The platform offers sellers a space to showcase their products, along with marketing tools, membership plans, and community support.

Whether you're a struggling business or an emerging entrepreneur, SWU provides the resources you need to grow and succeed online.

Support rural and regional Aussie small businesses by shopping on SWU, a unique online marketplace and community that helps small businesses

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 -

recover and thrive.

Discover handmade goods, locally sourced products, and one-of-a-kind items while making a real difference.

Join our 360,000+ member Buy From a Bush Business Facebook com-

START your summer right with a refreshing adventure aboard a boat that takes you onto the depths of the Hawkesbury River and experience one of a kind culinary delight.

Sydney Oyster Tours starts from the Kangaroo Point boat ramp at Brooklyn, just 45 minutes from Sydney CBD, and onto the glistening part of the river where dining tables perched on the water await your arrival.

The tour includes learning about oyster farming on the Hawkes-bury River, the art of shucking oysters, relishing ocean-fresh dozens of oysters and prawns paired with a ﬁne champagne. Sounds exciting? Well, it surely is a combination

munity or explore over 20,000 unique products on our marketplace website today!

Spend With Us is an award-winning and powerful platform that bridges the gap between city consumers and rural communities by offering a diverse range of products available for purchase online. Our platform not only supports economic growth but also fosters community resilience in remote areas.

As the ﬁrst e-commerce marketplace exclusively serving rural and regional communities, SWU has sparked a movement that drives meaningful social change.

Our online marketplace and and Buy From a Bush Business Facebook group have become integral to this

community, providing a powerful social selling platform for small businesses. By harnessing the power of social media, we turn struggling businesses into thriving online ventures. With over 360,000 community members and 1900+ registered rural businesses, SWU is a vital support system for small enterprises.

In today’s digital age, having an online presence isn’t just an advantage— it’s a lifeline. SWU empowers rural businesses to easily get online, expand their reach and keep trading even when physical stores face closures or restrictions, ensuring survival during crises and continued growth.

Visit: www.spendwithus.com.au

One of kind culinary delight It’s a privilege to lead LEP

 BY LAURA PRAEL, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR LEP DIGITAL

To me, leading a business like LEP Digital is a privilege, and it’s our job to contribute meaningfully to our community and industry and create outstanding work.

My team is motivated by the idea that marketing is more than just selling—it’s about helping people. We provide real value to our clients and their customers by producing relevant and insightful strategies and content. It’s this approach that’s led to us winning work with large companies and government agencies around Australia.

I'm also driven by our commitment to quality, equity, and sustainability. From hiring locally and keeping work in-house, to supporting causes like ﬁghting plastic pollution, we strive to make a positive impact.

I’m proud of the inclusive, diverse, and ﬂexible workplace that we’ve created. We attract and retain the best talent in our region, empower them to be successful and support them to achieve a healthy work-life balance with our four-day, ﬁve-pay working week.

A signiﬁcant milestone for our business this year has been our office relocation in March and the launch of our rebrand in June. Our 2024 brand, ‘interplay,’ symbolises the connection between past and future inﬂuences, drawing inspiration from the 1970s to create a sense of nostalgia and trust in uncertain times. Our new branding is prominently displayed on Terrigal’s Esplanade, where our larger office space has increased our visibility and presence in the community.

Today, we are well recognised as a leading marketing agency in our region. We owe this success to

of boating, dining on the water and merriments soon as you set sail through to the tail end of your tour.

Sydney Oyster Tours isa family-run agritourism business by the Beaumont family where visitors get to taste the freshest oysters handpicked from their farm gate to your plate.

The Beaumont family has been growing oysters for over 15 years and opened the tours a few years ago.

The tours have become popular tour-ism attractions on the Central Coast and recognised in multiple awards such as the 2023Business NSW Central Coast Business of the Year Award, Excellence in Sustainability Award and its tour operator, Sheridan Beaumont, Highly Commended as Outstanding Business Leader.

Discover the delights of Sydney Oyster Tours and get in touch to book your special day with family and friends by visiting www.sydneyoystertours.com.

the incredible support from our local and national clients, the dedication of our team, and the trust we've built over the last decade. We're thankful for everyone who has been part of our story and can’t wait for what lies ahead.

As we approach our 10th anniversary in business, we have big ambitions to deliver big ideas for Australia’s most well-known organisations. Beyond proﬁt, we are focused on our purpose to lead, challenge, and make an impact.

Our team’s development has been and will continue to be a major focus - our evolving digital skills and quality of thought make us indispensable and a trusted voice. As a Certiﬁed Google Partner - a status that recognises our ability to manage and optimise campaigns to drive returns - our agency is offering something that could previously only be found in Sydney or Newcastle.

We’re committed to driving economic develop-

ment and opportunities for young people and women and will continue to work with government and educational institutions to promote digital literacy.

By Mel McCrone - Outstanding Employee LEP Digital Head of Marketing & Strategy

What inspires me to succeed is seeing both LEP Digital and our clients succeed. I love building strong relationships, really getting to know our client's goals and ﬁnding ways to help them achieve those goals. It's exciting to solve problems, create marketing strategies and work with our team to develop solutions that make a real difference. I’m passionate about delivering results that not only meet but exceed expectations, and I love seeing our clients beneﬁt from the work we do.

Since joining LEP Digital, one of the milestones I’m most proud of has been contributing to our growth on the Central Coast. Managing large national accounts has been both a challenge and a rewarding experience. What I’ve loved most is getting to know our clients on a personal level, understanding what really drives them, and creating marketing strategies that genuinely help their businesses grow. It's been especially fulﬁlling to see the impact of our work play out on a national level and be part of their success.

I’m excited about continuing to build even stronger client relationships and staying ahead of the game when it comes to new digital marketing trends. I’m especially keen on exploring more ways to use emerging AI-enabled technology to streamline processes and improve results for our clients. I’m working on growing our partnerships with industry leaders and am always looking for new opportunities so we can keep delivering outstanding results. I’m looking forward to what the next stage of LEP Digital’s growth will bring.

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 - Special Feature

Seton Family Lawyers recognised

CENTRAL Coast family law ﬁrm, Seton Family Lawyers, has been recognised at the prestigious Australian Law Awards, taking home two major accolades ,Regional/ Suburban Law Firm o the year and Wellness Initiative of the Year.

These awards highlight the ﬁrm’s exceptional contributions to both the legal industry and the well-being of its professionals and bring attention to the strength and excellence of our region's legal community, on a national stage.

The Regional/ Suburban Law Firm of the Year award acknowledges Seton Family Lawyers for its exceptional client service, legal expertise, and community involvement in the Central Coast. The Wellness Initiative of the Year award honours the ﬁrm’s innovative Ironbark Initiative, which supports the mental health and overall well-being of its team and the broader community.

Michael Seton, Solicitor Director of Seton Family

Creating opportunities for members

THE Coastal Towns Business Chamber (CTBC) is a member organisation that organises events and activities to promote the common interests of the local business community.

CTBC works across various sectors including trade, industry, micro/small/medium/large business, NFPs, and community organisations.

While actively advocating for members, CTBC ensures

Lawyers, highlighted the importance of prioritising mental health and well-being, sharing how his personal experience helped guide the ﬁrm’s direction.

“In 2016, I was on the verge of burnout, but with the support of those closes to me I made crucial changes to prioritise mental health, “said Michael. Understanding the emotional strain in family law practice, and drawing from personal experience, Michael developed the Ironbark Initiative in 2023. This initiative empowers team members to prioritise their health and wellbeing by subsidising self-care and providing paid hours of leave to contribute to family harmony and support local charities and community organisations.

The initiative reﬂects the ﬁrm’s ongoing commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment and setting new standards for workplace wellbeing in the legal sector.

Visit: www. setonfamily.law

that businesses can collaborate in creating opportunities for themselves, their partners and their clients.

Winning the Outstanding Business Chamber of the Year 2023 at the NSW Business Chamber Central Coast awards is a tremendous accolade for the CTBC team.

The team is working hard to instil a renewed sense of confidence in our collective work. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to upholding higher standards of

innovation, connection, friendship-building, resilience, and dedication within our coastal community.

By allowing key principles to guide the chamber has stood up, amongst a pool of exceptional businesses, showcasing our unwavering dedication to driving economic growth, fostering job creation, communicating our member’s needs, and enhancing the overall well-being of our region.

Visit: www.ctbc.org.au

The Australian Reptile Park

THE Australian Reptile Park is a hands-on, interactive zoo, based in Somersby on the beautiful NSW Central Coast in Australia.

Recently awarded ‘Australia’s Best Tourist Attraction’ at the 2023 Qantas Tourism Awards, the Central Coast is the place to be, with the Australian Reptile Park giving our visitors the chance to interact with native animals and catch exciting wildlife shows!

The Park’s rich and fascinating history began with the late and great Eric Worrell.

What started with humble beginnings in 1958 has now grown into one of Australia’s premier tourist attractions.

As the only zoo in Australia committed to saving lives with a snake and spider venom milking programs, the park has contributed to saving over 300 lives a year for the past 50 years.

The venom produced at the park is used to generate all land snake and funnel-web spider antivenom in Australia.

What can you expect from my visit to the Australian Reptile Park?

• Hand-feed kangaroos in our free-range kangaroo area – it’s the best place to see kangaroos in Australia.

• Meet Hugo the giant Galapagos tortoise on his daily walk through the Park.

• Have a close encounter with a koala, alligator, python and more at our daily photo sessions.

• Witness the ferocious power of Elvis, Australia’s Crankiest Croc. Click here for show times.

• See over 40 species of native and exotic reptiles in the Lost World of Reptiles and throughout the Park.

• Visit Spider World to see a funnel-web spider milking and check out Tarantula-ville – home to some of the largest spiders in Australia.

• See the endangered Tasmanian devil and discover how the Australian Reptile Park is helping Aussie Ark to save the iconic species.

• Enjoy the children’s adventure playground, cafe and picnic areas and free BBQs.

• Go behind the scenes with a Private Tour or Zookeeper Programs.

Visit: www.reptilepark.com.au

Experts for home renovation

RENEW Projects (RP) offers a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of clients. Their purpose is to not only transform homes through quality renovations but also contribute to broader environmental initiatives.

Serving the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle regions, we pride ourselves on making a difference, one property at a time.

RP provides comprehensive multi-trade renovation solutions, catering to homeowners and residential property investors. From stylish bathroom makeovers to complete property transformations, we believe in unlocking the full potential of every space!

At the heart of RP is their diverse and skilled team of tradespeople, including a licensed plumber, carpenter and tiler. Their dedication and expertise are the pillars of our success, ensuring each project not only meets but exceeds our high standards of quality, safety and customer service.

Visit: www.renewprojects.com.au

Central Coast Business Awards 2024 - Special

Gosford RSL community hub

THE Gosford RSL Club is more than just a venue; it’s a community hub. With a focus on connection, comfort, and inclusivity, the RSL experience on the Central Coast has ben reviaylaised.

From our award-winning Oak Haven Brewery to the vibrant dining precinct and state-of-the-art func-

Key 32 Realty goes beyond

Ktion spaces, there's something for everyone. Whether you're here to enjoy a meal, catch a game, or simply connect with friends and family, you'll ﬁnd a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Join us as we continue to build a stronger, more connected community.

www. grsl.com.au

Supporting leadership aspirations

“I congratulate each business and individual for being recognised in the Central Coast Business Awards 2024 across all categories.”

“Our amazing region is home to an array of businesses both startups and established successful companies, expanding internationally, creating jobs and building a stronger Central Coast.”

David Harris Member for Wyong Minister for Aboriginal Affairs & Treaty Minister for Gaming and Racing Minister for Veterans Minister for Medical Research Minister for the Central Coast

EY2 Realty is a real estate agency based on the Central Coast.

The ﬁrm prides itself on going beyond being your everyday property managers by meticulously looking after your investment property and helping maximise your rental returns. As a social enterprise, we also donate our proﬁts back to the local community.

The proﬁts from Key2 Realty are used to support programs that provide community members, particularly Paciﬁc Link Housing's tenants, with opportunities to achieve their life goals. These programs equip individuals with tools for self-improvement, fostering greater independence and self-belief.

By choosing Key2 Realty as your property manager, you not only receive excellent property management services but also contribute to creating a brighter future for those in need.

Key 2 is solely dedicated to managing investment properties and takes pride in their service delivery. Property management is their specialty and core focus. As a landlord, you can trust that our priorities are solely dedicated to managing your property without any distractions from sales or auction departments.

Key 2 provides an online portal that offers 24/7 access, giving clients maximum control and ﬂexibility. However, they strongly believe in building personal relationships. By communicating and establishing connections, Key 2 fosters harmonious and longterm tenancies.

Profits generated by our Key 2 are donated to support programs provided by Pacific Link Housing, a registered community housing organisation. Pacific Link Housing offers affordable, secure homes and programs, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone to succeed in life.

Visit: www.key2.com.au

SUZY Miller Leadership Development (SMLD) specialists are gifted at supporting clients with all the right tools and a framework to make it happen.

Join the SMLD community of like-minded

professionals in one of our self-guided courses or let us challenge you 1 on 1.

SMLD is a group of professionals with a wide-ranging skill set working together to help you and your team lift, shine and thrive. They love the connections they make and how this adds incredible value to clints.

SMLD is also known for creating bespoke leadership programs to support corporate teams. They shake it up, support growth and help team leaders shift their thinking to clear the path for a more productive and cohesive team who are ready to deliver on their goals. Interested?

Suzy Miller is an award winning, highly regarded professional in the ﬁeld of executive and leadership development. Drawing on her 22 years’ experience in a global company as an executive, leading teams of 250 plus over 26 remote sites, Suzy has run a successful business providing leadership and mentoring programs and executive leadership coaching for over 10 years.

Suzy loves motivating, inspiring and growing professionals, supporting them to smash their goals. This has been recognised with many accolades:

Whie trophies and getting frocked up are nice, for Suzy nothing beats the feeling of seeing others win and slaying boundaries.

Visit: www. suzymiller.com.au

Mariners build a national legacy

IN a short time, the Central Coast Mariners have established themselves as a national sporting powerhouse.

Earlier this year the Mariners came from the jaws of Grand Final defeat to win back-to-back A-League Championships and secure a historic treble never seen in Australian football.

In front of a record attendance of 21,379 fans at Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium – and with thousands more cheering on at a community Live Site next door – the Mariners overcame a 0-1 deﬁcit in the Isuzu Ute A-League Grand Final to equalise in the 91st minute before dominating extra time to run out 3-1 winners over a brave Melbourne Victory team.

Having won last year’s Grand Final, the Mariners became the ﬁrst club in A-League history to win all three major titles in the same season – being

crowned A-League Premiers, Asian Football Confederation (AFC Cup) Champions and A-League Champions in an unprecedented run of title success. They added a fourth title for good measure, with the Mariners also winning the A-League Club Championship this season after both their men’s and women’s elite teams excelled.

Upwards of 10,000 fans passed through the community Live Site at Leagues Club Park directly across from the Stadium. Hosted by Central Coast Council and supported by Destination NSW, the fans who couldn’t get a ticket to the game rode every minute of the drama-ﬁlled Grand Final that went 30 minutes into extra time. It was a grand occasion that the 350,000-plus residents on the Central Coast will never forget, and it has left a football legacy for generations to come.

Visit: www.ccmariners.com.au

Accessible and inclusive opportunities for people needing disability or primary care to live their best life

SYDNEY OYSTER FARM TOURS

THE AUTHENTIC OYSTER FARM EXPERIENCE

Visit an operating oyster farm at Mooney Mooney, take a boat ride to the oyster leases on the Hawkesbury River, and taste a dozen fresh Broken Bay Oysters per person (1.5 hours total).

Our family run oyster farm has been supplying oysters to the Sydney market for over 15 years. Our farm is situated on the pristine waters of the Hawkesbury River. Come behind the scenes and taste the freshest oysters of your life, from our farm-gate to your plate!

Did you know oyster farming is considered one of the most sustainable types of farming compared to other forms of aquaculture as they have a very minimal burden on the environment. This is because oysters draw their nutrients directly from the environment and require no additional feeding therefore it is extremely clean and less impactful on the surrounding ecosystem.

IMMERSE YOURSELF

Are you ready for an experience of a lifetime...

Following a boat tour out to the oyster farm leases, participants will slide into waders and disembark at our newest oyster lease where you will be met by more farmers who will guide you to your in-water table. Get ready to taste freshly opened oysters from the very waters you are standing in.

Each booking will have their own table, get your cameras ready!

OYSTER ELEGANCE

Enjoy oysters from farm to plate.

The Oyster Elegance Tour will take participants on a boat ride out to the oyster leases to an operating oyster farm. Learn about the evolution of farming and see the current cultivation methods we use to bring you the beautiful Sydney Rock and Pacific Oysters you love. Following the oyster farm tour participants will be taken to a secluded beach with a breathtaking view where they will enjoy a white tablecloth experience with starters and a gourmet seafood lunch with refreshments.

GET IN TOUCH AND BOOKINGS

SYDNEY

OYSTER FARM TOURS

Kangaroo Point Boat Ramp, 1420 Pacific Highway Brooklyn (next luxury afloat)

info@sydneyoystertours.com Phone: 0402 686 267

Finalist in the