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Welcome to the June issue of Advance Cairns eNews. In this Issue Pass it on Know anyone who might be interested in our newsletter? Click here to forward this email to up to 5 friends at once. If you received this email from a colleague and would like to subscribe to our email list to receive future updates, please click here. |
Hi everyone, I hope you're enjoying the cooler weather, I know I am. I'm going to keep my report brief today as I'm working hard on the Tropical North Queensland Regional Economic Plan 2011 - 2031. On another matter, you may have noticed my bright red shirt in the photo. The Advance Cairns team and I dressed in red on Friday May 27 to raise money for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. In fact, the whole of 51 The Esplanade - Advance Cairns, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Cairns Regional Council, TTNQ, RRRC and even Terrain who were only here for a meeting - donated generously to this great cause. You'll see a new face at the top of the Advance Cairns eNewsletter next month. Advance Cairns' new CEO Stewart Christie will take on the task of writing the CEO's Report and a whole lot more. Another new face in the office is that of our new Skills Formation Strategy Project Manager Colleen Hallmond. Colleen will be assessing the workforce needs of the region and will be working closely with industry and stakeholder groups. I'm sure you'll join with me in welcoming Colleen to her new role. Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to say how much I've enjoyed my role as Acting CEO of Advance Cairns. Thanks for all your support over the last 6 months. Yours, Margaret Darveniza rdo@advancecairns.com What's our Skills Formation Strategy Project Manager been up to? 
Advance Cairns has recently appointed Colleen Hallmond as the Project Manager for the Skills Formation Strategy. The Skills Formation Strategy will examine issues effecting the development and retention of a productive workforce in Tropical North Queensland. Some of these issues include:
As part of the research phase of the project, Colleen will engage with employers from all sectors to discuss their current and future workforce needs. They will examine:
“The job is all about finding out what workforce challenges exist in TNQ and then working with industry and key stakeholders to address their key priorities” Ms Hallmond explains. “The Skills Formation Strategy framework has previously been used in over 40 industry specific or regional projects throughout Queensland.” “Ultimately the solutions to current and future workforce issues will be identified and driven by industry.” “The objective of this project is to form an ongoing industry-based Workforce Planning Group to take the lead on workforce issues in this region.” “At this point I am very keen to hear from existing industry groups or individual employers, about any barriers they are experiencing to developing or retaining a productive workforce.” Colleen Hallmond can be contacted on 07 4080 2900 or sfs@advancecairns.com What's our Sustainable Regions Officer been up to? 
Hello again, like the rest of the team, I've been extremely busy. I'm working hard on the Austropex Conference - put August 12 in your diaries in indelible ink - and it's all coming together nicely. Although it's the inaugural Austropex Conference and we're starting small, we already feel it's got the makings of a landmark event. Most of you will know by now we're holding it in conjunction with the Cairns Regional Council Tropical Innovation Awards and promoting it as a day of innovation, expertise, ingenuity, initiative and inspiration. I've also been concentrating on the Green Collar Workforce, Sustainable TNQ and Sustainable Malanda. All these initiatives have sustainability and economic reform at their heart - the keys, I believe, to thriving in the new economy. Until next time, Nicky Swan. sro@advancecairns.com What's Taste Paradise been up to? 
The TQUAL Taste Paradise project has been showcased heavily during the past 2 weeks through Agri-tourism industry trade shows resulting in a sizeable growth in brand awareness. The highly successful FNQ Rotary Walkamin Field Day saw celebrity guest speaker Rose Wright, Southern Cross University address local growers and producers about the Taste Paradise Food Network. The Taste Paradise Food Network will be developed over the coming months to assist members of the region to collectively in order to take advantage of consumer and visitor trends and retail opportunities. Taste Paradise would also like to congratulate Evan Seaward from Bistro 3 in taking out the honors this year as the winning Chef in the Taste Paradise Food Fight held in conjunction with the Port Douglas Carnival. More media opportunities are planned over the coming weeks ensuring the continued sustainability of the brand – Taste Paradise. Contact Linda at linda@tasteparadise.com.au What's our BEC Manager been up to? 
The Advance Cairns Business Enterprise Centre has had a busy month meeting a large number of small businesses across the Region and providing them with effective tools to meet the current needs of their business and mentoring services to ensure successful completion. We have also been actively working with local Business and Regional groups in Cook, Cairns, Cassowary and Tablelands regions to develop an effective but low cost advisory service which is mindful of the individual needs of small business within each of the Regional areas. Our program will continue to be enhanced over the next few months, with the launch of our dedicated website, commencement of our Assistant Manager BEC and appointment of our regional Business Advisors and Business Partners who will be able to offer additional support services to small business. We look forward to another busy month. Cheers, Kim Kelly bec@advancecairns.com What's our Economic Development Officer been up to? 
Hello everyone, like Margaret, I'm involved in making sure the Tropical North Queensland Regional Economic Plan meets its milestones so my report will short and and sweet. The Cairns Ship Repair Services Cluster Group recently held its second Inbound Familiarisation Tour. We brought two inter-state and one international shipping company representatives to Cairns to network with our marine sector and see our shipyard facilities for themselves. We stopped for a bite to eat at Dundees and Mike, Butch and Peter and myself were snapped against the gorgeous backdrop of Trinity Inlet and the Yarrabah Range. Yours, Jenny Compton edo@advancecairns.com Senator Jan McLucas' comments It is no doubt a pretty tough budget. Our plan is a responsible one, which is needed to return the budget back to surplus in 2012-13. This has been challenging in light of the natural disasters we’ve experienced and as we continue to recover after the global recession. Read more The list Senator Jan McLucas crunched the budget announcements and came up with a list of what Tropical North Queenslanders can expect from the 2011 / 2012 federal budget. Read more Cairns Regional Council's budget response Cairns Regional Council has welcomed a focus on regional services in the Federal Budget handed down last night. A $4.3 billion funding pool was announced to improve regional health services, education and roads. Read more Prime Minister's comment: This Budget reflects the values of the Gillard Labor Government – we believe in getting more people into work and training them for more rewarding jobs. It means national prosperity can reach more lives, in more corners of our patchwork economy. Read more Federal Government support for small business in Tropical North Queensland Senator Jan McLucas recently announced the support the Federal Government was providing for small business in Tropical North Queensland. Read more Federal Government's online Small Business Resource Kit The key to small business success is in finding the information that matters. The Small Business Resource Kit allows you to access the essential information and services you need to start your small business. Read more Cook Shire Connect eNewsletter Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) eNewsletter Gulf Savannah Development Corporation eNews Mareeba Chamber of Commerce eBusiness eNews Charters Towers Business eNews Queensland Reconstruction Authority eNewsletter In Touch with Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) ATO's Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) eNews Information Industry Bureau eNews Australian Education Excellence Showcase Indonesia 2011 Austrade invites you to join a broad series of activities aimed at positioning Australia as a quality education destination. Read more Help for disaster - ravaged rural communities Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin recently announced Queensland’s disaster-ravaged rural communities would benefit from $384,146 in funding. Mr Mulherin said 46 organisations throughout Queensland would receive grants of up to $10,000 from the second round of the Building Rural Communities Fund (BRCF). Read more Fast Track Your Business to Success The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) in partnership with Cairns Regional Council and AusIndustry, invites you to an information Enterprise Connect now supports tourism businesses Enterprise Connect has partnered with the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism to provide Tourism Business Reviews to eligible tourism businesses operating in Queensland. Read more Tropical North Queensland TAFE (TNQT) strengthens its commitment to sustainability TNQT kicked off 2011 with the opening of 1840-square-metre Health and Sustainability Precinct, which signalled the start of a greener and more sustainable future at TAFE. Read more Nominate an outstanding Manager for the Management Excellence Awards Do you know someone who deserves the ultimate recognition? Read more Applications for Tropical Innovations Awards now open 
Watch the YouTube video calling for applicants for the 2011 Tropical Innovations Awards. Register for the Tropical Innovations Awards... be quick, applications close June 30. Already applied? Attend the Tropical Innovations Awards Workshop to learn top tips for presenting your invention to the judges. Cairns Chamber of Commerce Event Calender See what's coming up at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce. Cairns Business Women's Club Event Calendar See what's coming up at the Cairns Business Women's Club. Do you know a volunteer who's a Shining Star? Senator McLucas wants to acknowledge the volunteering sector of North Queensland and invites you to nominate one outstanding volunteer from your organisation for her annual Shining Star Initiative You can download a Nomination Form from the website www.janmclucas.com.au 2011 Reconciliation Business Forum: Celebrating 40,000 years of Indigenous business The 2011 Reconciliaton Business Forum, Celebrating 40,000 years of Indigenous business, will be held on Tuesday 31 May in Cairns to coincide with National Reconciliation Week. The business forum aims to encourage business development and promote best practice to help more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate in Queensland's economy. Read more |
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