The year is off to a strong start for the HBWN. The Committee held a strategy planning workshop in February where a number of exciting projects were put on the table. Many of these are already underway or in the planning phase such as our Professional Developments Points Program and an exciting End of Year Conference.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Hastings Heroines event on International Women’s Day on 8 March – we were delighted with the contributions of our members and thrilled to have raised more than $6000 for the Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge. And a big thanks to Arthouse Industries for providing the fabulous fundraising pins which were in hot demand on the night.

 We look forward to bringing you many more engaging events and initiatives over the coming months.

Kelly Lamb, HBWN President

Over four rainy days in late February, more than 70 small business owners braved the inclement weather to visit the Small Biz Bus. Marilyn Breen of the Enterprise & Training Company Ltd said for many business owners this was their first contact with the Small Biz Connect program being delivered throughout the Mid North Coast by ETC which provides free mentoring and advice services for small businesses.

Speaking can be a very lucrative profession for those who adopt a professional approach. In this article, published in Working Women magazine, Pix Jonasson, Success Dynamics Group, discusses what speaking promoters require and the resources that every presenter must have in their toolkit if they expect to secure professional speaking engagements.

This “ultimate book for the thinking woman” comes highly recommended by Sue Faulkner of Hot Women. Backwards in High Heels - the Impossible Art of Being Female by Tania Kindersley and Sarah Vine. An insightful and funny read for busy women. In essay style the authors explore Love, Food, Health, Beauty, Age, Money and other topics common to females of all ages.

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Port Macquarie News has launched a new Media Opportunities Pack - a great tool for businesses to understand how they can partner with Port News, which has more than 43,000 people visit its website every month and prints more than 1.8 million newspapers every year. For more information please call Ruth Lewis on 0265 886611.

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Naturopath, Karen Archer is excited to announce that she has relocated her business from Murray St to BettaLife Solutions (the old Waniora Medical Centre) on Waniora Road, Port Macquarie. This new location offers the many conveniences of a professional health clinic while providing the same personalised service and attention to your needs.

Contributed by Karen Archer, Naturopath, Herbalist, Iridologist

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Kooler Ice celebrated a milestone on Australia Day with a record breaking sale of 101 bags of Kooler Ice on one day. Owner Barbara Smith had set a target of 100 bags, and through hard work and planning was able to achieve it, while enjoying the opportunity to greet her many customers on a beautiful Port day. Barb’s new mantra of setting a goal, preparing for it then celebrating is one we can all live by.

Contributed by Barbara Smith, Kooler Ice

Port Macquarie X-Ray is bringing a Philips 3T MRI unit to Port Macquarie. In April this year, PMX will be opening their newly built premises at 65 Lord Street. The MRI unit will offer patients a full range of MRI examinations. Phase 2 of the expansion will include opening a dedicated women’s clinic offering Digital Mammography plus Breast MRI. Keep an eye on their website www.pmxray.com.au for further details.

Contributed by Heather McKinnon, Port Macquarie X-Ray

Marriage Celebrant, Erica Nelson, has recently settled in Port Macquarie with her new business “Unforgettable Moments Lasting Memories”, which services Weddings, Naming Days, Commitment Ceremonies and Vow Renewals. Erica has run a successful business in Sydney for the last few years and believes the idyllic and picturesque settings around the Port Macquarie region provide the perfect backdrop for any special occasion.

Contributed by Erica Nelson, Unforgettable Moments Lasting Memories

Due to the large amount of generous donations from the Port Macquarie area, Willing and Able Op Shop has recently undergone a renovation and extension of its premises. The Willing and Able Foundation is an important part of our community employing staff with intellectual disabilities in a safe and rewarding environment. Keep up to date with what they are doing at: www.willingandable.org.au

Contributed by Frances Jaegar, Willing and Able Foundation

Direct Advisers are excited to be launching the need2know workshops. The workshops are designed to help women increase their financial knowledge and become more confident in making the right decisions financially - for the benefit of themselves and their families, now and for their future. A survey we completed in 2012 showed that 64% of women didn’t understand the insurances in their super and 85% wanted to take control of their super.

Contributed by Ursula Boorman, Direct Advisers

Attendees at the recent Fast Start workshop enjoyed the company of special guest Perry the dog. Kathryn, Perry’s owner, requested that the Fast Start booklet be made available in Rich Text format allowing her the ability to view it through her Braillenote equipment and participate with the other 30 guests attending the workshop. The feedback from the event was fantastic!

A wonderful evening was enjoyed by more than 120 ladies who came together to honour five Hastings Heroines for the contribution they’ve made to the local community. Congratulations to Maureen Cooke, Kylie Dowse, Lynn Lelean, Barbara Smith and Marie Winter. Check out the pictures from the night, courtesy of Childish Photography, on our Facebook page. You can also view the media coverage of the event on our website.

On a personal note, thank you all for the well wishes on the birth of my daughter Rose (nearly 4 months old already). I am so privileged to be supported by this committee and others, as well as many understanding clients who generously invite Rose along to meetings or listen to her babble in the background when we speak on the phone! It is wonderful to be able to continue to contribute and achieve while enjoying the journey of motherhood. Thank you!