Gold Coast city skyline Gold Coast Industry News

The Gold Coast Directory introduced this blog to provide a platform for Gold Coast businesses to update the local business community with recent industry developments, networking events, company achievements and the latest about doing business on the Gold Coast.

If you have any news, press releases or business events on the Gold Coast that you want to tell the community about,
we'd love to help! Please email your article or news to [email protected] with the subject line “Attn: Gold Coast Industry News”.

New Kids/Teen Party Venue in Southport – Affordable photography!

MAKE ME OVER

What is it about a photograph that stirs the soul? Author Eudora Welty once said, “A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.”

Makeover Memories want to capture that special moment of your kids to treasure forever. And that’s exactly what they do at their Southport studio – transforming kids and teens into celebrities for a day with fun makeovers and photo shoots.

The idea originated when Debra Frinke was living in the UK. After herself attending a makeover shoot, she thought it was a great concept that could catch on Down Under. After moving to Queensland, she saw a gap in the market when she found there wasn’t anyone on the Coast offering teens and kids the opportunity to turn into a celeb for a day and pounced on it.

“I love the interaction with the kids – relating to different age groups is a rewarding challenge when I witness their transformation on camera. Even the shyest girl comes alive when she feels good about herself,” says photographer Kirsty Harcourt-Cooke.
Makeover Memories doesn’t stop at glamour shoots for kids and teens, it’s the perfect way to capture all kinds of special occasions. “From Hen’s parties to school formals, family portraits, modelling portfolios, and baby photos too. No matter what age, the concept remains the same – we want you to have the makeover experience of a lifetime!”

Owners Debra and Kirsty are passionate about their business and want to ensure everyone has a great time and leaves with gorgeous shots they can share and cherish forever.
And as a special offer every makeover party booked, the birthday girl goes free. (Conditions do apply).

To make a booking, visit www.makeovermemories.com.au or call (07) 5532 0005 or mobile 0408 740 932.

Posted in Beauty, Child Care, Kids & Teens, Photography | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

St John Total First Aid Solutions has moved!

St John Total First Aid Solutions have moved.

You can now find us in a newly renovated modern building at 45 – 49 Nind Street Southport.

The friendliest and most professional first aid training organisation on the Gold Coast has a brand new look and a brand new suite of courses. Having listened to feedback from industry and employers we have developed a fully accredited FASTTRACK FIRST AID Course.

In just 8 hours your employees can receive an accredited certificate in Apply First Aid (HLTFA301B). Of course we can still update Apply First Aid and CPR qualifications.

Call us on 5519 3911, or visit www.stjohnqld.com.au

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New Video Area Guide For The Southern Gold Coast Released For Free Use By Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce

The Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce employs a valuable marketing tool for local businesses with the launch of an online video promoting the unique attractions of the Southern Gold Coast.

Gold Coast, Australia, 13 October 2010 ~ To continue efforts to promote the southern Gold Coast in a positive light, a new online video promoting the suburbs of the southern Gold Coast represented by the Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce was launched on the web today via Youtube.

Produced by Soul Arch Media & Marketing as part of their community support initiative, the short three-minute video features stunning scenic and panoramic footage of the local area, interviews with members of the local business community, and a voice-over detailing the many attractions of the region.

Local business owners Chris Ward from 19th Ave On The Beach Apartments, Gillian Callcott from Palm Beach Directory and Melina North from Bendigo Bank Tugun were interviewed for the video, and are shown talking about what makes their neighbourhood unique. Their participation furthers the Chamber’s vision for members of the local businesses to be spokespeople for the community. “The Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to assist and promote local business interests, and often in pursuit of this it’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of the region that need addressing. We hope this video helps to counterbalance that by highlighting the overwhelmingly positive experiences shared by residents and business owners lucky enough to call this region home.” said Chamber President Darren Mackintosh.

While the video will be featured on the Creek to Creek homepage, as this versatile video gives a great general overview of the area all local businesses and community groups are welcome to use it on their websites free of charge by posting it on their sites by embedding it from YouTube.

Perfect for promoting the area that covers Palm Beach, Elanora, Currumbin, Currumbin Valley, Tallebudgera and Tugun, the launch of this video online provides a great marketing tool for any business whose livelihood depends on attracting visitors to the area.

“What better way to endorse our stretch of the Gold Coast for business, investment or tourism than by sharing the genuine passion and enthusiasm for the area shown by locals,” said Soul Arch Media & Marketing director, Carolyn Emge. “We undertook the project as part of our ongoing community support program for not-for-profit and community groups, and as a southern Gold Coast born-and bred local myself, I am proud to assist the Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce in promoting this diverse and unique region.”

The Chamber is confident that this video will prove to be a very successful part of its online marketing strategy, and a great promotional tool for many members of the local business community.

View the video here:
http://www.creektocreekchamber.org.au

Or grab the embed code from here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiWXJ2lpN6o

About Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce:
The Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce is the peak business body for the Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, Tallebudgera and Elanora region of the southern Gold Coast.
The Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce has regular monthly events featuring speakers from leading business, special interest and political backgrounds. These events are a chance to meet and network with other business leaders from the local area and formulate opinion on issues facing the region. For more information visit http://www.creektocreekchamber.org.au

About Soul Arch Media & Marketing:
Soul Arch Media & Marketing is based on the Gold Coast, Australia, and specializes in event videography and web video commercial production, online video tours, podcasts, vodcasts, and corporate video business cards. For more information visit http://www.soularchmedia.com

For enquiries:
Carolyn Ridings Emge
Soul Arch Media & Marketing
Phone: + 61 (0) 7 55358812 / 0415310193
http://www.soularchmedia.com

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Hair and beauty appointments are more important to Australians than you think!

29 SEPTEMBER 2010: For the one-in-two Australian women and one-in-five Australian men who believe their hair and beauty treatments are important, their next appointment is only a click away with the launch of the nation’s premier online hair and beauty directory and booking site, mylocalsalon.com.au.

Responding to the growing importance Australians place on hair and beauty services, Shortcuts Software today officially launched mylocalsalon.com.au – a revolutionary website which enables customers to search and book appointments in real-time wherever and whenever they like.

Offering the ultimate in convenience and technology, mylocalsalon visitors can search the directory according to business, service, location and price, then place appointments directly into a salon’s appointment book, and receive immediate booking confirmation. mylocalsalon also features a free iPhone application, exclusive mylocalsalon specials and in the future, GPS-tracked SMS communication.

Global CEO of mylocalsalon and Shortcuts Software Rebecca Randle said that hair and beauty treatments are increasingly perceived as a necessity by many Australians.
“Understandably, most Australian women consider certain health checks to be important, but it is interesting to see that more than half of all Australian women believe hair and beauty treatments are important too.

“The research indicates men are showing promise in the personal grooming department but they may still need some encouragement from the women in their lives!” she said.
Ms Randle said not only will mylocalsalon support the growth of the Australian hair and beauty salon industry with its centralised online directory; it also embraces the rapidly developing phenomenon of online purchasing and booking.

“Gone are the days of waiting for business hours and making a phone call to book an appointment. Today consumers enjoy and expect the convenience of selecting services and products, and booking appointments with the click of a mouse, anytime and anywhere,” said Ms Randle.

“Google reports that every month in Australia over 170,000 online searches for hair and beauty services are being submitted. So there is clear demand for a central online directory like mylocalsalon which gives salons the opportunity to benefit from an online presence and also provides a simple 24/7 appointment booking solution.

“The extraordinary growth of online bookings in the Australian hair and beauty industry can be evidenced by a sample of Shortcuts Software customers,” explained Ms Randle.
From August 2009 to July 2010, the number of Shortcuts salons and spas offering online bookings increased by 247 per cent. In the same period, 305 Shortcuts salons and spas received more than 25,000 online bookings generating an estimated $1.89 million in revenue (based on an average spend of $75 per booking).

Ms Randle said the convenience of mylocalsalon was further enhanced by the free iPhone application which enables users to find the nearest salon to their current location.

“Another incentive to use mylocalsalon is its exclusive discounts and specials function which delivers the latest salon and spa deals to members’ inboxes on a daily basis. So you can find the best salons and spas at the best price right now!” Ms Randle said.

“mylocalsalon is set to become the TrueLocal and Wotif of the Australian hair and beauty services industry,” she said.

mylocalsalon.com.au has launched with several hundred Australian hair and beauty salons and spas with the number of businesses expected to grow quickly.

mylocalsalon.com.au was simultaneously launched today amongst the rapidly growing hair loving online community of Heart Your Hair which has attracted over 5,900 fans in just three months. To become a fan of Heart Your Hair visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Your-Hair.

For further information please visit www.mylocalsalon.com.au or www.shortcuts.com.au, or,  start searching for a Gold Coast hairdresser, beauty salon, tanning salon, nail parlour or day spa today!

About Shortcuts Salon and Spa Software:

Shortcuts Software provides top-level software to salons and spas across the world.  Created, designed and developed in Australia, Shortcuts Software solutions are available in nine languages to over 12,000 clients in 45 countries. Shortcuts offers software solutions for enterprise, franchises and single-site businesses and has the largest R&D team in the hair and beauty software industry in Australia.

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Pet Business Owners now have their own Network and want to get to know you

Four times a year there are dinners held in Main Beach at the Blu Grotto for Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers and Dog Boarders, who service anywhere within the Gold Coast Region.

While you may live on the Gold Coast, walk your dog on the Gold Coast and try first to find all the services your pet may need on the Gold Coast, sometimes you have to go outside of your suburb to find what you and your furry best friend need or want.

Vanessa is the founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers Gold Coast and owns Gold Coast Pet Sitting. There are several other business owners and “wanna-be” business owners of pet sitting, dog walking, dog boarding and other related businesses who come and go.

If you own a busness involving pet sitting, dog walking, dog boarding or live in house sitting, you should check out this Network and join.  There are good vibes and people really willing to help one another as they help pets and their owners.

Posted in Networking, Pets | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Green Drinks on the Gold Coast

Green Drinks meets at the Town & Country in Nerang on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm and is a great platform for individuals from all walks of life with a common passion for the environment, conservation and sustainability – always a brilliant night out with fabulous food at the Town & Country – visit www.meetup.com/greendrinksgc or call Mark Wren on 5573 0816 for more information.

Posted in Sustainability & Going Green | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New Early Childhood Development Centre for the Gold Coast

Bambini Early Childhood Development will be opening a new group of boutique early development childcare centres with the first centre due to open its doors on the Gold Coast next month.

The first Bambini Early Childhood Development centre will be located on 456 Pine Ridge Road in Coombabah, providing an extra 50 nursery and early childhood placements, meeting the current demand on the Gold Coast.

Bambini are expecting a rush of enrolments as the centres are designed around a holistic and nurturing approach to early learning.

Bambini at Coombabah is a family owned and operated Early Childhood Development centre undertaking a complete refit and cosmetic renovation prior to opening in September this year.

As part of the cosmetic renovations, the centre will receive new landscaping, play areas and a fresh and exciting colour scheme. The design and architecture will provide an emphasis on creativity, physical activity, social and cognitive development.

Having operated a successful branch of Bambini Early Childhood Development in Brisbane for the past four years, Bambini endeavour to explore the true nature and motives of a more holistic perspective of learning.

Owner and licensee Gabrielle Guifre, said the staff at Bambini pride themselves on allowing children to experience the importance of social and personal attributes such as character development, social morality and ethical sensibility. In effect our goal is for all children to develop a compassionate, responsible and peaceful approach to solving problems.

“I believe that children’s spiritual and personal development should be nurtured from birth. We provide an engaging and supportive learning environment for our future generations and ensure a holistic learning experience,” said Mrs Guifre.

“Through acknowledging the intuitive and imaginative dimensions of childhood, Bambini Early Childhood Development supports the movement of spiritual emergence, awareness of a child’s inner self and the discovery of their true potential,” she said.

“Children want to feel they are loved, important and unique. We intend to provide learning techniques to improve their ability to connect positively to themselves, others and their community through caring guidance, respectful cooperation, sharing, calmness and patience.”

Teaching from the heart requires leaders and all current Bambini staff posses an intrinsic adoration for life and a passionate love of learning, ensuring your little bambinos are in the best of hands.

High quality education programs that are both child initiated and age appropriate will be incorporated into the curriculum to awaken spirit and imagination. Teachers will constantly introduce new ideas, objects and games, with the aim to empower children and give them the chance to learn and grow in a warm and inspiring environment.

The staff at Bambini wants the best for each child, as an individual, and aims to provide a sanctuary filled with love, laughter and learning for all children.

Bambini respects and advocates the importance of high quality care in early childhood and Active learning is applied to prepare children to live purposefully, creatively and morally through self directed learning.

“Here at Bambini we respect that there are many paths of learning and value them all. Our intention is to seek each child’s authentic identity, meaning and purpose in life through values such as compassion and peace,” said Mrs Guifre.

“We would like to invite all experienced and dedicated childcare professionals to apply for staffing positions and join us on our journey of the heart. We require devoted staff who are genuinely committed to support the discovery of children’s unique personalities and aspire to awaken a child’s spirit and imagination,” she said.

Bambini Early Childhood Development is taking enrolments for children aged 15 months to five years old.

Bambini Early Childhood Development is affiliated with Essence Property Group, a family owned and operated property development company based in Brisbane with more than 30 years experience in residential, commercial and lifestyle projects.

For enquiries about enrolments at Bambini Early Childhood Development or for more information, contact 1300 559 183 or visit www.bambiniecd.com.au

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SuperFund Partners Launched to Cater to Reforms

SWEEPING superannuation reforms is the catalyst for the launch of SuperFund Partners, a new business model created to better assist the needs of clients with a self managed super fund (SMSF).

Recent changes have proved challenging for trustees, financial planners and accountants, yet none has been more challenging than for those about to enter retirement.

Due to the constant complex nature of SMSF’s, company director and experienced financial planner Peter Kirk identified the need for a service that works with your existing accountant to simplify the superannuation process. The launch of SuperFund Partners is designed to meet this demand, bringing together a talented team of professionals with diverse experience, to meet these challenges head on.

General manager Carol Halton said SuperFund Partners is better placed to meet the needs of SMSF clients.

“SuperFund Partners will work with your existing accountant, by attending to the administration and book keeping functions while allowing your existing accountant to attend to the preparation and lodgement of the tax return as they may currently do for your business returns,” said Ms Halton.

“The inspiration behind this specialist superannuation firm is to provide clients with a range of specific services with the overall objective to increase each client’s portfolio.

“It’s important that clients engage a specialist firm who are up to date with new legislation and compliance issues, while providing extensive experience in structures and advice that gets results.”

SuperFund Partners will provide clients with strategic superannuation advice, daily administration, timely reporting, independent auditing services, fixed pricing, pension management and online access to super reporting.

Ms Halton said there had never been a more important time to engage a specialist in superannuation to maximise portfolios in the lead up to retirement.

“While you may like to think of this as effectively ‘bookkeeping’ for your super fund, we are able to achieve real efficiencies by undertaking our tailor designed process,” she said.

“Through the use of cutting edge technology we will process SMSF transactions on a daily basis. This will offer you a significant service advantage.

“Not only will you be able to access your superannuation information sooner, it will also help to promptly identify any potential compliance issues as they occur, as well as answer many commonly asked questions.

“For instance, am I close to contributing more than my contribution cap allows? Or am I entitled to commence a pension?  How much can I withdraw? What are the tax consequences if I do?”

SuperFund Partners’ aim is to improve the process, so that clients can be confident of receiving a timely response to important questions and ultimately streamline the process.

“The best part is that we will be offering fixed pricing for all of our clients. The fixed price service fee includes ongoing daily administration, continuous compliance monitoring, ongoing management of existing pensions, annual financial statements and tax return preparation and lodgement,” said Ms Halton.

Also included in the fixed price is the preparation of BAS and IAS returns, online reporting, liaisons with independent auditors and liaisons with independent actuaries. Important questions can be answered by simply logging on to the SuperFund Partners website and viewing your current SMSF details and balances.

“It will be much easier for clients to answer our questions about transactions, when they happened last week, and not 18 months ago. Our clients can expect a marked improvement in the quality of the service currently provided in managing their SMSF,” said Ms Halton.

SuperFund Partners aim is to ensure costs remain extremely competitive while increasing the level of service offered and providing clients with the best value for money.

For more information on SuperFund Partners please contact Carol Halton on 5588 6200 or visit www.superfundpartners.com.au. The SuperFund Partners office is located at 80 Queen Street Southport Queensland.

Posted in Finance, Superannuation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Proof Engineers – Proving Road Solutions Work

NEW GOLD Coast engineering company Proof are putting their stamp of approval on mining company’s road networks after helping to achieve fleet efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The experts in haul road performance and optimisation, Proof Engineers specialise in road stabilisation and performance monitoring, ensuring reduced maintenance and increasing the longevity and safety of haul roads.

The innovative company uses the engineering skills of building suburban roads and applies these to the construction and maintenance of haul roads on mine sites, while investigating, measuring and recommending soil stabilising solutions to ensure cost-effective and environmentally friendly construction and maintenance.

Since its launch in February this year, the company has been working closely with mining resource firm Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) in validating their revolutionary dust suppression applications on road structures across mines globally.

Headed by entrepreneurial engineer Sebastian Karsas, the company aims to expand their alliances to eventually service any company that requires road performance and stabilisation services.

“We’re relatively new and are still finding our feet, but we have been working with fellow Gold Coast company RST in their development of dust-free road constructions in and around mines,” said Mr Karsas.

“We are currently working with the University of Western Australia in building our business model and are looking forward to expanding to new operations.”

Specialising in road performance evaluation and environmental control through high tech monitoring solutions, Proof Engineers will go on to an existing mine site and conduct studies into the current road management status, providing detailed reports on road performance and operations, making recommendations on how to increase fleet performance, operate more economically and be more environmentally sustainable.

In many cases, Proof has proven to save companies millions.

With interest already shown from various Australian and overseas mine sites and Government agencies, Proof Engineers will cover anything from project management or constructing a road, to haul road management for commercial mining corporations.

With qualified site technicians managing each program, Proof Engineering will implement continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimum results.

Mr Karsas believes safety is of the highest importance to his clients and said without this testing and management, the effects of having to stop production to fix a road problem even for one day could cost a company millions of dollars.

“Our engineers identify dull or soft spots and structural damage that could possibly lead to dangerous and costly conditions. We then recommend a specific treatment and management plan to best suit our clients individual needs,” he said.

“We implement real-time monitoring solutions to measure road performance. If the road is defective we recommend the most applicable treatment, which could be from liquid soil stabilisation to bringing in extra additional materials.

“We are able to quantify cost savings in areas people normally wouldn’t notice. For instance, a one per cent change in rolling resistance can slow your haul truck down by 26 per cent, also having significant increases in fuel burn and other production costs. Ultimately, it’s optimising haul roads to achieve operational performance and financial benefits.

“Whether its sealed or unsealed, we can better the road and quantify financial benefits for the company.”

RST technical and development director David Handel said this service is invaluable to mining companies in being able to prove how employing soil stabilisation products are imperative to the efficiency on haul roads, but also for improving environmental outcomes.

“Proof Engineers have realised an opportunity in the field that uses engineering principals to better manage road systems and we believe they provide a great service to mines, and similarly, to companies like us,” said Mr Handel.

For more information on Proof Engineers, contact 5522 0855, or visit www.proofengineers.com.au

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Fellini Savours National Fine Wine Accolade

RISTORANTE Fellini has again been rated among Australia’s most elite wine venues in this month’s Australian Gourmet Traveller’s Wine List of the Year awards.

The iconic Marina Mirage restaurant was awarded a ‘three-glass’ rating for its fine selection of Italian reds, Australian and French wines, which is the highest possible rating in the competition. The win makes them one of only three Gold Coast venues to have received the prestigious award, with just 11 three-glass ratings handed out in Queensland.

Fellini has taken part in the awards for over 10 years and this year again celebrates the three-glass success after being awarded the same accolade in 2009.

Co-owner Carlo Percuoco says the achievement speaks volumes for the wine list, especially given the high calibre of the field.

“It is one of the most exclusive competitions in the industry,” said Mr Percuoco.

“With only 82 venues given the rating Australia-wide, this is a great achievement for us. We were listed up with the finest restaurants across the country, a testament to the selection of wines on offer at Fellini.

“We are very honoured to be recognised nationally among our peers.”

Fellini’s comprehensive wine list includes more than 600 labels from Australia, France and Italy with some impressive verticals to tantalise.

“We put a lot of effort into selecting our wines to match each meal on the Fellini menu and to offer our customers a diverse range of quality options,” said Mr Percuoco.

A panel of wine aficionados including national and international wine reviewers, reporters and sommeliers made up the judging panel, led by the Chairman of Judges, respected wine writer Peter Forrestal.

Each wine list was assessed on five different criteria – content, balance, suitability, presentation and pricing.

With sweeping views across the Broadwater from its location on the upper level of Marina Mirage, co-owners Carlo Percuoco, Anna Cacace, Richard Burt and Raffaele Di Benedetto continue to serve the finest in Italian cuisine.

Ristorante Fellini has won more than 100 industry accolades since its conception at Marina Mirage 14 years ago.

Modern Italian cuisine backed by generations of traditional family cooking ensures the multi-award winning restaurant retains its ever-growing popularity and credibility on the Gold Coast.

Fellini’s menu draws upon influences from varying Italian regions with a strong focus on Neapolitan cuisine. Diners discover a variety of dishes carefully perfected with an array of flavours.

More information can be found on www.fellini.com.au or by calling (07) 5531-0300.

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