Hunter's Best

Newcastle advertising agency helping Coast Guard saves lives

Newcastle advertising agency Sticky has launched a new multi-media campaign consisting of Television and web for Coast Guard Swansea to recruit new volunteers for their 24/7 operations after the volunteer organisation was awarded a Government grant from the Attorney General’s Department.

The new TV commercial currently airing on Channel TEN Newcastle promotes awareness of the important role Coast Guard Swansea plays in keeping people safe on the water as well as featuring a strong call to action for volunteers to join now.

The new website offers a range of information specifically relevant to Coast Guard Swansea including information about the organisation, interesting information on the history of Coast Guard Swansea, and most importantly how you can volunteer and become a member.

Coast Guard Swansea has been thrilled with the response and continue to be inundated with enquiries from the TV commercial as well as the website.

The Government Grant would not have been possible for Coast Guard Swansea without the help of Companion Credit Union. As a member of Companion, Companion assisted Coast Guard Swansea with the preparation of a business case to be submitted to the Government.

The Coast Guard wanted to use the government grant to promote their new 24/7 operations and to attract new volunteers to man the operations, again they asked for Companion’s help.

Companion introduced Coast Guard Swansea to Sticky Advertising to create the new advertising campaign to promote the new 24/7 operation.

Southern Cross TEN are also generously supporting Coast Guard Swansea and have kindly provided additional airtime to help promote awareness of the great work the Coast Guard does and to encourage more people to volunteer.

Local Government Investments Newcastle City Council

Source: Newcastle City Council

Newcastle City Council welcomes the review and supports the recommendations provided by Michael Cole.

Firstly, it is important to note the review has confirmed Council's have acted in good faith and within the guidelines provided by the NSW Government.

As these guidelines underpin Council investment policies and strategies is it important for these to be robust, relevant and well scrutinised. Much of the information in the report, Council has been aware of for many months and this has allowed for close monitoring of current investments.

NEWCASTLE SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB

Source: Port Waratah Coal Services

The biggest sponsorship deal in the 100-year history of Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club has been struck, enabling the club to grow and move closer to being an eminent player in the state and national surf life saving movement.

Hunter-based Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) has committed $90,000 to the club over 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Newcastle Port Corporation - Ship Security Zone

Source: Newcastle Port Corporation

The return visit to Newcastle tomorrow (Friday 15 February) by the largest cruise liner to visit the city will see a Ship Security Zone implemented from early morning.

The Mercury is scheduled to sail into the Port of Newcastle about 7am tomorrow to berth at Dyke Point because of its 263 metre length.

TRANSPORT LINKS VITAL FOR NEWCASTLE’S FUTURE

Source: Sharon Grierson

With Federal Parliament resuming this week, Member for Newcastle Sharon Grierson has written to the Minister for Transport seeking urgent consideration of the infrastructure and transport needs of business and residents in the Newcastle and Hunter region.

NSW police make arrests over alleged drug ring

Source: ABC Online

Police have arrested five people allegedly involved in a major drug supply syndicate in New South Wales.

Early this morning 50 police officers from Strike Force Emily raided houses in New Lambton, Macquarie Hills, Warners Bay and Cardiff in the Newcastle and Lake Macqaurie regions.

They arrested four people and seized drugs, $40,000 in cash and two cars.

Police allege the syndicate was supplying ice, amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine in the Hunter Valley, mid north coast and central west regions of the state.

The arrested will all appear in court this afternoon charged with possessing and supplying drugs.

Another man was arrested at Williamtown airport.

Police allege he was one of the main ring leaders of the group.

Police say since their surveillance operation began in July last year they have made 13 arrests.

Newcastle's a dirty word in China

Source: John Garnaut, Sydney Morning Herald

COSCO, the world's biggest shipping line for bulk commodities, yesterday singled out Newcastle's dysfunctional coal loading systems to explain why iron ore shipping costs have doubled in four months and quadrupled since early last year.

"That's why in Newcastle there are so many ships; more than 100 vessels waiting for coal," said Yang Shicheng, deputy director of research at the COSCO group. "It is such a bad situation in Australia."

With about one in 20 of the world's bulk dry commodity ships tied up in a traffic jam at Newcastle on any given day, the average price for hauling ore in a cape-size ship to China has just broken through $US200,000 ($217,000) per day, from an already heated $US100,000 in the middle of the year.

Perversely, Newcastle's contribution to unprecedented global freight costs has helped lever BHP Billiton into its strongest-ever bargaining position.

Suddenly, it is far more cost effective for Shanghai steel makers to float ore for 10 days over 5000 kilometres from Dampier in Western Australia, than to cart it for 40 days over 20,000 kilometres from Tubarao, Brazil.

He too would like a piece of it: "Collecting this $US30 billion is a marvellous dream."

Traders and conference goers have booked out all 563 rooms at the Shangrila and 626 rooms at the equally extravagant Furama Hotel next door. They are waving mobile phones and openly signing contracts in the foyers and over cups of Chinese tea.

What makes a great mate?

Source: Australian Red Cross Blood Service

A shoulder to cry on; a sympathetic ear; someone who shouts you dinner and makes you laugh – these are some of the qualities that make a good mate – but what extra qualities make a great mate?

This October and November the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) is going to test friendship in a different way, by asking current blood donors to recruit their friends to donate, making them, not just good, but great mates.

To help our blood donors recruit their mates we’ve designed them a unique website: www.matesdonate.com.au

Social network websites are all the rage and the ARCBS hopes matesdonate.com.au will be no exception. Here donors can nominate friends they think should be blood donors, send them an e-mail through the website and track how many of their mates have donated. You can even pick up tips about encouraging mates along the way.

Dr Pip Hetzel, National Operations Manager for the ARCBS said: “One in three of us will need blood or a blood product at some point during our lives, so many of us will rely on others to help us out. You may not have needed blood yet, but is it unreasonable to ask your mates to help out in advance and help other Australians as well?  The Australian Red Cross Blood Service doesn’t think so!

Newcastle urged to crack down on squatters

Source: ABC Online

Businesses are calling for action to reduce the large number of vagrants squatting in derelict buildings around the Newcastle CBD, in the New South Wales Upper Hunter region.

Newcastle Alliance spokeswoman Evelyn King says it seems more than 20 people at a time are living in buildings that have been earmarked for redevelopment, such as the Palais and Empire Hotel.

Ms King says the damage to vacant buildings caused by homeless people is tarnishing the city's image.

"One is the spate of fires and the damage that poses to people's safety, even to their lives, damage to buildings nearby and abutting," she said.

"Also, vandalism, the destruction of property, even down to sheets of glass being smashed in dangerous conditions."

Newcastle councillor to run as independent in federal election

Source: ABC Online

Outspoken Newcastle councillor Aaron Buman has today announced he will stand as an independent candidate for the federal seat of Newcastle, in New South Wales.

He faces an uphill battle to oust sitting ALP Member Sharon Grierson, who holds the seat with a margin of more than 9 per cent.

Aaron Buman was with his wife and two children at his Newcastle cafe this morning when he announced his intention to run for the seat.

He says he is confident voters understand the benefits of living in a marginal seat and is urging people in the electorate not to focus on national issues.

"Let's see what's in it for us. Let's get better infrastructure, let's get more money into the university, let's get more money into the John Hunter [hospital]," he said.

Sharon Grierson has welcomed the challenge.

"Well Newcastle always deserves a contest, but this election is really about delivering for Newcastle," she said.

Mr Buman says he will not be doing any preference deals with other candidates.