Gala dinners are popular options for business celebrations, awards nights, conferences and fundraisers.

The key components of any gala dinner are fabulous food, eye-popping décor, a fun theme and first-class entertainment. If it is a fundraising gala dinner, it will usually include raffles offering desirable, high-value prizes and auctions offering unique or money-can’t-buy items.

With so much to organise, it is usually recommended that a committee be formed to organise the event. If this isn’t an option, consider selecting a venue that offers gala dinner packages to make the whole event easier to manage.  

5 tips to help with planning your gala dinner

The success of major infrastructure plans, new health precincts, the Western Sydney airport AND YOUR business hinges on a ready supply of skilled workers – particularly if Western Sydney businesses are going to benefit or be part of these opportunities. 

Christmas at Novotel Sydney Parramatta is the gift that keeps on giving. 

Through ARC Training, you can access government-funded training for employees who have been with your business for less than three months full time or 12 months part time.

On top of this, your business will receive $4000 under Federal Government funding. This is an invaluable investment in the future of your company – your people.

ARC Training is offering Certificate III and Certificate IV qualifications in areas of training such as business, warehousing and logistics, retail, aged care and disability. For the full scope of training available, visit www.arcgroup.com.au

Throughout the traineeship, ARC Training sends a trainer to your business once a month for one-on-one training and assessment sessions with the trainee. Trainers are available in between sessions to answer questions. 

Trainees can be school-leavers, people re-entering the workforce or workers simply wishing to change careers.

To be eligible for the funded training, the employee must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. New entrant traineeships are available to anyone of working age. Applicants cannot hold a previous qualification higher than a Certificate III.

This training is funded by the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program.

For more information one eligibility or enrolment, please call ARC Group Business Development Manager, Rachael Northcott on 1300 793 146.

On 1 November 2015 Moore Stephens Sydney and Pitcher Partners Sydney merge to become a new Pitcher Partners Sydney practice. Both middle market specialists, the combined expertise and resources mean that clients will benefit from greater infrastructure support both locally and nationally through the Pitcher Partners association.

Rob Southwell will lead the new practice as Managing Partner with 26 partners and 240 staff, more than doubling the size of the individual firms. The increased scale brings unlimited potential for growth, with exposure to new service offerings and greater investment in learning and development. All of this translates to significant opportunities for both our clients and staff.

Don Rankin, National Chair of the Pitcher Partners Association said, “This is a tremendously exciting opportunity for Moore Stephens and Pitcher Partners in Sydney and for the entire Pitcher Partners Association. The greater size and strength we will now have in Sydney will improve our competitiveness and provide a platform for growth. It will provide clients with a quality Australian firm with enormous depth that is focussed on the middle market.”

To find out more visit www.pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre,

19 Martin Place, Sydney

NSW 2000

Novotel Sydney Parramatta is the sleek glass landmark amongst the ever changing landscape of Church Street, Parramatta. Someone who has always been close to the action and participating in the Western Sydney Business community is Mary Poulter; Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s Business Development Manager for the meetings and events market.  

Mary Poulter returns to Novotel Sydney Parramatta after some time working as a business development manager for various regional properties including Accor’s Mercure Gerringong. Mary says she is excited to be back in Western Sydney, as she is a true believer that Parramatta is the next big CBD and Novotel is a strong supporter in this development.

Mary is familiar with the glass landmark that is Novotel, after originally working at the hotel in its Carlton days then watching it change over to the Sebel before becoming an Accor property. Now when she walks through the glass sliding doors, Mary describes the lobby as vibrant and alive with the new furnishings and carpet that make the entrance inviting along with new 350 Restaurant and Lounge. Mary is further excited by the opportunity to promote the newly refurbished conference and events rooms including the Lennox ballroom, Parramatta’s largest pillarless ballroom.

Having always lived in Western Sydney, being at Novotel allows Mary to be closer to home and spend more time with her three sons and lovely grandchildren. Mary says being back in Parramatta is like returning home, as the Accor and Western Sydney Business community feel like one big friendly family of passionate people. Working in hospitality sales is a real excitement for Mary with the opportunity of making long lasting business relationships and knowing each client’s needs are different but can be easily met with a simple solution.

To meet the wonderful Mary, who is always up for a great chat, or for a tour of Novotel Sydney Parramatta’s newly refurbished areas please contact her directly on 02 9890 0859. 

There are still opportunities for any last minute Christmas parties or for their glorious Christmas day Lunch. Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au for more great specials. 

The draft Airport Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Western Sydney Airport are now available.

Draft Airport Plan

The draft Airport Plan is the primary source of reference for, and companion document to, the draft EIS.  It provides detail on Stage 1 of the proposed Western Sydney Airport, along with an overview of its potential long term development. 

The draft Airport Plan outlines the concept design for the airport development including the development objectives, indicative flight paths, projected aircraft noise contours and the land use plan for the airport site.  Once determined the Airport Plan would authorise the Stage 1 development of the proposed Western Sydney Airport.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The draft EIS is an extensive assessment of both the construction and operation of Stage 1 of the proposed Western Sydney Airport as outlined in the draft Airport Plan.  The draft EIS assesses the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of Stage 1 of the airport.  It also outlines potential impacts over the long term by providing a separate strategic, level environmental impact assessment.

Community consultation

The draft Airport Plan and draft EIS are available for public exhibition from 19 October to 18 December 2015.  During this period any person, group, corporation or agency can submit comment on the airport proposal.  After taking the community's comments into account, the EIS will then be finalised. 

More information on public information sessions, how to provide feedback on the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS and where to find these documents on public display can be found at www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au. 

The Honorable Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health & Minister for Medical Research joined families and friends of Ronald McDonald House Westmead to ‘officially’ turn the soil and start building a new ‘home away from home’ for families of seriously ill children.  

The Building Love campaign is raising funds to build a brand new Ronald McDonald House at Westmead to help meet the demand of families in need of a place to stay whilst their ill child seeks treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. To open the House by early 2017, the House needs to raise $31 million dollars.

Joining Health Minister Skinner to show their support for the campaign were Geoff Lee Member for Parramatta, Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Councillor Scott Lloyd, The Hills Shire Councillor Mark Taylor and Channel 7 personality Mark Ferguson.

Health Minister Skinner along with NSW Premier Mike Baird announced at the launch in February, the NSW Governments support by donating $10 million towards the new Ronald McDonald House at the Children’s Hospital Westmead and was excited to be a part of such a significant day.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said today: “Ronald McDonald House has long brought comfort and hope to seriously ill children and families across our state - and this wonderful new building will ensure even more families can stay together at times of enormous challenge.”

Seven News anchor and Ronald McDonald House Westmead Building Love Campaign ambassador Mark Ferguson also stated, “Channel Seven is proud to support the building of this much-needed facility in Western Sydney. Ronald McDonald House Westmead already provides exceptional care for seriously ill children and their families when they need it most. The new House will be a home away from home for even more families in need.”

Ronald McDonald House Westmead Executive Officer Mike Thomas was thrilled to be able to official get the new building underway after years of planning.

“We have already had generous support of the NSW Government, Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia, Channel Seven and numerous corporate and community groups, but we still need to raise more funds to reach our final target of $31 million’, he stated.

“In 2014 we were forced to turn away over 400 families from our doors as we just did not have the room. That is nearly one in every two families who came to us during the toughest time of their lives. There is an urgent need to build a new House to accommodate the families of seriously ill children who need to stay together,” said Mr Thomas.

Ronald McDonald House Westmead is an independent charity, primarily relying on donations from the community. Helping provide a much needed ‘home away from home’, every dollar raised from the Building Love campaign will go directly towards the new House and providing support for families so they are able to stay together during one of the most difficult times of their lives.   

“We know families are stronger when they are together and our new House will be a place of comfort, love and hope to even more families in need - we look forward to seeing the House that love built open in 2017,” concluded Mike Thomas. 

Click here for the photo gallery of the day's event

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has commended the State Government on its plans to create a Western Sydney Priority Growth Area around Badgerys Creek, in partnership with Liverpool and Penrith Councils.

The Dialogue paid particular tribute to Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun who have championed this unique partnership.

Planning for the 14,000ha Western Sydney Priority Growth Area, which will maximise the economic and strategic benefits that the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek will deliver, is expected to be overseen by the Greater Sydney Commission – as per comments made by Minister Stokes at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) luncheon earlier this month.

The Dialogue has been a strong advocate of the Greater Sydney Commission and its role in overseeing the renewal and development of key parcels of land in Western Sydney. It is this type of integrated planning, using innovative funding partnerships with industry, that will future-proof the region.

"We are looking forward to working with the Department of Planning and Environment on this committee which will shape one of the most significant planning projects of our generation,” Liverpool Mayor, Councillor Ned Mannoun said.

“Penrith Council is committed to realising the opportunities the airport brings. Better roads, rail, employment and new town centres will ensure Penrith benefits from the most exciting project in decades,” said Penrith Mayor, Councillor Karen McKeown.

The Western Sydney Priority Growth Area stretches from Penrith and Blacktown down to Leppington. It is bound by The Northern Rd to the west, Bringelly Rd to the south and the Western Sydney Parklands and the suburbs of Horsley Park and Mount Vernon to the east.

The Western Sydney Priority Growth Area stretches from Penrith and Blacktown down to

Leppington. It is bound by The Northern Rd to the west, Bringelly Rd to the south and the Western Sydney Parklands and the suburbs of Horsley Park and Mount Vernon to the east.

Funding is available for innovative projects that support healthy ageing.

The new Liveable Communities Grants program  will provide $4 million dollars over four years for innovative projects that support a range of ideas for new initiatives or platforms focussed on helping older people increase their participation in the community and lead rewarding, active lives.

Minister for Ageing John Ajaka said that liveable communities enabled everyone, regardless of age or ability, to lead active, independent, healthy lives and access their community freely and safely.

The grants are open to non-government organisations, academics, entrepreneurs, small businesses and local councils.

Entries must address one of the following categories:

• helping people stay healthy
• helping people stay connected
• helping people work or contribute
• Helping people live where they want to.

Successful entries will be assessed on innovation, understanding of community and the potential for creating sustainable long-term solutions.

More information

• Liveable Communities Grants program information