SOPBiz # 15 May Edition

Sydney Showground transforms into Gladiator Dome

Sydney Showground's signature venue, The Dome, was drilled, rigged and transformed from a 7,200 square metre, pillar-less space, into an impressive 'Gladiator Dome' for Channel 7's series , 'Gladiator.'

A six month long project from initial business development plans to final bump-out, Gladiators-a dual live production and television program- was an all encompassing assignment for the Sydney Showground team.

"The sheer size of the Gladiator project was quite amazing, but the results- as you will see - were well worth it.,"said Kim Seccombe, Event Planning and Delivery Manager, Sydney Showground.

One of the biggest challenges was the construction of the Gladiator Arena which was built inside the Dome and was required to support a massive amount of weight whilst having the functional capabilities to quickly swap from one Gladiator game to another. Engineers were consulted on this vital part of the project to ensure safety regulations were always met.

Sydney Showground's Food and Beverage team were kept busy preparing individual meals suited to each Gladiator's specific dietary and nutritional requirements. They also managed all food and beverage needs for production crews and ran food outlets for audience members.

The Gladiator production utilised several of Sydney Showground's venues, including the Dome, Hall 2, the Dome Theaterette, Somerville Room,Pearson Room , North Pod and South Pod. A custom-built gym was also constructed onsite.

"The entire Gladiator production was an exciting but challenging project for the team at Sydney Showground. It was fantastic to see the potential of the Dome - the largest structure of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere - as it was transformed into a 21st century Gladiator Arena," said Kim Seccombe.

ACPE sponsors visit by notable Sports Psychologist

Professor Leonard Zaichkowsky, School of Education (Counseling) and School of Medicine ( Graduate Medicl Science, & Psychiatry) Boston University, USA recently visited Sydney as a guest of the ACPE.

During his stay the Professor made several presentations to ACPE students in the field of sport science and sport psychology.

In addition, Professor Zaichkowsky presented to various sporting groups including Sydney Swans, the Football Federation of Australia Joey's squad and to staff from both the NSW Institute of Sport and the Queensland Academy of Sport.

He was also seen in a number of media interviews and commentaries including Foxsport News, the ABC Grandstand program and the 'Today' Show, Channel 9.

Professor Zaichkowsky has consulted with a range of international sporting teams and associations including the NBA Boston Celtics, the Spanish World Cup team, Major League Baseball Palyers Association and closer to home, the Australian Olympic Organisation.

Image- Professor Zaichkowsky (left) receiving a farewell gift from NSW Institute of Sport and ACPE.

Star spotting at the Waterview Convention Centre

The fourth annual 'Celebrate the West 'charity luncheon, to raise funds for BoysTown's San Miguel Family Centre and recognise local champions, was held recently at the Waterview Convention Centre.

This annual event attracts a variety of celebrity guests which this year included rock and roll legend, Jimmy Barnes; actors Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward; Bulldogs Hooker , Corey Hughes; Australian Rugby Union scrum half - George Gregan ; former Australian test captain, Steve Waugh and Australian fashion guru Trent Nathan, to name only a few.

Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park

As Sydney's newest 5-star hotel races towards its grand opening, recruiting for the key hotel positions has begun in earnest.

General Manager, Mr Marcus Hanna has announced Mr David Greenhill as the Executive Chef. David brings with him a wealth of 5-star experience and innovative thinking. From the Park Hyatt, Sydney and Museum of Contemporary Art to the opening team of Terrance Conran's Bluebird in London and Head Chef of 'Best Restaurant in Tokyo' award winner, the Park Hyatt Tokyo's New York Grill, David's colleagues have included Chris Galvin, Neil Perry, Jamie Oliver and Giovanni Rotti.

FFor the establishments I cook for, it's about matching decor, environment and surrounding architecture with a menu that attracts the varied tastes of our guests and outperforms the taste expectation every time. Balance across all elements of the culinary experience is paramount.'

David has travelled the world over, completing stages at some of the best venues, from Grissini's Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Chateau Restaurant Joel Robuchon Tokyo, Caprice Hong Kong, Quaglinos London, Balthazar New York, Enotica Giovanni Italy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RSPCA Million Paws Walk 2008

Following the success of last year's event, Sydney's Million Paws Walk will again be staged at Sydney Olympic Park and the spectacular surrounding parklands. The event is designed to raise funds and celebrate responsible pet ownership.

In 2008, on Sunday, May 18, the Sydney Million Paws Walk will be within the Sydney Olympic Park at the Overflow. The 3km walk through the parklands is designed for all levels of fitness and has plenty of water stops along the way.

This is a joyous event where pet owners can mingle, chat and celebrate their attachment to their pets. There will be entertainment, rides, food stalls, the Jungle Bar, dog washes, our annual 'best in walk' competitions (where your pets can show off their fashion sense and talents), vet checks, seminars, kids workshops, market stalls, doggy games and NSW Police, Correctional Services and Customs dog demonstrations.

No pet? No problem. Just come and experience the friendliest event of the year.

Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your office, bring your pets and get ready for a day of pet power. All proceeds go towards the operating costs of the RSPCA.

To register download the form, fill in and fax back to 02 8666 0175 or mail to PO Box 6993, Silverwater NSW 2128. Or to book online, go to www.millionpawswalk.com.au .

If you'd like:
-your office to be involved, download a Corporate Pack
-your school to be involved, download a Schools Pack

Also, Sydney Olympic Park Lifestyles members get free food only from the RSPCA BBQ at the event, just flash your card.

SOPA's Six Month Events Calendar

To assist you with planning events, deliveries and the like, the Six Months Events Calendar for Park activities is attached. This is a useful guide to know what's coming up in the Park and extimated attendances.

SOPA Six month Events Calendar

LIFESTYLE

A message from the Lifestyle Office

Lifestyle has brought many great offers to you over the past 7 months, giving members the opportunity to save an estimated $3,000* so far. Therefore it is not surprising that over 82% of members are satisfied with the their Lifestyle membership benefits so far, as reported in the recent member survey results.

But it has come to our attention that many members are not receiving Lifestyle communications and may be missing out on some great offers. So, Lifestyle has 'switched on' all members to receive Lifestyle emails.

Following survey feedback, Lifestyle will aim to send one email each week with the new offers that are available to members. There will also be some last minute HOT deals that may come through and these will be passed on to members as they present themselves.

The Lifestyle team thank you for your support of the program and look forward to bringing you many great new offers in the future.

* Savings total calculated on all offers that have been made available between October 2007 and May 2008.

SPECIAL OFFERS

15% Discount - The Waterfront Function Centre

The Waterfront Function Centre is the perfect place to hold your next meeting, AGM, product launch, wedding or birthday party and as a valued member of SOPBA, The Waterfront is offering a 15% discount on all bookings.

Stylish, modern and conveniently located at The Waterfront - Homebush Bay's premier luxury residential development - the function centre offers state-of-the-art audio visual facilities, security personnel, use of the bar fridge and commercial kitchen, undercover parking and tables and chairs. Close amenities and an outdoor private courtyard make this function centre an ideal place for any occasion, day or night, for up to 150 people.

For booking details or to view the facilities, contact Janelle on (02) 9739 9550, or email janelle@thewaterfront.com.au.

The Waterfront Function Centre, 3 The Crescent, Homebush Bay, www.thewaterfront.com.au.

Bookings and deposit must be made by 30 May to take advantage of this exclusive SOPBA offer. Members will need to show proof of their place of employment to receive the discount.

Lilies on the Park free coffee offer

In exchange for your business card, Lilies on the Park is offering Sydney Olympic Park business owners and employees a free coffee of your choice during the month of May.

Visit Lilies during the month of May, 2008, Mondays to Fridays, between 8:30am and 10:30am and receive a complimentary coffee when you hand the barista your business card.

*1 coffee per business card.

Bel Parco Mothers Day offer

Say 'Thank You' to Mum this Mothers Day at Bel Parco, Bicentennial Park

3 Course set menu and 2 great bonuses for $75.00 per person, includes choice of Entrée, Main and Dessert. Bonus 1: Every Mother receives a glass of pink sparkling wine on arrival. Bonus 2: A complimentary VIP Parking space for the first 10 bookings.

Bookings are essential to avoid disappointment. $15.00 per person children's menu is available to children up to 12 years of age. To book simply phone Bel Parco on 9763 7530 Email enquiries@belparco.com.au or visit -www.belparco.com.au. Conditions apply.

Novotel Sydney Olympic Park

Having a conference... look no further.

Novotel Sydney Olympic Park is the place to hold your meetings and conferences this winter. The conference day package starts from just $65.00 per person per day, and is available to all new bookings in June & July 2008. Conference accommodation rates are from $199.00 per room including, a full buffet breakfast in Arena Restaurant .

Both offers are strictly subject to availability at time of enquiry.

Mothers Day Option

Celebrate Mother's Day at Arena Restaurant with an International Buffet on Sunday 11 May 2008 from 12:30pm-2:30pm. The buffet is $52 per person, or $40 per person for Lifestyle members.

Up to $26,000 saving on a Waterfront Apartment

SOPBA at Sydney Olympic Park is proud to offer an exclusive property opportunity from Payce, a fellow SOPBA member , to all of members, staff and their friends to purchase a luxury apartment in The Waterfront estate at Homebush Bay.

Until June 30, 2008, The Waterfront is offering SOPBA members and their friends and families 2% off the purchase price of any brand new apartment.

Choose from a large selection of 1, 2, 3 bedrooms as well as split level, terraced style and penthouse apartments priced from $370,000 to $1.3 million. That equates to a saving of between $7,400 to $26,000 depending on the value of the apartment.

To find out more and to be eligible for this exclusive SOPBA /Payce offer, please call the display centre and mention that you are part of the SOPBA. Telephone: 1800 333 818 and visit the web site for more information www.thewaterfront.com.au.

Terms and conditions apply. Visit our display centre located

MEMBER PROFILE

RAS Foundation

Established in late 2007, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities for young people in rural and regional NSW, and help build strong communities throughout the state.

The RAS Foundation (RASF) was launched during the 2008 Sydney Royal Easter Show and consists of three distinct grants programs, the Encouraging Educational Excellence, or E3 Grants, the $25,000 Question and the Donor-Advised Scholarship program.

The E3 Grants program has got off to a flying start, with $300,000 committed to eligible rural educational projects, to be distributed across the state over the next three years, in collaboration with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Some students from the Rowena Progress Association are pictured with books supplied as part of this E3 Grants program.

The $25,000 Question is another facet of the RASF, providing $25,000 in grants to civic projects devised by young residents of rural and regional NSW. By giving young people the opportunity to make their ideas a reality, the RAS hopes to encourage local community initiatives across the state.

The third element of the Foundation is the Donor-Advised Scholarship Program, whereby major donors can establish an educational scholarship in an area that they choose. The first such scholarship is the JB Fairfax Award for Rural Journalism, which encourages quality coverage of rural and regional affairs.

The RAS is honoured to be furthering its charter to support the development and sustainability of rural communities and helping to foster excellence in education.

To find out more about the RAS Foundation, and how you can help, please contact Foundation Manager, Maria Chilcott on 9704 1234 or foundation@rasf.org.au, or visit the website www.rasf.org.au

Image - Rowena Grant recipient girls with books

TRANSPORT SURVEY

Transport survey update for park employees

Thank you for participating in the March Transport Survey. We would appreciate you passing the following information on to your staff and colleagues.

Around 1,800 respondents across 130 businesses operating in and around Sydney Olympic Park participated in the survey.

Whilst private vehicle usage has decreased since the last park employee survey in 2006 (84% previously used private vehicles, 79% indicated private vehicle use in the most recent survey), there is still much work required to increase the usage of public transport with connections, timetabling and frequency the three key concerns with regards buses and trains.

We now have some very strong, persuasive data however which we have utilised as part of recent meetings with the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the STA (State Transit Authority of NSW) and RailCorp requesting improvements to public transport.

The list below highlights some of your key concerns and provides more detail on our work in progress.

Your issue - We need a direct service from the CBD or Strathfield

Response - RailCorp have refused this request.
RailCorp explained that c40,000 people per hour travel towards the city each morning. In order to run a direct peak service from the city / Strathfield to the Park, massive investment in infrastructure would be required to prevent disruption to this flow.

Currently, direct services are only triggered by special, major events involving large numbers of people such as the State of Origin and the NRL Grand final, as services heading in the direction of the peak have to be cancelled.

Your issue - Bus route 525 arrives late or early.
The journey time is more than timetabled and services don't turn up at all / cancelled.

Response - STA to conduct a timetable review.
We met with the STA and they committed to conducting a timetable review and rebuild to:
-publish a timetable with realistic journey times
-ensure the service runs to time and is not cancelled

We also discussed amending the route slightly to expedite journey times.

The MoT and STA promised to update us on progress by end of June 08.

Your issue - Bus route 533 not accurate.
The timetable for bus route 533 allows too much time between Top Ryde and Sydney Olympic Park, and Rhodes station is not listed on the timetable.

Response- STA to review timetable and amend details.
The STA will:
-conduct a timetable review
-amend timetable to allow for realistic journey times between Top Ryde and Sydney Olympic Park
-include the time of stops at Rhodes station

They committed to us to provide an update by end of June 08.

Your issue - Bus route 450 available in off-peak.
You would really like to buy weekly tickets for the 450 bus.

Response - Bus company to arrange weekly tix.
CBA have spoken directly with Punchbowl Bus Company about selling weekly passes for this service. They are currently negotiating with the MoT for authorisation and they will then be able to purchase a ticketing system for the convenience of users.

Response - Not enough demand for off-peak..

We met with the MoT and the STA and asked them to consider providing more services outside peak hours and increase the frequency of service. Unfortunately, until peak time patronage increases, it is not viable to run more services throughout the day.

We will continue to monitor this service and put forward a case for more services as utilisation grows.

Your issue - Lidcombe sprint rail every 10 minutes.
We need a 10 minute frequency of service from Lidcombe especially during peak hours.

Response - RailCorp to review and advise.
RailCorp have undertaken to conduct a feasibility study into providing a 10 minute service during peak times. They are checking their fleet as four engines are required rather than the current two. As soon as we have more information we will pass it on to you.

Your issue - Western line trains should stop at Lidcombe

Response - RailCorp to investigate.
RailCorp are currently considering a proposal to terminate Bankstown services at Lidcombe which will result in Lidcombe becoming more of a hub. They are also working on the Chatswood / Epping timetable will result in 12 trains per hour travelling from the city to Parramatta heading against the peak (vs 8 currently).

We have asked RailCorp to consider stopping all of these trains at Lidcombe. In support of this we have provided home suburb data of Park staff to encourage them to do this. As soon as we have more information on these proposals we will advise you.

We also requested that more trains heading in the direction of the peak stop at Lidcombe. Unfortunately, RailCorp would not agree to this as it would result in delays up the line.

Your issue - Lidcombe Sprint trains leave as people arrive at the platform. We need a screen at Lidcombe Station to indicate when the next Sprint service departs.

Response - RailCorp to investigate CCTV.
RailCorp is considering installing a departures screen and CCTV to allow guards to see passengers walking to the Sprint platform in order to hold the departing train for them. As soon as we have more information regarding this matter we will pass it on to you.

Your issue - Journey times between Lidcombe and Sydney Olympic Park are longer than necessary.

Response - The curvature and gradient of the line means that the safe travelling speed of the train is lower than on other lines.

Additional Considerations

Car Pooling
Only 7% of the 79% of car users in the Park car pool
.
The potential exists for park employees to share the cost of rising petrol prices and also reduce the number of vehicles travelling to and from the park in peak hours. CBA employees are currently utilising a reputable car-pooling website, so why not visit www.ecarpool.com.au yourself.

Ecarpool provides a fantastic web site with a free, map-based, online matching service.

Please make sure you read the guidelines before you start carpooling. By registering on ecarpool you are agreeing to the guidelines. These guidelines detail possible parking incentives, how to apply, how to register and what happens after registering. In addition are some handy hints to make your carpool experience work for you.

Register your journey and hopefully someone else will match your journey (if not now, then in the near future). Also, try the online carpool cost calculator for suggestions on how to split costs.

Please encourage your colleagues to register. The more people who register, the more chances there are of finding a match.

Shuttle Services

There was strong response to the question regarding a Park Shuttle service, especially to Rhodes.

SOPBA and other key stakeholders are looking into a possible trial option. The mechanics of how it would operate and the costs need to be looked into thoroughly and its viability assessed before progressing this, but it is on the agenda.