SOPBiz #28 JULY 2009

ANZ Stadium management rights acquired by new consortium

This following is a statement recently issued by ANZ Stadium.

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) announced last month to unit holders in two infrastructure funds managed by ANZ Infrastructure Services (ANZIS) that it has agreed the principal terms for ANZIS to be acquired by a consortium of John Clarke (40%), Mike Fitzpatrick (50%), and Les Fallick (10%).

Unit holders agreed to support the acquisition.

ANZIS is currently jointly-owned by ANZ (80%) and ANZIS Managing Director John Clarke (20%) and is a specialist adviser and investment manager across all sectors of energy, infrastructure and utilities markets. Funds managed by ANZIS are:
• The Energy Infrastructure Trust with over $750 million in funds under management in a variety of energy assets including interests in 990MW of electricity generation and steam production, gas pipelines and gas production. Investments in the Trust’s portfolio include Esperance Energy Project, Neerabup Power Station, Kwinana Power Station, Condamine Power Station, Wattle Point Wind Farm, Hallett Hill Wind Farm, Gas Pipelines of Victoria, Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, Biodiesel Producers Limited and Dalby Bio-refinery Limited.

• The Diversified Infrastructure Trust has approximately $220 million in funds under management including ANZ Stadium and is in the process of developing a number of projects in the economic infrastructure sector.
The buyout follows ANZ’s decision to exit alternative asset businesses and having regard to certain option arrangements within the current ownership structure that have recently become exercisable.

ANZ Chief Financial Officer Institutional Michael Rowland said: “This proposal will see ANZ exit the alternative assets business. It’s come about after considerable discussion and based on the principle that any long term ownership arrangement for ANZIS must ensure that both Funds continue to be well-managed.

“Looking ahead, the stability of the investment management team will be an important driver of future results. For this reason we want the new ownership structure for ANZIS to give investors reassurance that their capital will continue to be managed by a capable and well resourced team.

ANZIS Managing Director John Clarke said: “We believe the buyout of the ANZIS management company creates a specialist funds management company which provides investors with team continuity, detailed knowledge of the portfolio and assets and strong investor focus and investor relations skills.

“The new ownership also provides ANZIS with additional infrastructure market experience and credibility and strong financial commitment to the success of the funds,” Mr Clarke said.

Mike Fitzpatrick will be Chairman of ANZIS following the buyout with John Clarke remaining managing Director.

Terms of the buyout are confidential. The consideration received by ANZ is not material to the Group. As part of the buyout terms, John Clarke also received consideration from the consortium for the optionality around his shares.

As Chairman of the AFL, which currently plays games at ANZ Stadium, and as the proposed Chairman of ANZIS and its investment committee, Mr Fitzpatrick will absent himself on any issues relating to ANZ Stadium, at either ANZIS or the AFL, and will receive no papers on the ANZ Stadium. The ownership change will have no impact on user agreements for the stadium.

ANZ continues to be a significant investor in the Energy Infrastructure Trust and the Diversified Infrastructure Trust and will join the Advisory Committees of both funds. The buyout is expected to be complete by late July.

New Lineup at ANZ Stadium

From 1 July, Daryl Kerry has taken over the reins as CEO of ANZ Stadium following the departure of Ken Edwards.

Daryl has worked closely with the Board and the Stadium's management team over the past month to establish a new staffing and organisational structure.

The new structure provides a renewed focus on the Stadium's core business of staging the best sporting and entertainment events.

As part of the new structure,six key members of the management team will report direct to the new CEO. They are

* Stephen Heytman, Corporate Services & ANZ Stadium Club
* Sue Max, Event & Venue Management
* Tony Partridge, Commercial
* Simon Davies, Asset Management
* John Barker, Food & Beverage
* Kyle Patterson, Business Development & Media

Pictured is Daryl Kerry, the new CEO of ANZ Stadium

Amazing Gold Membership Offer for Friends of ANZ Stadium

ANZ Stadium is in the process of selling a limited number of ANZ Stadium Gold Memberships at the heavily discounted price of $1,600. Gold Memberships have typically been sold for over $5,000, so this is a fantastic offer.

As a fellow Business Association member, ANZ Stadium they have extended this offer to you, your staff, friends and family. Over recent weeks the offer has been made to existing ANZ Stadium Club Members and memberships have been moving fast.

Anyone purchasing a membership will have access to tickets to the Bledisloe Cup, NRL Grand Final and many events for not only this year, but year after year. The price of $1,600 includes the 2009 subscription fee.

To purchase Gold Memberships, simply complete the attached form and fax it back to (02) 8765 2222 or for more information call (02) 8765 2600. But move quickly as this offer is limited.

Friends of ANZ Stadium

STATE OF ORIGIN

Titan Clients excel in State of Origin

Congratulations to the Queensland State of Origin team who took out game two and the 2009 series at ANZ Stadium on the 24th of June and in doing so created history producing four consecutive Origin titles.

Titan clients contributing to the Maroon’s series win were Israel Folau, Cameron Smith and Karmichael Hunt, with Willie Tonga joining the side for game two.

Cameron Smith (pictured) scored the match-winning try, securing the victory for his team.Titan clients who represented NSW during the series to date are Michael Jennings, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen and debutants David Williams (the Wolfman) and Josh Morris.

Titan Management currently represents over 300 clients across 9 different sports. As one of the largest sports management companies in Australia we are perfectly positioned to assist you with your marketing and endorsement needs.

Our athletes are available for the following corporate services:
• Product Endorsements & Sponsorships
• Appearances at Corporate Events and Functions
• Speaking Engagements
• Ground & Venue Signage

For more information please contact Phoebe Munro on 02 9746 6355 or phoebe@titanmanagement.com.au

Massive event for ANZ Stadium

While the New South Wales Aussie Blues didn’t get the result most wanted, Game II of the 2009 State of Origin series was one of the biggest ever for ANZ Stadium.

The electric atmosphere created by the parochial crowd of 80,459 was the fifth biggest Origin crowd of all time and the fourth highest ever at ANZ Stadium.

On top of the stellar crowd, the highest ever television audience for a Game 2 Origin match tuned in to watch with 2.135 million viewers across the five capital cities and a further 1.113 million across regional Australia.

In Sydney, the match attracted an average of 825,000 viewers (2008: 880,000) and a huge 62.1% audience share.

TASTE OF ORIGIN IN REVIEW

Radio 2UE dines on Park Stories

As was mentioned earlier, the recent Taste of Origin promotion had a number of components to it, with the NRL teaming up with Radio 2UE and 2KY's Big Sports Breakfast to help promote the off field activities in the Park.

Presenter Murray Wilton from Radio 2UE conducted a number of live crosses from the Park restaurants to help promote Taste of Origin.

Over six days, vouchers from participating Park outlets were given away on air. Food vouchers to the value of $200 were provided by Hithai, Ribs and Rumps, Lilies on the Park, ANZ Stadium, The Brewery and the Pullman.

Pictured is Murray Wilton with Rula,Kirsty and Christine from Ribs and Rumps.

Meals on wheels for 2KY's Big Sports Breakfast

As part of Taste of Origin , a food drop including a variety of tasty food samples from around the park to demonstrate the diversity of food on offer for State of Origin patrons.

The delivery included ribs and seafood from Ribs and Rumps, platters of Thai entees from Hithai, chicken schnitzel baguettes from the Novotel, Sushi rolls from Sushi and Rice, Gozleme from Food Alert, muffins and cakes from Raw and a gourmet hamper from ANZ Stadium.

Needless to say the food delivery was very well received, feeding the whole of the station in one very elaborate morning tea.

As a result, the Big Sports Breakfast team of Terry Kennedy and Greg Hayes gave the Dawn Fraser outlets a great plug, in addition to the new Showground Wine Bar.

Inaugural 'Best-Themed Outlet ' winner

Ribs and Rumps was the inaugural winner of the 'Best-themed' outlet for the Taste of Origin promotion.

Mikaila, Rula, Christine and the rest of the team got into the spirit of the promotion from 1 June by decking out the restaurant with 'Blues' point of sale material. In addition they conducted a promotion to win two tickets to the State of Origin, purchased a rugby league highlights video to play through the in-house televisions, provided vouchers to give away in radio promotions and participated in the Big Sports Breakfast food drop.

Congratulations to the Ribs and Rumps team. Their prize includes a VIP Grand Final Experience for four people, including reserved seating, behind-the-scenes tour, walk on the field before the match and limousine transfers.

Highly Commended - Hithai

Whilst originally only one prize for the Best -Themed outlet was agreed, the NRL was happy to provide two 'highly commended' awards to acknowledge the efforts of two other retailers.

Hithai's creative use of blue balloons in spelling out 'NSW' won them a Highly Commended award and two tickets to a Finals Series game in September.

Congratulations to Clare and James Park.

Highly Commended - Raw Cafe and Espresso Bar

Raw Cafe and Espresso Bar was the other winner of a 'High Commended' Award.

Raw opened for dinner for the first time as part of the Taste of Origin promotion and produced posters to promote their involvement as well as decorating the internal of their cafe. They also stayed open after the match serving much welcome coffee to dejected NSW supporters.

Congratulations to Dominic and Rosemary Romeo!

Lifestyle Lunchtime Trivia - a State of Origin 'sell-out'

The largest ever lunchtime Lifestyle Trivia (around 20 teams) with a State of Origin theme, saw CommInSense (from CBA) take out the honours. Each member received a double pass to the State of Origin II game courtesy of the National Rugby League.

Second and third place ultimately tied between Soparoos (from SOPA) and PocoLoco (from CBA). These teams each received a $75 Brewery voucher.

Debut of Showground Wine Bar

The relocation of the Visitors Centre provided the Sydney Showground with an opportunity to debut their wine bar concept as part of the Taste of Origin promotion.

In addition to a selection of beers and wines, food was also on offer. For a first outing the bar proved a winner with the huge crowd, providing a great additional option for a pre or post match drink at major events.

Well done to Simon Lomas and his team at the Sydney Showground.

OUT 'N ABOUT

'Track and field' presentations at General Meeting

Around 55 members representing 37 businesses attended the General Meeting and presentations on 2 July at Ribs and Rumps.

First up former Hockeyroo Nikki Hudson provided an inspirational account of her highly successful playing days. Nikki remains the most experienced Hockeyroo of all time, having represented Australia in 303 international matches. She was a member of the triumphant Hockeyroos team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games which of course were played right here in the Park and she was top scorer at the tournament with six goals.

Nikki made her debut for the Australian senior team as a 17-year-old, playing in lead up matches to the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam in August 1993.

She also represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2006 Commonwealth Games and World Cup and Champions Trophy Tournaments in 2005, 2006 and 2008. She was therefore well placed to promote the upcoming Samsung Champions Trophy, women which commences on 11 July.

Next up were Chris Bastic, Homebush Motor Racing Authority and Nigel Blunden V8 Supercars Australia.

Nigel (pictured) presented an overview of the schedule of works to be undertaken commencing on 20 July with the removal of the 'dip' on the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Dawn Fraser Avenue. The bulk of the works will take place after the conclusion of the World Masters Games on 18 October.

For further information please contact Chris Bastic,General Manager Stakeholder Relations, Homebush Motor Racing Authority Ph: 02 93386637, Mobile: 0418 771552 and E: chris.bastic@ccsu.nsw.gov.au

Billbergia Breakfast Presentation- 'Australia Towers comes to the Park'

Kevin Lum (Billbergia) and Tony Hayek from Bluewealth Property were the two speakers at the recent Business Association breakfast at the Novotel where Australia Towers , the first residential development to be built in the Park was the topic.

Tony provided an insightful and entertaining macro and micro view of the current property market, as well as detailing the high quality features of the Park's first residential complex.

Imagine living in Sydney Olympic Park?

Situated on Australia Avenue, Australia Towers offers the opportunity to live in one of Sydney’s most famous and dynamic business and lifestyle locations.

For more information please click on http://www.australiatowers.com.au/emails/july2009/australia_towers_july2009.html Billbergia, the developers of Australia Towers, welcome the opportunity to present this unique project specificlly to your staff.

Please contact Marketing Manager Sue Ballesty on 02 8878 2888 for more information or to arrange a meeting.

Record breaking Lifestyle Coffee Club

The July Lifestyle Coffee Club surpassed its previous record of 259 members when 313 members took up the option of a free coffee at Gloria Jeans on 1 July.

In addition to a free coffee (from a range including a caramelatte or white chocolate mocha), members also received a complimentary copy of The Daily Telegraph and went into the draw to win a double pass to the Hockey Champions Trophy later this month. The additional elements resulted from an in-kind sponsorship with Hockey Australia and Hockey NSW to promote their women's international competition.

New Ticketek Outlet

The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre is the new home for Ticketek in the Park.The previous location was in the Sports centre and closed on 30 June.

Trading hours initially will be 9am-5pm, Monday to Sunday.

For purchasing or collecting tickets, you are advised to park on Olympic Boulevard and not in the Aquatic Centre car park, which is for patrons of the centre only.

Happiest hours of the day at Ribs and Rumps

Check out the new Happy Hour at Ribs and Rumps from 4.30pm-6.30pm, Wednesday to Friday.

Beer, wines and spirits are $3.00 with 2 cocktails on offer for $15.00 . A delicious bar menue is also available. This is an ideal networking opportunity, team-building location and avenue to make new friends in the Park.

Book now for School Holiday program at the Sports Centre.

Sydney Olympic Park has a range of activities available to keep you and your family active during the cooler temperatures. Enroll your child in one of the clinics offered at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre and the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls during the July school holidays.

Sports include Gymnastics, Trampoline, Basketball, Indoor Soccer and Floorball. For adults, there are dance classes on offer including Hip-hop and Belly Dancing, or for something different why not join the social badminton competition or the senior table tennis challenge. For more information on any of our programs, please give the friendly staff a call at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on 9763 0111 or check out the website at www.sports-centre.com.au .

BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NEW FACES

Snap Sydney Olympic Park- New Bronze Member

Snap Sydney Olympic Park is your local printer with reliable, high-quality design and print solutions.They can advise you on marketing and design as well as meeting all your printing needs.

With cutting edge technology in digital and offset printing, Snap can provide everything from your business with business cards to large banners or complicated annual reports.

For any sales enquiries please contact Robert Mihalic on (02) 9748 8030 or sop@snap.com.au or visit

www.sydneyolympicpark.snap.com.au

Raw Cafe and Espresso Bar - New Bronze Member

Raw Espresso Cafe Bar is located in 10 Dawn Fraser Avenue, the first of the Commonwealth Bank building to open in the Park.It offers a vast range of light meals including burgers, pastas, salads and sensational coffee by Espresso Di Manfredi.

Raw offers indoor and outdoor dining options and is conveniently located adjacent to the train station.Telephone: 97463690

New Executive Manager of Commonwealth Bank's campus

The Commonwealth Bank’s Sydney Olympic Park campus has a ‘new person’ in charge of Precinct Operations, with the recent appointment of Cathy Johnston to the position of Executive Manager, Precinct Operations, Sydney Olympic Park.

Cathy has been with the Commonwealth Bank for many years, and most recently has served in the role of Engagement & Events Manager in the Nova project team that supported 3,800 people for moves to Sydney Olympic Park.

Cathy takes the reins from Matthew Turner, who has taken up the role of Executive Manager, Sustainability, for the Bank’s property portfolio.

Cathy and Matthew have both made significant contributions to the successful establishment of the innovative campus at Sydney Olympic Park, and have been duly recognised through the recent appointments.
Cathy is also no stanger to the Lifestyle program having project managed the implementation of the Lifestyle website and program launch.

Congratulations and best wishes to both Cathy and Matthew in their exciting new roles.

V8 SUPERCARS UPDATE

Concerts announced late July

Sydney Olympic Park will be pumping December 4-6 for the Sydney Telstra 500. More than just a race, it is three days and nights of adrenalin-charged entertainment, on and off the track.

Friday and Saturday night concerts are included free with a same-day ticket, so from as little as $42 you can catch all the race action on the Friday plus the concert that night. The concert line-up is to be announced late July.

WORLD MASTERS GAMES UPDATE

100 days and counting - Sydney gearing up to host the 2009 World Masters Games

A Who’s Who of masters sporting legends challenged members of the public on 2 July at First Fleet Park, Circular Quay, as Sydney marked the 100 day countdown to the 2009 World Masters Games in October.

Great-grandmother Ruth Frith was on hand to demonstrate that age is no barrier to competing in the Games. Ms Frith, who is about to turn 100 showed everyone in attendance her shot-putting ability.

Registrations for the Games close on Friday 31 July so residents, Park employees and visitors thinking about being a part of this special event should register now.

Ken Rosewall and Debbie Watson become Sydney 2009 World Masters Games ambassador

The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Organising Committee recently announced a further two ambassadors in Australian tennis icon, eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Ken Rosewall and Olympic water polo team member, Debbie Debbie Watson.

Mr Rosewall won the men’s singles at the French Open twice, US Open twice and Australian Open four times over a 20-year period. He also took out nine Grand Slam doubles titles and was a member of four of Australia’s Davis Cup-winning teams.

The bulk of the Games tennis competition will take place at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, whose 10,000-seat stadium bears Mr Rosewall’s name. It was badged the Ken Rosewall Arena in honour of the 74-year-old Sydneysider late last year.

Debbie Watson was a member of Australia’s victorious women’s water polo team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, as an ambassador for the world’s largest multi-sport event. The International Olympic Committee’s decision to add women’s water polo to the Sydney 2000 Olympics program tempted Ms Watson out of retirement, with the Sydneysider making light of a two-year lay-off to help the Stingers to win gold.

One of only five Australians to receive the IOC’s Women and Sport Award – another is Games Organising Committee Chief Operating Officer Lynne Bates – Ms Watson is honoured to be associated with the next major multi-sport event in her home city.

Water polo is open to people aged 30 plus, something that applies to the majority of the sports competitions on the Games program.

Open to mens and womens teams, the Games water polo competition will take place at three venues – MLC School Aquatic Centre in Burwood, Parramatta Swimming Centre and one of those well known Olympic sites, Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre.

Play touch football with Mark Geyer at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games

Sydney 2009 World Masters Games ambassador Mark Geyer - 'MG' -has recruited brother-in-law Greg Alexander to play touch football alongside him this October. Now he is looking for 14 men aged 40 plus to join them.

MG is putting together a gun team to go for gold in the men’s 40+ age category of the Games touch football competition, which will run 12-16 October at two St Marys venues, with the finals scheduled for the place at which he started his illustrious career – St Marys Rugby League Club.

Each Games touch football squad can contain a maximum of 16 players.

“I could’ve recruited a team full of former professional rugby league players but, in the spirit of the Games themselves, I’m giving everyday people the extraordinary opportunity of playing touch footy alongside Brandy and me,” MG said.

“I’m looking for 14 blokes aged 40 plus with some touch footy experience to help us go for gold. We’ll be taking the competition seriously as neither Brandy nor I like losing but we’ll be having lots of fun at the same time, both on and off the park.”

Anyone who wants to play touch football for MG’s Maulers at the Games must, in 100 words or less, send an e-mail to mg@2009worldmasters.com before 5.00pm Sydney time on Monday 13 July explaining why MG should pick them in his 16-man squad.

All entries must include the entrant’s name, date of birth (you must have been born on or before Wednesday 31 December 1969 to be eligible) and contact details. MG, whose decision is final, will select the 14 competition winners on Tuesday 14 July.

The Games Organising Committee will cover the Games competitor registration fee of the MG’s Maulers roster – $220 per player – but other costs are not included.

AWARD WINNING PRECINCT

Congratulations to Armory Wharf Precinct, Armory Cafe and Jacaranda Square

A number of projects at Sydney Olympic Park have been successful in the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Architecture Awards - the Armory Wharf Precinct on the Parramatta River won the Architecture Award in the Urban Design category, while the Armory Wharf Cafe building took out the top award in the Commercial Architecture category.

The Park’s new town centre, Jacaranda Square, was awarded a

Commendation in the Urban Design category.

“These projects were commissioned by Sydney Olympic Park Authority to support the continued growth of Sydney Olympic Park into a new, modern township and enhance the experience of people working in and visiting the precinct,” said Sydney Olympic Park Authority Chief Executive Officer Alan Marsh.

Mr Marsh said the projects demonstrated the Authority’s commitment to creating a “high quality, sustainable urban domain” at Sydney Olympic Park for visitors, workers and residents that would stay at the Park in the future.

He said the Armory Wharf Precinct and Cafe and Jacaranda Square would now be judged against other state winners at the Australian Institute of Architects National Awards in October 2009.

”I wish our architects success at the national awards in October,” Mr Marsh said.

But wait there's more....

The GPT Group's Quad Business Park, featuring Quad 4, was the Overall Winner in the 2009 Property Council of Australia - Innovation and Excellence Awards in the category of Business or Industrial Parks awarded by Bluescope.

The National Awards night, held in June at the Sydney Convention Centre, was attended by over 600 people from across the Australian property industry.

The award was presented by Brett Poll of Bluescope (right) to Victor Georos (middle), Head of the GPT Business Park and Industrial and Robert Hitchcock (left), GPT's Development Manager for the Quad Business Park.

The Quad Business Park contains over 22,500m2 of A-grade office space, a childcare centre and was recognised for the environmental performance (reduction in use of water and energy) of all of the four buildings within the Quad Business Park and for Quad 4 - the first speculative office development in NSW to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Design for the base building.

GPT is a member of the Business Association, with Victor Georos on the Board.

Congratulations to both GPT and SOPA for excellence in Sydney Olympic Park.