Former Apexian Ted Hanson and many of his Apex mates did something very different on Anzac Day when they and their partners sat down to dinner with members of Illawarra's Turkish community at Turkish Paradise.
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Mr Hanson said the evening was about acknowledging the fallen and how far we have come as a nation. He said the idea came 12 months ago when he and some of his old Apex mates were walking along Crown Street.
"We had gone out for an Anzac celebration," he said.
"We were walking back up the road when I said why don't we drop in here, as we often do. We sat down and started talking and then realised in a blinding flash that on Anzac Day we were sitting in a Turkish restaurant. And we just started chatting about whether we could use the opportunity to commemorate 100 years of Anzac in here."
Mr Hanson manages the database of all the former Apexians in Wollongong and they generally get together about twice a year. This was seen as an opportunity to do something really special.
And when members of the Turkish community found out what was happening they wanted to attend as well.
"Twenty-fifth April 1915 helped define us as a nation," Mr Hanson said. "A hundred years on and we have matured into a homeland of diverse cultures."
And Michael Yaglipinar's restaurant is an example of that. Mr Hanson said it was wonderful how the idea was embraced by Mr Yaglipinar and his whole family who have run the Turkish restaurant in lower Crown St, Wollongong since late 2010.
His wife Sule and children Adam, Aydin and Pinar are all involved in the business and their main objective is to offer the culinary delights of Turkey.
He said being able to host an Anzac function like Saturday's was definitely a first and he would like to do it again.
Outlook not so rosy
The Illawarra business community still views the performance of NSW as positive but sentiment has fallen in line with many other regions.
The Illawarra Business Chamber's March 2015 Business Conditions Survey involving responses from 126 businesses revealed a positive response to the present performance of the NSW economy but the further outlook was negative as businesses begin to experience deteriorating economic conditions.
Chamber chief executive Debra Murphy said Illawarra businesses had recently been more positive about the NSW economy than the rest of the state but that was no longer the case.
"Despite deteriorating economic conditions this quarter, year-on-year things have actually improved," Ms Murphy said.
"March 2015 experienced the strongest Q1 result for economic performance of all three years that the survey has been running. "Significantly more businesses experienced declining sales revenue and profit this quarter, with the index moving well into negative territory after reaching a two-and-a-half-year high in December 2014. Illawarra businesses are under increasing price pressures. While customer demand has been improving steadily over the last 12 months, both prices charged by suppliers and prices charged to customers are having an increasing negative impact on business performance. The challenging operating environment has led to one-in-three Illawarra businesses prioritising lowering costs by scaling down operations."
A consistent finding during the last six months is that 25 per cent of Illawarra businesses say they have difficulty accessing suitably qualified staff in sales, IT and marketing.
Kinsmen updates
Wayne Waples is starting a newsletter so people interested in the Four Kinsmen documentary he is making can hear first what's happening.
Mr Waples has already been posting videos and other interesting facts about The Four Kinsmen on social media and is hoping the newsletter will encourage people to share more.
Anyone interested in signing up to the newsletter can sign up at thefourkinsmendocumentary.com/newsletter-sign-up.html.
First call is to find the world's biggest Four Kinsmen fan.
Memorial lecture
The annual Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture is being held in Building 43 at the University of Wollongong this Friday.
The late Allan Sefton was well known for his work as a naturalist and conservator of the local environment. Guest speaker is Professor Bruce Thom, of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, who will talk on healthy environments and productive economy as a challenge for the future of Australia.
Calling volunteers
Wollongong Eisteddfod's annual volunteers morning tea is being held next Wednesday May 6 in Wesley Church Hall, Crown Street Mall at 9.30am.
Lynne Sim said there was still time to register for anyone interested in volunteering at one of Australia's oldest eisteddfods.
For information ph 4229 8154.
Night markets back
The popular concept of night markets returns to Lagoon Seafood Restaurant on May 4 from 5.30pm.
A special dinner menu is also available for those who stay on.
Founder Jonni Nicolaou is now looking to work with Shellharbour artist Natalija Vocanec, of Little Leonardo's Art Studio, and introduce night art classes with a glass of champagne.
THE DIARY
April 29 - Private Business Club meets at the new Humber Bar in Wollongong.
April 30 - JCI Illawarra Ponder Box on disability and mental health in Building 20 at the University of Wollongong. - Applications close for the next iAccelerate intake.
May 1 - IWIB Business Women's Awards Day 2015.
- Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture from 5.30pm in Building 43 at the University of Wollongong. Event details at http://smah.uow.edu.au/sees/index.html.
- Entries for dance sections of Wollongong Eisteddfod close.
May 1 to 3 - Elise Pascoe Cooking School is holding a clearance sale of cooking equipment at 10 Seaview Street, Kiama.
- Cristina's House of Hope White and Red Dinner Dance.
- Night Markets at Lagoon Seafood Restaurant from 5.30pm.
- NSW Trade and Investment is hosting a free Export Lab Workshop on doing e-business in China in the Winners Room at WIN Stadium.
May 6 - Wollongong Eisteddfod's annual volunteers morning tea in Wesley Church Hall, Crown Street Mall.
May 7 - Red Shield Appeal Southern Highlands Business Breakfast and Launch at Bendooley Estate.
May 11 - Figtree Lions Club's golf day at Calderwood Valley.