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THE IRT Foundation is holding its inaugural fundraising ball on Wednesday, September 9, at City Beach Function Centre.
The Neverland Masquerade Ball is being billed as a special occasion, with dancing to the Baker Boys Band and a range of auction items donated.
All funds raised go directly to the IRT Foundation's work to create opportunities for people to age without barriers.
Registrations to attend can be made at irtfoundation.org.au/neverland.
And those unable to attend can still make a tax deductable donation at givenow.com.au/irtgeneral.
Recent IRT Foundations stories
Group size growing
In accepting two Australian Business Awards for being an employer of choice and a great contributor to the community last week IRT Group chief executive Nieves Murray reflected on how much seniors lifestyle and care had grown in recent times.
Ms Murray said IRT now had 2300 employees.
"Every five years we double in size," she said.
Emergency services
Ian and Carole Johnston, of Kiama based event management business JAi Events, and Wollongong Rotarian Dot Hennessy, are getting ready for the inaugural NSW Emergency Services Community Awards this Friday.
The four Illawarra and South Coast finalists are Marine Rescue regional controller Bruce Mitchell, NSW Ambulance paramedic Carol Bond, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association squad captain Kieran Knuckey and SES flood rescue officer Shannon Crofton.
House prices climb
Median house prices in the Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama local government areas grew 10.1 per cent to $505,000 during the year to March.
The latest IRIS Research figures in the Profile Illawarra report reveal total sales increased by 1.9 per cent to 3721 and the median price paid for units rose 9.5 per cent to $405,000. However, the number of sales were down 14.9 per cent to 1694.
The report showed there was a sizeable fall in the number of non-residential building approvals in the year to March, down 60.4 per cent to $250 million, but a big increase in dwelling approvals, up 28 per cent to 2647.
Traders positive
On the business front there was a 13.9 per cent improvement in the number of local firms experiencing positive trading conditions in the June quarter compared to the corresponding period in 2014.
And 14.5 per cent of firms predicted improved trading conditions during the September quarter, which was slightly down.
Coal ups and downs
Coal production fell 1.5 per cent from 16.2 million tonnes to 16.0 million tonnes in the year to March.
During the same period the number of people employed in the industry fell 15.2 per cent to 2859 but the productivity per person climbed 16.2 per cent to 5.6 thousand tonnes per employee.
There was some positive news on the employment front, with a 14.4 per cent increase in the number of jobs advertised in the Illawarra.
Job ads online
Jobs in the Gong is a web-based job board that is part of a platform of job sites across Australia, which means all job vacancies featured are promoted locally and nationally.
Jobs in the Gong provides a web-based platform for jobseekers to peruse local job opportunities and provide local employers the opportunity to market their unique employer brand and work.
For further information go to jobsinthegong.com.au.
Snap wins again
SNAP Wollongong won the Regional Sales Achievement Award at the annual Snap Franchising Awards on August 14. It was the fourth year in a row that Barry Christofides, owner of Snap Wollongong, accepted the award.
Industry showcase
There are only two weeks until the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) hosts the 2015 Industry Showcase.
Deputy chairman Angelo Versace said in preparation i3net had been working on a new website to promote the manufacturing cluster's members.
Mr Versace said the website would be launched at the showcase on September 16 - 17.
Webster at McGrath
Neil Webster has taken up a position as a sales associate with McGrath Wollongong.
Mr Webster said it seemed like a natural fit given his connections built through 15 years at University of Wollongong.
Markets returning
THE popular Lagoon Night Markets return on August 31.
The indoor market concept introduced by Jonni Nicolaou is a chance to support small local businesses and mumpreneurs.
Grill the speaker
Grill'd Burgers franchisee Lube Markovski is the speaker at the next Wollongong Small Business Club on Tuesday.
He has a record of success with many Illawarra businesses.
Last October Mr Markovski and his family smashed a national hamburger record by achieving the biggest first-day turnover of any of Australia’s 88 Grill’d restaurants.
They did that with paying customers where the previous record holder gave away all its burgers on the first day.
The Markovski family have been so successful since they are planning to open up to three more in the Illawarra.
Mr Markovski recently sold his three Hairhouse Warehouse stores.
He not been planning to sell the salons but agreed after being approached several times.
The Wollongong Central and Stockland Shellharbour salons also smashed national records when they opened.
At Grill’d Mr Markovski and his family employed and trained 54 staff after receiving 400 applications.
He had always wanted to open at least one Grill’d in the Illawarra since he visited the first one in Melbourne a decade ago.
He runs the business with his son Allen Markovski, son-in-law Rob Gorgievski and his daughter Melissa Gorgievski.
Women talk business
The next Illawarra Women In Business (IWIB) networking lunch at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant on September 4 will feature an inspiring and motivating presentation from Simone Campbell.
Other coming events for the women’s networking group are the annual IWIB Conference and Expo Day on October 2 and the return of Power Network Plus on October 23.
THE DIARY
August 26 - The South Coast Tourism Awards at Ulladulla Civic Centre.
- Free ICT Illawarra (ICTI) Roadshow Lightning Talk at the Kiama Pavilion on Kiama being a great place to do business. Speaker Peter Asquith, of Droppoint Australia, Dean Jackson, of Planet Footprint, and Ory Purhonen, of Webics.
August 27 - The Fishbowl networking group at the Tradies in Helensburgh.
August 28 - 2015 Legacy Business and Community Lunch at City Diggers.
- The Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards at the Dockside Pavilion.
August 28 and 29 - Southern Stars Arena Spectacular.
August 31 - Night Markets at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant.
September 1 - Lube Markovski speaks at the Wollongong Small Business Club. Contact Lee Cooper at RDA Illawarra on 4227 4500.
- Destination Wollongong partner function at Coldwater Creek Restaurant at Sage Hotel Wollongong.
September 4 - Simone Campbell speaks at the Illawarra Women In Business (IWIB) networking lunch at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant.
- Need a Feed benefit night at City Beach Function Centre from 7pm with MC Scott McRae. Bookings at www.trybooking.com/142977.
September 8 - Former lawyer and now author Roy Williams is the speaker at the City Breakfast at Wollongong Golf Club from 7am. Bookings at http://www.trybooking.com/DIFP and information on 4284 1128.
September 9 - IRT Foundation Neverland Ball and fundraiser.
September 16 and 17 - Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) Industry Showcase.
September 19 and 20 - 2015 Wollongong Relay for Life.
