Latest News

B2B Sponsors’ Thank You Event

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

On Tuesday evening FordComm attended a Sponsors’ Thank You Event for the Newcastle Permanent Baths2Bar Community Ocean Swim, hosted by Cooks Hill Surf Club at the magnificent Bar Beach.

We were welcomed by a small entourage of blue-T-shirt-wearing Nippers, who were grateful for and enthusiastic about our support.

Other sponsors who attended included the Newcastle Permanent Building Society, ESP Promotions, the Newcastle Herald, Cetnaj, and The Jewellery Affair.

Our support was rewarded with a personalised glass vase complete with a goldfish with a mighty stroke!

The appreciation of our sponsorship resonated with a captivating speech superbly delivered by 14 year old rising Nipper, Tamara Hall, which took us through the trials and tribulations of being a Nipper.

The Newcastle Permanent Baths2Bar Community Ocean Swim will take place this Sunday, 19 December 2010. To register for the event, visit www.cookshillsurfclub.com.au.

Photography by Red Monkey

Opening of Facility Signals New Era in Sustainability for Smelter

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

FordComm provided event management services to Regain for the official opening of a new facility to recycle waste materials generated by the aluminium smelting process into products utilised by other industries has signaled a new era in environmental sustainability.

The Hon Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, officially opened the Spent Potliner (SPL) Reprocessing Facility on-site at Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri on Wednesday 1 December 2010. Other guests included Cessnock City Council Mayor, Councillor Alison Davey, and Federal Member for the Hunter, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon.

The facility is a joint initiative between mineral processing company Regain Services Pty Ltd and Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri.

Regain Director, Bernie Cooper, says the initiative represents a new era in environmental sustainability with gains for the environment, for end-users of products and for the aluminium industry.

“The approach is a major win for the environment, with 100% beneficial use of smelter by-products,” he said.

The management of Spent Potliner (SPL) waste is an important issue for the aluminium industry worldwide.

“Regain has developed world-leading technology to make SPL safe and recover minerals from it, which can then be used to make valuable products used in other industries such as brick, cement and steel making,” Mr Cooper said.

SPL Reprocessing is part of Hydro’s program to further improve environmental performance.

“The commitment to SPL Reprocessing is part of Hydro’s commitment to further improve environmental performance and achieve a zero waste smelter, at a time of significant financial challenges,” Hydro Technical Manager, Hubert Lehman, said.

In addition, the products made by Regain offer many environmental benefits for the cement and brick making industries, as they include properties that reduce emissions and save energy in the manufacturing process.

Following 10 years success within the Australian market strong demand for the product is now coming from Asia, with Regain recently obtaining approval to export to China.

“By expanding our customer base to Asia, Regain can continue to grow its operations in Australia, providing many environmental and economic benefits,” Mr Cooper said.

Call on Swimmers to Take the Plunge

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club is calling on all swimmers to take up the challenge and participate in the Newcastle Permanent Baths 2 Bar Community Ocean Swim on Sunday 19 December.

Swimmers will swim along the iconic 1.5 km stretch from Merewether Baths to Bar Beach, “Baths to Bar”, in a range of different categories for ages and abilities.

Organised by Cooks Hill Surf Club, all money raised will assist Cooks Hill, Merewether and Dixon Park Surf Clubs purchase vital equipment required for surf lifesaving operations.

President of Cooks Hill Surf Club, Andrew Howard said the swim provides a safe and rewarding open water challenge for all members of the community with a range of age categories plus an elite division for serious swimmers.

“This year’s event will also include a 2 kilometre sand run and a 250 metre children’s swim to allow more members of the community to join in the fun on the day,” Mr Howard said.

Newcastle Permanent CEO, Terry Millett said after being involved with the event last year for the first time, Newcastle Permanent was quick to come on board as the major sponsor this year.

“Newcastle Permanent has a long and proud association with surf life saving in the Hunter over the last 28 years and we are proud to extend our support to the Baths 2 Bar Community Ocean Swim. We encourage people of all ages to get involved in the event and support three very worthy surf life saving clubs in Newcastle.”

Event registrations are being taken from today and entry forms can be collected from any Newcastle Permanent branch and at www.newcastlepermanent.com.au or www.cookshillsurfclub.com.au.

Curious Colony

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

FordComm is a proud supporter of the Newcastle Region Art Gallery providing professional advice on the Gallery’s communication strategy and graphic design services for the gallery’s major publications.

Our design team has recently completed “Curious Colony” – a book produced to showcase the gallery’s exhibition of the same name. The “Curious Colony” exhibition is a celebration of Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s passion for art in the early colony of New South Wales and the book brings to life both art works from the Macquarie era as well as contemporary pieces.

“The FordComm team are enthusiastic specialists whose expertise has enhanced the Gallery’s profile in the community. The quality of their services has also enabled the Gallery to re-position itself within the competitive arts industry – both within the state of NSW and nationally.

FordComm is a leader in corporate support of not-for-profit institutions in Newcastle and this reflects the solid belief of their senior management that investment in the local community enriches lives and our quality of life and experiences.” Ron Ramsay, Director Newcastle Region Art Gallery.

Moolarben Coal Opening Event

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

220 guests from around Australia and overseas joined employees and students from the Ulan Public School for the official opening celebrations at the Moolarben mine, north of Mudgee on 2nd August 2010.

Representatives of partners in the project, Yancoal Australia, Sojitz from Japan and a Korean consortium, uncovered a plaque to mark the opening of the $450-million project.

Brian Flannery of Yancoal paid tribute to all who had brought the mine into production less than 18 months after commencement.

“To have the first train of coal head to the Port of Newcastle from Moolarben in May of this year is a remarkable achievement, considering work didn’t start on site until March last year” he said.

The mine will have a life of more than 20 years, with both open cut and underground extraction of thermal coal from the Moolarben seam, most destined for shipment by rail to the Port of Newcastle for export.