Monthly Archives: December 2012

Mayor Simon Richardson thanks community engine

December 23, 2012Latest Newsbyron, byron bay, Byron shire, community engine, simon richardsonCaroline

Dean Power (left) with Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson — Dean Power with Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson

Just under $20,000 has been raised for Byron Shire not-for-profit groups since June through social commerce platform Community Engine.

“This is a remarkable achievement and on behalf of Council I would like to sincerely thank Community Engine for their visionary and grass roots approach to doing business in the Byron shire” said Mayor Simon Richardson. “Community Engine allows local businesses to support, refer and recommend each other. It keeps online spending local, which is something we must focus on in this shire. Australians spend $16 billion annually on online sales. With so many online businesses in the Byron shire we need to ensure that we are getting the lions’ share of this expenditure”.

According to Community Engine’s Dean Power there is still around $73,000 to give through the Community Engine giveaway.

Every time a person clicks to “follow” a group on Community Engine, that group gets $1. If they are a business they donate it and if they are a not-for-profit group they keep it. All you have to do is sign up to the giveaway and you can raise up to $5,000 for each group.

“There is now no excuse to be offline” outlined Power, a Bangalow based father of four who headed up Community Engine’s pilot program held earlier this year. “We are about providing easy presence on the internet in a way that supports local communities”.

Community Engine offers a web presence, email, social media and networking at no cost for both individuals and groups. For those wishing to utilise the world class e-commerce facility, a fee of between 2.85% and 6.5% is charged. Two of the most popular functions are the database and membership management facilities.

Byron shire groups active on Community Engine include VIA Byron, The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, the Byron Community Centre, the Byron Beach Café, WIRES Northern Rivers, Byron Youth Service, Tallowood Ridge Estate and the Byron Bay Writers Festival.

“We encourage anybody who hasn’t checked out the platform to come on board and have a play” said Dean Power.

For more information go to www.communityengine.com.au call 1300 266 686 or email hello@communityengine.com

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Dean Power with Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson (photo by Carly Brown)
Photo 2 – Community Engine’s Dean Power (photo by Carly Brown)

Tallowood Ridge residents celebrate

December 23, 2012Latest Newsaffordable housing, byron, Byron shire, housing, Tallowood RidgeCaroline

The first get together was held recently for Tallowood Ridge residents, with current and future residents gathering in the community park to celebrate Christmas and welcome in the new year.

“The party was great” said Mark Evans, who has purchased lot 2 in Tallowood Ridge with his partner. “We are not living on site yet so it was great to meet the neighbours. We are just looking forward to living in a community where we can build something together. It’s really exciting for us to finally move somewhere where we can actually feel part of the community”.

Close to 40 people attended the gathering, enjoying a barbecue put on by owners of the community.

“This is the start of real community caring and sharing” said Chair of the owner’s team Christopher Dean. “At the heart of any community is a regular meeting between the residents sharing their successes, airing concerns and bringing energy to community needs. It is hoped that this will be the first of many regular sessions that will help bond the community into a real heart centred place for all residents. It was perfect to start this on the day our new play park was opened”.

Tallowood Ridge has experienced unprecedented interest over the past few months, with eight sales taking place since October. All these buyers except one were from the Byron shire, with three lots going to investors and the remaining four being purchased by locals intending to move into Tallowood Ridge.

A family from Perth attracted to Tallowood’s NBN coverage have purchased within the community and have enrolled their children into Mullumbimby’s Shearwater Steiner School.

Land at Tallowood Ridge is priced from $233,000 for an elevated lot with breezes and killer views.

www.tallowoodridge.com

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Mark Evans has purchased at Tallowood Ridge
Photo 2 – Tallowood Ridge Christmas party
Photo 3 – Comedian, writer and publicist Mandy Nolan at her Tallowood Ridge home
Photo 4 – Producer and marketing consultant Roe Ritchie at her Tallowood Ridge home
Photo 5 – Tallowood Ridge play park

Clarence Valley gets on Community Engine

December 18, 2012Latest NewsAnglicare, Clarence Valley, community engine, GraftonCaroline

Social commerce website Community Engine is helping to raise money for Clarence Valley groups through their “Community Engine giveaway”. Around $27,000 has been given already through the giveaway, and there is around $73,000 left to give within the Northern Rivers region.

Groups involved in the Community Engine Giveaway include Anglicare North Coast, Empty Arms, Yamba Surf Life Saving Club and Yamba District Chamber of Commerce. Other groups using the engine include Clarence River Tourism, Grafton Paddle Sports, Clarence River Historical Society and Clarence River Wilderness Lodge.

With their head office in Grafton, Anglicare North Coast service the region from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie, providing migrant services, community housing, financial counselling and support and a broad range of community services to local people in need. “We rely heavily on local donations to keep many of our programs operating” said Jim Hodge, Anglicare North Coast’s Director of Client Services. “It’s a continual struggle and so we are grateful to Community Engine for making it easy for us to raise our profile and raise funds.

“Please go to www.communityengine.com.au and click to follow Anglicare North Coast”.

“There is now no excuse to be offline” said Community Engine’s Dean Power. “We are about providing easy presence on the internet in a way that supports local communities”.

Following their successful pilot in the Northern Rivers, Community Engine is now focused on how they can help small business to get the lions’ share of online sales. $16 billion is spent annually on online sales in the local economy, yet according to research by Frost and Sullivan* 75% of Australians who shop online make purchases from offshore sites, with a total of 45% of online expenditure goes overseas.

For more information go to www.communityengine.com.au call 1300 266 686 or email hello@communityengine.com

* http://www.pwc.com.au/industry/retail-consumer/assets/Digital-Media-Research-Jul12.pdf

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Community Engine’s Dean Power (photo Carly Brown)
Photo 2 – Community Engine’s Dean Power (left) with client David Styles
Photo 3 – Jim Hodge, Director Client Services with Anglicare North Coast
Photo 4 – Chris Davis from Empty Arms Grafton

Frenzy of activity at Angels Beach North

December 18, 2012Latest NewsAngels Beach, Angels Beach North, BallinaCaroline

A frenzy of activity is occurring at Angels Beach North, with four houses being shaped into homes and two further lots in the design stages.

Angels Beach North December 2012 2 — Angels Beach North, East Ballina

The walk/cycleways leading to the beach and East Ballina Shopping Centre are now in place and renowned local builder John Eggins has joined other respected builders to showcase his talents within the mews precinct at the prestigious community. “We are thrilled that John has joined with us here” said Agent Narelle Elks from Elks Property.

In a move that even they didn’t anticipate, Mark and Robyn Ambler have also chosen to relocate across the road from Silver Gull Drive East Ballina, where they have lived for fourteen years, into the mews precinct.

“We were people who 18 months ago wouldn’t have had a bar of moving into a more compact home” said Mark Ambler, a professional football (soccer) coach. “But I just turned 60 and we decided to make the lifestyle move now rather than wait another ten years. We like to go away fresh water fishing and with this home it will be easier to lock up and leave”.

As with all the mews allotments, the Amblers’ north east facing lot fronts a park, rather than a road. The couple have recruited GJ Gardner to build their home, which has been designed around their boat.

“When we first went over and met Narelle and Bob Elks we instantly considered them honest genuine people to deal with” said Mark Ambler. “From that moment on we decided to give it a go and put our house on the market. Three weeks later, we were away on a fishing trip and got a call to say an offer had been made. Now we can get on with life”.

With its two parks, state of the art playground and two hectare nature reserve, Angels Beach North is the jewel of the Ballina Shire. Land is priced from $310,000 for a 435m² mews allotment and from $499,000 for a modern three bedroom two bathroom two garage beach house and land package. “Downsizing has never been more affordable” outlined Narelle Elks, “as the mews allotments are torrents title there are no body corporate or strata fees”.

For availability and pricing please visit www.angelsbeachnorth.com.au or contact Narelle Elks of Elks Property on 0429 433778.

Downloadable high resolution images:

Photo 1 – Mews Precinct home, Angels Beach North East Ballina
Photo 2 – Angels Beach North December 2012