News Archive

---

July 2009 Newsletter

I'm driving our team mad this month.

Winter is a time for good meals and a nice drop of wine with dinner. So what possessed me to sign up for Dry July.....It's for a good cause I keep telling myself (and the team).

Last month we all attended the Yalumba Winemakers Dinner at the Terrace on Pittwater. A spectacular night of food and wine was had by all. I strongly recommend it for a fun and educational wine experience.

Bring on Spring - that seems to be the general consensus. As the cold bites we start thinking of the beach and warmer times. How about surfing lessons for your next conference team building? Watch the inner Gidgets or Slaters come out of your work colleagues on a fun couple of hours at the beach.

Hope to see you soon.

Paul Cutler
Sales Manager

---

Contents (scroll down to view):

• Inspiration of the Month
• A Taste of the Mirage - One of our most requested winter dinners!
• Trivia Time - Christmas in July
• Best Value Winter Offers for 2009 extended! PLUS win a Romantic Weekend for two
• Upcoming events - The Pub2Pub, Office Christmas Parties 09
• Conference Tips - 'Good Leaders & Good Managers'

---

Inspiration of the Month

'Don't think outside the square.
Don't think in terms of boundaries at all'

- Wayne Parrot

---

A TASTE OF THE MIRAGE - Beef and Guinness Pies - One of our favourites.

A winter favourite here at the Mirage. Best served with a glass of good red.

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

135 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 2 kg diced chuck steak
• 3 sliced onions
• 4 crushed cloves garlic
• 1 tbs oil
• 2/3 cup plain flour
• 400ml Guinness
• 2 cups beef stock
• Ready-rolled puff pastry
• 1 beaten egg

Method

1. Brown 2kg diced chuck steak in hot oil. Set aside. Cook 3 sliced onions and 4 crushed cloves garlic in 1 tbs oil until golden. Sprinkle in 2/3 cup plain flour and cook for 1 min.
2. Return meat and juices to pan, add 400ml Guinness and 2 cups beef stock. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 2 hours until tender and sauce has thickened.
3. Preheat oven to 200°C. Spoon beef mixture into eight 250ml ovenproof ramekins. Cut out eight circles of ready-rolled puff pastry to cover. Press firmly onto dishes and seal. Brush with 1 beaten egg, place on a tray and bake for 25 minutes until golden.

Quick Tip

Served with a good glass of red and steamed vegetables, this is one of our Mirage winter conference groups favourite requests.

---

TRIVIA TIME - Christmas In July - all we need is the snow.

1. Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
a. Ita Buttrose
b. Charles Dickens
c. William Shakespeare
d. Bryce Courtenay

2. What is Scrooges first name
a. Sharon
b. Bob
c. Ebeneezer
d. Kevin

3. In which Christmas song do children sing about an animal with an appendage that glows?
a. Last Christmas
b. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
c. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
d. Merry Christmas, War is Over

Click the email address below, type 'trivia time' in the subject line, send and you will receive the answers shortly! Every response will go into the draw for a Beaches Uncovered Tour from Manly Uncovered Tours valued at $55 plus a $50 Newport Arms Gift Voucher. paul.cutler@newportmirage.com.au

---

Winter Conference Promotion - Booking promo extended for July!

We have a great Winter Conferencing offer at the Newport Mirage. Book and deposit your conference* on our great value winter rates and we'll send you a $100 Wish Card. Every booking also goes into the draw to win one of our romantic Weekend Indulgence packages.

Each Weekend Indulgence package includes two nights' accommodation in a King Room, Breakfast and a Dinner at the famous Terrace on Pittwater Restaurant - 2008 'Restaurant of the Year Winner' - Restaurant & Catering Awards.

http://www.newportmirage.com.au/conference-special-offer.html

*based on minimum conference spend of $2500. Booking conditions apply

---

UPCOMING EVENTS

17th Annual Pub2Pub Charity Fun Run and Walk

It's on again Sunday 23rd of August. This 14km event, including the challenging 500m sand start on Dee Why Beach, hopes to raise over $100,000 for selected charities. A great reason to stay fit over winter, or even get an office team together. The good thing is it finishes at the Newport Arms Hotel - a great spot to 'rehydrate'.

pub2pub.com.au

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Get organised for your companies Christmas Party early this year & let the Newport Mirage take the stress out of organising your Christmas party for you. Whether for an small party for 30 or for 120 we have a function area perfect for you.

We have a range of delicious menus to suit any budget from a two course menu to our Christmas buffet. All menus include Christmas themed table decorations, bon-bons for each guest and a decorated Christmas tree.

Book prior to the 30th September & receive a Mirage Waterfront Brunch Package.

To receive a copy of our Christmas Package & find out more about theming your event, email functions@newportmirage.com.au or phone Lindy Dean on 02 9997 7011

---

Conferencing Tips - Good Leaders Good Managers

A quote from Warren Bennis distinguished Professor of business Administration at the University California.

These key points below were gleaned after interviewing more than 90 successful leaders.

• Have a vision, a plan, spend time future viewing.
• Have clear intention, clearly communicate the expected outcome.
• Be able to inspire, people get the passion and will understand and support your goals.
• Have consistency and focus. People can feel comfortable with a sense of foundation.
• Treat mistakes as another step toward success.
• Be cautious but never worry about making a decision, worry is an obstacle to clear thinking.

The interesting thing is, that this was written over 10 years ago, just about the time Emotional Intelligence emerged. These points haven't changed. When managers realise their leadership role and the difference between the two, people will engage productivity morale and profit increase.

For more information contact John Lane-Smith at Éclat people solutions: john@jls.au.com