TAFE wins trade skill industry awards

TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute has been recognised for excellence in trade skills training after receiving four Three Star Ratings and one Two Star Rating from The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence. Ron Wright, relieving institute director, said the awards help employers, career counsellors, potential students and parents identify excellence in trade training. Three gold stars were awarded to bricklaying, blocklaying and roof tiling, and carpentry and joinery, at Nirimba College, the automotive course at Blacktown College, the manufacturing course at Mount Druitt College. The bakery course at Nepean College picked up two gold stars.

Multicultural marketing awards open

Companies, which meet the needs of a multicultural community by considering factors such as ethnicity, culture and language, can nominate for a category in this year’s National Multicultural Marketing Awards, organised by the Community Relations Commission of NSW. The awards aim to encourage and reward the efforts of businesses and organisations that focus on the cultural diversity of Australia in their overall marketing strategies. Organisations and individuals can nominate in any of the seven categories. Nominations close on 29 August. Details: crc.nsw.gov.au

Gough's birthday bash and fundraiser

The Whitlam Institute, at the University of Western Sydney, will mark the 92nd birthday of former prime minister, Gough Whitlam, at a major fundraising event to support and expand the work of the Whitlam Institute within the university. The institute is a leading national centre for dialogue and debate on public policy, working to strengthen discussion and enrich policy development in Australia. It also houses the Prime Ministerial Collection of Mr Whitlam's personal papers and memorabilia. Senator John Faulkner, Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary, will be the keynote speaker. Other attendees include Bob Hawke, Barry Jones, Bob Debus as well as representatives from News Limited, Linfox, Bradcorp and Foxtel. A luncheon will be held at Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation Hall, Circular Quay West, at noon, on July 11. Cost $300. Phone (02) 9685 9187 or http://www.whitlam.org/

AMP Capital sells property at Penrith

AMP Capital Investors has sold the 8596-square-metre Henry Lawson Centre, in Henry Street, off market for $16.49 million, on a yield of 7.78 per cent. The site, with a land area of 16,160 square metres and space for 190 vehicles, opposite Penrith Court House, will be the biggest privately owned retail investment in the Penrith CBD, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Noni B abandons La Voca brand

Kings Park-based apparel retailer, Noni B, will abandon its foray into the younger women’s market and write off the $5 million investment in the La Voca brand. It will convert 11of its 19 La Voca stores to Noni B stores and will negotiate with landlords to close the remaining eight stores. MD, David Kindl, said the return on the investment had been abysmal. With weakening consumer sentiment, higher fuel prices, rising food costs and interest rates, the company had problems selling the brand. Noni B expects full-year after-tax profit to fall to between $3 and $3.2 million, after taking into account restructuring costs of between $1.8 million and $2.5 million.