Greetings!
Hello again everyone and big thank you to everyone who contacted us with their congratulations and very positive comments on our first e-newsletter.
Spring has arrived and its time to prepare your boat for lots of use.
Our marine centre is offering a 50 point boat check for only $99, and for peace of mind it's a good time to get that done before the summer rush.
With Christmas only about 15 weeks away and you're thinking of joining us (and why wouldn't you!), I'd suggest you confirm and secure your booking as soon as possible and, on reading Stinker's latest fishing report (see below) I reckon we should all be gearing up for a terrific summer!
Hope to see you all soon, and happy boating!
Kind Regards,
Darrell Barnett CMM
Soldiers Point Marina
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| Port Personality... John "Stinker" Clarke |
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Local fishing guru Stinker has kindly provided the following fishing report exclusively for this newsletter. Stinker is a highly respected and well known Port Stephen's identity with regular television and radio segments. He also finds the time to write a weekly newspaper column and has published several books and other publications.
Stinker is a member of the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park Advisory committee and has recently been re-appointed to the NSW Marine Parks Advisory Council.
The magnificent waters inside Port Stephens and outside the heads are hotting up. In my opinion we are heading for a bumper season as we head towards the warmer period. It's around this time of the year that all the available species are considering spending their coming months in the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park.
Inside the Port, thumping dusky flathead are stirring in the Karuah River and feeder streams. They are preparing to cruise into the main port. Bream have already taken up residence under all the oyster racks and along the breakwalls. Giant mulloway head for the deeper holes and shelter under the bridges and around Middle Island off Soldiers Point. Whiting, the most popular fish targeted by families, are swimming onto the inner harbour beaches and over the sandy spits in the middle of the Port. Mud crabs are lumbering through the extensive mangrove forests while blue swimmers crabs have started tap dancing down the channels.
Outside the heads snapper, mulloway, kingfish and leatherjackets are on the boil around all the headlands, reefs and islands from Birubi, north to Broughton Island. The beaches are loading up with whiting, tailor, salmon and mulloway.
Dust off your fishing gear, oil the reel, fire up the outboard and get ready to rumble.
Stinker's new book "Broughton Islanders" will be available in all stores early in November. Contact Stinker at stinkerfishing@yahoo.com for more information.
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A Little Bit of Maritime History at Soldiers Point Marine Centre |
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 If you have been on the Marina lately you would have seen the wooden ferry "Barrenjoey" that Soldiers Point Marine Centre have been working on. Built in 1919 and originally named "Regent Bird", and later "Kilcare Star", she operated in Brisbane Waters, NSW for over 50 years. From 1966-1974 she worked the Brooklyn to Dangar Island service on the Hawkesbury River. She sank in Cowan Creek in 1975, but was salvaged. It was not until the late 1990's when the NSW Government started cleaning up Sydney Harbour for the Olympics that "Barrenjoey" turned up again, this time in Balmain- derelict and occupied by squatters. Saved again, she then spent four years on the hard stand at Oyster Cove being refitted. Soldiers Point Marine Centre has been carrying out repairs to storm-damaged bulwarks and removing a hardtop, restoring her profile to one reminiscent of her working history. Upon completion the owners will be listing this National Maritime Museum-registered historic vessel for sale.
 Top photo: Barrenjoey 2007. Photo above: Barrenjoey 1935.
If you are thinking about slipping your boat before the end September, Soldiers Point Marine Centre is offering a huge 50% discount on the slipping costs. (conditions apply).
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An Invitation for all Boat Owners to Enjoy Fun and Music on the Water |
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Following on from the great success of the last Music on the Water, more rousing afternoons of wonderful live entertainment are planned throughout the summer. Soldiers Point Marina is combining with The Anchorage Marina and d'Albora Marinas Nelson Bay to provide bands which will be positioned on large boats at popular anchorages in Port Stephens.
It's a great opportunity for boat owners and their guests to gather with friends and enjoy an extremely pleasant afternoon of entertainment. One of the hits this year was popular local duo "Full House" who provided a great sound as happy boat owners and their guests launched themselves down the water slide of the MV Spirit at Fame Cove. With giveaways such as bottled water, ice creams and sun visors available, and the Holbert's boat supplying oysters and prawns for sale, there's something for everyone!
Dates for boat owners and their guests to enjoy this carefree "get away from it all" event are :
December 5th and 27th, and April 4th (Easter Sunday).
Please call the marina office on 02 4982 7445 for more details.
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Local Students Visit the Marina |
Soldiers Point Marina recently played host to twelve students participating in the Tinny to Tanker as part of the Real Futures Program, conducted at Tomaree High School and St Philips Christian College. The Program's focus is on assisting young people transit from school to the workplace and integral to the Program is a pledge by Year 10 students to either continue in full time education, training or employment by March 2010. Through the Real Futures Program, students are provided with assistance to ensure their individual needs are met and that they set realistic goals for their future. Strategies such as industry workshops, Ready for Work Programs, Work Placement and Work Experience enable students to experience as much "hands on" activity with employers as possible so that they gain understanding and knowledge of the work place that is real, relevant and up to date.
The students were given the red carpet treatment and shown around the marina discussing the various employment opportunities available at a marina from mechanical to marina management.
Soldiers Point Marina is proud to be the major three year sponsor of the Real Futures Program.
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The Point
Restaurant, New Years Eve Fun |
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Bookings are now open for New Years Eve celebrations at The Point. Chef Paul has been hard at work creating a stunning menu at a very reasonable price of only $150pp for the fun filled evening. Back by popular demand will be the live entertainment "Highly Strung" and as the clock chimes midnight we finish with a spectacular fireworks display.
Reservations are essential so to avoid disappointment it is advisable to book early. Gather up your friends and family and call Julie on 02 4984 7111 for more information.
The Point also has a delicious special September luncheon menu for only $25pp.
Open lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)
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Love is in the Air |
 Well known couple Nick and Lisa from The Deck Caf�/Waterfront Bar announced their engagement at Christmas with Nick popping the question on bended knee in front of their huge extended family. The big day is planned for October this year with the celebrations naturally held at The Deck. A big congratulations to them both and their family and we all wish them the very best for the future.
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The Deck Caf�/Waterfront Bar |
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Another famous "Greek Night" feast is planned on Friday September 25th with many courses, great fun and live music at a cost of only $55pp. These are very popular events in The Deck's calendar and bookings are essential so it's very advisable to reserve your table early.
The Deck is also the perfect waterfront location to enjoy a relaxing hassle free Christmas lunch this year with your family and friends and bookings are now being taken.
Continuing by popular demand for the month of September is the special 2 course Lobster menu. This represents excellent value at a very reasonable price of $35pp.
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Superior Valet Service and Undercover Storage |
If you would love to own your own boat but have no where to store it, Soldiers Point Marina has the answer to your problems, with our Flagship undercover storage and valet service.
Several valet packages are available to make your life a lot easier and get on with the job of enjoying hassle free boating on the magic waters of Port Stephens.
The standard package includes assistance to hitch and unhitch your vessel 7 days a week as well as complimentary day berthing at the marina, discounted overnight berth rates and use of the personal care facilities.
The full package includes the marina staff having your vessel ready for you to step on board, provisioned if you choose, discounted overnight berthing and washed down and returned to the Flagship storage facility after use.
The Flagship storage facility is protected by an alarm system and a security patrol. It offers full protection from the weather, saves on insurance premiums, protects the asset of your vessel, no antifouling is required and you have increased security.
A courtesy vehicle is available to transport valet service users and berth holders to and from the marina.
Please call Darrell for more information on how we can assist you.
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| Contact Soldiers Point Marina |
Soldiers Point MarinaSunset Boulevarde Soldiers Pt 2317 Port Stephens NSW Australia
Phone: 02 4982 7445 Int: +61 2 4982 7445 Fax: 02 4982 7193 Int: +61 2 4982 7193 Email: db@soldiersptmarina.com.au Web: www.soldiersptmarina.com.au | |
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