Greetings!

Christmas is nearly upon us, this will be our last e-newsletter for the year and I hope you have enjoyed all our news of the comings and goings at the marina over the past 12 months.

Our highlight of the year was being awarded Australian Marina of the Year for the second consecutive time - an honour we take very seriously. As you know we are focused on you, our valued customers and doing whatever we can to ensure you have a wonderful stay with us.

Another significant achievement for us was successfully completing the rigorous annual reaccreditation process necessary to maintain the prestigious international Level 4 ISO 14001 Clean Marinas Program status. The independently audited reaccreditation ensures that we continue to maintain the world standard for marina environmental management processes and practices.

As usual at this time of the year, we again have our summertime complimentary morning coffees and newspapers of your choice delivered to your boat, along with afternoon cocktails. The New Year's Eve fireworks have been arranged for midnight and a perfect spot to enjoy them will be from The Point Restaurant and The Deck Caf�.

Wishing you all a very safe happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

Hoping to see you all soon and happy boating.

Darrell Barnett CMM
Soldiers Point Marina Manager

In our new look December 2013 issue:
  • East Coast Luxury Aquatic Travellers’ Club
  • Soldiers Point Marine Centre - Congratulations on their new Accreditation
  • Soldiers Point Boat Hire
  • The Boat Shed and General Store
  • Major Ferry Refurbishment
  • Marina Profile - Marc Neilson
  • Nautical Metaphors and Colloquialisms
  • Young Sailor Lives His Dream
  • Complimentary Boat Maintenance Clinic
  • Summer Photography Competition
  • Amazing fuel offer
  • The Deck Café/Waterfront Bar
  • Coast Massage
  • ABC Boat Brokerage - Boats of the Month
  • The Point Restaurant
 
East Coast Luxury Aquatic Travellers Club (E.C.L.A.T)

Soldiers Point Marina is thrilled to have established the East Coast Luxury Aquatic Travellers Club (E.C.L.A.T), a new groundbreaking initiative involving major marinas on the Australian eastern seaboard.

The E.C.L.A.T (meaning stylish, confident and with panache) Club is an opportunity to participate in this exclusive marina berthing exchange program.

If you are a permanent guest of Runaway Bay Marina, Soldiers Point Marina, Empire Marina Bobbin Head or Gladesville Bridge Marina, your complimentary club membership allows you reciprocal berthing at any of the Club’s premier award-winning marinas, at no extra cost. When you decide when and where you would like to travel, simply contact the marina manager where you are a permanent guest and all the arrangements will be made for you. It’s that easy...

Happy Boating!

Runaway Bay Marina - QLD
P: (07) 5577 1400
E: [email protected]

Soldiers Point Marina - NSW
P: (02) 4982 7445
E: [email protected]

Empire Marina Bobbin Head - NSW
P: (02) 9457 9011,
E: [email protected]

Gladesville Bridge Marina - NSW
P: (02) 9181 2014,
E: [email protected]

 
Congratulations Soldiers Point Marine Centre
- an Australian First


Pictured from left: Colin Bransgrove from the Marina Industries Association, Darrell Barnett CMM Marina Manager, The Hon Bob Baldwin MP, Jenny and Greg Busch.

Soldiers Point Marine Centre was recently awarded the Clean Marina Program Level 3 accreditation, the first for an independent workshop facility, not only in Port Stephens but in Australia... an outstanding achievement.

The International Clean Marina Program has stringent criteria, with the Marine Centre undergoing a comprehensive environmental audit to ensure they complied with every aspect.

The new look Soldiers Point Marine Centre is your one stop boating repair, maintenance shop and chandlery. Owners Greg & Jenny Busch and their team of qualified experts offer a vast range of services including diesel and petrol engines; insurance repairs; engineering; shipwright, mechanical and painting services; antifouling and detailing; fit outs and modifications; slipway and full workshop facilities.

Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve � Close 1pm
Christmas Day � Closed
Open Boxing Day � 10am - 2pm
Open Dec 27th, 30th & 31st - 8am - 5pm
New Year's Day - closed

Phone: (02) 4984 6300
Mobile: 0414 859 708
Email: [email protected]

 
Major Refurbishment by Soldiers Point Marine Centre

After five weeks on the slips at Soldiers Point Marina, the National Parks and Wildlife Service Boombalayte car ferry returned to the Myall River after a major refurbishment and maintenance service from Soldiers Point Marine Centre.

» Read more here

 
Marina Profile - Marc Neilson
Twenty six year old Senior Marine Mechanic Marc Neilson is truly a home grown success story. Having gone to Soldiers Point Public School and then St Philips Christian College at Salamander Bay, Marc knew from a young age that he wanted to work with boats.

Marc started working at Soldiers Point Marine Centre (SPMC) when he was only 14 years old and went on the complete his Marine Mechanical Apprenticeship there at the age of 21.

» Read more here

 
Christmas Gift Suggestions
 
Soldiers Point Boat Hire
Be your own skipper for the day in Port Stephens newest and most comfortable hire boats for fishing or just relaxing.

The boats are made of poly craft and include a flat carpeted floor, cushioned seats and Bimini cover to keep you and your loved ones protected from the elements. Also the boats do not require boat licence or fishing licences and fuel is included. Basic fishing gear is available at no charge.

If you would like the get closer to the elements, we have seven KAYAK’S TO HIRE, one double and six singles, safe and stable.

Click here to see our full range of hire boats

Holiday Hours:
Closed Christmas Day
Open all other days 8am - 5pm

Phone: (02) 4919 1234
Mobile: 0427 441 290

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.soldierspointboathire.com.au

 
New Marina Website

If you haven't already please check out our new updated website created by our talented webmaster Joe Hanney. We have lots of new and interesting photos and stories for you to browse.

» Visit: www.soldiersptmarina.com.au

 
The Boat Shed and General Store
The boat shed is stocked with cold drinks, food, bait, ice, ice cream, coffee, homemade slice, and fresh fruit.

When you book your hire just ask the very friendly staff for a picnic package and it will be waiting for you ready to go.

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.soldierspointboathire.com.au


Holiday Hours:
Closed Christmas Day
Open all other days 8am - 5pm

Phone: (02) 4919 1234
Mobile: 0427 441 290

 
 
Some Nautical Metaphors and Colloquialisms
Have you ever wondered where some of the terms we use in our language come from? Here are some that you might not know originated in the days when wooden ships sailed the seas.

All in a Day's Work (Routine): The 1798 Universal Dictionary of the Marine defined a day's work as "the reckoning or account of the ship's course during the twenty-four-hour period between noon and noon." The expression has crept into modern English usage as the normal course of events that occurs in any regular work period.

» Click here for more Metaphors and Colloquialisms... courtesy of the Bay Club Marina

 
Young Will Lives His Dream

Ten year old Will Dunn from Medowie lived his dream recently after being invited to sail on “Wild Oats 10” on Pittwater in Sydney, his prize in winning the mixed junior category in the 2013 Sail Port Stephens Regatta.

Accompanied by his parents Greg and Lynne and sister Ruby, Will sailed for two hours with the crew and got to helm the magnificent boat reaching a top speed of 17.4 knots. Following the sail, Will and his family joined the crew for lunch at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

Will has been having sailing lessons at Soldiers Point Sailing School under the guidance of Chief Sailing Instructor Graham Oborn for over 12 months now. He has achieved the Basic Skills 1 & 2 courses and is now working towards completing his Better Sailing Course.

 
 
Soldiers Point Marine Centre
Complimentary Boat Maintenance Clinic
Special Offer: If your vessel is insured with Club Marine you can book in for a 50 point check and receive a $50 rebate off your policy renewal.

Senior Marine Mechanic Marc Neilson from Soldiers Point Marine Centre (SPMC) along with owner Jenny Busch hosted a complimentary basic boat maintenance clinic at Soldiers Point Marina recently. They covered the items from a BIA recommended 50 point boat check.

The group then wandered down to the dock to take a firsthand look at the practical side of checking a boat over before the upcoming busy boating season.

Jenny also offered a complimentary boat check from the team at SPMC to those attending the clinic.

Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve - Close 1pm
Christmas Day - Closed
Open Boxing Day - 10am - 2pm
Open Dec 27th, 30th & 31st - 8am - 5pm
New Year's Day - closed

Phone: (02) 4984 6300
Mobile: 0414 859 708
Email: [email protected]

 
Coast Massage
Treat yourself to a massage without having to leave the Marina, with our fully qualified Remedial Massage therapist and Registered Nurse Lauren Harley.

Lauren has over 12 years’ experience in the healthcare industry and specialises in deep tissue and trigger point therapy as well as pregnancy massage.

Senior and student discounts available.

To discuss your best treatment and make an appointment please call Lauren on:

Phone: 0409 019 100
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.fb.com/Coastmobilemassage

Holiday Hours:

  • Open - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 21st December 2013
  • Closed - 22/12 until 29/12
  • Open - 7 days 30/12-27/1
 
 
The Deck Café/Waterfront Bar
It’s not too late to book your fabulous family Christmas Day luncheon at the special waterfront location of The Deck.

You can choose from the tempting array of entrees including oysters, seafood brochette, melon prosciutto and spanakopita. The main courses include steak, traditional turkey and ham, lamb shoulder, half lobster mornay and fish of the day. And of course scrumptious desserts including plum pudding, pavlova and lots more. In other words there is something for everyone.

The cost of this Christmas Day feast is only $115 per person so it’s advisable to book early.

Holiday Hours:
Closed for breakfast Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day.
Closed for dinner Christmas Day.
Open all other days from 8am until late.

For all reservations and enquiries please call:

Phone: (02) 4919 1502
Web: www.thedeck.net.au

Don't miss out on the big New Year's Eve party again featuring live music and another feast featuring a Mediterranean menu including fresh seafood. A perfect location to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks.
 
The Point Restaurant
Get your party shoes on for a night of dancing to live music and dining on a fabulous feast at the huge New Year’s Eve dinner at the award winning Point Restaurant on the top level of the Marina complex.

Be tempted by the mouthwatering menu which includes fresh oysters and prawns, duck, salmon and beef. And of course there are vegetarian options.

Bookings are limited and filling fast so please don’t be disappointed and contact Julie to reserve your seat or table to bring in the New Year while watching a fabulous fireworks display

» Click here for the NYE Menu

Holiday Hours:
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
All other days open for lunch and dinner

Contact Julie on (02) 4984 7111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.thepointrestaurant.com.au

 
Discover Sailing with the Whole Family at
Soldiers Point Sailing School
You’re never too old to discover the joys of sailing so head on down to Soldiers Point Sailing School located at Sunset Beach adjacent to Soldiers Point Marina and discuss your options with our fully qualified instructors.

This introductory learn to sail course covers the basics of sailing in our fleet of Optimists, Laser and Etchells.

Where: Soldiers Point Marina
When: Christmas school holidays, Tuesday to Saturday
Time: 12.30-3.30pm

Phone: (02) 4982 7773
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.soldierspointsailingschool.com.au

 
ABC - Boat Brokerage - Boats of the Month

» For more information please click here.

If you are looking to buy or sell a motor boat or yacht call in today and see Peter the yacht expert.

Contact Peter at:

ABC - Australian Boat Company
Soldiers Point Marina
Sunset Boulevarde
SOLDIERS POINT
NSW 2317

Phone: (02) 4919 1555
Mobile: 0409 050 928
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.abcboatbrokerage.com.au

All enquiries welcome.

Holiday Hours:
Closed Christmas Day
Open all other days 8am - 5pm

 
Summer Photography Competition

Theme: “Fun on the Water in Port Stephens”

Port Stephens is truly a Water Wonderland Paradise and the opportunities to capture the essence of this area are limitless. So grab your camera, start snapping and send or bring your masterpieces in JPEG format only down to the Marina to enter this competition.

All photographs must be taken between December 1st 2013 and February 14th 2014 with the judging taking place by well-known local photographer Ray Alley on February 28 2014.

There are two categories:

  • Junior - Under 16yo
  • Open - Over 16yo

2013 Junior category
Winner - Liam Mills

Junior Prizes:

  • 1st - $200 Kmart voucher;
  • 2nd - $100 Kmart Voucher;
  • 3rd - $50 Kmart Voucher;

Open Prizes:

  • 1st - Three night’s accommodation at the Flagship Mariners Apartment, Soldiers Point; (subject to availability)
  • 2nd - Two night’s accommodation at the Flagship Mariners Apartment, Soldiers Point; (subject to availability)
  • 3rd - $50 voucher from The Deck Caf�/Waterfront Bar

Entries will be displayed at the Marina, in following e-newsletters and our website.

For more information please contact contact Carmen at the Marina on
(02) 4982 7445.

 
Contact Soldiers Point Marina

Soldiers Point Marina
Sunset Boulevarde
Soldiers Pt 2317
Port Stephens NSW
Australia

Click here to view our holiday hours

Phone: 02 4982 7445
Int: +61 2 4982 7445

Fax: 02 4982 7193
Int: +61 2 4982 7193 Find us on Facebook

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.soldiersptmarina.com.au

 
Visit our sponsors:
 

Phone: 02 4919 0088
Fax: 02 4919 0099
Email: [email protected]
Websites: www.quadbikeking.com.au
www.tamboiqueencruises.com/
www.facebook.com/QuadBikeKing
www.twitter.com/QuadBikeKing

We request wearing enclosed shoes and sunglasses. Long pants are optional.
Please refer to our website for conditions and our cancellation policy.