EDITORIAL ARCHIVE

Greetings dear Reader!

2010 will see the NATIONAL publish as a bi-monthly, with the first issue out this week! It was delayed slightly through a combination of a virus which ate half the prepared magazine, an appointment in Singapore which came before that problem could be fixed, and ... maybe just plain old taking on a teeny weeny bit too much all at once. Never mind! We are off and running now and I am very excited to launch our brand new website!

As you can see from the cover, we have a new look here at the NATIONAL. (Well, the old girl is 60 this year, and felt the need for a bit of a ‘refresh'.) You'll note we have also spent the first part of this year working on a new website which I am pleased to see ... You are reading! There is a bit more tweaking and training for yours truly, and it will evolve almost daily.

Our new e-newsletter THE SPIN will keep you up to date with industry events between print editions of the NATIONAL. You must register to receive it: send an email to shirley@nationaldrycleaners.com.au with Subject line SIGN UP FOR THE SPIN and I'll add your name to our FREE e-newsletter mailing list. A further bonus is that Classifieds which run in the NATIONAL will also get three months FREE listing on our website – at no extra charge. Great value! (And there are all sorts of great Mates Rates available to our Regular advertisers. Have a look at the Directory while you are there, it's all pretty exciting stuff – stay tuned!)

The new combined Drycleaning and Laundry Industry Award is causing some confusion and some of the most confused people are those who are convinced they know what they are doing, so make sure you are a member of your trade association for professional advice. The Australian Federation of Employers & Industries has generously contributed some timely advice this issue, and are on board as a new regular contributor to the NATIONAL. Quite a valuable addition to our raft of contributors.

On a sad note, this month we say fond but final farewells to two beloved laundry identities, Bob Jull and Kerry Cleal. Both were larger than life personalities and professionals who will be sorely missed by so many. And, while they are not departing this world, two other identities – David and Kristine Aubrey – are returning to Belgium after five years in Australia, and they too will be very greatly missed by friends across Australia. (See our exciting announcement about Jensen's new General Manager!)

Meanwhile, what I thought was a pretty cool offer in the previous issue – a visit to the Remotest Laundry Or Drycleaner In Australia with a story in the NATIONAL, has had a lukewarm response. I mean, frankly, I had visions of fording muddy creeks and arriving by Flying Doctor, but I could end up traveling to Wollongong at this rate. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)

The Concise Macquarie Dictionary definition of 'remote':
1. far apart; far distant in space
2. out-of-the-way; retired; secluded
3. distant in time
4. distant in relationship or connection
5. far removed; alien
6. far off; removed... etc.

Is your commercial drycleaning plant or laundry so REMOTE from the big smoke (using Sydney as the base, since that's where my office is!) that you think there isn't the REMOTEST chance of ever getting a visit from the 'NATIONAL DRYCLEANER AND LAUNDERER'? Think again! We are looking for our remotest Australian drycleaner or launderer reader to feature in a full story! Send us a short letter detailing why you think YOUR commercial laundry or drycleaning plant is the most remote in Australia, and invite us to visit. If we adjudge you the remotest, we will come and interview you, discuss the special challenges of your operation, then let the rest of Australia know just how you do it. And we are not necessarily talking 'as the crow flies' ... difficulty in getting there gets extra points.

Send your letter, email or fax then watch out! Snow, sleet, hail, rain, rolling red dust storms, big wets, huge seas, scorching rays, bunyips and crocodiles notwithstanding, we'll come and visit you ASAP! SO, I have extended the closing date to 30th April, and hope that gives you enough time to get in touch with us via email, fax, phone or carrier pigeon. Come on! See the December 2009 issue for the run-down on the competition and how to enter. Allied Traders, you could be helpful here, please let everyone know we have a new website and a new look magazine.

Shirley Naylor
Editor

PS: Just think, even if you aren't the remotest site, but you are the one who actually goes to the trouble of sending an email to me, you might win anyway!
Keep an eye on this space for a growing archive collection of Editorials.

 



March/April/May 2010

Greetings dear Reader!

Great to see we had a close contest for our reader competition to find the most remote Australian laundry or dry-cleaning plant. We received a very amusing letter from Lismore, NSW (you'll find it on The Spin), but the final heat was between Port Hedland and Broome. And as Broome is a direct flight from Sydney, and Port Hedland is some 600+ km south of there by road, the Winner is: (drum rollllll) Jamie Cavey, Pilbara Laundry, Port Hedland!!! Looking for the right time of year to explore the north west of Western Australia so we can present his story. Thanks very much to all who sent in their suggestions as to why they were remote, especially you, David Murphy of Perfix Drycleaners, Lismore.

I recently enjoyed a weekend with Members of Texcare Tasmania at their very popular Annual Seminar, held this year at The Shearwater Resort, just outside the busy north western Port City of Devonport and you can expect to read a full report in an upcoming NATIONAL magazine. The speakers were right on the button, and a great afternoon was spent interacting with industry icon Miller Goodwin and John Murphy, Penguin Drycleaners, VIC. While in town, I enjoyed the hospitality of Pam and Dennis Applebee, Fourways Drycleaners. Their story is in the current issue of the NATIONAL. Good to see the Taswegians get behind Pam's drive to get them up to the very north of the state, and doubtless with the fabulous raspberry farm, cheese factory and chocolate makers on offer after lunch on Sunday, I wasn't the only one hauling a big pot of jam around.

Last week, Geelong and three days with the Victorian Institutional Launderers Association (VILA), May 19 - 21. Always a packed program with well organised speakers and events, so you can bet it was worthwhile going.

Don't forget to check our Events section regularly to see what is coming up. (And don't forget to email us the details of any events you have coming up: it's free, so you might as well use the service!)

Support your Associations, their website links are located at the bottom of the home page. Keep us all handy in your web browser and get in the habit of checking often.

Shirley Naylor
Editor

PS: If you haven't signed up for The Spin e-newsletter, please don't forget to click the button on the left of the home page. This newsletter is designed for more immediate news than the magazine, so if you have any problem garments, opinions, Hatches, Matches or Despatches, or questions for the industry, please drop us a line.