ConvaTech was proud to assist local rider Lee Stephens in fulfilling his dream to compete in the Finke Desert Race, a gruelling 460km motocross event starting in Alice Springs. Recognised as one of the toughest Australian motocross races, this was Lee’s first attempt at the event and he excelled by achieving 18^th position out of over 370 competitorsLee acknowledged that sponsorship was imperative to him being able to compete, with just getting to and from the event costing more than $1,800 in fuel. When approached for sponsorship, ConvaTech was impressed by the determination and drive that Lee demonstrated and was happy to assist in fulfilling his aspirations. ConvaTech praises the determined young man for all of his efforts and congratulates him on this superb result.

ConvaTech shows its hometown pride through its sponsorship and avid support of the Newcastle Knights.

For 12 years, ConvaTech has been an active sponsor of the Newcastle Knights and its players. We believe this sponsorship enables us to promote Newcastle and the team itself within the broad sector of business, predominately the coal industry in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions.

We have recently moved into the new grand stand and have facilities to cater for 24 guests, which we regularly use to entertain various clients and suppliers. We also view our sponsorship as being reflective of our relationship with the Knights’ major sponsor - Coal and Allied’s major materials handling facilities through the Hunter Valley.

ConvaTech was proud to host the ‘Sporting Stars Benefit Night’ on Saturday 14 October 2006 in support of our long-standing employee, Michael Andrews.

Thanks to the enormous support and generosity of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Mining and Business Communities $18,917 was raised for Mick, who was tragically diagnosed with Leukaemia soon after returning from his honeymoon in November 2005.

The Benefit also generated $2,500 for both the Humour Foundation and The Leukaemia Foundation, who have not only supported Michael in his hour of need, but also provide a magnificent service to all cancer sufferers. The money donated to these Foundations will be used to ensure the continuation of patient services throughout the Newcastle and Hunter Regions.

A fantastic night was had by all in attendance, with the generosity of our community being clearly witnessed through the enormous contributions made by the guests.

The drawcard of the evening was the Sporting Memorabilia Auction, which saw pieces from some of the biggest names in sporting history, including Mohammad Ali, Harry Kewell and Peter Brock, go under Paul Gamer’s hammer.

Attendees were treated to a surprise twist in the event schedule when ConvaTech Company Directors Peter Slattery and Craig Philpotts, and APM Engineering Company Director, George Salmon, issued a challenge to the crowd to open their wallets as a bounty for their hair. Employees of both companies were more than willing to rise to the challenge, with over $8000 being raised in exchange for the three heads of hair.

ConvaTech would like to make special mention of our major sponsors for the evening, without whom the event wouldn’t have been the tremendous success that it was. Razer Industries partnered ConvaTech with their generous $5,000 sponsorship. Coal & Allied, APM Engineering and Skefco Bearings Newcastle all contributed $2,000 to the cause. Other contributors included Access Products, Tyton Conveyors, Pollard Williams Accountants, The Kloster Group, Pinnacle Financial and Steve Koulis Smash Repairs.

ConvaTech greatly appreciates the support shown towards our long-serving employees and friends and thanks all who contributed to the success of the event.

ConvaTech Queensland representatives Shane Ruff and Greg Hayes leapt ahead of the competition to easily take out the 2007 Thiess Coal Dash. The two-man race involves pushing 50kg of coal in a wheelbarrow up and down the footy field.

Held at the annual rugby leagues charity match, this year between the Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors, the Thiess Coal Dash attracted 32 competitors and raised $21,000 that will be used to support the work of the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Mackay’s Youth Information and Referral Service and Angel Flight. This brings the total raised over the years to an impressive $98,000.

This was a particularly sweet victory for Shane Ruff, with this being his third Thiess Coal Dash title. Congratulations to the boys, who finished the race with a grin and a big thumbs up!

A BIG rig became a pink rig at the site of a ConvaTech client-"Tomago Aluminium", on the first of October to mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Month.

Organiser Debbie Trevathen, a nurse at the site, said the paint job and promotion was organised on behalf of the women at the plant. "Hopefully the men will tell their wives about the truck and they can talk about it openly."

Machine operater Jason Heaton said the project was a great way to generate awareness. His wife, Kate, 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March after she found a lump in her breast.

After having a lumpectomy and chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the outlook is good for the mother of two.

"Early detection was the secret... things could have been much worse," Mr Heaton said.

The traditional male dominated site was flooded with all things pink to promote awareness of the disease. Women handed out pink lady apples, pink lollies and breast screening pamphlets to workers as they entered the plant from 5am yesterday.

It took workers a week to paint the usually yellow hauler pink, and they nicknamed it "Erica" after its shade of paint.

ConvaTech is proud to partner with Tomago Aluminium in putting on the "Think Pink" event, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the work of the Breast Cancer Foundation.