Grand opening event and community partnership with White Lion and MacKillop Family Services

Quest Caroline Springs Official Grand Opening Launch and charity partnership announcement event held on Friday 4 May 2012 Friday evening 4 May was abuzz in Caroline Springs as guests from the Melbourne business community gathered to celebrate the official grand opening of Quest Caroline Springs Serviced Apartments. Natalie Bui and Ricky Singh, franchisees of Quest Caroline Springs pleasantly surprised their guests with an uplifting presentation to pledge their ongoing commitment to support their community by announcing charitable partnerships with White Lion and MacKillop Family Services.

Quest Caroline Springs donated a grand total of $3,000 on the night to these partnering charities. The 2 charities were chosen because they both specialize in helping people who have had to deal with severely difficult life circumstances. White Lion in particular focuses on young people who have been through the youth justice system by rehabilitating them with the right skills and mindset to enter the work force. Quest Caroline Springs publically pledged their commitment to an ongoing partnership with White Lion where Quest Caroline Springs will offer suitable employment to a White Lion youth when the opportunity surely arises. “Quest Caroline Springs believes that all people deserve a fair chance to better themselves and have the skills and self esteem to reach their own full potential. We applaud the work MacKillop and White Lion are doing to help those in need, and we are honoured that we can assist them in their much needed work. ” Natalie Bui, Quest Caroline Springs business development executive commented. Melton Shire Council Mayor Cr Justin Mammarella JP welcomed the addition of Quest Caroline Springs to the Shire, and he showed his support of by speaking on the night. He praised the business for becoming an integral part of stimulating the fast growing local economy of Melton Shire, emphasizing how important new jobs are in the township of Caroline Springs to support the growing population.

Quest Caroline Springs has invested $1.28 million in refurbishments with an aim to provide a premium accommodation option in Shire of Melton while increasing the local economy by creating new employment opportunities within the Western suburbs. As a result of the renovation, Quest Caroline Springs has also been able to provide jobs to more than fifteen local contractors and aims to continue growing its business while supporting local jobs.

Brighton ladies morning tea fundraising and networking event

New Street Brighton was a destination of hope when media personality Stephanie Ryan-Smith and Lori-Rose McGinty of Miss World Australia hosted a ladies morning tea to raise awareness of depression and anxiety disorders for beyondblue.

A prominent Melbourne business identity and Brighton resident generously gave up his home so that over thirty women could gather in the name of this very worthy cause.

Lara Shannon of Eco TV and Keep Australia Beautiful, Rita Butera director of Women's Health Victoria and Jacinta Young of Light FM were among the many distinguished guests.
Sarah Rieglhuth, youngest board member of The Association of Financial Advisors and TV model Andi Lew were also present.

Dr Nicole Highet, deputy CEO of beyondblue was the honourable guest speaker. She spoke eloquently, openly and effortlessly about the serious health topics of depression and anxiety that unfortunately still have a lot of negative stigmas surrounding them. The aim of this morning tea was to get women together in a comfortable environment where depression and anxiety could be discussed and learned about. Both are conditions that effect a lot more people than one would assume, and people need to feel it is okay to speak up and seek support to get through depression and anxiety.

Classic High Tea were key sponsors in providing scrumptious and beautifully presented catering valued at over $2,000. Holloway Diamonds and Anthea Crawford both donated pieces of $500 value each for a fundraising raffle that took place during the morning. Beni Creative played an integral role in the presentation of all communication materials surrounding this event.

Pompadour handmade soy candles and soaps, Scout Cosmetics and Beauty Mate also donated products for fun giveaways. Guests walked away with VIP gift bags containing vital information about beyondblue and goodies from Scwartzkopf.

SRS Productions PR interns Clair White, Amy Lui and Priscilla Truong assisted the running of the day and are thanked for doing such a fabulous job.

About beyondblue

beyondblue is the national depression and anxiety initiative.

If you would like to find out more information on beyondblue and the valuable work this organisation is doing within the community, please visit their website www.beyondblue.org.au

FASHIONCONNECT 2012 Hosted by Stephanie Ryan-Smith

The team at OC Communications & Events did an incredible job of their event FASHIONCONNECT LMFF 2012. Showcasing Melbourne & Australia’s hottest designers, photographers, stylists, bloggers and editors to a fashion crowded audience; it brought that fashion buzz to Melbourne’s hottest spot, The Carlton and was a great addition to the Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) 2012. From all reports all guests had a fabulous time!

Like CatwalkCircus in 2011, I was the official presenter for this exciting fashion event FASHIONCONNECT. DJ Kiti played her sets, and the 'fabulous' Drag duo Rhonda Buttons & Jacqui Meoff performed an amusing Donna Summers & Barbara Streisand number, and Project Runway finalist Craig Braybrook did a marvellous job of designing and making my dress for the evening.

Guests sipped on Chambord cocktails and enjoy fab VIP goodie bags containing over $200 worth of decadent treats from L'Oreal, Fashion Trend Magazine, Culture Magazine, Lindt Chocolate, Equip fashion Accessories, Calvin Klein Fragrances, and much, much more.

FASHIONCONNECT joined forces with The Aids Trust of Australia this year to help raise much needed funds for Australians across the nation living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
OC Communications and Events was proud to have collected proceeds for the charity whilst bringing a mixture of Fashionistas to network and talk FASHION.

FASHIONCONNECT coming up at the 2012 LMFF hosted by Stephanie Ryan-Smith of SRS Productions, Wednesday evening 7 March

Hey guys,

I'm soooo excited to be joining forces again this year with Oscar Calvo (CatwalkCircus) by hosting yet again another exciting Melbourne fashion event as apart of the LMFF (L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival) "FASHIONCONNECT".

FASHIONCONNECT is dedicated to the unique; eye catching and avant-garde Melbourne fashion, motivated by creativity and individuality, hosted by Stephanie Ryan-Smith.

Experience an intimate cocktail soiree that combines fashion and art whilst promoting and celebrating a new generation of talented Melbourne fashion designers, photographers, stylists, editors and bloggers. Meet fashionistas and industry guests, talk about everything from their latest projects to what really goes on behind the scenes of a fashion shoot.

Dress extravagant and help a good cause. Enjoy a night of celebrations with special giveaways! The first 200 guests will receive luxury VIP goodie bags chocked full of high end treats valued at over $200.

Thanks to our generous supporters who have donated some amazing gifts, FASHIONCONNECT will be giving away over $5000 worth of prizes on the night.

The best dressed guest will take home a fabulous MAC makeup gift box valued over $1000 and a Polaroid Instant Camera valued over $150.

The prizes don't stop there. Freedom Dental will pamper a lucky winner in their luxurious spa, with laser teeth whitening using the latest Zoom3 technology and custom made maintenance trays valued at over $1000. Melbourne's top fashion boutique Madam Virtue & Co will donate a luxurious MIU MIU collar and MIU MIU arm cuffs - Italian made and not released in Australia valued over $800. IVANEO menswear will donate a $1000 Gift Card. A $250 Beauty Gift Card from Manhor, a $250 Gift Card from Chadstone - The Fashion Capital and a FASHIONTREND Australia yearly subscription valued at $80.

ONLINE TICKETS - www.occomevents.com.au $35 18+

Includes a selection of delicious beverages on arrival. Chambord Cocktails, Finlandia Vodka & S.Pellegrino – Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water. Proceeds go directly to The AIDS Trust of Australia.

ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Kitty! Are you ready to ROCK it out at FASHIONCONNECT LMFF 2012? The famous DJ Kitty will be playing a wide range of styles and genres for our FASHION guests! Drag Show: Minty Fresh, a Drag Queen of statuesque proportions, quick witted and sharp tongued will perform a fabulous drag duo with Cher Nobyl.

WHERE. WHEN : The Carlton, 193 Bourke St, Melbourne Wed 7th March, 2012 7:00pm - till late


SPECIAL THANKS to our sponsors and supporters: OC Communications & Events, L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) Cultural Program, Aids Trust of Australia, L’Oréal Professionnel, L’Oréal Paris, Polaroid, Chadstone The Fashion Capital, Culture Mag, FASHIONTREND Australia, Chambord, Finlandia Vodka, Sanpellegrino, Lindt, Calvin Klein Fragrances, MAC Cosmetics, Freedom Dental, Tea Drop, Vittoria Coffee, Softlips, Urban Rituelle, The Carlton, Madam Virtue & Co, Studio 76, FAINT Magazine, Ivaneo, Manhor, Joey Scandizzo, DJ Kiti, Minty Fresh, Cher Nobyl, Rena Harvey, Taryn Harvey, Stephanie Ryan-Smith at SRS Productions, Craig Braybrook, Alex Martin, Andrew O’Tool, Alex Dubois and Oscar Calvo.

Jeep Portsea Polo 2012

It was like The Birdcage migrated to the beach at yet again another spectacular Portsea Polo for 2012, proudly sponsored by Jeep.
Although the weather wasn't very summery at this year's polo, the atmosphere didn’t suffer the as revellers turned up in full polo attire, with the ladies looking as glamourous as ever, and the lads looking very Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Portsea Polo has become a very high profile event and is definitely a place where you will certainly spot the odd celebrity wandering around. Myself and MiSociety companion Bianca Hart enjoyed the luxury and comfort of the Stalla Artois marquee where AFL super stars such as Lance 'Buddy' Franklin were spotted, comedian Mick Molly, as well as plenty of familiar faces from Australian film and TV. I had the best view when Daryl Braithwaite rocked the polo over the lunch break performing his famous songs 'One Summer', and you guessed it; 'Horses'. He seriously is an amazing live singer, I must say. Thoroughly enjoyable! There was even a chick who jumped up on stage and started dancing with Daryl. He was a good sport about it and just keep playing.

Jeep made an impressive presence this year as the major sponsors of The Portsea Polo, showcasing that they're stepping up to even higher levels in the automobile industry. It's great to see how an iconic sporty & outdoorsy car brand can mesh with luxury to cater for the ever changing tastes of consumers. The Arial display of an actual Jeep by Mark Visser was both awe inspiring and an unusual sight to see.

We must remember that the polo is really all about the ponies and their talented riders battling it out on the field. That is what we really come to see, yes? Bianca and I were impressed to see that a woman was championing the Cox & Kings team, captain Inga Burke, who's team won over Movenpick. Sam Baillieu of the Movenpick team happened to spray champaign all over me, among others who were watching the presentations when the teams were awarded their prizes. The Jeep and Stella Artois games were just as thrilling with captains Andrew williams of Stella Artois and Glen Gilmore showing superior sportsmanship both on the field and at the presentations.

The competitive spirit wasn't exclusive to only the riders, it was totally entertaining to watch the ladies and gents compete in the 'Willow Creek Men's & Women's Dash' as pictured. Clearly was never a dull moment at the 2012 Portsea Polo, even if the weather was being typically 'Melbourne'.

SCOPE 'See Me' Ball 2011 at Myer Mural Hall

Many thanks to Lori-Rose McGinty, publicty and events manager for Scope for being so kind and inviting me along to this VERY special charity event. I brought along none other than Rosetta Musial as we decided to do a write up for MiSociety as well, given that Scope needs as much awareness as possible. The Ten Tenors were definately the highlight of the evening in regards to the entertainment factor. Vince Colosimo and Rachael Finch did a super job of hosting as MCs.

Distinguished guests included Brynne and Geofrey Edelsten, Swimmer Andrew Laurterstein, Dr Sally Coburn and Frank Costa.

ICE BLITZ FUN RACE | SRS Productions | Melbourne Winter Festival

Inspired by the hugely successful 'Crashed Ice' action events in Europe and North America, we present to you, for the first time ever in Australia, the Melbourne Winter Festival 2011 Ice Blitz Fun Race

The Ice Blitz Fun Race was produced and hosted by (myself)Stephanie Ryan-Smith of SRS Productions for Echolot Pty Ltd under the directorship of senior partner of Echolot Pty Ltd, Christoph Doerfel.

The name 'Ice Blitz' was the first name that I came up with when nutting out ideas in the initial planning phase. After all the other ones we brainstormed, "ICE BLITZ" stuck! The entire coordination of getting elite and social level ice skating communities involved revolved around building trusting and mutually beneficial relationships.

Originally we had planned for ICE BLITZ to take place on August 20th, being 2 weeks after our qualifier event at The Medibank Ice House. Due to technical and logistical reasons it was moved forward one week.
On Sunday night the 28th of August The Melbourne Winter Festival experienced a spectacular turn out of teams of pro level ice skaters and ice hockey players to compete for the 2011 title of the Ice Blitz Fun Race sponsored by Spreets.com.

The Ice Blitz comprised of challenging dodging, weaving, ducking and jumping of obstacles on the ice rink & fun track. It was fierce and extremely close all the way, but Team Toronto took home the grand prize of an Apple iPad, Helly Hansen gear and Lendan luxury hair products packs per player.
Each player of every team who had qualified to compete demonstrated
speed, agility, determination, bravery and vibrant team spirit.

We extend a great thank you to the pro-league players of The Melbourne Ice who did a marvellous job of refereeing and assisting in the running of the race track.

We extend the same gratitude to our chosen charity The Warwick Foundation who helped create a very strong presence throughout the entire festival.
The Warwick Foundation helps young adults through their life journey battling with cancer.