Last year, the Newcastle and Hunter Events Corporation (NHEC) successfully bid to stage the 8th Australian Masters Games in the Newcastle/Hunter Region from 5 – 14 October 2001. The Government strongly supported the NHEC's bid.

The Government has provided support for the Games, which are expected to bring $25 million to the Hunter Region. The NHEC has now requested assistance from Government Departments and Agencies by way of staff secondments.

Attached is a list of positions and duty statements (supplied by NHEC) for which staff secondments have been sought, the indicative salary grading of each position and the period of time secondees would be required.

Ministers are requested to ensure that Departments, Authorities and Agencies within their portfolios having a presence in the Newcastle/Hunter region and the Central Coast ascertain which of their staff would be available for secondment into any of the sought positions.

As these secondments are in-kind support for the Games, staff should be made available at no cost to the NHEC. Departments and Agencies will not be reimbursed for any seconded staff, nor for any temporary replacement staff.

Departments and Agencies should appoint a contact officer as soon as possible who would co-ordinate Expressions of Interest from potential secondees, and liaise directly with Mr Terry Charlton, Operations Manager, NHEC. Mr Charlton can be contacted on ph: 4974 8784 and fax 4974 8778. NHEC have indicated that the immediate secondment priorities are for the Business and Finance Manager, and the IT Manager.

The Government's support for the 8th Australian Masters Games is a key component of the its overall initiatives in the Newcastle/Hunter region. Accordingly, I seek your active support in facilitating the secondment of available staff to the NHEC to ensure the Games are an outstanding success.

Andrew Refshauge
Acting Premier