The Grizzly Gazette The Official Newsletter of the Central Coast Bears Edition 16 – February 2012 Win a Central Coast Bears Bear Facts – Did you know? A Message from the CEO Supporters Training Shirt Proudly In Walt Disney’s Winne the Pooh franchise, the main character, Pooh Bear is often Supported By Dear members, Be the first to submit the correct answers to this This month brought the month’s trivia on page 4 of The Grizzly Gazette depicted eating honey as his favourite food. welcome news of the and you will win a Bears training shirt. OR - But the question all Central Coast Bears fans game’s new ARL want answered is - do Bears actually eat honey? Well, the answer is, yes. Well, kind of. Commission. This was Bears eat honey, but what they like most tremendous news for our about finding a beehive is the bees and larvae bid and we can now expect to see some they find inside. Bears will often eat bees and movement in relation to decisions on WIN!! especially their larvae, and the honey comes expansion. Already we have seen the as an extra treat. Despite this revelation, the Commission use their power to abolish the good news is that Bears enjoy nothing more McIntyre finals system. than eating a good Sea-Eagle. During the week I spoke about one of the most The winner can risk it all and reply to the satisfying roles this past year attending local schools to talk to children, in conjunction with winner’s email to challenge Flo to a rugby Fortunity the Jumpstart Youth Mentor Program. Phill league trivia showdown. Win and you may select Pallas from Insight Central Coast has the merchandise of your choice, lose and you Established on the NSW get a Bears sticker. developed the program, and along with David Central Coast, Fortunity Fairleigh we attended the following schools: is a company that has This is a members’ only competition. To be in ALESCO Alternative Learning Centre, Brisbane quickly made a mark on the running, send your answers via email to Waters Secondary College – Woy Woy the Australian financial re [email protected]. Please use a industry. Fortunityset was firmly ranked on being number in the70 Campus, Gosford High School, Kariong headline of “Grizzly Gazette Trivia, Member #. Mountains High School, Narara Valley High in BRW’s Top Accountingtop 10 regional Firms firmsin 2010 in 2011. School, Northlakes High School, St Edwards and are now setting their sights firmly on Christian College and Wadalba Community being in the top 10 regional firms in 2011. Member Count We are proud of the vitality School. The program at its core exists to ignite Fortunity is proud of the vitality and enthusiasm they andoffer enthusiasm their clients, we whichoffer our in the dreams of young people, and is fashioned Facebook: 26,186 part comes fromclients, being which a relatively comes with new to help them recognise personal strengths, being a relatively new organisation. Unlike some of their improve resilience and develop strategies to organisation. Financial Members: 7,721 competitors, Fortunity can offer you and achieve life goals. Over 80 students took part in your business an integrated approach to the program, and all school have requested the accounting, investment, auditing, financial program to return in 2012. It is wonderful to planning, asset management, business take the time to listen to the hopes and dreams advice and compliance management. and reflect on how important a Rugby League And, of most significance to you, Fortunity franchise will be to the community. is a proud partner of the Central Coast Bears NRL bid! www.fortunity.com.au Greg Florimo For further information, including pricing, contact Steve Little at [email protected] The News Desk For up-to-date news go to www.centralcoastbears.com.au Hello, ARL Commission. Good-bye Bear Cub Vale Dom Lopez OAM We’re the Central Coast Bears Keon Sbrugnera 1996-2012 Legend to the End The Central Coast Bears have welcomed the The Central Coast said farewell to Keon The Central Coast Bears and City of Mosman is announcement concerning the establishment of Sbrugnera last week who drowned while mourning the passing of Cr Dom Lopez who the newly formed ARL Commission. swimming at The Entrance Channel. died last month following a long illness. Keon was an extremely polite and fun-loving BEARS The eight appointed commissioners will replace joker. He loved Bob Marley, Jack Johnson and Cr Lopez, a former Mayor of Mosman, and long the NRL Partnership Committee which 70s and 80s music. serving councillor was remembered by his comprised representatives for News Limited friends and family for his love and passion for and the Australian Rugby League. Keon leaves behind his twin brother Callan, his family, the North Sydney Bears and the City sister Raneke and two older brothers Kydan of Mosman. News of the game’s new ownership was long and Jayden. Callan and Keon were identical overdue and Bears CEO Greg Florimo couldn't twins, born 12 minutes apart. They were best In response to overwhelming public affection for hide his enthusiasm. mates who rarely left each other’s side and Cr Lopez and in recognition of his contribution to cheekily wreaked havoc; often swapping public service, Mosman Council issued a "It's great that the code has been able to unite classes, doing each other’s shift at the local statement on 7 February 2012 announcing that the previous governing bodies into an super-market IGA, exchanging jerseys at the council would be seeking community Independent Commission, which is sure to halftime on the football field or running each consultation in relation to a lasting memorial to streamline strategic decision making for other's races in athletics carnivals. recognise Cr Lopez’s civic service. the betterment of our game," Florimo stated. Ourimbah-Wyoming Senior Vice President, Cr Lopez, was the son of hard-working Italian "We have been working hard for over two and a Todd Nelson remembered Keon’s pranks fondly immigrants who ran a fruit shop after settling in half years to build a bid for the and was actually only alerted to a recent prank Mosman. He was known as a colourful Central Coast and North Shore of Sydney and after Keon’s passing. character, a loyal friend, a formidable opponent we believe we have a solid case to put and according to Mosman Council manager Viv forward. "After last season’s premiership we took photos May, he had a record of public service in of all the boys with the shield. I couldn't tell Mosman that will never be equalled. The Central Coast Bears are quickly Keon or his brother, Callan apart so I just put approaching 8,000 financial members and the caption Keon/Callan, Callan/Keon with a “On many issues Dom said what many people already have over 26,000 Facebook fans and couple of question marks. Keon messaged me thought - but were not prepared to say. 975 Twitter followers. to confirm where he was situated in the photo. “Mosman has lost a legend,” Mr May said. Then, just a couple of days ago after the "We have continued to build our fan base tragedy, Callan and his Aunt Karen called me Some of Cr Lopez’s many achievements include during the NRL off season and the support and said it was actually Callan,” said Nelson. being awarded the Queen’s Medal in 1976, from both the Central Coast and North Shore communities and businesses has been Mr Nelson said that donations can be made to Order of Australia Medal in 1992, Local incredible." support Keon’s family at: Government Medal in 2000 and Centenary Keon Sbrugnera Memorial Account Medal in 2001 for services to local government It’s now time to make more noise than ever BSB - 112-879 Account: 474519218 and Mosman. before Bears fans. HERE COME THE February 2012 February 2012 January 2012 Bear Talk: Ryan Sansom Bear Talk is proudly brought to you each month by Fortunity. For integrated business and financial advice visit www.fortunity.com.au The Grizzly Gazette spent some time with undertaken initiatives to form key partnerships TGG: Now that the Independent Commission is Central Coast Bears Administration Officer, Mr with local sporting and non sporting in place there is an expectation that a decision Ryan Sansom recently. Ryan is a product of the organizations to promote membership. will finally be made about expansion of the NRL Central Coast who came to the Bears for his Having close to 8000 members enables the competition. Some are saying this may come in compulsory internship whilst studying at Central Coast Bears to display tangible proof to June this year. Has this development given the university. the NRL that establishes how compelling this office a boast or are nerves the primary feeling? bid really is. RS: As mentioned before the office is a pretty Here’s what was said.... TGG: Merchandise sales appear to be strong, upbeat environment, but in answer to your question yes, the latest development has added with the Bears brand seemingly everywhere. The Grizzly Gazette: You started with the Are there any plans to expand the merchandise even more wind to everyone’s sails. I do not Bears as an intern doing compulsory working lines and distribution points? want to jinx anything but I really am starting to hours and have since been offered a paid RS: There are definitely plans to expand the get the feeling that it is now only a matter of time before we are granted a license and position, looking after merchandise, Central Coast Bears’ merchandise lines and playing before a sell out crowd at Bluetongue membership, office operations and assisting distribution points once an NRL license is granted.