Monthly Archives: April 2011

SEQPHA Easter breakfast

The South East Queensland Professional Housekeepers Association had an Early Easter Breakfast held at the Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise. “We had a great morning, Mardi Shennan from A H Beard gave a talk on her company that is Australian owned. They donated $250,000 of beds to the flood relief in Queensland with no publicity or fuss, which was wonderful to hear,” said SEQPHA’s Melissa Bent.

“ We also wished Leeann Shultz from Sewroo all the best she was flying to the UK that afternoon to participate in the London Marathon on Sunday – she had raised $10,000 towards a great cause for the Heart Foundation. Leeann had suffered a heart attack last year and now running a marathon and we had helped with a $500 donation and selling raffle tickets.

“A H Beard donated a bed to raffle which helped her reach her target. We also raised over $200 at this function towards our charities with our raffles. Prizes kindly donated by our suppliers once again. One of our suppliers said she knew of a young lady who was 19 and has suffered from leukaemia since she was 16 she has to stay in hospital for a while, during her treatment and asked if anyone had a holiday house, or spare room as Ronald McDonald House cannot take her anymore due to her age.

“Leeann and Graham of Sewroo, put up their hands straight away and said she can stay at their house while they are in the UK and even longer if needed. There was not a dry eye in the house, how generous of them both, so nice to know there are kind people around to help out others.

“Finally a big thank you to our bunny Colleen Reynolds from the Southport School, who puts on that costume each year, she brought the house down, we have not laughed so much.

Our next Function is race day at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the 14 May, a fun day to dress up and catch up with all.”

PHAN Hotel Site Visit

On Thursday 19th May 2011 join the PHAN committee to visit Sofitel Sydney Wentworth – 61-101 Phillip St. Sydney. Meeting place @ 4pm to 4:50pm, then walk to The Westin Sydney – 1 Martin Place Sydney 5pm to 6pm. After the hotel visits we meet at Subsolo Restaurant -161 King St Sydney dinner @ 6:30pm

The Westin Sydney and Sofitel graciously extended an invitation to PHAN members to showcase their hotels. The space is limited therefore this is a first come first serve basis.

Please RSVP by Monday 16th of May to the email address below: phanpresident@gmail.com

This will also be an opportunity to renew your membership, the committee will bring application forms and will issue the receipts to make it more convenient for you.

Other Housekeeping Olympics

Teams competing in the Las Vegas Housekeeping Olympics

Check out more Housekeeping Olympics,
this time from Las Vegas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jWwHJo5S3o
and another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew_ULbvtd0c&NR=1
and in Philippines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcoZHdNa-tI&NR=1
and this one! Funny!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSwFo-_KgI0&NR=1

Housekeeping review and coaching skills for Sukhothai in Bangkok

Liz with the Sukhothai Housekeeping team and Khun Kanee

The 210 room Sukhothai in the heart of Bangkok Thailand invited Lycette & Associates to assist with a review of the housekeeping operations and training for some of its staff. This 20 years old property borrows heavily from Thailand’s architectural heritage to create a unique atmosphere. Modelled after the ancient capital, the hotel with its replicated stupas and pagodas resembles a sanctuary reminiscent of a bygone era, distinctively Thai.

Along with the review of housekeeping, Liz Lycette conducted a one day coaching skills workshop for the supervisory teams from Housekeeping, Front Office, and Engineering.

Liz had a busy  5 days with the Housekeeping team including the Executive Housekeeper Khun Yaowanarth Phothiprom.  The review included a look at the new development of The Residences next to the hotel,  a high-rise block of over 42 floors comprising 194 apartments due to open in the second quarter of 2011.

While on this assignment Liz also had the opportunity to meet Khun Kanee, the guru and mother of Housekeeping in Bangkok. Khun Kanee has just recently retired from her 30 years as Executive Housekeeper at the Oriental in Bangkok. A lively exchange of housekeeping know-how was had and enjoyed. But better even Khun Kanee will be involved in the planning of a Thai 3-day workshop for Housekeeping Managers scheduled for July/August.

Another excellent bonus during this assignment was a catch up with Tim and Jo Cooke, Tim and Liz worked together at Le Meridien London in the late 1980’s, Tim is now Group Director of Operations for Bandara Hotels and Resorts Thailand.

The Sukhothai Housekeeping team

Flower arranging

Catch up with Jo and Tim Cooke

Liz and Jo on some r&r

International Interior Images hosts The P.E.H.N. (Vic)


Professional Executive Housekeepers Network

On Wednesday March 23rd March , Val Harding and her staff  from International Interior Images hosted  members of The P.E.H.N. (professional Executive Housekeepers Network) (Vic)  at their very elegant premises in Port Melbourne. Members were treated to champagne and very tasty canapes  throughout the evening whilst perusing and sampling all the international luxury brands including Asprey , Aveda , Elemis , Penhaligons and The White Company all of which International Interior Images distribute.. Some members were lucky enough to  experience hand massages from Kate from Elemis who had just arrived from the U.K. to assist in the opening of the new Myer day spa.

Val Harding who is on the board of  the “tlc for kids” charity introduced Tim Conolan  to speak on behalf of the charity to explain to members about the work they do in helping families in need when children are in hospital . They endeavour to nurture the emotional wellbeing of children undergoing medical treatment. Assistance can usually be given within 48 hours to families in need and requests can be diverse. Other services include a national distraction box program which contains toys etc so children can be distracted from needles etc and some unpleasant forms of treatments.. If you would like to make a donation or know more  about tlc, their website is www.tlcforkids.org.au. The P.E.H.N. donated $500 on behalf of all members.

Thanks to Val and all her staff for an interesting evening.

Upcoming function

 

The P.E.H.N. is planning a mini trade show on May 12th where Associate members will show off their products and services. Invitations will be going out soon for what promises to be a fun night with prizes. Hope to see all members there.

For more information on PEHN contact Barbara Sargeant by email: b.sarge@bigpond.com or visit www.pehn.org