Kangaroo Tent City MVP Award

The MVP award is a prestigious award given to one team member from our company for their outstanding performance in their role during the quarter.  The award pays due respect and congratulations to an individual, as nominated by their peers, for outstanding performance in sales achievement, passion for high quality service, integrity in delivering uncompromising quality in their duties, demonstrating their capabilities to perform as a team player in a team focussed environment, for an outstanding individual achievement and/or for demonstrating a high degree of competence in core retail skills such as merchandising, stock control, staff training and support, product knowledge and quality customer service.  This individual demonstrates passion, integrity, attention to detail, team player, product knowledge, and quality retail skills in fulfilling their role.

Nominations for the award are received from every staff member each week who must nominate another team member for their outstanding performance and give an explainiation for the reason they have been nominated.

The winners of this award are

Summer 06/07 - Gavin Merrick - North Parramatta Store.

Gavin is a deserved winner of this award.  He has consistently been a high achiever in many areas including being the highest sales achiever in the company for three months running.  Gavin won this award also for the support he has played in training new staff and playing an integral role in managing the North Parramatta store over the busy summer months.  As part of a team, Gavin has demonstrated great improvement in his acceptance of greater responsibility, has not been afraid to step in and help out others when required, and performed with a positive approach whilst helping to develop new team members.  For these reasons, Gavin has been promoted to the Management team at the North Parramatta store.  A leader of the future and a popular team member.  Gavin received the highest number of nominations from his peers.  Congratulations Gavin !!

Autumn 07 - Jenny Lang - North Parramatta Store.

Jenny came back to work at Kangaroo Tent City in March 07 after moving back to Qld for 12 months.  Prior to this Jenny had worked with us for approximately 5 years.  Since her return Jenny has fitted in extremely well to the team.  Joining us at a busy time with the opening of a new store, Rosehill Supershow about to begin and two key management staff suddenly being admitted to hospital, our team was under some pressure.  To her credit Jenny proved how valuable she is as a team player.  When it was time to step up and take on responsibility, Jenny was one of the first to put up her hand and lead the way.  To her credit she managed the clothing category at Rosehill Show to achieve our best result ever in this category.  In addition Jenny was instrumental in helping to set up the new Maitland store and also run the Maitland Show very successfully in this quarter.  Jenny is a well liked and admired team member amongst her peers and a worthy winner of this award.  Cheers to Jenny !!

Winter 07 - Jeff Sheppard - Tuggerah Store.

Jeff is the Manager of our Tuggerah Store.  Jeff takes great pride in the presentation of his store with his team and under his leadership, the Tuggerah store has become one of the top stores in the company.  Through the winter months, Jeff showed great initiative in driving sales in his store via clothing, BBQs, outdoor furniture and patio heaters.  Jeff grew sales in these categories during this time by focussing on the detail and rotating stock around to present great offers through out winter.  Jeff as an individual was consistently in the top 5 sales people in the company and assisted the development of our new Maitland store by guiding staff through product ranging and staff training.  Jeff and his team also assisted with the successful operation of the Kariong Show.  Well done Jeff.  Good to see the award going to another store!!

Spring 07 - 

Product Testing

Our Operations Manager Ian Sheppard has just returned from a 3 week product testing trip through the Simpson Desert & Hay River area of the Northern Territory with Great Divide Tours. On this trip he tested many different items in some very extreme locations.

Items tested included Black Wolf Tent, Diamantina Outrigger Tent, Downunder Brumby Swag, Diamantina 4wd Mats, Roman Trek S/Bag, Coleman Stoves, Coleman Cook Station, Trangai Stove, Engel 40Ltr Fridge.

Here are a few Photo's that show what a fantastic place the Aussie Outback is.

 Woop Woop Newsletter

Welcome			Product Testing	Hints & Tips for Canvas
Website Recommendations			New Products for Spring	Dog Friendly Accommodation

WELCOME
Welcome to our Spring Newsletter, and what a great time to get outdoors and explore our beautiful country, and whilst we are all praying for much needed rain and an end to the drought, it makes for great hiking.  If you've never been one to throw on a backpack, and feel that now is the time, come on in and see us, and one of our friendly and knowledgable sales staff will give you all the information you need to start exploring this wonderful land. 

Check out our new Spring Products from Diamantina.  We have a wonderful new range of canvas tents arriving soon, as well as a variety of new camping chairs - one to suit everyone in the family.

We welcome your comments and ideas, your photos and articles, and sincerely hope you enjoy reading your newsletter. Please send to either info@kangarootentcity.com.au or 596A Church Street, North Parramatta, NSW, 2151.

NEW PRODUCTS FOR SPRING -
AVAILABLE NOW

Camper Trailers are now available   If you like the idea of arriving at a camp site, parking a trailer and simply popping up a tent and having everything you need at your fingertips, with the added bonus of sleeping well off the ground, then the Camper 9 will suit you.   With an Off Road Trailer the Camper 9 comes complete with vinyl rain cover, hinges, latches, gas struts and brackets for tilting and locking down. When the tent is attached to the trailer the gas struts allow you to access the trailer from the outside by tilting the whole platform and when inside the tent you can also access the trailer through a large trap door under the mattress. This door also has a gas strut. From the comfortable 150mm Queen size mattress on the platform on top of the trailer, you then step down into the 240 x 220cm living room. The centre ridge is 270cm high and a 240cm awning covers the front patio. The tent is well ventilated with 6-large windows with zippered internal window flaps and a large front door that is No-See-Um mesh and canvas. Optional Camper 9 Sunroom A full canvas sunroom with windows is available for the Camper 9.

Canvas Tents are tough and durable enough to stand up to many a storm, providing a secure and comfortable haven for family holidays or touring. Kangaroo Tent City and BBQs is proud to introduce their new range of Diamantina Canvas Tents providing you with family size comfort, or touring size convenience. The Stamford Grande (pictured at right with optional sunroom) is our show piece, boasting comfortable and spacious 2 room accommodation (4.5m x. 3.65 x 2.4m) with optional sunroom, and made with only the best materials.  The Astoria is a superb canvas tent (pictured at right) with 2 rooms, extra large awning, optional sunroom, and with all the best quality features you could expect. This tent is ideal for family holidays. (3m x 2.4m x 2.4m). We also have the Outrigger (2.75m x 2.75m) Canvas Touring Tent and the Outrigger Extended (2.75m x 3.6m) Canvas Touring Tent which are perfect for those weekend getaways.  More information available by clicking on the links.

Stamford Grande (above)  with optional sunroom Astoria (above)

PRODUCT TESTING
Our Woop Woop testing facility recently took a change of venue, in the form of the Six Foot Track, west of Sydney. Not only did we put some of our products to the test, but it was a great opportunity to get outdoors for some friendly competition.

Our ever-supportive suppliers ensured that we had adequate equipment: Mont, Black Wolf and Roman backpacks, Roman and Coleman self-inflating mats, Roman sleeping bags, hiking tents from Roman and Spelean (MSR Zoid 1.5) and bivvy from Roman, Trangia stove from Rucsak and Coleman’s Outlander butane stove, GPS systems from Magellan, and last but far from least, that which gives us sustenance, Backcountry meals from Outdoor Agencies – double size, no less.

Our testers braved the notorious swing bridge, and weathered what has possibly been the mildest winter weather, to provide you with more improved knowledge and experience from our store sales representatives, as well as the benefit of product feedback. All in all it was a fabulous two days of testing and experiencing some of our fabulous products, and we invite your questions and suggestions with regard to our product range and our testing expeditions.

TIPS FOR OWNERS OF CANVAS TENTS Before your tent's first use, erect as per the provided instructions.  This provides you with the opportunity to check that all parts are present and that you are familiar with the method for erection.  Whilst the tent is up, hose your tent thoroughly and allow to dry twice.  This will allow the fabric and stitching to shrink and take up, providing a more waterproof result.  Some water may wick through the stitching during this process.  If any wicking occurs in the future, rub the stitching with a wax stick which will seal the area.

No fabric is mildew proof - due to the climatic conditions in Australia, the appearance of mildew or black spots is beyond yours and our control.  However, there are a few preventative measures you can apply.  Never store your tent away wet - if you must pack up a wet tent, thoroughly dry it as soon as you can. Fold tent loosely and store in a cool, dry location.  If mildew does occur, remove it by scrubbing with a soft brush and water, or use a commercial mildew remover.

WEB SITE RECOMMENDATIONS

One of the developments within our own website, was to extend our library of Outdoor Links, which will be an ongoing development. We currently have 4 categories of interest for you: Bushwalking Links, Family Holidays, 4WD Links and links to our Suppliers, where we hope you will find additional information on some of the products we have in our stores.

Our website recommendation for this season is:
Learn Orienteering – How To Use a Compass  http://www.learn-orienteering.org/

In Kjetil Kjernsmo's illustrated guide on How To Use A Compass he refers to the compass as the “indispensable tool to find your way home, or go nowhere”. In what is a very unpretentious site, Kjetil does a great job of introducing you to orienteering, providing an understanding on working with your compass and map, practice exercises, and tips on buying a compass. This is a great site for all those who plan to get “off the beaten track”. Even for those who own, or plan to own, a GPS, basic navigation can be a life-saver.

DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION We received plenty of feedback from our questionnaire, requesting information on “DOG-FRIENDLY” Accommodation.  For those people, we have the following suggestions: Holidaying with Dogs, by Willie Bedford, and available from any of our stores, provides an excellent directory to over 2000 B&B’s, caravan parks, camping grounds, cottages, host farms, motels, holiday houses and pet-sitters throughout Australia and New Zealand.  It retails for $16.95. The Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) has a fabulous website where you can not only locate the perfect destination for your holiday, but you can also search for “pet-friendly” accommodation.  Simply visit www.cciansw.com and follow the Holiday Guide link. There are also tips for travelling with your pet.

Wollondilly River Station provides outstanding camping facilities in the beautiful Wollondilly Valley, and they also welcome your pets. They have year round trout fishing, swimming, canoe and tent hire, wildlife tours, firewood for sale and the ultimate camping luxury – flush toilets. Brian and Ina will even provide you with an Australian Camp Oven Dinner, by request. Only 15km from Wombeyan Caves and surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, Wollondilly River Station is a fabulous getaway for you and your pet. Check out their website: www.wollondillyriverstation.com or phone Brian and Ina on 02 4888 9207.

FLYING HIGH DEC 08

"You snooze, you loose"

updated 14.12.08

Stores Performance Ranking

1)Parramatta

2)Maitland

3)Tuggerah

4)Chatswood

5) Penrith

Top sales                Average Sale               GP

1) Gavin                   Gavin                           Gavin

2) Kevin                    Karthik                         Kevin

3) Ross                      Kevin                           Chris

4) Chris                     Jeff                               Ross

5) Jeff                       Ross                             Jeff 

6) Daniel A                Daniel A                       Amanda

7) Karthik                  Jenny                          Daniel A

8) Amanda                Rebecca                       Karthik

9) Jenny                    Gary                            Jenny

10) Sarah                 Alex                              Sarah

Everdure Wine Promo

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