Issue 3 - 2008

 

Managing Directors Message . . .

As Christmas and the end to yet another year approaches it is timely to reflect on the year almost past.

 

2008, Southern Cross Cleaning's 28th Year of trading, has been another exceptional year of growth.  The company now boasts many contracts in the education, wine, transport, defence, retail and many other commerical industries.

 

It is opportune for me to thank all our employees for their hard work, loyalty and dedication to their job and our clients over the last year and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous  New Year.

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Brandon Petty

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

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A safety message from HSE Manager. . .

 

Preventing Back Strain

Cleaners who bend over (rather than working upright) when cleaning are more likely to end their shifts with aches and pains.  In contrast walking upright greatly reduces the strain on the lower back and shoulders. 

 

By walking upright though most of their shift, cleaners are more comfortable and tend not to push the floor tool into the floor surface, further restricting airflow (suction) making the simple task of vacuuming a heavy duty job.  Speed over the floor too is increased as you're not expending unnecessary extra effort when using your floor tool like a shovel or broom.  It’s airflow that does the work, not bending over the wand to drive the floor tool into the carpet. (make sure you empty your vacuum cleaner at least once a shift and this will help make vacuuming easier).

 

Hope this information helps.

 

HSE MANAGER: Stephen Lemon

Remember: Workplace Injuries Don't Stay at Work, They come home with YOU!!! 

  

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  Christmas Recipes 

 

Thanks to Raeleen Mueller for the following 3 recipes.

Diabetic Christmas Cake

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups Saltanas

½ cup raisins

2 tablespoons brandy

1 tablespoon water

1 cup sieved pumpkin (no lumps)

2 eggs, beaten

½ Cup apple concentrate

½ cup skmin or low fat milk

½ cup chopped peacans

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1 cup white self-raising flour

1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour

½ teaspoon biacarbonate of soda

 

Method:

1. Mix sultanas, raisins, brandy and water, soak overnight.

2. Mix pumpkin, eggs, apple concentrate and milk

3. Add soaked fruit, nuts and spices, then sifted flour and bicarbonate of soda.  Return bran left in sieve to flour mixture.  Mix well with wooden spoon.

4. Spoon into a lightly greased 20cm cake tin.

5. Bake 10 mins at 200°c, then turn down the heat and bake at 180°c until cooked through and browned. (approx. 1 - 1¼hrs)

The apple concentrate gives sweetness to this cake, and the dried fruit and pumpkin give fibre.

 

Diabetic Christmas Pudding

Ingredients

1 cup soft breadcrumbs

1 cup mashed banana (must be ripe)

1 cup mixed fruit

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

Method:

Mix all together in a bowl.  Put in a greased bowl in steamer with lid.

Steam for 2 hours then serve!

 

Diabetic Rum Balls

Ingredients:

½ cup crunchy peanut butter

½ cup of carob powder or substitute with cocoa powder

½ cup sultanas or chopped dates

½ cup walnuts chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

½ cup coconut

1 tablespoon honey or tahini

Extra coconut or crushed nuts to roll balls in

 

Method

Place walnuts in food processor and blend for 30 seconds.

Add the caron, fruit, peanut butter, vanilla and coconut to the precessor and blend until smooth.

Add the honey and blend until a paste forms.  This takes about one minute.

Using a teaspoon roll into balls the size of large grapes and coat with the extra coconut or crushed nuts.

Place on a tray, cover and put in the freezer.

These can be kept frozen and eaten as an occasional treat.

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Meet the Managers . . .

  

Stephen Lemon is our HSE Manager and has been working with Southern Cross Cleaning since 2006.  He has a level 4 qualification in OHS which he achieved though Business SA.

Stephen looks after our OHS&W, Workcover claims and Quality Assurance.  Over the years he has developed our companies OHS&W policies and procedures manual which is continually audited and updated to keep up with the ever changing world of safety.  Stephen is currently preparing SCC to attain Quality Assurance which will help Southern Cross Cleaning continue to grow and become one of the most successful cleaning companies in South Australia. 

He is married with 2 children and enjoys being involved with their sports, loves enjoying life with his family and friends, trying to keep fit and going on holidays.

 

 

 

This month we'd like to wish the following staff a very happy birthday

 

  Employee of the Month

 

Here we'd like to recognise a particular employee that has gone above and beyond to help the company within the last month. 

 

This month we'd like to announce that the Employee of the Month for December 2008 is Angela Knight.

  

Angela has been with us for many years and is our supervisor at St Peters Girls School and Seymour College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Quote of the Month 

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fevent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”

Angnes M. Pharo