Metro Hotels Provides Spiritual Book to Guests as a Source of Inspiration

In a world-first, Australian-owned hotel chain Metro Hotels will place a book called Jing Si Aphorisms in all rooms in its NSW and Queensland properties, to enable guests to learn more about the Buddhist compassionate relief organisation, Tzu Chi Foundation.

The Foundation first came to the attention of the hotel chain when it went unasked to the aid of Ipswich residents, giving out care packages following the devastating 2011 floods. 

The hotel chain’s Ipswich property, Metro Hotel Ipswich International, built a relationship with the Foundation and offered to put books in its rooms so that its guests would learn more about the work and philosophy of the organisation.

Metro Hotels decided to extend this offer to other properties, with Metro Hotel Sydney Central General Manager Earl Muir yesterday accepting a special presentation of the books from Julia Wu, principal of Tzu Chi Foundation, Gold Coast, and Stephen Kan, CEO of Tzu-Chi Sydney.

The book, Jing Si Aphorisms, translates the essence of the Buddha’s teachings to exemplify life lessons. ‘Aphorism’ means original thought, or definition, and rather than being a religious text the book is meant to be an explanation of the Buddhist faith. 

Mr Muir said the Tzu Chi Foundation, which lives by the creed that it is more of a blessing to serve others than be served, believes in service to the community and has demonstrated its commitment to this belief through its actions in Ipswich.

“This organisation has shown tremendous compassion and service to Australian communities when they are in need and Metro Hotel believes it is an organisation which Australians may want to know more about,” he said.

“Placing Jing Si Aphorisms in our hotel rooms gives guests another reading option to the Holy Bible. The book is being supplied as a source of inspiration to our guests. This is not about converting people from one religion to another but rather promoting harmony and diversity.” 

See this press release and more at Metro Hotels News

Ipswich Fashion Festival Delights With New Looks

IPSWICH’S much anticipated Fashion Festival kicked off in style on Friday with a Gala Fashion Evening at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International.

Fashion lovers gathered in the venue’s Grandchester Ballroom to see some of the latest offerings from local designers.

Among the designers on show was Leigh Buchanan, a former Bremer State High School student who was a runner up in the first series of Project Runway Australia.

Mr Buchanan showcased his collection alongside established Brisbane fashion designer Vanessa Hoe who presented items from her When Freddie met Lilly’ label.

Also featured at the runway were collections from Naked in the Night Clothing Co, Queensland Bridal Design and Pret a Porter.

The festival continued the next day at the Retro Rockabilly Fashion Fiesta in Ipswich City Square, with a fashion parade and stalls packed with vintage and retro clothing and accessories.

The fiesta was followed by the Catwalk Collections’ fashion parade at Riverlink which showcased designer pieces, bridal fashion design, retail ready to wear and the PFAFF Student Design Award winners.

Photos by Rob Williams

Melbourne Cup Event at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

 Find out more about this Melbourne Cup Event at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Samuel Johnson is Riding Around Australia on a Unicycle to Raise $1 Million for Cancer Research!

Samuel Johnson is riding around the Australia on a unicycle to raise $1 mill for cancer research!

MISSION:

Samuel Johnson’s sister Connie is dying of Breast Cancer so he’s setting out on an epic challenge. He’s riding around the Australia on a unicycle!

It’s all about keeping his promise to Connie:
- Raise a million dollars for Breast Cancer research
- Raise awareness of the disease that’s killing her
- Break the Guinness World Record for the longest distance on a unicycle.

It sounds insane, but Samuel’s good to go. He’s been training, he’s ditched the beers, he’s eating... well, he’s eating, and he’s frozen some of his sperm - under advice of doctors - in case the uncomfortable journey has a lasting effect on his closest mates.

Too easy? Connie thought so. That’s why she’s asking Australia to come up with some tough sponsored challenges.

Samuel and Connie want to remind every Australian woman about the need to be 'breast aware' in an effort to promote early detection and improve survival rates.

Their message is simple: 'Don't fall into the booby-trap, be breast aware!'

THE STORY:

Samuel and Connie were born a year apart, so they’ve always been close. Growing up they played together, explored the neighbourhood together... and fought cancer together.

Connie has fought cancer three times in her life and Samuel has been with her every step of the way. This time things are different. Connie is dying and she doesn’t have much time left.

ABOUT CONNIE:

Connie is vibrant, loving, compassionate, tough and inspiring. She's a mother of two beautiful boys. She's 35 years old. And she's dying of Breast Cancer.

This is her third battle with cancer. At the age 11 Connie, with the help of early detection and chemotherapy, fought off a very rare and aggressive bone tumour in her leg. At 22, she overcame a tumour in her womb, again with the help of early detection and treatment.

This time Connie has Breast Cancer and it’s terminal. It has spread to her lungs, liver, pelvis, spine and knee. This time it's terminal and she has a life expectancy of 6-12 months.

Nothing can prepare you for to say goodbye to your kids at such a young age. That’s why Connie is hard at work to raise Breast Cancer awareness. Early detection is the key to survival and Connie wants everyone to know it, so she’s sent her brother around Australia on a unicycle.

ABOUT SAMUEL:

Samuel is one of Australia's most recognisable personalities in the Australian entertainment industry.

He's best known for his roles on The Secret Life of Us, Crackerjack, Underbelly II and Network Ten’s Rush. He’s made a number of TV guest appearances... and he’s the voice of Vodafone, Suzuki and Pedigree.

Plenty of career accolades have come his way. He’s enjoyed multiple Logie nominations, an AFI Award and an Australian Centenary Medal in the 2000 Queens Honours list. He's very proud of all of this, but none of it is as important to him as his sister.

That’s why he’s setting out on this gruelling journey around Australia. Nothing will stop him keeping his promise to Connie.


THE WORLD RECORD:

There are plenty of Guinness World Records to break, but it’s hard to find one as tough as this: The longest journey travelled on a unicycle.

So how far is that exactly? Well the current record holder, a bloke by the name of Lars managed 14,686.82km across 48 states of America. Pretty impressive!

We’re not sure why he stopped, but Samuel is determined to push the record past the 15,000km mark. And he’s going to do it across Australia.

Website: http://loveyoursister.org/

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/loveyoursister

Wedding Open Day @ Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Address: 43 South Street, Ipswich QLD 4305

Phone: (07) 3812 8077

Email: EventsIpswich@Metrohg.com

Get Ready to Celebrate City's Style - Ipswich Fashion Festival

STYLING UP: Kimberley Allen-Ankins (left) and Shauna Darr show a glimpse of what will be on offer at the fashion festival. (IMAGE: David Nielsen)

FASHION students, local designers and retailers will soon take centre stage for an event fashion lovers will not be able to resist.

The Metro Hotel Ipswich International is readying the runway for a Gala Fashion Evening as part of this year's Ipswich Fashion Festival.

The premier regional fashion event will showcase the latest creations from local and metropolitan designers and retailers.

Designer collections on show include Leigh Buchanan Designs, When Freddie Met Lilly by Vanessa Hoe, Queensland Bridal Design and much, much more.

Metro Hotel Ipswich International general manager Ted Matthews said the evening was a wonderful way of showcasing the enormous amount of local talent and fashion that is available in the city.
"Ipswich is fortunate to have so much wonderful fashion on offer but we also enjoy getting together for a great night out," he said.

"The Gala Fashion Evening has been organised to not only celebrate the diversity of fashion and design here in Ipswich, but to also be a night of great fun."

The event will be held at the hotel's Grandchester Ballroom on Friday, October 25, from 6.30pm and include wine and canapés before the runway show.

There will also be a performance by Ipswich-based Allula Productions' burlesque show and the announcement of the winners of the Pfaff Student Design Awards.

For guests who can arrive early, Stefan Hair Salon will provide a complimentary hair and beauty bar from 4.30-6.30pm.

Tickets to the Gala Fashion Evening are $22 and can be purchased from the Ipswich Events Corporation on 3812 2974.

For more information about the Ipswich Fashion Festival visit ipswichcentral.com.au

Other Ipswich Fashion Festival events

• What: Vintage Vixens and Retro Rockabilly' Fashion Fiesta.
• Where: Ipswich City Mall.
• When: Saturday, October 26, from 9.30am - 1.30pm.
• What: Catwalk Collections' Fashion Parade.
• Where: Riverlink Shopping Centre
• When: Saturday, October 26, from 1pm.

Metro Hotels Appoints New BDM for Queensland & NT

Metro Hotels has appointed Tony Coates to the role of Business Development Manager for Queensland and Northern Territory.

In this role Tony is responsible for maintaining and growing the domestic leisure, corporate and government business for Metro Hospitality Group’s properties in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gladstone and Northern Territory.

The position reports to Metro Hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Lynda King, who today welcomed Mr Coates appointment.

“Tony brings to this role the commercial acumen and marketing experience necessary to recognise and capitalise on potential sales opportunities and build strong business relationships in both domestic and international markets”, Ms King said.

“Tony’s proven background in maintaining and growing strategic business relationships with domestic wholesalers and key retail accounts will be instrumental in helping us grow our market share in Queensland and Northern Territory,” Lynda said.  

Prior to taking up this position, Tony was Regional Sales Manager for Virgin Blue Airlines; National Retail and Wholesale Manager of Queensland Rail/Travel Train Holidays; Director of Sales at Story Bridge Adventure Climb; and Queensland Sales Manager for Dreamworld Gold Coast.