ahm Check It
In late 2009, The Healthier Illawarra Men (HIM) committee set out to raise awareness and provide a forum to screen Illawarra men for certain health conditions.  Waples was consulted to undertake the task and the ‘ahm Check It’ event was launched.  The event aimed to provide a ‘blokes only’ environment, making it comfortable enough to talk about issues such as prostate cancer, heart disease, mental health and diet – issues that men will typically ignore.  Rather than replacing a visit to the GP, the event aimed to simply give Illawarra men some basic health tests and tips that would encourage them to take notice of their health and make necessary changes for a longer and healthier life. 

The result was a well sponsored, publicised and accessible event that attracted just under 1000 Illawarra men who each underwent a blood pressure, BMI (Body Mass Index) and cholesterol check, setting them on the road to better health.  The event also featured six celebrity speakers and attracted 16 exhibitors who were able to speak directly to those in attendance about men’s health.

Legacy
Legacy Wollongong and South Coast holds an annual business luncheon to launch Legacy Appeal Week and raise awareness and funds to help over 1,300 widows and dependants enrolled in the local area (Helensburgh to Gerringong).

Waples’ assist in the sourcing of prizes, speakers as well as manage the public relations and creative production for the event.  The lunch has consistently been a sell out with up to 300 business people attending to support Legacy and raises over $20,000 in fundraising each year.

In 2009, Waples won “Meeting Planner of the Year” from the National Speakers Association of Australia (NSAA) for their marketing work on the 2008 Legacy Luncheon which featured Max Walker as the guest speaker.

International Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD) is the global day, March 8, connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.  IWD celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future.

The Illawarra IWD Committee is Chaired by Waples Director, Vicki Tiegs, and as such Waples has the honour of marketing and managing an annual luncheon on this significant day.  The first such luncheon was held in 2006.  Since then, the Illawarra IWD Committee has been able to raise more than $100,000 to assist women in need in the Illawarra.  In 2011, the Centenary of IWD, the luncheon featured renowned Australian personality, Ita Buttrose, and attracted a sell-out 420 people.

Waples coordinates many aspects of the event including speaker selection, publicity, design and content.

National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is a non-for-profit organisation which runs global campaigns annually.  Waples assists the NBCF with event marketing for key regional events in the Illawarra.  These have included the following:

• Illumination Ball 2009 - 2011
  A major black tie event on the Illawarra calendar that through Waples’ assistance with creative and PR, has developed a high profile and must attend status.  In the past the event has been hosted by a range of television celebrities and high profile entertainment.
• Pink Ribbon Summer Fashion Luncheon 2010
  Waples supports the Illawarra’s NBCF Ambassador, Dr Margaret Gardner, with her Pink Ribbon Summer Fashion Luncheon.
  Hosted by i98fm’s Bianca Dye, the luncheon showcases high profile fashion retailers as part of its fundraising.

Hope Rwanda
In 2009 former St George Illawarra Dragons player Justine Poore and numerous other NRL stars, took the journey of a lifetime to the Village of Hope in Rwanda. Their goal was to help the village build much needed homes after the genocide... but they ended up learning a lot more.

Returning home from Rwanda, Justin wanted to raise more funds to help the Village of Hope so he decided to hold a gala fundraising dinner with all proceeds going to the Hope Rwanda Charity.  Waples assisted in developing the creative for this prestigious star studded event with guest speaker super coach Wayne Bennett and singing sensation Jessica Mauboy.

Cricket Illawarra
When the Ford Ranger Cup came to town, the creative skills of Waples were called upon to develop the creative look and feel for the promotion of the Ford Ranger Cup welcome dinner at the Master Builders Club and the game between NSW and... the following day.  A range of marketing collateral including posters, press ads, TV ads, dinner invites and dinner program were produced.