BEGA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD 28th JULY, 2008

I am pleased to report that the Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry has had another productive and successful year. Once again, we are asking for your involvement and support in promoting Bega in the coming year.

Some of the highlights of the past year include,

 We have continued to represent the business community’s interests in regards to the future planning of the Business Centre and new developments, keeping all members informed with meetings and written information.

 Guest speakers at our meetings have also been a part of our commitment to keep people up to date and informed.

 The chamber continued to lobby for the Bega Bypass and major repairs to black spots on our highways.

 The chamber organized a meeting with Businesses and the public at Littleton Gardens concerning the park and surrounding car parking.

 Assisted once again in the Australia Day Celebrations, sponsored Junior and Senior Bega Community Citizen of the Year 2008.

 Provided a prize for an Aboriginal work of art, through the Bega Valley Regional Art Gallery

 Supported NAIDOC week

 The Chamber celebrated 60 years with a Diamond Jubilee Dinner attended by Past and Present members where the current and past Presidents were awarded with Life Membership.

 The Bega Business Awards has continued to be a great success for another year, it has encouraged businesses to look at their presentation and customer service at all times during the year with Monthly prize winners ending with a Major function in the form of a Cocktail Party for all monthly winners in July with a Major prize of a holiday for two people to New Zealand to be drawn on the night, won by Mick Cole Motorcycles.

 The Bega On The Go Dig for Dollars Christmas Promotion was also another great success, with the Major prize of 10,000 Dollars.

 The Bega On The Go also has supported sales throughout this year like the May Super Sale Week, which went very well.

 Sponsored a scholarship for another student at the Bega Education Centre (Wollongong University).

 The Bega Valley Shire steering committee has continued with the planning of the new hospital for the Bega Valley Shire area.

 The Chamber, through its Business Council and Development committee is still ensuring the interests of our members are considered in future development plans in Bega

 The Chamber is also here for the Community as a whole not just the Businesses; we are able to help people in time of need.

 We sponsored Steve Macqueen and his dog Cindy visit the elderly in nursing homes even though he has moved on we supported him with his dog which bought great joy to many.

 I would like to give a very big Thank you to all the Gold Star participants, without your continued support we as a Chamber would have been unable to hold many of the functions and promotions that we have had through out the years.

 A very special Thank you to the Bega R.S.L Club and Staff for their support of the Bega Chamber of Commerce, during the past years the R.S.L has always been forthcoming with any support required.

I would like to conclude with offering my sincere thanks to all those who have worked very hard in so many ways over the past twelve months – in particular the Executive Committee - Michelle Delle Vergin, Beth Hart, Andy Willis, Chris Dwyer, Chris Maxted, Geoffrey Morrisey; Jenny Spinks and Donna Lovelock .

I would also like to thank Chris Murphy and Shannon Whitford for their assistance with preparation of projects and functions and many individual business people, my staff, the media, and Administrative Officer of the Chamber Heather Thompson.

Also thank you for the time that Ann Glover, Margaret Taylor and Janelle Sturt also gave the Chamber before leaving.

Robert Hayson

President, Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

28th July 2008