Bega Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Presidents Report - 2009/2010

I am once again pleased to report to you all that the Chamber has had another productive year.

Highlights and Achievements for the year include:

·       We have played a pivotal role in ensuring that all members and local businesses have been kept well informed of the Woolworths development, holding regular meetings and giving all a strong voice.

·       Once again we supported the Australia day celebrations and were proud sponsors of the Junior and Senior Community Citizens of the Year, the hard working awardees were Elizabeth Lucas and Daphnee Sweeney.

·       The Bega on the Go Buckets of Cash Christmas promotion was another huge success with over $10,000 in prizes being given away over the Christmas period, people stayed and shopped in Bega and that has been our focus.

·       The Chamber has again supported the Bega Education Access Centre Scholarship program, Rosemary Allen was the grateful recipient.

·       We are proud to support groups such as the Delta Dog’s, this group of people and their specially trained pets take the time to visit with the elderly people in the community and shine a little light on their day.

·       The Chamber has taken the issue of the Tree Guards to BVSC for review, there has been huge support to have these removed and return much needed car parking back to the main St.

·       Through the organising of meetings we have kept the local community up to date on all the current developments in town, there have been many issues raised and all concerns have been reported back on a regular basis, we have been successful as a strong voice to have many issues looked at more closely and have been able to see changes made to plans that will better serve our community.

·       Our Gold Star members are a vital part of the Chamber, we thank you all for your support over the years as without you continued involvement we would be unable to hold function and promotion throughout the year.

·       The local area is very fortunate to have such a wealth of young talent and it was on display at the 2009 Christmas promotion, young Local band Confidential Bystanders were fantastic and we thank you for your time and efforts.  A huge thanks also to John Watkin for organising the entertainment on the night.  Kim Saker of Radio 2EC was again the MC for the evening and I thank her for the time she offers the chamber.

·       Holding such events as the Christmas promotion would not be possible without the support of Bega Cheese, I would like to thank Barry Irving and the board for their unwavering support over the years, your contributions allow such events to be the huge success they are.

·       Through the success of a grant the chamber received, we were able to bring to Bega, retail marketing planner Linda Hailey, Linda’s role was to look at the strengths and weaknesses of our town and deliver a report on how best we can improve, her report was well received, there was a meeting to discuss this report and there will be further meetings to discuss how best to implement her ideas, her report has been published on the Chamber website for anyone interested in reading it.

·       I have been very fortunate to have had such fantastic support from the members of the executive, Beth Hart, Linda Weedon, John Watkin, Chris Maxted, Chris Dwyer, Phil McDonald, Bernie Miller, Mal Barnes, & Jenny Spinks, the Chamber has been fortunate to have you all involved, your assistance insight and determination is to be commended.

·       I would like to thank Shannon Whitford the Admin Assistant who has done a great job, her help with organising and setting up the promotions is really appreciated.

·       I would also like to thank my business partner Chris Murphy, my staff, all local businesses, the media for the time they offer the chamber and anyone else I may have overlooked.

·       I look forward to another successful year for the Chamber as Bega transitions from a small country town to a thriving rural hub.

·       Let’s keep working together to keep Bega moving in the right direction.

Robert Hayson

President

20th July 2010