Merimbula Chamber celebrates achievements and looks to the future
The Merimbula Chamber of Commerce held its AGM on Thursday, November 21st, at Club Sapphire, marking an important moment to reflect on a year of successes and set the stage for future growth.
President Julian Larsen welcomed attendees and highlighted several key accomplishments in his annual report. These included the successful Small Business Month event, the popular Business After Dark networking evenings, continued support for The Essence of Merimbula shop, and ongoing efforts to promote local businesses and advocate for improvements to the town centre.
The Chamber has balanced a combination of short-term wins with long-term plans, always aiming to keep members engaged and supported. The Business After Dark events have provided invaluable opportunities for members to connect in a relaxed setting, while the Small Business Month event offered cutting-edge insights into Artificial Intelligence and its potential to shape the future of business.
Treasurer Scott Kennedy delivered a positive financial outlook, stating, “Despite a small loss this year, the Chamber is in a reasonable financial position for its relatively small size of activity and conservative provisioning.”
As the AGM progressed, all committee positions were declared open. While President Julian Larsen and Vice President Tammy Carroll decided not to re-nominate for their roles, they, along with other long-serving committee members, pledged to remain on the general committee until Christmas to ensure a smooth transition for new leadership. Treasurer Scott Kennedy and Secretary Ash Hunter both re-nominated and were accepted to their roles, providing continuity in key positions.
Looking ahead, the Chamber is gearing up for its annual Christmas decorations initiative, which brings festive cheer to the town. However, the team is calling on the community for support. “Decorating the town centre for Christmas takes a lot of work,” said Mr. Larsen. Our committee members are all busy running their own businesses, so any extra help would make a huge difference.”
The Chamber’s final event for the year will be Christmas drinks and networking at Wheeler’s Restaurant on Thursday, December 5th. “We’d love to see some new faces,” Mr. Larsen said. “Whether you can spare a few hours each month or just want to find out more about what we do, everyone is welcome. Your support ensures we can continue to make a positive impact on the local business community.”
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