The Hills & Districts Chamber of Commerce April eNewsletter

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APRIL 2018

eNEWSLETTER

Welcome to the Hills & District Chamber of Commerce - a friendly and supportive business group bridging the Ferny Hills, Arana Hills, Ferny Grove, Keperra, Mitchelton and surrounding districts. Established in1992, our Chamber is not-for-profit and is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.
If you are involved in a business or community group and live or work in the Hills Districts, why not register for the next meeting - new members and visitors are always welcome.

Membership Renewals Update

Thanks to everyone who has paid their membership fees for 2018/2019

Do you need a little reminder?

If you've been meaning to, and just haven't got 'round to it...

Now Due: Fees for 2018/2019 are:

$65 Sole Trader
$95 Business (2-25 people) - entitles 2 people as voting members
$250 Corporate 26+ people - entitles 2 people as voting members

Click here to renew your membership now

Business Showcase | Bendigo Bank

They made us laugh then they made us cry: our Business Showcase series is always full of surprises. Big night at Bendigo Bank at Samford with Mandy Bell and her team giving us a rundown of the things people ask bankers! And introducing us to the volunteer firefighters the bank donates money to. Just one of the local community groups the bank supports. The bank funded defibrillator out the front has saved a life already. Note it's high profile location on the corner opposite the Samford park - in case it's ever needed! You never know what you'll learn at a member showcase.

Thanks to the volunteer fire brigade members who shared their story. The volunteers have to raise the money to meet their needs, so make sure you buy lots of sausage sandwiches at the next event. The tissues came out when the video showed the story "the defibrillator the bank-funded saved my life".

See you at the next Business Showcase! When will we see your business?

Images courtesy of Shirlee Green

President

Ron Crump

Hello Everyone
As with the last newsletter we are continuing to progress the value of the Chamber to you, our members. The last breakfast saw an incredible number of visitors and it was really rewarding to see you inviting so many guests along to our gatherings.

It is also very encouraging to see how many of those visitors have since become members. I see that attributable to three things. The “experience” at our events is seen to be of value. The note Leonard Whittaker sends to each visitor inviting membership and lastly the way you make visitors feel welcome. Thank you folks you are doing an excellent job just by being your natural friendly selves. What a great reputation you are building.

Leonard’s work in tracking and following up on potential members is taking up an inordinate amount of time. He just quietly goes about helping you and the Chamber and I thank him on your behalf. There are a lot of you doing a lot thank you. New members please understand that the Chamber is good because we all share the load.

As we the Executive seek to provide more and more we are stretched from time to time and we are seeking ways to finance our many activities.

I have recently been in discussions with Simon Penrose the President of Brisbane North Chamber of Commerce and he has been extremely helpful in sharing ideas and ways that his Chamber has financed their activities. They are prepared to extend reciprocal benefits to us and I thank him.

Brisbane North has found ways to finance administration assistance through internal sponsorship, grants and other means and we will be exploring these with him.

I remind you that our AGM is upon us and we are seeking people to take on Executive roles. If you would like to take on a more active role please make contact with Leonard.

Please remember when you express your appreciation to me with respect to the value of the Chamber and the enjoyable times we are experiencing you are in fact acknowledging those that are working on the Executive and all the other committees. Additionally you are acknowledging those among you who have no formal roles yet see something that has to be done and you do it.

Our Chamber is built on “doers” and “achievers”, pretty fortunate aren’t we? Ron

Become a Member

Upcoming Events

Breakfast Meeting

Secretary

Leonard Whittaker

Our March breakfast meeting attracted 84 Registrations with 21 Guests. Unfortunately sickness, children and other activities prevented 9 from attending on the day. We had 6 new members recognised.

Membership for the 2018/2019 now stands at 95 with 16 new members this year. New Members since February meeting were:

Chelsea Perry, Craig Doyle Real Estate
Rebecca Rostron, Dhama Health
Roneen Fletcher, Prince Charles Hospital Foundation
Deb Nunan, Cash Back Living
Philip Rieken, PR Connects
Lance Courtenay, Quiet Please Acoustics

Key Community and Chamber members were acknowledged:

Councillor Adrian Raedel, Div 12 (Caboolture)
Councillor Matt Constance
Stewart Pentland, Director of Planning & Economic Development, Moreton Bay Regional Council - our Guest Speaker
Tim Mander had registered but was unable to attend.

Member introductions produce the usual engagement. Business card draws were won by:

Hazel Key from Hazel Key Inc guest of Tony Newman
Katy Carol - Blue Gum accounts a visitor

Some Committee reports were set aside due to time restrictions. However we had reports or updates from:

Advocacy Committee - Brian Battersby
Business Development - Leonard Whittaker
Big Breakfast Committee - Leah Hudson
Commerce in Schools - Kylie Carmody
PR Committee - Vicki Yen
Women in Business - Janie Grant

Treasurer’s report given by Stuart Jaeschke.

Our Guest Speaker was Stewart Pentland - Director of Planning & Economic Development, Moreton Bay Regional Council provided a regional update.

Stewart Presented The Moreton Bay Economic Development Plan. He highlighted sections affecting the Hills District Directly. Question time invited lively discussion.

President Crump encouraged all members to take a copy and share it with others.

A shortened Table Topic had members helping a member of the table explore ways to develop Educational (Marketing) Objectives. Positive comments about the exercise were expressed by a number or attendees.

Visitors were welcomed by name but time constraints prevented us from hearing from them personally. We finished the meeting with several shout outs from members.

Note:
If you are bringing guests please advise their details so that we can welcome them appropriately. Please email Leonard Whittaker at secretary@hillschamber.org.au.

If you would like to view the minutes for any of our past meetings or Chamber other records contact Leonard Whittaker at secretary@hillschamber.org.au. Leonard

Treasurer

Stuart Jaeschke

Financial Position Statement at 31 March 2018

Cash in Bank	$20,747.64
Income Expected
	$0.00
Commitments
Scholarship Program 2017/18	-$2,000.00
Business Excellence Awards	-$500.00
Admin	-$300.00
Breakfast
Balance	$17,947.64

Stuart

Public Relations Committee

Chairperson | Vicki Yen

Meeting other members, and having them get to know you and your business is good for everyone’s business.

There’s a few ways to do it: you can go to events and meet new people, find a committee with a topic that interests you, and talk to them about contributing an hour or so here and there. You never know who’ll you meet! Or you can tune in to: Meet the Members – our interview project. It’s off and running with a video interview with Mandy Bell from Bendigo Bank, Samford.

With a few more interviews in the pipeline, Rana Jewell and Jane Kirk are discovering what keeps the passion for local business alive.

Where can you find the Meet the Members interview ?
Go to the Chambers Members Facebook page: Hills & Districts Chamber Members.

Did you know this page is closed group, members only access?
It’s your space to share what you are doing, what might benefit other members, and what’s happening in your business world. Charmaine gave us the most amazing non chocolate Easter recipe; Jessica showed us her makeover from our new member Stephanie Gauldie’s salon; there’s news about a small business masterclass and …
Well – take a look for yourself.
And share your story. Vicki

Advocacy Committee

Chairperson | Brian Battersby

Queensland Government to consider Waste Levy

The 2018 matter of a Waste Levy was first mentioned at a public meeting in Ipswich, on Tuesday night 13^th March 2018. This where the issue of truckloads of interstate rubbish coming to Ipswich to avoid payments of waste levies in other states.

As soon as The Chamber heard about a Waste Levy proposal, we emailed both our Queensland Government MP’s covering most of The Hills & Districts Chamber of Commerce catchment, they are Tim Mander MP for Everton and Minister Mark Furner MP for Ferny Grove, seeking information, as this matter is a Queensland Government decision, not any other level.

Tim Mander MP advised by Email dated 15/3/18 he opposes a new Levy.
Mark Furner MP (who is a Palaszczuk Government Minister) advised by letter dated 29/3/2018. A condensed version of its reply is underlined below.

“The Palaszczuk Government has announced this strategy to stop Queensland from being the dumping ground for interstate waste. We are presently developing a comprehensive waste and recycling strategy which will address incoming interstate waste and set the direction for sustainable waste management in Qld. We have recognised a problem and will work to get a levy that works for Qld. This announcement follows the findings & recommendations into the transfer of interstate waste into Qld, led by Justice Peter Lyons QC.”

As a Waste Levy is still being considered by the Palaszczuk Queensland Government, the Advocacy committee aim to keep a watchful eye on this matter as more comes known and report back to the Chamber when possible from time to time.

For any further information contact Brian Battersby via email brian@battersby.id.au. Brian

Commerce in Schools

Chairperson | Kylie Carmody

Scholarship Recipients
I’ve been in touch with all our scholarship recipients recently. Clearly Year 12 is a big and busy year for them all. Great to hear of their progress and achievements to date.

News from around the schools…
As previously mentioned, one of our objectives is to meet, in person with the schools to better understand just how the support of the Chamber can complement the existing programs being offered.

Very fruitful and free-flowing meetings held with Ferny Grove High and Prince of Peace recently in this regard.

As member schools, we extend this same invitation to Everton Park High and Mitchelton High. We have some great resources within the Chamber.

FGSHS
Thank You to Angela Dawes for her time recently sharing with me the many ventures of Business/Commerce at FGSHS. They sure are doing some really cool stuff…including their Tech Club. It’s been so popular they’ve even had to cap numbers!

POP
Thank You to Cathy Walsh and Heath Stewart – We are super excited to be joining your classes in Term 2, sharing the respective experiences of these events with you and your students…

Year 9 Business Education Unit, Entrepreneurial Mentoring
Year 10, Shark Tank, Term 2

Getting Involved
If Commerce in Schools ignites your passion or you’re a bit curious, we always welcome chats to learn more and join the group.

Please feel welcome to reach out to me or any of our Committee Members, as listed here… http://www.hillschamber.org.au/wspOurCommittees.aspx. Kylie

Women in Business Committee

Chairperson | Janie Grant

After a very successful International Womens Day event in March, the Women in Business group are looking forward to getting together for lunch at the Flying Nun Cafe at Samford on Tuesday April 10 at 12noon. Please come along and take the opportunity to do some great networking and also to support Share the Dignity. Melanie from Share the Dignity will speak briefly on their charity and the great work they are doing with women in need in the Brisbane region.

Share The Dignity collects thousands of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products every YEAR for women experiencing homelessness and poverty. Small dignities make a big difference. They fund funerals for victims of domestic violence and campaign for justice for women in Australia. We are asking everybody to bring along a donation of sanitary products please.

We look forward to meeting you there! Janie

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