THE WHITSUNDAYS Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its Annual General Meeting, last week, with a new board elected to take the chamber forward. The AGM was held on Thursday, November 7, at Whitsunday Green, Cannon Valley. It provided positive reports on membership growth, member engagement and the chamber’s financial sustainability to the members present at the meeting. The chamber also outlined plans for the year ahead including the establishment of a Proserpine sub-committee and the Chamber Advisory Group, which will act as a strategic ‘think tank’ and shape a range of chamber initiatives. Anyone interested in participating in either of these groups is welcome to contact the chamber. The chamber welcomed a new board, with both new and old board members making up the new board, as follows: President Allan Milostic (LiveLife Pharmacy Airlie Beach) Secretary Megan Taylor (Kapow Interactive) Treasurer Fiona Erquiaga (Smooth Sailing Finance Consulting) Jannah Baker (Scallywag Fabrication) Emily Harvey (Filby’s Motors) Anthony Nobilia (Airlie Beach Executive Services) Asher Telford (Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association and SeaLink) Chamber Liaison Julia Evans thanked outgoing board members. “We sincerely thank immediate past board members Gus Walsgott, Annette Neil, Kim Porter and Melinda Louise Hutchings, who stepped down this year due to competing priorities,” she said. “We are grateful for their significant contribution to chamber’s direction and activities.” The new board will be, once again, supported by Chamber Liaison Dr Julia Evans, with specialist government and advocacy advice from Richard Evans. Following the AGM, a lively and informative conversation took place with two of the 2024 Whitsunday Business Award winners. Hall of Fame appointee and Most Outstanding Whitsundays Service Provider Judy Porter of Shiift was under the spotlight, as well as Most Outstanding Whitsundays Retailer Patrick Atkins, from Airlie Beach Crew Clothing Co. The pair were asked a series of questions by facilitator Julia Evans and then it was opened up to the floor for questions. Chamber members also had the chance to hear from leading Australian demographer Bernard Salt at an event hosted by council, on Thursday. “Bernard’s presentation was incredibility insightful, suggesting the Greater Whitsundays is the fastest growing region in Queensland, and put forward ways we can continue to pursue lifestyle, deliver resources and skill the community,” Mrs Evans said. “Aged care and a longitudinal health plan, a university hub, and services to support population growth were raised as future needs and possibilities – issues we are exploring in our Vision for the Whitsundays project. “We look forward to seeing you at our final event for the year for the Whitsundays business community, held in conjunction with Tourism Whitsundays, on Thursday November 28.” Registrations opening soon. |