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Chamber History
2007 - 2008
What a challenging
year 2007 and 2008 has been for us all so far. Like any other
business, the past 12 months has been a very challenging year
for the Chamber as well. The Chamber undertook one of our biggest
projects ever this year with the new name and rebranding exercise
that was launched in June taking us into a new era of the Chamber’s
history. Throughout the year we have looked at so much it is
hard to list everything. Additional educational programs to
assist individuals with presenting themselves and their businesses
were introduced, including programs to assist new businesses
who can’t afford to join the chamber yet but may do so
when they begin to prosper. Events changed focus to a themed
approach as an educational tool. Most of these activities are
outside of the normal networking activities that we provide.
That is what we believe makes us different.
2005-2007
In August 2005, Nicole Baines joined
the Chamber staff as Business Development Officer, working alongside
colleague Robin Baird to build solid foundations into the Chamber's
management practices. Consistent marketing collateral was created,
based around the Chamber's message of "supporting local
business" in the areas of relationship building, business
development, business promotion and collective voice. Processes
were refined and defined, resulting in more efficient work practices
and providing the Executive with sound reporting and monitoring
systems to assist in decision making. In Sept 2006, Tony Moran
was elected as President, with immediate Past President John
Mason continuing to sit on the Executive as an invaluable resource
for the committee and staff alike. In Nov 2006, the Chamber
membership broke 300 for the first time in history and the Chamber
continued to go from strength to strength on the back of that
growth. Formal alliance and support partnerships were formed,
allowing the Chamber to offer members a wider range of opportunities
than ever before.
2004-2005
John Mason is reelected president
with Les Strong as Treasurer. A new executive is announced.
A new constitution is ratified and as a consequence, a Code
of Conduct is adopted together with a significant restructure
of the machinations of the executive and chamber functions.
2003-2004
John Mason was re-elected and a
new administration was appointed. Achievements included; a corporate
makeover including a new look logo and web site, increased turnover,
increased retained members, increased sponsorships, increased
partnerships, removal of traffic bottleneck on Old Northern
Road, ADSL in Norwest.
2002 - 2003
In August 2002 John Mason
was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce. He is assisted
by Phil Bamford - Public Relations Portfolio, Peter Watson -
Membership, Les Strong - Treasurer, Julie Fugaccia - Events
Portfolio, Bob Morgan - Secretary, Melinda Fletcher - IT Portfolio,
David Hill - Partnerships and later Carol Breen - Sub Committee
Portfolio.
The achievements of this administration
were; appointment of an executive officer, relocation of the
physical office of chamber, increased turnover, increased membership,
extension of Gladstone Road to Windsor Road, additional sub
committees, a business plan, a budget and an increase in partners.
2001 - 2002
In 2001 Rob Sawtell who was elected
President at the Annual General Meeting in August 2001. Rob
brought a marvelous warmth and personality to the chamber and
its events and was a positive influence on the chamber. Membership
continued to rise in 2001. Achievements included the Hills Chamber
Website, I.T month and increased membership.
2000
Mike Yeo took over the reigns
for a successful two years duration as President, retiring in
2000.
Upon retirement of Mike Yeo
the Chamber Presidency was taken over by Jim Taggart in November
2000. In the 8 months that he was President Jim Taggart revitalised
the Chamber. Jim saw the Launch of The Hills Chamber website
and through being such a networking guru also saw
countless new members join the chamber during his reign.
Achievements included significant
growth in membership.
Before 2000
The Hills Chamber of Commerce
came about by means of an amalgamation of two Chambers, Baulkham
Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Kellyville Chamber of Commerce.
The Baulkham Hills Chamber of Commerce had existed for a long
time in the mid to late 70's and early 80's but by the mid 80's
had few members which consisted mainly of the retailers in the
shopping strip along Old Northern Road at Baulkham Hills.
The Kellyville Chamber of
Commerce commenced in the early 80's by Dave Fox, who was then
the proprietor of the Mobil Service Station at Kellyville and
later gained fame as the man who conducted a beauty contest
on the Gold Coast which was won by a male.
Dave was quite an entrepreneur
and the Kellyville Chamber grew to include most of the retailers
in the Kellyville area together with some professionals and
other businesses. When Dave Fox moved to Queensland in about
1983, Geoff Strong became the President of the Kellyville Chamber
which in 1985 became the Hills Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber
was later incorporated and widened its membership to include
professional and other businesses in the growing Castle Hill
and Baulkham Hills areas. The Chamber then drew it's membership
from all over the Hills shire, with Geoff Strong's vision to
make available to all businesses access to government, both
local and state, provide business information in the local areas
as well as giving businesses an opportunity to network, and,
access to information that would assist their businesses.
The Chamber rapidly grew
to over 100 members and has maintained that level for the last
six years. It has enjoyed a diverse membership of Retailers,
Professionals, Manufacturers, large, medium and small businesses
and rural and home based businesses.
Geoff Strong gave ten years
of dedication to his role as President and his support to businesses
in the shire.
The Hills Chamber of Commerce was
incorprated on 13th May 1992.
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