Buy Local

By the time you read these lines, the Townsville Chamber will have turned 135. Started in 1882, the Chamber is one of Townsville’s longest serving public institutions.

A Chamber of Commerce is a form of business network, with local businesses getting together to further their interest. There are Chambers of Commerce all over the world and while they are all independent and different from one another, they all share the same goal: to improve the local business environment.

The key to our longevity has been to remain relevant. The key to that has been to listen to the people who support us: our members. The Chamber is a small business, financially supported by its members only. We receive no public funding. That makes us unique in the business advocacy and network industry. It also keeps us on our toes.

Relevance for us relates to our advocacy agenda but also to the way we engage with members and demonstrate a return on their investment in us. You will see us agitate on big issues like water, electricity and infrastructure projects, but our strength is in the ‘here and now’ issues – small issues that make a real difference to businesses, particularly small to medium enterprises.

Recent examples include working with Ergon Energy for a more equitable approach to electricity security bonds for new businesses. Right now, we are working with TAFE Queensland and Tec-NQ so local businesses can have access to work-ready tradies when the economy turns around.

We will also be putting some efforts this year to progress the Drive It NQ project, as well as continue pushing for public tenders that truly benefit regional economies and are fair to local businesses.

Our anniversary was marked at our Annual General Meeting on 12 September. Troy Popham stepped down after two years as President and over six years on the Board. Troy has been a great voice for the organisation and for Townsville businesses, with great communication skills and a fierce determination. Our Chamber is better for his contribution and we thank him for it.

Debbie Rains became President after two years as Deputy President and four on the Board. Michele Falconieri, five years on the Board, is now Deputy. All our Board members are volunteers and have small business experience, either by owning one, working for one or providing services to them. That too makes us unique. And authentic.

Our mantra is to “make business connections”. Connect with us and you connect with businesses in Townsville.

For more information about the newly appointed Townsville Chamber Board Members, click here