2025 AGM President’s Report

Prepared by Tammie Clark, President

Members, it is my honour to present the 2025 President’s Report for the Liverpool Plains Business Chamber Inc. This past year has seen notable accomplishments, including the launch of our new website designed to better promote our members’ businesses and organisations, enhanced direct engagement with our membership base, continued growth in membership, and strengthened collaboration with the Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Business NSW, and neighbouring business chambers across the New England North West Region. 

In the past 12 months, our chamber has encountered challenges, but we have achieved several significant milestones across multiple key areas, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the business community: 

General Committee Reorganised from AGM 2024 

At the AGM on 26th August 2024, all Office Bearer and Committee positions except President were filled. The President’s role was deferred to the next General Meeting on 18th September 2024, where Tammie Clark was appointed President and Mark Chapple Vice President for 2024/2025 term. 

Secretarial Role Change of General Committee Member 

Roslyn Wallis resigned as Business Chamber Secretary on 28th March 2025 but expressed her willingness to remain a Committee Member for the remainder of the term. Jacqui Newman was appointed Interim Secretary on 2nd April 2025, until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 25th August 2025. This appointment has been a smooth transition, reflecting our commitment to maintaining stability in our chamber operations. 

Membership Growth 

Membership increased by 5% from previous year to 86 members and welcomed 15 new members. 

Acknowledged seven businesses and one organisation that ceased trading and thanked them for their years of service and membership. 

Members Recognition-Certificate of Recognition 

Four businesses were recognised for their years of service in the business community. 

Liverpool Plains Shire Council provided $1,000 in funding for the Business Wise Breakfast Workshop during Small Business Month in October 2024 through the Community Funding Program. 

Advocacy for Business 

The committee communicated via emails, meetings, and roundtable discussions to represent local businesses. Participation included the NBN roundtable with executives and the Chief Development Officer to discuss services within the shire. Other topics addressed for members were surveys, webinars, the Pigeon Eradication Program, a Community Diary and Directory, management of heavy vehicle traffic, street improvements, and water connections along Quirindi's main street. The Advocacy Council Committee presented these matters and other topics to the council at three bi-monthly meetings held during the past year. The Namoi Catchment Water Security Roundtable was attended by invitation only, hosted by Strategic Futures Inc. 

Events and Visibility 

Events: A series of successful events took place throughout the year, including monthly BIZconnect events introduced in November 2024 for networking, the Business Wise  Breakfast Workshop as part of Small Business Month activities focused on professional development, and the Meet the Candidate Forum, which was held in partnership with Quirindi Rotary Club for the LPSC Elections last year to encourage collaboration within the business community and inform the general public of the candidates running for office and our annual member’s Christmas Get To Together. 

Visibility: Has increased through participation in community events such as the Quirindi Show, which allows engagement with the public and support for the Sunflower on the Plains subcommittee and its volunteers. Other activities include involvement in the Quirindi High School HSIE Expo and Presentation Day to assist with judging events and presenting awards to Year 12 students, attendance at regional tourism forums and leadership summits organised by Business NSW, TAFE Connect, and the presentation of commemorative wreaths on Anzac Day and Armistice Day on behalf of the members. 

Best Achievement in Business Studies Award: Year 12 student Katie Martin received this award, which was established by the chamber in 2010. 

2024 Christmas Shop Locally Promotion: Received 16,309 entries with participation from 42 businesses. This reflects a 33% increase in entries and a 30% rise in participating businesses compared to 2023. 

Shop Locally Vouchers: As of June 30, 2025, a total of 660 Shop Locally Vouchers have been issued: 590 from the chamber and 70 from Quirindi High School. The chamber invoiced $18,655 and sponsored $2,350 for events such as the HSIE Expo, Christmas Shop Promotion, and BIZconnect. Quirindi High School invoiced for $2,000, bringing the total value of distributed vouchers to $23,005. Chamber-issued vouchers rose 48%, and distributions grew 38% versus 2023/2024. Thank you for the community’s support! 

Conclusion 

As we reflect on the past year, we have achieved much together and look forward to even more in the coming year. Thank you to all General Committee members, both past and present, for your dedication and advocacy to strengthening our business communities. We also appreciate the support from our partners at Business NSW and the Liverpool Plains Shire Council. 

Tammie Clark, President, Liverpool Plains Business Chamber Inc. 2024/2025