The Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce Meeting

Tuesday 3rd June, 2003
Darkes Forest Woolshed
Meeting commenced: 7.30pm

Present: Mike and Gail Tribe, Mike Brennan, Scott Smith, Robyn and John Venn, Lorraine Morgan, Theo and Leila Visser, Pia Angelucci, Bob and Fran Grover (with Raymond Shen and colleague, from New Asia Pacific Travel), John Greenwood, Andrew Bergmann, Les Gilleard, Shelley and Steve Melchior, Francis and John Vander, Paul and Kay Taylor, Barry and Colleen Ahern, Janice Kelly, Darryl Bromley, Ken Green, Grayam Page.
Apologies: Gina Davis, Di Derenzie, Tony Armstrong, Phil Boughton, Pat and John Cranston, JoAnne Fahey.

NICC president, Darryl Bromley, opened with the good news that with the audit of the NICC Accounts having been completed, the application for funding for a Co-ordinator was submitted last Wednesday by Graeme Gulloch (Graeme Gulloch and Associates); Graeme expects a response within about three weeks.
Darryl next passed on an apology from a representative of the Illawarra Business Chamber, who had been invited to speak at the meeting, particularly in relation to the IBC’s support of NICC members’ problems associated with the RTA policy on wet weather closure of Lawrence Hargrave Drive. IBC is still waiting on a response to an approach made to David Campbell re this matter, hoping that he might be of some assistance, in his capacity as NSW Minister for the Illawarra, for Small Business and Development.
As no response has as yet been forthcoming, the IBC representative, Mark Grimson, felt it would be better to wait until next meeting, in the hope of having more positive information than at present.
Darryl noted that the NICC is proposing to become a member of the IBC.

Fund-Raising Matters:
A Musical Trivia Night is being arranged for Saturday July 19th, at the Stanwell Park Surf Club, catered for by Stanwell Park Beach Kiosk.
It has been suggested that we should consider a number of other functions, including some a bit further afield, both to raise funds and to raise the profile of the NICC in the community/region. Darryl called for expressions of interest from anyone willing to be part of a small committee to run such functions.

LHD Closure Matters:
Paul Taylor reported on the Public Meeting held Monday night 2nd June: RTA representative was the Director of Client Services who will make a report to the Minister. There will be another meeting in three weeks time, and it looks as if other issues may now be included in the pending RTA Review/Report.
It was agreed that NICC needs to lobby Government to put more money into this road.
Members were encouraged again to write to various relevant politicians, and reminded that the Illawarra Business Chamber is also behind us.
Suggested that the NICC should seek an appointment with David Campbell to discuss problems.
Mike Brennan reported on planning to date for the Black and White Cocktail Party and the Musical Trivia Night.
1) Trivia Night (Sat. 19th July): For $300 hiring fee, S.P.Surf Club will do set up, clean up and run the Bar, where drinks will be available at very reasonable bar prices. Proposed a Trivia Night Challenge involving the community, eg.a SPAT table, a couple of NICC tables etc.
2) Cocktail Party (Fri. 7th November): Panorama Hotel, smorgasbord with Italian "flavour". Tickets will be $50 per head, with drinks to be purchased separately from the Bar. (Meal quote from Panorama of $33/head incl GST for what would normally cost $47/head). Same menu and same band (Short and Horny) as at last Ball.

Les Gilleard:
Passed on apology from JoAnne Fahey.
JoAnne has spoken with Greg Binskin (Tourism Wollongong) who is trying to persuade RTA to change their road closure signs from "LHD CLOSED Coalcliff to Clifton" to "LHD OPEN to Coalcliff" (northern signs) and "LHD OPEN to Clifton"(southern signs); he believes this will at least put a bit more of a positive "spin" on the situation.

Treasurer’s Report:
Ken Green (Treasurer’s Assistant) reported a current bank balance of $16,337.
Also noted that Membership Fees (still $60 per annum) will fall due at the end of June.

Scott Smith (Art of the State):
Update on website.
Planned schedule: Helensburgh site launched in June 2003, Stanwell Park in July, Thirroul/Austinmer in August and Bulli in September .


Bob Grover (MAZE Australia Pty Ltd.):
Drew attention to Bob and Fran’s new enterprise, marketing "AmazinTile Puzzle Mats", a couple of examples of which were on display on the floor of the Woolshed. (Quite a few people had a bit of fun trying to find the solution after the end of the meeting.)
Bob also introduced Mr Raymond Shen (New Asia Pacific Travel), an international Import/Export agent, and also a Travel Agent/Tour Operator, who is very interested in the possibility of using Northern Illawarra facilities for Inbound tour groups from China and other Asian countries. He is also particularly interested in the potential business to be gained from promoting the area to groups of overseas students (from Japan, China, Russia etc,.) on Homestay visits, and also to several thousand "Mayors" from cities all over China who might visit Australia each year, and subsequently encourage young people from their cities to visit Australia for English language study, camping holidays etc.. Raymond supplied members with some nice souvenir Travel Bags and Brochures.

July meeting: Centennial Hotel, Helensburgh.
Meeting closed at approx. 9.30pm.