Thursday 6 March 2007

Attendees
Scott Smith (nio.com.au); John and Robyn Venn (John Venn Pty Ltd), Lynda Starkey (Stark Event Management); Pauline Lacelles-Smith (Otford Pantry); Mike and Gail Brennan (Part On), Barbara Allen (Piccadilly Travel); Kayleen Prendergast (Illawarra Credit Union); Quentin Field (Interphase Security and Electrical); Warwick Reader (Profit Growth Systems), Dick Salm (Austinmer Bowling Club), Julie Humphries and Robert Haywood (L J Hooker Helensburgh), Barry and Sarah Neill (Pianosa Fine Foods) and Greg Watts (Helensburgh Post Office).

Guest
Heather Smith (PRD Nationwide Stanwell Park).

Apologies
Ronda Collins (Centennial Hotel), Leila Visser (Tudor Lodge B&B), Shelley Daniew and Steve Melchior (Just Cruisin’), Rowena and Rob Lisk (R&R Café and Catering), Nathan Shoemark (CLC Finance), Margaret and John Groom (Romance Reader), Pass & Pause B&B.

Meeting opened: 7:00pm

Guest speaker
Mr Paul Vecovski, Project Manager, Bulli Interchange, RTA. Apologies from Jay Stricker for not being able to attend. Mr Vecovski explained the details of the proposed northbound fly-over of Lawrence Hargrave Dr into Thirroul, thus taking that traffic volume off the current intersection. Signage not decided, but should be consistent with RTA signage policy – generic. Typically, not everyone will be happy, but looking for the best all-round solution. Excellent presentation of the status of the project – thanks given to Mr Vecovski.

Darryl Bromley advised of the Exec’s current initiative to tighten meeting procedures to provided more focussed and effective business-like meetings.

DB advised the Exec had reluctantly accepted the resignation of Mr John Vander from the role of Membership Officer, having cited travel and work commitments over the next six months or so. Mr Vander will remain an active member of the Chamber. Nominations to fill the Membership Officer role as follows: Robert Haywood (nominated Julie Humphries, seconded Kayleen Prendergast), Kayleen Prendergast (nominated Pauline Lacelles-Smith, seconded Lynda Starkey), Mike Brennan (nominated Quentin Field, seconded Barbara Allen), Warwick Reader (nominated Greg Watts, declined). Mike Brennan elected.

Membership Report
About 66 members currently with 2 pending.

Treasurer’s Report
January statement has General Account at $460, Fixed Term investment account as $13,980 and the Thirroul Advertising account at around $9,000.

Secretary
Outgoing correspondence as follows: (1) letter to Ray White Real Estate re February General Meeting; (2) letter to Wollongong City Council re DA from Tumbling Waters Retreat; (3) letter to JoAnne Fahey re giving Tourism Wollongong updates at General Meetings and (4) letter to CardnoForbesRigby re DA for an eco-tourism facility in Stanwell Park. Important for members to note from 1 that the Exec is committed to robust meeting procedures and requires proper etiquette from attendees.

Vice-President
Suggested that members need to look at unique identities for each of our townships – eg, “Historic Helensburgh – Gateway to the Illawarra” – for use in our discussions with Tourism Wollongong.

Media
Endorsed the need for “identity” to drive consistent terminology with bodies such as Tourism Wollongong and to assist in driving “buy local”. Forming a strategy focus group within the Chamber with the aim of providing focus on current issues for members.

Webmaster
NIO Directory has been published with an NICC Member Directory and Location Map on the reverse side. We need critical and extensive feedback from all members on the MDLM. Exec sees the MDLM as a key initiative to provide value for membership and to demonstrate that value of membership to future members. MCLM redefines the loop road concept.

General Business
John Vander’s contribution to the Chamber acknowledged.

Meeting closed: 9:15pm

Next Meeting – Tues 3 April.