Annual Report 2023-2024

The Tamworth Business Chamber proudly presents its Annual Report for 2023-2024, a comprehensive overview of a remarkable year of growth, resilience, and commitment to strengthening the Tamworth business community. This report captures our journey over the past year, reflecting on the impact of our key initiatives, events, and advocacy efforts that have driven economic progress and fostered connections among local businesses.

Caroline Lumley

Caroline Lumley

📢 Meet the Candidates for the Tamworth Business Chamber Board of Directors!

📢 Meet the Candidates for the Tamworth Business Chamber Board of Directors!

Simon Walden

Simon Walden

Mary Ryan-Garnett

Mary Ryan-Garnett

David Errington

David Errington

Daniel Gillett

Daniel Gillett

Chris Ward

Chris Ward

November Update

Riverside Connections & New Beginnings: A Recap of the Long Lunch 2024

Chamber Connect Kick Start Program: Support Tamworth’s Next Generation of Business Leaders!

Tamworth's Apollo Engineering: Leading the Way as Manufacturer of the Year with Innovation, Sustainability, and Growth

Annual General Meeting 2024

We are pleased to announce the Annual General Meeting 2024.

August Chamber Update

As we step into October, we'd like to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible month September has been, especially with the Tamworth Quality Business Awards. It was a fantastic evening celebrating the achievements of our local businesses. A huge congratulations to our winners and finalists—your innovation, commitment, and excellence continue to inspire us all! This evening could not have been such a success without our judges, sponsors, and vendors. We are very appreciative and thankful for your hard work and continued support.

October Small Business Month Chamber Events

Join us this October for Small Business Month and take advantage of a series of dynamic events designed to empower and grow your business! Tickets are selling fast, Register Today!

Beyond Profits: How Community Engagement Fuels Business Growth

In today’s fast-paced world, businesses are relentlessly focused on growth, reducing costs, and chasing targets. But amid this drive for success, one powerful objective is often overlooked in a business strategy and that’s community engagement. This is not just a checkbox; it’s the heartbeat that can breathe life into a brand. It’s about more than profits or milestones - it’s about truly connecting with your community, building trust, and fostering a sense of belonging. Businesses that invest in their community unlock a deeper purpose, creating loyalty that makes a business unforgettable. It’s important to recognise that this goes beyond a one-off sponsorship or donation; it’s about active, ongoing participation and involvement in the community.

Key numbers to focus on in your business now

What are the key reports to focus on in your business? We'll show you how to track performance, take action and position your company for growth.

President's Update - June

Welcome to the May newsletter. April and May have been busy months for the Chamber with the Shop Local campaign in full swing, the hosting of the 2024 State of the City breakfast and the welcoming of the launch of the inaugural Regional Leaders event by alliance partner BusinessNSW.

2024 Quality Business Awards winners announced

After a two month nomination period, an exhaustive judging process of over 400 businesses, 29 winners have been awarded top honours in the 2024 Quality Business Awards. Category award sponsors presented each winner with a trophy recognising their achievements in front of 800 of their peers, at a glittering gala dinner at TRECC. Tamworth Business Chamber congratulated the individuals and businesses recognised as part of the Awards and praised their contribution to the Tamworth region business community.

New Podcast – Electrifying business car fleets: Exploring three pathways to decarbonisation

In the latest podcast, Joseph Capurso, Head of International and Sustainable Economics, and John Oh, Sustainable Economist sit down to discuss electrification themes playing out in Australia’s car market. Looking to the future, they identify the different ways in which the supply of electric vehicles could help meet demand preferences for various buyers in Australia.

Why productivity matters and what you can do about it

Productivity is a term associated with strong economies, robust businesses and the efficiency gains of clever staff. If only businesses were efficient, then we would have fewer of them failing, more employment and better incomes for owners and workers alike.

NSW Premier Chris Minns Tours Apollo Engineering

We were honoured to host NSW Premier Chris Minns at our Apollo Engineering facility in Tamworth. During his visit, Premier Minns was guided through our advanced manufacturing operations by David Errington and the Apollo team.

Another Successful Business After 5 Event Hosted by PRD Real Estate

We are excited to share that our recent Business After 5 (BA5) event, hosted by PRD Real Estate at the iconic Leader Building, was a remarkable success. Building on the success of our inaugural event, this gathering surpassed expectations, drawing a diverse and engaged crowd to a packed house. The evening was highlighted by PRD Real Estate’s compelling presentation, which not only provided a detailed overview of Tamworth’s real estate market but also offered valuable insights into their own history and successful business processes. Their team shared a wealth of knowledge, outlining the strategies and practices that have contributed to their success in the industry. This in-depth look into PRD’s operational excellence was both informative and inspiring.

Meet The Candidates Forum

On the August 22, 2024, we hosted a pivotal forum where 15 of the 24 candidates running in the upcoming elections had the opportunity to connect directly with the Tamworth Community. This engaging event drew over 200 residents and Tamworth Business Chamber members, all eager to learn more about the candidates and their positions on key issues. As we approach the elections scheduled for September 14th, this forum proved to be an invaluable platform for dialogue and exchange.

2024 Quality Business Award winners

After a two-month nomination period, an exhaustive judging process of over 400 businesses, 29 winners have been awarded top honors in year’s Quality Business Awards. We’d like to congratulate all the individuals and businesses who received Awards for their exceptional contribution to the Tamworth Region business community. This year represents the 40th anniversary of the Quality Business Awards and to have such a high calibre of entries is a tremendous testament to the strength of our business community, and an indication of the esteem in which these awards are held. Eighteen of the night’s categories were awarded for excellence in customer service, as nominated by the general public. Those judging these awards were instructed to score solely on their customer experience, ignoring the business size and whether it was a franchise or recognised brand. Those business who entered categories aligned to the NSW Business Chamber, and who are members of the Tamworth Business Chamber automatically progress as a finalist in the 2024 New England Northwest Business Awards with winners to be announced at an award ceremony at the Gunnedah Town Hall on 20 September.

2024 Noel Park Award recipient - Lia Mahony

Lia Mahony is a pharmacist with a long history of service in Tamworth and the larger New England North West community. With a passion for improving access to healthcare and raising health literacy, Lia inspires current and future health professionals through mentoring as well developing and delivering professional education. A former past president of Chamber, she is a long-standing advocate of securing regional employment opportunities, retaining young people within our community, and attracting and retaining high level executives and professionals to our city. Generous with her time to support community projects, she is also past recipient of the New England Northwest Zonta Business Woman of the Year award and the Distinguished Toastmaster Medal.

September Presidents Update

It has been a busy month here at the Chamber, leading up to the Quality Business Awards. The night was a great success and on behalf of the Tamworth Business Chamber, we congratulate all winners and finalists on their achievements. We thank our sponsors for supporting the Chamber and the Awards night, and finally we thank everyone who attended. The night shaped up to be a great success. The Chamber Connect program kicked off at Apollo Engineering on 31 July and then PRD on 28 August. This new look networking program, run in conjunction with rebranded Junior Chamber committee, is a way of showcasing member businesses, introducing new members, updating everyone on Chamber news and of course networking opportunities that everyone is keen on attending.

Business NSW Media Release: Workplace Law Changes hit at Challenging time for Business

WORKPLACE LAW CHANGES HIT AT CHALLENGING TIME FOR BUSINESS

Finalists for the 40th Quality Business Awards unveiled

After hundreds of hours of judging, the finalists’ results are in for the 2024 Quality Business Awards.

Advocating for a Safer Community

Crime and anti-social behavior in the Tamworth community is a significant issue that has a direct impact on local and member businesses. This ongoing problem highlights the need for us to advocate on behalf of our members for a safer community.

Tamworth Regional Council, ‘A Winter’s Night’

Embrace the magic of winter on Saturday, 10 August for ‘A Winter’s Night’, a free event hosted by Tamworth Regional Council to be held on Peel Street between Bourke and Brisbane Street. This enchanting evening promises to warm your heart and lift your spirits with the best of winter’s comforts.

August Presidents Update

Welcome to the 2024 August Tamworth Business Chamber Newsletter

The Skills Gap Crisis in Australian Trades: An Urgent Call for Reform

Australia is facing a critical juncture, grappling with a widening skills gap that threatens the future of its trades. Our own business, with critical requirements for Cert III qualified tradespeople, has witnessed the alarming decline in the value provided by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) over the last 15 years. This decline, driven by bureaucratic inefficiency, compliance restrictions, inadequate funding, and deteriorating teaching standards, has resulted in a poorly trained workforce. The Mechanical Engineering department at our local TAFE has been fighting an uphill battle for years regarding funding and attracting and retaining skilled teachers, and it shows in the quality of the apprentices completing their trades. Although there have been significant improvements with fantastic local teachers joining the TAFE ranks, there is still much room for improvement.

Announcing Our Rebrand: Welcome to Tamworth Business Chamber Connect

Tamworth Junior Chamber rebrands to Tamworth Chamber Connect; a new direction to support members to connect, collaborate and grow.

Business After 5 - Series 1

Last Night marked the exciting launch of the Business After 5 (BA5)series, hosted by Apollo Engineering and organized by ChamberConnect, the newly rebranded subcommittee of the TamworthBusiness Chamber.The event, held at Apollo Engineering's premises,brought together over 100 members of the Tamworth Business Chamber for an evening of networking, collaboration, andcommunity engagement.

Quality Business Awards 2024: Exciting Updates and Key Dates

The 2024 Quality Business Awards are shaping up to be one of the best

Tamworth Regional Council- Paving the way for education

Building a future of education in Tamworth is getting closer, as demolition works commence at the former velodrome site to make way for the new University of New England (UNE) Tamworth Campus.

Fire Stations Upgrades Must Be Prioritised

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has continued his campaign to have the Werris Creek and Manilla Fire and Rescue Stations upgraded following his meeting with Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib and Fire and Rescue NSW.

July Presidents Update

Welcome to the July newsletter. The June month was as usual a busy time of all and the end of financial year has finally arrived with a number of changes coming into play from 1 July 2024.

Nominations closing soon for the Quality Business Awards

With one week to go before nominations officially close for the 2024 Quality Business Awards, Tamworth Business Chamber is urging the community to get behind the Awards with even more customer service nominations.

Headspace Work and Study Program

If you’re having a tough time, getting into work and study might be the last thing on your mind, but it can really help your mental health.

REVIVE and THRIVE

Your business and career success don't have to come at the expense of your health, peace and wellbeing.

Unlock Exclusive Benefits: Join the Tamworth Business Chamber Today!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Look no further! As a valued member of the Tamworth Business Chamber, you’ll gain access to a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and exclusive perks. Plus, when you join you get free access Business NSW Alliance Program, so your benefits multiply!

Exciting News: MembershipWorks Platform Now Live!

We are thrilled to announce the Tamworth Business Chamber has transitioned to a new membership platform called MembershipWorks! This upgrade is designed to enhance your experience and streamline our operations.

Quality Business Awards Update

Once again, the community are showing their unwavering support for local business with nominations flying in the door for our Customer Service Awards. Of course, you can never have too many nominations so keep em’ coming with the closing date being Friday 19 July.

Have your say on Council strategy

Tamworth Regional Council have a number of important strategies currently on public exhibition that impact business and the overall growth of our Region.

Casual Employment Changes

There have been recent changes to casual employment laws in Australia. These changes impact the definition of casual employees, the pathway to permanent employment, and the responsibilities of both employees and employers.

Local Projects Still on Track in Budget

The 2024/25 NSW Budget has delivered important funding to ensure local projects will stay on track however this is despite a skin and bones budget that delivered little else for new projects.

2024 Quality Business Awards Unveiled

Tamworth Business Chamber is excited to announce that entries are now open for the region’s own Quality Business Awards.

Should you be the 'bank of Mum & Dad'?

Should you be the ‘bank of Mum & Dad’? The great wealth transfer from the baby boomer generation has begun and home ownership is the catalyst.

TRC Heritage assistance fund

Applications for Tamworth Regional Council’s Heritage Assistance Fund 2024-25 are now open. If you own a home or business that is heritage listed, has heritage features or is located in a heritage precinct that needs some love and care, you could be eligible to apply!

Tamworth Digital Door-knock

This month marks the 60th anniversary of the Red Shield Appeal which is an important reminder of the work performed by the Salvation Army in our own community.

Ray Walsh House

Tamworth Business Chamber Concerned For Main Street Businesses Amid Ray Walsh House Remediation The Tamworth Business Chamber is closely monitoring the evolving situation surrounding the remediation of Ray Walsh House (RWH). Remediation projects involving significant amounts of asbestos contamination are complex and The Chamber acknowledges the work performed by Council to address the remediation of RWH.

Planning for our future

Planning for our Future Tamworth Regional Council is seeking community feedback on the major review of two of our key planning instruments and a new housing strategy.

Events Update

Thank you to all those who have previously and are still supporting Tamworth Business Chamber events. We have been a bit low on eventing in the last few months, but big things are coming up!

Being an Employer of Choice

Full Steam Ahead for Tamworth Mental Health Unit

A project to transform the future of mental health care in Tamworth and the Northwest has begun with work starting on the long-awaited Tamworth Mental Health Unit. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the start of construction on a new Mental Health Unit for Tamworth is a great milestone for patients, carers and their families. “In 2017, I met with the Tamworth Mental Health Carers Support Network to kick off the campaign to build a better mental health unit in Tamworth,” Mr Anderson said.

Membership Platform Update Coming Soon

QBA 2024

Member Feedback Results 2024

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback to us. Your input is extremely important and valued, and we appreciate the time you have allocated to complete this for the Tamworth Business Chamber. Attached are the results from the feedback submissions and our proposed action plan moving forward.

May 2024 Events Update

We’re back! Unfortunately with the changes to the Chamber we have been unable to book many events but with the first of this years Leadership Forum’s done and dusted we are looking to the future. We had a great turn out to State of the City with 112 people coming along to the Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth for breakfast on the 24th of April. Thank you to Mark Sleiman from PRD Tamworth and TRC General Manager Paul Bennett for speaking about the Tamworth region and their plans/predictions for the future.

May 2024 Junior Chamber Update

Big changes coming up with our committee. We are welcoming new members and farewelling some old ones, new event formats and lots of options for networking!

Telstra 3G Closure

Telstra are excited to share an update on their 3G SMS Checker tool that has launched for customers to check if they need to upgrade their device before the 3G network closes on June 30 this year. It’s very easy to use – just send an SMS with the number 3 to 3498 or “3G XT” to receive almost instant advice on your device. As you know, Telstra have been contacting customers directly about the closure, however this is another quick way for them to check if they need to take action. They will continue their program of communicating with all our impacted customers via direct communications channels and otherwise prior to closure. They have also stated publicly that there are currently approximately 113,000 consumer mobile phones still to upgrade before the 3G network closes.

Presidents Update - April

Last month, the Chamber welcomed Kate Spradbrow as the new Operations Manager, bringing extensive experience in sales, HR, and business ownership, positioning her well to assist in implementing the Strategic Operational review. I would Also like to highlight the stable unemployment rate of 3.8% announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for February 2024, though it noted potential challenges such as underemployment and its impact on small businesses. Additionally, I will discuss the growing adoption of electric vehicles in regional Australia, Tamworth's review of EV charging station rollout, and the launch of the Think Local Shop Local campaign, aiming to support local businesses and foster community awareness about the importance of shopping locally.

NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST REGIONAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

INAUGURAL BUSINESS NEWS NEW ENGLAND NORTH WEST REGIONAL LEADERSHIUP SUMMIT SET TO EMPOWER PROFESSIONALS

Tamworth Regional Council EV Strategy & Policy

Tamworth Regional Council has taken significant steps to embrace the rising trend of Electric Vehicles (EVs). At a recent council meeting, Councillors agreed to put our Electric Vehicle Strategy and Policy on public exhibition for a period of 28 days and we want your feedback.

EOIs sought for No. 1 Oval Pavilion

Tamworth Regional Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for a business opportunity in relation to the proposed No. 1 Oval Pavilion Upgrade.

View Jobs Launch

View Jobs is a dedicated platform for the regional employment market catering to the requirements of regional and rural employers - we've seen a 5% increase in regional job ads and 10% decrease in metro job ads

Paramedics New Piper Street Home Officially Open

Tamworth’s hard-working paramedics are now saving lives from their state-of-the-art new ambulance station on Piper Street, North Tamworth.

Tamworth Junior Chamber - April

Tamworth Junior Chamber focus's on planning new events, and building Committee members skills.

Qube - Tamworth Intermodal Hub

Qube opens a 10ha rail hub in Tamworth's new Global Gateway Park.

Presidents Report - March 2024

The March newsletter highlights key findings from the Business Conditions Survey by BusinessNSW, noting a rise in business confidence but concerns about cost-of-living pressures, supply chain disruptions, and job application challenges. It introduces the ViewJobs platform, a regionally focused recruitment initiative, and features an article on Business Email Compromise scams by Chamber Director Craig Clarke. The newsletter also covers the success of the Junior Chamber's long lunch and includes insights from Brooke Southwell on collaboration in business. Additionally, it teases the upcoming 2024 Think Local Shop Local Campaign and the State of the City Leaders Forum.

Scam Awareness - Craig Clarke

Scams targeting businesses are on the rise, with reported losses of $23.2 million last year, according to the ACCC. Payment redirection scams, known as Business Email Compromise, pose a significant threat. Scammers compromise emails through credential phishing or stuffing, intercepting invoices and redirecting payments to their accounts. To safeguard against this, businesses should verify new payment details with vendors through trusted channels. Training staff to recognize and report suspicious emails is crucial. Implementing multifactor authentication and keeping antivirus software updated adds an extra layer of security. If a business email is compromised, immediate steps include changing passwords, contacting the financial institution, and reporting the scam to Scamwatch and Report Cyber.

Junior Chamber - March 2024

The Junior Chamber Committee expresses delight in sharing the success of their recent Long Table Lunch held on February 17th. The day was marked by sunshine, laughter, delicious food, and community growth. The event featured diverse dishes, welcoming new faces, and extending gratitude to sponsors like Southwell Property. Tamworth Event Planners and Rowdy Crowd Cups were praised for their flawless execution. The committee bids farewell to outgoing Chair Shonia Poole, acknowledging her extraordinary leadership, and welcomes new Chair Josie Grady with enthusiasm. The committee thanks all contributors and looks forward to building on their successes in the future.

Revive & Thrive

"REVIVE & THRIVE" - the intensive 5-Week online Group Health and Wellness coaching package, designed to help leaders and business owners prioritise their health and wellbeing, set healthy boundaries and reduce stress.

Tamworth Tree Planting

Funding to plant new trees will green our future. Funding from the Australian Government will be used to further green Tamworth’s CBD, with works to prepare the CBD for 18 trees plantings in winter to start next week.

UNE Tamworth Update

UNE is about to launch a monthly communication to allstakeholders to ensure the lines of communication remain open. In advance ofthis, we would like to provide a short update on several milestones andupcoming initiatives.

Shop Local Coming Soon!

The Tamworth Business Chamber Think Local Shop Local promotion is coming soon with business registrations opening up in the coming weeks!