News from the Chamber…..
2022 is almost over and in reflecting on the year and the challenges that have arisen it is to the credit to Shepparton both business and Community that once more we have shown resilience and support for one another.
Your Chamber board has continued working to assist and advise businesses and to provide the voice of small business to council. The effect of the continual presence of Covid rolled on through the year and continues to disrupt events, business and families.
The recent floods have had a severe detrimental effect on our community and the rebuilding of homes and lives is going to take years. We must support one another in these times.
The completion of the Maude Street Mall renovation is complete with just a few teething issues to be sorted. The result is a pleasing space accessible now to all people and over time will develop a “heart” providing a vibrant centre in the CBD for both business and people who chose to spend time in that location.
The resolution from Council to grant December and January as Complementary Parking months to be ongoing each year is a welcome initiative that the Chamber is proud to have been able to negotiate.
After two years of stalled events, the Business Excellence Awards night went ahead on the 9thDecember at which time some 460 people celebrated the occasion which awarded and congratulated the people and businesses that were nominated and won their categories. It was a successful night at which time the latest inductee into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame is Central Tyre Service.
The Chamber board is a group of volunteers whose work is not always obvious but nevertheless is there to support and provide information and assistance to small businesses across Greater Shepparton.
2023 will see some new partnerships for the Chamber the benefits of which will flow back to the members in a number of ways.
Watch this space for information on just what that means in the new year.
As 2022 draws to a close and many of us will be glad to see the last of it, I wish all our members and the broader community a safe and happy festive time and an even safer and happier new year.
John Anderson
President, Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2022 White King-Pental Business Excellence Awards
With the White King-Pental Business Excellence Awards now behind us, it’s time to not only celebrate and recognise the 2022 nominees, finalists and the winners: Antonella Loverso, Shepparton Amcal Pharmacy – Customer Service of Year: Retail / Hospitality, The Eye Shop – Customer Service of Year: Professional Services, Future NRG Pty Ltd – Customer Service of Year: Trade Services, Sofra Partners Chartered Accountants – Business of the Year: Professional Service, Watters Electrical Pty Ltd – Business of the Year: Trade Service, Trellys Outdoor – Business of the Year: Retail Service, Museum of Vehicle Evolution – MOVE – Visitor Experience of the Year: Tourism Hospitality, Quest Shepparton – Visitor Experience of the Year: Tourism Accommodation, Thrive4Life Therapy – Best New Business (Under 2 Years of Operation), Cardamone Real Estate – Best Marketing/Advertising Campaign, Josh & Beth Taylor, Tinto Bakery – Entrepreneur of the Year, Olivia Wells, Tatura Hot Bread Bakery – Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, HomeSafe GV – GV Healthy Workplace, Ashviney Vigneswaran, Graham Hill Eyecare – Young Professional of the Year, GV Body Rejuvenation – Innovator of the Year, SCS Packaging – Environmental/Sustainable Business of the Year and Central Tyre Service Shepparton – Business Hall of Fame.
But to also give a shout out to those who contribute to the success of this highly coveted awards program. We cannot deliver an awards program without our highly valued sponsors who get behind the awards year after year. Thank you to the following sponsors: White King-Pental, WIN Television, Triple M Goulburn Valley Southern Cross Austereo, The Shepparton Adviser, Shepparton Club, WDEA Works, Harvey Norman, Greater Shepparton City Council, Tourism Greater Shepparton (Destination Goulburn Valley – DGV), Greater Shepparton Business Centre, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, GOTAFE, GV Health, La Trobe University, NBN Co and Greater Shepparton City Council – Environmental Department.
Thank you to the volunteer Business Awards Committee – Geoff, Ross, Wayne, Steve and Alan – you guys are legends!
A huge thank you to our judges who gave up days of their time to read through, interview and make visits to each of the 93 finalists – the awards simply would not function without your gift of time and expertise.
To Jamie and the JL Productions & Hire team, The Adviser team – especially to Cameron in Production, Scott, Patrick & Joel from Radiant Media Productions, Kelly from Rainbow Images, Hugh from HD Production, Kate, Janette and Janice at Riverlinks, Marg and the team at GV Hotel Shepparton and of course our MC Wes Cusworth – the role that each of you play at and prior to the Gala is important and significant.
Each and every one of these people and businesses and so many more throughout the last 25 years have played a huge part in the success of this awards program recognising and acknowledging the outstanding businesses of Greater Shepparton.
Major local food processor backs region’s business awards
Hot on the heels of the highly successful Shepparton Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards held recently, is the announcement of a new sponsorship agreement.
The Chamber’s Awards have stood the test of time, celebrating 25 years of success this year, following a two-year delay due to Covid and more recently the floods.
Shepparton’s major food processing business, SPC, continues to support important local projects with the announcement of a new three-year agreement supporting this region’s premier business awards. The community partnership is a major milestone for the Chamber.
“We are truly honoured for SPC to be the new Community Partner sponsor of the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards, Mr Robert Giles, SPC CEO said.
“Seeing the line-up of such exceptional nominees for the Business Excellence Awards this year proves a true testament of the support for the development of skills and local business in our beautiful Goulburn Valley region.
“At SPC, we believe in building a better future. We understand and value the importance of recognising outstanding achievements and are excited to support our community members’ efforts and contributions that help our region continue to grow.
“We look forward to a successful partnership with the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry and wish all involved in the Awards success in 2023,”Representing the Chamber Awards committee, Geoff Adams said the new sponsorship agreement would help lay the foundations for the Awards to continue to prosper in the years to come.
2022/2023 Chamber Membership
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry or have not yet renewed your 2022/2023 Chamber membership please click here or contact the office via email info@sheppartonchamber.com.au to arrange an invoice to be emailed out.The Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry now offers members the option to pay their membership fee via monthly direct debit instalments from their nominated account. This facility is offered to all members at no additional cost.
A direct debit instalment plan will be sent to your nominated email address for completion upon selection and payment of the first monthly payment.
BizRebuild Flood Assistance
If you are one of the people, whose business was damaged by the recent flooding then you may be entitled to apply for a $2,000 rebate to assist you with repairing or replacing items
that apply to your business.
The Business Council of Australia has reached out to the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry to provide information on BizRebuild and how to apply for the one off $2,000 payment to affected businesses.
BizRebuild is a business-led initiative, developed by the Business Council of Australia, to provide practical and on the ground assistance to small and local businesses left devastated by natural disaster. BizRebuild provides a $2,000 (inc. GST) Re-Equipping Voucher to small businesses affected by natural disasters. The voucher is for the purchase of equipment destroyed or damaged during the Victorian Floods 2022. The voucher is used for the replacement of essential equipment which assists the business in more speedily reopening or resuming some operations. (FAQ’s can be obtained via email: voucher@bca.com.au)
There are a limited number of such vouchers available. Applications will close on the 8th of January, 2023 and I urge you, if you are one of the affected businesses to log on and read all of the information carefully and submit an application at https://bca.awardsplatform.com/
Please act now if you qualify, as there are just thirty of these vouchers allocated for our region.
GROW Greater Shepparton Job Seeker Profile Page
With Christmas just around the corner and businesses looking for casual staff and full-time staff, GROW Greater Shepparton has developed a
JOB SEEKER PROFILE page to assist local businesses to connect directly with job seekers.
GROW has now launched the Job Seeker Profile page for local employers to search for genuine job seekers.
How does it work: Go to
https://growgreatershepparton.com.au/ click on
JOB SEEKER PROFILES and look through potential job seekers that may match what your business is looking for.
A list of all current Greater Shepparton City Council Grants including closing dates can be found on their website.
