Tocumwal Chamber of Commerce
Meeting of 14th July, 2015, at Tocumwal Golf Club
Present: Liz Lang, Steve Naughton, Merren Socha, Bob Bowman, Ross Bodey, Kerry Davies,
Tracey Stewart, Paul McCallum, David Baldwin, Sun Lui, Glennis Pohlner, Liddy Soule, Cr.Colin
Jones, Kim Black, George Chrystie, Melissa Lee, Jason Savage, Kristine Philpot.
Apologies: Maryanne Ryan, Clive March, Margaret Rumble, Lach Thorburn, Greg Harmes,
Ethan Ryan, Brennan Black.
Welcome: President Liz Lang welcomed representatives of the Tocumwal Foreshore
Committee, Mild2Wild Rod & Custom club, Lions Club of Tocumwal, Kim Black, Kerry Davies –
Toc Flyer along with all members, to the meeting.
Winter Festival Reports & Review:
Foreshore Market – Bob Bowman reported that it was a very successful market for a winters
day, with most of the 180 stall holders very happy with trade, some staying until 2pm, and
facebook was very busy with “hits” to the page prior to market day.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance, run by the Toc Public School P&C Committee – Tracey Stewart reported
that numbers were disappointing, and more support from local families would have been great.
For those who went it was a fabulous night and Anthony Tenace, who provided the music, was
very well received and enjoyed by the rock ‘n’ roll groups who attended. Next year can be
improved with more publicity.
Swap Meet at Recreation Reserve run by the Mild2Wild Rod & Custom club – Paul McCallum
reported there was a good crowd and the swap meet with the Show ‘n’ Shine was advertised in
a well known Melbourne magazine. There were 70 cars on display and swap meet sites were
increased from last year. David informed the meeting of their shed at the Recreation Reserve,
being built to be used as a meeting place, storage and a teaching facility for interested school
children. The Rotary Club and Foreshore committees have assisted with substantial donations
to assist building the shed.
Sunday Barbeque – run by the Lions Club of Tocumwal, President Glennis Pohlner reported that
although there were not many local families present, they were very pleased with sales and
thanked the Chamber for having the opportunity to raise money for their club. They had
problems with the Pre School barbeque trailer not working and offered to contribute to the
cost of having it repaired. Cr. Colin Jones said he would talk to the Pre School Committee.
Scarecrow/Straw Building Competition, organized by Rotary Club of Tocumwal – Col Jones
firstly thanked Phil Snowden for donating the bale of straw and said all who participated
appeared to have an enjoyable time, with about 12 scarecrows being built. Next year could be
made more popular by having different sections, and having more groups involved. Liz Lang
advised that 64 information packs were mailed to businesses, sporting groups and schools to
try to encourage participation.
Anthony Tenace - provided music on Sunday also, and Liz Lang thanked Melissa Lee and Jason
Savage of the Greenways Holiday Units for their generous donation of accommodation for
Anthony and his accomplice. It was very much appreciated. The Chamber covered the cost of
the music for the weekend.
President Liz advised that the Chamber applied for and received a grant from the Berrigan Shire
Council, of $1800, to cover the cost of the advertising and marketing material for the Winter
Festival. Many suggestions for next years festival were put forward and Liz suggested that early
next year a combined meeting of interested parties will be organized to plan the weekend.
Kristine Philpot thanked Liz for being proactive in organizing the event for this year.
Ross Bodey reported on the proposed “Splash Park” to be constructed at the wharf on the Toc
Foreshore, a joint project between the Foreshore Committee and Berrigan Shire Council. A
concept plan has been developed and work on this is currently being carried out. The park is
hoped to be a huge tourist attraction for BSC residents and tourists, being free to use all year
round, but completion is at least 2 years away.
Business Arising:
President’s Report: Nothing new to report for this meeting.
Postcards for Tocumwal, L. Lang is liaising with the person who has produced these previously.
Previous Minutes: Moved T. Stewart that minutes from last meeting be accepted as true and
correct, seconded Sun Lui. Carried.
Treasurers Report:
Opening Balance - $14,306.00 after banking of money owing from O.V.G. advertisers.
Outgoing payments of $3,122.76
Closing Balance - $11,183.24
Awaiting receipt of BSC grant of $1800.00
There is a remaining payment of the rent on the V.I.C. still to be paid.
Moved S. Naughton that report be passed, seconded Cr. C. Jones.
Incoming Correspondence:
-Newsletter from the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW
-Letters of support for the Winter Festival from Lions, Rotary, Mild2Wild, Foreshore Committee
and the Tocumwal Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, all submitted to the BSC in
the grant application.
Outward Correspondence:
-Mailings for the Winter Festival.
General Business:
Membership Drive – there were 31 members of Chamber for last financial year, approximately
30% of businesses in the town. Membership is open to organizations, not only businesses.
Ideally we should approach businesses through personal contact, but unworkable due to lack of
available members to do this. Therefore it was resolved to mail out membership applications,
with membership fees remaining at $110 per year.
Discussion of the benefits of Chamber membership included automatic membership if the NSW
Business Chamber which provides free advice on a wide range of business issues, a platform to
discuss ways we may be able to assist local businesses with any issues they may have, and by
having more members, we have more funds available to hold events in the town for both our
locals and visitors; eg, Big Breakfast, Australia Day family day, Winter Festival, all which provide
an opportunity for fund raising by local organizations.
Toc Flyer - Kerry Davies has taken over production of the local publilcation, and has recruited 3
people to help her. There has been good support from advertisers, but Kerry requested
financial support from Chamber.
Cr.Colin Jones moved that Chamber of Commerce allocate funds of $1,000 to cover printing
costs for the first 2 issues. Seconded S. Naughton, carried.
Kerry appealed for contributions of interesting articles on the history of the town, and that the
Toc Flyer have editorial independence.
Moved Cr.Jones, that Kerry and the Toc Flyer has editorial independence. Seconded G. Chrystie,
carried.
Toc Flyer will be produced under the Chamber of Commerce.
Visitor Information Centre
President Liz welcomed to the meeting Kim Black, the new proprietor of the V.I.C.
Kim explained that their aim is to work with all local businesses within the Shire to promote
local business to both visitors and residents, and encourage people to use their facility as a
meeting place. They are also planning to provide work experience to students during school
holidays. The name of the business is “BE WELCOME”, being run by Brennan Black and
Ethan Ryan, who will be operating a coffee shop to compliment the visitor information
resource.
The business will be operating full time from 14th July.
Centrelink will continue to be facilitated from the business.
V-Line tickets are unable to continue at present due to a problem that V-Line are
experiencing statewide.
Unfortunately the help from volunteers is not possible because the business is not a “notfor-profit” oganisation, therefore they can’t be insured.
Cr. Jones recommended that a meeting be arranged with members of Chamber to discuss
what assistance may be needed to work through their issues.
Meeting Closed 9.30pm. Next meeting 12th August 2015, at Tocumwal Golf Club