Scone Chamber News – August 2021

Chamber News
August 5, 2021

As the restrictions and lockdowns continue to overshadow much of our lives, we have seen a fairly quiet month here at the Chamber, left in some ways wondering what we should do next. I am sure we are not alone. In terms of supporting our local business, we are always looking for innovative and engaging ways to be here. While our networking and launch events are all on hold while we wait for the storm to pass, we are committed to staying optimistic are certainly still finding the positives amongst all the negative. These include finding online resources to share, planning for future events, and supporting locals through go-local campaigns.

Go Local First

We believe it’s the perfect time to think about how we can all support each other and our local community. One of the best ways we can all support our local businesses and local jobs is by thinking locally when we can. Through buying from your local small businesses, you are supporting local jobs in your community and helping them stay in business. This is even more important now than ever. 

We are teaming up with the GO LOCAL FIRST organisation whose campaign in 2020 was hugely successful in spreading the buy local message. And because of everyone’s support, GO LOCAL FIRST is back for another year. It’s easy to get involved.

 

  1. Go to our Facebook page /sconechamber and share our GO LOCAL FIRST posts on your personal or business pages – making sure to use the hashtag #golocalfirst when posting.
  2. Head to GO LOCAL FIRST Facebook Page  /localfirstAU , give them a like/follow, and feel free to share their ongoing content.
  3. Download and print the free GO LOCAL FIRST material from golocalfirst.com.au to help raise awareness of the campaign.  

We will be posting regularly on social media about GO LOCAL FIRST and we encourage you all to do the same.

Small Business Month

While we can’t organise much in terms of events in the immediate short term, our next goal is looking to organise our Small Business Month activities which include our Small Business Month Expo, workshops, dinners, speakers and more. We have commenced getting in touch with local partners, suppliers and sponsors and hope to put a schedule together which will benefit you all.

We are putting a shout out to local small businesses who might be interested in sponsoring or partnering with us for the event. This could be either in-kind or financial. A range of benefits mutual benefits come from sponsoring. See our sponsorship prospectus here. 

Getting Inspired Online 

While many of us are working from home or keeping our distance, online resources can be a great alternative to face-to-face training, professional development and keeping us inspired. There is an array of online resources to help guide and train you in all areas of business. 

Hunter Business Hub

One of our partners, The Hunter Region Business Hub, are currently holding a selection of webinars for businesses and entrepreneurs. We encourage you to take a look at some coming up

Business Connect 

Business Connect is a dedicated NSW Government program that provides advice to help individuals start, run, adapt and grow your small business. Some interesting ones coming up include:

Managing Your Cashflow in uncertain times – August 10

Beginners Guide to Creative Marketing – August 10 

Building a Successful Online Brand – August 18

Covid Update

As restrictions and lockdowns continue, please know we are here to offer support and guidance through the ongoing COVID19 situation. As such, we have put together a small guide to help inform you about what is available to support businesses during this time.

Read Now

Along with this, the NSW Government is also delivering three online sessions to help small businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 find the support they need.

Presenters from across government agencies including NSW Treasury and Service NSW will provide information on financial grants including the 2021 COVID-19 business and micro-business grants, JobSaver payment, and highlight other government support available. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Three sessions are available:

– Thursday 5th August 6pm-7pm

 – Friday 6th August 10am-11am

 – Wednesday 11th August 3pm-4pm

Registrations are essential – please register for any of the events via this link.

The Busines Hub – Free Hot Desks for August 

<COVID UPDATE – NO OFFICE ACCESS UNTIL END OF HUNTER LOCKDOWN>

While we still have a few things to do to get the Business Hub ready for launch. We currently have 2 free desks and working Wifi at the office. While we finish off the space, we are offering free hot desk bookings over the month of August to our Members from Monday – Friday starting next Tuesday 10 August. If you would like to use one of our hot desks, please just send through an email to our Business Development Officer Sarah English bdo@sconechamber.com.au

Includes

Desk and Chair

Wifi Access

Power

Basic lunchroom facilities 

What you need to bring

You will need to bring your own devices – computer, laptop, tablet, mobile phone etc. 

You will need to bring your own cables if needed such as HDMI, power leads etc. 

Power is available. 

Bookings and Fees

Once we are fully up and running, we will be accepting half and full-day bookings at fixed rates with operating hours Monday – Friday 9am-5pm

Costs

Half Day 

Chamber Members – $10 per half day 

Non-Chamber-Members – $15 pre half day 

Full Day

Chamber Members – $15 per full day 

Non-Chamber-Members – $20 pre full day 

Important to Note

– The office space is in a shared area with 3 desks. This means that respect for others in the space regarding noise is required. 

– The space is below the local gym and next to a dance studio. Some noise from these businesses can occur from time to time.

Member Renewals 

payment

As most of you know, membership renewals are normally invoiced at the commencement of the new financial year.

 

We are currently in the process of implementing an exciting new payment system which is taking a little longer than hoped to complete. Please know that all current memberships are extended until payment advice is issued for the new period 2021/2022 and we expect this to take place within the next week. Apologies for this wait and thank you all for your patience. 

Any questions or concerns, please let Sarah English know at bdo@sconechamber.com.au

New Members

A big thank you and welcome to all of our newest members:

THE HERD store – Scone 

THE HERD store represents a carefully curated range of women’s clothing and accessories from Australian labels, along with select lifestyle pieces and gifts. Located 01 Liverpool St, Scone. They have an exquisite collection. Be sure to go in and take a look.

First Class Tax – Eastern Suburbs

First Class Tax Eastern Suburbs is a registered Tax Agent looking after a diverse range of small to medium size businesses and individuals with tax returns. Whilst their main offices are in Sydney, First Class do business from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to the Southern Highlands in New South Wales. One week in every month Conrad, General Manager, relocates from Sydney to his cottage / office  in Murrurundi to work from there (when COVID isn’t an issue of course). He enjoys the region very much and would like to keep abreast of business and community developments by supporting the local Chamber.

As always if you need any support please get in touch with as at info@sconechamber.com.au.