It really does feel like this year is flying right by, and all of a sudden, it’s May! With Easter now complete we are now enjoying the Scone Horse Festival and love seeing the town come alive now in its 43rd year. We are working hard on our Marketing Mentoring Program as well as meeting lots of new members, and like everyone, getting ready for the upcoming Federal Election.
Scone horse festival – NEIGHBOUR-ART 2022
It’s wonderful to see so many horse artworks out again this year. As our contribution to the Scone Horse Festival, we are again running its NEIGH-bour Art competition. We sold over 100 new horse cut-outs and are eagerly awaiting everyone’s entries. What a wonderful community we have where so many schools and businesses have once again jumped at the opportunity to do something fun and positive for our Shire. If you haven’t yet put in your artwork entry, please be sure to do it asap!
We will be giving out $500 worth of ‘We Live Here’ cards for our winners which will be announced at the end of May. We will also have a small presentation at a local venue to be confirmed, so please be sure to keep your eyes out for an invitation coming soon.
We LIVE Here
Is your business registered to accept the “We LIVE Here” local investment card? The “We LIVE Here” cards work like an EFTPOS gift card once loaded are only be able to be used with participating businesses in the two shires (Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook), ensuring local expenditure and economic development for the region.
This program isn’t just for retailers. local businesses from health professionals, B2B, mechanics and more have all signed up to the program.
It is easy to accept the cards or to purchase and load a card as a gift – a great staff gift or bonus opportunity where you can be sure money is spent locally.
For more info visit the Council’s “We LIVE here” info page.
1ON1 MENTORING – MARKETING
We have received several expression’s of Interest to join our 1on1 Marketing Mentor program. We are in the process of designing the program and cannot wait to get everyone in need started. We are looking at kicking of the program by July 1 and appreciate your patience. If you have not yet expressed your interest, please be sure to do so today.
FEDERAL ELECTION – MEET THE CANDIDATES
With the federal election just around the corner (21st May 2021), it’s one of the main topics on everyone’s mind.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of response or availability by Federal New England candidates, we are unable to host a federal election ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum as we’d originally hoped. While this is out of our control, it is disappointing that most of the candidates have been unable to make time for this forum during an election campaign. We do apologise for not being able to run this event this time around. For information on candidates visit this Guide.
With inflation at it’s highest in over a decade and the recent interest rate hike announced by the RBA last week, the question most of us are asking is how the elected Government will ease rising costs for both individuals and businesses. Mr Morrison has said the Coalition would look to create 400,000 new small businesses during the next five years, should the government be re-elected. The government also announced it would spend $17.9 million on the Business Energy Advice Program to help small businesses be more efficient, in an attempt to cut back on power bills. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese said the ALP’s will reduce emissions by 43% by 2030, create 604,000 new jobs, and reduce power prices by $275. Their respective pledges to the small business community come after new ABS data shows 57% of all businesses have had the cost of doing business increase more than usual in the last three months.
June Breakfast – Let’s talk Money
Interest rates, wages growth, inflation. What does it all mean for you as a business? We welcome Jane Ryan from Fox Wealth Advisory to discuss the somewhat perplexing nature of all of the above in a way that is easy to understand. Join us for a lovely breakfast, networking opportunity and guest speaker.
June Chamber Breakfast – Let’s Talk Money
Wednesday, June 15, 7:30am – 9:00am
The Cottage, Scone (outside)
$30 – members and $35 – non-members
Breakfast and coffee included
Special Guest: Jane Ryan, Principal Financial Advisor, Fox Wealth Advisory.
Welcoming our newest members
Welcome to some of our newest members! It’s great to have all of you onboard and a big thank you for supporting your local Chamber.
RA Peasley Consulting Surveyor
Evolutionise
Have you joined the Chamber yet?
Becoming a member means enjoying lots of our member benefits – but the best one of all is being part of our connected business community!
By becoming a member, you are helping a local organisation support local businesses. Chamber memberships also help to build a strong and connected local business community – whereby we are all working together. Membership is only $110 per year and comes with an array of Member benefits, where our members always come first.
Item of Interest – Cyber Security
As more Australian companies conduct most of their business online, cyber criminals are becoming smarter and better resourced. If successful, this can cause significant disruption to an organisation – by stealing classified information or funds. So, if you’re running a business, cyber security has never been more important. Business Australia has put together a great ebook on the subject which you can access here.
Until next time…
Sarah English
Business Development Officer
Scone Chamber of Commerce