NEW COMMITTEE: The newly elected Narooma Chamber of Commerce committee members Chris Spurgeon, Melissa Ricketson, Vonni Hutcheson, president Orit Karny Winters, Helena Bettini, Kathy Thackray and Chris Westoll after last week’s meeting.
THE Narooma Chamber of Commerce had a complete change of leadership at its annual general meeting last week.
Orit Karny Winters is the new chamber president while Chris Spurgeon is vice president.
Treasurer is Vonni Hutcheson while committee member in charge of membership is Kathy Thackray and the other committee members are Paul Dixon, Chris Westoll and Helena Bettini.
Melissa Ricketson was appointed committee online coordinator.
Ms Karny Winters recently ran her own all-female ticket in the Eurobodalla council elections and is a business consultant and also packages and markets her own line of teas.
She is a member of the Moruya Chamber of Commerce and has applied to join the Batemans Bay chamber and said getting all three organizations working together was something she would like to see.
“I’m offering an olive branch to all those unhappy or want to participate or have big ideas,” she said.
Regarding the HuntFest event planned for Narooma next June, she said she would like to see an open meeting with event representatives and other interested parties attending.
She would also like to see Eurobodalla Shire Council more actively involved and active in the area of tourism, but it not always about more funding with new ideas needed to market the area.
At her side is veterinarian Chris Spurgeon who has run his Narooma practice with partner Alison for 18 years.
“I look forward to continuing the work of the previous committee and meeting the challenges ahead hand in hand with Orit and the executive committee,” he said.
Both recognised the work of the outgoing committee including past president Matt Deveson.
“The chamber needs to work to show leadership and be outward looking and take risks for positive outcome by partnering with others including council,” Mr Deveson said.
Successful chambers around the world worked because they took responsibility for making things happen themselves.
He also wants to presents the economic development plan he worked on with former committee chamber member Austin Farrell.
Ms Karny Winters encouraged all business to consider joining and more can be learned at the chamber’s www.narooma.org.au website.