November 23, 2023
Three new faces were elected to the Executive Committee of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) at the association’s annual general meeting on Tuesday night.
A large crowd of local businesspeople gathered for the AGM.
Ross Leggett, CEO of the Rural and Small Business Financial Counselling Service, took over the chair for the formal part of proceedings.
President Damien Martoo (The Martoo Review), vice-president Jacqui Trace (Bill Hull Car Centre), secretary / treasurer Paula Greenwood (PG Bookkeeping), Steven Fiedler (Fiedler Brothers Plumbing), Jason Erbacher (South Burnett CTC), Chrys McDuffie (CA Design & Print), David Musch (G. Crumptons & Sons) and Daniel Pelcl (Burnett Today) were re-elected to the Executive Committee.
New members elected were Sheena Lindholm (Push Pull Marketing), Mitch Gray (AMG Electrical Solutions) and Susan Robertson (Kingaroy Office Central).
2022-23 members who did not re-stand were Lachlan Brown (Pakaderinga Feedlot), Darrin Kefford (Kingaroy Joinery), Michael Sanford (Bunyarra Wellbeing) and Nina Temperton (ex-South Burnett CTC).
Damien Martoo reflected back on the accomplishments of the previous year during his President’s Report.
The Platinum sponsorship by GardenGrove Landscape Supplies had given the Chamber the ability to do a lot more than in the past by supporting the role of a full-time president.
Highlights included Round 1 & 2 of the Kingaroy Façade Improvement Program, Rounds 1 & 2 of the Business Accelerator Program, meetings with State Development; and Small Business Hubs with the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training.
Ongoing discussions had been held with the Department of Energy and Public Works to improve the framework around energy projects in the region.
Meetings with MPs included Jarrod Bleijie, Di Farmer, Glenn Butcher and Deputy Premier Steven Miles.
The KCCI was also represented at Business Chamber Queensland meetings, the Australian Rural Leaders Future Forum in Bundaberg as well as other conferences in Dalby and the Sunshine Coast
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Recently opened Kingaroy business Adventure 4×4 hosted the annual general meeting and the following meet’n’greet at their showroom and workshop in River Road.
Owner Jacqui Trace explained the business had grown out of the family’s other business, Bill Hull Car Centre.
It sells camping and 4WD gear, pushbikes and e-bikes as well as offering repairs and servicing for all makes and models.
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Other highlights from the meet’n’greet included:
- The KCCI will be hosting a South Burnett Mayoral & Divisional Candidates Debate on February 19, mediated by former Channel 7 journalist Kim Skubris
- The Rotary Satellite Club of Kingaroy (Sunrise) South Burnett Training Awards will be held on March 23 at Wondai Memorial Hall. Cherbourg will also be involved this year. Nominations are now open online
- Aleisha Gray, from SB Hire & Sales & AMG Electrical, shared a plan to help the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary raise funds to purchase two neonatal pulse oximeter machines for Kingaroy Hospital … her family companies will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $5000
- Stefanie Bofinger, from Fempro Armour in Kingaroy Street, described the expansion plans for her business, which produces protective gear for impact sports and health care and is now selling internationally
- KCCI will be holding TED-style talks next year as part of regular meet’n’greets
- KCCI member Paul Hovey is now the regional account manager for Queensland Computers, based in Kingaroy, which offers a range of IT and networking services
- Donations to the Christmas Food Drive can be left at Bill Hull Car Centre, local police stations, the KCCI Hub, Woolworths and Kingaroy IGA until December 15; or tax-deductible cash donations can be left with South Burnett CTC
- Mayor’s Christmas Lunch is on December 1 at Kingaroy Town Hall for $25 a head
