What’s happening NEWSFLASH!!! 

New Business Development Manager has been appointed! I am very happy to announce that I am the newly appointed Business Development Manager for the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

The purpose of this position is to help create more business in the region by ensuring the infrastructure is in place and by supporting new and existing business with information, education and advocacy. 

It will be my task to help create new business in the area by ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support new businesses and our community. I will do this by being an advocate and keeping up to date with major issues in the area which are impeding progress such as the sewerage problem, water issues and particularly in Ravensthorpe, the power concerns. 

This will not only create opportunities for individuals it will also create the possibility of a larger community which in turn will support business and the community. 

For anyone wanting to start a new business, I will be an advisory and referral contact for the Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun and surrounding areas. 

For existing businesses I will also be a point of contact for information and support by helping to address any concerns in business personally, within the business community or community at large. 

To ensure I am informed and kept up to date I will be travelling and attending meetings of Chamber of Commerce in surrounding areas and also visiting other organizations that support business and communities. 

I will be seeking to source information and ways that will help create a more informed, successful and exciting business community for our area that will be more resourceful and connected to other business communities. 

This in turn will help create a happier and economically healthier community at large. I will be working out of an office in Hopetoun one day a week and an office in Ravensthorpe one day a week. 

I am contactable during business hours most days on my mobile number 0409 370 625. 

Sharon Verhaar 
Business Development Manager 

Chamber Position

Our Chamber is still in need of a Treasurer. Do you enjoy bookkeeping and interested in being a part of a fun and dynamic association where you can continually learn and grow? If so please call Cindy Gordon on 0428381187 

Sundowner 

The next members meeting will be held in February (date to be advised) at Elders Real Estate Office in Hopetoun. Look forward to seeing you all there and it will be one not to be missed! 

Business Expo/Award Night 

A big thank you to everyone that made the Business Expo/Award night a big success. All of the Executive Chamber members that did so much leading up to the night and on the night. The food, the music, the speakers, the venue, the stalls, the bar and everyone that attended- all great. 

A special thank you to all of the stall holders that went to a huge effort on the night to have stalls. They were; 

HOPETOUN WINDOW AND GLASS – Niels Verhaar 
ARTRIMS PICTURE FRAMING AND STUDIO -Marie Hewson 
THE DECK 
RAVENSTHORPE HOPETOUN AREA PROMOTION SCHEME 
WAVECREST – John Wyatt 
ESENSUAL BEAUTY – Rebecca Brownley 
RAVENSTHORPE MECHANICAL SERVICES – Bob Barnes 
ACIS – Shirl Sutherland 
RAVENSTHORPE TELECENTRE – Kylie Thomas 
LANDMARK REALTY– Cindy Gordon 
RURAL AG SHED AGENCY-Cindy Gordon 
R&L CONSTRUCTION- Rick & Lavina Besso 
PAT CHADWICK CONTRACTING – Pat & Jane Chadwick 
ELDERS REAL ESTATE HOPETOUN – Terri & Bob Pens 
MERIDIAN AGENCIES-RAV. POST OFFICE –Grahame Sutherland 
HOPETOUN ICEWORKS – Evelyn & Jack Durbidge 
NIC’S 107 RESTAURANT – Craig Fisher 

There was a lot of networking and successful contacts made which is part of what the night was about. We look forward to seeing more businesses, particularly from Hopetoun, being involved next year. 

These events are about business supporting business and an opportunity of promoting and displaying what your business has to offer which has proved to be very successful on the night. 

Congratulations to Tim and Kat from Indiji Flora in winning the Most Progessive Business Award donated and sponsored by BHP Billiton and the Most Innovative Award. 

Also congratulations to Rebecca Brownley from Esensual Beauty for winning the Encouragement Award, well done. 

A really big thank you to the caterers, Jamie and Narda from Snack Shack who supplied the most delicious food and fantastic coffee with such grace and professionalism. A huge thank you from me to Pat Chadwick (EXEC of RRCC) for all of his help setting up the venue on the day and to Cindy Gordon (SEC of RRCC) for her support and involvement, which was huge through the whole process. 

Thank you to Kerry Dickinson (EXEC RRCC) also. Thank you to the DJ Gary Walker - sterling job, Ravensthorpe Child Care for providing bar services and the fantastic speakers from very interesting and informative speeches- Bob Walker-Tectonics, Michael Fotios-Galaxy and Narda from Snack Shack. 

Last but not least, thank you to Rick Besso (President-RRCC) for comparing on the night and his part in organizing the event also. 

Sharon Verhaar Xmas Greetings 

Big plans for next year and one that will keep me personally very busy. The Chamber looks forward to an exciting and successful year ahead for all. The RRCC committee wishes to take this opportunity to wish all of its members and ones to be, a very Merry Xmas and a very successful, safe and prosperous New Year. 

Sharon Verhaar and the RRCC Committee