President’s Report 2024/25
2025 is an exciting time to be in business on the Sunshine Coast and particularly, in Maroochydore.
To put it bluntly, things are a foot! And 2026 shows no signs of slowing down.
Not only is the CBD continuing to grow and develop, but new growth and development is also planned and approved in many other parts including Ocean Street, Duporth Avenue, Sunshine Coast Airport, Cotton Tree and Kunda Park, to name but a few.
The sight of construction cranes in our skies is an excellent omen.
We have a relatively new State Government and a bunch of newly elected Councillors and newly appointed Council Executive Officers and leadership team, all of whom we expect to lead us and make things happen.
There is also a draft proposed Town Plan on the table and much development proposed, leading us towards the 2032 Olympics.
Whilst the future is bright, there is no room for complacency and it is incumbent upon all local organisations, particularly Chambers of Commerce and business-based organisations to provide feedback and direction to our civic leaders and ensure that they take us forward in the direction that we want to go.
There is no point in complaining about the outcome if we do not seek to be part of the process.
From the Chambers’ point of view, that means that we are advocating for the needs of our members.
Exciting times lay ahead and we continue to be well placed to take advantage of those exciting times as tonight we see 11 of the existing Executive Committee being re-elected and 2 new members joining the executive. Our existing committee members bring much needed stability and experience to our chamber and our two new members bring a fresh set of eyes and new energy.
From that point of view I would like to acknowledge and thank those who are returning:-
Jakki Goodall, Lauren Molloy, Peppi Bueti, Simone Bell, Paul Robertson, Cameron Klupfel, Richard Van Lohvizen, Travis Head, Renee Cooper and Dr Rianna Hellyer.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank those who are departing – Anita Piers and Richard Turnbull and thank them for their hard work over the years.
And I’d like to acknowledge those joining us, Matt Thornton who works for Telstra and Maree Machin from Mortgage Choice.
I would also like to thank Sharon Dryden who is our membership executive officer, for her hard work and diligence during the year. She enthusiastically welcomes new members and makes them feel welcome from the get go.
I always say that being on the Executive Committee is not a passive role. The expectation is that you turn up to events, to sub-committee meetings, to executive committee meetings and you contribute.
You all do that, so thank you to you all.
I earlier mentioned our civic leaders. I would like to acknowledge the support that we get from all, Ted O’Brien (who we do not see much since he was elevated to Deputy Prime Minister), Fiona Simpson who turns up to everything we organise and councillors Joe Natoli and Taylor Bunnag who get to our events regularly.
Thank you for the support from all of you.
We also receive magnificent support from our sponsors, we can’t do what we do without them. So thank you to –
- Walker Corporation
- Gallagher Insurance
- Ken Mills Toyota
- Bathersby Legal
- Secure Access
- Telstra Business Technology Centre
- Yield Advisory
- Pier 33
- Your Brand Crew
- Ten Toes Brewery
- Out and about child Care
- SunCentral
- My Weekly Preview
- 927MixFM
- Sunshine Coast Council
And we can announce the recent signing of Ord Minnett to join that list of impressive Chamber sponsors.
Our membership and our financial position remains extremely strong.
That financial position and the benefits that we are able to deliver for our members is a direct result of the support that those sponsors give to us and the hard work of the executive committee.
This year for the first time we took a proactive step to give something back to our members, by hosting Mark Bouris for breakfast in February. It was a real thrill for all concerned to be part of a 350 strong room that shut up and listened to the great man. You could hear a pin drop.
We look forward to continuing events like that and replicating that breakfast event in February 2026 when we bring Jannine Allis of Boost Juice for our February chamber breakfast. This will be promoted on all our social media sites from tomorrow with a special rate for our members. Please book early to take advantage of the special price while it is on offer.
The Mark Bouris breakfast was one of many highlights during 2024/2025 including:-
- The continued success of our Chambercast with the President and Pep and thanks to Peppi Bueti for organising those podcasts;
- More recently the regular members profile in My Weekly Preview; We encourage any member interested in participating to let any of the committee know or the Whitehouse team.
- In another way to give back to our members, we have frozen membership fees for the 5th consecutive year.
- Finally our many regular coffee and connect and after hours events throughout the year which are always very well attended.
Speaking of our events, the Chamber wouldn’t be in the strong position that it is without the hard work and dedication of Min Swan and her team at White House International, including Sophie who is here tonight. You guys make us look good and regularly go above and beyond.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge our members who turn up and work the room. I regularly say to new members that joining and paying your subs is just the start; you get out of the Chamber what you put in.
I also say to my executive team and to the gatherings of members that our task is to find and welcome the strangers, the new arrivals, those who haven’t joined us before and make them welcome. I think we do that really well as a Chamber.
That said, our members make us what we are and they are our purpose for being.
Thank you for choosing the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce.
All of that said, there is more to be done and I look forward to leading the Chamber for the 8th consecutive year as we join with all of you, our executive committee, our sponsors and our members to continue to pursue all things Maroochydore and Sunshine Coast.
