By Dominique Tassell
Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce has historically been vital to the town’s development and advocacy, and the current chamber is no different.
Chamber president Graham Parker said the chamber was currently going really well and has a “bigger membership than we’ve ever had historically“.
Graham said they’re in a “pretty strong position financially“ and are in the process of finalising the chamber’s strategic plan that they have undertaken with consultants.
The chamber hasn’t revised its strategic plan in a while, and Graham said it made sure to engage widely with the community “so we can get some direction on what the community wants“.
They’re trying to be as proactive as possible, Graham said, but are also committed to being transparent with the community.
Graham said historically, Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt have had incredibly active past chambers and executives that have done some amazing work.
“We are very much community-focused,“ Graham said. “It’s about the broader business community.“
While in the past the chamber has been viewed as consisting of the main street traders groups, Graham said this is not the case anymore.
He said they have very diverse members and a diverse executive, with farmers and manufacturers and more represented.
Graham said he sees it as the chamber’s role to advocate for every business in town.
“I want to see every business in town do well, whether they’re chamber members or not.“
He said he is committed to ensuring the ongoing strength of the chamber.
“I’m in the hot seat now, but someone else will be eventually. They need to be able to take over.“
The chamber is holding a gala dinner on 25 October to celebrate 150 years of Stanthorpe and the strong economic history of our town.
Graham said Stanthorpe has always had a strong local business scene and said his own experience moving to the area has been extremely positive.
“It’s such a welcoming community, he said. “That’s what makes it different.“
“There’s not as much inter-business rivalry. We complement each other, we’re not rivals.“
Graham said there’s an “interconnectedness in our community“.
“We’re there to support each other, that’s what builds a really strong community.
“That’s one of the successes of our region.
“There is that camaraderie and willingness and want to work together and make things better.“
