The Bega Valley Business Forum (BVBF) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Club Sapphire on 13 November 2024, celebrating a year of substantial growth and expanded engagement across the business community. The Forum’s President, Nigel Ayling, presented his report, highlighting key achievements, including an expansion in affiliate membership, a first for holding open meetings, and the very successful 2024 Bega Valley Business Awards.
The BVBF experienced considerable growth in membership for the first time in over two decades, welcoming key organisations like Telstra, the University of Wollongong, and Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing. This growth, made a significant contribution to revenue and reflects the Forum’s strong trajectory to work with a broader range of stakeholders across the shire.
“We have taken significant steps this year to not only grow our membership but to engage meaningfully with the business community. From hosting open meetings to advancing initiatives like the Merimbula Artificial Intelligence Forum, the BVBF has positioned itself as the key regional business organisation in the Bega Valley,” said Ayling.
One of the standout events of the year was the Bega Valley Business Awards which was a remarkable success, with a 75% increase in nominations across 18 categories. The black tie event was a great celebration of local business, and was also able to generate a small profit, thanks to generous sponsorships, ensuring the sustainability of the awards for years to come.
Treasurer Owen Simpson reported that the revenue received from new membership, the business awards and the AI event, put the Forum in a strong financial position and it was well positioned to operate sustainable in the coming year.
The main business of the AGM was the nominations for positions and all of the current committee were returned to their positions.
President – Nigel Ayling – Merimbula
Vice President – Vacant
Secretary and Public Officer – Wendy Pursehouse – Pambula
Treasurer – Owen Simpson – Tathra
Committee Member – Janet Dolin – Cobargo
Committee Member – Eric Wolske – Eden
Looking ahead, the re-elected President said he would like to find ways they can support local businesses more by negotiating group buying deals for essential services, like discounts on electricity.
Ayling went on to say, “Our growth in affiliate members is a positive step, but I believe there is potential to have 40–50 members, including key organisations across the shire. To reach this goal, we need more dedicated resources. Moving towards hiring an Executive Officer, as outlined in our strategic plan, would be a key step to achieving sustainable growth.”
One of the key issues the Forum had been advocating for over the past year was to get a full-time paid director for the Far South Coast region. There are 11 regions under the state Chamber, Business NSW (BNSW) 3 with in Sydney and 8 in regional NSW. The other 10 regions all have full time paid Directors employed by BNSW and number of them have support staff as well, but the Far South Coast region has no paid staff and receives no financial support from BNSW.
In an open letter to BNSW undersigned by 13 Chamber Presidents, it says “The Far South Coast, encompassing Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, and the Snowy Monaro regions, is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, with a combined Gross Regional Product of nearly 10% of the state’s economy. Given the importance of the Far South Coast to the overall economic landscape of New South Wales, we find it difficult to understand why our region does not have the same level of representation as others.”
There is one more meeting of FSC presidents before the end of the year and we will be working alongside Regional President Darrell Weekes to keep pushing the case for this. The goal is to get a commitment from BNSW to fund the position for the 2025-26 financial year.
At the close of official proceedings, members enjoyed dinner and networking, celebrating the year’s achievements and discussing ideas for 2025. The forum will now take a break over the holidays and the first meeting next year will be on 12 February 2025.
For more information on the Bega Valley Business Forum’s initiatives and membership opportunities contact us.
