year in review 2007–2008 Representing NSW Business Chamber in the Hunter Hunter Business Chamber ABN 9608 3977 459 PO Box 607 Hamilton NSW 2303 99 Selwyn Street Mayfield East NSW 2304 p 4969 9600 f 4969 9620 www.hunterbusinesschamber.com.au Platinum Corporate Partner year in review 2007–2008 Representing NSW Business Chamber in the Hunter Hunter Business Chamber ABN 9608 3977 459 PO Box 607 Hamilton NSW 2303 99 Selwyn Street Mayfield East NSW 2304 p 4969 9600 f 4969 9620 [email protected] www.hunterbusinesschamber.com.au www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au 2 3 contents from the president President’s message 3 The 2007/08 year saw Hunter Business Chamber redevelopment of the former celebrate again the achievements of business through Royal Newcastle Hospital site our annual awards. Whilst our winners included many now underway and plans for Board of Directors 4 respected and familiar names, some of our potential the CBD of Newcastle. future leaders were also recognised. CEO’s message 6 Chamber members are The winners of the 2007 and 2008 awards are listed involved in all of these projects Organisational structure 7 further on in this report. These companies together and that is encouraging for represent the best of the Hunter and show why the business success. The work of the Chamber 8 Chamber continues to have such relevance to business in the region. The Chamber indicated to the NSW Government that if it proceeds to sell parts of the electricity system that Financial performance 11 They demonstrate how this region can attract some some of the profits need to be directed into the Hunter. of the best known names in business, yet at the same Committee Members 12 time provide great opportunity for home-grown business The opportunity for private sector involvement in the people to succeed. energy sector opens doors for numbers of our larger companies and that in turn will open doors for many of New Members 14 Their membership of the Chamber reminds us, however, their suppliers, our medium and small enterprises. that there are times when even the best can not do it alone. Member list 16 The networking, the lobbying, the advice and the advocacy We again lobbied our local councils hoping to encourage the Chamber provides is clearly valuable and valued. most to keep any rate increase within the Government’s increase limit of 3.2%. We reminded councils that in You will see in this report how the Board and committees the past year business has faced many interest rate operate to help bring about our common goal of helping increases, substantial increases in fuel costs and more. to provide a climate in which business can succeed. The list of topics addressed is as diverse as the inter-trade I cite these examples to demonstrate the variety of work site on the former BHP steelworks area and a campaign undertaken by the Chamber and take this opportunity to try to attract funding for sustainable energy research in to acknowledge the work of our Chief Executive Officer, the region. Peter Shinnick, who quickly after his appointment earlier in the year embraced the work of the Chamber with The volatility of financial markets and interest rate rises professional enthusiasm and commitment. I extend on has impacted on members creating uncertainty. This your behalf the appreciation of Chamber members to him uncertainty is always an unwanted influence in business. and all our dedicated staff for their continued efforts. The Chamber finds itself in the same position as many of our members, in that it’s investments have been directly I wish to thank also those who serve on our Committees impacted by the world events of the past 12 months. and Task forces and my fellow Directors who give so The Chamber has maintained a conservative investment freely of their expertise, their time and their energies strategy, nonetheless there has been an impact. for our common outcomes. Their advice and counsel, including the good governance and oversight they have Regionally, however, there have been positive signs of the Chamber’s operations, is very much valued. for our strong economy with the announcement of a number of major projects developments including construction of the third coal loader, new wharves along the former steel works site and selected tenderers for the redevelopment of that site. We also see exciting plans for the continued development of what can only be described Karen Howard as our second major CDB, Charlestown, as well as the President Page Sponsored by Page Sponsored by 4 5 board of directors Karen Howard Bradley Wilson Brett Derwin Robert Monteath Paul Murphy OAM Ian Pedersen Managing Director, Managing Director Director, Registered Surveyor, Managing Director, Managing Director, NineWays Business Centre AOK Health Pty Ltd Newcastle Commercial Finance Pty Ltd Monteath & Powys Churchill’s Furnishings Pty Ltd Pedersen Engineers President Senior Vice President Vice President Stephen Davidson Bob Cowan Chris Cusack Nicholas Saunders Colin Scott Gillian Summers Principal, Davidson Accountants Managing Director, Area General Manager, Vice Chancellor, Director, Director of Marketing, Retired 26 October 2007 Cowan Manufacturing Pty Ltd Telstra Country Wide University of Newcastle Hobbies Australia CQMS Razer Immediate Past President Retired 9 May 2008 Kylee Dare Paul Hankinson Kyle Loades Pauline Tregenza Karen Wilson Director, Partner & CEO, Managing Director, Solicitor/Director, President, Lawler Partners Forsythes Auto Advantage Pty Ltd Platinum Legal NSW Business Chamber Retired 8 February 2008 Retired 7 December 2007 Page Sponsored by Page Sponsored by 6 7 from the CEO organisational structure It is becoming clear that as Major private investment in capital works, including the The members of the Chamber elect a Board of Directors Committees that address member issues are: we move through 2008 the expansion of the PWCS facilities and the establishment to set policy and direct the affairs of the organisation. The matter of an Australian carbon of the NCIG coal loader are welcome proof of the elected directors are able to appoint directors who in their Defence Industry Committee: trading scheme will dictate how confidence of business to invest in our region. These opinion add particular knowledge, skills and experience in Chairperson Boris Novak business is done in the future. projects will bring much needed jobs and encourage areas that are important to members. Deputy Chairperson Paul Hankinson other investment to the Hunter. The Chamber has called Even the smallest member for Government to similarly respond to complement the During the year Director Pauline Tregenza of Fortre Regional Infrastructure Committee: Chairperson Gillian Summers company will face decisions private investment in the region. Corporation & Bob Cowan of Cowan Manufacturing and costs that such a scheme resigned. Kylee Dare, a Partner at Lawler Partners Deputy Chairperson Robert Monteath will enforce. I am pleased to report that our work over the past year accepted an invitation for a casual vacancy. has encouraged more businesses to join the Chamber, Small to Medium Enterprise Committee: Chairperson Colin Scott For the Hunter the impact of a trading scheme that is with companies recognising that as a united voice we The Board appointed Peter Shinnick as the CEO. He took Deputy Chairperson Brett Derwin not very carefully thought through will be damaging, and achieve results for business. Membership provides the up that appointment in January 2008. we will need all our energies and the advocacy of our income to enable the Chamber staff to provide better The Board has long had a successful system of Awards and Honours Committee: members of Parliaments to ensure that those impacts services, and we are looking at strategies to broaden committees and task forces through which organisational Chairperson Kyle Loades are contained. our representation. This includes seeking greater structures and members’ issues are addressed. representation from regional companies. The Chamber will be working closely with members to Business Development Sub-Committee: Co-Chairpersons Bradley Wilson and Kathie Heyman understand the potential impacts and to represent your I want to express my appreciation to the Board for its views as the process continues. direction during my first six months with the Chamber. Committees that address organisational matters are: Vocational Sub-Committee: The Directors work particularly hard on your behalf, Chairperson Bradley Wilson While carbon trading may dominate, it will certainly not and pursue the goals of business with vigour and be the only thing on our agenda nor has it been over the Executive Committee: commitment. Chairperson Karen Howard past year. I acknowledge also the work of my staff members who From time to time the Board appoints special task forces Just as there has been outstanding research undertaken Audit and Governance Committee: provide an array of services including more than 70 Chairperson Bradley Wilson to deal with short-term or specific issues and projects. in the Hunter into other sources of energy, so too is functions, events and meetings each year which are so Two taskforces dealing with Law and Order and Energy research into the production of clean coal, and the important to members. Finance Committee: met during the year. Chamber is lobbying for funding to be provided for such Chairperson Kylee Dare research and is actively campaigning with the University Throughout the following pages you will read briefly about The list of those member companies and individuals of Newcastle and CSIRO to bring the Clean Energy the myriad of issues addressed by the organisation in the who have generously given their time, energy and skills Innovation Centre to the Hunter. past 12 months, and the names of many of the members to serve on these groups appear later in the report. who so willingly served on committees and special task The Board again thanks them on behalf of the business Regional infrastructure remains a major concern to the forces to help achieve our common goals.