Welcome to The Hills & District Chamber of Commerce Inc. - a friendly and supportive business group bridging the Ferny Hills, Arana Hills, Ferny Grove, Keperra, Mitchelton and surrounding districts. Established in 1992, our Chamber is not-for-profit and is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.
If you are involved in a business or community group and live or work in the Hills Districts, why not register for the next meeting - new members and visitors are always welcome.
Don't forget to nominate for the Annual Awards. The nominations are due Sunday 31 October. We have so many very deserving members in the chamber, so let us know who you think is worthy of nomination. Click here to nominate.
WOW we are now halfway through October, we have distributed the funds raised at the Big Breakfast and are now planning our Christmas Celebration and Annual Awards.
These will be held earlier than usual on 10 November 2021 from 5.30pm til 8.30pm at the Arana Leagues Club, downstairs outside area, further details are on the Website.
The purpose of this evening is to recognise those members of our business community who have managed to thrive and overcome the hurdles overcome, including, the sudden lockdowns, home schooling, and everything that living with Covid 19 entails.
These annual awards, are voted on by peers, and we will celebrate your successes.
This year there is a special category award. This award is to recognise a local business who may not be a member of our chamber but who you believe should be recognised.
Tickets include food (individual canape box) and drink on arrival. There will be raffle prizes and a cash bar for refreshments. Come along and celebrate 2021. Invite friends, partners and work colleagues to this event. This event is always fun and a great way to socialise and network. Mary
Treasurer
Stuart Jaeschke
Financial reports for the month ended 30 September 2021.
Advocacy Committee
Chair | Brian Battersby Casual Modern Award Changes. The Fair Work Commission has finalised inserting casual terms in 151 modern awards, consistent with the 2021 changes to casual employment in the Fair Work Act. These updates commenced from the 1st pay period on or after 27/9/2021. For further Assistance or any questions about how these changes could impact your business? CCIQ are here to help – phone their Employer Assistance team on 1300 135 822 or email. Or click here to go directly to the Fair Work Commission website.
Efforts trying to bring Better Procurement Processes for SME’s from Queensland Government
As part of CCIQ Advocacy towards Small/Medium Enterprises (SME’s) they have started a new campaign for improvements into the Procurement Areas of Queensland Government Procurement. This was launched on Thursday 30/9/21 with a Round Table forum.
Attending from Queensland Government was Small Business Minister Di Farmer again reinforced Queensland Government desire to improve the Procurement Process. Plus, 3 key officers attended from the Procurement/Policy area, various CCIQ/Advocacy staff, and 4 Chamber representatives physically attending (one was Brian Battersby) and a quantity of representatives from other Chambers state-wide by Teams Forum. Minister Farmer reinforced the Government desire to open the doors to SME’s purchasing opportunities.
At this meeting CCIQ announced Procurement Focus ahead will be positioned in 6 key stages as follows:
Priority 1. Government Target for purchases from Small Businesses locally,
Priority 2. Create a Public Dashboard
Priority 3. Break-up Govt tenders and Simplify Processes
Priority 4. Commitment to Capability Building
Priority 5. Cut payment terms to 5 days
Priority 6. Whole of Government approach to deliver procurement opportunities to SME’s
Business Development from Advocacy Committee member Peter Martin.
Firstly, over the last 18 months we’ve been subjected extraordinary pressures and circumstances. Our status as Covid-19 started to emerge is very different to what we are at today, so how do we navigate the minefield that is business today? The biggest challenge is not to take what’s happening personally.
The question is “how do I change the way I’m looking at what’s happening in the marketplace?”
Everything that happens is an opportunity to look and respond differently.
It’s Your Mindset that needs to change.
Ask expansive questions, don’t ignore challenges.
It can be like debt if you get to that stage, again don’t ignore it search an instalment plant.
Regarding Debt, seek out the person or company to whom you owe the debt and make an arrangement that you can see the light at the tunnel end - then they’ll know you’re sincere.
Look at what’s occurring in your Personal life and your business life and face up to the situation honestly. Accept it may be that the difference in the marketplace means you must bite the bullet and make changes. Learn to look inside.
Peter says he’s been training in Personal Development for over 35-years, and he found that each of as we have it in ourselves to solve many challenges when you apply the inner power you are born with. Peter says: Small Business is just like a Marathon
Governments Talk of Vaccination Passport option/s ahead.
We are aware of Queensland Government already thinking about this matter, which we feel could well be quite contentious is some areas. Combine this with the freedoms we have as a democracy, also balanced with the importance of a healthy and safe lifestyle will create some discussion ahead. We are aware some small businesses are not keen to act as mandatory entry enforcers about their patron’s vaccination status. So CCIQ are into talks already with Queensland Health to give them some business comments received to date.
A Meet the Federal Candidates Forum.
Our Chamber of Commerce Committee is well into planning a pre-election forum again. However, like all of us we don’t know the Federal Election date, presumably it’s in the first half of 2022. The two Federal seats we plan to focus on are Ryan and Dickson and we have started a list of known candidates to date.
The last Candidates Forum based on 2-state seats was a Chamber Breakfast success, gauged by the post event comments received. For your info, Chamber Breakfasts are usually on the 4th Tuesday monthly, so it’s again an option ahead.
Women in Business Committee
Chair | Susanne Jones
Mark your calendars for upcoming WIB events:
Friday, 3 December 2021, 12.30pm, Everton Park Hotel, 101 Flockton Street, Everton Park ** Guest Speaker – our own, Mike Rooney owner at MovedBy Real Estate will talk about ‘Gender diversity in the workplace – ways to be inclusive’.
President
Treasurer
Advocacy Committee
Efforts trying to bring Better Procurement Processes for SME’s from Queensland Government 
Look at what’s occurring in your Personal life and your business life and face up to the situation honestly. Accept it may be that the difference in the marketplace means you must bite the bullet and make changes. Learn to look inside.
A Meet the Federal Candidates Forum.
Women in Business Committee
