Business Chamber revivalists Graham Rice, Treasurer, Caddie Marshall, Secretary and President Eddy Wilkinson
In most Australian towns outside the big cities, the term “Business Chamber” has rarely meant much to the majority of the townspeople.
“The Canowindra Business Chamber has been through some evolutions in the past,” says Eddy Wilkinson who’s currently serving his second year as president.
“But it’s always been something associated with the Gaskill Street strip that runs from the Junction to Canowindra Hotels.
“Our job is to make it much stronger now and to embrace the whole business community with its services.”
The chamber’s membership has doubled to over 60 under Eddy’s tenure – see the new website up at www.canowindrabusinesschamber.org.au/membership. And a drive is on to develop services that expand the potential of local businesses by actually targeting more customers – local, regional and interstate – with what they have to offer.
As Eddy Wilkinson describes it: “We’re structuring Canowindra’s business attractions under seven categories – Stay (accommodation), Eat, Play, Shop, Services, Farm and Building (architects, electricians, plumbers, etc).
“From each of these we can provide different individually tailored packages to prospective visitors and customers. For tourists, for example – a hotel, motel or B&B, along with a top restaurant and coffee place, a game of bowls or golf and where best to shop.
“And we can package these services to meet any individual need.”
As Eddy declares, eyeing institutions like the Age of Fishes Museum, the Historical Museum and the derelict railway precinct: “What Canowindra needs is something that can build an income every day.”
By Derek Maitland