When it comes to chambers of commerce, Merimbula and Pambula are having very different experiences.
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While Pambula is undergoing a lively rejuvenation and is preparing to establish a new chamber, Merimbula is in dire need of business people to put their hands up to help keep the chamber running.
Michelle Pettigrove is the driving force behind the Pambula Chamber of Commerce and said that at the first meeting three weeks ago 22 individual businesses were represented at the meeting.
“There’s a critical mass in Pambula and it’s so diverse. We haven’t incorporated yet but our next meeting will gauge the level of interest,” Ms Pettigrove said.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 27 at 5.30pm at the Top Pub.
On the same evening Merimbula Chamber will be meeting at Club Sapphire at 6pm but the story is a different one.
Regional chamber president Orit Karny Winters has been holding the fort for Merimbula as temporary president with the help of a small team including Michelle Milsom, from IMB, but driving four hours from her home further north along the coast is not a long-term solution.
“I urge people to come along and put their hands up. Whoever takes on the role can put their own stamp on it. You can do as little or as much as you like; you don’t have to do everything yourself,” Ms Karny Winters said.
“Merimbula is special to me and I need Merimbula people to feel special about their town,” she said.
She is particularly passionate about the Why Leave Town Gift Cards which were commissioned by the chamber as just one way to help local businesses promote the shop local message.
“Just under $70,000 has been injected into the local Merimbula economy through the gift card program since it launched during Christmas 2014. The program has seen almost 500 cards purchased and spent in over 90 local businesses throughout the region,” Ms Karny Winters said.
The chamber is currently working on a rebrand of the program for the 2017 Christmas shopping period.