The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held its final social and networking event of 2023 on Wednesday, December 20, inviting guest speaker Lisa Furnell to speak about the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club.
Ms Furnell spoke about the history of the club, the unique characteristics of the club and its base of Alva Beach and the opportunities and challenges the club faces in the future.
Home Hill Chamber of Commerce President David Jackson then announced Jim and Meg Johnson as the winners of the Home Hill Residential Christmas Decoration Award before thanking attendees for their support and, reflecting on a successful year, said growing membership shows signs of this success continuing into 2024.
“We have a very active executive intent on ensuring the town moves forward and continuing in the same vein with changes in personnel, with Robert Antoniazzi replacing Terry Cross as secretary and the inclusion of Meghan Wilson – a much-needed female voice in the decision-making,” Mr Jackson said.
“The departure of Terry Cross from Home Hill left a big hole for the chamber to fill, but Terry’s efforts have been matched by the input from Robert and his widespread knowledge of, and input into, the Burdekin district as a whole.
“Similarly, Meghan Wilson in her role with the Wilmar Sugar organisation has much to offer the chamber in joining the executive late in 2023.
“Along with Vice President, Uli Liessmann, and his artistic talents and forward-thinking ideas and Treasurer, John Clarke, and his valued IT experience, the executive has made positive decisions on improvements to the town.”
Mr Liessmann led the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce in successfully accessing grants to improve the ‘4806’ sign on Eighth Avenue and arranging for the Chamber to take over the Harvest Festival Ephemera in 2024, while Mr Jackson thanked Mr Clark for his efforts in improving the Chamber’s website and promotions.
Mr Jackson said that while Home Hill develops, the Chamber will continue to advocate for the town.
“Home Hill is fortunate to have businesses based in the town that undertake a major role in developments in other parts of North Queensland, while there are business organisations that are helping the town to take huge steps forward,” he said.
“The town has moved from a period of having no service stations, to a situation where there is a new United Service Station offering its vast range of services, while the former Home Hill Co-Operative Traders building is starting to disappear to make way for another service station facility – much needed businesses, which are adding to the vitality of the southern end of the CBD, and there is more to come.
“The town continues to move forward through new businesses such as True North Interiors, The Prawn Stop, The Home Hill Laundrette and Giovanna’s Cucina.
“While new owners are upgrading the Malpass Hotel, the Commercial Hotel is also gaining a much-improved new look – and the Burdekin Race Club is taking huge steps forward with more race meetings in 2023 and the continued upgrading of its facilities.
“There is no doubt that Home Hill has much to offer and with the continuing support of our community and the hopeful offerings from all three levels of government, we can continue to take the town forward in a positive direction.”
Home Hill Chamber of Commerce President David Jackson, Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club volunteer Lisa Furnell and Home Hill Chamber of Commerce Secretary Robert Antoniazzi. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
David Jackson with Home Hill Residential Christmas Decoration Award winners Jim and Meg Johnson. Photo supplied
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