Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Linda Butler shared her decades-long journey through the graphic design industry with attendees. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce welcomed new faces and a sense of renewed optimism last Wednesday, with owners of the town's newest businesses among presenters at its latest social meeting.
The 5:30pm meeting hosted a healthy turnout of around 20 at the Home Hill Community Sports Centre, with the new attendees signaling forward momentum for the organisation.
Proceedings commenced with Ayr graphic designer and keynote speaker for the evening, Linda Butler, who shared her journey through the industry before landing back in Ayr.
After a career spanning decades, with notable stints in Sydney, Townsville, Gibraltar, London and Denmark, Ms Butler shared insights into the ever-shifting nature of graphic design and the implications of new-age technology, such as artificial intelligence, on the industry.
“It’s been an interesting career, and I’ve enjoyed it … I’m just glad I’m near the end and can let the young ones take over,” she quipped.
First-time attendee Candace Young, who opened Salted Roots on Eighth Avenue with her husband Scott this month, then shared the story of her business’s beginnings with the crowd.
The venture of the two Burdekin locals, who spent two decades away before returning home, offers a range of unique homewares, which Ms Young said had become popular amongst the local community.
“Everyone thinks it’s the tourists behind us that are supporting us, but it’s actually the locals,” she said.
“They’re coming in, and then the very next day, they’re coming back in right when you open.”
Neil Machin and Patricia Thomas from Scrubby's Teahouse also praised the community support, saying their café had quickly become a popular meeting point for locals since opening next door to Salted Roots last month.
“Food is an essential item, and so is socialisation,” said Ms Thomas.
“We wanted to develop an atmosphere where you can come in, sit down, relax, and watch the world go by.”
The pair of entrepreneurial ventures have been credited with breathing new life into Home Hill’s Eighth Avenue, with locals eager to see if each business’s early success can help catalyse a sustained rejuvenation effort within the town’s CBD.
The Home Hill Chamber’s next Social and Networking Event is pencilled in for next month, with local cane farmer and accomplished clay target shooter Joseph Roseate to serve as guest speaker.
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