Chamber leader goes for growth

By Bridget Brady
THE new president of the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce says she wants the chamber “to roar, not squeak”.
Judy Davis was elected president of the chamber last week when Bank of Queensland owner Noel Ridler resigned after about five months in the chamber’s top job.
Ms Davis, the owner of scrapbook and invitation business Arty Pants, said she wanted to considerably increase the number of members of the chamber.
Ideally, each business in Cranbourne would be represented in the chamber, she said.
“I want the chamber to be the focal point within the township of Cranbourne,” she said.
“I believe that the chamber can do a lot for the businesses of Cranbourne and I believe that the more people we have, the better we can represent them in council and other areas.”
Ms Davis said she wanted plenty of feedback from customers, as well as traders.
“Because without the people we have no customers, and we would like to know what businesses can do for shoppers … what the people of Cranbourne would like to see of the retail and business sector.”
Still seeing out her first year as a member of the chamber of commerce, Ms Davis said she wanted the chamber to be a leading group within the community.
“There is so much projected growth in Cranbourne and we have to cater for it.
“It is a hard time for businesses and the general public. But we need to look to the future and see how we can help.”
Ms Davis said she wanted to start door knocking around businesses in Cranbourne to ignite interest in the chamber.
“My idea would be to have representation from every business in Cranbourne. That would be absolutely fantastic … then you could see us roar.”
Outgoing president Mr Ridler said he would no longer be a member of the chamber because he needed to focus on his business during the current financial climate.
“The economic crisis has slowed things down and I have to look after and concentrate on my business,” he said.
“Particularly in the banking sector, I need to focus on spending more time building a foundation to take the business beyond this crisis.”
The next Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce meeting will be held on 24 March.
For details contact chamber secretary Di Wyatt on email cranbournecc@gmail.com.