Emily Chapman Laing
The Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held its first event for 2023 on Tuesday 28 March.
Titled We Are Stronger Together, the event included business owners from all over Cranbourne.
Former Cranbourne MP Garry Rowe joined current Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards in conversations with local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Around 35 representatives from local businesses and prospective businesses came along to network and hear guest speaker Mark Watt address the audience.
Matthew Rowan of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce was also present, as was Lydia Rophia from City of Casey.
The event began with an address from CCC president Ian Wood.
Mr Wood said the chamber is looking forward to hosting five or more events each year.
“To do this we need support, we need members,” he said.
L’Arte Central founder and owner Anthony Cheeseman also spoke to the audience.
Mr Cheeseman detailed how L’Arte managed to thrive during the pandemic environment.
“We were doing 11 transactions in a day,” he said.
“I would look outside, there were no birds, no cars, no noise.
“Resilience became a really big word.”
Mr Cheeseman made the choice to diversify his business and adapt to the COVID economy.
“It’s the sowing and reaping principle. We sowed those seeds during the pandemic and now we are reaping the rewards.
“You’ve got to ask, if I’ve got this today, what can I do tomorrow?”
When Mark Watt AM took to the floor, the laughter began.
With quick-witted jokes and a true performer’s style, Mr Watt held the audience as he explained his views on business, charity and social enterprise.
“As businesses we have to be involved in the community, we can’t not,” he said.
Mr Watt is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS).
BBBS is a not-for-profit organisation which has mentoring programs that create life-changing connections between positive role models and young people – helping youth to shine.
Mr Watt is also the CEO of Stride Education and a director of Social Engine – a social enterprise for young people.
Mr Watt explained the importance of mentors and role models for young people, as he himself grew up without a positive father-figure.
“I knew the power of not having that support,” he said.
Flash forward and Mr Watt found himself running a juvenile detention centre.
Weekends were visiting time, and the visiting room had a wall of windows which faced the front gates.
Mr Watt said kids as young as 12 would watch and wait, but no visitors would come.
“That was a worse crime than whatever those kids did,” he said.
Mr Watt went on to employ hundreds of disadvantaged youth through a partnership with fast-food giant KFC.
BBBS currently has a waiting list of over 700 kids looking for a mentor and the data shows 80 per cent of them are young boys referred by women.
Mr Watt went on to describe the importance of social enterprise as a model for helping those in need.
“The charity model is struggling,” he said.
“The social enterprise model is better and we need to figure out how to enterprise the charity model.”
Social enterprises are businesses that trade to intentionally tackle social problems, improve communities, provide people access to employment and training, or help the environment, according to Business Victoria.
Mr Watt says getting involved in the community allows business to make a difference.
“You need that passion and commitment,” he said.
“There’s a lot we all can do.”
Mr Rowan from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce outlined the benefits for members before drawing business cards from a jar as the winners of the night’s prize.
Wayne Vitnell from SYC, a not-for-profit helping thousands of people each year with housing, education and employment, was the first to win.
He was shortly joined by Mr Watt, whose name was also drawn.
The winners will receive a free training session from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce.
The night was lively and concluded with a quick word from CCC committee member Judy Davis.
“We’d love the chance to come around and see your business and give everyone the chance to see what you do,” she said.
The CCC has some quality events planned for 2023.
Federal MP for Holt Cassandra Fernando will join Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards in hosting a Cranbourne-focused function.
City of Casey will also be hosting one of the events.
“Take advantage of these networking nights,” Mr Wood said.
“We will be stronger together.”
