Mayor and chamber unite behind bypass

By Sarah Schwager
LOCAL businesses took the opportunity to share some wisdom, insight and drive at the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting last week.
The Cranbourne Bypass was the hot topic at the meeting, with both Casey mayor Kevin Bradford and Chamber president Derek West urging businesses to throw their support behind the campaign.
Warren Duncan from South East Palliative Care talked about the service, which has recently moved to Cranbourne to assist people living at home with a life-threatening disease.
Mr Duncan said they offered a holistic approach that recognised not only the patient’s suffering but also that of the family and carers, whether it be physical, emotional, social or spiritual.
“To be involved with a group of people that care so much about others is fantastic,” he said.
Most popular speaker on the night was ABC actor, writer and comedian John Clarke, who spent most of the night signing autographs.
Mr Clarke said it was his business thinking that got him to where he was.
“Although without my wife I wouldn’t have survived,” he said.
Mr Clarke said he made a lot of money out of his first album by cutting the retail price in half and forming a contract with his record company so he received more royalties.
He said the most important thing in life was doing what you loved and trying to make money out of that at all costs.
“If I wasn’t making a living out of it I would still love it,” he said.
“Our job is to find the pluses in the positions we are in.”
Mr West reported a productive financial year for the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr West was reappointed as president, as was the treasurer, but they were still seeking a vice president.