Dear Members,
I am pleased to present the President's Report for the year 2023 at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). This report highlights the accomplishments, challenges, and direction of the Nimbin Chamber of Commerce over the past year while emphasising our community's unwavering desire to retain our uniqueness.
Acknowledgment of Committee Members
I thank all the past year's committee members for their unwavering support and dedication. Each of you played a vital role in the success of the Chamber, and I am grateful for your contributions.
I want to express my deep appreciation to our outgoing Secretary, David Spain. David has been a steady hand in the Chamber for over ten years. His legal understanding and wisdom have been invaluable to our organisation. We know that even as he steps down from this role, we can still call on him to lend his legal brain whenever needed.
Treasurer Peter Hughes, also an office bearer for 13 years, has not missed a beat despite the difficulties of owning a home in the flood zone of Lismore. Peter's dedication and commitment to the Chamber have been unwavering, and we appreciate Peter's tireless efforts.
Last, I want to thank Samantha Allen, who is leaving the Chamber to concentrate on her business endeavours. Samantha's humour and undying community spirit have been a source of inspiration and joy for us all. We will miss her presence and wish her the best in future endeavours.
Welcome to new members of the Board:
Ariescia Matheson
Ben Hartley
Chris-Ardill Guinness.
Thank you for caring enough to join us.
Membership Growth
We are thrilled to report that the Chamber's membership has grown significantly over the past year. We have welcomed seven new members, bringing our total membership to 85. This growth reflects our community's commitment to fostering a thriving local business ecosystem while preserving the distinct character of Nimbin.
Women in Business
This year, a Chamber initiative was birthed to engage Women of Nimbin who work in the community or business and those aspiring to start a new enterprise. It is networking with other women in society, mentoring, and providing support and guidance on each other’s journey toward self-sufficiency. This group now has its own Facebook group and currently meets quarterly.
2023 Award-Winners - Chamber Members
Our local businesses set a high bar. The successful ones inspire others and put Nimbin on the map as a quality destination. This year, congratulations go to Contained in Nimbin and Mountaintop Coffee for winning the following regional and state awards:
Contained in Nimbin
Northern Rivers Regional Business Award, Category Best New Business, Gold.
NSW State Business Awards, Category Best New Business, Gold.
NSW State Tourism Awards, Category New Tourism Business, Gold.
North Coast Tourism Awards, Category Outstanding Tourism Award Winner.
North Coast Tourism Awards, Category Outstanding Accommodation Award Winner.
North Coast Tourism Awards, Category Tourism Business of the Year.
Mountaintop Coffee
Silver and Bronze at the Sydney Royal Easter Show Fine Food Awards - Coffee section.
Significant Events
The Chamber was crucial in supporting the Aquarius 50 celebrations, the Illuminate Nimbin Festival, the Nimbin Roots Festival, and the Poetry World Cup. These events showcase our vibrant culture, attract visitors, and boost the local economy while celebrating what makes Nimbin unique.
Rainbow Road Project
Planning is moving ahead well. Construction of the walking track will commence early in the new year. Special mention goes to the Chamber’s Vice President Diana Roberts, who has been a significant force in driving this project forward.
Nimbin Australia Website - Upgrade
Significant visual and functional improvements were made to the Chamber website, with events, projects, and sustainability sections added. The Chamber now uses the Wix platform, following the Council’s platform becoming redundant during the year. The site now better reflects the favours and vitality of the Nimbin community.
Social Media Strategy
The appointment of Aether Agency, who are assisting in lifting our social media footprint and introducing the Committee to excellent management tools. Many tools are available, and with assistance from tech-savvy operators in the Chamber, the workflow will improve significantly.
Murals
Expressions of Interest were sought from the artist community, resulting in 15 artists offering services to restore and replace iconic Nimbin murals. The Chamber has a complete register of existing murals containing artists' names, descriptions, and current conditions. The register will be maintained, and work done when funds are available.
Community Workshops
In collaboration with Lismore Council, we organised four highly successful workshops that brought valuable knowledge and skills to our community. The first workshops spanned two days and covered essential aspects of digital marketing, including Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. The second round of workshops focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Canva, providing insights into modern branding strategies. Twenty enthusiastic participants attended each session whilst our industry-leading presenters delivered excellent content.
Wayfinding Project
A collaboration between the Lismore Council, the RTA, and the Chamber includes a parklet in front of the Greenbank, and formal access from the Western Car Park to the main street alongside Birth and Beyond. Works are scheduled to be completed early in the new year.
Nimbin Village Signs Project:
The village signs project was completed at the beginning of the year, with ‘Welcome’ signs placed at each entry point to the village along with historical information signs on significant buildings and points of interest, such as the Nimbin Rocks look.
Two major projects - yet to come to fruition:
Peace Park Toilet Block - Delivery of the promised funding by the State Labour Party has yet to occur.
Nimbin Visitor Information Centre (VIC) - The Chamber is committed to gaining support from the Lismore Council for a VIC located in Nimbin after funding had been previously withdrawn and promises of support for a VIC at the Bush Theatre & Cafe were not realised. Nimbin is, by some accounts, the 3rd most visited town in New South Wales and tourists are thirsty for information and connection to the community.
Nimbin High School Collaboration
The Chamber has taken steps to strengthen our ties with Nimbin High School by working on creating pathways for students to integrate with local businesses. This initiative benefits our young talents by providing meaningful work placements but also assists local companies in finding dedicated and enthusiastic employees from our community.
Engagement with Lismore Council
Our ongoing relationship with the Council has been pivotal in preserving Nimbin's unique identity while contributing to regional development. The Chamber continues to advocate for our community's interests, ensuring that Nimbin remains a special place to live and work and maintaining its distinctiveness. During this year, two initiatives that have assisted in the effectiveness of our relationship with the Council have been monthly meetings with the Economic Development team, where we discuss and follow up on actions to enhance the village's amenities. Council’s General Manager, Jon Gibbons, now visits the village twice a year for a walk-around to familiarise himself with the town and review the progress of various works.
In conclusion, the Chamber of Commerce is more than just an organisation. It's a driving force behind our town’s growth, resilience, and prosperity while preserving the spirit and identity that make Nimbin unique.
Thank you for being a part of our community's journey, where the sun shines, love surrounds us, and the light guides us home, cherishing our unique Nimbin spirit.
Sincerely,
David Hyett President
Nimbin Chamber of Commerce