Chamber Chats - September 2026

The Nimbin Advantage – Knowing Who's Who at the Zoo

One of Nimbin's greatest assets is the extraordinary collection of skills, knowledge, enterprise and

experience within our community. We have people working across tourism, technology, agriculture, arts and culture, construction, events, retail, hospitality and professional services, alongside many people quietly developing businesses and projects that the rest of us know little about.

Our community also continues to change. New people are moving into the area, bringing skills, experience, ideas and connections that we may know nothing about.

That presents an opportunity in both directions. For someone newly arrived, Chamber can provide an

introduction to the local business community. For those of us already here, it's an opportunity to meet new people and discover what capabilities they bring with them.

Which raises a simple question: do we actually know what each other does?

Every business relies upon a chain of inputs to achieve its end result: suppliers and raw materials, specialist knowledge, finance, accounting and bookkeeping, staffing, marketing, website and technology support, artistic and graphic design, trades and professional advice.

How many of those inputs could be sourced within our own community?

We probably don't know, because we don't necessarily know who's doing what. Networking isn't simply about finding customers. It's about discovering capability. The person who can solve a problem you've been wrestling with may already be sitting at the next table in the café.

Every time we source another business input locally, more of the economic benefit stays here. One local business supports another, relationships develop and our collective capability grows.

But first we need to know who's who at the zoo.

Chamber meetings provide a regular opportunity for people from different parts of Nimbin's economy to meet, and importantly, you don't have to be a Chamber member to attend.

Come along, tell us what you do and discover what everybody else is doing.

Buy local. Source local. Connect local.

AI – another tool in the toolbox

Artificial intelligence is another area Chamber would like to explore with our business community.

For many people AI began as something that could help write a letter or answer a question. It is rapidly

becoming a practical business tool for research, marketing, analysing information, troubleshooting problems, investigating grants, planning projects, working on websites and reducing everyday administration.

There are legitimate questions around privacy, accuracy, employment and responsible use. But there is also enormous opportunity, particularly for small businesses.

Used thoughtfully, AI can help us do more with the skills, ideas and time we already have.

Chamber would like to investigate a practical AI for Nimbin Business workshop, potentially drawing upon local people already using these tools. Rather than debating AI in the abstract, let's ask: What can this actually do for my business?

Nimbin seen through different eyes

ABC's Back Roads episode featuring Nimbin screened on 27 August and remains available on ABC iview.

What was particularly refreshing was the way the program moved beyond the familiar stereotypes that have so often dominated outside reporting about Nimbin and instead captured something of the community itself.

The spectacular scenery certainly did us no harm, but a particular highlight was hearing from some of our young people down by the creek. Their thoughtful and considered observations gave viewers a glimpse of what it can mean to grow up here and the different perspective this community and environment can offer.

It was a warm and beautiful portrayal of Nimbin that left you thinking anyone watching might be tempted to come and live here!

If you missed it, it's well worth catching up on iview.

Around the Chamber table

Chamber has approved $1,000 sponsorship for the Nimbin Fashion Show and $500 for the Nimbin

Performance Poetry World Cup, supporting events that attract visitors and contribute to the cultural and economic life of the village.

Work continues around Nimbin's murals and visual identity, while Council is exploring waste-education initiatives following discussions with local stakeholders.

The Youth Focus Volunteer Expo at the School Market on 18th September provides another opportunity to connect young people with community organisations. Encouraging young people into volunteering, business and community life is an investment in Nimbin's next generation of skills and leadership.

Whether it's young people, new residents, technology, the arts or established local businesses, the

opportunity is much the same: connecting people who have ideas with people who have the skills,

knowledge and resources to help make them happen.

That's the Nimbin Advantage. David Hyett

President

Nimbin Chamber of Commerce