Yass Valley Business Chamber News

Time to nominate the best in the business for Yass Valley Business Chamber Awards

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 03:13:31 GMT

Margot Shannon with Shaughanie Cooke who has been helping run award-winning Merchant Campbell since day one. They’re pictured with the Yass Valley Business Chamber Award in 2018. Photo: Merchant Campbell.

The secret is out. Yass Valley is home to a growing, vibrant and supportive business community. And the Yass Valley Business Chamber is again calling for nominations for its upcoming awards.

Partnering with the Rotary Club of Yass, the Yass Valley Business Chamber Awards program is designed to showcase the best of the best of businesses across the region.

In 2017, Margot Shannon started up her boutique Merchant Campbell. The following year, she entered her business in the awards and walked away victorious.

“It was seriously one of the best things to ever happen to me and my business, the publicity and recognition we got through the awards completely transformed the shop,” Margot says.

Her store consists of a large range of unique pieces of homeware, clothing, jewellery and much more.

Margot says her business’s success after winning the award motivates her to encourage others to sign up.

“I really think small businesses are the backbone of the economy and it’s programs like this that really encourage small businesses to keep up the hard work and continue doing what they love and serving the community.”

The 2018 Business Awards recipients with then Yass Mayor, Rowena Abbey. Photo: Merchant Campbell.

Margot says one of the most rewarding parts about running her business Merchant Campbell is the opportunity to hire all local employees and utilise local businesses.

“Everyone we have employed over the past few years has been from around the Yass Valley region. It’s such a great feeling to be providing income and services to the local community.”

This year’s awards have been extended to March 2025 to line up with the Business NSW 2025 award program and give more businesses the opportunity to enter.

Margot says there are plenty of business categories.

“We’ve got more categories than we have had in the past including outstanding employee, employer of choice, excellence in small business, excellence in diversity and inclusion, outstanding new business and many more.”

Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman says she is excited to see the businesses around the Yass Valley region come together again for the awards.

“Come get on board and let’s celebrate the amazing businesses in the Yass Valley,” Mrs Tuckerman says.

Yass Valley Business Chamber hopes to see entrants from across the region at the awards night to enjoy an event dedicated to celebrating the hard work of owners and their teams.

Nominations for the awards have been extended to 29 November 2024.

To enter your business in the awards visit Our Awards Page

Original Article published by Jacqueline Lyons on Riotact .

2023 Presidents Report

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:08:04 GMT

Prepared for the Yass Valley Business Chamber Annual General Meeting on Friday 6 October 2023 at 7.30am.

In the first instance, I would like to recognise the ongoing dedication and service provided by Committee members and active members alike. We recognise that committing to a volunteer organisation is a bold step especially when involved in one’s own business and personal life. We appreciate your commitment and want you to know that we recognise the value of your contribution.

Over the course of 2023, we have deliberately set out to build on what has been a strong, evolving, and dynamic Committee over the past three years. We now have a much better understanding of the ‘life cycle’ of the Chamber and its impact on our individual personal commitments. As a result, we have set out to build strength not only in depth but breadth across Yass Valley. As a committee, one of our goals this year has been to help the business community understand and see that the Chamber truly represents the Yass Valley business community as a whole rather than being a Yass-centric organisation. The Yass Valley Business Chamber has a proud 100-year tradition of representing business within the Yass Valley. As part of the launch of Small Business Month this week, we recognised that Yass Valley, its identity, and businesses have not only evolved but grown over the years.

Over 200 years ago, Hamilton Hume and his expedition first laid eyes on Yass Valley and identified it as a naturally beautiful place, rich in pastures and abundant in water. A place that would be great for settlement and sheep grazing. His was an early vision that would one day place Yass Valley on the international stage as the fine wool hub of the world, its natural fibre sought-after by the mills, fashion houses and runways of Europe and Asia. Like the great explorers of the past, Yass Valley’s business owners are pioneers carving out and contributing to our rich and diverse history and Yass Valley brand. Today Yass Valley boasts a proud aboriginal, strong colonial, and innovative agricultural history.

Yass Valley though is not only home to wool producers and graziers but also home to world-class wineries, product makers and artists, first class experiences, events, and services. Yass Valley has become known as a wonderful lifestyle destination. A place to live, work or play. A place that is bursting with sensational experiences, a thriving arts scene, boutique shopping, great events and quality services and goods.

If Hamilton Hume were to see the Yass Valley of today, he, as a business owner and entrepreneur would surely rejoice to see the evolution that has taken place from early settlement frontier to the thriving and diverse place that is made up of eight towns and villages, known as Yass Valley.

The 2022-2023 Committee

I would like to thank the Committee for your commitment. We have continued to achieve a lot over the past 12-months, and it is through your ongoing volunteered time, effort, and passion that we have been able to have a productive year and achieved a great amount. A very big thank you to:

Vice-President: Jim Hutton

OBE Treasurer: Anthony Eldridge

Secretary: Jacquie Tewes

Ordinary Committee Member: Bridget Breen Guiney

Ordinary Committee Member: Tally Ryder

Ordinary Committee Member: Marie-Nicole Roberts

Public Officer/ Ordinary Committee Member: Andrew Curlewis

Past 12-Months

The past 12-months have continued to present challenges for business in Yass Valley. Businesses have faced inflation, continued material and skills shortages and rapidly rising interest rates. During this time, Yass Valley Business Chamber has continued to focus on its strategic priorities of collaboration and support, promotion and growth and government engagement.

The past year’s achievements are a testimony of the performance of Yass Valley Business Chamber as a strong voice and advocate for business; a summary of some key achievements for the past 12-months include:

Ongoing media exposure partnership with both Region Media (through RiotACT andAboutRegional) and Yass Valley. These partnerships not only continue to promote ourmembers and their businesses but are helping to drive visitors, support the local economyand lift Yass Valley’s profile in the region. See In the Media.
Organising and running the monthly Networking Breakfast including new formats that have facilitated member feedback, discussion panels related to Challenges and Opportunities experienced by businesses within Yass Valley. Catch the replays here: https://www.yassbusiness.com.au/videos
Organising and running in partnership with Region Media, Regional Development Australia Southern Inland; the refreshed and informative Yass Connect networking event on a quarterly basis at Yazzbar. Including helping businesses improve their Digital Connectivityand Grant Writing Skills. Check-out some photos here.
We hosted the new annual ‘Great Welly Toss’ event as part of Breakfast in the Paddock, see here .
Continued engagement with the Hon Kristy McBain, Federal Member for Eden-Monaro and Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.
Continued engagement with the former NSW Government including hosting Hon WendyTuckerman, Member for Goulburn and Minister for Local Government and Hon Victor Dominello, Minister for Customer Service. See photos of the Main Street Tour here .
Local Government engagement with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors, and staff.
Continued participation on the Yass Valley Council Economic Development Committee whichhas been assisting Council in the identification of a range of project priorities.
Submissions to the NSW Government including Department of Planning & Environment onthe ‘Draft South East and Tablelands Regional Plan 2041 Submission’ view submission hereand Department Transport for NSW ‘Draft South East and Tablelands Regional TransportPlan’ view submission here.
The Chamber completed a submission on Council’s Integrated Planning & ReportingDocuments 23/24 view submission here .
Supporting members by providing letters of support, information about grants, incentivesand programs including partnering with Yass Valley Council to deliver NSW Small BusinessMonth 2023 launch and workshops, see event details here.
Contributing to the planning, running and promotion of the Christmas Late Night Shoppingand Parade Event including working with Region Media to widen the exposure of the eventacross the region.

We are pleased to have 6 new nominations for the committee with 5 current committee members renominating for another year. This will see a total of 11 out of 12 committee positions taken-up. The committee will have members who live and/or work in Bookham, Bowning, Murrumbateman, and Yass. This really helps to diversify our views, discussions and reinforce our focus on being representative of the whole Yass Valley.

Looking Forward 12-Months

We continue to operate under the Constitution, Vision, Purpose, and Strategic Priorities as identified by the 2020-2021 Strategy. Moving forward, we are looking to break the unofficial roles and responsibilities that relate to the Strategic Priorities into three new teams of: Events, Promotion and Growth. This will provide greater flexibility and enable the committee to be even more effective while managing our individual business and private life responsibilities. As previously identified, we will continue to broadly focus on the following areas:

More active engagement with other business chambers, action groups and committees.
Building a stronger network for the business Chamber.
Invite local groups, event organisers and committees to a Business Chamber breakfast orquarterly connect meetings.
Advocate and be a stronger voice for Yass Business on issues like infrastructure, water,sewerage, roads, health, education, housing, shopping, staffing and the future of the YassValley.
Further engagement with local and state government.
Improving Yass Valley’s brand identity. There is still a need to create, cultivate andcommunicate the desirability of our region as a great business and lifestyle choice.
Cultivate new and old members and volunteers.
Establish a membership welcome pack.
Contribute to solutions for the shopfront and home renting issues in Yass Valley.
Mentorships for businesses and education resources.

Once the new committee is installed, we will complete a review of what we have been doing well and identify any additional opportunities that can be pursued by each team.

In closing, thank you again to our members for your ongoing support. I’d ask you to spread the word, invite new businesses to our events and encourage membership registration. If you’re interested in being more involved, have ideas or need support for an initiative, please speak to one of the Committee members. Yass Valley Business Chamber is only as strong our collective group of members. If you are new and discovering the Yass Valley Business Chamber for the first time, I encourage you to learn more about our membership and contact us if you have questions.

Kind regards

Jack Walker President, Yass Valley Business Chamber

Game-changing agriculture industry technology set to launch in Yass next month

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:15:19 GMT

In NSW alone, a quarter of a million sheep move each week and industry professionals are drowning in the paperwork. Photo: Gerard Koudenburg / iStock.

At Vale View sheep and wool farm in Yass, eighth-generation farmer Landon Hodgkinson manages 3000 acres, runs 6000 breeding ewes and takes on about 500 extra cattle per year.

With 20 years of experience, he’s got it down pat, but there’s one aspect of the job he could live without – the paperwork.

It’s an aversion shared by his longtime friend, entrepreneur and software developer Graham Edney.

“I was with Landon on his property in 2019 and saw all this documentation lying around the sheep shed. He told me, ‘This is how we trace sheep. You have to fill out documents every time you want to move animals around the country’,” he said.

“I was shocked that something so essential, which placed such a heavy administrative burden on busy producers, was still so manual.”

Landon said in NSW alone, where a quarter of a million sheep move each week, industry professionals were drowning in paperwork.

“When you’re loading livestock you spend hours with your agent drafting the documents, organising transport. And then there’s this ‘book’,” he said.

“Book” is an accurate description of the National Vendor Declaration and Waybill, the mother of all documents that needs to be filled out and carried from pillar to post with every delivery.

“You have to fill this thing out, then the truck driver lugs it along with them. Without it, the transporters risk fines if they’re found carrying livestock without the necessary paperwork and third parties like abattoirs won’t take receipt of the animals.

“In short, if you can’t find that book, your pen isn’t working, the document has expired, or you’ve been working all day and the truck driver isn’t arriving til 11 pm, or there’s any other reason you can’t hand over the book, your livestock can’t leave.

“That’s a lot of money just sitting in a truck. And it’s just one of the many administrative burdens weighing the industry down. It’s a real hamstring.”

Talking to other ag professionals, it soon became clear this was part of a much bigger problem; one involving producers, stock agents, abattoirs, transporters – just about everyone in the industry.

There were “piecemeal solutions” to some parts of the problem, but nothing for others, and no one system tying it all together. Until now.

After three years in the making, AgTechData is set to launch next month.

Landon, the “guy on the ground” reckons AgTechData is going to be a game-changing system for data creation, capture and use in the agriculture industry.

Able to retrieve data from multiple sources through API integration, the system can be used for any agricultural product.

Using a proprietary Serialised QR (SQR) code system, it’s also able to transfer large amounts of data between devices without any internet reception – an important feature in rural and remote Australia.

“This is not a farm management system; everyone has those,” Graham explains.

“We set out to answer the question: How do you collect data without making it a big palaver for busy industry professionals and still create value for them? How do we connect producers, transporters, stockyards, feedlots, abattoirs – all the stakeholders – so they can each have a win?

“AgTechData can help streamline the whole system and empower industry professionals to create a different business model for the future.”

AgTechData developer Graham Edney. Photo: Supplied.

AgTechData is a result not only of that initial conversation in Yass, but of the combined input from the local agricultural community, according to Landon.

“Everyone opened their doors and let us examine their business processes, so we could get a clear view of their problems, identify gaps and brainstorm solutions,” he said.

“We had local farmers, NSW Farmers Association Yass branch, stock agents and even local law enforcement explain their pain points. In particular, the late Phil White, branch manager of Elders Yass, backed us from day one.

“We were able to see whole journeys, from producers to transporters, to how they dealt with things in the stockyards and abattoirs.

“ANU students helped tremendously as well, going out to Yass to conduct SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analyses.

“AgTechData wouldn’t exist without these people.”

Graham said the level of collaboration was like nothing he had seen in his 35 years in development and innovation.

“The fact that we had a whole region of different businesses band together to help produce this product makes it quite unique,” Graham said.

“I think it speaks to the need and the spirit of the Yass Valley community.”

Fittingly, AgTechData will have its soft launch at the next Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) networking breakfast, where Landon and Graham will thank the many members that contributed.

Held on the first Friday of every month, YVBC President Jack Walker said the event was designed to bring members and potential members of the Yass Valley business community together for updates on what was happening in the region and support available to businesses operating there.

“The breakfasts are a fantastic opportunity for the local business community to reach out to each other and to discuss the opportunities and challenges they face,” he said.

“There is always a healthy exchange of ideas on many topics impacting business and the event is well supported by council staff and council members, which helps with clarification on key issues.

“It is also a conduit to local, state and federal politicians and organisations.”

The next Yass Valley Business Chamber networking breakfast will be held at Trader & Co on Friday 3 March from 7:30 am to 8:45 am, and will be streamed live on Facebook .

Article from The Riotact by Dione David Published on 4 February 2023

https://aboutregional.com.au/game-changing-agriculture-industry-technology-set-to-launch-in-yass-next-month/

Savour the flavour of chocolate and fine wine on a day trip to Murrumbateman

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 23:30:09 GMT

Murrumbateman Chocolate Co is an absolute must stop on a trip into the Yass Valley. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas.

If you’re looking for a destination that doesn’t involve joining the queue of cars on the way down Kings Highway, a trip to Murrumbateman in the wonderful Yass Valley should be high on your list of things to do.

Just half an hour’s drive and you’ll find yourself in the countryside, ready to taste the region’s delights. An absolute must stop on your list is the Murrumbateman Chocolate Co. on Nanima Road.

Owner Yasmin Coe created Murrumbateman Chocolate Co in 2021 after taking over the renowned Robyn Rowe’s Chocolates to join with her already successful chocolate business Sweet Pea & Poppy.

It’s pure chocolate heaven with a chocolate-themed café, locally roasted coffee, specialty chocolate drinks, a selection of handmade ice-creams, and of course handmade chocolates.

Yasmin says some of the best-sellers at Murrumbateman Chocolate Co include the native mint and chocolate ice-cream, the lemon myrtle ice-cream, and the hot and iced chocolates.

“If you’re coming here for the first time, I definitely recommend you try our handmade Espresso Martini chocolates, they are our most popular flavour,” she says.

“You’ll also have to try our handmade ice-cream; we make it weekly on site in small batches and it goes pretty quickly too.

“We love welcoming visitors and providing an enjoyable, tasty and fun experience for all. There’s a really beautiful community spirit here.”

She says Murrumbateman Chocolate Co sits among some great wineries, attractions and rural beauty.

“It’s lovely to see families come to us as a bit of an escape from their everyday life and just sit down and enjoy the serenity and the sounds of the bush while indulging in chocolate.”

After those sweet delights, head to the award-winning, family-owned vineyard, The Vintner’s Daughter on Crisps Lane.

Owner and winemaker Stephanie Helm was just nine when she began her wine-making journey at her parent’s winery and vineyard, Helm Wines.

By 13, she won her first wine trophy. Stephanie opened her own winery in 2014.

She said although it was a bit of a shock to some, it was quite normal to be winemaking from a young age – especially since she grew up in a winery.

“I had a childhood in wine,” she said.

“As I got older, I realised winemaking was my passion, and not just what I’ve grown up with.

“Then my husband and I purchased the Vintner’s Daughter Winery and Vineyard. We rebranded it as The Vintner’s Daughter in 2014 and now we’ve been doing our own thing here ever since.”

The local winemaker and business operator said The Vintner’s Daughter focused on the visitor experience.

“We’re not making wine to be sold in bottle shops, we’re making wines for people to enjoy, and we like to see when people are enjoying it in front of us,” Stephanie said.

“[Husband] Ben and I are often here to guide people through a tasting, and we love educating people on the winemaking process. It’s very authentic and genuine.

The cellar door is open for tastings and sales Friday to Sunday. Book a spot inside on the verandah overlooking the vines or a table on the lawn. Or bring a picnic rug. Food isn’t served but you’re welcome to bring your own cheese plate to enjoy alongside the tasting.

Try the popular rosé, estate riesling or unoaked chardonnay.

“We’re also working on opening some farm tours to see our Babydoll sheep and goats.”

Stephanie said although the last few years had been tough due to bushfires, hailstorms and frost, she looked forward to seeing more visitors.

“We want people to know the wineries are still open, we’re still making great wine and we’d love to welcome people here.”

To find out more, and make the most of your day trip, visit the Yass Valley.

Article from The Riotact by Evelyn Karatzas Published on 6 January 2023

https://the-riotact.com/savour-the-flavour-of-chocolate-and-fine-wine-on-a-day-trip-to-murrumbateman/617776

Eldridge family said 'Yass please' to a more affordable country lifestyle

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 19:00:14 GMT

Anthony and Carrie Eldridge and their four children are embracing their tree change to Yass after living in Queanbeyan. Photo: Eldridge family.

Moving from a suburban block in Queanbeyan to a rural property in Yass two years ago was a no-brainer for the Eldridge family. They’ve embraced the country lifestyle without sacrificing the city convenience.

Anthony was raised on the land and craving farm life. So he, Carrie and their four young children started looking for a rural lot close to Canberra, but hadn’t really considered Yass as an option.

They looked around Sutton and Carwoola, but found Yass to be a much more affordable option. Plus the township offered all the modern conveniences including supermarkets, schools and health services.

The couple now home-schools the children and continues to run two service businesses, E2 Learning and E2 Bookkeeping from the farm. Carrie and Anthony have also returned to their transport roots, kick-starting their One to 4 transport service.

Carrie says living at Yass has provided the family with the work-life balance they were craving.

“We had been looking for a long time to find something with a bit more space for our children to enjoy their hobbies such as woodwork and motorbike riding – things you can’t really do on a residential block,” she says.

“One of the big pros of living on a rural property is the family connection. As a family we get out on the block and do work together, but at the same time we haven’t lost the city convenience.”

The family now raises sheep, keeps bees and grows fruit, olives and vegetables.

For Anthony, the paddock-to-plate concept is important. He wants his children involved in growing their own produce and knowing where their food comes from.

“Showing them skills like bottling and preserving fruit, making sauces… all the types of things we wouldn’t have done in Queanbeyan,” he says.

“It’s a big part of their schooling and teaching sustainability at home.”

Having extra space allowed Anthony to start their small transport business, providing deliveries to farmers in the area.

“ One to 4 came out of being here,” he says.

“I realised the lifestyle blocks had a need for bigger deliveries, but not full truck loads. Things such as fertiliser, sand or gravel.

“The other side of the business is to provide a platform to bring resources into the transport industry. One to 4 trains P2-ers upwards to drive the trucks and gives them a leg-up into the industry, which is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.”

Being rural has proven no barrier for Carrie and her two businesses, which are thriving with the growing popularity of online services.

“Only about 20 per cent of my business is face-to-face,” she says.

“I’m exporting to New Zealand, for example, and because Yass has good internet infrastructure, we can have the lifestyle and still run our businesses here.”

A Multisensory Structured Literacy (MSL) practice, E2 Learning provides specialised reading and writing intervention for students of all ages with a neuro-diversity such as dyslexia, ADHD and autism.

The couple joined Yass Valley Business Chamber not long after settling in. Anthony has recently taken on the role as treasurer.

He says the chamber and Yass business community have been welcoming since day one.

“They’re amazing people who want an even-balanced voice for the community,” Anthony says.

“Not only did we get to know and network with local business owners, we felt welcome to contribute our ideas.”

Carrie says the chamber does a “wonderful job connecting like-minded businesses and has an excellent relationship with Yass Valley Council”.

The couple says Yass is welcoming and understanding.

“If you don’t want to be involved, you don’t have to, but if you do, there’s so much on,” Carrie says.

“There are lots of activities for families including kids’ sports, late night Christmas shopping and the Irish and Celtic Music Festival.

“There are lots of charities here that get behind events. They just make things happen.”

While they enjoy the serenity and privacy of rural life, Carrie says they can catch up with friends for coffee in town five minutes away.

“We couldn’t have done that in Carwoola or on the other side of Canberra where you’re 25 minutes away from the shops,” she says.

“Yass has got everything.”

Article from The Riotact by Katrina Condie Published on 29 November 2022

https://the-riotact.com/eldridge-family-said-yass-please-to-a-more-affordable-country-lifestyle/602376

Why Yass Valley proved the right move for Tallagandra Hill owners

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 20:35:20 GMT

David Faulks and Mary McAvoy run the successful Tallagandra Hill Winery in the Yass Valley village of Gundaroo. Photo: Tallagandra Hill.

Besides drinking it, David Faulks said he and his wife Mary McAvoy knew little about growing and making wine when they took over Tallagandra Hill Winery in 2016.

The couple relocated from Sydney’s trendy inner-west to the Yass Valley to be closer to family and the chance to stretch their creative wings.

Mary’s background was in major event management and David had run an international brand and marketing business for two decades.

“It’s daunting moving out of a city environment surrounded by market forces to a regional area where we didn’t know many people locally,” David said.

“How do you build the linkages you need? How do you actually do stuff?

“The key was to surround ourselves with local people who had experience and expertise we did not, listen and observe and learn from others and the land itself.”

Tallagandra Hill’s location in the Yass Valley primed it for expansion into other revenue streams, including premium accommodation. Photo: Tallagandra Hill.

They were interested in growth – but not so much of the vineyard, which had been around for 20 years before they came along.

“We wanted to expand Tallagandra Hill into more than a wine business,” David said.

“We wanted to make it a destination.”

It was clear to the couple much of Tallagandra’s potential came from its location.

“The Yass Valley draws strength from being close to Canberra but not in Canberra,” David said.

“The fact that it’s part of Canberra wine district is of huge value. As a wine-making community, we are geographically closer to a major centre than any other wine district in the country. It takes less time for people in southern Sydney to come to us than to the Hunter Valley.”

David and Mary knew if they could diversify their revenue streams into premium boutique style accommodation and position themselves as a major event venue, they could establish themselves as a destination.

The strategy required staunch dedication, especially when smoke damage from the Black Summer Bushfires wiped out their 2020 vintage costing the small business $300,000 in planned product sales.

COVID brought a further $250,000 loss in event cancellations. But David and Mary stuck to the game plan, hosting musicians and holding events, at times knowing they would be lucky to break even.

Tallagandra Hill Winery has 11,000 vines across 12 acres. Photo: Tallagandra Hill.

As they emerged from isolation, they held a festival titled “We Love Local” to provide “a range of entertainment options for our fun-starved community while supporting local artists and producers”.

It cemented what the couple had cultivated over the challenging period – loyalty from the arts community and brand reputation.

“We have positioned ourselves as a preferred Canberra region venue for artists,” David said.

In the past 12 months, the winery has clocked more than 4000 visitors.

On top of private events, it has hosted 30 significant music events headlining the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Daryl Braithwaite and Katie Noonan.

Tallagandra Hill Winery has become a popular Yass Valley destination. Photo: Tallagandra Hill.

David said part of the unique Yass Valley wine district was its collection of “very small players”.

“If each of us operated as an independent unit you’d have a very limited capacity to grow what you’re doing,” he said.

“Where you can work collectively and collaboratively you can multiply opportunities significantly.

“Mary and I believe the mutuality of referral and working with other people and businesses is one of the most critical parts of our business success.”

This is why Tallagandra matches its wines with chocolates from Murrumbateman Chocolate Co; collaborates on projects with other wineries from the district; features beers and spirits from local breweries and distilleries; looks to the valley’s producers to contribute to their offerings; and refers all accommodation guests to local eateries and retail outlets.

This kind of collaboration and innovation is also the drive behind “Connect for Success”, a series of free business events run by Yass Valley Business Chamber and Yass Valley Council and supported by the NSW Government.

Tallagandra Hill Winery is a premium events venue in the Yass Valley. Photo: Mel Hill Photography.

Marking small business month (November), the “by locals for locals” series is designed to equip local businesses with new skills, ideas and networking capabilities.

Highlighting the strength of the Yass Valley as a thriving small business community, Connect for Success allows budding entrepreneurs and business owners to get up close and personal with local businesses and industry leaders as they showcase their expertise.

Taking place in venues across the valley, events will cover topics from social media to brand building, money management, staff retention and more.

Registration is required for all events – visit the website for more information

Article from The Riotact by Dione David Published on 9 November 2022

https://the-riotact.com/why-yass-valley-proved-the-right-move-for-tallagandra-hill-owners/608520

Connect for success during NSW small business month in Yass Valley

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 08:57:08 GMT

The NSW Government is supporting the Yass Valley business community through their Small Business Month program being held throughout the month of November.

The program, ‘Connect for Success,’ which will be run in partnership with Council and The Yass Valley Business Chamber, will see 11 events hosted across the valley to encourage networking, skills development, and support for our local small businesses.

By attending NSW Small Business Month events, businesses will learn new skills and new ideas to help navigate the road ahead and get the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other business owners and operators across the Yass Valley region.

Yass Valley Councils Acting Economic Development Manager, Georgia Patmore said the ‘connect for success’ theme of small business month sums up the path we need to follow as an industry.

“The Yass Valley business community holds such a diverse range of knowledge, experience and skills and we have to be able to collaborate and support one another in this current climate to see success in our region,” Ms Patmore said.

“We have two networking events during small business month to promote reconnecting with our business industry and nine workshops that we have contracted knowledgeable local service providers to host,”

Jacquie Tewes from the Yass Valley Business Chamber said the range of workshops and events on offer cater to all skill levels.

“Small businesses in our region are our lifeline and we need to be able to support them, by coming together, supporting these events and supporting our local service providers who are hosting each of these events,” Ms Tewes said.

The calendar of events are for all businesses located within Yass Valley – online registration is required for all events.

Small Business Month is the only dedicated festival of activities for small businesses in NSW helping our state’s businesses ‘Connect for Success’.

For more information on Small Business Month in Yass Valley & workshop registrations visit www.yassvalley.com.au/smallbusinessmonth22/

SMALL BUSINESS MONTH LAUN CH - YASS VALLE Y

Tue, Nov 1, 6:00 PM

Four Winds Vineyard • Murrumbateman, NSW

FOCUSING ON YOUR CUSTOMER

Fri, Nov 4, 6:00 PM

TAFE NSW - Yass • Yass, NSW

WORKING WIT H SOCIAL MEDIA

Tue, Nov 8, 6:00 PM

Bowning Community Hall • Bowning, NSW

LEADING YOUR TEAM

Thu, Nov 10, 6:00 PM

West Street • Sutton, NSW

MANAGING MONEY FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

Mon, Nov 14, 6:00 PM

Bookham Memorial Hall • Bookham, NSW

BUILDING A STRONG BRAND

Wed, Nov 16, 6:00 PM

Yass Community Centre • Yass, NSW

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Fri, Nov 18, 6:00 PM

Binalong Mechanics Institute Hall • Binalong, NSW

UPSKILLING YOUR STAFF

Tue, Nov 22, 6:00 PM

TAFE NSW - Yass • Yass, NSW

FOCUSING ON YOUR ONLINE CUSTOMERS

Thu, Nov 24, 6:00 PM

Gundaroo Memorial Hall • Gundaroo, NSW

ENGAGE AND RETAIN YOUR GOOD EMPLOYEES OR RISK LOSING THEM

Mon, Nov 28, 6:00 PM

Yass Communtiy Centre • Yass, NSW

SMALL BUSINESS MONTH WRAP UP EVENT

Wed, Nov 30, 6:00 PM

The Ewe'N Me Restaurant • Yass, NSW

2022 Presidents Report

jack.walker@wmdgroup.com.au (Jack Walker) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 20:41:34 GMT

This Presidents Report has been prepared for the Annual General Meeting on Friday 7 October 2021 at 7.30am.

Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone here present for your ongoing participation, many of you are active members and participate literally rain, hail or shine and it’s through your commitment and our ongoing collaboration as a group that the Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) has a strong collective voice for local business across Yass Valley.

2021-2022 Executive Committee

I would also like to thank the Executive Committee for your commitment. We have achieved a lot in the past 12-months and it is through your ongoing volunteered time, effort and passion that we have been able to have a productive year and achieved a great amount. A very big thank you to:

Vice-President: Jim Hutton

OBE Secretary: Jacquie Tewes

Treasurer: Andy Scanlan

Public Officer/ Ordinary Committee Member: Andrew Curlewis

Ordinary Committee Member: Marie-Nicole Roberts

Ordinary Committee Member: Carly Hartas

Ordinary Committee Member: Duncan Waugh

Past 12-Months

The past 12-months have continued to be turbulent times for Yass Valley Business after having managed through bushfires, droughts, and COVID-19. Business has now been facing the impacts of inflation, global disruption, material and skills shortages, a potential recession and flooding rains. Even still, Yass Valley Business Chamber has continued to be a conduit for collaboration and a strong advocate for our members and local business. We have continued to not only operate within our 2020-2021 Strategic framework but during the year we have sought to engage, seek feedback and confirmation on the relevancy of our values, strategic priorities and our performance as an organisation.

Past Year’s Achievements

Ongoing media exposure partnership with both Yass Valley Times and Region Media (through RiotACT and AboutRegional). These partnerships not only continue to promote our members and their businesses but are helping to drive visitors, support the local economy and lift Yass Valley’s profile in the region. See In the Media.
Organising and running the monthly Networking Breakfast including new formats that have facilitated member feedback, discussion panels related to Challenges and Opportunities experienced by businesses within Yass Valley. As an example Check out the Recap: Music in the Yass Valley – Challenges and Opportunities
Organising and running in partnership with Region Media, Regional Development Australia Southern Inland; the refreshed and informative Yass Connect networking event on a quarterly basis including with catering, music and guest speakers. Replay of April Yass Connect Featuring Guest Speaker Yass Valley Mayor Alan McGrath.
Facilitated Council Election Candidate platforms, Q&A discussions and survey.
Federal Government engagement with the Hon Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro and Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Replay of Meet The Minister with Q&A.
State Government engagement with the Hon Wendy Tuckerman, Member for Goulburn and Minister for Local Government with an upcoming Meet The Minister planned.
Local Government engagement with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors and staff.
The Business Chamber had two representatives on Council’s Main Street Advisory Committee. This sub-committee actively participated with Council, Council’s consultant and helped to facilitate ongoing community engagement in the milestone creation of the recently exhibited Yass Masterplan. The Chamber has actively advocated for a Masterplan since 2016. Example of some of the work involved.
The Business Chamber had a representative on the previous and continues to have a representative on the new Council Economic Development Committee (EDC). The new EDC is reviewing its the strategic direction and target projects list.
The Chamber completed a submission on Council’s Integrated Planning & Reporting Documents this year that covered the following key points: Yass Masterplan, Community Based Event Support, Grants, Council’s Revenue Stream, Heated Pool, Rates Lift, Labour Shortages, Council Services, Compliance, Gift Cards & Council Projects.
Supporting members by providing information about grants, incentives and programs including partnering with Yass Valley Council to deliver Small Business Month programs and information sessions.
Major website redevelopment and content update featuring local businesses, events and Yass Valley courtesy of Contour Digital and Camilla Duffy .
Contributing to the planning, running and promotion of the Christmas Late Night Shopping and Parade Event including working with Region Media to widen the exposure of the event across the region.
Facilitating and assisting in member-based initiatives including CWP Christmas Light Competition, Strategic Development Group and Sparks Community Forum: Yass Valley Hospitality Voices.
Consulting with existing and proposed major project regarding social and business impacts in Yass Valley.

Looking Forward 12-Months

The engagement sessions over the past 12-months have reaffirmed that YVBC should continue to maintain its identified values and strategic priorities and policy directions, further, they identified some specific areas for focus moving forward over the next 12-months including:

More active engagement with other business chambers, action groups and committees.
Building a stronger network for the business Chamber.
Invite local groups, event organisers and committees to a Business Chamber breakfast or quarterly connect meetings.
Advocate and be a stronger voice for Yass Business on issues like infrastructure, water, sewerage, roads, health, education, housing, shopping, staffing and the future of the Yass Valley.
Further engagement with local and state government.
Improving Yass Valley’s brand identity. There is still a need to create, cultivate and communicate the desirability of our region as a great business and lifestyle choice.
Cultivate new and old members and volunteers.
Establish a membership welcome pack.
Greater promotion of the gift cards.
Help to solve the shopfront and home renting issues in Yass.
Mentorships for businesses and education resources.

Kind regards

Jack Walker - President, Yass Valley Business Chamber

Irish & Celtic Music Festival

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 20:57:31 GMT

Irish & Celtic Music Festival

Join the Craic in Yass at the Irish and Celtic Music Festival on the 3rd weekend in September! (16th, 17th & 18th)

The festival includes traditional Irish and Celtic music plus Australian folk, master classes and Junior Fleadh, sessions galore and Blackboard venues, Celtic markets, Poets Soiree and breakfasts, Ceilis and special workshops. So much entertainment for all of the family to enjoy!

Yass has a long Irish history of Irish settlement which is the inspiration behind this festival. The event is supported by Yass Valley Council, Embassy of Ireland and the Yass Valley Community. Held throughout many of the venues within Yass. A range of accommodation is available throughout the region.

For more information on the event please visit www.irishcelticmusicfestival.com .

The details

What: Irish & Celtic Music Festival
When: From 16 to 18 September 2022. Starts at 5 pm
Where: Yass, New South Wales, 2582
Cost: From $25 to $95. Child under 12 is FREE with paying adult. More info here .

Article from The Riotact by Yass Valley Council | Published on 18 September 2022

https://the-riotact.com/events/irish-celtic-music-festival

Take the high road to the Yass Irish and Celtic Music Festival for a good ol' knees up

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 21:03:33 GMT

The Irish and Celtic Music Festival features three days of traditional Irish and Celtic music. Photo: Yass Valley Council.

Musicians, poets, storytellers and dancers are warming up ahead of the revived Irish and Celtic Music Festival at Yass.

The three-day festival from 16 – 18 September will celebrate the town’s rich Celtic heritage following a two-year hiatus due to COVID.

Fiddlers, pipers, dancers and poets will fill venues in Yass during the highly anticipated celebration of all things Celtic and Australian.

Stroll around town end enjoy buskers on street corners and folk singers in cafes, a host of dance and musical workshops, displays, food and of course, the Celtic markets.

A huge line-up of free and ticketed entertainment is planned for the festival, with tickets now on sale for the premier events.

Taking the high road to Yass will be the popular Trippy Hippy band, Chloe and Jason Roweth, Kathryn Clements and festival favourites Tidal Moon featuring Barbara Jeffery and Jose Garcia as part of their southern tour.

Festival-goers will enjoy the sweet sounds of folk singers Nerida Cuddy, Phil Lester, Lugh Damen and Jasmine Beth, along with the Mountain Dew band and Platform 9 3/4, well known for its Welsh music.

Tartin Around will have the crowd clapping along, as will guest artist Stephen Murray who has been playing the fiddle since he was seven years old.

Festival director Janno Scanes says it will be a fantastic “knees-up” weekend of Scottish and Irish folk music, traditional dancing and storytelling.

The Celtic markets are a family favourite. Photo: Yass Valley Council.

“We have a range of venues hosting ticketed events, including the Yass Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, and the Lovat Chapel, but there will be a lot of free events happening around town as well,” she says. “The chapel is an absolutely beautiful venue with great acoustics.”

There will be a strong focus on family events, including Circus McCabe’s Big Top with free classes and shows on Sunday. Be on the Main Street on Saturday at 10:30 am for a surprise event!

A highlight of the weekend will be the outdoor Celtic markets, with live performances on Saturday and Sunday in Banjo Paterson Park.

“There’ll be food, jewellery, fabulous arts and crafts and local products – a real mix of things at the markets. Families can wander freely, listen to music and watch traditional and modern dance exhibitions,” Janno says.

Young people will have an opportunity to learn traditional Celtic music and dancing with Junior Fleadh workshops at Mt Carmel School on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

The young ones can learn an instrument including the Irish whistle or ukulele plus some dancing, then on the Sunday they will show off what they’ve learned with a concert in the Lovat Chapel at 12:30 pm.

Musicians, including piper James Coombes, will fill the main street of Yass with Celtic music. Photo: Yass Valley Council.

Adults can also get into the spirit by taking part in Irish set dancing and Highland dancing workshops at the Saint Clements Anglican Hall or enjoy a few drams of whisky and a pint of Guinness while learning how to belt out a sea shanty led by members of the Canberra Shanty Club.

Poetry will spring into verse with a soiree on Friday evening, with poetry breakfasts at Saint Clements Hall and, in the Merino Room at the Clubhouse Hotel on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The winner of the Reciter of the Year competition will be announced by the 2019 winner on Sunday afternoon.

Under 18s have the opportunity to enter the Virtual to Reality open mic poetry event at the Hartigan Centre from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm on Saturday.

Flags from all the Celtic nations will fly throughout the town and Yass business owners are encouraged to decorate their shopfronts for the weekend. Locals and visitors are invited to dress up for the occasion, donning their traditional Celtic dress.

The Yass Irish and Celtic Music Festival is a great day trip from Canberra or the coast, with tickets on sale via the event website .

Article from The Riotact by Katrina Condie Published on 14 September 2022

https://the-riotact.com/take-the-high-road-to-the-yass-irish-and-celtic-music-festival-for-a-good-ol-knees-up/578767

Dianna Nixon's dedication sees creativity thrive in the regions

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 20:54:41 GMT

Dianna Nixon has prepared students for tertiary studies and some have gone on to be cast in professional productions. Photo: Beth Jennings

Dianna Nixon always knew in her heart she belonged in the arts but, growing up on a sheep farm in regional Australia, couldn’t see how she would get there.

“There weren’t really clear pathways to careers in the arts for young people from the bush,” she says.

“There are still challenges today … but if people in the big cities can have careers in the arts, so can we.”

Having now been an artist for more than 40 years, Dianna is dedicated to helping regional artists on their own journeys.

To that end, she runs two businesses from her home office in Gunning in the Yass Valley, where she has been active as a practising artist, arts educator and arts advocate since 2004.

The first is the not-for-profit organisation Music Theatre Projects Ltd, established to nurture creative development and support live and recorded content production.

The organisation is on a mission to help build a sustainable arts and culture industry in the region by securing resources for a range of projects, cultivating the region’s unique creative voice and growing local employment opportunities for creatives and crew.

Currently in the works is a production pulling together the works of local playwright, the late Millicent Armstrong.

Dianna is dedicated to helping regional artists find their own creative pathways. Photo: Phil Jack.

“Millicent lived on a property just out of Gunning. She came back from WW1 in France, became a settler in the region and wrote award-winning plays,” Dianna explains.

“Like a lot of country artists, she eventually dropped off the radar and her plays stopped being produced.

“I stumbled on her on Wikipedia. I have been exploring her, who she was and tracking down her plays. One local woman actually heard what I was doing and kindly gave me a book containing some of her plays.

“I am still putting together the pieces but I imagine she knew [Australian author] Miles Franklin and all those creatives who lived in this region, perhaps even Banjo Paterson.”

Drought and Other Plays by Millicent Armstrong will be designed to travel around and be shown in various country venues – sometimes on a stage, sometimes on a shearing competition stand, but always with the utmost professionalism.

“I want to prove it can be done from rural settings,” Dianna says.

“People in the regions travel regularly for cultural performances, they deserve high-quality shows staged more locally. And I do hope these productions will draw city folk out to us.”

Dianna also runs sole-trader business Wild Voices Music Theatre, which combines her project creation and presentation skills with her coaching and teaching work.

Dianna says the regions are peppered with people doing amazing things for their local arts scenes. Photo: Zhenshi van der Klooster.

Her students range from those looking for personal development or a creative outlet to those pursuing a profession in the arts.

She has prepared students for tertiary studies and some have gone on to be cast in professional productions. One young man she voice trained was one of four cast in the Billy Elliot musical production.

“That was a big deal because they were not planning to cast outside of Sydney,” Dianna says.

She says even though there’s plenty more that could be done to build up the viability of the arts as a profession in places like the Yass Valley, COVID actually helped build the case for it.

“We’ve been forced to look at how we work,” she says.

“It means for people like me and other artists or businesses that can be run from home, you can live in a beautiful place like this … and why wouldn’t you? It’s a no-brainer.”

The future of arts in the regions is bright, according to one of its long-standing advocates. Photo: Phil Jack.

Dianna adds that there’s a level of connectivity among Valley communities that transcends the geographical distances, and for that reason the arts will always have a bright future in the region.

“Tallagandra Hill Winery are creating a following of their venue, putting on contemporary concerts there. Peter Crisp – he’s a glass artist, quite a famous one, and he has a concert venue on his property in Bowning,” she says. ”There’s the Gunning Focus Group, they do primarily classic concerts. Then you have Yass Music Club with its long history, and places like Yazzbar, Tootsie Gallery Cafe and all the other wineries, which are all amazing resources for local musicians.

“There are all these little connections between the different organisations, businesses and individuals that have something to bring to the table. Dotted all around here are people doing amazing things for creatives and the industry.”

Learn more about Music Theatre Projects Ltd here and more about Wild Voices Music Theatre here.

Article from The Riotact by Dione David Published on 8 September 2022

https://the-riotact.com/dianna-nixons-dedication-sees-creativity-thrive-in-the-regions/586558

The restoration of Oddfellows Hall an affair of the heart

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 20:39:39 GMT

The original Oddfellows Hall veranda was removed in the 1960s, but owner Rosemary Hodgkinson had it recreated from a photo as part of extensive restoration efforts. Photo: Marie-Nicole Roberts.

In the town of Yass, littered as it is with heritage buildings, few structures are considered more iconic than Oddfellows Hall.

On the front of the building its ID reads “Oddfellows’ Hall, MU 1887”.

1887 is unsurprisingly the year it was built, making it 135 years old.

The MU is for Manchester Unity – the insurance and investment company that built and held the building and took rent for the downstairs shops.

They also sponsored the Yass branch or “Lodge” of the Order of the Odd Fellows, and Lodge members held their meetings upstairs.

When the Oddfellows was established in England in the 1700s there were no government pensions for widows or wounded breadwinners. So the Lodge’s primary purpose was as a benevolent society.

Members put aside a few pence from their wages into a pool to assist people in distress – a forerunner of state-run pensions.

Non-political, non-sectarian and not for profit, the name Oddfellows is often mistaken for denoting a strangeness, but the word “odd” actually applies in the other sense – a nod to the group’s diversity.

That said, the Oddfellows Hall owner Rosemary Hodgkinson says Lodge members were not without some “curious ways”.

“For example the ‘hand of friendship’ came out often,” she says.

“This hand is wooden with a long ‘arm’ and a carved hand to be taken by visitors as a gesture of welcome.”

Rosemary, who comes from a long line of building and shop owners, bought Oddfellows Hall about two decades ago at “a very poorly attended auction” and restored the building to its former glory.

“I had to sell the old Commonwealth building to get the financial clout to restore the hall, which was a huge undertaking,” she says.

“It had been misused, neglected and it was pretty much an eyesore.

“People would stop me in the street, as they do in country towns, and say things like ‘you’re mad, pull it down, get rid of it’.

“But I had a team in mind to help me bring it back to life.”

Among her recruits were “local farmer who had turned to painting” John Buckmaster, locally-trained Ronnie Puckett who was “skilled in all the old types of buildings” and architect John Armes.

Though widely written off, Rosemary was keen to honour the building’s heritage.

They re-painted the building and repaired a gaping hole in the upper-level floor with beautiful ash wood. When they sanded it back, they discovered the floors and stairs were in fact fashioned from New Zealand Kauri Pine.

“What a treasure,” Rosemary says.

“We kept the patch, though.”

For Rosemary Hodgkinson, restoring Oddfellows Hall was a labour of love. Photo: Alex Hodgkinson.

But the most prominent change came last.

“Its verandah had been removed in the 1960s because the council of the day wanted people in the main street to modernise the buildings and thought that was a good way to do it,” Rosemary says.

“We had the iron lace especially made in Wagga. Everything was authentic – John Armes knew what I should and shouldn’t do.”

French doors open onto the verandah making Oddfellows Hall the only commercial building on the main street currently that allows visitors access to the balcony, providing a bird’s eye view of the leafy main street and a delightful retreat.

Oddfellows Hall now houses four businesses – Bello Beauty Medispa, the popular Clementine Bakery, Yass Curtains and Blinds and occupying the entire upper floor, Creators Nest showcases and sells wares by Australian designers and artisans from Yass and beyond.

Though Rosemary now lives in Double Bay, Oddfellows Hall stands as a monument to her passion for preserving the heritage buildings of Yass.

“I lived there for 40 years, I was a member of the chamber of commerce, owned more than one building there, ran a business there, formed friendships there…” she says.

“I always want to keep that connection to Yass. And so do my daughters.”

Pre-loved blankets are repurposed as duffel bags, guitar covers and more by Marie-Nicole at Creators Nest. Photo: Marie-Nicole Roberts.

Sixty years ago, Rosemary married a farmer from the country town, but it seems more than one love story came from that union.

“I fell in love with all the old buildings around Yass and in the main street,” she says.

“I felt some duty to maintain that charm when restoring Oddfellows Hall. I think everybody in their lifetime wants to create a legacy that will benefit the generations after them.”

Article from The Riotact by Dione David | Published on 24 July 2022

https://the-riotact.com/the-restoration-of-oddfellows-hall-an-affair-of-the-heart/569597

Small business booms at Yass

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:08:35 GMT

March is Small Business Month and we talked regional business success with Murrumbateman winemaker Stephanie Helm and Alison Mead from Destination NSW .

Article from The Riotact by Genevieve Jacobs Published on 29 March 2022

https://the-riotact.com/small-business-booms-at-yass/545149

Call to activate Yass Riverfront, a hidden jewel in the valley’s crown

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 01:06:53 GMT

The river is the jewel in Yass Valley’s crown and plans are in motion to showcase its natural beauty to the rest of the world as more public spaces are opened up.

Yass Valley Councillor and resident of 57 years Cr Kim Turner has been spruiking the wonders of the river to anyone who will listen since he was involved in the bicentennial weir project in 1988.

He hopes the new Yass Valley Open Space Strategy will include activating an untouched section of the Yass River foreshore from the Yass Dam down to the railway weir, making it more accessible for locals and visitors.

“The Yass Valley is a hidden gem and, I believe, one of the great places of the world,” he said.

“The river is a natural treasure and could be a real showpiece for our region.”

A $1.7 million NSW Government grant will see an upgrade of the Riverbank Park commence soon; however, Cr Turner says that should be just the start of great things for the town.

He hopes local residents and business operators will step up and join the council’s Open Space Strategy Committee, which will ensure high-quality, accessible open space across the Yass Valley, meeting environmental, cultural and financial obligations.

Cr Turner says the riverfront and Yass Gorge are untapped natural attractions that could be activated to draw tourists to the region, which has been known as a “transit town” for those travelling from Sydney to Melbourne.

“We want people to stop here and discover the natural beauty of our town and meet the friendly locals,” he added.

And, with new developments underway, Cr Turner says creating more open space and making the river attractive for locals is also a high priority.

“I don’t want Yass to look like the suburbs of Canberra. If we’re going to accommodate the huge number of people that want to live in the most beautiful part of the world, we need to ensure there is adequate green space for them to enjoy every day.

“We’ve seen with the pandemic that people need to be able to access open space and fresh air and not be confined to the four walls of their residence.

“Creating more open space and linking these public areas together will benefit our new residents, existing residents and visitors.”

He says more dedicated parks in housing subdivisions, wider footpaths and pathways were crucial to retaining the country town feel.

Yass Council general manager Chris Berry said members of the new committee would help play a significant role in making Yass a better place to live and visit.

“The final strategy will establish a framework for the acquisition of new open space assets by council, together with the new level of facilities required,” Mr Berry said.

There is currently limited public access to the Yass River with a small circuit of about 1.6 km of footpath around Riverbank Park.

A further 1.7 km section of the Yass River is set to open up as part of the new Yarrah community, with Riverfront Park concept plans including a shared pathway along the river, picnic areas, playgrounds and public artwork.

Yarrah urban and landscape designer Michael Chapman said 20 per cent of the development site would be dedicated as parkland, with the proposal to include significant riparian plantings and bank treatments to protect the river and access points for canoeing and kayaking.

Yass Valley Council currently has an application with Transport for NSW to transform the disused rail corridor into a reinvigorated rail trail which, when combined with the planned river corridor path, would create a loop circuit that Yass currently doesn’t have.

Yarrah project manager Jack Walker believes open space is crucial for residents, especially young families and older residents. He says the Riverfront Park pathway and rail trail could provide “enormous opportunities” for the community and local businesses in the Yass Valley.

“Beyond being a new trail, the river corridor could prove fertile grounds for future community-run events, and maybe we could see Sculptures in the Paddock return home to Yass, but instead become Sculptures by the River,” he added.

Council’s strategic planning manager Liz Makin said although an application has not yet been submitted for the Yarrah Riverfront Park, the riparian area off the development would also provide a linkage to Joe O’Connor Park.

“The focus for this area will be enhancing the natural landscape and protecting biodiversity along the Yass River corridor,” she said.

“Management will focus on providing habitat for threatened species and making it accessible for the local community so people can enjoy interacting with nature on the site, while still protecting the site’s environmental values.”

The Yass Valley Open Space Strategy will consider existing and proposed open spaces such as the Yarrah Riverfront Park. Applications close at 5 pm on 21 January.

Article from The Riotact by Katrina Condie | Published on 18 January 2022

https://the-riotact.com/call-to-activate-yass-riverfront-a-hidden-jewel-in-the-valleys-crown/518927

2021 Local Council Elections

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 06:44:03 GMT

The recent public forum independently organised and run by Rotary Yass was a great evening and opportunity to meet the candidates for the Yass Valley Council election 2021. The event was broken into two segments; firstly, each candidate was provided an opportunity to speak and the second half of the evening was followed by an open-mic with questions being fielded from the audience. A recording of the forum can be viewed here:

Part 1 - Speeches: https://fb.watch/9sCwtcDfwL/

Part 2 - Q&A: https://fb.watch/9sCynXTZc_/

To build on this event, the Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) independently wrote a letter (a copy can be found below) introducing YVBC and policy. Further a set of questions were put to candidates in an attempt to give candidates an additional opportunity to provide more detail about themselves and their election platform.

The Yass Valley Business Chamber sent the letter out to all 17 candidates. A list of candidates as per NSW Electoral Commission website, can be found here: Candidate Information Sheet .

The candidates that provided a response can be found below. Click on the tab with each candidates name to read their response. The candidates have been listed in order of their last name as per the above Candidate Information Sheet.

Yass Valley Late Night Shopping

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:42:23 GMT

2021 Late Night Shopping in the Yass Valley is on Thursday 16 December and Thursday 23 December. Photo: Visit Yass Valley.

Celebrate Christmas in the Yass Valley and get into the festive spirit this December! The Yass Valley community are coming together to

prepare for Christmas and thank the frontline workers with Late Night Shopping. There will also be markets set up, so you can browse and buy from other local vendors.

On Thursday 16 December, there will be a Christmas Parade of frontline worker vehicles plus a special visit from Santa.

Late Night Shopping will also continue on the Thursday 23 December.

Is there a better way to prepare for Christmas and have a fun night out with the family, than through supporting the local community?

The details

What: Late Night Shopping in Yass Valley
When: Thursday 16 December 2021 starting 6 pm, Thursday 23 December running til late
Where: Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Free entry.

Article from The Riotact by Shayna Siakimotu | Published on 23 December 2021

https://the-riotact.com/events/yass-valley-late-night-shopping

Santa rolls in as late-night shopping comes to Yass

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 19:47:41 GMT

The arrival of Santa on a flatbed truck will kick off the festival fun of Yass Valley late-night shopping. Photo: Camilla Duffy Photography.

Late-night shopping in Yass is a lot more than the shops staying open past 5 pm. It’s a full-on festival and it’s returning to the quaint NSW town for the second time this Christmas season.

The town’s main street will come alive with stalls of local produce, wines, crafts and handmade wares lining its sides on the two Thursdays before Christmas, while the whiff of a barbecue and the music of buskers will fill the air.

The arrival of Santa on a flatbed truck, bell jingling, will herald the start of the event, followed by a parade of frontline worker vehicles.

Yass Valley Business Chamber president Jack Walker says the organisation is aiming to build on last year’s success, and send off 2021 with a memorable event.

“Last year, it was a lot of fun, smiles and laughter for kids and adults alike,” he says. “We’re expecting the same again this year.”

So far, 14 stallholders are on the books, offering locals a prime opportunity to get out of the house with family or search for a last-minute unique gift for a loved one.

Jim Hutton has a permanent workshop space in Yass called Made From Fallen Wood, and he will bring his wares and tools to the street for the occasion, delicately carving and sanding cutlery from fallen hardwood he has collected from around the region.

“The first late-night shopping event last year brought everyone out after the first bout of COVID-19, and everyone is definitely ready for a similar event this year,” he says.

Mill & Hide store in Yass. Photo: Visit Yass Valley.

Jim says all of his wooden spoons are made for use, but with six to eight hours being poured into each one, many people take one look at the handcrafted beauty and decide it’s more suited as a decoration on the mantel piece.

“I describe myself as a ‘bodger’, in the traditional sense of the word,” he says. “I’m still working in the navy at the moment, but do it [woodcarving] whenever I can in my spare time.”

Rotary Club of Yass president Mick Newling will be keeping people fed with sausage sandwiches from two barbecue stalls.

“Last year, we just had the one barbecue but we found ourselves getting snowed under,” he says.

Mick says the festival started simply enough with shops staying open a little later in the lead up to Christmas Day.

“Santa walking up and down the streets handing out lollies to children and simple things like that, but last year really saw things getting serious,” he says.

Mick says the occasion not only brings locals together, but also attracts people from the nearby towns of Bowning and Binalong.

“Yass is known to have had some really good events in the past, but these haven’t been able to happen in recent times,” he says.

“It will be really good to have something back.”

The late-night shopping events will provide a feel-good vibe the town hasn’t seen since last year, with COVID-19 restrictions in regional NSW ruling out such public gatherings in 2021.

In light of this, the event also aims to celebrate the efforts of local health care workers who found themselves on the frontline during the course of the pandemic.

Yass Valley late-night shopping kicks off at 6 pm on Thursday, 16 December, and again at 6 pm on Thursday, 23 December, on Comur Street, Yass. It runs until late on both nights.

Article from The Riotact by James Coleman Published on 12 December 2021

https://the-riotact.com/santa-rolls-in-as-late-night-shopping-comes-to-yass/518400

2021 Late Night Shopping

jack.walker@wmdgroup.com.au (Jack Walker) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 02:46:05 GMT

Join Us For 2021 Late Night Shopping On The 16th and 23rd December.

Made with love: Canberra Wine District tells the world it's personal

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 19:33:36 GMT

Four Winds Vineyard’s Sarah Collingwood, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Tallagandra Hill’s Dave Faulks at the Canberra Wine District Brand Launch at Mount Majura Vineyard. Photos: Michelle Kroll.

Wine has been lubricating the flowering of the Canberra region’s tourism offering for years, but after drought, bushfires and a global pandemic, the time was ripe to remind the world about the area’s distinctive cool-climate vineyards and cellar doors.

The more than 60 small businesses that make up the Canberra Wine District have come together to launch a fresh new look and message about its unique qualities and the people who literally have a hand in producing some of Australia’s finest vintages.

It’s a pitch from the heart about the love poured into each bottle by a collection of artisan winemakers that can offer an intimate and personal experience to visitors.

On Monday, CEO of Four Winds Vineyard at Murrumbateman Sarah Collingwood told the launch event at Mount Majura Vineyard that the new Hearts and Vines campaign sought to capture the community and collaborative spirit that defined the district and allow it to go forward with a common set of goals.

She said the campaign was a fundamental shift for the district to position itself in its own storyline.

“It isn’t just in this brand’s imagery that we convey our commitment and distinctive story but also the language of Hearts and Vines captures how this district is made up of micro-wineries and vineyards and how most of our work is carried out by hand,” Ms Collingwood said.

Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Andrew Barr said that there couldn’t be a better time to launch a bold and innovative new brand for the district.

He said there was a lot of pent-up demand, and the government was focused on making it cheaper and easier to get into Canberra’s tourism region.

He praised the significant role the wine industry played in developing the Canberra region tourism offering.

“I’ve been the Tourism Minister for 15 years now … if you look back on where we were then and think about how far we have come, the sophistication of the tourism offering, I think I would point to examples of the journey, and a subset of the tourism industry that has led that journey for us, high on our list is the Canberra district wine industry,” Mr Barr said.

Ms Collingwood said it had been about a decade since the Liquid Geography campaign and the district needed a brand that reflected the growing diversity of businesses and wines in the area and its handcrafted nature.

The co-owner of Tallagandra Hill Winery at Gundaroo and creative Dave Faulks, who played a key role in crafting the rebrand, said the new look was about how the district could collectively project a stronger and more consistent image that set it apart from other wine regions.

“There’s no use us as a wine district being exactly the same as everyone else – our wines are different, the experiences are different. It’s about putting out the unique character of those stories,” Mr Faulks said.

He said the small-scale, hands-on nature of the district’s wineries added to the allure.

“It means you can inject a lot more heart and personal expression into the wine and into the stories that you’re telling,” he said.

Mr Faulks said new entrants and varieties also meant there could be lot of different experiences in a very small area.

Marty K performs his song that accompanies the Hearts and Vines video at the Canberra Wine District Brand Launch.

He said the district needed to get the message out about what is available to visitors.

“We need to dial it up because it’s a serious plank of the Canberra regional tourism agenda, as it is in NSW, and certainly the Yass Valley and southern NSW,” he said.

“It’s really important. It’s one of the key economic drivers and so we’re not just about making wine. We’re about wine experience and wine tourism.

“If we get too narrow in what we’re doing, we’re not going to reap the full opportunities available to us.”

That includes matching more than just food to wine.

“My thing is I talk to people about matching wine with mood, not with food,” Mr Faulks said. “That’s why we’ve invested in a lot of sort of experiential stuff, especially music,” Mr Faulks said.

“What we found is the interrelationship of music with wine product and experience elevates your offer, and you get a dramatically different engagement with your customers. And they buy more wine!”

The Hearts and Vines refresh enjoyed cross-border government support, with Visit Canberra, Visit NSW and Yass Valley Council getting behind the new campaign.

To learn more, visit Canberra Wines .

Article from The Riotact by Ian Bushnell Published on 1 December 2021

https://the-riotact.com/made-with-love-canberra-wine-district-tells-the-world-its-personal/516269

2021 Presidents Report

jack.walker@wmdgroup.com.au (Jack Walker) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:45:32 GMT

This Presidents Report has been prepared for the Annual General Meeting on Friday 1 October 2021 at 7.30am.

I’d like to start first by acknowledging Glen Wynn, who was elected as President at the last AGM. Glen resigned at the end of last year due to family commitments and I was elected as President by the committee to fill the casual vacancy until this AGM. Glen and Jim’s leadership established a very strong foundation that Jim and myself have built upon. It’s been a pleasure to work with the current committee who have all put in a tremendous effort and time over the past 12 months.

Past 12 Months

The past 12 months have been full of twists, turns and plenty of uncertainty. With that said, the Yass Valley Business Chamber has been a strong advocate for local business in the Yass Valley. We have actively worked within the framework of the 2020-2021 Strategy not only engaging with all levels of Government but we have implemented and organised a range of strategic partnerships, plans and events that have all been aimed at helping to improve the situation for business in the Yass Valley.

Member's Support

Each of Member of the Committee (past and present) donates their valuable time to help progress the Strategy of the Yass Valley Business Chamber. The Committee cannot, however, do it alone. Your support is critical to the success of the Chamber. Your participation is vital, through collective collaboration we are able to make sure business in Yass Valley has a strong voice. By becoming a member or renewing your membership we are able to utilise the subscription fee to help keep the Chamber operational and business thriving into the future.

Past Year’s Achievements

Below is a list of key items the Yass Valley Business Chamber has managed and/or delivered in the past 12 months:

Media exposure partnerships with Yass Valley Times (valued at $23,364) and Region Media (valued at $30,250). Includes exposure of member’s businesses, promoting Yass Valley and the Chamber.
Representing the Business Community on committees such as the Economic Development Committee and Local Emergency Management Committee.
Advocacy on the Yass Main Street Master Plan which is now included in Council’s budget with planning works soon commencing.
Advocacy on the Crago Mill Precinct including engaging with Council for additional community engagement.
Advocating with Yass Valley Council to capture more grants funding such as ‘Your High Street Grant'.
Regular Government Engagement including meetings with Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain MP, NSW Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman MP, Various Government Departments (Service NSW, AusIndustry) and Yass Valley Councillors & Staff.
Organising and running local business networking events including Business Breakfast, Yass Connect and Netwalking.
Organising & running two Small Business Month workshops helping businesses to start and excel with social media.
Developing the Yass Valley Business Chamber Policy Document for Government Advocacy.
Engaging and advocating for more Business Leaders to stand for Council.
Formal submission on the Yass Valley Community Strategic Plan.
Managing the Yass Valley Gift Card scheme and its handover to the VIC.
Organising and contributing towards community events including Christmas Late Night Shopping.
Council Customer Service Survey.
Supporting members by providing information about grants, incentives and programs.
Website update and face lift.
Ongoing Facebook and Newsletter engagement with members.

In closing, thank you to all our members for your ongoing support. Also, a big thank you to the 2021 Committee for your time and commitment including:

Vice President – Jim Hutton, OBE

Secretary – Jacquie Tewes

Treasurer – Nyree Ashton

Previous Public Officer – Ian McClung

New Public Officer / Committee Member – Andrew Curlewis

Committee Member – Marie-Nicole Roberts

Committee Member – Carly Hartas

Committee Member – Duncan Waugh

Committee Member – Andy Scanlan

Jack Walker

President

Stop thinking about it and just do it, says Yass tree-changer

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 20:25:06 GMT

Founder and director of Country to Coast EA Carly Hartas can work virtually anywhere – from the verandah of her Yass Valley home to the heart of the city. Photo: Supplied.

When you marry a cowboy, you can only keep them living in town for so long … and when you add paying city prices for horse agistment, you know your time in the city is limited.

Carly Hartas, her husband Matt and son Max are part of a new breed of tree-changers moving to towns like Yass where, they’re discovering, they can have the best of both worlds.

And Carly, formerly of Canberra, could not be happier.

You can spend months or years weighing up the pros and cons of moving from city to country – be it the Olympic-style leap from Sydney to Canberra or the less intimidating jump from Canberra to Yass, but you just have to do it, according to Carly.

“I suppose everyone had this romantic idea when they were growing up of moving to the country,” she said.

“Mum and I used to go sticky-beaking and visit country gardens. I wanted to live in one of those romantic old houses with a country garden. I was living in Canberra and I loved it – and probably wouldn’t have done the tree-change if I hadn’t met my husband. I love horses, but he’s the real rider – he does polocrosse.

“It was one of those cold winter days in Canberra, our son Max was about three months old. I’d never been out to Yass before but we went out that day – a friend had told us about this land across the road from them.

“I remember standing on the gate out there and thinking, this feels good – let’s do it.”

So they did. Tree-changed across the ACT border to the Yass River Valley in 2018.

“We did what people tell you to do – when you find the best place, buy the cheapest block and put the cheapest house on it. ”

For Carly and her family, it was a near-immediate connection with the place and its people. This idea of connecting is the basis of her new life in Yass.

It used to be that to stay ahead of the competition in business, you needed to stay in the city, with access to the latest technology and a network of people who could help your business prosper. Not so much, any more. Internet access and a mobile phone – and, of course, personal connections, can do the trick, regardless of where you live.

Carly is founder and director of Country to Coast EA. She describes herself as a “virtual Executive Assistant” providing administrative support to businesses great and small.

Carly Hartas with her husband Matt and son Max couldn’t be happier after making the tree-change from Canberra to Yass. Photo: Supplied.

“You spend so much time working these days,” she said. “It’s so important to find something that works for you.”

She works as an online business manager, strategic consultant and, she says, “your regional business’s biggest cheerleader” when it comes to helping build, streamline, scale up, better balance and/or launch that dream business.

So how does she do it?

“I have over 10 years’ experience in senior Executive Assistant (EA) and Executive Officer (EO) roles in the Australian and British Governments as well as in the private sector, including as EO to the British High Commissioner and most recently, EA to the British Consul-General and Deputy Trade Commissioner.”

Today, she helps business people across the country who want to boost their careers as well as mentoring and upskilling their existing administrative staff.

The key to success is “networking” and to “start small”. Having faith in yourself also helps, she says.

“Yes, do start small,” she said. “But work on making yourself visible – that way you will become your biggest cheerleader and that’s how you get things done.”

With Country to Coast EA in Yass, Carly can work from home as well as from wherever the work takes her.

“For us now, Yass is like a big, warm hug,” Carly said. “Every Saturday morning we go into town, we’ll stop at the markets if they’re on, or just stop and say hello to people – there really is a sense of connection here.”

Carly is a member of the Yass Valley Business Chamber, a community group designed to help local businesses maximise their potential by working to create a better environment in the rapidly growing Yass Valley.

Article from The Riotact by Sally Hopman | Published on 29 September 2021

https://the-riotact.com/stop-thinking-about-it-and-just-do-it-says-yass-tree-changer/491225

Less Waste Week

jack.walker@wmdgroup.com.au (Jack Walker) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:15:49 GMT

Great initiative by Yass Valley Council which is putting on a series of free zoom workshops with some of the best names in sustainability. Details below.

Regional Job Creation Fund

jack.walker@wmdgroup.com.au (Jack Walker) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 05:48:09 GMT

The Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) encourages any local business seeking to expand its operations and resultantly create new regional based jobs to look at the Regional Job Creation Fund. The fund has a current round open and is offering to co-fund eligible projects. In order to help make applying easier, our local Business Development Manager from the Department of Regional NSW has offered assistance to any Yass Valley Business interested in applying. If you are interested, please email the YVBC, we will provide a letter of support along with further contact details: info@yassbusiness.com.au

A Brief Overview

The aim of the fund is to target engine industries looking to expand and aims to create 5,000 new full-time jobs in regional NSW over the next 3 years. Examples of eligible projects could include the:

replacement, upgrade or adaptation of plant and equipment at an existing regional NSW business
establishment of an additional production line for an existing regional NSW business
onshoring of activity currently done overseas to a regional NSW location
development of new regional tourism experiences and visitor attractions
relocation of a business operation from out of state to regional NSW

The Fund's focus is to co-fund projects and applicants must provide a minimum of 50% cash co-contribution to the project while the NSW Government contribution will be limited to $20,000 per new job created through the project.

There's a two step application process:

Preliminary Stage - 7 days from date of submission
Detailed application - 12 weeks from date of submission

More Information

Guidelines and eligibility criteria are found under the Program Information section:

www.investregional.nsw.gov.au/investment-support/regional-job-creation-fund/

RDA Southern Inland - Networking Dinner

jack.walker@wmdgroup.com.au (Jack Walker) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 04:32:01 GMT

The RDA Southern Inland is a Federally funded NGO which aims to improve jobs, investment and community through programs and engagement with key stakeholders. The vision of RDA Southern Inland is to create a strong and vibrant Southern Inland community with abundant investment, business, employment and educational opportunities.

Two weeks ago the RDA Southern Inland met in Yass for regional meetings consisting of a day of business tours, council engagement, leaders dinner and their committee meeting. The focus of the trip was to engage with businesses and industry leaders to better understand the successes and challenges they face which are unique to their area.

Members of Yass Valley Business Chamber committee (YVBC) were invited to the networking dinner held on the 19th November 2020. Also present at the dinner were the Mayor of Yass, the CEO of Canberra Region Joint Organisation, the President of the NSW Farmers local branch, members of the Department of Regional NSW, Riot ACT and a number of local business owners.

The night provided a fantastic opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities being faced by our members and local businesses alike. The YVBC thank the RDA Southern Inland for organising the evening and encourage strongly the ongoing cooperation of RDA Southern Inland, Canberra Regional Joint Organisation and Yass Valley Council in capturing and supporting investment of key Economic Development priorities for the Yass Valley.

Have Your Say: Survey on Yass Valley Council Customer Service

admin@superbmarketing.com.au (Nicholas Whiting) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 23:39:10 GMT

During the year, Yass Valley Business Chamber (YVBC) in consultation with members formulated our vision, purpose and values; all of which contributed towards the establishment of our 2020-2021 Strategy. One of our Strategic Priorities is ‘Government Engagement’ specifically being a voice of local business to government, representing local businesses on individual and collective matters, working with local government on policy formation and implementation and actively seeking government and non-government grants.

In-line with this Strategic Priority we have put together a short survey (3-5 minutes) which is focused on understanding your experience with Yass Valley Council and in particular the customer service you experienced. Further, we would also like to understand if Council made it easier or more difficult for you to undertake economic and business activity within the Yass Valley.

We would love to hear from every YVBC member. We would also like to hear from other members of the business community who are not members, so feel free to share this email.

We respect and protect all personal information. There is very limited and optional personal information collected in the survey, with that said, no-personal information will be shared.

The results from this survey will be analysed and shared with YVBC Members, the Wider Community and Yass Valley Council for the benefit of moving business forward within the Yass Valley especially during this time of COVID-19.

Meeting with the NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney

admin@superbmarketing.com.au (Nicholas Whiting) — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 23:31:17 GMT

On 2 September, our President, Vice President and Secretary from the Yass Valley Business Chamber met with representatives from Yass Council and the NSW State Government. The meeting included amongst others our local representative for Goulburn – the honourable Wendy Tuckerman, Minister for Tourism and Jobs – the honourable Stuart Ayers, Yass Council Mayor – Rowena Abbey and Yass Council General Manager – Chris Berry.

The focus of the meeting was not only the promotion of a unique Yass Valley brand but of the many wonderful products and services offered by all the great businesses of the Yass Valley.

We would like to share a few key take-aways from the meeting including:

The Premier of NSW is changing her COVID-19 messaging from what we can’t do to what we can do;
Small Business should focus on Yield (what they produce that folk want) and what the Minister for Tourism and Jobs calls the add-ons, the additional things you can sell while visitors are in spending mode;
The Minister for Tourism and Jobs thinks the Yass Valley mantra of Wine, Wool and Waterways has a great ring to it and that the community should focus on packaging our wares to attract people to the Yass Valley to visit and spend;
“Shopping Experience” is king, keep renewing and repackaging;
Market the experiences we have here rather than the Brand;
Small business needs to come together to package things to make it worth coming (e.g. cellar door to restaurant, to accommodation to cafe to gallery/art/craft/event);
Grants are available from NSW Tourism through Destination NSW for such things as festivals, music events and the arts.
Businesses need to think forward and apply for the future;
Go for good quality not large size;
Look at what we don’t have and find ways to improve the offer.

The Yass Valley Business Chamber support the messages from the NSW State Government, in particular we strongly welcome the Premier’s change of messaging to focus on:

“What we can do” rather than “What we can’t do”

In this time of COVID-19, the Yass Valley needs clear, strong leadership that binds the community and business together. We strongly urge Yass Valley Council including the Mayor, Councillors, General Manager and all staff to take up the Premiers new mantra and actively encourage economic activities that will help make Yass Valley stronger and propel us through this period of uncertainty. We strongly urge the Yass Valley Council to encourage staff to work with members of the community and help to facilitate business enquiries and applications.