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Abouts Us
Welcome to the Chamber! Since 1964, our role has been to support member businesses by keeping them informed and connected to the business community at large. A strong membership gives the Chamber a stronger voice in community affairs and makes the Chamber effective in its aim to enhance the economic well being of its members and therefore the business community. KEEPING YOU REPRESENTED The Chamber is represented on various boards and committees including the Combined Chamber of Commerce Gold Coast , the regional board of Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland and the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Community Reference Group. The Chamber is also very fortunate to have good and productive working relationships with of Local, State and Federal Government representatives. KEEPING YOU CONNECTED Networking is essential to developing and growing your business and the Chamber organises regular monthly functions at member venues including regular Business @ Twilight Drinks, Chamber lunches with guest speakers and social events such as our annual golf day. Here you will meet a wide variety of business people from many established businesses in the Surfers Paradise and Bundall areas. AFFILIATIONS The Chamber is also affiliated with the Gold Coast Commerce Club and membership of the Chamber entitles you to membership of the Club which includes discounts on venue hire and event packages, as well as food and beverage specials at the Club’s bar, cafe and restaurant. See their website for more details! OFFICE Contact our office for information on 07 5538 8660 or email admin@surferschamber.org.au. Office hours are 8am to 4pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Chamber History
Mission
Management Committee Committee involvement is central to the success of the Chamber and volunteering your time and expertise is greatly appreciated.
Laura Younger - President Laura has a business background in membership organisations in Australia and Britain running university facilities including bars, catering, retail, sports and welfare at both Griffith University Gold Coast and the University of London. As an experienced manager in service oriented organisations, she has expertise in business, operational and strategic planning, a track record of success in introducing sound commercial business practices and methods to service focused organisations and the ability to optimise operational efficiency, service delivery and return on investment. Laura has a Master of Business administration from Griffith University and a Bachelor of Arts from University of Southern Queensland. Laura currently sits on the following committee's: Treasurer - Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce; Director - Surfers Paradise Alliance; and Member of the Heart of the City Taskforce. Having lived on the Gold Coast for the majority of her life, Laura has an excellent grasp of what is happening in the Region, and has grown with the changes that have taken place.
Lucy Cole - Senior Vice President
Bruce Graham - Secretary Although educated in Australia, Bruce was born in Papua New Guinea and has a good ear for accents, which possibly accounts for his large client base of Chinese and others for whom English is not their first language. Bruce was admitted as a solicitor in May 1978 (by which time as an articled law clerk he had already set up his first franchise system for a client), and founded a previous firm, Graham & Associates in March 1979. The fact that Bruce was a sole practitioner for 14 years means that although he tends to specialise in the areas mentioned above, that he nevertheless has experience in most areas of Law. This benefits clients because it is rare that a legal problem does not impact on another part of the client's life. The fact also that Bruce has himself been running a small business (i.e. his own legal practice) for over 25 years means that his small business clients benefit not only from his legal experience, but also from his down to earth practical experience as well. Although Bruce has lived on the Gold Coast for many years, he had been commuting to Brisbane daily. Now that his practice has been established on the Gold Coast, he only commutes weekly to see his clients in THEIR offices and homes. Kathryn Wilden - Treasurer Andrew Csabi - Vice President for Membership
Manager of New Business for HOSTPLUS (national industry superannuation fund for Hospitality, Tourism, Recreation and Sport). Leanne works out of the HOSTPLUS Surfers Paradise office, and prior to her appointment at HOSTPLUS was an advisor with ABN AMRO Morgans (now RBS Morgans). Leanne studied Business at the Gold Coast Griffith University Campus, and then completed post-graduate diplomas in finance and investment through the Securities Institute of Australia. Leanne has lived on the Gold Coast for 20 years and loves the lifestyle the city provides. Leanne is also a Gold Coast committee member for the ‘Women in Super’ national Mothers Day Classic (breast cancer charity).
Noel joins the Chamber executive team with a vast range of experience with Chambers of Commerce. Until recently he was Regional Manager Gold Coast for the State Chamber of Commerce working with the 14 local Gold Coast Chambers of Commerce and prior to this, 22 local Chambers in South West Queensland over the past 11 years. Prior to that, Noel was the president of a local Chamber in the Brisbane Valley for 2 years. Noel has recently commenced a national business support company Workplace Resource and Services Centre (WRS Centre) providing a unique range of business support tools and consulting services for SME‘s. Noel’s wife Karen has already built a successful anti ageing and wellness business since moving to the Gold Coast from Toowoomba 3 years ago. Noel believes a strong Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in any business area providing a collective voice of business, the engine room for any local economy. There are numerous examples all around the world where Chambers have been instrumental in the ongoing prosperity and growth of cities. Leadership plays a vital role in successful Chambers and is excited to be working with President, Laura Younger and executive team who bring a range of disciplines and energy to the Surfers Paradise Broadbeach Chamber of Commerce. As Vice President Events, Noel will be responsible for building the annual business events calendar for the Chamber. Noel says that events provide the environment for business minded people to obtain and share valuable information to operate a successful business. Business networks are the lifeblood of commerce and industry and the Chamber is a great mechanism for this activity. Committee
Colin Wheeler
Director of Document Solutions Aust, who are the Gold Coast dealer for Konica Minolta. Colin lives and works locally and is keen to see the Gold Coast region prosper through working with the various levels of government and local business.
Matthew Brown
Ruben Alker
Ruben Alker is the Managing Director of Hip Communications. Hip are experts in partnering with business to develop innovative communication solutions that keep you connected, save you money and help you serve your customers better. Ruben has been an experienced senior executive in large and small Telecommunications companies for over 10 years. He has a strong financial and commercial background and is passionate about helping grow and support small and medium businesses. Ruben went to high school locally and completed his accounting and computer degree’s at Griffith University. He is member of numerous networking and community organisations and is passionate about helping industry grow on the Gold Coast. |
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Leanne Stellmaker - Vice President for Sponsorship
Noel Millers - Vice President for Events/Functions
