Gallery: Final Chamber Coffee Catch Up for 2025 paves the way for bright new year for our community
The final Nambour Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catch Up for 2025 saw a group of around 50 business owners and managers network at Property Lane Realty, Woombye on Thursday, December 4.
The event was sponsored and hosted by William Emms and his Property Lane team, and the group congregated in the newly opened, appointment only fashion studio of his wife, Jacinta, to hear the speakers.
MC and Nambour Chamber Board member, Jody Chatillon introduced the newly appointed board members from the previous evening’s AGM, held at Nambour RSL.
Mark Bray and Brian Buggenhagen remain as President and Vice President, Julie Smedley as Member Services Officer, Kylie Limpus as Treasurer, Jody Chatillon as secretary and Jenny McKay, Lance Harding and Tanya Outridge as board members.
Jody made particular mention of the tireless behind the scenes work on behalf of the Chamber and the Nambour business community by Mark and Brian.
Mr Emms spoke about his love for Nambour and the hinterland, and the history of the Property Lane building, a 1940s original that he has meticulously renovated since its purchase, to include the real estate agency, Elite Foot Care - complete with their own orthotics manufacturing space, and the newly launched Wilson Avenue, a space where Jacinta’s passion for fashion is on show with her carefully curated range of recycled cult labels, wardrobe staples and vintage pieces.
Ingrid Newbury from the PCYC spoke to the group about the “Braking the Cycle” program that aims to provide young people with increased employment opportunities, community connection and driver education. Participants are matched with a specific volunteers from an extensive and experienced driver mentor network. Mentors provide encouragement and help young people improve their self-esteem and develop positive road safety attitudes.
“This impacts young people in ways beyond simply ‘getting a license’,” she said. “Often young people without a license are locked out of securing education opportunities, employment, and even accommodation.”
With up to 150 young people on the wait list at any time, volunteers are crucial to keep the program going.
“Even a couple of hours a week can make all the difference in a young person’s life,” Ingrid said.
Racheal Pascoe of Nambour Grown Community Garden gave an update on the progress of the community garden activities and appealed for sponsors for the garden beds and the ongoing improvement of the space.
“We now have 25 volunteers and the number is growing,” Mrs Pascoe said.
“We are not just growing cabbages and cauliflowers, we are building a sense of community. It is a small way in which we can make our tough little town better.”
There was an impromptu fashion parade to model a range of T-shirts that are the collaboration of Nambour’s Bad Habits Records and Seven Seas Tattoo Co, designed to spread the love of Nambour.
And Member for Nicklin, Marty Hunt gave an update on the Nambour CBD Police Beat, which is under construction.
The next Chamber event is the Christmas party, hosted at the The Namba on Friday, December 12 from 5.30pm. Dress code is an Aussie Xmas, and there will be live music, nibbles, and a raffle with over $3500 in prizes up for grabs. Attendance is free for members, but for catering purposes, please RSVP on the Nambour Chamber website.
