The BVSBF (Bega Valley Shire Business Forum) had its beginnings out of a meeting held in Bega on 9th May 2000 comprising the Chambers of Commerce, Bega Valley Shire Council, Bega Business Enterprise Centre, Australian Capital Region Community Development, Sapphire Coast Tourism and South East Area Consultative Committee.
John Dedman welcomed participants to the meeting and explained the suggestion for such discussion arose as a result of a meeting with the Batemans Bay committee. Eurobodalla Shire had formed a Business Development board to give a united voice to funding and other proposals for the Shire.
In August 2000 the participants decided the formal name of the new group would be Bega Valley Shire Business Forum as an incorporated, not for profitTest Page body. The election of the first Office Bearers was taken at the October 2000 meeting. Robert Hayson (Bega) elected as President, Scott Waterson (Tathra) Vice President, Janette Neilson (Bermagui) Secretary, Helen Stafford (Cobargo) Treasurer, Public Officer Laurie Delle Vergin (Merimbula).
The Forum currently represents over 600 businesses of the Bega Valley through the various Chambers of Commerce and Business Groups within the Shire. The Forum is unique in what it does for the business community and has received several accolades from the NSW Business Chamber. After hosting the Regional Roundtable last November Lee Christian from the State Chamber said that it was “the best” of the roundtables she had ever been involved in. She had praise for the way all our Chambers here work closely together and congratulated Robert Hayson and the Forum on the job they do.
The Forum has been sought out by other regions wanting to set up similar forums. It is amazing what a business community can do when they work together. Why not come along to one of our meetings in the near future.
Further information can be obtained from the President Robert Hayson on 6492 5533 or Secretary - Lyn Mott on 6493 3079
