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April General Meeting Minutes

Written by Narellan Chamber Admin on . Posted in Minutes.

General Meeting

8 April 2026
Held at Camden Civic Centre

The meeting was opened at 6.35pm

Welcome – Carla Upfill, Director Meetings

Carla welcomed everyone to the meeting including Life Member Tony Perich AM and Cathy Perich, Past President Shaun Pereira, President of Wollondilly Business Chamber Pania Gregson, Guest Speakers Camden Mayor Cr Therese Fedeli and Camden Council General Manager Andrew Carfield, Deputy Mayor of Camden Cr Ashleigh Cagney, and Camden Councillors Eva Campbell, Eliza Rahman and Dr Abhu Suri.  She also welcomed all members, and guests to the meeting.  On the tables were the Treasurer’s Report and the last meeting Minutes are on the Chambers website under About.

Carla advised of upcoming Chamber events – Nadine Champion in May, June is a Combined Chambers meeting, Wayne Bennett for Breakfast in July and April TGIF Drinks.  Details are available on the Chamber’s website.

President’s Report – Roland Blackstone, President

Roland spoke about:

  • TGIF Drinks at Gregory Hills Hotel on Friday, April 24th
  • Combined Chambers meeting in June – more details to come
  • Wayne Bennett for breakfast in July at Menangle Country Club
  • August breakfast meeting at Club Menangle Trackside
  • RBA Credit Card Surcharge
  • Anzac Day
  • Trump update

Camden RSL Presentation – Tim Lowe

Apologies

  • Sarah Ryan – Director Events, and Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation
  • Teresa Tree, Careflight
  • Rachel Elliott – Director Sponsorship, and Lansdowne Property Group
  • Kylie Lyons, Handprint Photography
  • Tony Bonanno – Director Membership, and Private Drivers Online
  • Daniel Fenech – Director Marketing, and Brick Studios
  • Camden Councillors Peter McLean, Rose Sicari, Vince Ferreri and Damien Quinnell

Membership Update – Carla Upfill

New member introductions
– Cobbitty Equine Farm – Belinda McCarthy
– Green Door Dental – Helena Alemao
– RM Super Services – Monica Willats

Sponsorship Update – Carla Upfill

  • Silver Sponsor                 Fusion Shutters and Blinds
  • InKind Sponsor               Alpha IT Solutions

Whats On – Laura Blackstone, Director Governance

  • 23 April                      Beyond the Hype, What AI Actually Means for Your Business
  • 2 May                         Racing for Pink Race Night Club Menangle
  • 17 May                       Paws in the Park
  • 13 June                      Boots N’ Beats Camden Country Music Festival
  • 8 July                         Chamber Breakfast Meeting with Guest Speaker Wayne Bennett
  • 19 July                       Run Camden
  • 25 July                       Youth Solutions 2026 Annual Charity Event

Networking Break

Speaker Presentation

Camden Council Update
Guest speakers Camden Mayor Cr Therese Fedeli and Camden Council General Manager Andrew Carfield

  • Building Camden’s Future
  • Your Councillors – North Ward, South Ward, Central Ward
  • Camden Council proud winners of The AR Bluett Memorial Award
  • Camden’s Economic Future
  • Executive Leadership Team
  • Camden Council FY 24/25
  • We are focused on building Camden’s Future
  • Advocacy
  • Local Infrastructure Delivery
  • Visitor Economy
  • Business Support

Q & A

  • Laura Blackstone – John Street upgrade, where will people park
    • The maximum number possible will be retained.  Businesses will be given little maps showing where parking will be available.  During construction phase will be difficult.
  • Roland Blackstone – Camden Police Station and Court House buildings
    • Provisions in Oran Park.  Buildings are historically listed, currently seeking plans from NSW Government.  Police Station is currently under a lands claim.
  • Sandra Bartlett of Stairway 2 Dreams – Older areas and ageing communities, the paths and roads for access to everyone considering their mobility.
    • Its challenging, working with developers in newer areas.  Takes time and is costly to retrospectively fitout.  Council looks for and applies for as many State grants as possible.

Lucky Door Prize

From Fusion Shutters & Blinds – Pania Gregson (Wollondilly Business Chamber)
From Alpha IT – Sandra Bartlett (Stairway 2 Dreams)
1 ticket to Combined Chambers Meeting – Joshua of LIV Energy, and Sophie of Marsdens Law Group

Closing Remarks – Carla Upfill

Roland encouraged everyone to support Anzac Day and Legacy, there is a raffle at Looking Class and the RSL Club to support Legacy.

Carla thanked everyone for attending and especially the 2 guest speakers with this years Camden Council Update.

Thank you to all the sponsors and the InKind Sponsors.  A special thank you to the evenings venue host Camden Civic Centre.

Meeting reminders – April 24th TGIF Drinks, June will be a Combined Chambers Meeting with information to come, and the guest speaker is Mark McCrindle.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 13 May at Lakeside Golf Club with guest speaker Nadine Champion. 

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 8.40pm.