Skip to main content

June General Meeting Minutes

Written by Narellan Chamber Admin on . Posted in Minutes.

General Meeting

11 June 2025
Held at Lakeside Golf Club Camden

The meeting was opened at 6.32pm

Welcome & President’s Report – Roland Blackstone, President

Roland welcomed everyone to the meeting including Life Member and Past President Adriana Care, Guest Speaker Gemma Acton, President of Wollondilly Business Chamber Pania Gregson.  He also welcomed all members, and guests to the meeting.

Roland spoke about:

  • current happenings around the world including the US;
  • the passing on Monday of Christine Boardman who owned The Argyle Gourmet and an icon of Camden;
  • RBA rate cut (maybe); and
  • The Premier’s Breakfast isn’t happening as the Premier is unavailable and the Deputy Premier has announced she is taking time off due to health matters.  Trying to get a Government representative for the August meeting – maybe a dinner meeting.

Apologies

Tony Perich AM and Cathy Perich
Garth Lewis – Alpha IT
George Gatt – The Office Builders
Tony Bonanno – TGNBC Director Membership
Mart Tutt, Carrington Care
Dimitri Droulias, Club Menangle

Membership Update – Rachel Elliott, Director Events

New member introductions:

  • Pure Cleaning & Maintenance Pty Ltd – Fred Bitar

From 1 July 2025 memberships are going to Financial Year payments.

Sponsorship Update – Jason Haworth, Director Sponsorship

Jason also promoted the new sponsorship packages available for 2025-2026.  For more information contact Jason at sponsorship@narellanchamber.com.au, or Wendy at admin@narellanchamber.com.au

Silver Sponsor                Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers

What’s On – Rachel Elliott, Director Events

  • 12 June                       Spirit of Camden, Village Gathering
  • 14 June                       Boots N Beats Camden Country Music Festival
  • 21 June                       Lifeline Masquerade Gala
  • 26 July                        Youth Solutions Jingle in July Gala Event
  • 27 September           Blue Wren House Camden Women’s Shelter Honouring Her Gala

Networking Break

Speaker Presentation

Gemma Acton presented “Economic Outlook: Turbulent Waters”

  • Rollercoaster takes us back to … November
  • When bond market panics … policies change
  • Tariff mayhem presents ongoing macro threat
  • US will only self-sabotage to a point
  • But long-term damage has been done
  • Threats outweigh the opportunities for Australia
  • The Reserve Bank is increasingly on guard
  • RBA foresaw a gradual return to target …
  • … and that wasn’t a bad guesstimate!
  • Cost-of-living dominated election agenda
  • More rate cuts on the cards this year
  • Outright homeowners losing confidence
  • Housing affordability at 30 year low
  • Housing supply growth still insufficient
  • Bargain-hunting is back, baby!
  • Gulf between pay proposals is shrinking
  • 3.5% = solid increase in real award wages
  • Now’s the time to befriend AI
  • Where to from here?

Q&A Session

  • Kim Meredith – How much will AI affect the labour market?
    • A lot, and quite quickly, the world’s not prepared.
  • Nicole Fox – Where will the RBA settle down?
    • Just under 3% and steady for a bit.
  • Jason Haworth – Where are we going, no positivity in any of the markets?
    • Needs to be serious, bold policy changes.  Australian Government taxes wealth softly.
  • Rory Muscat – US desire for debt, how is this going to affect the rest of the world?
    • In less than 20 years it keeps increasing, limits your freedom to use money productively. Its destabilising.
  • Pania Gregson – Small business tips moving into new financial year?
    • Think carefully of cashflow, what’s your base to keep operating, prepare for a rainy day.

Gemma was thanked for her presentation and presented a thank you gift by Peta Borg of Hamper Culture.  Gemma announced that she is moving overseas permanently and wont be back next year.

Lucky Door Prize

William Tree (ACTFIT) – Gift hamper from Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers
Teresa Tree (Careflight) was drawn and offered a redraw.  Ricardo Rivera (Top Support) – Gift Voucher for Narellan Town Centre
Lily Reynolds (Clintons Toyota) – Free ticket to July Chamber meeting

Closing Remarks – Roland Blackstone

Roland thanked everyone for attending and especially guest speaker Gemma Acton, and wished her well for her overseas move and the 3 years she’s been with us for financial presentations.
Thank you to all the sponsors and the InKind Sponsors.  Thank you to Jose for filling in with IT assistant tonight.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 9 July at Menangle Country Club for Christmas In July Networking Night.  When information is known about the August meeting it will be advertised.

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 8.20pm.