September General Meeting & AGM Minutes
General Meeting & AGM
10 September 2025
Held at Camden Valley Inn
The meeting was opened at 6.30pm.
Welcome – Roland Blackstone, President
Roland welcomed everyone to the meeting including Life Member Tony Perich AM and Cathy Perich, Past President Anne Parnham, Life Member and Past President Adriana Care, Past President Shaun Pereira, President of Wollondilly Business Chamber Pania Gregson, and guest speaker Michael Rodrigues. He also welcomed all members and guests to the meeting.
Roland advised that on the tables is the South West Sydney Alliance brochure, information is also available at https://www.southwestsydneyalliance.com/
Apologies
Nicole Fox – Fox & Co Finance
John Payne – Gregory Hills Hotel
Lincon McLaren – McLaren Real Estate
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Returning Officer, Adriana Care welcomed members and advised how the process for the AGM would be conducted. Adriana also congratulated the outgoing Board on a successful year.
Acceptance of 2024 AGM Minutes
Luisa Gaetani asked for someone to move that the Minutes of the 2024 AGM be accepted. Moved by Karina Rauch, seconded by Carla Upfill and accepted.
2025 Financial Year Financial Report
Treasurer, Geoff Rogers, presented the audited accounts for the 2025 financial year. He thanked John Dickie & Co for their co-operation in getting the audit completed for the AGM and advised they were a true and accurate record.
Total income $143,000
Total expenses $143,663
Small deficit
Strong safety net of Board management
Net asset $124,323
The Report was moved by Luisa Gaetani, seconded by Karina Rauch and accepted.
Election of Board of Directors
Adriana declared the following positions vacant as per the Constitution. Nominations were called, and received for all roles as follows:
- Vice President – Karina Rauch of Kelly+Partners Chartered Accountants
- Treasurer – Geoff Rogers of Camden Valley Financial Services
- Secretary – Luisa Gaetani of Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers
- Director Events – Sarah Ryan of Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation
- Director Meetings – Carla Upfill of Carrington Care
- Director Sponsorship – Rachel Elliott of Lansdowne Property Group
As only one nomination was received for all positions, Adriana declared that all these positions have been filled.
The 2025-2026 Executive Board is:
- President – Roland Blackstone of Marsdens Law Group
- Vice President – Karina Rauch of Kelly+Partners Chartered Accountants
- Secretary – Luisa Gaetani of Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers
- Treasurer – Geoff Rogers of Camden Valley Financial Services
- Director Events – Sarah Ryan of Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation
- Director Governance – Luisa Gaetani of Coutts Lawyers & Conveyancers
- Director Marketing – Daniel Fenech of Brick Studios
- Director Meetings – Carla Upfill of Carrington Care
- Director Membership – Tony Bonanno of Private Drivers Online
- Director Sponsorship – Rachel Elliott of Lansdowne Property Group
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Roland thanked Adriana for being the Returning Officer, she is a strong support.
Roland thanked outgoing Director Sponsorship Jason Haworth. He also thanked Rachel Elliott for her time as Director Events. He recognised that it’s the members who support the Chamber and it’s the members who then go onto become Board members.
Membership Update – Tony Bonanno, Director Membership
Tony encouraged everyone to update their information on the Chamber’s website.
New member introductions – About Plumbing Time Sydney, Forte Catering & Events, Lisa Thomas Travelmanagers, Moneypenny Lending, Pack & Send Narellan, Property Association Pty Ltd, Royal Constructions Pty Ltd, Spirit of Camden Inc, The Estate Camden Pty Ltd.
Sponsor Presentations – Rachel Elliott, Director Events
Gold – Carrington Care
Bronze – Macarthur Business Development Centre
– Spirit of Camden
What’s On – Rachel Elliott, Director Events
23 September Youth Solutions Shopping Night
October Camden Council Small Business Month – The Future is Now
18 October Kids of Macarthur A Night At The Trots
25 October Rotary Club of Camden Mental Health Forum & Expo
20 November Camden Careers and Jobs Expo
Networking Break
Speaker Presentation
Michael Rodrigues, 24-Hour Economy Commissioner
- The role of the Office
- Strategy on a page
- An Enabling Regulatory Framework
- Vibrant Coordinated Precincts and Places
- Night-time Workers, Culture and Industry Collaboration
- Safety, Mobility, Access and Inclusions
- Authentic Storytelling
- What are Vibrancy Reforms?
- What is Uptown?
- Team Camden
- What are SEPs?
- What is the Live Performance Venue Program?
- LPVP Grant Round 2 funding
- Local Government NTE Program
- Data After Dark
- Stay in the loop
Q&A session
- Maureen Thorpe – Is the Macarthur in Western Parkland City?
- Yes
- Sandy Bartlett – 90 minutes to get somewhere, we are used to this. How is this 24-Hour Strategy going to deal with the after effects on first responders?
- By data tracking and crime data tracking and monitoring. Meet regularly with Police, and consultations with health continue.
- Rob Elliott – Level of red tape, level of bureaucracy for hospitality, what are you doing to streamline, help these businesses?
- We are working where we can.
- Jai Martinkovits – How will this increase our economy or is this just shifting how people spend their money?
- Working towards getting people to support their local economies more than devices and door-to-door delivery. People want to live in vibrant cities.
- Anne Parnham – Insurance costs for venues who want live music. Also safety for those who miss the last train. Destination NSW needs to remember “out here”.
- Have an advocacy around these issues and challenges. The 24-hour airport is bringing a lot of this to the top of conversations.
- Roland Blackstone – What can this area do, what is it we can do?
- Advocates for South West Sydney, everyone needs to get together and work on a plan.
Lucky Door Prize
Carrington Care Hamper – Jennifer of Forte Catering
Macarthur BDC Hamper – Jai of Bricks + Mortgage
Spirit of Camden prize – Zoran of Print Sign & Design Hub
Closing Remarks – Roland Blackstone
Roland thanked everyone attending and supporting the AGM, the sponsors for their support and again congratulations to the incoming Executive Board. He also thanked the InKind Sponsors.
The next general meeting will be on October 8th at Menangle Country Club with guest speaker Mike Munro AM – long time and very experienced Australian journalist.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 8.20pm.