The Vibe
Business Chamber Newsletter
November 2016
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS!
Join us on social media!
Do you have a Facebook page for
your business? Instagram? Twitter?
Branxton Greta Chamber of Commerce would like to
welcome Greta Historical Museum , Greta Branxton
United Cricket Club and Louise Cairnes –Fit For Life as
new members. You can pop over to the website at
Follow us and we will follow you
right back – it’s a great way to share
information about our businesses.
Facebook:
www.branxtongreta.com.au to find out more about them !
www.facebook.com/branxton2335
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/BranxtonGreta
Insta:
www.instagram.com/branxtongreta
Web:
We are very excited about our Christmas Networking
Event at Hunter Pet Motel (169 Springvale Road ,
Elderslie ) on :
*Wednesday , November 23rd, 2016. /5pm-7.30pm
*Please email at [email protected] if you
would like to attend.
www.branxtongreta.com.au
The Vibe
From The President…….
Brett Wild
President BGBC
In the past couple of months your chamber has been very busy, a number of sub committees and members have attached
report to the Vibe to update you on their progress, BGBC members should be aware that your committee give up their own
time in pursuit of a better community.
The chamber held a successful breakfast with members of Singleton Council giving a presentation – read more about in
greater detail later in the newsletter. Additionally, we should all get behind Brian Furner‘s endeavour to have a cycle way
between Branxton and Greta, it’s a very worthwhile project that has full support of the BGBC.
On Thursday , November 18th, I attended a meeting of the Branxton Pool users group regarding the desire to have the pool
heated to enable a longer use period and enable greater local patronage. I advised the group that the BGBC is supportive of
their efforts. I have also had discussions with Hunter Water about the intersection on Elderslie road to ensure greater safety
for pedestrians access the town centre and Miller Park via the underpass – more information as it comes to hand.
I attended the subcommittee meeting with Cessnock Council regarding the future of infrastructure and facilities in Branxton
and Greta, more detail is attached in the subcommittee report. Cessnock Council also confirmed that two heritage Grants
were approved for local buildings in the main street, this enables the building owners to maintain the heritage feel and
maintain the buildings in keeping with the previous design. Many Thanks and well done - Cessnock Council.
The BGBC has recently confirmed its membership of the State Chamber of Commerce, by joining the members receive
access to a number of additional benefits aimed at supporting local business, feel free to visit
http://www.businesschamber.com.au/hunter/home
The chamber is going to support some local businesses on a regular basis. Our featured business in this issue is Murrells
Butchery at Greta. Recently I dropped in, terrific service and an excellent product range, don’t forget to order your
Christmas ham as I did.
The chamber is planning a number of breakfasts for 2017 with the first one on 7 th Feb 2017, this will be held at the Branxton
Golf Club, every breakfast will incorporate a guest speaker, I am hoping Cessnock Council will make a presentation in Feb,
look forward to seeing you all there.
It’s been a very busy couple of months for the BGBC team, I have been very busy and have enjoyed the role to date,.As
local business continues to grow in the area , we will keep you informed via the newsletter,facebook page and website.
This will be the last newsletter for the year.
In closing you are all invited to Hunter Pet Motel for Christmas drinks (free of charge) on 23 Nov 2016 see you then.
Kind Regards, Brett Wild.
The Vibe
And it’s a lovely welcome to our feature business for this month, Murrel’s
Butchery, Greta !
Karl and Tenille Murrell began business 9 years ago making their delicious Gluten Free beef jerky.
This jerky is now sent all over Australia as a artisan food product and locals love it too! Karl and
Tenille decided to expand and purchased the Butchery business 2 years ago and have grown stronger
through this time. And no wonder the butcher shop has such an artisan feel … Karl has a butchery
history through generations in his family with the first butcher shop opening in Morisset in the late
1800’s.
Murrell’s Butchery takes great pride in providing the local area (Greta, Branxton and surrounding
suburbs) with top quality meat, assorted small goods being butcher made hams, butcher made
bacon, Kransky sausage and polish salami just to name a few, which Karl has learnt himself. They
enjoy providing excellent service where nothing is either too big or too small to handle.
In their little corner shop they endeavor to support other local
businesses including Udder Farm milk and Dungog Bakery bread.
They also stock potato bakes, freshly cooked chickens, homemade
sausage rolls, along with making egg and bacon rolls, beef and gravy
rolls, chicken and gravy rolls. They also provide a catering service for
parties, freshly cooked and sliced meats ready to serve and have a spit
roaster available to hire.
The question is often asked ‘why a person should support a local butcher instead of the larger major
stores/corporations and their answer is: “Why not walk into a butcher shop and purchase your daily
meat. You know exactly where it has come from, and can depend on the freshness of the product.
Look forward to a friendly face with a happy smile and deal with someone who takes pride in what
they make and serve.”
Tenille and Karl would love locals to call into their shop. With the welcome that is consistent with
small local businesses, Tenille says, “ Come and meet both Karl and myself and look at what we have
to offer for sale, our prices are very competitive with the major supermarkets, and if there is
something that they are after we are more than happy to cater for them.”
And remember, Christmas is just a short time away, so it’s time to organize ! Murrells can supply
Christmas hams and also will be taking orders for all roasts (beef, pork and lamb), cooked chickens.
They are also taking orders for seafood which we will stock South Australian King Prawns and
oysters. Deposits are required with orders.
The Vibe
November 8th Networking Breakfast Report
It was a pleasure to have our networking event for November in the beautiful surrounds of ‘Prop That’ . We were surrounded by
gorgeous antiques and fantastic decorating ideas whilst being completely spoilt by the wide array of breakfast temptations provided by
Lynneve and ‘The Holy Cuppa Café’ . Many thanks to Candice from ‘Prop That’ and Lynneve from ‘The Holy Cuppa ‘for creating a relaxed
and welcoming atmosphere on the day !
Jason Linnane , Singleton Council.
Jason Linnane is the general manager at Singleton Council and was one of our networking event speakers. His focus was for Singleton
Council to begin to “engage with local people in a more meaningful way” and saw communication and engagement as one of the strategic
focuses for Singleton Council. In terms of engagement with local business chambers, Jason saw a strong need “to build our economic
resilience “and also build economic diversity.
Jason was very interested in suggestions from local business chamber members that Singleton Council become part of the” Small Business
Friendly Councils Program’ http://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/supporting-business/small-business-friendly-councils-program.
Currently 76 local councils have joined the program and Jason acknowledged that this will be something he will look into further.
Melanie Dagg – Cessnock City Councillor- Ward C
Melanie Dagg was also one of the speakers at the Networking Breakfast and is the newly appointed candidate for Cessnock City Council,
Ward C. Melanie spoke about the cycle way implementation for Branxton, Greta and North Rothbury . She also spoke about flood
mitigation near Greta and described the long term process this would take.
Melanie’s engaging talk was one that was open and full of enthusiasm for her new role at Cessnock City Council.
The Vibe
Council Sub Committee Branxton Greta Chamber
of Commerce.
Greta Branxton Chamber of Commerce – Council(s) sub Committee
Members of the Greta Branxton Chamber of Commerce are committed to working closely with both
Cessnock and Singleton Councils for the betterment of the area.
On Thursday 17th November, a Chamber delegation met with senior Council officers and Cr Melanie Dagg to
discuss various issues including…
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The operation of the RV Friendly facility in Branxton including using the balance of funds
towards outstanding work on the immediate area
The need for pool water heating at the start of the season at Branxton
The cycleway between Greta and Branxton
Cycleway connectivity between Huntlee and Radford Park to town
Upgrade works at Miller Park
Phase 2 of the Branxton strategy including a Development Control Plan (DCP) and S94 funds
The handing over of Maitland Rd to the Cessnock Council and potential funding / upgrade
work
The NSW Small Business Friendly Council program and initiatives being introduced
Upgrading and beautifying the corner of Elderslie Rd and Maitland Rd
The talks were most productive and both the Council and the Chamber will be working closely together for
the benefit of the immediate areas.
The Chamber plans to meet now with Singleton Council to form a stronger relationship with them as well.
The Vibe
Branxton Greta Cycleway Path.
Branxton RSL , with support from Branxton Greta Chamber of Commerce and other community
groups is focussing on creating a link between the towns of Branxton & Greta together by
means of a Memorial walkway, cycleway, jogging path.
The project of this kind takes considerable funding & effort, but once completed, will be of
significant benefit to both Branxton & Greta communities. The project will require, & meet sound
needs, research, & have a strategy of overall Community participation.
The project outline will involve support of Government, Councils,
local groups, individuals, business & members of the Branxton Greta Business Chamber.
There will be an opportunity for family & community members to support the project both
financially & in kind, to give it a total community feel.
Once started, it will evolve over 2017-18 periods, depending on weather, hopefully culminating in
Nov 2018 signifying the end of (100 years of Commemoration 1914-1918 conflict) since the end
of WW1 & the signing of the Armistice on the 11 th of November 1918.
Further information will follow as things progress, in the first instance if the community requires
more information, please ring Brian on 0429438460 or contact the
[email protected] to become involved.
Brian Furner.
President Branxton RSL
Sub branch.
The Vibe
Branxton Greta Chamber Congratulates Matthew Brandt and commends the support of
local businesses…..
“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to thank all the wonderful people and Businesses who contributed to give Matthew the best
possible chance representing NSW as a member of the Hunter Region Team at the recent National WorldSkills Australia Competition
held in Melbourne last month.
We cannot express enough how fortunate he was to receive such great support from so many.
These people and Businesses who helped are:
In no specific order.
Branxton Greta Business Chamber,Greta Sports & Recreation Club/ Miller Park Branxton,Momar Australia Pty Ltd
Maitland Sheet Metal,Hunter Valley Rubber Singleton ,Tradelink Plumbing Metford/Maitland
Reece Plumbing Thornton,Eagles Plumbing Supply Rutherford,Better Pool & Irrigation Supplies East Maitland
A& T Saide Mechanical, Autolac, Allweld East Maitland ,Neil Brandt Plumbing Pty Ltd
S & J Hartigan (Nan & Pop), A Carr ,W Cant ,Federal Minister for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon ,State MP Clayton Barr
Kind regards
Annette and Neil Brandt
A word from Matt
As you may be aware my Journey began last year during my 2nd Year as an Apprentice Autobody Repairer (Panel Beater at Branxton/Greta Smash
Repairs) through a competition at my TAFE at Glendale for the Worldskills Regional Competition. In this competition I received the Gold Medal for my
Region (Hunter). I was told that along with receiving the Gold Medal I would be given the opportunity to represent the Hunter Region as a member of
the NSW Team. And being young life went on without me fully realising the unique opportunity that would be in front of me.
It began earlier this year after receiving an email to confirm my selection to compete in the Worldskills National Competition being held at the
Melbourne Showgrounds over 3 days in October. Where competitors from around Australia competed from 31 Regions in many different Trades to win
Gold and perhaps reach the next step of representing Australia at the Worldskills Competition being held in Abu Dhabi in 2017.
I worked endless hours after work and after TAFE doing extra training at my campus to help fine tune my techniques I needed to apply for the task set.
The 3 days of competition was the most mentally and physically draining thing I’ve have done in my life, which I was well prepared for and expected it to
be. The first day of the comp I felt I was behind from the other competitors, but I didn’t let that get to me. I shut everyone out and focused on my job
and what I had to get done, which really helped me complete the task come the end of the competition. I felt with the task if I took my time and didn’t
let the adrenaline push me I could have had a greater outcome but I was satisfied with the work I produced.
I’m very proud of my achievement on getting this far, I Placed 3rd in the competition and received a bronze medal. I was stoked with the outcome of my
hard work and I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of my Mum and Dad who helped me immensely, also my TAFE teacher for all the extra
hours he put into me and also to the amazing sponsors which helped with my tooling and helping me with funding to make it to Melbourne.
I look forward to the next Regional Worldskills competition as given that I am only 19 I will once again have an opportunity to compete.
We hope you enjoyed reading The Vibe ! Looking forward to a great year of small business stories and
council updates next year !