Ed,

As this Covid-19 crisis impacts our community things are changing for us all.  Like many businesses The Grafton Chamber of Commerce is changing the way they operate. But I want to assure you that we are STILL HERE and with a passion and commitment to continue to support our local business community in the days ahead.

To keep in step with government directives we have had to suspend monthly breakfasts and Business After Hours events as well as executive meetings. Our Office is currently closed but our executive officer Annmarie is still working. Like many of us she is now working from home. Our office space may be closed but we are definitely still open as a Business Chamber and are working to support local businesses.

As a gesture of commitment at this time to our members we are extending financial membership to all members past the July renewal date until the end of the year.  This effectively will give all current members 6 months free membership. This will be reviewed at the end of the year with the possibility that it may be extended for a full year.

With the current economic conditions we have now prioritised our focus over the coming months to be a conduit of information to our members and the broader business community.  Each week we will email out to all on our mailing list an email containing information that could be of assistance to businesses at this time. Please spread the word to other businesses that you know of who may like to also receive these emails. An email to our office at:  office@graftonchamberofcommerce.org.au  will see them added to the mailing list.

Check out our website for information and links for business support at this time. Additionally our Chamber Facebook page will also be regularly updated with information which could be of assistance. Across these broadcast mediums I have also asked for a focus on stories of businesses thinking innovatively or working together during this time. While unfortunately this will not apply to every business, innovation in business will be an important factor for business survival in the coming months.

So if you have a story about innovation in businesses, or how making changes in the way that you ‘do business’ has helped during this time we would love to hear about it.  We would also love to hear about businesses working together for mutual benefit.

Yes in the months and indeed years ahead we are going to face many challenges as a business Community. And in the midst of that I want to give you an assurance that as a Chamber I am confident that we will emerge from this crisis with renewed ideas and a commitment to support our local business community in the recovery process.

Carol Pachos
Grafton Chamber President