Alliance unites for business advocacy

STRIVING to be a collective voice for business associations and chambers of commerce outside Melbourne, the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance is now operational.

Officially launching on Wednesday, 10 November, the alliance hosted a lunchtime celebration in Ballarat, before representatives of member groups took part in an afternoon of collaboration, and an evening catch-up.

The alliance, which includes Commerce Ballarat, Bannockburn & District Chamber of Commerce, Ballan & District Chamber of Commerce, Be.Bendigo, and more, has a vision to ensure regional Victoria and its small business community is connected, thriving, well afloat, seen and heard.

Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett said working for a regional city or town’s only chamber or business group can be an isolating experience, so connecting with similar organisations is invaluable.

“At the start of the pandemic, we went out to a heap of chambers and business groups and suggested we all have a virtual fortnightly check in,” she said.

“It was such a rough ride for our business communities, and we needed to do a lot of advocacy work, so we decided to do some as a collective.

“Chambers and trader groups are so important to the health of the economy. Regional Victoria tends to be forgotten by government, so it needs this voice. We can be louder together.”

Geelong Chamber of Commerce CEO Ben Flynn said the alliance is a professional development opportunity, offers access to other chambers’ strategic plans, sponsorship materials, and business awards resources.

“It’s great to be able to learn from the other organisations, and for each group to be able to deliver more for their local members because of this program,” he said.

“It definitely gives regional businesses a much stronger voice and allows us to make sure that the regional areas are really front-of-mind for government during budget time, and other important periods.”

Bannockburn & District Chamber of Commerce has also signed up, and committee member Samantha Ramsey said their Alliance membership means stronger advocacy for the enterprises they support in the south of the Golden Plains Shire.

“All local regional businesses have experienced hardship throughout COVID-19. Having a collective and active Alliance voice throughout these times has allowed us to remain positive and focus on our vision of maintaining a vibrant and prosperous region,” she said.

BDCC president Bronwyn Davie said the support of similar groups statewide is ideal for their small community, and growing chamber.

“We’re still a new organisation, but because there are a lot of better-resourced chambers and business associations in the alliance, that benefits our team. We can gain access to the tools that they share,” she said.

The alliance’s advocacy organisations marked the launch on Wednesday alongside Member for Western Victoria and Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford.

“It’s nice to be able to come together and see everyone face-to-face, including the Minister, after so much online work over the last 18 months,” Mr Flynn said.