Held at Ashfield Council on February 25, Toni Franze, President and Moira Verheijen, Vice President, attended on behalf of the Board, and were able to ask Ashfield Mayor, Morris Mansour, about important issues relevant to Croydon Park. Silvana Franze and Roy de Visser also attended. They spoke to Robert Richardson and other councillors present. As a group, CPBC was the largest combined body representing a cause, displaying unity,  direction and strong representation.

Of particular interest was the lack of progress on our Suburb Signage, having been promised by a tripartite committee between Ashfield, Burwood and Canterbury councils as far back as 2010. This committee was appointed for the sole purpose of moving this and other joint issues along. However, in 2013, the Chamber has been informed by Canterbury Council that no further signage will take place for at least another 11 years. Burwood Council also replied, saying they have spent a considerable amount of money on the streetscape redevelopment in 2004.

The Chamber is disappointed by this backflip, when it has done everything requested by councils to date. That is, it presented councils with designs for the signage, outlined where the signs should sit and met on numerous occasions to keep the momentum going. The ideas for the Suburb Signage came from the winning entries of the Suburb Signage Design Competition held by  the Chamber with the local primary schools (see image attached). This design competition formed part of the Public Forum held in 2011, where community members strongly expressed a desire to see more of a village atmosphere, a greater selection of cafes and eateries, and the need for traffic to slow down and take note of our shopping strip. Many believed that the 40,000 cars passing through Croydon Park every day, could be harnassed as business income if our overall image is improved.

On the night of this forum, the late Barbara Holborow was present, who was greatly encouraged by the Chamber’s actions. She later contacted Hassan Moussa, then President, to talk about working together with the Chamber. This led to the formation of T.A.G. (The Action Group), a community group who met regularly to discuss and implement community ideas.

The Chamber will continue to pursue the issue of obtaining proper and distinctive signage for Croydon Park. Whilst it seems like a minor issue to some, so much is riding on it as the Entry Points to the suburb, giving us the opportunity to make a statement and showcase the area.

The Chamber is encouraged by the response of Ashfield Council this week, which is moving forward from the Ashfield end of Croydon Park. The Chamber will look into grants and other methods of raising money to fund this project, and local industry is encouraged to speak with the Chamber to provide the relevant services for the construction.

Long time owner Johnny Phosri has revamped the interior of well-known local restaurant, Little Thai. With a contemporary new look, the place is spacious and comfortable, whilst the mouth-watering menu tantalises the palette.

Read our President’s remarks when she attended the launch last year:

“Last nite, Friday 23rd November, Little Thailand launched their New Look and I attended with a good friend of mine.The Food was excellent, and the enticing aroma of spices in the plates as they went by me to the other tables were mouth watering!I had a soup as a starter andI could have eaten the plate .. so good!”

Little Thai is situated at 123 Georges River Rd, Croydon Park and is open 7 days. They offer both a take-away and delivery (incl: Ashbury, Ashfield, Belfield, Burwood, Burwood Heights, Campsie, Croydon, Croydon Park, Enfield, Strathfield South)

Croydon Park Chamber of Commerce is now officially registered as Croydon Park Business Chamber (CPBC). Originally incorporated as an association in 2004, the name change was unanimously agreed to by all present at the 2012 AGM. The name change took place to keep in line with many other business chambers, including NSW Business Chamber, of which CPBC has an alliance with. All members of CPBC who choose to opt into this alliance automatically receive a whole host of benefits at no extra cost other than the annual membership fee, currently $70.00. Just click on the NSW BC link on the home page of our website and go to their Membership tab for details.

Peter Kokkonis, Treasurer, is our new Public Officer

Croydon Park Dental was the lucky recipient of a Two Night Getaway in the Blue Mountains, staying at Fifth Avenue Guest House (owned and run by Chamber Secretary and Member, Silvana Franze). This prize was part of the Cheese and Wine Tasting event (Business in the Spotlight) held in September by CPBC, which took place at La Bocca Deli Cafe, featuring delectable foods by the Deli, and a wide range of wines by WineGifts.com.au.

Own, Don’t Rent were the winners of this prize as part of the June Business in the Spotlight promotion – Wine and Tapas at Shisha Bar and Restaurant.

….Sangha’s Tandoori Palace

Situated at 147 Georges River Rd, come say hello to host Ranbi, who serves up an excellent Indian menu. Croydon Park Business Chamber held its AGM there in November last year, which was the perfect venue for such an occasion. We booked out the restaurant and the seating arrangements were suitable for listening to the formal part of the meeting, as well as mingling with everyone during the dinner that followed. Some, who had only planned on staying for the meeting, soon changed their minds when they saw the food being served. It was simply too good to resist.

Silvana Franze remains the Secretary for the Business Chamber, continuing her role since 2010. The role has been simplified by having dedicated Board members assigned to other areas such as Membership (Peter Kokkonis, Treasurer), Website (Moira Verheijen, Vice President and Hamid Javanmard, Executive Board Member)