It was an exciting start to the day to pick up my team Board Members of the CPBC, and we missed those who could not make it, Moira, Peter, Hamid, Roy but I saved a goodies bag for you!
7.30am: We arrived at the Convention Centre and the buzz of 200 people walking in filled the room. (more…)
Thinking about Mother’s Day?
Send us your favourite photo of you and your mum and you could win a Gift Pack worth $100!
Kindly donated from CPBC member Mind to Body.
Conditions: Competition is open to residents and businesses within Ashbury, Croydon, Croydon Park, Ashfield, Burwood and Enfield. Competition closes May 1st 2013. Draw will take place on May 2nd 2013. Winner will be notified via Facebook and email. Winner must collect prize from Mind to Body. The winning photo will be published on our website and facebook page. Judges decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
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.
Four local schools took part in our Suburb Signage Competition, 2011. Judges had a hard time choosing between the superb entries received so decided to award two categories 5-8 yrs and 9-12 yrs. Three children received awards in each category and a Highly Commended was also awarded. Medals, made by local business The Trophy Store, were handed to the childrern by Linda Burney, Canterbury MP.
The competition was part of the Chamber’s Public Forum, where the community and local businesses were invited to come along and air their views on what they would like to see in the area. Over 30 people attended including the late Barbara Holborow, former NSW Children’s Magistrate and local resident, with great feedback which was passed onto councils for their information.
All were treated to a fantastic meal at the ExServicemens Club afterwards.
Business in the Spotlight September saw a series of Cheese and Wine nights over four Fridays, hosted by La Bocca Deli Cafe and WineGifts.com.au. Initiated by Croydon Park Business Chamber, over 100 people attended in total, all of whom filled in Customer Feedback Forms, providing invaluable feedback to the two businesses in question.
The aim of this initiative is to partner a small business who may not have access to exposure to the general public, with a main street business. The Chamber is constantly looking at new ways of bringing business to the area, and helping improve the trade of our local businesses.
If you wish to be part of this exciting initiative, contact one of the Board Members for details
Chamber members, Pure Gelato of Croydon Park, held their annual 10/10 charity fundraiser for Children’s Cancer and raised over $26,000! This company not only produces the best gelato in Sydney, but really know how to put on a show for all the family. Of course, the best part was seeing Joe get dumped into hundreds of litres of gelato!
The Croydon Park Business Chamber was highly commended for the work it does at a lavish ceremony to celebrate business achievements at La Montage Lilyfield on Friday 28 September 2012. The event was organised and hosted by the NSW Business Chamber and recognised achievements in a number of categories.
Local business and Chamber Board Member, Mr. Roy de Visser of the Trophy Store, was also honoured with a prestigious and top award, Roger Psyden Excellence in Innovation Award, for his creative and innovative work.
Croydon Park Business Chamber celebrated these achievements in style with the local businesses and community at La Bocca Deli Café a few days later, at the final Business in the Spotlight Cheese & Wine tasting event.
