Website: avalonpalmbeachbusinesschamber.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avalonpalmbeachchamber
Instagram: www.instagram.com/avalonpalmbeachchamber
Email: hello@avalonpalmbeachbusinesschamber.com.au
Historically the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc. (AVPBC) supported a wide variety of needs and events in our local community for many years. However, it wound down in recent years after the many committed previous members retired or were not able to continue. With a long term recovery needed following the Covid-19 pandemic, local businesses have ongoing needs in ensuring our area remains vibrant, commercially viable, innovative and caring of the environment, residents and visitors.
The Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc area includes Avalon Beach, Bilgola and Bilgola Plateau, Careel Bay, Clareville, Palm Beach and Whale Beach.
The commercial community encompasses small and large businesses involved in small and large retail, tourism and hospitality, restaurants and cafes, business and personal services, sole traders, Tradies, health and fitness services, community groups and charities, surf lifesaving clubs, boating and sailing, environmental organisations and local government. There are a range of membership options, listed below, for every kind business we're in.
You can subscribe for a Newsletter or attend one of the 2023 Chamber Committee Meetings - the schedule for upcoming Meetings is:
- Thursday 25 May 2023 6pm; Chamber Committee Meeting
- Thursday 8 June 2023 6pm: Chamber Mixer Social Event at Avalon Bowlo
- Thursday 29 June 2023 6pm: EOFY Chamber Committee Meeting
The renewed Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc. is a non-profit organisation and all memberships collected are used to support programs and activities. All current office holders are volunteer positions.
As the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc grows its resources through members and volunteers, they hope to add to your benefits. Already included in your membership is a listing on the APBBC website's 'The Local Guide' webpage which will soon prove to be a 'go to' place to find what you need whether it's a Tradie for a leaking roof, a musician or a birthday cake for that special someone, or where you can find a cleaner, a gardener, a handyman or woman, a hairdresser, areal estate agent, a copy of that book you can no longer get your hands on.
Office Holders:
- Stephanie Hammond - President
- Sally Tabner - Vice-President, Public Officer
- Brad Jacobsen - Treasurer
- Sienna Berney - Secretary
- Geraldene Dalby-Ball - Committee Member
- Tom Warren - Committee Member
- Ashleigh Fernandes - Committee Member
- Michelle Gilmore - Committee Member
March 2023 Launch overview
On March 30th the first Mixer was held at Avalon Bowling Club which launched the Membership. For those who could not attend, a brief overview of this launch is:
Sally Tabner welcomed everyone with a Welcome to Country Acknowledgement
Don Willesee, Secretary of the Avalon Bowlo, welcomed everyone on behalf of the bowling club's Board and affirmed his support for a reinvigorated Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber, saying that it was essential to the vibrancy and success of the Avalon area. He generously offered the venue for meetings and any other gatherings attendees may need to accommodate. Thank you Don!
Stephanie Hammond of Shores provided a brief Chamber history and context for why and when the new Chamber came into being. With transition taking place over the past year, she thanked the previous organisation and members. She described how many had met informally over the past year to help with details and ideas, including Geraldine Dalby-Ball of DragonFly Environmental, Tom Warren of Tombucha, Sally Tabner of Bookoccino and many others all giving their time and advice freely.
Stephanie Hammond noted how the recent traffic issues and road changes had catapulted the Chamber back into existence earlier than planned, due to the effects of the previously planned NSW Streets as Shared Spaces and the disruptions caused in the village over summer. This was an example of a proposal which had not had liaison and consultation with an active Chamber, and hence - the needs and views of the community were not as well represented prior to implementation. She talked about the positive approach that everyone is seeking, to bring new ideas and long term improvements that benefit the community and visitors - from street beautification to thoughtful planning and that we need to be able to connect and work with Council on issues we can give them feedback on. So many businesses are in the area and just lack visibility and this is a great opportunity to improve connections. The organisers stat ''It was great to see enthusiastic support, clapping and nods on these points.''
Stephanie also outlined what the Chamber couldn't do under its remit. The organisation is a non-profit with no funding base at present, and only volunteer power. Therefore, it would be impossible to tackle every issue in the area and that the Chamber doesn't want to replace your individual voice to council or local organisations that deal with these.
There are already the Avalon Preservation Association and Palm Beach-Whale Beach Association as residents organisations for problems with DA's or impacts on local environment, along with the Avalon Beach Culture Collective Inc. for a creative and cultural focus or projects residents may wish to propose.
''But if there are issues that impact our business owners big and small around our district, their amenity, viability, safety or environmental and economic status – then it is something the Chamber wants to be able to represent to Council. While the Chamber can’t always guarantee a favourable outcome, everyone believes having a functioning Chamber is far better than not having one at all.'' the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc. explains
Geraldine Dalby-Ball explained how important the Chamber would be for placemaking, which is the core focus of a lot of urban planning in the past 5 years. Placemaking is about developing and defining community character. It integrates the natural world, community involvement, cultural development and economic revitalisation. Geraldine highlighted this concept as a core Chamber priority. She encouraged business owners to join and support the Chamber through membership and/or volunteering.
Stephanie Hammond, Sally Tabner and Geraldine Dalby-Ball welcomed attendees to Membership Launch and first Mixer
Sally Tabner introduced attendees to the new Membership options and indicated the Chamber would also be adding a Supporter Option for former business owners and others who wish to simply offer nominal financial support to the Chamber. Sally also outlined the commitments the Chamber could strive to achieve the current FY and next FY2023-24:
- A monthly meeting of Chamber Committee members. The Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc wish to form a Committee of 12 people who are keen and able to commit to a monthly meeting as required. They currently have 6 people. This will help get and keep Chamber projects moving. The Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc will adhere to a monthly schedule set 12 months in advance. If you feel you can provide this level of commitment and time, then please talk to them.
- Quarterly Mixer event for members and business owners
- Advocacy for Simmonds Lane to be transformed
- An update for the community on Shared Spaces, when available
- One major community event in FY2023-24
- As the organisation is a non-profit and runs only on volunteers, to make this happen, they gratefully accept your support through Memberships.
Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc Memberships
There are seven new Membership options for the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber from 2023. To find out more or sign up, please visit: avalonpalmbeachbusinesschamber.com.au/collections/membership
Membership fees are 100% tax deductible for businesses.
The Chamber is registered as a non-profit organisation. They do not currently charge GST as they are under the ATO's registration turnover threshold. This will be stated in your membership subscription. If this should change, they will notify members of any price changes. Please contact the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber if you require an official receipt for your records.
Membership is a great, affordable way to support a much-missed business chamber by bringing together local businesses and professionals, services and suppliers, artists, creatives and cultural organisations.
They offer two forms of payment:
- Standard 'Buy Membership' which you will need to remember each year to renew OR;
- An Auto-Renew Membership with a 5% discount: let our systems do the hard work!
Some Memberships are offered as Two-Instalment payments, automated by our system 6 months apart. Just use the drop down menu on the product page to see if this is available.
All payments are encrypted automatically and your information is protected with the highest form of online payment security, PCI DSS Level 1.
Each membership option is described in full detail, along with the benefits included. They are not charging or passing on credit card fees. And they want to make admin as easy as possible, because they're all volunteers.
Cultural, Sport & Creative Membership
$100.00
The Avalon Palm Beach peninsula is home to many creative residents involved in cultural initiatives or working as artists, authors, musicians and more. As part of the business community you can opt for a Cultural, Sport & Creative Membership at a nominal annual fee.
You are eligible for Cultural, Sport & Creative Membership if you are:
- An office holder of a Cultural, Educational, Sporting or Community Organisation or;
- A practicing artist, published author*, musician or band, director/producer or production professional, curator, performer or actor/actress, sporting coach or similar
Please note: Authors must be writers for recognisable publications such as newspapers, books, journals, mainstream or online news media. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are not considered professional publishing mediums for the purposes of supporting professional cultural or creative members within the above definition.
Benefits of Cultural, Sport & Creative Membership:
- Member listing on the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc website
- Inclusion in our Member Survey Circle for research/feedback
- Member newsletter
- Invite-only Member Networking events
- Member social media post up to 4 x a year if you provide a business service
Retail & Services Membership (Offline & Online)
$150.00
The Avalon Palm Beach peninsula includes creative and exciting retailers and services making our area unique for our residents and fellow business members, and visitors. As a vital part of the social fabric of our area, retailers can launch their business by being part of the Chamber or be represented and highlighted to locals by opting for a Retail & Services Membership at a nominal annual fee.
You are eligible for Retail & Services Membership if you are:
- A retail owner of any kind with a shopfront (including cafe, grocer etc) or;
- An online business owner of any kind including services like agencies, tech development or App builders;
- A bricks & clicks retailer/store/restaurant/cafe
- A direct-to-consumer service such as boat tours or day spa etc
Examples of retailers include those involved in: food and hospitality, tourism (including marine and boating services), catering, fashion and accessories, beauty and health services, homewares and furniture, hardware, pharmacies, optometrists and so on. This is our largest category for the majority of local businesses.
Benefits of Retail & Services Membership:
- Member listing on the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc website
- Inclusion in our Member Survey Circle for research/feedback
- Member newsletter
- Invite-only Member Networking events
- Member social media post up to 5 x a year if you provide a business service
Trades & Industry Membership
$180.00
The Avalon Palm Beach peninsula includes talented trades and small industry contributors providing vital services to our residents and fellow business members, or creating new businesses and products synonymous with the Northern Beaches and our area. Local Trades & Industry are encouraged to be part of our business community even if their jobs and clients take them far and wide. You can opt for a Trades & Industry Membership at a nominal annual fee.
You are eligible for Trades & Industry Membership if you are:
- A licensed Tradesperson
- Owner of a trades-based business
- A producer, grower or manufacturer
Examples of trades include: licensed carpenters, builders, plumbers, electricians and related construction trades; licensed arborists, tree doctors and qualified horticulturalists and other licensed trades as defined by the NSW government. Industry examples relevant to our area include brewery owners, small producing farms and producers, wine makers and distributors operating in the area (even if properties are located regionally).
Qualified chefs, hairdressers, beauticians may join this tier or may opt for the Retail & Services membership if more suitable.
Benefits of Professional Membership:
- Member listing on the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc website
- Inclusion in our Member Survey Circle for research/feedback
- Member newsletter
- Invite-only Member Networking events
- Member social media post up to 4 x a year if you provide a business service
Professional Membership
$200.00
The Avalon Palm Beach peninsula includes talented professions providing vital services to our residents and fellow business members. Professions can show their support for the local community, and be engaged with local issues by opting for a Professional Membership at a nominal annual fee. For the purposes of membership, the organisers have applied the traditional definition of 'professions' which includes occupations or business services requiring professional board certification or licensing.
You are eligible for Professional Membership if you are defined as one of these professions:
- Accountant
- Architect
- Engineer
- Company Director (GAIDC)
- Doctor (medical and PhD)
- Lawyer
- Mortgage Broker or Financial Planner/Advisor
- Professor (academic, scientist etc)
- Real Estate Agent
Benefits of Professional Membership:
- Member listing on the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc website
- Inclusion in our Member Survey Circle for research/feedback
- Member newsletter
- Invite-only Member Networking events
- Member social media post up to 4 x a year if you provide a business service
Corporate Membership
$500.00
The Avalon Palm Beach peninsula is an attractive area for major corporations to have a presence, create employment and invest in economic activity. Corporations can show their support for the local community, and be engaged with local issues by opting for a Corporate Membership at a nominal annual fee.
You are eligible for Corporate Membership if you are defined as:
- A publicly listed company or;
- A company with multiple stores or locations including in the Avalon Palm Beach peninsula area or;
- A company with annual turnover of $10,000,000 or more or;
- A company employing 100 people or more (nationally).
Benefits of Corporate Membership:
- Member business listing on the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc website
- Inclusion in our Member Survey Circle for research/feedback
- Member newsletter
- Invite-only Member Networking events
- Member social media post up to 3 x a year if you provide a business service
Supporter Membership
$65.00
The APBBC is also introducing a Supporter Membership Option to help general community members express their support for the Chamber, but who don't necessarily need any of the business benefits in the other categories: -
You are eligible for Supporter Membership if you are:
- A retired business owner, service or similar
- An employee of a local or area-related business
- An employee or staffer of government (Local, State, Federal)
- An employee within Schools and other departments or similar
- A family in the area, going to school in the area or nearby
You'll be kept in the loop with our newsletter and invited to events while getting that warm fuzzy feeling of being part of something positive!
Volunteer Membership
$0.00
To support the operations and administration of the Chamber they are offering a limited number of Volunteer Memberships. For the first year, they will be offering free membership for up to 20 volunteers.
You are eligible for Volunteer Membership if you are:
- A business owner, service or similar in one of the other 5 categories of membership and;
- Can donate 3 hours a week of your time (or approximately 144 hours a year / 12 hours a month)
If you add this membership level to your membership or purchase it on its own, the Avalon Palm Beach Business Camber will get in touch with you about participation.
Benefits of Retail & Services Membership:
- Member listing on the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc website
- Inclusion in our Member Survey Circle for research/feedback
- Member newsletter
- Invite-only Member Networking events
- Member social media post up to 5 x a year if you provide a business service
As the Chamber grows its resources through members and volunteers, they hope to add to your benefits!
Important: About Volunteer Participation
Volunteers may be assigned to tasks depending on their experience and skills or requested focus area. Volunteers may be engaged in functions we are looking to fill pro bono: -
- Advisory, and research on special projects
- Presentation preparation for special projects
- Communications, marketing, web, social media content creation
- Finance, tax advice and bookkeeping
- Legal advice
- Event coordination
- General administration and back office, emails
If you would like to provide services in-kind as volunteer time may not be possible for you, please contact them. Types of services needed may include printing, wine or beer for events, catering or venue-use.
