Camden Haven Chamber strengthens local focus following AGM

THE Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce has reaffirmed its commitment to “representing the full spectrum of the region’s business community” following its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).

President Luke Hadfield reflected on the Chamber’s progress over the past twelve months at the AGM, highlighting renewed stability, stronger advocacy, and a more inclusive focus across all business sectors.

“When I accepted the role of President, my intention was to build on the foundations laid by the previous administration while refocusing the Chamber’s direction to better represent the breadth of our local business community,” Mr Hadfield said.

“Early feedback from members indicated a strong desire for the Chamber to broaden its attention beyond tourism and to ensure that professional services and wider business issues affecting our region were given the attention they deserve.

“Over the past year, our directional focus has been on rebalancing these priorities and strengthening our advocacy for all sectors across the Camden Haven.”

A key part of the Chamber’s year included the successful transition of the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets from long-serving coordinators Terry and Olwen to new coordinator David Shorter.

Financial challenges carried over from the previous year, Mr Hadfield said, largely due to multiple market cancellations caused by poor weather and high operating expenses.

The subsequent resignation of the Chamber’s Executive Officer further impacted operations and prompted a complete reassessment of internal systems and priorities.

“Recognising the need for stability, I made the decision to scale operations back to what was essential and sustainable,” Mr Hadfield said.

“Much of the Chamber’s administrative structure and communication systems were rebuilt from the ground up.

“While this process was demanding, it has positioned us far more strongly for the future.”

Mr Hadfield said the Chamber has achieved a significant turnaround in recent months, with finances stabilising, membership growing, and renewed engagement from both businesses and community organisations.

“Our visibility in the community has grown, and our advocacy on local issues – including events, infrastructure, and business representation – has been widely acknowledged by members and the broader community alike,” he said.