Chamber’s gala business awards to return in October

NARRABRI and District Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala business awards dinner will return, this year to be held in October.

Chamber president Russell Stewart provided an update to members at the monthly meeting.

The dinner, which is typically a sold-out event, will be held at The Crossing Theatre on 10 October.

The chamber is awaiting further information to work out the finer details, particularly the cost.

Stewart said it would follow its usual format.

“Due to popular demand, ventriloquist Darren Carr will return to our awards dinner,” Stewart said.

“I’m sure he will be well received.”

The chamber hopes to distribute nomination forms in coming weeks. The form will also be included on the chamber’s website.

Stewart encouraged the community to start thinking about acknowledging local businesses by nominating them for the awards.

In addition to discussing the awards, Inland Rail was a hot topic at the chamber meeting following the announcement that the rail freight route would be shelved.

The decision to abandon the project is a particular issue for Narrabri Shire and businesses which had geared up to be part of the development.

“We were disappointed about Inland Rail and discussed what we can do about it,” Stewart said.

“They should at least complete the NSW leg.”

Stewart said Narrabri had many visits over the years from both sides of politics encouraging local business and industry to invest and be ready for the Inland Rail.

The chamber also assisted Inland Rail in facilitating meetings locally to keep the community and businesses informed as stages of the project developed, particularly Narrabri to North Star.

As a result of the federal government’s decision to shelve the project, the Narromine to Narrabri section of the route will not be completed.

Stewart has also encouraged the community to have its say on the future of the Christmas Street carnival.

The event is a massive undertaking by the chamber, costing $23,000 every year, and is sponsored by local business and industry.

At a previous meeting when discussing potentially changing the format of the night, Stewart voiced concern with main street businesses closing for the evening.

“This started 20 years ago as a shopping night,” he told the previous meeting.

“At the end of the day, it’s senseless spending that sort of money on a street carnival if the businesses don’t support it. There’s a lot of work that goes into this.”

A discussion will be held beforethe regular monthly meeting at the Narrabri RSL on 14 July.

The carnival meeting will be held at 5pm.

“We’ve got to decide what we’re doing,” Stewart said. “If you’ve got an idea, please come along.”