By BRIDGET SCOTT
DARREN Holland from BBRC Property and City of Casey deputy mayor Amanda Stapledon were guest speakers at the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce (CCC) annual general meeting last month.
President Mark Carusi was re-elected and reflected on both the year that was, and what lies ahead.“Each member has made a very valuable contribution,” Mr Carusi said.
All positions on the board were vacant at the start of the meeting, and Mr Carusi said “new candidates provide a new lease on life.”
Di Wyatt moved on after six years, and the president said she had been “instrumental in serving local businesses and the community for decades.”
He also touched on local events the CCC had supported such as the local GP run and the Casey-Cardinia Business Group, and spoke about the monthly meetings held by the group.
“These are where the rubber meets the road,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr Carusi said the chamber would explore new initiatives and programs that would add value to the community.
He said that he hoped all members, who he described as the “life blood” would continue to contribute.
“We are all proud, it’s what makes us tick,” he said.
Mr Holland, the chief executive officer of the Cranbourne Homemaker Centre, spoke to the group about the creation of homemaker centres throughout Victoria.
He also touched on its history and an inspiring local story about a man named Brett Blundy who was behind the first homemaker centre.
Mr Blundy, now aged 53, lives in Singapore and has been the man behind a bunch of successful retail brands.
Mr Holland spoke about the success of various homemaker centres as well as the importance of goal setting.
Ms Stapledon followed this talk with an inspiring story of her own.
Cr Stapledon, who is the mother of a boy with multiple disabilities, said she had always been career driven and loved being busy.
After she worked within the disability sector, Cr Stapledon said she was inspired to “make a change to the broader community.”
“I have gained so much more than I could have imagined,” she said.
“I have gained a community family.”
She thanked the community for embracing her and her son, and said she was grateful to serve it.
The election of the executive committee then followed with all positions filled.
