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Local Buying Foundation - New South Wales
October to December 2020 | Quarterly eNews
Muswellbrook | Singleton | Upper Hunter
 
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eNews Overview - scroll down to find out more!
 
  • Congratulations Scone Chamber of Commerce
  • 2020 in Review Video
  • Singleton Business Awards
  • Singleton Business Chamber - Business Development Officer Update
  • LBF Chairman's National Message
  • Local Buying Foundation Advisory Committee Update
  • Approved Funding this Quarter
  • LBF Funding Round - Closing 21st of May
Congratulations Scone Chamber of Commerce!
Congratulations to the Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the successful application submitted to the Local Buying Foundation for the funding of a Business Development Officer for 2021.

Previously, the Scone Chamber had engaged a Business Development Manager for three hours a week to do general admin and support. Limited hours for both the Business Development Officer and the Chambers Executive resulted in difficulty achieving actions from their strategic plan. The funding provided to the Scone Chamber from the Local Buying Foundation ensures that the Scone Chamber is able to work towards their goals for the business community in the Upper Hunter Shire.

The Scone Chamber is currently recruiting for the Business Development Manager role. If you are passionate about the small business community and the Upper Hunter region, this could be a great opportunity for you!

2020 in Review
Many can agree, that 2020 was a little different! The Local Buying Foundation continued to support a wide range of projects and initiatives which assist businesses and business communities across New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Check out the latest video below:
Singleton Business Awards
After what has been a challenging year, the Singleton business community had the opportunity to celebrate the success and resilience of local businesses at the awards in early November.

The Singleton Business Chamber worked hard to adhere to the Covid-19 restrictions whilst still managing to host a successful event. The Chamber livestreamed the event through their Facebook to ensure that those unable to attain tickets were able to cheer on the successful business men and women on the night.

The Singleton Chamber wanted to acknowledge the success of the businesses in the Singleton Shire, especially during such a challenging time for small businesses.

The Local Buying Foundation sponsored two categories for the event:
  • Excellence in Medium/Large Business Sponsored by the Local Buying Foundation - NSW
    Presented to: Ourcare Services Ltd
  • Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Sponsored by the Local Buying Foundation - NSW
    Presented to: AGL Macquarie

The Local Buying Foundation is proud to continue supporting the Singleton Business Chamber and their annual Business Excellence Awards.
Singleton - Business Development
Message from Darlene Flockhart, Business Development Officer, for Singleton Business Chamber (SBC)

The last quarter has been a busy one!

  • SBC held their first business breakfast since lockdown with a key topic of the Local Government.
  • AGM held with all positions were filled with Sue Gilroy and most of the committee returning for the 2020/2021 year.
  • Small Business Month: SBC and Singleton Council held 2 workshops, How to Make Social Media Marketing Work for Your Business and Building a Resilient Small Business
  • Singleton Women in Business also celebrated Small Business Month, our guest speaker was Karin Adcock.  Karin is the owner of one of our local vineyards – Winmark, but is better known for bringing Pandora to Australia.
  • Singleton Business Excellence Award Gala Evening was held and was a great success. As COVID-19 restrictions limited the number of attendees, for the first time, the event was professionally live streamed on Facebook. The live stream received over 1.3 thousand views.
  • We held our final business breakfast for 2020.  The topic was The Challenges, The Positives and Pivoting in a Pandemic. Our guest speakers were Di Sneddon, editor of the Hunter River Times, Jamie McNamara, publican of the Albion Hotel and Sue George, president of the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre.
  • SBC partnered with the Singleton Council in two Christmas initiatives: "Light Up Your Business" and  "Santa’s Little Helper" these competitions offered opportunities to win Spend in Singleton Gift Cards in time for Christmas.

The Singleton Business Development Officer role is proudly funded by the Local Buying Foundation and Singleton Business Chamber.

Local Buying Foundation National Update
 
Melissa Westcott (C-Res Director)
Chair of Local Buying Foundation QLD & NSW
Welcome to our latest edition of the LBF ENews!

As we close out 2020, we reminisce on the year that was – whilst it posed many challenges for all including our little team, the Local Buying Foundation achieved many great things.

In response to Covid-19 and the effects that the pandemic had on businesses and business and industry groups, the Local Buying Foundation worked quickly to develop the B.I.G. Futures Fund.

The B.I.G. Futures Fund aimed to support Business, Economic and Industry Groups (B.I.G) that faced significant challenges through Covid-19. The fund enabled these organisations to gain quick access to funding for projects that aligned with Business and Industry Innovation. The B.I.G. Futures Fund successfully supported nine projects across NSW and QLD, providing a total of $171,635 in approved funding.

During the last quarter of 2020, October to December, a number of projects were approved in NSW, QLD and WA.

  • Muswellbrook Inspirations Conference | Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce
  • Upper Hunter Showcase | Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce
  • Scone Business Development Project | Scone Chamber of Commerce
  • Pilbara Artist Development | The Junction Co.
  • International Women's Day | Resource Industry Network
  • Events Bootcamp Series | Mackay Tourism
  • Bike Strategy Project | Mackay Tourism
  • Mackay City Think Tank | Mackay Chamber of Commerce
  • Tap into Tenders | Central Highlands Development Corporation
  • Business Excellence Awards | Central Highlands Development Corporation
  • Economic Futures Forum | Central Highlands Development Corporation

2020 also saw the launch of the Local Buying Foundation in Western Australia.  The launch of the LBF in WA provides opportunities to enhance the economic stability in the local government areas of the Town of Port Hedland and the Shire of East Pilbara. Since inception in 2020, the WA LBF has provided a total of $38,500 in funding to three projects.

Early in 2021, we will be launching the Local Buying Foundation in South Australia. The launch of the SA LBF will mean that we now have a Foundation operating alongside each of the Local Buying Programs.

The Local Buying Foundation would not be able to approve projects like those above without the continual support from BHP, BMA and BMC using the Local Buying Program and the contribution this provides to the Foundation.

Whilst a number of our approved projects had to be postponed or delivery changed due to the pandemic, the LBF still managed to fund over $1.3 million nationally across QLD, NSW and WA – it is safe to say that things were not slowing down in the world of LBF!
Advisory Committee Membership Update

The Local Buying Foundation is governed by representatives from across the Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter local government shires to ensure that investments made by the Foundation have the greatest possible impact.

Latest Funding Round Approved Applicants
Congratulations to the following organisations on the funding of the below-listed projects in the October to December quarter:

  • Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce | Upper Hunter Inspirations Conference
  • Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce | Upper Hunter Showcase
  • Scone Chamber of Commerce | Business Development Project
 
LBF Funding Round Open
The Local Buying Foundation supports funding applications that align with our six key funding categories and meet the needs of building sustainable business communities for the future.

For more information, please read on, visit
our website or contact our Project Officers on 1800 536 663.
Upcoming Events
Singleton Chamber International Women's Day
05 March
The Singleton Business Chamber is hosting the annual Internal Women's Day luncheon. This is a great opportunity to hear from guest speakers and network with other businesses in the Upper Hunter region.
More Information
Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
16 April
Join with the Muswellbrook Chamber to celebrate excellence in business for 2020. This event is a great opportunity for businesses to celebrate together what has been an interesting year!
More Information
The Local Buying Foundation is a critical element of the Local Buying Program in NSW
delivered at BHP Mount Arthur Coal in partnership with C-Res.
 
 
 
Disclaimer Local Buying Foundation
The information provided by LBF in this communication is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to provide accurate and correct information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the information, contained in the communication. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Your privacy is important to us. Please see the Privacy Policy here.

Our mailing address is:
Local Buying Foundation
PO Box 1721
Mackay QLD 4740
Australia