Chamber Projects
Building Momentum in Challenging Environments – 15 May 2026
On Friday 15 May 2026, we welcomed a small group of local business personnel to our Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce Building Momentum in Challenging Environments – Business Breakfast (A Queensland Small Business Month event). Guests in attendance were involved in practical and relatable discussions with Guest Speaker Fiona Jago from Resilient Ready; whom shared her personal knowledge and experience of running sectors such as farming, construction, retail, and tourism businesses – after her Kangaroo Island Caravan Park was badly impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. Now working for Resilient Ready, she brought information for businesses to take small, but meaningful steps to strengthen their preparedness.
Guests were then able to engage with a panel of other support networks including Rural Financial Councillors and Business Wellness Coaches (Charlotte Johansson, Peter David and Meg Clarey), Queensland Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business – Principal Program Officer (Gerard Millican), and Hinchinbrook Shire Council – Community Recovery and Resilience Officer – Community and Cultural Services (Jane Carne).
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Coffee Connections – 2025
March 2025
March 2025 saw the return of Chamber’s Coffee Connections – Which featured guest speaker Charlotte Johansson, Business Wellness Coach from Rural Financial Counselling Services.
It proved to be a valuable morning of information, coffee and connections, post natural disaster.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
April 2025
April 2025 Coffee Connections saw Chamber and guests going behind the scenes at the iconic Wild Local – with business owners Rebecca and Dominic Zaghini giving us insight into the everyday operations of a busy cafe and fish and chip shop.
We extend our thanks to Rebecca and Dominic for their hospitality.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
June 2025
June 2025 Coffee Connections saw Chamber and guests going behind the scenes at one of Ingham’s most vital mental health and wellbeing, NDIS providers Selectability – with Selectability’s Regional Coordinator Julie Ross giving us extensive insight into the everyday running of such a sought-after establishment.
On behalf of the Hinchinbrook Chamber, we extend our utmost gratitude to the Julie and the Selectability team for their hospitality and insight.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Hinchinbrook Vibes Industry Breakfast – 25 May 2025
On Sunday 25 May, we welcomed a sell-out crowd of approximately 45 local business personnel to our Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce Hinchinbrook Vibes Industry Breakfast. Guests in attendance were treated to a short presentation from Content Creator Jacqui Gage from GROW Social Co. called “Make It Make Sense: Social Media That Doesn’t Feel Like a Full-Time Job!“
Upon the completion of Jacqui’s presentation, and with impeccable timing, Chamber President Mary Brown introduced the SURPRISE Extra Special VIP Guest David Crisafulli MP. After a brief speech recognising the recovery efforts of our local community, David then hung around for a coffee while he made his way around the room chatting to all of our attendees. Listening with heartfelt intent to each story that was told, he offered his reassurance and support where needed. After spending a couple of hours amongst our crowd, David was then whisked away to his next appearance, and we ended the unforgettable Industry Breakfast with the drawing of our lucky door prizes.
Congratulations to the businesses that won our amazing prize packages!
GROW Social Co. winners – Kathleen Lynch and Nicole Chiesa
Bookkeeping Solutions by Jane winners – Julie Hemmett and Maddy Durack
Hey Girl Content Club winners – Lacey Long, Kerry Marino, Trina Motti, Sharyn Parker, Amber Pollock, Jo Bridges and Sharon Blanco
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Link2Country – May 2025
To say we were excited for this event would be an understatement!
The Hinchinbrook Chamber were proud to sponsor the inaugural Link2Country Expo, with Chamber jumping on board to assist within the local employment sector. An Employment Wall was constructed with over 30 jobs on display – The perfect opportunity for expo goer’s to find their new career path.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
NBN Local NQ Business Breakfast – June 2025
On the 25th June, a small group of Ingham locals gathered at JK’s for a Business Breakfast. While they got the opportunity to discuss their connection issues during the recent floods with NBN Chief Development Officer Gavin Williams, and NBN Executive Manager-Emergency Management Cameron Scott.
Special thanks goes to Karen and the team from JK’s Deli, for once again supplying an outstanding venue and top notch food and services, Casie Scott, Gavin Williams and Cameron Scott from NBN and to those of the community with whom attended.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Coffee.Crops.Conversations – Women in Ag Morning Tea – July 2025
On the 25th July, Chamber was proud to work alongside the Hinchinbrook Information and Referral Centre, to hold a Women in Ag Morning Tea. It was a valuable morning full of sharing stories, giving encouragement, and offering support where it was needed to those still struggling in the aftermath of the devastating flooding event of the beginning of the year.
Special thanks once again goes to Karen and team from JK’s Deli for the venue and hospitality, as well as to the incredible group of ladies who attended.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Launched Hinchinbrook Festival of Events – October 2025 to November 2025
A brand-new festival lit up Ingham this October as the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Hinchinbrook Festival of Events, a dynamic celebration of music, art, food, and culture, taking place from 15 October 2025 to 27 November 2025 at various locations around the Hinchinbrook district.
With the main aim to revive a once thriving community, post 2025 February major flooding disaster event, the Hinchinbrook Festival of Events exceed all expectations. As we welcomed over 10,000 attendees across the 20 events, with locals and visitors travelling from afar to take part in the festivities. With live music, stand-up comedy shows, community festivals, horse racing and more; it was a jam-packed 6 weeks of laughter, fun, engagement and community.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Launch of Shop & Win 2025 – October 2025
October brought the launch of the inaugural Shop & Win Christmas Campaign for 2025. With an array of local businesses putting up their hands to participate in this much loved “buy local” experience!
For any purchase made within the 4850 postcode, customers are to fill in their entry forms or receipts, with their contact details, and deposit into one of our many collection boxes located around the district. Entries will close in December, and winners will be drawn. Keep an eye on our Hinchinbrook Chamber Facebook page for more details…
(Photo credits: Harmony Designer Nails, Felix Reitano Furniture and Real Estate and Ingham Motorcycles and Mowers)
Almost Christmas! A Community Celebration – Halifax – October 2025
On the 22nd of November, the Hinchinbrook Chamber was proud to partner with various Halifax Community Groups to host “Almost Christmas! Community Celebration”, at the Halifax Community Hall.
It was a fun family morning with kids amusements and freebies, market stalls and entertainment galore! With event organisers commenting on the outstanding crowd attendance – an attribute to our local community spirit!
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce and Bella Drewett Photography + Film)
Politics at the Pub – Hinchinbrook Bi-Election Forum – November 2025
The Hinchinbrook Chamber was once again very privileged to host the candidates forum for the upcoming Hinchinbrook State Bi-Election in Ingham on 17 November.
We’d like to extend a thank you to all candidates for an informative and respectful conversation- the audience appreciated your contribution and thank you for your generous participation.
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Hinchinbrook Chamber AGM – December 2025
On Monday 1 December, the Hinchinbrook Chamber held its Annual General Meeting for 2025. What an absolutely mammoth year 2025 has been for Chamber, and we sincerely thank the Executive Committee and our Members for their continued support.
From an addressing by Hinchinbrook’s newest MP-Elect Mr Wayde Chiesa, to a monstrous 2025 summary given by our Chamber President Mary Brown. All cards were on the table as the newly elected Chamber Executive Team were announced to the room. We even got to have a sneaky birthday celebration…
We’d like to welcome our Newly Elected Executive Committee:
President – Mary Brown
Vice-President – Peter Reitano
Secretary – Christina Spencer
Treasurer – Siobhan Pelleri
A special thank you to the Herbert River RSL Club for the venue and catering, and thank you to Hinchinbrook Shire Council‘s CEO Mary-Anne for chairing the nominations section.
On behalf of the entire Chamber Team, we thank our Executives, Members, the wider business community and Ingham residents for a fantastic 2025, and we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
(Photo credits: Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce)
Markets at the Mosaic
For a number of years now, Chamber had identified a potential opportunity to grow the small business community, through support of emerging micro-businesses. It was with this strategy in mind, that Chamber embarked upon the management of Markets at the Mosaic, after being approached by a couple of artesian entrepreneurs who were keen to establish a “home-made, designed and grown” market opportunity locally, and believed Mercer Lane was the ideal central location.
With the collaboration of other like-minded home-based creatives, in a very short period of time Markets at the Mosaic was created, and so began the journey of supporting local entrepreneurs.
While 2024 saw a slower start for Markets at the Mosaic, the introduction of a dedicated market co-ordinator and marketing manager, has seen exponential growth in both stall holders and visitation to the CBD on the third Saturday of each month, when the markets are held. Increasing marketing promotion through social media sites, radio marketing, collaboration with Townsville Enterprise Limited to expand into tourism markets and inclusion into print media, through the launch of Hinchinbrook Life has seen outstanding results.
As 2024 draws to a close, demand from stall holders is now exceeding available space, however Chamber plans to explore options for expansion in 2025 to accommodate this growth and introduce a greater variety of products. The final Markets at the Mosaic for 2024 was held in conjunction with the Late-Night Shopping event held on Thursday 19 December 2024.
Markets at the Mosaic will commence again in 2025 in April and will remain every third Saturday of the month for the duration of 2025.
What: Markets at the Mosaic
When: Third Saturday of every month
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Mercers Lane, beside JK’s Deli
For more information, or if you’d like to have a stall at our Markets at the Mosaic in 2025, just send us an email at admin@hinchinbrookchamber.com.au
Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland – Jobs North Queensland
Through our valued partnerships with leading organisations including Townsville Enterprise Limited, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, Government Bodies and Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland, we have been given the opportunity to collaborate on a state-wide employment campaign.
Jobs North Queensland, Regional Development Australia, and Live North Queensland offer simultaneously connected online portals, that allow business owners the chance to advertise their employment opportunities online at no cost. Likewise, it offers job seekers up-to-date local job availabilities, allowing resumes to be uploaded, and connections to be formed with potential employers.
Jobs North Queensland: www.jobsnorthqueensland.com.au
Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland: https://www.rdanwq.org.au
Live North Queensland: https://www.livetownsvillenorthqueensland.com.au
To register your Employment Opportunity for FREE on Jobs North Queensland!:
- Sign in/ Register
- Job Seeker? Employer?
- Register your details or sign in with Facebook, Google or Apple Accounts
- Along the top menu, you’ll find “Employers” – “Post a job”
- Fill in job details as prompted – Save and Preview
Alternatively, jobs can also be uploaded under “Employer Dashboard”.
