Chamber Projects
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)
Ag Machinery Operator Training Course – May 2024
Overview
- Delivered in Ingham over four days from Monday May 27th to Thursday May 30th, 2024
- This course was achieved through a collaboration between industry stakeholders, including:
- Mary Brown – Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc – Project Manager
- Lawrence Di Bella – Tropical Agricultural Services/QCAR – Industry Expertise/ Project Technical Co-ordination/ Equipment Hire
- Scott Robinson – Agforce Training PL – Registered Training Organisation/ Trainer/ Assessor
- Mo Pederson – Agforce Training PL – Trainer
- Robbie Lyon – Trainer/ Industry Expertise
Summary of Activity
Four days full time theoretical and practical training including the below skill deliveries:
- Tractor Driving
- Operation of Cane Haul Out Vehicle
- Undertake Operational Maintenance of Machinery
- Safe Work near Live Powerlines
- Cane Haul Out Operations on a Cane Siding
- Fire Awareness in Sugar Cane Harvest
- WH & S Requirements
Schedule of Activities
May 27 – Subjects Covered:
- Complete project paperwork
- Welcome to the Industry
- Introduction to the Australian Sugarcane Industry
- Meeting Workplace Occupational Health and Safety
- Mechanical Association introductory video
- Presentation by Police concerning legal requirements to work in the industry
- Generic siding induction – Wilmar
- Mandatory drug and alcohol testing
- Powerline Awareness
- Fire Awareness
- Familiarisation of tractors, haul outs, harvesters and pre-starts
- Daily wrap up and complete training assessments
May 28 – Students broken up into 2 groups
- Familiarisation of the tractor and haul out units and its components
- Operating a tractor (participants must drive a small tractor and trailer combination, progressing to a haul out)
- Familiarisation and operation of a tractor and haul out unit
- Daily wrap up and complete training assessments
May 29 – Review and Reinforcement of previous day
- Operating a haul out unit
- Operating a haul out unit (managing difficult terrain)
- Operating a haul out unit (working on the siding)
- Visiting a harvesting business with a John Deere Harvester
- Visiting a harvesting business with a Case Harvester
- At these visits, business owners discuss the company needs and requirements, view firsthand different machines used in the industry
May 30 – Review and Reinforcement of previous day – Managing biosecurity and harvesting losses
- The importance of biosecurity
- Managing harvesting losses
- Getting hands dirty – Operating a haul out unit (working on the siding)
- Time to show what you learnt!
- On the final day, sponsors, industry participants and employers were invited to a lunch with the candidates. This very well attended lunch provided an opportunity for candidates to be introduced to cane harvester operators and industry representatives, to acknowledge completion of the training course and to facilitate introductions to potential employers.
Summary of Key Outcomes of Course Deliverables
- 11 Candidates were offered positions on the course, following a candidate interview process undertaken by an industry panel
- 55% of candidates were under 35 years of age
- 55% of candidates relocated to the Hinchinbrook Shire for the training and were offered employment locally
- 11% of candidates had never worked in the sugar cane industry, and had transitioned from other industries
Summary of Employment Placements
- Employment in Harvesting/ Planting/ Farmwork Sector – 8 Candidates (72.73%)
- Employment in Support industries to Sugar Cane – 2 Candidates (18%)
- Employment in other local employment – 1 Candidate (9%)
Quotes from Participants
*After being in their roles for approximately 6 weeks*
Isaac – “I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity that this training has given me and the other guys. The best part of the job is actually going to work. I’ve met people with experience and they have taught me so much more about the industry and developing my skills.”
Demi – ” Things are going great. I am working for two contractors casually. The course was great and definitely gave me the basics to start, then build on that as I am working.”
Deb – “Secured season contract as second driver. So much of what you taught and shared experiences has helped me in my job and I wanted to say “thank you” again for your teachings.”
Who Was Involved?
- Windlab (Gawara Baya)
- Powerlink Queensland
- JK’s Delicatessen
- Back to Work Program
- Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc
- QCAR
- Agforce Training Pty Ltd
- Wilmar Sugar
- Herbert River Cane Productivity Services
- Sugar Research Australia
- Herbert River Canegrowers
- QITE
- Busy at Work
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”.
