Dave Glasson

Hello and welcome to the August newsletter, the year is really flying by as can be evidenced by the fact that the Rodeo is just around the corner. It's been a long time coming but after a few false starts the Rodeo is about to decend into the new Buchanan Park Complex for the first time.

I bet 47 years ago the group of Rotarians that were instrumental in organising the first Rodeo at Kalkadoon Park, never imagined that it would end up in such a huge and purpose built complex that we now have at Buchanan Park.

As for how the event goes it is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet with a record number of entrants ready to try their luck at grabbing a bit of the prize money that is on offer over the weekend. I wish the organisers and competitors all the best for what promises to be a great weekend.

It was good to see Kevin Rudd bringing the electoral debate to a level where most ordinary Australians can at last relate to. They obviously decided to do a bit of shopping and find out how much it costs to fill the trolley up and they were obviously surprised. While they were shopping they obviously also came to the same conclusion that most of us already know and that is that the prices we pay for our goods are controlled by the two majors in the grocery industry. If they bothered to see Today Tonight the other evening they would have seen in graphic detail how predatory pricing works and how the small shop owner has virtually no chance at winning the battle of fair competition against the big guys. It's high time the ACCC looked into the grocery industry to sort out the mess that it is in. But I don't think this will ever happen and they conveniently hide behind the facade of excuse that we haven't been given enough powers by the government to do any such enquiry.

Onto matters closer to home, the State Government released the Northern Economic Triangle Infrastructure plan on Friday. It's good to see that the State Government has recognised the importance of this region as being the engine room for the future development of the state of Queensland. But whether or not they will deliver on their plans still remains to be seen.

Some of my concerns are that in some of the action plans listed for Mount Isa especially; there is nothing in there that is new. It's all stuff that everyone around here has known about for years. The one good thing is that it is all written down in one 68 page document for everyone to see.
All the action plans have a time frame of 1-5 years that in itself is a problem because in that time the Government in its present form will not even be here. Another concern I have is that the Premier has said that there were enormous opportunities for private enterprise to invest in energy infrastructure and we are looking for private enterprise to seize this opportunity and develop commercially viable ecomonically priced and efficient power generation and the plans highlight the Queensland Government's commitment to find collaborative solutions for industry, energy, transport, water and land needs to provide for this widespread growth.

To me this means that unless private industry can come up with the money to fund the infrastructure that is needed to move forward, none of these plans will eventuate and this is exactly the situation we are in now; especially in regards to power generation. If anyone has the time, the plan is available on the web and makes for interesting reading.

Cheers,
David Glasson
PRESIDENT

CHAMBER REMINDERS

The 2007/2008 edition of the Quicksmart Easifind telephone directory is currently underway and is due to be released in September. If you're not already listed in the directory please contact Cassandra Bird on:
Phone: 07 4743 9881; Mobile: 0404 840 113 or via Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This year's deadline for print is 17th August 2007.

The Quicksmart Easifind is Mount Isa's ONLY local directory. Don't let your business miss out!

2007 CS ENERGY MICA CREEK MOUNT ISA & REGIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS

This year's CS Energy Mica Creek Mount Isa Business Awards is being held at Buchanan Park entertainment pavilion on Saturday 20th October and will incorporate organisations from within the North West region for the first time.

The night will recognise the outstanding work of organisations and their staff located throughout North West Queensland and will feature live entertainment by local band DVanti and Melbourne MC/Comedian Wayne Deakin.

Wayne is best known for his biting social commentary in the Melbourne Comedy Festival and weekly spot on the top rating Hughsy, Kate & Dave radio breakfast show. He has also toured throughout the USA and Canada and was the only comedian ever selected to tour the UN Bases entertaining Australian and UN troops with Jon English & Bessie Bardot. As a regular headliner at all Australian comedy venues, Wayne's presence will ensure the night should not to be missed.

Tickets cost $80.00 and will go on sale at the Chamber office from Monday, 3rd September.

AFTERHOURS NETWORKING FUNCTION

The last Afterhours Networking Function was held on the 17th July and held at Buchanan Park. The night was sponsored by the Telstra & Buchanan Park.
Over 70 people turned up to help make the night a great success. Prizes for the night were won by the following people:

Jupiters Townsville Hotel & Casino Accommodation
Rudy Pecchiar - Tommo's Tree Lopping & Maintenance

Pharmacy First Gift Pack
Jessica Crocker - 4LMAM

Tommo's Tree Lopping & Maintenaince Wine Hamper
Michael Dougall - Mount Isa City Council

NQACC Overlander Gift Voucher
Rodney Stokes - Tommo's Tree Lopping & Maintenance

Xstrata Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Bullpit Ride Rickets
Cheryl Steel - Telstra Country Wide

Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce Coffee Hamper
Rod Wilkinson - Dept of State Development

Mount Isa Theatrical Society Are you Being Served Tickets
Roger Llewellyn - Remote Control Technologies

The next Afterhours Networking Function is being held on Tuesday 16th October and will be sponsored by isaSKILLS Job Futures and the North Queensland Area Consultative Committee (NQACC).

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This year's Annual General Meeting is just around the corner and will see a number of vacancies on the Chamber Executive Committee. If you are interested in being part of an active organisation that benefits the Mount Isa community, consider nominating yourself to be part of the team.

The AGM has been scheduled for Tuesday, 25th September.

CUSTOMER SERVICE RECOGNITION

This is the second nomination the Mount Isa Telstra Country Wide outlet has received.
Previous recipient Kerry Hine left big shoes to fill and Sarah is handling the job very well as the sole representative based in Mount Isa.
Sarah is always willing to help with a smile and is excellent with following up on enquiries.
Congratulations Sarah!! Keep up the fantastic work.

BEST DRESSED PREMISES UPDATE

The Best Dressed Premises competition is on again!! Get your workplace dressed up in the theme of:

"Looking Forward...Looking Back"

This is a great event to get the whole town into the Rodeo atmosphere. There are seven categories to enter, including the Best Window Display and Previously Unplaced Entrants. Judging will take place 6 - 10 of August.

If you would like to nominate to be part of this event, contact the Chamber or the Rotary Rodeo office, or download a Nomination Form. MS Word document 54kb.

FAREWELL MONIQUE!!!

Monique

It is with great sadness that we farewell a valuable member of the Chamber.

Monique, who you have all come to know and love has moved onto greener pastures (as of Friday, 27th July). While she is staying in Mount Isa, Monique will be taking on a new role from the following week and we wish her all the best for the future.

Monique was employed by the Chamber in February 2005 as a Business Administration Trainee and in her time she completed her studies and proved to be an asset to the organisation.

Over the last two and a half years she has taken on various challenges including organising the Mining Expo, regular Afterhours Networking functions, developing newsletters and databases and handling a range of enquiries from Easifind sales to immigration applications.

While Monique will be greatly missed, the Chamber would like to thank her for her contribution and assure our members our new administrator will be on board soon and ready to help with your enquiries.

CIVIC CENTRE NETWORK FUNCTION PHOTOS