WWW.THESENTINELNEWS.COM.AU The Dungog District Chamber of Commerce A Growing Vision: Updates on Waste, Youth, and Infrastructure What a remarkable and challenging beginning to the 2026 year it has been for us all. We currently find ourselves navigating a political landscape that is so volatile it makes solid concrete look like shifting quicksand. Furthermore, we are witnessing an international landscape that has the genuine potential to take our local economy to places that we have simply not been or seen before. In these unpredictable times, the role of our local business collective and the strength of our Chamber become even more vital for our shared success. Since our AGM last year, the committee has been working incredibly hard to continue and enhance the work of the Chamber. Our ongoing efforts to support the region and provide value to our members have included several key highlights and successful initiatives: We held a highly successful networking dinner at Clarence Town where Tony McLeod from Williams River Steel spoke in detail about his significant $8M development of a new tavern and function centre in Grey Street. This is a massive win for our local infrastructure and a testament to the investment occurring in our region. In March, we held a second productive networking event at The Royal, Dungog. Our featured speakers were Balaji Seshadri, Project Officer for the Waste Management Department at Dungog Council, who provided an essential update on new waste management initiatives now available to businesses within the Shire. We also welcomed Kristen Kilpatrick from Dungog Early 9 SOLICITOR W J Enright & Prentice Solicitors & Conveyancers 124 Dowling Street, Dungog. 2420 Phone: 4992 1730 Email: mail@felixprentice.com.au To get in touch our email is CTmuseum@outlook.com , Our phone number is 0491 346 491 , or you can reach us through Facebook. Around The District Saturday the 29th of July saw perfect weather as the Port Stephen’s Choir began the day with their mix of music: the Mid- Winter Festival Museum Open Day had begun! Next was the fashion parade with four female and one male as models. As each model walked the concrete podium, a representative from the Australian Museum of Clothing in Maitland described the garments’ history as an item of fashion, and the materials used, and the original owners if known. While this continued, there was a chance to have valuables appraised by an expert. Once again, Cotton Sax entertained us with his eclectic mix of songs and instrumental tracks. The local scouts provided a BBQ and there was coffee or fresh ice cream available. Young James provided tours as required and young Jack took photos of the event. Two weeks later, the Museum hosted morning Tea and BBQ lunch for the Dungog Rattlin’ Bones and Engine Groans Club AGM and Ordinary Meeting. The museum also received a $100 donation from this Club. Yours truly wore two suits from the 1970’s and by an interesting coincidence, one of our lovely Senior Citizens had known the owners of these suits, John Morris OAM, Foundation member of the Maitland Repertory Theatre, and Mr N Pyle, from when she was growing up in Rutherford! A gentleman from Queensland sent some information about his German descendants who arrived at Clarence Town in 1855. They are the Heinz family and the Krohmann family. Their connections here seem tenuous. They remained only a short time here, although owning a block of land in Marshall Street till 1910, before finding much success at Hill End in goldmining and very successful at real estate in Woollahra in Sydney. Chris O’Neill (Secretary) Counc Brig O Joh Thank you to governm is to be ful to avoid a l restoration In 2021, gr was approv December Heritage N required to While the e Governmen with every $8.8 millio earliest. Draft Dun 2023-2043 Council’s D Action Pla month and Over the ne consequent 45%. But d the present ignored. Sadly, loca multitude o stream inst produced in considerati Firstly, the legislation important t 2030. Ther materials in are suppose every tonne with the CP Secondly, e considerati expensive strategy co of the land One option collection s (FOGO). T up to 50% FOGO serv collection c Waste char be revenue funds in or capacity lim selected, ou Your Loca Jessica Cla jessica.clar Steve low: Sam Benson 0467 051 502 Literacy. Kristen shared moving insights into the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, a wonderful initiative fostering a love of books and reading from birth. Dungog Early Literacy is keen to raise awareness and welcomes any support from local businesses and individuals. Additionally, we have auspiced the Dungog Shire Youth Council and met directly with the General Manager of Council to discuss a range of pressing issues affecting our members. We have officially commenced the planning phase for the Dungog Street Party – be sure to save the 27th Nov 2026. We have also progressed with updating our website, responded to the many draft planning documents prepared by Council, and further developed a Shire-wide Welcome Pack for new residents. We were saddened to hear the news that the Gloucester Chamber has now folded. This is a stark reminder that we must continue to meet the needs of our business community to remain strong and viable. Consequently, our Chamber will be holding a vital strategic planning event in May on the 21st, at what would normally be a networking dinner. Following a couple of recent resignations, our committee is currently down to 5 members. Under our Constitution, the committee can consist of up to 9 members, and ideally, about 7 members are required to share the workload effectively in running the Chamber. Our committee would like to broaden its membership with members from of Vacy, Paterson, and Gresford (Clarence Town is already heavily represented). Even if you don’t want to be formally on the committee, you could help organise events, such as the networking dinners for example. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested, please contact Alan (president@ddcc. org.au). The broader the representation of members on our committee, the more we can achieve and the better we can deal with village-specific issues. Together, we can ensure our business community thrives. Stay tuned to DDCC’s social media channels for updates on these exciting events. Contact secretary@ddcc.org.au or visit www.ddcc.org.au Individual Tax Returns, Small Business Accounting & Self-Managed Super Funds Stuart Flinn - CPA & Tax Agent 0407 956 264 stuart@flinnaccounting.com.au
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