By Jessica Anstice
The Berwick Business Group welcomed some new faces at its annual general meeting last week.
A new executive committee was elected during an online video conference call via Zoom.
Magda D’Abaco was welcomed as the group’s new president, while Michelle Beadle was selected as vice president.
“I value the integrity that this group has earned from traders over the years and I will continue to ensure it is upheld,” Ms D’Abaco said.
“It will be a very different year for our members due to the continuing effects of Covid-19.
“The primary aim and object of this business group is to ensure that our members are being promoted and seen by the community around us.”
Callen O’Brien, who has been involved in the Berwick Business Group for five years, was nominated as treasurer, and Caroline Ward as secretary.
General committee members include Jaki Crow and Paul Beck.
In the meeting, Ms Beadle touched on the process and achievements the group accomplished in the past year.
Combined, the business group has worked closely with Casey Council to update signage around the village.
It has also increased the networking and referral opportunities among its members, lit up trees in the main street for special events and held a number of events to increase the sales and visibility of local businesses.
In her president’s report, Ms D’Abaco spoke about the future plans for the group.
She said the group will continue to liaise with key industry leaders and provide links and pathways to ensure it is keeping its members up to date with relevant information.
“As an almost 60 strong membership group we can achieve great things,” she said.
“We strive to encourage the community to continue to eat, play, work and shop with businesses and utilise the resources we have available locally.
“We do this by creating interactive events such as our main VIP fashion festival, which I am very pleased to say that it will go ahead in 2021, and that we have been given a grant from the Casey Council.”
The VIP fashion festival will be the Berwick Business Group’s main focus next year, event wise.
“Another great initiative that is rolling out is our website directory listing which gives many of our members who may not have an online presence the opportunity to be listed,” she said.
“Another initiative to implement, with the assistance from council, is to host a Return to Work Covid Action Plan for members to be able to access.
I hope that I will be able to lead the group in a very positive direction for the remaining of the active year.”
