Business Snowy Valleys secretary Luke Judd, Business NSW Riverina-Murray regional director Serena Hardwick and president Michael Hannah at the Business NSW Riverina-Murray Awards. Photo: Matt Beaver.
After being named Outstanding Regional Chamber at the recent Business NSW Murray-Riverina Awards, Business Snowy Valleys will kick off Small Business Month with a networking event at The Oriental Hotel in Tumut on 1 October.
Small Business Month is an annual month-long program for small businesses across NSW to attend free and low-cost events with opportunities for networking, learning and growth.
Business Snowy Valleys is encouraging locals to celebrate and support other small businesses during Small Business Month, and president Michael Hannah said the award was a reflection of the business community’s strength in the region.
“We won this award back in 2021, at the state level; it would be amazing to bring it back to Snowy Valleys again in 2025,” Mr Hannah said.
“This recognition belongs to every one of our members and the local business community.
“By listening to local businesses and building smart partnerships, we’ve been able to create meaningful opportunities for connection, learning and growth. It’s an exciting time for business in the Snowy Valleys.”
The Outstanding Regional Chamber awards recognised the chamber’s Heavy Industry Network initiative, which responded to feedback from under-represented sectors such as trades and transport.
Business Snowy Valleys has been delivering events with real value to business through partnering with Snowy 2.0, Future Generation JV, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, the Softwoods Working Group and many other players.
Other local winners in the Regional Awards section included Kestrel Nest EcoHut at Highfield Farm and Woodland, which won the Excellence in Sustainable Tourism award; and Tom’s Outdoors, which took home the Excellence in Small Business award.
As a regional winner, Business Snowy Valleys will now represent the region as a state finalist at the Business NSW Awards in Sydney on 29 October in the Outstanding Local Chamber category.
Business Snowy Valleys will hold its annual general meeting on 21 October and is encouraging people to get in touch and nominate for committee positions. The organisation said now was a great time to ride the momentum and get involved.
“Whether you’re a sole trader or a large business, well established, or just starting out and regardless of your industry – there’s never been a better time to join,” Mr Hannah said.
“As a volunteer-run, independent organisation, Business Snowy Valleys really relies on local business people stepping up and contributing.
“It doesn’t take as much time as people think, our active committee really helps share the load. We also have a part-time project officer to manage ongoing projects, which allows the committee to focus on the big initiatives, advocacy and future planning.”
Business Snowy Valleys will kick off Small Business Month on 1 October, starting with the networking event at The Oriental Hotel in Tumut. More activities and workshops will follow throughout the month in Adelong, Tumut and Batlow, including workshops on social media strategy for small businesses and lunchtime information session on reaching tourists as a local business.
The workshops were designed around feedback Business Snowy Valleys received.
The events will be free for Business Snowy Valleys members, but non-members are welcome to join for a small fee.
For more information, register as a member and for upcoming events, visit its website.
