Dear Members
As the year draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support. 2017 has been a very busy year for your association and it is this support that continues to drive the WBTA, enabling us to act on your behalf in what seems to be a fast and forever changing business landscape. The WBTA is now completing its second year since its inauguration and we continue to grow our membership from 53 this time last year to over 90 members across Wyndham.
The year started with the news of a Youth Detention Centre announcement from our State Government of which your association was a key stakeholder in the relocation of that Detention Centre. The WBTA was 1 of 4 associations represented at a round table discussion with the State Treasurer and Minister for Resources, Tim Pallas MP, Minister for Families and Children, The Hon. Jenny Mikakos MLC and respective members of the State Government bodies. The groundswell of local opposition to the announced location and these high-level discussions led to a favourable outcome and relocation of the detention centre.
The WBTA though our advocate Mario Mantello has continued to act on your behalf on a broad number of topics throughout the year. Our relationship with Wyndham City Council and other representative bodies has continued and we are now a key stakeholder within our community. As your board, our objective is to advocate for you on a range of matters that effect your businesses. It is these relationships that enable us to do this work on your behalf.
2017 also showcased some exceptional events orchestrated and delivered by our events team, Winter the street festival has continued to grow and now very much a Wyndham City Calendar event, the team also introduced a Winter Ball to the festival of which was held at Werribee Park, a great night for all that attended. Our events team headed by Tonia Tribe must be commended for the dedication to our local community, this year not only have they created exceptional events they have raised $10,000 for local organisations.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our elected board members and their subcommittee members for all their arduous work throughout the year. Our board and subcommittee members consist of small business owners just like you who volunteer their time with one purpose in mind, that is to support you as our member and to make Wyndham a wonderful place to live and work.
Our secretary Jan Grapsas has elected not to continue in this role for 2018, Jan is our founding secretary and has been instrumental to the success of the WBTA to date, I personally would like to thank her whole heartedly for her commitment throughout the last 2 years and I wish her all the best for the future. It is with Jan’s support that we have been able to continue to achieve the results we have.
So once again thank you for your support throughout 2017, a year that has continued to see your association grow and represent you as members across many areas. As a fast-developing Municipality, it is extremely important that we work together as a united voice to ensure the opportunity to be heard and help shape our business landscape. It is vital that we continue this journey, so I encourage you to continue you to support your association. Our objectives are very clear – to support our members and make Wyndham a wonderful place to work and live.
Thank you
Nick Christou
Chair