Introducing the new Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce president, Matt Williamson.
Matt has taken the reins from Jason Bentley, who stood down at the last AGM a few weeks ago.
Having been with the chamber for nearly three years, Matt says he has lived for in the area for nine.
He owns and operates insurance brokerage firm Good Cover, which is based in Bangalow.
‘My business was a Covid-inspired moment’, Matt says of his move to the area.
‘I was an executive in an insurance company, and when we got locked-down, I thought it was awesome. I never wanted to go back to a world where I am constantly travelling down to Melbourne and Sydney. So I quit the job and started in insurance brokerage’.
As for the chamber’s past successes, he says, ‘We did quite a lot of good work last year, with good events’.
‘There was a good mixture for members and non-members. When we have events, we always make sure non-members can come along. We raised a fair bit of money last year as well.
‘I think we pulled around $10,000 for the Fletcher Street Cottage and the SHIFT project. It was great.
Different year
‘But this coming year is different. Last year’s focus was post-flood. Everyone’s mindset was post-flood and a lot of it was reconnecting after Covid.
‘This year, the focus is probably going to be more about business. Business is tough at the moment.
‘There’s a lot of empty shops in Byron, and while the remaining shops may not be going bust, they are taking a downturn in their turnover. Addressing that requires a lot of different skills and mindset.
‘Hopefully, we will be able to help those business owners – and their staff. And hopefully advocate for them as well with the issues that they might be facing.
‘Last year, we didn’t do a lot of advocating because people were just happy to roll on – it was such a tough time with the floods’.
Matt says themes that continue to pop up again and again for local business include the changing face of Byron town.
‘Now we have these big retailers that are driving up rents and employing people, but whether they are part of the social fabric or not is another question’.
‘So we have these big name brands that would not look out of place in a Westfield shopping centre. That’s a dramatic change for the face of Byron’.
‘Myself and the board are really open to hear what business has to say, what their concerns are. Not just about the changing face of Byron, but about any issues they might be facing’.
Upcoming events include a Christmas tree initiative and the chamber Christmas party, which will be held Tuesday, December 12, at the Art and Wine Co, located at 1/13 Lawson Street, Byron Bay.
It will be fully catered and have a DJ playing.
To get involved, visit www.byronbaychamber.com.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
