30 September 2024

Gunnedah Shire has about 1500 small businesses with less than 20 employees, making the small business sector a vibrant part of our economy.

October is NSW Small Business Month, and Gunnedah Shire Council will celebrate our Shire’s small businesses by offering a number of events where owners and employees can network, develop skills and gain knowledge.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Community and Development Andrew Johns said small businesses added to every aspect of life in Gunnedah Shire and covered a huge range of industries and interests.

“We’re very lucky in Gunnedah Shire to have such a variety of small businesses, from coffee shops to electricians, and property agents to gift shops,” Mr Johns said.

“Each one brings something unique to the economy and makes it just that little bit better to live in what is already a great place.

“In NSW Small Business Month, Gunnedah Shire Council will partner with other agencies to help people build on their networks and their knowledge. Events such as these can take a business to the next level of sales or services, or help make a business more sustainable.”

NSW Small Business Month will begin in Gunnedah with a Launch Breakfast on Tuesday, 1 October at the Railway Hotel hosted by the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce and Gunnedah Shire Council. As well as a buffet breakfast, the event will a panel of knowledgeable speakers. The panel will include owner/director for Blush & Bloom Skin and Beauty Caity Byrnes, Namoi Valley Plumbing owner/director Jake Dawson, Whitehaven Coal General Manager, Community Engagement Darren Swain, and Reverence Road owner Renee Neale.

Tickets are $20 and are available through www.gunnedah.org.au On Tuesday, 15 October at 4-6pm, a free Communicating with Customers for Connection and Growth session will be held at the Courthouse Hotel with Keira Gifford of Raw Confetti.

Keira will help unlock market leading strategies for effective customer communication, and help you take a deep dive into your digital presence. Attendees are asked to bring their questions and their laptop. The event is free, but bookings are required through www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1294893

There will be a Future Forward – Services NSW event in partnership with NORTEC from 9.20am to 12.30pm at the Smithurst Theatre on Wednesday, 23 October. During this interactive workshop, attendees can gain an understanding of the transformative power of AI and how it can drive innovation in your business.

This event is free, but bookings can be made through https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/business-connect/event/qxew9xe6zj The final event is Beyond the Fields: Women in Ag Morning Tea at the Carroll Gap Farmhouse from 9.30am to 11.30am on Wednesday, 30 October.

This free event will include morning tea, networking and information dedicated to empowering women in agriculture. Guest facilitators will be Julia Pursehouse from The Farmer’s Florist, Stewart Michel from Michel & White Lawyers, Melissa Bowman from Farm Business Resilience Program and Karen Grimm from Gunnedah Shire Council.

The event is free, but bookings are required through www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1294808

The list of events is:

 7.30-9am Tuesday, 1 October, 2024: Launch breakfast at the Railway Hotel, Gunnedah• $20. Bookings www.gunnedah.org.au/event-details 4-6pm Tuesday, 15 October, 2024: Communicating with Customers for Connection & Growth at the Courthouse Hotel, Gunnedah• Free. Bookings www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1294893 9.30am-12.30pm Wednesday, 23 October, 2024: Future Forward – Services NSW at the Smithurst Theatre, Gunnedah• Free. Bookings https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/business-connect/event/qxew9xe6zj 9.30-11.30am Wednesday, 30 October, 2024: Beyond the Fields: Women in Ag Morning Tea at Carroll Gap Farmhouse• Free. Bookings www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1294808

 Caption: The crowd enjoys the Small Business Month 2023 Launch Breakfast.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: [email protected] or (02) 6740 2100.