WCBA initiates membership levels to drive engagement
From left, WCBA Vice President Grant Palethorpe congratulates Richard Law from Thrill Hill Amusements and Nathan Major from Intersect Bookkeeping on their Platinum ($2,500), and Gold ($1000) Memberships, respectively.
Woombye Community Business Association (WCBA) Treasurer Nathan Major is encouraging businesses to become members of the Association as we head into 2023.
“We have been doing a lot of work on our website to make it easy for people to become members,” Nathan said.
“We are very fortunate in Woombye, to have such an engaged and active business association because it allows us to make a valuable contribution to our community.”
These Memberships support the objectives of the Association which are to provide a forum for lobbying of the three tiers of government, maintain and encourage appropriate development whilst preserving rural and heritage identities, raise monies for projects which will benefit the community of Woombye, engage in the sponsorship of local schools, sporting clubs, community groups and events, and be a truly representative body for the community of Woombye.
“We have introduced new levels of membership to the WCBA alongside the existing Gold and Platinum levels,” Nathan said.
“The WCBA felt it was important to offer these new levels to consolidate financial resources and not be reliant on grants to cover expenditure,” he said.
“Despite having a strong and stable membership base of around 120 members, even the cost of the Public Liability insurance of over $2,900 per year isn’t being covered by the annual fee of $20.
“The introduction of these membership classes will reduce the financial burden on the Association and allow the WCBA to increase its contribution back to the local community groups and sporting clubs.”
Last year, the WCBA contributed $150 for a Woombye State School Bursary, $75 for the Beersheba Parade wreath and $100 towards the Bowls Club ANZAC breakfast.
“In the last few months we have also supported the Woombye Bowls Club Social Bowls Competition, another $80 for this year’s Beersheba Parade wreath, and $750 for the Woombye Primary School Colour Fun Run.
“Essentially we are hopeful for the continued support of our current members and that they understand the increase for Ordinary and Business membership fees will help strengthen the Association for the benefit of Woombye.
“We are presently working on a benefits list that will set out what our members also receive. Thrill Hill Amusements has come on board as a Platinum Member ($2,500), and Intersect Bookkeeping Services is a Gold Member ($1,000).
“Membership and activities are not just limited to businesses, we are working hard to create community events that also promote networking across the broader community.
“The long term involvement of business in the community is vital. If you only have people, you have a suburb. If you only have businesses, you have an industrial park. Bringing it all together is what creates a vibrant, thriving, independent community.
“Having a strong association assists with engagement with all levels of government and having funds in the kitty helps to ‘future proof’ the WCBA, to a degree,” he said.
“But it is also not all about cash in the bank. We have allowed for a 50% in-kind payment for skilled contributions to the WCBA’s operations and projects. This is a wonderful way to utilize the skills and energy of our community and facilitate their contribution to Woombye.”
To find out more about the WCBA, go to www.woombye.com.au or email woombyecommunity@gmail.com
AGM November 23
In other WCBA news, the AGM will be held on Wednesday the 23rd of November from 6pm at Thrill Hill and catering will be supplied by Marguerita Pizza. There will be calls for nominations for positions at the meeting.