By Lauren Henry

Horsham’s business community has stepped up to lead West Vic Business, with a renewed focus on regional leadership, collaboration and member-driven governance.

At its July 21 annual general meeting, members voted to adopt a business community-led board structure, appointing 13 members to its board.

New chair Glenn Doyle has taken over from Mark Clyne, who will remain on the board.

West Vic Business acknowledged the service and contribution of Mr Clyne, as well as outgoing members Catherine Shirrefs, Andrea Cross and former ambassador Stacey Taig, who finished with the organisation after her paid role came to an end.

The business group was facing a cross-road this year, with members required to vote to either wind up the organisation or change its model to be volunteer-led.

“Myself and a few others did a bit of work around that, and when we spoke to the business community, there was a clear message that continuing the group was viewed as being worthwhile,” Mr Doyle said.

“It really is a strong endorsement of the work that Andrea, Stacey, Catherine and Mark were doing – they were really a driving force, and coming out of COVID was a pretty challenging time.”

The 13 board members include a broad cross-section of business experience, ensuring strong representation across the Wimmera.

Chair Glenn Doyle, Sylvania Park; vice-chair Vanessa O’Loughlin, Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network, LLEN; secretary Rowena Doyle, Sylvania Park; acting treasurer Glenn Ryan, River End Apartments; Craig Klemm, Build Pro; Matt Coutts, Laser Electrical; Stuart Hobbs, Total Tools; Chris Jones, Mitre 10; Mark Clyne, Harcourts; Ben Fraser, Wimmera Mail-Times; Wendy Bywaters, Wendy’s Retreat of Nhill; Leanne Watson, Your Finance Angel; and Allison Roberts, Horsham Plaza.

“I really think that number is reflective of the wider business community and the conversations we were able to engage directly with well over 50 per cent of the existing members, and there was some really good feed-back about the value the group performed and insight as to what they think the group could and should be doing going into the future,” Mr Doyle said.

He said the board was planning consistent and clear communication with its members to try and reinvigorate the group, with a focus on networking, collaboration and advocacy.

“For us to be a really healthy and strong business community, the members need to engage,” he said.

“It needs to be a two-way street. If we aren’t doing the right things or we aren’t asking the right questions and getting the right feedback and then steering the right way, then there’s no point having the group. 

“We really need the business community to re-engage,  to buy in, and to support us, and that means making themselves available when we put things on, that means when we ask questions – providing feedback, they’re the things that make it a two-way street. 

“We can be the best commerce group, but without the business community engagement, we won’t go any-where.

“For us, a clear goal is to re-engage the membership, increase it and grow it and become a really strong advocate for them.”

The West Vic Business board is having weekly meetings to work on a strategy and planning for the group, with the hope to host its first networking event in spring.

Mr Doyle said with several business projects progressing in the region, businesses were needing to navigate opportunities and sometimes uncertainties. 

“At a time like this, a strong, collective business voice is essential,” he said. 

“Change and growth has already started to occur with Farm Frites arriving, and there are other significant projects that are possibilities, so having an informed and engaged business community is vitally important for the prosperity of the Wimmera region.”

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