Issuu

CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2 0 2 3 S t r a t e g i c G o a l s

WALLY MEHANNA

SANDRA DUARTE

TRACY

JESSICA

N T E N T S

L E O F

WE ARE A DESTINATION READY TO DO BUSINESS!

We are very pleased and welcome Premier Chris Minns announcement that his government will deliver Sydenham to Bankstown section of City and Southwest Metro.

It’s important to note that the city of Canterbury Bankstown is positioned to be recognised as the gateway to the West. Hence why we must work collectively to ensure that our destination has all the characteristics to appeal to visitors and investors.

It's a turn up and go service; that’s how Metro will be making a time saving convenience for us. With a very high frequency the wait time is short and so is the journey time.

Accessibility to and fromour area is also one of the characteristics of destinations that appeal to investors and visitors.

This conversion will address one of Sydney’s biggest rail bottlenecks, providing more reliable journeys for customers across Sydney, as well as increasing accessibility at all 11 stations. The update will include air-conditioned metro trains and increased train frequency in AM and PM peak services, new, direct, and fast services to Martin Place, Barangaroo, North Sydney, Chatswood, and Macquarie Park, more job opportunities with faster, more frequent, and direct access to key employment centres, including North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park, and the north-west, better access to education, with fast, more frequent, and direct connections, all stations fully accessible, with lifts and level access between trains and platforms, and that’s some of the benefits.

As Joseph B. Wirthlin said once “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination”.

CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dai Trang Le is the first Independent Federal Member for Fowler, and the first Vietnamese refugee to be elected to the 47th Parliament of Australia for the electorate of Fowler, a division of Western Sydney that was named after Lilian Fowler, the first female mayor in Australia.

Her remarkable and well-documented journey from war-torn Vietnam to Australia has shaped her into the passionate advocate she is today, speaking out for her community on issues that can help improve their standard of living.

Ms Le arrived in Australia after the fall of Saigon in April 1975, with her mother and two younger sisters. On arriving in Australia, Dai and her family were resettled to a migrant hostel in Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, before they moved to Bossley Park in Sydney’s Southwest and a part of Fowler.

She knew, even as a child that the opportunities of this new land were far greater than any adversity that would come her way. She soon learnt how to overcome cultural barriers, adopted the language, and accepted that vegemite was a food group.

At school, Dai seized every possibility to pursue knowledge and question the world around her. This inquisitiveness led her to embark on a career in journalism which began at the Liverpool Champion and later, she played a pivotal role in setting up the Fairfield Champion.

Driven by a passion for local issues and the desire to amplify the voices of marginalised communities, Dai pursued her storytelling craft at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Throughout this time, she remained steadfast in telling stories of forgotten people; refugees and migrants – so that by 2008, she was ready to take the next step and enter the political sphere to advocate for the people she felt had long been ignored.

In 2008 she embarked on a journey to make a difference; to be the voice of her community and to be the voice of the people who had previously been ignored. Dai Le was elected to Fairfield City Council in 2012 where she continues to this day, to serve the community and works hard to understand the day-to-day issues families face every day.

It wasn’t until May 2022, that Dai took a gigantic leap of faith and entered the Federal election race, as a passionate advocate for those who had been ignored and marginalised for too long and today, Dai Trang Le is the first woman of Vietnamese heritage and the first Independent to win the safe-Labor seat of Fowler.

The seat of Fowler is home to more than 170,000 people and more than 150 different ethnic nationalities, it is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia. The area spans from Chipping Norton, Warwick Farm, Liverpool to Mount Pritchard, Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Canley Heights, Lansvale, Carramar, Fairfield East and Edensor Park, Bossley Park, St Johns Park, Wakeley, Greenfield Park, Prairiewood, Abbotsbury.

Dai Trang Le is married to Markus Lambert, a migrant from Germany, and together they have an adult son, Ethan and two much loved dogs, Bella and Clancy. Dai Le is passionate about food, dancing and is always the first on the microphone at karaoke!

When she’s not in the electoral office in Cabramatta or at Parliament House, you will find Dai Le at Community events in Fowler or hosting engagements that benefit charitable organisations, small business, and young people.

Joinour for a DAY C E O

PROGRAM

We all had to start somewhere.

Be the starting point for the next generation and become a Host for CEO for a Day.

Your advice, knowledge, and expertise will inspire them to aim high and reach high. Guide young people through your day as you give them a taste of what it means to be a leader in business and in the community.

ADFReserves&Employer SupportProgram

LinkingDefence,reservists,civilianemployers, educationalinstitutionsandthecommunity. FindoutMore

SHIP TOUR AT HMAS KUTTABUL

To strengthen ties and foster closer collaboration between the business community and the defence forces, the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce was cordially invited for a tour of the HMAS Sydney. This unique opportunity allowed local business leaders to gain insights into the workings of the Australian Navy and build better relationships essential for the region's growth and prosperity.

During the tour, our members were given a firsthand look at the sophisticated technology employed on the ship, its intricate navigation systems, and the various roles of the personnel on board. The experience provided a unique glimpse into the dedication and commitment of the sailors, who work tirelessly to safeguard the country's interests.

As a member of the Australian Defence Force Reserves and Employer Support program, we encourage all our members to support our Reservists where they can.

2023 HIGH TEA

Mentorship & Community Growth

Progressive employers understand why women's equality in the workplace is key

Since Wally Mehanna, CEO and father of four (with three daughters) started to elevate women in business in Western Sydney with an annual Women in Leadership Event, TLC has been by its side.

TLC Disability Services shine as beacons of hope and inspiration. With their unwavering commitment to uplifting women and fostering inclusivity, TLC Disability Services has made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and shows no signs of slowing down.

With perfect alignment to the Brave Project and it's current focus on return to work for CALD women the High Tea discussed what mentorship is and how we can enter into agreements of mutual benefits.

International Women's Day To forge inclusive

cultures where women ' s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated #digit-ALL

Every morning we must believe that something better awaits us, and we must have the courage to reach for it and to work for it and to fight for it!

Many thanks to our Panel Speakers for sharing their sense of inspiration and empowerment: Dai Le MP, Athena Manley, TLC Global CEO, Yasser Zaki, Dr Michelle Cull FCPA & Laura Cowell our Moderator.

“Capturing the moment”.

Laura Cowell, Sutherlandshire Counsillor and TLC CEO, Australian Operations asked intelliegnt questions and shined on the day.

Chief of Strategy & Chief of Staff at Aon Athena Manley explained that 4 hours is enough for many mentees if mentorhip has structure and goals. This is great to hear as CEO for a Day mentoring is 4 hours intensive for each session.

inequalities in the community meaning that there is less brain drain or knowledge protection.

Put our heads together, and think outside the Box.

Dai talked about leading from the front, explaining that as a trail blazer its hard to find mentors who have lit the way. She recognised that mentorship doesn't alway have to be like for like to be useful.

Michelle impressed us with her efforts to empower tomorrows leaders through structure and dedication as seen at WSU. At any given time she has a dozen mentees, and is proud to be part of the design and evaluation of BRAVE.

Community growth can be impacted by social citizenship and the impact of decisions. So experiencing the knowledge can remove

Yasser mentors everyday to the people around him and participates in staff development so that he stays accessible and passes on his knowledge, his experience and judgement. Yasser wants the business community to look inward, and to ask yourself what is your impact mission because statistically those that do this perform better than those that don't.

VISIT FROM KYLIE WILKINSON MP

Member for East Hills

We take this opportunity to thank Kylie Wilkinson MP the Member for East Hills for visiting My Guardian HQ a proud Partner of the Canterbury Bankstown ChamberofCommerce.

It’s important for our local members of parliament to stay connected with local businesses and to understand more abouttheirneeds.

My Guardian helps people of all ages and abilities with the kind of services you need to stay in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to provide the exact help you need to ensure an excellent quality of life so you remain safe and secure in your own home. Our warm and personal home carers are experts ready to guard your health and wellness in a loving manner by providing the exact care you want and need. And more importantly, don't see a service you need? Just ask us. We can find a way to get you the help you need.

Credible Finance

Melkite Charitable Foundation

Gramelise Attorneys

Ultra Print & Display

Sudoku Bookkeeping

Bartly Pty Ltd

Just Sport

Lynne-Marie Wilson

MKG Events

Century 21 Homezone Real Estate

Community Minds

Simply Numbers

Bank of Sydney

AJN Healthcare Services

Bankstown Community College Inc

Vault Property Management Pty Ltd

Amy Piddington

Guni SMS Service Provider

Jean-Marcel Malliate Investigation and Mediation

Campsie South Bowling & Recreation Club

Islamic Women's Association Australia (IWAA

Business Women Chronicles

RETURN

TO WORK AFTER DISABILITY OR INJURY

We are delivering workshops and discussion over 45 mins at lunchtime every fortnight.

At1pm 10August2023 Next Up...

TAKE YOUR ASPIRATIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The Problem

Businesses are uncertain about how to support return to work workers after a leave of absence from the workforce due to injury or disability.

The need

Financial independence and earning a living is a source of empowerment, autonomy, and security in life choices and decisions, and businesses need reliable productive workers

The answer

We're finding ways to connect individuals with various abilities and needs that can be accommodated for mutual benefits There are joint responsibilities and the risks can be mitigate to return great rewards.

A long leave of absence can be daunting for women and employers. We address two sides of the coin and encourage open dialogue.

About us

Our Panel of speakers talk candidly about the process, the risks and the considerations They are experts in their fields and not afraid to tackle the reality, the law and the word reasonable! We will take questions and comments

Why Choose us

Haydn Payne talks from personal experience his journey to employment and selfemployment

We deliver an easy to follow checklist. A cheatsheet for questions and considerations

We can't ignore the law, or hide from the opprtunity because we're afraid. Say no to fear. Be Brave!

BUSINESS WOMEN CHRONICLES

Becoming aware of your own biases

In our last blog, the CBCC examined what unconscious bias is, how it can create barriers for many workers including women, and ways to spot and oppose biases in the workplace

Our latest blog examines how to spot your own biases If it feels uncomfortable ‘calling out’ other people’s biased viewpoints and comments, recognising your own biased viewpoints can feel 10x worse

However, where do we even start with spotting our own biases? One way to identify and tackle your biases is to use the ‘IMPLICIT’ method

Created by the AAFP, these 8 steps will walk you through the process of reflecting, pinpointing, and challenging your internal biases.

Feeling overwhelmed? That is completely understandable The process can be confronting!

Change of any kind is uncomfortable, especially if it is personal Despite how challenging this process may feel at first, making a conscious effort will help us become more self-aware and accepting of others.

Let's work together to identify our own biases and make our community more welcoming and accessible for all regardless of cultural background, religion, or gender