Shock resignation rocks Gympie business community

Mary St trader Tony Goodman has stepped down as the Gympie Chamber of Commerce president in a surprise move that has stunned the local business community.

Tony Goodman (left) has stepped down indefinitely as president of the Gympie Chamber of Commerce, and vice president Brendan Allen (pictured with wife Jody) will take over in the interim.

Mary St trader Tony Goodman has stepped down as the Gympie Chamber of Commerce president at least until the end of the year in a surprise move that has stunned the local business community.

Mr Goodman announced he would be taking an indefinite break from his post due to personal reasons at Wednesday (August 25) morning’s Chamber of Commerce breakfast, with vice president Brendan Allen to assume the role as acting president for the rest of 2021.

Mr Goodman has been a tireless advocate for the Gympie region, as well as its business community and the prosperity of Mary St, the town’s CBD.

Mr Allen said he was looking forward to the challenge of his new role, but acknowledged it would be difficult to fill the void left by Mr Goodman’s absence.

“Tony has decided he needs to take some time for himself, he is absolutely tireless in the work he does for the time, so he’s taking a bit of a break,” Mr Allen said.

“He also needs to have some surgery he has been putting off for quite a while, and he thinks this is the perfect time to take some time to step back, recuperate and spend some time with his family.

“We’ve worked hand to hand for the last three years, he’s just an inspiration.

Tony Goodman with a copy of The Gympie Times.

“He brings all of the energy to the chamber. Without him, the chamber will never be the same. They are massive shoes to step into and I’m honoured to take that step and will try my best to fill them.

“I know first hand how much work he does, I would say between 20 and 30 hours every week for the chamber.

“He’ll be sorely missed and I encourage him to come back as soon as possible after he’s recovered.”

Mr Allen said he was confident the chamber community would band together and collectively manage the hefty workload Mr Goodman carried in his three years at the helm.

New Gympie Chamber of Commerce president Brendan Allen with his wife and talented entrepreneur Jody. Pictures: Josh Preston

“The Chamber is in very good hands, we’ve got so many tireless workers for the community sitting on the board, and we’ve got excellent members throughout the group,” he said.

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“We’ll do our best to keep the wheels turning while Tony is recuperating.”