Broom sweeps new faces into Beenleigh chamber of commerce

A TUMULTOUS year has come to an end for the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce after it elected a new president on Friday.

Karen Murphy and Tim Ebbstein.

A TUMULTOUS year has come to an end for the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce after it elected a new president on Friday.

Real estate sales specialist Karen Murphy was elected unopposed as president, taking over from Laurie Dore, who stood down in November citing personal problems following the demise of his Loganholme company in July last year.

Vice president to Ms Murphy is businessman Aydan Marriott.

Treasurer is Valerie O’Neil who has played a role in bringing the chamber’s finances into line.

In handing over the reins, interim president Tim Ebbstein, from DeBortoli Wines, said there had been significant financial problems including failure to lodge annual reports with the Office of Fair Trading for four years. “There were also a number of sizeable outstanding debts to organisations, both private and community based, has not been declared,” he said.

March’s flood wreaked havoc with the annual prawn day and a small drop in income compounded an operating deficit, which blew out to $49,000.

Ms Murphy said she was looking forward to a year of prosperity and a new start for the chamber with its new-look committee and executive office bearers