Welcome to this month's Chamber update. From regional developments and business opportunities to member news and upcoming events, here's what's happening across the Bunbury Geographe business community.
Supporting Volunteer South West
Volunteer South West has asked for our support in advocating for the continued funding of Volunteer Resource Centres across Australia.
These centres are the backbone of thousands of volunteer programs, connecting volunteers with community organisations while providing training, resources and ongoing support. With funding beyond 2027 currently uncertain, there is a real risk that this vital local infrastructure could be lost.
If you'd like to support this important initiative, please consider signing and sharing the petition.
Census 2026: Why it matters
Tuesday, 11 August 2026 is Census Night.
The Census plays a critical role in determining future investment in our region. Accurate population data helps secure funding for hospitals, schools, housing, roads, emergency services, community facilities and other essential infrastructure.
We encourage all businesses to remind their staff, families and networks to complete the Census. Every response helps ensure the South West receives the funding and services our growing community deserves.
How BGCCI is using Census Data
Over the past six months, BGCCI has been working with the University of Western Australia's Business School to develop an Employment Dashboard that provides valuable insights into the South West's workforce, current employment trends and future skills needs.
Built using Microsoft Power BI, the dashboard already incorporates Census data from 2016 and 2021, with the 2026 Census data to be added as soon as it becomes available.
We've already shared the platform with local governments across the Bunbury Geographe region and are pleased to make it available to interested Chamber members.
As the project evolves, the dashboard will be enhanced with predictive capabilities and AI integration to help identify future workforce trends and emerging skills requirements.
UWA students are now working on the next phase of the project, expanding the dashboard to include additional regional centres. This will allow meaningful comparisons between Bunbury and other regional economies, supporting Bunbury's position as one of Western Australia's seven designated regional economic hubs.
If you'd like to explore the Employment Dashboard, simply get in touch and we'd be happy to share it with you.
Congratulations to our 2026 Business Excellence Awards Finalists
Congratulations to every business announced as a finalist in the 2026 Bunbury Geographe Business Excellence Awards.
The outstanding quality of this year's entries highlights the innovation, resilience and diversity of businesses across our region. We look forward to celebrating with all finalists at the Awards Gala later this month.
Looking after your mental health
Running a business is rewarding, but it can also be demanding.
Beyond Blue's NewAccess for Small Business Owners program provides free, confidential mental health coaching tailored specifically for small business owners experiencing stress or feeling overwhelmed.
South West AMTECH Hub progress
The State Government has announced it is seeking an anchor tenant for the new South West AMTECH Hub, another significant step towards strengthening advanced manufacturing opportunities in our region.
Tim Fischer Fellowship applications now open
Applications are now open for the Tim Fischer Fellowship, supporting emerging leaders committed to strengthening regional Australia.
If you, or someone in your network, may be interested, learn more here.
Partner Event: SCOPE 2026
Supply Chain Opportunities & Procurement Engagement Forum
3 September | Perth
SCOPE 2026 will bring together more than 400 professionals from procurement, project management, government, prime contractors and SMEs across Western Australia's energy, defence, resources and infrastructure sectors.
If your business is looking to secure work on upcoming major projects, this event offers direct access to decision-makers, procurement teams and major project proponents. Attendees will gain valuable insights into upcoming procurement packages, project timelines, supplier requirements and government priorities.
Learn more and book your tickets.
Opportunity: India Business Boot Camp
BGCCI is working with the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) to explore export and trade opportunities for South West businesses interested in the Indian market. The recent Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) provides a signficant advantage for Australian exporters looking to take advantage of near zero tarrifs on goods entering one of the world's largest markets.
We're seeking expressions of interest from businesses that:
- Already export to India
- Are considering exporting to India
- Want to better understand opportunities within the Indian market
The proposed boot camp will provide practical guidance on exporting and market entry, leading into the AIBC WA Annual Australia India Address in Perth this October.
If this opportunity interests your business, we'd love to hear from you: email ceo@bgcci.com.au
Welcome to our new Young People in Business Ex Officio Rennan Dwyer
Rennan Dwyer is the founder of Spindrift Media, a Bunbury-based growth partner helping service businesses across the South West and Australia grow through strategy, content, and distribution.
Having grown up in the South West, Rennan chose to build his business locally because he believes the region is full of opportunity. He believes word of mouth and genuine relationships are still the foundation of every great business, but they don’t scale on their own. That’s why his work focuses on helping businesses amplify their reputation through consistent marketing while staying actively involved in networking and the local business community.
As the incoming Ex Officio for Young People in Business, Rennan is looking forward to using his media and marketing experience to help grow the community, encourage collaboration, and showcase the next generation of business owners. He believes there’s no better place to build a business than the South West.
Save the date
Be sure to add these upcoming events to your calendar:
- 6 August – City of Bunbury Economic Briefing Breakfast - Book here
- 11 August – Experiential Learning Using Virtual Reality (NBN Virtual Reality Roadshow) - Book here
- 26 August – Business After Hours, hosted by William Barrett & Sons Funeral Directors - Book here
- 29 August – Bunbury Geographe Business Excellence Awards Gala - Book here
Thank you for being part of the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to connecting with you throughout another exciting month as we continue working together to strengthen our region's business community.
Sean McKeown
Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry
ceo@bgcci.com.au
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