The April members meeting was held at Sunny’s on Tuesday, 7 April. The theme for the night was “AI in action” and we were addressed by a panel of experts in AI. Our panelists were Andrew Barrett (Data Cooking Co), Chris Jeffery (Cyber Guru) and Petina Tieman (Complete Business Solutions). They offered valuable insights and advice on the benefits and pitfalls of using AI, how to use AI for the benefit of your business, and reducing fixed costs. If you wish to improve your AI knowledge, do a web search on any of the panelists.
The Chamber is looking to expand our membership in the business sector. To this end, I will be dropping into local business outlets on an ongoing basis over the next few months. We encourage all business owners to join the Chamber. Visit us online.
City of Moreton Bay offers extensive support for local businesses, including the Business Boost Tech Essentials program, providing free digital tools, financial mentoring, and specialised grant opportunities. The council, a member of the Small Business Friendly Councils initiative, provides tailored help through the Invest Moreton Bay portal, including networking, training and the Choose Local campaign to boost local economic resilience.
Most business owners, through a lack of time, struggle to properly utilise the services available to them online, such as improvement courses, available grants, Council support, etc. There are numerous tools available and the Chamber will happily assist with enquiries.
On 2 June, the Chamber is hosting a trivia night at Sunny’s – “The Redcliffe Challenge”. It will be a night to mingle with your peers. Book your spots here.
Chamber Chat – February 2026
The committee had its first meeting of the year, and one of our main objectives is to increase our membership base. To this end, the writer will be personally calling on businesses in the Redcliffe area to encourage them to join the Chamber. Members will receive invitations to attend Collaborate Moreton Bay combined chamber functions, monthly members’ meetings and also chamber workshops. And access to the Chamber executive.
Our local member, Kerri-Anne Dooley, is promoting the Redcliffe Business Awards to be held in May. More about this in later issues.
Our first members meeting will be held on 3 February – as has been the tradition over the past few years, there will be a presentation by Dolphins Rugby League. Thanks again to the management of the Dolphins for their time. All locals want to see the Dolphins perform well this year.
There is plenty of activity in the local real estate market – values are increasing exponentially, as is the number of residential building projects. This is very apparent in Sutton Street, where there are eight apartment and commercial multi-level projects approved. Going forward, the population growth can only be of benefit to local business.
The Health Minister, Tim Nicholls, recently committed to delivering the full Redcliffe Hospital expansion project, with work to start in September this year. Richard Crookes Construction will deliver the $36M carpark expansion, which will add three levels and an additional 530 carparks. Our local member, Kerri-Anne Dooley, has been a strong advocate of the development since she won office. Actually, Kerri-Anne was born there and also practised as a nurse at the hospital.
Chamber Chat – January 2026
Helping Re-engage Disconnected Youth in Education
Kairos Community College is a not-for-profit Special Assistance School dedicated to re-engaging young people in Years 10, 11, and 12, who have become disconnected from mainstream education.
Established in 2015, Kairos was founded to meet the growing need for a flexible and supportive approach to schooling that addresses the complex challenges faced by disadvantaged youth. Students are referred through local schools, community organisations, mental health practitioners, youth justice, and child safety services. Many come from low socioeconomic backgrounds, have experienced trauma, face mental health issues, live with disabilities, or have significant gaps in their education.
Kairos provides wrap-around support that extends beyond the classroom. This includes food, transport, clothing, housing assistance, and health and wellbeing services delivered by specialist staff such as youth workers. The college ensures quality teaching and learning tailored to individual needs and charges no fees. All costs are covered, including incursions, excursions, school camps, graduation, and formals. Students receive laptops, books, stationery, and daily breakfast and lunch. Funded primarily by state and federal government grants, Kairos operates as a non-profit organisation with DGR1 status, making all donations tax-deductible.
Kairos continues to grow, with Deception Bay celebrating 11 years, Caloundra six years, and a new campus opening in Nambour in January 2026.
Kelly Chambers, Head of Deception Bay Campus, recently presented her PhD research at the Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, highlighting the vital role Special Assistance Schools play in addressing social justice and ensuring equitable access to education. Her findings reinforce Kairos’ mission: creating inclusive opportunities and transforming lives.
Kairos proudly maintains a 100% Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) attainment rate, compared to the state average of 94%. Alongside the Australian Curriculum, students access VET courses such as Certificate II in Volunteering and Certificate II in Hospitality, plus workplace apprenticeships and traineeships. The college actively seeks partnerships with businesses and community organisations to provide work experience, traineeships, and sponsorship opportunities.
Chamber Chat – October 2025
In early September, we held a member’s meeting at Sunny’s Margate Beach. The theme was ‘Speed Networking’, and those in attendance moved from chair to chair, similar to a speed dating concept, telling their business story to the person they faced. The concept was very successful and will be applied again at later meetings.
From 28 August, the Right to Disconnect laws became effective. This new legislation allows employees the right to refuse contact outside normal contact hours from employers and third parties, unless that refusal is unreasonable.
On 17 October, Collaborate Moreton Bay will be hosting a lunch at the Komo as part of Mental Health Month. This event is proudly supported by the City of Moreton Bay and presented by Collaborate Moreton Bay – a collective of local Chambers of Commerce and business networks working together for a stronger region.
Keynote Speaker: Shane Webcke
Hear Shane’s deeply personal story and insights on mental health, leadership, and resilience in an interview-style conversation with Dominique Lamb. There will also be a panel discussion. Tickets are $95 or $75 for members of the Moreton Bay Chambers of Commerce. Tables of 10 are $675.
We expect the event will be well attended, so get in early.
This is a recent article from Moreton Business Connect
Global Trade Mission: Dubai October 2025 – EOIs Open
Local businesses are invited to be part of an international trade delegation to the Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum (APCS) in Dubai, October 2025.[Text Wrapping Break] [Text Wrapping Break]APCS is chance to showcase your business to representatives from an alumni of more than 600 cities around the world. This year’s APCS is expected to attract strong business and investment attendees, helping you expand existing or establish new markets. [Text Wrapping Break]Interested in joining?[Text Wrapping Break]For info about the #TeamMoretonBay delegation contact Invest Moreton Bay at invest@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Please note: Participation is at your own personal/business cost and is open for companies only. Individuals can register direct with APCS.
An opportunity to connect with global businesses and enjoy an exotic location.
Chamber Chat – September 2025
We held a breakfast meeting on Tuesday, 5 August at Sea Salt and Vine, Scarborough. The venue is located close to the harbour with views towards the Glass House Mountains. I recommend a visit for breakfast or lunch.
The theme was “Mastermind Session” – the intention was to allow those in attendance to share experiences and views on running their businesses. There was plenty of interaction between the parties, who offered good suggestions on how to get the best out of yourself.
Although it was a relatively small group, the meeting was a huge success, and it will be considered as a theme at future meetings.
Major Developments and Future Opportunities in Moreton Bay
The Moreton Bay region will be looking at the progress in the construction of the proposed $250 million five-star hotel in Bribie Island at the site of Sandstone Point. The Cominsky Group is the developer, which will see a 202-room hotel, retail outlets, a gym and restaurants. Once complete, the development is expected to generate 995 jobs, attract 117,000 visitors and an estimated visitor spend of $143.3 million each year.
With the 2032 Olympics only seven years away, this facility will help accommodate the plethora of visitors to our region.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery recently announced the delivery of a landmark $1 billion budget that will support local jobs and deliver vital projects and sustainability for our communities. There will be over $400 million invested in Infrastructure and Capital Works – improving transport links, unlocking new business potential, and major projects like the development of Moreton Bay Central, a key venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.
In October, the combined Moreton Bay region chambers of commerce will be holding a lunch to address mental health issues in business. If you’re running a business, please consider joining the chamber as a full member – it is not expensive at $150 per annum. We normally hold an event each month with interesting and experienced guest speakers.
Chamber Chat – May 2025
As usual, the year is moving along at a fast pace. We held a member’s event on Tuesday, 1 April at Redcliffe Special School with the students catering our lunch.
Redcliffe Special School is a Queensland high school looking after the education of disadvantaged young adults. The students were welcoming and pleased with the opportunity to showcase their hospitality skills.
The school principal, Markus Donaldson, was most welcoming and appreciated the opportunity to meet a group of local business people. Representatives of Moreton Bay high schools (Clontarf Beach State High School; Deception Bay State High School; Redcliffe State High School and Kairos Community College) provided interesting presentations, in particular on their workplace programs for their students. They emphasised the importance of work experience to allow students to develop their capabilities.
Local businesses are encouraged to take on students to give them real-life experience, to make them more readily employable. The Chamber strongly supports this concept of work experience and we ask for the full support of our members and non-members, most of whom are parents themselves.
There are government subsidies available to encourage employers to take on apprentices – alternatively, businesses can offer students the opportunity to have real-time work experience. It is the responsibility of all of us to give these young adults opportunities for the long-term benefit of the community and the kids themselves.
Upcoming Chamber Event: Future-Proofing Your Business
There is a combined chamber event incorporating the seven Moreton Bay chambers and is being held on Thursday, 8 May at Norths Leagues and Services Club. Check the Chamber website to see if tickets are still available. It is an all-day event with the theme being ‘future-proofing your business’ with a presentation by our keynote speaker, Janine Allis, founder of Boost Juice and a Shark Tank investor.
Chamber Chat – February 2025
The Redcliffe Chamber is looking forward to an exciting year now that the festive season is behind us. Your chamber was extremely active in 2024, holding regular member meetings and member mingles together with a number of workshops on different subjects. The Business Awards event in November was extremely successful.
Our Christmas function was held at The Komo on 3 December and was well attended by members and their guests.
We kicked off 2025 with a presentation by Damien McDowell, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Dolphins. This is a popular and entertaining start to the new year.
Our meeting/workshop schedule is being put together and will be detailed on our website events schedule.
Plans for 2025 and Membership Opportunities
Once again, the management at The Komo has been a very solid supporter of the chamber and we extend sincere thanks for the ongoing involvement.
2025 will no doubt present many challenges to the local business sector and we will be working closely with the other Moreton City Chambers of Commerce and the City of Moreton Bay Council to address issues that affect all businesses. We intend to meet with the State Government in the early part of the year and our president plans to meet with the Business Chamber Queensland to discuss matters of mutual interest.
We encourage all businesses who are not members of the chamber to join. It’s only $150 p.a. and can be paid monthly if required. You will be welcome to attend all of our functions and workshops at a discounted cost. Our events provide members the opportunity to network and mingle with local business owners.
So get on board to help the chamber make the Redcliffe sector a force in Moreton City.
Read more stories from our Redcliffe Guide print magazine here:
- Reddy Roundup: Updates from the Community
- The Power of Connection: Building Healthy Relationships
- Brad’s Business Tips
- Redcliffe Youth Benefit from Skilling Queenslanders for Work Initiative
- Make Your Travel Dreams a Reality with the Moreton Bay Expo
- From Church Ladies to Woodchoppers
- The Truth About “Toning” Your Muscles
- We Travel the World but Redcliffe is Home
- Peninsula Pimpernel: Is Vinyl Better Than CDs?
- When Art and Unicorns Collide
- Rotary Gives To Solomon Islands
- Vavachi’s Songs & Soiree: A Night of Musical Magic
- Top 5 Picks for Best Picture Oscar
- Ear Hustle Podcast Review
- Top Tips for Downsizing Your Property
