I always know when State of Origin fever hits QLD. The weather changes and becomes a little cooler (even for QLD standards)… cars become adorned with Maroon or Blue paraphernalia, and the usually suit attired corporate types turn up to work in their team colour jerseys. For 6 weeks of the year, this state becomes divided into who was born here and who infiltrated our fair borders from the South. I won’t reveal which category I fall into, but this leads me to an opportune Segway. How lucky our FBA membership is to work in an environment that can withstand the highs and lows of their business with their loved one by their side every step of the way. You kick goals together, and hopefully you all want the same outcomes at the end of the game.

I’ve been lucky to meet some impressive family business members and advisers in the first month as the new State Manager for QLD. The recent Caloundra Chamber of Commerce networking event I attended on behalf of FBA provided some great insights and presented some opportunities for collaboration between the Chamber and FBA (including an event in early August mentioned below). The FBA membership is made up of genuine, driven people with heart. I don’t have a family business, but I already feel like I am part of the larger FBA family, and that’s a pretty good start.

Upcoming events

July:
Preparations are in full swing for our July 24 Chairman’s Lunch event, where we will honour our hall of fame recipients for 2015. The venue is family owned Gambaro’s, and the event will be a good opportunity for networking and catching up with like-minded family businesses.

August:

5 August – Brisbane Adviser Breakfast: presenter Andrew Barter, Tough Problem.
6 August – Gold Coast Adviser Breakfast: presenter Anthea Moores, Moores Family Enterprise
26 – 28 August – Family Business National Conference – Gold Coast, don’t miss this fantastic opportunity, early bird extended until 9th July.

In other exciting news, FBA has been asked to be the guest speaker at the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce lunch event on the Sunshine Coast in early August, and we will be running a 3 person panel session on succession. The various council chambers have been very accommodating and FBA is keen to align as much as possible with as many chambers as we can to spread the benefits of FBA membership.

As with all events, if you would like to get more information or book please go to our website,

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Martine Poulain
Queensland State Manager
mpoulain@fambiz.org.au