I’m excited to be part of the 2017 FBA NSW/ ACT committee and in particular to have been selected  to take on the Chairman’s role from Garry Beard for 2017. I’d like to thank Garry for his dedication, commitment and support of FBA over the years and other retiring members of the committee (Charles Vella, Doug Munro and Ria Emery) for doing a fabulous job over the years and in particular over the last 12 months. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all NSW/ ACT members for their continued support of the FBA. I hope that every member can recommend at least one Family Business to join FBA in 2017.

For those who don’t know me, I have been an FBA Member since 2001. Jason Lea convinced my mum and me to join the Association. We had a long-standing family business, DIAL-AN-ANGEL (which mum established in 1967).  Jason felt we could benefit from being part of such an Association, I am thankful that he was right!  I have gained so much from FBA over the last 15 years. I have completed a number of courses run by FBA of which, the Company Directors Course and the Strategic Planning Course were of a very high standard and highly useful to me as a business person. I’ve attended many National conferences and State summits. I’ve spoken at a number of events for FBA and when speaking publicly in other forums, I generally add in the benefits of being part of an Association like FBA. I endorse the Association whenever I can. I firmly believe in the benefits of FBA and the products it provides. I’ve made some fabulous friends and business associates over the years. I am one of the founding members of Forum Group 7 that commenced in February 2011. I have found being part of the group advantageous and supportive.  I encourage those who are not in a forum group to seriously consider it for 2017.

I recently met the new CEO, Greg Griffith and believe that FBA will be transformed under his leadership. I look forward to working with all our members to grow FBA in the year ahead.  There are a number of exciting initiatives in the pipeline, which we will communicate with you as soon as we are able to.

The Hall of Fame inductees have been announced and we are proud to add them to our list of accoladed members. The inductees have been through a rigorous selection process to win this acclaimed recognition and I congratulate:

·         Henning Harders

·         Poulos Bros Seafood

·         Whites Group

Worthy inductees into our ever-growing hall of famous family businesses.

I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy, safe and successful festive season. I look forward to meeting many of our existing and new members in 2017.

 Warm regards,

Danielle Robertson
Chair, NSW Committee