By JAMIE KRONBORG

BEECHWORTH Incorporated has been formally adopted as the new name of the Beechworth and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Fourteen members at the organisation’s annual meeting at the Hotel Nicholas on August 23, chaired by retiring vice-president Helen McGowan, approved the change.

A new website and social media accounts are also being developed to promote Beechworth Inc activities and opportunities.

Retailer Katrina Witherow (Dalcheri) was re-elected president for a second term, Australia Post Beechworth manager Scott Saunders elected vice-president, Sue Humphris (Lake Sambell Caravan Park) elected treasurer and Lorraine Lucas (Hotel Nicholas), Marty Matassoni (Beechworth Bakery), Brooke Medcraft (Russellbrooke Wine Tours), Mark Primerano (Mark Primerano Electrical), Ian McVea (Beechworth NewsXpress) and Coral Cooksley (The Ovens and Murray Advertiser) were elected committee members.

Ms Witherow said Beechworth Inc had major planning underway to transform Beechworth’s main streets for the Christmas season this year with new festive decorations and lighting.

The organisation last year secured a $50,000 grant to fund the project, which is being championed by Mr Primerano.

“We’ve had the Quercus Beechworth Christmas Market and Christ Church Beechworth Anglican Parish Council come on board for this season of celebration, too,” Ms Witherow said.

“In the lead-up to this annual meeting we managed with help of Beechworth Bakery and Marty Matassoni to have a networking event where we had positive feedback from the business representatives who attended.

“That event attracted six new financial members.”

Ms Witherow said Beechworth Inc was also working to activate a specialist community art installation project in the town next year.

“It will bring our community together and we expect that many people will come to Beechworth to view the the installation.”

Ms Witherow said the organisation was looking for administrative support and members at the meeting asked if Indigo Shire Council might be able to help.

Indigo economic development co-ordinator Justin Forrester, who attended, said he would follow-up the suggestion to see what assistance might be possible.

No one at the meeting nominated for the role of Beechworth Inc secretary.

Ms Witherow thanked Hotel Nicholas and publicans Lorraine and Ross Lucas for continuing to host Beechworth Inc meetings.