Gunnedah chamber president Juliana McArthur ready to lead

Chamber members officially met their new committee, which also includes Stacey McAllan, Treena Daniells, and Susan Frater-Sims, on Wednesday morning at a breakfast event.

Mrs McArthur has a legal practice of her own and has a farming business with her husband, which operates over three local government areas.

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She said taking on the role was "daunting" but she was excited about it.

"Business generally is struggling and I want to be an advocate for businesses to help improve things," Mrs McArthur told the Namoi Valley Independent.

"I do know that regional businesses need to be better appreciated by our city cousins - there's a lot of talent in this area and we need to be supported."

The chamber president said she had both short and long term goals in her new role.

"The immediate concern is support because we are struggling during the drought," Mrs McArthur said.

"We're fortunate in Gunnedah to have a diverse economy, not just dependent on agriculture. Having said that, though, the drought is so severe it is having an impact on the town.

"My first thought is for support and secondly for funding to try and assist business. That's not saying business can't do it on its own because business people do innovate, they adapt and they do well, but at the same time there needs to be an awareness of how tough it is and if there is support available we need to know about it and implement it and grow."

She said her longer term goal was to "put Gunnedah more on the map".

"Again, we have such talented businesses here in the town and in the district and I want to support them and watch Gunnedah grow," the president said.

"I hope to be able to assist and I really would encourage people to give me a call. I'm available and I want to know about their business and how ... things can improve for them."