History
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Chamber of Commerce History in Southland
Regrettably there are no official minutes, records or memorabilia available pre 1983, other than brief and general reference to the Chamber in regional transcripts.
A.J.De La Mare attempted in September 1978 to recount the first one hundred years of the Chamber of Commerce in Southland and his very sketchy details are compiled in a manuscript held at the Invercargill Public Library. The Chamber archives have however been well kept since 1983 and now with the advent of the CD rom are meticulously kept for future history.
Fact file:
| 1856 – | Formation of Invercargill as a Township (pop 5,000) |
| 1863 – | April 18th
In the offices of Dalgety Rattray & Co in Kelvin St (now the site of the Kelvin Hotel) a number of prominent business men chaired by W.H Calder passed a resolution -
“ That it is considered desirable that a Chamber of Commerce be formed here”.
W.H.Calder, a merchant went on to be a member of the first provincial government before being the Invercargill member for parliament 1871/1873.
Of the 28 businessmen present most were to take a prominent part in public affairs and the forming of the town most of this through the conduit and effort of the Chamber of Commerce. |
| 1863 – | May 6th.
W.H Calder was elected the first Chairperson of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce. |
| 1863 - | 1963 lists as its Presidents many well respected forefathers of the Southland province. |
| 1913 – | Establishment of “Gore Chamber of Commerce”
Office: JH Wilson 13 Herbert St Gore |
| 1922 – | February
Formal registration of “Invercargill Chamber of Commerce” as an incorporated society with its office as C/- 120 Esk St, Invercargill. |
| 1940 – | Appointment of first life members to Invercargill Chamber:
Mr. A. Le H Hoyles, Manager of Underwood Highlander Condensed Milk.
Mr D Ruttledge, Manager of the Southland Dairy Federation and accountant.
Mr J Gilkison, Managing Director J.E.Watson Ltd |
| 1983 - | Comprehensive records now available:
President: Mr. Colin Smith (Managing Director Craig Printing)
Secretary: Ian Alsweiler (Public Sectary) 120 Spey St Invercargill. |
| 1985 – | February
‘Gore Chamber of Commerce’ in recess, affairs now administered by Invercargill Chamber. |
| 1989 - | May
Renaming of the Invercargill Chamber to ‘Southland Chamber of Commerce’
In order to reflect the wider servicing of the administration. |
1990 -
| January
Young Enterprise Scheme is started in Southland High Schools.
Colin Smith current President commits to being regional Coordinator until his death in 2001 |
| 1991 – | March
Heads of agreement signed with the ‘Southland Export Institute’ for a merger. |
| 1991 – | October
Merger of ‘Southland Chamber of Commerce’ and ‘Southland Export Institute’ to form ‘The Southland Chamber of Commerce and International Trade’
First President: Mr. Tom Sawyer (Pacific Shipping Co)
Secretary: Mr. David Simpson (Southern Business Services) 39 Gala St. |
| 1992 – | January.
 The Southland Chamber of Commerce and International Trade
Office and Secretarial services move to Ernest and Young (Mrs. Helen Murray) 142 Esk St Invercargill. |
| 1993 - | March
Merger with ‘Otago Southland Manufactures Assoc.’ Southland branch.
Mr. Ivan Bulling (Bullings’ Furniture) appointed Chair of the Manufacturing Section of the Chamber and ‘SCOCIT’ Southland representative to ‘OSMA’ |
| 1994 – | October
First full time staff Executive Officer appointed: Ms Sue Coleman.
First permanent office established: Y.M.C.A building 120 Dee St Invercargill. |
| 1995 – | April
‘OSMA’ ceased active operation and formed ‘The Otago Southland Manufactures Trust’ to secure the financial interests of the sector.
Southland representative Mr. Steve Brass (McLeay Industries C.E.O) |
| 1996 – | January.
Appointment of: Mr. Richard Hay as new Executive Officer. |
| 1996 - | April
Formation of ‘The Fiordland’ Section to the Southland Chamber.
First Chairman: Mr Ross Cockburn (Mount Prospect Farm Ltd) |
| 1996 – | April
Chamber instigate the formation of inner city upgrade by forming Mainstreet group with funding and secretariat services. |
| 1996 - | September
New Office to 69 Kelvin St Invercargill to participate in the formation of a ‘One Stop Business Shop’
‘Southland Business Development Board’
‘Invercargill Economic Development Unit’
‘Southland Chamber of Commerce and International Trade’ (SCOCIT) |
| 1996 – | September
Merger of the ‘Rural Strategy Group’ in to “SCOCIT’
Renamed to ‘Focus Southland’ economic development unit to the Chamber funded by The Community Trust of Southland and SCOCIT. Purpose to privately fund feasibility studies for new sustainable businesses.
Coordinator funded by Sthld District Council: Mr Wayne Hutchinson
First Chairman: Mr Steve Brass |
| 1997 - | April
First Staff appointment of an administration assistant:
Mrs. Violet Stewart. (now 2 staff) |
| 1997 – |  June
Change of name to ‘Chamber of Commerce Southland’ in order to reflect the wider interests and administration being carried out. New logo |
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