Bowen Chamber Announces New Committee

By Paul Gellatly

The election of the 2024-25 committee for Bowen Chamber of Commerce was backed by presentations highlighting the importance of the Abbot Point coal and industry facility to the town.

An audience of around 40 people attended the chamber's September 11 meeting at the Larrikin Hotel to hear the results of the election of office bearers, for which vacancies closed on September 2.

Although he jested that he thought his existing term would be his last, popular Larrikin Hotel publican and chamber chairman Bruce Hedditch was re-elected to the role he has held continuously since 2014.

"You can't be doing it forever," Mr Hedditch said. "I think it's getting near the time when I should be handing it on.

"But I think I've done my job, giving to the community of Bowen."

Mr Hedditch said the major impact for the future of Bowen rested with Abbot Point and that the chamber must understand the opportunities for this port and the benefits that will accrue for Bowen.

Under Mr Hedditch’s leadership, the chamber has made a significant contribution to the township of Bowen and the community that live and work in it. Although the Chamber of Commerce dates back to the 1920s, it was under Mr Hedditch that it was renamed Bowen Chamber of Commerce Inc. in 2017.

Two vice presidents were elected to serve with Mr Hedditch. They are Alan Bryson, from Harbourside Homestay, and Tony Bale, a Bowen consultant who has led the charge for the redevelopment of Bowen's jetty.

Joanne Shepherd, a Bowen Rail employee and daughter of a former chairman of Regional Development Australia, was elected for the first time as secretary, while Grace Graewe, another first-timer who works at the town's Commonwealth Bank, was elected treasurer.

Mr Hedditch hailed the depth of talent in the new committee, which he said represented "a good cross section of the community", hitting a new record with seven appointed.

They are Mark Steen, a long-time member of the chamber; Lukas Adams from Whitsunday Web, Alexander Pyke, a physiotherapist from Bowen Physio; Matt Bowkett from Engage Marine, Claire Mitchell Must, from Arabon Seafoods; John Barnes; and Doug Eldred from Whole Hog BBQ.

The results were announced at the meeting by Steve Darwen, chairman for election of the board.

Following the announcement of the new committee, three speakers gave addresses on the topic 'Abbot Point - The Most Northerly Deepwater Coal Port of Australia and the Future Opportunities'.

Brendan Lane, general manager of Bowen Rail Company, spoke of the growth of the rail company's operations from its start-up staff of seven, to its present complement of more than 200 employees, 170 of whom are based in Bowen.

Rob Cocco, CEO of Regional Development Australia, said that Abbot Point and Bowen were an ideal location for development.

Alan Brown, general manager port operations at Abbot Point, spoke of the facility as "a driving force for Bowen", having shipped nearly 35 million tonnes of coal in 2023-24 in 360 shipments, to 20 countries.

Mr Hedditch said that with 14,000ha of state government land being available around the Abbot Point area, there was a wealth of potential for development of new industries that would benefit Bowen and the wider region.

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New committee member Mark Steen, secretary Joanne Shepherd and re-elected chairman Bruce Hedditch. Photo credit: Paul Gellatly

Chairman for election of the board, Steve Darwen (right) with Abbot Point port operations GM  Alan Brown

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