He was an active member of the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and has kept a scrapbook dating back to 1977 showing its activities.

This scrapbook was an excellent springboard for the talk Mark Bradbury presented when he addressed the Probus Club of Goulburn and District.

Mark is currently the President of the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and to begin, he told of his roots in the Goulburn District with early family in the Taralga area. It was surprising to hear his father went to medical school at the young age of sixteen.

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Mark, a solicitor, has worked in Newcastle, Sydney and commuted to Canberra for a number of years.

He returned to Goulburn about 25 years ago and has a practice in Montague Street which is on the site of the Model Dairy Company, an electroplating works and more recently, an accountancy business.

He spoke of the circumstances leading to him becoming Chamber president in 2014 and his enthusiasm for the Goulburn and the Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber has 87 members with a regular meeting attendance of 15 to twenty.

Referring to the scrapbook, Mark was able to draw many comparisons to how business operates now as opposed to during the seventies and eighties.

Gone are the days of a business owner closing the doors at five o'clock, spending a couple of hours at home with the family and then attending a chamber meeting later in the evening.

With the advent of internet and mobile 'phones, they often don't get to knock off until late in the evening and as a result, reducing attendances at various meetings and functions.

The internet enables someone to begin a 'cottage' type industry at home which may expand to the point of creating employment opportunities. Conversely, on-line shopping does reduce floor traffic causing some retailers to reduce stock and in time, reduce staff and perhaps close altogether.

Whilst the closure of the Coles distribution centres are a big negative, the new Tribe Brewery at South Goulburn, which is due to open soon, along with other new businesses a little further out of town are all big positives and will be very good for the city.

Mark recognises the changes that are taking place and believes retailers, the chamber and governments all have to be proactive.

During the time he has been president he has reinstated the awards for small business excellence.

The council and State Government are supportive in encouraging business start-ups, including some financial help.

Unfortunately the ongoing drought has a negative impact on business in the city.

Vice-president Dick Mackenzie has introduced a new segment where in the thumbnail sketch, members talk about their hobbies.

Peter Bertram who graciously stood in for an absent member was first cab off the rank and he spoke of his hobby collecting flags and researching their history.

Peter showed all sorts of flags relating to countries, states, shipping and religion.

In the 'Tech Corner', Mick McGhie spoke about passwords and how important they were for internet security.

For enquiries about joining Probus, contact Peter Jordan on 4821 3875 or Mick McGhie 4821 3328.

The club meets on a regular basis.

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