Peninsula Chamber puts banners in Ettalong
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has erected Christmas banners in Ettalong following the recent battle of the banners controversy with the Umina District Chamber of Commerce.
The Christmas banners were installed in the Ettalong Beach Club car park after a disagreement between the two chambers over what banners should feature in West St, Umina, over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
"The Peninsula Chamber was extremely disappointed that Gosford Council did not have any funds available to install the Christmas banners in West Street as they did last year," Mr Wales said.
"The Christmas banners were purpose-made for the West St light poles and were funded by local businesses.
"We were facing the prospect that they would not be used this Christmas before the Ettalong Beach Club stepped in with the offer to use the light poles in the Ettalong Beach Club car park."
Mr Wales said he welcomed the assistance and offer made by the club.
"Thanks also to the help of locals Rob Adams (retired builder) and Terry Abott (retired fireman)," Mr Wales said.
"The Christmas banners were quickly installed in the week before Christmas providing a real festive boost to the Ettalong town centre.
"The Ettalong Beach Club has been a terrific supporter of the local business community and the Peninsula Chamber would like to thank the board and club CEO Melissa Hamilton for their help.
"It is our genuine hope that Gosford City Council will find sufficient funds in its budget to ensure that the flags are installed in West St next year."
Meanwhile the Ettalong Beach Business Group has expressed its support for the addition of Christmas banners to Ettalong this festive season.
"This is the first time that Christmas flags have been flown at Ettalong, to my recollection, and it certainly brightens up Ocean View Rd and Broken Bay Rd around the club.
"This is the busiest time of year for most retailers on the Peninsula, and anything that creates a positive talking point for the locals and visitors alike is most welcomed.
"It is the hope of the Ettalong Beach Business Group that the flags will be a beginning of a concerted effort to push forward the needs of the whole of the Peninsula by all groups looking to better the beautiful bit of the Coast that we all love so much."
Press release, 7 Jan 2010
Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Email, 21 Dec 2009
Richard Berntsen, Ettalong Beach Business Group