A MAN with the gift of the gab wants to give business operators a greater voice as Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry sets its sights on building and maintaining a vibrant and healthy local economy.
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Chamber president Matt Wright oozes with positivity as he talks about the city he calls home.
"Dubbo is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family," he said.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Raised at Forbes, Mr Wright studied hospitality at TAFE "to fill in time" after completing his secondary education.
Unsure what the future held, he accepted an offer to attend an interview with the National Australia Bank.
"It's funny really," Mr Wright recalled.
"I had done work experience with the State Bank in year 10 and absolutely hated it.
"I didn't think banking was for me but decided to give the NAB a go and ended up with a 10-year career in varying positions from teller through to lending officer and branch manager.
"Starting out in Forbes I went to Dubbo, Gilgandra, Warren and back to Dubbo. Then I had the chance to start up with Choice Home Loans.
"There was never been any big plan in my life. I've just embraced opportunities and given things a go."
Mr Wright was encouraged to become involved in Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry in May 2013, when he had a beer at a golf day with then president Andrew Toole.
"I went along to a meeting and became board vice-president last year. I ended up with the president's job at the annual general meeting this year."
Mr Wright said the chamber was about networking and education for business operators, sharing ideas and giving people the chance to express opinions.
"All sorts of things crop up from time to time and there is a need for discussion about whether a particular subject or topic needs to be pushed with relevant authorities.
"One little business operator doesn't have a loud voice working on their own but when many businesses speak together they have a greater chance of being heard."
Mr Wright said the chamber had worked hard to forge a good relationship with Dubbo City Council, Member for Dubbo Troy Grant and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.
"We have regular catch-ups with city councillors and a couple of chamber board members sit on council's economical development advisory committee.
"The chamber has also formed its own internal development advisory group."
Mr Wright said chamber membership had grown by about 5 per cent year-on-year and there was a lot of positive talk about what had been done during the past 12 months.
"We want to increase the member base to help the Dubbo business community grow," he said.
"Being upfront and truthful with people is very important when it comes to any organisation.
"Increasing membership can only benefit Dubbo and the chamber. Financially, more members give us more money to do things like expanding current educational and motivational programs.
"As a not-for-profit organisation we are mindful of working with the resources available to us and with the time restraints of board members who are business owners themselves."
Mr Wright said chamber consultations with the community indicated a desire for improved technology in Dubbo, expanded air transport links and more retail stores - including Kmart.
"There are problems with internet reception in some pockets of the city that are frustrating and something just not expected in a progressive regional city," he said.
"The rollout of the National Broadband Network will bring great benefits to Dubbo and encourage more decentralisation.
"Our city has much to offer and once the NBN is here there is no reason why a business in George Street, Sydney can't operate just as well in Macquarie Street, Dubbo.
"There's a positive vibe in and around Dubbo. The city is growing, houses are turning over and there's a lot of construction and land development.
"People are coming here from all parts of Australia and overseas. At the latest new residents' night I met a man who had just arrived from South Africa to take up an accounting job with a Dubbo transport company.
"I also spoke with an engineer who had very recently relocated from Iran.
"As the population grows opportunities will continue to open up for the business community in Dubbo."
Mr Wright said he was frustrated by "knockers" eager to criticise Dubbo and the region.
"When something happens it appears on Facebook and people want to get all over it," he said.
"The same challenges occur in every community. I wish people would try to be more positive about Dubbo.
"Negative talk creates negative sentiment. Being positive creates positivity. The chamber board is working hard to create a positive environment in Dubbo.
"We welcome the great campaigns run by council to promote Dubbo on a local, state and national level.
"Council's new Ignite promotion is about creating community engagement. People can't whinge and say they didn't have a chance to say what they wanted in Dubbo."