He will also represent the Southern Highlands on the Illawarra Chamber of Commerce.

Originally, the regional chamber had nominated Garry Barnesly as its representative, while Bowral chamber put forward a separate nomination of Mr Oakes-Ash (pictured), as it was not a member of the regional chamber.

But following advice from the Illawarra chamber, that it was only interested in dealing with one Southern Highlands representative, the two decided to reunite.

At the Southern Highlands business chamber regional meeting on Wednesday night, Mr Barnesly withdrew his nomination for the role, to allow Mr Oakes-Ash to take it up unopposed.

Outgoing president Neil Wallis was praised for having steered the regional chamber through a difficult period, and held a very successful occupational health and safety seminar during the year.

Despite not having collected membership fees for the year, Mr Wallis left the chamber $1000 better off at the end of his 12-month tenure, as a result of his health and safety seminar.

Under the chamber's constitution, no president can serve for more than two years, a clause designed to ensure broad representation from all chambers.

Mr Oakes-Ash asked all members to come to the next meeting with ideas about issues the combined chamber could tackle.

It was decided the chamber would meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month, at 6.30pm.

The chamber's new executive is comprised of Mr Oakes-Ash, secretary from the Bowral Chamber, yet to be appointed, vice president Charlie Johns, treasurer Mr Wallis, with Rick Mandelson acting in an honorary capacity and executive members Ross Durney, Geoff Hosey, Mr Barnesly and Judy Fisk.