Mr Blencowe was elected unopposed after former president Geoff Hosey stepped down at the annual general meeting on Monday evening.

Mr Hosey will remain on the committee as vice-president.

Mr Blencowe said the focus of the chamber over the coming year would be to give businesses a voice to raise issues with local government and to act as a marketing platform for Moss Vale businesses.

"I'm very vocal for shopping locally and that is going to be a focus - bringing opportunity to Moss Vale, be it by tourism or be it by creating an atmosphere locally we can all benefit from," he said.

Full story: SHN, Wednesday, March 29, 2006.