Chamber History

About the Chamber

President's Message

Harold Hawker had been associated with newspaper publishing for 53 years.

Mr Hawker, after leaving school at the age of 16, temporaily took charge of the Quirindi Herald during the illness of his father. After the death of his father, (Mr William Hawker), Harold Hawker became the proprietor.

In 1925, the Quirindi Herald and the Quirindi Gazette were amalgamated into the Quirindi Advocate. Mr Hawker was Managing Director, which position he still held at the time of his death.

Since 1938, Mr Hawker had also been the Quirindi Advocate's Editor. Through the years, the late Mr Hawker had many interests that covered a wide range and was closely associated with many community efforts. His faith in the district and support through the newspapers demonstrated a true testimony of his desire to make Quirindi and the district a better place.
 
On 6 March 1929, his determination and foresight was acted on when he moved for the Chamber of Commerce to be formed in Quirindi, seconded by Mr J J Reilly.

For 20 years, Mr Hawker served as Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce - he was the founder and foundation of the Chamber of Commerce.
 
in 1916, Mr Hawker married Miss Derys Adela Whittaker and had two children, Ross and Ruth. Ross W Hawker is now deceased and Mrs Ruth Windsor is still living in Quirindi.

OUTLINED HISTORY OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1927 Harold Hawker wrote an article in the "Quirindi Advocate" titled,
  A Chamber of Commerce Wanted for Quirindi

1929 6 March - Motion moved by Harold Hawker that a Chamber of Commerce
  be formed in Quirindi

17 April - Rules drafted and presented at the General Meeting

Monthly meetings were held upstairs in Reilly House, Quirindi

Failed in Depression years

1951 11 October - reformed and added Quirindi Chamber of Commerce

1959 July reformed, again

1987 added Industry and Tourism

1994 Became Incorporated

2011 Presently boasts 68 members and celebrating 82 years of service to the community.

Today, we as the chamber still have the same goals and issuses that were discussed back in 1929. Cooperation, team work among members, and having only the best interests of the whole community in view and the future is what is what makes a strong and united chamber.
 
Harold Hawker had a vision and determination that still lives on within our Chamber of Commerce and at the Chamber’s Bi-Annual Business Awards, there is now an award in his honor.

(above) Harold Wilson Hawker

Born to Mr and Mrs William Hawker on 28 June 1893 in Quirindi, NSW

Died suddently aged 69 on
14 October 1962 after a brief illness

mobile 0438 352 350 | PO Box 292, Quirindi NSW 2343 | president@quirindichamber.com.au
© Quirindi Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Inc (ABN 54 436 611 320)

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