Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Beenleigh Yatala Junior Chamber of Commerce is one of the many wonderful organisations in my electorate of Forde that fosters the development of high school students across Logan and the northern Gold Coast through monthly business breakfasts that expose youth to business and community leaders. The students are under the stewardship of long-time resident and local legend Heather Christensen, but run their own meetings, breakfasts and fundraising events, which give them a platform to engage with the small business community in my electorate.

On the back of the successful launch of the Rising Entrepreneurs Competition in 2019, the chamber and BOP Industries have got together again and taken the best aspects from last year's competition and expanded on the format to develop a new program designed to assist students to start their own business for less than $100. It will run as an after-school program throughout term 2 through the six junior chamber participating high schools—Beenleigh and Windaroo state high schools, Livingstone College, Canterbury College, Trinity and Rivermount. The aim of the program is to inspire, empower and engage participants and give them the tools, knowledge and platform to be able to have their own small business. I commend the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce for taking this hands-on approach to giving our youth a good position and foundation to be successful in life and, as they continue to contribute to the community, to take the opportunity to employ people and do it well.