KEY business owners in Ararat have taken on leadership roles in the newly-restructured Ararat Regional Business Association.
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The association has been in caretaker mode for the last 12 months after previously failing to attract committee members, and announced in July it would partner with the Ararat Rural City Council to help re-establish itself.
Now the association has elected a new committee comprised of prominent members of the region's business sector.
The committee was installed Wednesday night at the association's annual general meeting, held at Chalambar Golf and Bowls Club.
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Ararat RSL general manager Maria Whitford will take up the reins as president.
Harvey Norman franchisee Josh Bywater will join her in his role as vice president.
Westpac bank manager Tony Hamann will fulfill the role of treasurer, and Elders Real Estate sales manager David Jennings will take up the secretary position.
Each committee member was the sole nominee, recommended by departing treasurer Graeme Foster and departing president Robert Bell.
An additional eight people were nominated as ordinary committee members, including: Jane Goninon, Russell Pearse, Liesa Iezekil, Sarah Holland, Isabelle Fennessy, Nick Carthew, Cam Conboy, and Mark Clyne.
Ms Whitford told people at the meeting to "watch this space."
"There is so much excitement, energy and readiness here, so I know we're gong to achieve some really good outcomes with this committee," she said.
Mr Foster said the association had been on the bring of folding, but had now "come back from the ashes."
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