One of the Port's most dedicated volunteers, Peter Clough, of Fingal Bay, has decided to step away from the daily grind of advocating for the Nelson Bay business community after 18 years of service.
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The 74-year-old and his equally devoted wife Kris - an office volunteer with 13 years of honorary service - says it's time to allow younger minds with newer ideas to step forward.
"My motivation to keep going up till now has been the knowledge that I was making a difference to the business community. I have enjoyed my time here and I am fortunate that I have had a most supportive wife."
Mr Clough said that networking and connecting with people - whether via a phone call or face-to-face - had always been his mantra.
"Communication and dialogue underpins everything we do as a business committee. We may not always agree but providing a voice is paramount."
Of his many accomplishments, Mr Clough said that increasing the membership of the Tomaree Business Chamber (now Business Port Stephens) from 42 to 250 and advocating for access to tertiary education in the Bay were two of his most satisfying.
A former centre and events manager, Mr Clough has always been a great believer in chambers of commerce being a driving force behind any business district.
He previously held a contracted position with the Nelson Bay Town Management and had worked in Toronto, Dungog and Maitland before returning to Nelson Bay in a voluntary capacity.
While he has played a big part in the success of the Tomaree chamber, Mr Clough has lent his vast knowledge and support to other voluntary organisations, including the Tomaree Headland Heritage and Tomaree Tertiary Education working groups, both of which he intends to maintain an involvement.
Mr Clough, who devotes between 30 and 40 volunteer hours a week, has also been a member of Nelson Bay Rotary, Port Stephens 100.9FM and both the Australia Day and the Carols by Candlelight committees.
Chamber president Leah Anderson said that the Cloughs would be greatly missed.
"We knew this day would eventually come, however its hard to imagine the chamber without Peter Clough," she said.
"He has made significant contributions to the chamber over the years, especially our strong membership growth, and our advocacy projects such as the Yacaaba Street extension, and the new Salamander CLC [Connected Learning Centre]."
The Cloughs plan to take time off to relax and do a little travel in retirement.
