Spirit of Camden members, local businesses and community guests came together on Wednesday 19 August for our 2026 Annual General Meeting and Village Gathering — an evening that celebrated the people, businesses and stories that make Camden such a special place.
The evening began at Mar and Dars Cafe, where guests enjoyed the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of one of Camden’s much-loved local venues, before moving on to The Royal Hotel for our panel discussion and AGM.
Welcoming Shannon Wright and Supporting Local
We were delighted to welcome Shannon Wright of Ma and Dars Cafe to Spirit of Camden.
Shannon has taken on the former Argyle Gourmet store in Camden, continuing the story of a well-known local location while bringing her own energy and ideas to the business.
Mar and Dars provided the perfect setting for the first part of our Village Gathering, giving members and guests the opportunity to connect, catch up and support a local business at the same time.
Our Village Gatherings are designed to do exactly that — bring people through the doors of Camden businesses, introduce them to the people behind those businesses and create stronger connections across the community.
Shannon also joined our AGM panel later in the evening, sharing her experience of taking on an established local café and building on its legacy while making the business her own.
Sharing Local Stories Through Our AGM Panel
A highlight of the evening was our panel discussion, which brought together local business owners with very different experiences but a shared connection to Camden and the Macarthur region.
Stuart Davies – McGrath Camden and Keys to Macarthur
Stuart Davies from McGrath Camden joined us to share insights from more than three decades working in the local property industry.
Stuart spoke about business, community and the significant changes he has seen across Camden and Macarthur over the years.
He also shared the story behind his Keys to Macarthur podcast, which provides a platform for local people to tell their stories, share their experiences and highlight the people and organisations contributing to the region.
Through both his work with McGrath Camden and the podcast, Stuart continues to play an important role in connecting people and shining a light on local stories.
Noah Derraji and Selika Sowerby – The Royal Hotel
Noah Derraji and Selika from The Royal Hotel shared one of the evening’s most powerful stories.
They spoke about the devastating fire at The Royal Hotel, the challenges that followed and the determination required to rebuild, recover and reopen the doors to the community.
Their story was a reminder of the resilience behind local business and the importance of community support when unexpected challenges arise.
We are also incredibly grateful to The Royal Hotel for supporting Spirit of Camden by hosting the second part of our evening, including the panel discussion and AGM.
Local venues opening their doors for events like these allows us to bring business owners, members and community representatives together right in the heart of Camden.
Spirit of Camden 2026 Board and Committee
The evening concluded with the Spirit of Camden Annual General Meeting and the appointment of our Board and Committee for the year ahead.
The 2026 appointments are:
Chair: Matt Glynn
Deputy Chair: Karena Nicholls (Coutts Legal)
Secretary: Melissa Musgrave (The Production Command)
Treasurer: Ben Mulder (Camden Hotel)
Committee Members:
Kym Van Den Heuval (Barenz)
Shane Smith (The Estate)
Shannon Wright (Mar and Dars Cafe)
We congratulate everyone appointed and look forward to working together over the coming year to continue supporting local businesses, promoting Camden Village and delivering projects and events that bring people into our town centre.
A Big Thank You to Those Who Made the Night Possible
The evening came together through the generosity and involvement of so many people who helped create the atmosphere, capture the moments and keep everything running smoothly.
Throughout the night, Brett Atkins Photographer was there capturing the people, conversations and special moments that made the gathering memorable, while Lincoln Hawkins Videographer documented the stories and energy of the evening on film. Ray Miles DJ helped set the tone, creating a warm and lively atmosphere that made the event feel less like a formal meeting and more like a true community gathering.
When it came time for the AGM itself, Emily Boardman from Camden Musical Society generously stepped in as our Returning Officer, helping guide that important part of the evening. We were also pleased to have Allan Woolley from Big Al’s Rock and Roll, Chair of the SPINOUT Rock and Roll Festival, there as part of the broader Spirit of Camden community and continuing his strong support for one of our major annual events.
Most importantly, the evening was about the people in the room. Our members, guests and community representatives brought the conversations, ideas and connections that give these gatherings their purpose. Their support and willingness to be part of what Spirit of Camden is building is what made the night so worthwhile.
Supporting the People Behind Camden’s Businesses
The evening reinforced one of the most important messages behind the work of Spirit of Camden.
Behind every café, shop, pub, professional service, venue and local business is a person, a family and a story.
When we choose to meet locally, shop locally, dine locally and support Camden businesses, we are supporting those people and helping keep our town centre vibrant, welcoming and connected.
The AGM and Village Gathering was a wonderful example of what can happen when local businesses and the community come together.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success — and here’s to another exciting year for Spirit of Camden and Camden Village.
Support local. Discover local. Choose Camden.
