Matt Gatt, a 28-year-old full-time caterer, was elected to head the new LCCI executive committee in early October. Allannah Hughes will be vice president, while Jodie Rydge, Maryann Vitelli and Wayne Bond also executive members. 

“We’ve got a young team, and a great cross-section of talent, who can bring diversity and flair from other places,” Mr Gatt said.

“We don’t want to be standing still… we want to things differently from the way we have in the past”. 

Mr Gatt himself moved to Leeton 10 years ago from Sydney, while vice president Allanah Hughes is from Temora. 

“I love the lifestyle here, it’s a great community town. Everyone gets behind everything that's happening here”. 

“Enhancing the CBD is one of our biggest goals,” Mr Gatt said. 

Mr Gatt is also focused on solving health care gaps, which has been the a source of great angst in the community for several years.

“We need a proper health plan from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District… you can’t even have a baby in Leeton… it’s disgusting”. 

Leeton has been without maternity service at it’s hospital for more than a year and a half.

Michael Kidd, Labor candidate for Murray and Leeton health worker, demanded the town have its full maternity services reinstated in his recent campaign to win the seat. 

Mr Gatt said improving health services and child care are crucial to attract young entrepreneurs and their families to the town, which are desperately needed. 

New workers moving to Leeton from elsewhere are also struggling to find somewhere to live.

“The housing market is very tight here at the moment,” he said. 

A new secretary and treasurer of LCCI will be named, and a strategic plan developed, at an executive board meeting on Wednesday 1 November at the The Leeton Heritage Motor Inn.