The region’s leading manufacturers have come together with industry stakeholders and supporters to celebrate Geelong Manufacturing Council’s 25th anniversary at a special event held alongside the Australian International Airshow. [image gallery below]
Deputy PM Richard Marles presented an inspiring keynote at the event, highlighting the importance of a vibrant manufacturing industry not only for a strong economy, but also to the social cohesiveness and wellbeing of the communities in which we work. This was echoed by GMC Chair Lyn George who said, “Richard’s heart-felt, stirring and brilliantly delivered speech about the importance of manufacturing both locally and internationally and in relation to building communities was simply inspirational.”
The Avalon Airport International Terminal was transformed into an event space for over 200 attendees at the celebration and awards dinner.
In a very full program GMC CEO Jennifer Conley warmly introduced long-standing member organisations who have been with GMC for 20+ years:
- Air Radiators
- Backwell IXL
- IXL Metal Castings
- City of Greater Geelong
- Deakin University
- GeelongPort
- gforce
- Godfrey Hirst
- The Gordon
- Incitec Pivot
- Infrabuild
- Viva Energy
Awards were also presented to Northern Futures for Community Contribution to Manufacturing; Marand Precision Engineering Pty Ltd for the Innovative Manufacturing Award; Think Fencing Pty Ltd for Viva Energy Australia Award for Excellence in Sustainability in Manufacturing.
History of Geelong Manufacturing Council
The foundations of the Geelong Manufacturing Council date back 148 years to the Manufacturers and Exhibitors Association.
In 1985, the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers (ACM) was formed and a Geelong division created. When the ACM merged with the Metal Trades Industry Association Australia (MTIA) in 1998, under what became the Ai Group, a group in Geelong decided to form the Geelong Manufacturing Council.
Brian Backwell had chaired the Manufacturing Industry Taskforce earlier in 1997, and Mike O’Brien was secretary.
Chairs of the GMC over the past 25 years have been founding chair, David Sinclair, followed by Bruce Jesson, Patrick McCaffrey, David Sykes, Jamie Baensch and the current GMC chair, Lyn George OAM.
We were very pleased to welcome some of the founding executive and past directors to the 25th anniversary event.
Image Gallery
Thank you to our 25th Anniversary and Awards Dinner supporters:
