GMC has had a busy 25th anniversary year so far, delivering for our members. We focused on our strategic pillars of advocacy, networking and knowledge sharing to highlight and grow the strength of our region’s manufacturers.
What we did for Manufacturing over past 12 months
- We hosted the GMC’s 25th anniversary event to thank our members with 200+ colleagues and community leaders, on the sidelines of the first Avalon Air Show in four years
- Presented manufacturing excellence awards and long-standing supporter awards to 34 Geelong companies
- Hosted 17 regular and stand-alone member events with 746 attendees
- Additionally, delivered 4 extended training and targeted programs, with a further 41 events & 97 attendees
- Delivered 2 schools programs for Year 9 & 10 students to build excitement about careers in manufacturing: We graduated 79 kids in the 12 months, the most we’ve ever done, and improved uptake from government schools by 30%.
- Graduated 18 emerging leaders from our Leadership for Manufacturing Excellence program and enrolled 18 valued employees in a new course
- Supported 11 women through our women in manufacturing mentoring program
- We started 1 new special interest group to support members in more targeted ways, and will be launching a new group soon, focused on Innovation and R&D.
We spoke up for Manufacturing on the issues that matter to you.
Among other matters, we:
- Made representations on the new IR legislation to Government MPs and crossbench Senators
- Sponsored an 8-page Geelong Advertiser lift out to proudly showcase manufacturing in the region
- Advocated to ensure the voice of regional SMEs is heard in the National Reconstruction Fund design
- Met in Geelong with new Minister for Industry, the Hon. Ed Husic, the Deputy PM, the Hon. Richard Marles, as well as all of our local MPs on a range of matters
- Emphasised the costs and challenges of the energy transition during a visit by Climate Change and Energy Minister, the Hon. Chris Bowen
- Contributed to a Parliamentary inquiry into mobile phone reception issues as they impact manufacturing competitiveness
We individually helped members on a range of other issues. We also supported many in developing all sorts of opportunities.
We were proud to launch a new initiative in 2023: the Geelong Business Mission to South Korea, 13 – 19 May. The delegation was self-nominating, self-funded, and open to all GMC members and selected stakeholders. In part, we were responding to an invitation from the City of Changwon during their visit to Geelong in March 2022 to formalise a sister city agreement. But it was the importance of Hanwha Group’s investment in Geelong and the value creation for local industry and capability that was at the core of the trip. Please contact me if you would like to read the GMC’s Geelong-Korea Report.
Coming up in the next 12 months
- Our biennial Technology and Innovation Summit, occurring on 18 April 2024. Last event in 2022 was well-received. Read more here.
- A new CEO program with an opening residential strategy session, designed exclusively for manufacturers
- GMC as sponsor of the regional manufacturing award at the 2023 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards in August
- Our GMC Connect events – with speakers on Sustainability in August and Cyber Security in October – as well as special events across the year.
- Another international trade and Business Mission (and a survey to establish where and what would most interest your business)
- Our Seed to STEM program, expanding successful regional programs attracting girls and women to manufacturing careers
- And lots more
If you’re interested in knowing more about Geelong Manufacturing Council, we’d love to talk with you. And to our members, we look forward to seeing you soon.
Jennifer Conley
CEO, Geelong Manufacturing Council