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Cheers to 170 years

June 15, 2023 BY
Julie Hunter, Rob Hunter (Huntercorp Investments) and Renee Jovic (Zenith Business Advisory, Geelong Chamber director) helped celebrate 170 years for the chamber last week. Photos: GBEA

Julie Hunter, Rob Hunter (Huntercorp Investments) and Renee Jovic (Zenith Business Advisory, Geelong Chamber director) helped celebrate 170 years for the chamber last week. Photos: GBEA

HUNDREDS of local businesspeople packed into The Pier Geelong last week for a celebration of the Geelong Chamber of Commerce’s illustrious 170-year history.

More than 450 guests gathered for the special anniversary event that captured the changing face and ongoing success of Geelong industry since the city’s earliest days and the chamber’s formation in 1853.

Nikki and Norm from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation began proceedings with a Welcome to Country, while Corangamite federal member Libby Coker gave her account of the region’s business history including her time as a Geelong journalist.

 

Norm (Wadawurrung Traditional Owners).

 

Former presidents Norm Lyons and Kylie Warne joined incumbent president John Steklenberg for a panel; discussion about the recent challenges and achievements of the chamber – from advocating for a revamp of Geelong transport that culminated in the Geelong Ring Road, to how it pivoted to fit its members’ demands during the COVID pandemic.

The event included a video produced by Ryan Chamley and Milk Video capturing the 170-year history, an early release of a 16-page print liftout from last week’s Geelong Times and sponsor videos from Torcht Productions.

The chamber also thanked its event sponsors: Bendigo Bank, DeakinTALENT, Fagg’s Mitre 10, Godfrey Hirst, Harwood Andrews, Patrick Rowan & Associates, Prestige Jayco, Preston Rowe Patterson, The Gordon, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, and Xtreme Technology along with John and Mary Stekelenburg.

 

Cathy Harper (Geelong Chamber), Tennille Bradley (City of Greater Geelong), Alex Hamilton (River’s Gift), Christina Street (COGG).

 

Jeremy Crawford (Geelong Chamber) and Libby Coker (Corangamite MP).

 

Aaron Bradley, Kellyanne Sheaha and Simon Sheahan (Auswide Plumbing).

 

Mark Edmonds, Megan McKnight (Pixeld) and Nathan George (Pixeld).

 

Elissa Friday, Tennille McInnes, Cameron Murnane, Jeremy Crawford, Emma Jennings, Laura Heywood, Cathy Harper (Geelong Chamber of Commerce).

 

John Fitzgerald (Fitz Consulting), Brandon Burns (TorchT Productions), David Cairns (VIVA Energy), Jane Mithen (Harwood Andrews) and Michael Cave (VIVA Energy).

 

Paul Gray (Harwood Andrews), Les Watson (Get More Time), Mark Edmonds.

 

Norm Lyons (past chamber president), Kylie Warne (past chamber president), Dr John Stekelenburg (incumbent chamber president), Jeremy Crawford (incumbent chamber CEO).

 

Andy Pobjoy (Piano Bar Geelong).

 

Jeremy Williams, James Rigoni, Daniel McCann (SC Technology Group).