Oil and gas leader picked as new council chair

GEELONG Manufacturing Council has a new chair as part of a leadership reshuffle for the regional industry advocates.

Board member Thys Heyns has been elected to the top job to succeed Lyn George, who is stepping down from the role but set to stay on the board.

Mr Heyns has lived in Geelong since 2015, and was appointed to the state government’s Barwon Regional Partnership by Minister for Regional Victoria Harriet Shing last year.

His corporate experience is primarily in the gas and oil industry; most recently with Viva Energy as Chief Operating Officer and previously with BP.

IXL Group director and GMC board member Rob Backwell will serve as the council’s deputy chair.

Mr Heyns welcomed his appointment and acknowledged outgoing board member Jamie Baensch in accepting the role earlier this month.

“Advocating on behalf of the manufacturing community has been a challenge in recent years and both Lyn and former chair, Jamie Baensch, have made huge contributions for the sector in Geelong and the region,” Mr Heyns said.

“It is a great honour to be taking on this role, and I thank the Board for their confidence in nominating and voting for me.”

GMC said it would celebrate Mr Baensch’s contribution to the organisation at its AGM in November.