Geelong Chamber gets new chair

THE Geelong Chamber of Commerce board has announced Dr John Stekelenburg as its new chair and Catherine Middlemiss as deputy.

Both were elected following a meeting of directors last Friday and will hold their respective positions for three years.

Dr Stekelenburg is a medical practitioner who served a term as deputy-chair of the Chamber prior to being elevated to the top job.

As well as previously serving as chair of Barwon Health and president of the Geelong Club, he has extensive volunteer experience on local and international community and sporting committees.

Dr Stekelenburg replaces outgoing chair Mark Edmonds who has concluded his term in accordance with the Chamber of Commerce’s constitution.

“It’s an honour to be elected chair of such a respected organisation and I would like to thank Mark Edmonds for years of excellent service,” Dr Stekelenburg said.

“I am optimistic about the future. I look forward to working with the chamber board and the team to build on Mark’s great work.”

Mr Edmonds said he would stay involved with the Chamber’s mentoring program, as well as attending events throughout the year.

“It was a fantastic honour to serve the Chamber members and help guide everyone through an incredible last year,” he said.

“I would like to thank all my fellow directors and CEO Ben Flynn and I look forward to seeing the Chamber grow and thrive.”

Deputy-chair Catherine Middlemiss is the director of development, marketing and communications at Sacred Heart College and has been a director with the Chamber for the past two-and-a-half years.

Ms Middlemiss has been chairperson of the Signature Charity Foundation and a director with the Costa Foundation.

“I am grateful to have the trust of the Board and excited about the opportunity to work with the team to serve our members,” she said.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest organisations of its type in Australia with a membership of more than 900 businesses.