Round Table Dinners (RTD)

May 2013 Tim Costello

An inspiring keynote address by World Vision CEO Tim Costello set the tone for a wonderful evening. Tim's simple message was about how all of us can contribute to social capital in our own way and how we all win if we build a strong community. This was the perfect introduction to a celebration of the success of our YAE (Young Adult Empowerment) program, with three YAE graduates, Jessica Tilley, Ruby Firns and Tim Corrigan sharing their stories with the audience of Committee members.

Photos coming soon...

December 2012 On the Couch with General Peter Cosgrove

Guests were treated to an up close an personal look at General Peter Cosgrove at our recent Round Table Dinner. In the interview conducted by Chair, Judy Verlin, General Cosgrove was relaxed, comfortable and provided generous responses, clearly demonstrating why he is one of Australia's most admired, and humble leaders. 

Click here to hear a recording of the interview

Click here to see photos from the dinner

September 2012 'Imagine Ballarat 2030'

In a change to the regular RTD format the September dinner featured an interactive forum 'Imagine Ballarat 2030'. Facilitated by special guest Ms Jenny Brockie, members and their guests were asked to imagine what Ballarat and the region would look like to 2030.   

Representatives from the following Sectors; Education, Community, Business, Health, Connectivity and Sustainability, helped generate discussion. 

Opportunities for youth and education were key areas of discussion through-out the night. Prof David Battersby provided some enlightening, and perhaps alarming, education statistics for Ballarat and made us ask if 84% of young people in Melbourne complete Year 12 why only 62% of young in Ballarat?  

Others topics considered included: Inequity in trade wages from state to state, Incentives for apprentices, connectivity and a tech savvy generation will change the way we do business, serious skills shortage in health - by 2015 Australia will need 30,000 nurses, what is the incentive to work and live in regional victoria, perception of youth and how we support our greatest asset for the future - our young people.

Committee for Ballarat is pleased to provide a vehicle for civic leaders to come together and flesh out these important issues. Finding solutions is the challenge for us all. 

Thank you to our event sponsor Department of Business and Innovation.

If you are interested in obtaining a dvd of the forum please contact Adele Nairn Ph: 5332 1240

Click here to view photo gallery

March 2012

At the largest Round Table Dinner in Committee’s history, 230 members and their guests were treated to an outstanding evening with Ms Ita Buttrose.

Ita gave a truly inspirational address, encouraging people to follow their passion and embrace change as an opportunity. Her humorous anecdotes of her days with “Sir Frank” and Kerry Packer delighted everyone in the audience.Ita shares a special connection to Ballarat, having been baptised at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. 

It was a privilege to hear the story of this exceptional Australian who began her career as a copy girl (making 40 coffees twice a day) and went on to become the youngest ever editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly and a publishing icon.

Ita was very generous during question time and showed her trademark good grace by obliging guests with autographs and photo opportunities well after the official part of the evening.

MC Bruce Roberts enhanced the warmth of the evening with his good humour and wonderful professionalism.

We are proud to give our members opportunities to have access to the likes of Ita.

December 2011

Nearly 150 members came to what proved to be a very entertaining evening at the Committee for Ballarat’s Christmas Round Table Dinner on Thursday December 8, 2011 at Novotel  Forest Resort Creswick.

Crowds were entertained by who they thought was an internationally renowned sports psychologist; Dr Bruno Pagano who in the end turned out to be The Great Pretender, Homer Papantonio. Homer was most entertaining providing a light hearted humorous presentation to finish of what was a successful year for our members. The Dinner saw a number of changes within the Committee’s staff and board, welcoming Lynne McLennan as Vice-Chair and farewelling Chief Executive Officer Doug Lloyd. 

The Dinner was also an opportunity to acknowledge the 2011 graduates of the Leadership and Ballarat and Western Region’s program and the announcement of the recipient of the Peter Davies Scholarship for 2012; Janelle Yates.

October 2011

On Wednesday October 5, 2011 at Mercure Ballarat Convention Centre, 200 members and guests welcomed Mr Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria as the guest speaker at the Spring Round Table Dinner.

Mr Baillieu’s address reinforced that Ballarat and the region is in a great position for the future and has potential to be at the forefront with growing manufacturing and agricultural industries which as a result, leads to a sound economy.

He was only too happy to answer questions on his beloved Geelong Cats Grand Final triumph.

Committee for Ballarat Chair, Tony Chew provided a ‘wish list’ for the State Government which our task teams and Board members will continue to drive into the future. The Dinner was also an opportunity to welcome a number of new members.

Thank you to all members and guests for contributing to a wonderful evening and to BRACE Education Training & Employment Limited for their sponsorship.

March 2011

A great crowd turned out for the first Round Table Dinner for the 2011 calendar year, more than 170 members gathered to hear media personality, Kerry O’Brien on Thursday March 10, 2011.
Through his colourful career, Kerry has accumulated a number of well known names to put on his CV. He was able to tap into his own experiences to provide insight into the media industry and how to sell a story – minus the ‘spin’.
Committee for Ballarat Chair, Tony Chew welcomed new members including a growing number of Leaders in Action and provided the members with updates on current projects.
Committee for Ballarat thanks all members and guests for their support and attendance with particular thanks to the Round Table Dinner sponsor and Executive Member, UGL Rail.
 

December 2010
More than 170 members gathered at the last Round Table Dinner for 2010 on Thursday 9 December to hear Geelong Football Club CEO, Brian Cook provide insight into the evolution of the Geelong Football Club through community involvement.

 Brian gave an insightful address that encouraged Ballarat to continue their bid in constructing a community sporting complex that will put them on the national map. He outlined the financial and social benefits to the community that are a result of such a facility.Doug Lloyd provided members with updates on current projects and what the recent state election result means for the Committee.The 2010 graduates from the Leadership and Western Region program were recognized by CEO, Roger Bade. The inaugural Peter Davies scholarship recipient, Igor Zovko was presented by Peter’s daughter, Samantha Davies.Committee for Ballarat thanks all members and guests for their support and attendance with particular thanks to the Round Table Dinner sponsor, North Ballarat Football Club and City of Ballarat.

September 2010
Consideration of how to manage Ballarat’s growth while maintaining livability, employment and investment options was brought into sharp focus at the September 2010 Round Table dinner. Jane-Frances Kelly, the Cities Program Director at the Grattan Institute, an independent public policy think tank, told the members and guests present about the significant challenges of growth in cities. Importantly, she commended the close working relationship between the Committee and the City of Ballarat. She said a comparison of a range of cities across the world had shown that, those who had managed growth well, were those with constructive relationships between equivalent corporate groups and the relevant regional government bodies. She encouraged the Committee, through all its members, to maintain focus attracting the investment which will deliver jobs for an expanding population.

April 2010
Water, its security and sustainability remains the key concern of members of the Committee for Ballarat if discussion at the April Round Table Dinner is any indication.
The dinner held at the Novotel Forest Resort at Creswick attracted around 170 people to hear ABC broadcaster Jon Faine lead a panel discussion on a range of issues confronting the city and region. The panel was: UFS Dispensaries CEO Lynne McLennan, former Olympian Steve Moneghetti, General Manager – Manufacturing at Maxitrans Australia, Glen Walker, CEO of Sovereign Hill Jeremy Johnson, Editor of The Courier Angela Carey, General Manager of 3BA John Fitzgibbon and ABC regional radio presenter, Prue Bentley.

Click here to view the full report from the dinner

December 2009
Leadership, respect, passion, capacity, commitment – all of these together, plus much more, were on display in the person of keynote speaker at December’s Round Table Dinner, Christine Nixon.  Ms Nixon, the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, is now the chair of the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority. Ms Nixon confronted issues surrounding the ongoing hearings of the Bushfires Royal Commission, the performance at the time of the fires of those in authority and the progress of the huge task of rebuilding the ravaged communities – both in physical and emotional terms. Ms Nixon challenged the graduates of the Leadership Ballarat and Western Region program to go out into their own communities and lead.  Praising the commitment of the graduates, she also commended the great support they had received through the LBWR program and told the graduates, “You owe”.

September 2009
Head of Access Economics, Macroeconomist Group, Chris Richardson expounded his views on the current economic situation.Chris gave a colourful address on the local economy which he claimed was not all doom and gloom; in fact, Ballarat is in a strong position for the future.Chris provided insight into the economy and what lies ahead not only for Ballarat but Australia as we overcome the Global Financial Crisis. Although Ballarat is demographically a regional town we have the resources and industries to become a leader in not only Victoria but Australia.Committee for Ballarat Chair Tony Chew     also had guests reflecting on many of the projects on which Committee for Ballarat has already been a prime motivator and the beneficial consequences of these projects.

 June 2009
IBM Australia’s Global Investment Executive, Dr John Harvey AM discussed his strong ties he has with Ballarat and his involvement in the construction of the IBM IT plant in Mt Helen, which is now a representation of a true success story for Ballarat and IBM.Insight into regional developments and the importance of ‘shopping locally’ was passed on through a passionate delivery by a man that had and still does have strong ties with Ballarat. He highlighted that Ballarat has the skills and potential to become a leading industry community in regional Victoria. The night also saw Professor David James step down from Chairman, a role that he has professionally filled for the past  three years. Tony Chew     will now follow on from David’s success and take on the responsibility as chairman for Committee for Ballarat.

February 2009
Professor Ross Garnaut, one of Australia’s leading experts in the debate on climate change, discussed the merits and complexities of an emissions trading scheme as well as Ballarat’s role and impact within the current economic and environmental climate. He emphasised that Ballarat could soon become a major player in Australia’s battle against climate change as our city has the infrastructure and resources required to develop new industries for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

November 2008
The overwhelming theme of the address by Mrs Janet Holmes à Court AC was that, in life, people need to be participants, not spectators. Mrs Holmes à Court, head of one of Australia’s largest private companies, covered a range of topics including her passion for the arts, children’s programs, water, workplace safety and her successful resurrection of Heytesbury Pty Ltd – her late husband’s debt-ridden company.

September 2008
Mr Rob Gell, an active environmental campaigner with strong ties to scientific and conservation communities and a deep-seated commitment to sustainable development, addressed the topic ‘securing our water future’. Mr Gell highlighted the challenges faced by business and communities in the light of ongoing climate change and shifting weather patterns.

June 2008
IBISWorld Founder and Chairman and business strategist Mr Phil Ruthven heralded Ballarat's approach to the "magic" population figure of 100,000 at which time it would become a truly self-generating economy. Mr Ruthven presented a detailed breakdown on Ballarat's economic base, living standards and growth – all of which will strongly impact on our future.

February 2008
We tackled the challenge of energy and sustainability issues with Dr Ziggy Switkowski (former Telstra CEO and chairman of former Prime Minister John Howard’s Review of Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy.) Dr Switkowski delivered an insightful presentation on Australia’s energy and climate change strategy.

December 2007
Ms Avril Henry of AH Revelations addressed the RTD at which the 26 participants in the 2007 Leadership Ballarat & Western Region (LBWR) program officially graduated. Ms Henry emphasised the need to nurture and strengthen young leaders – a theme which strongly supports LBWR’s vision of equipping emerging leaders to guide our region into the future.

October 2007
Nobel Laureate Prof Peter Doherty spoke about global health issues and associated challenges. The depth of Prof Doherty’s knowledge
and sensitivity about the topic of global health was inspiring and his message was delivered in a highly engaging manner.