20.05.2019Annual Dinner | Thank you for helping us THINK BIG

We certainly aimed high and ‘thought big this year’, with attendee numbers close to 700 from our cross-sectoral membership at our spectacular gala event. Special guests included Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Patron of Committee for Melbourne, The Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp, The Treasurer of Victoria, Mr Tim Pallas MP, The Hon. Peter Walsh MP, Leader of The Nationals and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and Ms Cindy McLeish MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. Other honoured guests were The Hon John Brumby AO, Senior Ministers and Shadow Ministers, Parliamentarians, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps. We were also joined by our Life Members Pamela Warrender OAM, Jack Smorgon AO, Tom Fricke, George Pappas AO, Dr Janine Kirk AM and Gary Morgan.

This year the Committee brought big ideas into focus by paying homage to the inspiring Melburnians who came before us, and aspiring entrepreneurs building their legacy for Melbourne’s future. We did so in one of Melbourne’s newest event spaces the Goldfields Theatre at MCEC. The space is part of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s new expansion, which adds 20,000 square metres to the Exhibition space, increasing MCEC’s total size to 70,000 square metres, heralding the venue as Australia’s largest convention and exhibition space.

Upon their arrival, guests were welcomed into the pre function area which provided our members, stakeholders and Not for Profit attendees with a unique opportunity to showcase their ‘Think Big’ ideas for Melbourne. Presenting Partner Telstra shared some of its newest technology and Event Partners Lime Toyota and Lexus displayed innovative mobility solutions for Melbourne’s next chapter.

The Hon. John Brumby AO, welcomed us to the MCEC and profiled the MCEC sustainability project with MCEC’s COO Leighton Woods.

Grollo Group highlighted their ambitious plans for the King Street Precinct.

This year we profiled a selection of our 30 Not for Profit organisations. Four NfPs were showcased on the evening by a video package, generously produced by Foundation member, Clemenger BBDO, link to video Royal Flying Doctor Service, Arts Project Australia, Ardoch, The Australian Ballet and we also acknowledge the attendance of the BioMelbourne Network

The CEO of Telstra, Andy Penn, and Cruzr the Telstra robot both emphasised the need for Melbourne “to become a more technologically enabled city” if it was to retain its mantle of one of the world’ most liveable, economically successful global cities.

We were honoured to be ‘theatrically’ joined by Lieutenant-Governor Charles Latrobe who shared his thoughts on the “Think Big” ideas for Melbourne of which he was most proud.

The first Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria Charles Latrobe reflecting on one of his greatest innovations for Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens

We also reflected on the significance of the development of the Arts Centre had on our city in the 1980s and contemplated the impact the new ideas for the Arts Precinct will have on our city. Professor Alan Cowman, Deputy Director of Science Strategy from our NfP member WEHI, spoke about the ground-breaking research in this precinct including both the National Drug Discovery Centre and the Centre for Dynamic Imaging.

Our Lord Mayor Sally Capp, inspired us with her thoughts on our wonderful city and urged those in the room to “…think big and make this chapter the one that will be told forever.”

After this we finished on a truly festive note with the local band, Kamanu debuting their new song “Melbourne”

Finally, we revealed our famous post-event lounge; a whisky and cheese experience. This was proudly sponsored by Event Partner and Corporate member, MCEC Executive Chef, Peter Haycroft and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, General Manager, Clive Scott.

Once again the Committee for Melbourne is extraordinarily grateful for the support our sponsors provided this year;

The save the date (May 2020) for next years event will be announced shortly. Click here to be kept in the loop.