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More than 1,000 business leaders and chambers of commerce members from 100 countries descended upon Sydney 19-21 September for the 10th World Chambers Congress, held at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. Under the theme “Where Business Connects” delegates had the opportunity to discuss some of the world’s most pressing challenges. It was also an opportunity for members to meet and strengthen existing business relationships. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian officially opened the Congress noting that in this time of disruption and rapid economic change, “chambers of commerce were vital as partners for governments and the community in pursuing economic opportunities and generating investment, innovation and jobs.” Chambers must promote global stability How can businesses with limited time and resources make a difference when it comes to peace-building efforts? This was a question raised in the first plenary session of the Congress which focused on business, conflict and terrorism. Session moderator Steve Killelea, president of the Institute for Economics and Peace, honed in on the interplay between business, peace and economic development and urged chamber members to be pivotal in communicating this relationship to governments. Delegates also attended sessions on infrastructure, changing chamber business models, and alliances on day one. The second day, presenters turned their attention to sustainability, global mobility, tourism as a driver for economic growth, workplace diversity, SME finance and working with media. Enlightening the audience with ways to attain sustainable business models, author and ZERI founder Gunter Pauli called on delegates to ditch business planning in favour of taking concrete action, which got delegates going on Twitter. “Scan for opportunities to implement new business models that will transform economies,” he urged. Chambers members need to encourage refugees In a talk about how protectionism around migration is leading to missed opportunities delegates were called upon...

PICTURE: Jack Cowin, CACC Patron and Michael Bacina, Chair of SME Committee A lifetime of business success in Australia hasn’t taken the quiet Canadian out of Jack Cowin. As icy winds battered the windows of KPMG’s Sydney offices, the Chairman and Managing Director of Competitive Foods Australia was quietly reflective and self-deprecating as guest speaker at a recent CACC lunch. Touching on his frugal, but warm-hearted upbringing by Depression-era parents, his experience selling plants as an enterprising teenager and the highs and lows of business life, the 75-year-old got laughs from the 70 people in attendance when he joked: “Life is like a football match. We’ve got quarters and unfortunately I’ve just entered the last one.” Last quarter or not, he’s not planning on retiring just yet because the myriad of business opportunities that have come his way continue to keep him “occupied and entertained.” An Australian Financial Review Rich Lister and CACC’s Patron, Mr Cowin is best known for his fast food investments, including Hungry Jack’s, KFC and Domino’s Pizza. This is where the bulk of his wealth has been created. But after his initial success in the industry, he wanted to diversify his holdings to see if he could make money outside of the fast food sector. This started with shares in Network 10 where he was an investor, buying the television station out of receivership in 1992. Mr Cowin invested $4.5 million and sold his shares in the TV network for $72 million just five years later. He remained a Network 10 director for 20 years until 2015. Today, Mr. Cowin has shares in Fairfax Media, investment bank Moelis Australia, technology firm Bailador and Sydney’s BridgeClimb. At one time, he even invested in the largest cattle company in the world, but after a disagreement with one of...

Brian Hansen, Director and President of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), is pleased to announce the organisation’s first Honourary Member, Dr Sophie Galaise, and welcomes her to the CACC’s Melbourne Committee. “Dr Galaise is an internationally recognised leader in the Arts who we are fortunate to have contributing to the leadership of our country’s cultural community,” said Mr Hansen. “I am particularly thrilled that Dr Galaise will also be contributing to the CACC’s Melbourne Committee as an Honourary Member.” Dr Galaise joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as its first female director in April 2016. In 2015, Dr Galaise was a winner in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence, in the category of Culture. “As an Honourary Member of the CACC, I look forward to supporting the organisation in representing Australian interests in Canada, and likewise, representing Canadian interests here in Australia, especially the cultural aspects of these two countries from my new home, Melbourne, one of the world’s most livable, most cultural cities,” Dr Galaise said. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Dr Galaise started her career as a flautist. As a professional musician, Dr Galaise played with the German Orchestra in Bremen and in time worked as a Musicologist in Basel, Switzerland before moving on to Paris. Following her success as a Coordinator of Music for the Quebec Arts Council and completing her PhD in Musicology (University of Montreal) and an Executive MBA (McGill University/HEC Montreal), Dr Galaise was appointed Executive and Artistic Director of the Orford Arts Centre (Orford, Canada). In time, Dr Galaise was appointed Executive Director of the Quebec Symphony Orchestrea before being appointed in 2013 as Chief Executive Director of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. “The Melbourne Committee welcomes the involvement of our first Honourary Member, Dr Sophie Galaise whose renowned, extensive...

PICTURE: Lesley Gillespie, Director of Bakers Delight Holdings Ltd Brian Hansen, Director and President of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), is delighted to announce the appointment of Lesley Gillespie OAM to the organisation’s Board of Directors. With this appointment, Mrs Gillespie becomes the second female Director on the CACC’s Board. “Mrs Gillespie is a recognised business leader in both Australia and Canada, the CACC is privileged to have her involved,” said Mr Hansen. “With a successful family business (Bakers Delight) that has expanded across Canada, Mrs Gillespie’s entrepreneurship is a testament to the work of the CACC, which is to forge trade and business activities between the two countries.” Currently, Mrs Gillespie is Director of Bakers Delight Holdings Ltd which overseas all bakery operations across four countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA). “My relationship with Canada goes back to 2003 when I relocated from Melbourne to Vancouver with my husband and children to launch our first Canadian bakery, COBS Bread,” said Mrs Gillespie. “Since then, the Canadian aspect of our business has expanded to nearly 100 locations across four provinces. “I am proud to represent the CACC, promoting and encouraging business connections between Australia and Canada.” In her role as Chair of the CACC’s Melbourne Committee, Mrs Gillespie will specifically focus on furthering the work of the CACC in the Melbourne market. Melbourne-based CACC Director, Mike McGrath said of Mrs Gillespie’s appointment, “The CACC overall will benefit from Mrs Gillespie’s significant international experience, as will Melbourne, in particular." “Mrs Gillespie’s business reach is international, however her roots are here, in Melbourne. I am thrilled to have Mrs Gillespie here, supporting the local perspective of the CACC,” he said. Mrs Gillespie has been recognised for her many achievements with: Fellowship from Monash University in 2013, where she earned...

In July, the CACC had the pleasure of hosting Andrew Ireland, CEO Sydney Swans and Mike Pyke, Canadian and ex-Sydney Swans player, to talk about business in sport.  Members were treated to an intimate and honest discussion about the ins and outs of running an AFL team and insights on being a professional athlete.  The Old Growler in Woolloomooloo hosted the event and members were treated to chicken wings and poutine to kick off the evening’s festivities. Monica Lunin, Director of Mojologic, CACC Director and CACC Events Committee chair, began with a warm welcome to Jack Cowin, CACC Patron and Chairman and Managing Director or Competitive Foods.  Monica also highlighted the mutual love of sports that is shared by both Australians and Canadians with the colours of the Sydney Swans being close to the “hearts of Canadians”. Jesse Landry, Founder and Publisher of The Australian Business Executive and CACC Events Committee member, moderated the event and started the discussion by recapping the careers of both Andrew and Mike and how they both ended up meeting at the Swans. In talking about the business of running a sports club, Andrew highlighted how the AFL has been successful at making the competition between teams as equal as possible. He remarked that purely on membership and attendance numbers, some teams would never be able to match the game revenue of the Swans - even if they filled the stadium for every game. The AFL has been successful at getting high levels of participation. Mike sees it as a family-driven thing: “If you don’t get the basic drivers of participation, generationally, you’re going to struggle.”  The discussion continued with how the AFL has been better at filling stadiums than other codes.  Andrew puts it down to several factors - the long-term investment that the...

To mark Canada’s sesquicentennial anniversary of Canadian Confederation, Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Mr Anthony Howard QC hosted more than 100 people, including special guests His Excellency Mr Paul Maddison, High Commissioner of Canada and Mrs Fay Maddison at Government House on Friday, 21 July in Melbourne. The theme of the celebrations was recognition of the ties that bind Australia and Canada.  The Governor spoke about the good friendship between the two countries, in particular how Australia and Canada have fought side by side in wars across more than a century; share commercial connections by way of two-way trade substantial investment ties, and shared priorities for sustainable economic growth, global health and gender equality. Above all, the Governor commented that it is the personal connections between the two countries that are the most important. With both countries having in common their respective Indigenous Peoples, each with proud and dignified histories. Her Excellency highlighted several Canadians who have made significant contributions to Australia such as Alexander Robertson and John Wagner who made their fortunes on the gold fields of Victoria and were behind the famous Cobb & Co. It was Wagner who designed Stonnington House that was home to seven Governors of Victoria in the early part of the 20th century. Another interesting Canadian connection shared by the Governor was the story of Captain Henry Ross who designed and was the standard bearer of the Southern Cross flag that flew over the Eureka Stockade. Being Melbourne, there is of course, an AFL connection, too. Andrew McGrath, originally from Ontario, plays Half-back Flanker for the Essendon Bombers Football Club. In fact, His Excellency Mr Paul Maddison has been a supporter of the Essendon Bombers since he attended a Bombers match at the MCG back in 2007....