68th Annual Report
2014/2015
Promoting regional growth through leadership,
support programs, civic involvement and networking
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Past Presidents
1947-48
Mr H B Elms
1981-82
Mr W Black
1949-50
Mr J F Andrews
1983-84
Mr C Sanchez
1948-49
1950-51
1951-52
1952-53
1953-54
1954-55
1955-56
1956-57
1957-58
1958-59
1959-60
1960-61
1961-62
1962-63
1963-64
1964-65
1965-66
1966-67
1967-68
1968-69
1969-70
1970-71
1971-72
1972-73
1973-74
1974-75
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
1979-80
1980-81
Mr A L Verey
Mr G B Kingsbury
Mr H R Boyd
Mr A Adams
Mr W McNeil
Mr W Werrett
Mr C Caithness
Mr A Jolly
Mr F T Bunnett
Mr G Norris
Mr A C Downard
Mr B R Patchell
Mr R K Wagstaff
Mr M K McLennan
Mr R Allen
Mr E Green
Mr W Titcher
Mr J W Toon
Mr A S Gatley
Mr L Grenda
Mr F Carroll
Mr R Surace
Mr L Thompson
Mr A Van Angeren
Mr G Beasley
Mr A Carter
Mr C J De Young
Mr C Campbell
Mr C Campbell
Mr J W Toon
Mr I Kellett
Mr I Kellett
1982-83
1984-85
1985-86
1986-87
1987-88
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Mrs D A Rogers
Mr J Conway
Mr G Michaluk
Mr C H Madden
Mr C H Madden
Mr G Scates
Mr B Meehan
Mr P Taranto
Mr D Grant
Mr G Mullens
Mr J A Sturgess
Mr J A Sturgess
Mr S Jackson
Mr S Jackson
Mr A Webb
Mr D Lovig
Mr D Lovig
Mr D Lovig
Mr R Sanderson
Mr R Sanderson
Mr P Helmore
Mr P Helmore
Mr D Carlson
Ms R MacNamara
Ms R MacNamara
Mr S Dunn
Mr R Downing
Mr R Downing
Mr P Helmore
Mr P Helmore
Mr P Helmore
Mr R Downing
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2014 / 2015 Executive Team
President
Robert Downing
M+K Lawyers
Vice President
Peter Helmore
Labour Resource Management
Vice President
Roy Sanderson
RJ Sanderson & Associates
Treasurer
Caroline Atonio
Aston Ryan Malcolm
Committee Member
Paul Broom
Leadership Management Australia Committee Member
David Ferguson
Surdex Steel
Committee Member
Rabi Gunaratnam
Biz Power Business Consultants Committee Member
Leanne McCready
City of Greater Dandenong
Committee Member
Paul Wood
NAB
Executive Officer
Amanda Checken, Greater
Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Hon. Solicitor
M+K Lawyers
40 - 42 Scott Street Dandenong Vic 3175
Hon. Auditor
Robinson Street Accounting Pty Ltd
Incorporating R Harman & Associates
73 Robinson Street
Dandenong Vic 3175
Greater Dandenong Chamber
of Commerce
Subcommittees
Carols by Candlelight
Peter Helmore
Paul Broom
Ian McDonald
Richard Sherman
Amanda Checken
Awards
James Sturgess
Paul Wood
Amanda Checken
Marketing
Paul Broom
Rabi Gunaratuan
Paul Wood
Amanda Checken
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Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
President’s Report
It is my pleasure to report on the 2014/2015 year.
The vision of the Chamber, which is ‘to promote regional growth through leadership, support
programs, civic involvement and networking’, provides the focus for the activities of the Chamber
throughout the year.
Our membership continues to grow, year after year and this year was no exception. This provides
more opportunity for greater connectivity among businesses in the region and strengthens the
voice of the Chamber which remains the respected advocate of business in the City of Greater
Dandenong.
Key events and opportunities for networking throughout the year included:
• Premier Regional Business Awards Breakfasts
• Premier Regional Business Awards Gala Dinner
• Grand Final Charity Lunch
• Networking Evenings
• Carols by Candlelight
There has been an increase in the number of Networking Evenings offered and it has been
pleasing to see the large number of attendees, including guests of members who pleasingly, after
attending the event were keen to join as members. I would encourage all members to introduce
their business associates to the Chamber in the year ahead.
In addition to all the benefits flowing to businesses, it also pleasing to see the contribution the
Chamber makes each year to the wider community including through raising money for charity,
such as Make a Wish Foundation, and through hosting the Greater Dandenong Carols by
Candlelight.
I would like to acknowledge the work and contribution of the Executive Committee and the
associated sub committees. These dedicated people, freely give their time for the benefit of the
local business community.
I would also like to acknowledge the significant support from the City of Greater Dandenong
Council. This support ranges from provision of grants, to attendances at Chamber functions. We
are very grateful for their continued support.
On behalf of the Chamber I would like to thank all our members without whom each event held
would not be a success, nor would the Chamber be able to function as successfully as it does.
Robert Downing
President
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Grand Final Charity Lunch
Wednesday 24 September 2014
We hosted over 150 guests at the annual Grand Final Charity Lunch on Wednesday 24 September
at the Sandhurst Club. David Rhys Jones, former Carlton and Sydney champion, joined us as our
Guest Speaker, and told some very funny and colourful stories about his time on and off the field.
He shared his experiences at the Carlton Football Club, where he experienced the absolute high
of football - playing in the 1987 Premiership team and winning the Norm Smith Medal for the best
player on the ground in that game.
We were also joined by John Shore, Director of Ray White Chelsea, who was our fantastic MC
and Auctioneer for the day. John was very busy drumming up bids for our auction items, with all
proceeds going to the Make A Wish Foundation. Laurie Leeman from Make A Wish once again
spoke about the charity and the amazing work that it does for sick children in Australia. A very big
thank you to all those who attended, and to all the businesses that donated items for the Silent
Auction.
Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
List of Event Sponsors 2014/2015
Awards
Adecco
Aston Ryan Malcolm
Chisholm Institute
City of Greater Dandenong
Dandenong Journal
Hilton Manufacturing
M+K Lawyers
National Australia Bank
Suez Environmental
Grand Final Lunch
AW Bell
Coffey Ford
Dandenong Journal
Grenda
M+K Lawyers
RJ Sanderson & Associates
Carols by Candlelight
Bank of Melbourne
City of Greater Dandenong
Dandenong Journal
Hilton Manufacturing
Jayco
LJ Hooker
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Premier Regional Business Awards
Breakfasts
The breakfast awards program is highly popular amongst members. Four breakfasts were held
during the year and ten businesses were showcased along with four youth nominees identified for
special recognition. James Sturgess continues to do a magnificent job in this area and ensures
this aspect of the Chambers’ activities run to plan. Our guest speakers for 2014/2015 were:
7 May 2014
Andrew Rule
18 June 2014
Author and Journalist
Herald Sun
Hon. Martin Pakula
Labor Member for Lyndhurts
Hon. Gordon Rich-Phillips Liberal Member for SE Metro area
15 October 2014 Simon Marshall
Former Jockey & current Sports Commentator
Channel Seven
26 November 2014 Terry Wallace
Former VFL/AFL Player and Coach
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Premier Regional Business Awards
Gala Dinner - Wednesday 18 March 2015
The Premier Regional Business Awards Gala Dinner was again held at the Sandown Greyhounds
on Wednesday 18 March. The caliber of the nominees was of the highest order and we congratulate
all these businesses. The night would not function as well as it does without the huge impact that
James Sturgess makes to the event, and this year we also had Michael Pope entertaining the
crowd with his magic and illusions. The Gala Dinner committee can be well pleased with this
year’s function. This event continues to be one of the highlights of our calendar year and reflects
the outstanding achievement of the businesses within the South East Corridor Region.
Premier Regional Business Award
SRX Global
Award sponsored by NAB
Category Award
Company
Manufacturing
Wastech Engineering
Retail and Commercial
Future Metals Recycling
CSR & Employment
Wurth Australia
Small Business
Norden Body Works
Youth Enterprise Winner
Alex Woller
Sponsors
Aston Ryan Malcolm
M+K Lawyers
City of Greater Dandenong
Dandenong Journal
Adecco
Suez Environmental
Hilton Manufacturing
Chisholm Institute
Nominees - ATTAR, Exova Warringtonfire, Foster Street Clinic, Objective 3D, Rye Crust Bakery
Youth Enterprise Nomiees - Oun Chao, Danielle Erickson, David Mann
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Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Reg No A0023852L
Statement by Members of the Committee
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Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
Members 2014/2015
Platinum Partners
Aston Ryan Malcolm
Australian Tax Office Dandenong
Cabrini Linen
Labour Resource Management
Patterson Cheney Cars & Trucks
RJ Sanderson
Telstra Business Centre Dandenong
Gold Members
A W Bell
Adecco Group
CBA Corporate Financial Services
City of Greater Dandenong
Credit Union Australia
Dandenong Neighbourhood House
Dandenong Taxis
DNA Bathrooms and Kitchens
Exfoliators
Grenda Group
Hilton Manufacturing
Laser 3D
Link Employment & Training
M J C Partners
M+K Lawyers
Matchworks
NAB
Ostara Australia
Pitcher Partners
Real IT For Small Business
Slattery Auctions
The Schaefer Group
Wise Employment
Bronze Members
AMC Commercial Cleaning
Ascend Business Partners
Aussie Disposals
Austral Anglo
Australian Laboratory Services
Australian Workforce
Axceda
Bekaert (Australia)
Biz Power Business Consultants
Bombardier Transportation
Breadwinner (Aust)
Burke Partners
Business Times
Care Commercial Building Solutions
Charlwoods Pty
Chisholm Institute
CIE Legal
Cincotta Constructions
ConnectEast Group
Dandenong Agricultural & Pastoral Society Inc.
Dandenong Basketball Association
Dandenong High School
Dandenong Plaza (The GPT Group)
Dias Aluminium Products
EtherTech
Evans Faull Human Resources
Facey Industrial Commercial
Family Mail House
First Class Accounts - Mulgrave
Fletcher Insulation
Flexicut Engineering
Fort Knox Self Storage Dandenong
Fuji Fasteners
Gadens Lawyers
Genesis Fitness Club Dandenong
Gough Transport Solutions
Ibis Budget Dandenonng
Integrated Technology Solutions
Jayco Australia
Leadership Management Australia
Martogg & Company
Mechfield Facility Maintenance
Moglonemby Trading Co (Budget)
Nitto Denko
Non Executive Management (NEM) Australasia
Pro Veritate
Propertylinx
Quest Dandenong
Renex Group
RMBL Investments
Sandhurst Club
Sandown Racecourse (Melbourne Racing Club)
Sequoia Management - Ramada Encore Hotel
Shisham Stanley Group
Sign A Rama
Skills Plus
Springfree Trampoline
Star News Group
Surdex Steel
The Drug Detection Agency
Transglaze
Ultimate Laser
Value Added Personnel
Vince & Associates
Waste Converters Recycling
WCN Jobco
Wigley Engineering
ZJL Partners
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Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 7435 Dandenong 3175
9794 8881
0488 012 494
info@greaterdandenongchamber.com.au
www.greaterdandenongchamber.com.au