Reaching for the sky
GEELONG’S had its share of negative publicity recently, with allegations of bullying at City Hall heading the list.
But last week I felt the winds of change and I believe our region is beginning to once again accept the challenge of transition.
Putting aside the little political games played by our two federal MPs, Sarah Henderson (Liberal, Corangamite) and Richard Marles (Labor, Corio) — and, of course, the latest in the CoGG bullying saga, which colleague Peter Moore examined in detail last Thursday — there were several positive announcements during the week.
Last week saw national and international attention focused on Geelong with the Australian International Airshow.
Deakin University took the opportunity of assembling what it described as “a hi-tech extravaganza” of cutting-edge research for display at the airshow. It is quite amazing the breadth of research being undertaken at Deakin and the attention it is attracting.
Later in the week, Deakin also released information relating to its social and economic impacts on Geelong, a reminder of just how far it has come in the 40 years since it was founded.
The Deakin University Geelong Community web page can be visited by just about everyone and the recent Economic Contribution of Deakin University’s Geelong Campuses, a report by Deloitte Access Economics, is a really positive story.
The Waterfront and Waurn Ponds campuses are worth $426 million annually to the regional economy, Deakin’s operational expenditure contributed some $313 million in 2013, while student expenditure added a further $112 million — all up, this is 5.3 per cent of Geelong’s $8 billion local economy. With 3124 equivalent full-time jobs, Deakin is now also one of the region’s major employers and, the report says, it adds immeasurably to the social and knowledge fabric of our community.
Deakin is playing a major role in regional transition through the Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre work on advanced manufacturing and its health programs provide a pool of skilled graduates for healthcare and social assistance, Geelong’s second largest industry.
There are about 9530 students studying on campus — about 2900, or 30 per cent, of whom are from regional and remote areas; the national average is 14 per cent. And for the fourth consecutive year Deakin is ranked first for graduate satisfaction (Australian Graduate Survey) in Victoria.
It was also announced last week, that US/Turkish firm Dow Aksa has signed a deal with Deakin to take commercialisation of the fledgling Carbon Nexus carbon fibre research joint venture to a new level, confirming Geelong’s status as Australia’s carbon fibre capital.
Another exciting announcement last week was the decision to build a 12storey glass tower on the King’s Funerals’ chapel site in Myers St.
This landmark structure, which as site owner Michael King and the director of architecture for designers Fender Katsalidis, James Pearce, said, will also help redefine the city.
I reckon they will take over from the light towers at Simonds Stadium as a statement of our future.
What an exciting sight the drawings published in the Addy made!
Finally, what local mum Carrie Felton started as a bedroom business 20 years ago, Stuck On You, is now a labelling and children’s gifts firm employing 50 people and exporting worldwide. It has signed trade agreements with China and South Korea and will expand its workforce by four.
As all this was happening, Geelong Advertiser general manager Daniel Clarke launched the updated Committee for Geelong’s Transforming Geelong report stating the missing ingredient in the transition mix: confidence.
Geelong is on the move!