MC: Past President Peter Dakin
Reflection: Past President Reg Smith (Transcript included elsewhere in this bulletin)
Following meal service, President Dr Carol Bond welcomed members, visitors and guests and introduced Trevor Nink to update the Club on Around the Bay and The Smith Family fundraising program.
Trevor reflected that Around the Bay had been one of his first volunteering activities after joining Rotary Melbourne and that the Club’s involvement over many years has helped support The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
He issued a strong call for volunteers for the Club’s October fundraising activities, including Around the Bay and the Melbourne Marathon. These events provide members with an opportunity to enjoy fellowship while their volunteer effort generates funds directly supporting the education of disadvantaged young Australians. Trevor encouraged members to register promptly, noting that the more volunteers Rotary Melbourne provides, the greater the contribution the Club can make.
President Carol added a challenge of her own, encouraging members who cycle to consider joining the Rotary team riding Around the Bay. Recalling how she had herself been persuaded to take on a considerably longer ride than originally intended, she described it as one of the most enjoyable days she had experienced and confirmed that she will be riding again this year.
Carol then acknowledged Sue Smith’s work in producing the new Club Directory before recognising an exceptional milestone in the life of the Club — Bob Burgess’s 50 years of membership of Rotary Melbourne.
Bob’s association with the Club extends across two generations, his father Sam having also been a long-standing Rotary Melbourne member. During his own five decades, Bob has served as a Board Director and contributed to numerous committees spanning community welfare, international programs, youth and elderly welfare, reception and investment. He chaired the Reception Committee for many years and served as Captain of the Malvern Group.
His contribution to The Rotary Foundation has been recognised through Paul Harris Fellow honours, subsequently elevated to Distinguished Ruby status. President Carol thanked Bob, and his wife Jean, for the loyalty, friendship and service they have given Rotary Melbourne over half a century.
Chair of the Day Sana Malik then introduced guest speaker Simon Westaway, former CEO of the Australian Airports Association, to address the question: “Victoria - what is its aviation and tourism future?”
Simon brought considerable experience to the subject, having held senior roles with Jetstar Airways, Tourism Australia and the Australian Tourism Industry Council, as well as the Australian Airports Association.
His central argument was that Victoria is at an important strategic juncture. Aviation and tourism are major contributors to the State economy, but competition for airline capacity, visitors and investment is intensifying.
Melbourne Airport is entering a period of substantial expansion, with major investment planned in terminals, gates, access infrastructure and a new runway. Simon believes it is likely to become Australia’s largest airport. Victoria also has a strategic advantage in Avalon Airport, where Simon was closely involved in establishing Jetstar’s presence, and which he believes has considerable further potential.
However, Western Sydney Airport will soon add significant new capacity to the Sydney aviation market. Simon argued that Victoria therefore needs a more deliberate and collaborative aviation strategy, bringing government, airports, airlines and tourism together to attract additional services and investment.
He also highlighted the importance of Essendon, Moorabbin and Victoria’s regional airports. These facilities support not only passenger travel but pilot training, aircraft maintenance, air ambulance services and regional communities, and should be regarded as important economic and social infrastructure.
Turning to tourism, Simon described Victoria’s visitor economy as one of the State’s most important industries, with international aviation critical to its continued growth. One of the greatest challenges is what the industry calls “regional dispersal” — encouraging visitors attracted to Melbourne to stay longer and travel further into regional Victoria.
Too many international visitors remain within Melbourne or make only brief excursions to destinations such as the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley or Great Ocean Road. Simon suggested that changing this will require better regional accommodation, more diverse tourism experiences, improved transport connections and greater support for self-drive tourism.
Victoria’s major events strategy remains a considerable strength. The Australian Open, Formula One Grand Prix, arts and cultural attractions and extensive sporting calendar give Melbourne an international profile few Australian destinations can match. Simon argued that Victoria must continue competing aggressively for major events while finding ways to spread their economic benefits more widely.
More broadly, he called for a renewed and integrated approach to tourism development and promotion, including a stronger role for Visit Victoria in destination marketing, research, investment attraction and industry development.
In questions, Simon discussed the redevelopment of Melbourne Airport, including the evolution of Terminal 4 and the wider airport precinct. He expects increasing development of hotels, businesses and commercial activity around the airport and stressed that airport rail will be important not only for travellers but for the large workforce needing efficient access to the precinct.
His concluding message was that Victoria possesses formidable aviation, tourism and events assets, but cannot afford complacency. Stronger collaboration, investment and ambition will be needed if the State is to capitalise fully on those Sana Malik thanked Simon for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking address and presented him with a Club gift in appreciation.
The meeting closed with thanks to visitors and guests, MC Peter Dakin, the Reflection presenter, and the Club’s lunch and reception teams.
Members were reminded that there will be no lunch meeting on the second Wednesday of the month. The next Club meeting will feature Rotary Melbourne member and Benetas CEO Sandra Hills, speaking on “Ageing in Place.”
To view the recording of the Simon Westaway’s address: Click here.
Photos (30)
