Hundreds of special guests including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured above with Ai Group National President Chris Jenkins and Chief Executive Innes Willox) helped Ai Group celebrate its 150th anniversary at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday night.
In his address, Mr Albanese acknowledged the evening was an anniversary of "truly national significance", adding: "It's important that both sides of politics show our support for The Australian Industry Group".
Mr Dutton paid tribute to Ai Group members for contributing to "150 years of success" and honoured Chief Executive Innes Willox for his leadership over the past 11 years.
It was a fitting occasion to unveil an artwork Ai Group commissioned as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) initiative. Titled Coming Together, it represents the journey of our organisation over the past 150 years.
Artist Kamilya Lowana White, a proud Aboriginal woman, born, raised and still based in Melbourne, was able to join us, along with herfather, Ralph White.
Coming together: L-R Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, artist Kamilya White, Ralph White, Ai Group National President Chris Jenkins and NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC) Chairperson and Executive Officer Deb Barwick.
A performance by flautist Eliza Shephard — winner of the ABC Young Performers Award — and pianist Peter de Jager was another highlight.
We thank everyone who attended - Ai Group members and staff; special guests including Industry Minister Ed Husic, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece and representatives from the evening's sponsor AustralianSuper - to help us celebrate such a momentous occasion.
Here's to another 150 years!
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
