Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Lara electorate women in manufacturing

Ella GEORGE (Lara) (09:47): From the Avalon air show to the Geelong Manufacturing Council awards, it has been industry and innovation on display in my electorate this past week. And on International Women’s Day it is an honour to highlight some of the women in manufacturing in the Geelong region. We all know that Geelong, especially the north of Geelong, is the manufacturing heart of our state, but for too long this industry has been male dominated. I am proud to say, as the first female member for Lara, this is changing. Standing next to the member for Geelong and the member for Bellarine, we can see the women of Geelong stepping up and taking on these challenges.

Last week I attended the Geelong Manufacturing Council’s 25th anniversary celebration. The Geelong Manufacturing Council is ably led by two remarkable women: chair Lyn George and CEO Jennifer Conley. Together Lyn and Jennifer are leading manufacturing in Geelong and into the future, creating more jobs, more opportunities, and paving the way for the women of Geelong to take up careers in the manufacturing sector. Lyn Morgan is no stranger to Geelong’s manufacturing sector. Since 2017 Lyn has led the team of Northern Futures, a not-for-profit organisation addressing disadvantage in Geelong’s north. Over this time Lyn has worked closely with the manufacturing sector. She was honoured last week with the Geelong Manufacturing Council’s community manufacturing award, and I congratulate her on this remarkable achievement. And finally, I acknowledge Adele Welsh from the Geelong Trades Hall Council, a trailblazing woman in our town.