President's Report AGM 2017

Dear Members & Friends,

It’s been twelve months since the last AGM, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your enthusiastic support of AMBC Victoria during 2016/2017.

We've had another busy year, with ample occasions for us to explore opportunities and grow our networks:

• Aug 25:  AMBC Victoria AGM, new Board elected
• Aug 25:  Drinks & Nibbles with Wes Palon, Consul General of Malaysia
• Sep 7:     Planning Victoria’s Infrastructure – Tim Pallas MP, State Treasurer
• Sep 15:   Malaysia Day Celebration Dinner (Marriott Melbourne)
• Oct 27:    Evening Networking Drinks (Ladida CBD)
• Nov 27:   Sunday Yum Cha lunch with the Australian Asian Association
• Dec 6:     Cocktail Reception with Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry (Malaysia)
• Dec 8:     Port of Melbourne Tour, Year-end Event
• Jan:         summer break
• Feb 10:   Yumcha Networking lunch (Shark Fin House, Chinatown)
• Mar 17:    Property members discussion meeting
• Mar 22:    Manufacturing members discussion meeting
• Mar 30:    AMBC Young Professionals Event (Josiah Ng)
• Apr 3:      Doing business in Malaysia & Singapore for Victorian tech companies (Trade Victoria)
• Apr 26:    Networking Drinks with a View (Blue Diamond)
• May 25:   Roundtable meeting with Matrade
• Jun 22:    Winter Networking Drinks (Black Rabbit)
• Aug 24:    FY2017 AGM
• Aug 24:    Drinks & Nibbles with the new AMBC Board

Looking forward to the next few months, we will be holding our Malaysia Day Celebration Dinner, a seminar on Hotel Development opportunities in Melbourne and several other business networking and boardroom lunch events - plenty to keep you informed and connected.

At every AGM, we retire half of our Board members and open it up for re-election. At this AGM, I am pleased to announce the unopposed election of the following members to the Board (click for profiles):

• Damian Mannix (The Agenda Group)
• Mike Anderson (Anderson’s Business Facilitation Services)
• Ken Ong OAM (Future Kids Child Care)
• Felix Wong (Echo3 Media)

Ken Ong is new to the Board, but is a long-time friend of AMBC.  As you may be aware, Ken served as a Councillor for the City of Melbourne for eight years, and I welcome his enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to AMBC.

Last year we established several Working Committees to expand our engagement in industry sectors of interest.  These include:

• Property & Construction
• Manufacturing
• Food & Agribusiness
• Tourism & Hospitality
• Professional Services
• Young Professionals
• Corporate Member Events
• Social & Networking Events

Organisations such as ours thrive on new blood and new ideas – I encourage you to participate in a Working Committee of your interest and help create the AMBC that we want.  You can email our Secretariat Chris to express your interest.

Lastly, can I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Malaysia Day on Sept 14th - this year we will have a market-style theme with several food stations, each with a chef.  It will be an excellent way to enjoy the warm fellowship that is uniquely AMBC's, as well as entertain any Malaysian clients that you might have.  Event and booking details can be found on our website.

This AGM concludes my first two-year term as your President.  I have received so much encouragement from members and friends, old and new, and have been both humbled and energised by your passion and enthusiasm for AMBC.  My deepest thanks to all of you and my fellow Board members, for your continuing support of myself and the organization.  We already have a reputation of being one of the most progressive and active bilateral business councils in Victoria, and I look forward to working with you to create another successful year for AMBC.

Semper Progressus (Always Forward),

​

Felix Wong GAICD
​President

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