By CASEY NEILL
THE two people from the business world recognised in the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards couldn’t be more different.
Jayco owner Gerry Ryan received the Corporate Citizen of the Year title, 40 years to the month since he started what would become Australia’s largest recreational vehicles manufacturer.
And Abuk Bol received an Encouragement Award in the category, 10 years after arriving in Australia with no English skills.
Today she helps other women from Sudan gain skills and find work to become self-sufficient.
“Abuk demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, determination, innovation and resilience in the way she now assists others to enrich their own lives,” the awards judges said.
The Noble Park woman had sewing skills but couldn’t find a job in her new home without formal qualifications.
The 39-year-old completed her studies, then led a small group from the Twich community of South Sudan to establish the Twich Women’s Sewing Collective.
The not-for-profit organisation provides training in retail and manufacturing, including certificate three in clothing production in association with RMIT University.
“Even if you don’t get a certificate, you will know to how to use the sewing machines,” Abuk said.
Jayco today employs 1000 people in Dandenong South – a long way from the eight people Gerry had making one camper trailer a day in 1975.
But it wasn’t just for this effort that he received the Australia Day honour.
The judges said Gerry was a well-known corporate figure in Greater Dandenong.
“As well as being a strong corporate sponsor of local sporting groups such as the Dandenong Jayco Rangers, Gerry uses his skills and influence to provide opportunities for others to grow through work and training and is a passionate patron of the arts, sports and the wider local community,” they said.
Gerry told the Journal that the award was very special and that he was honoured to be chosen.
“I’ve always been a fan of Dandenong,” he said.
“I bought my first house in Dandenong and I’ve been in Dandenong for 40 years with my business.”
He said Jayco not only employed local people but supported local suppliers wherever possible and backed the Dandenong Rangers Women’s National Basketball League team.
Gerry was the Visy Care Centre’s founding chairman “many years ago, back in the ’90s”. The Dandenong centre provides services and activities for 12 to 25-year-olds.
He said it was the responsibility of all businesses to give back to the community.
“The community is where our employees come from, our suppliers and our customers,” he said.
Gerry’s company Global Creatures has staged Walking with Dinosaurs, King Kong and Strictly Ballroom the Musical.
He put up $150,000 to build the first animatronic dinosaur prototype in the Springvale Scout Hall.
Gerry owns Australia’s first world circuit cycling team Orica-Green Edge.
He’s developing industrial properties around Dandenong, plans to revamp his winery in Nagambie and his next move is into Willy Wonka territory.
“I’m going into chocolates next. We’re going to build a chocolate factory at Mitchelton Winery as a tourist attraction. That’s starting in May,” he said.
In 2011 Gerry was included in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Honour Roll, a nod reserved for individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to manufacturing excellence in Victoria.
“It’s all about having good people and people that share the same vision and passion as you do,” he said.
“I’ve very proud to say I’m committed to Dandenong. Over the past 40 years it’s meant a lot to me.”
