By CASEY NEILL
PAUL Dowling stepped down from his post on Tuesday with a plea to manufacturers in the south-east – get committed.
“Because if you don’t, you know what the alternative is,” he said.
“Standing alone we will not win.”
South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) held an event to farewell their executive officer of nine years and introduce Adrian Boden as his successor at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre.
“The reality is Paul Dowling is SEMMA past, Adrian Boden is SEMMA future, and it’s the future we need to focus on,” Mr Dowling said.
“You learn from the past and move on.”
Mr Boden has a long background in manufacturing and involvement with SEMMA and South East Business Networks (SEBN).
He hails from England and has lived in seven countries around the world.
“A country without a strong manufacturing base is doomed to economic failure in the long run,” he said.
Mr Boden said he’d continue Mr Dowling’s good work and give manufacturing the voice it deserved.
“One can only congratulate Paul on his ability to extend the voice of manufacturing to all parts of economic life,” he said.
Mr Dowling used the evening to launch the Future of Manufacturing in Melbourne’s south-east project’s next phase.
“Tonight is really not about Paul Dowling leaving. It’s a little bit about Adrian,” he said.
“It’s all about the future of manufacturing in Melbourne’s south-east.”
He said the 10 to 15-year plan was developed by manufacturers for manufacturers with Regional Development Australia (RDA) funding.
“This project recognises the future of manufacturing is going to happen by manufacturers for manufacturers,” he said.
“For this project to be successful it must be endorsed and embrace by the manufacturing community.”
He urged those in the room to put their hands up to be part of a demonstrated commitment to the cause, which could then be used as leverage for political support.
“It’s under siege but it will come out of this better than ever,” he said of the manufacturing industry.
“That’s why we’re asking you to sign up.”
Mr Dowling said the region had world-class manufacturers, and the project would help them to share their successes.
“This is for great manufacturers to make good manufacturers great,” he said.
“Celebrate your successes.
“Let the world know how bloody good you are – you’re great and you’re going to get greater.”
SEMMA chairman Lyndon Joss said he and Mr Dowling had seen significant change over the nine years they’d worked together at SEMMA.
“Through thick and thin, Paul has seen us through,” he said.
“He’s been a champion of manufacturing in the south east, a champion of manufacturing full stop.”
