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‘Operation Seachange’

Official launchThursday 8th July 2004

Shoalhaven Campus, University of Wollongong

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MC – Introduction Mr Barry Russell, Director - City Services Group

Shoalhaven City Council

• Welcome• Purpose

– Launch of ‘Operation Seachange’ project conducted by Shoalhaven City Council, funded by the IMB Community Foundation

• Venue – This venue was selected today because it in itself, is a milestone in the

professional development of the Shoalhaven…• Introduction of Mayor to welcome invited guests

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Welcome by MayorCouncillor Greg Watson

• Welcome– Representatives of IMB Community Foundation– Mrs Joanna Gash MP, Federal Member for Gilmore– Commander Steve Elms, Acting Commanding Officer HMAS

Albatross– Shoalhaven City Councillors and senior staff– Shoalhaven business representatives

CSC; Kaman Aerospace; Minova Australia; National Australia Bank; Nowra Chemicals; Nowra Private Hospital; Raytheon & Tait Miller McIntyre

– Individuals & their families who participated in the ‘Operation Seachange’ project

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Welcome by MayorCouncillor Greg Watson

• Shoalhaven is undergoing considerable and exciting population growth in recent times.

• Shoalhaven residents share the philosophy that we live in one of the most beautiful destinations in Australia…perhaps the world.

• With this growth, development and prosperity the city also is attracting industry that requires professional or technical skilled staff.

• ‘Operation Seachange’ project was devised and developed in response to the need for new industries to target and attract staff to professional or technical positions.

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Welcome by MayorCouncillor Greg Watson

• The ‘Operation Seachange’ project was made possible with financial assistance from the IMB Community Foundation.

• The project involved a great deal of coordination & cooperation on the part of participants, their employers, & staff from Shoalhaven City Council

• And as the outcomes demonstrate, this project will continue to provide an extremely valuable resource delivering benefits to the businesses that participated, other employers within the Shoalhaven, & the broader community

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• Introduction by MC• Role of the IMB Community Foundation

– Established in late 1999, the IMB Community Foundation exists to provide tangible support for the communities in which its members reside

– The IMB Foundation Committee comprises representatives from the IMB Board; IMB staff & community representatives

– The Foundation’s objective is to support projects that enhance the economic self-sufficiency of local communities, whilst generating broader economic, social, cultural, environmental, tourism & educational benefits for those communities

– Since its inception, the Foundation has supported 85 projects with more than $2.1m in funding

– Funding provided to local projects has ranged from $1,000-$100,000

IMB Community FoundationMs Lisa Emery

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• Introduction by MC• Background to the ‘Operation Seachange’ project

– Project developed in response to feedback from industry regarding difficulty in attracting & recruiting professionals to the Shoalhaven, particularly in the younger demographic profile

• Aim of the project– To develop a resource that captures & generates a better understanding

amongst local employers (including Shoalhaven City Council) towards what attributes of the Shoalhaven influence individuals to relocate

‘Operation Seachange’Mr Greg Pullen, Economic Development Manager

Shoalhaven City Council

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• Conduct of the project– Relevance of practical anecdotal evidence– Research biographer Ron Tindall interviewed individuals to capture professional &

social aspects of their relocation experience– A short commentary was produced & photos added capturing participants in their

workplace, at home with family, or enjoying the benefits of the Shoalhaven lifestyle

• Outcomes– The profiles demonstrate the diversity of professional & lifestyle options available

to residents of the Shoalhaven– They provide local industry with an important tool for recruitment programs– They provide a valuable community resource by increasing our overall awareness

towards the expectations and desires of professionals considering relocation

‘Operation Seachange’Mr Greg Pullen, Economic Development Manager

Shoalhaven City Council

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• Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to the nine participants

• Official launch of the ‘Operation Seachange’ project

• Availability of profiles & project summary

– Individual profiles are now available highlighting the expectations, motivations & experiences of nine younger professionals who recently relocated to the Shoalhaven from: www. shoalhavenseachange.com.au

– Recruitment of a broader representation of skilled staff is essential to the economic expansion of the Shoalhaven

– As a result of this project a new forum has been developed for understanding what attributes of the Shoalhaven influence younger professionals to take up employment opportunities

– Council now appeals to industry to use this information as a resource for recruiting further professional staff to the Shoalhaven

Official Launch Councillor Greg Watson

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