City of Greater Geelong Council has today welcomed 30 senior diplomats from around the world and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff to the city.
Mayor, Trent Sullivan said the Victoria Consular Corps Regional Tour will showcase the region’s sophisticated and innovative economy today and tomorrow, highlighting its advanced manufacturing and materials, energy, engineering and cleantech sectors.
The international guests hail from 20 countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Malta, Brazil, Japan, Botswana and New Zealand.
They will tour a number of sites including the city’s new civic precinct Wurriki Nyal, the Federal Mills precinct, GeelongPort, Deakin University and Geelong Arts Centre.
“The visit is the perfect opportunity to showcase Geelong’s contribution to Australia’s economy, culture and policy objectives such as decarbonisation and trade,” said Mayor Sullivan.
“Transitioning from a traditional manufacturing city-region into Australia’s first and only UNESCO Creative City of Design, we have a proven track record in advanced manufacturing and materials, engineering, cleantech and energy sectors.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the senior diplomats to Greater Geelong and hope they come to understand our community’s adaptive, industrious and forward-thinking nature, and enjoy our stunning landscapes and thriving culture,” he said.
Deputy Mayor, Anthony Aitken said the Council was “always excited to welcome an international delegation to our special part of the world”.
“Tours of Greater Geelong like these are not only a relationship building exercise but a chance to share our region’s attractions and showcase innovative local businesses, industry capabilities and our long-term vision,” he said.
“We have a lot to be proud of as Victoria’s second city, where over the past decade, Greater Geelong has undergone remarkable growth.
Geelong is outpacing every other region in Australia, boasting the fastest population growth in Victoria and second fastest in Australia, the largest regional economy in the state, and the fastest jobs growth of all Australian regional cities.”
