Greater Whitsunday Alliance holds AGM and officially welcomes new Chairperson
Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) recently held its 2019-2020 Annual General Meeting and officially welcomed Mackay business leader Tony Caruso as the new Chairperson of the GW3 board.
GW3 Chairperson, Mr Tony Caruso said the AGM was an opportunity for the organisation to reflect on the past twelve months of the organisation.
Mr Caruso said despite the challenges that the year has presented the 2019-2020 year has been one where GW3 has continued to cement its value as a truly regional organisational body that is focused on the economic development and prosperity of the greater Whitsunday Region.
“I am looking forward to working with the GW3 Board and believe the role of economic development bodies, particularly in the immediate future as we recover from this global pandemic is an important one in regional and diverse communities like ours.
“Our region, with three closely linked but diverse communities, will always be stronger and more prosperous when we work together for the greater good of the region” he said.
Mr Caruso will lead a board of directors who represent all three regions and bring a range of skill and experience to guide the strategic outcomes for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (MIW) economic development organisation.
Mr Caruso said incumbent directors Vic Vassallo and Melissa Green have made the decision to step off the board and as such would not continue another term. The board acknowledged their respective decisions and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the Greater Whitsunday Alliance board.
“I want to thank Vic and Melissa for the professionalism and experience they brought to the board and their commitment to the MIW region. Both Melisa and Vic run very successful and busy businesses and to have dedicated the time to the GW3 role is testament to the quality people they are and their desire to see this region prosper.
“I would also like to thank outgoing Chairperson John Glanville who has been instrumental in setting up the GW3 organisation. His leadership and business acumen is what has enabled GW3 to become the strong and reputable organisation it is today and I am pleased that I am able to follow John into the role with so much of the hard work already done” he said.
Mr Caruso said the past year has seen GW3 continue to advocate for the region with a view to enhance economic sustainability. Key projects this year included analysis of workforces of the future, advancing water stewardship and enhancing supply chains across the region. Our impact this year would not have been as effective without the strategic partnership of BHP which is now in its second year and we thank them for their continued support.
He said moving into 2021 there will be a very clear focus on the priority areas for GW3 which have been set out in the multiyear strategic plan for the region. Despite some near-term challenges which we will need to navigate, the strategic plan will set the region up with a diverse and economically resilient economy that will benefit the entire region.
“GW3 has been very successful in its first few years and I hope to be able to work with the board and the management team to see that success continue.
“If we continue to build an economic body that is well resourced and funded, is strategic and diverse in its thinking and successfully executes on our strategic plan, the outcomes will be very beneficial for the region. That’s what success will look like and we will know then that we have successfully built on the platform that has been established to date,” Mr Caruso said.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance is the region’s peak, independent economic development body committed to making the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region strong for generations.
