Captains of Industry Publication
On 4th December 2008, under the theme of ‘a proud past, a confident future’, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) hosted a luncheon of members and guests in Canberra and launched a history publication ‘Captains of Industry: Biographies of the Presidents of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’.
The publication is an historical record of biographies of Presidents, dating back to the turn of the
20 th century.
It highlights just how prominent business leaders from the employer and industry network have been in the affairs of business and government, and in the household names and brands we have come to know – from Holden, to Simpson, to Seppelt, to Drake-Brockman, to Kitchen, to Wollstonecraft and to Coles.
ACCI is the amalgamation of three organisations that were formed around the time of federation, the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the Federal Council of Chambers of Manufacturers, and the Central Council of Employers. The publication traces ACCI’s history back to the formation of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce in 1826.
In that sense, it is a publication about the role of business in nation building during our colonial days and federation years, and the way in which these major players have shaped Australia as it is today.
Current ACCI officers and members were joined at the launch by many former colleagues including former President of the Confederation of Australian Industry Ross Berglund AM; former President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce Graham Byrne; former Presidents of ACCI, David Gray, Neville Sawyer and Peter O’Brien; former Executive Directors of the ACC Ray Pelham-Thorman AM, George Webb and Don Larkin; former Executive-Director of the Australian Council of Employers Federations and CAI George Polites AC CMG MBE; former Director-General of the CAI and the ACCI Bryan Noakes AO; former Chief Executive of both the CAI and ACCI Ian Spicer AM; former Chief Executive of ACCI Peter Hendy; former officers of the ACCI Board Owen Brown OAM and Graham Sherry OAM; and former executives of ACCI John Garrety, John Martin (now ACCC Commissioner), Dr. Steven Kates (now Productivity Commission Commissioner), Reg Hamilton (now Deputy President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission), Karen Curtis (now Privacy Commissioner), Eugene Bajkowski, Malcolm Overland, Stan Moore and Nicolle Flint.
Sincere expressions of regret were received from former Presidents John Collins, Graeme Samuel, Robert Gerard, Dr. John Keniry and former staff members.
The publication was conceived, researched and edited by former ACCI Chief Executive Peter Hendy, who addressed the luncheon.
It was launched by current ACCI President Tony Howarth AO, with the assistance of Past President of ACC Graham Byrne and CAI Ross Berglund.
At the launch, President Tony Howarth also announced that the redeveloped board-room in ACCI’s Canberra secretariat is now named the Polites-Noakes Room, after two renowned former leaders, George Polites AC CMG MBE and Bryan Noakes AO.
Between them they have a combined 66 years of direct service to ACCI and its predecessors. George and Bryan both travelled to the secretariat that afternoon and witnessed the placing of the plaque, and posed for some memorable photographs.
Purchase of ‘Captains of Industry’ Publication
The publication ‘Captains of Industry: Biographies of the Presidents of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’ can be purchased from ACCI at a cost of AUD $33.00 (including GST) plus postage and handling.
Cheques or money orders should be made out to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Correspondence or inquiries should be directed to Kay Gilchrist, Office Manager, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (phone 02 6273 2311; facsimile 02 6273 3286; or email info@acci.asn.au)
Photos from the Book Launch
