Australian Young Leaders – Green Shoots – Cocktails and Conversation 2013

Green Shoots – An Evening of Cocktails and Conversation on Ireland’s Current Challenges and Future Prospects.
Melbourne, 22nd October 2013

The Melbourne chapter of the Australian Young Leaders was launched in style recently – on the 30th floor of the Victorian capital’s iconic Rialto Tower where guests were afforded a panoramic if misty view of the Yarra River and Port Philip Bay. Generously hosted by Grant Thornton Australia – a special shout-out for Roscommon man and GT Associate Director John Fallon – the inaugural event in the “Green Shoots” speaker series attracted over 70 young Irish Australian professionals from across the CBD – the city’s business district.

On hand to share their personal stories and unique insights on matters social and economic were Irish Australian businessman and former Adecco Group ANZ CEO, Jeff Doyle and Irish American business consultant, Niall O’Muilleoir.

Dubliner Jeff took an enthralled audience over the speed-bumps of his fascinating journey to business leadership in Australia, including an unconventional start as a professional soccer player with Coventry City in the UK in the 1980s. Niall focused his comments on the origin, goals and achievements of the Worldwide Ireland Fund, the $200 million Promising Ireland fundraising campaign – and the vital difference Australia is making as a member of the great global Irish family of philanthropy. 

A lively questions and answers session followed, moderated by Kilkenny woman Sandra Booth, who until recently was Head of Client Interface in the Asset Servicing & Wholesale Banking division of National Australia Bank, also headquartered in Melbourne.

Rounding out the formal part of the evening was the Deputy Head of the Irish Government’s Mission to Australia, Sarah Mangan who had traveled to Melbourne from Canberra to support the event. On behalf of the Irish Government, Sarah thanked those present and the Australian Ireland Fund for their unrelenting support for an Ireland that is slowly and painfully re-emerging from the financial and economic crisis.

Among other distinguished guests also present were Grant Thornton partner, Brad Taylor, who is head of External Audit at the firm;  chairman of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, Colin Egan; and Australian Young Leaders president, Brendan Sheehan accompanied by AIF executive director, Teresa Keating, both of whom had traveled from Sydney especially for the occasion.

Thanks to the hospitality of Grant Thornton and the active involvement of a core group of Irish Australian professionals, the Melbourne chapter of the Australian Young Leaders is now well and truly launched and off to a great start. In addition to John, Niall, Sandra, Brendan and Teresa mentioned above, other chapter founders include Nóirín McKeon, Robin Hayes, Adrian Hanley and Ronan Lehane.

Finally, honorable mention must also go to Glenn Hester of North Melbourne who provided profession video and photography services on the night, and to Andrew Duffy who provided graphic design services – both on a pro bono basis.