Pictured at the alumni breakfast are Commerce Chapter Chair Greg Kerr...

Commerce Alumni look at challenges facing Illawarra business

The UOW Commerce Alumni Chapter hosted the first of their networking breakfasts for the year at the Innovation Campus yesterday (Wednesday 29 April).

The breakfast series provides a networking and professional development opportunity for UOW alumni.  Alumni are also able to engage with the University and hear about the latest developments and strategic projects for UOW.

“We adopt a theme each year – in 2008 it was the opportunities in the Illawarra, and in 2009 it’s the challenges facing local businesses, Commerce Alumni Chapter Chair Greg Kerr said.

“There is a strong focus at the breakfast between the University and the community – so [Deputy Vice-Chancellor] Rob Castle spoke about what is happening at UOW, and guest speaker Nieves Murray gave an excellent example of an organisation in the Illawarra,” Mr Kerr said.

Ms Murray is CEO of the Illawarra Retirement Trust; she spoke about the phenomenal growth of the IRT as well as their plans for expansion and the challenges they face in 2009 and beyond. She also made the point that capital investment is important for companies, but so is the culture of caring for people.

Around 50 alumni attended the breakfast, including many Illawarra business leaders. One guest was Anita Mulrooney, General Manager of Marketing and Communications at Peoplecare.

“If I had to say one thing I got from today it would be that I’m always surprised by how much is taking place at our doorstep, she said.

“It’s great to find out about local organisations and what they are doing.”