Reserve Bank Governor speaks at Innovation Campus dinner

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens had some reassuring words for Illawarra’s business community when he spoke at a University of Wollongong-sponsored dinner for 250 people at the Innovation Campus last night (18 August).

In a coup for the University and the region, Mr Stevens agreed to speak at the August dinner of the Illawarra Connection business networking organisation.

UOW sponsored the dinner, which was held at the function room in the iC Central building at the Innovation Campus.

In a wide-ranging address that was both fascinating and entertaining, Mr Stevens outlined the role of the Reserve Bank as Australia’s central bank and key economic instrument responsible for maintaining the nation’s financial stability.

Mr Stevens also outlined the origins of the current Global Finance Crisis, but said Australia would “come out of this in pretty good shape”.

He said there was justifiable quiet optimism in the Illawarra that the regional economy was improving, echoed in similar stories he had heard from other regions around Australia.

In his vote of thanks, UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton said Australia had been very fortunate to have had a person of Mr Steven’s stature guiding the financial system through such troubled economic times.

“So thank you for your time tonight, your address and for what you have done for the country,” Professor Sutton said.

Last reviewed: 19 August, 2009