Enriched with economic knowledge from our first economy day we gathered at the Port of Portland to learn about the ports significant contribution to the local economy.

Our speakers Jim Cooper, Committee for Portland Chair, David Johnson, HR Manager Keppel Prince, Peter Chellis, Plant Manager, Portland Aluminium, Mark Kamphuis, Port Engineer and Graeme Tivey, Port Optimisation Manager, shared their expertise and gave us an account of their professional leadership journeys, which has landed them in their current roles.

Hoping on the bus in high visibility vests, we toured the port. On 30 June (end of the financial year), the port was buzzing with activity as the Port drew closer to breaking their annual tonnage record. The port had the most modern technology for unloading wood chips from trucks which was a prime example of how technology saves time. We witnessed the ginormous piles of woodchips, grain silo’s, truckloads of cattle, mineral sand and logs loaded onto the ships docked in the berths and then fumigation to comply with standards.

We toured local streets understanding the proximity of port to the community, discussing various community engagement measures in place to ensure that community is not negatively affected by noise and dust issues. It is an example of community engagement and working harmoniously.

Thank you to our expert guest speakers and Port of Portland for sharing their office space and sponsoring our program day.