Guests Overwhelmed by Dinner Success
08 March 2010The Inaugural State of the Region Dinner has been declared an overwhelming success, with 320 guests treated to a night filled with diversity, passion, lively debate and entertainment.
Never before have the Murray Region's diverse industry, community, agriculture, environment and local government leaders gathered in the one location for such a prestigious event.
"We thought it was a thumping success," Peter Crowe, Acting Chairman of Regional Development Australia Murray (RDAM) said.
"It was a good result for all our hard work and a mighty effort by the Murray Now and RDAM team. All the responses I've been getting have been tremendously positive. This is a first, an absolute first. It'll happen again and next time it will be bigger and better, I have no doubt."
Key commercial supporter of the event, Hugh McKenzie-McHarg from Johnsons MME was also full of praise for the event.
"I thought it was terrific, a wonderful reflection on the success of our region," he said.
"We've got a lot of issues we need to address but I think tonight has been a real bringing together of communities right along the Murray and I think it's been a most successful night.
"Our region stretches so far, from the mountains to Mildura, Wentworth but this is the first time to my knowledge that we've been selling the region as a whole."
Guests were also pleased with the format of the night, which combined humour, debate, passion, celebration and contemplation.
"It was just sensational," event supporter Andrew Walker from Radio 2AY said.
"I'm a huge fan of Jean Kittson from years gone by and more so now, she was sensational. I thought the panellists were fantastic with the aspects of climate change that they brought to the table and the way the audience reacted, it was quite passionate in moments."
Di Glover from YES Youth and Family Albury agreed.
"I thought it was fabulous, I really had a great night," she said.
"It was a huge turnout of people, the guest speakers were interesting to listen to and I met some new people so it was fantastic and hopefully the start of more opportunities to come."
