The Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), in partnership with the Bankstown Sports Club, hosted a highly anticipated event celebrating regional opportunities On Wednesday, July 17 at the Lady Banks Rooftop venue. The event, graced by the presence of the Premier of New South Wales, The Hon. Chris Minns, brought together key figures from various sectors to discuss and explore the potential of the Canterbury Bankstown region.
The event commenced with a warm welcome note by Wally Mehanna, CEO of CBCC, who set the tone for the afternoon by highlighting the importance of collaboration and community engagement in driving regional growth. Following Mehanna, Michael Clancy, CEO of Bankstown Sports, took the stage to express the club’s commitment to supporting local initiatives and fostering community development.

The highlight of the event was the keynote speech delivered by Premier Chris Minns. In his address, Premier Minns emphasised the crucial partnership between the council, community organisations, and the government of NSW. He underscored the importance of this collaboration in ensuring the sustainable development of Canterbury Bankstown and the broader region. The Premier’s speech resonated with the audience, as he detailed various government initiatives aimed at bolstering local economies and improving public services.

Following the keynote speech, an engaging discussion took place between Premier Minns and Prof. Jennifer Westacott, the Chancellor of Western Sydney University. The dialogue covered a range of pressing topics, including housing, skills, immigration, and the recent issues with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, and Energy Union (CFMEU). This discussion provided insightful perspectives on these issues, highlighting the need for continued cooperation and strategic planning to address the challenges facing the region.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Minister Jihad Dib. Minister Dib expressed gratitude to all attendees and speakers for their valuable contributions and reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting regional growth initiatives. His closing remarks were met with applause, marking the end of the formal proceedings.

The event then transitioned to a networking session, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage with the Premier, exchange ideas, and forge new connections. The photo opportunities with Premier Minns were a popular feature, capturing the spirit of collaboration and optimism that characterised the event. This was followed by a presentation from the Premier to Mr. Clancy, the CEO of Bankstown Sports in appreciation of their hosting and all the support they provide to the community.

Overall, today’s event was a resounding success, highlighting the collective efforts of the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce, Bankstown Sports Club, and the NSW Government in driving regional development. The discussions and interactions fostered during the event are expected to pave the way for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the prosperity and well-being of the Canterbury Bankstown community.






















