Blog Entry by Michael Todd Marketing Manager
Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation (PVEDC)
Knowing he was due to visit, I had a dream the night before that I was working with him. Strange, but it reflected what I’m wishing was the case right now.
On Tuesday 30 September, I witnessed the best guest speaker I have seen so far in my short life. Alan Jones AO, the multi-talented well known media personality was somehow secured by John Todd, the Executive Officer of the Penrith City & District Business Advisory Centre, for his 2008 annual sponsor’s luncheon at Penrith Paceway.
To answer your next question, yes John is my father.
Arriving in a helicopter which landed on the picturesque track, the 147 attendees were glued to their seats for the entire 30 or so minutes - about 30 minutes more than they probably ever expected to spend in the same room with someone of his stature.
He gained the respect of all present with a sincere recommendation, or wish rather, based on his own recent experiences to all males present to get a blood test - acknowledging that we are bad at self-diagnosing. Correct!
His presentation was amazing, speaking on the topics of banks, water, fast trains and griping at the fact that big companies are a major threat to our small business.
Arriving in a helicopter which landed on the picturesque track, the 147 attendees were glued to their seats for the entire 30 or so minutes - about 30 minutes more than they probably ever expected to spend in the same room with someone of his stature.
He gained the respect of all present with a sincere recommendation, or wish rather, based on his own recent experiences to all males present to get a blood test - acknowledging that we are bad at self-diagnosing. Correct!
His presentation was amazing, speaking on the topics of banks, water, fast trains and griping at the fact that big companies are a major threat to our small business.
The one that stuck in my mind is the big companies destroying our small businesses. Mr Jones said they have a lot to answer for, they lower their prices when a small business competitor enters the market, drives them out of business, then jacks up their prices and moves on. This, in my opinion, will get worse and worse and something has to be done.
Some very interesting points that he gave his opinion on were:
- The recent collapse on Wall Street is a result of greed
- Our banks are boring which is a good thing as the risk is reduced
- Finance will continue to get more expensive or not available at all
- We are in a massive infrastructure crisis
- Our water stocks are slim, which is the direct result of not building a dam to complement Warragamba dam.
- Warragamba Dam is in the wrong place
- We need a fast train, people could work in Newcastle but live in Sydney
- We have had one or two too many interest rate rises
- Craig Emerson (also a guest speaker) has the best brains in parliament
Some very interesting points that he gave his opinion on were:
- The recent collapse on Wall Street is a result of greed
- Our banks are boring which is a good thing as the risk is reduced
- Finance will continue to get more expensive or not available at all
- We are in a massive infrastructure crisis
- Our water stocks are slim, which is the direct result of not building a dam to complement Warragamba dam.
- Warragamba Dam is in the wrong place
- We need a fast train, people could work in Newcastle but live in Sydney
- We have had one or two too many interest rate rises
- Craig Emerson (also a guest speaker) has the best brains in parliament
His ability to speak the words which were on everyone’s tongues is an ability not many have and finished by saying that although we are all in complicated circumstances, a simple attitudinal change and rolling up our sleeves will allow us to do anything.
Before we got time to flinch, away he flew.
Before we got time to flinch, away he flew.
Photo from left to right: Local Member for Penrith Karyn Paluzzano, BEC Executive Officer John Todd, BEC Chairman Peter Berger, Alan Jones AO
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