Governor of Victoria's Message

Message from the Governor

For the past thirty years, the Governor of Victoria’s Export Awards have provided a tangible expression of the successes that a diverse range of Victoria’s businesses have achieved in the highly competitive and ever changing markets of the world.

Dr Martin Schlegel, Managing Director, Advanced Polymer Technology Australiasia accepts his 2008 Victorian Exporter of the Year award from the Governor of Victoria.

Each year I am delighted to give my whole-hearted support to these Awards and to encourage our talented Victorian export achievers to participate.

These awards traditionally attract a great diversity of entries.  In recent years, there has been a change in the pattern of entries  from the traditional export sectors of value added manufacturing and agricultural products to those involving emerging sectors such as information and communications technology, intellectual property, education and professional services.

The broadening of Victoria’s export portfolio is a credit to those involved in research and innovation in this State. Their endeavours have created a raft of new opportunities.

Companies and businesses which have been successful in these Awards have, in recent years, also been recognized in the relevant industry sectors of the Australian Export Awards sponsored by Austrade.

The current economic crises and the restriction of credit have presented new challenges to our export industry and a level of uncertainty. However, with each challenge new opportunities arise and I have every confidence that our business men and women will take advantage of these.

We all recognize the benefits that flow from export success such as the stimulation of employment, skills development and the attraction of business investment. I would again encourage all eligible businesses to submit their applications to showcase their export achievements for recognition in the 2009 Governor of Victoria Export Awards.

I look forward to welcoming all entrants to the presentation ceremony at Government House in October this year and it will be my pleasure to  congratulate the 2009 Award recipients.

Professor David de Kretser, AC
Governor of Victoria