News & Blog The Hall of Fame Gala Dinner on the 19th November was a great success. Congratulations to Nulon Products and Scenic World for being inducted into the FBA NSW Hall of Fame last week and Canberra Airport for being inducted into the FBA ACT Hall of Fame. It was fascinating to hear their individual stories and you can re-live them online courtesy of our Film and Photography sponsor – Know My Life. It was wonderful to work with the team from Know My Life – they produce short films of family history to record for future generations. Based on my experience, I can firmly recommend them for professional film and video services.
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The other truly wonderful component of the night was our guest speaker – Craig Laundy MP, who appeared thanks to our major sponsors Deloitte Private. Craig told the story of his 3rd generation family business with much passion and humour, which was helped by the fact that his father was there as a guest of a member!
The Laundy family have been in the hotel industry for three generations. Arthur (Snr) and Veronica Laundy started the business in 1945 with the Sackville Hotel, Rozelle. They learned hospitality the old-fashioned way and now own a chain of 11 hotels (4 with accommodation) across inner Sydney, Western Sydney and regional NSW plus 7 bottle shops. Craig Laundy has lived locally all of his life, like his father and grandfather before him. With his wife Suzie, they have three children. Working in his family’s business for the last 23 years, Craig is proud of the employment opportunities that the Laundy Hotel Group has created for hundreds of people.
Craig has always believed in supporting the community and, through the family business, he has helped many local charity and sporting organisations. He was educated at the University of New South Wales and graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and Finance. In 2013 Craig Laundy was elected to the House of Representatives as the Federal Member of Parliament for the seat of Reid. He is currently serving on the Joint Statutory Committee on Public Accounts and Audit, and the Joint Standing Committee on Migration. He is also serving on the Coalition Backbench Committees for Small Business, Economics and Finance, and Immigration.
Comments regarding Craig’s presentation and his responses to questions afterwards were all of the nature of – ‘finally – a politician who is a real person and understands us’. It was indeed a refreshing approach and we are grateful the Deloitte was able to bring him to FBA. I hope you all enjoy the wind down to the end of the year, that you all have a safe and happy holiday season and that you have a chance to re-charge your batteries. There will be lot happening in 2016 and I need you all in good shape for that!
Until next year,
Wendy Foster
NSW and ACT Manager
Family Business Australia
