Port of Portland (POPL) is delighted to announce Councillor Geoff White will do the honours and open the new corkscrew observatory during an official opening ceremony planned on Sunday 2 December 2018.
Geoff White, a local Councillor, community ambassador and Life Member of Port of Portland, said he was honoured to accept this role. “I feel privileged to be a part of the official opening, particularly as one of the many community members who worked under the leadership of the legendary Keith Anderson in the earliest days of the port construction”.
Geoff has a long association with Port of Portland and former Port Authority where he was employed for 37 years (1955 to 1992) working in the position of Manager Human Resources. Geoff met his wife Aileen while working at the Port Authority. Aileen was employed as a typist for over six years. Geoff and Aileen are regular attendees to many Port of Portland functions and have great admiration for the port and its people.
Port of Portland Chief Executive Officer Greg Tremewen said “It was an easy choice. Geoff attended the opening of the first corkscrew on 19 November 1960 and he is well known in the community having served as Mayor for four terms. Geoff is a huge supporter of Portland and its people, and it is for this reason he will be handed the scissors to cut the ribbon to open the new corkscrew observatory. We are thrilled that Geoff has accepted our invitation to do the honours.”
Geoff has held many leadership positions in various community organisations in and around Portland and the Glenelg Shire. From 2001-2016 Cr White was Chair and Deputy Chair of the Rail Freight Alliance (26 Victorian Councils) advocating for moving part of the freight task from road to rail and continues that work for delivery of the Murray Basin Rail Project for the economic benefit of the Shire and the Port of Portland.
The demand for tickets has been strong with over 480 tickets distributed to date. The community opening is a free ticketed event with bookings available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-opening-of-the-new-corkscrew-observatory-tickets-49078721778 up until the end of November 2018. Bookings can also be made in person at the Port of Portland administration office, 23-25 Kunara Crescent, Portland. The community is reminded that you must book a seat on the bus to gain entry to the corkscrew. Pedestrian access, from any port entry gate, will not be permitted.
Buses will be available for boarding at the Portland Visitor Information Centre, Lee Breakwater Road, Portland from 10.30am onwards. A bus timetable is available for viewing via the Port of Portland website.
All enquiries regarding disabled and wheelchair access should be directed to the Event Coordinator on 5525 0911.
Due to capacity limitations, the official opening ceremony on 2 December 2018 will be held for invited guests only and will commence at 1pm. However, we are pleased to advise that the ceremony will be filmed and available for public viewing following the event.
Greg Tremewen
Chief Executive Officer
(03) 5525 0900