Mandy Nicholson, Dianne Smith, and Eric Reynolds are the latest inductees to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) Club Melbourne Ambassador Program.
Nicholson, a Wurundjeri-willam (Wurundjeri-baluk patriline) artist and Traditional Custodian of Melbourne and surrounds, is a cultural and community leader. As the founder, singer and songwriter of Djirri Djirri, the only Wurundjeri female dance group, Nicholson preserves and shares her culture through community ceremonies, dance, language and cultural workshops. Currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University, she is researching ways that Aboriginal people connect to Country, off Country.
Nicholson is the first Traditional Owner to join the Club Melbourne Ambassador Program, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the cohort.
Smith is the CEO of Industry Capability Network, an independent body that maximises procurement and supply chain opportunities, providing support services for buyers and suppliers across Australia and delivering employment and socio-economic outcomes.
She previously held chief executive positions at Melbourne Chamber of Commerce and Victorian Tourism Industry Council.
Laureate Professor Reynolds is the CEO and research director of the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre at the Melbourne Dental School. His career in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, cardiology and periodontology has led to the development of 19 patents and has earned him numerous awards for his contributions to science.
The Club Melbourne programme includes over 80 Ambassadors who are business and community leaders in different fields including agriculture, science, medicine and technology.
Club Melbourne Ambassadors work alongside the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) to secure significant conferences and events that promote Victoria as a leading knowledge destination.
Since its inception in 2005, the Club Melbourne Ambassadors, together with MCB, have secured over 160 international conferences worth over A$1 billion (US$680.8 million) to Victoria’s economy and brought tens of thousands of visitors to the city.
