QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

GABA: German Australian Business Association

GABA’s first 30 years – a brief chronology 1983 GABA incorporated. 1984 GABA participates in the ‘German Pioneer Week’, a celebratory annual event organised to highlight the first German settlers in Nundah, their influence and con tributions to Queensland. 1985 GABA organises and accompanies Queensland trade delegation to Germany with Deputy Premier of Queensland (Mr W Gunn) to establish industry and trade contacts in Bavaria, meeting with Bavarian State Premier Mr Franz-Josef Strauss. 1986 Bi-Centennial Committee established with GABA participating, to organise the upcoming Expo ’88 organisation of the local German contribution. GABA participates in the ‘Queensland to Germany Youth Work Exchange Program’ in association with the Arthur Philip German-Australian Foundation, an initiative and scholarship program for young people to gain enhanced work skills and achieve cultural awareness between the countries, a program co-sponsored by the Queensland Government. 1987 Dr Karl Heinz Berninger, the Consul-General of Germany, addresses GABA on ‘the economic situation in today’s Germany’ and at another function Mr. Graeme Atkin son of Westpac spoke to GABA members about ‘Australian banks’ presence in Europe’. President Sulzer also introduces an address by Dr Lando Lotter from the German Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Sydney about the relationship between the chamber and GABA. 1988 Expo ’88 – ‘Leisure in the Age of Technology’. GABA meetings were held at the German Pavilion. GABA entertains international guests and prominent Brisbane business leaders at the Expo, typically concluded in the Festhaus, with a GABA Stammtisch . 1989 Treasury Under-Secretary Sir Leo Hielscher addresses GABA on the topic of ‘What should Germany know about Queensland?’. GABA and Siemens Ltd arrange concert at QPAC for the visit of the Young Dortmund Symphony Orchestra. 1990 Representatives of almost all the German organisations in Brisbane – GABA, SAGSE, German Honorary Consul and Protocol chief, German Radio 4EB representative, German Goethe Society and German Club – meet to welcome the new Consul-General Dr Gescher at a joint function and discuss developments in the newly united Germany.

1992 Establishment of the ‘German Immersion School Program’ at Kenmore State High School, fostering an annual student exchange program with German families, with a visit by the German Ambassador Dr F Keil, Consul-General Dr Gescher and Honorary Consul Chris Featherstone. 1993 GABA organises a visit by Queensland Premier Wayne Goss to Bavaria to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a Queensland-Bavarian Government Partnership, accompanied by GABA Committee members. 1995 The German Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and GABA renew arrangements for close co operation with, and representation of, GACIC in Brisbane. 1996 Young German Parliamentarians from the German Bundestag visit Queensland; GABA organised itineraries and dinner with Queensland government representatives and visits to selected industrial facilities. 1998 GABA organises and facilitates ‘German Week’ with the Queensland government, Brisbane City Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs – presentations, seminars and entertainment, initiated and managed with Thiess Pty Ltd by GABA president Jürgen Wittenberg. 2000 German Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce establish office in Brisbane under the leadership of GABA’s past president John Kahlert. From 2000 through 2003, the GABA activities and the chamber activities are largely amalgamated and typically all functions and events co-ordinated, with GABA supporting the ‘Australia/Germany Partnership 2000 Action Plan’. 2004 GABA re-establishes own office and operation and assesses its future role in facilitation of business and trade, as a networking platform, health and welfare support for the German community, co-ordination of social and cultural activities and German language and education support program. 2005 German Ambassador Dr M Lutz visits GABA for a ‘round table’ luncheon function in the Brisbane Club with Honorary Consul for Germany Mr D Sulzer and other prominent guests from the Brisbane community. 2006 GABA hosts function about ‘Queensland Business and German/European Products’ addressing important process developments in business. 2007 GABA supports the Queensland/North-Rhine Westphalia ‘Clean Coal Technology and Renewable Energy Initiative’ by German delegation visiting Queensland. 2008 GABA celebrates 25 years of existence with a gala dinner at Parliament House, supported by dignitaries and business leaders. 2009 GABA hosts a joint function with GACIC and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) on ‘Local Strength in a Global Recession” with guest speakers explaining the success of ‘The Best Job in the World’ campaign and lessons for today’s business. 2010 A joint seminar and networking function on ‘leadership in difficult times’ was followed later in the year by a coaching workshop on the topic of ‘Your Attitude and Leadership Finesse’. 2011 Range of networking breakfasts and dinners year-round, and arranged site visit to GABA member firm. 2012 GABA presents two business breakfasts, with guest speakers on diverse topics.. Welcome function for new German Ambassador Dr Christoph Müller on his first official visit to Queensland.

Attending a GABA/GACIC luncheon in July 1994 in honour of the visiting German Ambassador are (left to right): John Kahlert (President of GABA), Dr Irene Gründer (Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany for NSW and Queensland), Uri Themal (Director of Ethnic Affairs), Rudi Gerhard (President of the German Club), Norm Fussell (Managing Director and CEO of Mount Isa Mines), The Hon. Wayne Goss mla, Premier of Queensland, Jürgen Wittenberg (Foundation Member of GABA)

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