User:RMEeureka/sandbox

Ronald Morgan Egeberg

Ron is Business Consultant, a registered Civil Marriage Celebrant, a Justice of the Peace and a Workplace Trainer and Assessor

His aspiration has always been to be a leader who makes a difference within the arts, cultural tourism, media or corporate spheres.

His success and achievement to date has been within both the private and public sectors, and across a range of organisational sizes and styles have included: •	Senior corporate management in broadcasting, •	Key management roles in marketing, retail, tourism, arts, public and corporate relations, program and event management, •	Leadership roles in strategic planning, project development and implementation of corporate objectives, •	Established and operated own multi award winning business in the hospitality industry.

He prides myself on my "can do" attitude.

He has: •	had extensive experience in cultural attractions, tourism, the arts, retail, hospitality, entrepreneurial, marketing and project management spheres, combined with an appreciation of the associated politics with the positions and an ability to foster wide team and community relationships. •	been instrumental in delivering major projects in cultural attractions, development and management; •	been successful in procuring major sponsorship and attracting substantial fundraising; •	had major achievements with event development and management, tourism and the arts, media, hospitality, retail and community organisations; •	developed exhibitions and produced public and education programs in different environments; •	leveraged key strategic relationships to best position the various organisations I have led in the local community and regionally.

His career has included extensive strategic policy development in a number of areas that has included leadership roles in concept design, planning and implementation and, with regard to venue management.

He also prides himself on his ability to focus on the big picture, the vision, ideas and broad concepts and to developing objectives, strategies and plans to achieve higher ideals.

Engaging and deploying available resources to fulfil aims and objectives, together with the ability to work within budgetary constraints have been essential to the success of past projects.

He has received many awards and accolades I have received including: •	the Centenary Medal for contribution to the Arts and Tourism in Ballarat (2003) •	TV Week Logie Award for Children’s Television Production – Kids Only (1987) •	Ballarat Chamber of Commerce Business Award – Porters (1992) •	Victorian Tourism Special Commendation – Porters (1993) •	Finalist Victorian Tourism Awards – Porters (1992 and 1994) •	Special commendation Australian Hotels Association – Porters (1994) •	Consecutive listing in The Age Good Food Guide / The Age Cheap Eats •	Victorian Tourism Award – Begonia Festival •	Goldfields Tourism Award – Begonia Festival

In his own words, "I have had an exciting and varied career which began in retail and, in the years since, has included most aspects of the television industry, radio, promotions, marketing, finance and owner/operator of a multi award winning restaurant and bar".

he commenced as a senior officer at Ballarat City Council in 1995, initially with the Economic Development Team, coordinating marketing and international relations, then became the Director of the Begonia Festival followed by the Director of the Eureka Centre and then Manager of Arts & Culture until June 2012, when he left Council to establish his own business consultancy.

In 1996 as Director of the Begonia Festival, he redeveloped the structure and operation of the Begonia Festival following its poor performance under previous management in 1996.

Six successful years ensued. Highlights included; •	the conceptualised, developed and implemented the highly successful Gardening 2000/01/02 initiative •	the annual theatre productions including the critically acclaimed ‘The Deeds our Fathers Did’ staged along the Prime Ministers’ Avenue for the Centenary of Federation. •	developed and implemented the Festival volunteer strategy •	redeveloped the Olympic Precinct at Lake Wendouree

His association with the Festival began in 1986 as a Committee member. In 1992 I was elected Chairman of the Ballarat Begonia Festival Board, remaining in that honorary role until I chose not to seek re-election in 1995.

The Festival played an important part of the social fabric of Ballarat, celebrating the ‘garden city’ and showcasing what the city has to offer in our autumnal splendour.

Following the success of the 50th Festival, He was then appointed Director of the Eureka Centre following its transfer back to Council by Sovereign Hill.

From the outset Council knew that it would be difficult to continue to achieve the marketing and media exposure essential to grow visitation to the Centre that had been achieved by Sovereign Hill but we did.

Highlights included: •	developing and implementing the concept for the Eureka 150th anniversary celebrations in 2004 •	securing funding from the State Government and, in partnership with it, staged the 150th celebrations which achieved national exposure •	designing and implementing the Eureka Stockade Gardens Masterplan, the Eureka Stockade themed playground development and the Eureka Circle installation •	playing a leadership role in the development of concepts for the Stage 2 redevelopment of the Centre •	being instrumental in securing State Govt funding of $5 million and with Steve Bracks securing a further $5 million from the Federal Government

He was extremely proud of these achievements, particularly the new $11 million redevelopment of the Centre which is currently underway.

The new Australia Democracy Centre at Eureka will open in May 2013 and will provide an opportunity for today’s Australians to go on their own journeys, make their own discoveries and to reflect on what it means to be Australian in the 21st century. It will be a national centre in a regional setting at the place of the birth of our democracy.

He continues to provide advice and support the Hon Steve Bracks in his role as Patron of Eureka.

In 2007 he was appointed Manager Cultural Development and in 2009 Manager Arts & Culture responsible for managing and developing Council owned and operated facilities such as the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Eureka Centre.

During his time he guided Council’s Strategic Arts & Culture direction, building strong relationships with major arts and cultural organisations.

Ron was given added portfolio responsibilities that included, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre and Community Arts.

Highlights included: •	coordinating the development of an Arts & Culture Framework for the delivery of arts coordination and strategic development •	commencing the development of the 2012 – 2015 Arts & Culture Strategy that continues to encourage increased access and participation in the arts •	repositioning the Gallery for the introduction of free entry to the permanent collection and introducing ‘pay for entry’ special exhibitions •	recommending and successfully securing the Australian exclusive rights to the John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and Queen Elizabeth photographic (Cecil Beaton) special pay for exhibitions •	securing State Government funding for the enhancements to the Gallery, in particular for refurbishment of the façade, shop and café relocations and the ‘Annexe’ extension to the Gallery •	Commencing the restructure of Her Majesty’s Theatre as a not for profit entity •	restructuring the operations of the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) resulting in a saving of $250,000 per annum for Council •	and being Master of Ceremonies for the Tenth World League of Historical Cities Conference held in Ballarat in 2006

Ron said "Ballarat can truly be proud of its a reputation as a city of arts, culture, history and heritage.

Ballarat has excellent cultural institutions, an Arts & Culture team that effectively engages in the Arts, encourages diversity and innovation and is committed to the health and wellbeing of our community. It has developed into a hub for creativity, artistic activity and exciting events of which I am proud to have made a contribution".

Pre Council Ron Egeberg's working career began before he left school in sixth form and then during his first year as a business studies student he was employed part time at our local Woolworth’s supermarket. He later accepted an offer of a traineeship with Woolworth’s in 1969 completing my studies part-time.

During Ron's time at Woolworth’s he gained a thorough knowledge of retail management. Following the completion of his traineeship he went on to manage several sections of the retail organisation at various locations including the retail Head Office at the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.

Growth and change was to be part of Ron's early career. In 1971 he was appointed the Purchasing Expediter then Purchasing Officer for Plessey Rola in Richmond which specialised in communications and wound components.

Several career changes saw him try my hand in the fields of modelling, acting, announcing and freelance radio and television production which provided an opportunity to work with Mary Hardy at 3AW - and marketing and production with the developing audio visual industry.

Ron also worked with the Australian Broadcasting Commission in Melbourne as a Finance Officer liaising with ABV2 program production. A highlight of his time with the ABC was my association with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

During 1974 Ron was invited by Ernie Sigley to be his personal assistant where I gained a grounding in not only television production but I experienced a most remarkable period in Australian live variety television at GTV9 and then at ATV0 Melbourne. A highlight of his time with Ernie was being part of the production team that produced the first live satellite broadcast into Australia from overseas (Hong Kong).

The quest to gain more knowledge was a continuing driving force. Ron was trained by the late Lee Murray in vocal tuition. That training allowed me to pursue opportunities in radio and television presentation.

In 1978 he joined Westfield Shoppingtowns as Promotions Manager seeking to gain greater experience in marketing, promotions and budgetary control. During this time he became a member of the national executive marketing team at the time when major changes were occurring in retail shopping.

In April 1982 Ron was appointed the Executive assisting the Managing Director (John Stapp) of regional Australia’s then largest media network, Associated Broadcasting Services Limited, and moved to Ballarat.

It was his role to liaise with all subsidiaries to keep Mr Stapp fully informed on all activities. Mr Stapp was also involved with several industry committees; FACTS, Regional Television Australia, Film Victoria and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and many regional community groups. Consequently, Ron developed strong relationships with these organisations.

Following the retirement of Mr Stapp Ron was appointed Special Projects Manager to the parent company. This position had a wide brief which included the roles of executive assisting the Chief Executive and the executive responsible for marketing, promotions, public relations and the development of television program production.

This was an exciting period which saw the networks programs win many accolades including a Logie award for our children’s production ”Kids Only” hosted by Glenn Ridge, and several Penguin Awards for our live variety programs “Six Tonight” and “Thursday Night Live” hosted by Fred Fargher. Throughout my career I have met remarkable people, a highlight from this time was when Fred and I spent a morning with Sophia Loren.

The Six Network was considered a leader in regional television. For a period Ron was the voice of Channel 6.

The aggregation of regional television services presented to Ron with his most challenging opportunity. He was responsible for the development of a marketing strategy and instigated the company’s name change from ABS - BTV6/GMV6 to Television Victoria - VIC TV which occurred with overnight acceptance. He was also part of the executive team that established regional studios (windows) to service the new extended communities across regional Victoria and to develop a local identity for the network with news, sales and information.

Another highlight was establishing the company’s helicopter operation.

In 1991 Ron established Porter’s Restaurant and Bar in Ballarat, fulfilling a burning desire to own and operate my own business.

He and partner Andrew Crompton successfully converted an old Ballarat hotel into a stylish restaurant and bar. Its reputation and recognition was built on quality, value, service and innovation. The business received many favourable reviews including listings in “The Age Good Food Guide” for four successive years.

Porter’s also received several prestigious awards, including the 1992 Ballarat Chamber of Commerce Business Award, in 1993 a special commendation at the Victorian Tourism Awards having been a finalist in 1992 and 1994 and in 1994 a special commendation from the national Australian Hotels Association.