A scholarship with the Fairley Leadership Program will be named in honour of respected company director Peter Marks, who died in February this year.
The announcement was made by Committee for Echuca Moama chief executive Deanne Armstrong at the end-of-year celebration for the group aboard the MV Mary Ann last week.
It was one of several announcements made by the proactive organisation, which hosted a who’s-who of the Echuca business community for a three-hour cruise under the new bridge on the Murray River.
Mr Marks was a director of Foodmach and a central figure in the Australian packaging industry for decades. He started with Foodmach in 1977 and, together with four co-workers, led a management buyout in 2002.
Ms Armstrong, herself a graduate of the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership-run program, said it was a way for C4EM to look at ways to further develop community leadership.
Following a Welcome to Country address by Indigenous community leader Paul Briggs, the evening included a presentation by the C4EM Dare to Dream project participants and an explanation of bridge works by senior project manager for Major Road Projects Victoria Jason Warren.
In the role of chief executive for 12 months, Ms Armstrong welcomed 10 new members into the C4EM ranks, while explaining the developing partnerships the group had with several of the twin towns’ major tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and business organisations.
The group will again be at the forefront of business and community initiatives in 2022, staging its second charity golf day on Wednesday, February 23, and involved in the development of Welfare Warriors through the Love Me Love You organisation.
Former AFL footballer Lance Picioane founded the organisation and C4EM will play a key role in a March event in aid of the mental health awareness program.
The Echuca-Moama group is also expecting the rubber stamp for the installation of almost 100 CCTV cameras in the region, which will be linked back to Echuca police station.
Ms Armstrong said there was a positive outlook for the future after a difficult period for the entire community.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is bright. We are working closely with all sectors, including local government, to ensure a positive future,” Ms Armstrong said.