Spread the love
Post Views: 37

Once known for its goldfields and gumption, the resilient town of Gympie is ready to polish its economic prospects with the vigour of a man restoring the family silver. On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, the city will swap pickaxes for PowerPoint slides as it hosts its first-ever Gympie Region Economic Summit — a chamber-led chinwag featuring government bigwigs, business brass, and a parade of decision-makers no less dazzling than a Brisbane bid presentation.

Organised with the meticulousness one usually reserves for State Dinners or Nanna’s china collection, the event promises to be more than just a polite networking natter. No, this is Gympie’s economic coming-of-age party — complete with ministers, CEOs, panels, coffee sponsors, and a lucky door prize from Virgin Australia (because nothing says “regional prosperity” like a chance to fly business class to Brisbane).

Not Just Talk – This Is a Tête-à-Tête with Teeth

“This summit is about giving regional business a seat at the table,” declared Martin Muller, President of the Gympie Chamber of Commerce — a man with all the candour of a country GP and the conviction of a veteran auctioneer.

“We’re bringing decision-makers here, not just to talk at us, but to collaborate and shape solutions together.” In other words: no grandstanding, no buzzword bingo, just proper grown-up conversation about the future of a region that’s long played second fiddle to the glittering coasts.

With over 150 tickets already snapped up and more than 400 attendees expected to descend on the event like flies to a barbecue, the appetite for progress is palpable.

Ministers in the Middle of It

It’s not every day Gympie sees three Queensland Government Ministers in the same postcode — and this isn’t a campaign pitstop or ribbon-cutting charade.

Expected to take the stage are:

  • Hon Tim Mander MP – Minister for Sport and Racing, and Olympic and Paralympic Games. A timely portfolio, given the looming 2032 Brisbane Games, and Gympie’s hopes of hitching its wagon to the Olympic juggernaut.

  • Hon Steven Minnikin MP – Minister for Customer Services, Open Data, and Small and Family Business. A trifecta title if ever there was one, but he’s here to talk about giving small-town entrepreneurs the digital reins they deserve.

  • Hon Tony Perrett MP – Minister for Primary Industries and Gympie’s local lad. Expect his speech to hit home — literally and politically.

Panel Line-Up: No Talking Heads Here

The guest list could easily double as a who’s who of regional economic muscle:

  • Justin McGowan, CEO, Trade and Investment Queensland

  • Roz White, Chair, Sunshine Coast 2032 and Director of White’s IGA

  • Dr Prins Ralston, Non-Executive Director, Powerlink

  • Jason Wilson, CEO, HQPlantations

  • Camila Galindo, Factory Manager, Nestlé Gympie

This isn’t a room full of theorists. These are people with dirt under their nails, spreadsheets on their desks and regional growth on their minds.

Three themed panels will deep-dive into everything from sustainable infrastructure to inclusive leadership and regional investment — topics as essential to the bush as rain and decent Wi-Fi.

From Expo Halls to Olympic Horizons

The summit also doubles as the first official visit to Gympie by multiple newly elected Queensland Ministers — a milestone worth more than a ribbon and sausage sizzle. With the 2032 Olympics in the frame, Gympie is angling for a seat at the table where infrastructure dollars, workforce initiatives, and transport corridors are dished out.

It’s not about turning Gympie into the next Brisbane — heavens no — but about making sure Gympie isn’t left standing on the platform while the Olympic gravy train speeds by.

Powered by Passion (and a Proper Coffee Sponsor)

Of course, none of this happens without support — and local businesses have stepped up in spades:

  • Gympie Regional Council (Event Partner)

  • HQPlantations, Offaly Civil Engineering, M1 Workwear and Safety with Workforce Australia (Session Sponsors)

  • Trio Towing Group (Coffee Sponsor, possibly the authentic MVP)

  • NBN Local (Lanyard Sponsor, fittingly)

  • Smyth Studio (Brand Sponsor)

Thanks to their generosity, the summit is affordable, accessible, and refreshingly not held in a sterile CBD ballroom.

Final Thoughts: Gympie Grit Meets Global Goals

In the past, Gympie hasn’t always been the loudest voice in the room. But that’s changing. With this summit, it’s swapping its modesty for momentum and declaring, with dignified pride: “We’re ready.”

Ready for growth. Ready for investment. Ready for legacy.

And if the future of regional Queensland has a postcode, don’t be surprised if it starts with 4570.

By Charmaine Lu

==========================================