"Geelong is a city that demands optimism."
Matthew Fletcher is passionate about Geelong and its future. He is the Associate Director at KPMG in Geelong. He has authored the 'Geelong Economic Blueprint,' a comprehensive study exploring business growth in the region.
As the science shows, optimism is a key to regional growth. Victor Perton asked Matthew what makes him optimistic for Geelong. Mattthew shared this:
"Geelong is a city that demands optimism. Built on the foundations of the local Wadawurrung people, it has journeyed through highs and lows from the early days of the city as a hub of the wool trade, to a centre of heavy industry, and now to a diversified and dynamic economy. Geelong exudes potential. For many years, Geelong was treated as ‘Sleepy Hollow’, a somewhat isolated and insular country town that was ignored and forgotten about in many people’s minds. But beneath that lay the strength that had driven the city's growth. Geelong is a city built on relationships, a city that is a village at heart but faces the world with undeniable strengths. The city's growth over the last few decades speaks to the attractiveness of our region, not just its affordability. Its proximity to Melbourne has provided opportunity, but as we grow in strength, it now borders our ongoing and future success.
"In Geelong, the future is incredibly bright, and as a city, we believe in our community, and we are exceedingly optimistic about the city we live in and the city we are creating.
"We’re not regional, we’re not metro, we are Geelong."