Melbourne Foundation for Business and Economics Annual Dinner
Bringing together Melbourne's most influential business leaders, this dinner celebrates the impact of philanthropy at the Faculty, and fortifies ties with the Australian business community.
The Annual Dinner is the preeminent business networking dinner in Melbourne, convening business leaders committed to supporting underprivileged students through philanthropy.
Each year, many of Australia’s most influential business and public policy leaders, alumni, students and staff of the Faculty of Business and Economics come together for this special event. The night not only includes a superior dining experience and networking opportunities, but also recognises some exceptional contributions made by alumni to both the University and the wider community through the announcement of the year's Alumni of Distinction Award recipients.
The 2024 Dinner was held on Thursday 7 March 2024 in the Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria. The Dinner recognised the success of the Faculty’s scholarship programs, the achievements of our outstanding alumni, and our priority projects in an evening of much-welcomed connection and celebration. We would like to thank our generous sponsors for their life-changing contributions.
To learn more about the impact of our scholarships, and find out more about our priority projects visit fbe.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/donate
About the Foundation
The Melbourne Foundation for Business and Economics aims to give bright minds a brilliant future by building a scholarship and bursary endowment for disadvantaged students. Its purpose is to support the Faculty's ambition of cementing Melbourne as a global hub for business and economics education, and strengthen our international standing and reputation for excellence.
As a result of the Foundation's work, the most deserving students will get the best education regardless of their circumstances. We are grateful to donors and sponsors for their generosity and vision.
The current Chairman of the Foundation is Anthony Burgess, Chairman of Flagstaff Partners and Business and Economics Board Member. Business and Economics Board Members Alison Conn, Christian Bennett are Co-Chairs of the Foundation Dinner Committee.
About the Dinner
Since 2011, the Foundation Dinner has celebrated the extensive connections between the Faculty and the business community, and has been a key event in recognising and reinforcing the impact of philanthropy on research outcomes and the student experience.
Each year, over 500 guests attend, including many of Australia’s most influential business and public policy leaders, alumni, students and staff of the Faculty of Business and Economics. The night not only includes a superior dining experience and networking opportunities – but also a keynote address from a prominent business leader, a Faculty update from the Dean and an address from a current student or recent graduate.
The night also recognises some exceptional contributions made by alumni to both the University and the wider community through the announcement of the year's Alumni of Distinction Award recipients.
Businesses are able to sponsor tables at this event. For more information about attending or sponsoring the dinner please get in touch with us today.
Past Events
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2024
Keynote Interview: Dylan Alcott AO, Founder, Dylan Alcott Foundation
Interviewed by The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp AO -
2023
Keynote Address: Ms Jennifer Nason, Global Chairman, Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan
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2022
Keynote Address: Mr Paul Perreault, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of CSL Limited.
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2021
Pre-Dinner Panel Presentation featuring Mr Ross McEwan CBE, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at National Australia Bank, and leading infectious diseases expert and Director of the Doherty Institute Professor Sharon Lewin AO. The panel discussion was moderated by Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp, with the discussion focused on the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.
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2020
Keynote Address: Ms Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group.
Pre-Dinner Panel Presentation on Closing the Gap through the Indigenous Business Sector, moderated by Ms Inala Cooper, Director of Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development.
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2019
Keynote Address: Professor Duncan Maskell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.
Pre-Dinner Panel Presentation on The Dark Side of Modern Work, moderated by Ms Ali Moore, Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, journalist and broadcaster.
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2018
Keynote Address: Sir Michael Hintze AM, founder, Chief Executive and Senior Investment Officer of CQS.
Pre-Dinner Panel Presentations on 1,000 Indigenous Business Leaders and Brain, Mind and Markets.
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2017
Keynote Address: Ms Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO, Jetstar Group.
Student Speaker: Mr Cameron McBroom, Lin Martin Melbourne Global Scholarship recipient
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2016
Keynote Address: Mr John Fraser, Secretary to the Treasury.
Student Speaker: Ms Elizabeth Smith, First in the Family Scholarship recipient
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2015
Keynote Address: Mr James Gorman, Chairman and CEO, Morgan Stanley.
Student Speaker: Mr Richard Homewood, Master of International Business student
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2014
Keynote Address: Mr Sam Walsh AO, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto
Student Speaker: Mr Emad Zarghami, First in the Family Scholarship recipient
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2013
Keynote Address: Professor Glyn Davis AC, Vice Chancellor, The University of Melbourne
Student Speaker: Ms Natalie Ngo, BCom student, Commerce Opportunity Bursary recipient
Learn more
To find out more about the dinner, becoming a corporate sponsor, or the Melbourne Foundation for Business and Economics, please contact fbe-foundation@unimelb.edu.au.
To learn more about making a donation to the Faculty of Business and Economics, please visit our giving pages.
