Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton - Issue No.: 785 Issue Date: 20 May, 2024

Guest Speaker: Mike, Mick, Michael Lambert introduced by Doug, no no, Douglas Bruce.

Introduction: Born and bred in Albany.

Came to Geraldton in 1967

Spent  from age 3years  to 10years  in  Castledare Boys’ Home in Perth. Those 7 years in his young life bred great survivor skills which he possesses to this day. .

Mick is one half of the musical band Moresby Rangers ….going 27 years. Has been in music  bands for  49 years.

Has  been in business since 1979. When he started his business in Chapman Rd there were many family owned business. Now there are only 2 business which have survived …his business of Geraldton Miscellaneous Services and Drennan O’Malley Motors.

Since 1979 he has seen the change from mainly  small family owned  business to large franchises. Mick’s history of residence, and his business and entertainment background have given him various insights into the City of Geraldton. Mick’s greatest attribute is his ability to observe change and make an analytical judgement on where he sees the future of Geraldton.

“Ideas for the future of Geraldton”

Mick says he started out doing Army Surplus but Target arrived and he was forced to change his business. He reckons he re-invents his business every five years e.g car airconditioning, fitting out buildings.

We have a Mediterranean climate in Geraldton that we should be taking advantage of especially with tourism but all we mainly attract are grey nomads and back packers.

We need rich Chinese, Indians and Japanese! (HE IS A VERY PASSIONATE SPEAKER!)

Why can’t we replicate what Dave Thomson does with the Lobster Shack at Cervantes?

His big play is for Geraldton to develop an International Airport.

We need to get away from our dependence on mining.

He likes the way Dick Smith thinks. Smith says ‘copy success’

He suggests that our town centre could be converted to house a university. We have the capacity and the businesses to develop an agricultural university. Education is the key!

Once again he stresses how important an International Airport is if we want to get our world class production to markets.

As Mick Lambert says “Ten minutes is not enough”. (Referring to the time allocated for him to speak.)

Everything we have is safe, clean, green and affordable but we aren’t doing enough to make a profit from it!

Questions: Raj Mavath interviews Mick Lambert; Douglas Bruce wants to re-introduce Mick Lambert; Ray Haynes summarises Mick Lambert.

…and then Thin Woodie does the vote of thanks to Mick Lambert offering him a front bench seat in State Parliament.