Shipping Australia Limited’s long serving Victoria State Secretary, Mr Phil Kelly OAM, officially retired yesterday at the age of 87 after nearly 70 years working in the shipping industry.
Since starting work with Gibbs Bright and Co. in 1947, Phil has made a lifetime of contribution to the shipping industry, including on the Board of the Port of Melbourne Authority, head of Associated Container Transportation Australia and later as general manager of the restored barque Polly Woodside. In 2008 he was formally recognised for “services to the shipping industry and to the preservation of Australia’s maritime history” by the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia. Since then Phil has continued to serve Shipping Australia Limited and particularly the Victorian maritime sector, always above and beyond the call of duty.
Shipping Australia chief executive officer, Rod Nairn, describes Phil as “the perfect gentleman and a font of knowledge of all matters shipping. There is not much he hasn’t experienced first-hand, and there are very few shipping related people of prominence, in Government or the private sector, who he doesn’t know. Everyone has the greatest respect for Phil.
“Phil has held SAL’s Victorian State Committee together over many difficult periods and his quiet efficiency, humble and polite demeanour and ability to tell a really good yarn will be widely missed,” Rod Nairn said. “We all wish him the very best for the future.”
The Board of Directors, executive and members of Shipping Australia Limited offer their sincere thanks to Phil for his twenty eight years of dedicated service to Shipping Australia Limited and before that, the Australian Chamber of Shipping.
Editor’s note:
For additional information contact Rod Nairn, chief executive officer on 0449 902 457.
Shipping Australia is a peak national shipping association comprising 34 member shipping lines and shipping agents that are involved with over 70 per cent of Australia’s container and car trade, over 60 per cent of our break bulk and bulk trades, and significant cruise ship and tug operations.
