As we celebrate the most significant milestone in CMV Group’s history – our 90th anniversary, we were thrilled to host the largest and most elaborate Annual Staff Dinners yet.

The CMV Group Annual Staff Dinners in Melbourne and Adelaide provide teams across the Group the opportunity to socialise and celebrate the year, as well as receive updates from across the automotive and farming divisions, and acknowledge the incredible achievements of our valued employees.

Attendance at both dinners reached records levels again this year with the Adelaide dinner hosting upwards of 1,200 people, and in Melbourne, more than 1,000 employees and their guests attended.
Watch the many amazing highlights from both Adelaide and Melbourne below.

The Adelaide Convention Centre was the perfect venue to host over 1,200 of our South Australian employees and their special guests, as well as a extensive range of 30 new and historic vehicles. These included the new DAF XG, new Volvo FH, Kenworth K220, new Lexus GX, the electric Foton T5 Electric, vintage Toyota Fj45 Cruiser, and the vintage Diamond T 520.

The iconic Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) hosted more than 1,000 of our Victorian employees and their guests, and 18 spectacular vehicles including a Mercedes G63, Mack Anthem, Ford F150, Hyundai Electric Kona, and vintage Sunbeam Rapier.

Returning as MC, Amelia Mulcahy of Channel 7 Adelaide brought her signature warmth and enthusiasm and did a fantastic job of directing the evenings formalities at both the Adelaide and Melbourne dinners.

The evening commenced with a fantastic welcome to country by Jack Buckskin in Adelaide, and Stacie Piper and Kiernan Ironfield in Melbourne, followed by the Chairperson’s Address by David Simmons.

Director of Operations, Anthony Casey then took to the stage, joined in Adelaide by our newly appointed Work Health Safety Manager, Jess Gilson, to discuss WH&S and to announce the Safety Awards winners. The winners were nominated by their managers in recognition of their personal dedication to safety and were awarded a trophy and a gift card valued at $1,000.

Safety Awards Winners

Next, Anthony took the opportunity to acknowledge the performance of CMV Group businesses that have exhibited excellence in their approach to safety over the last year.

 

Business Safety Award Winners

Following Safety Awards, a very special 90 Year Celebration video was played which featured many of the employees present at the dinners. Then Joint Managing Directors, Miles and Daniel Crawford took to the stage to provide important updates on the Group, including employee number growth, net profit, business investments and more.

CMV Farms Managing Director, Ryan Norton followed this with an update on CMV Farms, including a rundown on the sustained investments in Almond and Pistachio operations.

The CMV Group Staff Foundation activities were then summarised by Heidi Crawford, General Counsel & Company Secretary. A huge announcement was made by Heidi on the night at each dinner - in celebration of 90 years of CMV, the CMV Group Staff Foundation would be donating an incredible $90K for charities in Victoria and in South Australia, with employees invited vote on a shortlist of five charities for each state. She also had the pleasure of announcing that the CMV Group Foundation would be matching this incredible initiative, which meant that $180,000 would be donated to incredible charities in both South Australia and Victoria.

While this announcement was tough to follow, Executive Director, Paul Crawford took the stage to share that our 75 year and 80 year history books are soon to be joined by a third edition of CMV Group’s history. This new history book has been recompiled in a different format than the previous two editions, with information captured right up to our 90th year.

After a short entertainment break thanks to the talented Superband in Melbourne and The Cast in Adelaide, it was time to announce the Employees and Apprentices of the Year.
 

Employees of the Year received a $500 Visa gift voucher, while Apprentices of the Year are awarded a $500 credit to their tool account.
 

Employees of the Year

Apprentices of the Year

For the first time in more than four decades, CMV Group’s family leadership transitioned from 3rd to 4th generation, with Paul Crawford stepping back from his day to day responsibilities as Managing Director. To commemorate Paul’s incredible career and contributions to the CMV Group, a very special and emotional video tribute was played, featuring many of Paul’s long-time colleagues and close family. A huge congratulations to Paul on an extraordinary career and the colossal influence you have had upon the success of the CMV Group.

To complete the night’s formalities, we’re thrilled to recognise those celebrating significant milestone within our business with Long Service Awards. The CMV Group is proud to boast a number of long term employees and we thank them for their continued contributions.

Long Service Awards

To kick to party off at the conclusion of the formalities, DJ duo, Bangaz & Ash took over the stage at Adelaide, while the incredible Superband hit the stage in Melbourne. Guests also enjoyed the novelty of special 360 cameras placed around the venues when they were not dancing up a storm. 

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s extra special Annual Staff Dinners, celebrating this family business’s 90 year milestone. To those who assisted with vehicle transport, the speakers, and organisers of this event, a massive thank you – your efforts are greatly appreciated for helping to carry out what was another record breaking event!