Industry stalwart, Gordon Broderick, was farewelled by industry in Canberra on Wednesday night, celebrating his illustrious and distinguished career spanning over 40 years as he now retires.
Broderick’s career in the alcohol industry began in 1974 when he was appointed Secretary of the Wholesale Spirit Merchants Association of Victoria. Later, Broderick was appointed as General Secretary of the Federated Wholesale Spirit Merchants Association of Australia.
From here, Broderick set about forming the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia (DSICA) in 1982, of which he became Executive Director, a role he has held ever since.
Broderick has been monumental in keeping tax reform at the fore of the agenda in Government, as well as advocating for a safer drinking culture in Australia and getting the industry to work together.
In 1992, he was awarded the Gold SAM award for services to the Australian Liquor Industry and in 1997 was made a Keeper of the Quaich for services to the Scotch Whisky Industry.
On Wednesday night, Ian Atherton, CEO of the Spirits Platform and DSCIA member for over 25 years and Treasurer for ten of those years, spoke to Broderick’s approachability and leadership in an industry of fierce rivalry.
“Managing to lead and corral members who, after all, are very strong characters and fierce competitors, into a coherent body with a solid agenda, is no easy feat considering there have been 8 chairmen over that time,” Atherton said.
“Gordon’s ability to be very open and approachable to all our colleagues’ irrespective of their position or influence is testament to his genuine interest in people and passion for new and interesting developments in the spirits industry.
Atherton went on to credit Broderick’s efforts in creating a safer drinking culture and his ongoing support of the industry’s commercial interests through DSICA.
“In Canberra, Gordon has been at the pinnacle of the Alcohol debate, and through DSICA has been instrumental in so many programs and initiatives that have supported responsible consumption and social awareness of alcohol in society, especially through the establishment of Drinkwise,” Atherton said.
“Gordon’s absolute commitment to defend “our right to do business” and supporting our commercial interests has always been the foundation of his work in Canberra, and as a recent start-up business owner, I am encouraged by the tremendous support for Gordon and DSICA in Canberra as we strive for a level playing field in a very competitive and complex landscape.”
In July 2000, Broderick was awarded the Australian Hotels Association President’s Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the national hotel industry and in 2016 he was inducted into the AHA Hall of Fame.
Among speeches made on the night was Kylie McPherson’s, Corporate Relations and Legal Director at Diageo Australia, as well as the representative for Bundaberg Distilling Company on the DSICA Governing Executive.
McPherson’s speech spoke to Broderick’s generosity and the fondness of those that meet him.
As the newest member of the Governing Executive, “Gordon immediately took me under his wing, taking me to lunch at his beloved Union Club in Sydney to get me up to speed on the issues facing the spirits industry and how DSICA was tackling them,” McPherson began.
“Gordon and I soon became a traveling duo, attending meetings across the country together and hosting and sponsoring events to showcase the wonderful industry we work in and the products we’re famous for.
“During these events, I don’t think I have ever sat down for more than 20 minutes at a time. Gordon always has me by the elbow, walking the room, introducing me to everyone – and I mean everyone. During these conversations, I am always struck by the affection with which Gordon is greeted. And that is the mark of the man. Gordon has time for everyone, from the newest members of parliament to the most senior Ministers, he knows their story, their history. And thanks to Gordon, friends of DSICA have become friends of the Bundaberg Distilling Company.”
drinks bulletin would like to wish Broderick farewell and hopes he enjoys many a martini during his retirement!
Image: Broderick being inducted into the AHA Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame by Diageo Australia Managing Director, David Smith.
