IABC Victoria is delighted to present its annual Deb Ganderton Oration on 15 October 2025 in Melbourne’s CBD. This evening is a highlight of IABC Victoria’s event calendar.
The fourth annual Deb Ganderton Oration will celebrate communicators who have a passion for speaking up, changing lives and sharing great stories with the world. The Oration commemorates Deb Ganderton, a former President of IABC Victoria and an inspiring industry leader who went from communications adviser to CEO, and who sadly passed away in 2022.
It will feature an oration by Former Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne Sally Capp AO – an outstanding leader and exemplar communicator who has influenced the lives of many in Melbourne and far beyond.
If your organisation is interested in partnering with IABC Victoria for this prestigious event, please email Lauren Andrews, IABC Victoria's Partnerships Chair, at partnerships@iabcvic.com.au.
Event details:
🗓️ Wednesday 15 October 2025
⌚ 5.30pm to 8.30pm
📍 JLL, Level 33, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne
Orator: Sally Capp AO
Sally Capp AO was the first woman to be directly elected as the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Sally served for 6 years between 2018-2024 and led the city through the pandemic period.
Prior to being Lord Mayor, she was the CEO for the Committee for Melbourne and the Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. Sally began her career as a Solicitor, after completing Law (Hons) and Commerce degrees at the University of Melbourne. She has held senior roles at both KPMG and ANZ and co-founded a small business which she took to the ASX.
She has been involved in a number of charities, currently sitting on the board of the Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute and is a Patron of the Lighthouse Foundation and the Royal Women’s Hospital Foundation.
Sally received the award of Officer of the Order of Australia in 2023 in the King’s Birthday honours and won the McKinnon Prize for emerging political leadership in 2019.
About the Deb Ganderton Oration
The IABC Victoria Deb Ganderton Oration is an annual event founded in 2022 honouring the legacy of Deb Ganderton, a respected leader in public communication, former CEO and former President of IABC Victoria.
Known for her commitment to excellence and integrity, Deb's work inspired many in the communications field. This oration brings together leaders to explore the vital role of communication in leadership, fostering unity, authenticity, and positive social impact.
Whether you knew Deb or not, this event is open to everyone. Come along on your own or as part of a group - we look forward to welcoming you.