Keeping Gippsland at the heart of east coast energy

It’s a multifaceted makeover involving exploration drilling, new gas development projects, widespread plant and facilities refurbishments, workforce rejuvenation through apprenticeships and new graduates and people moves.

One of the most visible signs of this transformation has been Esso’s return to new office space in the Port of Sale Building, the company’s former Gippsland headquarters.

“This is an exciting time to be in the gas business,” said Esso’s Gippsland Operations Manager Stuart Jeffries. “We have been the premier producer in the domestic market for half a century and right now the east coast is experiencing record demand for gas.

“No one can match our depth of knowledge and experience and we have the best minds in the business working on opportunities to secure our gas business into the future.

“Part of this has involved moving key people into the area to be closer to the equipment and operations they support."

“Our signing of a long-term lease on new office space in Sale opens a new chapter in our long-standing Gippsland story.”

The move into the Port of Sale Building coincides with Esso’s donation of 40 original artworks to the Gippsland Art Gallery in the same building.

The extensive collection of Australian art showcases a wide variety of local renowned artists, including works by Albert Tucker, Douglas Dundas and Sali Herman, and has been curated over many decades of operating in Australia.

“This significant donation of artworks reflects our ongoing support of the Gippsland community,” said ExxonMobil Australia Chairman Richard Owen.

“While the energy we produce in Gippsland is used to maintain and build standards of living across south-eastern Australia, we also believe in making a valuable contribution directly to the local communities in which we operate.

“We do this as company through donations like this art collection or the support we provide to our employee volunteers.”

This month the GBJV Contributions Program provided much-needed equipment for the Emergency Department at Sale Hospital and Ashleigh House at the Sale Elderly Citizens Village.

The hospital received a new trauma stretcher, Pulse Oximeter and spine board extrication device and Ashleigh House received a massage chair and two specialised electric care beds.

“We are proud of our long-standing contributions to our Gippsland community,” said Richard. “And right now we are executing a range of plans to ensure we continue to be a successful contributor long into the future.”