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Celebrating 50 years: 1960 – 2010

CEDA is proud to celebrate its 50th year in 2010.

In 1960 CEDA was founded by one of Australia's most respected economists, Sir Douglas Copland, to undertake objective economic research on national growth. Since its inception, CEDA has remained true to this role as an entrepreneur of ideas.

Over the years CEDA has been a continuous meeting place for ideas and people - from large public addresses by prime ministers, premiers and celebrated international minds such as Milton Friedman, to smaller trustee meetings of business, political and academic leaders. It has tracked the course of Australian public policy debate since 1960, producing more than 3000 policy papers, articles and research reports.

Today, good public policy is more important than ever and CEDA continues to address some of the most abiding economic issues facing Australia including climate policy, water and infrastructure.

Celebrations are taking place throughout the year - a commemorative publication, a gala dinner in Melbourne, and other opportunities for CEDA members and friends to be involved.

The Prime Minister (then Deputy PM) congratulates CEDA on fifty years of contribution to policy.

At an event held in Adelaide on 4 May 2010 the Hon Julia Gillard MP commended CEDA on 50 successful years.

"And can I say I'm very honoured to be here as part of CEDA's anniversary program. Fifty years of CEDA now that's truly worth celebrating... And of course along that long period of fifty years CEDA has seen it all participated in much of it and certainly contributed to the prosperity and the success of the nation that we all enjoy being part of today. So I want to commend CEDA on your achievements of the last fifty years may the fifty years ahead see CEDA's contribution to the body politic of this country be even more substantial. Now of course I'm here to reflect on what is happening in the nation  today and CEDA today continues to critique government policy and we welcome that analysis and that scrutiny."

Chairman's address

CEDA's Chairman, Geoff Allen AM, talks about the achievements of the past 50 years.

CEDA's Chairman Geoff Allen AM talks about the organisation's 50th anniversary celebrations and its role in shaping Australian public policy.

Fifty years ago CEDA was founded by one of Australia's most well-known economists, Sir Douglas Copland, to undertake objective economic research on national growth. Since its inception, CEDA has remained true to its role as an entrepreneur of ideas.

Today, good public policy is more important than ever. CEDA continues to address some of the most abiding economic issues facing Australia, including climate change, water policy and infrastructure.

Commemorative publication

Well-known members and friends are being interviewed about their memories of CEDA over the years. Their recollections will be brought together in a commemorative publication to be released later in the year.

Share your memories

A wealth of dedicated, prominent and colourful members and guest speakers have shared their time and knowledge with CEDA.

We would love to hear about your experiences. Please send your stories, recollections or photographs to our dedicated email address: 50years@ceda.com.au

We will compile and present the recollections on the CEDA website and at events during the year.

What the future holds…

As CEDA looks beyond its 50th year, its aim remains the same; to continue to advance Australia's economic development by:

• engaging the brightest minds in the search for the best policy ideas
• informing our members on long-term economic, business and policy issues
• identifying business best practices, enabling leaders to make better decisions
• influencing policy making with independent ideas delivered in an understandable, accessible format.