For more than 20 years Margot Spalding has been a leader in business, designing and manufacturing furniture here in Bendigo that is now sold globally.

It all started with humble beginnings in a shed in her and husband Alan’s then Harcourt property in central Victoria.

They started with minimal capital but had a plan and a vision to build a furniture-making business that would sustain their family of seven children and their community.

The Jimmy Possum brand has grown to be a consumer favourite, and the business was recently rebranded as jimmy. The Spaldings have not only built a business to feed their children, but one that employs extended family and hundreds of people within several Australian communities. It is a multi-generational family business success story that continues to grow.

With her business savvy Margot Spalding (pictured at left with Alan Spalding) has helped steer Jimmy Possum’s direction, adjust operations and product to suit changing consumer demands, including expanding its online retail sales and into targeted international markets.

The nod to join 11 other business leaders on Premier Daniel Andrews’ Jobs and Investment Panel is not only good for Ms Spalding and her family business but for regional businesses in general.

Providing strategic advice to the Premier on driving economic growth and creating high-skill, high-wage jobs in Victoria is not a task that will be taken lightly with the chosen 12.

They bring a diversity needed to create employment and investment in industries, and as Premier Andrews says are “some of our brightest business minds” who will help “Victoria stronger and more prosperous”.

Ms Spalding will be keen to keep the spotlight focused on employment and manufacturing in central Victoria.

                         - Marina Williams, journalist