Described as a "perennial optimist", Owen Tilbury has been inducted into the Launceston Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame for his service to the community.
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Announced at the Tasplan Business Excellence Awards on Saturday, Mr Tilbury is perhaps best known for establishing the Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival and the Greater Regional City Challenge.
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Mr Tilbury has worked in numerous fields including education, tourism, business consulting and community development during his career, but when asked his career highlight, he named working with his wife Helen.
"In that time I've had a number of partners and worked with many great people... but of all of them the best business partner has been Helen Tilbury who deserves this award as much as me because that's how we've worked all our married lives, together," he said.
" Her different viewpoint has saved me from many a foolhardy decision and her creativity has opened my eyes to many new ways of doing things or new opportunities.
"People who say they couldn't work with their spouse or partner don't know what they are missing out on."
At age 75, Mr Tilbury said he doesn't think he ever retired - just changed gear and started "pursuing things for their interest rather than for their income earning capacity."
He started the Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival, now in its 12th year, after realising Tasmania was the only state in Australia that didn't have an official state festival.
State election
"We started very small and then Events Tasmania and Screen Tasmania approached us and said why not make it a larger annual festival... the rest is history," Mr Tilbury said.
As president of the Great Regional City Challenge, he helped oversee raising more than $200,000 to fund local projects, including the music pod enjoyed by people weekly at Harvest Launceston.
Despite this, Mr Tilbury remains humble about his achievements.
"It is an enormous honour to be invited into the Hall of Fame alongside business people like Kim Seagram, Errol Stewart, Joe Chromy and many others, who I've admired and respected for their entrepreneurial flair and contribution to this region," he said.
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"It's a cliché to say I'm humbled but that's what I am. I've got a healthy self esteem but I never expected to be part of this band of achievers."
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer David Peach said the Hall of Fame award commemorated a life of service to the business community and wider Launceston community.
"With a resume that features dogged determination, a willingness to re-invent himself, and an abiding love for Launceston, Owen Tilbury is the embodiment of that award," he said.
Prominent Launceston businesswoman Janine Healey was inducted as a Life Member of the chamber.
Ms Healey was on the chamber's board for 20 years, joining initially when she was five months pregnant.
"I didn't think the journey would be this long, and certainly taking it on when I was five months pregnant was going to be a challenge," she said.
"I've been involved with a lot of things, from the development of the retail hierachy... to the Gunns pulp mill debate.
"That was as divisive for the chamber as it was for the community to form a position... it was a lot of energy and work to come to a position that was acceptable but also supportive of business."
She served as the chamber's president from 2012 to 2015, and said she was thrilled to accept the life membership from current president Andrew Pitt.
"I've been privileged to work with a whole bunch of very intelligent, very passionate people, around the chamber board table or in the business community," she said.
Mr Peach said Ms Healey was an "easy choice" to be awarded the life membership, calling her an asset to the chamber.
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