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Celebrating the wins and successes of 2018

Wow, it’s nearly Christmas! Like me, I’m sure many of you are feverishly working towards the looming end of year deadline, trying to finish that project or produce and supply material with a full complement of staff prior to going on leave and having what I’m sure is a well deserved break (for some).

For many, after a long year, it’s a difficult and sometimes stressful time, one that distracts us from looking back at the milestones – big or small – we have achieved throughout 2018. It is important, now more than ever in my opinion to stop, step back and appreciate and celebrate what everyone has achieved in the past 12 months – be that as an individual, a team member or even with our families.

For me personally, this is the celebration of delivering on some major initiatives including the IQA Membership Pledge and recruitment of our new CEO, while also juggling my day job and parental duties!

I must, however, acknowledge that these IQA success stories have not been a solo effort; they’ve really been that of a team. I’ve been well supported by the IQA Board and national office, which have significantly aided in the success of these initiatives.

{{quote-A:R-W:300-Q:"2019 will be another busy year for the industry, as the list of building projects grows."}}I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank Deputy President Shane Braddy and Company Secretary Rod Lester for their ongoing support throughout 2018.

There have been many successful branch and sub-branch functions throughout the year, many of which I’ve attended. Of note have been the Women in Quarrying (WIQ) conferences, and I’ve been pleased to see the general support and enthusiasm from the industry for these fantastic events. I had the pleasure of opening the Western Australian branch’s WIQ conference in October, alongside new CEO Kylie Fahey (see page 37).

Thanks must go to the WA branch committee, including branch chair Phil Harris, the state WIQ co-ordinator Melissa Zadra, and WA branch administrator Celia Pavri for their efforts in putting together one of the best WIQ programs to date.

While I’ve mentioned CMIC 18 in previous editions of Quarry, we again had another successful conference in Sydney, with the CMIC brand well supported across the industry and a speaker’s program that complemented the theme ‘Building Tomorrow’s Australia’.

Again, I’d like to thank conference chair and IQA director Kevin Larcombe, the conference organising committee and the CCAA for delivering a successful 2018 conference.

Looking forward, if what we’ve heard at CMIC 18 – and in many cabs and Ubers I’ve been in lately – is true, 2019 will be another busy year for the quarrying industry, as the list of infrastructure projects continues to grow. It’s an exciting time for the industry, with some major projects starting to take shape, and more on the horizon.

I trust you will take some time to look back at your year and celebrate those wins and successes as you make your way towards the Christmas holidays. I hope you all have a chance to spend time with family and friends over the holiday period and, if travelling, stay safe. All the best to you and your family for the festive season.

See you in 2019!

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