This is my final editorial as President. Before I start the long list of “thank yous”, I unfortunately have to highlight two recent deaths in the Australian mining industry.
They occurred in different locations and circumstances but the common thread to these tragic incidents is that they occurred on the Father’s Day weekend in September. An accident is tragic at any time of the year but for two incidents to coincide with a celebration on the calendar brings home even more the importance of being incident- and accident-free in our workplaces. Our thoughts go to the families, friends and workers directly affected.
It seems so long ago – it was only October 2013 – that I started as President. One of my first official duties was to travel to Horn Island, off the tip of Queensland, to present certificates to Horn Island Quarry employees. It was an unforgettable trip, especially seeing the smiles on those guys’ faces as they received their certificates from the local mayor and IQA General Manager Paul Sutton.
I’ll start the “thank yous” by acknowledging our members and branches – integral to there being an Institute. We are now proudly more than 1600 members strong.
The branches are the “engine room” of the IQA. Running any branch and arranging technical visits and events takes a lot of members’ volunteer time. Why do we do it? To get individuals together, create a network of like-minded people, forge new friendships in the industry and socially, learn new skills from Professional Development Program courses, seminars and conferences, and to have someone else to bounce problems off to find a solution.
Second, thanks to our sponsors, whose people provide us with solutions to problems and the means to improve productivity. As we say, “Change is constant,” and our sponsors and suppliers continue to innovate and are an integral part of the construction materials industry. It’s here I should acknowledge my employer, Atlas Copco Australia, which has put up with me “disappearing” on IQA duties on many occasions.
Third, thanks to the IQA board, especially Wayne Scott, the Immediate Past President, for his continued guidance (and nine years of board and committee involvement), and Geoff West, for his efforts on the board and in membership and awards committees.
Thanks also to the IQA’s national office team of Paul Sutton, Rod Lester, Robyn Cousins, Gemma Cremasco and Ryan Spence, with finance support from John Olive and his team. Together, they have done all the hard work in delivering products and services the membership needs.
I have been lucky enough to travel and meet with the other Institute of Quarrying presidents from around the world, especially Gordon Laing and Les Ward of the IQNZ. It’s been great to compare our Institute with the rest of the world, to see how others do their conferences, particularly in New Zealand and South Africa. It’s also pleasing that our national office team has assisted the IQNZ in the mammoth task of achieving the NZ quarrying industry’s set training needs by the WorkSafe NZ cut-off date of 31 December, 2015. However, all bets and favours are off for the rugby union World Cup!
The Australian Institute of Quarrying Education Foundation has also provided strong support and increased funding for IQA and industry events at large, and new education or safety seminar products. Its funding and support has helped us achieve what we have.
Finally, I congratulate John Mitas and Clayton Hill on their elections as President and Deputy President respectively. I am certain they will take us to the next level throughout Australia.
Finally, thanks to my dear wife Sue for putting up with me packing the bags and disappearing to yet another meeting somewhere!
It’s been an honour acting as your President – something I never dreamed of when I first joined the Tasmanian branch 25 years ago!
May you and your workmates continually stay safe!
