“You have a fair idea about what APIA does for you. You know that we are committed to the industry. APIA provides services to members; represents industry to government and media; and, raises awareness of the industry. The Association addresses a broad range of issues and we’re assisted by members who participate in committees.

This year I will talk to you about the future of APIA and the industry. I want members to consider what we need to do in order to maintain the Association’s success.

I started where most people do – I googled ‘interesting quotes and sayings’. I discovered some interesting, inspirational quotes, such as:

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there – Will Rogers.

Clearly – if you don’t plan ahead, you’ll be left behind.

And this one reflects this Association:

The achievements of an organisation are the results of the combined efforts of each individual – Vincent T Lombardi.

This applies very much to APIA. At the Secretariat, we could not do our work without the enthusiastic support of the members. But then I found this one:

Quotes are nothing but inspiration for the uninspired – Richard Kemph.

Oh dear. Inspiration. Get thinking. We need to consider how to ensure continuing success, and what challenges and opportunities lay ahead.

This industry – this Association – is a survivor. As you know, APIA started with the construction sector, which is still the backbone of the Association. They saw change coming; they expanded, and included other sectors of the industry. They saw further change coming; owners stepped up their contributions and the Association established the head office in Canberra. Now, I am proud to say APIA is recognised as one of the leading energy lobby groups in Canberra.

Changes in the industry continue. For example, larger jobs tend to be expansions rather than new gas pipelines and many construction members are now involved in the water industry. We can’t predict all future challenges, but we can look at changing circumstances and visualise what they will mean for us.

We are all pressed for time these days. For example, in the past, most training was undertaken by companies. Companies still do that to varying degrees, but it is not a given.

APIA has started to address the skills shortage. Our Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF) has demonstrated real camaraderie amongst young people and a determination to learn. The YPF provides opportunities for knowledge transfer, both within the YPF group and between younger participants and experienced pipeliners. Now with a range of mentoring sessions, we are well on the way to helping the young people in this industry develop their career paths.

Also, we are providing a future for the industry through the engineer training program. Stage one, which includes the list of competencies and the guide to AS2885, is only the beginning.

Addressing skills shortage, training, knowledge transfer – we’re doing it but there’s more to do.

This Association is strong because of the voluntary contributions of members. This will continue, but these days individuals’ time is more pressured.

And today’s office is vastly different from the days before computers. The electronic office has not reduced pressures – it has increased pressures, because everything can be done instantaneously. So it’s expected instantaneously – and more is expected. Yet we still want quality. How do we manage this pressure? I don’t have an immediate answer – but we must look at what the impact might be, what technology offers, and consider what we can do about it.

Perhaps it means expanding the Secretariat so that more of the work by volunteers is taken on ‘in-house’ – that’s not necessarily the answer, just one possible solution. And it could be an expensive solution. Perhaps it means letting some things go – but I’m sure we don’t want to turn away from a challenge. Perhaps it means we need to restructure the voluntary work. I don’t have a single clear solution yet – I’m merely offering suggestions, goading you to think about the challenges.

There are other new developments. Perhaps we’ll eventually have electronic networking. What if the next generation, or the one after that, doesn’t need face-to-face networking! It would completely change the face of the Association.

We now have about 25 functions a year, but maybe we’ll wind back and start providing electronic networking instead! Look at changes brought about by Facebook and Twitter! I’ve certainly discovered the benefits of Facebook. We are yet to fully embrace this new world as an Association or as an industry. But we must.

We can anticipate challenge and change in a regulation-challenged world and do the work before the regulators impose their will upon us. Yes, we’re doing that for technical and safety issues with AS2885 – and we’re doing that with economic regulation and other government policies, such as climate change. We are part of the policy discussions from the start, reducing surprises from new government announcements and having some input in the policy development process.

And what about the cost of climate change? A cost impost on carbon emissions is expected and this should increase the demand for natural gas. But we don’t know when. The new Labor-Green alliance in Canberra is likely to lead to a price on carbon sooner rather than later. That provides some certainty for industry, but not a lot.

On the other hand, what about the cost of climate change to the industry? This will be a cost to the economy, and it will impact on the operations of businesses and the Association.

There are many other new developments that we are yet to factor into how we operate as an Association or as an industry. It’s quite possible new developments in nanotechnology will impact on the gas industry – let’s follow this up to make sure we know what those impacts might be.

By the way, did you know that scientists are on the verge of developing memory implants, and longevity drugs, and invisibility cloaks! Yes, it’s not just Harry Potter, there have been real scientific developments. Computer technology is just beginning – computers are learning to detect humour. Imagine, telling your computer a dirty joke! Just quietly of course!

There are now chatbots – computers that are designed to hold intelligent conversations! There are ‘silent discos’, where young people get an iPod to listen to the music of their choice and dance with a partner, but to different music!

Seriously, we still don’t know when technology will be developed that will see renewable energy effectively compete commercially with gas – but it will happen and we need to be ready. In the meantime we need to continue to argue the case for natural gas, so it’s not simply taken for granted.

The Association has grown remarkably over four decades. Managing continuing growth is a challenge and we need to ensure that the growing number of members all feel genuinely a part of the Association. Naturally, at the Secretariat, we welcome new members, and we trust existing members are also welcoming, and encouraging new companies and people to join our enthusiastic group. We need to ensure that functions and events remain relevant. Feedback from members is essential, and we try to keep our ideas fresh.

And, finally, here’s another quote:

Don’t simply consider potential changes; embrace those potential changes and make them work for you – Cheryl Cartwright.

We need to anticipate the next range of challenges. And we need to embrace challenges. We have to make sure that changes and challenges work for us.

This industry has done it before. This Association has done it before. I truly believe that foresight will continue to be demonstrated by the members and by their representatives on the Board.”