Functions continue to be held in each capital city, at the Phoenix Bar, Flinders Street, for the Melbourne crowd; the Pig and Whistle, Eagle Street, for Queenslanders; Carnegie’s in Perth for the sandgropers and at the Hotel Richmond in Adelaide for the croweaters. Also, NSW organiser Mark Dragar is responsible for a career advice evening with NSW University, the first of the ‘career promotion’ activities by YPFers.

Attending the social functions have been the usual group of younger pipeliners, along with several golden oldies with lots of stories and plenty of knowledge and information to share about the industry. There were also possible new members, including some financial consultants with interests in the pipeline industry.

The YPF (now the Young Pipeliners’ Forum) group will work with the APIA secretariat to set up an informal information exchange process, where practical questions will be filed through the secretariat to the appropriate experienced adviser. This process will lead to an informal system for encouraging mentoring of the next generation by those experienced pipeliners who are keen to share their knowledge and provide guidance and encouragement.

If you would like more information about YPF functions, call the APIA secretariat or contact the YPF organiser in your State:

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South Australia: Belinda Close, close.belinda@saugov.sa.gov.au

Western Australia: Megan Lawson, megan.lawson@erm.com

Queensland: Jennifer Connor, jennifer_connor@ghd.com.au

Victoria: Ben Gunn, Gunn_Ben@solarturbines.com

NSW and ACT: Mark Dragar, mark.dragar@agility.net.au

We would also like to encourage member companies to provide an opportunity for vacation work for students. Not only would this be a tremendous opportunity for the students and encourage them to consider our industry for their future career, but should they choose a career in the pipeline industry, they would naturally look first to the company that had already offered them some experience. The YPFers and the APIA secretariat would be happy to co-ordinate participants. Don’t be shy - invite these young people into your company!

We would also like to see member companies offer site visits for interested young pipeliners. While the State-based YPF committees will be following up this initiative, it’s also up to our members to offer these opportunities. Please contact the Secretariat (02 6273 0577) if you are prepared to participate.

Another outcome from the May Young People’s Forum is the new round of seminars on AS2885. The first was held on 23 August in Adelaide; the next will be on 22 November in Brisbane. Stay tuned for the dates of AS2885 seminars in 2007.

The YPFers and the APIA secretariat would be happy to co-ordinate participants. Don’t be shy - invite these young people into your company!