The convention was officially opened on Monday 19 October by outgoing APGA President and Fyfe Managing Director Mark Dayman.
Mr Dayman began his address by acknowledging the difficulties the pipeline industry faced in 2015 – he suggested the combination of low oil prices and a flat construction environment was a once-in-a-century event – however, he concluded that the future outlook was optimistic.
“In my opinion, gas is just taking a short breather and will be back to finish that golden age,” Mr Dayman said.
He expressed his confidence that the industry would overcome the challenges it faces, and would adjust appropriately to modern conditions in a way that will see the industry “become leaner, meaner, and with efficiency returning”.
APGA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright also provided an update on the association’s activities in 2015 which she said, despite a difficult year, has gone from strength to strength.
Ms Cartwright thanked all the APGA members for their continued support, as well as applauding the team at the APGA Secretariat, which she praised for their tireless efforts in organising events, policy and training throughout the year.
This was the first convention since the name-change from the Australian Pipeline Industry Association, and Ms Cartwright outlined the fact that the name-change means that the association is better positioned to support its members’ interests.
Following Ms Cartwright’s presentation was the opening address from Queensland Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek was made. Mr Langbroek spoke on the achievements of the pipelines and gas industry in Queensland, which, he said, had left its counterparts in southern states trailing in its wake.
Mr Langbroek said that the industry has provided Queensland with the infrastructure to become one of the largest producers of LNG in the world, as well as the funds to support the regions and communities in which the industry is active.
Olympic hero revs up the crowd
Following Mr Langbroek’s speech was an inspiring keynote address from Olympic and World Champion swimming coach Laurie Lawrence, who buoyed attendees with his stories from the Olympics he has been involved in.
Mr Lawrence drew on his experiences in motivating Olympic athletes to ask the question of the gathered APGA members: “What levels do you want to see your industry reach?”
He said that it was not up to the public to alter its perception of the industry, but that it was up to the industry itself to change public perceptions from the inside.
He said this was a decision taken by the Australian male Olympic swimming team after its highly publicised collapse at the London Olympics in 2012.
However, Mr Lawrence said the most important thing for any industry or organisation to strive for was the best image in which it sees itself, and not to give up on pursuing its dreams.
By the end of his presentation Mr Lawrence had all the APGA delegates up on their feet, with hands in the air, singing along to a song he wrote to inspire Olympic athletes.
Getting down to business
Keeping true to the theme of the convention, the business sessions outlined the vital role that pipelines have to play in providing secure and safe energy across the nation, as well as in exporting Australia’s natural resources overseas.
The major themes and topics revolved were, the safety of transmission pipelines, the question of supply, in-line inspection, constructing for future populations and project updates.
Presentation highlights included Australia’s natural gas – the question of supply from Intelligas Chairman Jim McDonald; Pipeline emergency repairs – combining ILI data analysis with field assessment by APA Group Engineering Services Manager Francis Carroll and PII Pipeline Solutions IE COE Regional Team Leader Ian Murray; Development of offshore competencies for pipeline engineers from Atteris Managing Director Eric Jas and Issues in specifying high-toughness steels from international pipeline expert Dr Brian Leis.
The APGA Exhibition was also a resounding success. To see the quality of the stands at the 2015 Exhibition, turn to page 32.
The social side
As always, the social functions throughout the four days provided great entertainment for attendees.
The social functions kicked-off with the famous “˜APGA Classic’, the annual golf day sponsored by Vermeer, bright and early on Saturday 17 October at the Palmer Colonial Golf Course.
Around 80 APGA delegates descended onto the course to see who would gain bragging rights for the next few days, as well as to see who would take out the Vermeer “˜Memorable Moment’. For more details on these awards turn to page 22.
Following the golf day, the convention was officially opened at the Welcome Dinner, held at the Sea World resort.
Guests were entertained by a spectacular show from Jet Stunt Extreme, where some of the world’s best jet-ski stunt performers wowed the delegates.
The Welcome Dinner was sponsored by Baker Hughes Ltd; SEA Gas; and Worldwide Machinery/Worldwide Pacific Enterprises.
Following the dinner guests were invited to Room 81 at the Sofitel Hotel for the after-function “˜happy hour’, again sponsored by Vermeer.
The Sunday outing, sponsored by CNC Project Management, saw delegates and their families board a boat for an excursion to McLarens Landing at South Stradbroke Island.
With activities such as Segway rides, basketball, beach cricket, paddle boarding, canoeing and snorkelling both little and big kids were entertained for hours.
The official Opening Dinner was held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and was sponsored by Baosteel, GPA Engineering, Iplex Pipelines, Jemena, Jindal Saw, Lucas Engineering & Construction, Vacuworx, and Zinfra.
The Opening Dinner also saw a number of companies who have exhibited at APGA Exhibitions for over 20 years honoured among their peers.
The companies who have supported the association’s Exhibitions from day one are Denso Australia, Great Southern Press, ShawCor (originally Bredero Shaw) and Vermeer.
After the Opening Dinner, delegates continued the merriment at Room 81 at the Sofitel Hotel which was sponsored by LandPartners Limited.
As always the most anticipated event was the fancy dress dinner. The theme for this year was “˜Stars that delight; Stars that fright: Guess who’s coming to dinner tonight?’
Appropriately held at Movie World, the range of costumes was very impressive – from Minions and Grease Lightning to the Wiggles and the Gold Coast Sons of Anarchy – the delegates went above and beyond this year.
The Fancy Dress dinner was sponsored by Australian Portable Camps, Nacap Australia, MST Global-Nixon Communications, Ozzie’s Padder of Australia, and Solar Turbines Australia.
Closing out the social events for the conference was the annual gala dinner on the Tuesday evening, sponsored by ACIL Allen Consulting, GHD, Momentum Engineering, Nacap Australia, PII Pipeline Solutions, Pipeline Machinery International, and Tremco Pipeline Equipment.
Being the last event of the 2015 Convention, delegates were keen to sign off in style.
The Accidents belted out classic tunes and the dance floor was quickly packed out after the delegates witnessed the impressive footwork of the Swagamama dance crew.
The fun continued into the early hours with the after-function happy hour sponsored by CNC Project Management.
For snapshots of all the fun that was had during the social events turn to page 38.
The next APGA Convention and Exhibition will be held in Perth in October 2016.
We look forward to seeing you there!