At all the functions I attended in that first year I heard the lament – “we must plan for the future” However, it was at Chloe’s that the idea for a Young People’s Forum started. The idea blossomed, the Forum was held on 5 and 6 May, and now I would like to thank the many people who helped to make it a success.
Firstly, my heartfelt thanks to Business Manager Steve Dobbie and Functions Officer Sarah Leavitt for finding imaginative venues and making sure all the little things worked well. Secondly, but equally, my thanks to the YPF organising committee: Susan Jaques, Ted Metcalfe, Paul Bilston and Kristin Martin. Their ideas and enthusiasm for the project were outstanding and, I must say, I was out voted many times on a range of ideas, which was probably just as well!
I would also like to thank the presenters. We were all very impressed with our young talented and professional speakers who provided an excellent explanation of various aspects of the industry. Many people in the industry work diligently and well in their own fields with little opportunity to find out about the many and varied careers and skills across the whole pipeline industry. We also had some excellent presentations by the more experienced members – inspirational was a word I heard after the Friday morning session.
I must also thank the member companies who encouraged their younger staff to spend a couple of days in Canberra to attend the Forum and also those experienced members who took the time out of their busy schedules to come to Canberra for the Forum and/or the Friday night dinner. While they all didn’t “qualify” to attend the forum, I do appreciate the fact that many found time to attend the dinner. I am also grateful for the support of the APIA Board for the forum, and was quite chuffed to see five of our nine Board Members also in Canberra for the dinner.
Saturday’s interactive debate was successful, with tremendous participation and many ideas to take forward.
Of course, I can’t mention the forum without thanking the sponsors: McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd; OneSteel Oil & Gas Pipe; Solar Turbines; South East Australia Gas Pty Ltd; and Worley Parsons. As always, the support of our members through sponsorship helps to ensure costs are kept down and functions are successful.
As the President has mentioned in his report, the APIA Secretariat continues to work with our many enthusiastic committees on safety, economic regulation, environment, research and operations.
If you haven’t checked the new-look APIA website yet, log in: www.apia.net.au. And don’t forget the Annual Convention and Exhibition on 14 to 17 October. As an immediate outcome of the Young People’s Forum, if you are under 35 and haven’t yet attended an APIA Convention, you are entitled to a 35 per cent discount to attend this year’s event.
Alice Springs promises to be a terrific venue. Start planning your fancy dress costume – Mad Max (the Road Warrior) meets Priscilla (Queen of the Desert) – and packing your dancing shoes. We’ll have an oldie and goodie on the final night to keep us on the floor, Mental As Anything. Is that appropriate or what!
Cheryl Cartwright
Chief Executive