It’s a great opportunity for members to catch up with their interstate and international friends and colleagues and it promises to be another excellent event this year.
It’s been a tough year for many members and we are very pleased so many of you are able to attend the Convention (at the time of writing, the number of bookings is tracking well; in fact, it’s as high as any other year).
We hope attending the Convention helps to bring new business opportunities and keeps our members up to date with new developments.
The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) has some very long-term members; people and companies committed to the industry and to the Association.
The numbers highlight this commitment.
We have 11 members who have been with the Association for more than 20 years; 63 who have been members for more than 15 years, 31 for 10; 62 for five years; and 81 for two or more years.
And, in a very good sign for the industry and the Association, there are many newer members.
18 members have been with us for one year, and there are 21 new members (so far) this year.
We hope these new members will find the benefits and the camaraderie that have kept others with us for so long.
At the risk of offending many, I’d like to personally nominate just a couple of long-term members for different reasons.
These two guys were there at the beginning, when it was the APCA, the constructors association, and have continued their support.
Firstly, Keith Fitzgerald, who I’ve enjoyed naming and shaming these past few years at the Convention, has only missed two Annual Conventions in the 48 years of the Association.
Keith’s health is preventing him from attending this year so we’ll miss him and Maureen.
And the other long-termer, who’s attended almost as many Conventions as Keith, is Bob Gration.
Steve Dobbie and I can’t thank Bob enough for his behind-the-scenes support of both of us at the Secretariat.
His advice is always honest and forthright, with the best interests of the Association and the members at heart.
Bob, we’d be lost without you.
Personally, too, Bob and Helen were instrumental in ensuring I received the biggest and best surprise of my life at the Convention last year.
Thank you my friend.
Of course, what the experienced pipeliners also encourage is the Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF).
It’s grown from a single event in Canberra in 2006 to many events and functions – both educational and fun – around the country.
It’s the 10th anniversary of the YPF next year and we’d like to celebrate and congratulate our young people for their initiative and drive.
It’s also time to review the focus of the group, as the industry adapts to new challenges, so will the YPF need to focus on rejuvenation and planning for the future.
These young people are the pipeline leaders of the future.
So, this is a call-out to the bosses of our industry.
Yes, times are tougher than they were when this group began, but our young people need your support and encouragement.
We’ll hold a national YPF event in 2016 – please make sure the young people in your organisation can attend.
Finally, on behalf of the APGA Secretariat, I’d like to thank our President Mark Dayman whose two-year term in that role comes to an end after this year’s Convention.
Mark has been a committed President during his term, providing his time and knowledge enthusiastically during what has been a very challenging period.
We have enjoyed working with him and look forward to his continuing contribution as Immediate Past President over the next two years.
Thank you, Mark.