The Colloquium, which is hosted by the Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT), was attended by 29 young industry people – administrators, advisers, analysts, controllers, engineers and managers – who were selected from 45 nominees and who represent all sectors of the gas industry (upstream, transmission, distribution, retail and appliance manufacturers). In addition, Gas Speak has come full circle with Anthony Cooper, who attended Gas Speak as a delegate 10 years ago, attending this year as a mentor.
The objective of Gas Speak is to encourage an awareness and knowledge of the gas industry in Australia by providing a forum for young people to present papers, chair sessions, conduct syndicate discussions and develop the art of self-expression and communication. Gas Speak has been a successful and highly regarded gas industry event since 1982 and provides an opportunity for organisations to develop their younger staff and their communication skills, industry awareness and industry networks.
Federal Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism The Hon Martin Ferguson provided the keynote address to the delegates with a run-down of the current state and expected future of the industry. APIA Chief Executive and newly elected AGIT Director Cheryl Cartwright was also in attendance, explaining the objectives, activities and members of the AGIT and highlighting AGIT’s involvement with the International Gas Union as the Australian Charter member. Ms Cartwright urged delegates to seize the opportunity being provided by their employers, the industry and the AGIT, saying that she wished that such a forum had been available in her early career.
On the first day of the event, Louise Carter from Performance Partnership provided delegates with invaluable advice, comments and tips on presentation skills, overcoming presentation anxiety and in using PowerPoint effectively.
The following days of the conference involved the delegates providing a 20-minute presentation, with each being critiqued by the mentors – Andrew Creek, AGIT Director and Managing Director, SIT Gas Controls; Sally Calder, Senior Trading Originator, International Power GDF Suez PLC; Anthony Cooper, Manager Product Development, Australia Power & Gas; Steve Davies, Policy Adviser, APIA; Barbara Jinks, Gas Industry Consultant; and, Saul Milner, Manager Gas Operations, AGL Energy Limited – who provided further encouraging feedback and suggestions to each delegate.
The final day of the conference also provided some fun for the delegates, with impromptu speeches providing an opportunity to put into practice what they had learned. Helena Wu was judged as the best presenter, Nick Kastelein won the best impromptu speech, whilst Ben Dunstan was judged as being the most improved.
The mentors were impressed by not only the delegates’ knowledge of their sectors of the industry, but also by their abilities and experiences. Although most delegates arrived with a little trepidation about what was to happen, all agreed that, having attended, it was excellent training and they would highly recommend it for those given the opportunity to attend a future Gas Speak Colloquium.
The Annual AGIT Gas Industry Dinner, which is held as part of Gas Speak to encourage informal interaction between delegates, mentors and industry representatives, was held on 11 September at the Boat House by the Lake. Guest speaker Sam Cawthorn provided an enthralling motivational speech on ‘bouncing forward’ and shared the highs and lows of his journey through life so far, from when he was involved in a major car accident which left him without a right arm and with a permanent disability in his right leg.
Information on AGIT, the Gas Speak Colloquium and the other activities run by AGIT can be found at www.agit.org.au