Each representing different areas of the gas industry, the 27 delegates from across the country were given the opportunity to present on a topic of their choice in front of their peers and Gas Speak “˜mentors’, all of whom are established industry members.
Welcoming the delegates and mentors to the Colloquium was APGA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright, who introduced Shadow Minister for Resources, the Hon. Gary Gray.
Mr Gray spoke to the delegates about his experiences in Canberra, his time working in politics as well as offering his advice on public speaking, which was very readily accepted by the audience.
Before the delegates delivered their presentations, the first day of the seminar was dedicated to a public speaking workshop hosted by David Marshall AM of Talkforce Consultants and Trainers.
The workshop involved Mr Marshall dispensing over 25 years of knowledge on public speaking, which included encouraging the attendees to leave their comfort zone, the skills of what makes a good public speaker, the traps to avoid, and the best way to put a personal signature on the work.
The delegates were also surprised with announcement that they were to deliver a short presentation on a completely random subject of their peers choosing, to give each an idea of how developed their skills were.
The following day saw the official presentations begin, with each presentation lasting approximately 17 minutes followed by three minutes for questions from the floor.
The improvement in each delegate’s presentation was clear from the first impromptu speeches on the first day, with each speech delivered clearly, concisely with the desired message conveyed.
APA Group Land Agent (New South Wales) Michael Parker won Most Outstanding Presentation with his Third Party Encroachment – Risk and Mitigation, while the Encouragement Award went to Jemena Systems Controller Zoe Barnett who provided insight into Emergency Management in a Control Room.
Trent Shinners picked up the award for best impromptu speech, where he listed off the reasons why Melbourne is better than Sydney.
The Colloquium also provided the opportunity for the delegates to rub shoulders with senior industry figures at the Australian Gas Industry Dinner, held at The Boat House by the Lake.
Attendees were treated to a presentation from founder of braaap Motorcycles and Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year Brad Smith, who told his incredible story of going from a young boy from Tasmania to the founder and owner of one of the fastest growing niche motorcycle companies in the world.
Closing the Colloquium, Gas Speak Mentors Chris Blogg, Executive Technical Adviser, Rinnai Australia; Andrew Creek, Director, Australian Gas Industry Trust; Steve Davies, National Policy Manager, APGA; Steve Dobbie, Business Manager, APGA; Saul Milner, Operations Manager, Gas Trading Australia Pty Ltd and Karen Polglaze, Training and Communications Manager, APGA, all praised the quality and drive of this year’s speakers, before wrapping up what they said was one of the best Australian Gas Industry Trust Gas Speak Colloquiums ever held
