The ACA QLD/NT Committee introduces new President Brett Hudson, Vice-President Adam Ferrier, and an enthusiastic, committed team of practice owners and directors keen to make a difference for members in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Learn more about their roles, areas of interest, and goals with the ACA.

The QLD/NT Committee has been busy with events in recent months, with two site tours, two AMWF events and our first Business of Small Practice (BoSP) get together in Brisbane. The Committee has also initiated an exciting new advocacy plan of action and welcomes a new President and a number of new branch committee members. 

The Business of Small Practice (BoSP) series was launched in Brisbane last month, led by Rebecca Caldwell from Maytree Studios and featuring guest speaker Kate Fitzgerald from Perth-based Whispering Smith. Elise Robertson was an enthusiastic attendee and has written an excellent recap.

The ACA QLD/NT Committee is excited to host the next Business of Small Practice (BoSP) event on Friday 9 August. Join us for a casual, informative evening with a special guest presentation on fees, profit and tracking business metrics by Warwick Mihaly from Mihaly Slocombe. Limited tickets available. Book now!

Are you comfortable navigating conflict on the building site or in the office? Do you have strategies to resolve disputes and come to a cooperative resolution? Handling conflict is not easy, whether it’s a client, a subcontractor or a staff member. The ACA QLD/NT Committee is offering practical assistance with an AMWF lunch and workshop with Clinical Director of North Brisbane Psychologists, Dr Rachel Hannam.

The ACA is excited to launch the Business of Small Practice series in Brisbane. These casual, relationship-focused events are aimed at providing radical transparency to help you ground your practice and grow it sustainably – whatever that looks like for you. We are kicking off with Kate Fitzgerald from Whispering Smith and Rebecca Caldwell from Maytree Studios for the launch night on Friday 14 June. Book now!

Join the ACA QLD/NT Committee and Blight Rayner Architects on Friday 22 March for a site tour of the National Rugby Training Centre in Herston Brisbane. Don’t miss out. Book now!

The ACA QLD/NT Committee is delighted to host an AMWF Lunch Seminar on Managing Burnout with Clinical Director of North Brisbane Psychologists, Dr Rachel Hannam on Thursday 22 February. Book now!

Advocacy and an interesting mix of informative events kept the branch committee busy and engaged with the profession in 2023. Highlights include the lunch forum and interview with Queensland MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown, the popular annual Risky Business event and the always fun Trivia Night!

The QLD/NT branch committee has had a busy month, with their popular Risky Business event and a lunch forum with architect and current Federal MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown. Leanne Williams provides a recap.

The ACA has previously developed and delivered a two-part seminar on contract administration in conjunction with Dr. Harm Hollander, Doctor of Creative Industries (QUT) and Angela Yates, Partner at Moray & Agnew Lawyers. Contract administration is a critical skill for architectural practices. This recorded webinar is available to view on demand.

ACA QLD/NT was proud to host a lunch forum featuring guest speaker Elizabeth Watson-Brown, former architect and current MP for the electorate of Ryan in Brisbane’s west. We are now pleased to be able to offer this insightful presentation on demand.

The ACA QLD/NT President Gilda Donegan was delighted to make it over to Darwin in late July for the Good Habits Seminar, a highly informative session with speakers from Planned Cover. The QLD/NT Committee was also pleased to host their annual Corporate & National Partners Breakfast.

Join the ACA Qld/NT Committee and Quiz Master Robert Wesener for the 2023 Dinner and Trivia Night on Friday 25 August.

In the last six months, the QLD/NT branch committee have been busy organising interesting and topical online events, providing networking opportunities, site tours and panel discussions, and advocating on the issues that matter to the profession.

The ACA, in association with Moss Architectural Learning, is pleased to support the ‘Gap Filler 24’ training course, with a 10% discount on offer for all members. The next course will commence on 6 March 2024

The ACA and Planned Cover will run a timely face-to-face seminar in Darwin on Wednesday 26 July on managing risk, avoiding common insurance claims and developing good habits in practice. Book now!

Join the ACA QLD/NT committee on Thursday 22 June for a site tour of the James Cook University (JCU) Technology Innovation Complex in Townsville. Although still in the final stages of construction, this event is a great opportunity to see the building before it’s opened. Book now!

Join the ACA QLD/NT committee for a lunch presentation and panel discussion focused on construction cost volatility and the future economic outlook. Book now to reserve your place.

Join the ACA QLD/NT on Tuesday 28 February for a special presentation and site tour of the Potter Building Adaptive Reuse Project at the All Hallows School in Brisbane.

In 2022, the QLD/NT branch committee were delighted to get back to doing what they do so well – providing interesting and topical face to face events, networking opportunities and bringing people back together for some much-missed in-person interactions.

The QLD/NT Committee is hosting a lunch forum on Wednesday 24 August on The Client Brief and Managing Your Fees. Join guest speakers Lawrence Toaldo from Conrad Gargett, Mark Williams from Mark Williams Architects and Darren Cardy from Ashburner Francis, with moderator David Brian from dwp Architects.

Don’t miss the next AMWF online session on Wednesday 27 July on Mental Health in the construction industry. Join us for an important discussion with Jorgen Gullestrup, who led the development of the MATES in Construction program.

QLD/NT President Gilda Donegan provides a recap of the first six months of 2022, where the branch committee has continued to learn to be adaptable.

The QLD/NT Committee thanks their outgoing members and introduces four new members – Ben Madden, Mark Kennedy, Justine Ebzery and Adam Perrier. Welcome to all!

The Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum QLD/NT is running an online session on Thursday 5 May on rethinking leadership with a view to improving the wellbeing and contribution of all in practice.

Did you miss our recent Specification seminar? The ACA has developed a two-part seminar on ‘how to write specifications’ in conjunction with Greg Blain. It’s a critical skill for architectural practices. Now available for a discounted price as CPD On Demand.

Join the ACA QLD/NT on Tuesday 22 February to discuss key industry priorities for regional architects. Don’t miss it!

Fulton Trotter Director Justine Ebzery says that Zoom and lockdown fatigue is real, and keeping up morale and maintaining motivation and energy levels through so much COVID uncertainty has been a key focus.

The QLD/NT Committee’s Trivia Night has had to be postponed, but it’s not too early to start prepping with practice-based trivia sessions.

Immediate Past President of the ACA QLD/NT Robert Wesener provides a comprehensive update of the ACA’s advocacy efforts in Queensland.

The ACA QLD/NT will host a special lunch in Darwin for members and non-members on 17 February. Keep an eye on your inboxes for more details.

QLD/NT Committee member Denis Waring shares his pandemic experiences as Principal of PW Architecture, and the need to prioritise people through challenging times.

Join the ACA – QLD/NT and Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang on Wednesday 2 February to discuss key industry priorities for the year ahead.

It’s been a busy year for the QLD/NT branch with a full event calendar, a continuation of ongoing advocacy discussions with local governments, and a focus on engagement with the regions.

Conrad Gargett HR Manager and AMWF member Brooke Tranberg outlines some of the practice’s wellbeing initiatives, including in-house Social and Wellbeing Committees, a well-promoted EAP, open conversations about mental health, and a pre-COVID all-company Archi-Tour to foster connection.

Popular wellbeing initiatives for Fulton Trotter have included Wellness Wednesday, a formal EAP, Zoom drinks, yoga and art classes, and a little ‘lockdown love’, says FT Director and Chair of the AMWF QLD/NT Justine Ebzery.

On Wednesday 8 September, the QLD/NT branch will run the first in a Q&A series with prominent architects, this time with Lindsay and Kerry Clare. Don’t miss it. Book now!

The popular annual Risky Business webinar, held in July 2021, featured expert speakers offering legal, insurance and practitioner insights on how to actively manage risk in practice.

QLD/NT President Gilda Donegan provides a recap of the first six months of 2021, a period where the key themes were to learn, change and adapt!

On Wednesday 23 June, the Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum (QLD/NT) will host a special online discussion on wellbeing in the profession with Monica Edwards and Brett Hudson from the Champions of Change Coalition.

The ACA – QLD/NT branch committee is hosting a lunch forum on the National Construction Code on Wednesday 26 May with guest speaker Michael Moran.

Last month, the QLD/NT branch committee organised a site tour of the seven-storey Science Learning Centre at the Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Ray Giarola provides a recap.

The QLD/NT Committee provides a branch update for March, with a welcome to new members, a new CPD webinar series, a review of the recent trivia night, and a look at the Jobsupport program used by Populous.

The small, busy team at Susan Dugdale and Associates have found that reputation and relationships are key when working in a remote regional location like Alice Springs.

The QLD/NT Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum provides an update on recent activities, their plans for the year and an invitation to get involved.

The Studio Director of GHDWoodhead in Queensland, Gilda Donegan, is our new QLD/NT Branch President. Congratulations Gilda! 

Join the ACA – Qld/NT Committee and Quiz Master Robert Wesener for the 2021 Trivia Night on 26 February.

The QLD/NT branch offers a summary of an extremely busy year, with a full event schedule and many priority issues to address through their advocacy.

Having succession planning in place with a contingency is critical to the survival of your business. Join the ACA on Tuesday 6 October 2020 for a special presentation on Succession Planning from Daniel Orrell from Planned Life Cover.

Justine Ebzery reflects on the need for targeted funding for new public housing, public schools and community health infrastructure, with adequate resources for design and planning.

The 2020 Risky Business webinar covers common legal issues for architectural practices, with lawyer John Moore and Planned Cover manager Karen Meiklejohn.

The QLD/NT Committee has focused on promoting the value of architects, industry engagement with representation on several committees, and a diverse program of events.

Could you have a better understanding of the National Construction Code? The ACA is offering a CPD training course on 12 and 26 May in conjunction with Philip Chun to upskill architects in respect to using the NCC for Commercial Buildings.

Working remotely can be challenging and disruptive, and requires realistic expectations and a flexible approach, says Charmaine Kai of Brisbane-based practice 8i Architects.

As Queensland prepared for lockdown, Cairns-based practice People Oriented Design worked on strategies with health, wellbeing and the long-term financial sustainability of the practice firmly in mind.

For BVN, the transition to all staff working from home has been ‘seamless’. The ease of the move is an outcome of already having robust flex systems in place, a commitment to open honest communication, and a focus on health and wellbeing.

Justine Ebzery outlines the steps Fulton Trotter has taken in response to COVID-19 so far, including clear, regular communication to clients and employees, transitioning to more work from home arrangements, and a focus on patience and kindness.

The QLD/NT branch’s latest update includes the recent vertical school site tour, the 2020 event calendar, advocacy, CPD, committee members and corporate partners.

The QLD/NT Calendar for 2020 is once again jampacked with events, from lunch forums to panel discussions, site tours and trivia nights.

Join the ACA - QLD/NT committee and guest speaker Bronwyn Weir for a special lunch presentation in Brisbane on Thursday 5 March on the architect’s role in industry reform. Book now for this unmissable event.

The ACA - Qld/NT committee had another busy year, with two surveys, an extensive calendar of events and increased membership and expansion of sponsorship.

Join the QLD/NT Committee and Sandra Browne and Qui Lu from Cottee Parker for a site tour of Gallery House in Hamilton on 12 November.

Book now for the Qld/NT branch committee's next lunch presentation on 18 October, when three guest speakers will discuss their digital journeys and the benefits of keeping on top of new tech.

Join the ACA - Qld/NT Committee and Quiz Master Robert Wesener for the 2019 Dinner and Trivia Night on Friday 25 October.

Our Qld/NT branch update includes recent events, advocacy initiatives, education research and a couple of Save the Dates.

On 29 August, the ACA - QLD/NT Committee will conduct an important forum covering the architects' role, skills and management, fragmentation of the procurement process and fee-cutting.

As the end of the financial year approaches, QLD/NT Branch President Robert Wesener provides an update on the Committee's goals for the coming year.

Darwin-based practice Jackman Gooden Architects prides itself on its success in collaborative projects, aligning with other local and interstate architects, specialist consultants and design-oriented building contractors.

In 2018, HHH Architects celebrated its 40th anniversary on the Gold Coast, an opportune time to reflect on past achievements, succession planning and the challenges ahead.

Ongoing strategic planning helps Fulton Trotter create a road map for future business development opportunities, ensuring they stay relevant and working in the markets that will sustain their business.

The ACA - Qld/NT has a new branch President. Congratulations to Robert Wesener! Robert will also be taking on the role of ACA National Treasurer.

Thanks to Mark Williams for his hard work and commitment.

ACA - Qld/NT President Mark Williams reflects on a year full of events and activity.