Farewell and Thank you 2024

3 July 2024

Our branch committees recently said goodbye to a number of departing committee members – people who had volunteered their time, energy and commitment to build resources, plan events, share knowledge and advocate for their colleagues in the industry. We thank each and every committee member for all their hard work and dedication.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

John Held

SA Branch President John Held (below far right) is stepping down from the SA Committee after 13 years as SA Branch President and many more years of service to the Committee. John will also step down as National President at the end of this year. It is hard to imagine the ACA without John, who has led, encouraged and inspired us all. John has worked incredibly hard to build a stronger, healthier, more equitable profession and we are forever grateful for his passion and tireless commitment.

John’s colleagues in South Australia had the following to say:

“John is a Director at Russell and Yelland Architects and has been in practice for 47 years. John has always encouraged a culture of sharing and learning and during his time as director he has always led by example and committed substantial personal effort towards advocacy for better professional practice. A Life Fellow of the AIA, John was both the National President of the Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) and Deputy Chair of the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF). He has been a convenor of the Pedagogy and Architecture Group, SA Collaborative Childhood Project and held memberships in various international organisations dedicated to the development of pedagogy. Highly decorated, John has received more than a dozen domestic and international awards. For his career commitment to the twin advancements of the education sector and the profession of architecture, John was also awarded the Sir James Irwin President’s Medal by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2017.”— Stewart Caldwell

“John has been a brilliant president and during his tenure has taken ACA SA from an organisation that existed because it had to, with a small membership, to an organisation that is united nationally, is highly respected, is consulted as an authority on matters of architecture, and enjoys a membership list covering most practices in this state. That has been an enormous effort that should be recognised. This, of course, does not detract from the efforts of all in the committee and Sascha Byrne for the enthusiasm and commitment to the betterment of a great organisation.” — Graham Hardy

 

David Kilpatrick

I joined the committee in October 2015 following an invitation from John Held.

Apart from the comradery of fellow members, interesting chats about steamboats or building houses with an oily rag, great nibbles at meetings, perhaps the best thing about committee work is the sense of supporting other practices.   I could stay up to date with legislation, access the resource-filled website, but also provide a conduit to additional information on practice matters.  The knowledge-base built from being part of the committee allowed me to provide mentoring or (more often) suggest wiser people to speak to.

There is a sense of impact that is difficult to achieve as a sole practitioner.  Advocacy work at high levels of government has made many important, albeit sometimes small and gradual changes for the betterment of members and advancement of good architecture and planning.  It was exciting to be part of the group that developed the Learning Environments Opportunity Study which provided a starting point for state government schools to think strategically about longer term planning.  Unlike independent schools, progressive, considered, staged development, modification and repurposing in the State system is often at odds with the retrospective and emergency responses. Any forward planning seems so often to fall to expenditure deadlines and unrealistic budgets.  I hope that this LEOS initiative can be resurrected from the DfE in-tray one day.

I look forward to maintaining contact and staying up to date with colleagues (but mostly to grandparenting and gardening!) from my cosy nook in Auburn. Thanks to the ACA for allowing me to be part of its good work.

Kirsty Hewitt

It has been an honour to represent other small practice owners for the past several years while on the ACA Committee. I have enjoyed working with this collective of colleagues, who meet to discuss issues relevant to the business of architecture, and to develop tools and collate information to assist those running practices. The Committee atmosphere is very collegiate, and as a Director of a small practice it has been wonderful to gain insights into the issue facing medium and large practices in Adelaide. It has been fabulous to participate in supporting our industry through the excellent work of the ACA.

 

VICTORIA/TASMANIA

Kel Greenway

After almost 25 years with the ACA VIC/TAS committee, it’s time for Kel to say goodbye to us. We thank him for his unwavering commitment to the ACA and the architectural profession, having served as a loyal member of the Committee of Management and a member of the IR Sub-Committee. Members will recall during COVID Kel was always there at the end of the phone to have a chat and listen to your concerns. All the best as you embark on new and exciting journeys ahead in your retirement… A very big thank you from the VIC/TAS Committee.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ACA WA will soon look decidedly different with the retirement of three committee stalwarts, Malcolm Jones, David Gulland and Andrew Rogerson.

Malcolm Jones

Malcolm Jones has been a committee member since 2015 and was State President from 2018 to 2021. As a Director at Meyer Shircore, Malcolm was an important voice for large, West Australian-owned practices, and a valued mentor to many emerging directors.

ACA Vice President, Kate Fitzgerald said this about her time under Malcolm’s tutelage:

“Mal once said that mentoring is as much a gift for the mentor as it is for the mentee. I felt I had the better end of the deal, and over the journey, Mal has guided our chats with a question and a chuckle, and he remains my most jovial sounding board. I wish all directors could have a Mal-like champion in their corner, giving advice and a pat on the back for the invisible work of running and striving to improve their architecture businesses. The day Mal proudly introduced himself as a feminist while firing a sassy wink at me I realised I had underestimated not only his impeccable comedic timing but his capacity to listen and to take on new perspectives. As he told me at our first catch-up – that is something the best leaders and most generous mentors tend to do.”

David Gulland

David joined the WA committee in 2020. As a Principal at Hassell, he has offered valuable insights into the operations and business priorities unique to large-scale practices. David’s quiet observations have helped to shape the activities of our branch.  He has been a valued advocate for improving social conditions within the profession, particularly around equity and mental wellbeing. As a member of the Architects Board, and now Deputy-Chair, David has been a key conduit to this important organisation. He championed the ACA Prize for ABWA Registration, which raises the profile of the ACA amongst a younger cohort and celebrates the achievements of two students each year.

Andrew Rogerson

Andrew is a Senior Associate at COX Architecture and has been a committee member since 2020. Andrew has brought years of experience as a practice leader to the committee, offering sage advice and financial oversight. After joining the committee, Andrew was given the (unenviable) task of building our sponsorship income stream. He formed genuine relationships with many respected product suppliers, demonstrating our benefits and converting them to sponsors. This revenue has proved invaluable as we seek to provide an affordable service to the profession.

 

QUEENSLAND / NORTHERN TERRITORY

The QLD/NT Committee extends its gratitude to Charmaine Kai and Steven Huntingford, who are stepping down after their eight years of volunteer commitment to the ACA QLD/NT. We will miss you both greatly!

Charmaine Kai

Charmaine Kai is a co-director of Brisbane-based 8i Architects and project leader specialising in IVF Facilities. She has been the Treasurer and Education Committee member for the ACA QLD/NT and a standing panel member for the AACA Accreditation. Charmaine represented the ACA on the Expert Reference Group for the National Standards of Competency for Architects. During her time at the ACA, Charmaine and her team at 8i have not only won the Client Choice Awards but also the coveted annual Deep Knowledge Trivia Award!

Steven Huntingford

Steven Huntingford has been the Northern Territory representative for the ACA QLD/NT Committee for the last eight years. Thanks to Steven, the ACA was able to mark our presence in sunny Darwin with a number of engaging events over the years. We wish you well in all future endeavours!