QLD/NT 2022 Update
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.
Highlights
In 2022 QLD/NT Committee welcomed four new members for the next term and saw the departure of some longstanding members. With the easing of restrictions, we were able to yet again provide interesting, topical face to face events, networking opportunities and much-missed in-person interactions. Our commitment to the AMWF continued in 2022 with both face-to-face events and webinars, embracing difficult topics and vital toolkits to help tackle this issue. The ACA QLD/NT’s commitment to regional practices and individuals has never been stronger, with two new committee members – Mark Kennedy (Townsville) and Adam Perrier (Hervey Bay) as key representatives of regional Queensland.
Events
From January to December 2022, we have resumed face-to-face events as well as a series of webinars, including the Salary Survey findings, enabling us to reach members throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory and nationally. This year’s program has included:
- The 2022 ACA National Salary Survey was completed and the key findings from the survey were delivered in a national CPD webinar in May, followed by the full report, which was published on our website in July.
- The Trivia Night was attended by a record number of members and Corporate Partners, and the Deep Knowledge Award Winners for 2022 were Populous and Macquarie Bank (combined table). A special thanks to Robert Wesener (Previous ACA QLD/NT Branch President) as Trivia Master, who was a masterful host yet again.
- The site tour of the newly completed Thomas Dixon Centre (new home of the Queensland Ballet) was a very popular event (see photos below). The tour showcased the work of Conrad Gargett and gave attendees a behind the scenes view of both the completed project and dance rehearsals of the Corps de Ballet.
- This year’s lunch forums included Designing for The Circular Economy (May), presented by Michael Eales, Partner of Business Models Inc; and The Client Brief and Managing Your Fees (August), a lively panel discussion by special guests Lawrence Toaldo (Conrad Gargett), Mark Williams (Mark Williams Architects) and Darren Cardy (Ashburner Francis).
- Our two virtual roundtable discussions this year were a discussion on priorities for regional architects, and an interview with Leah Lang, Queensland Government Architect.
- Our annual Risky Business webinar covered pertinent issues such as limit of liabilities from sub-consultants, government contracts and unlimited liability, cladding claims, water claims (flood advice) and the issue of noise (including flight paths). If you missed this popular webinar, it is now available as CPD On Demand to watch at your leisure.
- Our National Partner, Macquarie Bank, hosted a breakfast event – Navigating the Changing Economic Landscape for the Built Environment.
- Our sponsors were recognised at our Corporate and National Partners’ Breakfast event held in November and we would like to thank them for their continued support.
AMWF
The ACA QLD/NT association with the AMWF continued in 2022 with webinars containing practical information to support mental wellbeing within the profession. Notable highlights this year included Jorgen Gullestrup, Chair of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and founder of MATES in Construction. He spoke passionately about his lived experience and focused research about issues of mental health in the construction industry and suicide prevention strategies. Georgia Henry, CEO of Henry Reed, presented the insightful and thought-provoking topic of Rethinking Leadership. The Australian version of the AMWF toolkit has been developed and promoted nationally. AMWF Queensland convenor and ACA QLD/NT Committee member Justine Ebzery will lead a new program of webinars and activities for 2023.
Regional Queensland & Northern Territory
The ACA QLD/NT commitment to regional members continued in 2022 with our QLD / NT Virtual Roundtable discussion on Priorities for Regional Architects, held in February. We are planning an exciting site tour in 2023 of the James Cook University Technology Innovation Centre in Townsville, so stay tuned for more details early next year.
Corporate Partners
This financial year the ACA QLD/NT was delighted to welcome two new Corporate Partners – Armstrong Ceilings and ArcPanel. We would like to thank all our partners for their ongoing support and their commitment to the ACA into 2023 and beyond – Alspec, Ashburner Francis, Caroma, Geberit, Interface Australia, Laminex, Kennedy’s Timbers and Stokes Wheeler. Thanks also to one of our longstanding branch partners, Assa Abloy, who has recently transitioned to a national partner.
Advocacy
The ACA QLD/NT has continued to build strong relationships with the Office of the Queensland Government Architect (OQGA), the Australian Institute of Architects and the Board of Architects Queensland and Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW), with formal meetings convened and chaired by Leah Lang, OQGA.
The Committee has continued its representation on the following:
- Office of the Queensland Government Architect – Gilda Donegan
- AACA Expert Reference Group – Charmaine Kai
- Pathway to Registration Project – Denis Waring
- AIA Practice Committee – Brett Hudson
Kudos
We would like to thank each of the QLD/NT Committee members for their ongoing support throughout the year.
- Gilda Donegan – President – GHDWoodhead
- Brett Hudson – Vice-President, AMWF – Peddle Thorp
- Charmaine Kai – Treasurer/Education – 8i Architects
- Denis Waring – Secretary/Education – PW Architecture
- Ben Madden – Industrial Relations – Cottee Parker Architects (NEW)
- Adam Perrier – Membership – Bloc Design (NEW)
- Mark Williams – Corporate Partners – Mark Williams Architects
- David Brian – Events – dwp
- Justine Ezbery – AMWF – Fulton Trotter (NEW)
- Steven Huntingford – NT Representative – Huntingford Architecture
- Mark Kennedy – Regional – Counterpoint Architecture (NEW)
We currently have 124 members in Queensland and the Northern Territory and are continuing to grow. Next year we look to further embrace the regional areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory, with the support of our regional committee members, extending our engagement, growing the membership and collaborating to strengthen the profession.
Best wishes for a very happy Christmas and prosperity in 2023!
Gilda Donegan
President, ACA QLD/NT Branch