QLD/NT Branch Update EOFY 2024
The QLD/NT Committee has been busy with events in recent months, with two site tours, two AMWF events (on Burnout and Managing Conflict) and two Business of Small Practice (BoSP) get-togethers 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 QLD/NT Committee’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant community among practice owners in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Through regular events, site tours and networking opportunities, we foster connections and professional growth for our members and corporate partners throughout the year.
EVENTS
AMWF – Managing Burnout
We started the year with a fantastic AMWF Lunch Seminar on Managing Burnout with Clinical Director of North Brisbane Psychologists, Dr Rachel Hannam. Through AMWF events, information and networking, the QLD/NT Committee aims to build a healthier, happier and more supportive architectural community.
Site Tour – National Rugby Training Centre
In March we had our first site tour of the year at the National Rugby Training Centre in Herston, Brisbane, designed by Blight Rayner Architecture. The Training Centre is a significant project for the practice and is home to the Australian Wallaroos women’s rugby team and the Queensland Reds men’s and women’s teams. It is designed to recapture the community spirit for which Ballymore was once famous, and is remarkable for being brought in for its $31.5 million construction budget.
Site Tour – Danala, Darwin
In May, the QLD/NT Committee conducted an insightful site tour of the Danala | Charles Darwin University. The tour was led by Rob McCray from Mode Design, who provided an insightful overview of the project’s history on the day. It was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to explore innovative architectural designs and learn from industry experts.
Many of the spaces are nearly complete, with administrative areas set to be occupied in the coming months and teaching spaces scheduled for term 3 or 4. The large internal and external atrium spaces, which will be publicly accessible, will be a delightful and welcome addition to Darwin’s built environment. All too often, our scarce public spaces are value-managed out of the artful realm.
We concluded our mid-day excursion with lunch at the café, looking across Cavenagh Street to the busy construction site.
BoSP Brisbane Launch
The Business of Small Practice (BoSP) series was launched in Brisbane in June, a highly engaging evening attended by 50 practitioners from small practice. The event was hosted by Rebecca Caldwell (Maytree Studios) with special guest Kate Fitzgerald (Whispering Smith), Vice-President of the WA Committee and founder of the BoSP series. These casual events offer small practice owners a chance to meet, connect, share experiences and listen to a range of excellent speakers. Live music, festoon lights, drinks, warming bowls of soup, sour cream and bacon croutons set the scene for Queensland practitioners to meet, connect, share experiences and listen to some wise words from Kate Fitzgerald. Elise Robertson from Weave Architecture has written an excellent recap.
The second QLD/NT BoSP event was on 9 August and featured Warwick Mihaly from Mihaly Slocombe talking about Fees, Profit and Tracking your Business Metrics.
Keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming events.
Effective Conflict Management Seminar
In June the QLD/NT Committee hosted the AMWF Lunch Seminar on Effective Conflict Management at the offices of Populous Architects. The session was once again presented by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Rachel Hannam. The seminar offered valuable insights into conflict resolution strategies, enhancing the skills of our attendees in managing workplace challenges.
Stay tuned for more exciting events and opportunities to connect with your peers. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming gatherings!
ADVOCACY PLAN OF ACTION
The ACA QLD/NT Committee is excited to launch a new advocacy initiative and has engaged Robert Wesener as our advocacy representative.
Our focus is on ensuring we have a long-term sustainable architectural industry, based on the issues highlighted in the survey of our ACA members. Robert is a retired former Director of Fulton Trotter Architects and a past president of the ACA QLD/NT Committee. He serves on the Board of Architects Qld as well as being a member of the AIA Qld Chapter Practice Committee, making him well placed to represent our industry and the challenges we all need to address collectively.
We will be releasing an Advocacy Strategy and Action Plan shortly and invite continual feedback from our members on advocacy issues as well as opportunities to further develop the business of architecture and the future of our profession.
LEADERSHIP CHANGES
We are thrilled to introduce our new committee members and leadership team (you can Meet the QLD/NT Committee here). We warmly welcome Brett Hudson as the new President of ACA QLD/NT. Joining him are Adam Perrier as Vice President, Denise Waring as Secretary, and Mark Williams as Treasurer. Gilda Donegan will continue to support the team in her role as Immediate Past President.
We are also delighted to announce new committee members: Rebecca Caldwell, Cara Phillips and Jo Reeves. They join continuing committee members Ben Madden and Mark Kennedy. Our dynamic team is poised to lead ACA QLD/NT into an exciting future.
Please join us in welcoming our new leaders and committee members as they embark on this new chapter.
THANK YOU
We gratefully thank Gilda Donegan for her role as President over the last four years. Gilda has represented the interests of ACA members at many levels of government and industry. We look forward to her continuing to foster these relationships and outcomes for our profession.
Also, we extend our 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!
CORPORATE PARTNERS
We are delighted to welcome Stratco as the newest addition to our valued Corporate Partners within the ACA QLD/NT community.
Their inclusion strengthens our network and enhances the collective expertise that defines our association. We look forward to a successful partnership that drives growth, innovation and mutual success.