SA Branch Update EOY 2024
Advocacy, wellbeing and a strong events program have been a focus for the SA branch committee in the second half of 2024. Sascha Byrne and the SA committee review the highlights.
ADVOCACY
Justin Cucchiarelli and now Stewart Caldwell lead the advocacy efforts in the ACA SA Committee, dedicated to representing practices in our state when engaging with the Department for Industry and Transport (DIT). The ACA SA engages regularly with DIT, primarily through the DIT Commercial Construction Industry Forum (DCCIF), which includes peak bodies representing different parts of the construction industry, and a subgroup representing lead and secondary consultants. At a high level we are working with DIT to try and improve payment times, project timeframes, consistency across process, and scope and budget alignment. Justin discusses our recent advocacy work in South Australia in more detail here.
EVENTS
Business of Design Lunch
The Business of Design Lunch returned in August, offering a unique opportunity to hear prominent designers talking about their business. This year, the ACA Committee welcomed Clare Cousins as our guest speaker. Clare established her Melbourne practice, Clare Cousins Architects, in 2005. The studio is engaged in projects large and small including housing, workplace and cultural projects. Each project is an opportunity to explore what they value – a nuanced sense of place, embedded with a responsibility to the environment. Mario Dreosti and Simon Frost share their insights about Clare’s presentation.
“Clare Cousins is a leading example of how architectural practice is more than just design, or just business, but a successful blending of the two with a healthy dose of social and sustainable responsibility. Her commitment to practice and to the broader voice of architecture, and the reasoned and systemic way that she presents her approach, is engaging, energising and yet wonderfully practical.” Mario Dreosti, Brown Falconer and ACA SA Branch President
“It was great to hear Clare’s insights and stories on how she’s reached the point of understanding when to say ‘no’, and how to push oneself to say “yes”. Her passion around ensuring that we give back to the industry that supports us was great.” Simon Frost, Greenway Architects
Practice Managers Roundtable
Our Practice Managers lunches are still proving to be a valuable way for practice managers and directors to talk about topics that affect the successful running of an office.
JPE Design Studio hosted our latest lunch in October. It was a wonderful exchange of ideas and information around Quality Assurance and Workflow, plus Work From Home policies and flexibility in the workplace. Heather Spinelli of Architects Ink came to us with the idea for this session. I encourage anyone with an idea for our next lunch to get in touch. Everyone who attended the lunch has continued to keep in touch online and are having some interesting conversations. We look forward to hosting this enthusiastic group of individuals in 2025.
President’s Xmas Drinks
On Thursday 28 November, we hosted our annual President’s Xmas Drinks, this year with Mario Dreosti at the helm as SA Branch President. Casa Bla Bla did not disappoint, with a festive atmosphere, great food and drinks flowing.
Thank you to all our members who attended. We appreciate your continued support of the important work we do in South Australia.
INITIATIVES
Unfair Contracts
Earlier this year, new ACA SA Branch President Mario Dreosti and the SA Committee commissioned a contracts expert to write a comprehensive discussion paper on unfair contract terms for the ACA Business Toolbox. This valuable new resource was designed to assist members with their understanding of contracts. Written by lawyer, advisor and contracts expert Phillip Greenham, the comprehensive discussion paper covers everything from warranties, errors, variations, resourcing and time frames to novation, dispute resolution, proportionate liability, IP and moral rights.
St John’s Mental Health First Aid
Three years ago, a group of ACA members came together for the first St John’s Mental Health First Aid course offered by the ACA. The aim of the program was to extend the concept of first aid training to include mental health problems. Participants were empowered to provide better initial support to someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. We were then officially accredited Mental Health First Aiders.
On Tuesday 12 November this year, it was time for us to refresh our knowledge and understanding, allowing us to continue being accredited for another three years. Seven practices have committed to having a member of their practice trained in mental health first aid. This training improves knowledge, reduces stigmatising attitudes and increases first aid actions towards people with mental health problems. As the National Wellbeing Program Manager for the ACA, incorporating the AMWF and EAP, this course is invaluable for me. I feel I am better equipped to not only help our members when needed, but also my colleagues, friends and family.
The ACA, through the Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum (AMWF), is committed to the mental wellbeing of all architects and looks forward to offering a new course early next year.
PLANS FOR 2025
Save these dates!
BoSP – Business of Small Practice
Topics designed specifically for the small practice owner
Resource Sharing Roundtable
Join practice owners to talk about the opportunities and risks
Corporate Branding & Social Media
Join ROUSSOS Recruitment director, Anna Roussos for a discussion on how to effectively brand your business and utilise social media.
St Johns Mental Health First Aid Course
We will be taking expressions of interest early in 2025 for the next round of Mental First Health Aiders. Keep an eye out and register to take your wellbeing knowledge to the next level.
ACA SA COMMITTEE
The ACA SA Committee have worked hard this year to continue supporting the profession and improve conditions for practices. Below we recognise each of our committee members and their involvement in local and national working groups. Also head to our Meet the Committee page to read more about who they are and why they are involved with the ACA.
- Mario Dreosti (Brown Falconer), SA Branch President
National Treasurer, SA events, AIA/ODASA Liaison - Catherine Startari (GHD Design), SA Branch Vice President
State Sponsorship, Practice Board liaison, ACA Advocacy Working Group - Justin Cucchiarelli (Studio Nine Architects), SA Treasurer
DIT Commercial Construction Industry Forum (DCCIF), DCCIF Subconsultant Working Group - Kat Dujmovic (Katherine Anne Architect), SA Secretary
SA Events - Simon Frost (Greenway Architects)
Keith Neighbour Study Group Program Coordinator, Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum - Mark Berlangieri (Walter Brooke & Associates)
SA Events, UniSA Architecture Advisory Group - Susan Phillips (Phillip/Pilkington Architects)
Parlour liaison - Michael Hegarty (ARCH)
SA Events, ACA RAP Working Group - Stewart Caldwell (Russell & Yelland)
CPD, DCCIF BIM sub committee, ACA IR Committee - Richard Stafford (Design Inc)
State Sponsorship - Sascha Byrne
SA Executive Officer, National Membership and Wellbeing Programs Manager
THANKS JOHN!
We would particularly like to thank John Held, who has recently stepped down from the ACA SA committee as Branch President and as the ACA National President. John has been on the ACA SA Committee for 21 years and on the National Executive Committee for 12 years. He has worked tirelessly for the profession not only in South Australia but across the country and we thank him for his service and passion.
SPONSORS
The ACA SA Committee are grateful for and would like to thank our sponsors.
ROUSSOS Recruitment has been supporting the ACA since 2019 and will continue this support in 2025. We would like to thank Anna and her team for being a part of our community. Anna works hard to support the architecture and construction community, and we are grateful for her commitment.
Anna launched her first podcast series this year, Leading Large, in which she recruits a range of industry experts to discuss all things career, leadership and life. The podcast is designed to give rising talent the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and understand more about what it takes to be successful. You can access the episodes here.
Stratco joined the ACA as a platinum sponsor in 2024 and will continue to support the ACA in 2025. Earlier this year, Stratco offered advice to our members on the benefits of early engagement with material suppliers. Early engagement ensures that architects get the benefits of practical advice for material availability, constructability, warranty, locally sourced product, and cost estimating. Engaging early helps in understanding the supply chain, ensuring timely availability of materials and components, and preventing potential delays. Access their advice on the benefits here.
CTC supported the Keith Neighbour Study Group again in 2024. The program supports our graduates as they prepare for their Architectural Practice Examinations. The program had a 100% success rate for this year’s participants and we thank Chris and the team for their support.