Vic/Tas Branch Update – December 2023
The Vic/Tas branch has had a rewarding year of advocacy and events, and continues to lead the ongoing work of the industrial relations sub-committee and development of the ACA business toolbox. Here’s a snapshot of priorities, activity and action in 2023!
ADVOCACY
Advocacy has been a major focus for our branch this year and we have strengthened our relationships with government, the opposition, and colleagues in the built environment. Our goals have been to influence good outcomes for our members across industry and planning reforms, tender processes, and construction programs. Where possible, we liaise with other architectural bodies and speak on issues with a united voice.
This year, we have held regular meetings with the following groups – the VBA and building industry representatives, the minimum documentation standards working group, the ARBV and Consult Australia. Some of our committee participated in the ARBV/NSW ARBV focus groups on system risks in the architecture sector and also attended the ARBV Centenary Panel Discussion event.
Committee member and regional architect, Brad Hooper, has been particularly vocal on key issues including the Housing Australia Future Fund and Victorian government’s regional worker accommodation package. Brad has connected with the Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and led a solutions focused submission highlighting the delays in Council planning processes. Brad has also joined the ACA’s national Regional Practice Working Group.
Branch President Paul Viney has been working with Kirsten Day and Dr Peter Raisbeck from the Melbourne Design School and advisor Peter Lochert, to promote cross industry conversation on building reform and procurement methods through ‘The Future of Building’ event series. A recap on the recent ‘Procurement, Quality and Urban Equity’ event is coming soon and a recording and recap of the July event, ‘Victoria’s Future Cities, Suburbs and Building Reforms’ is available now.
ACA TOOLBOX, PROGRAMS & IR
The Vic/Tas branch has always led the development of the ACA’s member toolbox. This year we have overseen an update to our Salary Calculator and are in the process of testing a new version of the Time Cost Calculator Guide. Stay tuned for the release date!
Committee member and IR Committee Chair, George Theodoridis has led the development of the ACA Short Form Architect Consultant Agreement (non back-to-back) and the revised ACA Secondment Agreement. This second contract now sits as a standalone document outside of the now retired ACA Resource Sharing System. George also coordinated the introduction of the updated competencies to the Architects Award.
George and committee member Kirby Roper teamed up with our ACA Membership Coordinator, Sascha Byrne, to launch the ACA’s Employee Assistance Program back in March. The EAP has continued to gain members throughout the year, with over 40 practices and 750 staff using the service.
We are delighted that the number of regional members continues to grow, and we aim to provide relevant resources, practical information and advocacy to support thriving regional practices across Australia. Get in touch with Michelle Eades if you’re interested in becoming involved.
EVENTS
The second half of the year has been busy!
We recently held our Christmas Drinks, kindly hosted by ACA partner, Macquarie. The event was well attended by members, industry guests and partners.
The branch organised an online CPD session on Regional Heritage Controls and Opportunities for Architects with speakers Brad Hooper, Mick Moloney and Anna Eaves, which was very well received.
The Architectural Administration and Accounting Group (AAAG) goes from strength to strength, with meetings attended by over 50 practice managers, accountants, finance managers, HR managers, business managers, general managers, and directors of practices. The meetings are informative and enjoyable, covering topics from BCorp certification to sexual harassment law, HR trends and office culture.
We recently ran an in-person lunch, panel presentation and discussion on Practice initiatives to build a better culture. This final event was co-hosted by Foreground Architecture and the Built Environment Channel (BEC). Our wonderful panel featured Gerard McCurry from Brand Architects, Courtney Smith from CHC, Jess Hyde from Foreground Architecture and Patrick Harrington from BEC. Thanks to the support of all of our guest speakers and AAAG members. If you are interested in attending a future meeting, please contact Katherine Ygosse.
Alongside ACA’s national team, we hosted this year’s ACA National Executive Committee meeting in Hobart, bringing branch representatives from around the country together for three days of planning and connection. We hosted a lunch with Tasmanian members, the AIA Tasmania Chapter and guest speaker, Palawa Elder, Rodney Dillon. You can read our recap here.
THANKS
Working Groups
Thank you to Brad Hooper, Annabelle Roper and Paul Viney for joining the national ACA sub-committees for Regional, Reconciliation Action Plan and University Engagement respectively. We would love to see some of our Tasmanian members on these committees. To volunteer or learn more, please contact Michelle Eades.
Branch Committee
Thanks to our VIC/TAS Committee for their ongoing commitment to the ACA and industry, and their work on behalf of our members:
- Paul Viney – President, University Engagement Working Group, Members Toolbox, Advocacy (FPPV Architecture)
- Daniel Haskell – Vice President (Haskell Architects)
- Kirby Roper – Secretary, Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum, EAP (Kirby Architects)
- Matthew Tence – Treasurer, AAAG (JCB Architects)
- George Theodoridis – Industrial Relations Sub-Committee, EAP (LAW Architects)
- Brad Hooper – Regional Practice Working Group, Advocacy (Brad Hooper Architecture)
- Richard Bryant (Bryant Alsop)
- Kel Greenway (KAG Architects)
- Sarah Bennett (Six Degrees)
- ex-officio members Jenine Birney (Lyons) and Brendan Shannon (Biuro Ailtiri)
- Katherine Ygosse – Executive Officer
The Committee values input and feedback and encourages all ACA members in Victoria and Tasmania to take our 2024 Survey.
Take our quick five-minute 2024 Advocacy and Event Planning survey today!
GET INVOLVED!
Our branch elections are just around the corner! If you would like to get more involved with the ACA, please get in touch with Katherine Ygosse. We are particularly looking for a member from Tasmania to join our committee. We want to keep informed on an ongoing basis on key issues and work together to provide needed support.