NATIONAL NEWS

Queensland Government Architect
The Queensland Government is advertising for a new Government Architect to fill the position vacated by Prof. Michael Keniger LFRAIA. At a time of almost unprecedented activity in the construction industry, the position will offer a significant challenge. Applications are invited, as are nominations of suitable candidates. The RAIA will participate in the selection process.

The Queensland Department of Public Works on behalf of the Queensland Government wishes to appoint a dynamic Queensland Government Architect. The professional appointed will be renowned for their creative leadership and capacity to inspire others.

In this unique role in Queensland, the appointee will, among other things, provide advice and support for a sustainable built environment through the encouragement of innovative design in public buildings and urban precincts, and have input to design solutions and competitions associated with future government building projects in Queensland.

In many ways, the appointee will personally navigate the future intellectual outcomes of the role.

There is maximum flexibility as to how the successful appointee might approach this role from a full time perspective to a part time approach that the individual aspirant for the position might like to outline in their application.

Further, the Queensland Government would welcome suggestions from interested parties as to any appropriate professional who they believe could discharge the responsibilities of this role with distinction.

Remuneration packaging for this exciting role will be flexible and designed to be attractive to a highly motivated candidate.

Enquiries from interested persons may be directed to Mr Max Smith, Deputy Director-General (Works), Department of Public Works on telephone (07) 3224 4574 or at max.smith@publicworks.qld.gov.au.

Role description and further details are available at publicworks.qld.gov.au

Applications close Monday 31 March 2008.

Tune in to By Design this Saturday
ABC Radio National's ‘By Design’ program on Saturday March 15 will feature an interview with the RAIA Gold Medallist, Richard Johnson, at 9am. RAIA immediate-past president, Carey Lyon, is also a guest and will discuss new ways of thinking about collaboration with presenter Alan Saunders.

An exemplary employer
The RAIA has been recognised with a Compassionate Employer Award by The Compassionate Friends (TCF) for support offered to a staff member in Victoria following the deaths of her sister in 2001 and brother in 2007. “One of the RAIA’s objectives is to be respected as an exemplar employer, for establishing patterns of behaviour that are commendable,” said Elizabeth Raut, manager, RAIA Victoria. “Compassion is an understanding of the emotional state of another and we would be negligent in our duty of care as an employer if we did not recognise this state within our staff and to take action to reduce the intensity of their pain.”

TCF is a self-help organisation supporting bereaved parents and siblings. The Victorian staff member nominated the RAIA for showing her extra care and compassion. The award is assessed on six criteria:
1. Employer who has personally supported you in your bereavement.
2. Those who arranged for additional time off, beyond the familiar three days breavement leave
3. Those who provided support services and/or time off, eg to obtain counselling or seek a support group
4. Caring attitude and ability to empathise demonstrated by employer’s entire workforce
5. Those who showed flexibility in work assignments and evaluation of job performance during the stress and personal pain associated with the death of a loved one
6. Other acts of compassion that the bereaved will remember forever.

“I honour and praise The Compassionate Friends organisation for assisting our employees and employers such as the RAIA, to help people at times of their greatest need. Compassionate Friends is an organisation doing outstanding work and we are proud to be recognised as a partner of this world-wide family caring for one another,” Ms Raut said.

Special Virgin Atlantic rates for members
Exclusive to RAIA members is the Virgin Atlantic offer of special corporate rates between Sydney, London and Hong Kong. The special rates are offered in two of Virgin Atlantic’s distinct cabins – Premium Economy and Upper Class – and are available for members (and their friends and family) traveling to key international events including the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale. Fully flexible Upper Class return flights to London start from just $7479. For details of the special rates, please visit the Corporate Partners page on the RAIA website.

Book Virgin to Venice for a Vernissage pass
To celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s special corporate rates offer to RAIA members, the first 100 RAIA members to book with Virgin Atlantic will receive an exclusive Vernissage pass to the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale. The vernissage period is September 11-13 (the exhibition will be open to the public September 14 - November 23). Simply book your Virgin Atlantic flights through Travel Associates or Virgin Atlantic online. If you’ve made your own booking, email your flight receipt to venice.biennale@raia.com.au so we can ensure you don’t miss out on a Vernissage pass. Click here to find out more.

Virgin Atlantic is a supporting corporate partner of the RAIA. More information about Australia’s presence at the Venice Biennale and Travel Associates is available at architecture.com.au/venicebiennale. Also, be sure to visit the official Venice Biennale website labiennale.org/en/architecture

Sign up for Earth Hour
The RAIA has signed up in support of Earth Hour, a global event where individuals and organisations around the world will turn off their lights for one hour on March 29 at 8pm. To participate and for more information, visit: earthhour.org.