It was great to finally get a good storm so late in the season this weekend and let’s hope there are more to come as we enter summer this year. Lake Cootharaba put on some big airs while racing in this year’s Monomasters sailing regatta!
On Tuesday 3 Dec 2019, I attended the latest Ministerial Construction Council meeting with Phil Follent and had a big win. I argued for the need for a review of the leadership/governance competencies of the project management sector and was successful in the Minister setting up a subcommittee to review this important issue. I will release more information about this issue soon.
Currently, we have two outstanding candidates putting their hands up to support the profession, so please get out, find your member number/password and vote. Both Michael Lavery and Liam Proberts look ‘up’ for the challenge with our new State Manager, Alice-Anne McRobbie, getting a handle on all the issues (she just needs to get some more support staff with the ‘stork’ making regular visits to Chapter HQ!).
Alice-Anne skilfully organised a planning day on the 27 Nov 2019 with all our Chapter Council, committee and regional representatives, so we are looking forward to a well-curated year of events with us focusing on quality vs quantity! EmAGN and SONA were well represented and vocal, so we look forward to their plans in 2019. There was also time for Lindy Johnson to run a valuable session on social media, advocacy and submission writing with our regional representatives the following day.
I had the privilege to address with Alice-Anne our yearly meeting with the energetic Architects Small Practice Group and answer many of the questions put to us over a bite to eat. It was great to see the passion these members have for the Institute, and we appreciate their feedback on how we can best represent the small and sole practitioner cohort.
The recent 100 years of Architectural Education function was a real ‘hoot’ and a wonderful night to celebrate at QUT’s Room 360 and mix with so many alumni. Three cheers to Cameron Bruhn and U of Q for flying the flag! (U of Q architecture started down at the Gardens Point campus).
I also attended the recent National Awards and National Council, which went very well. Several important issues came out of NC
- We need to use our chapter staff more effectively to ensure our organisation can run in the ‘black’ and spending more energy on external advocacy for our profession.
- Our members across the country need to work more constructively and co-operatively with our valuable Institute staff to keep them energised and motivated to serve the great cause of architecture (we have had way too many incidents of staff being treated poorly by members and we need to ‘clean up’ our game as a profession when working with our administrative staff).
- On a positive note, we had a win for our Gold Coast membership by successfully getting the Tweed Shire Region reincorporated into the Gold Coast awards system with so many of our Queensland members with great projects just across the border!
- Our new incoming Chapter President will need to continue to work hard on National Council with Alice Hampson to maintain the integrity of our regional awards program in Queensland. It can be seen by other states as full of anomalies and inconsistencies that don’t quite fit in with the national framework!
- The EmAGN crew are also in for some great news in 2020 with a significant reduction in fees for this cohort entering the profession!
Lastly, we end the year with a big bang at the Princess Theatre with the EmAGN Summer Party on 12 Dec 2019 and I look forward to seeing many of you there to celebrate the year that was. From all accounts, it has been a tough one for many of our members!
I wish you all a happy, relaxing and safe Christmas break (if you can get one).
Paul Trotter
