2020 has been a remarkable year
for IPWEAQ. In the midst of a pandemic, we relocated to our impressive new
facilities in Eagle Farm, a sign of how far we’ve come in recent times. We also
delivered a net profit of $125,377 while other membership organisations across
Australia were delivering losses. In May, we reached a milestone 1,000 members,
the first of the seven entities in the IPWEA Group to achieve this.
And our Annual Conference held in
November this year was another successful event with 440 delegates gathering at
the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The COVID-19 Management Plan
had no effect on our enjoyment of the event and gratitude for being able to
gather again, although years from now, we will look back on the event photos and
wonder why everyone was standing apart.
While COVID-19 presented us with
challenges for this event, it also presented some unique opportunities for
example, we were able to host a State of Origin game night on Wednesday 11
November and to commemorate Remembrance Day.
The excellence awards gala dinner
and ceremony, held on the first night this year, again showcased what our
people achieve for Queensland communities. When one chooses a career in public
works, it is with a passion for making a difference.
And I was pleased to present the
2020 President’s Award to Dean Ostrofski from the City of Gold Coast for his
many years (almost 20) contributing to the Standard Drawings Working Group. The
IPWEAQ Standard Drawings, like all our technical solutions, are highly
respected and have over the years contributed to the standing and reputation of
the Institute. Contributions of members like Dean, leads to a far more
significant outcome than just the quality and relevance of the Standards
themselves. Dean continues on the Standard Drawings Working Group and has
since joined the Survey Standards. He is also the Chair of the CAD Standards
Working Group. Thank you, Dean, for your contributions to the Institute and to
our sector – it is much appreciated.
We were delighted to welcome Ray
Moore, President of IPWEAQ from 1974 to 1976 to the Annual Conference. Ray had
some words of advice for us including, “if you make a mistake, don’t try to
cover it up”. Ray also joined us at our offices in Eagle Farm to sit at the
head of the table in the Moore Boardroom named in his honour. At 94, Ray continues
to live independently in Toowoomba.
I have enjoyed my first year as
the 25th IPWEAQ President and look forward to what should be a very
busy year as we endeavour to secure our economy post-COVID with infrastructure
development across the state.
The President’s Breakfast 5
February will launch our 2021 program which will be very hectic with four
branch conferences between February and June, an Asset Management Symposium and
a Rural Roads Forum. Several new courses are also under development for launch
in the new year including a course for maximising the principles in the new
Street Design Manual.
Enjoy Christmas and the New Year and I
look forward to seeing many of you – in person and online – at the 2021 President’s Breakfast in February.
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