Western Australia Reports - November 2010

CCF WA congratulates inaugural president’s award winner
With thanks to principal sponsor WesTrac, the largest crowd of members and associates for some years gathered at the Sheraton on Friday 12 November to see the presentation of the inaugural President’s Award to Greg Murphy of Downer EDI Works.

Greg has made a significant and lengthy contribution to CCF WA, particularly concerning the civil construction industry’s liaison with Main Roads. His tireless work in this regard – involving many hundreds of hours on various committees and working groups - has made a tangible and positive difference to our small to medium sized contractors.

Greg served on the CCF WA board for several years, and held the role of honorary treasurer for part of the time. In selecting Greg for the award, the board also acknowledged the fact that his significant contribution continued well after he left the board. All agreed the timing of the award was fitting given Greg’s retirement from the industry later this year.

The Future Industry Leader’s Awards was presented to Mark Armstrong of Densford Civil. Mark joined Densford Civil from the steel industry only a few years ago but has made an immediate and positive impact for members. He spearheaded efforts to demonstrate to Main Roads the capabilities and capacity of R1 – R3 contractors. This has resulted in a commitment by Main Roads to ensure projects of this size are included each year. Mark was elected to the CCF WA board this year.

CCF WA was honoured to have ten of our 14 former presidents as special guests on the night. Each received a sketch portrait as a way of commemorating their service to CCF. An identical portrait will be displayed in the new CCF/Civil Train Skill Centre in Jandakot. In future all outgoing presidents will have their portrait added to the gallery.

President’s vision
CCF welcomes new president Mick Unger from Ertech (formerly vice president) and David Della Bona from WA Limestone as vice president. Paul Francis from Challenge Brick Paving continues as honorary treasurer.

Mick has included identifying and developing solutions for industry as one of the cornerstone aims of his term as president. He is assisting CCF WA to formalise standing sub-committees within all relevant government departments.

To date standing committees exist within Water Corporation (Urban Development Advisory Committee), Main Roads (WA Road Construction and Maintenance Industry Advisory Group and WARCMIAG Infrastructure Delivery Group) and Western Power (Strategic Reference Group and CCF-WP Liaison Group). Plans are well advanced for the establishment of a standing committee within LandCorp.

In addition, CCF WA will ensure that we have opportunities for the wider membership to input into each standing committee on an ongoing basis.

Mick will then assist CCF WA in forming a series of working groups to tackle issues that are identified in each of the standing committees. Already we have made significant headway with LandCorp with the development of guidelines for Aboriginal participation in civil construction.

Working groups are anticipated to be formed around key topics like safety and environment as well as one off opportunities that arise from time to time. As matters are resolved, working groups will disband, with members free to join new groups as they wish.

Cultural awareness training
We are adding cultural awareness training to our list of short courses. CCF WA recently provided training in Broome for Ertech which has proved valuable for site personnel.

If you are interested in having tailored cultural awareness training either on site or at our office, please contact Aidan O’Grady, GM Civil Train on 08 9240 5233 or aogrady@civilcontractors.com

South West expo
We are proud to support the first South West Member Expo aimed at bringing contractors and associates together. It will be held at MJB Industries in Australind on Friday 19 November from 3 – 7pm.

The Expo provides the opportunity for contactors to meet and celebrate the end of the year and for associate members to exhibit their goods and services in a relaxed and informal setting. Food, drinks and entertainment will be provided free of charge.
For those interested in attending or exhibiting, please contact CCF WA on 08 9240 5233.