Second half 2013 promises to be an active time for the Building Service Contractors’ Association of Australia’s Victorian branch with a number of training and networking initiatives scheduled. Keith Watts reports
BSCAA (Victoria) held its 2013 annual general meeting at a spectacular location on the Eureka Tower’s 89th floor mid-June. The new committee was announced together with a number of forthcoming events and training programs.
Following his opening address and welcome to BSCAA members and guests, Victorian president and national vice president George Stamas (GJK Facility Services) introduced the Victorian branch’s committee.
It comprises president George Stamas, vice president George Hallal (Secure Corp), treasurer Paul McCann (CMC Services), and supporting committee members Joe Kaplan (Kaplan Distributors), Stephane Fay’d herbe (CIA Group), Michael Ebejer (Elynwood Services), Matt Marsh (Sebastian Property Services) and Marina Juric (Border Cleaning Services).
Stamas recognised the efforts of Matthew Collings (Collings Property Services) in getting the BSCAA Tasmanian chapter up and running. He also stressed the importance of nurturing and helping new small businesses entering the industry. “We were all small businesses once ourselves,” he emphasised.
BSCAA Victoria executive director John Clohessey outlined the branch’s busy calendar of events. It is running two major industry training sessions in July and September covering topics such as Becoming web savvy, How to keep good customers, How to make smart super decisions, How to implement paperless operations management, Meet the buyer, Tendering skills, and Estimating – getting the price right and mistakes to avoid.
The branch is also hosting a networking breakfast at the Hilton On The Park on 28 August; an AFL Grand Final Luncheon at the MCG on 26 September; a Day At The Races at Caulfield on 16 October; and the Industry Awards and Christmas function at the Hilton On The Park on 6 December.
In a key presentation, EMA Consulting’s Ruth Frenzel brought members up-to-speed with Clean Start and the options open to members.
“We (EMA) have specialist knowledge of the cleaning industry and we bargain in good faith with the Government and unions,” explained Frenzel. She also advised BSCAA members to be alert and aware of the complex issues concerning unfair dismissals, adverse claims and other Tribunal matters.
Any businesses or organisations that have questions regarding Clean Start are advised to contact their state BSCAA office.
Another important presentation at the AGM was delivered by Australian Super’s Andrew Cooper who outlined to his audience changes to super and their implications.
