Belinda, in her first Chair’s Report, summarised the NSW Section’s activities over the last twelve months. It had been another challenging year with the continued disruption of the pandemic in our lives. Despite the distraction that the pandemic presented, the NSW Section persevered with a full program of technical presentations and the return of SMIX Bash.
All technical presentations in 2021 were held jointly with the IMarEST (ACT & NSW Branch) as video-conference webinars, with four hosted by Engineers Australia and the remaining five by RINA. Attendances varied between 156 for Eric Desjardin’s presentation on Construction of Advanced Composite Racing Yachts, and 12 for Pier Nissotti’s presentation on Application of Intershield 6GV to a Royal Australian Navy Flight Deck, with an average of average 82, which far exceeds our long-term average of 28 for face-to-face meetings at the Engineers Australia Chatswood venue.
2021 saw the return of SMIX Bash, albeit with reduced numbers due to pandemic restrictions. The 21st SMIX (Sydney Marine Industry Christmas) Bash was held on Thursday 2 December 2021 aboard the beautifully-restored James Craig alongside the North Wharf, Darling Harbour, from 1730 to 2130 and, despite restricted numbers, was another outstanding success. Thanks must go to the Organising Committee and the sponsors who supported the event because, without them, the “Bash” could not happen. In what has been a difficult year for many industries, it was particularly promising to see so many new sponsors supporting the event this year. SMIX Bash this year came in with a small surplus, which we have shared with the IMarEST. Our share of surpluses obtained from our social activities over the years is used to enhance our Section activities, including a “thank you” bottle of wine for our technical presenters. In addition to the bottle of wine, a Certificate of Appreciation is also given to each presenter.
Looking ahead to 2022, we anticipating a return to face-to-face meetings as soon as possible in a COVID-safe manner. We already have a diverse schedule of technical meetings planned for this year. We have the Indo Pacific 2022 International Maritime Conference and Exhibition in May which is a fantastic celebration of our industry’s achievements, and RINA will have a stand at the Exhibition.
Adrian Broadbent presented the Treasurer’s Report. As at 31 December 2021 (the close of our financial year), we had a balance of $5040.36 in the Section account. This is a small change from last year due to our meetings being conducted on-line to meet pandemic restrictions for all of 2021 and, hence, minimal meeting costs incurred.
SMIX Bash is funded separately through the Social account which currently has a healthy balance which allows us to plan for SMIX 2022 and to support the NSW members, mainly for additional catering at the technical meetings (when we can have them) and presentation gifts to our speakers. SMIX 2021 was held successfully, albeit with reduced numbers due to pandemic restrictions. Our sponsors continued to generously support the event and we achieved a small surplus, equally split between RINA NSW Section and IMarEST ACT & NSW Branch.
There is a number of changes to the NSW Committee for 2022. Jason Steward has resigned from the Committee and from RINA, due in part to the pressure of other things. All other committee members have agreed to serve for a further term in their current positions. Jason was our Secretary and an elected member of the Australian Division Council when he resigned; Greg Byrne has stepped up into the position of Secretary, and John Butler has been elected to the Australian Division Council.
New nominations for the Committee were subsequently called for and, as a result, Ehsan Khaled and Lauren Stotz have been elected. As a result, we now have eleven members on the Committee.
The NSW Section is also represented on the Australian Division Council by Craig Boulton as Treasurer and John Butler.
The NSW Section Committee for 2022 is as follows:
Chair ) Belinda Tayler
SMIX Bash Committee Chair )
Deputy Chair ) Phil Helmore
TM Program Coordinator and Website )
Treasurer ) Adrian Broadbent
Nominee to AD Council )
Secretary Lauren Stotz
Auditor David Wong
Members Craig Boulton
John Butler
Valerio Corniani
Ehsan Khaled
Molly McManus
Alan Taylor
