Alastair
Hadley, President GAMAA, says "On behalf of the GAMAA members I welcome the new
scholars and wish them well in their studies. The GAMAA Leadership Programme is
designed to challenge and inspire participants. The scholarship
recipients will have the opportunity to select their own courses, and also
attend the GAMAA Leadership Workshops which have been expanded in 2008."

The
GAMAA Leadership Programme provides for a limited number of scholarships each
year. Since its inception 31 scholarships have been awarded including 27
full scholarships.

"Once
again we attracted a diverse group of highly motivated and enterprising
individuals from both the supplier and production sides of the industry making
the selection process difficult for the committee and demonstrating the calibre
of people we have working in our industry," said Samantha Crock, GAMAA
Education Manager. The selection committee comprises Samantha, GAMAA
Executive Director Karen Goldsmith and senior academic Peter Rose.
Selection is made via written application and interview.

On
notification of their scholarships, recipients had the following comments:

Adam
Newman, Ferag. "It is an immense honour to be accepted into the GAMAA
Leadership Programme. One of the things I find striking about the graphic arts
industry is that it truly does look after its own, and it is this internal
investment that ensures the human capital of the industry is the best it
possibly can be.

This
ethos only ensures that the industry will remain powerful, influential and
above all profitable. Without skilled stakeholders at all levels of the
industry, the threat of stagnation and demise looms large. It is initiatives
like the GAMAA Programme that enables the industry to succeed and move
forward. I am immensely looking forward to being a part of this new wave
of leadership."

Helen
Woods, Fairfax. "I was very excited by the news. For me personally this
programme creates an opportunity to be able to network with my peers and to be
able to share idea's and discuss issues with people who are ultimately on the
same journey as I am.

My
goal is to climb to the summit and to take as many others with me as
possible. The GAMAA Programme opens the door for me to do this. I see the
value of the programme to the industry as second to none as I have an
opportunity to grow and become the best Leader/Manager for myself, my employer
and the industry."

Joanne
Kesby, QM Technologies. "GAMAA's Scholarship Programme is an exciting
opportunity for personal growth and to develop leadership skills. The GAMAA
workshop I participated in last year was challenging, informative and rewarding
– my experience with the other scholars is that they are enthusiastic industry
ambassadors, so I was delighted and honoured to be able to join them.

This
programme gives me the chance to learn with these peers and mentors, sharing
experiences and knowledge. I believe my organisation will directly benefit from
GAMAA's scholarship initiative through my being a more effective leader."

For
further information about the GAMAA Leadership Programme and 2008 Workshop
dates visit www.gamaa.net.au or contact
Karen Goldsmith, GAMAA Executive Director on karen@gamaa.net.au or GAMAA's
Education Manager, Samantha Crock on sam@gamaa.net.au

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