More than 50 printers were in attendance to celebrate the organisation’s 50 years with many industry faces joining in the festivities.
Bernie Hockings, federal president, LIA told Australian Printer, “It was great opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary with some of the dedicated people who have helped shape the LIA over that time. It was also rewarding to see the future of the LIA being represented by some of the recent graduate of the year winners.”
Hockings says, “The LIA has transformed as the industry has changed, our challenge into the future is to ensure that we continue to lead in the area of technology and printing standards for the industry. All in all a fantastic night was had by all.”
Bill Healey, CEO, Printing Industries told Australian Printer, “The LIA is a great organisation and is valuable to the printing industry and it’s great to see an organisation as such celebrating 50 years.”
The evening allowed fiends and colleagues old and new to mix and mingle over drinks and finger food. The LIA was established in 1962 when litho was still in its commercial infancy, a full ten years before it wipe out letterpress as the dominant form of printing. Litho remains the print king to this day, more than two thirds of all Australian print is still litho, with digital, wide format, flexo, screen sharing the other third.
Giving a personal perspective industry identity Gary Muratore from Kayell Australia told Australian Printer, “It was great to catch up with so many friends, colleagues and mentors who became known to me by virtue of the LIA. My first contact was in 1979 when I was selected as the Victorian apprentice of the year, and from there I was welcomed as part of what has become an established and recognised technical guild. I have served over the years as vice president, treasurer, and was president (Vic) during the twenty-fifth celebrations a generation ago. The institute has bestowed an associate fellowship and later a fellowship, I remain grateful for the recognition.”
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