The function attracted about 120 Association members, graduates and their friends and families to the Sydney Rowing Club in Abbotsford.
Photo gallery: pictures from last night’s LIA/Heidelberg Graduate of the Year Award ceremony.
Prior to the awards dinner, LIA NSW held its annual general meeting, at which new officials were appointed. Bob Lamont continues as Executive Officer, while Ben Hickey has been appointed vice-president. Allan Wetherell maintains his role as Secretary, and Mike Williams continues as Treasurer.
The new committee includes Angus Scott, Warwick Roden, Grant Churchill, Mitchell Mulligan, Peter Munro, Luke Wooldridge, Brendan Mangan, and newcomers Denise Thompson and David Wells.
For the first time in several years, the LIA has awarded life membership to a member – Greg Grace of Heidelberg, who has contributed much over the years to the LIA, not least as chairman of the Selection Committee for the annual Graduate of the Year Awards.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Gary Redman, formerly a printer at Roden Print, who used his natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge to pursue his lifelong interest in flying and aircraft design, and eventually to enter and win the NASA Award. He travelled to Atlanta to receive the international NASA Award for his futuristic design of aircraft which would suit short distance commuter flights in 2058.
Redman outlined his passion for flying, which he inherited from his father as they built a plane in the garage when he was young, and then learning to fly when he was a teenager. His presentation, including animations of his aircraft designs, was very well received by the audience.
The finalists for the 2008 LIA/Heidelberg Graduate of the Year Awards were Neil Hyde of Rawson Graphics, Mat Rutherford of CCS Media Packaging, Tim Bright of Carter Holt Harvey, Tim Ryan of Blue Star Print Group, Dane Kasunic of CSI Print, and Tara Cotton of Westman Printing. The winner has the chance to compete for the national LIA/Heidelberg Graduate Awards, and will win a major sponsorship to help them with further studies.
Chairman of the Selection Committee this year was Allan Wetherell, standing in for regular Chairman Greg Grace, who has been preoccupied with Heidelberg’s major presence at PacPrint, due to open its doors in Melbourne in just three weeks.
Wetherell pointed out that the judges “could have thrown a blanket” over all six finalists, so close were they in their efforts for the Award. The six finalists were a clear indication of the bright future the industry can face, with their levels of commitment and talent.
Winner Tim Bright (pictured, right) thanked his family and employers for the support given to him through the years. Heidelberg’s Richard Timson (pictured, left) presented Tim with the Award.
Tim will compete with other state finalists in the LIA National Graduate of the Year Award in October.
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