The PIAA has released a list of names whose nomination has been accepted to go on the ballot paper in preparation for the PIAA board election which opens for voting tomorrow.
Of the eight seats across Australia, only two are being contested: Tasmania and Victoria.
Australian Printer can now reveal Peter Orel, CEO at Finsbury Green and former PIAA Victoria state manager Ron Patterson – who was made redundant four years ago – have nominated for the Victorian position which was left vacant after the incumbent Kellie Northwood decided not to reapply.
Patterson was a vocal critic of the board that fell apart last summer, when four of the nine members, including two presidents, resigned. He was allied with the Members Action Group which tried, unsuccessfully, to get him reinstated as Vic state manager. Orel is from one of the country’s most progressive print business, Finsbury Green, which operates in several states and has been in the vanguard of environmentally friendly print production.
Australian Printer contacted Orel and Patterson for comment, but did not receive a response by deadline.
In Tasmania, former AIW Printing director Peter Clark and Mark Media general manager Martin Guilliamse have both put their hands up to replace Craig Pearce from Flying Colours, who left the board in August due to work commitments.
Clark, who has served the print industry for more than 50 years, founded AIW Printing in Melbourne in 2001, at the time it was the most advanced web printer in the country. He retired to Tasmania two years ago and has since joined printing equipment supplier, Graphic Innovators Australasia.
“After being in the industry for so long, I would like to give something back. The industry needs help and hopefully I can be of some assistance,” Clark tells Australian Printer.
“Since I have retired full time from AIW Printing I have stayed interested in the industry and I hope that what I have learnt over the years I can apply to help printers in Tassie.”
Speaking to Australian Printer, Guilliamse says his skills can ensure the PIAA remains communicative and open to all members.
“I am a very inclusive person, so I can bring business skills and people skills to the position,” he says. “I would like to see the PIAA grow in strength so it can continue to be a true voice and leader in the printing industry.”
Sitting board members Walter Kuhn, Matt Aitken, Peter Lane, Graham Jamieson, and Kieran May will continue serving in their respective states.
President Kieran May says it is now up to the PIAA members to determine which nominees can best add value to the board.
“I am sure they are capable of assessing the relative merits of each candidate,” May says. “I am also sure the candidates have plenty to offer in the way of thinking about the future needs of the industry.”
The ballot, which will see eligible voters in Tasmania and Victoria cast their decision, will open tomorrow and closes on October 27.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter