Dinner shows off industry’s strength

The 2009 Industry Gala Dinner, hosted by the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association (ARCIA), at the Palladium in Melbourne drew over 370 radio communications professionals from far and wide this year, demonstrating the industry’s strength despite growing concerns of stability during the financial crisis earlier this year.

Delegates from around the world including Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Israel, the US, Britain and Malaysia joined radio communication professionals from across Australia for an evening of celebration after attending the first day of the sold-out industry conference and exhibition, RadioComms Connect 09.

This year’s dinner attracted more local graduates, apprentices and newcomers to the industry including Andrew Yee, a telecommunications engineer from Monash University currently undertaking his placement at PWC in Melbourne.

Andrew, who attended the dinner for the first time, said the event was inspiring for engineering students like him who are working towards a career in the industry.

“Attending has really spurred and encouraged me to contribute more to the industry and reach greater heights,” he said.

The 2009 Industry Gala Dinner was hosted by the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association (ARCIA).

The industry recognised its own Gary Ablett with the evening’s feature event, the Industry Excellence Awards. Award winners were presented with a trophy and a $500 prize from this year’s sponsors and industry players - CRS Accessories, Comgroup, Motorola, Telstra, Trio Datacom and Vertex Standard.

The evening’s winners were:

• Apprentice/Trainee Award: Corey Bissell (ComGroup Australia);

• Professional Sales Award: Robert van Wijk (JRD);

• Customer Service Award: Patricia Coorey (Telstra Corporation);

• Technical Excellence Award: Hamish Duff (Master Communications);

• Engineering Excellence Award: Bob Rogers (JRD - Netway);

• New Talent Award: Amelia Galawyn (Tait Communications).

The event concluded with the award of the prestigious Jonathon Livingstone Lifetime Achievement Award to Chris Kelly from Telstra for his contributions to the industry over the last 25 years.

The founder of the award, Ian Hyde, received ARCIA’s first ‘Life Membership’.

The dinner will again be held in conjunction with RadioComms Connect 2010 in Melbourne. Details will be released on the ARCIA website in early 2010. For details, visit: www.arcia.org.au.