JPE members and their partners were keen to strut their stuff with Elvis at the 70th Anniversary JPE Ball
Treasure chests and nautical helms adorning their tables, the swashbuckling mates from Junior Printing Executives (JPE) and their partners, embraced a pirates theme with bacchanalian revelry, indulging in fine food, drink and song aplenty at their 70th Anniversary Ball on Saturday night in Sydney. The evening was held in the elegant confines of The Queen Victoria Building’s Tearoom, on Saturday evening, August 5, and was universally enjoyed by equally stylishly dressed JPE executives and their partners, as well as past presidents and nominators alike.
Drinks before dinner, gave the guests a chance to mingle and view the historical archives, featuring photos and memorabilia - spanning the 70 long years of JPE’s exalted history, before settling down to a classical three course meal.
The successful night is largely the result of careful planning by current JPE president and organiser for the event, Franca Balsamo, who opened the evening’s very brief official proceedings by welcoming guests to the Ball.
“We want to celebrate the achievements of past presidents, members and their guests and everyone who has been a part of JPE over the years,” says Balsamo.
A once off occasion, the Ball marks a special milestone in the history of the organisation that was founded in 1936, with the aim of educating and training managers and future executives within the Printing and Graphic Arts Industry.
JPE is closely affiliated with the Printing Industries Association of Australia and seeks to promote the professional self-development of the individual and as an organisation remains one of the sole industry bodies brining together like-minded professionals and forging strong bonds for the industry, now 70 years on.
In appreciation of the continual sponsorship and patronage of a host of printing companies over the years, awards were handed out to recoginse past commitment and current membership of JPE.
The awards in the form of framed certificates of appreciation, were given to companies such as; CPI Group, Heidelberg, Blue Line Media and Kodak Australia, as well as, Impress Printing, SOS Print and Media Group, to name but a few.
‘Treasure’ in the form of prizes rewarded those who turned up on the night and the select few lucky recipients received one of a number of goodies including; a dinner for two at Bit Brassiere, a jet boat ride for two by Sydney Jet Boats, a Limited Edition Faber Castell Pen Set, Adobe Creative suite 2 Premium Software and for those who like to shoot and ask questions later - a Canon digital Camera worth $800.
No invitation to dance was required for guests, as they stumbled, strutted, and swung themselves to the mellow yowls of an Elvis impersonator and to the light rock band’s funky melodies, as the lights were dimmed after dinner.
Thoroughly enjoying the night, past president of JPE for years 1987- 1989, Steve Aglio, summed up the feeling of the night, with his fond words for the organisation that nurtured his early career.
“JPE events like these, are a perfect opportunity to see old friends and people you deal with on a day to day basis and they help build the camaraderie in the printing industry.”
“Camaraderie is the basis for business in Australia. We build our business on mateship and that’s why events like these are so important,” he says.
