appointments 
The NSW/ACT Printing Industries Association of Australia Conference concluded in the country town of Bowral last Saturday, with organisers pleased at the roll-up of 140 end-users and suppliers. Service awards for members knotching up 25- and 50-year membership of the association were presented by federal PIA president, Chris Segaert.

Those recording 25 years’ membership of the association were: Cliff Lewis Printing Pty Ltd;
Keyset Phototype Pty Ltd (Graphic World) presented during the dinner to Cheryl Dalley-Hall); Paxar Corporation (Monarch Marking); Teldon (Nadley Press); Rawson Graphics Pty Ltd (presented during the dinner to Nathan Kable, son of the owner - see picture); and Sonoco Australia Pty Ltd.

Meanwhile, two companies were honoured with awards for their remarkable 50 year support as members of the association: Lismore City Printery Pty Ltd; and J. Saunders & Son.

Addressing conference guests, NSW Minister for Small Business David Campbell urges NSW and ACT printing industry operators to make the most of State Government schemes to help small business.

He says there are 2,100 printing businesses in NSW employing almost 40,000 people, the equivalent of the population of Dubbo. The industry’s estimated annual turnover is more than $7 billion and almost 36 per cent of businesses engaged in it are in regional areas.

Campbell told how a Bowral printing company had been assisted with a grant to engage an expert to review the business. Bowral Print and Design received funding under the State Government’s Small Business Expansion Program which offers 50 per cent of an expert adviser’s fee up to a maximum of $5,000.

Conference delegates enjoyed a mixture of business and social activities, from expert presentations on OH&S to learning how to fly fish. Based on the success of the event, PIA is believed to be considering the staging of an annual federal conference for its members.