On Wednesday 5th December the Victorian Branch celebrated the end of another year with a sell-out crowd of 50 attending the Corrosion Cruise around the mouth of the Yarra River and the Port of Melbourne.
Although not strictly a technical event, the leisurely boat trip fast turned into a discussion of our marine infrastructure and the various current and past projects!
It was a fantastic way to end the year with the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues, and great that so many could make it in the busy December month.
A particular thanks goes to Remedy Asset Protection for their sponsorship of this event.
The fantastic attendance was not a surprise to anyone who attended however, as the Victorian members have regularly turned out to branch events all year long.
We’ve had a number of interesting technical events throughout the year with speakers from all across Australia presenting on topics including LFI, CP design, environmental degradation of polymers, tunnel durability and metallic corrosion failure analysis/investigation.
The annual Trade Show brought a large crowd together with 25+ fantastic companies and their wares from across Australia, offering a place to discuss project technical requirements and new technology over a quiet evening refreshment. Our more social events included a large crowd witnessing the “Not-So-Youngies” remain undefeated against the YCG at our now regular lawn bowls event, however I have heard rumours that a gruelling off season training program is in place to reverse this trend. I believe the training plan may have been devised over some late night drinks following the Round Table Forum (which featured an arousing presentation from Greg Moore) and commenced soon after when a determined crew set out for a social event at an indoor rock climbing centre.
Amidst all this, we also found a way to catch up with the latest research coming from Victorian universities at the annual Brian Cherry Forum (congratulations once again to Rukshan Azoor of Monash University for his high quality presentation). The passion of the Victorian Branch members was clearly on display as we again held the most events across the association, and I’d like to thank all Victorian members for their continued involvement and support.
Unfortunately the year was underscored by two moments of great sadness with the departures of Brian Cherry and Nassar Chaabani. Both Brian and Nasa have been valuable members throughout their time with our association and we will miss them dearly; our warmest condolences remain with their families.
The committee have begun preparations for another bustling year in 2019 with technical and social events planned throughout, starting with the YCG’s attempt to cast off the shackles of defeat and followed by a new event, a planned Sunday Family BBQ, which we’re holding in response to feedback from members who have had some difficulties attending events on Wednesday nights, often due to family commitments. I don’t think I can thank the rest of the Victorian Branch committee enough for their ongoing efforts to organise so many varied and interesting events for us each year, without your involvement we would not have such an active community.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has been involved in the Victorian Branch community in some way, shape or form this year. We’ve had an enjoyable year together and I look forward to what next year brings for us all. Have a safe and happy holiday period, see you next year! – Dean Ferguson