Melbourne Central
Is it just that our memories subside as we get older, or do we simply forget to enjoy every hour of every day that we live in? Just yesterday, I was listening in awe to a great detailed report given to me by my children on their day at school, and I remembered how once, I also remembered all the little things that happened in minute detail – how my world could fall apart or my day could be made by the smallest of gestures or comments! How simple our lives were then, even though they seemed so complex at the time. Remember when a significant event was getting a gold star for your one page essay?
Risk Management – A hot topic once again
Nowadays a significant event is arriving at work on a Monday morning to a major OH&S disaster - an employee sueing for a broken leg because the foyer was slippery and there was no warning. The reason the foyer was slippery was because the leaking tap in the men’s bathroom upstairs had not been fixed and the blocked sink which had been ignored had finally given up over the weekend. Now, not only is there an expensive employee claim, but there is also a backlog of maintenance and unnecessary expense, eating into that budget you have put aside for a new air conditioner. All of this lands on your shoulders! You are, after all, the facilities manager – the blame of all building downfalls and the scapegoat of cheap management strategies.
Of course I am generalising, and from experience I can say, thank goodness, that I have come across a number of companies with visionary management who do not fit into this category. But from experience, these are the company directors who have understood the necessity for business tools to assist in streamlining the works and maintenance of their properties. They have implemented tools to minimise risk and to free up resources to focus on the future strategies of building performance, not solely to manage the headache of reactive day-to-day maintenance that has come about due to lack of streamlined processes and up-to-date accurate information.
Facilities Managers – Leading the way
This little spiel has nothing to do with any FMA Australia Victorian Branch events this month, it has been triggered by several situations with serious legal ramifications that I have come across recently which reminded me that we need to have the right tools in place to make accurate decisions in the management of our facilities and buildings. With these tools we can document the history, manage the process, and report on the outcomes to the powers that be. No longer can the facilities manager be held accountable if there is proof in the reporting.
The good news for you, as facilities managers, is that legislation is forcing the building owners and tenants to face the music when they do not comply. This in turn is going to streamline your business as owners and tenants recognise the need to implement tools to minimise risk. As the facilities manager, however, it is often down to you to write up the business case to justify the investment and elucidate the ROI. So be proactive and start the process – you will benefit and you will show your initiative and leadership qualities.
FMA Australia VIC BRANCH Annual Golf Day
Group shot of all the day’s winners.
The winning team.
Hungry golfers.
Phillip Gubby representing our major sponsor, NUVO.
Dave Rogers, CEO, Challenge Kids
with Cancer, addresses the crowd
On April 18th, the FMA Australia Victorian Branch held its annual golf day at the Albert Park Golf Course. As far as the weather goes we could not have asked for a more spectacular day. It was perfect autumn weather – cool for registration at 6:30am, but just reaching a comfortable 23 degrees at midday when the golfers came teetering into the restaurant.
86 golfers attended the day, and of course we could not have put on such a successful day without the generosity of our sponsors.
Our sponsors were:
| MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS: |
Nuvo Solutions |
| 1st prize & 3 holes: |
AG Coombs |
| Drinks Cart: |
Hays |
| Drinks Cart: |
Movers & Shakers |
| Longest Drive: |
D&M Recruitment |
| Longest Drive (another hole): |
GDP Property Services |
| Putting Green: |
Culligan Water |
| 2 Holes: |
GJK Facility Services |
| 2 Holes: |
Hirotec |
| 1 Hole: |
Philips |
| 1 Hole: |
Express Glass |
| Hats for the showbags: |
Kingfisher Recruitment |
| Sunscreen for the showbags: |
Transfield Services |
Thank you to all our sponsors.
The FMA Australia Victorian Branch committee would also like to thank all the people involved in organising and running such a smooth operation. Derek Wilson, ex-Vice Chair of the FMA Australia Victorian Branch and ex-committee member, returned to the fold to assist us in this event. Without Derek, I’m not sure what we would have done. As far as golf goes, he’s the man who understands.
We would also like to thank Stacey Vassiliadis and Rachael Beggs from the FMA Australia National Office for all their outstanding work, as well as Carolyn Journeaux for sourcing the prizes.
I personally would like to thank the FMA Australia Victorian committee for all their input and assistance on the day – great teamwork!
Challenge, Kids with Cancer, was once again our charity of choice for this event and their participation on the day was much appreciated. Dave Rogers, CEO of Challenge, came along with his staff and they put on a sausage sizzle and supplied us with a Pro all in the name of charity! Our FMA Australia members and guests got into the spirit of the day, and together with the raffle, we raised over $1000 for Challenge.
Thank you to all our raffle sponsors:
FM Innovations
Tungsten
UMS
Campbell Walker
GJK Facility Services
RACV Club
D&M Recruitment
Culligan Waters
Upcoming Events:
June 5th – WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY LUNCH FORUM
To be held at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
Guest Speaker: Rob Gell – Environmental Ambassador for 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Rob is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and an Inaugural Fellow of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. He is a coastal geomorphologist by training; he taught environmental science and physical geography at tertiary level, then for twenty-five years he presented television weather. In his professional life he works as an environmental and communications consultant and is Chairman of Access Environmental Pty Ltd. He is a published author and a photographer. Locally, he is the President of Greening Australia Victoria, Chairman of the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd and a member of the Victorian Coastal Council.
Rob Gell is an outstanding communicator who has earned the respect of government, business, environmental groups for his approach to sustainable development.
Once again it is our intention to raise funds for Challenge at this major event.
July 11th – BRANCH LUNCH AND PANEL SESSION
Topic: “The Future of FM”
Moderator: Steve Taylor - Tungsten
Panel: Carolyn Parker - Kador; Sue Pridmore – Myer; Bryon Price – AG Coombs; Mark Quinn – Rider Levett Bucknall
August 29th – BRANCH LUNCH
Topic: TBC
Speaker: Mark Brennan, Small Business Commissioner
September 19th – BRANCH LUNCH
Topic: “The changing face of the VRC and the challenges of running such a major event”
Speaker: Stephen Silk, GM of Strategic Marketing for the VRC
October 17th – BRANCH LUNCH
Topic: “The initiatives and challenges of major renovations such as the new Myer building”
Speaker: Craig Gathercole, Construction Manager for Probuild
November 21st – BRANCH LUNCH
Topic: TBC
Speaker: Vito Chiodo, Telstra
December 19th – BRANCH CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Details TBC
We are very much looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Kristiana Greenwood
FMA Australia VIC Branch Chair
| 
