FMA Australia VIC Branch News October 2008

Anna Hardwick

Anna Hardwick has worked in facilities management for over ten years in various industries including mining, publishing, retail and finance. She holds a degree in Business & Applied Science and is a member of the Building Services SIG committee and the William Angliss Industry Advisory Board.

Anna is a generalist facilities manager in the corporate sector and an active member of FMA Australia.

Peter Starsunn

Peter Starsunn has 20 years of senior facility management experience with a strong focus on customer relations and is currently the Senior Facilities Manager, Services Division of Brookfield Multiplex. Peter’s previous roles include that of Project Director on approximately 30 projects with varying degrees of responsibility and achievements.

In Peter’s previous position as Manager Corporate Services with Yarra Valley Water he was instrumental in the development of:

• The Mitcham Site Accommodation Outline Plan and Strategy
• The implementation of the Mitcham Green Office Strategy (MGOS)
• Electrical Reduction Strategy
• The Electrical Services Strategy
• The F&CS Accommodation Strategy

Todd Wonnacott

Todd Wonnacott was appointed General Manager at Solutions Won Group for their facility management and environmental services business. Previously, Todd was Operations Manager of Facilities Management for both the Department of Treasury & Finance and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Todd has also held positions in a senior facility management capacity for a very diverse portfolio inclusive of retail, boutique office, state government, hotels and resorts. Todd has over 12 years’ property, construction and asset management experience and has managed investments for a number of well regarded property developers.

Todd holds tertiary qualifications from Seneca Collage in Ontario, Canada in the discipline of Recreation Facilities Management where the curriculum included modules in customer relations, risk management/law, facility operations, financial accounting and human resources.

FMA Australia Victorian Branch – September lunch forum

Stephen Silk, General Manager for Strategic Marketing of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) provided an informative presentation to our members at the FMA Australia VIC Branch lunch held in September at the RACV Club. Ian’s presentation highlighted how Flemington facilitates all facets of their business “to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow”.

Like all businesses, the VRC continues to look at their branding and position in the market. They are not just the home of the world famous Melbourne Cup and Spring Carnival but also a membership organisation, function centre and a source of major sponsorship opportunities. Add to this mix the logistics and transport to and from the course both for the public and livestock, and you have a major facility management exercise on your hands.

Flemington’s recent re-development has ensured a high focus on their sustainability charter and water strategy for the future.

World Sustainable Building Conference

The FMA Australia VIC Branch supported the World Sustainable Building Conference (SB08) in September. The conference is held every three years and is the peak gathering of the world’s leading technical experts and researchers on sustainable built environments.

SB08 continued a traditional focus on technical developments and case studies. CSIRO (Australia's national research organisation), leading universities and research groups in Australia and from around the world, are all expected to release new research following the event.

How well the research community interacts with industry and government has a significant impact on the speed of technology transfer and adoption of sustainable development concepts and technologies. A high level of engagement guarantees that communities can enjoy liveable, viable and connected built environments across the generations.

SB08 had a multifaceted program that provided the opportunity to build strong and effective linkages across stakeholder groups to advance sustainability knowledge and practice through market and industry transformation. Site visits of leading-edge Australian commercial, residential and industrial developments were also included as part of the program.

The following FMA Australia colleagues joined me at the SB08 Dinner held on 24 September: Kris Greenwood – Director, FM Innovations; Ray Lodge – Director, FM Innovations; Kerry Lodge – Associate Director, Savills; David Duncan – CEO, FMA Australia; Carolyn Journeaux – Operations Manager, FMA Australia; Stephen Ballesty – Director, Rider Levett Bucknall; David Craven – Senior Associate, Woods Bagot; Laurie Reeves – Regional Manager, Southern Region, Hirotec and Haris Moraitis – Leader, Green Buildings GHD UK.

FMA Australia VIC Branch members support “Twilight Briefing”

A number of FMA Australia VIC Branch committee members committed to advocacy attended a recent Twilight Briefing held at The Windsor on 11 September where The Hon. Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities & Children’s Services and Member for Maribyrnong, provided an update on the recent work of the Federal Government in both areas of his portfolio. The evening was extremely well attended and Mr Shorten conducted an extensive and spirited Q&A session.

Mr Shorten placed considerable emphasis on the need for businesses to actively recruit disabled members of the community and stressed that this largely untapped resource represented a significant opportunity for employers in these times of constant skills shortages. His articulate and thoughtful presentation provoked an enthusiastic and animated discussion during the “after speech” refreshments.

Mr Shorten joined the Victorian Branch of the Australian Workers' Union as an organiser in 1994 and was involved in campaigns that attracted a diverse new base of members to the AWU including oil and gas workers, fruit pickers, manufacturing workers, netballers and jockeys. Mr Shorten became Secretary of the Victorian Branch in 1997 and was elected National Secretary in 2001.

With Arts and Law degrees, an MBA and years of experience dealing cooperatively with employers, he also understands the needs of the business community. Mr Shorten is a former director of AustralianSuper and the Victorian Funds Management Corporation.