Thank you to all of our industry colleagues who attended the 2008 AALARA Conference.

It was a dynamic program of speakers and we particularly thank our international speakers who travelled to this year’s event; Darrel Metzger (Dubai), J Clark Robinson (USA) and Lynton Harris (USA).

I am confident delegates have returned home inspired by the new business thinking and practices presented by speakers Rob Hartnett, Roger La Salle and John O’Brien.

They no doubt are also reviewing their risk management practices after the eye opening sessions presented by Ian Douglas and Marianne Lim.

Sean Curtain provided some excellent strategies on hiring and retaining the right staff and Fred Schebesta delivered the facts on getting quality traffic to your website that drives sales.

On Day two, the industry break out forums again proved popular with delegates getting down to business discussing specific challenges and opportunities that lie within their specific industry sector.

Congratulations to Tony Evans, Major Events Co-ordinator, WorkSafe Victoria, who during the AALARA gala dinner was awarded the AALARA GOLD SERVICE AWARD in recognition for his outstanding service to the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation industry.

Tony has worked tirelessly to improve relations between government and industry operators and develop industry reference information to assist operators working in the amusement, leisure and recreation industry within Victoria.

The AALARA Gala dinner was a sell out again this year, and thanks to the generosity of many AALARA businesses and attendees, the Gala Dinner silent auction raised over $4,900 for Camp Quality (children affected by cancer).

Gala Dinner revellers also kicked up their heels to “The Accidents” until the early hours the following morning before heading to the Casino to try their hand on the tables.

We missed Michael and Maree Watterson at this year’s event and we hope Maree is making a speedy recovery.

The AALARA board and members would like to thank the continued support of our valued sponsors particularly, our major sponsors Ian Douglas, Leisure Net Australasia and the Queensland State Government (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations).

Major Sponsors: Leisure Net Australasia and Queensland Government, Coca Cola Amatil, FujiFilm, Atomiq Design Group, Centaman Systems, Kodak Professional Imaging Solutions, Brisbane Ekka, Adelaide Showgrounds, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, Comsure Insurance, Laserforce, Backdrops Fantastics /Realm Productions, Warner Village Theme Parks, SafeWork South Australia, and industry partners Royal Perth Show, Dreamworld, IAAPA, Kingston Park Raceway and Royal Life Saving Society of Australia.

Click here to see further information on our sponsors.

At AALARA we rely on your membership and attendance at these conferences to contribute funding to enable the association to continue our activities which includes sending members to represent AALARA through attendance at ME51 Australian Standards meeting, the National Regulators Forum, various Occupational Health and Safety meetings in all states and to send delegations to Canberra to lobby federal government.

For those of you who attended the Business Skills Workshops, I hope you found the information very useful and will recommend the future workshops to industry associates.

Sadly, we lost a long term industry figure in April with the passing of Michael Hind. Michael was an early member on the AALARA board, and certainly will be remembered by many of the founding members.

Michael was very involved in the setting up of AALARA and was a great asset during this time. To his workmates at Luna Park Sydney and his relatives, I offer our condolences on behalf of the AALARA board and our members.

Stan Durkin


President