There were a lot of milestones to celebrate at this year’s annual Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers of Australia (AREMA) dinner making it a particularly memorable event for members.
The occasion was marked by a long list of sad farewells with four members - Maria Crowley, Greg Haughey, Steve Anderson and Kevin Lee - formally announcing plans to depart for greener pastures.
Although the get-together was an ideal time for members to celebrate the steps that have been taken toward removing the carbon tax, the resignation of so many long-standing members obviously took centre stage.
To avoid getting too emotional Steve Anderson reduced his parting words to “shit, you’re nice guys” while Greg Haughey talked about his plans to do a lot of fishing over the next few years.
Kevin Lee probably summed it up the best when he said he would miss the “comraderie” the most.
He talked about how he has been more fortunate than most because he has been able to actively engage in this industry while maintaing his position at the same company for the past 38 years.
“Heatcraft allowed me to contribute and the changes I have seen in the last fewdecades can only be described as phenomonal,” Lee said.
“These last few years have given me a great deal of satisfaction, to be able to give back to an industry that has given me such a great career.
“I came to AREMA with a personal mission to put the R back into AREMA so I feel like I am retiring on a high note; I am going to jump before the decline starts.”
Guest speaker, ARBS chairman Ian Hopkins, said 94 per cent of the exhibition space for 2014 is already filled.
However, the refurbishment of the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre has raised some concerns about whether ARBS can return to Sydney in 2016.
“We are actively looking at options for 2016 as we do hope to find a venue for Sydney,” he said.
Hopkins said ARBS is also working to establish a foundation and would like to use the funds to support and further develop the industry.
“Over the next 18 months we will be canvassing the views of industry on how best to invest in the development of this industry,” he said.
With the Carbon Tax Repeal Bill before the House of Representatives, Environment Minister Greg Hunt was unable to attend the dinner, but he did send a message.
“We are working with your industry to try and minimise the impact of removing the carbon tax, we all want the tax removed and I am confident the government will prevail,” he said.
“But once the tax is removed we cannot be complacent. Industry must improve its environmental footprint.
“The problem now is that unscrambling the carbon tax egg is harder than we anticipated.
“I know this industry takes climate change seriously and can make a significant contribution.”
Comedian Jean Kittson did an outstanding presentation on the history of refrigeration and air conditioning.
She avoided technical jargon instead referring to the “industry that keeps leftovers fresh for school lunches”.
Kittson also shared a few words of wisdom with the audience on a wide range of topics.
On the subject of climate change, she said: “Don’t worry about climate change this government has arrested the problem by abolishing the department of climate change.”
Kittson even had relationship advice.
“Second marriages represent the triumph of hope over experience.”