On behalf of the ASTT, I extend a warm welcome to the following new Corporate Members:

Mr Jason Knight

from Agility Management Pty Ltd (Alinta)

Mr Stephen Ainge

from Hard Metals Australia Pty Limited

Mr Darren Poynton

from Fusion Hire Services

Mr Joe Aquilina

from Ridge Tool Australia.

Mr Jeffery White

from the Water Corporation of WA is our only new Individual Member.

TRENCHLESS AUSTRALASIA 2008

The current focus for the ASTT is to ensure that the initiative of allowing Great Southern Press to Conference Organise our next National Conference gets as much support as possible. All indications at this stage are extremely positive with the quota for exhibitors being over-subscribed and the take up of sponsorship packages also following this extremely healthy trend.

By the time this article is read, the delegate costs and supporting social activities will be clearly defined and costed.

Promotion of this event is not limited to just Australasia, the ASTT will be – in conjunction with Great Southern Press – sharing a booth at offshore events including the Rome 2007 Mediterranean International No-Dig which will occur this September and at Trenchless Technology in Asia Pacific at Macau in November. Obviously, we are keen to attract as many delegates as possible to the Sydney National Conference and Exhibition to ensure a successful event.

All indications are at this stage that Chris Bland and his team are to be congratulated for their efforts.

ISTT – Change at the top

Menno Henneveld, Chairman of the ISTT and ASTT, will be handing over the reins of International Chairmanship this September at the Board Meeting in Rome to Dec Downey.

I would like to congratulate Menno for the wonderful work he has achieved whilst in this role. I know that it has been quite a task to manage both the ASTT and ISTT Chairmanships concurrently, but Menno has managed to do just that as well as continuing to run the Main Roads Department of Western Australia.

As ASTT’s Secretary, one of the most significant achievements that Menno initiated whilst the Chairman of the ISTT was the development of the new ISTT Strategic Plan 2K10. It is this plan that the ASTT and indeed all Affiliated Societies require to aid them in order to align with the Strategic Objectives set by the ISTT.

You may have also noticed through the ASTT website that ASTT members can all enjoy added “Membership Value“ as a direct result of the efforts the ISTT has also made to their revamped website. Now you can review past conference papers online as well as look at the current Trenchless Guidelines and more.

I am extremely confident that Menno will be leaving the ISTT in a very strong position for Dec Downey to take over. Well done Menno.

Jeff Pace

ASTT Secretary