Long-standing industry figure Susan Heaney bowed out as PIAA president at the NSW PICA awards dinner last Friday. Heaney opened the year’s final PICA bash with a brief yet upbeat farewell, stepping down after more than eight years in the high-profile role.
Heaney offered parting words to the gathered members and industry notables, thanking them for their ongoing support through uncertain times and speaking fondly of her tenure as national president. Not dwelling on the past, rather her focus was on the future and the positive message she attached to the printing community moving forward.
“Knowledge and its production is going to be the way of the future. So are people who can translate that on our floors, and to other areas of the industry. The association has been very busy working with other like-minded people in communication, media, advertising, trying to get more government recognition for our industry,” she said.
- A fond farewell, Susan Heaney steps down as PIAA president
Heaney emphasised association initiatives, from the ongoing mentor program through to the $4.5 million government grant secured for the Future Print scheme for upskilling apprentices and trainees across the industry.
Before signing off she revealed: “I’ve been told the great news that just today we’ve also received another $3 million grant so that we can help business owners transition their businesses as well, bring on skills, take it through to industry and make us a more sustainable and profitable industry going forward.”
Offset Alpine was the big winner of the night, snagging an unwieldy 27 medals all up, including ten gold and the coveted NSW Printer of the Year award for the fourth successive year.
Momento Pro bagged six awards, five gold and a bronze, as well as winning the inaugural Judges’ Choice award for NSW Printer of the Year for their Bhutan: Black Ribbon entry.
A full list of results will be available in the next Print21 eNews bulletin.