Presidents Comments

 The comments made on this website are the thoughts of the NRFA President alone and are not necessarily the views of the NRFA board or its members.

 

8/12/2011

PRESIDENTS REPORT

I would like to welcome the 2011/2012 board with some new faces as well as wish retiring members all the best in the future and thank them for their exceptional efforts in getting the NRFA started and building it to become a peak industry body.  New board members are Mr Steve Smith Queensland director, Mr James Newton New South Wales Delegate, Mr Max Hutchens Victorian Delegate and Mr Russ Martin Queensland Delegate.

We also have former Victorian Delegate Mr Rick Finning now moving up into Vice President’s position.  Rick has been on the Board since inception has been working tirelessly to get single combinations length extended to 20 metres with the capping of trailer length.  Keep an Eye on his page and newsletters as the process progresses.

Retiring Board Members are Mr Mick Pattel and Mr Willie Davis.  Mick as we all know is our Founder and been the president since inception, he has put in tireless hours and money to make sure this association has the best start any of us could ever wish for.

 Mick chose to retire at the last AGM to pursue other interests. He was presented with Life membership for his efforts at the AGM. Considering the efforts he has put in over the years the Trophies presented to him for his life membership and founder were a very small token of appreciation which his board voted unanimously in favour.  Mick from us all the NRFA we wish you all the best in your future endeavours, Keep Safe and Healthy.  THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

 

Willie Davis has been a Queensland Director since inception of the association and we would like to thank him for his tireless efforts over the years and wish him well into the future.

Just prior to the end of Mick’s time as president we hosted the Coalition of Industries Convoy of No Confidence to Canberra.  This has really put us on the map across a multitude of industries and I have since been invited to speak at a rally at Victor Harbour in South Australia. 

I believe this has showcased our association in a very positive way and given us untold credibility across all sectors of grass roots level industries.  The Convoy was a great success due to the professional organisation of all the Convoy leaders, Mrs Cate Stuart who put all the information on the web site as it came to pass as well as answering all sorts of queries as well as making sure along with the Just Grounds team no one hijacked the site. 

Most of the Convoy Leaders were from the NRFA however there were some from other industries as well with gave it a great cross section.  As Convoy No 2 leader from Far North Queensland I can only say I am so proud of every member of the my convoy as well as all the people that organised venues, entertainment, food and fuel along the way for us. 

I have to say Charters Towers was most definitely the Highlight of our Convoy with the Town going all out to welcome us and join us on our journey.  Jose Heading got the whole town on the move with a full on street parade to welcome us along with mustering choppers organised by Mr Blair Knuth and Police escort into and out of Charters Towers Show grounds where we were treated to true country Hospitality organised by Ruth Landsberg and Country Music organised by Charters Towers Country Music Assoc. 

If you haven’t seen the you tube videos I recommend you Google Convoy of No Confidence and have a look at Charters Towers as well as heaps of other footage including on the stage in Canberra. Also the people of Clermont for their hospitality, fuel donations and refreshments for lunch on the second day, Injune for their overnight camp ground and sausage sizzle.

Then on our third Night we were Hosted by Riverside Caravan Park at Coonamble and catering was done by Rotary Club,  We were police escorted from Walget to Coonamble with police directing traffic allowing us free carriage to our destination that evening.

And final Destination EPIC grounds at Canberra for our two nights in Canberra with Police escort to Epic on the Sunday as well as Police escort around parliament house on the Monday Morning.  I cannot praise the Federal Police enough for their efforts in making this a success.

TO EACH AND EVERY CONVOY PARTICIPANT, ORGANISER, And VOLUNTEER ACROSS THIS COUNTRY IN ALL 11 CONVOYS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

Since taking to position of National President I have been working with the Board on a variety of issues. In Queensland it would appear we have a major problem with the Police/TMR inspectors still have not been adequately trained in the Fatigue Management Laws introduced in September 2008 with Drivers still being fined on old legislation. 

If any member is not sure about an infringement notice please contact your Queensland Delegates Mr Ken Wilkie or Mr Russ Martin. They will check out the notice and advise you what cause of action should be taken and help you with it.  We also need this information so we can show the relevant Ministers, Commissioners of the short comings of their some of their officers/ inspectors on the ground.

I remind all members to stay calm when being intercepted and if possible record the entire intercept, where necessary take photos and if you deem the interception area unsafe get as many photo’s as possible of the area. 

Getting agitated on the side of the road is not going to do you or any one any favours.  If you have been unfairly treated there are ways to counter this professionally through your delegates and remember to down load you intercept sheets and fill them out at the time of intercept.

As the year is now drawing to a close I would Like to take this opportunity to wish all a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.  For those who are on the Road over this period take care.

Darryl Pedersen

NRFA National President