News & Events

By Gary Bourke

On the 18th September 2013 the Queensland Branch of the Association met at Wynnum Manly Leagues Club. It was the first meeting for some time and there was a good roll-up of 15 local members who attended.

Those attending initially networked over dinner before formally meeting in a room kindly provided by the Club. Gary Bourke briefed everyone on the name conflict that has been raised by RIA.

There was a general discussion about the progress of the Association. One very well received suggestion by Garry Carroll was to hold regular web meetings through the internet so that members residing outside the south-east Queensland area could also attend. The general consensus was that every second meeting should be web-based.

Long term member, Mick West, from Westaway Restorations, then made a presentation titled, ‘Where I came from’. Mick spoke passionately about his business and how he has turned an initial annual turnover of $80,000.00 into $2,000,000.00 each of past few years. It was pleasing to note that he attributed a great deal of his success to the contacts he has made through his Association membership. He pointed out that several of the National Suppliers that many of us now deal with got their initial data base of restorers from the Association.

Finally, the meeting closed with Roly Ruhle requested that Lex Moir be formally recognised for his contribution to the Branch. Lex presided over the Branch for some time but has recently had to vacate the role for personal reasons. His efforts have been outstanding and well appreciated by all the locals.

 By Clare Collins

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Christmas in July meeting. It was well attended and everyone had a great time. I have listed below the winners of the door prizes:

The Moisture meter donated by Restoration Express was won by Glen Carbis.

The OhS system donated by Jena Dyco was won by Peter Charlwood.

The 4 winners of the chemical packs donated by Carpet Cleaners Warehouse were Sandra Pankhurst, Wayne Perry, Peter Guiren and Peter Charlwood.

If you have not received your prize yet, please get in contact with the suppliers.

We look forward to some great speakers coming up in the next few months and look forward to seeing you at Ausclean Pulire in October.

By Kirsty O’Shea

I am very excited to announce that the SA Chapter of SCRIA looks, for the first time in a long time, set to become a real, live, happening thing! At this stage we only have a small group but this is OK- it is a small group of enthusiastic, professionals who all believe we can make a difference! We are due to have our first meeting soon!

Everyone has made me feel so welcome and been so supportive, particularly Gary, thank you so much! I already feel honored to be given this opportunity! My enthusiasm is immense and I hope it rubs off onto others!!

A little about me…I have been involved in the industry for approximately 8 years. I do not have the technical knowledge that others have but I have a broad understanding of how it works, I have business acumen and I have passion. I believe that ‘I’ and ‘We’ can make a difference!! My involvement over the last 8 years stems from me helping my husband, Sean O’Shea, in his long term business (of about 24 years), “O’Shea’s Carpet Cleaning” and now known as “O’Shea’s Organisation”. When I went on Maternity Leave I offered to give hubby a bit of a hand to spruce things up a little… well I certainly did that and more – we have gone from a home office to a commercial office which includes a Rug Laundry, our team has grown immensely and we also retail a range of Carpet Cleaning products through a supermarket chain in SA – amongst other achievements! Needless to say, I did not have one day of “Maternity Leave” as such but I have enjoyed every minute (mostly!) of what I have been doing!! I cannot help but mention my biggest achievements over the last 8 years which are my son Finningan who is now 7, my daughter Aobh who is now 5 and my baby Rafferty who is now 4 – they are amazing!

I admire the work of the Carpet Techs in our industry who work massive hours, leave their families at such short notice, work in the extremities of weather and generally bust their guts, in an industry that deserves licensing, reform and respect!

Take care,
Kirsty