Assignments Australasia is an association management firm which provides professional services and infrastructure support to industry organisations who are managed by volunteers.

Their key staff – Brian Morison and Giselle Grynbaum – have a combined total of about 60 years of involvement in the management of industry associations. Brian was formerly the Executive Director of the Master Builders Association of Victoria, and a former Chairperson of Victoria’s Building Practitioners Board, and is highly regarded in the building industry. The SABAA Board is confident the new management team will bring a new dimension to the management and reputation of SABAA, and their appointment will free up the Board Members to develop policy and direction for SABAA.The Stair and Balustrade Association of Australia Inc is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Assignments Australasia Pty Ltd to manage the Association.

At the 2006 Annual General Meeting, a new Board was installed, headed up by Ian Firns of Top Stairs & Staff from South Australia as Chairperson, and Rod Griffiths of Classic Timber Staircases from NSW as Vice-Chair.

In taking up the role of Chairperson, Ian paid tribute to Robert Acquroff of Slattery & Acquroff for his outstanding leadership to SABAA over the past two years. Robert will remain on the SABAA Board as Marketing Chair.

In addition, Matt Hollard of MCH Geometrics was thanked for his drive and commitment in managing SABAA on a voluntary basis over the past 12 months. Matt put in many hours of his own time on behalf of SABAA, to ensure its viability, and all Members acknowledge that, without his support, SABAA would not be in the healthy position that it finds itself in today. Matt also remains on the SABAA Board, and on the Marketing Committee.

All Board Members are optimistic about the future of SABAA, and look forward to working with the new management team to further develop an industry body that will truly be recognised as the voice of the stair and balustrade industry in coming months.

At the AGM, the Board discussed a number of member services and initiatives which it plans to introduce over the next few months. The first of these – our first Guidance Note which highlights compliance issues relevant to businesses operating in the stair industry – is attached for your information. Future such documents will be issued solely to SABAA Members. SABAA intends to keep members apprised on developments in respect to standards, building codes, legal issues, environmental issues and much more! We are also looking at producing a Supplier Index down the track, which will be a valuable reference resource for Members.

If you are not yet a SABAA Member, think about joining today, and reap the benefits that other Members will shortly receive.

To our loyal Members who have stayed with us during our formative years and who have renewed their membership: thank you for your continued support. You will shortly see the re-emergence of a revitalised industry body of which you will truly be proud.