Dear fellow WASM Graduates,
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits in whichever part of the world you may be in. I’d like to take this opportunity to bring everyone up to date with some of the many things that have occurred in 2011 for the Association and perhaps outline some of our objectives moving forward.
From an administration and management perspective we have been faced with the ongoing challenge of having our members and potential members spread all over the globe busily doing their thing. At this year’s AGM we moved to engage our first employee with the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help run and administer the affairs of the WASMGA. With this I’m very pleased to welcome Hilary Smith to the fold and really look forward to taking our services for the group to a new level of organisation and ability. We also welcomed two new committee members in Keith Ross and Stuart Pether at our AGM this year.
Our primary Association objective in 2012 will be to re establish our fee paying membership base to a new high level so we can fund all the ideas and plans we have. Hilary will be conducting a membership drive early in the new year and will be asking for your help to ensure we have your most current details on our database.
An exciting initiative we put together in 2011 is the establishment of a WASMGA Patrons Group. This group of prominent industry and community veterans share the WASM passion and are looking at ways they can help us promote and preserve our school and its heritage. WASMGA committee members, Graeme Smith and Clive Annear, are working closely with the Patrons Group, helping facilitate the group’s function which is providing great drive and direction for our management committee. Included in the group are Peter Jones, Odwyn Jones, Ian Fletcher, and Jim Walker.
The group’s chairman is the Hon Peter Jones AM. Peter was previously respective Ministers for Mines & Energy and Resources Development & Education, in the Sir Charles Court Governments and holds WASM’s role in Kalgoorlie at the highest esteem. He is a retired farmer, has held numerous appointments in the private sector and remains very well connected and highly regarded in senior government levels.
Emeritus Professor Odwyn Jones AO was previously a director of WASM for 15 years during a period of outstanding development and resurgence of the Kalgoorlie Campus. This was followed by a further 6 years as Director of Curtin University Development (International) and Director of the Brodie-Hall Research and Consultancy Centre, before formal retirement.
Ian Fletcher is the recently retired BHP Billiton Vice President Public Affairs. Ian has also recently been appointed chairperson of the State Government Regional Development Council. Ian has a plethora of experience in both the private sector and local, state and federal governments. As CEO for the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder he has close knowledge of WASM and its links to the Mining Industry. Ian has also served on the Curtin Council.
Jim Walker, Chief Executive Officer, WesTrac Group, and Director, Seven Group Holdings, is a renowned industry leader who has worked his way up through the ranks of the National Caterpillar agency. Jim has been a long time supporter of WASM and is an active member of the WASM Advisory Board.
Next year no first year courses will be available in Kalgoorlie. This has been presented to the industry as part of a change in the course structure. As a direct result of this, the previously offered 1st year cadetships initiated by the WASMGA will now be offered to 2nd year students studying in Kalgoorlie.
WASM graduate, Guy Travis, donated a set of bullion scales from the Perth Mint for auction at Diggers and Dealers this year which raised over $100,000 for scholarships for students studying in Kalgoorlie. We are very appreciative of Guy’s generous donation and express our sincere thanks and gratitude.
Over the last few months there has been considerable press about the funding potentially becoming available for the re-building of Agricola College. At this stage we have been advised that $20M is designated from the state budget, $5M from Curtin, with a short fall of $8.5M for stage 1 in Kalgoorlie. WASM director Steve Hall has been working hard on different plans and strategies to help progress plans and identify funding to replenish some WASM infrastructure, such as teaching facilities, laboratories and equipment that is long overdue. This is definitely a “work on progress” and we are all interested in seeing how this develops in 2012.
This year we have also resolved to place an Honour Board at the school, acknowledging distinguished graduates. The first recipient of this honour is Sir Lawrence Brodie-Hall. The board will be installed in 2012 and is an important part of our history and successes and the WASMGA Management Committee consider this long overdue.
As always WASM is faced with ongoing challenges and issues. The WASMGA continues to strive to look after the value and integrity of our school and the qualifications we all received. Our aim in 2012 is to continue to develop our presence as a strong alumni group which is very proud of our heritage and passionate in our desire for WASM to continue to play a significant role in mining education in Western Australia.
We wish all graduates and their families, a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We look forward to continuing our representation of the WASM graduates in 2012.
Regards,
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TONY JAMES
WASM Graduates’ Association - President
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