ng the business sessions were a number of project updates including Stage 5 of the Dampier Bunbury Pipeline expansion.

APIA presented its annual awards at the commencement of the first business session, with a number of individuals recognised for their contributions to the pipeline industry. Kristin Martin (APA Group) and Leon Richards (McConnell Dowell) were announced as the joint winners of the Young Achievement Award for 2007. The APIA award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Pipeline Industry was awarded to Graeme Hogarth of Hogarth Project Management Services.

It was a unique year in that APIA announced the election of a new Honorary Life Member, given that there are only ten in total. With over 50 years of involvement in the pipeline industry, Keith Fitzgerald was highly qualified to join that select group.

The Convention also hosts APIA’s AGM each year. At the AGM a new board was elected, with the new board’s composition highlighting the broad membership of APIA, with two producers, three owners, two contractors, a large engineering company and two individual consultants represented.

Also at the AGM, the outgoing President Mark Harper highlighted the Association’s achievements over the past year, including the improved governance arrangements put in place for the organisation’s future, and the establishment of the Sponsoring Membership category as a truly owner-member group. Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright also provided a brief update of the secretariat’s activities over the previous year, including the successful lobbying of government on the new National Gas Law, work on an online library/database, planned training programs and the increased media attention and public awareness of the Association and the industry as a whole.

The 2007 Convention was also the first time that the national committee of the Young Pipeliners Forum met face-to-face. In a demonstration of the pipeline industry’s commitment to the next generation of pipeliners, all employers of the national committee members ensured they attended the Convention so that they could attend the face-to-face meeting.

The Convention also included an Exhibition, in which companies were able to showcase products and services to the pipeline industry. An extremely popular opportunity, the Exhibition again sold out many months before the Convention.

The event also provided a number of networking opportunities including dinners, a golf competition and Young Pipeliners’ drinks. The Convention closed with the APIA Annual Dinner which saw the official welcome of Ashley Kellett as the Association’s incoming President.