Page 56 - Print21 Magazine May-June 2021

Associations
Much to celebrate
Ruth Cobb, CEO of PrintNZ, says the opening of the trans- Tasman bubble, and the resumption of in-person awards events are reasons for optimism.
The opening of the trans-Tasman bubble in April has been cause for many to celebrate on both sides of the Tasman. Being able to freely (but carefully) move between our two countries
once again is another step back towards normality, and a relief for many family and friends
but also, importantly, for businesses.
Australians make up 40 per cent of the tourist market in New Zealand and Kiwis likewise visit Australia in droves. While the initial flights will likely
be more focused on reuniting families and friends, there is a reasonable expectation that the tourists will also start to travel and inject some much needed funds into the many tourism and hospitality businesses that have been slayed by Covid-19. In turn this will flow on to the other industries that support those businesses, including print.
In addition, there are many trans-Tasman businesses that have been constrained by not being able to visit their staff or service their customers
in person, and the bubble will allow them to get those connections working more effectively once again.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the industry has started
the annual round of Awards celebrations, building up to the big event, the Pride In Print Awards, on 25 June. Judging of the 550 entries took place mid- April, and this has produced a worthy array of winners.
56 Print21 MAY/JUNE 2021
Evolving industry: Ruth Cobb, CEO, PrintNZ
Entries must have been printed during the 2020 calendar year, and with the reduced volumes of work produced by many printers over that time, entry numbers were understandably down. But there was absolutely no reduction in the quality of the work received, generating some heated debate among the judges when it
came to the contestable awards – category winners, process winners, and of course the coveted Supreme Award.
Training
Both of the Print Industry Training graduations have now taken place, celebrating every trainee in the industry who achieved a qualification in 2020. This in itself is worthy of a celebration and a credit
to those who continued down their path of study – despite the disruptions of Covid-19 – that in some cases kept them out
of the workplace for periods
of time, and in other cases saw their workplace requirements completely refocused.
The five Apprentice of the Year sector winners were announced at these two events and they are:
• Trust4Skills Screen Print Apprentice of the Year
• Craig Murray, Global Publications, Christchurch
• BJ Ball Packaging Apprentice of the Year
• Alexander Cameron-Brown, Peacock Brothers, Auckland
• Heidelberg Offset Apprentice of the Year
• Todd Nicholls, Webstar, Masterton
• GAPF Digital Print Apprentice of the Year (Joint Winners)
• Karl Pearson, Printcraft, Masterton
• Travis Jordan, Soar Print, Auckland
A huge congratulations to each of these amazing people,
one of whom will go on to be crowned overall Apprentice of the Year at the Pride In Print Awards gala event, where we will also see the naming of the Training Company of the Year, and Trainer of the Year.
Planning is well underway for the big event which will be the largest gathering of the industry for two years – a night not to be missed and an event that will bring us a step closer to a feeling of normality.
PacPrint
In Australia, the organisers of PacPrint in Melbourne will also be driving ahead, with a focus on providing an exhibition that can be attended by those on both sides of the Tasman. By the time this rolls around
in September, the bubble will have been in place for five months. Hopefully, it will have stayed relatively intact during that time, and Kiwis will feel confident enough to make the trip and will use the opportunity to see the latest developments in the industry and celebrate a trans-Tasman event once again.
My final word goes to the businesses in our industry that support and sponsor these events – they too have suffered major disruption but have continued to dig deep and support the industry
and its events – none of this could take place without them. There are too many to list individually, but know that
we appreciate your continued commitment and look forward to having a different sort of bubbles with you, and raising a glass to you all.
As we all feel our way back
to business as usual, it is important to celebrate both the achievements and the milestones, so make sure you join us and take part – the more the merrier.
Cheers. 21