“Leading the Way” was the theme of the 2022 CICA National Conference, held at Adelaide Convention Centre from the 10th to 12th of November, and it surpassed all expectations.
Attended by over 450 participants, the conference was an excellent blend of valuable technical and business presentations, networking opportunities and special events. The impressive combination of cranes and exhibitors emphasised the scale and size of the cranes and the exhibitors provided attendees with a chance to familiarise themselves with products, services and innovations on offer to help their businesses.
The banks of the Torrens River provided a perfect backdrop for the Networking Dinner, sponsored by SANY. The sounds of the acoustic guitar and delicious seafood were delightful, trumped only by the wonderful and long missed opportunity to catch up with friends and acquaintances after the pandemic years.
Dr Craig Challen SC OAM had the audience captivated as he delivered the keynote address on his experience as part of a cave rescue operation in Thailand to evacuate 12 children and an adult from the flooded Tham Luang Cave system. Dr Challen challenged our aversion to risk and shared insights on the importance of knowing the mission, the team and oneself providing valuable and empowering lessons to listeners.
Thanks to the MC for the event, Marianne Van Dorslar, the program ran very smoothly. The panels, presentations, technical and business workshops all provided valuable material and awareness on a vast range of issues that impact crane usage, safety, business efficiency and profitability. Attendees were offered ideas and resources to assist them with navigating the challenges, legislative requirements, fraud detection, succession planning and skills limitations that they face in their businesses.
UAA was the platinum sponsors of the conference and used the opportunity to present its business vision and information on how it provides insurance products and services that increase productivity and peace of mind.
The sessions were broken up by delectable tea and lunch offerings, which also provided time to connect with other delegates and to wander around the exhibition hall.
wKieran Hegarty, Terex and Frank Schroder, Tadano
The Crane manufacturers panel facilitated by Tom Smith, consisted of: Kieran Hegarty (Terex), John Benton (Manitowoc Cranes), Christoph Kleiner (Liebherr – Werk Ehingen), Frank Schroder (Tadano) and Marco Burgmer (Sennebogen). These manufacturing experts graciously gave of their time to answer questions about manufacturing data, issues and the direction that crane manufacturing is heading.
The technical workshops had updates and discussions on: The development and application of lifting chains; crane technical innovations; safety planning and risk mitigation; tyre behaviour; lift planning, and crane efficiency.
Sunnybrae Estate was only a short drive from the Convention Centre, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it was miles away. The heritage-listed estate and magnificent gardens and picturesque backdrops provided the perfect setting for fine food, wine and enchanting entertainment.
A fitting way to end the 2022 CICA National Conference was the Gala dinner on Saturday night, a spectacular evening of dynamic entertainment and delicious food. Time was spent remembering Bob Parker, Rob Way and John Gillespie, CICA’s founding fathers who had sadly passed away in recent years. CICA would not exist today if not for their selfless commitment and invaluable contribution to the crane industry. It was fantastic to have Allan McPherson, CICA Life Member, present. The awards and trophies presented on the night highlighted excellence in the crane industry and gave winners the well-deserved credit for their achievements.
This year CICA received the most ever Lift of the Year entries and judges spent an inordinate amount of time assessing the merits of each submission. CICA would like to thank everyone who entered the Lift of the Year Awards as the standard of the lifts and submissions were world class.
Congratulations to the following:
• Project of the Year winner – John Holland for the Sydney Football Stadium
• 2020 Lift of the Year more than 20 tonne winner – Universal Cranes for the Kettle Tub Replacement Project
• 2021 Lift of the Year more than 20 tonne winner – Johnson and Young Cranes for the Hyde Street Exit Ramp Span 31 Load Transfer Pass out project
• 2022 Lift of the Year more than 20 tonne winner – John Holland and Tutt Bryant for the Auchenflower Overpass Demolition Project
• Lift of the year less than 20 tonne winner – Fullers Mobile cranes for their work on the White Bay Power Station
• The Innovation Award went to John Holland and Edwards Heavy Lift for the Precast Concrete Trunnion
• The Bill Shaw Award recipients for the overall best lift was John Holland and Tutt Bryant for the Auchenflower Overpass Demolition Project
The 2022 Photo of the Year Award went to Cranes Combined
The other awards presented on the night recognised the efforts of individuals whose outstanding contributions greatly benefit the crane industry in Australia. They also provide a benchmark of excellence and good practice for the entire sector.
CICA Excellence Award
Two Excellence Awards for 2022 were presented.
Simon Buxton and the Tasmanian Department of State Growth stood out for the development, implementation, and proliferation of the Heavy Vehicle Access Management System.
This innovative work continues to provide enormous benefit to the crane industry through the significant reduction in need for road access permits as well as transparency and certainty in road access. Along with a large reduction in resources required for the crane industry, this innovative work has provided enormous benefit through a significant reduction in need for road access permits as well as transparency and certainty in road access.
Along with a large reduction in resources required for the crane industry, the Heavy Vehicle Access Management System has afforded greater flexibility in crane selection and enabled the crane industry to service the community more efficiently and effectively.
It is also noted that this is the first time this award has been presented to someone from within Government.
The other CICA Excellence Award recipient was Jon Dunn of Dunn’s Twin City Cranes for his contribution to changes with WorkSafe Victoria.
Wodonga-based Dunn’s Twin City Cranes (DTCC) was issued with a Prohibition Notice by Worksafe Victoria. DTCC successfully appealed the notice and consultation with the regulator has allowed CICA to form a steering committee and discussions with WorkSafe Victoria resulted in changes to the requirements of work boxes.
The CICA Legend Award went to Danny Black, recognising Danny’s outstanding service to the crane industry.
The CICA Hall of Fame Awards went to Albert Smith and Anthony Grosser for their contribution to the crane industry.
A special thank you to the Sponsors, without whom this event would not happen.
Thank you to:
Platinum Sponsors: UAA, Experts in Mobile Plant Insurance
Networking Dinner Sponsor: SANY
Gold Sponsors: Tadano and Berendsen, Fluid Power
Silver Sponsors: Finlease, Liebherr and Maeda
Bronze Sponsors: Assignar, Robway, Sennebogen Pace Cranes, Manitowoc, and Crane Connection
Satchel Sponsors: Franna, a Terex brand
Lanyard Sponsor: Tutt Bryant
Event Partners: Adelaide Convention Bureau, South Australia Tourism and the Government of South Australia
Feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly positive and work is already underway for the 2023 Conference which will be held in Perth, Western Australia.