The Restoration Industry Association Incorporated (RIA Inc.) has announced the 2021 and 2022 winners of the RIA Australasian Lifetime Achievement Award.
The RIA Australasian Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual’s exceptional service and dedication to the restoration industry.
The award is modelled on the RIA’s international accolade, the Martin L King Award. King spearheaded the Certified Restorer Program, which is widely recognised as the highest international qualification in the industry.
David Quinn, Managing Director of FEN (Flood & Fire Emergency Network), received the 2021 Australasian Lifetime Achievement Award.
Oliver Threlfall, Steamatic CEO and 2019 recipient of the Australasian Lifetime Achievement Award, said Quinn has “demonstrated the ethos of Martin King” throughout his extensive career in the restoration industry.
“[Quinn] has been a strong advocate for the industry through various [associations] and is a promoter of the integrity of this industry. He is dedicated to his business, staff, and clients. He is hands-on, with a logical and sensible approach to everything that he does and is readily available to anyone looking for advice,” Threlfall said.
“There’s a lot of people in this room that also deserve this award,” Quinn said while accepting his award.
“Thank you to all the FEN members and the professional restorers who have made this industry what it is. RIA now has the Australian mark on it, and I urge everyone in the industry to keep it moving forward, and together we can do that.”
Ross Riek, Managing Director of Carpet Care Services and RIA Inc. Treasurer, was named the recipient of the 2022 Australasian Lifetime Achievement Award.
RIA Inc. President Owen Boak credited Riek for “taking the lead” in the establishment of RIA’s local arm.
“I believe all of us deserve an award for our job,” Riek said.
“It’s a tough job working in emergency restoration – it’s tough on us, our businesses, and our families – however the industry is also equally rewarding.”
The gala dinner marked the conclusion of the RIA Inc. Restoration Conference and Trade Show, held at Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast.
More than 250 delegates attended the conference, which provided highly technical workshops, seminar sessions, trade show, as well as networking events.
RIA Inc. also hosted an Environmental Day, in conjunction with the Indoor Air Quality Association of Australia (IAQAA).
The Environmental Day examined current issues with indoor air quality and public health, with speakers to address topics including epidemiology, toxicology, microbiology, environmental chemistry, and restoration.
Trade show exhibitors included Restore Solutions, Coach8, Active Environmental Solutions, Cool Breeze Rentals, Eurofins, Airhygiene Training, AeroAir, Actichem, Mycotec, AEML, Carpet Cleaners Warehouse, Violand Management Associates, Aeris Environmental, Climate Rental Solutions TESA Directive, Opira, Tramex, Prime Ecosystem, San-Air, IECL, Agile Equipment Hire and XPOWER.
Read more about the 2022 RIA Inc. Conference and Trade Show in the July/August issue of INCLEAN magazine.
INCLEAN attended the 2022 RIA Inc. Conference and Trade Show as a guest of RIA Inc.
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