Category: President’s Letter

Dear Friends

I write this as we have entered the second month of a New Year and recently saw the start of the Lunar New Year celebrated in many parts of the world.

I don’t know about you but last year seemed so crazy.  People seem to be acting out of a state of entitlement and unrealistic expectations.  Our airport is so worried about people’s behaviour that they are erecting signs reminding passengers and visitors to show respect.   I though this is one of the basic human courtesies.

I had to do a refresher training for Emergency Psychosocial response last week and the trainer as she was speaking told a story of how she now is so aware of people invading her personal space that when she does her shopping she wants to walk with her elbows spread so people don’t get too close.

Continue reading “President’s Message, February 2025”

Dear Friends and Colleagues

I firstly want to acknowledge the work of our colleagues in St Louis as they prepare for our conference in October.  Now is the time to book as we gather to learn and share together.

We have also had the Board meet with our colleagues in Frankfurt and plans are well advanced for the conference in 2024.  As yet we don’t have an offer for 2025 so if you are interested in hosting please let us know.  We are open as costs increase to consider an online conference in 2025 and then a face to face in 2026.  Please let us know your thoughts.

Continue reading “President’s Letter August 2023”

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I wanted to get this newsletter out to you as some have been asking about information for this year’s conference.  We hope to start taking registrations early in June and information is included in this newsletter.  This year we will using Eventbrite to register and take payments at the same time.  I want to thank the team at St Louis for their hard work and I can assure you we will be in for a great time.

I do want to remind you all that as part of the application process you will need to acknowledge that you have taken out appropriate travel insurance.  We will also ask people to acknowledge that they will take care of their own health and not attend sessions if they feel unwell.

Continue reading “President’s letter May 2023”

April 2023

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I can’t believe how fast time is going by.  Maybe it’s because I am older and I certainly want to make every moment count.

I guess, you, like us in Melbourne seem to be getting busier and busier as the airline industry reconnects the world.

One of the things I am finding that is causing stress amongst staff is the language being used around the Pandemic.  For example, how busy we are in passenger numbers is always being measured against pre pandemic numbers.  What I am finding is this is causing stress to staff especially new staff who have no idea what the airport was like pre pandemic.

Continue reading “President’s letter April 2023”

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

What a year we have experienced as the industry that we support has continued to bounce back from one of the most devastating periods in its history.

Here in Melbourne flights are full both domestically and internationally and there is a crazy buzz around the place.

One of the things I have been trying to practise in amongst this craziness is finding a few moments several times through the day just to pause, contemplate and listen.  To still my spirit from all of the rush, noise and often confusion people have as they move around the airport.

As we celebrate Christmas, especially in the West, it can be a crazy, busy, noisy time as we fit in all of the celebrations, the festivities, parties, church services, money raising and giving a helping hand to those who will be doing it tough, that we find it hard to stop, to be still, to contemplate.

Continue reading “President’s Letter December 2022”