December Message
Immediate Past President Angus Kench and President Cameron Roberts
New president takes the mantle
What a fantastic conference.
There were myriad highlights, ranging from the welcome reception through to the closing lunch. The speakers were exceptional.
For those unable to get to Perth, a selection of articles in the conference issue of Resolve gave you a snapshot of some key presentations and an overview of presentations at the NZILA conference in Christchurch in September.
At the conference dinner in Perth, we had the pleasure of announcing two new life members and a special award.
The Gill Award is named in honour of an AILA founding father, Michael Gill.
Michael is a past president of the international insurance law association, AIDA; chair of the National Insurance Brokers’ Association’s code compliance committee; a former partner and chair of DLA Piper, where he remains a consultant; and has served AILA at many levels, including as the inaugural president. He is an AILA life member.
Michael co-founded AILA after attending the AIDA 1982 World Congress in London, where he was urged to establish an AIDA chapter in Australia. That occurred the following year and Michael has been involved throughout AILA’s 35-year history.
The Gill Award will be open to financial members of AILA who are Australian-based residents. Applications for the inaugural Gill Award will be called in February 2019.
Entrants will submit a paper of either 3,000 words or 8,000 words on a topic relevant to an AIDA working party. Current working party topics are:
- Accumulation of claims and subrogation
- Climate change
- Civil liability insurance
- Consumer protection and dispute resolution
- Credit insurance and surety
- Distribution of insurance products
- Marine insurance
- Motor insurance
- New technologies
- Personal insurance and pensions
- Reinsurance
- State supervision and insurance
Applicants may write a “thought piece” or submit a new product proposal or a new technological solution to an insurance industry “pain point”.
Shortlisted entrants will deliver a 25-minute presentation to the judging panel followed by five minutes of questions.
The winner’s prize, valued at $A10,000, includes attendance at a major AIDA international event.
The Gill Award recognises Michael’s contribution to AILA and AIDA; and the global scientific nature of the AIDA program.
Michael possesses the three attributes the Gill Award is all about: sound legal and insurance thought, supported by thorough research and evidence; clarity of thought and purpose, with a commercial outcome in mind; and conveyed in an atmosphere conducive to eliciting engagement and a positive
impact on those involved.
The award will further strengthen the AILA-AIDA bond and build AILA’s reputation as Australia’s leading insurance law body.
Senior industry representatives will form the judging panel. The award will close in May and the winner announced at the 2019 AILA conference in Hobart, Tasmania.
The Gill Award’s supporting partner is DLA Piper.
Life memberships presented
John-Paul Wilson and Peter Mann have joined the ranks of AILA’s honorary life members, in recognition of their significant contributions to the association.
John-Paul was a long-standing WA committee member for 20 years until December 2017. Read more here.
Peter Mann is one of Australia’s premier insurance lawyers and author of Mann's Annotated Insurance Contracts Act, now in its 7th edition. Read more here.
Both are very worthy life membership recipients.
Life membership is a great honour and, through making these awards, AILA recognises the ongoing contribution, outstanding service and high levels of commitment by both these members.
New AILA Board
AILA’s AGM was held during the conference and there are several new office bearers.
Welcome to the new president, Cameron Roberts, from Thomson Geer in Victoria.
The vice-president is Melanie Quixley, from Barry.Nilsson. in Queensland. I am now the immediate past-president.
Kim Bradey, from the Victorian Bar, retains the secretary’s role and Sue Vidler, from Assetinsure, NSW, is now treasurer.
Incoming board members are Andrew Lillico (WA), Chau Donnan (Qld), and Scott Dual (SA).
I thank outgoing board members who did not seek re-appointment, Chrissie Cheesman (Qld), David Jesser (Qld), and Stephen Williams (WA).
As outgoing president, having served a two-year term, I am incredibly proud of what the board, the chapter committees and our volunteers have achieved over this time. We were given a mandate to, among other things, increase AILA’s profile and brand strength and there is no doubt we achieved that.
I am extremely confident the new board, including incoming president Cameron Roberts, the committees and the volunteers will continue to “move the dial” to achieve AILA’s objectives. Cameron brings an energy and passion for AILA which will ensure this success.
I am remaining on the board and will continue to help AILA however I can. It is an association that has given me so much over my career.
From incoming President Cameron Roberts
I am excited to take on this new role as AILA president.
The insurance industry is such an important part of our economy, which would not function without it.
AILA is an important part of the insurance industry, and I hope it will be become an even more important part of the industry over the next two years.
AILA has many unique attributes. For one, AILA is for all who work in or service the insurance industry. You are a welcome member of AILA regardless of your demographic, regardless of whether you are a broker, underwriter, claims officer or service provider, and regardless of which lines of insurance you specialise in or service.
I am cognisant of the responsibility vested in me to grow AILA over the next two years. Stay tuned for many new, exciting announcements about AILA's membership and education offerings.
Resolve’s editor says the March 2019 issue will feature a profile on me, so you’ll learn more then about my goals for our association. I look forward to working with all the membership to achieve them.
Best wishes for the festive season.
