New South Wales

By Dan Robinson, President

The NSW branch had its AGM late last year which brought in several changes to the composition of the NSW committee.

Andrew Thomas (Charles Taylor), Stanley Drummond (Thomson Geer), Danielle Skinner (Carter Newell), Mohinder Kumar (MK Mediations) and Dallas Booth AM FAICD have stepped down from the committee. Their respective contributions to AILA NSW have been invaluable, and we thank them sincerely for their many years of involvement and significant efforts in promoting AILA’s objectives.

We welcome new committee members Jaryd Chetty (QBE), Tim McHutchinson (McInnes Wilson), Sonia Jagodzinska (QBE) and Alexandra Nash (Ashurst). Jaryd, Sonia and Alexandra bring fresh perspectives from different areas of the insurance industry.

Tim is based in Canberra and will be promoting AILA initiatives and events in the Australian Capital Territory through the establishment of the AILA ACT Sub-Branch. We look forward to working with Jaryd, Tim, Sonia and Alexandra in 2024.

Alex Bartlett (Kennedys) has stepped down as NSW President after several successful years at the helm. Alex steered AILA NSW through the difficulties of Covid-19, including the reschedule and roll out of the AILA National Conference in Sydney (which we eventually held August 2022). On behalf of the committee, I thank Alex for her significant contribution and efforts while NSW President. I look forward to working with her on the committee going forward.  

The AILA 40th Anniversary celebration event is scheduled for the evening of 7 March. We have confirmed attendance from many AILA members and friends, including past national presidents and life members. The evening will be a great opportunity to catch up with your insurance industry colleagues and I look forward to seeing many NSW members there.  

We will soon announce dates for an upcoming TechHub seminar and Young Professionals mock trial that are planned to proceed in March and April.

The first NSW branch committee meeting was on 21 February 2024, where we planned out the AILA NSW 2024 event and initiatives schedule. We’ll update you in the next edition of Resolve.

Victoria

by Darren Ferrari, Immediate Past President

The Victorian branch officially kicked of the year with the return of its Annual Dinner and AGM on 21 February.

The dinner was placed on hiatus with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns. It was an absolute delight to bring it back. Thanks to our sponsors, the Commercial Bar Association and the Common Law Bar Association, and all who attended for making the night possible.

As well as providing a chance for AILA members and supporters to reconnect after the Christmas break, the Annual Dinner gives us an opportunity to hear from some great speakers.

This year author and former lawyer Jock Serong spoke. To describe the themes of Jock’s creativity and the importance of recognising and fostering it in ourselves as inspiring does not do the presentation justice. It was, more importantly, very entertaining and hit just the right note for the evening.

The Annual Dinner is combined with Victoria’s AGM. As a result, it was my last meeting as President of the Victorian committee. It was a privilege and a pleasure to hold that role for the last two years.

I leave knowing the Victorian committee is in great hands, with Lucy Terracall taking over as President. Congratulations to Lucy and the 2024 committee.

I would like to thank the 2022 and 2023 committees for their support. In particular, I would like to thank those committee members who are not continuing. I hope to see you at future AILA events.

The committee is already hard at work organising events on topics such as damage to underground assets and unfair contract terms, among many others. If those events have not yet been advertised, they will be soon. Keep an eye on your inbox and AILA’s website.

Tasmania

by Lisa Rankin, President

The Tasmanian committee has jumped headfirst into the new year.

Inquiries are being made into arranging a social networking event soon and we welcome three new members to the committee — Gabby McDonald, Mat Calvert and Nadine Sivyer — who will all provide fresh perspectives and ideas.

Discussions about the annual workers’ compensation masterclass are in progress. On the back of such a successful event last year, the committee is excited to again try and make it bigger and better than ever before.

We are also arranging a smaller scale general insurance masterclass. More information will be available soon.

Queensland

By Sarah Tuhtan, President

It’s been a busy start to the year for AILA Queensland.

The 2024 National Conference will be at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11 to 13 September.

This year’s theme is “Sunny Side Up” and Supreme Court Chief Justice Helen Bowskill is confirmed as the keynote speaker. More details will be available soon. We look forward to welcoming members and guests to the event.

AILA Qld’s flagship Luminaries Dinner is on Thursday 14 March. It’s an invite-only event that provides a unique opportunity for young professionals in the industry to meet and interact with experienced industry leaders. This year’s dinner will be on the Gallery of Modern Art’s Roof Terrace.

The keynote presentation will be by Karni Liddell, a Paralympic swimmer who broke her first world record at the age of 14 and went on to win medals at every Paralympics in which she competed. She is also a speaker, TV presenter and clinical social worker.

Karni, who has a neuro-muscular wasting disease, will talk about tough times, sporting success, health obstacles, family support, perseverance, goal setting and how to handle adversity.

She’ll explain how we cannot control what life throws at us but can control how we handle what is thrown.

The Australian General Insurance Law Review is on Thursday 28 March at the Brisbane Club with speakers being confirmed.