This is long overdue but sometimes you have to simmer the pot slowly to bring out the real flavour of the ingredients.
The Secunda branch kicked off on a very challenging note this year. Not only did we face the challenge of finding a new venue for our technology evenings, but we were bitten again by not having presenters for our first technology evenings.
With the venue we tried several options and tested a few places before Buckmann Laboratories came to our rescue. They offered the use of their office facility in Secunda at no charge. We can again offer secure parking and our presenters can at least have peace and quiet while presenting without Bok van Blerk providing background music.
The first venues tested did have a negative effect on our attendance figures but lately that has picked up nicely to the 30-40s that we were used to. This can also be attributed to the interesting topics that have been presented at recent meetings. It seems like the guys are not so eager to hear more about the things they work with every day but prefer a higher level approach with some new developments in our interesting and dynamic industry. We now focus more on management systems that will improve cost and reliability of plant systems. Hopefully we will find the right product to manage our shrinking bottom line more effectively.
Presentations so far this year:
* Condition Monitoring and Reliability Centred Maintenance: Quentin Richards (Alpret).
* Solving the Skills Shortage: Nico Marneweck (Endress+Hauser).
* Coal Quality and Coal Analysing: Thinus Geldenhuys (Thermo Ramsey Technologies).
* Laser Measurement: Brad Taylor (LaserM).
Another exciting challenge came when we lost several of our older committee members to allow them some rest. We thank them for their participation and loyal commitment over the years. They will be missed at our committee meetings. In their places we brought in very young blood. These new members have shown greater than expected eagerness. They are seeking things to do and are a great benefit to this committee. This is proof that although we older folks think the younger generation cannot deliver, if we let go we will be surprised at the new energy that is pumped into the team. (Something Jake White can learn from).
On the social front things are also going strong. Our golf day again turned out to be a huge success. Also here we are faced with a new challenge. It took seven years' of hard work, infighting and education to get the Johannesburg branch to understand that May in the instrument event calendar belongs to the Secunda branch and their golf day. This year the Instrument Trade Fair and an Instrument golf day at Camden tried to put a spanner in the works. When will we learn? However, this did not dampen the spirit of the organisers and players and the day turned out to be the success that we had hoped for. A team from Yokogawa won the golf trophy, and the waterhole sponsored by Mitec took the best waterhole trophy. Thanks to Peter Zietsman and his team for the organisation of the event.
All indications are that the rest of the year is going to be even more exciting than the first half. It is up to our members in the area to become part of this exciting branch and join in the fun and excitement. I have heard from a very reliable source that something very special is planned for our year end function. This is so secret that even the sub committee organising the event has promised to shoot whoever allows information to leak out. Make a note of 16 November 2007 and keep that night open if you are one for the mysterious.
Piet van Rensburg
Chairman SAIMC Secunda branch
| Tel: | +27 11 312 2445 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.saimc.co.za |
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