PMA MEMBERS HELP OUT - further offers of assistance to flood affected businesses in SE Queensland.

Paul Dawson - Hydro Photographics, Port Macquarie; has offered to print anyone's work at paper & chemistry cost pricing only. Please contact pd@hydrophotographics.com.au

Peter Osborn - Sun Studios, Alexandria, has advised to all Bron customers that Sun Studios can offer free repair and also loan gear if their Bron equipment has been damaged in the flood. Email: oss@sunstudiosaustralia.com

Stan Kessanis - Stand Alone Design, Sydney, can possibly help with any POS or signs/ art to help retailers get a message out to their customers ie. Web banners or ads at no charge. Email: stan@standalone.com.au

Terry Rimmer- Photo Digital Solutions, Sydney, has offered no charge consultancy for help with business solutions. Email: trim@isp.net.au

Shane Martin - Kodak Australasia, has offered any assistance necessary to get minilabs up and running again. Email: shane.martin@kodak.com

David Small - Noritsu Australia: "Due to floods in QLD and VIC, we at Noritsu Australia are concerned about our customers and want to help. If any Noritsu Australia customer needs help please ring me directly on 0412 215 063 and we will try to do something to support them."

Noritsu has already been able to assist Will Street from Streets Imaging in Brisbane. Will reported 200mm of water through his lab and 1 meter of water through his home (Neither had flood insurance). His Noritsu 3203 suffered damage to circuit boards at the lower level and David Small has been able to arrange and ship the replacement parts required to have the 3203 operational again.

A big thank you goes to all the PPFA Members who have offered assistance:

Donors include:

Matrix Framing - Paddington, NSW - Multi-cutter.

Final Finish Framing - Hunter's Hill, NSW - Plan drawers.

Southern Picture Framers - Bunbury WA - Underpinner.

Framing Matters - Canberra - Framing supplies.

The Framing School - Vincentia NSW - financial donation.

Artasia Gallery - Petersham, NSW has offered a compressor if needed.

Sunset Gallery - Port Macquarie, NSW has offered a matcutter if needed.

Thank you all for your generous offers of assistance.

Wollongong Camera House has seen a change of management recently with new Director and owner Ian Sackett taking over the reins from previous owners Brian and Kay Warnest.

Ian has long been a familiar face at Wollongong Camera House, having started as a trainee for Brian and Kay in November 2003. As a 17 year old trainee, Ian's duties included helping in the lab, camera sales on the shop floor, and to "do all the duties that no one else would do". During this period Ian completed a Retail Certificate II in 2003-2004, and in 2006 won the title of Wollongong Crown Street Mall Employee of the Year, and also the 2006 PMA Young Achiever NSW National Finalist.

In Feb 2007, Ian took a brief hiatus from retailing and moved to Sydney to work for C.R Kennedy for a period of 14 months, and then in May 2008 returned to Wollongong Camera House as Store Manager for the Warnests'. After having worked in the Photographic Industry from both the retail and wholesale perspective, Ian was the first ever ARA Young Retailer of the Year - National Winner for 2008. He then undertook a Diploma in Retail Business Management course in 2009 - 2010 and plans to embark on a Masters Degree in Retail Business Management through the ARA in June 2011.

Ian attributes much of his success to the support Brian and Kay Warnest have provided over the years. Ian says Brian & Kay "have been a great inspiration to me over the past seven years, from giving me an opportunity to work, and always encouraging me to achieve my best in Retailing and Photography." "They have always been there for help, and to answer questions, and now encourage me in my latest role of Director (under new ownership) of Wollongong Camera House".

Over the past seven years Ian has noticed big changes in the photographic retail industry, with the emphasis now on great customer service, product knowledge, brand & range selection and most importantly respect for the customer and customer locality. He emphasises that retail staff should always try to up-sell and include add-on sales to increase stock over, and be able to connect with the customer so that they enjoy a positive purchasing experience. Ian looks forward to a continued close association with the Camera House brand, and is excited about the Camera House Online Sales website which will drive foot traffic into all Camera House stores.

At 24 years of age, Ian must be one of the youngest company Directors in the Photographic Industry, but with his education, experience and passion for retail, we know he will go a long way!

Hello everyone

I think you are now all informed of the tragedy that happened, not only in the mountains nearby Rio de Janeiro, but also in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais states. As far as I could find out, no members were affected in Rio de Janeiro, but I am still investigating about Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.

The rain was so strong that many water reservoirs had to be opened to avoid a larger tragedy. many cities were under water but in this case, since the authorities were able to warn the population, we had no major losses in lives.

What happened in the mountains in Rio, however, has been the largest climate disaster ever occurred in this country. I was watching the Aussies by TV and the impression was we did something to Mother Nature and she is now answering very seriously. Almost 700 lives lost (it is expected that we reach 1000 as soon as the rescues teams reaches places where the houses simply disappeared)

I would like to thank all the synpathy messages you guys sent and didn´t reply before as I was also affected with no electricity, no internet, no telephones and, believe it or not, no water as well.

It seems that everything is coming back to normal.
 

If there is anything else to be reported, I will do it in the next couple of days.

All the best

RRicci

PMA Brasil
 

Sun Jan 30:                        PPFA WA Industry Meeting

                                           Gallery 360, Subiaco