People & Personalities
David Petrie Appointed as Technical Manager - Sydney
A component of AWTA Ltd's management succession plan was a decision to appoint Technical Managers in all three laboratories. In recent years, until this decision, only the Melbourne Laboratory maintained such a position, although previously the position did exist in all three laboratories. In April 2001 Mr David Petrie was appointed as Technical Manager - Sydney.
Dave graduated with a B.Sc. (Honours) in Wool Technology from the University of New South Wales in 1980. He subsequently worked at the university, accumulating extensive experience in wool metrology, in both a teaching and commercial laboratory environment.
He joined AWTA Ltd's Sydney Laboratory as Quality Assurance Controller in April 1999. One of his key projects was implementing Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy as a replacement for ethanol extraction for the determination of residual grease (see p11, May 2000 Newsletter available on the Company's web site at http://www.awta.com.au/Publications/Newsletter/
2000_May/Newsletter_Main.htm).
In addition to general responsibility for quality control and technical issues, Dave has been involved in the Sydney Laboratory in the introduction of LASERSCAN and OFDA for measuring Mean Fibre Diameter and the Diameter Distribution characteristics of raw wool.
As Technical Manager- Sydney, Dave has broader responsibilities for the technical standards within the sampling, testing and certification operations. In this position he is also responsible for Repairs & Maintenance as well as Technical & Quality Control.
Rick Stadler Appointed as Sampling Manager - Adelaide
Peter Byrne, AWTA Ltd's Sampling Manager in Adelaide resigned at the end of March 2001, to take up a career in wool broking. Rick Stadler has been appointed as his replacement.
Rick completed a B.Ag.Sci. at Melbourne University, and gained a Wool Classing Stencil from the Melbourne College of Textiles in 1982. In between jobs, in 1983 he joined AWTA Ltd as a casual Testing Assistant in the Melbourne Laboratory.
After the 83/84 season he travelled overseas for 12 months through Asia, India, Europe, America and New Zealand. Upon his return in 1985 he was appointed as Certification Controller in the Melbourne Laboratory where he became involved in Specialty Fibre Testing, Fleece Testing and the issuing of Length & Strength Tests.
In 1989 he took over the role of Additional Measurements Controller from Ian Ashman (now General Manager Customer Relations) during a period of rapid growth in Length & Strength testing. The Additional Measurements section was gradually integrated into normal Laboratory operations. Consequently, in 1993 he was appointed to the newly created position of Rural Extension Controller, which involved promotion of AWTA Ltd directly to woolgrowers and promotion and development of the Every Sheep Tested (EST) Fleece Testing service. During this time he was also involved in industry Colour trials, Style Measurement, Length After Carding (LAC) and internal ISO 9000 auditing.
From 1997 to his current appointment he held the position of Laboratory Controller.
30 Years Service
16 staff have exceeded 30 years service with AWTA Ltd. The latest to achieve this Milestone is:
Carol Collings (16th)
Credit Controller (Head Office), commenced 19th April, 1971.
20 Years Service
83 staff have exceeded 20 years service with AWTA Ltd. The latest to achieve this Milestone are:
Jill Dowling (82nd)
Administration Controller (Fremantle), commenced 30th January, 1981.
Ian Hale (83rd)
Sampling Officer (Fremantle), commenced 9th March, 1981.