Getting to know our MGA TMA members

NATIONAL

Marie-Claire McKiernan | MGA TMA National Membership Manager

They say, “Time flies when you are having fun”, and I can say that it has been a bit of a whirlwind since I began my role as National Membership Manager at MGA TMA.

Trying to learn as much as I can (I know it takes time!), and then just over a week after I started, Melbourne was plunged into another lockdown due to the pandemic, and the goal posts changed.

I am thankful that during the first week, I was able to visit some of our MGA TMA members face to face, including Mike, Wayne and Matt at Bayswood Timber Wholesalers, Richard and Rhonda at Hazelwood and Hill and Peter and Kimberley at Peuker and Alexander.

The meeting that was planned with Karen of IHG needed to be taken online due to lockdown.

We’ll be reaching out to others in the industry to discuss further what we can do around this issue to assist our members. Other points of interest were the availability of reliable staff– one member offers staff a weekly cash incentive for them to work 38 hours a week, but even this doesn’t guarantee them being there and gender diversity in the industry.

It was wonderful to hear from our members in their own words just how beneficial they see their MGA TMA membership to their business.

During tours of their facilities, I also got to see and understand the way that Australian Circular Economy Solutions (ACES) can benefit our members. ACES focuses on the circular economy and waste hierarchy and aim to reduce the environmental and financial burden of business operations. Through innovative and practical solutions, they improve the utility and sustainability of businesses and reduce their carbon emissions footprint.

L-R Luke & Kimberley Blackwell and Peter Alexander from Peuker and Alexander

L-R Matt Drew, Mike Drew, Wayne Hawker of Bayswood Timber Wholesalers

The common theme that came out of each of these visits was the effect that timber shortages are having on our members and their customers and the astronomical increase in the price of timber imports.

Hazelwood and Hill

I’ll wrap my update up by saying whilst I would like to meet all our members face to face, I appreciate that may not be able to happen, but please feel free to reach out to me via phone (0411 886 716) or email (marie-claire. mckiernan@mga.asn.au) with any queries you may have.