ICOMIA
International honour for Australian boat industry
QUEENSLAND boating industry stalwart and Gold Coast resident, Graeme Avers, has been elected President of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA).
He is the first Australian to hold the prestigious position which has never before moved outside Europe or North America.
Mr Avers said it was a personal honour to be chosen to head the international committee.
He said, that more importantly, it was recognition of the high esteem in which the Australian boating industry was held by the international boating community.
“ICOMIA is the voice of the world-wide marine recreational industry
on global matters such as technical standards, tariffs and regulatory affairs,” said Mr Avers.
“It represents more than 40 developed and emerging countries in global recreational marine matters.
“The importance of ICOMIA to Australia is that for more than two decades the Australian recreational marine industry has been expanding rapidly into export areas and needs to be involved in, and benefit from, keeping abreast of international affairs.
“Australia is now very much a part of the global marine village and contributes greatly to world recreational marine expertise and industry matters.
“ICOMIA fosters exchange and interface between all countries within the recreational marine industry and Australia is a key player in that.
“The benefit to Australia of holding the presidential seat is it enhances the profile of Brand Australia and will lead to greater export for the Australian product.”
Mr Avers became a director of the Boating Industry Association of Queensland in 1982 and has been actively involved in the boating industry on a state, national and international level ever since.
In 2006 he received the BIAQ President’s Award for outstanding contribution to the Queensland boating industry.
In bestowing the honour, BIAQ President, Barry Jenkins, said Mr Avers had made an exceptional professional and personal commitment to the industry for almost 30 years.
In 2005, Mr Avers stepped down as CEO of Eastern Engine, after 27 years with the company, the importer of Volvo Penta Products.
Caption
BIAQ President, Barry Jenkins, presents Graeme Avers with the 2006 BIAQ President’s Award for his outstanding contribution to the Queensland boating industry.
