
	Friday, 18 December 2015

Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia, Inc.

Incorporated in 1952, the AVAA is the leading National Body of Auctioneers & Valuers of fine art, antiques and collectables, goods, chattels, plant and equipment. The objectives of the Association are to secure and elevate the standard of the professions of Auctioneers and Valuers through:

the dissemination of professional knowledge
the inculcation of sound practice
providing means of reference for amicable settlement of professional differences
facilitating industry agreement on questions of professional practice
training, conferences and networking opportunities

President’s Christmas Message

Seasons greetings to all of the valued members of the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia. It has been a pleasure this year to work with a board that is motivated to promote the association and work towards increasing the resources available to our existing membership. Outside of direct association responsibilities, the current board members should be congratulated for their drive to improve and grow the association. I would personally like to thank: Tim Slattery for his continued efforts negotiating stronger arrangements with our service suppliers; John Mathe for his contribution to education and international partnerships; Jane Raffan for her reinvigoration of the AVAA in the Arts and Collectables sector; and John Matthews for his drive to strengthen the association and its standards in the Motor Vehicle sector.

I am proud to announce that the Introduction to Auctioneering Course is now live and available online through the association’s website. This course is the first of a series of industry specific education resources that are being developed, and I look forward to announcing further resources early in the new year. Special thanks to the National Secretary Helen Lalas for her continuing efforts, and on behalf of the members I would like to wish her a happy Christmas. Stay safe this festive season and I wish all members a healthy and prosperous 2016. I hope to see you all in Sydney in May for the combined National Conference and AGM.

Regards, Geoff Eaton

Auction Course Online Now

The new online course has been developed through the persistent efforts of directors Geoff Eaton and John Mathe and provides an introduction to the core elements of running a successful auction event, from writing effective lot descriptions, through to setting an auction and calling the sale. This course presents the best opportunity in Australia to gain a solid introduction to the industry.and we encourage all members to consider offering this course to their young employees or new entrants.

Members and employees of corporate members are offered the course at a discounted rate. For more information, please refer to the Training Courses page on our website.

Directors’ Activity in 2015

Board member Jane Raffan has overseen new marketing strategies targeting the arts and museum sectors, with the aim to increase the profile of the AVAA and its valuer members working across these fields. In August, our National Secretary, Helen Lalas, attended the annual Trade Show and Conference of Museums & Galleries Queensland, and we have arranged ongoing advertising sponsorship with Museums & Galleries of NSW. AVAA members have been contacted to canvass profiling member activities through editorials on the MGNSW website, and we encourage you to contact Jane directly if you would like more information on this opportunity.

In addition to securing discount rates for AVAA members subscribing to the National Auctioneers Association, throughout 2015 John Mathe has been working closely with the China Auctioneers Association in order to forge better relationships between our respective organisations. In mid 2016 further negotiations are likely to take place with the USA, France, China and the AVAA to form an International Federation of Auctioneers. This proposal was instigated by France in an effort to create an international market platform and to improve co-operations between the respective countries.

Tim Slattery has again worked towards sourcing the highest calibre speakers to present to our members at the next National Conference and has instigated a review of the Professional Indemnity Insurance services offered to our members with a view to securing better rates in 2016. Meanwhile, in the motor vehicle sector, John Matthews has made extensive contacts with dealerships to appraise them of deficiencies and risks in valuation work and make them aware of the benefits of utilising AVAA professional member services.

2016 AGM and National Conference

To facilitate greater attendance by interstate members, the 2016 AGM and AVAA National Conference will be held concurrently on Thursday 26 May 2016. Those who attended the last conference found it to be very valuable professional development and we expect an equally high calibre of speakers in 2016. This will provide an affordably priced opportunity for members to improve their industry knowledge and network with fellow members. Save the date now and look out for more information early in the New Year.

Preferential Advertising Rates “The Australian”

The Australian newspaper is keen to encourage advertising across the Arts Sector and we have secured preferential rates for AVAA members wishing to take up this opportunity. For more information please contact:

AVAA National Secretary: [email protected] if you would like to be sent more information; or

Geraldine Rep at The Australian: [email protected]

Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Regulation 2015

This replacement for the 2008 regulation commenced on 1 September 2015 and provides the administrative details necessary for the Pawnbrokers and Second-Hand Dealers Act 1996. Any member whose business is covered under this Act should check the Regulation and familiarise themselves with the new details. Details can be found on the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading website:

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

Valuers Wanted for Military Antiques Fair

The National Vietnam Veterans Museum is looking for expressions of interest from qualified valuers / auctioneers who would be interested in attending a Military Antiques Fair at the Museum on Phillip Island on Sunday 10 April 2016. The various categories would include – Medals; Unique Artefacts; Artwork; Books, Photographs, Letters / documents; Uniforms. Please contact Sonia on 03 5956 6400 for further details. www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org

Entries Invited

What would you like to see in the next Newsletter? Please forward any contributions, suggestions, industry news or gossip to the National Secretary at [email protected]