PRESS RELEASE: 9 DECEMBER 2003

Diana Laidlaw picks up 2003 'Service to the Industry Award'

In a first for Australian politicians, recently retired Liberal and former Minister for Transport, Diana Laidlaw, was presented with the prestigious annual BIASA ‘Service to the Industry Award’ by the Hon. John Hill, Minister for Environment & Conservation and the River Murray, at a ceremony to officially commission the new Marine House on Tuesday 9 December.

Ms Laidlaw was nominated from within the Industry in recognition of her unwavering decade long support for the development of boating facilities throughout the State to create a safer and better environment for recreational and light commercial boating.  

Notably, it was under the guidance of Ms Laidlaw that the SA Boating Facilities Advisory Committee (SABFAC) was founded to make recommendations to Government for investing the funds collected from the recreational boating facilities levy into the development of boating facilities. 

BIASA General Manager Glen Jones said “The 52,500 recreational boat owners that continue to pay into the fund through the levy incorporated within their annual boat registration were satisfied that Ms Laidlaw had ensured that these funds were put back directly into boating facilities and not, as was first feared by many, put into general revenue.”

In praising her efforts in his address, BIASA President, Andrew Hayes said  “Diana is a very deserving recipient of this Award and she has won the respect of the South Australian Marine Industry by working together with Local Government and industry members to make South Australia a national leader in safe and environmentally sound boating facilities”

He went on to say that “The development of new boating facilities and improved navigation aids has added to the regional economy of the State by encouraging more tourism and visitation to urban and regional areas for various boating activities.”

He said “It also meant that more people have invested in housing for retirement or holidays in many coastal towns and the network of world class marina developments rapidly emerging on our coastline, Lakes and the River.”

Ms Laidlaw was surprised and honoured to receive the Award stating that it showed how politicians, government departments and industry can work together to the benefit of the community, of industry, and the whole of the State.

Minister Hill also presented a second Award, the BIASA Boatman of the Year Award to David Woods, a popular veteran of the sailing fraternity in recognition of his outstanding contribution to recreational boating.

Mr Hayes, in speaking to over100 guests said “David is currently Vice Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of SA and has been instrumental in developing courses in boating safety and sailing skills.  A tutor in sea survival, navigation, and radio communication, David coaches racing teams, but his greatest pleasure is taking groups of blind children out to experience the joy of sailing on a 40ft keelboat. In recognition of all this, we take great pleasure in presenting this award to him” 

Mr Woods accepted his award by praising the CYCSA and Yachting SA for their support of his programs and activities and his wife for putting up with being a ‘sailing widow’ for so many years.  He went on to say that he had no plans for retirement just yet.

Mr Jones said “The BIASA was delighted to hear this as we believe that there are many members of the sailing fraternity that will continue to benefit from David’s ongoing hard work and dedication.”