The directors also agreed to invite Garry Phillips of Slique Pty Ltd to join the board. We are delighted to confirm that Garry has accepted a position on the board. Garry’s impartiality and comprehensive knowledge of sealing and maintenance will assist in the production of the “ASAA Natural Stone Manual”.

The new board is:

– Ian Lamble (Melocco Stone)
– Anthony Stock (Australian Tile Publications)
– Jim Mann (Stone Initiatives & Materials Testing)
– Emina Micevski (RMS Natural Stone & Ceramics)
– Richard Mackenzie (Ocean + Merchant)
– Rolf Offerhaus (Ardex Australia)
– Garry Phillips (Slique Pty Ltd)

The proposed ‘ASAA Natural Stone Manual’ will be promoted extensively to design/construct specialists and members of industry via a series of press releases to leading architectural journals, in the pages of Discovering Stone and Tile Today magazines and on the ASAA website which currently averages more than 40,000 hits per month.

It is envisaged that the ‘ASAA Manual’ will become the premier guide to selection and installation of stone.

Eight months ago ASAA provided partial funding for development of AS 3958.3 which has been on the drawing board for many years. Since ASAA’s involvement ASAA director Jim Mann and the BD 44 committee have produced an extensive working document which may prove useful in terms of producing the ‘ASAA Manual’.

The proposed manual will be partially based on the Marble Institute of America (MIA) ‘Dimension Stone Design Manual’. Under an earlier agreement MIA kindly consented to allow ASAA to reproduce their materials (modified for local consumption) provided the Australian material referenced the original MIA material. ASAA has already published a ‘Residential Stone Countertop Guide’ based on the original MIA guide.

The ASAA board voted to abandon its support for AS 3958.3 in favour of producing the proposed manual. This strategy will allow ASAA to actively promote the ‘Manual’ and derive revenue from its sale, which will in turn provide funds for further promotional activities.

The following individuals will modify existing MIA material and add relevant local content. The board is pleased to confirm that each member has agreed to participate in full.

– Ian Lamble (ASAA Director)
– Jim Mann (ASAA Director)
– Rolf Offerhaus (ASAA Director)
– Garry Phillips (ASAA Director)
– Carl Strautins (ASAA Member)
– Colin Cass (ASAA Member)

The next meeting of the board of directors will be held at 2pm at Ocean + Merchant’s offices located at 2 Ralph Street, Alexandria on Tuesday December 15.

As the association commences work on the ‘ASAA Stone Design Manual’ we urge any previous or potential new members to join ASAA. Your membership and support will assist in the rapid development of this valuable and comprehensive guide to the selection, installation and maintenance of stone.

For more information about the ‘ASAA Stone Design Manual’ and joining ASAA call Rowena Rowbotham or Anthony Stock on 03 9888 3587. The association website currently receives more than 22,000 unique visits per month.

On the subject of new members we are delighted to welcome Project Stone Australia Pty Ltd and David Mark Tatler on board.

As we only received one nomination in Class ‘B’ current director Jim Mann retains his seat on the board.

In Class ‘A’ the following individuals received the most votes and were either re-elected or voted in as director(s).

– Richard Mackenzie ~ Ocean + Merchant
– Rolf Offerhaus ~ Ardex Australia
– Emina Micevski ~ RMS Stone

The votes were counted by solicitor David Rush of Rennick & Gaynor. A copy of David’s statement will be available for perusal at the AGM on October 27 at 6pm at:

Ocean + Merchant
Unit 1, 2 Ralph Street
Alexandria NSW 2015

Please call Rowena Rowbotham to confirm your attendance by 5pm on Monday October 26.

The members of the board are:

– Ian Lamble
– Anthony Stock
– Jim Mann
– Emina Micevski
– Richard Mackenzie
– Rolf Offerhaus

Felicity Stock is the acting secretary.

Gary Hargreaves (Gosford Quarries), Robert Fraser (Innvotech) and David West (International Conservation Services) have stepped down.

We wish to thank all members who cast their votes and we extend our congratulations to new director Emina Micevski.

Please note that a meeting of the new board will take place immediately after the AGM. The AGM will consist of a statement regarding finance, membership, and current/future activities. Members are invited to attend and ask questions etc.

The minutes of next Tuesday’s board meeting will be emailed to all financial members and a statement about the boards ambitions for the year ahead will be published on the ASAA website on October 30.

The ASAA AGM will be held at the premises of Ocean + Merchant at 6pm on October 27

All full financial members are eligible to nominate a director in their class. Ballot forms are being circulated to members for completion and return by October 6th.

Ocean + Merchant are located at:
2 Ralph Street
Alexandria, NSW, 2015
(In close proximity to the airport)
Refreshments will be provided.

ASAA recently launched its Residential Stone Countertop Guide at an industry gathering at WK Marble & Granites showroom in Braeside, Victoria.

The full 26 page guide which includes 16 pages of detailed drawings can be purchased by calling Rowena Rowbotham on 03 9888 3587. The cost to members is $16.50 inc GST, non-members can purchase this valuable guide to Countertop Installation for $27.50 inc GST.

A free 2 page abbreviated version of the guide is also available. Click here to access the free download; or call Rowena Rowbotham to purchase the full guide.

The complete ASAA Residential Stone Countertop Guide features detailed information on stone selection, and numerous tips on installation, plus 16 pages of detailed drawings. To purchase the ‘Guide’ call Rowena Rowbotham on 03 9888 3587. The cost to members is $16.50 inc GST, non-members can purchase the guide for $27.50.