Monash University Associate Professor Tony Buzzard, from the Alfred Hospital's Department of Surgery in Melbourne, presented on the topic Permanent body impairment assessment on March 22 in Hobart - 47 people attended the seminar.

Associate Professor Buzzard presented the paper at AILA's National Conference last October, but many workers' compensation claims staff did not attend. It was opportune for Associate Professor Buzzard to give another presentation on the topic.

ALIA Victoria hosted its annual dinner and annual general meeting on February 27.

Almost 200 people attended, many of whom remarked on the fabulous venue - the Regent Theatre's Plaza Ballroom. It was the first time the event was held there.

Ross Gillies QC was an impressive guest speaker. He also gave a wonderful tribute to the late Geoff Masel.  The event was so successful AILA Victoria has already received offers of sponsorship and table bookings for next year's dinner. 

Congratulations to Cameron Roberts, Herbert Geer; David Abel, ANZ; Ailbhe Kirrane, Lander & Rogers; Andrew Seiter, Wotton + Kearney; David Chew, HWL Ebsworth; David Randazzo, DLA Piper; George Karalis, Willis; Joe Naccarata, Cornwall Stoddart; John Simpson, barrister; Kim Bradey; Mark Attard, Colin Biggers & Paisley; Mikaela Reynoldson, Melbourne University; Nieva Connell, Hunt & Hunt; Oenone Ritman, CGU; Peter Chapman, Willis; Raf Pisano, Minter Ellison; and Richard Adamczyk, AIG, on their election to the committee.

On March 26, AILA Victoria and ANZIIF conducted a joint seminar, 2012 - A year in review.  The event was well attended, and particular thanks go to committee member Mark Attard for presenting at the seminar.

AILA Victoria's annual networking event returns to Slate Bar on September 12. Last year's event was a sellout, and this year's event promises to be bigger and better, with a great guest speaker, footy finals-themed door prizes, cocktails, and the return of a caricature artist.

On March 19, I had the pleasure of presenting the AILA Insurance Law Prize to Murdoch University joint winners Jacques Giuffre and Rod Carey.

Stephen Williams with joint winner Jacques Giuffre

Stephen Williams with joint winner Rod Carey

Jacques was then AILA’s guest at the March breakfast seminar. Rod will join us at the June event. The WA AILA branch sponsors insurance law prizes at Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia, both of which offer a specific undergraduate insurance law course. I will announce the University of Western Australia prize winner in the next issue of Resolve.

April's breakfast seminar was the ever-popular annual update on workers' compensation case law, presented by barrister Marco Tedeschi, co-author of the Lexis Nexis publication Workers' Compensation WA. Of interest were cases relevant to cross border provisions, particularly with the state's level of resources development attracting high numbers of FIFO workers.

In May, WA departed from the usual format, with a day-long event,Insurance Gangnam Style. It was arranged by AILA life member Greg Pynt, and presented by the University of Western Australia and the University of Southampton, members of the Worldwide Universities Network, with support from AILA. It attracted excellent speakers, both domestic and international, and concluded with a networking sundowner.

As always, the committee welcomes ideas for seminars and functions from all AILA members.

AILA’s national conference this year is on September 18-20 at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney.

The organising sub-committee has come up with a wonderful program, topics and speakers. By now you should have received the registration brochure and we hope you can all come along and make this the best conference yet. If you haven’t received the brochure, download it from AILA's website, or contact me and I will forward a copy to you. Congratulations to the committee on all their efforts to date. 

The Twilight Seminar series is well under way and, from feedback received, the topics have been exceptional. Registrations received confirm the series has been of interest to members. 

The Young Professionals networking sub-committee's first event for 2013, The Year of the Snake, was on May 16 at the Ivy. Tickets sold out one month before the event, which was sensational. Thanks to the sponsors - Holman Webb, Hunt & Hunt, Curwoods Lawyers, MIDD Forensic Accountants, Crawford & Co, Gallagher Bassett and Cerno - who enable us to put on the event. This year's GPO event is scheduled for October - details will be available soon.

Several more seminars are planned for 2013, including on the topics of statutory lines and insurance issues when working from home. 

Stage one of the Ron Shorter Award was on May 1, with 20 people having public speaking coaching from Polaris Coaching. Stage one winners were ZI Lim, QBE Insurance; Patrick Williams, Moray & Agnew; and Annabel Bowen, Clyde & Co. They will advance to the finals after having a workshop with Polaris Coaching.

The finals were on May 28 at Colin Biggers & Paisley - more details next issue. Thanks to Colin Biggers & Paisley for sponsoring the event.

More than 50 volunteers are involved in organising NSW seminars, and should be congratulated for the quality of the topics and speakers.

AILA SA hosted its first breakfast briefing for the year on March 25, titled The new Work Health & Safety laws – expanding the obligations of officers and companies.

Presented by Neville John, from KJK Legal, the event was well attended and great feedback was received.  The first event in the Young Professionals insurance fundamentals series was on May 9, addressing the five things you should know about policy conditions.

Thanks to Anthony Hillary for speaking on the topic; CGU for its continued support of AILA; and, in particular, the Young Professionals and Women in Insurance in providing the venue for these events.  

On May 17, it was my great honour to present Deborah Bartel, from Jardine Lloyd Thompson, with AILA's prize for insurance law and regulation for brokers at the ANZIIF annual charity lunch at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The committee is busy finalising the topics and speakers for the remaining 2013 program, and details of events will be available on the AILA website. Keep a look out for some additional events to the normal program, including a President's Lunch planned for August 1, which will specifically discuss practice and risk management issues. The lunch will also raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation in SA. 

Planning is in progress for a Young Professionals function in October.