The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has appointed Michael Bennett as its new chairman. He replaces outgoing chairman Kevin O’Shea, who stepped down from the role after reaching the term limit under the ARC’s constitution.
Bennett is moving from his long-held role as General Manager at Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA). Since RRA’s commencement in 1993, he has largely overseen the collection and disposal of over 7,000 tonnes of waste and unwanted ozone depleting and synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants.
According to the ARC, Bennett’s hands-on experience working with industry and government provides him with a unique and vital perspective on the refrigeration and air conditioning industry which will help guide his stewardship of the board.
The ARC also welcomed Larry Moore, National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Brett Meads, Vehicle Air Conditioning Specialists of Australia (VASA) and John Khoury, Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) to the Board.
Bennett thanked O’Shea for his efforts leading the ARC board over the past four years. The ARC acknowledged the efforts of outgoing board members Ian Stangroome and Brenton Kaitler who also stepped down after reaching their term limits.
The ARC’s board comes from the ARC membership and is representative of the industry. It consists of three directors responsible for the stationary sector and three directors responsible for the automotive sector. The ARC CEO is the executive director.
How does a rep from NECA get a seat at the table? Electricians with split install licences need to be brought under control to ensure fully trained refrigeration mechanics are valued and have the volume of work as a trade especially in country areas, not given more leverage through representation of a branch of industry that has little to do with pure refrigeration work.