QAA – delivering excellence in Arboriculture since 1992.
Remembering Liz Smith
On the 23 September 2020, QAA organised for the planting of three Ironbarks (Eucalyptus fibrosa) in memoriam of Elizabeth Mary Blanche Tree Smith. The loved and cherished wife of Peter Bishop. We held a small service at Sherwood Arboretum in the presence of close friends and family. Many heartfelt stories were shared of Liz’s contributions to the industry and the lives of those she loved. Thank you to all who contributed to the organisation of the day, Dale Arvidsson, Christine Buckius and Prue Pettett from Brisbane City Council.
To our community Liz was most known for her ongoing contributions to the education and advancement of the industry. How fitting that her maiden name was Tree. Liz was integral to the training of many arborists and horticulturalist through the Horticultural Training School she founded and managed. Liz was so dedicated to her students that she even drove from Mt Isa to Bedourie (11 hours round trip) for a student in need, returning home in time to deliver her usual class. Liz’s legacy lives on in her students and in the hearts of those who loved her.
We encourage you to visit the beautiful hidden gem of Brisbane, Sherwood Arboretum. Thank you Peter for giving us the opportunity to celebrate the life of your beautiful wife.
QAA’s New Mission, Values and Maxim Wasn’t Covid-19 an interesting curve ball this year? It challenged each of us and our businesses in ways we never thought possible. While our Executive Committee were focusing on protecting their own businesses, regrettably, QAA took a bit of a back seat.
We would have liked to do more to support the community.
Covid-19 was just the most recent industry hurdle, but over the years the Association has become like a tree in senescence, we needed to retrench the things that were holding us back from becoming vigorous and strong. So, we grasped this opportunity to review and improve many aspects of the Association.
For those who attended AGM 2020 you would have heard all about our new mission statement, values, and maxim. This is our vow to the industry, how we do what we do, and how we plan to be a better Association.
Our Mission Statement
As our industry learns to adapt and grow, it is QAA’s responsibility to lead by example. Our mission is to provide support and guidance to the arborist industry and our members. We can do this by:
- Finding new educational topics and methods,
- Taking part in safety and standards conversations,
- Providing new opportunities for our community to interact and evolve; and
- Finding new ways to give back to our community.
We have developed our new values and maxim to guide How We Do What We Do.
Our Values
We want to make a fresh start in 2021 by delivering on our commitment to re-engage with our Members and actively foster a supportive community. As such, we have reimagined our values to more clearly show how we will add value to our Members and to the industry. See above
Our Maxim
This is a daily reminder of the Association we want to be, and how do we what we do.
Christmas Sign Off
We wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, to our members and the industry. We are sincerely grateful for your ongoing support and commitment. You are the reason we get up every morning to do what we do.
We are looking forward to making new and lasting memories with everyone next year.
Make sure you stay tuned to Facebook and emails for our event announcements and much more! Exciting changes still to come.
On behalf of the Executive we wish everyone a safe, happy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. We will see you soon!
For further info call Queensland Arboricultural Association on (07) 3821 1488. Go to www.qaa.net.au, email office@qaa.net.au or follow us at: Facebook (QueenslandArboriculturalAssociation),Twitter (QLD_Arb_Assoc), Instagram (qaa_arborist), LinkedIn (queensland-arboricultural-association-ba72b953) or via the QAA App.