The Australian Collision Industry Alliance (ACIA)had a fruitful time at this year's Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo last weekend at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. The show itself was a wonderful auto 'gleamathon' with so much talent and imagination on show. Expertly organised by Andy and Donna Minas, the show attracted thousands of car and motorbike enthusiasts. Thanks to Andy and Donna for giving ACIA a free space at the show to promote careers in the collision repair industry.
The virtual reality painting was a great draw card and the smaller kids enjoyed playing with a wire car set up to show how a body deforms and is straightened after an accident. ACIA was next to the team from Ultimo TAFE and so were able to talk about TAFE training with interested young show attendees. There were a number of year 10 youngsters at the show with their parents who were very interested in work experience and exploring careers in the industry, the majority of whom were female. ACIA will be contacting repair shops in their area to arrange work experience for them.
The stand was set up and run by Sam Street and ACIA's Hiliary Bradbury. Apprentices were supplied by alliance members Len Hollis Repair Facility and L&M Smash Repairs - thanks to recently qualified refinish technician Eliza for the morning session on Saturday and to Len Hollis for shouting her entrance fee. Dan Maher's boys from L&M needed a little more bribing with expensive show food but the three gave up their Saturday afternoon and engaged with the kids at the show. Thanks to Jayden, Ali and Owen for their time and to Dan for also being on the stand.
A big shout out also to Mark Williams from Lowbake who lent ACIA two TVs to work the virtual reality and to show the ACIA movie about careers in collision which played on the nearby Glasurit stand. No one could work out how to get it to play on a loop so they had to manually restart it all day - great work! SAPE did offer their help too.
Also thank you to next door stand and alliance members DeBeer who drew so many people over with the 1972 XA Ford Fairmont restored by Hoon Customs which just so happened to be in ACIA pink - so thoughtful of them.
To find out more about the ACIA click here.