The Australian Stone Advisory Association AGM will be held at 5.30pm at the following location;

Holmesglen Tafe Chadstone Campus,
Building 5,
Lecture Theatre C5. 1.10
Batesford Road,
Holmesglen, 3148.

Full financial members are invited to attend. Proceedings will be as follows;

- Circulation of current member list and statement regarding accounts.

- Confirmation of the new board.

- Brief statement about overall financial status and objectives for 2009, including news about a major membership drive. An announcement will also be made about the appointment of individuals who will review a number of Marble institute of America (MIA) publications which will be revised, with MIA endorsement to suit local needs. These documents will be published by ASAA with appropriate credits to MIA.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Following the success of our recent presentations at RMS Marble's premises in Sydney we will present two papers on industry related topics. Free drinks and finger food will be provided at 6pm prior to commencement of the seminars. A further opportunity will be provided for networking and a drink or two at 7.45pm

Details of the seminars will be published on the ASAA web site on Wednesday September 3. An email will be circulated to industry confirming the programme on the same day. Parking is available in the car park behind Building 5, which can be accessed from Batesford Road. For further information please call Anthony Stock or Rowena Rowbotham on 03 9888 3587.

Following discussions which took place at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone expo the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) has become an international member of the Marble Institute of America (MIA). With permission from the MIA the ASAA will reproduce a number of MIA documents, modified for local consumption, which are related to the successful selection, installation, maintenance and cleaning of natural stone.

While this material will bear the ASAA logo, it will be clearly identified as the intellectual property of the MIA. While much of the material will feature on the ASAA website, some items will be printed as ASAA guides. All materials modified for the Australian market will be approved by the MIA prior to release.

ASAA will also have an opportunity to use the Genuine Stone logo in accordance with guidelines published by the Natural Stone Council.

We have added the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for imports and exports of natural stone to the members area of the web site. If you are a current financial member please contact Rowena Rowbotham for your access 'passwords'. This information will be updated every six months. Statistics for Engineered Stone will be added in the near future.
Please click here to access the stats

Learn about the new Hard Surfacing standard - & join in the 'yellowblock' debate

The Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) will hold the first of a series of FREE seminars on June 19 at ASAA member RMS Natural Stone premises located in Botany close to Sydney airport. These get togethers are design to provide specifiers and members of industry with prime information concerning standards, new products, installation and maintenance of stone. Seminars will be held regularly at member's premises.

Programme - Thursday 19th June

6.00 pm:
RMS Natural Stone Director Werner Nierhoff will welcome attendees and briefly present several intriguing new products, which can be examined closely at the conclusion of the presentations.

6.15 - 6.45 pm:
The new Australian Hard Surfacing standard presents exciting opportunities to market tile & stone.

Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) chairman Petar Johnson will discuss the merits of the GECA 40-2008, Hard Surfacing standard. The final draft standard was launched at the recent Full Frontal Tile and Stone Exposition and subsequently officially released on April 30.

Industry members who attend will discover how they can gain an environmental summary of their products credentials. Specifiers will learn how this information should be applied in relation to specification of sustainable imported or locally produced products.

Petar will describe why the eco-label, "is one of the few environmental instruments that works at a market level".

6.45 pm:
Questions & answers

7.00 pm:
The Yellowblock Debate

Heritage masonry consultant Jasper Swann, and Ron Powell, Manager of the Centenary Stonework Program, NSW Department of Commerce, will each give a 20 minute presentation expanding on their articles published in Issue 13 of Discovering Stone earlier this year. These articles debated various issues associated with the conservation of Sydney 'yellowblock' sandstone buildings, including the merits of stockpiling yellowblock sandstone, and alternative approaches to colour matching including artificial colouring. Their presentations will be followed by an open forum question and discussion session to be facilitated by ASAA Director, David West.

7.40 pm:
Questions & answers

8.00 pm:
Drinks, finger food and an opportunity to network with your peers

Members of the tile & stone industries are invited to attend. If you are interested in joining ASAA you can meet several members of the board and discover the association's plans for the future.

Seating is limited so call Rowena Rowbotham on 03 9888 3587 to book a place at this important event or email atp@infotile.com.au.

We welcome new members:

The Australian Stone Architectural Awards organized by the Australian Stone Advisory Association were presented at a Gala Awards Dinner which was held at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) on Friday, 18 April 2008.

FFTSE was held at the Sydney Showground, Homebush, New South Wales. Visit www.fullfrontalexpo.com for further information about the expo.

The awards were adjudicated by David Stevenson of La Coste Stevenson Architects and Greg Holman of Seidler & Associates.

The Premier award winner was Johnson Pilton Walker for the Hilton Hotel, Sydney, which utilised stone supplied by Gosford Quarries Pty Ltd.

One hundred and seventy three people attended the Gala Dinner.

Read more...

In 2007, the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) initiated the development of an eco-label standard for tile and stone products.

Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and members of both industries formed a Technical Working Group which formulated a draft Hard Surfacing standard, which is currently available for public comment. It is anticipated that the standard will be officially launched at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE).

GECA Chairman Petar Johnson will also present a paper at FFTSE.

ASAA directors will meet with Marble Institute of America CEO Gary Distelhorst during the forthcoming Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo, to discuss a number of issues including the possible adoption of relevant American standards for use in Australia.

Discussions will also take place in regard to local use of the 'Genuine Stone' seal and other matters related to the development of ASAA and the local stone industry.

Gary will present two papers at the FFTSE seminars. Visit www.fullfrontalexpo.com to register your attendance at the show and at our extensive industry and architectural seminars, or call HOTLINE 1300 551 416.

Cathy Inglis the Group Technical Research & Engineering Manager, Austral Bricks will also present a paper at FFTSE. ASAA members can attend a lecture by Cathy on Wednesday, 5th March at 6.30 p.m. in Seminar Room No. 1 Monash Centre, Level 7 / 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Cathy will deliver the following paper:

* An overview of energy efficiency regulations and rating tools for Australian buildings.

Please check the attached PDF for more information. View the PDF

ASAA members and all stone industry personnel will be pleased to know that ASAA is taking an active part in representing the industry’s interests in relation to two important standards.

Please read the following report from Richard Bowman in regard to GUIDELINES FOR SAFE HOUSING DESIGN..

Good Environmental Choice Australia Hard Flooring Standard #41

Members of ASAA and the tile industry will meet on 7th December 2007 at Rydges Hotel, Camperdown to further develop the above standard which relates to the provision of an Australian Eco Labelling Standard for tile and stone which uses the European Union (EU) hard flooring standard, specifically Article 2 of the EU Commission Decision 2002/272/EC as a model.

Development of this standard was initiated by ASAA and is partially funded by the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo.

The first Eco Labeling Standards meeting was held in Sydney on 27 September 2007.

A Technical Working Group has been formed with industry members from the stone and tile sectors.

Several ASAA board members are part of the group.

A full morning was devoted to formatting an outline of how this standard will be effective and what criteria to include.

The working group initially used the EU Eco Labeling Standards as their road map, and then discussed the inclusion of more Australian-related areas. It is anticipated that a draft standard will be released prior to Christmas.

SAI Global has published a public comment Draft 07319 for the revision of AS 4226, Guidelines for Safe Housing Design at: http://www.saiglobal.com/shop/script/FreeDownload.asp?DocN=MSWD07319ATCRD

"This edition has been updated throughout and includes information about attachments to buildings including the installation of basketball rings, laundry chutes, grabrail fixing rainwater tanks, hot water, stairs design and Slip Resistant Flooring."

The draft retains a slightly modified table where stone, marble and glazed ceramic tile are all stated to have very poor wet slip resistance.

The Australian Stone Advisory Association representative and chair of BD-094 Slip Resistance of Flooring Surfaces, Richard Bowman is also the author of Handbook 197 An Introductory Guide to the Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surface Material. Richard notes that the new draft recommends that kitchens, bathrooms and laundries should have an oil wet R10 Slip Resistance classification.

Richard will prepare a set of comments pertaining to the draft which will be submitted to ASAA and the Australian Tile Council (ATC). Both bodies will determine whether they accept Richard’s comments as a basis for their response, or if they wish to add further comment.

Members of ASAA and the ATC have the right to express individual comments. However, Richard Bowman recommends that these comments should be made through the respective association in preference to bombarding the project manager.

ASAA comments can be emailed to:webmaster@asaa.com.au

September edition of Discovering Stone contains three new entries in the Australian Stone Architectural Awards, which are organised by the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) and judged by members of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), who also assisted in the establishment of the simple entry criteria.

There are six categories:
• - Best Commercial Interior
• - Best Commercial Exterior
• - Best Civic Project
• - Best Export Project
• - Best Residential Project
• - Best Sculpture/Public Art Project

Criteria for Entry
• - The prime stone featured must be Australian.
• - The project must include an Australian architect, who will be the principal award recipient.
• - The project must exhibit good design values.
• - Projects must be nominated by the architect or the stone supplier in consultation with the architect.

Adjudication Process
All entries will be placed on large concept boards placed on the mezzanine level of the Dome above the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) floor and adjacent to the Architectural/Eco Labelling Seminar Room. Each board will feature stone samples, large images and descriptive text. A representative of ASAA and three adjudicators appointed by RAIA will determine the winners in each category.

Presentation
Each category winner will receive a framed certificate and a valuable gift. The Premier Award winner, the entry deemed to be the best of all the entries, will receive a carved stone artefact.

The awards will be presented at a Gala awards dinner in the adjacent Southee Complex on Friday, April 18.

On Tuesday August 14 Petar Johnson of Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and Richard Bowman addressed a gathering of more than 50 members of the tile & stone industries and various specifiers in relation to the creation of an ECO labelling standard for tile and stone.

Following that meeting ASAA has nominated 5 representatives to sit on the GECA standards committee. They are:

Ian Lamble: ASAA Chairman , Director of Melocco Stone

Gary Hargreaves: Gosford Quarries - Export & Project Manager

Jim Mann: Director of Stone initiatives and material testing

Richard Mackenzie: Principal of Ocean + Merchant, Importers of stone & tile

Richard Bowman: Principal of Intertile Research

Please select the following image to view the latest advertisement for Australian Stone & ASAA that appears in the current edition of Architectural Review.

Since the launch of new ASAA website in March the traffic has been increase almost 300%.

Further to our previous announcement regarding development of a new Hard Flooring Standard for the Australian Eco-labelling Program, we are pleased to announce that Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) is in the process of establishing a technical working group for the development of this standard.

Please study the attached draft timeline ( 523Kb ) for the development of the new Hard Flooring Standard. The standards committee will involve members of the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) and the Australian Tile Council (ATC), plus representatives appointed by GECA.

Many architects are fully focused on specification of environmentally friendly products. In September 2004, the first building in Australia certified under the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star environmental rating system of buildings, was awarded a five star Green Star – Office Design Certified Rating.

In June and July 2005, the South Australian and Victorian governments respectively announced that all new offices built or leased by government will need to achieve appropriate Green Star rating – five star in South Australia and four star in Victoria.

Australian Tile Council (ATC) standards representative Gary Jones will head the ATC element of the committee. Initial funding for the development of this important standard was donated to ASAA and the ATC by the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE). FFTSE, Australia’s first dedicated tile and stone expo, is focused on the development of sustainable tile and stone industries.

Please note that interested members of the tile and stone industries can attend the initial meeting which will be held at:

• The Bourke Room
• Rydges Hotel

• 9 Missenden Road
• CAMPERDOWN NSW 2042
• Date: Tuesday, 14th August 2007
• Time: 5 p.m.

Seating is limited so please confirm your attendance by calling Felicity on (03) 9888 2246.

Please call Felicity on (03) 9888 2246 to reserve a seat.

We welcome new member Mr Robert Frazer from Innvotech Solutions Pty Ltd.

Innvotech has developed and manufactures the innovative and revolutionary BacLoc Flooring System; a simple and easy dry-laying system for floor tiles.

BacLoc comes in a range of sizes and can be used with a wide range of tile types including ceramic, porcelain, granite, marble and engineered stone.

The votes were counted on 28th May at the office of Rennick & Gaynor Solicitors, please see the attached pdf which confirms the results. The new board will be sworn in at the AGM.

The latest edition of (INSIDE) - Australian Design Review, on sale at news agencies cross Australia, features a substantial feature on stone written by ASAA CEO Anthony Stock. The publication also contains a full page ASAA advertisement focusing on local stone. Future advertisements will feature a variety of stones available from members and images of complete projects. Plus information regarding ASAA initiatives.

NEW NOMINEES FOR ASAA DIRECTORSHIP

Rolf Offerhaus
Rolf Offerhaus is the new Technical Services Manager at ARDEX Australia. He started his career with ARDEX Germany in 1995, when he joined the company as a Chemist. During his 12 years at ARDEX Germany, Rolf has progressed extremely well and holds a varied role including being Team Leader of a development group looking at special cement-based tile and stone adhesives for fixing sensitive natural stones without deformation or colour changes, special screeds and terrazzo with reduced tendency for cracking, also other dispersion-based tile adhesives and epoxy-based adhesives and grouts. Rolf was also the Head of Quality Control and Team Leader for chemical analysis.

To support this extensive knowledge and experience, Rolf has a Diploma and PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry obtained from the University of Bochum, Germany. ARDEX Germany were reluctant to let such an integral person as Rolf leave, but were happy to keep him within the Global ARDEX Group, and he will prove to be a great asset for ARDEX Australia and hopefully for the Australian Stone Advisory Association.

Richard Mackenzie
Richard Mackenzie is the managing director of Ocean + Merchant a Sydney-based wholesaler of tile and stone. Richard regularly visits tile and stone shows in a variety of countries. He is a founding member of ASAA, who actually provided the name for the association. Richard's company sells tile and stone, including local stone quarried by Kanmantoo Bluestone. He is dedicated to representing the broad interests of the industry.

CURRENT DIRECTORS - RENOMINATED

Ian Lamble
Ian Lamble of Melocco Stone has made a significant contribution to the development of ASAA. He is a founding member and key contributor in terms of ideas for future development.

Gary Hargreaves
Gary Hargreaves of Gosford Quarries is committed to the development of industry. A founding member, he takes particular interest in promoting stone to specifiers.

Jim Mann
Jim Mann's background in geology and testing of stone is invaluable. He frequently provides generic information for specifiers.

David West
David West's background with Arup Engineering provides valuable information at a time when specifiers are giving greater consideration to using stone externally. David regularly contributes ideas in relation to industry development.

Please find attached details of the 'free' DesignBuild Tile + Stone seminars which commence on Sunday June 3

Standards Australia Committee BD-094, Slip resistance of flooring surfaces, had a most harmonious meeting in Melbourne on 2 April 2007.

The revision of AS/NZS 4586, Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials, was completed. This included the identification of new shoes for the oil wet ramp test. However, a new source is still required for the calibration boards for both the oil-wet and the wet barefoot ramp tests.

The revision of AS/NZS 4663, Slip resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces, was also completed, although the Committee was unable to resolve a negative vote from the Australian Institute for Non-Destructive Testing. Their representative, Gary Martin of ATTAR, was unable to attend the meeting, but remains adamant that the Standard should continue to include the existing interpretative material. The Committee considers that since the existing material is often misleading and is sometimes improperly used, there is a need to include more comprehensive guidance in HB 197. This matter will now be referred to the Standards Australia Building Sector Board for resolution.

The Australian Tile Council apologised to the Standards Australia Project Manager for bombarding him with emails, although their members retained the democratic right to lodge objections when Standards are open for public comment. It had been generally misunderstood that the meeting was principally being held to finalise the revision of AS/NZS 4586 and 4663. Since Handbooks are not subjected to public comment, I had taken the opportunity to include in the public comment documents a table giving pedestrian flooring selection guide for normal conditions – minimum pendulum or ramp recommendations for specific locations. We were certainly successful in eliciting some comment.

The Local Government and Shires Association of New South Wales had sought to include recommendations for residential bathrooms, ensuites, toilets, laundries and kitchens. Although these recommendations were added to the working draft in August 2004, it was evident that certain organisations would eventually object to this. The Property Council of Australia and the Housing Industry Association joined ASAA and the ATC in opposing the inclusion of slip resistance recommendations for residential locations. None of the submissions that ASAA and ATC members had prepared were considered: there had never been a real need for them.

The NSW LGSA tabled documents confirming that falls is the leading cause of injury hospitalisation in all but the 15-44 age group. Given that more such falls occur at home than in all other places combined, there is certainly an argument for increasing the slip resistance of residential floor coverings, even though the data for fall causation does not allow a precise determination of how many falls were initially due to a slip. Nevertheless, architects still require some guidance when it comes to specifying floor finishes for homes in order that they are not held liable for any slip-related accidents that may subsequently occur. I will be working with Nick Katris, the architect representing the NSW LGSA, in the preparation of some text that will assist architects. This will not be making any recommendations in terms of slip resistance classifications. As the author of HB 197, I will also be addressing the issue of the commercial building of multi-unit apartments within the text.

The Australian Resilient Flooring Association unsuccessfully sought to increase the dry area recommendations of shops and shopping centres to class R9. The Property Council of Australia were successful in having the recommendation for bathrooms, ensuites, toilets, kitchens and laundries within hotel and motel suites reduced to classes Y, A or R9. Architects seeking to use marble in hotel bathrooms will have to provide an alternative design solution, rather than following the recommendation. The Handbook will make it quite clear that this is an acceptable practice.

The revised HB 197 will be emphasising that the Table of recommendations should be seen as a starting point for the design process. The design principles that will be included in the text will provide far more valuable guidance than the Table, which could be considered as the lazy uninformed person’s one stop option.

HB 197 will be reaffirming the principle that it is not intended to outlaw products that have traditionally been successfully used in various locations. It will also be giving greater emphasis to pendulum results since the pendulum can be used throughout the life cycle of flooring products. Less emphasis will be placed on oil-wet ramp test classifications, particularly where a public location is involved and water contamination is most likely.

As for the future, Committee BD-094 will be considering the adoption of the pendulum for dry slip resistance testing, in line with several European standards. The difference between wet and dry pendulum results is in itself a useful indicator of the danger associated with products becoming wet. The Committee will also be placing greater emphasis on the likely long-term slip resistance characteristics of products, rather than the current focus on the initial slip resistance, which is sometimes quite illusory. The sustainability of slip resistance should be a critical consideration when products are being specified. The Committee will also be tightening the test procedure for wet barefoot ramp testing.

I hope to complete the writing of HB 197 by mid-May, whereupon a draft will be circulated to BD-094 Committee members for prompt comment. The Committee has tentatively set 1 June aside should it be necessary to convene a meeting. It is hoped that the revised Standards and the Handbook will be published in late June or early July. Their publication will be accompanied by a major educational drive, where I anticipate delivering seminars in all the States and Territories.

Richard Bowman
ASAA representative on BD-094
Chair of BD-094

3 April 2007

In conjunction with Tile Today and Discovering Stone magazines and the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA), Designbuild will present a diverse range of seminars covering a wide range of topics, including key issues like slip resistance and the new tile installation standards.

Topics covered will include: Standards, Tolerances & Calcification; What's new in the revised Tile Installation Standards; Developing an effective test program for Dimension Stone - Why, How, When and What for!

Plus an update on the vital subject of slip resistance as it pertains to use of tile and stone in residential environments.

We will also examine the Australian Stone Advisory Association's drive to gain 'green' accreditation for Australian natural stones.

To view the complete program Click here

There will be nine presentations over three days - 3rd-5th June 2007 inclusive

Re: Australian Standards Committee BD/094 - Pedestrian Slip Resistance of Flooring Surfaces in the Revision of Handbook 197.

The task of the above Committee is to assess how best to measure and determine the accurate slip resistance of a wide range of flooring materials including natural stone and ceramic tile.

After lengthy discussion the Committee has before it Table 3 entitled, 'Pedestrian Area Selection Guide for Normal Conditions. Minimum Pendulum or Ramp Recommendation for Specific Locations.'

Table 3 (in its current form) contains contentious material that could persuade specifiers and consumers that use of materials with a polished surface in certain residential locations is unsafe. Previously the standard primarily covered commercial applications.

Ultimately, the Table will be published in Handbook 197 (HB 197) which will contain the Committee's findings in relation to this subject. The Committee consists of approximately 15 individuals who share a variety of concerns and opinions.

The Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) is represented by the Chair of the Committee Richard Bowman. Richard will eventually write HB 197.

This is an extremely complex subject, given that local government (councils) need to provide potential occupants with guidance regarding floor covering selection.

Currently the Committee's recommendations are not favourable in relation to stone or tile. Many of you rely on the sale of these materials to specifiers, builders, home owners and resellers of tile and stone.

It is therefore in your interest to read Richard's article Ramping up the Slip Debate, (click on the link) or visit the homepage of www.infotile.com.au (News Section).

The Committee in question meet next Monday in Sydney. One of the prime subjects for debate will relate to the inclusion of Table 3 in HB 197. Richard is opposed to the inclusion of residential floors in this Table and he will enter an objection on behalf of ASAA. Gary Jones will also register an objection on behalf of the Australian Tile Council (ATC).

As Richard is responsible for writing HB 197, I am confident that it will be written in such a way that materials, which do not meet certain recommendations, will still be capable of being used in traditional locations.

I urge you to seek a thorough understanding of this vital issue. It's imperative that home owners retain the freedom to use appropriate natural stone and ceramic tile materials in residential environments. These materials have a long history of successful use in both residential and commercial locations.

If you wish to make a specific comment please send your email to tonys@infotile.com.au. Copies of all submissions will be given to Richard prior to the Committee meeting. By registering you support for ASAA, the ATC and Richard's position you indicate to the Committee the need for them to take great care in relation to making correct and well balanced decisions.

If you require any additional information, please give me a call on (03) 9888 2246.

Following the announcement of the release of an additional 1,200 square metres of floor space, ASAA is delighted to announce that it has reached a fruitful agreement with the FFTSE.

1) The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the responsible development of the Australian stone industry, principally through the conduct of Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expositions.

2) Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo Pty Ltd ( FFTSE) will pay an annual sponsorship of $3,000 to the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) starting in March 2007. This will be payable in March each year, conditional on ASAA fulfilling its undertakings to FFTSE.

3) Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo Pty Ltd will be able to use the ASAA logo as ASAA endorsement for all promotional activities associated with the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Exposition, " the show".

4) ASAA will acknowledge the FFTSE sponsorship:
• on its National website;
• specifically in association with appropriate educational initiatives, which are funded from the FFTSE sponsorship, wherever such initiatives are publicised.

5) The ASAA, through promotion on its website and all other possible means, will encourage its members to
• exhibit at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Exposition;
• participate in the FFTSE seminar programmes and training activities.

6) Financial members of the ASAA will receive a 6% discount on the advertised rates for FFTSE floor space, at the time of final invoicing.

7) The ASAA will receive a complimentary 6 x 3 m stand for approved promotional purposes, where the stand will include the complimentary shell scheme, lights, tables, chairs and signage.

8) The ASAA will receive a free full page colour advertisement in the FFTSE show catalogue each year.

9) After the conclusion of the show, the ASAA will receive the following discount-adjusted rebates, subject to the sales of exhibition space to ASAA members exceeding 500 m2, where the ASAA receives 50% of the space credit for exhibitors who are members of both the ASAA and the Australian Tile Council (ATC):
• a 3% rebate for members exhibiting at 2008 FFTSE who are financial in 2006, 2007 and 2008;
• a 2% rebate for members exhibiting at 2008 FFTSE who are financial from 30 June 2007 and throughout 2008;
• a 1% rebate for members exhibiting at 2008 FFTSE who are financial from 1 July 2007 to 15 February 2008;
• a 3% rebate for members exhibiting at 2009 FFTSE who are financial in 2007, 2008 and 2009, except that ASAA will receive a 2% rebate where the member is also a member of ATC;
• a 2% rebate for members exhibiting at 2009 FFTSE who are financial from 31 January 2008 and throughout 2009;
• a 1% rebate for members exhibiting at 2009 FFTSE who are financial from 1 July 2008 to 15 February 2009.

10) ASAA will provide FFTSE with a complete list of currently financial members as of 31 December 2006, 30 June 2007, 31 December 2007, 15 February 2008, 31 December 2008, and 15 February 2009.

11) FFTSE and the ASAA acknowledge and accept that their representatives may not:
• make statements on behalf of or indicate that they represent the other organisation;
• represent that their views or opinions are those of the other organisation;
• do any act, matter or thing which criticises or may be interpreted as critical of the other organisation, or which may adversely impact the reputation or good standing of the other organisation.

12) The term of this agreement shall extend until the conclusion of FFTSE 2009, whereupon both parties shall use their best endeavours to secure a subsequent agreement that will facilitate the ongoing responsible development of the stone industry. Visit FFTSE

The ASAA AGM will be held at Designbuild in Sydney at Darling Harbour on Sunday, 3 June 2007. Financial members will receive ballot forms in due course and more information about the precise location and timing.

ASAA will be participating in the Designbuild seminars that will feature a variety of stone and tile related topics

ASAA is providing assistance to a financial member that is submitting a product for eco labelling. This process will evaluate and determine the quality of the stone in relation to the stress that its production places on the environment. ASAA will actively support this socially responsible endeavour.

Finally we are pleased to report that visitors to Google.com.au who search the web for Australian stone will discover that ASAA is the first link they find. In April we will upgrade the site which attracted 15,000 hits in February. Approximately 40% of this traffic emanates from overseas.

ASAA CEO Anthony Stock, publisher of Tile Today, Discovering Stone and Creative Tiling magazines and Richard Bowman of Intertile Research Pty Ltd have joined forces to launch the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) at Sydney Showground, 17th-19th April, 2008.

The prime objectives are to highlight the 'green' attributes of tile and stone and to inform specifiers, designers, buyers and members of industry about the latest products, technologies and installation materials.

Major exposure in Tile Today, Discovering Stone and relevant architecture and design journals, and an extensive direct and electronic mail campaign will promote FFTSE to building industry professionals and members of industry.

FFTSE is Australia's only exposition that is entirely dedicated to tile and stone.

Within 14 days of announcing the launch of FFTSE more than 40% of the available floor space has been snapped up by leading local and international manufacturers, distributors and retailers of tile and stone. It is anticipated that extra space will be made available in due course.

Financial members of ASAA will receive a 6% discount against the value of the nett floor space that they book. A rebate will be paid to ASAA which will be based on the total meterage booked by ASAA members.

Leading quarriers of stone like Melocco Stone and Gosford Quarries have already booked space.

With two sets of seminars running concurrently, and a number of special exhibits and interactive demonstrations, FFTSE will showcase tile and stone to a discerning audience of buyers and specifiers.

Members of the public (15 years plus) will be admitted during two specific time slots.

For more information visit www.fullfrontalexpo.com or call Anthony Stock on (03) 9888 3459 / 2246.

Many calls are being received at ASAA's office in relation to queries about material selection, installation and maintenance. Some problems relate to issues associated with specific installations. The number and variety of enquiries received continues to escalate. To date we have managed to assist every caller and in some instances we have been able to avert the threat of litigation, by providing timely advice or putting the caller in touch with an ASAA member who can recommend a specific solution, or visit site to provide an expert opinion.

I am currently reviewing several indemnity insurance options that will permit ASAA to take advantage of government grants, which will provide us with an opportunity to publish helpful guides and literature.

A further update will be published providing greater coverage of the results of the Australian Stone Architectural Awards.

The inaugural Australian Stone Architectural Awards were adjudicated on 8th December at Rydges Hotel, Camperdown.

The adjudicators were:

Peter Hirst, Architect - Harry Seidler and Associates
David Stevenson, Architect - Lacoste + Stevenson Pty Ltd
David West, Director of International Conservation Services and Australia Stone Advisory Association

The category winners were:
• BEST COMMERCIAL INTERIOR: Project - 126 Phillip St, Sydney. Lead architect - Foster and Partners, London. Collaborating architects - Hassell Pty Ltd, Sydney, Project Director - Sven Ollman, Stone - Austral Juperana Granite, AustralAsian Granite, processed by Melocco Stone.
• BEST COMMERCIAL EXTERIOR: Project - Hilton Hotel, Sydney. Architect - Johnson Pilton Walker Pty Ltd. Stone - Sandstone by Gosford Quarries, Austral Verde Granite by Dimension Stone Group Australia.
• BEST CIVIC PROJECT: Project - Federation Square, Melbourne. Lead architect - Peter Davidson, Lab Architecture in conjunction with Bates Smart, Stone - Kimberley sandstone, Meteor Stone.
• BEST RESIDENTIAL PROJECT: Project - Private residence, Victoria. Architect - Robert Marshall Architects and Town Planners Pty Ltd, Stone - Kanmantoo Bluestone, South Australia.
• BEST INTERNATIONAL PROJECT: Project - Australian War Memorial, London. Architect - Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Sydney. Stone - Laguna Green Granite, Western Australia.
• BEST SCULPTURE/PUBLIC ART: Project - Wordsmiths, The Writers Café University of Queensland. Architect - Beth Wilson, Wilson Landscape Architects. Stone - Helidon Sandstone Flags with Brisbane tuff.

The awards were presented by David West on Friday 8th December at Villa Rosa reception centre in Leichardt, Sydney.

The dinner was attended by 191 members of the tile and stone industries, their guests and leading architects.

The 8th Creative Tiling Awards were also held on the same night.

More information and images will feature on the following websites: www.asaa.com.au (Australian Stone Architectural Awards) and www.infotile.com.au (Creative Tiling press releases and images).

Press releases featuring information and images about both sets of awards will be circulated to the following media:

• Major architectural building and construction publications
• Leading daily newspapers in all states
• Selected regional newspapers in some states

Leading media analysts Media Monitors will report on which journals publish the press release. Media Monitors will supply copies of the actual article as it appeared together with readership figures. A report will be forwarded to all award participants in March. The press release will be released week commencing 8th January.

Many thanks for participating in the awards and in Creative Tiling, which will go on sale nationally on 20th December for 11 months.

For more information contact Anthony Stock on 03 9888 2246.

We welcome new members Graham Combe (Outback Marble Co (Aust) P/L).If you would like to join ASAA click here

At least 20 ASAA members will be on hand. Total attendance will approach 200.

Nett proceeds from the gala charity ball will be donated to the Special Childrens Christmas Party.

Attendees will enjoy a fabulous three course dinner at the Villa Rosa in Leichardt, preceded by Champagne and oysters in the park (opposite the venue).

• 100 of the 450 oysters served in the park will be raffled. One of the oysters will contain a black pearl.
• 200 numbered helium filled balloons will be raffled with three prizes valued at $1000, $500 and $300.
• A silent auction of ten items will be held.

The Creative Tiling awards will also be presented, featuring numerous entries that utilise ceramic tile and stone.

Bring your partner and dance the night away to music from a great band.

Treat your staff to a pre-xmas event that celebrates your industry and provides a real benefit to a worthy charity.

Call Joanne Salem on 02 8717 9000 to book tickets by 4th December at the latest.

Cost: $120 pp inc. drinks and dinner.

For more Information click here

Report on Slip Resistance Standards Meeting

At the AGM which was held at Designbuild in June, the Board voted to consider the following:

• A second exhibit at the stone show in Xiamen, China in March 2007. In 2006 ASAA and Austrade joined forces to organise a stand which produced business for several local producers of stone.
• Luke Deacon at Austrade is trying to confirm participation by 6 to 8 local companies. Attached is a PDF of an Exhibitor's Form which can be completed and forwarded to Luke. Also attached is a PDF that describes the 7th China Xiamen International Stone Fair which will be held 8th-11th March 2007.
• Participation at Coverings the tile and stone show in Chicago, which will be held next April. Two members have already enquired about this event. I am currently negotiating with the organisers for a 'special' rate for an Australian Stone Pavilion. Australian Tile Publications will exhibit at this event and copies of Discovering Stone will be circulated from our stand. Please give me a call if you are interested in receiving more information about Coverings.
• The Board voted to strongly consider participation Designbuild 07 - this key event will be held at Darling Harbour on 3rd-6th June 2007. Designbuild support ASAA by providing us with a 'free' stand, a facility to hold our seminars, together with necessary equipment and technical support.

Attached are PDFs which fully illustrate a stand that Designbuild will construct for ASAA. Please read exhibition organiser Bill Hare's offer which includes all aspects of stand construction and design. Note that the proposed ASAA signage will appear above each stand.

Members can book a minimum of 3 x 3 mtr. or any multiple thereof. Naturally the stand can be enlarged as required.

Members who wish to build their own stands can do so and receive a 5% discount.

Please study the images and the group stand package carefully.

Click to 'here' to read Diversified's proposal. Call me if you require more information.

 Floor Plans
 Group Stand Package

The RAIA NSW and other chapters have circulated their membership in relation to the Australian Stone Architectural Awards.

Please click here to view the ‘basix’ update that was emailed to members.

We invite ASAA members and non-members to submit entries that will feature on the September edition of Discovering Stone.

Tickets are available for the Tile and Stone Industry Annual Gala event where the ASAA awards will be presented on Friday 8 December. All proceeds go to charity. Call Joanne Salem on 02 8717 9000 to book.

We welcome our latest new member Richard Bowman, formerly of CSIRO. Richard is the principal of Intertile Research Pty Ltd. Richard chairs the Standards Australia Slip Resistance Committee and sits on several related international committees. Richard is one of the guest speakers at DesignBuild Seminars, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, May 28-30

We welcome two new members Bluestone (Basalt) Quarrier & Hugh'n James Group . if you would like to join ASAA click here

ASAA will conduct a survey of the characteristics of a variety of engineered stone products that are manufactured by a number of companies.

Discovering Stone contributing Technical Editor Richard Bowman said, “There are a number of draft European standards in the pipeline. Engineered stone is currently produced in several countries; research that I have conducted in relation to an article ‘Engineering Engineered Stone Installations To Prevent Failures’ (published in issue #5 of Discovering Stone – page 66) reveals that there is a great deal of variation in the way various engineered stones are manufactured.”

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) have announced that they are initiating a programme to “counter misinformation constantly being disseminated by the producers of engineered stone”.

ASAA and the MIA will exchange information in relation to this issue, in an effort to establish the differences that may exist in various engineered stone products.

The initial objectives of the ASAA study will:

• Determine how products are tested on an international basis and how those test methods pertain to existing draft standards;
• ASAA will conduct comparative testing of some engineered stone products that are available locally in an attempt to compare various materials in relation to proposed standards. The wide variance in current test methods employed in different countries currently makes it difficult to accurately compare various materials.

The MIA has commissioned an ‘E Coli Contamination Study’ that compares two American granites, a white marble and an engineered stone product. The results can be viewed in the e-digest

Mr Eric Xie of Austrade, China and local Austrade representatives working in conjunction with ASAA organised a superb stand for promotion of Australian Stone at the Xiamen Stone Show held on 3 – 6 March. Read Ian Lamble’s review in Issue #9 of Discovering Stone to find out more.

ASAA Director Seppo Karvonen (at left), Eric Xie (Austrade) and fellow Director Ian Lamble at the ASAA stand which featured exhibits by Australasian Granite, Ablatio, Capricorn Stone, Melocco, Cairns Marble and the South Australian Government representing the interests of companies such as Bruhn Stone.

Currently six members of ASAA: Richard Bowman, Colin Cass, David West, John Moses, Michael Strine and Xiaoyan Sugeng sit on Australian Standards Committees.