TONY BERTRAND IS NEW VMA TREASURER
The VMA board has elected its office bearers for 2025, with Tony Bertrand succeeding Rodney Frost as honorary treasurer the main change to the group.
The four other office bearers remain in place with Kevin Pidgeon, Lithocraft, as president; Stuart Fysh from The Label Factory as deputy president, and Kirsty Woodhead from Breen Printing as honorary secretary.
Bertrand is general manager – Sales, at Ball & Doggett. He said, “I thank Rodney, Kellie Northwood, and the entire VMA Board for their support in this appointment. I am passionate about an industry association that leads and delivers value for every investment we make.
“Our industry is a great one and the association has a role to play in supporting members through the evolution that is our future industry, and however I can assist in that process I welcome.”
As per the Association’s rules, Board members nominate and elect office bearers internally to fulfil key leadership roles. This year’s election was authorised by the Fair Work Commission and officiated by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), ensuring the process adhered to the highest standards of governance and transparency.
VMA CEO Kellie Northwood commended the board, and expressed gratitude to the outgoing honorary treasurer, Rodney Frost, she said, “I would like to sincerely thank our outgoing Honorary Treasurer, Rodney Frost, for his dedicated and invaluable service in holding the position for several years and specifically through the merger of the two original organisations and rebranding into the Visual Media Association.
“To have had a board member working with me hand-in-glove was an amazing support and has allowed the association to sit in the strong financial position it is today. I am pleased to state Rodney will continue as a board member of the VMA for the immediate period, and thank him personally, as well as on behalf of the members, for being so committed to the industry and association.”
Northwood also extended her congratulations to the Board’s new and returning members: “I look forward to continuing to work with this experienced board as we pursue our goals, support our members and the broader industry. I welcome Tony into the honorary treasurer seat, I have had the privilege of working with Tony on boards both with APIA and Two Sides in the past, and he is a continued ambassador of the industry driving future innovation and ideas to grow the Association’s deliverables and value to members.”
Rodney Frost, Chief Executive Officer, The Lamson Group, commented, “I feel confident this was the right time, with my business commitments and the strength of the association. It is a good opportunity to hand over to the incoming treasurer, Tony Bertrand. I’ve known Tony for many years as an industry leader, but also over the past twelve months on the board. His commitment to the industry, and to a single industry-leading association is commendable, and I feel assured the baton is being passed to the best candidate and thank Tony for his support in stepping into the role.”
Kevin Pidgeon, re-elected as VMA president, expressed his enthusiasm for the year ahead, he said, “It is an honour to continue serving as president of the Visual Media Association. The strength and experience of our board reflect our dedication to supporting the industry and our members. I am confident that, together, we will achieve significant milestones in advancing advocacy, training, sustainability, and innovation across our sectors. The VMA continues to provide robust leadership for the print, paper, publishing, packaging, and media industries, ensuring that all members operate with a future-proof strategy for success.”