The FESPA Australia board has awarded its highest honour - the association's life membership - to past-president Clem Johnson, who began his career in the late ’70s with C&S Designs in Brisbane.
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| Clem Johnson, former president and life member, FESPA Australia |
"I have been fortunate through my time with FESPA Australia to meet many wonderful industry people, both locally and overseas,” Johnson says. "Hearing their stories, sharing in their passion for the industry and simply catching up is priceless.”
Johnson’s involvement with FESPA Australia began in 1998 as Treasurer of the Queensland branch of SGIAA (now FESPA Australia). In 2005 he was elected Federal President of SGIAA, a position he held for 11 years.
“Clem took on his presidency during a challenging time for the Association,” says Nigel Davies, president FESPA Australia. “Digital technologies were changing our traditional membership profile, and Clem championed our drive to join the global community to capitalise on opportunities this trend would bring. His efforts lead to SGIAA being granted FESPA Associate Membership and ultimately Full Membership of the FESPA federation. Clem was passionate about training and served tirelessly on initiatives such as the Future Print Pilot Project, steering committees on apprenticeship training and the Glen Crerar Training Trust.”
Johnson's professional career started with C&S Designs in Brisbane in the late '70s, where he gained a Cert 3 in Printing & Graphic Arts. In 1989, he established his own business, Reid Print Technologies, to design, develop and manufacture a range of innovative functional printed products for industrial and commercial applications. Today, Reid Print Technologies is a leading manufacturer in this highly specialised field.
Davies says: “it is a privilege to have worked with Clem during his time as President, and FESPA Australia is stronger today for the foundations that he and his board put in place. I have the highest regard for Clem personally and professionally, and I am honoured that we can celebrate his contribution in this manner.”
Clem Johnson:
- ● 1998-2002 SGIAA Treasurer (QLD)
- ● 2002-2004 SGIAA President (QLD)
- ● 2003 Member of the Qld Graphics Communications Training Board
- ● 2003-2008 Member of the Queensland PICA Awards Judging Panel
- ● 2004-2005 Member of the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts (QSPGA) Advisory Board
- ● 2005-2016 SGIAA Federal President
- ● 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013 – Organiser of SGIAA Screen & Digital Awards & Gala Event
- ● Trustee of the Glen Crerar Training Trust
- ● 2005-2015 Represented SGIAA at FESPA General Assemblies
- ● 2006 Convened the first Australian ASGA Meeting during Coolum Conference
- ● 2006 Hyatt Coolum Conference
- ● 2008 Member of the Creative Skills Council – Printing Industry Sub Committee
- ● 2008 Researched and published the Souvenir 50th Anniversary of SGIAA Booklet. The booklet has been lodged with the Australian National Library & The State Library of NSW.
- ● 2014-2015 Represented SGIAA to develop the Future Print Pilot Project, a National project investigating and implementing innovative ways of enhancing the competency-based training system. Working closely with the Future Print Advisors in identifying a stream of training options to better meet the needs of SGIAA members and the wider print communities.
FESPA Australia connects to the resources of over 16,000 printers worldwide who share national and international knowledge. Members include leading digital printers, screen printers, sign makers and promotional product printers manufacturing a diverse range of products.
