Printing Industries says the Australian printing industry has lost one of its most prominent and influential characters with the passing late last week of Noel Crichton.
Noel Alexander Crichton died on Friday 21 February aged 87.
Mr Crichton, a Life Member of the Printing Industries Association of Australia, was an active industry participant and the current Chairman of the National Printing Industry Training Council (NPITC). He was also a contributor to the development of the Future Print project underscoring his commitment and passion to ensure that the printing industry has the necessary skill sets to support the significant transformation it is going through.
Printin
g Industries CEO Bill Healey, said that Mr Crichton had been one of the first people to make contact and offer support after he became CEO in 2011.
“Noel had an unbridled passion for the printing industry and always made himself available to offer advice on all issues,” he said.
“He was particularly passionate about attracting young people into the industry and about having an improved training model to do this with.
He had a level of knowledge of the industry few could match and a futuristic vision that will continue to be fulfilled for many years to come,” Mr Healey said.
Noel Crichton’s involvement with the industry began in 1946 when, as a printing cadet with Simmons Limited printing, he joined the NSW Young Master Printers’ Association.
He was elected to the Committee of Management in 1948, became vice-president in 1950, after the organisation was renamed Junior Printing Executives Society, and became its President in 1952.
In 1960 he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Printing and Allied Trades Employers' Association of NSW (PATEA). He became Vice-President in 1961 and served as its President 1965-67.
He was elected to the Federal Executive Council of the Printing and Allied Trades Employers' Federation of Australia (PATEFA) in 1960 and became its Vice-President in 1969.
After a decision by the autonomous state associations of the time to come together as a Federation (1970), Mr Crichton was elected President of the transitional Council and held that position until the end of 1971 when the new National Council for PATEFA was elected.
While President, changes were made to the Constitution of the Federation to prescribe the organisation as a National Federation of Employers as distinct from a Federation of State Associations.
Mr Crichton served on all of the Federation’s Standing Committees and became National Honorary Secretary in 1982, a position he held until 1997 when he retired after more than 37 years of service with the Federation. (The Federation changed its name to Printing Industries Association of Australia - Printing Industries in 1995).
His involvement in training began with his Young Master Printers Association (later JPE) where he counselled Vocational Guidance officers and took part in Sydney metropolitan and country school career days. In the 1970s he became active with Printing Industry Training Council. He became NSW Chairman in 1978 and National Council (NPITC) Chairman in 1982 – a role he has held up until the present time.
In 1994 Mr Crichton was admitted as a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of services rendered to the Printing Industry and particularly to training within the Industry.
“Noel’s contributions to our industry have been enormous, his vision unparalleled and his legacy, particularly in the area of training, will continue to be fulfilled well into the future,” Mr Healey said.
Mr Crichton’s funeral will be held at 3pm on Friday 28 February at the Ann Wilson Chapel in Mona Vale.
Printing Industries Association of Australia
www.printnet.com.au
