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As the Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ) heads into its 23rd year, it is mourning the loss of its dedicated former CEO Lorraine Mills, who passed away in April. “Lorraine’s sudden death hit us all particularly hard. Having worked with her since 2002 it is difficult not having her around, especially as she had […]
As the Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ) heads into its 23rd year, it is mourning the loss of its dedicated former CEO Lorraine Mills, who passed away in April.
“Lorraine’s sudden death hit us all particularly hard. Having worked with her since 2002 it is difficult not having her around, especially as she had an amazing ability to recall anything we had done or been involved with. She was a fastidious record keeper and the annual conference was always an opportunity for her to catch up with members from around the country. Her efforts for RANZ and the roofing industry were recognised in 2014 when she was made a Life Member,” says Graham Moor, who has taken over the CEO’s role after being on the executive continuously since 2002.
Lorraine had worked with the Association since its formation in 1994 in response to the widely held view in the early 1990s that roofing work was best left to plumbers and sometimes carpenters.
The founding members of RANZ, all key roofing contractors from around New Zealand, had clear objectives and goals focused on professionalism in the industry.
Lorraine Mills was secured from Auckland Master Plumbers to assist the executive board of the newly formed association, who soon realised they had found someone with ‘extraordinary ability’, says Graham.
“In those fledgling years Lorraine managed industry training, health and safety, workmanship warranties, dispute resolution procedures, membership, financial services, the in-house magazine, conference, legislative issues, industry standards, technical and general industry problems. In 1998 she was appointed full time CEO and established RANZ headquarters in Albany with additional staff employed for the first time in 2002.
Her meticulous attention to detail, passion and enthusiasm, particularly for the contracting fraternity, has been a major factor in RANZ earning the respect and recognition
it now enjoys.”
Graham, owner of Kerikeri-based business Roof Resolve, is a former president of the association and long term member of its executive. He was appointed as new CEO of RANZ in May.
In the building industry for the last 37 years, Graham was a member of the former DBH Building Practitioners Board for five years, served as the New Zealand Specialist Trades Federation representative on BRAC, was for 18 months was on the Board of the former PGDR ITO and was an ITO assessor. He is currently an assessor for the Open Polytechnic which provides training materials for all roofing trainees.
Chairman of the RANZ Health & Safety committee since 2010, Graham has been dedicated to improving health and safety in the roofing industry, and was closely involved in the development of the two Best Practice Guidelines for Working on Roofs and Working at Height, published by WorkSafe.
Since taking on the role Graham and the RANZ executive have accelerated a review of the Association’s purpose, direction, funding and skill sets, but will not be making change for change’s sake, he says.
“Any changes we introduce will be to increase effiiciencies and to ensure we are as relevant as possible to our members and those we interact with.”
During this time of change and transition Graham would like to thank the members, sponsors and RANZ staff for their ‘great support’.
“The association will continue its advocacy work in the construction sector, building upon the recognition of roofing as a specialist trade which was the intention of Lorraine and the founding executive in 1994”.