Abacus Director elected President of National Industry Association
This year Abacus Shade Structures Director, Beatrice Moonen was elected President of the Australian Specialised Textiles Assocation (STA). Her credentials are befitting to her role. After studying economics she worked in small business development with the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and the NSW Department of Industry and Small Business. She founded Abacus Shade Structures with her partner in 1984 and started practising what she preached. She has never looked back loving every moment of being part of the small business community in Australia. She chaired the STA’s Fabric Structures Committee for 4 years and in 2015 was the inagural recipient of the STA’s Association, Women of the Year Award.
She was elected to the President’s role in 2016. In her acceptance speech at the National SuperExpo Textiles Conference on the Gold Coast she said “STA members represent the essence of small business in Australia with qualities that drive industry. Members who are mostly small business entreprenuers are innovators who are adept at overcoming challenges. Members come from diverse areas of manufacturing including shade structures, textile fabrication, marine upholstery and covers, canvas, truck tarpaulins, awnings, geo textiles, engineering, design and material suppliers.
Speaking as a specialist in shade structures, we know that 35 years ago shade structures didn’t exist, knitted shadecloth was woven, scissors were the cutting tools and 3D design was a pipe dream. Today these are the reality in the outdoor textile industry. We have grown and diversified during a time when secondary industry has contracted and moved offshore. We have bucked the trend and found a growing market in Australia. Having the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world Australians of today appreciate the importance of shade in good health.
With social marketing, new performance materials and processes, and a focus on improved sun health, tomorrow promises to be very exciting with new opportunities to come. I’m here for the long haul. By nurturing our positives I want to contribute to making this a stronger association for members. My interest is to raise consumer awareness, raise standards, cut red tape, encourage training and build bonds.”
This represents a fantastic recognition for our company and the achievement of a dream for the Director.