HSA May 2021

“The Association and its members were very
fortunate that a qualified Chartered Accountant
(ACA) who earned his living by billing his time
was prepared to donate his time to the
management of Association funds.” - PETER HURLEY AO
DAVID BASHEER, AHA|SA PRESIDENT
An AHA|SA life member, Rick has served our Council for
over 30 years and has been a major Industry figure.
He has provided the AHA|SA with stability, financial
certainty, and an incredible depth of professional
knowledge.
As President, I have found it a continued comfort to put
my head on the pillow knowing Rick is in charge of our
finances.
Don’t for a moment believe Rick was one of those ‘cut
and don’t spend’ finance guys.
Two recent critical battles successfully fought by the
Association were the battle to prevent the sale of alcohol
in supermarkets, and our much publicised State election
campaign in 2018 against Nick Xenophon’s party.
Both campaigns were extremely costly, but knowing the
consequences of defeat, Rick was a critical decision
maker into how much we were able to allocate, and
in the case of the 2018 election, it was his initiative to
increase our spending.
When the battles were complete, Rick’s first thought
was ‘ how do we replenish our reserves to fight the next
members’ campaign?’ The current state of our finances
illustrates his vision and success perfectly.
To dismiss Rick’s 30 year tenure to merely the
custodian of our books would grossly underplay his
contribution.
Rick has been an significant voice on a wide range
of key Industry initiatives and challenges, sometimes
playing the Devil’s advocate, but always bringing a
strong level of reason and common sense to any
debate.
Simply put, when Rick Lovell talks, people listen.
Needless to say, Rick and Cynthia, you will always
be cherished members of the AHA|SA family.
PETER HURLEY AO
As State President for much of Rick’s 29-year tenure
it was a massive comfort to know that every dollar of
Association funds was being managed by a colleague
who treated members’ funds in the same cautious way
as if it were his own.
While that was a comfort to me, the entire membership
should be equally grateful that their funds were under
his custodianship.
The Association and its members were very fortunate
that a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) who
earned his living by billing his time was prepared to
donate his time to the management of Association
funds. Added to that he had both empathy for - and
a deep understanding of - what was important to our
industry and its sustainable position in the economy.
Over the years the Association has been well served by
stability both in its staffing and its office bearers. Those
Associations that have set short term office holders
(forced rotation) have never had the political influence
the AHA|SA has been able to deliver for its membership.
Rick is a shining example of the benefit of that stability.
Congratulations to him and on my own behalf and on
behalf of the entire membership, sincere thanks Rick.
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