A well-known Geelong repairer has been successful in securing a place on a key automotive board in an effort to bolster the representation of collision repair in Victoria.
The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) last night announced the election of its new Executive Board following a comprehensive member ballot.
New board member Carly Ruggeri director of Euro Panels in Geelong will join existing member Craig Beruldsen from the collision sector on a diverse board that aims to represent the many sectors of the automotive industry in Victoria.
Ruggeri says the results shows VACC Members had spoken loudly with their vote.
“It is an honour to be newly elected onto VACC Executive Board,” she says “With this position I will continue my dedication to body repair priorities and focus on the whole industry cross divisionally, it is an ecosystem after all.
“The health of automotive is a critical function of Victoria without our industry the state would stop. Our industry is navigating significant changes, a new chapter in automotive is here and through the good work of the Chamber we will continue to seek better standards for our industry’s future including a continued focus on equality, skills shortages and assist the over-all vibrant landscape of our entire Automotive sector.
Mr Craig Beruldsen from Mel Schmidt Panel Works in Mildura who also represents the towing sector will also become the President & Executive Board Chairman for the VACC.
Elected Vice Chairman is Paul Bertoli from the Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers Association and owner of Bertoli Farm Machinery in Shepparton. The new VACC Secretary is Matt Jones from the Motorcycle Industry Division who operates Matt Jones Motorcycles in Melton.
VACC Members spoke loudly with their vote for Carly Ruggeri.
“It is an honour to be newly elected onto VACC Executive Board,” Ruggeri says. “With this position I will continue my dedication to body repair priorities and focus on the whole industry cross divisionally, it is an ecosystem after all.
“The health of automotive is a critical function of Victoria without our industry the state would stop. Our industry is navigating significant changes, a new chapter in automotive is here and through the good work of the Chamber we will continue to seek better standards for our industry’s future including a continued focus on equality, skills shortages and assist the over-all vibrant landscape of our entire Automotive sector.”
In her campaign for the VACC position Ruggeri argued collision repair needed to be championed within the peak body and at multiple levels including government to ensure its importance was recognised.
She argued in “a sophisticated, highly skilled craft that many rely on” was under-appreciated in some parts of the industry and therefore needed this stronger voice.
New president Beruldsen says in a statement they will be working hard to advocate for whole automotive industry in Victoria and its 5,000 business owner members.
“There are many challenges ahead, including the transition to an electric vehicle fleet and the skills required to keep the vehicle fleet moving. Engaging with government will be central to VACC’s role and this includes working closely with the national automotive body MTAA, to ensure we get outcomes, both at a state and a national level.”
In a statement, the VACC outlined strengthening industry training pathways, advocating for sustainable business practices, and ensuring member businesses are well-positioned to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex automotive landscape, as some of its key priorities.
The newly elected board also has a makeup of businesses from metropolitan and regional Victoria and Tasmania. The full board consists of;
- President & Executive Board Chairman: Mr Craig Beruldsen (Mel Schmidt Panel Works)
- Vice Chairman: Mr Paul Bertoli (Bertoli Farm Machinery)
- Secretary: Mr Matt Jones (Matt Jones Motorcycles)
- Executive Board members:
- Mr Chris Hummer (Dynamic Wheel Co.)
- Mr Michael Grubb (Specialist Auto Cambridge, TAS)
- Mr Sid Cetindag (Brighton Toyota & Lexus Of Brighton)
- Mr Paul Hopper (Werribee Hyundai)
- Ms Carly Ruggeri (Europanels EP Pty Ltd)*
- Mr Anthony Schache (Horsham Auto Electrical Pty Ltd)*
*First-time appointees to the VACC Board