Clem Johnson receives FESPA Australia Life Member Award

See the exclusive article in our Feb/March issue of Digital Image Magazine!

Clem Johnson of Reid Print Technologies recently received the FESPA Australia Life Member Award and was presented with a trophy in recognition of this incredible achievement.

Clem is certainly deserving of the FESPA Life Member Award. He has provided exceptional assistance to the industry as Treasurer of the Queensland branch of SGIAA (now FESPA Australia) in 1998, President and Federal President in 2005 (which he served for 11 years) and represented SGIAA at FESPA General Assemblies.

He was also a  Member of the  QLD Graphics Communications Training Board, QLD PICA Awards Judging Panel; QLD School of Printing and Graphic Arts (QSPGA)  Advisory  Board as  well as the Creative Skills Council – Printing Industry Sub Committee. He organised the SGIAA Screen & Digital Awards & Gala Event for four years, as well as the Hyatt Coolum Conference, where he convened the first Australian ASGA Meeting. Clem was also trustee of the Glen Crerar Training Trust.

In addition, he researched and published the SGIAA’s Souvenir 50th Anniversary booklet, which has been lodged with the Australian National Library and The State Library of NSW.

Clem’s other noteworthy achievement was his involvement in the Future Print Pilot Project development, a National project investigating and implementing innovative ways of enhancing the competency-based training system. Representing the SGIAA, he worked closely with the Future Print Advisors in identifying a stream of training options to better meet the needs of SGIAA members and the wider print communities. However, he believes his most gratifying achievement was when the SGIAA was accepted into the ‘FESPA family’, granted FESPA            Associate Membership and ultimately, Full Membership.

"It is a privilege to have worked with Clem during his time as President, and FESPA Australia is stronger today for the foundations that he and his board put in place. I have the highest regard for Clem personally and professionally, and I am honoured that we can celebrate his contribution in this manner," said Nigel Davies, President, FESPA Australia.

Clem entered the industry in the late 70s, and began his career as an apprentice at C&S Designs in Brisbane, where he gained a Cert 3 in Printing & Graphic Arts (Screen Printing). In 1981 he took up the role of Production Manager for a diverse manufacturing company which had divisions dedicated to sheet metal fabrication, hospital equipment and engraving as well as its screen-printing arm. Eight years later he ventured out to establish his own company - Reid Print Technologies (formerly Reid Industrial Graphic Products) - where he has been ever since.

Grateful for the support of his family and staff, Clem is certain that he could not have offered his time and energy to the various industry committees and projects without them.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have an understanding family who have supported  me during  the time spent on various committees,” he says, also expressing gratitude to his staff.

“The  screen  printing  industry  itself  has always absorbed me, I love nothing better than to push the boundaries of new innovative technology and then develop processes that make it all happen.

“I have been fortunate through my time with FESPA Australia to meet many wonderful industry people, both locally and overseas,” Clem says, pointing out that the highlight of his time as a FESPA member has been meeting and sharing stories with like-minded industry people.

“Simply by catching up for a beer and a chat can sometimes help solve the world’s problems, so to speak,” he concludes.

Read the full story in our Feb/March issue https://image-publications.dcatalog.com/v/Digital-Image-Magazine-Feb-2021/?page=14