Young Achiever a close-run thing

The 2009 PMA Young Achiever Award was presented to Brenton Watkins, Ted's Cameras, Elizabeth Street Melbourne, on Friday, June 26 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

Watkins, assistant store manager at the busy Elizabeth Street photo retailing icon, narrowly edged out the two other finalists, Wayne Bell (Eastmon Digtal, NSW) and Leigh Diprose (Albany Camera House, WA). The initial points-based judging resulted in an unprecedented dead heat, with the judges then required to nominate their choice to break the tie.

The award was presented by PMA director, Australian Activities, Peter Rose and chairman, Richard Robertson. The Young Achiever wins a trip to the US to attend the annual PMA convention, which will be held next year in Anaheim, California. Watkins was impressive in accepting the award and thanking PMA and the industry sponsors.

PMA Australia chairman and managing director of Ted's, Richard Robertson, spoke passionately prior to the award being announced about the need for the photo industry to nurture and develop its young talent to ensure it prospered into the future.

He implored fellow retailers to get behind the Young Achievers program - which is a unique Australian innovation within the PMA international community.

Robertson noted that some retailers were reluctant to invest in training their staff because of fears they might leave with their newly-won skills or qualifications.

"Some people say if they train their people they will just leave - but what if you don't train them and they stay!" he said.

He said Young Achiever Watkins at one stage was looking to a career move but Ted's had been able to convince him to stay in photo retailing - in no small part by offering a training program and career path.

A surprise guest at the award ceremony was the first Young Achiever, Debbie Peppard, who won the award back in 1999. She now runs her own HR business, and said that winning the Young Achiever award gave her the self-belief to strive for greater success in her career.