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September 22, 2025
The Inkers Story.

With barely half of national apprenticeships being completed, ongoing skills shortages and an ageing workforce, the print and visual media sectors face a critical challenge. In response, The Inkers – Make Your Mark was created as part of the solution. It is a structured, nationally coordinated program designed to retain, develop and empower young professionals across the print, packaging, publishing, signage, media and manufacturing sectors.

 

Led by the Visual Media Association (VMA) and proudly supported by Platinum Partner Konica Minolta, The Inkers builds a bridge between industry and the next generation of talent. It establishes local ambassadors, known as Markers, in each state and territory. These Markers represent emerging professionals and help guide the program’s national strategy. They help build connected communities, support leadership pathways and champion reverse mentorship – pairing younger employees with executive team members to mentor them on various topics of strategic and cultural relevance.

 

The program also amplifies personal stories through networking and local representation, building recognition and visibility for early-career professionals from diverse regions, genders and learning backgrounds.

 

At the centre of the brand is a CMYK fingerprint. Bold and vibrant, the CMYK palette – cyan, magenta, yellow and key (or black) – is a tribute to the foundations of commercial printing.

 

The fingerprint also represents individual identity, creativity and evolving career journey. It celebrates creativity, and expression and communication while the palette serves as a visual metaphor for the diversity and individuality of every Inker’s journey.

 

Just as CMYK can be combined to produce an infinite spectrum of printed colours, so can the creative and innovative minds in our industry be matched to create something even more wonderful.

 

By amplifying personal stories, connecting local representation with national leadership, and shining a light on new voices, The Inkers is cultivating the next generation of strong future leaders.

 

Today’s Markers will one day become tomorrow’s mentors. In doing so, they help establish a continuous cycle of intergenerational leadership within a multigenerational workforce and a demonstrable commitment to visibility, legacy and transformation.

 

If you’d like to be part of this national movement aiming to improve national apprentice and trainee completion rates, sign up to join The Inkers.

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Di Sainato

Officer – Administration & DSB

Di Sainato has been our front desk face for over 7 years, traversing ACA, RMC, PVCA and now with the VMA. Diane is an expert at dealing with all DSB enquires, helps out doing whatever is needed at the time in the office from mail outs, answering the phone, onboarding new members, answering emails, to all manner of assistance during Awards. Often referred to as the glue that keeps us all together.

Contact: [email protected]

Phillip Mariette

GM – Operations

Phillip has a strong operations, event management and creative background across 3 decades and multiple roles within the creative, design and industry association industries.   

After successfully managing a renowned Melbourne creative agency across 25yrs, Phillip brings business operation, creative direction, event management and strong leadership to the VMA over the past 10yrs. 

Phillip manages all facets of VMAs operations, including all awards programs, strategic projects, the VMA headquarters and all member facing activity. 

Contact: [email protected]

Tony Bertrand

Honorary Treasurer

Tony, an established Sales and Marketing Professional with over two decades of experience spanning various industries, thrives on tackling new challenges. His role is akin to that of a Chef, skilfully selecting the right ingredients for optimal results. Tony’s passion lies in driving change and fostering growth within organisations to maximise their potential. 

With a rich background in Operations, Sales & Marketing, Strategy, Commercial, and General Management in both B2B and B2C settings, he excels in delivering enhanced outcomes, both culturally and financially. As the Head of Marketing at Ball & Doggett for over six years, Tony focuses on being the best version of himself, building high-performing teams, engaging individuals, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional Customer Experience (CX).

Dean Glucina

Manager – Member Services

Dean is the Manager – Member Services for the Visual Media Association. A dynamic and strategic thinker with a strong background in member engagement and retention across the visual media industry.

With a proven track record in driving and building lasting relationships with industry professionals, Dean is passionate about creating value for members and ensuring their needs are met through exceptional service and tailored communication. Highly skilled in developing innovative strategies to increase membership growth, enhance member benefits, and foster a vibrant community.

Contact: [email protected]

London Mills

Manager – Strategic Projects

London brings a strong stakeholder and event management background across multiple industries.  

Having worked across the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia in various disciplines, London’s eclectic work background well equips her as she returns to the print and visual media industry.  

London manages the strategic projects and Sustainable Green Print programme for the Visual Media Association. 

Contact: [email protected]

Colin Lamond

Board Member

Colin Lamond is the Managing Director/MAICD at Percival Print & Packaging. He is a proven negotiator with a demonstrated skill set in business development, relationship building, operations, print manufacturing and strategic planning. His transformational leadership approach has served as a growth catalyst and infused productive energy into the workplace. Colin is comfortable in any role from the executive boardroom to the factory floor. Colin’s strategic foresight, drive, determination and ability to build high-performance teams has built a strong foundation for Percival Print & Packaging.

Kirsty Woodhead

Honorary Secretary

Kirsty, a seasoned professional in the printing industry, owns and directs the small family business with her partner Luke, Breen Printing, located in regional Victoria. With a background rooted in education and graphic pre-press, Kirsty began her career as an apprentice at Breen Printing, steadily advancing through the ranks, gaining diverse business experience. In July 2020, amidst Victoria’s second lockdown, Kirsty, along with her husband Luke, assumed ownership of Breen Printing from Kirsty’s parents, Merinda and Derek Jones, originally founded by Peter Breen in 1973. The Jones’s bought the business in 1985 which meant that Kirsty was raised surrounded by all things print. Not surprisingly, Kirsty is passionate about employing and nurturing apprentices at Breen Printing as they enter the industry. Kirsty absolutely knows every aspect and detail of the print process and her commitment to industry leadership is underscored by the strategic direction she provides as a Board Director, contributing to the Association’s overarching objectives.

Tony Bertrand

Board Member

Tony, an established Sales and Marketing Professional with over two decades of experience spanning various industries, thrives on tackling new challenges. His role is akin to that of a Chef, skilfully selecting the right ingredients for optimal results. Tony’s passion lies in driving change and fostering growth within organisations to maximise their potential. With a rich background in Operations, Sales & Marketing, Strategy, Commercial, and General Management in both B2B and B2C settings, he excels in delivering enhanced outcomes, both culturally and financially. As the Head of Marketing at Ball & Doggett for over six years, Tony focuses on being the best version of himself, building high-performing teams, engaging individuals, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional Customer Experience (CX).

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Rodney Frost

Board Member

Growing up in a family business, literally stained with ink and industry, Rodney began his internship as a 12-year-old boy, sweeping floors and learning everything about the business he now commands from the ground up. A well-recognised and respected leader of not only The Lamson Group, but also the broader industry from mail to print to supply and customer. A true trade house, Rodney carries a clear integrity measure of what he says he will do, he does. It is this culture of nurture, trust and legacy within the arms of a family-owned business that is the reason his team have long tenure, his clients remain loyal and his suppliers hold him in the highest regard.

Written in his DNA, Rodney is a clear custodian of maintaining a voice for the family-owned businesses across the industry. A believer in sharing networks, knowledge and vision, building value in membership and a better together approach. One team, one dream is his mantra for the Association and industry vision.

Nick Tuit

Board Member

Nick has owned and operated a Kwik Kopy franchise in Circular Quay, Sydney for the past sixteen years. The Circular Quay business which stands in the top decile of the national print franchise network. Nick also runs the largest graphic design studio in the Kwik Kopy network under the sub brand 121Creative and specialises in Annual Reports and corporate documentation. During the Covid pandemic he expanded into the Northern Beaches with the purchase of Kwik Kopy Frenchs Forest which he has since merged into his Circular Quay operations. 

 

Nick has been an active member of the Kwik Kopy Owners Association of which he spent five years as Chairman.  During his tenure he was instrumental in bringing the KKOA as a group membership into the Print Industry Association of Australia (now PVCA) and implementing the Sustainable Green Print certification across the Kwik Kopy network. Nick joined the PVCA Board in January 2022 and is passionate about sustainability and building the industry advocacy for our environmental credentials.

Walter Kuhn

Board Member

Walter is the Managing Director of Kuhn Corp in Brisbane. Commencing his career as an apprentice Fitter Machinist (Mechanical Engineer) and after four years specialised in Maintenance within the mining sector. Following a workplace accident prevented Walter from continuing in the minerals and resource sector and led him to a sales role with Wilkie Printers where he was instrumental in developing specialised ticketing systems for Expo88 and various other events and venues. In 1989, Walter founded Panther Print which he sold after three years to then found Kuhn Corp Press in 1993 and Kuhn Corp Packaging in 1999. He joined the Printing Industries Association, later PVCA, Board in 2016 and soon became President until 2021 where after serving the full term, became the Deputy President until 2022.

Simon Bailey

Board Member

Simon has held various roles across the print landscape, joining the industry as a print apprentice in the early 90’s. From completion of his print apprenticeship, Simon has evolved through the IVE Group business via planning/estimating, sales and account management, lead production management roles, leading him to his current role of General Manager of IVE’s Sheet fed and Digital print business in NSW.

With an exposure to the many facets of the print industry, Simon brings critical insight to all the areas across print manufacturing in Australia and a firm lens on the requirements of operational excellence. Simon also understands the critical role safety plays in today’s operational business and is passionate about keeping his staff safe at every shift they attend work.

Simon hopes to use the knowledge gained in the last 30 years across all these roles to assist the association with its key pillars moving forward.

Tom Eckersley

Board Member

Tom is an intelligent, considered and well-learned industry leader with over 31 years at the helm of Eckersley Print Group. Holding qualifications across business management, graphics arts and commerce management, Tom is a well-respected business entrepreneur who plays across the broad spectrum of print and visual communications. Tom is experienced in both family business structures and corporate public company structure and has experience in acquisitions and thereby the subsequent re-positioning and re-engineering to build a united business group.

Tom is committed to improving the profile, position, application and even the definition of the “Print Industry”. He does this in his pursuit to broaden the industry purview. He recognises the changing nature of the industry and it’s evolving and growing reach into so many facets of the world in which we live.

Simon Carmody

Board Member

Simon is the Managing Director of Spot Productions a business he has built from his father’s business, Spot the Printer, after selling his share in Image Studio and Print, which he sold in 2007. With over twenty-four years as a business owner, Simon’s print blood runs much deeper, starting his career completing a Printing Press Operator trade as a teen. Simon is an icon of industry across Queensland known for his hard-working and honest nature. A fierce defender of his mates and those in need, he has raised money for charities through industry events each and every year he has been in business and continues to work with his industry colleagues building print partnerships to strengthen businesses.

Katherine Fullagar

Manager – Strategic Projects

Having always had a fondness for paper, print and the written word, Katherine has held a variety of publishing and printing roles with some of Australia’s most well-known publishers.

She also brings experience in operations, data and project management in not-for-profit member associations, having developed and implemented a range of services and benefits that bring value to industry professionals.

Her qualifications include a Masters of Publishing and Editing, and Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics).

Contact: [email protected]

Charles Watson

GM – IR, Policy & Governance

Charles has a strong background in workplace relations and corporate governance.

Having worked in some of Australia’s pre-eminent law firms and industry bodies for over 20 years, he has a depth of knowledge and experience across a range of industries. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws, post-graduate studies in Industrial Relations Law, and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Additionally, Charles is also a regular contributor to trade press and other media for his commentary, editorial and insight on workplace relations, government and legislative amendment matters.

Contact: [email protected]

Kellie Northwood

Chief Executive Officer

Kellie is the Chief Executive Officer, Visual Media Association and a strong advocate for the effectiveness and sustainability of media channels that deliver results. She has held several senior executive roles concurrently as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Catalogue Association, Australasian Paper Industry Association, The Real Media Collective NZ, and Executive Director of TSA Limited. She sits on international Committees, across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.

Kellie is a regular contributor across mainstream and trade media publications.

Contact: [email protected]

Stuart Fysh

Honorary Secretary

Stuart is the Managing Director of The Label Factory based in Perth. From quality self-adhesive to stickers and signage, The Label Factory has been an awarded print business for nearly thirty years. Stuart is a proud contributor to the craft of print, ensuring his team are well trained and skilled across all aspects of label production. The level of commitment to continue training apprentices and investment in new technology demonstrates one eye is always kept on the future.

Over the past two and a half years, in his capacity as a Board Officer of Print & Visual Communication Association, Stuart has raised the profile, and importance, of the growing labels sector across the industry body and helped members navigate the complexities of covid lockdowns and border restrictions.

Matt Aitken

President

Matt is the Chief Executive Officer, IVE Group Limited. In this role Matt is responsible for the major operating divisions of IVE Group (Kalido, Blue Star and IVEO), with 2,000 staff based across Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Matt is passionate about customers and staff and is also a key leader in all acquisition related activity for the Group. In his tenure with IVE Group, Matt has been instrumental in the establishment of the IVEO business in 2000 and a key senior executive in the successful public listing of the IVE Group on the ASX in late 2015.

Matt brings both Government and industry leadership. A single industry association representing all of industry across all sectors is one that brings a powerful voice into government and surrounding industries to ensure our industry is recognised and empowered to continue driving a critical part of our communications economy in both Australia and New Zealand.

Kevin Pidgeon

Deputy President

Kevin is the Executive Chairman of Lithocraft with over 55 years’ experience in print operations and senior executive responsibilities, Kevin began his career as a cadet salesman with Peacock Brothers in 1964. He then travelled overseas for four years and worked as salesman in South Africa. He returned to Australia in 1969 and joined Lithocraft as salesman, becoming a partner in 1974. Kevin remains a 50% shareholder to this day, with Lithocraft’s Managing Director, Nick O’Sullivan.
 

Kevin holds a respected position across industry for his considered, fair and authentic approach to business. A leader, with a clear and unapologetic vision on building a strong organisation with a long and sustainable future.