A Lifelong Interest In Boats Leads To The Top Job

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday September 16, 1994

By BOB WONDERS

IAN McAndrew, popular president of the Boating Industry Association of NSW, has been named Australia's top boater.

At a meeting of the industry's national executive held in Brisbane to coincide with the Brisbane Boat Show, McAndrew was elected president of the Boating Industry Association of Australia (BIAA).

He replaces the former president, Ian Harris, of Melbourne, who stood down from the role when he left the industry.

For the 57-year-old, Sydney Boys' High-educated accountant, the national industry presidency is just one more hat he finds himself wearing.

McAndrew remains NSW president (he's in his third term), is a director of(and the driving force behind) the award-winning The Anchorage, Port Stephens, serves as a director of Newcastle Airport Ltd and the Tourist Authority of Port Stephens and is chairman of the Hunter Regional Tourist Organisation.

Feel free to ask McAndrew what he does in his spare time, but I doubt he'd have time to reply. Born in Scotland, McAndrew came to Australia as a "wee bairn" in 1948.

He served in the Royal Australian Navy during his national service in 1956 and later studied accountancy while working in a major Sydney accounting firm

A life-long interest in sport led to McAndrew serving for five years as secretary-general of the Australian Soccer Federation.

He was also a director of the Australian Sporting Goods Association.

McAndrew believes his step up the ladder to the BIAA presidency has come at the right time.

"I think, in fact I'm sure, the boating industry is in resurgence," he said.

"All the capital city boat shows have been highly successful, while the industry, nationally, is coming closer together.

"We have a strong export market in relation to larger boats, but we do need to lift our game in other areas from an export view of things."

McAndrew said that the BIAA would maintain close links with regulatory authorities such as MSB Waterways Authority in NSW and the Department of Harbours and Marine in Queensland.

And he forecast some more intense lobbying to the Federal Government in an effort to have the "unfair" sales tax lifted from items such as compulsory safety equipment.

"We will also be intensifying our dealings with the NSW Government to convince it of the need to put fuel taxes contributed by boat owners back into boating," he said.

McAndrew estimated more than $5 million is raised each year from fuel purchased by boat owners.

"And it all goes to roadworks," he said. "What about boat ramps, parking areas, waterways refurbishment?"

Asked if he had any thoughts on ways and means to improve major boat shows, McAndrew tipped fishing and scuba diving to become more prominent.

And in an endeavour to maximise boat show staging, he is looking at arranging a major industry working party to visit the 1995 Miami International Boat Show, recognised as the world's largest recreational boating exhibition.

Although relishing his new role, McAndrew will have other things on his mind next Friday evening ... The Anchorage, Port Stephens, is a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide.

If you've had the pleasure of visiting the resort, there's no way you'd bet against it winning.