An insight into Brian Welch
An academic career was not for Brian Welch. This may have been prejudiced by enduring the disruption of attending five different schools in three different states across primary and secondary schooling. It made Brian more open to forming friendships and adapting to changed circumstances.
His first job was with a manufacturer of pharmaceuticals in their quality control laboratory. Despite not being qualified to do this work Brian rang every lab in Melbourne until he found a trainee position. It was this tenacity that translated to his success later in life.
Through his karate school (a budding black belt), Brian began a sales career with an Australian manufacturer of automatic doors, which saw him given more and more interesting roles culminating in export work in the Middle East, beginning in Nigeria, through Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Returning to Australia Brian undertook a succession of roles in the sales/marketing area which led him to a job as marketing manager with HIA, where, amongst other things, he was given the task of developing an online estimating and ordering system for builders in what was the fore runner to the internet, working with the computer houses, technology companies, CSIRO, suppliers and even Amway.
For the last 30 years Brian has worked in the not-for-profit sector, with 25 years as executive director of two industry associations. Making them viable was his first task, not easy in a world which is increasingly more about self than society. Brian proudly states that “both associations reached record levels of profitability, size and influence and were better resourced with staff in my term”.
Brian’s accomplishments as a director were innumerable, and the following points are a taste of the issues tackled that affected Victoria in those 25 years:
- The Fordham Land Tax Review which led to changed rating frequency and basis of calculation
- Deregistration of the BLF
- Appointment of Commissioners at the City of Melbourne
- Creation of a Docklands Authority
- Exclusive 7 Day trading for Melbourne CBD
- Creation of Melbourne City Marketing
- Registration of Commercial Builders
- Abandonment of Industrial Manslaughter as a component of the OHS Act
- Victorian Government underwriting of Builders Warranty insurance
- Establishment of a Royal Commission into the building industry and the subsequent creation of the Australian Building & Construction Commission
- Establishment of the Victorian Construction Code Compliance Unit
- Mandatory drug testing on Government building projects
Brian has always had a strong desire to help others and improve their circumstances. He enjoys building businesses and influencing outcomes through the political process.
As an individual, many things could be said of Brian. It would be fair to say that he is competitive, strong willed and determined, protective of others, innovative, and a strategic thinker who is always seeking better, more efficient ways of doing things. Brian has a strong desire to support private sector values and motives, yet sees the merit of government intervention in certain circumstances. He dislikes indolence, waste, apathy and oppression, while enjoying collaboration and building relationships.
Brian is married to Wendy and in their 36 years of marriage they have had two children. Apart from family activities, Brian enjoys playing golf, following rugby union and travel.