Showyin's OAM, he said, honoured and humbled him. That he was reinforces that Showyin deserved the recognition.
Let's look at the honour.
Before stepping down late last year, Showyin had served as the Aerosol Association’s president for nearly 30 years, overseeing a number of important Association and industry initiatives, including the shift from CFC propellants, the acceptance of post-consumer aerosols in kerbside recycling, the Association’s awarded television, print and radio advertising campaigns in the 1980’s and 90’s, and its pro-active engagement with aerosol associations throughout the Asian region in recent years.
Showyin joined the Association’s Executive Committee in February 1976, becoming President in 1984. He also joined the newly established PK/13 Technical Committee of Standards Australia that year and played a pivotal role in the development of AS2278, the Australian Standard which prescribes safety standards for locally sold aerosols.
“It is also encouraging recognition of the contribution which the local aerosol industry makes to the Australian economy and of the role of industry associations, especially in areas such as safety and standards” Showyin said of his OAM.
Highlights of his time at the helm of the Association include:
The development of the It’s OK to Spray campaign in the 80s, a collaboration between the Association and its New Zealand counterpart.
The launch of the Aerosol Industry Awards in 1994
The establishment of the Asian Aerosol Federation in late 2011
Both the It’s OK to Spray branding and the Awards concept were adopted by aerosol bodies around the world, including the US, Europe, North America and South Africa. Showyin remains actively committed to the aerosol industry and as well as remaining on the Association’s Executive, he is President of the Asian Aerosol Federation.
Showyin was always looking forward. Readying the next generation and encouraging innovation ignited him.
“Skills and fresh ideas are the lifeblood of any industry and especially important for one at the forefront of innovation like the aerosol industry, where there is a continual challenge to introduce new applications and hence new customers to the aerosol format.
“The Australian aerosol industry and its Association have always been at the forefront of aerosol innovation and meeting the needs of its members with many of its initiatives subsequently adopted in other parts of the world.”
Six years ago, the Association introduced a professionally managed series of training courses on aerosol technology due to Showyin's initiative. This has been an ongoing success.
Showyin remains actively committed to the aerosol industry. He remains on the Association’s Executive amd is president of the Asian Aerosol Federation.