Well-known ASGA personality Michael ‘Punchy’ Punch was honoured with a Life Membership of the ASGA at the 2024 Currie Group National Sign & Graphics Awards in recognition of 18 outstanding years of contribution to the Association as it’s General Manger and, more recently, Member & Events Manager.

ASGA President, Mick Harrold, said the Award was appropriate recognition for Michael who had built the Association into a truly national and professional industry association – and become one of the industry’s most well-respected figures – during his tenure.

Michael Punch grew up in Sydney and, following his secondary education, studied for several years in Melbourne, attaining three university degrees. After returning to Sydney, Michael had a successful teaching career, guiding thousands of students at a number of independent schools over several decades as a Senior English teacher and sports coach.

His involvement in education also extended beyond the classroom and the sporting field. He was Secretary and Chairman of the GPS Sportsmasters’ Association over a 26-year period and was also the inaugural Chair of the NSW Combined Independent Schools’ Sports Council.

In his later years in education, Michael established a Development Office at his school, coordinating marketing and publications and securing significant donations for Bursary ad Building Appeals. Such was the success of this office that Michael gave advice to numerous schools around Australia and also presented at international conferences.

All of this proved to be the perfect grounding for what would come next – a ‘second career’ in a previously unfamiliar area: the signage industry.

In 2006, after an outstanding career in education, Michael was appointed the inaugural General Manager of the Australian Sign & Graphics Association, and immediately embraced the opportunity to become involved in the industry.

“For ten years as General Manager, Punchy ran a one-person office, establishing many of the Member Benefits which we enjoy today and, as a consequence, increasing Membership numbers significantly,” Mick says.

“He coordinated many information sessions across the country, bringing together members and potential members to share ideas, discuss issues of importance, and build and strengthen their industry networks. These connections were strengthened at industry trade shows, where Michael became a lightning rod for industry involvement.

“As well as providing him with the skills needed to encourage, mentor and advise, and the sales skills to drum up support for ASGA initiatives from the industry’s suppliers, Michael’s early career in education also translated into a passionate desire to promote the industry to senior school students as they considered their career options.

“Punchy was always ‘front and centre’ at trade shows, school careers presentations and expos, running ‘try-a-trade’ presentations and chatting to students, parents, teachers and careers advisors. He was a driving force behind the development – together with Visual Connections and AusSIP – of the Sign & Print Career Connections program over the past decade, a legacy of enormous importance for our sector.

“One of Michael’s special talents has been as an Events Manager. He continued the Sign & Print Golf events over more than a dozen years in Perth and Brisbane, and brought the popular formula to Sydney and Melbourne over the past five years. These events typically bring together 80, 90 or even 100 industry personnel from suppliers and signage companies, building relationships and creating a camaraderie which has been very special.

“Tonight’s 2024 National Sign & Graphics Awards is the ninth that Michael has been involved with. His leadership of the planning Committee has been pivotal in ensuring that categories are kept current and relevant, that Judging is conducted in an impartial and professional manner, and that the Presentation Dinners have been a fitting recognition of the achievements of the sector.

“Perhaps more importantly than all of the above, Michael has proven to be a wonderful resource, a wise and astute advisor, a steadfast support, and a genuinely good friend to industry businesses, all of whom hold him in the highest esteem.

“While we know all good things must come to an end, Michael Punch truly is one ‘out of the box’ and his shoes will be big ones to fill. Punchy, we thank you for all you have contributed to the industry, and all you have become to the people within it. We are honoured to have you as a Life Member of the ASGA.”

For his part, Michael said his involvement with the ASGA had been ‘an absolute privilege’, paying special tribute to those who have helped and supported him over his 18 years of involvement.

“Thank you all most sincerely for extending this Life Membership to me tonight,” he said. “It has been a joy to be involved in this great industry, and a most unexpected honour to receive this recognition tonight.

“No-one achieves success without the help of others, and I have always enjoyed great support and encouragement from the ASGA Board – under Chairs David Hay, Michael Blazek, Julie Rochester and now Mick Harrold – and from the various State Committee members, and I would like to thank them all most sincerely for that.

“It has also been very welcome to be included as a ‘defacto’ member of the team at Visual Connections, who have supported me, and indeed ASGA, since 2006. They have not only provided a desk at which to work, but invaluable company and encouragement along the way

“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the many signage companies and their staff who I have come to know so well over the years. Their work and friendship has been inspirational throughout the journey and I have appreciated it so much. I look forward to seeing them, and the ASGA, continue to go from strength to strength in the future.”