News
29 June 2009
WISA Committee farewells Nic Law
Nic Law (left) joined by past WISA executive officer Philippa Pattison, joint Tarac CEO Chris Zajac and Supplier Of The Year MC Peter Fuller at the 2007 SOTY Gala Dinner after Tarac was presented with the prestigious Environmental and Sustainability Award.
WINE Industry Suppliers Australia is mourning the loss of past committee member Nic Law after losing his battle with leukemia.
Joint chief executive officer of Tarac Technologies, Nic joined the WISA Committee in October 2005 and took over as treasurer and secretary in September 2006. He held these positions until he retired in March last year due to his health issues.
WISA chairman Darren Oemcke said Nic was instrumental in the ongoing process of moving WISA on to a more planned and professional footing, reorganising its finances and organisational planning and forecasting.
He also played a key role in the development and ongoing success of WineTech, WISA's Supplier Of The Year Awards and the WISA WOW Award.
"He spent long hours working voluntarily to help WISA take that next step in its development and worked behind the scenes on the most difficult issues confronting the organisation, all of which went unnoticed outside of the committee," Darren said. "He was missed at WISA when illness forced him to resign, but we anticipated his recovery and return to the committee." Pellenc Australia managing director Louise Fraser was WISA's chairwoman when Nic was part of the national body's committee. She said his softly spoken manner belied a strong interest in and enthusiasm for WISA and its aims.
"Throughout his term on the management committee, he displayed a strong commitment to assisting the organisation achieve its true potential," Louise said.
"Nic had a wonderful way of communicating his views clearly without overpowering those around him. He was very generous in sharing his knowledge and experience, which was always delivered in an unassuming fashion. "Nic's ability to see to the heart of a matter was invaluable."
A qualified Chartered Accountant, Nic was a great strategist.
"Nic often took the lead at the whiteboard during committee meetings, assisting us in marshalling our thoughts and ideas, and helping us decide on a logical and achievable plan of action," Louise said.
"He never shied away from the difficult tasks and even as he was learning of his grim diagnosis, he was providing us with a range of strategies to deal with a tricky situation at hand.
"Looking back, it is clear that the tiredness he felt at some of our after-work sessions was a sign of things to come and yet he doggedly persisted until the task was complete.
"Nic had a wonderful yet understated sense of humour and his chuckle brought perspective to many a tense moment.
"His significant contribution to WISA and the warm friendships he developed with fellow committee members will ensure his memory is lasting."
Tarac says on its website that Nic will be fondly remembered for his courage and determination, and will be greatly missed.
"Our sincere condolences are extended to Nic's wife, children and their families," the company said.
Nic was a dedicated family man, married to wife Lizzie, with three young children, Olivia, Oscar and Daisy.
"Our lives are richer for having known Nic," Tarac said.
Darren says that not only is Nic's passing a huge loss to WISA and Tarac, but to the Australian wine industry as a whole. "I was very sad to hear of his passing as he was too young and had too much to offer," he said.
"The Australian wine industry has lost a leader who made an excellent contribution to the life of the industry.
"I will miss his quiet, friendly, intelligent, determined and disciplined presence."