After the unique challenges of 2020, I think many of us­ – myself included – entered 2021 with hope that the worst difficulties were behind us. For the first half of the year, it looked as though they were.

But by the end of June Sydney had been locked down, and by August the entire state. With the stricter lockdown measures NTS became all but entirely inoperative. Being unable to travel to or be admitted on sites, most of our projects had to be postponed, and the loss of work meant we had to make the difficult decision of standing down some of our employees from full-time to part-time, while many others had to be stood down altogether. It was a sacrifice I wished I did not have to ask them to make, but they made it without complaint. I could not ask for better, more tenacious people to work with.

And now that the gears of life and business are revolving once more, and as this Christmas season approaches bringing with it the New Year, we are able to reflect on the year that has been. For many of us it has been one marked by trials and sacrifices.

I am reminded of an address Winston Churchill gave from the White House on Christmas Eve, 1941 – but a few weeks after the devastation at Pearl Harbor. Here was a man laden with cares, in a world raging with war, yet what was his message? That all their homes be brightly lit with happiness and peace.

“Let the children have their night of fun and laughter. Let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play. Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures before we turn again to the stern task and the formidable years that lie before us, resolved that, by our sacrifice and daring, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world.”

By referring to this speech, I do not mean to say that what we have faced these past two years is in any way equal to the horrors and hardships of that terrible worldwide conflict. But I do think I can confidently say we have each learned something of hardship and sacrifice, and so can more greatly appreciate the courage and wisdom of those words spoken in a far more perilous time than our own.

No-one knows what the New Year will bring, but what I do know is this: whatever comes, whether troubles or blessings, the NTS Team will meet them all with dignity and unwavering determination, and for that I am grateful.

I am also grateful to our suppliers and subcontractors, whose partnership with us has allowed us to continue delivering for our customers.

And to our customers: thank you. In the midst of heavy restrictions and limitations, you continually showed support and understanding, particularly when projects had to be postponed. It is for our customers that we at NTS labour on, so thank you for trusting us with your technology needs. I look forward to working with you all again in the New Year!

Until then, from all of us at NTS, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Shane Conlon

Managing Director

 

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