Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event StrataWorking®, Proctor Legal hosted the second StrataWorking® event, with another impressive crowd of more than 80 engaged owners and strata managers.

The Purpose Behind StrataWorking®

Our signature StrataWorking® event is an educational forum for raising current issues with appropriately qualified panel to input their views on how to improve or respond to the particular strata issue from a best practice/risk mitigation perspective. By tackling real-world strata issues through engaging hypothetical scenarios, the event creates a space for participants to explore solutions to complex governance, financial, and maintenance problems that strata owners and committees face daily.

Our Panel

The evening was led by Susan and our expert panel, who guided attendees through the fictional—but all-too-familiar—case study of Frump Tower. This lively scenario prompted robust discussion around governance, insurance, maintenance, and financial sustainability in strata schemes.

The panel featured:

Paul Morton – Lannock Strata Finance
Alexandra Hordern – Insurance Council of Australia
Josh Hogan – Build&
Kelly Hill – Arcsite
Gary Petherbridge – OCN ACT
Greta Vargas – Strata Community Insurance

The “Frump Tower” Scenario

This year’s event centred on the case of **Frump Tower**, a luxurious mixed-use development at Kingston Foreshore built by the flamboyant developer **Gary Frump**.

Topics Covered

The panel explored a range of real-world strata management challenges, including:

Planning for major building works and identifying issues before they escalate.
Developing better strata laws and regulations to address insurability and affordability issues.
Strata Management Agent licensing and education/changing strata managers.
Executive Committee decision-making in relation to significant projects, finance, and insurance.
Maintenance decisions and sinking fund forecasting, including when to borrow versus draw down existing funds.
Addressing funding shortfalls and inadequate budgeting within owners corporations.
Access to units for common property works—balancing rights, obligations, and practical solutions.

Key Takeaways

Governance matters: Transparency, disclosure, and compliance with the Code of Conduct are essential to maintaining trust and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Plan early, fund wisely: Major capital works require forward planning and realistic budgeting—deferring maintenance only multiplies cost and complexity.
Know your options: Financing solutions, like strata loans, can be viable tools for critical works when sinking funds fall short.
Insurability: Proactive maintenance and open communication with brokers and insurers are integral in ensuring ongoing coverage and managing building-specific risks.
Professional standards: Licensing, education, and accountability in the strata management industry remain key priorities for reform.
Community first: Strong leadership and open communication within owners corporations are vital to achieving fair, sustainable outcomes.

Networking and Community Impact

The evening concluded with an open Q&A session followed by a relaxed networking reception, where attendees continued lively discussions sparked by the “Frump Tower” scenario. The event once again reinforced the value of collaboration and shared learning within Canberra’s strata community.

Supporting a Great Cause

In the spirit of community, StrataWorking® also continued its support for the Canberra Hospitals Foundation through Susan Proctor’s Big Wig Challenge, raising awareness and funds for those who need it most.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

A sincere thank you to

Lannock Strata Finance
Arcsite
Insurance Council of Australia
Kelly+Partners
Build&
Strata Community Insurance

for their generous sponsorship and ongoing commitment to improving strata living across the ACT.

Looking Ahead

Stay tuned for future StrataWorking® events, as Proctor Legal remains dedicated to advancing the conversation around strata management, education, and reform—one hypothetical (and occasionally outrageous) tower at a time

Comments from Attendees

“Thank you so much for providing such a great opportunity to learn and network at the recent Strata Forum. Having attended the previous one, I came with high expectations and they were exceeded.”

StrataWorking® 2025