NECA Queensland Excellence and Apprentice Awards

The outstanding work of Queensland’s electrical and communications contractors and apprentices was recognised at the NECA Queensland Excellence Awards and the Apprentice Awards in Brisbane on 18 September.

A range of world-class electrical and communications installations was represented, with the award winners distinguishing themselves through innovative design and use of technology that sets international benchmarks for the electrotechnology industry.

James Tinslay, NECA national CEO, said: “NECA is proud to highlight the outstanding achievements of member organisations during the past 12 months. These peer awards acknowledge the exceptional quality of the projects completed and the important advances made by the industry in the development of business and project management systems, environment and sustainability technology, OHS systems, employment and training. The awards set the winning companies apart, giving them a competitive advantage in what remains a challenging economic environment. We congratulate each of the winners.”

The winners were:

• Voice/Data Small Project: Stowe Australia for Maroochydore Police Station upgrade
• Voice/Data Large Project: Fredon Queensland for Central Plaza 3, Brisbane
• OH&S: David Miller, Project Manager, Stowe Australia
• Industrial: Stowe Australia for Sunstate New Mill 4, Fisherman Islands
• Commercial Small Project: Rutledge Engineering for Bond University Gallery refurbishment, Gold Coast
• Commercial Medium Project: Blue Star Pacific for ICB Central, Chief Health Office for Queensland Health, Herston
• Commercial Large Project:
  • Winner: Stowe Australia for Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre
  • Highly commended: Blue Star Pacific for North Lakes Health Precinct project at Mango Hill.

Three electrical apprentices also received accolades at the event. For Stowe Australia, the awards were a fitting warm-up for its 100th year celebrations with two of its apprentices taking top titles. Jeremy Bartrim received the Industrial Apprentice of the Year category, while Craig Mohr took the Industrial Automation/Communications Apprentice Award. Two other Stowe-trained apprentices, Mariska Lee Chadwick and Daniel Stephenson, were highly commended by judges.

The Commercial/Domestic Apprentice Award went to Matthew Hermann at Blue Star Pacific.

Tinslay commented: “These young people are a credit to themselves, their companies and their training organisations. It makes me immensely proud to see the high standard of work they are producing and it gives me great optimism for the future of our industry.”

These state winners are now eligible for the National Excellence Awards held in Melbourne on 26 November 2009.