ANCA co-founders make Australia Day honours list

The two founders of Australian machine tool business ANCA CNC Machines were recognised with Australia Day honours over the weekend, with each named a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.

Pat Boland and Pat McCluskey met at the Commonwealth Department of Supply in the 1960s, where the former was working as a cadet engineer at the University of Melbourne and the latter was an apprentice.

They bought a mini-computer in 1974, both aged 25 at the time, working in the early days of CNC automation. Their business initially retrofitted CNC controls for others’ machines and then made its own, deciding on tool and cutter grinders.

Today ANCA employs over 1,000 worldwide, according to its website, and exports 99 per cent of what it makes, with customers in over 45 countries. It is headquartered in Bayswater North, Victoria, and marked its 50th anniversary last year.

The pair’s decision to pursue international markets was made following the Australian recession in 1982.

“We didn’t want to continue to sell in Australia because of these ups and downs of the markets; we wanted to cover ourselves,” McCluskey recalled last year.

“And the American market seemed to be the market for us, and we only needed a small percentage of that market and that was enough – more than what we could handle. And we got it.”

“So if we hadn’t made that decision, we’d have gone bust.”

The machine tool success story has been recognised for its export and technical achievements.

ANCA’s awards include the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame (which the co-founders entered in 2022), Australian Exporter of the Year Hall of Fame (2016), and being among the nation’s top 10 most innovative manufacturers (at this title’s Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign in 2023.)

Other Australia Day honours recipients include: 

• Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwallah from UNSW Sydney, who was made Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division for distinguished service to science as an engineer and inventor, to sustainable materials research and technology and waste management. Sahajwallah’s current work includes as Founding Director of UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology since 2008.
• Professor Bronwyn Fox, also from UNSW and also an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division, recognised for distinguished service to public administration, to scientific research and development, to advanced manufacturing, and to tertiary education. She is currently Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Enterprise at the university, following roles including as CSIRO’s Chief Scientist over 2021 to 2024. 
• Margaret Donnan, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, for significant service to occupational hygiene, chemical engineering, and to professional associations. Donnan’s current roles include as Independent Director on the Battery Stewardship Council. 
• Sylvia Tulloch, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division, for significant service to the renewable energy, innovation and technology commercialisation sectors. She is currently the holder of multiple directorships and current chair at Lava Blue.

Picture: Pat McCluskey and Pat Boland (credit ANCA)