Weld Australia names Welding Excellence Awards winners from Victoria and Tasmania

Welding industry professional body Weld Australia announced the winners of its Victoria and Tasmania Welding Excellence Awards  for 2024 on Wednesday night.

The event at Crowne Plaza in Melbourne showcased “the exceptional talent of welders and fabricators across Victoria and Tasmania” Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden said in a statement on Thursday.

“The winners this year embody the pursuit of cutting-edge, sustainable solutions that enhance project outcomes while reducing risks, alongside initiatives that broaden and deepen the skilled workforce within the welding sector.”

A list of winners is reproduced below.

Company of the Year Award – Fabrication for Victoria

Hanlon Industries is a second-generation Australian business, specialising in steel fabrication. Operating across road, rail, airports, and commercial developments, Hanlon provides comprehensive in-house solutions that include concept design, project management, manufacturing, and construction. They are also recognised for their community involvement and support, actively engaging with local organisations to provide apprenticeship opportunities, foster emerging talent, and promote diversity within the workforce.

Company of the Year Award – Fabrication for Tasmania

The Jayben Group is an original equipment manufacturer specialising in powertrain products and light to medium industrial plant and equipment—including R&D, engineering, manufacture, domestic and international distribution, and continuous improvement. Headquartered in Burnie, Tasmania, and with operations in Royal Park, South Australia, Jayben develops their own branded products and bespoke solutions to an expanding group of businesses throughout Australia and Asia.

Project of the Year Award for Victoria  

ACCIONA was engaged to perform the structural, mechanical, and piping works package for a new water-based paint manufacturing facility known as “Plant C” at PPG’s site in Clayton, Victoria. ACCIONA’s scope of work included the fabrication of all piping/tubing and structural supports, comprising mild steel structural frames and stainless steel pressure piping/vessels. At its peak, the ACCIONA team consisted of over 100 personnel – navigating a complex design process to deliver a first-of-its-kind plant.

Tasmania Project of the Year Award 

The Fyans Street rail bridge is a level crossing removal project being undertaken by the McConnell Dowell Downer Joint Venture. Crisp Bros & Haywards were contracted to fabricate the 550-tonne centre steel section, including two 32-metre long, 4.2-metre high I beams weighing more than 125 tonnes each, and two 16-metre long I beams weighing over 65 tonnes. Specialist fabrication and transport equipment was required to safely and efficiently weld, rotate and transport sections of this scale. 

Health and Safety in Welding Award 

Structural Challenge is a Victorian-based steel fabrication company known for their strong commitment to quality and innovation. Since its inception, Structural Challenge has established itself as a leader in the industry with a focus on health and safety in every aspect of its operations. Their dedication to maintaining a safe work environment is reflected in their comprehensive health and safety management plan, active engagement in continuous safety improvement, and a work culture of safe and lean manufacturing. 

Company of the Year Award – Supplier 

Migomag Welding Supplies specialises in providing high-quality welding solutions across a broad range of sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Over the past 30 years, the Migomag brand has become renowned for their comprehensive suite of welding machines and welding consumables, and advanced capabilities in both manual and automated welding processes. With state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, the company demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing the welding industry through innovation, exceptional quality, and customer satisfaction.

Training and Education – Organisation Award for Victoria 

Chisholm TAFE’s Engineering Department is a premier training provider, delivering an array of courses designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in engineering, fabrication and welding. Training over 1000 students annually, Chisholm TAFE boasts an impressive 97 per cent retention rate for apprenticeship delivery – catering to a diverse student body from various genders, age groups, and cultural backgrounds. The department has a particular focus on encouraging women in trades.

Training and Education – Organisation Award for Tasmania 

TasTAFE Metals and Manufacturing provides training to approximately 800 students across campuses statewide – supporting employment and workforce development. The dynamic educational model places students’ needs and industry requirements at the centre of delivery, with the ability to quickly develop programs from scratch to help businesses expand into new manufacturing sectors. A big supporter of WorldSkills, many TasTAFE teachers assist with running and judging regional and national competitions.

Welding Professional of the Year Award 

The four winners in the category were Krishna Annapureddy from Alstom for the Welding Coordinator category; Brett Sutton from Ulbricht International for the Welding Inspector category; and Joel Sibraa from Furphy Engineering (Victoria) and Matthew Swinden from Elphinstone (Tasmania) for the Welding Supervisor category.

Young Trades Person of the Year 

Iesha Swan from Hanlon Industries started her boilermaking apprenticeship with Hanlon Industries in 2023, and has consistently outperformed her peers, earning the title of the best at her level every year at trade school. She has quickly become an essential part of the team, known for her ability to not only handle her own tasks with precision but also assist seasoned boilermakers with fabricating and designing complex steel structures. Iesha’s contributions have been integral to the successful completion of several key projects at Hanlon Industries.

Trades Person of the Year 

Farokh Banihashemi from Shadbolt Group has twenty years of experience as a welder in the oil and gas, fabrication, and shipbuilding industries in Iran and Australia. Specialising in process piping and structural shipbuilding, Farokh is an outstanding and highly-skilled welder who is always able to deliver projects of high specification within time and quality requirements. His productivity and workmanship quality set an example to other welders at Shadbolt, who regularly train with Farokh to advance their own exotic welding skills.

Training and Education – Individual Teacher Award for Victoria 

With a distinguished career spanning 30 years, Rodney Bentvelzen from Chisholm TAFE has significantly contributed to the welding and fabrication industry through his exemplary teaching and industry involvement – from organising welding exams and competitions to integrating new technology into his teaching practice. Rodney’s impact extends beyond the classroom, playing an active role in the Victorian Engineering Senate committee and Victorian TAFE Teachers of Mechanical and Fabrication streams to promote collaboration and best practices among training providers.

Training and Education – Individual Teacher Award for Tasmania 

Michael Schnackenberg is a highly-respected TasTAFE teacher, with 35 years of trade experience and industry recognition including the 2004 National Gold Medal for Construction Steelwork. In addition to overseeing the delivery of the AS1796 program in the North West, Michael mentors and supports his fellow teachers to ensure they have a deep understanding of welding codes requirements. His passion and enthusiasm for teaching inspire and engage students, creating a positive and productive classroom environment.

Picture: credit Weld Australia