Queensland and NT Showcase Welding Excellence at Weld Australia’s 2024 Awards

Russel Mineral Equipment won the 2024 Company of the Year Award – Fabrication. Russel Mineral Equipment is the world’s trusted original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of fast, reliable, safe grinding mill relining technologies. They are committed to helping customers achieve the peak concentrator performance by delivering exceptional care, technical support, and customised engineering solutions. RME’s innovative mill relining system is designed to improve safety by reducing the need for manual labour and working at heights, as well as decreasing traditional mill relining time to save customers on downtime costs.

There were two joint runners up: Neach and Hitec Welding.

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Rockpress won the 2024 Project of the Year Award for the LAND 907 project. Rockpress is a privately-owned Queensland-based manufacturing powerhouse with a proud history dating back to 1972. The LAND 907 Phase 2 program, led by Thomas Global Systems, aimed to enhance the training capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through advanced simulation technology. Rockpress’ role was crucial in the development and delivery of the M1A2 Immersive Tactical Trainer (ITT) Mission and Support System, creating a synthetic combined arms training environment that mirrors real-world combat situations.

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Monadelphous won the 2024 Health and Safety in Welding Award. Monadelphous is an ASX-200 company providing multidisciplinary construction, maintenance and industrial services to many of the largest companies in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors. Monadelphous is dedicated to setting the highest standards for health and safety in the welding industry. Through proactive health monitoring practices, comprehensive training programs, and investment in top-tier protective equipment, they demonstrate their commitment to the wellbeing of their workforce.

The Runner Up of the Health and Safety in Welding Award was Neach.

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Aitken Welding Supplies won the 2024 Company of the Year Award – Supplier. Aitken Welding Supplies is an independent Australian family-owned company with nearly 40 years’ experience in the welding and industrial supply business. With seven branches servicing Northern NSW through to Central Queensland, Darling Downs and the Tablelands, their vision is to keep expanding to meet the growing demands of their valued customers. Aitken’s focus is on customer service, supported by experienced staff, backed by a large network of reputable suppliers and the ability to source worldwide – to get the job done on time and within budget.

The runner up was Toowoomba Welding Supplies.

CQ University won the 2024 Training and Education – Organisation Award. TAFE @ CQU is a Dual VET training provider in Central Queensland. They provide training to multiple industries, including coal mining, power generation providers, alumina refineries, gas production, and coal export terminals. CQU has four campuses and a diverse level of tradespeople engaged in delivering their training, all with various specialties from fabrication, sheet metal and welding backgrounds. They also support the Women Who Weld program, working closely with local high schools to run welding courses for female students.

The runner up was the Outsource Institute.

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Joseph Genrich from Downer was named the 2024 Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Coordinator. Joseph is a highly-skilled international welding technologist with a deep knowledge of rail practices and regulatory requirements, including international and Australian welding standards in both structural and pressure applications. In his role at Downer, he directs and motivates his team to achieve challenging performance and quality objectives, keeping employee job satisfaction high while promoting safety and compliance.

The Runner Up of the Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Coordinator category was: Ryan Palle from TEi Services. There were also three Highly Commended awards:

• Peter Natalier from Rockpress
• Tony Robinson from Ventia
• Nicholas Marsden from Protech

Andrew Martin from Arm Welding Services won the 2024 Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Inspector Award. With a deep-rooted passion for metal fabrication and welding, Andrew has built a distinguished and diverse career marked by a continuous pursuit of excellence and a proactive approach to professional development. He is currently working as a Third-Party Client Inspector for Q-RIIMS where he applies and interprets industry standards, ensuring clarity and quality through objective, factual assessments.

The Runner Up of the Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Inspector category was Nicholas Marsden from Protech. There were also two Highly Commended awards:

• Jazmine Cook from MC Quality
• Paul McNeill from iQ Solutions

Mark Sullivan from Certified Welding Company was named the 2024 Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Supervisor. As a welder, fabricator, and tradesman carrying out crane repairs, Mark has always demonstrated a high-level commitment to quality. Since gaining his Welding Supervisor Cert 10 and Senior Welding Inspector qualifications, he has carried these qualities into the supervision and inspection arena. Mark has built a strong reputation for his efforts to improve the standard of welding in the industry and help deliver a safe, compliant product.

The Runner Up of the Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Supervisor category was Matt Mellor from Russel Mineral Equipment. There were also two Highly Commended awards:

• Jeffrey Celestino from MC Quality
• Nicholas Marsden from Protech

Brylie Jones from Stanwell Corporation was won 2024 Young Trades Person of the Year category. Brylie is almost at the conclusion of her boilermaker apprenticeship, completing her trade at the Stanwell Tarong Power Station. Since winning the regional Weld Skills competition and competing on a national level, Brylie has worked alongside professional contractors as a pressure welder – demonstrating outstanding competency and a keen interest in the industry. Through her drive and determination, she is an inspiring example of how women can shine in a male-dominated profession.

The Runner Up for Young Trades Person of the Year category was Braeden Hill from Industrial Commercial Boiler Services. There were also two Highly Commended awards:

• Connor Wilkie from HVAC Australia
• Seth Cunningham from East Coast Welding & Fabrication

Greg Martin from TAFE Queensland North won the 2024 Training and Education – Individual Teacher Award. Greg’s contributions to the teaching materials at TAFE Queensland have significantly enhanced the quality of education offered to apprentices. The resources he has developed, both independently and through his work with the Professional Learning Committee, have become an essential part of daily teaching routines to help apprentices develop the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their trades. Greg’s work has fostered a standardised approach to teaching across the state – ensuring that all apprentices, regardless of location, have access to the same high-quality resources.

The Runner Up in this category was Neil Bennett from the Outsource Institute. The Highly Commended Award went to Mark Johnson, from TAFE Queensland South West.

DGH Engineering and IQ Solutions were named joint winners of the special CEO’s Award for services to the Australian welding industry.

DGH Engineering specialises in all aspects of asset maintenance from design to right through to installation and onsite permanent maintenance crews – servicing a wide range of industries including hard rock, coal mines and coal ports, local government infrastructure, power, sugar, and defence. Operating since 2005, DGH has built a reputation for its core values: people, quality, safety, and community. The company employs 250 personnel including around 60 boilermakers and apprentices. As an early adopter of ISO3834.2, they are currently celebrating their 10th consecutive year of certification.

Industrial Quality Solutions Queensland was established in 2021 by Paul McNeill—an experienced, passionate, and driven welding supervisor and inspector looking to change the experience the industry has while qualifying their welders and boilermakers. Often an expensive and ever re-occurring process, IQ Solutions is dedicated to managing the entire process to ensure welder and boilermaker qualifications are kept current and the process is economical and sustainable.