Once again it was skill, quality, and professionalism that took centre stage last night as the winners of the 2024 South Australia Welding Excellence Awards were announced in Adelaide.
Hosted by Weld Australia, the Excellence Awards are the most prestigious event on the welding industry calendar. These awards honour and highlight the exceptional work of local welders, fabricators, and educators contributing to the industry’s growth. Our final awards for 2024, this year’s ceremony was held at Kooyonga Golf Club in Adelaide, drawing together the brightest talents from the South Australian welding sector. The event celebrated the outstanding achievements and workmanship demonstrated over the past year.
Geoff Crittenden (CEO of Weld Australia) said, “The 2024 Welding Excellence Awards showcase the exceptional talent of welders and fabricators across South Australia. We are excited to honour both individuals and businesses who are driving advancements in welding through their commitment to quality, safety, and innovation.”
“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,” Crittenden said.
ASC won the 2024 Company of the Year Award – Fabrication. ASC has proudly served as Australia’s submarine builder and sustainer for more than 35 years, playing a critical role in supporting national security. They built Australia’s Collins Class submarines, sustain the Collins Class fleet, and have been selected by the Federal Government to jointly build and sustain nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. ASC was the first Australian defence company to be accredited to international standard ISO 55001, recognising best practice in complex-asset management.
The Runner Up of the Company of the Year Award – Fabrication was Lai Group Australia.
Century Engineering won the 2024 Project of the Year Award for the BHP Olympic Dam Project. Century Engineering has been operating since 1947, providing bespoke engineering solutions and complex manufacturing services. They were engaged to work on two operating concentrate dryers in BHP Olympic Dams Feed Preparation Area. Century’s innovation of new welding processes, inspection techniques, and training methodologies has not only delivered outstanding results for BHP, but also contributed to advancing welding capabilities in the engineering and fabrication industries.
The Runner Up of the Project of the Year Award was Samaras Structural Engineers for the Sydney Gateway Project.
BAE Systems Maritime Australia won the 2024 Health and Safety in Welding Award. BAE has been selected to deliver Hunter class frigates to the Royal Australian Navy, employing over 2,000 people at one of the world’s most technologically advanced naval shipyards. BAE designed and implemented a paint dust extraction unit to remove at least 90% of airborne contaminants generated during the grinding of primer paints from metal surfaces. This groundbreaking innovation significantly improves air quality within production areas, reducing the risk of dust inhalation for workers.
Welding Equipment Sales & Service (WESS) won the 2024 Company of the Year Award – Supplier. For over 40 years, WESS has been supporting the local welding industry with technical service and equipment repair – becoming the largest independent welding distribution business in South Australia. Now a “welding supercentre”, WESS imports and supports the best brands and technologies from around the world with local stocking of over 5,000 products. They also work with major industry partners to provide cutting-edge solutions that drive improved safety, quality, productivity and efficiency.
The Runner Up of the Company of the Year Award – Supplier was Coregas.
MTC Training, Marcellin Campus, Cardijn College won the 2024 Training and Education – Organisation Award. MTC Training at Cardijn Marcellin Campus is a leading provider of vocational education, specialising in high-quality training programs designed to meet industry demands. The training centre’s focus on real-world experience, industry relevant equipment, and strong industry partnerships ensures that students are equipped with the skills employers need. MTC has earned a reputation for producing job-ready graduates who can thrive in the fast-evolving engineering sector, with the campus being recognised for its outstanding contributions to workforce development.
Aslan Gursoy from ASC was named the 2024 Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Coordinator. During his 32 years at ASC, Aslan has been heavily involved in the build and sustainment of the Collins Class Submarines. Starting out as an apprentice, he has worked his way through leadership roles to become Trade Superintendent in the Fabrication section. Aslan is committed to ensuring quality and safety in ASC’s welding processes, and is head of the emergency response group. A strong and trusted leader, he also helps guide and train the new generation of welders.
The Runner Up of the Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Coordinator category was Iman Farshadi from Century Engineering.
Ali Rafieeye from SA Water/Aurecon won the 2024 Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Inspector Award. Ali is a dedicated and hands-on Materials Engineer and Senior Welding Inspector at SA Water/Aurecon. He has over 14 years of experience, spanning welding engineering and inspection in fabrication workshops, oil and gas refineries, the water and wastewater industry, and steel factories. With a deep understanding of Australian and international standards, and extensive experience in failure analysis, Ali is passionate about implementing scientific solutions to increase weld quality and production rate.
Terry Griffin from ASC was named the 2024 Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Supervisor. Starting his career as a trade assistant with ASC 18 years ago, Terry became a welding apprentice on Australia’s first build and sustainment submarine program. Demonstrating high skill, work ethic, and motivation, he was quickly identified as a future leader and has moved up to the role of Team Lead for Light Fabrication. Using his extensive experience and strong trade skills, Terry is able to work under pressure and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve challenging schedule demands and deliver results.
The Runner Up of the Welding Professional of the Year – Welding Supervisor category was Peter Kuiters from Pipe Weld Australia. A Highly Commended Award went to Adam Roger from ASC.
Cooper Penney from BAE Systems Australia won the 2024 Young Trades Person of the Year category. Cooper has consistently worked to a high standard throughout his entire apprenticeship, with his excellent fabrication skills showing through the quality of his work. With rapid improvement year on year, he is now working at the same level as experienced tradespeople. A self-starter and a team player, Cooper is quick to implement feedback and adopts a proactive approach to safety-related issues. He has also started mentoring newer apprentices, helping them integrate into the workforce.
The Runner Up for Young Trades Person of the Year category was Becky Hilinak from BAE Systems Australia. A Highly Commended Award went to Zac Cameron from MTE.
Brenton Marrett from BAE Systems Australia was named the 2024 Trades Person of the Year. Throughout his extensive career as a boilermaker and welder, Brenton has demonstrated outstanding skill and craftsmanship including notable contributions to three major projects at Osborne Shipyard. Brenton’s proficiency in his trade is evident in his ability to work independently while upholding stringent safety standards. He has earned a strong reputation for his expertise, reliability, and an unwavering commitment to his work that consistently delivers high-quality results.
Paul Bettison from TAFE SA and Chris Henderson from Outsource Institute were named joint winners of the 2024 Training and Education – Individual Teacher Award.
Paul Bettison is an accomplished Lecturer at TAFE SA Regency Campus, with 26 years of experience in designing and facilitating learning and assessment. He has a genuine passion for quality product and teaching and assessment outcomes, a personal commitment to lifelong learning, and a proven ability to rise to challenges. In addition to educating a broad cohort of apprentices, Paul is focused on leading and mentoring team members and identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies.
Chris Henderson is an exceptionally qualified Engineering Trainer and Assessor at Outsource Institute. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge, practical experience, and industry insights that help apprentices develop the skills needed to excel in their careers. Chris’s dedication has produced skilled professionals who have gone on to make significant contributions to the engineering industry. His mentorship extends beyond the classroom, actively guiding and supporting students in their professional development.
Simon Doe from Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) won the 2024 Ken Trevena Award. Simon is a passionate engineer with over 30 years of both technical and managerial experience in advanced manufacturing, welding, engineering and research – across sectors as diverse as defence, automotive, mineral processing, and medical devices. As ANFF’s National Manager, Simon is responsible for the activities of the multi-million dollar clean room facility and associated research and development laboratories. He also provides technical leadership to the team, and fosters strategic relationships with stakeholders.
Simon continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication to the welding profession through his active involvement, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Over the past decade, he has been a vital member of Weld Australia’s South Australian State Committee, where he has consistently contributed to the advancement of the industry. His willingness to step up when needed is evident in his role as the current president of the SA Committee and in marking and examining International Welding Inspector (IWI) courses. He continually advocates for the integration of new technologies and advancing standardisation efforts, shaping the future of welding practices. His contributions, though primarily strategic and advisory including as a Board member of Weld Australia, have had a lasting impact on the industry, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting and advancing the welding profession.
Ashley Bell from BAE Systems Australia won the special CEO’s Award for services to the Australian welding industry. From humble beginnings as a 15-year-old apprentice in his father’s structural fabrication business, Ashley is now the Head of Manufacturing Engineering at BAE Systems Australia. His 25-year professional journey encompasses vast experience in the oil and gas, mining, subsea and defence sectors. Ashley has been working on the Hunter Class Frigate project since 2018 – from inception through to fabrication of the first Hunter Class blocks.
