BIA Victoria - Awards & Achievements
Awards and achievements of our members
BIA represents some of the highest achieving businesses in Victoria.
Each year we draw attention to the accomplishments of our members at the IC Frith and Associates Victorian Marine Awards Breakfast
These awards have been developed to reflect the industry’s commitment to excellence and the position Victoria holds as a centre for design, manufacture and export.
BIA Victoria would like to congratulate the following well-deserved winners:
Industry Achiever of the Year - Alistair Murray of Ronstan International
Alistair is the Managing Director of Ronstan and has been in this role for ten years. His career in the marine industry dates back 33 years, with 30 of them being invested at Ronstan.
Through the love of sailing he commenced in retail and has been an active sailor since the age of 11. Alistair has made a long term commitment to working tirelessly not only for Ronstan but for the good of the industry.
Some examples are, Director of BIA Victoria, Founder of Sailing Division of BIA Victoria, Director and President of AIMEX – the Marine Export Group, Board Member of Sail America, Board Member of Sail Melbourne, Recipient of Austrade “Export Hero” Award and being instrumental in establishing the International Sailing Summit.
Trainee of the Year – Kelly Richardson of Corporate Fishing Charters
This award is presented for outstanding attitude, achievement and diligence in learning the craft and skills of a marine trade.
Kelly started work for Corporate Fishing Charters in February 2007 as Administration Trainee. Studying a Certificate 3 in Office Administration Kelly gives 100% at all times and will go above and beyond to meet her job requirement and better the company.
She is reliable, trustworthy and an excellent candidate for this award.
Marine Manufacturer of the Year - Sealite
Sealite began manufacturing marine aids to navigation for the local aquaculture industry in 1982. Its first product was the SL30 which incorporated globes. The company moved all its products to state-of-the-art LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology and in doing so developed a range of supporting technology including special lenses, electronic circuit development, reflectors, and virgin plastic components. Based in Somerville, the company now employs over 20 full-time employees from 12 this time last year.
Sealite has also recently been GSA approved meaning all its products are now listed on an American agency procurement website creating rapid purchase completion with complete confidence in products listed.
Safety Initiatives by an Organisation Award – Life Saving Victoria & Yachting Victoria
The award has been presented for their “Boating Safety for Kids Program”. In the last 12 months nearly 15,000 grade 5 and grade 6 students have received a classroom session on boating safety and 10,000 have participated in an on water introductory boating safety experience and demonstration.
This program has been jointly developed and delivered by Life Saving Victoria and Yachting Victoria over the last 3 years throughout the state. It has received widespread recognition and coverage.
Environment Award – Sandringham Yacht Club
Sandringham Yacht Club is one of the strongest and most viable yacht clubs in Victoria and has been operating for more than 100 years.
Throughout 2006 SYC addressed a range of environmental issues. A few worth mentioning are:
• Becoming the first Yacht Club in Victoria to receive the Clean Seas Marina Accreditation through the Marina Industry Association of Australia.
• Introduced Recycling Waste Policies in conjunction with Collex – Veolia Environmental Waste Management Services. These include recycling and general waste bins placed throughout the complex capturing all rubbish removed from the marina by boat owners.
• Became a Registered Training Organisation in April 2007. The application has put the Certificate 1 in Boating Services on their scope of registration and together with Holmesglen TAFE, SYC will be delivering certificate courses to the industry with OH&S & environmental education initiatives incorporated into the curriculum.
Boat Manufacturer of the Year & Business Growth Award – Haines Hunter
With its beginnings in 1959 Haines Hunter has grown to developing a range of 34 purpose built boats. Since being purchased in 2001 by John Haber, the head office was moved to Victoria where it has expanded to include Production, Research and Development, Design, Marketing, Finance Deals and Customer Service.
A new factory (5,000 square meters with another 10,000 square meters of land for future growth) located in Derrimut in the west of Melbourne is scheduled for completion in September 2007.
The new premises will allow Haines Hunter to produce in excess of 1,000 boats per year from its Melbourne plant alone.
Other Awards
BIA would like to congratulate the following
stands for taking out the 2007 Stand of the
Year Awards:
Open space – THE HAINES GROUP
Shell Scheme – WAECO PACIFIC
Fishing - JV MARINE
Tourism – CORPORATE FISHING CHARTERS
Water Sports Display – HOBIE CAT
Power Boat - Trailerable – MASTERCRAFT BOATS
Power Boat - Large – BAYMARINE
2007 Stand of the Year – THE HAINES GROUP
Congratulations to our 25 Years of
Membership recipients…
• JJ SAVAGE & SONS – From the traditional timber work that Savages has carried out since 1898 to the current day hi-tech fibres, Savages Wharf has some 210,000 boats and 107 years of history. It is a state of the art facility recently developed by world champion yachtsman John Savage on the family’s 70 year old site.
• L & P SAVAGE STREAKER BOATS – Leon and Paul Savage have been involved in boating all their lives. As teenagers both were accomplished water skiers and had been attracted to the world of fishing. Leon, being an apprentice Boat builder and Shipwright, was already designing and building boats in his spare time. In 1973 the two brothers mad a full time commitment to their new company, L & P Savage Brothers Marine Pty Ltd, to build a new range of boats called “Streaker Boats”. The rest is history!
• INTERNATIONAL MARINE – International Marine is the home of the Caribbean brand. The Caribbean product ranges from 16ft trailerable Half Cabins and Runabouts, to the classic and timeless lines of the Bertram inspired Big Boat Flybridge Cruisers. The Caribbean Big Boat range kicks off with the entry level Caribbean 24ft right up to the luxury Caribbean 47ft priced around $1,000,000.
• BRUNSWICK ASIA PACIFIC GROUP – Mercury is a division of Brunswick Asia Pacific Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation, including marine brands Mercury and Mariner outboard engines, Mercury Mercruiser stern drives and inboard engines, MotorGuide electric motors, Navman GPS based products, Quicksilver parts and accessories, Bermuda Fishing Essentials and boat brands Sea Ray, Baja, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Maxum, Trophy, Bermuda, Savage and Quicksilver.
• WHITTLEY CRUISERS – In 1953 brothers Jim and Ossie build a timber boat for a mate. The hobby became a business. A factory in Bulleen was acquired and in the late 1960’s the change to fibreglass was made. Demand grew and a second factory opened in nearby Briar Hill. In the 1990’s a huge factory was acquired in Thomastown and Jim and Aileen Whittley sold the business to brothers Neville and Steve. A new purpose built factory was set up in Campbellfield around their 50 year anniversary.
• RONSTAN INTERNATIONAL – In 1953 Ron and Stan went into business together producing both wooden-hulled boats and the stainless steel deck fittings they required. 1961 saw their expansion interstate and overseas, whilst in 1970 they won their first Export Award. Their current headquarters at Bay Road, Sandringham, was acquired in 1973 and Alistair Murray was made Managing Director in 1997 before a management buyout in 1999.
• BELL MARINE SERVICES PTY LTD – Bell Marine has been in business for 38 years and operates in a large secure workshop. Bell Marine Services is a specialist engineering service and overhaul facility for trailerable boats specialising in Mercury and Mercruiser products including engine, stern drive, hydraulic and electrical applications. Also engine sales with expertise in boat fit-ups including electrical wiring.
• ALFAB (AUST) PTY LTD – Alfab is family owned and operated and for over 50 years has pioneered the development of window systems for many types of marine and vehicular applications. Today, Alfab with its Melbourne and Brisbane based manufacturing plants, services a wide range of the marine industry, and a broadening base of mobile homes, trucks, horse floats, emergency and police vehicles.
• MOOLAP MARINE PTY LTD – Dennis McKeegan has been in the marine industry since 1963 and commenced Moolap Marine in December 1977. Moolap Marine is at the start of the Bellarine Peninsula on the eastern side of Geelong.
• LUXFORD’S MARINE IND SOLUTIONS – Luxford’s is a family owned business originally from Springvale relocating to Mornington in 2004 specialising in Marine Conversions Hydrive, Hydraulic Steering, Bowman & Savage Oil Coolers and Heat Exchangers.
• JV MARINE WORLD – Established in 1976, JV Marine is a family owned and operated business and still is, all these years later, proudly operated and owned by the founders John and Vicki Stav, together with Steve Stav and Mark Stav. JV recently opened a 3 acre Laverton showroom complimenting the successful Braeside site offering everything from the newest release boats and outboard motors, used boats, sporty Waverunners, quality tackle, accessories and electronics, and all the latest in watersports equipment and apparel.
• CRAWFORD MARINE – Established in 1964, Crawford Marine has had a well-renowned reputation in the Victorian marine industry. The 2 acre site in Morwell is considered to be one of the finest regional marine dealerships in Australia and is often referred to as an example to other marine businesses. Terry Raymond, current owner since 1980, has seen more than 30 years service to the boating public, and has now expanded his business in a joint venture with the Aussie Boat Sales Group of Melbourne.
• REGAL MARINE PTY LTD – A BIA Victoria member since 1980 Regal Marine, based on Canterbury Road, Vermont, has received the Dealership Excellence award 5 times and the Dealer of the Year award 4 times. Regal deals in Mercury, Tabs and Malibu boats and also has a range of accessories and equipment.