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 with the assistance of Government 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 for 2009:

 
Overall Industry Achiever - Whittley Marine Group

 

Whittley Marine Group had another big year in 2009, continuing to position itself as a global brand in the world market. In 2004 Whittley Marine Group established an American factoryin Georgia and in 2009 announced their entry into the China market. With these as well as their Victorian base, they continue to find an international market while maintaining Whittley quality.

Apprentice of the Year – Damian Hall, Mercury Marine

This award recognizes outstanding attitude, achievement and diligence in learning the craft and skills of a marine trade as an apprentice. Damien is an apprentice at Mercury Marine currently completing his Certificate Three as a Marine Mechanic. Testimonials have reflected his great rapport with dealers, thoroughness and persistence to resolve issues, as well as a positive & friendly attitude. On a recent evaluation report the overall comment stated he had proved to have great potential.

Safety Initiative by an Organisation – VMR Mornington

This award acknowledges outstanding achievement in providing safety initiatives and carrying out courageous rescue efforts for the boating public. Currently in their 30th year of operations, VMR Mornington has become one of the most respected marine rescue volunteer organisations in Victoria.

VMR’s prime role is quick response and with their call out time of ten to fifteen minutes they are achieving this objective.

They have taken on a secondary role as an educator especially to the young attending kindergarten to secondary schools as well as many club and associations.

Marine Manufacturer of Vessels – Leon & Paul Savage Streaker Boats

This award recognises outstanding achievement specifically in boat manufacture.

Established in 1973 this family run business started from a humble beginning to what it is today employing 30 people now manufacturing 130 boats a year sold throughout Australia.

Leon & Paul Savage Streaker Boats have a large range of boats covering runabouts, bow riders and fishing boats reflecting innovative product design. Their large repeat customers who have bought a previous boat from them speak highly of their quality and service.

Marine Manufacturer of a Marine Related Product – Multi Panel

This award recognizes outstanding achievements specifically in the manufacture of a marine related product.

Multi Panel commenced operations in 2004 and is a 100% Victoria owned and operated company producing a light weight, 100% waterproof eco friendly building panel that bends.

This product provides major cost reductions in fitting out of vessels including bulkheads, wall and ceiling linings, engine rooms and many other applications.

The range can be fibreglassed, laminated, veneered or simply painted and is a truly innovative and valuable product to the marine industry.

International Exporter – Whittley Marine Group

This award recognizes outstanding export achievement by an organization.

The Whittley tradition began in 1953 building one boat for a mate and over the past 50 years they have expanded their markets.

Whittley also won this award in 2008, and at this year’s Melbourne Boat show expanded its range to inflatables.

 

Retailer of the Year - Leon & Paul Savage Streaker Boats

 
Retailer of the Year recognises an outstanding achievement specifically in the retail of marine products and services.

This is the second year in a row that Leon & Paul have won this award at Streaker Boats.

It is their professionalism and attention to detail that makes this dealer stand out. Add to this their after sales service and you can see why they have very loyal customers and deserve this award again.

Environment Award – Sandringham Yacht Club

This award recognizes an innovative, product or service whose outcome benefits the environment.

With the building of their new $12.75 million club house the redevelopment has integrated wide ranging environmental initiatives. These have included the use of environmentally friendly building materials and the careful reuse of water for landscaping and boat wash facilities as a couple of examples. The club has gone to long lengths to include benefits to the environment in their designs.

Business Innovation Award – Multi Panel

Multi Panel with their truly innovative product has impressed the industry around the world in a short period even being nominated for an innovation award at the 2008 Dame Awards at METS in Amsterdam.

Before the product was released on the market 5 years ago this Victorian owned and based company spent 5 years on research and development to ensure their product was ideal for the Marine Industry.

They have continued to globally market their product by major boat shows, websites and even the very popular You Tube. Their customers include major boat manufacturing companies such as Grand Banks, Viking, Sunseeker and many others.

Other awards –

 

BIA would like to congratulate the following stands for taking out the Stand of the Year Awards at the 2009 Melbourne Boat Show:

Best Stand Overall— Yamaha Motor Australia
Tourism—Unforgettable Houseboats
Fishing—Avante Marine Boronia
Open—Geelong Boating Centre
Wake/Ski—Skiforce Australia
Shell Scheme—Garmin Australia
Power Boat Display—Regal Marine
Best New Innovation—Anchor Right Australia


Congratulations to our 25 Year Members…

International Yacht Paints

When the founders of International paint, the Holzapfel brothers, set up their fledgling business in the north of England in 1881, they were already thinking big. While they were persuading Newcastle shipbuilders to buy their products for the first time, they were thinking about the global possibilities that lay ahead.

To this day International maintains that same forward thinking spirit, creating the most innovative paint solutions to protect, beautify and improve the performance of all different kinds of boats from tinnies to Superyachts.

Scientific expertise is at the heart of the business. International dedicates more people, technology and investment to research and development programmes than any other yacht paint manufacturer in the world. With dedicated yacht laboratories and customer-integrated testing programmes, International have become the first choice partner for the world’s most demanding customers.

Yamaha Motor Australia

Yamaha Motor Australia is a subsidiary company of Yamaha Motor Corporation producing outboard motors from 2HP to 200HP 2-Stroke, a smaller range of Direct Fuel Injected engines and a large range of 4-Stroke outboards from 2.5HP to the world first V8 engine producing 350HP.

Where possible Yamaha Motor Australia will utilise the Melbourne Boat Show as the Australian launch base for new engines, as it is the first Trailer Boat Show in National Boat Show season.

Stay tuned to the Melbourne Boat show over the next 2 years as Yamaha Motor Corporation will be releasing no fewer than 20 NEW outboards in 8 horsepower sizes.