The KGM SsangYong Apprentice of the Year awards were presented on the Honda Marine Main Stage at the Melbourne Boat Show over the weekend. There is no doubt that the awards were a boat show highlight, and, an excellent celebration of what has been achieved in 2024, and what is in store for the future.
On stage for the presentations included Minister Steve Dimopoulos, representing the Victorian government, Steve Dimitrovski from KGM SsangYong, BIAV CEO Steve Walker (the three-Steves!), and Dan Brown from BIAV/Boating Careers.
Minister Dimopoulos opened proceedings with a big announcement relating to the government’s support of the boat show, and went onto congratulate all finalists and winners. The Minister noting the importance of emerging talent in any industry, however especially an industry that supports the current and future needs of the states almost 1m of boaters.
Steve Walker thanked KGM SsangYong, the Official Tow Vehicle Provider, for their support of the awards, including $5,000 worth of voucher prizes, redeemable at the boat show, or via any BIAV member. The recipients also enjoyed a photo-opp with cricket and fishing/boating TV show legend Merv Hughes, back at the KGM SsangYong display.
Scooping the pool, as KGM SsangYong Apprentice of the Year, and recipient of the $3,000 voucher was James Heritage. James, a final year apprentice at Anchorage Houseboats in Lake Eildon was delighted with his achievement. As was his boss Phil Gourlay who praised James for his efforts and progress, and thanked KGM SsangYong and BIAV on James’ behalf.
The other big winner was The Wooden Boat Shop and its owner/MD Tim Phillips. Tim took out Apprentice Employer of the Year, following a great year of developing and supporting a ‘fleet’ of apprentices a this Sorrento boat building centre. Tim emphasised the importance to the industry, of attracting and retaining talent to the industry, and urged his industry colleagues to do the same. Adding his thanks to BIAV and SsangYong.
Congratulations to the following award recipients.
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
WINNER
James Heritage, Anchorage Houseboats
RUNNER-UP
Jackson Hobbs, Edencraft
FINALISTS
Nicholas Galea, Mic’s Marine
Jarrod Cameron, Cranbourne Boating Centre
Danny Smith, Cranbourne Boating Centre
Liam Medhurst, East Coast Boats
Jacob Busuttil, Geelong Marine World
Kobe Gogoll, Inferno Marine
Asher Bouwmeester, Wooden Boat Shop
Maximus Okulski, Nautek Marine
APPRENTICE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
WINNER
The Wooden Boat Shop
FINALISTS
Inferno Marine
Geelong Marine World
Cranbourne Boating Centre
Anchorage Houseboats
