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Master Electricians Australia names the state’s best sparkies

15 June, 2018
Master Electricians Australia names the state’s best sparkies
The owner of a Bibra Lakes commercial contracting firm has been named Western Australia’s Master Electrician of the Year, at an awards ceremony held in Perth today.
Brendan Balcombe, from Aurora Electrical Services, will now compete for the national title in November and will seek to follow in the footsteps of Perth’s Greg Allan, the current Master Electrician of the Year.
Mr Balcombe, whose business employs 12 people, was recognised for his leadership in the industry and his outstanding customer service.
Awards were given for the Apprenctice of the Year, Tradie of the Year and Women in contracting, as well as for outstanding projects in residential, commercial and energy efficiency categories.
The Energy efficiency project was awarded to Shaji Mathews from AICA Engineering for a complex farm project integrating an existing grid connected solar power system to a hybrid power system to achieve self-sufficiency.
The Commercial Project of the Year was awarded to Steve Villier from S & K Electrical Contracting for a $1 million upgrade to the Geraldton Police Complex, involving electrical, solar, data, radio, CCTV, Fire, Security and Cell Call systems.
Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards said the judges’ had recognised the consistently high standard of entries from Western Australia.
“Western Australia is home to the current Master Electrician of the Year, and as the first cab of the rank in this year’s state awards has once again set a very high standard for the rest of the country to follow,” Mr Richards said.
“All of these WA winners have shown the dedication to quality, safety and integrity that are the hallmarks of a Master Electrician.
“We are very proud to honour them and indeed all the finalists across the award categories. It’s appropriate that we, as an industry, pause and reflect on who is doing the best work in the electrical sector and setting the standard for others to follow.
“These winners will help lift the bar even higher for all Master Electricians members, and the wider electrical contracting industry. And it’s their customers – whether businesses or private individuals – who reap the benefits of an electrical contracting industry that is constantly striving for excellence.”
The national finals will be held in Brisbane on November 24.
Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards and all the award winners are available for interview. Contact The SAS Group on (07) 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.
The full list of winners from the Master Electricians Australia WA Excellence Awards
Category:        Commercial Project of the Year
Winner:          Steve Villier – S & K Electrical Contracting
Project:           Geraldton Police Complex Upgrade
What the judges said:
The Geralton Police upgrade was fully integrated with a high level of complexity. It involved the integration of multiple systems and processes in a diverse and dynamic operational environment. A thorough and documented business and work process incorporated employee management and OHS. The project provided complete client satisfaction, opening doors to further business opportunities.
Category:        Women in Contracting
Winner:          Natalie Hiddlestone – Hiddlestone Electrics
What the judges said:
Natalie has made a great contribution to the electrical industry, taking the managing director role of the 98-year-old family business after her father passed away 7 years ago.
She has managed adversity within the business with serious director issues, that in many cases would have resulted in the business’ foreclosure. Yet Natalie has not only turned it around but relished and is looking to the future with new operations to expand and diversity to open the Electric Café next door.
Category:        Residential Project
Winner:          Marco Ranelli – A Live Electrical Services
Project:           7 Whalan Road Landsale
What the judges said:
This project delivered by Marco Ranelli and the team at A-Live Electrical demonstrated an unparalleled attention to detail. A-Live Electrical partnered with their valued customer to facilitate the delivery of Housing industry Award winning project. This finish and fit out, including the detailed placement of the electrical fixtures and coordination with the other building trades saw this project delivered to exceed expectations. A-Live Electrical adopted and undertook the installation of new to market products to see the quality of the finishes to a higher level.
Category: Energy Efficiency Project of the Year
Winner:          Shaji Mathews – AICA Engineering
Project:           Giancomo Farm
What the judges said:           
AICA presented a unique and innovative Australia first solution for their client, providing ground breaking engineering and technical integration between 3 phase and single-phase delivery. In this project they overcame huge supplier warranty issues without a breach, while successfully integrating a new and old system creatively. Whew hoe team involvement from top to bottom resulting in an outcome filled with pride.
Category:        Legrand Apprentice of the Year
Winner:          Sebastian Wallace – Laser Electrical Bunbury
What the judges said:           
Sebastian has shown a respect for the industry and is very safety conscious, not only for himself but also other trades. He has embraced technology and actively uses it on a day to day basis and constantly represents new technologies to clients. In his words “I give more than I should.” He has demonstrated loyalty to his employer and has relocated to Perth from Bunbury for the better of Laser Electrical. Sebastian is a fine young man and is only too happy to promote the industry to future apprentices.
Category:        Electrician (Tradie) of the Year
Winner:          Dominic Bailey – A – Live Electrical Services
What the judges said:           
Dominic represents himself and the business in a confident and super keen to please manner. He is Alive with energy and as a result has a growing satisfied customer base.
A strength is his broad range of knowledge through on the job experience gained during his time at Bon Electrics and now under guidance from Marco at Alive Electrical Services has meant Dom has compiled a strong portfolio of jobs in Residential, Commercial and Industrial, including hydroponic tomato farms, large engine dyno machines and recently expanding his skills with the growth into air conditioning installs. Dom has an eagerness to learn about emerging technologies and is very proud through photographic evidence to show his high standard of work on various challenging jobs.
Category:        Master Electrician of the Year
Winner:          Brendan Balcombe – Aurora Electrical Services
What the judges said:
Brendan is the owner director of Aurora Electrical Services, a family run business that has been part of the construction sector in Western Australia for over 15 years.  Aurora specialise in Commercial and Industrial projects, Commercial and Industrial Maintenance, Automation, Communications, Security and Solar. Aurora Electrical Services currently employs 12 employees from their Bibra Lake offices. The stand out activity from Brendan has been his leadership in establishing customer relationships in the food and packaging industry. This has led to customer referrals that will bring strong growth for Aurora in a challenging and technical market.