➲ Around the nation
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ELECTRIC EVENING
Mitsubishi Electric Australia recognised the performance of its specialist dealers at a gala awards night at Regent Theatre in Melbourne. The event was hosted by comedian and TV personality Charlie Pickering.
Attended by 300 guests, the awards were presented by managing director Jeremy Needham and general managers Zane Barron and Raja Gounder.
Celebrating the accomplishments of the company’ s dealers across the country. A highlight of the awards was the general manager’ s“ Achievement Awards” recognising outstanding performance across three product groups – room air conditioners, city multi VRF, and Mr SLIM / commercial package.
The night was finished off with a performance from legendary Australian rock band Hoodoo Gurus. n
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OOMIAK’ S BIG 10
Refrigeration stalwart Oomiak has celebrated 10 years in the industry.
Founded by Cate McGuire, Affil. AIRAH, and Mark Holden in South Australia in 2006, the company now turns over $ 20 million a year and employs 45 staff in customer service centres across the country.
“ Starting the business 10 years ago was definitely a leap of faith, but we were also confident that with the right staff, the right systems and plenty of hard work, that we could turn Oomiak into a successful national business,” says co-founder and chief executive McGuire.“ So it’ s certainly rewarding to have grown into a significant player in the market in a relatively short time. It’ s also been great to have had the opportunity to work on some fantastic high-profile projects and develop innovative world-class systems that have delivered excellent results for our clients.”
Oomiak is also currently working on several other major projects, including a $ 4 million distribution centre for Newcold in Victoria, and a $ 3.5 million plant room for Richmond Dairies in New South Wales. n
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WOMEN STILL SEGREGATED
Professor and director of Gender Work and Organisation Karen Ness has raised the issue of gender-segregation in the construction industry, saying that the conventional view on women’ s abilities still holds, even though most jobs in the construction industry can be done by women.
“ I had insider knowledge of construction site practices and culture,” says Ness.“ The industry has very small proportions of women. Heavy work shifting the inanimate stuff of building construction; bricks, blocks, and lengths of timber, is seen as‘ man’ s work’. However, most jobs in the construction industry can be done by women. Why is it that lifting and carrying sick human beings, small children, and all the domestic tasks of the household are generally understood as‘ woman’ s work’?”
While the number of working women increased has from 800,000 to 3.6 million over past 50 years, only 13 per cent of women work within the Australian construction and mining sectors, according to a study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. n
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NEW CEO BRINGS WEALTH OF SKILLS
The board of directors of WorldSkills Australia has announced the appointment of Brett Judd as its new CEO, taking over from interim CEO Brigitte Collins.
Judd brings over 20 years of executive sales and marketing, operational, technology and general management experience to the role. He has worked with a number of government and non-government clients to deliver more than 250 events including major international sporting events, live theatre, concerts, community activities, education programs, exhibitions and conferences such as the Good Food & Wine Show, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“ I feel honoured to be able to lead such a meaningful organisation,” says Judd. " I believe that WorldSkills Australia has the capacity to influence future generations in terms of skilled workforces, and I hope that it can be regarded as a reliable and positive influence in those people’ s lives." n
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EXPLOSION HIGHLIGHTS BOILER DANGERS
A 43-year-old man had to be airlifted to hospital after he sustained serious burns when a boiler exploded in Nebo, Queensland.
The man sustained serious burns to his face and arm when the boiler he was trying to light with diesel fuel exploded.
The rescue helicopter was tasked about 11pm to fly 90 nautical miles to retrieve the patient from Nebo airfield. n
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ARC MAKES LICENCE CHANGES
Following talks with the industry, the Australian Refrigeration Council( ARC) has confirmed that changes to restricted handling licences will go ahead. The changes aim to protect refrigeration and air conditioning technicians.
The ARC says the modification applies to the refrigerant handling licence cards provided to technicians that hold restricted licences. According to an ARC statement, the modification will be around
24 | HVAC & R Nation | www. hvacrnation. com. au | March 2016