WINDOWS Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 39

n e ws AWA WELCOMES SHANE PRASAD A fter a six month internship, working with AWA on the WincovER Project (developing an energy rating scheme for Window Coverings), through the Western Sydney University, Shane Prasad has now completed his degree in Industrial Design and has joined AWA’s staff as the Sustainability Officer. Shane will be involved with sustainability, energy efficiency and WERS. We asked him a few questions to get to know him better. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER PATH? I have always been interested in creating things. My favourite subjects at school were Design and Technology and Engineering Studies so Industrial Design was a logical and interesting step. WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO BE IN FIVE YEARS? I would like to have advanced and broadened my interest in the fenestration industry. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? I have a Honda CBR Supersport motor bike. I enjoy getting out and about on it as well as four wheel driving into new and unusual places. I also fish, but rarely have much luck. WHAT MOVIE IS AMONG YOUR ALL- TIME FAVOURITES? I suppose it’s an unusual choice for a young guy but I admit to shedding a tear when watching ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’. Nevertheless, I do love the Fast and Furious series. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO, AND WHY? WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO PLAY YOU WHEN THEY MAKE A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE? Easy, Idris Elba. FAVOURITE QUOTE OR MOTTO? This one comes from my Dad and I have adopted it – ‘The sky’s the limit’. And this one comes from my mum – ‘Do it for yourself’. It sounds more passionate in Hindi, although I do think she recycled it from Nike. I am fascinated by volcanoes so I would really enjoy visiting Japan and Hawaii. However, Dubai is also on the bucket list. I f show statistics are the measure of success, AWISA 2016 in Melbourne was a stunner – breaking all past records. Visitor numbers were up 49 per cent on Brisbane in 2014, and up 24 per cent on Sydney in 2012. A strong statement of the show’s success was that 42 per cent of visitors came from outside the state of Victoria. AWISA chairman, Brett Ambrose, explains that from a commercial point-of-view, the feedback confirmed that the Melbourne show exceeded expectations and was particularly industry participant-friendly. 01 02 “Melbourne was much more than just a trade show with the central hub serving not only as a ‘refuelling’ stop, but as a meeting place and networking space. The show also provided opportunities for companies to hold their own side events, and for industry- related trade associations to network. This was a prominent and pleasing feature of the show, and one we would like to continue to encourage in the future,” Brett said. 01 The H50 5 axis machining centre profiling the Felder Group Australian designed timber tilt and turn window. AWISA 2016 02 Stefan Marquart, Felder Group Australia, assembling the tilt and turn window at AWISA 2016. Windows Magazine Spring 2016 37