The Tradie April/May 2025 by Prime Group

FROM THE EDITOR

Zen tradies

Take a chill pill

WHY DO WE GET so

stressed about things we can’t control?

Materials arrive late, subby doesn’t rock up, weather delays a job.

Even in everyday life – a traffic accident causes commute delays, you get ghosted by a crush or your footy team loses.

These are things we’d love to avoid, but when they all happen at once, professional and personal worlds collide.

It can feel like there are forces out there conspiring against you.

It might sound a bit kumbaya, but there comes a time where you just need to simply let go.

Why is it though, that we get so torn up when things don’t go as planned?

Now, more than ever, it’s important to be able to separate what you can control with what you can’t.

Tax season is a good example.

While certain things are out of our control (SME business taxes, payroll, capital gains etc) there are certain things we can take advantage of (instant asset write-off, capital gains again etc).

In this edition of The Tradie, we look at tax tips especially for tradies, and what they can do to get

the most out of the new financial year.

There are plenty of incentives for tradies and apprentices to take advantage of when it comes to finances. Speaking of ‘work expenses’, there’s plenty of tools and toys in this edition to check up on and possibly update your toolbox.

Take a leaf out of Owen Wilson’s book and take time to just breath in, and breath out

Don’t miss out on some cool stuff to pick up while at the same time saving some $$$.

Nothing like a bit of retail therapy to relax the nerves in this stressful environment.

EDITOR

Harry Murtough

We’ve all been in those frustrating spots where your hand can’t quite reach or having to wait for a hot muffler or radiator to cool before you can reinstall a bolt. The Extension Clamp will also save you time by not having to remove other parts on your equipment to get into a tight spot.

TITE-REACH EXTENSION CLAMP V2 TRI-PACK

Part no: 385106

The clamp’s jaws open 3mm (1/8”) to 28mm (1.125”) wide giving you the ability to hold a ¾” nut or bolt. It’s vice-like design also ensures you won’t drop the part it’s holding until you loosen the tension nut. This means unlike a pliers you do not need to maintain tension to keep what you’re holding in place, this is very valuable when you’re in a difficult spot where if you drop what is clamped it will be gone. The extension clamp has been used in everything from auto body to airline maintenance and is a great option for anyone’s toolbox.

shoey!shoey! shoey!

Nothing quite like it FRONT

Don’t think that’s grape juice he’s holding

THE SHOEY – a glorious staple of Aussie culture.

Nothing marks celebrating a victory quite like drinking out of your sweat-coated footwear.

They’ve been the iconic gesture of a good night out, or a concert, or a UFC match, or a Tuesday.

Celebrities, sports stars, TV anchors, footy clubs … bingo nights? The shoey is a global sensation tied to the land Down Under.

Canadian Jackson Goldstone knows the drill.

He did a shoey after winning the men’s leg Red Bull Hardline 2025 in Tassie earlier this year.

This was the enduro riders first win since 2022 after coming back from injury.

“This is my first big race back and to come back and win it is probably one of the biggest moments of my life,” he said.

“I don’t even know what to say, that was amazing.”

What else is there to say? Shooooeeeeeey…

The competition saw 20 bike pros as well as a tonne of enduro fans venture to Maydena Bike Park to jump, swivel and barrel down some great tracks.

Image: Brett Hemmings / Red Bull Content Pool

Made Right Here in Australia

Skill up

The 2025 National Championships & Skills Show – Where Australia’s best future tradies shine!

GET READY to experience skills excellence like never before! The 2025 National Championships & Skills Show is your chance to see Australia’s top apprentices, trainees, and students compete in highenergy challenges that put their talent, precision, and dedication to the test. From the power of welding to the precision of carpentry, this event is your all-access pass to the future of skilled trades. Witness live competitions, explore interactive workshops, and discover

career-defining opportunities - all under one roof at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Whether you’re a tradie, an aspiring apprentice, or just love seeing craftsmanship in action, this is the ultimate place to get inspired, connect with industry leaders, and even try out new skills for yourself. Come and be part of the audience of over 20,000 to watch which state can claim to have the best future tradie!

EXPLORE, LEARN & TRY WITH WORLDSKILLS AUSTRALIA AND THE BRISBANE CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT EXPO!

• E xplore – Step into an immersive career’s expo like no other. The Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo brings careers to life with hands-on experiences, industry showcases, and expert insights to help you find your path.

• Learn – Watch the nation’s best talent in action at the 2025 National Championships

& Skills Show. Across up to 60 different skills and trades, competitors will showcase their expertise, proving why they’re the best of the best. Their dedication,

See some of the most skilled tradespeople across a variety of disciplines showcase their talents at the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo

Images: Supplied

WorldSkills Australia

precision, and drive will inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.

• Try – Ever wanted to test your skills? Try’aSkill lets you roll up your sleeves and give it a go! Get hands-on with a range of trade and skill-based activities, see what sparks your interest, and get a feel for real-world careers.

CAN’T MAKE IT TO BRISBANE? TUNE INTO CHANNEL WSA!

If you’re passionate about skilled trades but can’t be there in person, Channel WSA has you covered. It’s your go-to hub for competition highlights, industry insights, and a Medal Ceremony celebrating skills excellence from the 2025 National Championships & Skills Show.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND ON CHANNEL WSA:

• Live Competition

Coverage – get a frontrow seat to intense skills battles, from welding and carpentry to electrical control and heavy vehicle technology.

• T ips from the Best –hear from industry pros, past champions, and training experts as they share real-world advice to help you sharpen your skills.

• Career Pathways & Success Stories – learn how the competition judges and past

Channel WSA has helped those who can’t get to WorldSkills events in-person see all the action

competitors have used WorldSkills to launch their careers and connect with industry leaders.

Stay in the loop! Follow Channel WSA on social media, subscribe on YouTube, and don’t miss a moment of the action.

WHAT

IS WORLDSKILLS?

For over 40 years, WorldSkills Australia has been inspiring and empowering young Australians to excel in their chosen trades. Through competitions, training programs, and industry collaboration, we

help build a highly skilled, innovative workforce while championing the value of vocational excellence.

Since 1981, we’ve supported over 100,000 apprentices, trainees, and students in regional and national competitions -many of whom have gone on to represent Australia on the global stage. Our programs also address

skills shortages, align with national workforce priorities, and reinforce Australia’s reputation for skills excellence worldwide.

THINK YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES – START YOUR JOURNEY IN 2026

Think you’ve got what it takes? Every two years, over 500 WorldSkills

“The chance to represent my county and travel to France was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I never would have been able to see so much of Lyon and France, as well as meeting so many awesome people from all over the world without WorldSkills. The opportunity to learn how my industry works

Regional Competitions take place across 34 regions in Australia, testing the skills of more than 6,000 apprentices, trainees, and students. Medal winners from these one-day events have the chance to advance to the national level, with the best earning the opportunity to represent Australia internationally.

Lyon 2024

of Nation -

International

Lyon 2024

- 2023

in other parts of the world and to see how each of the international competitors went about different challenges was such an eye opener and has shown me just how diverse the automotive industry is and how many different pathways there can be in an international skill pathway.”

FROM THE COVER

These competitions wouldn’t happen without the support of training providers, employers, local councils, industry leaders, volunteers, and sponsors - all working together to showcase and support the next generation of skilled workers.

The 2026 competition cycle runs from February to November 2026, occurring in Training Organisations throughout Australia. While sign-ups

aren’t open yet, now’s the time to start preparing for your chance to compete. Keep an eye out for upcoming regional events and get ready to put your skills to the test!

YOU’RE A NATIONAL CHAMPION, WHAT’S NEXT – GLOBAL STARDOM VIA INTERNATIONAL DOMINANCE!

WorldSkills International is the pinnacle of skills competition, where the

world’s best apprentices and tradies come together to showcase their talent. WorldSkills is about setting global standards for excellence and proving that Aussie tradies are among the best in the world.

WHY

MATTERS

Every two years, competitors from 89 countries go head-to-head in over 60 skill categories.

“The international travel I did during my WorldSkills journey is something I will never forget from going to the USA and China for training competitions was incredible. During the competition I was so proud to represent my country. My skills were highly enhanced during the international competitions. To be able to see how the other countries train and

WorldSkills Australia has been around for more than 40 years and supported over 100,000 apprentices

But WorldSkills isn’t just about medals - it’s about elevating the skilled trades, shaping industry standards, and opening doors to career-defining opportunities.

THE ROAD TO SHANGHAI 2026

Australia is gearing up to send its top tradespeople to the 2026 WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai. Chosen from the medallists of the 2025

Harrison Field

Bronze MedallistWorldSkills International Competition, Lyon 2024

Gold Medallist - 2023

National Championships YOUNG TRADESPERSON OF THE YEAR - 2023

NSW & ACT Welding Excellence Awards

do different things and gain knowledge from them helped me a lot. Also speaking to experts and trainers from other countries helped me enhance my skills a lot. This journey has helped me a lot, I have been offered many jobs and has helped me gain a lot of respect in my industry and I am forever grateful for what WorldSkills has done for me”

National Championships, the next Skillaroos will train for over 12 months, honing their skill to haven’t thrive and inspire in 2026. Competing at the international level is a game-changer - it’s a chance to understand new techniques and trends, gain industry recognition, expand career opportunities, and connect with the best in the world.

WHY COMPETE?

WorldSkills Australia isn’t just about competition; it’s about transformation. Participants gain unparalleled experience, industry respect, and career-boosting opportunities. Many former competitors have gone on to secure high-profile jobs, contracts, and leadership roles in their fields.

A Global Movement

Partnering with global organisations like UNESCO and the World Bank, WorldSkills plays a key role in strengthening vocational education and training worldwide. When you compete, you’re not just showcasing your skills - you’re helping to drive change on a global scale.

RENAULT VANS trafic & master

TRADIE PROFILE

Rush Power

Elijha’s electrical escapades

Elijha Fortescue took a gamble and went from rural NSW to pursue a career as an Electrical Technician. So far, she’s loving every moment

LIKE A LOT of kids coming out of high school, there were a tonne of lifechanging options facing Elijha.

She had already been offered early entry into uni, and her parents had even raised the idea of a good ol’

Aussie gap year.

A third option, however, presented itself with her brother – Jock

giving rave reviews of his apprenticeship with Essential Energy.

“If he’s done it, why can’t I give it a go?” Elijha pondered.

She applied to undertake her apprenticeship with the major NSW electrical distribution company and before she knew it, her sparky career was off and running.

FISH OUTTA WATER

So Elijha ventured from rural NSW – around Armidale/Walcha way – to Lismore in north-east NSW.

As an Electrical Technician for Essential Energy, Elijha’s work in maintaining infrastructure ranges from cross-arm pole work, managing planned and unplanned

outages, preventative maintenance such as tree removal … her team even conducts shock investigations on faulty installations.

“No two days are the same and you’re never in the same place twice in a week,” she said.

“It’s something new every day which makes it exciting.”

Work has Elijha undertaking all kinds of jobs, but she enjoys every minute

But Elijha’s favourite job is fault and emergency work – helping to get Lismore locals’ power back on.

“It sounds terrible to say that I love switching peoples’ power off,” she joked.

“But there’s certainly some satisfaction when there’s been an outage and you put the power back on.

“I was on-call over Christmas and there were a lot of people fretting about keeping food cold, and when you turn the power back on they’d say ‘you’ve saved Christmas!’.

“It’s going home at the end of the day knowing that our customer’s power is in good working order.”

POWERING UP

When Elijha was going through her apprenticeship, she was one of a handful of women.

She considered herself very lucky to have had the support network she had through her co-workers at Essential Energy.

Elijha now finds herself in that support role as well, helping more youngsters –including women – get into trades.

This includes heading to nearby TAFEs to give talks at apprenticeship inductions.

Images: supplied by

Elijha Fortescue

“I’ve seen more females coming through the ranks … it’s great to see more apprentices coming through both in the company and more broadly which is great to see,” she added.

As well as participating in Essential Energy’s Women from the Field quarterly meetings, Elijha also attends the annual Women from the Field conference.

Both the group and conference are aimed at promoting women in electrical infrastructure,

and to continue to grow female participation in the sector.

COASTAL CONVERT

When Elijha’s not on the tools, she can usually be found competing both in CrossFit and Rugby Union with the Lismore Rugby Union Club.

“I’ve [also] been going out fishing with my partner on the weekends,” she added.

“I’m getting more and more fishing mad which is funny to think because I never thought of myself as a crazy fisher lady.”

Elijha is determined to grow her skills as a technician, and will soon be double qualified after completing a Cert III in ESI – Distribution Overhead.

One thing she is optimistic about is the future of women in trades; encouraging everyone to give it a go if they’re curious.

“My experience through Essential Energy and the people I’ve worked with has been just out of this world,” she said.

“I don’t think I could ask for a better career.”

Tax for Tradies works for you

We look after you; from answering the phone to doing your individual tax return; BAS and TPARS where you operate as a sole trader, company or trust. We engage and advise you on your tax position in a timely manner. We have your back! Your problem is our problem.

We prepare your tax return as your trusted advisers with the same care as we prepare our own tax returns. We perform a ‘tax analysis’ to see where you have been; where you are now and where you want to be in the future.

We offer a number of services, visit our website or reach out to learn more. Call Michael and Ross at

can help you.

1300 263 260

Elijha plays halfback/ front rower for Lismore City Rugby

Savvy savings

Tax admin made bloody easy

TAX TIME’S rolling around again, and let’s be honest - no one loves the admin that comes with it. If you find yourself dreading the coming late nights and

hunting for receipts in the glovebox, it might be time to give NextMinute a crack.

NextMinute is an all-inone project management tool built for Aussie tradies

to keep everything in check, so you can focus on the real work.

All your job info - quotes, estimates, timesheets, and expenses - is in one secure

spot. You and the crew can log time, materials, and costs against each job stage as you go, so you’re always across your numbers.

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS

NextMinute’s back costing reports give you real-time insight into how you’re tracking against your estimates by project or stage, so you can spot any budget blowouts before they happen.

And when tax time hits, the hard work is already done thanks to

Don’t have to be an expert to use NextMinute, it’s easy!

Get rid of the guesswork when it comes to job estimates and budgeting

the two-way sync with Xero & MYOB - no more digging through the ute for crumpled receipts or pulling all-nighters to get the books in order.

“We know one of the biggest things keeping tradies up at night was wondering if they were making a profit or loss,” NextMinute CEO Alex Jenks explained.

“It can have a big impact on mental health. That’s why we focused on building tools that eliminate the guesswork and give tradies complete control over their numbers.”

Make this financial year your best yet - less admin, more profit, and no headaches.

Have a chat with the friendly team at NextMinute for a quick process review and see where you can tighten things up.

Accidents happen

A tradie’s guide to PA insurance

TRADIES LOVE getting amongst on and off the worksite.

Whether it’s putting the hard yakka on a new build or getting around local footy – tradies bodies are built different. But sometimes, injuries can test those limits and leave tradies without work and pay.

Figures from Work Safe Australia found the top three causes of injury in 2022-23 were body stressing (9.2 weeks lost), falls, trips and slips (8.8 weeks lost) and being hit by moving objects (5.6 weeks lost)1.

And many tradies might not be covered automatically; sole traders

¹ https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-stats-2024#heading2): ² https://business.gov.au/risk-management/insurance/types-of-business-insurance

– for example – aren’t covered by workers’ comp2

The last thing a hardworking tradie needs is to be left in the lurch if things go pear-shaped, that’s why having Personal Accident & Illness (PA) insurance can be crucial.

WHAT IS PA INSURANCE?

For sole traders out there, workers’ compensation is not an option, and this is when this type of cover kicks in. PA insurance provides a weekly income

benefit following an accidental injury or illness once signed off from work by a medical practitioner for a set amount of time.

Bills and other expenses can mount up while a tradie’s off due to injury, that’s why PA insurance covers up to 85 per cent of their salary to specific limits. Did you get injured during that footy game we mentioned? No worries – PA

Don’t let your finances take a hit when you do

insurance covers tradies for work missed due to injuries sustained off the tools as well.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Compare Personal Accident & Illness quotes online or over the phone and get covered in minutes.

Deduct thi$!

Documentation required for tax substantiation of expenses

GLOVE BOXES and shoeboxes just don’t cut it for keeping receipts for your vehicle, tools etc.

Tradies must keep records of all receipts to claim tax deductions.

The onus of proof that any deduction is legitimate is squarely on your shoulders.

There are commercial apps available to keep

record of your receipts. These apps act as an audit tool should you be subjected to an ATO audit. How does it work?

You take a photo of your receipts and send them on your phone or email to a nominated email address. Your accountant can access these receipts for the preparation of your tax return.

MOTOR VEHICLE CLAIM

Forget what you have heard on ‘the grapevine’. You MUST keep a logbook to calculate the taxdeductable use of your vehicle, regardless of its load capacity and whether the vehicle is owned by you, a company or a trust. Tax auditors will ask you to prove you business usage. How else can you prove it except with the help of a logbook? There are two methods that you can use to make a claim for your motor vehicle.

THE LOGBOOK METHOD

A logbook is an important piece of tax substantiation

for people who use their vehicle for work.

If this is the first year you have used the logbook method, you must keep the logbook for at least 12 continuous weeks during the income year.

That 12-week period needs to be representative of your travel throughout the year.

You can then use this representative period to calculate your claim for five years if you take the odometer readings at the start and end of each year that you use it.

There are apps that you can purchase that can make this task easier.

KILOMETRE METHOD

You can claim up to a maximum of 5,000 business kilometres without written evidence, such as receipts or logbooks, for the financial year.

Tax for Tradies is on-hand to provide keen insights into accounting specific to trade professionals

You don’t need to keep a logbook, but you must be able to show how you worked out your business kilometres (for example, calendar or diary records).

The claim rate is 88 cents per kilometre for the 2024/25 tax year.

If the business vehicle is a car, there’s a limit on the cost you can use to work out your depreciation claim. For the 2024/25 income year, the limit is either $69,674 or the actual cost of the motor vehicle.

INSTANT ASSET WRITE-OFF (IAWO)

From the 2023/24 tax year, the instant tax deduction was restricted to capital items (e.g. cars, tools) new and second-hand which cost less than $20,000. However, you can claim multiple items.

As a temporary measure which has yet to go through parliament, assets valued at $20,000 or more will continue to be placed into the small business simplified depreciation pool and depreciated at 15 per cent in the first income year and 30 per cent each income year after that.

In addition, pool balances under $20,000 at the end of 2024/25 income year can be written off.

Michael Gallagher, Gallagher Accountants and Tax for Tradies

TRADIE PROFILE

In LOCKED

Nath nudged into chippy life

What started as a way to fill a gap year after finishing school, Nathan Dowell found his love of carpentry, and hasn’t looked back since

WITH CAREERS in trade running through the family, Nathan Dowell may have seemed destined to become a carpenter.

With a short stint in Queensland working as a carpenter on major renovations, Nathan is now back in Melbourne and working as a lead hand carpenter at Nudg1e Constructions.

“I did my VCE exams and finished school, but I soon realised that going to university wasn’t for me,” Nathan said.

“I didn’t get into the exact course that I wanted, so I started working full time after I graduated.”

“I was initially interested in either physiotherapy or aerospace engineering.”

At a crossroads post school, Nathan decided to take a year off and pursue

a trade while he made up his mind.

“I decided to enter into a trade for a year and thought if I enjoyed it enough, I’d stay, and if not, I would go to university,” Nathan said.

“I fell in love with the trade. I loved being a carpenter so I thought I’d keep it up.”

Nudg1e Constructions undertake all forms of carpentry services, from large scale renovations, to new builds.

“We work from the ground up, and all the way through to when we hand the owners the keys,” Nathan said.

“We get a good scope of all carpentry works from decks to houses, to big complexes.”

Nathan shared how his favourite part of

the job comes from the satisfaction of completing a job from start to finish.

“Seeing a house or complex be completed is a great feeling,” Nathan said.

Not one to shy away from heights, Nathan enjoys working on the roof.

“Doing trusses on a roof on a nice, hot summers day – I don’t think there is anything better,” he said.

“I love being outside and working, and when it’s hot, you get a good tan too.”

A GOOD CREW

Surrounded by a ‘good crew’, Nathan has a community of other tradies around his age at work.

“Most of us are in our twenties. We all get along well and work goes nice and smoothly,” he said.

“We all hang out outside

of work, it’s a great crew to be in.”

MENTORS

In the six years Nathan has been a carpenter, there have been two mentors that have steered him on the right path. Nathan stated how his boss Mitch Manning and Nigel Nunn

Nathan started his apprenticeship in 2019

helped him learn new skills and grow in the industry.

“When I moved up to Queensland for a bit, Mitch Manning really took me under his wing and taught me everything I know,” Nathan said.

“Nigel, who is the big boss at Nudg1e constructions has also helped me a lot throughout my apprenticeship.”

“I have really thrived being a qualified carpenter.”

Outside of working, Nathan enjoys dirt bike riding and basketball. He also has an eye on starting his own building business one day.

“My next goal is to become a licensed builder,” he said.

“To have a successful business for years to come is my ultimate goal.”

Nathan enjoys working on a range of carpentry projects

Images:

(Chem)Set

Fresh look for Ramset™ ChemSet™

WHEN IT COMES to

chemical anchoring solutions, few brands have built the kind of trust that Ramset™ and its ChemSet™ range has. Now, with the introduction of revamped packaging, the ChemSet™ 101 PLUS and ChemSet™ 801 XTREM™ XC² adhesives have been given a fresh look - without compromising the formula that has made them go-to products for tradies everywhere.

VERSATILITY AND RELIABILITY

The ChemSet™ 101 PLUS is a multi-purpose polyester adhesive that excels in anchoring threaded studs and starter bars in both solid and hollow substrates. Whether you’re working with concrete, brick, or block, this high-performance adhesive provides a reliable bond that is crucial for structural integrity. Formulated with marine-grade resins,

For over 50 years, Ramset™’s ChemSet™ has been synonymous with durability, versatility, and exceptional performance, becoming a staple for tradies across Australia

ChemSet™ 101 PLUS offers full load-bearing capacity in flooded holes, as per the ETAG 001-5 Option 7 assessment standard. This makes it ideal for a variety of jobs, from steel columns and beams to machinery seating and handrails. One of the best features of ChemSet™ 101 PLUS is its fast cure time of just 50 minutes at 20°C, allowing tradies to get on with the job. Its styrene-free, low-VOC formulation ensures compliance with environmental standards while maintaining a low odor, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The product is also vibration-resistant, slumpresistant, and offers a non-drip formula - ideal for overhead installations. These properties significantly improve productivity, even in challenging working conditions like wet or flooded holes, where other adhesives might fail. Moreover, the improved packaging now offers even more strength and sustainability. The new cartridge design is made with 30 per cent recycled content and ensures a hassle-free application, free from leaks or unnecessary mess. With a 100-year working life, ChemSet™ 101 PLUS ensures that your installations remain secure and durable for decades to come.

UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE

For heavy-duty applications, the ChemSet™ 801 XTREM™ XC² takes things to the next level.

Formulated as a fast-setting vinyl ester adhesive, its premium high-strength formulation makes it an ideal choice for the most demanding tasks. Certified for use in seismic, cracked concrete, and fire-rated applications, ChemSet™ 801 XTREM™ XC² is engineered to withstand extreme conditions, ensuring that your projects remain safe and secure even under challenging circumstances. This adhesive is fully certified for seismic applications, meeting Category 2 standards when used with ChemSet™ Multicone Threaded Studs. These studs are designed to compensate for cracks that may form in concrete during seismic activity, offering extra peace of mind in earthquake-prone areas. The fast-curing nature of ChemSet™ 801 XTREM™ XC² is particularly advantageous when time is of the essence, such as during structural steel installations, balustrades, or handrail assemblies. The ChemSet™ 801 XTREM™ XC² adhesive also performs well in flooded holes and other difficult conditions, with a 100-year working life to ensure longevity and reliability.

Its dustless drilling feature adds convenience to the installation process, while its fire-rated properties make it an excellent choice for projects requiring stringent safety standards.

THE CHEMSET™ EVOLUTION

The updated packaging for both the ChemSet™ 101 PLUS and ChemSet™ 801 XTREM™ XC² adhesives reflects Ramset™’s commitment to improving the user experience. With a new, more compact 600ml cartridge size, these products are easier to handle and more efficient, allowing tradies to work smarter, not harder.

Additionally, the new cartridges are twice as strong as the previous models, providing added durability on every job. By combining performance, sustainability, and userfriendly features, Ramset™ ChemSet™ continues to be the adhesive of choice for tradies who demand the best.

Whether you’re securing steel beams, installing machinery, or anchoring handrails, ChemSet™ delivers the strength and reliability needed to get the job done right. After all, when it comes to chemical anchoring, you can always trust ChemSet™ - now with a fresh look and even more power.

EARTHMOVING

ACCESS

SITE SOLUTIONS

LANDSCAPING PUMPS

CONCRETE CARE

PLUMBING & CIVIL

POWER

LIFTING & MATERIALS HANDLING

TRAFFIC RAIL

CONSTRUCTION & SURVEY

...AND MUCH MORE

Evolve at expo

Game-changing tools ready to shine

AS FAR AS seeing the latest tools goes, tradies won’t do much better than Carpentry Expo.

Australia’s first and only exhibition dedicated wholly to the carpentry industry will be co-hosted by Carpentry Australia and Prime Creative Media.

Not only will chippies get a chance to check out cutting-edge tools, but they’ll also have a chance to chat with industry experts, and learn how to grow their skills.

“The Carpentry Expo is where tradition meets innovation—uniting generations of carpenters to celebrate skill, strength, and opportunity,” Carpentry Australia Head of Development Nathan Quinn said.

the future of our industry is stronger, smarter, and more sustainable than ever before.”

When it comes to evolving the power tool landscape, Senco is at the forefront.

NAILED IN

Both in name and nature; SENCO’s EVOLVE series mark a new era in cordless tool tech.

The range includes the F35XP 34° Framing Nailer and the F15XP 15 Gauge DA Bradder, both delivering the power of a pneumatic tool without the need for cords or gas.

nailer comes with two interchangeable Li-ion batteries (4.0Ah for the Framing Nailer and 2.0Ah for the Bradder).

The Framing Nailer charges 80 per cent in just 40 minutes, while the Bradder charges in only 15 minutes. Re-filling the air cylinder is quick and easy, simply attach any compressed air hose (like a tyre hose) to the chamber, and it’s ready to go in just 30 seconds. With no need for gas cells, tradies can save up to 50 per cent on operating costs and avoid time-consuming maintenance like cleaning combustion chambers.

FOR A SPIN

Meanwhile, SENCO’s unique Duraspin DS530-M1 auto-feed screwdriver attachment delivers unmatched speed and precision, making it a must-have tool for tradies.

Ideal for tasks like decking, subflooring, plasterboard installation, and cladding, this attachment outperforms competitors thanks to its unique feed-on-return feature. The DS530-M1 Easily attaches to a cordless or corded screw driver, providing a seamless setup for professionals.

Designed for use with or

Both SENCO’s Duraspin and EVOLVE series will feature at the upcoming Carpentry Expo

without an extension pole, the Duraspin is perfect for standing applications, offering excellent line-ofsight even in tight corners. Its sliding screw guide helps prevent binding, ensuring smooth, jam-free operation with continuous screw feeding. For precise, consistent driving, the Duraspin also includes a depth lock feature that allows for quick and easy depth adjustments, ensuring flush or countersink screws every time.

“ It’s a place to connect, learn, and grow, ensuring Join us at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17-18 September 2025, for Carpentry Expo. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of carpentry in Australia. For enquiries please contact: mike.wilson@primecreative.com.au

These epic tools can shoot up to 30,000 nails per chamber refill and 700 nails per battery charge, with fast recharge times for both the battery and air chamber. Each

The Evolve Framing Nailer (F-35XP) is perfect for framing, subflooring, fencing, and decking, offering a punching power up to 108 joules.

For more information, visit carpentryexpo.com.au

Enviroflo AR Series

Rinnai’s new Electric Heat Pump range

Australian Designed & Built

To withstand tough Australian conditions.

Large Capacities

300L and 340L, Australia’s largest integrated residential heat pump.

NEW 300L & 340L Heat Pumps

Introducing the new Rinnai Enviroflo AR Series, designed and built in Australia for our conditions. Utilising the latest in technology, Rinnai heat pumps are built to last with high quality components and materials that ensure reliable and efficient performance.

Wi-Fi Control

Set temperature and timers remotely via a Wi-Fi controlled app.

Wide Ambient

Temperature Range

Operates in temperatures between -7°C to 45°C for installation Australia wide.

Quiet Operations

Runs at a low 45dB(A), quieter than the average noise level of a household dishwasher.

PV Compatible

Can be networked into a solar PV system for more cost-efficient water heating.

Australian designed & built

On-call

STIHL Australia: Revolutionising dealer support with the Commercial Sales Team

AT THE DAWN of 2025, STIHL Australia embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to bolster the support for Commercial Operators across the country. The launch of the Commercial Sales Team marks a significant milestone in STIHL’s commitment to enhancing partnerships between business and the STIHL

Trailers such as these are ready to be deployed anywhere for a hands-on experience

Dealer network. This innovative approach is designed to bring the best of STIHL directly to the doorstep of key users and focus groups, ensuring that customers have access to top-tier equipment and training.

TO YOUR DOORSTEP

The Commercial Sales Team is comprised of Commercial Business Development Managers (BDMs) and Commercial Solutions Consultants (CSCs) strategically positioned across

Australia. Equipped with state-of-the-art demonstration trailers, this team is ready to showcase STIHL’s latest tools and technologies in a dynamic and engaging manner. These trailers are not just mobile showrooms; they are fully functional mini workshops with storage for product delivery and transport, providing a comprehensive solution for on-site demonstrations and training.

Each state boasts a dedicated BDM who works closely with the STIHL Dealer network to identify new leads and opportunities for growth. The BDMs are supported by CSCs, who play a crucial role in demonstrating and educating potential customers about STIHL products. This collaborative effort ensures that Dealers can expand their portfolio of

STIHL tools and provide their customers with the best possible solutions.

READY FOR ACTION

This initiative is part of a global effort that underscores STIHL’s position as an ideal business partner for Commercial Operators. By driving sales directly through Dealer stores, STIHL is not only enhancing its market presence but also empowering dealers to achieve greater relationships with their local market.

National Commerical Sales Manager Matthew Gladwin emphasised the importance of mobility and agility in this approach.

“By being mobile, agile, and ready to respond, the

Commercial Sales Team can focus on developing untapped business opportunities for STIHL Dealers and driving even more business to their stores,” Gladwin said. The Commercial Sales Team’s ability to execute innovative product demonstrations and provide personalised attention to largescale customers sets STIHL apart from its competitors. This handson approach ensures that customers are wellinformed and confident in their equipment choices, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.

Rain, hail, or shine, the STIHL Commercial Sales Team is always ready to act.

If you are interested in a demonstration or would like to see how STIHL can benefit your business, please fill out your details on the form at the above QR code, and a team member will contact you shortly

Images: Stihl

This approach allows STIHL users to get firsthand demos and info from the experts

Motoring up gearup!

Join Warren & Brown Tools at MotorEX 2025!

GEAR UP for an electrifying weekend at MotorEX 2024 with Warren & Brown Tools (WBT)! We’re bringing the best in precision tools and automotive innovations straight to you. Visit our stand to explore our cutting-edge product range, get hands-on demonstrations, and take advantage of an exclusive 10 per cent discount on your next order when you use the code “MOTOREX”— for a limited time only!

Building Australia’s Future – together.

Over the next 10 years, the Australian Government is investing more than $120 billion in infrastructure development. Will you be a part of it?

17–18 SEPTEMBER 2025 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

LEARN MORE

Find out how you can take part in Australia’s premiere event for the municipal works, commercial and civil construction industries. convergeexpo.com.au

Low dramas

Cement Australia officially launches Low Carbon Cement

CEMENT AUSTRALIA has officially launched its new packaged product, Low Carbon Cement into the Australian market. The launch came at the 2025 Independent Hardware Group (IHG) conference and expo held in Adelaide early February.

IHG is the largest independent hardware group in Australia, and

a leader when it comes to servicing the trade market, consisting of brands such as Mitre 10 and Home Hardware.

The conference was visited by about 1700 delegates and featured 450 stores.

Cement Australia was recognised at the event as the best build supplier of 2024.

NEW FORMULA

Cement Australia’s Low Carbon Cement provides comparable strength capabilities to standard General Purpose (GP) Cement, with additional benefits such as lower permeability, enhanced durability, and improved workability. All with 30 per cent less embodied CO2 compared to GP cement.

Low Carbon Cement uses a sustainable mixture featuring Cement Australia’s proprietary GreenCem™ technology. This technology was developed in-house by Cement Australia at its NATA accredited testing laboratory in Brisbane.

Cement Australia’s innovative GreenCem™

Tradies are getting keen for the

technology enables the replacement of the GP cement ingredient with fly ash and/or slag in higher quantities than previously possible, without compromising the resulting concrete’s strength development.

GET AROUND IT

The cement complies with the Type GB requirements of Australian Standard AS3972 and is supported by an independently verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

The EPD Australasia register hosts verified documents from brands across Australia that provide data on the lifecycle environmental impact of a product.

Cement Australia’s Low Carbon Cement is the first

product of its type to be on the EPD register.

The features and benefits of Low Carbon Cement were well received by IHG members during the conference, with many members seeing the need for a sustainable cement solution moving forward.

Low Carbon Cement is the way to an environmentally sustainable construction industry, however tradies should not have to compromise quality for sustainability. Cement Australia developed this Low Carbon Cement to make a difference to the environment, without making a difference to the high quality of work.

For more information regarding Low Carbon Cement visit cementaustralia. com.au/products/low-carbon-cement or contact the Cement Australia team on 1300 CEMENT (1300 236 368) Check

Low Carbon Cement debuted at the IHG conference in February

For the pros bit off

Bosch’s latest additions to its Professional Outdoor Equipment Range

BOSCH PROFESSIONAL’S

Outdoor Power Equipment

Range is ready to take on your garden. Cut, trim, and blow your way across your space - tame long hedges and dense foliage with unprecedented cordless 18V battery power. Already have Bosch Power Tools? That’s the best part—the range is part of Bosch’s Professional 18V System for easy battery compatibility.

Bosch designs their tools with your comfort in mind. That’s why all tools in their outdoor power equipment range are compact and lightweight, with wellbalanced ergonomics and low noise—so you can work better for longer.

BUZZED

The BRAND-NEW and powerful GKE 18V-40 Brushless Chainsaw delivers the perfect cordless solution for all your onsite carpentry and outdoor gardening needs. The powerful brushless motor equipped with BITURBO technology delivers outstanding performance with low noise levels, allowing you to work in noise-sensitive areas - all the while eliminating the emission of exhaust fumes.

OptiCut adjusts the chain’s speed and torque to cater to the needs of your desired application, avoiding the nuisance of your chainsaw stalling

under tougher workloads. PLUS, its intuitive electronic motor brake stops the chain quickly after trigger-release. Enhance your safety and precision while cutting - protect yourself with the kickback brake, while metal bumper spikes increase your control over cutting.

Whether you’re cutting through beams, timber, or thick branches, the 40cm bar allows continuous cutting, making the GKE 18V Brushless Chainsaw a powerful and versatile ally on your worksite. Lowmaintenance and hasslefree, it has a leakage-free, translucent oil tank for easy oil level checking.

PLUS, a screwdriver & wrench is stored securely and conveniently on the chainsaw for easy chain tightening and maintenance.

SNIP SNIP

The GRA 18V2-46 BITURBO Brushless 460mm Lawnmower brings you power, durability, and versatility all-in-one. With the absolute workhorse BITURBO brushless motor powered by 2x18V batteries, you get 36V of extended runtime. The robust full-metal deck and handle mean higher durability and long

The BITURBO power delivered in this GKE 18V40 Brushless Chainsaw make it hard to match

lifetime - with a 46cm cutting diameter, 6-step cut height adjustment, and vertical storage, work and pack-up with maximum convenience. If you want effortless work in the garden, you’ll need the 2-in-1 GFR 18V-23 Cordless Brush-cutter and Grass Trimmer. This is packed with innovative features including Anti-Tangle, if the motor jams, the tool frees itself completely. You will never have to clear your tool of wound up weeds again.

With the GHE 18V-60 Hedge Cutter, cut through thick branches up 20mm without jamming, thanks to the patented Bosch Anti-Blocking System. With continuous trimming for hedges, its lightweight and an ergonomic design means you can work for longer in comfort. Twist and click to attach the nozzle of the GBL 18V-750 Leaf Blower and blow away any mess. Decked out with an impressive maximum airspeed of 198km/h, variable speed control means you can wind It back as well, thus optimising runtime and noise levels.

Plus, emission-free operation means no more nasty, head-ache inducing smells for you or your worksite neighbours.

Go with the flow

Smart, efficient and built to perform

WHEN IT COMES to hot water solutions, Rinnai delivers trusted performance. Whether you’re upgrading a residential system or equipping a commercial property, Rinnai’s innovative heat pump range delivers sustainable and cost-effective water heating for any setting.

With a diverse selection, ranging from 215L to 340L residential models along with high-capacity commercial systems, Rinnai heat pumps ensure consistent hot water heating for homes, apartment complexes, and demanding commercial environments.

Whatever the scale, Rinnai has the perfect solution.

EXPLORING THE RINNAI HEAT PUMP RANGE

As the demand for efficient

and sustainable hot water solutions grows, many homes and businesses are making the shift to electricpowered systems. Rinnai’s heat pumps support this transition, delivering highperformance hot water while reducing energy costs and environmental impact. The latest AR and GR Series models, along with Rinnai’s commercial heat pump, provide a smart, futureready solution for every application.

MEET THE AR AND GR SERIES

ENVIROFLO AR SERIES

Proudly designed and built in Australia, the Enviroflo AR Series Electric Integrated Heat Pump offers a high-performance solution for efficient hot water. Available in 300L and 340L, the largest

integrated residential heat pump capacity in the country, it caters to various site requirements with options for standard or hard water anodes. Utilising the eco-friendly R290 refrigerant and featuring PV network compatibility via a dry contact relay connection, the AR Series integrates seamlessly with solar energy systems, reducing environmental impact and energy costs. When there are colder conditions or peak demand periods, the AR series’ single element boost guarantees hot water availability. Engineered for Australia’s tough climate, it withstands water pressures up to 1000kPa, ensuring reliability and longevity. Designed for easy installation, the lightweight

construction and improved centre of gravity allows for a hassle-free setup, delivering dependable hot water with minimal environmental footprint.

KEY FEATURES:

• Designed and built in Melbourne

• Available 300L & 340L capacities to suit large hot water demands

• Largest integrated residential heat pump in Australia

• Operates quietly at a low 45dB(A), quieter than the average noise level of a household dishwasher

Rinnai’s Enviroflo series is designed to handle demanding Aussie conditions

accommodate a variety of hot water demands across Australian homes. Available in 215L, 280L, and 300L capacities, it provides flexible options for different household requirements.

Featuring a singleelement boost, the GR Series ensures hot water availability whenever it’s needed.

With PV network compatibility via a dry contact relay connection, it integrates effortlessly with solar energy systems for enhanced efficiency.

Designed to handle Australia’s demanding conditions, the GR Series also operates under water pressures up to 1000kPa, ensuring long-term durability and performance in diverse environments.

Images: Rinnai

ENVIROFLO GR SERIES

The Rinnai Enviroflo GR Series Electric Integrated Heat Pump is built to

KEY FEATURES:

• Available in 215L, 280L, and 300L capacities

• Quiet operation

• Built-in Wi-Fi for convenient control

• S olar PV network compatibility

COMMERCIAL HEAT PUMP SOLUTIONS

With over 45 years of expertise in refrigeration systems, Rinnai’s Commercial Hot Water Heat Pump is built for superior efficiency, durability, and adaptability. Designed for Australia’s harshest conditions, it features corrosion-resistant epoxy-coated coils, with optional Blygold-

treated coils for extra protection in challenging environments.

The Rinnai commercial heat pump features flexible installation options, including highstatic fans for plant room applications, allowing for seamless integration into large-scale facilities. Its

wide operating envelope ensures reliable hot water production, even in extreme temperatures, making it the go-to choice for commercial and industrial settings.

Wherever the demand, whatever the challenge, Rinnai’s

Commercial Heat Pump delivers uncompromising performance.

KEY FEATURES:

• Wide ambient temperature operating range

• Heavy-duty galvanized steel construction

• 56 per cent lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) than R134A

• Smart app for easy commissioning and diagnostics

A SOLUTION FOR EVERY SPACE: RELIABLE. EFFICIENT. BUILT FOR THE FUTURE

Whether you’re installing a residential system for everyday use or a commercial-grade unit for high-output applications, Rinnai offers the flexibility, durability, and advanced technology to ensure a dependable hot water supply. With Rinnai, you’re not just choosing a hot water system, you’re choosing peace of mind. No matter the project, no matter the scale, Rinnai has the perfect solution.

“The new Rinnai AR and GR series Electric Heat Pump hot water systems are a significant and important upgrade to our ranges, featuring capacities from the compact 215L all the way up to 340L.

“Higher efficiency, with higher STC’s, lower noise, PV integration options, better low ambient performance and greater installation flexibility are just some of the improvements we have brought to the market with these new Rinnai units.

“Furthermore, the Australian designed and manufactured Rinnai 340L AR model is the largest residential all-in-one heat pump on the Australian market, creating enough hot water for even the largest family homes.”

- PATRICK CORCORAN, GROUP MANAGERPRODUCT PLANNING & DISTRIBUTION

Rinnai’s heat pumps aim to trim energy costs as well as environmental impact

Perseverance pays off

we do exterior timber staining as well. We do a wide range of jobs.”

In a stark contrast to being painter and business owner, Chris originally had his sights set on being an actor.

“I was advised by a few people that I should have a backup plan,” Chris said.

“I have never been an academic person, so going to university was never on the cards.’

“So, I looked beyond that and into trades.”

Chris was living and working in Ballarat after finishing high school and got a recommendation by his manager for a painting apprenticeship in Geelong.

“I was planning on

Chris has gone through the ups and downs of business ownership

MENTORS

Chris’s credits his first boss, Mick who owns Quest Painting, for looking out for him in his younger years.

“A couple of years into working for Mick, he decided to focus his business back in the Ballarat area,” Chris said.

“Mick gave me all his clients and encouraged me to go out on my own.”

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

Chris also credits his parents for creating a solid foundation for him, and also teaching him valuable life lessons.

PERSEVERANCE

Running a business, especially during a pandemic, is not always smooth sailing.

“The business took a bit of a hit financially a few years ago,” Chris said.

“Jobs blowing out, not sticking to budgets, and not quoting enough for jobs made me reevaluate a few things.”

Chris identifies cash flow as a consistent challenge.

Chris now employs one apprentice, and he enjoys teaching him the ropes.

For 2025, Chris is focussed on his young family, creating memories with his children, and camping around Australia.

“I love spending time with my kids and hanging out with my family and friends.”

“We’d love to see more parts of rural Australia.”

“Last year we went to Robe over Easter. Driving on the beach and setting up for the day, it was great. Definitely want to do more of that this year.”

moving to Geelong anyway. She put in a good word for me, I interviewed for it a week later and got the job,” Chris said.

“Everything fell into place.”

STICKING TO TARGETS

A keen user of making lists and sticking to them, Chris and his team have daily targets to guide them through a busy schedule.

“I like to stay on top of it all and make sure there’s a clear understanding of what needs to be done,” Chris said.

Chris loves the AFL and is a mad Cats fan

Images: Chris Young

After facing a few setbacks, painter, Chris Young is living proof that resilience and taking pride in your work pays off

Big

How NEACH is handling business Time

Ryza Garbacz is no stranger to thinking big. The Managing Director of NEACH tells us about his company and its role in forging a new future for welders

NEACH was founded in 1975 and has gone through many transitions throughout a remarkable 50 years of continuous operation.

The business has played a key role in many South East Queensland projects across that time. Ryza took on the company in 2011, growing NEACH into one of Queensland’s top fabrication businesses working on Tier 1 and Tier 2 building projects.

“When I first got involved with the company, we were dealing with projects that had a low barrier to entry – there were a lot of backyard operators making emotional decision about pricing which wasn’t a rational environment to operate in,” he said.

“What we decided to do was develop our accreditation and upskill to a highly capable company that could operate on challenging projects

delivering complex infrastructure”.

“The type of work we do is mission critical. One example is the Exhibition Show Grounds train station that supports thousands of people at the Ekka each year in Brisbane.

“Our clients want certainty; our product has to be high quality every time. It takes time to develop trust and respect with our customers to do this type of work, they don’t just select anyone to do it. It’s a select market.”

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

Ryza wasn’t kidding around when he wanted to tackle big-time builds, with NEACH working on major South-East Queensland projects including the Exhibition Train Station, Gallipoli Barracks, Sunshine Plaza, Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline and the

complex Cross River Rail project.

“In terms of planning, we’re looking to the future and seeing what kind of growth South-East Queensland is capable of,” Ryza added.

“So many people are moving out of cities and into regions, particularly in South-East Queensland.

“We’ve also got the Olympics coming in 2032, so there’s a stack of things we’ve got to complete in South-East Queensland to get ready for the games. “We’ve positioned NEACH for that market, which is going to need plenty of heavy complex infrastructure.”

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Welding is one such trade that’s grappling with the skills shortage, with thousands more needed in the coming years to handle demand. “Trade availability

Brisbane’s Exhibition Station is one of many major projects NEACH has undertaken

has been deteriorating between 2016 and now in my personal opinion,” Ryza said.

“We initially tried to deal with that problem by offering higher wages, but that approach really didn’t work – the people just weren’t there.”

Four years ago, NEACH decided to build its own talent pipeline and increased it’s apprentice intake.

“Historically we had put an apprentice on every year … about three years ago we started putting on two apprentices a year,” Ryza said.

“We employ about 40

NEACH’s apprentice pipeline has helped keep fresh blood rolling into the welding industry

people and that varies depending on workload, our talent pipeline is fostering stronger workplace culture and producing top quality tradespeople”.

He said the program has helped NEACH keep up with its demand, as well as craft a nurturing environment for the entire company.

“There’s a good culture too – they’re really competitive and there’s plenty of good comradery going on,” Ryza said.

“They’re very eager to achieve, including on a lot of the technical aspects.

“They’ll often get me to test them on something.

“It’s been really pleasing to see that talent pool building for us, but also that it’s the right kind of culture.” While enjoying the Noosa sunset may be one thing, the sun is only just rising where Ryza and NEACH are concerned.

Cruisin’

Harley-Davidson unveils latest Cruiser collection

ARRIVING AT YOUR local Harley-Davidson dealership from Aprilthe reinvigorated 2025 Cruiser collection includes six very distinctive

motorcycles, each infused with new technology, elevated performance and refreshed styling.

Each Cruiser model features a new Milwaukee-

Eight® 117 powertrain and technology advancements and utilises the HarleyDavidson® Softail® chassis with hidden mono-shock rear suspension.

The 2025 Cruiser line includes the following models, each representing a specific stylistic personality, from nostalgic to high performance to boldly custom: Low Rider® S, Low Rider® ST, Breakout®, Heritage Classic, Fat Boy® and Street Bob®.

Whether it is the Street Bob with its strippeddown, bobber appearance, chopped fenders and mini-ape handlebar or the long-and-lean chopper

No matter your inclination, there’s a Cruiser for you

profile, dazzling chrome finish of the Breakout, there is a Harley-Davidson Cruiser perfect for you.

PICK AND CHOOSE

New for 2025, all Cruisers offer Rider Safety Enhancements by HarleyDavidson® including:

- Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System (C-ABS),

- Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB),

- Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS). All of these match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration, and braking.

Harley-Davidson has decked out all its 2025 Cruisers with its latest Rider Safety Enhancements

Not only that, all models also have pre-programmed and customisable Ride Modes giving the rider the flexibility of selecting a mode optimised for the type of riding they choose at the push of a button or to customise a mode to match their exact riding style. Also new this year is that all models are now powered by a variant of the 117 Cu In Milwaukee-Eight engine the MY25 Cruisers are waiting to be taken for a test ride.

ON THE MOVE!

No worries

Truck repairs made easier thanks to Truck Assist

WHEN

HITS

the fan, the last thing a tradie needs is more problems instead of solutions. Same thing applies to driving a truck – when trouble strikes, you don’t need issues to snowball. When it comes to delivering top-notch roadside support for truck owners, Truck Assist Roadside has it down to a tee. Its Repairer Network has been finely tuned across decades to ensure any mishaps on the road don’t cost more than they need to and have you rolling again asap.

NETWORKING

NTI Repair Network’s National Manager Adam Craft said it’s been over 20 years now since Truck Assist identified the gap in the market for a reliable

repair network.

“We needed a network that could not only fix trucks efficiently and costeffectively – but that also prioritised safety,” he said.

“Gotta be safety first and always, is what we say.

“We spoke to the industry and got the ball rolling from there.”

From humble beginnings, Truck Assist’s Repair Network is nearing 80 repairers nationwide.

While there are premium repairers who handle the big prime movers – as well as a dedicated trailer repair network – tradies will benefit primarily from the local network of repairers who handle smaller trucks.

NATIONWIDE

Truck Assist’s local network of repairers

are located across the country, available anywhere a customer may need their help.

If a breakdown happens in the middle of a backroad somewhere, tradies can call on Truck Assist’s 24/7 help line to get the truck towed to a repairer quicksmart.

Their repairers aren’t just your uncle who knows a thing or two about trucks either.

“One of the biggest things about members of our Repair Network is not only do they have to qualify through our criteria, but they have to share our values too,” Adam said.

“If you don’t provide the same level of customer service as we do, you won’t be part of our network.

“When a customer meets with one of our repairers

– even if it’s at the worst possible time – we still want it to be a positive experience.”

Truck Assist customer can also contact the Repair Network knowing full-well the repairer has auto-authorisation.

“As long as the customer has an active claim number with us, they can get the truck into the repairers and get the job done without an assessor having to look at the vehicle,” Adam said.

“They’ll get the truck back working and on the road as soon as possible.”

Adam said the quality of work also has to reach a high standard in order for a repairer to join Truck Assist’s Repair Network,

meaning you’re getting the best in the industry.

“They’re the highest standards in the industry,” he said.

NO BETTER

If repairs prove to be more complex, NTI (Truck Assist’s parent company) also has a parts division on-hand to provide repairers, Australia-wide, with the right parts as soon as possible.

“Even if we need to source parts from overseas – we can do it a lot quicker than others in the market,” Adam said. As if things weren’t simple already, Truck Assist makes getting help as straightforward as possible.

“If you don’t know where your nearest Truck Assist repairer is, all you have to do is go to our website and chuck in your postcode and it’ll have all the repairers in your area.

From there, you can get your truck to the repairer (if driveable) who’ll get stuck in, or Truck Assist will arrange the truck to be towed.

The quantity of repairers is one thing, but Truck Assist ensures each one operates to a high quality of work that has tradies’ minds at ease when repairs are needed.

Truck Assist has the experts on-hand to get you back on the road asap

Custom classics

Harley-Davidson announces its first Custom King

AFTER A RIPPING start to Harley-Davidson’s Custom Kings Competition, we’ve seen over 5,000 votes to crown the king of custom Harley-Davidson across Australia and New Zealand.

Custom Kings’ submission phase saw entrants enter their bikes into the Vintage, Evolution, Twin Cam, and Milwaukee Eight categories, celebrating the many

generations of HarleyDavidson powerplant’s over the company’s rich 122-year history. It’s evident that the Harley community does it like no other - with passion, skill and creativity at the forefront.

CROWNING A KING

Round 1 - Vintagefeatured customised Knuckleheads, Panheads, Ironheads

and Shovelheads. After thorough deliberation, Sean Connolly took home the number one spot with his hand-built Shovelhead chopper, which he spent half a decade perfecting prior to the Custom Kings. Not only is this hand fabricated bike built to look good, but it’s racked up over 35,000km riding across Australia many times, a true credit to Sean’s fabrication skills.

Custom Kings has served as a chance for creative bikers to flex their artistic muscles

KEY CUSTOM KINGS DATES:

• Submission Phase – (Jan 15 – Feb 15)

• Round 1 – Vintage (Feb 16 – Feb 29)

• Round 2 – Evolution (Mar 1 – Mar 15)

• Round 3 – Twin Cam (Mar 16 – 30)

• Round 4 – Milwaukee Eight (April 1 – 14)

• F inals Week, Judges Decide – (April 15 - 22)

With round 2 - Evolution - well underway, the competition is heating up. It’ll all come to a head on April 15th, where Sean’s bike will go up

against the anticipated three round winners and Custom Kings’ esteemed international judging panel will decide the overall winner.

Upcoming category finalists and winners will be announced in coming weeks on the Bike Torques website check it out! check it out!

Image: supplied by Harley-Davidson

Cool runnings ON THE MOVE!

How Trafic helps Brett and his team around the

site

GETTING AROUND any major city can be hectic for tradies.

Airconditioning and Electrical Services owner Brett Wright and his crack team of technicians work on sites across Melbourne, and rely on equally dependable vehicles to get the job(s) done.

“We’ve had loads of different vehicles in the past … all kinds of different vans,” Brett said.

“But the Renault Trafics are so nice to drive, they’re fuel efficient and the team loves them.”

JUICED UP

As he mentioned, fuel efficiency is one of the major things Brett relies on when out on a day’s work.

Trafic has his back here, with a best-in-class driving range and economical fuel consumption of 6.5L/100km.

“Some of the vehicles we’ve used only got about 400km to a tank,” Brett said.

“The Trafics – for me

at least – get closer to 1000km (to a tank).

“That’s a big difference when you’re only having to fill them up half as much as other vehicles.”

This fuel economy is backed up by Trafic’s hefty 80L tank and 2.0L turbocharged engine; all combining for a smooth journey from A-B for Brett’s team across Melbourne.

“They also tow really well,” Brett added.

“We’ve had scissor lifts and other things behind them and they’re really strong tow vehicles for small machinery.”

This means Brett and his team are ultimately spending less time and cash at the bowser and putting their time to getting things done on-site.

FULLY LOADED

While Brett loves the fuel efficiency as a business owner, he and his team love the space as tradies.

Each Trafic offers a cargo area of 6.7m 3 and

a best-in-category load length of up to 4.15m on the long wheelbase variant, with short wheelbase also available.

“All our Trafics are fully fitted out with shelves and drawers to take a day’s work with us,” Brett said.

“They’re fully loaded and drive really well despite carrying heavy loads.

“There’s also room to spare no matter what which is great.”

He’s not wrong, with each Trafic also sporting 14 anchor points and a 12v power socket in case –making them ready for a variety of jobs.

There’s also plenty of room up the front in each Trafic, with ergonomic and comfortable seating configurations.

The modular seating means that the seating area can be changed to suit Brett and his team, should they need extra room for a workspace or more seats for apprentices.

“Our apprentice at the moment particularly loves

it because at knock-off he can have a nap in the van on the way home,” Brett joked. Not only is the Trafic modern, it’s comfortable too with up-to-date tech including an eight-inch touchscreen with Andoid Auto, Apple CarPlay, DAB+, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Brett’s Trafics have been outfitted with drawers and shelves, which handily carry everything he needs

Airconditioning and Electrical Services got its first Trafic in 2021, and has since expanded its fleet to four vans in total

WAY TO GO

As well as being productive, powerful and practical, Trafic is safe. Each van can come with up to 10 driving assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, lanedeparture warning, carto-car Active Emergency Braking Systems.

All-in-all, Brett said his team at Airconditioning and Electrical Services love their Trafic fleet. They’re not the only ones, with Brett saying many of his mates have picked up Trafics and never looked back.

“A friend of mine only runs Trafics in his business,” Brett said.

“He’s always talking about them and has had great results.”

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Maddison making the most of the Great Outdoors

Maddison McCallum may be new to the industry, but she is already loving the perfect mix of learning new skills, making new friends and being outdoors

NEW TO THE construction industry, Maddison has been working for a year and a half as a labourer in Melbourne for Winslow Infrastructure. Predominantly working on VicRoads and council jobs, Maddison works on road widenings.

“My job entails lots of things, laying conduits, working with plant (excavators, graders, rollers, possi tracks) constructing the layers of a road, installing drainage and maintaining site safety, along with many other things,” Maddison said.

Maddison was inspired by her father Mick to join the construction industry, and she credits him for being a ‘major influence’ on her career path. “My dad has worked in the industry since before I was born and I was inspired to be hard working and

motivated like my dad,” Maddison said.

“I chose this job as I love to be outside and be active all day, not just to sit in an office, my job is perfect for me.”

Maddison shared how her father is her biggest mentor both at work, and in her personal life.

“I am lucky enough to work with my dad onsite more often than not and he has taught me nearly everything I know,” she said.

“He shares knowledge in a way that I always understand.”

Maddison’s foreman, Matt, has also been a big part of her career so far.

“Matt has mentored me by giving me challenges and pushing me to reach my potential,” Maddison said.

“He gives me tasks to complete independently,

“I love establishing a community on site. The people are friendly and always happy to help, it makes work an enjoyable place,” she added.

“I always learn from others. When it is busy, and is always teaching me the safe way to do things on site.”

“Without these two people I would not be where I am today, and I am so grateful to have people believe in me like they do.”

In2024, Maddison won the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) award

Tradesperson/Apprentice of the year. She highlighted how being recognised for her efforts was the best part of the award.

“I felt extremely proud and happy that I won the award, I have worked so hard to get to where I am in the industry,” she said.

CREATING A COMMUNITY

Aside from learning new skills and furthering her career, Maddison enjoys developing her friendships at work.

Maddison’s favourite part of her job is being able to help other people on site and guide them.

Maddison is no stranger to working on roads across Victoria

I enjoy helping others with their work and making it a team effort,” she said.

Maddison’s advice to other young tradies is to ask as many questions as you can.

“If something doesn’t seem right always speak up if you don’t feel comfortable around something on site,” she said.

Working towards eventually becoming a leading hand and a foreman, Maddison is determined to keep learning and gaining experience.

“I love to lead,” Maddison said.

“I feel I could really reach my full potential in a leadership role, so that is what I am working towards.”

Maddison and her father on site together

Images: Maddison McCallum

ON THE MOVE

Aiden’s Kiwi Kaper

Aussie plumber Aiden Gale enjoys a double life as a dirt bike tour operator and content producer

VICTORIAN PLUMBER

Aiden ‘Aido’ Gale spends more time behind a rev counter than a trade counter. The Lake Eildon resident has a passion for dirt bikes and in his spare time helps run an off-road tour company called All in Dirt Bike Adventures.

He also creates content for not only his own website but also the Aussie Adventure Bike Show that airs on Channel 7Mate. And he regularly

tests bikes for websites in Australia.

Recently Aiden was invited to New Zealand to film for an upcoming episode of the show. The event was the New Zealand Yamaha Adventure Ride –open to all Yamaha riders but exclusively attended by owners of Yamaha’s Ténéré 700.

The Ride is the brainchild of former World MX Champion and Yamaha ambassador Ben Townley.

RIDE ON

Now in its sixth year, the Ride consisted of a sensational three-day adventure in the North Island’s picturesque East Cape region.

The 1100km route covered many different terrains from slideinducing gravel roads to slippery grass tracks and the scenery showed why New Zealand is considered an adventure riding bucket list destination.

Each day riders were offered the option to tackle breakout sections that were graded for difficulty between 1 and 5.

The breakouts featured stunning views and technical tracks on private farm property. Riding on these farm tracks is not normally possible, and the access to them is what makes the Yamaha NZ ADV Ride unique.

“We’ve got some pretty special tracks in the High Country,” claimed Aido.

“But the East Cape trails we rode just kept on going and the spectacular Kiwi views are unique.”

Starting in Havelock

North on the North Island, the welcome dinner included the first Kiwi sighting of the new MY25 Ténéré 700 featuring many customer feedback inspired updates.

The next day’s first breakout offered eyepopping views of the South Pacific Ocean after a short climb through farmland.

LORD OF THE ROADS Riders needed to focus to balance the panoramic views with the slippery grass trails – a constant challenge that forms a major part of the event drawcard. Night one and two were spent at Aido is one of many Ténéré 700 owners to participate in the annual New Zealand Yamaha Adventure Ride

Gisborne on the east coast - famed for its Maori culture and lush beaches.

A loop ride on day two contained four breakouts of various difficulty and yet more stunning views, while day three took the riders from Gisborne to Whakatane via the snaking gravel Motu Road.

“Our aim is to showcase some of what New Zealand has to offer Yamaha adventure riders,” Yamaha ambassador Ben Townley said.

Aido is one of many Ténéré 700 owners to participate in

“And whether it’s the epic South Island or stunning areas like the East Cape this year, we like to deliver the best possible experience. The view from day one’s first breakout section for example I rate as the most spectacular we’ve yet seen on any of the Rides.”

GREENER PASTURES

Aido was joined by Aussie Adventure Bike Show producer Brendan Bell on a pair of Ténéré 700

World Raids for three days of filming using drones, go-pros and handheld cameras. The challenge was knowing when to stop and shoot.

“Every time we pulled the camera out, we said to each other this can’t get any better,” Aiden, who is a big fan of following your passion, said.

“Then we put the camera away and rode around the corner and guess what – it got better.”

When offered a choice

between riding and filming in one of the best adventure bike

Six years running, and The Ride has attracted plenty of Aido-minded aficionados

destinations in the world or unblocking drains, it’s really a no brainer for Aido.

“Geez, we had a blast!” he said.

The Yamaha NZ Adventure Ride episode of the Aussie Adventure Bike Show is due to air in Australia on Channel 7Mate at noon on Saturday in mid-July.

Check it out! Check it out!

Look out for the seventh edition of the Yamaha New Zealand Adventure Ride in 2026 by checking yamaha-motor.co.nz or 101adventures.co.nz

Or book a dirt bike tour in Victoria with Aido and the All In crew at allindirtbikeadventures.com.au

Images: Yamaha Motor Australia

the annual New Zealand Yamaha Adventure Ride

TESTS

of blades tough TRADIE

ACE

Diablo’s Masonry Cut-Off Blade

Masonry cutting can be one of the most demanding jobs for blades, with many tradies going through blade-after-blade.

Diablo has developed tough new blades that deliver on longevity and more

TRADIES – SPECIFICALLY CONCRETERS – are cutting through concrete on an almost daily basis.

That means they absolutely need blades that can handle heavy-duty cutting efficiently, and ideally for a long time.

Most concreters – like Scott McDonald from Inspire Concrete – are fed up with having to buy new blades that underperform and blunten easily.

Diablo’s here with its new Diamond Segmented Turbo Masonry Cut-Off Blades, built to handle a tonne of different masonry applications with ease.

Scott and his team were cutting concrete steps at a residential build in Glen Iris, Melbourne.

TEST #1: TURBO TIME

Scott – and concreter co-worker Ryan Healy – tested the 9” and 5” blades respectively.

Ryan used the smaller blade touching up some of the steps closer to the home.

Thanks to the blades’ segmented turbo rim, he was able to make clean cuts accurate to the line.

“I’m massive on delivering a quality product over using cheap blades,” Ryan said.

“These blades cut fast and gave a straight cut with no flaking which is really nice.

“I’ve had lots of problems with other blades flaking –these blades didn’t do that which is worth its weight in gold for me.”

Scott, on the other hand, used the 9” blade cutting some deeper asphalt for landscapers to work up to a clean edge.

No matter the depth or hardness of the concrete – the Masonry Cut-Off Blades handled business.

“It was super easy – the blade went in incredibly quick and cut like butter – straight as an arrow,” Scott said.

These Masonry Cut-Off Blades can handle both dry and wet cutting

The diamond edge on these blades ensures clean cuts for a very long time saving tradies the need to replace them as constantly as other ones

tough approved! TEST

TEST #2: HARDEN UP

As we’ve mentioned already, these blades last longer than your average masonry blade.

Diablo says the cutting life of its Diamond Segmented Turbo Masonry Cut-Off Blades is twice as long as standard diamond cut-off discs. This is thanks to the blades’ industrial-grade diamond edge design which meant Scott could continue cutting long after we’d left.

“These diamond rimmed blades are absolutely perfect,” Scott added.

“They don’t even look scuffed at all.”

As well as their diamond edge, these blades feature a hardened disc body which increases impact resistance making for incredible stability when cutting and even better longevity.

“The blades did exactly what they needed to – they cut fast and you can see they still look brand new after all this testing,” Scott said.

LIKE A DIAMOND

Between Scott and Ryan, these Diablo Diamond Segmented Turbo Masonry Cut-Off Blades saw plenty of action.

Despite that, they looked almost box-fresh thanks to all the technology Diablo has developed especially for them. Our tradie duo tested these on asphalt and concrete steps, but they can handle all types of concrete including with rebar and other bricks and blocks.

“As a concreter, we’re using these blades all the time,” Scott said.

“Whether it’s cutting driveways, old existing concrete to clean up edges and other things.”

Ryan added “to do all this work with blades like these ones – time is money and these Diablo blades save a lot of time.”

CHECK IT OUT

You can find these blades both online at diablotools.com.au or in-store at Bunnings

Ryan was able to make clean accurate cuts on these concrete steps

The Diablo Diamond Segmented Turbo Masonry Cut-Off Blades come in diameters ranging from 4” to 14”

For concreters like Ryan (left) and Scott (right), blades like these are invaluable

PRO pair! tough TRADIE TESTS

Cement Australia continues to up the ante when it comes to developing innovative cement formulas.

Its PROStrength range is an indication of what tradies love about the brand

BRAND: Cement Australia’s PROStrength Extra Strength and PROStrength Rapid Set

FOR THIS TEST, we put both Cement Australia’s PROStrength Rapid Set Concrete and PROStrength Extra Strength Concrete Mix through their paces.

Concreter Scott McDonald from Inspire Concrete was stoked to be testing two of Cement Australia’s premium PROStrength products.

‘PROStrength’ isn’t just a fancy new name – both the Rapid Set and Extra Strength have added benefits on just about every aspect that make them a true upgrade from their predecessors.

TEST #1: RAPID

INDEED

Scott was working on a site at Mount Eliza, south-east of Melbourne and needed the PROStrength Rapid Set for securing load bearing posts on a balcony.

As the name suggests – the PROStrength Rapid Set Concrete hardens in about 30 minutes and becomes fully load bearing in 24 hours.

It’s perfect for tradies working on projects that can be done quicker with fast-setting cement, but also require a strong concrete for supporting load-bearing structures.

Setting at 40MPa (after 28 days) means this PROStrength Rapid Set Concrete is twice as strong as its regular rapid set counterpart.

“Mate this is awesome,” Scott said.

“It was easy to mix and work with – it didn’t start setting too

Scott loved being able to pour the PROStrength Rapid Set straight into the hole and work it with plenty of time

The PROStrength Extra Strength provided a silky smooth finish with its high quality aggregate and sand

fast as well, it was the perfect amount of time to pour directly, mix and work it to get the shape right.”

TEST #2: TOTALLY EXTRA

Scott needed to top up some footings for brickies to be able to lay down wall blocks.

For this, he was able to rely on the PROStrengh Extra Strength

Concrete to get the job done.

Double the strength of standard concrete mix – PROStrength

Extra Strength sets at a ripper 50MPa.

This makes it perfect for slabs, repairs, paths footings as well as fencing and gates among a bevy of other heavy-duty applications.

“This was super easy to mix – you can tell they use really great sand and aggregate with this,” Scott said.

“It was easy to work with, really creamy – it’s such a high quality cement.”

As well as being incredibly strong, PROStrength Extra Strength is more durable and resistant to wear than standard concrete, which gives tradies like Scott peace of mind they don’t need to think about topping up for a long time.

FOR THE PROS

PROStrength by name, PROStrength by nature. Cement Australia gives tradies plenty of reasons to opt for these premium concrete mixes.

Both the PROStrength Rapid Set and PROStrength Extra Strength deliver superior workability for the tradies using them, while delivering stronger final product for their customers.

“I want my work to be of a high-quality standard,” Scott said.

“These mixes get me exactly that.”

CHECK IT OUT

Tradies can acquire PROStrength Extra Strength and PROStrength Rapid Set concrete mixes from their usual hardware suppliers

For their respective applications, Scott loved both the PROStrength Extra Strength and PROStrength Rapid Set concrete mixes

at 50MPa, making it the perfect choice for demanding applications

The PROStrength Extra Strength sets

This large site in Mount Eliza had a bunch of different elements demanding different varieties of concrete. Lucky Scott came prepared

On tough TRADIE TESTS

Edge

Bosch’s GKF 18V-8 Laminate Trimmer

Bosch has injected a lot of 18-volt power into its tools of late, delivering a major punch to all kinds of jobs. Routing is the latest application to get this treatment, thanks to the GKF 18V8 Laminate Trimmer

EDGE ROUTING is one of the more underrated tools in a chippy’s arsenal, unless you’re a cabinet maker.

There comes a time when all good tradies need to add a bit of finesse to their jobs, that’s where a router comes in.

Tradie Lachie Avery from Habitat Carpenters has seen a few edge routers in his time, but instantly noticed Bosch’s GKF 18V-8 had some unique designs that elevated it above the rest.

Lachie needed the Laminate Trimmer for some door entryways at a St Andrews Beach site on the Mornington Peninsula.

TEST #1: CLEAN AS

The last thing a chippy needs is woodchip debris flying everywhere when routing.

Not just because it makes a mess, but it’s also nasty for the lungs too.

That’s why this Laminate Trimmer is the first in the world to feature an in-built surface and edge-routing vacuum adaptor.

This adaptor reduces dust production by a best-inclass 95 per cent.

As well as being safe for the airways, Lachie loved

Laminate Trimmer can adjust between speeds of 10,00030,000RPM depending on a tradie’s needs

This

The Laminate Trimmer gave Lachie full confidence his cuts were going to be clean, controlled and accurate

that the Laminate Trimmer had Bosch’s unique drop control feature, which shuts off the tool if it’s dropped.

“It feels like you’re always in control, which is really great,” Lachie said.

For jobs in darker environments, the Laminate Trimmer has two LED lights so you’re not routing blind so to speak.

TEST #2: POWER AND PRECISION

Bosch’s 18V battery power can be felt in full force with this Laminate Trimmer to the tune of 1,000W of equivalent corded power.

“Bosch has done really well in bringing the power with its 18V batteries,” Lachie said.

“It’s second-to-none.”

Rough and fine adjustment is super easy thanks to an ergonomic dial, and the Laminate Trimmer’s constant speed function allowed Lachie to make quick changes without compromising the quality of the trims.

“With the changing of the depth … it’s done nice and easily,” Lachie said.

“I’ve never seen a fine adjust on a tool like this before, I really really like that.

“It saves you having to fiddle around and stop work, it’s really awesome.”

As well as being cordless, Lachie loved the size of the Laminate Trimmer.

“I love it – it feels so good in the hands,” Lachie said.

“Other routers can be quite bulky, but you can easily wrap a hand around this and get a good solid grip.”

“It felt easy on the hands when starting up and gave a really good finish on the product.”

FINISHING TOUCHES

Lachie is a big Bosch fan, but even he admits the GKF 18V-8 Laminate Trimmer surpassed his expectations.

Something like edge routing can be hard to improve on, but all the design changes and additions to this Laminate Trimmer meant Lachie could make awesome cuts quickly, accurately and above all safely.

CHECK IT OUT

Find out more by searching the Bosch Professional Power Tools Finish Nail Guns online

The two LED lights made it easy for Lachie to make the finishing touches on this doorframe

The spindle lock button function means swapping out blades is straightforward and doesn’t

Lachie loved how great the Laminate Trimmer felt in his hand

in Lured

Big pink and red fish

Anglers the world over seem to gather excitement at the prospect of catching pink and red fish. Especially when they’re big, beautiful and tasty. In this feature we’ll take a look at some of the species residing in Australia's northern half plus a few techniques for catching them. Rather tahan an exhaustive list of red and pink fish varieties, we will look at some of the more commonly encountered, tastiest and hardest pulling variations on the theme.

For the majority of the fish covered in this article, we’ll focus on water depths ranging 15-50m where the most anglers target them. Of course some these species range outside these depths both shallower and deeper. They might be targeted with modern sounders in water over 100m or popped on the surface over shallow coral reef, but for the most part we are talking about bait fishing, jigging, vibing and dropping soft plastics to our target species.

Words and Images: Tim O’Reilly

Red Emperor

Perhaps the king of red fish, nothing quite makes an anglers heart beat like a big red emperor nearing the surface. The dazzling colours and dogged battle all the way to the top add to the thrill, coupled with the knowledge your esky just grew a lot more tasty.

Reds will take a wide variety of fresh baits and many old school anglers believe bigger baits = bigger fish. They often do this using dropper rigs where lead takes a bait down to the bottom, suspending it just above lead. In this way fish on the bottom and up to 5ft up in the water column will see a bait twitching around seductively. Reds will also take jigs and vibes when hopped just up off the bottom. Even a quick look at the stout shape of these fish and, with large blubbery lips, it is clear they feed using both power and suction. Any crab, shrimp, squid, shell or wounded baitfish better watch out.

Red Emperors release strongly and don’t suffer from barotrauma like many of the other listed in this feature. Both the smaller and very large models can be released without much harm to fight another day. The juvenile fish are amongst the most striking of all the fish on the reef. Dazzling vertical red lines accentuated by chrome whitish silver surrounds. They generally grow to a more reddish-pink as they mature and the striking lines fade with size.

Reds have quite a large minimum legal size in Queensland but not so in the Northern Territory. A smaller size limit in WA reflects the generally smaller nature of the fish in the west. Some of the reds taken around central and southern Queensland are amongst the biggest and it is usually from this area the big 10kg+ models are recorded.

Common Trout, Coronation Trout and BlueSpot Coral Trout

A couple of the more dazzling and tasty specimens in the red category are common trout and larger blue spot trout. Commons tend to be red-ish pink in colour when taken from slightly deeper water and look absolutely amazing. These are the fish the Chinese restauranteurs will pay big bucks for as they are the right colour, taste awesome, look great and supposedly bring luck! Either way, when you keep a few for the esky, the brilliant white flesh and delicate taste rarely disappoint.

Coronation trout have stunning markings and are often

Not much beats the markings of a coronation trout

A double header of red emperors

A great double of snapper and coronation trout

Images: Tim O’Reilly

FEATURE

a flush of red, purple and yellow, with a captivating lunar shaped tail. That dazzling red shines through brightest as they near the surface, making for one of the prettiest fish on the Great Barrier Reef. Not quite up there with the eating quality of some of the other coral trout species, they certainly make up for in looks what they lack in taste.

The larger blue spot coral trout come in a reddish colour morph and are quite often simply too big to eat. Anything 80cm and over is protected in Queensland, but even fish just shy of this size are getting a little large to eat safely. They are a big predatory fish and actually start to look a little mean and menacing when they grow large. No small fish of almost any species is safe with one of these guys hiding in a cave nearby.

Most fishers will agree that for catching coral trout, you don’t have to be too fussy about sinker placement. A professional fishing scene has been established around these fish for decades. Mostly they are handling using pilchards as bait. But trout can be taken just as easily by slow pitched jigging techniques, fishing vibes near the bottom and hopping almost any soft plastic ever invented close to the seabed. The reefy nature of their habitat can make gear loss a bit of a factor so anglers need to understand the depth of water they are fishing well.

Small Mouth Nannigai or Crimson Snapper

Found more in the shallower 5-20m mark, Small Mouth Nannies can show up in numbers all the way from inside river mouths around rock, rubble and wrecks all the way out to the mid reef areas.

Not associated with excellent eating, this nannygai is sometimes the sad consolation prize to the star or this show discussed below. But they are a welcome catch when it feels like a reef species is being caught well inshore and in comparatively shallow water.

Large Mouth Nannigai or Saddle Tail

With colours combining red, pink, silver and crimson, these fish are one of the jewels of Australia’s north. When caught and alive, they have a distinctive saddle spot behind the dorsal fin which gives rise to their common name.

Often caught around wonky-holes and depressions in the paddock areas, Nannies tend to congregate as a species and where you find one there are usually more. In that same open ground, little rises and patches of rock or reef provide, cover, shelter and break up the current for circulating fish.

A huge variety of baits and lures can be used to effectively target these fish, being aggressive and feeding from the bottom upwards through the water column. Jigs, vibes and soft plastics can be every bit as effective as squid bait, fresh strip flesh and pilchards. If you are lucky enough to capture some good-sized nannies, try and leave before catching too many as they stick around localised patches.

After being caught in commercial quantities over the years and now targeted so heavily by the recreational sector, these fish have contributed to as many fish dinners as any. Treat them respectfully and responsibly.

Ironjaw or Rusty Jobfish

Showing up often as a surprise capture when jigging the slightly deeper reefs, these Ironjaw are a stunning pinkish fish with beautiful markings and fins. Feeding on fish, squid and stray crustaceans, they are aggressive, fight hard and taste absolutely great.

Fishers working the deeper depths from 80m+ are likely to run into them more regularly but they will feed mid water up in the 30-50m range. They are an interesting looking fish with a large protruding bottom jaw and a clear row of tiny teeth. When these things grow big (up to 1m), they would look like a batfishes worst nightmare underwater.

Goldbanded Snapper or Goldband Jobfish

Another delicious table fish found right around the more tropical north of Australia. Goldband are a popular commercial species which are normally encountered in deep offshore reefs heading out towards the continental shelf. Anglers fishing the deeper reefs (40-60m) out off the Northern Territory coastline will be running into a lot of these fish.

They are mainly taken on bait but will also fall to a range

Now that is a stinker red emperor

of jigging and vibing techniques. But generally a decent wight is needed to fish the bottom in target depths, using fresh strip baits, squid and prawns. Just like all the job fish, they put up a great fights and taste delicious.

Pink Snapper

Prolific across the more temperate waters from mid to southern Australia, snapper have made up a fair proportion of the recreational catch over the years. The juvenile snapper are usually known as squire and right throughout their size range, they remain a fantastic eating species. Probably because like most of the fish discussed in this feature, snapper tend to eat a mixture

and prawns, crabs, squid, molluscs and baitfish. A diet that often produces the most delectable flesh in a predatory fish.

Caught right through the depth range, snapper are susceptible to all manner of fishing techniques. Fresh baits fished near the bottom, suspended baits up in mid water, slow pitched jigging and a range of soft plastics will all account for snapper.

Quite often living with numerous others of their species they are a competitive fish and fight hard. Snapper will move inshore during times of suitable water temperature and spawning periods. They can be caught during the night and during a shift to warm weather, snapper often get very active.

Double nanni goodness from shallow reef

FEATURE

Chinaman Fish (no-take species in Qld, linked to Ciguatera)

Not much in the ocean pulls harder then a Chinaman fish. These brutish red fish come in a huge variety of colour morphs and patterns. Beginning with the stunning juveniles with the trailing dorsal fin rays and exotic blue lines down their face and sides. With a sulky look about the largest models, these massive brutes up to around 90cm in length make a bad day for any small fish, squid or crab lurking near bottom structure.

Another things that makes Chinaman fish a little unique amongst these red fish is their propensity to sit up on the flats around coral bommies and lagoons. Surprisingly large fish can be seen at times in only a meter or two of water. Capturing these beasts is a whole different story.

Chinaman fish respond very well to artificial lures, but are also quite easily hooked on bait. In this circumstance, they tend to be much maligned by bait soakers who are looking for more delectable species such as red emperor or nannigai. But because they pull so hard and look so cool, they are starting to gain a little bit of a cult following amongst sport fishers.

Red Bass (no-take in Qld, linked to Ciguatera)

Another of the extremely hard pullers, Red Bass are like the mangrove jack of the reef. Just a little deeper red and with yellow eyes, they patrol around rock and

reef patches in schools of varying sizes. When anglers encounter them, they’re never too far from cover and know how to fight dirty. A tussle on light line with even a small red bass will normally land in the fishes favour. But the big ones grow to around 6kg and 70cm and fight like freight trains.

Fishing the shallow reef flats with diving lures, poppers and stick baits is a sure fire way to attract a school of red bass. They will rise as a pack from their rocky lairs and give chase to whatever previewed baitfish was fleeing overhead. With powerful teeth and a canine determination, red bass make up one of the meanest small predator niches on the reef.

They are another food lover who feeds at night time. A good session on tastier fish might have continued, only to be hijacked by a pack of ravenous red bass. Once they are in feeding mode, they will be queuing up to take the next turn. At times during the day bass might be sluggish, however at the right trigger point, usually tide related, they will engage in a quick all-in feeding frenzy before quietening down again.

Bad attitudes

All of these red and pink fish covered are carnivorous, with bad attitudes and sharp or grinding teeth. It is understood that below a certain depth, the vivid reds and pinks that we see at the surface are actually perceived as greyish and bland. Helping these fish camouflagewith the bottom. It doesn’t pay to be vegetarian hanging out in the midst of this company. Any slip up and you're dead!

Big Nannigai taken from around 30m look and taste great

building bros

High tide

Best mates building dreams

Brad Jones and Tim Summer have been carpenters-in-crime for a long time, and mates even longer

TIM AND Brad have been mates for as long as they can remember. This bond only got stronger as the pair became tradies, and eventually business partners for their company – Habitat Carpenters.

“We’ve been best mates forever,” Brad said.

“We did our apprenticeships with the same blokes 20 years ago. That’s been good because we work the same way, think the same way and want the same things which has helped Habitat grow quickly.”

QUALITY VIEW

Habitat Carpenters

main clientele lie on the Mornington Peninsula, where they offer full-fixed price package start-tofinish for residential builds.

“We both framed growing up and doing custom builds on the Peninsula,” Brad said.

“In that world, we found together we had a knack for building those kinds of houses.

“As Habitat came in, we dove into that world pretty much starting at that $2 million range of house.

“As we’ve moved through

the pricing, we’ve found we’re able to move into the top echelon of what’s getting built on the Peninsula.”

Not only has being based in one of Australia’s hottest building destinations paid off, but it’s also allowed Tim and Brad to develop a team of locals who enjoy rocking up to work on a picturesque coastline each day.

“When we started Habitat, our big thing was we didn’t wanna drive,” Brad said.

“We didn’t want to going into town, getting stuck

in traffic … we kept that mentality for the guys we brought on that they don’t have to drive more than 40 minutes.

“That keeps us between Mornington and Portsea pretty much.”

SUPERCOACH(ES)

Habitat Carpenters sits at about 20 team members, around five of which are usually apprentices.

“With the style of work we do it’s very qualification-heavy,” Tim said.

“Our apprentices need as much of a chance to work alongside our qualified guys and take as much knowledge on as they can.

“If you have an apprentice-heavy team, they all just end up being

labourers and they don’t learn on the jobsite.”

Growing their team and business has been massively aided by Carpentry Australia.

The pair have been involved with the association for some time, but got the whole Habitat team on-board in the last 12 months or so.

Free t-shirts aside, Brad and Tim really appreciated Carpentry Australia’s role in helping them take the leap from tradies to business superstars.

“Carpentry Australia helped us get connected with Business Benchmark Group (BBG) – our business coach – that was a real turning point for us in becoming business owners,” Tim said.

“That really helped us shift our identity from being carpenters to being business owners.

Brad added that it “gave our team the best opportunity to be the best carpenters they can be.”

“Giving them really solid and safe jobs has been a real mindset of ours, and we’re able to do that because of Carpentry Australia.”

You can find out more about Habitat Carpenters on Instagram @habitat_carpenters

Between Brad and Tim (left image), they’ve built a solid team of fresh and experienced tradies

Images:

Coming together

AfPA and Converge: Seeing eye to eye

THE AUSTRALIAN Flexible Pavement Association is proudly partnering with Converge, identifying the event as a great way to promote its innovation and expertise to the construction and municipal works sectors.

It’s events like Converge, a brand-new show that will bring together the municipal works, civil and commercial construction spaces, that help associations such as the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) to broaden its horizons, opening new doors to not only showcase the association, but also learn from the very best that the sector has to offer.

Converge is Australia’s only one-stop-shop for sub-contractors, project

engineers, council fleet managers, and large-scale construction contractors across the municipal works, civil construction and infrastructure space.

Through a mixture of live demonstrations, equipment showcases, and conference spaces, the show will bring together the best of each area to learn from one other and provide visitors with the solutions they need to build and maintain the Australia of tomorrow.

ROAD AHEAD

As Tony Aloisio, Interim Chief Executive Officer – AfPA explains, events like Converge allow the industry to discuss important topics, such as safety, new technology, sustainability, and government initiatives,

all of which align with the Association’s goals.

“Events like this highlight the criticality of the infrastructure that connects our communities,” he said.

“This wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for our roads, airport runways and even our footpaths. Converge will help to create awareness of the companies and people who are putting in the effort to make these connections happen.”

Siobhan Rocks, Converge Show Director, said the event will cover everything that’s required to successfully deliver infrastructure works, including equipment right through to planning and management software.

“Unlike other events, Converge covers the

entire infrastructure sector and will showcase equipment and demonstrations right on the expo floor,” she said.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for businesses that have clients from Tier One and Two contractors right through to smaller operators and council departments to connect

The Australian

Association has become a keen supporter of the upcoming Converge construction expo. Image: stock.adobe.com/Take Production

with those companies in one place, at one time. We know that nothing like Converge currently exists within Australia.”

Converge will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, across September 17 and 18.

To learn more about the event, visit: convergeexpo.com.au

To enquire about speaking and exhibitor opportunities, reach out to siobhan.rocks@primecreative.com.au

Flexible Pavement

Kennards Hire has more equipment than you realise

IT’S LIKELY that when you think of Kennards Hire, what probably comes to mind is a trusted supplier of essential equipment and machinery that make tasks easier and more efficient. For years, Kennards Hire has been the go-to for tradies across the nation, offering everything from power tools and digging equipment to scaffolding and specialist lifting gear. But did you know that whether you’re tackling a straightforward DIY project at home, a complicated trade job, or even a complex, largescale commercial project, Kennards Hire has more equipment than you realise?

SUPPORTING COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

It’s not just individual DIY enthusiasts or sole trader tradies who reap the

benefits of Kennards Hire’s sizable equipment range - large-scale commercial project managers also turn to the Australian family-owned business for expert advice and solutions.

Need forklifts to transport materials onsite? Consider it sorted. Looking for temporary fencing, crowd barriers, or lighting for an event? They’ve got you covered. And when it comes to accessing hard-to-reach spots with scaffolding or elevated work platforms, Kennards Hire has gear that prioritises safety and flexibility for any size team.

For tradespeople operating in high-pressure or demanding industrial environments, Kennards Hire’s combination of equipment and technical advice ensures that tight deadlines and budgets are

met with reliability and safety from the get-go.

MAJOR PROJECT:

NEPEAN HOSPITAL

John Woods, Area Manager at Kennards Hire, reflects on the company’s involvement in the Nepean Hospital redevelopment project in Western Sydney. “This extensive redevelopment - one of the largest and most enduring projects in Penrith – has benefited from Kennards Hire’s extensive range of equipment since the project kicked off in 2018,” he said.

“Our general hire network has supplied essential equipment and machinery, including demo saws, hammers, pressure washers, air compressors, excavators, and concrete grinders, ensuring seamless progress throughout the project.”

“Additionally, our Pump & Power specialist team provided 24/7 power solutions during critical transformer upgrades. The site was equipped with versatile generators— ranging from 250kVA sync sets and stand-alone 500kVA units to robust 1250kVA systems—along with external fuel tanks and timely fuel deliveries to maintain uninterrupted site operations.”

Providing specialist equipment and expert advice on such large-scale projects highlights just how far Kennards Hire has come from just hiring out concrete mixers, lawn mowers and trailers (which they still do!) to delivering industry-leading solutions for projects of all sizes and complexities.

Kennards Hire branches, including this one in Brendale QLD, are loaded with equipment tradies can use on any sized job

WHY CHOOSE KENNARDS HIRE?

With over 75 years making customer’s jobs easy, Kennards Hire continues to stand out as a trusted equipment provider thanks to its commitment to customer service, convenience, and quality products. With over 180 locations Australia-wide and teams of skilled professionals at the ready, finding the right equipment for any taskbig or small - is simple.

John explains it best when reflecting on customer experiences.

“It’s amazing how often a customer walks into one of our locations for the first time, after usually ordering over the phone, and they’re floored by the sheer variety of equipment we stock - from the everyday essentials to unique and specialised tools they never expected to see.”

At Kennards Hire, it’s not just about providing equipment - it’s about helping you succeed.

Next time you’re planning a project, no matter how big or small, visit Kennards Hire and check out just how much equipment they’ve got on offer to make your job easy Check it out! Check it out!

Images: Kennards Hire

What a pair

Boot campaign raising for vital cause

IN MAY, you will notice the EWIT team wearing our pink and purple boots out and about around the community in support of Steel Blue’s What a Pair campaign.

Our great friends have been supporting Breast

and Founding Director

Cancer Care (BCC) for 18 years through the pink and purple boot initiative.

Steel Blue donates $10 from every pair of pink and purple boots sold back to BCC in Australia and runs the same initiative for Sweet Louise in New Zealand with their pink boots.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation figures show that 58 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. Of the 58, three of these people will be young women. Australian men are impacted also, with close to one in 550 diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

If we consider these statistics, it is likely that at some point in our lives, we will all know someone who is impacted by breast cancer. I know my

family has certainly been impacted by breast cancer with diagnoses in both the women and men in my family.

STRAPPED IN

Early detection is incredibly important; the What a Pair campaign encourages Australians to check their breasts regularly for lumps and abnormalities. In each pair of pink and purple boots, you will find a shower tag with diagrams on how to perform a self-check breast exam.

“Steel Blue is incredibly proud to commemorate the $2M fundraising milestone in support of BCC. For 18 years, our partnership has helped provide free-of-charge breast cancer nursing, counselling, financial and practical support through

BCC,” Steel Blue CEO Peter Bell said.

“Our breast cancer range of boots help create more conversations, awareness and encourage people to conduct regular breast checks through the shower tag included in every pair of pink and purple boots sold; the impact of these is immeasurable. “Combined with our fundraising initiative, we are helping these organisations support the community while they see an increase in clients and demands

Steel Blue will be donating $10 to BCC per pair of pink and purple boots sold in Australia for their valuable services particularly during challenging economical times.

“These partnerships are core to Steel Blue’s DNA and something our team advocates every day.”

Empowering women is part of the EWIT ethos; supporting the health and well-being of women is vitally important. We are proud to support Steel Blue and the What a Pair campaign and encourage people to self-check and get any changes or abnormalities checked out.

For more information on self-checks you can head to the Steel Blue website here: steelblue.com/au/performing-a-selfcheck-breast-exam/ GET IN TOUCH GET IN TOUCH

Image: Supplied by EWIT

Hacia Atherton – EWIT CEO

Skills excellence

Setting the standard for industry and vocational education

AT WORLDSKILLS

Australia, we champion skills excellence as the driving force behind a strong workforce and a thriving economy. Mastering a trade is more than just learning technical skills - it’s

Trevor Schwenke CEO, WorldSkills Australia

about setting industry benchmarks, adapting to new challenges, and continuously improving to remain competitive in an evolving world.

Vocational education and training (VET) is at the heart of this progress, equipping individuals with the practical expertise needed to build, innovate, and strengthen industries. A highly skilled workforce ensures that Australian businesses remain at the forefront of global standards, meeting demands with precision, efficiency, and innovation. Skills competitions

play a vital role in benchmarking industry standards , offering a real-world measure of how we compare on both a national and international level. Through WorldSkills Australia competitions, participants test their abilities in a high-performance environment, refining their techniques and gaining valuable insights that drive improvement. These competitions aren’t just about individual achievement - they influence training methods, industry expectations, and

workforce development.

By pushing the limits of what’s possible, we inspire apprentices, trainees, and tradespeople to strive for excellence. The experience gained in these high-pressure settings translates directly into workplaces, raising the standard across multiple industries. At the same time, strong collaboration between industry, educators, and training providers ensures that vocational education remains relevant,

responsive, and forwardthinking.

Australia’s future depends on a skilled and adaptable workforce, and that begins with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning. By championing skills excellence, we’re not just shaping careers - we’re shaping the future of Australian industry.

Skills competitions are a great way to gain experience in high pressure situations

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Lots on

Looking ahead to 2025: Let’s collaborate and grow together

2024 WAS a year of tremendous progress for Carpentry Australia, and as we look ahead to 2025, we’re filled with excitement about the future. With the momentum we’ve built, we’re eager to expand our network and invite organisations, trade schools, businesses, and government partners to join us in driving positive change within the industry. We’re not just talking about progress,

Nathan Quinn, Carpentry Australia Head of Development

we’re creating it, and we want you to be part of this transformative journey. 2025 is shaping up to be a year of growth and collaboration as we continue to expand our national presence. Our commitment to building strong partnerships with organisations, businesses, and trade schools that share our vision is unwavering. Together, we can help grow businesses, provide career opportunities, and support the next generation of skilled workers.

MANY HANDS

Carpentry Australia will be leading and participating in a range of expos, events, and industry activities across Australia, and we invite you to join us. These events are about more than just showcasing products and services; they’re opportunities to create meaningful connections,

spark innovation, and build lasting relationships within the carpentry industry. Whether you’re looking to connect with peers or share your expertise through exhibitor opportunities, now is the time to get involved.

We’re particularly excited about the increased number of Helping Hand Days in 2025. These community driven initiatives aim to support local groups, clubs, and associations across the country.

The success of these events highlights the generosity and skill of our members and strengthens our connection with the communities we serve.

If your organisation values giving back, we would love for you to be part of these impactful events.

BUILDING POTENTIAL

Celebrating the success of our members remains

More Helping Hand Days in 2025 means more chances to help those in the community who deserve it

CarpentHER Women in Construction program, thanks to the dedication of key team members like Hannah, Skye, and Courtney. This initiative has created pathways for women in carpentry, offering career growth, leadership development, and mentorship.

a priority for us, and 2024 was a fantastic year in that regard.

We’ve seen many of our members grow their businesses, win major contracts, and significantly increase their profitability.

As we move into 2025, we are committed to providing even more opportunities for members and apprentices to grow, succeed, and realise their potential. These opportunities will also be extended to the wider industry, helping businesses of all sizes thrive.

A key initiative in 2025 will be the launch of our Member Portal, a new platform that will offer exclusive benefits, including discounted Carpentry Australia workwear.

As the portal evolves, it will become a hub for networking, resources, and opportunities that help our members grow their businesses and careers. Trade schools, businesses, and organisations are invited to learn more about how they can get involved with this dynamic platform.

Another highlight of 2024 was the incredible progress of the

We’ve been truly inspired by the conversations we’ve had with carpenters and builders across NSW, and it’s clear that our industry is becoming increasingly forward-thinking and inclusive, promoting a diverse future. If your organisation is focused on diversity and inclusion, we’d love to collaborate with you in supporting this groundbreaking program.

BIG-TIME DECISIONS

Throughout 2025, Carpentry Australia will feature carefully curated content across our channels to keep members and the wider industry informed on key topics like government policies and industry innovations. These themes will ensure that our members are well-prepared to tackle emerging challenges. We also invite businesses, organisations, and government bodies to partner with us to share these insights and foster important industry discussions that will help shape the future of our trade.

In an exciting development, our CEO, Jake McArthur, has joined the Victorian Skills Authority’s Building,

Images: Supplied by Carpentry Australia

Construction, Mining and Property Industry Advisory Group.

This influential role will allow Jake to help shape policies addressing skills gaps, employment opportunities, and career pathways. As Carpentry Australia continues to strengthen its commitment to employment and skills development, we encourage government partners to engage with us to help build a sustainable workforce for the future. As we move into 2025, the calendar is already packed with expos, events, and activities across the country.

These opportunities

businesses, trade schools, and government agencies together to share ideas, connect, and work towards industry-wide goals.

If you’re interested in participating in any of these events or supporting our Helping Hand Days, please reach out through our website.

Whether you’re a business looking to grow, a trade school keen to collaborate, or a government agency focused on employment and skills development, Carpentry Australia offers a wealth of opportunities to get involved and make a difference. Let’s work together to build a brighter industry, for our members, and for communities

The CarpentHer program continues to gain traction well into 2025

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Bring change

Driving gender equality through male allyship

THE

NATIONAL Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has been running its Male Allyship Program since 2023, in partnership with Lysander. This self-paced, online, five digital module course aims to build awareness and knowledge – exploring key concepts, engaging in interactive learning experiences, and developing actionable plans to drive cultural change within workplace teams and organisations.

By participating in this program, we aim for men to:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of gender disparities, biases and challenges faced by women in male dominated industries.

• Recognise the importance of male allyship in creating inclusive workplace culture and fostering diversity.

• Acquire practical skills and strategies to

support and advocate for women, challenge biases and promote gender inclusivity.

• Explore individual and collective roles in fostering gender inclusion, including personal, social, societal and organisational levels.

• C ommit to implementing action to promote gender inclusivity, advocate for change and shift the culture.

All NAWIC members can access the program for free, just by signing into the NAWIC website. Further details on NAWIC membership are available on our website.

An organisational pathway is also on offer for employers who want to offer employees and stakeholders an in-person learning opportunity to compliment the online course. Delivered face-toface at a venue convenient to the employer, the organisational pathway centres interactive dialogue, reflective exercises and collaborative learning activities exploring

workplace experiences and current challenges.

ALLYSHIP TRAINING IN ACTION

By Carol Pease, National Education Coordinator, NAWIC:

Last week, a group of enthusiastic and engaged men from TAFE QLD gathered for a transformative Male Allyship workshop, aimed at promoting gender equality and providing support to women in the construction industry. I was fortunate to be amongst the group, learning from their experiences. The workshop, held at TAFE Acacia Ridge, was a resounding success, with participants eager to learn and make a difference.

1. Workshop overview

The workshop, organised by Lysander and with assistance from TAFE and NAWIC, featured a series of interactive sessions facilitated by Vanya Hinton. The primary objective was to educate the group of men on the importance of being allies to women in the workplace and to equip

them with practical tools to support their female colleagues.

2. Participant engagement

From the outset, the participants demonstrated a genuine eagerness to learn and engage. There were several impactful sessions where attendees practiced exercises to address various topics such as gender bias, leadership impact and driving change. The lively discussions that followed showcased the participants’ commitment to fostering a more inclusive work environment.

3. Key takeaways By the end of the workshop, participants had gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women in the industry. They left with actionable strategies to advocate for gender equality, such as mentoring female colleagues, challenging discriminatory behaviour, and promoting inclusive policies and approaches within their organisations.

COMMENTS FROM THE DAY

The feedback from the day reflected the experience and I was thrilled to be there representing NAWIC. Feedback included:

‘It was a great workshop’ ‘Thanks, you so much

Men from TAFE QLD had positive feedback for the Male Allyship workshop they participated in

for the training it was extremely helpful to help with understanding the challenges and providing strategies to help new apprentices in the trade’

‘The workshop was very informative and an enjoyable seminar’

‘The program is a powerful reminder of the role men play in bridging the gap between inequity and bias toward women in the construction industry. Moreso, I believe the program highlights where we sit as individuals on the archetypes of allyship, not only in our work life but also in our personal lives and where we can make changes’

‘I enjoyed the course and found it really interesting and insightful’

‘It was a great day, and I enjoyed the workshop’.

TAKE-AWAYS

Along with identifying further work and resources to support construction work sites, the group concluded with ideas and potential tools to further use on construction sites and in training environments to drive positive change.

The Male Allyship Workshop was a powerful reminder of the crucial role men can play in advancing gender equality. As these newly empowered allies return to their workplaces, their commitment to supporting women can be evident in their daily interactions and decision-making, supporting meaningful change to create a more equitable industry for all.

New builds

Australian

Government plans to

build 1.2 million new homes in the next five years

BUILDSKILLS Australian was established by the Federal Government to work with Industry to find solutions to the workforce challenges facing the Construction, Property and Water Industries.

BuildSkills has produced the first National Workplace Plan for the

built environment.

The plan aims to support the achievement of the nations built environment objectives by helping deliver a workforce fit for the future.

The Government have a plan to build 1.2 million homes in the next five years which will require a significant labour market adjustment to meet this goal.

BuildSkills has launched a renewed effort in partnership with Industry, unions and government agencies to attract, retain and develop talent across all industries.

A series of round table sessions in each state attended by Industry participants were held to come up with some solutions to address these skills shortages. We were privileged to

take part in these sessions and to provide some input and strategize so that policy makers and politicians can make decisions to meet the demands and objectives set out in the National Workplace Plan.

It was important that we put forward our thoughts on increasing apprenticeship numbers in the Painting and Decorating Industry.

There needs to be more direct subsidies to apprentices to entice and grow apprenticeship numbers.

The cost of living crisis has made it very difficult for apprentices to support themselves on low wages whilst learning their trade.

The apprenticeship wage system needs an overhaul and there also needs to be greater education in

Secondary Schools that trade careers are worthy and profitable.

SKILLS BOOST

Other ideas from participants included that there needed to be selective immigration to include skilled and qualified labour, providing funding to trade associations to mentor and assist skilled immigrants in the initial transition, greater involvement and

Australia has resolved to build a hefty 1.2 million new homes in five years. Image: Eléonore H/stock. adobe.com

promotion of women in trades.

There also needs to be increased productivity to meet the Workplace plan and there needs to be an ability of companies to engage subcontractors who often have a better work rate outcome than employees.

Builders also advised that they restrain from hiring apprentices and workers due to the high impact to the business of their payroll tax bill.

It is obvious that there needs to be more consultation with industry stakeholders to deliver the Workplace Plan.

Our input will contribute directly to the national policy conversation around boosting jobs and skills in the residential construction sector.

FIND OUT MORE FIND OUT MORE

Get the support and advice you need by joining the Master Painters Association of Victoria/Tasmania. For more information, please contact the Master Painters Association on 03 9813 5922 or email us at mail@mpav.com.au.

Jodie Rebbechi – MPAV General Manager

Rebuilding or regressing? A snapshot of Australia’s manufacturing industry

THOSE OF US who grew up in the 1960s will recognise the unmistakable sound of the TARDIS taking off. Right now, it feels like we’re caught in a time warp, hurtling backwards at full speed.

We don’t need to look too far into the past for evidence of our regression.

In 2019, the Federal Government released Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy. This put forth a vision of Australia as a hydrogen economy superpower. And yet major hydrogen projects have been cancelled. The Queensland government withdrew support for the $12.5

billion Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2) project, which aimed to produce more than 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. BP shelved its Kwinana Green Fuels Project in Western Australia, citing high costs and technical challenges. Woodside Energy cancelled the H2Tas Project—a Tasmanian green hydrogen project, citing unfavourable market conditions.

The Western Plains Wind Farm in Tasmania, the Wooroora Station and Moonligh Range Wind Farms in Queensland, Corack East Wind Farm in Victoria, Barneys Reef Wind Farm in New South Wales, the Seadragon offshore wind project off the Gippsland coast, and an as-yet-unnamed offshore wind farm in the Illawarra have all been abandoned. Why? Repeated delays in planning and approval processes, opposition from local communities and fluctuating government policy.

TICKING CLOCK

In 2023, the UN Climate

Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) brought together 120 world leaders. Countries reaffirmed the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Countries agreed to a provision calling for a phase-down of coal power and a phase-out of “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies. As a result, the world was amazed at the number of fuel companies committing to sustainable green energy; BHP, Shell, Woodside and BP among them. However, global fuel companies are reducing their commitment to sustainable green energy. Similarly, it’s a case of history repeating itself for the almost 22,000 people who call Whyalla home with administrators recently appointed at its steelworks for the second time. The Whyalla steelworks was losing $1.5 million a day before the South Australian government forced it into administration, with

liabilities estimated to be $1.34 billion.

The steelworks reportedly only had 4,000 tonnes of coking coal available when the administrators took over on February 19, equivalent to three days of use of the blast furnace. Minimal repairs, maintenance, and capital expenditure have been performed over the last 18 months, creating safety concerns at the steelworks. Not even the traffic lights on the front gate are operating.

The last time that happened was in 2016 when the steelworks — at the time owned by Arrium — was placed into voluntary administration with debts of more than $4 billion.

Once again, the steelworks have been saved by the government and, once again, there is a discussion about which lucky investor might take the opportunity.

THE NEXT SIX MONTHS

As the TARDIS keeps whirring, pulling us further back in time, one thing is certain, the next six months could accelerate

Weld Australia insists that manufacturing plays a crucial role in technological advancement, research, and development for Australia a backwards trajectory or propel us forward.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese recently announced a new initiative to strengthen Australia’s renewable energy manufacturing sector. This initiative includes ambitious local content requirements and a commitment of $500 million from the $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund to focus on domestic manufacturing of wind turbines, which are being imported from China.

The announcement by Albanese is a win for our industry. While it lacks specific details, it lays a foundation for securing Australian jobs and ensuring that renewable energy projects are built with Australian steel by Australian welders – not unsafe, imported alternatives. It may help us turn back time and rebuild our once flourishing manufacturing industry.

Geoff Crittendon, Weld Australia CEO

Australia’s renewable energy transition will require somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000 wind towers, 78,000 transmission towers, and more than 25,000km of transmission lines. The opportunities presented by the sheer scale of work are huge, particularly for regional Australia. Enforceable local content policies will help create countless jobs in regional Australia. These policies will help the regional communities most likely to be impacted by a transition to renewable energy where coal-fired power stations and mines are currently the largest employers.

However, there is still a huge amount of legislation and various regulations that will need to be drafted to bring these policies to fruition.

THE IMPOSSIBLE TASKS FOR AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY INDUSTRY

With a Federal Election on the horizon, a change in government could see the energy industry tasked with the impossible.

The first impossible task: keep Australia’s ageing fleet of coalfired power stations operating efficiently for the foreseeable future.

According to the Climate Council, Under Peter Dutton’s plan, the first nuclear reactor is unlikely to be ready for at least 20 years, requiring 15 years for construction alone. This means that the first nuclear reactor would not be operational until at least 2045.

Many of Australia’s coal-fired power plants have already exceeded their design life two or

three times over. It will be a magnificent feat of Australian engineering if these power stations reach their scheduled retirement dates, let alone operate beyond them until 2045 – even with extraordinary investment.

Weld Australia – through its Power Generation Industry Group (the members of which include all the major power generators) – is currently undertaking a project to develop technical guidelines for maintaining aging plants to extend design life as much as possible.

The idea that you can simply replace ageing components – boilers, generators, turbines –and keep these plants running indefinitely is a myth. Rebuilding and refurbishing takes years, comes at an enormous cost, and requires prolonged shutdowns. The reality is, Australia does not have the capacity, workforce, or infrastructure to make this happen.

The second impossible task: deliver seven nuclear reactors by 2035 (a full 10 years earlier than what experts like the Climate Council and CSIRO believe is feasible). The issues associated with nuclear power have been well publicised and are extraordinary. Just to name a few:

1. Australia is the driest continent in the world. Nuclear power plants require an infinite source of fresh water. Therefore, the only likely solution will be to build these nuclear reactors near the coast and start by building a desalination

plant, powered off the nuclear reactor, thereby sucking a significant percentage of its output, adding to the cost of construction and power.

2. Nuclear reactors discharge water at a temperature of around 24 degrees. The thought of that warm outflow spilling into our local beaches isn’t exactly appealing to most Australians (particularly central coast Queenslanders who will see even more Great Barrier Reef bleaching).

3. The engineering complexity and lack of trained staff makes the task almost unthinkable.

4. We have to come up with a nuclear waste storage and reprocessing facility. I can’t see the states and Indigenous land councils queuing up for that honour.

5. L ast but not least, the legislation in every state in Australia will need to be changed – getting the state, territory and federal governments to agree is likely to pose the largest challenge of all. If securing community support for wind towers is a challenge, imagine the battle to convince locals to accept a nuclear reactor in their backyard.

For decades, affordable and reliable energy has been the backbone of Australia’s manufacturing industry, driving our aluminium production, steel mills, and heavy industry. Since World War II, cheap electricity has been a key factor in our economic growth. But as

successive governments have offshored manufacturing, industrial demand for power has plummeted (offset by our growing population and increased residential power demand).

Australia’s manufacturing sector has been in decline for 40 years, with the sector’s share of GDP declining by nearly two-thirds since the late 1970s. As a result, Australia now has the lowest manufacturing share in the OECD. In the Harvard economic complexity rankings, Australia comes in at number 102 in the world, behind Bangladesh, Honduras and Uganda.

Despite this decline, manufacturing remains critical to our nation’s future – for multiple reasons. It significantly contributes to the nation’s GDP and exports, driving innovation and productivity growth across the economy. The sector provides more than 850,000 high-quality jobs and supports extensive supply chains, enhancing economic resilience and sovereign capabilities.

Manufacturing plays a crucial role in technological advancement, research, and development, positioning Australia as an innovation leader. It also contributes to environmental sustainability through local production standards and circular economy initiatives.

GET IN TOUCH GET IN TOUCH

INTO THE FUTURE

With its far-reaching economic linkages and strategic importance, a robust manufacturing sector is essential for Australia’s economic diversity, long-term prosperity, and ability to withstand global challenges.

The reality is, Australia now stands at a crossroads. We can invest in a future powered by sustainable, low-cost energy that rebuilds our manufacturing base and positions Australia as a global leader in advanced industry. Or we can continue the trend of outsourcing jobs, offshoring critical projects, and dragging our economy backwards.

We’ve already witnessed the devastation caused by the destruction of Australia’s car industry, a move that sent shockwaves through the manufacturing sector. At the same time, state governments continue to send infrastructure projects overseas, stripping Australian workers of opportunities.

The choice is clear: either Australia breaks away from the global chaos and moves forward with a dynamic, advanced manufacturing industry founded on low-cost sustainable energy – or we continue in reverse, heading back to 1925 in the TARDIS.

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