Wire & Gas 2024: Winners of three inaugural awards celebrated in Brisbane

The Wire & Gas 2024 convention celebrated the winners of three inaugural awards at the Gala Awards Dinner, which took place at The Westin Brisbane on 25 August before an audience of automotive technicians and workshop owners, as well as industry luminaries and representatives from the supply chain, regulatory bodies, environmental schemes, and the Australian government.

ARC Award for Refrigerant Management (mobile sector)

Kristine Navarro, managing director of MF Auto Prestige in Lynbrook, Victoria, accepted the inaugural ARC Award for Refrigerant Management (mobile sector) from Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) CEO Glenn Evans along with her business partner Joben Gutierrez.

Mr Evans explained that field officers nominated businesses that excelled during the refrigerant licensing scheme’s audit process for Refrigerant Trading Authorisations (RTA) under the Australian Government’s Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations.

“While most businesses are compliant, a few stand head and shoulders above the rest. These businesses are examples for others in the industry, and they were nominated for this award,” said Mr Evans. He noted that MF Auto Prestige met all RTA obligations and welcomed the ARC audit process as a chance to ensure compliance. Post-audit, they also showed interest in understanding environmental impacts and refrigerant licensing initiatives.

Mr Evans added that Ms Navarro considers children “a powerful incentive for all of us to do our part for the environment’s future”.

REDARC Young Technician of the Year Award

Dion Carle of Voltaic Auto Electrical in Perth, who turns 23 this month, was honoured with the inaugural REDARC Young Technician of the Year Award. Open to VASA members or those working in VASA member businesses, this award recognises the exceptional talent and contributions of individuals under 30 within the automotive industry.

Mr Carle received a $5000 retail value prize from the REDARC catalogue, plus full attendance at Wire & Gas 2024, including travel and accommodation.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Carle said, “I’m deeply humbled by this recognition and grateful to my boss, Josh, and the team at Voltaic Auto Electrical. Your support has been instrumental in shaping me as a technician.”

He concluded with quote that had inspired him: “The world is constantly evolving. If we don’t keep learning, we’ll be left behind. Treat every day as an opportunity to grow.”

Grant Hand Industry Mentor Award

Ian Stangroome, former VASA president of 13 years, was the first recipient of the Grant Hand Industry Mentor Award. Mr Stangroome, who trained numerous apprentices and has been active on various industry boards, was recognised for his decades-long contributions to the automotive industry.

Mr Stangroome, who was unaware he would be receiving the award, credited his wife Carrie for “95 per cent of this award” in his acceptance speech. He joked, “Had I known, I would have never agreed to it!”

VASA Pioneer Award

Jeff Smit, founder of The Automotive Technician (TaT) network, received the 2024 VASA Pioneer Award. Earlier this year, Mr Smit was inducted into the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Hall of Fame.

In accepting the award, Mr Smit said, ‘I still love fixing cars and training people. That’s why I’m here and why I continue to be passionate about the industry.’

About Wire & Gas

Wire & Gas is Asia-Pacific’s premier event for the automotive air-conditioning, electrical, and thermal management sectors, held every two years. The 2024 event was supported by Platinum Sponsor NAPA Auto Parts, Elite Maverick Sponsors CoolDrive Auto Parts, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, Sigma Air Conditioning, and Gold Sponsors Alcius, Honeywell, REDARC Electronics, Refrigerants Australia, and SuperCool Group. Their contributions helped make the event a success.