Last night, SEMMA proudly participated in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards 2023 Gala Dinner, held at the illustrious Crown Palladium on Thursday, August 10. This prestigious event provided a unique platform for businesses and individuals within the manufacturing sector to network, connect with industry leaders, and celebrate the remarkable achievements of Victoria’s manufacturing industry.
The Gala Dinner was attended by The Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Industry and Innovation, and Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty. Minister Carroll acknowledged the presence of SEMMA President Peter Angelico and SEMMA’s 20th anniversary, emphasizing the significant role SEMMA has played in advancing manufacturing in the region. In attendance on the SEMMA table were:
- SEMMA President Peter Angelico (ABECK Group)
- SEMMA Vice President Ian Cubitt (Catten Industries)
- SEMMA CEO Honi Walker
- SEMMA Board Member Todd Hartley (Hilton Manufacturing)
- Belinda Wilson MP, Member for Narre Warren
- SEMMA Procurement Partner, David Benady (Fulcrum Procurement)
- SEMMA Member Teddy Oudin (U-neek Bending)
- SEMMA Office Manager Justine McLaughlin
- SEMMA Marketing Manager Beverly Witherby
Among the highlights of the evening were the achievements of SEMMA’s member companies which were on display across broad categories.
- Stahl Metall, from Knoxfield, and SPEE3D, based in Dandenong South, were both finalists for the respected Leader in Defence, Aerospace, and Space award. A moment of triumph came when SPEE3D clinched the victory, demonstrating their remarkable contributions to these crucial sectors.
- Successful Endeavours in Narre Warren stood tall as a finalist in the Leader in Digital and Advanced Technologies category, reflecting their decades-long passion for pushing the boundaries of technological progress.
- Nissan Casting Australia, hailing from Mulgrave, was a finalist in the competitive Manufacturer of the Year, Medium Business category. Their dedication to excellence and innovation truly stood out.
- Alstom, situated in Dandenong South, proudly took their place as a finalist in the Young Manufacturer of the Year category. Represented by Swastik Sharma, Special Projects Engineer, this achievement underscores Alstom’s commitment to nurturing young talents in the industry.
- Essity were a finalist for Leader in Zero and Low Emissions Technologies for our work on Project Divert, which aims to find an alternative to landfill for used incontinence waste.
The manufacturing apprentices also shone brightly with the introduction of the Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year category, with Apprentice Electrician Emma Mokalei from Essity nominated as a finalist. Emma’s dedication and skill were recognized with a joint-win alongside Daniel Malone from ANCA, exemplifying the commitment to nurturing emerging talent within the manufacturing sector.
SEMMA CEO, Honi Walker said, “SEMMA proudly supports our members who were nominated and those who emerged victorious in their respective categories. These awards offer an invaluable opportunity to showcase the ingenuity and success of our region’s manufacturing businesses. The South East remains the heartland of manufacturing in Victoria, and SEMMA will continue to empower our members to expand their networks and businesses. Anticipating the 2024 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards, we are confident that SEMMA’s member base will be even more prominently represented.”
The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards 2023 Gala Dinner marked a night of celebration and inspiration, reaffirming the excellence, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define Victoria’s manufacturing landscape.
SPEE3D took the win for Leader in Defence, Aerospace and Space for 2023.
