NECA WA 2017 award winners announced

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has announced winners of the 2017 NECA WA Excellence and Apprentice Awards.

Finalists were presented in front of 600 industry representatives including contractors, suppliers, educators and government representatives.

Below are the winners:

Domestic Residence

Brendan Sheehan Electrical Services — Button Residence

Designed to cater to all the children in the family, including one with special medical needs, this high-end house integrates standard housing elements with hospital-type features. Working closely with the home owner, Brendan Sheehan Electrical Services was able to contribute to the creation of a very special home. Needing to integrate hospital features into a domestic residence, this project involved a significant amount of interaction with the home owner to create a high-end home that caters for a diverse range of needs.

Energy Efficiency

Everett-Smith & Co — Crown Towers

As the electrical contractor for the Crown Towers project, Everett-Smith redesigned elements of the LV distribution network, the power management and control systems, the emergency generation system and the architecture of the HV network. The completed systems operate beyond the original scope, meeting the operational needs of this large and diverse property. By redesigning the high-voltage architecture, making changes to the generation and earthing systems, and combining the proposed power management and control systems, Everett-Smith has achieved a range of efficiencies on this major project.

Small Contracting Business

Consolidated Electrical Solutions

Consolidated Electrical Solutions offers specialist commercial petroleum, hazardous areas and instrumentation services to the industrial, commercial and mining sector. The directors were 25 years old when they started the business in their garages. Two-and-a-half years later, they have a staff of six and clients ranging from BP to Rio Tinto. Implementing strong quality, safety and business systems in a young business has been a large undertaking. But it is the key to CES building its reputation for undertaking electrical work in hazardous zones in the fuel and mining industries.

Work Health Safety Company

Insight Electrical Technology

By using the resources of NECA and the HSEQ system, Insight has developed a dynamic WHS system that has engaged its employees in the program, while still providing the information needed by management. The system has provided significant improvements in its WHS performance, and the overall operation of the business. IET recognised some years ago that a strong, efficient WHS system integrated with its IMS and business systems would help achieve a safer workplace — and open up new commercial opportunities while saving time and money.

Industrial Small Project

RCR Water and Water Corporation — Leonora Station Creek Telemetry Upgrade

This project addressed an issue with the Station Creek tank overflowing due to the inability to automatically stop the pumps at the 12 feed-in bores when the tank was full. RCR Water designed and constructed, in-house, a control system using high data rate IP radio solution and solar power, based on the Water Corporation’s scope. This innovative new system, created in a joint venture between RCR Water and the Water Corporation, uses solar power and high bandwidth digital radiocommunication to control generators and water pumps at remote sites.

Voice/Data Communications & Audio Visual

DESA Australia — Perth Children’s Hospital

The large and complex communications works for the New Perth Children’s Hospital is DESA’s largest project to date. A unique feature is the 18-screen, interactive AV wall in the foyer, which displays graphics and pictures drawn by children and which move in sync with people captured by the installed camera. The New Perth Children’s Hospital is the most complex communications project DESA has undertaken, working over 200,000 man-hours in a two-and-a-half-year period to deliver an innovative communications solution.

Commercial — Small Project

Electek — The Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI)

Electek found itself in the unusual position of being involved in the complete redesign of this 1960s building. Internally, much of the electrical work remained exposed, becoming part of the building’s architectural finish. Externally, an eye-catching facade design with programmed lighting scenes reflects the progressive nature of the business. Although unusual for an electrical contractor, Electek was part of the design team for the refurbishment of this 1960s building, allowing the delivery of a project that perfectly met the client’s specific requirements and vision.

Commercial — Medium Project

Downer — Aubin Grove Train Station

Downer completed the successful delivery of the electrical, communications, SCADA and fire services of the new Aubin Grove Railway Station. Certain portions of the construction were carried out over live rail operations, in the adjacent freeway median and under live Western Power 330 kV transmission lines, requiring precise planning and scheduling to efficiently execute the works. Working in close proximity to high-voltage overhead lines, above a major freeway and over operating rail lines made this a challenging project for Downer, requiring high levels of coordination to deliver the new station safely, and on time.

Commercial — Large Project

Everett-Smith & Co — Crown Towers Perth

The Crown Towers project comprised a 500-room luxury hotel with extensive function rooms and outdoor resort facilities. Everett-Smith completed the electrical and associated services scope, including the redesign and rationalisation of the HV ring main; standby generation; LV distribution to major load centres; and specialised internal and external lighting, control and communication services.

Commendation — Commercial Medium Project

Westwide Electrical Services — Ningaloo Centre

Commendation — Commercial Large Project

Nilsen (WA) — Perth Children’s Hospital

Commendation for Work Health Safety Company

Consolidated Electrical Solutions

The 2017 NECA WA Apprentice Awards Winners are:

Laurina Fitzpatrick, EGT 1st Year EGT hosted by BGC Cement

Abraham Schutte, EGT 2nd Year EGT hosted by DESA Australia

Patrick Reid, EGT 3rd Year EGT hosted by Downer EDI — Wheatstone

Michael Fitti, EGT 4th Year Commercial/Domestic Finalist EGT hosted by Western Controls

Justin Bennett, EGT 4th Year Industrial Finalist EGT hosted by Nilsen (WA)

Tiesen Miller, EGT 4th Year Communications Finalist EGT hosted by Team Electrical Services