Winners announced for 2017 Master Electricians Australia Excellence Awards

Greg Allan, founder and owner of Perth-based Response Fire and Rescue, has been named Australia’s Master Electrician of the Year.

Allan, who started an e-learning platform to improve safety, is among eight professionals in the electrical contracting industry across Australia recognised in the 2017 Master Electricians Australia National Excellence Awards.

North Sydney’s Rhea Felton, who gave up a corporate HR career to take over management of her family business GreenElec, was honoured with the Women in Contracting award, while Queensland’s Harley-Joe Williams, from The Solar Service Guys, was named the Legrand Apprentice of the Year.

Electrical projects from residential, commercial, mining, data and energy efficiency were also recognised.

The judges for the Master Electrician of the Year category acknowledged Allan’s innovation and dedication in establishing an online ‘Electrical Success Academy’ to share his knowledge and industry expertise. “Greg is clearly passionate about the electrical industry and driven by the need to raise awareness around safety and knowledge of all things electrical,” the judges said.

Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards said, “All winners have shown the dedication to quality, safety and integrity that are the hallmarks of a Master Electrician.

“And while it’s great for them to be recognised for their efforts and achievements, it’s also great for our industry to pause and take a good look at the people who are setting the pace in terms of innovation, quality and customer service.

“These winners will help lift the bar even higher for all Master Electricians members, and the wider electrical contracting industry.  And it’s their customers — whether businesses or private individuals — who reap the benefits of an electrical contracting industry that is constantly striving for excellence.”

Other winners include:

Energy Efficiency Project of the Year
Michael Payet — Assurance Consulting (Queensland)
Project: Energy efficiency audit and action plan for St Michaels College, Caboolture

Commercial Project of the Year
Troy Smith — Electric Results (South Australia)
Project: Flinders Medical Centre — Ward 6B Refurbishment Project, Adelaide

Residential Project of the Year
Robert Urpis — Argus Technologies (Victoria)
Project: Home communication and automation system, Black Rock

Industrial Mining Project of the Year
Daniel Hall — Hitech Electrical Automation (Queensland)
Project: Switchboard upgrade, Hanson Quarry, Glass House Mountains

Data Project of the Year
Chris Duncan — Comspark (Western Australia)
Project: Telephone, data and wireless fit out, Stirling Cross Apartments and Quest Hotel