Around the Nation

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Photo courtesy of Superior Training Centre.

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1 A DRINK TO JAMES HARRISON

A Geelong brewery has launched a new craft beer to celebrate the achievements of Australia’s refrigeration pioneer James Harrison.

Harrison’s Rocky Point Dark Lager is a special release from the Southern Bay Brewery. According to general manager Michael Connell, the brew was suggested by the Geelong and Region Branch of the National Trust, which recently held a James Harrison exhibition as part of Geelong Design Week. The brewery is also located within sight of Point Henry, where Harrison lived out his final days, making it particularly appropriate. The label notes that the beer’s flavours “are inspired by the rich malty ales and smoky peated whisky of Scotland, where James was born”. After making the trek from his native Scotland to the Australian colonies, Harrison charted a life of extraordinary achievement. Among his many accomplishments were the founding of The Geelong Advertiser – now Australia’s second‑longest continuously running newspaper – and the creation of ice via mechanical means.

The Harrison‑inspired beer arrived on shelves just in time for celebrations of James Harrison’s birthday on April 17. ■

2 UPGRADE AHEAD FOR CERT III?

Australian Industry Standards (AIS) has been seeking feedback on cases for change for various training packages and qualifications – including the Certificate III refrigeration and air conditioning qualification.

Last year, the new Certificate III qualification for refrigeration and air conditioning, UEE32220, was finalised and will come online with registered training organisations by October 2022. Although the new course incorporates important updates, stakeholders flagged early on that it mostly consisted of transitioning to a new format, rather than the much‑needed overhaul of the qualification. tradesperson and review the related units of competency in a holistic fashion.

In addition, a new unit of competency and skill set would be developed to enable RAC technicians to competently assess and report on a building’s smoke control features of mechanical services systems. This work relates to essential services fire measures legislation.

The proposal to update the RAC qualification is just one of many published by AIS in its cases for change, across a wide range of industries, though it is thought to have a good chance of going ahead. ■

3 RELIABLE RECYCLING

Reliable Controls has announced a new initiative that it says will help customers minimise waste in the field: eCycle.

The eCycle service allows authorised dealers to send non‑repairable Reliable Controls and peripheral partner devices to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

When electrical and electronic equipment, including building controllers, is disposed of properly, electronic materials are recovered and can be used in new products. But Reliable Controls says programs for proper collection and disposal of e‑waste vary widely by region.

“With the new eCycle service, it doesn’t matter where in the world customers are,” says the company. “We will arrange for its authorised dealers to ship non‑repairable controllers to a responsible recycling partner for disposal.”

The products Reliable Controls manufactures follow the WEEE, RoHS 2, and R2 directives, which set collection, recycling, and recovery targets for electrical goods and restrict the use of certain hazardous substances.

“With the introduction of eCycle, authorised dealers can assure their customers that the Reliable Controls long‑term, better‑by‑design approach not only provides them with excellent ROI, but also mitigates the negative impact of waste management; our products are recycled responsibly and built to last,” says Reliable Controls. ■

4 PARKS AND PRIZES FOR MHIAA

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air‑Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) has announced the launch of its Virtual Showroom Innovation Park.

Users guide themselves around the virtual showroom, and can access information on the latest product offerings, from small residential through to large commercial solutions.

“Through this tool, customers can not only explore our product range, but they will also be provided with up‑to‑date product images and key features and functions on each product,” says MHIAA Managing Director Yuji Ito.

If you do visit the park, you’ll notice some new awards stamps on the company’s split systems. MHIAA has been named by Finder as the Best Rated Split System Air Conditioner Brand in the latest 2021 retail awards.

The 2020/21 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards recognises Australia’s best brands and are voted on by Australians. Within the split system category, consumers rated air conditioners in terms of quietness, performance, features and functions and value for money. MHI air conditioners achieved the highest rating in every single category, taking out the 2020/21 Retail Award. Go to virtualinnovationpark.com.au ■

5 COMMERCIAL AC DREAM TEAM

Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Systemair Group, have announced they will work together to market a large‑scale commercial air conditioning and ventilation solution.

Locally, the first stage of the collaboration will see Panasonic Australia and Pacific Ventilation work together to market Pacific Ventilation’s indoor DX air handling units and Panasonic’s variable refrigerant flow (FSV) outdoor units. Panasonic says this is in line with its strategic partnership with Systemair AB Group, which

Fujitsu General ANZ’s Managing Director Philip Perham

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HydroChem Strategic Director Nick Duncan, M.AIRAH

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RAC apprentice Katie Hammill‑Lovett

seeks to leverage existing technology and expertise from both parties to create bespoke project solutions.

The solution is designed for applications such as shopping centres, large grocery stores and hospitals.

Tomoki Miyamoto, Affil.AIRAH, Country Head, Air Conditioning, Panasonic Australia, has pointed to the opportunities the deal will create.

“This opens up a new line of business for Panasonic,” says Miyamoto, “and we are excited to be working together to satisfy customers’ growing requirements for ventilation solutions in the large commercial sector.”

Pacific Ventilation Managing Director Peter Gibson, Affil.AIRAH, has also hailed the partnership.

“This new offering reflects the engineering excellence of two companies dedicated to improving people’s lives through cleaner, safer air,” says Gibson. ■

6 SLEEPING ROUGH FOR A CAUSE

Fujitsu General ANZ’s Managing Director Philip Perham will be participating in his fourth Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 17, 2021.

Spending the night with only a sleeping bag, pillow and some cardboard for comfort and protection, Perham will join hundreds of CEOs and business owners at White Bay Cruise Terminal, on Sydney Harbour, to help raise awareness of homelessness.

“Unfortunately, homelessness can affect anyone at any time,” says Perham. “The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness at the moment. Of these, 60 per cent are under 35 years of age, 44 per cent are women and sadly, 13 per cent are children 12 years and under.”

Perham says that participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and support the St Vincent de Paul Society to achieve its goal of reducing homelessness and poverty. He has set a personal fundraising target of $50,000. ■

7 WOMEN TAKING THE LEAD AT WOOLIES

HVAC&R may be a traditionally male dominated industry, but there are stories of change – including the experience of refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Katie Hammill‑Lovett.

Hammill‑Lovett is one of 15 people in Australia to secure an apprenticeship with Woolworths Group in the past year, and is one of only four female apprentices to be selected from nearly 500 applicants.

After six months in the role, Hammill‑Lovett says her experience so far has been a positive one.

“When I started I didn’t even know any other female tradies, so I had no idea what it was going to be like stepping into a traditionally male dominated industry,” Hammill‑Lovett says.

“The tradesmen I work with don’t care about gender at all, they just want me to get in there and have a go. They just want to pass on their knowledge and teach me the skills they’ve learned over the years.”

Woolworths Group Apprenticeship Program Manager Caroline Fitzgerald says that, during the recruitment process, one of Woolworths Group’s main aims was to have a gender‑balanced number of shortlisted candidates.

“We are committed to achieving gender equity,” says Fitzgerald. “It’s one of our key 2025 goals to ensure we truly are an inclusive workplace.” ■

8 HYDROCHEM MARCHES NORTH

HydroChem has announced the acquisition of Cairns‑based water treatment company Maxwells H2O Services.

The Queensland business specialises in commercial and industrial water treatment throughout FNQ and PNG. H2O Services deal follows the purchase of leading Tasmanian service provider DM Chemicals in 2018.

“HydroChem has had a reasonable foothold in FNQ for a number of years,” says HydroChem Strategic Director Nick Duncan, M.AIRAH.

“We are a fiercely independent, Australian family‑owned business. We understand the value of long‑standing relationships and place great emphasis on delivering exceptional service. It is safe to say when we entered into our initial discussion with Keith and Chris, what set HydroChem apart from other suitors was that water treatment is our business, not our sideline.”

Maxwells co‑owner Chris Harris has signalled his intention to stay on and assist HydroChem’s expansion in FNQ. HydroChem will also retain the Maxwells company name and livery in the region. Go to hydrochem.com.au ■

9 DIGITAL LICENCES FOR NSW

The NSW government is adding trade licences to the digital wallet within the Service NSW app.

The general construction induction “White Card” is the first category to go live, followed by a range of other categories including specialist trades such as air conditioning and refrigeration. These will be delivered progressively from mid‑2021.

“Currently tradies are required to carry anywhere up to 15 plastic licence cards with them on the job,” says Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson. “It’s an outdated system that is costing tradies time and money.

“Under these changes tradies will finally be able to say goodbye to the plastic licences clogging up their wallets and have quick and easy access to all the work licences they need on their smart phones.”

Customers will need a MyServiceNSW account and to download the Service NSW app to display their digital White Card.