DEVELOPMENTS ATNZ Apprentice of the Year a story of resilience Perseverance and passion were rewarded for Lachlan Hamilton-Ralph, named the Apprentice Training New Zealand (ATNZ) Apprentice of the Year 2020 at the recent awards ceremony in Auckland. General engineering apprentice Lachlan was runner-up for the award in 2019, which celebrates an ATNZ apprentice who demonstrates outstanding performance in their work, a great attitude, is proactive on the job and demonstrates pride and enjoyment in what they do. This is the third year of the annual awards for ATNZ, a not-for-profit group training organisation (GTO) that employs more than 330 engineering apprentices and places them with host companies around New Zealand where they do their learning. Following feedback from the judges that year, Lachlan and his workplace Obtuse Limited worked hard to prepare him for another shot at the coveted award, and he was delighted to walk away with the trophy. Representing the judges, ATNZ general manager Susanne Martin said they had a difficult time coming to their decision on the winner. “I say it every year, but it’s true: the calibre of applications and the passion for their work and studies exemplified in those submissions, continues to blow the minds of the judging panel.
“This year has been the toughest yet. Our judges were spellbound by the level of detail, high standard of references, and touches of humour. On more than one occasion they were heard to remark: ‘Can’t we give it to them all?’” Ms Martin described how they were impressed with Lachlan’s thoughtful and thorough application and glowing feedback from colleagues and customers. “Lachlan’s exemplary references, particularly from Obtuse customers, his outstanding study performance, and the variety of extra responsibilities he has taken on, really wowed us. We were also inspired by his resilience, in the face of both a challenging year with the global pandemic and in coming back for a second crack at the award after being runner up last year. His passion for a trades career in engineering also shone through.” In support of his application, Obtuse Director (and Lachlan’s father) Clinton Hamilton-Ralph describes Lachlan as “an exceptional tradesman in the making” and “an absolute blessing in a fast-paced, busy company.” Along with the glass trophy, which Lachlan said will proudly go on the shelf in the offices of Obtuse Limited, Lachlan receives $1,000
of power tools courtesy of sponsors Milwaukee, plus a $1,000 gift card to spend at JBHiFi. This year, ATNZ whittled the pile of Apprentice of the Year applicants down to a top four. Each travelled to Auckland for the ceremony and BBQ breakfast for local tradies, finalists, and their supporters at NZ Safety Blackwoods’ new flagship store in Penrose. Finalists included the first female finalist in the award’s history, Erin Tong, who is working towards her New Zealand Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering – Machining, with Hastings host company We Can Precision Engineering. Also finalists were Waikari Beckett, heavy fabrication apprentice with Kawerau host company, McKenzie & Ridley Ltd, and Liam Humm, a Christchurch-based maintenance engineering apprentice with Kraft Heinz.
Hydraulink gives wings to hope in the America’s Cup Hydraulink hydraulic hose and maintenance expertise will go on display to millions of people in 225 countries when the 36th America’s Cup begins in coming months. The defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand – and entire field of challengers which will fight it out to meet the Kiwis in the final – all use Hydraulink hoses and fittings to control their complex hydraulic systems, such as the vital foil cant technology. Rapid and sensitive hydraulic actuation of the foils is vital to the performance edge of each boat as it skims above the waves at speeds reaching 47-50 knots (90+kph) in what is expected to be a lightning-fast defence series from March 6-12. The super yachts demand quality products that perform where the absolute pinnacle of engineering standards and reliability is required, in the same way that Hydraulink protects the uptime and dependability of individual pieces of expensive machinery and multi-million-dollar mobile fleets and industrial plant. Hydraulink is the engineering services provider selected for the event, which will be seen around the world on the biggest audience ever expected in the America’s Cup’s history, when the 36th America’s Cup begins the Prada Cup Challenger from January 15-Feb 22. Preliminary races, including the Prada Christmas Cup, commence in December, with more than 120 broadcasters already signed up in the first wave of
support announced in October. Digital platforms are expected to help make this the most widely accessible America’s Cup ever. “I remember watching a race in 1995. A hydraulic leak on the mast boom of Team New Zealand sprayed oil into the cockpit, causing a few issues. I thought, ‘We can do better than that’, so, when the team arrived back ready to defend the Cup, I organised a visit to Team New Zealand and offered our expertise for the next defence.” – Lee Short, Director, Hydraulink. Mr Short is pictured left, with fellow Director Noel Davies pictured right.
Hydraulink’s introduction to involvement in the America’s Cup began when Hydraulink Director Lee Short was watching a race in the build-up to the NZ win in the America’s Cup in San Diego in 1995. “A hydraulic leak on the mast boom of Team New Zealand sprayed oil into the cockpit, causing a few issues. I thought, ‘We can do better than that’, so, when the team arrived back ready to defend the Cup, I organised a visit to Team New Zealand and offered our expertise for the next defence.
of Hydraulink’s usual line of business – the culture of excellence and innovation it inspires among Hydraulink staff benefits work teams and customers alike of the 400-plus Hydraulink service points. “We encourage a constant improvement and a can-do attitude that accords with our national spirit. “The win by Australia to break the US stranglehold on the America’s Cup – and the multiple successes of New Zealand since then – show just what standards of excellence can be achieved by constant dedication to team excellence, in the sporting arena and in all our workshops and customer’s workplaces. “Lee has taken a great initiative in making this happen, and we believe this delivers a strong ethic of excellence throughout Hydraulink.” Lee Short says that – in addition to being the world’s old trophy in international sport – “The America’s Cup is a monumental engineering achievement. The Emirates Team New Zealand Defender alone is the culmination of more than 100,000 work hours from a design-and-build team over the past six months, incorporating the knowledge from the first big boat Te Aihe and the smaller test boat Te Kau.”
“Twenty-five years on we are still the exclusive supplier. This 36th America’s Cup is a bit special though, because we are supplying the hose and fittings for each challengers foil cant system.” Fellow Hydraulink Director Noel Davies says that – while the America’s Cup involvement is a bit out
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