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January/February 2012 SA Defence Business CONTENTS 

13 

6 CHAIRPERSON AND CEO INTRODUCTION 

10 INDUSTRY NEWS 

13 FEATURE 

A look at whether the AUS-US Defence Trade Cooperation 

Treaty will bring new opportunities for 

South Australia’s defence industry 

16 FEATURE 

The case for the home-grown future submarine 

18 PROFILE 

South Australian Minister for Defence Industries 

Jack Snelling gives his take on the future of South 

Australia’s defence industry 

21 PROJECT UPDATE 

The latest on South Australia’s Air Warfare 

Destroyer project 

DEFENCE TEAMING CENTRE INC. 

The Defence Teaming Centre is South Australia’s 

defence industry association. 

Innovation House West 

First Avenue 

Technology Park 

Mawson Lakes SA 5095 

08 8260 8159 

EDITOR 

Holly Caruso 

Defence Teaming Centre 

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE 

Courtney McGrath BAE Systems Australia 

Steve Hickman Daronmont Technologies 

David Searles Defence Systems Innovation Centre 

Stuart Hodge Defence Teaming Centre 

Mark Williams Hughes PR 

Helen Rogers Solstice Media 

Paula Brinkworth Solstice Media 

Chris Field Wartsila 

SA Defence Business is published by 

Solstice Media 

4 Cinema Place 

(off Vaughan Place) 

Adelaide SA 5000 

08 8224 1600 

Circulation to 1400 nationally 

16 18 30 37 51 

22 INDUSTRY 

A guide to who defence industry should seek for 

support for business growth 

25 SPECIAL FEATURE 

Pacifi c 2012: who’s exhibiting at this year’s event in 

Sydney in January 

34 INDUSTRY 

Pricewaterhouse Coopers explain the benefi t of the 

new Research and Development Tax Incentive 

37 YOUNG AMBASSADOR 

An interview with Sumen Rai, Defence SA market 

analyst 

38 SKILLS 

Defence industry engineers of the future and 

emerging leaders 

PUBLISHER 

Paul Hamra 

PRODUCTION EDITOR 

Paula Brinkworth 

EDITORIAL 

Grant Smyth 

DESIGNER 

Raymond Capozzi 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Nat Rogers 

PRINTING 

Lane Print and Post 

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES 

08 8224 1600 

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 

Helen Rogers 

advertising@solsticemedia.com.au 

08 8224 1611 

FREQUENCY 

Bi-monthly 

COVER 

Gordon Fawcett, Craig Gustard, Norman Docherty and 

Malcolm McMillan of ASC on the Collins class submarine 

at Techport Australia 

05 

41 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF 

ASC production technician Paul Minerds reveals what 

it’s like to work on a Collins class submarine 

44 MEMBER NEWS 

46 EVENTS 

49 MEMBER LISTING 

51 OUT OF HOURS 

Ingenia’s Business Development Manager Ian Biggs 

has a passion for Vespa scooters 

Editor’s Note 

It has been an absolute 

privilege working with 

Solstice Media and the 

team at the Defence 

Teaming Centre (DTC) 

to develop the SA 

Defence Business 

publication from a 

concept to the highly 

regarded publication it 

has become over the 

last two and a half years. As I depart the DTC to 

a new role within the defence industry, I welcome 

the DTC’s Membership Development Manager 

Rita Emanuele to the helm as Editor of SA Defence 

Business from issue 16. I am certain Rita will bring to 

the publication fresh ideas and continue to develop 

the value of the publication for defence industry. 

Holly Caruso 

Editor, SA Defence Business 


DTC CHARITIES OF CHOICE

06 CHAIRPERSON & CEO INTRODUCTION 

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business 

Looking ahead Need for greater support 

A word from chairperson Jim Whalley 

Welcome to another issue of SA Defence Business. I write this as we are 

approaching the end of 2011 and I know you will all be reading it with Christmas 

and New Years behind you and hopefully you are re-energised for the year ahead. 

2011 has been a tough year for many in the defence industry and there have 

been some major disappointments in South Australia. In particular, these include 

the loss of Land 121 from the State and continued delays to the start of the future 

submarine project. 

The DTC is also facing some uncertainty over its future as the SA State 

Government funding arrangement concludes at the end of the current fi nancial 

year. The South Australian Government has been a great supporter of Defence 

and defence industry over the last decade and I sincerely hope we are not seeing a 

change in that support. At risk is much of the work that has been done to make 

SA the “Defence State”. 

The DTC CEO Chris Burns and myself have recently met with Government 

and hope to again late in January. We are hopeful that the new Minister for 

Defence Industries, Jack Snelling, will continue to support the DTC and defence 

industry as a keystone to the State’s economic development and support of 

technology based industry in South Australia. I look forward to reporting a 

positive outcome in the next issue of the SA Defence Business magazine. 

"The South Australian Government has 

been a great supporter of Defence and 

defence industry over the last decade 

and I sincerely hope we are not seeing 

a change in that support" 

On a more positive note, our very successful SA Defence Industry Leadership 

Program (SADILP) will run again in 2012. I strongly encourage all members to 

consider participating or nominating a participant by the end of February 2012 

cut-off. Dependent on funding, we are also hoping to continue running our 

Women infl uencing Defence and Resources Industries (WiDRI) program. 

Please refer to the DTC website for more information. 

In the meantime I hope you have all had a good break and are looking 

forward to a more prosperous 2012. 

A word from CEO Chris Burns 

As we kick-off 2012, many members are feeling the impact of the decline 

in Defence investment in Australia’s defence industry. In our Annual Report 

I quoted Tennyson’s ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ describing the trough in 

Defence expenditure as the ‘Valley of Death’. In particular, I noted the stanza 

“theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and 

die”. The Federal Government’s fi scal strategy of imposing saving regimes 

and reviews on Defence and delaying project approvals in order to achieve 

a surplus are having a signifi cant impact on our defence industry in terms of 

work fl ow, generation of revenue and retention of our skilled labour. Inevitably, 

this must impact on Defence’s capacity to generate the capabilities required by 

government to assure our nation’s security. Unfortunately, like Lord Cardigan’s 

cavalry at the Battle of Balaclava, our military cannot dare to reply and the 

defence industry is fearful of retribution if it questions why. 

Lost in the hyperbole surrounding all the Defence releases announced 

simultaneously with the Cabinet reshuffl e in mid-December 2011, was the 

release of the preliminary report by the Senate Inquiry into Procurement 

Procedures for Defence Capital Projects, the Inquiry representing industry’s 

opportunity to highlight its concerns with Defence procurement. The DTC made 

signifi cant written and verbal submissions to this Inquiry. Importantly, one of the 

major concerns identifi ed by the Inquiry is that within Defence there is “limited 

strategic consideration of Australia’s defence industry including the impact of 

off-the-shelf purchases, interconnection between industry viability and ADF 

capability, and relationship with Defence as sole customer”. 

In the same swath of announcements from the Government, our Defence 

Ministers claimed a record for approvals of Defence capability projects in 2011. The 

fact is that the majority of the expenditure was for foreign off-the shelf equipment 

like C17s, Chinook helicopters and amphibious vessels; none of which will involve 

any signifi cant engagement or investment in Australia’s defence industry. Very few 

of these project approvals helped industry climb out of the ‘Valley of Death’. 

My great concern is that some in our defence industry may not survive 

the ride through the valley to be ready to reap the benefi t of the quantum of 

work fl owing from the forecast increase in Defence expenditure from 2014 

on. Inevitably this will force Defence to look offshore to replace the capabilities 

it has been denied. This will see Australian taxpayer’s dollars and jobs being 

exported to foreign defence industries. We will be even more benevolent on 

other nations to maintain our defence capabilities and we will further ‘dumbdown’ 

our nation by denying its defence industry the opportunity to innovate 

and grow. This year we need the Government to support the Australian 

defence industry, to make decisions that benefi t our indigenous capability and 

provide a clear path out of the valley in which industry currently resides. 

A copy of the Preliminary Report of the Senate Inquiry into Procurement 

Procedures for Defence Capital Projects is available on the DTC website. 

The opportunity also exists for further submissions to the Inquiry. The DTC 

will happily accept members’ input and consolidate them into a DTC fi nal 

submission before mid-February 2012. Let’s hope the fi nal recommendations of 

the Senate Inquiry do not fall on deaf ears.

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS UPCOMING COURSES 

The Software Engineering Institute is bringing 25 years of experience to Australia 

The Software Engineering Institute is bringing 

its quarter century of experience to Australia. 

The SEI is a global leader in research and 

development related to software, system design, 

software acquisition, cybersecurity, and risk 

management. 

With a 25-year history of working in close 

collaboration with the U.S. Department of 

Defense, government, industry, and academia, 

the SEI aims to continually improve softwareintensive 

systems through research, education, 

and consulting. 

In addition to the Department of Defense, 

the SEI’s global partners and clients include 

the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 

civil government agencies, defence contractors, 

software development organisations, and 

financial services companies, among others. 

The SEI launched its Asia-Pacific operations 

at Carnegie Mellon University – Australia’s 

Adelaide campus in 2011. 

From this location the SEI will work with 

organisations throughout Australia and the 

broader Asia-Pacific community on software 

engineering, process improvement and network 

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The SEI will also offer advanced courses and 

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SEI Director and Chief Executive Officer, 

Dr Paul Nielsen, says the Institute is looking 

forward to working collaboratively with 

Australian partners and colleagues to address 

the challenges faced by the global software 

community. 

“Corporations and governments worldwide 

spend an estimated $1 trillion per year on 

IT projects, but because software design, 

development and integration are often plagued 

by performance problems, only about 35 per 

cent of those projects will be completed on time, 

on budget, and with all the specified functions,” 

Dr Nielsen said. 

“The SEI works to build capabilities in 

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management to help organisations avoid 

problems with IT project delays and failures,” he 

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“The SEI also specialises in cybersecurity and 

risk—with federal government agencies in the 

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malicious code against them every year, there is 

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CERT Insider Threat Workshop 

17-18 April 2012 

The workshop consists of presentations 

and interactive exercises in which 

participants are led through portions 

of the CERT insider threat assessment 

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organisations to assess their insider threat 

risk. The assessment addresses technical, 

organisational, personnel, security, and 

process issues. The purpose of the exercises 

is to assist participants in assessing their 

own organisation’s vulnerability to insider 

threat in specific areas of concern. Our goal 

is that participants leave the workshop with 

actionable steps that they can take to better 

manage the risk of insider threat in their 

organisation. 

Introduction to CERT Resilience 

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15-17 May 2012 

This course introduces a model-based 

process improvement approach to managing 

operational resilience using the CERT® 

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lectures and class exercises with ample 

opportunity for participant questions 

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course, participants will understand the 

fundamental concepts of operational 

resilience and operational resilience 

management, have a working knowledge of 

CERT-RMM process areas, and be able to 

begin process improvement efforts in their 

organisation. Using CERT-RMM as a guide, 

participants will also be able to evaluate their 

current security, business continuity, and 

IT operations practices and make effective 

decisions about which practices are working 

and which need to be replaced. 

For more information or to 

register visit our website at 

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or send us an email at 

admissions@cmu.edu.au

INDUSTRY NEWS 

08 January/February 2012 SA Defence Business 

Ministerial reshuffle affects Defence 

THE recent cabinet reshuffl e by the Gillard 

Government has brought about a change in the 

Defence ministerial team. 

The previous Minister for Defence Materiel, 

the Hon. Jason Clare, has been moved to 

the ministry of Home Affairs and Justice. His 

replacement in the role will be Senator Kim Carr, 

who recently held the position of Minister of Industry, 

Innovation, Science and Research. His current role 

also includes the Manufacturing portfolio. Senator 

Carr will not form part of the cabinet. 

Another new appointment to the 

Defence ministerial team is Dr Mike Kelly MP as 

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence. Dr Kelly 

will be the second parliamentary secretary for 

Defence, alongside Senator David Feeney. Dr 

Kelly’s responsibilities will be to oversee the 

drawdown and eventual transition to local forces 

in Afghanistan. 

Following the reshuffl e, the current Defence 

ministerial team consists of: 

The Hon. Stephen Smith MP - Minister for 

Defence 

The Hon. Warren Snowdon MP - Minister for 

Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence 

Science and Personnel, Minister Assisting the 

Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac 

Senator the Hon. Kim Carr - Minister for 

Defence Materiel, Minister for Manufacturing 

The Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM - Parliamentary 

Secretary for Defence 

Senator the Hon. David Feeney - 

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence 

State Opposition appoints new 

Shadow Cabinet 

The new Minister 

for Defence 

Materiel, Senator 

Kim Carr 

THE State Opposition has reorganised its Shadow 

Cabinet, appointing a new Shadow Minister 

for Defence Industries, Steven Marshall. Mr 

Marshall is the Member for Norwood and has 

gained several portfolios including Small Business, 

Industry and Trade, Environment, Climate Change 

and Sustainability, Defence Industries and Science 

and Information Economy. Mr Marshall said that 

he was looking forward to his new roles. 

The previous Shadow Minister for Defence 

Industries, Martin Hamilton-Smith, has been 

appointed as Shadow Minister for Health, Ageing, 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse. 

Land 121 phases approved 

THE Federal Government has approved several 

phases of the long-running Land 121 program. 

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles 

Australia has been down-selected as preferred 

tenderer for Land 121 Phase 3B (Protected and 

Unprotected Medium and Heavy Vehicles). The 

initial negotiations will be for up to 2,700 vehicles, 

drawn from MAN’s HX series of vehicles. MAN had 

been in heavy competition with Mercedes Benz 

and Thales for the project. 

Land 121 Phase 3B has been a protracted 

process, initially being awarded in 2008 before 

negotiations broke down. The current award will 

bring the project off the projects of concern list. 

Local suppliers will construct the bodies and modules 

for the trucks; trailers for the vehicles will be 

manufactured by Haulmark Trailers in Brisbane. 

The Thales Hawkei, selected as the Made and Supported in Australia option for Land 121 Phase 4 

Defence Officers in Business group 

launched 

THE Defence Offi cers in Business Group was 

offi cially launched by General Peter Cosgrove in 

early November 2011, with more than 300 people 

attending the simultaneous launch in Brisbane, 

Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra. 

The organisation is intended to be a business 

community assisting organisations and people to 

leverage Defence expertise through networking, 

professional development and matching services 

aimed at ex-service personnel that have moved 

into commercial industry. 

The Defence Offi cers in Business network 

allows both individual memberships and corporate 

memberships, with over 1200 individual members 

already signed up. The group will be organising 

networking events and defence industry specifi c 

events in the major capital cities and will also be 

facilitating recruitment and targeted advertising 

through its online social network. 

For more information about the Defence 

Offi cers in Business organisation, go to 

www.defence-offi cers-in-business.com/ 

The project is expected to cost more than 

originally budgeted for in 2007, extra funds will 

come from surplus funds from previous project 

phases and the cancellation of the second stage of 

the ASLAV enhancement program. 

Land 121 Phase 4 (Protected Mobility 

Vehicle-Light) has also reached a decision, with 

the Bendigo-based Thales “Hawkei” vehicle being 

selected as the Made and Supported in Australia 

option for the project. The Thales vehicle had been 

in competition with the Force Protection “Ocelot” 

and General Dynamics Land Systems Australia 

“Eagle” for the contract. 

The Thales vehicle will be assessed against 

the outcome of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle 

program and a possible ‘Market Available’ option, 

with a decision to be made in 2015. 

AIC Plans to be made public 

THE Federal Government has announced more 

changes to the way that Australian Industry Content 

Plans (AICPs) are governed for future projects. 

Starting from January 1, 2012 Australian 

Industry Content Plans for Defence Projects are 

now publicly released, ensuring that industry has 

the opportunity to see exactly where opportunities 

on major projects lie. This change is the latest 

reform in a series that were announced in 2011, 

which included lowering the threshold for 

mandatory AICPs to $20 million and introducing 

enforceable clauses on AICPs into the conditions 

of tender. 

Announcing the reforms, former Minister for 

Defence Materiel Jason Clare said that many SMEs 

and industry groups had asked for the reform. 

“This is the next step. It is a common-sense 

idea,” Mr Clare said.

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business INDUSTRY NEWS 09 

Army announces major restructure 

THE Defence Ministers and the Chief of Army 

offi cially announced the release of Plan BEERSHEBA, 

a major restructure of the Australian Army. 

The long-awaited plan, which had been 

previously discussed at the Land Environment 

Working Group, will see the amalgamation 

of forces in to several ‘Multi-role Manoeuvre’ 

brigades, which will rotate through a 36-month 

force generation cycle. The Plan also calls for the 

dedication of the 2nd battalion (2RAR) to form the 

core of an amphibious force, designed to operate 

regionally in disaster relief and humanitarian 

operations. The new force structure is designed to 

increase inter-operability with the other services, in 

particular with the upcoming Landing Helicopter 

Dock ships. 

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Morrison 

said: “Our modern Army is moving into the future 

with a new perspective and a smarter way of 

doing business and delivering capability within the 

resources we have.” 

Plan BEERSHEBA will ensure that the Army 

can continue to contribute forces to operations, 

including Afghanistan, as well as successfully 

transition to a force that maintains high levels of 

readiness to respond to the range of Australia’s 

Defence needs in the future.” 

Cultana growing five times 

THE Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator 

David Feeney, has met with pastoralists near Whyalla 

in advance of the compulsory acquisition of land 

for the Cultana base expansion. The base, located 

between Whyalla and Port Augusta in South 

Australia, will be expanded to fi ve times its size in 

the near future. 

Senator Feeney said the project was 

progressing well, with agreement being reached 

with a native title claimant. The Senator also said 

permission had been sought to begin the acquisition 

process from the relevant Federal Ministers. 

“The expansion of Cultana will bring 

more Defence jobs to South Australia,” Senator 

Feeney said. 

“Not only will it generate short-term 

employment during the construction phase, but 

increased use of the training area will have a positive 

economic impact on local communities.” 

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Leopard Tanks conducting a live firing at Cultana. 

(Photo: Australian Department of Defence) 

Projects no longer of concern 

THE Government has removed an additional three 

Defence projects from the projects of concern list in 

November/December 2011, cutting the list in half 

since the start of 2011. 

The three projects that were removed recently 

are Land 121 Phase 3B – Overlander replacement 

fi eld vehicles, trailers and modules (Medium Heavy 

class); AIR 5418 Phase 1 – Joint Air-to-Surface 

Standoff Missile (JASSM); and JOINT 129 Phase 2 – 

Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, all of which had 

been on the list for over 12 months. Three projects 

were removed from the list earlier in 2011. 

Six projects remain on the projects of concern 

list, including the Collins Class sustainment and the 

MRH-90 Helicopter project. 

PERMANENT AND CONTRACT RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS

10 INDUSTRY NEWS 


A record year of Defence Approvals 

THE Defence Minister Stephen Smith and the former 

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced 

in December 2011 that it had been a record year 

for Defence project approvals, with 46 projects 

undergoing fi rst or second pass approval, plus other 

approvals. While this is to be commended, 15 of these 

approvals were in the November-December 2011 

period. With this late rush it is understandable if some 

approvals were missed by industry, so it’s worth going 

through the fi nal approval list to see what exactly the 

Government has recently announced. 

Air projects 

The Government approved four major aerospace 

projects in November and December 2011. First 

pass approval was given to AIR 5431 (Air Traffi c 

Management) and AIR 5438 (Lead-in Fighter 

Bushmasters fitted with SPARK mine detectors are one of the many projects recently given approval 

Capability Assurance Program). Air 5431 will provide 

$6.9 million for development of a deployable air 

traffi c management system, including surveillance 

radars and air traffi c control. The second pass will 

occur in 2013/14 and be worth $300-500 million. 

Air 5438 will develop options and risk mitigation 

strategies for aircrew working on current and future 

aircraft, and will be worth $100-500 million at 

second pass in 2013-14. 

AIR 9000 Phase 5D, approved at second 

pass, will acquire two more CH-47D Chinooks as a 

replacement for one aircraft lost in Afghanistan. The 

purchase will be a direct purchase from the US. Air 

7000 Phase 2B received intermediate pass approval 

for continued development of the Maritime Patrol 

Aircraft Replacement, likely to be the US Navy’s P-8 

Orion project. 

Land Projects 

Four major projects in the land space were announced 

in November and December 2011. Of these four 

announcements, three were part of the Project 

Overlander/LAND 121 suite of announcements, 

including the purchase of Heavy Trucks, the selection 

of a Made and Supported in Australia option (the 

Thales Hawkei) for the Light Protected Mobility 

Vehicles and the bringing forward of the decision 

on the trailers for both vehicle classes. The other 

announcement was second pass approval for LAND 

17 Phase 1B, which will purchase approximately 

$90million worth of artillery Digital Terminal Control 

systems from Rockwell Collins. 

Sea Projects 

The major maritime announcement was the approval 

of SEA 1448, the ANZAC Anti-Ship Missile Defence 

Project. Following successful tests on the HMAS Perth, 

Saab Systems and CEA Technologies will work with 

BAE Systems Australia to upgrade the remaining 

seven ships in the ANZAC class with SAAB’s latest 9LV 

combat management system. The new system will 

integrate with CEA’s Phased Array Radar. 

Joint Projects 

Several joint projects were also approved in the 

November/December 2011 period. First pass approval 

was given to Joint Project (JP) 3024, the upgrade of 

the Woomera Test Range. The upgrade will improve 

the range’s command, control, safety and data 

acquisition systems, and will undergo second pass 

approval in the next 12-24 months. JP 2072 Phase 2A, 

the purchase of 11,000 radios, was awarded to Harris 

Corporation in late November and will replace existing 

analogue equipment. JP 154, a Counter IED system, 

will be fi lled using a combination of HUSKY vehicles 

purchased from the US and Bushmasters fi tted with 

SPARK mine rollers, and will cost about $70 million. 

Finally, the Government has released around $70 

million to allow completion of JP 2070 Phase 2, the 

replacement of Lightweight Anti-Submarine Torpedoes. 

The project, which has been a project of concern since 

2008, will allow the completion of integration activities 

on the Adelaide and ANZAC class ships. 

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January/February 2012 SA Defence Business FEATURE 

On the horizon... 

Will the AUS−US Defence Trade 

Cooperation Treaty bring new 

opportunities? 

As the long−awaited Australia−US Treaty comes closer to full 

implementation, reporter GRANT SMYTH looks at what it will mean for 

the local defence industry and the opportunities it may create. 

By GRANT SMYTH 

The Australia-US Treaty on Defence Trade Cooperation 

moved closer to full implementation in November 

2011with the ratifi cation of the Defence Trade 

Controls Bill in the House of Representatives. 

The Bill is the latest legislative step in an already 

more than four-year-long process that will lead to the 

creation of an “Approved Community” of Australian 

and US defence contractors able to transfer a range 

of Defence articles on the United States Munitions 

List (USML) without applying for licences from the US 

Department of State. 

Once the Bill is ratifi ed in the Australian Senate 

this year, a Pathfi nder program will test the Treaty’s 

provisions before the appointment of the Approved 

Community begins. 

The Australia-US Treaty on Defence Trade 

Cooperation was signed by George W Bush and John 

Howard in Sydney on September 5, 2007. The Treaty 

seeks to help US and Australian companies avoid 

the labyrinthine legal restrictions relating to the US’s 

International Traffi c in Arms Regulations (ITAR). 

ITAR controls the export and import of Defencerelated 

articles and services on the USML. 

The regulations have been criticised in the past 

by US defence contractors, who have blamed them 

for damaging their export businesses. They have also 

been criticised by defence companies in countries 

allied with the US who have found it diffi cult to 

develop and procure Defence articles because of the 

time consuming process of applying for licences and 

the fear of breaking US law. 

The penalties for transferring Defence related 

articles on the USML without a licence are severe and 

several major international contracts are believed to 

have been lost to the US, particularly in aerospace, 

because of fears over technology transfer barriers. 

In 2007 ITT Corporation was fi ned US$100 

million over the unauthorised retransfer of night vision 

technology equipment to China, Singapore and the 

UK. Other companies who have fallen foul of ITAR 

include Lockheed Martin, Motorola and Boeing. 

The Defence Trade Controls Bill contains the 

regulatory measures that must be put in place in order 

to implement the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty. 

These include the creation of a Treaty 

Management Board, a system to admit companies 

13

14 FEATURE 


as members of the Approved Community and a new 

IT system to support the treaty and strengthen export 

controls. 

Under the current system, applications for ITAR 

related licences can take up to a year. 

ITAR has also been criticised because it has 

considered the accessing of Defence articles on the USML 

by any person of a different nationality to that which 

has been licensed (including those with dual nationality) 

to be an illegal retransfer, requiring a separate licence 

application. This would include, for example, a British or 

Asian employee of an Australian company. 

The Defence Trade Controls Bill was the result of 

a three-stage consultation process. 

Stage one was meetings with Australian 

defence companies in eight capital cities and regional 

centres last year. 

Stage two was the establishment of the Defence 

Trade Cooperation Treaty Industry Advisory Panel in 

May, chaired by Mr Ken Peacock AM. 

The third stage was the release of the exposure 

draft of the Bill for broader industry and community 

feedback in July of this year. 

"The Treaty does 

have significant 

limitations and raises 

some important 

administrative issues 

that Governments 

need to address 

before SMEs can 

realise its benefits" 

Concerns that Small to Medium Sized 

Enterprises (SMEs) might face substantial new costs 

have been addressed by provisions including a 

guarantee that there will be no registration fee, as well 

as free security clearances and training. 

The former Minister for Defence Materiel, The 

Hon. Jason Clare, said last year that the Treaty would 

“save the Australian Government and Australian 

industry time”. 

The Government has also said that Australian 

companies could become natural partners in the US 

global supply chain in the Asia-Pacifi c region once the 

Approved Community is established. 

Fred Hull, Aerospace Defence Manager at 

Adelaide-based Diemould, said his company had good 

and bad experiences with ITAR and believes that the 

Treaty will improve its ability to bid for US contracts. 

Diemould is a South Australian-owned company 

specialising in the design and manufacture of high 

quality plastic injection moulds and special purpose 

equipment. 

“Our fi rst project involving ITAR was with a 

company in Utah,” Mr Hull said. 

“We set ourselves up well and got through it all 

without any problems. 

“The next time was with a large US prime but 

that didn’t work out and we think it was because of 

ITAR. We did a fair bit of groundwork and were in the 

US to try to be part of the bid process but we were 

unsuccessful.” 

Mr Hull said Diemould welcomed the 

opportunity to be able to bid for more work in the US 

and that his company was confi dent it could compete 

in the US market. 

However, Robert Wylie, a lecturer at the 

Australian Defence Force Academy at the University 

of New South Wales, who has studied the diffusion 

of military technology between the United States and 

Australia, said local companies should be cautious. 

Mr Wylie acknowledged that the Treaty would 

help local companies support US-origin equipment 

purchased under Government-to-Government 

agreements and/or used by the ADF in specifi ed joint 

operations with US forces. But he said the advantages 

should not be oversold. 

“The Treaty does have signifi cant limitations 

and raises some important administrative issues that 

Governments need to address before SMEs can realise 

its benefi ts,” Mr Wylie said. 

“It does not apply to specifi c technologies like 

stealth and satellites that the US considers critical to 

its military advantage. Nor does it include technologies 

critical to ADF conduct of network-enabled operations 

like sensor fusion, underwater acoustics or maritime 

target detection and classifi cation.” 

Mr Wylie said that the Treaty also excludes 

a range of enabling technologies that are vital to 

Australian industry’s ability to contribute to Defence 

self-reliance. 

Such technologies include software source 

codes beyond those required for basic operations, 

maintenance and training as well as technology 

required to manufacture everything from electronic 

warfare equipment to submarines. 

He said there were also potential administrative 

problems stemming from important divergences 

between US and Australian concepts of race, 

citizenship and nationality. 

“In recent years this has led to companies 

in Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT having 

to incur the uncertainty, delay and costs associated 

with obtaining waivers of State and Territory antidiscrimination 

legislation,” Mr Wylie said. 

He said he felt the Federal Government had 

failed to suffi ciently address this issue in a Regulatory 

Impact Statement. 

“State, Territory and Commonwealth 

Governments need to work together to produce a 

legal framework that minimizes costs and uncertainty 

for local defence suppliers,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Darryl Mincham, of aviation 

components manufacturer and repairer Mincham 

Aviation, said that although he believed the aims of 

the Treaty were good in theory, many SMEs were 

suffering from “legislation exhaustion”. He said he felt 

this way in spite of Government assurances that the 

Treaty would cut down on how much administration 

his company would have to undertake. 

Mr Mincham said he was also concerned 

about potential costs, in spite of assurances of free 

registration, security clearances and training. He was 

worried that Australian SMEs might eventually be 

forced to participate in the Approved Community even 

Former Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare 

if they would rather use the current system. 

“We would probably prefer to stick to the 

current system,” he said. 

“Where this might become a problem is 

if the Primes decide they want to fl ow down the 

requirements. Then we may have no choice.” 

Mr Mincham said that even if training was free, 

he would still incur the cost of sending members of 

staff to wherever the training courses were held and 

that complying with the new legislation would be 

“another” non-value added activity for his business. 

In response to questions from SA Defence 

Business, a Defence spokesperson said that any 

decision to participate in trade under the treaty 

remains a commercial decision for Australian 

companies but pointed out that operating under ITAR 

also required some administrative overheads. 

Asked how the divergences between US and 

Australian concepts of race, citizenship and nationality 

would apply to ITAR application, the spokesperson 

said the US had amended ITAR last year to eliminate 

the need to obtain prior approval from the Directorate 

of Defence Trade Controls for transfers of unclassifi ed 

Defence articles to dual national or third country 

national employees. Guidance on the rule is available 

at http://www.defence.gov.au/strategy/deco/us.htm 

The spokesperson said that the Treaty would 

make eligibility to access items by individuals subject 

to an objective decision based on the assessed risk of 

diversion of technology. 

On the possibility that the Treaty might lead to 

more ‘off-the-shelf’ purchases of Defence materiel 

and about whether it might provide an advantage to 

US companies, the spokesperson said: “There is no 

change to Government policy that seeks to sustain 

FMS [Foreign Military Sales] equipment capabilities 

in Australia where this offers value for money for the 

Government or is of strategic importance. Where 

the preferred tenderer is a part of the Approved 

Community, the Treaty will make the process simpler 

to transition FMS items to Australian defence industry 

for sustainment. The purchase of ‘off-the-shelf’ 

products will remain subject to current procurement 

guidelines and capability requirements.”

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business XXX 15 

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FEATURE 


The case for the 

home−grown 

Future Submarine 

By STUART HODGE 

Australia has almost 100 years of service history with 

submarines. Over this time we have used a variety 

of designs from a number of countries, and have 

wavered between completely hands-off, second 

hand purchases to overseas designs built here in 

Australia. Now that the future submarine program is 

beginning in earnest, we need to decide how we will 

build our next generation of submarine. 

Recent debates on Australia’s future submarine 

have focused on the strategic need for submarines, 

and have debated the nuclear/non-nuclear question 

to death. Several commentators have advocated 

purchasing off-the-shelf submarines or designs from 

A timeline of Australian submarines 

1914 Australia’s fi rst submarines, the AE1 and AE2, 

are commissioned into service. Both would serve 

in World War 1, with the AE1 being lost (and still 

unrecovered) off the coast of New Guinea. The AE2 

served in the Dardanelles campaign, before taking 

an impact in 1915 and being scuttled. 

1919 Australia is gifted a fl otilla of J-class 

Australian E class submarine 

Australian submarine AE 1 lost on patrol 

submarines from the Royal Navy. 

The boats, all World War I surplus, were prone to 

breakdown and needed deep refi ts. The submarines 

participated in a series of local exercises, but in 

1922 the decision to pay the fl otilla off and put the 

submarines up for disposal was made. 

1928 Two Odin-Class submarines are commissioned 

France, Germany or Spain, with Australian industry 

having a limited role in production. The argument has 

some merit, largely cost-wise, but will it deliver the 

submarine capability we need? 

Several leading fi gures and institutions believe 

that the unique operational requirements for an 

Australian submarine mean that any design must 

be very heavily modifi ed or completely new. The 

2009 Defence White Paper calls for submarines with 

“greater range, longer endurance on patrol, and 

expanded capabilities compared to the current Collins 

class submarine”. 

According to the Submarine Institute of 

Australia (SIA), only a brand new design will deliver 

on these requirements. CEO and Managing Director 

of Australian submarine builder ASC Steve Ludlam 

agrees. In a speech at the recent SIA Submarine 

Science and Technology Conference, Mr Ludlam said 

that current off-the shelf designs won’t work for the 

Australian strategic environment. 

“The French, Spanish and German models 

all seem to be good submarines but all have a dive 

displacement of around 2,000 tonnes – less than two 

thirds of the Collins Class,” Mr Ludlam said. 

into the Australian Navy. The HMAS Otway and 

HMAS Oxley, each with a crew of 54, were exercised 

at sea, but due to the worsening economic 

conditions in 1929-1931 and a perceived greater 

need by the Empire, were transferred to the British 

Royal Navy as gifts. 

1939 Whilst having no serving submarines during 

World War II, Australian bases were occasionally used 

as bases for American, British and Dutch submarines, 

with a major build-up at Fremantle. During the war 

Australia would engage with several submarines, 

notably Japanese midget subs that harassed Sydney 

and Newcastle 

1944 The Australian Navy repurposes an older 

Dutch submarine, the K9, but issues with batteries 

cause it to be decommissioned in 1944 

1949 A British submarine unit, the RN 4th 

Submarine Squadron, is based out of Sydney. The 

British Squadron, which would be used for training 

RAN and RNZN personnel in Anti-submarine 

warfare, would remain in Sydney until the 

commissioning of the second Oberon class boats. 

1967 The fi rst Australian Oberon-class submarine, 

the HMAS Oxley II, is commissioned. Constructed in 

Scotland, the Australian Oberons differed from their 

British counterpart in the electronics systems and 

torpedo systems. 

1978 The fi nal Australian Oberon, the HMAS 

“All four submarine classes…are considered 

small coastal submarines that carry fewer weapons 

and have less growth potential than is ideal.” 

The Collins class have the capability to sail 

from the north coast of Australia to the South China 

Sea and back, staying on station for up to six weeks. 

Current off-the-shelf solutions don’t offer this capability. 

The Government, to its credit, has consistently 

stated that the next Australian submarine will be 

assembled in Australia. Mr Ludlam says that a 

submarine building program is a true nation building 

program, utilising expertise from across the country. 

“[The naval shipbuilding industry] employs many, 

many Australians in every State and Territory,” he said. 

‘… [it] delivers wealth from the Pilbara to Port 

Kembla, to yards around Australia and ultimately to 

Adelaide.” 

The benefi ts don’t just fl ow to Primes either- 

many Small to Medium Enterprises were initially, and 

to this day, involved in the Collins Class production 

and sustainment projects. Pacifi c Marine Batteries 

maintains and builds the Collins’ 440 tonne battery 

unit. Many engineering fi rms in Adelaide have 

machined components or cut segments for the 

Otama, is commissioned. The 6-Oberon class 

submarines would remain in service into the 

90s, with the Otama being retired in 1999. The 

Oberons are upgraded to increase their capabilities 

throughout the 70s and 80s. 

1982 Australia decides to build the next submarine 

Royal Australian Navy Oberon class submarine 

in Australia, based on a modifi ed overseas design. 

1987 The Defence Minister, Kim Beazley, announces 

that a Kockums design, modifi ed from the Swedish 

type 471 vessel, will be used for the new sub. 

Beazley also announces that the subs will be built 

at Port Adelaide by a new Australian Governmentowned 

Australian Submarine Corporation. 

1996 The HMAS Collins is commissioned. The 6


submarines, and innovative systems companies like Acacia Research have built 

tactical systems for Collins’ use. The expertise of these fi rms should be used 

on a future submarine utilising a strong industrial capability that will only grow 

stronger. 

The SIA agrees that the submarines should be built here, not just because 

of the industrial benefi ts but also as a strategic benefi t. The SIA argues that “a 

capacity to repair and replace submarines in operation reduces the impact of 

attrition and increases the effort required of an aggressor to guarantee that it 

has removed all Australian submarines from its path”. 

This doesn’t mean there are not challenges before Australian industry, 

but by planning for them now we can overcome them. A recent review into 

Collins sustainment (The Coles review) has highlighted some key issues that 

should be addressed in any future program, and a report from the RAND 

Corporation commissioned by the Federal Government makes for thought 

provoking reading. 

We shouldn’t, however, think that these diffi culties put this program 

beyond us. We should design it here, we should build it here, and we should 

maintain it here. 

“It is a time to stand beside the key players in Australian defence 

industry and affi rm that Australians have the expertise, skill set, international 

relationships and capacity to build the next generation of submarines on their 

own soil,” Mr Ludlam said. 

Collins vessels are launched up until 2003. Despite some early negative 

press, the Collins is an extremely quiet, long-range submarine. 

2009 The Rudd Government’s Defence White Paper recommends the 

construction of 12 new submarines. The “Future Submarines” will be longrange 

vessels capable of meeting the challenges of both naval warfare/ 

maritime disputes and also be capable of handling more exotic situations such 

as maritime terrorism and piracy. 

2012 The Future Submarine program is beginning to heat up, with the 

release of a RAND Corporation study into the program and the Australian 

Government consulting with submarine designers. 

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18 PROFILE 


Balancing Act 

From managing the State’s finances to spearheading the local defence 

industry, the Hon. Jack Snelling juggles key ministerial portfolios with busy 

family life. 


South Australian Treasurer Jack Snelling is reassuring - 

just as you would expect him to be. 

That is to say that he is relaxed and friendly, 

answers questions in a polite, succinct manner and 

seems genuinely comfortable in his own skin. He 

comes over as a man who says what he means and 

means what he says. 

The Member for Playford is a father of six 

young children, so perhaps that’s part of the reason 

for his relaxed but fi rmly on-the-ball demeanour. If you 

can successfully manage a gaggle of six boisterous 

youngsters, then it’s probably fair to say that you can 

handle just about anything. 

And with a ministerial portfolio encompassing 

Treasury, Workers’ Rehabilitation, Defence Industries and 

Veterans’ affairs, he has a lot more to handle than most. 

Like all good - and wise – husbands, he is quick 

to point out that his wife, Lucia, is the one who makes 

juggling a busy family life and career possible. 

She has clearly been doing a good job, because 

her husband’s resume makes for impressive reading. 

Mr Snelling became interested in politics while 

he was a schoolboy and his interest continued while 

he studied at the University of Adelaide. He worked at 

the shop assistants’ union and then for Martyn Evans, 

the former Member for Bonython, before successfully 

standing for the Playford constituency in 1997. 

Upon his election he became the youngest 

member of the House of Assembly and he went on to 

hold the roles of Deputy Speaker and Speaker. 

He was appointed as Treasurer in February 2011 

by the former Premier Mike Rann, and is also a member 

of the Government’s Executive Council. 

All this, and he has not yet seen in his 40th 

birthday – he will celebrate the “Big Four Oh” in 

November of this year. 

For defence contractors, it is in his role as 

Minister for Defence Industries, to which he was 

appointed in October 2011, that he will perhaps 

come under most scrutiny. 

It will be reassuring then for them that time 

and again he stresses his belief that the advanced 

manufacturing sector in which they operate is critical 

to South Australia’s economic future. 

Doubly reassuring is that he also believes the 

key to maintaining that sector is ensuring that South

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business PROFILE 

Jack Snelling the family man − at home with wife Lucia and his six children 

Australia continues to have a workforce with an 

advanced manufacturing skills set that is the envy of the 

rest of Australia. 

As a former Minister for Employment, Training and 

Further Education, he established a good relationship 

with the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) before taking on 

the Defence Industries portfolio. 

And he knows the DTC’s members and their 

highly skilled employees are a big part of the reason why 

South Australia, with just eight per cent of the nation’s 

population, attracts 25 per cent of its Defence spend. 

Mr Snelling intends to make sure it stays that 

way and says he is looking forward to getting out of 

the offi ce and catching up with the State’s defence 

contractors face to face. 

"SA, which is 

already known as 

the Defence State, 

should aim to 

become the "Silicon 

Valley" of Australia’s 

defence industry" 

The SA Government has set a target for defence industry 

to be generating $2.5 billion per year and employing 

37,000 people by 2020. 

There is certainly no lack of ambition in those 

fi gures, but how will the Government deliver on them? 

“I think the fi rst factor in achieving these 

targets will be our ability to deliver on vocational 

training reform and the Science, Technology, 

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Skills Strategy 

in our schools,” said Mr Snelling. 

“Getting kids interested in science, technology 

and mathematics will be key. We need high skill levels 

and high levels of training. Our vocational training and 

education sector needs to be more responsive to the 

needs of industry. 

“Our relationship with the Federal Government 

is an area that is also obviously extremely important. We 

need to make sure South Australia is seen as an attractive 

place to invest and it is critical that we help the local 

defence industry when they are bidding for Defence 

procurement contracts. 

“When you think of the Future Submarine Project, 

for example, you’re talking about a Defence project that 

will be as important to South Australia as the Olympic 

Dam project has been.” 

Mr Snelling believes that achieving a “critical 

mass” in the state’s ability to provide Defence capability 

will create a situation wherein exponential growth can be 

achieved. 

SA, which is already known as the Defence State, 

should aim to become the “Silicon Valley” of Australia’s 

defence industry, he says. 

But while he believes Defence can be an incredible 

economic dynamo, he is conscious of the cyclical 

nature of the industry and says it is essential for defence 

contractors to seek alternative income streams. 

“The biggest challenge defence contractors have 

is to diversify and fi nd civilian applications for what they 

are making,” he said. 

“Defence is terribly cyclical. Federal Government 

will go through stages of mass procurement and then 

when things turn bad, Defence is one of the fi rst things 

they look at cutting back.” 

19 

The minister becomes especially animated when he is 

speaking about education and skills generation. It’s no 

surprise then that he regards the Skills for All reforms, 

which have transformed vocational training in SA, as his 

greatest political achievement. 

Veterans’ Affairs is also an area that is particularly 

close to his heart. His father served in Vietnam with 

The First Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 

(1RAR), and he says he feels a particular affi nity with the 

veterans’ community. 

That commitment is such that he requested the 

ministry be returned to him in October 2011- he had 

previously held the portfolio from March 2010 until 

February 2011. 

So what lies ahead for the defence sector in SA? 

Mr Snelling says Defence will be a great generator 

of wealth and prosperity for the State. But, perhaps even 

more importantly, he says it can help stem the brain drain 

to other states, while also addressing some important 

social issues. 

“When I was at university a lot of my friends had 

to go interstate to further their careers. The development 

of the defence industry will allow more smart and 

talented young South Australians to pursue careers in 

their home state,” he said. 

“Defence can also create opportunities for 

employment and engagement with South Australians 

who have been economically and socially disadvantaged 

in the past. So the benefi ts are two-fold, both economic 

and social.” 

And if one of his children wanted to go into the 

defence business? 

“I would give them the same advice as I would 

give to any other defence contractor, which is to diversify. 

But I’d be delighted for them.”

20 INDUSTRY 


Who’s who for defence industry support? 

By HOLLY CARUSO 

With the recent change of DTED to DMITRE, DECS 

to DECD and the overuse of acronyms to describe 

Government departments and State associations, there 

is growing confusion in defence industry regarding 

who’s who and how can they help. The following is a 

guide on who defence industry should seek for support 

for business growth: 

Defence Teaming Centre Inc (DTC) 

The DTC is the defence industry association of South 

Australia, it is nationally and internationally recognised 

as being relevant, responsive and reliable to defence 

and security-related industries. The DTC assists defence 

industry to enhance their defence capability through 

the SME Capability Development Program, upskill their 

workforce through the Productivity Places Program, 

develop future leaders through the South Australian 

Defence Industry Leadership Program and create a 

diverse workforce with the introduction of the Women 

infl uencing Defence and Resources Industries program. 

Contact: P 08 8260 8256 E business@dtc.org.au 

W www.dtc.org.au 

Defence SA 

Defence SA is the nation’s only stand-alone state 

defence organisation and South Australia’s lead 

Government agency tasked with growing the state’s 

Defence presence and building a sustainable defence 

industry for South Australia. Defence SA works 

closely with Defence and industry, targeting defence 

investment and expansion opportunities and drives and 

supports the delivery of major Defence projects and 

facilities. Defence SA provides vital defence precincts 

including Techport, Technology Park and Edinburgh 

Parks to support the collaboration and development of 

defence industry. 

Contact: P 08 8463 7140 E enquiries@defencesa.com 

W www.defencesa.com 

Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) 

The DMO is the nation’s largest project management 

organisation, its mission is to acquire and sustain 

equipment for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). 

To engage with industry, the DMO administer the 

Defence + Industry ePortal, a comprehensive defence 

industry capability database, the Defence Export Unit 

and Team Australia. Other key DMO initiatives include 

Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program, the 

Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program, Priority 

Industry Capability Innovation Program, Defence 

Engineering Internship Program and support of the 

Enterprise Connect and the Defence Industry Innovation 

Centres. Most signifi cantly, DMO provide Business Access 

Offi ces in each state with the intention of building 

stronger relationships between Defence and industry. 

Contact: P 08 8305 6679 

W www.defence.gov.au/dmo/id/bao/ 

Enterprise Connect (EC) 

EC are part of the Department of Innovation, 

Industry, Science and Research, their aim is to 

connect small businesses to the knowledge, tools 

and expertise necessary to improve productivity, 

increase competitiveness and fully capitalise on the 

growth potential of the business. EC provide Business 

Reviews for defence industry, a top-to-bottom analysis 

of a business, carried out on-site by highly skilled 

and experienced Business Advisers at no charge 

to a business. Business Advisers work with people 

throughout various operational levels of a business to 

develop a thorough view of the businesses strengths 

and weaknesses, strategic issues, potential areas for 

business improvement and potential areas for growth. 

Contact: P 08 8162 4705 E ECSA@innovation.gov.au 

W www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au 

Defence Industry Innovation Centre (DIIC) 

Working closely with EC, the DIIC delivers the Supplier 

Continuous Improvement Program (SCIP), a supply 

chain management initiative that is becoming widely 

adopted as the standard within the defence industry. 

SCIP offers a continuous improvement framework 

for supply chain performance. SCIP members work 

together to harmonise how supply chains are 

developed, how accreditation occurs, how performance 

is measured and how relationships are improved. There 

is no charge to sign up to SCIP and it is available to 

businesses of any size. 

Contact: P 03 9215 2652 E scip@innovation.gov.au. 

W www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au (Centres -> defence 

industry) 

Innovate SA 

Innovate SA provide a range of high level services and 

programs to selected emerging and existing enterprises 

and industry sectors to develop internationally 

competitive businesses and support a diverse ‘highvalue’ 

industry base within South Australia. Through 

State and Federal grants, Innovate SA assists industry 

to enter new markets, develop infrastructure, 

commercialise innovations and develop clean 

technology, in addition to other vital initiatives. 

Contact: P 08 8113 0700 W www.innovatesa.com.au 

Industry Capability Network (ICN) 

ICN support industry through profi ling their capabilities in 

a database that is utilised for supply chain opportunities 

for major projects. ICN performs a technical role 

providing purchasers with a free sourcing service to 

identify Australian suppliers capable of supplying those 

items that would otherwise be imported. 

Contact: P 1300 553 309 E info@icnsa.org.au 

W www.icnsa.org.au 

Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and 

Research (DIISR) 

The priority of DIISR, a Federal Government 

department, is to encourage the sustainable growth 

of Australian industries by developing a national 

innovation system that drives knowledge creation, 

cutting-edge science and research, international 

competitiveness and greater productivity. Most 

signifi cant for defence industry are the subsidiary 

organisations within DIISR, including AusIndustry, which 

provides a range of incentives to assist business growth 

coordinates programs such as Commercialisation 

Australia as well as import and export programs. 

Contact: P 13 28 46 E hotline@ausindustry.gov.au 

W www.ausindustry.gov.au 

Department of Further Education, Employment, 

Science and Technology (DFEEST) 

DFEEST is the State Government’s key workforce 

participation agency, providing services to build skills for 

South Australia through workforce planning and skills 

development programs; high quality public vocational 

education and training through TAFE SA and fostering 

innovation through science and information. DFEEST are 

responsible for supporting key skills enabling programs 

in the State such as the Productivity Places Program 

and implementing Skills for All, a strategic direction for 

vocational education and training in South Australia. 

Contact: P 08 8463 5552 

E dfeestworkforceinfoservice@sa.gov.au 

W www.dfeest.sa.gov.au 

Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, 

Resources and Energy (DMITRE) 

DMITRE is the South Australian Government’s key 

agency driving economic prosperity in the State. 

The new department brings together a trade and 

economic development role with minerals, energy, 

renewable energy and trade policy. Through an 

industry development role, the department aims to 

ensure South Australia continues to develop highvalue 

manufactured goods, technologies and services. 

Defence industry with a manufacturing focus benefi t 

from the DMITRE subsidiary Innovate SA and the 

DMITRE expertise in exporting and investing. 

Contact: P 08 8303 2400 E DTEDinfo@sa.gov.au 

W www.southaustralia.biz/About-DMITRE.aspx 

Department for Education and Child Development 

(DECD) 

DECD facilitates the Advanced Technology Industry 

School Pathways Program (ATISPP), a program that aims 

to provide students the opportunity to learn skills for 

careers in the growing defence and maritime industries. 

Nineteen schools participating in the Project are clustered 

together in the northern, western and southern 

metropolitan regions to develop pathway programs, 

share resources and services. The ATISPP works to 

develop active partnerships between employers and 

schools that lead to opportunities for students to engage 

in a range of learning experiences with industry. 

Contact: P 08 8226 5891 E Brenton.Schulze@sa.gov.au 

W www.tradeschoolsforthefuture.sa.edu.au 

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) 

DIAC provide information to employers in the defence 

industry about migration options to address skills 

shortages. Industry can access DIAC services through 

the Outreach Offi cer at the DTC who is available to 

provide free visa/immigration information to employers 

who need to recruit skilled workers from overseas. 

Contact: P 08 8260 8256 E business@dtc.org.au 

W www.dtc.org.au/aspx/skilledMigration.aspx


CGI of HMAS Hobart, Australia’s new Air Warfare Destroyer 

Block 109, the first to arrive by barge at Osborne, South Australia Mark 25 typhoon guns to be mounted on the AWD 

AWD milestones 

In 2011, work on the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) 

project ramped up as the AWD Alliance worked 

through successes and challenges , including decisions 

made to benefi t the outcome of the project. 

The AWD Alliance, which consists of ASC, 

Raytheon and Commonwealth’s Defence Materiel 

Organisation, is working to deliver the three AWDs. 

Once complete, they will be one of the most capable 

warships of its size in the world. 

Throughout the year, the AWD Alliance achieved 

a number of important milestones. 

In shipbuilding, work has started on all blocks 

for HMAS Hobart with the exception of the mast. 

Fabrication of 11 blocks for the second ship, HMAS 

Brisbane, has also begun and work on HMAS Sydney 

will begin in 2012. 

In a major milestone of the project, the AWD 

Alliance took delivery of the fi rst three blocks from 

subcontractor BAE Systems in August and September. 

As the project heads towards consolidation of 

HMAS Hobart in 2012, the AWD Alliance will continue 

to take delivery of blocks from BAE Systems and second 

subcontractor, Forgacs. 

PROJECT UPDATE 

The AWD Alliance has also taken delivery of 

major pieces of combat systems including, 

Three shipsets of the Mark 45 gun mounts 

Six Mark 25 Typhoon guns – two for each ship 

The fi rst two shipsets of the Australian Tactical 

Interface. 

In May, the Commonwealth announced the 

reallocation of the construction of blocks to assist 

the project’s schedule. The AWD Alliance and their 

subcontractors have been working collaboratively to 

minimize the impact to the project’s schedule. 

This reallocation is expected to reduce delays to 

the project by up to 12 months. 

Currently there are 1000 production workers 

in the Australian shipyards, (ASC, Forgacs and BAE 

Systems) with more than 2100 people across Australia 

working on the project in total. In 2012, the AWD 

Alliance will reach peak production. 

At this stage the fi rst ship is expected to be 

delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in December 

2015. 

Compliance 

What will it cost if 

you get it wrong? 

Are your Work Health and Safety 

Management Systems effi cient and 

delivering effective outcomes that support 

the growth of your business? 

Are your Injury Management Systems 

effi cient and effective and delivering services 

to your injured workers? 

These are important questions in a climate 

where business costs are escalating and 

stakeholders are eager for growth and good 

corporate governance can be addressed by 

systems auditing. 

The benefi ts of system auditing are: 

• Measure the performance of your systems 

• Ensure continuance improvement 

• Maintain recognition or accreditation for 

your efforts. 

Lawsons Risk Management have skilled, 

trained and experienced auditors who can: 

• Audit your Safety Management System 

to AS/NZS 4801 / Self Insured Standard or 

Individual State standards. 

• Audit Injury Management Systems to 

legislative standards or Self Insured 

standards 

• Full legislative audit of your document 

system (policies and procedures). 

• Audit any individual aspect of a Safety 

or Injury Management system (e.g. 

working at heights / confi ned space / traffi c 

management / natural consequences 

model / determinations etc.). 

Lawson Risk Management Services will 

give you an independent: 

• Assessment of your system 

• Development of industry standards audit 

procedures & tools 

• Cost effective access to effi cient 

resources. 

By identifying non compliance or areas for 

improvement is an opportunity to improve your 

systems to legislative compliance and deliver 

your systems in an effi cient manner. For current 

or future clients to fi nd failures in your Work 

Health Safety or Injury Management systems 

could have serious results. 

Lawson Risk Management Services 

Pty Ltd 

Level 7, 33 King William St, 

Adelaide SA 5000 

PO Box 309, Rundle Mall SA 5000 

Telephone: (08) 8210 2800 

Facsimile: (08) 8212 9680 

www.lawsonrisk.com.au

22 INDUSTRY 


Welcome to the bottom of the curve 

By STUART HODGE 

The defence industry in Australia is often viewed as a 

series of ‘peaks and troughs,’ as spending in particular 

Defence capability areas tend to get large injections of 

cash (peaks), bookended by fallow periods (troughs). 

However, the 2011-12 and 2012-13 period is the 

largest planned trough in the next 15 years, across all 

defence sectors. The size of this trough is exacerbated 

by the slow rate of project approvals, which could 

mean that projects scheduled to roll out in 2013-14 

could also be delayed. Recent reports also suggest 

that the Department of Defence will be handing back 

a large amount of unspent money to the Federal 

Government, similar to the $1.1 billion handed back in 

the May 2011 budget. We are truly at the bottom of 

the Defence spending curve. So what factors will affect 

defence companies in 2012? 

The Global Defence Market 

The world defence market is broadly in a downturn, 

as traditional big spenders in Europe and the US 

continue to delay or cut spending in response to 

fi nancial pressures. In the US alone, more than 

$US450 billion will be cut from the Pentagon’s 

budget over the next decade - and this fi gure will 

increase if the US Congress fails to make other cuts 

as part of expenditure reduction measures. European 

economies continue to be shaky, with Norway one 

of the only European forces to increase its Defence 

acquisition budget. The reduction in foreign Defence 

budget could encourage Defence Primes to seek 

opportunities in more stable markets like Australia, 

and could therefore drive an increase in competition 

and possibly increased ‘insourcing’ of existing work 

to maintain workforces or capabilities. 

This doesn’t mean that the global defence 

market is all bad news. Indonesia recently voted to 

increase their Defence budget by 35 per cent, a move 

that will see our close neighbour replace a large volume 

of outdated equipment. Several other South East Asian 

countries are also building or modernising their military 

capability, which could be an opportunity for export 

and collaboration. For more information on dealing 

with these countries, contact the DTC or Austrade. 

Policy 

On a domestic front, the defence market will be 

impacted by several policy changes from the Federal 

Government. The implementation of the US-Australia 

Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 will hopefully reduce 

the burden of the US Export process. In the short term, 

this could help Australian companies work with the 

US technology here and will hopefully, in time, lead to 

success in Australian companies exporting to the US. 

The recently announced US Marine base in Darwin 

could also be an opportunity for industry, depending 

on the equipment to be placed in the country and its 

maintenance requirements. 

The recent changes to Australian Industry 

Content plans will see Defence Primes looking to 

partner more with local industry on any project over 

$20 million, with the 

8.00 

enforceability and relative 

7.00 

weighting of the plans 

6.00 

being increased in 2011. 

A recent announcement 

5.00 

that AIC plans will be 

4.00 

made public will give 

3.00 

subcontractors a better 

2.00 

guide as to where the 

1.00 

opportunities in particular 

projects lie, which will 

2011/12 

make it easier to see 

where your capabilities can be 

applied. As the AIC plans also apply to sustainment 

contracts, we could see several large wins for industry 

after the policy becomes enforceable in January 2012. 

In-country Acquisition 

Land Projects 

Late 2012 should see life returning to some projects, 

as projects such as LAND 121 and LAND 400 begin to 

show themselves again. Land 121 Phase 4 is currently 

complicated by the continued uncertainty over the Joint 

Light Tactical Vehicle program, which has wavered on 

and off the chopping block in the US. It is expected that 

Australia will make its position on remaining involved in 

the program known sometime in early 2012, although 

information in recent tender documents calling for 

right-hand drive vehicles and AIC plans suggest Australia 

remains in the program for now. If Australia pulls out of 

the program, the Department of Defence will fall back 

on the Made and Supported in Australia options and the 

‘Market Available’ options, which both represent broader 

opportunities for local industry. The recent Government 

decision to award the Made and Supported in Australia 

option to Thales means that opportunities for South 

Australia-based companies could be limited, as Thales 

has a strong Bendigo supplier base. 

Land 400 will continue to bubble away, with the 

project going for fi rst pass approval in early 2013. The 

Integrated Project Team may seek more information 

to inform the fi rst pass before that time, and it is also 

likely that a draft tender will be released at some point 

before the open Request for Tender in 2013-14. This 

year is the ideal time to begin building the network and 

making capabilities known to Primes. 

Maritime Projects 

The continued delay in projects may see some relief in 

the recent release of the RAND report on the future 

submarine project, which looks at the possibilities for 

local and Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) acquisition on 

the project. At this stage, all of the future submarine 

work is preliminary and design work, with larger parts 

of the project beginning to move. 

The continued AWD work will keep contractors 

tied to the program busy, but in the absence of 

more delays it is likely that new opportunities 

could be limited. ASC is currently developing its 

‘make/buy’ plan to explore giving more work 

to outside contractors, so there will possibly be 

$ Billion 2011/12 (Constant Dollars) 

In-country Sustainment Total In-country Procurement 

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 

Total In Country Defence Acquisition and Sustainment Expenditure 

more opportunities for companies to tender to 

make components for the AWD and Collins Class 

sustainment programs. 

A major maritime project is the Team Romeo 

MH-60R helicopters that was announced in June 

2011. There will be ongoing discussion around the 

Australian defence industry opportunities on the 

program. Whilst still several years away, SEA 1180 

(Patrol boat/Mine Hunter/ Hydrographic Survey Vessel 

replacement) will be also a topic of discussion at 

Pacifi c 2012 and beyond. 

Aerospace Projects 

Aerospace contracts tend to have long lead times and 

require more specialised capabilities, meaning the 

opportunities for some companies may be limited. 

Early 2012 may see a decision on AIR 9000 Phase 7, 

the Helicopter Aircrew Training System. The tender for 

this project was released in August 2011. As the initial 

operating capability of the project is intended to be 

2014-17, it is expected that the decision process would 

be shorter. 2012 should also see the release of the AP- 

3C capability assurance program (AIR 5276 CAP 2) and 

also an upgrade program (AIR 5438 Phase 1) for the 

Hawk 127 Lead-in fi ghter trainer, but the preference 

for Government would be an off the shelf solution with 

minimal engineering opportunities. 

Tradeshows 

Finally, in 2012 there will be opportunities arising from 

tradeshows. Pacifi c 2012 is in Sydney this January and 

we will likely hear continued discussion around future 

submarines and the continued work on both the Air 

Warfare Destroyers and the Landing Helicopter Dock 

programs. The next major tradeshow is SimTecT, which 

covers the Defence simulation and serious games fi elds 

as well as other simulation related topics. SimTecT will 

be held in Adelaide in June and will attract attendees 

from Defence as well as attendees from across the 

Asia-Pacifi c. Finally, the Land Warfare Conference will 

be held again in November, this time in Melbourne. 

As well as the vehicle projects, Land Warfare will likely 

include a strong presence from Diggerworks as well as 

discussion or a decision on the Battlefi eld Command 

System (LAND 75) and Night Fighting Equipment 

Replacement (LAND 53) projects.

WHEN EVERY 

SECOND COUNTS 

Saab has extensive experience in supporting defence forces with solutions 

designed to meet the need for enhanced operational capabilities and a higher 

level of effectiveness. 

That’s why when the Australian Defence Force had an urgent requirement for a 

Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar warning system they turned to Saab. 

On budget and five months ahead of schedule we had a fully operational 

Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam radar system installed in the Australian base at 

Tarin Kot in Afghanistan, where it has been providing 360 degree continuous 

warnings of incoming insurgent rocket and mortar attacks. 

www.saabgroup.com 

ANTICIPATE TOMORROW 

For rapid surveillance of the entire airspace, 

Giraffe AMB is a powerful and cost-effective 

3D surveillance radar intended for short and 

medium-range air-defence. In addition it can 

also warn of incoming rocket, artillery and 

mortar rounds.

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SA defence industry sets sail for Pacific 2012 

In a collaboration between Defence SA and the Defence 

Teaming Centre, the South Australian defence industry 

will be showcased at one of the Pacifi c 2012 major 

exhibition stands, “South Australia – The Defence State”, 

located at stand 5B12 at the Sydney Convention & 

Exhibition Centre on Darling Harbour. 

The “South Australia – The Defence State” stand 

will host key maritime defence industry companies to 

represent the depth of capability in South Australia. 

Companies exhibiting on the stand include: 

Airspeed 

A dynamic Australian company specialising in the 

application of composite materials for aerospace, 

military and energy-related projects. 

Century Engineering 

A South Australian company with a reputation for 

providing innovative and cost effective engineering 

and manufacturing solutions. 

Form Cut 

A company with proven innovative skills in the design 

and manufacture of custom foam inserts, scratch free 

dividers and collapsible inserts to suit requirements for 

protection, display, export and re-use. 

Hill Defence Products 

A division of Hill Equipment, Hill Defence Products focus 

on the commercial refrigeration, catering equipment and 

Australian Defence Credit Union 

. 

specialised air conditioning needs of the defence industry. 

Industry Capability Network (ICN-SA) 

ICN promotes South Australian, Australian and New 

Zealand industry through import replacement and 

opportunities for participation in major projects. It 

performs a technical role providing purchasers with a free 

sourcing service to identify Australian suppliers capable 

of supplying items that would otherwise be imported. 

J & H Williams Holdings Pty Ltd 

The parent company of Williams Laser Cutting and 

Fabrication, Williams is an ISO 9001:2008 certifi ed, 

pre-eminent partner for the design, manufacturing 

and installation of a wide variety of metal fabrication 

solutions spanning many industries. 

Morgan Thermal Ceramics 

A manufacturer and installer of a wide variety 

of engineering solutions using world-renowned 

insulation products. These solutions are used by 

clients to dramatically reduce energy consumption in 

their processes and, in many applications, to reduce 

damaging emissions to the environment. 

Nova Systems 

Nova Defence was formed in 2000 with the aim of 

providing the Australian Defence Force and other 

Government agencies with independent and professional 

test and evaluation and systems engineering services. 

Pacific 2012 

25 

PMB Defence 

A leading manufacturer of high quality Submarine 

Battery Systems. Its state-of-the-art production facility, 

coupled with its own chemical lab and research-anddevelopment 

facility, makes it one of the most modern 

battery production lines of its type in the world. 

Prism Defence 

A world-leader in ship helicopter integration. 

Helicopters operate to ships in the most demanding of 

environmental conditions. Whether it is a small or large 

ship helicopter interface trial, consultancy, or full program 

management, Prism Defence has the skills to safely and 

accurately defi ne the limits. 

Mincham Aviation 

The company caters for the aircraft and defence 

engineering industries, specialising in the manufacture 

and repair of advanced composite and sheet metal; 

welding, machining and heat treatment; cylinder 

grinding; painting; and project management. 

Other DTC members and SA defence industry exhibiting 

at Pacifi c 2012 include: 

APC Technology (6G11), ASC (5B9), Babcock 

(4W18), BAE Systems Australia (5B2), Daronmont 

Technologies (6D11), Kinetic Recruitment (6G9), 

Lockheed Martin (4P2), Raytheon (5B17), Saab 

Systems (4P18), Wartsila (5M12). 

Australian ia iaa n Defence Credit Union 

.

26 SPECIAL FEATURE PACIFIC 2012 advertorial 

Hill Defence Products to upgrade Minehunter Galleys 

Hill Defence Products is proud to announce that it has 

commenced work on the upgrading of the Huon Class 

Minehunter Galleys for Thales Australia Naval. 

Thales Australia has commissioned Hill Defence 

Products to redesign and manufacture an upgraded Galley 

layout for the RAN, HUON Class Minehunter ships. The ships, 

having been built in the mid 90s with what was considered 

at the time as top of the range conventional ovens, are now 

to be replaced by Combi Steam ovens which allow a greater 

variation of cooking methods. The redesign will also allow 

the cooks to free up a little more space in the galley for 

storage of utensils. 

The loss of the hot plates and griddle from the 

current oven will be overcome by the design having made 

space for both a new griddle and a custom made hot 

plate hob. The biggest challenge is to provide up to date 

equipment while staying within the current footprint and 

as with many of the RAN ships the equipment has to run on 

115v & 440 volt 60 Hz, 

Hill Defence intent is to modify Commercial off− 

the−shelf equipment from 240v 50Hz to 440v 60Hz and 

115v 60Hz where required. 

Along with modification to the electrical requirements, 

Hill will also be modifying the structural components to 

ensure they can withstand the stringent requirements 

necessary to be deployed on board the minehunter ships. 

The first galley upgrade will be available in the first 

half of 2012 with installation into the ships as they are made 

available at the Navy’s discretion. 

Hill Defence Products has been supplying the ADF 

with refrigeration, air conditioning, catering and galley 

solutions for over 25 years. Its equipment has been deployed 

on the Collins Class submarines, FFG frigates, ANZAC 

frigates, Huon Mine Hunters as well as many items on board 

the various supply ships. In recent years Hill Defence has 

successfully designed, manufactured and supplied over 

200 military air−conditioning units for both fixed site and 

mobile deployment. Hill Defence has also designed and 

WE TAKE THE HEAT AND STAY 

COOL UNDER PRESSURE 

• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning heat 

transfer systems 

• Food & beverage storage, preparation 

and presentation equipment 

Supplying defence is about performance and for more than 

25 years we’ve demonstrated our capability. We designed 

and supplied custom defence catering equipment and 

purpose built heating and cooling systems. 

Whatever defence requirements are in thermodynamic 

engineering, food and beverage, or equipment servicing – 

Hill Defence Products will make the impossible happen. 

For further detail please contact Nick Porter on 

08 8368 2300 or defence@hill.com.au 

Quality 

ISO 9001 

manufactured a Surgical HEPA filters system for use in soft 

shelters, this system believed to be the first of its type in the 

world is currently in use by the Army in the Weatherhaven 

deployable surgical soft shelters and has been used 

successfully in the current conflict zones and disaster relief. 

Parent company Hill Equipment is a proud privately 

owned Australian company who have been serving both 

the Commercial & Military refrigeration and catering 

industries since 1977. 

Hill Defence Products’ new cooking hob design 

26 Cavan Road Dry Creek South Australia 5094 • Sales 08 8368 2300 • defence@hill.com.au • www.hill.com.au

Pacific January/February 2012 SA Defence Business 

advertorial 

Williams expands its operations in Australia’s defence industry 

J&H Williams P/L ( Williams ) is a third generation family 

business in Port Adelaide having a long history spanning 

seven decades. From humble beginnings, the company 

has evolved into a leading, dynamic engineering firm that 

utilizes state of the art equipment and practices to offer a 

variety of light engineering services to numerous industries 

locally, nationally and internationally. 

At its core, the company remains focused on 

its primary purpose: to serve people. According to the 

company’s Operations Manager, Mark Koennecke, "everything 

we do at Williams is about serving people−to improve their 

lives and to help them thrive. And we mean everyone whose 

lives we affect; our staff, our suppliers, our customers, and 

our local, national and international communities. At the end 

of the day, people are the core reason we do what we do." 

In recent times, the company has focused on serving 

the defence and maritime sectors, where it has seen rapid 

growth. Among the varied defence and maritime work 

it performs, Williams has seen particular growth in its 

Advanced Metal Fabrication & 

HVAC Solutions for Defence, 

Shipbuilding & Ship Repair 

Since 1946, Williams have been passionate about 

working with others to achieve challenging goals. We 

love creativity, innovation, technology & problem 

solving. 

We constantly question the status quo, and we seek out 

innovative, elegant and perfect-fit solutions. We adhere 

to the world’s best practices in our systems, methods 

and industry. 

We just happen to design, manufacture and install 

lightweight metal components & HVAC systems for 

Australia’s Defence, Shipbuilding & Ship Repair 

Industries. 

design and manufacturing of heating, ventilation and air− 

conditioning (HVAC) systems. 

Williams has been selected, for example, as a 

partner in the Sea 4000 Air Warfare Destroyer build 

program to supply and manufacture HVAC items for all ASC 

manufactured blocks. To date, the company has supplied in 

excess of 6,000 items, ranging from structural and acoustic 

components to water−tight and non−water−tight ducts, to 

spool penetrations, terminals, screens, and plenums and 

supports in a myriad of shapes and sizes. 

Craig Williams, the company’s third generation 

Managing Director, states that "the entire Williams team 

is proud of our participation in, and contribution to, the Air 

Warfare Destroyer program, and particularly of our proven 

ability to provide a product of outstanding quality, whilst 

providing cost efficiency and on−time delivery. We sustain 

consistent, high−volume production through our innovative 

management processes, our people and capabilities. Our 

management structure and processes are never static and 

2012 

XXX 27 

continually evolve to suit the needs of our customers, and 

always at a minimum standard of ISO 9001:2008. We expect 

to see continued, rapid growth in the defence sector in 2012 

as a result of the efforts and relationships we’ve built in 

recent years." 

Williams also credits its success to its commitment 

to fostering leadership among its staff and management, 

and to its strong relationships, effective partnerships and 

alliances in the industry. The company has avidly supported 

the Defence Teaming Centre, the Defence Reserves Support, 

and the community at large through its many activities. 

More information about Williams can 

be found at jandhwilliams.com or by calling 

+61 8 8447 1044.

Lou 

Surace 

Defence Coating 

Systems

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business BUSINESS PROFILE 29 

"We work on projects 

coating components 

for the ASLAV and 

M1113 vehicles, as 

well as the Collins 

Class submarines 

and Air Warfare 

Destroyer Program" 

Niche market in defence paints a 

bright future 

Two local manufacturers took a business risk more than 15 years ago when 

they started Defence Coating Systems. 


Lou Surace is a man with a good sense of humour, 

a matter of fact conversational style and extremely 

sharp business acumen. 

Along with his business partner, Andrew Inglis, 

he put that business sense to good use when they 

spotted a niche in the protective coating systems 

market more than 15 years ago. 

At the time, both men were working for 

Unistrut Australia, manufacturing a wide range of 

metal framing. After becoming dissatisfi ed with the 

standard of service available for their work, they 

decided they could do the job better themselves – 

and so they did. 

The result was Defence Coating Systems, 

which provides services including protective coating, 

powder coating, abrasive blasting and sub assembly 

work to various industries. 

The majority of their work is in Defence, but 

they have signifi cant involvement in other sectors, 

including mining, electronic, medical and OEM. 

“We had both been working at Unistrut 

Australia for nine years and were having a few 

problems with protective coating. So we did 12 

months of research and decided to give it a go 

ourselves,” Mr Surace said. 

“We developed a business plan and 

approached the bank. Thankfully they supported us. 

I thought they were taking a risk, but 15 years later 

we’re still here and going strong.” 

The company is doing so well in fact that their 

original 710 square metre site has grown to 2,700 

square metres and they now employ 25 people. 

Defence Coating Systems undertakes projects with a 

value ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $1million. 

“Business is very good,” said Mr Surace. “We 

work on projects coating components for the ASLAV 

and M1113 vehicles, as well as the Collins Class 

submarines and Air Warfare Destroyer Program. 

“Through Life Support for the Collins Class and 

ASLAV projects give us some security for the future.” 

Defence Coating Systems’ site at Francis 

Road, Wingfi eld, is equipped with eight wet spray 

paint booths, two blasting systems, chemical pretreatment, 

conveyorised powder coating system 

with automatic guns and an online iron phosphate 

pre-treatment. 

“We’ve recently upgraded our capability to 

include our own abrasive blasting,” said Mr Surace. 

“We’ve also introduced state of the art paint 

and spray gun systems. This has increased our 

capability considerably.” 

The work is highly skilled, as everything must 

be completed to the extremely precise specifi cations 

required by their clients so that they exactly match 

the vehicles they will be incorporated into. 

And while Defence Coating Systems don’t 

usually coat the actual vehicles, some of the 

parts they work on can be several metres long, 

for example the periscopes for the Collins Class 

submarine. 

In the past, Defence Coating Systems has 

worked on everything from Shorland armoured 

vehicles, to Bushrangers, Black Hawk Helicopters, to 

the Tactical Air Defence Radar System. 

Given also their continuing work on the ASLAV, 

M1113, Collins Class and AWD projects, Defence 

Coating Systems has an impressive track record. 

But what about the future? 

“We’d love to win part of the Through Life 

Support contract for the Air Warfare Destroyers and 

be involved with the Land 121 and future Submarine 

and Mining projects,” said Mr Surace. 

“Our business has been growing steadily for the 

past 15 years but we always need to think ahead.” 

And is working in the defence industry a good 

place to be? 

“Yes, I think so,” said Mr Surace. “As long 

as Defence can keep a good fl ow of work coming 

down the pipeline. That’s going to be crucial for all 

SMEs and to maintaining the skills of the Australian 

defence community.”

Shane 

Fiedler 

Maritime 

Constructions

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business BUSINESS PROFILE 

An ocean of opportunities 

Good family succession planning has allowed Maritime Constructions to 

experience continued growth and make a name for itself in the marine 

construction industry. 


A young, dynamic CEO leads South Australian 

company into exciting new era. 

It sounds like a cliché, but it’s exactly what is 

happening at Maritime Constructions in Adelaide. 

The CEO in question is Shane Fiedler, who took over 

the reins of the company under the watchful eye of 

his father, Garry, in 2009. 

But at 28 years of age, you would be mistaken 

in thinking that Mr Fiedler is anything but highly 

experienced. 

In fact, he has been heavily involved in 

maritime construction for more than a decade, 

working closely with Maritime Constructions’ highly 

skilled frontline workforce in every area from boiler 

making to dredging. 

That hands-on experience, combined with the 

tutelage of senior management, has created a chief 

executive with the know-how and nous to successfully 

lead this proudly South Australian company. 

Established in 1996 to meet local demand for 

specialist marine services, Maritime Constructions 

regularly conducts major projects nationally and 

has also established a permanent presence in 

Western Australia. 

It has come quite a way from the days when it 

was known as A&G Marine and operated out of Port 

Adelaide. Established in 1990, A&G quickly earned 

a reputation as local fabricators who would provide 

their customers with exactly what they required. 

In 2007, due to the redevelopment of the 

inner port, Maritime Constructions relocated to 

Techport, the SA Government’s Naval Industry Hub. 

They might not have kept the A&G name, or the 

location, but they kept a reputation that has allowed 

them to grow to the point where the company now 

employs 100 people. 

This includes a highly skilled ‘front line’ 

workforce of boiler maker welders, fi tters, carpenters, 

crane drivers, riggers, mechanical tradespeople and 

many with a slew of marine qualifi cations. 

Mr Fiedler sees Maritime Constructions’ 

consistent growth of its project management and 

"Our current focus is 

on ensuring we have 

the best systems, 

engineering and 

project management 

functions to support 

the first class skills 

of our front line 

workforce" 

engineering capacity as crucial to the business’s future. 

“Our current focus is on ensuring we have the 

best systems, engineering and project management 

functions to support the fi rst class skills of our front 

line workforce,” he said. 

So far, Defence has been a relatively small part 

of Maritime Constructions’ business. Asked if it is a 

good sector to be involved in, Mr Fiedler’s response 

is emphatic. 

“Absolutely. Most organisations within the 

defence industry represent signifi cant repositories 

of knowledge and expertise,” he said. “We’ve had 

great experiences working with highly qualifi ed 

individuals willing to adopt a partnering attitude to 

achieve the best possible results.” 

Although on major projects the company has 

historically worked mostly under the umbrella of 

a larger head contractor, Mr Fiedler says Maritime 

Constructions wants to assume that leading role 

more often in the future. 

“The role of head contractor is a space 

Maritime Constructions is increasingly able to occupy 

itself,” he said. 

31 

“This is evidenced by the recent completion 

of a technically challenging design and construct 

project in remote Wyndham, Western Australia. The 

construction of the 108 metre Anthon’s Landing Jetty 

was a $6 million project.” 

That’s an achievement that is well deserved 

for a company that has diversifi ed into a full service 

marine infrastructure, fabrications and project 

management fi rm. 

While Defence might not yet make up a large 

part of Maritime Constructions’ work, the company 

has a long history of involvement in the industry. 

“We recently undertook the latest round of 

dredging works for the ASC North ship lift,” Mr 

Fiedler said. 

“We’ve performed the task a number of times, 

as well as dredging at the Common User Facility 

site. Without these essential dredging works it is 

impossible for a submarine to dock or undock.” 

Even as the organisation was in its infancy it 

was engaged by ASC to provide tug and work boat 

services during submarine dockings and undockings. 

It was also contracted to provide and install shock 

trial and trim dive moorings in support of the RAN’s 

Collins Class Submarine capability. 

But what is the best thing about leading 

Maritime Constructions? 

“I’ve always been obsessed with the ocean,” 

said Mr Fiedler. “I love to fi sh, swim and dive, so to 

be able to work in that environment and provide 

access for others to do the same is very special.” 

And is that a bit of a paradox, to love the 

ocean but also to be leading a company that is 

involved in substantial marine construction? 

“I’d say the opposite actually,” said Mr Fielder. 

“I think that’s the reason why we’re exactly the kind 

of company who should be entrusted to work that in 

that environment.”

32 XXX 

AD AD 

Phil 

Cornell 

Cornell Design 

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business BUSINESS PROFILE 

Most people at the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) 

know Phil Cornell as the man from SAGE Automation. 

Which would be great, except that since 

August 2011 he has turned his focus to working 

full time as Managing Director of his own company, 

Cornell Design. 

Based at Melrose Park, Cornell Design provides 

professional, sub-contract mechanical designers and 

design solutions for companies who do not have, or 

want extra capability, in that area. 

Its fi fteen designers, all from trade 

backgrounds, can provide this capability either on 

site or from their offi ces just off Daws Road. 

The team has grown from fi ve to sixteen 

(including Mr Cornell) since he bought the rights to 

SAGE Automation’s mechanical design arm, SAGE 

Design, in April 2010. 

Assisting with fi nding a buyer for SAGE Design 

while still at SAGE, Mr Cornell knew a good thing 

when he saw it and bought the business himself. 

Despite having worked indirectly on Defence 

projects including the Air Warfare Destroyer 

programme and Collins Class submarines, Mr 

Cornell doesn’t categorise his company as Defence 

specialists. 

“Our expertise lies in design for manufacture 

and that skill set brings as much value to the defence 

industry as it does to all of the industry sectors we 

service,” Mr Cornell said. “Defence counts for about 

30 per cent of our business, which we think is the 

right level of exposure.” 

So, what makes Cornell Design’s service so 

special? 

“What we provide is a professional, 

mechanical design capability to our clients that is 

specifi c to their needs at the time when they need it. 

Designing for success 

Phil Cornell saw a good thing when he decided to buy the mechanical 

design arm of his former employer, SAGE Automation, and he hasn’t looked 

back since. 


"I was with SAGE for six years, so a lot of 

people still associate me with the company 

and the great outcomes we achieved on 

Defence projects" 

Many companies have had to let this capability go as 

it expensive to maintain,” Mr Cornell said. 

“For many small and medium enterprises 

(SMEs) it just isn’t affordable to have a fulltime, 

permanent designer, let alone the additional cost of 

design software, maintenance and training. 

“We can provide design services from our own 

offi ces, or more often than not we’ll send a designer 

to them for the duration of the design phase of 

their project.” 

But it isn’t just SMEs who can benefi t from 

Cornell Design’s services. 

“We also get work from bigger companies 

who have a design capability of their own but need 

additional capacity during peak loading times, large 

projects or even covering leave,” he said. 

Mr Cornell believes his business model also 

provides sustainability in the design services sector. 

“Because we can provide a continuous variety 

of interesting and demanding design projects, we 

are providing fulltime, permanent work for people 

whose skills may well have been lost altogether. I 

think that’s critical in ensuring that Australia remains 

strong in this skills area.” 

And speaking of changing jobs, how does he 

cope with still being known as the man from SAGE? 

“It’s been really interesting and fun to be renetworking 

at the DTC in my own right. 

“I was with SAGE for six years, so a lot of 

people still associate me with the company and the 

great outcomes we achieved on Defence projects 

including winning the building of the control panels 

for the Integrated Platform Management System 

(IPMS) with Navantia for the AWD’s. 

“I do enjoy networking though, and have the 

“Cornell Curry Club”, a regular networking curry 

33 

lunch to help with that process, so it’s not as painful 

as it might be.” 

Mr Cornell is a gregarious and approachable 

character and he admits that he looks for a similar 

personality type in his designers. 

“The typical designer is often seen as a bit 

introverted, but that isn’t always good when you’re 

working on a job with people you don’t know and 

really need to be getting involved and asking questions. 

“My team is made up of experienced designers 

who don’t have any problems doing that. We’ve 

just put one of our designers, Gary Hunt, through 

the South Australian Defence Industry Leadership 

Programme (SADILP) with Gordon Edwards at the 

DTC. We will be sending candidates on the course 

every year from now on.” 

And if there are quiet times at Cornell Design 

due to the ebbing and fl owing nature of business? 

“If we do have any unutilised time, then we 

donate that time to charity by carrying out design 

projects for Orana, the organisation that helps South 

Australians with intellectual diffi culties,” Mr Cornell 

said. “It’s a really worthwhile cause and we love 

being able to help them out.” 

Not that there are so many quiet times these 

days. In fact, it’s busy enough that Mr Cornell has 

just appointed his fi rst Chief Financial Offi cer. 

“This is initially a part time role, but as the 

business grows we anticipate that it will become full 

time,” he said. 

“I think it’s a measure of our success.”

34 INDUSTRY 

New R&D tax Incentive brings greater benefits 

By PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS 

Federal Government support for private sector 

innovation in Australia has undergone significant 

change in recent months following years of debate. 

South Australian defence companies have a long history of innovation with many 

companies well placed to access the increased tax incentives available under the 

new R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is a broad-based, market driven 

program accessible to all industry sectors and is designed to encourage more 

companies to engage in R&D and thereby boost competitiveness and improve 

productivity across the Australian economy. 

The new R&D tax incentive has a retrospective start date of July 1, 2011, giving 

rise to immediate opportunities for defence companies conducting R&D, including: 

potential cash savings of up to 15c for every $1 spent on eligible R&D 

activities 

refundable benefi t up to 45c for every $1 if in tax losses and less than 

$20m turnover 

relaxation of the IP rules which provides a greater opportunity to claim 

where undertaking R&D on behalf of a foreign related entity, a situation 

that is quite common in the defence industry 

an increased ability to claim R&D conducted overseas, and 

the opportunity to apply for advanced approval of R&D activities. 

St John 

do a 

weld of 

good 

Show your 

support through 

our innovative 

new program 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT PARTNER 

First Aid training and products 

St John is self funded. Find out how your corporate 

involvement can asist. Call us on 1300 360 455 

www.stjohnsa.com.au 


Key changes of the new program centre on the type of activities that now 

qualify as R&D, in particular the defi nition of ‘core’ R&D activities. Other changes 

include the defi nition of ‘supporting’ activities - specifi cally, those activities 

relating to the production of goods and services will only be claimable if they are 

undertaken for the ‘dominant purpose’ of supporting ‘core’ R&D activities. 

PwC National R&D Partner Sandra Mason says: “The new R&D Incentive 

will play an important role in ensuring the South Australian defence industry 

remains competitive on the global stage.” 

“All new R&D claims need to be considered in ‘real time’ to avoid evaluation 

of an R&D claim post year-end. This ensures that claimants don’t miss out on the 

more generous benefi ts provided by the new program,” Ms Mason said. 

Further information on the new R&D Tax Incentives will be available at a 

briefi ng session PwC is hosting for Defence Teaming Centre members in February. 

Breaking down bullying in 

the workplace 

By PIPER ALDERMAN LAWYERS 

For the past few years, there has been a big focus on the risks of bullying in the 

workplace. Studies have found that workplace bullying costs the economy $13 

billion a year due to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism and staff 

turnover. 

According to the US Workplace Bullying Institute, Australia falls in 

line with other Western countries, with nearly one in six people bullied at 

their place of employment. In professions where hierarchical structures lend 

themselves to bullying - like the military, police forces and fi re brigades - the 

rate is even higher. 

Since “Brodie’s” case in 2010, health and safety regulators have 

devoted signifi cant attention and resources to warning employers about 

the risks of bullying in the workplace. It is also an area of concern for other 

regulators, employers and insurers alike. 

Safe Work Australia (SWA) has released a draft code that provides 

useful guidance on what bullying is, how to prevent it becoming a health 

and safety risk and a recommended course of action if a complaint is made. 

It is a timely reminder for employers, who should consider their current 

processes in light of the draft code. 

Broadly speaking the Code is divided into the following parts: 

1. Who has duties in relation to workplace bullying? 

2. What is workplace bullying? 

3. How to prevent workplace bullying 

Controlling the risk of workplace bullying requires that an appropriate 

workplace bullying policy is in place, effective complaints procedures are 

developed, staff are provided information and trained to raise awareness of 

bullying and its impact, and are encouraged to report bullying as early as possible. 

Piper Alderman has recently assisted many clients with training and 

advice on their systems to ensure that they are legally compliant with the 

new harmonised health and safety laws, including workplace bullying. 

Please contact one of the Piper Alderman team on 08 8205 3315 for 

assistance. 

For further information on the SafeWork SA Codes of Practice for 

bullying in the workplace, visit www.safework.sa.gov.au

AIM SA Graduate School of Business 

We congratulate our 2011 

Graduates and welcome others 

to the AIM SA MBA, designed by 

management practitioners for 

practical managers. 

Julie Bignell 

Chief Executive Offi cer 

Life’s for Living Inc 

Trudy Boyce 

Mayne Proprietary Product Manager 

Pharma International 

Stuart Cavill 

Hydraulics Manager 

Cavill Power Products 

Jason Holding 

EMS Specialist 

Cavpower 

Lyn Hynd 

Business Manager 

The Hills Christian Community 

Denise Johns 

Farm Manager/Owner 

Russell Jones 

Workshop Manager 

Normet Asia Pacifi c 

Alan Kennedy 

Technical Offi cer - Assets Group 

United Water International 

Nigel Langford 

Operational and Engineering Manager 

General Dynamics Land Systems Aus. 

Robert Magee 

Senior Project Manager 

Climat Commercial 

Gavin McNeill 

Supplier Continuity Representative 

GM Holden Ltd 

Andrea Mead 

Managing Director 

Heatile Engineering 

Sam Merchant 

Australian Human Resources & 

Finance Offi cer 

Grain Technologies 

Jodie Murphy 

Human Resource Manager 

Next Generation Clubs Australia 

Sharyn Simes 

Sales Manager 

Corporate Express Australia 

Chris Stubbs 

Director of Finance 

Adelaide Convention Centre 

More and more South 

Australian professionals are 

choosing our Graduate School 

to undertake their MBA and 

Executive Education. 

Find out why at one of 

our Information Sessions 

Dates 

January 10 or March 27 

Time 

5.30pm–6.30pm 

Venue 

Centre for Management Development 

180 Port Road, Hindmarsh 

Bookings 

Phone (08) 8241 8000 

or visit www.aimsa.com.au 

aimsa.com.au SOUTH AUSTRALIA

www.prospectroad.com.au 

come see the new Prospect Road Village Heart 

www.prospect.sa.gov.au


Leading young 

defence industry 

careers 

Sumen Rai, Market Analyst at 

Defence SA, is passionate about the 

SA defence industry and developing 

our future skills requirements. 

A keen astronomer and graduate 

of the South Australian Leadership 

Program, Sumen knows the value of 

networking and provides advice for 

building a defence industry career. 

What is your current role in the defence industry? 

I am a Market Analyst at Defence SA, which is the 

South Australian Government department charged 

with promoting the growth of defence industry in 

South Australia. My role sits within the Business 

Development team, where I conduct research and 

analysis on defence-related market segments and 

companies across the land, maritime and aerospace 

domains. The aim of my research is to understand 

the markets we’re working in so we can promote 

South Australia to the Department of Defence, 

Defence Materiel Organisation and Defence Primes 

as the ideal location for Defence projects and 

personnel; and to identify capability gaps where we 

might be able to attract new companies to the state. 

Underpinning all of this, I monitor political, economic 

and commercial developments in Australia and 

overseas that might affect defence projects and the 

defence industry in South Australia. 

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your role? 

Knowing that my work is contributing to the 

development and economic strength of South 

Australia is extremely gratifying for me. However, this 

is a ‘big picture’ view that I don’t necessarily think 

about every day! On a more ‘operational’ level, I love 

the interaction with the very smart people that work 

in defence companies, both local and international, 

and what I learn from them. I’ve been working in the 

defence industry for a year, and I’ve learned so much. 

What are your career goals? 

While I very much enjoy the research and analysis 

role, the next step for me is to move into a position 

that is more directly responsible for investment 

attraction and economic development. Ideally, I 

would like to combine my growing knowledge about 

the defence industry’s requirements with my former 

qualifi cations in education to work on developing 

the STEM workforce. The demand for appropriately 

qualifi ed people to undertake high-tech work, now 

and in the future, is a challenge for many countries 

and underpins the sustainability of our industries 

Sumen Rai, Market Analyst at Defence SA 

and economies. It’s a tricky problem, but something I 

would relish the opportunity to tackle. 

What do you enjoy most about working in 

defence industry? 

I love the hi-tech nature of the defence industry, 

and the exacting standards that have to be met. My 

job is not to build and maintain equipment, but I 

try to incorporate the defence industry’s (admirable) 

expectations of precision into the research and 

analysis that I do. 

What has been your biggest achievement in the 

defence industry? 

I’ve only been in the defence industry a short time, 

but the achievement I’m most proud of thus far is 

completing the South Australian Defence Industry 

Leadership Program (SADILP). It’s not just that I 

completed the requirements of the program to 

graduate, but there’s a real feeling of having ‘arrived’ 

in the South Australian defence industry with 

the professional relationships and friendships I’ve 

developed with my fellow SADILPers. 

What are your hobbies outside of work? 

Reading, and more reading. I’ll read pretty much 

anything! I also have a passion for live music, and 

for astronomy. I’ve made several attempts at running 

regularly, but I’d rather not talk about that. 

YOUNG AMBASSADOR 37 

What is your advice for young people looking 

to progress into your fi eld of work? 

Being successful in an investment attraction/ 

economic development role is dependent on the 

quality of your relationships with relevant people 

and the information you have access to. 

First, build your networks. At fi rst, this 

means meeting people through your co-workers 

or managers, and also attending industry events. 

Don’t feel shy about asking people questions, 

even if you think you sound stupid – it’s better to 

get a good understanding of the subject matter 

than to make incorrect assumptions and come to 

incorrect conclusions. Second, fi nd a mentor who 

is experienced in the investment attraction role 

and at navigating government procedures, and 

try to ‘shadow’ them at meetings to see how they 

do business. This will also allow your managers to 

feel more comfortable about delegating meetings 

with potential investors to you. Third, keep your 

knowledge and skills up-to-date. Be familiar with 

technological developments (not just in your 

industry, because cross-overs happen often), political 

developments both locally and internationally, 

and take advantage of professional development 

opportunities to broaden your knowledge and skills.

SKILLS 


Working with the mechanics of the future 

School students and their teachers involved in the 

Advanced Technology Industry School Pathways 

Program (ATISPP) – funded by the Defence Materiel 

Organisation (DMO) – had the chance to experience 

mechanical engineering studies fi rst hand when they 

attended the recent MechExpo 2011. 

Held at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, 

the University of Adelaide’s annual MechExpo is an 

exhibition of projects by fourth year students from the 

University’s School of Mechanical Engineering. This 

year’s event showcased a variety of projects ranging 

from a Catapult-Launched Maritime UAV Robot to 

an Oceanic Robot-Glider and included displays from 

mechanical, aerospace, sustainable energy, mechatronic 

and sports engineering. 

The 80 Year 10 and 11 students from 

secondary schools involved in the Pathways Program 

had a unique opportunity to encounter engineering 

in practice, to learn what it really means to be an 

engineer and to engage with fi nal year engineering 

students as they share their experiences. Each exhibit 

represented a culmination of a full year’s work and 

refl ected the diversity and opportunities available 

within the fi eld of engineering. 

Gleeson college students interviewing honours students 

Unley High School students talking robotic gliders with University 

of Adelaide 

“Students who attended the expo increased their 

knowledge of technology and engineering applications, 

concepts and career pathways that will foster their 

engagement and achievement in maths and science,” 

said ATISPP industry broker Brenton Schulze. 

Mr Schulze said that by engaging with the 

MechExpo project teams, the secondary students 

gained an appreciation of the personal and 

professional skills required to be an engineer, including 

project management, time management, fi nancial 

management, team work and communication skills. 

Project topics ranged from system analysis and 

design to experimental investigations of fundamental 

research problems. Mr Schulze said that some past 

student solutions had even led to patentable systems. 

The school students also were involved in 

recording interviews with the project teams, including 

17 university honours students, and producing a series 

of short videos using the Apple iPad 2 with a focus on 

career pathways. 

“Real-world, active learning experiences help 

secondary school students to develop an understanding 

of engineering. Students are able to interact with 

Hamilton students blown away 

Year 9 students from Hamilton Secondary College 

who designed, manufactured and tested their 

own wind turbines have become the fi rst group 

of secondary students to display a project at the 

University of Adelaide’s 2011 Mechanical Engineering 

Expo (MechExpo) for mechanical engineering 

honours students. 

“Students were set the task to design and 

build a model of a wind turbine to be highly effi cient 

and produce the highest power output,” said Karen 

Palumbo, key teacher of the Advanced Technology 

Project at Hamilton Secondary College. 

“They worked in small groups to build their 

wind turbine in design and technology class, test their 

turbines in science and then statistically analyse their 

results in maths with the aim of constructing the most 

effi cient turbine. 

“Students researched horizontal and vertical 

axis wind turbine designs and experimented with 

two and three-blade models. They produced a series 

of annotated sketches to develop their design ideas. 

“The key difference between the student turbines was 

in the blade design. Students designed an airfoil using 

an industry-standard computer-aided design program 

and then manufactured their designs with a laser 

cutter,” Ms Palumbo said. 

The students then tested their wind turbines 

in University of Adelaide’s wind tunnel facilities in the 

School of Mechanical Engineering. 

Sophia Li won the best turbine design, 

awarded by the Centre for Energy Technology and 

the School of Mechanical Engineering. Sophia was 

presented with her award at an awards ceremony at 

MechExpo in October 2011. 

Hamilton is one of 19 schools participating in 

the South Australian Advanced Technology Industry 

School Pathways program. The project is aimed at 

increasing student interest in study and employment 

opportunities from science, technology, engineering 

and maths at school. 

“At the MechExpo, students were asked 

questions by many academics, the general public and 

other school students – all of which were impressed by 

engineers of the future and increase their awareness of 

the role of engineers in society,” Mr Schulze said. 

“In order to address long-term shortages in the 

engineering industry, including the defence industry 

in South Australia, we must attract quality students to 

engineering disciplines.” 

“The Mech Eng Expo allowed me to experience 

engineering in a ‘hands on” way. I was inspired by the 

projects I saw and now feel really passionate about 

mechanical engineering.” 

Victoria Langton, Year 10 student, 

Henley High School. 

“Today’s Mech Eng Expo has added a new 

dimension to the career opportunities Henley High 

Students may have in the future. It has stressed the 

importance of the science/mathematics subjects whilst 

still at school.” 

Jamal Nordin, teacher. 

“The benefi t of today was that it boosted the 

idea of becoming an engineer. It’s shown what I could 

become in later life.” 

Jacob Kostoglou, Year 10 student, 

Hamilton Secondary College. 

The $5.7 million Commonwealth funded South 

Australian Advanced Technology Industry School 

Pathways Program aims to boost pathways into 

defence industry related jobs. For more information, 

please contact Brenton Schulze, industry broker at 

brenton.schulze@sa.gov.au or mobile 0448 852 706. 

Hamilton Secondary College with the winning 

wind turbine design 

the students explanations as well as the project itself,” 

Ms Palumbo said. 

“I believe the project was a huge success and 

look forward to involving more students from Hamilton 

in the Renewable Energy cross-curricular project in years 

to come. The integrated Renewable Energy Project 

draws upon the overlying social issue of climate change 

and encourages students to look at ways to build a 

more sustainable future.”

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business SKILLS 

Leading from within: personal growth through 

SADILP 2011 

SADILP 2011 graduates Mark Koennecke, of J&H Williams Holdings, and Rebecca Baylis, 

of Aeronautical Engineers Australia, examine the relevance of the program from their 

own perspective. 

In January 2000, best-selling author Jim Collins 

assembled a team of analysts to produce an empirical 

study of businesses and determine what characteristics 

cause a company to go from good to great. The study 

focussed not on companies that achieve outstanding 

results, but rather those that achieve sustained 

remarkable results for extended periods. 

Their most unexpected fi nding was that all the 

businesses in the case study shared a distinct leadership 

style: Level 5 Leadership. A Level 5 leader is an 

enigmatic and contradictory blend of personal humility 

and professional will, ambitious not for themselves 

but for the company. It was these leaders that were 

the most important difference between a mediocre 

company and one that had achieved greatness. 

By its own defi nition, Good To Great, the book 

on the fi ndings of Jim Collins in his study, identifi es 

that Level 5 is infrequent. However, it also notes that 

potential Level 5 leaders exist all around us and we just 

need to know what to look for… 

So how do we identify and develop Level 5 leaders? In 

the defence industry, we look to the South Australian 

Defence Industry Leadership Program (SADILP). The 

program was developed to provide a succession plan 

for current leaders to capture and pass on the extensive 

knowledge held within the industry. 

As participants of the 2011 program, at 

our fi rst session we discussed our expectations of 

the program. Many fellow participants similarly 

commented: “I’m not sure why I’m here - my boss 

thought it was a good idea”! 

Over the next nine months, however, it became 

very clear that each individual, carefully chosen by the 

selection panel from across industry, had been targeted 

for their different strengths and weaknesses. Participants 

were faced with lively discussions on leadership, the 

challenges facing the defence industry, and the future of 

South Australia as the “Defence State”. 

At the monthly Wednesday sessions in the 

Naval, Military and Air Force Club of South Australia, 

the group discussions were often controversial and 

personally confronting for many participants, but it 

was here that the group really began to understand 

the meaning of leadership in the context of the 


Fortunately, the program facilitator Gordon 

Edwards from HeavyPoint was at hand to challenge 

participants’ thinking and keep the sometimes 

wandering discussions on topic - at least, until the 

breaks when there were free-for-all discussions! 

With an intimate knowledge of Defence and the 

defence industry, Gordon’s guidance during the 

sessions, on the fi eld trips, and also in the invaluable 

Gordon Edwards, SADILP facilitator, 

with participant Rebecca Bayliss 

"The perspective that young diggers 

have on the defence industry, who 

are not long out of their teens and 

ready to be deployed in the not−too− 

distant future, was quite simply 

overwhelming and powerful" 

one-on-one meetings made the program focused and 

targeted, forcing everyone to really consider, “What do 

YOU think?” 

Most importantly, the 2011 program put 

participants in direct contact with the end user, 

the Australian Defence Force, to gain a greater 

understanding of how Defence operates. The 2011 

program included two overnight fi eld trips; the fi rst to 

the 16th Air Defence Regiment at Woodside and the 

second to 7th Royal Australian Regiment at Edinburgh. 

These visits pushed the participants both physically 

and mentally. At Woodside we sampled the delights of 

ration packs and navigated with a compass (no iPhones 

allowed!), and at Edinburgh, observation and memory 

recall skills were tested. 

The latter visit had soldiers showing much 

patience and openness to the endless questions from 

us “corporate types”. The perspective that young 

diggers have on the defence industry, who are not 

long out of their teens and ready to be deployed 

in the not-too-distant future, was quite simply, 

overwhelming and powerful. 

Under a Chatham House Rule Charter, 

participants were given unprecedented access to the 

insight and advice of guest speakers, senior Defence 

and industry leaders. Some memorable speakers 

for 2011 included the SADILP Patron, His Excellency 

Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, Governor 

39 

of South Australia; Stephen Quinn CSC (Chief, Land 

Operations Division, Defence Science and Technology 

Organisation); Martin Hamilton-Smith MP; Chris Burns 

CSC (DTC CEO) and Mark Reynolds (Head, Commercial 

Industry Programs, DMO). It was the words of wisdom 

from these leaders that not only provoked much 

thought and discussion but also gave participants a 

perspective of Defence and defence industry that they 

may have never considered before. 

Early in the year, participants were placed in 

groups to research, discuss and prepare a concept 

paper and presentation. The topics initially seemed 

varied and rather vague until teams began research 

and the concepts became focused. The end results 

were thought provoking concept papers with several 

common themes, pitched at a panel of defence 

industry representatives in November 2011. Comments 

from the panel included the professionalism of the 

presenters, and the unique ideas for solutions to issues 

facing Defence and industry The exercise validated the 

development and insight of the participants and also 

their ability to infl uence a team of colleagues to work 

together effectively towards a specifi c outcome. 

At the conclusion of the 2012 program, SADILP 

will have an alumni association of approximately 70 

graduates, all with a greater awareness of Australian 

Defence Operations, the defence industry and their 

roles as leaders. Importantly, while solid business 

relationships are forged through SADILP, the program 

is not a networking program, nor is it a management 

program. SADILP is a philosophical journey into the 

personal essentials of great leadership and, as the 

challenges of Force 2030 unfold, it will be our industry’s 

future leaders that infl uence not only South Australia’s 

economic progress, but also the delivery and support of 

our Nation’s military capability. 

These emerging leaders need to be Level 5 

Leaders; able to not only achieve results but be able 

to sustain our industry at levels of greatness. The 

signifi cance and validity of SADILP is refl ected through 

the election of Darryl Holt of Raytheon and Craig 

Williams of J&H Williams Holdings, both 2011 SADILP 

graduates, to the DTC Board of Directors. 

We highly recommend the SADILP to business 

leaders and owners, CEOs and executive level staff within 

the defence industry, as well as those dynamic, emerging 

leaders who, when brought together for this program, 

will have a vibrant, crucial and unforgettable experience. 

So if you think you are up for the challenge, we 

encourage you to contact Kerryn Smith at the Defence 

Teaming Centre on 08 8260 8907 for full details on the 

2012 SADILP intake and application criteria.

40 SKILLS 


Men are from Mars, Women are from WiDRI 


At a recent AMCHAM lunch in Adelaide, a panel of four 

industry leaders (three male) from Santos, BAE Systems 

Australia, Deloitte and GHD discussed gender equity 

in the workplace. The discussion was hard hitting and 

addressed the key benefi ts of increasing the amount of 

women in their industries: bottom line results. 

The Co-Chair of the Premier’s Council for Women, 

Kate Gould, provided the introductory address for the 

event and stated clear indicative facts, the latest research 

shows that companies employing a diverse workforce 

retain employees longer, have better bottom line results 

and increased shareholder satisfaction. 

In addition, research commissioned by the 

Council in 2009 showed that although women in 

South Australia are among the best educated in the 

world, more than 108,000 women in SA want to 

work or work more. 

We are a State with an overwhelming workforce 

of intelligent women yet in the defence industry, only 

21.9 per cent of the workforce are women. While there 

are no statistics on women in leadership positions in 

defence industry, experience tells us that percentage 

would be much smaller. We are under utilising a highly 

available and capable workforce that can readily assist in 

fulfi lling projected skills shortages in the future. 

Throughout 2011, the Defence Teaming Centre 

and the Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance 

coordinated the Women infl uencing Defence and 

Resources Industries (WiDRI) program. The resources 

and mining industry has an even more unbalanced 

gender distribution, with just 8.3 per cent of the 

workforce female. 

The intention of WiDRI was to support the roles 

and responsibilities of women as directors and managers, 

coaches and mentors and industry advocates. While this 

objective was well and truly achieved through training, 

inspirational speakers and the development of Thought 

Leadership groups, the outcome not required but 

accomplished, was the development of a network of 

truly passionate, intelligent and outstanding women who 

have the drive and motivation to make a difference in 

the defence and resources industries. 

While there was discussion about the factors and 

reasons why women generally aren’t achieving the top 

leadership positions in organisations, the atmosphere 

wasn’t one of complaint, but rather action and 

anticipation of a future where women can contribute 

their intelligence and valued perspectives to the benefi t 

of their organisations and ultimately the industries. 

The women on WiDRI are an engaged group, 

looking to make a difference in 2012. However, a 

key change to the WiDRI program in the second 

year of the program will be the engagement of men. 

As stated succinctly by Ms Gould, “If Australia is 

to position itself as a global leader in business, we 

need to start having frank and fearless discussions 

about gender and the workforce,” she said. “Men in 

leadership positions need to take action.” 

A key requirement of WiDRI in 2012 will be the 

engagement of men on the program to understand 

the issues of gender equity in the workplace and to 

action a workforce diversity policy in their organisation 

that targets gender equity with numerous benefi cial 

outcomes, including a better bottom line. In 2012, both 

men and women will be from WiDRI. 

How hard is it to train your staff? 

Finding employees that are a good match for your 

team can be a hard process, especially when you 

have a specifi c skill set in mind for them. It can be 

easier to up skill your existing team members to meet 

your requirements - after all, you already know these 

staff and their capabilities and you know that they 

understand you needs and they have staying power. 

But training staff is an expensive exercise, what 

with the cost of training and the time required off 

job to complete the training. And where can you fi nd 

a reliable company to supply the training? 

Many employers aren’t aware that there is a 

Federal Government program in place that provides 

funding to employers that will cover the costs of 

training. Yes – your business can receive up to $4000 

of Federal funding for each eligible employee that 

you place under a contract of training. 

Not wanting to miss the bandwagon, the 

State Government will also allow your business to 

be exempt from payroll tax and Work Cover levy for 

each member of staff for the entire length of the 

contract. 

With more than 500 qualifi cations on scope 

here in South Australia, you could up skill your staff 

in leadership, management, engineering and much 

more. The State Government has announced that 

they have now extended funding from Certifi cate 

II and III to now include all qualifi cations up to the 

Advanced Diploma level. There has never been such 

a great time to up skill your staff. 

With this latest announcement from the 

Government, the amount of companies putting staff 

through contracts of training is going to increase 

greatly. So why not jump on board and get your 

team trained up to increase the effectiveness of your 

business. 

Interested in knowing more? 

Mission Australia Apprenticeship Solutions can advise 

you on the needs and requirements for your business 

and administer all the required paperwork to help 

the process progress as smoothly as possible. They 

can also advise of Registered Training Organisations 

available to deliver the training to your staff and 

will help you to claim all of the incentives that you 

are eligible for. This service is offered to you free of 

charge. To contact Mission Australia, phone Melanie 

Richards on 0448 653 913 or email her at 

richardsm@missionaustralia.com.au. 

Emerging Leaders 

provide defence 

industry a new 

perspective 

As part of the South Australian Defence Industry 

Leadership Program (SADILP), participants are 

grouped to work together on concept papers that 

provide research and analysis on issues pertinent to 

the defence industry. SA Defence Business will be 

providing executive summaries of the 2011 concept 

papers, full versions of the concept papers are on the 

DTC website www.dtc.org.au/aspx/sadilp.aspx 

Defence Industry Sustainability – 

Implications to SA Defence Industry in Relation 

to Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS), Military off 

the Shelf (MOTS) and Indigenous Development 

P. Bates (Defence SA), G. Doyle (Kadego), 

R. Emanuele (DTC), M. McLaren (Babcock), 

R. Proctor (Australian Aerospace), A. Young 

(Lockheed Martin). 

Over the next two decades a signifi cant 

proportion of the specialist platforms and systems 

operated by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will 

be replaced or modernised in pursuit of the capability 

objectives outlined in the 2009 Defence White Paper. 

Over the next 10 years alone, the Defence Capability 

Plan outlines requirements for 140 projects with 

associated Government expenditure of approximately 

$153 billion in 2010 prices. With this increased 

expenditure, there is a heightened need to ensure 

that procurement risks are minimised. 

Based largely on the recommendations of 

the Kinnaird Review in 2003 and, more recently, 

the Mortimer Review in 2008, Government 

has subsequently implemented a program of 

procurement reforms aimed at ensuring the 

cost effective delivery of future ADF capability 

requirements. Moreover, the 2009 Defence White 

Paper has highlighted how the Government will 

use Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) and Commercial 

Off The Shelf (COTS) products and procurements 

as benchmarks for future acquisitions. Whilst 

COTS and MOTS purchases seemingly provide Risk 

reduced Value for Money procurements - there 

are impacts to Australian Indigenous Defence 

Capability and Sustainability which must be 

examined and considered as part of the overall 

Value for Money Proposition. 

This concept paper highlights the impact 

to the sustainability of the Australian and South 

Australian defence industry as a result of pervasive 

Defence Off The Shelf (OTS) procurement as opposed 

to indigenous development. 

The following areas are examined to 

determine the impact to defence industry 

sustainability: 

What determines Australian Defence capability, 

The South Australian defence industry model, 

A Study of industry impacts from pervasive OTS 

procurement, and 

A case study – Land 121 Phase 4

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... 

A day on the job of a nation building project 

ASC Production Technician Paul Minerds has an enviable job working on the Collins Class 

submarine, and soon, the Air Warfare Destroyer. 


ASC Production Technician Paul Minerds 

The traffi c on Victoria Road leading to the Techport 

defence precinct is a lot busier these days for ASC 

Production Technician Paul Minerds. 

Born and bred in the area, Mr Minerds has 

experienced the growth of defence industry in South 

Australia’s maritime precinct and can now claim to 

work on one of the nation’s biggest Defence projects, 

the Collins Class submarines through-life support. 

Recruited during ASC’s “100 workers in 100 

days” campaign in mid-2011, Mr Minerds is one of 

the current 255 production workers at ASC assigned 

to the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program. 

Currently seconded to the Collins Class 

program, Mr Minerds is one of the lucky few who 

will have experience working on both submarines 

and destroyers, a skill set not many in the country 

can claim. 

Mr Minerds describes his current role as “an 

opportunity like no other”. 

“South Australia is the only place you can do this 

work and come mid-2012, I’ll be working with over 

150 other electricians on AWD, nothing compares!” 

As an electrician, Mr Minerds’ career has taken 

him all over the country. After completing a four 

year apprenticeship at a local sparky company in 

Ethelton, Mr Minerds travelled far and wide, working 

for One Steel in Whyalla and on water purifi cation 

plants in Brisbane and Fremantle. 

The pull of working on a Nation building 

Defence project eventually saw Mr Minerds back in 

South Australia and applying to ASC for a position 

on AWD. 

While awaiting his cycle of work on the AWD, 

Mr Minerds is part of a team of 15 electricians 

working on the refurbishment and commissioning of 

the diesel generators on HMAS Sheean, the Collins 

Class submarine nearing completion of its Full Cycle 

Docking (FCD). 

“Completing an FCD for a submarine is 

around two years of hard work, seeing Sheean in the 

water for testing has been a big accomplishment, 

very satisfying,” he said. 

It seems the only unsatisfying part of Mr 

Minerds’ job is working in the bilge, the area at the 

very bottom of the submarine. 

“It’s pretty crammed in there,” says Mr 

Minerds, understandable given that he stands 

around six foot tall. 

For all work outside the bilge, Mr Minerds has 

a very positive outlook on his job. Starting each day 

41 

at 7am as part of the morning shift, the manager 

outlines the day’s tasks for the team and they “set to 

work” on the submarine, completing their tasks. 

“The difference between this job and my other 

jobs as an electrician is the high standard of quality 

controls and documentation required,” Mr Minerds said. 

“The work we do can affect people’s lives – at 

ASC, safety and quality is our priority for all of the 

work we do.” 

Building and maintaining a submarine has 

a complexity similar to that of a space shuttle. 

In comparison to a Boeing 777, a Collins Class 

submarine has 68 more systems, 1,100 more 

suppliers and a whopping 400,000 more parts to 

assemble – not to mention a price tag almost three 

times as much as the Boeing aircraft. 

Maintaining a Collins Class submarine is a role 

for the best of the best, exactly the type of worker 

ASC recruit. 

“Working on a submarine, you spend more 

time doing a good job, you do your best,” Mr 

Minerds said. 

And what makes his job so exciting? Simply, “I 

work on Collins Class submarines!”


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January/February 2012 SA Defence Business CONTRACT NEWS 43 

Codan wins Cambodian 

counter−mine contract 

ADELAIDE electronics group Codan Limited is supplying 

405 landmine and unexploded ordnance detectors 

donated by the Japanese Government to help ongoing 

land clearance operations in Cambodia. 

The fi rst shipment of the latest model F3 detectors 

left Adelaide in November 2011 for Cambodia, with 

a second shipment, including spare parts for older 

detectors, sent in December 2011. 

The General Manager of Codan subsidiary 

Minelab, Hugh Graham, said Minelab has been 

providing countermine detectors to military, 

commercial and humanitarian aid organisations 

around the world since 1998. 

“Cambodia has an estimated four to six 

million mines and unexploded ordnances scattered 

around the country that are remnants from wars 

from the 1960s to the mid 1990s,” Mr Graham said. 

“Every year hundreds of people are killed by 

these devices, while many more are maimed. In fact, 

Cambodia has one of the highest rates of amputees in 

the world per head of population. 

“However, casualty rates have been steadily 

falling as a result of clearance efforts over the years. 

“Since 1998 our detectors have helped to identify 

and remove about half a million mines, making large 

areas of the country safe.” 

Minelab’s countermine detectors are 

manufactured in Adelaide and exported to more than 55 

countries around the world where mines are a problem. 

These include Angola, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mozambique, 

Bosnia and Afghanistan. 

Codan Limited was also recognised at the 49th 

Annual Australian Export Awards in early December 

2011, winning the export awards in the Information and 

Communication Technology Category. The prestigious 

awards recognise companies that have performed 

strongly in the global market. 

SAGE Didactic wins AWD and 

LHD Contracts 

SAGE Automation’s business focus in defence 

continues to pay off, with the award of two recent 

contracts to SAGE’s training arm, SAGE Didactic. 

SAGE Didactic is a national leader in the training 

of people working with industrial control and 

automation technology across all sectors of industry. 

SAGE will design and supply complete PLC 

training rigs for the Air Warfare Destroyer. The rigs, 

using COTS equipment used on the actual ships, will 

be used by both industry and the Navy to train workers 

in the Programmable Logic Controllers and Human 

Machine Interface technology. The training rigs will be 

located at the Maritime Skills Centre at Techport. 

The second contract will involve the supply 

of a complete training solution to BAE Systems for 

the Landing Helicopter Dock program. The contract 

includes supply of a training aid as well as a purpose 

written training system, providing a totally integrated 

learning system. 

Saab Systems on deck with LHD and ANZACs 

Saab to provide training for the Canberra class Landing Helicopter Docks 

SAAB will provide training systems for Australia’s 

largest ships under a new contract signed with 

BAE Systems Australia. Under a change in Saab’s 

development contract for the project, Saab will 

provide operator and maintainer training systems for 

the Canberra class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs). 

The systems, a derivative of the trainer used for 

the ANZAC Class ships, will be supported using the 

9LV combat management system. The 11 systems 

will be fi tted into a shore-based training facility that 

will be operated by BAE systems Australia. 

“Training is part of our comprehensive support 

and sustainment services for our customers,” said 

Saab Systems Managing Director Richard Price. 

“Saab’s extensive experience in training which 

extends to both Army and Naval domains makes 

us the most suitable provider of these training 

capabilities.” 

Work has already commenced on this twoyear 

stage of the project, with a follow-on contract 

for the delivery of training expected to be negotiated 

this year. 

On top of Saab’s success with the LHDs, the 

Government approved an upgrade of all ANZAC 

Class frigates to the full Anti-ship missile Defence 

Jumbo Vision supply ETSA with control 

MAWSON Lakes based Jumbo Vision International has 

been awarded a contract to supply and install control 

room furniture for SA Electricity Provider ETSA Utilities. 

The three stage project will commence mid 2012 and 

will take approximate two months to complete. 

Jumbo Vision manufacture full scale models of 

console designs, giving ETSA the opportunity to view 

and manipulate consoles to try different layout options. 

The General Manager of Jumbo Vision 

International, Lena Kimenkowski, said that the contract 

win was exciting for the company. 

“We see ourselves as part of the development 

process so it’s an endorsement for our methodology, as 

well as our products,” Ms Kimenkowski said. 

standard. Saab will work with BAE Systems Australia 

and CEA Technologies on the upgrade. 

The Royal Australian Navy will receive a full 

suite of upgrades, including an enhanced 9LV 

combat management system, phased array radar 

and other sensors. The system was tested earlier in 

the year on the HMAS Perth, where it performed 

excellently in several trials. The same system will now 

be applied to the rest of the ANZAC fl eet. 

Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray 

Griggs said the tests proved that the new system 

could defend the ship from modern cruise 

missile attack. 

Chairman of Saab Technologies Australia 

Gunilla Fransson said, “The modernisation of the 

entire ANZAC class is testimony to the future-proof 

9LV combat management system and Saab’s combat 

system engineering capability in Australia. 

”This fully integrated combat system is now 

one of the most modern CMS in the world. It gives 

the ANZAC ships a fully fl exible capability to utilise 

all its weapons, sensors and countermeasures 

simultaneously.” 

“Jumbo Vision is the best company for this 

project as we have the experience to design, deliver 

and support these kinds of complex ventures. We 

understand the issues facing big organizations these 

days and know that the ‘hot buttons’ can vary between 

stakeholders within a project group. 

“We are also 100 per cent Australian so we 

understand the positives as well as the limitations of 

undertaking big projects in Australia – from working 

in the different time zones, to the logistics of getting 

technical components to Australia from anywhere in 

the world,” she said.



NDY staffer nation’s first female with SCEC endorsement 

Roshan John of NDY 

ENGINEERING consultancy Norman Disney & Young 

(NDY)has added a new fi rst, having the fi rst female 

consultant in Australia to achieve Security Construction 

Equipment Committee (SCEC) endorsement. 

Melbourne-based Security Services Consultant 

Roshan John recently achieved this high level security 

clearance – an endorsement requiring stringent criteria 

are met – unaware of her unique status. 

“It wasn’t until I recently attended a SCEC 

function that I was informed of my status as the fi rst 

woman in Australia to be awarded SCEC endorsement,” 

Ms John said. 

“It is a signifi cant honour for me personally and an 

important coup for NDY as an organisation, particularly 

Smart Fab sees the light with Pelican 

Pelican RALS 9430 lighting the way for Smart Fabrication 

AN innovative new lighting system developed by 

Adelaide’s Pelican Products is now helping Port 

Adelaide-based Smart Fabrication to see clearly and 

work more effi ciently on site. 

Smart Fabrication now relies on the Pelican 

RALS 9430 light, a self-contained, portable, 

given our ever increasing specialised Defence and 

Government work.” 

SCEC is the interdepartmental committee 

responsible for the evaluation of security equipment 

for use by Australian Government departments and 

agencies. SCEC reports to the Attorney General’s 

Protective Security Policy Committee which was 

established by the Australian Government to develop 

and establish guidelines for protection of Australian 

Government resources. Satisfying the requirement for 

practical on-site experience and consultancy expertise 

was an important component of Ms John achieving 

SCEC endorsement. The endorsement allows her to 

work on high-level security Defence and government 

infrastructure jobs, such as ATO projects. 

“Being a SCEC endorsed consultant allows you to 

take a much more holistic view of a facility. You really drill 

the architecture and services on all the design elements 

and materials used and not just electronic security but 

also physical structure security considerations, right down 

to the fi ner details such as glass, wall fi nishes and even 

blinds,” she said. 

With a team of highly specialised SCEC 

consultants, NDY has been busy with a number of 

Defence tenders. In a highly competitive market, SCEC 

endorsement will provide a major fi llip for future high 

security work, and Ms John looks forward to these 

opportunities. 

“Ensuring that all elements have been done to 

perfection and satisfying client expectations is important 

to me personally and an engrained aspect of the NDY 

culture. I‘m one of those lucky people that relish and 

enjoy every aspect of their work life.” 

maintenance free, silent-running and recyclable 

lighting solution. 

Site work is a large part of the Smart 

Fabrication business – on a recent project 

welding large diameter pipes 36ft inside and 15ft 

underground, it required a product that was not 

Plasteel SA continues to excel 

DTC member Plasteel SA were announced as the 

winner of an SAI Global Systems Excellence Award 

at a ceremony in November 2011. The award, in 

the category Quality Management Systems – Small 

Business, recognises Plasteel as having an exemplary 

commitment to not only sustaining bottom line results 

but to superiority of service, commitment to customers, 

ethical behaviour and environmental sustainability. 

Plasteel SA Managing Director Darryl 

O’Shaughnessy said that the award recognised the 

outstanding contribution of his staff. 

“I wish to send my thanks to all my staff for 

the tremendous effort that they put in on a daily 

basis, particularly to Suzy Hall for her incredible 

efforts not only over the last six years with us, but 

more importantly over the last 12 months to help us 

in gaining the ISO9100 Aerospace Accreditation on 

its fi rst attempt, something that has not been done 

before,” Mr O’Shaughnessy said. 

“We are extremely proud and honoured to 

accept this award.” 

Suzy Hall from Plasteel SA accepting the Business Excellence 

award at the SAI Global gala dinner 

only durable and reliable but could last for a solid 10 

hours a day. 

Pelican’s LED-based light met the needs of 

Smart Fabrication, contributing to the extremely high 

pass rate on all welds done. As the RALS are designed 

without glass, there is no chance of breakage, and 

being self-contained units, there is also no need for 

workers to carry or assemble a jumble of kit on site - a 

major draw card for Smart Fabrication to the Pelican 

Products unit. 

“The advantage of the rotating head and 

adjustable stand allows us to view every detail 

of each weld while still working. The extra-long 

battery life means we can keep going all day to help 

our customers meet their deadlines,” says Smart 

Fabrications Managing Director Simon Kennedy. 

“Smart Fabrications have really put these lights 

to the test with the long hours and tough conditions – 

we’ve even had one run over by a customer’s bobcat. 

“The proven strength, reliability and durability 

of the Pelican has kept us coming back.” 

Mr Kennedy said the new lighting solution also 

eliminated the need for electrical cables, as well as 

noise, hazardous fuels, fumes and heat issues.

January/February 2012 SA Defence Business MEMBER NEWS 45 

Prism wins Export Award 

PRISM Defence was awarded the National Small to Medium Services Export Award 

2011 by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The 

judges of the awards were impressed by Prism’s strong export focus, their sound and 

targeted export growth strategy, and the company’s innovative use of technology in 

meeting customers’ needs. Prism Defence was also awarded the Business SA Twenty 

Eleven Export Awards: Small to Medium Services for the second consecutive year. 

The company had an eventful 2010-11, increasing their export earnings by 36 

per cent to more than $3 million and conducting night vision goggle fl ight testing 

with the Swedish Navy. The company has also moved to a new offi ce in Melbourne 

Street, North Adelaide. Prism CEO Greg Ward said that the move would support the 

company’s increased sales and staff growth. 

“This move has greatly improved our infrastructure, working environment 

and productivity,” said Mr Ward. The company has also recently opened an offi ce in 

Scandinavia, to better serve European customers. 

Prism also recently signed a contract with the New Zealand Navy to conduct 

trials aboard the HMNZS Otago and the HMNZS Canterbury in 2012-13, using the 

NZ Super Sea Sprite Helicopters. During the trials, Prism will develop Ship Helicopter 

Operating Limits, which defi ne relative wind speed, ship motion and aircraft weight 

limitations for safe operation of the choppers aboard ships. 

IMPORTING 

OR EXPORTING? 

Custom Agency Services. 

A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS WITH UNIQUE LOCAL 

KNOWLEDGE OF THE SA DEFENCE INDUSTRY. 

Customs Agency Services (CAS) have worked closely with the South Australian Defence 

and Aerospace industries since 1976. 

Since then we have successfully imported and exported billions of dollars worth of 

Defence and Aerospace products, on time and on budget. 

As South Australia’s leading International Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker, not only 

are we proud of the past and current success of the South Australian Defence Industry, 

but are excited about the future opportunities the Defence sector offers our state. 

CAS would like to thank all of our Defence and Aerospace customers for their past 

support and look forward to our continued growth and partnerships. 

Capable. Competitive. Committed. 

Call us today. Phone: 08 8354 2221 

Email: cassales@caspl.com.au 

ESTABLISHED 1976 

Prism Defence’s 

award winning 

work in action 

NewSat satellite transformation 

NewSat’s Jabiru-1 Satellite will provide Ka-band coverage to the military and 

enterprise across the Middle East and Asia. 

NEWSAT is Australia’s largest specialist satellite communications company, delivering 

Internet, voice, data and video communications via satellite. In the past 12 months, 

NewSat has continued its success from the Teleport business and extended its growth 

into the satellite arena, achieving major milestones with the Jabiru Satellite Program. 

NewSat has acquired seven premium orbital slots from KyproSat, which have received 

Cypriot regulatory approval and signed US$279 million in binding pre-launch 

contracts on the Jabiru-1 satellite with TrustComm, 3A Technology and Quicklink 

Communications. More recently, NewSat has announced Lockheed Martin as Jabiru- 

1’s manufacturer and is scheduled to launch with Arianespace. NewSat is on target to 

launch Australia’s fi rst independently owned commercial satellite, Jabiru-1 in 2014. 

NewSat’s core Teleport business has continued its success, signing 175 highgrade 

enterprise and government contracts across the oil, gas, mining, construction, 

government and military sectors. As NewSat prepares to enter a new phase of 

growth, the company has added two experienced satellite executives to an already 

cohesive management team. David Ball was appointed Chief Technology Offi cer and 

Michael Hewins joined NewSat as Chief Operating Offi cer.


IN BRIEF 

A new Force for General Dynamics 

GENERAL Dynamics announced in early November 2011 that it would acquire 

Force Protection for $US360 million. Force Protection will become part of General 

Dynamics Land Systems. 

Chairman and CEO of Force Protection Michael Moody, said: “After 

careful consideration of the strategic direction of Force Protection, our board 

decided that a sale to General Dynamics would maximise value for our 

stockholders. With their armoured vehicle business, General Dynamics will be 

able to pursue opportunities that we could not have pursued as a stand-alone 

company.” 

The proposed acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of 

each company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, General Dynamics will 

commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of 

Force Protection. 

Alfon’s CEO is still going strong at 88 

ALFON Engineering CEO Fred Moore has a long history with defence - and still turns 

up to work today at the age of 88 with his passion and drive as strong as ever. 

Mr Moore served in the Royal Merchant Navy in World War II, before immigrating 

to Australia and founding the company in 1964. Originally in the automotive 

sector, Alfon has expanded its scope to the mining and defence industries, 

working with BAE Systems on the M113AS Armoured Personnel Carrier upgrade. 

Alfon has also recently upgraded its quality systems to ISO 9001: 2008. 

“The quality of local manufacturing is second to none,” says Mr Moore. 

“[Local industry] is more than capable of supporting big defence and 

mining projects.” 

APC committed to quality 

APC Technology has been recognised for its ongoing commitment to maintaining 

a high standard of quality. The company was recently presented with a certifi cate 

from quality system provider SAI Global for 15 years of certifi cation within the SAI 

Global ISO 9001 quality system. APC has now held the ISO9001 standard since 

August 1995. 

The quality system underpins all of APC’s business processes, including 

sales, document and data control, manufacturing, training and design review. The 

process also includes a continuous review cycle and processes for redressing noncompliant 

areas. 

Steamatic cleaning up SA defence industry 

STEAMATIC Adelaide has introduced two unique cleaning services to the 


Steamatic’s dry-ice blasting is suited to a number of applications, including 

the cleaning of electronic equipment and corroded or contaminated surfaces. 

The non-invasive technique removes surface contaminants leaving the underlying 

surface undamaged. The non-toxic technique is safe to use in confi ned areas, as 

well as needing minimal cleanup and causing limited downtime. 

Steamatic has also launched the BioSweep decontamination system, 

which kills over 99 per cent of pathogens and eliminates odours within a 

few hours. Requiring no chemicals, scrubbing or cleanup, BioSweep renders 

contaminated areas ready to use in no time. As a new DTC member, Steamatic 

is making its mark, then cleaning it, in the defence industry. 

St John SA celebrates the contribution of volunteers 

MORE than 100 St John members were recognised for their contribution to the 

South Australian community at the annual St John’s Awards Day ceremony at 

Government House in October. 

In 2010/11, St John fi rst aid volunteers attended 4,627 events and treated 

9,632 people at community events. Community Care volunteers provided 

community support and friendship to 579 seniors and young people with a 

disability. In total, 2068 volunteers gave 132,935 hours of their time to the 

community – which equates to 15 years of volunteering in one year. 


Max Crane and Equipment caps off a busy year 

MAX Crane and Equipment Hire had a busy 2011, which has placed the company 

stronger than ever at the start of 2012. The company, based in Port Augusta, has 

expanded its workforce to over 50 employees, refl ecting a steady growth and 

equipping Max Crane and Equipment Hire for the challenges of the future. 

The company took delivery of four new cranes, including a 400 tonne 

all-terrain Leibherr model, the largest SA owned crane of its type. The Leibherr is 

equipped with a 60m main boom and an 84m luffi ng fl y, allowing a 100m maximum 

radius. 

Max Cranes achievements were recognised during the year, winning two 

awards at the Port Augusta Outstanding Business Awards. As well as winning the 

Trades and Industry category, Max Cranes won the overall Most Outstanding Business 

award, recognising its hardworking, dedicated team and strong business planning. 

New faces at DSIC 

Max Crane’s 

newest purchase 

is the largest 

crane of its type 

in South Australia 

THE Defence Systems Innovation Centre (DSIC) has recently gone through further 

transformation with the appointment a new Operations Manager out of Canberra, 

Mr Niall Fay, a new Business Development Manager, Mr David Searles and a new 

Project Manager, Mr Gary Lyons, who is new to Australia having recently emigrated 

from the UK. 

DSIC CEO Sanjay Mazumdar said the appointments will help DSIC move into 

the future 

“The team I have put together is passionate, proactive and dedicated to ensuring 

DSIC focuses on the strategy and I am confi dent we will take DSIC to the next level in 

order to support Defence and most importantly the warfi ghter,” he said. 

In other major organisational changes, DSIC has also recently acquired the 

NICTA suite of defence short courses and has appointed Ms Lynne McKeown, fresh 

from NICTA, as the Training Coordinator. 

DSIC was established as a national centre to help Defence and industry 

to address some of the modern Defence force’s challenges by drawing upon the 

advanced research capability in systems engineering, network communications and 

information management in the University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, 

University of NSW and the Queensland University of Technology. 

The new team at DSIC with Minister Jason Clare


ANZAC displays 

Message handling 

terminals 

Computing Solutions for Tough Conditions 

APC Technology specialises in the custom 

design and development of rugged 

systems for demanding conditions. 

• Custom designed military standard 

solutions 

• In-house testing and qualification 

capability 

• Certified secure software and software 

development tools 

Visit APC Technology at Pacific 2012, 

Stand 6G11 

sales@apctechnology.com.au 

www.apctechnology.com.au 

Custom design 

keyboards 

Custom Console 

keyboards 

ANZAC Keyboard and 

trackball 

Rackmount UPS 

APC 

Technology

48 EVENTS 


SADILP Class of 2011 

The SA Defence Industry Leadership Program 

(SADILP) graduates of 2011 concluded the year with 

a well-deserved networking event and graduation 

ceremony at the Naval, Military & Air Force Club on 

November 9, 2011. 

Selection of participants for this year’s 

program will be fi nalised by March, with SADILP 

2012 commencing in April. Anyone interested in 

taking part in the program should nominate with the 

Defence Teaming Centre to secure a place on this 

very popular program. 

For nominations, please contact Kerryn Smith 

on (08) 8260 8907. 

DTC Monthly Networking Events 

The November 2011 DTC Monthly Networking 

Event at the Naval, Military & Air Force Club was 

sponsored by Gordon Edwards, of Heavypoint, 

and included an inspirational briefi ng on how 

successful companies have signifi cantly and 

sustainably increased their value by transforming 

leadership thinking and behaviours. 

At the same venue in December, the End 

of Year networking event, sponsored by J&H 

Williams, saw a record-breaking attendance 

of over 160 people. Gary Bettcher from 

Leadership Management Australia and Sumen 

Rai from Defence SA got into the Christmas 

spirit, taking out the ‘best tie’ and ‘best 

dressed’ awards respectively. 

1: Kerryn Smith of the DTC addressing the 

SADILP graduates 

2: The SADILP class of 2011 

3: SADILP participants in action on the 2011 

fi eld trip to RAAF Base Edinburgh 

4: Participants relaxing in the Offi cers Mess 

after a hard day on the fi eld trip 

1 2 

3 

The DTC holds its networking event on 

the third Thursday of each month, with an 

average 80 members from the defence industry. 

To sponsor an event, please contact 

Tracy Pierce on 08 8260 8189. 

1: Trevor Duell, DTC; Sarah Thomas, Paxus and 

Natalie Inglis, Paxus. 

2: Andrew Baker, IOCANE and Gail Jackman, 

University of South Australia. 

3: Wendy Matthews, Priority Management and 

Wendy Perry, Workforce BluePrint. 

4: Craig Williams and the team from J&H 

Williams Holdings, sponsor of the December 

networking event. 

1 2 

3 4 

4 

Upcoming events 

DTC Business Development Breakfasts 

February 7, March 6 

7.30am – 8.30am 

Café Palazzo, 89a The Parade, Norwood 

DTC Members only 

The DTC hosts a breakfast on the fi rst Tuesday of each month to 

offer members an informal setting for the discussion of current 

defence industry business development news and networking 

opportunities. For more details, or to sponsor a breakfast, contact 

Tracy Pierce on 08 8260 8907. 

DTC Monthly Networking Events 

January 19 

5pm – 6.30pm 

Mawson Lakes Hotel, 10 Main Street, Mawson Lakes 

Register at www.mybookingmanager.com/jan2012 

Cost: $22 (inc GST) DTC Members, $33 (inc GST) Non-Members 

The DTC monthly event provides the defence industry with an 

opportunity to meet other DTC members, share experiences and 

identify opportunities. 

Proudly sponsored by Defence Health. 

February 16 

5pm – 6.30pm 

Naval, Military & Air Force Club 

111 Hutt Street, Adelaide 

Register at www.mybookingmanager.com/feb2012 


Proudly sponsored by J&H Williams 

March 15 

5pm – 6.30pm 

Innovation House 

Technology Park Conference Centre, Mawson Lakes 

Register at www.mybookingmanager.com/mar2012 


Proudly sponsored by Ingenia. 

DTC Annual Defence Industry Dinner & Awards Ceremony 

Thursday May 31 

7pm – 11.30pm 

Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Port Road, Hindmarsh 

Register at www.mybookingmanager.com/dtcdinner2012 

Cost $165 DTC members, $200 Non Members. Tables of 10 can 

also be purchased. 

Proudly brought to you by J&H Williams, this is a prestigious 

event for the SA defence industry. With over 400 attendees from 

defence industry SME’s and Primes, Department of Defence, 

DMO and State and Federal Government, the event is a key 

occasion for industry networking. 

Foundation Daw Park Annual Ball 

Saturday April 21 

7pm – 11.30pm 

Adelaide Festival Centre, King William St, Adelaide 

Tickets at www.foundationdawpark.org.au or phone 8275 1039 

Cost $150 per person including three-course meal, fi ne 

wines and entertainment. 

2012 is the 70th anniversary of South Australia’s iconic Repatriation 

General Hospital. To celebrate this milestone, the ball will be themed 

“Celebrating 70 years at the Repat”. Join in a night of ceremony, 

entertainment and fi ne dining. All proceeds help Foundation 

Daw Park to support medical research into conditions that affect 

Veterans, as well as providing support to the Repat Hospital.

................................................ 


Member list 

ICT/electronics 

Access Datacom 

Aerostrip Australia 

AFC Group 

APC Technology 

Associated Electronic Services 

Aviation Management 

Avinet 

CISCO 

Codan Limited 

Codarra Advanced Systems 

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) 

Control Devices Australia 

Dataline Visual Link (DVL) 

Deadline 

Dedicated Systems Australia 

DESA Australia 

Dimension Data 

Fibre Composites 

Gryphon Technologies International 

IMAGINiT Technologies 

IMP Printed Circuits Pty Ltd 

Ingenia Pty Ltd 

Intec Consulting Group 

Integrity ICT 

Iocane 

IQMS Distribution 

Jumbo Vision International 

Legend Defence Industries 

Lencom Antennas 

Logi−tech Pty Ltd 

Multifid Technology Australia 

National Instruments 

NewSat 

Nextgen Networks 

Nilsen (SA) Pty Ltd 

ProjectCentre.net 

Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd. 

Rutledge Engineering 

Shark Shield Pty Ltd 

SMR Technologies 

SMS Management & Technology 

Supplied Solutions 

Sydac Pty Ltd 

Systech Consultants 

Ultra Electronics Australia 

Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd 

Creating exceptional results through your people. 

infrastructure 

API Security 

Badge Constructions 

Bardavcol 

Baulderstone 

Candetti Constructions 

CTG Security Matrix 

GBA Projects 

Hardy Milazzo Architecture & Interior Design 

Inconmat Australia 

John Holland Pty Ltd 

Maritime Constructions 

Samaras Group 

Templeton Constructions 

logistics − transport 

AirRoad 

Customs Agency Services 

DHL Global Forwarding 

Diamond Bros 

MTU Detroit Diesel Australia 

NOW Global Logistics 

Port of Melbourne Corporation 

UTI 

Proud member of DTC 

Gary Bettcher 

0409 694 036 

www.LMA.biz/DTC 

manufacturing manufacturing (continued) 

Adelaide Inspection Services 

AFE Slipway 

AFL Services 

Agars Industrial 

Airspeed 

AJ Distributors 

Alfon Industries Pty Ltd 

All Welding & General Engineering 

Aluminium Dynamics 

ArmourWorks International Ltd 

ASC 

B L Shipway & Co 

Bluebird Rail Operations Pty Ltd (BRO) 

Brice Metals 

Brister & Co 

Broens Industries 

Byron Aviation 

Calbic 

Century Engineering 

Civil & Mechanical Services 

Crane Services 

Crisp−Air 

De Bruin Group ( De Bruin Engineering) 

Defence Coating Systems 

Dematec Group 

Diemould Tooling Services 

Dunlop Foams 

Embedded Logic Solutions 

Engraving Services Co 

Ferrocut 

Fire System Services 

Form Cut Pty Ltd 

General Dynamics Land Systems − Australia 

(GDLS) 

Glassbead Technology Pty Ltd 

Heavy Automatics Pty Ltd 

Hill Defence Products 

Holbri Engineering 

Horwood Bagshaw 

Hypac Pty Ltd 

Industrial Gaskets 

Integra Packaging 

J&H Williams Holdings P/L 

Krueger Engineering 

Levett Engineering Pty Ltd 

Lincoln Plastics 

MacTaggart Scott Australia 

Max Crane & Equipment Hire 

Mincham Aviation 

Morgan Thermal Ceramics 

Pacific Marine Batteries 

Pelican Products Pty Ltd 

Performance Metals Australia 

Peterson Industries Pty Ltd 

Pirtek (Adelaide) Pty Ltd 

Plasteel S.A. 

Priority Engineering Services 

Process Rubber and Plastics 

Sage Automation 

SCF Group 

SKF Australia 

SMART Fabrication Pty Ltd 

Snap−on Industrial Tools Australia 

Static Engineering Pty Ltd 

Steamatic Adelaide 

Stramech Engineering 

Technoweld 

T−Mag 

Toolcraft Pty Ltd 

Torque Industries 

Tyco Flow Control 

United Fasteners SA Pty Ltd 

Wartsila Australia Pty Ltd 

ZF Lemforder Australia Pty Ltd 

Zip Industries

................................................ 


Member list continued... 

Advantage SA 

Australia−Israel Chamber of Commerce 

Australian Organisation for Quality (SA) Inc. 

Beca Consultants 

British High Commission 

BurnGlint 

CatOps 

CGD Enterprises 

City of Tea Tree Gully 

Commonwealth Bank 

Crawford Legal 

Defence Health 

Defence Reserves Support SA 

Defence SA 

Deloitte 

Department of Education and Children’s 

Development 

DHC Group Accounting and Migration 

Drake International 

Enterprise Connect 

Equity and Advisory 

Ernst & Young Transaction Advisory Services 

Ferguson Project Management Services (FPMS) 

Finite IT Recruitment 

Finlaysons 

Hawker Britton Group 

Hays Recruitment 

Heavypoint Pty Ltd 

Hughes Public Relations and Communication 

Counsel 

Human Interest Partners Pty Ltd 

Icon Recruitment 

Innovate SA 

Integrated Financial 

Interwork Limited 

Inventure Partners 

Kinetic Recruitment 

Lawson Risk Management 

Madderns Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys 

Manpower Services 

MBA Financial Strategists 

Migration Solutions 

Minter Ellison 

Mission Australia Apprenticeship Solutions 

MPS People Solutions 

National Australia Bank SA − Business Division 

Creating exceptional results through your people. 

professional services professional services (continued) 

Norman Disney and Young 

Norman Waterhouse Lawyers 

Paxus 

Peter Kittle Motor Company 

Peter Page Holden 

Piper Alderman Lawyers 

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Priority Management South Australia 

RedBikini 

St John Ambulance Australia 

Talent International 

Technology Industry Association (TIA) 

Terra Firma Pty Ltd 

The PAC Group 

Thinc Projects 

Westpac Banking Corporation 

Willis Australia 

Workforce Blueprint (Wendy Perry and 

Associates) 

registered training organisations 

ACG Global 

Action Workforce − Ashley Institute of Training 

Adelaide Training & Employment Centre (ATEC) 

Australian Driver Trainers Association 

Australian Institute of Business 

Australian Institute of Management (AIM) 

Capability Resources 

Carnegie Mellon University 

CITC 

Defence Systems Innovation Centre (DSIC) 

Flinders University 

Insight International Consultancy 

KneeDeep Project Management 

Leadership Management Australia Bettcher 

Norgrove Training 

Professional Driver Trainers Association 

Specialist Training Australia 

St Patrick’s Technical College Northern Adelaide 

TAFE SA− Adelaide North 

University of Adelaide 

University of South Australia− Defence and 

Systems Institute 

Acacia Research 

Aeronautical Engineers Australia 

Aurecon Australia 

Australian Aerospace 

Babcock Pty Ltd 

BAE Systems Australia 

Cadgile 

CEA Technologies Pty Ltd 

Cobham Aviation Services Australia 

Cornell Design 

Daronmont Technologies 

Department of Defence− Defence Science and 

Technology Organisation (DSTO) 

Eptec 

Frazer− Nash Consultancy 

GHD Pty Ltd 

Intercad 

Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems 

Kadego 

Kilic Engineering 

Leed Engineering & Construction Pty Ltd 

Lockheed Martin Australia Electronic Systems 

Pty Ltd 

Nova Systems 

Prism Defence 

Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd 

Rylac 

Saab Technologies Australia Pty Ltd 

Waterfall Solutions 

Proud member of DTC 

Gary Bettcher 

0409 694 036 

www.LMA.biz/DTC 

systems engineering DTC new members: Nov/Dec 2011 

Access Datacom Pty Ltd 

Bluebird Rail Operations (BRO) 

Brice Metals NewSat 

DHL Global Forwarding 

Hardy Milazzo Architecture & Interior Design 

NewSat 

Returned and Services League of Australia (SA) 

Steamatic Adelaide 

DTC charities of choice 

Foundation Daw Park 

Legacy Club of Adelaide 

Returned and Services League of Australia (SA)


OUT OF HOURS 51 

Ian’s dream ride 

He may not have Italian heritage, but Ingenia’s 

Business Development Manager, Ian Biggs, is 

passionate about the iconic Italian Vespa scooter. 

Ian has owned four Vespas over the past 

decade and his latest pride and joy, a geared red 

Vespa 150 Super is a mean little machine which 

travels “like a dream” on the open road, even as 

far as Mt Gambier, 500km away. 

In fact, his scooter gained recognition at this 

year’s National Scooter Rally in Perth as winner of 

the ‘Best Vespa’ award for pre-1970 models. 

Most weekends, Ian and his fellow Vespa 

Club members escape hectic city life on their 

classic scooters and hit the highway. 

“We do say we’re a bit like the modern 

‘Mod’ scene,” jokes Ian. 

“I think everyone can relate somewhere in 

life to owning a Vespa,” Ian says. “You do have 

to laugh at yourself.” 

A boiler maker by trade, Ian worked at the 

Australian Submarine Corporation until 15 years 

ago. Ian spends much of his spare time at home 

bringing vintage scooters back to life in his 

converted back shed, dubbed his “man cave”. 

His latest work in progress is a complete re-build 

from spare parts of a 1969 model Lambretta. 

His love affair with scooters has also 

become a family affair – wife Donna also rides 

a Vespa and Ian already takes fi ve-year-old 

daughter, Jaime-Lee, for spin in the backyard. 

“Once you’ve got the disease, it’s hard to 

get rid of it.”


Ashley Hayes 

Modra Hayes Pty Ltd 

1 Independent Survey, Newfocus , November 2010 

www.innovatesa.com.au 

“Innovate SA is a 

South Australian 

business builder.” 

Innovate SA helps businesses like Modra Hayes, 

based on Yorke Peninsula, to achieve sustainable 

growth in national and export markets. 

In fact, in a recent survey 74% of company CEOs 

attributed ‘very positive/positive impact on 

business growth’ to working with Innovate SA. 

In Modra Hayes experience, Innovate SA has 

given them the tools and knowledge required 

to attract investors and has helped them to 

understand and apply for grants that they have 

successfully been awarded – having a huge 

impact on their business. 

“The Business Advisors at Innovate SA have been 

a great source of advice and knowledge and 

have been an invaluable resource.” 

Ashley Hayes & Simon Modra, 

Joint Managing Directors – Modra Hayes 

If you’re interested in sustainable businesses 

growth, call 8113 0700 or visit our website. 

very positive / positive impact 

on ‘business growth’ 1 

74% 

86% 

87% 

98% 

very positive / positive 

impact on ‘growth strategy’ 1 

positive impact on 

‘business practices’ 1 

highly satisfied with 

‘business advisory assistance’ 1

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