The 2024 convention awarded three new awards for the first time

The recent Wire and Gas 2024 convention celebrated the winners of three inaugural awards at the Gala Awards Dinner that took place at The Westin Brisbane on August 25.
These accolades were awarded in front of an audience of automotive technicians and workshop owners and industry luminaries as well as representatives from the supply chain, regulatory and licensing bodies, environmental stewardship schemes and the Australian government.
Kristine Navarro of MF Auto Prestige (VIC) received the first ARC Award for Refrigerant Management (mobile sector), while Dion Carle of Voltaic Auto Electrical (WA) was honoured with the inaugural REDARC Young Technician of the Year Award.
Meanwhile, Ian Stangroome of Corjay Aire (QLD) was the first recipient of VASA’s new Grant Hand Industry Mentor Award, and Jeff Smit of The Automotive Technician (NSW) won the VASA Pioneer Award.

ARC Award for Refrigerant Management (mobile sector)
Kristine Navarro, the Managing Director of MF Auto Prestige in Lynbrook, Victoria, was joined by business partner Joben Gutierrz to accept the inaugural ARC Award for Refrigerant Management (mobile sector) from Australian Refrigeration Council Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Evans.
Glenn explained that the field officers nominated businesses that had performed particularly well during the refrigerant licensing scheme’s audit process for Refrigerant Trading Authorisations (RTA) issued under the Australian Government’s Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations.
“While most businesses are compliant each year, there are a few that stand head and shoulders above the rest. These businesses are a shining example to others in the industry, and they are the businesses that our field officers nominated for this award,” Glenn said.
“The winner of this year’s award was exemplary in all aspects of their reporting requirements and compliance obligations. Everything was in perfect order. Not only did they meet all their RTA obligations, but they welcomed the ARC audit process, seen as an opportunity to confirm that they were doing everything in the right manner.
“Post audit, they were also interested to discuss the environment, aspects of the licensing initiatives and understand the implications of high-GWP refrigerants.”

REDARC Young Technician of the Year
The first REDARC Young Technician of the Year Award went to Perth-based Dion Carle who works at Voltaic Auto Electrical in Welshpool and turns 23 years old in September.
Open to VASA members or those working in VASA member businesses, this initiative by Adelaide-based REDARC Electronics aims to recognise and celebrate the exceptional talent and contributions of individuals under 30 years of age within the automotive industry, intended to inspire others to develop their skills, talents, and leadership qualities, creating a ripple effect of improvement throughout the automotive industry.
As part of the award, Dion received a $5000 retail value prize of items of his choosing from the current REDARC catalogue as well as fully funded attendance to the 2024 VASA Wire and Gas Convention.
“It’s an incredible honour not only to receive this recognition but also to have the opportunity to explore and learn at the Wire and Gas Convention here in Brisbane,” Dion said.
“I’m deeply humbled to have my efforts and achievements in the automotive industry acknowledged in this way. I would also like to express my gratitude to Josh, my boss, and the entire team at Voltaic Auto Electrical. Your guidance and support have played a huge role in shaping the technician I am today.”

Grant Hand Industry Mentor Award
Ian Stangroome, a former VASA President of 13 years and proprietor of various successful workshops and other businesses, was the first recipient of the association’s new Grant Hand Industry Mentor Award, named after influential Australian automotive air-conditioning expert Grant Hand, who remains pivotal in shaping the education of and instilling professionalism into thousands of technicians across Australia and New Zealand over many decades.
“Ian has trained at least nine apprentices, he has multiple trades, he has been on numerous industry and government bodies, he was president of VASA for 13 years, and I’m very pleased to say, still on the VASA board,” VASA President, Brett Meads, said.
“I have certainly benefited from Ian’s training, coaching, advice and mentorship, and I know many, many others have.”
Unaware that he would be the recipient until his name was mentioned on-stage, Ian made a brief acceptance speech in which he credited the support of his wife Carrie as “95 percent of this award”.
“This is completely unexpected. Had I known you were going to do this, I would never agree to it, it would have been off the agenda,” Ian said.
“I appreciate the sentiment behind it. There’s plenty of good people in this room who we can all aspire to in improving this industry and keeping it going strong.”

VASA Pioneer Award
Jeff Smit, the owner of Sydney workshops Tower Motors and Premier Automotive, and founder of The Automotive Technician (TaT) network, received the 2024 VASA Pioneer Award just months after being inducted into the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Hall of Fame.
Introducing the winner, fellow TaT co-founder and former VASA director Deyan Barrie said it was “difficult to contain my admiration for this person’s achievements.”
Deyan described Jeff as “a driving force of our industry, making remarkable contributions to its development and growth…playing a pivotal role in numerous initiatives and projects, demonstrating a relentless commitment to excellence.”
Accepting the accolade, which like Ian’s was a surprise for the recipient, Jeff said, “I thought I was shocked earlier this year at the AAAA, but this is even a bigger shock.”

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