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Victoria wins big at Australian Marine Awards


'Evolution boats' &copy

Victorian marine manufacturers made a big impact at the 2008 Australian Marine Awards, claiming four awards and one commendation for their efforts.

Victorian winners ranged from big, established names to small new manufacturers, reinforcing Victoria's status as the leading marine manufacturing state.

Heading the list was Whittley Marine Group, with its Cruiser 2800 winning the class for Cruiser Trailerable - Fibreglass/GRP Over 6 metres, and the Spy Boats RX22 - built in collaboration with Peter Webb's Performance Marine - winning the Ski class.

Another veteran name on the winner's list was Savage, with Brunswick Group's Savage 540 Beachcomber Sterndrive winning the Cruiser Trailerable - Aluminium Under 6m category.

Victoria's most excited winner was PM Marine Manufacturing, which won the Fishing Trailerable - Fibreglass/GRP Under 6m category with its Evolution 550 Platinum, less than five years after building its first boat.

In the Houseboat of the Year awards, Victorian builder Baldwin Boats received a commendation for its 'Pure Indulgence'.

All of Victoria's winners are members of the Boating Industry Association (BIA) of Victoria, and BIA general manager Robert Coco said their success reflected the strength of Victoria's marine industry.

Combined with substantial plans to build new marine infrastructure in the State, he said Victoria was positioning itself for major growth in this important sector.

'Victoria has a long and proud history in building ships and boats of all sizes and types, especially in the trailer boat sector,' he said.

'The depth of talent in our industry is particularly evident when you consider that some of our winners have been familiar names for 50 or 100 years, such as Whittley and Savage, while others are winning national awards after only five years in business.'

Award finalists were evaluated by two teams of judges, four from media and four independents, all of whom were experts in their individual fields.

Judging criteria for finalists included an exhaustive checklist of more than 40 items covering overall impressions, presentation, ergonomics, performance and safety.




by BIA VIC



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