BIA awards 2025 Apprentice of the Year

Pictured (from left) are: BIA CEO Andrew Fielding, Will Newman, Patrick Bognar and Tom Ironside © Boating Industry Association

Boating enthusiast and recent graduate apprentice shipwright Tom Ironside of Mac Marine Group, Newport, NSW, had won the 2025 BIA Apprentice of the Year award.

BIA President Adam Smith said during the presentation at the official opening of the Sydney Boat Show, "I'm delighted to see Tom, recognised in this way by industry. At only 22, Tom has already started his second trade qualification in Engineering, having just finished his Marine Craft Construction apprenticeship; a testament to his commitment to be the very best he can, demonstrating enthusiasm for continual learning and development.

"It's fantastic to see our members taking such pride in their apprentices and providing them with the very best support to develop their skills and experience, none more so that our overall winner."

The 2025 BIA Apprentice of the Year awards drew a strong field of more than 35 nominees, from a range of member businesses, including boatbuilders, boatyards, marine dealers and global OEM. A shortlist of finalists were interviewed by the judging panel with three worthy State winners, along with four deserving highly commended and commended nominees.

Adam Smith said, "The calibre and enthusiasm of our industry apprentices was wonderful to witness during the course of a very tightly contested judging process. Congratulations to all who entered and we wish them the very best for their ongoing careers in the boating industry."

The judges determined three State winners for 2025, being:

• NSW Apprentice of the Year - Tom Ironside, a Shipwright apprentice at Mac Marine Group
• Queensland Apprentice of the Year - Patrick Bognar, a Marine Mechanical apprentice at JSW Powersports
• SA Apprentice of the Year - Will Newman, a Marine Mechanical apprentice at Elite Ski Boats.

Overall winner Tom was presented with a trophy and certificate, along with a $1000 Repco voucher to put towards tools. BIA will also sponsor Tom to take a special trip to the 2026 Auckland Boat Show, including flights and accommodation for a three-day trip for two. State winners were presented with a trophy, certificate and a $500 Repco voucher.

In a close judging, two finalists were selected for Highly Commended nominations, being:

• Joel Morgan, McKenzie Marine, NSW
• Connor McGinley, Northside Marine, Queensland

While two finalists were selected for Commended, being:

• Hudson Beaty, Burgars Boat Co, SA
• Tyson Frensch, Maitland Marine Services, SA

Due to the quality of the field, BIA will be sending Certificates of Appreciation to a number of worthy nominees representing BIA member businesses in boat manufacturing, retail, service and repair and marinas.

For information on BIA go to: www.bia.org.au