Welding professionals, educators, and manufacturers from across Western Australia gathered in Perth last night for the 2025 Western Australia Welding Excellence Awards. The evening recognised the people, projects, and organisations driving progress, safety, and technical excellence across the state's fabrication and manufacturing industries.
Hosted annually by Weld Australia, the Welding Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the talent and innovation shaping Australia's industrial future. This year's winners demonstrated outstanding contributions across key areas including automation, quality assurance, education, and workforce development, each playing a vital role in building a stronger, more sustainable local capability.
Weld Australia CEO, Geoff Crittenden, said the Awards celebrate the best of Western Australia's welding community. "Our WA winners represent the cutting edge of Australian industry. They're delivering world-class outcomes, embedding safety and quality into every process, and investing in the skills that will define the next generation of trades and technicians," he said.
"The innovation, collaboration and professionalism on display this year highlight a state that's not just keeping pace with change, it's leading it. These Awards recognise the exceptional individuals and organisations who continue to set new benchmarks for excellence, resilience, and pride in Australian manufacturing," Crittenden said.
Bossong Engineering was the winner of the 2025 Company of the Year Award - Fabrication Established in 1988, Bossong Engineering is a proudly family-owned company that has grown into one of the state's leading providers of heavy fabrication, welding, precision machining, and engineering solutions. With workshops in Welshpool, Broome and Karratha, Bossong provides services across the mining, oil and gas, infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors.
WPF Duratec was the winner of the Project of the Year Award for the Darwin Pipeline Duplication for Santos' LNG Facility. Tasked with fabricating and installing over 250 tonnes of large bore, heavy wall carbon and stainless-steel pipe spooling and 50 tonnes of structural steel under an accelerated schedule, WPF demonstrated extraordinary coordination, innovation, and technical excellence. Operating dual fabrication sites in Perth and Darwin, WPF utilised in-house robotic welding to halve welding times and achieve a <1% failure rate, completing the project two weeks ahead of schedule and with zero lost-time incidents. Backed by strong supplier relationships, detailed quality control, and a seamless site mobilisation of 80 personnel, WPF's execution of this critical energy infrastructure project set a new benchmark for safety, precision, and performance.
Lighthouse Engineering won the 2025 Health and Safety in Welding Award. Lighthouse Engineering is a leading structural steel fabrication firm based in Wangara. Their health and safety programs prioritise employee wellbeing, regulatory compliance, and cutting-edge methodologies, ensuring a safe workplace while advancing industry standards. Lighthouse Engineering was the first firm in WA to install the Lincoln Electric Welding Fume Ventilation System, a state-of-the-art LEV solution capturing carcinogenic fumes at the source. They also equip all their welders with PAPRs, ensuring filtered airflow, comfort, and safety with regular maintenance training.
OneGas won the 2025 Company of the Year Award - Supplier. In just nine years, OneGas has become Western Australia's largest independent no-rent gas supplier, delivering high-purity gases, equipment, and consumables through a vast regional network. The company's commitment to transparency, quality, and safety is matched by its investment in technology, sustainability, and community, streamlining operations through automation, supporting regional training programs, and championing local engagement across WA's industrial sectors.
North Metropolitan TAFE won the Training and Education Award for an Organisation. As Western Australia's largest TAFE, North Metropolitan delivers high-quality training across 350 courses, including advanced fabrication programs that integrate cutting-edge technologies such as CNC systems, cobotic welding, and augmented reality simulators. Through strong partnerships with industry leaders like BHP, extensive community outreach, and initiatives such as the Women in Non-Traditional Trades program, North Metropolitan TAFE continues to set the benchmark for workforce development, diversity, and technical excellence across the state.
Andrew Cain from Callidus Welding Solutions won the 2025 Welding Professional of the Year Award - Welding Coordinator category. Andrew's career embodies technical excellence, leadership, and passion for his craft. From coded welder to Responsible Welding Coordinator, he has become a driving force in the governance and quality assurance of complex projects across Australia and abroad. Known for his expertise in exotic materials and pressure vessel repair, Andrew combines deep procedural knowledge with practical insight, delivering zero-defect results and client confidence even under the most demanding shutdown conditions. His mentorship, professionalism, and pursuit of continuous learning, including his ongoing IWT qualification, reflect a dedication that strengthens not only Callidus Welding Solutions but the broader welding community.
Paul Thariyan from Aerison won the 2025 Welding Professional of the Year Award - Welding Inspector category. Paul's career is defined by passion, precision, and perseverance, from his early fascination with welding sparks in India to becoming a highly respected Senior Welding Inspector in Australia. Holding multiple international qualifications, including CSWIP 3.2.1, AWS Certified Welding Inspector, and NACE Level 2, Paul brings exceptional technical knowledge and integrity to every project. His practical experience across fabrication, inspection, and quality assurance is matched by his commitment to mentoring others and fostering a positive workplace culture through initiatives like Aerison's "Lunch and Learn" program. Continuously advancing his skills through IWT training, Paul exemplifies excellence, leadership, and lifelong learning in the welding inspection profession.
Kyle Gourlay from Bossong Engineering and Matthew Rowbottom from Callidus Welding Solutions were named joint winners of the 2025 Young Trades Person of the Year.
Now in the final year of his boilermaking apprenticeship, Kyle Gourlay has already demonstrated the skill, initiative, and leadership of a seasoned tradesman. From fabricating Alcoa Filter Barrels with millimetre precision to leading a team on the BHP TLO Liner Project, his technical mastery and ability to optimise workflows have earned him a reputation for excellence. Kyle's proactive mindset—whether developing new tooling systems, improving safety setups, or mentoring peers—shows a rare combination of innovation and reliability. With his apprenticeship soon complete, Kyle's commitment to continuous improvement and advanced welding training marks him as one of the industry's most promising emerging professionals.
From apprentice to specialist tradesperson, Matthew Rowbottom has achieved mastery in one of the most complex areas of fabrication: welding exotic materials like titanium, super duplex, and tantalum. His 6G GTAW and PED qualifications, combined with his precision and dedication, have made him one of only a few welders in Australia trusted to work on high-end acid spargers for the HPAL process. Known for his professionalism, skill, and positive influence within the Callidus team, Matthew exemplifies the future of Australian welding: technically brilliant, humble, and committed to continuous improvement.
Huspicio Villamor from Austal Ships was named the 2025 Trades Person of the Year. With over 15 years of experience, Huspicio is renowned for his precision, professionalism, and commitment to quality. A master of the Bug-O semi-automatic system, he has led the approval of key Welding Procedure Specifications and completed more than 300 flawless welds on the Cape Class project, an extraordinary achievement in weld integrity. Beyond his technical excellence, Huspicio is helping shape the future of automated welding at Austal, mentoring younger welders. His dedication, skill, and leadership make him an outstanding representative of Australia's world-class welding workforce.
Allan Albrey from North Metro TAFE won the 2025 Training and Education - Individual Teacher Award. With a remarkable career spanning more than 60 years in the welding and fabrication industry—and over 40 years in vocational training—Allan has inspired generations of tradespeople through his dedication, skill, and mentorship. Beginning his teaching journey in 1981, Allan has taught across multiple TAFE campuses, mentored hundreds of apprentices through the AS 1796 qualification, and played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards for excellence. Even now, teaching part-time, Allan continues to guide new lecturers, refine training resources, and foster strong relationships with students through his trademark passion and humility.
Lee Oakley from Monadelphous won the Mick Cudmore Award. With more than 30 years of national and international experience, Lee has made an extraordinary contribution to welding engineering, education, and industry advancement. From his early days as an apprentice to his current role as Welding Engineering Manager, Lee has shaped projects across sectors including oil and gas, mining, aerospace, marine, and renewable energy. Holding multiple IIW qualifications himself, Lee has trained and mentored hundreds of engineers and apprentices, championed ISO 9606-1 adoption across Australia, and led cutting-edge research into advanced welding processes in collaboration with the University of Western Australia. Through his leadership on the Weld Australia WA Committee and his lifelong commitment to raising professional standards, Lee has had a lasting impact on the industry and its future.
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About Weld Australia
Weld Australia represents the welding profession in Australia. Its members are made up of individual welding professionals and companies of all sizes. Weld Australia members are involved almost every facet of Australian industry and make a significant contribution to the nation's economy. The primary goal of Weld Australia is to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains locally and globally competitive, both now and into the future. Weld Australia is the Australian representative member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).
