It was a great Aussie atmosphere displaying iconic Australian landmarks, people and things when hundreds of manufacturers, supporters and dignitaries gathered at the 2017 Hunter Manufacturing Awards at Wests City (NEX) to celebrate excellence in manufacturing for the 13th year.

Representing the Premier of New South Wales, Scot Macdonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central coast, officially opened the event.

 

HMA chairman, Steven Smith acknowledged and thanked Downer for its 10th year of major sponsorship of the prestigious awards’ event and praised them for their support of the region’s manufacturing sector.

He also expressed his pleasure with regards to the amount of new companies seeking to be recognised through the HMA. He congratulated all the finalists, and commented that “2017 manufacturing continues to be a hard gig. The challenges just keep coming at us – from different directions and in unexpected ways - as many of you here tonight are more than aware. However, the applicants for Hunter Manufacturing Awards continue to demonstrate a resilience, and an ability, to overcome those challenges by innovating and adapting their businesses in their own unique ways.“

 

The Board of HMA continues to utilise some funds toward a scholarship for potential or existing TAFE students who are planning or are currently undertaking a course which is directly related to the manufacturing industry.

 

The scholarships are open to any student who is undertaking a course directly related to manufacturing, is committed to a career in the manufacturing industry, shows a passion for engineering and manufacturing.

 

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 per year to be distributed to up to five students. The scholarship is for 1 year only, but recipients are eligible to receive scholarships in consecutive years, subject to continuing to meet selection criteria.