For Ian, Anzac day is a time to remember the highs and lows of armed conflict and the people he served with, looking past the hype, and focusing on personal reflection.

 “I see Anzac Day as a personal time for honest reflection about the conflicts I was involved in; those I served with; what we achieved and the great camaraderie we shared. It also makes me pause to reflect on the momentous international events I played a very small part in those I served with; what we achieved and the great camaraderie we shared.”

Though he doesn’t usually participate in marches, Ian prefers to spend Anzac Day with family. “Last year my wife and I walked down to a small memorial near where we live and stood for a few minutes to pay our respect to all the service people who lost their lives serving Australia, and their families who had to suffer because of their service. This year I’ll do much the same.

Notwithstanding my usual approach of not marching, I have on a few occasions participated in Anzac Day in Sydney with the Clearance Diving Branch and it has always been a great day and an opportunity to catch up and share a few ‘quiet ales’ with old comrades I probably would not otherwise see.”

While he never served in a conflict with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) specifically, Ian did train and work alongside then during his overall career.

As a young Officer of the Watch on HMAS Swan, Parker’s ship spent a lot of time training with an RNZN Destroyer escort. Despite the typical rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, the two navies worked well together at sea and got along famously on shore – except for when they played rugby against each other.

Training forged friendships between the two Navies and Parker became good friends with a Kiwi diver during his Clearance Diving Course. The group flew over to New Zealand to conduct deep diving training with the Kiwi diving team on their dive boat, HMNZS Manawanui. The two-week training session was a great experience, filled with plenty of deep diving in stunning locations north of Auckland, and further cemented the bond between the Australian and New Zealand divers.

‘Despite their small size the RNZN was, and still is a very professional and highly skilled navy, and they were very good to work alongside’.

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One of the main goals of this project is to establish a second fabrication line, therefore increasing PFG’s production capacity. This will involve implementing improvements to logistic processes and providing staff training to ensure high-quality manufacturing. The second fabrication line will effectively double PFG’s production capacity, enabling the company to take on more international defence contracts and compete in the global marketplace.

Additionally, PFG will upgrade its facility physical and cyber security. This will ensure that PFG’s manufacturing operations are secure and protected against any potential security breaches. These upgrades will be critical in enabling PFG to secure and maintain international defence contracts that require a high level of security compliance.

Overall, this project will improve PFG’s manufacturing capability and facility suitability for international defence contracts, enabling the company to continue delivering quality Australian-manufactured products. By enhancing its production capacity and security measures, PFG will be able to compete effectively in the global defence marketplace and contribute to Australia’s defence industry.

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Key speakers at the Summit explored, what  industry seeks from its education providers and examine the impediments that may hinder the development of a more skilled and capable workforce both within the Defence and Private sectors. This will be essential in ensuring that the Defence industry in Australia remains competitive and sustainable in the long-term.

The conference focused on identifying best-case scenarios for the re-skilling and upskilling of the current labour force, with a particular emphasis on continuous improvement programs that can deliver an agile, flexible and efficient workforce. These programs will play a critical role in enabling the Defence industry in Australia to adapt and respond to evolving challenges and opportunities.

During the Summit, thirty delegates visited PFG, to view the latest addition to their Family of Sea Boats, The Sentinel 1100. This provided an opportunity for attendees to see first hand the innovative technology and capabilities that are driving the future of the Defence industry in Australia. The Sentinel 1100 is a cutting-edge Sea Boat , and the demonstration of its capabilities and how it can that contribute to Australia’s future Defence capability was a valuable addition to the Summit.

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Alice Clarke recently joined the team and PFG hope to put on more staff as the workshop continues to grow. Starting with PFG as a Trade Assistant, Alice originally started her career in a metal fabrication apprenticeship. .

Here’s why Alice joined PFG and what she enjoys most about her position.

What does a day at PFG look like to you?

A: The day varies, I organise boat pieces, do plastic welding and make missing pieces for the boats. This is more than just an average Trade Assistance role as I get given jobs and I also get to watch and learn more about the trade.

What is the best thing about your role?

A: Making things is definitely the best thing about the job. I get to make things every day, it’s so cool!

What made you want to be a metal/ plastic fabricator?

A: I’m 2 years into a metal fabrication apprenticeship (of 4 years), and I’ve switched across to plastic fabrications. Moving to plastic I learn new skills, work with more power tools than you do in metal fabrication, and hand tools. Here I’ve been learning to read and understand different plans and designs.

What made you want to be a ‘tradie’?

A: My Dad worked at Incat and I always liked the stories that he told when he came home from work. I want to create my own stories.

If you’re ready to launch your boat building career contact us today

Alice has already started to create her own stories, hoping to inspire more women to join the trade industry she was recently interview by the the Mercury Newspaper

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