Paint & Panel celebrates the winners

News Extra

Australasian Paint & Panel culminated its 2004 bodyshop awards program with a presentation held at The Point on Albert Park Lake in Melbourne at the end of November. Prominent members smash repair industry attended to see three outstanding body shops take the awards for best large, best small and best new bodyshops of the year.
These awards are sponsored by AAMI and Nortons Abrasives ‘ who contribute to the award program budget but do not participate in the judging process. Nortons was represented by national automotive accounts manager, Ken Gorveski and AAMI was represented by manager, corporate affairs, Frank Peppard.
The winner of the best large shop award was the BMW Body Shop in Melbourne. The award was accepted on behalf of the company by Robert Frame. He told his audience that he would be taking the crystal trophy back to the shop that afternoon where a surprise party was to be held for the staff of 20.
The winner of the best small shop was Exclusive Body Werks in Sydney. Shop manager Joe Semrani accepted the award on behalf of the company and its owner Ron Goodman.
The best new shop award went to Eagle Paint & Panel, Adelaide. Husband and wife team, Alex and Yuri Lediaev accepted their trophy, telling the audience that people were the most important asset in their business.

Top PSRs named by NRMA
Kurri Kurri based smash repairers Chris and Dianne Bailey have been named NRMA Insurance Preferred Smash Repairer of the Year at NRMA Insurance’s Preferred Smash Repairer Awards.
As owners of Edwards Auto Centre in Kurri Kurri, Chris and Dianne received the award in recognition of their commitment to the long-term sustainability of the smash repair industry.
NRMA Insurance’s David Brown said the Kurri Kurri business was a great example of how a single smash repair workshop could impact a whole industry.
‘Edwards Auto Centre employs two apprentices and have just applied to have two Jumpstart trainees start in the near future. The Baileys also regularly welcome work experience students from local schools into the workshop to get a feel for the trade,’ Brown said.
‘The long-term future of the industry depends on young smash repairers being introduced to the trade and given the opportunity to develop their skills, this is an area where Edwards Auto Centre is leading the field.’
The NRMA Insurance PSR of the year Awards are held annually to acknowledge leading smash repair businesses from NSW and the ACT. Smash repairers are chosen based on their dedication to industry sustainability, quality workmanship, innovation and outstanding customer service.
Other awards presented on the night included Regional PSR of the Year and Regional Achievement awards. The list of winners included:

Regional PSRs of the Year:
Country North
Dianne and Chris Bailey
Edwards Auto Centre (Kurri Kurri)
Country West
Craig Hall
Craig Hall Bodyworks (Phillip, ACT)
Metro West
John Markham and Wayne Williamson
Central Districts Smash Repair (West Ryde)
Metro South
Stuart and Daren Lavender
LG Harding & Co (Riverwood)

Regional achievment Awards:
Country North
Ray and Glenys Ings
Accident Repair Centre (Thornleigh)
Darryl and Karen Palmer
Mid North Coast Smash Repairs (Tuncurry)
Country West
Steven Kohler and Gary Ward
D&Y Superfinish Smash Repairs (Nowra)
Wayne and Jenny Flack
Smashco Mudgee (Mudgee)
Metro West
Rod and Eddie Ciantar
Reno Smash Repairs (Campbelltown)
Vincent Chan
New Hong Kong Smash Repairs (Five Dock)
Metro South
John and Luciano Serci
Silhouette Smash Repairs (Alexandria)
Kevin and Lorraine Franklin
BNT Smash Repairs (Artarmon)