Marinas 2011, the bi-annual international conference and exhibition, hosted by the Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) ended last week in Melbourne at the Convention and Exhibition Centre with its annual closing reception and awards ceremony.
This year, the MIAA recognized three marinas for their excellence. Categories included best large marina (greater than 140 berths), best small marina (up to 140 berths) and best Yacht Club. The larger marina category was awarded to Empire Marina Bobbin Head, Soldiers Point took home the award for the best under 140 berths, and the Yacht Club of the year went to Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay.
The award ceremony is one of the highlights of the conference. Marinas across Australia compete every two years for the highly coveted title of Marina of the Year. The MIAA started the award in 2007 following from the BIA Marina of the year awards dating back to 2000. The award recognizes marinas for their excellence in the provision of marina services, facilities and operations.
“We are still buzzing with the excitement of the accolade,” said Karen Baldwin, General Manager of Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay.
“Having won Marina of the Year in 2007, we are absolutely ecstatic to have won this highly regarded award again,” said Soldiers Point Marina Manager, Darrell Barnett, CMM.
Upon accepting the award, Director of Empire Marinas, Darren Vaux said, “It is such a great honor to be a part of an industry that strives for excellence in all aspects of its business. Winning this award for the second time affirms our vision to operate our marina and service facility to exceed our stakeholders’ expectations and it motivates us to strive to achieve more and always be on the top of our game.”
High praise was also given to Bellingham Marine – dock and marina builder to the three awarded facilities. “It goes without saying to win such an award the facility requires a first class marina and obviously Bellingham Marinas are the world’s best,” said Peter Moxham, Marina Manager of Royal Motor Yacht Club.
Bellingham extended a huge congratulations to the staff of the winning marinas. “The awarded marinas are exceptional in the way they present their marina,” said John Spragg, General Manager of Bellingham Marine Australia. “These marinas truly go the extra yards for their customers.”
2011 Marina of the Year (marinas with greater than 140 berths): Located within the magnificent Ku-ring-gai Chase National park and just 30 minutes from Sydney, Empire Marina Bobbin Head is one of the most advanced marine service facilities in Australia. The marina has 199 berths and 10 swing moorings suitable for boats ranging in length from 10m to 30m.
2011 Marina of the Year (marinas with 140 or fewer berths): The ultimate resort marina, Soldiers Point Marina, located in Port Stephens, is second to none in the area of service. The state of the art facility caters to boats 7m to 45m in length with 100 berths.
2011 Yacht Club of the Year: Situated on the shores of Pittwater in Newport, Royal Motor Yacht Club, Broken Bay prides itself on delivering excellent customer service. The facility was recently rebuilt and now offers 218 berths and 49 swing moorings. In addition, the marina has a 300m long floating Bellingham attenuator, which offers excellent casual berthing and access to three-phase power.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat® concrete floating dock systems as well as timber and metal frame systems. The company also produces Unistack® dry stack systems for marinas worldwide.
Contact: Bellingham Marine, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; www.bellingham-marine.com.au
