Austral Propellers Stephen Vincent honoured with Hall of Fame Award

by AIMEX on 7 Aug 2012 At the annual NSW Boating Industry Association industry breakfast held last week during the Sydney International Boat Show, Stephen Vincent, Managing Director of Austral Propeller Company was awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame Award.

'I am deeply honoured and incredibly proud to have been nominated to receive this award, which was totally unexpected. Recognition by your peers is always a very humbling experience,' Mr Vincent said during his acceptance speech.

The Hall of Fame award is a BIA NSW initiative and a new format of the previous Robert Greaves Achievement Award identifying and honouring individual excellence and performance, contribution and commitment to the boating industry and the community.

Stephen is from a background in accountancy and entered the Australian marine industry in the late 1980’s, joining his father and grandfather in the family business manufacturing marine propellers.

In addition, since 1999 Stephen has dedicated himself to the formation, running and continued success of the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) as both a Director and the Treasurer.

AIMEX President Alistair Murray was delighted with the recognition Stephen had been awarded with stating that 'No individual could be more deserving of this prestigious award. Steve is a long standing Director of AIMEX and as Treasurer has been the backbone of the group through some tough times, particularly early in our history. The current strong position of AIMEX and its international profile and success can be attributed largely to Steve’s hard work and dedication. He is also a pleasure to work with.'

Stephen is well known in Australia and overseas as the face of Austral Propellers. He continues to expand and grow the reputation of Austral as a leading Australian manufacturer and distributor of high quality, inboard marine propellers. Since 2007, Austral Propellers has also been the Asia Pacific distributor for VEEM High Performance Propellers.

'We are a third generation business originally incorporated in 1940 by my grandfather Galvin and later developed into a leading specialist marine propeller manufacturer and exporter by my father Kevin. Austral has actively provided free of charge propeller sizing and advice to the Australian industry and public for over 60 years.' said Vincent

'I would like to dedicate this award to the propeller producing Vincent’s that came before us. My late grandfather Galvin and my father Kevin would both definitely now be smiling that all their work in this dynamic and ever changing industry was worth it.'

Stephen’s attention to detail and passion for correct and accurate propeller sizing has seen Austral’s reputation and overseas presence grow. Austral has participated in excess of 200 boat shows and have regularly exhibited in Amsterdam, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Auckland, South Korea, Shanghai and Dubai as well as a variety of international, commercial marine shows, and national shows.

Vincent advised that his Hall of Fame prize money would be donated to NSW Marine Rescue, for the training new recruits ($2500), and to the Melanoma Institute of Australia, who are working to find a cure for skin cancer ($2500). Vincent’s late father Kevin was taken by skin cancer in 1995.

Austral Propeller Company has been a BIA member since 1970 and an AIMEX member since their inception in 1998.