2012 HALL OF FAME

Nominees are inducted into the ARBS Hall of Fame by the ARBS member industry associations.  Inductees have significantly contributed to the development of the HVAC&R and building services industry in recognition of outstanding service, contribution and commitment above and beyond the call of duty.  The individuals have worked tirelessly, and in most cases voluntarily to further the industry and its endeavours with demonstrable achievements that have greatly benefited the industry.

ARBS 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees

WILLIAM ROY AHERN nominated by AIRAH

To many of those who knew him well, Roy Ahern is thought of as the best Engineer that the refrigeration and air conditioning industry has produced in Australia. 
Roy possibly made the greatest individual AIRAH Member contribution to gaining general industry, government department and academic group recognition of AIRAH as a legitimate technical body representing the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in Australia. 

Importantly, Roy Ahern was a gentleman in its literal sense, his actions reflecting honour, humility, integrity, courage and good humour that gained him universal respect in a harshly judgemental industry, even from those who did not agree with his strong opinions.

Twenty Eight (28) years after his death, Roy Ahern is still affectionately and respectfully remembered by many AIRAH Members as one of the Founding Fathers of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in Australia.

Nominated by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, and Heating we welcome Roy Ahern to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

MURRAY MASON 
- nominated by AIRAH

Murray is a Life Member and Fellow of AIRAH, a Fellow of both the Institution of Engineers and the Australian Institute of Energy. He is also a member of the Australian Acoustic Society. He is currently a Director of a ACADS-BSG Pty Ltd supplying programs to a number of overseas companies, including New Zealand, S.E.Asia and North America.

For many years he worked on the AIRAH Application Manual Sub Committee and was author and co-author of a number of these important AIRAH publications. In 1989 he received a citation from AIRAH for his contribution to the development of these Manuals.

He has presented numerous papers at AIRAH Conferences and Seminars in addition to a number of international conferences and in 2003 won the W.R. Ahern award for the best paper published in Ecolibrium.  He has also been a sessional part time lecturer at VUT, University of NSW, Monash University and Swinburne University.

 Nominated by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, and Heating we welcome Murray Mason to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

CLIVE BROADBENT AM
 – nominated by CIBSE (ANZ)

In recognition of his research work in helping to understand Legionella and controlling it as an environmental pollutant, and for services to Public Health, Clive Broadbent was honoured with the award of Member of the Order of Australia.
Evidence of this contribution to society is found in the many research-based publications 

Clive has produced and in his work as chairperson for a number of standards setting committees.

Clive Broadbent has presented technical papers on the full suite of standards at many conferences within Australia, the USA, the UK, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Germany, and at other European forums.
In addition to the above Clive has been the author of 12 TAFE modules on air conditioning systems, and over 120 technical publications such as conference papers, journal articles, books and monographs.

Previous recognition of his work includes winning the AIRAH Journal annual best paper award twice and being awarded the AIRAH James Harrison award. He has also received best paper awards with CIBSE in the UK and ASHRAE in the USA and certificates of appreciation from engineering institutes in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia .

Nominated by The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (ANZ Region) we welcome Clive Broadbent to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

GRAHAME A J GIBBS -
 nominated by CIBSE (ANZ)

Grahame has been involved with the Building Services Engineering industry in Australia since 1958 – primarily as a consultant.  

In connection with his involvement in design of controlled environments, Grahame was a member and Foundation Honorary Secretary  in 1992 of the Australian Contamination Control Society and a member of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering.  He has been the Standards Australia delegate to the International Standards Organization (ISO) attending meetings in London, Dusseldorf, Berlin and Sydney.

Grahame was founding committee member of the Australian Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers Region in 1987 has been a member of AIRAH since the 70’s serving as Chairman of NSW Chapter for three years and also an AIRAH board member during the 90’s.  He has had many published papers in the AIRAH journal and was awarded the WR Ahern Medal in 1984 for the best technical paper in 1983.

In 1994 Grahame was awarded a CIBSE Bronze Medal for Services to the Institution and a Silver Medal followed this in 2009.  He continues his involvement as ANZ CIBSE Regional Almoner while in virtual retirement.

Nominated by The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (ANZ Region) we welcome Grahame Gibbs to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

GERARD WHITTAKER
 – nominated by AMCA

Gerard first came to Australia in 1960 as a design engineer.  After conducting a business case study in Australia for the establishment Haden Engineering in Australia, Gerard went on to set up maintenance divisions in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. He also played a major role in setting up the project management team from the Sydney Opera House air conditioning and fire systems contracts.

Gerard has been the state manager of Haden Engineering for Melbourne, and then Sydney and in 1994 he was appointed CEO and managing director.

Gerard has held a number of positions in industry associations  including , president of the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) in Melbourne and Sydney on separate occasions and went on to be national president in 1986/7. Gerard served as the president of the Building Industry Specialist Contractors Association of Australia (BISCOA) and then the Construction Industry Engineering Services Group (CIESG).  

Importantly he was a member of the Construction Industry Development Agency (CIDA) specifically representing the specialist subcontractors.

Gerard retired from the industry when Haden Engineering was sold to Tyco International.

Nominated by the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association we welcome Gerard Whittaker  to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

KEVIN O’SHEA  – 
nominated by RACCA

Kevin O’Shea has been in the HVAC & R industry for 45 years serving his apprenticeship in the UK in Industrial Refrigeration.  Kevin arrived in Australia in 1977 and started in his own business in 1979.  After  becoming a committee member of NSW RACCA (Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association) he became President of RACCA NSW in 1991.  Kevin is still serving as RACCA Australia’s National President.

Kevin’s other industry involvement and achievements include a Director of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia; the RACCA representative on Refrigerants Australia and was a board member of ARBS Exhibitions during its formative years.  He was involved in setting up the course for refrigerant handling for the CFC phase out; the first Chairman of the Australian Refrigeration Council, and involved in Worldskills from its very early days.  Kevin has also chaired a NSW committee providing training to TAFE teachers and technicians in rural NSW.  He is a Member of the Advisory Committee for the National Licensing for our industry, a board member of Electro Group Training since its formation, and Chairman of Electro Skills Centre.

Kevin received RACCA’s ultimate recognition of the Doug Staniforth Award in 1997 for his contribution to industry and is still actively involved in all aspects of our industry.

Nominated by the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association we welcome Kevin O’Shea  to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

BILL ROBERTSON
 – nominated by AREMA

Bill Robertson has had broad experience across many facets of the air conditioning and refrigeration industry.  Bill’s career began in engineering design in 1959 at GMF Electrical Motors and developed through managerial sales and marketing roles in a number of companies eventually retiring as General Manager of Torin in 2009.

Bill is a well-known and much respected member of the industry who always took an active part in association matters. This commitment culminated in his election as President of AREMA in 2007. Bill’s term as president is remembered for developing sound relationships with government, and expanding AREMA’s membership base.  His commitment to raising industry standards, with a particular focus on improving education and training outcomes was a consistent focus throughout his career.

Bill is a very gracious, refined individual regularly lending his expertise as master of ceremonies at AREMA functions with an air of professionalism and dignity. 

His fifty-years in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry has seen momentous changes – Bill’s commitment to the broader industry, his willingness to mentor younger professionals and his capacity to learn and adapt have characterised a remarkable career.  Nominated by the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturer’s Association we welcome Bill Robertson to the ARBS Hall of Fame.

BERNIE BUGDALSKI
 – nominated by AREMA

Bernie Bugdalski is a professional sales and marketing strategist with over 30 years’ experience in the FMCG and Commercial markets of Electrical, Hardware and HVAC.  Bernie has always had a strong commitment to the work of industry associations and has made a significant personal contribution to the development of industry policy.

 Representing Fujitsu General as a member of the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturer’s Association, Bernie was elected to the Executive in 2004. After serving 2 years as Vice President he was nominated and accepted the role of President – serving for 3 years from 2008 to 2011.

Bernie’s cool demeanour and considered approach helped productively manage some very tough issues during difficult times.  Overseeing an increasing membership Bernie forged closer, consultative and collaborative relationships with both Federal and State regulators. Importantly, Bernie had an inclusive vision of industry associations and fostered close relations with other industry groups.

Bernie’s lasting contribution means AREMA is well placed to solve some of the issues that have faced the industry for years – especially the issue of national uniformity of standards.

Nominated by the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturer’s Association we welcome Bernie Bugdalski to the ARBS Hall of Fame.