Practical-minded Hew McDonald has invented something that could make life easier for mechanics around the world.
His customised, hydraulically-driven elevating work platforms are being used for a myriad of operations, including pastoral, mining, local government, transport and remote work camps.
Australian Defence is looking at using the new relocatable facility on overseas deployments.
The platforms can be fitted to old or new work pits - or customers can buy or lease a whole package as a re-deployable workshop facility.
Not bad for something invented in a small workshop in Howard Springs on the outskirts of Darwin.
Hew’s micro company, Evolving Workshop Technologies, won the inaugural Innovation Award at the Australian Industry Defence Network NT (AIDN-NT) awards, which were held as part of the Northern Australia Defence Summit in Darwin earlier this month.
“I’ve patented my inventions but I’m still a very small company,” says Hew, who has lived in the Territory for 25 years. “I sub-contract the specialist engineering work rather than have my own staff.”
“It was an honour to win the innovation award.”
The Chief Minister’s Excellence Award went to NT Port and Marine, which operates Port Melville, including the fuel depot and wharf, and the East Arm supply base.
The company is playing a key role in economic development on the Tiwi Islands.
The AIDN-NT Young Achiever Award went to Ms Sophee Clark, who works at Norship Marine. She will compete in the national final in Canberra in February.
AIDN-NT chief executive Kerryn Smith says the finalists were ‘outstanding’.
The AIDN-NT awards are part of the drive to develop northern Australia by increasing economic growth, including Territory companies winning more defence contracts.