The team

How does a technician differentiate one automotive magazine from another?

Qualifies on all counts, and we can prove it...read on.

Here are the people behind Tat, as well as those regular contributors who offer their skills to the technicians of Australia and New Zealand.

Jeff Smit

Technical Director
The Automotive Technician

 

Jeff is the consummate technician professional who believes passionately in the need for constant training to stay ahead in the automotive repair industry. 

He owns and operates his own auto electrical, general repair and air conditioning workshop in Sydney, and this year joined with other partners in The Automotive Technician project.  Jeff has spent many years as secretary of the Association of Automotive Electricians now merged with VASA, and he currently serves on the VASA Board of directors. 

He has undertaken more than 45 post trade courses in all areas of mechanical and electrical.   He is a community college teacher in Sydney and is currently undertaking Cert 4 in automotive workplace training and assessment.

Started auto electrical apprenticeship at Bosch dealership in Brookvale, Sydney and achieved high results at TAFE (2nd in state 2nd year - top overall in 3rd year) and passed trade course with honours.

  • Technician for privately owned BMW dealership service department
  • Worked on all areas of BMW, became workshop foreman, undertaking many BMW courses
  • 1986 started Mosman Auto Electrical
  • Many post-trade courses in EFI, electronics, air conditioning
  • 1994 expanded to second workshop, Cremorne Auto Electrical and Air Conditioning
  • 2000 purchased run down mechanical workshop in Crows Nest, built up business and expanded
  • Qualification to licensed mechanic in 2002
  • 2002  RTA inspector
  • 2006  purchased engineering business specialising in fitting and turning
  • Has been nominated and won many small business, community and trade awards
  • Finalist in Telstra Small business awards 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2001
  • IAME full member auto electrical since 1992 and full member mechanical since 2002
  • AAAE founding member and NSW state organiser 1994
  • AAAE Secretary/Treasurer 1998 till 2007
  • VASA board member since 2007-8
  • Wire & Gas organising committee member since 1999
  • Wire & Gas regional workshop presenter
  • Local council and community college teacher - more than 20 Know Your Car courses
  • Currently undertaking Cert 4 in automotive workplace training and assessment
  • Founding director, head trainer and technical editor, The Automotive Technician

Deyan Barrie  - TaT Director and Technical Research Division

Joined the RAAF in 1971 as an adult trainee in aircraft electrical.

Completed RAAF technical training in Wagga Wagga covering aircraft electrical mechanics,
and aircraft electrical fitter. Completed training in the first three years and graduated as an aircraft electrical fitter and leading aircraftsman.

Worked mainly on the Mirage and Caribou aircraft, some ground support equipment and Hercules equipment like AC generators and control modules. He also cross trained as instrument fitter and radio technician on Caribou.

Spent some time in New Guinea as leading aircraftsman and part of the air crew.
Left the RAAF in 1977 after six years with an honorable discharge. Was destined for promotion but decided on a civilian life.

Worked for Charles Auto Electrics in Hurstville then Purnell brothers in Bankstown. Was the only auto electrician in the complex and mainly fixed warranty jobs in the used car section. Had 18 mechanics that he assisted as required. Subsequently discovered that his position was previously filled by two auto electricians and they left due to work load and technical difficulty.

In late 1977, responded to an advertisement for an auto electrician to start his own business in Moruya, a small town on the South Coast of NSW. Opened Moruya Auto Electrics.

A year later, opened a second workshop in Bateman’s Bay NSW, called Shoreline Auto Electrics. By that stage he had employed a tradesman and an apprentice. A friend from the RAAF days ran the Bateman’s Bay workshop and became his long term partner. 

In 1981 sold Moruya Auto Electrics and started Barrie Auto Electrics in Hornsby NSW

The business grew to a mid 1990s high of 20 staff including a secretary and a minimum of four apprentices. Over the years he has employed more than thirty tradesmen and trained almost as many apprentices.

He found in those years that his RAAF training was superior to most, and he became the one who solved the difficult problems. He has never been stuck for an answer. When given enough time and data, every problem has an answer. The RAAF gave him advanced analytical and diagnostic skills.

In 2008 there were 11 staff including two apprentices.

He has specialised in automotive air conditioning repairs, service and installation continuously since 1978. In the last six seasons, the workshop has carried out more than 800 retrofits without a complaint.
 
Has involved himself and employees in all manner of training and courses.
His workshop has become an EFI and AC specialist with an excellent reputation for “no job too hard”.

From the early 1990s he pledged to give something back to his industry, and pave the way forward.

Was President of the Australian Association of Automotive Technicians from 1997 through to its merger with VASA in 2007. He is now a member of the VASA Board of Directors.

Has been the MTA councillor of the Auto Electrical division since 2000 and a member of the Wire & Gas organising committee.

He is a specialist in remanufactured parts, and has a huge stock covering many vehicle makes. He is proud of the fact that his workshop has the skill to repair the majority of components that fail, meaning that he doesn't have to rely solely on replacement quality parts and imports.

Barrie Auto Electrics has received many business awards over the last decade.

Ken Newton

Editor The Automotive Technician and CEO of VASA since 1999. Still operates the longest established PR company in the national tourist city of Gold Coast.

 

 

Ken turned a successful journalism career in newspapers, radio and television, into a long term corporate affairs and public relations practice. He specialises in distilling complex academic concepts, manufacturing processes or planning ideals into entertaining documentaries or printed material, for political reasons, public feed-back, or to change perceptions.

In private practice, Newton's has consulted to local government authorities and a range of private companies involved in technology, education, manufacturing, architecture, project development and town / regional planning.

Today, Ken Newton is a specialist communicator and script writer.

His company's documentaries have promoted technologies and complex strategic planning and urban renewal concepts in Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia. He has travelled widely across Asia and India, and for a time was documentary consultant to the Institute Sultan Iskandar and the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, based in Johor, Malaysia. He has written and produced documentaries on significant national concepts for presentation to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several documentaries promoting scientific discoveries.

He is currently CEO of VASA, representing AC and auto electrical specialists across Australia and New Zealand, and makes many presentations in influential boardrooms of the automotive and refrigerant industries. He writes industry newsletters and magazines and contributes many articles to publications.

  • Cadetship and four-year study on Rockhampton Morning Bulletin daily newspaper
  • Was senior journalist in the ABC for 10 years and was in charge of radio and TV newsrooms in regional centres in Queensland
  • Was Gold Coast City Council's first Public Relations Journalist and wrote all of the city's major statements and speeches for six years under the reign of legendary Mayors Sir Bruce Small and Robert Neumann
  • Began own PR practice and with a large staff managed most of the significant opening ceremonies and announcements in the city for many years, including the inauguration and management of the Gold Coast Architectural Awards for almost 22 years
  • Still consults to major companies including SuperCool Group of Companies and VDM Group as well as VASA
  • Travelled widely with engineers and planners to projects in Asia and India, writing and producing many video documentaries for government bodies and planning institutes.
  • Regarded as an expert in video portrayal of otherwise complex planning, economic and urban renewal studies.
  • Is an award winning columnist, taking bronze in the business column category in the International Automotive Media Awards in USA in 2006 for one of his features published in MACS Action.
  • Regular contributor to MACS Action, journal of MACS Worldwide, USA and to HVAC&R, published by AIRAH

 

Nick Murphy
Trainer and author
of Murphy's Law

Nick is a very hands on technician, managing a busy workshop on Sydney’s North Shore, but his background covers a wide range of activities from being a scan-tool trainer, writing technical literature for NRMA, training patrol officers and delivering TAFE training in scan equipment. 

He’s an automotive engineer, whose speciality is engine management systems. He’s done many courses in electronics and EFI and has been ‘on the tools’ for the past 30 years.

Nick contributes a technical article under Murphy's Law in every issue, and is also a TaT trainer.

 

Jack Stepanian

Trainer and Technical writer
Training Development Specialist / Contract Training Consultant for the Holden Training College
& Saab Academy Consult and carry out new vehicle Launches

Jack has extensive sales, marketing, business and technical experience in the Automotive Industry. He is able to present sophisticated management concepts in simple ways and this ability is drawn from his grounded industry experience. Originally an academic with the University of Sydney, involved in Communication and Education, he spent the first 14 years of his career with undergraduates and in the teaching and research environments.

He became involved with General Motors Holden (GMH) and the Institute of Automotive Engineering (IAME) and went on to train large groups of people in a variety of areas, in motivational, technical and sales/management areas.

The focus of much of his work has been in developing courses for the automotive industry, gaining a real grasp of the organisation and its departments, implementing specific programs to achieve ‘cultural change’.

He operated his own business, selling business franchises, associated business support, training and business equipment.

  • University of Sydney Masters Qualifying Personality Variables and Academic Achievement
  • University of Technology Bachelor of Arts Major in ‘Communication’ and ‘Electronics’
  • Sydney Technical College Electronics and Communication Certificate Major in Digital Electronics & Communication
  • Brookvale Technical College Automotive Trade Certificate Automotive Mechanical Engineer
  • Repair industry Council Motor Repair Industry Fully Registered and Qualified Mechanic
  • Repair industry Council Motor Repair Industry Fully Registered & Qualified Air Cond. Technician
  • Jack has travelled widely, conducting new car launches to the trade, mainly SAAB and Holden, has been a keynote speaker at international forums







Wayne Broady
Broady Automotive Repairs
1/4 Leighton Place
HORNSBY NSW 2077
Ph: 02-9476-8300
F: 02-9476-8311
wayne@broadyauto.com.au
www.broadyauto.com.au

Speciality: LPG industry and EFI repairs

Iinvolved in LPG since the early 1990s and the original Gulf War when increase in petrol prices put focus on alternative fuels.
Runs small family workshop specialising in LPG conversions and always looking for similar minded tradesmen to build this business
Learnt skills from his father - being apprenticed to him and them in partnership.
Only
when his father retired that Wayne realised how much he put into it, and how his work ethics and experience were exceptional.

Natural Gas Tradesman’s Certificate
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Tradesman’s Certificate
Motor Mechanic Trade Certificate (Apprenticeship course)

Relevant Qualifications:

TAFE:
Petrol Injection Systems
Automotive Ignition Systems
Automatic Transmissions
Automotive Engine Tuning & Diagnostics

Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA)
RTA Examiner : Authorised Unregistered Light Vehicles
Authorised Taxi Inspections
Authorised Light Vehicle Inspections

Petroject Instruction Courses (EFI):
L Jetronic; D Jetronic; K Jetronic
EEC1V Ford Systems
Delco Systems
Nissan ECCS

IAME Courses:
Instruction in Supplementary Restraint Systems
Instructions in Running A Successful Service Business

Awards:
1994 Highest Pass – Natural Gas Tradesman’s Certificate
1988 Highest Pass – Automotive Ignition Systems
1989 2nd – Workskills Apprentice Competition NSW Region
2006 entrant and finalist in MTA NSW automotive workshop awards

Professional Memberships:
Society Automotive Engineers (since 1987) – Associate
Institute Automotive Engineers (since 1985) – Associate

Business ALPGA Accredited Installer
NRMA Approved Repairer

Additional courses
Repco autotech / LPG equipment courses

Julian Hentze was well known and respected in the AC and electrical aftermarket supply industry having worked in senior positions at Ashdown and ADAIR before moving permanently to the US in late 2007. He also served on the VASA Wire & Gas committee and gave a great deal of time and effort to industry associations. He currently works for a Parts Distribution company out of Georgia USA.

Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (Associate, retired)
Australian Association of Automotive Electricians (Associate)
Vehicle Air-conditioning Specialists of Australasia (Member)
Wire & Gas, Training Conventions and Trade Show (Committee Member)
Certificate in Automotive Light Vehicle AC
ARC (Australian Refrigeration Council) Holder of National Refrigeration Handling License and Authorisation
Safety Institute of Australia (Associate, retired)
Australian Safety Equipment Industry Association (Level One)
International Open Water Scuba Diver
Confined space entry certificate

Qualified Automotive Engineer, Trade
Diploma in Management, University of New England (focus on marketing and branding)

National Sales Manager 2005 – 2008
ADAIR
Automotive air conditioning products


DISTRICT MANAGER - QLD
K-Mart Tyre and Auto Service
Stafford, QLD (A division of Coles Myer)
Automotive service workshops


NATIONAL PRODUCT MANAGER
ASHDOWN
NORTHGATE, QLD
(A division of Repco Limited)
Auto electrical components

   

Gil – Auto Service & Maintenance Bondi Junction Sydney

Hybrid trainer

Gil realised as long ago as his apprenticeship in a low level auto repair shop, that if he didn't do something for himself, he would never succeed. The question he asked himself when he finished his apprenticeship was "Do I know it all or do I want to know it all?"

He invested in an Allen engine analyser and spent every Saturday morning, in his own time, hooking it up to different cars belonging to friends and family, learning how to use it and to diagnose faults.

Gil's view is that anyone who thinks they know it all, can probably exist in the trade for another five years, moving to the bottom of a steadily descending slope.

Those who intend being in the trade for an indefinite number of years need to be committed to pursuing continuous life-long education which is not always easy. It requires dedication, plus an ongoing investment of time and money. Gil personally invests hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars each year on education, training and practical experience.

He has also learned how to persevere against a number of obstacles including often uncooperative vehicle manufacturers. Vehicle manufacturers are reluctant to provide technical information to independent workshops. In many cases they deny them access to even purchase their scan tools. Persistence, ongoing interaction with like minded mechanics, and attending as many trade courses and conferences as they can, is a way of life for Gil and his staff.

He is a firm believer that flying his mechanics interstate to attend courses, and sending them to the USA to attend international conventions is definitely an essential investment for the future of his business.

  • Apprenticeship with a very low tech local repair shop
  • Spent a few years working for Mitsubishi and Porsche
  • 1989 bought a workshop which employed one motor mechanic, one brake mechanic and had only one hoist
  • Today, that same building houses six new hoists, ten scan tools, two big-box oscilloscopes, three digital oscilloscopes and his Allen Engine analyser for old times sake
  • Gil owns the property, has three qualified mechanics, two apprentices and an office manager
  • Was the first Australian technician to attend the ACDC hybrid training school in the USA in 2006
  • Took self and two employers to Jim Linders ‘Lindernapolis’ Indiana Indianapolis 2006
  • Took self and an employee to IATN Convention 2004
  • All staff are invited to all auto techs courses in our area and regularly travel to Melbourne for Bosch training school
  • Last year Gil and two staff attended four courses
  • Friday morning tea , suppliers come and give product knowledge sessions to the techs after which Gil provides lunch
  • The rule in the shop is ‘If you learn something new teach everyone else’
  • The lead tech regularly emails interesting links that he has found after work that will help everyone do a better job
  • Most of Gil's technician are IATN members and he encourages them to regualy participate

 

Hayley Windsor
Currently in London, and filing stories and special articles for TaT magazine.

Hayley's age belies her level of experience in the corporate communications world.

She was representing her country in international sport at the age of 12. High academic achievements at tertiary level were followed by an ambitious round of media and sports engagements, which took her around the world.

She wrote articles for a year for a major magazine publishing house in Thailand. In post-tsunami days, she produced major features on the devastation and rebuilding effort of coastal villages in Asia.

She has presented news on radio and television, crewed on yachts in many foreign waters, spent a year in Scotland as a teaching assistant at a primary school, wrote and illustrated a children’s book and been commissioned to anchor yachting documentaries to be aired on Fox Channel 4.

  • Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Politics and Public Relations
  • Award for Journalism in Student Magazine (2005)
  • Short-listed for MEAA Student of the Year awards (2005)
  • Invitation to join Golden Key Society (2003, 2004 and 2005)
  • District, state, national and international medal winner for gymnastics, tumbling, sports aerobics and sports acrobatics (1991 to 2001)
  • Member of the Gold Coast Titans senior elite dance troupe and a coach for several acrobatics classes at Ikin Dance Australia and Star Performance Studios