Event Details
Venue: Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf
14th March | Best of Australia & O'Brien Expo |
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8:00 AM | Registration Opens |
8:00 AM | O'Brien Expo Opens |
9:50 AM | Official Welcome |
10:00 AM | Welcome to Country |
10:15 AM | Competitors Welcome |
10:30 AM | Door Glass Final Starts |
10:30 AM | Morning Tea |
11:40 AM | Chip Repair Final Starts |
12:30 PM | Lunch |
1:00 PM | Keynote Speaker: Dr Chris Davies |
2:15 PM | Competitors Grand Entrance |
2:30 PM | Windscreen Final Starts |
3:15 PM | Afternoon Tea |
4:30 PM | Event Close |
Location & Parking
We want your arrival to be as smooth as possible. Convenient parking options are available near the venue to ensure you can focus on enjoying the events.

Best of Australia Event Floor Plan
About our Best of Australia technicians

Introducing Bengt Stayte
Bengt joined O'Brien in 2012, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Prior to joining O'Brien, his career included stints at Belron. Aligned with O'Brien’s purpose of “making a difference with real care,” Bengt meticulously follows the required steps, ensuring the utmost care for customers’ vehicles, and consistently going the extra mile to exceed customer expectations.
Reflecting on standout moments in his life, Bengt highlights the privilege of working on some truly stand-out cars, ranging from the expensive to the exceptionally nice. One of the most memorable periods for him was in 2019, winning regionals and subsequently embarking on a journey that took him to Italy for his brother’s wedding, followed by visits to England and several other countries. The pinnacle of this period was returning home in time for the birth of his daughter.
Bengt attributes much of his success and enjoyment at O'Brien to his workshop teammates and the supportive leadership provided by his manager.

Meet Jack Collins.
Jack embarked on his journey with O'Brien in December 2020, based at Moorebank.
Jack infuses his job with a keen eye for detail. His commitment to ensuring the customers’ job is done right is evident in the care he takes to maintain the quality of every car that leaves the shop.
A standout moment in Jack’s life unfolded as he worked tirelessly, taking on extra shifts, including late nights and weekend shifts. His dedication paid off when, before the age of 21, he achieved the milestone of buying his first house.

Meet Jack Karssemeyer
Jack joined the O'Brien team on 2 December 2019, marking the beginning of his journey with the company.
Prior to O'Brien, Jack had just completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC), stepping into the next phase of his life.
Jack brings a personal touch to his work. Treating every car as if it were his own. Jack ensures that each job is completed with the utmost care and to the best of his abilities, aiming to make a positive difference for every customer.
A standout moment in Jack’s life was when he had the opportunity to travel through Europe last year with his two best mates. Experiencing the beauty of different parts of the world left a lasting impression, contributing to a memorable and enriching chapter in his life.

Meet Jeremy Marshall
Jeremy commenced his journey with O'Brien in January 2023, marking the beginning of his dedicated service with the company.
Before joining O'Brien, Jeremy played a pivotal role in the professional development of apprentices and trainees by signing them up for their training contracts at MEGT.
Jeremy showcases this ethos in his job by emphasising professionalism and excellence in his work. By demonstrating meticulous care, he instills trust in customers, ensuring they can drive their cars home with peace of mind.
Becoming a father was a profoundly meaningful and the greatest joy in his life.

Meet Marco Pieri
Marco embarked on his journey with O'Brien on 31 January 2019, marking the beginning of his dedicated service with the company.
Marco goes above and beyond to provide the best service, taking genuine care of their vehicles. Additionally, as a team member, Marco has crafted his ability to adapt quickly to different personalities. He adapts to each team member individually, offering tailored support to ensure a cohesive and supportive work environment.
A standout moment in Marco’s life came when he won the Best of Australia competition for Region 5. This achievement was particularly meaningful for him, as it was the first time he had been recognised for his efforts and skills in the trade, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.

Meet Nat Rouessart
Nat joined O'Brien three years ago, bringing her skills as a fully qualified ‘chippy’ to the team.
Nat actively embodies this ethos in her job. She prioritises genuine connections and consistently goes the extra mile to make a positive impact on those she interacts with.
Reflecting on standout moments in her life, Nat highlights the experience of being featured in O'Brien advertisements. Additionally, traveling to Belron in the UK, and being an integral part of the heart of O'Brien, was a truly amazing experience.
One achievement that fills Nat with pride is the impact she has had on inspiring more women to join the trade. Seeing herself in the ads has motivated other women to gain confidence and become part of the industry. Nat takes pride in leading by example, hoping to encourage more women to participate in competitions like BOA, promoting a future where more female champions take the lead in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Meet Sam Mullan
Sam commenced his journey with O'Brien in 2008, bringing years of experience and dedication to the team.
Before joining O'Brien, Sam was immersed in the hospitality industry, honing his skills in a dynamic and service-oriented environment.
Sam consistently updating his knowledge and skills, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of his field. Additionally, Sam emphasises collaboration with his team and provides steadfast support to his colleagues.
A standout moment in Sam’s life unfolded this year. Winning the Best of Australia (BOA) in his region and being selected as a finalist for the O’O’O’ awards marked a high point in his career.
The judges of Best of Australia are some of best technical and innovation team members
We are forming an unparalleled panel who are each recognised for their wealth of expertise and innovation within the automotive sector. Each member embodies excellence, drawing from a diverse range of knowledge and extensive experience.
This panel’s collective expertise ensures a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the automotive glazing category in the Best of Australia 2024. Their eye for detail, innovation and technical prowess guarantees a thorough assessment, reflecting their commitment to recognising automotive excellence.
Name | Role | Area | Tenure |
---|---|---|---|
Aedan Yalda | Technical Trainer | NSW | 14 |
Brett Black | Technical Trainer | VIC | 14 |
Corey Daley | Technical Trainer | QLD | 14 |
Francis Sparkes | Technical Trainer | QLD | 18 |
Ian Batterbee | Technical Manager | National | 28 |
Manu Gibbs-Lindsay | Technical Trainer | NSW | 23 |
Mark Cameron | Technical Trainer | NSW | 29 |
Mohamad El-Chami | Technical Manager | National | 15 |
Phil Cole | Technical Trainer | WA | 33 |
Riley Karssemeyer | Technical Support Specialist | NSW | 3 |
Roger Tedder | Technical Support Manager | National | 28 |
Sean Brookes | Head of Technical and Innovation | National | 14 |
Shane Edward | Technical Trainer | VIC | 15 |