The Marina Industries Association (MIA) is delighted to announce that the winner of the keenly contested Bellingham Marine Australia Advanced Marina Management (AMM) Scholarship has become James Thompson, Marina Manager at Sydney Boathouse. MIA Education Officer, Ian Winestock, stated that it was a competitive field of scholarship applicants from around Australia.

L to R. Colin Bransgrove (MIA), Gary Charlwood (Bellingham Marine), James Thompson and Michael Fountain (Sydney Boathouse)

The scholarship is offered as an incentive for those in the marina industries to further their education and advance their career. The scholarship covers the cost of the AMM course which is being held in Sydney from 22-27 September, 2013. The five day course is a profit-management course for industry professionals that have already completed the Intermediate Marina Management Course. Both courses are endorsed by the Global Marina Institute (GMI). The AMM School offers its graduates both a national and international business perspective on management issues. MIA carefully screens the applicants from around the Asia Pacific region to ensure there is a well-balanced peer group that will share knowledge and experience equally. The course is a pre requisite on the career path leading to globally recognised certification.

Bellingham Marine NSW State Manager, Gary Charlwood and MIA Executive Officer Colin Bransgrove presented James with his scholarship certificate, together with Sydney Boathouse Director of Operations, Michael Fountain at the marina on Tuesday 20 August.

James commenced his career in the industry in 1999 as a Marina Attendant at Birkenhead Point Marina in Sydney, then with NSW Waterways Authority, responsible for all operations at the Superyacht Marina project in Sydney Harbour. In 2008 he was promoted to the position of Marina Manager in addition to managing five external NSW Maritime owned sites. James has also worked extensively with the Sydney International Boat Show and has been Marina Manager for that event for the past 7 years. He took up his current position with Sydney Boathouse in May this year and will be an integral part of the exciting new developments taking place at that facility.

“I am pleased to be able to offer the scholarship to James,” said John Spragg, General Manager of Bellingham Marine Australia. “He shows a dedicated and professional approach to his work, has a considerable depth of experience and a thorough understanding of the industry’s challenges. He possesses skills and determination highly valued in the marina industry.”