In a follow-up interview, IAME President Jeff Richards sat down with Thomas Miller, the recipient of the IAME Award at the Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony, held at the 2024 Sydney International Boat Show. In this latest discussion, Thomas reflects on his journey and how be entered the industry.
Antonella Abbate • 3 November 2024
Navigating Career Change: Tom Miller’s Journey from Culinary Arts to Marine Mechanics and Business Ownership
Jeff Richards: We're speaking with Tom Miller from Johnson Brothers Enterprise Marine. Tom, could you share your story with us? We'd love to hear about your journey, how you got started in the automotive and marine industries and the key moments that shaped your career?
Tom Miller: When Covid started, I was about 26 years of age, and decided I might have a bit of a career change. I ended up working a couple of days a week at Johnson Brothers Enterprise Marine, it was just Enterprise Marine back then. After deciding to change career, I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed what I was doing. Not long after I started to work there, I decided to take on an apprenticeship. Chris, the previous owner of Enterprise Marine ended up stepping away from the business and Johnson Brothers bought it, hence the name Johnson Brothers Enterprise Marine. I then slowly continued my apprenticeship with the new owners, and worked my way through the apprenticeship. I kept pushing myself every day, trying to better myself, grow, and learn new areas, not just focusing on what's going on in front of me, but what's going on around me. Five years later, I bought into the business. I am now running the business alongside Ben, and it's all running nice and smooth.
Jeff Richards: How did you feel receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award at the TAFE Awards Night?
Tom Miller: I was very grateful. It proves when you put in the hard work you get rewarded and acknowledged for it.
Jeff Richards: Before you got involved in the Marine industry, what sort of work were you involved in?
Tom Miller: My first job was actually in Enterprise Marines, sweeping the floors when I was about 10 years old. I ended up doing a full 360 to where I started, but it was always between the food industry and the boating industry. I first chose the food industry mainly because my family had been in the restaurant business their whole life, so I ended up working in fine dining, and did that for about eight years, running kitchens as a head chef, but decided, just for personal reasons and as wanted to grow my family I required more to as the pay side of being a chef was definitely not the best. I decided to move forward and see what else there was out there. I could always fall back on my old trade, and that's what kind of moved me in a direction of a career change. When Covid hit, I realized that I have a little bit of an opportunity to broaden my horizons so I tried Marine Mechanics, Joinery along with being a Chef. I ended up choosing Marine Mechanics, which was the best choice I could of made.
Jeff Richards: Due to your age at the time of starting Marine Mechanics were you mature-aged apprentice?
Tom Miller: Yes. I was mature-aged. I was scared about the classic stereotypes of the apprenticeship being that it's terrible money at the age, you get picked on and I just didn’t really know what I was in for. But it was none of those things, ever. It was good money and enough to live comfortably. Everyone was really nice and patient with me. I think just being a mature age apprentice, people give you that little bit more time and they realize you've got past your crazy stages in life.
Jeff Richards: Is there anything else you'd like to add or advice to anyone thinking of changing careers?
Tom Miller: Yes. You're never too old to jump into a trade. Meaning you don't have to be under 20 years of age or younger to do it anymore. It's never too late. You can always give it a go. It's worth trying, because you'd rather be happy at your work than, sitting there hating your job and just doing it for the money.
Jeff Richards: Thank you for your insight, Tom, what you have achieved in your current working life is commendable. I am sure your story and what you have achieve will inspire others to look at their situation in a more positive way and that when you set your mind to it, anything can be achieved. It is a wonderful mentoring story.
IAME President Jeff Richards presented Thomas the IAME Award at the Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony held at the 2024 Sydney International Boat Show.
Along with the Award he received Complimentary IAME Membership, a Digital Vernier and Socket Set to specially remove broken studs.
A special thanks to TAFE NSW and the Boating Industry Association for providing IAME the opportunity to be involved and support the industry.
Across the Tasman this week, Chinese automotive giant BYD confirmed that almost 5,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are currently bound for Australia aboard its own dedicated vehicle carrier, the BYD Zhengzhou. The shipment, carrying 4,810 vehicles, marks the first Australian voyage of one of BYD’s purpose-built roll-on/roll-off vessels and is expected to dock in Melbourne before continuing to Sydney and Brisbane. What makes this story significant is not simply the size of the shipment, but what it says about the Australian market. BYD has already announced plans to bring an additional 30,000 new-energy vehicles to Australia in the coming months as demand for electric vehicles and hybrids continues to surge. For decades, Australian motorists were among the most loyal supporters of Japanese manufacturers, with brands from Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda dominating local driveways. Few industry observers would have predicted that Chinese brands would achieve such rapid acceptance. Yet Australian consumers have embraced brands such as BYD, MG, GWM, Chery, Geely, Zeekr and others with remarkable speed, treating many of them as though they have been established players for generations. Australia’s transition mirrors trends seen throughout Europe and North America, where consumers are increasingly seeking lower running costs, improved technology, longer warranties and electrified drivetrains. The difference in Australia is that much of this growth is being driven by Chinese manufacturers rather than traditional Western brands. Affordability, strong specifications, competitive warranty programs and rapid product development have reshaped buyer perceptions almost overnight. BYD’s decision to deploy its own shipping fleet to Australia is perhaps the clearest signal yet that global manufacturers now view Australia as a strategic growth market. When a manufacturer is prepared to invest in dedicated logistics to deliver thousands of vehicles directly to Australian customers, it demonstrates confidence not only in its products but also in the appetite of Australian motorists for electrified transport. The message is simple: Australia's EV and hybrid revolution is no longer coming—it has arrived, and Chinese manufacturers are playing a leading role in shaping the next chapter of the nation's automotive landscape.
Mr Lamb brings decades of diverse leadership experience across various sectors, both domestically and internationally. Most recently, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Murray-Darling Association. Previously, Mr Lamb has held several executive roles with distinct peak body organisations, where he worked closely with government and industry. During his tenure, assisted many organisations to transition into new strategies and methodologies. With his notable experience, he is well positioned to lead the ARC at a time when the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry is growing at a rapid pace. Mr Lamb succeeds Glenn Evans, who concluded his tenure in December 2025 after 17 years of service. ARC Chair Dr Greg Picker said he was pleased to welcome Mr Lamb to mark the next phase for the Council, which leads national governance of the RAC (also known as ARCtick) Permit Scheme. “The Board is pleased to appoint Mark Lamb as our new CEO. We look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver the ARCtick permit scheme and improve our service to industry. His passion and experience in leading peak body organisations perfectly aligns with the ARC’s priorities at this time and our vision for the future,” Dr Picker said. “It is a crucial time for the industry, and the Board is confident Mark will help us build on our momentum and continue deliver meaning outcomes for the ARC and the broader industry.” Commenting on his appointment, Mr Lamb said, “I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to play this significant role, not just at the Australian Refrigeration Council, but in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.
For a company long associated with precision internal combustion performance engines and premium driving dynamics, the production of BMW Group’s two millionth fully electric vehicle is far more than a symbolic milestone. It represents a major industrial transition within one of Europe’s most engineering-driven automotive manufacturers.
