January 12, 2017
A Latrobe Valley business has won national acclaim, with CommSite Integrated Communications being named Industry Professional of the Year by the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association.
The business is owned by Tony and Ros Biddiscombe and is based in Traralgon with offices in Bairnsdale and Hallam.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Biddiscombes’ business had begun with just Tony and Ros in September 2012 and was now a local success story.
“CommSite Integrated Communications is a great example of the success that can be achieved in Gippsland,” Mr Chester said.
“In just four years, they’ve grown from two staff to more than 30 and have projects right across Australia.
“Tony and Ros work hard and lead by example. They are great community contributors who’ve demonstrated a commitment to training young people and providing opportunities for youth in our region.”
Tony Biddiscombe said business growth had exceeded all expectations and he would continue to explore new opportunities to create more jobs for Gippsland.
“We are unique in the sense that our competitors are all based in the Melbourne metropolitan area. There are no other companies like us in Gippsland,” Mr Biddiscombe said.
“Some companies offer civil and rigging work only, so customers need to find someone else to complete the job. Others offer the communications work, but can’t undertake the first part of the project.
“We offer both services, so companies can come to us and we do everything from civil work right through to project completion.”
Ros Biddiscombe said the company was particularly keen to provide more training opportunities for young people into the future.
“The radio communications and electronics trade has not been taught outside the defence force for more than 20 years, so we are keen to provide a new career opportunity for young Gippslanders,” she said.
“We are working with Chisholm TAFE to provide apprenticeships in the radio trade and it will be a priority for us to keep that going into the future.”
CommSite currently has two electronics and communications apprentices now entering their third and fourth years and will be engaging a new apprentice this year.
As well as winning the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association award, CommSite was a Gippsland Business Awards finalist in 2016.
Caption: Tony and Ros Biddiscombe from CommSite Integrated Communications show Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester the services offered by their award-winning business.
