About Us
Our growing team of young professionals incorporate years of industry learning and trade-based knowledge and qualifications to provide holistic and leading solutions to complex facade and asset issues, wherever they may occur.
Fully Trained & Certified
All of our technicians are fully trained and certified with many years of combined industry knowledge and experience. We define ourselves by our capabilities rather than the access method required to achieve them, and that’s what sets us apart!
WHA are a highly adaptable and self-sufficient team with many years experience in trade based competencies, site knowledge and in engineering based project management and administration. We use abseiling techniques, high access systems, elevated work platforms and booms, scaffolds or we work from the ground depending on the project or our client’s needs.
Our Team
Management Team
Wayne Birrel
Managing Director
Wayne Birrell has been the Managing Director of WHA since its creation in 2008. With over 18 year’s experience in the Rope Access Industry as a level 3 IRATA supervisor he brings extensive knowledge of Industrial Rope Access, Height Safety and Construction services.
He spent many years gaining experience and knowledge in both the Construction and Mining industries before launching WHA and using his leadership skills has grown the company to be an Industry leader and largest provider of rope access construction service specialists across the Eastern Coast of Australia.
Aaron Callegari
General Manager
Aaron Callegari is the General Manager at WHA. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with 1 st degree Honours from The University of Melbourne. Aaron has extensive experience in façade repairs, asset rehabilitation and maintenance and has been involved with numerous complex repair works and landmark projects from estimating through to operational roles. Aaron holds a level 1 IRATA qualification in rope access.
Aaron joined WHA in 2017 and is responsible for overseeing all operational requirements as well as business development and strategy.
Katja Thomassen
Administration and Account Manager
Katja Thomassen is the Office and Accounts Manager at WHA and has been an integral part of the team since 2015. Katja has experience across several industries in accounts and administrative support of service teams including those in hospitality, media and construction. Katja has qualifications in business management and manages the administrative and office teams at WHA.
Operations Team
Mark Harvey
NSW Operations Team
Mark Harvey is the NSW Operations Manager and has been a part of the WHA team since 2014. Mark has been heading the NSW operational business since 2016 and has extensive knowledge across façade systems, glazing, caulking, complex rigging and repair and coatings works. Mark is a Level 3 IRATA supervisor and has extensive knowledge in complex hauling systems. Mark is responsible for the requirements of the NSW business including business development and the management of resources for the 15+ strong site team.
Chris Learey
VIC Operations Team
Chris Learey is the Site Operations Supervisor in Victoria and has been with WHA since 2012. After a small hiatus away from the company to pursue his own painting business, Chris re-joined the team in 2016 and has held positions as a Level 2 Supervisor running our complex paint and repair projects and now as the Site Operations Supervisor for our Victorian business. Chris is responsible for the management of 50+ staff and ensuring that projects are resourced correctly for high quality completion.
Our Personnel
New South Wales
Arthur Pera
IRATA Level 2
Years with WHA: 4 yrs
Antoine Camus
DPMC Level 2 (French Rope Access Qualification)
Years with WHA: 4 yrs
Victoria
Shayn Pernar
IRATA Level 3
Years with WHA: 10 yrs
Steve Brazier
IRATA Level 2
Years with WHA: 4 yrs
Patrick Zverina
IRATA Level 3
Years with WHA: 2 yrs
Matthew Vonya
SPRAT Level 3
Years with WHA: 5 yrs
Leigh Ashton
IRATA Level 3
Years with WHA: 4 yrs
Kim Armstrong
IRATA Level 2
Years with WHA: 2 yrs
Joe Butler
IRATA Level 3
Years with WHA: 4 yrs
David Harvey
IRATA Level 3
Years with WHA: 6 yrs
Brad Osborne
SPRAT Level 3
Years with WHA: 6 yrs
Basil Whittham
IRATA Level 3
Years with WHA: 4 yrs
Adam Smith
SPRAT Level 3
Years with WHA: 7 yrs
Achievements & Certifications
WHA are a member of the following organizations and associations as part of our ongoing development of our team and our vision to galvanize our competencies with the rope access industry and those standards within Australia:
- ACRA – Australian Concrete Repair Association
- MPAV –Master Painter’s Association of Victoria
- ARAA – Australian Rope Access Association
- AGWA – Australian Glass & Window Association
- THOMSON BRIDGE – Registered Training Organisation No. 40754
