Tamworth Quality Business Awards

The Noel Park Award is awarded annually at the discretion of the Tamworth Business Chamber Board, in recognition of an identity who has made a significant contribution to the growth of the Tamworth Local Government Area.

In 2022, the Tamworth Business Chamber is proud to pay tribute to a local businessman, and conservationist, who’s dedicated their life to the local community and left a long-lasting impression on the Tamworth region.

Born in Glen Innes in 1938, Raymond McLaren attended the local school, then moved to Newcastle to complete an apprenticeship at Stewarts and Lloyds machine shop in Mayfield. At night he also attended the Newcastle University Collage to complete a Mechanical Engineering Certificate.

During his time in Newcastle, Mr McLaren was introduced to the world of knotting. A book which borrowed from the Newcastle library called “Knots, Splices and Fancy Work” opened a whole new field of interest, and led to the inventions of Mr McLaren’s superflex cable and flat woven slings – which are both still a huge part of the lifting and rigging industry in Australia. Mr McLaren was also part of the board that helped write the Australian standardsAS1666.1 in the early 1990’s (Wire-Rope slings product Specifications), which is still current today.

In 1966, Mr McLaren settled in Tamworth with his wife, where he opened his first workshop in 1968 at 8 Hudson Street. As business started to grow, Mr McLaren purchased a larger block of land in the village of Moonbi, and in 1984relocated his business to the new site, which was known then as Andromeda Cables. Since that time Andromeda Cables has grown into a multi-million dollar business, and the name Andromeda Industries is known right across the region and beyond.

Outside of his business, Mr McLaren also established the Tamworth Rucksack Club in 1969, which was dedicated to bushwalking and has been an active member of the Rotary club of Tamworth. Over the years, Mr McLaren has held many executive positions, including President in 1999-2000, and is still the current National Youth Science forum officer for the club. Mr McLaren has also dedicated a lot of time to the Tamworth Astronomy Club, where he has helped with housing the club and repairs on some of the telescopes. Mr McLaren is also a supporter of the School of St Jude' in Tanzania and has been to visit the students and help with village projects.

Another huge passion of Mr McLaren’s is conservation. Together with Kate McLaren, Raymond has purchased 15 properties in the Moonbi region over the past40-years, all of which join to form a 2,770-acre parcel of land. A Voluntary Conservation Agreement was declared on this parcel of land in 2006.