Trip Of A Lifetime

When Horan Steel's Adrian Weller took the phone call to hear he'd won an all expenses paid trip to the Rugby World Cup last October, he thought the caller was joking.

"There was much scepticism on my part," admits Adrian. "But it really was the trip of a lifetime!"

Adrian was one of three lucky people to win a grand prize in the XLERPLATE® steel 'Backing the Aussie Spirit' campaign in 2007, which promoted XLERPLATE® steel's quality, technical back up, sales support and Australian made qualities.

A multi stage entry process saw five mail outs distributed, each with a personal code to allow entry into a monthly prize draw. Those who entered all five draws were automatically in the running to win one of three grand prizes.

Adrian's prize involved travelling to the UK for Wales' clash with Australia in the pool rounds of the Rugby World Cup.

"Being born in Wales it was a fantastic coincidence to have won this prize," Adrian said. "And having also lived in Australia for 53 years, I couldn't lose! It was great walking around Cardiff on the morning of the match, the Millennium Stadium is a wonderful place. When the Welsh fans started singing their national anthem, it was an amazing sight and sound. There were far more Aussies there than you would imagine, though, and the final result was great."

Australia beat Wales 32 to 20, and Adrian managed to get a photo with Wallaby forward and captain of the NSW Waratahs, Phil Waugh.

Adrian and his wife Robyn stayed at St Mellon's in Cardiff for three nights ("a lovely old country house with beautiful gardens") where Adrian was able to catch up with some relatives, and the Caesar Hotel in London.

"We really liked the Caesar and its location," said Adrian. "It made for a great base to explore London, the highlight of which was the ride for two on the London Eye on the banks of the River Thames."

Now with his feet firmly back on the ground, Adrian has returned to work as a Supply Manager for Horan Steel, a steel distributor located at Wetherill Park in Sydney.

"I purchase XLERPLATE® steel because of the consistency of the product, excellent lead and delivery times, and the general ease of doing business with the company," he said. "I've been in the steel distribution business for 38 years, the past 13 at Horan Steel, and I've had an association with BlueScope Steel for all of that time."

Other major prize winners were Raymond Bertazzo, from Bertazzo Engineered in Victoria, who travelled to Spain for the 32nd America's Cup, and Ray Plumbley, from Tenix Defence in Western Australia, who went to Paris for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe horse race.