A Quarter Century of Maritime Excellence

 

Founded in 2000 by Darren Burrowes and Neil Hodges, BlueZone Group began with a shared vision: advancing Australia’s Mine Counter Measures capability. With naval experience and engineering expertise, they laid the foundation for a company that now enables operations across Australia’s oceans, coastal seas, and rivers using world-leading uncrewed systems, maritime robotics and undersea technology.

 

Celebrating a remarkable milestone, BlueZone Group marked 25 years of relentless innovation with a spectacular anniversary event held at the historic Fort Scratchley in Newcastle. From humble beginnings as a bold idea fuelled by determination; advancing Australia’s Mine Counter Measures capability through excellence in service, support, and engineering of ROV technology, BlueZone has grown into a powerhouse of expertise and cutting-edge technology over the past quarter-century.

 

The celebration was nothing short of extraordinary, with meticulous planning that transformed the venue into a vibrant showcase of BlueZone’s journey. Guests were immediately captivated by the stunning new British Mark 17 Sea Mine Sculpture proudly displayed at the entrance—a tribute brought back to life thanks to the dedication of our skilled technicians and engineers. As attendees moved through the foyer, they were immersed in BlueZone’s rich history, highlighted through a captivating display honouring the people whose unwavering commitment has shaped the company’s success, alongside the groundbreaking products that paved the way. Looking ahead, the event offered an exciting glimpse into the future with displays of cutting-edge models featuring advanced capabilities in mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and military diver navigation and propulsion—demonstrating BlueZone’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence.

 

Guests were greeted with a glass of bubbles as they arrived at a beautifully transformed Fort Scratchley, overlooking the ocean. A custom mural, commissioned for the event and created by artist Bob McRae, served as a striking visual narrative. Stretching from left to right, the artwork captures the key themes of BlueZone’s journey—highlighting its deep-rooted expertise in sea mine warfare and offering a visionary glimpse into the future of underwater technology. The centrepiece, a Sea Mine reimagined by BlueZone’s Kayla Paterson, powerfully conveys the formidable presence of the mine within an infinite, underwater expanse.

 

What event organised by former Navy officers would be complete without a Navy Sabre cake cutting? This traditional and symbolic gesture added a distinctly naval touch to the celebration, honouring BlueZone’s maritime heritage and the service backgrounds of its founders, Neil and Darren. The cake cutting was a memorable moment that blended ceremony with camaraderie, perfectly embodying the spirit of the company.

 

We were honoured to host so many friends, colleagues, partners, and supporters as we celebrated this huge milestone, sharing in the memories of our journey and the excitement for what lies ahead. We would be remiss if we did not thank the venue, all of our vendors, and especially our incredible internal staff whose hard work and dedication made this event truly unforgettable. Thank you all for helping us bring our vision to life.

 

As a keepsake, BlueZone gifted all attendees our commemorative 25-year challenge coin. Remember, if you see a BlueZone representative at IndoPAC 2025 without their coin coffee is on them! If you weren’t able to catch it at the event, our 25-year showreel will also be showcased at IndoPAC—stop by to explore the products and meet the people who have shaped BlueZone into the company it is today!

 

Be sure to check out our feature article in the Newcastle Herald, which delves into the inspiring journey of Neil and Darren, the visionary founders of BlueZone Group.

 

I couldn’t have said it better than Neil and Darren in their thank you speech on the night

 

“Opportunities are like tides – seize them at the right moment and you can go farther than you ever imagined”.

 

Supporting you to stay Ahead of the Tide for 25 years!

 

Read More:

Navigating Futures: BlueZone Inspires Students at Hunter Defence Expo

BlueZone Group: A Legacy in Western Australia’s Marine Innovation

 

Darren Burrowes and Neil Hodges in front of British Mark 17 Sea Mine Sculpture (Photo credit: Jérôme Treize).

 

Neil Hodges and Darren Burrowes Navy Sabre Cake Cutting (Photo credit: Jérôme Treize).

 

Custom Mural and Sea Mine (Artist: Bob Mcrae, Kayla Paterson) (Photo credit: Jérôme Treize).