Perth Diving Academy (PDA) commenced trading
in February 1978. The company has specialised in all forms of
diver training, retail diving equipment sales and the operation
of purpose built dive charter boats. First established as a
partnership, the original partners were Simon
Jones and Hugh Morrison. On
22 June 1982 Perth Diving Academy became an incorporated proprietary
limited company. A third director/shareholder, Martin
Jones, was appointed in 1984.
In December, 1988 PDA commenced construction of their new purpose
built dive training facility in Balcatta, which included retail
dive store, dive training pool and classrooms. This facility
was completed in August 1989 and in June 1990 they commenced
construction of their purpose built dive charter vessel, Lionfish
II, which was launched in December 1990.
In 1992, PDA expanded further with the construction of another
purpose designed diver training and diving retail facility at
Rous Head in North Fremantle. An additional diving vessel, Lionfish
III, was purchased at this time to support the new store.
1998 saw the construction of the $1.1 million dollar charter
vessel, Lionfish
IV. At twenty four metres long the boat is the largest specialist
dive charter vessel in Perth.
PDA training activities have also included diving programmes
for the WA
Police, AUSCDT
Four, and the WA
Maritime Museum.
A strategic purchase and development policy has resulted in
Perth Diving Academy Pty Ltd being one of the largest turnover
diving store in Australia. They have the longest established
partnership with original owners in the Australian recreational
diving industry and have established a highly respected standing
in both the recreational and commercial diving community. For
more information on PDA check out their website.
From January 1969 to December 1972 Hugh Morrison undertook teachers
training at the Mount Lawley Teachers College. He was employed
as a teacher from 1973 to 1978. Since then he has been a Director
of and Instructor at Perth Diving Academy.
Hugh's love of shells led to his involvement in the scuba diving
in the early 70's. Since then he has become one of the leading
instructor trainers in the industry. He has dived throughout
the world and led major cave diving expeditions on the Nullabor
Plains.
Hugh has co-authored the text “International Scuba Diver”
which has sold in excess of 100,000 copies in Australia as well
as a number of other diving text books.
In 1982 he helped develop the Australian Coaching Programme
for diving, a joint Australian Underwater Federation/Federal
Government initiative which formed the basis for the federal
funding of diver training for the following six years.
In 1985 Hugh was a founding member of the Australian Scuba Council,
a body made up of all recreational dive training agencies in
Australia, and in 1986 co-developed the Australian Code of Practice
for diving which was used by Standards Australia as the basis
for all subsequent Australian recreational diving standards.
Hugh was appointed to WA Government task force on diving in
1988, to investigate diving accidents and advise the Minister
of appropriate needs and actions.
In 1991 Hugh was presented with the 1991 “TASCA”
award for services to diving by the Australian Diving Industry.
Having personally trained the majority of the NASDS Instructors
in Australia, Hugh’s diving and instructional ability
is acknowledged throughout the country. As a professional educator,
he oversees the areas of dive instruction and commercial diver
training.
Hugh is the manager of the PDA Balcatta Store. You can check
out Hugh's specialist shell website.
From February 1978 to the present, Simon Jones has been employed
as a director, instructor and boats’ skipper at Perth
Diving Academy.
Since qualifying as an instructor in 1978, Simon has worked
in all areas of the scuba industry. Acknowledged throughout
Australia as a diving equipment specialist. Simon manages a
hydrostatic test station, service department and also takes
responsibility for the running of Lionfish
IV, PDA’s purpose built dive vessels.
Martin Jones has been involved with the service industry
since 1976, the same year he qualified as a diver.
Following his honourable discharge from the Royal Australian
Air Force in 1984, Martin took up the position of director with
Perth Diving Academy.
Martin now manages the Fremantle store, as well as developing
the printing and publication needs of the company.
