CT Finland Technicians Support CT Australia's Busy Event Season

This year, five experienced technicians from CT Finland went to work in Australia’s busy summer season, particularly for the Australian Open tennis tournament. Additional hands were needed for tasks such as building, dismantling, and operating LED walls in the events. Creative Technology has been a long-time technology provider for the renowned tennis event, with also CT Finland’s technicians working there already for three seasons. On top of an amazing work opportunity, this provides technicians an unforgettable experience to spend time under the Australian sun.

We interviewed CT’s technicians Lauri Orden, Mikko Törmälehto, Riku Hietala, and Vesa Eloranta about their work experience in Australia’s events. They have had the opportunity to work not only at the Australian Open tennis tournament but also in other CT’s events in Australia such as Zach Bryan’s concert, the Newcombe Medal tennis gala, RMIT University graduation ceremony, and the Tipping Point TV show.

How did you end up working in Australia?

“I had only heard positive feedback from colleagues in Finland who had been working at CT Australia’s events before. When Antti (Head of Video, CT Finland) asked if there were technicians wanting to work in Australia once again, I expressed my interest. Opportunity to work on the other side of the world don’t come by often, so I didn’t have to think long about it. Of course, the idea of warm weather and light in the midst of cold and dark Finnish winter sounded really good.” – Riku

“I heard about the experiences of friends from the previous year. Initially, as someone with a family, I thought the idea of a three-month work stint was impossible. However, when my wife took a study leave, the theoretical possibility of going with the whole family emerged. I inquired about the feasibility of this arrangement with the Australian team, and they gave us the green light. This presented an opportunity that just couldn’t be passed up.” – Vesa

What were your job responsibilities in Australia?

“I’ve been involved in building and dismantling LED structures. During the tennis tournament, I was on the evening shift overseeing the LED screens on the Margaret Court Arena, a role I also had last year.” – Mikko

“My tasks in Australia have included building, dismantling, and monitoring LED screens, as well as performing some maintenance during the tournament. I’ve also had a couple of days working in the warehouse and one gig as a camera technician. Before the first jobs, we had to complete a local occupational safety card training.” – Riku

“My job has mostly included working with the LED screens. The physical aspect has been challenging at times, especially when dismantling screens in tennis stadiums in over +35-degree heat, and the pedometer shows 30,000 steps a day.” – Vesa

“I have been involved in building, dismantling, and monitoring LED screens. I also had the opportunity to work as a video operator on a couple of occasions.” – Lauri

What has it been like to work with CT Australia’s colleagues?

“They are generally easy-going people, and surprisingly, they have a similar mentality to us Finns. Sometimes it’s challenging to keep up with the speech of native Australians. In the crew, there are, for example, a few South Africans with whom communication is much easier. Overall, people talk a lot more, but the Aussies haven’t shied away from quieter Finns in the group!” – Mikko

“Colleagues at CT Australia welcomed me very well right from the first day, a friendly and nice group of people. Also, in our Outdoor Crew during the tennis tournament, there were three technicians from New Zealand. I worked the morning shift with them throughout the tournament, and they were really nice guys too.” – Riku

What has been the best part of the experience?

“From a work perspective, it has been fun to see how such a massive event like the tennis tournament comes together and then breaks down. I also enjoyed the tournament itself and the days on duty, even though it meant a long work streak.

For one weekend, I rented a motorcycle and visited a friend living in Newbury, as well as Mount Dandenong near Melbourne, Phillip Island, and the Mornington Peninsula. I covered a total of approximately 730 kilometers in three days. With Riku and Late, we also went on a week-long trip to the North Island of New Zealand.” – Mikko

“Getting to know new colleagues and seeing how events are executed elsewhere in the world. The weather has also been better than in Finland, and of course, the free time to explore the city.” – Lauri

“Certainly, the warmth and brightness have been one of the best things here. It has also been nice to be part of such a massive event as the Australian Open tennis tournament. Getting to know new colleagues has also been enjoyable, and this is an experience that one will never forget.” – Riku

“The best part of this trip has been the overall experience. It was fantastic to see and be part of such a massive production like the Australian Open. It was interesting to get to know the country and its ways. Additionally, I was fortunate to have my family with me here, and my 8-year-old son got to have such an experience.” – Vesa