From 1 February 2025, the board of directors of Stone Initiatives is comprised of Thomas Baggs, Mark Milevski and Kate Tonkin. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and together they are committed to upholding the company’s high standards and client-focused approach to…
Author: mrymnn
Snapshot: Mark Milevski, Co-Director
From collecting rocks as a child to working on some of Australia's most valued heritage structures, Mark Milevski shares a snapshot of his journey with natural stone. Get to know Mark, Co-Director and Materials Testing Specialist (Heritage Services) at Stone…
Snapshot: Kate Tonkin, Co-Director
From netball courts to luxury hotels, Kate Tonkin has evaluated all types of flooring and surfaces right around Australia. Get to know Kate, Co-Director and Materials Testing Specialist (Finishes Evaluation Services) at Stone Initiatives. What inspired you to work in stone and materials…
Snapshot: Thomas Baggs, Co-Director
With specialisations in failure investigation and mineralogical testing services, Thomas Baggs is a keen problem solver who enjoys a challenge. Get to know Tom, Co-Director and Scientific Officer (Finishes Evaluation Services) at Stone Initiatives. What inspired you to work in…
A new chapter: Founder Jim Mann retires
Jim Mann, founder of Stone Initiatives and one of Australasia’s foremost experts in stone, has made the decision to retire. Since 2003 Jim has been a driving force behind the company’s success, sharing his unique technical knowledge and experience with…
Expert Q&A: Slip testing for netball courts
Materials testing specialist Kate Tonkin answers what you need to know about slip resistance testing for netball courts – from tips on reducing the slipperiness of a court, to guidance on testing frequency and when to consider resurfacing. What slip resistance standards…