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Almost 30 members of the defence industry have emerged as winners at this year’s awards.
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The sixth annual Australian Defence Industry Awards 2024 black tie/mess dress gala ceremony was held tonight (18 July) at the National Convention Centre Canberra with support from principal partner KBR.
A total of 29 winners were selected out of 212 finalists and a record 289 submissions, including the recipient of the prestigious Excellence Award.
This year, the Excellence Award was given to the highest-scoring individual winner, Kieran Hynes, founder of 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and operated cyber security services firm Willyama Services. Earlier in the evening, Hynes was named Indigenous Defence Leader of the Year.
Click here to see the full list of winners.
Other individual winners included representatives from US-owned defence contractor operating in Australia, Raytheon Australia, passive surveillance systems provider Silentium Defence, and engineering, consulting and advisory company Aurecon.
Among the 10 individual categories on offer were Female Defence Leader of the Year, Engineer of the Year, and Technician of the Year.
Companies that emerged as winners ranged from flight test and capability assurance service provider Nova Systems, veteran-owned and operated specialist services provider for the defence industry AeroPM, and major defence contractor BAE Systems Australia.
There were 18 group categories available to companies to enter into, including Defence Innovator of the Year – Company, Subcontractor of the Year, and Veteran Support Program of the Year.
Over 700 members of the defence industry attended the awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues and peers and network with industry leaders.
Australian comedian, writer, and satirist Mark Humphries was this year’s emcee and provided entertainment and laughter throughout the evening.
The Australian Defence Industry Awards program was created in 2019 to shine a light on the leading lights of the defence industry, including the most innovative professionals and businesses.
Recognising people and organisations rather than products and platforms, the awards universally acknowledge all defence industry stakeholders, including primes, small-to-medium enterprises (SME), academic institutions, and associations.
They also provide national recognition to high-performing individuals such as defence executives, Indigenous and female leaders, students, scientists, technicians, and academics.
The awards were open to all businesses operating in Australia and supporting the defence supply chain while propelling the defence industry to new heights.
They have become a desirable accolade for individuals and businesses seeking to forge their role in the defence industry, with many of them already capitalising on the program to win important contracts, drive business growth, and recruit and retain top talent, while recognition has underpinned career advancement for industry professionals.
The judging panel included former senior leaders from the Australian Defence Force, academics, business executives, entrepreneurs, and innovators, who offered peer-reviewed national recognition of the capabilities of professionals and businesses.
