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Defence Connect is pleased to announce the winners of the third annual Australian Defence Industry Awards, which had over 600 people in attendance.
After delivering the awards in-person at four state locations and through a livestream broadcast in 2020, Defence Connect brought key decision makers from across the defence industry and the government together under one roof at the 2021 Australian Defence Industry Awards. It was a glamorous evening of celebrations at the International Convention Centre Sydney on Tuesday, 14 December.
Run in partnership with principal partner KBR, the awards – which were open to all businesses operating in Australia supporting the defence supply chain – were created in 2019 to underscore the comprehensive role of the defence industry as a fundamental input to Australia’s capability. They have become a coveted accolade for those seeking to cement their role in the industry.
This year, the black-tie gala event provided an opportunity to recognise the achievements and excellence of the industry’s most illustrious professionals and businesses, as well as all defence industry stakeholders, including primes, small-to-medium enterprises (SME), academic institutions and associations, as well as high-performing individuals such as defence executives, Indigenous and female leaders, students, scientists, technicians, and academics.
A total of 32 winners were chosen from a pool of 238 finalists across 32 categories this year.
In addition, there was considerable anticipation and excitement over who would take home the prestigious Defence Connect Excellence Award, which was given to the highest-scoring winner from the individual award categories.
This year, that honour was conferred to Karu Esselle, the distinguished professor in electromagnetic and antenna engineering at the University of Technology Sydney.
Professor Esselle also won the Academic of the Year award earlier in the evening.
Defence Connect editor Liam Garman said the awards were created to celebrate the best and brightest in the defence industry.
“From graduates to researchers, local SMEs to primes, the awards are our opportunity to acknowledge everyone’s efforts in building a vibrant and innovative defence industry,” he said.
“I was absolutely thrilled to see everyone come together in-person at the defence industry’s night of nights and celebrate with our amazing finalists.”
Defence Connect would like to thank all of the award partners for their invaluable support including principal partner KBR, platinum partners Aquaterro and Lockheed Martin Australia; gold partners Beca, BGIS, and Finni; gold and dessert partner Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium; dessert partner JLB Yaran; supporting partners PPA and Killara; and charity partner Invictus Australia.
To see the full list of winners and for more information about the awards, click here.
[Related: Finalists for the third Australian Defence Industry Awards unveiled]
