The WS Lonnie Awards were established in 1984 following a bequest from Mrs H.L. Lonnie in memory of her late husband Mr W.S. Lonnie MC CBE MVO. Mr Lonnie had a long and distinguished career in the State public service, culminating in his final post as Under Secretary, Premier’s Department during the premiership of Sir Charles Court.
The primary vehicle for accountability in the Public Sector has been and always will be the way Public Sector agencies report their performance. The Awards recognise the importance of being accountable and transparent in a succinct and independent way. It encourages and celebrates excellence in annual reporting, which is central to good corporate governance.
The Institute organises and host these important annual awards which recognise and highlight excellence and improved accountability standards in annual reporting across the WA State Public Sector. This is a mammoth task as all State agencies are eligible and considered as part of the judging process.
Judges
An independent panel of leading figures assesses all entrants against the established criteria.
CHAIR
Dr Mike Wood FIPAA
Mike Wood’s career is diverse, embracing international, national and state roles in public policy and higher education. With leading roles in the WA public sector, he contributed to
reform in Cabinet processes, local government elections and grants. As Public Service Commissioner, he contributed to organisational reform and subsequently as Chair of the
Salaries and Allowances Tribunal, he contributed to a significant overhaul of salaries of sectoral leaders.
His contribution to public administration was recognised by his peers when he was appointed a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
As Dean, Mike led the Curtin Business School in achieving international accreditation for its work from the EQUIS program established by the European Foundation for
Management Development. EQUIS then invited him to chair many assessment panels in Asia, Africa and Europe.
He taught public policy courses at four Australian universities and was the founding chair of the Ruah board. He is a member of the board of Mindful Margaret River and of the boards of Kaplan Higher Education and the Kaplan Business School.
He taught public policy courses at four Australian universities and was the founding chair of the Ruah board. He is a member of the board of Mindful Margaret River.
JUDGES
Michael Day
Partner, KPMG
Michael is the Head of KPMG’s CFO Advisory practice in Western Australia. He has over 17 years professional experience in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Through his career, he has worked with a large number of Government entities to assist them navigate complex accounting issues. This work has included the interpretation and implementation of new accounting standards, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of process and controls and the streamlining of financial statements.
Michael is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Yvonne Haigh
Senior Lecturer, Murdoch University
Yvonne teaches public policy and public sector management at both undergraduate and post graduate levels at Murdoch University since 2004. She has developed and taught units on social policy, public policy, media, politics and community development.
Yvonne has completed her PhD at Murdoch University in 2004. Her PhD examined the concept of ethics and the role it plays in our everyday decisions. This project explored the everyday decisions of police cadets attending the Western Australian policy academy and considered the range of factors that impact on their capacity to act ethically. Her current research project on corruption expands on these ideas in order to build on our understanding of corruption.
Des Pearson AO FIPAA
Des Pearson currently works as a Non Executive Director and undertakes assignments on governance, accountability and performance reporting.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Queens Birthday Honours for distinguished service to public sector governance.
In his more than 40 years public service he has worked across seven Australian jurisdictions including over thirty years at senior and chief executive levels, including more than 21 years as an Auditor General (Western Australia 1991-2006 & Victoria 2006-2012). His earlier experience included financial management, program management, corporate support and regulatory roles.
He has served as National President of CPA Australia and was subsequently elected as a Life Member of CPA Australia. He is a National and Victorian Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and a Life Member of the Australian Institute of Management (WA) Inc.
Stephen Potter JP
Steve has been a long serving Main Roads’ employee with over 50 years of service. During this time he has fulfilled the roles of Manager Executive and Corporate Communications, Ministerial and Local Government Relations Manager as well as Acting Director, Strategic Relationships. Previous appointments have included Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.
He has been responsible for managing areas focused on Government and external relations, community engagement, customer services and public affairs. A key role has been to develop and ensure strong corporate relationships with stakeholders. Steve has driven improved customer service, collaboration, inclusiveness, and engagement at both State and Local Government levels.
External to Main Roads, Steve has been a Councillor with the City of Subiaco and a board member with The Subiaco Redevelopment Authority during the redevelopment of “Subi Centro” and the sinking of the Subiaco railway line. He has also served on a number of community committees and activities
Paula Rogers
Chief Executive Officer - Committee for Perth
Paula is a widely respected leader in the WA business community, who brings to the Committee for Perth decades of experience in business development, membership engagement, stakeholder management and economic strategy from across the globe, with prior market dealings in the UK and Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australasia.
Known for her collaborative and strategically driven leadership, she is passionate about helping WA flourish and grow. Paula and her young family migrated to Perth in 2002 and the city and State have become close to her heart and pivotal to her career. Her career in WA has included publishing, event CEO, marketing and communications for aged care and a global law firm and State Director of a national economic development membership organisation.
Paula has held various board director roles, and consulted to government, the public sector, universities, and a number of clients in the private sector on communication, marketing, events and stakeholder management.
Judging Criteria
Click here to download Judging Criteria.
Awards
The W.S. Lonnie Awards are judged against the following categories across State government and each receive a bronze, silver and gold winner:
- Category 1 - State Agency with less than 100 FTEs
- Category 2 - State Agency with less than 1,000 FTEs
- Category 3 - State Agency with more than 1,000 FTEs
- Category 4 - Government Trading Enterprise Sector
Bronze Awards
Demonstrate high levels of accountability and good reporting to Parliament, the community and key stakeholder groups.
Silver Awards
Exceed the criteria and are considered to demonstrate particularly good reporting and accountability.
Gold Awards
Excel in accountability and annual reporting. Annual reports that receive this award have exceeded the requirements and are considered model reports.
Major W.S. Awards and Trophies
Margaret McAleer Special Commendation
This award is presented at the discretion of the panel for an outstanding report that, in some respect, establishes a benchmark to which others should aspire.
The Allan Skinner Trophy
Awarded to the best annual report in the General Government Sector.
The Margaret Nadebaum Trophy
Awarded to the best annual report in the Government Enterprise Sector.
The WS Lonnie Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the best annual report for the year.
Specialist Awards
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Office of the Auditor General Award for Transparency and Accountability |
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State Records Commission Award for Excellence in Records and Information Management |
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CPA Australia Award for Performance Reporting
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Public Sector Commission Award for Good Governance
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Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Award for Chief Financial Officer of the Year |
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Award for Complaints Handling |
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Terms and conditions
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for information relating to Awards.