Public administrators gather to recognise individual and organisational public service excellence
The Institute of Public Administration Australia WA (IPAA WA) recognised individual and organisational excellence in public administration at its 13th annual Achievement Awards ceremony on the 12th of December 2024.
Trevor Stack opened proceedings with an inspiring Welcome to Country, and hosting this year’s ceremony was IPAA WA President Jenness Gardner MIPAA. In her opening remarks, Jenness outlined the rigorous three-stage judging process, and acknowledged the high standard of nominations which were received this year. IPAA WA was honoured to welcome their Patron, His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM FIPAA, Governor of Western Australia, to this year’s ceremony. His Excellency provided brief remarks which explored the importance of excellence in public service in sustaining the wellbeing of citizens and the functioning of the state.
Awards were presented across 20 categories. As was the case in previous years, the Awards saw an influx of nominations for the two collaboration categories and the Best Practice in Innovation award. As a new initiative this year following feedback from judges, these awards were split into two sub-categories based on project budget. This ensured a more even playing field for nominees in these categories. The number of nominations received in these continue to highlight the outstanding collaboration being undertaken by the WA public service, and the innovative practices being utilised to deliver better outcomes to the WA community.
In total 29 awards were presented this year, recognising some of the outstanding projects and initiatives being delivered to the WA community, and the leaders and practitioners who make up the public service in Western Australia. The final award of the day, the IPAA WA Patron’s Award, is the highest accolade in public administration in WA. His Excellency presented the IPAA Patron’s Award to Gail McGowan PSM FIPAA for her significant contributions to public administration. Gail was the inaugural Director General of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and had a distinguished career as a government leader and policy advisor at both State and National levels over three decades. Gail is also the Chair of the WA Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and a Director of the Mid West Ports Authority. In 2023 she was appointed as the first female Chancellor of Murdoch University. Gail was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday honours for her outstanding public service to Western Australia.
Jenness Gardner MIPAA then closed the ceremony by congratulating all the winners and thanking all in attendance for coming together to celebrate the professionalism and achievements of the WA public service.
IPAA WA extends a thank you to all the award judges, sponsors, and presenters. IPAA WA greatly appreciated their support of the Awards this year, and their ongoing commitment to excellence within the public service
For a full list of winners, please visit https://www.wa.ipaa.org.au/resource/2024-achievement-awards/