Members of the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA (IPAA WA) and agencies from across the WA public sector celebrated excellence in annual reporting at the Institute’s 36th annual W.S. Lonnie Awards presentation on the 25th of June 2021 held in Perth.
The W.S. Lonnie Awards celebrate the achievements in annual reporting across the Western Australian Public Sector, promote excellence and improve standards of accountability, and encourage clear communication of information to the Parliament and the community.
IPAA WA Secretary, Emma Forrest welcomed guests including the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia and IPAA WA Patron, and the Honourable Professor Carmen Lawrence, Chair of the W.S. Lonnie Awards judging panel. Professor Lawrence then provided an overview of the judging process and key observations.
Of the 25 awards presented, several agencies received more than one award on the day. These included the Fremantle Port Authority (3 awards), WorkCover WA (3 awards), WA Country Health Service (2 awards), the Department of Transport (2 awards), and the Office of the Auditor General (2 awards) including the ultimate award, the W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy and shield.
The judges commended the Office of the Auditor General report for its ample discussion of both the meeting of set goals and an explanation as to why some areas were not met. They also acknowledged the reports’ clear explanation of performance, KPIs, and improvement options. The report’s professional feel, good use of graphics and at a glance information were also noted by the judges.
This years’ Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award went to Ravi Proheea, from the WA Museum. Ravi was praised for his significant contributions to the Museum’s financial management, accounting procedures, performance monitoring and risk management, since commencing in 2016.
The primary vehicle for accountability in the Public Sector has been and always will be the way public sector agencies report their performance to Parliament and the people of Western Australia. The W.S. Lonnie Awards were established in honour of Mr. William Scott Lonnie MC CBE MVO, recognised for his 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.
Those awarded the top accolades for Annual Reporting were:
The W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy
Office of the Auditor General
The Margaret Nadebaum Trophy
Fremantle Port Authority
Margaret McAleer Special Commendation
Western Australian Country Health Service
The Allan Skinner Trophy
WorkCover WA
Click here to view the full list of winners, photographs and judges’ comments.
Click here to read the history of the W.S. Lonnie Awards.
For further media enquiries and photographs, please contact awards@ipaawa.org.au or call 9360 1400.