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 37th annual W.S. Lonnie Awards presentation on the 24th of June 2022.
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 President, Mike Rowe, and IPAA WA Councillor, Jenness Gardner, co-hosted the ceremony, and welcomed over 300 leaders and practitioners from across the public sector.
Chair of the W.S. Lonnie Awards judging panel, Professor Mike Wood provided remarks on the judging process and key observations, and presented general feedback for areas of improvement, via a pre-recorded video message. Leaders from organisations that sponsored a number of awards joined proceedings to present their awards. David Michael MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, attending on behalf of IPAA WA’s Vice-Patron, the Hon. Mark McGowan MLA, Premier of Western Australia, then provided some remarks before presenting the Category Awards.
Of the 23 awards presented, several agencies received more than one award on the day. These included the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (2 awards), Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (2 awards), Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia (2 awards), Main Roads Western Australia (2 awards), Small Business Development Corporation (2 awards), and Fremantle Ports (4 awards) including the ultimate award, the W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy and shield.
The judges commended the Fremantle Ports report for its clear structure, report on activities and KPIs, processes for complaints handling, and the report’s ability to cover significant detail in an accessible manner. They also recognised the report’s general narrative and community feel, which acknowledges the Port as part of the Fremantle community.
This years’ Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award went to Philippa Beamish Burton from the Department of Education. Philippa was praised for her leadership ability, pragmatic approach to identifying risks and improvement areas, and her dedication to developing strategic and well-resourced solutions. Her contributions to the Department’s COVID-19 response was also praised, as she played a crucial role in the Department’s success in providing PPE and other supplies to teachers and students.
The primary vehicle for accountability in the Public Sector is 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
Fremantle Ports
The Margaret Nadebaum Trophy
Fremantle Ports
Margaret McAleer Special Commendation
Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia
The Allan Skinner Trophy
Small Business Development Corporation
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.