MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 22nd March 2024
Members of the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA (IPAA WA) and agencies from across the WA public sector recognised excellence in annual reporting at IPAA WA’s 39th annual W.S. Lonnie Awards presentation on the 22nd of March 2024.
The W.S. Lonnie Awards acknowledge 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, Jenness Gardner, and IPAA WA Councillor, Ian Cowie PSM FIPAAWA, co-hosted the ceremony, with of over 400 public service professionals from across the sector in attendance.
Chair of the W.S. Lonnie Awards judging panel, Emeritus Professor Mike Daube AO provided remarks on behalf of the judging panel, including observations on what made some reports stand out to the panel, and also provided general feedback for areas of improvement. Following Prof. Daube’s overview, leaders from organisations that sponsored respective awards joined proceedings to present their awards.
Of the 23 awards presented, several agencies received more than one award on the day. These included the Office of the Auditor General (3 Awards), Fremantle Ports (3 Awards), Western Australia Police Force (2 Awards), the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (2 awards), and Main Roads Western Australia (2 awards), who won the ultimate award for the second year in a row, the W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy and shield.
The judges commended Main Roads WA’s report for its presentation, structure, and reader-friendly layout. They also commented on the focus throughout the report on fostering Aboriginal engagement and participation, and promotion of cultural recognition. In addition, the judges noted the report was further differentiated to the others for its use of integrated reporting principles and strong focus on sustainability.
This years’ Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award went to Kevin Parry, Chief Financial Officer at the Economic Regulation Authority. The judging panel were particularly impressed by team selection and retention strategies, his impact across the areas of leadership and innovation, and his improvements to risk management processes.
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
(Best Overall Annual Report)
Main Roads Western Australia
The Margaret Nadebaum Trophy
(Best GTE Annual Report)
Fremantle Ports
Margaret McAleer Special Commendation (2 winners)
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
Western Australia Police Force
The Allan Skinner Trophy
(Best General Government Sector Annual Report)
Office of the Auditor General
For further media enquiries and photographs, please contact awards@ipaawa.org.au or call 9360 1400.