41st Annual WS Lonnie Awards - IPAA Western Australia

March 27, 2026
Award Winners, WS Lonnie Award Winners

The Institute of Public Administration Australia WA’s (IPAA WA) 41st Annual W.S. Lonnie Awards for excellence and accountability in annual reporting was held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 27th March 2026.

IPAA WA President, Jenness Gardner, hosted the ceremony which attracted CEOs, Directors General, Commissioners and professionals from across the government sector, all hoping to take out the prestigious W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy – awarded to the best annual report for the year.

The primary vehicle for accountability in the government sector has been and always will be the way agencies report their performance. The W.S. Lonnie Awards recognise the importance of Annual Reports being accountable and transparent in a succinct and independent way. All government sector organisations are eligible and are automatically considered as part of the judging process.

Major Awards and Trophies

W.S. Lonnie Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the best annual report for the year.

WINNER: Main Roads Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:

Main Roads WA offers a visually cohesive and highly accessible report that brings its statewide operations to life through strong design, effective digital features, and clear alignment to government goals. Its comprehensive performance results and emphasis on sustainability and customer service reinforce its reputation as a high‑performing, future focused organisation.

Allan Skinner Trophy

Awarded to the best annual report in the General Government Sector.

WINNER: Ombudsman Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:

Ombudsman Western Australia offers a markedly strengthened report that is open, structured and candid about challenges and reform. With a good use of case studies, transparent performance discussion and a thoughtful account of organisational transition, the agency demonstrates renewed focus on accountability and service to the community.

The Margaret Nadebaum Trophy

Awarded to the best annual report in the Government Enterprise Sector.

WINNER: Fremantle Ports

Judges’ Comments:

Fremantle Ports delivers a well-structured and insightful report that blends strong operational data with a clear narrative about trade, sustainability and community impact. Its well‑explained KPIs and forward‑looking commentary highlight the organisation’s strategic role in supporting Western Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.

Margaret McAleer Special Commendation

WINNER: Main Roads Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:

Main Roads WA presents a dynamic and highly accessible report that showcases the scale, complexity and impact of its work across the state. With strong performance reporting, rich digital features and a direct line of sight to community outcomes, the agency demonstrates a mature, customer‑centred approach to infrastructure delivery.

General Award Winners

Category 1 – Agencies with less than 100 FTEs

Gold Award Winner: Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission

Judges’ Comments:

A well-presented report with strong acknowledgements, well identified priorities, and solid narrative flow. Judges valued the regional statistics and structure, functional links, and narrative which highlighted priorities and achievements.

Silver Award Winner: Pilbara Development Commission

Judges’ Comments:

A visually appealing and comprehensive report with strong regional context, strategic priorities and organisational information. It also featured good compliance and governance coverage, and a well-articulated strategic priorities and achievements.

Bronze Award Winner: Ombudsman Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:

An informative and thoughtful informative report with strong case studies, good online access, transparent handling of major issues, and well‑structured performance reporting. A high quality report overall, with clear direction and valuable insights.

Category 2 – Agencies with 101 – 1,000 FTEs

Gold Award Winner: Office of the Auditor General

Judges’ Comments:

A high‑standard report with strong visuals, and transparent discussion of achievements and sector-wide audit insights. It remains a benchmark report with strong strategic focus and well‑substantiated commentary, strong focus on staff and organisational excellence, and a clear strategic outlook.

Silver Award Winner: Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Judges’ Comments:

A thorough and well‑structured report with excellent navigation, strong narrative and effective use of tables, colour coding and embedded media. The report had clear outcome reporting, and presented a comprehensive coverage of complex policy and service delivery issues.

Bronze Award Winner: Western Australian Museum

Judges’ Comments:

A highly engaging, well‑designed report with excellent navigation, strong digital features and clear explanations of KPIs. Judges praised the exhibition descriptions, future planning and statewide presence, and compelling storytelling. A standout report with strong customer focus and strategic outlook.

Category 3 – Agencies with more than 1,000 FTEs

Gold Award Winner: Main Roads Western Australia

Judges’ Comments:

An outstanding, highly interactive report with strong visuals, excellent performance reporting and effective use of links, videos and sustainability measures. Judges appreciated the statewide narrative and strategic alignment, clear performance reporting, and effective sustainability measures. Overall, a high‑quality, well‑governed and customer‑focused report.

Silver Award Winner: Department of Transport

Judges’ Comments:

A well‑presented report with strong structure, clear reporting on KPIs, good challenges discussion, and effective use of visual hierarchy. The report was easy to navigate with strong governance and performance coverage.

Bronze Award Winner: Child and Adolescent Health Services

Judges’ Comments:

A comprehensive and well‑structured report with strong consumer focus, clear discussion of challenges and good complaints handling coverage. It featured a purposeful, consumer‑centred performance narrative and engagement features, including a good use of QR codes.

Category 4 – Public Financial and Non-Financial Corporations

Gold Award Winner: Fremantle Ports

Judges’ Comments:

A high‑quality, well-presented report with strong KPIs, clear narrative and excellent coverage of trade performance, sustainability, and community engagement. Overall, a consistently strong performer with good strategic communication and well-articulated organisational ethos.

Silver Award Winner: Western Australian Treasury Corporation

Judges’ Comments:

An informative and well‑structured report with clear KPIs and a very good explanation of the Corporation’s role. The report demonstrated strong governance and strategic clarity and featured effective use of digital navigation, and a well‑articulated strategic outlook.

Bronze Award Winner: Pilbara Ports

Judges’ Comments:

This is a well-structured and visually engaging report that successfully bridges the gap between vision and performance. It is an easy read with a positive outlook, particularly regarding its focus on gender diversity in leadership. Additionally, the use of functional internal links and QR codes makes the supplementary information easily accessible.

Specialist Awards

There are six Specialist Awards presented on the day.

Office of the Auditor General Award for Transparency and Accountability

WINNER: Office of the Auditor General

Judges’ Comments:

The Office of the Auditor General continues to set a high bar for transparency and public accountability, delivering a report that combines clear narrative, strong data presentation and sector‑wide insight. Its forward‑looking analysis and commitment to continuous improvement reinforce its role as a trusted steward of public sector performance.

State Records Commission Award for Excellence in Records and Information Management

WINNER: Western Australian Museum

Judges’ Comments:

A clear and effective annual report demonstrating strong commitment to compliance, supported by detailed reviews of record-keeping practices and ongoing staff training. Judges were impressed by the proactive approach to improving efficiency through enhanced records capture and control, alongside strategies to strengthen record-keeping training and continuous improvement.

SPECIAL COMMENDATION:

Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Award for Complaints Handling

WINNER: East Metropolitan Health Service

Judges’ Comments:

A modern and easy‑to‑navigate electronic report with strong internal linking, thoughtful discussion of challenges, effective complaints coverage, and a well‑balanced performance overview supported by concise summaries.

CPA Australia Award for Performance Reporting

WINNER: Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Judges’ Comments:

A clear and user-friendly report with an effective performance management framework, well-designed graphs showcasing performance trends, and comprehensive explanations of KPIs. The use of explanatory questions enhances understanding, while clear data presentation supports insightful analysis and explanations of targets and outcomes.

Public Sector Commission Award for Good Governance

WINNER: Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Judges’ Comments:

A well-structured and readable report addressing compliance with public sector standards, ethics, HR processes, and wellbeing reporting. The use of strong visuals and infographics effectively conveyed complex information. People-focused reporting on capability development, diversity, and mental health was a key strength, alongside a clear strategic direction for overcoming future challenges.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Award for Chief Financial Officer of the Year

WINNER: Sash Tomson, Health Support Services

Judges’ Comments:

The judging panel considers Sash Tomson to be an outstanding CFO who personally drove, shaped and led the financial and strategic agenda at Health Support Services during the 2024/25 financial year. In a highly complex and constrained environment, he delivered an on budget result despite rising demand, post COVID pressures, and reduced funding.

The panel recognised Sash his role in the financial strategy that secured critical funding for major ICT transformation programs, identifying efficiencies without compromising service delivery, and closing large projected deficits for the second consecutive year through disciplined risk management. His direct leadership in best practice financial reporting and in embedding real time analytics to strengthen decision making, forecasting and accountability, demonstrates executive ownership, sustained impact, and performance at a level befitting CFO of the Year.