AIQEF Alex Northover Award

To recognise the best prepared Portfolio of Evidence submitted to a Registered Training Organisation in support of the applicant seeking accreditation for either: Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in surface extractive operations against an Australian national resources and infrastructure industries training package.

Chris Cooke

After due consideration the panel has resolved that this year’s winner has differentiated himself from the other top nominees by:

• The inclusion of plentiful and relevant evidence, including evidence of ongoing daily engagement with and commitment to the relevant aspects of the qualification to his work over an extended period of time.
• The overwhelming quality of his support material that highlighted his direct involvement in the preparation, implementation and application of the knowledge and skills required in each competency unit.
• The outstanding commitment to detail in the preparation and clear organisation of his portfolio that demonstrated a disciplined approach to the application of the course content.

Summary of Award (18 KB)

IQA Gold Environment Award - Sponsored by Groundwork Plus

To recognize a site’s contribution toward the advancement of environmental management in the industry at a given site. The contribution can be a single event such as an exceptional quarry rehabilitation, or a new work process or method of pollution control or for a longer term contribution over a period of time such as achieving an outstanding environmental record at a site, displaying environmental awareness and leadership, encouraging community consultation or representation on industry environmental or pollution control committees.

Braeside Quarry
Joanne Payne

Excellence in Innovation Award - Sponsored by Trimble

The award is to recognize an individual’s contribution to excellence and innovation in the quarry industry. The contribution can be for innovation in design, production, operations, automation, plant design, maintenance or processes as a single event or for a longer term contribution over a period of time.

Stephen Rains

Why Stephen Won: The judging panel was very impressed with Steve’s submission and we all overwhelming agreed that this idea ticked all the criteria for innovation, in particularly the cost, ability to transfer across industry, ease of installation and use, this will make a significant impact to safety when loading vehicles at night.
Thank you Steve and well done.

Application Form (99 KB)
Presentation (1.48 MB)
Video (57.04 MB)

IQA Honorary Fellow

This is the IQA highest award. An Honorary Fellow is a member who has made a significant contribution to the Institute or to the industry, or holds a position in the Institute or the Industry which merits such recognition.

Tony Ingram

Graham Smith

Graham is a true gentleman and a great friend to the industry and our Institute.Graham has always provided his knowledge and advice in a truly professional manner to the quarrying industry in Tasmania, sometimes even to generations of management within companies.Graham has been and continues to be instrumental as a supplier to the industry.On a personal note Graham and his wife Annie have been,and continue to be,great supporters of the Institute as a whole but also in manner that provides hospitability, guidance and council.Their efforts and achievements over the years are recognised not only in Tasmania but also in the National Arena. Graham is a worthy recipient of the IQA’s highest honor, that of Honorary Fellow of the IQA, congratulations Graham.

IQA Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award

To recognize a site’s contribution to the advancement of OH&S in the quarry industry. The contribution can be a single suggestion or invention or implementation relating to equipment, processes, training, safety management, industry representation OR continued excellent performance over a period of time, which improves OH&S in the industry.

Jeff Post

The RESET Program was a worthy winner as it encompassed the whole quarry team and was well on the way to becoming embedded into the daily life of all employees at the site.

It brought a focus on personal wellbeing within the workplace but was also transferable to the home environment as well.

It aligned well with the judging criteria with proven outcomes, impact on the site with a lot of input from the site team

IQA Presidents Medal

To recognise a member who has given outstanding service to the Institute and/ or the industry, but must be an IQA member.

Jim Hankins

The judges said about the winning nomination:
Jim is Fellow of the Institute and has been a member of the IQA since 2003.  He has provided outstanding service to the Institute in NSW, serving on the NSW Branch Committee for 14 years from 2003 until 2017, culminating in 4 years as the Chair of the Branch from 2013 to 2017.  He has also served on the Committee of the Sydney Sub-branch from its formation in 2012 until the present.  During that time Jim has been instrumental in organising numerous branch meetings and seminars and meetings, instigating the annual graduates dinner and representing the Institute with other industry bodies, including the CCAA.  Jim is highly regarded by all those who have come into contact with him, whether professionally or through the Institute.  He has shown exemplary leadership in fostering the various initiatives bought forward by the sub-branches, and has generally cajoled and herded an unruly bunch of committees in roughly the same direction.

The judging panel after long consideration of an exceptional group of nominees is very pleased to recommend Jim for the 2017 IQA President’s Medal.

Quarry Manager of the Year <10 FTE - Sponsored by Metso

To recognise an individual Quarry Manager, working with 10 or less FTE on site, with demonstrable outstanding achievements within the quarrying industry.

Alasdair Webb

The judging committee was impressed with the level of detail of the application made by Alasdair Webb of Holcim’s Dubbo Quarry. Alasdair is recognised as an experienced and passionate professional who has dedicated his working life to contributing to the quarrying industry. Having been a member of the IQA for 30 years, Alasdair started his career in 1980 as a laboratory technician whilst studying to be a geologist and has held various positions in the industry including management positions for both Boral and Holcim (including the former Readymix, Rinker and Cemex businesses). Alasdair has also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to people, safety, operational efficiency, environmental management and ongoing professional development. Alasdair has a desire to achieve with his team and was most recently awarded the Holcim NSW Quarry of the Year Award for the outstanding performance of the Dubbo Quarry against a number of targets including safety, people development, production and sales.

Quarry Manager of the Year >10 FTE - Sponsored by Metso

The Award is to recognise an individual Quarry Manager, where there are more than 10 FTE onsite, with demonstrable outstanding achievements within the quarrying industry.

Darren Essex

Darren Essex is an individual who has not only developed a Quarry into a proficient operation, but has done this through the involvement of his work colleagues and peers, contractors, the union, environmental interested parties and local schools. The submission highlighted how transformational leadership is able to onboard all stakeholder and create ownership of the operation. In addition the winner has identified the need for his own growth and development as well as that of his subordinates.

Quarry Operator of the Year - Sponsored by Retracom Group of Companies

To recognise an individual Quarry Operator, with demonstrable achievements within the quarrying industry.

Peter McComb

Based on the submission it clear that Peter hashad a distinguished career thus far and his submission is strongly supported by Shane Braddy and Peter Head in their recommendation letters.Furthermore the score sheets reflect that Peter’s submission was exceptional when judged against the award criteria.

IQA Supplier of the Year

To recognise an individual IQA member within a quarry supplier organisation, with demonstrable achievements within the industry.

Tegan Smith

Tegan Smith is a director at Groundwork Plus who consults in resource, environment and town planning. Tegan has a strong employment history within the industry showing an avid interest in post extraction land use development and has particular interests in town planning, environmental legislation and advocacy. With businesses now based in Brisbane, Barossa Valley, Sydney and Melbourne Groundwork Plus services customers throughout Australia, South East Asia, and the Pacific Region. Tegan is a most deserving recipient of this award due to her unconditional support to the IQA through sponsorships, donations, and her drive as a founding member of IQA’s WIQ. Tegan also personally dedicates time travelling to speak at IQA seminars and conferences where she shares her knowledge and passion for the extractive industry.