Australia’s chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley and business leader and David Thodey have returned to their joint role of Patron to the InnovationAus 2022 Awards for Excellence.
With the deadline for entries to the awards to close on June 20, Australian researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators are encouraged to put their smart companies and products and services forward for this six-month celebration of ideas and action.
Dr Foley and Mr Thodey are both legends of the Australian innovation ecosystem, having built storied careers across science, technology and business.
As Patrons to the InnovationAus Awards in 2022, they will both make presentations at the black-tie presentation gala on November 17 and have kindly agreed to meet and mingle with our honoured Awards finalists.
Like the inaugural program last year, the InnovationAus 2022 Awards for Excellence seeks to put a spotlight on the national heroes of our broad innovation ecosystem – with entries covering products and services from manufacturing and robotics to health, defence, agriculture and energy.
The Awards are a celebration of the people and companies that are putting their energies to building new products, services and companies. These are the heroes creating jobs, national wealth and new opportunities for Australia.
“Science and technology are absolutely essential in supporting Australia to realise its high-tech economy ambitions,” Dr Foley said. “The InnovationAus Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate our scientific expertise and the achievements of the individuals and companies changing the nation.”
“Our future is bright, and these Awards highlight that we should never underestimate our abilities and what is possible,” she said.
Dr Foley was appointed as Australia’s chief scientist in January 2021. She is a physicist who performed pioneering work in creating systems for geomagnetic exploration which, when transitioned to industry, assisted in the discovery of mineral ores worth billions of dollars. She also served as the chief scientist at the CSIRO.
David Thodey is a pre-eminent leader in the business community and was chair of the CSIRO between 2015 and 2021, a period that coincided with a resurgence at the national science agency.
Mr Thodey said that innovation is fundamental to the strength of any economy. And that innovation requires excellence in science, research and creative thinking.
“Innovation also requires investment in translating these insights into social, environmental and economic benefits. The InnovationAus Awards are a great initiative to recognise and celebrate the incredible people and organisations who are making a difference across Australia,” Mr Thodey said.
InnovationAus.com publisher Corrie McLeod said the Awards for Excellence bring with them a distinct research translation flavour to them. The categories have been selected to reflect the national industry development priorities of the Australian government.
“Our goal is to raise the profile of the Australian heroes who are making a real difference through the translation of ideas into commercial success or social impact,” Ms McLeod said.
To have national leaders and like Cathy Foley and David Thodey return as Patrons to this awards program is both an honour and a genuine thrill.
The Awards for Excellence 2022 categories are:
- Creative Tech
- Cybersecurity
- Food and AgriTech
- Digital Health and Health Tech
- Industry 4.0
- Manufacturing Innovation
- Energy and Renewables
- Space, Earth Observation and Geospatial
- Defence and Defence-related Sovereign Capability
- Software Innovation
- Translation Hero
- People’s Choice Award
- Australian Hero Award
The InnovationAus 2022 Awards for Excellence are supported by key sponsors: Investment NSW, Verizon Business Group, the Technology Council of Australia, Microsoft Australia, CSIRO, Mimecast, Agile Digital, Q-CTRL, the Innovation Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC), and Digital Health CRC and METS Ignited.
You can find out more about the InnovationAus.com 2022 Awards for Excellence Board of Advisors, as well as key dates for entries by clicking here.
And you can get a taste for the flavour of the program on this short highlights reel from the 2021 Awards.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.