Nine individuals and organisations, including a Public Service, have been recognised in the Prime Minister’s annual veterans’ employment awards.
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said the awards celebrated veterans’ training, leadership and entrepreneurial skills, and recognised those who promoted and prioritised the employment of military veterans.
“The skills our ADF personnel hone during their service are ones that are also needed in every single workplace, which is what the Veterans’ Employment Program recognises,” Mr Morrison said.
“We celebrate those businesses who are supporting veterans and their families to fulfil their potential as employees and entrepreneurs.”
He said he wanted to particularly acknowledge the winner of the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Veterans’ Employment Award, posthumously awarded to Darren Edwards, former Managing Director of Boeing Defence Australia.
“Darren set an example as a husband, a father, a former Army officer,” Mr Morrison said.
“Congratulations to all the winners of the 2020 Veterans’ Employment Awards for their exceptional leadership in demonstrating the value and ongoing contribution that our military veterans provide to our country’s workforce.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester said the Government was committed to putting veterans and their families first, which included helping former service men and women move into civilian life and find meaningful employment.
Mr Chester said there were a record 129 nominations for the 2020 Awards, the highest in the Awards’ three-year history.
The awards ceremony, originally scheduled for 24 March in the Great Hall of Australian Parliament House, became an online event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic he said.
Mr Chester announced the winners as:
* Veterans’ Employer of the Year – Public Sector Organisation: ACT Public Service.
* Outstanding contribution by an individual to Veterans’ Employment: Darren Edwards (posthumously awarded).
* Outstanding Veterans’ Employer of the Year: AeroPM.
* Veterans Employer of the Year – Large: Rheinmetall Defence Australia.
* Veterans Employer of the Year – Medium: AeroPM.
* Veterans Employer of the Year – Small: Emergency Australia.
* Veteran Employee of the Year: Davor Strbac – Suncorp Group.
* Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year: Jeremy Holder – TacMed Australia.
* Excellence in Supporting Spouse Employment: RSL Queensland.
* Excellence in Supporting Veteran Employment: East Coast Apprenticeships.
