Five
Australian innovators have been presented with the inaugural
Aerospace Australia Industry Innovation Awards at AVALON2013. The
winners include a tiny firm in Sydney whose quick-release harness is
designed to prevent crew and passengers being trapped in a ditched
helicopter; a Brisbane company that has created an entirely new
high-technology manufacturing capability never seen before in
Australia; and a Melbourne researcher who is using vibrations in the
airframe of an aircraft to generate electricity.
The
Innovation Awards, including SME Innovation Grants and individual
Innovation Scholarships worth $10,000, were established last year by
Aerospace Australia Limited, organiser of the trade show at
AVALON2013 – the Australian International Air Show and Aerospace
and Defence Exposition.
The
Chairman of Aerospace Australia Limited, Air Marshal (retired) Les
Fisher, AO, presented the inaugural awards on Wednesday 27 February
in a ceremony at AVALON2013. The winners are:
National
Defence Innovation Award – BAE Systems Australia
National
Defence Innovation Awards (Highly Commended) – General Dynamics
Mediaware
Defence
Industry SME Innovation Grant – Tricon Defence Pty Limited
Defence
Industry Innovation Scholarship – Mr Luke Vandewater, DSTO
National
Civil Industry Innovation Award – TAE Gas Turbines Pty Limited
Civil
Industry Innovation Scholarship – Mr Ray Vidler, TAE Gas Turbines
Pty Limited
“Although
highly prestigious awards for excellence in engineering, industrial
design and business already exist, ours are the first national awards
to recognise and reward the efforts and achievements of innovative
Australian
companies and individuals in the aerospace industry,” said
AVALON2013 CEO Mr Ian Honnery.
The
National Innovation Award winners were presented with engraved glass
boomerangs, symbolising the inventiveness of Australia’s first
peoples and their unique contribution to aeronautical history. The
boomerangs were designed and made by Wathaurong Glass Arts, an
indigenously owned and operated cooperative in Geelong.
The
winners of the SME Grant and the two Innovation Scholarships were
presented with cheques for $10,000 each as rewards for their efforts
and a small financial contribution to further innovation and the
development of professional skills.
“Our
purpose as a foundation is to promote the development of Australia’s
industry capacity in the fields of aerospace, defence, maritime and
IT so we’re putting our money – literally - where our mouth is,”
said Mr Honnery.
“The
Awards attracted a field of high-quality candidates, and this speaks
for the quality of the individuals, companies and organisations
making up Australia’s civil and military aerospace industry,” he
added.
