Who We Are

The Pearcey Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1998
in memory of a great Australian ICT pioneer Dr Trevor Pearcey.

The Pearcey Foundation was established in 1998 in memory of a great Australian ICT pioneer, Dr Trevor Pearcey. It operates nationally and has active committees in every state as well as the ACT.

The Foundation gives peer-based recognition at the state and national level to individuals through three award programs, Entrepreneur of the Year (state and national), Hall of Fame and the Pearcey Medal. Anchored around its annual Pearcey Oration, the Foundation facilitates discussion and debate of topics relevant to the future of our society and nation through the lens of emerging and relevant technologies. The Foundation Heritage program records, preserves and promotes the Australian legacy in the ICT sector in collaboration with the community and uses these resources to inspire our youth to understand and adopt the technologies that will enable and empower their futures.


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Aims

The Pearcey Foundation aims to elevate Australia's Information and Communications Technology (ICT). This includes recognising outstanding Australians contributing to the ICT sector and facilitating in-depth policy debate on how to best make use of the transformative digital technologies that are reshaping Australian society and its economy.

Our primary mission is to promote the Australian ICT industry to Australia and Australians

Independence

The Pearcey Foundation is a Company Limited By Guarantee (ABN 78 091 361 382) established by industry personnel to recognise individuals and promote a stronger debate in Australia's Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. It operates as a charitable entity under the Australian National Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Act 2012.

The Pearcey Foundation is not an industry association, it is a "not for profit foundation" promoting an objective, independent debate of issues and opportunities. It does not engage in lobbying or consulting work, and "company" membership is not available thus ensuring it remains truly independent.

The organisation is run entirely by volunteers through small groups in each state, a National Committee and a National Board (all listed here).

Awards

Each year, the Foundation makes awards to outstanding individuals.

Since the first Pearcey Medal presentation in 1998 (to Dr Peter Jones) we have recognised more than 120 outstanding individuals around Australia.

Initiatives

In addition to the awards program, the Pearcey Foundation works on many ICT initiatives. These initiatives include:

  • Australia 4.0 - a national discussion and collaboration bringing together Industry, Academia and Government to identify the challenges of opportunities of the transition to Australia Net Zero at the intersection with the ICT sector
  • Pearcey Oration - given yearly as part of our national event by an eminent Australian on critical ICT issues
  • Pearcey Institute - Creating, facilitating, fostering and sustaining an innovative, entrepreneurial, fair and productive Australia through research, policy advice, and facilitation activities related to digital technologies.
  • ICT Heritage - various projects to record, recognise and celebrate historical achievements of the Australian ICT sector..

On these initiatives, the Foundation works closely with ICT related organisations including CSIRO, Data 61, ACS, AIIA, ACS Foundation, and many others.

If any of you, as friends of Pearcey, would like to become involved with the Foundation, please don't hesitate to contact any of the names on these committees formally or, preferably, informally; or call me as Chairman, anytime, on 0418382625.

We are consciously endeavouring to have a balanced gender representation so if you are female and are thinking about donating some of your time to a good cause in our great industry, please call.