25 May, 2011 | 2011Industry News

PR2011: Pearcey joins 2011 iAwards

Media Release

Australian ICT industry consolidates National Awards

Melbourne 25 May 2011: Three peak bodies of the Australian ICT sector today announced the consolidation of their respective national awards under the banner of the well known iAwards program, created by the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) in 1995. Spokesperson for the group, Mr Ian Birks, CEO of AIIA, commented: “AIIA, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and the Pearcey Foundation will now present a consistent set of awards to individuals and companies from across the nation each year.” “All three peak groups are very excited about this development. The Australian technology sector can now celebrate every level of achievement within the industry at a single gala dinner and through a uniform process of, nomination, judging and assessment,” Mr Birks said. “This is something the whole of the ICT sector can readily support including industry, academia and most importantly government.” “It will also provide external stakeholders from business, industry government with a clear view of the people leading ICT in Australia and the quality of innovation being produced.” The first event to recognise the scope of ICT achievement in Australia will be held this year on August 4 at the Crown in Melbourne as the 17th Annual iAwards. President of the ACS Mr Anthony Wong said in support of the initiative: “This consolidation genuinely overcomes the long recognised fragmentation of awards across our diverse industry. Continuing to attract the best and brightest into ICT careers is our highest priority and this is a significant step towards achieving that”. The Chairman of the Pearcey Foundation Mr Wayne Fitzsimmons said he was delighted to have the Pearcey Medal delivered at a truly national event where the heroes of the ICT industry can be recognised for their sustained efforts in ensuring Australia is seen domestically as well as internationally as an innovative and creative nation capable in all aspects of science and technologies. The iAwards is also recognised internationally, providing a gateway for Australian companies to compete each year at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards, to be held in Thailand this coming November.

About AIIA: The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is the nation’s peak industry body for the technology sector. AIIA sets the strategic direction of the industry, influences public policy and provides members with productivity tools, advisory services and market intelligence to accelerate their business growth. AIIA member companies employ 100,000 Australians, generate combined annual revenues of more than $40 billion and export more than $2 billion in goods and services each year. Visit www.aiia.com.au

About the ACS: The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.'

About the Pearcey Foundation: Founded in 1998 in memory of Dr Trevor Pearcey, who built Australia’s first and the world’s fourth programmable electronic digital computer, CSIRAC, in Sydney in 1949, the foundation is a group of concerned individuals fostering the aims and achievements of the Australian ICT industry. Celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year, CSIRAC is the oldest surviving computer in the world. The Pearcey Foundation’s objective is to reinforce the recognition, knowledge and appreciation of Australia’s ongoing contribution to the development and growth of our ICT professions, research and industry. For more information on the Pearcey Foundation please visit www.pearcey.org.au

About the iAwards: Over 17 years, the iAwards has become the premier technology awards platform in Australia delivering the most comprehensive awards program in the technology industry today. From 2011 the iAwards are open to both the companies at the cutting edge technology innovation as well as leading professionals across the industry. The iAwards are judged by industry, for industry and provide achievements with public recognition that extends across the ICT sector to government, community and beyond. They are strongly focused on promoting essential relationships between the ICT industry and vertical business sectors in every field to promote the value of our industry where it counts most. More information www.iawards.com.au

About APICTA: The Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) is an international awards program that aims to increase ICT awareness in the community and assist in bridging the digital divide. By providing networking and product benchmarking opportunities to ICT innovators and entrepreneurs in the region, the program is designed to stimulate ICT innovation and creativity, promote economic and trade relations and facilitate technology transfer. Participants of the awards program comprise members of the APICTA Alliance guided by the Framework of Cooperation identifying how member-economies can work together in support of the Awards Program as well as other programs that foster development and growth of the ICT industry in the region. Australia has enjoyed phenomenal success at the APICTA Awards in recent years. And as the only truly international ICT awards in Australia, company winners of the 2011 iAwards will have the opportunity to compete with businesses from across the Asia Pacific region at the 2011 Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards in Thailand. Find out more online www.apicta.org