Nick Johns-WickbergHighlights from AIRAH’s NSW/ACT night of nights
The first annual AIRAH NSW/ACT Member and Apprentice Awards took place in Sydney on Thursday, September 18.
AIRAH has held state divisional awards events in Western Australia and South Australia in recent years, but 2025 marks the first time such an event has taken place for the Institute’s NSW/ACT divisions.
More than 100 guests attended the gala dinner, which took place at the rooftop at L’Aqua in Darling Park. With Aydan Calafiore from The Voice Australia providing sublime musical entertainment, the evening got off to a terrific start.
It was then time for the evening’s main event: recognising the best and brightest HVAC&R professionals in the region.
Award winners
The evening marked an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the brightest young HVAC&R stars in NSW and the ACT.
Awards were handed out over across categories:
- AIRAH NSW/ACT Apprentice of the Year (best third- or fourth-year apprentice): James Ferris, Affil.AIRAH. In recognition of his achievement, James has been automatically nominated for the AIRAH National Awards on November 20 and receives one year of complimentary AIRAH affiliate membership.
- Best Performance in Diploma Studies: Beau Kupris, Stud.AIRAH
- Rising Star (best first-year apprentice): Molly Mayall
- Emerging Talent (best second-year apprentice): Christopher Sebalj
- Educator of the Year: Paul Wright, Affil.AIRAH
Member milestones
The gala dinner wasn’t just about shining a spotlight on future stars; it also provided a platform to recognise those who have provided decades of service and leadership to the Institute and our industry.
The following AIRAH achievements were celebrated:
- 50 years of membership: Paul McGregor, F.AIRAH
- 20 years of membership: Alan Nowfal, M.AIRAH, Daniel Massaioli, M.AIRAH, Christopher Arkins, M.AIRAH,
- Recently award fellow status: Brett Fairweather, F.AIRAH, Liza Taylor, F.AIRAH, Chris Ward, F.AIRAH
Open season
The NSW/ACT event is part of AIRAH’s “awards season”, with divisional awards to be held in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia over the next six weeks, before the 2025 AIRAH National Awards in Sydney on November 20.
“It was great to see so many people from the industry at the NSW/ACT awards, from first-year apprentices to educators, role-models, and professionals who have been AIRAH members for 50 or more years,” says AIRAH Events Officer Lukáš Skaife.
“Attendees loved the event, with many planning to come again next year. It was also great to meet face-to-face with the NSW and ACT divisional committees, who put in so much unseen work to come up with great ideas for events like this.”
PREV
NEXT
Comments
Advertisements
Recent news
- Highlights from AIRAH’s NSW/ACT night of nights
- How Australia’s 2035 emissions target will affect HVAC&R
- Climate report highlights need for urgent action
Latest events
- Highlights from AIRAH’s NSW/ACT night of nights
- Growing push to address airborne pathogens
- Launch of National Fire Protection Month
Leave a Reply