HVAC&R industry’s finest shine at 2025 AIRAH National Awards

The gala dinner took place at Crown Sydney, with more than 200 AIRAH members and HVAC&R industry professionals in attendance. The evening was masterfully hosted by the energetic Steve Tabone, whose wit and charm kept things rolling along beautifully.

Entertainment was provided by the aptly named band Two-Way Split. One can only imagine that their whole career has been leading to the opportunity to play in front of a crowd of air conditioning experts!

But as much as the guests enjoyed the entertainment, the great food, and the opportunity to network among peers, it was the awards that people really came for.

This year, the AIRAH Awards were bestowed across a lucky 13 categories, including the new “Excellence in Knowledge Building” award. Several past winners returned to claim glory once again, including Woolworths, which won across two categories with its Doolandella HVAC&R integrated T-CO₂ system. There were also plenty of first-time winners, including young future leaders within the industry.

Honouring an industry legend

After a hiatus in 2024, AIRAH’s most prestigious honour – the James Harrison Medal – was bestowed upon Bryon Price, L.AIRAH.

Bryon truly defines what it is to be an AIRAH legend. Throughout 25 years of membership, he has been actively involved in countless events, both as a technical committee member and a speaker. He is a long-time member and former associate director of the Institute’s Victorian division committee, and has also severed as the chair of the Facility Management Association of Australia, as well as holding a position on the board of ARBS.

Perhaps most impressively, Bryon sat on the AIRAH national board for 14 years, helping guide the Institute through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He is widely regarded as an innovative engineer, a champion of sustainability, and a true leader within the HVAC&R industry.

Award winners and finalists

AIRAH congratulates all finalists and winners, not just for their achievements in 2025, but for their longstanding commitment to improving the world through HVAC&R.

• Excellence in HVAC– Best New Project: Ellis Air – Queens Wharf chilled water ring main and heat recovery system
• Excellence in HVAC– Best Retrofit Project: A.G. Coombs – 540 Wickham St
  • Finalist: Airmaster – Future-ready chiller upgrade, Eastland
• Excellence in Refrigeration: Woolworths Group – Woolworths Doolandella HVAC&R integrated T-CO₂ system
  • Finalist: Regis Aged Care – Proactive refrigerant phase-down and lifecycle transition for portfolio-wide emissions reduction
• Excellence in Innovation – Best New Product: Louvreclad Aerion Series
  • Finalist: Cold Logic – ECU45DV dual-voltage environmental control unit
• Excellence in Innovation – Best New Project: Woolworths Group – Woolworths Doolandella HVAC&R integrated T-CO₂ system

• Excellence in Training: Inderpal Saund, Beijer Ref Academy
  • Finalists: Peter Griffiths; Midea Air Conditioning; Paul Wright, Affil.AIRAH
• Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion: Women’s Working Group – Airmaster
  • Finalists: Alfredo Tilan, M.AIRAH; Luke Purser
• Young Leader: Molly Mayal
  • Finalists: Renee Youngs; Rylan Coonan; Aliesha Clark; Myfanwy Santwyk
• Student of the Year – Trade: Adam Attewell
  • Finalists: James Ferris; James Colin-Thome; Joshua Budd; Jie Wang
• Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research: Beau Kupris
  • Finalist: George Simpson
• Excellence in Knowledge Building: Brett Fairweather, F.AIRAH
  • Finalists: Richard McElhinney; George Aristo Pieratos; Inderpal Saund
• WR Ahern Award: Stefan Jensen, L.AIRAH
  • Finalists: Saber Mohammadi, Simon Witts, M.AIRAH & James Moyes; Kanthasamy Mohan, M.AIRAH; Dino Pisaniello, Affil.AIRAH et al
• James Harrison Medal: Bryon Price, L.AIRAH

Award sponsors

AIRAH thanks the sponsors of the 2025 AIRAH National Awards.

• Gala sponsor: Daikin
• Entertainment sponsor: Superior Training Centre
• Young Leader sponsor: A.G. Coombs
• Excellence in HVAC sponsor: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia
• Media partner: Ecolibrium

2025 National Awards Committee

AIRAH thanks the 2025 National Awards Committee, who spent countless hours assessing and evaluating every nomination:

• Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH
• Jason Duncan, Affil.AIRAH 
• Hui Tong Chua 
• Simon Bradwell, M.AIRAH 
• Bruce Precious, M.AIRAH
• Marie Karekla

Photos courtesy of HR Images

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