Past AIRAH Awards winners

Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research

The Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the higher education level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Jason Jarvinen, Stud.AIRAH – University of South Australia

Student of the Year –Trade

The Student of the Year – Trade Award recognises outstanding students at any level in the HVAC&R industry’s trade sector.  

Winner: Renzo Antonio Munster, Stud.AIRAH – PHW Services

This award was sponsored by LG.

Future Leader

The Future Leader Award celebrates the achievements and bright future of an emerging leader in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Mark Elliott, M.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by A.G. Coombs.

Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade

The Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade Award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC system and/or refrigeration system. 

Winner: McClintock Engineering Group – Otto Hirschfeld Dissection Laboratory AHU upgrade

Innovative use of Renewable Energy in HVAC&R

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of renewable energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems. 

Winner: Conserve It – Optimal scheduling of air conditioning systems with renewable energy resource and thermal storage

Excellence in Innovation

The Excellence in Innovation Award shines a spotlight on substantial improvements and innovative thinking around HVAC&R systems. 

Winner: AMP Capital – Quay Quarter Tower

This award was sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric.

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies. 

Winner: Conserve It – Real-time model predictive control with digital twins and edge computing technologies

WR Ahern Award

The WR Ahern award is awarded annually, and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in the Ecolibrium magazine in 2021.

Winner: "Best-practice energy performance benchmarked for refrigerated warehouses" by Stefan Jensen, F.AIRAH – August/September 2021

This award was sponsored by Ecolibrium.

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award celebrates organisations and individuals that have shown leadership in their efforts, initiatives, policies, programs and practices to embrace and foster truly inclusive levels of representation.

Winner: Cundall
 

Product of the Year

The AIRAH Product of the Year Award honours the top Australian-developed, designed and manufactured products. Considerations for this award include efforts toward innovation, energy efficiency, sustainability, originality and industry need.

Winner: Smartair Diffusion – Smartemp Helical Vari-Swirl Diffuser

This award was sponsored by HVAC&R Search.

Excellence in Sustainability 

The AIRAH Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the industry. These may be improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: Benmax – The University of Newcastle's Q Building

This award was sponsored by Superior Training Centre.

James Harrison Medal 

The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. The award, named after Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison, recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The award is judged on the nominee's contributions within AIRAH's sphere of interest and commitment to ongoing achievement and excellence.

Winner: Dr Stephen White, L.AIRAH 

Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research

The Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the higher education level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Ashfaque Chowdhury, Affil.AIRAH – Central Queensland University

Student of the Year – Trade

The Student of the Year – Trade Award recognises outstanding students at any level in the HVAC&R industry’s trade sector.  

Winner: Jessica Lonsdale, Stud.AIRAH – BHP Nickel West/South Metropolitan TAFE

This award was sponsored by LG.

Future Leader

The Future Leader Award celebrates the achievements and bright future of an emerging leader in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Iain Stewart, Affil.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by A.G. Coombs.

Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade

The Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade Award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC system and/or refrigeration system. 

Winner: ESBS – ACT Schools HVAC Upgrades

Innovative use of Renewable Energy in HVAC&R

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of renewable energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems. 

Winner: Glaciem Cooling Technologies – Advancing Renewable Energy with Thermal Energy Storage

Excellence in Innovation

The Excellence in Innovation Award shines a spotlight on substantial improvements and innovative thinking around HVAC&R systems. 

Winner: Glaciem Cooling Technologies – Advancing Renewable Energy with Thermal Energy Storage

This award was sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric.

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies. 

Winner: Keivan Bamdad Masouleh – Model Predictive Control (MPC) to Improve HVAC Operation 

Excellence in Refrigeration 

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade to existing refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, or in the industry’s delivery of services. 

Winners: Glaciem Cooling Technologies – ARENA-WF Montague; Scantec Refrigeration Technologies – Fernhurst (joint winners)

WR Ahern Award

The WR Ahern award is awarded annually, and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in the Ecolibrium magazine in 2020.

Winner: “Effective integration of polymer plate heat exchangers – A simulation study for evaluating their use in tall commercial office buildings” – Dr Chris Menictas, M.AIRAH; Arjun Adhikari, M.AIRAH; Professor Guan H. Yeoh; and Dr Victoria Timchenko (Ecolibrium June/July, 2020)

This award was sponsored by Ecolibrium.

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award 

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award celebrates organisations and individuals that have shown leadership in their efforts, initiatives, policies, programs and practices to embrace and foster truly inclusive levels of representation.

Winner: TAFE NSW – Refrigeration Teaching Section Ultimo College
 

Product of the Year

The AIRAH Product of the Year Award honours the top Australian-developed, designed and manufactured products. Considerations for this award include efforts toward innovation, energy efficiency, sustainability, originality and industry need.

Winner: Camfil – Kaire Unit

This award was sponsored by HVAC&R Search.

Excellence in Sustainability 

The AIRAH Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the industry. These may be improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: Aurecon and A.G. Coombs – 25 King Street 

This award was sponsored by Superior Training Centre.

James Harrison Medal 

The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. The award, named after Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison, recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The award is judged on the nominee's contributions within AIRAH's sphere of interest and commitment to ongoing achievement and excellence.

Winner: Paul Bannister, L.AIRAH 

Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research

The Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the higher education level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Nima Izadyar, Affil.AIRAH

Future Leader

The Future Leader Award celebrates the achievements and bright future of an emerging leader in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Grace Foo, M.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by A.G. Coombs.

Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade

The Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade Award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC system and/or refrigeration system. 

Winner: IT Critical Systems – BHP Olympic Dam: DR site upgrade

Denis Joseph Award for Innovative Use of Solar Energy in HVAC&R

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of solar energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems. This award is named in honour of Denis Joseph, AIRAH Fellow and passionate supporter of solar HVAC&R. 

Winner: Veolia and McClintock Engineering Group – Innovative solar thermal water battery

Excellence in Innovation

The Excellence in Innovation Award shines a spotlight on substantial improvements and innovative thinking around HVAC&R systems. 

Winner: McClintock Engineering Group – University of Queensland, Gatton Campus

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies. 

Winner: Dr Xiaolin Wang, Affil.AIRAH, ANU – Carbon dioxide hydrate-based cold thermal energy storage and carbon capture

WR Ahern Award

The WR Ahern award is awarded annually, and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in the Ecolibrium magazine in 2019.

Winner: James Spears, M.AIRAH – Improving pump efficiency: A combination of regulation and good design (Ecolibrium, July 2019)

This award was sponsored by Ecolibrium.

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award celebrates organisations and individuals that have shown leadership in their efforts, initiatives, policies, programs and practices to embrace and foster truly inclusive levels of representation.

Winner: Norman Disney & Young
 

Product of the Year

The AIRAH Product of the Year Award honours the top Australian-developed, designed and manufactured products. Considerations for this award include efforts toward innovation, energy efficiency, sustainability, originality and industry need.

Winner: Temperzone – OPA Eco Ultra

This award was sponsored by HVAC&R Search.

Excellence in Sustainability 

The AIRAH Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the industry. These may be improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: Norman Disney & Young and Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre – Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Narren Warren 

This award was sponsored by ActronAir.

James Harrison Medal 

The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. The award, named after Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison, recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The award is judged on the nominee's contributions within AIRAH's sphere of interest and commitment to ongoing achievement and excellence.

Winner: Phil Carruthers, F.AIRAH 

Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research

The Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the higher education level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Brendan Banfield, Stud.AIRAH, University of Wollongong

This award was sponsored by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Australia.

Student of the Year – Trade

The Student of the Year – Trade Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the trade level in the HVAC&R industry. Nominees must have shown a significant dedication and commitment to their studies, and gone beyond expectations to develop, grow and continually update their skills and knowledge.  

Winner:  Mat Patrick, Stud.AIRAH, Cold Logic

This award was sponsored by LG Electronics.

Future Leader

The Future Leader Award celebrates the achievements and bright future of an emerging leader in the HVAC&R industry.  

Joint winners: James Spears, M.AIRAH and Jack Wardale, M.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by A.G. Coombs.

Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade

The Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade Award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC system and/or refrigeration system. 

Winner: DMA Engineers and VAE Group – Mater Private Hospital

Excellence in Innovation

The Excellence in Innovation Award shines a spotlight on substantial improvements and innovative thinking around HVAC&R systems. 

Winner: Alinta Energy Geothermal – Fairwater geothermal installation

This award was sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric.

Excellence in Refrigeration 

The AIRAH Excellence in Refrigeration Award recognises recently completed refrigeration projects including systems, upgrades and retrofits.

Joint winners:  Scantec Refrigeration Technologies – Bidfood Mackay and Woolworths Food Group – Woolworths Prestons Supermarket

WR Ahern Award

The WR Ahern award is awarded annually, and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in the Ecolibrium magazine in 2018.

Winner: Graham Carter, M.AIRAH – “Not so cool roofs”

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award celebrates organisations and individuals that have shown leadership in their efforts, initiatives, policies, programs and practices to embrace and foster truly inclusive levels of representation.

Winner: Ben Adamson, F.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by Standards Australia.

Product of the Year

The AIRAH Product of the Year Award honours the top Australian-developed, designed and manufactured products. Considerations for this award include efforts toward innovation, energy efficiency, sustainability, originality and industry need.

Winner: Shepherd Filters – Disposable kitchen grease filters

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Joint winners:
Solar Decathlon Team, University of Wollongong – Desert Rose Solar Decathlon House
DevelopmentWA – Cool Earth The Vive, Cragie

Excellence in Sustainability 

The AIRAH Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the industry. These may be improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: AECOM – Gillies Hall, Monash University 

James Harrison Medal 

The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. The award, named after Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison, recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The award is judged on the nominee's contributions within AIRAH's sphere of interest and commitment to ongoing achievement and excellence.

Winner: Paul Cooper, F.AIRAH, University of Wollongong 

Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research

The Student of the Year – Higher Education or Research Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the higher education level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Clayton McDowell, Stud.AIRAH, Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong

Student of the Year – Trade

The Student of the Year – Trade Award recognises outstanding scholarship at the trade level in the HVAC&R industry. Nominees must have shown a significant dedication and commitment to their studies, and gone beyond expectations to develop, grow and continually update their skills and knowledge.  

Winners:  Patrick Brennan, Stud.AIRAH, TAFE Queensland Skillstech, Acacia Ridge, Brisbane and Anthony Consterdine, M.AIRAH, South Metropolitan TAFE, Perth

This award was sponsored by L.G.

Future Leader

The Future Leader Award celebrates the achievements and bright future of an emerging leader in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Massimo Fiorentini, Affil.AIRAH, Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong

This award was sponsored by A.G. Coombs.

Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade

The Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade Award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC system and/or refrigeration system. 

Winner: Norman Disney & Young – RN Robertson Building at the Australian National University

Excellence in Innovation

The Excellence in Innovation Award shines a spotlight on substantial improvements and innovative thinking around HVAC&R systems. 

Winners: A.G. Coombs and AECOM – International Convention Centre, Sydney

This award was sponsored by Standards Australia.

Excellence in Refrigeration 

New for 2018, the AIRAH Excellence in Refrigeration Award recognises recently completed refrigeration projects including systems, upgrades and retrofits.

Winner:  Glaciem Cooling – The Bend Motorsport Park

WR Ahern Award

The WR Ahern award is awarded annually, and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in the Ecolibrium magazine in 2017.

Winners: Hongsen Zhang, M.AIRAH, and Dr Paul Bannister, F.AIRAH – “A calibrated simulation case study for an office building in Canberra”

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award celebrates organisations and individuals that have shown leadership in their efforts, initiatives, policies, programs and practices to embrace and foster truly inclusive levels of representation.

Winner: Simon Bradwell, M.AIRAH, ebm-papst A&NZ

 

Product of the Year

The AIRAH Product of the Year Award honours the top Australian-developed, designed and manufactured products. Considerations for this award include efforts toward innovation, energy efficiency, sustainability, originality and industry need.

Winner: Trafalgar Fire Containment – Firebox

Excellence in Sustainability 

The AIRAH Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the industry. These may be improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: A.G. Coombs and AECOM – International Convention Centre, Sydney 

This award was sponsored by Heatcraft.

James Harrison Medal 

The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. The award, named after Australian refrigeration pioneer James Harrison, recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The award is judged on the nominee's contributions within AIRAH's sphere of interest and commitment to ongoing achievement and excellence.

Winner: Alan Obrart, F.AIRAH 

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants.  

Winner: Peta Blight, M.AIRAH, from Devlin Engineering & Management

This award was sponsored by A.G. Coombs.

Student of the Year – Higher Education and Research

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Federico Tartarini, Stud.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by ActronAir.

Student of the Year – Trade

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Nathan McHugh, Stud.AIRAH

This award was sponsored by LG Electronics.

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: AECOM for AirTrunk Huntingwood

This award was sponsored by Standards Australia.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services. 

Winner: Norman, Disney & Young for its work on International Towers Sydney, Barangaroo South Base Building

This award was sponsored Heatcraft Australia.

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: Frame Group, Sydney Processing Centre – Modernisation Project

This award was sponsored by NABERS.

Product of the Year

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Winner: Air Change, Low Dew-Point Humidifier (ACDHUM-LD)

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

This award recognises and celebrates organisations that have shown leadership in their efforts, initiatives, policies, programs and practices to embrace and foster truly inclusive levels of representation within their ranks.

Winner: Aurecon – Future Ready by Design through Gender Inclusion program 

This award was sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric.

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Dr Cameron Chick, M.AIRAH, and Dr Stephen Hodson, M.AIRAH – “Mitigating the risk of fire spread from pipe insulation.”

James Harrison Medal 

The James Harrison Medal recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Winner: John Bosci, F.AIRAH 

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants.  

Winner: Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH, from NABERS

Research Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Xiaolin Wang, Stud.AIRAH

Trade Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Michael Snook, Affil.AIRAH

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: Lommers Engineering’s DownUnder GeoSolutions High-Performance Computer Cooling Systems

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services. 

Winner: Umow Lai for its work on the School of Design at the University of Melbourne

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: Refrigeration Innovations’ work at the IGA Boccaccio Cellars, Melbourne

Product of the Year

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Winner: Fast Works’ X-Operative TAB

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Josh Wall, M.AIRAH – “Predictive control of refrigerated facilities for improved energy management.” 

Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Inga Doemland, Stud.AIRAH.

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Chris King, M.AIRAH.

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: Lendlease/A.G. Coombs’ prefabrication approach at Barangaroo.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: The work by Steensen Varming on the University of Technology Sydney’s Thomas Street Building.

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: Aurecon’s air conditioning improvements at 175 Eagle St, Brisbane.

Product of the Year 

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Winner: Conserve It’s PlantPro BMS.

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Stefan Jensen, F.AIRAH.

Winner: Paul Bannister, M.AIRAH.

Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Matthew Webb, M.AIRAH

L-R: Phil Wilkinson, F.AIRAH, AIRAH CEO; Brian McDonnell, accepting award on behalf of Matthew Webb, Umow Lai; Dean Perri, Heatcraft (Award sponsor); Nathan Groenhout, M.AIRAH, AIRAH President.

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Alex Baidjurak, Affil.AIRAH


L-R: Alex Baidjurak, Affil.AIRAH, and Bryon Price, F.AIRAH, A.G. Coombs (Award sponsor).

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: WSP for Echuca Regional Health redevelopment.

L-R: Nathan Groenhout, M.AIRAH, AIRAH President; Sean Treweek, F.AIRAH, WSP; and Phil Wilkinson, F.AIRAH, AIRAH CEO.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: ActronAir ESP Platinum

L-R: Jamie Mair, ActronAir and Shane Carmichael, M.AIRAH, Air Change (Award sponsor).

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: NDY for 247 Adelaide Street, Brisbane.

L-R: Jeff Marchant, NDY, and Carlos Flores, App.AIRAH, NABERS (Award sponsor).

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Winner: CSIRO for the Residential Building Energy Efficiency Study.


L-R: Stephen White, F.AIRAH, Michael Ambrose, Andrew Law, Melissa James, and Josh Wall, M.AIRAH, all from CSIRO.

Denis Joseph Award for Innovative Use of Solar Energy in HVAC and Refrigeration

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of solar energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems.  This award is named in the honour of Denis Joseph, AIRAH Fellow and passionate supporter of solar HVAC&R.

Winner: NEP Solar for the micro urban power station at the new UTS Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Building.

L-R: Nathan Groenhout, M.AIRAH, AIRAH President; Russell King, King & Martin Electrical; Jeremy Osborne, M.AIRAH, Energy AE; John Vogels, Yokogawa; Phil Wilkinson, F.AIRAH, AIRAH CEO.

WR Ahern Award 

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Sean Badenhorst, M.AIRAH.


L-R: Phil Wilkinson, F.AIRAH, AIRAH CEO, Sean Badenhorst, M.AIRAH, and Nathan Groenhout, M.AIRAH, AIRAH President.

Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Michael Whitehouse, who is completing a Masters of Engineering by research at the University of Wollongong, focusing his research on innovative building display systems. 

L-R: AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH; award winner, Michael Whitehouse; and Stewart Phillips from Heatcraft (Award sponsor).

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Clare Parry, M.AIRAH, a senior sustainability consultant at Umow Lai.


L-R: AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH; award winner, Clare Parry, M.AIRAH; and Chris Deans, M.AIRAH, from A.G. Coombs (Award sponsor).

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: Air Change, for the AC-DCU – Air Change Data Centre Unit.

L-R: Jim Malek, Affil.AIRAH, from Kingspan (Award sponsor); Shane Carmichael, M.AIRAH, from Air Change; and AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: CSR Building Products – Odyssey.

L-R: Shane Carmichael, M.AIRAH, from Air Change (Award sponsor); Jim Malek, Affil.AIRAH from CSR; and AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH.

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: Norman Disney & Young – 215 Adelaide St, Brisbane.

L-R: AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH; Jeff Marchant from NDY; and Stefan Jensen, F.AIRAH, from Scantec (Award sponsor).

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Winner: Vahid Vakiloroaya, Stud.AIRAH, and Associate Professor Quang Ha, University of Technology Sydney – Toward Green Buildings.


L-R: AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH, and award winner, Vahid Vakiloroaya, M.AIRAH, from University of Technology Sydney.

Denis Joseph Award for Innovative Use of Solar Energy in HVAC and Refrigeration

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of solar energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems.  This award is named in the honour of Denis Joseph, AIRAH Fellow and passionate supporter of solar HVAC&R.

Winner: Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong – Team UOW/BlueScope – Solar-assisted HVAC system.

L-R: Massimo Fiorentini, M.AIRAH, from the University of Wollongong, and AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH.

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Dr Richard Aynsley, F.AIRAH, for his paper “Condensation in residential buildings,” which was published in the October and November 2012 issues of Ecolibrium.


L-R: AIRAH CEO, Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH, and award winner, Dr Richard Aynsley, F.AIRAH.

Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.  

Winner: Ramadas Narayanan, Affil.AIRAH

L-R: AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH, and Dr Frank Bruno accepting the Student of the year award on behalf of Ramadas Narayanan, Affil.AIRAH.

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Jessica Holz, M.AIRAH, Umow Lai Engineering


L-R: AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH, and Brian McDonnell on behalf of Jessica Holz, M.AIRAH

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: Air Change for the Air Change Dehumidification Unit

Air Change and AIRAH staff.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: NDY – Melbourne Water data centre.

L-R: AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH; Patrick Fogarty, NDY; and sponsor Steve Atherton, M.AIRAH, Air Change.

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: GHD – 4 Mort Street, Canberra.

L-R: Sponsor Alberta McAteer, Lasath Lecamwasam from GHD and AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH. 

Excellence in HVAC&R Research

This award recognises outstanding achievements in research that have produced additional knowledge of HVAC&R systems with importance for future improvements in these technologies.

Winner: Dr Frank Bruno, Affil.AIRAH, Dr Martin Belusko and Steven Tay, University of SA – High-performing low-cost thermal storage with phase-change materials.


L-R: Dr Frank Bruno, Affil.AIRAH and AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH.

Denis Joseph Award for Innovative Use of Solar Energy in HVAC and Refrigeration

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of solar energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems.  This award is named in the honour of Denis Joseph, AIRAH Fellow and passionate supporter of solar HVAC&R.

Winner: CSIRO – TAFE NSW Hunter Institute – Two-rotor solar desiccant air conditioning system.

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Dr Weng Poh, M.AIRAH, for his paper “Tenability criteria for design of smoke hazard management systems”, which was published in the August 2011 issue of Ecolibrium.


L-R: AIRAH CEO Phil Wilkinson, M.AIRAH, congratulates Dr Weng Poh, M.AIRAH, on winning the WR Ahern award.

Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is open to AIRAH members and individuals. This award recognises outstanding scholarship at any level in the HVAC&R industry.

Winner: Liam Janetzki, Qbuild

Liam Janetzki

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Nathaniel Galindo, App.AIRAH

L-R: Nathaniel Galindo, App.AIRAH is congratulated by Heatcraft’s Bill Moltner.

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: Seeley Climate Wizard

L-R: Air Change CEO Steve Atherton, M.AIRAH, and Jon Seeley.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: Pixel (Umow Lai)

L-R: Bernard Da Cruz and Marthinus Noyce from WSP, Sustainability Victoria’s Val McGregor, and Umow Lai’s Shane Esmore.

Best HVAC&R Retrofit or Upgrade

This award recognises excellence in the retrofit or upgrade of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system and can address the complete delivery of projects.

Winner: System Solutions Engineering

L-R: 19 Grenfell St owner Duncan Young, Tony Edmunds, M.AIRAH, from System Solutions Engineering, and Lynette Bourne from NABERS

James Harrison Medal 

The most distinguished award presented by AIRAH is the James Harrison Medal. The award commemorates James Harrison whose work in Australia made him one of the great world pioneers of refrigeration. 

Winner: Simon Hill, F.AIRAH 

Simon Hill is only the 26th recipient of AIRAH’s highest honour. Simon is principal of Sydney-based Professional Engineering Solutions, a Sydney-based private consultancy firm operating in the HVAC&R and fire-services industries. 

 

 

L-R: AIRAH president Sean Treweek, M.AIRAH, congratulates Simon Hill, F.AIRAH.

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Dr Mike Dennis, M.AIRAH and Dr Paul Kohlenbach, M.AIRAH 

L-R: WR Ahern winner Dr Mike Dennis, M.AIRAH, with the evening’s MC John Blackman.

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Shane Carmichael, M.AIRAH, Air Change

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: BuildingIQ

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: Steensen Varming –Surry Hills Library and Community Centre

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Craig McClintock, M.AIRAH

Future Leader

This award recognises emerging leaders in any facet of the HVAC&R industry and may include engineers, designers and drafters, project managers and supervisors, trades people, commissioning and maintenance technicians, technical sales professionals, or other industry participants. 

Winner: Dr Josh Wall

L-R: CSIRO's Josh Wall with Heatcraft Australia Managing Director, Bill Moltner.

Excellence in Innovation

This award recognises significant Australian improvements in the  areas of HVAC&R achieved through innovation. It can include new or significantly enhanced products, new or significantly improved systems or plant and equipment or processes. 

Winner: AirLight integrated ceiling services system

L-R: AIRAH Director Sean Treweek with Airlight Concepts' Ken McCarthy.

Excellence in Sustainability

This award recognises Australian initiatives that have made clear improvements in the sustainability of HVAC&R systems or the HVAC&R industry. The initiatives may be new air conditioning or refrigeration installations, retrofits or improvements to existing air conditioning or refrigeration systems or the development of new systems, items of plant or other improvements, or in the industry’s delivery of services.

Winner: Waterman AHW –Workplace6

L-R: Waterman AHW's Scott Brown with Air Change CEO Steve Atherton.

WR Ahern Award

The W.R. Ahern award is awarded annually and recognises the best technical paper by an AIRAH member published in Ecolibrium in the preceding year.

Winner: Rod Lord, Cundall for "Designing personal microclimates with workstation-based air conditioning".

L-R: AIRAH Director Sean Treweek with Rob Lord.

Denis Joseph Award for Innovative Use of Solar Energy in HVAC&R

This award recognises initiatives that, through the innovative use of solar energy, significantly improve the performance of HVAC and/or refrigeration systems.  This award is named in the honour of Denis Joseph, AIRAH Fellow and passionate supporter of solar HVAC&R.

Winner: Paul Kohlenbach, Solem Consulting

L-R: AIRAH Director Sean Treweek with Paul Kohlenbach.

James Harrison Medal

The highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual is the James Harrison Medal.

Winner: Ron Conry for his pivotal role in assembling a world-class team to develop an efficient oil-free compressor.