Ventia is proud to have been awarded Innovator of the Year at the prestigious Australian Defence Industry Awards for 2022. The awards identify the businesses leading the way in the Defence industry across Australia, and receiving this award provides national recognition for the great work we do at Ventia.

11 members of our Defence business were on hand at the awards ceremony on Thursday night in Canberra to cheer on Gavin Campbell who accepted the award on Ventia's behalf. 

"Being able to stand up in a room of our peers to accept an award to recognise the way our teams collaborate with our client to deliver service excellence was great," says Gavin Campbell. 

As finalists in three categories, Project Director in our Defence business, Andrew Bartlett says reaching finalist status was something to be extremely proud of because they reflect an approach that is important to us and our Defence partner.

We're growing sovereign capability with dependable, innovative and sustainable solutions so it's great to be recognised in this space.

The innovations mentioned in our submission reflect Ventia's commitment to continuous improvement. Innovations such as the firefighting breathing apparatus, Sea Pancake and Cable Spool - we believe every employee can contribute game-changing ideas, that can lead to innovative solutions, and we aim to provide our employees opportunities and support to do so. 

Big thanks to Ventia's HMAS Albatross Lead Firefighter, Gary Gilbert and Col Anderson in collaboration with PPE provider Drager who lead the main innovation featured in this award submission.
 

_{Pictured above: National Manager - ARRFF, Colin Anderson (left) and Executive General Manager - Defence, Gavin Cambell (right).}

Defence Innovator of the Year (WINNER!)

"Necessity is the mother of invention"- Plato

This award recognises the Defence innovator that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities while supporting the strengthening of Australia's Defence and national security capabilities

Ventia collaborated with long-time firefighting PPE provider Dräger to create a filter adaptor that would allow an 'in field' change from breathing apparatus to cannister filters, without removing the mask. This adaptor helps protect fire crews throughout an entire incident, regardless of changing conditions or toxic environments. 

As an organisation, Ventia believes that innovation isn't the responsibility of a single sector or unit. Every employee has opportunities to contribute game-changing ideas, that can lead to innovative solutions. We drive a culture of continuous improvement, which means every day, every employee aims to make the workplace safer and the job better.

AIC Champion of the Year (Finalist)

This award recognises the AIC Champion that has made the largest impact toward building a sovereign Defence industry. Ventia's ecosystem across the supply chain is focused on making it easy for small, medium and Indigenous enterprises to grow and be embedded into the Defence industry in a holistically integrated model driving customer excellence, safety, and collaborative values and behaviours. 

We deliver services across Australia and in order to maintain full capability to Defence, we demonstrate a strong, collaborative and partnered supply chain to provide Australian and local services and products.

Estate & Infrastructure Business of the Year (Finalist)

This award recognises the Defence estate and infrastructure business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia's Defence and national security capabilities through their participation in the Defence industry.

Ventia is at the "Heart of Defence" capability and as a prime partner to Defence, is the largest provider of Defence estate support services and facilities management across Australia. 

We deliver services across large and small estates across Australia to enhance estate capability including project management and integration; asset management and maintenance; training area and range management; environmental services and land management; transport services; airfield operations; hospitality and catering; cleaning; accommodation management; sport and recreation management; base service call centre; and support to special forces training facilities, and delivers firefighting and rescue services nationally. 

For more information on the full suite of awards, click here.