2023

Professor Michael Johnson has made an outstanding contribution to ACS with gentle good humour over at least two decades leading the provision of academic input that is needed by ACS in order to set its standards of professionalism and ethics. He has encouraged and led the changes required to keep ACS a modern and relevant professional society for ICT professionals. As Director of the Professional Standards Board he oversaw the changes needed to align the accreditation criteria to evolving technologies. He led the rewriting of the Terms of Reference for the Technical Boards and advised on the decoupling of membership grades from certification. He has served with distinction as Chair of the Disciplinary Committee and been a thoughtful and active participant of Congress, providing a necessary link between academia and business and has been an active participant in the committees of IFIP International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3) on behalf of ACS.

2023

Dr Ian Oppermann has made an outstanding contribution to ACS as an invaluable champion and by consistently providing both his expertise and leadership skills to ACS service. As ACS President he steered ACS through difficult and challenging times, while, at the same time, coping with the impacts of the COVID pandemic, both for ACS and in his work as Chief Data Scientist for the NSW government. When Academic Vice President he laid the foundation for the reshaping of the Technical Boards such that they now provide timely policy advice and education opportunities especially about emerging technologies. He has represented ACS in Standards Australia committees culminating in the publication of the "Privacy in Data Sharing Framework" in time for this to be of use to practitioners and government alike. His work also strengthened ACS relationships with Government, and encouraged senior IT professionals and industry leaders to work with the ACS.

2023

Arnold Wong has made an outstanding contribution to ACS both at the Branch and National level over more than two decades. He is lauded as branch member; always willing to help, an effective mentor; a long-term Branch Executive member and champion of the West Australian yearly Dennis Moore Distinguished oration. On a national level he has served on Management Committee during difficult and challenging times; 3 years as Vice President (Communities) and for 6 years as National Treasurer. In this latter role he oversaw the onerous process of centralising all of the many ACS bank accounts, together with completing an overhaul of ACS financial processes. Both of these initiatives have played a pivotal role in the organisation’s financial health and significantly improved its risk profile. He has represented the West Australian branch of ACS on Congress with distinction. His long service to ACS has left a lasting and positive impact.

2023

Dr Rod Dilnutt has made an outstanding contribution to ACS as an innovator and one who has taken on newly created roles or committees facing challenging times and led them to stability and success. His great skill is in empowering others and quietly serving ACS himself in a thorough and professional manner. One can discover evidence of Rod’s input to the functioning of ACS across various committees and boards over several decades. He has served in many roles including as the initial Director of the Membership Advisory Board, Chair of the Victorian Branch, Congress member and on Management Committee. Rod has always been focussed on member engagement, although he has offered his professional skills in digital transformation and management to various ACS sub-committees. His particular interest has been in fostering the engagement of student members and young professional as they begin their ICT careers, and was the initiator of the successful Student Supported Membership Scheme.

2022

Jacky Hartnett has provided exemplary leadership and voluntary service to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) over many decades. Jacky was an early pioneer and role model for women in computing, and through her role as an ACS elected official, has generously served locally and at a state level on the Tasmanian Branch Executive Committee, including appointments as Branch Chair and Honorary Secretary. Both nationally and internationally, Jacky has been instrumental in representing ACS as both a Vice President (Academic Boards) and Congress Representative. She has also been a key contributor across the ACS Women Committee, National Fellows Committee, ACS Disciplinary Committee, and the ACS Heritage Committee, as well a member of the Constitutional Reform Working Group. Jacky is recognised as a strong and highly respected contributing influence and advocate of the ACS.

2021

Mr Steve Godbee has contributed to the ACS with distinction for over 15 years. Steve was appointed as Director of the Member Lifecycle Board from 2007 to 2011. During this time, he was instrumental in driving significant changes and programs that have transformed ACS to this day, including the Professional Partner Program and Open Membership. From 2006 to 2013, Steve served on the NSW Branch Executive Committee. He then led the Professional Standards Board as Director in 2016, followed by Director of the Professional Advisory Board in 2017, ensuring a smooth transition from one structure to another. Steve has played an integral role in the ACS Digital Disruptors Awards and in 2018 was appointed as the Chief Judge. He has also been a long-standing contributor to both the Professional Standards Committee and Business Assurance Committee. Across his tenure, Steve has used his personal profile to promote ACS, including being the first spokesperson for Certification. Steve has served substantially to the Society, selflessly and humbly, without seeking praise.

2020

Richard Baecher has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian Computer Society through his active participation in the affairs of the Society at both its national and branch levels. He has served on the NSW BEC for 17 continuous years, in roles including Chair (for 4 years), Vice Chair, Chair of the NSW Fellows Committee and Ordinary Member. He is recognised for his ongoing contribution over many years to increasing member engagement in the NSW Branch, developing ACS relationships with Government, and his work in recognising and supporting ACS Fellows. Richard has also served on the Management Committee, in the ACS Congress, and the Disciplinary Committee. He was Chair of the MC Subcommittee responsible for the move of the ACS into its new Barangaroo Office. He has also been particularly instrumental in increasing the profile of the ACS in the NSW Government.

2020

John Price FACS has made an outstanding contribution to the ACS, and to the ACS Foundation Board which he joined in 2008. Consistently generous with his time, he has unstintingly supported the ACS as a member and Fellow, and as a Board member in ACS Foundation. As an ACS Fellow John developed and presented a series of presentations on Emotional Intelligence, Career Development and Interviewing Skills to NSW Branch members. He delivered the Ethics component of the ACS Professional Year Program and assisted in designing a Communications Skills Course. John constructed and presented ICT career/ interview skills workshops on multiple visits to 8 Australian universities, plus workshops for NSW members. John then developed a multi series Webinar on the same subject, which is still in use today. Appointed to ACS Strategic Initiatives Advisory Committee in 2012 – 13, he led planning workshops with the CEO on brand leverage and joint marketing with ACS Foundation. During this time John mentored two ACS Presidents in ACS governance and key strategic human resource matters. In 2014 John was invited to become Chief Judge of Australia's longest running, innovation recognition awards by its steering committee. He was subsequently commended for his leadership and tireless effort in making the event an outstanding success during a challenging year. Since 2015/16 John has continued mentoring and coaching ACS members (some with disabilities) on workplace confidence and employment strategies. John’s contribution reflects his outstanding ability as an ACS Fellow and a Foundation Board member to achieve strategic and operational consensus between both organisations while contributing significantly to the daily work of each.