IQA National Awards

The 2024 IQA Awards, recognises outstanding achievements and contributions in the quarrying industry. It is a fantastic opportunity to honour and celebrate the outstanding individuals and organisations that contribute significantly to the quarrying industry across various categories. 

Award categories include: 
  • Alec Northover Award (sponsored by AIQEF)
  • Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award (sponsored by IQA)
  • Gold Environment Award (sponsored by Groundwork Plus)
  • Excellence in Innovation and Community Engagement (sponsored by Eltirus) 
  • Quarry Manager of the Year <10 FTE 
  • Quarry Manager of the Year >10 FTE 
  • Quarry Operator of the Year
  • IQA Conference Exhibitor of the Year (sponsored by IQA)
  • President's Medal (sponsored by IQA) Open to IQA Members only

Nominations for the Awards are open from February 2024.  Nominations are open and welcome for both IQA members and non-members*.
*Excluding the President's Medal

The closing date for all award nominations is 7th August 2024The IQA Conference Exhibitor of the Year award will be judged from all exhibitors during the IQA conference in October 2024. All exhibitors are automatically entered, and a separate nomination form is not required. 

The 2024 IQA Award winners will be finalised in August/September, with winners announced during the 2024 IQA National Conference in Adelaide 15-17 October 2024.

View all award categories and nomination criteria below. 

Alec Northover Award - Proudly sponsored by AIQEF

This award recognise the best prepared portfolio of evidence submitted to a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in support of the applicant gaining a qualification for either: Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in surface extractive operations as recognised by Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package.

Prize: Allowance for up to $3,000 to a selected winner to attend the IQA National Conference

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here

Awards Sponsor: 


Gold Environment Award - Proudly sponsored by Groundwork Plus

This award recognises a site’s contribution toward the advancement of environmental management in the industry at a given site. The contribution can be:

  • a single event such as an exceptional quarry rehabilitation, 
  • a new or improved work process that enhances environmental management,
  • a new or improved method of pollution control,
  • achieving an outstanding environmental record at the nominated site,
  • displaying environmental awareness and leadership,
  • undertaking community consultation or representation on industry environmental or pollution control committees for the site.

The winner will be able to demonstrate clear outcomes in relation to environmental management.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here

Awards Sponsor: 


IQA's President's Medal

To recognise a member who has given outstanding and ongoing service to the extractive industry and demonstrates leadership and the advancement of the industry as a whole. The winner will have supported the IQA through involvement in areas such as branch, sub-branch, committee, Board and Council membership over a period of time. The winner must be a member of the IQA.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here


Excellence in Innovation & Community Engagement - Proudly sponsored by Eltirus

This award recognises an individual's contribution to excellence and innovation in the quarry industry, including outcomes in community engagement and consultation. The contribution can be for innovation in design, production, operations, automation, plant design, maintenance or processes as a single event or for a longer term contribution to improvement over a period of time. The innovation should show improvements in measurable outcomes. The winners will also be able to demonstrate engagement with peers, the industry and/or the community.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here

Awards Sponsor: 


Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award 

This award recognise a site’s contribution to the advancement of OH&S in the quarry industry. The nomination can be for:

  • a site that shows sustained leadership in the area of OH&S, or 
  • has implemented a suggestion, improvement or invention relating to equipment, processes, training, safety management, industry/community representation that has resulted directly in improved OH&S outcomes, or 
  • sustained excellent performance over a 12+ month period of time which demonstrates improvements in OH&S at the site and within the industry.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here


Quarry Manager of the Year >10 FTE

This award recognises an individual Quarry Manager at a site with more than 10 FTE who has demonstrated achievements within the quarrying industry. The winner has evidence of personal commitment and leadership in OH&S and demonstration of broad industry knowledge of areas such as safety, risk, environment and operations.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here


Quarry Manager of the Year <10 FTE

This award recognises an individual Quarry Manager at a site with less than 10 FTE who has demonstrated achievements within the quarrying industry. The winner has evidence of personal commitment and leadership in OH&S and demonstration of broad industry knowledge of areas such as safety, risk, environment and operations.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here


Quarry Operator of the Year

To recognise an individual Quarry Operator with demonstrable achievements within the quarrying industry. The winner will demonstrate evidence of personal commitment and leadership in OH&S and demonstration of broad industry knowledge in areas such as safety, risk, environment and operations.

This award is in recognition and memory of Mr Sydneham Hill and his contribution to the extractive industry.

Download Information Sheet
      Nominate Here


Conference Exhibitor of the Year

This award recognises the supplier/sponsor with the most creative and engaging exhibition and involvement in the 2024 IQA National conference held in Adelaide.  They will demonstrate and embody the highest standards of professionalism, IQA code of conduct, professional standards and values of the IQA.

All conference exhibitors are automatically nominated and judging will occur during the 2024 IQA National Conference.

Prize: Framed certificate and recognition through IQA marketing mediums such as the website, newsletter and social media.

Download Information Sheet


Judging, Criteria and T&Cs

The IQA will maintain and publish clear guidelines, criteria and criteria weighting for each award. All awards will be judged against the stated selection criteria and weighted scoring as outlined in the nomination form for each individual award.

Clear and detailed T&Cs are published for each award to guide the administration, awarding and collection of award prizes. These T&Cs are available on the information sheet for each award.