Sector Awards 

Celebrating excellence, innovation, and outstanding contribution to Australia's quarrying sector through prestigious national and international recognition programs.

About the IQA Awards

The IQA Awards recognise exceptional achievement across the quarrying sector - spanning safety leadership, environmental stewardship, operational and sector excellence, innovation, emerging talent, and outstanding service to the Institute and the wider extractive sector.

Presented every two years at the IQA National Conference, they are the sector's premier recognition program.

The 2026 Categories

• Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award - Site award | Any operation in Australia
• Gold Site Environment Award - Site award | Any operation in Australia | Supported by SLR
• Quarry Sector Excellence Award - Open award | Members, operations, teams
• President's Medal - Highest honour | IQA members
• Quarry Leadership and Contribution Award - Individual award | IQA members, all levels
• Alec Northover Award - Individual award | IQA members | Supported by AIQEF
• Conference Exhibitor / Supplier Award - Exhibitor award | All conference exhibitors

For full descriptions, criteria and how to nominate, view the 2026 Awards Guide.

How to nominate

1. Choose a category - Review the criteria and pick the award that best fits the person, site or project.
2. Gather your evidence - Address each criterion with supporting detail, data and letters of recommendation where required.
3. Submit the form - Complete the official IQA nomination form online before nominations close.
4. Judging and reveal - The National Awards Committee reviews each nomination, with winners announced at the 2026 National Conference on the Gold Coast.

Awards process

• Frequency: Presented every two years.
• Ceremony: Awards presentation at the biennial IQA National Conference.
• Assessment: Independent judging by sector experts.
• Recognition: Sector-wide celebration and media coverage.

Benefits of Awards Recognition:

• Sector recognition and profile enhancement
• Career advancement support
• Business development opportunities
• Professional networking and peer acknowledgment
• International recognition for Australian excellence

International Recognition

IQ Caernarfon Award

The IQ Caernarfon Award is the most prestigious international honour in the quarrying profession. Presented annually by the IQ International Presidents' Committee, it recognises the best paper delivered at any Institute of Quarrying conference, seminar or meeting worldwide - one that has contributed most to the advancement of the sector, whether technical, environmental or strategic.

About the Award

• Purpose: Recognising the best paper contributing to sector advancement - technical, environmental or strategic.
• History: Established in 1989, named after the town where the first Institute meeting took place in 1917.
• Global recognition: Awarded annually by the IQ International Presidents' Committee.
• Assessment: Papers evaluated by Institute of Quarrying Presidents from across the globe.

How Australia's Entry is Selected

Each Institute may submit one paper each year, endorsed by its President. The IQA President reviews all Australian nominations and selects the national entry, which is then submitted to the IQ International Presidents' Committee for judging.

Eligibility

• What qualifies: a presentation (around 30+ minutes, in person or virtual) or a peer-reviewed article delivered during the relevant calendar year.
• Who can be nominated: any current IQA member, or someone in the process of applying for membership.

Recent Australian Winners

• Tegan Smith (2021): Proudly the first female winner of the Caernarfon Award, recognised for her outstanding contribution to the sector and dedication to diversity and inclusion.
• Sean Taylor, CEO & MD, Komatsu Australia (2019/2020): Awarded for his presentation "Let's Talk about Diversity and Inclusion" at the 2019 IQA Geelong Conference, sharing Komatsu's diversity journey and leadership through the "Say Again?" campaign.

The Caernarfon Award represents the highest level of international recognition for technical excellence and professional contribution to the global quarrying sector.

2026 IQ Caernarfon Award

Nominations for Australia's 2026 entry have now closed. The national entry has been submitted and is currently with the IQ International Presidents' Committee for judging. The next call for entries will be advertised here and through IQA channels.

Download the full award rules and criteria