The winners of the 2024 Australian Biosecurity Awards were announced at a ceremony at Australian Parliament House on 25 November 2024. Twelve winners across 9 categories were honoured, including two inaugural winners of the First Nations Award for Biosecurity Excellence.
From Traditional Custodians managing biosecurity on Country to trailblazing scientists and industry leaders, these biosecurity champions are making a significant contribution to protecting Australia from pests and diseases. Other activities recognised included novel education programs, inspiring primary producers, and teams protecting vulnerable locations from biosecurity threats.
Dr David Banks Biosecurity Lifetime Achievement Award: Veterinarian Dr Leslie Sims was recognised for his contribution to emergency animal disease prevention and control policy in Australia. A champion of the One Health approach, Dr Sims has worked at the human-animal interface for decades. With his unwavering dedication and determination, Dr Sims has made an outstanding contribution to Australia’s biosecurity through leadership, expertise and knowledge sharing. His contributions to global disease control, particularly in Southeast Asia, has reduced biosecurity risks for Australia and the region.
Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation: Taxonomist Dr Laurence Mound was recognised for making a significant contribution to Australia’s biosecurity and entomology throughout his distinguished career. Dr Mound is a world-leading authority on thrips (Thysanoptera) – discovering and describing more than 600 species. Dr Mound’s influence in advancing Australia’s plant health status is seen in every entomology lab in Australia, whether through specimens in the collections, the inquiring questions of a policy maker, or the use of the upside-down slide mounting technique he teaches.
Environmental Biosecurity: Dr Michelle Wille was recognised for reducing risks posed to the environment and social amenity by ensuring key stakeholders in government and non-government agencies are aware and prepared for high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1. As a leader in her field, Dr Wille is considered, consultative, collaborative and continues to go above and beyond for the benefit of Australia’s environment and unique wildlife.
First Nations Award for Excellence in Biosecurity: Two First Nations recipients were recognised for their contribution to improving the protection of Country and communities from pests, weeds and diseases. Both winners have made outstanding contributions to biosecurity in Australia, improving plant and animal health. Traditional Custodian, Uncle Dave Wandin, is a deeply valued teacher of Aboriginal ways and an experienced practitioner in best practice land management. He has been a strong advocate for building awareness of biosecurity threats to Country and supporting Aboriginal communities and government agencies to come together to discuss issues.
The Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance has reduced threats to coastal habitats and improved survival rates of threatened and endangered marine turtle populations along 800 km of western Cape York beaches. Their efforts have led to significant increases in threatened marine turtle hatchling survival rates in the Cape York region through reducing feral pig nest predation impacts.
Every day, across the country, businesses, individuals and governments are working to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity. These awards demonstrate our shared responsibility – everyone has a role to play in our national biosecurity system.
Learn more about the 2024 winners and their achievements.
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