Winners announced for Supply Nation’s 2024 Supplier Diversity Awards

The Supplier Diversity Awards recognise companies, government agencies and individuals making outstanding contributions to the Indigenous business sector.

Award winners were announced at the Connect 2024 Gala Awards Dinner on Thursday August 29 at the Brisbane Convention Centre, on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples in Meanjin.

All awards were judged by an independent judging panel and audited by an independent audit firm.

Certified Supplier of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Telstra

This award recognises a Certified Supplier that has driven significant growth in their business and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members. This award is open to current Supply Nation Certified Suppliers (including sole traders) that are listed on Indigenous Business Direct.

The 2024 winner is: Killara Services

Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: AusIndustry

This award recognises an individual from a member organisation or Indigenous business (including sole traders) that has driven supplier diversity growth and development within their organisation and / or the Indigenous business sector.

The 2024 winner is: Amanda Inman, Laing O’Rourke

Corporate Member of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Ethan Indigenous

This award recognises a corporate member that has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership and driven significant growth in supplier diversity.

The 2024 winner is: Laing O’Rourke

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Westpac

This award recognises a female-identifying Indigenous business owner that has driven significant and sustainable growth in her business and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members and Indigenous businesses.

The 2024 winner is: Carol Vale, Murawin

Registered Supplier of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: BP

This award recognises a Registered Supplier (including sole traders) listed on Indigenous Business Direct that has driven significant growth in their business and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members.

The 2024 winner is: Printing with Purpose

Procurement Professional of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Killara Services

This award recognises an individual who works within the procurement department of a Supply Nation member organisation and has driven significant growth in sustainable supplier diversity through their organisation’s supply chain.

The 2024 winner is: Ryan Sims, Laing O’Rourke

Government Member of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Laing O’Rourke

This award recognises a government member that has demonstrated exceptional commitment, engagement and leadership in supplier diversity and driven significant growth in the Indigenous business sector.

The 2024 winner is: Transport for NSW

Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: EY

This award honours the late Sam Tjengala Reuben. Sam, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man and business owner from Townsville, sadly passed away in 2019. Sam was a proud leader in his community and was a valued member of Supply Nation’s inaugural Indigenous Business Advisory Group.

This award recognises a young Indigenous entrepreneur that has successfully brought their business idea to fruition, can demonstrate the potential for significant growth in the years to come and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members and Indigenous businesses.

The 2024 winner is: Jasmine Newman, Killara Services

Indigenous Exporter of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Austrade

This award recognises an Indigenous business (including sole traders) that is successfully operating within the export market; can demonstrate potential for future export growth and that has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members and Indigenous businesses.

The 2024 winner is: Elephant in the Room Consulting

Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: ANZ

This award recognises two organisations (Supply Nation Indigenous businesses [including sole traders] and / or members) that have worked in partnership to contribute to the growth of the sector and / or specific Indigenous businesses. Such partnerships can include mentoring, programs, consortia bids and / or strategic alliances.

The 2024 winners are: Kooya Fleet Solutions and Telstra

Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact

Proudly sponsored by: UGL

This award honours the late Dr. Dean Jarrett, who sadly passed away in 2021. Dean was a proud Gumbaynggirr/Goreng Goreng/Punthamara man who worked as an academic-practitioner based at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School and was a valued member of the Supply Nation Board.

This award recognises an organisation or individual that has made an outstanding impact on supplier diversity and / or the growth of the Indigenous business sector.

The winner was selected from the finalists of all other award categories. The achievements and efforts of the winning organisation or individual illustrate the potential to drive growth and achieve a truly prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector.

The 2024 winner is: Amanda Inman, Laing O’Rourke