Thank you to every organisation and business who submitted a nomination for our 2023 program.
Supply Nation’s Supplier Diversity Awards recognise companies, government agencies and individuals who are helping create a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector.
Last year, we were proud to launch two newly recognised award categories in honour of two individuals who made tremendous contributions to their communities and to the growth of the sector.
- Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact
We were thrilled to announce the award winners at the Connect 2023 Gala Awards Dinner on Tuesday 8 August 2023 at the ICC Sydney, Gadigal Land.
All awards are judged by an independent judging panel and audited by an independent audit firm.
| Award nominations open | Monday 6 March 2023 |  |
|---|---|---|
| Award nominations close | Friday 2 June 2023 | |
| Award winners announced | Tuesday 8 August 2023 | |
Certified Supplier of the Year
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 2023 winner is Muru Office Supplies.
Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year
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 2023 winner is Matthew Inkster, Alliance People, Capability & Inclusion Manager, Fulton Hogan.
Corporate Member of the Year
This award recognises a corporate member that has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership and driven significant growth in supplier diversity.
The 2023 winner is Ventia.
Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year
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 2023 winner is Mundanara Bayles, Managing Director and Co-Founder, BlackCard.
Registered Supplier of the Year
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 2023 winner is WV Technologies.
Procurement Professional of the Year
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 2023 winner is Fran Peterson, Supply Chain Advisor, Human Rights, Shell.
Government Member of the Year
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 2023 winner is TAFE NSW.
Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year
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 2023 winner is Jarrad Oakley Nicholls, Managing Director, Oaks Civil Construction.
Indigenous Exporter of the Year
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 2023 winner is Aldridge Railway Signals.
Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year
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 2023 winner is Yaru Water and Qantas.
Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact
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 is 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.
