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The Pearcey Foundation

The Pearcey Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1998 in memory of a great Australian ICT pioneer Dr Trevor Pearcey. The Foundation operates broadly across the Australian Information Computing and Telecommunication (ICT) technologies sector, from celebrating achievements through national and state awards, to being involved in debate and public policy on critical national issues such as productivity, the digital economy and national infrastructure.

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This is our 27^th year of awards, focussed exclusively on outstanding individuals drawn from across our vast geography.

We present 12 awards each year, and have done so for a long time - recognising over 245 Australian ICT luminaries and entrepreneurs, as highlighted on this website.

Latest News

Apr 28, 2020

Pearcey COVIDSafe App Paper

The Australian Government has now released its coronavirus tracing app, called COVIDSafe. To be effective, the app needs to be downloaded and used by a significant proportion of the Australian population.

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Apr 28, 2020

The COVIDSafe App: A Question of Trust

MEDIA RELEASE - How the Australian Government and Australian citizens can ensure the success of the new coronavirus tracing app.

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Feb 27, 2020

50th Anniversary of Australia’s First Satellite

In 1966 a bunch of students (undergrads and post-grads) at the Department of Elec Eng at Melbourne University built Australia’s first satellite. It was ultimately launched in 1970 by NASA. A member of the team of 8, who designed and constructed the satellite, […]

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Feb 26, 2020

Expanding Project To Become A Virtual Museum

Currently, the Foundation is exploring a permanent location for many of the memorabilia of past ICT technology generations, We are collaborating with various museums and industry groups who share this desire to establish a 'virtual museum' to capture our wonderful contribution to technology in so many fields.

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Feb 5, 2020

Kicking off the Heritage Project

Hi everybody Graeme Philipson here. You know me as the author of a book on the Australian computer industry called ‘A Vision Splendid’. Many of you helped with that book or offered advice or information after it came out about things that were missing […]

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Jan 26, 2020

2020 Australia Day Honours

Three outstanding members of the Pearcey family were recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours lists Members (AM) General Division, Order of Australia - Geoff Huston (Pearcey 2015 Hall of Fame), John O'Callaghan (2005 Pearcey Medal), and Peter Thorne (Member Pearcey National Executive)

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Nov 14, 2019

2019 Pearcey Medal

The prestigious Pearcey Medal, which recognises a distinguished lifetime achievement and contribution to the development and growth of the ICT industry in Australia, was presented to Professor David Abramson.

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Nov 14, 2019

2019 National Pearcey Awards

The 2019 national awards were held in the evening of 14th November at the University of Melbourne. Presentations included the Pearcey Medal awarded to Prof David Abramson, the Pearcey Hall of Fame awarded to Sonja Bernhardt and Bob Beaumont, and the Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year awarded to Craig McDonald from Victoria.

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Nov 14, 2019

2019 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award

The 2019 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Craig McDonald, CEO and Founder of MailGuard, at the annual Pearcey national Awards gala dinner on 14th November 2019 in Melbourne.

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Nov 14, 2019

2019 Pearcey Hall of Fame

Professor David Abramson, Sonja Bernhardt OAM and Bob Beaumont were elevated to the Pearcey Hall of Fame at the annual Pearcey National Awards dinner held on Thursday 14th November 2019 in Melbourne.

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Nov 14, 2019

2019 CSIRAC 70th Anniversary

Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of CSIRAC: Australia's first stored program digital computer and the world's fourth. Presentations by eminent speakers honour Dr Trevor Pearcey's legacy and catch a glimpse of what the future holds for Australian innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology in society.

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Oct 24, 2019

Prof Rod Tucker Honoured

Rod Tucker speaking at the inauguration of the Tucker Lab at Melbourne University

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Oct 15, 2019

2019 Qld Award

The 2019 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Tim Neale, co-founder and managing director of agtech company DataFarming. The award event was held in Brisbane on 15 October 2015 in collaboration with CICTA (Council of ICT Associations in Queensland).

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Oct 10, 2019

2019 ACT Award

Canberra, Australia - 10 October 2019 - The Pearcey Foundation today announced Matthew Wilson, CEO of Penten as this year's recipient of the 2019 ACT Chief Minister's Pearcey Entrepreneur Award. The award was presented by Senator (retd) Kate Lundy representing the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr at the Pearcey Round Table 2019.

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Oct 10, 2019

2019 NSW Award

The 2019 NSW ICT Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Ashik Ahmed, co-founder, CTO and CEO of Deputy. The award was presented at a special Pearcey Awards event at the NSW Startup Hub on 10 October 2019.

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Aug 27, 2019

2019 Pearcey Oration

In 2019, the Pearcey Oration was given by Roger Taylor, Chair of the UK Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation. It was presented in conjunction with the Victorian State Entrepreneur Award at a sit-down dinner on the evening of Tuesday 27th August, 2019 at the Woodward Centre, Melbourne Law School.

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Aug 27, 2019

2019 Vic Award

The 2019 Victorian Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Craig McDonald, founder and CEO of MailGuard and BlackEvents. The award, in its 20^th year, was presented by the international thought-leader Roger Taylor, Chair of the UK Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, who also gave this year's Pearcey Oration at the dinner.

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Jun 22, 2019

ABC Science Show – CSIRAC the first computer to play music

On Saturday 22 June 2019, the ABC Science Show had a special feature Recreating the first digital computer music. Presented by Carl Smith in the second half of the podcast (31 minute mark).

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Jun 14, 2019

2019 WA Award

The 2019 WA Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Rob Nathan, at the 28th WAITTA Incite Awards held on in Perth on Friday 14th June 2019. The award was presented by Greg Italiano, the Government Chief Information Officer, at the gala presentation dinner at the Crown Perth.

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Jun 12, 2019

Recognition for Alison Harcourt AO

Alison Harcourt (nee Doig) is an alumnus and past staff member of the University of Melbourne. At 89 years of age, she is still tutoring at the University in her speciality field of mathematics, namely Statistics. Alison was recognised in this year's Queens Birthday Honours list with an Order of Australia. The Pearcey Foundation honours Ms Harcourt for a lifelong commitment to mathematics.

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May 15, 2019

Pearcey Institute submission to Australia's AI Ethics Consultation

The Pearcey Institute submitted feedback to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science public consultation on Artificial Intelligence: Australia's Ethics Framework discussion paper released in April 2019.

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Mar 5, 2019

2019 Dr Trevor Pearcey Centenary

This special event held at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub commemorated Dr Trevor Pearcey and his work. The program featured eminent speakers and an audience of over 200 scientific, academic and industry leaders. Topics included historical computing, astronomy, radio physics, nanoscience and quantum computing.

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Jan 29, 2019

Vale Barry de Ferranti

One of Australia's great ICT pioneers Prof Barry de Ferranti passed away in late January 2019 at the age of 90. Barry had a great sustained involvement with Sydney University where he did his Science and Engineering Degrees (1946-50).

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Nov 1, 2018

2018 Pearcey Medal

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Nov 1, 2018

2018 Pearcey Entrpreneur Award

The 2018 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Tony Clark at the ACS 2018 Digital Disruptor Awards gala dinner on 1 November 2018 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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Nov 1, 2018

2018 Pearcey Hall of Fame

Dr Dennis Cooper, Emeritus Professor Robin Stanton, and Dr Reg Coutts were elevated to the Pearcey Hall of Fame at the ACS National Awards dinner in Melbourne on Thursday 1st November 2018 in front of over 800 people.

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Oct 10, 2018

2018 Qld Award

The 2018 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Peter Laurie at an ICT Awards night hosted by the Pearcey Foundation with the Queensland ACS and CICTA (Council of ICT Associations in Queensland).

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Oct 4, 2018

2018 TAS Award

The 2018 Tasmanian Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Dr Gary McDarby on Thursday 4 October at the Hobart Convention Centre. The award was presented by the Hon Michael Ferguson, Minister for Science and Technology as part of an ACS event that recognises the Tasmanian nominees for the ACS National Disruptor Awards.

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Sep 7, 2018

2018 Ballarat Heritage Event

The Pearcey Foundation held a special Heritage Event on Friday 7th September 2018 at Federation University in Ballarat. The event ran from 3pm - 5:30pm and was entitled Celebrating the Past; Informing the Present; Inspiring the Future.

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Sep 4, 2018

2018 ACT Award

Ken Kroeger, CEO of Seeing Machines, was presented the 2018 ACT Chief Minister's Pearcey Entrepreneur Award. The award was presented by ACT Chief Digital Officer Bettina Konti, representing the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, at ACS Canberra's 25^th Annual Conference on 4 September 2018.

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Aug 28, 2018

2018 Pearcey Day Heritage Panel

At the 2018 Pearcey Day, the Heritage session brought together representatives of major organisations, and individuals, concerned with preservation of our ICT heritage. The topic was: Current ICT Heritage Collections - Where they are, what they are and plans for the future?

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Aug 28, 2018

2018 Pearcey Oration

The 2018 Pearcey Oration was delivered by Mr Paul Shetler, a technologist and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience working on large projects in the technology industry and in guiding major government digital initiatives. The provocative talk was entitled "Be Bold Australia!".

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Aug 28, 2018

Colloquiums and Roundtables

As an independent organisation, the Pearcey Institute hosts colloquiums and roundtables of national importance around ICT and Australia's digital future.

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Aug 28, 2018

2018 Vic Award

The 2018 Victorian Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Bernie Tschirren and Michael Cameron on Tuesday 28th August at the Monash Chambers, Melbourne. The award was presented by Dr Amanda Caples, Chief Scientist, Victoria as part of a special Pearcey Day(PDF, 107 KB).

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Aug 28, 2018

2018 SA Award

The 2018 SA Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Tony Clark as part of the ACS Branch forum, on Tuesday 28th August 2018 at at SAHMRI, North Terrace in Adelaide. The award was presented by Professor Mike Miller (2017 Pearcey Medallist) who said "this award celebrates and honours a South Australian entrepreneur who has not only been innovative and creative, but also for achieving real long-term commercial success, both locally and globally".

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Aug 21, 2018

Vale John O'Neil

Our 2005 Pearcey Hall of Famer, John O'Neil AO, passed away on 21 August 2018 aged 83. John was best known for his work at Control Data and close working relationship with the late Trevor Robinson AM, our 1999 Pearcey Medallist. We send our condolences to John's wife Dr Jo O'Neil and their family.

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Aug 12, 2018

Vale Brenda Aynsley OAM

A very brave Australian stalwart of the ICT industry has left us. Brenda was a pioneer in promoting women in ICT by example. Based in Adelaide, she influenced our national and international reputation over a sustained lifetime of commitment including a two year role as President of the Australian Computer Society (2013-2015).

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Jul 27, 2018

2018 NSW Award

The 2018 NSW Pearcey awards was presented at a ceremony on November 1 at the NSW Startup Hub. Nick Molnar, co-founder and CEO of Afterpay was recognised as the 2018 NSW Tech Entrepreneur of the Year.

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Jul 11, 2018

Pearcey Institute Update July 2018

The Pearcey Institute was registered in April 2018 as a 'Company limited by Guarantee' and designated the Pearcey Institute Limited (PIL). Pearcey Institute Board members are as follows: Mr Denis Tebutt (Chairman), Prof. Leon Sterling, Mr Colin Farrelly, & Mr Wayne Fitzsimmons.

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Jun 15, 2018

2018 WA Award

Dr Mark Andrich was presented with the 2018 Pearcey WA Entrepreneur Award at the WAITTA Incite Awards held on in Perth on Friday 15th June 2018.

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Mar 3, 2018

Dr Mal Bryce Passes Away

Former WA deputy premier and 2012 Pearcey Medalist Mal Bryce has been remembered as "ahead of his time and a champion of innovation and technology" after the long-serving Labor stalwart died at the age of 74, on the 3rd March 2018.

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Dec 19, 2017

2017 Industry News

24 July 2017 - Steve Baxter set to be the next Queensland's chief entrepreneur (SmartCompany article)

4 July 2017 - US Award for Bill Caelli AO. Bill Caeli AO was awarded the Founders' Medal by the Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE). (ACS article)

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Nov 2, 2017

2017 Pearcey Entrepreneur Award

The 2017 Pearcey National Entrepreneur Award was presented to Cyan & Collis Ta'eed at the ACS 2017 Digital Disruptor Awards gala dinner on 2 November 2017 at Sydney's Star Ballroom in Pyrmont. The Award was presented by Dr Mary O'Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, and also the 2014 Pearcey Medallist.

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Nov 2, 2017

2017 Pearcey Hall of Fame

At a gala dinner held on Thursday 2 November, 2017 at Sydney's Star in Pyrmont, Emeritus Professor Mike Miller AO, Senator (retired) Kate Lundy and Helen Meredith were inducted into the Pearcey Hall of Fame.

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Nov 2, 2017

2017 Pearcey Medal

At a gala dinner held on Thursday 2 November 2017 at Sydney's Star Pyrmont NSW, Emeritus Professor Mike Miller AO was presented the 2017 Pearcey Medal by Dr Tim Wark, Director of Product, Programs & Marketing of Data61 at CSIRO.

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Nov 2, 2017

Australian Entrepreneurs Recognised At 2017 Pearcey Awards

Press Release - Kate Lundy, Helen Meredith, Dr Mike Miller and Collis and Cyan Ta'eed recognised at the National Pearcey Foundation Awards

Sydney, Australia - 2 November 2017 - The Pearcey Foundation today announced its National Entrepreneur of the Year, Hall of Fame inductees and Pearcey Medal winner. The winners were presented as part of the ACS National Digital Disruptor Awards and Reimagination event held in Sydney on Thursday, 2 November 2017.

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Oct 24, 2017

2017 NSW Award

The 2017 NSW Pearcey Tech Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Airtasker co-founders Tim Fung and Jonathan Lui. Several other Awards were presented in a packed PowerHouse Museum on Tuesday October 24. The Pearcey award was presented by Chairman of Jobs for NSW and Chair of CSIRO David Thodey.

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Oct 4, 2017

2017 Qld Award

The 2017 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Jenine Beekhuyzen OAM at an ICT Awards night hosted by the Pearcey Foundation with the Queensland ACS and CICTA (Council of ICT Associations in Queensland).

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Sep 20, 2017

2017 SA Award

The 2017 SA Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Geoff Rohrsheim as part of the ACS Leaders Lunch on Wednesday 20th September 2017.

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Aug 28, 2017

2017 A3.0 Roundtable

On Monday 28 August 2017, the Pearcey Foundation hosted a deep dive panel discussion "The Lucky Country Disrupted: Innovation, Collaboration and Competition in a 21^st Century Australia". The event was part of the Vic Government Digital Innovation Festival and was held at the Hub in Melbourne.

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Aug 28, 2017

2017 Pearcey Oration

The 2017 Pearcey Oration was delivered by Ms Jo Burston, founder and CEO of Job Capital, co-founder and director of Phronesis.Academy and founder of the entrepreneurial movement Inspiring Rare Birds. The Oration was given in the evening of Monday 28 August 2017, at The Hub in Bourke Street, Melbourne as part of Vic Government's Digital Innovation Festival.

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Awards

The Pearcey Foundation's annual awards recognise and celebrate outstanding individuals in Australian ICT.

National Awards • State Awards • Nominations

The Heritage Project

The Pearcey Foundation intends to extend the Heritage Project well beyond Phase One (the book) – with the aim to become ‘the’ central repository – hosting a ‘virtual museum’ of Australia’s computing artefacts, documents and oral histories from key players.

The Project

Kind Words

Australians have all too often seen themselves as observers rather than participants in the digital revolution, but that does not do justice to our history. The Pearcey Foundation plays a very important role in highlighting the real contributions Australians have made in the past, and in so doing will help inspire the next generation of Australian digital innovators.

Charlie Day
Former CEO, Innovation and Science Australia

The Pearcey Foundation’s project to document Australia’s achievements in the computer age is a critically important endeavour. A central repository, that documents the central role of our universities and CSIRO and the individual contributions of academics and entrepreneurs, will be an essential resource for future policy makers and for students, research workers and entrepreneurs.

Alex Zelinsky AO
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Newcastle

Australians are a nation of storytellers. Stories make us laugh and they make us cry, they remind us who we are and they inspire us, and let us celebrate our successes and failures. Australia has much to celebrate when it comes to the digital age, from pioneering work in computer science through to innovative cloud services. The Pearcey Foundation Heritage Project will be an inspiration to future generations of Australians.

Founder
Australian Ocean Lab and Former Engineering Director, Google Australia

Initiatives

The Pearcey Foundation is actively involved in many initiatives to help promote and accelerate the Australian ICT industry.

Thought Leadership • Australia 3.0 • Australia 4.0 • ICT Heritage • Pearcey Institute

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In memory of

Dr Trevor Pearcey

The Pearcey Foundation Inc. was established in 1998 to raise the profile of the Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry and profession. It was created in the memory of one of the greatest pioneers of the Australian ICT industry, Dr Trevor Pearcey.