The Queensland Pearcey Award recognises an outstanding mid‑career ICT entrepreneur who has taken
a risk,
made a difference, and is
an inspiration
within Queensland’s technology community.
Nominations are now closed for the 2026 award, but nominations can be submitted at any time for 2027.
The 2026 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur will be announced on 6 October. They will then represent Queensland at the Pearcey National Awards in Canberra on 2 December.
TICKETS SALES NOW OPEN!
Pearcey CICTA Queensland Awards Dinner
Tuesday 6 October from 6:15pm
The Beetson Hotel, Caxton St, Petrie Terrace
Early Bird Tickets: $125pp or $1,125 for table of 10
Regular (from 8 September): $140 or $1,260 for table of 10
See Upcoming
Events
page for further details and tickets
The 2026 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award will be presented at the Pearcey CICTA Queensland Awards Dinner on Tuesday 6 October at The Beetson Hotel, Caxton St, Petrie Terrace. Hosted by Iyari Cevallos, the evening will also include the announcement of the CICTA Pearcey Rising Star Award with the Hon. Steve Minnikin, Minister for Customer Service and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business presenting. Starting with pre-dinner networking drinks and canapes at 6:15pm, then formal proceedings at 7:00pm, guests will enjoy a 3 course sit-down dinner, with drinks (wine, beer and softdrinks). Early bird ticket sales are now open at $125pp or $1,125 for a table of ten, increasing to regular pricing of $140 or $1,260 from 8 September.
DATE: Tuesday 6 October from 6:15pm
TIME: 6:15pm for a 7pm start
VENUE: The Beetson Hotel, 33 Caxton St, Petrie Terrace
Early Bird Tickets: $125pp or
$1,125 for table of 10
Regular (from 8 September): $140 or $1,260 for table of 10
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).
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).
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).
The 2016 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to Aaron Birkby. The Award was presented at the ACS Queensland 50th birthday celebration dinner on Monday 24 October at BCEC by the Hon Chris Whiting, State Member of Parliament for the Seat of Murrumba, just north of Brisbane.
he 2015 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Award was presented to prominent young Queensland businessman Wayne Gerard on Thursday, 25 June 2015 at the EDGE Auditorium, Queensland State Library. Wayne is a passionate digital entrepreneur and business leader in Queensland having been a founder of several companies including RedEye, Waterline Projects and SDG.
At a gala Queensland iAwards event held at the Brisbane convention Centre on 12 June, Senator Steven Conroy, Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy presented the 2013 Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year to Andrew Jessett, CEO and Founder of Mineware.
The 2012 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Neil Glentworth by Hon Ros Bates MP, Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA), at a gala dinner on 3d July held this evening at the Sebel Citigate as part of the 2012 iAwards program.
The 2011 Pearcey Queensland Entrepreneur Award was presented to Janine Garrett and Bevan Slattery by the Queensland Minister for ICT, The Honourable Simon Finn MP, and Ms Natalie MacDonald, Director General, Queensland Department of Public Works, at a gala dinner on 5th July held this evening at the Hilton Brisbane as part of the 2011 iAwards program.
Peter Ward, Founder and Chief Technical Architect of Wardy IT Solutions, was presented the 2010 Queensland Pearcey Award by Robert Schwarten MP, the Queensland Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology. This award recognises and celebrates the achievements of Australia's ICT and Digital Media entrepreneurs; Peter’s achievements were acknowledged at a gala dinner in Brisbane on 20th September as part of the 2010 World Computer Congress (WCC).
The 2009 Queensland Pearcey Award was presented to Mr Paul Gampe at a dinner on Wednesday 25 November 2009 at the Sebel & Citigate King George Square in Brisbane. The presentation was made by Mr Paul Russell, Director of Enabling Technologies at Queensland's Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Highly Commeneded Certifcates were also presented to Janine Garrett, Andrew Jessett and Andrew Eddie.
The 2008 Queensland Pearcey Award was won by Raeleen Gillett, CEO and Founder of Octahedron Pty Ltd. The presentation was made by Mr Tony Waters Deputy Director General of the Queensland Dept of Public Works at a gala dinner held on the 11th of November 2008 at the Sebel Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane. As Ms Gillett happened to be in New York city at the time, the presentation was made across a VOIP link involving Skype video.
At the annual Pearcey Foundation Awards event held this year in Brisbane on the 1st of November 2007, Ms Tammy Halter was awarded the 2007 Pearcey State Award from fellow finalists Kirsty Garrett and Joanne Jacobs. The award was presented by Mr Peter Grant, CIO, Queensland State Government.
The 2006 Queensland Pearcey Award has been won by Mr Brett Hooker, CEO of Sauce Software. The presentation was made on Thursday 2nd November 2006 at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Brisbane.
The co-founder of Brisbane company Sundata and chairman of Software Queensland, Kon Kakanis, has been named recipient of the 2005 Queensland Pearcey State Award.
Adrian Di Marco, founder and executive chairman of Technology One, one of Australia's largest publicly listed software companies, is this year's winner of the prestigious Queensland Pearcey Award.
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