AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession
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The AIPIO is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession. These prestigious awards aim to recognise individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and contributions to the intelligence profession in Australia.
We are seeking nominations across four categories:
The AIPIO “Intelligence Professional of the Year”
This award aims to recognise an individual who has made a significant and commendable contribution to the intelligence profession in Australia, specifically acknowledging an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, or other notable achievements within the intelligence profession.
AIPIO Emerging Intelligence Professional (EIP) Award
This award aims to recognise and celebrate excellence among emerging professionals across various intelligence sectors, acknowledging outstanding contributions over the preceding 12 months.
The AIPIO “Intelligence Group of the Year”
This award is designed to recognise a group that has demonstrated exceptional performance or innovation in the intelligence profession. It aims to acknowledge outstanding achievements, thought leadership, and the introduction of revolutionary practices within the intelligence profession.
The AIPIO “Intelligence Publication Award”
This award is designed to recognise excellence in research and writing on issues relevant to the intelligence profession in Australasia.
We encourage all intelligence professionals to participate in this esteemed recognition process. Nominations can be submitted by colleagues or supervisors, and self-nominations are also welcome. Finalists will be selected based on their outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession. The AIPIO Board will only issue awards where nominations are of the highest standard, and there will only be one award for each category.
Key Dates and for more Information
Nomination forms are to be submitted no later than 5.00pm AEST on 30 June 2025.
The AIPIO team will notify award recipients by 15 July 2025, and all awards will be presented at the AIPIO National Conference.
No serving AIPIO Board Member is eligible to receive an award.
For more information about the AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession,
please contact engagement@aipio.asn.au.
In addition to the specific category awards, AIPIO has two very special awards which are described below.
David Irvine Memorial Award
This award is dedicated to the memory of David Irvine AO FAIIA who was one of the giants of the intelligence and national security communities in Australia. He will be remembered for his keen intellect and being an outstanding public servant dedicated to making Australia safer.
The award is designed to recognise an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to the wider intelligence profession in Australia. The AIPIO will provide the recipient of the award with a $5000 grant which is to be used to encourage ongoing innovation and contribution to the intelligence profession.
The AIPIO Board will select the successful recipient and announce the award recipient at the AIPIO Annual National Conference.
President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution
The President’s Award acknowledges and appreciates an Intelligence Professional who has contributed beyond any reasonable expectation during their career in intelligence.
This Award is given solely at the discretion of the AIPIO President and may not always be issued annually.
2024 AIPIO Award Winners
David Irvine AO Memorial Award winner
Hayley Van Loon
The AIPIO Intelligence Professional of the Year
Rachael King
The AIPIO Emerging Intelligence Professional of the Year
Simeng Yuan
Highly Commended Emerging Intelligence Professional of the Year
Owain Holmes
The AIPIO Intelligence Group of the Year
Tactical and Operational Intelligence Section, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Finalists for the AIPIO Intelligence Group of the Year
• Criminal Groups Intelligence Unit / Raptor Intelligence Unit, NSW Police Force
• Intelligence Team, Royal Automobile Club of Queensland
Please help us honour and recognise the remarkable efforts of professionals in the intelligence field by submitting your nominations today. Together, let's celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in the intelligence profession.