Nominations Open Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence 2024

Dear Members

In partnership with GHD and in continued memory of Damien Morris, ACLCA is proud to announce to its members the 4th year of Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence. The initial introduction of this annual award acknowledges the legacy of Damien’s incredible contribution to the contaminated land industry in Queensland.

For the many friends, colleagues and industry peers who worked with Damien, since his passing in August 2020, his absence has left a lasting void. Damien’s contribution to our contaminated land industry and the indelible pragmatism he brought to his roles and projects, set the tone for technical excellence.

The legacy of Damien’s excellence resonates through our industry as well as through those that he has mentored over the years and worked alongside as an auditor and peer. Through the tireless contribution of his personal time in his capacity as ACLCA Queensland Branch President between 2015-2018, and subsequently on the ACLCA Auditor Subcommittee between 2018 to 2020, Damien’s efforts steered the industry and the regulators through the NEPM transition and cemented the formalisation of the Contaminated Land Auditor role in Queensland as we know it today.

It is this commitment and investment in the industry that Damien loved so much and the support and guidance that he so willingly gave to the people who he worked with, that has led to the establishment of the Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence, to recognise the upcoming talent within the contaminated land industry in Queensland.

  • Jackson Skopp (GHD) 2021 Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence.
  • Allana Ralph (PSK Environmental) 2022 Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence.  
  • Tara Macdougall (Aurecon) 2023 Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence. 

Through finding solutions to the world’s contamination problems one project at a time, investment of time and effort in developing this talent and challenging the regulatory environment within which we operate, we hope the award will be a continuing recognition of the legacy of Damien’s contribution, to support the growth of talented and pragmatic contaminated land professionals into the future.

ACLCA Executive Committee and Early Career Professionals Sub-committee strongly encourage all member companies to submit at least one application to be considered for the Damien Morris Award for Industry Excellence.

This is an opportunity for company principals to call attention to the fantastic ECPs within your organisation.

The Criteria

To honour Damien Morris’ legacy, the Award will go to the applicant who meets the following criteria, based on contributions over the last 2 years. (QLD Judging criteria Damien Morris Excellence Award Scoring 2024)

It is an essential requirement to submit with the Nomination template. QLD-template Damien Morris Excellence Award – Nomination Form –

  • Early Career Professional (7 years or less experience in CLM industry).
  • Demonstrated enthusiasm for Contaminated Land Management Industry and seeks to enhance professional development shown through engagement in industry and ACLCA events
  • Contribution to ACLCA, such as taking opportunities to present ideas, contaminated land content and share experience with peers.
  • Exceptional work ethic and quality in delivery within their professional role as verified by references. Demonstrated examples must be provided.

If you know a professional who would be a worthy recipient of this award, please submit a nomination via email at qld@aclca.com.au with a clear explanation of how they have demonstrated each of the above criteria.

Nominations for the Award will close at 5 pm on Friday 22nd November 2024. Applications will be reviewed by ACLCA Auditor Subcommittee Representatives, ACLCA Executive Committee Representatives, GHD Representative and Volunteer Company Member

The Award

  1. To recognise, encourage and support continued participation and professional growth in our industry, the recipient of the Award will receive: Attendance at ACLCA hosted events (including continuing professional development (CPD) modules, bimonthly networking meetings, ECP events, and other ACLCA hosted networking events)
  2. Attendance at a CLM industry related conference of choice (conference ticket, travel and accommodation covered up to the value of $1,500).

To celebrate Damien’s professional and personal warmth and fun-loving personality, you will also receive the prestigious ‘Hawaiian Shirt of Excellence’ to truly be recognised.

The recipient will be presented with the Damien Morris Annual ECP Award at the ACLCA Holiday party on Thursday 5th December 2024, where all attendees will be encouraged to wear their most fun Hawaiian shirt in honour of Damien.