Our Employee Rewards & Recognition program celebrates those who make a meaningful contribution to our business.
From demonstrating outstanding safety leadership and embodying our VAE values and Non-Negotiables, to reaching significant long-service milestones and showing what it means to truly Bleed Orange.
These awards recognise the dedication, achievements and commitment of our team members, and help us celebrate the people who help make VAE a great place to work! 💪🏆
September 2026
Marta Oliver was recognised as a Metropolitan Finalist in the Vocational Student of the Year category at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards. Her achievement reflects her commitment to continuous learning, professional growth and representing women in construction, while highlighting the value of vocational education as a pathway for ongoing career development.
September 2026
Andy Kerwin received the inaugural SRUP Site Safety Award in recognition of his commitment to maintaining high safety standards on site. His proactive approach and consistent demonstration of VAE’s safety values reflect the strong safety culture of the wider project team.
September 2026
VAE Financial Controller, Jemima Harbort, represented Australia at the IHF Nations Trophy – Oceania, where the team went undefeated across the tournament. Jemima was named MVP in Australia’s match against Tahiti and again in the final against New Caledonia, helping the team progress towards a potential pathway to the 2027 World Championships.
July 2025
Chris Balke was recognised with a safety award at the Griffith University Buildcorp site. His award followed a significant three-week shutdown period and acknowledged his contribution to the strong safety performance maintained by the project team.
June 2025
Ben Roberts received Buildcorp’s first safety award at VAE’s 50 Ann Street Project. In addition to contributing valuable trade skills, Ben played an important role in maintaining the site’s safety culture. He was recognised by both Buildcorp and the VAE team for leading by example and setting a high standard on site.
October 2025
Rylan was recognised with the AIRAH Rising Talent Award in October 2025. The award acknowledges his emerging contribution and potential within the HVAC industry.
May 2025
Edel Puno was recognised with the Leighs Construction “Good Bastards Award” while working on the Otago School of Medicine project in Christchurch. VAE acknowledged Edel’s efforts and contribution to the team while working in challenging conditions on a cold Christchurch site.
October 2025
Brenton was recognised as the winner of the Queensland Emerging Talent of the Year at the 2025 AIRAH QLD Member and Apprentice Awards. The award acknowledges his developing skills, contribution and future potential within the HVAC industry.
October 2025
Benn was named a finalist for Queensland Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 AIRAH QLD Member and Apprentice Awards. This recognition highlights his progress, commitment and contribution as an emerging HVAC professional.
March 2024
Cameron Ross received a Hutchinson Builders Site Safety Award on his first day as part of the VAE Cairns team. Working as a sheet metal worker on the Cairns MHU Project, Cameron was recognised for consistently working safely on site and taking a proactive role in toolbox talks. His recognition reflected the high standard of safety and teamwork he brought to the project.
July 2024
John Wilson was recognised during a VAE site visit at 205 North Quay in Brisbane as part of a group of employees receiving long-overdue awards. His recognition acknowledges his contribution to the project and the strong work being carried out by the North Quay site team.
July 2024
Paul Hart was recognised during a VAE site visit at 205 North Quay in Brisbane as part of a group of employees receiving long-overdue awards. Paul’s recognition reflects his contribution to the North Quay project and the work he and the site team were delivering.
July 2024
John Goodland was recognised during a VAE site visit at 205 North Quay in Brisbane as part of a group of employees receiving long-overdue awards. His award acknowledges his contribution to the project and his ongoing efforts as part of the North Quay team.
July 2024
Jason Neal was recognised during a VAE site visit at 205 North Quay in Brisbane as part of a group of employees receiving long-overdue awards. His recognition reflects his contribution to the project and the high standard of work being delivered by the North Quay team.
November 2024
Brock Hughes was recognised as a finalist in the 2024 TAFE Queensland Gold Coast Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year Award. TAFE Queensland reached out to VAE to support Brock at the awards event, providing an opportunity to celebrate his dedication, progress and commitment to developing his skills within the HVAC industry.
Since completing his apprenticeship, Brock has continued his career with VAE and is now employed as a Mechanical Service Technician.
June 2023
As a VAE Site Manager in New Zealand, Rick was recognised for his leadership in establishing strong safety systems within VAE’s prototype workshop. Following a workshop audit, Rick responded quickly to the identified issues, implemented improvements and communicated updated safety expectations to his team, including VAE’s Safety Non-Negotiables.
December 2023
As a Refrigeration Mechanic Apprentice at VAE Group, Josh Sagigi was recognised as the 2023 TAFE Apprentice of the Year in Cairns. His achievement reflects his dedication, positive attitude, exceptional performance and passion for developing his skills in the refrigeration trade.
Also nominated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trade Student of the Year, following recognition from his TAFE Queensland teacher, Josh’s success is a fantastic reflection of his commitment to his trade and the opportunities available through vocational education and training.
May 2022
As a VAE apprentice, Thomas was recognised with the Hutchies Safety Award for the way he conducted himself on site and his consistent 100% PPE compliance. His recognition reflected his professional attitude and commitment to safe work practices on the Thursday Island Health Facilities Upgrade Project.
June 2022
Jesse was recognised for demonstrating strong safety leadership in his own work and in the way he supported and guided his team. His award reflected his contribution to maintaining positive safety practices across the team.
January 2022
Dion was recognised with a VAE Safety Award for exemplifying high safety standards in housekeeping and PPE compliance while working on the Brisbane Lions Brighton Homes Arena project. His commitment to maintaining an organised, compliant and safe work environment reflected VAE’s Safety Non-Negotiable that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
December 2021
Asher Green was acknowledged for preparing VAE Group’s successful submission, which saw VAE named a Metropolitan Regional Finalist in the Large Employer of the Year category at the 2021 Queensland Training Awards.
May 2021
Alex was recognised by Cornerstone Infrastructure Partners during the May Reward and Recognition program on the Waikeria Prison Development Project for his commitment to safety and for displaying the HSE culture while working on the project.
December 2021
As a VAE Sheetmetal Worker, Ian Pleydell was recognised with the FKG Group Safety Award in December 2021 for leading by example when it came to safety while working on the Atherton Hospital Redevelopment project. Ian’s quiet and consistent approach reflected VAE’s commitment to making safety part of everyday work.
September 2020
VAE Site Manager, Andrew Wray, received the BADGE Air Services Australia Project Safety Award for his leadership and commitment to maintaining strong safety standards on the Air Traffic Service Centre project. His work helped establish a positive safety culture on site, supported proactive hazard management and reinforced the importance of safe work practices across the project team.
June 2020
As a VAE Electrical Foreman, Brent was recognised with the FKG Group Safety Award for his consistent all-round safety performance on the Cairns Base Hospital AHU Upgrade project. His recognition reflected the reliable and positive safety standards he demonstrated on site.
December 2020
VAE’s 4th year Refrigeration Mechanic Apprentice, Matthew Scott, was recognised as Cairns TAFE Qld’s Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year, at the Queensland Trade Excellence Awards.
He was nominated alongside 100+ other apprentices, making this a significant achievement!
November 2020
Gary was the inaugural winner of VAE’s internal Innovation Challenge, open to employees across Australia and New Zealand. He was recognised for developing an in-house Fire Penetration Application to support accurate fire barrier design, improve code compliance and reduce the risk and cost of installation errors. His innovation reflects the VAE values and non-negotiables of “Do it once, do it well” and “Every minute counts.”
November 2020
Gavin Newman was recognised as a runner-up in VAE’s 2020 Innovation Challenge for his contribution to innovation within VAE. The award reflects the organisation’s encouragement of practical ideas that improve business performance, project delivery and the employee experience.
November 2020
David Blanch was recognised as a runner-up in the VAE Innovation Challenge for contributing an idea that reflected VAE’s focus on practical improvement, innovation and smarter ways of working across the business.
November 2020
Brad Richards was recognised as a runner-up in VAE’s 2020 Innovation Challenge, acknowledging his contribution to developing ideas that could improve VAE’s business and operations. The specific innovation is not identified in the available award material.
November 2020
Robert Wenzel was recognised as a runner-up in VAE’s 2020 Innovation Challenge for contributing an idea to support positive change within VAE. The available award material does not provide further detail about the specific innovation.
February 2020
Gary was recognised for exceptional safety leadership and compliance while working in the Northern Territory.
Gary’s strong safety culture enabled his team to continue working productively on a $55 million project after other contractors were shut down by the NT Safety Regulator.
December 2020
As a member of VAE’s Townsville Service Team, Gary was recognised for his thoughtful and considered approach to health and safety. During his first week with VAE, he identified risks associated with a faulty condensate pump, poor-quality electrical wiring and unsafe ceiling access, then consulted with his manager and the HSEQ Team to develop an appropriate solution.
May 2019
Geoff was recognised for his proactive approach to identifying and eliminating a potential site hazard on the Lismore Base Hospital Redevelopment project. While unloading ductwork, he noticed exposed steel rods that posed a potential safety risk and took action to remove them, demonstrating strong safety awareness and leadership.
November 2019
Recognised by TAFE Queensland, Jeremy Jouen, VAE 3rd year Refrigeration and Air Conditioning apprentice, was awarded the Electrotechnology Excellence Award for Electrical Flexibility Delivery in 2019.
The award acknowledges his dedication, strong achievement and commitment to developing his technical skills through an accelerated refrigeration and air-conditioning training pathway. Jeremy had previously completed a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, demonstrating his drive to broaden his capabilities and continue progressing within the industry.
March 2019
Yau was recognised with the John Holland Safety Award in March 2019 for outstanding safety performance on the Lismore Base Hospital Stage 3B Project. He demonstrated a strong safety culture through excellent housekeeping, helping reduce trip hazards and access issues, while also supporting other workers on site. Yau was an employee of Advanced Insulation and Fabrication, a VAE subcontractor.
September 2019
As a VAE apprentice, Paige was recognised for her exceptional commitment to maintaining a safe, orderly and secure rooftop work area on the Lismore Base Hospital Project. Working near the rescue helicopter operational zone, Paige consistently demonstrated strong safety awareness and helped minimise housekeeping, access and operational risks.
September 2019
As a VAE Sheetmetal Worker, Dominic was recognised for his safety leadership and commitment to maintaining a safe rooftop work area on the Lismore Base Hospital Project. His leadership helped ensure the area remained orderly and secure while work was carried out near the rescue helicopter operational zone.
January 2018
Nano Wamba, a member of VAE’s Papua New Guinea team working on the APEC Haus project, was recognised by CPB for his excellent attitude towards safety and strong work ethic on site.
Nano’s positive approach and commitment to performing his work safely made a valuable contribution to the project team. In recognition of his efforts, he received an award certificate, 50 Kina and a solar-powered lamp.
October 2018
VAE Group received the Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO’s Award for Safety in recognition of its outstanding safety performance during the Domestic Terminal Building Air Handling Unit Upgrade. Project Manager James Szach was acknowledged for driving a proactive safety culture and helping site workers make workplace health and safety a personal commitment while working in a live airport environment.
November 2018
Nathan was nominated, and subsequently chosen, by the Health and Safety Committee for the monthly Project Safety Award in November. The nomination was due to Nathan’s outstanding management of the installation process for the riser steel platforms and ductwork.
Given the associated risks of falling from height and dropped objects, installation of the riser ductwork is often a challenging task. When preparing new work areas, Nathan, and his crews’ vigilance and attention to detail meant that the riser installation flowed smoothly, and the risks were mitigated successfully both for the crew performing the task and for the adjacent workers.
December 2018
Warwick was recognised for his outstanding commitment to workplace safety, consistently following all PPE and SWMS requirements without reminders. His example demonstrated a strong personal commitment to maintaining safe work practices on site.
October 2017
Jack Marshall was recognised with the Hutchinson Builders Site Safety Award in October 2017 for his commitment to safe work practices on the JCU Cairns construction project. His recognition reflects the positive safety standards and professional conduct he demonstrated while working on site.
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