Call for 2027 award nominations
Nominations are now open for the prestigious GMC Manufacturing Excellence Awards!
This is your opportunity to showcase your team’s hard work, celebrate groundbreaking innovation, and stand out as a leader in our region’s vibrant manufacturing sector.
🏆 Key Dates to Remember
- Nominations Close: 30 November 2026
- Awards Presentation and Celebration Dinner: 25 February 2027
🌟 Why Nominate?
- Simple and fast to nominate: It only takes a few minutes to submit your nomination.
- Gain Recognition: Raise your profile across the region and the broader manufacturing industry.
- Celebrate Success: Acknowledge the dedication and resilience of your team.
- Inspire Others: Share your success story to help drive excellence across the regional supply chain.
A small number of sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2027 Manufacturing Excellence Celebration and Awards Dinner, held as part of the Australian International Airshow, on 25 February 2027. Contact Alex Boyle for more information.
NOMINATE your company in the following 2027 Manufacturing Award categories:
Manufacturing Excellence Award
Awarded to a manufacturing organisation that has demonstrated outstanding achievements in manufacturing, in continuous improvement, in employee and workforce development, in business growth, as well as overall contribution and leadership in manufacturing across our region.
Nominate for Manufacturing Excellence Award now
Sustainability Excellence Award
For demonstrating pioneering sustainable manufacturing practices that deliver significant impact.
Nominate for Sustainability Excellence Award now
Innovation Excellence Award
For distinguished contribution to innovative manufacturing in Geelong, the region and more broadly.
Nominate for Innovation Excellence Award now
Export Excellence Award
Recognises a manufacturer that has achieved outstanding success in developing international markets and growing exports while strengthening the reputation of Geelong and regional manufacturing on the global stage.
Nominate for Export Excellence Award now
Manufacturing Services Excellence Award
For distinguished contribution to manufacturing through the delivery of specialist services, expertise and solutions that enhance the productivity, competitiveness and growth of manufacturers across Geelong and the region.
Eligible Organisations for the Manufacturing Services Award include: Engineering and technical service providers; Logistics and transport companies; Freight forwarding and customs specialists; Industrial maintenance providers; Environmental and sustainability consultants; Workplace health and safety specialists; Finance, banking and insurance providers; Digital technology and Industry 4.0 providers; Workforce recruitment and training organisations; Professional services firms supporting manufacturers.
Nominate for Manufacturing Services Award now
2025 Manufacturing Excellence Awards & Celebration Dinner
More than 200 people packed the Avalon Airport’s International Terminal last week to celebrate our local manufacturers, as part of the 2025 Avalon International Airshow.
The GMC Manufacturing Celebration and Awards event is our region’s largest dedicated celebration of manufacturing and featured local industry and community leaders, representatives from defence and all levels of government.
One of Geelong’s oldest manufacturing companies, Godfrey Hirst – which celebrates 160 years of continuous manufacturing this year – won both the Sustainability Excellence and overall Manufacturing Excellence awards. Austeng, a visionary local manufacturer and prototyping innovator, took out the Innovation Excellence Award.
GMC Deputy Chair Rob Backwell and CEO Jennifer Conley said the night was a fantastic way to recognise the contribution our manufacturers make to the broader community. “Greater Geelong is home to 9435 people currently employed in manufacturing,” they said. “And the sector continues to be the greatest contributor to gross regional product.”
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS AND FINALISTS
Huge congratulations to our award winners Godfrey Hirst, Austeng and Gforce, as well all our finalists including Farm Foods, Modularity by Rendine and SNF.
Manufacturing Community Award Winner
Sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong
Winner: Gforce
gforce CEO Keith Baillie with team members, Louise Goodwin, Greg Haynes and Steve Posterino
Innovation Excellence Award Winner
Sponsored by Deakin University
Finalists: Austeng, Modularity by Rendine, SNF Water Science
Winner: Austeng
Austeng team: Tim Cleary, Lyn George, Russell George, Brad Hutton
Sustainability Excellence Award Winner
Sponsored by Viva Energy
Finalists: Godfrey Hirst, Modularity by Rendine
Winner: Godfrey Hirst
Godfrey Hirst’s Lachlan McMurtie receives Sustainability award from Viva Energy Geelong Refinery head, Bill Patterson
Manufacturing Excellence Award
Sponsored by Hanwha Defence Australia
Finalists: Farm Foods, Godfrey Hirst, SNF Water Science
Winner: Godfrey Hirst
Godfrey Hirst General Manager, Jane Fletcher, receives Manufacturing Excellence award from Hanwha Defence Australia’s Acting MD, Dean Michie
EVENT GALLERY
