RFUANZ report: Gala Dinner and Industry Awards recap

RFUANZ is here to protect, promote and preserve the New Zealand radio spectrum for all users, and this also includes celebrating the industry’s incredible achievements!

Ngā Mihi to everyone that submitted a nomination for this year’s Industry Awards; without you the awards evening is not possible. A huge thanks is in order to all of our Partners and Members — RFUANZ would not be the same without your ongoing support and mahi. We are not slowing down, and knowing we are working with and for such a strong industry only pushes us further.

The Gala Dinner and Industry Awards evening continues to grow. In 2024 there were more nominations than previous years, 240 attendees and eight award winners! Such strong applications for the nominees caused a lot of healthy debate between our judges and resulted in two categories with joint winners.

The 2024 RFUANZ Industry Award winners are:

• Young Achiever — Cody Barriball (Outback Communications)
• Focus On Customer Service — Jerame Ashton (Mount Campbell Communications); Chris Grala (Dove Communications)
• Stand Out Performer — Kushla Sproull (Logic Wireless)
• Lifetime Service — Gamini (Sirilal) Mallawa-Arachchi (Retired NZ Police)
• Project Excellence — Outback Communications and Ashley Communications; Lloyd Wensley (Mount Campbell Communications)
• Advocate For Health & Safety — Scott McMillan (Hi-Tec Aerials)
   

Congratulations to all winners for 2024. It was such a close call between the nominees and we wish you all the very best for the year ahead.

There was a bittersweet ending to the evening as we said goodbye to both Debby Morgan (Treasurer/Secretary) and Desiré Morris (Events Coordinator). Debby leaves us after a decade on the committee; she has been paramount to the growth of RFUANZ and her expertise is second to none. We wish you both well with your upcoming adventures and your contributions will not be forgotten.

This year brings a new Chairman (Soren Low), a new Vice-Chairman (Justin Wonderlick) and a committee of nine. Your committee for 2024–2025 is:

• Soren Low — Chairman
• Justin Wonderlick — Vice-Chairman
• Mike Head — Treasurer
• Trinity Matika — Secretary
• Carl Garner
• Corey Weir
• Daniel Miller
• David Johnston
• Lorna Goulding
   

Annalise Mokalei-Smith is our new Events Coordinator.

There is a contact button on our website where you can leave any questions, concerns or feedback; as always, we implore you to reach out to any one of us!