The Asset Management Council was delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Asset Management Excellence Awards at Crown Perth on Tuesday 14 April.
These awards recognise excellence across the asset management profession and highlight the outstanding work being undertaken by organisations and individuals who are helping shape the future of asset management in Australia and beyond.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to prepare and submit an entry. Each submission represented a significant commitment, and together they showcased the breadth of innovation, leadership, and good practice happening across the sector.
2026 Excellence Award winners
Innovation
Road Efficiency Group Te Ringa Maimoa for the Consistent Condition Data Collection Project
Information Management
Monash University for the Asset Data Capture Project
Cost, Risk, Performance
TasWater for Sewer Regional Master Plans
Sustainability
Water Corporation for Embedding Sustainability into Water Corporation Asset Management Practices
Resilience
Essential Energy for Resilience at Scale: Transforming the Network Through Composite Pole Transition
Safety
Transgrid for Gorilla Robot Delivers Smarter and Safer Solutions
People Awards
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award recognises a young asset management professional who has made an outstanding contribution to the art and science of asset management and who is aligned with the Asset Management Council’s vision for using asset management to improve society and empower sustainable communities.
Congratulations to April Jewell.
April’s contribution to the profession has focused on connecting engineering practice, governance frameworks, and sustainability strategy, helping position asset management not only as a technical discipline, but as a strategic capability that supports better long-term decision-making, particularly within Australia’s evolving energy sector. Her commitment to responsible stewardship of critical assets, together with her support for the next generation of engineers and asset managers, makes her a very deserving recipient of this award.
Life Membership
This year, the Asset Management Council was proud to award Life Membership to two highly respected professionals in recognition of their long-standing and influential contribution to asset management and to the Council.
David Daines was recognised for more than 45 years of sustained contribution to asset management in Australia and internationally across marine engineering, mining, ports, rail, utilities, and public infrastructure. His leadership in industry, together with his extensive contribution to the Asset Management Council, certification, ISO 55001, GFMAM, education, mentoring, and auditing, has had a profound and lasting impact on the profession.
Mark Mackenzie was recognised for his sustained and influential contribution through leadership, education, professional service, and technical practice. His many years of service to industry, to the Asset Management Council, and to the development of asset management capability — including mentoring, assessments, training, conference contributions, and university teaching — have made a significant difference to the profession and the broader community.
MESA Medal
The MESA Medal is awarded to an individual who has personally contributed at the highest level to the advancement of the science and/or practice of asset management.
Congratulations to Ernst Krauss.
Ernst has made an exceptional contribution to asset management over more than 30 years through leadership, technical innovation, education, and service to the profession. His work across major infrastructure, mining, utilities, petrochemical, and energy projects in Australia and internationally, combined with his commitment to mentoring, training, and professional leadership, reflects both technical excellence and enduring influence.
Best Paper Award
The Best Paper Award recognises excellence in peer-reviewed conference papers.
Congratulations to Lalinda Karunaratne, winner of the 2026 Best Paper Award for the paper titled:
Data to Decisions: An integrated maintenance investment model for complex infrastructure networks.
Congratulations to all
Congratulations to all award winners and finalists, and thank you again to everyone who submitted an entry. Your work continues to strengthen the profession and demonstrate the value of asset management in delivering better outcomes for organisations, customers, and communities.
