RAAF Proficiency and Leadership Awards
RAAF Proficiency and Leadership Awards
The Royal Australian Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards not only celebrate the achievements of those Airmen and units who excel and inspire, but also the unique local solutions which make what we do possible. They also reward new ideas and innovative approaches that enhance the delivery of air power for Australia. The Awards are presented each year for performance and achievement in the previous year.
The awards operate in two categories – individual and unit. The awards are the Chief of Air Force’s medium to recognise, reward and promote all those personnel and units who challenge us to enhance our own contribution towards creating a better Air Force. The awards are also an important component of Air Force’s partnership with industry.
The Award winners are announced each year on the Air Force Birthday – 31st March. Awards are formally presented at a gala dinner held in May each year.
The Awards
Air Force APS Team Member of the Year Award (Australian Public Service)
The Air Force Australian Public Service Team Member of the Year Award recognises the APS employee who exemplifies both the APS and Air Force Values, and acknowledges an outstanding contribution to the Air Force team. The award recipient shall have enhanced the delivery of air power to the Australian Government and played a pivotal role in fostering the reputation of Air Force in both the Defence and wider communities. The winner is also eligible for the award of a Chief of Air Force Commendation.
The Award will be introduced in 2010
Air Vice-Marshal B.A. Eaton Award (Airman of the year)
The Air Vice-Marshal B.A. Eaton ‘Airman of the Year’ Award was introduced in 1996, to recognise the calibre of the airmen and airwomen serving in the RAAF and to acknowledge the significant contribution to both the Service and the community made by them. AVM Eaton CB, CBE, DSO and Bar, DFC, American Silver Star, served in the Air Force for almost 40 years from 1935 to 1974 and enjoyed a varied and distinguished career. This award is open to all serving enlisted airmen of the rank of Corporal and below and the prize is a hardbound book on an aviation related subject which has been made possible through the generous donation by Mrs J. Eaton, widow of AVM B.A. Eaton. The winner is also eligible for the award of a Chief of Air Force Commendation.
2008 Recipient: Corporal Teresa Hayne, No 75 Squadron
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Dietz Memorial Quality and Achievement Medallion (Logistics support - military and civilian)
The maintenance of Air Force operational capability relies upon high quality logistics support. Providing this support involves a wide range of closely coordinated activities which are performed by Air Force and civilian personnel. Recognising the importance of the quality of logistics support in the Air Force and emphasising the joint responsibility of military and civilian personnel in achieving it, an annual award to one military and one civilian was instituted in 1985 to recognise outstanding achievements in, and contributions to, the quality of logistics support to Air Force capability.
2008 Military: Sergeant Victoria Thornton-McCulloch, C-17A Logistics Management Unit
2008 Civilian: No award made in 2009
Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year Award (Officer)
In 2009 the Chief of Air Force approved the introduction of the Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year Award. The award highlights the unquestionable importance of training and education to the Air Force and to formally recognise commissioned officers who excel in this field. The instructional role is not an easy one. Whether the training involves flying skills, trade skills, management and leadership skills, or basic military skills, the respective instructor is required to demonstrate exceptional levels of professional knowledge, dedication to the job, an ability to communicate and motivate, and personal standards of the highest order. The award is a perpetual trophy to be held by the member’s unit for one calendar year and a small replica provided for retention by the recipient. A Chief of Air Force Commendation is also awarded to the recipient.
Award to be introduced in 2010
Her Majesty The Queen’s Gold Medal (Most outstanding officer graduate)
Her Majesty the Queen’s Gold Medal is a non-monetary prize awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, to the most outstanding officer trainee from the Officers’ Training School or Australian Defence Force Academy to recognise exemplary conduct and outstanding performance of duty and influence on fellow officers.
2008 Recipient: Flying Officer Sarah Johnson
J.R. Bartram and R.A. Kee Sword of Honour (Most outstanding RAAFSST graduate)
Group Captain Bartram was CO RAAFSST from Jan 78 to Jan 80, and was the first ex apprentice to be CO of RAAFSST. Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Kee was CO RAAFSST from Jan 81 to Jan 83, and was the first apprentice to be promoted to Air Commodore. The sword was presented to RAAFSST in 1984, and was awarded to the top technologist apprentice each year at RAAFSST. The original award ceased being presented when the technologist apprentice scheme finished in the late 1980’s. The award was reinstated in 2005 to recognise the best technical graduate of the year from RAAFSST. The award is a non-monetary prize, with the winner of the sword being selected by CO RAAFSST from graduates of RAAFSST in recognition of meritorious performance while undergoing training.
2008 Recipient: Aircraftman Robert Pryce
Lipshut Family Bursary (Junior airman bursary)
Mr Sonnie Lipshut established the Bursary in 2000 to provide an educational fund to enable an outstanding enlisted airmen of the rank of CPL and below to undertake full-time tertiary studies with a view to commissioning, but who might otherwise lack the opportunity to do so.
2008 Recipient: Corporal Peter Oslear, No 37 Squadron
McCarthy Rowbottom Jones Memorial Award (Outstanding contribution to ADF health)
The McCarthy Rowbottom Jones Memorial Award was introduced in 2007 to recognise outstanding contributions to ADF operational health support by Air Force health personnel, whose actions exemplify the Health Services Wing motto Compassion, Skill and Courage. The award is named in honour of SQNLDR Paul McCarthy, FLTLT Lynne Rowbottom and SGT Wendy Jones who were tragically killed in the Sea King helicopter accident on the island of Nias (Indonesia) on 02 APR 05.
2008 Recipient: Sergeant Kerry Sears, No 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron
Squadron Leader W.T. Riggs Trophy (Photograph of the year)
The SQNLDR W.T. Riggs Trophy was presented by SQNLDR Riggs in 1973 for the best official photograph of the year taken by a member of the Air Force photographic mustering. With the advent of digital technology, and subsequent down-sizing of the Air Force photographer mustering, the Riggs Trophy was reinstated in 2006 and is now open to all Air Force members.
2008 Recipient: Leading Aircraftman Christopher Dickson, 1 Joint Public Affairs Unit
Thales Australia Leadership Sword (Most outstanding leadership student at OTS)
The Thales Australia Leadership Sword is presented on an annual basis to the Officers' Training School (OTS) graduate who has demonstrated the most outstanding leadership attributes and associated officer qualities while undergoing the initial officer training course.
2008 Recipient: Flying Officer Sarah Johnson
Warrant Officer of the Air Force Instructor of the Year Award (Airman)
In 2009 the Chief of Air Force approved the introduction of the Warrant Officer of the Air Force Instructor of the Year Award. The award highlights the unquestionable importance of training and education to the Air Force and to formally recognise enlisted airmen who excel in this field. The instructional role is not an easy one. Whether the training involves flying skills, trade skills, management and leadership skills, or basic military skills, the respective instructor is required to demonstrate exceptional levels of professional knowledge, dedication to the job, an ability to communicate and motivate, and personal standards of the highest order. The award is a perpetual trophy to be held by the member’s unit for one calendar year and a small replica provided for retention by the recipient. A Chief of Air Force Commendation is also awarded to the recipient.
Award to be introduced in 2010
Air Force Association Trophy (Most proficient Reserve Training Wing squadron)
The Air Force Association Trophy was presented to the RAAF by the Air Force Association and recognises the most proficient Air Force Reserve Training Wing squadron during a calendar year.
2008 Recipient: No 25 (City of Perth) Squadron
Duke of Gloucester Cup (Most proficient flying squadron)
The Duke of Gloucester offered the cup in 1946 to recognise the most proficient flying squadron during a calendar year.
2008 Recipient: No 75 Squadron
Hawker Siddeley Trophy (Most proficient RAAF Base)
The Hawker Siddeley Trophy was presented to the Air Force in 1971 to mark the 50th Anniversary of, and to commemorate the close association of the Hawker de Havilland organisation with the Air Force. The trophy is awarded to the most proficient RAAF base over a calendar year.
2008 Recipient: RAAF Base Edinburgh
Markowski Cup (Most proficient unit not eligible for other awards)
The Markowski Cup was donated by Mrs Mary Markowski in memory of her late husband, Squadron Leader Thomas Jerzy Markowski. SQNLDR Markowski’s career was extremely diverse and his distinguished and highly decorated wartime service was deemed as worthy of recognition by the incorporation of the Markowski Cup as one of the RAAF Proficiency and Leadership Awards.
2008 Recipient: No 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron
RAAF Maintenance Trophy (Engineering and technical excellence)
The Fighter Squadrons Branch of the Air Force Association presented the RAAF Maintenance Trophy in 1982. This trophy is awarded to the most proficient Air Force maintenance unit in recognition of that unit’s engineering and technical excellence and for the contribution made by all members of the unit towards the successful completion of allocated tasks.
2008 Recipient: Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office
Stonehaven Trophy (Most proficient training establishment)
The Stonehaven Trophy was originally presented by His Excellency, Lord Stonehaven, Governor-General of Australia, for annual competition by squadrons of the RAAF. The Stonehaven Trophy was reinstated in 2006 and is to be awarded to the most proficient training unit over a calendar year.
2008 Recipient: No 285 Squadron
