NYPN Excellence Awards 2025
Join the young professional community as they celebrate people achieving excellence in their chosen professions across Northern Tasmania. The Awards are an opportunity to recognise the contributions that individuals make to enhancing the core purpose of the Northern Young Professional Network to lead and develop Northern Tasmania to be an environment in which the careers and ideas of young professionals thrive.
Award Categories by Nomination
The NYPN Awards encourage nominations for the following four categories.
Young Corporate of the Year
The Young Corporate of the Year demonstrates growth and achievement within their company or industry. The nominee champions a culture of excellence and adaptability, delivering outstanding results and contributing to organisational success. They may have led significant projects, demonstrated significant achievement, improved business outcomes, or shown remarkable career progression while upholding the high ethical standards.
Young Creative of the Year
The Young Creative of the Year is a visionary creative talent who innovates and has redefined what’s possible in their field. They’ve delivered outstanding contributions, perhaps through arts, design, media, writing, technology or strategy. They’ve showcased originality, artistic, strategic or technical skills, sparking conversations and inspiring change. Their work leaves a lasting impact within their industry, company, or community. They demonstrate a commitment to advancement and innovation, whatever their field.
Young Service Talent of the Year
The Young Service Talent of the Year is a edicated professional who excels in a service-oriented role, elevating the customer experience by exceeding expectations, and delivering outstanding care. They are empathetic and responsive, building strong relationships that foster loyalty and satisfaction. They demonstrate commitment, resilience and dedication, driving their success and reputation within their industry.
Young Community Leader of the Year
The Young Community Leader of the Year is a dynamic leader, who creates meaningful change and fosters belonging. They demonstrate outstanding leadership and impact, by building strong connections and enabling others within the community. With a focus on collaboration and empowerment, they inspire others to engage and contribute, making a lasting impact to individuals, industries and communities.
AWARD FINALISTS
Young Corporate of the Year
Matthew Ciezki (Bank of Us)
Lara Gebka (AXIA Recruitment)
Jasmyn Smith (All on Electrical / GO Company)
Young Creative of the Year
Logan DeRuyter-Barnett (Industrial Fire and Electrical / GO Company)
Zara Sullivan (Sawtooth ARI)
Anita Wheeler (Honey Fawn Bridal Boutique)
Young Service Talent of the Year
Daniel Britton (Boathouse Centre)
Matthew Knox (Negat-ve Distillery)
Madelaine McGill (Westpac)
Young Community Leader of the Year
Madi Biggelaar (Launceston Central)
Ariel Chanko (Relationships Australia, Tasmania)
Taihlaura Denman-Francis (Kingthing Marketing)
Catie Mulvaney (Howell Property / Launceston Women in Business)
Distinguished Awards by Selection
The NYPN Awards include three distinguished categories of awards that are not open for application, but are selected by specific processes.
Young Professional of the Year
The Young Professional of the Year recognises any individual who was nominated for any of the Award Categories by Nomination and has made a significant contribution to their chosen field with overall achievement in building a place where young professionals can grow, innovate, and thrive. The full selection panel convene on this award to crown one individual with the most distinguished annual award the NYPN offers.
NYPN Member of the Year
The NYPN Member of the Year is an engaged and passionate member who has significantly contributed to the organisation throughout the current year. Their active involvement and dedication exemplify the values of the NYPN community. This award, chosen by the President, honours their outstanding commitment and impact.
Life Member
In accordance with the NYPN Constitution, the Board of Directors have the power to bestow up to one Life Member per year. Section 2.2.3c defines life members as are individuals who have been determined by the Board to have made a substantial contribution to the purposes of the Association, and hold voting rights and membership in perpetuity. Only one Life Member may be granted in a calendar year.
Current life members include:
Rick Marton GAICD (2015)
Christopher Bryg (2016)
Derek La Marchant (2017)
Dr Joseph Crawford (2023)
Award Judges
Each Award by Nomination is judged by two Award Judges, with the Young Professional of the Year selected by the full panel drawing on the winners of each category.
Rick Marton GAICD is the Award Chairperson. Rick began Effective Naturally in 2009 (while running a successful events company), after he noticed that many exhibitors at a trade show didn’t know their core purpose or point of difference - two critical factors that underpin a high performing business and culture. Rick’s expertise in brand strategy, entrepreneurship and community engagement has been impactful in a range of community roles including as a Founding Director of Tourism Northern Tasmania, a lead campaigner on the Marriage Equality debate and the Event Director of the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
Naomi Walsh FCA is a senior finance and commercial experience in hospitality, tourism, construction, agribusiness and community sectors. Naomi’s commercial expertise includes finance, risk strategy, corporate governance, leadership, due diligence, legal and technology, successful large project delivery, strategy and culture in changing business environments. Naomi is Vice President of the Australia New Zealand Chartered Accountants, and serves on numerous not-for-profit and Government boards.
Ben Marquis was President of NYPN between 2015 and 2017, and specialises in developing creative solutions to complex or sensitive matters relating to industry and economic development. He is trusted by a wide and varied network of influencers. He works directly with local businesses to support government development projects that have created 939 full time equivalent jobs, leveraged $29.8 million private investment and increased revenue by $139 million. Ben is a qualified Project Manager with postgraduate qualifications in Arts, majoring in Psychology and Political Science.
Belinda King is a media and communications professional and broadcaster, currently with ABC Local Radio, Northern Tasmania. Belinda has worked across Australia and has more than 25 years experience as a Broadcaster/Presenter, Emergency Broadcaster, Creative Writer/Producer, Media Liaison/Communications and Marketing/Promotions Manager roles. She is also a Founding Partner and President of Encore Theatre Company, and is a passionate voice and advocate for the arts. Belinda has also served on various boards and committees, including the Board of the ABC Giving Tree Charity and Launceston Benevolent Society.
Ben Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of The Project Lab, and a strategic business leader who works with organisations to identify opportunities, solve problems, develop teams and establish an environment for growth and success. As an MBA, a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into his role as Chief Growth Officer at The Project Lab, Tasmania’s most ambitious and purposeful management consultancy.
Mayor Matthew Garwood lives in the Northern Suburbs with his wife Michelle, daughter Billie and 3 pups, and was born and raised Launceston. With a heart for community and a passion for people, Matthew is heavily integrated into the Launceston municipality and after 8 years working in local radio with LAFM & CHILLI FM.
Category Panels
The Category Panelists are:
Young Corporate of the Year is chaired by Naomi Walsh and Ben Jones
Young Creative of the Year is chaired by Belinda King and Ben Marquis
Young Service Talent of the Year Ben Jones and Naomi Walsh
Young Community Leader of the Year is judged by Mayor Matthew Garwood and Ben Marquis
If a decision is not able to be made, the Award Chairperson will join the panel as a third judge.
How to Apply
For each Award Category by Nomination, applicants must outline why the nominee:
Exemplifies the award description for the category nominated, and
Demonstrates the NYPN values of networking, personal and professional growth, and enabling young people to be their best in Northern Tasmania.
Applications must not exceed two pages with font size no less than 10, and standard margins, and may include hyperlinks to work product examples. Applications must be accompanied by a CV of 1-2 pages. Applications must be emailed to nypntas@gmail.com before midnight on the application deadline.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Award Categories by Nomination, nominees must be:
Any individual aged between 18 and 40 years of age working in Northern Tasmania
Applicants do not need to be a member of NYPN to apply
Award sponsors and their employees may nominate, except in the category they are sponsoring
Life members and current board directors of the NYPN and award judges are not eligible to nominate
Awards Subcommittee of the NYPN Board
The Awards are organised by the Awards Subcommittee including David Kewley (Subcommittee Chairperson and NYPN Treasurer), Jessica Moran (NYPN Vice President), and Dr Joseph Crawford (life member).
Key Dates
Applications open 6 September 2024
Applications close 30 September 2024
Finalists announced 4 October 2024
Winners announced Live at the Awards Dinner, 18 October 2024