2026 Award Winners

Dr Steve Cummings

Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Dr Cummings has been a pioneer in sustainable design and bathroom solutions, helping shape Australia's approach to plumbing, water efficiency and accessibility standards.

As Chair of several technical committees, including WS‑003, Sanitary Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings; WS‑032, Water Efficient Appliances; and WS‑038, Water Efficient Showers, he has been instrumental in advancing standards towards a more sustainable, performance‑based framework.  

He led groundbreaking work that ensured water-saving shower technology delivered both sustainability and consumer comfort. Under his leadership, Australia became the first country to develop objective methods for testing shower comfort, an innovation that has since influenced international standards.

A cornerstone of Dr Cummings’ contribution is his leadership in developing standards underpinning the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme, the world’s first fully national water efficiency rating system. He then led the international adoption of this work, chairing ISO/PC 316, which used the Australian Standard as the foundation for ISO 31600.

His collaborative leadership has had a profound and enduring impact across industry, regulation and the everyday lives of millions of Australians.

Professor Graham Morrison

For almost 50 years, Professor Morrison has been a leading contributor in development and performance rating of solar and heat pump water heaters, as well as solar heating system for swimming pools. As a long-standing member of Technical Committee CS-028, Solar Heating and Cooling, he played a pivotal role as lead author of key standards covering the lifecycle of solar and heat pump water heating systems.

Professor Morrison developed computational simulation packages to quantify the energy consumption of water heating, and in turn, the energy and greenhouse gas emissions savings delivered by emerging solar water heater technologies. His research and simulation tools have underpinned the performance assessment of more than 1.8 million solar water heaters and heat pumps installed across Australia since 2000, helping reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

He also made a significant contribution to international standards. His expertise, innovation and decades of commitment have left a legacy in Australian standards development.

Dr Annette Hoskin

Dr Annette Hoskin is recognised for her exceptional leadership and sustained influence in international standards development, particularly in eye protection for sports and occupational applications, ophthalmic optics, and consumer health technologies. Through senior leadership roles within ISO, IEC, CEN, ASTM, and Standards Australia, she has strengthened alignment between Australian and international standards while driving global collaboration and the development of new standards.

As Chair of ISO/TC 94, Personal Safety – Personal Protective Equipment; ISO/TC 94/SC 6/WG 4, Eye and Face Protection; ISO/TC 172, AR/VR Advisory Working Group; and as Australia's Head of Delegation to ISO/TC 172/SC 7, Ophthalmic Optics and Instruments, Dr Hoskin has helped develop standards covering protective eyewear, sports eye protection, AR/VR optical safety, contact lenses, and ophthalmic instrumentation.

Through strategic leadership, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement, Dr Hoskin has supported the development, revision, and implementation of standards that enable innovation and improve market access, benefiting industry, practitioners, and consumers worldwide.

Norm Winn

Norm Winn has dedicated more than 50 years to Australia's building fire safety industry, making a lasting contribution to emergency management and public safety. As Chair of Technical Committee FP-017, Emergency Management Planning – Facilities, for almost 30 years, Norm has played a pivotal role in shaping the emergency planning standards relied on across Australia today.

Under his leadership, AS 3745, Planning for emergencies in facilities, has become the benchmark for workplace emergency planning across the country, including the nationally adopted approach to responding to bomb threats.

His commitment to maintaining a practical, high-quality standard has ensured it remains relevant and effective. Norm also championed the alignment of AS 3745 with AS 4083, Planning for emergencies – Health Care facilities, creating greater consistency across emergency planning standards.

Through his steady leadership, technical expertise and unwavering dedication, Norm has made a profound and enduring contribution to Australia's emergency preparedness and the safety of countless communities.

Kristen Morris

Kristen Morris is a Chartered Engineer with extensive experience across assistive technology, disability and public health. Throughout her career, she has made a significant contribution to the delivery of assistive technology services and to improving outcomes for people with a disability in Australia.  

As Chair of ME-067, Assistive Technology, since 2016, Kristen has led work to improve the safety, performance and reliability of assistive technologies. She has strengthened committee representation, encouraged greater collaboration with international experts and championed standards that enhance accessibility and support the integration of assistive technology into everyday products and services.

This work helps ensure Australian Standards align globally and support the efficient import and export of assistive products, benefiting consumers, suppliers and manufacturers alike.  

Her leadership is helping ensure Australian Standards continue to meet the changing needs of people living with disability.

PC-007, Bromoform Feed Quality

Technical Committee PC-007, Bromoform Feed Quality, was responsible for the development of AS 5404, the world's first standard for natural bromoform feed additives derived from Asparagopsis seaweed – a sustainable feed additive for livestock.  

The standard was also among the first to be delivered in a fast-tracked alternative pathway, representing a step change in how standards can accelerate innovation and deliver tangible benefits to the community and global environment.  

The need for AS 5404 was both urgent and clear: livestock contributes about 10% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific research has consistently shown that Asparagopsis seaweed, through its natural bromoform content, can reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 90% when used correctly as a feed additive.  

Already submitted to ISO as a new work item, this standard demonstrates how innovation in standards can deliver benefits both nationally and globally, exemplifying the very essence of this award.  

SF-010, Occupational Respiratory Protection

Technical Committee SF‑010, Occupational Respiratory Protection, is responsible for standards development in the field of occupational respiratory protection. The committee’s scope covers required testing procedures and guidance for selection, use, and maintenance of respiratory equipment in accordance with government policy.  

SF‑010 is currently leading a key transition to a comprehensive ISO‑aligned respiratory protection framework, including technically detailed requirements covering performance, testing and human factors. By 2030, Australia and New Zealand will be among the first countries to adopt a suite of 30 respiratory protection standards that will replace two existing Australian standards. The newly adopted ISO standards have a much clearer and specific focus on what the user of the product needs in terms of performance.  

The committee has taken a systems‑based approach to risk mitigation in high‑hazard workplaces, supporting safer product conformity and clearer regulatory alignment across multiple industries.  

This achievement reflects the committee's technical excellence and strong collaborative approach.

Energy Safe Victoria

Energy Safe Victoria is Victoria’s independent energy safety regulator, promoting and enforcing compliance with the State's legislative framework and to protecting community safety and the environment across electricity, gas, pipelines, electrical equipment and emerging energy technologies.

Energy Safe's representatives contribute their expertise across more than 35 committees, along with involvement in working groups, sub committees, and ISO/IEC committees. This commitment is also underpinned by long-serving technical experts, some of whom have volunteered at Standards Australia for over 20 years. This depth of experience provides continuity, practical regulatory judgement and historical context, helping ensure standards remain grounded in real-world safety risks, compliance experience and regulatory expectations.  

This participation also supports appropriate harmonisation with national and international standards, covering areas from electrical safety and renewable energy to gas infrastructure and electric vehicles.  

Energy Safe's contribution continues to strengthen standards that protect industry, workers and the wider community.