The recipients of the awards were announced at the commencement of business sessions, following a welcoming address from APIA President Mark Harper and a discussion from Stuart MLA Karl Hampton about the development of pipeline and gas projects in the Northern Territory.

APIA’s 2006 Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Pipeline Industry Award was awarded to Worley Parsons Services’ Principal Pipeline Consultant, Bruce Andrews. In a career spanning 30 years in the energy and pipeline industry, Mr Andrews has held several senior management positions in energy development, transmission and project management, both in Australia and overseas, and is a past APIA President and Vice President.

“In the early days of his APIA experience, Bruce spent several long nights each week dealing with the day-to-day running of the Association and, through his leadership, setting a strong foundation for the APIA to get to where it is today,” Mr Harper said.

“This award is fitting recognition for a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian pipeline industry over a significant period of time,” he said.

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Accepting the award, Mr Andrews said he was honoured to be in the company of former recipients of the award and thanked the people who had supported him over many years, especially his wife Lizzie.

As the APIA Board was unable to split the contribution made by two young Pipeliners, there were joint recipients of the 2006 APIA Young Achievement Award; Dave Maloney, of CNC Project Management and David Hayter of SEA Gas. Mr Maloney has over 12 years’ experience in land access issues, and is recognised as a leader in his field. Mr Hayter is a mechanical engineer, has worked for Duke and Esso, and also provided technical support for the plant restart following the Longford explosion.

Mr Harper said Mr Maloney “has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring the overall public perception of the pipeline industry is enhanced through good working relationships with stakeholders such as landowners, traditional owners and Government agencies.”

Mr Maloney thanked those who had supported him along the way, suggesting the implementation of a ‘mentor’ award to recognise the achievements of those who encourage others. Mr Maloney thanked his father, saying he had always been “tough but fair,” and his brother, who had “always been tough.”

Mr Harper said that Mr Hayter’s extensive achievements at such a young age made him “an ideal role model for the sort of young people this industry so desperately needs.”

After thanking APIA, Mr Hayter thanked Stephen Timms for giving him a start in the pipeline industry, and also mentioned that he was grateful to have the opportunity to work with people like Ashley Kellett and Jeff Cooke. “It’s great to have such a good group of people around,” Mr Hayter said.