Aurecon Design Academy named Best in Class at Australian Good Design Awards
Aurecon Design Academy wins Best in Class at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards, celebrating the company's decade-long investment in developing its people.
Change your location to view content tailored for you.
Aurecon is partnering with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) on its First Nations program, providing in-kind and financial support for QAGOMA’s Reconciliation Circle and Design Tracks programs.
Aurecon’s Resources Market Managing Director, Tony Richardson, said that the aim of the partnership, as well as supporting QAGOMA, was to strengthen Aurecon’s engagement with First Nations people and company, embrace ways of designing and working, engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in mentorships and STEM careers, and enable Aurecon staff and leaders to engage with peers involved in First Nations programs.
“We identified a unique alignment opportunity between QAGOMA’s focus on First Nations art and storytelling and Aurecon’s intent to explore partnerships that bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design principles into our projects and help us engage with First Nations people through employment and business partnerships,” Richardson said.
“During the past year we have been able to introduce our First Nations and non-First Nations staff and leaders to QAGOMA’s programs that seek to address the historical underrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the nation’s first creators, artists and storytellers,” he continued.
“As Queensland heads into a decade of growth and opportunity, particularly with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we look forward to working together to leverage our partnership further to embrace and celebrate more of the knowledge amassed by First Nations and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the past 65,000 years.”
Aurecon has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on many projects, most recently with Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) representatives for the University of Sunshine Coast Masterplan.
The partnership supports Aurecon’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, in particular the company First Nations commitments as outlined in the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Aurecon is currently working towards releasing its fifth (Innovate) RAP.
QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said the Gallery was delighted to partner with Aurecon across the Reconciliation Circle and Design Tracks programs.
“Aurecon’s championing of these initiatives in our multi-year partnership elevates our mutual commitment to Australian First Nations art and cultures through career pathway programs and community engagement,” Saines said.
"We are particularly proud to support the Design Tracks program which is Indigenous-led and informed with an emphasis on culture and history..."
Roxann Parker and Annie Cann, Aurecon
“QAGOMA’s Design Tracks program forges creative career pathways for First Nations youth, creating opportunities for them to work alongside established Indigenous Australian creative mentors in consultation with Elders, leading artists, and other community stakeholders.
“Aurecon’s support for Design Tracks has made it possible to expand this award-winning program, building continuity in relationships with students, schools and stakeholders in Queensland and increasing our capacity to provide deeply enriching experiences for the participants,” he said.
Aurecon Indigenous Recruitment and Careers Manager, Roxann Parker, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Indigenous Pillar Lead, Qld, Annie Cann, said they were excited to see where the partnership led, particularly in strengthening Aurecon's engagement with First Nations people, company, and further, incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design principles into projects, to leave a legacy for future generations.
“As First Nations employees at Aurecon, we are eager to see the opportunities this partnership creates for greater cultural understanding, increased engagement, and opportunities for collaboration and learning,” they said.
“We are particularly proud to support the Design Tracks program which is Indigenous-led and informed with an emphasis on culture and history being woven throughout and creating a safe and supportive learning environment for First Nations students. We cannot wait to see where this leads the students and how it will inspire them to dream big.”
Design Tracks is an annual residential program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students from across Queensland, held in Brisbane and Cairns. The program offers students opportunities to work alongside established First Nations creative mentors and encourages participants to feel inspired by the creative industries and consider their own future pathways.
The Reconciliation Circle brings together a network of industry leaders committed to respecting and elevating Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ creativity, knowledge and cultures.
Photo 1. QAGOMA's Reconciliation Circle First Nations Bespoke Dinner Welcome to Country performers Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company performing at QAG, during NAIDOC Week, July 2023 (in front of) Joanne Currie Nalingu / Gunggari people b.1964 / Kumantje Jagamara / Warlpiri/Luritja people c.1946-2020 / Michael Eather b.1963 / Lin Onus / Yorta Yorta people 1948-1996 / Christopher Hodges 1954 / Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri / Anmatyerre people c.1932-2002 / Karen Casey / Palawa people 1956 - 2021 / Rick Roser / Jinbara people b.1955 / Simon Turner b.1972 / Ruby Abbott Napangardi / Luritja people b.c.1953 / Barbara Weir / Anmatyerre/Alyawarr peoples b.c.1945 / Laurie Nilsen / Mandandanji people / Australia 1953-2020 / Stephen Gawulku / Kunibidji people b.unknown / Bianca Beetson / Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people b.1973 / ‘Two worlds’ 1995-97 / Purchased 1997 with funds from an anonymous donor through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation and from a special allocation from the Queensland Government. Celebrating the Queensland Art Gallery's Centenary 1895-1995 / Collection: QAGOMA / © The artists; / Photograph: Chloë Callistemon
Group Director, Brand, Marketing & Communications
Aurecon Design Academy wins Best in Class at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards, celebrating the company's decade-long investment in developing its people.
Aurecon's Tanya de Hoog, Chief Engineering, Eminence and Innovation Officer, joins ATSE, recognising global her leadership in engineering excellence.
Aurecon extends Engineers Australia's Engineering Workforce Credentialling program nationally, supporting engineers across Australia towards Chartered status.
