• Tamara Perry, who is AIDN's Young Achiever for 2015, works as an Acoustics Engineer for Underwater Systems with Thales, at Rydalmere
    Tamara Perry, who is AIDN's Young Achiever for 2015, works as an Acoustics Engineer for Underwater Systems with Thales, at Rydalmere
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At the ADM Congress this week, Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) and ADM took the opportunity to announce the winner of the AIDN Young Achiever Award for 2015.

The winner was Tamara Perry of Thales Australia, from the NSW chapter of AIDN.

The state finalists however were an exceptional crop of up and coming Defence professionals. Their details can be found below.

Stephen Bornstein, BAE Systems, AIDN-Vic Finalist
Stephen Bornstein is a Mechanical Engineer – Weapon Systems at BAE Systems in Richmond. Stephen currently works on the mechanical design, manufacture and testing for NULKA and ESSM components.

To combat the asymmetric warfare from enemies such as Islamic State there is a large emphasis on special operations. The defence industry needs to align its products and services with the needs of special operations to ensure the ADF is well equipped for this fight.

Courtney Cole, QinetiQ, AIDN-ACT Finalist
Courtney Cole is a Principal Consultant with QinetiQ in Canberra. Courtney’s experience includes the provision of procurement and contracting support to the LHD SPO where she was a central figure in development and implementing the LHD sustainment strategy.

Courtney believes that the Defence industry continues to struggle with the retention of corporate knowledge, experience and technical know-how needed to support Defence in reaching its strategic goals and political objectives.

Fiona Yue Kan, TAE Gas Turbines, AIDN-Qld Finalist
Fiona Yue Kan is the Project Manager for TAE's Royal Malaysian Air Force Rolls-Royce Adour Engine, Test Cell Data Acquisition System and Facility Controls System Upgrade at Amberley, following her graduation with a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Science.

Fiona believes that one of the main issues facing the defence industry is the challenge of being able to employ sufficient people with engineering and/or other technical skills.

Tamara Perry, Thales Australia AIDN-NSW Finalist
Tamara Perry is an Acoustics Engineer for Underwater Systems with Thales, at Rydalmere. Her role includes prototyping and testing transducers.

The ability of Defence to meet its own Capability Plan is a persistent and continuing concern. Another key issue is the stifling of technical knowledge and innovation in Australia. There is a possibility of future projects looking off-shore for capability requirements, and of a ‘hiatus’ in design and manufacturing sectors that will cause a significant loss of skills.

Chanelle Pogas, General Dynamics Land Systems, AIDN-SA (DTC) Finalist
Chanelle Pogas is a Human Resources & Administration Manager at General Dynamics Land Systems, Australia. Her role is to maintain and improve an effective HR system, taking into account the operating environment of GDLS-A and legislative compliance covering all HR functions.

GDLS initially didn’t have dedicated WHS resources. Chanelle identified these issues and presented a business case to management and was given approval to recruit more resources. These resources were allocated and Chanelle and the team have worked together to overcome the challenges.

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