Last year, while working as a freelance journalist with ADM, I had the privilege of attending the ADM 30 Under 30 Awards ceremony. It was my first time at an ADM awards night, and I was thoroughly impressed by the experience.
I primarily remember the event by its atmosphere and vibe, as some under-30s would say. There was an incredible sense of positivity and teamwork throughout the night. Whole teams turned out to support nominees and wish them well on the night.
Nowhere else have I seen the idea of Defence being a team more aptly demonstrated.
Defence and Industry teammates cheered as their competitors—both in the awards themselves and commercially—won categories, soaked in accolades, shone in the spotlight, and celebrated the occasion.
At the event, my colleague and I were tasked with interviewing the winners as they came off stage with their awards. Ahead of time, we had written a set of questions that we planned to cycle through for each winner. In reality, that task was tricky.
The questions worked well enough initially. The problem was that, with each question, a million more would come to mind as we learned more about the incredible people who represent the future of Defence in Australia.
I wanted to interrogate every choice, every decision point, to try and understand how these incredible people had been so successful. While we didn’t always have time to do that, when we did, we always uncovered a familiar formula: talented people who found talented mentors in high-performing and supportive organisations.
In 2024, recruiting and retaining people, particularly young people, is the biggest challenge facing Defence and industry. The right people need to be found, recruited, trained, cleared, mentored, and supported. The formula needs to be right.
The 30 Under 30 Awards offers an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the future leaders and innovators in Defence, showcasing the success of individuals who embody the collaborative and supportive spirit vital for our industry’s progress.
Nominating someone (or yourself!) for the 30 Under 30 Awards is an incredible chance to not only highlight the best people we have today - but shine a light that those who are yet to emerge can follow.
