Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Defence Industry revealed
Australian Defence industry stakeholders have been celebrated at the Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Defence Industry. Find out who the winners are here.
Northern Territory
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Major Australian Defence Force supplier Thales Australia has been saluted at the Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Defence Industry.
Thales Australia was named Large Business of the Year.
The award recognised outstanding service delivery, deep stakeholder engagement, and long-term investment in local infrastructure and workforce development.
Thales has a footprint in every state and territory.
The Thales Team across northern Australia have approximately 40 staff delivering support services for the Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) and RHIBs/Seaboats.
The Chief Minister’s Defence Industry award for Small Business of the Year was awarded to leading civil and concreting contractor Bear Claw.
Indigenous Business of the Year was AKJ Services, a Larrakia Indigenous owned, managed and operated civil and landscaping construction company.
The awards are part of NT Defence Week and were presented at the Australian Industry and Defence Network Gala Dinner in Darwin
The evening also honoured leaders across key categories — Veteran Contribution, Industry Excellence, and Young Achiever — highlighting the people and businesses driving defence success in the Northern Territory.
Veterans and veteran-focused organisations were celebrated through the NT Veteran Awards, presented by Minister for Veterans, Jinson Charls.
2025 NT Veteran Award Winners:
· INLOC Group – Veteran Employer of the Year, recognised for their veteran-positive workplace and strong leadership development pathways.
· Dr Peter Zimmermann and Dr Christopher McLean (Veterans Medical Group) – Veteran Employees of the Year, awarded for transforming their service experience into a pioneering healthcare model for veterans.
· Veterans Medical Group – Veteran Community-Owned Business of the Year, acknowledged for their holistic, veteran-led approach to healthcare, advocacy, and community support.
2025 AIDN NT Young Achiever Award Winner:
· Joshua Lobb from Norsta Maritime – recognised for their outstanding contribution as a young professional under 30 working in or alongside the Defence industry.
“The Northern Territory has the second highest veteran community per capita in Australia, and an ongoing commitment to support our veteran community of about 20,000, including 5,000 Australian Defence Force personnel, and 5,000 ex-ADF personnel and their families,” said Mr Charls.
“Being able to honour their service and recognise their continued impact in our community is incredibly humbling.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for your outstanding contributions to the Northern Territory’s defence industry and veteran community,” said Mr Charls.
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Originally published as Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Defence Industry revealed
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