At their annual national medal ceremony on the 1st of November, the Pearcey Foundation (http://www.pearcey.org.au) presented the 2007 National Pearcey Award for Young Achievers to ROARZ computing managing director, Brett Hooker.  This prestigious ICT industry honour is awarded to one of the State Winners from the previous year who has demonstrated innovative and pioneering achievement and contribution to research and development within the ICT industry early in their career.

The guest speaker for the evening was Senator the Honourable Helen Coonan, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

In accepting this award, Brett acknowledges the incredible opportunity for business and social improvement yet to be discovered through the application of ICT in our lives, and that service to the development of the ICT industry is paramount to ensure that the right number of people with appropriate skills exist in the decades to come that will help us all realise the benefits of ICT innovation.

See the following article on the Brett's 2006 State Award: http://www.pearcey.org.au/index.php/2006_QLD_Award

A true ICT ambassador and role model

Brett Hooker is an innovative, passionate ICT ambassador.  He has made varied and profound contributions to the IT industry from outstanding works within Oracle Corporation to countless contributions to up-and-coming IT professionals through his efforts with universities.  Brett Hooker's passion and vigour to assist businesses increase customer satisfaction and improve efficiency is tireless and commendable.

In 2000, Brett received an Outstanding Alumnus Award from the QUT’s IT Faculty in recognition of exceptional professional achievements and contributions to the community.  Brett, an active alumnus of QUT, is also currently a QUT IT Faculty Academic Board member and the QUT Alumni Board President. 

In 2005, Brett was featured in the “Queensland: A great state of mind” book, launched by State Premier Peter Beattie during Queensland Week.

Brett has also presented numerous worldwide conferences about:
- E-business and software development;
- Enhancing a company's reputation; and
- Promoting benefits the ICT industry brings to the marketplace as a whole.

Brett Hooker is recognised as one of Australia’s leading ICT professionals with more than 17 years experience in the national and international sectors, applying his business applications and software technology specialties to private and public firms.

Thanks
Brett acknowledges and wishes to thank the following people and organisations:
- Pearcey Foundation
- Queensland University of Technology
- Queensland Government, State Development, and the Information Industry Bureau
- Australian Information Industry Association
- Australian Computer Society
- Software Queensland
- Open Source Industry of Australia
- Both the team at and customers of ROARZ computing
- His associates and colleagues
- His family

The Pearcey Foundation Inc

The Pearcey Foundation Inc. was established in 1998 through the work of the Australian Computer Society, the Australian Information Industries Association, CSIRO, Monash University, Multimedia Victoria, IDG Communications and Whitehorse Strategic Group.  The Pearcey Foundation was created in the memory of the pioneer of Australian computing, Dr. Trevor Pearcey. It provides a channel for recognition of outstanding individual contributions to the Australian Information Technology industry.

National Pearcey Award FAQ’S

Q1. What does “early in his or her career” mean?
A. The aim is to give recognition during a career, rather than at the end of one. This means that the candidate will need to have spent enough time in their chosen career to make a significant contribution, but are not yet at the 'top of the tree'.

Q2. How would you define innovative and pioneering achievements?
A. The candidates achievement should make a unique contribution to new knowledge and/or professional practice. It should involve the clever application of IT and have valuable commercial opportunities. The achievement should be recognised as outstanding by peers and be above and beyond what is expected as a person in their role.

Q3. Does R&D mean it must be practical, or can it by purely research oriented?
A. The achievement should be both innovative and practical. If the achievement is research oriented, then it needs to have valuable commercial potential. If the achievement is in the novel application of IT using existing technologies, then there must be significant market opportunity.

Q4. Is the Award based on the significance of the technology or innovation?
A. Not necessarily – this is a personal award for the extent of the candidates contribution and, in the pioneering spirit, the risks that have taken along the way.


For more information on the Pearcey Foundation see http://www.pearcey.org.au
For more information on Brett Hooker see http://www.roarz.com/about/team.html
For more information on ROARZ computing see http://www.roarz.com


Thanks,
Brett

www.roarz.com  Phone: 1300 885 125  Fax: 07 3009 0648  ABN: 69 113 777 594  PO Box 1091 Capalaba Qld 4157 Business Websites Made Easy.  ROARZ emphasizes keeping websites proactively up-to-date and integrated with marketing, sales, and customer service activities.  When combined with our rich web-based application suite this delivers customer convenience and staff efficiency outcomes.