More than 200 people packed the Avalon Airport’s International Terminal last week to celebrate our local manufacturers, as part of the 2025 Avalon International Airshow.
The GMC Manufacturing Celebration and Awards event is our region’s largest dedicated celebration of manufacturing and featured local industry and community leaders, representatives from defence and all levels of government.
One of Geelong’s oldest manufacturing companies, Godfrey Hirst – which celebrates 160 years of continuous manufacturing this year – won both the Sustainability Excellence and overall Manufacturing Excellence awards. Austeng, a visionary local manufacturer and prototyping innovator, took out the Innovation Excellence Award.
GMC Deputy Chair Rob Backwell and CEO Jennifer Conley said the night was a fantastic way to recognise the contribution our manufacturers make to the broader community. “Greater Geelong is home to 9435 people currently employed in manufacturing,” they said. “And the sector continues to be the greatest contributor to gross regional product.”
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS AND FINALISTS
Huge congratulations to our award winners Godfrey Hirst, Austeng and Gforce, as well all our finalists including Farm Foods, Modularity by Rendine and SNF.
Manufacturing Community Award Winner
Sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong
Winner: Gforce
Innovation Excellence Award Winner
Sponsored by Deakin University
Finalists: Austeng, Modularity by Rendine, SNF Water Science
Winner: Austeng
Sustainability Excellence Award Winner
Sponsored by Viva Energy
Finalists: Godfrey Hirst, Modularity by Rendine
Winner: Godfrey Hirst
Manufacturing Excellence Award
Sponsored by Hanwha Defence Australia
Finalists: Farm Foods, Godfrey Hirst, SNF Water Science
Winner: Godfrey Hirst
EVENT GALLERY
EVENT SPONSORS
The 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Celebration and Awards Dinner is proudly supported by:
