Shining a light on local talent awarded in 2024

Before we dive headfirst into 2025, let's take a moment to celebrate some Australian Made achievements from last year!

2024 saw many Australian Made companies receiving commendations for achievements in manufacturing, design, business, sustainability and more. Check out some of the highlights below.

Apollo Engineering
2024 Hunter Manufacturing Awards winner

Receiving the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year Award (50 or More Employees), Apollo Engineering is a leader in advanced manufacturing in regional NSW. With innovative solutions, including a patented centrifugal filter and robotic welding systems, the family-owned business specialises in sheet metal fabrication, machining, and assembly for a wide range of products and industries.

Coolcardie Coolers
2024 Clean & Conscious Awards winner

Winning Gold in the Best Zero Waste Drink category, Coolcardie Coolers are sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable stubby holders. Made in Australia from recycled paper, they are remanufactured into corrugated cardboard. Using biodegradable inks to create vibrant designs, they are ideal for promotions and marketing.

Detmold Group
2024 Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Awards winner
2024 Australian Business Awards winner

Headquartered in South Australia, Detmold Group is a third-generation, family-owned packaging company. In 2024, Detmold Group received an Industry Sector Award for Packaging Manufacturer/Supplier Award for its efforts to reduce material within food trays and cartons and increase recycled content in carry bags. Detmold Group also received the Employer of Choice Award, reflecting its dedication to employee satisfaction and workplace culture.

En Mina Leather
2024 Sunshine Coast Business Awards winner

Winner of the Retail category at the 29th Sunshine Coast Business Awards, En Mina Leather is an artisan business dedicated to crafting high-quality leather goods for makers and woodworkers. Founder Isabel Atienza uses only Australian-sourced materials and is dedicated to quality craftsmanship, sustainable sourcing, and connecting with the community in meaningful ways.

Farm to Hanger
2024 Australian Good Design Awards winner

The Comfy Curves Cotton Bra from Farm to Hanger is an environmentally friendly, compostable bra that uses no wires, no synthetics, and no chemical processing. Winning in the Fashion category, its 100% Australian cotton fabric is soft on the skin and suitable for those recovering from breast surgery or dealing with scar tissue sensitivities.

#GoKindly
2024 Australian Good Design Awards winner

Awarded Gold for Product Design and Innovation, # GoKindly's Signature Bedroom Pillow was celebrated for its thoughtful integration of design and social impact. Made in Victoria, the pillow is consciously sourced and uses no single-use plastic packaging. 50% of # GoKindly's profits are proudly donated to women and non-binary people experiencing housing stress or homelessness.

Krause Bricks
2024 Think Brick Awards winner

Krause Bricks was awarded the Horbury Hunt Residential Award for its work on Burnt Earth Beach House, Wardle. The family-owned company used techniques such as extrusion and hand tearing the brick surface prior to cutting to expose a raw, rough-hewn texture, reflecting the cliff edges of Anglesea.

OMNIA Wheel
2024 Hunter Manufacturing Awards winner

Omnia Wheel was celebrated with multiple honours at the Hunter Manufacturing Awards, winning Manufacturer of the Year (Less than 50 Employees), Excellence in Manufacturing Capability and Manufacturing Leader Award for Managing Director Peter McKinnon. Its flagship product, The Omni Wheel, combines the simplicity of a fixed wheel with the multidirectional functionality of a swivel caster, setting a new standard in mobility solutions.

PerkyPod
2024 Australian Good Design Awards winner

PerkyPod is an innovative plant pot that simplifies watering with no stress, mess or lifting. Winning an Australian Good Design Award in Housewares and Objects, it features an internal drainage, filtration and water catchment system for fool proof watering and hidden castor wheels to make potted plants easier for all to enjoy, regardless of age or ability.

QPuzzles
2024 Gold Coast Business Excellence Award winner

Winning an October Gold Coast Business Excellence Award for Emerging and Micro Business, QPuzzles is committed to producing premium, eco-friendly jigsaw puzzles that celebrate all things Australian. From Aussie artistry, cultural heritage, and sustainable craftsmanship to the people behind the art, design and photography, QPuzzles works closely with local businesses to manufacture its puzzles.

SafeGauge
2024 Hunter Manufacturing Awards winner

SafeGauge is a leader in designing safety maintenance and diagnostic tools used across the mining sector to keep technicians safe. Winning the Excellence in Product Design Award for its SafeTest Tachometer and MultiTool Pro, these cutting-edge tools enhance safety in heavy machinery maintenance.

Solar Bollard Lighting
2024 Lighting Council Australia Industry Excellence Awards winner

Receiving a National Sustainability Award for its dedication to sustainable practices and local manufacturing, Solar Bollard Lighting has made and designed award-winning industrial-grade solar bollard lights for 20 years. Director Michael Arieni said this award recognised Solar Bollard Lighting's "Australian Made products and sustainable ethos that cannot be imported, only exported."

The Wondercap Company
2024 BUILD Construction & Engineering Awards winner

Winning Most Innovative Plumbing Products Company, The Wondercap Company has developed plumbing solutions for the building industry since 2001. Its patented products feature a protective cap, adjustable base, and puddle flange that prevent blockages from construction debris.

Just a Farmer
2024 International Film Festival of Australia (IFFA) Awards winner
2024 Septimius Awards winner
2024 Saint-Tropez Antipodes Film Festival Awards winner
2024 Buffalo International Film Festival Awards winner
2024 Iris Global Health Film Festival Awards winner

Just A Farmer is an Australian Made film that transcends traditional cinema, authentically portraying the challenges and triumphs of a resilient farmer in rural Australia. The film received an impressive series of awards in Australia and on the global stage. At the IFFA Awards, the film won Best International Feature Film, Best Supporting Actress for Susan Prior, and Best Cinematography for Gavin Head. Just A Farmer also received awards at prestigious film festivals around the world, including Best Oceania Actress in Amsterdam, Audience Choice Award 2024 in France, and Best Narrative Feature 2024 at film festivals in both New York and Colorado.