Please note this reminder. Our industry has achieved a lot over the past two years, including the rollout of 5G networks and the rollout of the NBN plus its new initiative for FTTP upgrades. We need to celebrate those who make outstanding contributions to our telecommunications, including network executives, engineers and other technologists, academics, regulators, consumer and competition advocates, policy proponents, media commentators and – dare I say – politicians. The deadline is Thursday 15 October.

Financial members and Life Members of TelSoc are invited and encouraged to nominate candidates for the 2020 Charles Todd Medal.  This medal will be awarded to the individual  considered to have made the most outstanding contribution to Australian telecommunications in recent years.  Previous winners of the Charles Todd Medal, listed here, are also eligible to nominate new candidates. (The Medal is only ever awarded once to the same individual.)

The Charles Todd Medal is named in honour of the man who made a huge contribution to Australian telecommunications as leader and  organiser of the Overland Telegraph project, connecting Darwin to Adelaide by electrical telegraph in 1872. This provided an essential link for Australia's colonies to London and the rest of the world -  the 19th century's telegraphic precursor to our Internet.

Your nomination(s) will be considered by a Selection Committee which has been authorised by the TelSoc Board to decide the winner. The Selection Committee includes members of the TelSoc Board plus external representatives of the wider telecommunications industry: Professor Peter Gerrand (independent chair), Teresa Corbin (CEO, ACCAN), Tim Herring (Executive Director, TelSoc), Laurie Patton (Vice-President TelSoc), Deena Shiff (Chair, Broadband Advisory Council), Rosemary Sinclair AM (CEO, auDA) and John Stanton (CEO, Communications Alliance).

Nominations close on Thursday 16th October 2020 and the winner  will be announced, and hopefully the medal presented, at the annual Charles Todd Oration in Sydney (and by teleconference) on Thursday 19th November 2020.

Recognising key contributors is an important part of developing and sustaining excellence in our industry and your input to this initiative is greatly encouraged and appreciated. 

Please register your nomination(s) by no later than Thursday 16th October 2020 by completing our web-based nomination form. (Log in to the website first.)

Thank you very much for your participation.

Peter Gerrand – Chair, 2020 Charles Todd Medal Selection Panel