Gold Industry Awards
The Australian Gold Conference annual gold awards will be held on Wednesday, 14 October from 7:30pm in the Pearl Ballroom at Crown Towers Sydney, Barangaroo. These awards celebrate those how have made a difference to the industry.
There are four awards in total: Gavin Thomas Mining Award; Maggie Bullion Award; James Dines Hall of Fame Award; Rising Gold Star Award (new 2026).
Nominate for This Year’s Awards
the gold awards previous winners
the james dines hall of fame award
This award will be presented to an individual that has been an inspiration to the precious metals industry, they have the respect and admiration of their peers and have executed ongoing outstanding achievements in their career supportive to others.
Past award winners are: Don Mackay Coghill (2016), Eric Sprott (2017), Ian Plimer (2018), Owen Hegarty (2019) and this award has also been awarded to Mr James Dines (2022) in remembrance of his service to the precious metals industry. The award was posthumously given to Mr James Dines given his love of precious metals as well as his long-time newsletter and his books written about investing in precious metals and specifically gold. From 2022 the award will be named the James Dines Hall of Fame Award.
The 2025 winner of the James Dines Hall of Fame award is Robin Widdup, Chairman, Lion Selection Group.
the gavin thomas mining award
The Gavin Thomas Mining Award is named after the long-time Kingsgate Consolidated managing director and chief executive officer Gavin Thomas (pictured), who sadly passed away in Sydney in 2014, aged just 63.
Gavin was a brilliant geologist and a passionate advocate of the mining industry. He was declared a mining legend by his peers in 2005.
In honour of Gavin’s life-long dedication to the industry, the Australian Gold Conference decided to recognise an individual or a company that has demonstrated not only dedication to their industry but along the way created a strong team ethic and maintained a great joie de vivre, which was a hallmark of Gavin’s life.
The winner of the 2025 award is Paul Cmrlec.
The maggie bullion award
Affectionately known as ‘The Maggie’
This award will be given to an individual or company that shows initiative and exceptional customer service in the precious metals industry. Just like the lady, Cheryl Holt (pictured), whom the award was named after the recipient will be a company or individual that has shown quality of service, industry knowledge, and contribution to the community and good/consistent communication.
The winner of the 2025 award is Ash Waddel.
the rising gold star award (Under 30 Years of Age)
The new 2026 Rising Gold Star Award recognises an exceptional young professional, aged 30 or under, who is helping shape the future of Australia’s gold industry. Created to celebrate the next generation of leaders, this award honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent, innovation, leadership potential, and a genuine commitment to advancing the sector.
Whether through customer service, exploration, mining, geology, engineering, finance, sustainability, or technical excellence, recipients have already made a meaningful impact early in their careers. This award is designed to inspire and encourage young professionals, highlighting their achievements while recognising that the long-term strength and success of Australia’s world-leading gold industry depends on nurturing its future leaders today.