Helen Dyer, an experienced leader in the property and development industry, was crowned as the winner of the Frasers Property Women in Leadership Award in The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Wingate National Awards for Excellence, at a special virtual awards announcement event this afternoon.
This award acknowledges the positive contribution of women to the development industry in Australia and recognises the achievements of outstanding women working at mid to senior levels within the industry.
Nominees must demonstrate leadership ability within an organisation or within the development industry as a whole, and during the process they must provide examples in which they have introduced innovations into their workplace, the industry or in relation to a specific project.
They must also demonstrate how they have had a positive influence, acting as a mentor or role model for more junior professionals.
Selected from amongst five finalists in the category, Helen Dyer has helped shape planning, develop environmental law and influence public policy in South Australia. She has also helped to transform urban development outcomes, within both the public and private sectors.
“Helen has held senior positions for more than 30 years, including as a director, non-executive director, chair and local government CEO. In fact, she was the first ever female CEO in local government,” says Simon Basheer, UDIA National President.
“She has extensive experience and expertise across strategy, governance, town planning, administration, stakeholder management, consulting and reputation management.
“She is also passionate about helping others develop their careers in property and has demonstrated a great commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience by mentoring up-and-coming property development professionals,” he says.
As a managing director, Helen continues to grow boutique consultancy Holmes Dyer, achieving bespoke outcomes for clients in the creation, delivery and management of land, cities and communities.
She continues to raise the bar in liveability outcomes, by designing projects which are socially responsible, connected, environmentally sustainable and economically accountable.
“Helen is an inspiring property development professional and most deserving of our Women in Leadership Award. I congratulate her wholeheartedly on her achievements,” says Mr Basheer.The UDIA Wingate National Awards for Excellence shine a light on the world-class developments taking place across the nation and demonstrate excellence, quality and industry best practice, whilst celebrating the contributions of architects, engineers, environmental professionals and consultants.
“The winners across fifteen award categories are drawn from the best of the best in each state, as determined by our judges – highly experienced industry leaders Alan Zammit AM, Nicola Smith and Tony Marshall,” says Mr Basheer.
“Winners include eleven world-class urban development projects, as well as the year’s best young leader, Women in Development leadership award and the organisation that demonstrated the strongest commitment to diversity.
“In addition, from all winners, one project received the President’s Award. This project must demonstrate outstanding achievement and the highest standards of practice.
“The recipient of the President’s Award must also be capable of making an exceptional contribution to the public standing of contemporary development in Australia and is only bestowed upon the best of the best,” he says.
The award process is rigorous, taking eight months from launch through to the completion of judging. The judges visit every site in person, as well as reviewing the accompanying written submissions.
“With 69 outstanding finalists, competition was fierce and our judges certainly had their work cut out for them.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate the 2020 award winners. They have truly demonstrated quality, innovation and outstanding excellence and should be proud of their tremendous achievements,” says Mr Basheer.
The winners of the 2020 UDIA Wingate National Awards for Excellence are:
• Frasers Property Women in Leadership Award – Helen Dyer, Holmes Dyer (SA)
• Young Leaders’ Award – Daniel Panickar, Eco Logical Australia (WA)
• Diversity in Development Award – Brisbane City Council (QLD)
• Medium Density Development Award – Muse, Neutral Bay by HELM Pty Limited (NSW)
• Residential Development Award – Arundel Springs by Villa World (QLD)
• Small Scale Development – Parkville by Oliver Hume (VIC)
• Social & Community Infrastructure Award – Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre by City of Armadale (WA)
• Environmental Excellence Award – Central Park by Frasers Property Australia & Sekisui House Australia (NSW)
• Marketing Excellence Award – West Village by Sekisui House Australia (QLD)
• Urban Renewal Award – Essendon Fields by Essendon Fields (VIC)
• Affordable Development Award – Jingeri by BHC Creating Liveable Communities (QLD)
• Seniors’ Living Award – Carmelite by Southern Cross Care SA&NT (SA)
• Masterplanned Development Award – Oceanside by Stockland (QLD)
• High Density Development Award – Cirque Mount Pleasant by Stirling Capital (WA)
• President’s Award – West Village by Sekisui House Australia (QLD)
High resolution photographs are available for each category.