UWA Engineering graduate and Honorary Doctorate recipient, Dr Jim Giumelli (BE '69, DEng '17), has been named 2026 Western Australian of the Year for his visionary civil construction career and youth mentorship. It was a big night for UWA’s community, with three winners from a pool of eight alumni nominees in this year’s awards.

As founder of civil construction company Ertech, Dr Giumelli is renowned for introducing an employee ownership model, giving staff a stake in the company’s fortunes, with 34 employees today also being co-owners. He also founded Motivation Foundation (originally Ertech Construction Academy) to mentor and train young people - many from disadvantaged backgrounds - to reach their career aspirations. Beyond business and mentoring, Dr Giumelli is known for his generosity as a philanthropist, giving through Ertech and the Giumelli Family Foundation, supporting medical research, UWA's Ezone project and scholarships for rural students.

Dr Daniel Hunt (MBBS '11, DMD '16), a Jaru and Indjibarndi man, General Practitioner, and nationally recognised leader in Aboriginal health, was named 2026 Woodside Energy Professions Award Winner, while innovative education leader, and Co-Founder of Elucidate Education, Jack Anderson (BPhil Hons '23), was awarded BHP Youth Award Winner, for his growing influence in global education and policy reform. 

Other UWA alumni nominated were Dr Carolyn Chard AM, Dr Dayna Pool, Gareth Shanthikumar, Dr Haseeb Riaz and Professor Nick Gottardo. Their recognition in the 2026 Western Australian of the Year awards reflects the meaningful difference they’re making in our communities.