Against the backdrop of the 2024 International Jewellery Fair – and a fireworks display following the dinner – the evening was a relaxed opportunity for members and suppliers to network.
The coveted Nathan Cameron Perpetual Trophy winner was secured by Pamela Brown from Desma Designs. As the Apprentice of the Year Award winner, she received $5,000 in prize money to spend on tools and equipment to further her career.
The award was presented by Judy Cameron of Cameron’s Fine Jewellers in Swan Hill. The Promising Young Talent award winner was Ezekiel Torrents from Haab Jewellers.
In a surprise to very few, the winner of Australia’s Supplier of the Year was once again Jewellery Centre, while Regal Castings picked up the award for New Zealand.
Brent Weatherall Jewellers was the New Zealand Member of the Year, and Santos Customs Jewellers was the Australian Member of the Year. Owner Romel Santos delivered a heartfelt thank you and expressed gratitude to his fellow retailers for the advice and support offered to his business since joining.
Membership manager Erin Keller said highlighting the efforts of members with the awards night was something the group eagerly anticipated each year.
“Handing Romel (Santos) the award was great. He’s an exceptional person, a fantastic member of our group, and a very deserving winner,” she told Jeweller.
“He was so grateful to receive the award, and I had a few nominees for various other awards come up and thank me for even being considered. They feel like they’re being a little cheesy or cliched to say they’re happy just being recognised, but that’s what we love to hear.”
Nationwide experimented with a new approach this year, shifting the event to the first night of the International Jewellery Fair instead of the second.
Keller explained that it was a delicate balance to strike, weighing responsibilities around the fair and accounting for travel and business commitments, and said the group would review feedback when planning for next year.
“We’ve found that later in the weekend, people are already planning to head back to their stores, and some are just tired after a busy few days at the fair, so we thought we’d try something different,” she said.
“We’ve had some good constructive feedback. People have told me that it was the best awards night they’ve attended so far, and other people said they had a great time and that it was well organised. We will take everything we’ve heard into consideration for next year.”
The event also acknowledged members who had celebrated 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-year milestones since joining the group.
Award Winners
Supplier Of The Year – Nominees (Australia)
Jewellery Centre [Winner]
Duraflex Group Australia
Golden Mile
Mark McAskill
Orange River Diamonds
Supplier Of The Year – Nominees (New Zealand)
Regal Castings [Winner]
Peka
Worth & Douglas
Member Of The Year – Nominees (Australia)
Santos Customs Jewellers [Winner]
JC & C Manufacturing Jewellers
Ritchies Jewellers
Member Of The Year – Nominees (New Zealand)
Brent Weatherall Jewellers [Winner]
Kings & Queens
Knights the Jewellers
Additional Award Winners
Apprentice Of The Year – Pamela Brown from Desma Designs
Promising Talent Award – Ezekiel Torrents from Haab Jewellers
Best New Supplier (Australia) – Soklich & Co
Best New Supplier (New Zealand) – Web Wonks
Best New Product (Australia) – Mark McAskill
Best New Product (New Zealand) – Worth & Douglas
Nationwide Jewellers Awards Night
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