Civil construction pioneer and youth mentor Dr Jim Giumelli was named the 2026 Western Australian of the Year at a gala dinner held at Crown Ballroom on Thursday.

The founder and director of engineering powerhouse Ertech and founder and chairman of the Motivation Foundation was recognised for a decorated career spanning more than 40 years in Australia’s construction industry and a long-standing commitment to creating education, training and employment pathways for young people.

Under Dr Giumelli’s leadership, Ertech — founded in 1981 — has grown into a major civil construction business employing nearly 500 people.

In 1993, he introduced an employee ownership model, giving staff a direct stake in the company’s success.

Beyond business, Dr Giumelli’s most significant impact has been through education and social enterprise.

In 2008, he established the Ertech Construction Academy to support young people at risk of disengaging from education and to create pathways into construction careers.

The program evolved into the Motivation Foundation, which now delivers structured training, mentoring and vocational pathways for disadvantaged youth.

Continuing his hands-on philanthropy, Dr Giumelli helped establish the CARE School in West Swan in 2026, designed for students who have disengaged from mainstream education.

Celebrate WA Chair Scott Jones said Dr Giumelli’s contribution reflected the very best of WA.

“Through his leadership in business and his commitment to young people, he has created practical pathways that give students confidence, skills and a stronger sense of what is possible,” Mr Jones said.

“At a time when workforce development and youth engagement are so important to our state’s future, Dr Giumelli’s work shows the lasting impact that can be achieved when industry, education and community come together.”

Dr Giumelli, who also took home The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA Business Award, joins an illustrious honour roll of past winners including Brother Olly Pickett AM, Mrs Gina Rinehart AO, Richard Goyder AO, James McMahon DSC AM DSM, Emeritus Professor Mike Daube AO, Dr Robert Isaacs AM JP, and Professor Fiona Stanley AC.

The premier event, which marked the beginning of the WA Day long weekend across the state, recognised 21 finalists across seven categories.

Among the individual category winners was BHP Youth Award recipient Jack Anderson, an innovative education leader and Co-Founder of Elucidate Education.

The Winston Churchill Fellow and 2026 Schwarzman Scholar was recognised for improving access to high-quality learning resources for more than 80,000 students annually, while championing greater educational equity for rural, Indigenous, and low socioeconomic communities.

South Fremantle legend and proud Noongar leader Stephen Michael received the Ch 7 Sport Award.

Widely recognised as one of the greatest players in WA football history, the dual Sandover Medallist was honoured for his enduring impact beyond the game as Patron of the Stephen Michael Foundation, which supports thousands of young people across the state through education, sport, and wellbeing programs.

The Woodside Energy Professions Award was presented to Dr Daniel Hunt, a Jaru and Yindjibarndi man, General Practitioner, and nationally recognised leader in Aboriginal health.

Dr Hunt was celebrated for his clinical care, public health policy reform, his leadership in infectious disease control during the Australian syphilis epidemic, and his advocacy for vulnerable populations through homeless healthcare services.

Mark Glasson, the Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare WA, claimed the Alcoa of Australia Community Award.

With more than 25 years of leadership across community services, justice, and social policy, Mr Glasson was acknowledged for driving major initiatives supporting vulnerable communities, including the Home Stretch WA campaign for young people leaving out-of-home care.

The Crown Arts and Culture Award went to Grammy-winning musician and acclaimed steel guitarist Lucky Oceans.

The former Asleep at the Wheel co-founder was lauded for his significant contribution to the local and international music scene, becoming a central figure in Western Australia’s culture through performance, broadcasting, education, and mentorship.

Professor Colleen Hayward AM was honoured with the Wesfarmers Aboriginal Award.

The proud Noongar woman and distinguished educator has dedicated more than 35 years of service to education, Indigenous affairs, and community leadership, and made history in 2023 by becoming the first Aboriginal woman appointed to the board of an ASX50 company, Mineral Resources Ltd.