NSW Monthly Wrap Up - May 2025
Welcome to the May 2025 wrap-up from your NSW branch, highlighting the key activities and events that brought our community together and showcasing our shared achievements and memorable moments.
2025 NSW Public Service Graduate program kicks off
To help welcome our 2025 Digital Stream cohort at our recent Sydney event, ACS CEO Josh Griggs shared some of his career highlights and had some helpful tips on how our NSW Public Sector Digital Stream graduates might navigate their IT career including valuing learning at work and working in a supportive environment.
Our 2024 Digital Stream cohort gained valuable insights from David McEwan, Emissions Reduction & Climate Risk Specialist who, among other things, highlighted the need for cooperation and coordination within and between governments and business, including insurance and financial markets to meet today’s climate challenges. The time to act is now, enabling us to look after both our plant and our communities.
During post event workshop activities, 2024 Digital Stream graduates had the opportunity to share some of their program insights and experiences with our 2025 Transport NSW Digital Stream graduates. This cross-cohort collaboration was a valuable opportunity to share first-hand graduate experiences and learnings.
As our 2025 Digital Stream cohort settle into their new roles across ten different NSW Government Agencies, ACS Careers, ACS NSW Branch and ACS Member Services, together with the NSW Premier’s Department continue to support the graduates on their Digital Stream journey.
NSW Young Achievers of the Year
ACS NSW proudly sponsors one of the categories for the 2025 NSW Young Achievers of the Year and some of the BEC members attended the Awards Night at the Fullerton Sydney last Friday 2 May.
The sponsored award was the Connecting Community Awards and was open to applications from young individuals or groups that drive grassroots, ‘real life’ initiatives that demonstrate genuine engagement and add long-term value to local communities.
Across the many talented finalists, the Category Winner was awarded to Darian Brooker, who is a young person from Holsworthy who grew up in foster care. She founded We, Future Leaders now leading over 50 staff and supporting 4,000 students in out-of-home care, those with neurodivergence and in rural communities.
The overall winner of the night was Bella Bain, Global Head of Product Design at Macquarie Group and People’s Choice winner was Heimy Lee and Libu Molina.
ACS New South Wales Branch Forum
NSW Branch recently hosted another successful branch forum, “Today’s Technology: Innovating for Community Impact", which brought together forward-thinking technologists and changemakers to explore how emerging tools and digital solutions are transforming the way we serve our aged communities.
Guest speaker, Louise Ridlen CEO Peppermint IT and I.T. Lady, discussed how she is leading young digital natives under 18 who are participating in projects with direct community benefits, including site visits to aged care facilities and hospitals to share their tech knowledge with older members of the community.
ACS BEC member, Dr Abby Bloom Co-Founder My Caring Life & PrimeLife Partners, shared her insights on the ethical and inclusive use of digital platforms to support the aging community whilst emphasizing the role of empathy in innovation.
A big thank you to our NSW BEC members, Andrew Crawford Vice Chair NSW BEC, who skillfully emceed this event and NSW BEC member, Rob Estherby, who welcomed guests to the event.
This event also present ACS member, Charbel El Chalouhy, with his ACS CP Certificate and the NSW Branch congratulates Charbel on what has been an outstanding achievement.
Also a note of thanks to Joyce Long and Elana Huthnance for yet another successful branch event.
Quantum Coding Masterclass | NSW Branch
Quantum computing strikes fear in the heart of mere mortals but ACS NSW reached out to A/Prof Chris Ferrie, UTS, to disprove the myth that Quantum computing is impossible for most.
Chris presented an interactive, hands-on coding masterclass with provided access to a Quantum computer so that attendees learnt how to write their own quantum programs starting with a simple addition of 1+1. At the end of the immersive masterclass our ACS members left with their own playable quantum game.
A big thanks to Branch staff, Joyce Long and Elana Huthnance for what proved to be a very inspiring session.
Excelsia Joins the ACS Professional Partnership Program
On Friday 30 May, NSW State Manager, Elana Huthnance, provided a presentation to the Bachelor of IT students and one of ACS newest PPP, Excelsia University College. The presentation was hosted by Andrew Levula MACS CP (Snr) who has been a member of ACS since he first starting working in Australia over 15 years ago. He has since completed his Skills Assessment and certification as a Certified Professional. He has more recently been recognised as a Senior Member.
ACS is pleased to have Excelsia on board and look forward to support its students as they begin their careers in ICT sector.
As we conclude this month’s review, we extend a formal invitation for you to engage more deeply with our upcoming events and community initiatives. As a valued member, your presence enriches our gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. We also recognise the expertise you bring, and we encourage you to share your knowledge and insights to contribute to the growth and success of our community. Your involvement is crucial in shaping the future of our branch, and we look forward to your continued participation in the months ahead. Explore our upcoming events here
ACS NSW Team