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He is a former Chair of the ACS Western Australian Branch, and was responsible for initiating WA’s first awards program for high achievers in ICT, which he later expanded beyond the ACS to become the Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards (WAITTA), now the premier ICT awards in the state. “This is a great honour,” said a delighted Jim Ellis. “I’ve had an exciting career in ICT, working at the leading edge of change, and it’s an unexpected privilege to be recognised in this way. I hope this provides an incentive for other people in the ICT industry to put their back into it and do what needs to be done to grow the profession and the industry,” he said. ACS National President, Kumar Parakala, congratulated Mr Ellis on his award, saying he is an extraordinary achiever. “Jim Ellis has shown undiminished commitment to the IT sector over more than forty years of professional experience, holding numerous voluntary positions within the ACS, AIIA and other industry bodies. His contributions have been both substantial and widespread, and I am delighted to see him recognised in this way.” ACS Chief Executive, Kim Denham, a former ACS WA Branch Chair herself, said the Order of Australia comes on the heels of Jim winning the prestigious WAITTA Achiever Award in 2007. “There are very few people in the ICT industry who have given so much of their time over such a long period. I had the pleasure of working alongside Jim Ellis for several years before moving to Sydney from Perth in March and have benefited from his advice and experience on numerous occasions. This is a well-deserved tribute,” she said. Mr Ellis has also been active in the academic arena since the mid 1980s, serving on and later chairing consultative committees for the Schools of IT at Edith Cowan University and Murdoch University. He still chairs the committee at Murdoch University, where he was made an Adjunct Professor in 2006. As founding Chair of the ACS Foundation WA Chapter and a national Board Director, he has helped to provide scholarships for scores of students undertaking ICT-related degree programs in universities around the country. ACS Foundation Executive Director, John Ridge, said Mr Ellis is one of those rare individuals who recognises the value of contributing at the grass roots level to help grow the next generation of ICT leaders. “Jim leads by his outstanding example. He has worked really hard to build momentum for the ACS Foundation in WA and has been an extraordinary mentor for some of our scholarship students there. I am extremely pleased to see him honoured with an Order of Australia as it is richly deserved.” - Ends - About the ACS: The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional association for those working in Information and Communications Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and represent their views to government, industry and the community. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both members and non-members with opportunities for professional education, networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information. About the ACS Foundation: An initiative of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) the ACS Foundation was established in August 2001 to encourage both private and public sponsorship of ICT scholarships, higher education and research projects. The ACS Foundation receives funding from more than 200 sponsors – including ICT companies, industry associations, Government bodies, individuals and the ACS itself. Since the ACS Foundation’s inception, it has raised over $12 million in cash and in-kind sponsorship for scholarships and research, awarding more than 650 scholarships to high achievers and people who are disadvantaged in some way.
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