The Garner Family Award

How to apply

Applications open 6 January, 2025.

You can log in and view eligibility requirements and information on how to apply.

Once applications open, you can apply through the Scholarships and Grants portal.

About Eric and Noelle Garner

Eric Garner is an alumnus of three universities: Melbourne (Civil Engineering), Monash (Business Administration) and Deakin (Commercial Law).  He has been employed in the resources sector, both in Australia and Overseas, for over 60 years.  He has specialized in project development and implementation with Australian and International Engineering and Construction companies, both in technical and managerial roles.  He worked in senior and responsible positions in two iron ore projects in WA, and in gold projects also in WA and the NT during the 'Mining Boom'.  As one of AUSTMINE's early Chairmen he took part in numerous trade missions representing both government and private industry, promoting the exports of the Australian Mining Services sector.  For this work he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, his citation stating: 'for services to the resources industry and to international trade'.

Relinquishing routine roles in his work environment, he managed three major international multi-year aid projects. a World Bank funded coal development project in Indonesia, and a large low-grade coal development project in Thailand, and the Mine Safety Project in India, both of which were AIDAB funded.

He has been an AusIMM member for over 35 years, serving a term as Councillor representing overseas members.  He played a key role in the 1995 By-Law and Royal Charter revisions, and in 2004 was awarded the Institute's 'Beryl Jacka' Award.  He chaired two important committees, Membership Applications and Compliance (complaints) each for about 10 years, and again in 2009 his contributions were further recognized when he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Insitute.

Noelle Garner is a Double Certificated Trained Nurse (training at the Alfred and Women's Hospitals in Melbourne).   Following her training she nursed in a country Victorian Hospital and as an assistant to company doctors in Nigeria (for the Shell Company).   Returning to the Alfred in in the 1970s, she was for an extended period of time,  a senior nurse in the specialist neurosurgical unit and in the Staff Clinic.

Having spent an appreciable time living in remote mining communities, on the family returning to Melbourne, she became a member of the Victorian Women's Auxiliary of the AusIMM.  Before the VWA was wound up due to declining membership in around 2014, she served as Honorary secretary for a period of around 25 years.

Her association with, and commitment to mining, complements Eric's career in the industry.