The awards meanwhile recognise outstanding achievements within the global Trenchless Technology community.

The aim of the awards is to raise the profile and status of the ISTT and its award winners. The awards are extremely prestigious and well regarded, and four major awards, covering projects, products and techniques, student research and international excellence were presented.

Australia’s contribution to Trenchless Technology was recognised, with DJ & MB Mac Cormick winning the Product/Technique award for its innovations on the Otway Gas Project.

The innovative project saw a microtunnelling retraction method used for the first time in the southern hemisphere on this important gas infrastructure project.

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Recipients of the project award were Zhao Goa Qiao Shanghai No 2 Municipal Special Engineering Co for their work in Shanghai, China installing a large jacked tunnel using steel pipe screen support.

UK-based Professor Chris Rogers was honoured with the ISTT Award for International Excellence. Professor Rogers was chosen for his exceptional contribution to academic research, recognising a sustained output of high quality research over 20 years and his initiation in 1996 of the first referreed academic research journal to specialise in Trenchless Technology, Trenchless Technology Research.

The final award was presented to a face of the future - Jiri Granilla - who took out the Student award. Mr Granilla, of the Czech Technical University in Prague, was selected for his work on the ‘Application of Tunnels for Services in the Central Area of Prague, Evolution of a Long-Term Project’.

In 2006, the Gala Awards night was held at the Plaza Ball Room in the Brisbane Convention Centre. The event had an underwater theme which highlighted the importance of Trenchless Technology in creating a sustainable future through the responsible use and conservation of water.

After the awardees were adequately toasted (many times), the evening continued well into the night with attendees hitting the dance floor to the jazz and rock sounds of Odyssey.

A Gala Awards evening will feature at 7th ASTT Conference and Exhibition being held in Sydney, Trenchless Australasia 2008, providing individuals and companies working with Trenchless Technology in Australia the opportunity to highlight their success stories to the industry.