On the 16th of April 2025, the 2024 Premier’s Excellence Awards celebrated the outstanding individuals and teams in the South Australian public sector who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional outcomes for our state.
As the highest honour within the public sector, these awards recognised the dedication, innovation, and commitment of public servants who exemplify the Public Sector values in their work. Every day, more than 118,000 public sector employees provide essential services that impact the lives of South Australians—often without seeking recognition. The Premier’s Excellence Awards offered a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate their invaluable contributions.
The 2024 program featured 11 awards across six categories, showcasing the breadth of talent and service within the public sector.
This year, over 140 outstanding nominations were received, highlighting the extraordinary work being done across government. Congratulations to all the finalists—your efforts continue to make a meaningful difference to South Australia.
📺 If you missed the live stream, you can still watch the full recording of the day’s proceedings here:
Learn about our speakers
Erma Ranieri PSM FIPAA
IPAA SA President, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment
Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment
Appointed on 1 July 2014, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri works passionately towards creating a world-leading public sector that serves South Australians well, does what it says it will do, and to which every public servant is proud to belong.
With the role of the public sector being to serve and support South Australia to thrive, Erma leads sector-wide reform to modernise the public sector and continue to build on its value and service to the South Australian community.
Erma has worked for more than 30 years to help organisations optimise productivity and employee wellbeing. She was named a 2014 Telstra Business Woman of the Year as SA Winner of the Telstra Community and Government Award for her role in leading transformational change throughout the public sector.
With a key focus on flexibility, diversity and leadership development to ensure the public sector is positioned as an Employer of Choice, Erma continues to challenge cultural and structural barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the community.
Rick Persse AM
Chief Executive
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Rick Persse AM was appointed to lead the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in December 2024.
An accomplished public sector leader, Rick joins the department after a successful period from April 2022 as South Australia’s Under Treasurer leading the Department of Treasury and Finance.
Prior to Treasury, Rick was Chief Executive of the Department for Education for 6 years, after leading the Attorney-General’s Department for 4 years.
With expertise in policy and strategy development, transformation, public sector reform and major project delivery, Rick’s knowledge of public administration comes from an expansive career building and leading teams as an executive at a variety of South Australian central government agencies.
Prior to being appointed to the role of Chief Executive, Attorney-General’s Department, Rick worked with government and non-government clients as a Big 4 Consulting firm SA Government and Health Leader.
Rick has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management from Griffith University.
Event brought to you by
Date
Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Time
Stream commences at 11:45 am
for a 12:00 pm start
Event Concludes at 2:00 pm
Inclusions
Live online stream
Location
Online
Costs
Free for all State Government, Corporate and Personal Members of IPAA SA