December 18, 2025 in News
Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 AMCA National Indust...
A.G. Coombs is proud to announce that six of our team members have been recognised at the 2025 AMCA National Industry Excellence Awards, held in Melbo...
December 11, 2025
The AIRAH Awards recognise excellence in Australia’s HVAC&R building services industry.
AIRAH bestows its most prestigious honour – the James Harrison Medal – to a person who has demonstrated the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry.
Bryon Price pictured centre at the 2025 AIRAH Awards with the AIRAH Board (L to R) Alan Fok, Michael Riese, Mikaila Ganado, Bryon Price, Sami Zheng, Chris Stamatis and Chris Bong.
On 20 November at the 2025 AIRAH Awards, AIRAH President Mikaila Ganado, announced A.G. Coombs Strategic Development Director, Bryon Price as the recipient of an esteemed James Harrison Medal.
Recognition of a career contributing to the industry
Awarding the medal to Bryon, AIRAH praised Bryon’s dedication to the industry, saying:
“Bryon truly defines what it is to be an AIRAH legend. Throughout 25 years of AIRAH membership, he has been actively involved in countless initiatives, projects and conferences, both as a technical committee member and a speaker. He is a long-time member and former associate director of the Institute’s Victorian division committee and has also served as the chair of the Facility Management Association of Australia, as well as holding a
position on the board of ARBS.”
“Perhaps most impressively, Bryon sat on the AIRAH national board for 14 years, helping guide the Institute through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He is widely regarded as an innovative engineer,
a champion of sustainability, and a true leader within the HVAC&R industry.”
The crucial role that industry associations play
In accepting the award in front of 200 of his industry peers, Bryon spoke of his passion for the HVAC&R sector and the often under-appreciated but fundamental role it plays in the built environment and multiple industry’s.
He also provided a short summary of his involvement in industry associations over 35 years and their initiatives he was most proud. Including the Property Council, and their energy guidelines and energy surveys in the early 1990’s as the precursor to ABGRS and NABERS progressing to the establishment of the Australian Building Energy Council with the Property Council, Institute of Architects, Engineers Australia and the Master Builders, establishing the groundwork and the principles for the development and inclusion of Part J in the National Construction Code. Overtime this involvement expanded into other national roles with the Property Council and roles with the AMCA, Standards Australia committees, establishment work and committees with the Energy Efficiency Council, the Green Building Council and WELL, and the longstanding Board roles with AIRAH, the Facility Management Association and ARBS.
A culture of giving back
Acknowledging the organisations that have helped shape his career, Bryon said:
“For the last 35 years I have been fortunate to be part of companies that have understood the importance of industry associations and the need to participate, contribute and lead where you can.”
“The culture and values of these organisations was founded on the simple belief that if you are part of an industry you need to put back in. We are stronger and more effective when we align and collaborate,” he added.
In thanking AIRAH for the honour, he concluded:
“Working with AIRAH management, staff, various boards and presidents over the last 25 years has been both a privilege and pleasure. In the end, it is always about the people, their inspiration, their leadership, the contributions, learnings and friendships.”
The board, management and staff of A.G. Coombs Group congratulate Bryon on this auspicious award and his ongoing commitment to the building services industry.
Discover more about James Harrison and the James Harrison Medal by AIRAH at https://airah.org.au/site/about/james-harrison
