The 2026 event also marked a new chapter for the Annual Dinner & Awards Night, moving to Centrepiece at Melbourne Park for the first time following many years at Crown Palladium. The surrounding sports and entertainment precinct was alive with activity, with the Hahn Australia Cup Final taking place at neighbouring AAMI Park and the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival underway across the weekend. Against this backdrop, the atmosphere surrounding the Annual Dinner was electric, providing a fitting setting for one of the biggest nights on the A.G. Coombs calendar.

Recognising Service, Achievement & Emerging Talent

A special part of the evening was the recognition of long service. Tim Aughton, John Deimezis, Simon Fragiacomo, David Kerr, Brad Lowe, Gavin Mitchell, Andrew Smith and Mark Goodwin were recognised for 21 years of service, while Libby Atkinson marked an exceptional 40 years with A.G. Coombs.

Kevin Wilson and John Plowman were recognised in their retirement, while Andrew Smith and Mark Goodwin were acknowledged for achieving 21 years of service and preparing for retirement. Special recognition was given to Jeff Simon for his long-standing association with the Group and Dr Chris Mason for his contribution as a non-executive member of the A.G. Coombs Group Board.

The evening also celebrated the Class of 2026 graduating apprentices across mechanical plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, sprinkler fitting and drafting disciplines.

Special congratulations went to Rhys Tsetinis, winner of the 2026 Allan Coombs Training Award, and Joshua D’Souza, winner of the 2026 Young Achiever’s Award. The awards recognise emerging talent across the A.G. Coombs Group, with the Allan Coombs Training Award focused on the application, effort and dedication of apprentices and trainees and the Young Achiever’s Award recognising the positive achievements of people aged under 30.

A First Look at the A.G. Coombs 80-Year Story

The night also provided the setting for another significant moment in the A.G. Coombs story.

Managing Director Russell Telford presented the official two-minute trailer for Perpetuating the Vision: A.G. Coombs – Bringing Buildings to Life for the first time.

The trailer introduces the A.G. Coombs 80-year history book and the people, projects and ideas that have shaped the company across eight decades.

Watch the official Perpetuating the Vision book trailer.