The Kevin Pakes Perpetual Achievement Award
El chuffo! Thank you PIAA!
We were very chuffed on Wednesday 2 September, when our own Anna Harch received the Kevin Pakes Perpetual Achievement Award at the 2026 PIAA Industry Awards.
The awards recognise people and businesses making a contribution across Australia’s wider pet industry, from aquatics, retail and manufacturing to pet services and grooming. But receiving this particular award sent us down a little rabbit hole into the story of the man behind the name.
Kevin Pakes became the first Executive Director of the Pet Industry Association Australia (PIAA) in 1989, at a time when the association was making the move from largely volunteer administration towards a full-time professional structure. During his four years in the role, Kevin was involved in some significant issues for the Australian pet industry, including World Animal Day, veterinary chemical regulation and the review of animal welfare legislation. He also worked to establish state administration units around Australia, strengthening the association’s national presence.
Sadly, Kevin died suddenly just four years after taking on the role. The Kevin Pakes Perpetual Achievement Award was subsequently established in his name, recognising service to and achievement in the Australian pet industry.
There’s a personal connection for us, too. Nat met Kevin in those early years of her own career, and remembers most of all his enthusiasm for the pet industry. More than 30 years later, that makes seeing his name on this award particularly lovely.
Anna received the award in recognition of “developing behaviour-informed grooming education and advancing a national education pathway.”
A huge thank you to PIAA for this recognition. It’s a genuine honour to receive an award with this history behind it, and wonderful to see so many people from across the pet industry recognised on the night for their innovation, leadership, service and commitment to professional standards.
We’re very proud to play our small part in an industry that continues to learn, develop and strive for better outcomes for the animals in our care.
The award was subsequently taken to the pub.
