Bec Waller, Founder of APOD (posthumous), is the winner of The Defence Family Business Award, recognising ADF partners and spouses in business(es).
October, 2022
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Prince’s Trust Australia announced its inaugural Beyond Service Awards winners at Admiralty House, Sydney on Tuesday 4th October ‘22.
An initiative of the Prince’s Trust Australia Enterprise programme, the Beyond Service Awards are designed to celebrate the entrepreneurial achievements of Australia’s veteran and family business community.
Bec Waller, Founder of Australian Partners of Defence (posthumous), is the winner of The Defence Family Business Award, recognising ADF partners and spouses in business(es). Bec also came second for the Power of One Award recognising the outstanding efforts of an individual that works on their own.
Watch the spotlight video on Bec here:
“She is a testament to the determination that so many spouses epitomise during their service to our nation”
Michelle Endacott, Chief Executive of Prince’s Trust Australia, said, “Bec bravely battled – and initially won – her fight with lymphoma. Within 18 months, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia and sadly passed away. She is a testament to the determination that so many spouses epitomise during their service to our nation.”
The award was accepted by Bec Waller’s parents Keith and Janet Waller, alongside APOD Chief Executive Officer and Bec’s fiancé Paul Broadbridge.
“It was a bittersweet afternoon in terms of sad that Bec was not able to be there to see the recognition for what she built, but amazing in terms of the recognition of what the APOD team continues in her legacy”
Speaking on the occasion, Paul said, “It was a bittersweet afternoon in terms of sad that Bec was not able to be there to see the recognition for what she built, but amazing in terms of the recognition of what the APOD team continues in her legacy in the knowledge of the difference we can make.”
Paul also took the opportunity to congratulate all the finalists and winners at the inaugural Beyond Service Awards, saying that it’s a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity of not just those here today but the broader ecosystem of defence and veteran entrepreneurs. We are proud to be part of this community and see our success as the community’s success.
Bec Waller founded Australia Partners of Defence in 2012 whilst the spouse of an Army Officer. Today, APOD works with more than 3,000 brands and 21,000 stores, supporting more than 127,000 defence and veteran military families and recognising veteran owned businesses. Because of the efforts of Bec and her fiancé Paul who’s now the CEO of APOD, the organisation secured a contract with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 2019, granting access to all DVA Veteran Card holders.
The 2022 Beyond Service Awards are proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsor Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and Silver Sponsors PwC Australia and BAE Systems Australia. The Prince’s Trust Australia Enterprise program received grant funding from the Australian Government to support veteran owned businesses.
APOD would like to thank Prince’s Trust Australia for recognising Bec’s role, and to the wider defence and veteran community for their continuous support.
See the media release from Prince’s Trust Australia here: Media Releases (princes-trust.org.au)