At the Accreditation Matters 2025 Celebration Dinner, NATA proudly launched a new annual recognition – the Volunteer Contribution Award, designed to honour individuals who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to NATA through their volunteer service.
The inaugural recipient was announced on the night – Mr Alastair Ross AM, a respected leader in the forensic science community and a longstanding contributor to NATA across multiple roles. In a surprise announcement, NATA CEO Jennifer Evans also revealed that the award will now carry his name in perpetuity, becoming the Alastair Ross Award.
“Alastair exemplifies the visionary leadership, technical excellence, and selfless service that we seek to honour with this award,” said Evans. “He has not only shaped NATA’s forensic science program but contributed to the development of accreditation in Australia more broadly.”
Mr Ross’s impact on NATA is profound. As the founding Director of the ANZPAA National Institute of Forensic Science, he played a leading role in developing NATA’s forensic science accreditation program. His leadership helped create a world-first accreditation model that included crime scene examination underpinned by ISO/IEC 17025 – a benchmark that continues to influence international best practice.
Reflecting on that achievement, Mr Ross said he was proud that the steering committee strongly supported including crime scene investigation (CSI) in the program.
“CSI is absolutely fundamental to a forensic science investigation,” he explained. “Our CEO, Jennifer Evans, mentioned in her remarks that the program was a world first in that it included CSI in the suite of services to be covered – and that’s something I’ve always believed was essential.”
His decades of volunteer service to NATA include roles as:
• Technical Assessor (2007–2019)
• Inaugural Chair of the Forensic Science Accreditation Advisory Committee (1994–2005), and continued member until 2012
• NATA Board Member and Chair of the Board of Directors (2011–2016)
He has also been recognised beyond NATA, receiving the Adelaide Medal (International Association of Forensic Sciences), the John Harber Phillips Award for outstanding service to forensic science, and being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
When asked what motivated such sustained commitment, Mr Ross pointed to a deep belief in NATA’s mission.
“It was a strong belief in what NATA does, not only for the forensic science field but for the many other fields for which it provides accreditation,” he said. “NATA’s role in the national and international conformance infrastructure is so important for confidence in quality of product.”
Receiving the inaugural award – and learning it would be named in his honour – was, he said, both humbling and unexpected.
“I felt very honoured and humbled at the same time. There are so many other volunteers that have made extraordinary contributions to NATA. It’s certainly not something I expected, but it is something I will be proud of for the years to come.”
For Mr Ross, one of the defining strengths of NATA is the way it values volunteer contributions.
“The NATA volunteer community is given the opportunity to make a difference — whether through accreditation advisory committees, as members of assessment teams, or as part of the NATA board,” he said. “Input from volunteers is given serious consideration by NATA management.”
And his advice for anyone considering volunteering with NATA?
“Do it! The rewards are many, including the opportunity to work with and learn from other volunteers, accredited organisations, and a range of NATA staff. It’s an environment I’m so pleased I had the opportunity to experience.”
NATA’s volunteer network spans hundreds of individuals from across technical, scientific, and industry sectors. Whether they’re undertaking assessments, contributing to advisory committees, or supporting strategic and governance initiatives, these volunteers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and relevance of Australia’s accreditation system.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of NATA,” Evans said. “Their contributions have shaped not only our accreditation framework, but the quality and integrity of technical systems across Australia. Alastair’s legacy is a testament to the impact that dedicated volunteers can have over time.”
Going forward, the Alastair Ross Award will be presented annually to recognise exceptional volunteer service that supports NATA’s mission and the advancement of accreditation in Australia.
Congratulations Alastair!
