Kinetic IT

In Defence, trust isn't granted and relationships aren't built overnight. It takes years of showing up, delivering, and understanding what the sector really needs.

It's something we try to live by at Kinetic IT, and in Leighton Freene, we see it practised every day.

His nomination as a 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 reflects exactly that.

Behind the recognition was a year worth looking at, where Leighton secured a multi-year base services contract with our long-time customer Defence Australia, and led Kinetic IT's involvement in Exercise Talisman Sabre, one of the largest joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific.

Never one to stop with customer excellence, he's also been the executive sponsor behind our Veterans and First Responders Employee Network and Action Plan (itself a finalist at the Defence and National Security Workforce Awards this year 🙌), and has deepened community partnerships with Working Spirit Ltd, the ACT Veterans Rugby Club, and Women 4 STEM VIC. All part of understanding what the sector really needs.

While sector trust doesn't come with a certificate, this might be the closest thing to it. Congratulations Leights 🎖️

Defence Connect

Courtney, Laura and Zoë gave us plenty to be proud of at the Women in ICT Awards last night. ✨

Representing Kinetic IT at the 2026 WIICTAs in Sydney, these incredible women were recognised among the very best across Australia’s technology sector.

👏 Courtney Bohan – Community Impact Award
👏 Laura Domingo – Rising Star Award finalist
👏 Zoë King – Shining Star Award finalist

A special shout‑out to Courtney, who received a 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 for her Community Impact nomination – a standout and thoroughly deserved achievement in a fiercely competitive national field. 💜

We’re proud of the impact these women continue to make across Kinetic IT, our communities and the ICT industry.

Thank you to ARN - Australian Reseller News for continuing to create a platform that celebrates leadership and impact across Australia’s technology sector.

On Anzac Day, we pause to remember.

We think of the Australians and New Zealanders who came ashore at Gallipoli before dawn, and how they met the hardship that followed with more than courage alone.

They kept going through fear, exhaustion and loss. They looked after the person beside them.
They shared what little they had.
They found humour where there was little to be found.

That ANZAC spirit has passed through generations to those who serve today.

From small acts of service to great sacrifice, we honour the instinct to stand up for others, share what we can, and give people a fair go when it matters most.

It’s a legacy worth carrying.

Lest we forget.

✨ 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞... 🥁 Huge congratulations to Karina McLeod Bourne, Ananda Goddard-Dryden, Andrew Haines and our & Mobilisation Team - our Award recipients!

From values-led leadership to everyday allyship and embedding inclusion where it counts most, these incredible people are proof that real change happens one action at a time.

Thank you to every nominee and finalist who is part of this journey with us. 💜

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𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐖𝐃 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬: Kinetic IT's IWD Awards celebrate the momentum and achievements driving gender equity across our business - shining a light on the people and initiatives that bring our objectives, Gender Action Plan and inclusion goals to life.

💜 𝐈𝐖𝐃 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 - Recognising a woman at Kinetic IT who has consistently demonstrated excellence in their role and inspires others through their contributions. Congratulations Karina!

💜 𝐈𝐖𝐃 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 – Honouring a woman at Kinetic IT who is in the early stages of their leadership journey but has shown exceptional initiative and leadership potential. Congratulations Ananda!

💜 𝐈𝐖𝐃 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 – Celebrating an individual who actively contributes to advancing gender equity and inclusion at Kinetic IT. This category is open to all crew, regardless of gender. Congratulations Andrew!

💜 𝐈𝐖𝐃 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 – Recognising initiatives, projects, or process improvements that actively embed inclusive work practices and contribute to meaningful progress towards gender equity at Kinetic IT. Congratulations to our Talent Acquisition & Mobilisation team!