Veterans bring valuable experience to Australian business: leadership, resilience, technical expertise, teamwork and a strong sense of purpose.
For more than 30 years, Allan Dundas has served the defence sector in both uniformed and civilian roles.
Now his leadership as the South Australian founder of growing defence company DEWC Services, combined with his commitment to supporting veterans in the workforce, has earned him a national honour: Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year as part of the 2026 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards.
Mr Dundas, a former member of the Royal Australian Air Force, founded DEWC Services in 2011 with the purpose of supporting Defence and contributing meaningfully to Australia’s sovereign capability.
The Mawson Lakes-based company has since grown from a specialist consultancy into a trusted Defence partner employing more than 100 people, with almost one-third of its workforce comprised of Australian Defence Force veterans.
Mr Dundas said receiving the award was an incredibly proud moment for both him and the people in his business.
“Veterans bring valuable experience to Australian business: leadership, resilience, technical expertise, teamwork and a strong sense of purpose. Leaving uniform doesn’t mean leaving those qualities behind,” Mr Dundas said.
“Business has an important role to play in recognising that value and creating meaningful opportunities for veterans to build their next careers and continue serving the Australian community. I’m proud that DEWC can be part of that journey.”
More than 50 early-career professionals have been recruited, trained and deployed through DEWC Services’ graduate programs, internships and recruitment from related industries, with veterans and reservists providing Defence focused mentoring and technical guidance to the company’s emerging workforce.
Since its inception, DEWC Services has played a key role in enhancing Australia’s sovereign capabilities in the electromagnetic battle space, contributing to more than 200 Defence projects.
The 9th annual awards, held earlier this month at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, recognised veterans and partners succeeding beyond service, as well as employers supporting veteran and partner employment.
South Australian Veteran Employer Network members, Human Quotient Group and Ventia were also recognised among the finalists, together with Soldier On that support South Australian veterans and their families through employment, wellbeing and social connection programs.
