All photos published below have been personally selected by Jim Owens for inclusion in this article.
“I love watching the expressions on my students’ faces when I tell them where I graduated,” Jim said.
The students’ reaction is understandable. Jim graduated in Computer Science and Mathematics from Queen’s University Belfast 52 years ago. His connection with technology goes back even further, having written his first computer program 58 years ago.
“Computer science was always my first love,” he said.
After graduating, Jim initially took a different path. Following career advice at the time, he began as a student chartered accountant, drawn by the financial security it offered. He later worked as a trainee bank manager but soon realised he was not happy in accounting and that there was more to life than money.
This led him back to software engineering, the field that had always been his first passion. Five years later, he migrated to Perth with his family in 1984 and joined RAC as a software engineer.
Over the decades, his career evolved from software development into IT project management, corporate IT training, and digital storytelling.
“I love IT. It’s what gets me out of bed every day because it’s new every morning, with something exciting to discover,”
Jim said.
Pictured above: Jim and his wife on his Graduation day at Belfast University.
Alongside his professional career, Jim has dedicated considerable time to supporting the IT and project management communities.
For many years, he was a columnist for PMPHUB, a website run by him and his friend for the project management profession. He wrote numerous articles on project management and PMI’s Body of Knowledge, while also personally answering thousands of questions from people studying for the PMP exam.
Jim also served on the PMI WA Board for five years as Education Director, Certification Director and Vice President. During his time as Education Director, he developed and delivered the PMI PMP Certification course, which increased participant numbers and improved pass rates from 50 per cent to 93 per cent.
He was also an ACS Branch Executive Member for 11 years, serving as Honorary Secretary. In addition, he was the editor of Offline magazine, a
printed publication for ACS, and managed its printing.
The incredible team of ACS!
For Jim, IT is more than a profession; it is also a lifelong hobby. What has kept him engaged throughout his career is the constant opportunity to learn and discover new things as technology continues to change.
“What I like about it is it's almost like a plant growing; it keeps growing new branches,” Jim said.
Over the years, he has seen successive waves of technological change, from virtualisation and cloud computing to artificial intelligence. Each development has opened new areas to explore. Every time technology appears to have reached a peak, he believes something new emerges to reshape the landscape.
While AI is currently attracting significant attention, Jim sees it as just one branch of a much larger technological future. He believes emerging technologies such as quantum computing will create entirely new possibilities in the years ahead.
Looking ahead, Jim believes that many future advances will rely on computing in one form or another. Whether through AI, quantum computing, supercomputers or other emerging technologies, he sees IT playing a central role in shaping the future.
He also expects industries such as medicine and law to benefit from greater adoption of AI, robotics, and advanced computing.
“That’s why I believe we’re heading towards an IT-driven future,” he said.
“I don't think there are many professions where you can maintain that level of enthusiasm for such a long time. Yet after five decades, I'm still excited by what I'm reading, what I'm learning and what the future might bring,” he reflected.
The
ACS Foundation presentation at Parliment House.
When Jim arrived in Western Australia, the state's slogan was "The State of Excitement". However, it took him a bit of time to find where the excitement was.
That changed when he joined the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and the Perth PC User Group, where he discovered a vibrant community of people who shared his passion for technology.
Through ACS, WAITTA, and the broader technology community, Jim met individuals who were committed to developing their skills, ideas, and products. He witnessed local success stories firsthand, including iiNet, which grew from a garage startup into a major Australian company.
For Jim, the value of the ACS community extended beyond technology. It provided opportunities to meet people, build networks, discuss industry challenges, learn how others solved the problems, and gain insights from their experiences.
Having previously been a member of the British Computer Society while living in Ireland, Jim found the ACS community noticeably different. He was struck by the enthusiasm of its members and genuine passion for technology.
“Here’s a community of people just like me,” Jim recalled.
That sense of connection inspired him to remain actively involved in the community for many years, including attending and participating in a range of events held in the state.
“Attending events is important to me because it’s where I see ideas come to life,” Jim said.
For Jim, technology events offer more than an opportunity to hear about new developments. They provide insights into how people are applying technology, the challenges they have faced, and the lessons they have learned. These are experiences that are difficult to gain from articles or videos alone.
He also values the sense of community, enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with builders, thinkers, and contributors while seeing how
their ideas evolve over time.
Dennis Moore, his generosity led to the formation of the Dennis Moore Oration and 1962 prise.
Photography has long been one of Jim's passions and has become closely connected to his involvement in the technology community.
“I feel my camera is a part of me. It’s not just taking photos, it’s capturing people – their emotions, their passion, their successes”, Jim reflected.
For Jim, photography provides a way to capture the human side of technology while documenting the people and stories behind it.
Around 12 years ago, he became an “accidental digital storyteller”.
He was attending a technology event after purchasing a new Canon DSLR camera and decided to take a few photos and record some of the key points from the presentations. Later, he shared them on LinkedIn.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, he says. Friends, presenters, and members of his network told him the posts made them feel as though they had attended the event themselves. Presenters appreciated that their ideas continued to reach people long after the event ended.
What started as a simple post gradually became an ongoing commitment. Jim saw an opportunity to help ideas travel further, allowing people who could not attend events to still learn from them. He believes there is significant value in hearing how people have struggled, where they have failed, where they have succeeded, and the lessons they have learned along the way.
Over time, organisations began inviting him to events, recognising the value of sharing those insights with a broader audience. Jim's posts also help presenters extend their reach while giving others the opportunity to reflect on and learn from the experiences being shared.
With no sponsors or affiliations influencing his work, Jim focuses on providing an honest and balanced account of the WA technology community and the people behind it.
Jan Kornweibel, founder member of ACS WA and first female chair. Ming Johanson, a real thought leader and radio personality.
When reflecting on the highlights from his years attending events, Jim said there have been many memorable moments. Among them, CS4Kids stands out as a particularly special experience.
Through the program, he saw young students introduced to technology in a fun and engaging way. Capturing their curiosity and excitement is particularly meaningful because it represents the beginning of future careers, Jim says.
"These young people will grow up as cybersecurity natives in a world increasingly shaped by AI-driven threats,” he shares.
One moment that stood out involved a young girl, around nine years old, speaking confidently about protecting yourself on social media. For Jim, it was a reminder of the importance of sharing these messages with young people from an early age.
More broadly, Jim values small, unscripted moments at events. People connect, share ideas, discuss their original inspiration, and often speak openly about their failures before success.
For him, those human moments tell the real story of the community.
Arnold Wong, an inspirational leader who leads by example. David Cook, an inspirational former chair of ACS WA and former WAITTA Achiever of the Year.
Jim has been particularly interested in how AI is being adopted across Western Australia.
What stands out to him is that adoption is highly use-case driven, particularly in industries such as mining, energy and logistics, where each application is expected to deliver a clear return on investment.
He has also observed roles becoming increasingly hybrid, with people expected to be AI-enabled, data-aware and capable of working with automation rather than operating in narrow technical silos.
As Jim noted, “You won't be replaced by AI, you'll be replaced by somebody who knows how to use AI.”
Another positive development is the strong support for SME digital transformation, with government initiatives helping smaller businesses adopt digital tools, AI and cybersecurity.
However, the consistent theme is the skills gap. “There is a significant opportunity, but only if the capability exists to support it.”
Looking ahead, he expects the continued growth of AI, and potentially quantum computing, to increase demand for local infrastructure,
including data centres.
Jim Ellis OA, founder member of ACS WA, the "Father" of WAITTA, ACS Foundation, Big Day in, Former WAITTA Achiever of the Year, and more.
Jim believes continuous learning is essential in an industry where new technologies, tools, and ways of working are constantly emerging. His commitment to staying current is reflected in his LinkedIn profile, which includes more than 270 licences and certifications, with his most recent certification completed less than two months ago.
He acknowledges that ongoing learning requires commitment and sacrifice but sees it as an important part of professional growth. Over the years, this mindset has helped him move into new roles, create new opportunities, and receive invitations to leading IT events.
“Even if it hadn’t opened those doors, I would keep learning because, for me, IT is as much a hobby as it is a career. It’s what I do for fun,” he said.
Jim also points to industry readiness as one of the main challenges facing many IT graduates. While graduates are generally strong in technical skills, employers are increasingly looking for people who can apply those skills in real-world environments, communicate effectively, troubleshoot problems, and work with stakeholders.
Greater workplace exposure through internships, real client projects, and end-to-end project delivery can help bridge that gap. He also sees value in developing a better understanding of Western Australia's key industries, including resources and utilities.
Having worked across hospitality, automotive, transport, networking, and technology in the UK, US and Australia, Jim says being multi-skilled is becoming increasingly important.
He notes that, in the past, it was common for people to stay in the same job for many years. However, he expects that to become less common in the future, with long-term career paths giving way to a more dynamic workforce.
“While it can seem like a challenging and uncertain landscape, I believe this is the direction in which the workforce is heading,” he shared.
In his view, people who adapt, develop a broader range of skills, and move between different opportunities throughout their careers are
likely to be best positioned to succeed.
Michelle Sandford, former ACS WA chair and technology champion.
Gena Rattan, Chief Judge of The Game Changer Awards, outstanding Director and Leader.
Premila Jina, President of WAITTA, Past Chair of The Game Changer Awards, gifted Mentor and Trainer.
Looking ahead, Jim sees the rapid rise of AI as one of the key factors shaping the future of WA's IT sector.
“While the industry has successfully adapted to major shifts in the past, including virtualisation, cloud computing, Agile practices and cybersecurity, AI is advancing at a pace that can outstrip people's understanding of it,” Jim explains.
“It’s important that organisations develop a clear understanding of these systems before placing too much reliance on them.”
He also sees an ongoing gap between academic learning and workplace readiness. Frameworks such as SFIA (the Skills Framework for the Information Age) can help bridge that gap by aligning skills development with industry needs.
Beyond technical expertise, Jim highlights the importance of communication, judgement, people skills, and real-world problem solving. Talent retention is another challenge, with remote work creating greater global opportunities for local professionals.
Despite these challenges, Jim remains optimistic.
Through his years as a judge of WAITTA’s INCITE Awards, he has been consistently impressed by the ingenuity, determination, and creativity within WA's technology community.
“That gives me confidence that WA's technology sector has the capability to meet future challenges and seize new
opportunities.”
Connect with Jim Owens on LinkedIn
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