Australian veteran Shannon Lemanski has become the first Australian to win a global award at The King’s Trust, recognised for a business inspired by his experiences serving overseas.
Lemanski received the 2026 Global Sustainability Award during the charity’s 50th anniversary celebration at London’s Royal Albert Hall, attended by George Clooney, Amal Clooney, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rod Stewart, alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Lemanski, a veteran and alumnus of The King’s Trust Australia, was recognised for his company Aqua Ubique, which converts air into water through onsite generators, reducing the need for bottled water and plastic waste.
Shannon started the business with his wife Dannii after the pair witnessed first-hand the problems associated with water insecurity.
The idea was sparked while Lemanski was deployed on exercise in Papua New Guinea, where he was responsible for supplying bottled water to 120 soldiers.
During a tip run, locals asked him not to crush empty plastic bottles before they were discarded so they could reuse them to collect rainwater for their children.
Weeks later, he watched as soldiers were ordered to dispose of two pallets of bottled water because it had technically “expired”.
The experience stayed with him and later inspired the couple to launch Aqua Ubique.
For every five commercial installations, the company installs and supports a unit in a remote First Nations community with limited access to safe drinking water.
“The King’s Trust Enterprise programme didn’t just sharpen our thinking – it backed us to take action,” Shannon said.
“More than anything, it reminded us we weren’t alone. It gave us capability, credibility, and connections at a stage where those three things were hard to come by – and it continues to shape how we grow.”
The King’s Trust was founded by King Charles in 1976 to help disadvantaged young people with education, training and employment. Formerly known as The Prince’s Trust, it was renamed in 2024 following his accession to the throne.
The organisation estimates it has supported more than 1.3 million people.
Other award recipients included Sudanese asylum seeker Musa, who received the L’Oreal Paris Rising Star Award after rebuilding his life and finding work in landscaping.
Nanina received the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award after returning to school through a Trust-supported program and later helping other girls continue their education.
Brandon was awarded the Homesense Young Achiever Award after overcoming mental health struggles linked to unemployment and returning to work with support from the charity.
Image: Aqua Ubique
