The Australian Water Association’s Victorian Branch is looking ahead to another big year of connection, collaboration and conversation across Victoria’s water community.
With a new Branch Committee, an energetic Young Water Professionals (YWP) Committee and a diverse program taking shape, 2026–27 will create plenty of opportunities for members to connect, learn and contribute to some of the most important conversations facing our sector.
Sam Skinner, President
Sam Skinner is Principal, Water and Wastewater Treatment at Aurecon, with a strong focus on helping the water industry on its path to net zero and beyond. Sam has been involved with AWA committees for a decade and is currently Victorian Branch President and Founder of AWA’s Beyond Zero Specialist Network.
For Sam, the year ahead is about seeing the ideas and energy of the Victorian water community translated into action.
“We have brilliant Victorian Branch and YWP committees representing a broad cross-section of our industry, and there are so many opportunities to collaborate on the issues shaping our future - from Treaty and Circular Water to water security and resilience, Net Zero, and water’s role as an enabler of prosperity.”
Zoe Walsh, Vice President
Zoe Walsh is Director, Brand & Marketing at Sequana and has more than 15 years’ experience in communications, engagement and storytelling. She is passionate about strengthening the connection between the water sector and the communities it serves, improving water literacy and creating opportunities for people across the industry to share ideas, build relationships and amplify the impact of their work.
As incoming Vice President, Zoe is particularly excited about creating more opportunities to bring Victoria’s water community together - across organisations, disciplines, career stages and geographies.
“Victoria is facing some big conversations about its water future. Population growth, climate change and water security are increasing pressure on our systems at the same time as we navigate major opportunities around circular water, sustainability, innovation and infrastructure investment.
"What excites me is the role AWA can play in creating a neutral space for those conversations, connecting utilities, government, consultants, contractors, researchers, young professionals and communities so we can learn from one another and tackle challenges collectively.”
Leading the Victorian YWP Committee this year are Co-Chairs Matt Sullivan, Senior Civil Engineer at Beca, and Chelsea Burgess, Process Engineer in Treatment Plant Operations at Yarra Valley Water, supported by Vice Chair Maxime Porcheron.
Matt brings experience across water and wastewater infrastructure planning, design, delivery and asset management, while Chelsea has worked across planning, compliance and operational roles spanning drinking water, wastewater and recycled water. Both are passionate about creating opportunities for early-career professionals to build meaningful relationships and careers across the sector.
The YWP calendar is already shaping up to be a busy one, with technical and networking events, site visits and behind-the-scenes industry tours, professional development workshops, community and sustainability initiatives, and an expanded program of social events. The committee will also continue growing its mentoring program and strengthening connections with universities and regional members.
For Matt, a key priority is growing participation and creating more ways for young professionals to connect across utilities, consultancies, contractors and academia.
Chelsea is equally excited about building on previous years while introducing new initiatives.
“Our committee is always incredibly engaged, and I’m already hearing so many new and innovative ideas. I’m very keen to see what the team will achieve.”
Joining Sam and Zoe on the Victorian Branch Committee are Alanna Wright, Amanda Gilfoyle, Celeste Ward, Chris Lee, David Kirby, Digna Nichols, Don Sirikhant, Emily Quek, Hanna Burgess, Jackie Moss, James Gong, Joe El Zein, Julien Tauvry, Melanie Scerri, Petra Katona, Rebekah Henry, Rohan Ogier, Samantha Aitchison, Savalan Pour and Sophie Barton.
The Victorian YWP Committee includes Co-Chairs Matt Sullivan and Chelsea Burgess, Vice Chair Maxime Porcheron, and Arun Nirmalaraja, Cathy Li, Deepak Mallya, Lucy Goss, Michael Zhao, Ninad Dharmadhikari, Pranay Parashar, Rex Ho, Rohan Sali, Stephanie Cheevers, James Larner, Linda Shi, Rachel Jacgung, Emily Johnston, William Runciman, William Dang, Sandrine Henriot and Yagnesh Naidu.
AWA’s Victorian Branch is powered by volunteers who generously contribute their time, expertise, networks and ideas to strengthening our water community.
We welcome all our new and returning committee members and extend a sincere thank you to our outgoing committee members – Emma Milburn, Frederic Blin, Dom Murray-Fiume, Flora Markis, Keith Dimech, Sam Beer, Millie Simpson, Alex Medich, Jacki Dunn, Jaya Negi, Latham Silsby, Marian Maty and Mohamed Ali - for their contribution to the Branch and Victorian water community.
With an ambitious program ahead, we encourage members to get involved: attend an event, join a conversation, connect with someone new or share an idea with the committee. The strength of AWA Victoria comes from the breadth of people who participate in it, and we look forward to working with you throughout the year ahead.
Learn more about the AWA Victorian Branch here.