Ozwater’25: Making the most of Day One

Ozwater’25 kicks off today with inspiring keynotes, diverse panels and workshops, and plenty of opportunities to connect and explore. Whether it’s your first time at Ozwater or you’re a seasoned delegate, Day One sets the tone – and there’s plenty to get excited about. 

This morning’s Opening Ceremony will begin with a traditional Smoking and Cleansing, and Welcome to Country, led by Jack Buckskin, a proud Kaurna, Narungga and Wirangu man who has been instrumental in revitalising the Kaurna language and culture. Jack will reflect on the enduring importance of water for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Country. 

Following the ceremony, Professor Juliet Willetts, Research Director at the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, will explore how the water sector’s deep roots in public health continue to shape our response to today’s global challenges. 

Here’s what to watch out for next. 

On-the-ground highlights for Day One 

Keep your eyes open for these standout events and activations happening throughout the day.

Education Hub – Tertiary Student Experience Day (10.15am–3.30pm) 
Sponsored by Fulton Hogan and supported by SUEZ, the hub is buzzing with activity throughout the day. The Education Hub will be crawling with students (i.e. the next generation of water leaders). 

Student Water Prize Presentations (11.00am–3.10pm, Riverbank 6)
Hear from the next generation of water leaders as student prize finalists present their innovative research and fresh ideas.

New Member Meetup (3.10pm, AWA Stand) 
You new, too? Come say hello, make some connections, and meet the team at this relaxed networking moment just for new members.

Careers in Water Panel (3.30pm, Education Hub) 
Facilitated by Jane Death (Pensar), the panel features Sharon James (AWA), Peter Gee (WSAA), Stuart Khan (University of Sydney), Bo Manamperi (SUEZ), Ben Steel (Stantec), Mark Wuth (Cairns Regional Council), and Hannah Crockford (NSW Government) 

Gems in STEM Panel (4.00pm, Education Hub) 
Facilitated by Mandhy Senewiratne (FyreFly Global Sustainability), this session features Bridie Fennessy (Yarra Valley Water), Hayley Vinden (Barwon Water), Mark Lawrence (CMP), Priscilla Chung (South East Water), and Soyun Punyadasa (Gems in STEM, CMP) 

Dive into Day One panels 

Running across the entire day are 10 diverse streams covering every area of the water sector – so whatever your focus, there’s plenty to plan for. 

For those keen to explore bold ideas and shared challenges in more depth, today’s panels and workshops deliver big thinking and practical takeaways.  

Here are just a few panel highlights to consider: 

Inclusive futures: Tapping into neurodivergent talent in the water sector 
Facilitated by Annalisa Contos from Atom Consulting and Tiani Zollo from SA Water, this panel explores how the sector can address skills shortages by embracing neurodiversity and creating more inclusive, accessible workplaces.  

Speakers Michael Krome (Australian Spatial Analytics), Shae Wissell (Re:think Dyslexia), and Merryn Bailey (SA Water) will share candid insights and real-world examples of inclusive hiring and support systems. 

Keep the fire burning: Truth-telling, co-design, and pathways to reconciliation 
Hosted by the Australian Water Association and facilitated by Dr Piers Gillespie, this powerful session brings together Nellie Hirschausen (SA Water), Phil Duncan (Traditional Owner of the Terry Hie Hie lands of the Gomeroi nation), and Nina Braid (Yarra Valley Water) to reflect on how reconciliation can shape our governance and connection to Country.

The panel will explore co-design, leadership and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge into water management. 

Navigating the gray: Balancing complex legislation and diverse perspectives  
Hosted by KPMG and facilitated by Madeleine English, this session will bring together legal, engineering and sustainability experts Damion Keasey, Matt Pearce, Harry Cooper and Grace Smith to break down the challenges of regulatory compliance, cross-sector collaboration and strategic risk in a shifting policy environment. 

Potable reuse: Do we leapfrog to DPR?  
Facilitated by Dr Bruce Atkinson of Beca HunterH2O, this session features public health and technical experts Dr Eva Steinle-Darling (Carollo Engineers), Dr Kaye Power (Sydney Water), Dr Dan Deere (Water Futures), and Dr David Cunliffe (SA Health), who will explore the global progress in direct potable reuse and its potential to reshape water supply strategies in Australia. 

A collaborative exploration of recycled water economics – challenges and successful approaches 
Hosted by the AWA Water Recycling Specialist Network and facilitated by Kathy Northcott and Pam Kerry, this session will tackle the financial and policy challenges of recycled water schemes.  

Speakers Joel Byrnes (Marsden Jacob Associates), Charlie Littlefair (South East Water), Adam Lovell (WSAA) and Greta Zornes (CDM Smith) will unpack real-world examples and practical strategies for improving economic viability and sustainability. 

Challenging Conversations Series: The power and perils of AI for the water sector  
Hosted by Aurecon and facilitated by Ryan Signor, this session will bring together a cross-sector panel to interrogate the role of AI in the water sector.  

Speakers include Pierre Pauliac (SUEZ), Karlene Maywald (Department for Environment and Water), Dave Mackenzie (Aurecon), and Amanda Lewry (SA Water), who will reflect on the opportunities, risks, and governance challenges AI presents. 

And that’s just scratching the surface. Check the full Ozwater’25 program for more panels on hydrogen, climate, investment and more. 

Workshop highlight 

A shared journey to build water literacy through community education 
Hosted by the AWA Water Literacy and Education Specialist Network and facilitated by Sydney Water’s Tracey Willingham, this interactive session will explore what water literacy means and how we can build it across communities.  

Speakers Zoe Walsh (Sequana), Karen Kagi (Water Corporation), Sally Denton (SA Water), and Shane Jacobson (Sydney Water Ambassador) will share lessons from outreach programs and challenge attendees to take action. 

Wrap up with Happy Hour 

Happy Hour from 5.30pm in the Exhibition Halls (sponsored by KBR) 
One of the most popular traditions at Ozwater, Happy Hour is your chance to relax and catch up with colleagues after a jam-packed first day. See you there! 

Want to make the most of your Ozwater’25 experience? Check out the dedicated Ozwater’25 platform to plan your day.