Queensland President’s Reflections of 2022

What a fantastic year for the water sector in Queensland! Everybody I’ve been talking to is extremely busy with the three-week countdown to the Christmas break.

It has been a great few months since my last column with the successful Gala Dinner and Water Awards night and the combined North Queensland and QWater Conference held in Cairns. And the Young Water Professionals held their ever-popular Amazing Race, with fifteen teams enjoying a great afternoon exploring the city, with most of these donning very creative costumes.

The Queensland Branch finished the year with a Sundowner event at the 4 Hearts Brewery in Ipswich. It was great way to catch up with people and sample some craft beers.

Last month, AWA held its board election process with all existing board members that nominated for re-election returning and three new board members selected. I would like to welcome the new board members Eric Vanweydeveld, Chris Bulloch and Clare Porter.

As we come to the end of the year, I would like to provide a special thanks to our Member Engagement Manager, Carlie Sargent and our Branch Committee members who make AWA successful. These include our Past President - Nicole Davis, Vice President – Will Spiers, Amie Aldred, Natalie Muir, Olivia Newman, Simon Taylor, Jeff Ballard, Christian Truscott, Janice Wilson, Leah Sertorio, Michael Puntil, Chris Manning, Charlene Wong, Johanna Johnson, Justin Simonis and Zak Floyde Smith. I’d also like to thank all members of the Queensland YWP Subcommittee for continuing to provide opportunities for connection and development for those newer to the water sector and all members who contribute on our conference committees. All of these volunteers have been busy working hard on making sure that we provide great events for members where we share knowledge and enable networking.

Our team has been busy organising the events coming up in the new year including the annual Industry Breakfast being held on Wednesday, 22 February 2023 at Victoria Park in Brisbane, with thanks to our continuing sponsor, Jacobs. This event will include regional hubs thanks to ARUP in Cairns, Townsville City Council and Mackay Regional Council. It will be a great event with some fantastic Keynote speakers, Mary Kanavoutsos (Executive Director Water, Jacobs), Paul Arnold (CEO, Urban Utilities), Anna Jackson (CEO, Unitywater) and Stuart Wilson (Deputy Executive Director, WSAA). I look forward to hearing them discuss the critical issues for delivering a sustainable water future.

We will be kicking off next year’s QLD Mentoring Program with a launch event on 1 February 2023. This is a great initiative that has been running successfully for several years so I would encourage everyone to reach out to your networks to encourage participation.

I hope you all stay safe during this festive season and enjoy the time off. Thank you to those who will be working to keep our water running and ensure the safe treatment of our wastewater and don’t get to take the extended break over the festive period.

Thanks again for a great year and I look forward to catching up with members again in 2023.