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QLD Operator of the Year
Sponsorship Available.
This award is presented at the WIOA Queensland conference annually. The award is presented to operators of water or wastewater treatment facilities to recognise excellent performance, initiative and all round attention to detail.
Nominations Close: Wednesday, 3 June
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration the nominees:
- Must be employed in Queensland
- Should have direct responsibility for operational decisions at community water and wastewater treatment plants/ or industrial water or wastewater plants.
- WIOA member.
Criteria
The following features are taken into account in considering worthy recipients:
- Continuing education/training achievement;
- Overall plant or system management and condition;
- Demonstrated attention to Occupational Health and Safety and other regulatory responsibilities;
- Initiative and innovation, demonstrating improved treatment and efficiency
The completed applications are judged by a consortium of WIOA members and the winner of the Queensland Operator of the Year Award is announced at the Awards Dinner at the WIOA Queensland Conference annually.
Prize
The winner receives:
- a framed certificate to keep.
- an all expenses paid opportunity to join the WIOA delegation on the tour of New Zealand.
Past Winners
- 2025 –
- 2024 –
- 2023 – Aron Smith
- 2022 – Neil Wilcox
- 2021 – Shane Bandiera
- 2020 – Mark Vairy
- 2019 – John Van Ryt
- 2018 – Tony Cover
- 2017 – John Holmes
- 2016 – Vern Atkinson
- 2015 – Grahame Dunstan
- 2014 – Julie Smith
- 2013 – Chris Hughes
- 2012 – Robert Harman
- 2011 – Robin Cherry
- 2010 – Martin Hindmarsh
- 2009 – Brian Caplick
- 2008 – John Paulger & Ian Cuthbertson
- 2007 – Paul Jensen
- 2006 – James Castle
Partner with us
We’re offering an exclusive opportunity for sponsors to support WIOA’s mission of sharing knowledge and experiences among operational employees across Australia’s water industry.
Sponsorship packages start from just $4,400—secure your spot today and showcase your commitment to the industry!
Secure Your SponsorshipQLD New Operator of the Year
Sponsored by qldwater
From 2026 onwards, this award replaces the Award formerly known as ‘Young Operator of the Year’.
Member feedback has indicated that Operators of all ages are entering the industry, so we have removed the upper the age limit of 30 years. To be eligible for this award, a nominee must have been employed in the QLD water industry for less than 5 years.
This award, generously sponsored by the qldwater is designed to provide encouragement to new water industry employees by recognising excellent performance, initiative and all round attention to detail.
qldwater invites all Councils and Water Authorities within Queensland to nominate “operations staff” to be considered for the Award.
Nominations Close: Wednesday, 3 June
Eligibility
qldwater sends a letter to all Councils and Water Authorities within Queensland, requesting they nominate “operations staff” to be considered for the Award.
To be eligible for consideration the nominees must:
- have been employed in the QLD water industry for less than 5 years
- be responsible for operating community water and wastewater treatment plants/ or industrial water or wastewater plants, operation and maintenance or construction of water and wastewater reticulation networks etc.
- be a WIOA member.
Criteria
Nominations are judged on the basis of submissions from employers covering:
- Commitment to and demonstrating a strong OHS ethic in all work performed
- Commitment to undertaking training and then implementation of skills learned into the workplace
- Commitment to team work and following enterprise SOP’s etc
- Commitment to meeting Council/Authority and regulatory requirements in the course of all work
- Demonstrated use of initiative or suggestions leading to efficiency or safety improvements
- Any other relevant industry based achievements.
The completed applications are judged by an independent panel the winner is announced at the Awards Dinner at the WIOA Conference annually.
Prize
The winner receives:
- a framed certificate to keep.
- an all expenses paid opportunity to join the WIOA delegation on the tour of New Zealand.
Past Winners
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023 Mitchell Gormley
- 2022 Exavier Evile
- 2021 Shannon Thomas
- 2020 Benjamin Haddoc
- 2019 Ali Sacipovic
- 2018 Andrew Hanifin
- 2017 Harry Coleman
- 2016 Ben Pennell
- 2015 Geoffrey Johnson
- 2014 Sarah Walton
- 2013 Tyren Cavanagh
- 2012 Tammy Beddow
- 2011 Cameron Ansell
- 2010 Robyn Hoole
QLD Best Paper by an Operator
Sponsorship Available.
This award is offered as an incentive to encourage “grass roots” operational staff to share their knowledge and experience. To be eligible to win the award for Best Paper by an Operator, presenters must be WIOA members, with the Primary Author employed in any sector of the water industry and working in an operations role.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration presenters:
Must be WIOA members, with the Primary Author employed in any sector of the water industry and working in an operations role.
Assessment Criteria
WIOA selects a number of judges at each conference who watch all the presentations made over the two days. They score each of the papers based on:
- The content and layout of the written technnical paper;
- The originality of the ideas portrayed;
- The use of visual aids during the presentation;
- The verbal presentation and whether or not the author sticks to the allotted time; and
- The demeanor of the presenter including how well they answer any questions.
Prizes
The prizes are:
- 1st Place: Travel, accommodation and a full delegate registration to attend another WIOA conference in Australia to deliver the paper again (to the value of $1,750)
- 2nd Place: Complimentary delegate registration (non-transferrable) to a WIOA conference of their choice within the next 12 months (valued at $915)
- 3rd Place: Complimentary delegate registration (non-transferrable) to a WIOA conference of their choice within the next 12 months (valued at $915)
Please note: In the case of joint presentations, only one presenter will be eligible to receive the prize. Upon winning, it is at the discretion of the presenting company to decide whether:
- The eligible presenter will present solo, or;
- An additional presenter will accompany the prize winner, with all associated costs covered by the company.
Past Winners
- 2025 –
- 2024 –
- 2023 – Kathryn Turner, – Urban Utilities
- 2022 – Tim Merrett, North Burnett RC
- 2021 – William Smith & Michael Gow, Logan City Council
- 2020 – Event not staged due to COVID-19
- 2019 – Andrew Watson, South Burnett Reg Council
- 2018 – Glenn Twite, Townsville City Council
- 2017 – Marcus Boyd, – Toowoomba Reg Council
- 2016 – Gary Fenwick, Queensland Urban Utilities
- 2015 – Sally-Ann Storey, Toowoomba Reg Council
- 2014 – James Castle, Unity Water
- 2013 – Jim Coonan, Toowoomba Reg Council
- 2012 – Col Kirkegaard & Alistair, Cumming, Banana Shire C
- 2011 – Marcus Boyd, Toowoomba Reg Council
- 2010 – Nev Brown, Fitzroy River Water
- 2009 – John Granzien, SEQ Water
- 2008 – Stephen Will, Sunshine Coast Water
Partner with us
We’re offering an exclusive opportunity for sponsors to support WIOA’s mission of sharing knowledge and experiences among operational employees across Australia’s water industry.
Sponsorship packages start from just $4,400—secure your spot today and showcase your commitment to the industry!
Secure Your SponsorshipQLD Brian Davis Award for Best Paper Overall
Sponsorship Available.
This is an open category award, and all platform paper presenters are automatically considered. To be eligible for this award, presenters must be current WIOA members and may hold either an operational or non-operational role. The winner will be determined based on the highest overall score awarded by the judging panel.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration presenters must be current WIOA members and may hold either an operational or non-operational role.
Assessment Criteria
WIOA selects a number of judges at each conference who watch all the presentations made over the two days. They score each of the papers based on:
- The content and layout of the written technical paper;
- The originality of the ideas portrayed;
- The use of visual aids during the presentation;
- The verbal presentation and whether or not the author sticks to the allotted time; and
- The demeanor of the presenter including how well they answer any questions.
Prize
The winner will receive:
- an all expenses paid opportunity to attend an Interstate WIOA Conference to deliver the paper again (to the value of $1,750)
- The eligible presenter will present solo, or;
- An additional presenter will accompany the prize winner, with all associated costs covered by the company
Past Winners
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023 Janice Wilson & Reagan Whitehouse
- 2022 Shaun Johnston
- 2021 Anthony Domanti
- 2020 No conf – COVID
- 2019 Cale Maclean
- 2018 Claire McInnes & Kelly Newton
- 2017 Marcus Boyd
- 2016 Gary Fenwick
- 2015 Sally-Ann Storey
- 2014 James Castle
- 2013 Jim Coonan
- 2012 Col Kirkegaard & Alistair Cumming
- 2011 Ian Davis
- 2010 Peter Griffiths
- 2009 Charlie Suggatè
- 2008 Stephen Will
- 2007 Peta Thiel
- 2006 Peter McTaggart
Partner with us
We’re offering an exclusive opportunity for sponsors to support WIOA’s mission of sharing knowledge and experiences among operational employees across Australia’s water industry.
Sponsorship packages start from just $4,400—secure your spot today and showcase your commitment to the industry!
Secure Your SponsorshipQLD Best Poster by an Operator
Sponsored by SafeGroup
It was recognised some time ago that not all “operations” staff feel comfortable with the idea of standing up in front of their peers and delivering a platform presentation. Others have an idea or a project they have completed which does not provide sufficient information to allow for a written paper and a 20 minute presentation. For these reasons, a Poster Paper section was introduced into the program for the various WIOA conferences.
The Posters use the same qualifying rules as the Papers (non-Bachelor qualified). Each poster author is required to do a short (5 minute) description of their poster in a more relaxed atmosphere on Thursday afternoon. They must also answer any questions about the poster.
Bachelor qualified water professionals are also invited to enter a poster for information sharing however, they will not be eligible to win the prizes.
Eligibility
To be eligible to win the award for Best Poster by an Operator, all authors must be WIOA members, with the Primary Author employed in any sector of the water industry and identify themselves as working in an operational role.
Assessment Criteria
WIOA selects a number of judges at each conference who watch all the presentations made over the two days. They score each of the papers/posters based on:
- The content and layout of the written technical paper/poster;
- The originality of the ideas portrayed;
- The use of visual aids during the presentation;
- The verbal presentation and whether or not the author sticks to the allotted time; and
- The demeanor of the presenter including how well they answer any questions.
Prize
The winner will receive:
- an all expenses paid opportunity to attend an Interstate WIOA Conference to deliver the paper again (to the value of $1,750)
- The eligible presenter will present solo, or;
- An additional presenter will accompany the prize winner, with all associated costs covered by the company
Past Winners
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023 – Trusten Hahn, Seqwater
- 2022 – Paul Campbell-Cowie & Brian Savage, Logan Water
- 2021 – Tony Schultz, Seqwater
- 2020 – Event not staged due to COVID-19
- 2019 – Mark Tosh, QUU
- 2018 – No entries on record
- 2017 – No entries on record
- 2016 – Scott Nichols, Toowoomba Reg Council
- 2015 – No entries on record
- 2014 – Paul Lowein et al, Toowoomba Reg Council
- 2013 – No entries on record
- 2012 – No entries on record
- 2011 – Martin Melville, SEQ Water
- 2010 – No entries on record
- 2009 – No entries on record
- 2008 – No entries on record
- 2007 – No entries on record
- 2006 – James Castle
Ron Bergmeier Award for Best Exhibition Site in QLD
Sponsored by Prime Creative - Utility Magazine
The Ron Bergmeier Award recognises the company that presents the Best Exhibition Site at WIOA conferences. This award celebrates excellence in trade displays that enhance the conference experience for delegates.
About this Award
Ron Bergmeier began his career in the water industry with the Bendigo Water Board and joined WIOA in 1985. In the late 1980s, he established his own company – Australian Pollution Engineering.
Ron was instrumental in introducing a trade display to the Victorian conference, adding a new dimension and purpose to the event. Delegates not only had the opportunity to hear technical papers and network with industry colleagues, but they could also see, compare, and often test the latest equipment from a range of suppliers. This exhibition became an integral part of the conference and has since been replicated in NSW and Queensland.
As a life member of WIOA, Ron’s vision and efforts have significantly contributed to the success of these conferences. In recognition of his outstanding contribution, this award proudly bears his name.
Bachelor qualified water professionals are also invited to enter a poster for information sharing however, they will not be eligible to win the prizes.
Assessment Criteria
- Presentation and innovation in the exhibition
- The use of interactive displays and equipment that delegates can touch
- Novel ideas and engagement of attendees
Prize
The winner will receive:
- $2,000 half-page color advertisement in Utility magazine
- 12 month WIOA Corporate Bronze membership valued at $400
Past Winners
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023 – Wilo
- 2022 – Control Components
- 2021 – Mass Products
- 2020 – Not Held
- 2019 – OzziKleen
- 2018 – Control Logic
- 2017 – Cadia Group
- 2016 – Glacier Filtration
- 2015 – Control Components
- 2014 – Austeck
- 2013 – Endress + Hauser
- 2012 – AIM Water
- 2011 – Ugly Fish Safety Eyewear
- 2010 – Seba KMT Australia
- 2009 – Seba KMT Australia
- 2008 – McBerns
IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in QLD
Sponsored by IXOM
The IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in Queensland is a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of the quality of Queensland’s drinking water and to recognise the efforts of local water service providers in delivering valuable water services to their communities.
Eligibility
- To participate in this competition, you must be a water provider that provides water to a community.
- Your sample needs to be collected from a customer tap within the network.
- You must be the last company that has treated that supply.
- You must not have been issued with a water quality breach notice for that water supply region within the previous 12-month period.
Prize
Winner will receive:
- An individual trophy to keep
- Co-branded signage to display at the winning water treatment plant
- An invitation to participate in the National Best Tasting Tap Water Competition at the end of the year
Past Winners
- 2025 – Gympie Regional Council, Tin Can Bay Scheme
- 2024 – Isaac Regional Council & Fraser Coast Regional Council ★
- 2023 – Fraser Coast Regional Council Burgowan WTP
- 2022 – Mackay Regional Council Nebo Road WTP
- 2021 – Mackay Regional Council Marian WTP
- 2020 – Livingstone Shire Council Capricorn Cost Scheme
- 2019 – Mackay Regional Council Marian WTP ★
- 2018 – Mackay Regional Council
- 2017 – Livingstone Shire Council Capricorn Cost Scheme
- 2016 – Toowoomba Regional Council Mt Kynock WTP
- 2015 – Barcaldine Regional Council
National winners are marked with ★.
Main Tapping Competition in QLD
Sponsored by Reece Civil + Viadux
The Water Main Tapping Competition originated in the Australian water industry in the late 1980’s. WIOA in conjunction with Reece Civil & Viadux is thrilled to deliver Main Tapping Competition at the annual QLD conference.
A water main tapping is the point where the supply to a private property is connected to the water main. This process is conducted on a live water main, avoiding the need for a network shutdown that would then result in a water outage for the customers.
Entry requirements
This event is held on-site over both days of the QLD conference.
To register for an upcoming event you will need:
- A name for your team (which includes the organisation you are representing)
- The names of the 2 competitors, and contact details
- The name and contact details of your approving authority
- Details of your preferred charity
- Please include if your competitors are registered for the full event or only a single day (this will determine who will compete Wednesday or Thursday)
Please note:
- Spots will be allocated on a first-in best-dressed basis as there are limited spots available.
- Travel and accommodation to and from the event is the responsibility of the entrants/ their employers
Prize
The winning team will receive an individual trophy and the opportunity to nominate a local charity to receive a donation of $1,000 from the Sponsors Reece Civil + Viadux.
They will also be invited to participate in the National competition, with flights, accommodation, transfers included.
Past Winners
- 2025 – City of Gold Coast: Tom Brown & Dan Nuku
- 2024 – City of Gold Coast: Tom Brown & Dan Nuku
- 2023 – City of Gold Coast
- 2022 – City of Gold Coast: Jarryd Casey & Hugh Wilson
- 2021 –City of Gold Coast: Dan Lee & Gavin Stacey
- 2020 – Not held
- 2019 – City of Gold Coast: Dan Lee & Gavin Stacey
- 2018 – City of Gold Coast: Trent Roberts & Spencer Stacey
- 2017 – City of Gold Coast: Trent Roberts & Spencer Stacey
