Diversity & Inclusion

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The WIOA Growth Plan includes our first Corporate Social Responsibilities plan, which is all about what is the right thing to do. Enhancing our support for water operations within indigenous communities while providing opportunities, support, and advocacy for all regardless of ability.

We exceeded our ambition in 2024 to provide 6 indigenous water companies access to a WIOA seminar, practical guide and / or conference by getting involved in the 2024 QLD Indigenous Council Drinking Water Symposium on Thursday Island. WIOA provided a ¾ day Network Distribution and Water Quality Seminar to 50 indigenous water operators across approximately 12 communities and provided each participant with a certificate and a WIOA Practical Guide.

In early June 2024, WIOA’s CEO Dean Barnett attended the 2024 Queensland Indigenous Local Government Drinking Water Symposium on Thursday Island to support and implement this new initiative.

Resources & Tools

Roman Ružbacký is an experienced diversity, equity and inclusion and equity practitioner and analytical chemist, with over 20 years of knowledge, skills and experience in the design, development and implementation of DEI strategy and programs of work that create happy and productive workplaces.

About Roman Ruzbacky & Associates Our consultancy in Melbourne, and Australia wide, offers services to help you achieve your diversity, equity and inclusion vision. We work with people and organisations who are serious about their DEI practice and embedding DEI in their DNA as it is critical to their success and sustainability.

Diversity & Inclusion Group

We embrace diversity and inclusion and consider it is integral to our culture, our values and the way we do business.

WIOA has established a group of interested Members who can assist with advising and assisting WIOA to improve our Diversity & Inclusion culture, to help embrace diversity, celebrate differences and encourage participation to best meet our corporate goals and meet our organisational objectives.

All WIOA members should be able to feel respected and supported and can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of gender, age, cultural norms, values, beliefs, and linked expectations.

 
  • Jill Busch – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
  • Scott Johnson – Greater Western Water
  • Brooke Fiemann – TasWater
  • Peter Houston – South Gippsland Water
  • Clara Laydon – Hunter Water
  • Ashleigh Meadows – Tweed Shire Council
  • Heidi Josipovic – Albury City Council
  • Dean Barnett – WIOA
  • Kedar Gharpure – SNG Constructions Pty Ltd
  • Steven Atkinson – Central Highlands Regional Council
  • Sean Cahill – Yokogawa
  • Melissa Carroll – Veolia
  • Michelle Bourke – Aquatec
  • Richard Scott – Tafe SA
  • Jane Finlay – Yarra Valley Water

Key dates

  • February – Pride in Water March
  • 17th May – IDAHOBiT International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia.
  • 2 – 9 July NAIDOC week
  • 25th August – Wear it Purple Day is an annual LGBTIQA+ awareness day especially for young people, based in Australia.

Within the water industry

We promote diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Pride in Water is a network created for LGBTIQ+ people and allies that work in the water industry throughout Australia. This network is an opportunity to create a more inclusive water industry for LGBTIQ+ staff, contractors, customers and our broader community.

We’re a network of people with disability and their allies in the Australian water industry.

Stay up to date with our latest events, programs, news and industry insights.