Board of Directors
The National Board holds the reins of overall governance, ensuring strategic alignment and providing robust support to the CEO and the WIOA team, to efficiently steer WIOA forward.
Mat Greskie
Chair of the Board
Matthew (Mat) Greskie is an energetic Director with extensive executive and Board experience in diverse industries including disability service provision, membership organisations, local government, infrastructure management and waste management.
Mark Samblebe
Deputy Chair
As a company Director of MBS Water, I am an experienced scientist with vast experience in operations management in water, wastewater and solid organic waste treatment industries. I have 20 years’ experience in process operations, optimisation and management in both public and private sectors. I have a sound understanding of modern and traditional water and wastewater treatment processes.
Sally Shepherd
Board Director
Experienced Product Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the utilities industry. Skilled in Water Treatment, Sales, Environmental Awareness and Biotechnology. Strong business development professional with a Graduate Diploma of Aquaculture from Deakin University and Bachelor of Science (Marine Science)from Sydney University as well as an Advanced Certificate in Aquaculture with Distinction. Currently a Board Director of WIOA.
Ron Bergmeier
Board Director
Ron commenced work in the waste water industry in 1982 and becoming a de-sludging contractor in 1985. Ron has completed a multitude of projects throughout Australia and New Zealand. During the same period, Ron has been a strong supporter of the Water Industry Operators Association, becoming the inaugural Chairman before having his achievements recognised with lifetime membership in 1998.
Rachael Miller
Board Director
An accountable, prudent, collaborative and results-driven senior leader in the Australian Water Industry who has created, influenced and led significant state and national improvements across policy, regulation, research, assets and operational excellence to improve customer trust and experience.
Robert Scott
Board Director
Our Team
Dean Barnett
CEO
Dean brings over 30 years of water industry experience, previously leading the Intelligent Water Networks Program on behalf of the Victorian and Tasmanian water industry, in addition to previous Board, Management and Executive roles.
Glenn Alford
Manager of Membership, Sponsor & Exhibitor Support
Ann Austin
Business Administration Coordinator
Kate Russell
Event Coordinator
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee serves a pivotal role in identifying and selecting candidates for leadership positions within the organisation including the State Advisory Committees, the National Committee and the Board. Comprising WIOA life members with diverse expertise and perspectives, the committee operates independently from the WIOA Board to ensure impartiality.
Members
Ron Bergmeier
Chair
Jill Busch
Committee Member
John Harris
Committee Member
Mark Samblebe
Committee Member
National Advisory Committee
The National Advisory Committee will assist WIOA to undertake a range of functions including, but not limited to, the following:
- Provide industry knowledge and expertise
- Represent WIOA on external committees
- Technical resource development
- Editorial support i.e., Practical Guides
- Assist WIOA engagement with other industries i.e., mining, hospitality,
- Support and develop a process for Disaster Recovery / Emergency Response.
More information coming soon.
State Advisory Committee
State Advisory Committee members consist of dedicated industry volunteers, each boasting a commendable history as seasoned professionals and leaders in their respective fields within the Water Operations Sector.
The WIOA State Advisory Committees play a crucial role in enabling members to actively shape the direction of WIOA within their state and foster deeper engagement with their association.
The WIOA Advisory Committees assist to undertake a range of functions such as:
- Identifying the types, range and scope of services and events considered appropriate for water industry operational staff
- Assisting with the organisation, promotion and staging of events
- Providing state based information for inclusion in WIOA publications
- Encourage participation and knowledge sharing with water industry related personnel employed in the private sector
- Source papers, posters articles and presentations that should be shared with the industry at WIOA events
Members
Committee Chairpersons Alan Butler Lothar Augustat
Alan Butler from Walcha Shire Council has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA NSW Advisory Committee. The WIOA New South Wales Advisory Committee includes:
- Alan Butler, Walcha Shire Council – Chairperson
- Lothar Augustat, Local Government– Deputy Chair
- Matthew Brill, Fursdon Water Services
- Anthony Backhouse, TAFE NSW
- Abdul Nasir, Kennards Hire
- Cooper Henderson, Port Macquarie Hastings Council
- Ben Gateby, Midcoast Council
- Steve Simmons, Detection Services Pty Ltd
- Nathan Dick, Beca Hunter H2O
- Andrew Whitehouse, Hydroflow Distributors
- Jamie Griffin, Southern Commercial Divers
- Aaron Goth, Xylem
- Simon Naef, Reece Ltd
- Renier Van Zyl, Riverina Water County Council
- Rod Morton, IXOM
George Bellizia from Veolia Water has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA Queensland Advisory Committee.
The WIOA Queensland Committee includes:
- George Bellizia, Veolia Water – Chairperson
- Matthew McNamara, Seqwater – Deputy Chair
- Natasha Glaskin, Cairns Regional Council
- Rachael Vennix, Seqwater
- Sam Magill, Water Infrastructure Services
- John Granzien, IGA
- Joshua Van Hout, Bundaberg Regional Council
- Shane Bandiera, Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Tahir Khan, Isaac Regional Council
- Timothy Bott, Pensar Water
- Phil Bolger, Control Components North
- Adam Simpson, Metasphere/Grundfos
- Kathryn Turner, Urban Utilities
- Ashley Reidy, Rockhampton Regional Council
- Mark Wiltshire, Aquatec Maxcon
Ryan McGowan has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA Victorian Advisory Committee.
The Victorian Advisory Committee includes:
- Ryan McGowan, Goulburn Valley Water– Chairperson
- Anthony Evans, Wannon Water
- Kendall Niblett, Lower Murray Water
- Jon Reed, Reed Plumbing & Drainage Solutions Pipecore
- Andrew Volk, Greater Western Water
- Kathy Northcott, Veolia ANZ
- Daniel Wooley, Goulburn Valley Water
- Justin Scott, South East Water
- Terry Whittle, Downer Group
- Douglas Darville, Grundfos Aus P/L
- Madeleine Borg, Gippsland Water
- Mick Mahoney, Wannon Water
James Thonder from SA Water has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA South Australian Advisory Committee.
The South Australian Advisory Committee includes:
- James Thonder, SA Water – Chairperson’
- Nick Swain, SA Water – Deputy Chair
- Emily Lohmann, Department for Energy & Mining
- Adrian Cavallaro, Service Stream
- Richard Scott, TAFE SA
- Dan Squire, SA Water
- Ardean Oldland, SA Water
The WIOA Tasmanian Advisory Committee includes:
- Stephen Westgate, TasWater
- Callum Tate, TasWater
- Peter Sowter, TasWater
- Darren Lord, Xylem
- David Hughes, Alpha Water & Electronics
Emma Thompson has been elected as the Chairperson of the WIOA Western Australia Advisory Committee.
The Western Australia Advisory Committee includes:
- Emma Thompson, TRILITY – Chairperson
- Luke Watkins, Dredging Solutions – Deputy Chair
- Brett Hare, Hydroflow Distributors
- Heath Bennett, Rio Tinto
- Alf Read, Water Corporation
- Paul Barker, Water Corporation
- David Hughes-Owen, Busselton Water
- Justin Burley, Water Corporation
- Caleb Maguire, AqWest – Bunbury
Diversity & Inclusion Group
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.
We embrace diversity and inclusion and consider it is integral to our culture, our values and the way we do business.
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