Queensland Operator of the Year
Sponsored by AWA
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.
The Queensland Branch of AWA as award sponsor sends a letter to all Council and Water Authority CEO’s annually requesting nominations of “operations staff” to be considered for the Award.
The criteria for the determination of the winner is: Nominees should be employed in Queensland and should have direct responsibility for operational decisions at community water and wastewater treatment plants/ or industrial water or wastewater plants.
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 AWA and the winner of the Queensland Operator of the Year Award is announced at the Awards Dinner at the WIOA Workshop annually. The winner receives a perpetual trophy for his or her organisation to keep for 12 months, plus a personal trophy to keep permanently.
Queensland Operator of the Year - Honour Roll
Queensland Operator of the Year – Honour Roll
YEAR | CONFERENCE VENUE | OPERATOR OF THE YEAR | EMPLOYER |
2022 | Logan | Neil Wilcox | Suez |
2021 | Toowoomba | Shane Bandiera | Cassowary Coast Regional Council |
2020 | Virtual Water – Online | Mark Vairy | Mackay Regional Council |
2019 | Bundaberg | John Van Ryt | Mareeba Shire Council |
2018 | Logan | Tony Cover | Goondiwindi Regional Council |
2017 | Logan | John Holmes | Whitsunday Regional Council |
2016 | Rockhampton | Vern Atkinson | Cairns Regional Council |
2015 | Toowoomba | Grahame Dunstan | Cairns Regional Council |
2014 | Logan | Julie Smith | Isaac Regional Council |
2013 | Gold Coast | Chris Hughes | Unity Water |
2012 | Gold Coast | Robert Harman | Allconnex Water |
2011 | Toowoomba | Robin Cherry | Unitywater |
2010 | Rockhampton | Martin Hindmarsh | Gold Coast City Council |
2009 | Caloundra | Brian Caplick | Wide Bay Water |
2008 | Gold Coast – Carrara | John Paulger & Ian Cuthbertson | Toowoomba Regional Council & SEQ Water |
2007 | Rockhampton | Paul Jensen | |
2006 | Rockhampton | James Castle | Caboolture Shire Council |
QLD Operator of the Year
Download Application Form (PDF Version)
Download Application Form (Word Version)