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Life Members
The WIOA Life Member is our highest member acknowledgement, to an individual who has provided active service over many years.
Life Membership may be awarded by the Board to any Individual Member for services rendered to the Company over a minimum period of ten years. Life Members have the right to:
- receive notice of and attend any General Meeting;
- vote at any General Meetings that is held
- propose resolutions for consideration at a General Meeting; and
- be nominated for election as a Director if eligible for nomination.
The following individuals have been bestowed WIOA highest accolade of Life Membership of the Water Industry Operations Association of Australia.
Life Members
- 2025 John Granzien
- 2025 Lindsay Walsh
- 2023 Jillian Busch
- 2023 Tony Hourigan
- 2022 Anthony Evans
- 2018 John Harris
- 2017 Peter Tolsher
- 2014 Russell Mack
- 2007 Barry Waddell
- 2004 George Wall
- 1998 Ron Bergmeier
- 1994 Stan Franzi
- 1986 Ray Holloway
2025 John Granzien
2025 Lindsay Walsh
2023 Jillian Busch
2023 Tony Hourigan
2022 Anthony Evans
2018 John Harris
2017 Peter Tolsher
2014 Russell Mack
2007 Barry Waddell
2004 George Wall
1998 Ron Bergmeier
1994 Stan Franzi
1986 Ray Holloway
Becoming a Life Member
Nomination criteria
- A Nominee can be any member of WIOA who meets the minimum Life Member Criteria. The Board will seek nominations from the National Advisory Committee, the State Advisory Committees, the WIOA CEO and Managers. Board Directors may also nominate suitable candidates.
- The Board (or nominated Board Committee) will shortlist nominees and make the final decision.
- Inductees will receive their award at a WIOA Conference or Interest Day
Evaluation process
- Served a minimum of 10 years of service to the Association, either as an individual member or as an employee of a corporate member
- If a nomination is received for a Board member, the Board may decide to refer that nomination to the Nominations Committee or discuss that item in a In Camera session without the nominated Board member present.
- A demonstrated list of activity at WIOA, which may consist of the following involvement
- Volunteering and promoting events
- Group, Committee or Board appointments
- Active in other ways, publication reviews, membership drive
- Previous WIOA Acknowledgement
- Award winner
- IDIOT
- Award winner
- Documented water industry service, with a focus on the impact to the operations sector
- The member must hold a high level of respect amongst their peers, the WIOA membership, plus demonstrate a high level of integrity
- Any additional information provided by the WIOA CEO
Recognition and benefits
The award winner/inductee will be presented with a pin and certificate which includes the nature and prestige of this award. The rule and fine for not wearing your pin at a WIOA event is $10. This is donated to nominated charity, which is currently Water Aid. The replacement cost of a lost pin will be $500.
Benefits
- WIOA Individual Membership at no cost
- A full delegate pass to one annual conference per year
- A seat at any conference VIP table
- Recognition on the WIOA website
Life Membership Nomination Form
IDIOTS
The IDIOTS (Inducted as Delegates of the Inextricably Obstructed Tap Society) award was introduced as a way to recognise the services of individuals to the Association. The award is designed to complement Life Membership, the Association’s most prestigious honour.
The IDIOTS award is presented to an individual in recognition of their commitment to the vision and philosophies of the Association and the active promotion of WIOA through distinguished service to the Association.
To be eligible, a person must have demonstrated their commitment to the Association over a minimum period of five years, either as an Individual Member or as an employee of a Corporate member.
List of IDIOTS
- George Bellizia (2025)
- Al Butler (2025)
- Mike Rankin (2025)
- Mark Samblebe (2025)
- Heidi Josipovic (2023)
- Neville Whittaker (2022)
- Robran Cock (2021)
- Adrian Rijnbeek (2020)
- Bill Collie (2019)
- Darren Lord (2019)
- Colin Haynes (2018)
- Ryan McGowan (2018)
- Shane Bandiera (2018)
- David Sheehan (2017)
- Ian Cuthbertson (2017)
- Kathy Northcott (2016)
- Lindsay Walsh (2016)
- Marcus Boyd (2016)
- John Granzien (2015)
- Peter Mosse (2014)
- Jill Busch (2013)
- John Day (2013)
- Anthony Evans (2012)
- Tim Sells (2012)
- John Paulger (2011)
- Graham Thomson (2011)
- David Barry (2010)
- Peter Tolsher (2010)
- Leigh Strange (2009)
- John Park (2009)
- Brian Davis (2009)
- Owen Braybrook (2008)
- Ian Bicknell (2008)
- Peter Jackson (2007)
- Cynthia Lim (2007)
- Stephen Wilson (2007)
- Ken Herbert (2006)
- Pat Davis (2006)
- John Harris (2006)
- Mal Farnham (2005)
- Neil Healey (2005)
- Russell Mack (2005)
- Barry Waddell (2004)
- Ron Bergmeier (2004)
- George Wall (2004)
- Richard Greenhough (2004)
- Tony Hourigan (2004)
George Bellizia (2025)
Al Butler (2025)
Mike Rankin (2025)
Mark Samblebe (2025)
Heidi Josipovic (2023)
Neville Whittaker (2022)
Robran Cock (2021)
Adrian Rijnbeek (2020)
Bill Collie (2019)
Darren Lord (2019)
Colin Haynes (2018)
Ryan McGowan (2018)
Shane Bandiera (2018)
David Sheehan (2017)
Ian Cuthbertson (2017)
Kathy Northcott (2016)
Lindsay Walsh (2016)
Marcus Boyd (2016)
John Granzien (2015)
Peter Mosse (2014)
Jill Busch (2013)
John Day (2013)
Anthony Evans (2012)
Tim Sells (2012)
John Paulger (2011)
Graham Thomson (2011)
David Barry (2010)
Peter Tolsher (2010)
Leigh Strange (2009)
John Park (2009)
Brian Davis (2009)
Owen Braybrook (2008)
Ian Bicknell (2008)
Peter Jackson (2007)
Cynthia Lim (2007)
Stephen Wilson (2007)
Ken Herbert (2006)
Pat Davis (2006)
John Harris (2006)
Mal Farnham (2005)
Neil Healey (2005)
Russell Mack (2005)
Barry Waddell (2004)
Ron Bergmeier (2004)
George Wall (2004)
Richard Greenhough (2004)
Tony Hourigan (2004)
Becoming a WIOA IDIOT
Nomination criteria
- Nominations will be called only once per year and are to be received in the form required by the Board.
- A nominee can be any member of WIOA who meets the minimum IDIOT criteria. The Board will seek nominations from the National Advisory Committee, the State Advisory Committees, the WIOA CEO and Managers. Board Directors may also nominate suitable candidates.
- The Board (or nominated Board Committee) will shortlist nominees and make the final decision.
- Inductees will receive their award at a WIOA Conference or Interest Day.
Evaluation process
Evaluation process will consist of the following criteria as a minimum:
Served a minimum of 5 years of service to the Association, either as an individual member or as an employee of a corporate member
Displayed important attributes such as:
- to selflessly share WIOA’s interests and goals
- encouraging others to participate in WIOA events
- promoting the association to both corporate and individuals
- to have actively played a part in WIOA’s events and committees
- Consideration for candidates across all States and Territories
- If a nomination is received for a Board member, the Board may decide to refer that nomination to the Nominations Committee or discuss that item in a In Camera session without the nominated Board member present.
Recognition and benefits
This award winner/inductee is presented with a pin and certificate which includes the nature and prestige of this award. The rule and fine for not wearing your pin at a WIOA event is $10. This is donated to nominated charity, which is currently Water Aid. The replacement cost of a lost pin will be $500.
Benefits
- A seat at any conference VIP table
- Recognition on the WIOA website