Member Recognition

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: 

  1. receive notice of and attend any General Meeting; 
  2. vote at any General Meetings that is held 
  3. propose resolutions for consideration at a General Meeting; and 
  4. 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 Operators Association of Australia.

Jillian Busch

2023 Jillian Busch

Tony Hourigan

2023 Tony Hourigan

2022 Anthony Evans

John Harris

2018 John Harris

Peter Tolsher

2017 Peter Tolsher

Russell Mack

2014 Russell Mack

Barry Waddell

2007 Barry Waddell

George Wall

2004 George Wall

Ron Bergmeier

1998 Ron Bergmeier

Stan Franzi

1994 Stan Franzi

Ray Holloway

1986 Ray Holloway

Becoming a Life Member

  1. 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.
  2. The Board (or nominated Board Committee) will shortlist nominees and make the final decision. 
  3. Inductees will receive their award at a WIOA Conference or Interest Day
  • Served a minimum of 10 years of service to the Association, either as an individual member or as an employee of a corporate member
  • 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
  • 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

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.

Heidi Josipovic

Heidi Josipovic (2023)

Neville Whittaker

Neville Whittaker (2022)

Robran Cock

Robran Cock (2021)

Adrian Rijnbeek

Adrian Rijnbeek (2020)

Bill Collie

Bill Collie (2019)

Darren Lord

Darren Lord (2019)

Colin Haynes (2018)

RyanMcGowan

Ryan McGowan (2018)

Shane Bandiera

Shane Bandiera (2018)

David Sheehan

David Sheehan (2017)

Ian Cuthbertson

Ian Cuthbertson (2017)

Kathy Northcott

Kathy Northcott (2016)

Lindsay Walsh

Lindsay Walsh (2016)

Marcus Boyd

Marcus Boyd (2016)

John Granzien

John Granzien (2015)

Peter Mosse

Peter Mosse (2014)

Jill Busch

Jill Busch (2013)

John Day

John Day (2013)

Anthony Evans

Anthony Evans (2012)

Tim Sells

Tim Sells (2012)

John Pulger

John Paulger (2011)

Graham Thomson

Graham Thomson (2011)

David Barry

David Barry (2010)

Peter Tolsher

Peter Tolsher (2010)

Leigh Strange

Leigh Strange (2009)

John Park

John Park (2009)

Brian Davis

Brian Davis (2009)

Owen Braybrook

Owen Braybrook (2008)

Ian Bicknell

Ian Bicknell (2008)

Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson (2007)

Cynthia Lim

Cynthia Lim (2007)

Steven Wilson

Stephen Wilson (2007)

Ken Herbert

Ken Herbert (2006)

Pat Davis

Pat Davis (2006)

John Harris

John Harris (2006)

Mal Farnham

Mal Farnham (2005)

Neil Healey

Neil Healey (2005)

Russel lMack

Russell Mack (2005)

Barry Waddell

Barry Waddell (2004)

Ron Bergmeier

Ron Bergmeier (2004)

George Wall

George Wall (2004)

Richard Greenhough

Richard Greenhough (2004)

Tony Hourigan

Tony Hourigan (2004)

Becoming a WIOA IDIOT

  1. Nominations will be called only once per year and are to be received in the form required by the Board.
  2. 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.
  3. The Board (or nominated Board Committee) will shortlist nominees and make the final decision.
  4. Inductees will receive their award at a WIOA Conference or Interest Day

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

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

IDIOTS Nomination form