Operator Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements
Date: 29-Jun-2017
Once a year we get the opportunity to recognise the efforts of the people who play the most crucial role in keeping our drinking water safe and our wastewater collected and treated efficiently and it is with great pride that we announce the qldwater Young Operator of the Year, and Civil/Allrounder awards for 2017.
The awards were part of the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia’s 42nd Queensland Water Industry Operations Conference and presented at the Logan Metro Sports Centre on Thursday 8 June 2017.
Starting as an industry trainee three years ago, Harry Coleman from Toowoomba Regional Council walked away with the 2017 Young Operator of the Year Award because of his thirst for knowledge and his willingness to embrace new technology.
Harry jumped at the opportunity to become a full time Assistant Operator and after completing his Cert III in Water Treatment Operations, and requested to complete extra modules based on Wastewater treatment which will set him up for Cert IV Diploma and Certification in the future. His technical skills allowed him to operate and optimise a new Water Treatment Plant fitted with the latest technology.
The 2017 Operator of the Year (Civil/Allrounder) has worked for many utilities around Australia. Glenn Cook (pictured with Dave Cameron) from Gladstone Regional Council has a passion for learning, achieving a raft of qualifications since joining the water industry. Armed with a Cert IV in Water Operations and a Cert IV in Business Frontline Management, Glenn has significantly improved work culture among operators in his team, implemented an improved sampling regime at all wastewater treatment plants and overhauled a number of workplace health and safety requirements in his workplace.
A special commendation went to Andrew Watson from South Burnett Regional Council. Described as a valuable mentor who goes above and beyond in the operation of treatment facilities throughout the region, Andrew has been instrumental in the successful construction and commissioning new Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Plants in Kingaroy.
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