Conference Papers | 2002 Conference Papers

WIOA President's Message

Welcome to the 65th Annual Victorian Water Industry Engineers and Operators Conference.

After a slow start requiring an extension to the abstract submission period, we ended up receiving nearly 40 abstracts, including what we think is a record number of abstracts from operators. The selection committee task was again difficult, but the balanced and diverse range of papers they have selected will make the conference an interesting experience for us all.

The organisation of an event such as this requires the input, time and dedication of many people. Thank you firstly to Barwon Water for acting as host and major sponsor for this conference and also for your ongoing support of WIOA. This support is crucial in ensuring the success and smooth running of this conference. A particular thank-you to both George Wall and Richard Greenhough for their professionalism and unwavering resolve in ensuring that everything is in place, and that the conference runs smoothly.

Actizyme has continued their support by sponsoring the prizes for Best Papers by WIOA members. The Bendigo conference in 1992 was the first time Actizyme sponsored the operator papers and they have done so on a continual basis ever since. Actizyme is now also involved with the NSW conference and we will have the pleasure of hearing the best operator paper from NSW during the course of the conference.

The Water Industry Training Centre (WITC) is again supporting the 'Poster Paper' section for operators with a generous sponsorship. There has been a steady increase in the number and quality of posters submitted since the introduction of this section in 1998. I congratulate all the participants for their efforts and I am sure that the quality of the posters will meet the high standards set in previous years.

The Water Sector Services branch of NRE has supported the printing of this conference manuscript for many years and we again thank you for your continued contribution to this event. We have a number of other sponsors with some being involved for the first time and others who support us year in and year out. This year we have offered dual level sponsorship of the conference and the response has been outstanding. Companies who have signed on for a major sponsorship role include Australian Pollution Engineering, Grundfos Pumps, G-Tech, George Fischer, Vivendi Water, KSB Ajax, Purac and Tyco Water. Companies who have taken out an Associate level sponsorship include Mono Pumps, ITT Flygt, Pumpability and Acromet. Thank you to these companies for your contribution to the success of this special event.

The Trade Exhibition is a key element of the conference, and this year will be no different with a diverse range of exhibitors showing there wares. Ron and Cheryl Bergmeier from Australian Pollution Engineering deserve special praise for their continued (14 consecutive years), and outstanding contribution to the organization of the trade display. This year we had space available for 59 booths and all these were filled by the first week of July and we now have a lengthy waiting list. This is an amazing feat since the registration forms were only sent out in late June.

I would like take this opportunity to thank the companies who are exhibiting and encourage all delegates to support them by introducing yourselves and having a look at what is on display at their sites.

This year will see the second staging of the "Conference Competition" ably organised by Peter Tolsher. The competition created a lot of interest last year with a number of teams and trade exhibitors participating. The trade exhibitors embraced the spirit of the competition and devised some challenging tasks for the team members to perform. I understand we have a new group of exhibitors involved this year and that they intend to make the competition every bit as challenging but enjoyable just the same. Please get involved and make up a team as there are some terrific prizes on offer.

The 3rd Annual Water Industry Charity Golf day was held at the Trafalgar Golf course in October last year with a large contingent of players teeing up. The weather and course were terrific although some of the scores left a lot to be desired! A great Day was held by all and sundry. This year's Golf day will again be held at Trafalgar GC on Sunday 3rd November 2002. Get out your clubs and brush off the cobwebs and we'll see you all there. A big thank you to our corporate sponsors, many of whom are also exhibiting at this conference, as a sizeable sum has been raised for charity. Our thanks also go to the participants and I'll take this opportunity to issue an invitation and challenge to the Authorities and other Tradies to get involved in this year's event.

To the WIOA Committee I give my unreserved praise for the manner in which you have all gone about your tasks and contributed to the continued success of the Association. Committee members give much of their own time to attend meetings and functions, and to carry out their duties. In praising the Committee, I would like to also thank their employers for supporting their efforts.

As usual, thank you to all the people from the industry who have come here as delegates. We thank you for your support and request that you pass on our gratitude to your employer for allowing your participation. Please make the most of this opportunity to network with fellow industry people, browse the trade displays, and increase your knowledge.

At the time of writing this report, the venue for the 2002 conference had not been finalised and in keeping with tradition, we will announce the venue and Host Authority during this conference. Enjoy this year and hopefully we'll see you all again next year.

Russell Mack
WIOA President