Conference Papers | 1998 Conference Papers

AWWOA President's Message

WELCOME to the 61st Annual Victorian Water Industry Engineers and Operators Conference. A great amount of time is put into organising a conference such as this. Each year the conference seems to just fall into place but this is far from the case. Our secretary, George Wall bears the brunt of many of the problems associated with the conference and to George, thank you on behalf of the Association.

Once again, this year we have papers on a diverse range of topics with presenters from Victoria and Interstate. To all the paper presenters, thank you in advance, you make the conference happen. The Association also acknowledges the support that many paper presenters receive from their employers. To those employers, your continued support of the conference, and your employees is most appreciated. It is hoped that the level of support continues for years to come.

A new section for Operators, 'Poster Papers' has been introduced to the Conference this year. The Water Training Centre (WTC) has agreed to sponsor this award. It should assist with the ongoing success of the conference by increasing the level of operator involvement.

Special thanks must be extended to the supporters of the conference, particularly the host Authority in Goulburn Valley Water. Other major supporters for 1998 are NRE - Water Agencies Branch, Barwon Water, Australian Pollution Engineering and WSL Consultants - Enviroscience.

Once again the committee and members pass on their thanks to 'Actizyme' for the continuing support of the conference through sponsorship of the Actizyme Prizes for Best Papers by AWWOA Members.

The Trade display is an integral part of the conference and once again Ron & Cheryl Bergmeier and Staff at Australian Pollution Engineering have done a magnificent job in putting it together. The amount of work to make this part of the conference happen is enormous and is much appreciated. This year all 52 sites have been filled and to the Trade Exhibitors, thank you for your assistance in making the conference so successful.

During the year the Association conducted another successful weekend seminar for Members at Halls Gap. This seminar was also supported generously by the Trade presenters and was better attended by AWWOA Members. Next years seminar is presently being organised, and will most likely be held at Cowes, on Phillip Island in March 1999. Make sure you get there.

Our Committee Members have once again given the Association much of their time for the benefit of all in the Industry. George our Secretary/Treasurer puts in many hours especially in the preparation of the Annual Conference. Our Senior Vice President, Barry Waddell is presently compiling a history of the Association. Any copies of past Newsletters or Conference Proceedings would be greatly appreciated by Barry. To our other Committee Members, thank you for your ongoing efforts.

In regard to the Association's history, Life Member Ray Holloway, regarded as the Father of our Association, passed away earlier this year. A feature article on Ray's involvement with the Association and the WTC appears in the August Edition of our publication 'Operator'.

The Association's Committee meets regularly at the Water Training Centre in Geelong and our thanks are passed on to the WTC for the continued support of, not only the Association, but the Water Industry in general.

The venue for the 1999 conference is still being finalised at the time of writing this report. It will hopefully be held in the North East of the State and the arrangements will be announced at this conference.

To all delegates, take the opportunity to learn something from the conference, renew old acquaintances and meet some new people. Please pass on your favourable comments to others and if you have any suggestions for improvements, please make them known to the Association's committee so we can make next years event even better than this one.

Richard Greenhough
AWWOA President