21 February 2007

The Executive Committee is pleased to announce that the Conference Attendance Award for Young Water Professionals will this year go to Jon Francis from Orange City Council.

Jon's position at Council is an Environmental Scientist in the Technical Services Division. The Award consists of a full conference registration to Ozwater 07 valued at $1,600 provided gratis by AWA and reimbursement from the Water Directorate of up to $1,600 for all travel and accommodation costs associated with attending the conference.

The Conference Attendance Award aims to assist a worthy professional from a Water Directorate member council with up to 5 years experience in local government to attend the AWA’s national water conference each year.

Last year's recipient of this Award, Clayton Miechel from Port-Macquarie Hastings Council, prepared an excellent report on the benefits he and his council received through his attendance at a Enviro 06 in Melbourne. A copy of his report is available to read here.

This year a strong field of five young water industry professionals were judged on their applications and assessment of the benefits to their councils and themselves of attending a national water conference. 

In particular, two nominations were outstanding and the Executive Committee has decided to offer the second nominee a similar opportunity to attend the upcoming IPWEA (NSW Division) Annual Conference to be held at the Four Seasons 13-15 May 2007.  We would like to thank all the nominees and encourage all those that remain eligible to enter again next year.

For more information contact: