Operator awards acknowledge upcoming industry leaders
Date: 07-Jun-2018
Once a year we get the opportunity to acknowledge our water operators and it is with great pride that the qldwater Young Operator of the Year and Civil/Allrounder was announced at the 43rd Queensland Water Industry Operations Conference at the Logan Metro Sports Centre on Thursday 7 June 2018.
Described by his peers as the go-to liaison for “challenging” customers, an excellent role model for his team and a regular contributor to his employer’s ideas portal, the
2018 Young Operator of the Year -
Andrew Hanifin from
Unitywater - sets an excellent example at work and out in his community.
Andrew coaches kids’ sports and acts as a crisis phone councillor for the Salvation Army when he finishes his day job. He also makes time for further studies having completed all his water industry worker training requirements as well as a Cert IV in Plumbing and Drainage.
The 2018 Operator of the Year Civil / Allrounder was awarded to Brad Millful from Logan City Council. Brad has been in the water industry for 24 years and a champion for learning and development for much of that time.
As a leader for the SEQ water industry worker program Brad has been a mentor for over 75 field staff, a contributor to training materials and a representative on various industry and technical advisory groups. Aside from trade qualifications, Brad has achieved a Cert IV Training and Assessment, Diploma of Water Operations and Diploma of Project Management. With a focus on continuous improvement, Brad instigated a range of business improvements above and beyond the requirements of his role. Above all, Brad is a much-loved bloke and a fantastic contributor to his organisation and the industry more broadly.
The event included a number of other highlights including:
- The Ixom Water of Origin Taste Test where the current Queensland champion, Livingstone Regional Council was beaten by the NSW winner Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. It has to be noted that Queensland is still leading four to two in the annual competition!
- The 2018 Queensland Mains Tapping Competition involved five teams going head to head in a bid to tap a water main in the shortest amount of time. Trent Roberts and Spencer Stacey, also known as The Tapping Tubbies from City of Gold Coast, will be hanging on to the title for yet another year.
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