qCRAC nabs Organisational Excellence Award
Date: 09-Oct-2024
We are excited to announce that the qldwater Consortium for Research and Advocacy on Contaminants of Concern (qCRAC) took out the Organisation Excellence Award at the Australian Water Association’s (AWA) Queensland Gala Dinner at Brisbane City Hall last week.
qCRAC is a partnership among Queensland service providers to share information and partner with national research and policy programs on contaminants of emerging concern.
Program Lead Louise Reeves accepted the award on behalf of the consortium, a small but passionate bunch of professionals that are dealing daily with the impacts of contaminants like PFAS on their businesses, but are trying to do something about it through research and advocacy.
Thanks especially to our Chair, Jeanette Harrold from Fraser Coast Regional Council, Deputy Chair Andrew Murray from Toowoomba Regional Council and Kelly Hopewell and Andrew Stevenson from City of Gold Coast for supporting our nomination.
In accepting the award, Louise said that she was immensely proud of what the group has achieved over the last five years including the chemical concoctions information website and a project that is underway right now that will help to establish baseline levels of contaminants including PFAS in Queensland regional urban sewage catchments.
The group’s work has also led directly to a dedicated Emerging Contaminants Workshop for Queensland to be held in November in Townsville. Anyone with an interest in emerging contaminants is welcome to attend – follow this link for more information.
Congratulations to everyone involved in qCRAC including - but definitely not limited to - Louise Reeves, Jeanette Harrold, Monique Gastaldin, Johanna Johnson, Kelly Hopewell, Mark Vis, Andrew Murray, Shannon McBride PhD, Troy Pettiford, Cassandra Budd, Anna Whelan, Tamara Bauld, Rob Fearon. Chantal Keane, Kambez Akrami, Craig Madsen, Kerrie Pearson, Deena Rigby, Dr Georgina Davis and Desiré Gralton.
This win is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision for a sustainable water future in Queensland. 🌿💧
We’d also like to acknowledge the other amazing winners of the evening, many of whom have played an integral part in qCRAC and/or the Water Directorate including:
🥂 Anna Whelan from Townsville City Council - Regional Service Award,
🥂 Mark Trembath from Xylem - Distinguished Service Award
🥂 Cameron Jackson from Urban Utilities – Water Professional of the Year
🥂 Lindsay Stafford from AECOM – Young Water Professional of the Year
🥂 Sophie Barrett from UQ – Student Water Prize
🥂 Gympie Regional Council – R&D Excellence Award
🥂 Unitywater – Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Metro)
The Queensland Water Award winners will go on to represent the state in the national Australian Water Awards, which will be presented at the AWA’s annual water conference and exhibition, Ozwater’25, in Adelaide.