WIOA Operator of the Year Announced

The 9^th NSW WIOA Operators Conference was held in Orange last week at the PCYC and each year the Water Directorate proudly sponsors the NSW WIOA Operator of the Year Award.

This year the winner of this award was Glenn Clifford from Dubbo City Council. Glenn has been operating treatment plants as a career for more than 30 years and in 2009 he was appointed as the Head Operator (Supervisor - Treatment). 

During his 11 years at Dubbo, Glenn has been a team member or team leader of outstanding quality and ability. He has introduced a number of innovations and is committed to training and WHS standards. Glenn is extremely highly regarded by his Manager and supervising Operations Engineer. 

Dubbo City Council noted in their nomination that "Glenn is a reliable and proactive Operator in whom we place our absolute trust. Several times he has been tested in emergency situations (pigeon infestation in a reservoir 2007, non availability of chlorine 2010, imminent uncontrolled overflow from a sewage effluent pond 2012), and each time Glenn met the challenge and overcame same."

In addition to his trophy, Glenn will join the WIOA conference tour of New Zealand as a delegate. The trip includes a study tour of various water and wastewater treatment plants as well as attending the WIOG NZ conference. All airfares and accommodation are included in his award.

The judges are always very impressed with the high quality operators in regional NSW and the Water Directorate would like to congratulate the other nominees: Kevin Creighton from Walcha Shire Council and Warren Nazzari from Coffs Harbour City Council. Congratulations also to WIOA for hosting such a successful event.