VicWater has supported the Insight program from the very beginning, with the official program launch by then Minister for Water Lisa Neville taking place at our 2019 Annual Conference. When I was approached by DEECA at the end of the second round in 2022 for VicWater to take over management of the program, I could immediately see that it made sense in connection with our work on gender equity, diversity and inclusion and the support we were already providing to the Women in Water Directors Network.
I could also see a close connection with our purpose, which is to unite the water sector to deliver better outcomes for Victorian customers, community and the environment. Not only is the Insight program entirely consistent with this purpose, I see it as a key delivery mechanism in helping us to achieve this purpose by bringing together a cohort of talented and passionate women leaders and supporting them to make a positive difference in their organisations and local communities.
It was incredibly inspiring to hear from the graduating program participants as they presented on their leadership learnings and reflections to the audience of Chairs, CEO/MDs and program partners, and challenged us to think and act differently to influence the system and effect real change.
I’ll take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the members of the Leadership Oversight Committee – Pat McCafferty, Cath Jenkins and Sarah Cumming – for their important role in making sure the program delivered the best experience for participants and best value for the sector.
We were very pleased to be joined at dinner by the Hon Gayle Tierney, Minister for Water. Still relatively new to the water portfolio, it was a wonderful opportunity for her to meet many industry leaders on such an uplifting and celebratory occasion. It was encouraging to hear the Minister’s positive first impressions of the sector, and her recognition of our critical role as an essential service provider to the Victorian community.
L to R: Anna Murray, Karen Lau, Katie Zeller, Lisa Anelli, Clare Gibson, Minister Tierney, Kristyn McCaskill, Anna Lamont, Nardia Sheriff, Tara Daniel, Eileen Curtis, Philippa O’Sullivan, Cath Jenkins, Pat McCafferty
Policy Update - May 2025
Carbon Offsets Project
The Project Oversight Committee has formed 3 sub-groups to work on:
Designing and implementing a process to appoint Directors to the SPV
Developing a draft operating model and budget
Preparing the core procurement documents and planning for the Tranche 1 RfP.
Work on finalising the Members Agreement and seeking the approvals to form the SPV is being progressed by VicWater. Recently an application was made to the ACCC seeking its authorisation for the collective ACCU procurement approach.
Hi all, wow – can you believe we’re nearly halfway through the year already? Time really is flying!
We’re in full swing planning the 2025 Annual IWN Members Conference, happening on Monday, 28 July. We’ve now launched a dedicated webpage with all the details – including the day’s program, speaker line-up, and session information. You’ll also find the registration link there (registration is free for IWN member organisations).
Our IWN Mentoring Program is also kicking off this month, and we’ve had a fantastic response so far. The first session will be held on 14 May. If you’re still interested in becoming a mentor, we’d love to hear from you – please fill in this short Expression of Interest form, as we do still have a few mentees waiting to be paired. Thanks!
Click below to read the full update, or see direct links to this month's updates below.
The last fourteen months have flown, and a lot has happened in that time, in particular I had the privilege to focus on myself and my growth through the participation of the Insight: Executive leadership for women water. Last week saw us graduate and bring together Chairs, MDs, and our partners to share our learnings and growth. It is not often that you have 40 very senior leaders held captive in a room, so we were conscious that we had a responsibility to use the time wisely.
We have been busily developing our conference program and are preparing to launch the 2025 Annual Conference and open registrations towards the end of May.
The VicWater Annual Conference will take place from 9 – 11 September 2025 at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
This year the 2025 conference theme is “Future-Ready: Innovation, Optimism, and Opportunity” and highlights the importance of innovative solutions, forward-thinking strategies, and a positive outlook in addressing today’s challenges and unlocking tomorrow’s opportunities.
We will be launching the conference and opening registrations shorty.
This is your last chance to register for the Thought Leadership Seminar on 15 May, with registrations closing this Friday 9 May.
This seminar is targeted to senior audit & risk personnel within the water sector including audit & risk commitee chairs and members, risk & strategy executives and others involved in audit & risk activities.
This half-day seminar examines how contemporary risk management strategies can be applied across the water sector in our changing world. Come and join industry peers, hear from subject matter experts and industry professionals to gain an enhanced understanding of the many issues faced by the water sector.
Date:Thursday 15 May, 2025
Time: 9:45 am - 1:30 pm Venue: VicWater Office, Level 4, 99 William Street, Melbourne
Cost: FREE (VicWater Members)
This seminar will finish with a networking lunch to encourage new connections and collaboration across the Victorian water industry.
Capacity is limited, so get your registration in early. Registrations close Friday 9 May.
We’re excited to announce we have officially launched the IWN Members Conference, taking place on 28 July 2025 at the State Library in Melbourne.
Take a look at our conference web page to find out all of the details and to register.
This year’s theme, “Future-ready: Resilience through Innovation”, will bring together industry leaders, showcase groundbreaking projects, and provide plenty of opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Yarra Valley Water Board announces new Managing Director - Natalie Foeng
The Yarra Valley Water Board was delighted to announce the appointment of Natalie Foeng as its next Managing Director, following an extensive recruitment process. Ms Foeng will take up the position on 1 July 2025.
Chair Gabrielle Bell said that as a highly experienced CFO and Executive, Ms Foeng has the right skills and experience to take Yarra Valley Water forward, with a blend of strong financial, commercial and risk management expertise, and proven track record in driving sustainable business performance across corporate and utility environments.
New leader for Wannon Water announced - Steven Waterhouse
Steven Waterhouse will become Wannon Water’s new Managing Director.
Chair Helen Scarborough announced the appointment on 8 April, saying the Board had agreed that Mr Waterhouse was the right person to lead Wannon Water into the future.
Current Managing Director Andrew Jeffers advised the Board last year that he would not be seeking reappointment when his contract ends in mid-July 2025.
Mr Waterhouse is currently Wannon Water’s General Manager People and Business Services.
Gippsland Water is giving local students the chance to become water heroes by entering this year’s National Water Week poster competition.
Students are encouraged to design, draw or paint a poster that reflects this year’s theme, Water Heroes: Save Every Drop.
Categories are open for early learning, kindergarten and primary school students from across the organisation’s service area.
Entrants will be eligible to win a gift voucher and a Gippsland Water prize pack featuring a bag, drink bottle, colouring pencils, trigger nozzle and native seeds.
Image: South East Water graduates (L-R) Sowmya Myadam, Billy Cummings, Ola Oluwole, Kyle Williams, Pranay Parashar, Christine Giang.
South East Water graduates gain experience in the next energy frontier
A group of South East Water graduates have been given the exciting opportunity to tackle one of the most important aspects of future renewable energy—how to store it and have it available when needed—by constructing a water battery as part of the Constructionarium Australia program.
The Constructionarium program is a hands-on 8-day accelerated training experience for early career professionals, interns, graduate program participants and those new to infrastructure.
A water battery, also known as pumped hydro energy storage, is an innovative system for storing and generating renewable energy. It operates by moving water between 2 reservoirs at different elevations to manage electricity supply and demand effectively.
Not quite ready to stop working? Consider transitioning to retirement
Work’s a big part of the day-to-day routine for most of us, and for some, a core part of their identity – not everyone turns 60 and is immediately ready to retire. Australians are living longer and healthier lives, and if you really like your job, you may find it difficult to suddenly stop working.
Semi-retirement is proving a popular option if you want the best of both worlds – more free time for family, hobbies, or passion projects without having to give up the financial and social benefits of paid work.
Do you have a water sector event you'd like to promote? Maybe an announcement you'd like us to share on behalf of your organisation? VicWater Update has opened the news and events section of the monthly update to promote visibility of things that are happening within the water sector.
If you'd like something included email Lauren Vines with your request for consideration in our next edition.
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