2015

Invitation from the SA Branch President

SA WATER AWARDS

The Annual Water Awards are part of the AWA Program in SA. All Awards, aside from the Undergraduate & Postgraduate Water Prize, are open to AWA members only.

In 2015, there are a number of categories linked to the AWA Australian Water Awards. Winners of those categories

in SA will automatically be nominated into the National Awards which will be announced at Ozwater’16, on Wednesday 11 May 2016 in Melbourne.

The 2015 Award Categories are:

• SA Undergraduate Water Prize: The Hodgson Medal

• SA Postgraduate Prize

• SA Young Water Professional of the Year Award

• SA Infrastructure Project Innovation Award

• SA Program Innovation Award

• SA Research Innovation Award

• SA Premier’s Water Medal

All entries must be submitted via the online forms available at www.awa.asn.au/awards

For further information please contact: Kerrie Akkermans P 08 8372 7827 E KAkkermans@awa.asn.au

The Australian Water Association is focussed on promoting and developing the Water

Industry in Australia. It has a broad membership consisting of suppliers, consultants,

utilities and individuals and the annual awards are an opportunity to showcase the

breadth and complexities of our industry.

This year we had the opportunity to host the Ozwater conference here in South Australia, feedback on the conference has been positive with a number of local projects

and organisations being showcased to both a national and international audience. In

nominating for an award at this years event you will be taking another opportunity to

highlight South Australia’s leading role in innovation and excellence within the industry.

The state winners in several categories will go on to be nominated in the National

awards which will be announced at Ozwater’16 in Melbourne.

Award nominations can come from South Australian institutions, organisations or private individuals. Nominees should have made a contribution to the Water Industry

in South Australia, nationally or internationally. Alternatively, institutions from outside of South Australia may also

be nominated for their contributions to the water sector in South Australia.

I encourage you or your organisation to nominate eligible projects or individuals for one or more of the award categories. It is essential that we showcase as many achievements as possible to show the expertise and excellence within the industry and support the growth of our industry sector. A strong field of nominations will

demonstrate our strength and enhance our chances in the national and international arena.

Yours sincerely

John Ringham

SA Branch President Australian Water Association

WATER FUTURES CATEGORIES

SA Undergraduate Water Prize:

The Hodgson Medal Sponsored by SA Water

This award aims to encourage and reward students for excellence in the field of water studies and research, and

provides a forum for students to display their academic excellence and research findings to future employees, clients and the water industry.

The South Australian Branch of AWA offers an annual undergraduate student award in honour of the pioneering

South Australian environmental engineer Mr Harry Hodgson. Mr Hodgson, who passed away in 1992, gave

distinguished service to the water industry while working for

the former Engineering and Water Supply Department and

was also a founding and life member of the AWA.

Eligibility: Open to final year undergraduates (including

honours students) enrolled at South Australian universities

who have completed projects or investigations in a water-related subject area.

Criteria: • Relevance of the project to the water industry • Quality of technical content • Innovation and originality • Paper and presentation

Prize: The State Winner (1 person only) will be provided with

flights, accommodation and registration to Ozwater’ 16 (10-12th May in Melbourne), where you will represent SA and

present your paper along with the other National Finalists

as part of the conference program.

Please note the Undergraduate Water Prize: The Hodgson

Medal has separate dates to all other SA Branch Awards.

Online submission (incl. abstract) closes: Monday, 21

September 2015

Finalists paper submission closes: Friday, 30 October

2015

Judging day (shortlisted entrants): Thursday, 5 November 2015

The SA winner will represent the state in the Australian Water Awards at Ozwater’16 (10-12 May 2016).

SA Postgraduate Prize

This prize is SA only and is not linked to a National award.

This award aims to encourage and reward students for excellence in the field of water studies and research, and

provides a forum for students to display their academic excellence and research findings to future employees, clients and the water industry.

Eligibility: Open to students enrolled or recently graduated (within the last 12 months) in a university of tertiary institute within SA, in a postgraduate course whose

project is on a water related topic.

Criteria: • Relevance of the project to the water industry • Quality of technical content • Innovation and originality • Paper and presentation

Prizes: • Complimentary registration to Ozwater’16 in

Melbourne (excluding travel)

SA Young Water Professional

of the Year Award Sponsored by TRILITY

This award provides an opportunity for young water professionals to be recognised and rewarded for their contribution to the water industry by their local peers at a

state or territory level. The SA winner will represent the

State as a finalist for the Australian Water Awards, with the

winner announced at Ozwater’16 Gala Dinner on Wednesday 11 May 2016.

Note: To be eligible nominee's must be 35 years & under when the Australian Water Awards are presented,

Wednesday 11 May 2016. Criteria:

• Significant contribution to the water industry

• Nominees must have raised the profile of careers in the water industry

• Nominees must have raised water awareness

in the community

• Nominees must be recognised as a leader,

communicator and/or educator Prizes:

• Complimentary registration to Ozwater’16 in

Melbourne (excluding travel)

Recognition of individuals who represent the future of our industry by undertaking water related studies, or have recently commenced a career in the water sector.

INDUSTRY CATEGORIES

SA Infrastructure Project Innovation

Award

Sponsored by Water Industry Alliance

This award recognises significant and innovative infrastructure projects and initiatives within the water industry.

Eligibility: Open to all AWA member organisations within the water industry in South Australia.

Criteria: • Innovative, unique or other outstanding

features of the initiative which sets it apart

from common practice among comparable

programs.

• Relevance to the water industry.

• Demonstrated or strongly anticipated environmental and/or water resource benefits

as a result of the nominated initiative.

• Demonstrated or strongly anticipated social

benefits as a result of the nominated initiative.

• Incorporates sustainable design principles - social, economic, environmental.

• Evidence that the initiative was carried out or

came to fruition during the two years preceding the nomination date.

SA Research Innovation Award

This award recognises significant contribution to research

projects within the water industry.

Eligibility: Open to any AWA member institution, organisation, private individual or company that has made a

contribution to water research in South Australia.

Criteria: • Significant contribution to water research that

improves the use or management of water, or

furthers our knowledge of water in any discipline

• Demonstrated achievement in water research

– eg. Awards, honours, accolades

• Demonstrated commitment to communicating

research widely to enhance the water profession’s knowledge of water or to improve

the use or management of water

• Evidence of industry acceptance, recognition

or other factors, which indicate the project

exemplifies superior practice or performance

SA Program Innovation Award

This award recognises significant and innovative environment or sustainability programs within the water

industry.

Eligibility: Open to all AWA member organisations within the water industry in South Australia.

Criteria: • Innovative, unique or other outstanding

features of the initiative which sets it apart

from common practice among comparable

programs.

• Relevance to the water industry.

• Demonstrated or strongly anticipated environmental and/or water resource benefits

as a result of the nominated initiative.

• Demonstrated or strongly anticipated social

benefits as a result of the nominated initiative.

• Incorporates sustainable design principles

(social, economic, environmental).

• Evidence that the initiative was carried out or

came to fruition during the two years preceding the nomination date.

SA Premier’s Water Medal

Sponsored by DEWNR

*Special Category*

Entry is via nomination in writing from AWA SA Committee. Presentation to the judging panel is not

required.

The award recognises an eminent individual for outstanding

contribution to the South Australian water industry or management and conservation of water in the state.

Eligibility: An individual who has been based in SA for

a number of years and has made a significant contribution

to the state and/or national and/or international water industry, has an excellent reputation within SA, in other

States of Australia and/or internationally for substantial contribution and commitment over an extended period to

the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the

community of South Australia.

The SA winner will represent the State as a finalist for the Water Professional of the Year at the Australian Water

Awards.

Recognition of achievements by organisations which have made a significant contribution to the

SA water industry. The SA winner for each of the below categories will represent the State as a finalist for the

Australian Water Awards, with the winner announced at Ozwater’16 Gala Dinner on Wednesday 11 May 2016.

AWARD INFORMATION

Awards Submission Process

All award entries must be submitted online via www.awa.asn.au/awards

Presentation to Judging Panel

A judging panel will be formed by AWA SA Branch Committee, consisting

of industry experts. Short-listed entrants will be required to give an oral

presentation to the judges for final consideration. Judging day: Friday, 9 October 2015 (timeslots to be allocated after

close of entries)

Important Dates

Final online submissions due: Monday, 21 September 2015

Judging presentation day: Friday, 9 October 2015

Award presentation ceremony: Friday, 20 November 2015

Dates for Undergraduate category only

Online submission (incl. abstract) closes: Monday, 21 September 2015

Finalists paper submission closes: Friday, 30 October 2015

Judging day (shortlisted entrants): Thursday, 5 November 2015