TasWater announces Operator & Young Operator awards

Each year TasWater recognises the hard work and effort our people undertake in their roles on a day-to-day basis to deliver essential services to Tasmanians. An example of such recognition is the annual award for Operator of the Year and Young Operator of the Year. The awards also highlight TasWater’s ongoing commitment to training and career opportunities across the state.

Each year TasWater recognises the hard work and effort our people undertake in their roles on a day-to-day basis to deliver essential services to Tasmanians. An example of such recognition is the annual award for Operator of the Year and Young Operator of the Year. The awards also highlight TasWater’s ongoing commitment to training and career opportunities across the state.

TasWater Organisational Planning and Performance Manager Yvette Gilbert said the awards recognise excellent performance, demonstrated initiative and commitment to safety in the workplace.

Yvette said, “The winners are not only recognised as being high performers within the state. They will also join other chosen recipients from across the country on Water Industry Operators Australia’s annual delegation to New Zealand. This trip is both a study tour of various water and wastewater treatment plants and the opportunity to participate in the Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand Conference.”

TasWater Operator of the Year award

Alexandra (Alex) Smith has been with TasWater for over three years and is currently employed as a Water Services Operator. She commenced as a Trainee Water Services Operator and has completed her Certificate III in Water Industry Operations qualification. She is our first female winner of this prestigious award.

Alex was nominated by TasWater’s Area Manager South (Urban Networks), Justin Cordwell. Cordwell said, “Alex had not worked in the industry before. She jumped at the opportunity as she enjoyed working outdoors and wanted to learn new skills.

“Over the past 12 months, Alex has really excelled with her confidence, decision making and assisting in day-to-day Operations within her Network team. More recently, Alex has stepped into a leading hand role whilst another employee has been on secondment. This has shown that she is more than capable of exceeding what is expected of her within the business. A recent customer compliment noted the work crew that attended their property and fixed a leak was very professional and that it was good to see the young lady who attended giving instructions and being confident in her job. He also said the job was well run and safe to the public.”

Alex was born in Sydney, moved to WA at age two, and grew up in Perth. She has been living in Tassie with her partner for four years. One of the reasons they chose Tassie is their love of hiking and travel, getting out and about on weekends to check out waterfalls and other beautiful places here.

TasWater Young Operator of the Year award

Cameron Stebbeings, also known as “Hirdy”, has been with TasWater for one year. He is currently employed as a Water Services Operator in the north. His colleagues widely regard him as demonstrating the perfect mix of a vibrant personality and dignified professionalism.

TasWater’s Area Manager Greater Launceston, Dean Edsall, nominated him.

“Hirdy, as he’s often known, is always the first one in the door and the last one to leave,” said Edsall.

“Often, you’ll find him of an afternoon looking for additional work from his Coordinator, restocking trucks with other Operators or removing the rubbish bin liners from the crib room. Cameron has been in the industry just coming up to twelve months, and you would never know. He displays every quality you look for in a young operator – including enthusiasm, professionalism & commitment. He naturally can lift morale within the team environment & encapsulates the essence of positive culture within the workplace.”

Hirdy was born in Launceston. He grew up in the area where he still lives with his partner Amy and dog Winchester. Before working at TasWater, he worked in the building industry for twelve years after completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter in residential building. He then moved into commercial building for seven years.

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