Congratulations to AWA Life Member Dr Kuruvilla Mathew OAM, recently awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia

Dr Kuruvilla Mathew OAM has been recognised for his service to tertiary education, and to the community having been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on Friday 26 January 2024.

Dr Kuruvilla Mathew has given a lifetime of dedicated work to the Australian Water Industry through his ongoing service to tertiary education, research, Aboriginal communities, developing countries and the water industry generally since his arrival in Australia from India in 1977.

His 55-year career in the water industry to date has spanned working directly for water authorities, leading water research programs and mentoring research students and staff, developing and delivering courses on water, working passionately to develop better water services for homeland Aboriginal communities and developing countries as well as serving on many AWA, IWA, government and university committees.

Well beyond retirement he continues to organise water conferences, support staff in their water careers and supervise students in research and teaching.

Dr Mathew was previously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Water Awards last year held at the Ozwater'23 President's Dinner. Dr Mathew previously worked as the Executive Engineer in Kerala Water Authority and a Regional Engineer in the Water Pollution Control Board. He is a retired academic from Murdoch University, Western Australia.

Professor Cynthia Mitchell AO, was also recently awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia during the Australia Day Honours