On June 25th, 2024, the AWA Victorian Branch successfully hosted a hybrid Technical Event showcasing the best Victorian papers from Ozwater'24. Held simultaneously at Aurecon’s Melbourne office and the Deakin Waterfront Campus in Geelong, the event highlighted the strength of the Victorian water sector, fostering engagement and knowledge sharing across the state.
With support from Aurecon, Deakin University, and Arup Geelong, the event featured a stellar lineup of industry experts. Dr. Sam Skinner from Aurecon, AWA's Young Water Professional of the Year, shared insights on adapting decision-making models. Simone Costello from Arup explored the challenges of water supply for hydrogen energy transition, and Dr. Lisa Ehrenfried from Yarra Valley Water unpacked the risks posed by climate change. Ninad Dharmadhikari and Vinay Kumar from South East Water discussed innovative methods for reducing non-revenue water through remote hydrant usage detection. I had the opportunity to present on the effectiveness of modular floating covers for water resource management, bringing insights from the Geelong Hub. This format allowed us to connect with colleagues across locations, making the event accessible and engaging for all participants.
The hybrid model was a resounding success, bridging the gap between different regions and ensuring that attendees, whether in Melbourne or Geelong, could actively participate. The live stream to the Melbourne Hub enabled seamless interaction, while networking opportunities and light refreshments fostered meaningful connections. This event marks the beginning of many more similar hybrid gatherings, as we aim to build on this momentum and explore new ways to connect and inspire our community.