Success for talented young operator

Wangaratta-based Treatment Technologist, Lee Franke, has had a big few weeks.

Not only has the 23-year-old earned promotion to a new role within North East Water, he has also been named the Young Victorian Operator of the Year at the recent Victorian Water Industry Operators Association (VWIOA) conference.

Lee, who began with North East Water as a trainee treatment plant operator in 2005, was nominated for the award by Executive Manager Operations, Fiona Smith.

Ms Smith said that both Lee’s award and promotion recognise the diligence and competence he has displayed since beginning with the Corporation.

“During his time with North East Water, Lee has demonstrated a high level of maturity and reliability, and an ability to independently investigate and rectify treatment issues as they arise,” she said.

“Lee’s aptitude and commitment to his work has ensured that he is a valued employee, appreciated for his consistent delivery of results.”

Ms Smith said Lee’s career path had taken him from trainee to the primary operator at the Wangaratta wastewater plant in just four years.

“It’s a real source of pride for North East Water that we have such a high level of training and skill among our employees,” she said.

The award is the latest in a series of successes for North East Water at the VWIOA awards, after Adrian Rijnbeek, from the Corporation’s business partner EGL, took out the same award last year for his work at the West Wodonga wastewater treatment plant.

In addition, Wangaratta Team Leader, Jeff Roscoe, took out the prestigious Operator of the Year award last year, following on from Peter Tolsher (EGL) in 2004 and Roland Passuello (Mt Beauty) in 2001.

Lee said he was surprised and honoured by the award.

“I was just happy to be nominated, so to actually win against a strong field of other nominees from throughout the industry is really humbling,” he said.

Lee’s new role as Treatment Technologist sees him join a small team of in-house specialists charged with solving treatment issues throughout the Corporation’s service area.

“I’m really looking forward to the new challenges this role offers and, working alongside some very experienced and knowledgeable people, I expect to learn a lot,” he said.