A 29-year-old environmental engineer from Torquay has been placed in the running for the IKON Services Environmental Leadership Award as part of Seven News\u2019 2019 Young Achiever Awards.<\/p>\n
Nominated by RMIT tutor, Associate Professor Oliver Jones, Will McCance said he was pleasantly surprised when he discovered his PhD supervisor and former teacher had secretly entered him to recognise his work in wastewater contamination.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no idea he was nominating me,\u201d said a modest Will.<\/p>\n
\u201cI only found out because I received an email about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember thinking to myself, \u2018what on earth is this?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Awarded to a nominee for demonstrating environmental leadership or contributing significantly to a sustainable Victoria, his extensive resume gives reasonable insight into why the student was handpicked by his teacher.<\/p>\n
Completing a double degree in environmental science and engineering in 2013, Will now has five years\u2019 experience working as an environmental consultant.<\/p>\n
\u201cFunnily enough, when I graduated uni I thought I would work in contaminated land management or land fill design and construction, but soon enough I moved more and more into the water sector, particularly groundwater management and technology,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Currently undertaking a PhD investigating wastewater contamination, Will\u2019s passion for creating a sustainable world is mirrored in allaspects of his life.<\/p>\n
Will volunteers his time at the Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Associated where he sits on the executive committee.<\/p>\n
He has also volunteered with Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club for 10 years and is a member of the Surf Coast Shire\u2019s Environment and Rural Advisory Panel.<\/p>\n
In his nomination submission, Associate Professor Oliver Jones described Will as a \u201cself-motivated student\u201d and a \u201cstrong leader\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to be nominated,\u201d Will said. \u201cIt helps you stayed motivated and on topic. \u201cThe PhD can be challenging at times, but when something like this happens it helps you to push through and keep aiming high.\u201d<\/p>\n
The student will face judging on Wednesday March 6.<\/p>\n
Finalists will be presented and winners announced at an Awards Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday May 10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A 29-year-old environmental engineer from Torquay has been placed in the running for the IKON Services Environmental Leadership Award as part of Seven News\u2019 2019 Young Achiever Awards. Nominated by RMIT tutor, Associate Professor Oliver Jones, Will McCance said he was pleasantly surprised when he discovered his PhD supervisor and former teacher had secretly entered […]<\/p>\n