Growth through learning and opportunity
By Nova Irawati, Project Manager, Treatment Plant Programs
Before joining Yarra Valley Water, I spent 16 years in Indonesia, building a varied career across healthcare, research and office management. After years working in small business, a recommendation from a friend opened the door to a new opportunity.
It was the opportunity to work across different roles and keep learning that attracted me to Yarra Valley Water. I love learning, and working here has allowed me to continue growing by taking on new challenges.
Since then, I’ve worked across the Community Sewer Program, Recycled Water Planning, Integration, Treatment Plant Operations and Water Quality. These experiences have helped me build a broad understanding of the business and how the work we do supports our customers and community.
Rewarding work for the community
Today, I’m a project manager in the Treatment Plant Programs, managing projects that improve operational capability and output.
One of my proudest achievements has been my work on the Lilydale Community Sewer Project. The project delivered a new sewer network for nearly 200 properties that previously relied on septic tanks.
The work came with challenges, from difficult ground conditions to complex customer engagement, but strong collaboration with delivery partners and internal teams helped us reach a successful outcome.
Growing through connection and culture
When I first moved to Australia, my understanding of First Peoples culture was limited.
Through training and cultural immersion experiences at Yarra Valley Water, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about Country and how I can contribute to healing and respect.
I’ve also been involved in Yarra Valley Water’s Twinning Program with Tirta Musi, one of Indonesia’s largest water utilities. The partnership focuses on sharing knowledge and building skills to address shared water challenges, including climate change.
Having grown up in Indonesia, I understand how Indonesians work and learn. The experience helped me grow as a mentor and strengthened my appreciation for collaboration across cultures.
Working with purpose
I describe working at Yarra Valley Water as a blessing.
I love the people I work with. They’re generous and always willing to help.
On my first day, I remember seeing a quote on the wall: ‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children’.
Being part of the water industry and caring for water and sewer as such precious resources, is something I’m genuinely grateful for.
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