Q&A with Maryanne Kelly from our diversity program

Maybe it’s because she loves kids. Maybe it’s just her nature. Either way, Maryanne Kelly from our new Diversity & Inclusion Technology Program believes in life long learning. Here’s a quick Q&A with her.

LET’S START WITH THE PERSONAL - TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

I’m a mother of five - four fabulous adults and an 11-year-old who keeps us on our toes - and a nannie to 10 wonderful little humans.

We moved to Lakes Entrance three years ago and bought acreage so that we had space for the family to come and stay. I love exploring the region with the kids. The world is all wondrous again when you are seeing it through the eyes of grandchildren.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

I have diplomas in business administration and human resources.

My career has varied from National Audit and Administration Manager of a large retail organisation to Production Manager of one of Australia’s largest glass recycling facilities and finally Contract and Procurement Manager roles within manufacturing and local government.

I have been a Procurement Specialist at East Gippsland Water for the last three years.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO EACH DAY IN ONE LINE

I work with people to guide them on how to spend the corporation’s money the right way within policy and legislative requirements.

WHY DID YOU JOIN IWN?

I joined IWN about two years ago. I was new to the water industry and thought: What better way to learn than to surround yourself with experts and those passionate about what we do as an industry and the benefits we can bring to the community and environment with that precious commodity called water.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH IWN?

I’m proud to be the Deputy Program Manager of the new Diversity & Inclusion Technology Program. I’d like to be part of facilitating ideas and innovation across the industry to make it more inclusive. On a personal level: I want to grow and learn - never stop doing that.

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?

This might sound a little crazy but in the late 1970s, as a teenager, I went on a school excursion with teachers and students to my first protest regarding uranium mining. It was around this time that I realised the impact as a species we have on the world around us.

In between then and now I have had a great career, raised a family and now have grandchildren. They are what gets me out of bed every morning because I don’t want them to have a conversation with their children that we didn’t try hard enough to protect this wonderful environment. I know there are many in our industry who feel the same.

The Diversity & Inclusion Technology Program is new for IWN. It exists to test and trial assistive technologies to help make our industry more inclusive. As with all our programs, we welcome ideas and contributions from people at our member organisations. If you’d like to contribute, please reach out via email on enquiries@iwn.org.au

Maryanne with family at the snow.