Meet IWN Champion, Stuart Mensch

Lower Murray Water’s Stuart Mensch knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a Champion - for IWN and on the sporting field. Here’s a quick Q&A to help you get to know him.

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

My family moved to Mildura when I was five and I have loved the regional lifestyle ever since. I’m married and have four children who fill up my time outside work.

I’m a keen sports person, however these days my active participation has slowed down and I spend most of my time engaging at a junior level. Living on the Murray River, I really enjoy fishing and camping; nothing beats sitting around a campfire staring up at the stars on a clear crisp evening.

I have been lucky to have many career and family achievements of which I am very proud, but one of my fondest sporting achievements was when I was the playing coach of an Aussie Rules premiership winning team.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

I have had a diverse career, including formal training as a trade chef and more than a decade in the hospitality industry before moving across to a management role in the employment and training sector at a group training organisation. Before joining Lower Murray Water (LMW), I spent 12 years running a community newspaper. For the last two years, I have been Manager Land Development at LMW.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO EACH DAY?

I make sure all new home, office and shop developments have the pipes built to bring water to them and take away the toilet and shower waste. I have lots of discussions with builders about who needs to pay for what part of the pipes.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE AN IWN CHAMPION?

Being new to the water industry, I thought it would be a good opportunity to create networks and build a stronger understanding of the broader industry. I’m also a bit of a gadgets man and new tech interests me, hence why I have organised for LMW to participate in IWN’s RealWear headset trial.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH IWN?

I would like to continue to see LMW engage in trials and aim to keep connecting key LMW staff to IWN programs and trials.

At a broader level, I want to do my bit to encourage industry collaboration and knowledge sharing. There are so many clever, talented, and knowledgeable individuals working across our industry and we can all learn from one another. I believe IWN plays a pivotal role in this.

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?

I’m passionate about our community and knowing I play a part in supporting the region’s growth is a big driver. My wife also likes nice things and I need to pay for them somehow!