Community News

December 10, 2025

We recently received some amazing feedback from Wandoan State School P&C on the H2Grow programme that we were able to support.

Funded by Mitchell Water and the Wandoan State School P&C, together with school leadership, is proud to launch H2Grow: Wandoan Hydration & Sustainability Initiative — a project focused on student wellbeing, sustainability, and community benefit. With enrolments rising, existing indoor drinking taps no long meet demand, especially during busy times like lunch, sport, and outdoor activities.

H2Grow will install modern, hygienic, accessible cold-water refill stations near the main oval and sporting areas, improving hydration access for students, staff, and community groups that use the school’s facilities.

Better access to cold drinking water supports student focus, physical performance, and overall health – especially important in a rural, outdoor-active school environment. The project also strengthens the school’s sustainability goals by encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and reducing single-use plastic waste. H2Grow demonstrates the P&C’s commitment to quality facilities that promote healthy lifestyles and support he Wandoan school community now and into the future.

December 2, 2025

The Ararat Men’s Shed is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation which focuses on social, charitable projects like woodworking crafts and repairs that benefit the wider communities within the Greater Grampians region. The Ararat Men’s Shed consists of 42 local members ranging in age from 20–50 years old, catering for everyone regardless of their age or ability, and providing a space where men can get together in a welcoming environment. The aim is to improve men’s health by fostering connection and learning new skills while at the same time supporting the local community.

Philip Graham is President of the Ararat Men’s Shed and has been the instigator of recycling Mitchell Water’s timber pipe struts and working with Villa Maria to deliver workshops in woodworking to the disadvantaged. They have also used their woodworking skills to create props for the local Moyston Primary School’s annual play, Impressive!

December 2, 2025

Mitchell Water is proud to sponsor the community-based Moyston Willaura Football Netball Club. As well as being located within our project footprint area, Moyston is locally proclaimed as the “Birthplace of Australian Football” due to founder, Tom Wills, having spent most of his childhood on the family property “Lexington Station”, now an historic homestead. The club holds a significant place in Australian sporting history and serves as a vital outlet for the locals, residents, and families from the farming communities of Moyston, Willaura, and the surrounding regions.

December 2, 2025

The Country Brothers Rugby League Club is a First Nations rugby league club that supports young Indigenous boys and girls through sport. Mitchell Water recently sponsored the team to compete in the 2025 Queensland Murri Carnival, an annual eight-day celebration of Indigenous culture and rugby league, held from 19–28 September 2025 at the South Pine Sporting Complex in Brendale, Queensland. The event is organised by the Arthur Beetson Foundation and includes senior and junior rugby league competitions.

The event places a major focus on health and education for participants and aims to honour the legacy of Indigenous rugby league great Arthur Beetson. Erin, Treasurer of the club, advised us, “Mixed Under 12s and 10s smashed their games. 12s won 3 out of 4 games and 10s won 2 out of 4 games,” so overall it sounds like the teams did very well and the carnival was extremely successful.

November 13, 2025

The rural township of Miles is located within the QLD project- footprint area and hosts the Miles Back to the Bush Festival, a highly regarded and popular QLD event. The biannual festival, held from the 11th to the 14th of September, includes activities like street parades, local markets, agricultural style competitions, tractor pulling, horse car and dog shows, children’s activities, and live entertainment.

The event brings upwards of eight thousand visitors into the township and region showcasing the idyllic agricultural country life.

November 6, 2025

Brett Young

Despite his youthful last name, Brett celebrated his 60th birthday in September. Having joined Mitchell’s in 2008 during the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project, Youngy has been a vital member of our construction crews across numerous projects. Currently on the East Grampians Project in Ararat, Youngy’s expertise continues to shine. Happy 60th Youngy!

Ian Betteridge

Joining Youngy in the 60-club is none other than our steadfast HSEQ Compliance Manager, Ian Betteridge. Currently assisting on the East Grampian Project in Ararat, Ian’s extensive knowledge of pipelines has been a tremendous asset to the team. Happy 60th, Ian!

Lee Briggs

Our esteemed COO and Director Lee turns the big 5-0 in December. Briggsy originally worked for Ross Bennett many years ago, where he was subcontracted onto a Mitchell project circa the year 2000. Not long after, Lee officially became an employee of Mitchell’s, and the rest is history. Project Manager to many of our projects over the past two decades, Lee’s engineering knowledge and mentorship is invaluable; and fair to say Mitchell Water wouldn’t be what it is today without him. Happy 50th Birthday!

Ian Ackerly

A big Happy Birthday also goes out to Ian, for October 21st. A highly experienced Truck Driver, “Grumpy” joined the team on the QGC project in February 2023 and continues to excel in his role. Happy 70th Ian!

David Round

Happy Birthday, David! A welcome recent addition to the QGC project team, we wish David a Happy 50th Birthday for October 25th!

Kieran Smith

Sharing a birthday with David on October 25th was Kieran who turned 40! Joining the QGC project team 2 years ago, Kieran continues to do a cracking job in the Assemblies crew. Happy 40th Kieran!

Jamie Goddard

Jamie also celebrates his milestone 50th birthday December 16th. Returning to the QGC project team in August, Jamie has taken to the trenching crew like a duck to water. Happy 50th Jamie!

October 14, 2025

We are proud to support the Roma Cup and partner with the Roma Turf Club for the fourth consecutive year and appreciate the importance of this event to the Roma community and surrounding regions.

We are looking forward to attending this premier country race event, experiencing the exciting equine action, mingling with friends and the local community, and enjoying this regionally significant outback race day.

We extend our best wishes to the Roma Turf Club and event organisers and wish good fortune to trainers, owners, and connections.

October 7, 2025

Mitchell Water recently provided sponsorship to the Miles Senior Citizens Club to launch a fitness program designed especially for seniors and individuals with special needs.

The program officially started in July with twice weekly sessions including Pilates, Yoga and general fitness supervised by experienced instructors.

We are happy to hear that the sponsorship has been contributing positively to members’ health and providing some fun and enjoyment along the way.

Jane Nutley, Secretary of the club and instigator of the program has advised that the elders of the club are really enjoying the sessions and “shining with enthusiasm.”