For Aetrian Robert, attending the OzWater 2025 Conference was more than just a professional milestone—it was a personal awakening. Representing Vanuatu, Aetrian joined fellow Pacific Young Water Professionals in Adelaide for one of the world’s most influential gatherings of water sector leaders, made possible through the support of the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) and the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA).

“Attending OzWater was an incredible experience for me personally and professionally,” she said. “On a personal level, it was eye-opening to engage with water professionals on a global scale—something far beyond what I’m used to. Representing Vanuatu on that stage felt both overwhelming and inspiring.”

Aetrian had the opportunity to observe and participate in high-level discussions with engineers, scientists, policy experts, and innovators—gaining exposure to the latest thinking on water management, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

One of the standout moments for her was meeting other Young Water Professionals and learning about their diverse journeys into the sector. She was particularly inspired by Christopher Lee, a water professional who entered the field without a traditional background in engineering. “It reminded me that water connects people across disciplines—reinforcing the idea that ‘water is life’,” Aetrian said.

The conference theme, “Looking Back, Moving Forward,” deeply resonated with Aetrian, reminding him of the long-standing challenges Pacific communities have faced in accessing safe, clean water. “Our ancestors dealt with these issues with far fewer resources. Today, we’re lucky to have advanced tools and even artificial intelligence to help us plan and predict—but the core struggle remains the same,” she reflected.

Professionally, OzWater left a lasting impact on how Aetrian views infrastructure and project planning. A major takeaway for her was the importance of context-specific case studies. The presentations and shared challenges highlighted that solutions successful in one country may not automatically work in another.

“For my work in Vanuatu, this reinforced the need to evaluate infrastructure through our own local lens. Adopting solutions without understanding our context won’t lead to sustainable development,” she said. “Moving forward, I’m committed to grounding our work in localized data and research.”

Aetrian’s experience at OzWater highlights the importance of equipping Pacific Young Water Professionals with global exposure and insights. With support from AWP and PWWA, future leaders like Aetrian are building the skills and networks needed to shape more resilient, locally-driven water systems across the Pacific.

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