topics . There is much new indust ry in the area directly related to the water industry , including a large cement plant , a new pipe factory and the Pejor Dam near Goulburn. The N .S.W . Branch is considering a proposal to act as joint sponsor with the Australian Pump Manufacturers' Association to hold a symposium on pumping , using the Handbook on Pumping as a basis for the symposium .
VICTORIA Over 50 people attended a half-day seminar held in May , on the subject of "Water in Energy Production". The topicality of the subject was emphasised by the full and fervent discussion which followed the dinner break. The first speaker, Dr . Dick Mccann , of Sydney University , described the various alternatives for production of power alcohol from crops , discussing their relative feasibility and economics. Dr . Charles Barnes , of C.S.R., then we¡nt into the details of likely water use, and waste disposal , for fermentation routes , drawing on the experience of present-day production of alcohol from sugar and molasses. If a significant percentage of Australia's transportation fuel is to be produced in this manner, there emerges a picture of city-sized water supply and waste disposa l problems , the latter compounded by the intractable colour of the wastes. These two comp lemen tary papers were followed by one from the other end of the fuel spectrum, that is , oil -from-coal. Mr. David Evans of Melbourne University presented estimates of the water balance of the Latrobe Valley, sett in g in perspective the impact of a possible oil -from-coal industry on the necessary massive scale. When taken in conjunction with the expansion of electricity generation , such an industry would impose critica l strains on the water economy. In June, Mr. George Archer, Officerin-charge of Melbourne's South Eastern Purification Plant described , very graphically, the commissioning of this massive plant. He spoke on the administrative network which was evolved to facilitate the take-over from the various subcontractors, proving and modifying where necessary. He fo llowed this by the details of bringing the plant on line, and building up the active biomass . The comple x system was then steadily plugged into the computer with all systems now operated from the central console . The July meeting will be addressed by Dr . Louise !riving of the Fairfield Infect ious Diseases Hospital , on the sub je ct of virus isolation and occurrence . The annua l Dinner Dance will also be held in July , free from the hassle of pre-Christmas schedules. Planning for the Weekend Regional Conference , to be held in Traralgon on 12-14th October is well advanced , the theme being " Wastewater Management in Australia's Ruhr Valley ". WATER
QUEENSLAND The Queensland Branch, in addition to its normal activities of arranging general meetings and field days, has also been organizing for the 8th Federal AWWA Convention fn November, 1979 at the Gold Coast . Arrangements for both activit ies have been progressing steadi ly . Branch activities this year have included the fo llowing dinner meetings at the Majestic Hotel in Brisbane. 7th March Mike Lever, manager of the B.C.C. Luggage Point Wastewater Treatment Plant spoke on "Problems Associated with Commissioning of a Major Wastewater Treatment Plant ." Mr. Lever's address was very interesting and together with his numerous slides of the construction, was very well received by those present. 2nd May A panel of speakers from the B.C.C. Water Testing Lab., led by the Chief Chemist Bill Solly, spoke on and illustrated a number of varied topics . These included : "Actinomycetes in Water and Sewage Treatment" by microbiologist Harry Ferguson, "Heavy Metal Removal at Brisbane's Two Largest Sewage Treatment Plants : An Analysis of Potential Use of Anaerobically Digested Sewage Sludge as a Fertilizer," by chemist Peter McKinnon, and not to be out-done Bill Solly presented a film on "Dam(n) Problems" as associated with the Enoggera Reservoir Pondage . Quite a remarkable evening! 27th June This was our annual Treatment-Plant Operator Certificate presentation evening which was again very well attended especial ly by visitors and potential members. The certificates for the three sections of Water, Swimming Pool and Wastewater were presented on behalf of AWWA by former DLG Chief Engineer Vince Schmidt . This was followed by a very enlightening talk by Bernie Keefe, a lecturer in Health Surveying at the Q.I.T. who previously spent 37 years in the Queensland State Health Department as Chief Inspector of Environmental Sanitation. Mr. Keefe's talk was entitled "The Health Surveyor's Involvement in Water Supply and Sewerage." 18th July At this meeting (which will be attended by treatment-plant operators attending a course at Q.I.T.), Norm Clarke of John Holland (Constructions) Pty. Ltd . will address the masses with a talk on Pumping Equipment in Water Supply and Sewerage Schemes . Mr. Clarke's considerable experience and expertise in this field will provide some food for thought for both the pump designers and operators as what to do and what not to do! The Annual General Meeting of the Queensland Branch has been scheduled for early September, with details of the meeting date, speaker and the 1979-80 Committee being sent to Branch members during mid August.
8th FEDERAL CONVENTION NEWS Planning for the Convention is now fina lised! The Convention Centre and accommodation have been booked at the Chevron Hotel , Surfers Paradise, social functions and tours arranged and the technical papers are progressing to the pu~lication stage (see page . .. ...... ) Registration forms will be mailed in mid-August to all those who reply on the cut-out slip in this edition of 'Water.' Remember also the "Munic ipal Engineers Water and Wastewater Workshop " straight after the Convention at Tweed Heads . Registrants to both will be able to maintain accommodation , and transport will be organised . See you at the Convention in November!!!
LIFE MEMBERSHIP TO JACK LANG Mr. J . D. Lang has been presented with a Service Plaque and Honorary Life Membership of the Association in recognition of his long and meritorious service and contribution to the Association and to the fields of water supply and sewage . Jack was a Foundation Member of the A .W.W .A ., and served on the Victorian Branch Committee from 1967-77, being Branch President in 1970. He played a major role in organisation of Operator Training , first with the A .W .W. A., then later with State and Federal Governments . He graduated from Melbourne University in 1937-8 with B.C.E., and after a year in Papua-New Guinea on a geophysical investigation, he joined the Victorian State Rivers and Water Supply Commission as an assistant engineer. Except for War Service , he served the Commission right through to his retirement as Chief Engineer for Town Water Supplies and Local Authorities in 1977. He was involved in design and investigation and operation of irrigation and urban water supply districts , as well as the direction of Local Authorities involved in town water supply and sewerage schemes. Jack was presented with his Plaque at the Victorian meeting of 26th Jun e. Two meetings previously he was presented with a framed portrait, a facsimile of the one that now hangs in the Entrance Hal I of the Operator Training Centre at Werribee, a tribute to the leading part he plaxed in its foundation. 9