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Long-serving Enturans celebrate major milestones

20 March, 2025

Having recently honoured the record-breaking 60-year service anniversary of Michael Wallis, Entura is also celebrating other impressive service milestones achieved in the first quarter of 2025.

We decided to dive a little deeper to find out how many of Entura’s current employees have hit or surpassed the 20-year mark. Astonishingly (and with some pride) we can report that more than 40 people in the business have worked at Entura for that long – contributing an extraordinary 1000+ years of experience!

Among those celebrating milestones are Technical Director (Water) Richard Herweynen and Commercial Services Officer Kel Parker who have recently reached 35 years with the business; Senior Principal (Dams and Headworks) Paul Southcott who is celebrating 25 years; and Senior Mechanical Engineer Karun DoddajatakaThammaiah, who has reached his 20-year anniversary.

From L to R: Richard Herweynen, Kel Parker, Paul Southcott, Karun DoddajatakaThammaiah

When asked why they have stayed with Entura for such remarkable terms, these individuals answer with common themes: they have enjoyed the evolution and variety of their work, and they have built many warm relationships and happy memories over the years with colleagues they appreciate and admire.

Richard Herweynen says that over his 35 years with the business he has made life-long friends. “I have known many people for a long time and celebrated key personal milestones together, like weddings, the arrival of children, big birthdays, and many career highlights,” he says. “I really value the Entura family and there is no doubt that this is a major part of my life and identity.”

He is also grateful for the business’s support for career growth and continuous learning and development. “Entura and [parent company] Hydro Tasmania have invested in me through a number of leadership programs, which has not only developed my career but also had positive impacts on the rest of my life.”

Kel Parker reflects that in 1990, when she left high school and joined the business, the Hydro-Electric Commission (later named Hydro Tasmania) was the backbone of Tasmania’s workforce. “It was an honour to say you worked at HEC,” she says. “My father wanted me to be employed with the Hydro, and for me to stay as long as I could in this industry that offered many opportunities. I’m sure he would be very proud that I am still part of the company to this day.”

Kel has seen significant changes in organisational structure, technology, the roles and proportion of women in the business, and different locations and ways of working (particularly during and after COVID), but her pride in working for Entura has not wavered. “We should all be proud of what Entura has accomplished over the years: we are still here, still growing our strong reputation in the consulting market, and making a difference to sustainable power and water solutions across the world.”

Karun DoddajatakaThammaiah, who moved to Australia and joined the business in 2005, did not foresee still being with Entura two decades later. “I initially thought of staying for only two years at Entura and then moving to the mainland but that never happened! Entura provided challenging and diverse projects and a great work–life balance, so I never had time to think of moving! Honestly speaking, it’s the best employer, best team manager, and best colleagues and teammates I have ever had.”

For Paul Southcott, staying at Entura has been just as much about the people as the projects. “Over the 25 years I have had the privilege of working with some great people across the business and I have lots of memories of fun social activities, lunchtime walks and chats, and helping younger colleagues learn and grow. I have also been fortunate to work on some very interesting projects locally, nationally and internationally – from the Hydro Tasmania dam portfolio risk assessment through to design jobs including the Wellington Dam upgrade in West Australia and Suma Park Upgrade in Victoria, as well as projects in Nepal, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and across the Indo-Pacific region … and there are still so many great opportunities out there for us.”

Entura’s Managing Director, Dr Amanda Ashworth, herself anticipating a 25-year anniversary later in the year, congratulates all long-serving Enturans for their valuable contributions to their colleagues, to Entura and Hydro Tasmania, to the power and water sectors, and to communities near and far. “The fact that we work with people who have chosen to dedicate such significant amounts of their working lives to our business is an incredible testament to our supportive workplace culture, our professionalism, and the contribution our projects make to a more sustainable future,” she says.