EPA air quality scientist Dr Paul Torre has been recognised for excellence in his field and named winner of the prestigious Werner Strauss Achievement award.
The annual award was given for excellence in the field of air quality by the Victoria/Tasmania branch of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand.
The award was for Dr Torre’s dedication and expertise during the Hazelwood mine fire incident, and the subsequent Inquiry, and his long term service to the protection of air quality in Victoria.
This is a significant recognition by his peers, and the first time an EPA scientist has received this award which has been running since 2008.
A number of others were given special achievement awards, including staff from the CFA, the Department of Health, CSIRO, EPA Tasmania, and EPA Victoria (including members of the Applied Science unit Andrew Marshall, Mark Bannister, Jason Choi, Malcolm Cooper, Anne Lovett, Wal Delaney, Sean Walsh and Gavin Fisher).
Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand awards committee commended the whole of EPA for their response in the Hazelwood mine fire.