The Victorian Waste Management Association (VWMA) honoured the pioneers, innovators, and family businesses whose contributions have shaped the industry at their recent 2025 annual Christmas lunch and members’ event.
Mark Smith, VWMA Executive Officer, told guests that while much of what the association’s members do isn’t seen, it is always critical.
“Our industry keeps communities functioning, protects public health, and contributes billions to the economy,” Smith said. “We may often go unrecognised when things go well, but the importance of this work never diminishes.”
He said the event was an ideal opportunity to recognise some of that work, celebrating the achievements and contributions of five influential Life Members who helped shape the modern waste sector in Victoria.
Ted Smith
Ted Smith’s story is one of transformation, watching the industry evolve from rough beginnings to a professional, respected field. He often reflected on how the shift from feeding pigs vegetable waste to running a full-fledged waste service (KS Environmental) taught him the value of perseverance and respect for people. His key advice was to stay focused on the bigger picture and to always invest in training and supporting your team, because the strength of the industry lies in the people who carry it forward.
Harry Gooden
Harry Gooden, who served as both president of the Victorian Transport Association and chairman of the VWMA, embodied a lifetime of dedication to improving the sector. He often shared that the most important lesson he learnt was that true leadership is about service – lifting others up and working tirelessly for the good of the industry. Harry’s advice to today’s leaders would be to embrace innovation but never forget the core values of honesty, integrity, and community engagement.
Neil Stows
The Stows family, whose business roots reach back to 1892, proves that dedication and humility are timeless values. Neil often recalled how his family’s pride in service went together with treating every job and every person with respect. One of his key learnings was the importance of consistency: showing up, adapting over generations, and maintaining relationships that turned colleagues into lifelong friends. His advice to the next generation? Never underestimate the power of reliability and the respect you earn by simply doing the work well.
Tony Whelan
Tony Whelan, founder of Kartaway Skip Bin Hire, was a trailblazer who believed that progress and integrity go hand in hand. He introduced safety standards such as reflective materials on bins, championed uniform permit systems, and encouraged mutual respect in every business relationship. Tony often reflected that some of the biggest turning points in his career came from listening to others and being open to change. His advice was to always blend innovation with a strong moral compass, ensuring that improvements in safety and efficiency never come at the expense of honesty and trust.
Graham Lenthall
Graham Lenthall’s journey is a testament to adaptability and dedication. Graham started outside the industry and worked through the ranks, becoming involved with industry forums and working groups, leading safety committees and serving as vice president of the VWMA. He often said that the best advice he could give is to remain curious, trust the people you work with, and never be afraid to roll up your sleeves.
Representatives from Kartaway, the Whelan family, Paul Smith (KS Environmental) and the Stows family business were present at the event and received acknowledgements and applause from the audience.
The VWMA also acknowledged some of the significant sector and organisational achievements throughout 2025, including progress in industry safety initiatives, stronger member engagement, and continued advocacy on behalf of Victorian waste and resource recovery operators.
The VWMA will be promoting milestones of the 2025 year over the Christmas period as well as advice and tips on how to have a smarter and more sustainable Christmas on its social media page
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