Dr. Olivia Oliver-Thorne
2005
John Monash Scholar
PhD
Water engineering, climate change
Cambridge University
United Kingdom
Energy and Environment, Engineering
Olivia is a 2005 John Monash Scholar whose PhD at Cambridge focused on developing a practical methodology for undertaking climate change impact assessments for the water industry. Olivia returned to Australia after completing her PhD to work in the area of water resource management, as an Environmental Engineer in the Australian Water Quality Centre (the research/lab services division of SA Water). Her work focused on monitoring and modelling salinity in the Lower River Murray. She also played a significant role in SA Water's climate change strategy and led a project to develop a climate change impact assessment for Happy Valley Reservoir, SA Water's most critical water supply reservoir. Olivia is now the Chief Operating Officer at Tonkin where she is also the team leader of the stormwater group. Tonkin is a consulting engineering firm which commenced operations in South Australia 65 years ago, servicing a diverse range of clients. Today, while the head office of the company remains in Adelaide, Tonkin has expanded nationally and continues to work with private and government clients to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions.