Engineering Aid Australia Newsletter | November 2023

ENGINEERING AID AUSTRALIA | NOVEMBER 2023

NEWSLET TER www.engineeringaid.org

s m a e r d g i b e t i Ign “

IAES HAS PROVIDED MANY GREAT ENGINEERING NETWORKING AND LIFELONG FRIEND OPPORTUNITIES. THIS WEEK HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING. Luc Bates (IAES 2023)

WE THANK OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

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ANSTO, Arcadis, Arup, Aurecon, Babcock, Baxter Charitable Foundation, Bechtel, BOC – a member of the Linde Group, Corrosion Control Engineering, CR Powered by Epiroc, EY, Google, Hatch, Honeywell, Horizon Power, ICRAR, James N Kirby Foundation, John Holland, Minerals Council of Australia, MinterEllison, My Business Hosting, Norman Disney & Young, SMEC, Stantec, SYSTRA, TTW, Transport for NSW, Veolia, Woodside, Worley, WSP and private donors Jenny Smith, Judy Lindsay, Richard and Chris McNeall.

Indiana graduating from her IAEXP in 2021

“THIS CAMP ALLOWS STUDENTS TO EXPLORE ENGINEERING FIELDS AS A POTENTIAL CAREER AND SETS THEM UP FOR SUCCESS, BUT IT ALSO HELPS THEM FORM LIFELONG BONDS AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL FOREVER BE CHERISHED.”

“As a student, IAES and IAEXP changed my life in ways I could never have expected. As an IAES Houseparent and organiser, the opportunity to change lives the same way that mine was changed is something I will forever be grateful for.

The community of future engineers (and others who go into a STEM field) formed during this camp will remain for many years to come. It ensures that students and Houseparents always have a friendly face wherever they go.

“The Curtin team, along with the generosity and support of EAA, are the ones to thank. So much work goes into running IAES, and it was so rewarding to see it all come together in July.

IAES as a Houseparent and organiser has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I cannot wait for the future camps and seeing the students grow and become tomorrow's engineers.”

This camp allows students to explore engineering fields as a potential career and sets them up for success, but it also helps them form lifelong bonds and friendships that will forever be cherished.

Indiana Rutter (IAES 2020, Houseparent 2023)

CONTENTS FROM OUR CHAIR............................................................3

HIGHLIGHTS FROM IAES SYDNEY....................... 6

CEO MESSAGE ...................................................................3

IAES ACADEMIC BOOSTER CAMP..................... 14

JEFF DOBELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS ............................................................... 4

IAES AT CURTIN UNIVERSITY PERTH................15

IAES AT UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY .........................5

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CURTIN UNIVERSITY PERTH...................................16 IAEXP PROGRAM...........................................................23

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF C O U N T R Y Engineering Aid Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands and waters now recognised as Australia. We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

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MESSAGES FROM OUR CHAIR AND CEO FROM OUR CHAIR This year, at the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) graduation event in Sydney, I looked around the room and reflected on the enormous strides Engineering Aid Australia (EAA) has taken in the past year. I could see our Future Directions Strategy in action.

Our Strategy emphasises leading and amplifying the voices of First Nations youth in engineering and technology. I could see IAES alumni who are now professionals and engaged in inspiring others to dream big. Whether they were Houseparents, mentors or company representatives, they were there with pride.

In Sydney, Jabin Group Director Grant Mather spoke about his family and journey into engineering. Grant is a proud descendant of the Gumbaynggirr and Biripi nations of Northern NSW. He attended the inaugural IAES and became the first Indigenous Australian student to complete a double degree in engineering and commerce. Grant is also the inaugural Chair of the Indigenous Engineers Group and a Fellow within Engineers Australia and is actively helping to change the profession.

In Perth, in his keynote address, Torey Rickerby, a proud Nyikina, Yindjibarndi and Tamitjii man, also shared his experience of becoming an engineer and the importance of staying connected to Country, community and family.

Alongside these Indigenous Greg Steele Global President Australian leaders in engineering, Mobility - Arcadis we had the privilege of hearing the Engineering Aid Australia Chair voices of young people who had participated in IAES and now see a new future for themselves.

So, on behalf of everyone at EAA, I would like to thank our Patron and Partners, sponsors and many supporters who champion EAA. Only with your varied and generous contributions can we continue to stride forward.

Greg Steele, EAA Chair

After launching the Future Directions Plan in August 2022, I completed a desktop audit of the IAES school data for each year and have found some interesting insights across the student and alumni lifecycle.

FROM OUR CEO

So far, IAES participation, with a little more detail to add to this data, is 65 per cent male to 35 per cent female. As observed, the program is still very male-dominated, and we will continue to encourage our First Nation young women to attend.

EAA CEO Tracey Dennis speaks at the Sydney IAES Graduation Dinner

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year or so since my engagement with Engineering Aid Australia (EAA). What an incredible year of learning about this Australian charity and how it has built an amazing program called the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) over the past 25 years and supported First Nation students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to understand more about engineering.

Each IAES provides students with an inspiring and informative week of exposure to engineering and life at an academic university. The students participated in on-campus engineeringrelated workshops conducted by the host university’s academic staff, and it was amazing to observe and hear some fantastic questions from the students about their STEM subjects. An even more exciting part of the program was travelling to an engineering project in which one or more of our partners are involved as consulting engineers or project owners.

I was particularly impressed with the networking function as it allowed the students to meet with executives from our partner organisations and to witness the excitement that our students may one day work within these companies, and, of course, the graduation dinners with IAES alumni were fabulous events.

Very proud indeed.

While EAA has some work to do to promote the IAES across the school community, our data reveals that most participants come from Western Australia and Queensland. Contributing to this data for WA and QLD is our extension program, which invites back those students who have decided that they would like to pursue a career in engineering and gain a place at university.

My largest piece of work to finalise is the follow-up of our alumni who have finished their engineering degrees. Over the last five years, of our First Nations alumni, 71 have enrolled in an engineering, science, or technology degree course at an Australian university. So, please keep an eye on our website for more details on which degrees our alumni have completed.

As recognition of the outstanding work the EAA Board, our host universities, the University of Sydney and Curtin University do, the IAES was a finalist in the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM inclusion. Although we did not win, being a finalist gives me confidence that we are doing great things to inspire our First Nations students in the engineering world. After all, we are the first engineers of this land.

Lastly, I am excited to say that SYSTRA will be hosting our Thank You Reception on the 1 November at the NSW Parliament House. I look forward to meeting with our current partners to continue our conversations and for our partners to meet our EAA Board and, of course, the most important people, our alumni. See you all soon.

Tracey Dennis, EAA Chief Executive Officer

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JEFF DOBELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS Congratulations to the following students who started university in 2023 and received the Jeff Dobell Memorial (JDM) Scholarships: Flynt Young (2020), University of Technology Sydney, Diploma of Information Technology Angus Williams (2023), Charles Sturt University, Bachelor of Science and Management Indiana Rutter (2020), Curtin University, Bachelor (Honours) of Advanced Science Sophie O’Meley (2020), Newcastle University, Bachelor of Science Sibelle Altiparmak (2020), University of Sydney, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Design in Architecture Mystiq Walley (2021), Curtin University, Indigenous Pre-Science and Engineering Enabling Course Matilda Thornton (2022), University of Sydney, Bachelor of Engineering

“WHAT INSPIRED ME THE MOST TO TAKE MY EDUCATION HIGHER WAS LISTENING TO INDIGENOUS GRADUATES WHO PURSUED THEIR DREAM CAREER AND WERE HAPPY ABOUT THE STEPS THEY HAD TAKEN TO GET THERE.” Taleah Ugle (IAES 2019)

Congratulations to the JDM Scholarships recipients in their second year of study:

Trenyce Pearce (2020), Central Queensland University, Bachelor of Teaching

“I NOW STUDY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AT CURTIN UNIVERSITY AND I WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN MYSELF HERE WITHOUT THE HELP AND SUPPORT OF THE IAES CREW. THEY IGNITED A PASSION IN SCIENCE I NEVER KNEW I HAD, AND I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE.”

Rhys Barrett (2020), Curtin University, Engineering Diploma

Jasmine Caldwell (IAES 2015)

Jackson Coles (2017), Charles Sturt University, Bachelor of Technology (Civil)/Master of Engineering (Civil) Edward Pitt (2019), The University of Queensland, Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science Caleb Langan (2018), Melbourne University, Bachelor of Science Taleah Ugle (2019), University of Western Australia, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Chaqana Tooley (2019), Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Business Brody O’Breza (2019), Curtin University, Bachelor of Science (Coastal and Marine) Bella Newell (2020), University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Environmental Engineering Jasmine Helwig Caldwell (2015), Curtin University, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

Emily Piri (2019), Australian National University, Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Languages Jake Watson (2018), Curtin University, Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Commerce Ronald Malicevic (2019), Curtin University, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Zach Morse (2019), James Cook University, Bachelor of Information Technology

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Tiarnee Lester (2020), Curtin University, Bachelor of Arts (Archeology)

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IAES IS A GREAT WAY TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENGINEERING AND SEE HOW THEY WORK. YOU ALSO MAKE LIFE-LONG CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS HERE AND FIND CONNECTIONS TO GET WORK EXPERIENCE.

y e n yS d

Phoebe Raisbeck (IAES 2023)

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IAES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY 12-20 JULY 2023, SYDNEY

In July 2023, twenty-two high school students participated in the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) in Sydney. The students were selected for their academic merit, passion for further education and interest in engineering.

The IAES Sydney participants (not in order) were: Luc Bates, Cody Taylor, Shameah Blanco-Enoch, Esther Cummins, Zeltekah Davis, Ethan Naylor, Angus Cooper, Botany Ah Sam, Eddie Grimwade, William Humes, Stephanie Graham, Indi Chatfield-Williams, Jacob Utz, Thomas Busbridge, Isaac Slockee, Georgina Kimpton, Noah Joliffe, Matthew Ryan, Angus Williams, Fletcher Williams, Phoebe Raisbeck, Zachary Drysdale, Elijah Barnes, Ethan Shurte, Bruno Petersen, Gemma Fletcher.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM IAES SYDNEY 2023

MONDAY 12 JANUARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The IAES week began with EAA CEO Tracey Dennis giving an Acknowledgement of Country.

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING

ROCKET DESIGN

University of Sydney PhD candidate Jack Naylor gave the students a brief introduction to engineering and then ran a group challenge to design and build a floating house that would support as many marbles as possible.

The Rocketry Society team at the University of Sydney work with the students

Students design and build their paper rockets

Students worked together to select materials, design and test their floating houses

MINERALS AND MINING SESSION Gold was the focus of the Minerals Council of Australia session. The students learnt about the many uses of gold, including in smartphones, environmental solutions, health care, public transport and space travel.

They followed gold’s journey from extraction to ore processing and the metal’s applications and finished the lesson with a Periodic Table of Elements ‘Gold Rush’ challenge.

In the grounds of the University of Sydney the students test their rockets with expert advice from Physics and Computer Science student Natalie Bowesman

THE GADIGAL CENTRE Gadigal Centre Director Jane Stanley gave the students a welcome to the Centre, where they will be able to receive support during their undergraduate years at the University of Sydney.

Jane Stanley welcomes the students to the Gadigal Centre

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TUESDAY 17 JANUARY HONEYWELL SITE VISIT

TRIBAL WARRIOR CULTURAL TIME

Honeywell Engineers James Carrapetta and Andrew Bottomley introduced the students to Building Management Systems Engineering at the Opera House. The group took part in two workshops with experiments that demonstrated the efficiency and cost saving changes that Honeywell made during the Opera House upgrade.

On Clarke Island, the students enjoyed using native grasses for weaving, catching fish in the rock fish trap and joining in the dancing with the Tribal Warrior crew.

In the second workshop, students learnt how to wire temperature sensors and connect them to a computer system that collects and graphs the data Tribal Warrior Indigenous Dancers Sarah Johnson and Emily Turner teaching the students some traditional dances

GOOGLE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING This year, our visit to Google was particularly special as one of the presenters was an IAES alumnus Jared Smith (2017) who has an internship with Google. The students heard about software engineering from Program Manager Marie Efstathiou and Software Engineers Claire Leong and Courtney Alsford. Google Project Manager Nicky Rickland led the students in the game ‘The Tablets of Stone - Network Communication Protocols’.

Students during the block coding workshop

NASCA AFTERNOON TEA At NASCA (National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy) the students learned about the programs in 29 schools across NSW and the NT that use the power of structured sporting and cultural programs to harness the educational, employment and health aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

The students learnt about software engineering at Google

NASCA Educators meet with the IAES Class of 2023

Project Manager Nicky Rickland with the students

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WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY SYDNEY OPERATIONS CENTRE FOR BOC Chemical and mechanical engineering for medical and industrial gases was on display at the Sydney Operations Centre for BOC. The students watched robots that manage to sort 1.3 million cylinders each year.

WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL (NANCY BIRD WALTON) AIRPORT EAA Partners Arcadis and Bechtel coordinated a tour of Western Sydney International (WSI), including an earlystage inspection and commentary on the enormous groundworks that took place before the runways and building could begin.

Our tour bus followed the lead car as WSI representative Alissa Anastasio provided commentary Students enter the Wetherill Park Sydney Operations Centre for BOC

Class of 2023 with EAA CEO Tracey Dennis at the BOC plant

Bechtel representative Andy Millunzi gave the students an overview of the project

TRANSPORT FOR NSW CRASH LAB Transport for NSW Manager Ross Dal Nevo had many interesting and important safety messages for the students. They learned about the physics and energy of moving vehicles, the testing of cars, seat belts and helmets and the high-precision test instruments used to measure human injury potential in vehicle crashes.

Ross Dal Nevo explains the science behind trying to survive a crash

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Students inspect the holes in a crash helmet after a weighted pin was dropped during a routine test

WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY ENGINEERING IN COMMUNITIES SESSION IAES alumnus Marcus Valastro (2015) facilitated the Communities Session, where the students heard inspirational stories of projects that have benefitted communities.

NDY Manager of Hydraulic and Fire Protection Engineering Goran Muratbegovic spoke about ‘Saving Places.’ His work involved the restoration and preservation of properties used during the Stolen Generation years, so that in future the places honour the memory of Stolen Generation survivors and become places of healing and truth-telling.

Goran Muratbegovic from NDY

Arcadis Graduate Engineer Jack Hickman spoke about his work in the Highways team, redesigning and updating current sections of freeway to alleviate congestion and future proof the city.

Babcock Australia and New Zealand Acting Managing Director (Marine) Simon Spratt spoke about managing complex assets such as the Landing Helicopter Dock Program, which supports national defence, saves lives in medical emergency situations, and protects communities through programs like Bushfire Assist in January 2019 - 2020.

SYSTRA Director of Human Factors Kate Moncrieff and Senior Consultant Project Management Steeve Maston spoke about working with design engineers to provide access to passengers, including the elderly, blind or partially sighted, wheelchair users, mobility scooter users and passengers with pushchairs or suitcases.

Jack Hickman from Arcadis

Simon Spratt from Babcock

Engineers Without Borders Electrical Engineer and IAES alumnus Joshua McLeod (2016) spoke about his work since his graduation and his passion for growing the pool of First Nation engineers. Joshua is working closely with the Indigenous Engineers Group to develop exciting programs that promote STEM to Indigenous Australian youth.

Kate Moncrieff and Steeve Maston Senior Consultant Project Management from SYSTRA

Joshua McLeod EWB and IAES Alumnus

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NETWORKING FUNCTION

ANSTO Susan Bogle

Arcadis Anthony Murphy and Rob Burns

Arup Justin Peachey chats with student Ethan Shurte

Aurecon Rebecca Sheridan speaks with Matthew Ryan

Babcock Hylton Silver, Seema Odhavji and David Mangan

Bechtel Matt Townson

CCE David Sunjaya and Andrew Chapman

CR Powered by Epiroc Donna Wynne, Rob Angus and David Hume

Google team Kasie, Jared (IAES 2017), Erfan and Bradyn

Honeywell Brendan Okey, Brett Madigan and Riley Toi

Minerals Council of Australia Karolina Szukalska

NDY Goran Muratbegovic, Tyson Brown and Melissa Nouel

Sage Environmental Services Mitchell Gertos and Amanda Lee

SMEC Kriti Dhital, Bhavik Magan and Aubrey Bullen (Robert Bird Group)

Stantec Jade Voss, Raine Jackson, Meisha SYSTRA Kate Moncrieff and Steeve Maston Stevens and Noriaki Endo with students

Transport for NSW Ben Lowe and Sally Durham

Veolia Michael Brand

Worley Liam Roberts and Raphael Alwan

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WSP Matt Pellow with students Eddie, Angus and Luc

THURSDAY 19 JANUARY GUNYAMA AQUATIC CENTRE TTW’s site tour of the Gunyama Aquatic Centre gave the students an insight into unique engineering designs, including the 50m long steel trusses on either side of the pool hall. These trusses support 36m long glulam mass timber beams.

TTW Director Glen Fowlie points out the unique design challenges of the Aquatic Centre

Before the Centre was opened to the public the students saw the pool floor being hydraulically raised and lowered

VICE REGAL RECEPTION AT ADMIRALTY HOUSE His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs Hurley gave the students, EAA Directors, University of Sydney academics and representatives from EAA’s Partnering companies a very warm welcome to Admiralty House. The speakers at the reception also included EAA Chair Mr Greg Steele, EAA CEO Mrs Tracey Dennis and student Esther Cummins.

EAA CEO Mrs Tracey Dennis addresses the audience at Admiralty House

WSP Regional Director of Sydney and Western Sydney Dan Cunningham accepts a gift of appreciation from their Excellencies

CCE Principal Engineer Peter Kalis accepts a gift of appreciation from their Excellencies

IAES Project Manager Christina Bacchiella accepts a Michael Huddleston painting as a gift of appreciation for many years of IAES project management alongside student representative and speaker Esther Cummins

Veolia CEO and Managing Director Richard Kirkman accepts a gift of appreciation from their Excellencies

EAA Patron Governor-General David Hurley chats with long-time supporters Roger Baxter (Chairman Baxter Charitable Foundation) Andrea Dawson, Merv Lindsay and Judy Lindsay

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FRIDAY 20 JANUARY THINK LIKE A DESIGNER WORKSHOP Arup’s Think Like a Designer was the final workshop, giving the students an opportunity to integrate all of the engineering concepts they had learnt during the week into their design challenge – a cultural and historical attraction on Me Mel (Goat Island).

Arup engineers worked with every group to facilitate the discussion and teach the design principles

Arup engineers applaud the students at the conclusion of their design presentations

BRIDGECLIMB The overcast weather didn’t dampen the students’ enthusiasm and enjoyment of the BridgeClimb. They learnt about the many design, construction and maintenance challenges associated with the Bridge in its 90th Anniversary year.

Zeltekah Davis and Phoebe Raisbek on the BridgeClimb

BridgeClimb is a highlight for the students each year

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GRADUATION DINNER The Graduation Dinner marked the closing of the 25th Indigenous Australian Engineer School, and Jabin Group Director Grant Maher, a proud descendant of the Gumbaynggirr and Biripi nations of Northern NSW and an alumnus of our first IAES held at the University of Sydney in 1998, was the keynote speaker.

Reflecting on his IAES experience, Grant shared how it changed his life, putting him on a path towards a career that can help and influence people far beyond his own community.

Jabin Group Director and IAES alumnus Grant Maher (1998) gave the keynote address in Sydney

Students Georgina Kimpton, Botanh Ah Sam and Zac Drysdale shared their message of thanks to the University, EAA and its Partners

Senior Houseparent Marcus Valastro (IAES 2015) was the MC at the Graduation Dinner

Students Esther Cummins and Ethan Naylor were joint recipients of the Bob Hawke Capacity for Leadership Award presented by EAA Chair Mr Greg Steele and Professor Petr Matous

New friendships have been formed and new career dreams ignited for the Class of 2023

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THE SUMMER SCHOOL GAVE ME DIRECTION AND INSIGHT INTO ENGINEERING AND PROVIDED ME WITH SOME AMAZING FRIENDS AND BUSINESS MENTORS THAT I STILL KEEP IN CONTACT WITH REGULARLY, 25 YEARS LATER. IT INTRODUCED ME TO A WAY OF THINKING AND A CAREER DIRECTION WHERE I BELIEVED THAT I COULD CHANGE THE WORLD IN A POSITIVE WAY. Grant Maher (IAES 1998)

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THE IAES ACADEMIC BOOSTER CAMP 3-7 JULY 2023, SYDNEY

“I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS CAMP. I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT ATTENDING UNI.” Gemma Fletcher (IAES ABC 2023)

EAA CEO Tracey Dennis and Cultural Leader Zeke Shaw with IAES Manager Christina Bacchiella and students and facilitators of the IAES ABC IAES ABC participants (not in order): Stephanie Graham, Indi Chatfield-Williams, Thomas Busbridge, Zachary Drysdale, Gemma Fletcher, Jasmine Lattouf, Hayden McCorquodale, Mia Pemberton

In July, seven former IAES students and another student from Muswellbrook attended the IAES Academic Booster Camp hosted by the University of Sydney. The students received tuition in maths, chemistry, physics, engineering, public speaking and resume writing. They also enjoyed cultural time with Zeke Shaw and a walk on Country with Latoya and daughter, LA Tarley, from Kadoo Indigenous Experiences at La Perouse. PhD candidate Jack Naylor and Houseparents Sonya Kovacevic, Joshua Mcleod and Beau Saunders facilitated a multidisciplinary project over the course of the week.

Veolia Engineers Flavio Matos, Pedro Gouveia and Sam Rinortner gave the students a chemical engineering lesson at the Water Treatment Plant at Barangaroo

John Holland General Superintendent at Waterloo Station Anthony Dodds gave the students a tour of the new station. His colleagues Savannah Hodge, Kasey Freckleton, and Casidhe Simmons spoke to the students about John Holland projects, including the Sydney Children’s Hospital

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Students were privileged to have a biomedical lesson and tour conducted by Cochlear representatives Terence Sitiabudi, Radha Ramamurthy, Jennifer Monis, Jan Frieding and Aidan French

Babcock representatives Bobby Punjabi, Matthew Eglen, Dominic Villetri and Louise Zhou gave the students a tour of Garden Island and an overview of the engineering behind Babcock’s Defence and civilian rescue capability

Kadoo Indigenous Experiences at La Perouse

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I TRAVELLED FROM BROOME TO BE HERE AT IAES, AN EXPERIENCE I WILL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME. I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I ENJOYED THE SITE VISITS, AND THE PROGRAM PIQUED MY INTEREST IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING. I’M EXCITED ABOUT DESIGNING AND BUILDING ROBOTS. Grady Kneebone (IAES 2023)

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IAES AT THE CURTIN UNIVERSITY 10-16 JULY 2023, PERTH

In July 2023, 23 students joined the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) at Curtin University in Perth. The students were selected for their academic merit, passion for further education and interest in engineering. We welcomed the following IAES Perth 2023 participants: Nate Hutton, Kyrhan Torres, Billy Watkins, Kye Ryan, Karishma Gore, Lescheyah James, Kiarhn Kennedy, Aliesha Merrison Ogden, Jazmin Bingham, Jody Greatz, Nikita Tingey, Shawn Councillor, Arlen Crotty, Vaden Grabenhofer, Anastasia Lewis, Kaylan Allen, Tara Chadwick, Tyarie-May McLean-Tyson, Beena Bonney, Oliver Jacobson, Sean Oxenbridge, Tarj Hamaguchi and Grady Kneebone.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM IAES PERTH 2023

MONDAY 10 JULY OPENING CEREMONY

AURECON WATER FILTER ACTIVITY

Traditional Owner Karen Jacobs invited the students who were born on Wadjuk Country to join her in welcoming students and guests who had traveled to Curtin University from other traditional lands in Western Australia and interstate.

Then, the students moved to the Centre for Aboriginal Studies for an orientation and introduction to engineering by CAS Enabling Course Coordinator Tomzarni Dann and Indigenous Support Officer Whitney O’Hare. Tom ran a kahoot quiz and a fun bingo game to help the students get to know each other.

Engineering focus: Clean drinking water

Tomzarni Dann and Whitney O’Hare gave the students a Welcome to Country and orientation at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies

MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SESSION

MEDICAL APP INNOVATION ACTIVITY

Students visited the Western Australian Argon Isotope Facility and learned about the process of testing minerals that have come from meteorites and asteroids, enabling scientists to prove the geological history of the world.

Software Engineer Dr Susannah Soon and her students Jin Woo, Tui, Rebecca and Harry took the students through how to design an app. Susannah taught the students that humans must be the central focus rather than the technology. The students’ design thinking generated some interesting ideas, including finding like-minded friends for particular sports, managing sleep patterns, finding a ride in the bush, and starting a beauty business.

Curtin University Geochronology Facility Manager Celia Mayers spoke about how they test the rocks and minerals to determine their age and geological history

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Students Jordan Thomas and Jazmin Bingham work together to build a filter and test the water

Dr Susannah Soon and Software Engineering Academic Dr David McMeekin with student helpers and IAES students

Aurecon Senior Water Engineer Azam Tahmasebi and Transport Land and Water Service Group Lead Antony Johnstone gave an overview of the many and varied engineering projects that Aurecon works on. With Master of Science candidate from the School of Health Science, Aleshanee Paxman, they engaged the students in a handson activity to build a simple water filter.

They used several layers of material to make the muddy water clear.

Then, they enjoyed learning about Aurecon’s Gilghi Project, an off-grid water purifying system for remote First Nations communities in the Northern Territory.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM IAES PERTH 2023

TUESDAY 11 JULY BOC A MEMBER OF THE LINDE GROUP

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR RADIO ASTRONOMY RESEARCH (ICRAR)

The students travelled to Canning Vale to BOC for a Chemical Engineering site visit. They learnt that the mixture of gases in the air we breathe are invaluable for many industrial processes and medical therapies. Oxygen, nitrogen and argon and the rare gases are captured by reducing the temperature of air until each component liquefies and can be separated. This process, cryogenic air separation, featured in the quiz the students worked through at the end of the tour.

Dr Jishnu Thekkeppattu and Dr Marcin Sokolowski introduced the students to engineering in radio astronomy. Both scientists spoke passionately about their work and designing for the SKA Project and the Murchison Widefield Array.

Students learn that helium occurs naturally only in the earth’s crust, where it is trapped in non-porous rock pockets. As helium wells are only found in certain geologies, this is a rare and expensive gas Students particularly enjoyed Tim Young’s lesson on the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Students heard about various gases with industrial and medical uses Students were challenged to compare astronomical objects across different wavelengths of light

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WEDNESDAY 12 JULY CROWN TOWERS TOUR Honeywell Engineers and the Crown Manager of Hotels met the students at Crown Towers and taught them about the Building Management Systems and Honeywell’s role in designing for comfort, security and energy cost savings.

Honeywell Senior Account Manager Steve Dartnall, Service General Manager Lisa Saunders, Indigenous Participation Program Lead Brett Madigan and Service Operations Manager Sean Brothers greet the students

BRIDGE BUILDING ACTIVITY Curtin University Professor Faiz Shaikh and his team, Arif, Usman and Rajab, conducted a Structural Engineering Session for the students.

The students explored the exclusive Chairman’s Villa guided by Crown Hotels Engineering Manager Lee Binstead and Crown Resorts Senior Manager of Inclusion and Diversity – Indigenous Programs Sharon Ninyette

ENGINEERING IN COMMUNITIES Arup Graduate Engineer in the Renewable and Future Energy team Lydia Milani gave the students an introduction to offshore wind generation.

Aurecon Global Capability Lead (Roads) Nial O’Brien spoke about the global opportunities for engineers who complete their degrees in countries that are signatories to the Washington Accord.

CR Powered by Epiroc Engineering Manager Brendan Waterman talked about finding solutions to improve advanced mining products, such as Ground Engaging Tools (GET), which include 100 kg teeth that can wear out in a few days and need to be replaced regularly.

Students Ana Lewis and Nik Tingey working on their bridge

Bayah James’ group had the winning bridge that only began to break at 25 kg

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SYSTRA Director of Systems Engineering and Safety Jackson Tang shared insights into the automation of the transport system, giving examples of how many passengers are moved in the London Underground (7 million per day) and in Perth (40,000 in two hours).

NETWORKING FUNCTION

ANSTO Brett Rowling with IAES Alumnus Arcadis Ben Johanson, Dillon Anderson (2016), Houseparent (2023) and interim and Anubhnti Gupta IAES Project Manager Cate Hollingsworth

Aurecon Nial O’Brien, Bryan Meyer, Antony Johnston, and Claudia Fiedler

Bechtel July Win speaking with student Nik Tingey

BOC Alex Males, Jane Waugh and Ravin Karjarasan

CR Powered by Epiroc Brendan Waterman, Google Daniel Adams and Connie Pyromallis-Ward Gerard Burnane and Khoonnie Liang

Hatch Christopher Bishop, Brendan Young, Subin Benny Jose, Michael Voon with students Kye and Kyrhan

Horizon Power Mel McGuire, Matthew Harris, Richard Barnett and Rudie Crous

ICRAR Leah Kalineris, Tim Young and Rockwell McGellin

Babcock Chris Stoll, Xiomery, Gonzalez and Alan Chen

Minerals Council of Australia Nuria Ruiperez with student Tyarie-Ma

NDY Naresh Bellave with students Kye and Kyrhan

Stantec Danielle Collette, Dinithi Fernando, Venelina Kostourkov, EAA CEO Tracey Dennis and Sanjeev Sunnie

SYSTRA Michael Kaczmarek, Jonathan Borg and Julian Cox

Woodside Danny Hackwill chatting with House Parent Rikki-Jayne Edwards

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THURSDAY 13 JULY ARCADIS YANCHEP RAIL EXTENSION The students spent the morning with Arcadis representatives at the Yanchep Rail Extension site. Engineers provided an overview of the Yanchep Station using 3D imaging before guiding the students on a site walk.

WOODSIDE ROBOTICS LAB AND BECHTEL Woodside Engineering Capability Manager Danny Hackwill introduced the students to Woodside’s oil and gas projects supplying energy for the global energy transition in Australia and overseas. A highlight of this visit was seeing the dancing Boston Dynamics Robotics dog, Rusty.

Then, Bechtel Social Performance and Communications Manager Jo Winters talked about Bechtel’s projects. The students loved hearing about how she uses drones on the Pluto Train 2 Project in Karratha.

Program Manager Stephn Nicolay presents to the students

Robotics Engineer Adam Lees instructs Arlen Crotty about how to control the robotic dog

IAES students on the Yanchep Station site walk

SMEC The students watched a video of the early days of the company and the Snowy Mountains Hydro Project before touring the SMEC office and hearing from Engineers at their workstations about what engineering is like on a day-to-day basis.

Students meet SMEC Civil Engineer Ethan Chia

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Woodside IoT Product Manager Will Castelnau spoke about developing cameras that provide remote high-definition images, have a low explosive limit and are safe to use on a gas plant

Bechtel Social Performance and Communications Manager for the Pluto Train 2 Project Jo Winters

HIGHLIGHTS FROM IAES PERTH 2023

VICE REGAL RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE The students received a warm welcome from His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson. The Governor told us about the achievements of the Engineers on Australia’s banknotes, David Unaipon and Sir John Monash.

EAA CEO Tracey Dennis thanked their Excellencies for hosting the reception for the students and the EAA Directors, University Academics and EAA Partners present.

Student Grady Kneebone thanks their Excellencies on behalf of the IAES Class of 2023

Director of the Centre of Aboriginal Studies Fred Yasso with student Beena Bonney and Senior Houseparent and Interim IAES Project Manager Cate Harris (Hollingsworth)

ARUP AND STANTEC SITE VISIT This year, the Think Like a Designer session was a collaboration between EAA Partners Arup and Stantec. Senior Engineers from both companies took the students through the design process for two real-life projects – the Murujuga Tourism Precinct and the Edith Cowan University’s CBD campus.

The Governor with students Kiarhan Kennedy, Karishma Gore, Aliesha Merrison Ogden, Bayah James and IAEXP student Dennisha Green

Arup and Stantec consultants ran a joint workshop teaching the design principles

WA Governor Chris and Mrs Derrilyn Dawson in a selfie with EAA CEO Tracey Dennis, the Class of 2023 and IAEXP students Arup representative Sativa O’Connor listens to student Kaylan Allen’s ideas

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GRADUATION DINNER The Graduation Dinner was a wonderful celebration marking the conclusion of the thirteenth IAES and IAEXP in Perth.

Many guests were surprised to hear that Channel 10 had interviewed our keynote speaker, proud Nyikina, Yindjibarndi and Tamitjii man, Torey Rickerby, during his IAES in 2010 and again ten years later. We shared some of the footage from this video at the dinner, and Torey spoke about his journey into engineering and his connection with Country, community and family.

EAA CEO Tracey Dennis and Curtin University Dean of Engineering Professor Vishnu Pareek with the Class of 2023 and alumnus

Torey Rickerby (IAES 2010) gave a wonderful address to the students and guests

MC Sterling Winmar (IAES 2016 and 2023 Houseparent) welcomes the students to the stage to receive their certificates

A proud moment for Kyrhan Torres as he receives the Bob Hawke Capacity for Leadership Award presented by EAA CEO Tracey Dennis

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I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY IT WAS FROM PARTICIPATING IN IAES THAT I DECIDED TO STUDY MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND BELIEVE IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT CAN SHAPE THE FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN YOUTH. Marcus Valastro (IAES 2015)

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THE IAEXP PROGRAM 3-7 JULY 2023, PERTH

In 2023, Curtin University welcomed 13 IAES alumni back for its extension program, IAEXP. This is run concurrently with the IAES, so the new students can witness the next step in their pathway to university.

The IAEXP students experienced an intensive, academic-focused program aimed at extending their skills in maths, physics, chemistry and communication.

In 2023, Curtin University paired each of the IAEXP participants with a mentor – a volunteer from an engineering background who guided them in the weeks leading to the program, during the week and who will continue to follow their progress over the coming year.

The IAEXP participants on a site visit to Mitchell Freeway (H2W) – a partnership between Arcadis, NRW, and Main Roads WA IAEXP participants (not in order): Dennisha Green, Elliot Logan, Molly West, Faith Cook, Alaxandrea Slade, Akirra Ugle, Taj Bennell, Jax Murphy, Tynesha Schlieff, Emmanuel Richardson, Daniel Russell, Emersyn Nelson, Tyrell Vidot

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IAES SHOWED ME NEW PATHWAYS I NEVER KNEW EXISTED AND OPENED DOORS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY CLOSED. ATTENDING IAEXP EXTENDS THOSE POSSIBILITIES AND CONNECTS ME TO THE MOST POWERFUL COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH ABORIGINAL ENGINEERING OPPORTUNITIES SHOULDN’T BE UNIQUE, THEY ARE. IAES AND IAEXP HELP DEFINE OUR FUTURE. THE CAMP IS LITERALLY LIFE ALTERING. I’M SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL TO HAVE MET SUCH A DEADLY COMMUNITY. Molly West (IAEXP 2023)

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