Engineers Australia South Australia Division, July 2012

2012 Australian Engineering Week Edition

ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA JULY 2012 www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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CONTENTS

ARE YOUR DETAILS UP TO DATE?

President’s Message

2

Division Updates

3-6

News

7-9

Member Profile

10

Upcoming Events

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Just a reminder that it may to be time to log on to the Engineers Australia website and confirm that your details are up to date.

With everything so hectic when changing jobs or moving house it is easy to overlook updates to your Engineers Australia membership contact details.

While you’re there why not reacquaint yourself with your membership benefits, the advocacy and policy papers, upcoming South Australia Division events or update your CPD record?

DIVISION EXECUTIVE President Gerry Doyle MIEAust CPEng Deputy President John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD Immediate Past President Dr David Cruickshanks-Boyd FIEAust EngExec

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ENGINEER RECOGNISED

Executive Director Caroline Argent MAICD

The Engineers Australia South Australia Division would like to extend our congratulations to Commodore John William Chandler CSM RAN MIEAust CPEng.

Deputy Director Sarah Carey

CDRE Chandler was acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday Honours on the 13th June 2012 as a recipient of the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC).

Produced By Engineers Australia South Australia Division

The Conspicuous Service Cross recognises outstanding commitment to duty or outstanding application of exceptional skills, judgement or dedication, in non-war-like situations.

Level 11, 108 King William Street Adelaide South Australia 5000 tel 08 8202 7100 fax 08 8211 7702 www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

CDRE Chandler received the CSC for outstanding achievement as Air Warfare Destroyer Program Foreign Military Sales Director.

www.facebook.com/EA.SouthAus

SPONSORS

Engineers Australia South Australia Division

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA’S RAP?

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Division Supporters

Through our Strategic Plan and Code of Ethics, Engineers Australia has emphasised its commitment to "use our members' knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community to create engineering solutions for a sustainable future."

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is Engineers Australia's commitment and response to 'closing the gap'.

Engineers Australia's RAP details steps and priorities that the organisation will undertake to assist in helping to achieve Indigenous equality and to help build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

To view Engineers Australia's RAP please visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/about-us/reconciliation-action-plan This Engineering South Australia newsletter is published by the South Australia Division of Engineers Australia and reports impartially on items of interest to Engineers in South Australia.

The statements made or opinions expressed in the newsletter do not necessarily reflect the view of Engineers Australia.

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE In the time leading up to me writing this we have had both the Federal and State Governments bring down their budgets. It is a time where both of these levels of Government are being conservative with their spending and looking for ways to find budget cuts. It is also a time where the Reserve Bank has reduced interest rates to try and make it easier for the “working family”.

I was lucky enough to hear the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Glen Stevens, recently. He had a very different opinion on the economic whys and wherefores than those regularly heard in the mainstream media. He talked extensively about the household economy and how household spending and behaviour plays its part in the economic cycle. He expressed the same view of the household economy as I have heard from many of the banks in recent times. It is a move away from borrowing and towards saving, as one of the big four banks has said recently “we want your deposits”.

Glen Stevens provided data on the performance of the Australian economy in comparison to other developed economies. The data showed that Australia had outperformed the majority of these economies through the Global Financial Crisis and the follow on recovery. The data showed that Australians have much to be confident about, yet we still are in a hesitant mindset. Interestingly, he specifically expressed a view in opposition to a return to recent high levels of borrowing and “gearing” of our household economies.

It has also been interesting to note the battle of French politics between austerity and stimulation. This has been played out with the backdrop of more troubles in Greece and the Spanish teetering on the edge. The French people have voted against the incumbent and the austerity measures they have been facing. It is a similar story to the public protests in Greece over the austerity measures being forced on them by the more powerful EU economies.

I have found it interesting to note the similarity in approach between the householders and the governments.

It is a move to “living within your means”, not borrowing to get it today but save for it tomorrow. It is also interesting to note the approach of business. Business is probably the last area that is still investing, albeit more carefully. In Australia this has been driven by the mining industry but, even aside from that sector, business investment is still increasing steadily.

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Why are householders and the governments of the world taking a cautious approach, whilst business is still remaining positive? In my view it is simple - householders and the governments take quite a short term view, whereas business takes a much more strategic and long term view. You can’t blame the householder or the government though. For a householder, the last thing they want is to be found short at a critical time, while the government is on a political cycle - they have a short time to demonstrate their abilities and to gain trust.

Business is able to make strategic investments with a long term payback because it can look further out without the fear of reprisal - a solid business plan that demonstrates the benefits is all it takes.

So for South Australia, is the state budget a good news story? No, but it isn’t exactly bad news either. The budget, in my mind, does not take a strategic and long term view of where this state needs to invest, rather it takes the short term view that if we spend in these areas it will help us look good. The budget does not go far enough to stimulate and drive the South Australian economy. Taking infrastructure as an element - there was nothing new in either the State or Federal budgets, nothing to help improve our economic outlook. Do we ngineers Australia’s colleges and as awell as water harbour that the mining and resources sector have been screaming out see projects togroups, generate deep ectronic direct mail (EDM) similar applications for?

No. or Do we see a strategic. investment in the development of “routes to market” for our state’s immense wealth? No. Do we see a strategic investment in the development and job opportunities for the state? In part,icons depending Approved call to action include:on whether you believe that “Advanced Manufacturing” is enough of a descriptor for future opportunities. Now, I support the idea that as a state we need to be able to add value to the resources we have, but we need to look at what we sell and buy back to work out how we can do it better and create industry around that. We also need to capitalise on the natural wealth we have in South Australia. We are part of the FIND OUT MORE FIND OUT MORE lucky country.

Engineers Australia The Logooutlook and Brand forManagement this country Procedures and this state is positive, we have a positive future and we are well placed to achieve it. We need to be getting better messages out to the public about the prospects of the state. We

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE UPDATE YOUR PROFILE need to be working with the State and Federal Government to get people thinking beyond the current 3 or 4

year term and looking beyond the here and now. We, as engineers, can add this kind of holistic and strategic thinking and we need to be part of the debate. I would love to hear your views on this, so please email me on sapresident@engineersaustralia.org.au REGISTER NOW REGISTER NOW

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A full suite of iconsGerry and buttons available for all of Engineers Australia’s colleges and groups, as well as Doyle are MIEAust CPEng President NOWcall ENTERfor NOW ocial ENTER media and to action buttons use online, electronic direct mail (EDM) or similar applications .

Engineers Australia South Australia Division

Approved social media icons include:

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Approved special interest groups EDM icons: ENGINEERING HERITAGE AUSTRALIA

Approved call to action icons include:

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Australian Engineering Week will be held from 6th - 12th August 2012. Members, students and the general community are invited to participate and see how engineers have improved our quality of life.

With the help of our supporters a number of events will be held, with the inclusion of Science Alive over the weekend. We hope that you will be able to participate in some of the events on offer in 2012.

Some of the events that will be occurring include:

Date

Event

Monday 6 August 2012

New Multi-Level Carpark, Adelaide Airport

3.30pm till 4.30pm

The new Adelaide Airport multi-level car park will provide short-term parking for 2,000 public and car rental vehicles.

Tuesday 7th August 2012

New Royal Adelaide Hospital

3.30pm till 5.00pm

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital will be larger, more sophisticated and better able to deliver effective and better focused patient care.

Tuesday 7th August 2012

High School Careers Night, Engineer This!

5.30pm till 7.30pm

This session provides essential information about the exciting and diverse opportunities a career in engineering can offer.

Wednesday 8th August 2012

Adelaide Oval Redevelopment

10.00am till 11.00am

The Adelaide Oval Redevelopment project, currently being constructed by Baulderstone, will transform the facility into a multi-sport 50,000 seat venue.

Wednesday 8th August 2012

ASC Submarine Tour

4.00pm till 5.30pm

ASC has evolved into Australia’s largest specialised defence shipbuilding organisation, with naval design and engineering resources unparalleled within Australia’s defence industry.

Wednesday 8th August 2012

Coopers Brewery

and Thursday 9th August 2012 3.00pm till 5.00pm

Coopers Brewery at Regency Park is one of the most modern breweries in Australia.

Thursday 9th August 2012

Adelaide Wind Tunnel

9.30am till 10.30am

The Adelaide Wind Tunnel is the second largest industrial and research wind tunnel of its type in Australia.

Thursday 9th August 2012

Coromandel Place Substation

10.00am till 11.30am

The Coromandel Place Substation forms an integral part of the electricity supply to the Adelaide CBD.

Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th

Science Alive!

August 2012

Science Alive! is now in it’s seventh year and 2012 will be bigger and better than ever before. Apart from 50 booths offering a fabulous range of interactive science, this year a team from Questacon, our national science centre, will be bringing a new dimension to the event.

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10.00am till 4.00pm

Monday 13th August 2012

Post-event: Eminent Speaker Dr Trevor Bird FTSE HonFIEAust CPEng

Behind the Scenes Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour

Presentation

Behind the Scenes Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour Behind the Scenes Tour

Expo

Presentation

From Wireless to Astronomy : Lessons From an Engineering Career

For further information and registration visit www.makeitso.org.au/aew

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Interested in getting involved? ...the call for nominations for vacant Division Committee, College Board and National Congress positions for 2013 will open on Monday 9 July 2012 and close on Friday 24 August 2012.

Look out for the call for nominations and election advertisements on the web site at: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/elections This is your opportunity to not only benefit from an increased engineering network and to contribute to the governance of Engineers Australia, you will also have an opportunity to influence and to give something back to the profession.

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www.engineersaustralia.org.au/elections

engineering excellence south australian awards black tie ball

Friday 21st September 2012 - 7.00pm Pre-dinner drinks - Hilton Hotel, Adelaide The Presentation Dinner is the engineering profession’s night of nights. The Presentation Dinner recognises the achievements and contributions made by members of the engineering team to the quality of life and economic prosperity of South Australia.

The cost of attending the Awards Dinner is: (All prices quoted include GST) Students: Members: Non-Members: Table of Ten:

$120 per person $135 per person $145 per person $1300

http://tinyurl.com/2012-SAEEA

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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PASSING THE BATON Elizabeth Moyses GradIEAust was the recipient of an Engineering Leadership Conference 2012 Regional Member Free Registration provided by the Year of the Regional Engineering Team Steering Committee. Elizabeth shares her experience at the conference: “As a first year graduate I wasn't sure whether I would be able to relate to much of what was presented at the ELC, however it became clear very quickly that engineering leadership is not just about engineers who hold management positions. During the first plenary session I found two of The Honourable Tim Fischer’s ideas to be particularly thought provoking. The first, think ahead of your time, so that your designs may be useful not just for today’s intentions but able to be adapted in the future. The second, use engineering ingenuity not just within our own industries but in other industries that could benefit from an engineered approach.

There were a number of concepts that I found noteworthy in the concurrent sessions. Of particular interest to me were the usefulness of career planning from early on in my career, creating a sense of belonging, identity and purpose in the people in your team will go a long way towards achieving effective results and develop professional skills to support the technical skills acquired at university. I also found the negotiating skills workshop valuable and hope to be able to put into practice the lessons outlined there.

Elizabeth Moyses GradIEAust

I was particularly inspired by two speakers during the conference. Marita Cheng StudIEAust, for her effort developing her organisation, Robogals, and the work it is doing in schools exposing girls to maths and science in a way that interests them. Jillian Kilby’s story about working as an engineer in rural Australia was encouraging. I grew up and currently live in rural Australia and sometimes worry that I won’t be able to get the experience and skills required to be a good engineer by working in rural areas, however Jillian’s talk reminded me that just because a project isn’t large-scale doesn’t mean it isn’t important.”

Elizabeth Moyses GradIEAust

Attendees at a plenary session during the 2012 Engineering Leadership Conference

YEA - SA INDUSTRY NETWORKING NIGHT On Wednesday the 16th May 2012 Young Engineers Australia-SA Division (YEA-SA) hosted the third of its series of networking nights for the year. The event was held again at The Elephant British Pub, with recent graduates, young engineers and students in attendance. The night was sponsored by ASC, the largest defence shipbuilding organisation within Australia. On hand to make the presentation on behalf of the company was the General Manager of Engineering, Jack Atkinson FIEAust CPEng EngExec, who has worked for ASC since the early 1990's.

Jack spoke about the current service ASC provides in terms of service to the defence industry. He also provided a summary of the Collins Class submarine and the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers, currently built by ASC at their facility in Osborne. Along with the daily maintenance of both ships and submarines Deep Blue Tech (a subsidiary of ASC) is currently involved in the Future Submarine Project, as outlined in the Defence White Paper, which identified the need for future submarine capabilities due to the expected withdrawal of the Collins Class in the coming years.

The night also provided the opportunity for young engineers and students to learn more about the employment opportunities available through ASC. Jarod Winders GradIEAust, a graduate mechanical engineer with ASC, spoke about the benefits of the graduate development program at ASC and the wide range of projects that their graduates are exposed to from an early stage. Jack and Jarod then engaged with members of the audience throughout the night.

The level of interest within these networking nights is continually expanding, and the turnouts to each event are reflecting positively on the success of these events. YEA-SA has already hosted as many networking nights in 2012 as we did in 2011.

The aim of these evenings is to give students and graduates an opportunity to learn about different organisations, as well as making connections within the industry with both their peers and potential employees.

Future events are currently being planned for the second half of 2012. If you are yet to attend a night, we recommend that you come and see for yourself the benefits of creating an industry based network.

Robbie Goedecke StudIEAust Committee Member Young Engineers Australia - South Australia

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Young Engineers

WORKING ON WORLD CLASS MINING PROJECTS FROM ADELAIDE On Tuesday 24th July 2012 at Engineers Australia South Australia Division, the Structural College Branch will host its next technical presentation by Sinclair Knight Merz’s (SKM) Project Director Rob James MIEAust CPEng and Lead Mechanical Engineer Nat Campbell MIEAust CPEng. The presentation will showcase world class mining projects constructed in Western Australia and New South Wales with the assistance of the Adelaide SKM office through Virtual Teaming. It will include the design and construct methodology of train loadout stacker conveyors, transfer stations and underground crushing/conveying structures.

Design for modularisation techniques will be discussed, to efficiently and economically deliver projects through preassembly offsite. Further information and registration can be found online via: http://tinyurl.com/mining-adelaide

Rendered model of a major underground mine.

Pyrros Radimissis GradIEAust Graduate Structural Engineer Sinclair Knight Merz

140TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPLETION OF OVERLANDof TELEGRAPH 140th Anniversary of theTHE Completion the Overland Telegraph On Thursday 22 engineer AugustRobert 1872, railway On Thursday 22 August 1872, railway Patterson engineer Robert Patterson seized hold of a seized hold of a piece piece of No 8 SWG galvanised iron wire and of No 8 SWG galvanised iron wire and attempted to complete the Overland Telegraph Line. Connected attempted to complete the Overland Telegraph to the single wireLine. earthConnected return linetoatthe various stations singlerepeater wire earth return were hundreds ofline Meidinger cells giving stations the line were an operating at various repeater hundreds of Meidinger giving line an operating voltage of 120 volts.

Patterson cells quickly let gothe and thought about voltage 120 volts. Patterson it for a while. Then, usingofa handkerchief to grasp quickly the wire,lethego and thought for a while.

Then, using a successfully completed the joinabout on hisitsecond attempt. nd

handkerchief to grasp the wire, he successfully

Adelaide was now in directthe communication with Port Darwin. completed join on his second attempt.

Unfortunately theAdelaide undersea cable Banjoewangi in Java was now from in direct communication with had developed a Port fault Darwin. and it was not until the the following October Unfortunately undersea cable from Banjoewangi in Java had the developed fault than a message could be relayed across Asia, Middle a East and it was not until the October than and Europe to and from London.

What is following still regarded as one a message couldfeats be was relayed across Asia, the of Australia’s greatest engineering finally completed.

Middle East and Europe to and from London.

is still regarded which as one of Australia’s The route throughWhat the centre of Australia, closely followed greatest engineering feats was Stuart, finally Left to Right: John Little (later Darwin postmaster), Robert Patterson the path taken only a few years earlier by John McDouall John Little (later Darwin postmaster), Robert Alexander PattersonMitchell (who at (who joined the line), Charles Todd, and surveyor completed. was not the choice of the British-Australian Telegraph Company: joined the line), Todd, and surveyor Alexander Mitchell the Charles Roper River camp in about March 1872 The route through the centre of Australia, they simply wanted to cross the tip of the Northern Territory to at theearlier Roper by River camp in about March 1872 which closely theInstead path taken only a few years John McDouall Stuart, was not the choice of the join the Queensland network at followed Burketown. of giving the British-Australian Telegraph Company: they simply wanted to cross the tip of the Northern Territory to join the company permission, the South Australian Government made Sir Charles Todd was admittedthe to South the SAAustralian Division’sGovernment Engineering Queensland network at Burketown. Instead of giving the company permission, the audacious counter-offer of building a line themselves from Hall of Fame infrom AprilAdelaide.

2008. In this 140th anniversary year of the made the audacious counter-offer of building a line themselves Adelaide.

Overland Telegraph, we have used the surplus from our very However, connection with an undersea cable had been under consideration for some time and South Australia’s

Heritage heldthrough during pre-eminent telegraph engineer Todd hadsuccessful consideredSA theEngineering various options whichConference included a line However, connection with an undersea cable hadCharles been under History Month to purchase and have bound copyAustralian of Todd’s Australia.

His Australia’s report on pre-eminent Anglo-Australian Telegraph Schemes was submitted to the a South consideration for Western some time and South Parliament 1869 andconsidered printed as the a Parliamentary PaperThis complete maps at showing various routes under report. will be with on display a Todd the Symposium to be held on telegraph engineer Charles in Todd had various consideration.

Friday 17 August at the SARDI Lecture Theatre, Waite Institute options which included a line through Western Australia. His (furtherEngineering details will be following week, a national Sir Charles Todd was admitted to submitted the SA Division’s Hallprovided). of FameThe in April 2008.

In this 140th report on Anglo-Australian Telegraph Schemes was anniversary year of the Overland Telegraph, we have used the surplus from our very successful SA Engineering engineering heritage marker will be unveiled on 22 August near to the South Australian Parliament in 1869 and printed as a Heritage Conference held during History Month tothe purchase and have boundPatterson a copy offinally Todd’s report.

This will be location where Robert joined the line.

Parliamentary Paper complete with maps showing the various on display at a Todd Symposium to be held on Friday 17th August at the SARDI Lecture Theatre, Waite Institute routes under consideration.

Richard Venus, Engineering Heritage SA engineering heritage (further details at http://tinyurl.com/sir-todd-symposium).

The following week, a national marker will be unveiled on 22nd August 2012 near the location where Robert Patterson finally joined the line.

Richard Venus MIEAust Engineering Heritage SA Engineers Australia South Australia Division

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP AT PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF

From left to right: Mark Oakes MIEAust CPEng, Carol Yung MIEAust CPEng, Elizabeth Hobart MIEAust CPEng, Parag Shah MIEAust CPEng and Regional Director Dr David Cruickshanks-Boyd FIEAust EngExec

Parsons Brinckerhoff is a world-class engineering and professional services company, with approximately 15,000 employees throughout the world. We know that engineers make great leaders and we believe that part of the responsibility of a leader is to be an active part of their professional body. Parsons Brinckerhoff are involved with Engineers Australia and, with the support of their Professional Development Program (PDP), our company is actively involved in supporting our engineers through to Chartered Status and thereafter in their development as engineering leaders.

We believe our clients and the community have a right to expect that the engineering work we do will be to a high professional standard, and part of this assurance is provided through the chartered engineering process.

Recently chartered Engineers Australia Members share their views: “I had more than 26 years international experience in the field of electrical engineering, procurement and construction before I migrated to Australia in 2008 and I was always passionate about developing my professional skills. After I joined Parsons Brinckerhoff, I got encouragement and support to achieve my career development goal of becoming a Chartered Professional Engineer. We have excellent RYP programme to achieve individual performance and career development goals. The Mature Experience Engineers Pathway provided an ideal opportunity for me to become a Chartered Professional Engineer. Now, I am sure I will be able to develop my professional skills continually through various technical seminars and networking and mentor other young engineers in achieving their Chartered Status.” - Parag Shah MIEAust CPEng “Once I began working, I saw achieving Chartered Status as the next step in my development as an engineer. It is a goal of mine to work internationally, and CPEng helps by making my qualifications as portable as possible.

Parsons Brinckerhoff’s PDP was a great motivator – I struggled with the slightly early starts, but being able to see what other people were working on and how they were achieving the competencies was a great way to keep me working on my own CERs. The advice and feedback from the group when I was preparing for the interview was also invaluable – it just made the process so much easier.” - Mark Oakes MIEAust CPEng “I would like to express my opinion that becoming a Chartered Engineer is a way of ascertaining my knowledge and capability up to the recognised standard of Engineers Australia, as well as a great contribution to further developing my career in the engineering field.” - Carol Yung MIEAust CPEng “Becoming chartered was always one of my goals; I hadn’t ever really thought about it in terms of a ‘strategic career move’ or anything, it was just something that I thought I should do because it would show my commitment to the profession. The best thing was definitely getting involved with the PDP – without that support I’d probably still be thinking about writing my first CER! We have a great PDP group within Parsons Brinckerhoff, where everyone is so supportive of each other and it’s definitely easier to get motivated when there are lots of others around you working towards the same goal.” - Liz Hobart MIEAust CPEng Parsons Brinckerhoff

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SKM CHARTERED PRESENTATION

From left to right: Philip Engler MIEAust CPEng, Brittany Coff MIEAust CPEng, Scott Snedden MIEAust CPEng and Peter Burnell MIEAust CPEng.

On Tuesday 15th May 2012, four of SKM’s employees were presented with their Chartered Status certificates. Greg Walters FIEAust CPEng EngExec, State Manager of SKM says, “Achieving CPEng and being eligible to be placed on the National Professional Engineering Register is an important milestone in every professional engineer's career. It proves that you are competent, capable and current. We are very proud of what Scott, Philip, Brittany & Peter have achieved.”

Sinclair Knight Merz

TONKIN CONSULTING CHARTERED PRESENTATION Jack Foster-Dinning MIEAust CPEng, a Civil Engineer at Tonkin Consulting, has recently achieved his CPEng Status. During his time at Tonkin, Jack has undertaken a range of projects in the water industry from design of waste water systems in regional communities to roles in larger projects such as the North South Interconnection System Project.

Jack says, “This certification is something I’ve been working towards for a while now and I feel is important for allowing me to continue to practice and develop as an engineer in the most effective way. I also found that this process has helped me to better understand and appreciate some of the important aspects which are common across the engineering profession as a whole. Our Graduate Development Program at Tonkin Consulting initially encouraged and supported me in working towards obtaining my Chartered Status; however it was most important for me that, right from Day one, I was able to work closely with and learn from some really excellent engineers.“

Left to Right: Gerry Doyle MIEAust CPEng, Jack Foster-Dinning MIEAust CPEng and John Hudson MIEAust CPEng

Tonkin Consulting has a broad range of skills and experience in all aspects of civil, environmental and stormwater management as well as waste water and water supply. The benefits of Tonkin’s range of expertise can be realised for our clients by combining with a multi-disciplinary approach and working closely with our clients.

Tonkin Consulting

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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FUNDING HELPS FIRMS ACCESS PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRAINING Addressing the acute shortage of project management skills among engineers has emerged as a key issue for the profession.

In a recent national survey of some 1400 engineers undertaken by Engineering Education Australia, more than three-quarters (76%) of respondents regarded project management skills as either critical or important for their professional development in the next two years.

And the recent Engineering WA 2020 Report found a significant shortage of engineers with project management skills is adversely affecting Western Australia’s resources sector.

On the other side of the country, in Victoria, Russell Cruse says the situation is much the same: engineers with formal project management training are in great demand.

Mr Cruse is the Manager of VicTrack’s Program Management Office, Capital Projects.

“VicTrack is a government rail business that provides essential telecommunication, property and other railrelated services to support a safe and efficient public transport system,” Mr Cruse said.

“VicTrack uses our land and assets to deliver broader benefits to communities including providing land to meet the State’s economic and social needs.”

Mr Cruse says its Capital Projects Department provides a fully integrated project management service and delivers project solutions from concept development to construction for the State’s rail sector.

“VicTrack’s Capital Projects team has strong project management capabilities in delivering projects in and around the rail environment,” Mr Cruse says.

“The work we do to upgrade safety at road and pedestrian crossings on behalf of the Victorian Government helps save lives. We are working to rebuild railway stations, bridges and car parks to make commuting safer, easier, and more comfortable.”

VicTrack’s Telecommunications team also employs more than 200 engineering and support staff and has proven experience and skills in planning, designing, deploying and managing fibre optic and copper-based networks.

Mr Cruse said that as part of their professional development, 18 of his colleagues are undertaking the Diploma of Project Management offered by Engineering Education Australia with nine VicTrack staff having already completed the diploma.

“The Diploma of Project Management is part of VicTrack’s approach to formally develop the project management skills of its engineers and is the ‘icing on the cake’ for many of my colleagues,” Mr Cruse says.

“This is just one part of a strategy we’ve put in place to make us a preferred provider of project management services for the Victorian rail industry.”

The General Manager of Engineering Education Australia, Ann Ellis, says the Federal Government has recognised the need to support project management training and is providing funding to subsidise eligible firms.

“This is good news as we’ve been able to save clients more than $400,000 thanks to this funding,” she says.

As part of its engineering education courses, EEA offers a Diploma of Project Management which consists of five two-day, in-house sessions and related assessments.

So far, more than 160 engineers around Australia are undertaking the diploma course with the help of the federal subsidy.

“And just as good is the fact that we are also able to support regional engineers with our online Diploma of Project Management, an option which is also handy for people unable to undertake training during business hours,” she said.

“It’s proving very popular, and we now have 221 engineers around Australia undertaking the course online, with 56 of those meeting the funding criteria.

For more details on project management training and available subsidies or an information pack, contact EEA’s Stephen Betros on (03) 9274 9605 or stephen@eeaust.com.au.

Engineering Education Australia

follow the south Australia division on twitter @SA_President_EA Include us in your conversation by using #EA_SA

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MEMBER PROFILE Bolei Deng GradIEAust Bolei Deng is a Graduate Electrical engineer working within the utilities industry, with a passion for promoting engineering to prospective future engineers.

Why did you decide to become an engineer?

I was raised by an engineer father.

From his work, I understand how engineers solve problem and how their solutions differ from the others. I then decided to become an engineer because I believe only engineers can change the world and make it a better place.

What do you like the most about the engineering profession?

The beauty of the engineering profession is that engineers only accept the best result. When an engineer tries to come up with a solution, they are always aiming for the best, long term and sustainable solution, along with safety and budget kept in their mind all the time. I am a perfectionist, and if you are too, the best you can be is an engineer.

If you could have worked on any engineering project, throughout history, what would you choose?

One thing I like about my utilities company is, no matter what project or job I have, it’s always going to be something that will benefit the public. It’s not important at all for me to be participating in a famous or well-known project; as long as someone can benefit from my work, that’s all I need to drive me forward.

What do you see as one of the biggest issues facing the engineering profession?

I think the biggest issue facing the engineering profession is the whole industry hasn’t put enough attention into young engineers, especially graduate engineers. There’s no doubt that senior engineers are more experienced, and it’s also a fact that it would cost more money at the beginning to employ a fresh graduate than get an experienced engineer. I appreciate companies that provide graduate programs to graduates, and I urge more companies to join in.

This is not only an investment in a company’s future, but an investment of our society as well.

What is the greatest piece of technology released in the last decade?

If we are talking about the last decade, I would nominate the iPhone as the greatest piece of technology. On top of stability, quality and performance, the iPhone is a product of innovation and creativity.

Why are you an Engineers Australia member?

Engineers Australia is the only nationally recognised association for engineers. The membership is a recognition of my professional qualification and profession, and it’s my honour to be a part of the big family.

If you could take a year off to study anything, what would it be?

Maybe game design? If I couldn’t be an engineer, I would be a game programmer!

What do you feel is the engineering profession’s strongest asset?

Problem solving skill - Engineers are very good at using logical thinking to analyse and solve problems.

Sometimes I think Engineers can also be called “Problem Solvers”, because honestly, they are spending their whole life solving problems. This asset is very unique, and playing a key role in the engineering profession.

What are your hobbies?

I like playing table tennis, DIY computers and building electronic models. I love playing video games as well, I own every single gaming console you can name, and spend quite a while playing whenever I get a free night or weekend.

What is your motto?

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere - Albert Einstein.

What would be your ideal working holiday?

My ideal working holiday is very simple - together with my beloved one, travelling to anywhere far, far away and I can totally forget about my job and just be myself!

Who would you most like to meet?

A better me.

PAST PRESIDENTS’ LUNCHEON

Past Presidents’ gather for a luncheon at the Adelaide Pavilion Veale Gardens.

On Tuesday 5th June 2012, President of Engineers Australia South Australia Division Gerry Doyle MIEAust CPEng hosted the annual Past Presidents’ Luncheon, held at the Adelaide Pavilion Veale Gardens. The luncheon provided Gerry with an opportunity to meet with Past Presidents and to share ideas for the present

and future in an informal manner. The Past Presidents were keen to provide feedback and enjoyable luncheon was had by all.

Sharryn Fensom Events Coordinator Engineers Australia South Australia Division

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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UPCOMING EVENTS Unless published otherwise all presentations are scheduled to be held at the Engineers Australia South Australia Division. Event details are subject to change. Please check our website prior to the event for current information and updates.

Level 11, 108 King William Street ADELAIDE SA 5000.

Please register online where you see this symbol Tue 7th ~ 5.30pm Engineers Australia th Tue 24 ~ 5.00pm Chartered Workshop Structural Branch Speaker: South Australia based National Assessor “Working on World Class Mining Projects from Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Adelaide” Fri 10th to Sun 12th Speaker: Nat Campbell MIEAust CPEng and Science Alive!

Rob James MIEAust CPEng Enquiries: brian@fundraisingpartnerships.com.au Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Mon 13th ~ 5.30pm Mon 30th ~ 5.00pm Engineers Australia Electric Energy Society of Australia Eminent Speaker “Wind Generation Road Show” “From Wireless to Astronomy: Lessons From An Speaker: Graham White and George Bergholcs Engineering Career” Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Speaker: Dr Trevor Bird FTSE HonFIEAust CPEng Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Wed 1st ~ 5.00pm Fri 17th ~ 8.30am Joint Chemical Engineering Committee Engineers Australia Along With Six of South “An Overview of UraniumSA’s Mullaquana Project” Australia’s Professional And Specialist Speaker: Simon Hall Societies Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Sir Charles Todd Symposium Thu 2nd ~ 5.30pm Speaker: Dr. Rob Morrison Venue: SARDI Lecture Theatre, WAITE campus, Railway Technical Society of Australia Hartley Grove, Urrbrae “The Canadian Skytrain: Canada Line LRT in Enquiries: info@charlestodd.net Vancouver, British Columbia” Tue 21st ~ 5.30pm Speaker: Jeff Ulcoq Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au JTP Electrical and Electronic Mon 6th to Sun 12th “Radar, where did it come from?”

Speaker: Professor Don Sinnott FIEAust Australian Engineering Week CPEng (Ret) See www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa/events for Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au More Details About the Various Events Occurring Wed 22nd ~ 5.30pm Enquiries: sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au Transport Group Mon 6th “Adelaide’s Integrated Movement Strategy” Engineers Australia Speaker: Stephen Yarwood, Lord Mayor Whyalla President’s Visit Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Enquiries: sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au

July

August

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING Transport Group’s “Improving Motorcycle Safety: Hear The Experts”

Top Left: (Left to Right) Peter Bellion, Professor Raphael Grzebieta FIEAust CPEng, Martin Small, Neville Gray and Matthew Baldock participating in the panel discussion for the Transport Group’s technical presentation.

Top Right: Jeremy Woolley closing the presentation on Tuesday 29th May 2012

Seminar

Governance Workshop

Left to Right: Professor Robert Lytton and Dr Don Cameron at a seminar held Friday 18th May 2012 hosted by the South Australia Division Footings Group

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South Australia Division Staff and Office Bearers gain a deeper understanding of the Governance structure of Engineers Australia on the 29th May 2012.

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA