Engineering South Australia May Edition

Engineers Australia is excited to be moving forward with a new way to communicate and engage with our members. Read more about some of the changes on page 6.

ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA MAY 2013 www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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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?

CONTENTS

www.engineersaustralia.org.au

Congratulations!

President’s Message News

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Online CPD

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Member Profile

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Upcoming Events

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DIVISION EXECUTIVE President John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD Deputy Presidents Dr Cris Birzer MIEAust Fernando Gonzalez MIEAust CPEng Immediate Past President Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng Executive Director Caroline Argent MAICD Deputy Director Sarah Carey Produced By Engineers Australia South Australia Division

Members of Engineers Australia are able to access Continuing Professional Development (CPD)South from Australian a number Firm of sources SKM Announced as the Best in around Australia through the onlineChoice CPD. Access this at any time the 2013 BRW Client Awards. through: The awards, which are compiled in conjunction with leading professional services consulting group Beaton Research + www.engineersaustralia.org.au/web-casts/ Consulting, are given based on a survey of clients across the mediavisionz industry who engage professional services firms. Finalists, including lawyers, accountants and architects Many other presentations are available throughwere the those South firms whoDivision had performed Australia Website at:in the top of their category in Beaton's Annual Business and Professions Study - the largest independent study of clients of professional services firms http://tinyurl.com/saresources in the world. At a national level or Golder Associates won 'Best consulting engineering firm, Revenue: $200 million-plus'. http://tinyurl.com/sadivgroups

Reconciliation Action Plan

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

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."

www.facebook.com/EA.SouthAus

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

http://twitter.com/Eng_SouthAus

SPONSORS

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.

Division Partners

To view Engineers Australia's RAP please visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/about-us/ reconciliation-action-plan

Dates of interest: Division Supporters National Sorry Day: Sunday 26th May 2013 National Reconciliation Week: Monday 27th May to 3rd June 2013 MABO Day: 3rd June 2013 NAIDOC Week: 7th to 14th July 2013 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day: 4th August 2013 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People: 9th August 2013

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 “Innovation” is increasingly becoming the catch cry of governments and the media to lead us out of the present economic doldrums and to secure a strong future for Australia. But what does innovation mean to the engineering profession and how do we contribute to the creation of a more innovative society?

In responding to my own question, I started with a Google search – as we all seem to do these days – using the term “innovation”. At the top of the list was a definition, from Wikipedia of course (they have great search engine optimisation!), which states: “Innovation is the development of new values through solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulate needs, or old customer and market needs in value adding new ways. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets, governments, and society.

Innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a better and, as a result, novel idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of the idea or method itself.

Innovation differs from improvement in that innovation refers to the notion of doing something different rather than doing the same thing better.”

I think this definition is right on the mark, especially as it applies to our profession. With an earlier 1990s quality management and quality auditor background, I have had “continuous improvement” ingrained into my thinking for many years. However, the above definition aptly points out that improvement is not innovation – we cannot provide the same service, build the same infrastructure or manufacture the same product faster and cheaper for ever. Look at IBM, then Microsoft, then Apple over the last three decades – great examples of early innovation to create new products and services, but huge challenges to continue that innovation process just to survive in our increasingly global and rapidly changing marketplace.

So is the engineering profession innovative? As an engineering consultant, I find myself constantly under pressure from some clients to provide the same service quicker and cheaper – this leaves little room for creation of innovative solutions that might actually save those clients (and society) considerable cost during construction or manufacture of the infrastructure or product, and subsequently over its life cycle. Simultaneously, government regulations in many areas (building safety, public health, environment considerations, road safety, planning and development – the list goes on) have become increasingly prescriptive, and are often focussed on “zero risk” solutions, effectively stifling innovation.

Innovation requires the taking of calculated risks (both from a business and society perspective). The engineering profession is good at determining the quantum of those risks, but often poor at articulating to clients and government regulators how the risks can be managed to encourage innovation. That is our challenge – but how do we change our thinking to encourage more innovation?

Back to my Google search. Immediately below the Wikipedia definition came the Australian Government’s innovation website at www.innovation.gov.au, followed by various state government innovation sites and tertiary education innovation sites. I was surprised to find that a large number of formal postgraduate qualifications in innovation are available from various universities. The resources are clearly out there to encourage an innovative approach to engineering and to the future development of our society. Have we the courage to grasp the opportunity to innovate? And will our clients and government regulators allow us?

Closer to home, South Australia’s Strategic Plan (see http://saplan.org.au) contains seven “Strategic Priorities”, namely: • Creating a Vibrant City • Safe Communities, Healthy Neighbourhoods • An Affordable Place to Live • Every Chance for Every Child • Growing Advanced Manufacturing • Realising the Benefits of the Mining Boom for All • Premium Food and Wine from Our Clean Environment Our challenge as engineering professionals living and working in South Australia is to find innovative ways to support the above strategic priorities. This should be our contribution towards a prosperous future for South Australia. Let me know your ideas, via email to sapresident@engineersaustralia.org.au. I would value having an “engineering innovation agenda” whenever speaking with state leaders in my role this year as Division President.

Recognition of innovation is a key component of the annual SA Engineering Excellence Awards. Registration of entries has now closed, with submissions due by Friday 7th June. For those involved in preparing a submission, I encourage you to emphasise the innovative aspects of your achievements. For all of us, let’s diarise the Black Tie Ball on Friday 20th September 2013 as an ideal opportunity to collectively celebrate engineering excellence in South Australia and the role an innovative engineering profession can play in developing a successful future for South Australia.

John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD President Engineers Australia South Australia Division @

sapresident@engineersaustralia.org.au

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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CONGRATULATIONS!

CPEng EngExec The South Australia Division would like to congratulate the following members who attained or were readmitted for Chartered between 1st January 2013 and 31st March 2013: •

Simon Bowers MIEAust CPEng

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Jonathan Icimsoy MIEAust CPEng

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Christopher Cutts MIEAust CPEng

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Jin Weng Lim MIEAust CPEng

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Huw Dent MIEAust CPEng

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Gavin Lush MIEAust CPEng

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Michael Elliss MIEAust CPEng

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Fay Nunn MIEAust CPEng

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Jim Feng MIEAust CPEng

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Melanie Olsen MIEAust CPEng

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Carelene Frank MIEAust CPEng

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Annie Potts MIEAust CPEng

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Scott Gill MIEAust CPEng

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Lawrence Sequeira MIEAust CPEng

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Oliver Glendon MIEAust CPEng

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Agamjot Sidhu MIEAust CPEng

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Tim Hamilton MIEAust CPEng

•

Tom Wallent MIEAust CPEng

We would also like to congratulate the following members who recently attained EngExec: •

Andy Milazzo MIEAust CPEng EngExec

•

Andrew Miller FIEAust CPEng EngExec

TIM HAMILTON TAKES THE NEXT STEP IN HIS CAREER On Wednesday 13th March 2013, Combat System Logistics Engineering Manager of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project, Tim Hamilton MIEAust CPEng, was presented with his Chartered certificate at the AWD System Centre.

“I started out as an electrician, working on power generation and distribution, and associated control systems.

I have worked through all advances of maritime technology over the years, starting with magnetic amplifiers, carbon-pile regulators, and manual generator synchronisation and load sharing. My primary test equipment was an AVO (multimeter). Pneumatic control system came and went. Now we have reliable, high speed data systems that utilise PLCs with fibre, wire and wireless networks. Faults previously classified as “hidden” are now discovered with BITE and spectrum analysis. To me being chartered was the next logical step in my professional career. It means recognition of qualification, experience and responsibility.

In my current role as Logistics Engineering Manager for the Air Warfare Destroyer program, I am responsible for delivering safe engineering products that serve the intended purpose, within in the constraints of schedule and cost.

The AWD engineering charters guide my behaviour with respect to leadership, continuous improvement and technical integrity assurance through self-governance and strong engagement with the Navy regulatory community. Now I add to my list the Engineers Australia Royal Charter, which requires me to promote advances in the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community, and be guided by the EA Code of Ethics.” said Mr Tim Hamilton MIEAust CPEng.

Left to right: Tim Hamilton MIEAust CPEng being presented with his Chartered certificate by Director of Raytheon/AWD Andrew Whittaker FIEAust CPEng.

Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

JIN LIM ACHIEVES PROFESSIONAL GOAL Parsons Brinckerhoff congratulates Jin Weng Lim MIEAust CPEng on attaining Chartered. Jin has been part of the Parsons Brinckerhoff Professional Development Program that is driven by the need to promote and assist engineers in the wider engineering community (including Parsons Brinkerhoff) to acquire Chartered.

As a global leader in engineering consulting services, Parsons Brinckerhoff is committed to developing and supporting their employees throughout their professional careers. Parsons Brinckerhoff acknowledges this significant milestone in Jin’s professional career and recognise the contribution that is made to our business and the wider community all of our Chartered engineers.

Left to right: Mark Wilson MIEAust, Engineering Executive of Parsons Brinckerhoff presenting Jin Lim MIEAust CPEng with his Chartered certificate.

“Chartered has always been an immediate professional goal of mine, for obtaining Chartered allows me to assume greater engineering responsibilities and provides me with a means to fast-track my career. The potential of transferring this accreditation internationally if required was another key factor in my decision to pursue Chartered. Being Chartered also reinforces the need within myself to consistently practice engineering in accordance with the Code of Ethics and to maintain high standards of professionalism in my day-to-day duties. I found the path to Chartered to be well structured through my participation in the PDP program, where I was supported by Engineers Australia and my peers.” said Mr Jin Lim. Parsons Brinckerhoff

SKM CONTINUE THEIR CHARTERED COMMITMENT

Andrew Murray MIEAust CPEng, Arash Asadi MIEAust CPEng and Greg Walters FIEAust CPEng EngExec.

Jason Brown MIEAust, Carlene Frank MIEAust CPEng and Greg Walters FIEAust CPEng EngExec.

At SKM we are committed to the professional development of our staff. Becoming Chartered is an important part of that development. We also recognise that becoming Chartered is now particularly important given that the South Australian Government is considering private certification and related changes to planning and building processes. We congratulate Arash Asadi and Carlene Frank on achieving this important career milestone.

“As a migrant engineer Chartered accreditation marks end of my journey to align with Australian engineering culture and the start of a new journey with SKM, which I hope to be full of challenges.

SKM has a vast rainbow of professionals across the globe and engineering accrediting programs such as Chartered is the backbone of shared values that SKM strives for such as professional excellence, sustainability, safety and innovation.” said Mr Arash Asadi MIEAust CPEng “I was very happy when I achieved Chartered and became a Chartered professional engineer. My main motivation to become Chartered was so my skills would be recognised by my peers and the community. To me, Chartered shows that I am a competent, independent and professional engineer that maintains high ethical standards. For this reason, I strongly recommend all engineers consider becoming Chartered.” said Ms Carlene Frank MIEAust CPEng. Greg Walters FIEAust CPEng EngExec State Manager South Australia Sinclair Knight Merz

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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GPA ENGINEERING INCREASE FOCUS ON BECOMING CHARTERED Alf Sanzo MIEAust CPEng, Managing Director of GPA Engineering, was delighted to welcome another two Chartered engineers to his team.

Achieving Chartered is now part of each GPA Engineers career progression and supports our competency development program. This increased focus and recognition is resulting in many more GPA Engineers embarking on the PDP process and becoming Chartered.

Given GPA’s involvement in CSG projects in Queensland, the requirement for Chartered engineers across our business is critical.

Left to right: Industry Relationship Manager Jason Thornhill of Engineers Australia, Chris Cutts MIEAust CPEng and GPA Engineering Managing Director Alf Sanzo MIEAust CPEng.

Left to right: Huw Dent MIEAust CPEng and Alf Sanzo MIEAust CPEng.

“Obtaining my Chartered through the PDP Program has been very beneficial in reflecting on my learning process and development as a professional. It has also provided opportunities to identify the various roles, responsibilities and soft skills that are sometimes overlooked as an engineer. Obtaining Chartered is not a straightforward task, however I believe it represents a commitment to maintaining the integrity of engineering as a profession.

I think the key to achieving Chartered as a recognised professional engineer is to have the support to develop skills across a range of areas and roles.” said Mr Chris Cutts MIEAust CPEng. “The Chartered process has given me a fantastic opportunity to reflect on and consolidate experience I have gained through my career thus far. The defining activities and code of ethics provided a good external guide as to how to conduct myself and complete engineering tasks in a professional manner; to a standard which upholds the integrity of the engineering profession. This external guidance along with enthusiastic supervision and mentoring has allowed me to identify gaps in my knowledge and has encouraged me to seek opportunities which will close these gaps. Obtaining chartered status is just an early step in learning from my experiences and developing myself as a professional.

I would like to specially thank Maurice Berry, Ewan Hazeldine, Ian Kuchel and Suzanne Shipp for their time spent reviewing my submissions and providing valuable feedback to help me achieve this milestone.” said Mr Huw Dent MIEAust CPEng. Sean Flaherty General Manager - Operations GPA Engineering

WWW.ENGINEERSAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU/ECHARTERED

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

AN EXCITING CHANGE FOR ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA We are revamping the way Engineers Australia engages with its members.

The great features of eNewsletters: The electronic eNewsletter will replace the hard copy ‘Engineering South Australia’ newsletter in July 2013.

An electronic newsletter gives us the opportunity to provide a more immediate response to news and current issues without printing and distribution delays. An electronic format will also provide members quick access to valuable digital content. Our electronic newsletter will deliver the latest news, hot topics and access to online resources straight to your inbox every month, with a cost effective zero carbon impact.

Keeping up to date with Event Alerts: We hold a number of exciting and prestigious events throughout the year and we don’t want you to miss out! The Event Alert (formerly FocusSA) will still be sent on a fortnightly basis to keep members up to date with the numerous events taking place throughout the SA Division.

Keeping you involved while we move forward: Initially, all members are opted in to receive these new eCommunications. If you do not wish to receive the eNewsletter and Event Alert, you can easily unsubscribe via a link in the emails you receive. I am eager to engage with all of our members via eCommunications and I would value your feedback: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Caroline Argent MAICD Executive Director Engineers Australia South Australia Division

BE A PART OF AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERING WEEK 2013 Monday 5th - Sunday 11th August 2013 Australian Engineering Week is a public awareness and education campaign that aims to highlight the role and achievements of the engineering profession in Australia, and to promote engineering as the career of choice.

Working towards these aims will benefit the entire engineering profession.

We would encourage your organisation to participate by hosting one of the following: •

Site Tour

•

Technical presentation

Alternatively, if your organisation already has an event planned during Australian Engineering Week and it may be of interest to the profession and community, we can help you promote it.

For more information and to discuss this further please email sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au or phone 08 8202 7140 Sharryn Fensom Events and Communications Coordinator Engineers Australia South Australia Division

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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SUBMISSION ON REGISTRATION OF ENGINEERS AND PRIVATE CERTIFICATION Engineers Australia South Australia Division recently responded to the South Australian Government’s call for submissions on private certification and related changes to planning and building processes. A key component of the proposed changes was establishing a framework for the registration of building surveyors and structural engineers.

Under the proposed co-regulatory model the professional body and statutory body share regulatory responsibilities. The statutory body is responsible for setting benchmarks for professional bodies, maintaining a register of persons who have met the requirements and undertaking auditing, investigation of complaints and imposing disciplinary action for breaches of statutory functions. The professional body becomes responsible for establishing minimum practice requirements including benchmarks for qualifications and assessing applicants against these benchmarks. Engineers Australia is ideally placed to serve the function of a professional body under the co-regulatory model, using the current chartered status accreditation process.

The Mechanical branch would like to thank all those who provided input on behalf of Engineers Australia’s submission.

An extract from the submission cover letter is shown below: “Engineers Australia (EA) commends the SA Government for moving towards the registration of professional engineers. We are pleased to have been invited to comment on the set of consultation documents arising from the SA Parliamentary Select Committee on Private Certifiers that reported in December 2009. This response has been developed by Engineers Australia’s SA Division Mechanical Branch with input from the SA Structural Branch and Footings Group and from EA National Office.

EA supports the proposal for the registration of the professional engineers that are integral to the process of building certification. We believe this is a significant step forward in delivering public safety in SA. Without registration backed by legislation the engineering profession cannot stop people pretending to be professional engineers when they are not. Nor can it “strike off” engineers that have proved to be incompetent unless there is a register from which to remove them.

Engineers Australia strongly supports a co-regulatory model for registration and are pleased that this is the preferred model in the draft discussion paper. The concept of engineering “areas of practice” under the existing National Engineering Registration Board lends itself to, if necessary, the establishment of a set of competencies defining areas of building design and its subsequent certification.

EA is disappointed that the South Australian Government is proposing registration for a very small group of professional engineers at this time. We urge that the implementation of registration in the building sector makes the maximum possible provision for its extension to other SA professional engineers. The registration scheme should be compatible with a future nationally consistent scheme. Since there is a clear precedent, we recommend that the only existing registration system for professional engineers (in Queensland) be used as the model for a future national system when designing this SA component.

EA also notes that there is an inherent shortcoming with only applying registration to those that are certifying the design. We believe that the persons actually preparing the design (or directly supervising the design whilst it is being prepared) have greater influence on safety than those certifying. In our view the best way to deal with this weakness is profession-wide registration and we urge that this first step is followed with a wider registration scheme.”

Mechanical Branch South Australia

SAVE THE DATE: Leadership Development Series Session Two

Planning, change & improvement Thursday 25th july 2013, 7.00am to 9.00am ADELAIDE PAVILION Veale Gardens cnr South Terrace & Peacock Road Guest Speaker: CEO of Engineers Australia Stephen Durkin FIEAust More Information: W: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa/events P: Member Programs Coordinator Ashlea Klingberg

08 8202 7110

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

YOUNG ENGINEERS ENGAGE WITH STUDENTS

Guests gather at the YEA Industry Networking Night at The Elephant British Pub.

On Wednesday 3 April 2013, Young Engineers Australia South Australia (YEA-SA) hosted another of its successful Industry Networking Nights (INN). The event, held at The Elephant British Pub enabled both young engineers and engineering students within the industry to engage in an informal manner, whilst finding out more information about a different sector. The night was sponsored by Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), and was well represented by the firm with staff ranging from graduates to senior professionals on hand to answer many queries from those in attendance. James Burston, SKM’s Adelaide Mining and Metals manager spoke on behalf of the company and gave a rundown of the firm’s current project involvements both in South Australia and interstate and emphasised the benefits of working for a multidisciplinary company. rd

A similar event was also held back on Tuesday 19th March which was sponsored by the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC). Jack Atkinson FIEAust CPEng EngExec, General Manager of Engineering for ASC updated attendees on the latest project and maintenance developments currently being initiated by ASC within their Osborne facilities. Again, representatives from ASC, including members from our own YEA committee were on hand to provide a young engineer perspective to what working in the defence industry is like, and the graduate opportunities available.

Both of these events were close to reaching full capacity, suggesting that YEA-SA is getting its message across with regards to the networking benefits, encouraging us to target similar numbers for future YEA events. It was good to see a mix of industry personnel and students regardless of their experience, developing their networking skills as most stayed right to the end of the event.

Robbie Goedecke StudIEAust Committee Member YEA – SA Division

2012 STUDENT PRIZE AWARDED TO NICHOLAS WELLS The 2012 Student Prize in Mechanical Engineering and the John Mannam Award were presented on Friday 5th April 2013 in the Engineering Building at the University of Adelaide to a high achieving student.

The Engineers Australia Student Prize in Mechanical Engineering is presented to a second year mechanical engineering student in South Australia, for academic excellence. Deputy President of Engineers Australia, Dr Cris Birzer MIEAust, presented the prize to Nicholas Wells StudIEAust who scored an average of 88.45 and completed the subject of ‘Stress Analysis and Design’.

Left to right: Acting Head of School, Assoc. Prof.

Anthony Zander, Nicholas Wells StudIEAust, Dr Kim Lim and Dr Cris Birzer MIEAust.

The (University of Adelaide) Dr John Mannam Prize, is presented to a student who received dux in their second year of mechanical engineering. Dr Kim Lim, benefactor of the Dr John Mannam Award, presented the certificate to Nicholas.

“I was extremely grateful to receive both the Dr. John Mannum Prize and the 2012 Subject Prize in Mechanical Engineering. In addition to the financial help that these awards will provide in paying my university fees, they will be a valuable addition to my CV. As recognised awards by Engineers Australia, I believe that these prizes will give me an edge when beginning my career and will help to persuade potential employers.” said Nicholas Wells StudIEAust.

Engineers Australia South Australia Division

www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa

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2013 GEN2X: GENERATION TO GENDER EXCHANGE

Left to right: Rebecca Tennant MIEAust, Fay Nunn MIEAust CPEng and Kim Harvey MIEAust CPEng.

Left to right: James Connell StudIEAust and Tamara White StudIEAust.

“Engineers never stop learning” – But do they get more out of postgraduate study?

This was the topic up for debate at this year’s Gen2X: Generation to Gender Exchange, jointly held by Engineers Australia’s Women in Engineering, the Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (CELM) and Young Engineers Australia. In a relaxed and fun forum, young professionals, students, and more prominent members of Engineers Australia came together for a lively discussion about the merits of further study.

Providing food for thought were three speakers, with markedly different backgrounds and career paths, but all in possession of a PhD. Dr Josh Smith MIEAust CPEng, an engineering delivery manager at Parsons Brinckerhoff, began the night by speaking of his research undertaken in Germany, and a transition to the consulting industry.

Josh was followed by Dr Margaret Law, Deputy General Manager of Deep Blue Tech (a subsidiary of ASC). With a PhD in Atomic Physics, Margaret spoke of her career progression at Tenix and ASC, and of the perceived and actual value of higher degrees. Finally, Dr Cris Birzer MIEAust, a lecturer in sustainable energy engineering at the University of Adelaide, enlightened the crowd with tales of his career in academia.

As each of the speakers discussed their varying career pathways and the benefits that their higher degrees have afforded them, they questioned the value assigned to PhDs by the engineering industry. They then presented a few tough questions and considerations for anyone thinking of pursuing further study. Following the presentations, the crowd had the opportunity to ask questions of the three speakers and as the night progressed, the discussions were continued over food, drinks and networking.

Melinda Davies GradIEAust Parsons Brinckerhoff

Electrical College

Awards Dinner Friday 7th June 2013 at 6.30 pm for pre dinner drinks Dress:

Lounge Suit/Business Attire

Venue: Hilton Hotel, Adelaide 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000 Cost:

$110 inc gst (includes 3 course meal and drinks) Corporate Table (8 guests per table) - $1,500.00

RSVP:

by Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 by registering online at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/ECBDinner2013

Please contact Stephanie McMullen on 02 6270 6584 or at smcmullen@engineersaustralia.org.au with any queries.

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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MEMBER PROFILE Mauro Farinola is the SA Water Deputy Project Director on the Adelaide Desalination Project. Prior to joining SA Water, Mauro held senior appointments within the Global Consulting Engineering, Financial and Investment Banking Sectors.

Mauro Farinola FIEAust CPEng EngExec

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

to To focus on the effects of poverty in Australia, the importance of financial literacy in our communities, and to work with support agencies and develop strategies I have always had a passion for to improve the quality of life and redistribution of structures and understanding wealth to fellow Australians. how things work. Growing up I was surrounded by family who What do you feel is the engineering professions worked in Heavy Engineering, strongest asset?

Manufacturing and Ship Building. The strongest asset in any organisation is the diverse So, you can imagine my upbringing – this had a very range of people involved, their experience and positive influence on my life and I naturally made the knowledge. This is why mentoring and coaching is extremely important in our profession. It assures each decision to pursue a career in Engineering.

What do you like the most about the engineering generation of engineers benefits from the one before and continues to grow our professions capability. profession?

Why did you decide become an engineer?

It’s the way in which the profession continues to evolve and grow in the area of business leadership. We are seeing an increased presence of engineers on company boards and in senior leadership roles addressing a wide range of business as well as technical issues. By our very nature we are problem solvers, but rather than simply working towards technical solutions, we’ve made invaluable inroads in the area of Adaptive Leadership.

What are your hobbies?

I have a passion for sport, artisan cooking, music, wine and travel.

What is your motto?

‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ - I’m a big advocate of teamwork.

What would be your ideal working holiday?

To visit the Maldives and work with local authorities If you could have worked on any engineering to better understand the effects of rising sea levels project, throughout history, what would you on agriculture and securing sustainable fresh water supplies for local communities. The highest point in the choose?

Maldives is only 2.5 metres above sea level, only 10% Energy and water infrastructure projects have always of the land is cultivatable and the vulnerability of the fascinated me, aside from living the dream on the country’s groundwater resources is stressed.

Adelaide Desalination Project – it would be Three Gorges Dam in China. The project represents historic Who would you most like to meet? engineering, social and economic success and limiting Dalai Lama, he is one of the most inspirational leaders greenhouse gas emissions. of our modern time. He is committed to the promotion What do you see as one of the biggest issues of basic human values in the interest of human happiness and fostering inter-religious harmony and facing the engineering profession? the welfare of people.

The issue of skills shortage in the engineering workforce continues to impact particular industries.

Sectors of Australian business are still finding it increasingly difficult to attract, train and retain the skilled workers needed to survive and prosper in the current economic climate. I have a strong view that strategies should include effective skilling pathways, recruiting and retention strategies that include a balance of non monetary incentives and workforce skills development strategies in order for businesses to remain competitive and prosper.

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

The adaptation of smart phones and tablet technologies has really transformed the way we do business today. Going forward, eleven out of ten to the Engineer who develops a smart phone or tablet battery that lasts weeks, or even months before it needs to be recharged.....in less than 5 minutes.....

Why are you an Engineers Australia member?

I value being a contributing member and supporting the advancement of engineering and professional development of its members. The networking events, technical forums and access to information being offered to members are excellent and relevant in our current times.

2013 Black Tie Ball

South Australian Engineering Excellence Awards SAVE THE DATE Friday 20th September 2013 Adelaide Entertainment Centre www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa/events More information: Events and Communications Coordinator Sharryn Fensom 08 8202 7140 sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au

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 at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa where you see this symbol

May Tuesday 21st Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (CELM SA), Leadership Development Series: Session One Venue: Adelaide Pavilion Veale Gardens, Cnr South Tce and Peacock Rd, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Wednesday 22nd Mechanical College, Eminent Speaker Tour Tony Wallis - An Overview of Development of an Australian Formula One Engine Technology: An Example of the Obstacles Facing Engineering Innovation in Australia Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Wednesday 29th National Committee on Space Engineering and ITEE College, Emeritus Professor John Richards Australian Earth Observation from Space: Digital Earth, Citizen Science and Social Media Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Thursday 30th Women in Engineering, High Tea Networking Event Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au

June Tuesday 4th Engineers Australia, Chartered Workshop Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Wednesday 5th Chemical Branch (SA) with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and IChemE in Australia, 3D Laser Scanning Technology in the Process Industries Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Wednesday 12th Biomedical College, AS/NZS 3551 Workshops Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Thursday 13th Society for Building Services Engineering, Refrigerant Levy Revisited Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Friday 14th Transport Group SA, Regional Transport Infrastructure and Mining Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Tuesday 18th Joint Technical Program Electrical and Electronics SA, Large-scale Federated Ship Control System of the AWD Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Thursday 20th ITEE Branch (SA) with the Australian Computer Society (ACS), The Agile Enterprise - Supporting a Successful Product Delivery Process Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au

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