I am proud to take on the position of editor of Traverse, however I must also recognise the significant amount of work that is put in by the office of ISV and the EO Ian Thomas. Traverse is not possible without the contributions from our members and wider community. I encourage all members to consider topics of interest to you and how you could contribute big or small.
The cover of this issue comes from our recent 150th Gala celebration being a highlight of this our sesquicentenary year. Sesqui being from the latin more accurately translated as ‘half and’.
Cover: “From its ancient Egyptian roots, the art and science of surveying has facilitated the development of civilisations to become more indispensable to our modern way of life than ever before. Our community relies on the expertise, diligence and good judgment of surveyors in too many ways to mention. Not many people appreciate the complicated and often difficult work of a surveyor involved in the designing, planning and building of assets and infrastructure, or the determination of property boundaries, or the development of high-integrity, mapping products used to make critical decisions about our physical environment. I ask you to continue to safeguard the interests of all Victorians by protecting the State's surveying and property boundary systems, for the benefit of the community and the profession.” Toast delivered by ISV Director Linda Porter, ISV Sesquicentenary Dinner, 8 June 2024.
I have a keen interest in etymology, and it would seem serendipitous that I would myself involved in the publishing of a magazine. I hope you enjoy this edition of Traverse and I look forward to providing interesting content into the future.
Riley Ulbrich
Contents
Traverse issue 335 | August 2024
02 From the President
03 Least Squares - Revisited
05 Honorary Fellowship - Alan Timcke
06 Scott Jukes - A passionate fellow
08 ISV Directors in Profile
09 Ponder this Maths Question
11 Sesquicentenary Dinner
13 50 Year Flashback
15 SRBV Members Announced
16 Survey Expo 2024
20 Calendar of Events
21 Vale Ronald George (Dixie) Lee
22 Vale John Acton Dawson
From the President
The Keynote Address at the Survey Expo 2024 titled ‘The Maps that made Melbourne’ presented by Kate Holloway and Tim Hogan from the State Library of Victoria set the scene for the program looking at the historical surveys prepared to create Melbourne. The skills required to read these old plans is still very relevant today, particularly for the interpretation of old law applications related to the remaining land not under the Transfer of Land Act known as NUA land. It is estimated there could be 30,000 to 50,000 parcels of NUA land across the state, many are no doubt under laneways which are on Council Road Registers under the Road Management Act. These NUA parcels are often uncovered when redeveloping areas which include lanes or abutting lanes. The time to deal with NUA land and other remnant titles can be lengthy and affect the time for projects. What advice and assistance do we as professional surveyors need to provide our clients and stakeholders to deal with the NUA land?
The last few years have seen the continued updating of Vicmap with more information and improved accuracy for different layers and this enables better visualisation of the information and data and we heard from Vicmap at the Survey Expo. The biggest benefit I see, is that this more clearly shows the anomalies which have been hidden from view in the past, to allow us to be better informed for our clients and stakeholders. Licensed Surveyors are best placed to provide expert advice on these anomalies which can be notified through VES and be
placed in a queue for review by the relevant custodian to further enhance Vicmap.
Given NUA land does not have a Standard Parcel Identifier (SPI), this leaves a gap in Vicmap. So the question is not “Why is this so?” It is about how we as professional Licensed Surveyors can help to fill the gaps and improve Vicmap for all users, which will benefit our clients and stakeholders. For example, referral authorities which rely on Vicmap will have the information they need to make faster decisions on developments when it is needed.
If all Council roads where appropriate had a title in the name of Council, there would be no need for status letters from Council to prove abuttals which unfortunately take time. We saw from our legal colleagues presenting at Survey Expo, that a simple checklist of evidence speeds up a request for a status letter to support an adverse possession application. This is all information that we can provide as Licensed Surveyors. Another idea is to have a Council’s Road Register integrated into Vicmap, allowing for the complete information on a parcel of land to be found in the one location. This would enable us to provide better service for our clients and stakeholders.
The world is three dimensional. Roads intersect with various other features and with many of the current Big Build projects, the complexity of the land tenure requires a 3D representation to clearly define who is responsible for which assets and land or airspace. The current scanning technology allows this 3D environment to be captured with ease to define precise location of assets for land tenure definition, as seen at the Expo.
My focus for ISV is for a safe place to share all this knowledge and experience so we can all grow and work together for the benefit of our clients and stakeholders. This is particularly important to encourage younger members, while respecting the experience of our senior members and creating opportunities for the transfer of knowledge and experience. This goes both
ways when technology is considered as well as the old skills used for interpreting old plans and information.
By working together, we will be able to achieve more and improve the processes we all have to work with, particularly as things are required in shorter and shorter time frames with more urgency.
While doing all this we need to stay true to the Professional skills and behaviours of our profession showing integrity by staying within the limits of our knowledge and seeking assistance to expand our knowledge when needed to support our clients and stakeholders.
Professionals behave in a polite and respectful way in all settings no matter how bad a day or week they may have endured, showing a high degree of emotional intelligence and are careful to consider the emotions and needs of others through listening and observing. The ISV Board is currently working on a few things behind the scenes, including a new website and Member Portal, detailed Code of Conduct to support our Code of Ethics, our communication to members, and a liaison group with LUV to discuss various issues. Please let us know if you would like anything raised.
We have a number of exciting regional events coming up during the rest of the year, so check out Traverse and online for details.
Leon Wilson, President ISV
LeonWilson,PresidentISV
Least Squares – Revisited by Riley Ulbrich LS
What’s new with Least Squares?
Not much…
Least Squares has been bouncing around since circa 1800. With the introduction of computers and calculators in the 1960’s least squares has become a regular in the surveyors tool belt. So why do I care to read this article. Well for many cadastral surveyors, least squares is a tool rarely used, and possibly for good reason or not. The average suburban cadastral survey may consist of a handful of instrument stations. The quality of survey equipment, the standard of the most surveyors, and techniques used means the miscloses of traverse are well within accuracy requirements. Minor manual adjustments to enable closure are often sufficient.
What’s manual adjustment??
Manual adjustment often involves initially adjusting the angle misclosure to create a ‘closed’ figure. A typical angular misclose may be in the order of 10” requiring only a minor few seconds in each angle to close. Once the angle misclose is resolved the linear misclose can be dealt with.
Similarly, the linear misclose is often minor and may be in the order of 10mm and can be adjusted by distributing a few mm amongst traverse lines, typically along lines of similar bearing as the linear misclose. If you’re feeling jiggy with it, you may even consider a quick bowditch adjustment. The experienced surveyor could likely apply a bowditch like adjustment to the traverse by merely gauging the general lengths and misclose involved. This approach is more akin to the art of surveying than the exact science.
What are cadastral accuracy requirements you ask…? Here is your refresher:
SURVEYING (CADASTRAL SURVEYS)
REGULATIONS 2015 - REG 7
Accuracy
of surveys
(1)A licensed surveyor must ensure that:
(a)the internal closure of any cadastral survey is such that the length of the misclosure vector does not exceed 15 millimetres + 100 parts per million of the perimeter; and (b)the misclosure vector is determined as √(a 2 +b 2 ) where "a" is the misclosure in eastings and "b" is the misclosure in northings; and
(c)all lengths are measured or determined to an accuracy of 10 millimetres + 60 parts per million.
(2)A licensed surveyor must ensure that all directional and angular measurements are verified.
(3)If a cadastral survey requires the determination of a boundary to be related to the Australian Height Datum, a licensed surveyor must ensure that the precision of the levelling survey is 12√k millimetres where "k" is the length of the survey in kilometres measured in one direction along the levelling route.
(4)In making a cadastral survey to determine the location of boundaries to be defined on a plan by reference to buildings or parts of buildings for which no dimensions are to be shown, a limit of
error of 50 millimetres in any one measurement or one part in 200 (whichever is greater) is allowable.
OK, OK, OK, why am I still reading… Nothing new here, least squares is a bore to me.
Well, a couple of years ago some new requirements were issued for survey control:
- “Victorian Survey Control Requirements December 2022 – Edition 1”
What are these all about…?
This document is intended to support specification of survey control requirements in project contracts for: •major infrastructure projects –transport, water, utilities, etc. •property development – new estates of 10 lots or more •airborne remote sensing projects –imagery, LiDAR.
It shouldn’t be any great surprise that these requirements have been published considering there is currently more major infrastructure projects happening in Victoria than ever. So, is someone just pulling these requirements from out of nowhere….? Not exactly…
The requirements are made in considerations of various legislation and directives:
The requirements are aligned with Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping standards. (ICSM – Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping) -
Figure 1 Traverse Analysis (Deakin, R.E., 2012)
ICSM (2020), Standard for the Australian Survey Control Network –Special Publication 1, Version 2.2, Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Canberra, Australia.
ICSM (2020), Guideline for the Installation and Documentation of Survey Control Marks, Version 2.2, Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Canberra, Australia.
ICSM (2020), Guideline for Control Surveys by GNSS, Version 2.2, Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Canberra, Australia.
ICSM (2020), Guideline for Conventional Traverse Surveys, Version 2.2, Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Canberra, Australia.
ICSM (2020), Guideline for Control Surveys by Differential Levelling, Version 2.2, Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Canberra, Australia.
ICSM (2020), Guideline for the Adjustment and Evaluation of Survey Control, Version 2.2, Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, Canberra, Australia.
Some great Friday night reads above. That is said in jest, but I think we all know how exciting a bit of informative surveying reading it is. Wednesday afternoon is also a nice time.
Am I still reading this article… if so you may be getting to the good bit…
Victorian Survey Control Requirements
Part 6 outlines the requirements for Control Surveys using GNSS, conventional traverse & differential levelling, including Surveying data adjustment and evaluation.
Control survey data to be adjusted and evaluated in accordance with ICSM SP1 Guideline for Adjustment and Evaluation of Survey Control v2.2
• Horizontal (MGA2020) coordinates to be derived from a least-squares adjustment of the project survey control mark network constrained to the existing SCN permanent marks and nearby GNSS ground stations
(if connected in GNSS survey).
• Vertical AHD heights to be derived from a two-way levelling survey reduction or least squares adjustment of levelling observations constrained to VLN permanent marks.
Wait wait wait a second, ‘you can’t tell me how to do my survey adjustment’ said one surveyor. Well, you may be kind of right. This disclaimer is actually 1.3 of the document:
1.3 Disclaimer
These requirements are intended to help authorities, organisations and surveyors fulfil their legislative requirements and good practice principles in the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the Victorian survey control mark network. Surveyors are expected to exercise professional judgement when applying these specifications in the context of broader project requirements.
So, what now…?
Crikey, I haven’t done least squares since university, or maybe once or twice in the last decade, said another surveyor. Well you are in luck. There is a multitude of software packages that offer least squares adjustment programs. You don’t even need to spend a penny!
Sorry ISV sponsors who provide fantastic software at a cost, you are much appreciated.
Free software programs are available online such as:
-HAVOC which is a relatively rudimentary program, or -DynAdjust which is a bit more rigorous.
Alternatively, the paid for souped up versions, with the bells and whistles with detailed how to guides and video walk throughs are available at:
-Leica Infinity or -MicroSurvey Star*Net, just to name a couple.
Unconstrained versus Constrained…?
Constrained and/or weighted least squares adjustments allows for control of the adjustment to an extent. The surveyors knowledge and understanding of the survey may suitably allow for giving more weighted accuracy to some measurements over others. Alternatively, in reestablishing existing datums it may be appropriate to constrain the adjustment to hold a particular traverse line or angle.
The ‘purists’ of mathematical statistical analysis may not like your constrained network, but you may know your survey best.
The author would like to thank, Rodney Edward Deakin, for his generous donation of time and expertise in providing for some of the background to this article. The author would like to apologize to Rod for his relative lack of technical detail and expertise.
Honorary Fellowship – Alan Timcke
Having already received a fitting Sesquicentenary Award at the Sesquicentenary Dinner in June, Alan Timcke was suitably surprised to be conferred Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Surveyors Victoria.
Alan, a long serving Director of ISV, commenced his career with the State Rivers & Water Supply Commission (SR&WSC) as a chainman in 1953. Three years later he commenced his Articles under the watchful eye of Mr Arnold Windsor, located at Kerang and in the serenity of Bonnie Doon. During this time, he was involved in Title Surveys, Engineering and Construction Surveys across various survey zones administered by the SR&WSC. Like many going through the Articles system, Alan spent six months at the Titles Office learning all the “tricks of the trade” from a vast array of experienced surveyors. This wealth of training led to Alan passing all of his Board exams and granted his Certificate of Competency in 1963. Alan was admitted as a Student Member of ISV in 1953, advancing to Associate Member in 1963.
measurements to places far away.
Alan took over as Superintending Surveyor at the Kerang and Mildura offices in the 1970s and stayed in that position until the late 1980s when he was transferred to Armadale to run the southern region.
Once Licensed with the SR&WSC, Alan continued to work on Title and Engineering Surveys as development in the irrigation sector was rapidly expanding in northern Victoria however in 1965 he spent six months with the Dandenong Valley Authority showcasing his talents and skills as a surveyor in a smaller water authority. In 1965 Alan became a Full Member of the Institution.
Alan was a member of the C.M.F. in the Royal Australian Survey Corps and his training included 1st Order Tellurometer traversing, topographical surveying and photogrammetric control and machines. Alan is well known for his love of tellurometers and using them to measure extraordinary long lines for coordinating map control. Younger surveyors, technicians and chainmen working under him, would endure long days carrying the heavy gear up to the top of Pyramid Hill, Mt
During his time at Kerang, Alan was a well-known professional in the surveying industry and he endured a period of significant change and challenges for the water industry. Various salinity schemes were being put in place during the late 1970s to late 1980s and Alan was involved in doing the fieldwork as well dealing with office duties. Alan could be seen on Lake Tyrell in temperatures of + 30 wearing a tie and holding a staff.
Occasionally new technology was introduced, although Alan shied away from this and has done so successfully to this day, he does have a mobile phone and can send the occasional email but talking to people is far better.
On leaving the Rural Water Corporation in 1995, Alan commenced his own private surveying business - Timcke McIntosh. Alan also proved to be an effective teacher of
the TAFE sector in Shepparton. Alan always taught from first principles so that students knew exactly where results came from, and not just from pressing a button.
During all his time as a surveying professional Alan has been a keen member of the ISV and has served at committee level on a number of occasions and is currently a Director of the ISV Board. Serving at various times from the 1960s through to today, not too many members can lay a claim to this level of devotion. Alan remains ISV Standards committee representative on the ISV Board and anyone who has served with him will acknowledge his committee wisdom and wordsmith skills. Whilst Alan has been a significant contributor to the surveying profession, his Honorary Fellowship Citation features his outstanding contribution to the surveying industry by way of his involvement in the ISV. "Not too many surveyors have served effectively on both committee and the Board as much as Alan and for this he must be commended."
Alan has since retired from Timcke McIntosh, but continues to serve on ISV Board where he brings immense wisdom and a lifetime of proper practice and good governance.
Scott Jukes - A Passionate Fellow
At the Sesquicentenary Dinner in June, the ISV Board conferred Fellowship upon former ISV President Scott Jukes. The President of ISV, Leon Wilson, presented the certificate as part of a series of special Awards.
Scott joined the Institution as a student member in 1994 when he attended RMIT, graduating Bachelor of Applied Science (Land Information) in 1997. During 2001, Scott undertook the Graduate Diploma in Surveying Practice at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and became a full Member in 2003.
Completing the requirements for registration as a Licensed Surveyor under Barrie Bremner at Land Registry, which included some outplacement service in the private sector, Scott was Licensed in 2003 and is a J.G. Gillespie Prize winner, for the most outstanding RMIT Surveying Graduate.
Initially working at the Office of the Surveyor-General of Victoria, Scott undertook various roles including Coordinator of Survey Support, Licensed Surveyor and Executive Project Officer to the Surveyor-General. He played key roles in policy and legislation review and development, Governance and probity, project management and implementation, Crown Surveys, survey audits and survey quality assurance. Over ten years, Scott worked under three Surveyors-General, John Parker, Keith Bell and John Tulloch as well as under Barrie Bremner and Alan Fennell, who acted during the period.
It was during Keith Bell’s term that Scott was encouraged to pursue registration and undertake an accelerated path by completing the QUT Graduate Diploma. Barrie Bremner facilitated Scott’s candidacy enabling his Registration just one year after graduation from QUT.
During 2005-06, Scott was also the Professional Practice Course Coordinator at RMIT University, undertaking various roles including course re-development, lecturer, and subject coordinator for final year students. It was this role that required Scott to step back from taking on an early ISV Committee role. By 2007,
Scott saw his future in the private sector and joined Reeds Consulting Pty Ltd as a Senior Licensed Surveyor, working across land surveying, civil engineering, and property development consultancy.
In 2011, Scott moved to Bosco Jonson Pty Ltd as a Senior Licensed Surveyor. Scott’s experience continued to grow as he led and delivered professional surveying services for the property, construction, and development industries. In anticipation of Bosco Johnson’s acquisition by Veris in June 2017, Scott joined with former ISV President Andy Reay to establish Lyssna Group. Scott continues there as a Director, undertaking leadership roles and as principal land boundary and subdivision advisor.
Scott continues to mentor upcoming young professional surveyors, being Master Surveyor for no less than five candidates and there is no doubt he will continue to support the development of upcoming surveyors and encourage their membership of, and contributions to ISV. Scott’s outstanding service to ISV as a Director for over eleven years includes Honourary Secretary 2006, Honourary Vice-President 2007-09, Honourary President 2009-10, Immediate Past President 2011-12 and Committee Member 2012-17.
In 2017, Scott was one of the key ISV delegates, along with ISV President
Tom Champion, to front the Parliamentary Enquiry into the Privatization of the Land Registration, undertaken by the Legislative Council and Chaired by the Honourable David Davis, MLC where they delivered a brief submission and responded to the Committee’s questions.
Since joining ISV, Scott has been a frequent contributor to events and has also given presentations as well as participating in panels and committees. Scott is a key member of the ISV Sesquicentenary Committee. This committee commenced its work in 2023 and continues throughout 2024 as it develops ideas for the anniversary, a program of activities and pursues recognition of worthy ISV members and emerging leaders. Scott was especially helpful in researching ISV’s history and contributing to both the ISV and Surveyor-General of Victoria wiki-pages.
Scott’s Fellowship Citation reads, “Scott’s elevation to Fellow recognizes his dedication and value to the profession for almost a quarter of a century. There is no doubt Scott will continue to contribute to the profession in the coming decade and longer. He is an excellent role model for the surveying profession.”
Scott has had a diverse surveying career both in the Victorian Public and Private Sectors for over twenty-four years, and his vast professional experience and knowledge continues to both grow and be widely sought.
Are you passionate about the art, science, profession and practice of
surveying?
The opportunity to become a Director of the ISV Board awaits you. Nominations are now open and close on 3 September 2024.
Who are Directors of ISV?
Directors of ISV are diverse in age, gender, race, experience, however we all share a passion for surveying. Each director brings a different set of knowledge and skills, however as a board we collectively serve the members in the management of our Institution. We strive for the betterment of ISV, its members and the profession.
What is required of a Director of ISV?
A Director is required to have an understanding of the ISV Constitution, Mission Statement and Strategic Plan all of which are available within the website: https://surveying.org.au/organisation/ You will be part of at least one committee focused on either Finance, CPED, Membership, Education, Diversity, Community and/or Government.
What experiences is required?
Nil experience required; however past board experience would be preferable. Options for sponsored training are available.
How much time commitment is required?
You would need to commit to at least 6-8 hours per month including attendance at the monthly Board Meeting to fulfil your directorial duties, including adequately preparing for meetings, attendance and undertaking allocated follow-up tasks, as necessary, as well as being available for ad hoc discussions from time-to-time.
-Attendance at all Board meeting, currently 11 meetings per year.
-Membership of committees as agreed.
-Attendance at Annual General Meeting.
Will I be paid?
No, this is a volunteer role.
How long will I serve?
Successful applicant will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in October and serve a term of 2 years, at which time you may be eligible for re-election.
ISV Directors in profile – Baden Coates
Baden is currently undertaking his first year of Master of Engineering (Spatial) at the University of Melbourne. He completed his undergraduate studies in Bachelor of Science (Spatial Systems) at the University of Melbourne.
In his role as the 2021 Education Officer of the Melbourne University Geomatics Society, Baden aims to provide educational experiences to both new and old students and promote surveying to the next generation of students.
As an ISV Director, Baden has the portfolios of Diversity and Inclusion, Education and serves on the Finance and Audit committee.
Outside of his studies, Baden loves to experiment with both traditional and FPV UAV, as well as tinkering with cars and cycling.
Ponder this Maths Question Dr Lucas Holden, Program Manager Bachelor of Surveying RMIT University
The number of students enrolling into the Bachelor of Surveying Degree at RMIT has decreased from 63 students in 2019 to 35 students in 2023 (down from a historical high of approx. 75 students in 2017). This trend is concerning for many reasons, primarily the future supply of employees for the Victorian surveying industry and the pressure this creates on degree sustainability. When promoting our surveying degree, we make assumptions about the attributes of future students, specifically that they like working outdoors, have a strong interest in the natural world, enjoy technology, science, maths and problem solving. These require continuous reflection, particularly following the Covid pandemic disruption.
At RMIT Open Day (and other activities), staff in the RMIT geospatial science field enquiries from potential students about the surveying degree. Sadly, some students discover that by not completing the VCE Mathematical Methods (classified as an Intermediate Maths by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute or AMSI) they cannot apply to enter our Surveying degree, which has this maths as a pre-requisite subject. VCE students can alternatively choose to undertake Specialist Mathematics (known as an Advanced Mathematics by AMSI) or General and Further Mathematics (known as Foundational Maths by AMSI). AMSI released their Year 12 Mathematics Participation Report Card in April which shows that students undertaking intermediate maths across Australia is at an all time low. It is easy to hypothesise that the decrease in the number of students studying surveying at RMIT is correlated to the decrease in students studying Mathematical Methods in VCE in Victoria.
Statistics related to the number of students completing VCE Mathematical Methods is available on
the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) website (https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au / administration/research -and-statistics/ Pages/Index.aspx). The number of students who completed the final unit in year 12 (Unit 4) of VCE Mathematical Methods in the years 2016, 2019 and 2022 are shown in Figure 1. The number of male and female students is shown in the blue and orange columns respectively. The number of students who completed the Unit 4 of year 12 VCE General/Further Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Maths in 2016, 2019 and 2022 is shown in Figure 2. In this figure, blue, orange and green represent the number of students who completed Specialist Maths, Mathematical Methods and General/ Further Maths respectively. Please note VCAA have no statistics available at present for 2023 or 2024. Further, these plots do not include the smaller number of students who did not identify as male or female (Gender X in VCAA terminology).
Figure 1 and 2 confirms the number of Victorian students completing the final unit of VCE Mathematical Methods (both male and female) has decreased from 2016 to 2022. Figure 2 shows confirms that the number of students completing the final unit of foundational maths in Victoria (General and Further mathematics) significantly exceeds intermediate (Math Methods) and advanced maths (Specialist Mathematics).
Whether the decrease in students completing VCE Mathematical Methods students is directly affecting enrolment numbers in the Surveying program at RMIT requires further investigation. It is disappointing that of the approximately 15000 students (on average) who complete Mathematical Methods in Victoria each year, only a few dozens of students chose to study Surveying at RMIT University (in recent years). At RMIT, other programs have removed their Mathematical Methods entry requirement and have increased their
Figure 1 – The number of male and female students who completed the final unit of VCE Mathematical Methods in 2016, 2019 and 2022. The exact number of students is listed at the top of each column.
student numbers. For example, entry into the Bachelor of Civil Engineering at RMIT, now only requires completion of VCE General Maths and student numbers have increased significantly. A discussion between the Victorian surveying community, the accrediting Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria and RMIT academics is needed to explore this option for the Surveying degree at RMIT.
In another light, it is encouraging that there is such a large number of students completing VCE Mathematical Methods each year, who could be engaged to consider studying Surveying at RMIT. Unfortunately, Covid lockdowns stopped the engagement activities and long-term relationships with high schools that many surveyors, businesses, and staff at RMIT had established or
undertaken. RMIT University and the School of Geospatial Science are committed to help restart and increase these engagement activities. These may include high school visits and engagement with teachers and careers expos. The impact and scale of these engagement activities can be magnified with the assistance of Industry partners and alumni. Many activities can be aligned with those of the Surveying Task Force. It is possible to achieve a lot with very little.
More information about these opportunities will be forthcoming. If you can assist or would simply like more information, please contact Lucas Holden or Mariela Soto-Berelov at RMIT University.
Lucas Holden, Program Manager, Bachelor of Surveying, RMIT University (+613 9925 1956) Lucas.holden@rmit.edu.au
Mariela Soto-Berelov, Program Manager, Bachelor of Science (Geospatial Sci. Major) (+613 9925 9663) Mariela.soto-berelov@rmit.edu.au
Figure 2 – The total number of students who completed the final unit of either VCE Specialist Maths, Mathematical Methods or General/Further Maths in 2016, 2019 and 2022. The exact number of students is listed at the top of each column.
Proudly sponsored by:
Sesquicentenary Dinner - A Night to Remember!
150 years in the making, the ISV Sesquicentenary Dinner was held on Saturday 8 June at The Park at Albert Park and the photos will forever record the great sense of celebration and enjoyment. By far the most important element was catching up with friends, colleagues and luminaries from across the decades, but the pre-dinner drinks on the terrace and the sumptuous meal that followed under the memorable chandeliers was also a big hit. With a message from ISV Patron, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, read by the President, an address by Craig Sandy, Surveyor General of Victoria and a Toast to Surveyors by Linda Porter, the evening was off to a poignant start. Later, guests were treated to a presentation by the Director of the Great Melbourne Telescope (GMT) Restoration project for the Victorian Astronomical Society, Jim Pollock, whose calm wit and dedication to a remarkable feature of Melbourne and world history over a fifteen year period was very enjoyable. The GMT being originally inspired and managed in the 1860s by then ISV President and Government Astronomer of over 40 years Robert Ellery was not lost on the audience and there were amusing moments throughout the engaging presentation.
In keeping with the ongoing Sesquicentennial Awards across 2024, eight members were recognised on this auspicious occasion under the watchful eye of the inaugural President Robert Ellery whose illuminated portrait was projected behind the formalities, and they included Tom Champion, Alan Timcke, Rob Steel OAM, Eddie Cichocki, Rachael Musgrave-Evans, Peter Sullivan, Scott Jukes and Evan Webster. In addition, other awards included ISV Fellowship conferred upon former ISV President Scott Jukes, for his almost 25 years of service to the profession and commitment to supervising and mentoring next generations, and the highest ISV honour on the night recognising current Director Alan Timcke, as Honorary Fellow, for his outstanding length of service and his commitment to excellence in the profession.
Whilst it’s clear that it will be a long time before a wildly exciting band will be engaged at an ISV Gala to drown out convivial conversation, guests did take advantage of the giant lit up signage of ISV 150 as the backdrop to so many treasured photos, and the event will live on in memories for years to come.
Sesquicentenary Dinner - A Night to Remember!
50 Year Flashback
"AN ENGINEER OR SCIENTIST in need of an on the spot answer in the laboratory, a pilot making an in-flight course correction, a surveyor running a traverse in the field, a businessman estimating returns-on-investment during a conference, a physician evaluating patient data - it isn't difficult to think of everyday examples of people whose professions require certain calculations over and over again.
"(Chung C. Tung, ‘The "Personal Computer": A Fully Programmable Pocket Calculator’, Helwett- Packard Journal May 1974)
Following on from the original pocket size HP35 which first came out in 1972, The HP65 came out in early 1974. The HP65 was considered a significant advancement in technology being the first programmable pocket size calculator.
Student led rooftop event now a fixture
The second annual ISV Surveying and Geospatial Networking Night in April this year, led by the Geospatial Science Student Association and Melbourne University Geomatics Society has proven a popular way to build a long term relationship with ISV.
Following on from the success of last year’s combined universities event, the ISV was proud to host this seminar, providing an opportunity for graduates to present on their professional projects and share experiences about their employment to current students, and a way for industry representatives to promote the benefits of working in their field or organisation. ISV members are always invited to attend what is a complimentary event, enabling students to network with industry experts and members to observe bright minds at work, sometimes presenting for the first time before their peers. It’s an exceptional event which maximises the ISV Rooftop
It was standing room only at the second annual ISV Surveying and Geospatial Networking Night in April this year as students from RMIT and University of Melbourne gathered to hear from graduates and industry experts and a great recipe for future events for young surveyors and surveying seniors in the months to come.
space. In keeping with the ISV Board’s aim to engage with students and encourage long term membership with the Institution, the event was recognised at the recent GSSA Ball as a highlight to their
2024 Chinese Delegation
calendar. 16 students joined ISV in the days that followed and the ISV looks forward to building similar events for young surveyors and senior members across the next 12 months.
In June, the ISV hosted a delegation of senior surveying professionals from Jiangsu Province in China, and it was a great exchange of methods and achievements in this field. Understanding the similarities and differences in digital progress was very rewarding. The event included a presentation from the Surveyor-General of Victoria Craig Sandy and the President of ISV and senior surveyor for City of Melbourne, Leon Wilson. Seen here with Leon Wilson is Lin Hao, Vice-Director, Jiangsu Provincial Natural Resources Department, Surveyor-General Craig Sandy, members of the ISV Board, with special thanks to Yu Teck Tee, Project Surveyor, Department of Transport and Planning and Dean Wan Project Manager, MNG both volunteering their time as additional translators and adding real value to the day’s proceedings. ISV was proud to host this delegation’s only meeting in Melbourne, one of two meetings while on their 2 day visit to Australia.
SRBV Members Announced!
In June, The Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria announced that the Minister for Planning has finalised the appointments to the SRBV.
The Institution of Surveyors Victoria is proud to announce that of the three nominations submitted by ISV, we can advise that Linda Porter LS and Clint
Joseph LS take up their new roles immediately pursuant to s.47(2)(b) of the Surveying Act 2004.
Linda Porter has been a Licensed Surveyor in Victoria since November 2003 after graduating from RMIT with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) in 2000. She has worked in both urban and rural environments on a wide range of projects. Linda has been a member of the Institution of Surveyors since 1997 and joined the Board as the representative for the ISV North Central Group in 2017. She proudly runs her own firm, Measured Land Surveying and is truly looking forward to both the challenges and the rewards of this appointment.
Clint Joseph is a Licensed surveyor based in Warrnambool and has been a Director of ISV and the ISV Glenelg Grampians Group representative for the past 12 years. As Director of Joseph Land Surveying, Clint brings 24 years of experience in urban, rural, construction, town planning and development consultancy in the private sector and as a passionate advocate of community service Clint offers practical clear thinking, energy and a wealth of committee and Board experience.
Survey Expo 2024 and the Maps that Made Melbourne
The ISV Survey Expo attracted a large crowd large crowd and diverse range of ages keen to hear from the eighteen presenters across a wide range of topics at Encore St Kilda Beach in July.
It was an early start for the Young Surveyors Breakfast Session where ISV CPED Chair Greg Thompson presented on the importance of building up a personal reference library. Yen-Sen Lee writes, "Attending the recent ISV Survey Expo was an invaluable experience for me as a PTA candidate. The range of topics and speakers were diverse and interesting; not just for the technical knowledge gained but also hearing some of the case studies from other industry members. It was also wonderful to see some of the latest technology on display. I found it refreshing to see so many other PTA candidates in attendance and a great day of catching up with old uni mates and also making new industry connections".
Following a Welcome to Country and an address by the President Leon Wilson, a highlight was the Keynote Address The Maps that made
Melbourne. Kate Holloway, Preservation Manager and Tim Hogan, Principal Collection Manager from State Library Victoria presented images of their work in stabilising, conserving and digitising the unique map collection of some 27,000 plans and field notes from the late 1800s to 1950 revealing Melbourne’s development. A recent
will continue to require support as each volume is treated and ISV will continue to follow this massive project which has the potential to offer real value to surveyors and historians.
Popular with many was the presentation Roads and “roads” –so much confusion from Lawyers Lydia Eastwood, Principal Lawyer at RLW and Daniel Prior, Partner at Prior Law who generously shared learnings on a topic that particularly has their interest. As a result, they have shared a useful checklist for surveyors and lawyers which they have been developing and this has been shared with Members for feedback.
To further celebrate our Sesquicentenary, ISV Fellow Scott Jukes presented on his work recognising our prominent Founding Members and their contributions to the State and summarised the objectives of the formation of ISV, aspects of ISV purpose over time and looked at the key challenges and successes.
ISV Fellow and former President Scott Jukes addresses a full house at Survey Expo 2024 on our Founding Members.
Answering the needs of our young surveyors at the Survey Expo Breakfast Session was ISV Chair of CPED committee Greg Thomson, on the importance of developing a reference library.
An invitation to Government House
The President of ISV, Leon Wilson and Ian Thomas, Executive Officer ISV, were delighted to have morning tea with ISV Patron Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria at Government House recently.
This opportunity to meet the 30th Governor of Victoria in our institution’s 150th year followed the lengthy process of securing patronage since Her Excellency’s appointment in August last year and the acceptance of that invitation in October.
In June our President read out a personal message from the Governor of Victoria who was regrettably unable to attend a range of possible dates for the ISV Sesquicentenary Dinner, but our relationship with Government House, our neighbour just across from the ISV Office in St Kilda Road, remains very warm and engaging and we are most grateful. The 2009 painting of Melbourne by Jan Senbergs in the background of this photo was deemed a very appropriate backdrop!
Turning 150 - ISV Murray Group Celebrates
In June, the ISV Murray Group met for their special event Turning 150 – ISV Murray Group celebrates! which began with a convoy of members to Bonegilla, an historic site on Lake Hume with a layered history beginning with explorers Hume and Hovell, military camp and more recently as a tourist destination remembering the site as the first home to hundreds of thousands of migrants following World War II, right up until the early 1970s.
Organised brilliantly by Rob Steel OAM LS, seen here energetically presenting at Bonegilla, who shared this local history and including guest speakers, Peter Harper, whose remarkable work on defining and narrating the significant monuments to Hume and Hovell has resulted in a special Explorers Bike Ride opportunity for cyclists marking the Bicentenary of the expedition this year, and Bruce Keys
members enjoyed a tour and presentations in the education centre at this very well narrated and historic location.
Back in Wodonga, a wide range of
speakers presented for the remainder of the day which was a joint event with ISNSW’s Murray Group.
Seen here at Government House in June with ISV Patron Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, is President of ISV, Leon Wilson (Left) and ISV Executive Officer Ian Thomas (Right)
Notice of 2024 Annual General Meeting of The Institution of Surveyors Victoria
Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria provides Guidelines for Further Professional Education or Training for Licensed Surveyors in Victoria.
6.6.6 Writing a journal/magazine article and/or presenting a conference paper of direct relevance to the practises of a licensed surveyor— 3 points in the appropriate category for writing/ preparing and presenting a substantial article/presentation, up to a maximum of 6 points in each
FPET period. Licensed surveyors who present such a conference paper prepared by another author may claim 1 point in the appropriate category where the presentation is of a minimum half hour duration. Presenters can also earn further points for attendance at an event at which they deliver a presentation.
If you are interested in providing articles for Traverse magazine and/or presentations for events, please contact isv@isvic.org.au
2024/25ISVCalendar
August
Wed 07 ISV Board Meeting
November
Wed 06 ISV Board Meeting
Wed 20 Turning 150 – ISV North Central Group Celebrates Kilmore
Fri 29 ISV Christmas Seminar
TBA SRBV Conferral Ceremony and Reception
February
Wed 05 ISV Board Meeting
TBA ISV Summer Seminar
September
Wed 04 ISV Board Meeting
Tues 03 Colin Middleton Luncheon – Mitre Tavern Melbourne
Thurs 19 Turning 150 – ISV Gippsland Group Celebrates - Mini Seminar + Dinner, Port Albert
TBC Turning 150 – ISV Glenelg Grampians Group CelebratesLocal history celebration, MiniSeminar + Dinner
TBA ISV/CSV Joint Webinar
Wed 30 ISV Annual General Meeting
January
TBC Heritage Group Rooftop Event
TBC Young Surveyors Rooftop Event
April
Wed 02 ISV Board Meeting
TBA Wangaratta Regional Conference
and remained an intrepid sailor. In the 1970s he built his own 30 foot wooden ketch and later commissioning a larger steel hulled ketch in which he sailed the Pacific. He also working as a surveyor in the region.
Dixie reached the remarkable age of 100 on the 4th of July, an occasion where he received his ISV Sesquicentenary Certificate. He died but four days later, one of the last two famous coast watchers from world war two. The other, Jim Burrowes aged 101, remarkably died the next day.
Dixie was one of only a few World War II veterans who were selected to visit Papua New Guinea as part of a commemoration marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Pacific in 2015.
naval service writes, “Many other aspects of Mr Lee’s long and eventful life were also woven into the funeral service hosted by his daughter, Eve Ash, one of 10 children.
“Of Dixie’s children, six were from two marriages, two from affairs and two step children,” said Ms Ash who was the product of one of the affairs and only came to know Dixie late in his life.
“I only uncovered the secret 16 years ago through a DNA test with a look-a-like woman who turned out to be my sister.”
A filmmaker, Ms Ash made a documentary about the discovery called “A Man on the Bus” released in 2019.”
04/07/1924 – 08/07/2024
Born in Ulverstone Tasmania, Dixie Lee was first nominated as a Student Member of ISV in 1949 at the age of 25, having spent the war years as a coast watcher, serving in Treasury Islands, Stirling Island, and then Finschhafen, Milne Bay and Bougainville, providing significant reports including Japanese aircraft approaching Guadalcanal.
Dixie had earlier signed up as a coder with the Navy at the age of 17
Cade Lucas in his article for the Star Weekly covering Dixie’s funeral, which featured Dixie’s
Continued from Page 16
Continuing the Sesquicentenary theme, Sesquicentennial Awards, which have continued across the year, were presented to Clint Joseph, Rob Bortoli and Neville Brayley for their contributions to ISV over and above their membership and for their contributions to the surveying profession.
Rachael Musgrave-Evans writes, "Congratulations to all involved in putting together the program for the
ISV Surveying Expo. There was a good variety of relevant topics which kept the audience engaged throughout the day. I also think that it was good to have separated the scheduling of the Expo from the Gala Dinner. They are both significant ISV events and should be separate entities (as they were in the past) rather than being scheduled together on the one very long day!"
The funeral included a eulogy by Vice Admiral Peter Jones and a tribute by United States Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy whose father, John F Kennedy, Dixie had helped to rescue from the waters at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1943.
He leaves behind his wife Mem and he had 10 children, seventeen grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.
Image courtesy Australian War Memorial
ISV President Leon Wilson presents the Sesquicentennial Award to Rob Bortoli.
RONALD GEORGE (DIXIE) LEE
JOHN ACTON DAWSON 13/08/1932 – 14/05/2024
Friends and colleagues throughout ISV were saddened by the news of the passing of Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Surveyors Victoria John Dawson, who joined as a student in 1952.
Elected President of ISV in 1978, John also served as Honorary Treasurer 1972 - 1976 and was known and appreciated for his quiet and capable manner. John was conferred Honorary Fellow of the ISV late in 2023 and at a small gathering in January 2024, the
President of ISV Leon Wilson presented him with his certificate and this moment was featured in Traverse 334 in April of this year.
For years during his practice and well into his retirement, younger surveyors would often seek out John’s views and advice. John was very well respected for listening and offering confidential and honest guidance. He was dedicated in his service to the surveying profession for over seventy years and his devotion to community groups and projects was also unwavering.
John completed primary education by correspondence in Queensland as no local school was close enough to attend, later boarding at Haileybury College in Brighton. His Great Grandfather, Henry Charles Kempson, was the Shire Engineer and Surveyor for Berwick in the 1860s. Henry Kempson had joined the Institution of Surveyors Victoria as a foundation member in 1874.
John’s pathway into surveying started with serving articles under
Mr. E. S. Crouch at Dandenong and attending night school at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT University). John passed the Surveyors Board examinations and was issued with Certificate of Competency and license to practice on 6th May, 1958 and later joined Bryan Hill to form the partnership of Hill and Dawson in 1960.
John retired from Hill and Dawson in 1994, but remained very active in ISV for a further 10 years, being appointed or co-opted to assist the profession in several roles. The Surveyors Board of Victoria gave him the job of reviewing and bringing up to date, Part 2, Survey Procedures, of the Survey Practice Handbook. John also spent several years as an examiner of cadastral survey projects for the Surveyors Board.
To his family we offer our deepest sympathy.
The ISV Board of Directors and Representatives
President
Leon Wilson
Chair of Finance and Audit Committee
Mark Sargent
Chair of CPED Committee
Greg Thompson
Chair of Diversity and Inclusion committee/Education Liaison
Baden Coates
Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria Representatives
