TRAVERSE DECEMBER 2025 - ISSUE 338

News Bulletin of The Institution of Surveyors Victoria ABN 83 004 046 860

Traverse 338 December 2025 Patron: Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC

On a deserted road in the middle of nowhere, 2 surveyors cross paths unexpectedly and pause to say hi!

In this issue: From the new President, Education - A way out of poverty, 2025 EISSI Awards Victoria

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Traverse December 2025

In this issue

The Institution of Surveyors Victoria 206/370 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 T (03) 9326 9227 E isv@isvic.org.au W www.surveying.org.au Traverse is published by the Institution of Surveyors Victoria

Articles and photographs are welcomed for consideration Editor: Riley Ulbrich isv@isvic.org.au Administration: Ian Thomas ithomas@isvic.org.au Creative: Olivia Trabanino-Marchand admin@isvic.org.au Cover: On a deserted road in the middle of nowhere, 2 surveyors cross paths unexpectedly and pause to say hi! Linda Porter, SRBV representative and Director of ISV is discovered by our new ISV President Evan Webster. This is truly what surveying is all about in the field of Victoria! If you want something done, ask a busy person.

The views expressed in Traverse are not necessarily endorsed by The Institution of Surveyors Victoria. No responsibility is accepted by the publishers, the editor or printer for the accuracy of information contained in the text or advertisements. Advertisements must comply with the relevant provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Responsibility for compliance with the Act rests with the person, company, or advertising agency submitting the advertisement. Neither the publisher nor the editor accepts responsibility for advertisements.

The publication is produced by The Institution of Surveyors Victoria with the understanding that is not engaged in providing legal or other professional services. If legal or other expert assistance is required, a competent professional person should be engaged.

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What a year 2025 has been.

We have seen historic major state infrastructure projects Metro Rail Project and Westgate Tunnel project both completed and operational.

The inaugural Victorian EISSI Awards for Excellence in Surveying and Spatial Information See the spread in this issue. This event jointly hosted by ISV & ACSV was a resounding success and we look forward to an even bigger and better event in 2026.

The ISV Hoddle prize was awarded to David Boyle for his paper ʻA Proposition for the Hamlet of Portsea and Port Phillip Bay.ʼ After a long hiatus since last presenting this award, ISV was delighted to have this submission, and a worthy recipient of the award and prize. We have seen the introduction of the Licensing Pathway Pilot, a redesign on the traditional Professional Training Agreement. The vast number of presenters and candidates are ISV members, and it is warming to hear significant positive feedback.

The cover photo of this issue is in the middle of Rural Victoria with a complete chance encounter between newly appointed President Evan Webster and Director Linda Porter. I think this image beautifully speaks to the networks within out relatively small surveying industry.

On this, I reflect on the last year and the ISV initiatives to encourage engagement, networking and relationship building through new targeted events towards cohorts of different age, gender and career progression.

There is certainly much to write about. To that end I remind members that Traverse magazine is only made possible by the contributions of members. I encourage and welcome contributions big and small to your magazine.

Have a happy holiday break and prosperous 2026.

Riley Ulbrich Editor

Contents Traverse issue 338 December 2025 03 From the President 04 Surveyor vs Shrub 06 Membership - Constitutional Change 08 2025 SRBV Conferral Ceremony and Reception 10 Update from the RMIT Surveying Degree Program Manager 12 Education – A way out of poverty - By Paul Kenny LS 14 Regional Group Seminars 15 ISV Christmas Seminar 16 EISSI Awards - a night to remember!

18 Farewell outgoing President Leon Wilson 19 Finance and Audit Committee Chair Report FY2025 - Mark Sargent 20 ISV Survey Expo 20 Hoddle Prize Winner 21 2026 Events Calendar 22 2026 Board and Staff 24 SMES 25 Regional Conference Wangaratta 27 Jonathan Neilson Obituary 28 2025 Event Photo spread 30 Regional Groups

Traverse December 2025

From the President

Evan Webster - President ISV

I am very honoured to have been elected the new ISV President and am very much looking forward to serving in the role.

The start of my tenure has been very busy. I’ve been extremely fortunate having attended several seminars across the State, including the ISV North Central Group Seminar in Bendigo, ISV/ISNSW Murray Group Seminar in Albury and the ISV Christmas Seminar in Melbourne. Attendances at these events has provided an ideal opportunity to meet and connect with members.

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I am looking forward to working alongside our new Board, which brings a fresh perspective and strong representation of young surveyors who will bring energy, enthusiasm and new ideas to the table.

Recently, our Board members attended a Governance Seminar facilitated by Associations Forum.

This was a significant and timely session, as strong Governance is the foundation of effective leadership and essential to ensuring ISV continues to operate with transparency, accountability, and strategic purpose. Looking ahead to 2026, we will aim to strengthen communication and engagement so that Members are included in all ISV activities and feel supported at every stage of their career. I am also committed to expanding training opportunities—not only in core surveying topics, but across a broader range of areas that will help advance our profession.

I would like to express my thanks to outgoing President Leon Wilson for the support he has provided during my initial time in the role, and to outgoing Treasurer Mark Sargeant for his efforts in strengthening ISV’s financial position.

I also wish to acknowledge CEO Ian Thomas for his hard work and dedication, as well as our Board, Sustaining Members, business partners, volunteers, and our Members for their ongoing commitment to the organisation. To all new Members who have joined ISV this year—welcome, and thank you for choosing to be part of our community!

Referring to this issue’s cover, I smile at the thought of running into fellow ISV Director Linda Porter completely by chance on a country road in the middle of nowhere, as we go about our earnest and often solitary work as Surveyors across Victoria, that unique and time honoured work which unites us.

I look forward to 2026 and continuing to build on the strong foundation we are creating together.

Traverse December 2025

Surveyor v Shrub: Who Wins the Line of Sight Battle?

By Tim Dawson LS MISV

Picture this: a diligent surveyor, hi-vis vest on, navigating thick bushland in search of the perfect line of sight. Just ahead—branches, twigs, and native vegetation doing their best to block the view. So, can a surveyor clear the way without getting tangled in red tape?

Good news! According to Clause 52.17-7 of the Victoria Planning Provisions, the answer is a resounding yes. Surveyors are allowed to remove, lop, or destroy native vegetation—but only to the minimum extent necessary and only using hand-held tools. This exemption applies specifically when the purpose is to establish a sightline for measurement of land, and the work must be done by or on behalf of a licensed surveyor (as defined under Section 3 of the Surveying Act 2004).

So whether it's a pesky branch or some leafy interference, surveyors can breathe easy knowing they’re not breaking the rules—just clearing the view. It’s all above board and backed by legislation. Just remember: minimal impact, maximum accuracy!

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Traverse December 2025

Machete Ban Project (MBP) ISV is grateful for the work of Gerry Shone at CSV for pursuing the machete ban issue with both the key stakeholder committees and directly with Victoria Police in order to clarify and protect the interests of Surveyors across the State as they work. CSV recently published the following statement which we gratefully acknowledge: Following representations from some members in late June, CSV has been investigating the potential impact of the Victorian machete ban on the hand tools surveyors may utilise for clearing lines of sight. We have had extensive correspondence with the (MBP) within the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Victoria Police (VicPol) since early July. Whilst there may be some surveyors who use machetes as part of their normal work, CSV believes the bigger concerns for surveyors centres around ‘surveyors’ slashers’ (see image below) as the hand tool most commonly utilised in surveying firms.

Whilst the cutting blade on slashers could potentially be considered to resemble the blade of a machete, we have received written advice from the Licensing and Regulation Division of Victoria Police that a “'Slasher’ as a complete long handed tool is not a machete”. CSV had considered whether we should pursue a Governor-in-Council exemption from the Machete Ban for Surveyors as a class of persons but have concluded this is not warranted. Any firms which do utilise machetes as part of their normal work can apply for a Chief Commissioner’s Approval. CSV encourages all surveyors to ensure that they have appropriate measures in place in relation to the storage and security of any bladed equipment within their businesses and to be cautious in relation to the handling and storage of broken handle slashers in their possession.”

Image courtesy of Hand Forged Tools, Heirloom Tools to Last a Lifetime, hand crafted in the Victorian Bush: Handforgedtool.com.au

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Traverse December 2025

Constitutional Change

Membership Applications on the move

In a bid to modernise the ISV Membership Application process in keeping with the online transition that has been so successful for Student Membership applications, the ISV Board was encouraged by voting at the recent AGM allowing a changes to the Constitution in keeping with 21st Century professional body membership models.

In principle, the Board wished to make the application process as streamlined and inclusive as possible.

For example, given that applicants for Full Membership must submit their qualifications, including Licensing Details if appropriate, and work experience, proposer and seconder can become referees, who are able to verify the qualifications and quality/ extent of the applicant's experience.

In this initiative to modernise the ISV Membership application process, including delegating the decisionmaking process to a sub-committee, it potentially allows for a subcommittee decision to be appealed by the full Board, should either applicant or Board be dissatisfied with the outcome.

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The advantages of a modern streamlined, online friendly process, presents less hurdles for applicants, transactions and administration in keeping with ISV Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027 focusing on increasing Member numbers, particularly in a competitive space.

In response to the Motion on Notice passing, a new Membership committee has been established by the newly elected Board which, in concert with the new Governance committee, will update and circulate the revised Constitution to Members soon, and define and implement the online mechanisms required to deliver on these changes. It is hoped that the resultant changes to onboarding will be more responsive, welcoming and offer faster access to the benefits of cheaper tickets to seminars and events, with the added benefit of receiving upfront Membership fees as part of the Application process and in keeping with modern business practice.The Membership committee’s role will continue as the primary assessment of eligibility for Membership via the online process and reporting to the Board prior to new Members being admitted and gaining access to the Member Portal.

Historically, depending upon what time of the month a paper based, scanned application arrives, it can be some weeks before the Board process a detailed assessment can proceed, Minuted and initiated and then actioned administratively. This replacement action is in keeping with the ISV Strategic Plan, focussing on growing our Membership base.

The Membership committee is resolved to developing incentives, adding value and resources, and removing hurdles. The ISV Board understands that each new Membership counts, especially in a disrupted national membership space.

Once the new Membership Application process is in place, this reinvigorated Membership committee will be concentrating on delivering ISV’s traditional strengths, our values of caring for the individual surveyor throughout their career journey with education, personal introductions and excellent networking.

Traverse December 2025

Colin Middleton Luncheon

Enjoying the tradition at the Mitre Tavern This boutique event acknowledges members who have made a significant contribution to the profession and draws upon their wisdom, while engaging with the next generation of leaders within the profession. It’s a great recipe for conversation and for discussing broader industry issues in a private environment and the private dining room of the historic Mitre Tavern in Melbourne’s CBD continues to provide the ideal setting, with its attentive and discrete staff and excellent food choices.

Open to ISV Honorary Fellows, Fellows, Past-Presidents, Victorian Surveyors-General past and present and past Gillespie Gold Medal Prize Winners, all invitees are encouraged to sponsor the attendance of a young and emerging member of the profession under 40 years of age, their Supervising Surveyor or senior mentor as their guest.

This year, guests heard from then President Elect, Evan Webster in the absence of President Leon Wilson who was overseas. There was applause as Evan indicated that the ISV Board was 'in the black' as the Audit drew to a close, in a year that had been difficult for other professional bodies and the conversations continued positive and thoughtful. The Deputy Surveyor-General of Victoria, Eddie Chichocki gave an effusive response from the other end of the banquet setting, which captured the successes for ISV across the preceding year, updated the room on current projects and concepts and then he continued to take extensive and suitably articulate questions from the guests which was very informative and encouraged further discussion as the main course was served.

This event is again in the ISV calendar for September 2026.

Introducing New Member – Christian Tanwangco

Christian has worked in the surveying industry for over 10 years, gaining extensive experience across a wide range of projects. In 2018, he graduated with a Bachelor of Spatial Science Hons (Surveying) University of Southern Queensland.

He is currently undertaking a Professional Training Agreement (PTA) with the goal of achieving registration as a Licensed Surveyor.

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Traverse December 2025

2025 SRBV Conferral Ceremony and Reception ISV work behind the scenes remains rewarding The ISV has been honoured to continue its work with the Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria (SRBV) in providing the event support for the annual Conferral Ceremony and Reception for those newly registered in the previous financial year, their family and friends, and those who have played a significant role in that important journey.

By providing a service of efficient resourcing, legwork, venue research and preparation, ISV is able to do its part in reducing costs for SRBV by using our event experience to release resources and time best directed elsewhere. While this modest business arrangement does not involve us in guest lists or ceremonial detail, it does allow for ISVs presence at the point of conferral, assisting us in fostering relationships with the newly licensed as they begin they develop their individual career journeys and it is annual work that ISV proud to undertake.

Along with conferees, the SurveyorGeneral of Victoria Craig Sandy also presented long serving surveyors with special Certificates of Recognition including Geoffrey Patterson, Mark Stansfield, David Boyle, Gerry Shone, Paul Kenny, Michael Loy all recognising 45 Years, and for 50 Years, Ken Adams.

This year the special guest speaker was former President of ISV Kellie Dean LS MISV, General Manager Property Survey at Veris, who encouraged and inspired conferees and the greater audience with considered and excellent advice, with a focus on professionalism and conduct.

Celebrating 50 Years, Surveyor General presenting certificate of Recognition to Ken Adams

Special guest speaker, former President ISV Kellie Dean, General Manager Property Survey at Veris

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Traverse December 2025

Newly Registered Licensed Surveyors The ISV would like to congratulate the following newly licensed surveyors who have recently achieved registration after completing their Professional Training agreements or by mutual recognition from from another Australian State/Territory or New Zealand 2157 Darcy Du Mont 2158 Christopher Leach 2159 Nadee Gunatunga 2160 Andrew Chin 2161 Nathan Rudd 2162 Hugh Baird 2163 Jack Sandford

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2164 AdeleThomson 2165 Michael Switell 2166 Blake Trudgeon 2167 Jason Steger 2168 Glyn Owen 2169 Georgia Webster 2170 Yen-Sen Lee

2171 James Livesey 2172 Jonathan Cross 2173 Nathan Dorman 2174 Shaun Field 2175 Julian Lamont 2176 Graham Johnson 2177 Joel Collins

Traverse December 2025

Update from the RMIT Surveying Degree Program Manager Dr Lucas Holden, Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) RMIT

Dr Lucas Holden presenting at the ISV Survey Expo in July

Following changes to the structure of the School of Science at RMIT this year, Geospatial Science at RMIT has now merged with Mathematical Science to form the Department of Mathematical and Geospatial Science. Our current Department Head is Professor Suelynn Choy, supported by other academics in four deputy head roles (Academic Operations, Teaching and Learning, Engagement, and Research).

I remain in my current role as program manager of the Surveying degree. The structure of our degree also remains unchanged.

The VCE mathematics requirement for our degree has now been successfully amended to include VCE General mathematics (alongside any of Mathematical Methods or Specialist Math's) to apply for entry for the degree.

This change has been made to accommodate the concerning drop in the number of high school students undertaking intermediate or advanced mathematics in their year 11 and 12 VCE studies.

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This change brings the entry requirements for the Surveying degree in line with those of all other Science and Engineering degrees at RMIT. To accommodate this change, students will undertake a bridging mathematics course in their first semester in year 1.

2025 enrolment numbers for the Surveying degree have slightly increased. In 2025, 35 students were enrolled in the first year of their study after the census date (end of August).

This compares to 25 students at the same time in 2024. These numbers reflect the total number of students that have either articulated into the degree from the VE program or from high school.

This increase is very pleasing, but enrolment numbers must continue to increase to counter headwinds that exist in the present environment. To promote our degree, I have been actively participating in high school careers evenings, high school class visits, have delivered a Geography Teachers Association of Victoria (GTAV) teacher workshop and a joint RMIT/University of Melbourne Surveying Work Experience Day (organized by the Surveying Task Force).

However, the academic environment is no substitute for a professional surveying workplace. Academics cannot demonstrate to potential students what a surveying workplace looks like.

There are several ways in which you can assist. Currently, the Surveying Task Force has more students waiting on their work experience placement list than actual placements presently available within our industry.

It is not an understatement to state that many of our current RMIT students chose to study surveying because they undertook a placement.

If you can offer work experience, please contact Kim Hesse (Kim@alifewithoutlimits.com.au) to arrange a placement. Even, a single afternoon or a few days placement in your workplace will inspire a potential surveying student. Further, you will have recently received an email regarding the Surveying Task Force’s Partnership Proposal, with new activities that you can be involved in.

Traverse December 2025

Directors in Profile - Roger Whyte Roger Whyte began with Berry & Whyte Surveyors Pty Ltd. Portland in 1983 after graduating from RMIT. He was licensed in Victoria as a Surveyor in 1988 and has been a member of the Institution of Surveyors Victoria since 1980. He first attended Glenelg Grampians Group (GGG) meetings in 1980 and has been a chairperson of GGG for a number of terms. His firm is a member of Association of Consulting Surveyors Victoria and Roger has been an examiner for the Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria since 2010. Roger is also a Board member for the Committee for Portland and has a total experience of 41 years in the profession in the Western District. He is experienced in cadastral surveying (including Property Subdivisions & Crown Surveys) and has considerable experience in construction and engineering surveying work, on the Portland Aluminium Smelter site, Incitec Pivot, Portland Wind Farm projects and Port of Portland. He has experience in high precision detailed engineering surveys and laser scanning (Point Cloud) surveys including Portland Aluminium’s High Voltage switchyard.

Roger is always keen to embrace modern technology and has been producing CAD drawn Cadastral Plans & Abstract of field records since 1990, 3D Point Cloud scanning survey plans and more recently creating 3D Reality Mesh surveys using RPAs, commonly known as Drones. He has been using GNSS (GPS) for cadastral surveys since 2006 and has been a SPEAR (Surveying and Planning through Electronic Applications and Referrals) user since 2007. He has a number of subdivisions lodged and registered using ePlan. Outside of work, Roger likes spending time with his wife and family and playing on his 6 hectare hobby farm west of Portland.

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Traverse December 2025

Education – A way out of poverty - By Paul Kenny LS Paul has been a surveyor for 51 years in both Government and Private sector activities, working in the water industry and in the last 13 years in the private sector, undertaking all types of surveys. Paul also does part time teaching at Melbourne University, and TAFE New South Wales.

Paul has published at least 25 papers on surveying and document management and has presented them at FIG on at least three occasions, in Sydney, Helsinki and Orlando and is a Member of the Institution of Surveyors Victoria, serving as President for one year.

This might sound like a strange topic to talk to a group of surveyors about, but it is one that emphasizes the importance of education in all forms for all people. We as professionals know how important it is to obtain the necessary qualifications and the importance of ongoing professional training.

So where does poverty come into it?

Understanding the importance of education in society is fundamental to everyone, not just those who technically get the right marks to enter University or other tertiary education. And not everyone is suitable for this high level of education and that is okay too. There is no point pushing people beyond their natural ability, but at the same time they need to be ‘pushed’ to their limits and at least have a full understanding of the importance of education.

Poverty as we know is most likely referred to as being in a position of low socio-economic activity.

This is not attempting to put anyone down but an unfortunate position to be in.

Unfortunately, many people are currently in this position in the current economic climate within Australia. This paper is about education and the importance of having the opportunity, or of making the effort to seek out education in any form to improve, develop and achieve an outcome which will deliver a significantly improved economic position. It will also emphasise the importance of ongoing education.

It is about the level of courses run for many professions and the entrance qualification needed to get into those courses.

There have been discussions about dropping the level of mathematics required to enter to get more students into courses such as science, engineering, teaching, etc.

This all points to a downgrade in the academic prowess of teaching institutions at the highest level. Unfortunately, investment is declining from local and overseas students due in part to government spending and priorities as well as changing attitudes in younger people who may not want to Page 12

continue studying after completing secondary school. This in turn filters down the population and affects those who may be considered high achievers, and then what happens?

What is education?

What is the fruit of these teachings? Only the most beautiful and proper harvest of the truly educated – tranquility, fearlessness, and freedom. We should not trust the masses who say only the free can be educated, but rather the lovers of wisdom who say that only the educated are free. – Epictetus, Discourses, 2.1.21-23a Education should start for all at a very early age, at least that should be the plan. Starting early gives everyone a chance to develop skills useful in later life. Early education helps develop skills that provide right from wrong, instilling important values for maintaining skills of strong values. Can we identify with this? Remember the imperative on the days you start to feel distracted, when watching television or having a snack seems like a better use of your time than reading or studying philosophy. Knowledge – selfknowledge in particular – is freedom. – Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, The Daily Stoic –Education is Freedom, Page 10 All Members reading this will have had the opportunity of a good pre university education and have had a further opportunity of going to university and then graduating in a profession of choice. Many may get to the end of school and may not have this opportunity to progress any further. At FIG Sydney many years ago, I wrote a paper titled “The Other Surveyor”which was about those survey technicians and survey assistants who were excellent in their work practices but had no formal qualifications.

Many of these people did not have the chance to go onto further education or did not want to, so they struggled with a variety of work practices before getting work in the survey profession and improving their outcome. That was the aim of courses in the TAFE sector which catered for and still does for those who want to gain qualifications in the survey and GIS areas.

Thus, when we start to discuss education and in particular education that might lead to a career in our profession it is important to look at what is being offered at school which will lead to entry at University level. If, for example, I study humanities throughout school I will struggle at a University level where mathematics and science subjects are fundamental. So, it is important that students who are thinking about pursuing a career in surveying are pointed in the correct direction as soon as possible.

This then begs the question of when students should start thinking about careers in particular professions or technical areas.

At Primary school many want to be firemen or women, police officers, nurses and so on. As time goes on students start to think more deeply about careers and the areas of study they need to follow. And this is where problems start to appear.

At a seminar in 2024, Dr Lucas Holden RMIT, presented a disturbing paper on the decline of science subjects in students, particularly around mathematics. He expressed concerns that the hierarchy were requesting that the high level of mathematics required to enter the course should be reduced to general mathematics to attract more students. The relevant paper “Ponder this Maths Problem” Traverse August 2024 is interesting reading. How does it compare to your experience? Entry to the Civil Engineering degree only requires General Mathematics, where complex computations are required at all levels. How do the professionals cope, and what is the quality of the final structures being constructed? However, the numbers entering Science and Engineering have improved significantly, so the winners are accountants!

Educational Constraints

Up to now I have identified a couple of constraints in the education system to obtaining the necessary qualifications, in our case, to becoming a qualified surveyor.

By qualified I mean anyone who works in the surveying arena, eg. Land Boundary definition, Hydrographic, Land Development, Aerial photography, GIS, Construction, etc. These areas may require a degree, diploma or at least a Certificate IV in Surveying.

So, what are the constraints?

• Access to a full education to at least Year 12 in Australia.

• Access to funding for education, a major problem for the disadvantaged.

• Access to Educational Institutions, including urban and rural areas.

• Available mentors/ teachers for learning and guidance • Suitable subjects in curriculum at all levels.

• Suitable and cost-effective accommodation near learning institutions.

• Suitable and cost-effective travel near learning institutions.

There may be more constraints although these seem to be the main ones affecting potential students at all levels, even at a Kindergarten level.

Traverse December 2025

You may snigger at this but our youngest struggle to get their children into education, either through lack of facilities, costs or location.

As parents we are responsible for the very first learning strategies of children and if we are able to commence at the right level there is every chance our children will be given every opportunity to succeed.

Government Departments responsible for education have a major role in addressing the restraints so students can reach their potential. However, as we know Governments have financial limitations and education is one area that seems to suffer.

I believe that Government priorities should be Education, Health and infrastructure - in that order.

Education leads to better health outcomes, which in turn leads to better opportunities for all parties if they are willing to accept learning as a valued aspect of life. People at the lower end of the socio-economic ladder are less likely to be able to afford to engage in higher levels of education.

When you search the fee structure for a University, a single subject is around the $5000 mark. Multiplying this by 5 subjects becomes around $25,000 per year. This is a heavy cost for middle class people, so a real constraint to further education.

Heaven help international students, who may have additional costs over and above domestic students.

What is needed to improve the current system of education?

Who has a crystal ball or is willing to stand up and make radical changes to improve education and the outcome from various institutions? Lucas Holden has clearly earmarked the issues in mathematics and the need to remain on course through higher levels of mathematics for university courses.

For TAFE courses general mathematics is probably the best option because you are teaching a lower level of computations for the industries the students may be in.

Another example may provide evidence of this.

“Least Squares – Revisited” by Riley Ulbrich LS appeared in the August 2024 Edition of Traverse asks the question “What’s new with Least Squares?”. Riley’s quick answer is not much, but its importance is still being used every day by a variety of professionals wanting the best result. As we know it is not for use where blunders have been made, but where small adjustments of angles and distances are required. Thus, a keen knowledge of Least Squares is required, along with residuals, standard deviations, etc.

Victoria has just gone through a process of back scanning and entering this information Page 13

into a revised DCMB, which has been adjusted by multiple adjustments, to obtain the best fit of information. The DCMB is not perfect as it does not contain all available records, but it is a far cry from the old capture, that is boundary locations in rural areas have significantly improved from an accuracy of +/- 25 metres down to +/- 2.5 metres.

This is just one area used by Least Squares and there are many more. People using these systems need to be atop of these applications in order to be confident of success. It is important that these applications do not drop out of courses for the sake of expediency.

These are two examples of the importance of correct education to produce correct outcomes. So, improvements to produce those outcomes - after spending at least 12 years at school to take up a Tertiary education, students do not need to spend any more time than is necessary to gain a qualification. Also, students want to have a different social life than what we might have experienced. For starters they have more financial resources than we might have had, and they want to explore.

Thus, in surveying a four-year course seems more than adequate; it worked for the older generation, so no reason it will not continue to work for this current generation. Adding a further year in some cases makes no sense at all but simply prolongs the desire to get into work.

Courses need to be structured to the degree in question and not include general subjects.

These subjects were covered in school.

Courses need to be instructed by qualified people, not staff who believe they can teach them. So, teaching institutions need to embrace professionals from industry who are available to teach. TAFE does this well and students appreciate relevant instructions and proceedings coming from practicing people.

The use of professionals is very important as the number of Universities offering relevant surveying courses is declining. For example, South Australia does not have a University teaching surveying, New South Wales has only one, and other Universities are mixing surveying into general degrees. I have been at Melbourne University teaching Cadastral Surveying every second year and Land Development every two years, whereas I believe these units should be taught every year for at least two semesters.

Another area that has been in the limelight in Victoria is that of obtaining your license to practice Cadastral Surveying.

Originally a License was obtained by working under a Licensed Surveyor and sitting examinations after a period of time.

This was followed by having to obtain a degree in Surveying from a recognised University, working under a Master Surveyor and

completing a number of cadastral projects plus interview before the Surveyors Registration Board. This method could take as little as 18 months or as long as a piece of string.

The Surveyors Registration Board in recent years has instigated a review of the present system and come up with a revised pilot program that began this year.

This goes through Modules to be completed, so it is in addition to completing a four-year course at a recognised University. My view is that these issues should be taught at University so that students come out work ready, which in many cases is not happening.

So, this begs the question whether potential students need to go to University at all, or simply apply under the new direction, much like the original articles process, to become a Licensed Surveyor. One of the main reasons for introducing a new approach is the time it is taking current candidates to obtain their license, which in some cases is in excess of 10 years.

Again, this reflects what people want in their lives. Work is part of the social mix but not all of it, so obtaining a final qualification may not be seen as number one on the list.

Employers may need to be more proactive in promoting the License as an important qualification to obtain and at the very least send you up the wages ladder.

Where to from here?

Investment in students at all levels is fundamental to the success of the country and economy. Everyone has a right to education and the benefits it delivers, although for some this may not come fast enough. However, we need to keep pressure on the various Governments, Universities, TAFE, Secondary and Primary education institutions to maintain high levels of funding to Education which should not be a place for hefty profits.

Too many times, I have been in meetings with hierarchy insist on deleting courses because they do not make a profit year on year.

Enrollments vary from year to year and students may well select courses that are in demand or are popular. Surveying is not a popular course or profession partially because we do not get out and explain the role of surveying to the public.

This is mentioned at every seminar, but we fail to deliver. As expected, surveyors are very good at their jobs and more effort needs to be undertaken to address these issues with the public.

My personal view is that education should be free, but that will never happen again, and the term free has many interpretations.

So does Education bring people out of poverty?

Yes it does, if we have the right investment in Education that picks up everyone who wants to be educated and continues to be educated after gaining qualifications. And as said in the Introduction, not all want education, and all we can do is provide them with opportunities in the hope they will engage in it.

Traverse December 2025

ISV North Central Seminar Traditionally the ISV North Central Group November seminar and dinner is very well attended event and this year was no exception! Held at the popular National Hotel in Bendigo an excellent series of presenters began in on a November afternoon and continued through until dinner.

The Seminar began with a Welcome from ISV Director and ISV North Central Group representative Matt King and an update from the new President of ISV Evan Webster, fresh in the role but with plans and projects already in place for the year ahead.

The excellent program was devised by Matt King along with the Chair of ISV’s CPED committee Greg Thompson.

A real highlight for all was Susan Walter, Bendigo Regional Archives Centre (BRAC) presenting Traversing Through the Archives: Land Records at BRAC and Beyond .

As an historian passionate about plans and titles Susan shared her abilities and learnings diving into the archives and the Public Record Office Victoria. Understand how historians value and use these archives, and the services BRAC provides, including the land portal for NUA searches demonstrated the enormous value that she adds to her community and now to many surveyors across Victoria. Generous and with humour she delivered a remarkable depth of knowledge about surveying and the importance of tracing records. Riley Jordan from Measured Land Surveyors presented on his research into Low Cost Laser Scanning for Cadastral Re-establishment his final year University Capstone project examining the use of low cost laser scanners for cadastral surveying.

Susan Walter, Bendigo Regional Archives Centre Traversing Through the Archives!

This inspired many questions and much discussion which Riley handled with confidence and knowledge taken from his own experiences, before Matt King, Central Victoria Surveying delivered On Hiatus: Cadastral Case Studies. Matt’s technical knowledge, humour and delivery posed questions which drew some excellent discussion from those attending, before the Surveyor-General of Victoria, Craig Sandy provided an update, touching upon the Licensing Pathway Pilot experiences and the very fresh news regarding Treaty in Victoria.

Riley Jordan, Measured Land Surveyors presenting on his research into low cost Laser scanning

ISV Glenelg Grampians Group 2025 Seminar and AGM

The ISV Glenelg Grampians Group reconvened at the Roxburgh in Hamilton in August for another successful meeting and seminar.

Elected were: Chair - Tom Hardman.

Secretary/Treasurer - James Watson.

Committee members - Mark Dore and Ryan Whyte With Roger Whyte remaining as ISV Director and ISV Glenelg Grampians representative, a diverse program including an update from the Surveyor-General Craig Sandy encouraged questions and conversation from the region which is always valued by SGV and locals surveyors alike. One topic was the sad theft of the plaque as part of the Wade White monument at the State border, not long unveiled. The Group is looking to have another meeting early next year to discuss the 2026 Regional Conference at Halls Gap 15 -17 May. Page 14

Roger Whyte and Clint Joseph are looking forward to working closely with the ISV CPED committee to make the program rich and exciting with unique local content, diverse topics and shared methods of tackling complex issues, so that delegates can take away learnings and resources.

Another stolen plaque, this time at the Wade White memorial on the border with South Australia

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ISV Christmas Seminar and Networking

Recently Licensed Georgia Webster in conversation with Riley Ulbrich about her PTA experiences.

December delivered the final event for 2025, the annual ISV Christmas Seminar and Networking which returned to the Manningham Club in Bulleen, principally as this is right in the middle of the North East Link Project which was the topic of the Keynote address by Jill Stanford, Senior Land Advisor, VIDA Roads. This included remarkable insights and imagery that revealed the immense size and scope of the endeavour. To locals the depth and breadth is likely a daily experience, and yet when completed, clearly this will become a feat of engineering infrastructure that will be embraced by current and future generations of commuters and an style aesthetic from every angle.

Keynote speaker Jill Stanford, Senior Land Advisor VIDA Roads with ISV President Evan Webster Page 15

Currently this massive project is overshadowed by other tunnels and roadworks across Melbourne but for those lucky enough to enjoy this presentation, clearly the big reveal will eventually have it’s day on the sun. The giant windows of the Manningham Club overlooking multiple aspects of part of the project gave the audience ample understanding of the complexities of infrastructure well underway. Jill went on to demonstrate that out of all the Big Build projects, the North East Link (NEL) project was very much survey led, parcel by unique parcel, and her presentation included the remarkable and detailed work involved, and the value added to contractors and project management throughout the process and the answers to complex decision making that was available from accurate surveys already complete.

As if that scope was not enough, Jill went on to explain the level of detail required to complete the 3D picture underground and the constant relevance to the everchanging environment above. There was also a clear message that there was much work for Licensed Surveyors still ahead in the redefining of all the peripheral titles surrounding the project.

The program included a LASSI Modernisation Update from LUV Chief Geospatial Scientist, Dr Roger Fraser, sharing detailed results and encouraging participation and then ISV Director,

Riley Ulbrich delivered on his role and experiences as a presenter of Module 3.1 Land Law and Title Definition, part of the Licensing Pathway Pilot. As a comparison and contrast, Riley continued in conversation with newly elected and recently Licensed ISV Director Georgia Webster, a Licensed Surveyor with VIDA Roads, on the lessons learned through the traditional Professional Training Agreement. It was great to hear questions from the audience as they considered the various aspects of both training models.

To complete the program, there was a planned series of three related presentations on the complexities of the North Melbourne Survey Control Network, beginning with immediate Past President, Leon Wilson, Spatial Property Lead City of Melbourne effortlessly delivered on Controlling the Cadastre – North Melbourne Survey Control Network, posing the question Can a cadastral survey build a better survey control network?

This was followed by Kirk Mason, Digital Cadastre Production Manager at LUV on the introduction of the requirements for survey control for Melbourne City Council to support analysis of data sets within that complex and layered region of Melbourne. Finally it was Marc Centofanti, Associate Reeds Consulting, who addresses the requirements and processes required by SGV to increase survey control to support a more accurate Cadastre and the methodology used to meet requirements for updated survey control and cadastral survey for Section 35 plan of subdivision. All three presenters proud of their interconnecting work towards improving the Cadastre and amidst the detail, encouraging of all Licensed Surveyors to do their part wherever possible to do the same.

A large number stayed on for the Networking drinks at this busy time of the year, all pursuing questions and reflecting on the learnings from the day’s exciting program!

Final speaker for the day, Marc Centofanti, Reeds Consulting on increasing Cadastral accuracy

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2025 EISSI Awards Victoria

A night to remember!

The 2025 Excellence in Surveying and Spatial Awards (EISSI) Victoria was a huge success, selling out in the first 24 hours, the Boards of CSV and ISV were duly proud jointly taking on what is now an Australia wide event phenomenon for the Surveying industry and a recipe for future success. Held last month at the historic Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne, this was the first joint gala opportunity and guests were not disappointed by this inaugural experience.

Congratulations to the 2025 EISSI Awards Victoria Winners!

• Alexander Skene Award: Fiji Model Homes - Taylors Development Strategists • Infrastructure and Construction: Pakenham Level Crossing Removal ThinkSpatial • Extra Dimension and Innovation: Kananook Train Maintenance and Wash Facility - Taylors Development Strategists • Community and Sustainable Environment: Fiji Model Homes Taylors Development Strategists • Rural Cadastral Surveying and Land Titling Joint Winners: Brehauts Road, Glenburn - Thomas & George P/L & LarnOO Farm, Kerrisdale -Head & Humphreys • Urban Cadastral Surveying and Land Titling: Webb Street Level Crossing Removal - Beveridge Williams • Surveying Project Management: Westgate Project - Auspat Land Survey Australia • Professional Surveyor of the Year: The late Jonathan Neilson LS • Young Surveyor of the Year: Ryley Muldoon • Professional Organisation of the Year, Small Firm: Thomas & George P/L • Professional Organisation of the Year, Large Firm: Beveridge Williams

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Highly Commended recognition on the night included Landair Surveys for Queens Bridge in the Extra Dimension and Innovation category, and the City of Greater Geelong for Corio Bay and Bellarine Foreshore Monitoring in Community and Sustainable Environment. Taylors Development Strategists also received a Highly Commended for Eynesbury Township in Urban Cadastral Surveying and Land Titling.

The entries across the board were all of an extremely high standard and judging was extensive and exacting making an impressive and worthwhile process for our expert judges to whom the EISSI committee offers sincere thanks for their time and for coming together to meet, review and discuss the finer points of these remarkable projects.

We praise our sponsors for their generosity and participation on the night making our foray into the EISSIs such a pleasure including Platinum sponsor C.R. Kennedy, ACSIS as Silver Sponsor providing the exceptional pre Dinner experience in the Grand Vestibule and to our Bronze Sponsors Planned Resources, UPG, Active Traffic Management and The Surveyors’ Trust our sincere thanks. All of our sponsors enjoyed Award naming and presentation rights on the night and we hope that this prestigious event will continue to attract this important industry engagement and support.

Stay tuned for 2026 - Which projects will you consider entering in the coming months?

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Farewell outgoing President Leon Wilson

Leon Wilson LS, Past ISV President

Thank you and Farewell The ISV farewell and give sincere thanks to outgoing directors Leon Wilson and Mark Sargent They have served the members of ISV with great passion and diligence.

Their significant contributions to the Institution and the broader surveying community are admirable and have lasting impact. Thank you.

Another year for ISV has come to a close and so has my time on the Board and as President. I would like to thank my fellow Board members and ISV staff for their support and hard work over the last two years. It has been a challenging and exciting time with renewed friendships and contacts across the industry, Victoria and beyond. In reflection my aim has been to fill in the gaps of finance, knowledge and the Cadastre, focusing on a safe place to share our knowledge and experience so we can all grow and work together for the benefit of our members and stakeholders.

With exhaustive collaboration between the Board and Staff, ISV finances have been stabilized to enable enhancement of the core services for ISV members.

ISV members do not hold all the skills required to complete projects for our clients and stakeholders and it is how we work together with others that sets ISV members apart as professionals.

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Each person brings a unique set of skills and knowledge to the table, and it is working together with others as professionals that more can be achieved.

This requires integrity to know what the limits of our knowledge are and seek assistance to expand that knowledge when needed to support our clients and stakeholders.

The transfer of knowledge and experience between our senior and younger members is particularly important to fill in our gaps of knowledge. Which goes both ways when technology is considered, for example ePlan and the old skills used for interpreting historical plans.

By working together, we can improve the processes to be able to achieve more, particularly as things are required in shorter and shorter time frames with more urgency.

The best outcome is to be prepared early, the earlier the better to uncover hidden issues in documents and plans.

Our events have covered many different themes and topics as follows: This year started with the Summer Seminar 2025 with presentations about new developments in GNSS and the impact on the surveying industry, updates on activities within the Geodesy space at Surveyor General Victoria focusing on the updating of survey mark co-ordinates for use within Vicmap, boundary amendments and what is the most applicable application from both a survey and legal perspective and Land Use Victoria updates.

Two functions were then held on the roof top at the office at the start of the year for our younger and older members bringing them together to network and catch up on new beginnings and old times. A series of events have followed for younger members to catch up and learn about new equipment and how to use and care for it.

The ISV Regional Conference is a great opportunity to learn in depth about local issues in the region and this year at Wangaratta delivered on this, looking at Rivers and Lanes and the historical information required to define the boundaries; be they Crown or freehold including old law searching and ending withsite visits to the case studies to see what is on the ground, and what to look for when undertaking surveys.

The work has not stopped for Rob Steel and Greg Thompson as they continue to work with theWangaratta Historical Society and Council toname the unnamed laneways in Wangaratta’s CBD based on local history.

The ISV Survey Expo had a strong theme of education, learning and development, looking at how those gaps in knowledge can be filled, which was timely given the tabling on the 1 July 2025 of the Yoorrook Justice Commission's final interim report, Yoorrook for Transformation, and the final report, Yoorrook Truth be Told. These reports fill in gaps which are not well known in history and well worth reading.

Gill McEwen who is assisting the Licensing Pathway Program was the keynote speaker at the Expo, presenting on the Program and learning methods including the Golden Rule of 7. To transition information from short to long term memory we need to see it seven times.

The following speakers continued the theme of education and river or ambulatory boundaries, finishing with a look to the future using Drones and AI to record the location of these boundaries and how this information could be used to fill in the gaps in the cadastre. One more reminder to commit to long term memory is that the ISV Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct are available on the ISV website.

All Licensed surveyors are registered by the Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria and have a duty to the State and the community to ensure good titles are issued and the Community and cadastre are protected. This is the same for all stakeholders involved in the process, be they Council Officers, Land Use Victoria staff or service authorities, they are there to ensure the safety, amenity and ongoing benefit to all people in the community now and in the future. In closing I wish to thank all members for your perseverance and loyalty to ISV as thebenefit for each of us as individuals is magnified by the efforts we all put in together.

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Finance and Audit Committee Chair Report FY2025

Mark Sargent LS MISV

The ISV Finance and Audit committee (FAAC) support and give oversight to the finances of our organisation. For 2025 financial year, committee members Mark Sargent, Riley Ulbrich, Peter Sullivan, Evan Webster, Baden Coates and our Executive Officer, Ian Thomas give their support and wisdom at our monthly meetings. Our work is guided by reports prepared by Leyla Brookes of Final Touch bookkeeping services for the 2025 Financial Year. This year, we have again engaged Postan Miller and Associates to prepare the financial statements. We thank them for their services and professional approach.

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We are thrilled to advise that the 2024 to 2025 financial year has been a significant improvement on the previous few years with the FY25 audited accounts reflecting a profit for the year.

Ian and Olivia do a fantastic job managing 18 events throughout the year. This year’s events have included Expo day, the equipment maintenance workshop with CRK, the Colin Middleton lunch, the conferral ceremony, our 150 Seminar at Kilmore, our Christmas Seminar, our Summer Seminar, our golf day, the regional conference in Wangaratta, young surveyor’s twilight event, our golf day, a joint seminar with ACSV and a joint webinar with ACSV. A detail budget is developed for each event and gives us clarity on income and expenses ahead of approving each event to proceed.

It is pleasing to see new Sustaining Members come on board this past financial year. We have been joined by our legal partners Prior Law and Redman Lynch who have contributed financially plus by sharing their knowledge at seminars, plus free initial consultations.

ACSIS have extended their support through their ACSIS Fleet Australia business arm.

Ute canopy suppliers HiDrive also joined ISV as financial contributors plus an informative demonstration at our Wangaratta Conference.

The year ahead We are budgeting for a slight cash profit for the 2025 Financial Year. This does rely on your support as members to attend ISV events. We look forward to continuing that momentum and seeing you all at our upcoming events.

New membership applications have been steadily received by the Board, and we seek your support in continuing to encourage more of your colleagues and friends to take up ISV membership in the Graduate, Associate and Full Member categories.

ISV remains the preeminent body to represent individual surveyors in Victoria and provides a stable and supportive home for collegiality in an increasingly uncertain member services environment. It has been a privilege to serve on the ISV board and as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee over this past year.

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2025 ISV Survey Expo The ISV Survey Expo at Encore St Kilda Beach remains a popular and well attended fixture of the ISV calendar and the program, with an overarching education theme, did not disappoint. Our MC was former ISV President Paul Kenny, joined by ISV’s Moderator former President Tom Champion, kept the program running to schedule whilst allowing plenty of time for questions. We were in good hands. It was a big day that began early with the well attended Young Surveyors Breakfast Session with presenter Greg Thompson MISV LS, Operations Manager, St Quentin Land Use Consultants on the subject of report writing. Greg, the Chair of ISV’s CPED committee for some time now, offered generous and valuable insights to this audience. Following an Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome by President of ISV Leon Wilson, Spatial Property Lead, City of Melbourne was a Keynote address by multi award winning senior education leader Gill McEwen, whose extensive experience designing impactful learning programs across multiple industries has led to her role as Instructional Designer of the SRBV Licensing Pathway Program.

Gill was joined by participants ISV Member Amy Cripps, T Cooper and Associates, and Rupert Leigh, Department of Transport and Planning. Her insights into how Education is delivered in 2025, the future and methods of learning today along with statistics were well received and engaging.

This was immediately followed by a program update from Dr Lucas Holden, Lecturer at RMIT. Eddie Cichocki, Deputy Surveyor-General, Land Use Victoria provided an extensive update on surveying matters including Phase 2 of the ePlan Mandate, Vicmap Survey and LASSI Modernisation.

The audience was absorbed by David Rendle, Senior Surveyor, Surveyor-General Victoria and Óscar Garrido de la Rosa, Graduate Surveyor, Surveyor-General Victoria on case studies of Ambulatory (feature based) boundaries which included reserves along rivers and

creeks, State border determinations and Mean Sea level borders ahead of ISV’s legal panel of Lydia Eastwood, Principal Lawyer Redman Lynch and Daniel Prior, Partner – Prior Law exploring Section 32a in detail and how as ISV Silver Sustaining Members, their legal panel can offer support for Members as they navigate complex surveying issues. Always priceless was their vital interaction and Q & A. Rachael Musgrave-Evans LS, Town Planner at Musgrave-Evans and Gilbert Consulting P/L continued the education theme focussing on Supervising Surveyor engagement with trainees ahead of Simon White CEO The Surveyors Trust on the importance of invested Royalties delivering back to industry in Victoria and the day was rounded off by a vibrant presentation from Clint Joseph, Joseph Land Surveying, Director of ISV, and SRBV Board member on Pushing the boundaries: Drought, Drones and AI – Moving with the times. Survey Expo 2025 was packed with exceptional content and insights that kept the conversation going into the Networking which followed and Greg Thompson and the CPED committee should be congratulated for their theming and detail across the program.

The ISV Hoddle Prize

Prestigious recognition for which all Members should strive in 2026

After a considerable leave of absence, the ISV Hoddle Prize emerged once more at this year’s EISSI Awards Victoria, awarded to David Boyle for his presentation and subsequent

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substantial paper on the Fox case A Proposition for the Hamlet of Portsea and Port Phillip Bay - To accrete or not to accrete – that is the real question published in Traverse.

Judged by the ISV Hoddle Prize Panel, Members considering entering should be aware that it still carries with it $2000 in prize money!Robert Hoddle 1794 – 1881 was a surveyor and artist and was the first Surveyor General of Victoria.

He became Surveyor-General upon the proclamation of the Port Phillip District as the new Colony of Victoria within the British Empire in July 1851 and is especially recognized for the design and layout of the Hoddle Grid in 1837, the area which forms the central business district of Melbourne.

This historic ISV prize for excellence in surveying represents a great opportunity for Surveyors within Victoria to promote their achievements. The ISV Hoddle Prize represents a great opportunity for Surveyors to promote their achievements, and nominations are considered by a judging panel based on papers submitted for publication, a surveying project, achievements in PostGraduate Survey Study or a notable achievement in Surveying.

So if you have a special project or survey research paper that you consider worthy of the ISV Hoddle Prize and on which you would like to present at a seminar by the end of May and or submit for publication prior to August 2026, please contact Ian Thomas, CEO of ISV to discuss the opportunities available: ithomas@isvic.org.au

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2026 ISV Calendar January

February Wed 04 ISV Board Meeting Thur 05 ISV Young Surveyors Rooftop event Wed 11 ISV Heritage Rooftop Luncheon Fri 13 ISV Golf Day Fri 20 ISV Summer Seminar

April Wed 01 ISV Board Meeting Mon 13 ISV Rooftop Student Led Seminar

July Wed 01 ISV Board Meeting Fri 24 ISV Survey Expo

October Wed 07 ISV Board Meeting TBC ISV Annual General Meeting SAT 10 CSV/ISV Joint EISSI Awards TBC

*Calendar subject to change

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May Wed 06 ISV Board Meeting 15-17 ISV Halls Gap Regional Conference TBC ISV/CSV Joint Seminar

August Wed 05 ISV Board Meeting TBC Young Surveyors Urban event TBC Young Surveyors Regional event TBC Conferral Ceremony and reception TBC ISV Glenelg Grampians Group

November Wed 04 ISV Board Meeting Thurs 12 ISV North Central Group Seminar TBC

March Wed 04 ISV Board Meeting Mon 09 Labour Day Public Holiday TBC International Womens Day Luncheon

June Wed 03 ISV Board Meeting Mon 08 King’s Birthday Public Holiday TBC ISV/CSV Joint Webinar TBC ISV Murray Group Seminar

September Wed 02 ISV Board Meeting Wed 23 Colin Middleton Luncheon TBC ISV Gippsland Group Seminar

December Wed 02 ISV Board Meeting Fri 04 ISV Christmas Seminar and Networking

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The ISV Board and Staff 2025/2026 President Evan Webster Directors:

Regional Group Representatives:

Riley Ulbrich

Gippsland Group Josh King

Glenelg Grampians Group Roger Whyte

Baden Coates

North Central Group Matthew King

Patrice Moloney Georgia Webster

Murray Group Paul Smithwick

Morgan Granger Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria Representatives

Chief Executive Officer, Company Secretary Ian Thomas

ACSV Representative Paul Murrihy

Administration, Marketing and Communications Olivia Trabanino-Marchand

Linda Porter and Clint Joseph

Tertiary Student Representatives Jayden Storay (RMIT) Gabriella Yudhanti (University of Melbourne)

ISV Office: Suite 206, 370 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Victoria 3004 Telephone: (03) 9326 9227

Proudly sponsored by: Platinum sustaining member: C.R Kennedy

Silver Sustaining Members: Acsis, Acsis Fleet, Prior Law, RLW

General Sustaining Members: Listech, Techrentals

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Digital cadastre analysis uncovers more than 6000 additional permanent survey marks across Victoria

Detailed examination of Victoria’s digital cadastre data has led to the registration of 6,227 additional permanent survey marks in the Survey Marks Enquiry Service (SMES). This significant update will benefit surveyors accessing permanent mark information and support improved project planning and survey efficiency as well as alignment of surveys and spatial information across Victoria.

Land Use Victoria engaged the Jacobs Digital Solutions team for this comprehensive, state-wide analysis of back-captured LandXML plans to identify unregistered permanent marks.

Assessment of street-level imagery verified the physical existence of permanent marks prior to preparing permanent mark sketches and registering in SMES.

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The Land Use Victoria Digital Cadastre Modernisation (DCM) project involved digitising cadastral plan and survey information, which was combined and adjusted to derive improved positions for property parcels. The digital cadastre adjustment is based on connections to permanent marks that have accurate coordinates published in SMES. Analysis of the digital cadastre data identified 12,604 permanent marks across Victoria that were not registered in SMES. These unregistered permanent marks were assessed and when verified to exist were registered in SMES with a digitally compiled permanent mark sketch plan (see image). Surveyors who come across these permanent marks in the field are encouraged to prepare and submit a supplementary sketch plan including measurement connections to nearby features.

Of the 6,227 permanent marks found and registered in this project, 5,516 were located around metropolitan areas and 711 in rural areas. The discovery of the large number of unregistered permanent marks in metropolitan areas is attributed to the increased number of permanent marks in development areas and enhanced ability to verify their existence from street-level imagery.

This initiative captured information about permanent marks that surveyors have physically installed and connected to in cadastral surveys but neglected to register in SMES. Surveyors in Victoria are reminded of the requirements to register in SMES all permanent marks they install or find, as per the Survey Co-ordination Regulations 2024. Land Use Victoria appreciates the assistance of surveyors in the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the permanent mark network, for the benefit of the surveying industry in Victoria.

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2025 ISV Wangaratta Regional Conference A big program, well attended!

Inspired by locals Rob Steel OAM from the ISV Murray Group, and CPED Chair Greg Thompson, the event immediately delivered on their connections and knowledge and featured an investigative approach to local roads and unusual and in some cases as yet to be resolved roadways and titles within this historic location on the Ovens River which was a recurring theme. Friday of the Conference weekend began with a PTA session led by ISVs SRBV representative and Director, Linda Porter on current insights and requirements, with Morgan Granger on learnings from recent Cadastral Projects and was magnetic to candidates and Licensed Surveyors alike. The main event began with an Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome from the President Leon Wilson who introduced an address from the Mayor of Rural City of Wangaratta, Irene Grant. Mayor Irene Grant worked for many years as a journalist at North East newspapers before becoming a Communications Manager for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in the North East Region and had much to offer the surveying community. Rob Steel OAM and Fellow of ISV was in his element addressing Crown land Versus Freehold – 20 & 22-24 Chisholm Street abutting the King River which included a discussion in regard to land alienation and natural boundaries and included examples around Wangaratta.

Title Plan distances to the river, and unclear definitions of top of bank drew great engagement from the audience. This was followed by the equally fascinating Greg Thompson LS MISV, Operations Manager St Quentin Land Use Consultants and passionate Chair of ISV’s CPED committee on the range of NUA / Remnant Lanes in the Wangaratta CBD and posed questions on how to improve existing systems to rectify issues.

MC Paul Kenny with local solicitor Mike Noble and Rob Steel OAM

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Regional Dinner with Tania Maxwell

The remainder of the first day included Survey Audit program insights from Ange Dimas, Manager Cadastral Infrastructure and Standards, Surveyor-General Victoria and a presentation from the SurveyorGeneral of Victoria Craig Sandy. The traditional Friday Night Networking Night followed at The Railyard and featured excellent food and service and a great online interactive knowledge quiz arranged by ISV Director and Murray Group representative, Paul Smithwick.

Saturday began with surveying insurance expert Paul Mather from ACSIS with sage advice regarding liabilities and details of the timely launch of ACSIS Fleet Australia before Rob Steel OAM returned regarding PROV records for original Crown parcel surveys. Interestingly Rob focussed on the differences between the original Crown surveys at PROV which have not been digitised, and how this compares to the dimensions stated on the current Crown plan. This was followed by a presentation

by Ken Toleman LS MISV from Geocomp Consulting on the Wangaratta CBD spatial upgrade and what has been learned from the spatial upgrade of the Wangaratta CBD and the City of Bundoora. Continuing a theme of access to historic plans, From Queensland to Victoria: How Surveyors Hunt for History was the next presentation from Angus Scown, Chief Technology Officer – Terrain at Dye and Durham. Angus explored how cadastral surveyors approach the search for old plans and titles across different the different States in Australia.

What followed as an engaging conversation using particular case studies in Wangaratta between Mike Noble – Solicitor and Real Estate Director, Garry Nash and Co, and Rob Steel OAM attracting a great question and answer opportunity for the audience.

Mayor Irene Grant thanked by then President of ISV Leon Wilson

Before delegates broke into groups for an informative walking experience through the title conundrums and history of the township there was a briefing of the case studies involved from Greg Thompson, then Licensed Surveyors, Rob Steel, Paul Smithwick, Paul Kenny, who had been our excellent MC throughout the Conference and Greg Thompson lead walking groups leaving our venue at the Gateway Hotel.

Numbers were maintained at the Regional Dinner where guests heard from Cr Tania Maxwell, Former Member of the Victorian Parliament, serving the Electorate of Northern Victoria 2018 – 2022. On arriving in Wangaratta she became a youth worker and studied mental health and that is where she remains a passionate member of the community. Her personal experiences led to a passionate focus on victim advocacy and youth work which is what drove her to make a difference by entering politics. In 2020 she successfully put a motion in Victoria's Parliament to establish an inquiry into Victoria's criminal justice system by the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee, of which she had been a member since 2019. The inquiry's first hearing was held in Wangaratta. The committee reported on March 24, 2021, making 100

recommendations to reform the State's criminal justice system. Her personal story was compelling, honest and at times moving.

The sunny day which followed included a Cadastral and historic convoy across the Oxley Flats led by Rob Steel OAM, before arriving at the lunch destination under trees at Sam Miranda King Valley Winery at Oxley which did not disappoint!

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50 Year Flashback!

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Jonathan Paul Neilson

28/10/1981 – 05/06/2025

At the inaugural EISSI Awards Victoria in October, the 2025 Professional Surveyor of the Year was awarded posthumously to Johnathan Neilson LS MISV ISV Director and Chair of the ISV Gippsland Group. The judges found excellence not only in his life’s work, commitments to community and passion for surveying, but also in the quality of the submission which supported the nomination. The result was a bittersweet moment for everyone who knew him and a powerful and beautiful acceptance speech by his young son Jesse.

Jono grew up in a small town, the second eldest of seven children. In that environment, it was instilled in him that voluntary service was vital to the functioning of a cohesive community.

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Whether it be fundraising for church, football or the local community health service, he understood that communities don’t just happen, they need people to donate their time and effort to make the wheels turn.

This was reflected in the incredible attendances at his funeral from so many central parts of his life within the community and surveying.

Jonathan was a caring member of ISV who took responsibility very seriously. He had purchased his surveying business from Chris Morris LS in 2016 and neither Chris, his clients or the community was disappointed.

The development into Gippsland Licensed Surveyors resulted in a strong business with dedicated staff, including training opportunities and professional development.

His default position was doing what was right, appropriate, and in the best interests of the community. He erred on the side of caution and yet in relation to ISV he was progressive, forward thinking and intuitive.

His contribution to ISV Board discussions was often outstanding and filled with suggestions, propositions and new ideas backed up with contacts and research. Socially was a keen observer of life and brought with him to events a great and quick sense of humour, cheeky observation and dry wit.

Jonathan was a kind person and a dedicated Licensed Surveyor.

Some of his hopes and ideas for ISV included Encouraging diversity, acceptance and respectful communications, encouraging Membership referrals, encouraging general surveying staff to attend events, maximising Government Grant opportunities.

Jonathan was in the process of organising an inaugural Town Planning/Surveying event as the next ISV Gippsland Group event, bringing the two fields of endeavour closer together to share processes and knowledge.

He is particularly remembered for his contribution to the Sesquicentenary event Turning 150 – ISV Gippsland Group Celebrates in 2024 where he meticulously developed a program of history surrounding the Port Albert settlement, cultural heritage, pioneering surveying and who understood and expressed history with exacting clarity and understanding.

Jonathan is buried at the pioneering end of the expansive Alberton Cemetery, at the exact location that was so central to the Sesquicentenary day of history he had organised, and where light had been shed on the local indigenous, surveying and pastoralist histories combined; subjects that were all dear to his knowledge of Orrs 1842 Special Survey, pioneering surveyors and his own family history.

Jono leaves behind his beloved wife Jayne and three young children Jesse, Ashlyn and Heidi Local Port Albert historian, client and pioneer descendant Esme Rash OAM said of Jonathan he, “did not just ‘measure’ the land – he really cared about the history of it. I am sure his enthusiasm for that history has made many of his surveys much more interesting to the owners of that land.”

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2025 Events

Riley Ulbrich with golf trophy winner Alan Pratt Planned Resources; Rachael Musgrave-Evans with Paul Kenny, Survey Expo; Evan Webster with Matt King, North Central Seminar; Roger Fraser presents at the Christmas Seminar; Tom Champion with Clint Joseph at Survey Expo; Mark Newlands, Most Outstanding Student in Surveying with Riley Ulbrich RMIT Ball; Shaun Macallef demonstrating Hidrive at Wangaratta Regional Conference; Paul Kenny, Gill McEwan, Amy Cripps, Rupert Leigh and Ian Thomas at Survey Expo Page 28

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Women in Surveying Networking Hickens Hotel Rooftop; Riley Ulbrich presenting RJ Love Memorial Prize winner to Henry Wade RMIT; Women in Surveying Networking event; CR Kennedy Longest Drive winner awarded to Ben Jones by Peter Madsen from CR Kennedy on right; As players head off for beautiful day of golf at La Trobe in March; Inaugural Women in Surveying Networking event in November.

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Regional Groups ISV Murray Group - Paul Smithwick LS MISV, ISV Director, ISV Murray Group Representative The Murray Group has had a very busy 12 months hosting the regional conference in Wangaratta, being involved in the Tri-State Seminar in Canberra and co-hosting an event in Albury/Wodonga in late 2024, including hosting a group celebrating the Bicentenary of the Hume and Hovell expedition. Lots of hard work culminated in very informative events held in the beautiful Northeast weather. The ISV Wangaratta Regional Conference was especially significant with many thanks to Greg Thompson, Rob Steel and the CPED committee for providing us with an interesting program and Ian Thomas for bringing the event together.

We partner with ISNSW on many items which allows us to continue providing diverse content and to encourage communication on both sides of the border.

The year ahead looks bright with many good events planned and new enthusiasm to continue the Murray Group tradition. See you in 2025-2026 in the North-East!

ISV President Leon Wilson with guest speaker at the Regional Dinner, , Tania Maxwell Former Member of the Victorian Parliament.

Paul Smithwick hosts an interactive online phone based quiz on local knowledge and information shared across Day 1 of the Conference

Ange Dimas, SGV presents.

ISV North Central Group - Matthew King LS MISV, ISV Director, ISV North Central Group Representative

During 2025, the ISV, through the hard work of Greg Thompson & Leon Wilson, has enabled access to the Public Records Office of Victoria’s (PROV) Old Land Titles system in several regional libraries throughout Victoria. This has enabled old general law land searching at the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre, where we once had to engage a professional searching company or make the trek to PROV in North Melbourne. A fantastic initiative and valuable resource for local members.

The ISV North Central Group held their annual seminar on 13 November at the National Hotel in Bendigo and this event built upon the success of the events held towards the end of 2024.

Craig Sandy, Surveyor-General Victoria updates the Group

Matt King thanks extraordinary guest speaker Susan Walter from the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre

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Matt King presents on Hiatus case studies which encouraged excellent engagement form those present

Traverse December 2025

ISV Gippsland Group - Josh King LS MISV, ISV Director and ISV Gippsland Group Representative.

The ISV Gippsland Group is attempting to come to terms with the loss of ISV Board Director Jonathan Neilson, Chair of the Group and our representative, in June 2025. His energy and enthusiasm for the community will be sadly missed and his extraordinary funeral attracted very large numbers of the Gippsland community where he was a devoted member.

We can’t forget the work he put into the sesquicentenary celebrations for our group with Turning 150 – ISV Gippsland Group celebrates in 2024. The warmth and success of this event at historic Port Albert, which began with the Gippsland Group AGM and Morning Tea, was due much to Jono’s family connections within the region and in particular local historians, the Port Albert Maritime Museum, the fascinating Alberton Cemetery and the Seminar and Lunch at the Yarram Football Club which were all essential elements of a great day and the presentation at the seminar by Jonathan himself seem all so recent in our memories.

It was a great turn-out and Jono’s energy and enthusiasm will be sorely missed by the Group. We hope to put together an event and some valuable networking in 2026, continuing his passion and enthusiasm.

Jonathan Neilson LS MISV and Director ISV presents at the Seminar having organised a great day in Port Albert.

Then President Leon Wilson presents the Sesquicentennial Award to John Jackson for his long standing contribution to ISV within the Region.

ISV Glenelg Grampians Group - Roger Whyte LS MISV, ISV Director and ISV Glenelg Grampians Group Representative

The highlight of the 2024/2025 Financial Year was the event in Hamilton celebrating the sesquicentenary Turning 150 – ISV Glenelg Grampians Group celebrates. This mini seminar with the President of ISV Leon Wilson and Deputy Surveyor-General Eddi Cichocki was a very popular event attracting surveyors from across the region. The group has already met to discuss the ISV Halls Gap Regional Conference 15 – 17 May 2026 and a program is already forming. We also held a mini Seminar and AGM in August with Craig Sandy, Surveyor-General Victoria presenting.

Unfortunately, at the State Border Monument at Nelson, the plaque attached to the rock, so recently unveiled, has been removed, and so discussions have begun to replace the plaque along the lines of the Henry Wade’s monument at Sunbury.

The Sesquicentenary cake organised for the Glenelg Grampians celebrations.

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The monument at the South Australian Border now vandalised

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