IPWEAQ UPDATES
SEQ BRANCH PRESIDENT’S REPORT Raad Jarjees, Branch President Network Engineering Manager at Unity Water
This is my last SEQ Branch President Report as the time has come to pass the baton to another member. I am pleased to announce that, at the AGM in Cairns in October 2021, Jo O’Brien, Qld Program Manager for Tonkin Consulting Pty Ltd will be sworn in as the SEQ Branch President, the first female Branch President of the SEQ Branch, and the last Branch President position to be filled by one of our female colleagues. Congratulations, Jo!
5. Being a member of the IPWEAQ Board and in a position to endorse the decisions that would drive the organisation forward, for example the proposal from the CEO to move to new premises in Eagle Farm, a move that has elevated IPWEAQ to a new level ready for an even greater future. Jo will be joined on the IPWEAQ Board by Sarah Hausler who was recently re-elected by members for one of two At-Large positions after two prior years in that position. And with incoming President, Angela Fry and ongoing NQ Branch President, Glenda Kirk, the ratio of men to women on the Board will continue at 50:50 which is quite an achievement for a sector that is otherwise underrepresented by women.
It is with some sadness that I step down as SEQ Branch President and IPWEAQ Board member after five years of service to the branch and to the Board. My highlights have been:
As I step aside, I am delighted to welcome new SEQ Branch committee members:
1. Presenting at the SEQ and SWQ Branch conferences this year with the story of my life in Iraq, studying engineering then being sent to the front line during the war and finally emigrating to Australia to start a new life.
• Thomas Wager (previously CQ Branch committee member), Principal Water and Wastewater Engineer, Redland City Council
2. Presenting milestone gifts to our many loyal IPWEAQ members, notably Graham Preston, member for 35 years. 3. Attending Annual Conferences since 2016, meeting other members of our community and introducing new sponsors and partners. 4. Attending the Annual Conference in 2020 with my son, Joseph who will graduate this year from QUT.
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• Chris Borg, Senior Civil Engineer/Registered Certifier, Barker Ryan Stewart
There are three SEQ organisations nominated for the inaugural Employer of the Year awards: two for the Public Sector award (Department of Transport and Main Roads and Moreton Bay Regional Council) and Tonkin for the Private Sector award. We wish them the very best of luck. There are quite a few CPD opportunities coming up in SEQ but be sure to register early as numbers are still restricted. You can make your compliance life easy by utilising the IPWEAQ
ENGINEERING FOR PUBLIC WORKS | SEPT 2021
Track My CPD portal. The RPEQ Coordinator will monitor your progress towards completion of your 150 CPD hours and keep you informed if you are missing some hours in compulsory areas or falling behind with your CPD hours generally. COVID-19 reared its head once again forcing the second cancellation of the IPWEAQ art exhibition which will now be held 23 November (in conjunction with the second Public Works Professionals Orientation Intensive). We hope it will be third time lucky, and it is a great time also with the year closing in, for branch members to get together for a few (Christmas) social drinks, networking while also enjoying IPWEAQ’s collection of Aboriginal art. Drinks and canapes are included but please be sure to register. As this is my last report as the SEQ Branch President, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the SEQ Branch committee, Gleb Kolenbet (Vice President) in particular, for providing endless support over the years. I also would like to acknowledge our CEO, Leigh Cunningham, all Board members and staff for their hard work and genuine support of the organisation and to the profession. I wish you all the best and I trust the organisation will lead the industry and move upward and onward from strength to strength. With the IPWEAQ Annual Conference now just a few weeks away, we have an opportunity to take stock of yet another busy year, regroup and finish the year on a high note after celebrating our sector’s successes at the annual awards ceremony and dinner. Don’t miss it!
