Message from the Deputy Secretary

From AB to BC

By Lesley Anne Sick, ALS, P.Eng. Deputy Secretary

First and foremost, I wanted to thank those who have reached out to me this past week welcoming me into my role as Deputy Secretary of the ABCLS. After completing my first week of employment I quickly realized that I have some pretty big shoes to fill as Kelly Stofer transitions into his new role as Chief Administrative Officer. I am looking forward to the unique challenges the Secretary role has to offer as well as the opportunities that lie ahead to meet and connect with the ABCLS members and stakeholders.

After graduating from the Geomatics Engineering program at the University of Calgary in 2005, I followed my passion for history and exploration by becoming an Alberta Land Surveyor in 2008. I have had a rewarding and diverse career to date, having worked on a variety of projects right across Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, in some of the most challenging and rugged terrain. I find myself blessed with the vast experience I have gained over the years.

The land surveying profession in Canada is rich in history and tradition. It is only “it may take me a lifetime to complete the many beautiful hikes B.C. has to offer and I have no doubt in my mind that I will continue to find many survey monuments along the way.

with this group, regardless of province, where I can share in the excitement of having found an original wood post or share past stories from the field with almost everyone having at least one good bear story.

After wrapping up my employment in Alberta and prior to the commencement of my employment in BC, I was able to travel internationally to Australia and New Zealand. Fortunately, my travels were prior to COVID as well.

I spent my vacation soaking up the history of both countries. I learned a great deal about the indigenous people: the Polynesian Maori in New Zealand and the aboriginal people of Australia. I further studied the exploration routes of the well known Captain James Cook and the effects of British colonization while trying to understand the traditions and distinctive culture of each country. With every major hike up a mountain or dormant volcano, not only did I come across some astonishing views but more often than not, I came across a geodetic survey control marker or survey monument of some sort, visible in every direction. I have included some photographs here from Maungawhau or Mount Eden in Auckland and Mount Maunganui in Tauranga New Zealand, Mount Wellington from Hobart Tasmania, as well as the Opera House monument in Sydney and Noosa Heads point in Australia.

Towards the end of my trek, I was up in the Cairns area exploring the Great Barrier Reef. As it turns out, Sidney B.C., home of the ABCLS office, is a sister city to Cairns. This is where this part of my journey concluded while a new expedition begins.

As I prepare to write the jurisdictional exam and relocate to the Greater Victoria region to start the next chapter of my career, I find myself on a new educational and exploratory journey. Chapter one of the Professional Reference Manual provides a good introduction into the history of B.C. and some background information on the indigenous people. I have a feeling it may take me a lifetime to complete the many beautiful hikes B.C. has to offer and I have no doubt in my mind that I will continue to find many survey monuments along the way. ✥