President John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD congratulating Immediate Past President Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng for his efforts in 2012. More information on the 2012 Annual Division Meeting and Christmas Networking Event on page 4.
ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA JANUARY 2013 www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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CONTENTS President’s Message
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Division Updates News
3-11 12-13
Member Profile
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Upcoming Events
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DIVISION EXECUTIVE
Are your details up to
date?
Just a reminder to all the South Australia Division members that it may be time to log on to the Engineers Australia Website and confirm that your details are up to date.
President John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD
With everything being so hectic when changing jobs or moving house it is easy to overlook updates to your Engineers Australia membership contact details.
Deputy Presidents Dr Cris Birzer MIEAust Fernando Gonzalez MIEAust CPEng
While you’re there why not reacquaint yourself with your membership benefits, the advocacy and policy papers, upcoming South Australia Division events or update your CPD record?
Immediate Past President Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng Executive Director Caroline Argent MAICD
www.engineersaustralia.org.au
Deputy Director Sarah Carey Produced By Engineers Australia South Australia Division Level 11, 108 King William Street Adelaide South Australia 5000 tel 08 8202 7100 fax 08 8211 7702 www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa www.facebook.com/EA.SouthAus http://twitter.com/Eng_SouthAus
SPONSORS Division Partner
Online CPD Members of Engineers Australia are able to access Continuing Professional Development (CPD) from a number of locations around Australia through the online CPD. Access this at any time through: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/web-casts/ mediavisionz Many other presentations are available through the South Australia Division Website at: http://tinyurl.com/saresources or http://tinyurl.com/sadivgroups
Reconciliation Action Plan Division Supporters
Through our Strategic Plan and Code of Ethics, Engineers Australia has emphasised its commitment to "use our members' knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community to create engineering solutions for a sustainable future." A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is Engineers Australia's commitment and response to 'closing the gap'. Engineers Australia's RAP details steps and priorities that the organisation will undertake to assist in helping to achieve Indigenous equality and to help build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. To view Engineers Australia's RAP please visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/about-us/ reconciliation-action-plan
This Engineering South Australia newsletter is published by the South Australia Division of Engineers Australia and reports impartially on items of interest to Engineers in South Australia. The statements made or opinions expressed in the newsletter do not necessarily reflect the view of Engineers Australia.
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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Happy New Year to all South Australia Division Members! I hope you were able to take a break from your normal routine over Christmas in order to spend time with family and friends, to reflect upon the year that was and to refresh / recharge yourself for the year ahead. It is an honour and a privilege to serve you as 2013 Division President. Having filled a variety of Engineers Australia SA Division group committee positions and group Chair roles since 1998, including the SA Quality Panel, The Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management SA Chapter, and the 2012 Engineering Leadership Conference Organising Committee, as well as two terms on Division Committee, I am passionate about the important role that Engineers Australia plays in our professional lives. I look forward to contributing this year to the on-going success of SA Division through my role as President. In this, my first article for Engineering South Australia, I’d like to start by acknowledging the great efforts of my predecessor, Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng. Despite his numerous business, family and sport commitments, Gerry contributed significant time and energy to his role as 2012 Division President This resulted in the introduction of many new initiatives surrounding the 2012 Year of the Regional Engineering Team, as well achieving continued success for our regular annual events. Well done Gerry! I’m sure you would agree that Engineers Australia SA Division is extremely fortunate to have many volunteers, like Gerry, who are committed to serving their professional body through active participation as part of Division Committee or the many branch, society and special interest group committees that operate in South Australia. Without these volunteers, working in close cooperation with the small, but dedicated, team of SA Division staff, led admirably by Division Director Caroline Argent, we would not be able achieve anywhere near the number of successful events and other activities as have occurred in recent years. Thank you to all who play a role in organising Engineers Australia SA Division activities. A little about me before I discuss my theme for the year. After graduating from the University of Adelaide as a civil engineer back in 1978, I initially spent seven years as a road design, road construction and systems engineer with the South Australian Highways Department, followed by two and a half years as a Road Design Manager with engineering consultant MacDonald Wagner (now Aurecon) based in Sydney and Melbourne. In 1988, I made the decision to start my own consulting practice, specialising in road design and road asset management. This was a courageous move at the time, since the entry cost for a single graphics computer and one MOSS road design software licence was over $70,000 – well over a year’s salary. How times have changed – imagine investing the equivalent sum to get started today? However, it was my goal from university days to set up my own business, so I took the plunge and Highway Design Services (now HDS Australia) became a reality. Away from work and the profession – yes I do have a life after engineering, though some of my family and friends don’t believe it – I am married to Gael, whose three daughters from an earlier marriage now all have families of their own. With nine grandchildren, Christmas and birthdays are very special occasions. Beyond family, my main sporting interest is tennis, but I also enjoy walking with Gael. I’m active in my local church, and when time and work permits, Gael and I enjoy travelling overseas. Three trips “on safari” in southern Africa has resulted in some fantastic memories of unique wild animal encounters. At the Annual Division Meeting last December, I introduced a theme for my term as Division President, titled “Engagement”. There are three important elements of this theme, which I’ll briefly mention in this article, but intend to explore more fully over the next few months. They are “Member Engagement”, “Community Engagement” and “Government Engagement”. “Communicate and Educate” is the supporting message that underpins the Engagement theme, where Communicate covers “What we do!” while Educate covers “Why we do it!”. Over the next 12 months, with support from Division Deputy Presidents Cris Birzer and Fernando Gonzalez, as well as Immediate Past President Gerry Doyle and members of the Division Committee, I plan to introduce (or re-introduce) a number of initiatives aimed at improving the Division’s performance in these three important areas. Your initial ideas and input to this process will be very valuable, as well as your feedback after each event. I therefore encourage you to express your thoughts on the “Engagement” theme directly to me at sapresident@engineesraustralia.org.au or by speaking with any member of Division Committee. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to register for the CELM EngExec Outreach session being held on 12th February 2013. The EngExec postnominal recognises the achievements of members who satisfy relevant leadership and management competency standards. Please register via http://tinyurl.com/pathwayengexec and discover your pathway to EngExec. Finally, I look forward to meeting many of you at the Sir Eric Neal Address on Wednesday 27th February 2013. With the Premier of South Australia, the Honourable Jay Weatherill MP, as this year’s keynote speaker, it promises to be a significant event in our 2013 Division Calendar and a great opportunity for Government Engagement. See you there! John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD President Engineers Australia South Australia Division
sapresident@engineersaustralia.org.au
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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Hosted by Engineers Australia South Australia Division, the Sir Eric Neal Address celebrates leadership within the engineering profession. The evening includes the presentation of the University Medals, Craig Gilbert Leadership Award and Hall of Fame inductees.
2013 Sir Eric Neal Address
Wednesday 27th February 2013, 6.30pm pre-dinner drinks, 7.00pm official start Sebel Playford Hotel, 120 North Terrace, ADelaide
KeyNote Speaker Hon. Jay Weatherill MP LLB BEc GDLP Premier of South Australia
Jay Weatherill is South Australia’s 45th Premier. Jay was born and educated in Adelaide’s western suburbs, completing his secondary education at Henley High School. He is a lawyer with an economics degree and established his own law firm in 1995 and practised until he was elected as the Member for Cheltenham in 2002. Jay was subsequently re-elected as Member for Cheltenham in 2006 and in 2010. He has previously held a range of senior Cabinet portfolios including Education, Early Childhood Development, Environment & Conservation, Aboriginal Affairs & Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business & Public Sector Management, Families & Communities, Housing, Ageing, Disability, Urban Development & Planning, Administrative Services, Local Government and Gambling. Jay and his wife Melissa have two young daughters, Lucinda and Alice.
REGISTER NOW Member: Non-member: Student: Student Non-member:
$105 inc GST $125 inc GST $95 inc GST $125 inc GST
Register online: tinyurl.com/SENA13 RSVP: Friday 22nd February 2013 For more information please contact: Events Coordinator Sharryn Fensom E: sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au P: (08) 8202 7140
This event is proudly sponsored by Tonkin Consulting
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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ADM AND CHRISTMAS NETWORKING EVENT
Immediate Past President Gerry Doyle FIEAust EngExec handing over the role of President to John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD
Guests enjoyed networking in the Immersion area of the Adelaide Zoo.
Engineers Australia South Australia Division held their Annual Division Meeting (ADM) and Christmas Networking Event on Thursday 13th December 2012. Over 80 guests gathered at the Adelaide Zoo and reflected on another successful year. Immediate Past President Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng was congratulated for his excellent contributions throughout 2012 and handed over the role of President to John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD. Attendees also welcomed the new Division Committee for 2013. More photos can be found on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EA.SouthAus Sharryn Fensom Events Coordinator Engineers Australia South Australia Division
Members were treated with animal encounters.
INTRODUCING THE 2013 DIVISION COMMITTEE
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Division President: Deputy President: Deputy President: Immediate Past President:
John Olson RFD FIEAust CPEng EngExec FAICD Dr Cris Birzer MIEAust Fernando Gonzalez MIEAust CPEng Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng
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Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected
Greg Walters FIEAust CPEng EngExec Michael Scott MIEAust CPEng Phillip Campbell FRAeS CEng FIEAust CPEng Stephen Ludlam FIEAust CPEng Niki Robinson MIEAust Mark Brownley FIEAust CPEng EngExec
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Appointed Appointed Appointed Appointed
Member: Member: Member: Member: Member: Member: Member: Member: Member: Member:
Lachlan Kinnear MIEAust CPEng Sarah Hughes MIEAust CPEng Prof Karen Reynolds FIEAust FTSE Andy Milazzo MIEAust CPEng
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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SKM ARE STRONG SUPPORTERS OF CHARTERED
Left to right: Scott Elaurant MIEAust CPEng, Ronald Miyumo MIEAust CPEng and David Reid MIEAust CPEng
On Tuesday 13th November 2012, three Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) engineers were presented with their Chartered Status certificates. “SKM have a well developed Professional Development Program and are strong supporters of all of our staff becoming Chartered.” said Greg Walters FIEAust CPEng EngExec, State Manager South Australia. “It is great to see our senior and experienced staff who were not previously Chartered rising to the challenge and demonstrating their leadership by becoming Chartered themselves. I look forward to many more staff becoming Chartered over the coming months.” Ronald Miyumo MIEAust CPEng and David Reid MIEAust CPEng also shared their views about the importance of obtaining Chartered Status: “I started my career overseas working for a Power Transmission and Distribution Utility. I migrated to Australian in January 2007 and I have since worked with two engineering consultancies. It was during my time at my current employer SKM that I started to seriously consider acquiring Chartered Status after learning about the increasing demands for engineering work to be undertaken by a registered engineer. I acquired my Chartered Status through the MEE pathway which involved preparation of my Engineering Practice Report demonstrating my professional competency and attendance of profession interview. For me, acquiring Chartered Status is recognition of professional qualification and also demonstrates taking responsibility for your own professional development.” – Ronald Miyumo MIEAust CPEng “Obtaining my Chartered Status has been a positive experience. Following the MEE Pathway I was able to reflect on my past work experiences and catch up with work colleagues from previous projects. Apart from the benefits of Employer and Peer recognition of having attained Chartered Status, it has provided me with the opportunity to self-assess my achievements and capabilities. Although a challenge on occasion to find time between project works to fulfil the requirements, I found the process well managed and Engineers Australia personnel very helpful. Furthermore I found the interview and presentation components to be very professionally handled. I definitely recommend all engineers to obtain Chartered Status.” – David Reid MIEAust CPEng The South Australia Division would like to congratulate Ronald, David and Scott on receiving their certificates and acknowledge SKM for the ongoing support of their engineers pursuit of Chartered Status. Engineers Australia South Australia Division
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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR NEWLY CHARTERED MEMBER Mick Church MIEAust CPEng was delighted to receive his Chartered Status certificate at Engineers Australia South Australia Division on Thursday 22nd November 2012, after completing his engineering reports and professional interview. “I have always recognised the importance and significance of achieving Chartered Status; though it wasn’t until my recent involvement in the Adelaide Metropolitan Rail Electrification project that I felt I had finally demonstrated all the required competencies. Mike Hurd provided mentoring and support through the Stage 2 process and his help, knowledge and opinions proved invaluable, for which I am extremely grateful,” Mick said. “Considering the process and outcomes of achieving Chartered Status I believe it has provided many positive outcomes, namely: The obvious national and international recognition of my experience, Left to right: Mick Church MIEAust CPEng with his mentor Mike competency and ethical behaviour as a practising Hurd FIEAust CPEng, Proprietor of Engineering Management engineer; An opportunity to reflect on my past Systems achievements (and failures!) and refocus on my future professional development; Able to satisfy present and future national and state legislative requirements; Satisfying the selection criteria of employers who request CPEng status and; Opportunities to ‘give back’ to the engineering community, for example, in the role of a mentor,” “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ewan Hazeldine FIEAust CPEng and Maurice Berry FIEAust CPEng (Engineers Australia South Australia Division, National Assessors), Michael Hopton MIEAust CPEng and Tim Mellor MIEAust CPEng (Professional interview panelists).” he said. Engineers Australia South Australia Division
ROXBY DOWNS MEMBER NETWORKING NIGHT A networking event organised with Engineers Australia South Australia Division in Roxby Downs confirmed that more professional development and mentoring are needed for engineers who are currently working at and around the Olympic Dam operation. The event which attracted about 30 professional engineers employed by BHP Billiton and numerous other major contractors and consultants commenced with a discussion about Engineers Australia’s role within the local Engineering community, and how it could support the region. The feedback indicated that there was a greater need to assist them in their career growth especially in difficult times. The general feeling expressed by the participants was that they wanted more professional development and they are looking for support, particularly in what can be described as trying times for the industry. Following a robust and two way discussion between presenters and the attendees, we have now confirmed that the major aims of our newly founded regional Engineers Australia group is to look at all avenues of support available for the community of engineers in Roxby Downs and beyond into other Centres in the Far North of the State. We have also committed to conducting similar sessions for next year to accommodate the wishes of the members, including an event on Career Development and Attaining Your Chartered Status; another on Leadership and Engineering Management, as well as covering some specific technical and supporting topics specific to the mining and heavy industrial engineering community in the region. The demographics of the attendees included approximately 70 per cent considered Younger Engineers, still developing their career, and 30 per cent more mature Engineers looking to give back to the community and share their experience through mentoring and coaching etc. A number of senior professional engineers were more than willing to help build the careers of the younger ones on a one on one basis, and a Facebook page had been set up by one young entrepreneurial member to start a local Chartership self-help group, which we will happily support. It was also pleasing to see a good representation of female engineers in attendance, and another topic that featured high in the wish list for future events is an event centred on developing Women in Engineering Leadership positions in the local mining industry. We are looking forward to build on the beginnings of the Engineers Australia group and bring at least four CPD seminars to the region in 2013, in response to a very clear demand from the local engineering community. Gavin Chater MIEAust CPEng Chair Roxby Downs Regional Group
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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Your Name EngExec Be Influential
Information session - come and learn about the 2013 Leadership Development Series - Pathway to EngExec.
Experienced engineers - book now to start your journey towards the benefits of EngExec. Reserve your place for Tuesday 12th February 2013 at 5:30pm via: http://tinyurl.com/pathway-engexec Venue: Engineers Australia South Australia Division Level 11, 108 King William Street, ADELAIDE Please contact Member Programs Coordinator Ashlea Klingberg via aklingberg@engineersaustralia.org.au if you have any queries.
ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA
Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management www.engineersaustralia.org.au/eng_exec
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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SOUTHERN RESOURCES FIELD TRIP
Attendees at the Southern Resources Field Trip, 5th-9th November 2012
The obvious enjoyment shown by those who took part in the Northern Resources trip during 2010 encouraged the Retired Engineers Group South Australia Division to mount another regional trip in 2012. In keeping with the Engineers Australia theme, ‘2012: Year of the Regional Engineering Team’, retired engineers and partners were encouraged to take time out of their busy schedules and do it again, this time visiting South East South Australia and Western Victoria. Over five days during November, a bus load of people (mainly repeaters from 2010) visited sites including water pumping and treatment, land drainage, marina development, ports, saw milling, mulch production, limestone quarrying, aluminium smelting, automatic dairies, cheese making and packaging, theatres and other civic buildings, Aboriginal heritage and engineering sites, and (at 10am in the morning) a winery. The exhausting program was supported by regional engineers and other staff who gave their time to showcase their sites and their products. The group thanks you all. There was also time available for eating (including two dinners during which guest speakers explained their local work activities) and socialising, leaving only a few hours each night for rest. Perhaps the success of the tour can best be illustrated by a question on the second day, "This is as good as 2010, when and where will the next one be?". The REG Committee which had been guided by Immediate Past Chair, Deane Kemp FIEAust CPEng (Ret) decided to leave it to the new Committee Chair, David Linn FIEAust CPEng (Ret), to determine whether it had the required energy to mount another venture, possibly in 2014. David Linn FIEAust CPEng (Ret) Chair Retired Engineers Group South Australia
SOUTH ROAD SUPERWAY SITE VISIT
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2 1. Participants at the Transport Group’s South Road Superway site visit. 2. South Road Superway under construction near Days Road, Regency Park.
An excellent presentation and site visit to the South Road Superway project was enjoyed by 19 participants on Thursday 22nd November 2012. After travelling by coach from the Engineers Australia King William Street building and a light lunch, Lachlan Roberts (Project Manager, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure) provided an engaging overview of the project’s planning and construction techniques. This was followed by a site visit where the participants could climb a scaffold staircase to the deck of the Superway viaduct which is partly completed and continues to expand with match cast pre-cast concrete box segments being joined most nights. The tour also took in the huge casting yard and shed specifically established for the project, and the northern end of the viaduct where Super-T spans are being used. Phil Blake MIEAust CPEng Chair Transport Group South Australia
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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RETIRED ENGINEERS GROUP South Australia Division: Sound Engineering: Engineering Sound Adelaide Film and Screen Centre A joint function with the IET Retired Engineers Group
DATE: wEDNESDAY 27TH fEBRUARY 2013, 12.30pm Venue: Engineers Australia, Sir Robert Chapman Theatre, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Price: $10 PER PERSON (INC gst) including a light lunch| mEMBERS, pARTNERS AND fRIENDS wELCOME
Image courtesy of the South Australian Film Corporation; Photography by Peter Barnes
AECOM received an Engineering Excellence Award for their work for the Glenside Studios in the 2012 South Australian Engineering Excellence Awards. This is a special opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s leading experts in Sound Engineering. When after 25 years at their Hendon facilities, the South Australian Film Corporation needed to move to a new home the Adelaide Film and Screen Centre at Glenside - they needed a world class acoustic solution with the design to meet Dolby Premier Mixing Studio requirements. The AECOM Acoustic Team worked closely with the Film Corporation to identify their needs around acoustically sensitive spaces, which included two soundstages, the Dolby Premier studio, various post-production areas including edit rooms, an additional dialogue recording room, a sound effects room and the 96-seat screening theatre. Dr Peter Swift will talk about the overall project, the design issues and the design and construction process which led to a great facility including the Dolby Premier mixing theatre which achieved its compliance rating cost effectively and in record time.
REGISTER ONLINE www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa/events For more information contact Member Programs Coordinator Ashlea Klingberg: aklingberg@engineersaustralia.org.au or (08) 8202 7110
Retired Engineers Group 2013 Programme Members, Partners & Friends Welcome Wed 27th feb
Sound Engineering - engineering sound - Adelaide film and screen centre
Wed 1st may
Onkaparinga River Rail Bridge
Wed 10th JUl
Site Visit 1: Adelaide Wind Tunnel, University of Adelaide, Thebarton Site Visit 2: Centre for Automative Safety Research, Kent Town
Wed 18th SEP
Wave Rider Energy
Wed 30th oct
Technical briefing for SA Water Dams visit on 13th Nov 2013
Wed 13th NOV
Field Trip: SA Water Dams
A Joint Function with the IET Retired Engineers Group
For more information visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa/events
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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ENGINEERING HERITAGE SA WELCOMES NEW COMMITTEE
Left to right: Richard Venus MIEAust, Richard Muncey MIEAust CPEng (Ret) and Leo Noicos FIEAust CPEng presenting at ‘Charles Todd, The Government Electrician’.
Engineering Heritage South Australia held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday 14th November 2012 and the new committee was welcomed: • Richard Venus MIEAust (Chair) • Leo Noicos FIEAust CPEng (Deputy Chair) • Nigel Ridgway FIEAust CPEng EngExec • Richard Muncey MIEAust CPEng (Ret) • Ken Moxham MIEAust CPEng • Dr Ronald Green FIEAust CPEng (Ret) • John Foster MIEAust CPEng (Ret) • Tim Welburn MIEAust CPEng • John Woodside FIEAust CPEng Kay Leverett is our liaison person with the University of Adelaide and a number of others including Bill Stacy, Rod Attwood, and Anthony Southern form an advisory group. Future activities include organising the second SA Engineering heritage conference during History Month in May, reprinting our highly successful "Engineering A City" booklet, and nominating two significant reinforced concrete bridges for national engineering heritage recognition. Richard Venus then spoke about the electrical engineering career of Charles Todd which is overshadowed by Todd's other significant achievements in astronomy, meteorology, and telegraphy (this year is the 140th anniversary of the completion of the Overland Telegraph). Todd gave the first public demonstration of electric light on 2 October 1860 in White's Rooms, a public meeting place which later became the Majestic Theatre; the site is now occupied by our building at 108 King William Street. Nearly 50 years later, Todd chaired a committee of electrical experts who framed the "Telegraph Line Protection Regulations" which are still in force today. Richard's research has also shown that, while Charles Todd was elected a Member of the Society of Telegraph Engineers in 1873 (which later became the Institution of Electrical Engineers), he was never a Fellow of this society: that grade of membership was only introduced in the 1960s. Richard Venus MIEAust Chair Engineering Heritage South Australia
ENGINEERING HERITAGE SA CONFERENCE - CALL FOR PAPERS The 2nd South Australian Engineering Heritage Conference will be presented by Engineers Australia South Australia Division on Friday 10th May 2013 which is during the ‘About Time: SA History Festival’. Papers are invited on any topic related to South Australian engineering heritage and history; engineering works and achievements, company profiles and histories, stories or biographies of eminent South Australian engineers and technologists. The focus is on our heritage ie, that which has gone before; however, we would welcome papers about the application of current techniques to address heritage issues such as the conservation of buildings or works. Contributors do not have to be engineers or members of Engineers Australia; in fact, we would welcome papers which look at engineering from a variety of viewpoints. Authors will be required to submit a carefully researched and fully-referenced written paper of at least undergraduate assignment standard. The paper would be published in the conference proceedings and the author (or one of the authors) would give a presentation of up to 30 -35 minutes at the conference A selection panel will determine the final conference program on receipt of the abstracts. Please submit abstracts of 150 -200 words describing the subject and scope of your proposed paper by Friday 1st March 2013 to saheritage@engineersaustralia.org.au with "Abstract for Engineering Heritage Conference" in the subject line The panel will contact you by Friday 8th March 2013 and guidelines for the paper and presentation will be sent to selected authors. We also draw the attention of prospective authors to the 17th National Engineering Heritage Conference to be held in Canberra from 17 -20 November 2013 in the centenary year of the national capital. Submitting a paper to the South Australian conference would be an excellent opportunity to develop your presentation for a bigger stage.
Engineering Heritage South Australia
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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COST VERSUS VALUE: THE ROLE OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEER Structural Branch South Australia and the Institution of Structural Engineers South Australia Group were pleased to host the President of the Institution of Structural Engineers, Professor John Nolan, on his Adelaide presentation of his Australian Tour. Professor Nolan gave an insightful presentation on the role of the consulting structural engineer and reminded us not only of our responsibility to our clients but to the greater community with limited resources in the world. He described the benefits of Chartered Membership from the UK perspective and the problems that have arisen from people without thorough knowledge of engineering making decisions that have caused collapse. Dr Greg Klopp MIEAust CPEng Chair Structural Branch South Australia
Professor John Nolan, President of the Institution of Structural Engineers.
10 YEARS OF CREATING CHANGE THROUGH HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING For the last 10 years engineers and technical professionals have travelled to remote communities in Asia and Aboriginal Australia assisting them to access basic human needs as part of Engineers Without Borders’ (EWB) professional volunteer program. Gab McGill is one such engineer. Gab is a water process engineer who is working with EWB’s partner Live & Learn Cambodia to design and install low cost sanitation solutions for a community living on the Tonle Sap Lake. The community lives and works largely on water, either in floating buildings or stilted houses. Over 1.5 million people live on the lake and have previously had no options for affordable toilets that work in these challenging conditions – most defecate directly into the water causing serious contamination and health consequences. “Community ownership, and the development of appropriate and sustainable solutions, are important for the success of the project. My first couple of months have been active with field visits to consult and work with many of the local communities around the lake. I have very much enjoyed sharing my skills and learning from the local Khmer people, about their culture and a whole lot more,” she said. EWB is working in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam and East Timor and volunteer positions vary from water and sanitation advisors to renewable energy course developers and computer science support. EWB’s next volunteer intake will open in March. Subscribe to EWB to receive notification or visit www.ewb.org.au in March. EWB also works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia and with local communities groups. Engineers can join a chapter and get involved locally. In August last year EWB launched a new logo, vision, mission and values, showcased on a fresh new web interface.
Live & Learn staff install a floating biodigester, Cambodia, 2012
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CEO Lizzie Brown says, “As EWB approaches its tenth year of existence, we felt it was time to refresh. We are still the same EWB you know and love but with an exciting new direction and we hope this will cement our stakeholder’s belief in our work, our impact and our philosophy of humanitarian engineering”. Engineers Without Borders Australia
ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
POWERING POWERING POWERING south australia
GUEST SPEAKERS:
SAVE THE DATE
DOUG SCHMIDT MANAGEMENT GENERAL MANAGER SA POWERNETWORK NETWORKS
wednesday 13th March 2013 7.00am arrival, 7.15am start adelaide pavilion veale gardens cnr south terrace & peacock rd
HAMISH McCARTER FIEAust EngExec SENIOR MANAGEMENT ELECTRANETENGINEERING
MORE INFORMATION www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa/events Events Coordinator Sharryn Fensom: sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au
FEBRUARY EEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOCUS
Engineers Australia members receive a 10% discount on all EEA courses, and accrue CPD hours. Engineering Education Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Engineers Australia.
Upcoming Courses: Technical Documents There are some forms of writing that are required by Engineers and are not taught at school. Engineering Education Australia will be running a two day course on Writing Winning Technical Documents, providing you with practical skills to ensure that technical documents are written and presented with clarity, accuracy and impact. When: Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th February 2013 More information: http://www.eeaust.com.au/Writing-Winning-Technical-Documents Becoming Chartered: Engineering Competency Report Writing an effective Engineering Competency Report with clearly written evidence of the Engineering Competency Claim (ECC) is essential if you are seeking Chartered status. As we move into a new era for the Chartered process with the move to an online system, the Competencies are also changing. This series of 3 one-day workshops provides the required tools to assist you when writing ECCs that accurately demonstrate your competencies. You will also meet and hear from an accredited EA assessor who will talk about the interview process and how it links with your ECC’s; the final stage involved when seeking Chartered status. When: Friday 8th February, Thursday 28th of February and Thursday 4th April 2013. More information: http://www.eeaust.com.au/eChartered-Writing-Series Tender Writing: Ensure High Impact Tender Strategies & Submissions If you manage or contribute to bids and proposals, this unique online six-week program will dramatically improve your skills and confidence in developing strategy and delivering high impact tenders. You will learn how to: •
Create a bid strategy and Purchaser Value Topics (win themes)
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Plan tender and proposal content;
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Write a winning Executive Summary;
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Recognise and substantiate claims;
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The power of case studies and customer testimonials; and
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Many other powerful persuasive writing techniques.
When: Beginning Monday 11th February 2013 More information: http://www.eeaust.com.au/persuasive-tender-writing-master-class
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
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1. Left to right: Second prize recipient Ryan Quarrington (University of Adelaide), Lachlan Eberhard (President, SMBE), David Hobbs MIEAust (Chair, Biomedical Branch SA), and first prize winner Lynne Burrow (Flinders University). 2. Lachlan Roberts, Project Manager, South Road Superway project (DPTI) presenting an overview of the project. 3, 4, 5. Left to right: Simon Futo and Sandra Caon-Parsons, University of Adelaide and Angela De Marco, Skills SA. Presenting at ‘Overseas Qualified SA - The Importance of Good Communication’ on Thursday 29th November 2012. 6. Gerry Doyle FIEAust CPEng, Immediate-Past President of Engineers Australia South Australia Division and CEO of Tonkin Consulting, presenting at the Annual Group Meeting of Young Engineers Australia (SA) held on Monday 3rd December 2012. 7. Left to right: Royal Aeronautical Society (Adelaide Branch) Treasurer Rob Moore , presenting a gift to guest speaker Air Marshal Clifford Spink, Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, at the ‘Flying Old Aircraft’ technical presentation held on Thursday 22nd November 2012.
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ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA
MEMBER PROFILE Nicholas Murphy MIEAust is the Managing Director of MLEI Consulting Engineers and is the 2012 Chair of Consult Australia. Nicholas participated as a judge for the 2012 Craig Gilbert Leadership Award. This Award is being presented at the Sir Eric Neal Address, Wednesday 27th February 2013. of procurement models such as “D&Cs” impose issues on Engineering. This type of procurement model move the focus away from achieving best value through good planning and design to a focus of providing solutions that pose the lowest risk to budget overruns. It is perhaps the lack of understanding of the engineering profession that has resulted in my above gripes! It also stands true that this lack of understanding prohibits acknowledging the benefits and importance of investing in high-quality engineering. We as Engineers should take it on ourselves to educate and promote leading edge engineering to our clients and the public about our great profession. We need to celebrate the importance we play in all industries and everyday life. What is the greatest piece of technology released in the last decade? Although I feel like it is a bit of cliché to say as it is such an obvious one, but the smart phone! I have spent many hours on my iPhone in the last few years! Why are you an Engineers Australia member? I feel every engineer has an obligation to our industry. It is important we invest in the continual enhancement of our industry from both technical aspects and improving commercial/legal influences.
Nicholas Murphy MIEAust Why did you decide to become an engineer?
If you could take a year off to study anything, what would it be?
I always had an interest in the built environment and There is such a shortage of Engineers in politics and rather timely met a civil engineer just before applying I am not going to do myself any justice with this response, but probably some sort of study in politics! for university. What do you like the most about the engineering What do you feel is the engineering professions strongest asset? profession? The ability to influence everyday life through our work for decades to come! To ‘engineer’ literally means to “make things happen”. The design of places and infrastructure for where we work, live and play in is highly rewarding. For me the seemingly simple aspects of daily lives that I have been able to influence through my engineering have been the most rewarding and what makes for a fulfilling career.
That all people and all industries fundamentally depend on Engineers. This dependence on our knowledge and skill will always underpin the success of the industry What are your hobbies? Socialising and family life – being a very recent new parent, I have had much more joy but much less spare time.
What is your motto? If you could have worked on any engineering project, throughout history, what would you Stressing is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but won’t get you anywhere! choose? Although not yet built, The Messina Bridge. It would What would be your ideal working holiday?
I am a strong believer that holiday and working should not be used in the same sentence! My ideal and next holiday will be Italy. My ideal place for working is right here in good old Adelaide! However, if the Messina What do you see as one of the biggest issues Bridge comes along, perhaps I may have to have a working holiday. facing the engineering profession? I see imposed excessive legal obligations and Who would you most like to meet? be good to have the world’s largest suspension bridge in the portfolio! It has also been a concept that has been around for over 1000 years but never achieved. So the mission would be very rewarding!
increasing litigation having an increasingly negative William Light influence on our industry. Contracts with unfair risk allocation impose on our profession and will eventually limit the opportunity to be innovative and prohibit Engineers making objective decisions. It also makes maintaining Engineers in areas of engineering that involve a higher risk more difficult, such as consulting, as lower risk areas provide the opportunity for Engineers to earn the same living in a less stressful environment. The focus shifts from good engineering to financial conservatism. I also feel the higher uses
www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa
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UPCOMING EVENTS Unless published otherwise all presentations are scheduled to be held at the Engineers Australia South Australia Division. Event details are subject to change. Please check our website prior to the event for current information and updates. Level 11, 108 King William Street ADELAIDE SA 5000. Please register online at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa where you see this symbol
FEBRUARY Tuesday 5th Engineers Australia South Australia Division - Chartered Status Workshop Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Tuesday 12th Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management - EngExec Workshop Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Thursday 14th Engineers Australia South Australia Division, Pathways to Chartered Venue: Engineers Australia, Level 11, 108 King William Street, Adelaide Enquiries: sa@engineersaustralia.org.au Wednesday 27th Engineers Australia South Australia Division, 2013 Sir Eric Neal Address Venue: Sebel Playford Hotel, 120 North Terrace, Adelaide Enquiries: sfensom@engineersaustralia.org.au
WELCOME TO THE TEAM The South Australia Division would like to welcome our new Member Service Coordinator Darren Harvey. Darren has a background in customer service and hospitality and his role includes membership recruitment and retention, careers and business development. Darren enjoys the outdoors, camping and fishing but can also be found with friends enjoying a good cheese with a glass of wine. Please join us in welcoming Darren to the team. If you would like to get in contact with Darren, you can do so by emailing dharvey@engineersaustralia.org.au or phone (08) 8202 7170.
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www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sa ENGINEERING SOUTH AUSTRALIA