THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SYDNEY DIVISION OF ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA
MAY 2012
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Achieving our purpose Sydney Division Key Sponsors The purpose of Engineers Australia, and that of the engineering profession, is to benefit the community – by advancing the science and practice of engineering. The 2011 Royal Charter and By-Laws, and the 2010 Code of Ethics and supporting Guidelines on Professional Conduct, provide the framework, values and principles for us to do so. But our success in achieving our purpose is dependent on our ability to structure and organise ourselves, enable suitable and effective engagement, to foster collaboration and innovation, forge a common view wherever possible, and to communicate a message that is responsive and relevant to addressing community needs. Establishing, managing and directing the activities of Sydney Division is an ongoing challenge – for Staff, Office Bearers, Volunteers and Members. Work being done by Division Committee and a number of Subcommittees with support from Staff, continues to review and consider the appropriateness and effectiveness of these activities. I’m particularly aware of the need to support and engage with the various panels, groups and technical societies which have long since been established within metropolitan and regional areas to enable membership engagement on topics of interest and relevance to the profession. In this regard Group Chairs and College Representatives were invited to a workshop meeting with Division Committee in mid May, and I’m attending a range of Technical Seminars and Events being delivered by various groups throughout Sydney and NSW during the year. Further, a new Board of Engineering Practice
has recently been established by Sydney Division Committee. The aim of the new Board is to support and stimulate better alignment of CPD Activities with the needs of members in both metropolitan and regional areas, and to provide for a more direct correlation with College initiatives for strategic professional development. Apart from CPD Activities, I would also like to highlight two flagship programmes of the Sydney Division Calendar. The Engineering Excellence Awards is launched in February each year, seeking nominations for a variety of award categories, with a gala awards ceremony being held in Sydney on 21 September 2012 – a special thanks to the loyalty of our existing Sponsors, and an encouragement to new Sponsors. And, Australian Engineering Week (the first full week in August each year), seeks to promote engineering and the profession to the public – please set this week aside in your diaries now to maximise your opportunity to participate. With vision, passion, innovation, and leadership, we as an engineering profession in Australia can achieve our purpose, if we’re prepared to do so together. Brendyn Williams, BE(Civil)(Hons) MIEAust FIPWEA President, Engineers Australia Sydney Division