August/September 2012 issue
What’s in this issue •
President’s Report
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Director’s Report
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Young Engineers Reports
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National Science Week
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Katherine Gets SMART
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Young Australian of the Year visits the Top End Engineering Excellence Awatds Photographs and winners Engineering Excellence Awards Engineering Week National Science Week Heritage Bus Tour Overland Telegraph Joining Point Heritage Trip Project Management Course
Congratulations to all our winners at the Engineering Excellence Awards. We had lots of positive feedback on what a great night it was and I think everyone would agree that it was a wonderful celebration of engineering in the Northern Division. Our winners now make their way to Canberra to the National Awards. I would like to say a special ‘Thank you’ to the judges. I am in awe of how you manage to make the tough decisions out of so many fantastic projects from such a broad range of disciplines – and manage to get National winners as well!! Bronwyn, Karen, Keely and Paula also deserve a very special thanks for all the hard work they put in to make the night so spectacular. Engineering Week has finished for another year with a couple of events to mark the occasion. The week was opened by the Administrator, the honourable Sally Thomas with a function at Government House. On the Wednesday, some of our Women in Engineering had a lunch to discuss the recent sponsorship received from Inpex and what event it should be spent on. A cocktail function was held at the Defence of Darwin Experience on the Thursday, finishing the events for this year. Engineers Australia also contributed to National Science Week with the ever popular Heritage Bus Tour. In October this year, the next Diploma of Project Management course will begin. I undertook this course last year and would recommend it to anyone who is time poor. The course includes 5, two day modules. The full diploma is received when practical, work based evidence is provided. Engineers Australia is considering sponsoring an engineer, technologist or associate from East Timor to undertake the course and use it in their work. East Timor is our closest neighbour and our colleagues there could use our help to maintain and develop their skills further. Anyone interested in helping out with sponsorship or possible work placements, should contact the Engineers Australia office. Louise McCormick President Engineers Australia—Northern Division
New Sponsor news Site Visit Alice Springs Hospital
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July, August and September have been massive months for the Division. It is always like this with Engineering Week following so close on the heels of the Excellence Awards. Ideally we would rather have Engineering Week a bit later but as it is decreed nationally to be at this time we are not able to change it. Having the Darwin Cup in the same week is not helpful either!!! This year Science Week was the week after Engineering Week which isn’t usually the case. We mostly have a week’s break but not this year. The Excellence Awards were a great success thanks to the many entries that we had. It has been the biggest year ever both for entries and attendance so many thanks to all of you for your efforts. I suspect there are many cowboy hats still being worn in many families! Our winners are invited to register for the National Awards that are held in November at Parliament House. We wish them luck at this level. As we have been successful in the past we hope for some recognition again this year. The quality of our projects certainly must give us a chance. Engineering Week was launched at Government House by the Administrator, Her Honour Sally Thomas. It is always a delight to be invited to Government House with its history and gracious hospitality. I am sure those in attendance appreciated all of this. The event at the Defence of Darwin experience was also well appreciated by those in attendance. There is still something new to see there every time you visit and it was interesting to see some of the technical challenges that were overcome during the construction phase. Some of these initiatives are now being used in other museums around the country. Science Week included our ever popular Heritage Bus tour around Darwin. Thank you once again to Peter Poole and Trevor Horman for providing the narrative as we drove around. There were tourists onboard again who were amazed at the hidden treasures of the Darwin region. Another private tour for Conoco Phillips staff is being planned as a consequence of this event. A new event for Science Week was Café Sci. This took people to the pub to learn about crocodiles from birth to handbags! Women in Engineering have been boosted by Inpex becoming a sponsor for their functions. We look forward to some interesting events as a consequence. Members of the Management Committee have made a commitment to sponsor an engineer from Timor Leste to do the Project Management Course being held here starting in October. If you haven’t registered yourself or someone in your office to do this Diploma Course please do so that we have the necessary numbers. We will be seeking some support for the person to come from Dili for the course. It may be for a few days accommodation or some cash to cover costs. Perhaps some work experience in your industry might be a possibility too. If you can donate a few hundred dollars please let us know. So far we have $190 from the Excellence Awards! Not quite enough for 5 flights and accommodation! Bronwyn Russell Director - Northern Division
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!!! Diploma in Project Management Courses - Register your interest now! Course will be conducted at Engineers Australia Northern Division on the following dates: • • • • •
15 - 16 October 2012 (Module 1) 11 - 12 February 2013 (Module 2) 15 -16 April 2013 (Module 3) 17 - 18 June 2013 (Module 4) 15 - 16 August 2013 (Module 5) Partner
For more informa7on on this course contact Engineering Educa7on Australia on 03 9274 9600 or visit the website
www.eeaust.com.au
A message from the President of Young Engineers
It’s been a mixed bag for the young engineers since the last newsletter. July started disappointingly as we had to postpone our annual golf day due to a lack of players. Although looking on the bright side it appears that most people were just too busy to take the afternoon off to play – a good sign that things are going well for engineering in the Territory and the young engineers in particular (too valuable to miss some work). But early August brought a complete contrast! A fantastically popular “All things British” themed pub crawl, timed with the London Olympics in mind, brought in over 50 people. The evening started at Lizards Bar in town before everyone in their fancy dress costumes boarded the blue open top doubledecker bus to Beachfront for food and games before heading back to Mitchell Street and a few more bars. Everyone had a great time meeting new faces, and we’ve already had people asking when we’ll be doing it again. Well done to Winnie for organising this so well! It will definitely be returning – suggestions for themes on a postcard... Continuing our aim for getting to know our fellow professionals better a friendly game of cricket with the Young Planners was organised down at East Point. No one was really keeping score but it was pretty even. There then followed the networking bit whilst enjoying a BBQ and a few cold drinks. As I write this we are preparing for the visit of the YEA National Committee. After a long campaign, we have finally persuaded that it is worth the effort to come all the way to the Top End. Whilst most of the time will be spent in long meetings and workshops we hope to show them that the NT is a great place to be a Young Engineer, with lots of opportunities, and of course treat them to a bit of the lifestyle up here – relaxing with a cold beer watching the sunset, and perhaps the jumping crocs! I’m sure that after their visit they’ll want to come back again. Looking at other events we have planned, we are hoping to have a camping trip to Litchfield combined with a bit of painting an historical bridge and placement of heritage plaque. On the more professional development side, we will be organising some talks at local schools about what being an Engineer is all about, and a return of our lunchtime seminars at CDU on what life is like as a Graduate Engineer. In addition, with the release of eChartered and the new Stage 2 Engineering Competencies, keep your eye out for related events – a must for all Young Engineers! JP Foster President Young Engineers Northern
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More pics from the Young Engineers British Pub Crawl
Group photo with a third of who actually attended the British Pub Crawl Har ry Ran Potte do, r Pos , Purp le h& Gin g n er oh
J
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on
Windy Bus Ride
Robin Hood, Kelly Osbourne and Austin Powers
ustin es, A m o ock H nd Sherl , G es Bo i l m A a J rs and Powe
Robin Hood and Austin Powers
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Young Engineers Golf Day
The Young Engineers Golf Day was hosted on 14 September. Over 30 members and guests had a splendid day (mind you it was a little hot) at the RAAF Base Golf Course. The Golf was followed by a presentation with drinks and a BBQ. Prizes and gifts were donated by Engineers Australia Northern Division and the Young Engineers Committee. There were prizes for the best stories from the day and a member of the GHD team showed her trophy score of a bruise on the top of her leg (ouch!!!!). The bruise made eyes water.
NAGA—Douglas Partners
Overall winner was GHD Team 1 with a close second to GHD Team 2. The NAGA prize went to the Douglas Partners Team Dr. ROX. The Men’s Nearest the Pin on the 2nd hole went to Andy Robertson, along with the Men’s Longest Drive on the 4th hole. Sue Wright from the Nongineers won the ladies nearest the pin and ladies longest drive. The Young Engineers would like to thank their sponsors for the day, Douglas Partners, GHD , Wallbridge & Gilbert and SKM for their support. Thanks also to Phil and the guys who helped cook the BBQ on the day. 2nd Placegetters GHD Team 2
Winners GHD Team 1 Longest Drive Winners
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Science Week in 2012 included an array of innovative and interesting events that appealed to all ages within the community. Below are some of the events which highlighted how science and engineering impacts on our everyday lives.
National Science Week at the Teddy Bears Picnic
‘Kids’ of all ages were welcomed to use some science in the testing of bubble strength at the National Science week Stall presented by CSIRO Education NT. Participants were invited to Manme Mayh: Gardens of the visit the Science Week stall at the Stone Country explored the links between Indigenous cultural Teddy Bears picnic where they found out the science behind bubheritage, environment and aesthetic traditions and Western Scibles by testing different bubble recipes, even making square bubence through visual interpretations of Indigenous plants and bles, a worm bubbles and maybe the biggest bubble in the world. animal species from Western Arnhem Land. This exhibition was held at the Nomad Art Gallery, Parap during the Festival of Darwin.
Manme Mayh: Gardens of the Stone Country
Gourmet Gala on the Green
On Monday, 13th August and set amongst the palms in the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, guests experienced a sumptuous four course meal of The fourth desertSMART tantalising native flavours expertEcoFair was held at Olive Pink Boly matched with wine. Guest chef tanic Gardens between August 10th-13th and was organised to Andrew Fielke, who specialises in creating innovative dishes coincide with National Science Week. With more than 1100 peo- using Australian native ingredients teamed up with Darwin’s ple attending previous events, 2012 saw the EcoFair continue to own executive chef and master of local delights, Jimmy Shu, to be an important local sustainability event. create wonderful dishes utilising the unique textures and stunWith the success of the schools focus day last year, the ning flavours of our nutritious native fare. first day of EcoFair was Eco-Science Schools Day, specifically The event included a gourmet feast of desert delights designed to cater for school students. Local and regional students and offer instruction and demonstration on the partnership bewere invited to take part in a series of hands-on sessions to facili- tween Indigenous communities, scientist and food researchers to tate learning of key local environmental and sustainability topics create the 21st century cook book. including geology, ecology and meteorology, water, energy, Savouring the true taste of the Territory, guests were waste, built environment and food production. delighted at this gourmet feast for the senses. The desertSMART EcoFair weekend program included Eco-science Schools Day, a Friday evening Community Concert , on Saturday afternoon Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and The Great Sustainability Panel, Sunday morning Eco-Markets, sustainability workshops, music plus Eco-Invention Competition, Bushfoods The lights were turned off! Cast Iron Chef, Solar Oven Bake-Off, Desert Food Gathering & The CSIRO Science Education Centre hosted an astronomore. There was even a door prize for people who rode a bicycle my night where you were able to look at the planets through a to the event. EcoFair continued the following week with a TEDx held telescope. A local Darwin astronomer will give a presentation at Centralian Senior School, a regional food forum and further about the night sky and then you get to spend some time looking workshops on sustainability. The Ecofair also showcased Alice Springs Youth Climate Coalition and had a dedicated “Youth Eco through the telescopes. Hub” over the weekend which showcased any projects that students were currently working on. The EcoFair provided numerous opportunities for people to participate, learn, create and celebrate a sustainable future. The Fair was held at the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs.
desertSMART EcoFair
Astronomy Exploratorium for Double Helix Club Members
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Earth: free screening @ Deckchair Cinema
Science Sesh 2012
Science Sesh was designed to capture the imagination of high school science students, by providing short fun and engagA free documentary for the ing workshops with researchers from the Menzies School of whole family was screened on 14 Health Research. August. This amazing nature docStudents learnt about our groundbreaking research in umentary provided a sweeping child and youth development, nutrition, tobacco and tropical family friendly tour of our home diseases. planet's biosphere and the animal Science Sesh 2012 was interactive and exciting open day at Menpopulations which inhabit it. zies School of Health Research. Specialising in Indigenous and Over a calendar year, Earth takes the viewer on a jour- tropical health research, the team at Menzies carry out work ney from north to south, showing how plants and animals reacross Australia and in developing countries and was held durspond to the power of the Sun and the changing seasons. ing Science Week. “What it does well is so remarkable that by the time the credits roll you likely won't want it to end.” Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times.
Science Week Dance Party - 17 August 2012
Cafe Sci Discussion – Where would Darwin be without its Crocs?
Minibeasts are very important to our outside world. They are the small invertebrate animals that help pollinate our flowers, munch the soil and build houses out of mud. They are also call BUGS! Minibeasts costumes and dancing shoes were a must. Games, competitions and music were played with everyone who attended to bring along their dancing shoes and friends.
Patrons could grab a drink and join in a laid back discussion on all things Crocodilian. Crocodile related questions were asked to our guest speakers who included leading crocodile scientist Professor Grahame Webb. This event was Darwin's first Café Scientifique, a science discussion event. Cafe Scientifique are events where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology Our guest speakers spoke for about 15 mins each with the rest of the time dedicated to Q and A and discussion. The floor was open to discussion on all crocodilian related issues including their effect on the ecology and economy of Darwin, public safety, farming, tourism and culling. This pilot event was held at Shennanigan’s Pub on August 16 with a view to establishing a series of regular Café Scis in Darwin
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Katherine gets S.M.A.R.T The Science, Math and Real Technology ( S.M.A.R.T) show hit Katherine in August to educate and enthuse the students of the Katherine region with interesting science and interactive fun. The last tour of the year had Youth Programs Co-ordinator Keely, science presenters SarahJane and Karlie, and Outback Stores Business Development Manager, Andrew, in the car driving to some remote communities to engage students with interesting facts about modern day entertainment. With feedback from previous remote school science tours, our S.M.A.R.T scientists, Sarah-Jane & Karlie tailored the science show for remote primary schools, with fantastic results. Students and teachers alike were thrilled by the new show ‘The Science of Entertainment: 3(D)’ which now includes morphing and animatronics/ cartoon creation using an iPad and applications. Student roared with laughter after watching pictures of their fellow classmates ‘morphed’ into a lion, or being turned into a disco dancing cartoon. Also added was an explosive finish, where our smart scientists created controlled explosions to explain pyrotechnics in movies. With the help of some top secret ingredients (actually it’s just cornflour!) huge fireballs were created to show students that science can be an exciting career path for anyone. Communities visited included Jilkmingan, Mataranka, Ngukurr and 4 primary schools in Katherine. The last day of the tour, the S.M.A.R.T show was invited to take part in the Outback Wakakirri Festival, being held in Barunga. The Wakakirri Festival concentrates predominately on preforming arts, so the show used the opportunity to explain to the students the science behind the special effects in television and films. The S.M.A.R.T Science in the Northern Territory is supported by Shell, through their Social Investment program, and allows Engineers Australia Northern Division to deliver these shows to remote communities 3 times per year. Special thanks also go to Outback Stores, who provided transport and accommodation and Andrew Johanson, our tour guide, entertainer, navigator and Indigenous liaison and educator, and even chef at the Wakakirri Fes val!
Keely Quinn Major Projects
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Young Australian of the Year Visits The Top End Marita Cheng Young Australian of the year visited the Top End to Inspire members and students at a breakfast in Darwin and a dinner in Alice Springs. Inspiring Australia, a national strategy for engagement with the sciences, has a partnership with Engineers Australia Northern Division to deliver this event and provided funding for members and students to attend. Marita’s career path includes studying for a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Computer Science on a Paterson Scholarship. She has a Nancy Fairfax Churchill Fellowship, an International Youth Foundation, Youth Action Net Fellowship and an Anita Borge Change Agent Award. She is also a former panellist on ABC TV’s New Inventors program, Marita plans to start a robotics company, creating robots that will take care of many every day and mundance tasks. Already she has changed the way that girls view their capacity to contribute to engineering and technology. Marita is an “Inspiring” young lady with stories on her determentation to studying Engineering after working part-time as a Dental Assistant . She has run robotics workshops for over 3,000 girls across 80 schools in Australia and now has 17 chapters of Robogals across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Her vision. Leadership and dedication to encourage young women to take up engineering as a career, could have only have provided inspiration to those who attended. Marita is a member of Engineers Australia Victoria. With 44 attending the breakfast and 30 in attendance in Alice Springs , I am sure we will see many of the students taking up Engineering as a career choice.
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Engineering Excellence Awards 2012 On the 26th July 2012 the Engineering Excellence Awards were held in the “Schweppes Marquee” at Darwin Turf Club. The evening started with pre-dinner drinks on the lawns which lead guests into a real “Year of the Regional Engineering Team” theme of wagon wheels, barrels, hay and horse paraphernalia which decorated the entrance and room itself. With the largest number of entries and the largest attendance of over 370 for Northern Division, the night kicked off with the People in Engineering Awards with the following winners and highly commended announced.
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Young Professional Engineer of the Year John-Paul Foster MIEAust CPEng Winner Andrew McLeod MIEAust Highly Commended Professional Engineer of the Year Sumesh Dhir MIEAust CPEng Highly Commended
Following the announcement of the People in Engineering, guests were entertained by “Those Tap Dogs” who tapped their way through the “music” through the decades. The women in attendance particularly enjoyed this when the boys took off their shirts for various numbers. The winners of the Engineering Excellence Awards were then announced following the performance. Awards were presented to:
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2012 Engineering Excellence Award Defence of Darwin Experience Dept of Construction & Infrastructure & Depts of Natural Re sources, Environment, the Arts & Sport
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2012 Engineering Excellence Award National Partnership on Remote Indigenous Housing New Future Alliance, Territory Alliance and The Northern Territory Government
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Engineering Excellence Awards Project Management Mitchell St to Dinah Beach Tunnelled Gravity Sewer Macmahon, PowerWater, SKM, Jacobs Associates & Winslow Infrastructure
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Highly Commended Engineering Excellence Award Berrimah Road Rail Overpass Depts of Construction & Infrastructure, Lands & Plan ning, Aurecon and Macmahon Contractors
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People’s Choice Award Alice Springs Power Network Upgrade GHD, Sitzler Bros and PowerWater
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President’s Award Darwin River Dam, Raise Full Supply PowerWater
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Australian Solar Energy Society Award Uterne Power Plant, Alice Springs
Congratulations to the people in Engineering Award winners, project winners and highly commended projects. The winners can now go onto the National Awards which will be held in the great hall of parliament house in November 2012. “Those Tap Boys” came back on with another set and kept the room entertained with their techniques and style - again the ladies eyes were definitely encouraging the boys to remove their shirts. The evening finished with everyone being provided with fake Akubura hats to keep in with the theme of “Year of Regional Engineering Team” and some hoe-down music by Silverback. Guests danced the evening away. Thanks must go to all the Division sponsors and also to those organisations who sponsored students to attend this annual event. A big thank you to all the project entrants in 2012. You made this the largest Engineering Excellence Awards and the most successful. The feedback has been brilliant. A huge thank you must also go to our esteemed judges who donate insurmountable time and professionalism to the Awards themselves. In 2012 the judges were Alan Grove (Chair of Judges), Len Chappell, Dr Debbie Hall, Chris Lugg and Adam James.
Chris Lugg, Len Chappell, Debbie Hall, Alan Grove (Chair)), with
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Engineering Excellence Awards 2012 Photographs from the night!
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Engineering Excellence Awards 2012
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Engineering Excellence Awards 2012 - Award Recipients and Winners
Young Professional Engineer of the Year Winner, John-Paul Foster
Young Professional Engineer of the Year Highly Commended, Andrew McLeod
2012 Engineering Excellence Award Winner Defence of Darwin Experience 2012 Excellence Award Project Management, Winner Mitchell St to Dinah Beach Tunnelled Gravity Sewer
Engineering Excellence Award Highly Commended, Berrimah Rd Rail Overpass
President’s Award, Darwin River Dam, Raise Full Supply
2012 Engineering Excellence Award Winner Nat Partnership on Re Remote Indigenous Housing
Australian Solar Energy Society Award Uterne Power Plant, Alice Springs
People’s Choice Award, Alice Springs Power Network Upgrade
Professional Engineer of the Year Highly Commended, Sumesh Dhir
Project Entrants 2012 Engineering Excellence Awards
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Engineering Week The launch of Engineering Week was hosted by Her Honour, Sally Thomas the Administrator of the Northern Territory at Government House on Tuesday 7 August 2012. Over 50 members joined in the Division’s official launch of the week’s activities which included a Women in Engineering lunch and a cocktail function at the Defence of Darwin Experience at East Administrator of the Northern Point Museum. Territory, Her Honour, Sally Thomas The Division’s newest Fellow, Jamal Ahmad El-Den, was also presented with his certificate by her honour at this event. Government House is a unique venue for events of this nature and provides an opportunity for those members who have not experienced The Administrator’s hospitality to do so in a truly magnificent setting.
Jamal being presented with his Fellows Certificate
Her Honour, Sally Thomas, Jamal Ahmed Elden and Sabaratnam Prathapan
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Engineering Week Cocktail Event Defence of Darwin Experience Cocktail Function
Science Week Heritage Bus Tour
As part of the Engineering Week activities, Northern Division hosted an “open evening” at the Defence of Darwin Experience Museum. The Museum was officially opened in February 2012 as part of the Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the “Bombing of Darwin”. Engineers Australia Northern Division provided $250,000 of funding towards the construction of this facility. The facility was also a winner in the 2012 Engineering Excellence Awards for Northern Division. Project Director Mark Dodt said the facility involved a collaboration between the Department of Construction and Infrastructure, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport. “One of the aims of the project was to create a facility that educates and provides a memorable visitor experience”, said Mark. Those who attended the cocktail event were provided with the opportunity for a personalised tour. Many comments were received about the facility and it makes the Division proud to be involved in such a project.
The Northern Division’s Engineers Australia conducted the third annual Engineering Heritage bus tour on the evening of 15 August. Approx sixty people in two buses toured Darwin, Bayview, Fannie Bay, Parap, Winnellie and Hidden Valley to view some of Darwin’s wealth of historic engineering infrastructure. Our guides were Trevor Horman Engineers Australia’s NT Heritage representative and historian Peter Poole. The tour was open to all comers so a broad cross section of locals and tourists attended. The tour has developed a cult following with some people attending every year so far. The challenge for the future is what to add and what to leave off the tour to maintain interest for these frequent fliers. This year in addition to getting off the bus at the RAN Steam Pump House at Stokes Hill wharf we also inspected one of two remaining restored ordnance storage building at Bayview. The building was used by the US Navy during WWII to store torpedos; a smaller structure also remains but was not inspected. The left and right hand scour valve installation on the Stuart Highway 12” water main near Amy Johnson Ave was observed from the bus. East Point and its military infrastructure was visited just prior to sun set with the tour driving along East Point Road as the spectacular sun set occurred. The tour started and finished at the QANTAS hangar in Parap with a sausage sizzle organised by the Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club. Drinks were supplied by Engineers Australia. This event was an official Science Week event with funding received from NT Science Week Committee. Peter Poole Historian
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Overland Telegraph Joining Point Celebra7ons at Dunmarra to commemorate OT joining The joining of the Overland Telegraph Line near Frews Ponds, 700 km south of Darwin on 22 August 1872 was the culmination of arguably the most ambitious engineering project of the 19th century in Australia. The 3178 km link between Darwin and Adelaide brought communication times between England and Australia down to a few hours. Prior to this the only communication was the mail carried by ships which typically took three months to make the journey from England to Australia. One hundred and forty years to the day later a group of engineering heritage enthusiasts, including Julian Todd the great great grandson of Charles Todd, the man responsible for the building of the Overland Telegraph Line for the South Australian government, celebrated the anniversary with an informal ceremony at the obelisk which commemorates the joining, on the side of the Stuart Highway, 1.6 km east of the actual joining point. The ceremony included the unveiling of an Engineering Heritage National Landmark marker and an interpretation panel telling the story of the joining. The unveiling was carried out by Julian Todd and Northern Division Director Bronwyn Russell. A toast was drunk from insulators from the line and a 21 gun salute was fired (with appropriate fireworks rather than the Colt revolvers used in 1872). The previous evening a celebratory dinner was held at Dunmarra Roadhouse including re-enactment of some of the historic speeches, a competition involving the building of a model of the telegraph line and a presentation by Earl James of material on his 1984 survey of the line. Gary, who runs the roadhouse put on a special spread for the event. On the morning of the ceremony a work party drove down to the obelisk and erected the interpretation panel mounting frame. Trevor Horman then led us out onto Hayfield Station to inspect Frews Ponds where Robert Patterson and his men were camped at the time of the line joining. We came across Brad, Manager of Hayfield, at their Centre Yard, mustering cattle. After the ceremony the group did some bush bashing with the four wheel drives in the convoy and visited the actual joining point located in a 52 pole segment of near-original line which has been preserved. This part of the day was led by Eddie Weber who is local representative of NT Parks and Wildlife and has been responsible for keeping the line segment maintained. Todd and his team built the line in just 15 months
through mostly unsettled country only explored 10 years previously by John McDouall Stuart. The line construction required the erection of 36,000 poles which carried a single strand of wire. Twelve telegraph stations were constructed between Darwin and Adelaide. Many of these became the nucleus of the present-day towns spread along the route which is now best known as the corridor of the iconic Stuart Highway. The completion of the project was delayed by the 1871/72 Top End wet season leaving a section between the King River, south of Katherine, and Tennant Creek incomplete at the time of the contract deadline on 31 December 1971. Todd blazed an alternative supply route up the Roper River and across country to the vicinity of present-day Mataranka to get the line finished in August 1872. The savage liquidated damages for late completion were, however, avoided by the failure of the privately-owned submarine cable between Darwin and Java. When the cable was repaired the first telegraph traffic between London and Adelaide occurred on 21 November 1872 ending Australia’s isolation forever. Owen Peake Engineering Heritage Australia
Bronwyn Russell and Julian Todd unveil the interpretation panel and marker at the obelisk, 27 km south of Dunmarra
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Photographs from the Overland Telegraph Trip
Julian Todd, Great Great Grandson of Sir Charles Todd and his partner Kathleen Sweeney
Re-enactment of Pa+erson’s joining of the Overland Telegraph
Re-enactment of Pa+erson’s joining of the Overland Telegraph
Re-enactment of Pa+erson’s joining of the Overland Telegraph
Re-enactment of Pa+erson’s joining of the Overland Telegraph
Presenta on of original insulator
Presenta on of original insulator
By Owen Peake, from Engineering Heritage Australia to Julian Todd
By Owen Peake, from Engineering Heritage Australia to Julian Todd
Dressed for the occasion at Frews Pond visit. This is the style of dress that ladies and gentlemen would have worn in 1872
Above: Steve Sawyer drove from Aluce Springs to join in the commemora on celebra ons at Dunmurra andre-enactment
The group had the opportunity to meet at Frews Pond . The site where Pa+erson camped during the construc on of the OT
Frews Pond site of Pa+erson’s camp
L: Julian Todd with those dressed to impress R: Original Telegraph pole
Protect your vehicle while promo7ng Engineering. Northern Division has sun visors for your car for sale only $20.00 each. To purchase your visor online visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/ northern-division/resources Or call 8981 4137 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!!! Diploma in Project Management Courses - Register your interest now! Course will be conducted at Engineers Australia Northern Division on the following dates: • • • • •
15 - 16 October 2012 (Module 1) 11 - 12 February 2013 (Module 2) 15 -16 April 2013 (Module 3) 17 - 18 June 2013 (Module 4) 15 - 16 August 2013 (Module 5)
For more informa7on on this course contact Engineering Educa7on Australia on
03 9274 9600 or visit the website www.eeaust.com.au
Welcome to Northern Division’s newest Sponsor Northern Division welcomes Sitzler as a sponsor and looks forward to maximising the partnership with them for the future.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Are you interested in sponsoring Engineers Australia Northern Division?
Our sponsorship prospectus is now available for 2012/13
Want to know more? Contact Karen on 8981 4137 Or email krelph@engineersaustralia.org.au
Site Visit Alice Springs Hospital The day saw a very good response to the invitation to view the current construction works associated with the new Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department. The photos is taken outside the new Emergency Department Public entrance way. • The visit was hosted by the Department of Infrastructure • The Contractor is Lahey Constructions • Following a sign in at the Lahey site office, and a site safety briefing, the group was divided into 4 and each group commenced a walk through the Emergency Department construction works, which were at the 85% completion stage. (Details given below). • The Emergency Department incorporates the latest in emergency care design with many features developed through consultation with the Alice Springs Hospital emergency care specialists. • General discussion confirmed that the site visit was a big success with plans already in place to complete similar visits in the near future. Many thanks to Lahey Constructions for supporting the visit and providing information during the visit. Henry Szczypiorski BE(Civil) CPEng Regional Director, Construction Department of Infrastructure
Date
Ac vity
Venue and Registra on
15-16 October 2012
Project Management Course
Engineers Australia
Engineering Education Australia
14 Shepherd Street, Darwin
October 2012
Women in Engineering Luncheon
TBA
25 October 2012
Technical Presentation
Engineers Australia 14 Shepherd Street, Darwin
26 October 2012
Research and Innovation Awards
Darwin Turf Club Register at www.nt.gov.au/innovation
1-2 November 2012
Asset Management Course
Engineers Australia 14 Shepherd Street, Darwin
November 2012
CELM Event
TBA
November 2012
Fellows Luncheon
TBA
22 November 2012
Technical Presentation
Engineers Australia 14 Shepherd Street, Darwin
28 November 2012
Young Engineers Annual Meeting
TBA
5 December 2012
Annual Meeting and Christmas Sundowner
Engineers Australia 14 Shepherd Street, Darwin