MEMBER PROFILE
NEXT GENERATION RAY AND RYAN HICKS
Born and bred in Chinchilla, Ray commenced with Brandon and Associates Pty Ltd in November 1975 as a Junior Engineer, progressing through to become its Managing Director. Ray assumes ultimate responsibility for all facets of Brandon and Associates Pty Ltd and his ability to build strong relationships with clients and his team has ensured the sustained growth of the business. He is highly regarded and respected for his practical knowledge of local government engineering, particularly in the area of design and construction of rural road systems.
Here they each discuss their role in the public works sector and their time working together.
He has worked across a developing spectrum of energy generation, providing civil and geotechnical services for coal fired power generation, gas fired power plants, through to renewables such as wind and solar power generation and battery storage. These projects include design and project management of roads and facilities on behalf of the various local authorities that Brandon and Associates consult to. Overseeing the design, preparing tenders and project management of the construction of external and internal roads for the Kogan Creek Power Station on behalf of Chinchilla Shire Council is a career highlight for Ray. The project consisted of over 20 kilometres of road works and two concrete bridges and was successfully completed under cost.
It is the variety of projects that Ray can undertake with Brandon and Associates that keeps him enjoying his role in the public works sector. Working with both local government and private industry has been rewarding and brings interesting opportunities.
Similarly, variety is a draw card for Ryan. ‘I also enjoy the variety of work from building subdivisions, building new roads and highways and maintenance on old ones. As well as working across different sectors including local government and the Department
Ray consistently nurtures young engineers throughout the company’s offices and is committed to helping them succeed in the engineering profession. For the past 12 years this has also included his son, Ryan, who is a civil engineer.
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ENGINEERING FOR PUBLIC WORKS | JUNE 2021
of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) as well as private clients and the resources industry’. One of his favourite aspects of his role is the opportunity to work across western Queensland from Toowoomba, through to the border of Queensland and South Australia. When asked, Ray knew that the variety was a motivation for Ryan, as well as the ability to work in a rural environment, alongside staff that he has grown up with. Growing up around engineers was a factor in attracting Ryan to his role. ‘Getting to see Dad work on big projects as a young kid and watching large machines working on construction sites has been fascinating. I guess getting to build big things and knowing they will be there for years to come was also attractive’. Working together has enabled Ray and Ryan to work on many ‘big projects’, such as a couple of large subdivisions in Chinchilla, a career highlight for Ryan. It was early in Ryan’s civil engineering career, and he valued his father’s experience, knowledge, and
