Engineers Australia eNews contains the latest news from Engineers Australia and
a calendar of events.
2008 – Year of the Engineering Team
10 November 2008
News
"An engineer is something I always wanted to be"
The
2008 Tasmanian Young Professional Engineer of the Year, Aaron Brimfield
(right) with the Highly Commended recipient Erin Driscoll and the 2007 National Young Professional Engineer of the Year Patrick Hill.
Aaron Brimfield has won the Young Professional Engineer of the Year award from Engineers Australia Tasmanian Division.
Describing
his passion for engineering, Brimfield said: "An engineer is something
I have always wanted to be. It is all about creating something that is
more efficient, uses less materials, less labour, is faster, is better
looking or a combination of these. I feel honoured to receive this
award".
As part of the award, Brimfield will receive mentoring from
a professional coach for both personal and professional development. He
will also be supported to speak with school groups around the state as an ambassador for Engineers Australia.
He
has a civil engineering degree from the University of Tasmania and is
currently working towards his master of business administration and
diploma of project management.
A highly commended award went
to Erin Driscoll of Hobart, who is a civil engineer with global
consulting firm GHD, where she is the youngest service group
manager. The awards were presented by Patrick Hill, the 2007
National Young Professional Engineer of the Year.
Membership grew but drop in Chartered engineers
Membership in Engineers Australia
(EA) grew by 3% in 2008 compared to last year, according to the
recently published annual report. Total membership now stands at 85,701.
The
growth was encouraging for women engineers with an increase of 15.2%.
For the first time, female membership exceeds 10% of total membership.
EA's financial position remains strong with an increase in total members' funds from $33.3 million to $36.7 million.
However, awards of Chartered status fell by nearly 25%. This was despite participants in professional development programs lodging more career episode reports than the previous year.
Applications
for skills assessment are projected to remain high with the federal
government's announcement in May about a further increase in skilled
migration places.
Graduate power engineer wins award
The
Graduate Electrical Power Engineer of the Year Award 2008 has been won
by Melbourne's Felicity Galluzzo for her achievements in electrical
power engineering, leadership and project management.
The judging panel was made up of representatives from the Electrical College Board, Electric Energy Society of Australia, Engineers Australia and NHP.
As
part of the prize, NHP will send Felicity overseas to visit the
Nuremberg Electrical and Automation Fair, and electrical technology
companies in Europe and Kuala Lumpur over two weeks.
The runners up were Janica Lukas from WA and Blake Harvey from Queensland.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony next month.
Notices
Nominations open for AGM Michell Award
Nominations
are open for the AGM Michell Award which is the most prestigious
individual award from Engineers Australia's Mechanical College.
The award is presented for outstanding service to mechanical engineering through either of the following:
- a highly significant contribution, or contributions, through technical innovation relating to the science or practice of mechanical engineering
- longstanding eminence in mechanical engineering science or practice
- notable and sustained leadership pertaining to mechanical engineering, within the Institution of Engineers Australia
Unsuccessful nominations in the current year remain valid for another two years and are again considered with any new nominations received in those following years.
The award is named after Anthony George Maldon Michell, an outstanding consulting engineer in the field of hydraulics and pump design.
To download the nomination form, click here. The closing date for nominations is 28 November.
Call for women representatives
Engineers Australia is calling for applications for Women in Engineering representatives to the National Committee for Engineering Associates and National Committee for Engineering Technologists.
These are newly created positions with a tenure from January 2009 to November 2010.
The positions are is intended to foster the involvement and visibility of women in the engineering profession at the national level.
They are leadership roles that promotes professional development of women associates and technologists. The representatives are expected to foster communication between the national committees and encourage the development of programs that will attract and support women in the engineering profession.
Interested members are invited to apply with their curriculum vitae (no more than two pages) with information on qualifications, experience and contributions they have to the engineering profession and to the activities and programs of Engineers Australia. These positions are not open to students.
Applications should be sent to the National Committee Women in Engineering administrator, Katrina Chisholm at kchisholm@engineersasutralia.org.au. Applications close 30 November.
Salary survey now open
Independent research company New Focus is conducting Engineers Australia's sixth annual online salary survey. The survey is targeted at engineering employers in the public and private sectors, which provide information on engineers' salaries, conditions and benefits.
The survey should be filled out by HR officers/managers, as it gathers information across a variety of different grades and types of engineers.
The nominated person who completes the survey will automatically go in the draw to win a weekend getaway (two nights) valued at $750 in an executive suite, including breakfasts and dinner at a top class hotel in their nearest capital city.
Last year 143 employers completed the online survey. Their responses reflected the salary, benefits and working conditions of approximately 13,000 employees.
Jenny O’Donovan, Engineers Australia’s national manager for careers, said this year we are keen to increase the number of respondents from public organisations and companies employing chemical, IT, telecommunications, environmental and mining engineers. O’Donovan said she is particularly interested in benchmarking salaries by engineering discipline across states.
The survey will be open until 28 November and can be completed by clicking the links below.
To complete the survey, click here.
If this does not work, due to your browser's security settings, click here.
New journal out now
The latest issue of the Australian Journal of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, vol 5 no 1, is now available from Engineers Australia.
The journal has papers on hydro generator high-voltage stator windings, optimal design and modelling of a photovoltaic-wind hybrid system and synthesis of single phase DC/AC inverters, among others.
To purchase a printed copy, email Pam Chenery at Engineers Media or phone 02 9438 1533.
To purchase individual papers, visit the Engineers Media website and click on the "Technical Journals" section. Click on Non-subscriber Access and then on the relevant cover and paper title.
If you are already a subscriber to the journals, you can access the papers at the Engineers Australia website by clicking on Member Services > Library Services and Subscription Library Services (e-Pubs)
Meeting to discuss possible merger
A special general meeting of the Manufacturing Society of Australia to be held in Melbourne has been called by the National Council in accordance with the constitution, to debate and vote on the following resolution:
"That the Manufacturing Society of Australia merge with the Society of Australian Industry and Employment."
It is anticipated that there will be a significant debate. An action plan arising from the meeting will be formulated.
The meeting will be on Wednesday 3 December at Engineering House, 21 Bedford Street, North Melbourne at 6pm.
Please email acceptances with details to John Blakemore masc@blakemore.com.au or call 0414 970758.
Notice of annual general meeting 2008
The 88th annual general meeting of Engineers Australia will be held in the Members Dining Room 2 of the Old Parliament House in Parkes on 20 November.
Electronic voting for Division elections
Following a successful trial last year, Engineers Australia will be providing electronic voting for all division elections in 2008.
Voting is now open for members of Sydney Division and Victoria Division. Voting will close on 21 November for Sydney Division and 26 November for Victoria Division.
Eligible members of these divisions will be sent voting information by email, and will be able to vote online. Postal voting information will be sent to eligible members who are not able to be reached by email.
Check and update your member contact details online now, to ensure that you can vote online. Look for “update your contact details” on the Engineers Australia home page.
Get in early for Christmas event
The Christmas Networking Event for Engineers Australia South Australia Division will be held at Jolleys Boathouse on the banks of the Torrens on 27 November. The cost is $15. Prior to the Christmas Networking Event there will be a short AGM.
To attend either event, RSVP by 20 November to Norma Cowan, fax 8239 0932, email ncowan@engineersaustralia.org.au.
Technical tour of Japan
Engineers Australia is inviting expressions of interest for the 2009 Technical Tour to Japan.
On this 21-day tour, participants will fly Singapore Airlines into Tokyo spending four nights there before visiting Hakone, Nagoya, Matsumoto, Takayama, Nara, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka.
Projects in mind include the International Airport, a motor vehicle manufacturing plant and the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Control Centre. Other initiatives include latest developments with solar energy and exhibition centers.
Both members and their partners are welcome to join the tour. Credits can be earned towards continuing professional development and costs incurred should qualify as a tax deduction for practising engineers.
Members interested in the tour who would like to receive further information should contact Maria McNamara 02 6270 6568 / 0402947725 or email pmcnamara@engineersaustralia.org.au.
Have a say in where Engineers Australia is going
Members are invited to contribute to the development of the next strategic plan for Engineers Australia (EA). The plan will provide the framework for EA's activities over the period 2010 to 2015.
Planning sessions will be undertaken in Divisions, College Boards, and special interest groups over the next few months.
A final planning forum will be held next July, with the intention of recommending a new plan to Congress in November 2009.
The strategic plan must represent the interests of EA members and the community at large.
For more information, or to submit suggestions or comments, visit www.engineersaustralia.org.au/strategicplan2010.
Publications
Safety and Security Review for the Process Industries
Dennis P. Nolan
162.27 + GST = $178.50
This
book describes the application of major safety reviews used in the
process industries (principally petroleum, petrochemical, chemical
industries, nuclear installations, utility systems, and medical
facilities) necessary to prevent major catastrophic fire, explosions
and oil spillages. It provides guidance on qualitative hazard
analyses, specifically for PHA (Preliminary Hazard Analysis), What-If,
and HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) for review teams.
2008 9780815515463 250pp. Read more...
Get It, Set It, Move It, Prove It: 60 ways to get real results in your organization
Mark Graham Brown
$31.82 + GST = $35
The
distinct feature of this book is the four-phased model: "Get It"
focuses on your leadership's vision and values; "Set It" improves your
goals and strategies and their deployment in regard to ethics and
regulatory requirements and performance measurement; "Move It"
strengthens your relationships with important customers and the
management of employees and key work processes; and "Prove It" helps
you supply the evidence that your systems are producing
high-performance results.
2004 9781563273063 224pp. Read more...
Environment Conscious Manufacturing
Surendra M. Gupta AJD Lambert
Usual price: $190.91 + GST = $210
Order online and pay: $180 + GST = $189
“Environmentally
friendly” has evolved from reluctant compliance with required
regulations to a mechanism for gaining the competitive advantage and an
important part of strategic management. Expected benefits of this
paradigm shift include safer and cleaner facilities, lower future costs
for disposal and worker protection, reduced environmental and health
risks, and improved product quality at lower cost and higher
productivity. Describing the basic elements of ECM, this book gives you
the tools and techniques for developing ECM strategies.
2008 9780849335525 560pp. Read more...
EA BOOKS is a print and digital publisher with a number of new and established programs for which we are seeking authors and reviewers. Your contribution can range from a book review to preparing a podcast or possibly writing a book.
Our blog hosts reviews of new engineering titles. Written by engineers for engineers you will review the latest from publishers all over the English-speaking world. If you’re interested in reviewing a book we have titles available on the following subjects: Project Management, Avionics, Structural Engineering, Green HVACR, Concrete, Engineering Systems, and Sustainability/Accountability.
Podcast your book review or perhaps a commentary on a recent project and raise your profile in the industry as your fellow engineers seek more relevant content in an increasingly crowded World Wide Web.
There’s an old saying that we all have one book inside of us! Whether you are still at the thinking stage, have already started writing, or perhaps have a manual you prepared for your staff or customers, EA Books would like to work with you to share that knowledge.
Please contact Robert Barber, rbarber@engineersmedia.com.au, or phone 02 9438 5355 if you would like to be published.
Calendar
Engineering Education Australia will run the following short courses:
- Contract management (2 days) Melbourne 17 Nov, Brisbane 24 Nov
- Coaching skills for leaders (2 days) Melbourne 18 Nov, Brisbane 21 Oct, Perth 25 Nov
- Relationship management in project delivery (2 days) Melbourne 18 Nov, Perth 25 Nov
- Breakthrough strategies for women engineers (1 day) Sydney 19 Nov, Newcastle 20 Nov, Townsville 26 Nov
- Personal time management (1 day) Melbourne 19 Nov, Brisbane 26 Nov
- Process improvement through total quality management and lean (2 days) Perth 20 Nov
- Project management (2 days) Melbourne 20 Nov, Brisbane 27 Nov
- Relate to Aussies (1 day) Adelaide 21 Nov
- Creating and managing networks for successful business relationships (2 days) Adelaide 24 Nov.
- Financial management (2 days) Melbourne 24 Nov
- Managing cultural differences (1 day) Melbourne 24 Nov, Brisbane 27 Oct
- Writing winning technical documents (2 days) Sydney 26 Nov
Seminars on Do-it-yourself investing – more smart ideas and strategies will be held by 2020 Directinvest in Melbourne 19 Nov, Brisbane 25 Nov, Newcastle 27 Nov. Inquiries: 1800 352 021, email seminars@2020directinvest.com.au, web www.2020directinvest.com.au/seminars
The EPSM – ABEC conference 2008, innovations in patient care conference will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand 16-20 Nov. Inquiries: email epsm-abec@uco.canterbury.ac.nz, web www.uco.canterbury.ac.nz/conference/epsm-abec
The Engineers Australia excellence awards will be held in Canberra 19 Nov. Inquiries: 1300 653 113, email awards@engineersaustralia.org.au, web www.engineersaustralia.org.au
Abstracts are due 21 November for the Newcastle Division Regional Convention: Transport and communication; Australia’s backbone past, present and future which will be held in Newcastle 12-13 June 2009. The conference will discuss how advancements in transport and communication have affected regional Australia. Inquiries: email lanfaxlabs@bigpond.com.au
The conference of the Australian Earthquake Engineering Society will be held in Ballarat 21-23 Nov. Inquiries: Sharon Anderson 0414 492 210, srj@bigpond.net.au, web www.aees.org.au
The National Final and Awards Ceremony for Re-Engineering Australia will be in Canberra 24-26 November. Inquiries: 1300 554 503, email contact@rea.org.au.
The 2008 Australasian Association for Engineering Education conference will be held in Yeppoon 7-10 Dec. Inquiries: web www.events.rockhamptoninfo.com.au/aaee2008
Abstracts for industry papers are due 12 Dec for the 20th Australian software engineering conference which will be held on the Gold Coast 14-17 Apr 2009. Inquiries: email aswec2009@itee.uq.edu.au, web aswec2009.itee.uq.edu.au
The 13th Australian international aerospace congress will be held in Melbourne 9-12 Mar 2009. Inquiries: email aiac13@wsm.com.au, web www.aiac13.com
The 6th international water sensitive urban design conference will be held in Perth 5-8 May 2009. Inquiries: email enquiries@keynotewa.com, web www.keynotewa.com/wsud09
Energy 21C will be held in Melbourne 6-9 Sep 2009. Inquiries: web www.energy21c.com.au
Coasts and ports 2009 will be held in Wellington 14-18 Sep 2009. Inquiries: email coastsandports2009@avenues.co.nz, web www.coastsandports2009.com
Chemeca 2009 will be held in Perth 27-30 Sep 2009. Inquiries: web www.chemeca2009.com
The 32nd hydrology and water resources symposium 2009 will be held in Newcastle 30 Nov-3 Dec 2009. Inquiries: web www.h2009.org.au
The 5th civil engineering conference in the Asian region and Australasian structural engineering conference 2010 will be held in Sydney 8-12 Aug 2010. Inquiries: web www.cecar5.com
The 15th international conference for women engineers and scientists will be hosted by Engineers Australia National Committee for Women in Engineering and the International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists in Adelaide 19-22 July 2011. Inquiries: web www.icwes15.org
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The statements made or opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of Engineers Australia.