Engineers Australia eNews contains the latest news from Engineers Australia and
a calendar of events.

2008 – Year of the Engineering Team

Engineers Australia
Positions vacant
Daily engineering news

Civil College honours its best

At the Engineers Australia Civil College's awards on the night in Melbourne are (l-r) David Stewart, group managing director of John Holland; Brendon Hyde, the WH Warren Medal winner; Christopher Paxino, the Rod McGee Medal winner; Associate Professor Ron Cox, the Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year winner; and Brian O'Donnell, chair of the Civil College Board.

Associate Professor Ron Cox is this year's Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year. The award was presented last week in Melbourne by David Stewart, group managing director of John Holland, and Brian O'Donnell, the chair of the Civil College Board.
In other awards on the night, Brendon Hyde won the WH Warren Medal for his paper “Civil engineering for passage of fish and fauna.” Steve Finlay from the Civil College Board presented the award.
Christopher Paxino of Monash University won the Rod McGee medal, which recognises and encourages final year civil engineering students to engage in career opportunities in public works engineering. The award was presented by Grant Atherton of the Civil College Board.

Reduced migration could stall infrastructure plans

With an estimated shortage of 28,000 engineering professionals in Australia, Engineers Australia said any proposals to cut Australia’s skilled migration program must be carefully targeted to avoid further impacts to the skills base needed to underpin major spending on infrastructure.
The chief executive of Engineers Australia, Peter Taylor, said: "At a time when Australian governments are relying on fast-tracking major infrastructure programs to stimulate economic activity and offset private sector funding constraints caused by the global financial crisis, it would be most ill-advised to cut back skills that Australia must have to underpin that urgent economic strategy."
Taylor said the federal government’s decision to accelerate use of infrastructure funds was commendable but would be compromised if skilled migration were reduced.
“Australia’s inadequate professional engineering skills base has long been identified as a barrier to implementing infrastructure programs aimed at economic development and increasing our economic competitiveness.
“The skilled migration program is an important temporary fix until education reforms are able to deliver much-needed increases in domestic engineering graduates,” Taylor said.

Engineering advisor to lead NSW innovation

Professor Mary O’Kane has been appointed as NSW’s first chief scientist and scientific engineer.
O’Kane will work across all scientific areas and advise the NSW government on major public policy issues such as climate change, genetically modified foods and nanotechnology.
Other priority areas include:

• strengthening research in smart technologies, energy and health
• leading discussion about how to get more teachers for maths and science, particularly physics, in the state’s schools
• developing a stronger relationship between government, universities, and business.

Notices

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.

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 has already opened for members of Sydney Division and will close on 21 November. For members of Victoria Division, voting opens on 6 November and closes on 26 November.
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.

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.

Discussing future of Sydney railways

The symposium "Metros – future rail for Sydney" will be hosted by the Railway Technical Society of Australia in Sydney on 12 November. It will discuss technologies, factors associated with transport integration and issues around land-use planning in the context of Sydney's proposed $12 billion North West Metro project and Metro West line. Inquiries: 02 9233 6652, web www.rtsa.com.au

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.

Publications

A Practical Approach to Water Conservation for Commercial and Industrial Facilities

Mohan Seneviratne           
$117.27 + GST = $129   

This Australian-authored book is a best practice manual for water conservation for industrial and commercial users worldwide. It offers a practical account of the measures which can be taken to re-educate industrial and commercial users in the techniques of water saving and re-use
2007 9781856174893 380pp. Read more...


Managing Projects, Managing People

David Parker & Michael Craig        
$75.41 + GST = $82.95

Drawing on aspects of management, risk and leadership theory and emphasising the importance of communication this text provides the reader with the skills required to deliver a project in today's business environment.
2008 9781420256086  400pp. Read more...


Treatment System Hydraulics

John Bergendahl           
$204.55 + GST = $225

The success of a treatment system depends to a significant degree on the system's fluid flow - that is, on the selection and arrangement of pipes, channels, valves, pumps and other hydraulic components. Prepared for undergraduate and graduate courses it will be equally suitable as a reference for practicing engineers
2008 9780784409190  271pp. Read more...

Calendar

Engineering Education Australia will run the following short courses:

• Sustainable energy market solutions (1 day) Melbourne 3 Nov, Perth 5 Nov
• Breakthrough strategies for women engineers (1 day) Perth 5 Nov, Melbourne 12 Nov, Sydney 19 Nov, Newcastle 20 Nov, Townsville 26 Nov;
• Process improvement through total quality management and lean (2 days) Sydney 5 Nov, Perth 20 Nov
• Writing winning technical documents (2 days) Perth 6 Nov, Darwin 13 Nov, Sydney 26 Nov
• Time management (1 day) Sydney 7 Nov, Adelaide 13 Nov
• Contract management (2 days) Sydney 10 Nov, Melbourne 17 Nov, Brisbane 24 Nov
• Financial management (2 days) Adelaide 10 Nov, Melbourne 24 Nov
• Managing cultural differences (1 day) Sydney 10 Nov, Melbourne 24 Nov, Brisbane 27 Oct
• Coaching skills for leaders (2 days) Sydney 11 Nov, Melbourne 18 Nov, Brisbane 21 Oct, Perth 25 Nov
• Relationship management in project delivery (2 days) Adelaide 11 Nov, Melbourne 18 Nov, Perth 25 Nov
• Negotiation skills (2 days) Adelaide 11 Nov
• Relate to Aussies (1 day) Perth 12 Nov, Adelaide 21 Nov
• Personal time management (1 day) Sydney 12 Nov, Melbourne 19 Nov, Brisbane 26 Nov
• Project management (2 days) Sydney 13 Nov, Melbourne 20 Nov, Brisbane 27 Nov
• Creating and managing networks for successful business relationships (2 days) Perth 13 Nov, Adelaide 24 Nov.