Awards and Competitions
The College has three Awards: the AGM Michell Medal, the Sir George Julius Medal and the Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year Award. We also endorse the Warman Design-and-Build Competition, organised and run by our National Committee on Engineering Design.
AGM Michell Medal
The Award perpetuates the memory of Anthony George Maldon Michell (1870-1959), an outstanding Australian Mechanical Engineer. AGM Michell was a consulting engineer n the field of hydraulics and pump design and in conjunction with his investigations of lubrication at the beginning of the century he invented the tilting-pad thrust bearing, a momentous technical innovation. Other notable achievements were the invention of his viscometer, the development of hydraulic power transmissions and the design and development of a series of crankless engines. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1934 and was awarded the Kernot Medal in 1938 and the James Watt Medal in 1943. The Award was first awarded in 1978.
The Award is presented for outstanding service to mechanical engineering through:
- a highly significant contribution, or contributions, through technical innovation relating to the science or practice of mechanical engineering; or
- long standing eminence in mechanical engineering science or practice; or
- notable and sustained leadership pertaining to mechanical engineering, within the Institution of Engineers Australia; or
- a worthy blend of the aforementioned.
The Award is made annually by the Mechanical College Board upon the recommendation of its Executive Committee, the latter having invited Confidential Nominations accompanied by supporting documentation. The successful recipient will be presented with a Bronze Medal and accompanying Certificate at a Presentation Dinner or equally appropriate event and the recipient is invited to give an oration on a topic of his or her choice which will later be published in the Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering. Unsuccessful nominations in the current year remain valid for another 2 years and are again considered with any new nominations received in those following years.
The Nomination form can be downloaded below. Please note all nominations are to be received by Friday 28 November 2008.
2008 AGM Michell Medal Winner - Dr Gordon Long
The 2008 winner, Dr Gordon Long was the former President of the Australian Composite Structures Society (1996), Foundation Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures Ltd (1991) and Chief of Structures Division at Aeronautical Research Laboratory, DSTO (1983). He was awarded the Paul Anderson Memorial prize by the Institution of Engineers London, the Walter Atkinson Memorial Prize by the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, the Lawrence Hargrave Medal by the Royal Aeronautical Society, Australian Division (RAeS) and the L.P. Coombes Medal by the Institution of Engineers, Australia.
Dr Gordon Long displayed exemplary achievements in the areas of aeronautics and composite structures. He posses a wonderful combination of technical excellence, local and overseas recognition of his abilities, technical foresight and leadership. He stood out in a field of strong contenders for this award.
Sir George Julius Medal
The successful recipient(s) will be presented with a Bronze Medal and accompanying Certificate at an appropriate Engineers Australia Mechanical College event in their home state.
Nominations for the 2008 Award have now closed.
Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year Award
The Award is conferred by the Board of the College of Mechanical Engineers to recognise the achievement and contribution of a young mechanical engineer, technologist or associate in the profession of mechanical engineering. Specifically, the level to which the nominee has enhanced the public image of mechanical engineering and/or their contribution to the volunteer activities of Engineers Australia; and the excellence and commitment shown to Continuing Professional Development, in particular to the attainment of their Chartered Status. The Award is sponsored by Applidyne (http://www.applidyne.com.au).2008 Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year Winner - Darren Lomman
Darren is the CEO of Dreamfit Foundation who through application of his mechanical engineering skills, research and design has developed several new technologies that can be used to modify recreation equipment accessible for people with disabilities, such as the hand controlled motorcycle, ski boat with hoist, seated surfboard, joystick controlled hovercraft, and abseiling tower for wheelchair users. His collaboration with The University of Western Australia enabled mentoring and skills development of 150 engineering students each year on various innovative projects. Darren is a role model for young students and is hands on in developing their interest in engineering. He has won a number of prestigious awards including 2007 Young Australian of the Year and a Churchill Fellowship.
Warman Design-and-Build Competition
This competition is for second year mechanical engineering students across Australia & New Zealand. It is aimed at teaching students the value and significance of engineering design in Mechanical Engineering.
The competition is sponsored by Weir Minerals Australia Ltd, and the national finals are held in Sydney in September each year.
Please visit the Competition website for more information. Also available is a video preview of one of the 2007 entrants, UNSW @ ADFA with 'Scorpion' (Windows Media)
