Professional Engineer of the Year

 2011 Winner - Mr Murray Thompson 

Murray Thompson is a Civil Engineer who has  spent  the last 33 years in local government in a  range of positions associated with the investigation, design, operation and construction of water supply and sewerage projects.

The bulk of this period has been with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, most recently as Water Supply Manager.  In this role he has been responsible for the development and implementation of the $150M Hastings District Water Supply Augmentation Scheme, as well as the day to day operation of the Council’s water supply schemes.  He has also had responsibility for the Council’s electrical and telemetry operations and the mechanical workshop.  Other major projects in which he has been involved include the Wauchope Water Treatment Plant Facilities Project, the Port Macquarie Urban Reclaimed Water Supply Scheme and the Hastings District Water Supply Fluoridation Project.  Several of these projects have been recognised for engineering excellence by Engineers Australia and other professional bodies.

Murray has an honours degree in Civil Engineering, Graduate Diplomas in Electrical Engineering and Local Government Engineering and a Masters of Engineering Management.  He is active in the local community with involvement in a range of areas including TAFE teaching, surf life saving and Rotary.

In 2007 he was awarded the IPWEA - Engineers Australia National Local Government Engineering Medal – a fitting recognition for his outstanding contributions to local government engineering.

Murray is well deserving of the title of the Newcastle Division's 2011 Professional Engineer of the Year.

Young Engineer of the Year

2011 Winner - Mr Beau Taylor     

Beau Taylor is a Mechanical Engineer who has spent the 7 years since his graduation in regional NSW involved in a range of engineering roles related to the beef processing industry.

After an initial period at their Wagga facility, for the past three and a half years Beau has held the role of Engineering Manager at the Cargill (Tamworth) Beef Processing Facility.  Since the facility has approximately 500 employees with few technical/professional personnel, the position encompasses a wide range of technical roles and responsibilities  including the maintenance and reliability of the facility and its operation; capital planning and project management; implementation of new technology; environmental systems and compliance; utilities management (water, gas electricity); health and safety policies, programs and training; industrial relations; and personnel development programs.  In his period as Engineering Manager, Beau has developed and implemented a range of initiatives which have improved plant efficiency and also demonstrated engineering excellence and his capacity for innovation and achieving positive outcomes.

Beau has an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and since graduation has been active in further professional development in areas related to management and occupational health and safety.  He is also active in the community in a number of areas including the promotion of engineering in schools and careers exhibitions, volunteer work for homeless children in Uganda and local occupational health and safety initiatives.  Beau Taylor is a fine example of how a young professional engineer can make a significant contribution in a regional area. 

Beau is a deserving winner of the Newcastle Division's Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2011.

Engineers Australia Medal

This medal was established in 1989 to recognise and acknowledge a notable engineering contribution to the economic or social development of Australia. In 2005 the purpose of the award was changed to recognise meritorious service at the divisional level by an individual or group in the pursuit of Engineers Australia's goals in the interests of the profession.

2010 Winners - Greg Mashiah and Bob Nelson

Greg Mashiah has received this award in recognition of his continuous work in looking at better ways to service regional engineers and his enthusiastic drive to give back to the engineering community in regional NSW, especially his commitment to the Regional Taskforce and subsequent role in assisting with the establishment of the Regional Special Interest Group.

Bob Nelson has received this award in recognition of his activities in the area of engineering and science communication in schools, and his recruitment of students into the engineering profession. In particular, the crucial role he has played over the last 10 years as the Director of the Science and Engineering Challenge.