The Winners are:

Professor Friso de Boer – Professional Engineer of the Year Friso is the Head of the School of Engineering and IT and has significantly contributed to Charles Darwin University with the growth of engineering programs from about 40 students in 2003 to almost 400 students. Courses have expanded to include the Diploma, the Bachelor and the Masters of Engineering across Civil, Electrical and Electronics and Mechanical Engineering. He has demonstrated excellent people management skills and careful financial management, all of which are competencies required of any engineering manager.

As well as managing the Engineering School, Friso has continually taught at both Bachelor and Masters level, personally supervised about eight postgraduate students and co-authored technical papers for inclusion at engineering conferences.

Friso’s creativity and passion has made it possible to attract students from outside Darwin and overseas with the introduction of distance learning and courses that are relevant to make the school self-sustaining. He has convinced Government and Industry to support students with scholarships that enable study in Darwin thus providing graduates for the future. He is an inspiration to the Northern Territory and his contribution will be ongoing.

Jaswant Deo – Engineering Associate of the Year
Jaswant Deo RP Project Management has 30 years experience in a variety of capacities including Management, Engineering Design, Construction, Manufacturing, Project Management and Dispute Resolution.

Jas is a member of the Northern Division management committee and represents the Division Nationally for Engineering Associates. He is the current Chair of Consult Australia, is a registered Project Manager and Certified Practising Project Manager.

Jas is a nationally accredited mediator and qualified arbitrator. Jas also assists the Community Justice Centre to coach new student Mediators who are aspiring to get Nationally Accredited. He is registered as a Tutor with the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership of the Charles Darwin University for their Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme.

Lyndon Frearson - Young Professional Engineer of the Year
Lyndon is the General Manager of CAT projects and has been part of a number of award winning projects in recent years in Central Australia. Prior to this, Lyndon spent 6 years working in heavy industry and manufacturing. Lyndon also has extensive experience implementing medium to large scale infrastructure projects, including 3 of the largest solar power plants in Australia and latterly as the Superintendent and Principal Project Manager for the$18M Alice Springs Aquatic Centre.

In recent times Lyndon has been part of the Bushlight India project which has attracted the attention of International NGOs. He also designed and managed installation of the solar power station at the Crowne Plaza, Alice Springs and the Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre.

Lyndon is a National board member of the Australian Solar Energy Society, and represents Australia on the International Energy Agencies Photo Voltaic Power Systems program. Lyndon is also a respected advisor to Commonwealth and State/Territory governments on alternative energy policy development.

Nerida Beard - Highly Commended
In her current position as Project Manager of Community Water Planning in Remote Operations for Power and Water Corporation, Nerida leads a team of 5 people in implementing the sustainable management of water with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The aim is to ensure reliable water supplies into the future to underpin the healthy development of residents in those locations.

Nerida has worked in a range of water related research areas including with the Centre for Appropriate Technology and the Australian Rivers Institute. She has worked closely with Aboriginal people to develop ways to address real water quality and water supply problems in remote settlements.

Nerida represents Northern Division on the national Women in Engineering committee. She has been instrumental in lifting the profile of this group by hosting various events during the past year. Nerida continues to study a Masters program in Applied Anthropology to further her knowledge and has been involved with Engineers Without Borders. Nerida can recently be remembered as contributing to the community by going bald during a Shave for a Cure!