The excellence of the contribution to civil engineering across Australia and internationally by Chris Dann, was officially recognised at the presentation to him of the Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year Award 2009 in Brisbane last night, Thursday 22 October.

Glenn Palin, Group Managing Director of the John Holland Group and Barry Tonkin, Chairman, Civil College Board of Engineers Australia, presented the prestigious annual award, which acknowledges an eminent civil engineer who has made a major contribution to the profession.

Chris Dann has over 20 years civil and geotechnical engineering experience with projects across Australia, South-East Asia and Europe. Chris has been responsible for the design and management of a range of large dam engineering projects including studies for new dams projects and upgrade and remedial work for existing water supply dams. As a Senior Principal with URS in Brisbane, Chris’s current major project is a design manager for the $380 million Hinze Dam upgrade at the Gold Coast.

Chris’s formidable reputation is based on his considerable work and understanding of engineering water and infrastructure and this is reinforced by his ability to mobilise and motivate his teams, that has seen Chris and his teams win a number of awards and industry recognition for the high calibre of the work.

In accepting the award Chris emphasised the benefits he has gained through strong mentors and highly supportive teamwork that he sees as what the industry must do for assisting those starting their careers.

“I have been very fortunate to have had some very influential mentors at key times in my career and to have worked with teams of people who have supported me, challenged me and helped me grow to the engineer I am today”, Chris said.

Since graduating as a Bachelor of Engineering – Civil, from the University of Queensland 1985, the early stages of Chris’s experience grew through canal developments projects in Queensland, projects in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth and working overseas at the Liverpool Docks in the UK and at the Isle of Wight. Chris then returned to Brisbane to work on the Southbank Parkland redevelopment and the Treasury Casino projects, and further opportunities took him to projects across South-East Asia, before turning his focus to dams.

Chris Dann joins the circle of notable past winners of the award which include Associate Professor Ron Cox, Professor Archie Johnston, Dr Jim Gill, Mr Peter Stewart, Mr Bill Wild, Professor Harry Poulos, Mr Wal King, Mr Max Ervin, Dr Rory Nathan and Mr Doug Price.

The awards dinner also included the presentation of the 2009 Warren Medal for an engineering paper to Sydney-based Dr Brian Burman, Gary Mostyn and David Piccolo, and the 2009 Rod McGee Medal to Melbourne’s RMIT civil engineering student, Elizabeth Smolinska.

Further Information:John Bright -0407 234 490 / jbright@engineersaustralia.org.au Engineers Australia is the common name of the Institution of Engineers, Australia with a membership 90,000.