Victoria’s 2011 Professional Engineer Award was announced at the Victorian Engineering Excellence Awards Presentation Dinner at the Palladium Ballroom, Crown Towers in Melbourne on 22 September.

Mr Peter Bowtell, Principal, Buildings Practice Leader – Australasia at Arup, was named Professional Engineer of the Year for 2011.

Peter has demonstrated a high level of competence and significant achievement in engineering and community affairs. He is now eligible for the National Professional Engineer Award 2011.

Peter has excelled in his role as Principal, Buildings Practice Leader - Australasia at Arup. His well-rounded and diverse engineering and community experience, along with his demonstrated leadership capability and his commitment to professional and community contribution, were defining factors in the judges’ decision.

Peter’s contribution to the profession is undeniable; he has held leadership roles both locally and internationally, and has led many of Melbourne’s iconic projects, including the new AAMI Park Stadium, the MCG Northern Stand and the Melbourne Museum. Peter also has extensive community involvement; as leader of Arup’s Community Partnering Program for Australasia, he oversees Arup’s work in programs such as Habitat for Humanity, Water Aid, Engineers without Borders, Desert Knowledge Australia and Emergency Architects Australia.

Peter also managed a team of 25 from Engineers Australia and Consult Australia who helped in the Black Saturday bushfire recovery process, providing design and construction services for a new public hall for the community of Narbethong, opened in March 2011.

Mr Paul Collier, State President of Engineers Australia, Victoria Division and part of the judging panel, commented on Peter’s success, saying “Peter is a future thinker who is focused on a clear vision for both the industry and the wider profession. He has also demonstrated commitment to improving the built environment in the cities in which he lives.”

A Highly Commended Award was also announced and was presented to Dr Frédéric Blin, Principal Materials Engineer with AECOM, who also displayed a significant level of engineering proficiency and industry achievement.

Judges were impressed with the breadth of Frédéric’s engineering achievements and were pleased by his efforts to mentor and support young engineers.

The new award, proudly supported by VicRoads, acknowledges and rewards engineering professionals who have realised competence and significant achievement in community affairs; a demonstrated understanding of the role and purpose of the engineering profession in society; proficiency in the use of communication skills in engineering projects; and effective communication with public media.

Engineers Australia, Victoria Division would like to congratulate both Peter and Frédéric on this significant achievement.