Damian Drain MIEAust CPEng NER previously held a senior project management and delivery role in the Department of Defence before leaving the Army after 20 years. He is a civil engineer and his skills include infrastructure planning and delivery, strategic planning and complex project management.
Engineers Australia Canberra interviews Mr Drain on his new appointment and extensive background.
What motivated you to become GHD’s new Defence Infrastructure Manager at GHD?
I will always be thankful for the opportunities that Defence has given me over the last two decades and the great people I served with. However, those that know me well also know that I am passionate about improving Defence capability through better infrastructure. So, when I was given an opportunity to continue to support Defence while doing something I loved with highly motivated people, the choice to join GHD was not hard.
What is the most challenging or interesting project you have worked on to date?
In 2013, I was deployed as part an Australian Defence Force contingent to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, with a specific role of liaising and advising the Japanese Military Engineer contingent deployed to the mission. It was here that I found the most challenging and interesting project I have worked on, that being the project management of a new Law Faculty for the Juba University, Juba being the capital of South Sudan. The project was funded by the United Nations Development Program and it was a great opportunity to work with Japanese Military Engineers, contributing to nation building. However, there were great challenges in trying to build in a country with limited resources, almost no skilled labour and a number of security threats. This required great patience and diligence, but at the same time I was constantly amazed by the resourcefulness and resilience of the South Sudanese people.
What do you see as one of the biggest issues facing the engineering profession?
I think it is an aging population and the strain this will place on attracting and retaining talented and experienced people. However, efforts by organisations such as Engineers Australia and GHD to enhance gender equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering will help to address these issues. The engineering profession must continue to be diverse to be able to draw on a wider pool of potential talent.
What advice do you have for young engineers just starting their career?
You should enjoy what you do, that is what life is all about. Find what it is in engineering that both stirs and drives your passion, and follow it.
Finally, what do you enjoy in your spare time?
Simple pleasures like riding my bike and spending time with my family.