New Northern President’s update Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Update from new Engineers Australia, Northern President Chris Lugg FIEAust CPEng NER

Mr Chris Lugg FIEAust CPEng NER has 35 years’ experience in mechanical engineering. Chris holds a Bachelor in Engineering (Mechanical) and a Graduate Diploma in Business, both from the South Australian Institute of Technology. Over the last five years, Chris has been a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Machine Design, Manufacturing, Safety and Risk, and Engines and Turbomachinery at Charles Darwin University. He is also the Managing Director of Cabban Properties, NT Spring Works and Lone Pine Orchards. Chris is a former Deputy President, a former Committee Member and a former National Assessor for Engineers Australia, Northern. He was also 2016’s Chief Judge for the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards, Northern.

Tribute to Nerida

I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Nerida Horner MIEAust, for her dedication and hard work for Engineers Australia, Northern in 2016. I have worked with Nerida on previous Division Committees and have always admired her clear thinking and reasoned and committed approach to the profession. Under Nerida’s leadership in 2016, the Northern Strategic Priorities were developed. She is a fearless leader and a great asset to the Territory’s engineering sector. She exemplifies the highest ideals of professional standards and is a great role model for younger engineers. I look forward to working with her on future Engineers Australia, Northern endeavours and initiatives.

Key areas of focus

There are numerous areas I would like to focus on as President. Some of the key areas I would like to address are:

  1. Implementation of Engineers Australia, Northern’s Strategic Priorities (as outlined below)
  2. Increasing Engineers Australia’s representation in the profession by improving membership numbers through active encouragement of all engineers to join and proactive encouragement for current members to maintain their membership throughout their careers and into retirement.
  3. Increase Northern’s involvement in relevant public debates, thus advancing the profession and strengthening our vision to become the “trusted voice”.
  4. Foster, nurture, mentor and encourage anyone who aspires to enter the profession through genuine implementation of equal opportunity, with particular emphasis on school-age aspiring engineers. This is a particular passion of mine and I look forward to pursuing this further.

The Strategic Priorities for Engineers Australia, Northern are to:

  1. Build the Northern engineering community
  2. Connect and build trusted relationships with Northern neighbours
  3. Recognise, promote and share benefits of unique tropical and remote engineering practices
  4. Develop future and existing engineers
  5. Build alliances and partnerships

The above itemises the key aims of the Strategic Priorities, as developed by the 2016 Division Committee. Each aim of these Prioroties is being spearheaded by an experienced subgroup of the Committee, who are tasked to implement and advance these aims, which are ambitious, but achievable if we can remain focussed and work hard. I look forward to working with the Division Committee and Engineers Australia members to make significant progress in all these areas.

Please feel free to contact your President, Chris Lugg, via email if you have any queries or comments.

 

Image: Engineers Australia, Northern President Chris Lugg FIEAust CPEng NER at the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards, Northern 2016.